cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
YAP1 Uses Its Modular Protein Domains and Conserved Sequence Motifs to Orchestrate Diverse Repertoires of Signaling

Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is a potent oncogenic protein and is one of the two main effectors of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway. Originally, YAP1 cDNA was isolated by screening expression libraries for proteins that associate with SH3 domains of Yes and Src protein-tyrosine kinases. Subsequently, YAP1 was shown by homology searches or functional assays to encode multiple protein–protein binding modules including a WW domain, a PDZ domain-binding motif, and TEAD-interaction domain (TID) as well as a transcriptional activation domain (TAD). The TID region encodes a major regulatory phosphorylation site, Serine 127, which plays a critical role in regulating the subcellular localization of YAP1. The TAD region contains a putative coiled-coil region, whose function is unknown, and a tyrosine phosphorylation site that is the subject of intense study. Through reductionistic approaches of molecular and cellular biology, we have gained insight into the detailed function of most of the individual domains, motifs, and selected phosphorylation sites of YAP1. Here, we review how these YAP1 domains act in concert to regulate cell contact inhibition as well as a balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Given the mounting evidence that many parameters of malignant cancer progression are driven by Hippo-regulated pathways, understanding the details of how YAP1 regulates signaling is of paramount importance in designing effective strategies to control the oncogenic function of YAP1.
Continental Water Storage Changes from GRACE Line-of-Sight Range Acceleration Measurements

Spaceborne gravimetry such as GRACE provides a unique opportunity to observe basin-scale surface and subsurface global water storage changes with unprecedented accuracy and temporal and spatial coverages. The contemporary methodology to process GRACE data for hydrologic studies is in terms of monthly spherical harmonic geopotential solutions with a spatial resolution longer than 600–800,km (half-wavelength), after proper smoothing. Alternative methods include the direct processing of satellite-to-satellite K-Band Range (KBR) rate data and to estimate the localized gravity field, and the so-called mascon methods. In this study we estimate monthly continental water thickness changes over the Amazon Basin for one year (2003) by calculating in-situ Line-Of-Sight (LOS) gravity differences inferred by the GRACE KBR range acceleration. A regional inversion method based on Bayesian statistics is used to estimate water thickness changes from the LOS gravity difference observations. Power Spectral Density (PSD) comparison with the spherical harmonic monthly solutions at both 600 and 800 km resolutions indicates that the LOS gravity solution has more power at degree 13 or higher, implying that it is a viable technique for potentially enhancing spatial resolutions of GRACE solutions at these frequencies.
Laminar flame propagation in supercritical hydrogen/air and methane/air mixtures

Abstract The propagation of laminar hydrogen/air and methane/air flames in supercritical conditions was computationally simulated for the planar flame configurations, incorporating descriptions of supercritical thermodynamics and transport as well as high-pressure chemical kinetics. The inaccuracies associated with the use of ideal gas assumptions for various components of the supercritical description were systematically assessed with progressively more complete formulation. Results show that, for hydrogen/air flames, the laminar flame speeds at high pressures increase due to the non-ideal equation of state (EoS), and is mainly due to the density modification of the initial mixture. Including the thermodynamic properties of heat capacity reduces the flame speed because of the correspondingly reduced adiabatic flame temperature. Transport properties were found to have small effect because of the inherent insensitivity of the laminar burning rate to variations in the transport properties. For methane/air flames, the use of recently reported high-pressure chemical kinetics considerably affects the laminar flame speed, even for the same flame temperature.
Evaluation of advance directives video education for patients.

Abstract Background: Patients and families can make informed decisions at the end-of-life if they have had discussions regarding their wishes, but this is not regularly done due to poor understanding of advance directives (AD). Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of an AD video to educate patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Methods: A prospective, nonrandomized, pre/post-survey design study of 45 patients was conducted. Patients in clinics (n=37) and hospital (n=8) were asked to complete surveys measuring baseline understanding, completion, and discussions of AD prior to viewing the video. Patients viewed the video and completed similar surveys for feedback on the effectiveness of the video education. Results: Patients felt the video was informative and helpful and stated more of an urgency to complete AD with increased perceived understanding of the forms. Prior to the educational video, 66.7% of patients stated they had discussed AD with their loved ones, while...
Abstract 2534: Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals lung cancer-associated alterations in bronchial cell subpopulations in the mainstem bronchus

RATIONALE: We have previously shown that gene expression alterations in the mainstem bronchus epithelium reflects a physiologic response to cigarette smoke and can serve as a diagnostic biomarker for lung cancer. Furthermore, we have shown that single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) can be used to detect smoking-associated gene expression alterations within specific airway epithelial and immune cell types. In this study, we use scRNA-Seq to profile the transcriptomes of single cells procured from the airways of patients with or without lung cancer in order to detect cancer-associated alterations within specific cell types. METHODS: We obtained bronchial brushings in the mainstem bronchus from ever smokers undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy for suspect lung cancer. Patients were followed post-procedure until a final lung cancer diagnosis (n=5; 3 adenocaricinomas, 1 squamous cell carcinoma and 1 large cell carcinoma) or benign disease (n=7) was made. Single cells were isolated using FACS (n=190/donor) and RNA library preparation was performed using the CEL-Seq protocol followed by RNA-seq (75nt paired-end) on an Illumina Hiseq 2500. Latent Dirichlet allocation was used to identify transcriptomically distinct cellular subpopulations specific to the airways of patients with and without lung cancer. RESULTS: We detected distinct subpopulations of bronchial cells expressing known markers of basal (KRT5), ciliated (FOXJ1), club (SCGB1A1), and goblet (MUC5AC) epithelial cells. Cell type distributions differed between cancer status and within cancer sub-types. Specifically, patients with cancer had an increase in FOXJ1+ cells. Many of the genes in the previously reported diagnostic biomarker such as ATP12A and NKX3-1 are expressed in specific cell types. CONCLUSION: The scRNA-Seq data of the normal appearing airways of subjects with and without lung cancer suggests that the epithelial and immune cell types present and their relative proportions change with cancer status. Additionally, previously described lung cancer biomarker genes are expressed in a cell type specific manner indicating that future biomarker improvements may be made by examining subpopulations of cells. Analysis of a greater number of samples is needed to make robust conclusions regarding the changes associated with smoking, cancer, and cancer subtype in this sample population. Citation Format: Xingyi Shi, Grant Duclos, Joshua Campbell, Yaron Gesthalter, Patrick Autissier, Yves M. Dumas, Robert Terrano, Gang Liu, Marc E. Lenburg, Avrum Spira, Jennifer Beane. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals lung cancer-associated alterations in bronchial cell subpopulations in the mainstem bronchus [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2534.
Guiding Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Making the correct carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis is the most important step in treatment. Electrodiagnosis can confirm carpal tunnel syndrome and eliminate mimicking diseases from the differential. Treatment should provide satisfactory pain relief and protection of the median nerve from further deterioration. Electrodiagnosis testing provides information on focal median mononeuropathy at the wrist that could be used to classify carpal tunnel syndrome from mild to severe. The information obtained can help patients to understand and choose treatment in a patient-centered fashion. False positives can cause more harm than false negatives in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The Ramping Polytope and Cut Generation for the Unit Commitment Problem

We present a perfect formulation for a single generator in the unit commitment problem, inspired by the dynamic programming approach taken by Frangioni and Gentile. This generator can have characte...
White matter microstructure varies with post-traumatic stress severity following medical trauma.

The prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus are important components of the neural network that mediates the healthy learning, expression, and regulation of emotion. These brain regions are connected by white matter pathways that include the cingulum bundle, uncinate fasciculus, and fornix/stria terminalis. Individuals with trauma and stress-related disorders show dysfunction of the cognitive-affective processes supported by the brain regions these white matter tracts connect. Therefore, variability in the microstructure of these white matter pathways may play an important role in the cognitive-affective dysfunction related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Thus, the current study used diffusion weighted imaging to assess the white matter microstructure of the cingulum bundle, uncinate fasciculus, and fornix/stria terminalis acutely (< 1 month) following trauma. Further, we assessed both acute (i.e., < 1 month) and subacute (i.e., 3 months post-trauma) post-traumatic stress symptom severity. White matter microstructure (assessed < 1 month post-trauma) of the uncinate fasciculus and fornix/stria terminalis varied with acute post-traumatic stress severity (assessed < 1 month post-trauma). Further, white matter microstructure (assessed < 1 month post-trauma) of the cingulum bundle and fornix/stria terminalis varied with subacute post-traumatic stress severity (assessed 3 months post-trauma). The current results suggest white matter architecture of the prefrontal cortex – amygdala network plays an important role in the development of trauma and stress-related disorders.
CAPACIDADE DA AGREGAÇÃO: COMPROMISSOS, ÁGUA E UMA FORMA DE CUIDADO COLETIVO NO NORDESTE DO BRASIL / CAPACITY AS AGGREGATION: PROMISES, WATER AND A FORM OF COLLECTIVE CARE IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL

No transcurso do Seculo XXI, as pessoas vem fazendo experimentacoes com diferentes formas de organizacao politica. No nordeste do Brasil, esse espirito experimental levou a criacao do Pacto das Aguas, um processo envolvendo mais de oito mil participantes reunidos em uma serie de audiencias publicas [1] nas quais foram realizados compromissos de zelar pela agua, observando as especificidades do contexto local. O Pacto reuniu estas promessas em um formato escalonado o qual, acreditam os organizadores, ira proporcionar os meios necessarios para lidar com as questoes estatais relativas a agua. O Pacto romperia com uma historia de fracassos infraestruturais e legais concernentes ao acesso as aguas subterrâneas no estado do Ceara. Este artigo examina a forma como este coletivo foi produzido, quais foram suas unidades constitutivas e como a logica da agregacao conduziu as praticas que levaram a sua compilacao. Meu objetivo e reexaminar o coletivo como uma forma de competencia quantitativa que deve ser qualitativamente reconsiderada. Abstract: As the twenty-first century gets underway, people have been experimenting with many forms of political organization. In Northeast Brazil, that experimental spirit led to the creation of the Water Pact, a process involving more than eight thousand participants through a series of public promise-making rituals in which they made pledges to care for water, attending to the specificities of their own context. The Pact gathered those promises into a multi-scalar formation that, the organizers believed, would yield the necessary resources to address the state’s water problems. The Pact would break with an unsuccessful history of infrastructural and legal reforms concerning deep-water access in the state of Ceara. This article examines how that collective was produced, what its constituent units were and how the logic of aggregation guided practices leading to its coalescence. My purpose is to re-examine the aggregate as a quantitative form of capacity that should be qualitatively reconsidered.
Modeling social and lunar coordination in the spawning behavior of Fundulus heteroclitus

Abstract The timing of fish reproductive behavior can depend upon seasonal, lunar, social, and environmental cues, each with their own distinct ecological risks and sensitivities. Fundulus heteroclitus, commonly known as mummichogs, exhibit spawning behavior wherein both social and lunar effects appear to factor into when they spawn, and each to a differing degree depending on their geographic location. We model mummichog spawning behavior using a coupled oscillator model, including terms to account for both social and lunar influence as well as stochastic effects. Fitting the model parameters to laboratory mummichog spawning data from the Environmental Protection Agency reveals a dependency on both social and lunar coordination. In order to describe the extent of possible coordination we develop a data driven order parameter to address the difficulties inherent in measuring coordination in many-agent models where the dynamics of isolated individual agents are nontrivial.
Mercury bioaccumulation in stream food webs of the Finger Lakes in central New York State, USA.

Abstract Studies of mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in streams draining both forested and agricultural watersheds are not common. Sixteen streams were sampled in the Finger Lakes region in central New York State with a mean agricultural land cover of 48%. Stream fish (Blacknose Dace, Rhinichthys atratulus, an invertivore; and Creek Chub, Semotilus atromaculatus, an omnivore) were collected and analyzed for total Hg (THg), and macroinvertebrates and periphyton were collected and analyzed for methylmercury (MeHg) determination. The effect of water chemistry, land cover, and macroinvertebrate MeHg was assessed as predictors of fish Hg concentrations. Blacknose Dace had significantly higher THg concentrations compared to Creek Chub (229 ng/g vs. 195 ng/g dry weight, respectively), and predatory and omnivorous macroinvertebrates (i.e., Perlidae and Cambaridae) were found to have significantly higher MeHg concentrations compared to other functional feeding groups. Mixed effects models identified macroinvertebrate MeHg concentrations as predictors of stream fish THg concentrations. Partition modeling found fish total length and total suspended solids predicted Blacknose Dace with ‘High’ vs ‘Low’ Hg (≥ or
Preplant and Residual Herbicide Application Timings for Weed Control in No-Till Soybean

Timely herbicide applications for no-till soybean can be challenging given the diverse communities of both winter and summer annual weeds that are often present. Research was conducted to compare various approaches for nonselective and preplant weed control for notill soybean. Nonselective herbicide application timings of fall (with and without a residual herbicide) followed by early-spring (4 wk before planting), late-spring (1 to 2 wk before planting), or sequential-spring applications (4 wk before planting and at planting) were compared. Spring applications also included a residual herbicide. For consistent control of winter annual weeds, two herbicide applications were needed, either a fall application followed by a spring application or sequential-spring applications. When a fall herbicide application did not include a residual herbicide, greater winter annual weed control resulted from early- or sequential-spring treatments. However, application timings that effectively controlled winter annual weeds did not effectively control summer annual weeds that have a prolonged emergence period. Palmer amaranth and large crabgrass control at 4 wk after planting was better when the spring residual treatment (chlorimuron plus metribuzin) was applied 1 to 2 wk before planting or at planting, compared with 4 wk before planting. Results indicate that in order to optimize control, herbicide application programs in soybean should coincide with seasonal growth cycles of winter and summer annual weeds.Nomenclature: Chlorimuron; metribuzin; large crabgrass, Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.; Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr
Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on Hydroponic Lettuce Grown With Conventional and Organic Fertilizers [Cornell University]

H2O2, commonly referred to as hydrogen peroxide, is an unstable oxidizing agent often used by hydroponic growers to help clear unwanted biofilm and pathogenic microorganisms by releasing free radicals that interact with the microbes. Other byproducts produced by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide are simply H2O and O2. The released O2 increases the dissolved oxygen concentration in the root zone and may also help reduce oxygen losses to biofilm and microbial respiration. However, the suggested concentration of hydrogen peroxide varies greatly among hobbyists and are typically determined on a trial and error basis and excess H2O2 can cause damage to roots. With little to no scientifically backed information available on the topic, the aim of this study is to determine the effect of H2O2 concentrations in deep water culture hydroponics by assessing how it affects biofilm caused by the use of organic fertilizers, root development, and consequently, yield in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) ‘Oak Leaf’. In this experiment, three different treatments consisting of a control, 1.25 mL/L, and 2.5 mL/L of hydrogen peroxide are added to aerated 4-L reservoirs that are fertilized with either organic (4-1-1) or inorganic nutrients (21-5-20), both applied at 150 mg·L-1 N. Three replicates for each treatment and each fertilizer are prepared resulting in a total of eighteen reservoirs with one head of lettuce in each. By the end of this study, it was found that when added to conventional fertilizers, doses of 1.25 mL/L and 2.5 mL/L of hydrogen peroxide stunted the growth of or killed the heads of lettuce. However, when applied to organic fertilizers, the lettuce yield nearly matched that of the conventionally fertilized control.
Viscosupplementation for hip osteoarthritis: Does systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures support use?

Abstract Introduction Osteoarthritis of the hip is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. There is lack of agreement among providers and governing agencies regarding the efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) for the management of hip osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to determine how HA administration impacts 1) patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and 2) rates of conversion to THA. Methods The PubMed, EBSCO host, and Google Scholar electronic databases were queried for all studies published between January 1st, 2000 and January 1st, 2020 that reported on outcomes following HA administration for treatment of hip OA. The following keywords were implemented with AND and OR Boolean operators: “hip”; “osteoarthritis”; “arthritis”; “viscosupplementation”; “hyaluronic acid.” Our final analysis included 39 studies and reported on a total of 5,864 patients receiving injections of HA. Results All studies reporting on visual analog scale (VAS), patient global assessment, and total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores demonstrated improvements following HA administration. For the Lequesne Index (LI), WOMAC pain, WOMAC function, and Harris Hip Score (HHS) values, a majority of studies reported that HA would prove beneficial, with one analysis suggesting a lack of improvement. There was inconsistent evidence across studies regarding the effectiveness of HA compared to other intra-articular injections. The formulation of the administered viscosupplementation did not appear to influence outcomes. Furthermore, rates of conversion to THA were relatively low when evaluating 1- to 4-year follow-up intervals. Discussion Non-comparative studies consistently demonstrated that HA can achieve satisfactory pain reduction and functional improvement. However, there was not enough evidence in the current literature regarding whether HA is superior to placebo or other types of intra-articular injections. Future studies should continue to compare HA to other treatment modalities in randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes.
A ‘Global Change’ Eulogy, Sermons and Obituaries: ‘Everest’, its Models, the Reality, the Governmental Mis-behavior, Associated Institutional Terror and the Global Abuse of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya Region

Climate change – the man-made aspects and implications of it – represent the topic of our time. It affects virtually all fabrics of our life-style and the globe, as we know it (see Mukherji et al. 2015 for the Hindu Kush-Himalaya HKH region). But climate change also easily presents a fear-monger for policy, industry and the public, and rightly so due its severity and lack of progress for decades (e.g. half of the glaciers in the HKH melted just since 2000: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/19/himalayan-glacier-melting-doubled-since-2000-scientists-reveal). It’s specifically clear here that policy, industry, institutions and the established public fail on it; simply judged by carbon footprints due to consumption. The real-world implications of climate change are massive either way, even in the best of all current predictions, and they are currently not really overpredicted, thus far (http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/07/climate-change-earth-too-hot-for-humans-annotated.html). Considering political inaction and increase of CO2 and Methane the real-world forecast is not that it will just get a few degrees warmer, globally, but instead that we actually could well be burned (Evers 2019 and citations within). From all we know, climate change comes without borders and without any consideration of man-kind or of life. If life moves out of its ecological climate niche it simply will die, and human societies are facing their end (Mukherji et al. 2019; see Miehe et al. 2017 and Wester et al. 2019 for a wider underestimate of reality impacts in the HKH region).
What to put on (and what to take off) a wound: treating a chronic neuropathic ulcer with an autologous homologous skin construct, offloading and common sense

Closure of chronic lower extremity wounds is important for minimizing the risk of infection and amputation in a very high-risk population. Developments in tissue cultures and matrix therapies have shown promise in enhancing healing. The use of autologous homologous skin constructs in wound treatment may enable the regeneration of functional dermal structures. We present the case of a chronic medial heel ulcer that dehisced following intraoperative debridement, which was subsequently treated using a combination of an autologous homologous skin construct and total contact casting. This case emphasizes the importance of proper offloading for healing and preventing recurrence of lower extremity wounds.
“We need a new story to guide us”: Towards a curriculum of Rahma

Beginning with a storied moment of encounter at an academic conference in which several scholars confidently asserted the need to “humanize those who have been dehumanized”, I engage in autobiograp...
Impact of postnatal age on neonatal intensive care unit bloodstream infection reporting

Due to their short- and long-term impact on patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), bloodstream infections are a closely monitored quality measure. NICU infection rates are risk-adjusted for birth weight, but not postnatal age. Our findings suggest that infection rates are not constant over time in neonates with long NICU lengths of stay and adjusting for postnatal age in addition to birth weight may improve unit comparisons.
The to and fro of Rho.

The functions of Ras members are largely governed by the structural dynamics of the nucleotide-binding switch regions. In this issue of Structure, Lin et al. (2021) take a close look at the dynamic equilibrium of RhoA, the founding member of the Rho family of Ras GTPases.
An integrated process for mixed culture production of 3-hydroxyhexanoate-rich polyhydroxyalkanoates from fruit waste

Abstract Fermented wastes have been demonstrated to be adequate sources for polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production using mixed microbial cultures (MMC). In general, MMC processes are focused on the production of co-polymers containing 3-hydroxybutyrate (HB) and 3-hydroxyvalerate (HV), which limits the range of polymer properties and aplications. This study aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of producing a ter-polymer enriched in 3-hydroxyhexanoate (HHx) from a waste using a mixed-culture 3-stage process. For this purpose, each of the stages (acidogenic reactor, selection of a PHA-accumulating culture and PHA accumulation) was fine-tuned to maximise the process’s yield and productivity. In the acidogenic reactor, operating conditions were manipulated to ferment fruit waste into a caproate-rich effluent (69%) with a fermentation products’ concentration (FP) of 13.0 gCOD L−1. A culture enriched in a highly efficient PHA-accumulating culture capable of converting caproate into HHx was selected. This culture was used as inoculum and fed with caproate-rich effluent, achieving a maximum PHA content of 71.3%, a PHA productivity of 3.29 gCOD L−1h−1 and a terpolymer with a composition of 33/1/66 (HB/HV/HHx,% wt.). Batch assays were carried out to demonstrate that caproate was the precursor of HHx, and acclimatization of the biomass to caproate was an important factor in the selection step to foster HHx-containing polymer production. This paper reports unprecedented values of yield, productivity and HHx fraction for the production of a mcl-PHA using MC and a fermented waste. These results are a significant contribution towards upscaling the process to convert a waste into HHx-rich PHA.
Foster Care and the Growing Tension Between the Religion Clauses: A Comment on Rogers v. HHS

In 2018, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the State of South Carolina agreed to waive their requirements of religious non-discrimination by state-funded, licensed child placement agencies. The state had discovered that its largest provider, Miracle Hill, approved the applications of only those who shared its Evangelical Protestant faith. Eden Rogers and Brandy Welch, a Unitarian, married same-sex couple, applied to Miracle Hill to be certified as foster parents. After Miracle Hill refused on religious grounds to assess the couple’s fitness, the couple filed suit against various federal and state defendants, alleging that the waivers constituted an establishment of religion and violated the couple’s right to equal protection. The federal district court refused defendants’ motion to dismiss the couple’s Establishment Clause claim. In light of the Supreme Court decision in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, 141 S. Ct. 1868 (2021), South Carolina renewed its motion to dismiss the complaint, asserting that Miracle Hill’s right to the Free Exercise of Religion requires the state to waive its prohibition on religion-based discrimination by child placement agencies. This paper explores South Carolina’s argument that Miracle Hill’s purported free exercise rights render irrelevant constraints that the Establishment Clause might place on such accommodations. In this context, the state’s reliance on Fulton is misplaced. Here, the state should be deemed constitutionally responsible for the religion-based exclusion of prospective foster parents. More controversially, I argue that the state should also be held constitutionally responsible for the religious indoctrination of children placed with families approved by Miracle Hill. Such responsibility has long been and should remain a central concern of the Establishment Clause, and overcomes any countervailing free exercise interests of Miracle Hill or other faith-based providers. This focus on responsibility offers significant depth and nuance to conventional but vague Establishment Clause concepts about state support of religion. The author is the David R. and Sherry Kirschner Berz Research Professor in Law and Religion at the George Washington University Law School.
Characterization of ionic transport through BaCe0.2 Zr0.7Y0.1O3−δ membranes in galvanic and electrolytic operation

Abstract Proton-conducting ceramic electrochemical devices were fabricated consisting of a 25-μm-thick BaCe0.2Zr0.7Y0.1O3−δ (BCZY27) electrolyte membrane supported on a 1-mm-thick Ni/BCZY27 fuel electrode, and an air electrode consisting of a 40-μm-thick porous BCZY27 backbone infiltrated with La2NiO4+δ catalyst. Hydrogen flux was measured as a function of gas environment at the air electrode and as a function of applied cell potential and current at 700 °C. The hydrogen transference number decreased significantly, reaching levels as low as 0.05 when hydrogen is transported against the concentration gradient, even with reducing gas environments on both sides of the membrane. Additionally, the hydrogen transference number decreased with increasing applied potential and current. The decrease in hydrogen transport efficiency must be compensated by an ionic or electronic flux. These results show that charge transfer in these materials can be dominated by electronic defects in high-current electrolytic regimes, without the need for ionic co-transport.
Iron incorporation into MnSOD A (bacterial Mn-dependent superoxide dismutase) leads to the formation of a peroxidase/catalase implicated in oxidative damage to bacteria.

Abstract Background Mn/Fe-superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a family of enzymes essential for organisms to be able to cope with oxygen. These enzymes bound to their classical metals catalyze the dismutation of the free radical superoxide anion (O 2 − ) to H 2 O 2 and molecular oxygen. E. coli has the manganese-dependent SOD A and the iron-dependent SOD B. Methods Strains of E. coli overexpressing SOD A or SOD B were grown in media with different metal compositions. SODs were purified and their metal content and SOD activity were determined. Those proteins were incubated with H 2 O 2 and assayed for oxidation of Amplex red or o-phenylenediamine, consumption of H 2 O 2 , release of iron and protein radical formation. Cell survival was determined in bacteria with MnSOD A or FeSOD A after being challenged with H 2 O 2 . Results We show for the first time that the bacterial manganese-dependent SOD A when bound to iron (FeSOD A) has peroxidase activity. The in vivo formation of the peroxidase FeSOD A was increased when media had higher levels of iron because of a decreased manganese metal incorporation. In comparison to bacteria with MnSOD A, cells with FeSOD A had a higher loss of viability when exposed to H 2 O 2 . General Significance The biological occurrence of this fundamental antioxidant enzyme in an alternative iron-dependent state represents an important source of free radical formation.
Boundary lubrication by lubricin is mediated by O-linked β(1-3)Gal-GalNAc oligosaccharides

Lubrication of mammalian joints is mediated by lubricin, a product of megakaryocyte stimulating factor gene (MSF; GenBank accession #U70136) expression. Lubricin (Mr ∼ 240 kDa) is a mucinous glycoprotein which is 50% (w/w) post-translationally modified with β(1-3)Gal-GalNAc incompletely capped with NeuAc, and lubricates apposed cartilaginous surfaces in the boundary mode through an unknown mechanism. Both bovine and human lubricin were purified from synovial fluid and digested with recombinant glycosidases. Released oligosaccharides were identified and quantified by fluorophore assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE). Corresponding digests of human lubricin were also assayed in a friction apparatus oscillating latex rubber against polished glass at a pressure of 0.35 × 106 N/m2 and the coefficient of friction (μ) was measured. Digestion with α2,3-neuraminidase decreased lubricating ability by 19.3%. Partial removal of β(1-3)Gal-GalNAc moieties by endo-α-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase reduced lubricating ability by 77.2%. Human lubricin digested with combined α2,3-neuraminidase and β1-3,6-galactosidase continued to lubricate at 52.2% of its nominal value. Both bovine and human lubricin released 48.6% and 54.4% of total β(1-3)Gal-GalNAc sidechains following digestion with endo-α-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase. Biological boundary lubrication by synovial fluid in vitro is provided primarily by extensive O-linked β(1-3)Gal-GalNAc.
System-level applications of two-dimensional materials: Challenges and opportunities

Two dimensional materials represent the next frontier in advanced materials for electronic applications. Their extreme thinness (3 or less atoms thick) give them great flexibility, optical transparency and an unsurpassed surface-to-volume ratio. At the same time, this family of materials has tremendously diverse and unique properties. For example, graphene is a semimetal with extremely high electron and hole mobilities, hexagonal boron nitride forms an almost ideal insulator, while MoS 2 and other dichalcogenides push the limits on large area semiconductors.
Effects of Cisapride on QT Interval in Children |[dagger]| 119

Background. Cisapride is widely used in children with gastroesophageal reflux. Recent reports of torsade de pointes and heart block associated with prolonged QT interval in children using cisapride raise concern about its safety.
Second-generation Holocaust survivors: Psychological, theological, and moral challenges

Drawing from trauma theory, psychodynamic conceptualization, developmental psychology, clinical data, and personal experience, this article portrays a life haunted by tragedy predating its victims. Healthy child development is outlined, with particular attention to socialization and theological perspectives. Key characteristics of trauma are delineated, highlighting the nuances of trauma that are most harmful. As is the case with general trauma, Holocaust survivors are described as evincing survivor's guilt and paranoia in response to their experiences. Divergent disorders resulting from the Holocaust are described for 1st-generation and 2nd-generation survivors, respectively. Primary trauma responses and pervasive attitudes of survivors are shown to have harmful ramifications on their children's personality and worldview as well as on their interpersonal and theistic object relations. These limitations translate into problems in the adult lives of second generation survivors.
Measurement of GTPase.effector affinities.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the measurement of guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTPase) effector affinities. Most interactions of small GTPases are determined by the nature of the nucleotide to which they are tightly bound (GDP or GTP). The chapter describes the basic methodologies and protocols used to quantitatively measure the strength of protein–protein interactions that take place in GTPase-mediated signaling cascades. The chapter focuses on the methodologies that employ fluorescent nucleotides, as these reagents are easy to produce and are shown to report accurately on interaction of the Cdc42, Ras, and Rac proteins. An alternative strategy involves attachment of fluorescent reporter groups to the GTPase by covalent modification of the polypeptide itself. The chapter explains the synthesis of mant nucleotides. The chapter concludes with a discussion of various anisotropy-based assays.
Genetic Control of B Cell Activation by Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide Is Mediated by Multiple Distinct Genes or Alleles

Eleven closely related C3H mouse strains were examined for differences in their DNA synthetic response to a highly discriminatory endotoxin, LPS Escherichia coli K-235. Strains of the C3H line were found to be either high, intermediate, or low responders to endotoxin. Three stains, C3H/St, C3H/Bi, and C3H/CR were high responders. Six strains, C3H/He, C3HfB/He, C3H/Hen, C3Heb/Fej, C3H/DiSn, and C3H/A vy were intermediate responders, suggesting that a mutation producing decreased LPS responsiveness occurred in the C3H/He(C3H/An) strain between 1931 and 1945. Two strains, C3H/HeJ and C3H/Bts were unresponsive due to a mutation that occurred between 1960 and 1968. Breeding experiments among high, intermediate, and low responding strains documented probable codominant genetic control by the genes or alleles in the C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ strains. In the C3H/HeN × C3H/St cross, dominance of the C3H/St gene over the C3H/He gene was documented, whereas the C3H/HeJ × C3H/St cross indicated codominance of these two genes. These findings may represent either three alleles or three distinct genes in C3H mice. A second X-linked gene locus was documented in the CBA/N strain which also causes impaired B cell responsiveness to LPS E. coli K235 in serum-free conditions. The abnormal gene products in the CBA/N and C3H/HeJ strains exhibit complementarity since F1 female animals from the cross between these two unresponsive strains are responsive to LPS. We conclude that there is at least one distinct X-linked gene locus and either three additional autosomal genes or three possible alleles at one or more autosomal loci which determine the LPS sensitivity of murine B cells.
Using multiple buffers for smooth VBR video transmissions over the network

End-to-end traffic smoothing has been proven to be highly effective in reducing the peak rate and the burstiness of VBR video traffic. There are, however, scenarios in which client buffer sizes are not enough for achieving satisfactory smoothing results. We study the possibility of utilizing buffers along the transmission path to further smooth the VBR video stream and reduce the transmission cost. Optimization algorithms are presented for the single intermediate buffer case and then extended to more general cases. The practical applications of these algorithms are also discussed.
Some observations on psychosocial stressors, immunity, and individual differences in nonhuman primates

Many studies would appear to support an important relationship between behavior and the regulation of the immune response, at the core of the developing field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). However, wide variations are noted in the strength of this relationship, even for the same species under very similar circumstances. The present paper reviews work from our laboratory in both young and adult pigtail and bonnet macaques describing the ranges of variability in both behavioral and immunological responses to social separation and social conflict. It is shown that the magnitude of immune changes that follow a social stressor often covary with the magnitude of the behavioral changes that are observed. Second, there is support for the observation that there are specific behaviors such as social affiliation that may mitigate untoward behavioral and immunological consequences of social stressors. Finally, studies are reviewed which suggest that assessment of autonomic reactivity as reflected in cardiovascular regulation might provide an important clue to the relative risk for immune modulation under challenge. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Absence of ascorbic acid synthesis in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus and blue cat-fish, Ictalurus frucatus

Abstract 1. 1. Ascorbic acid deficiency has been demonstrated in the channel catfish and the symptoms are described. 2. 2. The enzymes involved in ascorbic acid synthesis are apparently lacking in the liver and kidney of both the blue and channel catfish.
Circadian and circannual rhythm of nonfatal pulmonary embolism

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Automatic alignment techniques for color television manufacturing

A technique is proposed to align automatically a color television designed with a new family of integrated circuits that incorporate internal control registers which may be a set using a serial bus. Registers internal to the various components of the system store digital values which are converted by internal digital-to-analog converters to analog control voltages and currents. All of the registers can be modified by using a single microcomputer interface to the serial bus. A remote control receiver is available which also interfaces to the control bus. The main component of the system, a video/timebase processor integrated circuit, is a complete, highly integrated luma/chroma/deflection system with all necessary filters incorporated in silicon. The majority of the registers which are accessed for the final alignment are incorporated on this one IC. By using a video camera as the feedback element, a fast, accurate alignment of nearly all of the parameters adjusted during final factory test may be obtained. >
Machine cell formation using a mathematical model and a genetic-algorithm-based heuristic

This paper presents a comprehensive mathematical model and a genetic-algorithm-based heuristic for the formation of part families and machine cells in the design of cellular manufacturing systems. The model incorporates dynamic cell configuration, alternative routings, sequence of operations, multiple units of identical machines, machine capacity, workload balancing among cells, operation cost, subcontracting cost, tool consumption cost, set-up cost and other practical constraints. To solve this model efficiently, a two-phase genetic-algorithm-based heuristic was developed. In the first phase, independent cells are formed which are relatively simple to generate. In the second phase, the solution found during the first phase is gradually improved to generate cells optimizing inter-cell movement and other cost terms of the model. A number of numerical examples of different sizes are presented to demonstrate the computational efficiency of the heuristic developed.
Three-dimensional asymptotic stress field in the vicinity of the circumferential tip of a fiber–matrix interfacial debond

Abstract A heretofore unavailable asymptotic solution pertaining to the stress field in the neighborhood of the circumferential tip of an interfacial debond, between the fiber or inclusion and the unreinforced plate made of the matrix material, and subjected to far-field extension-bending (mode I), inplane shear-twisting (mode II) and torsional (mode III) loadings, is presented. A local orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system ( ρ , φ , θ ), is selected to describe the local deformation behavior of the afore-mentioned plate in the vicinity of the afore-mentioned circumferential line of interfacial debond. One of the components of the Euclidean metric tensor, namely g 33 , is approximated ( ρ / a ≪1) in the derivation of the kinematic relations and the ensuing governing system of three partial differential equations. A recently developed eigenfunction approach coupled with a novel local curvilinear coordinate system, is utilized to compute the asymptotic displacement and stress fields. The oscillatory behavior at the debond tip may be considered to be a first-order approximation of the interdiffusion of the component phases followed by molecular entanglement and other similar microscopic phenomena studied by materials scientists.
Impact forces and agility in legged robot locomotion

In this article we present a method for determining the effect of impact forces on a legged robot’s agility. Here agility is defined as the robot’s ability to change its velocity, which requires generation of acceleration. The level of achievable acceleration is determined using an analysis of dynamic performance. This results in performance curves describing how well the legged system uses impact and contact forces to accelerate itself. These capabilities are bounded by actuator torque limits and friction forces. Herein, the performance curves are examined at the termination of the impact event. The method is illustrated using a hexapod.
Effects of repetitive work on maintaining function in Alzheimer's disease patients.

The effects of repetitive work on Alzheimer ' disease (AD) patientfunctioning were examined when nine veterans were movedfrom a work program to a traditional adult day care program. Subjects were reassessedfour months after the move with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cognitive Performance Test (CPT), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Individual slopes were calculatedfor seven subjects who had longitudinal scores, and expected scores were predicted based on the rate ofdecline. Observed scores at reassessment were significantly lower than expected scores. The MMSE was on average 4.9 points lower, and the CPT. 64 points lower than expected. The GDS did not change. The spouses of all nine patients reported declines in daily living activities. Compared to traditional day care activities, work activities involve sequencing skills and practice may translate to self-care activities at home.
Epirubicin, cisplatin, and protracted infusion of 5-FU (ECF) in advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Purpose Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma usually presents late in the clinical course and has a poor prognosis. No effective systemic therapy is currently available. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of the ECF regimen (epirubicin, cisplatin. and 24-h continuous infusion of 5-FU) in advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.