cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Haematopoietic stem cell reprogramming and the hope for a universal blood product

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the only adult stem cells with a demonstrated clinical use, even though a tractable method to maintain and expand human HSCs in vitro has not yet been found. Owing to the introduction of transplantation strategies for the treatment of haematological malignancies and, more recently, the promise of gene therapy, the need to improve the generation, manipulation and scalability of autologous or allogeneic HSCs has risen steeply over the past decade. In that context, reprogramming strategies based on the expression of exogenous transcription factors have emerged as a means to produce functional HSCs in vitro. These approaches largely stem from the assumption that key master transcription factors direct the expression of downstream target genes thereby triggering haematopoiesis. Both somatic and pluripotent cells have been used to this end, yielding variable results in terms of haematopoietic phenotype and functionality. Here, we present an overview of the haematopoietic reprogramming methods reported to date, provide the appropriate historical context and offer some critical insight about where the field stands at present.
Imaging brain function with simultaneous BOLD and viscoelasticity contrast: fMRI/fMRE.

Abstract Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is emerging as a new tool for studying viscoelastic changes in the brain resulting from functional processes. Here, we demonstrate a novel time series method to generate robust functional magnetic resonance elastography (fMRE) activation maps in response to a visual task with a flashing checkerboard stimulus. Using a single-shot spin-echo (SS-SE) pulse sequence, the underlying raw images inherently contain blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) contrast, allowing simultaneous generation of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation maps from the magnitude and functional magnetic resonance elastography (fMRE) maps from the phase. This allows an accurate comparison of the spatially localized stiffness (fMRE) and BOLD (fMRI) changes within a single scan, eliminating confounds inherent in separately acquired scans. Results indicate that tissue stiffness within the visual cortex increases 6–11% with visual stimuli, whereas the BOLD signal change was 1–2%. Furthermore, the fMRE and fMRI activation maps have strong spatial overlap within the visual cortex, providing convincing evidence that fMRE is possible in the brain. However, the fMRE temporal SNR ( tSN R fMRE ) maps are heterogeneous across the brain. Using a dictionary matching approach to characterize the time series, the viscoelastic changes are consistent with a viscoelastic response function (VRF) time constant of 12.1 ​s ± 3.0 ​s for a first-order exponential decay, or a shape parameter of 8.1 ​s ± 1.4 ​s for a gamma-variate.
Optimizing Emissions Reductions from the U.S. Power Sector for Climate and Health Benefits.

Improved air quality and human health are often discussed as “co-benefits” of mitigating climate change, yet they are rarely considered when designing or implementing climate policies. We analyze t...
Time-trend analysis of offshore fire incidents using nonhomogeneous Poisson process through Bayesian inference

Abstract Incident trend analysis has been important in the past for understanding how a system has been performing over time. The system can refer to a particular equipment, facility or organization and its performance can be monitored in terms of numbers or rates of failures, incidents or events over time. A good trend analysis leads to better projections into the future, enabling a more accurate prediction of future incidents or failures. In most cases however, it is generally assumed that incident or failure rates remain constant over time and the same value of the rate is used in all estimations. This study uses data of past offshore fire incidents in the Gulf of Mexico to predict future incidents and shows that such an assumption can fail to provide accurate predictions. The data is normalized to account for the year-to-year variation in operation and shows how using a nonhomogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) assumption, where failure rate is a function of time, enables a better understanding of performance, and can be used to predict future incidents more accurately. This will help regulatory bodies to understand whether operation in the Gulf of Mexico has been improving or not and to take proactive measures before the next fire incident occurs.
Diseases of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense): Possible Role as a Reservoir of Pathogens Affecting Other Plants

Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] is one of the most noxious weeds distributed around the world. Due to its rapid growth, wide dissemination, seeds that can germinate after years in the soil, and ability to spread via rhizomes, S. halepense is difficult to control. From a perspective of plant pathology, S. halepense is also a potential reservoir of pathogens that can eventually jump to other crops, especially corn (Zea mays L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. As one of the most problematic weeds, S. halepense and its diseases can provide useful information concerning its role in diseases of agronomically important crops. An alternative consideration is that S. halepense may provide a source of genes for resistance to pathogens. While some studies have verified that pathogens isolated from S. halepense actually cause disease on host crops through cross inoculation, similarity of disease symptoms and pathogen morphology have been used for identity of the disease agent in most studies. Availability of DNA sequence information has greatly altered and improved pathogen identification, leading to significant changes in phylogenetic assignments. Reclassification of pathogens, especially fungi, raises new questions concerning the role of S. halepense as a disease reservoir. Our goals in this review are to pinpoint, where possible, diseases for which S. halepense acts as a significant pathogen reservoir and to point out problem areas where further research is needed.
NUCLEOPROTEIN LOCALIZATION IN ELECTRON MICROGRAPHS: METAL BINDING AND RADIOAUTOGRAPHY

Publisher Summary This chapter presents study in which a number of different plant and animal tissues have been fixed in formalin or acrolein and the RNA or DNA have been extracted with nuclease enzymes, or perchloric acid, before embedding in Epon. Nucleic acid localization is studied in the electron microscope employing uranyl acetate binding and protein and lipid distribution with osmium and permanganate binding. These methods have been applied to several cytological problems, including (1) the RNA and DNA nature of particulate fractions in rat liver nuclei, (2) the location of RNA and DNA in rat liver nucleoli, (3) the protein nature of the annular tubule in the rat liver nuclear envelope, () the protein nature of the meiotic chromosome core in helix spermatocytes, (5) the presence of RNA in aetiolated and normal maize chloroplasts, and (6) the localization of extractable lipids in cytoplasmic droplets and membranes. The chapter describes methods for radio autography with the electron microscope and their application to DNA distribution in the macronucleus of Tetrahymena .
CaMKII: CaM-dependent PK II (vertebrates) (Type II CaM-dependent PK, multifunctional CaM- dependent PK, CaM-dependent multiprotein kinase)

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II is a multisubstrate protein kinase that is activated by increases in intracellular Ca2+ ion concentration. The kinase phosphorylates a wide variety of intracellular proteins including metabolic enzymes, transmitter synthesizing enzymes, ion channels, membrane receptor proteins, and transcription factors. CaMKII activity can be assayed as Ca2+- and CaM-dependent transfer of radioactivity from [g32P]ATP to synapsin I, or to the peptides syntide (PLARTLSVAGLPGKK), or autocamtide (KKALRQETVDAL), which have sequences related to site 2 on glycogen synthase, or the autophosphorylation site of CaMKII, respectively. The holoenzyme is a heteromultimer composed of several catalytic subunits. Four homologous subunits, α, b, g, and δ, are encoded by distinct genes. The holoenzymes have molecular weights of 500 000 to 650 000 and are each composed of 10–12 subunits mixed randomly in the proportion in which they are present in the cell. The mRNAs encoding the subunits are alternatively spliced, producing small variations in molecular weight.
Recovery and Growth in Transition: A Decade of Evidence

This paper reviews a range of studies that examine differences in growth performance among transition countries. There is a consensus in the literature about the core elements of transition and the policies necessary for sustainable growth, although considerable differences remain about how to implement these policies and about their proper sequencing. The empirical work identifies stabilization and structural reforms (e.g., market liberalization, private ownership) as important determinants of growth, but underlines the role of initial conditions and institutions.There is divergent evidence, however, on the importance of specific reforms. Traditional factor inputs have as yet no role in explaining growth. Copyright 2002, International Monetary Fund
Salinity of the Eocene Arctic Ocean from oxygen isotope analysis of fish bone carbonate

Stable isotope analysis was performed on the structural carbonate of fish bone apatite from early and early middle Eocene samples (∼55 to ∼45 Ma) recently recovered from the Lomonosov Ridge by Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 302 (the Arctic Coring Expedition). The δ18O values of the Eocene samples ranged from −6.84‰ to −2.96‰ Vienna Peedee belemnite, with a mean value of −4.89‰, compared to 2.77‰ for a Miocene sample in the overlying section. An average salinity of 21 to 25‰ was calculated for the Eocene Arctic, compared to 35‰ for the Miocene, with lower salinities during the Paleocene Eocene thermal maximum, the Azolla event at ∼48.7 Ma, and a third previously unidentified event at ∼47.6 Ma. At the Azolla event, where the organic carbon content of the sediment reaches a maximum, a positive δ13C excursion was observed, indicating unusually high productivity in the surface waters.
Isolation and analysis of the gene and cDNA for a human Mu class glutathione S-transferase, GSTM4

We have isolated the human gene and cDNA that encode the fourth member of the Mu class glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). The complete gene sequence (GenBank M96233) and the cDNA sequence (M96234) are reported and named GSTM4. The gene, located on chromosome 1, is comprised of eight exons with an organization similar to that of other Mu class genes. GSTM4 differs from a partial gene sequence, termed GSTmu2 (Taylor, J. B., Oliver, J., Sherrington, R., and Pemble, S. E. (1991) Biochem. J. 274, 587-593), in exons 3 through 5 by only 11 nucleotides within introns. The cDNA for GSTM4 was isolated from a library derived from the cervical carcinoma cell line, HeLa. Northern blots demonstrate the presence of GSTM4 mRNA in human heart, placenta, lung, brain, liver, skeletal muscle, pancreas, testis, cerebral cortex, uterus, ovary, a lymphoblastoid cell line, and four carcinoma cell lines. The deduced amino acid sequence of GSTM4 is 87% (GSTM1), 83% (GSTM2), and 70% (GSTM3) identical to the previously described human Mu class GSTs. The polypeptide encoded by the GSTM4 cDNA, produced in a bacterial expression system, conjugates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene to GSH with a specific activity of 1.39 +/- 0.21 mumol/min/mg.
FastCARS: fast, correlation-aware sampling for network data mining

Technology trends are making it more and more difficult to observe and record the large amount of data generated by high speed links. Traffic sampling techniques provide a simple alternative that reduces the volume of data collected. Unfortunately, existing sampling techniques largely hide any temporal relationship in the recorded data. Our proposed method, "FastCARS", captures statistics naturally for packets that are 1, 2 or more steps away. It has the following properties: (a) provides accurate measurements of a full trace's statistics; (b) is simple and can be easily implemented; (c) captures correlations between successive packets, as well as packets that are further apart; (d) generalizes previously proposed sampling methods and includes them as special cases; (e) is scalable and flexible to account for prior knowledge about the characteristics of traces. We also propose several new tools for network data mining that use the information provided by FastCARS. The experimental results on multiple, real-world datasets (233 Mb in total), show that the proposed FastCARS sampling method and these new data mining tools are effective. With these tools, we show that the independence assumption of packet arrival is not correct, and that packet trains may not be the only cause of dependence among arrivals.
Characterization of an aminopeptidase in cerebrospinal fluid. Structure elucidation of enzyme hydrolysis products of synthetic methionine-enkephalin by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Abstract An aminopeptidase was found in canine cerebrospinal fluid via the presence of two products: Y, which has an [M + H]+ ion at m/z 182; and GGFM, which has an [M + H]+ ion at m/z 411. The linked scan at a constant ratio of the magnetic field to the electric field of the GGFM [M + H]+ ion at m/z 411 generates product ions at m/z 120, 150, 266, 297, 354, 357, and 411. That aminopeptidase was bestatin-sensitive (BSAP = bestatin-sensitive aminopeptidase), and had a half-time for disappearance of 60 min, maximum velocity of 1.08 nmol ml−1 min−1, and Michaelis constant of 0.26 nM.
Suspensions of In-Transit 'Generic' Drugs: A Case Study of Competing Perspectives

This chapter analyzes an important current controversy under TRIPS while simultaneously providing another opportunity to show the impact and influence of competing patent perspectives. In particular, this chapter analyzes a controversial EU Regulation that permits customs officials to detain goods that infringe local patent laws — even though those goods are not intended for local consumption. Pursuant to the Regulation, goods have been detained at a Netherlands airport en route to another country. The detentions are permissible under the EU Regulation because in-transit goods are considered to infringe patent rights in the Netherlands. These detentions have resulted in delays of goods that violate no patent rights in either the country of origin or destination. The issue poses difficult interpretive TRIPS questions, yet discussion to date has predominantly suggested the EU law is either clearly consistent or inconsistent with TRIPS. This chapter aims to explain why the TRIPS issue is a nuanced one that is far less clear than most suggest. In addition, this chapter describes how the competing patent perspectives have promoted skewed interpretations of the law and facts. The chapter addresses the following questions: • Is it clear whether TRIPS permits or precludes a member state from suspending goods for alleged in-transit infringement? • How do the patent perspectives result in distortions regarding the law and facts involving the in-transit detentions?
Tick saliva enhances Powassan virus transmission to the host influencing its dissemination and the course of disease

Powassan virus (POWV) is an encephalitic tick-borne flavivirus which can result in serious neuroinvasive disease with up to a 10% case fatality rate. The study objective was to determine whether the salivary gland extract (SGE) from Ixodes scapularis ticks facilitates the transmission and dissemination of POWV in a process known as saliva-activated transmission. Groups of BALB/c mice were footpad inoculated with either a high dose of POWV with and without SGE or a low dose of POWV with and without SGE. Mice from each group were sacrificed daily. Organ viral loads and gene expression profiles were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Both groups of mice infected with high-dose POWV showed severe neurological signs of disease preceding death. The presence of SGE did not affect POWV transmission or disease outcome for mice infected with the high dose of POWV. Neuroinvasion, paralysis, and death occurred for all mice infected with the low dose of POWV plus SGE; however, for mice infected with the low dose of POWV in the absence of SGE, there were no clinical signs of infection and no mice succumbed to disease. Although this group displayed low-level viremias, all mice were completely healthy, and it was the only group in which POWV was cleared from the lymph nodes. We conclude that saliva-activated transmission occurs in mice infected with a low dose of POWV. Our study is the first to demonstrate virus dose-dependent saliva-activated transmission, warranting further investigation of the specific salivary factors responsible for enhancing POWV transmission. IMPORTANCE Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne flavivirus that continues to emerge in the United States, as is evident by the surge in number and expanding geographic range of confirmed cases in the past decade. This neuroinvasive virus is transmitted to humans by infected tick bites. Successful tick feeding is facilitated by a collection of pharmacologically active factors in tick saliva. In a process known as saliva-activated transmission, tick bioactive salivary molecules are thought to modulate the host environment, making it more favorable for the transmission and establishment of a pathogen. This phenomenon has been demonstrated for several tick-borne pathogens; however, a systematic investigation of the role of tick saliva on dissemination and pathogenesis of a tick-borne viral disease has never been attempted before. This study will fill that gap by systematically examining whether the presence of tick saliva contributes to the transmission and dissemination of POWV in mice.
Clickjacking: attacks and defenses

Clickjacking attacks are an emerging threat on the web. In this paper, we design new clickjacking attack variants using existing techniques and demonstrate that existing clickjacking defenses are insufficient. Our attacks show that clickjacking can cause severe damages, including compromising a user's private webcam, email or other private data, and web surfing anonymity. We observe the root cause of clickjacking is that an attacker application presents a sensitive UI element of a target application out of context to a user (such as hiding the sensitive UI by making it transparent), and hence the user is tricked to act out of context. To address this root cause, we propose a new defense, InContext, in which web sites (or applications) mark UI elements that are sensitive, and browsers (or OSes) enforce context integrity of user actions on these sensitive UI elements, ensuring that a user sees everything she should see before her action and that the timing of the action corresponds to her intent. We have conducted user studies on Amazon Mechanical Turk with 2064 participants to evaluate the effectiveness of our attacks and our defense. We show that our attacks have success rates ranging from 43% to 98%, and our InContext defense can be very effective against the clickjacking attacks in which the use of clickjacking is more effective than social engineering.
Assessment of gate width size on lifetime-based Förster Resonance Energy Transfer parameter estimation

Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is an optical imaging technique used in the investigation of protein interactions. FRET imaging can be executed via estimating the fluorescence lifetime of the donor molecule. For wide-field applications, gated detection methods are preferred for efficiency. However, lifetime quantitative estimation can be affected by the temporal gate width size employed in such a detection scheme. Herein, we investigate the impact of different gate widths on the estimation accuracy of specific FRET parameters. FRET parameters were estimated from in vivo experiments, with all of the characteristics of the experiments kept constant except for the gate width, which was increased from 300ps to 1,000ps in 100ps intervals. Simulations were then performed in order to determine the effect of gate width on the accuracy of parameter estimation.
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, morbidity associated with obesity becomes more and more endemic. Of particular interest to pulmonary and sleep medicine physicians is the entity of obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), formerly known as Pickwickian syndrome. Most patients with OHS also will be found to present with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which appears to play a major role in the pathogenesis of OHS. With or without OSA, the etiology of OHS may also be related to the extreme mechanical limitations imposed by obesity on the ventilatory apparatus. Treatment of OHS has been profoundly changed by the advent of non-invasive positive pressure therapies, including continuous positive airway pressure, bilevel positive airway pressure, and average volume-assured pressure support. Despite these advances, morbidity and mortality remain elevated in these individuals unless substantial weight loss can be achieved.
Implementing IFRS from the perspective of EU publicly traded companies

Abstract This study examines implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by European Union (EU) companies. All listed EU companies are required to prepare their consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS for years beginning on or after January 1, 2005 (Regulation (EC) 1606/2002). The paper provides insight into the IFRS adoption process based on a questionnaire sent to EU-listed companies in 2004. The 112 responses received indicate: (1) a majority of respondents have adopted IFRS for more than just consolidation purposes; (2) the process is costly, complex, and burdensome; (3) companies do not expect to lower their cost of capital by implementing IFRS; (4) the more comprehensive the approach to conversion, the more respondents tend to agree with the benefits and costs of the transition; (5) companies expect increased volatility in financial results; (6) the complexity of IFRS as well as the lack of implementation guidance and uniform interpretation are key challenges in convergence; and (7) a majority of respondents would not adopt IFRS if not required by the EU Regulation. The results of our questionnaire were confirmed by several personal interviews with finance and accounting executives of EU publicly traded companies.
Geomorphology, natural hazards, vulnerability and prevention of natural disasters in developing countries

The significance of the prevention of natural disasters is made evident by the commemoration of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). This paper focuses on the role of geomorphology in the prevention of natural disasters in developing countries, where their impact has devastating consequences. Concepts such as natural hazards, natural disasters and vulnerability have a broad range of definitions; however, the most significant elements are associated with the vulnerability concept. The latter is further explored and considered as a key factor in understanding the occurrence of natural disasters, and consequently, in developing and applying adequate strategies for prevention. Terms such as natural and human vulnerabilities are introduce and explained as target aspects to be taken into account in the reduction of vulnerability and for prevention and mitigation of natural disasters. The importance of the incorporation not only of geomorphological research, but also of geomorphologists in risk assessment and management programs in the poorest countries is emphasized.
Self-Control in Children: Age, Preference for Reinforcer Amount and Delay, and Language Ability

Abstract Choices between larger, more delayed and smaller, less delayed food reinforcers (a self-control paradigm) were examined in 45 boys and girls, along with their age, preference for reinforcer amount and reinforcer delay, and language ability test scores. Only the 5-year-olds showed statistically significant self-control. The 3-year-olds were indifferent, alternating between the two response alternatives. The behavior of the 7-year-olds was quite variable (similar to human adults’ behavior). Only the 7-year-olds’ behavior showed statistically significant preference for larger reinforcer amounts and for smaller reinforcer delays. Language ability was not related to self-control, and no gender differences were observed. These data indicate that, as children age, their behavior becomes more sensitive to reinforcer contingencies, and their self-control behavior changes (but does not monotonically increase).
Postmodernity and fin de siècle in Uruguay

Since the end of the military regime, Uruguay has been culturally and politically divided. During the period of repression, the opposition was united against the dictatorship. Yet economic decline and the military dictatorship have profoundly divided Uruguayan culture. On the positive side, new cultural actors have emerged—women, younger poets and writers and the marginalized—on the negative side, there is a sense of malaise that has neither been adequately discussed nor theoretized. This article is available in Studies in 20th Century Literature: http://newprairiepress.org/sttcl/vol14/iss1/6 Postmodernity and fin de siecle in Uruguay' Hugo Achugar Northwestern University On the eve of the second millenium and after over a hundred and fifty years of independence-at least in the formal sense-Uruguay is in the course of evaluating the first years of democracy following the most repressive dictatorship in its history. This evaluation is necessarily tentative, since it precedes the elections. It occurs within an environment in which political goals are disparate, in an environment of conflict over economic models of development and modernization, of debate about the question of whether those guilty of violations of human rights during the military dictatorship should be brought to justice, debates about how to to face the future and how to put the past behind. In this article, I wish to outline some of the cultural debates that have taken place during a period of rapid change and tentative "redemocratization." For obvious reasons this cannot be a defmitive evaluation of twentieth century Uruguayan culture; rather I shall examine those metaphors that enable the nation to think and represent itself as the "imagined community," especially in the light of postmodernism, which not only dissolves the barriers between high culture and popular culture but also crosses national boundaries. This raises the question of whether, in the light of postmodernism, the nation is still a useful framework for cultural analysis. Postmodernism: Between Myth and Metaphor Discussions over postmodernism tend to take on a different inflection, depending on the context and the participants in the debate. Indeed Jonathan Arac has complained that the terms of the debate are still unclear and adds: "A great deal of the controversy in this debate
SUBPOPULATION INVARIANCE OF EQUATING FUNCTIONS

This study examined population invariance of equating functions over subgroups defined by ethnicity on a teacher certification test. Investigating subgroup equating invariance was important because the total group who took this test consists of two subgroups (i.e., Hispanic and non-Hispanic) and the Hispanic group is a distinctively more able group as compared to the non-Hispanic group on the construct being measured. The study used data collected during the 2003 and 2004 administration of a teacher certification test. The chained equipercentile and linear equating methods were used to derive the equating functions. The root expected square difference was used to compare equating functions derived using the total group with equating functions derived using either the Hispanic or non-Hispanic groups. Findings suggested lack of subgroup invariance in equatings for the first test form (Form X). Also, the Hispanic group equating was less invariant as compared to the non-Hispanic group equating. The second form of the test (Form Y) showed more subgroup invariance in equating. This difference may partly be attributed to the fact that Form Y had a much bigger sample size as compared to Form X and the difference in equating functions observed in Form X for the total group and the two subgroups may be due to sampling variability. Implications of these results on actual pass/fail rates are also presented and discussed.
Feature selection in unsupervised learning via evolutionary search

Feature subset selection is an important problem in knowledge discovery, not only for the insight gained from determining relevant modeling variables but also for the improved understandability, scalabilit y, and possibly , accuracy of the resulting models. In this paper w e consider the problem of feature selection for unsupervised learning. A number of heuristic criteria can be used to estimate the quality of clusters built from a giv en featuresubset. Rather than combining such criteria, we use ELSA, an evolutionary local selection algorithm that maintains a diverse population of solutions that approximate the Pareto front in a multidimensional objectiv espace. Eac hevolved solution represents a feature subset and a number of clusters; a standard K-means algorithm is applied to form the given n umber of clusters based on the selected features. Preliminary results on both real and synthetic data show promise in nding P areto-optimal solutions through which we can identify the signi cant features and the correct number of clusters.
Abstract 1338: MicroRNAs in a mouse model of oral carcinogenesis

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Aberrant expression of microRNAs has been reported in human tongue squamous carcinoma cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of the carcinogen, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO), on the expression of several miRNAs in mouse tongues by using a seminal mouse model of oral carcinogenesis that was established by our laboratory and demonstrates similarities to human oral tumors in terms of morphological, histopathological, and molecular characteristics. In addition, we studied the effects of the DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) inhibitor 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza, 0.25 mg/kg body weight), all-trans retinoic acid (RA, given at 100 μg/kg body weight and 1 mg/kg body weight, respectively), and the combination of 5-Aza and the low dose RA on murine oral cavity carcinogenesis induced by 4-NQO and on mouse tongue miRNA expression levels in this mouse model. Compared with control mice (not treated with 4-NQO), 4-NQO treatment caused a remarked reduction in the expression of miR-26a and miR-124a in mouse tongues and an increase in CDK2 (one of miR-124a's targets) mRNA expression. Among all drug treatments, the combination of 5-Aza and the low dose RA attenuated the reduction in the expression of miR-124a caused by the 4-NQO treatment. To some extent, mice in all drug treatment groups showed a reduction in the degree of decrease in the expression of miR-26a in mouse tongues induced by 4-NQO. These results correlate with the data on neoplastic tongue lesion numbers and tongue lesion severity. Moreover, we found that RA, 5-Aza, and the combination of RA and 5-Aza all enhanced the expression of miR-26a and miR-124a in a human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line, SCC-15, and that the combination of RA and 5-Aza had the greatest effects. Collectively, our results show that miRNAs have potential as a strategy to reduce oral cavity cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1338. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1338
Safety of cotinine in humans : Physiologic, subjective, and cognitive effects

Preliminary data suggest that cotinine, the major metabolite of nicotine, may be behaviorally active. Studies involving the administration of cotinine at doses that produce high blood concentrations (in excess of those produced by cigarette smoking) may be of interest. This inpatient, 10-day human study examined the safety and the effects from several high doses of oral cotinine fumarate (40, 80, or 160 mg) or placebo in abstinent cigarette smokers. All subjects smoked cigarettes ad lib during the first 2 days of the study, then were required to be abstinent beginning on the third day. All subjects were given placebo on this day to wash out nicotine before the administration of cotinine. Subjects were subsequently randomly assigned in a double-blind manner to cotinine or placebo for the next 3 days to determine the safety profile of cotinine. All subjects were given placebo on the final 3 days to examine cotinine withdrawal symptoms. The results showed no significant physiologic, subjective, or performance effects across the various doses of cotinine and placebo. Furthermore, no cotinine withdrawal effects were observed. This study demonstrates that short-term administration of cotinine to humans at levels as high as 10 times that attained from cigarette smoking is safe with no observable acute or withdrawal effects from cotinine in this setting.
The State Reduction and Related Algorithms and Their Applications to the Study of Markov Chains, Graph Theory, and the Optimal Stopping Problem

Abstract We discuss the State Reduction/GTH (Grassmann, Taksar, Heyman) algorithm for recursively finding invariant measure. We demonstrate the relationship between this algorithm and the Freidlin–Wentzell “tree decomposition” approach to study the characteristics of Markov chains. The structure of the State Reduction/GTH algorithm suggests the natural idea for finding the distribution of a Markov chain at the moment of first visit to a given set, and some similar characteristics. We study the possible range of such algorithms. We also present a new algorithm for solving the classical problem of optimal stopping of a Markov chain based on a similar idea of sequential elimination of some states. We give shorter and more transparent proofs of some previously known results, and improve the bounds of Freidlin–Wentzell in the perturbation theory of Markov chains. Some applications to graph theory are also discussed.
Family structure influences mate choice in white-fronted bee-eaters

White-fronted bee-eaters live in patrilocal, extended family groups in which several pairs may breed simultaneously and in which helping behavior by nonbreeders is common. The composition of a male's family, and his social position within it, are major predictors of his expected reproductive success. For females, the dispersing sex, a decision to pair necessitates forfeiting any potential fitness benefits available through helping in her family, in favor of the potential benefits of breeding in the male's family. Using a set of equations that incorporate the social and non-social predictors of nesting success, we develop a payoff matrix for the expected fitness (current and future) of pairing with different categories of males. Predictions generated from this payoff matrix were supported by data: (1) Females that could help close kin (and thus garner large indirect benefits) tended to remain unpaired. (2) Males with social characteristics associated with low expected reproductive success were more often rejected as potential mates by females. (3) “High-quality” males, those with potential helpers of their own, were nearly always paired. Simulation analyses were used to investigate female pairing decisions in more detail, and to test various hypotheses about possible decision rules. We demonstrate that pairing females incorporate an assessment of the family structure of potential partners into their mate choice decisions. Such social characters represent an aspect of female choice that has been underappreciated. We suggest that social characters will prove to be important components of mate choice decisions in many species where kinship and dominance considerations influence the likelihood, or success, of breeding.
Atomic cross-section effects in soft-x-ray photoemission from Ag valence bands

The relative photoemission intensity from the Ag 4d valence band (VB) was studied as a function of photon energy using 32--250 eV synchrotron radiation. A sharp decrease in intensity of more than an order of magnitude was observed in the range 100 or = 150 eV range in order to bridge the ultraviolet-photomission to x-ray-photoemission gap. (AIP)
Total Synthesis of Cryptophycin-24 (Arenastatin A) Amenable to Structural Modifications in the C16 Side Chain

Two efficient protocols for the synthesis of tert-butyl (5S,6R,2E, 7E)-5-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-6-methyl-8-phenyl-2, 7-octadienoate, a major component of the cryptophycins, are reported. The first utilized the Noyori reduction and Frater alkylation of methyl 5-benzyloxy-3-oxopentanoate to set two stereogenic centers, which became the C16 hydroxyl and C1' methyl of the cryptophycins. The second approach started from 3-p-methoxybenzyloxypropanal and a crotyl borane reagent derived from (-)-alpha-pinene to set both stereocenters in a single step and provided the dephenyl analogue, tert-butyl (5S,6R,2E)-5-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-6-methyl-2, 7-octadienoate, in five steps. This compound was readily converted to the 8-phenyl compound via Heck coupling. The silanyloxy esters were efficiently deprotected and coupled to the C2-C10 amino acid fragment to provide desepoxyarenastatin A and its dephenyl analogue. The terminal olefin of the latter was further elaborated via Heck coupling. Epoxidation provided cryptophycin-24 (arenastatin A).
On the tribological behavior of adsorbed layers, especially moisture

Abstract The action of adsorbed molecular films, and in particular moisture, to affect friction and sliding mode was studied in the hoop apparatus. The samples were bundles of 50 μm thick gold-plated copper fibers sliding on gold-plated copper, i.e. under gravity inside a gold-plated vertical copper hoop rotating at uniform speed about its horizontal cylinder axis. The results confirmed previous observations that the incidence of stick-slip increases with decreasing hoop speed and with increasing humidity, in the present study in a nitrogen atmosphere. Also, stick-slip increases with increasing normal force and is much more persistent for bulk samples than for fibers. Additional information had been gained previously through detailed examinations of the momentary contact resistance. The data suggest that, although the thickness of adsorbed moisture films increases with humidity, at contact spots all molecular layers except one on each side drain out, regardless of humidity. Two contributions to the coefficient of friction μ result. 1. (i) The displaced water flows about the spots and thereby adds an increment δμk which rises with humidity. At slow speeds δμk is proportional to sliding speed but shear thinning of the fluid causes a decrease in δμk at higher speeds, 2. (ii) Capillary action of the moisture meniscus about the spots effectively adds to the applied normal force and thereby increases μ by an increment δμs. Relaxation effects arise because neither moisture drainage nor equilibration of the meniscus is instant. The resultant different dependences of δμk and δμs on time, speed and on the spot size appear to explain the observations.
Optical Fiber Coupling Approaches For Multi-Channel Laser And Detector Arrays

Two fiber-optic coupling approaches are described for providing accurate and simultaneous alignment between four multimode fibers and a four-channel GaAs laser and detector array. The fiber-detector array coupling approach provides less than 0.2 dB loss with better than -20 dB optical crosstalk between adjacent channels. The fiber-laser array coupling approach provides -3 dB coupling loss for each of four fiber-laser channels.© (1989) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sublethal effects of cupric ion activity on the grazing behaviour of three calanoid copepods

Abstract This research ( 1 ) characterized the effects of sublethal cupric ion activities on the grazing behavior of two estuarine copepods ( Acartia tonsa, Acartia hudsonica ) and one nearshore, neritic copepod ( Temora longicornis ) and ( 2 ) compared the sensitivity of short-term sublethal behavioral assays with that of longer-term acute toxicity tests. A nitrilotriacetate-trace-metal-ion buffer system at 27‰. S was used to quantify and control the free cupric ion activity. Acute toxicity tests were used to determine the mortality of A. tonsa and T. longicornis over 72 h within the approximate cupric ion activity range of 10 −13 to 10 −9.5 M. 24 h survival was not affected within the approximate cupric ion activity range of 10 −13 to 10 −9.7 M, the range used for subsequent grazing activity experiments after 24 h exposure to Cu. Grazing activity was significantly diminished at cupric ion activities of ≈ 10 −10 M for A. tonsa and T. longicornis , and at ≈ 10 −11 M for A. hudsonica . A hormetic pattern of response in feeding activity was observed with A. tonsa and T. longicornis . Grazing activity was found to be a sensitive measure of sublethal Cu stress compared with the acute toxicity tests. Grazing activity was affected at environmentally relevant cupric ion activities.
Onyx HD-500 Liquid Embolic Agent for the Embolization of Broad-Based Saccular Intracranial Aneurysms: A Case Study

Abstract Over the years, many different techniques have been used to treat brain aneurysms. Traditionally, open surgery or craniotomy was required for aneurysm clipping, but since the mid 1980s the endovascular treatment of aneurysms has become increasingly popular. The mainstay of endovascular aneurysm treatment has been embolization with platinum coils (a.k.a. "coiling"). However, despite advances in endovascular techniques, such as balloon remodeling and intracranial stent placement, it remains difficult to achieve the complete and permanent occlusion of many broad-based saccular aneurysms. Onyx HD-500 (eV3 Neurovascular, Irvine, CA), a liquid embolic agent, is the latest Food and Drug Association-approved device to be used in attempt to overcome the challenge of occluding broad-based intracranial aneurysms. In this case study, we describe the clinical and procedural issues involved in the treatment of a patient with a large, symptomatic intracranial aneurysm using Onyx HD-500.
Comparison of Swellings Caused by Indoleacetic Acid and Tuberosities Induced by Grape Phylloxera (Homoptera: Phylloxeridae)

Indoleacetic acid applied to root pieces of grape cultivars resistant and susceptible to grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch, induced production of swellings and rootlet branches. Effects increased with concentration of indoleacetic acid. Root sensitivity to indoleacetic acid was not greater in susceptible cultivars and does not appear to be a prime mechanism of the host plant resistance to grape phylloxera. Phylloxera did not preferentially establish on swellings induced by indoleacetic acid, but did on preformed grape phylloxera tuberosities. Thus, swellings caused by indoleacetic acid are not identical to grape phylloxera tuberosities.
A method for measuring the number of single- and double-strand breaks introduced into DNA molecules by the action of deoxyribonucleases.

Abstract A method is described for measuring the average number of nuclease-induced single- and double-strand breaks per DNA molecule. The procedure involves measuring the weight-average molecular weight of DNase I-digested DNA under neutral and alkaline conditions. A statistical equation is used to calculate the number of breaks per single- or double-stranded DNA molecule from the respective weight-average molecular weights. Enzymatic incorporation of 32 P into the 5′-OH ends of DNase I-induced breaks gave an independent measurement of the number of breaks per DNA molecule. Results obtained by the two different methods were in good agreement. In agreement with earlier reports we find that magnesium-activated DNase catalyzes a high frequency of single-strand breaks in DNA. The frequency of double-strand breaks is low, but significantly higher than can be explained by random accumulation of single-strand breaks. Our data suggest that the frequency of double-strand scission is affected by DNase-metal ion interactions.
Development of the Renewable Energy Deployment and Display (REDD) Facility at the Desert Research Institute

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) has developed a Renewable Energy Deployment and Display (REDD) Facility as an off-grid capable facility for exploration of integration, control, and optimization of distributed energy resources (DER) with an emphasis on solar and wind energy. The primary goal of the facility is to help grow DRI’s capabilities and expertise in areas of renewable energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment. The facility is powered by four solar PV arrays (6 kW total) and two wind turbines (3 kW total) during off-grid operation. Energy storage is achieved via two 2.5 m3 hydrogen storage tanks and a 9 kWh battery bank. The hydrogen is produced via a 5 kW electrolyzer and is used to fuel an internal combustion engine (ICE) with an alternator when needed.The REDD Facility consists of a 111.5 m2 residence and a 56 m2 workshop. The REDD House features over 37 m2 of solar thermal collectors used to provide hot water to either a 15.9 kW heat exchanger or a 17.6 kW absorption chiller. The REDD Workshop features a 54 m2 solar collector air heater and thermal storage via water and air in the floor. Also housed in the REDD Workshop is a modified 3-cylinder 950cc naturally aspirated renewable gas engine connected to a 5 kW generator to be used for future biomass-related research.Future research at the REDD Facility will include continued investigation into the use and regulation of site-built solar air collectors, solar cooling technologies, and the advancement of hydrogen as energy storage for residential applications. The facility is also continually used for education and outreach purposes. Lastly, DRI encourages the use of the REDD Facility as a test bench for new technologies; whether for proof of concept or demonstration.© 2014 ASME
Estimates of body mass for fossil giant ground squirrels, genus Paenemarmota

Paenemarmota Hibbard and Schultz, 1948 includes 3 species of giant ground squirrels within Marmotini (Rodentia, Sciuridae) from the Late Miocene and Pliocene of central and western North America. We developed skeletal and dental models for estimating body mass across modern species of Marmotini and apply these models to Paenemarmota. The most reliable models for estimating body mass of modern species (on the basis of length and width of femur, lengths of p4 and P4) generally yielded lower estimates of body mass for Paenemarmota than less reliable models (on the basis of lengths of m1, m2, M1, and M2). Models that were most reliable across modern species yielded 2 nonoverlapping estimates for P. barbouri Hibbard and Schultz, 1948: 9.5–9.8 kg on the basis of femur dimensions, and 14.4–16.2 kg on the basis of lengths of premolars. On the basis of lengths of premolars, P. mexicana (Wilson 1949) closely resembled P. barbouri in estimated mass (14.4–15.7 kg), but P. sawrockensis (Hibbard 1964) was smaller (10.0–12.4 kg). These large ground squirrels probably differed in mass-dependent biological attributes from all modern marmotines.