cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Congruence of pain perceptions between Black cancer patients and their family caregivers.

This cross-sectional study evaluated congruence in pain assessment among Black cancer patients taking opioids for pain and their family caregivers and the effects of patient-reported depressive symptoms and cognitive complaints on the congruence. Patient-reported pain scores (current, average, and worst pain severity and pain interference) and caregiver proxy scores were independently assessed (Brief Pain Inventory). Patient-reported depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-8) and cognitive complaints (Cognitive Difficulties Scale) were also assessed. Paired t-test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland–Altman (BA) plots were used to evaluate group and dyad level congruence in pain assessment. The influence of patient depressive symptoms and cognitive complaints on congruence was examined using bivariate analyses and BA plots. Among 50 dyads, 62% of patients and 56% of caregivers were female. Patients were older than caregivers (57 vs. 50 years, p = .008). Neither statistically significant (t-test) nor clinically relevant mean differences in pain severity and interference were found at a group level. At the dyad level, congruence was poor in pain now (ICC = 0.343) and average pain severity (ICC = 0.435), but moderate in worst pain severity (ICC = 0.694) and pain interference (ICC = 0.603). Results indicated better congruence in pain severity between patients with depressive symptoms and their caregivers, compared to patients without depressive symptoms. Patient CDS scores had no significant correlations with score differences between patients and caregivers in any pain variables. Congruence varied depending on how the analysis was done. More information is needed to understand pain assessment between patients and caregivers.
Recent amplification of microsatellite-associated miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements in the pineapple genome.

Background Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are non-autonomous DNA transposable elements that play important roles in genome organization and evolution. Genome-wide identification and characterization of MITEs provide essential information for understanding genome structure and evolution. Results We performed genome-wide identification and characterization of MITEs in the pineapple genome. The top two MITE families, accounting for 29.39% of the total MITEs and 3.86% of the pineapple genome, have insertion preference in (TA) n dinucleotide microsatellite regions. We therefore named these MITEs A. comosus microsatellite-associated MITEs (Ac-mMITEs). The two Ac-mMITE families, Ac-mMITE-1 and Ac-mMITE-2, shared sequence similarity in the terminal inverted repeat (TIR) regions, suggesting that these two Ac-mMITE families might be derived from a common or closely related autonomous elements. The Ac-mMITEs are frequently clustered via adjacent insertions. Among the 21,994 full-length Ac-mMITEs, 46.1% of them were present in clusters. By analyzing the Ac-mMITEs without (TA) n microsatellite flanking sequences, we found that Ac-mMITEs were likely derived from Mutator-like DNA transposon. Ac-MITEs showed highly polymorphic insertion sites between cultivated pineapples and their wild relatives. To better understand the evolutionary history of Ac-mMITEs, we filtered and performed comparative analysis on the two distinct groups of Ac-mMITEs, microsatellite-targeting MITEs (mt-MITEs) that are flanked by dinucleotide microsatellites on both sides and mutator-like MITEs (ml-MITEs) that contain 9/10 bp TSDs. Epigenetic analysis revealed a lower level of host-induced silencing on the mt-MITEs in comparison to the ml-MITEs, which partially explained the significantly higher abundance of mt-MITEs in pineapple genome. The mt-MITEs and ml-MITEs exhibited differential insertion preference to gene-related regions and RNA-seq analysis revealed their differential influences on expression regulation of nearby genes. Conclusions Ac-mMITEs are the most abundant MITEs in the pineapple genome and they were likely derived from Mutator-like DNA transposon. Preferential insertion in (TA) n microsatellite regions of Ac-mMITEs occurred recently and is likely the result of damage-limiting strategy adapted by Ac-mMITEs during co-evolution with their host. Insertion in (TA) n microsatellite regions might also have promoted the amplification of mt-MITEs. In addition, mt-MITEs showed no or negligible impact on nearby gene expression, which may help them escape genome control and lead to their amplification.
SU-D-213-04: Accounting for Volume Averaging and Material Composition Effects in An Ionization Chamber Array for Patient Specific QA

Purpose: This study explores novel methods to address two significant challenges affecting measurement of patient-specific quality assurance (QA) with IBA’s Matrixx Evolution™ ionization chamber array. First, dose calculation algorithms often struggle to accurately determine dose to the chamber array due to CT artifact and algorithm limitations. Second, finite chamber size and volume averaging effects cause additional deviation from the calculated dose. Methods: QA measurements were taken with the Matrixx positioned on the treatment table in a solid-water Multi-Cube™ phantom. To reduce the effect of CT artifact, the Matrixx CT image set was masked with appropriate materials and densities. Individual ionization chambers were masked as air, while the high-z electronic backplane and remaining solid-water material were masked as aluminum and water, respectively. Dose calculation was done using Varian’s Acuros XB™ (V11) algorithm, which is capable of predicting dose more accurately in non-biologic materials due to its consideration of each material’s atomic properties. Finally, the exported TPS dose was processed using an in-house algorithm (MATLAB) to assign the volume averaged TPS dose to each element of a corresponding 2-D matrix. This matrix was used for comparison with the measured dose. Square fields at regularly-spaced gantry angles, as well as selected patient plansmore » were analyzed. Results: Analyzed plans showed improved agreement, with the average gamma passing rate increasing from 94 to 98%. Correction factors necessary for chamber angular dependence were reduced by 67% compared to factors measured previously, indicating that previously measured factors corrected for dose calculation errors in addition to true chamber angular dependence. Conclusion: By comparing volume averaged dose, calculated with a capable dose engine, on a phantom masked with correct materials and densities, QA results obtained with the Matrixx Evolution™ can be significantly improved. In addition, necessary correction factors are reduced, allowing for more reliable and meaningful patient-specific QA measurements.« less
Methods of Evaluating Materials for Icebreaker Hull Coatings

The choice of suitable bench tests to evaluate the wear of materials must be prefaced by careful consideration of the various modes of wear that may be encountered in the actual application. For example, sliding tests at constant loads and velocities can provide useful information on wear rates and frictional behavior for mechanisms that operate under similar conditions. If the application also involves impact loading and abrasion, however, the wear data obtained from the simple sliding tests may be very misleading. It is essential to select test conditions that realistically simulate the operating conditions. This article describes the types of bench tests that were used to screen candidate materials for use as coatings on icebreaker hulls. Such coatings are subjected to high impact loads and severe two-body abrasion. Good correlation was found between the results of the bench tests and full-scale tests on actual icebreakers.
Using Museum Exhibits: An Innovation in Experiential Learning.

Museum exhibits can be a tool in experiential learning. While instructors have documented various methods of experiential learning, they have not sufficiently explored such learning from museum exhibits. Museum researchers, however, have long found a satisfying cognitive component to museum visits. This paper narrates the author's design to capture the cognitive experience at museums through integrating two Smithsonian exhibits with introductory Microeconomics and Macroeconomics classes in a two-year college. Cognitive gains made by students during the structured museum visit were reinforced with appropriate readings and assignments. The teaching method outlined is a significant addition to an experiential economist's toolkit. This method, however, can be used in any discipline. Apart from introducing students to a resource for lifelong learning, the inclusion of museum exhibits to academic teaching allows instructors to move away from chalk and talk, increase student engagement, increase content-relevanc...
"Campylobacter upsaliensis" isolated from blood cultures of pediatric patients.

Seventeen campylobacters isolated from cultures of blood samples of 16 bacteremic patients were susceptible to cephalothin and were either catalase negative or had only weak catalase activity (CNW strains) and were classified as "Campylobacter upsaliensis" (K. Sandstedt and J. Ursing, XIV Int. Congr. Microbiol., p. B8-17, 1986). All of the patients had predisposing conditions, and 10 patients were less than or equal to 12 months old, indicating that "C. upsaliensis" is an opportunistic pathogen of humans.
A cellular analog front end with a 98 dB IF receiver

To date, mixed-signal CMOS devices designed for cellular telephony have adopted conventional receiver architectures. They consist of dual baseband A/D converters with performance limited to approximately 60 to 75 dB dynamic range. Thus, these architectures require the following components in the preceding IF strip. Since the overall system dynamic range is on the order of 140 dB, a large amount of programmable gain (80-100 dB) is required in the preceding RF/IF strip to preserve the system noise. External filters at both the first and second IF frequencies are required to provide full channel selectivity before the A/D conversion is performed. Also, dual analog quadrature mixers are required to convert the receive signal from the second IF to baseband. The mixed-signal CMOS device presented in this paper substantially reduces the programmable gain, filtering, and external components required in the IF strip. This is accomplished by performing an IF A/D conversion and providing 98 dB dynamic range. >
The GALEX View of Ongoing Disk Formation in the Local Volume

We summarize the results of a search for extended ultraviolet disk (XUV-disk) galaxies in a sample of 189 nearby S0-Sm targets observed by GALEX, following the discovery of outer disk star formation in Local Volume members M83 and NGC 4625. We find that XUV-disk galaxies are surprisingly common but have varied morphology. Type 1 objects (>20% incidence) have structured, UV-bright/optically-faint emission features in the outer disk, beyond the traditional star formation threshold. Type 2 XUV-disk galaxies (∼10% incidence) exhibit an exceptionally large, UV-bright/optically-low-surfacebrightness (LSB) zone having blue UV − Ks outside the effective extent of the inner, older stellar population, but not reaching extreme galactocentric distance. Type 1 disks are associated with spirals of all types, whereas Type 2 XUV-disks are predominantly found in late-type spirals. XUV-disk galaxies of both types are systematically more gas-rich than the general galaxy population. Minor external perturbation may stimulate XUV-disk incidence, at least for Type 1 objects. XUV-disks are the most actively evolving galaxies growing via inside-out disk formation in the current epoch.
The energetics of T4 lysozyme reveal a hierarchy of conformations

We have used native state exchange to examine the energy landscape of the well-characterized protein T4 lysozyme. Although the protein exhibits two-state behavior by traditional probes, the energy landscape determined here is much more complex. The average stability of the C-terminal subdomain is significantly higher than that for the N-terminus suggesting at least two regions of unfolding. At a more detailed level, there appears to be a broad continuum of stabilities throughout each region. The overall subdomain hierarchy of energies does not mirror data on the folding pathway for this protein, challenging the relationship between energy landscapes and folding trajectories.
Increasing the Economic Self-Sufficiency of Rural Families

ABSTRACT Rural poverty affects 2.5 million U.S. children annually. The implementation of Child/Parent Individual Development Account (IDA) policies and programs may reflect a “best practices” strategy for reducing the incidence and impact of rural poverty. IDAs are dedicated savings accounts designed to help low-income individuals save for home ownership, postsecondary education, and small business development purposes. A brief policy analysis and feasibility study indicates Child/Parent IDA programs are a feasible way to address long-term social, psychological, and economic development for rural adults and children. Social work's continued involvement in evaluating IDA policy is paramount for improving the well-being of rural families.
Focus on Inclusive Education: Inclusion Solutions: Exploring Standards, English Language Arts, and the Inclusion Classroom

By the time students in the United States enter 5th grade, nearly 12% are receiving special services (Herring, McGrath, & Buckley, 2007). Many of these students are served in an inclusion setting w...
Spherical Galaxies: Methods and Models

Over the last 5 years, considerable progress has been made in our ability to construct self-gravitating stellar equilibria. One of these new methods is essentially a variant of Eddington’s (1916) method. Two other key approaches are logical extensions of Schwarzschild’s Linear Programming method, and can be applied to nonspherical models as well. These methods are reviewed below.
A sense of direction

In order to sense visual motion, the brain must determine not only where an object is, but where it was a few moments ago. To do so, the brain may depend in part on a small number of curiously shaped neurons deep in the visual cortex.
EFL Educational Policies and Educational Cultures: Influences on Teachers´ Approval of Communicative Activities.

The focus of this study was teachers as they were asked to implement educational innovations suggested by nationally instituted educational policy. This study applied empirical data to a structural equation model of Japanese EFL teachers' (N = 876) perceptions of various national-, school-, and classroom-level influences that act on their instruction. Teachers' perceptions of these influences were then related to their approval of classroom activities associated with communicative language teaching. The article highlights the position recent educational policies seemed to take in teachers' minds and the way teachers subsumed the policy into the preexisting educational culture, which seemed to focus on preparing students for form-focused university entrance exams. Through structural equation modeling, the relationships among the many influences teachers perceived on their instruction are demonstrated. The resulting visual image suggests not only impediments to an educational innovation but also routes for potential change.
Toward an Organizational Behavior of Contract Laborers: Their Psychological Involvement and Effects on Employee Co-Workers.

This study investigated differences in the psychological involvement and task assignments of labor-contractor and employee engineers and the effects of the contractors on the attitudes of their emp...
Giardiavirus internal ribosome entry site has an apparently unique mechanism of initiating translation.

Giardiavirus (GLV) utilizes an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) for translation initiation in the early branching eukaryote Giardia lamblia. Unlike most of the viral IRESs among higher eukaryotes, which localize primarily within the 5′-untranslated region (UTR), the GLV IRES comprises 253 nts of 5′UTR and the initial 264 nts in the open-reading-frame (ORF). To test if GLV IRES also functions in higher eukaryotic systems, we examined it in rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL) and found that it functions much less efficiently than the IRES from the Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) or Cricket paralysis virus (CrPV). In contrast, both EMCV-IRES and CrPV-IRESs were inactive in transfected Giardia cells. Structure-function analysis indicated that only the stem-loop U5 from the 5′UTR and the stem-loop I plus the downstream box (Dbox) from the ORF of GLV IRES are required for limited IRES function in RRL. Edeine, a translation initiation inhibitor, did not significantly affect the function of GLV IRES in either RRL or Giardia, indicating that a pre-initiation complex is not required for GLV IRES–mediated translation initiation. However, the small ribosomal subunit purified from Giardia did not bind to GLV IRES, indicating that additional protein factors may be necessary. A member of the helicase family IBP1 and two known viral IRES binding proteins La autoantigen and SRp20 have been identified in Giardia that bind to GLV IRES in vitro. These three proteins could be involved in facilitating small ribosome recruitment for initiating translation.
Carbonaceous chondrites—I. Characterization and significance of carbonaceous chondrite (CM) xenoliths in the Jodzie howardite

Mineralogical, chemical, textural, and isotopic studies of the abundant carbonaceous inclusions in the Jodzie howardite which are consistent with carbonaceous chondrite (CM) characteristics are examined. These CM xenoliths show regolith alteration comparable to the Murray and Murchison meteorites but less than Nogoya, flow-oriented development of phyllosilicates and 'poorly characterized phases', and partial oxidation of sulfides. Temperature-programmed pyrolysis mass spectrometry indicates that gas release patterns of volatiles and hydrocarbons, and N, C, and S contents are typical of CM meteorites. The fact that the Ne content is typical for 'solar' values and the isotopic structure of Xe is 'planetary' indicates that these gases were entrapped by different mechanisms, and cosmic ray exposure ages for the xenoliths agree with the reported exposure age for the eucritic host.
The resolvin D1 analogue controls maturation of dendritic cells and suppresses alloimmunity in corneal transplantation.

Purpose To analyze the effect of a resolvin D1 (RvD1) analogue (RvD1a) on dendritic cell maturation, T-cell sensitization, and allograft rejection in corneal allotransplantation. Methods The receptor expression of RvD1 (ALX/FPR2) on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) was measured using quantitative real-time PCR. We determined BMDC maturation after treatment with RvD1a using ELISA to measure interleukin (IL)-12 protein expression and flow cytometry to assess the expression of CD40, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II, CD80, and CD86. After corneal transplantation in BALB/c mice, we analyzed T-cell infiltration in the cornea and the draining lymph nodes using flow cytometry. The enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay was used to measure T-cell sensitization via the direct and indirect pathway. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the cornea after transplantation were measured using immunohistochemistry. Graft opacity and survival were evaluated by slit lamp biomicroscopy. Results The receptor for RvD1, lipoxin A4/formyl peptide receptor 2 (ALX/FPR2), was expressed at a significantly lower level on immature than mature dendritic cells (DCs), and RvD1a reduced DC expression of MHC II, CD40, and IL-12 following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Using a murine model of corneal transplantation, RvD1a-treated hosts exhibited significantly reduced allosensitization as demonstrated by decreased frequencies of interferon-gamma-secreting T cells in the draining lymph nodes, and reduced T-cell infiltration into the grafts. Graft survival was significantly enhanced and angiogenesis at the graft site was suppressed in RvD1a-treated hosts compared with vehicle-treated hosts. Conclusions These results suggest that RvD1 inhibits DC maturation and reduces alloimmune sensitization following transplantation, thereby establishing a novel connection between resolvin D1 and the regulation of DC-mediated, antigen-specific immunity.
Functional comparison of the upstream regulatory DNA sequences of four human epidermal keratin genes.

The promoters of epidermal keratin genes, K5, K6, and K10 were cloned and their functions compared with that of the previously described promoter of the K14 keratin gene in non-epithelial and transformed epithelial cell lines, as well as in primary cultures of cells derived from simple and stratified epithelia. The four promoters were functional only in epithelial cells. Although the promoter for the basal cell-specific, acidic-type K14 gene was active in all epithelial cells tested, its basic-type partner, K5, and the promoter for the hyper- proliferation-associated K6 were active only in primary cultures of stratified epithelia. The promoter for the epidermal differentiation-specific K10 keratin gene was active at a low level in primary cultures of stratified epithelial cells on non-epidermal origin. Thus, the K14 gene promoter is functional in all epithelial cells, but the upstream regions of the K5 and K6 keratin genes restrict their expression to stratified epithelia, whereas the epidermal determinants of the K10 gene art not in the proximal upstream sequences.
Urinary proteins in four rodent species.

Abstract 1. 1. Mean urinary protein concentration levels are significantly higher in male Peromyscus leuopus than females (98.4 and 72.4 mg/dl). 2. 2. Only females showed a significant correlation between weight and urinary protein concentration ( r = 0.75 vs 4 = 0.03). 3. 3. In intraspecific sexual electrophoretic comparisons of P. leucopus and P. maiculatus non-denatured urinary protein, four and two common bands were identified, respectively. Males both species showed an extra protein band. 4. 4. Four common electrophoretically separable denatured urinary protein bands were observed between 14,200 and 116,000 mol. wt in male and female P. leucopus and female P. gossypinus . Three of the four major protein bands were also found in P. maniculatus . Male Reithrodontomys megaloits pattern showed none of the major bands.
Emotional Intelligence as a Self-Regulatory Process: A Social Cognitive View:

One hundred adults were surveyed to test a self-regulation (SR) model of emotional intelligence (EI). The social cognitive SR concepts of motivation, goal setting, strategy usage, and self-evaluati...
An in-depth analysis of information markets with aggregate uncertainty

The novel idea of setting up Internet-based virtual markets, information markets, to aggregate dispersed information and predict outcomes of uncertain future events has empirically found its way into many domains. But the theoretical examination of information markets has lagged relative to their implementation and use. This paper proposes a simple theoretical model of information markets to understand their information dynamics. We investigate and provide initial answers to a series of research questions that are important to understanding how information markets work, which are: (1) Does an information market converge to a consensus equilibrium? (2) If yes, how fast is the convergence process? (3) What is the best possible equilibrium of an information market? and (4) Is an information market guaranteed to converge to the best possible equilibrium?
Flexible miniature ribbon cables for long-term connection to implantable sensors

Abstract This paper describes the development of miniature, multi-lead ribbon cables for connecting implantable sensors to host electronics, either implanted or in the external world. The cables are flexible, electrically stable and biocompatible. Two technologies have been developed: one using polyimide (DuPont PI-2555) and the other using silicon as the support material. The present cables are less than 200 μm wide, are 10 to 20 μm thick and can be of arbitrary length (typically 1–2 cm). They can support as many leads as desired and can be bonded to the sensor substrate using flip-chip bonding techniques.
Electrophysiology of Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes Following Sustained Rapid Ventricular Pacing

The present study examined changes in electrophysiological properties of ventricular myocytes isolated from rabbit hearts after 2-3 weeks of rapid ventricular pacing. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure at completion of the pacing period was nearly four-fold greater than in age-matched controls, although there was no significant change in heart weight/body weight ratio. Action potentials recorded in current-clamp mode at low stimulation frequencies were significantly longer in duration and phase 1 diminished in isolated myocytes from paced hearts compared with control. In voltage-clamp experiments. L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) density was not different between groups of myocytes, but the maximum current (at + 10 mV) elicited by 10 microM isoproterenol was approximately 40% less in myocytes from paced hearts. In contrast, maximum ICa elicited by 10 microM forskolin was similar in both groups. The 4-aminopyridine-sensitive transient outward current (Ito) was 65% less (at + 60 mV) in myocytes from paced hearts than from control. However, after approximately 24 h in culture, Ito density in these myocytes returned toward control values. Despite marked reduction in Ito density, the inward rectifier current (IK1) was not different between groups. These data demonstrate that Ito is significantly and reversibly decreased in myocytes from rapidly paced hearts, which may partly account for marked changes in action potential morphology. Although basal ICa was not altered in this group of myocytes compared with control, its modulation by beta-agonists was markedly blunted, probably through a decrease in receptor density or coupling to adenylyl cyclase. These changes in myocyte K+ and Ca2+ channel behavior in paced hearts may relate to impaired contractility and arrhythmogenesis that is characteristic of the intact failing heart.
Blue Ribbon Abstract Award: Assessment of Education and Communication Resources for Public Health Emergencies in U.S. Hospitals

Abstract BACKGROUND: Established systems for education and rapid dissemination of information are essential to a healthcare facility's ability to respond to emerging public health threats. We assessed the education activities and communication resources available for this purpose in a representative sample of U.S. hospitals. METHODS: We selected a 20% (n=1236) random sample of hospitals from the 2000 American Hospital Association database, stratified by bed size, service, metropolitan statistical sampling area (MSSA), and region to ensure representativeness. Infection control professionals (ICPs) at the hospitals were asked to complete a Web-based questionnaire during October 21–December 22, 2003. RESULTS: ICPs at 556 (45%) hospitals completed the survey, including 518 (93%) general medical-surgical, 20 (4%) other specialty (including oncology), and 18 (3%) children's hospitals; 352 (63%) were in urban ( CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals may differ substantially in preparedness and response readiness. These findings will assist in determining the best strategies for communicating with hospitals and providing information to assist them in preparedness efforts.
Gamma-ray transitions in 156Gd

Abstract Gamma rays from the reaction 155 Gd(n, γ) 156 Gd were measured with both a Ge(Li)-NaI(Tl) pair spectrometer and a Ge(Li)-NaI(Tl) anticoincidence spectrometer. A detailed decay scheme has been constructed for levels of 156 Gd up to an excitation energy of 2450 keV. The neutron binding energy is determined to be 8537.2 ± 0.7 keV. Branching ratios were determined for transitions from members of two β-vibrational band. Although the results do not exclude the possibility of a single band-mixing parameter z 2 being sufficient to explain the observed intensities from the γ-band, they show that no single value of z 0 is consistent with the B ( E 2 ) values observed for transitions from members of the two β-bands.
Largest polygons with vertices in a given finite set

Abstract The following problem is addressed: given a finite set D of points in the plane and an integer k ≥ 3, find a k-gon P of maximum area which has its vertices in D. If C (D) , the convex hull of D, is and l-gon, then P depends on k and l. If k ≤ l, then P is a convex k-gon with all its vertices lying on the boundary of C (D) . Moreover, P can be chosen so that its vertices are vertices of C (D) . The situation is more complicated when 3 ≤ l
Mechanism of the light state transition in photosynthesis. II: Analysis of phosphorylated polypeptides in the red alga, Porphyridium cruentum

Abstract The possible involvement of a reversible protein phosphorylation event in the regulation of excitation energy distribution was studied in the red alga Porphyridium cruentum. Whole cells were incubated in phosphate-depleted growth medium containing carrier-free [32P]orthophosphate for several hours to label the intracellular phosphate pools, and they were then converted to State 1 or State 2 by illumination using blue or green light, respectively. The successful transition to State 1 or State 2 was verified by 77 K fluorescence spectroscopy of the chlorophyll emission and the cells were then denatured using either acetone, trichloroacetic acid or boiling detergent. The whole cell lysates were solubilized, treated with RNAase, and analyzed for phosphoproteins by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. At least twelve polypeptides were found to be phosphorylated but no changes in specific radioactivity of the polypeptides were detected when samples from cells in State 1 and State 2 were compared. We conclude that a reversible protein phosphorylation event is not implicated in the state transition in P. cruentum. A model is presented for the mechanism of the light state transition in organisms that contain phycobilisomes which is different from the mechanism of energy distribution proposed for higher plants.
Electoral Margins and Voting Behavior in the House of Representatives: The Case of the Eighty-Sixth and Eighty-Seventh Congresses

SEVERAL STUDIES OF roll call voting behavior in the House of Representatives have focused on relationships between electoral margins and party voting and/or policy choice. Lewis A. Froman in a study of the first session of the Eighty-seventh Congress investigated the hypothesis that congressmen of both parties from marginal constituencies (those in which competition between the two parties is very close) are more likely to oppose party majorities than those whose electoral status is more safe.' Froman also explored the possibility that congressmen of both parties from marginal constituencies are more moderate in their policy stands in House roll call voting than those from constituencies with a stronger preference for one party over the other.2 Duncan MacRae, Jr. has similarly concerned himself with the proposition that congressmen from marginal constituencies reflect constituency characteristics in their voting behavior to a greater extent than those from other constituencies.3 Warren Miller and Donald Stokes have inquired into the possibility that electoral margins may be related to tendencies of congressmen to vote either on the basis of their own attitudes or on their perceptions of constituents' attitudes.4 Finally, Samuel P. Huntington has suggested that policy moderation in roll call voting is inversely related to the intensity of partisan competition in congressional districts-that, in effect, marginal constituencies produce more extreme
Environmental considerations of land transport in developing countries (part 2)

Developing countries have unique problems and needs which must be considered when attempting to identify and evaluate the environmental impacts of land transport. This paper presents a review of the relevant literature that can be used to identify, evaluate and mitigate environmental impacts of land transport facilities (development and operation) in developing countries. After examining the relevant characteristics of land transport development in such countries, the paper discusses the environmental effects. Controls and countermeasures associated with each category of impacts are also reviewed under the broad categories of air, noise and water pollution as well as land use changes and social and ecological impacts. Issues concerning environmental impact assessment/analysis process and transport of hazardous materials are then addressed. The procedures established by the World Bank for the environmental assessment of Bank‐financed projects are mentioned. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of th...
Elimination of Mycoplasma hyorhinis infections from four cell lines.

Four monolayer mammalian cell lines were cured ofMycoplasma hyorhinis infections by cloning in microtiter dishes in the presence of tetracycline and kanamycin. During cloning, cultures were refed with fresh antibiotic containing medium every 2 or 3 d for 14 d and were then cultured without effective antibiotics for at least 21 d. From the four lines we recovered 29 clones, none of which were infected after treatment as judged by the lack of extranuclear fluorescence after staining with the fluorochrome Hoechst 33258, and by normal autoradiographic labeling of the cells by tritiated nucleosides. One clone from each line was tested further by attempted culture of mycoplasmas and was also judged to be uninfected. Infection has not reappeared in any of the clones after extensive culture in the absence of the effective antibiotics.
Three-dimensional electron cryo-microscopy as a powerful structural tool in molecular medicine.

Electron cryo-microscopy has established itself as a valuable method for the structure determination of protein molecules, protein complexes, and cell organelles. This contribution presents an introduction to the various aspects of three-dimensional electron cryo-microscopy. This includes the need for sample preservation in the microscope vacuum, strategies for minimizing radiation damage, methods of improving the poor signal-to-noise ratio in electron micrographs of unstained specimens, and the various methods of three-dimensional image reconstruction from projections. The various specimen types (e.g., flat and tubular two-dimensional crystals, protein filaments, individual protein molecules, and large complexes) require different means of three-dimensional reconstruction, and we review the five major reconstruction techniques (electron crystallography, helical reconstruction, icosahedral reconstruction, single-particle reconstruction, and electron tomography), with an emphasis on electron crystallography. Several medically relevant three-dimensional protein structures are chosen to illustrate the potential of electron cryo-microscopy and image reconstruction techniques. Among the structural methods, electron cryo-microscopy is the only tool for studying objects that range in size from small proteins over macromolecular complexes to cell organelles or even cells.
A rate-dependent criterion for crack growth

The Griffith instability criterion for crack propagation is generalized to provide a criterion for time-dependent crack growth. Our procedure is similar to that of Griffith in its use of a global energy balance. The Griffith method is generalized by the inclusion of the rate-of-energy dissipation term in the balance law. This rate-of-dissipation term is derived to represent the behavior of viscoelastic materials; thus the final results are applicable primarily to polymeric behavior. Our final results are concise analytical expressions [Eqns. (50)] for crack velocity as a function of the creep properties of the material, the level of loading, and the energy or work content of the crack-generated new surface. These analytical solutions are quite general; the primary restriction occurs because they are derived under asymptotic conditions of high- and low-crack velocities. Finally, we compare the analytical predictions with experimental results for a polyurethane elastomer.
3He Joule-Thomson inversion curve

Abstract The inversion curve for 3 He is determined through a previously proposed advanced equation of state, with 16 coefficients. It is confronted with some available measured inversion points. A reasonable match is observed only for temperatures above 6.6 K. The reduced form inversion curve is compared to hydrogen, 4 He and other gases. Once again, 3 He is demonstrated to be the strongest violator of the principle of corresponding states.
Induction of autophagy by amino-acid deprivation in perfused rat liver

AUTOPHAGOCYTOSIS is generally regarded as an important mechanism for ridding the cell of injured or unwanted cytoplasmic constituents and for degrading normal components in response to energy needs1,2. Autophagy has been noted in HeLa cells deprived of foetal calf serum and amino acids3. It has also been seen in rat liver after glucagon administration4, 5, during nutritional deprivation7, 8 and in diabetes9, 10. Thus autophagy could have a physiological role in the maintenance of body amino acid pools, although there is no direct experimental evidence for this. We reported previously that rates of proteolysis, and lysosomal sizes are seen to increase when rat livers are cyclically perfused with an unsupplemented medium and decrease in response to added amino acids11–13. We strongly suspected that autophagy was the underlying event, but the nature of the process has been difficult to define12. The possibility was considered that its expression was self-limited by the accumulation of amino acids from endogenous proteolysis. We now show that when this accumulation is prevented by perfusing livers in the single-pass mode, autophagic changes appear that are morphologically indistinguishable from those occurring after maximal doses of glucagon4–6.
On bipolar ejection

Observations of bipolar outflows, including jets often with clumpy concentrations of matter, have been made for a wide variety of astronomical systems. In most but not all of the systems, an accretion disk is present. It is proposed that the general process responsible for bipolar ejection involves the conversion of rotational energy into magnetic energy, usually in the form of a polar magnetic torus, deep in the interiors of the systems involved. If the buoyancy of the torus resullts in draining the field lines of most of the matter which they thread, then the acceleration of the remaining matter in the toroidal bubble may produce velocities in excess of the escape velocity from the surface of the system. It is contemplated that this process will be repeated many times in most systems. A discussion is given of the application of these ideas to protostars, to stars evolved beyond the main sequence, to neutron stars, and to black holes on both stellar and galactic scales.
Observations on the forward-scattered speckle patterns from healthy human fibroblasts and melanoma cells

Confluent monolayers of Malme-3M (ATCC HTB-64) cells, which is a melanoma cell line, and Malme-3 (ATCC HTB-102) cells, which are normal skin fibroblast cells, were cultured and plated onto glass coverslips. The two lines were isolated from the same patient, providing a tumor and normal counterpart for comparative studies. The forward-scattered objective speckle patterns were observed using a HeNe lasers that emitted at 543 and 633 nm. First and second-order speckle statistics from the two cell types were compared and contrasted. Of particular interest were the mean and maximum speckle size for a given observation geometry, degree of polarization, contrast, and the intensity probability distribution function. The speckle patterns from dry, densely-packed single layer latex sphere samples of various sizes were also investigated for comparison. The results indicate that the far-forward speckle patterns from these confluent monolayers can be used to discriminate between the cell types and can be used to derive specific morphological parameters of the cells.
Abstract 3483: Inhibition of Monocarboxylate Transporter 4 (MCT4) targets stem-like cells in glioblastoma

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Glioblastomas (GBM) are the most common adult malignant brain tumors and contain a hypoxic/necrotic core surrounded by proliferative cells. To unmask genes important in hypoxia, we exposed 2 GBM neurosphere lines, HSR-GBM1 and JHH-GBM10, to 1% and 21% oxygen levels for 24 hours and compared gene expression using Agilent oligonucleotide microarrays. We identified SLC16A3 (Monocarboxylate transporter-4, MCT4) as one of the most upregulated genes in response to hypoxia. To investigate the clinical importance of MCT4 in GBM, we examined the Kaplan-Meier survival curves of glioma patients using public databases. We found that patients with upregulation of MCT4 (≥2.0X) have a significantly shorter survival (p<0.0001) than patients with intermediate expression. Consistent with this, MCT4 upregulation correlated with the aggressive mesenchymal subset of GBM (p<0.0001). We next examined MCT4 protein levels using immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays, confirming that MCT4 protein levels were increased in high-grade as compared to lower grade astrocytomas (p<0.0001). These data clearly demonstrated that MCT4 is a clinically relevant target. We next tested the requirement of MCT4 in vitro. We found that when neurospheres were transduced with viruses encoding short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against MCT4, cell growth was inhibited by 30-69% in hypoxia. Interestingly, similar results were observed in normoxia, suggesting that MCT4 may be critical to tumor growth and survival independent of oxygen levels. We next explored the role that MCT4 may play in the maintenance of the stem-like population in our neurosphere lines. We found that MCT4 is overexpressed in sorted CD133-positive cells compared to CD133-negative cells in both HSR-GBM1 and JHH-GBM10. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis of shMCT4-expressing neurospheres showed a decrease in the percentage of CD133-positive cells as compared to controls. This suggested to us that MCT4 silencing might inhibit stem-like cell proliferation/survival, offering a potential explanation for growth inhibition following MCT4 knockdown in normoxia. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of MCT4 inhibition functionally using a clonogenic assay. Cells were exposed to normoxia or hypoxia for 48 hours followed by recovery in normoxia. We found that MCT4 silencing resulted in significant reduction in sphere number and size in both normoxic and hypoxic cells, consistent with a loss of clonogenicity. In agreement with what we found in vitro, MCT4 silencing also slowed GBM intracranial xenograft growth in vivo (p=0.009). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3483. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3483
Intimate partner violence and reproductive health among methamphetamine-using women in los angeles: a qualitative pilot study.

AbstractAmong women, methamphetamine (meth) use has been associated with intimate partner violence (IPV); however, few studies have looked at the context of IPV. This qualitative pilot study explored the experiences of meth-using women in Los Angeles County regarding: (1) IPV in their most recent primary relationship; (2) use of contraception and reproductive health services; and (3) meth use during pregnancy. Participants (n=30) were recruited through community advertising and at three addiction treatment centers to participate in 15-20 minute, semi-structured interviews recorded with handwritten transcripts. The team analyzed transcripts for key themes. Participants reported IPV (n=19, 63%) as recipients (50%), perpetrators (40%), and/or both (27%), occurring mainly during active meth use or withdrawal. While most (n=25) continued meth use during at least one pregnancy, some (n=5, 17%) identified pregnancy as a motivation to quit or reduce use, suggesting an opportunity for intervention. Though most wom...
Ion solvation dynamics in an interaction-site model solvent

Abstract The molecular theory of the frequency-dependent and wavevector-dependent longitudinal dielectric function ϵL(k, ω) is derived for fluids comprising interaction-site model molecules in which point charges are located on the interaction sites. We find that ϵL(k, ω) is a simple functional of a particular charge susceptibility χμϕ0 (k, ω), which in turn is related to a collective charge-charge equilibrium time correlation function. The electrostatic part FBorn (t) of the time-dependent free energy of solvation of a solute that instantaneously changes its charge state is, on the other hand, determined by a charge susceptibility χμϕ0(1) (k, kt, ω) of the solvent in the presence of the solute molecule in its initial charge state. Using an approximate relation between χμϕ0(1) and χμϕ0 we express F Born(t) in terms of χμϕ0. The resulting theory is applied to calculate the solvation time correlation function of the solute immersed in a dipolar hard sphere (DS) and in dipolar dumbbell (DD) model solvent; the mean spherical approximation and an extended mean spherical approximation are used to compute the structure of the DS and DD solvent models, respectively. With parameters chosen so that the two models have the same molecular volume and the same electric dipole moment, it is found that they have very nearly the same ϵL(k, ω) except at large wavevector, but significantly different solvation time correlation functions.
Social maladjustment and emotional disturbance: Problems and positions II

Three controversial issues surrounding the differentiation between the socially maladjusted (SM) and the seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) are examined. The first issue addresses the question whether treatment methods should differ for these two groups. Some have argued that the same treatment methods should be used with both groups, while others advocate that differentiated treatment is necessary if these two groups are to receive an appropriate education. The second issue focuses on whether the SM are truly handicapped. Drawing upon professional opinion, research findings, and rational analysis, it is argued that the socially maladjusted as a group are free from serious emotional disturbance. The third issue pertains to the education of the SM. It is pointed out that many provisions for the SM are already available, although perhaps overlooked. The call for a continuum of services is made.
The radio noise spectrum from e.l.f. to e.h.f.

Abstract Numerous investigators have reported upon radio noise in various narrow regions of the spectrum. Several such reports have been gathered together, converted to a common basis, and reported here. The antenna types and locations are listed. The methods of converting the original data to a common base are given. The radio noise spectrum from 5 c/s (60,000 km) to 1 Gc/s (30 cm) is presented and discussed.