cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defective myogenesis in NFB-s mutant associated with a saturable suppression of MYF5 activity.

Myogenic cell lines have proved to be useful tools for investigating the molecular mechanisms that control cellular differentiation. NFB-s is a mutant myogenic cell line which fails to differentiate in vitro, and can repress differentiation in normal myogenic cells when fused to form heterokaryons. The NFB-s cell line was used here to study the molecular mechanisms underlying such myogenic repression. Using muscle-specific reporter genes, we show that NFB-s cells fail to activate fully the muscle differentiation program at a transcriptional level, although muscle-specific transcription can be enhanced by regulators of differentiation such as pertussis toxin. Paradoxically, we find that the myogenic regulator myf5 is expressed at constitutively high levels in NFB-s cells, and retains DNA binding activity. Expression plasmids encoding NFB-derived myf5 cDNA can rescue the myogenic phenotype in NFB-s cells, demonstrating that a threshold level of positive regulators must be reached before the myogenic program is activated. Thus, the dominant negative phenotype does not appear to result from defective myf5, but is due to a dosage-dependent saturable mechanism that inteferes with myf5 function. These studies demonstrate that the stoichiometric ratio of positive and negative regulators is critical for determining the myogenic differentiation state.
Marrow transplantation from human leukocyte antigen-identical or haploidentical donors for correction of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

Since 1979, a total of 17 patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome have undergone allogeneic bone marrow transplantation at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Eleven patients received marrow from either human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypically identical siblings (nine patients) or an HLA phenotypically identical parent (two patients). Six patients received marrow grafts from HLA-disparate parents. Cytoreduction was accomplished with busulfan and cyclophosphamide for the HLA-identical recipients and total-body irradiation followed by high-dose cytarabine therapy in the mismatched recipients. All 11 recipients of HLA-identical marrow had successful grafts, and 10 of 11 are alive and well 28 to 145 months after transplantation. One patient died 10 months after transplantation of chronic graft-versus-host disease and interstitial pneumonitis caused by cytomegalovirus. Only one of the six mismatched graft recipients survives, 52+ months after transplantation; the other patients have died of extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease (one patient), lymphoma (three patients), or progressive pancytopenia accompanying Candida sepsis (one patient). thus bone marrow transplantation represents the treatment of choice in patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome who have an HLA-identical donor. However, our approach for patients lacking a histocompatible family donor requires modifications to overcome allogeneic resistance and decrease the posttransplantation immunoincompetence in these patients.
Sexual Abuse and Offending in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may be disproportionately at risk of experiencing sexual abuse and victimization. Moreover, limited research suggests some individuals with ASD may be more likely to engage in sexual offending behavior. The present review addresses both sexual abuse and offending within the ASD population. The literature review was conducted utilizing PsycINFO and the Education Resources Information Center. Characteristics of the ASD population and how they relate to both victimization and offending are assessed. Additionally, a brief review of sexual education for this population is presented.
A comparison of the action of facilitatory and depolarizing drugs at the mammalian motor nerve terminal

Abstract Facilitatory and depolarizing drugs both produce facilitation of the cat skeletal muscle, and antidromic firing in the motor nerve following an orthodromic stimulus. Drugs were administered i.v. or close-arterially to the anterior tibialis muscle of the cat, and gross motor nerve potentials were recorded from the ventral root. Antidromic firing following an orthodromic stimulus was asychronous in the presence of facilitatory drugs and a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous firing in the presence of depolarizing drugs. The depolarizing drugs and the facilitatory drugs, neostigmine, edrophonium and ambenonium, also produced antidromic firing in the absence of nerve stimulation. Methoxyambenonium augmented the antidromic firing of the depolarizing drugs following an orthodromic stimulus but prevented it in the absence of nerve stimulation. Hemicholinium and triethylcholine prevented the antidromic firing produced by both facilitatory and depolarizing drugs. Tubocurarine also prevented the antidromic firing by both types of drug. The results are explained on the basis of two cholinoceptive sites on the motor nerve terminal, one at the first node and the other on the unmyelinated terminal.
The myriad roles of cyclic AMP in microbial pathogens: from signal to sword

All organisms must sense and respond to their external environments, and this signal transduction often involves second messengers such as cyclic nucleotides. One such nucleotide is cyclic AMP, a universal second messenger that is used by diverse forms of life, including mammals, fungi, protozoa and bacteria. In this review, we discuss the many roles of cAMP in bacterial, fungal and protozoan pathogens and its contributions to microbial pathogenesis. These roles include the coordination of intracellular processes, such as virulence gene expression, with extracellular signals from the environment, and the manipulation of host immunity by increasing cAMP levels in host cells during infection.
Modulation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii flagellar motility by redox poise.

Redox-based regulatory systems are essential for many cellular activities. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii exhibits alterations in motile behavior in response to different light conditions (photokinesis). We hypothesized that photokinesis is signaled by variations in cytoplasmic redox poise resulting from changes in chloroplast activity. We found that this effect requires photosystem I, which generates reduced NADPH. We also observed that photokinetic changes in beat frequency and duration of the photophobic response could be obtained by altering oxidative/reductive stress. Analysis of reactivated cell models revealed that this redox poise effect is mediated through the outer dynein arms (ODAs). Although the global redox state of the thioredoxin-related ODA light chains LC3 and LC5 and the redox-sensitive Ca2+-binding subunit of the docking complex DC3 did not change upon light/dark transitions, we did observe significant alterations in their interactions with other flagellar components via mixed disulfides. These data indicate that redox poise directly affects ODAs and suggest that it may act in the control of flagellar motility.
Dynamic Graph Properties of Mobile Networks under Levy Walk Mobility

The performance of many algorithms in dynamic networks depends on the properties of the underlying graph representing the network. Since such a graph is inherently timevarying, quantifying the change in its structure is important for understanding the behavior of higher-layer network algorithms. In this paper, we study change in the dynamic graph structure of mobile wireless networks that evolve over time due to node mobility. We define several graph evolution metrics and evaluate them through extensive numerical simulations under Levy Walk mobility, which has been shown previously to have similarities to human mobility patterns. Based on the mean and distribution of these metrics, we obtain important insights into the properties of the evolving graph generated by Levy Walk mobility, and then compare the results to the Random Waypoint mobility model. Finally, we discuss the effects of the rate of graph change on the performance of network applications such as data routing and flooding. Our results suggest that the proposed metrics are viable for quantitatively measuring the magnitude of change in a sequence of evolving graphs.
A rapid radioassay technique for cellular suspensions

Abstract A simplified technique for studying in vivo the uptake of labeled precursors into proteins and nucleic acids of microorganisms is presented. Applications to studies in protozoan and bacterial systems are represented. The details of the technique are discussed along with drawbacks and advantages.
Plasma protein adsorption: In vitro and ex vivo observations

The in vitro and ex vivo adsorption of blood proteins is studied in order to elucidate the protein-surface interactions which determine the thrombogenicity and thus the applicability of various polymers in blood contacting devices. The in vitro adsorption of albumin and fibrinogen to four polymers shows that at low solution concentrations, more fibrinogen is adsorbed than albumin. At higher solution concentrations, albumin adsorbs in multilayers while fibrinogen adsorbs, and then partially desorbs spontaneously from the surface. Sequential adsorption studies show that fibrinogen and albumin can partially replace each other. Fibrinogen is preferentially adsorbed over albumin in competitive adsorption studies. In ex vivo experiments, more albumin than fibrinogen is adsorbed from blood during the first 120 minutes of whole blood contact. When exposed to flowing whole blood, pre-adsorbed fibrinogen desorbs more rapidly than albumin.
The development of equivalence rules for visual configurations

Abstract The use of discrete and relational aspects of visual configurations in making similarity judgments was compared in 3-, 4-, 5-, and 8-year-old children and adults. The subjects were asked to match line drawings, which were similar in color, form, or spatial arrangement of the components, in a forced-choice task. There was a shift, with age, toward increased use of spatial arrangement as the basis for the equivalence judgment and toward greater consistency of choice. An analysis of patterns of response suggested the operation of underlying equivalence rules, which change with age from a limited form rule to more extensive rules, which incorporate a form rule as well as a spatial arrangement rule. We proposed a model of rule development that is hierarchical and involves the subordination of earlier rules to later emerging rules.
Nrf2-induced antiapoptotic Bcl-xL protein enhances cell survival and drug resistance

Abstract Nuclear transcription factor Nrf2 binds with the antioxidant-response element (ARE) in the promoter regions of cytoprotective genes, leading to their increased expression and cellular protection. In this study, we investigated the role of Nrf2 in the regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-xL protein and its effect on cellular apoptosis. Treatment of mouse Hepa-1 cells with the antioxidant tert-butylhydroquinone led to the induction of Bcl-xL gene expression. Promoter mutagenesis, transfection, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays identified an ARE between nucleotides −608 and −600 in the forward strand of the proximal Bcl-xL promoter that bound to Nrf2 and led to increased Bcl-xL gene expression. In addition, short interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibition and overexpression of Nrf2 led to a respective decrease and increase in Bcl-xL gene expression. These results implicated Nrf2 in the regulation of expression and induction of Bcl-xL protein. Nrf2-mediated expression of Bcl-xL protein downregulated Bax and decreased caspase 3/7 activity. SiRNA inhibition of both Nrf2 and Bcl-xL increased the susceptibility of cancer cells to etoposide-mediated cell death and reduced cell survival. Moreover, dysfunctional/mutant INrf2 (inhibitor of Nrf2) in human lung cancer cells failed to degrade Nrf2, resulting in increased Bcl-xL levels and increased cell survival. These data provide the first evidence of Nrf2 in the control of Bcl-xL expression and apoptotic cell death with implications for antioxidant protection, survival of cancer cells, and drug resistance.
Electrode process of La(III) in molten LiCl-KCl

Abstract The electrode process of La(III) at Mo electrode in the molten LiCl-KCl for temperatures ranging from 683 K to 773 K was studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry, respectively. The results showed that in the molten LiCl-KCl, reduction of La(III) occurred in a step with a global exchange of three electrons. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicated that at a sweep rate lower than 0.2 V/s, the electroreduction of La(III) to lanthanum metal was reversible and controlled by diffusion of La(III). However, the process became under a mixed control of both diffusion and electron transfer when sweep rate exceeded 0.2 V/s. And an empirical temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient of La(III) was proposed: ln D La(III) =7.742–1.441×10 4 / T . And the relation between the formal potential of La(III)/La versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode and temperature was described in the following equation: E θ' =–1.402–4.689×10 2 / T .
The 5′-termini of the oligonucleotides from ribonuclease T1 digested E. coli ribosomes

Abstract Oligonucleotides remaining in the 70s Escherichia coli ribosomal particles after varying degrees of digestion with ribonuclease T1 were phosphorylated with polynucleotide kinase in the presence of γ-labeled32P-ATP. The resulting radioactively labeled RNA molecules were further digested with pancreatic ribonuclease and analyzed by a two-dimensional finger-printing technique. The numbers of labeled oligonucleotides were proportional to the duration of T1 digestion; most of these oligonucleotides yielded ∗pAp and/or ∗pCp as their 5′-end groups upon alkaline hydrolysis.
Interpreting metaphorical statements

Abstract The topics of metaphorical statements can vary considerably in abstractness, whereas the vehicles are often concrete. This study evaluated the appreciation and interpretation of metaphorical statements with abstract topics versus those with concrete topics, while taking into consideration of the two common linguistic forms (nominal metaphor and simile) of metaphorical statements. Experiment 1 showed that topic abstractness was positively associated with the aptness of similes. Experiment 2 found that comprehenders assessed more topic–vehicle similarities for sentences with abstract topics than for sentences with concrete topics, and more topic–vehicle similarities when topic–vehicle pairs were presented as metaphors than as similes. In addition, comprehenders often called upon their subjective experiences for interpretations. Experiment 3 indicated that these subjective experiences played an essential role in metaphorical comparison. These findings add the factor of topic abstractness to the literature about metaphorical language comprehension, and provide insight for research on similarity evaluation between abstract concepts and concrete concepts.
Deletions and replacements of omega loops in yeast iso‐1‐cytochrome c

Ω(Omega)-loops are protein secondary structural elements having small distance between segment termini. It should be possible to delete or replace certain of these Ω-loops without greatly distorting the overall structure of the remaining portion of the molecule. Functional requirements of regions of iso-1-cytochrome c from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were in investigated by determining the biosynthesis and activity in vivo of mutant forms in which four different Ω-loops were individually deleted, or in which one Ω-loop was replaced with five different segments. Deletion encompassing amino acid positions 27–33 and79–83 either prevented synthesis of the holoprotein, or produced highly labile iso-1-cytochromes c, whereas deletions encompassing position 42–45 and 48–55 allowed partial synthesis and activity. These two latter regions, therefore, are not absolutely required for any biosynthetic process such as heme attachment, mitochondrial import, or for enzymatic interactions. All replacements in Loop A (residue position 24–33) with the same size (10 amino acid residues), longer (13 and 15 amino acid residues), or shorter segments (6 amino acid residues), resulted in strains having at least partial levels of iso-1-cytochrome c; however, the relative activities ranged from zero to almost the normal level. Thus, Loop A does not appear to be essential for such biosynthetic steps as heme attachment and mitochondrial import. In contrast, the full range of relative activities suggest that this region interacts with physiological partners to carry out efficient electron transport.
Comparison of some of the biological properties of friend virus and its pseudotypes

The properties of the Moloney and Graffi pseudotypes of Friend virus have been compared with those of our original strain of Friend virus. Qualitatively the pathologic effects of the three viruses were indistinguishable. The spleens of mice inoculated with each of the three viruses appeared to have a similarly low potential for the initiation of transplantable tumors in BALB/c mice. Both pseudotypes were highly age dependent when first isolated, although the Moloney pseudotype lost this property after the sixth passage in newborn BALB/c mice. Compared with our original Friend virus, there were marked differences between the host ranges of both pseudotypes. None of these viruses induced Friend disease in C57BL/6 mice. However, preparations of both pseudotypes and of the lymphatic leukemia viruses used as helpers readily induced lymphatic leukemia in this strain, indicating that susceptibility to the helper virus is not the only factor governing host range.
Integrated thin-film head for flexible disks

Integrated thin-film heads were developed for operation at a track density of 16/mm (405/in) and a linear density of 1200 fc/mm. Because relatively low velocity was used (300 r.p.m.), magnetoresistive sensors were incorporated directly inside the writing poles. Read amplitudes usually exceeding 20 mV/mm of track width were measured and were stable to within +or-2% over hundreds of write/read cycles. >
Algebraic Generalisation Strategies: Factors Influencing Student Strategy Selection

This study reports on the algebraic generalisation strategies used by two fifth grade students along with the factors that appeared to influence these strategies. These students were examined over 18 instructional sessions using a teaching experiment methodology. The results highlighted the complex factors that appeared to influence student strategy use, which included: (a) input value, (b) mathematical structure of the task, (c) prior strategies, (d) visual image of the situation, and (e) social interactions with the teacher and other student. Particular combinations of these factors appeared to increase the predictability of student strategy use. However, the complex nature of the factors influencing these strategies demonstrates the challenges that exist in encouraging students to move toward more sophisticated strategies.
Relationships between Phosphatidylcholine-Specific Phospholipase C and Integrins in Cell-Substratum Adhesion and Apoptosis in Vascular Endothelial Cells

In order to understand the mechanism by which VEC control cell-substratum adhesion and apoptosis, we investigated relationships between PC-PLC and the integrins that are normally expressed in VEC. We found that promotion of cell-substratum adhesion by suppression of PC-PLC was almost completely blocked by a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against integrin β1, and was partially blocked by a mAb against intergrin β3. The production of diacylglycerol (DAG) which was inhibited by suppression of PC-PLC activity, was increased by mAbs against intergrin β1 and β3. When the mAb against integrin β4 was added to the seeding medium, cell-substratum adhesion and spreading of cells were triggered, but the activity of PC-PLC was unaffected by this mAb. Furthermore, when both the mAb against integrin β4 and a specific inhibitor (D609) of PC-PLC were present in the seeding medium, cell-substratum adhesion and spreading were promoted to a greater extent than when either of these agents was present alone. These data suggest that...
A Comprehensive Profile of Decoding and Comprehension in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The present study examined intake data from 384 participants with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and a comparison group of 100 participants with dyslexia on nine standardized measures of decoding and comprehension. Although diagnostic groups were based on parental reports and could not be verified independently, we were able to observe significant distinctions between subject groups. Overall findings confirm previous results of a disassociation between decoding and comprehension in ASD. Using a larger sample than previous studies and a greater variety of measures, a pattern of relatively intact decoding skills paired with low comprehension was found in autism, PDD-NOS, and Asperger’s. In contrast, the dyslexic group showed the opposite pattern of stronger comprehension and weaker decoding.
Neural processes of preparatory control for stop signal inhibition

This study investigated the preparatory control of motor inhibition and motor execution using a stop signal task (SST) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In the SST, a frequent "go" signal triggered a prepotent response and a less frequent "stop" signal prompted the inhibition of this response. Preparatory control of motor inhibition and execution in the stop signal trials were examined by contrasting brain activation between stop success and stop error trials during the fore-period, in which participants prepared to respond to go or to stop. Results from 91 healthy adults showed greater activation in the right prefrontal cortex and inferior parietal lobule during preparatory motor inhibition. Preparatory motor execution activated bilateral putamen, primary motor cortices, posterior cingulate cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and superior temporal/intraparietal sulci. Furthermore, the extents of these inhibition and execution activities were inversely correlated across subjects. On the basis of a median split of the stop signal reaction time (SSRT), subjects with short SSRT showed greater activity in the right orbital frontal cortex during preparatory inhibition. These new findings suggest that the go and stop processes interact prior to target presentation in the SST, in accord with recent computational models of stop signal inhibition.
Efficient markov chain monte carlo methods for decoding neural spike trains

Stimulus reconstruction or decoding methods provide an important tool for understanding how sensory and motor information is represented in neural activity. We discuss Bayesian decoding methods based on an encoding generalized linear model (GLM) that accurately describes how stimuli are transformed into the spike trains of a group of neurons. The form of the GLM likelihood ensures that the posterior distribution over the stimuli that caused an observed set of spike trains is log concave so long as the prior is. This allows the maximum a posteriori (MAP) stimulus estimate to be obtained using efficient optimization algorithms. Unfortunately, the MAP estimate can have a relatively large average error when the posterior is highly nongaussian. Here we compare several Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms that allow for the calculation of general Bayesian estimators involving posterior expectations (conditional on model parameters). An efficient version of the hybrid Monte Carlo (HMC) algorithm was significantly superior to other MCMC methods for gaussian priors. When the prior distribution has sharp edges and corners, on the other hand, the “hit-and-run” algorithm performed better than other MCMC methods. Using these algorithms, we show that for this latter class of priors, the posterior mean estimate can have a considerably lower average error than MAP, whereas for gaussian priors, the two estimators have roughly equal efficiency. We also address the application of MCMC methods for extracting nonmarginal properties of the posterior distribution. For example, by using MCMC to calculate the mutual information between the stimulus and response, we verify the validity of a computationally efficient Laplace approximation to this quantity for gaussian priors in a wide range of model parameters; this makes direct model-based computation of the mutual information tractable even in the case of large observed neural populations, where methods based on binning the spike train fail. Finally, we consider the effect of uncertainty in the GLM parameters on the posterior estimators.
GPCR-Kir channel signaling complexes: defining rules of engagement.

Ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral transmembrane proteins vital to a multitude of cell signaling and physiological functions. Members of these large protein families are known to interact directly with various intracellular protein partners in a dynamic and isoform-dependent manner, ultimately shaping their life cycle and signal output. The family of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir3 or GIRK) expressed in brain, heart, and endocrine tissues were recently shown to stably associate with several different GPCRs, forming the basis of a macromolecular ion channel-GPCR signaling complex. The molecular determinants that mediate and maintain GPCR-Kir3 channel complexes are currently not well understood. Recent findings and emerging hypotheses on the assembly and stability of multiprotein GPCR-Kir channel signaling complexes are discussed, highlighting distinct mechanisms used by different Kir channel families. These protein-protein interaction processes ar...
Vitamin D₂ from UVB light exposed mushrooms modulates immune response to LPS in rats.

Scope Poor vitamin D (vitD) status is linked to increased risk of infectious diseases, thus there is need for vitD-rich foods. UVB-exposed mushrooms synthesize vitD2 but knowledge of bioavailability and function in immune response is lacking. Methods and results One hundred rats were fed one of five diets—control, 20 IU vitD3/day; no vitD3/day; 5% unexposed mushroom, 2.4 IU vitD2/day; 2.5% UVB mushroom, 300 IU vitD2/day; and 5% UVB mushroom, 600 IU vitD2/day—for 10 wk and challenged with either saline or the endotoxin LPS. Blood and tissues were collected at 3 h postchallenge. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels from UVB-exposed mushroom fed rats were significantly elevated and associated with higher natural killer cell activity and reduced plasma inflammatory response to LPS compared to control diet fed rats. Microarray evaluation of rat spleens for changes in inflammatory gene expression showed significant upregulation of proinflammatory genes after LPS compared to saline controls in all groups. However, compared to control rats, upregulation of the proinflammatory genes was markedly reduced in the groups fed vitD2-enriched mushrooms. Conclusion Rats fed UVB-exposed mushrooms had significantly higher plasma total 25OHD levels that were associated with increased innate immune response and anti-inflammatory effects.
Sensory and Nutritive Qualities of Food

Coverage of original research on flavor, color, and texture assessment, both quantitative and subjective; nutritional properties; nutraceuticals; and quality attributes as influenced by processing/storage/packagingf
The ethmo-frontal angle: A new anatomic and radiologic landmark for use in sinus surgery

Abstract Objective To identify anatomic and radiologic landmarks to assist with frontal sinus surgery. Study Design Retrospective review. Subjects and Methods Sinus CT scans of 50 patients were evaluated with respect to a new radiologic and anatomic landmark, the ethmo-frontal angle (EFA). Results Right-sided EFA ranged from 135 to 171 degrees. Left-sided EFA ranged from 136 to 167 degrees. Measurements of both sides displayed a normal distribution. When right and left sides within individuals were compared, there was no correlation to indicate a high degree of variation between any particular patient's right and left side EFA. Conclusion The EFA is a new landmark to assist otolaryngologists during surgery on and around the frontal sinus. Normal values for this angle have been presented. Surgeons should be aware that asymmetry in a patient's EFA is common, and each side should be examined individually.
Finite Element Analysis of Welded HSS Overlap Connections

The use of hollow structural sections (HSS) in the design and construction of truss structures has been a common practice for many years. The ease of constructability and the pleasing aesthetic qualities of HSS construction are the primary reasons for their popularity. In this type of construction, one of the primary challenges for design engineers is the proper design and detailing of the welded connections between the truss chord and branch members. In North America, the applicable connection design specifications have been criticized by the design engineers because of the restrictive limitations on the range of applicability. These limitations often restrict the use of the preferred HSS chord and branch members because they have wall slenderness ratios larger than the limitation of a particular connection design method. To investigate the feasibility of expanding the range of applicability, the geometric parameters of HSS chord and branch members in welded overlap and gap connections need to be investigated.
The misuse of terms in scientific literature

Dear Editor, this letter concerns the recent article entitled “Lowhomology protein threading” published in Bioinformatics,Vol. 26 ISMB2010, pages i294-i300. We would evidence that the term “homology” has been misused, in the title and in the text. In particular, the abstract reports: “A protein is low-homology if we cannot obtain sufficient amount of homologous information for it from existing protein sequence databases”. “Homology” has a well defined meaning when referred to proteins: “two homologous proteins have a common origin” [Reeck et al., 1987], and so it is not possible to associate the term to an adjective as low or high, or indicate a degree of homology with a number, as an example a percentage value. The common origin exists or not. Moreover, it is not possible to apply this term to a single object, being referred to a quality which includes the existence of at least two homologous proteins. One year ago, we published a letter [Marabotti and Facchiano, 2009] in which we underlined the persistent misuse of the term “homology”. Twenty years after a debate hosted by the most prestigious scientific journals, the wrong usage of the term homology is very difficult to remove from the literature. However, a nice event occurred at the ISMB2009 Conference, where we presented a poster on this subject [poster Z18] and discussed this aspect with many interested people. One of them told us that, during the discussion following an oral presentation, a conference attendee suggested to the speaker to correct his misuse of “homology”, according to our poster exposed at the conference. This suggested us that the bad habits can be corrected, when they are evidenced. In bioinformatics area, researchers from different background are challenged to communicate by using a common language, to be generated by the integration of different background knowledge from biology and computer science. This language should be based on the correct usage of existing terms, as well as on the creation of neologisms just when needed. The bad usage of terms must be prevented, to avoid that wrong meanings assimilated by researchers will generate a chaotic language not suitable for the real advance of knowledge. For this reason, we hope that the most prestigious journals in the bioinformatics field will agree to engage this fight against bad habits in the use of scientific terminology. Therefore, we suggest that Authors should be asked to present articles which agree not only with general rules (molecule nomenclature, English language, reference formats) but also for the correctness in the usage of the term “homology”, and any other term for which public debates have evidenced a bad habit in their misuse. Only the observance of “rules” can help to eradicate wrong habits, and this opportunity should be exploited by Bioinformatics to open the way toward a better quality scientific literature.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN THE DIALOGUE PROPOSED BY WILLIAM KLINK

. Klink rejects the use of ecological models in environmental decision making because their predictions cannot be tested by rigorous scientific methods. I argue that models that cannot be tested according to the rigorous standards of the physical sciences can still be considered “scientific”; they are useful (and, in practice, used) for assessing the impacts of human actions on the environment and choosing between alternative courses of action. It is, however, important to be aware of the uncertainties and to make corrections as new data and insights become available. The interplay between (1) model-based decisions and action and (2) their consequences and subsequent corrections can be regarded as a dialogue between humans and nature (or God) in the sense proposed by Klink. Klink also claims that future actions should be informed by the larger vision of theology and should not be based on science. I suggest that science has an indispensible role. The larger vision is needed to respond to the fundamental religious question: How should I live—and why? But this question cannot be answered without first addressing the fundamental scientific question: How does the world work? I suggest that responses to the first question can be formulated as visions of a future state of existence that we feel compelled to strive to realize, and that science is necessary to provide “maps of reality” needed to realize visions. I also suggest that Christian traditions can probably provide adequate visions; the crucial need is for improving our “maps of reality.”
Vector Meson Polarization at the Tevatron

Results on Vector Meson Polarization at high pT in pp c ollisions at 1.96 TeV from CDF and D0 are presented. For CDF both cc a nd bb s tates show a tendency toward longitudinal polarization at high pT in the s-channel helicity frame. This disagrees with predictions from NRQCD and agrees with expectations from models with multiple gluon interactions. The D0 measurement of ϒ(1S) polarization tends to go from longitudinal to transverse polarization as pT(ϒ(1S)) increases, in disagreement with CDF results.
Small, dense LDL and elevated apolipoprotein B are the common characteristics for the three major lipid phenotypes of familial combined hyperlipidemia.

Objective— Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is associated with variable lipid and lipoprotein phenotypes arbitrarily defined as type IIa, IIb, and IV based on plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This study sought to characterize consistent lipoprotein and lipid abnormalities across the 3 lipoprotein phenotypes in 62 patients with documented FCHL (IIa [n=14], IIb [n=19], and IV [n=29]) and 44 healthy individuals. Methods and Results— The lipoprotein cholesterol distribution was determined over 38 fractions obtained by density gradient ultracentrifugation. As expected, FCHL patients with hypertriglyceridemia (IIb and IV) had higher cholesterol levels in VLDL than IIa, whereas IIa showed higher cholesterol in the big, buoyant LDL and in HDL. LDL cholesterol was higher in IIb than IV; most of the increase in LDL cholesterol was associated with big, buoyant LDL rather than small, dense LDL (sdLDL). The differences in lipoproteins between phenotypes were attributable to changes in VLDL and ...
NEED FOR COGNITION AND IRRATIONAL BELIEFS

A total of 149 college students, 48 men and 101 women, completed the Irrational Beliefs and the Need for Cognition scales to assess irrationality and the tendency to engage in effortful cognitive activity. Although substantial overlap between the constructs was found (r = –.29, p < .001), the relationship was not linear. Need for Cognition appears to be a process variable, while irrational belief appears to be a content variable. Results suggest that the Need for Cognition must achieve a minimum threshold before spontaneous critical self-examination can occur.
Influence of the A-F effect on the temperature stability of silicon micromechanical resonators

Micromechanical resonators (MEMS resonators) often show a discrepancy between the frequency-temperature (ƒ-T) characteristics they have in open-loop and closed-loop measurements. We show that this discrepancy is due to the nonlinear amplitude-frequency (A-ƒ) effect: the quality factor (Q) can increase by more than a factor of 2 when the resonators go from a high temperature to a low temperature; simple oscillators thus allow the resonator amplitude to change with temperature; then, the A-ƒ effect becomes temperature-dependent, causing the discrepancy. We also show how the discrepancy adversely affects the temperature stability of single-crystal-silicon (SCS) resonators and demonstrate a new closed-loop system that improves the stability by removing the discrepancy.
Industrial-strength painting with a virtual bristle brush

Research in natural media painting has produced impressive images, but those results have not been adopted by commercial applications to date because of the heavy demands of industrial painting workflows. In this paper, we present a new 3D brush model with associated algorithms for stroke generation and bidirectional paint transfer that is suitable for professional use. Our model can reproduce arbitrary brush tip shapes and can be used to generate raster or vector output, none of which was possible in previous simulations. This is achieved by an efficient formulation of bristle behaviors as strand dynamics in a non-inertial reference frame. To demonstrate the robustness and flexibility of our approach, we have integrated our model into major commercial painting and vector editing applications and given it to professional artists to evaluate.
Studies in the Capparaceae XXXII: A New Combination in Quadrella

ABSTRACT Quadrella incana (Kunth) Iltis & Cornejo is transferred from Capparis L. to Quadrella (DC.) J. Presl, and the name is lectotypified. The taxon occurs from southeastern Texas, south to Mexico, Guatemala, and northern Honduras.
Decomposing contribution of age and non- age factors to rapid growth of lung cancer in Xuanwei over past 30 years

From 1973 to 2005, the lung cancer mortality in Xuanwei had increased constantly. Effect analysis of age and non-age factors on lung cancer is important for local policy-making. Demographic and death data was collected and used. Factors of lung cancer were classified into age and non-age factors. The contribution of the two factors to lung cancer was evaluated by method of decomposing the differences of mortality rate. For males, the non-age factors were the major contributor to growth of lung cancer mortality, and 78.46 % of all growth was attributed to non-age factors. For females, the non-age factors were the absolute contributor to growth of lung cancer in 1973–1992. From 1992 to 2005, the contribution proportion had reduced to 75.39 %. Aging was one of risk factors for lung cancer in Xuanwei, but not the main factor. It was supposed that multiple environmental risk factors were related with high growth of lung cancer in Xuanwei. Policy-making should focus on the non-age factors.
Lead effects on body composition and organ size of wintering canvasbacks Aythya valisineria in Louisiana

We tested whether lead exposure, as evidenced by liver lead concentration, affected body composition and organ sizes of canvasback ducks Aythya valisineria in Louisiana during winter 1987–88. After adjusting for body size, sex, age, and site and month of collection, we found decreases in ingesta-free body mass; breast, leg, and body protein; body fat; intestine length; and liver and gizzard masses associated with increased liver lead concentrations. There were no apparent associations between liver lead concentrations and testes and body ash masses, or caecal length. We used the concentration of 26.7 ppm of liver lead on a dry matter (dm) basis as indicative of lead toxicosis. We predicted that a canvasback with 26.7 ppm dm liver lead would weigh 209 g less and have 105 g less fat than an unexposed individual. Whereas many lead exposed canvasbacks may survive through winter, their subsequent survival, ability to reproduce and perform other annual cycle events may be compromised. We recommend management to...
The Fallacy of Zero Inventories for Purchased Parts in Small Manufacturing and Job Shops

In this article we examine the soundness of receiving most vendor shipments just prior to the time of use and then immediately delivering them from the receiving area to the point of use by some small US manufacturing industry. This approach in theory would save handling cost, storage cost, and inventory holding cost, the real world offers numerous pitfalls, especially for smaller manufacturers and job shops.
Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Rehabilitation

Total shoulder arthroplasty is the recommended surgical procedure for glenohumeral arthritis once conservative management is exhausted. Meticulous surgical technique and skilled, carefully supervised, progressive rehabilitation is essential to ensure that the range of motion can be maximized, wherea
Corbin Hill Road Farm Share: A hybrid food value chain in practice

Food value chains consist of food producers, processors, third-party certifiers, distributors, and retailers working together to maximize the social and financial return on investment for all participants in the supply chain, including consumers. This paper presents a case study of Corbin Hill Road Farm Share, a newly created hybrid food value chain that engages nonprofit strategic partners to provide locally grown and affordable produce to low-income residents of New York City's South Bronx while also enabling Farm Share members to become equity owners of the farm over time. The case study shows that the involvement of community-based nonprofits is key to creating a food production and distribution system that engages a wide range of stakeholders, fosters shared governance and transparency, empowers consumers, and benefits regional farmers.
Nymphs of the Genus Gerris (Heteroptera: Gerridae) in New England

Descriptions, illustrations, and a key are given for fifth-instar nymphs of the 9 species of Gerris which occur in New England— G. remigis Say, G. conformis Uhler, G. dissortis Drake and Harris, G. canaliculatus Say, G. comatus Drake and Hottes, G. marginatus Say, G. insperatus Drake and Hottes, G. buenoi Kirkaldy, and G. argenticollis Parshley.
Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of BODIPY, Ru(bpy)32+, and 9,10-Diphenylanthracene Using Interdigitated Array Electrodes

Interdigitated array electrodes (IDAs) were used to produce steady-state electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) by annihilation of oxidized and reduced forms of a substituted boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dye, 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA), and ruthenium(II) tris(bypiridine) (Ru(bpy)32+). Digital simulations were in good agreement with the experimentally obtained currents and light outputs. Coreactant experiments, using tri-n-propylamine and benzoyl peroxide as a sacrificial homogeneous reductant or oxidant, show currents corresponding to electrode reactions of the dyes and not the oxidation or reduction of the coreactants. The results show that interdigitated arrays can produce stable ECL where the light intensity is magnified due to the larger currents as a consequence of feedback between generator and collector electrodes in the IDA. The light output for ECL is around 100 times higher than that obtained with regular planar electrodes with similar area.
Study of ZnTe:Cu/Metal Interfaces in CdS/CdTe Phovoltaic Solar Cells

The present model for current transport at the CdTe/p-ZnTe:Cu/metal back contact assumes that the CdTe and ZnTe valence bands align, while current transport at a highly doped ZnTe and a metal interface proceeds by tunneling. To test part of this model, we have investigated the electrical and material properties of CdS/CdTe devices where the outer metal is either Ti or Ni. Our results show that differences in device series resistance are not linked simply to metal/ZnTe:Cu interfacial contact resistance, but that metallization-induced diffusion remains a more likely cause of significant performance distinctions.
Factors associated with patterns of mobile technology use among persons who inject drugs

ABSTRACTBackground: New and innovative methods of delivering interventions are needed to further reduce risky behaviors and increase overall health among persons who inject drugs (PWID). Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have potential for reaching PWID; however, little is known about mobile technology use (MTU) in this population. In this study, the authors identify patterns of MTU and identified factors associated with MTU among a cohort of PWID. Methods: Data were collected through a longitudinal cohort study examining drug use, risk behaviors, and health status among PWID in San Diego, California. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to define patterns of MTU (i.e., making voice calls, text messaging, and mobile Internet access). Multinomial logistic regression was then used to identify demographic characteristics, risk behaviors, and health indicators associated with mobile technology use class. Results: In LCA, a 4-class solution fit the data best. Class 1 was defined by low MTU (22%, n = 100); ...
P15: RELAPSING EROSIVE POLYARTHRITIS ASSOCIATED WITH HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA

Purpose of Study Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic disorder involving apocrine glands characterized by comedo like follicular occlusion and a chronic relapsing inflammation; sinus tracts and scarring. We observed a case of HS in a young African American (AA) male with relapsing polyarthritis. Methods Used The patient first developed HS as a teenager and then arthritis 10 years later. On this presentation he had multiple nodular skin lesions, predominately in intertriginous areas in the axilla and inguinal area; few of them presenting as draining pustules which had increased in size and number as well as generalized arthritis. This occurs 1–2 times yearly subsiding in association with antibiotic treatment. Physical examination was notable for generalized suppurate nodules chronic scars and sinuses. Joint examination revealed generalized polyarthritis with effusions in ankles, knees and elbows. Laboratory evaluation revealed marked inflammation. Autoantibody studies were negative. Radiographs revealed demineralization, erosions including the distal interphalangeal joints with suggestion of pencil/cup deformity in an asymmetric manner. All cultures were negative. Urine Chlamydia and Neisseria polymerase chain reaction testing was also negative. Summary of Results Musculoskeletal association with HS has been reported. Most note an association of skin flares and that it tends to occur years after the onset of skin disease. Most reports are anecdotal. We identified one multicenter analysis. The pattern of disease described resembles the spondyloarthropathy manifestations including sacroiliitis, dactylitis, inflammatory back pain and entesthitis. Our patient9s findings were consistent with the limited literature available. Conclusions In conclusion, we propose that inflammatory spondyloarthropathy may be a complication of HS.