cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of fertility in female mice by immunization with a B-cell epitope, the synthetic sperm peptide, P10G.

Abstract Human patient sera containing antisperm antibodies (from vasectomized men and infertile women) immunologically react with the synthetic peptide P10G (PGGGTLPPSG), and affinity purified antibodies to P10G (anti-P10G) react with human spermatozoa (O'Rand et al., 1990). In this study P10G was used to elicit antibodies and the effect of the antibodies on fertility in female mice determined. The P10G sequence is derived from the 14-kDa rabbit sperm autoantigen, RSA (O'Rand and Widgren, 1990). The results of this study demonstrate that female mice can become infertile when immunized with the synthetic peptide P10G conjugated to the carrier protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). However, the results also show that it is important to distinguish those mice with high serum antibody levels from those with lower levels. Infertility was clearly apparent in the high titer subgroup with an 80% decrease in pregnancy rate during the last of three matings and a 71% decrease in litter size over all three matings when compared to the low titer subgroup or the control groups. Significantly, mice immunized with P10G without carrier protein show no detectable antigen specific proliferation of lymph node cells in response to 100 μM of the peptide. P10G is not a T-cell epitope, but rather a B-cell epitope and it does not elicit an autoimmune response in the female mouse. This demonstration in mice is an important first step in the development of a safe human immunocontraceptive vaccine.
Preparative-scale isoelectric trapping separations in methanol–water mixtures

The typically low aqueous solubilities of small, hydrophobic organic ampholytic molecules limit the production rates that can be achieved in their isoelectric trapping (IET) separations and call for the use of hydro-organic mixtures as solvents. The compatibility of methanol-water mixtures and poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate-supported isoelectric polyacrylamide hydrogels, developed for binary IET separations in a Gradiflow BF200IET unit, was investigated. The isoelectric polyacrylamide-based hydrogels retained their functional and mechanical integrities when the methanol concentration in the hydro-organic solvent mixture was kept at or below 25% (v/v). The utility of the hydro-organic media was demonstrated in the purification of a hydrophobic ampholytic compound, technical grade 4-hydroxy-3-(morpholinomethyl) benzoic acid. Production rates as high as 7 mg/h were achieved using small, 15 cm2 active surface area isoelectric membranes.
Identification of two histidines necessary for reovirus mRNA guanylyltransferase activity.

Grass carp reovirus, a segmented double-stranded RNA virus, is a member of the genus aquareovirus in the Reoviridae family. Grass carp reovirus VP1 was shown to be an mRNA guanylyltransferase. The enzyme demonstrated maximum activity ≤ pH 6.0. This low pH maximum is conserved among the known guanylyltransferases of the Reoviridae family, but is not a property of the KxDG guanylyltransferases. The positive effect of low pH was detected for both autoguanylylation and GMP transfer, the two steps in the guanylyltransferase reaction. The effect of pH on enzymatic activity suggested that histidine protonation is responsible for the observed increase in guanylyltransferase activity. Mutagenesis of the two histidines conserved among the orthoreovirus and aquareovirus guanylyltransferases demonstrated that they are necessary for activity.
Some Deviations Associated With Vector Perturbation Diffraction Theory

Last year at this conference our lab presented some data which strongly supports the use of the vector perturbation relationship between light scattered from smooth surfaces and the surface power spectral density (PSD). Last year's data showed that a consistent answer was obtained for the PSD for measurements taken with S and P polarization, with incident angles up to 45', for positive and negative sweeps, and for one and two dimensional samples. If in fact the theoretical relationship is correct then this must be the case, as the PSD is determined by a combination of surface topography and the scattering situation (geometry, polarization, wavelength, etc.). It appears, however that for large scatter angles (>700) and for large angles of incidence (>60A‚Â°) there is some deviation in the calculated PSD. In addition, the high angle scatter region is an area where a scatterometer with a semicircular detector sweep loses the one-to-one relationship between detector position and surface spatial frequency. Or, in other words, light diffracted to high scatter angles from single spatial frequencies appears over a small band on the observation semicircle instead of a diffraction limited point. Fata supporting these two deviations is presented. Although they are not regarded as serious violations of the vector perturbation theory they do impose a limit on the useful range over which the PSD may be calculated.
Junctional ectopic tachycardia following complete heart block associated with viral myocarditis

We describe the case of an infant progressing from sinus rhythm to complete heart block, junctional ectopic tachycardia, and back to sinus rhythm as the only manifestation of viral myocarditis.
Almost-sure uniform error bounds of general smooth estimators of quantile density functions

Based on a careful analysis of the asymptotic almost-sure behavior of certain generalized Kiefer processes, asymptotic almost-sure uniform upper bounds of estimation error are established for a broad class of quantile density function estimators useful in survival analysis. The error bounds are given with explicit rate of convergence.
Finding the mid-path

Computers have changed nearly every aspect of life in this world. Invented roughly fifty years ago, they now form the infrastructure on which government, business, and global communications rest. As our reliance on computers increases, so does the number and complexity of the applications and the number and quality of trained professionals that will be needed to support further progress. The United States already faces personnel shortages in some computer-related jobs, including university teaching.
Complex Crack Stability in Dissimilar Metal Welds: Background and Test Plan

Typically in flaw evaluation procedures, idealized flaw shapes are assumed for both subcritical crack growth and critical crack stability analyses. Past NRC-sponsored research have developed estimation schemes for predicting the load-carrying capacity of idealized flaws in nuclear grade piping and similar metal welds at the operating conditions of nuclear power reactors. However, recent analyses have shown that growth of primary water stress corrosion cracks (PWSCC) in dissimilar metal (DM) welds is not ideal; in fact, very unusual complex crack shapes may form, i.e., a very long surface crack that has a finite length through-wall crack in the same plane. Even though some experimental data on base metal cracks exist to demonstrate that complex shaped cracks in high toughness materials fail under limit load conditions, other experiments demonstrate that the tearing resistance is significantly reduced. At this point, no experimental data exists for complex cracks in DM welds. In addition, it is unclear whether the idealized estimation schemes developed can be used to predict the load carrying capacity of these complex-shaped flaws, even though they have been used in past analyses by the nuclear industry. Finally, it is unclear what material strength data should be used to assess the stability of a crack in a DM weld. The NRC Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES), with their contractor Battelle Memorial Institute, has begun an experimental program to confirm the stability behavior of these complex shaped flaws in DM welds. A combination of thirteen full-scale pipe experiments and a variety of laboratory experiments are planned. This paper will summarize the past base metal complex-cracked pipe experiments, and the current idealized flaw load carrying capacity estimation schemes. In addition, the DM weld complex cracked pipe experimental test matrix will be presented. Finally, plans for using these results to confirm the applicability of idealized flaw stability procedures are discussed.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Interpretation as expression of the analyst's subjectivity

This paper elaborates a “relational‐perspectivist”; view of interpretation as a complex intersubjective process that develops conjointly between patient and analyst. Interpretation is the principal process by which analysts position and reposition themselves interpersonally in relation to their patients, and in this sense interpretations contain aspects of the analyst's subjectivity that are made available for use by the patient. Inasmuch as the analyst has captured aspects of the patient's psychic life in a particular interpretation and insofar as the interpretation also expresses aspects of the analyst's subjectivity, interpretation is best thought of as the quintessential container and purveyor of intersubjectivity between patient and analyst. The paper defines two dimensions of the analytic process, symmetry‐asymmetry, referring to the similarity or dissimilarity of the patient's and analyst's roles and functions in the analytic process, and mutuality‐lack of mutuality, referring to how reciprocal the...
Expression of ribosomal DNA insertions in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Approximately half of the ribosomal genes on the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster are interrupted by an insertion of type 1. Nuclear RNA from D. melanogaster embryos was transferred to DBM paper and hybridized with cloned type 1 insertion sequences. With a DNA fragment derived specifically from large insertions, transcripts were detected between 5 and 10 kb. These insertion transcripts represent less than one RNA molecule per nucleus, which is more than three orders of magnitude below the concentration of nascent rRNA chains, as determined by kinetics of hybridization. With a DNA fragment derived from the right end of large insertions which is also complementary to short insertions, more discrete RNA bands appeared with sizes between 1 and 8.5 kb, representing altogether about 13 RNA molecules per nucleus. Insertion transcripts large enough to be potential precursors to 28S rRNA represent less than one molecule per nucleus. It was shown by sandwich hybridization that at least some of the insertion transcripts are derived from rDNA. No significant difference was found between insertion transcripts in RNA extracted from ovaries, embryos, larvae, pupae or adult flies. Unless a mechanism other than splicing is involved, ribosomal genes with insertions cannot contribute significantly to the synthesis of 28S rRNA. A cytoplasmic RNA -1 kb long, which is complementary to a short insertion and to ribosomal gene sequences flanking both sides of the insertion, was found. The abundance of this short unspliced RNA is about 50 molecules per embryo cell.
Advances in the Production of Poly(ethylene naphthalate) Fibers

Recently with the availability of monomers for poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) at a large scale and low cost, much attention has been paid to develop PEN fibers, based on their superior mechanical and thermal properties, to compete with the most commercially important poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers, especially in some performance‐driven markets. In this review, technical papers, product reports, and patents are reviewed to summarize the developments in the production of PEN fibers via melt‐spinning. Mechanical properties of PEN fibers are presented as a function of spinning and drawing parameters. Morphology of PEN fibers are also discussed to understand factors controlling the fiber properties.
Initial antimicrobial effect of controlled-release doxycycline in subgingival sites.

Objectives: To determine the ability of a 10% doxycycline hyclate controlled-release polymer (Atridox®) to suppress periodontopathic bacteria when placed subgingivally following scaling and root planing (Sc/Rp). Methods: Eight males and seven females, mean age 48 years, with moderate to advanced periodontitis participated in the study. In each patient, bilateral periodontal pockets probing 6–7 mm were randomly assigned to treatment by Sc/Rp + doxycycline polymer or by Sc/Rp alone. Subgingival placement of doxycycline polymer was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. Sc/Rp was performed with hand instruments for at least 10 min in each study tooth. Subgingival samples were collected by paper-points at baseline, at 2 weeks and at 4 weeks post-treatment. Culture methodology was used to isolate and identify putative periodontal pathogens, including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Dialister pneumosintes, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia/Prevotella nigrescens, Campylobacter species, Eubacterium species, Fusobacterium species, Peptostreptococcus micros, Eikenella corrodens, Staphylococcus species, enteric gram-negative rods, β-hemolytic streptococci and yeasts. The microbiologic examination was carried out blindly. Microbiological data were analyzed using a General Linear Model Analysis of Variance for within and between group effects. Results: Sites receiving Sc/Rp + doxycycline polymer and sites receiving Sc/Rp alone exhibited similar levels of periodontal pathogens at baseline and did not differ significantly in total viable counts and proportional recovery of periodontopathic bacteria post-treatment. Conclusions: Controlled-release doxycycline placed in moderate to deep periodontal pockets caused no significant additional reduction in the subgingival pathogenic microbiota compared to thorough Sc/Rp alone. Since controlled-release doxycycline may not significantly suppress several subgingival pathogenic microorganisms and seems to possess no distinct advantage over broad-spectra, safe and inexpensive antiseptics, the rationale for its employment in periodontal therapy remains unclear.
Intrusiveness and Persuasive Impact of Three Communication Media1

Two field experiments compared the persuasive impact of communications delivered face-to-face, by telephone, or by letter. In both studies, letters did not differ from faccto-face contacts but telephone calls were less effective. In the second experiment, personalness interacted with communication medium such that addressing subjects by name reduced the impact of face-to-face encounters, increased that of letters, and had no effect on phone calls. A third sample of subjects rated the appropriateness of name usage by salespeople, indicating a salesperson should give his own name but was inappropriately personal when calling the subject by name. The findings support the notion that varying media and name usage varies the psychological distance between communicator and recipient. At appropriate psychological distances, communicators and communications have optimum effectiveness; at too great or too little distance, they lose impact. Thus, not only is selection of proper medium important to communicators but how the medium is used can affect impact.
Aldolase in Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract Sonic homogenates of Trichomonas vaginalis contain a metal activated aldolase. Of the common metal ions studied cobaltous is most effective and ferrous is somewhat less effective. Their action is greatly enhanced by cysteine or thioglycolate. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate is more effective as inhibitor than dipyridyl at pH 7. The inhibition may be completely reversed with cobaltous or ferrous salts. The optimum pH for aldolase activity is about 7.0, and the Michaelis constant is 1.25 × 10 −3 M hexose diphosphate. Aldolase in T. vaginalis is a soluble enzyme with no functional sulfhydryl groups and remains active in KCl solution for a month or more when stored at 2 °C.
Responses of guinea pig pups during isolation in a novel environment may represent stress-induced sickness behaviors

When guinea pig pups are isolated in a novel environment, they show an initial active phase of behavioral responsiveness characterized by vocalizations and locomotor activity. One earlier study found that after about an hour, pups began to exhibit a second, passive stage of responsiveness marked by a crouched stance, eye-closing, and extensive piloerection. The present experiments tested the hypothesis that the responses during the second, passive stage result from the isolation experience activating pathways underlying the acute phase response, i.e., that behaviors of the second stage represent "stress-induced sickness behaviors". We found the following: (1) the passive stage did not emerge if pups remained with the mother during exposure to a novel cage; (2) injection of lipopolysaccharide, which induces an acute phase response, also led pups to exhibit crouching, eye-closing, and piloerection; and, (3) isolation in the novel cage produced a rise in rectal temperature, but did not affect peripheral or central levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-immunoreactivity. Overall, these results are consistent with the notion that stress-induced sickness behaviors can account for some of the behaviors of isolated guinea pig pups, though if this is the case, cytokines other than IL-1beta appear to be involved.
Systematic review of diagnostic tests for vaginal trichomoniasis.

Objective: To review critically and to summarize the evidence of diagnostic tests and culture media for the diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginitis. Methods:We performed a systematic review of literature indexed in MEDLINE of studies that used Trichomonas culture as the reference standard (9,882 patients, 35 studies). Level I studies (5,047 patients, 13 studies) fulfilled at least two of three criteria: 1) consecutive patients were evaluated prospectively, 2) decision to culture was not influenced by test results, and 3) there was independent and blind comparison to culture. Results: The sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) was 95% (95% CI 91% to 99%), and the specificity was 98% (95% CI 96% to 100%). One study was classified as Level I evidence (52 patients). The sensitivity of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was 82% (95% CI 74% to 90%), and the specificity was 73% (95% CI 35% to 100%). The sensitivity of the direct fluorescence antibody was 85% (95% CI 79% to 90%), and the specificity was 99% (95% CI 98% to 100%). Sensitivities of culture media were 95% for Diamond’s, 96% for Hollander, and 95% for CPLM. Conclusions:The sensitivity and specificity of tests to diagnose trichomoniasis vary widely. Infect.
Optimal operation of regeneratively cooled fixed bed reactors

A regeneratively cooled fixed bed reactor, shown in Figure 1, consists of two sections alternating roles as reactor and heat regenerator by periodic flow reversals. The reactor can have any desired diameter because the cooling "Occurs strictly by regeneration. The system possesses four control variables that can be adjusted for optimal operation. The first is the temperature profile in the reacting section at the beginning of each cycle and is implemented during regeneration. The second is the temperature of the feed to the reacting section as a function of time. The third is the catalyst activity profile and can be implemented by mixing the catalyst with an inert solid. The last is the period of cycling, that is, the time interval between flow reversals. These four variables are not available in steady state designs.
Phosphor Synthesis Routes and their Effect on the Performance of Garnet Phosphors At Low-Voltages

Garnet phosphors have potential for use in field emission displays (FEDs). Green-emitting Gd{sub 3}Ga{sub 5}O{sub 12}:Tb (GGG:Tb) and Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12}:Tb (YAG:Tb) are possible alternatives to ZnO:Zn, because of their excellent resistance to burn, low-voltage efficiency, (3.5 lm/W from GGG:Tb at 800 V), and saturation resistance at high power densities. Hydrothermal and combustion synthesis techniques were employed to improve the low-voltage efficiency of YAG:Tb, and Y{sub 3}Ga{sub 5}O{sub 12}:Tb (YGG:Tb). Synthetic technique did not affect low-voltage (100--1,000 V) efficiency, but affected the particle size, morphology, and burn resistance. The small particle size phosphors obtained via hydrothermal (<1 {micro}m) and combustion reactions (<1 {micro}m) would benefit projection TV, high-definition TV (HDTV), and heads-up displays (HUDs), where smaller pixel sizes are required for high resolution.
Estrogen pretreatment protects males against hypoxia-induced immune depression.

Hypoxemia depresses cell-mediated immune functions in males, whereas proestrous females do not show such a depression. We hypothesized that elevated systemic estradiol levels in proestrous females ...
Determining Optimal Corporate Capital Structure

This paper considers the mathematical relationship between two variables: independent variable is corporate debt as a percentage of corporate assets while the dependent variable is the present value of the tax savings on the interest paid on the corporate debt. We examine this relationship for any fixed number of future states under the Cox-Rubinstein model. The functional relationship is a saw-tooth function with a discrete set of discontinuities. By examining the behavior of this function we find that there is for each number of states always a unique debt to asset percentage between 0 and 100% for which the present value of the tax savings is a maximum.
Effects of corner frequency on bandwidth and resonance amplitude in designing PZT thin-film actuators

Abstract In the last decade, lead zirconate titanate oxide (PZT) thin-film actuators have received increasing attention because of their high frequency bandwidth, large actuation strength, fast response, and small size. The PZT film thickness is usually less than several microns as opposed to hundreds of microns for bulk PZT patches that are commercially available. As a result, PZT thin-film actuators pose unique vibration issues that do not appear in actuators with bulk PZT. Two major issues affecting actuator performance are the frequency bandwidth and the resonance amplitude. As an electromechanical device, a PZT thin-film actuator's bandwidth and resonance amplitude depend not only on the lowest natural frequency ωn of the actuator's mechanical structure but also on the corner frequency ωc of the actuator's RC-circuit. For PZT thin-film actuators, the small film thickness implies large film capacitance C and small ωc. When the size of the actuator decreases, ωn increases dramatically. As a result, improper design of PZT thin-film actuators could lead to ωc ≪ ωn substantially reducing the actuator bandwidth and the resonance amplitude. This paper is to demonstrate this phenomenon through theoretical analyses and calibrated experiments. In the theoretical analyses, frequency response functions of a PZT thin-film actuator are obtained to predict 3 dB actuator bandwidth and resonance amplitude for cases when ωc ≪ ωn, ωc ≈ ωn and ωc ≫ ωn. In the experiments, frequency response functions of a fixed–fixed silicon beam with a 1 μm thick PZT film are measured through use of a laser Doppler vibrometer and a spectrum analyzer. The silicon beam has multiple electrodes with a wide range of resistance R and corner frequency ωc. The experimental results confirm that the actuator bandwidth and resonance amplitude are substantially reduced when ωc ≪ ωn.
Alternative Theories of Wage Determination and Unemployment in LDC's: The Labor Turnover Model

The problem of unemployment and underemployment in LDC's has long been a central concern of development economics. More recently, the discussion has focused on unemployment and underemployment in the urban sector. The common diagnosis of the source of urban unemployment, particularly in economies such as those in East Africa where there does not seem to be "surplus labor" in the agricultural sector, is that there is a large wage differential between the urban and rural sectors that encourages. migration into the urban sector. And, finally, there seems to be a consensus that the remedies for this -if it is impossible in fact to lower the urban wage to the level in the rural sector -are (a) a wage subsidy to encourage private employers to hire more laborers (use more laborintensive techniques) and (b) the use of a shadow price of labor for projects in the government sector, which is lower than the market wage in the urban sector. Although economists have advised governments all over the world to undertake these measures, they have based these policy prescriptions on partial equilibrium models that have not traced out the full implications of these policies; in particular, they have failed to take into account (a) the determination of the rate or level of unemployment in the economy and (b) the determination of wages in the urban sector. The possible implications of these failures may easily be seen. If the number of people in the urban sector is fixed,
Emotional vitality and incident coronary heart disease: benefits of healthy psychological functioning.

Context: The potentially toxic effects of psychopathology and poorly regulated emotion on physical health have long been considered, but less work has addressed whether healthy psychological functioning may also benefit physical health. Emotional vitality— characterized by a sense of energy, positive well-being, and effective emotion regulation—has been hypothesized to reduce risk of heart disease, but no studies have examined this relationship. Objectives: To examine whether emotional vitality is associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Secondary aims are to consider whether effects are independent of negative emotion and how they may occur.
Adrenocorticotropin Evokes Transient Elevations in Intracellular Free Calcium ([Ca2+]i) and Increases Basal [Ca2+]i in Resting Chondrocytes through a Phospholipase C-Dependent Mechanism

Both clinical and in vitro evidence points to the involvement of the melanocortin peptide, ACTH, in the terminal differentiation of chondrocytes. Terminal differentiation along the endochondral pathway is responsible for linear growth, but also plays a role in osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration. Chondrocyte terminal differentiation is associated with an incremental increase in chondrocyte basal intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i), and ACTH agonism of melanocortin receptors is known to mobilize [Ca2+]i. Using differentiated resting chondrocytes highly expressing type II collagen and aggrecan, we examined the influence of both ACTH and dexamethasone treatment on matrix gene transcription and [Ca2+]i. Resting chondrocytes treated concurrently with dexamethasone and ACTH expressed matrix gene transcripts in a pattern consistent with that of rapid terminal differentiation. Using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, fura-2, we determined that ACTH evokes transient increases in [Ca2+]i and elevates basal Ca2+ lev...
History Education and Social Identity

Many scholars have stressed that teaching about the past plays the major role in the formation of national, ethnic, religious, and regional identities, and intergroup perceptions and relations. This article analyzes the impact of the content of history education on several aspects of social identity, including forms, modes, and concepts of identity. Based on examples from Taiwan, Northern Ireland, North Korea, and China, the article shows that history textbooks not only create loyalties and increase salience of particular national or ethnic identity, but also play an important role in the development of the specific forms and meanings of those identities. The analysis reveals the main trends and mechanisms employed by history education in the process of forming the preferable form and concept of identity.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase decreases β-adrenergic responsiveness via inhibition of the L-type Ca2+ current

Signaling via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) limits the heart's response to β-adrenergic (β-AR) stimulation, which may be protective against arrhythmias. However, mechanistic data are lim...
An Inductive-Coupled Plasma Atomic-Emission Spectrometric Method for Routine Water Quality Testing:

Induction-coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry offers an ideal method for simultaneous multielement analysis of natural water samples. The Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey currently employs this technique for quantitative analysis of 17 major and trace constituents. These include analysis of Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Li, Mn, Sr, Mo, V, Zn, Ca, Mg, Na, and SiO2 in a routine production mode, in which an excess of 1000 determinations can be made in a normal working day. Comparability studies with conventional single-element methods of analysis, such as atomic absorption spectrometry and colorimetric techniques, show essentially equivalent accuracy and precision, frequently at much higher sensitivity.
Cognitive radio techniques for wide area networks

The cellular wireless market has begun the transition to data centric services including high speed internet access, video, high quality audio, and gaming. Communications technology can meet the need for very high data link speeds, and can also improve network throughput, but dramatically more spectrum will be needed to provide ubiquitous wireless data service. Cognitive radio is a new technology that allows spectrum to be dynamically shared between users. It offers the potential to dramatically change the way spectrum is used in systems and to substantially increase the amount of spectrum available for wireless communications. This paper introduces cognitive radio and explains the promise, possible operating modes, and benefits it may offer.
Accurate SHAPE-directed RNA secondary structure modeling, including pseudoknots

A pseudoknot forms in an RNA when nucleotides in a loop pair with a region outside the helices that close the loop. Pseudoknots occur relatively rarely in RNA but are highly overrepresented in functionally critical motifs in large catalytic RNAs, in riboswitches, and in regulatory elements of viruses. Pseudoknots are usually excluded from RNA structure prediction algorithms. When included, these pairings are difficult to model accurately, especially in large RNAs, because allowing this structure dramatically increases the number of possible incorrect folds and because it is difficult to search the fold space for an optimal structure. We have developed a concise secondary structure modeling approach that combines SHAPE (selective 2′-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension) experimental chemical probing information and a simple, but robust, energy model for the entropic cost of single pseudoknot formation. Structures are predicted with iterative refinement, using a dynamic programming algorithm. This melded experimental and thermodynamic energy function predicted the secondary structures and the pseudoknots for a set of 21 challenging RNAs of known structure ranging in size from 34 to 530 nt. On average, 93% of known base pairs were predicted, and all pseudoknots in well-folded RNAs were identified.
Transcending performability for system attributes' consistency

A framework for consistent system analyses, based on the concept of performability, is presented. The motivation is to assure the integrity among various system analyses, which leads to consistent specifications and effective system design and development.
Genes regulating hypothalamic and pituitary development

Several pituitary transcription factors have been identified in the last 3 years. They offer new insights into the processes that direct organogenesis, cell commitment, proliferation and differentiated function. All are DNA-binding proteins, but they have ties to different families of homeodomain proteins. They differ in their distribution and in the timing of their appearance and extinction. The Rathke's pouch homeobox protein (Rpx) has a paired-like homeodomain. In mice, it appears on embryonic day 8.5 (day e8.5) and is gone by day e14.5. Its targets for activation are unknown. Pituitary OTX has a tryptophan—phenylalanine—lysine motif in its homeodomain. It appears early and persists. It shows independent activation of the α-glycoprotein subunit (α-GSU) and pro-opiomelanocortin genes and co-operates with Pit-1 in activation of the growth hormone and prolactin genes. Pituitary Lim (P-Lim) protein also acts independently on the α-GSU gene, and acts in concert with Pit-1 to activate other genes. A fourth protein, termed the ‘Prophet of Pit-1’, or Prop-1, is the recently discovered cause of Ames dwarfism in mice. This paired-like protein is necessary for the subsequent expression of Pit-1 in somatotrophs, lactotrophs and thyrotrophs. Any or all of the newly discovered pituitary genes are candidates for mutations causing hypopituitarism in humans. As several are expressed transiently in tissues other than the pituitary during organogenesis, the phenotypes produced by mutations in these genes may prove to be complex. □ Pituitary, transcription, organogenesis, homeobox, homeodomain, mutations, somatotrophs, lactotrophs, thyrotrophs, RPX, P-OTX, P-Lim, Prop-1, Pit-1
Change strategies and leadership frames for advancing engineering education

Twenty to thirty years ago, efforts to improve engineering education focused on developing new instructional strategies and materials to increase percentages of engineering students that graduated, numbers of entering undergraduate engineering students, and the diversity of engineering graduates. Today, a considerable body of studies has shown that this goal has been achieved. Efficacy of many instructional strategies and materials has been demonstrated with the support of compelling evidence. In light of these developments, the focus of efforts to improve engineering education appears to be shifting to promoting broader adoption of instructional strategies and materials already developed and supported by substantial bodies of evidence. What change strategies could be used in these efforts? Research in many fields, while it does not provide definitive answers for each organizational culture and scenario, embodies knowledge from which change strategies can be developed. Four change models and eight change ...
Management of rash to erlotinib (E) and cetuximab (C): Results from the SERIES (Skin and Eye Reactions to Inhibitors of EGFR and kinaseS) clinic algorithm

19556 Background: Rash develops in approximately 90% of patients (pts) treated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) E and C, leading to significant physical/psychosocial discom...
Modeling of Particle Trajectory and Erosion of Large Rotor Blades

When operating in hostile environments, engines components are facing a serious problem of erosion, leading to a drastic drop in aerodynamic performance and life-cycle. This paper outlines the modeling and simulation of particle trajectory and erosion induced by sand particles. The governing equations of particle dynamics through the moving of large rotor blades are introduced and solved separately from the flow field by using our in-house particle tracking code based on the finite element method. As the locations of impacts are predicted, the erosion is assessed by semiempirical correlations in terms of impact conditions and particle and target surface characteristics. The results of these computations carried out for different concentrations of suspended dust (sand) cloud generated at takeoff conditions reveal the main areas of impacts with high rates of erosion seen over a large strip from the blade suction side, around the leading edge and the pressure side of blade. The assessment of the blade geometry deterioration reveals that the upper corner of blade suffers from an intense erosion wear.
Population Genomics and the Statistical Values of Race: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Biological Classification of Human Populations and Implications for Clinical Genetic Epidemiological Research

The biological status and biomedical significance of the concept of race as applied to humans continue to be contentious issues despite the use of advanced statistical and clustering methods to determine continental ancestry. It is thus imperative for researchers to understand the limitations as well as potential uses of the concept of race in biology and biomedicine. This paper deals with the theoretical assumptions behind cluster analysis in human population genomics. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, it demonstrates that the hypothesis that attributes the clustering of human populations to "frictional" effects of landform barriers at continental boundaries is empirically incoherent. It then contrasts the scientific status of the "cluster" and "cline" constructs in human population genomics, and shows how cluster may be instrumentally produced. It also shows how statistical values of race vindicate Darwin's argument that race is evolutionarily meaningless. Finally, the paper explains why, due to spatiotemporal parameters, evolutionary forces, and socio-cultural factors influencing population structure, continental ancestry may be pragmatically relevant to global and public health genomics. Overall, this work demonstrates that, from a biological systematic and evolutionary taxonomical perspective, human races/continental groups or clusters have no natural meaning or objective biological reality. In fact, the utility of racial categorizations in research and in clinics can be explained by spatiotemporal parameters, socio-cultural factors, and evolutionary forces affecting disease causation and treatment response.
SCIENCE TEACHERS’ ESOL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND NEW HYBRID IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT

This multiple case study investigates four science teachers’ experiences of boundary crossing through participation in an ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) professional development program and the extension of their identity as ESOL/language teachers. The study examines how science teachers transform into science and language teachers by exploring teachers’ disciplinary identity, their adoption of a new extended professional identity, and the mismatch between their new identity and its enactment in science classrooms. Through classroom observations, interviews, and document analysis, this study finds that the secondary science educators had a flexible disciplinary identity, and thus, adopted a new professional identity as ESOL/language teacher without strong resistance. However, their extended identity was not enacted in their classrooms. For successful transformation of science teachers into science and ESOL teachers, contextual adjustment and a continuous support system is required. The paper concludes with implications for further research on teacher education for content area educators teaching English learners.
Si6–nCnH6 (n = 0–6) Series: When Do Silabenzenes Become Planar and Global Minima?

In the current work we studied a structural transition from nonplanar three-dimensional structures to planar benzene-like structures in the Si6–nCnH6 (n = 0–6) series. We performed unbiased Coalescence–Kick global minimum and low-lying isomers search for the Si6H6, Si5CH6, Si4C2H6, Si3C3H6, Si2C4H6, and SiC5H6 stoichiometries at the B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory. The lowest isomers were recalculated at the CCSD(T)/CBS//B3LYP/6-311++G** level of theory. It was shown that the pseudo-Jahn–Teller effect, which is responsible for the deformation of planar Si6H6, Si5CH6, and Si4C2H6 structures, is suppressed at n = 3 (the planar structure of 1,3,5-trisilabenzene). We also showed that the 3D–2D transition, which occurs only at n = 5, is due to the aromaticity of monosilabenzene (SiC5H6) along with other factors, such as stronger C–C σ bonds compared to weaker C–Si and Si–Si σ bonds.
Cell Proliferation and Neoplastic Progression in the Adrenal Medulla: Insights and Questions from Immunohistochemical Studies

Adult rat chromaffin cells proliferate at a low rate throughout life and show robust mitogenic responses to a variety of agents in vivo and in vitro. Prolonged treatment of rats with some of these agents leads to development of pheochromocytomas, probably by exacerbating an age-dependent proclivity. The rat adrenal medulla is thus a remarkable model for studies of mitogenic signaling and neoplastic progression. Immunohistochemical approaches to the study of this model have helped to overcome obstacles presented by heterogeneity of the chromaffin cell population and complex relationships between medulla, cortex and nerve supply. Current evidence suggests that these relationships are important both in normal chromaffin cell turnover and in development of pheochromocytomas. The prototypical mitogen for adult rat chromaffin cells in vitro is nerve growth factor (NGF), which, parodoxically, arrests proliferation and causes neuronal differentiation of rat pheochromocytoma cells. Cell culture studies suggest that activation of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase by NGF is a critical determinant of mitogenic specificity in normal chromaffin cells. Numerous unanswered questions concern differences between normal chromaffin cells and their neoplastic counterparts, differences between chromaffin cells of rats and other species, and influences of the in vitro environment on responses to trophic signals.
The Narrative Experiences of Hmong American Adolescent Males Labeled Educationally “At Risk”:

This article analyzes the narrative experiences of Hmong American adolescent males who were labeled at risk or high risk for academic failure or underperformance by their predominantly White school counselors and teachers. Additional data sources included classroom observations at two racially diverse public high schools and semi-structured interviews with two White American female classroom teachers to ascertain how the “at-risk” label manifested in everyday practices ranging from classroom management/discipline methods, instructional decisions, interpersonal interactions, referrals, and tracking practices. The findings will highlight how the “at-risk” label along with a range of other deficit-based expectations intersected with several problematic assumptions about Asian American masculinities and Hmong American culture that suggested that in general, White school personnel were not aware of how their understandings of racial deviance and difference shaped how they assessed, diagnosed, and interacted wi...
A Note On "Porky Pig and the Anarchist" in The Crying of Lot 49 and Gravity's Rainbow

On April 4, 1936, just a little over thirteen months before Katherine Pynchon's blessed event in Glen Cove, Long Island, Leon Schlesinger, at "Termite Terrace" in Hollywood, released "The Blow Out," a Warner Bros. black and white Looney Tune.' These wholly unrelated events would cross paths when Mrs. Pynchon's son published The Crying of Lot 49 in 1966 and Gravity's Rainbow in 1973, alluding in each novel to this same cartoon.
Abstract TP11: Treatment Times and Outcomes With Utilization of Telemedicine Prior to Transfer for Stroke Endovascular Therapy

Background: Reducing time to treatment is important for acute stroke therapy including intravenous tPA and endovascular therapy. Remote evaluation of acute stroke patients by telemedicine may help triage patients for endovascular therapy and facilitate earlier treatment. Purpose: We aimed to evaluate efficiency and clinical outcome using telemedicine as a screening tool prior to transfer of stroke patients to comprehensive stroke centers for endovascular therapy. Methods: We retrospective reviewed patients receiving endovascular therapy at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from January 2014 through May 2015 who were initially evaluated for acute stroke at an outside facility and transferred to our hospital. We statistically analyzed our data using unpaired T test with equal standard deviation. Results: 116 patients treated with endovascular therapy were identified. 35 (30.1%) had telemedicine (TM) evaluations prior to transfer and 81 (69.8%) were transferred without telemedicine screening (NTM). The average age was 68 years in TM group and 67 years in NTM group. 71% of TM patients received IV TPA compared to 30% of NTM patients. The average NIHSS on arrival was 17 among TM and 16 in NTM. The mean time from door to groin puncture was 54 minutes in TM patients compared to 66 minutes in NTM group (p=0.37). Good outcomes (mRS < 2) occurred in 54% of TM cases and 36% of the NTM group (p=0.12). Poor outcomes (mRS 5-6) were 21% in TM patients and 40% in the NTM group (p=0.08). TICI 2b/3 revascularization was achieved in 88.5% and 88.9% in TM and NTM groups respectively (p=0.2). Conclusion: Evaluating acute stroke patients using telemedicine prior to transfer to comprehensive stroke centers may reduce time to intervention and improve selection of patients more likely to benefit from endovascular therapy. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Still the last great open secret: Sexual harassment as systemic trauma

ABSTRACTDespite being illegal for more than half a century, sexual harassment remains today the most pervasive form of violence against women, often encompassing other forms of violence in its ambit. This stubborn and pernicious persistence rests largely on (1) a pervasive system of attitudes and beliefs, accruing over centuries and embedded in a variety of cultural institutions, that denies and rationalizes systemic abuse of women; and (2), the organizational and institutional actors that serve to maintain this system, a phenomenon that has come to be known as institutional betrayal. These phenomena, the attitudinal aspects of “rape culture” combined with the iatrogenic features of organizations, institutions, make clear that sexual harassment and the cultural system in which it is embedded is best understood as “systemic trauma” requiring multilevel prevention and intervention systems that are yet to be fully identified or understood.
Jet Measurements with Neutral and Di-jet Triggers in Central Au + Au Collisions at sNN=200 GeV with STAR

Abstract We present two measurements related to jet production in p+p and central Au+Au collisions at s N N = 200 GeV . Firstly, a study of semi-inclusive charged recoil jets coincident with high-p T direct-photon and neutral pions, and secondly, the hadron correlations with respect to reconstructed di-jet triggers. Indication of medium effects is observed by comparing γ +jet and π 0 +jet measurements. The di-jet+hadron study shows signs that the medium-induced modifications of an imbalanced set of di-jets with “hard cores” primarily affect the recoil jet.
Semiology vs. Semiotics

Terminological issues are important in semiotics. A significant example is the origination and use of the terms “semiology” and “semiotics.” The former is associated with Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913), and the latter has a longer, more complex history. Both may be traced to the Greek word for ‘sign.’ This article examines briefly the etymology, orthography, and meaning(s) of semiology and semiotics.
A User's Guide to the Bop and Iip: The Transition from Bpm5 to Bpm6

Balance of payments (BOP) accounting conventions, never straightforward, have been complicated recently by the introduction of new standards. This note presents a short description of BOP and international investment position (IIP) data. It refers to data for the United States, Brazil, and South Africa, but given that there are worldwide standards for countries that report BOP and IIP, it should provide guidance for understanding the data of just about any country. It is meant to be a resource that students can refer to time and time again as they gain a deeper understanding of BOP data. Excerpt UVA-GEM-0135 Rev. Mar. 6, 2017 A User's Guide to the BOP and IIP: The Transition from BPM5 to BPM6 This note presents a short description of balance of payments (BOP) and international investment position (IIP) data. It refers to data for the United States, Brazil, and South Africa, but given that there are worldwide standards for countries that report BOP and IIP, it should provide guidance for understanding the data of just about any country. Individual countries publish their own BOP and IIP data, but the easiest place to find the data is in various International Monetary Fund (IMF) databases available at . The IMF not only brings together BOP and IIP data for more than 100 countries, it also ensures consistency in the presentation of the data. . . .