cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cloning and expression of a human kidney cDNA for an alpha 2-adrenergic receptor subtype

Abstract An alpha 2-adrenergic receptor subtype has been cloned from a human kidney cDNA library using the gene for the human platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor as a probe. The deduced amino acid sequence resembles the human platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor and is consistent with the structure of other members of the family of guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptors. The cDNA was expressed in a mammalian cell line (COS-7), and the alpha 2-adrenergic ligand [3H]rauwolscine was bound. Competition curve analysis with a variety of adrenergic ligands suggests that this cDNA clone represents the alpha 2B-adrenergic receptor. The gene for this receptor is on human chromosome 4, whereas the gene for the human platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor (alpha 2A) lies on chromosome 10. This ability to express the receptor in mammalian cells, free of other adrenergic receptor subtypes, should help in developing more selective alpha-adrenergic ligands.
Electron-dense Particle in Cholinergic Synaptic Vesicles

SINCE the initial descriptions of synaptic vesicles1,2 and their hypothesized relationship with the secretory and electrophysiological phenomena associated with synaptic transmission3, many workers have attempted to distinguish different types of vesicles in different nerve terminals. Known adrenergic terminals contain vesicles approximately 400 and 1000 A in diameter, both of which may have large dense, granular cores4. Similar vesicles of diameter 1400 A have been described in a mammalian sympathetic interneurone5 and are thought to contain noradrenaline6. Vesicles of diameter 1400 A with a large granular core of low electron density have been described in nerve terminals in Auerbach's plexus; these are thought to release ATP on stimulation7. Electron micrographs of known cholinergic nerve terminals at mammalian neuromuscular8 and torpedine neuroelectroplaque9 junctions show large populations of synaptic vesicles having diameters of about 400 and 800 A respectively but with no evidence of a core structure.
Non-invasive wearable electrochemical sensors: a review

Wearable sensors have garnered considerable recent interest owing to their tremendous promise for a plethora of applications. Yet the absence of reliable non-invasive chemical sensors has greatly hindered progress in the area of on-body sensing. Electrochemical sensors offer considerable promise as wearable chemical sensors that are suitable for diverse applications owing to their high performance, inherent miniaturization, and low cost. A wide range of wearable electrochemical sensors and biosensors has been developed for real-time non-invasive monitoring of electrolytes and metabolites in sweat, tears, or saliva as indicators of a wearer's health status. With continued innovation and attention to key challenges, such non-invasive electrochemical sensors and biosensors are expected to open up new exciting avenues in the field of wearable wireless sensing devices and body-sensor networks, and thus find considerable use in a wide range of personal health-care monitoring applications, as well as in sport and military applications.
Is chronic use of stimulant laxatives harmful to the colon

Although stimulant laxatives cause structural damage to surface epithelial cells that is of uncertain functional significance, there is no convincing evidence that their chronic use causes structural or functional impairment of enteric nerves or intestinal smooth muscle. Nor are there reliable data to link chronic use of stimulant laxatives to colorectal cancer and other tumors. The risks of laxative abuse have been overemphasized, and this has minimized their rational use by physicians. Stimulant laxatives may be used chronically when patients fail to respond adequately to bulk or osmotic laxatives alone. These can be combined with bulk or osmotic laxatives in sufficient amounts to soften the stool, or they can be used alone, according to clinical circumstances. The dose of such agents should be titrated to effect. Bisacodyl may be used if anthraquinone laxatives are unsatisfactory.
Electrophoretic behaviour of some human blood cells.

Viene riportato uno studio sui gruppi carichi alla superficie di alcune cellule del sangue, usando la tecnica della microelettroforesi. Differenze in mobilita elettroforetica, in funzione del pH, per piastrine, eritrociti, linfociti e granulociti sono presentate.
Aneurysm clips for durotomy repair: technical note.

BACKGROUND: Dural injury is a common complication of lumbar spine surgery. Primary closure is the"gold standard," OBJECTIVE: This technical note describes a failed primary closure of a durotomy revised using an aneurysm clip. METHODS: From 2005 to 2009, 5 patients underwent repair of a durotomy with the use of aneurysm clips. Resolution of the cerebrospinal fluid leak was seen in all patients. An 84-year-old woman underwent a laminectomy with an inadvertent dural tear that was primarily repaired with suture. On postoperative day 8, the patient presented with new incisional drainage. The wound was explored, and the dura had torn around the previous sutured closure. A curved aneurysm clip was used to obtain dural closure. Postoperatively, the patient's incision remained dry. RESULTS: Microsurgical closure with suture is the primary modality in durotomy repair. Difficulty arises when the dura is friable and multiple small tears are present. Suturing worsens the durotomy. Also, the durotomy is often caused along a bony edge with limited visualization, requiring additional bone removal to suture, therefore risking destabilization of the spine. CONCLUSION: We describe the application of an aneurysm clip to treat a recurrent durotomy where the standard practice of sutured closure failed. Aneurysm clips offer a quick, safe, and secure manner to close dura without risking spinal destabilization. They offer significant benefit to already torn, friable dura. Postoperatively, patients have no limitations and are therefore prevented from being exposed to additional risks associated with bed rest. Aneurysm clips are cost and clinically effective in the management of dural injuries.
Globalization and the Politics of Pay: Policy Choices in the American States

Globalization and the Politics of Pay: Policy Choices in the American States. By Susan B. Hansen. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2006. 248p. $24.95. During the past 50 years, U.S. trade negotiators have consistently tried to pry open global manufactured goods and services markets and to transform publicly regulated service sectors into contestable markets. Most analyses have focused on this strategy's effects on wages and work conditions in the target countries. Susan Hansen provides a detailed empirical consideration of what that strategy means back home at the level of U.S. states. The book's primary contribution is to link two research domains—state and local politics (SAL) and international political economy (IPE)—that are usually strictly segregated not only inside American political science departments but also across universities. Unfortunately, however, the author, a SAL specialist, neglects about a decade of helpful findings from the IPE literature.
FACE, CONTENT AND CONSTRUCT VALIDITY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON VIRTUAL REALITY TRANSURETHRAL PROSTATE RESECTION TRAINER

ABSTRACT Purpose: We examined the face, content and construct validity of version 1.0 of the University of Washington transurethral prostate resection (TURP) trainer. Materials and Methods: Version 1.0 of a virtual reality based simulator for transurethral skills was developed at our laboratory by integrating TURP hardware with our virtual 3-dimensional anatomy, irrigation control, cutting, bleeding and haptics force feedback. A total of 72 board certified urologists and 19 novices completed a pre-task questionnaire, viewed an introductory training video and performed a pre-compiled 5-minute resection task. The simulator logged operative errors, gm resected, blood loss, irrigant volume, foot pedal use and differential time spent with orientation, cutting or coagulation. Trainees and experts evaluated the simulator on a modified likert scale. The 2-tailed Levene t test was used to compare means between experts and novices. Results: Overall version 1.0 content was between slightly and moderately acceptable. Experts spent less time with orientation (p Conclusions: We established the face, content and construct validity for version 1.0 of the University of Washington TURP trainer to simulate the skills necessary to perform TURP. A predictive validity study showing a translation of skills from the virtual environment to the operating room will complete the validation of this model.
Pertussis-the case for universal vaccination.

PURPOSE. Does the literature support universal vaccination of adolescents and adults, reducing disease incidence in infants and young children? DESIGN & METHODS. An extensive literature review and a meta-analysis of four case-control studies, evaluating effects of missed or late vaccine doses, was conducted. RESULTS. The literature confirms (a) increasing pertussis rates; (b) adults and adolescents are the primary carriers; (c) vaccine effectiveness wanes over time; and (d) pertussis persists despite disease control efforts. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Missed or late doses mean an increase in likelihood of contracting pertussis, supporting full vaccination for children and boosters for adolescents/adults.
Inhibiting myosin-ATPase reveals a dynamic range of mitochondrial respiratory control in skeletal muscle

Assessment of mitochondrial ADP-stimulated respiratory kinetics in PmFBs (permeabilized fibre bundles) is increasingly used in clinical diagnostic and basic research settings. However, estimates of the Km for ADP vary considerably (~20-300 μM) and tend to overestimate respiration at rest. Noting that PmFBs spontaneously contract during respiration experiments, we systematically determined the impact of contraction, temperature and oxygenation on ADP-stimulated respiratory kinetics. BLEB (blebbistatin), a myosin II ATPase inhibitor, blocked contraction under all conditions and yielded high Km values for ADP of >~250 and ~80 μM in red and white rat PmFBs respectively. In the absence of BLEB, PmFBs contracted and the Km for ADP decreased ~2-10-fold in a temperature-dependent manner. PmFBs were sensitive to hyperoxia (increased Km) in the absence of BLEB (contracted) at 30 °C but not 37 °C. In PmFBs from humans, contraction elicited high sensitivity to ADP (Km<100 μM), whereas blocking contraction (+BLEB) and including a phosphocreatine/creatine ratio of 2:1 to mimic the resting energetic state yielded a Km for ADP of ~1560 μM, consistent with estimates of in vivo resting respiratory rates of <1% maximum. These results demonstrate that the sensitivity of muscle to ADP varies over a wide range in relation to contractile state and cellular energy charge, providing evidence that enzymatic coupling of energy transfer within skeletal muscle becomes more efficient in the working state.
Property testing of unitary operators

In this paper, we systematically study property testing of unitary operators. We first introduce a distance measure that reflects the average difference between unitary operators. Then we show that, with respect to this distance measure, the orthogonal group, quantum juntas (i.e., unitary operators that only nontrivially act on a few qubits of the system), and the Clifford group can be all efficiently tested. In fact, their testing algorithms have query complexities independent of the system's size and have only one-sided error. Then we give an algorithm that tests any finite subset of the unitary group, and demonstrate an application of this algorithm to the permutation group. This algorithm also has one-sided error and polynomial query complexity, but it is unknown whether it can be efficiently implemented in general.
Effect of Type of Package and Storage Temperature on Interior Quality of Shell Treated Shell Eggs

Abstract The effectiveness of four egg carton types as measured by the preservation of interior quality of eggs stored at two temperatures for two weeks was evaluated. Eggs stored in a cooler (12°C.) were superior in practically all aspects of quality to those stored at room temperature (22°C) . The type of carton seemed to have little influence on eggs stored in the cooler. However, for eggs maintained at room temperature, the carton was very important. Eggs packed in the individual cell carton exhibited higher quality attributes (Haugh units and albumen pH) than eggs packed in other types of cartons. Both the individually sealed egg carton and the paper carton sealed in plastic overwrap maintained the interior quality of the eggs at either temperature, but eggs from these treatments had shells that were more difficult to remove after hard cooking.
Photoresistive Measurement of the Pavlovian Conditioned Eyelid Response in Human Subjects

An inexpensive technique is described for measuring eyelid closure during classical (Pavlovian) conditioning experiments. This technique employs a Coulbourn Instruments Co. densitometric device that focuses a beam of infrared light on the cornea. Reflection of the light is interrupted by the eyelids when they are closed, which is sensed by an infrared detector. The latter causes a voltage change to occur, which can then be measured in a variety of ways. Details of both the hardware required and software developed for this purpose are described.
Administrative Orientation and International Performance

A recent trend in international management research has been the development of contingency models that identify optimal planning and management modes for international business units, given key characteristics of the product, market, and industry. In practice, however, planning and management modes appear to be dictated not only by external market and industry conditions, but also by internal aspects of the firm's administrative orientation. The intent of this paper is to examine how aspects of the firm's administrative orientation influence the choice of management modes, and to examine how the choice of management modes impacts international performance.
Mapping a gene for familial situs abnormalities to human chromosome Xq24-q27.1

Ambiguous abdominal situs, asplenia/polysplenia and severe cardiac malformations characterize heterotaxy in humans. These anomalies result from the inability of the developing embryo to establish normal left-right asymmetry. We have studied an interesting family in which the heterotaxy phenotype segregates as an X-linked recessive trait. In order to map the heterotaxy locus (HTX), we have analysed 39 family members using highly-polymorphic microsatellite markers from the X chromosome. One of these markers, DXS994, shows no recombination with the disease locus in 20 informative meioses. Linkage analysis results in a maximum lod score of 6.37. Current genetic and physical mapping data assign the order of loci in Xq24-q27.1 as cen-DXS1001-(DXS994, HTX)-DXS984-tel. These results establish the first mapping assignment of situs abnormalities in humans.
Insulin degradation by lysosomal extracts from rat liver; model for a role of lysosomes in hormone degradation

Abstract The presence of both glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase and “insulin specific protease” in highly purified lysosomal extracts from rat liver is presented. Although both of these enzyme activities were known to exist in the cytosol, it was difficult to understand their participation in insulin degradation, for it is known that insulin binds to plasma membrane receptors. Thus, the presence of both enzymes in lysosomes is of much interest for it suggests an explanation and/or model for the degradation via pinocytosis of insulin and possibly of other hormones which bind to receptors in the plasma membrane.
Bridging the gap between principles and practices in microprogramming

The concept of microprogramming was introduced by Wilkes [WILKM51] a quarter of a century ago, but it took more than a decade of technological developments (the advent of low-cost, high-speed ROS) to bring it to the stage of an applied concept [HUSSS70]. The interest in microprogramming has increased markedly during the past years with the introduction of the low-cost, high-density LSI memory chips. Current trends in microprogramming include user microprogrammable systems, high-level language interpreters, operating systems, microprocessors, and special applications [JONEL74, FLYNM75, JONEL75, AGRAA76]. Although microprogramming has been widely accepted as a valid approach to the design of computer systems, it is still practiced by a limited number of professionals only, due to the cloak of secrecy held over this technology by major computer manufacturers [JONEL74]. The position of microprogramming in the computer science and engineering curriculum remains obscure [MULDM75]. We feel that this is partially due to the problem in teaching about microprogramming. Currently there does not exist a well established theory of microprogramming and therefore most technical articles on this subject are based on examples and case studies. The three books on microprogramming [HUSSS70, AGRAA76, SALIA76] are satisfactory in providing a set of basic principles and many case studies, but difficulties in understanding are encountered when a specific system is introduced with all its software, firmware and hardware complexity. The student can identify the major elements, but finds it difficult (in many cases impossible) to understand how the basic principles have been transformed into the results displayed before him. Existing literature rarely covers the design objectives and the design tradeoffs which in fact determine the final product of an implemented computer system (a good example is [BUCHW62]). As a result of this situation, we have experienced a serious difficulty in our effort to close the gap between understanding the basic principles and the ability to absorb the characteristics of existing systems.
Introduction: beyond presence.

Presence is a concept arising from the use of sophisticated remote control devices and virtual reality equipment. It refers to the user's sense of being at a remote or virtual environment. This introduction briefly describes some of how the research on this concept developed, as well as some of the issues of how it is defined and measured. It also suggests that earlier research has been biased towards analyzing how attributes of technology or the environment impacts the individual rather than examining how individual psychological, cognitive, and attentional variables affect our virtual interactions. Current research is exploring new models and issues in the presence arena, as illustrated by this set of articles in this issue of CyberPsychology and Behavior. The development of these directions will hopefully expand our thinking about "virtual presence" to that of "virtual experience."
Dobutamine stress testing induced transient cardiomyopathy: A systematic review

(2014), doi:10.1016/j.ijchv.2014.07.005This is a PDF ﬁle of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication.As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript.Themanuscriptwillundergocopyediting,typesetting,andreviewoftheresultingproofbefore it is published inits ﬁnal form. Pleasenote thatduring the productionprocesserrors may be discoveredwhich could aﬀect the content, and all legaldisclaimers thatapplytothejournalpertain.
A Language-Based Approach to Secure Quorum Replication

Quorum replication is an important technique for building distributed systems because it can simultaneously improve both the integrity and availability of computation and storage. Information flow control is a well-known method for enforcing the confidentiality and integrity of information. This paper demonstrates that these two techniques can be integrated to simultaneously enforce all three major security properties: confidentiality, integrity and availability. It presents a security-typed language with explicit language constructs for supporting secure quorum replication. The dependency analysis performed by the type system of the language provides a way to formally verify the end-to-end security assurance of complex replication schemes. We also contribute a new multilevel timestamp mechanism for synchronizing code and data replicas while controlling previously ignored side channels introduced by such synchronization.
In Search of the Superpractitioner

Evidence-based practice and the transfer of research findings to the clinical setting are important topics worthy of deliberation and debate. In his Focus article, Dr. Linton raises several important obstacles related to the transfer of research evidence into the clinical practice setting. Transfer barriers noted include the lack of journal read­ ing time among busy clinicians, although he correctly states that knowledge does not necessarily lead to behavior change. We hope that his comments will reach their intended audience and result in enhanced perfor­ mance, but apparently Dr. Linton believes that many of us old, incompetent practitioners stopped reading long ago. Obviously, we are not as pessimistic as Dr. Linton, or we would not have taken the time to read and respond to this Focus article. Aside from the intuitive appeal of encouraging better transfer of research knowledge to the clinical practice of chronic pain management, we found Dr. Linton's delinea­ tion of key concepts and the related problematic factors overly vague and confusing. For example, no definition of "evidenced-based practice" is given until the term had been used at least eight times in the text. He cites the definition of evidence-based practice provided by Sack­ ett et al. as "the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients" [4]. He goes on to identify several potentially valid problems in the application of evidence-based practice, such as difficulty in disseminat­ ing scientific information and conflicting agendas among service providers and administrators. We believe, however, that Dr. Linton confuses or contaminates the meaning of evidence-based practice
UCSD high-energy x-ray timing experiment cosmic ray particle anticoincidence detector

The HEXTE, part of the X-Ray Timing Explorer (XTE), is designed to make high sensitivity temporal and spectral measurements of X-rays with energies between 15 and 250 keV using NaI/CsI phoswich scintillation counters. To achieve the required sensitivity it is necessary to provide anticoincidence of charged cosmic ray particles incident upon the instrument, some of which interact to produce background X-rays. The proposed cosmic ray particle anticoincidence shield detector for HEXTE uses a novel design based on plastic scintillators and wavelength-shifter bars. It consists of five segments, each with a 7 mm thick plastic scintillator, roughly 50 cm x 50 cm in size, coupled to two wavelength-shifter bars viewed by 1/2 inch photomultiplier tubes. These segments are configured into a five-sided, box-like structure around the main detector system. Results of laboratory testing of a model segment, and calculations of the expected performance of the flight segments and particle anticoincidence detector system are presented to demonstrate that the above anticoincidence detector system satisfies its scientific requirements.
Commercial synthesis of α-D-cellobiosyl bromide heptaacetate

A detailed commercial process for the synthesis and purification of the activated disaccharide, alpha-D-cellobiosyl bromide heptaacetate (1) was developed. Reaction of alpha-D-cellobiose octaacetate (CBO) with HBr in glacial acetic acid or in glacial acetic acid/methylene chloride combination affords alpha-D-cellobiosyl bromide heptaacetate in high yield and excellent quality. Process variables such as reaction solvent, reaction time, reaction temperature, HBr stoichiometry, isolation methods and product purification options were optimized for large-scale synthesis. alpha-D-Cellobiosyl bromide heptaacetate was successfully prepared in a commercial manufacturing plant.
A hierarchical approach for primitive-based motion planning and control of autonomous vehicles

A hierarchical approach for motion planning and control of nonlinear systems operating in obstacle environments is presented. To reduce the computation time during the motion planning process, dynamically feasible trajectories are generated in real-time through concatenation of pre-specified motion primitives. The motion planning task is posed as a search over a directed graph, and the applicability of informed graph search techniques is investigated. Specifically, we develop a locally greedy algorithm with effective backtracking ability and compare this algorithm to weighted A* search. The greedy algorithm shows an advantage with respect to solution cost and computation time when larger motion primitive libraries that do not operate on a regular state lattice are utilized. Linearization of the nonlinear system equations about the motion primitive library results in a hybrid linear time-varying model, and an optimal control algorithm using the @?"2-induced norm as the performance measure is provided to ensure that the system tracks the desired trajectory. The ability of the resulting controller to closely track the trajectory obtained from the motion planner, despite various disturbances and uncertainties, is demonstrated through simulation.
Morphological and structural characterizations of dendrimer-mediated metallic Ti and Al thin film nanocomposites

Abstract Evidence is presented here for significant influence on the surface topography of Ti and Al films in the presence of poly(amidoamine) dendrimer monolayers [generations G(4–8)] on SiO x . X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis clearly indicates formation of nitrides and carbides for Ti metal grown on dendrimer monolayers. In addition, obvious trends in measured correlation lengths and crystalline growth modes of Ti films indicate grain sizes tracking the intrinsic roughness of dendrimer monolayers. No formation of metal nitride is observed for Al depositions. Atomic force microscopy analyses show significant changes in rms vertical roughness and aggregation of as-deposited Ti or Al in presence of dendrimer monolayers.
High-temperature liquefaction of waste plastics

Abstract High-temperature liquefaction of commingled post-consumer plastics obtained from the American Plastics Council was studied. The liquefaction reaction was carried out in a tubing bomb micro-reactor with operating temperatures of ∼500°C, hydrogen pressures of ∼790kkPa cold and reaction times of 0–30 min. These high temperatures were used to reduce the residence time required for liquefaction. Reactions were carried out in the absence of catalysts. Total conversion and conversions to asphaltenes, oil, gas and coke were monitored. Total conversion as high as 100% was achieved. Gas yields up to 70% and oil yields as high as 60% were obtained. The kinetics of liquefaction of these waste materials was studied. Maximum yield of liquid product was obtained at ∼500°C and ∼5–10 min reaction time.
Enhanced electrical properties of polycarbonate/carbon nanotube nanocomposites prepared by a supercritical carbon dioxide aided melt blending method

Abstract Polycarbonate/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites were generated using a supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) aided melt blending method, yielding nanocomposites with enhanced electrical properties and improved dispersion while maintaining the aspect ratio of the as-received CNTs. Baytubes ® C 150 P CNTs were benignly deagglomerated with scCO 2 resulting in 5 fold (5X), 10X and 15X decreases in bulk density from the as-received CNTs. This was followed by melt compounding with polycarbonate to generate the CNT nanocomposites. Electrical percolation thresholds were realized at CNT loading levels as low as 0.83 wt% for composites prepared with 15X CNT using the scCO 2 aided melt blending method. By comparison, a concentration of 1.5 wt% was required without scCO 2 processing. Optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and rheology were used to investigate the dispersion and mechanical network of CNTs in the nanocomposites. The dispersion of CNTs generally improved with scCO 2 processing compared to direct melt blending, but was significantly worse than that of twin screw melt compounded nanocomposites reported in the literature. A rheologically percolated network was observed near the electrical percolation of the nanocomposites. The importance of maintaining longer carbon nanotubes during nanocomposite processing rather than focusing on dispersion alone is highlighted in the current efforts.
Transmission Characteristics of Commercially Available Sun Glasses

Although UVB radiation has been known to be the cause of certain adverse photoeffects for some time, UVA wavelengths of radiation have begun to be implicated in photodamage through the 1970s. The h...
Characterization of 2-(methylamino)alkanoic acid capacity to restrict blood–brain phenylalanine transport in Pahenu2 mice: Preliminary findings

Background Our laboratory seeks a pharmacotherapeutic intervention for PKU that utilizes non-physiological amino acids (NPAAs) to block the accumulation of phenylalanine (Phe) in the brain. In previous studies (Vogel et al. 2013), methylation of the amino group of 2-aminoisobutyrate (AIB) provided an enhanced degree of selectivity for Phe restriction into the brain of Pahenu2 mice in comparison to unmethylated AIB, leading to the hypothesis that 2-(methylamino)alkanoic acid analogs of AIB might represent targeted inhibitors of Phe accretion into the brain.
Prognostic importance of nuclear DNA content measured by flow cytometry for patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

In 1990, nuclear DNA ploidy analysis for prostate cancer is no longer a research investigation. It is now a routine economical clinical test. Ploidy analysis, carried out by either flow or static cytometry, provides unique prognostic information which is not replaceable by standard clinical variables such as tumor stage, histologic grade, or tumor volume. My colleagues and I at the Mayo Clinic routinely utilize ploidy information on radical prostatectomy specimens to guide in the selection of adjuvant therapy for patients treated by this type of surgery and to help gauge their prognosis. We believe that rational management of patients with all stages of prostate carcinoma now requires knowledge of each individual tumor’s ploidy pattern.
The libration of a satellite caused by the tidal field of its planet

The tidal field caused by the second order zonal harmonic of the gravitational field of a planet is discussed according to the ‘fernwirkungsgesetz’ (principle of local action) of Weyl (1921) introducing an accurate and simple form of the gravitational potential of the planet in elliptic coordinates. It is seen that the tidal field can be described at each point as a small rotation e of the local canonical frame which causes a libration and a precession of the axis of rotation of the satellites of the planet. It is also shown that at each point P, e is one third of the angle σϑ between the line of force through P and the line from P to the center of mass of the planet. All the formulae obtained, to compute e and σϑ, are in closed form.
Antioxidant-enriched diet does not delay the progression of age-related hearing loss

Oxidative stress has been linked to noise- and drug-induced as well as age-related hearing loss. Antioxidants can attenuate the decline of cochlear structure and function after exposure to noise or drugs, but it is debated as to whether they can protect from age-related hearing loss. In a long-term longitudinal study, 10-month-old female CBA/J mice were placed on either a control or antioxidant-enriched diet and monitored through 24 months of age. Supplementation with vitamins A, C, and E, L-carnitine, and α-lipoic acid significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of inner ear tissues. However, by 24 months of age, the magnitude of hearing loss was equal between the two groups. Likewise, there were no significant differences in hair cell loss or degeneration of spiral ganglion cells. We conclude that dietary manipulations can alter cochlear antioxidant capacity but do not ameliorate age-related sensorineural hearing loss in the CBA/J mouse.
Long-term outcome of resection arthroplasty for the failed total elbow arthroplasty.

Background: Elbow resection is a salvage procedure typically considered as a last resort in the case of refractory infection following total elbow arthroplasty. The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of patients following resection arthroplasty for the treatment of a failed total elbow replacement. Methods: Between 1975 and 2005, fifty-one consecutive elbows (fifty patients) were treated with resection for a deep infection following total elbow arthroplasty with either linked or unlinked implants. The average age at the time of arthroplasty was fifty-two years, and the average age at the time of elbow resection arthroplasty was fifty-nine years. Twenty-nine patients (thirty elbows) were contacted at an average of eleven years (range, 2.7 to twenty-eight years) postoperatively, and their outcomes were graded with use of the Mayo Elbow Performance Score and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. The remaining twenty patients (twenty-one elbows) had either died (sixteen elbows) or declined follow-up (five elbows) and so were included only in the analysis of complications and early outcome. Results: Elbow resection resulted in an improvement in the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, from a preoperative value of 37 points to a final follow-up value of 60 points (a poor to fair result) for the twenty-nine patients contacted at long term (p < 0.05). Most of the increase in the Mayo Elbow Performance Score resulted from improvements in the pain component of the score. Of the thirty elbows in patients who had been followed long term, eight had good results; eleven, fair results; and eleven, poor results. The DASH score averaged 71 points (range, 51 to 91 points). Complications were common and included infections in twenty-four elbows (47%), intraoperative fractures in eighteen (35%), and permanent nerve injury in nine elbows (18%). Stability after resection correlated with a better long-term Mayo Elbow Performance Score (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Resection arthroplasty is a salvage option in patients with refractory infection after a total elbow arthroplasty and should be considered only when all other attempts to eradicate the infection have failed.
p27(Kip1) links cell proliferation to morphogenesis in the developing organ of Corti

Strict control of cellular proliferation is required to shape the complex structures of the developing embryo. The organ of Corti, the auditory neuroepithelium of the inner ear in mammals, consists of two types of terminally differentiated mechanosensory hair cells and at least four types of supporting cells arrayed precisely along the length of the spiral cochlea. In mice, the progenitors of greater than 80% of both hair cells and supporting cells undergo their terminal division between embryonic day 13 (E13) and E14. As in humans, these cells persist in a non-proliferative state throughout the adult life of the animal. Here we report that the correct timing of cell cycle withdrawal in the developing organ of Corti requires p27(Kip1), a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that functions as an inhibitor of cell cycle progression. p27(Kip1) expression is induced in the primordial organ of Corti between E12 and E14, correlating with the cessation of cell division of the progenitors of the hair cells and supporting cells. In wild-type animals, p27(Kip1) expression is downregulated during subsequent hair cell differentiation, but it persists at high levels in differentiated supporting cells of the mature organ of Corti. In mice with a targeted deletion of the p27(Kip1) gene, proliferation of the sensory cell progenitors continues after E14, leading to the appearance of supernumerary hair cells and supporting cells. In the absence of p27(Kip1), mitotically active cells are still observed in the organ of Corti of postnatal day 6 animals, suggesting that the persistence of p27(Kip1) expression in mature supporting cells may contribute to the maintenance of quiescence in this tissue and, possibly, to its inability to regenerate. Homozygous mutant mice are severely hearing impaired. Thus, p27(Kip1) provides a link between developmental control of cell proliferation and the morphological development of the inner ear.
Epithelial NF-κB Orchestrates House Dust Mite–Induced Airway Inflammation, Hyperresponsiveness, and Fibrotic Remodeling

NF-κB activation within the epithelium has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, yet the exact role of epithelial NF-κB in allergen-induced inflammation and airway remodeling remains unclear. In the current study, we used an intranasal house dust mite (HDM) extract exposure regimen time course in BALB/c mice to evaluate inflammation, NF-κB activation, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and airway remodeling. We used CC10-IκBαSR transgenic mice to evaluate the functional importance of epithelial NF-κB in response to HDM. After a single exposure of HDM, mRNA expression of proinflammatory mediators was significantly elevated in lung tissue of wild-type (WT) mice, in association with increases in nuclear RelA and RelB, components of the classical and alternative NF-κB pathway, respectively, in the bronchiolar epithelium. In contrast, CC10-IκBαSR mice displayed marked decreases in nuclear RelA and RelB and mRNA expression of proinflammatory mediators compared with WT mice. After 15 challenges with HDM, WT mice exhibited increases in inflammation, AHR, mucus metaplasia, and peribronchiolar fibrosis. CC10-IκBαSR transgenic mice displayed marked decreases in neutrophilic infiltration, tissue damping, and elastance parameters, in association will less peribronchiolar fibrosis and decreases in nuclear RelB in lung tissue. However, central airway resistance and mucus metaplasia remained elevated in CC10-IκBαSR transgenic mice, in association with the continued presence of lymphocytes, and partial decreases in eosinophils and IL-13. The current study demonstrates that following airway exposure with an asthma-relevant allergen, activation of classical and alternative NF-κB pathways occurs within the airway epithelium and may coordinately contribute to allergic inflammation, AHR, and fibrotic airway remodeling.
Termination of Transcription of Short Noncoding RNAs by RNA Polymerase II.

The RNA polymerase II transcription cycle is often divided into three major stages: initiation, elongation, and termination. Research over the last decade has blurred these divisions and emphasized the tightly regulated transitions that occur as RNA polymerase II synthesizes a transcript from start to finish. Transcription termination, the process that marks the end of transcription elongation, is regulated by proteins that interact with the polymerase, nascent transcript, and/or chromatin template. The failure to terminate transcription can cause accumulation of aberrant transcripts and interfere with transcription at downstream genes. Here, we review the mechanism, regulation, and physiological impact of a termination pathway that targets small noncoding transcripts produced by RNA polymerase II. We emphasize the Nrd1–Nab3–Sen1 pathway in yeast, in which the process has been extensively studied. The importance of understanding small RNA termination pathways is underscored by the need to control noncoding transcription in eukaryotic genomes.
SPECT and PET in Atypical Parkinsonism

Parkinson disease (PD) is the prototypic movement disorder originally described by James Parkinson, and it accounts for about 80% of a group of related degenerative motor disorders collectively referred to as the parkinsonisms, Parkinson spectrum disorders, or Parkinson plus disorders, terms which are used interchangeably throughout this article. Much work with positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the movement disorders has focused on the dopamine system. There have been at least 3 different presynaptic dopaminergic targets that are used successfully to interrogate this system. Another approach may be is to assess the dynamics of dopamine release into the synapse by the use of reversible-bound PET tracers or SPECT tracers. Both dopaminergic and nondopaminergic imaging in the diagnosis of movement disorders are discussed in this article.
Anti-diabetes functionality of Kefir culture-mediated fermented soymilk supplemented with Rhodiola extracts

Natural α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors from food-grade plants offer an attractive strategy to manage of postprandial hyperglycemia for Type II diabetes. Inhibition of Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) is also considered useful as a therapeutic approach in the treatment of high blood pressure, one of the long-term complications of diabetes. In the current study, we evaluated the inhibitory activity of phenolic extracts produced during Kefir culture-mediated fermentation of soymilk supplemented with Rhodiola extracts against α-amylase, α-glucosidase and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). We also investigated phenolic-linked antioxidant activity and content of salidroside and tyrosol with fermentation time. α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity increased moderately with fermentation after 24 h and correlated to increased tyrosol and reduced salidroside contents. α-Amylase inhibitory activity decreased to zero with fermentation time, and the initial high activity prior to fermentation strongly corre...
Recent advances in in vivo applications of intein-mediated protein splicing

Intein-mediated protein splicing has become an essential tool in modern biotechnology. Fundamental progress in the structure and catalytic strategies of cis- and trans-splicing inteins has led to the development of modified inteins that promote efficient protein purification, ligation, modification and cyclization. Recent work has extended these in vitro applications to the cell or to whole organisms. We review recent advances in intein-mediated protein expression and modification, post-translational processing and labeling, protein regulation by conditional protein splicing, biosensors, and expression of trans-genes.
Evolutionary Implications of Horizontal Gene Transfer

The flow of genes between different species represents a form of genetic variation whose implications have not been fully appreciated. Here I examine some key findings on the extent of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) revealed by comparative genome analysis and their theoretical implications. In theoretical terms, HGT affects ideas pertaining to the tree of life, the notion of a last universal common ancestor, and the biological unities, as well as the rules of taxonomic nomenclature. This review discusses the emergence of the eukaryotic cell and the occurrence of HGT among metazoan phyla involving both transposable elements and structural genes for normal housekeeping functions. I also discuss the bacterial pangenome, which provides an important case study on the permeability of species boundaries. An interesting observation about bdelloid rotifers and their reversion to asexual reproduction as it pertains to HGT is included.
Hybrid control of a car-like robot

This paper describes the control of a car-like mobile robot using a hybrid strategy. The aim of this work is to develop a behavior based control paradigm for the control of semi-autonomous robots such that mission goals can be loosely specified. Simulation results on the control of a car-like robot are presented.
Uniaxial Tensile and Simple Shear Behavior of Resistance Spot-Welded Dual-Phase Steel Joints

Small test coupons were machined from single spot welds in a dual-phase steel (DP600) to investigate deformation and failure of weld joints in both tension and shear. Quasi-static ( $$ \ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{\upvarepsilon } \sim 10^{{ - 4}} \,1/{\text{s}} $$ ) testing was conducted in a miniature tensile stage with a custom image acquisition system. Strain accumulation in each weld was analyzed where fracture occurred, which was typically outside the fusion zone. A few shear test coupons that failed in the fusion zone were found to have the same spheroidal defects noted in previous work, and thus, severely limited weld strength and ductility. A novel strain mapping method based upon digital image correlation was employed to generate two-dimensional deformation maps, from which local stress-strain curves to failure were computed. As an important first step toward incorporation of material models into weld simulations, a preliminary finite element analysis of a tension test successfully reproduced the experimental results with material models for the base, heat-affected, and fusion zone materials generated from prior work.
Motion of spheroid particles in shear flow with inertia

In this article, we investigate the motion of a solid spheroid particle in a simple shear flow. Using a lattice Boltzmann method, we examine individual effects of fluid inertia and particle rotary inertia as well as their combination on the dynamics and trajectory of spheroid particles at low and moderate Reynolds numbers. The motion of a single spheroid is shown to be dependent on the particle Reynolds number, particle aspect ratio, particle initial orientation and the Stokes number. Spheroids with random initial orientations are found to drift to stable orbits influenced by fluid inertia and/or particle inertia. Specifically, prolate spheroids drift towards the tumbling mode of motion, whereas oblate spheroids drift to the rolling mode. The rotation period and the variation of angular velocity of tumbling spheroids decrease as Stokes number increases. With increasing Reynolds number, both the maximum and minimum values of angular velocity decrease, whereas the particle rotation period increases. We show that particle inertia does not affect the hydrodynamic torque on the particle. We also demonstrate that superposition can be used to estimate the combined effect of fluid inertia and particle inertia on the dynamics of spheroid particles at sufficiently low Reynolds numbers.
Best M-Term trigonometric approximations of the classes $$ B_{p,\theta }^\Omega $$ of periodic functions of many variables

We obtain exact order estimates for the best M -term trigonometric approximations of the classes \( B_{p,\theta }^\Omega \) of periodic functions of many variables in the space Lq.
CONTRIBUTION OF SELF-COMPASSION TO COMPETENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS

This study examined the potential contribution of self-compassion to perceived competence and mental health in master's of social work students (N=65). It was hypothesized that the components of self-compassion (i.e., mindfulness, common humanity, self-kindness, overidentification, isolation, and self-judgment) would impact perceived competence (sense of coherence), which in turn would mediate mental health (depressive symptom level). Students completed the Self-Compassion Scale, the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire, and the California Psychological Inventory–Depression Scale. Results showed that overidentification directly and indirectly (as mediated by decreased coherence) affected depressive symptom level. Implications for social work education are discussed.