cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Function-based mapping of the yeast mitochondrial ADP/ATP translocator by selection for second site revertants.

Abstract Structure-function relationships in the yeast adenine nucleotide carrier (AAC2) were probed by genetic selection techniques in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As described in the preceding paper, yeast require a functional AAC2 (or AAC1) to grow on a non-fermentable carbon source. Mutants of AAC2 that could not grow on glycerol were subjected to selection for spontaneous suppressors. Ile mutants in the 100% conserved matrix Arg triplet R252 to R254 proved amenable to this approach, yielding colonies on glycerol plates at modest frequency. All mutants analyzed were single point mutations within the AAC2 gene at a different site than the Arg cluster. R254I gave the largest number (11) of unique revertants, while R2531 gave only four and R252I gave none, thus, there was a gradient of effect in mutations of the Arg cluster. Unexpectedly, 14 of the 15 revertant mutations affected 13 different amino acids in a narrow sector of the AAC2 topological map, near the cytosolic surface. These mutants are proposed to be in, or very near, the membrane on the opposite side from the matrix Arg cluster. Helical wheel projections of the transmembrane segments show, with one exception, that mutations and charged residues fall within half of each helix. These mutants appear either to line the throat of the membrane channel, or to be involved in helix contacts near the cytosolic face of the inner mitochondrial membrane. These suppressors place further limitations on the organization of the nucleotide channel. We present a model of the AAC2 nucleotide channel based on these results. The region defined by these suppressors is dynamically linked to the Arg cluster through the function of the AAC2 protein. Discrete structures defined by multiple revertant mutations will likely be a common feature of similar regain-of-function schemes, especially when applied to membrane transport proteins. We propose these functionally mapped regions of proteins be named morphological units or morphs for short.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Containing Fat Without Associated Calcifications: Two Case Reports and Review of Literature

With rare exceptions, angiomyolipomas can be distinguished from malignant renal masses by the presence of macroscopic fat within the mass. We report 2 cases in which preoperative imaging with computed tomography was interpreted as diagnostic for angiomyolipoma, but the final pathologic analysis revealed clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
High-temperature vapour-phase lubrication

Although it is recognised that the move towards cleaner burning, higher efficiency engines requires operating temperatures in excess of 500°C, there are currently few practical means available to achieve this. Therefore, the development of cleaner, more efficient engines requires the use of new lubrication technologies. Any potential lubricant and lubrication technology must address the changing needs of the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Specifically, this should include material and fuel compatibility, increased lubrication performance at elevated temperatures and pressures, ashless deposits, reduced particulate emissions, and biodegradability. Over the past six years, various organisations have addressed many of these needs and have successfully demonstrated the use of phosphate esters as candidate vapour phase (VP) lubricants. With the correct choice of lubricant, VP lubrication has been effective in reducing friction and minimising wear of ferrous-rich stainless and tool steels, alloys, ceramics and composites, at temperatures up to 670°C, under both sliding and rolling contact. This paper details the development of VP lubrication, and of sers some insights into materials and lubricant selection, and some examples of successful applications.
The effect of L-dopa on monoamine metabolites in Parkinson's disease.

L'administration de L-Dopa chez les patients atteints de la maladie de Parkinson provoquait, dans le liquide cephalo-rachidien, une augmentation de la concentration d'acide homovanillique et une baisse de la concentration de l'acide 5-hydroxyindoleacetique, ainsi que de la concentration plasmatique de tyrosine.
A word order paradox resolved by copy deletion at PF

In this paper I point out a word order paradox in Serbo-Croatian and propose a solution to it. I show that there are data indicating that the subject must move overtly to the highest projection in the split IP, as well as data indicating that it can remain in SpecVP overtly. I argue that the key to resolving the paradox lies in a mechanism of pronunciation of lower copies motivated by PF considerations, similar to the one proposed in Franks (1998) and Boskovic (2001, 2002). The mechanism entails that PF has a preference for pronunciation of the highest copy of elements moved in syntax, but that a lower copy can be pronounced in order to avoid a PF violation. I show that in Serbo-Croatian, a PF factor that can affect copy deletion is prosody. The proposed analysis captures extremely free word order of SC as well as discourse effects of scrambling.
Evaluation of Telecommunication Policy and Industry Growth in Latin American Countries

This paper studies the telecommunication policies of four Latin American countries (Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, and Mexico) to evaluate the impact of these policies on telecommunications industry growth. Each country’s telecommunications industry is characterized by consumer welfare (teledensity and the waiting list for a new telephone line), industry outputs (fixed lines, cellular subscribers), and capital expenditure. The main findings are that privatization is not the only approach to increase teledensity; the annual investment in the industry is proportional to annual telecommunications revenue when the industry is a state-owned monopoly; telecommunication policy makers take different approaches for each market segment; and that privatization and liberalization do not necessarily reduce service tariffs. These findings are important to industry stakeholders in making decisions that shape the future behavior of the industry.
α-Galactosyl (Galα1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-R) epitopes on human cells: synthesis of the epitope on human red cells by recombinant primate α1,3galactosyltransferase expressed in E.coli

Developing methods for in vitro synthesis of the carbohydrate structure Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R (termed the alpha-galactosyl epitope) on human tumour cells may be of potential clinical significance in cancer immunotherapy. Tumour vaccines with this epitope would be opsonized in vivo by the natural anti-Gal antibody, which is present in large amounts in humans, and which interacts specifically with alpha-galactosyl epitopes. Binding of anti-Gal to alpha-galactosyl epitopes on tumour cell membranes is likely to increase uptake of the cell membranes by antigen-presenting cells, such as macrophages, via the adhesion of the Fc portion of anti-Gal to Fc receptors on these cells. This, in turn, may increase processing and presentation of tumour-associated antigens by antigen-presenting cells, and induce an effective immune response against tumour cells with these antigens. The present study describes a method for the synthesis of alpha-galactosyl epitopes on human cells (red cells used as a model) by recombinant alpha1,3galactosyltransferase (rec. alpha1,3GT) expressed in bacteria. Escherichia coli was transformed with cDNA of the luminal portion of New World monkey rec. alpha1,3GT linked to six histidines (His)6 at the N-terminus. The enzyme produced by the bacteria was isolated from bacterial lysates on a nickel-Sepharose column and eluted with imidazole. This recombinant enzyme displayed acceptor specificity similar to that of rec. alpha1,3GT produced in COS cells. Red cells were pre-treated with sialidase for exposure of N-acetyllactosamine acceptors, then subjected to rec. alpha1,3GT activity. This enzyme synthesized at least 4 x 10(4) alpha-galactosyl epitopes/red cell. These epitopes were found to be accessible for binding of anti-Gal, as well as Bandeiraea simplicifolia IB4 lectin. It is argued that the method presented can be used for the synthesis of alpha-galactosyl epitopes on membranes of autologous tumour vaccines in humans.
Model Predictive Optimal Control of a Time-Delay Distributed-Parameter Systems

This paper presents an optimal control method for a class of distributed-parameter systems governed by first order, quasilinear hyperbolic partial differential equations that arise in many physical systems. Such systems are characterized by time delays since information is transported from one state to another by wave propagation. A general closed-loop hyperbolic transport model is controlled by a boundary control embedded in a periodic boundary condition. The boundary control is subject to a nonlinear differential equation constraint that models actuator dynamics of the system. The hyperbolic equation is thus coupled with the ordinary differential equation via the boundary condition. Optimality of this coupled system is investigated using variational principles to seek an adjoint formulation of the optimal control problem. The results are then applied to implement a model predictive control design for a wind tunnel to eliminate a transport delay effect that causes a poor Mach number regulation.
Attributes of Truthful Versus Deceitful Statements in the Evaluation of Accused Child Molesters

1. Shawn Johnston[1][1] 2. Alexis Candelier[1][1] 3. Dana Powers-Green[1][1] 4. Syeda Rahmani[1][1] 1. 1Portland State University, OR, USA 1. Shawn Adair Johnston, Portland State University, 1825 SW Broadway, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207, USA. Email: shawnjohnstonphd{at}comcast.net The ability to detect deception, in everyday social interactions and psychological evaluations, can literally mean the difference between life and death. Beyond physiological and nonverbal techniques for detecting deception, research has focused on criteria designed to evaluate the content of verbal statements to distinguish between true or actually experienced events versus internally manufactured or fabricated events. Criteria from two techniques that have received empirical support, criteria-based content analysis and reality monitoring, were used to create an 11-item Deception Detection Checklist (DDCL). In this study, 130 college undergraduates used the DDCL to rate the exculpatory statements of two accused child molesters: one truthful, the other untruthful. The 11 items composing the DDCL, as well as a measure of perceived truthfulness, were all scored on 7-point Likert-type scales. Nine of the 11 items on the DDCL significantly differentiated between the true and untrue statements in the predicted direction. Overall scores on the DDCL indicated that the false statement was rated as significantly more deceptive than the true statement. The DDCL possessed good reliability, and a series of factor analyses provided strong support for the construct validity of the measure. The 7 psychometrically strongest items from the DDCL included variables assessing the extent to which statements included clarity of detail, spatial details, temporal details, and contextual details, as well as the relevance, reconstructability, and realism of the statement. These results indicate that subjects were able to use this measure to reliably differentiate between true and false statements made by accused child molesters. [1]: #aff-1
Non-cryptographic authentication and identification in wireless networks [Security and Privacy in Emerging Wireless Networks]

Lower/physical layer characteristics have been considered as potential alternatives/complements to provide security services in wireless networks. This article provides an overview of various noncryptographic mechanisms for user authentication and device identification in wireless networks using lower/physical layer properties or information. We discuss merits and demerits of these authentication/identification schemes and the practical implementation issues. Future research on cross-layer security design concludes this article.
WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATION DESIGN FOR REMOTE SITES EXPERIENCING EXTREME WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATION

The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a multiyear floodplain restoration project on the Mollicy Farms tract of the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge (UONWR) located in north-east Louisiana. Large magnitude flood pulses, remote setting and other factors presented major challenges to the monitoring effort. A planning and design process resulted in the creation of a water quality monitoring station that could deploy Yellow Springs Instruments water sampling equipment in areas with large ranges in water level throughout the UONWR floodplain. Details of the station design, fabrication and diagrams are provided. Monitoring data will help measure the impact that large-scale floodplains have on water quality once they are reconnected to river systems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Implications of Quantity-Discounted Transportation Rates on Output Effect of Discriminatory F.O.B. Pricing

This paper examines the theoretical implications of quantity-discounted transportation rates on output effect of discriminatory f.o.b. mill pricing. Assume that the plant location of a monopoly is predetermined and demand curves are linear at two separate markets. It shows that total output under either discriminatory f.o.b. mill pricing or simple f.o.b. mill pricing remains the same when transportation rates are constant or linear. It further shows that total output will be greater under discriminatory f.o.b. mill pricing than under simple f.o.b. mill pricing when the transportation rate curve is convex in the market with less elastic demand and the transportation rate curve is concave in the market with more elastic demand. This indicates that the quantity-discounted transportation rates have an important influence on the output effect of spatial price discrimination.
Feature Selection on Dynamometer Data for Reliability Analysis

An ocean turbine extracts the kinetic energy from ocean currents to generate electricity. Vibration signals from the turbine hold a wealth of information regarding its state, and detecting changes in these signals is crucial to the timely detection of faults. Wavelet transforms provide a means of analyzing these complex signals and extracting features which are representative of the signal. Feature selection techniques are needed once these wavelet features are extracted to eliminate redundant or useless features before the data is presented to a machine learning algorithm for pattern recognition and classification. This reduces the quantity of data to be processed and can often even increase the machine learner's ability to detect the current state of the machine. This paper empirically compares eight feature selection algorithms on wavelet transformed vibration data originating from an onshore test platform for an ocean turbine. A case study shows the classification performances of seven machine learners when trained on the datasets with varying numbers of features selected from the original set of all features. Our results highlight that by choosing an appropriate feature selection technique and applying it to selecting just the 3 most important features (3.33% of the original feature set), some classifiers such as the decision tree and random forest can correctly differentiate between faulty and nonfaulty states almost 100% of the time. These results also show the performance differences between different feature selection algorithms and classifier combinations.
Pulmonary Artery Agenesis Associated With Emphysema and Multiple Invasive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers

Pulmonary artery (PA) agenesis in the absence of associated cardiac abnormalities is a rare congenital abnormality. It may remain undiagnosed until adulthood when patients present with respiratory symptoms such as hemoptysis, dyspnea, repeated respiratory infections, or pulmonary hypertension. Herein we present a case of a 50-year-old woman who was found to have multiple, morphologically distinct non-small cell lung cancers in association with agenesis of the PA. This instance represents the fourth reported case of such association in the English literature.
Identifying the effects of petrologic processes in a closed basaltic system using trace element concentrations in olivines and glasses: Implications for comparative planetology

We use trace-element concentrations in olivines and glasses from a closed basaltic system to identify the effects of petrologic processes on the trace-element record of that system. The closed basaltic system in question is the Makaopuhi Lava Lake (MLL), which is closed with respect to magma mixing. Detailed studies of this lava lake have provided important information about system variables and petrologic processes that have been measured and observed at the lake. These previous studies show that olivine crystallized from the lava lake at all stages of the lake’s evolution, which means that olivine and residual glasses contain a record of the lake’s petrologic history. We use this information, in conjunction with variations in trace-element concentrations in olivines and glasses, to show that mineral crystallization, gravitational settling, convective flow, filter pressing, and mineral-melt interface kinetics have characteristic effects on the trace element record of a closed basaltic system. These results are pertinent to the field of comparative planetology because they can be used to evaluate petrologic information in small samples from other planetary bodies, where information about system variables and/or petrologic processes is limited.
Ultra Low Noise InGaAs Single Photon Detector with Transient Carrier Buffer

Sub-Geiger mode single photon detection with ultra low excess noise is demonstrated on an InGaAs based avalanche detector with transient carrier buffer.
Local parameterization approach for unified time domain simulation of power system dynamics

This paper presents a unified framework for manifold based time domain simulation and power system dynamic equilibrium tracing. It can become a useful tool for voltage dynamic stability analysis and timing of corrective control. With this methodology, the singularity problem associated with power system differential-algebraic equations (DAE) under heavy load condition could be avoided.
Nonparametric fixed-interval smoothing of nonlinear vector-valued measurements

The problem of estimating a smooth vector-valued function given noisy nonlinear vector-valued measurements of that function is addressed. A nonparametric optimality criterion for this estimation problem is presented, and a computationally efficient iterative algorithm for its solution is developed. The criterion is the natural generalization of previously published work on vector splines with linear measurement models. The algorithm provides an alternative to the extended Kalman filter, as it does not require a parametric state-space model. An automatic procedure that uses the measurements to determine how much to smooth is presented. The algorithm's subpixel estimation accuracy is demonstrated on the estimation of a curved edge in a noisy image and on a biomedical image-processing application. >
Irrigation water delivery system operation via aggregate state dynamic programming

ABSTRACT: A modified dynamic programming (DP) approach that is called aggregate state dynamic programming (ASDP) is presented to optimally operate irrigation water delivery systems. ASDP can be applied to multiple reservoir systems without encountering dimensionality problems. In addition, the random nature of water supply and consumptive crop demands can be incorporated into the technique. A case study is presented to display the application of ASDP. Using a sum-of-squared shortages objective, ASDP out performs a traditional separation technique and approaches the theoretical (ideal) optimum. Problem settings that are conducive to the use of ASDP and limitations of the technique are presented.
A versatile implicit iterative approach for fully resolved simulation of self-propulsion

article i nfo We present a computational approach for fully resolved simulation of self-propulsion of organisms through a fluid. A new implicit iterative algorithm is developed that solves for the swimming velocities of the organism with prescribed deformation kinematics. A solution for the surrounding flow field is also obtained. This approach uses a constraint-based formulation of the problem of self-propulsion developed by Shirgaonkar et al. (1). The approach in this paper is unlike the previous work (1) where a fractional time stepping scheme was used. Fractional time stepping schemes, while efficient for moderate to high Reynolds number problems, are not suitable for zero or low Reynolds number problems where the inertia term in the governing equation is absent or negligible. In such cases the implicit iterative algorithm presented here is more appropriate. We validate the method by simulating self-propulsion of bacterial flagellum, jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), and larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). Comparison of the computational results with theoretical and experimental results for the test cases is found to be very good.
Physical, chemical and biological characteristics* of CO2 gas flux across the air‐water interface

Le transfert de CO 2 a travers l'interface air eau est traite par les phenomenes physico-chimiques, en fonction de la vitesse des vents et de la temperature de l'eau, des reactions de metabolisme organique de CaCO 3 . On etudie un modele a trois couches: atmosphere-film stagnant d'eau-eau de mer
Mutation as a Stress Response and the Regulation of Evolvability

ABSTRACTOur concept of a stable genome is evolving to one in which genomes are plastic and responsive to environmental changes. Growing evidence shows that a variety of environmental stresses induce genomic instability in bacteria, yeast, and human cancer cells, generating occasional fitter mutants and potentially accelerating adaptive evolution. The emerging molecular mechanisms of stress-induced mutagenesis vary but share telling common components that underscore two common themes. The first is the regulation of mutagenesis in time by cellular stress responses, which promote random mutations specifically when cells are poorly adapted to their environments, i.e., when they are stressed. A second theme is the possible restriction of random mutagenesis in genomic space, achieved via coupling of mutation-generating machinery to local events such as DNA-break repair or transcription. Such localization may minimize accumulation of deleterious mutations in the genomes of rare fitter mutants, and promote local ...
A Mechanistic Model of Uniform Hydrogen Sulfide/Carbon Dioxide Corrosion of Mild Steel

Abstract A mechanistic model of uniform hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and hydrogen sulfide/carbon dioxide (H2S/CO2) corrosion of mild steel is presented that is able to predict the rate of corrosion with ...
Temperature Aware Dynamic Workload Scheduling in Multisocket CPU Servers

In this paper, we propose a multitier approach for significantly lowering the cooling costs associated with fan subsystems without compromising the system performance. Our technique manages the fan speed by intelligently allocating the workload at the core level as well as at the CPU socket level. At the core level we propose a proactive dynamic thermal management scheme. We introduce a new predictor that utilizes the band-limited property of the temperature frequency spectrum. A big advantage of our predictor is that it does not require the costly training phase and still maintains high accuracy. At the socket level, we use control theoretic approach to develop a stable scheduler that reduces the cooling costs further by providing a better thermal distribution. Our thermal management scheme incorporates runtime workload characterization to perform efficient thermally aware scheduling. The experimental results show that our approach delivers an average cooling energy savings of 80% compared to the state of the art techniques. The reported results also show that our formal technique maintains stability while heuristic solutions fail in this aspect.
Insulin-like growth factor I and insulin potentiate luteinizing hormone-induced androgen synthesis by rat ovarian thecal-interstitial cells.

We tested the hypothesis that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin play a role in androgen production by rat ovarian thecal-interstitial cells. Collagenase/ DNase-dispersed rat ovarian thecal-interstitial cells obtained from immature hypophysectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured at a concentration of 106 cells/ml in serum-free medium in the presence of increasing concentrations of LH, IGF-I, or insulin. The medium was replaced every 48 h, and the androsterone concentration in the culture supernatants was used as an index of androgen production. In the absence of added hormones (control) androsterone levels were consistently less than 0.1 ng/ ml. Increasing concentrations of LH stimulated androsterone synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. IGF-I, in the absence of LH, did not significantly increase androsterone levels above control values. However, when combined with 10 ng/ml LH, IGF-I increased androsterone synthesis above levels seen with LH alone in a dose-related fashion: for example, ...
Challenges in Identifying New Antimicrobial Agents Effective for Treating Infections with Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are gram-negative pathogens that target immunocompromised patients. They express a variety of determinants that confer resistance to a broad array of antimicrobial agents. Mechanisms of resistance include impaired entry through the bacterial outer membrane, production of antibiotic-modifying enzymes, active efflux, and target mutations that reduce antimicrobial affinity. It has been a challenge to identify new agents that have activity against the more resistant variants of these species. Doripenem is a carbapenem in phase 3 trials that has excellent activity against P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. However, it lacks activity against strains that express resistance to the currently available carbapenems. Tigecycline is a newly licensed glycylcycline that lacks activity against P. aeruginosa but has encouraging activity against many A. baumannii isolates. Resistance to tigecycline can emerge during therapy, however, and is due to expression of multidrug efflux pumps.
Studies on long-term performance of organic and conventional cropping systems in Pennsylvania

Since 1981, organic and conventional cropping systems have been compared in a field trial at the Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Cropping system differences were evaluated for yields, soil quality, economic, and energy performance. Results showed that overall organic systems produced yields equal to conventional plots while at the same time improving soil quality. Organic systems also led to greater profitability while requiring less energy and emitting fewer greenhouse gases to produce the same amount of crops as the conventional systems.
Hyperparathyroidism and pregnancy

Abstract Four cases of hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy are described. One case is of particular interest since the diagnosis was unsuspected until the development of a hypercalcemic crisis.
gp130 activation in Müller cells is not essential for photoreceptor protection from light damage.

Members of IL-6 family cytokines, such as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), activate the common signal-transducing receptor gp130. We and others have previously shown that application of exogenous gp130 ligands promotes photoreceptor survival in light-induced and inherited retinal degeneration in animal models. While there is strong evidence that gp130 plays an essential role in photoreceptor protection, it is not clear whether protection is cell-autonomous in photoreceptors or an effect of Muller cell activation. To investigate the role of Muller cells in gp130-mediated photoreceptor protection, we have generated conditional gp130 knockout (KO) mice in retinal Muller cells using the Cre/lox system. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses show that in our conditional gp130 KO mice, approximately 50% Muller cells no longer respond to LIF with activation of known downstream signaling proteins, STAT3 and ERK1/2. Despite the loss of gp130 activity in many Muller cells, intravitreal injection of LIF still induced significant degree of photoreceptor protection that was comparable to normal littermates. These data suggest that Muller cell activation of gp130 is not essential for photoreceptor protection, and support the hypothesis that the protection is mediated by cell-autonomous mechanisms in photoreceptors.
Internet, consumer spending, and credit card balance: Evidence from US consumers

Abstract Utilizing the 2013 Survey of Consumer Finances data, the present study aims to examine the role of the Internet in carrying a credit card balance among US households. The central question of this study is whether or not households with Internet access have more favorable attitudes toward incurring more credit card balance. This study further investigates whether education, income, gender, age, race, etc., make any differences in carrying credit card debt when households have access to the Internet. Our results with the Tobit model show that having access to the Internet increases the probability of carrying a positive credit card balance by 4% to 5% compared to those who do not have access to the Internet. This result does not apply to older Americans. Our results further indicate that education decreases the probability of carrying a positive credit balance for households that have access to the Internet, while income and liquid assets may have little positive effect on that probability. The results suggest that Internet leads to more debt, but education could alleviate that debt.
Activity of Artificial Mutant Variants of Human Growth Hormone Deficient in a Disulfide Bond between Cys53 and Cys165

In order to understand the role of Cys53 and Cys165 of human growth hormone (hGH) in receptor-binding and biological activity, artificial mutant variants of hGH were prepared in Escherichia coli by in vitro mutagenesis. Variants of hGH were constructed by replacement of Cys165 with Ala ([Ala165]hGH) or Ser ([Ser165]hGH), by replacement of Cys53 with Ala ([Ala53]hGH), by replacement of Cys53 and Cys165 with Ala ([Ala53, Ala165]hGH), or by replacement of Cys53 with Ala and Cys165 with Ser ([Ala53, Ser165]hGH). All of the variants constructed as well as reduced hGH exhibited less biological activity than that of intact hGH, and the decreases in biological activity were almost equal, as measured by a sensitive biological assay for growth hormone : adipose conversion assay using 3T3-F422A cells. These variants also showed less receptor-binding activity than that of intact hGH.These results suggest that it is possible neither the residue Cys53 nor Cys165 is directly involved in the receptor binding, and that the disulfide bridge between Cys53 and Cys165 in hGH may not always be crucial for the biological activity, though necessary to express full hGH activity.
EG-14EPIGENETIC DYSREGULATION OF THE HoxA LOCUS AND OTHER HOMEOBOX GENES DRIVEN BY Ink4a/arf DEFICIENCY AND EGFRviii.

It is increasingly clear that while genetic alterations drive glioblastoma development, epigenetic dysregulation can also contribute to oncogenesis. Although there is clear evidence of tumors driven by specific mutations to histones or their modifiers, genomic studies have demonstrated that the majority of brain tumors are not molecularly classified by mutations in key epigenetic regulators. We hypothesized that some of the most common genetic mutations in glioblastoma can lead to chromatin-based transcriptional dysregulation. First, to investigate the transcriptional changes from specific genetic mutations, we performed RNA-sequencing analysis of a mouse tumor progression model with Ink4a/arf−/- cells derived from the subventricular zone (SVZ) which do not form tumors when intracranially injected into SCID mice, "primary" tumors produced by overexpression of EGFRviii in Ink4a/Arf −/- cells, and "secondary" tumors that models tumor recurrence via reinjection of primary tumor cells into the brains of other mice. Compared to Ink4a/Arf-/-, both primary and secondary tumors downregulated genes related to neuron differentiation and cell adhesion, while overexpressing homeobox genes related to cellular morphogenesis, including the HoxA locus. Secondary tumors, which carry worse survival, upregulate invasion-associated extracellular matrix and basement membrane genes. Intriguingly, ChIP-seq analysis revealed a clear loss of the repressive H3K27me3 mark at the HoxA locus and other homeodomain containing genes upon Ink4a/Arf inactivation. Subsequently, a subset of the genes became overexpressed upon tumorigenesis with a concomitant and progressive increase of the promoter activating H3K4me3 mark. Furthermore, IHC in mouse and a subset of human samples demonstrated heterogeneity of H3K27me3 staining compared to H3, while Western blot analysis also demonstrated a relative decrease in HK27me3 staining in mouse tumor samples compared to Ink4a/Arf−/-. These results support a model whereby Ink4a/Arf deficiency is sufficient to induce epigenetic changes via loss of H3K27me3, generating heterogeneity within a given tumor sample and allowing for EGFRviii driven oncogenic selection.
31P-Edited Diffusion-Ordered 1H NMR Spectroscopy for the Spectral Isolation and Identification of Organophosphorus Compounds Related to Chemical Weapons Agents and Their Degradation Products

Organophosphorus compounds represent a large class of molecules that include pesticides, flame-retardants, biologically relevant molecules, and chemical weapons agents (CWAs). The detection and identification of organophosphorus molecules, particularly in the cases of pesticides and CWAs, are paramount to the verification of international treaties by various organizations. To that end, novel analytical methodologies that can provide additional support to traditional analyses are important for unambiguous identification of these compounds. We have developed an NMR method that selectively edits for organophosphorus compounds via 31P–1H heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) and provides an additional chromatographic-like separation based on self-diffusivities of the individual species via 1H diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY): 1H–31P HSQC-DOSY. The technique is first validated using the CWA VX (O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate) by traditional two-dimensional DOSY spec...
John Strong Newberry: Pre-Civil War geologic exploration of the Cascade arc and Colorado Plateau

John Strong Newberry (1822–1892) was trained in medicine but left a successful practice to join three major exploratory expeditions in the American West from 1857–1859, after which he abandoned medicine for paleontology and geology. He was among the first naturalists to study the Cascade Range in California and Oregon and to visit the Grand Canyon region of the Colorado Plateau. His expedition reports provided the stratigraphic and geomorphic foundations for later investigations, including the famous Powell, Hayden, King, and Wheeler surveys of the 1860–1880s, and the pioneering work in the Cascades in the 1880–1890s by Joseph Silas Diller and Israel Cook Russell. Although Newberry’s later career focused on paleobotany, paleontology, and the geology of Ohio, he stands as a pioneer in western geology of the pre-Civil War era.
High prevalence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use among acute kidney injury survivors in the southern community cohort study

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used and have been linked to acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients who survive an AKI episode are at risk for future adverse kidney and cardiovascular outcomes. The objective of our study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of NSAID use among AKI survivors. The Southern Community Cohort Study is a prospective study of low-income adults aged 40–79 in the southeastern US. Through linkage with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 826 participants with an AKI diagnosis (ICD-9 584.5-584.9) at any age prior to cohort enrollment were identified. At baseline, data were collected on regular use of prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs, as well as demographic, medical and other characteristics. Additional comorbidities were ascertained via linkage with CMS or the US Renal Data System. One hundred fifty-four AKI survivors (19%) reported regular NSAID use at cohort enrollment (52 prescription, 81 OTC, 21 both) and the percentage of NSAID users did not vary by time since AKI event. Over 58% of users were taking NSAIDS regularly both before and after their AKI event. Hypertension (83%), arthritis (71%), heart failure (44%), CKD (36%) and diabetes (35%) were prevalent among NSAID users. In a multivariable model, history of arthritis (OR: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.92, 4.68) and acetaminophen use (OR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.50, 3.93) were significantly associated with NSAID use, while prevalent CKD (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.98) and diabetes (OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.69) were significantly inversely associated. NSAID use among AKI survivors is common and highlights the need to understand physician and patient decision-making around NSAIDs and to develop effective strategies to reduce NSAID use in this vulnerable population.
Over-Expression of the Mas Receptor Decreases Arterial Thrombosis Risk in B2R KO Mice by Elevating NO and Prostacyclin and Reducing GPVI Activation

Abstract 700 Background: Bradykinin B2 receptor KO mice (B2R KO) were recognized to have delayed rose bengal and ferric chloride carotid artery thrombosis times and long tail bleeding times. In B2R KO, elevated serum angiotensin II (AngII) binds to an over-expressed angiotensin receptor 2 (AT2R) to increase plasma NO and prostacyclin (Blood 108:192, 2006). It was proposed that the combined presence of elevated AngII and AT2R are essential for the thrombosis protection phenotype. However, after losartan treatment, an angiotensin receptor 1 antagonist, thrombosis remains delayed in B2R KO despite reduction in AngII levels from 258±64 to 40±15 pg/ml. An additional pathway for thrombosis protection in B2R KO mice was sought. Methods and Results: Losartan treatment lowers ACE mRNA in mice along with lowering AngII levels. However, even in the presence of low AngII levels, plasma Ang1-7 levels, the breakdown product of AngII, in losartan-treated B2R KO are increased [21±2.2 pg/ml vs 14.4±0.7 pg/ml in wild type mice (WT)]. Upon examination, B2R KO also have elevated Mas mRNA, the receptor for angiotensin1-7, with over-expressed renal Mas protein. Treatment of B2R KO with A-779, a Mas antagonist, shortens carotid artery thrombosis time (58±4 to 38±4 min) and tail bleeding time (170±13 to 88±8 sec) and lowers plasma concentrations of nitrate (from 21.5±3.6 micromolar in untreated B2R KO to 15±5 micromolar in A-779-treated mice) and 6-keto-PGF1alpha (259±103 pg/ml in untreated B2R KO to 132±58 pg/ml). ADP- or thrombin-induced platelet (plt) activation are not abnormal in B2R KO, either by aggregation studies or by flow cytometric studies examining for fibrinogen binding or JON/A integrin epitope binding and P-Selectin expression, respectively. Although static and flow adherence to collagen was normal, B2R KO plts have defective spreading on collagen (20±0.6 microns in B2R KO versus 27±0.4 microns in WT, p Conclusion: B2R KO are protected from thrombosis by over-expression of two receptors (AT2R and Mas) from the renin-angiotensin system resulting in increased NO and prostacyclin and an acquired platelet function defect. The receptors AT2R and MAS compensate for the absence of the B2R. These studies show novel mechanism(s) whereby receptors in the renin-angiotensin system influence platelet function and arterial thrombosis risk in vivo. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Superconducting and Mechanical Properties of in Situ Formed Cu-V3Ga Composites

V3Ga-based superconducting composites exhibit higher critical current densities at high fields (12 to 20 T) than any other practical superconductor, including Nb3Sn. Their low-field performance is limited by the difficulty of producing the material with sufficiently small grain size and not by its intrinsic properties [1]. Two recent reports on model V3Ga-based conductors have demonstrated that’these problems can be substantially alleviated. One successful approach consisted of reacting composites at lower temperatures (≲500°C) using a so-called modified bronze technique [12]; the other relied on manipulating the size and shape of V3Ga grains by the addition of ternary elements [3].
Parkin-mediated mitophagy is downregulated in browning of white adipose tissue

Objective Browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) promotes increased energy expenditure through the action of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and is an attractive target to promote weight loss in obesity. Lowering of mitochondrial membrane potential by UCP1 is uniquely beneficial in this context; in other tissues, reduced membrane potential promotes mitochondrial clearance via mitophagy. It is unknown how parkin-mediated mitophagy is regulated in beige adipocytes. Methods The relationship between parkin expression and WAT browning was investigated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and parkin-deficient male C57BL/6 mice in response to pharmacological browning stimuli. Results Rosiglitazone treatment in 3T3-L1 adipocytes promoted mitochondrial biogenesis, UCP1 expression, and mitochondrial uncoupling. Parkin expression was decreased and reduced mitochondrial-associated parkin, and p62 indicated a reduction in mitophagy activity. Parkin overexpression prevented mitochondrial remodeling in response to rosiglitazone. In CL 316,243-treated wild-type mice, decreased parkin expression was observed in subcutaneous inguinal WAT, where UCP1 was strongly induced. CL 316,243 treatment weakly induced UCP1 expression in the gonadal depot, where parkin expression was unchanged. In contrast, parkin-deficient mice exhibited robust UCP1 expression in gonadal WAT following CL 316,243 treatment. Conclusions WAT browning was associated with a decrease in parkin-mediated mitophagy, and parkin expression antagonized browning of WAT.
Complications and Perioperative Management of Patients Undergoing Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

Endovascular treatments have become increasingly common for patients with a variety of thoracic aortic pathologies. Although considered less invasive than traditional open surgical approaches, they are nonetheless complex procedures. Patients undergo manipulation of an often calcified aorta near the origin of the carotid and subclavian vessels and have stents placed in a curved vessel adjacent to a perpetually beating heart. These stents can obstruct blood flow to the spinal cord, induce an inflammatory response, and in rare cases erode into the adjacent trachea or esophagus. Renal complications range from contrast-induced nephropathy to hypotension and ischemia to dissection. Emboli can lead to strokes and mesenteric ischemia. These patients have complex medical histories, and skilled perioperative management is critical to achieving the best clinical outcomes. Here, we review the medical management of the most common complications in these patients including stroke, spinal cord ischemia, renal injury, retrograde dissections, aortoesophageal and aortobronchial fistulas, postimplantation syndrome, mesenteric ischemia, and endograft failure.
Application of maxillofacial instruments and techniques to mandibulectomy and maxillectomy.

Maximal preservation of structures of anatomic importance can improve the functional and esthetic results of potentially deforming and disabling maxillofacial resections. The authors contend that using instruments and techniques of maxillofacial surgery in performing maxillectomies and mandibulectomies will facilitate the performance of these procedures and improve results.
Continuous DNA replication is required for late gene transcription and maintenance of replication compartments in gammaherpesviruses

Late gene transcription in herpesviruses is dependent on viral DNA replication in cis but the mechanistic basis for this linkage remains unknown. DNA replication results in demethylated DNA, topological changes, removal of proteins and recruitment of proteins to promoters. One or more of these effects of DNA replication may facilitate late gene transcription. Using 5-azacytidine to promote demethylation of DNA, we demonstrate that late gene transcription cannot be rescued by DNA demethylation. Late gene transcription precedes significant increases in DNA copy number, indicating that increased template numbers also do not contribute to the linkage between replication and late gene transcription. By using serial, timed blockade of DNA replication and measurement of late gene mRNA accumulation, we demonstrate that late gene transcription requires ongoing DNA replication. Consistent with these findings, blocking DNA replication led to dissolution of DNA replication complexes which also contain RNA polymerase II and BGLF4, an EBV protein required for transcription of several late genes. These data indicate that ongoing DNA replication maintains integrity of a replication-transcription complex which is required for recruitment and retention of factors necessary for late gene transcription.
Sexual References and Consequences for Heterosexual, Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Characters on Television: A Comparison Content Analysis

A content analysis was conducted to examine sexual references and consequences among lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB), and heterosexual characters on television. The sample was composed of programs por...
Evolution of skeletal and muscular morphology within the functionally integrated lower jaw adduction system of sculpins and relatives (Cottoidei)

Abstract Vertebrate lever mechanics are defined by the morphology of skeletal elements and the properties of their muscular actuators; these metrics characterize functional diversity. The components of lever systems work in coordination (“functional integration”) and may show strong covariation across evolutionary history (“evolutionary integration”), both of which have been hypothesized to constrain phenotypic diversity. We quantified evolutionary integration in a functionally integrated system — the lower jaw of sculpins and relatives (Actinopterygii: Cottoidei). Sculpins primarily rely on suction feeding for prey capture, but there is considerable variation in evasiveness of their prey, resulting in variation in anatomy of the lower jaw-closing mechanism. We used functionally-relevant linear measurements to characterize skeletal and muscular components of this system among 25 cottoid species and two outgroup Hexagrammoidei (greenling) species. We quantified evolutionary covariation and correlation of jaw-closing mechanical advantage (i.e., skeletal leverage) and muscle architecture (i.e., gearing) by correlating phylogenetically independent contrasts and fitting phylogenetically corrected generalized least squares models. We found no evidence of evolutionary covariation in muscle architecture and skeletal leverage. While we found a positive evolutionary correlation between out-lever length and adductor muscle fiber length, there was no significant evolutionary correlation between in-lever length and adductor muscle fiber length. We also found a positive evolutionary correlation between in- and out-lever lengths. These results suggest that skeletal morphology and muscle morphology contribute independently to biomechanical diversity among closely related species, indicating the importance of considering both skeletal and muscular variation in studies of ecomorphological diversification.