cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ISWI Remodels Nucleosomes through a Random Walk

The chromatin remodeler ISWI is capable of repositioning clusters of nucleosomes to create well-ordered arrays or moving single nucleosomes from the center of DNA fragments toward the ends without disrupting their integrity. Using standard electrophoresis assays, we have monitored the ISWI-catalyzed repositioning of different nucleosome samples each containing a different length of DNA symmetrically flanking the initially centrally positioned histone octamer. We find that ISWI moves the histone octamer between distinct and thermodynamically stable positions on the DNA according to a random walk mechanism. Through the application of a spectrophotometric assay for nucleosome repositioning, we further characterized the repositioning activity of ISWI using short nucleosome substrates and were able to determine the macroscopic rate of nucleosome repositioning by ISWI. Additionally, quantitative analysis of repositioning experiments performed at various ISWI concentrations revealed that a monomeric ISWI is sufficient to obtain the observed repositioning activity as the presence of a second ISWI bound had no effect on the rate of nucleosome repositioning. We also found that ATP hydrolysis is poorly coupled to nucleosome repositioning, suggesting that DNA translocation by ISWI is not energetically rate-limiting for the repositioning reaction. This is the first calculation of a microscopic ATPase coupling efficiency for nucleosome repositioning and also further supports our conclusion that a second bound ISWI does not contribute to the repositioning reaction.
Synthesis of Active, Nonlinear and Quantum Photonic Circuits

First-principles synthesis suggests unique photonic circuit geometries for efficient active optical devices, nonlinear parametric generation and photon pair sources. We address optimal designs in the presence of nonlinear loss, present in many solid state implementations.
Carbowax for embedding and serial sectioning of botanical material.

Plant material infiltrated with gradually increasing concentrations of Carbowax 400, followed by Carbowax 1540 and finally a 19:1 embedding mixture of Carbowax 1540 and 4000 showed minimum shrinkage. Quantitative measurements of shrinkage in tissue of potato tubers gave the following amounts: fixation and washing, about 4%; transfer from water directly to 70% Carbowax 400, 5176; from water through a graded series (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% Carbowax) to 70%, only 2.5% shrinkage; with an additional 1.5% occurring in transition to the embedding mixture. Dry ribbons are placed on adhesive-coated (gelatin, 5 gm; water, 120 ml; glycerol, 40 ml; phenol, 2 gm) slides in a humidity chamber. In 10-15 min enough moisture is absorbed by the ribbon to float the sections out gently and bring them in contact with the adhesive. Slides are then dried 5-10 min at room temperature. To remove minor wrinkles, the sections are subsequently flooded with water, then redried 12-24 hr; after which, they are ready for staining.
Paraneoplastic microscopic polyangiitis presenting after thymectomy

Thymoma is the most common neoplasm of the thymus, and early-stage tumors carry an excellent prognosis with 5-year survival rates over 85% with primarily surgical management.1 However, thymoma has a strong association with paraneoplastic syndromes, which do not have the same favorable response to surgery. Paraneoplastic syndromes are found to persist, worsen, or even present in the post-thymectomy setting. We report a case of likely paraneoplastic vasculitis in the setting of thymoma that presented after thymectomy.
Politics of Religious Freedom, edited by Winnifred Fallers Sullivan, Elizabeth Shakman Hurd, Saba Mahmood, and Peter G. Danchin, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2015, ISBN 978 0 226 24850 9, US$35.00 (paperback), ISBN 978 0 226 24847 9, US$105.00 (cloth)

At first glance, religious freedom would seem to be one of those unimpeachable ideas that any educated person of goodwill would naturally support. While there might be a few kinks to work through i...
Relating consumer knowledge of health terms and health concepts.

In consumer health vocabulary (CHV) research, term familiarity serves as a proxy for comprehension. To date, CHV studies have not explicitly addressed the relationship between recognizing and understanding terms. We pilot-tested a survey to assess knowledge of terms among consumers (n=52) at two levels: 1) surface-level familiarity and 2) the underlying meaning or “gist.” Preliminary results suggest that familiarity exceeds understanding for “common” CHV terms, but are similar for “less common” terms.
Pediatric Loss of Control Eating and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Concentrations.

Abstract Background: Loss of control (LOC) eating in youth is associated with excess body weight and adiposity. After adjusting for fat mass, youth with LOC eating have higher blood pressure and higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to youth without LOC eating. Increased inflammation may account for this relationship, although few data have examined this hypothesis. Therefore, this study explored the association between LOC eating and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a marker of inflammation. Methods: We investigated hsCRP concentrations in relation to LOC eating in a convenience sample of 194 youth (age 14.3 ± 2.1 years; 63.9% female; BMI-z 1.64 ± 1.06). The presence of LOC eating in the past month was assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination interview. Serum hsCRP was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Adiposity was measured by air displacement plethysmography or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. We compared hsCRP in those with and without LOC eating in analyses ...
The Republic of China on Taiwan 1993–1999

Impressive economic and socio-political democratization swept this era. Direct and contested presidential elections in 1996 saw Lee Tung-wei, a native Taiwanese of the Nationalist Party, win the office. At the same time, the democratization process was challenged, or more openly threatened, by Beijing’s rhetorical and military saber rattling to intimidate voters.
Offset optimization in signalized traffic networks via semidefinite relaxation

We study the problem of selecting offsets of the traffic signals in a network of signalized intersections to reduce queues of vehicles at all intersections. The signals in the network have a common cycle time and a fixed timing plan. It is assumed that the exogenous demands are constant or periodic with the same period as the cycle time and the intersections are under-saturated. The resulting queuing processes are periodic. These periodic processes are approximated by sinusoids. The sinusoidal approximation leads to an analytical expression of the queue lengths at every intersection as a function of the demands and the vector of offsets. The optimum offset vector is the solution of a quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP), which is solved via its convex semidefinite relaxation. Unlike existing techniques, our approach accommodates networks with arbitrary topology and scales well with network size. We illustrate the result in two case studies. The first is an academic example previously proposed in the literature, and the second case study consists of an arterial corridor network in Arcadia, California.
The influence of organization Structure for change on Employee Performance

Change has become a constant phenomenon which must be managed properly for an organization to survive. Knowledge and awareness about many of the critical issues involved in the management of such change is often lacking. The changes must inevitably improve employees performance, however in order to achieve high performance through employees, the organization must consider them as assets and must treat them with attention so that they become productive.
Super absorbent polymer seed coatings promote seed germination and seedling growth of Caragana korshinskii in drought

Coating seeds with water absorbent materials can improve their survival, especially for those planted in drought or barren areas. In this study, effects of five kinds of super absorbent polymers (SAPs) on seed germination and seedling growth of Caragana korshinskii under drought conditions were investigated. Our results showed that SAP coatings could significantly improve the percentage and energy of seed germination, as well as reduce the relative electrical conductivity (REC), proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2 content, and peroxidase (POD) activity during germination. These results implied that seeds could uptake moisture from SAP coatings to alleviate drought-induced oxidative stress and membrane damage, thus exhibiting a better vigor and germination performance. After coating C. korshinskii seeds with SAPs, more seedlings emerged and grew better. Under the combined influence of the water absorption capacity of SAP and other factors, the efficiencies of five SAP coatings are in the sequence D>E>B>A>C. The function of the SAP coating on promoting seedling survival was confirmed in Mu Us Sandy Land in Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The average seedling number of SAP D-coated seeds increased twofold on that of naked seeds. Our results are expected to be helpful in understanding and utilizing SAP seed coatings in improving plant survival under drought conditions.
La and Al co-doped CaMnO3 perovskite oxides: From interplay of surface properties to anion exchange membrane fuel cell performance

Abstract This work reports the first account of perovskite oxide and carbon composite oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts integrated into anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Perovskite oxides with a theoretical stoichiometry of Ca0.9La0.1Al0.1Mn0.9O3-δ are synthesized by an aerogel method and calcined at various temperatures, resulting in a set of materials with varied surface chemistry and surface area. Material composition is evaluated by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The perovskite oxide calcined at 800 °C shows the importance of balance between surface area, purity of the perovskite phase, and surface composition, resulting in the highest ORR mass activity when evaluated in rotating disk electrodes. Integration of this catalyst into AEMFCs reveals that the best AEMFC performance is obtained when using composites with 30:70 perovskite oxide:carbon composition. Doubling the loading leads to an increase in the power density from 30 to 76 mW cm−2. The AEMFC prepared with a composite based on perovskite oxide and N-carbon achieves a power density of 44 mW cm−2, demonstrating an ∼50% increase when compared to the highest performing composite with undoped carbon at the same loading.
Evaluation of the Utility of a Dietary Therapy Second Opinion Clinic

Fine-tuning ketogenic diets to achieve better seizure control may influence families to seek second opinions. Since 2009, Johns Hopkins Hospital has provided second opinions for children followed a...
Effect of Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole on Human Neutrophil Function and Survival of Mice Infected with Candida

Studies indicate that trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) may have beneficial actions on host defense against infection beyond its direct antimicrobial role. TMP/SMX has been reported to correct abnormalities of neutrophil motility in selected patients [3]. Futhermore, prophylactic treatment of patients with chronic granulomatous disease of childhood prolongs disease-free periods [7, 13] and TMP/SMX has been effective in reducing the number of infectious episodes in neutropenic patients [4–6]. These latter two observations may be due solely to the antimicrobial activity of TMP/SMX.
Dual-radiolabeled gold nanoparticle SPECT probes to target and image cancer in vivo

1387 Objectives The efficacy of surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles as dual-radiolabeled single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging probes was explored in vivo using a tumor-bearing mouse model. Methods 10 nm diameter gold nanoparticles were surface functionalized with polyethylene glycol and a peptide that could be radiolabeled with both radiometals and radiohalogens. Nanoparticle suspensions were labeled with both In-111 and I-125, and radiochemical purity was evaluated with thin lay chromatography (TLC). Nanoprobes were injected via the tail vein into tumor-bearing nude mice. SPECT/X-ray CT imaging was performed after injection and 4, 24, and 48 hours later. 2 SPECT channels were used to track In-111 and I-125 individually; 28 ± 3 keV was used for I-125 and 200 ± 60 keV was used for In-111. Tumor uptake was quantified from 3D SPECT image reconstructions. After imaging, mice were sacrificed, and biodistribution studies were performed. Results Dual-radiolabeled gold nanoparticles were synthesized by chelating In-111 to DTPA and reacting I-125 to tyrosine, with 100% radiochemical purity observed by TLC. After injection, both isotopes were co-registered in the blood pool. At later time points, I-125 was localized to the thyroid and stomach. In-111 was detected in the blood pool at both 4 hours and 24 hours. Tumor accumulation was visualized using In-111 at both 24 and 48 hours. Biodistribution studies correlated quantitatively with imaging, where tumor to muscle ratios of 8:1 were observed. Conclusions Dual-radiolabeled gold nanoparticles offer multifunctional properties that make them promising for both imaging and therapeutic applications. Gold nanoparticles can be easily surface-functionalized with peptides and other molecules, which can be labeled with radiometals and radiohalogens in order to track multiple SPECT spectroscopic signals in vivo. Due to their size, renal clearance was avoided, providing long blood circulation, and therefore significant tumor accumulation through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect over a 48 hour period. Research Support This work was supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Program of Excellence in Nanotechnology (HHSN268201000046C) and the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program (W81XWH-09-1-0333)
Nach der Krise ist vor der Krise: Welche Lehren sind aus aktuellen Ereignissen für den Umgang mit Risiken und Krisen im öffentlichen Sektor zu ziehen?

An analysis of various reports concerning recent risks and crises which have escalated in the Swiss administrations shows that there has been a combination of failures in three, often over lapping, areas: organisation, leadership and information, communication and documentation. A crisis or a risk generally occurs when there is a chain of individual weaknesses throughout the three levels. Therefore it is essential to identify these weaknesses in everyday life and openly discuss and strive to correct them.
Differentiating a construction into a structure

Abstract This paper proposes a reconciliation of two opposite perspectives on a syntactic configuration and its associated semantic interpretation. Of these two, one is the view that a syntactic structure maps onto its semantic structure on a strict compositionality condition, and one is the view that a syntactic construction is not strictly compositional but has an inherent, endowed meaning, not compositionally derived. The proposed resolution attempts to settle the disagreement by differentiating an endowed-meaning construction into a compatible compositional-meaning structure, which in reverse is integrated into the original construction. As a result, structure and construction emerge as two sides of the same coin, and the disagreement is resolved.
Sugary Cereals at Early Childhood Education Centers Participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, 2017

The objective of this study was to describe the provision of sugary cereals by early childhood education (ECE) centers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) before required implementation of the updated CACFP meal pattern standards. We distributed a web-based survey, which included a question on breakfast cereals, to a random sample of 5,483 CACFP-participating ECE centers nationwide. Of the 1,343 centers that responded, 30% did not meet the updated requirement for cereal; 38% of independently owned or operated centers did not meet the requirement. Results indicate the need for additional training and technical assistance on the updated CACFP standards for sugar in cereal.
The Epidemiology of Well-Being

Epidemiology is a well established subdiscipline of medicine. An epidemiological perspective, which emphasizes the interaction of persons and environments and the multiple determinants of outcomes relevant to health and illness, complements the discussions of normal and disordered behavior in previous chapters. Epidemiology, like medicine, has tended to concentrate on pathology rather than health. Hence the title of this chapter might have been “The Epidemiology of Pathological Affect” or “The Epidemiology of Depression.” The chosen title and the material presented intentionally make a point: Positive affect, satisfaction with living, and a general sense of wellbeing are the prevalent states documented by epidemiological research. We will first review that evidence which stresses nonpathology, and then discuss the distribution and prevalence of pathological affect. This sequence will help to make clear the complex and varied facets of human affect. We are also deliberately focusing on only one domain of affect-the sense of well-being.
High-Speed Synchrotron X-Ray Imaging of Laser Powder Bed Fusion Process

In additive manufacturing (AM) processes, materials are selectively added in layer-wise fashion to build three-dimensional objects. This approach provides several advantages over conventional manuf...
Whole-Genome Sequence of the Novel Rubrobacter taiwanensis Strain Yellowstone, Isolated from Yellowstone National Park.

ABSTRACT The family Rubrobacteraceae is often represented by its thermophilic and radiotolerant species. Rubrobacter radiotolerans and Rubrobacter xylanophilus have been extensively studied, contributing to defining the characteristics of the family. We have now sequenced the genome of a Rubrobacter taiwanensis strain, isolated from Yellowstone National Park, to further characterize the family.
Testing the ecological validity of faded worked examples in algebra

Faded worked examples have been used to promote problem solving performance, such as mathematics performance in many laboratory studies and short-term classroom studies. However, few studies have e...
Infective Endocarditis Caused by Rhodococcus equi in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) is a rare zoonotic organism that is found in the feces of grazing animals and in farm soil. It typically causes pulmonary disease, but it can also cause extrapulmonary disease. Immunocompromised patients are at a higher risk of developing the infection, but it has been reported in individuals with competent immune system as well. We present a unique case of infectious endocarditis (IE) due to a R. equi infection in an immunocompetent patient. A 77-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease, prior myocardial infarction, systolic heart failure, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, aortic stenosis, and benign prostatic hypertrophy was evaluated by cardiothoracic surgery for coronary and valvular heart disease. His transesophageal echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization demonstrated severe aortic stenosis and multivessel coronary artery disease. The patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and simultaneous aortic valve replacement. Intraoperatively, there was exudative material covering his aortic valve, which was sent for tissue culture. Tissue culture was positive for R. equi and Enterococcus faecium. R. equi endocarditis is a rare presentation of this organism. R. equi endocarditis is a very challenging diagnosis due to its varying presentation compared to typical IE. Detailed history taking and physical exam are extremely important to determine if further evaluation is needed. Prolonged oral and intravenous antibiotics are recommended for effective treatment.
Iconography, Nomenclature, and Sound: Building a Musical Database

Musicians who possess functional sight singing and dictation skills have unified into a single entity three discrete bodies of knowledge about music: iconography, nomenclature, and sound. Iconography refers to the visual representation of music. By nomenclature, I mean any labeling system for pitch, rhythm, and harmony. The third component—musical sound—is abstract, being invisible to human eyes and intangible to human touch. In this essay, I suggest approaches to unifying iconography, nomenclature, and sound into a "musical database," as well as propose a curricular reform in which aural skills precedes courses in written theory.
The Watercooler Phenomenon: Building Relationships in the Online Classroom

Students who are admitted into social work graduate programs juggle multiple responsibilities: coursework, field practice, employment, and personal. Such competing responsibilities can increase str...
Cone beam computed tomographic evaluation of the changes in condylar position in growing patients with unilateral posterior crossbite undergoing rapid maxillary expansion followed by fixed orthodontic therapy.

This study aimed at assessing changes in condylar position (CP) in growing patients with unilateral posterior crossbite (UPC) undergoing rapid maxillary expansion (RME) followed by fixed orthodontic treatment (FOT) (experimental-group); and growing patients without posterior crossbite (PC) treated with FOT alone (control-group). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained before treatment (T0), 6 months after RME (T1) and after FOT (T2) for the experimental-group (n = 19); and at T0 and T2 for the control-group (n = 22). Condylar position-related measurements including the anterior joint space (AJS), superior joint space (SJS), posterior joint space (PJS), lateral position of condyle (LC) and condylar angle (CA) were measured. Non-parametric tests were used. On the crossbite side, significant increases were found in LC (P = 0.039) and CA (P = 0.007), and on the non-crossbite side significant increases were observed in SJS (P = 0.027) and LC (P = 0.001) between T0, T1 and T2 in patients with UPC. On the right and left sides in the control-group, significant increases were identified in LC (P < 0.001 and P = 0.012, respectively) between T0 and T2. In growing patients with UPC, RME followed by FOT is associated with significant changes in CP-related measurements.
Cardiovascular health in emerging adults with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS Individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) face increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Controlling individual cardiovascular risk factors can prevent or slow the onset of CVD. Ideal cardiovascular health is associated with a lower incidence of CVD. Identifying areas of suboptimal cardiovascular health can help guide CVD prevention interventions. To assess cardiovascular health and explore the barriers and facilitators to achieving ideal cardiovascular health in a sample of young adults with T1D. METHODS AND RESULTS We used a sequential mixed-method design to assess the seven factors of cardiovascular health according to American Heart Association. Qualitative interviews, guided by Pender's Health Promotion Model, were used to discuss participant's cardiovascular health results and the barriers and facilitators to achieving ideal cardiovascular health. We assessed the frequency of ideal levels of each factor. The qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Qualitative and quantitative data were integrated in the final analysis phase. The sample (n = 50) was majority female (70%), White (86%), with a mean age of 22 ± 2.4 and diabetes duration of 10.7 ± 5.5 years. Achievement of the seven factors of cardiovascular health were: non-smoking (96%); cholesterol <200 mg/dL (76%); body mass index <25 kg/m2 (54%); blood pressure <120/<80 mmHg (46%); meeting physical activity guidelines (38%); haemoglobin A1c <7% (40%); and healthy diet (14%). Emerging qualitative themes related to the perceived benefits of action, interpersonal influences on their diabetes self-management, and perceived self-efficacy. CONCLUSION We found areas of needed improvement for cardiovascular health. However, these young adults expressed a strong interest in healthy habits which can be supported by their healthcare providers.
Effect of milk replacer feeding rate and frequency of preweaned dairy calves in the southeastern United States: Glucose metabolism.

ABSTRACT The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of milk replacer (MR) feeding rate (FR) and frequency (FF) on glucose metabolism before and after weaning during summer and winter in the subtropical climate of the southeastern United States. Holstein calves (n = 48/season) were enrolled at 8 d of age (DOA) in the summer (June to August, body weight = 40.6 ± 0.7 kg) and winter (November to January, body weight = 41.9 ± 0.8 kg). In each season, calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement including 2 FR [0.65 (low) or 0.76 kg of solids/d (high) of a 26% CP and 17% fat MR] and 2 FF [2× (0700 and 1600 h) or 3× (0700, 1600, and 2200 h)]. Calves were managed similarly and housed in polyethylene hutches bedded with sand. Milk replacer (12.5%) was fed based on treatments until 42 DOA when FR was reduced by half and offered 1×/d (0700 h) for 7 d. Plasma was collected weekly at 1400 h for analyses of glucose and insulin concentrations in all calves. Pre- and postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations of a subset of calves (n = 10/treatment per season) were measured on 20 DOA. A subset of calves (n = 8/treatment per season) was subjected to an intravenous glucose tolerance test (GTT) on 27 and 57 DOA and insulin challenge on 28 and 58 DOA at 1030 h. Average ambient temperature was 26.1 ± 2.2°C in summer and 12.9 ± 5.4°C in winter. During the preweaning period in both seasons, feeding high increased plasma glucose concentrations compared with low, and increasing FF reduced basal insulin concentrations. Compared with 2×, feeding 3× did not affect postprandial glucose but lowered insulin in the summer, whereas in the winter, increased glucose from 30 to 180 min but lowered insulin from 240 to 420 min after MR feeding. Following GTT before weaning in both seasons, 3× reduced insulin increment and area under the curve compared with 2× without affecting glucose disposal. After weaning, treatment did not affect glucose disposal or insulin responses after GTT during winter, but calves fed 3× had faster glucose disposal and stronger insulin responses than 2× during summer. In both summer and winter, preweaned calves fed 3× had greater decrement and area under the curve of plasma glucose after insulin challenge, suggesting enhanced peripheral tissue insulin response compared with 2×. This effect persisted after weaning only during summer. Increasing FR had no effect on metabolic responses in both seasons. In conclusion, increasing MR FF from 2 to 3 times per day reduced insulin secretion but enhanced insulin response on peripheral tissues of preweaned calves regardless of season.
CATERPILLAR 3406B TRUCK ENGINE

A new configuration 3406 heavy-duty diesel Truck Engine, designated the 3406B, has been developed. The in-line 6-cylinder engine covers the power range of 255-400 hp (190-298 kW) at rated speeds from 1600-2100 rpm. A primary objective of the development program was to provide continued improvement in fuel economy. Emphasis was placed on development of combustion components and systems that could meet both current and future gaseous and noise emission levels. A new fuel system was one of the key elements in meeting the objectives. This paper deals with the design, development and performance aspects of the 3406B Engine.
Panel Discussion on Artificial Intelligence

Different perspectives lead one to see different aspects of the same thing. The papers and discussions at the Advanced Study Institute (ASI) reflect this truism. I intend to draw out some of the varving perspectives on intelligent decision support systems (IDSS) and to examine some of the themes and issues that arise naturally out of these perspectives. I could ask which of the perspectives is the most productive, but that question would likely produce rather unproductive arguments. Instead I shall attempt to profit from taking various perspectives and thereby gaining a more complete view of the problem at hand.
Comparison Between Air-Assisted and Single-Fluid Pressure Atomizers for Direct-Injection SI Engines Via Spatial and Temporal Mass Flux Measurements

Abstract : Two distinct atomization strategies are contrasted through the measurement of time and spatially dependent mass flux. The two systems investigated include a pressure atomizer (6.9 MPa opening pressure) and an air assist atomizer. Both systems have potential for use in direct injection spark ignition engines. The mass flux data presented were obtained using a spray patternator that was developed to allow phased sampling of the spray. The temporal mass related history of the spray was reconstructed as volume versus time plots and interpolated mass flux contour plots. Results indicate substantial differences in the distribution of both mass and mass flux in space and time for the two injection systems. For example, the pressure atomizer at high mass delivery rates produced a spray that collapsed into a dispersed cylindrical shape while at low rates, generated a hollow cone structure. In addition, the air-assist device discharges 87% of its injected volume within the first of three poppet oscillations while producing a wide hollow cone structure.
Are Financial Institutions Better Investors

This paper investigates the investment performance of a comprehensive group of financial institutions including banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, independent investment advisors, and corporate and state pension funds based on quarterly disclosures of their equity-portfolio holdings. On aggregate, financial institutions exhibit significant abnormal performance before expenses are subtracted. This result is robust with respect to several conditional and unconditional performance measures based on factor- and characteristic-benchmarks. Institutional performance is related to the size of the managed portfolio, its stock characteristics, and its flows. Performance varies across types of institutions - banks, independent investment advisors, and mutual funds significantly outperform insurance companies and state pension funds. This pattern is not caused by systematic mispricings by the applied asset pricing models. The variation of performance across the major institutional types is consistent with agency theory and the "transparency" hypothesis of Ross (1989).
Eating Disorders and the Brain

Neuroscience is an incredibly complex area of science that is often intimidating to ponder for the uninitiated. Rather than a single discipline, neuroscience is a collaborative interdisciplinary fi...
Photovoltaic safety equipment and the National Electrical Code

Article 690-5 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) 1990 Edition requires that photovoltaic (PV) power systems mounted on the roofs of dwellings be equipped with a device that will detect ground faults in the array, interrupt the fault current, and disable the array. The design of a ground fault indicator and array disabler device that meets the requirements of the NEC for stand-alone and grid-tied systems is described. Preliminary testing revealed a low-voltage oscillation and excessive power consumption at voltages below the operating window. These problems have been resolved by a voltage monitoring relay. >
A Qualitative Policy Study of the Least Restrictive Environment Provision of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

A multistate, qualitative policy study, conducted from 1989 to 1992, investigated how 6 states and 12 local school districts implemented the least restrictive environment (LRE) provision of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Eight sites were relatively high users of separate facilities for educating students with disabilities, and 10 were low users. Six factors, including financing and the state-local context, influenced the implementation of LRE. Although the LRE policy has influenced the way that states and districts educate students with disabilities, the federal law and regulations have little control over how leaders view the policy, the structure and political realities present, and the recursive nature of policy systems at all levels.
Educating the Human Brain

Educating the Human Brain is the product of a quarter century of research. This book provides an empirical account of the early development of attention and self regulation in infants and young children. It examines the brain areas involved in regulatory networks, their connectivity, and how their development is influenced by genes and experience. Relying on the latest techniques in cognitive and temperament measurement, neuroimaging, and molecular genetics, the book integrates research on neural networks common to all of us with studies of individual differences. In this book, the authors explain where, when, and how the brain performs functions that are necessary for learning. Such functions include attending to information; controlling attention through effort; regulating the interplay of emotion with cognition; and coding, organizing, and retrieving information. The authors suggest how these aspects of brain development can support school readiness, literacy, numeracy, and expertise. The audience for this book includes neuroscientists as well as developmental and educational psychologists who have interest in the latest brain research. The many helpful visuals - including brain diagrams, pictures and photographs of experimental setups, and graphs and tables displaying key data - also give this book appeal for graduate students.
ACTOR-ORIENTED DESIGN OF EMBEDDED HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SYSTEMS

In this paper, we argue that model-based design and platform-based design are two views of the same thing. A platform is an abstraction layer in the design flow. For example, a core-based architecture and an instruction set architecture are platforms. We focus on the set of designs induced by this abstraction layer. For example, the set of all ASICs based on a particular core-based architecture and the set of all x86 programs are induced sets. Hence, a platform is equivalently a set of designs. Model-based design is about using platforms with useful modeling properties to specify designs, and then synthesizing implementations from these specifications. Hence model-based design is the view from above (more abstract, closer to the problem domain) and platform-based design is the view from below (less abstract, closer to the implementation technology). One way to define a platform is to provide a design language. Any valid expression in the language is an element of the set. A platform provides a set of cons...
Glycoprotein properties of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors from bovine cerebral cortex.

: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors from bovine cerebral cortex were solubilized in digitonin for the subsequent determination of several biochemical properties. The digitonin-solubilized receptors were representative of the entire membrane-bound population of muscarinic receptors with respect to carbohydrate content, isoelectric point, and molecular weight. The glycoprotein nature of the solubilized receptors was demonstrated by their quantitative binding to wheat germ agglutinin-aga-rose. The presence of a bound antagonist did not decrease the extent of receptor binding to this lectin. Treatment of receptors with neuraminidase to remove N-acetylneuraminic acid residues reduced binding to wheat germ agglutinin-agarose by 40%; further treatment with endo-glycosidases D and H, to remove all N-linked carbohydrate, decreased binding by a total of 67%. Removal of N-acetylneuraminic acid residues had no effect on agonist binding properties of the membrane-bound receptors. The carbohydrate-specific enzymes were further used to assess the contribution of carbohydrate to the isoelectric point and molecular weight of the receptor. Muscarinic receptors solubilized in either digitonin or Triton X-100 focused as one major species with a pI of 4.3. Neuraminidase treatment resulted in an increase of 0.17 units in the pi of the receptor. Muscarinic receptors labeled with the covalent muscarinic antagonist propylbenzilylcholine mustard migrated as a single major polypeptide with a molecular weight of 73,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-urea-polyacrylamide gels. The exclusion of urea from these gels severely retarded receptor mobility, indicating a strong tendency for aggregation of receptors in SDS. Removal of N-linked carbohydrate by endoglycosidase treatment reduced the molecular weight of the antagonist binding polypeptide by no more than 5%. These results demonstrate the glycoprotein nature of muscarinic receptors from mammalian cerebral cortex and provide evidence for their heterogeneity with respect to carbohydrate content.
Recommendations for Further Reading

This section will list readings that may be especially useful to teachers of undergraduate economics, as well as other articles that are of broader cultural interest. In general, the articles chosen will be expository or integrative and not focus on original research. If you write or read an appropriate article, please send a copy of the article (and possibly a few sentences describing it) to Timothy Taylor, c/o Journal of Economic Perspectives, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave., Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55105.
Cholesterol efflux to high-density lipoproteins and apolipoprotein A-I phosphatidylcholine complexes is inhibited by ethanol: role of apolipoprotein structure and cooperative interaction of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol

There is a substantial body of evidence showing that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. One of the factors thought to contribute to this reduction in risk is an increase in the level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) correlated with alcohol consumption. However, HDL levels are elevated in heavy drinkers, but their risk of vascular disease is greater compared with that of moderate drinkers. Ethanol at concentrations observed in heavy drinkers and alcoholics may directly act on HDL and apolipoproteins and in turn modify cholesterol efflux. In this paper, we show that ethanol significantly inhibited cholesterol efflux from fibroblasts to HDL and to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) complexed with phosphatidylcholine (PC). Ethanol significantly inhibited binding of PC to apoA-I, inhibited incorporation of cholesterol only when apoA-I contained PC, and did not alter incorporation of cholesterol into HDL. ApoA-I structure was altered by ethanol as monitored by steady-state fluorescence polarization of tryptophan residues. The absence of ethanol effects on incorporation of cholesterol into HDL versus inhibition of cholesterol incorporation into the apoA-I-PC complex suggests that the effects of ethanol on cholesterol efflux mediated by HDL involve interaction with the cell surface and that efflux mediated by the apoA-I-PC complex is a combination of aqueous diffusion and contact with the cell surface. In addition, effects of ethanol on apoA-I suggest that pre-beta-HDL or lipid-free apoA-I may be more perturbed by ethanol than mature HDL, and such effects may be pathophysiological with respect to the process of reverse cholesterol transport in heavy drinkers and alcoholics.
Micronuclei-Induced DNA Damage and Mutagenesis in Cancer

Purpose/Objective(s): Cancer cells exhibit high degree of genome instability including frequent micronuclei, extranuclear organelles containing DNA fragments or whole chromosomes that arise due to DNA damage or mitotic errors. Micronuclei exhibit abnormalities in DNA replication, DNA damage response and membrane stability, leading to accumulation of mutations that are subsequently passed on to the main genome. As a consequence, micronuclei may act as a “mutator” organelle in tumorigenesis, and may be responsible for chromothripsis, catastrophic event leading to a large number of clustered rearrangements observed in many malignancies. We performed studies to gain insight into the mechanism of microncuclear-mediated DNA damage and mutagenesis. Materials/Methods: Micronuclei were induced in human RPE-1 and U2OS cell lines by treatment with 100 ng/ml nocodazole for 6 hours, leading to increased rate of chromosome missegregation, followed by synchronization with mitotic shake-off to release cells into subsequent interphase. Cells were fixed at given intervals in G1, S and G2 phases of the cell cycle and indirect immunofluorescence, time-lapse microscopy and flow cytometry were performed per previously established protocols. Antibodies used included anti-RPA70 (Cell Signaling), anti-RPA32 (Abcam), antig-H2AX (Cell Signaling), anti-Mcm2 (Cell Signaling) and anti-Mcm3(Cell Signaling). Results: Sor G2phase micronculei with ruptured nuclear membranes exhibit massive DNA damage as evidenced by positive g-H2AX and TUNEL staining, but G0and G1synchronized micronuclei show no such damage. Loss of nuclear membrane integrity by itself is thus not sufficient to result in DNA damage, and can only lead to damage in the setting of ongoing DNA replication. Strikingly, micronuclei exhibit a dramatic reduction in nucleoplasmic levels of Replication Protein A complex (RPA70 and RPA32) and DNA helicase (Mcm 2 and Mcm3), which may account for the observed delay in DNA replication, replication stress and blunted DNA damage response. Further dilution of these factors in the setting of sudden nuclear membrane rupture leads to replication catastrophe and massive DNA damage. Conclusions: Nucleocytoplasmic transport abnormalities in micronuclei lead to inability to concentrate key replication and DNA damage response factors, including components of RPA and DNA helicase complexes, contributing to error-prone DNA replication and blunted DNA damage response. Sudden loss of micronuclear membrane integrity in the setting of ongoing DNA replication leads to replication catastrophe and accumulation of massive DNA damage that is subsequently passed on to the main tumor genome driving tumor progression. Author Disclosure: A. Spektor: None. S. Liu: None. E. Jackson: None. D. Pellman: None.
miRNAs regulated by estrogens, tamoxifen, and endocrine disruptors and their downstream gene targets

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short (22 nucleotides), single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that form complimentary base-pairs with the 3' untranslated region of target mRNAs within the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and block translation and/or stimulate mRNA transcript degradation. The non-coding miRBase (release 21, June 2014) reports that human genome contains ∼ 2588 mature miRNAs which regulate ∼ 60% of human protein-coding mRNAs. Dysregulation of miRNA expression has been implicated in estrogen-related diseases including breast cancer and endometrial cancer. The mechanism for estrogen regulation of miRNA expression and the role of estrogen-regulated miRNAs in normal homeostasis, reproduction, lactation, and in cancer is an area of great research and clinical interest. Estrogens regulate miRNA transcription through estrogen receptors α and β in a tissue-specific and cell-dependent manner. This review focuses primarily on the regulation of miRNA expression by ligand-activated ERs and their bona fide gene targets and includes miRNA regulation by tamoxifen and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in breast cancer and cell lines.
Enzymatic Activity of a Phospholipase A2: An Electrochemical Approach

A novel approach based on dc and ac cyclic voltammetric techniques to evaluate interfacial enzymatic activity is presented. As an illustrative example, the hydrolytic effect of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) on an l-α-dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) monolayer adsorbed onto a mercury electrode surface has been studied and kinetic parameters have been evaluated. The enzymatic activity obtained in this study is of the order of 10-1 min-1. A dramatic effect of [Ca2+] on the hydrolysis of DOPC monolayers by PLA2 has been observed where the hydrolytic rate constant exhibits a peak-shaped dependence on [Ca2+] with a maximum rate at a Ca2+ concentration of about 6 mM. Ca2+ concentrations above 6 mM appear to have an inhibitory effect on the hydrolysis. Control studies with the nonhydrolyzable substrate analog, N-oleoyl-d-sphingomyelin (SM), demonstrate that the PLA2 does not simply displace the intact phospholipid molecules from the electrode surface. Thus, the observed electrochemical response arising from PLA2 is d...
Asymptotic Properties of a State Density Approximation for Optimal Control

A scalar discrete-time state estimation and stochastic optimal control problem is considered which differs from the standard linear-quadratic-Gaussian case only by the presence in the dynamics of a quadratic term in the state and noise variables with a small coefficient. With respect to this coefficient, precise results are given concerning the asymptotic convergence in probability of a certain approximation for the conditional state probability density function, and of a corresponding approximation for an optimal control law, to first-order asymptotic approximations thereof in the coefficient's reciprocal. A possible origin of such estimation or control problems from perturbation analyses is described, and the significance of the results in this context is discussed.
Expression of X‐linked genes in androgenetic, gynogenetic, and normal mouse preimplantation embryos

A quantitative RT-PCR approach has been used to examine the expression of a number of X-linked genes during preimplantation development of normal mouse embryos and in androgenetic and gynogenetic mouse embryos. The data reveal moderately reduced expression of the Prps1, Hprt, and Pdha1 mRNAs in androgenetic eight-cell and morula stage embryos, but not in androgenetic blastocysts. Pgk1 mRNA abundance was severely reduced in androgenones at the eight-cell and morula stages and remained reduced, but to a lesser degree, in androgenetic blastocysts. These data indicate that paternally inherited X chromosomes are at least partially repressed in androgenones, as they are in normal XX embryos, and that the degree of this repression is chromosome position-dependent or gene-dependent. Gynogenetic embryos expressed elevated amounts of some mRNAs at the morula and blastocyst stages, indicative of a delay in dosage compensation that may be chromosome position-dependent. The Xist RNA was expressed at a greater abundance in androgenones than in gynogenones at the eight-cell and morula stages, consistent with previous studies. Xist expression was observed in both androgenones and gynogenones at the blastocyst stage. We conclude that the developmental arrest in early androgenones may be, in part, due to reduced expression of essential X-linked genes, particularly those near the X inactivation center, whereas the developmental defects of gynogenones and parthenogenones, by contrast, may be partially due to overexpression of X-linked genes in extraembryonic tissues, possibly those farthest away from the X inactivation center.
Superficial fascia--an appropriate anatomic boundary for excising warts on the foot.

. When performing wart surgery of the foot, it is necessary to excise the lesion to the level where the superficial fascia is visible. This approach minimizes painful scar formation and ensures complete removal of the wart.