cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract IA15: MicroRNA reprogramming in cancer: mechanisms and consequences

miRNA gain- and loss-of-function can potently influence cellular behavior in normal physiologic states and in diseases such as cancer. The regulation of miRNA expression and activity by cellular signaling cascades can therefore result in dramatic phenotypic outputs. We previously demonstrated extensive control of miRNA expression by well-characterized oncogenic and tumor suppressor networks including the Myc, Kras, and p53 pathways. We are now employing novel mouse models with gain and loss of miRNA function to investigate the roles of the miRNAs embedded within these signaling pathways and the pathologic consequences when their functions are disrupted. Insights gained from these functional studies have led to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for cancer and other pathologic states based on miRNA delivery. I will present our latest findings related to miRNA regulation in cancer and exploitation of these findings for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Citation Format: Joshua T. Mendell. MicroRNA reprogramming in cancer: mechanisms and consequences [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Noncoding RNAs and Cancer; 2012 Jan 8-11; Miami Beach, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(2 Suppl):Abstract nr IA15.
Decoupling a fermion whose mass is generated by a Yukawa coupling: The general case☆

Abstract The low-energy effective action for a fermion whose mass is generated by a Yukawa coupling to a Higgs field is computed in the limit of infinite fermion mass. A Wess-Zumino term as a function of the Higgs field is discovered. Gauge fields are included, and the low-energy effective action reproduces all the anomalies of the original theory. Our construction naturally leads to a six-dimensional formulation for the non-abelian anomaly.
THE GERIATRIC OBSTACLE COURSE: A TRAINING SESSION DESIGNED TO HELP PREHOSPITAL PERSONNEL RECOGNIZE GERIATRIC STEREOTYPES AND MISCONCEPTIONS

A significant proportion of ambulance transports to the Emergency Department involve elderly patients, and this use of EMS services by the elderly is expected to increase. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) may have preconceived notions about the behavior they observe in this group of patients, who tend to be difficult to assess. To provide EMTs with the perspective from which their elderly patients view the situations in which they find themselves, we developed and implemented training scenarios in which the EMTs were required to play the role of the geriatric patient. The EMTs' evaluations of the sessions were enthusiastically positive and indicated that the course did enable them to reevaluate their attitudes toward elderly patients. It is our conviction that this type of sensitivity training is an easily implemented and highly valuable method of augmenting the facts and algorithms taught to these prehospital care providers.
Mouse phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110alpha gene: cloning, structural organization, and localization to chromosome 3 band B.

Abstract Phosphoinositide 3-Kinases (PI3-Kinases) are a family of dual specificity enzymes with a unique lipid kinase activity toward the D-3 position of the inositol ring of phosphoinositides and a less well characterized serine/threonine protein kinase activity. Class IA PI3-Kinases comprise a 110–120 kDa catalytic subunit (usually termed p110) and an 85 kDa or 50 to 55 kDa regulatory subunit (often called p85). cDNAs for three mammalian Class IA PI3-Kinase catalytic subunits designated p110α, p110β, and p110δ have been cloned from several species. A YAC clone for the human p110α gene has also been cloned and mapped to chromosome 3q26.3. However, structural organization for any of the PI3-Kinase p110α genes has not been reported. Here, we report the cloning, structural organization, and chromosomal localization of the mouse PI3-Kinase p110α gene. The translated portion of the mouse p110α gene is encoded by 19 exons that span at least 24 kb. Dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to determine the chromosomal localization of the mouse PI3-Kinase p110α gene. FISH results and DAPI banding demonstrated localization of the p110α gene to band B on mouse chromosome 3, a region syntenic with human chromosome 3q26.3.
Tailorable polymer waveguides for miniaturized bio-photonic devices via two-polymer microtransfer molding

Traditional optical fibers have been developed to achieve novel characteristics for both macro- and micro-applications. Inorganic optical waveguides using two-dimensional photonic crystals and silicon-on-insulator technology are examples of recent trends for macro- and micro-scale optical applications, respectively. As bio-photonics devices operate mostly with visible light, visible-transparent materials such as metal oxides and polymers are preferred as the guiding medium. Although polymers have tremendous potential because of their enormous variation in optical, chemical and mechanical properties, their application for optical waveguides is limited by conventional lithography. We present a non-optical lithographic technique, called two-polymer microtransfer molding, to fabricate polymer nano-waveguides, on-chip light sources and couplers. Micro-sources using quantum dots emitting red light (625nm) are successfully embedded in a waveguides array as the on-chip light sources. Fabrication of a grating coupler is also attempted for various external light sources including lasers and white light. We have quantified propagation losses of the waveguides using CCD photometry. The guiding loss is approximately 1.7dB/mm. We also demonstrated that the surface roughness of the fabricated waveguides can be reduced by chemical etching. We demonstrate that low cost, high yield, high fidelity, and tailorable fabrication of bio-photonic devices are achievable by the combination of the presented techniques.
Nongaussian Effects in DS/SSMA Communications

Performance of digital linear correlation receivers is studied in a multi-user environment. There are assumed to be two types of sources interfering with data transmission; multiple-access interference, and additive channel noise, which is attributed to non-Gaussian sources in the environment. The contribution of multi-user interference is examined by considering K users transmitting over a channel using the binary PSK direct-sequence SSMA technique. However, the effects of the non-Gaussian channel in such systems is studied by modeling the samples of noise after front-end filtering. To compare the significance of the two interferers, the integration of the characteristic function method is used to compute the average bit error probability. The results indicate that in most of the noise models considered, the degradation in error probability due to the non-Gaussian nature of the noise is more than that due to the interference of extra users sharing the channel.
Series transformations and integrals involving the Riemann Ξ-function

The transformation formulas of Ramanujan, Hardy, Koshliakov and Ferrar are unified, in the sense that all these formulas come from the same source, namely, a general formula involving an integral of Riemann's Ξ-function. We give proofs of all of these transformation formulas using the theory of Mellin transforms and the residue theorem. Our study includes new extensions of the formulas of Koshliakov and Ferrar through their connection with integrals involving the Riemann Ξ-function.
Enterocutaneous fistulas: current diagnosis and management.

Enterocutaneous fistulas are a serious and dreaded complication of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and their treatments, such as surgery. During the past few decades, the overall mortality in patients with all types of enterocutaneous fistulas has decreased from 43.3%, as reported by Edmunds et al, to rates from 6.5% to 21%, according to more recent studies. This is largely a result of improvements in intensive care, nutritional support, antibiotics, wound and fistula care, and surgical techniques. Nevertheless, enterocutaneous fistulas continue to cause prolonged hospital stays; an increased risk of complications, such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, and sepsis; increased health care costs; and marked psychosocial trauma to the patients. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for surgeons to have a complete understanding of the etiology/classification, diagnosis, and management of enterocutaneous fistulas.
Crystal growth of calcium carbonate in biological systems

Abstract Calcium carbonate crystals are present in biological systems as calcite and/or aragonite. Vaterite is also found in some organisms. The sites of crystal formation are intracellular or extracellular, or both. Most of the crystals formed intracellularly are calcite, whereas extracellular crystals vary depending on the organisms. Several factors which control the crystal polymorphism are discussed.
Problems in evaluating the dislocation densities in heavily deformed Cu-Nb composites

Abstract The dislocation density of the Cu matrix in a heavily cold-rolled Cu-20%Nb composite is evaluated as a function of deformation strain. The methods and problems involved in this analysis are described and discussed in detail. The maximum dislocation density was found to be 1010-1011 cm-2 at all strains investigated. Dislocations were not uniformly distributed but rather had a low energy dislocation structure. The effects of sample preparation, specifically ion-thinning, were evaluated and found to have little effect on the dislocation population of worked Cu but actually introduced defects into annealed Cu.
The Effects of Language Group, Proficiency Level, and Instruction on ESL Subjects' Control of the {D} and {Z} Morphemes

N In English, the {D} morphemes are found in the past tense inflection of regular verbs, in past participles, and in -ed adjectives. The endings are spelled with -ed (or -d or -ied), but there are actually three different pronunciations, the distribution of which is phonologically conditioned. The stem-final sound determines the distribution of the allomorphs in the following manner: /id/ occurs after alveolar plosives, that is, /t, d/; /d/ after voiced sounds other than /d/; and /t/ after voiceless sounds other than /t/. The {Z} morphemes are found in the possessive inflection, in plural inflections of regular nouns, and in third-person singular verb inflections. All these forms are spelled with -s (or -'s, -s', -es, or -ies), but there are actually three different pronunciations, the distribution of which is also phonologically conditioned. The stem-final sound determines the distribution of the allomorphs in the following manner: /s/ occurs after voiceless nonsibilants; /z/ after voiced nonsibilants; and /iz/ after sibilants, that is, /s, z, , ,, , j/. Dickerson (1984a) claims that the English allomorphs must be systematically taught to second language learners and proposes the use of different allomorph choice rules based on spelling, which is accessible to all learners. In the research reported here, Dickerson's allomorph choice rules were used as the experimental treatment.
Party Activists as Campaign Advertisers: The Ground Campaign as a Principal-Agent Problem

As a key element of their strategy, recent Presidential campaigns have recruited thousands of workers to engage in direct voter contact. We conceive of this strategy as a principal-agent problem. Workers engaged in direct contact are intermediaries between candidates and voters, but they may be ill-suited to convey messages to general-election audiences. By analyzing a survey of workers fielded in partnership with the 2012 Obama campaign, we show that in the context of the campaign widely considered most adept at direct contact, individuals who were interacting with swing voters on the campaign’s behalf were demographically unrepresentative, ideologically extreme, cared about atypical issues, and misunderstood the voters’ priorities. We find little evidence that the campaign was able to use strategies of agent control to mitigate its principal-agent problem. We question whether individuals typically willing to be volunteer surrogates are productive agents for a strategic campaign.
Nonlinguistic influences on lexical selection: Evidence from double entendres

Contemporary models of lexical selection tend to be based upon spreading activation. Lexical units are supposedly organized such that semantic (and perhaps phonological and syntactic) associates are interconnected. During the encoding of a message lexical units are activated, and the activation reverberates with associate units. Those units which accumulate the greatest levels of activation have the greatest probability of being selected for the speech plan. The present study challenges two assumptions common to these models. One of these is the assumption that lexical activation may operate within only one semantic network at a time; the other is that lexical activation is instigated only by the linguistic parameters of the encoded message. The present experiments demonstrate that during the coding of neutral messages, sexually‐aroused respondents encode more sexual double entendres—i.e., words semantically appropriate to both the message and the arousal state—than do non‐aroused control respondents, and...
Conformation-independent sequential NMR connections in isotope-enriched polypeptides by 1H13C15N triple-resonance experiments

Sequence-specific resonance assignments provide the basis for the structural interpretation of polypeptide and protein NMR data. A key step in making these assignments involves identifying connections between spin systems of sequential amino acid residues. So far, this has mainly been achieved using conformation-dependent nuclear Overhauser effects (l-5). Recently, alternative methods of establishing the sequential order of spin systems have been developed including long-range heteronuclear correlation between backbone protons and the carbon carbonyl or amide nitrogen of the peptide bond (6-9)) and direct correlation of “N amide and 13C carbonyl chemical shifts of peptide bonds ( IO, 1 I). The former technique relies on observation of antiphase cross peaks where the active couplings depend on the dihedral angles 4 and #, respectively. The latter method requires isotope enrichment with both “N and 13C. In this Communication we describe a family of new ‘H- 13C- 15N triple-resonance experiments which provide sequential connectivity information in polypeptides enriched with either “N or 13C. These relayed coherence transfer experiments use only one- and two-bond heteronuclear couplings, all of which are greater than 7 Hz and are essentially independent of the polypeptide backbone conformation. All cross peaks are in-phase and therefore do not suffer from intrapeak cancellation. Aside from differential relaxation, all sequential cross peaks are equally intense. Since there are only intraresidue and sequential cross peaks in these spectra, they are simpler and more amenable to automated analysis than NOESY or ROESY spectra. They also provide 13Ca and lSN backbone amide assignments in the course of determining sequence-specific ‘H assignments. The pulse sequences we have developed are shown in Fig. 1. The first sequence (Fig. IA) we call a 2D H”-C*(wl)-N-HN(wz) heteronuclear relayed coherence transfer experiment ( HETERO-RELAY) . It begins with transfer of a-proton polarization to directly bound 13C nuclei using refocused INEPT (12-15), tuned for a onebond ‘H- 13C coupling constant of 140 Hz. During tl , this 13C in-phase magnetization
Increased nuclear factor‐κB p65 immunoreactivity following retinal ischemia and reperfusion injury in mice

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a universal transcription factor and has previously been demonstrated to play an important role in CNS injury. This study investigated the expression of NF-kappaB in the inner layers of the retina in mice after retinal ischemia and reperfusion injury. Retinal ischemia was induced by elevation of intraocular pressure to 120 mmHg for 60 min. To evaluate inner retinal degeneration, the inner retinal thickness was quantified with an image-analysis system. The inner retinal thickness increased in the initial 24 hr after retinal ischemia and was ascribed to tissue edema but was significantly decreased in the ensuing 7 days. Immunohistochemistry using NF-kappaB p65 monoclonal antibody was performed on the retina and was corelated with TUNEL labeling. Six hours after retinal ischemia, nuclear p65 immunoreactivity was increased in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers and reached a peak at 24 hr. The increased NF-kappaB p65 immunolabeling was parallel to the TUNEL labeling. Double labeling with p65 and TUNEL showed partial colocalization of p65 and TUNEL labeling in the scattered cells of the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers. However, several p65-positive cells were TUNEL negative, suggesting that these cells might have survived the injury. The NF-kappaB p65 immunoreactivity was associated with retinal degeneration following retinal ischemia and reperfusion injury.
Homogeneity of Antibody Responses in Tuberculosis Patients

The goals of the present study were twofold: (i) to compare the repertoires of antigens in culture filtrates of in vitro-grown Mycobacterium tuberculosis that are recognized by antibodies from noncavitary and cavitary tuberculosis (TB) patients and (ii) to determine the extent of variation that exists between the antigen profiles recognized by individual TB patients. Lipoarabinomannan-free culture filtrate proteins of M. tuberculosis were fractionated by one-dimensional (1-D) and 2-D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the Western blots were probed with sera from non-human immunodeficiency virus (non-HIV)-infected cavitary and noncavitary TB patients and from HIV-infected, noncavitary TB patients. In contrast to earlier studies based on recombinant antigens of M. tuberculosis which suggested that antibody responses in TB patients were heterogeneous (K. Lyashchenko et al., 1998, Infect. Immun. 66:3936-3940, 1998), our studies with native culture filtrate proteins show that the antibody responses in TB patients show significant homogeneity in being directed against a well-defined subset of antigens. Thus, there is a well-defined subset of culture filtrate antigens that elicits antibodies during noncavitary and cavitary disease. In addition, another set of antigens is recognized primarily by cavitary TB patients. The mapping with individual patient sera presented here suggests that serodiagnostic tests based on the subset of antigens recognized during both noncavitary and cavitary TB will enhance the sensitivity of antibody detection in TB patients, especially in difficult-to-diagnose, smear-negative, noncavitary TB patients.
On the interaction between electronic and optical layer protection

This paper addresses a number issues dealing with the joint design of network protection algorithms at the electronic and optical layers. An important network management problem that arises in the design of protection algorithms for WDM-based networks is the interaction between the protection mechanisms that are offered at the different network layers. For example, how does an IP network behave when it is routed over a WDM network? Or, how does failure localization at the optical layer affect path restoration? We discuss a number of new and important opportunities for the joint design of protection and restoration techniques.
Compact planar and vialess composite low-pass filters using folded stepped-impedance resonator on liquid-Crystal-polymer substrate

A compact composite low-pass filter, designed by the image parameter method and semilumped component approach, will be described and results for cutoff frequency ranging from C- to V-band will be presented. This composite design combines four filter sections and the presence of a strong attenuation pole near the cutoff frequency provides an extremely sharp attenuation response, while ensuring good matching properties in the passband, making this filter design very attractive for harmonic spurious response suppression or diplexing. The lumped-element schematic of the filter has been implemented using a combination of a stepped-impedance filter and folded stepped-impedance resonators. The overall folded layout has been optimized using full-wave simulation and occupies an ultra-compact area of only 5/spl times/5 mm/sup 2/ for a C-band filter. Measured results exhibit rejection of the attenuated pole greater than 40 dB. Similar filter designs have been realized for C- and V-bands. These filters have been fabricated on a liquid-crystal-polymer substrate demonstrating a high performance, ultra-compact, and very low-cost solution for RF and millimeter-wave applications.
Normal modes in RLC networks

A simple, unified theory of normal mode analysis of networks is presented. Unlike previous treatments, the present treatment does not rely on any particular method of formulation of equilibrium equations, nor on any detailed results of matrix theory. Rather, it is based on Tellegen's theorem, an elementary consequence of the Kirchhoff laws. Using the latter, together with a uniqueness theorem and a result concerning the number of modes in a network, all of the usual results of the normal mode analysis are obtained, namely, the decomposition of free and forced behavior into normal modes and the equations of motion of a set of normal coordinates and their relation to the network variables. The results are used to calculate the equations governing the behavior of coupled networks. While the detailed results are developed for the RLC network, the general nature of the approach allows extension of the results to a much wider class of networks and systems.
Bacteria in the transfer catheter tip influence the live-birth rate after in vitro fertilization

Abstract Objective: To assess the impact of individual bacteria isolated from the vagina and tip of the embryo transfer catheter on live-birth rates. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Infertility outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Patient(s): Ninety-one women undergoing IVF-ET. Intervention(s): Cultures were obtained from the vagina for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria at the time of both sonographic egg retrieval and embryo transfer and from the tip of the embryo transfer catheter. Doxycycline treatment was started after egg retrieval. Main Outcome Measure(s): The live birth of one or more neonates. Result(s): Doxycycline had no substantial impact on the recovery of individual vaginal bacteria or on bacterial vaginosis. An increase in live-birth rate was associated with the recovery of hydrogen peroxide–producing Lactobacillus from the vagina ( P =0.01) and from the embryo transfer catheter ( P =0.01). In contrast, a reduction in live-birth rate was associated with recovery of Streptococcus viridans ( S. viridans ) from the embryo transfer catheter tip ( P =0.04). Conclusion(s): In the setting of IVF-ET, prophylactic doxycycline had little effect on vaginal bacteria. Specific bacteria recovered from the embryo transfer catheter appear associated with a detrimental or beneficial effect or with no effect on live-birth rates.
Activities of HMR 3004 (RU 64004) and HMR 3647 (RU 66647) Compared to Those of Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Roxithromycin, and Eight Other Antimicrobial Agents against Unusual Aerobic and Anaerobic Human and Animal Bite Pathogens Isolated from Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Humans

The activities of HMR 3004 and HMR 3647 and comparator agents, especially macrolides, were determined by the agar dilution method against 262 aerobic and 120 anaerobic strains isolated from skin and soft tissue infections associated with human and animal bite wounds. HMR 3004 and HMR 3647 were active against almost all aerobic and fastidious facultative isolates (MIC at which 90% of the isolates are inhibited [MIC90], < or = 0.5 and 1 microg/ml, respectively) and against all anaerobes [Bacteroides tectum, Porphyromonas macacae (salivosa), Prevotella heparinolytica, Porphyromonas sp., Prevotella sp., and peptostreptococci] at < or = 0.25 and < or = 0.5 microg/ml, respectively, except Fusobacterium nucleatum (HMR 3004, MIC90 = 16 microg/ml; HMR 3647, MIC90 = 8 microg/ml) and other Fusobacterium species (MIC90, 1 and 2 microg/ml, respectively). In general, HMR 3004 and HMR 3647 were more active than any of the macrolides tested. Azithromycin was more active than clarithromycin against all Pasteurella species, including Pasteurella multocida subsp. multocida, Eikenella corrodens, and Fusobacterium species, while clarithromycin was more active than azithromycin against Corynebacterium species, Weeksella zoohelcum, B. tectum, and P. heparinolytica.
A Time-Domain Model for Predicting the Injection Locking Bandwidth of Nonharmonic Oscillators

A delay-based model in the time domain is introduced to describe injection locking in nonharmonic oscillators, such as ring or relaxation oscillators. Using this model, the locking bandwidth of differential ring oscillators is derived. The model predictions are verified against simulations and measurements of a four-stage ring oscillator circuit built using discrete components
Factor Structure of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Fourth Edition among Referred Students.

Factor analysis was applied to the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) scores of 432 Pennsylvania students referred for evaluation for special education services to determine the factor structure of the WISC-IV with this population. A first-order, four-factor oblique solution that mirrored that found in the WISC-IV normative sample was supported. When transformed to an orthogonalized higher order model, the general factor accounted for the greatest amount of common (75.7%) and total (46.7%) variance. In contrast, the largest contribution by a first-order factor (Verbal Comprehension) was 6.5% of total variance. It was recommended that interpretation of the WISC-IV not discount the strong general factor.
Design of a system for real-time worm detection

Recent well publicized attacks have made it clear that worms constitute a threat to Internet security. Systems that secure networks against malicious code are expected to be a part of the critical Internet infrastructure in the future. Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) currently have limited use because they can filter only known worms. We present the design and implementation of a system that automatically detects new worms in real-time by monitoring traffic on a network. The system uses field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to scan packets for patterns of similar content. Given that a new worm hits the network and the rate of infection is high, the system is automatically able to detect an outbreak. Frequently occurring strings in packet payloads are instantly reported as likely worm signatures.
A frequency domain approach to design constrained amplitude spreading sequences for DS-CDMA systems for frequency selective fading channels

Although there are attractive sequence design algorithms for code division multiple access (CDMA) systems in frequency selective channels, unfortunately in most of these algorithms, the designing has been done with the assumption that the chips of the sequences have unconstrained amplitudes and phases. This increases the required feedback bandwidth and the peak to average power ratio (PAPR) at the transmitter. In this paper, we observe that the spectrum of the spreading sequences designed according to existing algorithms are narrowband and are located at the strongest spectral components of the users' channels. The narrowbandness of spreading sequences allows one to represent each user's sequence with fewer number of parameters and, hence, reduces the required number of feedback bits to represent those sequences. Further, the narrowbandness of the spectra allows one to break the global optimization of the users' cross correlation matrix into simple sub optimal local (grouped) optimizations. In this paper, we capitalize the aforementioned observations to design constrained amplitude sequences, for frequency selective channels
Ranking web objects from multiple communities

Vertical search is a promising direction as it leverages domain-specific knowledge and can provide more precise information for users. In this paper, we study the Web object-ranking problem, one of the key issues in building a vertical search engine. More specifically, we focus on this problem in cases when objects lack relationships between different Web communities, and take high-quality photo search as the test bed for this investigation. We proposed two score fusion methods that can automatically integrate as many Web communities (Web forums) with rating information as possible. The proposed fusion methods leverage the hidden links discovered by a duplicate photo detection algorithm, and aims at minimizing score differences of duplicate photos in different forums. Both intermediate results and user studies show the proposed fusion methods are practical and efficient solutions to Web object ranking in cases we have described. Though the experiments were conducted on high-quality photo ranking, the proposed algorithms are also applicable to other ranking problems, such as movie ranking and music ranking.
The role of regulatory domain interactions in UNC-43 CaMKII localization and trafficking

Calcium and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) plays a fundamental role in the synaptic plasticity events that underlie learning and memory. Regulation of CaMKII kinase activity occurs through an autoinhibitory mechanism in which a regulatory domain of the kinase occupies the catalytic site and calcium/calmodulin activates the kinase by binding to and displacing this regulatory domain. A single putative ortholog of CaMKII, encoded by unc-43, is present in the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system. Here we examined UNC-43 subcellular localization in the neurons of intact animals and show that UNC-43 is localized to clusters in ventral cord neurites, as well as to an unlocalized pool within these neurites. A mutation that mimics autophosphorylation within the regulatory domain results in an increase in the levels of UNC-43 in the unlocalized neurite pool. Multiple residues of CaMKII facilitate the interaction between the catalytic domain and the regulatory domain, thereby keeping the kinase inactive. Whereas most mutations in these residues result in an increased neurite pool of UNC-43, we have identified two residues that result in the opposite effect when mutated: a decreased neurite pool of UNC-43. The activity of UNC-2, a voltage-dependent calcium channel, is also required for UNC-43 to accumulate in the neurites, suggesting that neural activity regulates the localization of UNC-43. Our results suggest that the activation of UNC-43 by calcium/calmodulin displaces the autoinhibitory domain, thereby exposing key residues of the catalytic domain that allow for protein translocation to the neurites.
Relationship between right and left-sided filling pressures in 1000 patients with advanced heart failure

Abstract Background: Elevated left ventricular filling pressures present a major target of therapy for symptomatic heart failure but are difficult to assess directly. Because the relationship of left- and right-sided pressures remains ill defined in chronic heart failure, this study compared 3 right-sided measurements (right atrial [RA] pressure, pulmonary artery systolic [PAS] pressure, and severity of tricuspid regurgitation [TR]) to the pulmonary capillary wedge (PCW) pressure. Methods Hemodynamic measurements and echocardiography were available from 1000 patients undergoing transplant evaluation. Right atrial and PAS pressure, and TR severity were compared to PCW pressure. For 754 patients undergoing repeat measurements, changes in RA and PAS pressures were compared to PCW changes. Results Right atrial pressure correlated with PCW pressure ( r = 0.64), regardless of etiology or TR severity. Right atrial pressure changes correlated with PCW changes ( r = 0.62). Discordance was defined as either RA ≥ 10 mm Hg despite PCW r = 0.79), and could be estimated as 2 × PCW. Reduction in PAS pressure during therapy was strongly determined by PCW pressure reduction ( r = 0.67). Conclusions Accurate estimation of RA pressure can potentially guide therapy of left ventricular filling pressures in approximately 80% of chronic heart failure patients without obvious non-cardiac disease. In this population, elevated PAS pressures are largely determined by elevated left-sided filling pressures.
The Gamesmanship of Sex: A Model Based on African American Adolescent Accounts

This article examines adolescent understanding of the social context of sexual behavior. Using grounded theory to interpret interviews with 39 African American male and female adolescents, the article builds a model of sex-related behavior as a set of interrelated games. A courtship game involves communication of sexual or romantic interest and, over time, formation of a romantic relationship. A duplicity game draws on conventions of a courtship game to trick a partner into having sex. A disclosure game spreads stories about one's own and others' sex-related activities to peers in a gossip network. Finally, a prestige game builds social reputation in the eyes of peers, typically based on gender-specific standards. The article concludes by examining the meanings that sex-related behavior may have for adolescents and the potential use of social know ledge for facilitating adolescent health, [adolescence, sexuality, African American, game theory, health promotion]
Chromosomal rearrangement involving 11q23 locus in chronic myelogenous leukemia: a rare phenomenon frequently associated with disease progression and poor prognosis

Progression of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is frequently accompanied by cytogenetic evolution, commonly unbalanced chromosomal changes, such as an extra copy of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph), +8, and i(17)(q10). Balanced chromosomal translocations typically found in de novo acute myeloid leukemia occur occasionally in CML, such as inv(3)/t(3;3), t(8;21), t(15;17), and inv(16). Translocations involving the 11q23, a relatively common genetic abnormality in acute leukemia, have been seldom reported in CML. In this study, we explored the prevalence and prognostic role of 11q23 in CML. We searched our pathology archives for CML cases diagnosed in our institution from 1998 to present. Cases with 11q23 rearrangements were retrieved. The corresponding clinicopathological data were reviewed. A total of 2,012 cases of CML with available karyotypes were identified. Ten (0.5%) CML cases had 11q23 rearrangement in Ph-positive cells, including 4 cases of t(9;11), 2 cases of t(11;19), and 1 case each of t(2;11), t(4;11), t(6;11), and t(4;9;11). Eight cases (80%) had other concurrent chromosomal abnormalities. There were 6 men and 4 women with a median age of 50 years (range, 21–70 years) at time of initial diagnosis of CML. 11q23 rearrangement occurred after a median period of 12.5 months (range, 0–172 months): 1 patient in chronic phase, 2 in accelerated phase, and 7 in blast phase. Eight of ten patients died after a median follow-up of 16.5 months (range, 8–186 months) following the initial diagnosis of CML, and a median of 6.7 months (range, 0.8–16.6 months) after the emergence of 11q23 rearrangement. The remaining two patients had complete remission at the last follow-up, 50.2 and 6.9 months, respectively. In addition, we also identified a case with 11q23/t(11;17) in Ph-negative cells in a patient with a history of CML. MLL involvement was tested by fluorescence in situ hybridization in 10 cases, and 7 cases (70%) were positive. In summary, chromosomal rearrangements involving 11q23 are rare in CML, frequently occurring in blast phase, and are often associated with other cytogenetic abnormalities. These patients had a low response rate to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and a poor prognosis.
Lysosome fusion to the cell membrane is mediated by the dysferlin C2A domain in coronary arterial endothelial cells

Dysferlin has recently been reported to participate in cell membrane repair in muscle and other cells through lysosome fusion. Given that lysosome fusion is a crucial mechanism that leads to membrane raft clustering, the present study attempted to determine whether dysferlin is involved in this process and its related signalling, and explores the mechanism underlying dysferlin-mediated lysosome fusion in bovine coronary arterial endothelial cells (CAECs). We found that dysferlin is clustered in membrane raft macrodomains after Fas Ligand (FasL) stimulation as detected by confocal microscopy and membrane fraction flotation. Small-interfering RNA targeted to dysferlin prevented membrane raft clustering. Furthermore, the translocation of acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) to membrane raft clusters, whereby local ASMase activation and ceramide production--an important step that mediates membrane raft clustering--was attenuated. Functionally, silencing of the dysferlin gene reversed FasL-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilation in isolated small coronary arteries. By monitoring fluorescence quenching or dequenching, silencing of the dysferlin gene was found to almost completely block lysosome fusion to plasma membrane upon FasL stimulation. Further studies to block C2A binding and silencing of AHNAK (a dysferlin C2A domain binding partner), showed that the dysferlin C2A domain is required for FasL-induced lysosome fusion to the cell membrane, ASMase translocation and membrane raft clustering. We conclude that dysferlin determines lysosome fusion to the plasma membrane through its C2A domain and it is therefore implicated in membrane-raft-mediated signaling and regulation of endothelial function in coronary circulation.
Systematic Desensitization and the Reduction of Anxiety

This article provides detailed information on systematic desensitization. The procedures of imaginal desensitization with individuals are described in detail, so that the reader can apply the most frequently used form of desensitization. Variants of group, in vivo, massed, and self-administered desensitization are briefly described to extend the reader's use of desensitization. Additionally, guidelines for the appropriate selection and use of desensitization are outlined, and a sampling of research findings with a diversity of anxiety and stress disorders is presented.
Quantitative competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction is not a useful method for quantification of CD4 and CD8 cell status during HIV infection.

Background: A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for quantitating CD4 and CD8 mRNA could provide a means of assessing immune status of AIDS patients and other immunologically compromised persons without requiring large blood draws, and could be exquisitely sensitive. Such a method would also be useful in assessing the immune status of patients retrospectively. Results: Quantitative competitive reverse transcription PCR (QC-RT-PCR) assays were developed for measurement of CD4 and CD8 mRNA. Samples were obtained from HIV-positive and negative patients whose CD4 and CD8 counts had been determined via Flow Cytometry. The quantity of CD4 (n = 13) and CD8 (n = 28) mRNA standardized according to GAPDH mRNA quantities, all determined by QC-RT-PCR, were compared to cell number as determined by flow cytometry. There was no correlation between CD4 and CD8 cell counts and mRNA levels of CD4 and CD8 as determined by QC-RT-PCR. There is no correlation between CD4 and CD8 mRNA levels and the number of cells expressing these proteins on their surface. Conclusion: QC-RT-PCR, and related methodologies are not useful substitutes for assessment of CD4 and CD8 cell numbers in HIV-infected persons.
Heart failure and greater infarct expansion in middle-aged mice: A relevant model for postinfarction failure

Young mice tolerate myocardial loss after coronary artery ligation (CAL) without congestive heart failure (CHF) signs or mortality. We predicted a CHF phenotype after CAL in aged mice. Left coronar...
Multidisciplinary Considerations in the Design of Wings and Wing Tip Devices

Conceptual wing design analysis methods are combined with numerical optimization to find minimum-drag wings subject to constraints on lift, weight, pitching moment, and stall speed. Tip extensions and winglets designed for minimum drag achieve similar performance, with the optimal solution depending on the ratio of the maneuver lift coefficient to the cruise lift coefficient. The results highlight the importance of accounting for the depth of the wing structural box in the weight model and including constraints on stall speed. For tailless aircraft, C-wings show a slight performance advantage over wings with winglets when longitudinal trim and stability constraints are considered. This performance advantage is more significant for span-constrained or low-sweep designs. Finally, to demonstrate other possible applications of the method, planar wings with active load alleviation are optimized, showing drag savings on the order of 15%.
Traumatic rupture of the innominate artery.

Objective: Blunt traumatic rupture of the innominate artery is uncommon. We reviewed our experience to correlate the impact of patient stability, presence of associated injuries and location of the injury within the artery with outcome. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients admitted between January 1, 1998 and December 17, 2002 with traumatic innominate artery rupture. Injuries were defined as proximal if they were # 0.5 cm from the origin, distal if # 0.5 cm from the bifurcation and middle if in between. Results: Over the 5-year study period, 66 patients were admitted with aortic or great vessel injury, including eight with blunt innominate artery disruption. Of the blunt innominate injuries, six involved the origin (five repaired by ascending aortic ‐ innominate artery graft followed by over-sewing of the injury site, one by ligation alone), one middle (treated by interposition graft) and one distal (managed with resection and primary anastomosis). Four of the patients with proximal injuries had evidence of active bleeding (large expanding hematoma and/or frank bleeding) requiring control of the injury site prior to reconstruction. All patients had associated injuries (including closed head injury in three and splenic rupture in two). The only mortality occurred in a patient who presented in shock, and suffered tracheal rupture and severe blunt cardiac injury requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. The remaining patients were stable on presentation. Diagnosis was suspected after chest Xray demonstrated widened mediastinum and was confirmed with either angiography or computer tomography scan. There were no complications in the survivors. Neither cardiopulmonary bypass nor aorto-carotid shunting was utilized in these cases. Conclusions: Patients with blunt innominate artery rupture who survive to admission are usually stable and the diagnosis is suggested by initial chest radiograph. The injuries are usually proximal, requiring aortic ‐ distal innominate bypass. Cardiopulmonary bypass is required only if there is evidence of heart failure (either before or after partial occlusion of the aorta) or to manage specific associated injuries. q 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Coded apertures for x-ray scatter imaging

We examine coding strategies for coded aperture scatter imagers. Scatter imaging enables tomography of compact regions from snapshot measurements. We present coded aperture designs for pencil and fan beam geometries, and compare their singular value spectra with that of the Radon transform and selected volume tomography. We show that under dose constraints scatter imaging improves conditioning over alternative techniques, and that specially designed coded apertures enable snapshot 1D and 2D tomography.
Mouse Hepatitis Virus Infection Utilizes More Than One Receptor and Requires an Additional Cellular Factor

Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) causes hepatitis, encephalomyelitis, respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments. Our laboratory has been particularly interested in the mechanism of neuropathogenesis of MHV. Different MHV strains have different capacities to cause central nervous system (CNS) infection. Among the neurotropic strains, there is also a large degree of variation in their ability to cause encephalitis or demyelination. Various virus variants have been obtained from the neurotropic MHV strains which show altered neuropathogenicity; for example, many of the variants which escape neutralization by the spike (S) protein-specific monoclonal antibodies differ from the parental viruses in not causing encephalitis, but still retain the ability to cause demyelination (Fleming et al., 1986; Dalziel et al., 1986). These variants have either point mutations or deletions in the viral spike protein (Gallagher et al., 1990; Wang et al., 1992). Since the S protein presumably interacts with the viral receptor on the surface of target cells, it is reasonable to assume that the difference in the viral neurotropism is caused by the variations in their ability to interact with the receptors. Therefore, it is conceivable that the MHV receptors in different cell types, e.g. neurons, astrocytes or oligodendrocytes, in CNS might be different.
Electrophysiological and pharmacological characterization of the direct perforant path input to hippocampal area CA3.

Berzhanskaya, Julia, Nathaniel N. Urban, and German Barrionuevo. Electrophysiological and pharmacological characterization of the direct perforant path input to hippocampal area CA3. J. Neurophysio...
Trade and the Internet

This article examines the objectives and trade strategies policymakers are using when they use trade agreements to govern the Internet. Often when we use the Internet we are trading. I show that although policymakers use the rhetoric of Internet freedom, they are most concerned about maintaining their local firms comparative advantage when they make trade decisions regarding Internet freedom and regulation.
Strength and Stiffness of Corrugated Metal Shear Diaphragms

The subject diaphragms are made from individual corrugated sheets which are connected to one another and to framing members with discrete fasteners. Failure of them under load is most commonly due to localized bearing or shear failure at the fasteners. The shear stiffness of the diaphragms depends greatly on the layout and number of fasteners. Formulas are derived for the shear stiffness and for the fastener forces in such diaphragms, which should be applicable where bolts, rivets, screws, or welds are used as discrete fasteners, and where the diaphragm loads are in the working range. The formulas are shown to agree quite well with the results of previous tests by the writer.
Ultrastructure of Septa in Chaetomium Brasiliense (Ascomycotina)

(1981). Ultrastructure of Septa in Chaetomium Brasiliense (Ascomycotina) Mycologia: Vol. 73, No. 6, pp. 1204-1207.