cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Antisense Oligonucleotide-induced RNA Structure on Escherichia coli RNase H1 Activity

The ability of Escherichia coli RNase H1 to hydrolyze structured substrates containing antisense oligonucleotides preannealed to a 47-mer RNA was compared with its ability to hydrolyze unstructured substrates containing antisense oligonucleotides duplexed with 13-mer RNA. These results demonstrate that when antisense oligonucleotides were bound to structured RNA, the resultant duplexes were cleaved at rates significantly slower than when the same oligonucleotides were bound to unstructured oligoribonucleotides. Structured substrates exhibited fewer cleavage sites, and each cleavage site was cleaved less rapidly than in unstructured substrates. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity of E. coli RNase H1 for the structured substrates was most affected when the cleavage sites corresponding to the enzymatically most active sites on the unstructured substrates were blocked in the structured substrates. Molecular modeling suggests that the observed ablation of RNase H activity was due to the steric hindrance of the enzyme by the structured RNA, i.e. steric interference of the phosphate groups on the substrate and/or the binding site of the enzyme. When chimeric oligonucleotides composed of a five-base deoxynucleotide sequence flanked by chemically modified nucleotides were bound to structured RNA, the resultant duplexes were even worse substrates for RNase H. These results offer further insights into the role of antisense-induced RNA structure on RNase H activity and may facilitate the design of effective antisense oligonucleotides.
The Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of China’s Changing Urban Hierarchy (1950–2005)

This paper examines the dynamic spatial and temporal patterns of China’s urban hierarchy from 1950 to 2005. We limit the study to mainland China’s 137 urban agglomerations of 750,000 or more population as of 2005. The paper improves upon a classic approach to measuring shifting ranks within an urban hierarchy by applying advanced spatial analysis techniques. We use a Getis-Ord , a space-time Moran scatter plot, and dynamic LISA paths to examine the regional difference and change for these urban agglomerations. Our study revealed a north-south divide in the changing urban hierarchy of China after 1990. The analysis demonstrated that the spatial and temporal shift of urban dominance in China was closely associated with policy and economic factors. The paper concludes with a discussion of the differences across the six different time periods of change from 1950 to 2005.
Localization of 5-HT7 receptors in rat brain by immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, and agonist stimulated cFos expression

5-HT7 receptors are recently identified members of the serotonin receptor family that have moderate to high affinity for several important psychotropic drugs. However, the lack of selective ligands has impeded the study of the brain distribution of these receptors. In this report, we describe the localization of 5-HT7 receptor in rat forebrain by immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization of 5-HT7 mRNA, and functional stimulation of cFOS expression by 5-HT7 receptor activation. The anatomical localization of 5-HT7 mRNA in situ hybridization signal. Prominent immunostaining was apparent in numerous sites within the cerebral cortex, hippocampal formation, tenia tecta, thalamus and hypothalamus. 5-HT7 receptors were detected in suprachiasmatic nucleus by both immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. At a microscopic level, both cell bodies and proximal fibers were strongly stained in these regions, suggesting a somatodendritic subcellular distribution. 5-HT7 receptor-like immunoreactivity was further compared with 5-HT7 mediated biological function by administering 8-OH-DPAT intracerebroventricular injection (icv)with WAY 100135 (to block 5-HT1A receptors) followed by double immunostaining localization of cFos activation and 5-HT7 receptors. In all regions examined, cFos stimulation and 5-HT7-like immunoreactivity colocalized to the same neurons. Furthermore, cFos activation by 8-OH-DPAT was blocked by pimozide — a 5-HT7 antagonist. Therefore, by using multiple strategies, we were able to localize 5-HT7 receptors in rat brain unequivocally. The distribution of these receptors is consistent with their involvement in the control of circadian activity and the action of anti-depressants and atypical neuroleptics.
Growth hormone therapy for short stature: panacea or Pandora's box?

Increased availability of growth hormone (GH) because of increased production using recombinant DNA technology has led to increased demand. Many children who do not have classic GH deficiency may respond to GH therapy. These observations require rethinking of the medical indications for GH therapy, and raise two central ethical questions: (1) is it justified to discriminate on the basis of GH deficiency? (2) Whatever the indication for GH treatment, at what height should GH therapy be considered an etitlement? We argue, first, that GH responsiveness, not GH deficiency, should be the criterion for GH treatment, and that prior arguments emphasizing GH deficiency are based on vague or faulty notions of disease, handicap, or potential. Second, we argue that children who are handicapped (arbitrarily defined as including those whose height is below the 1st percentile) and GH responsive are entitied to treatment. Children above that height, whether GH deficient or not, may permissibly be treated, but there is no societal obligation to do so. Such an approach would reduce, though not eliminate, some of the more severe burdens of short stature without aggravating the pernicious effects of “heightism” in American society.
Gitonic and Distonic Alkanonium Dications (Diprotonated Alkane Dications CnH2n+42+, n = 1−4)1

The structures and stabilities of gitonic and distonic alkanonium dications, i.e., diprotonated alkane dications CnH2n+42+ (n = 1−4), were investigated at the MP4(SDTQ)/6-311G**//MP2/6-31G** level. The global minimum energy structures (2, 4, 7, and 10) of the CnH2n+42+ dications are double C−H protonated alkanes to give structures with two two electron three-center (2e-3c) bonds. Two different dissociation pathways for the dications, viz deprotonation and demethylation, were also computed. Demethylation was found to be the favorable mode of dissociation.
The covarion model for the evolution of proteins: Parameter estimates and comparison with holmquist, cantor, and Jukes' stochastic model

W. Fitch used a mathematical model to estimate the covarion size (the number of codons which are variable at a given time) and the turnover rate of covarions in the evolution of cytochrome c. We improve and correct the mathematical derivations and statistical estimation procedures in Fitch's model, altered to account more fully for the redundancy in the genetic code. We also consider a closely related model, which assumes the covarion fixing the last minimum mutation distance increasing (MDI) substitution has the same probability of losing variability as the other covarions. The average number of covarions is estimated to be at most five. Roughly 35 to 65% of the covarions are predicted to lose variability after each MDI substitution; this is smaller than Fitch's estimate, but the estimate is quite sensitive to changes in the data, which are a phylogenetic tree derived by Fitch and Margoliash. Both covarion models predict that there are about 0.9 to 2.0 total substitutions per variable codon in cytochrome c during “short” periods of evolutionary time (at most 10 MDI substitutions). This is less than the prediction from Holmquist, Cantor, and Jukes' stochastic model, which emphasizes variability over the entire time of divergence, rather than variability at a given time as in the covarion model, but this difference is predicted by the differing model assumptions.
The Evolution of Teaching Bayesian Statistics to Nonstatisticians

We discuss the development of a course in Bayesian statistics that began as an offering to statistics graduate students, evolved into a course for graduate students in other departments, then was modified into an international workshop. The evolution of the course followed shifts in Bayesian statistics in the broader community, as software became available that made it easier to implement Bayesian methods. In addition to the shift from theory to hands-on computation, there was a shift from using noninformative priors as we learned how to elicit realistic priors from subject-matter experts. The course and workshop can serve as an example to others who are targeting a specific, non-statistics audience.
Multiple forms of the 26S proteasome-associated protein Ecm29 in the mouse brain

Ecm29 is an ˜200-K HEAT-repeat protein that associates with the 26S proteasome in yeast and HeLa cells. Whereas in most mouse organs Ecm29 is present as a single 200-K protein, in the brain there are eleven species, ranging from 55 K to greater than 250 K, that react with anti-Ecm29 antibodies. Since the largest brain-specific Ecm29 variant reacts with antibodies to sequences within the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the protein, but not to the antibody directed to its central region, this putative isoform likely arises by alternative splicing. Some of the smaller Ecm29-positive forms appear to arise by proteolytic processing, but extraction of minced brain fragments in boiling SDS-PAGE sample buffer reveals that all forms are present prior to homogenization. Only the 220-K Ecm29 species is clearly associated with the 26S proteasome; with one exception, the other variants sediment slower than 20S. Direct dissection and immunohistochemistry reveal that these putative Ecm29 isoforms are present throughout the central nervous system. However, anti-Ecm29 immunoreactivity is differentially distributed within subregions of the mouse brain and among cell types, suggesting that Ecm29 isoform distribution contributes to the complexity and regional specificity of brain function.
EASE OF CONDITIONING AND SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY FROM EXPERIMENTAL EXTINCTION.

Thirty adult male volunteers were conditioned and extinguished in a classical eyeblink conditioning situation to the same criterion and tested 24 hours later for the pattern of spontaneous recovery (reminiscence) and re-extinction. As predicted in terms of the decay of inhibition explanation of reminiscence phenomena, those subjects who required most reinforcements to attain the criterion of conditioning and least repetition of the conditioned stimulus to attain the criterion of extinction were also the subjects who showed greatest reminiscence. Certain limitations and possible applications of these findings are discussed.
Special Theory of Relativity in Hyperbolic Functions

The purpose of the essay is to show the advantages of hyperbolic functions in restricted relativity. Based on the work of Fonten\'e and others, the author has further developed the use of rapidities in place of velocities and has introduced festinations in place of accelerations. A simple universal distortion factor is deduced in hyperbolic notation, and symmetrical expressions are derived for mechanical force, momentum, and energy. The theories of aberration of light and of Fizeau's experiment are used further to demonstrate the advantages of hyperbolic functions in relativity. The invariance of Maxwell's equations for the two observers in relative motion is proved in two different and independent ways: (a) by the method of paired functions, and (b) by using divergence and curl in a semihyperbolic four-dimensional space. A list of references to books on restricted relativity and to the author's previous contributions on the subject is appended.
THE STRATEGY/GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE FIT RELATIONSHIP: THEORY AND EVIDENCE IN FRANCHISING ARRANGEMENTS

Despite widespread recognition of the importance of strategy–structure fit, e.g., diversification and divisionalization, research has yet to address the possibility of similar fit issues for other structural forms of organization, such as the choice of franchised vs. company-owned governance structures. In this study, we depart from the usual debates regarding the superiority of one governance structure over another and argue that performance differences between these two alternative governance structures may be attributable more to the matching of one structure with a correspondingly appropriate strategy. Specifically, we posit that stores will act in fit-enhancing ways by pursuing strategies that are more congruent with their governance structure; i.e., that franchised stores, with their more flexible and decentralized structures, will be more likely to pursue strategies that emphasize flexibility and local adaptation, whereas company-owned stores will tend to pursue strategies that emphasize predictability and control. We also argue that those stores acting in such a manner will enjoy subsequent performance benefits. We develop these ideas around strategy/governance structure fit and test our hypotheses using longitudinal data from over 6000 stores within one of the biggest U.S. restaurant chains from 1991 to 1997. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Properties of cross-entropy minimization

The principle of minimum cross-entropy (minimum directed divergence, minimum discrimination information) is a general method of inference about an unknown probability density when there exists a prior estimate of the density and new information in the form of constraints on expected values. Various fundamental properties of cross-entropy minimization are proven and collected in one place. Cross-entropy's well-known properties as an information measure are extended and strengthened when one of the densities involved is the result of cross-entropy minimization. The interplay between properties of cross-entropy minimization as an inference procedure and properties of cross-entropy as an information measure is pointed out. Examples are included and general analytic and computational methods of finding minimum cross-entropy probability densities are discussed.
Braided thermoplastic composites from powder-coated towpregs. Part II: Braiding characteristics of towpregs

Powder coated tows have a structure that is significantly different from conventional textile fibrous strands. The properties of carbon fiber tows coated with nylon 6 powder have been characterized in Part I of this series of papers. In this study, braiding experiments have been carried out with powder coated and commingled tows. An approach has been established to estimate the damage inflicted to the towpregs during the braiding operation using a braiding simulator. Braiding studies reveal that the towpreg properties of flexibility and friction coefficient have significant effects on the braidability of these towpregs. These towpreg properties also have similar effects on the towpreg damage assessed with the braiding simulator. Commingled low is easier to braid than powder coated low. Wrapping facilitates braiding both types of tows.
Intramolecular hydrogen exchange in 2,3-dimethylbutane catalysed by nickel

A cross experiment with a specifically labeled hydrocarbon reveals that intramolecular hydrogen exchange is an important process for saturated hydrocarbons chemisorbed on a nickel catalyst.
Predicting Presence at the Intersections Assessing the Variation in Women’s Office Holding across the States

Over the past several decades, women’s office holding at the state level has grown substantially, but there is still a large range of electoral service across the 50 states. In this article, I revi...
More women in the Tanzanian legislature: Do numbers matter?

Abstract This study examines the changes that followed the rise in the number of female parliamentarians in the Tanzanian legislature and the contextual factors undermining the potential power of the increased number of female MPs. As found in a number of other countries, with more women in parliament, women's interests, concerns and perspective have been better incorporated into parliamentary debates and policy-making in Tanzania. However, the increase in female parliamentary representation challenges the existence of the special-seat system that helped women reach a large minority. The effectiveness of female MPs in Tanzania will improve only with a stronger legislature and a sturdier opposition. If the special-seat system is to remain, a new selection mechanism that allows direct cross-party competition among special-seat candidates should be considered to bring better qualified women into parliament.
Seeing the light

Flowering at the appropriate time is critical to ensure that plants complete sexual reproduction before the onset of winter in temperate habitats. A new study provides the first strong evidence that variation at a photoreceptor gene contributes to variation in flowering time and does so in a latitude-dependent manner.
Communication: Flexible production systems for the apparel and metal‐working industries: a contrast study on technologies and contributions

The purpose of this paper is to perform a contrast study on the technologies and contributions of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) being in use in apparel and metal cutting/removal industries. Some significant differences in the technologies and operational characteristics of existing FMS in the soft‐goods apparel industry and in the hard‐goods metal working industry are identified. Detailed discussions on interesting comparable contributions of FMS at various dimensions such as quality, productivity, flexibility, etc., are also presented. Recommendations for future research are also provided.
Congenital Goiter and the Development of Metastatic Follicular Carcinoma with Evidence for a Leak of Nonhormonal Iodide: Clinical, Pathological, Kinetic, and Biochemical Studies and a Review of the Literature*

We report a large kindred of patients with congenital goiter, followed for 15 yr, in which two siblings (one male and one female) developed metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma. These two patients were evaluated by iodine kinetic analysis. None of the classical defects of T4 biosynthesis was present in either patient. Rather, both patients had extremely rapid rates of iodine turnover, with elevated 131I uptake and excessive spillage of iodide in the urine. Serum iodoalbumin was present, probably as a nonspecific result of glandular hyperplasia. Iodine kinetic analysis after the ingestion of potassium perchlorate and methimazole was compatible with a leak of nonhormonal iodide from the thyroid. It is not possible to determine whether this iodide leak is the primary pathogenetic defect or is secondary to another unidentified abnormality. The unprecedented development of metastatic thyroid cancer in patients with congenital goiter occurred, in both instances, years after subtotal thyroidectomy without thy...
Accuracy of signs of clinical chorioamnionitis in the term parturient

Uniform histopathologic guidelines were applied to diagnose chorioamnionitis and estimate the accuracy of clinical signs in term parturients. A retrospective cohort study utilized slides from term parturient placentas with Amniotic Fluid Infection Nosology Committee guidelines as the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for fever, maternal tachycardia and fetal tachycardia were calculated. Of 641 placentas, 367 (57.3%) had histologic chorioamnionitis and 274 (42.7%) were negative. Fever had a sensitivity of 42%, specificity of 86.5% and accuracy of 61%. Fever, maternal tachycardia and fetal tachycardia had a sensitivity of 18.3%, specificity of 98.2% and accuracy of 52.4%. Histologic chorioamnionitis, frequently asymptomatic, is a common finding in placentas examined from term parturients. Clinical signs are not accurate in the diagnosis. Adoption of uniform pathologic guidelines will facilitate research into the clinical significance of these lesions in the future.
Crohn's disease in children 10 years old and younger : comparison with ulcerative colitis

In order to examine the presentation and course of Crohn's disease (CD) versus those of ulcerative colitis (UC) in children < or = 10 years of age, a retrospective review of children < or = 10 years old with inflammatory bowel disease singled out 40 patients and compared their findings with those of 38 children with UC. The mean age at onset was 7.5 years for CD, as compared with 5.9 years for UC. A family history of inflammatory bowel disease was present in 13 patients (32%). Abdominal pain (97%), diarrhea (78%), and weight loss (88%) were the major initial complaints, with growth retardation present in 12 (30%) children. At onset, four children had diffuse small-bowel disease, nine had terminal ileal disease, 15 had ileocolitis, and 12 had colitis; at the end of the study two had diffuse small-bowel disease, four had terminal ileal disease, 25 had ileocolitis, and seven had colitis. Extra-intestinal manifestations increased with duration of disease. Although the number of recurrences did not differ greatly between groups, those with ileocolitis and colitis needed longer steroid therapy and more days in hospital than did those with only small-bowel disease. Operation was required in 42.5% of children with CD, as compared with 5% of those with UC, with six CD children (35%) requiring later reoperation for recurrent disease or fistula and abscess. Two children died from causes unrelated to their disease (gastric volvulus, carcinoma of the breast).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Topological network analysis by algebraic methods

Algebraic methods for enumerating sets of all trees, 2 trees, cotrees and 2 cotrees are developed. These methods in conjunction with Kirchhoff's rules are shown to be convenient in the analysis of networks.
Two-phase flow regime identification with a multiclassification support vector machine (SVM) model

This paper presents a novel method for the classification of vertical and horizontal two-phase flow regimes in pipes based on a multiclass support vector machine model. Using previously published experimental data for gas−liquid vertical and horizontal two-phase flows, the goal of the model is to predict the transition region between the flow regimes. The transition region is determined with respect to pipe diameter, superficial gas velocity, and superficial liquid velocity. The support vectors of these data are identified and used to determine the transition zone between the multiphase flow patterns. The model proved to be an accurate classification tool for the identification of two-phase flow regimes in pipes. Our computational results show that flow regime predictions from the MSVM models are generally more accurate than predictions based on theoretical correlations.
Microbial toxicity and degradation test methodology: An industrial perspective

Numerous federal regulations are concerned with the release or potential release of chemicals to the environment. Testing that has been proposed under the Toxic Substances Control Act for microbiological effects and persistence has certain limitations. Improved and extremely sensitive procedures are now available to assess chemical toxicity to microorganisms and persistence at environmentally realistic concentrations. This paper discusses these aspects and presents preliminary data for a novel method based on thymidine uptake which offers promise as a routine sensitive assay for the effects of chemicals on biomass, and vice versa. The method has been shown to provide useful data about the persistence of chemicals at realistic environmental concentrations.
The linear polarization of 3C 345 in the ultraviolet

The linear polarization of 3C 345, a superluminal radio source and OVV quasar, was observed in two bandpasses in the ultraviolet (centered at 2160 A and 2770 A) in 1993 April using the High Speed Photometer on the Hubble Space Telescope. The quasar is significantly polarized in the UV (p greater than 5%). Ground-based polarimetry was obtained 11 days later, but a difference in the position angle between the observations in the visible and those in the UV indicate that the magnitude of the polarization of 3C 345 may have changed over that time. If the two observation sets represent the same state of spectral polarization, then the large UV flux implies that either the polarization of the synchrotron continuum must stop decreasing in the UV, or that there is an additional source of polarized flux in the ultraviolet. Only if the UV observations represent a spectral polarization state with the same position angle in the visible seen previously in 3C 345 can the polarized flux be represented by a single power law consistent with the three-component model of Smith et al. This model consists of a polarized synchrotron component, an unpolarized component from the broad-line region, and an unpolarized component attributed to thermal radiation from an optically thick accretion disk. Additional simultaneous polarimetry in the UV and visible will be required to further constrain models of the continuum emission processes in 3C 345 and determine if the UV polarized flux is synchrotron in origin.
A randomized comparison of oral mifepristone to intravenous oxytocin for labor induction in women with prelabor rupture of membranes beyond 36 weeks' gestation.

Objective This study was undertaken to compare the use of oral mifepristone with intravenous oxytocin for labor induction in women with prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) at 36 weeks' or greater gestational age. Study design Sixty-five women with spontaneous PROM were randomly assigned to receive orally administered mifepristone or oxytocin infusion. Two hundred milligrams of mifepristone was administered, and subjects were observed for 18 hours, or intravenous oxytocin was administered. Results Thirty-three women received mifepristone and 32 received oxytocin. The average interval from start of induction to delivery was 1194.1 ± 568.7 minutes for mifepristone-treated subjects and 770.8 ± 519.9 minutes for oxytocin-treated subjects ( P =.001, log-transformed data). Of 33 mifepristone-treated subjects and 32 oxytocin-treated subjects, 25 (78.1%) and 17 (51.5%), respectively, achieved successful induction (defined as vaginal delivery within 24 hours) (relative risk [RR] 0.66, 95% CI 0.45-0.96, P =.01). There was more fetal distress in the mifepristone-treated group (9 vs 2, RR 4.36, 95% CI 1.02-18.66, P =.02), and a trend toward more cesarean births (7 vs 3, RR 2.26, 95% CI 0.64-7.99, P =.19). Eleven infants of mifepristone-treated women (33.3%) and 3 infants of oxytocin-treated women (9.4%) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (RR 3.56, 95% CI 1.09-11.58, P =.02). Conclusion Oral mifepristone administration 18 hours before oxytocin infusion did not improve labor stimulation in women with PROM near term, and was associated with more adverse fetal outcomes.
Metastatic sacral tumors

Therapeutic approaches are still a matter of debate. Given the complexity of the sacral anatomy and the vicinity of major neural structures and vital organs, advantages of radical resection for local disease control must be weighed against the anticipated treatment morbidities and complications. It becomes imperative to establish a multidisciplinary team approach to provide the best environment for establishing individualized management plans.
SEM-EDX analysis of an unknown "known" white powder found in a shipping container from Peru

In 2008, an unknown white powder was discovered spilled inside of a shipping container of whole kernel corn during an inspection by federal inspectors in the port of Baltimore, Maryland. The container was detained and quarantined while a sample of the powder was collected and sent to a federal laboratory where it was screened using chromatography for the presence of specific poisons and pesticides with negative results. Samples of the corn kernels and the white powder were forwarded to the Food and Drug Administration, Forensic Chemistry Center for further analysis. Stereoscopic Light Microscopy (SLM), Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM/EDX), and Polarized Light Microscopy/Infrared Spectroscopy (PLM-IR) were used in the analysis of the kernels and the unknown powder. Based on the unique particle analysis by SLM and SEM as well as the detection of the presence of aluminum and phosphorous by EDX, the unknown was determined to be consistent with reacted aluminum phosphide (AlP). While commonly known in the agricultural industry, aluminum phosphide is relatively unknown in the forensic community. A history of the use and acute toxicity of this compound along with some very unique SEM/EDX analysis characteristics of aluminum phosphide will be discussed.
Relationship between Leaf Photosynthesis and Nitrogen Content of Field-Grown Rice in Tropics

A field-derived relationship between maximum single leaf net photosynthetic rate under saturating light (A max ) and leaf N content per unit leaf area (N a ) is not available for rice (Oryza sativa L.). The rice simulation model ORYZA1 estimates aboveground dry matter production based on the relationship between A max and N a determined previously under greenhouse-growth chamber conditions. The objectives of this study were to establish to relationship between A max and N a under field conditions and to determine whether the field-derived relationship could improve ORYZA1 estimation of aboveground dry matter production of tropical irrigated rice. Rice plants were grown in the field with different N rates in the 1993 dry season. The A max and N a were determined at 38 and 88 d after transplanting. Aboveground dry matter was determined at physiological maturity. Dry matter production data at physiological maturity from four other field experiments were used for model evaluation. There was a close correlation between A max and N a under field conditions (r 2 = 0.88). Compared with the relationship between A max and N a as determined under greenhouse-growth chamber conditions in previous studies, higher A max was observed at low N a in this field study. When the field-derived relationship between A max and N a was used, ORYZA1 estimation of dry matter production was improved for rice grown in tropical irrigated environments.
The action of two classes of pyrethroids on the inhibition of brain Na-Ca and Ca + Mg ATP hydrolyzing activities of the American cockroach.

Abstract 1. Ca2+-stimulated ATP hydrolyzing activities (i.e. Na-Ca ATP hydrolysis and Ca + Mg ATP hydrolysis) measured in cockroach brain tissue were highly sensitive to the action of pyrethroid insecticides under in vitro conditions. 2. Non-cyano-containing pyrethroids inhibited Na-Ca ATP hydrolysis to a greater extent than their cyano-containing counterparts. The reverse is true for pyrethroid action on Ca + Mg ATP hydrolysis. 3. Nonmitochondrial Ca + Mg ATP hydrolysis of disrupted synaptosomes was the most sensitive activity examined. 4. Ca2+-stimulated ATP hydrolyzing activities were inhibited in cockroaches poisoned by permethrin in vivo. 5. In vivo poisoning occurred in the presence of a similar amount of bound [14C]permethrin which had been determined to cause a substantial amount of inhibition to Ca2+-stimulated ATP hydrolyzing activities in vitro.
Extensions to pedigree analysis III. Variance components by the scoring method

The classic variance components for simple polygenic traits - additive, dominance, and environmental variance - have traditionally been estimated from sample covariances between first-degree relatives. If data is gathered on pedigrees, this statistical procedure wastes information. Recently Elston & Stewart suggested an alternative likelihood procedure that uses all the information in a set of pedigrees. A refinement of their method based on the scoring technique gives rapidly converging maximum likelihood estimates of the variance components and of the male and female means. Tests of statistical hypotheses about the various parameters can then be made by the likelihood ratio method. Furthermore, using classical regression analysis, the estimated parameter values allow prediction of unknown trait values from known trait values within a pedigree. These methods should apply to traits like total finger ridge count and to quantitative measurements associated with disease traits. Since the model postulates independent environmental effects and no assortative mating, its utility in human behaviour genetics seems limited.
Acute renal insufficiency during telavancin therapy in clinical practice

Results: Twenty-one patients received telavancin and met the inclusion criteria. Seven of 21 patients (33%) developed acute renal insufficiency during therapy. Patients who developed acute renal insufficiency had a mean glomerular filtration rate reduction of 56 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . In the univariate analysis, high body mass index (P ¼0.025), use of intravenous contrast dye (P ¼0.017) and prior serum vancomycin trough levels .20 mg/L (P ¼0.017) were associated with developing acute renal insufficiency. Two patients required haemodialysis; two had persistent renal insufficiency. Conclusions: Supratherapeutic vancomycin trough levels, high body mass index and receipt of intravenous contrast dye prior to telavancin therapy were associated with acute renal insufficiency.
P-glycoprotein related drug interactions: clinical importance and a consideration of disease states.

Importance of the field: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is the most characterized drug transporter in terms of its clinical relevance for pharmacokinetic disposition and interaction with other medicines. Clinically significant P-gp related drug interactions appear restricted to digoxin. P-gp may act as a major barrier to current and effective drug treatment in a number of diseases including cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's and epilepsy due to its expression in tumors, lymphocytes, cell membranes of brain capillaries and the choroid plexus.Areas covered in this review: This review summarizes the current understanding of P-gp structure/function, clinical importance of P-gp related drug interactions and the modulatory role this transporter may contribute towards drug efficacy in disease states such as cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's and epilepsy.What the reader will gain: The reader will gain an understanding that the clinical relevance of P-gp in drug interactions is limited. In certain disease states, P-gp in barrier tissues ca...
Solving the processor identity problem in O(n) space

The processor identity problem is the problem of assigning unique identifiers to processors that communicate through shared memory. Solutions to fundamental multiprocessor coordination problems such as the mutual exclusion problem and the choice coordination problems often rely on unique identifiers. A solution to the processor identity problem simplifies shared memory processor design by eliminating the need to encode processor identifiers in system hardware or software structures. The original solution to the processor identity problem required O(n/sup 2/) space. Further refinements lowered the space requirements to O(n log/sup 2/n). This paper presents a protocol which only requires O(n) space. >
Electronic structure of the two dehydro-meta-xylylene triradicals and their derivatives

Abstract The ground and low-lying excited states of the 5-dehydro- meta -xylylene and 2-dehydro- meta -xylylene triradicals, as well as their derivatives are characterized by the equation-of-motion spin-flip coupled-cluster method with single and double substitutions. The effect of substituents in the C2, C4, and C6 positions on electronic states ordering is investigated. In the 5-dehydro- meta -xylylene triradical, which has the 1 2 B 2 ground state, charged substituents at C2 stabilize the closed-shell 1 2 A 1 state, whereas the NO substituent lowers the 1 2 A 2 and 1 2 B 1 states. In the 2-dehydro- meta -xylylene triradical with the 1 4 B 2 ground state charged substituents also significantly stabilize the 1 2 A 1 state and 1 2 B 1 state. The observed effects are explained by the nodal structure of the π orbitals and charge localization in the σ radical center.
Ionic polymer metal composites as energy harvesters

The Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) is an Electroactive Polymer (EAP) capable of soft sensing as well as soft actuation under low driving voltage. Typically, the transduction model includes two resistors and two capacitors, which primarily accounts for the effective electrodes on the surface of the IPMC (top and bottom). There is a resistor placed between the two RC circuits to account for material between the electrodes and the resistance due to ion migration through the polymer matrix. In this paper we report our recent effort on IPMCs in connection with the application in energy harvesters. The experiments conducted use IPMC samples with various lengths, various widths and various thicknesses, and compare the charging rates of the different transducer sizes. The experimental results clearly indicate that IPMCs are attractive applicants for energy harvesting.
Labelling graphs with a condition at distance 2

Given a simple graph $G = ( V,E )$ and a positive number d, an $L_d ( 2,1 )$-labelling of G is a function $f:V ( G ) \to [ 0,\infty )$ such that whenever $x,y \in V$ are adjacent, $| f ( x ) - f ( ...
Complex training: a brief review

The effectiveness of plyometric training is well supported by research. Complex training has gained popularity as a training strategy combining weight training and plyometric training. Anecdotal reports recommend training in this fashion in order to improve muscular power and athletic performance. Recently, several studies have examined complex training. Despite the fact that questions remain about the potential effectiveness and implementation of this type of training, results of recent studies are useful in guiding practitioners in the development and implementation of complex training programs. In some cases, research suggests that complex training has an acute ergogenic effect on upper body power and the results of acute and chronic complex training include improved jumping performance. Improved performance may require three to four minutes rest between the weight training and plyometrics sets and the use of heavy weight training loads.
Soft decoding of temporal derivatives for robust distributed speech recognition in packet loss

The aim of this work is to improve distributed speech recognition accuracy in packet loss by considering the effect of loss on the temporal derivatives of the feature vector. Analysis of temporal derivatives reveals they suffer severe distortion when static vectors are lost in times of packet loss. The application of missing feature theory and soft-decoding techniques are considered for compensating against packet loss at the decoding stage of recognition. An extension to these methods is developed which considers the static, velocity and acceleration components separately. A series of confidence measures for the temporal derivatives is devised and applied within the soft-decoding framework. Experimental results on both a connected digit task and a large vocabulary task demonstrate significant increases in recognition accuracy under a range of packet loss conditions.
A personalised query suggestion agent based on query-concept bipartite graphs and Concept Relation Trees

Queries submitted to a web search engine are usually short and ambiguous. Query suggestion is a way for extending queries to allow search engines to better speculate exact meanings of short and ambiguous queries. This paper proposes a personalised query suggestion agent that uses the Query-Concept bipartite graphs and Concept Relation Trees (CRTs) for query suggestion. The agent dynamically updates weights between Query-Concept and Concept-Concept to personalise suggestions. Simulation results show that the new personalised query suggestion agent works effectively.
Expression of the Gene for Mouse Lactate Dehydrogenase C (Ldhc) Is Required for Male Fertility

The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) protein family members characteristically are distributed in tissue- and cell type-specific patterns and serve as the terminal enzyme of glycolysis, catalyzing reversible oxidation reduction between pyruvate and lactate. They are present as tetramers, and one family member, LDHC, is abundant in spermatocytes, spermatids, and sperm, but also is found in modest amounts in oocytes. We disrupted the Ldhc gene to determine whether LDHC is required for spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and/or sperm and egg function. The targeted disruption of Ldhc severely impaired fertility in male Ldhc � /� mice but not in female Ldhc � /� mice. Testis and sperm morphology and sperm production appeared to be normal. However, total LDH enzymatic activity was considerably lower in Ldhc � /� sperm than in wild type sperm, indicating that the LDHC homotetramer (LDH-C 4 ) is responsible for most of the LDH activity in sperm. Although initially motile when isolated, there was a more rapid reduction in the level of ATP and in motility in Ldhc � /� sperm than in wild-type sperm. Moreover, Ldhc � /� sperm did not acquire hyperactivated motility, were unable to penetrate the zona pellucida in vitro, and failed to undergo the phosphorylation events characteristic of capacitation. These studies showed that LDHC plays an essential role in maintenance of the processes of glycolysis and ATP production in the flagellum that are required for male fertility and sperm function.
IMG/M: the integrated metagenome data management and comparative analysis system

The integrated microbial genomes and metagenomes (IMG/M) system provides support for comparative analysis of microbial community aggregate genomes (metagenomes) in a comprehensive integrated context. IMG/M integrates metagenome data sets with isolate microbial genomes from the IMG system. IMG/M's data content and analytical capabilities have been extended through regular updates since its first release in 2007. IMG/M is available at http://img.jgi.doe.gov/m. A companion IMG/M systems provide support for annotation and expert review of unpublished metagenomic data sets (IMG/M ER: http://img.jgi.doe.gov/mer).
Phylogenetic Analysis of Molecular Lineages in a Species-Rich Subgenus of Sea Stars (Leptasterias Subgenus Hexasterias) 1

Synopsis Among diverse marine invertebrate taxa, the evolution of a non-planktotrophic larva is often associated with increased rates of cladogenesis, compared to related taxa that retain the ancestral planktotrophic larval form. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of non-planktotrophic (and, presumably species-rich) clades of marine invertebrates are rare. Here we analyze 1542 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA sequence comprising two gene regions, the cytochrome oxidase I gene and the putative control region and flanking sequences, for 23 molecular lineages in the obligately brood-protecting asteroid genus Leptasterias. Using maximum likelihood, minimum evolution, and maximum parsimony methods, five major clades were identified that corresponded to five taxa (species or species complexes) in the subgenus Hexasterias, section camtschatica (following the taxonomy of Walter K. Fisher). Two clades (L. aequalis> complex and L. aleutica/L. camtschatica complex) were composed of numerous molecular lineages (7–8 linea...
Myocardial perfusion imaging with a correlated X-ray CT and SPECT system: an animal study

We have performed a quantitative SPECT study in a porcine model of myocardial perfusion with the correlated X-ray CT transmission and SPECT emission (ETCT) system developed at UCSF. Pixel values in the reconstructed SPECT images were calibrated in units of activity concentration and compared with the activity concentration determined from corresponding excised myocardial tissue samples. An object specific attenuation map was obtained by linear scaling from the X-ray CT. Attenuation maps with lower spatial resolution and higher signal to noise ratio were also derived from the X-ray CT image. The pixel values and intensity distribution in reconstructed myocardial SPECT image was not sensitive to spatial resolution or noise in the transmission map for the given examples. An MLEM algorithm with regularization was used to determine mean and maximum pixel values for ROIs in the myocardial SPECT images. The use of the maximum pixel value did not sufficiently compensate for contrast degradation due to partial volume errors. A separate measurement of the myocardial wall thickness was used to adequately correct for partial volume errors.
Therapeutic Approaches to Eradicate Latent HIV-1 in Resting CD4+ T Cells

Abstract While combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) can drive HIV-1 RNA levels to < 50 copies/mL in patient plasma, most infected individuals continue to harbor low-level persistent viremia. Latently infected resting CD4+ T cells are thought to constitute the major reservoir of HIV-1 persistence. In this reservoir, the integrated provirus remains transcriptionally silent as long as the host cell is in a resting state. On discontinuation of cART, these viruses can reactivate and lead to waves of de novo infection events. The prevailing hypothesis in the field is that molecules that reactivate latent HIV-1 infection will purge this reservoir by inducing transcription of the latent provirus, thereby causing cells to undergo apoptosis. This review article summarizes the results of all therapeutic approaches that have been clinically evaluated for their potential to reverse HIV latency.
Are The Right Students Receiving Need Based Federal Student Financial Aid

Students at a college or university who receive need-based financial aid, receive a tremendous financial resource compared to those students who do not receive need based financial aid. A sample of 100 students from various backgrounds and skills were surveyed. The survey asked questions of the two student groups: received need based financial aid group and non-need based financial aid group. The overall questions were intended to identify specific traits and measures of the students performance.
Mobile spaced education for surgery rotation improves National Board of Medical Examiners scores

Abstract Background Use of mobile devices for medical education is increasing. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation of a spaced education–based app study program in a third year medical school surgery rotation and examine its effects on National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) examination performance. Materials and methods Case-based questions were created and distributed to students on a voluntary basis via a mobile app. Questions were repeated in a spaced based manner until mastered. Students completed surveys regarding study habits and app use. NBME examination scores and prior academic measures were obtained. Users of the app were compared to non-users of the app and the previous years' class. Results One hundred fifty-two students were offered the app; 121 (80%) used it. App users had a final NBME score of 77.5% compared with 68.8% (P Conclusions Use of the app-based program was an effective tool associated with higher scores on standardized tests in lower level achieving students.
Making or breaking athletic careers.

When classes begin in the fall, young athletes often appear in a cardiologist's office because of the finding of abnormal electrocardiography (ECG) results, a murmur, or some item in the history that has triggered the consultation. Most college and high school athletic programs require a medical
Catapultry: A Sport for the 80s

(1977). Catapultry: A Sport for the 80s. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 48, Including Leisure Today, pp. 23-23.
Exploiting Fine- and Coarse-Grained Parallelism Using a Directive Based Approach

Modern high-performance machines are challenging to program because of the availability of a wide array of compute resources that often requires low-level, specialized knowledge to exploit. OpenMP is an effective directive-based approach that can effectively exploit shared-memory multicores. The recently introduced OpenMP 4.0 standard extends the directive-based approach to exploit accelerators. However, programming clusters still requires the use of other specialized languages or libraries.