cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sugars and alcohol: IgA-associated renal diseases in alcoholic cirrhosis

Tissandie and colleagues report in this issue on their studies of IgA1 glycosylation and biological activities of IgA1-containing circulating immune complexes in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis who developed secondary renal disease with IgA deposits, secondary IgA nephropathy. Their seminal findings demonstrate abnormal glycosylation of IgA1 N-linked as well as O-linked glycans. Furthermore, their work reveals unique biological properties of immune complexes in these patients as compared with those in patients with primary IgA nephropathy.
Patterning flood illumination with microlens arrays

We describe a convenient lithographic technique that can produce simple, repetitive micropatterns over large areas (several square centimeters). The technique uses an illuminated array of micrometer-scale lenses to generate an array of optical patterns in an image plane located within micrometer distances from the lens array. A layer of photoresist, placed in the image plane, records the patterns. Microlenses with different sizes, profiles, composition, and indices of refraction produce corresponding patterns in exposed and developed photoresist. Both spherical and nonspherical microlenses were examined. Several types of optical element containing arrays of microlenses were fabricated and used to demonstrate that this technique can generate uniform micropatterns over large areas (>4 cm2) in a single exposure. The smallest features produced had dimensions of ∼100 nm.
Pectoralis Major Muscle Ruptures

Rupture of the pectoralis major muscle is a rare injury, with less than 200 reported cases in the literature since its initial description in 1822 by Patissier. The majority of these cases have been documented over the past few years, showing the growing appreciation and awareness of this injury. Injuries are most commonly sustained by young men during athletic or weightlifting activity, which comprise a large proportion of our military population. Ruptures usually occur when the muscle is eccentrically contracting under an extensive load. However, direct trauma to the muscle may also result in injury. Acute symptoms often consist of swelling, ecchymosis and pain over the affected axilla and pectoral region, and diminished strength. On physical examination, typical findings include an abnormal contour of the axilla and reduced adduction and internal rotation strength. Clinical diagnosis can be supported with imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice, adequately showing the location and extent of injury. Tears are most common at the tendon or myotendinous junction. In young active individuals, ruptures of the pectoralis major muscle have the best results after surgical repair, acutely or delayed. Conservative treatment is usually reserved for muscle belly tears or elderly, sedentary individuals.
Influence of Nitrogen Impurities on Nickel and Platinum Silicide Formation

In the present study we investigate the influence of nitrogen on the silicide formation of thin nickel and platinum films. Nitrogen is introduced by implantation either in the metal films or in the silicon substrates. We use the rare stable isotope 15N for the implantation and the nuclear reaction 15N(p,α)12C for the detection and profiling of the impurity. For nitrogen in nickel, we find that at 350 °C nitrogen is mobile. It accumulates at the bottom nickel interface and, for a dose exceeding about 0.5 × 1016 N atoms cm−2, forms a barrier to silicide formation. When nitrogen is initially in the silicon substrate, the nitrogen profile is broadened in the same proportion as the dilution of the silicon sublattice when forming the silicide. Similar experiments with platinum films showed partially different behaviors. All results are explained in terms of a model based on the moving species during the silicide formation and the chemical affinity of nitrogen to the metal and to silicon.
Integrated determination of sensitivity derivatives for an aeroelastic transonic wing

The incremental iterative technique is used to effectively couple for three-dimensional transonic flow about a twisted unswept rectangular wing, an aerodynamic solution for the pressure distribution with a structural solution for the corresponding deflections and, using the quasianalytical approach, simultaneously obtain the aerodynamic, structural, and coupling sensitivity derivatives for the fully coupled system. The solution includes aerodynamic sensitivities for nine design variables at all flowfield points, structural sensitivities for four design variables at 490 points on the wing, and 450 coupling sensitivities. Subsequently, fully coupled system sensitivity derivatives are obtained. The results often show significant differences between the discipline and system sensitivity derivatives and that the system derivatives are sensitive to the location and number of coupling derivatives.
New lower bounds for Ramsey numbers of graphs and hypergraphs

Let G be an r-uniform hypergraph. The multicolor Ramsey number rk(G) is the minimum n such that every k-coloring of the edges of the complete r-uniform hypergraph Kn(r) yields a monochromatic copy of G. Improving slightly upon results from M. Axenovich, Z. Furedi, and D. Mubayi (J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 79 (2000), 66-86), we prove that tk2 + 1 ≤ rk(K2,t+1) ≤ tk2 + k + 2, where the lower bound holds when t and k are both powers of a prime p. When t = 1, we improve the lower bound by 1, proving that rk(C4) ≥ k2 + 2 for any prime power k. This extends the result of F. Lazebnik and A. J. Woldar (J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 79 (2000), 172-176), which proves the same bound when k is an odd prime power. These results are generalized to hypergraphs in the following sense. Fix integers r, s, t ≥ 2. Let H(r)(s, t) be the complete r-partite r-graph with r - 2 parts of size 1, one part of size s, and one part of size t (note that H(2)(s, t) = Ks,t). We prove that tk2 - k + 1 ≤ rk(H(r)(2, t + 1)) ≤ tk2 + k + r, where the lower bound holds when t and k are both powers of a prime p and (1 - o(1))ks ≤ rk(H(r)(s, t)) ≤ O(ks), for fixed t, s ≥ 2, t < (s - 1)!, rk(H(r)(3, 3)) = (1 +o(1))k3. Some of our lower bounds are special cases of a family of more general hypergraph constructions obtained by algebraic methods. We describe these, thereby extending results of F. Lazebnik and A. J. Woldar (J. Graph Theory, 2001) about graphs.
Asynchronous Byzantine group communication

This paper summarizes our work on group communication in a fully asynchronous Byzantine environment. Instead of failure detectors or timing information, our protocols use randomization to circumvent the impossibility result by Fischer, Lynch and Paterson. This is the first time this technique is used for a real system; thanks to modern cryptography, our protocols are practical and fast enough to be used in practice. To cleanly combine cryptography with fault tolerance, a new model had to be developed that might be of independent interest.
Dynamic Search-Space Pruning Techniques in Path Sensitization

A powerful combinational path sensitization engine is required for the efficient implementation of tools for test pattern generation, timing analysis, and delay fault testing. Path sensitization can be posed as a search, in the n-dimensional Boolean space, for a consistent assignment of logic values to the circuit nodes which also satisfies a given condition. In this paper we propose and demonstrate the effectiveness of several new techniques for search-space pruning for test pattern generation. In particular, we present linear-time algorithms for dynamically identifying unique sensitization points and for dynamically maintaining reduced head line sets. In addition, we present two powerful mechanisms that drastically reduce the number of backtracks: failure-driven assertions and dependency-directed backtracking. Both mechanisms can be viewed as a form of learning while searching and have analogs in other application domains. These search pruning methods have been implemented in a generic path sensitization engine called LEAP. A test pattern generator, TG-LEAP, that uses this engine was also developed. We present experimental results that compare the effectiveness of our proposed search pruning strategies to those of PODEM, FAN, and SOCRATES. In particular, we show that LEAP is very efficient in identifying undetectable faults and in generating tests for difficult faults.
Bone Marrow-Derived Cells Contribute to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor–Induced Angiogenesis in the Adult Mouse Brain by Supplying Matrix Metalloproteinase-9

Background and Purpose—Our previous studies have shown that bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) home to a brain angiogenic focus. The angiogenic response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation is reduced in matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) knockout mice. We hypothesized that BMDCs contribute to VEGF-induced angiogenesis by supplying MMP-9. Methods—Bone marrow (BM) transplantation was conducted using MMP-9 knockout (MMP-9 KO) or wild-type (WT) mice as both donors and recipients. Adeno-associated viral vectors expressing VEGF or LacZ were injected into the striatum 4 weeks after BM transplantation. Circulating white blood cells (WBCs), microvessel density, number of BMDCs, and MMP-9 activity around the injection site were analyzed. Results—Two weeks after vector injection, circulating WBCs increased in WT mice but not in MMP-9 KO mice. VEGF overexpression increased microvessel density by 38% in WT mice 4 weeks after vector injection (P=0.0001). After transplantation of MMP-9 KO BM to WT mi...
Telling the Right Hand From the Left Hand: Multisensory Integration, Not Motor Imagery, Solves the Problem

Judging the laterality of a hand seen at unanticipated orientations evokes a robust feeling of bodily movement, even though no movement is produced. In two experiments, we tested a novel hypothesis to explain this phenomenon: A hand's laterality is determined via a multisensory binding of the visual representation of the seen hand and a proprioceptive representation of the observer's felt hand, and the felt "movement" is an obligatory aftereffect of intersensory recalibration. Consistent with the predictions implied by such a cross-modal mechanism, our results in Experiment 1 showed that manipulating observers' selective attention can evoke illusory feelings of movement in the "wrong" hand (i.e., the hand whose laterality does not match that of the stimulus). In Experiment 2, these illusions were readily extinguished in conditions in which binding was predicted to fail, a result indicating that cross-modal binding was necessary to produce them. These results are not explained by imagery, a mechanism widely assumed to account for how hand laterality is identified.
A forespore checkpoint for mother cell gene expression during development in B. subtilis

Abstract Gene expression in the mother cell compartment of sporulating cells of B. subtilis is partly governed by the mother cell RNA polymerase sigma factor σ K . Paradoxically, σ K -directed gene expression also depends on σ G , the product of the forespore compartment regulatory gene spoIII G, and on other forespore regulatory proteins. We now identify mutations in the genes bofA and bofB that relieve the dependence of mother cell gene expression on forespore regulatory proteins but not on σ K . We establish that the dependence of mother cell gene expression on the forespore regulatory proteins is mediated at the level of the conversion of pro- σ K to its mature, active form. We propose that the bofA and/or bofB proteins govern this conversion in response to a signal generated by the forespore. Activation of pro- σ K could be a checkpoint for coordinating gene expression between the mother cell and forespore compartments of the developing sporangium.
Igβ tyrosine residues contribute to the control of B cell receptor signaling by regulating receptor internalization

Immunoglobulin (Ig)α and Igβ initiate B cell receptor (BCR) signaling through immune receptor tyrosine activation motifs (ITAMs) that are targets of SH2 domain–containing kinases. To examine the function of Igβ ITAM tyrosine resides in mature B cells in vivo, we exchanged these residues for alanine by gene targeting (IgβAA). Mutant mice showed normal development of all B cell subtypes with the exception of B1 cells that were reduced by fivefold. However, primary B cells purified from IgβAA mice showed significantly decreased steady-state and ligand-mediated BCR internalization and higher levels of cell surface IgM and IgD. BCR cross-linking resulted in decreased Src and Syk activation but paradoxically enhanced and prolonged BCR signaling, as measured by cellular tyrosine phosphorylation, Ca++ flux, AKT, and ERK activation. In addition, B cells with the ITAM mutant receptor showed an enhanced response to a T-independent antigen. Thus, Igβ ITAM tyrosines help set BCR signaling threshold by regulating receptor internalization.
Antimicrobial Peptide defenses in amphibian skin.

Abstract One of the most urgent problems in conservation biology today is the continuing loss of amphibian populations on a global scale. Recent amphibian population declines in Australia, Central America, the western United States, Europe, and Africa have been linked to a pathogenic chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which infects the skin. The skin of amphibians is critical for fluid balance, respiration, and transport of essential ions; and the immune defense of the skin must be integrated with these physiological responses. One of the natural defenses of the skin is production of antimicrobial peptides in granular glands. Discharge of the granular glands is initiated by stimulation of sympathetic nerves. To determine whether antimicrobial skin peptides play a role in protection from invasive pathogens, purified antimicrobial peptides and natural peptide mixtures recovered from the skin secretions of a number of species have been assayed for growth inhibition of the chytrid fungus. The gen...
Accurate Interprocedural Null-Dereference Analysis for Java

Null dereference is a commonly occurring defect in Java programs, and many static-analysis tools identify such defects. However, most of the existing tools perform a limited interprocedural analysis. In this paper, we present an interprocedural path-sensitive and context-sensitive analysis for identifying null dereferences. Starting at a dereference statement, our approach performs a backward demand-driven analysis to identify precisely paths along which null values may flow to the dereference. The demand-driven analysis avoids an exhaustive program exploration, which lets it scale to large programs. We present the results of empirical studies conducted using large open-source and commercial products. Our results show that: (1) our approach detects fewer false positives, and significantly more interprocedural true positives, than other commonly used tools; (2) the analysis scales to large subjects; and (3) the identified defects are often deleted in subsequent releases, which indicates that the reported defects are important.
Isoelectric Focusing of Variant Thyroxine-Binding Globulin in American Blacks: Increased Heat Lability and Reduced Serum Concentration*

Three major bands of T4-binding globulin (TBG) at pH 4.3-4.5 are seen after isoelectric focusing (IEF) of serum. Daiger et al. detected acathodal shift of all IEF bands in some American blacks, and found that the inheritance of this variant TBG (TBG-S) is X-chromosome linked. However, the properties of the TBG-S molecule and its possible association with changes in thyroid function have not been studied. Based on IEF analysis of 114 serum samples from adult American blacks, the gene frequency of TBG-S was 12.0%, and the genotype distribution was consistent with X-chromosomal linkage. TBG-S and the common type TBG (TBG-C) cooccurred exclusively in sera from women, whereas sera from men had only TBG-C or TBG-S, confirming the X-linked inheritance of this variant TBG. At 60 C, TBG-S was denatured with a mean t½ of 4.7 ± 0.9 (±SD) min compared to 6.8 ±1.1 min for TBG-C (P < 0.001). Heterozygous females with TBG-CS had an intermediate rate of heat denaturation (t½A, 5.2 ± 0.7 min). In vitro mixtures of TBG-S a...
Novel operative anoscope for Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy: a feasibility study and comparative cohort analysis.

Background. Operative hemorrhoidectomy can result in pain and altered continence from excessive excision of anoderm or surrounding tissue. We assessed a novel low-profile slotted anoscope to determine if the device would promote safe dissection, lessen trauma, and reduce operative times for hemorrhoidectomy. Methods. Patients requiring hemorrhoidectomy (June 2008 - January 2010) underwent a prospective phase-2 trial evaluating a new operating anoscope (CAD, Ethicon Endosurgery, Cincinnati, OH). Demographics and perioperative end points including bleeding, pain, fecal incontinence, stenosis, and symptom recurrence were analyzed at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. We compared these to patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy (February 2010 - November 2012) with a traditional Hill-Ferguson anoscope (THF). Results. 40 patients (CAD, 20 vs THF, 20) were included. Presenting symptoms were similar, whereas mean duration of symptoms was longer for CAD (41.2 ± 8.4 vs 27 ± 9.5 months; P < .05). ...
Understanding Surface Sweating

The sweat control provided by cold pipe/sheet insulation depends on the surface temperature, the dew point of air and the thermal and surface characteris tics of the insulation. The objective of the present research is to observe and better understand how surface sweating on closed cell foam insulation occurs at different relative humidities and air temperatures. An apparatus was built to measure the sur face temperature of foam insulation on a cold plate at various air temperatures and relative humidities.From the analysis of the experimental data, it can be concluded that the surface of an insulation would visibly sweat only if adverse conditions of air temperature and relative humidity are sustained for rather long periods of time. The reasons are a strong dependence of surface sweating on surface temperature, an increase in the convective heat transfer coefficient with relative humidity at constant air tempera ture, and a possible condensation of a thin invisible layer of water on the surface.
A computation engine for the FFT/FCT/FHT using AT&T DSP32

The AT&T DSP32 chip, a programmable digital signal processor with a 32-b floating-point arithmetic unit and a 16-MHz operation rate, can be used for computing the discrete Fourier, cosine, and Hartley transforms. A single common structure is developed to ensure both high performance and a high degree of flexibility. Some real-time implementation issues are discussed. >
Detectability of Coleopteran-specific Cry3Bb1 Protein in Soil and Its Effect on Nontarget Surface and Below-Ground Arthropods

Abstract Corn engineered to produce the Cry3Bb1 protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) kumamotoensis has provided unprecedented control for corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.). However, the Bt protein may be released in soil by root exudates or decaying plant residues that may affect soil organisms. Field studies were conducted to determine the abundance of surface and below-ground nontarget arthropods in fields planted with Bt or non-Bt corn for the first year or planted over 3 consecutive yr. Results of these studies showed that there were no significant differences in numbers of surface and below-ground arthropods in soil planted with Bt and non-Bt corn at any of the studied locations. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed no detectable Cry3Bb1 protein in any of the soil samples collected in a field planted with a Bt corn hybrid and its non-Bt isogenic hybrid for the first year or planted over 3 consecutive yr near Manhattan, KS. However, a small amount of Cry3Bb1 protein (3.38–6.89 ng/g dry s...
Effect of vesicle size on their interaction with class A amphipathic helical peptides

Throughout the life span of a lipoprotein particle, the type and number of exchangeable apolipoproteins on its surface varies with particle size, suggesting a role of surface curvature on the lipid-binding properties of these proteins. Peptides 18A, Ac-18A-NH2, Ac-18R-NH2, 37pA, and 37aA have been designed to investigate the lipid-binding properties of the amphipathic alpha-helix structural motif that appears to modulate the lipid-binding properties of the exchangeable plasma apolipoproteins. We report here the results of a quantitative thermodynamic characterization of the effects of modifying helix length and of varying both the location of charged residues about the polar face of the peptides and vesicle size on the lipid affinity and depth of bilayer penetration for model amphipathic alpha-helices. Partition coefficients, Kp, were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy, and binding enthalpies, deltaH, by titration calorimetry. The results indicate that Kp values are on the order of 10(5), with similar deltaG(o) values for the interactions of the peptides with vesicles of various sizes. It appears that a class A motif and increased alpha-helical content optimize binding for 18-residue peptides. The interactions of the model peptides with 20 nm SUV are enthalpically driven with small, negative entropy changes; however, interactions for larger vesicles are entropically driven, likely due to disordering of bilayer hydrocarbon chains. Thermodynamic data indicate that 37pA and 37aA induce greater disordering of bilayer hydrocarbon chains than Ac-18A-NH2. The results of this study suggest that the type of interaction, i.e., enthalpically or entropically driven, may be modulated by the lateral compressibility of the bilayer membrane.
Valuing the Public Health Aspects of Environmental Enforcement: Qualitative Versus Quantitative Evaluations of Enforcement Effort

It would be difficult to contest the status of pollution as a public health problem. However, environmental regulation by definition imposes limitations on private individuals and entities, and those limitations become most acutely obvious in the context of government enforcement actions. As a result, there always has been and likely always will be resistance to environmental regulation and enforcement. In light of this resistance, pollution regulation's public health benefits offer strong rhetorical and political arguments in favor of such regulation and its effective enforcement, especially during a flailing economy.Unfortunately, the public health benefits of pollution control law are not always obvious. Because of this potential obscurity, this Article argues that the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) annual enforcement assessments and reports, prepared by its Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), become important vehicles for communicating the public benefits of environmental enforcement to Congress and the American public. Since 2005, OECA has been reporting specifically on the public health benefits of its Clean Air Act enforcement efforts. This new reporting metric demonstrates the rhetorical power of qualitative assessments of the public health benefits that pollution regulation and enforcement provide. However, because OECA has been using it only for Clean Air Act enforcement, the new public health metric also underscores the rhetorical anemia of the EPA's more traditional quantitative measures of enforcement effort.This Article argues, most basically, that the rhetoric of enforcement reporting matters. While acknowledging the difficulties of producing quantitative public health benefit calculations for all of the major federal pollution control statutes, this Article concludes that the EPA and OECA could beneficially strengthen the public health analyses of enforcement by providing more and more prominent qualitative assessments of the value of certain kinds of enforcement actions, across statutory regimes.
Semiclassical parametrization of the 6 s n h − 6 s n i − 6 s n k intervals in Ba I

A semiclassical core-polarization-penetration model is used to parametrize the $6snh\ensuremath{-}6sni$ and $6sni\ensuremath{-}6snk$ intervals in Ba I which were recently measured by Gallagher, Kachru, and Tran. The parametrization represents the existing data to within experimental uncertainties, and extrapolative predictions along these Rydberg series are presented.
Comparative Effects of an Insect Growth Regulator, S-31183, Against the Formosan Subterranean Termite and Eastern Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

In a no-choice experiment, the insect growth regulator 2-[I-methyl-2(4-phenoxyphenoxy) ethoxy] pyridine (S-31183) induced presoldier formation more effectively in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) than in the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. When given a choice of treated or untreated wood cubes, C. formosanus avoided feeding on cubes treated with concentrations of 1,500 and 7,500 ppm. A S-31183 concentration of 300 ppm (AI) did not deter feeding or increase presoldier formation in C. formosanus . Feeding of R. flavipes groups exposed to cubes containing 30 or 150 ppm S-31183 was not deterred, but these concentrations caused approximately 80% worker mortality by the end of the 12-wk test. The results indicate that S-31183 might control R. flavipes colonies if 30-150 ppm were applied to a bait.
Methylprednisolone in treatment of 34 children with secretory tympanitis

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of methylprednisolone in the treatment of children with secretory tympanitis(ST).METHODS Sixty-six children(74 ears) with ST were divided into two groups.Thirty-four children(M 18,F 16,age(10±3)a,37 ears) in the trial group were treated with methylprednisolone 8 mg,po,qd×3 d;3 d later changed to 4 mg,po,qd ×3 d;6 d later changed to 2 mg,po,qd × 3 d.Thirty-two children in the control group(M 15,F 17,age(9±4)a,37 ears) were treated with dexamethasone 0.25 mg,po,tid ×9 d.The clinical efficacies and safeties were observed at the third month of follow up for all the two groups after the treatment.RESULTS At the third month of follow up,the hearing level and peak pressure value decreased with significant difference in comparing with those before the treatment(P0.01) in both groups.The decreased level in the trial group was higher than in the control group(P0.01).According to the hearing,tinnitus and sense of block,the pressure value of peak point and the total clinical effective rates were 97 % and 91% in the trial group,and the control group were 84 % and 72 %.The clinical efficacy of the trial group was superior to the control group(P0.05).The adverse reaction rates were 9 % in the trial group and 22 % in the control group(P0.05).CONCLUSION Methylprednisolone is a safe and effective drug in treating ST.
Experimental study of polymer microlens fabrication using partial-filling hot embossing technique

A method to fabricate microlens arrays in polymer substrates via hot embossing is presented in this paper. The partial-filling hot embossing technique of micro cavities on a mold insert through surface tension and capillary action is proven to be an effective means of limiting imperfections on the surface of microlens arrays. The effects of the investigated process parameters including temperature, embossing pressure, and holding time are analyzed via Taguchi method to identify effective processing conditions for microlens arrays of varying heights and diameters. Signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios are calculated for the focal length of the fabricated microlens arrays to identify key individual parameters and their interactions for a streamlined fabrication process. Experimental data indicates that the holding time in the embossing process has the most significant impact on lens focal length followed by embossing temperature and pressure. This study identifies a reliable means of microlens production and demonstrates the effects of varying process parameters in the partial-filling method of micro hot embossing for the production of lens arrays. Display Omitted Efficacy of partial-cavity filling hot embossing technique for the fabrication of polymer microlensesTaguchi analysis to determine effects of variation in embossing parameters on lens curvature and focal depthHolding time has significant impact on the embossing process followed by embossing pressure and embossing temperature.
Inter-chain transacylation of D-alanine ester residues of lipoteichoic acid: a unique mechanism of membrane communication.

Lipoteichoic acid is an important example of an amphiphile that appears to play a vital role in bacterial growth. A number of functions have been ascribed to this polymer. These include the regulation of autolytic enzymes, the binding of Mgz+ for enzyme function, and the assembly of wall polymers. One of the key components which has been proposed to modulate these functions is the substituent D-alanine. James Baddiley and his co-workers discovered that this amino acid is an important component of most teichoic acids (Armstrong et al., 1959). Thus, esterification of teichoic acids by D-alanine may be an important step in controlling the function of this polymer in wall assembly. In Lactobacillus casei the incorporation of D-alanine into lipoteichoic acid is accomplished in a two-step reaction sequence. The first step of this sequence was discovered in 1960 when Baddiley & Neuhaus showed that a variety of Gram-positive organisms have the ability to activate Dalanine. The second step of this sequence was not detected until Reusch & Neuhaus (1971) recognized that the incorporation of D-alanine into teichoic acids in vitro required the endogenous membrane teichoic acid to act as acceptor. All attempts to demonstrate the incorporation of D-alanine into isolated wall teichoic acid proved to be elusive and it was reasoned that the teichoic acid has to be intimately associated with the membrane in a particular conformation or environment (Neuhaus et aZ., 1974). On the basis of this hypothesis a system for the incorporation of D-alanine into membranes was found that required both a supernatant fraction and ATP, and was stimulated by metal ions. Linzer & Neuhaus (1973) showed that the supernatant fraction could be replaced by the D-alanine-activating enzyme and a protein factor designated D-alanine: membrane acceptor ligase. L. casei was chosen for these experiments because, firstly, it has a high concentration of the
Fermentation of Fall‐oat Balage over Winter in Northern Climates

The effects of below-freezing temperatures on silage fermentation are poorly understood. Recently, several studies have evaluated the efficacy of producing fall-grown oat (Avena sativa L.) as an emergency silage crop within central Wisconsin; this late-season forage option is attractive because the yield potential is good, and these forages also may accumulate significant amounts of sugar following frost events. ‘Vista’ oat from two field sites was harvested at the boot (Experiment 1) or early-heading (Experiment 2) stages of growth, and then baled and ensiled in plastic film on 15 Nov. 2013. Bales were sampled over the winter and spring, concluding with a final sampling date of 15 May. Generally, there was little evidence of silage fermentation before internal bale temperatures exceeding 32°F, which occurred on 15 and 13 April for Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. During the final month of sampling, the respective pH of these silages declined to 4.61 and 5.71 for Experiments 1 and 2, and substantial amounts of ethanol were produced in each case (5.82 and 4.85%); however, lactic acid production was much greater for Experiment 1 (4.82%) than for Experiment 2 (1.63%). Silage fermentation within both experiments likely included significant activity by anaerobic yeasts, which metabolize sugars, thereby yielding ethanol and CO₂. These results indicate that silage fermentation can be delayed until spring by below-freezing temperatures within the ensiled forage mass, and the high sugar content of these oat forages (≥21.0%) can encourage the production of ethanol, likely through activity of anaerobic yeasts.
Urothelial Injury to the Rabbit Bladder From Alkaline Irrigants Useful in the Treatment of Uric Acid Stones

Abstract Irrigation of the urinary tract with alkaline solutions may be used appropriately in some clinical situations to dissolve uric acid stones. Since in vitro studies have suggested that tham-E (pH 10.6) is somewhat more effective than tham (pH 8.6) in promoting dissolution of uric acid, these studies were undertaken to assess the relative toxicities of these two irrigating solutions to the urothelium. Rabbit bladders were irrigated antegrade via a ureterotomy for twenty hours. Tham E produced considerably more mucosal injury than did tham (p = 0.0001). The minimal advantage in rapidity of stone dissolution offered by tham E over tham is more than offset by the considerably increased potential for toxic side effects. The results suggest tham and not tham E should be used for irrigation to dissolve uric acid stones.
Morphogenesis of Experimental Lung Tumors in Hamsters: The Effects of Carrier Dust

In this paper, the biological and morphological characteristics of lung tumors induced in hamsters by subcutaneous injections of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and intratracheal instillations of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and the effect of carrier dusts, such as ferric oxide (Fe2O3), are discussed. These results are compared with alterations induced with other polycyclic hydrocarbons such as 7H-dibenz(c,g)carbazole, dibenz(a,i)pyrene, and various other carrier dusts in previous studies, as well as environmental agents, cigarette smoke condensate, and gasoline exhaust. In the present study, DEN induced tumors (mostly papillary) of the upper respiratory tract. The distribution and types of tumor induced by intratracheal instillations of polycyclic hydrocarbons and dusts in the larynx, trachea, and lungs (i.e., papillomas, squamous cell carcinomas, adenomas, and adenocarcinomas), depended on both the carrier agent and carcinogen to a varying degree, and bore no relation to particle size or retention time. The intratracheal instillation method offers a reliable means of inducing respiratory tumors similar to those in man, using chemicals found in our environment.
Quantification and Analysis of Interdependency in Cyber-Physical Systems

Cyber-physical systems are differentiated from other real-time embedded systems based on the tight intertwining of the cyber infrastructure with the physical components upon which it exerts control. This close interaction manifests as interdependence in operation and failure. This paper aims to determine and quantify the type and extent of dependency in a cyber-physical system using a method inspired by the analytic network process. The method incorporates several steps, namely, identification of failures sequences, and graph-theoretical representation of functional dependencies between components, and finally, calculating dependency indices. We illustrate the proposed approach through application to the IEEE 14-bus power system.
Non-Viral Nucleic Acid Delivery Strategies to the Central Nervous System

With an increased prevalence and understanding of central nervous system injuries and neurological disorders, nucleic acid therapies are gaining promise as a way to regenerate lost neurons or halt disease progression. While more viral vectors have been used clinically as tools for gene delivery, non-viral vectors are gaining interest due to lower safety concerns and the ability to deliver all types of nucleic acids. Nevertheless, there are still a number of barriers to nucleic acid delivery. In this focused review, we explore the in vivo challenges hindering non-viral nucleic acid delivery to the central nervous system and the strategies and vehicles used to overcome them. Advantages and disadvantages of different routes of administration including: systemic injection, cerebrospinal fluid injection, intraparenchymal injection, and peripheral administration are discussed. Non-viral vehicles and treatment strategies that have overcome delivery barriers and demonstrated in vivo gene transfer to the central nervous system are presented. These approaches can be used as guidelines in developing synthetic gene delivery vectors for central nervous system applications and will ultimately bring non-viral vectors closer to clinical application.
Variable chromatin structure revealed by in situ spatially correlated DNA cleavage mapping

The first genome-wide map of human chromatin conformation at the 1–3 nucleosome (50–500 base pair) scale, obtained using ionizing radiation-induced spatially correlated cleavage of DNA with sequencing (RICC-seq), which identifies spatially proximal DNA–DNA contacts. Genome-scale mapping methods are gradually revealing the three-dimensional organization of chromatin, but we lack an understanding at a spatial precision below 10 nm, which encompasses local nucleosome–nucleosome interactions. Here, William Greenleaf and colleagues develop a technique that they term RICC-seq, which identifies spatially proximal DNA–DNA contacts. They report the first genome-wide map of human chromatin fibre conformation at the one-to-three nucleosome scale in intact nuclei. The results indicate that compaction of two-start helical fibres organizes condensed chromatin structure, and the stacking of alternating nucleosomes varies between open and repressed chromatin states. The technique can potentially be extended to study condensed nucleic acid conformations in other biological systems. Chromatin structure at the length scale encompassing local nucleosome–nucleosome interactions is thought to play a crucial role in regulating transcription and access to DNA1,2,3. However, this secondary structure of chromatin remains poorly understood compared with the primary structure of single nucleosomes or the tertiary structure of long-range looping interactions4. Here we report the first genome-wide map of chromatin conformation in human cells at the 1–3 nucleosome (50–500 bp) scale, obtained using ionizing radiation-induced spatially correlated cleavage of DNA with sequencing (RICC-seq) to identify DNA–DNA contacts that are spatially proximal. Unbiased analysis of RICC-seq signal reveals regional enrichment of DNA fragments characteristic of alternating rather than adjacent nucleosome interactions in tri-nucleosome units, particularly in H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin. We infer differences in the likelihood of nucleosome–nucleosome contacts among open chromatin, H3K27me3-marked, and H3K9me3-marked repressed chromatin regions. After calibrating RICC-seq signal to three-dimensional distances, we show that compact two-start helical fibre structures with stacked alternating nucleosomes are consistent with RICC-seq fragmentation patterns from H3K9me3-marked chromatin, while non-compact structures and solenoid structures are consistent with open chromatin. Our data support a model of chromatin architecture in intact interphase nuclei consistent with variable longitudinal compaction of two-start helical fibres.
Physiology in Perspective: Fulfilling the Promise of Tissue Engineering.

Tissue engineering is an area of applied research that is based on principles of both engineering and life sciences. Today, research in tissue engineering is directed toward the eventual development of functional substitutes for biological tissue. While we have made great strides in developing
Histopathological assessment of OASIS Ultra on critical-sized wound healing: a pilot study.

Background Dermatopathologists assess wounds secondary to trauma, infection, or oncologic resection that can be challenging to reconstruct. OASIS Ultra, an extracellular matrix, has been described for use in chronic and burn wounds. The aim of this pilot study is to assess wound healing in post-traumatic and infective wounds treated with OASIS using histological markers of repair. Materials and Methods Adults with traumatic, infective or iatrogenic wound defects with size precluding primary closure were eligible. Half the wound was randomly assigned to receive OASIS plus standard therapy; the other half received standard of care (SOC) therapy. During dressing changes, standardized-scale photographs were taken and biopsies obtained. Histologic sections were reviewed for degree of acute inflammation and extent of tissue repair. Neutrophils, edema, hemorrhage, necrosis, fibroblasts, collagen density and neovascularization were semi-quantitatively assessed. Results Forty-four skin biopsies from 7 patients with 10 acute wounds met eligibility criteria. Histologically, OASIS samples demonstrated improved acute inflammation scores compared to SOC. No patients experienced OASIS-related complications. OASIS-treated wound halves trended toward more wound contraction and improved tissue repair. Conclusion Our scoring system aids histopathological wound assessment. Treatment of critical-sized, post-traumatic, acute wounds with OASIS resulted in decreased inflammation, and potentially more advanced wound healing, compared to SOC.
The Next Ring:The Emerging Southeast Europe Auto Zone

This chapter outlines the Socialist and Post-Socialist car industry developments in Romania and the former Yugoslav Republics of Serbia and Slovenia. The discussion begins with Socialist and Post-Socialist histories of Renault’s Dacia Pitesti and Ford’s Craiova in Romania, including Daewoo’s brief failed ownership of the Craiova factory. It then traces the similar paths of FCA Kragujevac complex in Serbia and Renault’s Revoz plant in Slovenia. The review of FCA Kragujevac includes some background on the violent breakup of Yugoslavia and a chronicle of Fiat’s long relationship with the state-run Zastava (maker of Yugo). The Slovenia discussion also introduces possible entrance of a new automaker, Magna of Canada, whose rumored plant in Hoce-Slivnica would be a major breakthrough for the SEE Nation.
A Maternally Sequestered, Biopolymer-Stabilized Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Chimera for Treatment of Preeclampsia.

BackgroundPreeclampsia is a hypertensive syndrome that complicates 3% to 5% of pregnancies in the United States. Preeclampsia originates from an improperly vascularized and ischemic placenta that r...
Host-Gut Microbiota Crosstalk in Intestinal Adaptation

Short-bowel syndrome represents the most common cause of intestinal failure and occurs when the remaining intestine cannot support fluid and nutrient needs to sustain adequate physiology and development without the use of supplemental parenteral nutrition. After intestinal loss or damage, the remnant bowel undergoes multifactorial compensatory processes, termed adaptation, which are largely driven by intraluminal nutrient exposure. Previous studies have provided insight into the biological processes and mediators after resection, however, there still remains a gap in the knowledge of more comprehensive mechanisms that drive the adaptive responses in these patients. Recent data support the microbiota as a key mediator of gut homeostasis and a potential driver of metabolism and immunomodulation after intestinal loss. In this review, we summarize the emerging ideas related to host-microbiota interactions in the intestinal adaptation processes.
The importance of early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and to explore the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment as a prognostic tool and an indicator in the diagnosis of MS. SUMMARY: MS is a chronic, progressive, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is associated with a significant economic burden. At this time, immunomodulatory agents (interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a) [Avonex], IFNβ-1a [Rebif], IFNβ-1b [Betaseron], and glatiramer acetate [Copaxone]) are first-line agents, which are reported to reduce relapse rates. The diagnostic criteria for MS have evolved over time to include MRI findings as an integral part of the diagnosis. However, the most recent criteria (McDonald) are focused on the diagnosis of definite MS and do not address the status of patients with a first demyelinating event (clinically isolated syndrome [CIS]). This is an important issue because a CIS is highly predictive of developing further inflammation and definite MS when the episode occurs in conjunction with lesions on the initial MRI. Many times, MRI findings do not correlate with clinical symptoms, and clinically silent lesions are identified. Therefore, the use of MRI is salient to the early diagnosis of high-risk patients. The evolution of thought concerning early treatment in MS is based on an increased understanding of the pathology of the disease. Axonal loss occurs early in the disease process, and both white matter and gray matter are affected. Studies that have analyzed early treatment in patients highly likely to have MS (clinically isolated events with evidence of lesions on MRI) report significant benefits in delaying further changes on MRI and further attacks. Patients who begin treatment later do not reap the same benefits as those who begin treatment earlier during the disease course. CONCLUSION: Patients with clinically isolated events should be referred promptly to a neurologist for assessment, including MRI scans. An early recognition of the inflammatory process enables patients to begin treatment with an immunomodulatory agent even before the technical diagnosis of definite MS so that the degenerative progression of MS can be retarded.
Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling Nodes and their Role in Carcinogenesis

The dominant hormone regulating metabolic homeostasis and the switch between the anabolic and catabolic states is insulin. At the cellular level, the action of insulin and the closely related insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-1 and -2, are mediated through a complex network of diverging and converging events (reviewed in [1]). The insulin and IGF-1 receptors (IR and IGF-1R) are members of the family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Following hormone binding, these receptors undergo autophosphorylation, which activates the kinase toward other substrates termed the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins. In contrast to most other tyrosine kinase receptors, it is the phosphorylated IRS proteins, rather than the receptors themselves, that link the action of these hormones to two main signaling pathways: the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway, which is responsible for most of the metabolic actions of insulin, and the Ras-MAP kinase pathway, which regulates expression of some genes and cooperates with the PI3K pathway to control cell growth and differentiation (reviewed in [2]) (Fig. 2.1).
Vectors and Matrices

A row vector is an ordered set of numbers written in a row. Each entry of a row vector is called a component, and the number of components of the vector is called its dimension. Some examples of row vectors are A = (1, −2), B = (− l, ½, 6), and C = (6, −12, −, 5). The dimensions of the vectors A, B, and C are two, three, and four, respectively. In general, V=(v 1 , v 2 ,…,v n ) is a row vector of dimension n . Analogously, a column vector is defined as an ordered set of numbers written in a column. In this too, each entry of the vector is called a component and the dimension of the column vector is the number of its components. The vector is an example of a column vector of dimension 4. The multiplication of two vectors is defined when they both have the same dimension and when the first vector is a row vector and the second vector is a column vector.
Promoting educational equity in disadvantaged youth: The role of resilience and social-emotional learning

As we enter the second decade of the twenty-first century, education in America is at a critical turning point. Call for reform is widespread and exemplified by the documentary film Waiting for Superman, which highlights the fact that for many American children, access to a quality education is often literally a lottery. Equal access to educational opportunity is the philosophical cornerstone of the American public education system. Although significant advances towards realizing this goal have been made over recent decades, educational quality still varies widely, with Latino and African-American children being more likely to attend disadvantaged schools (Cauce, Cruz, Corona, & Conger, 2011).