cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in the West: Women Religious and Education in the United States

This chapter explores the impact of the declining number of teaching sisters on Catholic schools and the steps taken by one group of sisters to preserve the identity and legacy of their institutions. During the nineteenth century, Catholic female teaching orders provided some of the most important sources of higher education for young women across the world. In America, female teaching orders increased dramatically from 1822 to 1920, with the number of nuns roughly doubling each decade. Several of these teaching orders, including the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, opened all-female boarding schools, day schools, charity schools, and colleges in Europe, the United States, South America, Asia, and Africa. By the late twentieth century however, this demographic trend changed dramatically. In the United States alone, the total number of sisters fell from around 180,000 in 1965 to roughly 50,000 in 2014—a 72 percent decline over a 50-year period. Using historical documents and oral history interviews with Sisters of Notre Dame from the Western Provence Center of the United States, Kim Tolley constructs an historical account of an important transition in Catholic female education, a shift that includes an acceptance and recognition of the necessity of working partnerships, not only with lay Catholics, but also with non-Catholic educators.
Valuing Sets of Potential Transplants in a Kidney Paired Donation Network

In kidney paired donation (KPD), incompatible donor–candidate pairs and non-directed (also known as altruistic) donors are pooled together with the aim of maximizing the total utility of transplants realized via donor exchanges. We consider a setting in which disjoint sets of potential transplants are selected at regular intervals, with fallback options available within each proposed set in the case of individual donor, candidate, or match failure. We develop methods for calculating the expected utility for such sets under a realistic probability model for the KPD. Exact expected utility calculations for these sets are compared to estimates based on Monte Carlo samples of the underlying network. Models and methods are extended to include transplant candidates who join KPD with more than one incompatible donor. Microsimulations demonstrate the superiority of accounting for failure probability and fallback options, as well as candidates joining with additional donors, in terms of realized transplants and waiting time for candidates.
Predicting pKa values with continuous constant pH molecular dynamics.

Knowledge of pKa values is important for understanding structure and function relationships in proteins. Over the past two decades, theoretical methods for pKa calculations have been mainly based on macroscopic models, in which the protein is considered as a low-dielectric cavity embedded in a high-dielectric continuum. In recent years, constant pH molecular dynamics methods have been developed based on a microscopic description of the protein. We describe here the methodology of continuous constant pH molecular dynamics (CPHMD), which has emerged as one of the most robust and accurate tools for predicting protein pKas and for the study of pH-modulated conformational dynamics. We illustrate the utility of CPHMD by the calculation of pKas for surface residues in ribonuclease A, buried residues in staphylococcal nuclease, and titratable groups in the intrinsically flexible protein α-lactalbumin. We will compare the CPHMD results with experimental data as well as calculations from PB-based and empirical methods. These examples demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the CPHMD method and its ability to capture the correlation between ionization equilibria and conformational dynamics as well as the local dielectric response to structural rearrangement. Finally, we discuss future improvement of the CPHMD method.
Combining contextual and lexical features to classify UMLS concepts.

Semantic classification is important for biomedical terminologies and the many applications that depend on them. Previously we developed two classifiers for 8 broad clinically relevant classes to reclassify and validate UMLS concepts. We found them to be complementary, and then combined them using a manual approach. In this paper, we extended the classifiers by adding an “other” class to categorize concepts not belonging to any of the 8 classes. In addition, we focused on automating the method for combining the two classifiers by training a meta-classifier that performs dynamic combination to exploit the strength of each classifier. The automated method performed as well as manual combination, achieving classification accuracy of about 0.81.
Effects of lysostaphin on Staphylococcus aureus infections of the mouse mammary gland.

A 5 to 6 log10 reduction in the viable count of Staphylococcus aureus was produced in vitro with 10 μg lysostaphin ml−1 milk. Infusion of the lactating murine mammary gland with 10 μg lysostaphin, immediately following inoculation with 108 colony forming units of S aureus, resulted in a significant 2 to 3 log10 reduction in viable S aureus (P
Renga, Research, Reflexivity: Poetic Representation:

In a graduate course dedicated to writing and representing qualitative research in varied ways members challenged themselves to create a renga, a Japanese form of cooperative linked poetry, around ...
Delaying Radical Cystectomy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer is Associated with Adverse Survival Outcomes.

Abstract Background Delaying radical cystectomy (RC) after a diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) has been associated with adverse survival. However, data are lacking regarding the impact of RC delay in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Objectives To assess whether the time from last cycle of NAC to RC (time to cystectomy, TTC) is associated with survival among MIBC patients. Design, setting, and participants The study cohort comprised 226 patients treated with NAC and RC between 1999 and 2015 for cT2–T4N0M0 bladder cancer. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Descriptive statistics were used to test the association between TTC and clinicopathologic variables. Overall mortality (OM) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) were analyzed via Kaplan-Meier estimation according to TTC. We assessed factors associated with OM and CSM using multivariable Cox regression analyses. Results and limitations The median TTC was 7.57 wk (interquartile range 5.2–10.8). Patients with a Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) ≥1 had a longer TTC than those with a score of 10 wk had significantly lower OM-free (p = 0.003) and CSM-free rates (p Conclusions TTC of >10 wk after NAC was associated with adverse survival among patients with MIBC. Patients with a higher CCI were more likely to have prolonged TTC. Patient summary The impact of delaying radical cystectomy in patients who have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is unknown. In this study we assessed whether prolonged time to cystectomy (TTC) after NAC affects survival outcomes in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. We found that TTC of >10 wk was associated with adverse overall survival and cancer-specific survival, and attempts should be made to shorten TTC after preoperative chemotherapy.
Followers of honey bee waggle dancers change their behavior when dancers are sleep-restricted or perform imprecise dances

Communication and sleep are important for humans and honey bees alike. Despite this, studies reporting consequences of sleep loss on animal communication, both signaling and receiving, are surprisingly limited. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) can famously signal the destination of a food source with a waggle dance, but when sleep-restricted, dancers perform directionally less precise dances. We analyzed dance follower behavior with respect to the directional precision of a dance and whether or not the dancer had been sleep-restricted. Followers were more likely to switch dances if following an imprecise dance, and more likely to exit the nest if following a precise dance. Followers were also more likely to exit the nest after following a dance composed of more iterations (waggle phases), but only if the dancer was sleep-restricted. Bees appeared to follow fewer waggle phases of a dance that was less precise, but, again, only if the dancer was sleep-restricted. Following fewer waggle phases has been shown to decrease the flight accuracy of a bee, so our results suggest that cues associated with sleep loss could affect the foraging success of a follower. This study presents a unique case of sender-receiver effects of sleep loss in an invertebrate, and a possible precision-dependent vulnerability in colonies of honey bees.
Extramammary Paget's disease: a review of the literature

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cutaneous malignancy. The disease typically affects older individuals aged 60-80 years and is seen most frequently in postmenopausal Caucasian women and Asian men. EMPD exhibits a predilection for the genital and perianal regions and may be associated with an underlying carcinoma in adjacent organs. EMPD presents a challenge in both diagnosis and management. Often treated empirically as various dermatitides, the correct diagnosis is frequently delayed by many years. Following diagnosis, an extensive search for an associated malignancy should be initiated. If invasive disease is present on biopsy, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may guide further treatment. Mohs micrographic surgery appears to be superior to wide local excision when considering tissue sparing ability and disease recurrence. Nonsurgical interventions have also been investigated with varied results. Regardless of treatment method, long-term follow-up is recommended to monitor for local disease recurrence, development of internal malignancy, regional lymphadenopathy, or distant metastasis.
Tubo-ovarian abscesses in postmenopausal women: Clinical presentation and outcomes.

Abstract Objectives This study describes the presentation, clinical characteristics and outcomes of postmenopausal women diagnosed with tubo-ovarian abscesses (TOAs). Study design All postmenopausal women aged over 50 years presenting to three academic institutions with TOAs between 2007 and 2017 were identified. Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed and clinical variables were extracted. Descriptive statistics were prepared and analyses were performed. Main outcome measures The main outcome measures were complications and rate of malignancy. Results From 2007–2017, 61 postmenopausal women with TOAs were identified. Their median age was 62 years (range 50–87 years). Many of the women presenting with TOAs had co-morbidities; 34.4% had diverticulosis or diverticulitis and 9.8% had diabetes. Among the 61 women, 19 (31.1%) underwent interventional radiology (IR) drainage. Most postmenopausal women presenting with a TOA underwent surgical intervention (n = 47, 77.1%). Thirty-three (54.1%) women underwent early surgery (within 30 days), and 14 (22.9%) underwent late surgery (after 30 days). Overall, 14 (29.8%) women had either an intra-operative or a post-operative complication. Post-operative complications were more common among women who underwent late surgery than among those who underwent early surgery (35.7% vs 9.1%, P = 0.04). However, there was no difference in the readmission rate within 30 days of surgery (P = 1.0) or in the overall complication rate (P = 0.24) between surgery groups. Eight women (13.1%) had malignancy diagnosed either pre-operatively or at the time of their presentation with a TOA. Conclusions Postmenopausal women presenting with TOAs often undergo surgical procedures that have a high rate of complications and may be associated with malignancy.
Genome-Wide Analyses Revealed Remarkable Heterogeneity in Pathogenicity Determinants, Antimicrobial Compounds, and CRISPR-Cas Systems of Complex Phytopathogenic Genus Pectobacterium.

The Pectobacterium genus comprises pectolytic enterobacteria defined as the causal agents of soft rot, blackleg, and aerial stem rot diseases of potato and economically important crops. In this study, we undertook extensive genome-wide comparative analyses of twelve species that conform the Pectobacterium genus. Bioinformatics approaches outlined a low nucleotide identity of P. parmentieri and P. wasabiae with other species, while P. carotovorum subsp. odoriferum was shown to harbor numerous pseudogenes, which suggests low coding capacity and genomic degradation. The genome atlases allowed for distinguishing distinct DNA structures and highlighted suspicious high transcription zones. The analyses unveiled a noteworthy heterogeneity in the pathogenicity determinants. Specifically, phytotoxins, polysaccharides, iron uptake systems, and the type secretion systems III–V were observed in just some species. Likewise, a comparison of gene clusters encoding antimicrobial compounds put in evidence for high conservation of carotovoricin, whereas a few species possessed the phenazine, carbapenem, and carocins. Moreover, three clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas (CRISPR-Cas) systems: I-E, I-F, and III-A were identified. Surrounding some CRISPR-Cas regions, different toxin and antitoxin systems were found, which suggests bacterial suicide in the case of an immune system failure. Multiple whole-genome alignments shed light on to the presence of a novel cellobiose phosphotransferase system (PTS) exclusive to P. parmenteri, and an unreported T5SS conserved in almost all species. Several regions that were associated with virulence, microbe antagonism, and adaptive immune systems were predicted within genomic islands, which underscored the essential role that horizontal gene transfer has imparted in the dynamic evolution and speciation of Pectobacterium species. Overall, the results decipher the different strategies that each species has developed to infect their hosts, outcompete for food resources, and defend against bacteriophages. Our investigation provides novel genetic insights that will assist in understanding the pathogenic lifestyle of Pectobacterium, a genus that jeopardizes the agriculture sustainability of important crops worldwide.
Modeling multicomponent ion transport to investigate selective ion removal in electrodialysis

Abstract A 2-dimensional multicomponent ion transport model based on Nernst-Planck (NP) equation and electroneutrality assumption is developed for an electrodialysis (ED) cell operated in the ohmic regime. The flow in channels are assumed incompressible, isothermal, and laminar. Donnan equilibrium and flux continuity are considered at ion-exchange membrane (IEM)-solution interfaces. To account for tortuosity effects inside membranes, effective ionic diffusion coefficients are calculated using membranes water volume fractions. The developed multicomponent model is used to elucidate the effects of feed solution properties, cell properties, system hydrodynamics, operational conditions, and membrane properties on selective divalent ion removal in the cell. The results indicate that the selective removal of divalent ions improves with decreasing the cell length, imposed potential, and ionic strength of feed water. Enhanced mixing in spacer-filled cell also promotes selective divalent ion removal. Higher concentrations of fixed charges on the membranes results in greater selectivity toward divalent ions at short cell length and low imposed potentials. With equal concentrations of fixed charges, membranes with high water content are less favorable for selective divalent ion removal. The developed framework enables the optimum selection of cell design, IEMs, spacer design, and operational conditions to selectively remove ions from multicomponent solutions.
Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Comparison of Grade I Versus Grade II Isthmic Spondylolisthesis.

ABSTRACT Background: Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) is often used to treat low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS). No studies have compared surgical outcomes for grade I and II IS following MIS-TLIF. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to compare outcomes between patients with grade I and II IS following MIS-TLIF. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent a primary 1-level MIS-TLIF for treatment of IS between 2007 and 2015. Grade I patients underwent a unilateral tubular approach with a single interbody cage and bilateral pedicle screw instrumentation. Grade II patients underwent a bilateral tubular approach with bilateral interbody cage and pedicle screw placement. Baseline patient demographics and characteristics were compared using Student t test and χ2 analysis. Differences in peri- and postoperative outcomes were assessed using Poisson regression with robust error variance or linear regression adjusted for perioperative variables. Results: A total of 58 patients with IS underwent MIS-TLIF; 21 (36.2%) were grade I and 37 (63.8%) were grade II. The grade I cohort was younger (42.2 versus 50.6 years, P = .029); no other differences in preoperative variables were observed. No significant differences in operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, postoperative visual analogue scale scores, or complication and revision rates were demonstrated between cohorts. Arthrodesis rate was lower in the grade I cohort, though not statistically significant. Conclusions: Despite the grade I cohort being younger with less-severe diagnoses, the grade II cohort experienced similar outcomes. This finding may be due to the grade II cohort receiving bilateral cages, potentially providing a better fusion environment. Clinical Relevance: These results suggest that MIS-TLIF provides sufficient stabilization and fusion for treatment of grade II IS despite increased vertebral body displacement. In addition, MIS-TLIF with bilateral approach and interbody cage placement should be examined for treatment of high-grade IS cases.
Statically inferring performance properties of software configurations

Modern software systems often have a huge number of configurations whose performance properties are poorly documented. Unfortunately, obtaining a good understanding of these performance properties is a prerequisite for performance tuning. This paper explores a new approach to discovering performance properties of system configurations: static program analysis. We present a taxonomy of how a configuration might affect performance through program dependencies. Guided by this taxonomy, we design LearnConf, a static analysis tool that identifies which configurations affect what type of performance and how. Our evaluation, which considers hundreds of configurations in four widely used distributed systems, demonstrates that LearnConf can accurately and efficiently identify many configurations' performance properties, and help performance tuning.
Abstract 391: Telemetry Talk: A Quality Improvement Initiative To Decrease Inappropriate Telemetry Use

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the percentage of inappropriate telemetry and reduce inappropriate use via a multidisciplinary interventional approach. Background: Nationally ...
Magnetic Resonance using Synchronous Coherent Population Trapping Spectroscopy

A new technique based on coherent population trapping is reported here for optical magnetometry using 87Rb vapor medium. Additional new resonances, thus created, can be used in determining the orientation of magnetic field.
Probing Internal Pressures and Long-Term Stability of Nanobubbles in Water

Nanobubbles (NBs) in liquid exhibit many intriguing properties such as low buoyancy and high mass transfer efficiency and reactivity as compared to large bulk bubbles. However, it remains elusive why or how bulk NBs are stabilized in water, and particularly, the states of internal pressures of NBs are difficult to measure due to the lack of proper methodologies or instruments. This study employed the injection of high-pressure gases through a hydrophobized ceramic membrane to produce different gaseous NBs (e.g., N2, O2, H2, and CO2) in water, which is different from cavitation bubbles with potential internal low pressure and noncondensed gases. The results indicate that increasing the injection gas pressure (60-80 psi) and solution temperatures (6-40 °C) both reduced bubble sizes from approximately 400 to 200 nm, which are validated by two independent models developed from the Young-Laplace equation and contact mechanics. Particularly, the colloidal force model can explain the effects of surface tension and surface charge repulsion on bubble sizes and internal pressures. The contact mechanics model incorporates the measurement of the tip-bubble interaction forces by atomic force microscopy to determine the internal pressures and the hardness of NBs (e.g., Young's modulus). Both the colloidal force balance model and our contact mechanics model yielded consistent predictions of the internal pressures of various NBs (120-240 psi). The developed methods and model framework will be useful to unravel properties of NBs and support engineering applications of NBs (e.g., aeration or ozonation). Finally, the bulk NBs under sealed storage could be stable for around a week and progressively reduce in concentrations over the next 30-60 days.
Optimal Commercial Satellite Leasing Strategies

Abstract : There is a gap that will extend into the foreseeable future between the military requirement for long-haul wideband communications and communications satellite capacity the military owns. The United States government will need to bridge the gap by leasing commercial communications satellite services. Military communications planners are faced with the difficult task of choosing the appropriate amount of communications capacity to lease, and the appropriate length of the lease, given uncertainty over future communications demand. This report presents a simple, graphical technique to help communications planners determine the appropriate amount of communications capacity to lease when facing uncertain demand. A simple mathematical model shows why the graphical technique works. Extensions to the basic model show how price uncertainty and the ability to salvage unused capacity change the appropriate amount of capacity to lease. Finally, a multiple-period version of the basic model shows how communications planners can consider the trade-offs between long- and short-term leases when demand grows over time.
Integrating engineering and business colleges via TQM

The authors analyze organizational change at the University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD), in response to a total quality management (TQM) initiative. They describe how the management team has gained cooperation from competing units. This has resulted in cooperation between the business school and engineering departments at UMD, and to some degree between the Duluth and Twin City campuses. This information may help other institutions respond to environmental pressures. >
Further Ahead or Further Behind? The Debate over Positivism

Causes and Consequences in International Relations: A Conceptual Study Michael Nicholson The Restructuring of International Relations Theory Mark A. Neufeld
Phase and amplitude of element-specific moment precession in Ni81Fe19

Abstract We present a time and element-resolved measurement of magnetization dynamics during ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) in a single layer of Ni 81 Fe 19 . Small-angle ( 1 ∘ ) precession of elemental Ni, Fe moments could be measured directly and quantitatively using time-resolved X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) in transmission. The high temporal and rotational sensitivity of this technique has allowed quantification of the phase and amplitude of driven FMR motion at 2.3 GHz, verifying basic expectations for a driven resonance.
Brock procedure for the relief of pulmonary stenosis in the tetralogy of Fallot.

The surgical relief of pulmonary stenosis has been both direct and indirect. The indirect procedures have inherent dangers; the direct approach of Brock appears to be without these dangers and the circulation is allowed a more normal course. This approach entails an incision into the right ventricular chamber and the cutting of the stenosed pulmonary valve or the removal of obstructing tissue in the outflow tract of the right ventricle. Cyanosis is usually relieved immediately. The patient9s exercise tolerance is significantly increased. Eight cases are presented.
Transient focal cerebral ischemia down-regulates glutamate transporters GLT-1 and EAAC1 expression in rat brain

Transient focal cerebral ischemia leads to extensive excitotoxic neuronal damage in rat cerebral cortex. Efficient reuptake of the released glutamate is essential for preventing glutamate receptor over-stimulation and neuronal death. Present study evaluated the expression of the glial (GLT-1 and GLAST) and neuronal (EAAC1) subtypes of glutamate transporters after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Between 24h to 72h of reperfusion after transient MCAO, GLT-1 and EAAC1 protein levels decreased significantly (by 36% to 56%, p < 0.05) in the ipsilateral cortex compared with the contralateral cortex or sham control. GLT-1 and EAAC1 mRNA expression also decreased in the ipsilateral cortex of ischemic rats at both 24h and 72h of reperfusion, compared with the contralateral cortex or sham control. Glutamate transporter down-regulation may disrupt the normal clearance of the synaptically-released glutamate and may contribute to the ischemic neuronal death.
The Political Economy of the Production of Customary International Law: The Role of NGOs and United States Courts

Increasingly, United States courts are recognizing various treaties, as well as declarations, proclamations, conventions, resolutions, programmes, protocols, and similar forms of inter- or multi-national legislation as evidence of a body of customary international law enforceable in domestic courts, particularly in the area of tort liability.These legislative documents, which this Article refers to as customary international law outputs, are seen by some courts as evidence of jus cogens norms that bind not only nations and state actors, but also private individuals. The most obvious evidence of this trend is in the proliferation of lawsuits against corporations with ties to the United States for alleged violations of customary international law during development projects abroad. Such lawsuits are most often brought under the federal Alien Tort Statute (ATS), 28 U.S.C. § 1350.This article applies public choice theory to focus on the dangers of enforceability of these customary international law outputs from four interrelated factors: (1) the lack of bicameralism and presentment associated with the development of the documents associated with this judicially recognized body of customary international law - a process that increases the cost for the production of legislation and thereby checks rent-seeking; (2) the lack of formal elements of law associated with such documents - whereas more formal, specific, and knowingly enforceable legislation is more difficult and expensive for an interest group to produce; and, thus, formality requirements to enforceability decrease production of laws while looser standards are cheaper and more easily produced; (3) unequal expectations of the parties in the bargaining process for the production of such documents - meaning that the parties have not and are not now always cognizant of both the benefits and costs of customary international law document production because enforceability was either unexpected or unknown; and (4) the resulting incentives for nongovernmental organization (NGO) rent-seeking from international bodies and development of such documents due to an increased value to such documents directly proportional to increased judicial enforceability.It is predicted that, due to these factors, increased judicial enforceability will increase NGO demand for the production of customary international law outputs; that the suppliers will oblige; and that opposing interest groups will face significant hurdles in establishing an equilibrium that could bring increased production into check.
Alteration of the binding specificity of cellular retinol-binding protein II by site-directed mutagenesis.

Abstract Rat cellular retinol-binding protein II (CRBP II) is an abundant 134-residue intestinal protein that binds all-trans-retinol and all-trans-retinal. It belongs to a family of homologous, 15-kDa cytoplasmic proteins that bind hydrophobic ligands in a noncovalent fashion. These binding proteins include a number of proteins that bind long chain fatty acids. X-ray analyses of the structure of two family members, rat intestinal fatty acid-binding protein and bovine myelin P2 protein, indicate that they have a high degree of conformational similarity and that the carboxylate group of their bound fatty acid interacts with a delta-guanidium group of at least 1 of 2 "buried" arginine residues. These 2 Arg residues are conserved in other family members that bind long chain fatty acids and in cellular retinoic acid-binding protein, but are replaced by Gln109 and Gln129 in CRBP II. We have genetically engineered two amino acid substitutions in CRBP II: 1) Gln109 to Arg and 2) Gln129 to Arg. The purified Escherichia coli-derived CRBP II mutant proteins were analyzed by fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Both mutants exhibit markedly decreased binding of all-trans-retinol and all-trans-retinaldehyde, but no increased binding of all-trans-retinoic acid. Arg substitution for Gln109 but not for Gln129 produces a dramatic increase in palmitate binding activity. Analysis of the endogenous fatty acids associated with the purified E. coli-derived proteins revealed that E. coli-derived intestinal fatty acid binding protein and the Arg109 CRBP II mutant are complexed with endogenous fatty acids in a qualitatively and quantitatively similar manner. These results provide evidence that this internal Arg may play an important role in the binding of long chain fatty acids by members of this protein family.
Genetic variants in uracil processing enzymes are associated with abnormal DNA uracil content

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 1891 Introduction. Maintenance of DNA integrity through DNA repair is critical in cancer prevention. Among the enzymes involved in DNA repair are those that prevent or correct uracil misincorporation in DNA. Repair of misincorporated uracil is important since it can cause double-stranded DNA breaks and other mutagenic events that can initiate or promote carcinogenesis. Also relevant is the B-vitamin folate as it is a co-factor in the enzymatic conversion of uracil to thymidine, and its deficiency promotes uracil misincorporation in DNA. Moreover, folate and other B vitamins are implicated as factors modulating cancer risk. Five genes encode the enzymes involved in uracil-repair in humans, for which many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified. However, their phenotypes have not yet been explored. Our goal is to identify SNPs in uracil processing genes that are determinants of DNA uracil levels, and to study how B vitamin status affects these relationships. Methods. Twenty-two SNPs were selected with a bioinformatics approach that identified variants with probable functional consequences and from distinct linkage groups. Association between SNP genotypes and uracil levels in blood DNA was tested in a cohort of 91 unrelated South Koreans. Results. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that five SNPs in two of the uracil-repair genes were significantly associated with uracil levels. Four of them were associated with an increase in uracil in the homozygous variant individuals compared to the homozygous wild-type subjects, and one was associated with a decrease (see table). Four SNPs were located in non-coding regions whereas one was a non-synonymous SNP within an exon that is predicted to change the protein sequence. No interactions between B vitamin levels, SNP genotypes and uracil levels were found in this study. Conclusion. We identified 5 SNPs with a biochemical phenotype that may impact on cancer risk. We are presently confirming our observations in a larger study. View this table:
Molecular structure and chemical bonding in K 3 C 60 and K 6 C 60

We present the results of local-density-approximation-based Car-Parrinello calculations of orientationally ordered phases of ${\mathrm{K}}_{3}$${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ and ${\mathrm{K}}_{6}$${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$. Our investigation focuses on the following points: the effects of alkali-mental intercalation on the structural and electronic properties of ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$, the chemical bonding, the inhomogeneity of the electron distribution, and the degree of freedom of the potassium atoms in the interstitial region. The results are discussed in view of experimental data, such as x-ray and neutron-diffraction data as well as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Fault isolation and quick recovery in isolation file systems

File systems do not properly isolate faults that occur within them. As a result, a single fault may affect multiple clients adversely, making the entire file system unavailable. We introduce a new file system abstraction, called file pod, to allow applications tomanage failure and recovery polices explicitly for a group of files. Based on this abstraction, we propose the isolation file system, which provides fine-grained fault isolation and quick recovery.
How well can wave runup be predicted? Comment on Laudier et al. (2011) and Stockdon et al. (2006)

Abstract Laudier et al. (2011) suggested that there may be a systematic bias error in runup predictions using a model developed by Stockdon et al. (2006). Laudier et al. tested cases that sampled beach and wave conditions that differed from those used to develop the Stockdon et al. model. Based on our re-analysis, we found that in two of the three Laudier et al. cases observed overtopping was actually consistent with the Stockdon et al. predictions. In these cases, the revised predictions indicated substantial overtopping with, in one case, a freeboard deficit of 1 m. In the third case, the revised prediction had a low likelihood of overtopping, which reflected a large uncertainty due to wave conditions that included a broad and bi-modal frequency distribution. The discrepancy between Laudier et al. results and our re-analysis appear to be due, in part, to simplifications made by Laudier et al. when they implemented a reduced version of the Stockdon et al. model.
Chapter 27 – Agricultural Chemical Percutaneous Absorption and Decontamination

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes all the known facts about percutaneous absorption and how to efficiently protect humans from potential adverse effects of aqueous chemical exposure. Understanding percutaneous absorption as a major route of pesticides entering the body is an integral part of the risk assessment process. Percutaneous absorption is a primary focal point for dermatotoxicology and dermatopharmacology. Local and systemic toxicity depend on a chemical penetrating the skin. The skin is a barrier to absorption and a primary route to the systemic circulation. Data on humans can be obtained safely using trace measurement methodology and with low-risk doses coupled with high-tech analytical methodology. Although the data from animal and computer models are simpler to use, the method of choice is biomonitoring. Protective clothing serves to prevent agricultural workers from unnecessary pesticide exposure. A protective layer or barrier between the worker and chemical contamination prevents chemical penetration as a bulk flow through a porous material, uses nonporous material with low permeation, and absorbs or retains chemical in the fabric. Evidence suggests that often the skin and the body are unknowingly subjected to enhanced penetration and systemic absorption or toxicity because the decontamination procedure does not work or may actually enhance absorption—a phenomenon called the “wash-in.”
Applying Positive Behavior Support and Functional Behavioral Assessment in Schools

Positive behavior support (PBS) and functional behavioral assessment (FBA) are two significant concepts of the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. These two concepts...
The Evaluation of a Rapid Card Technic for ABO and Rho(D) Typing

A simple card technic using seven drops of finger blood for rapid ABO and Rho(D) typing was compared with the standard typing methods of the JHH Blood Bank laboratory. When performed according to instructions, the card test showed distinct, easily readable reactions that were in excellent agreement with the results obtained by the standard method. Therefore, where Rh sub-grouping is not required, or is to be carried out subsequently on all “Rho(D) negative” subjects, this card technic provides a useful, simple procedure suitable for field studies and all types of mass screening, since venipunctures are unnecessary, classification is rapid, and a permanent record available.
Excretion of steroid acids in man.

Abstract A procedure for the isolation of acids from defatted ethanolic extracts of human feces has been described which involves chromatography of their crude methyl ester acetates on silica gel. 10-Hydroxystearic acid, lithocholic acid, and deoxycholic acid have been shown to be the principal constituents of the alcohol-soluble acid fraction. It has been shown that the specific activity of deoxycholic acid in the feces is approximately equal to that of plasma ester cholesterol by the ninth day after the administration of cholesterol-4-C 14 to patients. A method has been presented which permits calculation of the fecal excretion of bile acids after the administration of a tracer dose of cholesterol-4-C 14 . This requires measurement of the total radioactivity in the stool acid fraction and determination of the specific activity of plasma cholesterol; by this method, an average excretion of 290 mg./day of bile acids has been found for the patients studied.
Recalling Sexual Partners: The Accuracy of Self-Reports:

Accuracy of recall of the number of sexual partners individuals had over a period of one month, three months, six months and one year was studied in a group of 285 young, single, heterosexual adults. Self-reports of the number of partners were obtained on a weekly basis and then compared with recall of behavior over longer time periods that overlapped the weekly measures. For individuals who claimed abstinence or who claimed to be monogamous, accuracy of recall was relatively high, especially at the shorter time frames. Level of education was related to accuracy for claimed abstainers, such that lower levels of education were associated with lower accuracy of recall. Accuracy rates for individuals who reported having multiple sexual partners tended to be lower and were found to be related to one's propensity to engage in casual sex.
Fast PSF reconstruction using the frozen flow hypothesis

For multi-frame blind deconvolution (MFBD) it is important to obtain good initial approximations of the point spread function (PSF) for each frame. Here we show that if a Taylor frozen flow hypothesis holds for short periods, then by exploiting these correlations in multiple wavefront sensor measurements, it is possible to obtain accurate estimates of the PSFs. The approach requires solving a large and sparse least squares problem.
Float Types in Linear Schedule Analysis with Singularity Functions

This paper describes how float can be calculated exactly for linear schedules by using singularity functions. These functions originate in structural engineering and are newly applied to scheduling. They capture the behavior of an activity or buffer and the range over which it applies and are extensible to an infinite number of change terms. This paper builds upon the critical path analysis for linear schedules, which takes differences between singularity functions and differentiates them. It makes several important case distinctions that extend the earlier concept of rate float. Time and location buffers act along different axis directions. Together with different productivities between and within activities, this can create a complex pattern of critical and noncritical segments. Depending on starts and finishes, areas of float precede or follow these noncritical segments. The schedule of a small project is reanalyzed with case distinctions to demonstrate in detail what float types are generated.
Pythagorean Triples and the Problem A = mP for Triangles

(2006). Pythagorean Triples and the Problem A = mP for Triangles. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 79, No. 2, pp. 114-121.
SYNTHESIS IN VITRO OF THYROXINE FROM DIIODOTYROSINE BY MYELOPEROXIDASE AND BY A CELL-FREE PREPARATION OF BEEF THYROID GLANDS. II. FLAVIN MONONUCLEOTIDE AND MN2+ SYSTEM.

1. 1. Thyroxine was identified by paper chromatography as one of the products of the action of a purified peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, on diiodotyrosine in the presence of FMN, MnCl2 and light as a hydrogen peroxide-generating system. 2. 2. The incubation of diiodotyrosine with a cell-free thyroid particulate preparation under comparable conditions also led to the formation of thyroxine which was identified by paper chromatography, ultraviolet and infrared analyses and by the stimulation of tadpole metamorphosis. 3. 3. The synthesis of thyroxine was inhibited by ergothioneine, reduced gluthione, ascorbic acid, semicarbazide, Tapazole, 2-thiouracil and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6). 4. 4. Significant amounts of ammonia were released on the incubation of diiodotyrosine with either myeloperoxidase or the thyroid particulate fraction in the presence of FMN, MnCl2 and light. Ammonia release was inhibited by the same reagents that inhibited thyroxine synthesis. 5. 5. The synthesis of thyroxine in the flavin system differed from the synthesis in the glucose and glucose oxidase system1 in several respects: heat inactivation; specificity for the thyroid particulate fraction; effect of serotonin. 6. 6. These results are discussed in relation to the possible involvement of a non-specific protein “activation”, in addition to a thyroid peroxidase, in the synthesis of thyroxine from diiodotyrosine in the presence of FMN, MnCl2 and light. 7. 7. The possibility that there existed a peroxidase catalyzed transiodination of iodide from diiodotyrosine to endogenous free thyronines was entertained. Under the experimental conditions employed in this study, such a reaction is considered unlikely.
Distribution of heterotrimeric G-protein β and γ subunits in the rat brain

Abstract Heterotrimeric G-proteins, comprising α, β and γ subunits, have been shown to play a central role in coupling multiple receptors to a variety of enzymes and ion channels. In vitro studies have demonstrated the existence of selective interactions between various α, β and γ subunits, as well as between specific heterotrimers and target receptor and effector proteins. However, little is known of the physiological relevance of such associations, and the determinants of specificity in G-protein signaling within the brain remain largely unidentified. To investigate the possibility that specific heterotrimeric interactions result from discrete localizations of the G-protein subunits within the brain, we have used the technique of in situ hybridization to map the distribution of G-protein β and γ subunits in the rat brain. β1, β2, β3 and β5 subunits were found to be widely expressed throughout the rat brain, whilst β4 and the G-protein γ subunit messenger RNAs generally showed more discrete expression patterns. The expression patterns for these subunits suggest that individual β and γ subunits may be co-expressed in certain cell types and brain regions; a particularly intriguing and striking co-localization was observed in the case of β4 and γ2 subunit messenger RNAs in layer VI of the occipital cortex. The localizations of the G-protein β and γ subunits, and their potential coupling to various receptor/effector systems, are discussed.
PAR-4 Is Involved in Regulation of β-Secretase Cleavage of the Alzheimer Amyloid Precursor Protein

Abstract Mounting evidence indicates that aberrant production and aggregation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ)-(1–42) play a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD). Aβ is produced when amyloid precursor protein (APP) is cleaved by β- and γ-secretases at the N and C termini of the Aβ domain, respectively. The β-secretase is membrane-bound aspartyl protease, most commonly known as BACE1. Because BACE1 cleaves APP at the N terminus of the Aβ domain, it catalyzes the first step in Aβ generation. PAR-4 (prostate apoptosis response-4) is a leucine zipper protein that was initially identified to be associated with neuronal degeneration and aberrant Aβ production in models of AD. We now report that the C-terminal domain of PAR-4 is necessary for forming a complex with the cytosolic tail of BACE1 in co-immunoprecipitation assays and in vitro pull-down experiments. Overexpression of PAR-4 significantly increased, whereas silencing of PAR-4 expression by RNA interference significantly decreased, β-secretase cleavage of APP. These results suggest that PAR-4 may be directly involved in regulating the APP cleavage activity of BACE1. Because the increased BACE1 activity observed in AD patients does not seem to arise from genetic mutations or polymorphisms in BACE1, the identification of PAR-4 as an endogenous regulator of BACE1 activity may have significant implications for developing novel therapeutic strategies for AD.
British Children and Televised Violence

Is the frequency of watching television programs with recurrent violent themes positively related to aggressive attitudes among young people? This study of' a sample of British school children yields findings very similar to U.S. data, in terms of both direction and magnitude of the relationship. It also examines the influence of program type and demographic variables on that relationship. The author is Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of' Communication, Michigan State University.
An Operational Approach to PCA+JPEG2000 Compression of Hyperspectral Imagery

Lossy-compression algorithms typically adopted for hyperspectral remote-sensing imagery-such as JPEG2000-usually produce a monotonically increasing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for increasing bitrate. Consequently, it is a common philosophy to employ as large a bitrate as possible so as to obtain the highest achievable SNR. However, it has been observed previously that a higher SNR may not necessarily correspond to better performance at data-analysis tasks, such as classification, anomaly detection, or linear unmixing. Considered specifically is the coupling of JPEG2000 with principal component analysis for spectral decorrelation such that only a few principal components are retained, and, for this compression paradigm, a technique to determine an operational bitrate is proposed with the aim of preserving both the majority of information in a dataset as well as its anomalous pixels. This operational bitrate may be much less than the largest bitrate that the system can allow. Experimental results show that classification and unmixing applied to reconstructed data after compression at this operational bitrate result in performance that is the same as or better than that achieved at higher bitrates; meanwhile, removal and lossless storage of anomalies prior to compression results in their perfect preservation in the reconstructed dataset.