cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Globally distributed agile teams: an exploratory study of the dimensions contributing to successful team configuration

Drawing upon configurational theory, work group design research, virtualness concepts, and the software agility literature, the purpose of this study was to provide a starting point for theorizing about the successful configuration of globally distributed agile teams by exploring the dimensions of team structure, virtualness, and agility. Due to the complex nature of this topic, the need to examine the phenomenon within its natural setting, and the limited amount of research that has been conducted in this particular area, this study adopted an embedded multiple-case research design. The primary data collection method consisted of semi-structured interviews involving members of globally distributed agile teams within three U.S. based organizations with members located in distributed sights in multiple countries. Additional data were collected from archival records. Within-case and cross-analysis was conducted using qualitative data analysis software. This study provides a starting point for answering the question of how the configuration of globally distributed agile teams differs from the configuration of other types of globally distributed teams; it synthesizes past research and findings into a comprehensive theoretical framework; it provides a starting point for theorizing about the successful configuration of globally distributed agile teams; it helps practitioners to identify and address the challenges related to the configuration of globally distributed agile teams; and it presents a set of best practices which will inform organizations on how to configure their globally distributed agile teams.
Thioglycollate peritonitis in mice lacking C5, 5-lipoxygenase, or p47phox: complement, leukotrienes, and reactive oxidants in acute inflammation

Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) is an easily diffusible proinflammatory chemotactic factor that has been posited to prime the initial inflammatory response for the action of other mediators, including C5a. 5-Lipoxygenase-deficient (5LX(-/-)) and C5-deficient mice only generated about 50% as much peritoneal leukocytosis as wild-type mice following intraperitoneal (IP) challenge with the sterile irritant, thioglycollate (P<0.005). Pretreatment of C5- mice with the specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, zileuton, reduced peritoneal leukocytosis to almost unstimulated levels, suggesting that LTB(4) can act independently of C5a. Previously, LTB(4) and C5a have been shown in vitro to be inactivated by metabolites of superoxide. In the current study, we examined the fate of LTB(4) in the p47(phox-/-) mouse model of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) in which the phagocyte NADPH oxidase is unable to produce superoxide. p47(phox-/-) mice generated more thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal leukocytosis than wild-type mice. Pretreatment with zileuton caused a 76% reduction in peritoneal leukocytosis in p47(phox-/-) mice (P<0.005) and a 54% reduction in wild-type mice (P<0.05), whereas pretreatment with dexamethasone or toradol (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) had no effect. Following IP LTB(4) (1 microg/mouse), total recovered peritoneal LTB(4) was similar between p47(phox-/-) and wild-type mice at 10 and 30 min, but was approximately fivefold greater in p47(phox-/-) mice at 180 min. These data suggest that LTB(4) and C5a have separate but overlapping roles in thioglycollate-elicited peritonitis, and at least the leukotriene component is, in turn, regulated by reactive oxidants.
Proton pump inhibitors and risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency: evidence and clinical implications

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) remain the superior choice worldwide in antisecretory therapy in the evidence-based treatment of upper gastrointestinal disorders including gastroesophageal reflux disease, erosive esophagitis, dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease. PPI overutilization in ambulatory care settings is often a result of failure to re-evaluate the need for continuation of therapy, or insufficient use of on-demand and step-down therapy. Nonjudicious use of PPIs creates both preventable financial as well as medical concerns. PPIs have been associated with an increased risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies impacting vitamin B12, vitamin C, calcium, iron and magnesium metabolism. While these risks are considered to be relatively low in the general population, they may be notable in elderly and malnourished patients, as well as those on chronic hemodialysis and concomitant PPI therapy. No current evidence recommends routine screening or supplementation for these potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies in patients on either short- or long-term PPI therapy. Reducing inappropriate prescribing of PPIs can minimize the potential risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Reliability testing of two classification systems for osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis of the elbow

Hypothesis and background The severity of elbow arthritis is one of many factors that surgeons must evaluate when considering treatment options for a given patient. Elbow surgeons have historically used the Broberg and Morrey (BM) and Hastings and Rettig (HR) classification systems to radiographically stage the severity of post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) and primary osteoarthritis (OA). We proposed to compare the intraobserver and interobserver reliability between systems for patients with either PTA or OA. Methods The radiographs of 45 patients were evaluated at least 2 weeks apart by 6 evaluators of different levels of training. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were calculated by Spearman correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals. Agreement was considered almost perfect for coefficients >0.80 and substantial for coefficients of 0.61 to 0.80. Results In patients with both PTA and OA, intraobserver reliability and interobserver reliability were substantial, with no difference between classification systems. There were no significant differences in intraobserver or interobserver reliability between attending physicians and trainees for either classification system (all P > .10). The presence of fracture implants did not affect reliability in the BM system but did substantially worsen reliability in the HR system (intraobserver P = .04 and interobserver P = .001). Conclusions The BM and HR classifications both showed substantial intraobserver and interobserver reliability for PTA and OA. Training level differences did not affect reliability for either system. Both trainees and fellowship-trained surgeons may easily and reliably apply each classification system to the evaluation of primary elbow OA and PTA, although the HR system was less reliable in the presence of fracture implants.
Formal similarity of the redundant element and the prefix effect

Thirty-two Ss recalled visually presented series of seven consonants. A prearranged redundant element was emitted prior to recall, after either a 0-sec or a 2-sec retention interval. The results indicated that class membership of the redundant element influences the magnitude of the prefix effect, a finding consistent with a retroactive inhibition interpretation of the prefix effect. An alternative hypothesis, that of frequency of use of the prefix elements, may be capable of explaining the same results.
Development of Approaches to Improve Cell Survival in Myoblast Transfer Therapy

Myoblast transplantation has been extensively studied as a gene complementation approach for genetic diseases such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This approach has been found capable of delivering dystrophin, the product missing in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy muscle, and leading to an increase of strength in the dystrophic muscle. This approach, however, has been hindered by numerous limitations, including immunological problems, and low spread and poor survival of the injected myoblasts. We have investigated whether antiinflammatory treatment and use of different populations of skeletal muscle–derived cells may circumvent the poor survival of the injected myoblasts after implantation. We have observed that different populations of muscle-derived cells can be isolated from skeletal muscle based on their desmin immunoreactivity and differentiation capacity. Moreover, these cells acted differently when injected into muscle: 95% of the injected cells in some populations died within 48 h, while others richer in desmin-positive cells survived entirely. Since pure myoblasts obtained from isolated myofibers and myoblast cell lines also displayed a poor survival rate of the injected cells, we have concluded that the differential survival of the populations of muscle-derived cells is not only attributable to their content in desmin-positive cells. We have observed that the origin of the myogenic cells may influence their survival in the injected muscle. Finally, we have observed that myoblasts genetically engineered to express an inhibitor of the inflammatory cytokine, IL-1, can improve the survival rate of the injected myoblasts. Our results suggest that selection of specific muscle-derived cell populations or the control of inflammation can be used as an approach to improve cell survival after both myoblast transplantation and the myoblast-mediated ex vivo gene transfer approach.
Reversed (Negative) Magnetization for Electrochemically Deposited High-Tc Thin Films of Chromium Hexacyanide Magnets

Thin films of chromium cyanide Prussian blue-like materials, KnCrx[Cr(CN)6] (ca. 1.0 ± 0.5 μm thick) are electrodeposited on glassy carbon electrodes in amorphous (a) and crystalline (α) forms. The crystalline film shows a X-ray diffraction pattern typical of a face-centered cubic (fcc) Prussian blue-type cubic lattice [a = 10.41(2) A]. The films exhibit quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetric waves, distinct morphologies in SEM images, and strong field-dependent magnetic behavior. The films undergo two one-electron processes, CrII[CrII(CN)6]2- ⇌ CrIII[CrII(CN)6]- + e-, and CrIII[CrII(CN)6]- ⇌ CrIII[CrIII(CN)6] + e-, with some residual CrII being present. The composition is determined from an analysis of the υCN IR data {[CrII(CN)6]4-: υCN = 2072s cm-1; [CrIII(CN)6]3-: υCN = 2185m cm-1} and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectral data. The composition of the oxidized and reduced films are CrIII[CrIII(CN)6]0.98[CrII(CN)6]0.02 and K2.0CrII[CrII(CN)6], respectively, for both amorphous and crystalline forms. These ...
Sample size and power determination in joint modeling of longitudinal and survival data

Owing to the rapid development of biomarkers in clinical trials, joint modeling of longitudinal and survival data has gained its popularity in the recent years because it reduces bias and provides improvements of efficiency in the assessment of treatment effects and other prognostic factors. Although much effort has been put into inferential methods in joint modeling, such as estimation and hypothesis testing, design aspects have not been formally considered. Statistical design, such as sample size and power calculations, is a crucial first step in clinical trials. In this paper, we derive a closed-form sample size formula for estimating the effect of the longitudinal process in joint modeling, and extend Schoenfeld's sample size formula to the joint modeling setting for estimating the overall treatment effect. The sample size formula we develop is quite general, allowing for p-degree polynomial trajectories. The robustness of our model is demonstrated in simulation studies with linear and quadratic trajectories. We discuss the impact of the within-subject variability on power and data collection strategies, such as spacing and frequency of repeated measurements, in order to maximize the power. When the within-subject variability is large, different data collection strategies can influence the power of the study in a significant way. Optimal frequency of repeated measurements also depends on the nature of the trajectory with higher polynomial trajectories and larger measurement error requiring more frequent measurements. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A note and erratum concerning «Min-Max theory for the Yang-Mills Higgs equations»

An error in an argument which was used to prove the existence of non-minimal solutions to theSU(2) Yang-Mills-Higgs equations has been shown to the author. A revised proof is presented here to establish the existence of infinitely many non-minimal solutions to the afore-mentioned equations.
The release of the acid-soluble nucleotide pool of E. coli by EDTA-Tris☆

Abstract In view of the current interest in the effect of EDTA-Tris treatment in altering the permeability of cells of Escherichia coli ( Neu and Heppel, 1964b ; Leive, 1965a , Leive, 1965b , Leive, 1965c ; Girija and Sreenivasan, 1965 ; Moses and Sharp, 1966 ) we wished to extend and clarify some earlier observations on the release of acidsoluble nucleotide material from EDTA treated cells ( Neu and Heppel, 1964a , Neu and Heppel, 1965 ). At the same time we wish to point out that Tris-HCl itself alters the permeability of cells of E. coli as temperature is increased. Our studies suggest that the effect of EDTA-Tris treatment of E. coli is not as selective in altering permeability as originally thought ( Leive, 1965c ).
Fully synthetic carbohydrate HIV antigens designed on the logic of the 2G12 antibody.

Di- and trivalent glycopeptide mimics of the HIV 2G12 epitope have been synthesized and evaluated for their comparative 2G12 binding characteristics. The epitope mimics consist of a cyclic peptide scaffold (unrelated to gp120 peptide sequences) attached via aspartate linkages to two or three copies of the high-mannose glycan, Man9GlcNAc2. The synthesis has been achieved via high-yielding double and triple Lansbury aspartylations of Man9GlcNAc2-NH2 with peptides containing, respectively, two and three aspartate residues. Conjugation of such constructs with an immunogenic carrier protein, OMPC, has been accomplished through the peptide's cysteine sulfhydryl function, and Biacore assays have shown that binding affinity for 2G12 increases with increasing valency.
Bartonella species, feline herpesvirus-1, and Toxoplasma gondii PCR assay results from blood and aqueous humor samples from 104 cats with naturally occurring endogenous uveitis.

Toxoplasma gondii, Bartonella henselae and feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) have been implicated as causative agents in feline uveitis. The usefulness of serum and aqueous humor (AH) antibody testing for these agents is limited as antibodies can be detected in both healthy cats and cats with uveitis. Very few studies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to amplify organism DNA from samples from cats with uveitis have been performed. In this study, assays to detect T gondii antibodies, feline leukemia virus antigen, feline immunodeficiency virus antibody, and Bartonella species antibodies were performed on serum and PCR assays for amplification of T gondii, Bartonella species, and FHV-1 DNA were performed on blood and AH samples from 104 cats with endogenous uveitis and 19 healthy cats. Results suggest the addition of the PCR assay to the diagnostic work-up for cats with uveitis will increase the detection of T gondii and FHV-1; however, the diagnostic usefulness of these additional data is not clear.
Heart Disease in Women

Susan Wilansky, MD, James T. Willerson, MD, eds. 672 pp. Illustrated. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone, an imprint of Elsevier Science; 2002. $129.00. ISBN 0-443-07900-5 Heart Disease in Women by Susan Wilansky and James T. Willerson is a timely and important addition to the cardiovascular literature. As awareness of women’s health issues increases, and as results of clinical trials involving women become available, it is pertinent and important to collect and compile these data into one volume that organizes, unifies, and elucidates this up-to-the minute information. Although some aspects of cardiovascular disease are similar in women and men, it is becoming increasingly obvious that there are many differences as well. Many recent trials involving women have brought us unpredicted, and even surprising, results (eg, Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study [HERS], Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation [WISE], Women’s Health Initiative [WHI]). Drs Wilansky and Willerson note in their preface: Some …
The uses of hypnotherapy with learning disabled children.

Explored the impact of group hypnotic and self-hypnotic training on the academic performance and self-esteem of learning disabled (LD) children. Three hypnotic training sessions and instructions for 6 weeks of daily self hypnotic practice that contained suggestions for imagery related to improvement in these areas were given to 15 children (12 males and 3 females, ages from 7 to 13), their reading teacher, and both their parents, and their responses were compared to a similar but untreated control group of 18. No overall differences were observed between groups. A multiple regression analysis revealed important predictors of self-esteem improvement for the experimental group. The child's hypnotic susceptibility score and self-hypnotic practice by children and parents were the most relevant. These LD children were at least as hypnotically susceptible as a normative sample. Hypnotherapy is seen as feasible in group administration by persons only moderately trained in hypnosis and of potential benefit to self-esteem improvement in LD children, depending on individual difference factors.
The effect of water and acid-washing soil treatment on the measurement of pH, delta pH and zero point of charge in some variable charge soils

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine the effect of previous water and acid‐washing soil treatment on soil pH, Delta pH and Zero Point of Charge of soil surface samples of three Hawaii soils, Molokai (Typic Torrox), Wahiawa (Tropeptic Eutrustox), and Hilo (Typic Hydrandept). The acid‐washing treatment lowered the soil pH and shifted the Zero Point of Charge to lower pH values. The effect was greater in the Wahiawa and Molokai soils that are dominated by oxidic materials. Whereas the acid‐washing treatment did not change the magnitude of the negative charge in the Wahiawa and Molokai soils, it overestimated the magnitude of the positive charge in the Hilo soil. This phenomena probably was enhanced by the dominance of variable charge clay minerals in the Hilo soil. The results indicated that the acid‐washing treatment changed the nature of the charge characteristics of the soils, hence it should not be recommended in the characterization of the net charge in variable charge soils.
Topology and regulation of bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase in sealed native microsomes from rat liver

Bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase displays marked latency in native microsomes. To examine whether this latency correlates with structural integrity of the microsomal vesicles and reflects lumenal orientation of the enzyme's catalytic center, we analyzed the relationship between transferase activity and the degree of expression of mannose (Man)-6-phosphatase, which is a marker enzyme of the cisternal face of the ER membrane. Using detergent, sonication, or the pore-forming Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin to breach the microsomal membrane permeability barrier, we found that after each of these pretreatments a remarkably close direct relationship existed between latency changes for bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase and Man-6-phosphatase. This finding suggested that the transferase may have the same transverse topology as the phosphohydrolase. We also compared the effects of membrane-impermeant proteinases on bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity in native and disrupted microsomes. Whereas the unspecific proteinase nagarse markedly inactivated (to <30% of activities in controls) the transferase in disrupted microsomes, treatment with the proteinase had little effect on transferase activity in sealed microsomal vesicles. The results suggest that the active site of bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase is on the lumenal face of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. It was also found that activation of transferase activity by UDP N-acetylglucosamine, which is the presumed allosteric effector of UDP-glucuronyltransferase, was markedly altered by relatively small changes in structural integrity of the microsomes and totally abolished when latency of Man-6-P hydrolysis fell below 80%. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the microsomal membrane permeability barrier is a major determinant of expression of microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity and that quantitative assessment of integrity of the microsomes is essential for studying kinetic properties and regulation of microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase.
Spectroscopic evidence for high harmonic fast wave heating in the CDX-U spherical torus

We present evidence for high harmonic fast wave (HHFW) heating in the core of the CDX-U spherical torus (aspect ratio R/a1.5) at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. We use a spectroscopic technique combining fast, multichordal measurements of the ultrasoft x-ray line emission from intrinsic C and O. The results show that in a few cases substantial (nearly 50%) increases in the core electron temperature can be obtained with only about 100 kW of radio-frequency power, compared to 150 kW ohmic input. Modifications of the core magnetohydrodynamic activity consistent with the estimated Te increase are also observed. The majority of the discharges exhibit only modest core Te increases however, with most of the heating occurring outside r/a0.5. A proposed explanation for this effect consistent with the experimental observations is based on a neoclassical transport instability for low-Z impurities, similar to an effect recently described for high-Z impurities in large tokamaks.
Immune response to the immunodominant epitope of mouse hepatitis virus is polyclonal, but functionally monospecific in C57Bl/6 mice.

Mutations in an immunodominant CD8 CTL epitope (S-510-518) are selected in mice persistently infected with the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus. These mutations abrogate recognition by T cells harvested from the infected CNS in direct ex vivo cytotoxicity assays. Previous reports have suggested that, in general, an oligoclonal, monospecific T cell response contributes to the selection of CTL escape mutants. Herein, we show that, in MHV-JHM-infected mice, the CD8 T cell response after intraperitoneal infection is polyclonal and diverse. This diverse response was shown to include both polyclonal and oligoclonal components. The polyclonal data were shown to fit a logarithmic distribution. With regard to specificity, we used a panel of peptide analogues of epitope S-510-518 and spleen-derived CD8 T cell lines to determine why only a subset of possible mutations was selected in persistently infected mice. At a given position in the epitope, the mutations identified in in vivo isolates were among those that resulted in the greatest loss of recognition. However, not all such mutations were selected, suggesting that additional factors must contribute to selection in vivo. By extrapolation of these results to the persistently infected CNS, they suggest that the selection of CTL escape mutants requires the presence of a monospecific T cell response but also show that this response need not be oligoclonal.
Poster: Evolution and usability of ubiquitous immersive 3D interfaces

Immersive virtual reality applications have historically been associated with cumbersome technical components that require substantial infrastructure and support. Recent developments have pointed towards a far more accessible and exponentially less expensive generation of immersive virtual reality systems through creative repurposing of the products of the entertainment and mobile communications industry. We present a practical design of such a system; which provides the core interaction affordances of immersive virtual reality, but in a portable, lightweight, untethered configuration. In addition, an immersive virtual experience was developed for the system as an experimental test-bed. User feedback and performance data obtained from a pilot study with this experience is reported that provides insight into the acceptability of the system and experience design under ad-hoc deployment situations.
REGULAR REES MATRIX SEMIGROUPS AND REGULAR DUBREIL-JACOTIN SEMIGROUPS

Abstract A partially ordered semigroup S is said to be a Dubreil-Jacotin semigroup if there is an isotonehomomorphism 9 of S onto a partially ordered group such that {x e S: xty < x9) has a greatestmember. In this paper we investigate the structure of regular Dubreil-Jacotin semigroups in whichthe imposed partial order extends the natural partial order on the idempotents. The main tool used isa local structure theorem which is introduced in Section 2. This local structure theorem applies tomany other contexts as well. 1980 Mathematics subject classification (Amer. Soc.): 2 Math.0 M 10. 1. Partially ordered regular semigroups It is well known that the idempotents of a regular semigroup 5 can be partiallyordered by settingeuf if and only if e = ef = fe.This partial order is called the natural partial order on the idempotents of S. Weshall say that a partially ordered semigrou naturallyp S is partially ordered if theimposed partial order < extends the natural partial order on the idempotents;that is, ife = ef = fe implies e < f.Note there is no assumption in the definition that e < / implie — fe. s e = efAs we shall see, the existence of a partial order, extending the natural partial
Lack of Constitutive Activity of the Free Kinase Domain of Protein Kinase C ζ DEPENDENCE ON TRANSPHOSPHORYLATION OF THE ACTIVATION LOOP

Following the induction of apoptosis in mammalian cells, protein kinase C ζ (PKC ζ) is processed between the regulatory and catalytic domains by caspases, which increases its kinase activity. The catalytic domain fragments of PKC isoforms are considered to be constitutively active, because they lack the autoinhibitory amino-terminal regulatory domain, which includes a pseudosubstrate segment that plugs the active site. Phosphorylation of the activation loop at Thr410 is known to be sufficient to activate the kinase function of full-length PKC ζ, apparently by inducing a conformational change, which displaces the amino-terminal pseudosubstrate segment from the active site. Amino acid substitutions for Thr410 of the catalytic domain of PKC ζ (CAT ζ) essentially abolished the kinase function of ectopically expressed CAT ζ in mammalian cells. Similarly, substitution of Ala for a Phe of the docking motif for phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 prevented activation loop phosphorylation and abolished the kinase activity of CAT ζ. Treatment of purified CAT ζ with the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1 decreased activation loop phosphorylation and kinase activity. Recombinant CAT ζ from bacteria lacked detectable kinase activity. Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 phosphorylated the activation loop and activated recombinant CAT ζ from bacteria. Treatment of HeLa cells with fetal bovine serum markedly increased the phosphothreonine 410 content of CAT ζ and stimulated its kinase activity. These findings indicate that the catalytic domain of PKC ζ is intrinsically inactive and dependent on the transphosphorylation of the activation loop.
Performance analysis of assemble-to-order systems through strong approximations

The core of Assemble-to-Order is a multi-product multi-item inventory system. The set of item usually consists all the component( subassembly, or product). And each product requires a subset of items. The concept of Assemble-to-Order is popularized by Dell Computer's successful business practice. The key element in its practice is to delay the final assemble stage of the product until the order is realized. Hence, the inventory control are realized at component level. The relatively negligible assembly time required for computer products makes it feasible; and the short life cycle of the final product, comparing that to the component, proved the value of the model. As pointed out in [4], the common weakness of the all the above efforts have been lack of efficient computational techniques for dealing with problems other than experimental small scale ones. Meanwhile, the diffusion approximation schemes, in which the state process is being approximated by a diffusion process, has been very proved successful in analyzing queueing and queueing network models. In this paper, we intend to extend the Diffusion approximation techniques, strong approximation, to be exact, to the study of assemble-to-Order systems, as well as explore the structure of the limiting process itself, and then apply them in facilitate the computations of key functionais.
How to Train Your Dragon: Targeted Delivery of MicroRNA to Cancer Cells In Vivo

The fundamental role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in both initiation and progression of cancer has made them attractive therapeutic targets.1 miRNAs can simultaneously alter expression of multiple target genes and often disrupt entire signaling networks, resulting in efficient changes in the activity and phenotype of target cells. At the same time, their broad functionality can be a liability that results in difficult-to-control off-target effects and toxicities. A report by Esposito et al. in this issue of Molecular Therapy provides a possible solution to the problem of cell-specific delivery of therapeutic miRNAs and represents an important step in the development of targeted miRNA mimics.2 The authors present a novel strategy for the delivery of tumor suppressor let-7g miRNA to specific cancer cells using unformulated oligonucleotides in the form of an aptamer specific for the oncogenic tyrosine kinase receptor, Axl (Figure 1).2
Yield and relationships among tuber size, sucrose and chip color in six potato cultivars on various harvest dates

Cultivars were harvested biweekly for yield, weekly for sucrose determinations, and stored for chipping. At the last harvest Crystal was highest in total and marketable yield. Specific gravity was higher in Lemhi, Russet Burbank, and Norchip than in Kennebec, Crystal and Dakchip. Storage tests showed Norchip had superior chipping color to other cultivars. Dakchip had better color after short rather than after long-term storage, while the opposite was true for Kennebec and Russet Burbank. Lemhi and Crystal were marginal in color throughout storage. Sucrose (mg sucrose/g fresh tuber) expressed as a sucrose rating (SR) ranged from 1.2 to 11.9 among the various cultivars and harvest dates. Correlation between SR’s and tuber size within cultivars ranged from −.91 to −.97. Variability in sucrose content of immature tubers explained 70% of the variability in chip color among cultivars after storage from four to six months. Sucrose levels may be used to predict relative chipping quality of various cultivars after moderate to long-term storage if measured during early tuber development when differences in sucrose concentration are greatest among cultivars.
Antibacterial activity of akyl gallates against Bacillus subtilis.

The antibacterial activity of a series of alkyl gallates (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoates) against Gram-positive bacteria was tested using a broth dilution method. All of the Gram-positive bacteria tested were susceptible to alkyl gallates, and this activity was found to correlate with the alkyl chain length. The antibacterial activity of alkyl gallates against Bacillus subtilis was a parabolic function of their lipophilicity and maximized with alkyl chain length between C8 and C11. Notably, alkyl gallates were found to be bactericidal against B. subtilis ATCC 9372, but this activity was significantly affected by the endospore formation in the culture. The antibacterial activity of alkyl gallates likely comes at least in part from their ability to inhibit the membrane respiratory chain but is not due to the prooxidant action. Keywords: Antibacterial activity; alkyl gallates; Bacillus subtilis; endospore; reactive oxygen species
Self-reported Experiences of Everyday Discrimination are associated with Elevated C-Reactive Protein levels in older African-American Adults

Self-reported experiences of "everyday" discrimination have been linked to indices of cardiovascular disease and overall mortality and findings have been particularly pronounced for African-American populations. However, the biological mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear. C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, is a known correlate of cardiovascular and other health outcomes and has also been linked to several psychosocial processes. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the association between experiences of discrimination and CRP. We examined the cross-sectional association between self-reported experiences of discrimination and CRP in a sample of 296 older African-American adults (70% female, mean age=73.1). Experiences of discrimination were assessed with the 9-item everyday discrimination scale and CRP was assayed from blood samples. In linear regression models adjusted for age, sex and education, experiences of discrimination were associated with higher levels of CRP (B=.10, p=.03). This association remained significant after additional adjustments for depressive symptoms (B=.10, p=.04), smoking, and chronic health conditions (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension) that might influence inflammation (B=.11, p=.02). However, results were attenuated when body mass index (BMI) was added to the model (B=.09, p=.07). In conclusion, self-reported experiences of everyday discrimination are associated with higher levels of CRP in older African-American adults, although this association is not completely independent of BMI.
Osteopenic consequences of botulinum toxin injections in the masticatory muscles: A pilot study

Patients with temporomandibular muscle and joint disorder (TMJD) increasingly seek and receive treatment for their pain with botulinum toxin (BoNTA; botulinum toxin A). Used intramuscularly in therapeutic doses, it produces localised paresis. Such paresis creates risk of reduced bone mineral density, or 'disuse osteopenia'. Animal studies have frequently used BoNTA as a model of paralysis to induce bone changes within short periods. Osteopenic effects can be enduring in animals but have yet to be studied in humans. This is the first study in humans to examine bone-related consequences of BoNTA injections in the masticatory muscles, comparing oral and maxillofacial radiologists' ratings of trabecular bone patterns in the condyles of patients with TMJD exposed to multiple masticatory muscle injection sessions with BoNTA to a sample of patients with TMJD unexposed to masticatory muscle injections with BoNTA. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-derived images of bilateral condyles were evaluated in seven patients with TMJD receiving 2+ recent BoNTA treatment sessions for facial pain and nine demographically matched patients with TMJD not receiving BoNTA treatment. Two oral and maxillofacial radiologists evaluated CBCT images for evidence of trabecular changes consistent with osteopenia. Both evaluators noted decreased density in all participants exposed to BoNTA and in none of the unexposed participants (P < 0.001). No other abnormalities associated with reduced loading were detected. These findings need replication in a larger sample and over a longer time period, to ensure safety of patients with TMJD receiving multiple BoNTA injections for their pain.
The Good Behavior Clock: A Reinforcement/Time Out Procedure For Reducing Disruptive Classroom Behavior.

Abstract Adaptations of token reinforcement and time out from reinforcement were used for reducing the highly disruptive classroom behavior of a first-grade boy. A 15-minute electric timer was fitted with a false face, and for each two minutes of displayed running time, the boy earned a treat for the class—group reinforcement. The clock ran only when the child was quiet and in his seat. When he misbehaved, the teacher turned the clock off. High rates of disruptive behavior during baseline and reversal periods, and low rates during first and second intervention reinforcement periods were paralleled by changes in tardiness-from-recess behavior—indicating generalization of conditioning.
A dynamical test of the centroid formulation of quantum transition state theory for electron transfer reactions

Abstract Rigorous quantum dynamics simulations have been performed to test the path-integral centroid formulation proposed by Voth, Chandler and Miller for quantal rate constants in a simple class of models for electron transfer reactions in the tight-binding limit. Fully dynamical quantum Monte Carlo simulations show that inside and slightly away from the diabatic limit the electron flux is invariant with the electronic centroid density near the dividing surface instead of being sharply peaked there. Despite this, we show analytically that the rate in this regime is largely governed by the centroid density on the dividing surface. But on approaching the adiabatic limit with larger electronic coupling, complex large-amplitude coherent oscillations develop in the quantum flux, suggesting that in addition to the imaginary-time centroid density, the dynamical factors also play an important role in determining the full quantal electron transfer rate.
Age and genetic influence on immunity in NZB and autoimmune-resistant mice.

Abstract Studies and comparisons of longevity, incidence of autoimmune phenomena, and T-cell immunity functions at different ages in NZB, NZW, CBA, (NZB × NZW)F 1 , and (NZB × CBA)F 1 mice are reported. Vigorous T-cell-mediated functions are present early in life but decline dramatically with aging during the second 6 months in NZB and (NZB × NZW)F 1 mice. By contrast, long-lived CBA and (NZB × CBA)F 1 mice did not show the sharply declining vigor of T-cell immunity functions present in the short-lived mouse strains. NZW mice generally had well preserved T-cell-mediated function longer than did NZB or (NZB × NZW)F 1 mice. Quantitatively, the decline of T-cell immunity functions in the autoimmune susceptible strains did not correlate with the loss or decrease of θ or Thy-1 positive cells. Discrepancies in declining vigor of T-cell immunity functions and responses between spleen and lymph node cells were observed. The lymph node lymphocytes often showed surprisingly vigorous capacity to induce graft-versus-host (GVH) reactions and vigorous proliferative responses to the mitogen PHA at a time when these functions had completely or virtually disappeared from the spleen lymphocytes. Killer-cell activities directed toward four different allogeneic tumor cell models were also investigated. These studies also revealed a pattern of early development and rapid loss of T-killer-cell functions in NZB and (NZB × NZW)F 1 mice. These patterns of development and decline of T-cells and T-cell-mediated functions in mice of these several strains are considered in terms of the nature of the control and regulation of T-cell functions and the genetic basis of the control of these functions.
Stability and convergence analysis of a dynamics-based collective method for random sphere packing

The simulation of granular materials requires an initial overlap-free packing of spherical particles at high volume packing fractions. In previous work, a dynamics-based collective approach, the Quasi-Dynamics Method (QDM), has been proposed to generate densely distributed spheres in an enclosed container. However, the stability and efficiency of the QDM were not fully addressed. In this paper, the algorithm is reformulated with two control parameters and the impact of these parameters on the algorithm performance is investigated. First, theoretical analyses and numerical verifications for extreme 1-D/2-D packing systems are conducted and the range of the control parameters in which the algorithm is convergent is analytically determined. Then, the analysis is extended to 3-D packing systems and the estimation of the parameter range is verified numerically. Finally, the algorithm is applied to modeling a cylindrical 3-D packing system and the convergence performance at different volume packing fractions is studied. Results show that the QDM is highly efficient in packing spheres at volume packing fractions that are close to the random close packing limit.
The ordination of benthic invertebrate communities in the South Platte River Basin in relation to environmental factors

SUMMARY 1. Spatial patterns of benthic-invertebrate communities were examined in the 62 900 km2 South Platte River Basin in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming, U.S.A., to determine major environmental factors associated with invertebrate distribution. Stable substrates were sampled semiquantitalively for invertebrates from 27 July to 7 August 1992, at twenty-one sites. Data on physical and chemical variables were collected concurrently at each site. 2. Four site groups were identified using derrended correspondence analysis (DCA), one in the mountains and three in the plains (braided channels, tributaries near the confluence with the main stem, and sites affected by effluent from wastewater-treatment plants). DCA axis 1 separated sites into the two major ecoregions (Southern Rocky Mountains and Western High Plains), and regression of DCA axis 1 with environmental variables indicated significant relationships primarily with slope, water temperature, specific conductance, and concentrations of organic nitrogen + ammonia and total phosphorus in surface water. Regression of DCA axis 2 with environmental variables indicated significant relationships with channel width and concentrations of nitrate + nitrite in surface water. 3. Invertebrate community composition and structure varied between ecoregions with greater number of taxa and number of insect families in mountain streams than in plains streams. Within an ecoregion, land use affected the invertebrate community. 4. Factors affecting invertebrate community distribution in stream ecosystems are scale dependent.
nach and perceived parental child-rearing attitudes of career women and homemakers

Abstract This study investigated the differences among three groups of women ( N = 66): homemakers (HM); career women in female-dominated occupations (FDO); and career women in male-dominated occupations (MDO), on two variables: (a) perception of their parents' child-rearing attitudes; (b) level of achievement motivation, using the Control scale of the PARI and the n Ach scale of the EPPS, respectively. On the Control scale (which subjects completed as they thought their parents would) HM scored significantly higher than either FDO ( p ⩽ .025) or MDO ( p ⩽ .005); no significant differences were found between the scores of MDO and those of FDO. On the n Ach scale, FDO scored significantly higher ( p ⩽ .1) than HM and significantly lower ( p ⩽ .025) than MDO, using Scheffe's test for multiple comparisons. Results shed some light on the dynamics of career development of women. They support the author's contention that women's primary career decision i.e., that between “working” and “not working,” is a function of the child-rearing mode of the parents. The field of occupation and the level within it that a woman chooses to pursue is a secondary career choice and is a function of a woman's level of achievement motivation. This conceptualization is seen as having implications for counseling women and for the future applicability of theories of career development to women.
Elongation Factor-Tu (EF-Tu) proteins structural stability and bioinformatics in ancestral gene reconstruction

A paleo-experimental evolution report on elongation factor EF-Tu structural stability results has provided an opportunity to rewind the tape of life using the ancestral protein sequence reconstruction modeling approach; consistent with the book of life dogma in current biology and being an important component in the astrobiology community. Fractal dimension via the Higuchi fractal method and Shannon entropy of the DNA sequence classification could be used in a diagram that serves as a simple summary. Results from biomedical gene research provide examples on the diagram methodology. Comparisons between biomedical genes such as EEF2 (elongation factor 2 human, mouse, etc), WDR85 in epigenetics, HAR1 in human specificity, DLG1 in cognitive skill, and HLA-C in mosquito bite immunology with EF Tu DNA sequences have accounted for the reported circular dichroism thermo-stability data systematically; the results also infer a relatively less volatility geologic time period from 2 to 3 Gyr from adaptation viewpoint. Comparison to Thermotoga maritima MSB8 and Psychrobacter shows that Thermus thermophilus HB8 EF-Tu calibration sequence could be an outlier, consistent with free energy calculation by NUPACK. Diagram methodology allows computer simulation studies and HAR1 shows about 0.5% probability from chimp to human in terms of diagram location, and SNP simulation results such as amoebic meningoencephalitis NAF1 suggest correlation. Extensions to the studies of the translation and transcription elongation factor sequences in Megavirus Chiliensis, Megavirus Lba and Pandoravirus show that the studied Pandoravirus sequence could be an outlier with the highest fractal dimension and lowest entropy, as compared to chicken as a deviant in the DNMT3A DNA methylation gene sequences from zebrafish to human and to the less than one percent probability in computer simulation using the HAR1 0.5% probability as reference. The diagram methodology would be useful in ancestral gene reconstruction studies in astrobiology and also be applicable to the study of point mutation in conformational thermostabilization research with Synchrotron based X-ray data for drug applications such as Parkinson’s disease.
Regulation of p53 Sequence-specific DNA-binding by Covalent Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation

Abstract We have characterized the covalent poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of p53 using an in vitroreconstituted system. We used recombinant wild type p53, recombinant poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) (EC 2.4.2.30), and βNAD+. Our results show that the covalent poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of p53 is a time-dependent protein-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reaction and that the addition of this tumor suppressor protein to a PARP-1 automodification mixture stimulates total protein-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation 3- to 4-fold. Electrophoretic analysis of the products synthesized indicated that short oligomers predominate early during hetero-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, whereas longer ADP-ribose chains are synthesized at later times of incubation. A more drastic effect in the complexity of the ADP-ribose chains generated was observed when the βNAD+concentration was varied. As expected, increasing the βNAD+ concentration from low nanomolar to high micromolar levels resulted in the slower electrophoretic migration of the p53-(ADP-ribose)n adducts. Increasing the concentration of p53 protein from low nanomolar (40 nm) to low micromolar (1.0 μm) yielded higher amounts of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated p53 as well. Thus, the reaction was acceptor protein concentration-dependent. The hetero-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of p53 also showed that high concentrations of p53 specifically stimulated the automodification reaction of PARP-1. The covalent modification of p53 resulted in the inhibition of the binding ability of this transcription factor to its DNA consensus sequence as judged by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. In fact, controls carried out with calf thymus DNA, βNAD+, PARP-1, and automodified PARP-1 confirmed our conclusion that the covalent poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of p53 results in the transcriptional inactivation of this tumor suppressor protein.