cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect on chromosome stability of deleting replication origins.

Abstract The observed spacing between chromosomal DNA replication origins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is at least four times shorter than should be necessary to ensure complete replication of chromosomal DNA during the S phase. To test whether all replication origins are required for normal chromosome stability, the loss rates of derivatives of chromosome III from which one or more origins had been deleted were measured. In the case of a 61-kb circular derivative of the chromosome that has two highly active origins and one origin that initiates only 10 to 20% of the time, deletion of either highly active origin increased its rate of loss two- to fourfold. Deletion of both highly active origins caused the ring chromosome to be lost in approximately 20% of cell divisions. This very high rate of loss demonstrates that there are no efficient cryptic origins on the ring chromosome that are capable of ensuring its replication in the absence of the origins that are normally used. Deletion of the same two origins from the full-length chromosome III, which contains more than six replication origins, had no effect on its rate of loss. These results suggest that the increase in the rate of loss of the small circular chromosome from which a single highly active origin was deleted was caused by the failure of the remaining highly active origin to initiate replication in a small fraction (approximately 0.003) of cell cycles.
Barely random algorithms for multiprocessor scheduling

We consider randomized algorithms for on-line scheduling on identical machines. For two machines, a randomized algorithm achieving a competitive ratio of 4/3 was found by Bartal et al. (1995). Seiden has presented a randomized algorithm which achieves competitive ratios of 1.55665, 1.65888, 1.73376, 1.78295, and 1.81681, for m = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, respectively (Seiden, 2000). A barely random algorithm is one which is a distribution over a constant number of deterministic strategies. The algorithms of Bartal et al. and Seiden are not barely random--in fact, these algorithms potentially make a random choice for each job scheduled. We present the first barely random on-line scheduling algorithms. In addition, our algorithms use less space and time than the previous algorithms, asymptotically.
Large mineralogically distinct impact melt feature at Copernicus crater - Evidence for retention of compositional heterogeneity

[1] Despite several lines of evidence for efficient mixing of impact melt in complex craters, we document mineralogical heterogeneity in impact melt deposit on a scale of tens of kilometers on the Moon in the 96 km-diameter Copernicus crater. This heterogeneity is in the form of a large, sinuous impact melt feature on the floor and northern wall that is spectrally distinct from melt in its immediate vicinity. This melt feature spanning >30 km in length and 0.5–5 km in width has relatively short-wavelength, narrow ferrous absorption bands near ~900 nm and ~2000 nm indicating a more Mg-rich pyroxene composition as compared to impact melt deposit in the vicinity which is relatively rich in Fe/Ca-pyroxenes. This distinction provides evidence for the preservation of compositional heterogeneity in impact melt in complex craters on the Moon and documents an example of inefficient mixing of melt during the cratering process.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF QUILLAJA SAPONARIA MOL. SAPONINS

Quillaja saponaria Molina (quillaja, quillay, Bois de Panama, soaptree, soapbark), a tree endemic to Chile, has been used for over 100 years for the production of triterpenoid saponin-rich extracts. Quillaja extracts are approved for human consumption in the US, EC and Japan, and they are used as foaming agent in beverages (e.g. root beer), production of slush-type drinks, blood analysis and photographic emulsions. Purified saponins are also used as vaccine adjuvants due to their particular immunological properties. The total market size is estimated to be 200 tons/year of quillaja solids, with a market value over US $ 7 million.
Teleost luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone: action on bullfrog sympathetic ganglia is consistent with role as neurotransmitter

Bullfrog sympathetic ganglion neurons have a "late, slow" excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) that is mediated by a peptide similar to mammalian luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (M-LHRH) (Jan, Y. N., L. Y. Jan, and S. W. Kuffler (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 76: 1501-1505). On biochemical evidence (Eiden, L. E., E. Loumaye, N. Sherwood, and R. L. Eskay (1982) Peptides 3:323-327) the endogenous LHRH-like peptide in the ganglion may be identical to teleost LHRH (T-LHRH; [Trp7,Leu8]M-LHRH) (Sherwood, N., L. Eiden, M. Brownstein, J. Speiss, J. Rivier, and W. Vale (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 80: 2794-2798). We have found that T-LHRH acts qualitatively like M-LHRH on bullfrog ganglion cells, but it is quantitatively more potent. As for M-LHRH, the primary action of T-LHRH under single-electrode voltage clamp is to inhibit the M-current, a voltage-dependent potassium current that is active in the region between rest and threshold in these cells. The M-current is also inhibited during the late, slow EPSP. Both T-LHRH and the late, slow EPSP can also induce an additional inward current, associated with an increased conductance, in some cells. An LHRH antagonist is effective against both T-LHRH and the late, slow EPSP. These results are consistent with a role for T-LHRH as the natural transmitter for the late, slow EPSP in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia.
High-tech or field techs: Radio-telemetry is a cost-effective method for reducing bias in songbird nest searching

ABSTRACT We compared the efficacy of standard nest-searching methods with finding nests via radio-tagged birds to assess how search technique influenced our determination of nest-site characteristics and nest success for Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera). We also evaluated the cost-effectiveness of using radio-tagged birds to find nests. Using standard nest-searching techniques for 3 populations, we found 111 nests in locations with habitat characteristics similar to those described in previous studies: edges between forest and relatively open areas of early successional vegetation or shrubby wetlands, with 43% within 5 m of forest edge. The 83 nests found using telemetry were about half as likely (23%) to be within 5 m of forest edge. We spent little time searching >25 m into forest because published reports state that Golden-winged Warblers do not nest there. However, 14 nests found using telemetry (18%) were >25 m into forest. We modeled nest success using nest-searching method, nest age, ...
Other mechanical methods for pre-induction cervical ripening

Pre-induction cervical ripening is an important part of the labor induction process in women with an unfavorable cervix. This can be achieved either by pharmacologic or mechanical methods of cervical ripening. While the Foley catheter is the most commonly used mechanical method for labor induction, other mechanical methods are also available. This article reviews the safety profiles of osmotic dilators, extra-amniotic saline infusion, double-balloon catheters, and also compares their efficacy to that of other mechanical and pharmacologic cervical ripening methods. While mechanical methods have been shown to be safe and effective for cervical ripening, none of these alternatives has been shown to be superior to the Foley catheter.
Regulation of expression by divalent cations of a light-inducible gene in Arthrobacter photogonimos

Expression of the light-inducible (lipA) gene in Arthrobacter photogonimos is repressed by Ca2+ at a concentration greater than 0.1 μM. Expression of lipA was induced by relatively high concentrations of Zn2+ Ni2+ or Co2+ in cell suspensions, an effect that was blocked by an increase in the concentration of Ca2+ in the medium. Zn2+ and other metals apparently overcame repression by Ca2+ by competing for a cellular binding site. Expression of lipA was also induced when the amount of free Ca2+ was lowered with ethylene-bis (oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid (EGTA). Our results show that the lipA gene does not require Zn2+ or other divalent cation for expression and that it is regulated negatively by Ca2+. Accumulation of the mature product of this gene (light-inducible protein, LIP) was minimal in the presence of EGTA. Accumulation increased 10-to 20-fold when divalent cations such as Ca2+, Mn2+, Cu2+ or Zn2+ were added to cell suspensions treated with chelator. These divalent cations, which allowed the protein to achieve a protease-resistant form on the cell surface, could be substituted by protease inhibitors such as antipain, leupeptin or 1,10-phenanthroline. Our data can be explained by a biparous mechanism in which divalent cations regulate both expression of the lipA gene and accumulation of the gene product.
Management expert systems (M.E.S.): a framework for development and implementation

Abstract Managers frequently find themselves involved with problems in which decisions are difficult to reach due to the complexity of the problems or the number of factors involved. Furthermore, many such problems, particularly those dealing with strategic management issues, are problems in which there is no one “right” answer. This paper examines the development of expert systems in the strategic planning area by focusing on the strategic option of corporate divestment. This option is receiving increasing attention from managers; however, managers find it difficult to adequately integrate all factors that must be considered when reaching a decision. Further, there are relatively few “experts” available to firms considering such a move. Thus, this research proposes and describes the creation and development of an expert system to be applied to the general area of strategic management while using the divestment option as an example. The basic development concept could serve as a model for other uses of expert systems in the strategic planning field.
Consolidation paclitaxel is more cost-effective than bevacizumab following upfront treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Abstract Introduction Randomized trials have demonstrated significant improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) with consolidation paclitaxel (P) and bevacizumab (B) following cytoreduction and adjuvant carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness (C/E) of these consolidation strategies. Methods A decision model was developed based on Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) protocols #178 and #218. Arm 1 is 6 cycles of CP. Arm 2 is 6 cycles of CP followed by 12 cycles of P (CP+P). Arm 3 is 1 cycle of CP, 5 cycles of CPB, and 16 cycles of B (CPB+B). Parameters include PFS, overall survival (OS), cost, complications (neuropathy for P and bowel perforation for B), and quality-of-life utility values. Sensitivity analyses were performed. Results The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for CT+T is $13,402/quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained compared to CP. For CPB+B compared to CP, the ICER is $326,530/QALY. When compared simultaneously, CPB+B is dominated, i.e. is more costly and less effective than CP+P. Results were robust to parameter variation. At a willingness to pay threshold of $100,000/QALY, CP+P was the preferred option throughout most of the decision space. Sensitivity analyses suggest that CPB+B would become the preferred option if it were to improve OS by 6.1years over CP+P. Conclusions In this model, B consolidation for advanced EOC was associated with a modest improvement in effectiveness that is less than that with P consolidation and more costly. A statistically significant improvement in survival may improve the value of B consolidation.
Mesoscale fluxes over heterogeneous flat landscapes for use in larger scale models

Abstract We have developed a framework to parameterize mesoscale fluxes of heat, moisture, and momentum, in a cloud-free environment, which result from heterogeneous heating of flat land surfaces. The importance and parameterizability of these mesoscale fluxes is demonstrated using the mathematical concept of predictability. This methodology is used to estimate the relative importance of mesoscale, as contrasted with turbulent fluxes, in the Konza Prairie of Kansas during the FIFE field experiment.
Stochastic bandits with side observations on networks

We study the stochastic multi-armed bandit (MAB) problem in the presence of side-observations across actions. In our model, choosing an action provides additional side observations for a subset of the remaining actions. One example of this model occurs in the problem of targeting users in online social networks where users respond to their friends's activity, thus providing information about each other's preferences. Our contributions are as follows: 1) We derive an asymptotic (with respect to time) lower bound (as a function of the network structure) on the regret (loss) of any uniformly good policy that achieves the maximum long term average reward. 2) We propose two policies - a randomized policy and a policy based on the well-known upper confidence bound (UCB) policies, both of which explore each action at a rate that is a function of its network position. We show that these policies achieve the asymptotic lower bound on the regret up to a multiplicative factor independent of network structure. The upper bound guarantees on the regret of these policies are better than those of existing policies. Finally, we use numerical examples on a real-world social network to demonstrate the significant benefits obtained by our policies against other existing policies.
D.P.1 Next-generation sequencing approach for muscular dystrophy diagnosis: Advantages and pitfalls of new diagnostic technology

Abstract High-throughput – next generation sequencing technologies constitute the most promising current development in the field of human genomics given its potential tool to study even sporadic patients with undefined genetic conditions. Next generation sequencing techniques allow researchers to produce over 100 times more data compared to the most sophisticated capillary sequencers based on the Sanger method. In our lab we have developed nextgen-sequencing strategies, where all candidate muscular disorders genes are sequenced in parallel through either targeted re-sequencing or exome sequencing. We compared three approaches to nextgen sequencing in patients with suspected neuromuscular disorders; RainDance targeted amplification of 1841 amplimers covering the exons and exon/intron boundaries of 46 neuromuscular disorders genes, and exomic sequencing (with and without a 46 gene filtering step). The RainDance unit fuses individual microbubbles of the amplimer mix with patient DNA. The emulsion is then PCR amplified, and amplimers were sequenced using 2nd generation sequencing (Illumina HiScan SQ). In parallel, whole exome sequencing was done on muscular dystrophy patients and was analyzed with or without the 46 gene filter. Data was assembled and analyzed using the NextGENe software and variants were called and reported accordingly. This strategy has two main issues: (1) each subject shows a huge number of DNA private sequence variations and (2) copy number variations are usually not detected. Incorporating SNP haplotype analysis or the concomitant analysis of entire nuclear families with apparent autosomal recessive or de novo dominant patterns of inheritance helps address some of these problems. Using this highly parallel, rapid, and relatively inexpensive genotyping strategy we have identified a number of disease associated and novel mutations. Results confirm a high degree of genetic heterogeneity in neuromuscular disorders, and reaffirm the promise targeted.
Chorioretinal Degeneration in Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis

We studied two patients who had infantile malignant osteopetrosis, severe visual loss, and diminished electroretinogram amplitudes with visible macular chorioretinal degenerative changes. The findings support the hypothesis that a subgroup of patients with infantile malignant osteopetrosis exists in whom the visual loss is caused by a primary retinal degeneration that may be associated with generalized central nervous system neuronal degeneration.
Electrochemical surface oxidation of platinum

Abstract The surface oxidation of platinum in 1 N HClO 4 has been studied by means of the rigorous pre-treatment and fast “potentiodynamic” sequences previously described. Electrode capacitance was studied as a function of potential and surface coverage with “oxygen”. The capacitance was found to increase to a maximum with increasing anodic potential and to decrease with increasing extent of surface oxidation. A family of constant θ o capacitance/potential plots was approximated. Current/time and charge/time plots at constant potential were obtained by means of an anodic step. The results allow speculation on the mechanism of the surface oxidation. The reported disagreements for the capacitance of platinum in perchloric acid solution may be explained on the basis of varying extent of surface coverage with adsorbed impurities. On a clean surface, the capacitance rises from a value of 33 μF/cm 2 (on the basis of actual area) at +0·4 to a maximum of ∼170 μF/cm 2 at +1·5 V. The rise in capacitance with increase of potential is attributed not to the effect of “adsorbed oxygen” but to a change in the structure of the ionic double layer with rise in potential. Surface oxidation causes the capacitance to drop as does the adsorption of a neutral organic molecule. The measurement of current/time traces at constant potential allows the construction of charge/potential plots for any oxidation time. The 1-s points show a steeper rise at low potentials than previously reported. This again is ascribed to the properties of a clean compared with a contaminated surface. An inflexion in the 1-s plot at 1·6 ≤ U ≤ 1·8 suggests that the surface species at high potential ( U > 1·2 V) and large θ o may have PtO 2 stoichiometry. The frequency-dependence of the area under anodic potential/time sweeps also suggest that at high sweep speeds (and overvoltages) oxygen evolution becomes appreciable for θ o Analysis of the constant potential current/time traces indicates to an Elovitch-type relationship for 0·95 ≤ U ≤ 1·5 V. The (Elovitch) constant is found to vary with potential. The variation may be explained on the basis of PtO stroichiometry for U 2 stoichiometry for U > 1·2 V. For the high-potential region, I = n'k exp (— m θ o ) exp (α UFn / RT ), where n' = 4, k = 3·4 × 10 −4 mol/cm 2 s, m = 30, α = 0·47, n = 1. The argument can be qualitatively extended to the low potential range for which it is not possible to obtain unambiguous values of α.
Advances in Ventilatory Support of Critically Ill Children

Advances in pediatric medical practices often lag behind the progress made in adult patients, primarily because of the limited number of randomized, controlled, clinical trials. Recent advances in mechanical ventilation derived from successful application in adults include neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, noninvasive ventilation, and protective lung strategies. NAVA improves patient/ventilator synchrony and reduces the work of breathing, which allows for a decreased use of sedation. This should decrease the length of time patients are intubated and mechanically ventilated. The use of noninvasive ventilation eliminates the need for endotracheal tubes and complications associated with them including tracheal injury, pressure ulcers, issues with oral hygiene and ventilator associated pneumonia. Application of lung protective strategies to pediatric patients with acute lung injury and/or ARDS results in increased oxygenation, less lung injury, and improvements in morbidity and mortality.
New Lymphocyte Antigen System (Lna) Controlled by the Ir Region of the Mouse H-2 Complex

Abstract A new system of lymphocyte alloantigens in mice is described. This Lna (lymph-node antigen) system is associated with the Ir region of the H-2 (histocompatibility-2) gene complex. It has the following distinctive characteristics: (1) The gene or genes controlling these antigens has been mapped in the Ir (immune response) region between H-2K and Ss-Slp. (2) The antigens are most readily detectable on lymph-node cells, although they are also expressed on peripheral blood lymphocytes, splenic lymphocytes, and thymocytes. (3) Cytotoxicity against only about half of lymph-node cells is consistently observed. (4) Cytotoxic antibody titers against these antigens are strikingly high—more than 2000 by 51Cr-release and up to 100,000 in the microcytotoxic test. (5) At least two, probably allelic, forms of the antigen(s) have been defined, one associated with the H-2k haplotype and one with the H-2a haplotype. (6) Antisera against Lna contain multiple antibody specificities that can be fractionated by absorption either with certain recombinants or with other H-2 halotypes that have crossreactive antigens. The antisera against Lna may be of value for definition and characterization of the products of the Ir and MLR (mixed lymphocyte reaction stimulatory) genes associated with the H-2 complex.
Vortices in layered superconductors with Josephson coupling.

Strongly anisotropic layered superconductors are considered within the Lawrence-Doniach model. The differential finite-difference sine-Gordon equation is derived for the order-parameter phase differences; boundary conditions are formulated for a vortex lattice. The structure of a tilted vortex is considered. The line energy of a single tilted vortex and the free energy of a tilted vortex lattice in moderate magnetic fields are calculated. Deviations from the three-dimensional London theory are substantial for field orientations close to the layers. As the applied field approaches the {ital ab} plane, the orientational lock-in transition (tilted-parallel lattice) occurs provided {lambda}{sub {ital J}}{approx lt}{lambda}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}; here {lambda}{sub {ital J}}={gamma}{ital s} is the Josephson length, {gamma} is the anisotropy parameter, and {ital s} is the interlayer spacing. If {lambda}{sub {ital J}}{approx gt}{lambda}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}, the tilted lattice transforms first into a new type of vortex arrangement that consists of sets of coexisting parallel and perpendicular vortices (combined lattice). Then, as the field further approaches the {ital ab} plane, the combined lattice goes over to the parallel one. The angular dependence of the torque is evaluated for tilted, combined, and parallel lattices, which allows one to experimentally distinguish these phases.
Hemopoietin-initiated changes in differential retransplantability of mouse femoral marrow-derived colony-forming units (CFU).

SummaryThe spleen colony system was used to test in vivo effects of hemopoietins on the total and differential exocolonizing potential of A/J mouse marrow colony-forming units (CFU) transplanted serially into primary and secondary, supralethally irradiated, isogeneic hosts. The hemopoietins used were GPF (calf renal granulopoietic factor) and ESF (erythrocyte stimulating factor-rich anemic horse plasma).As measured by total and differential primary host spleen colony counts, GPF and ESF evoked a time-dependent increase in a pool of committed donor CFU. These CFU were transplantable from primary into secondary hosts without losing their hemopoietininitiated, cell line-specific commitment.The f-fraction remained within normal limits (0.112-0.125) in all experimental groups when primary host spleen cells were harvested at 24 hr and transplanted into secondary hosts. When the donor CFU were allowed to reside and replicate in the primary host spleen for 8 days before retransplantation into the secondary hosts,...
A novel 5.46 mW H.264/AVC video stream parser IC

This paper presents a 5.46 mW H.264/AVC Video Stream Parser implemented in 65 nm. The differences between targeting a video stream parser architecture for a 65 nm CMOS ASIC and a Virtex 5 FPGA are also compared. Overall, the ASIC implementations showed higher performance and lower area than an FPGA, with a 60% increase in performance and 6x decrease in area.
Discrimination of complex mixtures by a colorimetric sensor array: coffee aromas.

The analysis of complex mixtures presents a difficult challenge even for modern analytical techniques, and the ability to discriminate among closely similar such mixtures often remains problematic. Coffee provides a readily available archetype of such highly multicomponent systems. The use of a low-cost, sensitive colorimetric sensor array for the detection and identification of coffee aromas is reported. The color changes of the sensor array were used as a digital representation of the array response and analyzed with standard statistical methods, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). PCA revealed that the sensor array has exceptionally high dimensionality with 18 dimensions required to define 90% of the total variance. In quintuplicate runs of 10 commercial coffees and controls, no confusions or errors in classification by HCA were observed in 55 trials. In addition, the effects of temperature and time in the roasting of green coffee beans were readily ...
Multiple photoionization of free atoms

A brief review is given of the present status of the He2+/He+ ratio, the effect of Compton scattering on this ratio, and the effect of post-collision-interaction on the Auger decay of an Ar L-shell vacancy.
Psychological and Physiological Stress: Impact on Preterm Birth

Stress increases corticotropin-releasing hormone and may ultimately result in increased uterine contractility. Stress also increases cytokine production, which independently may lead to preterm birth or increase susceptibility to infection, thereby increasing the risk of preterm birth. Finally, stress may change health behaviors that lead to preterm birth. Research findings on the relationship between stress and preterm birth have been contradictory. In this article, the authors propose a model of the relationship between stress and preterm birth, evaluate the research on stress and pregnancy outcomes, and discuss the implications for nursing practice and research.
Coronary artery occlusion, a complication of thoracic aortography in a patient with calcific aortic stenosis.

Abstract An unusual case is reported in which thoracic aortography led to embolization of a coronary artery with material from a calcified aortic valve in a patient with calcific aortic stenosis.
Melanocyte stem cells

Pigmentation of mammalian hairs is mediated by specialized pigment-producing cells referred as melanocytes. Hair pigmentation is tightly linked with hair regeneration cycles, where melanocytes proliferate and differentiate during the hair growth phase, but depleted by apoptosis during the regression phase. This periodical appearance of melanocytes is maintained by a small pool of immature stem cells residing in the hair follicle. Melanocyte stem cells offer an advantageous model by which to elucidate molecular basis of stem cell regulation, since genetic alterations affecting melanocyte regulation result in visible and yet viable phenotypes. Hence, by integrating melanocyte-specific in vivo gene manipulation approach and the subsequent phenotype analysis, melanocyte stem cell system provide an irresistible clue to identify key molecules for the stem cell regulation. Consolidation of such data would ultimately reveal an entire molecular network underlying the regulation of stem cells, which would not only contribute complete understanding of stem cell biology, but also provide valuable insights into medical application of stem cells.
The ebrary Electronic Books Platform

Ebrary is a web-based platform designed primarily for reading publisher-provided electronic books and for viewing library-created user content. While ebrary offers e-books and purchasing models for many types of customers, including academic libraries, public libraries, and corporations, it has a large selection of titles available for health sciences libraries in a variety of disciplines. This review will assess the content, navigation, and search functions of the ebrary platform and will describe some possible issues with the platform of which medical libraries should be aware.
Flow cytometric detection and quantitation of immune complexes using human C1q-coated microspheres.

Abstract A solid phase human C1q-binding fluorescent immunoassay for the measurement of immune complexes in human serum was developed. The solid phase used was 5 μm diameter polystyrene microspheres. Serum immune complexes bound to the C1q-coated microspheres were measured by flow cytometry using fluoresceinated anti-human IgG, and heat-aggregated human IgG as a standard. Patient samples were assayed and results compared to a standard fluoroimmunometric C1q-binding immune complex assay. Greater differences in circulating immune complexes were observed between the healthy control group mean and the mean of the patient values in the microsphere-flow cytometric method than were seen in the standard assay. In the microsphere-flow cytometric assay, the mean patient value was 7.5 times greater than the control mean, whereas in the standard assay the mean patient value was 2.8 times the control mean. Preliminary results suggest greater sensitivity of the microsphere-flow cytometric method over the other method.
Molecular Mechanism Underlying Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate-induced Inhibition of SpIH Channels

Many ion channels have been shown to be regulated by the membrane signaling phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Here, we demonstrate that the binding of PIP2 to SpIH, a sea urchin hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel (HCN), has a dual effect: potentiation and inhibition. The potentiation is observed as a shift in the voltage dependence of activation to more depolarized voltages. The inhibition is observed as a reduction in the currents elicited by the partial agonist cGMP. These two effects were separable and arose from PIP2 binding to two different regions. Deletion of the C-terminal region of SpIH removed PIP2-induced inhibition but not the PIP2-induced shift in voltage dependence. Mutating key positively charged amino acids in the C-terminal region adjacent to the membrane selectively disrupted PIP2-induced inhibition, suggesting a direct interaction between PIP2 in the membrane and amino acids in the C-terminal region that stabilizes the closed state relative to the open state in HCN channels.
Cerebral Lateralization of Pitch Cues in the Linguistic Signal

Abstract Linguistic analyses of tone and intonation, as well as experimental and clinical studies of pitch in the speech signal, indicate that pitch cues play various roles in language behavior. These different functions, occurring at different levels of grammar, are located along a continuum of linguistic structure from most structured (e.g., tones) to least structured (e.g. voice quality). Hemispheric laterality studies show that highly structured pitch contrasts are associated with left cerebral processing, whereas least structured pitch cues are specialized to the right hemisphere. Intermediate functional roles of pitch, those conveyed on intonation contours, which are made up of intricate meshings of both all‐or‐none and graded phenomena, are correspondingly ambiguous with respect to laterality. The studies reviewed lead to the conclusion that pitch in the acoustic signal is processed in the brain according to its functional context, properties of which may be specialized in either hemisphere.
Dimers on the kagome lattice II: Correlations and the Grassmannian approach

In this paper we continue our consideration of closed-packed dimers on the kagome lattice. Using the Pfaffian approach we evaluate the correlation between dimers on two lattice edges. It is found that the correlation is extremely short-ranged in the case of symmetric dimers weights. Explicit expressions for the nonvanishing correlations are obtained for two dimers in the interior of a large lattice. We also describe a Grassmannian functional integral approach, and use it to evaluate the dimer generating function and correlation functions.
A Unified Nonlinear Adaptive Approach for Detection and Isolation of Engine Faults

A challenging problem in aircraft engine health management (EHM) system development is to detect and isolate faults in system components (i.e., compressor, turbine), actuators, and sensors. Existing nonlinear EHM methods often deal with component faults, actuator faults, and sensor faults separately, which may potentially lead to incorrect diagnostic decisions and unnecessary maintenance. Therefore, it would be ideal to address sensor faults, actuator faults, and component faults under one unified framework. This paper presents a systematic and unified nonlinear adaptive framework for detecting and isolating sensor faults, actuator faults, and component faults for aircraft engines. The fault detection and isolation (FDI) architecture consists of a parallel bank of nonlinear adaptive estimators. Adaptive thresholds are appropriately designed such that, in the presence of a particular fault, all components of the residual generated by the adaptive estimator corresponding to the actual fault type remain below their thresholds. If the faults are sufficiently different, then at least one component of the residual generated by each remaining adaptive estimator should exceed its threshold. Therefore, based on the specific response of the residuals, sensor faults, actuator faults, and component faults can be isolated. The effectiveness of the approach was evaluated using the NASA C-MAPSS turbofan engine model, and simulation results are presented.
Incremental validation of XML documents

We investigate the incremental validation of XML documents with respect to DTDs, specialized DTDs, and XML Schemas, under updates consisting of element tag renamings, insertions, and deletions. DTDs are modeled as extended context-free grammars. "Specialized DTDs" allow the decoupling of element types from element tags. XML Schemas are abstracted as specialized DTDs with limitations on the type assignment. For DTDs and XML Schemas, we exhibit an O(m log n) incremental validation algorithm using an auxiliary structure of size O(n), where n is the size of the document and m the number of updates. The algorithm does not handle the incremental validation of XML Schema wrt renaming of internal nodes, which is handled by the specialized DTDs incremental validation algorithm. For specialized DTDs, we provide an O(m log2n) incremental algorithm, again using an auxiliary structure of size O(n). This is a significant improvement over brute-force re-validation from scratch.We exhibit a restricted class of DTDs called local that arise commonly in practice and for which incremental validation can be done in practically constant time by maintaining only a list of counters. We present implementations of both general incremental validation and local validation on an XML database built on top of a relational database.Our experimentation includes a study of the applicability of local validation in practice, results on the calibration of parameters of the auxiliary data structure, and results on the performance comparison between the general incremental validation technique, the local validation technique, and brute-force validation from scratch.
The enfolding arms of EcoRI endonuclease: Role in DNA binding and cleavage

The N-terminal segments of the EcoRI endonuclease dimer form part of mobile "arms" that encircle DNA in the recognition complex. By treating endonuclease-TCGCGAATTCGCG complexes with proteases, we have prepared a series of deletion derivatives lacking defined segments of the N-terminal region. The 5-12 segment is essential for DNA cleavage and forms one electrostatic interaction (per subunit) with DNA phosphate. These ionic contacts are directly across the double helix from the scissile phosphodiester bonds; they thus may permit the enfolding arms to immobilize DNA in apposition to the catalytic cleft and/or contribute to the unusual "kinked" conformation of DNA in the complex. Sequence specificity is fully retained when 28 residues are deleted from the N-terminus, but the complexes dissociate more rapidly.
Myelinated afferents sprout into lamina II of L3-5 dorsal horn following chronic constriction nerve injury in rats.

Abstract In order to investigate the consequences of chronic constriction injury (CCI) to nerve, we explored the relationship between the development of mechanical allodynia and the reorganization of primary afferent terminals in the sensory lamina of the rat spinal cord dorsal horn. Following sciatic CCI neuropathy, mechanical allodynia developed in the corresponding footpad within two weeks and persisted throughout the experimental period which extended for an additional two weeks. The neuropathy of the sciatic injury includes extensive Wallerian-like degeneration of myelinated fibers but relative sparing of unmyelinated fibers. We observed that there was no significant change in the dorsal horn termination of unmyelinated C fibers in lamina II of the dorsal horn, using nerve injections of wheat germ agglutin-horseradish peroxidase for transganglionic axonal tracing of these fibers from the nerve injury site, and no evidence of sprouting into adjacent lamina. In contrast, myelinated afferent fibers were observed to be sprouting into lamina II of the dorsal horn, as indicated by cholera toxin β-subunit-horseradish peroxidase retrograde axonal tracings. This region of the dorsal horn is associated with nociceptive-specific neurons that are not generally associated with myelinated fiber input from mechanical and proprioceptive receptors. As previously suggested in nerve transection and crush injuries, and now demonstrated in CCI neuropathy, these morphological changes may have significance in the pathogenesis of chronic mechanical allodynia.
Regulation of endothelial cell morphogenesis by the protein kinase D (PKD)/glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)β pathway

Vascular morphogenesis is a key process for development, reproduction, and pathogenesis. Thus understanding the mechanisms of this process is of pathophysiological importance. Despite the fact that...
The interaction of age and unconditioned stimulus intensity on long-trace conditioned flavor aversion in rats.

To see if the neural representation of the conditioned stimulus (CS) is available to old-age rats beyond the time it is available to young adults, the intensity of the unconditioned stimulus (US) and the length of the CS-US interval were systematically varied in a trace conditioning experiment. Results indicated that increasing US intensity extends the interval over which trace conditioning is evident in old-age rats but not in young adults, suggesting that trace decay occurs more rapidly in young rats. Results were interpreted in terms of age differences in the workings of hypothesized biochemical timing mechanisms that may directly influence the ability to associate stimuli over trace intervals in conditioned taste-aversion procedures.
Purification of meta-cresol purple and cresol red by flash chromatography: Procedures for ensuring accurate spectrophotometric seawater pH measurements

Abstract Impurities in sulphonephthalein indicator salts can result in significant errors in seawater pH determinations. To ensure suitable measurement accuracy and intercomparability on a global basis, impurities must be removed from all indicators used for oceanographic CO 2 system analyses. Previous work has described an effective HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) procedure for purification of meta-cresol purple, but the technique is labor-intensive, with each HPLC run producing only a small batch of purified indicator. This work describes the use of flash chromatography to more efficiently produce large batches of purified meta-cresol purple (mCP) and cresol red (CR), the preferred indicators for direct water column determinations of seawater pH. Several batches of unrefined mCP and CR of independent origin were prepared by flash chromatography. Indicator purity was then assessed in two ways: by (a) HPLC verification and (b) pH measurements of highly buffered solutions. HPLC chromatograms of the various flash-prepared mCPs indicated that the process did not always result in a completely pure product. In terms of performance, however – i.e., pH measurements of highly buffered solutions – no differences were observed between an HPLC-purified reference mCP and the flash-purified mCPs. HPLC examination of the flash-purified CRs indicated that every product was free of detectable impurities. No differences were seen in comparative pH measurements made with the purified CRs. The flash chromatography procedures outlined in this work are suitable for producing bulk quantities of mCP and CR for use in high-precision spectrophotometric pH measurements in seawater.
A neural design for solution of the maximal independent set problem

Abstract A new, artificial neural structure is presented for generating maximal independent sets of a graph. Although other authors have attempted to solve the maximum independent set problem with analog neural networks, we focus herein on the problem of generating all, or several, maximal independent sets so that the likelihood of ‘covering’ all nodes in a graph is high. The design proposed is extremely fast, even in simulation on a conventional computer, and does not encounter difficulty determining both maximal and independent sets (as conventional approaches may). Empirical results suggest that the neural approach easily generates several maximal independent sets, and tends to cover all nodes of the graph in the sets generated. In comparison with a heuristic for finding the maximum independent set, the approach also works well; more often than not, it finds larger sets than does the heuristic.
Surgeons and Interventional Radiologists: Doing What’s Best for the Patient

Opportunities have broadened for the early detection and cure of early stage breast cancer through screening mammography. The gains realized may be offset by overinterpretation of mammographic abnormalities, leading to an excessive number of breast biopsies. This is particularly true in an era of emerging technology, such as stereotactic core needle biopsy. Other than overuse, the major issues to be discussed in this report include a review of the currently available information on this technology, especially as it relates to accurately diagnosing breast cancer, an analysis of the training and experience characteristics necessary for physicians to perform the procedure, the collaboration of the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Radiology, and the College of American Pathologists to set national standards, and the credentialing of physicians performing stereotactic core needle biopsy of the breast. The guiding principle in all these deliberations has been to keep quality patient care in perspective rather than placing the patient in the middle of potential conflict between physicians from different specialties.
Regulation of resynthesis of the CO2‐acceptor in photosynthesis. Feedback inhibition of transketolase

The presence of ribulose-5-phosphate epimerase (EC 5.1.3.1, epimerase) in samples of ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.6, isomerase) obtained from spinach (Spinacea aleracea L. cv. Bloomsdale Long Standing) was determined using (i) a sampling procedure which measured the quantity of xylulose-5-phosphate formed in the reaction mixture and (ii) a coupled enzyme assay in which the rate of oxidation of NADH was measured after establishing steady-state concentrations of xylulose-5-phosphate, dihydroxacetonephosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate by the action of epimerase, transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1), triosephosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.1) and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.8). In preparations where the ratio of isomerase to epimerase activities was less than 100, both assay procedures yielded valid indications of epimerase activity. The steady-state assay system was found, however, to seriously underestimate epimerase activity in enzyme preparations which were enriched in isomerase. Cross plots of epimerase activity determined by the sampling and steady-state procedures demonstrated that an inhibitor of the coupling enzyme mixture was formed in the presence of high relative concentrations of the isomerase. The inhibited coupling enzyme mixture was fully active with glycer-aldehyde-3-phosphate. Inhibition of the coupling enzyme mixture was attributed to transketolase. Feedback inhibition of transketolase is proposed to be of physiological significance in the photosynthesis cycle, operating to restrict resynthesis of CO2-acceptor under conditions where high steady-state concentrations of the intermediates of the photosynthesis cycle are maintained.
Use of Caley-Menger determinants in the calculation of molecular structures

Abstract An algorithm has been developed for the direct calculation of molecular structure in the semimetric, distance table representation. The algorithm is based on the Caley-Menger determinant, and an imbeddability theorem taken from distance geometry. An an example, the excluded volume of the tripeptide alanyl-alanyl-alanine has been computed.
Inferring Fuzzy Cognitive Map models for Gene Regulatory Networks from gene expression data

Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) represent the causal relations among the genes and provide insight on the cellular functions and the mechanism of the diseases. GRNs can be inferred from gene expression data by a number of algorithms, e.g. Boolean networks, Bayesian networks, and differential equations. While reliable inference of GRNs is still an open problem, new algorithms need to be developed. Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) is used to represent GRNs in this paper. Most of the FCM learning algorithms are able to learn FCMs with less than 40 nodes. A new algorithm that is able to learn FCMs with more than 100 nodes is proposed. The proposed method is based on Ant Colony Optimization (ACO). A decomposed approach is proposed to reduce the dimension of the problem; therefore the FCM learning algorithm is more scalable (the dimension of the problem to be solved in one ACO run equals to the number of nodes or genes). The proposed approach is tested on data from DREAM project. The experiment results suggest the proposed approach outperforms several other algorithms.
Community and family approaches to combating the radicalization and recruitment of Somali-American youth and young adults: A psychosocial perspective

Between late 2007 and autumn 2008, an estimated 18 or more Somali-American adolescent boys and young men living in the Minneapolis area secretly left their homes and flew to Somalia to join militant extremist training camps run by the Al Shabaab extremist organization. Political instability in Somalia, the 2006 Ethiopian invasion, social difficulties in US refugee communities, family instability, and local networks, all adeptly exploited by extremist recruiters, have together created contextual risks for violent radicalization amongst those Somalis resettled as refugees in the US as children and adolescents. While existing terrorism prevention efforts may interact with the community and family processes that influence radicalization and recruitment, the lack of adequate conceptualization of these processes poses a major challenge. In particular, it impedes progress in the development of prevention strategies. In this paper we examine the situation of Somalis in Minnesota from a psychosocial perspective. S...