cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assured Stability of Drillstrings Equipped With Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) Bits

Drillstrings equipped with PDC bits are commonly used to drill for oil, gas and geothermal energy. Drillstring instability — defined as the tendency of self-excited vibrations (chatter) to grow with time — causes failure of PDC bits as well as pipe joints. This problem becomes particularly severe in deep wells and hard rock. Much work has been performed in predicting stability. Bit and drillstring geometry as well as rock type affect stability. In this paper, we propose a scheme to assure stability for a given drillstring regardless of bit geometry, utilizing the desired drilling parameters. The effect of bit geometry and rock type in the classic stability analysis are replaced by the drilling parameters, namely: weight-ob-bit (WOB), rate of penetration (ROP) and speed (RPM). Experimental data obtained at Sandia National Labs, Albuquerque, N.M. is used to verify the assured stability equation. This approach is much simpler that classic stability analysis.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Non‐contraceptive uses and benefits of combined oral contraception

Key content Dysmenorrhoea can be treated successfully with combined oral contraceptives. Combined oral contraceptives have been shown to reduce and regulate menstrual bleeding. Combined oral contraceptives can treat acne in women also desiring contraception. Severe premenstrual syndrome may respond to drospirenone-containing combined oral contraceptives. Use of combined oral contraceptives decreases the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer. Learning objectives To explain the role of combined oral contraceptives in reducing the risk of cancer. To identify the uses of combined oral contraceptives in treating gynaecological problems such as dysmenorrhoea, abnormal uterine bleeding, premenstrual syndrome, acne, hirsutism and polycystic ovary syndrome. Ethical issues Compared with preventing pregnancy, the risk/benefit profile of combined oral contraceptives for non-contraceptive indications may be different and women should be counseled according to their individual circumstance.
Addressing the Lack of Measurement Invariance for the Measure of Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution

The Measure of Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution (MATE) was constructed to be a single-factor instrument that assesses an individual's overall acceptance of evolutionary theory. The MATE was validated and the scores resulting from the MATE were found to be reliable for the population of inservice high school biology teachers. However, many studies have utilized the MATE for different populations, such as university students enrolled in a biology or genetics course, high school students, and preservice teachers. This is problematic because the dimensionality and reliability of the MATE may not be consistent across populations. It is not uncommon in science education research to find examples where scales are applied to novel populations without proper assessment of the validity and reliability. In order to illustrate this issue, a case study is presented where the dimensionality of the MATE is evaluated for a population of non-science major preservice elementary teachers. With this objective in mind, f...
Evidence for Functional Diversity between the Voltage-Gated Proton Channel Hv1 and Its Closest Related Protein HVRP1

The Hv1 channel and voltage-sensitive phosphatases share with voltage-gated sodium, potassium, and calcium channels the ability to detect changes in membrane potential through voltage-sensing domains (VSDs). However, they lack the pore domain typical of these other channels. NaV, KV, and CaV proteins can be found in neurons and muscles, where they play important roles in electrical excitability. In contrast, VSD-containing proteins lacking a pore domain are found in non-excitable cells and are not involved in neuronal signaling. Here, we report the identification of HVRP1, a protein related to the Hv1 channel (from which the name Hv1 Related Protein 1 is derived), which we find to be expressed primarily in the central nervous system, and particularly in the cerebellum. Within the cerebellar tissue, HVRP1 is specifically expressed in granule neurons, as determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Analysis of subcellular distribution via electron microscopy and immunogold labeling reveals that the protein localizes on the post-synaptic side of contacts between glutamatergic mossy fibers and the granule cells. We also find that, despite the similarities in amino acid sequence and structural organization between Hv1 and HVRP1, the two proteins have distinct functional properties. The high conservation of HVRP1 in vertebrates and its cellular and subcellular localizations suggest an important function in the nervous system.
Transverse colon diverticulitis: successful nonoperative management in four patients. Report of four cases.

PURPOSE: Diverticulitis of the transverse colon is a rare disorder and is often confused with other conditions. Previously reported cases of transverse colon diverticulitis were diagnosed and treated by surgical exploration. Four cases are presented that were successfully managed with a nonsurgical approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: Review of the literature in English disclosed 31 cases of transverse colon diverticulitis. The clinical characteristics and management of these patients are reviewed and compared with the current series of patients. The utility of computerized tomography in the diagnosis of diverticulitis is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Medical therapy with bowel rest and antibiotics is appropriate for transverse colon diverticulitis when free perforation and peritoneal signs are absent and the inflammation is contained, as shown by computerized tomography. Operative exploration should be reserved for patients with diffuse peritonitis or those where perforated colon cancer cannot be excluded.
Faculty training initiative at the indiana university school of education: a participative effort

Studies show that for university faculty members, the effort to keep pace with new technology has created a significant rise in stress, and this technology-induced strain can contribute to increased exhaustion and reduced workplace satisfaction. Studies also show that professors are more satisfied with technology if they have received training. In addition, professors are more likely to accept technology training if provided with an incentive.During the fall semester of 2001, the Dean of the Indiana University (IU) School of Education proposed a laptop-for-training project for School of Education faculty. Participants-who must be full-time faculty-would take possession of a new laptop computer after completion of a prescribed course of technology training. In conjunction with an advisory group, the IU School of Education Technology Services and Instructional Consulting decided on 16 hours as a requirement and began offering a multitude of technology training sessions. Of 197 professors in the IU Bloomington School of Education, 60 applied in the first round. (Enrollment will be offered once per semester.In addition to the workshops offered by the two technology services, the training committee has identified faculty participants who would be able and willing to teach workshops. The targeted instructors are offered two hours of laptop credit for every hour spent in the classroom. Faculty response has been positive; thus far, of the 33 internally-produced workshops, faculty members have taught 18. All Laptop Initiative participants have been given a choice of enrolling in offerings in-house or elsewhere in the University.The Faculty Laptop Training Initiative continues to be in full operation as of this writing. With the assistance of the committee members, faculty participants are continuing to enroll in technology workshops. Given the enthusiasm for training, and considering the rapidly developing technology environment, committee members hope to make the training effort an ongoing program that outlasts the immediate laptop initiative project.
Characterization of a zinc blotting technique: evidence that a retroviral gag protein binds zinc.

Abstract We have characterized a simple method that uses 65ZnCl2 to detect zinc-binding proteins that have been immobilized on nitrocellulose. Conditions have been identified that permit the detection of as little as 1 microgram of some zinc-binding proteins. The specificity of the binding is indicated by the ability of other divalent metal ions to compete with 65Zn(II) in this assay. We have used this technique to provide evidence that the nucleic acid-binding gag protein of retroviruses also binds zinc. This technique can be applied to biological mixtures of proteins and may be used in proteolytic mapping studies to identify protein fragments that have zinc-binding activity.
NKAIN1–SERINC2 is a functional, replicable and genome-wide significant risk gene region specific for alcohol dependence in subjects of European descent

Objective We aimed to identify novel, functional, replicable and genome-wide significant risk regions specific for alcohol dependence using genome-wide association studies (GWASs).
Netrins and netrin receptors.

The formation of precise connections between neurons and their targets during development is dependent on extracellular guidance cues that allow growing axons to navigate to their targets. One family of such guidance molecules, conserved across all species examined, is that of the netrin/UNC-6 proteins. Netrins act to both attract and repel the growing axons of a broad range of neuronal cell types during development and are also involved in controling neuronal cell migration. These actions are mediated by specific receptor complexes containing either the colorectal cancer (DCC) or neogenin protein, in the case of the attractive receptor, or UNC-5-related proteins, in the case of the repellent receptor. Recent work has identified a key role for intracellular cyclic nucleotide levels in regulating the nature of the response of the growing axon to netrins as either attractive or repulsive. Netrin-DCC signaling has also been shown to regulate cell death in epithelial cells in vitro, raising the interesting possibility that netrins may also regulate cell death in the developing nervous system.
Günter Blobel--still passionate after all these years.

Abstract What one word best describes Gunter Blobel? Answer: passion. Almost all of the nearly 200 investigators who have worked in the Blobel laboratory in the past quarter century would describe him as highly enthusiastic, intense and, above all, passionate. Whether it was in the early days of the signal hypothesis, the initial characterization of nuclear pores and lamina or his more recent foray into rebuilding the historic German City of Dresden, Gunter attacks every project with unbridled passion, intensity, boundless energy and determination.
Transfer of resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris into Brassica oleracea L. by protoplast fusion

Black rot caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris is one of the most serious diseases of Brassica oleracea. Since sources of resistance to the disease within B. oleracea are insufficient and control means are limited, the development of resistant breeding lines is extremely desirable. Certain lines of B. napus contain very high resistance controlled by a dominant gene, but crossing the two species sexually is very difficult. Therefore, somatic hybrids were produced by protoplast fusion between rapid cycling B. oleracea and a B. napus line highly resistant to X. campestris pv campestris. Hybrid identity was confirmed by morphological studies, flow cytometric estimation of nuclear DNA content, and analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Inoculations with the pathogen identified four somatic hybrids with high resistance. The resistant hybrid plants were fertile and set seed when selfed or crossed reciprocally to the bridge line ‘15’ (Quazi 1988). Direct crosses to B. oleracea were unsuccessful, but embryo rescue facilitated the production of a first-backcross generation. The BC1 plants were resistant to the pathogen. Progeny from the crosses to ‘line 15’ were all susceptible. Embryo rescue techniques were not obligatory for the development of a second-backcross generation, and several resistant BC2 plants were obtained.
The Diary of Florence Atkinson, 1883-1886

Sharkely describes the contents of a diary of Florence Atkinson, a young American womam who who goes to Argentina to teach. The diary of Florence Atkinson reflects the stereotyped image of the 19th century liberal. Philosophically well-intentioned, she was, in practice, incapable of assimilating people and circumstances foreign to her Anglo-American background. When she discovered that the provincial Argentines were very different from North Americans and that they could not or would not embrace those changes necessary to change them into North Americans, she retreated in disillusionment.
SU‐F‐BRA‐01: Object‐Based Analysis of Spatial Concordance Between Coregistered Images of Intratumoral Uptake of [18F]FLT and Distribution of Cell Proliferation Markers

Purpose: To propose a new objective method for deformable coregistration of multimodality images acquired with digital autoradiography (DAR) and microscopy in the context of PET tracer histopathological validation. To analyze the spatial concordance between the uptake pattern of 18F‐fluorothymidine (FLT) as imaged with DAR and the distribution of cell proliferation as revealed by immunofluorescence microscopy imaging.Methods: Tumor‐bearing mice were injected with FLT and other markers including bromodeoxyuridine (cell proliferation). After sacrifice, tumors were excised, frozen and sectioned. Multiple stacks of sequential 8μm sections were collected from each tumor. Selected sections were used for DAR to image FLT uptake distribution. Adjacent sections were used to acquire histopathological data. To correct for imperfections of the tissue cutting and collection, all images were deformably coregistered to the FLT DAR image based on biological images of tumorblood flow (Hoechst) that was acquired from each tissue section used. For each FLT DAR — cell proliferation microscopy image pair, object‐based analysis was conducted, including overlap and relative operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Results: Total registration error of proposed coregistration method was 44.86μm. This supersedes current rigid registration methods with reported errors of 100–200μm. In tumors with well‐compartmentalized functional aspects, area under the ROC curve (AUCroc= 0.7) indicated FLT DAR image thresholding as an accurate method of detecting cell proliferation. For these tumors, Dice overlap index indicated maximum detection rates at thresholds between 20% and 40% of the maximum DAR intensity. For the tumors characterized by more heterogeneous distribution of cell proliferation across the tumor section, FLT DAR image thresholding could not predict cell proliferation beyond random chance. Conclusions: We developed a comprehensive method of obtaining and analyzing coregistered images of cell proliferation markers and intratumoral uptake of FLT. Tumor microenvironment heterogeneity is a significant factor affecting the utility of FLT for imagingcell proliferation.
First Steps: Participants and Outcomes of a Maternity Support Services Program

Objective To describe characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of participants in a maternity support program and to compare these characteristics and outcomes with those for women who were eligible for, but did not participate in, the program. Design Descriptive, ex post facto. Setting An inland northwest city. Participants Two hundred twenty postpartum patients who received Medicaid during their pregnancy. Main Outcome Measure Quantitative data were obtained from a structured interview that gathered demographic information. Subjects also completed the Social Support Apgar, an investigator‐designed instrument. Results Demographic characteristics and overall pregnancy outcomes were similar for program participants and nonparticipants; however, more program participants than nonparticipants quit smoking during their pregnancy. Conclusions Findings are consistent with results documented by other researchers on the effectiveness of similar programs in different locales. The findings support the need for continued efforts to better define appropriate target populations, interventions, and expectations for these programs.
Fibrin glue system for brachytherapy of glioblastoma with RE‐88 and RE‐186 labeled microspheres

Brain tumors such as glioblastoma recur in their original location in almost 50% of the cases. To prevent this we developed a radiopharmaceutical system that can be applied as a gel immediately after resection of a brain tumor to deliver local booster doses. The gel, which strongly adheres to tissue in the treatment area, consists of fibrin glue containing the β-emitters Re-188 and Re-186 in microsphere-bound form. Its radioisotope-dependent maximum treatment range in tissue is 11 and 6 mm, respectively. The dosimetry of this fibrin glue system was determined using gafchromic film measurements. No toxic effects were seen in vivo, but histological examination showed dose-dependent radiation effects. The effectiveness of Re-188/Re-186-containing fibrin glue was demonstrated in a rodent glioblastoma model. All control animals died within 17 ± 3 days, whereas 60% of the treated animals survived 36 days, the final length of the experiment.
Synthesis and sulfatase inhibitory activities of non-steroidal estrone sulfatase inhibitors.

Abstract About one-third of breast cancers are classified as estrogen-dependent breast cancers. In the past 10 years, numerous reports have suggested the importance of estrone sulfate and estrone sulfatase in regulating the supply of estrogens to these cancers. Estrone sulfatase inhibitors may thus prove to be useful for the treatment of these diseases. Several research groups have reported the development of estrone sulfatase inhibitors, and estrone-3-O-sulfamate has been shown to be the most potent sulfatase inhibitor. However, a recent report indicated that estrone may be released during the inactivation of sulfatase by estrone-3-O-sulfamate and rendered the inhibitor to be estrogenic. Therefore, there is a need for a potent non-steroidal sulfatase inhibitor that is metabolically stable, more selective, and lacking estrogenic activity. We developed a series of (p-O-sulfamoyl)-N-alkanoyl tyramines, and they proved to be potent estrone sulfatase inhibitors. Using human placental micro-some as the enzyme source, the best inhibitor in this series, compound 18, has an IC 50 of 55.8 nM. Another potent inhibitor in this series, compound 17, exhibited time-dependent inactivation of sulfatase when incubated at various concentrations (0.2–1.0 μM) of the inhibitor. Estrone sulfate partially blocked the inactivation of the enzyme by the compound, indicating that the compound inactivated sulfatase at the active site. The irreversible nature of the enzyme-inhibitor interaction was supported by irreversibility studies. Thus, (p-O-sulfamoyl)-N-alkanoyl tyramines represent a new series of non-steroidal estrone sulfatase inhibitor.
Stark mixing of 2S muonic helium. II. Molecular and multiple-scattering effects in hydrogen

The rectilinear-trajectory coupled-equation method is extended in this paper to collisions of \ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\mu}(2S) with molecular ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$. An efficient quadrature is formulated to integrate over the reaction probabilities and obtain the cross section that is dominated by trajectories passing close to one or the other nucleus. Molecular effects are found to increase the cross section by only 1--2 % above twice the atomic value. Coherent effects in multiple scattering by more than one molecule in a high-density (or condensed) medium are also examined and shown to be negligible.
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: effect of water on the catalytic properties of a Co/SiO2 catalyst

Abstract The effect of water on the catalytic properties of a Co/SiO 2 catalyst (12.4 wt.%) during Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis was investigated in a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) using two approaches: (1) changing the space velocity to change the CO conversion and therefore the water partial pressure and (2) by adding varying amounts of water into the feed gas. Even at a space velocity of 1 SL/g catalyst/h at a CO conversion of about 75%, the catalyst displayed very high stability. The addition of water in the range of 5–25% (vol.%) increased the CO conversion. Continuous addition of small amounts of water (5 vol.%) over a period of days caused an increase of CO conversion and did not have a significant effect on the catalyst deactivation; however, for larger amounts of water, continuous addition resulted in a severe catalyst deactivation.
Programmable electromagnetic pulse shaping

This paper provides an overview of reprogrammable arbitrary-waveform generation (electromagnetic pulse shaping) enabled by optical pulse shaping technology. Here, generation of wideband millimeter-wave signals, ultra-broadband radio-frequency and microwave waveforms, as well as tunable continuous-wave microwave tones are discussed. Example waveforms exhibiting user-defined temporal and spectral structure at center frequencies from 50 GHz and fractional bandwidths ranging over % BW = 0 – ∼170 % are provided. Several applications are also briefly discussed.
A companion quasar to 3C345

The discovery of a new quasistellar object (QSO) which presents the strongest evidence to date for the membership of quasars in rich clusters is reported. During X-ray observations of quasar 3C345, a serendipitous X-ray source located 8 arcmin northeast of the quasar was discovered. The observed flux of the new source is 3.2 x 10 to the -13th erg/sq cm/sec in the 0.5-4.5 keV band. Three separate observations over a six-month period failed to show intensity variability in excess of the statistical uncertainty in the count rate. The spectrum shows a modest signal-to-noise ratio but four strong emission lines. It is suggested that the redshift agreement between the two QSOs indicates a common membership in a cluster of galaxies which may well be a rich cluster.
Learning uncertainty models for reliable operation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

We discuss the problem of learning uncertainty models of ocean processes to assist in the operation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) in the ocean. We focus on the prediction of ocean currents, which have significant effect on the navigation of AUVs. Available models provide accurate prediction of ocean currents, but they typically do not provide confidence estimates of these predictions. We propose augmenting existing prediction methods with variance measures based on Gaussian Process (GP) regression. We show that commonly used measures of variance in GPs do not accurately reflect errors in ocean current prediction, and we propose an alternative uncertainty measure based on interpolation variance. We integrate these measures of uncertainty into a probabilistic planner running on an AUV during a field deployment in the Southern California Bight. Our experiments demonstrate that the proposed uncertainty measures improve the safety and reliability of AUVs operating in the coastal ocean.
p73 is essential for vitamin D-mediated osteoblastic differentiation

The secosteroid hormone vitamin D3 (VD3) exerts its biological actions through its cognate receptor, the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR). Vitamin D3 and VDR play a key role in bone formation and keratinocyte differentiation, exert anti-proliferative actions in human cancer, and is widely used as a chemotherapeutic agent for cancer. Additionally, VD3 promotes differentiation of human osteosarcoma cells by up-regulating genes involved in cell cycle arrest and osteoblastic differentiation. Although considerable work has been carried out in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the VD3-mediated differentiation of human osteosarcoma cells, the upstream regulation of VD3 signaling pathway is still unclear. In this study we demonstrate that p73 acts as an upstream regulator of VD3 mediated osteoblastic differentiation. Transcription factor p73, a p53 homolog has been shown to play a role in development and recently been termed as a tumor suppressor. Silencing p73 results in a significant reduction of VD3 mediated osteoblastic differentiation; while DNA damage induced p73 leads to an increase in VD3 mediated differentiation of osteosarcoma cells. Together, our data implicate a novel role for p73 in vitamin D mediated differentiation of human osteosarcoma cells.
Improving hand hygiene compliance in health care workers: Strategies and impact on patient outcomes

Background We described a systematic process for improving hand hygiene (HH) compliance in health care providers and assessed the impact of HH on patient outcomes. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted between July 2008 and September 2011 in a children's hospital. We employed failure mode effectiveness analysis to identify barriers for complying with HH requirements and instituted improvement measures. We conducted a subanalysis using methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acquisition data and HH compliance data collected in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to demonstrate the impact of HH on patient outcomes. Results The overall HH compliance rate increased from 50.3% preintervention (July 2008-September 2008) to 84.0% postintervention (January 2009-September 2011) (relative risk [RR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-1.9). Compliance among physicians and nurses increased from 48.6% to 87.0% (RR, 1.4; 95% CI: 1.3-1.6) and from 46.5% to 77.9% (RR, 1.3; 95% CI: 1.2-1.4), respectively. Sustaining HH at 80% or higher was associated with a 48% further reduction of MRSA acquisition (incident rate ratio, −0.52; 95% CI: −0.31 to −0.90) in a unit that had comprehensive MRSA prevention measures. This reduction represents the prevention of 1.3 MRSA acquisitions per month, resulting in a saving of 11.6 NICU-days and $66,397 hospital charges. Conclusion This study demonstrated the utility of failure mode effectiveness analysis to improve staff HH and suggested HH as a potential cost-effective means for preventing MRSA in hospitals.
Efficacy of two elemental diets: a pair feeding study.

The efficacy and side effects of two elemental diets were studied. Twenty young Sprague-Dawley rats were fed one of three different diets. Group I (n=7) was fed Vivonex-HN (VIV) ad lib; group II (n = 7) was given Criticare-HN (CRI), pair-fed to group I (the two elemental diets were given in glass bottles); group III was fed regular rat chow and served as control (CON). Body weight (WT), food intake, and nitrogen balance (NB) were measured daily. After 21 days, change in body weight was similar in the three groups (VIV = 64.9 ± 3.2 %; CRI = 59.6 ± 3.3 %; CON = 63.9 ± 4.8 %). Cumulative nitrogen balance was also similar in the two groups fed elemental diets (VIV = 4788 ± 277 mg N; CRI = 4690 ± 118 mg N), but in both these groups it was less than the control group fed chow (8060 ± 85 mg N). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on the last day was higher in the VIV group (12.9 ± 1.22 mg/dl) than in the CRI group (9.43 ± 0.43 mg/dl), but in both study groups it was lower than in the CON group (17.2 ± 1.08 mg/dl), althoug...
Alternative Multidimensional Models Explaining and Improving Academic Achievement in Latino Students

Our objective is to provide two multidimensional models (i.e., contextual-interaction and Ethnic Educator) including sociopolitical, socioeconomic, sociocultural, and sociohistorical factors explaining underachievement in Latinos. First, we critically discuss single-factor theories (i.e., deficit, resistance, social reproduction, cultural mismatch, and macrostructural constraints) explaining underachievement in Latinos. Then we examine Chicago as a multicultural/multilingual city founded by Ellis Island immigrants for making a comparative sociohistorical analysis with contemporary Latinos. Finally, we derive recommendations for researchers to use multidimensional models to uncover new knowledge about the complexity of the sociohistorical problem of underachievement in multicultural and multilingual students, such as Latinos.
Communication Patterns in Distributed Computations

This paper identifies two classes of communication patterns that occur in distributed computations and explores their properties. It first examines local patterns, primarily IO and OI intervals, that occur at nodes in distributed computations. These local patterns form building blocks that are then used to define the global patterns, termed segments and paths, that occur across nodes in distributed computations. By controlling the predicates on the local patterns used to define segments and paths, various types of segments and paths can be defined. While a causal chain captures only the causality relation, it turns out that some of the other message sequences that do not capture causality also play a significant role in the analysis of a distributed computation. The paper presents a framework and shows that a number of key concepts and structures characterizing distributed computations are specific instantiations of the communication patterns identified in the framework.
T7 RNA polymerase bypass of large gaps on the template strand reveals a critical role of the nontemplate strand in elongation

We show that T7 RNA polymerase can efficiently transcribe DNA containing gaps from one to five bases in the template strand. Surprisingly, broken template strands missing up to 24 bases can still be transcribed, although at reduced efficiency. The resulting transcripts contain the full template sequence with the RNA deleted for the gapped region missing on the template strand. These findings indicate that the end of a downstream template strand can be brought into the polymerase and transcribed as if it were a part of an intact polynucleotide chain by utilizing the unpaired nontemplate strand. This, as well as transcription of an intact template strand, relies heavily upon the non-template strand, suggesting that a duplex DNA-binding site on the leading edge of RNA polymerase is required for RNA chain elongation on DNA templates. This work contributes substantially to the emerging picture that the nontemplate strand is an important element of the transcription elongation complex.
Dimensional response of the integrated molecular transform

The integrated molecular transform provides a unitary chemical structure index that is useful in quantitative structure–activity/property studies. The transform is generated by a Fourier operation on any one of several different matrices of structure representation, e.g., adjacency, bond count, distance between bonded atoms (termed 2-dimensional [2-D]), and distance between all atoms in a molecule (termed 3-dimensional [3-D]). In this study, the integrated transforms based on bond count and 2-D and 3-D structure matrices have been generated and used to correlate an enthalpy function and heats of formation in a series of linear and branched hydrocarbons; these indices were also compared with the 3-D Wiener number and Randic branching indices for the series. For the linear regression model, the branching and 3-D Wiener indices correlate the enthalpy function best, but the 2-D molecular transform is most appropriate for heats of formation. A normalized linear model shows that the 3-D Wiener number and 2-D molecular transform are most appropriate for the former data, whereas the latter is most effectively correlated with the 2-D molecular transform. For reasons not clear, the 3-D molecular transform is a less suitable index for the noted thermodynamic functions in this series.
Motor neuron-specific overexpression of the presynaptic choline transporter: impact on motor endurance and evoked muscle activity

Abstract The presynaptic, hemicholinium-3 sensitive, high-affinity choline transporter (CHT) supplies choline for acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis. In mice, a homozygous deletion of CHT (CHT−/−) leads to premature cessation of spontaneous or evoked neuromuscular signaling and is associated with perinatal cyanosis and lethality within 1 h. Heterozygous (CHT+/−) mice exhibit diminished brain ACh levels and demonstrate an inability to sustain vigorous motor activity. We sought to explore the contribution of CHT gene dosage to motor function in greater detail using transgenic mice where CHT is expressed under control of the motor neuron promoter Hb9 (Hb9:CHT). On a CHT−/− background, the Hb9:CHT transgene conferred mice with the ability to move and breath for a postnatal period of ∼24 h, thus increasing survival. Conversely, Hb9:CHT expression on a wild-type background (CHT+/+;Hb9:CHT) leads to an increased capacity for treadmill running compared to wild-type littermates. Analysis of the stimulated compound muscle action potential (CMAP) in these animals under basal conditions established that CHT+/+;Hb9:CHT mice display an unexpected, bidirectional change, producing either elevated or reduced CMAP amplitude, relative to CHT+/+ animals. To examine whether these two groups arise from underlying changes in synaptic properties, we used high-frequency stimulation of motor axons to assess CMAP recovery kinetics. Although CHT+/+; Hb9:CHT mice in the two groups display an equivalent, time-dependent reduction in CMAP amplitude, animals with a higher basal CMAP amplitude demonstrate a significantly enhanced rate of recovery. To explain our findings, we propose a model whereby CHT support for neuromuscular signaling involves contributions to ACh synthesis as well as cholinergic synaptic vesicle availability.
Evolution of the female pelvis and relationships to pelvic organ prolapse

The female pelvis provides support for the lower limbs as well as for the gastrointestinal tract, the bladder, and the reproductive organs. It must also serve as a passageway for defecation, urination, and, possibly, delivery of an infant. The bones, ligaments, and muscles of the human female pelvis have evolved from our early ancestors. Pelvic organ prolapse may occur because of the limitations involved with adapting the pelvic bones, muscles, and ligaments previously used for other purposes into a supportive role. Here we review these changing roles and functions of nonhuman primate and human female anatomy.
Child Maltreatment and the Justice System: Predictors of Court Involvement

Objectives: Characteristics of the child victim, perpetrator, and maltreatment incident were used to examine predictors of court involvement in cases of serious child maltreatment. Method: Cases we...
Influence of Walking Speed and Severity of Knee Osteoarthritis on Medial Compartment Loading

Progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) has been shown to occur in the presence of an increased load at the medial compartment [1]. Current gait analysis techniques allow researchers to use inverse dynamic techniques to calculate external knee adduction moments. These moments correlate to varus knee stresses and increased load in the medial knee compartment. These abnormal stresses have been hypothesized to play a role in the destruction of articular cartilage [2]. Previous authors have suggested that walking velocity will affect the adduction moment and that decreasing walking speed may reduce the maximal knee external moment during gait [3]. Based on these previous findings, we investigated various walking speeds in subjects with mild, moderate and severe OA and the effect on the external knee adduction moment.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Building finite element analysis programs in distributed services environment

Traditional finite element analysis (FEA) programs are typically built as stand-alone desktop software. This paper describes an Internet-enabled framework that facilitates building a FEA program as distributed web services. The framework allows users easy access to the FEA core service and the analysis results by using a web browser or other application programs. In addition, the framework enables new as well as legacy codes to be incorporated from disparate sites in a dynamic and distributed manner. To provide flexible project management and data access, a database system is employed to store project-related information and selected analysis results. The prototype framework demonstrates that the Internet can potentially enhance the flexibility and extendibility of traditional FEA programs.
Effects of capillary force and surface deformation on particle removal in turbulent flows

A new rolling detachment model for particle removal in the presence of capillary forces based on the maximum adhesion resistance was developed. The new model uses an effective thermodynamic work of adhesion model that includes the effects of capillary forces generated by the formation of liquid meniscus at the interface. The JKR and DMT models for elastic particle and surface deformations and the Maugis and Pollock model for the plastic deformation were extended to include the effect of capillary forces. Under turbulent flow conditions, the criteria for incipient rolling detachments were evaluated. The turbulence burst model was used to evaluate the air velocity near the substrate. The critical shear velocities for resuspension of particles of different sizes were evaluated and the results were compared with those without capillary force. The model predictions were compared with the available experimental data and good agreement was found.
A-posteriori indexing, classification and retrieval of textual data

Abstract This paper reports on a series of programs that have been developed to process data-bases, consisting of textual items, and to index and arrange (classify) the data items in accordance with an automatically generated classification system. The programs produce directories and a classification-number ordered data-base on microfilm, where it may be searched using a microfilm reader, or on magnetic tape for input to an on-line computer system for search and retrieval. In the automatic indexing, candidate index words or phrases are selected automatically and the user can reject unsuitable candidate words, en masse, based on various listings prepared by the computer. The automatic classification of text items in conjunction with the indexing produces a number of useful features. First, it allows the grouping of “like” items on a print-out, on microfilm or in computer storage. This organization of the items is useful for searching and understanding of the content of the data-base. Searches by conjunction of index terms are simplified and can be performed manually (or automatically) using the directories that are produced. Automatic processing of raw text data, and requiring little user work make the system attractive where low cost is imperative, such as in private or specialised data-bases.
Bacterial Viruses: Bacterial altruism?

Abstract Some strains of Escherichia coli harbor genes that trigger cell death upon infection by bacteriophage T4; these may provide examples of the evolution of altruistic behavior in bacteria.
Efficacy and safety of zonisamide monotherapy in a cohort of children with epilepsy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zonisamide monotherapy in a cohort of children and adolescents with various types of epilepsy. Retrospective review of charts of our institution from 2001 through 2004 identified 69 children (19 males and 50 females, mean age 13.2 years) with epilepsy on zonisamide monotherapy. Seizure count and side effect profile were maintained during therapy. Sixty-one percent had idiopathic generalized epilepsy, 4% symptomatic generalized epilepsy, and 35% partial-onset epilepsy. Zonisamide was the first-line and second-line monotherapy for 32% and 68% of patients, respectively. The mean duration of follow-up on treatment was 22 months (range 3-48 months). The overall efficacy of zonisamide was 75.4% (≥50% seizure frequency reduction: good responders). Sixty-seven percent of good responders became seizure-free. Seventy-nine percent of patients with partial epilepsy and 71% with generalized epilepsy were good responders, of whom 79% and 63% were free of seizure, respectively. Eighteen (26%) patients developed side effects: weight loss (9), cognitive impairment (3), sleepiness (3), dizziness (2), and decreased appetite (1). In seven patients (10%), zonisamide had to be discontinued: four due to side effects and three because of poor seizure control. Zonisamide was demonstrated to be effective as monotherapy in children with epilepsy.
Gene Set Cultural Algorithm: A Cultural Algorithm Approach to Reconstruct Networks from Gene Sets

With the increasing availability of gene sets, novel approaches that focus on reconstructing networks from gene sets are of interest. Currently, few computational approaches explore the search space of candidate networks using a parallel search. As such, novel methods that employ search agents are needed to help better escape local optima. In particular, gene sets may model signal transduction events, which refer to linear chains or cascades of reactions starting at the cell membrane and ending at the cell nucleus. These events may be indirectly observed as a set of unordered and overlapping gene sets. Thus, the underlying goal is to reverse engineer the order information within each gene set to reconstruct the underlying source network. To achieve this goal, we developed the Gene Set Cultural Algorithm to discover the true order of the gene sets and to reconstruct the underlying network. In a proof of concept study, we show that the Gene Set Cultural Algorithm can satisfactorily reconstruct three E. coli networks from the DREAM initiative using simulated and unordered gene sets as the input.
Arabidopsis thaliana protein, ATK1, is a minus-end directed kinesin that exhibits non-processive movement.

The microtubule cytoskeleton forms the scaffolding of the meiotic spindle. Kinesins, which bind to microtubules and generate force via ATP hydrolysis, are also thought to play a critical role in spindle assembly, maintenance, and function. The A. thaliana protein, ATK1 (formerly known as KATA), is a member of the kinesin family based on sequence similarity and is implicated in spindle assembly and/or maintenance. Thus, we want to determine if ATK1 behaves as a kinesin in vitro, and if so, determine the directionality of the motor activity and processivity character (the relationship between molecular “steps” and microtubule association). The results show that ATK1 supports microtubule movement in an ATPdependent manner and has a minus-end directed polarity. Furthermore, ATK1 exhibits non-processive movement along the microtubule and likely requires at least four ATK1 motors bound to the microtubule to support movement. Based on these results and previous data, we conclude that ATK1 is a non-processive, minus-end directed kinesin that likely plays a role in generating forces in the spindle during meiosis. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 52:144 –150, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Epiluminescence Microscopy (Dermoscopy) Versus Visual Inspection During Mohs Microscopic Surgery of Infiltrative Basal Cell Carcinoma

BackgroundThe initial stage of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is usually outlined using visual inspection. Newer noninvasive models are available to the Mohs surgeon to determine initial margins before MMS.ObjectiveTo compare the final number of MMS stages performed using dermoscopy and visual insp
Signal-induced Ubiquitination of IκB Kinase-β

Initiation of the genetic programs for inflammation and immunity involves nuclear mobilization of transcription factor NF-κB. This signal-dependent process is controlled in part by the β-catalytic subunit of IκB kinase (IKKβ), which marks IκBα and other cytoplasmic inhibitors of NF-κB for proteolytic destruction. The catalytic activity of IKKβ is stimulated by pathologic and physiologic inducers of NF-κB, such as the Tax oncoprotein and proinflammatory cytokines. We now report evidence that these NF-κB inducers target IKKβ for conjugation to ubiquitin (Ub) in mammalian cells. The apparent molecular size of modified IKKβ is compatible with monoubiquitination rather than attachment of a multimeric Ub chain. The modification is contingent upon signal-induced phosphorylation of the activation T loop in IKKβ at Ser-177/Ser-181. The formation of IKKβ-Ub conjugates is disrupted in cells expressing YopJ, a Ub-like protein protease that interferes with the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings indicate an important mechanistic link between phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and the biologic action of IKKβ.
Attitudes of Counselor Trainees Toward Minority Clients

ABSTRACT One hundred five counselor trainees were surveyed to determine their attitudes toward ethnic and non-ethnic minorities. The findings suggested that these counseling students hold positive attitudes toward ethnic minorities, somewhat negative attitudes toward gays and lesbians, and moral development levels typical of college populations. Multiple regression analyses found that the level of moral development was positively related to attitudes toward gays and lesbians, but not toward ethnics. As compared to counselor trainees surveyed one decade earlier (McDermott & Stadler, 1988), these trainees exhibited less homophobia. The relationship of moral development and attitudes toward ethnic minorities was also found to have diminished.
Quantification of Ribonucleotide Reductase Expression in Wild-Type and Hydroxyurea-Resistant Cell Lines Employingin SituReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction and a Computerized Image Analysis System

Ribonucleotide reductase (RR) is the enzyme responsible for converting nucleoside diphosphates to deoxynucleoside diphosphates, ensuring a balanced supply of deoxyribonucleotides for DNA synthesis. Expression of RR is tightly regulated, but it is affected by exogenous agents, such as hydroxyurea (HU), which inactivates the tyrosyl free radical on the small subunit of RR, R2. We have previously employed in situ reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR to estimate expression of R2 in wild-type and HU-resistant human colon carcinoma cell lines and to correlate altered expression of R2 with changes in cell size and morphology. The current studies were undertaken to render this methodology more quantitative. Both wild-type and resistant cells were grown on partitioned glass slides and analyzed with in situ RT-PCR. Because both wildtype and resistant cells were analyzed under a single cover slip, protease digestion, reverse transcription, PCR, and color development were all performed under identical conditions. Images were analyzed with NIH Image 1.59 software. There was a highly significant correlation between expression of R2 and cell size for both sensitive and resistant cells (P 5 0.0001, for both). When cell size was compared either with expression of R2 or cell shape, however, these correlated only in wild-type cells (P 5 0.001 and 0.0001, respectively). These data demonstrate that normal cell growth in the unperturbed wild-type cell line was closely linked to expression of R2, whereas in the resistant variants which overexpress R2, these correlations were absent, suggesting that HU resistance is related to loss of linkage between R2 expression and cell growth and confirming previous data relating overexpression of R2 with multiple other changes in the cell growth repertoire. Thus, we have demonstrated for the first time a quantitative application of in situ RT-PCR. © 1999 Academic Press