cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship of F-actin distribution to development of polar shape in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils

Polymerization of actin has been associated with development of polar shape in human neutrophils (PMN). To examine the relation of filamentous actin (F-actin) distribution to shape change in PMN, we developed a method using computerized video image analysis and fluorescence microscopy to quantify distribution of F-actin in single cells. PMN were labeled with fluorescent probe NBD-phallicidin to measure filamentous actin and Texas red to assess cell thickness. We show that Texas red fluorescence is a reasonable measure of cell thickness and that correction of the NBD-phallicidin image for cell thickness using the Texas red image permits assessment of focal F-actin content. Parameters were derived that quantify total F-actin content, movement of F-actin away from the center of the cell, asymmetry of F-actin distribution, and change from round to polar shape. The sequence of change in F-actin distribution and its relation to development of polar shape in PMN was determined using these parameters. After stimulation with chemotactic peptide at 25 degrees C, F-actin polymerized first at the rim of the PMN. This was followed by development of asymmetry of F-actin distribution and change to polar shape. The dominant pseudopod developed first in the region of lower F-actin concentration followed later by polymerization of actin in the end of the developed pseudopod. Asymmetric F-actin distribution was detected in round PMN before development of polar shape. Based upon these data, asymmetric distribution of F-actin is coincident with and probably precedes development of polar shape in PMN stimulated in suspension by chemotactic peptide.
Overview of neuromuscular disorders affecting respiratory function.

A great many neuromuscular disorders affect respiratory function. This article focuses on neuropathic and myopathic disorders that weaken the diaphragm and respiratory muscles. This discussion gives a general overview and attempts to update the reader on recent pathophysiological insights and developments in therapy. Among the disorders discussed, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, poliomyelitis, postpolio syndrome, Kennedy syndrome, and spinal muscular atrophy are motor neuron diseases. Brachial plexitis and isolated unilateral or bilateral phrenic neuropathies can also weaken the diaphragm significantly. Peripheral neuropathies affecting respiration are primarily acute disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, porphyria, and critical illness neuropathy, but chronic diseases such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) can also cause respiratory insufficiency. Disorders of neuromuscular transmission such as Lambert-Eaton syndrome, botulism, and myasthenia gravis often affect respiration. Many muscle diseases also affect pulmonary function, including polymyositis/dermatomyositis, muscular dystrophy, hereditary channel disorders, mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, acid maltase deficiency, and congenital myopathy.
Obesity reduction black intervention trial (ORBIT): six-month results.

Obesity is a chronic condition that is prevalent in black women. The Obesity Reduction Black Intervention Trial (ORBIT) was a randomized controlled weight loss and weight-loss maintenance (WLM) trial. Participants (N = 213) were randomized to the intervention or control groups in August 2005 and September 2006. Follow-up data were collected 6 and 18 months after randomization. The main outcome was change in weight and BMI from baseline to 18 months. The mean weight at baseline was 104.9 kg, and the mean weight loss in the intervention group at 6 months was 3.0 kg and a gain of 0.2 kg in the control group (mean difference between groups in weight change at 6 months, adjusting for baseline weight and cohort, −3.27 kg; 95% confidence interval (CI), −4.50 to −2.05 kg; P < 0.001). Both groups gained weight between 6 and 18 months (mean 1.0 kg in the intervention group and 0.1 kg in the control group). However, intervention participants lost significantly more weight than control participants during the 18-month intervention (adjusted mean difference between groups at 18 months, −2.83 kg; 95% CI, −4.71 to −0.95; P = 0.003). At 18 months, intervention participants were more likely than control participants to have lost at least 5% of baseline weight (24% vs. 12%, P < 0.04). Our results indicate that the ORBIT program did promote weight loss and weight-loss maintenance. However, the results also clearly illustrate there is more to learn about what will contribute to meaningful weight loss and maintenance in this population.
Implementing a Music Therapy Program at a New 72-Hour Acute Psychiatric Admissions Unit: A Case Study of a Patient Who Was Malingering

Because of the relatively poor treatment available, the high financial costs of hospitalization, multiple and complex issues of persons with severe mental illnesses, and advancements in pharmacotherapy, psychiatric patients are often only hospitalized for a few days before they are discharged. Thus, brief psychosocial interventions for persons who are mentally ill have become an important treatment methodology. This article presents a brief review of crisis intervention and its literature as it relates to persons with severe mental illnesses and music therapy. Additionally, it provides clinical guidelines for therapists working in this setting along with a description of an innovative 72-hour program and approach to crisis intervention treatment at a public inpatient psychiatric facility. The article concludes with a clinical case example of music therapy treatment on this pioneering unit with a patient who was diagnosed with malingering.
Inhibition of human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene expression by BRCA1 in human ovarian cancer cells.

Abstract Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic subunit of human telomerase, is responsible for the synthesis and maintenance of the telomeric repeats at the distal ends of human chromosomes. Telomerase expression is repressed in normal human cells and is activated in immortal cells and during tumorigenesis, but the mechanism by which telomerase expression is regulated is not fully understood. Previous studies have shown that c-Myc stimulates hTERT transcription through the binding sites located on the hTERT promoter. In this study, we sought to determine whether BRCA1 inhibits hTERT transcription through its direct interaction with c-Myc. In ovarian cancer cells, c-Myc increased hTERT expression by threefold and BRCA1 completely abrogated this activity. A mutation in the c-Myc-binding site (E-box) of the hTERT promoter resulted in the loss of activation by c-Myc and in the loss of inhibition by BRCA1. Deletion of the c-Myc-binding domain in BRCA1 resulted in the loss of BRCA1’s ability to inhibit transcription of the hTERT promoter. In addition, BRCA1 associates with c-Myc and inhibits the binding activity of c-Myc to the hTERT promoter. Our data indicate that BRCA1 is involved in regulating cellular immortalization through the modulation of c-Myc on the hTERT promoter.
Self-Regulation in Newly Arrived International Adoptees

Many newly arrived international adoptees (IA) have difficulties with eating, sleeping, and self-soothing/self-stimulating (SS) behaviors. However, to date the prevalence of these problems and associated risk factors have not been clearly identified. Therefore, we proposed to evaluate 387 IA for the presence of these self-regulation and behavioral difficulties, and examined the relationships between these behaviors and pre-adoptive risk factors including growth measures, orphanage care, age at arrival and presence of medical complications. Data on participants were collected in a retrospective chart review and entered into a standardized data collection sheet by a trained research assistant. This exploratory study included 133 M and 254 F with an average age (M = 16) months at the time of the study. Children in the study represented adoptees from seventeen countries. Forty-nine per cent (49%) of the retrospective sample exhibited SS behaviors, 48% had sleep disturbances, and 34% had eating issues. Many had difficulties in more than one area. Country of origin, pre-adoption residence, and arrival nutritional status all related to the presence of these problems. Hence, self-regulation difficulties are common but both the course and influence of those behaviors on family functioning remains unknown.
Iron and the genetics of cardiovascular disease.

The hypothesis that iron depletion protects against ischemic heart disease was proposed in 1981 as an explanation for the sex difference in heart disease rates.1 2 3 4 5 The “iron hypothesis” has generated significant debate, especially in the 1990s after publication of supportive findings from Finland.6 Confusion has been introduced into the debate by inappropriate study designs in tests of the hypothesis. A recurring weakness is that stored iron is measured by inappropriate methods. In addition, evidence against a particular mechanism may be erroneously taken as evidence against the core hypothesis. For example, in a particular study design, a finding of no association of stored iron with coronary atherosclerosis would not invalidate an association of stored iron with cardiovascular mortality. Recent studies relevant to the iron hypothesis have been reviewed.5 7 8 9 10 11 12 In 1994, Ascherio and Willett13 recognized that the iron hypothesis cannot be rejected on the basis of available data, stating that “[s]tronger evidence is needed before the hypothesis is rejected that greater iron stores increase the incidence of coronary heart disease or death from myocardial infarction.” Indeed, nothing in data made available since 1994 excludes the possibility that iron depletion has a large protective effect, large enough to explain the low incidence of myocardial infarction in menstruating women. A 1997 editorial14 on the iron hypothesis suggests that this once-controversial idea has become more acceptable to many scientists. Gillum14 noted that “this important hypothesis and related research fronts have led to many valuable studies like that of Kiechl et al [see Reference 99 ], which will greatly enhance our understanding of atherosclerotic vascular disease and may lead to innovations useful in clinical medicine and public health, perhaps in heretofore unanticipated ways.” Mechanisms of protection have not been …
Monoclonal antibody production to a B16 melanoma associated antigen

Eight different rat hybridoma cell lines have been produced which secrete MAbs1 identifying the melanoma-specific B700 antigen. This antigen has been previously shown to have significant sequence homology to the mammalian serum albumins, but antibodies specifically raised against B700 cross-react only with murine albumin. Each of these MAbs has been shown by Western immunoblotting to recognize an independent epitope on the B700 protein; it is concluded not only that the B700 protein is a highly immunogenic antigen, but also that the sequence homologies between the B700 antigen and murine albumin must occur extensively throughout the molecule.
Cerebral microvessel phospholipase A2 activity in senescent mouse.

Phospholipase A2 activity was measured in cerebral microvessels isolated from 5 to 6 month (young adult) and 21 to 24 month (aged adult) old mice. Radiolabeled 1-stearoyl-2-[1-14C]arachidonyl choline phosphoglyceride was used as the enzyme substrate, and enzyme activity determined at pH 8 and pH 9. Activity in older animals was significantly less than in younger animals at both pH's. With choline phosphoglyceride as a substrate, phospholipase A2 activity was predominantly Ca2+-dependent, although a small, but measurable Ca2+-independent component was present. Negligible production of diacylglycerol indicated little or no phospholipase C activity. These findings indicate that activity of a phospholipase A2, which utilizes choline phosphoglyceride as a substrate, is affected by the aging process. Moreover, a change in PLA2 activity would result in altered metabolism of specific phosphoglycerides and turnover of fatty acids at the sn-2 position in cerebral microvessels.
The effect of dimethylbenzanthracenes on the nucleoside triphosphatase activity of amelanotic melanocytes of the hairless mouse

Intraepidermale dendritische Zellen der haarlosen Maus enthalten Nucleosidtriphosphatase und lassen sich in isolierter, vom Corium getrennter, Epidermis histochemisch nachweisen. Sie sind in der Basalzellschicht gelegen und weisen eine regelmasige topographische Verteilung auf. Ihre Morphologie, Lokalisation und ihre Fahigkeit, wahrend eines durch Dimethylbenzanthracen induzierten Pigmentierungsprozesses Melanin zu bilden, ermoglichen es, sie als amelanotische Melanocyten aufzufassen. Nach Dimethylbenzanthracenbehandlung nimmt die Zahl der Nucleosidtriphosphatase positiven Zellen um 20–30% ab, wahrend jene dopa-positiver Melanocyten rasch ansteigt. Offenbar wird die Nucleosidtriphosphataseaktivitat dieser Zellen direkt oder indirekt durch Dimethylbenzanthracen gehemmt. Diese Beobachtungen erlauben den Schlus, das das Phosphatase-und Tyrosinase-System dieser Melanocyten in funktioneller Hinsicht voneinander unabhangig sind. Ein kleiner Prozentsatz der Nucleosidtriphosphatasepositiven Zellen zeigt auch nach Dimethylbenzanthracenapplikation keine Anzeichen von Pigmentbildung und es erhebt sich die Frage, ob diese Zellen ebenfalls dem Formenkreis der Melanocyten angehoren oder Langerhans-Zellen darstellen.
Functional Assessment of Challenging Behavior

Challenging behaviors (CB) in the form of self-injurious behaviors, aggression, property destruction, tantrums, pica, and other disruptive activities are common among persons with intellectual disabilities. Lack of social and communication skills, temperament issues, and other symptoms that characterize these persons contribute to the high rates of CB. In recent years, applied behavior analysis (ABA) has proven to be a particularly effective treatment for these issues. Functional assessment is a foundational strategy for such intervention. The methods most commonly used to achieve this goal include interviews and observations, experimental functional analysis, in vivo assessment, and standardized tests. The purpose of this group of techniques is to establish the variables that maintain the behavior, and treatment then flows from these data. This paper reviews the current state of the art in the area of functional assessment.
Rad51 Protein Stimulates the Branch Migration Activity of Rad54 Protein

The Rad51 and Rad54 proteins play important roles during homologous recombination in eukaryotes. Rad51 forms a nucleoprotein filament on single-stranded DNA and performs the initial steps of double strand break repair. Rad54 belongs to the Swi2/Snf2 family of ATP-dependent DNA translocases. We previously showed that Rad54 promotes branch migration of Holliday junctions. Here we find that human Rad51 (hRad51) significantly stimulates the branch migration activity of hRad54. The stimulation appears to be evolutionarily conserved, as yeast Rad51 also stimulates the branch migration activity of yeast Rad54. We further investigated the mechanism of this stimulation. Our results demonstrate that the stimulation of hRad54-promoted branch migration by hRad51 is driven by specific protein-protein interactions, and the active form of the hRad51 filament is more stimulatory than the inactive one. The current results support the hypothesis that the hRad51 conformation state has a strong effect on interaction with hRad54 and ultimately on the function of hRad54 in homologous recombination.
Synthetic biologically active polymers. VI. Sulfonamide- and sulfone-dimethylolurea copolymers

Dimethylolurea was found to copolymerize with a number of sulfonamides and sulfones (Ia–h) to yield oligomeric condensation products (IIa–h). The preparation and characterization studies relevant to these materials are described. Products IId, IIf, IIg, and IIh were active as antimalarial drugs.
Actinomycosis of the middle ear

Actinomycosis is an uncommon infection of the middle ear. Only 21 cases of actinomycosis of the middle ear have been reported in the English literature prior to this paper. The offending organism is Actinomyces israelii, which is an anaerobic, filamentous organism that is difficult to grow in culture. The infection is chronic and is seldom diagnosed prior to tympanomastoidectomy. The identification of small, yellow, glue-like masses, which are called sulfur granules, is often the key to making the diagnosis of actinomycosis of the middle ear. Following tympanomastoidectomy, penicillin is given orally for 3-6 months.
Phase-change Ge-Sb nanowires: synthesis, memory switching, and phase-instability.

We report the synthesis and characterization of phase-change Ge−Sb nanowires with two different eutectic compositions and their memory switching characteristics. Under application of electric-fields with controlled pulse amplitude and duration times, Sb-rich (Sb ≥ 86 at. %) eutectic Ge−Sb nanowires show phase-change based memory switching, while another eutectic GeSb (Ge:Sb = 1:1) nanowires do not show electronic memory switching at all. However, under repeated measurements, Sb-rich Ge−Sb nanowires display an increase of resistance of the low resistive state. The observed electrical irreversibility for Sb-rich Ge−Sb nanowires is attributed to the structural and compositional instability due to the phase-separation of Ge out of homogeneous Ge−Sb as observed from rapid thermal annealing and transmission electron microscopy experiments. Implications for design of Te-free nanoscale materials for phase change memory applications are also discussed.
Economic antecedents of the Swedish sex ratio

Literature describing environmental influences on human conception and gestation implies that the ratio of male to female live births should vary positively over time with the population's ability to produce and distribute goods and services. No direct test of this hypothesis appears in the literature despite its apparent importance in understanding the biological implications of collective choices. We offer a test based on Swedish data for the years 1862 through 1991. The results support the hypothesis. We argue that the findings have implications for basic science as well as for the debate over the biological effects of social policy.
La cellule, une usine de machines protéiques

En trente ans, la conception que les biologistes avaient de la cellule a profondement evolue. Plusieurs gros assemblages proteiques, parfois tres sophistiques, devoilent peu a peu leur role primordial: ce sont les machines-outils et les rouages de la cellule-usine.
So much for keeping secrets: The importance of considering patients' perspectives on maintaining confidentiality

Little data are available from patients' perspectives regarding the maintenance of confidentiality by care providers. Such data may be useful in determining the importance of confidentiality to patients and in developing appropriate policies and procedures regarding confidentiality. Three focus groups were conducted with support groups of rural HIV-positive patients. Text was coded inductively and analyzed with software designed for qualitative analysis. Participants perceived breaches of confidentiality in hospitals, clinics and health departments that occurred by word of mouth, computers, facsimile and written materials. Patients included sharing stigmatizing medical information among medical providers without prior consent as a breach. They made decisions about where to seek care based on the degree of professionalism of medical staff (which included respecting confidentiality), clinic location or the level of security of the organization's computer network since they believed that computers increase information access. Finally, participants believed that medical personnel should be taught the importance of maintaining confidentiality and that those who violated confidentiality should be punished. Patients would like confidentiality policies that require providers to: (1) explain procedures for sharing information, (2) request patients' specific consent for access to their medical records, even among other providers, and (3) punish those who breach confidentiality.
ADAPTIVE SUB-LINEAR TIME FOURIER ALGORITHMS

We present a new deterministic algorithm for the sparse Fourier transform problem, in which we seek to identify k ≪ N significant Fourier coefficients from a signal of bandwidth N. Previous deterministic algorithms exhibit quadratic runtime scaling, while our algorithm scales linearly with k in the average case. Underlying our algorithm are a few simple observations relating the Fourier coefficients of time-shifted samples to unshifted samples of the input function. This allows us to detect when aliasing between two or more frequencies has occurred, as well as to determine the value of unaliased frequencies. We show that empirically our algorithm is orders of magnitude faster than competing algorithms.
Improved AIRS/AMSU Surface and Atmospheric Soundings under Partial Cloud Cover using an AIRS Only Cloud Clearing Approach

AIRS was launched on EOS Aqua on May 4,2002, together with AMSU-A and HSB, to form a next generation polar orbiting infrared and microwave atmospheric sounding system. This paper describes the latest scientific advances made in the AIRS Science Team Version 5.0 retrieval algorithm. Starting in early 2007, the Goddard DAAC will use this algorithm to analyze near real time AIRS/AMSU observations. These products are then made available to the scientific community for research purposes. The products include twice daily measurements of the Earth's three dimensional global temperature, water vapor, and ozone distribution as well as cloud cover. In addition, accurate twice daily measurements of the earth's land and ocean temperatures are derived and reported. Scientists use this important set of observations for two major uses. They provide important information for climate studies of global and regional variability and trends of different aspects of the earth's atmosphere. They also provide information for researchers to improve the skill of weather forecasting. A very important new product of the AIRS Version 5 algorithm is accurate case-by-case error estimates of the retrieved products. This heightens their utility for use in both weather and climate applications. These error estimates are also used directly for quality control of the retrieved products.
Chalker scaling, level repulsion, and conformal invariance in critically delocalized quantum matter: Disordered topological superconductors and artificial graphene

We numerically investigate critically delocalized wave functions in models of two-dimensional Dirac fermions, subject to vector potential disorder. These describe the surface states of three-dimensional topological superconductors, and can also be realized through long-range correlated bond randomness in artificial materials like molecular graphene. A ``frozen'' regime can occur for strong disorder in these systems, wherein a single wave function presents a few localized peaks separated by macroscopic distances. Despite this rarefied spatial structure, we find robust correlations between eigenstates at different energies, at both weak and strong disorder. The associated level statistics are always approximately Wigner-Dyson. The system shows generalized Chalker (quantum critical) scaling, even when individual states are quasilocalized in space. We confirm analytical predictions for the density of states and multifractal spectra. For a single Dirac valley, we establish that finite energy states show universal multifractal spectra consistent with the integer quantum Hall plateau transition. A single Dirac fermion at finite energy can therefore behave as a ``Quantum Hall critical metal.'' For the case of two valleys and non-Abelian disorder, we verify predictions of conformal field theory. Our results for the non-Abelian case imply that both delocalization and conformal invariance are topologically protected for multivalley topological superconductor surface states.
Application of Transit Signal Priority for No-Notice Urban Evacuation

During an urban evacuation, is it advisable for regional planners to allow transit buses signal priority in cases where police-assisted traffic controls are not an option? With only a finite number of available units, buses will be required to make multiple trips in and out of evacuation zones. Therefore, it is within reason that some regional municipalities would want to allow transit priority to hasten trips made by buses. However, studies in the past have shown that, during times of high roadway demand, transit priority causes major delays for vehicular traffic. The goal of this paper is to examine and quantify the benefit of transit signal priority will have on transit vehicles and any hindrance this priority has on nontransit evacuees. By applying state-of-the-art tools in evacuation modeling and microscopic traffic simulation, the aspects of a multimodel evacuation and transit signal priority impact study are merged within a single study of Washington, DC. On the basis of simulation results, transit signal priority has the potential to save lives by reducing bus travel time by 26%. This signifies that three prioritized buses can handle the workload of four nonprioritized buses. Furthermore, this priority has no adverse effect on the evacuation clearance time of nontransit evacuees. On the basis of this study, transit priority in a multimodal evacuation should be used.
A complete integral equation formulation in the interaction site formalism

An integral equation for the full particle-particle correlation functions in molecular fluids is obtained by expressing the relevant quantities in terms of the graphical language of the interaction site formalism. The equation is of the form of the Ornstein-Zernike equation for an atomic mixture, but is mathematically equivalent to the ‘proper’ integral equation of Chandler, Silbey, and Ladanyi. The simple form results in part from the introduction of a convenient method which yields the topologically correct interaction site graph chain sums. Further, by direct analogy with the usual graphical analysis of atomic fluids, we obtain a closure relation which is formally exact in the same sense as that in the usual atomic theory. Numerical results obtained using closures which are the graphical analogues of the usual atomic Percus-Yevick and hypernetted chain approximations are discussed for model homonuclear Lennard-Jones diatomic fluids. These preliminary results suggest that such direct generalizations are...
Topological Dynamics of Two-Piece Eventually Expanding Maps

In this work we show that two-piece eventually expanding maps have the same topological dynamics as two-piece expanding maps. A two-piece eventually expanding map possesses an invariant set that is either a topological attractor or can be perturbed to become one.
The Effect of Model Resolution and Satellite Sounding Data on GLAS Model Forecasts

The effect of horizontal model resolution on satellite data impact has been studied for two versions of the GLAS second-order general circulation model: the C-model with a 4-deg latitude by 5-deg longitude resolution and the F-model with a 2.5-deg latitude and 3-deg longitude resolution. It is found that the 48-72 h forecast skill of the GLAS model was significantly improved by the increased resolution. Initial state differences between the SAT and NOSAT cycles using the F-model were on the average smaller than the corresponding differences with the C-model. However, the F-model cycle differences exhibited a smaller scale structure and, in some cases, larger gradients.
The performance of liquid heat sinks with phase change material suspensions

Abstract Results of an experimental study to investigate the performance of liquid heat sinks with microencapsulated phase change material suspensions are presented. The volumetric concentrations of microcapsules in the suspension was varied from 0% to 28%. For the case of heating from below, the use of phase change material suspensions was found to be detrimental to the overall heat transfer because of a reduced convection due to the presence of microcapsules. In contrast, the performance of the liquid heat sink is improved when heating is from above.
Some Families Who Purchased Health Coverage Through The Massachusetts Connector Wound Up With High Financial Burdens

Health insurance exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act will offer coverage to people who lack employer-sponsored insurance or have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid. However, plans offered through an exchange may include high levels of cost sharing. We surveyed families participating in unsubsidized plans offered in the Massachusetts Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, an exchange created prior to the 2010 national health reform law, and found high levels of financial burden and higher-than-expected costs among some enrollees. The financial burden and unexpected costs were even more pronounced for families with greater numbers of children and for families with incomes below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. We conclude that those with lower incomes, increased health care needs, and more children will be at particular risk after they obtain coverage through exchanges in 2014. Policy makers should develop strategies to further mitigate the financial burden for enrolle...
A theory of knowledge acquisition in the development of verbal concepts

Abstract A theory of knowledge acquisition in the development of verbal concepts is presented. The theory is divided into three subtheories. The first specifies the information processes asserted to be central to the development of verbal concepts. The second subtheory specifies the informational cues upon which these processes operate. The third subtheory specifies variables that moderate the use of the proposed processes on the proposed cues. Each of these subtheories is described, and it is shown how the subtheories apply to the acquisition of verbal concepts. Following this description, a model of mental representation is described and proposed as the model that is built up by the knowledge-acquisition processes posited by the theory. Then, the loci of development in the theory are discussed. Finally, the theory is briefly compared to other theories, and some conclusions about acquisition of verbal knowledge are drawn.
The discovery of eukaryotic genome design and its forgotten corollary—the postulate of gene regulation by nuclear RNA

We now know that more of the DNA in eukaryotic cells is copied into RNA than previously had been thought. Many of these transcripts serve regulatory instead of template functions in gene readout. S...
Analytical Study of Heat Diffusion and Propagation in Solids Induced by Exponentially-Decaying Heat Source

The classical parabolic heat conduction equation based on Fourier’s law of heat conduction and the hyperbolic heat conduction equation based on the Cattaneo-Vernotte (C-V) constitutive relation are compared in this study. The present investigation considers the effect of thermal diffusion and wave propagation in solids subjected to a timevarying and spatially-decaying laser irradiation. The incoming energy is simulated as internal heat generation inside the medium. Temperature profiles are presented as closed-form series solutions for both models by using the method of superposition and the solution structure theorem. Results demonstrate that temperatures, based on the classical diffusion theory, are under-predicted at small and moderate times as compared to the wave model under high heat flux and rapid change in temperature situations. The C-V model predicts a higher peak temperature inside the medium and forms a small wave beneath the incident surface due to the lagging behavior in energy transport when compared to the diffusion model at extremely short time periods. The diffusion model may show an overall smaller temperature in the beginning; however, it over-predicts the peak temperature as compared to the results with the wave model at large times.
Is there long memory in financial time series

There has been a large amount of research on long memory in economic and financial time series. However, there is still no consensus on its presence in these series. We argue in this article that spurious short memory may be found because of the use of bandwidth parameters that diverge too quickly when the process exhibits long memory. We propose a new bandwidth parameter that is robust against the presence of long memory and revisit several economic and financial time series using the proposed bandwidth choice. Our results indicate the existence of spurious short memory in real exchange rates when traditional bandwidth parameters are employed, but short memory is rejected when the proposed bandwidth is used. We also find short memory in financial returns and long memory in their volatility.
Derivation of the strain energy release rate G from first principles for the pressurized blister test

Abstract The strain energy release rate, G, is derived from first principles and is shown to be consistent with the exact numerical solution by Cotterell and Chen (Int. J. Fract. 86 (1997) 191). Comparison with the classical Rayleigh–Ritz energy method and other published methods shows that the gradual change in blister profile over the entire loading process must be considered for the correct G to be calculated.
Evaluation of Elevated Dietary Aluminum and Iron on Red Drum, Sciaenops ocellatus

This study was conducted to determine if relatively high dietary levels of aluminum and iron might affect growth, mortality, and mineral content of red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, because algae coproduct may have rather high aluminum and iron levels due to the algae harvesting and extracting processes. Experimental diets were prepared by supplementing different levels of aluminum (1000, 2000, 4000, 8000, and 3000 mg/kg diet) from aluminum sulfate, or iron (1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 mg/kg diet) from ferric sulfate, or a combination of aluminum and iron (4000 mg Al/kg and 4000 mg Fe/kg) to a basal diet which was formulated from practical ingredients and analyzed to contain an average of 526 mg Fe/kg and 1940 mg Al/kg diet. The feeding trial was conducted in a recirculating system consisting of 38-L aquaria maintained at 7 ppt salinity with synthetic seawater and sodium chloride. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 12 juvenile red drum initially averaging 4.5 g/fish for 7 wk. At the end of the feeding period, there were no significant differences in average weight gain, feed efficiency, or hepatosomatic index of fish fed the various diets. Significant differences were found in liver iron concentration (P = 0.045) but not iron concentration of whole body or muscle tissues. In regard to aluminum content of the liver, whole body, and muscle tissues, detectable levels were not recorded. Based on these results, it does not appear that extremely high levels of aluminum or iron adversely affect juvenile red drum, and thus elevated levels of these minerals should not limit the use of algal coproducts in diet formulations.
One-Sided Append: A New Communication Paradigm For PGAS Models

One-sided append represents a new class of one-sided operations that can be used to aggregate messages from multiple communication sources into a single destination buffer. This new communication paradigm is analyzed in terms of its impact on the OpenSHMEM parallel programming model and applications. Implementation considerations are discussed and an accelerated implementation using the Portals 4 networking API is presented. Initial experimental results with the NAS integer sort benchmark indicate that this new operation can significantly improve the communication performance of such applications.
404: Fetal myelomeningocele surgery: correlation of risk factors and preschool functional status using the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM)

FETUS 83 51% 9 82% 0.06 Lethal congenital anomaly 45 28% 7 64% 0.01 Infection 3 2% 0 0% 0.7 Non-immune hydrops 8 5% 0 0% 1 Isoimmunization 1 1% 0 0% 0.7 Fetomaternal haemorrage Fetal growth restriction 25 15% 2 18% 0.8 Other 1 1% 0 0% 0.8 UMBILICAL CORD 15 9% 0 0% 0.3 PLACENTA 20 12% 0 0% 0.2 AMNIOTIC FLUID 12 7% 0 0% 0.4 UTERUS 1 1% 0 0% 0.8 MOTHER 1 1% 0 0% 0.8 INTRAPARTUM TRAUMA UNCLASSIFIED 26 16% 2 18% 0.8
Modeling of mosquitoes with dominantor recessive Transgenes and Allee effects

To study the impact of releasing transgenic mosquitoes on malaria transmission, we formulate discrete-time models for interacting wild and transgenic mosquitoes populations, based on systems of difference equations. We start with models including all homozygous and heterozygous mosquitoes. We then consider either dominant or recessive transgenes to reduce the 3-dimensional model systems to 2-dimensional systems. We include density-dependent vital rates and incorporate Allee effects in the functional mating rates. Dynamics of these models are explored by investigating the existence and stability of boundary and positive fixed points. Numerical simulations are provided and brief discussions are given.
The role of transmembrane span 2 in the structure and function of subunit a of the ATP synthase from Escherichia coli.

Abstract The importance of the second transmembrane span of subunit a of the ATP synthase from Escherichia coli has been established by two approaches. First, biochemical analysis of five cysteine-substitution mutants, four of which were previously constructed for labeling experiments, revealed that only D119C, found within the second transmembrane span, was deleterious to ATP synthase function. This mutant had a greatly reduced growth yield, indicating inefficient ATP synthesis, but it retained a significant level of ATP-driven proton translocation and sensitivity to N , N ′ -dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide, indicating more robust function in the direction of ATP hydrolysis. Second, the entire second transmembrane span was probed by alanine-insertion mutagenesis at six different positions, from residues 98 to 122. Insertions at the central four positions from residues 107 to 117 resulted in the inability to grow on succinate minimal medium, although normal levels of membrane-bound ATPase activity and significant levels of subunit a were detected. Double mutants were constructed with a mutation that permits cross-linking to the b subunit. Cross-linked products in the mutant K74C/114iA were seen, indicating no major disruption of the a–b interface due to the insertion at 114. Analysis of the K74C/110iA double mutant indicated that K74C is a partial suppressor of 110iA. In summary, the results support a model in which the amino-terminal, cytoplasmic end of the second transmembrane span has close contact with subunit b , while the carboxy-terminal, periplasmic end is important for proton translocation.
Seasonal inactivated influenza virus vaccines.

Inactivated influenza virus vaccines are the primary modality used for prevention of influenza. A system of annual identification of new strains causing illnesses, selections for vaccines, chick embryo growth, inactivation, processing, packaging, distribution and usage has been in place for decades. Current vaccines contain 15 μg of the HA of an A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B strain and are given parenterally to induce serum anti-HA antibody for prevention of subsequent infection and illness from natural influenza. Reactogenicity is low and protection among healthy older children and adults is good; protection levels are generally lower in young children and the elderly. Needs include ensuring antigenic matches of vaccine and epidemic viruses each season, enhancing immunization rates, and providing new and improved vaccines and immunization approaches for the varied populations and circumstances globally.
Determination of the CO2 dissociation pressures of molten carbonates by an EMF technique

Abstract A study is reported of the CO2 dissociation pressures for molten carbonates using an emf technique. In the gas concentration cell Au/O2(CO2)diss/CO32−/CO2, O2/Pt, the conditions are adjusted so that the CO2 in the Au compartment is due to the carbonate dissociation. It is shown that EoAu(CO2/O2) = EoPt(CO2/O2) and it follows that this technique may thus be used to monitor the CO2 dissociation pressures of the electrolyte in a continuous manner, with minimum disturbances. The method appears particularly suited for very low dissociation pressure measurements.
The perturbation of the endomembrane network of the chlamydomonad alga Gloeomonas by the herbicide isopropyl N-phenyl carbamate (IPC)

Abstract. The highly complex and symmetric endomembrane network of the chlamydomonad alga, Gloeomonas kupferri, can be disrupted by the herbicide, isopropyl N-phenyl carbamate (IPC). Upon incubation with IPC for between 30 min and 1 h, curling of the dictyosomes, proliferation of small vesicles from the trans face and swelling of the peripheral vacuolar complex takes place. Longer treatments result in degeneration of dictyosome cisternae into vesicular masses and the formation of supervacuolar complexes. Enzyme cytochemistry revealed that endomembrane ‘marker’ enzymes are altered/inhibited by IPC. A second but striking I PC-induced effect is the production of branched, fibrillar inclusions in the cell nucleus. A discussion of I PC-induced affects on ion regulation and microtubule/MTOC distribution in the cell is presented.
Uncertainties, Correlations, and Optimal Blends of Drought Indices from the NLDAS Multiple Land Surface Model Ensemble

AbstractThis study analyzed uncertainties and correlations over the United States among four ensemble-mean North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) percentile-based drought indices derived from monthly mean evapotranspiration ET, total runoff Q, top 1-m soil moisture SM1, and total column soil moisture SMT. The results show that the uncertainty is smallest for SM1, largest for SMT, and moderate for ET and Q. The strongest correlation is between SM1 and SMT, and the weakest correlation is between ET and Q. The correlation between ET and SM1 (SMT) is strongest in arid–semiarid regions, and the correlation between Q and SM1 (SMT) is strongest in more humid regions in the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast. Drought frequency analysis shows that SM1 has the most frequent drought occurrence, followed by SMT, Q, and ET. The study compared the NLDAS drought indices (a research product) with the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM; an operational product) in terms of drought area percentage derived from each p...
The relative effects and equity of inquiry‐based and commonplace science teaching on students' knowledge, reasoning, and argumentation

We conducted a laboratory-based randomized control study to examine the effectiveness of inquiry-based instruction. We also disaggregated the data by student demographic variables to examine if inquiry can provide equitable opportunities to learn. Fifty-eight students aged 14–16 years old were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups of students were taught toward the same learning goals by the same teacher, with one group being taught from inquiry-based materials organized around the BSCS 5E Instructional Model, and the other from materials organized around commonplace teaching strategies as defined by national teacher survey data. Students in the inquiry-based group reached significantly higher levels of achievement than students experiencing commonplace instruction. This effect was consistent across a range of learning goals (knowledge, reasoning, and argumentation) and time frames (immediately following the instruction and 4 weeks later). The commonplace science instruction resulted in a detectable achievement gap by race, whereas the inquiry-based materials instruction did not. We discuss the implications of these findings for the body of evidence on the effectiveness of teaching science as inquiry; the role of instructional models and curriculum materials in science teaching; addressing achievement gaps; and the competing demands of reform and accountability. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47:276–301, 2010
The Human Genome and Alcohol Dependence: Where is the Beef?

dependence and other forms of drug abuse were just a few short research studies away from being fully understood. The mapping of the human genome, despite being a huge scientific accomplishment, has not satisfied the majority of the promises made at its announcement. Despite that alcohol dependence has had a large proportion of its cause (between 50‐60%) declared genomic or heritable, there are many conflicting studies of the major genes of interest (Higuchi, Matsushita, & Kashima, 2006; Quickfall & el-Guebaly, 2006). Why has the mapping of the genome failed to produce treatments? What are the current research efforts? And what should addictions nurses be sharing with their patients and families about these efforts? Why did the Mapping of the Genome not Provide a Cure for Alcohol Dependency?
Runtime Temporal Partitioning Assembly to Reduce FPGA Reconfiguration Time

Large applications that exceed available FPGA resources must time-multiplex these resources using smaller hardware modules. In order to orchestrate this time-multiplexing, temporal partitioning partitions these hardware modules into multiple subsets, each of which fit within the available resources. During a temporal partition transition, the FPGA is reconfigured to the subsequent temporal partition. However, FPGA reconfiguration time can impose significant performance overhead as the entire FPGA fabric must be reconfigured even if only a small portion has changed. Partially reconfigurable (PR) FPGAs can decrease reconfiguration time by only reconfiguring the portions of the FPGA fabric that differ. In this paper, we present a design methodology using a simulated annealing-based module placement optimization engine to minimize FPGA reconfiguration overhead by exploiting module overlap across successive temporal partitions. Experimental results show that our methodology reduces FPGA reconfiguration time by 44% on average.
Determinação da solubilidade protéica de farinhas de subproduto de aves com a pepsina em baixa concentração

Foi proposto recentemente que a solubilidade proteica in vitro com pepsina na concentracao de 0,0002% e melhor que em concentracoes maiores, para melhor classificar a qualidade proteica de farinhas de origem animal (FOA). Entretanto, nessa concentracao, desconhece-se qual e o intervalo que melhor exprime a qualidade por meio da solubilidade proteica das FOA. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de identificar os valores da solubilidade proteica de farinhas de subprodutos do abate de aves (FSA), utilizadas como modelo experimental. As fontes proteicas foram duas FSA e caseina (considerada padrao com 100% de solubilidade proteica). Todas as farinhas foram autoclavadas a 120oC, durante 0, 10, 20, 40 e 80 minutos. As concentracoes utilizadas da pepsina em solucao de HCl 0,0744N foram de 0,0002 e 0,02%. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 3 (fontes) x 5 (temperaturas) x 2 (concentracoes), com quatro repeticoes para a enzima na concentracao de 0,0002% e duas repeticoes para a concentracao de 0,02%. Foram determinados os valores de solubilidade proteica in vitro em solucao acido/pepsina e energia metabolizavel in vivo das FSA. Os resultados indicaram que, na concentracao de pepsina de 0,0002%, os valores de boa qualidade das FSA estao acima de 55%. Da mesma forma, solubilidades proximas a 84% podem ser consideradas boas, mas decaem em solubilidade e sao consideradas ruins se tiverem em torno de 67% de solubilidade proteica em pepsina a 0,02%.
Deflections of the vertical in New Britain

Nineteen astronomic observations made in connection with a control survey by Australian and U. S. Army topographic forces of the island of New Britain (Territory of Papua and New Guinea) indicate unusually large deflections of the vertical throughout the 450 km length of the island. After adjusting the datum to minimize the deflections, the rms of ξ is ± 24″ and of η is ± 21″, or 32″ for the total deflection. The pattern of the deflections shows a marked correlation with the topography of the island.