cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic alterations of histone lysine methyltransferases and their significance in breast cancer

Histone lysine methyltransferases (HMTs), a large class of enzymes that catalyze site-specific methylation of lysine residues on histones and other proteins, play critical roles in controlling transcription, chromatin architecture, and cellular differentiation. However, the genomic landscape and clinical significance of HMTs in breast cancer remain poorly characterized. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of approximately 50 HMTs in breast cancer and identified associations among recurrent copy number alterations, mutations, gene expression, and clinical outcome. We identified 12 HMTs with the highest frequency of genetic alterations, including 8 with high-level amplification, 2 with putative homozygous deletion, and 2 with somatic mutation. Different subtypes of breast cancer have different patterns of copy number and expression for each HMT gene. In addition, chromosome 1q contains four HMTs that are concurrently or independently amplified or overexpressed in breast cancer. Copy number or mRNA expression of several HMTs was significantly associated with basal-like breast cancer and shorter patient survival. Integrative analysis identified 8 HMTs (SETDB1, SMYD3, ASH1L, SMYD2, WHSC1L1, SUV420H1, SETDB2, and KMT2C) that are dysregulated by genetic alterations, classifying them as candidate therapeutic targets. Together, our findings provide a strong foundation for further mechanistic research and therapeutic options using HMTs to treat breast cancer.
The Clinical Use of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents as an Interpretive Aid to the EEG in Suspected Status Epilepticus

ABSTRACT.Generalized convulsive status epilepticus can evolve into a condition of coma with subtle clinical signs. These subtle signs are often indistinguishable from those of a different etiology. The EEG must be used to assess the ongoing electrical activity of the brain and how that is related to the observed clinical features. Determination of status epilepticus must be done as swiftly as possible since abnormal cerebral potentials can permanently damage the cortex. Movement and electromyogenic artifacts from the patient can obscure interpretation of the recording. Temporary pharmaceutical paralysis with non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents can effectively help distinguish artifact from cerebral potentials and guide patient care. Examples are given of cases in which pharmaceutical paralysis helped in the evaluation of the state of the brain in patients with suspected status epilepticus.
Should Crimea Secede from Ukraine and Become Part of Russia (Again)

This article applies moral and legal theory to the present crisis in the Crimea and concludes that the only moral solution is to allow the people who live in the Crimea to determine whether they want to remain part of the Ukraine, become part of Russia or form an independent nation.
Accuracy of δ18O isotope ratio measurements on the same sample by continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry

Rationale The doubly labeled water method is considered the reference method to measure energy expenditure. Conventional mass spectrometry requires a separate aliquot of the same sample to be prepared and analyzed separately. With continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry, the same sample could be analyzed sequentially for both 2H and 18O content and thus minimize sample requirement, reduce analytical cost, and avoid memory effect. Methods The 2H contents of 197 urine samples collected from 22 doubly labeled water studies were determined using a Thermo Delta V Advantage continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. The 18O content of these samples was measured either using a separate aliquot of the same sample using a VG Isogas gas-isotope-ratio mass spectrometer or using the same sample following the 2H measurements on a Thermo Delta V continuous-flow isotope-ratio instrument. Results The δ18O values using the same aliquot of samples were accurate to 0.18 ± 2.61 ‰ (mean difference ± standard deviation (SD); 95% CI, –0.18 to 0.55 ‰; P = 0.33) compared with the values based on the standard conventional method. Bland and Altman pair-wise comparison also yielded a bias of 0.18 ‰ with a 95% limit of agreement between –4.94 and 5.30 ‰. Conclusions The study demonstrated that continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry is capable of producing accurate 18O measurements on the same sample after 2H measurements. The method greatly reduces the analytical cost and sample size requirement and could easily be adopted by any laboratories equipped with a continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Review of the genus Urgleptes Dillon (1956) of Hispaniola (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Acanthocinini): descriptions of five new species and one new synonymy.

The genus Urgleptes Dillon (1956) is reviewed for Hispaniola. Five new species of Urgleptes from the Dominican Republic are described herein: Urgleptes charynae Ravin & Lingafelter, sp. n. (La Vega province), Urgleptes conjunctus Ravin & Lingafelter, sp. n. (Peravia Prov.), Urgleptes curtipennis Ravin & Lingafelter, sp. n. (Independencia Prov.), Urgleptes marionae Ravin & Lingafelter, sp. n. (Monsenor Nouel Prov.), and Urgleptes obliteratus Ravin & Lingafelter, sp. n. (Pedernales Prov.). Two additional, previously described species are newly recorded for Hispaniola: Urgleptes puertoricensis Gilmour and Urgleptes sandersoni Gilmour. It is established that Urgleptes haitiensis Gilmour is a new synonym of Urgleptes sandersoni. Thus there are seven species of Urgleptes recorded for Hispaniola. For all species photographs, illustrations, full descriptions, distribution maps, and a dichotomous key are included for their identification.
Distance-based mixture modeling for classification via hypothetical local mapping

We propose a new approach for mixture modeling based only upon pairwise distances via the concept of hypothetical local mapping HLM. This work is motivated by the increasingly commonplace applications involving complex objects that cannot be effectively represented by tractable mathematical entities. The new modeling approach consists of two steps. A distance-based clustering algorithm is applied first. Then, HLM takes as input the distances between the training data and their corresponding cluster centroids to estimate the model parameters. In the special case where all the training data are taken as cluster centroids, we obtain a distance-based counterpart of the kernel density. The classification performance of the mixture models is compared with other state-of-the-art distance-based classification methods. Results demonstrate that HLM-based algorithms are highly competitive in terms of classification accuracy and are computationally efficient. Furthermore, the HLM-based modeling approach adapts readily to incremental learning. We have developed and tested two schemes of incremental learning scalable for dynamic data arriving at a high speed.
Identification of a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Small Molecule against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus and Ebola, Hendra, and Nipah Viruses by Using a Novel High-Throughput Screening Assay

ABSTRACT Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Ebola, Hendra, and Nipah viruses are members of different viral families and are known causative agents of fatal viral diseases. These viruses depend on cathepsin L for entry into their target cells. The viral glycoproteins need to be primed by protease cleavage, rendering them active for fusion with the host cell membrane. In this study, we developed a novel high-throughput screening assay based on peptides, derived from the glycoproteins of the aforementioned viruses, which contain the cathepsin L cleavage site. We screened a library of 5,000 small molecules and discovered a small molecule that can inhibit the cathepsin L cleavage of all viral peptides with minimal inhibition of cleavage of a host protein-derived peptide (pro-neuropeptide Y). The small molecule inhibited the entry of all pseudotyped viruses in vitro and the cleavage of SARS-CoV spike glycoprotein in an in vitro cleavage assay. In addition, the Hendra and Nipah virus fusion glycoproteins were not cleaved in the presence of the small molecule in a cell-based cleavage assay. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the small molecule is a mixed inhibitor of cathepsin L. Our broad-spectrum antiviral small molecule appears to be an ideal candidate for future optimization and development into a potent antiviral against SARS-CoV and Ebola, Hendra, and Nipah viruses. IMPORTANCE We developed a novel high-throughput screening assay to identify small molecules that can prevent cathepsin L cleavage of viral glycoproteins derived from SARS-CoV and Ebola, Hendra, and Nipah viruses that are required for their entry into the host cell. We identified a novel broad-spectrum small molecule that could block cathepsin L-mediated cleavage and thus inhibit the entry of pseudotypes bearing the glycoprotein derived from SARS-CoV or Ebola, Hendra, or Nipah virus. The small molecule can be further optimized and developed into a potent broad-spectrum antiviral drug.
Imaging an optogenetic pH sensor reveals that protons mediate lateral inhibition in the retina

The reciprocal synapse between photoreceptors and horizontal cells underlies lateral inhibition and establishes the antagonistic center-surround receptive fields of retinal neurons to enhance visual contrast. Despite decades of study, the signal mediating the negative feedback from horizontal cells to cones has remained under debate because the small, invaginated synaptic cleft has precluded measurement. Using zebrafish retinas, we show that light elicits a change in synaptic proton concentration with the correct magnitude, kinetics and spatial dependence to account for lateral inhibition. Light, which hyperpolarizes horizontal cells, causes synaptic alkalinization, whereas activating an exogenously expressed ligand-gated Na(+) channel, which depolarizes horizontal cells, causes synaptic acidification. Whereas acidification was prevented by blocking a proton pump, re-alkalinization was prevented by blocking proton-permeant ion channels, suggesting that distinct mechanisms underlie proton efflux and influx. These findings reveal that protons mediate lateral inhibition in the retina, raising the possibility that protons are unrecognized retrograde messengers elsewhere in the nervous system.
Fractionation of histones from chicken erythrocyte and sea urchin sperm by cm-cellulose chromatography with ethanolic formic acid

Abstract 1. 1.|A comparative biochemical study has been performed on histones from calf thymus, chicken erythrocyte, and sperm of sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Histones were fractionated by CM-cellulose chromatography with ethanolic formic acid. Chromatographic fractions were characterized by total amino acid compositions and disc electrophoresis. 2. 2.|A new method of disc electrophoresis in 0.1 M formic acid was devised. This system resolves all major histone fractions from chicken erythrocyte and sperm of the sea urchin. 3. 3.|The chromatographic system has been demonstrated to be particularly useful for the preparation of F2c, the histone specific to chicken erythrocyte, and of a unique highly basic fraction present in sperm. 4. 4.|Chicken erythrocyte histone is similar to calf thymus histone except for a decreased amount of F1 and the appearance of F2c. 5. 5.|Both chromatographic and electrophoretic patterns of sea urchin sperm histone are markedly different from those of calf thymus histone. F1 is completely absent, while a unique highly basic fraction is found. The other fractions showed amino acid compositions more or less similar to F2b, F2a1, F2a2, and F3.
Methods for generation of spatial gradients in concentration of monomeric surfactants and micelles in microfluidic systems.

We report methods suitable for use in microfluidic systems that permit the generation and manipulation of spatial gradients in concentrations of monomeric surfactants and micelles within aqueous solutions. The methods involve the use of the redox-active surfactant, (11-ferrocenylundecyl)trimethyl-ammonium bromide (FTMA) and build from past studies that have established that FTMA exhibits a critical micelle concentration of 0.1 mM (in 0.1 M Li2SO4), whereas oxidized FTMA remains dispersed in a monomeric state up to concentrations of at least 30 mM. Following the application of potentials of 0 V (vs Ag|AgCl; cathode) and +0.3 V (vs Ag|AgCl; anode) to electrodes separated by distances of 25−116 μm, we measured steady state currents of equal magnitude to be passed at each electrode within 1−20 s of the onset of the application of the potentials. We used dynamic light scattering and surface tension measurements to determine that oxidized and reduced FTMA do not measurably interact in solution and thus interpre...
The status of business ethics education in business school curricula

Abstract A survey of member schools of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) was performed to determine (1) to what extent ethics was part of the education and (2) the relationship among institutional characteristics of AACSB accreditation, National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) category, control, enrollment, and geographic location on the status of business ethics education in colleges and universities in the U.S.A. This article presents a cross-section in time of current higher education instructional activities in business ethics. Slightly more than one-fifth of the responding colleges with undergraduate business degree programs have a required business ethics course while less than one-sixth of those schools with graduate business degree programs have a required business ethics course. About half of the private colleges offer business ethics courses, while about one-third of the public institutions do.
Region-specific expression of a K+ channel gene in brain.

Abstract Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization studies reveal the highly localized expression in rat brain of transcripts from a gene (KShIIIA) encoding components for voltage-gated K+ channels. KShIIIA expression is particularly prominent throughout the dorsal thalamus. The expression of KShIIIA is compared to that of a closely related gene, here called NGK2-KV4. These two genes encode transcripts that induce currents in Xenopus oocytes that are as of yet indistinguishable, but they show very different patterns of expression in rat brain. NGK2-KV4 transcripts are particularly abundant in the cerebellar cortex, where KShIIIA expression is very weak. These results demonstrate the existence of cell-type-specific K+ channel components and suggest that one reason for the unusually large diversity of K+ channel proteins is the presence of subtypes that participate in specific brain functions.
Full-field characterization of mechanical behavior of polyurethane foams

Abstract The foam material of interest in this investigation is a rigid closed-cell polyurethane foam PMDI with a nominal density of 20 pcf (320 kg/m 3 ). Three separate types of compression experiments were conducted on foam specimens. The heterogeneous deformation of foam specimens and strain concentration at the foam–steel interface were obtained using the 3-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) technique. These experiments demonstrated that the 3D-DIC technique is able to obtain accurate and full-field large deformation of foam specimens, including strain concentrations. The experiments also showed the effects of loading configurations on deformation and strain concentration in foam specimens. These DIC results provided experimental data to validate the previously developed viscoplastic foam model (VFM). In the first experiment, cubic foam specimens were compressed uniaxially up to 60%. The full-field surface displacement and strain distributions obtained using the 3D-DIC technique provided detailed information about the inhomogeneous deformation over the area of interest during compression. In the second experiment, compression tests were conducted for cubic foam specimens with a steel cylinder inclusion, which imitate the deformation of foam components in a package under crush conditions. The strain concentration at the interface between the steel cylinder and the foam specimen was studied in detail. In the third experiment, the foam specimens were loaded by a steel cylinder passing through the center of the specimens rather than from its end surface, which created a loading condition of the foam components similar to a package that has been dropped. To study the effects of confinement, the strain concentration and displacement distribution over the defined sections were compared for cases with and without a confinement fixture.
Lipid and lipoprotein distributions in white children ages 6–19 yr. The lipid research clinics program prevalence study☆

Abstract Cross-sectional age- and sex-specific distributions of plasma lipids and lipoproteins are described for 1402 white children ages 6–19 yr. These children were part of a random sample examined at seven lipid research clinics (LRC) during the LRC Prevalence Study, which was established to determine the prevalence of hyperlipidemias and to describe the distribution of lipids and lipoproteins in diverse populations. These populations were not selected to be representative of the entire North American pediatric population. Nonetheless, the large numbers of children in the seven LRC populations and their socioeconomic and geographic diversity do permit analytical and comparative studies of physiological and sociodemographic variables in school-age children. This report of their lipid and lipoprotein levels is one in a series of such studies. Examination of the distribution of plasma lipids and lipoproteins showed that total cholesterol (TCH) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) were lower in males than females in most age groups studied. The difference in LDL-c is most marked in the younger age group (ages 6–9 yr) and accounts for most of the difference in TCH concentration at this age. During the adolescent period (ages 10–14 yr) a decline in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentration occurs in the males, but not in the females. This decline continues throughout the postadolescent (ages 16–19 yr) period. The resulting difference in HDL-c mainly accounts for the higher TCH observed in the 16–19 yr-old females. Our study confirms the fall in TCH concentration at about adolescence described previously. However, it highlights the different mechanisms responsible in the two sexes. Whereas in the males the decline in TCH is mainly the result of reduction in the concentration of HDL-c, in the females it is due mainly to a gradual decline in LDL-c.
Prospects: A Missing Piece of Current Selling Price Reporting

This article seeks to provide insights about a conceptual objection to current selling price reporting: that, in its determination of asset amounts, such reporting ignores the reporting entity's prospects (potential, promise, outlook) for achievement of possession of or of access to consumer general purchasing power beyond its achievement to date of such possession or access. The article argues that financial reports should provide (a) information that is helpful to the users to evaluate the prospects of the reporting entity, including financial statement information based on current selling price reporting, (b) a section of the income statement presenting amounts spent during the reporting period to enhance the reporting entity's prospects, and (c) various kinds of supplementary information to aid the evaluations, such as the kinds discussed in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Incorporating first trimester analytes to predict delivery of a large for gestational infant in women with impaired glucose tolerance

AIM To investigate first trimester maternal characteristics of women with impaired glucose tolerance that deliver large for gestational age (LGA) infants. METHODS Nested analysis from a prospective study of singleton pregnancies enrolled at first trimester. We studied women with an abnormal 1 h glucose challenge test that had normal follow-up oral glucose tolerance testing. Maternal characteristics, ultrasound parameters and serum analytes were stratified by subsequent delivery of an LGA infant. Parameters identified as significant on univariate analysis were used for a derivation of prediction by logistic regression. Odds ratio and prediction performance was determined using receiver operator curve (ROC) statistics. RESULTS A total of 33/114 (28.9%) women meeting the criteria delivered LGA infants. Maternal height (cm), and first trimester pregnancy-associated protein-A and free β-hCG (MoM) predicted delivery of an LGA infant (ROC area under curve 0.73; 95% CI 0.63-0.83). At a cutoff value of 0.172 the prediction rule achieved 91% sensitivity, 44% specificity, 41% positive predictive and 92% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION Maternal height and first trimester high free β-hCG and PAPP-A levels may be used as predictors for delivery of LGA infants in women with impaired glucose tolerance.
Gallium67 scanning compared with physical examination in the preoperative staging of malignant melanoma

Sixty patients with Stage II malignant melanoma were evaluated in order to compare preoperative gallium67 total body scan, physical examination findings, and ultimate histologic findings in regard to the site of the primary lesion and status of the regional lymph nodes. Physical examination was a more efficient and a more sensitive method of evaluation compared to gallium67 scanning in these patients when assessing nodal involvement.
Evaluation of sensor types and environmental controls on mapping biomass of coastal marsh emergent vegetation

article i nfo There isaneedtoquantify large-scale plantproductivityincoastalmarshestounderstandmarshresiliencetosea level rise, to help define eligibility for carbon offset credits, and to monitor impacts from land use, eutrophication and contamination. Remote monitoring of aboveground biomass of emergent wetland vegetation will help address this need. Differences in sensor spatial resolution, bandwidth, temporal frequency and cost constrain the accuracy of biomass maps produced for management applications. In addition the use of vegetation indices to map biomass may not be effective in wetlands due to confounding effects of water inundation on spectral re- flectance. Toaddress these challenges,we used partial least squares regression to select optimal spectral features in situ and with satellite reflectance data to develop predictive models of aboveground biomass for common emergent freshwater marsh species,Typhaspp. andSchoenoplectus acutus, at two restored marshes in the Sacra- mento-San Joaquin River Delta, California, USA. We usedfield spectrometer data to test model errors associated with hyperspectral narrowbands and multispectral broadbands, the influence of water inundation on prediction accuracy, and the ability to develop species specific models. We used Hyperion data, Digital Globe World View-2 (WV-2) data, and Landsat 7 data to scale up the best statistical models of biomass. Field spectrometer-based models of the full dataset showed that narrowband reflectance data predicted biomass somewhat, though not significantly better than broadband reflectance data (R 2
Size and shape of enzymatically isolated ventricular myocytes from rats and cardiomyopathic hamsters.

Rod-shaped and branched ventricular myocytes from rats and cardiomyopathic hamsters (strain 53.58) were isolated enzymatically, and their widths and lengths were measured in physiological salt solutions containing normal levels of calcium (2.5 mmol). In rats of approximately 200 g body weight, the average myocyte width and length are 25μm and 115μm. The isolated cells are also classified according to shape with nearly 50% branched or otherwise irregular. Myocytes of the hearts of the 53.58 strain of cardiomyopathic hamsters at 7 months of age are significantly larger than control hamsters of the same age, indicating that cellular hypertrophy has occurred. Estimates of the number of cells in the ventricles indicate that there is a cell loss of nearly 13% in the myopathic heart. A consideration of the significance of wider and longer myocytes with undiminished myofibrillar mass lead to the conclusion that the decreased contractility displayed by the cardiomyopathic hamster heart must be due, at least in part, to functional defects in the myofibrillar apparatus, in the system of activation, or in cellular integration.
Revised anatomy of the recurrent laryngeal nerves: surgical importance, based on the dissection of 100 cadavers.

IN 1948 Brien King (1, 2) of Seattle published the results of a series of special dissections and experiments he had been conducting, which have seemed to raise the shroud of mystery and unexplained phenomena from certain phases of laryngeal behavior, especially with regard to the derangement of laryngeal function following damage to one or both recurrent laryngeal nerves. King's findings are of such importance as to make it desirable to extend his observations, since they were based on dissection experience with only 16 cadavers. We, therefore, undertook our own separate investigation of this subject at the University of California School of Medicine. The larynx is a musculo-cartilaginous organ, the functions of which, according to Negus (3, 4), are three: 1. Protection of the respiratory tract distal to the vocal cords against the ingress of foreign particles, especially during the act of swallowing. 2. Maintenance of a patent airway. 3. Vocalization. The functions of the larynx are carried out by four ...
Fiber-based multiphoton system

A fiber based multiphoton microscopy (MPM) system is designed and demonstrated. An all normal dispersion fiber laser with central wavelength around 1um was used as laser source. A double clad photonic crystal fiber (DCPCF), and galvanometer mirror scanner based handheld probe is designed. Second harmonic generation (SHG) images and two photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) images of biological tissue were demonstrated by the system.
Processing Characteristics of Synthetic Tire Rubber

Abstract The processing characteristics of synthetic tire rubber, such as is being made in the government program, are sufficiently different from those of natural rubber to require different laboratory and factory treatment. Since the laboratory tests used for the evaluation of processing characteristics were developed for natural rubber, it is not surprising that they are not so satisfactory for synthetic rubber. The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the characteristics of synthetic tire rubber, and to describe certain tests which have been found useful for evaluating different types of synthetic rubber or different compounds of the same synthetic rubber. In the course of the development, it has been necessary to evaluate rubbers with a wide variety of processing properties. As production has increased, there has been less variation in the output from any one plant. As the newer and larger plants come into full production, we can expect greater uniformity from each plant and between different ...
Analysis of microtextures on quartz sand grains from lower Cook Inlet, Alaska

The present-day distribution of unconsolidated sediment over the floor of lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, implies that original Pleistocene deposits in northern areas have been winnowed and those to the south have been covered with a blanket of redeposited sand. Surface microtextures on sand-sized quartz grains typically reveal relict glacial features, in most cases modified by chemical or mechanical action. Quartz grains from samples within the central area with large sand waves are characterized by an abundance of microtextures that are due to mechanical impact. The presence of such microtextures implies high-energy bedload activity, which is confirmed by underwater TV observations. Outside of the central area, where bedforms are small or absent, chemical alteration of grain surfaces is characteristic; this indicates relatively low-energy bedload activity. At a few local areas in the north, grains with nearly unaltered glacial morphology are abundant; their presence implies that although these have been sites of winnowing, many of the remaining grains have in some way been sheltered from overwhelming chemical or mechanical action. The distribution of grain sizes and microtextures of the sediment in lower Cook Inlet shows that this sediment is approximately in equilibrium with the present current regime. Also, widespread net transport of bed material has not been common.
Non-frequency-shifted phase conjugation by Brillouin-enhanced four-wave mixing

We present a theoretical treatment of four-wave mixing (FWM) in a Brillouin-active medium for the case in which the pump waves differ in frequency by approximately twice the Brillouin frequency shift of the medium and in which the probe-wave frequency is approximately the arithmetic mean of the frequencies of the two pump waves. Under these conditions, the conjugate wave produced by the FWM process has the desirable property of being at the same frequency as the probe. We derive the coupled amplitude equations describing this interaction. We solve these equations analytically in the limit of negligible pump depletion and find that large phase conjugate reflectivities are readily achievable. The coupled amplitude equations are solved numerically for the general case, and it is found that large power transfer from the pumps to the output wave is possible. The output wave is shown to be a nearly perfect phase conjugate of the probe wave, even far into the regime where pump depletion effects are important. Our formalism predicts the existence of a parametric instability in the propagation of the pump waves, but good performance is predicted before the onset of this instability.
A Comparative Study of Chemithermomechanical and Kraft Wood Pulp Extracts

Abstract Wood pulp mill effluents continue to attract much attention due to environmental consequences. However, in comparison, very little work has been published on wood pulp extracts. In this study chemithermo-mechanical pulps (CTMP) as well as Kraft (sulphate) pulps were Soxhlet-extracted with three solvents of different polarity. Per cent extractives into the three solvents per air dried wood pulp were used as one of the bases for comparison. Analysis by gas chromatography (GC) using both a flame ionization detector (FID) and a mass selective detector (MSD) was performed. Significantly greater quantities of volatile extract were found with CTMP pulps than with Kraft pulps.
Evaluation of consultation-based rehabilitation for hospitalized cancer patients with functional impairment.

Objectives To evaluate prospectively the effect of consultation-based interdisciplinary rehabilitation in hospitalized cancer patients. Patients and Methods Three hundred forty-one hospitalized patients with cancer were referred to the Cancer Adaptation Team (interdisciplinary rehabilitation services) over an 8-month period. Functional status at enrollment and dismissal was evaluated with a Barthel Mobility Index and Karnofsky Performance Status scale. Quality-of-life parameters were evaluated with specifically designed questionnaires. Results Two hundred ninety patients met the inclusion criteria. One hundred eighty-nine survived and completed the study. Significant functional improvement was observed between enrollment and dismissal on both functional indexes (P Conclusion Significant functional gains were observed in hospitalized cancer patients who received interdisciplinary rehabilitation services on a consultation basis.
Aggressive behavior and lymphocyte damage.

Aggressive and passive mice were placed together in one cage. Lymphocyte counts were taken for both groups over a 10-day period. Although lymphocyte damage occurred, there was no significant difference in the severity of lymphocyte damage between the two groups.
Stone fruit foliar nitrogen and extrafloral nectar in relation to cigarette beetle (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) growth on the leaves

Seasonal nitrogen concentration was determined in the young terminal leaves, mature fully-expanded leaves, and stems of vegetative shoots from nectarine, peach, and plum ( Prunus spp.) trees. Nitrogen content was highest in the terminal foliage, lowest in the stems, and gradually decreased in all shoot parts except plum stems as the season progressed. Extrafloral nectar volume produced by nectarine trees was highest early in the growing season and decreased with time. Soluble solids in the nectar were variable but were not related to nectar volume. The cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.), was successfully reared on dried ground plum leaves but not on nectarine or peach leaves. Early- to midseason plum foliage provided an adequate diet for cigarette beetle but the insect developed more slowly on late-season foliage.
Evaluating End-of-Life Recovery Profit by a Simultaneous Consideration of Product Design and Recovery Network Design

Product recovery has become a field of rapidly growing interest for product manufacturers as a promising solution for product stewardship as well as for economic viability. Because product recovery is highly dependent on the way a product is designed, it should be considered in the design stage so that the product is designed to have high recovery potential. To make a product easy to recover, manufacturers first need to understand the links between product design and recovery profit and be able to evaluate which design is better than others and why. This study proposes a framework for analyzing how design differences affect product recovery and what architectural characteristics are desirable from the end-of-life perspective. For better design evaluation, an optimization-based model is developed, which considers product design and recovery network design simultaneously. For illustration, a comparative study with cell phone examples is presented. Three cell phone handset designs that share the same design concept but have different architectural characteristics are created, and the recovery potential of each design variant is evaluated under three different recovery scenarios. The results show that the framework can highlight preferred design alternatives and their design implications for the economic viability of end-of-life recovery. DOI: 10.1115/1.4001411
Memoryless nonlinear system identification with unknown model order

The problem of identifying a general memoryless input/output system from measurements of inputs and the corresponding outputs is considered. The measured output is sought to be represented as the linear combination of known functions of the input with some additive noise. The choice of model order to be used to fit the data is the main issue addressed, and a cost function involving the prediction error and the model order is derived. The cost function under certain approximations is shown to be similar to one obtained by H. Akaike (1969, 1970). If there is a real system generating the data, it is shown that the expected value of this cost function is always minimized at the true value of the order as long as the noise variance satisfies certain conditions. Asymptotic results for some cases are derived. An efficient algorithm is proposed for identifying the model order. Some simulation results using the proposed algorithm are also presented. >
A Second-Generation 99mTechnetium Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Agent That Provides in Vivo Images of the Dopamine Transporter in Primate Brain

The dopamine transporter (DAT), located presynaptically on dopamine neurons, provides a marker for Parkinson's disease (Pd) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In ADHD, DAT density levels are elevated, while in Pd these levels are depleted. The depletion of DAT levels also corresponds with the loss of dopamine. We now describe the design, synthesis, biology, and SPECT imaging in nonhuman primates of second-generation (99m)technetium-based tropane ligands that bind potently and selectively to the DAT. We demonstrate that improved selectivity and biological stability allows sufficient agent to enter the brain and label the DAT in vivo to provide a quantitative measure of DAT density in nonhuman primates. We introduce FLUORATEC (N-[(2-((3'-N'-propyl-(1"R)-3"alpha-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane-2"beta-1-propanoyl)(2-mercaptoethyl)amino)acetyl)-2-aminoethanethiolato]technetium(V) oxide), a DAT imaging agent that has emerged from these studies and is now in phase 1 clinical trials in the U.S.
Thermally induced changes in protein extractability of postrigor turkey breast meat measured by two methods

Extractability of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins was reduced in postrigor turkey breast meat held at 40 °C for as short as 30 min. These reductions in protein extractability were successfully detected, using either a filtration-based methodology or one based on centrifugation. However, the coefficient of variation for the filtration method was as much as 4 times greater than for centrifugation. Additionally, the filtration method overestimated sarcoplasmic protein extractability due to the inability to exclude myofibrillar proteins. Centrifugation results indicated the extractability of proteins in 0.55 M KCl was reduced to 52% of controls for samples held at 40 °C for 120 min. Additionally, holding postrigor turkey breast muscle at 40 °C resulted in increased myosin
Utility of duplex ultrasound in detecting and grading de novo femoropopliteal lesions.

Background Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold standard for diagnosing lower extremity (LE) arterial lesions. However, duplex ultrasound (DUS) is a widely used, safe, and noninvasive method of detecting LE lesions. The purpose of this study was to establish DUS criteria for detecting and grading de novo stenotic lesions in the femoropopliteal arterial segment. Methods A prospective database was established including all patients who underwent LE endovascular interventions between 2004 and 2009. Patients with de novo stenotic lesions in the femoropopliteal segment were selected. DUS and DSA data pairs ≤30 days apart were analyzed. Peak systolic velocity (PSV; cm/s), velocity ratio (Vr), and DSA stenosis were noted. Linear regression and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used. Results Two hundred seventy-five lesions in 200 patients were analyzed. Indications were claudication (50.5%), rest pain (12.5%), and tissue loss (37.0%). Mean time interval between DUS and DSA was 24 days. Both PSV ( R = .80, R 2 = .641; P R = .73, R 2 = .546; P Conclusion DUS shows a strong agreement with angiography and has good accuracy in detecting femoropopliteal lesions. We propose DUS criteria of PSV 200 cm/s and Vr 2.0 to differentiate between
Responses of blue-green and green algae to streptomycin in unialgal and paired culture

Abstract Streptomycin sulfate prevented growth of six blue-green algae at concentrations (0.09 to 0.86 mg/l) substantially lower than needed to prevent growth of 7 of 8 green algae tested. Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus and Ulothrix sp. grew in active streptomycin concentrations less than 21 mg/l, while Chlamydomonas reinhardtii growth was prevented at concentrations of 0.66 mg/l. Algal growth in sublethal concentrations of streptomycin was slowed or delayed, and the maximum density attained by several species was decreased. These data suggest that attempts to select ‘representative’ species for toxicity testing may have mixed success: any blue-green alga would be a suitable representative of Cyanophyta with respect to streptomycin, but no single green alga would adequately represent the wide range of response to streptomycin seen among the Chlorophyta species tested. To test for interactions between competition and chemical inhibition, paired cultures of S. obliquus with Anabaena cylindrica, Ankistrodesmus sp., C. vulgaris and Selenastrum capricornutum were observed with and without 6.6 mg/l streptomycin. The outcome of competition was consistent with predictions based on single-species assays, where major differences in chemical sensitivity were present, although significant interactions were observed. S. obliquus populations when treated with streptomycin were competitively superior to A. cylindrica and S. capricornutum. Significant interactions between competition and streptomycin treatement were also observed for paired cultures of C. vulgaris and S. obliquus; neither population fit the model of additive effects of chemical inhibition and competition.
Regioselective Glucuronidation of Flavonols by Six Human UGT1A Isoforms

Glucuronidation is a major barrier to flavonoid bioavailability; understanding its regiospecificity and reaction kinetics would greatly enhance our ability to model and predict flavonoid disposition. We aimed to determine the regioselective glucuronidation of four model flavonols using six expressed human UGT1A isoforms (UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A7, 1A8, 1A9, 1A10). In vitro reaction kinetic profiles of six UGT1A-mediated metabolism of four flavonols (all with 7-OH group) were characterized; kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax and CLint = Vmax/Km) were determined. UGT1A1 and 1A3 regioselectively metabolized the 7-OH group, whereas UGT1A7, 1A8, 1A9 and 1A10 preferred to glucuronidate the 3-OH group. UGT1A1 and 1A9 were the most efficient conjugating enzymes with Km values of ≤1 μM and relative catalytic efficiency ratios of ≥5.5. Glucuronidation by UGT1As displayed surprisingly strong substrate inhibition. In particular, Ksi values (substrate inhibition constant) were less than 5.4 μM for UGT1A1-mediated metabolism. UGT1A isoforms displayed distinct positional preferences between 3-OH and 7-OH of flavonols. Differentiated kinetic properties between 3-O- and 7-O- glucuronidation suggested that (at least) two distinct binding modes within the catalytic domain were possible. The existence of multiple binding modes should provide better “expert” knowledge to model and predict UGT1A-mediated glucuronidation.
Pregnancy in the Renal Transplant Recipient

March 10th, 1958, is the birthday of the first baby born to a kidney transplant recipient. The pregnancy went to term and the baby was delivered by cesarean section for fear that a vaginal birth could adversely affect the allograft kidney sitting in the iliac fossa. Undoubtedly, this pregnancy more than 50 years ago was considered high risk because of its pioneering nature. However, given that the transplant recipient had received her kidney from her identical twin sister approximately 2 years before and was not taking any immunosuppressive medications, the pregnancy was associated with far fewer risks than most pregnancies in transplant recipients of today. Not only are immunosuppressants now available that have potential adverse affects on the developing fetus but also many kidney transplant recipients have kidney function that is suboptimal. Although thousands of women with kidney transplants have successfully delivered healthy babies, many new issues must be considered during a transplant recipient's pregnancy compared with 50 years ago. These issues are discussed in this article.
TYPES OF PRAYER, HEART RATE VARIABILITY, AND INNATE HEALING

. Spiritual practices such as prayer have been shown to improve health and quality of life for those facing chronic or terminal illness. The early Christian healing tradition distinguished between types of prayer and their role in healing, placing great emphasis on the healing power of more integrated relational forms of prayer such as prayers of gratitude and contemplative prayer. Because autonomic tone is impaired in most disease states, autonomic homeostasis may provide insight into the healing effects of prayer. I report on observations in five volunteers engaging in five types of prayer. Using heart rate variability as a measure of autonomic tone and adaptability, I review the potential correlation of type of prayer with autonomic rebalance as measured specifically by psychophysiological coherence ratios. The five types—supplication, devotion, intercession, gratefulness, and contemplative prayer—elicited varying degrees of improvements in heart rate variability and corresponding psychophysiological coherence. These observations suggest a correlation of innate healing to prayer type that is consistent with teachings from the Christian healing tradition and with modern research. Further research is warranted to verify these hypotheses.
The Effect of Arteriovenous Malformation Resection on Cerebrovascular Reactivity to Carbon Dioxide

To investigate the cerebral hemodynamic changes associated with obliteration of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), we studied 26 patients undergoing total microsurgical AVM resection during isoflurane and N2/O2 anesthesia. Detectors were placed 5 to 6 cm from the margin of the lesion and in a homologous contralateral position. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured using the intravenous xenon-133 technique before and after AVM resection, during both hypocapnia and normocapnia at each stage. Intraoperative changes in CBF were related to a risk score system based on the patient's history and preoperative angiograms. Seven otherwise healthy patients undergoing spinal surgery were studied to control for anesthetic effects. Patient demographic and clinical data for the AVM group conformed to the expected strata of a large AVM population. The CBF increased after excision (22 +/- 1 ml/100 g/min before excision to 30 +/- 2 ml/100 g/min after excision; mean +/- SE, n = 25, P less than 0.002) without a hemispheric difference. CO2 reactivity increased slightly after excision (4.2 +/- 0.3% change/mm Hg before excision to 4.7 +/- 0.3% change/mm Hg after excision; n = 14, P less than 0.02). The baseline CBF and CO2 reactivity were not different from the control group. There was a weak correlation between the risk score and the percentage of change in the ipsilateral CBF, with a trend for the patients with the lowest risk to have the lowest CBF changes after resection. There was no relationship between CO2 reactivity and risk grade. None of the patients awoke from anesthesia with unexpected neurological deficits. The highest CBF increases were associated with postoperative brain swelling in one patient and fatal intracerebral hemorrhage in another. Both patients had normal CO2 reactivity before excision. One patient suffered postoperative intracerebral hemorrhage, attributable to technical problems, and had no increase in CBF. We conclude that, with an acute increase in the arteriovenous pressure gradient (and cerebral perfusion pressure) that results from shunt obliteration, there is an immediate global effect of AVM resection to increase CBF. Cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 remains intact both before and after excision.
Electrochemical nitridation of a stainless steel for PEMFC bipolar plates

Abstract AISI446 steel has been electrochemically nitrided in 0.1 M HNO 3 + 0.5 M KNO 3 solution at room temperature. XPS analysis revealed surface NH 3 and a deeper nitride layer. The surface layer of the stainless steel modified by electrochemical nitridation was thus composed of a nitrogen-incorporated oxide film. The nitrided steel showed very low interfacial contact resistance ( ca . 18 mΩ cm 2 at 140 N/cm 2 ) and excellent corrosion resistance in simulated PEMFC environments. Electrochemical nitridation provides an economic way to modify the stainless steel’s surface, and is very promising for application to fuel cell bipolar plates.
Integrins as promiscuous signal transduction devices

Abstract Recent studies suggest physical and functional interactions of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked proteins (CD14, CD16b and CD87) with leukocyte β 2 integrins. As discussed in this article, it now appears that β 2 integrins relay proinflammatory information from GPI-anchored membrane receptors to the cytoplasm via exodomain interactions.