cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hierarchy and the Haya divine kingship: a structural and symbolic reformulation of Frazer's thesis

This article presents a structural and symbolic reformulation of Sir James Frazer's theory of divine kingship. A model of hierarchy derived from formal logic, one that Terence Turner (1977a) applied in his reconceptualization of the structure of rites de passage, is employed to analyze the cosmology of a former Haya kingship of northwest Tanzania. A tripartite model of hierarchy encoded in the ceilings of traditional Haya dwellings is described. Analysis of the model demonstrates how the king's role as a unique mediator symbolically constituted and resolved the problem of the separation and interrelationship between the transcendent and the normative orders. [Haya, East Africa, kingship, palace architecture, duality, hierarchy]
On characterizing lagrangian poisson and quasi-binomial distributions

The Lagrangian Poisson and the quasi-binomial distributions are characterized, in the context of the Rao-Rubin damage model, by the conditional distribution of one random variable (r.v.) given another, and the linear regression of the second r.v. on the first. The characterizations of the Poisson and the binomial given by Korwar (1975) are then the special cases of the above.
Does national culture affect international corporate cash holdings

Abstract The current literature frequently examines the effects of shareholder rights protection on corporate cash holdings in the context of agency theory. In this study, we show that national culture influences corporate managers’ cash holding behavior beyond the effects of corporate governance and financial market developments in each country through the perception of agency costs and value of financial flexibility. Using Hofstede's cultural dimension indices, we find that corporations hold larger cash and liquid balances in countries where the people tend to avoid uncertainty more, are culturally more masculine, and have longer term orientation.
New Antimicrobial Agents for Use in the Intensive Care Unit

Timely provision of adequate antimicrobial coverage in an initial anti-infective treatment regimen results in optimal outcomes for bacterial and fungal infections. However, selection of appropriate antimicrobial regimens for treatment of infections in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be challenging due to expansion of resistance, which typically requires use of multidrug anti-infective regimens to provide adequate coverage of important pathogens commonly seen in the ICU setting. Indeed, a recent additional call to action by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has enforced the impact that antimicrobial-resistant pathogens can have on patient care. The term ESKAPE has been coined by this IDSA group to refer to Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species, the etiologic causes of the majority of hospital-acquired infections in the United States that are able to effectively "escape" our antibiotic arsenal and that also mandate discovery of new antimicrobial agents. This article reviews select antibacterial agents and an antifungal agent in late stages of clinical development that appear to have potential for treatment of infections in the ICU.
External Data Exchange Issues for State Estimation in Power Systems

The representation of the external model in real time is a major source of errors in state estimation. The static model of the external system and the data exchange in real time varies from system to system. In this paper, these issues are studied to determine the data exchange requirements to minimize the errors in the state estimator. It is shown that moderate increases of data exchange from the external model increases state estimator accuracy. The effects of incorporating measurement data from the external system on the state estimator and contingency analysis accuracy are also studied. An algorithm is proposed to determine the optimal selection of external measurements based on the accuracy requirement. Test results on the IEEE 118-bus test system are provided.
Addressing Inclusion in Higher Education Physical Activity Programs

The number of students with disabilities pursuing higher education has increased in the past decade. However, there is little information as to whether or not college basic instruction programs (CBIPs) are providing appropriate physical activity courses for individuals with disabilities. Those who teach CBIPs may have limited background or training in adapted physical education, which can cause difficulties in knowing how to make the appropriate modifications or accommodations for students with disabilities. Thus, the purpose of this article is to provide several suggestions for college/university physical activity program instructors on how to modify activities and roles for college students with disabilities using the sport education curriculum model based on the national guidelines for higher education physical activity programs.
Studies of dijet and photon-jet properties in pp, pPb, and PbPb collisions with CMS

Abstract Studies of dijet and photon-jet properties in pPb collisions are of great importance for establishing a QCD baseline for hadronic interactions with cold nuclear matter. Dijet and photon-jet production has been measured in pPb collisions at a nucleon–nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV. The transverse momentum balance and azimuthal angle correlations are studied in both dijet and photon-jet channels, leading to the observation that there is no significant modification, which allows these systems to be used as tools to probe the nuclear modifications of the parton distribution functions (PDFs). In the dijet system, pseudorapidity distributions are studied as a function of the transverse energy in the forward calorimeters ( E T HF ). The mean value of the dijet pseudorapidity is found to change monotonically with increasing E T HF , indicating a correlation between the energy emitted at large pseudorapidity and the longitudinal motion of the dijet frame. The pseudorapidity distribution of the dijet system is compared with next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD predictions obtained from both nucleon and nuclear PDFs, and the data more closely match the latter. In addition to the studies of initial state, the photon-jet measurements related to quenching in PbPb are updated to have a more precise pp reference based on the 2013 LHC run at 2.76 TeV.
Fourth Graders' Motivation in an Elementary Physical Education Running Program

In this study we examined students' motivation in an elementary physical education running program using achievement goal theory and an expectancy-value model of achievement choice as theoretical frameworks. Fourth graders (N = 119) completed questionnaires assessing their achievement goals, expectancy-related beliefs, subjective task values, and intention for future participation in running. They also completed a 1-mile run as a performance outcome. Results indicated that achievement goals, expectancy-related beliefs, and subjective task values were related to one another and were predictive of children's intention for future participation in running and their performance on the 1-mile run. Although boys and girls did not differ significantly in mean scores on the variables, they seemed to be motivated by a different combination of achievement goals, expectancy-related beliefs, and subjective task values. Findings provided empirical evidence supporting the use of multiple theoretical perspectives in moti...
Motility Events of Trichocyst Insertion in Paramecium tetraurelia

SYNOPSIS. Following electroshock-induced extrusion of its inserted trichocysts, Paramecium tetraurelia rapidly begins replacement of the population of lost organelles. Light microscopy of the cortical insertion of new trichocysts reveals a series of characteristic motility activities. An uninserted trichocyst in the cyclotic flow of the cell appears to be “captured” and removed to the noncyclotic, subcortical regions. The trichocyst then makes a series of saltatory motions which apparently serve to transport it to the cortex, with proper orientation (tip first) for insertion. Trichocyst saltations end with either cortical insertion of the organelle, or return to cyclosis. If the trichocyst is inserted, it makes a series of unique pivoting movements around the motionless tip. This form of motility, termed “wobble,” continues for a short period of time. After cessation of wobble, the insertion of the trichocyst is apparently complete, since no further motility is observed. With the aid of these observations it was possible to identify saltatory motility as the means for transporting trichocysts to the cortex for insertion, and also to observe a motility of unknown significance (wobble) apparently associated with the process of cortical insertion.
What you see is what you search: adaptive visual search framework for the web

Information retrieval is one of the most popular information access methods for overcoming the information overload problem of the Web. However, its interaction model is still utilizing the old text-based ranked lists and static interaction algorithm. In this paper, we introduce our adaptive visualization approach for searching the Web, which we call Adaptive VIBE. It is an extended version of a reference point-based spatial visualization algorithm, and is designed to serve as a user interaction module for a personalized search system. Personalized search can incorporate dynamic user interests and different contexts, improving search results. When it is combined with adaptive visualization, it can encourage users to become involved in the search process more actively by exploring the information space and learning new facts for effective searching. In this paper, we introduce the rationale and functions of our adaptive visualization approach and discuss the approaches' potential to create a better search environment for the Web.
Reproducibility of 3D micro-CT gray-scale and structural dimension data in longitudinal studies

Repeated micro-CT scanning of a number of iliac crest biopsies enabled us to quantitate the variation in CT image gray-scale and spatial geometry due to variables such as specimen orientation, projection magnification, voxel size and slight differences in x-ray photon energy in each of the different scans. Using the micro-CT scanner on beamline X2B at the Brookhaven National Laboratory's National Synchrotron Light Source, we rescanned several iliac crest bone biopsy specimens, and a test phantom made of calcium hydroxyapatite, at repeated scanning sessions and evaluated the reproducibility of the spatial geometry and gray-scale haracteristics of the specimens. This scanner consists of a Bragg diffiaction source of monochromatic x-rays, a computer controlled high precision specimen rotation and translation stage assembly, and a fluorescent crystal and CCD array system for imaging the specimen at each of the angles of view around its axis of rotation during the scanning sequence. The 3-D micro-CT images consisted of up to 1024x2400 2 , 4 μm, cubic voxels, each with 16-bit gray-scale. We also reconstructed the images at 16,32 and 48 μm voxel resolution. Partial volume effects at the surface of the bone were diminished by 'eroding' the surface voxels in the 4 μm images, but significantly changed the outcome at greater voxel size. Reproducibility of the mineral content of bone, at mean bone opacity value, was ± 28.8 mg/cm 3 , i.e., 2.56%, in a 4 μm cubic voxel at the 95% confidence level.
Multicolored object recognition and location

Abstract A novel computational strategy exploiting both shape and color information for the recognition and location of a two-dimensional model object on a known background is presented here. The proposed strategy is used to improve the search phase of a “search-and-replace” function for raster images.
Acid-soil resistance of forage legumes as assessed by a soil-on-agar method

Establishment of small-seeded legumes on strongly acid soils can be even more difficult than maintaining those stands once established. Our objectives were to use a soil-based procedure for characterization of acid-soil resistance of small-seeded forage-legumes and to determine the validity of primary root growth and specifically the soil-on-agar technique, using germplasm that varied widely in seed size and acid-soil resistance. We ran four experiments to evaluate 28 cultivars of 15 species. In general, species differences observed were in good agreement with previous knowledge. Large differences in acid-soil resistance, for example among crimson (Trifolium incarnatum L.), white (T. repens L.), and berseem clover (T. alexandrinum L.) were visually obvious. Smaller differences were not as clear but could still be detected statistically; for example, the greater acid-soil resistance of striate [Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl.] compared with Korean lespedeza [K. stipulacea (Maxim.) Makino]. Relative acid-soil resistance of rose clover (T. hirtum All.) is reported for the first time. Within species, the known greater acid-soil resistance of 'AU Dewey' birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), compared with other cultivars of that species, was detected. One major difference between our results and solution culture studies, kura clover (T. ambiguum M. Bieb.) was more acid-soil resistant than white clover. 'Cossack', a kura clover bred from germplasm developed on a high pH soil, was more sensitive to acid-soil stress than several other cultivars. A procedure characterizing primary root growth, the soil-on-agar technique, can do an effective job of evaluating acid-soil resistance of small-seeded legumes.
Pseudoscalar and Vector Exchanges in the Production of Vector Mesons

The cross section for the general reaction (pseudoscalar meson + nucleon yields spin--1/2 baryon + vector meson) and the decay angular distributions for the final baryon and vector meson are calculated under the assumption that the reaction is dominated by the exchange of pseudoscalar and vector mesons. The results are applied to an analysis of the reaction pi /sup -/p yields SIGMA / sup o/K/sup *o/. (auth)
Changes in Animal Tissue After Hydrocortisone Administration: Deposition induced by Hydrocortisone of Calcium in the Heart Tissue of Female C 3 H Mice

Changes in Animal Tissue After Hydrocortisone Administration: Deposition induced by Hydrocortisone of Calcium in the Heart Tissue of Female C3H Mice
Factors in the Emergence of Catalan Nationalism During the Thirteenth Century

(1965). Factors in the Emergence of Catalan Nationalism During the Thirteenth Century. The Historian: Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 311-333.
Thermal instability of nonlinearly stratified fluids

Abstract The problem of thermal instabilities in nonlinearly stratified fluids is analyzed. When a fluid layer is subject to an initial nonlinear temperature distribution, a distribution of the critical conditions for the onset of secondary flows results. At the onset of instabilities, convective cells will develop locally in the system. These modes are better represented by local eigenfunctions than global ones. A linear stability analysis is performed and dispersion relations are reported. Analytical predictions are confirmed by numerical results. The examples analyzed also indicate that the role of certain system parameters as stabilizing/destabilizing factors can be reversed for different geometries.
Interfacial templating of inorganic nanostructures using a growth directing and reducing peptide

The rational design of interfacially confined peptides allows for the direct examination of biomimetic processes for materials synthesis, where non-equilibrium interfacial assembly engenders complexity in metallic nano-structures. Here we report our recent progress towards applying surface-active peptides to precisely control the spatial distribution of amino acids. In order to engineer multiple length scales in inorganic materials, our periodically sequenced peptide is designed to be trifunctional: (1) self-assembling at the air–water interface, (2) reducing gold in the subphase, and (3) directing growth of the inorganic phase under confinement. We use the Langmuir trough, Brewster angle microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction to characterize control over inorganic structure as a function of the surface pressure of the organic material at the interface. Single crystalline triangular nanoplatelets of gold form at a surface pressure of 30 mN m−1 or less. At higher surface pressures, when binding sites are in closer proximity, a mosaic of more complex structures are formed. This work demonstrates that self-assembling surface confined peptides can be applied to define a bio-inspired tectonic process, leading to hierarchical structures at phase boundaries.
[3H]-2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF)-synthesis and characterization as a radioligand for the Ah receptor

Abstract 2,6-Dichloroaniline was reacted with 2,5-dichlorophenol in the presence of isoamyl nitrite to give a mixture of chlorinated biphenylols which were purified by thin-layer chromatography. The resulting products were cyclized to give 1,4,9-trichlorodibenzofuran (purity > 98%) which was converted into 1,4,9-[3H3]-dibenzofuran by catalytic chlorinetritium exchange. The [3H]-dibenzofuran was chlorinated in chloroform solution and the crude chlorination products were separated by preparative HPLC to give [3H]-2,3,7,8-TCDF, specific activity, 57 Ci/mmol. The binding of [3H]-2,3,7,8-TCDF to the cytosolic Ah receptor resembles that of [3H]-TCDD. The receptor binding affinity as determined from the Scatchard plot is slightly less for [3H]-TCDF (Kd=0.95 nm) than for [3H]-TCDD (Kd=0.60 nM). The mechanism of binding each radioligand to the Ah receptor is similar and occurs in the absence of detectable positive cooperativity. However, for quantification, the use of [3H]-TCDF is distinctly advantageous over [3H]-TCDD because the ease of dissociation of the [3H]-TCDF-Ah receptor complex is much greater than that of the [3H]-TCDD-Ah receptor complex. Because of the ease of reversibility of binding, [3H]-TCDF appears to be the superior radioligand for the in vitro characterization of the Ah receptor.
Lessons learned from parametric structural modeling of a large ground-based observatory

In the conceptual design phase for a large ground-based observatory, it is often necessary to make major design decisions affecting output figures of merit before sufficiently detailed models are available for predicting results. While a single "point design" may be selected based on expert opinion, for new and complex structures the optimal design that meets both cost and science requirements may not be obvious without analysis of many models. One solution to evaluating different designs early in the design process is to create a parametric model of the telescope structure and predict the dynamic behavior using an integrated model. An integrated model is an environment where the major disciplines of disturbance, optics, controls and structures are modeled. In this way a large tradespace across different design configurations and parametric values can be rapidly evaluated using metrics such as image motion and estimated system cost. This paper describes the steps taken by the MIT Space System Laboratory (MIT SSL) for large ground-based observatory preliminary design using a parametric integrated model. The parametric finite element structural model is described and representative results are shown. In particular, this paper will describe lessons learned about the advantages and challenges encountered during development and implementation of the parametric integrated model such as the usefulness of a visualization tool and the importance of subsystem model modularity.
Ribosome Biogenesis in African Trypanosomes Requires Conserved and Trypanosome-Specific Factors

Large ribosomal subunit protein L5 is responsible for the stability and trafficking of 5S rRNA to the site of eukaryotic ribosomal assembly. In Trypanosoma brucei, in addition to L5, trypanosome-specific proteins P34 and P37 also participate in this process. These two essential proteins form a novel preribosomal particle through interactions with both the ribosomal protein L5 and 5S rRNA. We have generated a procyclic L5 RNA interference cell line and found that L5 itself is a protein essential for trypanosome growth, despite the presence of other 5S rRNA binding proteins. Loss of L5 decreases the levels of all large-subunit rRNAs, 25/28S, 5.8S, and 5S rRNAs, but does not alter small-subunit 18S rRNA. Depletion of L5 specifically reduced the levels of the other large ribosomal proteins, L3 and L11, whereas the steady-state levels of the mRNA for these proteins were increased. L5-knockdown cells showed an increase in the 40S ribosomal subunit and a loss of the 60S ribosomal subunits, 80S monosomes, and polysomes. In addition, L5 was involved in the processing and maturation of precursor rRNAs. Analysis of polysomal fractions revealed that unprocessed rRNA intermediates accumulate in the ribosome when L5 is depleted. Although we previously found that the loss of P34 and P37 does not result in a change in the levels of L5, the loss of L5 resulted in an increase of P34 and P37 proteins, suggesting the presence of a compensatory feedback loop. This study demonstrates that ribosomal protein L5 has conserved functions, in addition to nonconserved trypanosome-specific features, which could be targeted for drug intervention.
Bioimaging and Self-Assembly of Lysozyme Fibrils Utilizing CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots

Advances in recent nanoscience technologies have generated a new compilation of fluorescent biolabels derived from semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Due to their properties of being water-soluble and biocompatible, these nanometer-sized probes prove to be a beneficial tool for biolabeling and bioimaging. We report on the molecular characterization of engineered bioconjugates comprised of highly luminescent dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) capped CdSe/ZnS (core/shell) QDs attached to the native protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) and/or its fibrous analogue. This research focuses on the development of a specific fluorescent labeling system and exploration of fibril formation. We confirmed the bioconjugation and formation of the HEWL-QDs and HEWL-QDs fibril model systems by various analytical techniques including agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE), confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV−vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. These bioconjugates could prove...
Solid-phase synthesis of peptide–heterocycle hybrids containing a tripeptide-derived 6,6-fused bicyclic subunit

Abstract The solid-phase synthesis of peptides incorporating a tripeptide-derived 6,6-fused bicyclic subunit is described. The bicyclic moiety (3,8,10-trisubstituted 2,9-dioxo-5-thia-1,8-diazabicyclo[4.4.0]decane) can be incorporated anywhere in a peptide sequence and is formed spontaneously upon TFA cleavage through condensation of an aldehyde with a backbone amide nitrogen and side-chain thiol, resulting in a thiazinone ring. The reaction is regio- and stereoselective and also allows for the incorporation of the bicyclic moiety, which may represent a constrained β-turn mimic, into a macrocyclic peptide.
⁎4633 Endoscopic sphincterotomy for common bile duct stones: long-term follow-up and risk analysis for recurrence.

Background. Since its introduction in 1974 ES has become the treatment of choice for CBDS in cholecystectomized and elderly patients unfit for surgery.With further experience, ES has been widely applied also in young and fit patients. Recently, three significant factors for late complications after ES for CBDS were identified (Pereira-Lima 1998): 1) peripapillary diverticulum (recurrence of CBDS); 2) gallbladder in situ (recurrence of biliary symptoms); 3) common bile duct (CBD) diameter ≥ 15 mm (recurrence of CBDS and/or biliary symptoms). Aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome of ES for CBDS, and identify patients at risk for recurrence in a selected group with a follow-up of at least 5-years. Materials and methods. 529 patients (296 females, 233 males, mean age 62 years range 9-88) that underwent successful ES+CBDS extraction between april 1983 and december 1993 were included in the study. Followup data were obtained from our patient records, by mail, telephone call, interview, or ERCP when indicated. The following parameters have been included in statistical analyses: sex, age, gallbladder status, previous biliary tract surgery, prior gastrectomy, clinical presentation, ES-related complications, precut, stone size, number of stones, CBD diameter, duodenal diverticulum, infundibular fistula and liver function tests. Asymptomatic patients with follow-up
2062 Use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to identify variable phenotypic expression of an identical sarcomeric protein mutation

Methods A large kindred who exhibit a mixed phenotype of HCM, dilated cardiomypopathy (DCM) and sudden cardiac death segregating in an autosomal dominant inheritance were evaluated. Six individuals from 2 generations the proband, her husband, and their 4 offspring, one son and three daughters, ages 20, 25, 23 and 18 years of age, respectively were followed. The proband had a known history of DCM; offspring had normal cardiac morphology by baseline CMR examination with delayed post-gadolinium enhancement (DME). This cohort was followed with yearly cardiac imaging to detect initial phenotypic expression. Direct DNA sequencing of the coding regions and splice sites of the MYH7, MYBPC3, TNNT2, TNNI3, and TPM1 genes was performed on all 6 members of this nuclear family. Results Genotyping in this selected family revealed a novel heterozygous 2105T>A (I702N) missense mutation in exon 19 of the MYH7 gene in the proband, the son and one daughter. Three unaffected family members tested negative for the mutation. The phenotype in the proband and her 18 year-old daughter progressed to exhibit DCM with evidence of early fibrotic changes by DME. The son progressed to asymmetrical septal hypertrophy, not initially apparent by echocardiography, consistent with early stage HCM. The 3 other members of the family had normal CMR examinations. Figure 1.
A distributed step-like switching model of the continuous field-driven phase transformations observed in PMN–xPT relaxor ferroelectric single crystals

The field-driven phase transformation behavior of relaxor ferroelectric single crystal PZN–xPT is discontinuous and displays well-defined forward and reverse coercive fields, whereas the same transformation in PMN–xPT is nearly continuous and occurs over a range of field levels. In analogy to the broad Curie range in relaxor ferroelectrics arising from property fluctuations at the nanometer length scale, the continuous field-driven phase transformations in PMN–xPT are modeled as a step-like series of discontinuous transformations associated with similar spatial property fluctuations. An increase in the applied field gradually increases the volume fraction of the new phase at the expense of the old phase, resulting in a continuous transition between phases. The model simulation produces excellent agreement with the measured material response of 〈0 1 1〉 cut PMN–0.32PT single crystals under conditions of cooperative stress and electric field loading.
Understanding of the benefits of coronary revascularization procedures among patients who are offered such procedures.

Background To participate meaningfully in decisions regarding invasive procedure use, patients should understand the benefits and risks. Previous work has focused on risks; we assessed patient understanding of the benefits of coronary revascularization procedures. Methods We interviewed 1650 patients and their treating physicians after elective coronary angiography performed at 3 Veterans Health Administration hospitals and 1 university hospital. We excluded patients for whom the decision to undergo revascularization was made before admission. This report focuses on 633 patients who had been offered coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG, n=324) or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) and responded to questions about expected benefits. Both patient and physician were asked to report the benefits they expected from revascularization. Forty-nine physicians reported on 490 patients. Results Most patients were older (mean age 63.8 years), white (89.4%), and male (77.6%). Most patients expected improved symptoms (83%) and survival (83%). Physician-patient agreement regarding whether survival would improve was no better than chance (κ = 0.02 for CABG, κ = −0.01 for PCI, both P > .10). There was also poor agreement regarding whether symptoms were expected to improve, but this was better than chance (κ = 0.09, P = .01 for CABG; κ = 0.19, P = .02 for PCI). Physician-patient agreement was poor regardless of patient characteristics. Conclusions Patients have more optimistic expectations about benefits of coronary revascularization than the cardiologist offering the procedure. Further research should confirm this finding and clarify how physician-patient disagreement regarding the benefits of coronary revascularization affects patient participation in decision making.
Characterization of the Murine A1 Adenosine Receptor Promoter, Potent Regulation by GATA-4 and Nkx2.5

Adenosine acts via A1 adenosine receptors (A1ARs) in the heart and brain to potently influence mammalian physiology. A1ARs are expressed very early in embryonic development, and A1ARs are among the earliest expressed G protein coupled receptors in the heart and brain. To understand the biologic basis of A1AR expression, a genomic fragment containing the murine A1AR promoter was cloned. Reporter assay studies using DDT1 MF2 cells that express A1ARs revealed that 500 base pairs of the proximal A1AR promoter contained essential elements for A1AR gene expression. Transgenic mice with A1AR proximal promoter coupled with the β-galactosidase reporter gene had heavy labeling of the brain and atria, consistent with normal patterns of A1AR expression. Within the proximal A1AR promoter, putative binding sites for cardiac transcription factors GATA and Nkx2.5 were identified. Co-expression studies revealed that GATA-4 and Nkx2.5 could individually drive A1AR promoter activity and act synergistically to activate A1AR expression. These observations suggest that embryonic A1AR expression involves activation of the A1AR promoter by GATA-4 and Nkx2.5.
Effects of blade-vane ratio and rotor-stator spacing of fan noise with forward velocity

A research fan stage was acoustically tested in an anechoic wind tunnel with a 41 m/sec tunnel flow. Two stator vane numbers giving cut-on and cut-off conditions were tested at three rotor-stator spacings ranging from about 0.5 to 2.0 rotor chords. These two stators were designed for similar aerodynamic performance. Hot film anemometer turbulence measurements were made at the leading edge of the stator for each spacing. The cut-off criterion strongly controlled the fundamental tone level at all spacings. The trends with spacing of the wake defect upwash component at the stator tip showed good agreement with the corresponding cut-on acoustic tone levels.
State background checks and firearms homicides

Abstract This study examined the relationship between state firearms homicides and background checks for firearms purchases. Controlling for economic and social conditions, the estimated number of firearms in circulation, offenders under community supervision, and violent crime it was found that states with less stringent background checks on firearms purchases were significantly associated with firearms homicides. The large number of firearms circulating within the United States makes it likely that a motivated—but ineligible—person could obtain a firearm over the long-term in the secondary firearms market. Effective state background checks, however, may temporarily frustrate an unauthorized person from obtaining a firearm that, in turn, may contribute to lower firearms homicide rates. Implications for further research are examined.
Sensitivity of technetium-99m-pyrophosphate scintigraphy in diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis

To determine the value of technetium-99m-pyrophosphate myocardial scintigraphy in the diagnosis of amyloid heart disease this procedure was prospectively performed in 20 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven primary amyloidosis. Eleven patients had echocardiographic abnormalities compatible with amyloid cardiomyopathy, 9 of whom had congestive heart failure. Diffuse myocardial pyrophosphate uptake was of equal or greater intensity than that of the ribs in 9 of the 11 patients with echocardiograms suggestive of amyloidosis, but in only 2 of the 9 with normal echocardiograms, despite abnormal electrocardiograms (p Thus, myocardial technetium-99m-pyrophosphate scanning is a sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis in patients with congestive heart failure of obscure origin. It does not appear to be of value for the early detection of cardiac involvement in patients with known primary amyloidosis without echocardiographic abnormalities.
Assessing the Stability of Principal Components Using Regression.

This paper presents an analysis, based on simulation, of the stability of principal components. Stability is measured by the expectation of the absolute inner product of the sample principal component with the corresponding population component. A multiple regression model to predict stability is devised, calibrated, and tested using simulated Normal data. Results show that the model can provide useful predictions of individual principal component stability when working with correlation matrices. Further, the predictive validity of the model is tested against data simulated from three non-Normal distributions. The model predicted very well even when the data departed from normality, thus giving robustness to the proposed measure. Used in conjunction with other existing rules this measure will help the user in determining interpretability of principal components.
Electron tunneling in azurin: the coupling across a β-sheet

Abstract Background: We would like to understand how electron flow is controlled in biological molecules. Standard theories calculate the rate for long distance electron transfer (ET) as the product of electronic coupling (the square of the electron tunneling matrix element) and nuclear (Franck-Condon) factors. Much attention has been directed to the role of protein secondary and tertiary structure in the tunneling coupling, focusing on the interplay between different types of chemical bonds. Here we have evaluated the relative contributions of covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds and through-space jumps in coupling through a β-strand or across a β-sheet section of a blue copper protein, azurin. Results: We have analyzed four distant electronic couplings in azurin. Each coupling is between the copper atom and a Ru(bpy) 2 (im) complex attached to a histidine on the protein surface. In three experiments the intervening medium was a simple β-strand, while in the fourth experiment it was a section of β-sheet. Conclusions: We have shown that electron tunneling in a protein can be broken down into ET ‘tubes' of pathways through specific covalent and hydrogen bonds. These ET tubes encapsulate trivial interference effects and call expose crucial inter-tube interference effects. In coupling through a β-sheet, hydrogen bonds are as important as covalent links, and are the primary source for tube interference.
The Molecular Basis of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: New Understanding

Nonmelanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, represent the most common malignant neoplasms in humans. Although many environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development of skin cancers, the most important is chronic exposure to UV radiation in sunlight. We now appreciate that the role of UV in the development of nonmelanoma skin cancers is 2-fold. First, UV radiation causes mutations in cellular DNA. Failure to repair these genetic alterations ultimately leads to unrestrained growth and tumor formation. Second, UV radiation has profound effects on the cutaneous immune system, inducing a state of relative immunosuppression that prevents tumor rejection. The purpose of this review is to educate clinical dermatologists about the recent developments in molecular biology and immunology that have greatly enhanced our understanding of how skin cancers arise. The clinical implications of this new knowledge are farreaching and likely to soon impact the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a variety of benign and malignant skin conditions. It will be important for the clinician to understand the biological mechanisms underlying these new therapeutic developments to implement them effectively. Arch Dermatol. 1997;133:1263-1270
Heritability and Genetic Correlation of Hair Cortisol in Vervet Monkeys in Low and Higher Stress Environments

Chronic activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) system is a risk factor for a variety of physical and mental disorders, and yet the complexity of the system has made it difficult to define the role of genetic and environmental factors in producing long-term individual differences in HPA activity. Cortisol levels in hair have been suggested as a marker of total HPA activation over a period of several months. This study takes advantage of a pedigreed nonhuman primate colony to investigate genetic and environmental influences on hair cortisol levels before and after an environmental change. A sample of 226 adult female vervet monkeys (age 3-18) living in multigenerational, matrilineal social groups at the Vervet Research Colony were sampled in a stable low stress baseline environment and 6 months after the entire colony was moved to a new facility with more frequent handling and group disturbances (higher stress environment). Variance components analysis using the extended colony pedigree was applied to determine heritability of hair cortisol levels in the two environments. Bivariate genetic correlation assessed degree of overlap in genes influencing hair cortisol levels in the low and higher stress environments. The results showed that levels of cortisol in hair of female vervets increased significantly from the baseline to the post-move environment. Hair cortisol levels were heritable in both environments (h(2)=0.31), and there was a high genetic correlation across environments (rhoG=0.79), indicating substantial overlap in the genes affecting HPA activity in low and higher stress environments. This is the first study to demonstrate that the level of cortisol in hair is a heritable trait. It shows the utility of hair cortisol as a marker for HPA activation, and a useful tool for identifying genetic influences on long term individual differences in HPA activity. The results provide support for an additive model of the effects of genes and environment on this measure of long term HPA activity.
Defining immunological impact and therapeutic benefit of mild heating in a murine model of arthritis.

Traditional treatments, including a variety of thermal therapies have been known since ancient times to provide relief from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. However, a general absence of information on how heating affects molecular or immunological targets relevant to RA has limited heat treatment (HT) to the category of treatments known as “alternative therapies”. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of mild HT in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model which has been used in many previous studies to evaluate newer pharmacological approaches for the treatment of RA, and tested whether inflammatory immune activity was altered. We also compared the effect of HT to methotrexate, a well characterized pharmacological treatment for RA. CIA mice were treated with either a single HT for several hours or daily 30 minute HT. Disease progression and macrophage infiltration were evaluated. We found that both HT regimens significantly reduced arthritis disease severity and macrophage infiltration into inflamed joints. Surprisingly, HT was as efficient as methotrexate in controlling disease progression. At the molecular level, HT suppressed TNF-α while increasing production of IL-10. We also observed an induction of HSP70 and a reduction in both NF-κB and HIF-1α in inflamed tissues. Additionally, using activated macrophages in vitro, we found that HT reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, an effect which is correlated to induction of HSF-1 and HSP70 and inhibition of NF-κB and STAT activation. Our findings demonstrate a significant therapeutic benefit of HT in controlling arthritis progression in a clinically relevant mouse model, with an efficacy similar to methotrexate. Mechanistically, HT targets highly relevant anti-inflammatory pathways which strongly support its increased study for use in clinical trials for RA.
xMAN: extreme MApping of OligoNucleotides.

The ability to rapidly map millions of oligonucleotide fragments to a reference genome is crucial to many high throughput genomic technologies. We propose an intuitive and efficient algorithm, titled ex treme MA pping of OligoN ucleotide (xMAN), to rapidly map millions of oligonucleotide fragments to a genome of any length. By converting oligonucleotides to integers hashed in RAM, xMAN can scan through genomes using bit shifting operation and achieve at least one order of magnitude speed increase over existing tools. xMAN can map the 42 million 25-mer probes on the Affymetrix whole human genome tiling arrays to the entire genome in less than 6 CPU hours. In addition to the speed advantage, we found the probe mapping of xMAN to substantially improve the final analysis results in both a spike-in experiment on ENCODE tiling arrays and an estrogen receptor ChIP-chip experiment on whole human genome tiling arrays. Those improvements were confirmed by direct ChIP and real-time PCR assay. xMAN can be further extended for application to other high-throughput genomic technologies for oligonucleotide mapping.
Photodynamic Therapy-Induced Apoptosis in Lymphoma Cells: Translocation of Cytochrome c Causes Inhibition of Respiration as Well as Caspase Activation ☆

Abstract L5178Y-R mouse lymphoma (LY-R) cells undergo rapid apoptosis when treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) sensitized with the silicon phthalocyanine Pc 4. In this study we show that cytochrome c is released into the cytosol within 10 min of an LD99.9dose of PDT. Cellular respiration is inhibited by 42% at 15 min, and 60% at 30 min after PDT treatment, and caspase 3-like protease activity is elevated by 15 min post-PDT. In digitonin-permeabilized cells addition of cytochrome c to the respiration buffer reverses PDT-induced inhibition of state 3 respiration via Complex I by 40–60%, andviaComplex III by 50–90%. In contrast, extramitochondrial cytochrome c does not stimulate respiration in permeabilized control cells, and catalyzes only a low rate of oxygen consumptionviaelectron transfer to cytochrome b5 on the outer mitochondrial membrane. These results demonstrate that PDT-induced inhibition of respiration is primarily due to leakage of cytochrome c into the cytosol rather than to damage to the major enzyme complexes of the electron transport chain. Whether or not inhibition of respiration influences the time course or extent of Pc 4-PDT-induced apoptosis in LY-R cells is not clear at the present time.
The BlueGene/L supercomputer and quantum ChromoDynamics

We describe our methods for performing quantum chromodynamics (QCD) simulations that sustain up to 20% of the peak performance on BlueGene supercomputers. We present our methods, scaling properties, and first cutting edge results relevant to QCD. We show how this enables unprecedented computational scale that brings lattice QCD to the next generation of calculations. We present our QCD simulation that achieved 12.2 Teraflops sustained performance with perfect speedup to 32K CPU cores. Among other things, these calculations are critical for cosmology, for the heavy ion experiments at RHIC-BNL, and for the upcoming experiments at CERN-Geneva. Furthermore, we demonstrate how QCD dramatically exposes memory and network latencies inherent in any computer system and propose that QCD should be used as a new, powerful HPC benchmark. Our sustained performance demonstrates the excellent properties of the BlueGene/L system.
Kinetic Monte Carlo Study of the Effects of Hydrogen on the 3-d Epitaxial Growth of Ni(100) and Ni(110)

The effects of hydrogen on Ni(100) and Ni(110) homoepitaxy, up to 0.7 and 1.1 monolayers depositions, respectively, have been investigated by kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) methods used to simulate the ...
Agonist-induced changes in the phosphorylation of the myosin- binding subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase and CPI17, two regulatory factors of myosin light chain phosphatase, in smooth muscle

The inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) enhances smooth muscle contraction at a constant [Ca2+]. There are two components, myosin-binding subunit of MLCP (MBS) and CPI17, thought to be responsible for the inhibition of MLCP by external stimuli. The phosphorylation of MBS at Thr-641 and of CPI17 at Thr-38 inhibits the MLCP activity in vitro. Here we determined the changes in the phosphorylation of MBS and CPI17 after agonist stimulation in intact as well as permeabilized smooth muscle strips using phosphorylation-site-specific antibodies as probes. The CPI17 phosphorylation transiently increased after agonist stimulation in both alpha-toxin skinned and intact fibres. The time course of the increase in CPI17 phosphorylation after stimulation correlated with the increase in myosin regulatory light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. The increase in CPI17 phosphorylation was significantly diminished by Y27632, a Rho kinase inhibitor, and GF109203x, a protein kinase C inhibitor, suggesting that both the protein kinase C and Rho kinase pathways influence the change in CPI17 phosphorylation. On the other hand, a significant level of MBS phosphorylation at Thr-641, an inhibitory site, was observed in the resting state for both skinned and intact fibres and the agonist stimulation did not significantly alter the MBS phosphorylation level at Thr-641. While the removal of the agonist markedly decreased MLC phosphorylation and induced relaxation, the phosphorylation of MBS was unchanged, while CPI17 phosphorylation markedly diminished. These results strongly suggest that the phosphorylation of CPI17 plays a more significant role in the agonist-induced increase in myosin phosphorylation and contraction of smooth muscle than MBS phosphorylation in the Ca2+-independent activation mechanism of smooth muscle contraction.
Analysis of trimethylsilyl O-methyloximes of carbohydrates by combined gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract We have concluded that the O -methyloxime derivative effectively “labels” the carbonyl portion of the surgar, and probably contributes to the stability of ions containing that part of the molecule. Electron impact-induced cleavage of the carbon-carbon bonds in the sugar, with charge retention on either fragment, provides a mass spectrum that may be used to analyze substituents on any carbon. We have examined the mass spectra of several classes of sugars, as their - O -methyloxime trimethylsilyl ethers, and as their - O -methyloxime peracetates and in most cases ions are found corresponding to the fragmentation pattern proposed here (unpublished results). In addition, the gas-liquid chromatographic retention behavior of these compounds suggests that they may be useful for quantitative determination of carbohydrates.