cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structured ambiguity and the definition of psychiatric illness: adjustment disorder among medical inpatients.

Abstract Adjustment disorder is one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses given to patients hospitalized for medical and surgical problems. This article argues that the diagnosis, in this context, often serves strategic, non-clinical ends for consultation-liaison psychiatrists, who must negotiate their interstitial position through an essentially ambiguous diagnosis. In these cases, ‘adjustment disorder’ emerges from and reproduces tensions beween such cultural dichotomies as mind/body and social/individual that marginalize psychiatry in medical settings.
A HITS-based POI recommendation algorithm for location-based social networks

Location-Based Social Networks (LBSNs), (also called as Geo-Social Networks), has been attracting more and more users by providing services that integrate social activities with location information. LBSN systems usually provide support for indicating various Points of Interest (POIs) but there is no straightforward rating mechanism for POIs in most LBSNs [1]. POI recommendations in LBSNs, thus, is an important and challenging research topic. In this paper, we first investigate the dataset crawled from Foursquare to explore the features that attract and influence users to check in at various POIs. Based on the analysis results, we propose a HITS (Hypertext Induced Topic Search)-based POI recommendation algorithm to recommend POIs to LBSN users that can also incorporate the impact of the social relationships on recommendations. We evaluate our proposed model on Foursquare dataset and compare our results with the latest POI recommendation algorithm. The experimental results show that our approach performs better.
Focused laser initiated RF sustained high pressure air plasmas

Measurements and analysis of air breakdown processes and plasma production by focusing 193 nm, 300 mJ, 15 MW high power laser radiation inside a 6 cm diameter helical RF coil. We observe quantum resonant multi-photon (REMPI)1 and collisional cascade laser ionization processes that produce high density (n e ∼5*1015/cm3) cylindrical seed plasmas at 20 Torr. The focused laser and associated shock wave produces a seed plasma for sustaining by the RF (1–10 kW, 0.5–1.5 s) pulse. Measurements of the helical RF antenna plasma-loaded impedance are obtained by measuring the complex reflection coefficient with and without the laser pulse. Additional diagnostics are done with a 105 GHz (mm wave) interferometer to measure plasma density and collision frequency and electron temperature. Spectroscopic measurements of the plasma and comparison with the SPECAIR code are made to determine rotational and vibrational neutral gas temperatures. The results demonstrate that the laser formed seed plasma allows RF sustainment at higher initial air pressures (20 Torr) than with RF only initiation (15 Torr).
La vida es sueño as Forerunner of Calderón's Mythological Dramas

In their myth books, the Renaissance mythographers record numerous versions of the lives, feats, and genealogies of the ancient deities and are careful to credit the ancient and medieval scholars who precede them in this task, thereby enhancing the multiplicity of accounts to which they add their own. Such ancient sources as Hesiod, Homer, Cicero and Ovid form the basis of the material collected in the Spanish compendia Philosophia secreta by Juan Perez de Moya and Teatro de los dioses by Baltasar de Vitoria as well as in those by their European counterparts. These myth books themselves are, therefore, evidence of the very dynamic process of the retelling and recombining of the mythological tales that they purport to study, for the mythographers interpret and redefine as they recollect the stories of antiquity.
Mechanism of drug-drug interactions mediated by human cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 monomer.

Using Nanodiscs, we quantitate the heterotropic interaction between two different drugs mediated by monomeric CYP3A4 incorporated into a nativelike membrane environment. The mechanism of this interaction is deciphered by global analysis of multiple-turnover experiments performed under identical conditions using the pure substrates progesterone (PGS) and carbamazepine (CBZ) and their mixtures. Activation of CBZ epoxidation and simultaneous inhibition of PGS hydroxylation are measured and quantitated through differences in their respective affinities for both a remote allosteric site and the productive catalytic site near the heme iron. Preferred binding of PGS at the allosteric site and a stronger preference for CBZ binding at the productive site give rise to a nontrivial drug–drug interaction. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate functionally important conformational changes caused by PGS binding at the allosteric site and by two CBZ molecules positioned inside the substrate binding pocket. Structural ...
Neuronal networks for biochemical sensing

Abstract Embryonic mouse spinal nerve cells grown in cell culture develop networks displaying complex spontaneous activity and histiotypic pharmacological responses that remain stable for over three months in vitro . However, as living systems growing without the homeostatic control mechanisms of the central nervous system, they show a remarkable sensitivity to minute changes in their environment and, therefore, display some of the properties of sensory tissue. This paper explores the chemical sensitivity expressed in terms of changes in the spontaneous spike (i.e., action potential) activity patterns. We suggest the possibility of transforming non-sensory networks into 'sensomimes' that can reliably recognize specific minute chemical or physical changes. As presently envisioned, such systems would consist of genetically altered or enzymatically modified biological neuronal networks maintained in cell culture, and would utilize gross changes in the spontaneous spike activity of the network as the sensory output. With this approach, co-culturing with sensory epithelium would not be necessary, knowledge of complex sensory coding would not be required, the neural tissues which are most robust under culture conditions could be utilized, and novel physical and chemical sensitivities could be specifically engineered into the networks.
Binding and unfolding: Towards the linguistic construction of narrative discourse

In order to explore the relationship between the linguistic and conceptual structuring of narratives, this article focuses on linguistic markings that identify transitions in the structure of a text. Comparing and contrasting the specific linguistic devices that are used by American and German narrators to differentiate between the initiating event of the theme of a 24‐page picture book, subsequent reinstantiations, continuations, and the final outcome, two types of narrative orientations are identified and outlined: (a) differentiating events referentially along the horizontal axis of narrative organization; and (b) integrating events into the vertical, hierarchical organization of the overall theme of the narrative. A constraint on the specific ways that narrators use to establish these orientations derives from the linguistic devices available within particular languages. In the final section, these concurrent processes are discussed in terms of the language‐specific activities of binding and unfolding...
Hypothesis: some mutagens directly alter specific chromosomal proteins (DNA topoisomerase II and peripheral proteins) to produce chromosome stickiness, which causes chromosome aberrations

Recent biochemical and molecular biological data on the composition and structure of the chromosome and the nucleus, combined with observations on the chromosomes of mutant yeast cells and grasshopper neuroblasts, offer new perspectives on mutagen-induced chromosome stickiness and its relation to chromosome breakage. A hypothesis consistent with these data states that chromosome stickiness (i) results from changes in specific non-histone proteins (topoisomerase II and the peripheral proteins) that are integral components of the chromosome and whose function is necessary for separation and segregation of chromatids, the changes being caused either by mutation in structural genes for the proteins (heritable stickiness) or by direct action of mutagens on the proteins (induced stickiness); (ii) occurs in various degrees (slight, moderate, severe, extreme) that are determined by the number of target protein molecules affected, a certain number (threshold) of affected molecules at a given site on a chromosome being required to resist the forces of anaphase movement in order to produce microscopically detectable stickiness; (iii) results from molecular events that can occur at several phases of the cell cycle (including interphase), but can only be recognized at prometaphase, metaphase and anaphase; and (iv) causes chromosome aberrations by the physical stretching and breaking of chromatids at the sticky sites; hence the breakage resulting from stickiness is a secondary effect that requires anaphase movement, in contrast to breakage resulting from direct action of mutagens on DNA.
β-Hairpin Folding Mechanism of a Nine-Residue Peptide Revealed from Molecular Dynamics Simulations in Explicit Water

The β-hairpin fold mechanism of a nine-residue peptide, which is modified from the β-hairpin of α-amylase inhibitor tendamistat (residues 15–23), is studied through direct folding simulations in explicit water at native folding conditions. Three 300-nanosecond self-guided molecular dynamics (SGMD) simulations have revealed a series of β-hairpin folding events. During these simulations, the peptide folds repeatedly into a major cluster of β-hairpin structures, which agree well with nuclear magnetic resonance experimental observations. This major cluster is found to have the minimum conformational free energy among all sampled conformations. This peptide also folds into many other β-hairpin structures, which represent some local free energy minimum states. In the unfolded state, the N-terminal residues of the peptide, Tyr-1, Gln-2, and Asn-3, have a confined conformational distribution. This confinement makes β-hairpin the only energetically favored structure to fold. The unfolded state of this peptide is populated with conformations with non-native intrapeptide interactions. This peptide goes through fully hydrated conformations to eliminate non-native interactions before folding into a β-hairpin. The folding of a β-hairpin starts with side-chain interactions, which bring two strands together to form interstrand hydrogen bonds. The unfolding of the β-hairpin is not simply the reverse of the folding process. Comparing unfolding simulations using MD and SGMD methods demonstrate that SGMD simulations can qualitatively reproduce the kinetics of the peptide system.
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Valvular Heart Disease Technique and Validation

Over the last half century, clinicians have employed several means to advance our knowledge of the causes and consequences of valvular heart disease. Invasive cardiac catheterization provided valuable information about hemodynamics, 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography (echo) allowed direct visualization of the valvular apparatus and cardiac chambers, and Doppler echocardiography afforded a noninvasive tool for assessing hemodynamics and disease severity. Echocardiography is now the standard tool for initial assessment and longitudinal evaluation of patients with valvular heart disease; however, echocardiography is limited in patients with poor acoustic windows and may be more operator dependent than other modalities, particularly for quantitation of disease severity. In the last 20 years, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as an alternative noninvasive modality without ionizing radiation that is applicable to patients with valvular heart disease. CMR provides images of valve anatomy and allows quantitative evaluation of stenosis and regurgitation. CMR can also discern the consequences of the valvular lesion, including the effects of ventricular volume or pressure overload and alterations in systolic function. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the general principles of CMR and validate CMR as a tool for evaluation of valvular heart disease. CMR uses a variety of pulse sequences to assess valvular heart disease (Table 1). A pulse sequence is a combination of transmitted radiofrequency pulses and magnetic gradients in the presence of a strong external magnetic field, from which a series of received radiofrequency pulses or “echoes” are obtained and processed into an image.1,2 View this table: Table 1. CMR Pulse Sequences for Valvular Heart Disease ### Anatomy CMR has the potential to visualize all parts of the valve (leaflets, chordae tendineae, and papillary muscles) throughout the entire cardiac cycle. Congenitally abnormal valve leaflets (bicuspid), aberrant papillary muscles or aberrant chordal attachments (parachute mitral valve), leaflet thickening, presence and extent of calcification, …
Laser Interferometer/Preston Tube Skin-Friction Comparison in Shock/Boundary-Layer Interaction

An evaluation is conducted of the accuracy of the 'Preston tube' surface pitot-pressure skin friction measurement method relative to the already proven laser interferometer skin-friction meter in a swept shock wave/turbulent boundary-layer interaction. The Preston tube was used to estimate the total shear-stress distribution in a fin-generated swept shock-wave/turbulent boundary-layer interaction. The Keener-Hopkins calibration method using the isentropic relation to calculate the Preston-tube Mach number produces the best results.
Effect of Comorbidity and Body Mass Index on the Survival of African-American and Caucasian Patients With Colon Cancer

BACKGROUND: There is a survival disparity between African Americans and Caucasians who have colon cancer. The objectives of the current study were to quantify the impact of comorbidity and body mass index (BMI) on survival and to assess whether these 2 variables account for the decreased survival among African Americans. METHODS: Data from patients (n = 496) who underwent surgery for a first primary colon cancer at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital from 1981 to 2002 were analyzed. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained using Cox proportional hazards models for the association of race, comorbidity, BMI, and covariates with all-cause mortality. The confounding influence of comorbidity and BMI for the increased risk of death associated with African-American race was evaluated, and effect modification by disease stage for the association of comorbidity and BMI with mortality also was assessed. RESULTS: African Americans experienced an increased risk of death compared with Caucasians (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.06-1.68). The highest comorbidity burden was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.24-2.15). For BMI, being underweight increased the risk of death (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.96-2.45); however, being overweight/obese was protective (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61-0.97). The effect of comorbidity was observed among those with early stage tumors, whereas the effect of BMI was confined to patients who had advanced tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Although comorbidity and BMI had an impact on the survival of patients with colon cancer after surgery, these variables were not contributing factors to the decreased survival observed among African Americans. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Usefulness of the top-scoring pairs of genes for prediction of prostate cancer progression.

Prediction of cancer progression after radical prostatectomy is one of the most challenging problems in the management of prostate cancer. Gene-expression profiling is widely used to identify genes associated with such progression. Usually candidate genes are identified according to a gene-by-gene comparison of expression. Recent reports suggested that relative expression of a gene pair more efficiently predicts cancer progression than single-gene analysis does. The top-scoring pair (TSP) algorithm classifies phenotypes according to the relative expression of a pair of genes. We applied the TSP approach to predict, which patients would experience systemic tumor progression after radical prostatectomy. Relative expression of TPD52L2/SQLE and CEACAM1/BRCA1 gene pairs identified those patients with more than 99% specificity but relatively low sensitivity (∼10%). These two gene pairs were validated in three independent data sets. In addition, combining two pairs of genes improved sensitivity without compromising specificity. Functional annotation of the TSP genes showed that they cluster by a limited number of biological functions and pathways, suggesting that relatively lower expression of genes from specific pathways can predict cancer progression. In conclusion, comparative analysis of the expression of two genes may be a simple and effective classifier for prediction of prostate cancer progression. In summary, the TSP approach can be used to identify patients whose prostate cancer will progress after they undergo radical prostatectomy. Two gene pairs can predict which men would experience progression to the metastatic form of the disease. However, because our analysis was based on a relatively small number of genes, a larger study will be needed to identify the best predictors of disease outcome overall.
Accumulation of Ions by Living Cells

THERE appears to be a growing amount of misunderstanding about the different hypotheses so far offered in the endeavour to account for the accumulation of ions by living cells. As an example I quote from a recent paper by Asprey1: “It is noteworthy that Briggs2 has advanced a theory, thermodynamically sound, showing how the accumulation of solutes in the cells of Valonia and Nitella can be explained” This not only affirms the adequacy of Briggs's explanation, but also accepts his supposed proof that previously proposed theories are thermodynamically unsound. Neither proposition is correct.
A generalized gamma distribution with application to drought data

Gamma distributions are some of the most popular models for hydrological processes. In this paper, a very flexible family which contains the gamma distribution as a particular case is introduced. Evidence of flexibility is shown by examining the shape of its probability density function (pdf). A treatment of the mathematical properties is provided by deriving expressions for the n th moment. Estimation and simulation issues are also considered. Finally, a detailed application to drought data from the State of Nebraska is illustrated.
Systems approach to inflammation resolution: identification of novel anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators.

Summary. Using a systems approach to profile self-limited inflammatory exudates, we identified three novel families of lipid-derived mediators, coined the resolvins, protectins and most recently, the maresins that control both the magnitude and duration of inflammation. The mapping of these endogenous resolution circuits provides new avenues to probe the molecular basis of many widely occurring inflammatory diseases. This article focuses on our recent advances on the functional metabolomics of this novel genus of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM). SPM include resolvins, protectins and maresins and are biosynthesized from essential omega-3 fatty acid precursors. Each possesses potent multi-pronged actions that proved to be stereoselective with human cells and in animal disease models. Resolvins and protectins are also produced in bone marrow. Together, these findings suggest that defective resolution mechanism(s) may underlie some chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, identification of functional SPM biosynthesized during inflammation-resolution indicates that resolution is an active process.
The β/Gcd7 Subunit of Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2B (eIF2B), a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, Is Crucial for Binding eIF2 In Vivo

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) is the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2, which stimulates formation of the eIF2-GTP-Met-tRNA(i)(Met) ternary complex (TC) in a manner inhibited by phosphorylated eIF2 [eIF2(αP)]. While eIF2B contains five subunits, the e/Gcd6 subunit is sufficient for GEF activity in vitro. The δ/Gcd2 and β/Gcd7 subunits function with α/Gcn3 in the eIF2B regulatory subcomplex that mediates tight, inhibitory binding of eIF2(αP)-GDP, but the essential functions of δ/Gcd2 and β/Gcd7 are not well understood. We show that the depletion of wild-type β/Gcd7, three lethal β/Gcd7 amino acid substitutions, and a synthetically lethal combination of substitutions in β/Gcd7 and eIF2α all impair eIF2 binding to eIF2B without reducing e/Gcd6 abundance in the native eIF2B-eIF2 holocomplex. Additionally, β/Gcd7 mutations that impair eIF2B function display extensive allele-specific interactions with mutations in the S1 domain of eIF2α (harboring the phosphorylation site), which binds to eIF2B directly. Consistent with this, β/Gcd7 can overcome the toxicity of eIF2(αP) and rescue native eIF2B function when overexpressed with δ/Gcd2 or γ/Gcd1. In aggregate, these findings provide compelling evidence that β/Gcd7 is crucial for binding of substrate by eIF2B in vivo, beyond its dispensable regulatory role in the inhibition of eIF2B by eIF (αP).
The distinct and secondary harmful effect of pelvic and extremity injury on the outcome of laparotomy for trauma

Hypothesis Extra-abdominal injury negatively affects the outcome of abdominal injury following trauma laparotomy. Design Retrospective review of 920 consecutive patients receiving laparotomy for trauma who survived more than 24 h between January 1989 and May 1998 at a Level 1 trauma center. Major abdominal complications (MAC) were defined as: abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), abscess/peritonitis, enterocutaneous fistula, necrotizing fasciitis, and necrotizing pancreatitis. Methods Univariant and multivariant logistic regression were used to identify predictors of MAC. Results Sixty-nine patients (7.5%) developed one or more MAC. Patients who developed MAC had higher injury severity scores (ISS), abdominal trauma indices (ATI), and blood transfusions in the first 24 h (PRCs) than patients who did not develop MAC. Patients with MAC were more likely to have suffered a thoracic or pelvic injury with an abbreviated injury scale (AIS) ≥3 and were more likely to have received an extremity injury (AIS ≥3) operation than patients without MAC. Independent predictors of MAC in multivariant analysis included colon injury (AIS ≥3) [odds ratio (OR) = 3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5– 6.3)], pelvic injury (AIS ≥3) or operation for extremity injury (AIS ≥3) [OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5–5.3], and ATI (OR = 1.03 for each 10 unit increase in ATI, 95% CI 1.02–1.05). PRCs did not independently predict MAC. Conclusion The outcome of laparotomy for trauma (both blunt and penetrating) is negatively affected by a severe pelvic injury or a severe extremity injury operation independent of initial hemorrhage and abdominal injury severity.
Interrelationship of adenosyl methionine and methyl-B12 in the biosynthesis of methionine.

Abstract Methionine synthetase, an enzyme that catalyzes the terminal reaction in the biosynthesis of methionine (5-methyl tetrahydrofolate + homocysteine → tetrahydrofolate + methionine), has been partially purified from pig liver, beef liver, and Escherichia coli . Depending upon the source and the degree of purification, the enzyme shows a requirement for adenosyl methionine, for methyl-B 12 (or methyl cobinamide), or for both of these cofactors. Present evidence supports the assumption that methyl-B 12 (or some compound derived from methyl-B 12 ) is the actual cofactor for the apoenzyme form of methionine synthetase and that adenosyl methionine serves to regenerate methyl-B 12 , which is slowly degraded during its function as the coenzyme, via the reaction (adenosyl methionine + B 12s → methyl-B 12 + adenosyl homocysteine).
Mapping social relationships: geophysical survey of a nineteenth-century American slave cemetery

The goal of this project is to identify unmarked burials inside the known limits of a historic cemetery and unmarked slave burials adjacent to the cemetery to answer questions regarding variability in treatment of slaves by slave owners. This project used three geophysical prospection methods (electromagnetic induction/conductivity, ground penetrating radar, and magnetic susceptibility) to image the subsurface and locate unmarked graves. The results indicate that up to 21 possible unmarked graves exist at the Prior Cemetery. The survey detected 17 with two or more geophysical techniques and four with a single technique. Nine possible unmarked graves were tested with a metal probe. Every tested anomaly revealed less compact soils indicative of an unmarked grave.
Rationale of specific therapy for the pneumococcic pneumonias

1. The nature of misanthropic delusions, attitudes and character anomalies has been described. 2. An attempt has been made to show the source of the patient's inordinate hatred, also the factors responsible for his inability to resolve this hatred in any way other than through his symptoms.
The Women's Movement and the Press in India: The Construction of Female Foeticide as a Social Issue

This textual comparison of articles on female foeticide in the Indian English press based in Bombay, and activist literature and documentaries, found that news frames followed closely the activists' own frames of interpretation, although certain themes were amplified and others attenuated. The meshing of frames enabled a construction of the female foeticide issue that was favorable to the campaign, but it also created important absences that could stem the radical potential of the women's movement.
Frogs on a plane.

![Figure][1] CREDIT: PETER HOEY In the early days, one of the subjects of our research was the Engystomops frog, a tiny creature known for its brown pustular skin ([1][2]). When the lab moved from New York City to California in 1971, a young assistant named Bill was entrusted with transporting the frog colony to its new home. After painstakingly sifting through all the dirt in our “Little Panama” culture room, he placed the frogs in aquaria. He decided that it would be safer to carry the frogs onto the airplane with him than to trust them to checked luggage. So the morning of the flight, he carefully put the frogs into plastic bags with water and air, and then placed each bag into his carry-on suitcase. Unfortunately, despite his meticulous planning, there was one thing he forgot to take into account. As soon as the plane took off, the change in air pressure caused the bags to burst. Of course, Bill couldn't help opening the carry-on to see how bad the situation was. When he saw what had happened, he asked every flight attendant he could find for glasses of water that he could use to refill and retie the bags. But he was too late: Out jumped the frogs. Bill and the startled flight attendants raced around the plane, crawling under seats and down the aisles to apprehend the little creatures. Baffled passengers looked on, trying to determine the source of the commotion. Fortunately, there was a happy ending to this little adventure. Eventually, the frogs were caught and transported safely to our California lab, where they would prosper for many years to come. 1. 1.[↵][3]Search for Engystomops pustulosus on ; don't miss the mating call!. [1]: pending:yes [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1. in text"
The impact of computer versus paper-pencil survey, and individual versus group administration, on self-reports of sensitive behaviors

The purpose of this study was to clarify the strengths and weaknesses of both computer based and paper-pencil methods of sensitive data collection in various administrative settings. A total of 180 students signed-up for optional course-credit and were randomly assigned to complete a questionnaire using either a paper-pencil, or a computer based method, and in one of the following administration settings: group, alone in a designated office, or being emailed/mailed the information and filling it out when/where they pleased. Results show that perceptions of anonymity and confidentiality were strongly correlated with self-reported accuracy. However, although perceptions of anonymity and confidentiality differed by condition, this had no statistically significant impact on responses. Though perceptions of anonymity and confidentiality differ between methods, neither method appears to be superior in the context of overall response bias.
Recruitment of divalent metal ions by incorporation of 4-thio-2′-deoxythymidine or 4-thio-2′-deoxyuridine into DNA

The modified nucleosides 4-thio-2′-deoxyuridine (s4dU) and 4-thio-2′-deoxythymidine (s4dT) are incorporated into dinucleosides, and s4dT is incorporated into a DNA hairpin loop to provide divalent metal ion binding sites. Binding of two different metal ions to these sites is studied, including Cd(II) as an NMR spectroscopy probe and Cu(II) as a reactive metal ion for DNA cleavage. Binding of Cd(II) to 4-thiouridine (s4U) and s4dT nucleosides, s4dU- and s4dT-containing dinucleosides, and a hairpin loop oligonucleotide containing s4dT is monitored by following the change in UV-vis absorbance of the thionucleosides at 340 nm and 21 °C in solutions containing 20.0–40 mM buffer, 1.00 M NaCl, and 15.0 mM BaCl2. Cd(II) binds to the N(3) deprotonated form of s4dT with a binding constant (K=1.1×104 M−1) that is similar to that for Cd(II) binding to d(Tps4T) (K=9.2×103 M−1). Apparent binding constants (Kapp) at pH 7.7 of Cd(II) to dinucleosides d(Gps4T), d(s4TpG), and d(Gps4U) are similar to those of their respective nucleosides s4U and s4dT, suggesting that neither the phosphate diester nor the second nucleoside has a major effect on Cd(II) binding. Binding of Cd(II) to s4U and d(Gps4U) is studied by use of 113Cd NMR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, respectively. Binding strength and stoichiometry of the Cd(II) complex with d(Gps4U) as studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy are similar to that obtained by UV-vis spectroscopy. Cd(II) binds strongly to s4dT in the loop portion of a DNA hairpin loop (Kapp=2.7×103 M−1 at pH 7.7). However, the hairpin loop is moderately destabilized by Cd(II) binding, with a decrease in T m of 14 °C in the presence of 10.0 mM Cd(II) as determined by optical melting experiments. Cu(II) oxidizes s4dT to form the disulfide of s4dT, limiting the usefulness of further studies with Cu(II).
Distributed gabidulin codes for multiple-source network error correction

We consider the problem of noncoherent error correction in multiple-source multicast networks. We show that a distributed network error-correcting code can be designed as a subcode of a Gabidulin code. This allows the destination nodes to utilize any decoder designed using rank-metric. We show that this achieves the full capacity region of any network with up to three messages, with optimal scaling in field size.
National Standards and School Science and Mathematics.

We explore the relationship between national standards as policy recommendations and the transformation of those recommendations into programs for school science and mathematics. We provide a brief introduction to national standards, propose a strategic framework for standards-based reform, and offer a discussion of specific challenges associated with the improvement of contemporary science and mathematics education. A set of features common to the NCTM and the NRC standards is described. The strategic-framework focuses on dissemination, interpretation, implementation, evaluation, and revision. Challenges include implementing school programs for all students, understanding inquiry and problem solving; thinking differently about curriculum; increasing instructional effectiveness; and aligning assessment strategies with standards.
Very low‐pressure pyrolysis. IX. The decomposition of azoethane, azoisopropane, and 2,2′‐azoisobutane

The very low-pressure (VLPP) technique was used to study the pyrolysis of azoethane (AE), azoisopropane (AIP), and 2,2′-azoisobutane (AIB). The low pressure rate constants were related to the high-pressure Arrhenius parameters by means of the RRKM theory. This procedure in itself does not yield an unambiguous set of parameters. However, thermochemical and kinetic arguments are given which support the following values of log k∞ for the pyrolysis of AE, AIP, and AIB, respectively: 16.4–49.7/θ 16.6–47.9/θ, and 16.4–42.8/θ, where θ = 2.303RT in kcal/mole. The flow dependence of kuni was used to estimate the collisional efficiencies of the azo compounds relative to the wall.
The Role of the Multinational Corporation: Discussion

In his thought-provoking paper, Goldberg points out that national food systems have become more and more internationalized and intertwined with each other, and that this interdependent global food system has gravitated, on the whole, toward North America, which is "the only significant surplus grainproducing area in the world." He foresees a further expansion of this globally integrated food system as a result of population pressure and an ever-rising need for food, especially on the part of developing countries, whose agricultural sector is still largely subsistent and noncommercial, with an extremely low level of productivity. Against this backdrop, Goldberg then explains how new opportunities have been and will continue to be created for key operators in a vertical food system to cross national boundaries and operate in foreign markets, that is, to become multinational. As we all know, multinational corporations generally are regarded as a mixed bag of malevolent and benevolent forces or as institutions with psychotic behavioral patterns somewhat like those of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. At one extreme, for example, Marxists consider multinationals nothing but a devilish instrument of capitalistic exploitation and neo-imperialism. At the other extreme, neoclassical liberals--and managers of big business in general-consider multinationals a dynamic engine of economic development and coprosperity, a savior of mankind from economic inefficiency and backwardness, and lament that its messianic mission is hampered only by the parochial interests of sovereign states. Both views have some validity, depending on the circumstances under which multinationals are allowed to operate. The multinational corporation is by nature monopolistic in terms not only of the size of its operation but also of the superior knowledge it g nerates and tries to possess exclusively, and it is efficient at exploiting such knowledge; but its monopolistic power is an inevitable cause of inequity when it operates in developing countries where, in general, countervailing power either does not exist or if it does exist, s not judiciously exercised. Goldberg describes very well the "Dr. J kyll" side of multinationals by citing several "socially useful" cases. All these are "good citizen" citations, as they are judged, in his opinion, to be contributing to the agribusiness needs of the developing host countries. These examples of "socially useful" operations are indeed encouraging. Yet, I am still left uncomfortable about the "Mr. Hyde" side of multinationals. Goldberg does give us a warning of he power of multinationals, but he does so only implicitly by quoting a statement made by Galbraith. Goldberg says nothing about our recent experiences with the abuse of such power by multinationals. Perhaps we are too familiar with it to need to be reminded of the tragedies that occurred recently when infants in developing countries were fed'baby formula marketed on a caveat emptor basis by multinationals.
Who's the chef? Economic voting under a dual executive

Standard economic voting models assume a dominant locus of policy responsibility, a single chief executive whose powers are fixed by certain inviolate institutional rules. The president-centred US system serves as the paradigm here. However, economic voting may occur under a dual executive, whose powers change in response to the institutional rules themselves. France represents this second scenario. There are two executives, the President and the Prime Minister. Under conditions of cohabitation, with a partisan division of the power between the two offices, economic voting becomes more sophisticated. According to data from the 1993–1995 cohabitation, voters perceived that the Prime Minister, not the President, was responsible for the economy. Therefore, in the 1995 presidential contest, they directed their economic evaluations at the Gaullist party of the Prime Minister, not the Socialist party of the President.
Theravāda Buddhism and the definition of religion

La tradition Theravāda du bouddhisme ne s'accorde pas aux types absolus et theistes qui permettent une definition de la religion. Cette tradition ne comporte pas de source de l'etre. En tant que religion non theiste, la tradition Theravāda echappe aux caracterisations occidentales. S'il existe une fin dans cette tradition, ce n'est ni Dieu, ni un etre. Il est vrai que si le Bouddha a des analogies avec Dieu, il n'en reste pas moins qu'il se confine a parler. Le Theravāda affecte le champ de definition dans la mesure ou il represente une frontiere avec les conceptions du monde non religieuses
On the binding of copper by hemocyanin.

Abstract One new sulfhydryl group can be determined by amperometric silver titration in several denaturing media, for each four atoms of copper removed from hemocyanin by anaerobic dialysis with neutral cyanide.
ABCB1 over-expression and drug-efflux in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines with t(17;19) and E2A-HLF expression.

*INTRODUCTIONGenes encoding sequence-speciﬁc DNA binding tran-scriptionfactorsarecommontargetsofsomaticmutationsinhuman cancer. Chromosome translocations in acute leuke-mias frequently involve transcription factor genes, oftencreating chimeric transcription factors with dominant gain-of-function oncogenic properties [1]. In general, oncogenictranscription factors are hypothesized to contribute tomalignanttransformationbydirectlyactivatingorrepressingtranscription of speciﬁc target genes, or by interfering, in adominant negative manner, with the transcriptional activityof endogenous proteins. In addition to playing a criticalpathogeneticroleduringneoplastictransformation,chimerictranscription factors may also modulate the clinical pheno-type.The 19p13.3 E2A gene (also termed TCF3) is a majortarget of chromosome translocations in acute lympho-blastic leukemia (ALL) [2]. In about 5% of ALLs, at(1;19)(q23;p13) disrupts E2A and fuses it to the chromo-some 1 gene PBX1, leading to expression of E2A-PBX1chimericproteins[3,4].AnalogousE2A-HLFfusionproteinsareproducedbyat(17;19)(q21;p13),presentin0.5%–1%ofALLs [5,6]. E2A-HLF expression is associated withdisseminated intravascular coagulation [7], and confers adismal prognosis [2,8].E2A-HLF and E2A-PBX1 consist of the amino terminaltwo-thirds of E2A, including two separate transcriptionalactivation domains (TADs), fused to portions of HLF andPBX1containingdistinctDNAbindingdomainsandproteininteraction motifs. HLF contains a basic leucine zipper(bZIP) domain that mediates site-speciﬁc DNA binding andprotein dimerization [6,9]. E2A-PBX1 includes the PBX1homeoboxandanadjacentregionresponsibleforinteractionwithasubsetofHOXproteinsandbindsDNAinconjunctionwith MEIS proteins [3,4,10].HLF and PBX1 are not normally expressed in lym-phocytes. Thus, these translocations have two importantconsequences: they ectopically express HLF/PBX1 DNAbinding domains and fuse them to portions of E2A thatcontain TADs with potent activity in lymphoid cells,suggesting that aberrant regulation of speciﬁc target geneexpression plays an important role in leukemogenesismediated by E2A fusion proteins and may also dictateunique clinical properties of this subtype of ALL.Candidate E2A-PBX1 and E2A-HLF target genes havebeenidentiﬁed,butnonehavebeenshowntodirectlymediatetransformation to date. Other data suggest that a criticalactivityofE2Afusionproteinsmightbetointerferewiththenormal function of wild type E2A. Structure–functionanalysesofE2A-PBX1revealedthatthePBX1DNAbindingdomain is not required for transformation of NIH-3T3 cells
Switchable electrode controlled by enzyme logic network system: approaching physiologically regulated bioelectronics.

The logic network composed of three enzymes (alcohol dehydrogenase, glucose dehydrogenase, and glucose oxidase) operating in concert as four concatenated logic gates (AND/OR), was designed to process four different chemical input signals (NADH, acetaldehyde, glucose, and oxygen). The cascade of biochemical reactions culminated in pH changes controlled by the pattern of the applied biochemical input signals. The “successful” set of inputs produced gluconic acid as the final product and yielded an acidic medium, lowering the pH of a solution from its initial value of pH 6−7 to the final value of ca. 4. The whole set of the input signal combinations included 16 variants resulting in different output signals. Those that corresponded to the logic output 1, according to the Boolean logic encoded in the logic circuitry, resulted in the acidic medium. The pH changes produced in situ were coupled with a pH-sensitive polymer-brush-functionalized electrode, resulting in the interface switching from the OFF state, wh...
Automated software winnowing

The strong isolation guarantees of hardware virtualization have led to its widespread use. A consequence of this is that individual partitions contain much software that is designed to be used in a variety of environments and by a range of applications, while in practice only a limited subset is actually utilized. Similarly, the modular design of software has contributed greatly to the ability of application developers to quickly write sophisticated programs. However, in most instances only a small fraction of the functionality included in a particular software component is needed. To address the resulting code bloat, we describe a tool Occam that combines techniques from partial evaluation and type theory with the goal of reducing the code in deployed applications. Occam can be used without annotating or otherwise modifying a program's source. It leverages configuration-time information to produce a version of the application that is specialized to the context in which it will be deployed. We present our algorithms, implementation, and experimental evaluation.
Alcohol binge before trauma/hemorrhage impairs integrity of host defense mechanisms during recovery.

BACKGROUND Alcohol abuse, both chronic and acute, is a known modulator of immune function and is associated with increased incidence of traumatic injury. Previously, we demonstrated that acute alcohol intoxication before hemorrhagic shock impairs hemodynamic and neuroendocrine counterregulation, suppresses early lung proinflammatory cytokine expression, and increases mortality from infection during recovery. In the present study, we examined the impact of a 3-day alcohol binge on host responses during trauma/hemorrhage (T x Hem) and following overnight recovery. METHODS Chronically catheterized, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered an intragastric bolus of alcohol (5 g/kg; 30% w/v) or isocaloric dextrose solution for 3 consecutive days, followed by a 2.5 g/kg dose on day 4 before undergoing full-thickness muscle-crush and fixed pressure (approximately 40 mmHg) hemorrhage and fluid resuscitation (2.4 x total blood volume removed). RESULTS Alcohol-binge produced a 16% decrease in basal mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), reduced the total blood loss required to reach and to sustain MABP of 40 mmHg, markedly blunted the increase in circulating epinephrine and norepinephrine (20-fold and 3-fold, respectively) levels, and increased immediate mortality from T x Hem. Consistent with our previous reports, significant up-regulation in lung and spleen tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1alpha expression was observed immediately following T x Hem and fluid resuscitation. Only the T x Hem-induced increase in lung TNF-alpha was prevented by binge alcohol administration. Following overnight recovery, significant lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated release of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 was observed in cells isolated from blood and the alveolar and pleural compartments from all experimental groups. While T x Hem did not prevent LPS-induced release of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-6, or IL-10 at 6 or 24 hours, alcohol binge suppressed TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6 release, without altering IL-10 response in cells isolated from blood and pleural compartment. No significant modulation of alveolar macrophage response was observed following alcohol binge and T x Hem. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that a 3-day alcohol binge results in hemodynamic instability associated with attenuated neuroendocrine activation and increased mortality during T x Hem as well as sustained suppression of the proinflammatory cytokine response of blood and pleural-derived cells to a "second-hit" inflammatory challenge. As a result, we speculate that the net shift toward an anti-inflammatory state may contribute to enhanced susceptibility to infection during the recovery period.
Molecular Mechanism of Protein Folding in the Cell

F.-Ulrich Hartl and Arthur Horwich will share this year's Lasker Basic Medical Science Award for the discovery of the cell's protein-folding machinery, exemplified by cage-like structures that convert newly synthesized proteins into their biologically active forms. Their fundamental findings reveal mechanisms that operate in normal physiologic processes and help to explain the problems that arise in diseases of protein folding.
Laser-supported solid-state absorption fronts in silica

We develop a model based on simulation and experiment that explains the behavior of solid-state laser-supported absorption fronts generated in fused silica during high intensity (up to 5GW/cm{sup 2}) laser exposure. We find that the absorption front velocity is constant in time and is nearly linear in laser intensity. Further, this model can explain the dependence of laser damage site size on these parameters. This behavior is driven principally by the temperature-activated deep sub band-gap optical absorptivity, free electron transport and thermal diffusion in defect-free silica for temperatures up to 15,000K and pressures < 15GPa. The regime of parameter space critical to this problem spans and extends that measured by other means. It serves as a platform for understanding general laser-matter interactions in dielectrics under a variety of conditions.
Creativity in humor production: Quantity and quality in divergent thinking

Humorous captions for still pictures from old movies were produced by 38 college students. Either 2 or 10 captions for each of three pictures were required. There was a less than 1% overlap among the captions, demonstrating that the task results in highly divergent answers. Average caption funniness improved with output order, indicating that in a task leading to divergent responses, quantity can lead to quality.