cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL: ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL OF THE EU AND ITS CITIZENS TO CONFRONT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AS A CHANCE TO REAFFIRM THE EUROPEAN IDENTITY

The main aim of this paper is to assess the potential of the EU and its citizens to face the Coronavirus pandemic as a chance to reaffirm the European identity. This paper consists of three complementary parts. In the first part conceptualization of the European identity is presented according to the views of the EU institutions and relevant authors with purpose to signify its importance for further development of the EU project. In the second part the extent to which the EU citizens are currently affiliated with the European Union is assessed, especially with regard to the response of the EU to confront the pandemic (i.e. by relying on recent Eurobarometer surveys). Third and the central part of this paper is focused on providing the review and analysis of relevant solidarity actions directed to confront Coronavirus crisis by the EU institutions and representative CSOs active specifically at the EU level in the field of promoting European citizenship. The key findings of this inquiry indicate that analysed initiatives contain solidarity dimension, and therefore, have potential to reaffirm the European identity, that is, to enhance cohesion and unity among the EU citizens.
Misrepresented Insecurities: An Annotated Interview about Displacement and Resistance of Central America’s “Eternos Indocumentados”

Central Americans are widely misrepresented in United States mainstream media as one-dimensional peoples always associated with insecurities. In a powerful counter-representation, Director Jennifer...
Modifying Role of Plasma Glucose in Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide as a poison is responsible for a large number of deaths and a great amount of morbidity. Hyperglycemia is reported to modify the outcome in global cerebral and spinal cord ischemia (LeMay et al 1987; Siemkowicz and Hansen 1978), cardiac arrest (Lundy et al 1987), and stroke (Pulsinelli et al 1983). This is of particular relevance to acute carboxyhemoglobinemia because hyperglycemia usually accompanies CO poisoning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of plasma glucose concentration in the outcome from acute severe CO poisoning in an animal model.
The Dynamics of Aquatic Ecosystems

Publisher Summary This chapter aims to identify the problems of studying whole ecosystems. It explores whether the detailed studies of components of the systems have increased the understanding of the working of the whole systems. The development of the understanding of the dynamics of ecosystems largely considers the progressive clarification of the concepts of production and the factors controlling food uptake, assimilation, and metabolism. Over the years, the tropho-dynamic model of Lindeman has served well. Most organisms can be placed in one trophic level or another on the basis of their main feeding habits. It is observed that knowledge of the magnitude of primary production is essential in understanding of any ecosystem. Of all the aquatic animals, emphasis is largely on fish. Techniques are available for determining population density, age structure and growth rates, and considerable progress has been made in understanding the principles governing their feeding and metabolism.
A new class of thermoplastic elastomers based on polypivalolactone graft systems

Ring-opening graft polymerization of pivalolactone, initiated by carboxylate anion which is randomly located on suitable polymeric substrates, affords high quality thermoplastic elastomers. When processed from the melt, poly(privalolactone) segments readily crystallize into discontinuous domains which serve as reinforcing network tiepoints and melt at 120–225°C according to the average degree of polymerization (Pn = 4–90) of the graft segments. Transmission electron microscopy shows domain size to be 5–100 nm. Poly([ethylene-co-propylene-co-1,4-hexadiene]-g-pivalolactone) (from carboxylated base polymer) and poly([ethyl acrylate]-g-pivalolactone) were evaluated in detail and have physical properties similar to conventionally cured and reinforced base polymers. The effects of structural variables on morphology and properties are discussed. Die unter Ringoffnung verlaufende Pfropfpolymerisation von Pivalolacton fuhrt zu hochwertigen thermoplastischen Elastomeren; als Initiatoren dienen Carboxylatanionen, die sich statistisch verteilt an einem geeigneten polymeren Substrat befinden. Bei der thermoplastischen Verarbeitung kristallisieren die Poly[pivalolacton]-Segmente leicht aus; sie bilden diskontinuierliche Bereiche, die als verstarkende Vernetzungsstellen dienen und die bei 12–225°C, je nach dem durchschnittlichen Polymerisationsgrad der Pfropfsegmente (Pn = 4–90), schmelzen. Die Bereiche sind, wie durch Transmissionselektronenmi-kroskopie festgestellt wurde, 5–100 nm gros. Poly[(athylen-co-propylen-co-l,4-hexadien)-g-pivalolacton] (aus carboxyliertem Ausgangspolymeren hergestellt) und Poly[(athylacrylat)-g-pivalolacton] wurden eingehend untersucht; ihre physikalischen Eigenschaften entsprechen denen der in der ublichen Art und Weise vulkanisierten und verstarkten Ausgangspolymeren. Der Einflus von Strukturanderungen auf die Morphologie und die Eigenschaften wird erortert.
Rat Models of Diet-Induced Obesity and High Fat/Low Dose Streptozotocin Type 2 Diabetes: Effect of Reversal of High Fat Diet Compared to Treatment with Enalapril or Menhaden Oil on Glucose Utilization and Neuropathic Endpoints

We examined whether reversal of high fat diet, stimulating weight loss, compared to two treatments previously shown to have beneficial effects, could improve glucose utilization and peripheral neuropathy in animal models of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Rats were fed a high fat diet and treated with a low dose of streptozotocin to create models of diet induced obesity or type 2 diabetes, respectively. Afterwards, rats were transferred to a normal diet or treated with enalapril or dietary enrichment with menhaden oil for 12 weeks. Obesity and to a greater extent type 2 diabetes were associated with impaired glucose utilization and peripheral neuropathy. Placing obese rats on a normal diet improved glucose utilization. Steatosis but not peripheral neuropathy was improved after placing obese or diabetic rats on a normal diet. Treating obese and diabetic rats with enalapril or a menhaden oil enriched diet generally improved peripheral neuropathy endpoints. In summary, dietary improvement with weight loss in obese or type 2 diabetic rats was not sufficient to correct peripheral neuropathy. These results further stress the need for discovery of a comprehensive treatment for peripheral neuropathy.
Meta-level architectures for component-based mobile computing

We present an approach to mobile-aware application development that integrates mobile-awareness into existing distributed component designs. Our proposed mobile components encapsulate a context of distributed components that collaborate to fulfill a set of published application functions. The approach os based on a set of meta-level architectures for mobility. First, we present a reflective layered-adaptation model derived from a proposed set of dynamic adaptation architectures. Then, we present a set of mobility-enhanced component services and corresponding object-oriented architectures for their realization. The approach is demonstrated with the development of a video delivery component. We show how mobile awareness can be integrated into an existing component-based design based on our proposed mobility-enhanced CORBA-based services.
Quinic acid induces hypovirulence and expression of a hypovirulence-associated double-stranded RNA in Rhizoctonia solani

A double-stranded (ds)RNA, designated as M2, is associated with hypovirulence, conversion of the quinic acid pathway from inducible to constitutive and downregulation of the shikimic acid pathway in the Rhizoctonia solani culture Rhs 1A1. In this study, we report that in the virulent, M2-lacking isolate Rhs 1AP, which is isogenic to Rhs 1A1, quinic acid reduces virulence dramatically and induces synthesis of an M2-encoded polypeptide and its respective mRNA. The full-length sense strand of M2 is detected in untreated Rhs 1AP only after a second 30-cycle amplification, using nested primers. Quinate-induced Rhs 1AP contains low concentrations of both full-length sense and complementary strand of M2. The quinic acid-induced hypovirulence in Rhs 1AP cannot be overturned by the end-product of the shikimic acid pathway, chorismic acid, which enhances the virulence of Rhs 1AP dramatically when used alone. In addition to its apparent applications, this study confirms the strong association between the M2 dsRNA and hypovirulence in R. solani.
Comparison of Fourth Grade Students' Out-of-School Physical Activity Levels and Choices by Gender: Project SPARK

Abstract This study examined fourth grade boys' (n = 669) and girls' (n = 595) out-of-school physical activity levels and choices. The sample included 98 percent of eligible students in seven California schools. On two one-day recalls, students reported their out-of-school physical activities for the prior weekday and weekend day by checking which of 20 activities they did for at least 15 minutes. On separate forms, students identified their frequency of participation in the same 20 activities as well as classes, camps, sports, household chores, and television and video viewing during the previous summer. Activities were classified as low, medium, or high-intensity and as individual or team/dual. Independent t tests for intensity levels indicated that there were no significant differences on one-day recalls between girls and boys overall activity (MET value) or high-intensity physical activities. In addition, the three activities most frequently participated in did not differ by genders and two of the thr...
Records of Cenozoic Ocean Chemistry

In this review emphasis is placed on isotopic records of ocean chemistry. In general terms, a conscious decision was made to emphasize those records that document long-term changes in the chemical and physical properties of the global ocean over the course of the Cenozoic. For example, while reconstructions of burial fluxes of barium or phosphorus may place valuable constraints on paleo-productivity in a specific setting, making extrapolations to infer globally integrated trends from these data sets is very difficult because of sparse data coverage in space and time. Similarly, we have also chosen to exclude discussion of short-residence-time tracers like lead and neodymium isotopes that can yield important information about changing patterns of ocean circulation and regional shifts in oceanic inputs.
Do Blind Children Need Sex Education

This is a preliminary report of a study to learn the extent and accuracy of blind adolescents’ knowledge about human sexuality and their attitudes about sexual behavior. The interviews with 18 male...
An initial exploration of the relationship between pair programming and Brooks' law

Through his law, "adding manpower to a late software project makes it later,'' Brooks asserts that the assimilation, training, and intercommunication costs of adding new team members outweigh the associated team productivity gain in the short term. Anecdotes suggest that adding manpower to a late project yields productivity gains to the team more quickly if the team employs the pair programming technique when compared to teams where new team members work alone. We utilize a system dynamics model which demonstrates support of these observations. Parameter values for the model were obtained via a small-scale, nonprobabilistic, convenience survey. Our initial findings suggest that managers should incorporate the pair programming practice when growing their team.
Dynamic Performance Modeling and Stability Analysis of a Segmented Reflector Telescope

In the present paper the problem of vibration suppression in segmented reflector telescopes is considered. The decomposition of the structure into smaller components is discussed and control laws for vibration suppression, as well as, conditions for stability at the local and global levels are presented. The states of the reflector segments are mapped into ray displacements on the detector plane.
Two Rabs for exosome release

Exosomes are endosome-derived membrane vesicles that are key for intercellular communication in the immune system and elsewhere. Rab27A and Rab27B GTPases and two of their cognate effector proteins seem to be needed to drive the physiologically important exosome-release process in certain cell types.
Multi-Dimensionality of Synthetic Vision Cockpit Displays: Prevention of Controlled-Flight-Into-Terrain

NASA's Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) project is developing technologies with practical applications that will help to eliminate low visibility conditions as a causal factor to civil aircraft accidents while replicating the operational benefits of clear day flight operations, regardless of the actual outside visibility condition. The paper describes experimental evaluation of a multi-mode 3-D exocentric synthetic vision navigation display concept for commercial aircraft. Experimental results showed the situation awareness benefits of 2-D and 3-D exocentric synthetic vision displays over traditional 2-D co-planar navigation and vertical situation displays. Conclusions and future research directions are discussed.
Abstract LB-259: The gluconeogenic pathway is operative in lung cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Accelerated aerobic glycolysis has been a hallmark of cancer metabolism since Otto Warburg's seminal discovery [1]. Glucose oxidation via glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) not only produces energy and reducing equivalents but also anabolic precursors to meet the demands of proliferation and many essential functions of cancer cells. Although many of the anabolic precursors can be obtained from alternative fuel substrates, the de novo synthesis of ribose and therefore nucleotides normally requires glucose metabolism. Thus, under glucose deficiency, cancer cells will cease proliferation due to a lack of new synthesis of nucleic acids. This can occur in poorly vascularized areas of a tumor. We now have direct evidence that lung cancer cells can circumvent this problem by making ribose from Gln using part of the gluconeogenic pathway. By using U-13C5,15N2-Gln as tracer, we tracked the fate of the 13C and 15N atoms simultaneously into various metabolites of A549 and H1299 cells using FT-ICR-MS and NMR. We found that both labels were incorporated into ATP and other nucleotides. Although the expected 15N labeling patterns were found based on the purine biosynthetic pathway, the 13C labeling patterns show that the adenine ring and/or ribosyl unit of ATP were also labeled. This can only occur through the metabolic sequence of glutaminolysis, Krebs cycle, pyruvate carboxylation, PEP carboxykinase (PEPCK) reaction, gluconeogenesis, and PPP. We believe this is the first time that gluconeogenesis is demonstrated for cancer cell lines not known to be gluconeogenic, which could have important implications for how cancer cells adapt to a glucose-limited microenvironment and the role of Gln in such adaptations. 1. Warburg, O., On the origin of cancer cells. Science, 1956. 123: p. 309–314. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-259. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-259
Cryoglobulinemia: A reversible cause of dilated cardiomyopathy

Fig. 4. Diagram of aortic arch system of 14 mm human embryo, seen from front, estimated age 36 to 38 days (after Congdon7). Upper arrow (left horn of aortic sac) and lower arrow (distal end of left dorsal aorta) indicate sites of interruption of aortic arch system that result in isolated LInnA. Lower interruption produces RAoA. Upper interruption separates LInnA from RAoA, forcing LInnA to rise from LPA via LPDA. Asc Ao, Ascending aorta. Other abbreviations as in Fig. 1.
Growth and physical properties of ZnGeAs2

Abstract Single-phase poly crystalline chalcopyrite-structure ZnGeAs2 ingots with an average grain size of 70 μm have been grown using a modified vertical Bridgman apparatus. The melting point of the compound was determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA) to be 860°C and corrected X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak positions were obtained. The crystals were p type with a room-temperature carrier concentration of 1.1 × 1019 cm−3 and a corresponding mobility of 15 cm2/V s. A possible chalcopyrite-to-sphalerite phase transition, reported previously to occur to 812°C, was not observed either by DTA or by XRD of quenched samples.
Structure–function analysis of SAP97, a modular scaffolding protein that drives dendrite growth

Activation of AMPA receptors assembled with the GluA1 subunit can promote dendrite growth in a manner that depends on its direct binding partner, SAP97. SAP97 is a modular scaffolding protein that has at least seven recognizable protein-protein interaction domains. Several complementary approaches were employed to show that the dendrite branching promoting action of full length SAP97 depends on ligand(s) that bind to the PDZ3 domain. Ligand(s) to PDZ1, PDZ2 and I3 domains also contribute to dendrite growth. The ability of PDZ3 ligand(s) to promote dendrite growth depends on localization at the plasma membrane along with GluA1 and SAP97. These results suggest that the assembly of a multi-protein complex at or near synapses is vital for the translation of AMPA-R activity into dendrite growth.
Electron energy loss spectrum of cerium

Abstract An ab initio electron-energy-loss bar spectrum of Ce is performed based on the transition 4 d 10 → 4 d 9 4ƒ 2 . Calculations for both the 4 d 9 4ƒ 2 multiplets and the electron-excited relative intensities within the framework of the Born-approximation are in reasonable agreement with experiment.
Helicobacter pylori: Evidence-Based Review with a Focus on Immigrant Populations

Helicobacter pylori has been causally linked to a number of diseases, including peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and dyspepsia. It is the most prevalent bacterial pathogen in humans, and while the overall prevalence in the United States is about 30 %, the distribution is heterogeneous amongst different ethnic groups. Recent immigrants from high prevalence areas such as Korea, Japan, and China bear an increased burden of its disease and complications. There is clear evidence that treatment of H. pylori resolves peptic ulcer disease, and increasing evidence for protection against development of gastric adenocarcinoma. However, H. pylori treatment failure is common and alternative regimens may be necessary. The following case-based review will highlight these issues, including the epidemiology of H. pylori in the immigrant population, an approach to dyspepsia, and the role of H. pylori in gastric adenocarcinoma.
A precision determination of the hyperfine splitting of muonium in quartz

Abstract We report a precise measurement of the hyperfine interval of muonium in single crystal quartz at room temperature, using the muon spin rotation technique. The measured value is about 1% larger than the vacuum value. Our results also confirm a small anisotropy previously reported.
Membrane fusion promoters and inhibitors have contrasting effects on lipid bilayer structure and undulations.

It has been established that the fusion of both biological membranes and phospholipid bilayers can be modulated by altering their lipid composition (Chernomordik et al., 1995 .J. Membr. Biol. 146:3). In particular, when added exogenously between apposing membranes, monomyristoylphosphatidylcholine (MMPC) inhibits membrane fusion, whereas glycerol monoleate (GMO), oleic acid (OA), and arachidonic acid (AA) promote fusion. This present study uses x-ray diffraction to investigate the effects of MMPC, GMO, OA, and AA on the bending and stability of lipid bilayers when bilayers are forced together with applied osmotic pressure. The addition of 10 and 30 mol% MMPC to egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) bilayers maintains the bilayer structure, even when the interbilayer fluid spacing is reduced to approximately 3 A, and increases the repulsive pressure between bilayers so that the fluid spacing in excess water increases by 5 and 15 A, respectively. Thus MMPC increases the undulation pressure, implying that the addition of MMPC promotes out-of-plane bending and decreases the adhesion energy between bilayers. In contrast, the addition of GMO has minor effects on the undulation pressure; 10 and 50 mol% GMO increase the fluid spacing of EPC in excess water by 0 and 2 A, respectively. However, x-ray diffraction indicates that, at small interbilayer separations, GMO, OA, or AA converts the bilayer to a structure containing hexagonally packed scattering units approximately 50 A in diameter. Thus GMO, OA, or AA destabilizes bilayer structure as apposing bilayers are brought into contact, which could contribute to their role in promoting membrane fusion.
Residential Mobility and Children's Social Capital: Evidence from an Experiment*

Objective. This article examines the effects of residential mobility on social connections that are likely to affect children's well-being. Methods. We use data from a survey of participants in a housing experiment in Los Angeles, California to examine whether families that moved from public housing projects to other neighborhoods suffered short-term losses of social capital. Results. Results indicate that residential mobility is associated with a reduced likelihood of parents talking with the parents of their children's friends. However, the effects of residential mobility on social capital are sensitive to adjustments for poverty levels in destination neighborhoods and factors that influence the probability of moving. Conclusions. Our results suggest that at least some of the negative effects of moving shown in previous studies may be due to negative selection. That is, families that move may be less successful at developing social ties than families that do not move. This finding suggests that future research on residential mobility needs to pay closer attention to factors that influence why and where families move.
A model system for detection and isolation of a tumor cell surface antigen using antibody phage display

To establish a screening procedure for tumor cell-surface reactive Fabs, we used a model antigen/antibody system including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and the anti-EGF-R monoclonal antibody 425. The 425 Fab was displayed on the surface of M13 filamentous phage. In a screening assay for 425 phage binding to tumor cell surfaces, biotinylated 425-phage bound specifically to EGF-R-positive A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells and not to K562 non-expressor erythroleukemia cells. With a model library, the sensitivity of phage enrichment by phage binding to cell surfaces was one 425-phage in 20,000 unrelated phages after 4 rounds of panning on A431 cells. In a phage tissue screening assay, 425-phage, but not unrelated phage, bound specifically to melanoma cells expressing EGF-R. Epitope and idiotope specificity of 425-phage was demonstrated in phage competition assays, using as targets A431 cells and anti-idiotypic antibodies to monoclonal antibody 425, respectively. Finally, the EGF-R protein was directly isolated from A431 cell extracts, using biotinylated 425-phage. The data obtained with the 425 model library system demonstrate the usefulness of antibody phage display for the rapid identification and isolation of tumor or other disease-related cell surface antigens.
Aortic Regurgitation: Clinical, Hemodynamic, Surgical, and Angiographic Correlations

Abstract A consecutive series of aortic root cineangiograms was reviewed and the degree of aortic valve insufficiency (AI) correlated with clinical, hemodynamic, and operative data. The best correlations occurred in patients with pure AI; the clinical and hemodynamic values (pulse pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, aortic diastolic pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy) were not generally as helpful in evaluating the extent of AI in patients with mitral valve disease. Aortic root cineangiography is especially important in this latter group and is extremely accurate in determining the need for aortic valve as well as mitral valve operation.
Sources and sinks of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde: An analysis of Denver's ambient concentration data

Four-hour average concentration data for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde have been collected in downtown Denver for each winter since December 1987, and on a year-round basis since October 1991. Carbon monoxide measurements have also been made at the same site since October 1991. These data have been analyzed in an attempt to identify the important sources and sinks for these carbonyl compounds in downtown Denver. We have found that motor vehicle emissions are a major source of these compounds all year. Although we do not find evidence for significant net photochemical production, we do find evidence for photochemical sources and sinks of both compounds. We have applied statistical techniques to ambient concentration data that can extract useful information about these atmospheric sources, sinks and processes, in spite of the large day-to-day variability in the data. Formaldehyde concentrations were found to have increased significantly during three recent winters when at least 2.6% oxygen-content fuel was required compared to two earlier winters when at least 2.0% oxygen-content fuel was required. The increase in formaldehyde concentration coincides with the increase in oxygenate content required in the fuel, but may be due to other causes.
Pancreatic endocrine tumors.

Incidental, nonfunctional pancreatic endocrine tumors (PET) are observed with increasing frequency. Most are insulinomas. Endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration plays a significant role in the localization and tissue diagnosis of PET. Establishing PET behavior as aggressive or indolent remains challenging especially preoperatively. Newer techniques including DNA and micro-RNA analysis may play a role in this arena. Small benign PET may be enucleated or removed laparascopically. Surgery is the mainstay of treating advanced disease including those with metastases and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The management of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 continues to be a challenge, including treating symptoms, targeted resections, and close observation. Diagnosis, management, and prognostication of PET are under evolution and a number of changes in these fronts are anticipated.
Moderation training for problem drinkers: Treatment techniques and clinical considerations

Moderation approaches for the treatment of problem drinkers differentiate the treatment needs of alcohol abusers from those who are alcohol dependent (alcoholics), thereby offering a treatment alternative to many individuals who have not been effectively reached via traditional abstinence-based models. The purpose of moderation approaches is to help individuals who have problematic patterns of drinking to moderate their use of alcohol and thereby to lessen the negative consequences associated with excessive or problematic use. This paper describes one such approach (Moderation Training), detailing treatment techniques (including assessment measures and informed consent form) and highlighting the way in which the therapist interacts with the patient, the metaphors that are used, and what patients are taught that will support their ongoing success with moderation.
DNA ligase III is critical for mtDNA integrity but not Xrcc1-mediated nuclear DNA repair

Mammalian cells contain three different DNA ligase enzymes, each with different properties but all involved in DNA replication and repair. Ligase III (Lig3) is known to form a complex with the nuclear DNA repair protein Xrcc1, and Lig3 null animals cannot be made. This raises the question of whether this nuclear role in base-excision repair (BER) is the critical function of Lig3 that maintains viability. Two groups reporting in this issue of Nature investigate different aspects of Lig3 function in vivo, both concluding that the catalytic activity of Lig3 is critical for mitochondrial DNA maintenance and viability, but unexpectedly, is dispensable for Xrcc1-mediated nuclear BER. These findings suggest that Lig3 mutations might cause some of the human syndromes associated with defects in the replication and/or repair of mitochondrial DNA. In the nucleus, a complex of DNA ligase III (Lig3) and Xrcc1 catalyses the last step of base excision repair. Inactivation of Lig3 in the mouse leads to early embryonic lethality, but the critical role played by Lig3 in viability is unknown. This study shows, using conditional knockouts of Lig3 in the nervous system and cardiac muscle, that its essential function is maintenance of mitochondrial DNA integrity. The results also indicate distinct functional roles for Lig3 and Xrcc1. DNA replication and repair in mammalian cells involves three distinct DNA ligases: ligase I (Lig1), ligase III (Lig3) and ligase IV (Lig4)1. Lig3 is considered a key ligase during base excision repair because its stability depends upon its nuclear binding partner Xrcc1, a critical factor for this DNA repair pathway2,3. Lig3 is also present in the mitochondria, where its role in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintenance is independent of Xrcc1 (ref. 4). However, the biological role of Lig3 is unclear as inactivation of murine Lig3 results in early embryonic lethality5. Here we report that Lig3 is essential for mtDNA integrity but dispensable for nuclear DNA repair. Inactivation of Lig3 in the mouse nervous system resulted in mtDNA loss leading to profound mitochondrial dysfunction, disruption of cellular homeostasis and incapacitating ataxia. Similarly, inactivation of Lig3 in cardiac muscle resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction and defective heart-pump function leading to heart failure. However, Lig3 inactivation did not result in nuclear DNA repair deficiency, indicating essential DNA repair functions of Xrcc1 can occur in the absence of Lig3. Instead, we found that Lig1 was critical for DNA repair, but acted in a cooperative manner with Lig3. Additionally, Lig3 deficiency did not recapitulate the hallmark features of neural Xrcc1 inactivation such as DNA damage-induced cerebellar interneuron loss6, further underscoring functional separation of these DNA repair factors. Therefore, our data reveal that the critical biological role of Lig3 is to maintain mtDNA integrity and not Xrcc1-dependent DNA repair.
Time-resolved study of Raman gain in highly confined silicon-on-insulator waveguides

We show time-resolved measurement of Raman gain in Silicon submicron-size planar waveguide using picosecond pump and probe pulses. A net nonlinear gain of 6 dB is obtained in a 7-mm long waveguide with 20.7-W peak pump power. We demonstrate an ultrafast all-optical switch based on the free-carrier dispersion effect in the silicon waveguide, whose transmission is enhanced by more than 13 dB due to the Raman effect.
Corn Bran Supplementation of a Low-Fat Controlled Diet Lowers Serum Lipids in Men with Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the lipid-lowering effects of dietary corn bran fed in moderate supplemental doses to men with hypercholesterolemia consuming a low-fat diet. Design The 98-day study was divided into one 2-week preperiod and two 6-week experimental periods in a crossover design. Setting The study was conducted in the metabolic diet kitchen of the Department of Home Economics and the Nutrition Research Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture at Illinois State University, Normal. Subjects Twenty-nine sedentary men with hypercholesterolemia, aged 38 to 70 years, participated in the project. All of them completed the study. Interventions After a 2-week adjustment period in which subjects consumed a low-fat controlled diet, subjects were assigned to one of two experimental treatments: low-fat controlled diet plus 20g corn bran supplement or low-fat controlled diet plus 20g wheat bran supplement. Main outcome measures Lipid measurements included total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and triglyceride concentrations. Statistical analyses performed Differences in lipid parameters were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures ( P t test was used to assess differences between treatment periods for each subject. Results The low-fat controlled diet significantly lowered all serum parameters analyzed except HDL-C. Corn fiber supplementation resulted in an additional lowering of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and VLDL-C concentrations. Serum LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations were not significantly altered by corn fiber or wheat fiber supplementation. Applications This study suggests that supplementing a low-fat diet with corn bran is affective in reducing serum lipid concentrations for men with hypercholesterolemia. J Am Diet Assoc. 1995; 95:40–45 .
A Lagrangian uniform-mesh finite element method applied to problems governed by Poisson's Equation

A method is presented for the solution of Poisson’s Equations using a Lagrangian formulation. The interpolation functions are the Lagrangian operation of those used in the classical finite element method, which automatically satisfy boundary conditions exactly even though there are no nodes on the boundaries of the domain. The integration is introduced in an implicit way by using approximated step functions. Classical surface integration terms used in the weak form are unnecessary due to the interpolation function in the Lagrangian formulation. Furthermore, the Lagrangian formulation simplified the connection between the mesh and the solid structures, thus providing a very easy way to solve the problems without a conforming mesh.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Testing for Spherical Symmetry of a Multivariate Distribution

We consider a test for spherical symmetry of a distribution in Rdwith an unknown center. It is a multivariate version of the tests suggested by Schuster and Barker and by Arcones and Gine. The test statistic is based on the multivariate extension of the distribution and quantile functions, recently introduced by Koltchinskii and Dudley and by Chaudhuri. We study the asymptotic behavior of the sequence of test statistics for large samples and for a fixed spherically asymmetric alternative as well as for a sequence of local alternatives converging to a spherically symmetric distribution. We also study numerically the performance of the test for moderate sample sizes and justify a symmetrized version of bootstrap approximation of the distribution of test statistics.
Aerial Application of the Viral Enhancer Blankophor BBH with Reduced Rates of Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Nucleopolyhedrovirus

Abstract The viral enhancer Blankophor BBH was applied by air to gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, populations in two formulations of gypsy moth nucleopolyhedrovirus to determine if the enhancer could compensate for reduced rates of virus. Larval mortality due to virus in plots treated with a molasses-based formulation at 2.5 × 10 11 polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIB)/ha (one-fourth the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service recommended rate) was 25% greater than in untreated plots. There was no increase in larval mortality in plots treated with an experimental wettable-powder formulation at 5 × 10 11 PIB/ha (one-half the recommended virus rate) compared to untreated plots but defoliation was 50% lower. The addition of 0.5% (W:V) Blankophor BBH did not increase the efficacy of either formulation. The volume of spray deposited onto leaf surfaces averaged 16.6 and 40.0 nl/cm 2 for the molasses-based formulation and 6.9 and 13.7 nl/cm 2 for the wettable-powder formulation with and without enhancer, respectively. A separate laboratory experiment in which 0.5-μl droplets containing low (200 PIB/μl) concentrations of virus with varying concentrations of Blankophor BBH were consumed by 2nd-stage gypsy moth larvae demonstrated that viral enhancement increased with increasing concentration of Blankophor BBH and that a concentration of 0.3% was required to cause >90% larval mortality. This concentration in a 0.5-μl droplet corresponds to 1.5 μg of Blankophor BBH, which is proposed as an estimate of the dose required to cause >90% mortality in 2nd-stage gypsy moth larvae. Based on the amount of spray deposited in the field test, only 0.03–0.2 μg of Blankophor BBH/cm 2 of leaf surface was deposited, which was substantially below the proposed amount required for enhancement. The LC 50 was 2.8 times greater when oak rather than lettuce was used as a host substrate without Blankophor BBH and 1.9 times greater with Blankophor BBH. The enhancer reduced LC 50 values 213- and 314-fold on lettuce and oak, respectively.
Programmable Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) Correlator For Pattern Classification

The potential use of charge coupled device (CCD) programmable digital/analog correlators for multispectral data classification is discussed. CCD digital/analog correlator technology and the experimental evaluation of a 32-stage 4-bit test device are presented. The design of an IC for use in a multispectral classification system for 16 sensors and 8 bit accuracy is reviewed.
Phytogeographic relationships between neotropical and African-Madagascan pteridophytes

The purpose of this study is to determine the floristic affinities of pteridophytes between the neotropics and Africa-Madagascar and examine how these affinities might have arisen. We present an annotated list that contains two kinds of affinities: 1) species in common between both regions (excluding pantropical species) and 2) species pairs (or clusters of species paris) where one of the species (or infrageneric group) occurs in the Neotropics and the other in Africa and/or Madagascar. There are 114 examples on the list, of which 27 are same-species and 87 are species pairs or closely related taxa at some infrageneric level. About 13% of the African pteridoflora and 14% of the Madagascan pteridoflora show affinities with the Neotropics. To determine how these similarities might have originated, we assess three hypotheses: 1) the boreotropics hypothesis, 2) continental drift, and 3) long-distance dispersal. The boreotropics hypothesis is difficult to assess without further phylogenetic information on the groups to which the species belong. Continental drift seems to best explain one example in the geologically old family Schizaeaceae (species inAnemia subgen.Coptophyllum sect.Tomentosae). Nearly all the other examples seem best explained by long-distance dispersal because they belong to families that first appeared during the Paleocene, more than 30 million yearsafter drift had effectively separated South America and Africa. Most of the dispersal events appear to have taken place from the neotropics to Africa-Madagascar, but recent African extinctions may have obscured directionality. Species with green spores or gemmiferous gametophytes were slightly overrepresented on the list compared to pteridophytes as a whole.
Catalyzed modified clean fractionation of prairie cordgrass integrated with hydrothermal post-treatment.

Abstract The main purpose of this study was pretreatment of prairie cordgrass obtaining three fractions: lignin, hemicellulose and fermentable cellulose. Modified clean fractionation process (using ethyl acetate–ethanol–water mixture) was employed to extract lignin and hemicellulose fractions. Different proportions of constituents in the solvent mixture were tested. In order to improve lignin recovery, the process was catalyzed with sulfuric acid. Optimization was performed for fractionation processing conditions using lignin recovery and glucose yields as primary response variables. Optimal conditions resulted in a 51.33% lignin recovery, 53.82% hydrolysis glucose yield and 33.73% xylose yield in the aqueous fraction. To improve cellulose digestibility, solid fraction was subjected to hydrothermal post-treatment, for which optimal processing conditions were found, resulting in 78.93% hydrolysis glucose yield. This research represents a step forward for biomass pretreatment, and may open up new possibilities for utilization of prairie cordgrass.
School Conformity and its Relationship to Creativity

Torrance Tests of Creativity, Figural and Verbal, Form A were given to junior high school students with and without behaviorally connected school offenses. A single classification analysis of variance indicated that scores on verbal flexibility and verbal originality were significantly related to school offenses.
Cloning and analysis of the locus for mosquito vitellogenic carboxypeptidase

Vitellogenic carboxypeptidase is a 53 kDa yolk protein produced by the fat body of the female mosquito, Aedes aegypti, in response to a blood meal. Its expression is sex-, stage- and tissue-specific and is identical to that of the major yolk protein, vitellogenin. The gene is intronless and two alleles have been cloned and sequenced, including more than 1.5 kb on both sides of the coding region. A capsite consensus recently identified as an arthropod initiator is present at the start site of transcription. Upstream of this capsite is a 16 bp imperfect palindrome repeated four times showing strong homology to defined hormone-response elements. In addition, a region that closely resembles the fat body enhancer and double sex binding site from the Drosophila yolk protein genes and several potential fat body-specific regulatory protein binding sites were found.
The Q-switched Ruby Laser in Glaucoma

A pilot study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of a Q-switched ruby laser in the treatment of both pupillary-block (10 eyes) and open-angle glaucoma (4 eyes). All patients had either poor visual acuity or had previously failed with conventional surgery. We created a patent iridotomy in all eyes, with one pulse in eight. Three of the four eyes with open-angle glaucoma had an intraocular pressure decrease of at least 15 mmHg after angle treatment. The major complication of Q-switched ruby iridotomy was blood and pigment within the anterior chamber obscuring the view of the iris. There were no apparent complications noted with Q-switched ruby angle treatment. The potential advantages, complications, and future uses of Q-switched lasers in glaucoma are discussed.
Cardiac electrophysiologic action of carteolol hydrochloride (OPC-1085), a new beta-adrenergic blocking agent

Cardiac electrophysiologic action of a new beta-adrenergic blocking agent carteolol hydro-chloride, or OPC-1085, was studied in either isolated, perfused rabbit hearts or in atrial, ventricular or Purkinje fibers of dogs and rabbits superfused in the tissue bath. Transmembrane potentials were recorded with intracellular microelectrodes and atrioventricular conduction was studied by recording a His bundle electro-gram. OPC-1085 at a concentration of 0.1 mg/L shortened the sinus node recovery time, while propranolol at a coraparable concentration prolonged it, Isoproterenol-enhanced canine Purkinje automaticity was more markedly depressed by OPC-1085 than by propranolol. In rabbit atrial and ventricular muscle, OPC-1085 up to the concentration of 2 mg/L did not alter the action potential characteristics but tended to shorten the conduction time. At 20 mg/L, OPC-1085 significantly decreased the maximal rate of depolarization and maximal following frequency, and prolonged the action potential duration and conduction time in non-reserpinized as well as reserpinized preparations. On atrioventricular conduction, 0.1 mg/L to 5 mg/L of this drug prolonged the St-A and H-V intervals but tended to shorten the A-H interval. All these intervals were prolonged at 20 mg/L. The action potential duration of canine Purkinje fibers was shortened, whereas the effective refractory period was prolonged. Purkinje-ventricular block developed at higher frequencies of stimulation. In view of the clinical dosage levels, it is suggested that the antiarrhythmic effects of OPC-1085 depend predominantly on its beta blocking action. At higher concentrations, OPC-1085 may exert some beta stimulating action, whereas still higher and possibly toxic concentrations could depress conduction through a direct membrane effect.
Managing hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose. Current guideline recommendations for effective strategies to optimize the treatment of patients with concomitant hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are reviewed. Summary. Current estimates indicate that 20 million people in the United States have diabetes, 90–95% of whom have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and end-stage renal disease. Hypertension is an extremely common comorbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The coexistence of hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes is particularly destructive because of the strong linkage of the two conditions with CVD, stroke, progression of renal disease, and diabetic nephropathy. Current guidelines, including those issued by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, the National Kidney Foundation, and the American Diabetes Association, provide evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, studies indicate that guidelines are not widely followed. Therefore, the beneficial effects of appropriate hypertension treatment observed in clinical trials are often not recognized in clinical practice. Pharmacists are ideally positioned to help improve guideline implementation and patient outcome. Conclusion. Pharmacists must become more vigilant about following current guidelines for the treatment of patients with concomitant hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Strategies such as patient education and medication assessment can help to optimize care for these patients and slow the progression to diabetic nephropathy.
Description of a Vibration Diagnostic Trending Approach for a Condition Monitoring System for the LM2500 Gas Turbine

In a gas turbine marine propulsion installation, especially a military type role, the design of an effective gas turbine vibration diagnostic system must provide both technical information for maintenance and operational risk assessment for continued engine operation. In order to fulfill these criteria, a vibration monitoring system must provide not only a feedback of measured vibration levels, it must also provide an interpretation of those levels. This paper describes a potential approach to trending LM2500 gas turbine generated vibration data for use in a condition monitoring system.Copyright © 1995 by ASME
A comparison between FIM and LEED studies of surface reconstruction

Abstract Surface reconstruction of oxygen-covered tungsten is studied with the help of field ion microscopy. Superstructures are seen on the tungsten (100), (110) and (112) planes. Several areas of the hemispherical sample are found to develop facets of the (112) and (110) type. The observed structures are compared with those derived by other investigators using LEED. A discussion of the potential and limitations of field ion microscopy in the area of surface rearrangement is given.