cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Platinum Anticancer Drugs

Cisplatin, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), is a simple inorganic complex widely used in cancer chemotherapy and especially effective against testicular tumors. The trans isomer is biologically inactive. A principal target of cisplatin in the cancer cell is DNA. The major adducts of cisplatin with DNA, accounting for 90% of platinum on the duplex, are intrastrand cross-links in which adjacent guanine or adenine/guanine bases are coordinated in the cis positions originally occupied by chloride ions. The resulting platinated DNA unwinds by ~ 13° and is bent by ~ 34° toward the major groove. Details of this structural distortion were obtained by gel electrophoretic and X-ray crystallographic studies of DNA containing intrastrand cisdiammineplatinum(II) d(GpG) or d(ApG) cross-links. Both gel-electrophoretic mobility shift assays and expression library screening of human cells with cisplatin-modified DNA revealed the existence of proteins that bind specifically to the major DNA adducts of the drug. These proteins, designated structure-specific recognition proteins, or SSRPs, have in common a 75 amino acid sequence known as the HMG domain which is the source of specificity for platinated DNA. Deletion of a non-essential HMG-domain SSRP in yeast desensitized the cells by twofold to cisplatin but not to the inactive analogue trans-DDP. When DNA containing the major adducts of cisplatin was added to a mammalian cell extract, the damage was excised by the excinuclease excision repair system. Specifically, the platinated strand was cleaved ~ 5 nucleotides to the 3’ side and ~22–24 nucleotides to the 5’ side of the damage. This process was selectively inhibited by addition of HMG1. Adding the HMG-domain protein human mitochondrial transcription factor mtTFA gave similar results. This shielding phenomenon was selective for the major d(GpG) intrastrand cross-link of the drug and not the less abundant long-range cross-links such as the 1,3-adduct, d(GpTpG). The latter was repaired but not shielded. These results suggest that the molecular mechanism of cisplatin might involved shielding of its adducts by HMG-domain proteins in the cancer cell, protecting them from repair and thereby preserving their ability to block replication of DNA required for tumor cell proliferation. Thus new anticancer platinum drugs might be developed based upon the ability of their DNA adducts to be recognized and shielded by HMG1 and related proteins.
Deep-Ocean Mining: Technologies For Manganese Nodules And Crusts

This paper reviews research, development and design aspects of recent technologies for deep-ocean mining systems to recover manganese nodules and cobalt-rich manganese crusts from the seafloor at an 800-6,000-m depth. It also discusses selective technological challenges. The manganese crust is characterized on the basis of preliminary data. Development of more sophisticated instruments and an extensive survey are required to determine its accurate distribution, abundance and physical characteristics. The technical challenges particularly in the fluid-structure interactions of the pipe systems and the miner track-keeping for production are yet to be defined. The United States has a greater geological emphasis, while Japan places a greater emphasis on engineering. In the last 15 years, few significantly new technologies appear to have evolved in the nodule mining system, system integration and integrated system control. However, subsystems have been designed and tested systematically in Japan. As the technologies of the past 30 years age, the mining systems and technologies need to be upgraded, with advancements in new sensors, control and data acquisition technologies.
Commentary on 'Treatment of ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms in the USA: a paradigm shift'.

The history of neurointerventional surgery is intimately tied to cerebral aneurysms. Over the last 10 years, the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery (JNIS) has provided a platform through which novel aneurysm research and treatment strategies have pushed endovascular aneurysm management forward. Even as recently as 2015 to 2016, in the midst of the renaissance of mechanical thrombectomy for stroke, cerebral aneurysm research still remained the subject of nearly half of all manuscript publications in JNIS .1 The relationship and history between neurointerventional …
Access to Dermatological Care with an Innovative Online Model for Psoriasis Management: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background: Many patients with chronic skin diseases lack regular access to dermatologists in the United States and suffer poor clinical outcomes. Introduction: We performed a 12-month ran...
Lower Plasma Vitamin B-6 is Associated with 2-Year Cognitive Decline in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study.

Background Despite its important role in cognitive development and regulation of nervous system function, vitamin B-6 has been under-studied in relation to cognitive aging. Objective We investigated whether plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP, vitamin B-6) concentrations were associated with cognitive function and subsequent cognitive decline. Methods In a longitudinal study of 949 participants (aged 45-75 y at baseline; 70% women) from the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study cohort, we examined the association between baseline plasma PLP and baseline cognitive function and 2-y cognitive decline. Cognitive function was assessed with an in-person 7-test cognitive battery, at baseline and 2-y follow-up. We also used logistic regression to estimate the odds of major 2-y decline in global cognitive function (defined as decline ≥1 SD below the mean), as well as decline in executive function and memory. We also used multivariable linear regression to calculate adjusted mean differences in cognitive scores, and 95% CIs, across tertiles of plasma PLP at baseline, as well as cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with individual test scores. Results In analyses adjusted for potential confounders, the OR of having a major 2-y decline in global cognitive function was 2.46 (95% CI: 1.49, 4.05; P-trend: 0.001) among participants in the lowest tertile of PLP compared with those in the top tertile of PLP. The association of PLP with cognition was stronger in participants older than 55 y at baseline (OR for bottom to top tertile: 4.58; 95% CI: 2.02, 10.35; P-interaction: 0.01) compared with those 55 y old or younger, as well as in ever smokers (OR for bottom to top tertile: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.45, 6.19; P-interaction: 0.02) compared with never smokers. Conclusions Lower baseline plasma PLP was associated with increased odds of 2-y cognitive decline in a cohort of Boston area Puerto Ricans. The association was stronger among older participants and among ever smokers.
Early American Sociology

George Herbert Mead, Charles Horton Cooley, and Erving Goffman are central figures within American sociology. In this chapter, Rousselle explores the structure of their sociological discourse to reveal its pragmatist, and hence capitalist, roots. In each case, there is a replacement of the symbolic injunction of the father with the maternal affirmations of the mother. Or, in other words, there is a fall of the symbolic function and a subsequent rise of the imaginary.
The effect of maternal vitamin C intake on fetal telomere length.

A telomere is a nucleoprotein structure that is located at the end of a chromosome. Reduced telomere length manifests as physical ailments such as the increased risk of age-related illnesses. These...
The transcription factor Twist1 in the distal nephron but not in macrophages propagates aristolochic acid nephropathy.

Tubulointerstitial disease in the kidney culminates in renal fibrosis that portents organ failure. Twist1, a basic helix-loop-helix protein 38 transcription factor, regulates several essential biological functions, but inappropriate Twist1 activity in the kidney epithelium can trigger kidney fibrogenesis and chronic kidney disease. By contrast, Twist1 in circulating myeloid cells may constrain inflammatory injury by attenuating cytokine generation. To dissect the effects of Twist1 in kidney tubular versus immune cells on renal inflammation following toxin-induced renal injury, we subjected mice with selective deletion of Twist1 in renal epithelial cells or macrophages to aristolochic acid-induced chronic kidney disease. Ablation of Twist1 in the distal nephron attenuated kidney damage, interstitial fibrosis, and renal inflammation after aristolochic acid exposure. However, macrophage-specific deletion of Twist1 did not impact the development of aristolochic acid-induced nephropathy. In vitro studies confirmed that Twist1 in renal tubular cells underpins their susceptibility to apoptosis and propensity to generate pro-fibrotic mediators in response to aristolochic acid. Moreover, co-culture studies revealed that Twist1 in renal epithelia augmented the recruitment and activation of pro-inflammatory CD64+ macrophages. Thus, Twist1 in the distal nephron rather than in infiltrating macrophages propagates chronic inflammation and fibrogenesis during aristolochic acid-induced nephropathy.
Three Phase Dead-Zone Oscillator Control Under Unbalanced Load Conditions

A relatively new class of power converter controls can create self-forming AC networks without synchronous generators. These controllers have significant development and stability proofs under normal operating conditions. This paper studies one particular type, the Dead-Zone Oscillator, under unbalanced load and fault conditions. Two different implementations of this controller are used to control commercial three-phase inverters that accept either voltage or current commands. Simulations and experiment demonstrate the robustness of this controller to single phase unbalance, phase to phase faults, and open phase failures. Understanding the characteristics of this type of oscillator and applying it to unbalanced loads will help to further the process of implementing these small self-sustaining converters into larger networks with little to no adverse effects.
Disclosing Unwanted Pursuit Victimization: Indirect Effects of Negative Reactions on PTSD Symptomatology Among Undergraduate Women:

A growing literature has documented that negative social reactions to disclosures of sexual and intimate partner violence (IPV), such as victim blaming or disbelief, can negatively affect survivors...
Snapshots of Modernity: Reading Football Photographs of the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay

Photographic images of football are not neutral or objective records of the past. Exploring the symbolic dimensions, formal features, and context of production of five photographs taken during the ...
Using the synthetic control method to determine the effects of firearm seizure laws on state-level murder rates

The purpose of the present study is to determine the effects of firearm seizure laws on state-level murder rates. Using data for the period 1990–2017 and a synthetic control method, results of the ...
The Alliance for Catholic Education: how this programme supports Catholic schools in the USA (2007–2020+)

The University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) celebrates 25 years of service to Catholic schools in the United States. ACE began as an effort to provide teachers to under-res...
Learning Sparse Rewarded Tasks from Sub-Optimal Demonstrations.

Model-free deep reinforcement learning (RL) has demonstrated its superiority on many complex sequential decision-making problems. However, heavy dependence on dense rewards and high sample-complexity impedes the wide adoption of these methods in real-world scenarios. On the other hand, imitation learning (IL) learns effectively in sparse-rewarded tasks by leveraging the existing expert demonstrations. In practice, collecting a sufficient amount of expert demonstrations can be prohibitively expensive, and the quality of demonstrations typically limits the performance of the learning policy. In this work, we propose Self-Adaptive Imitation Learning (SAIL) that can achieve (near) optimal performance given only a limited number of sub-optimal demonstrations for highly challenging sparse reward tasks. SAIL bridges the advantages of IL and RL to reduce the sample complexity substantially, by effectively exploiting sup-optimal demonstrations and efficiently exploring the environment to surpass the demonstrated performance. Extensive empirical results show that not only does SAIL significantly improve the sample-efficiency but also leads to much better final performance across different continuous control tasks, comparing to the state-of-the-art.
Identifying mid-twentieth-century historical trends in United States game law violations: any basis for conservation?

The mid-twentieth-century was an important period for game laws in the United States. Identifying trends in game law enforcement can help identify violations that occurred more and less over time (...
Chapter 6 – DNA-Interactive Agents

Chapter 6 addresses the mechanism of action of agents that target nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) to achieve their biological effects. First, the key structural properties of nucleic acids that account for their interactions with small molecules are discussed. Then the mechanisms of action of antitumor antibiotic agents are discussed according to whether they act as reversible binders (including groove binders and DNA intercalators), as alkylators (including metabolically-activated alkylating agents), or as DNA strand breakers, including a discussion of the mode of action of a number of naturally-occurring antitumor antibiotics (anthracyclines, bleomycin, tirapazamine, and enediynes).
Too Many Cooks: Coalitions and the Outcome and Duration of Interstate War

Almost one quarter of all interstate conflicts are multilateral, with the majority of these having a coalition of states fighting on at least one side. However, current theories of war outcome are dominated by dyadic explanations which ignore the contribution of coalitions. While popular opinion views coalitions as ineffective and inefficient in waging war, these criticisms overlook many advantages to fighting as part of a coalition. While coalitions often do have problems, the strengths of fighting together outweigh the cost, making coalitions more likely to win wars. Empirical examination of war outcomes between 1816 and 1997 confirms this hypothesis; coalitions are almost three times more likely to win the wars they fight when compared to states fighting outside of a coalition.
Review: Bismuth-Based Photovoltaics

Bismuth-based solar absorbers have recently attracted attention as a result of the similarities between the bismuth halides and lead hybrid perovskites [1, 2, 3]. Both bismuth and lead adopt oxidation states two lower than their group valence, resulting in a stable \(d^{10}s^2p^0\) electronic configuration.
The Causal Impact of Macroeconomic Uncertainty on Expected Returns

I quantify the causal impact of macroeconomic uncertainty on time-varying expected returns. The exogenous timing of macroeconomic announcements provides an instrument for uncertainty. Using daily measures of macroeconomic uncertainty and expected equity market returns, I find announcements resolve uncertainty, which causes expected returns to fall. Under weak assumptions, macroeconomic uncertainty accounts for at most 35% of expected return variation. Under the additional, empirically justified assumption that no other expected return driver moves on announcements, macroeconomic uncertainty accounts for 12% of expected return variation and a one standard deviation increase in macroeconomic uncertainty raises long-run expected returns by 185 basis points.
Knowledge about anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery: In Gujarat and Gujarati Community in USA: A Survey

This survey was conducted on general public has gone for surgery. Thispresent study is conducted to assess and to compare, level of knowledgeabout anesthesia and anesthesiologist. After confirming their willingnessto take part in the questionnaire, patients were explained a aboutthe pattern of questions so they can reply without any confusion.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe survey was conducted by distributing questionnaires [Table 1 ]in google form. Two adults groups are [1] Indian gujarati communityin USA and [2] Gujarat in India. Questionnaire was availablein two languages (A) Gujarati (B) English Survey was conducted inpostoperative period. All these groups have sub group of Male andFemale. All questions are not compulsory because, Many patients haveinformed, “ I don’t remember We have promised, Participants thatinformation collected will be kept confidential and are just for academicand research purpose.Keywords: Anesthesia, anesthesiologist, distributing questionnaire,postoperative.
Exceeding Radiation Dose to Volume Parameters for the Proximal Airways with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Is More Likely for Ultracentral Lung Tumors and Associated with Worse Outcome

The preferred radiotherapeutic approach for central (CLT) and ultracentral (UCLT) lung tumors is unclear. We assessed the toxicity and outcomes of patients with CLT and UCLT who underwent definitive five-fraction stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). We reviewed the charts of patients with either CLT or UCLT managed with SBRT from June 2010-April 2019. CLT were defined as gross tumor volume (GTV) within 2 cm of either the proximal bronchial tree, trachea, mediastinum, aorta, or spinal cord. UCLT were defined as GTV abutting any of these structures. Propensity score matching was performed for gender, performance status, and history of prior lung cancer. Within this cohort of 83 patients, 43 (51.8%) patients had UCLT. The median patient age was 73.1 years with a median follow up of 29.9 months. The two most common dose fractionation schemes were 5000 cGy (44.6%) and 5500 cGy (42.2%) in five fractions. Multivariate analysis revealed UCLT to be associated with worse overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.9, p = 0.02) but not time to progression (TTP). Using propensity score match pairing, UCLT correlated with reduced non-cancer associated survival (p = 0.049) and OS (p = 0.03), but not TTP. Within the matched cohort, dosimetric study found exceeding a D4cc of 18 Gy to either the proximal bronchus (HR = 3.9, p = 0.007) or trachea (HR = 4.0, p = 0.02) was correlated with worse non-cancer associated survival. In patients undergoing five fraction SBRT, UCLT location was associated with worse non-cancer associated survival and OS, which could be secondary to excessive D4cc dose to the proximal airways.
Visualizing (im)mobility in post-reversion Okinawa: a comparative study of NDU’s Asia Is One (1973) and Chinen Seishin’s The Human Pavilion (1976)

This article compares two influential visual media works produced in post-reversion Okinawa: the film Asia Is One (1973), produced by Nihon Documentarist Union (NDU), and Chinen Seishin’s experimen...
Kinesin-3 and kinesin-1 motors direct basement membrane protein secretion to a basal sub-region of the basolateral plasma membrane in epithelial cells

Basement membranes (BMs) are sheet-like extracellular matrices that line the basal surfaces of all epithelia. Since BM proteins form networks, they likely need to be secreted near the basal surface. However, the location of their secretion site and how it is selected are unknown. Working in the Drosophila follicular epithelium, we identified two kinesins essential for normal BM formation. Our data suggest the two kinesins work together to transport Rab10+ BM protein-filled secretory vesicles towards the basal surface along the polarized microtubule array common to epithelia. This kinesin transport biases BM protein secretion basally. When kinesins are depleted, BM proteins are mis-secreted to more apical regions of the lateral membrane, creating ectopic BM protein networks between cells that disrupt cell movements and tissue architecture. These results introduce a new transport step in the BM protein secretion pathway and highlight the importance of controlling the sub-cellular exocytic site of network-forming proteins.
Neural population dynamics underlying evidence accumulation in multiple rat brain regions

Accumulating evidence in service of sensory decision making is a core cognitive function. However, previous work has focused either on the dynamics of neural activity during decision-making or on models of evidence accumulation governing behavior. We unify these two perspectives by introducing an evidence-accumulation framework that simultaneously describes multi-neuron population spiking activity and dynamic stimulus-driven behavior during sensory decision-making. We apply our method to behavioral choices and neural activity recorded from three brain regions - the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), the frontal orienting fields (FOF), and the anterior-dorsal striatum (ADS) - while rats performed a pulse-based accumulation task. The model accurately captures the relationship between stimuli and neural activity, the coordinated activity of neural populations, and the distribution of animal choices in response to the stimulus. Model fits show strikingly distinct accumulation models expressed within each brain region, and that all differ strongly from the accumulation strategy expressed at the level of choices. In particular, the FOF exhibited a suboptimal 9primacy9 strategy, where early sensory evidence was favored. Including neural data in the model led to improved prediction of the moment-by-moment value of accumulated evidence and the intended-and ultimately made-choice of the animal. Our approach offers a window into the neural representation of accumulated evidence and provides a principled framework for incorporating neural responses into accumulation models.
Réparation d’une perte de substance distale du dorsum nasal par un lambeau d’avancement latéro-nasal bilatéral

Introduction Nous decrivons l’utilisation d’un lambeau d’avancement latero-nasal bilateral pour la reparation d’une perte de substance distale du dorsum nasal. Patient et methodes Un patient de 74 ans presentait une lesion erythemateuse telangiectasique infiltree de la portion distale du dorsum nasal ( Fig. 1 ). Il presentait un antecedent d’exerese d’un carcinome basocellulaire infiltrant du canthus interne droit traite par exerese et greffe de peau mince. Une biopsie cutanee etait realisee au niveau de la lesion nasale, confirmant le diagnostic de carcinome basocellulaire. Resultats Une exerese de la lesion etait realisee avec des marges laterales macroscopiques de 5 mm et en profondeur jusqu’au perioste. L’intervention engendrait une perte de substance de 18 mm de diametre. On decidait d’une reparation par un lambeau d’avancement latero-nasal bilateral. Deux incisions etaient realisees au niveau des sillons sus-alaires jusqu’aux sillons nasogeniens. Le decollement nasal bilateral etait realise en sus-perioste au niveau median, puis en remontant plus superficiellement au niveau des sillons nasogeniens. Des exces tissulaires etaient reseques au niveau du dorsum nasal. L’examen anatomopathologique de la piece d’exerese confirmait le diagnostic de carcinome basocellulaire dans une forme infiltrante. L’exerese avait ete realisee avec des marges laterales saines d’au moins 4 mm en microscopie et des marges profondes saines. La prise en charge postoperatoire se deroulait sans complication. L’aspect cicatriciel a 6 mois etait satisfaisant pour le patient et l’operateur, malgre une discrete remontee de la pointe nasale ( Fig. 2 ). Discussion La realisation d’un lambeau d’avancement latero-nasal bilateral a ete choisie dans ce cas en raison de la localisation mediane de la perte de substance. On discutait en alternative la realisation d’un lambeau de rotation-avancement intra-nasal. Une greffe cutanee de peau totale ou une cicatrisation dirigee paraissaient moins interessantes sur le plan esthetique. Le lambeau entrainait en postoperatoire une remontee de la pointe, en raison d’une force de rappel en superieur et en externe. Cette remontee de la pointe s’averait tres discrete au final, chez un patient presentant un nez assez long. Cette technique est probablement a proscrire chez les patients presentant un nez court ou retrousse. De plus, en raison de la laxite moderee des zones mobilisees, elle est plutot a reserver aux pertes de substance de taille inferieure a 2 cm. Conclusion Le lambeau d’avancement latero-nasal bilateral est une alternative interessante pour la reparation des pertes de substance inferieures a 2 cm se situant au niveau de la portion distale du dorsum nasal, juste au-dessus de la pointe. Il s’agit probablement d’une technique a reserver aux patients presentant des nez forts ou longs, en raison du risque de remontee de la pointe nasale.
Numerical Estimation of Munitions Payload using Random Distributions

Abstract This mathematical research involves formulating mathematical explanations and solving discrete probabilistic problems related to the numerical estimation of target hits. These estimation formulas enable the cost estimation of operating and support funding for weapons payloads. Two of the three analytical problems involve estimating the probability that a target is hit after a tactical munitions is dispensed from an aircraft or missile launcher and the submunitions are ejected to clear a targeted area. The first problem entails determining the probability of hitting a target if a munitions may fall within a circle of radius r with a landing spread resembling a Gaussian or bivariate normal distribution, i.e., a two-dimensional probability distribution given jointly by (X,Y) ∼N(0, [sgrave]2); the second problem generalizes the first and assumes that a mine's true position and a munitions’ targeting are subject to random errors whose distributions are circular Gaussian; this problem is solved using d...
Explaining the Variation in Tax Structures in the MENA Region

This paper examines the tax structures of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries by focusing on the quality of governance and demographic changes as two influential factors in regions economies. The objective of is to determine whether these factors can explain the variation in the tax structures of these countries. Results from regressions on the MENA countries and the ones based on a larger sample of 61 countries show that these factors affected the level of taxation, measured by the tax ratio, more strongly than they affected the tax composition. While the quality of governance seems to have affected the tax structures in the MENA countries more than in other comparable Non-OECD countries, demographics seems to have played a bigger role in determining the tax structures in other Non-OECD countries. However, neither of these factors explained changes in the income tax share satisfactorily. One key result is that the increase in the quality of governance has decreased the reliance on domestic taxes on goods and services. The paper provides a discussion on the policy implications of these results.
Co-opted JNK/SAPK Signaling in Wnt/β-catenin-Induced Tumorigenesis

Aberrant stimulation of the canonical Wnt pathway induces mammary tumorigenesis in mice. It has been well documented that two types of tumors, adenocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma with squamous metaplasia, develop in these mutants. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the induction of squamous transdifferentiation remains largely unknown. Here, we show that JNK/SAPK signaling plays an important role in Wnt-dependent mammary development and malignant transformation. The JNK/SAPK pathway is stimulated in pregnancy-mediated lobulo-alveolar morphogenesis, a process highly dependent on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Strong elevations of JNK/SAPK signaling are associated with squamous metaplasia of the Wnt-induced adenocarcinoma. Reconstitution of β-catenin and JNK/SAPK signaling activities also promotes expression of the squamous cell marker in cultured epithelial cells. Furthermore, a synergistic activation of these two pathways can be identified in the malignant squamous cells of human endometrial and lung cancers. This is potentially a significant discovery in modern cancer therapy because of the effectiveness of an angiogenesis inhibitor, Avastin, for the treatment of adenocarcinoma, but not squamous cell carcinoma, in human lung cancers. Our finding may improve the usage of biomarkers to distinguish these two poorly differentiated tumor types, sharing similar histologic features.
Mapping of antigenic domains of Sendai virus nucleocapsid protein expressed in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Several nonoverlapping epitopes were mapped on the primary sequence of the Sendai virus NP protein. After a complete cDNA clone of the Sendai virus NP gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, deletion constructs were used to generate a series of overlapping NP fragments deleted at their C termini. Immunoblot analyses with 11 monoclonal antibodies identified four antigenic sites. All of these sites resided in the C-terminal half of NP and were also the only sites detected with a polyclonal serum. These findings confirm and extend the evidence that the C terminus of the NP protein represents the domain exposed on the surface of the nucleocapsid. One of the monoclonal antibodies reacted with a site, comprising only 6 amino acids, lying with a hinge between an alpha-helix and a beta-strand in the predicted secondary structure of NP. Since this antibody is a potent inhibitor of in vitro viral RNA synthesis (K. L. Deshpande and A. Portner, Virology 139:32-42, 1984), the epitope may be critical to the flexibility of the NP molecule that makes the RNA template accessible during RNA synthesis.
Proteolytic activation of prophenoloxidase in an insect Manduca sexta.

Phenol oxidase (PO) (EC1.14.18.1) is important in cuticular sclerotization and in defense against pathogens and parasites (Soderhall et al., 1996; Sugumaran, 1996; Ashida and Brey, 1998). PO catalyzes hydroxylation of monophenols to o-diphenols and oxidation of o-diphenols to quinones. The quinones take part in sclerotization of cuticle and serve as precursors for synthesis of melanin. PO is synthesized in arthropods as an inactive zymogen, prophenoloxidase (proPO), which can be activated by proteolytic cleavage at a specific site in the protein. Wounding of an insect or exposure to certain microbial polysaccharides leads to the activation of a proteinase that specifically activates proPO, perhaps at the last step of a proteinase cascade (Ashida and Brey, 1998). The reactions catalyzed by PO then can result in melanization of foreign organisms trapped in capsules or hemocyte nodules (Gillespie et al., 1997).
A Theology of Christ as Act: A Response to Oliver Davies

This article is a theological response to the Christological perspective of Oliver Davies’ provocative book, Theology of Transformation . More specifically, Macchia addresses Davies’ argument that transformation theology is a theology of the act, of Christ who acts, an argument that is explicated in three points of emphasis: 1. The living Christ is exalted and present among us. 2. The act is not an abstract concept but is real and embodied. 3. This is act as Christologically formed, meaning as resembling self-sacrificial love. While Macchia offers several critiques of the book, he notes in agreement with Davies that Jesus as the living Lord powerfully present in the church and beyond as the source of new life in the Spirit has always been a Pentecostal point of emphasis.
Repeated Homotypic Stress Elevates 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Levels and Enhances Short-Term Endocannabinoid Signaling at Inhibitory Synapses in Basolateral Amygdala

Psychosocial stress is a risk factor for development and exacerbation of neuropsychiatric illness. Repeated stress causes biochemical adaptations in endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling that contribute to stress–response habituation, however, the synaptic correlates of these adaptations have not been examined. Here, we show that the synthetic enzyme for the eCB 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), diacylglycerol (DAG) lipase alpha, is heterogeneously expressed in the amygdala, and that levels of 2-AG and precursor DAGs are increased in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) after 10 days, but not 1 day, of restraint stress. In contrast, arachidonic acid was decreased after both 1 and 10 days of restraint stress. To examine the synaptic correlates of these alterations in 2-AG metabolism, we used whole-cell electrophysiology to determine the effects of restraint stress on depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI) in the BLA. A single restraint stress exposure did not alter DSI compared with control mice. However, after 10 days of restraint stress, DSI duration, but not magnitude, was significantly prolonged. Inhibition of 2-AG degradation with MAFP also prolonged DSI duration; the effects of repeated restraint stress and MAFP were mutually occlusive. These data indicate that exposure to repeated, but not acute, stress produces neuroadaptations that confer BLA neurons with an enhanced capacity to elevate 2-AG content and engage in 2-AG-mediated short-term retrograde synaptic signaling. We suggest stress-induced enhancement of eCB-mediated suppression of inhibitory transmission in the BLA could contribute to affective dysregulation associated with chronic stress.
Multifragment disintegration of the 129Xe+197Au system at E/A=50 MeV.

Multifragment disintegrations following $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$${+}^{197}$Au collisions at E/A=50 MeV have been studied with a multidetector system covering 88% of 4\ensuremath{\pi} in solid angle. The average number of intermediate-mass fragments (Z=3--20) increases strongly as a function of charged-particle multiplicity and reaches values larger than six for the most violent collisions. The results are compared to calculations with both dynamical and statistical models.
Rapid propagation of tuna (Opuntia ficus-indica) and plant establishment in soil

Explants from young joints of mature plants of tuna (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 8.8 μM benzyladenine (BA) and 0.5 μM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Shoots produced were utilized as secondary explants. Each shoot was cut longitudinally from apex to base into two explants, and some of these explants were cut transversely into proximal and distal explants. The size and number of shoots produced was affected by size and position of the explant within its source. The shoots were rooted in vitro or ex vitro and plants were successfully established in soil from both rooting methods.
Two-error correcting Bose-Chaudhuri codes are quasi-perfect

It is shown that all two-error correcting Bose-Chaudhuri codes are close-packed and therefore optimum. A method is also given for finding cosets of large weight in t > 2-error correcting Bose-Chaudhuri codes, which suggests that no other nontrivial codes are close-packed.
Acute optic neuropathy in older patients.

Forty-eight patients over the age of 35 years were examined and followed after the sudden spontaneous loss of vision referable to one or both optic nerves. Patients with multiple sclerosis were excluded. Men and women were equally affected, most often between the ages of 55 to 65 years. Both optic nerves were involved simultaneously in nine (19%) patients and eventually in 23 (48%), but multiple lesions in a single optic nerve occurred only twice. Visual acuity remained normal in 21 (35%) of involved eyes. When acuity was impaired, it eventually improved in 13 (33%), especially when the defect in the visual field was a central scotoma or small altitudinal scotoma. Large arcuate defects and altitudinal hemianopias were much more common, but stable. Despite high prevalence of systemic vascular disease, signs and symptoms of cerebrovascular disease were rare. No evidence of expanding intracranial lesions was found.
Load and Boundary Condition Calibration Using Full-field Strain Measurement

For critical load bearing structures, it is often necessary to experimentally determine the load distribution on the structure so that accurate finite element models can be developed for stress and fatigue life predictions. An inverse problem approach is presented here for computing or calibrating the loads and boundary conditions acting on a structure. This enables the creation of more accurate finite element models, especially for structures that have complicated load distribution and compliant boundary conditions. The method presented here involves minimizing the least square error between the strains computed using the finite element model and the strains and displacements obtained experimentally. The nodal loads and the compliance at fixed boundaries are treated as the variables in the optimization problem. The compliance is modeled as springs attached at the nodes that are on the boundary where the structure is restrained. The method is verified by computing the loads and boundary conditions when displacements, maximum shear strain or both are available at large number of points on the surface of the structure. The experimental data set was generated using the luminescent photoelastic coating (LPC) technique.
Scheidung und Mischung: Sprache und Gesellschaft in Thomas Manns Buddenbrooks

Summary Thomas Mann gebraucht in Buddenbrooks drei verschiedene deutsche Sprachformen: das Hochdeutsche, das niederdeutsche Platt und was er den »Lubecker Dialekt« nennt, eine Mischung von Hochdeutsch und Plattdeutsch, die als Missingsch definiert werden kann. Auserdem erwahnt er noch an einer Stelle eine Sonderform der Lubecker kaufmannischen Umgangssprache, die er ebenfalls als »Dialekt« bezeichnet. Dazu kommt noch eine Fremdsprache, das Franzosische. Da Buddenbrooks ein Gesellschaftsronman ist, besitzen alle sprachliche Elemente auch eine soziologische Funktion: sie zeigen den Platz einzelner Sprecher oder Gruppen innerhalb des Gesellschaftsgefuges an. Die drei genannten Grundformen des deutschen entsprechen als Standessprachen den Hauptschichten der Lubecker Klassengesellschaft. Die grosburgerliche Oberschicht spricht hochdeutsch, der kleinburgerliche Miettelstand das Lubecker Missingsch und die unterste Volksschicht plattdeutsch. Die grundsatzlich geltenden Zuordnung der Sprachformen zu den drei Klassenschichten wird jedoch durch mannigfaltige Sprachmischungen eingeschrankt. Angehorige der Oberschicht sowie auch der Mittelstand sprechen neben ihren primaren Standessprachen Hafrig auch noch plattdeutsch. Das Franzosische wird von dem alten Herrn Johann Buddenbrook in einer eigenartigen Sprachmischung mit dem Plattdeutschen kombiniert.
Interannual differences in microplankton drive changes in the feeding and fecundity of Mnemiopsis leidyi in a Long Island estuary

Abstract The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi forms seasonal population blooms, which exhibit interannual variation in abundance. Ctenophore egg production and gut contents were examined alongside plankton community structure to identify factors influencing recruitment of M. leidyi in Great South Bay, NY. Ctenophores contained three times as many prey items and produced twice as many eggs in 2008 during a brown tide (Aureococcus anophagefferens) than in 2009, a year without a brown tide. Gut contents demonstrated significant dependence on the copepod Acartia tonsa, which is known to switch from ambush to suspension feeding when flagellates are abundant. Microflagellate abundance was significantly greater in 2008 and corresponded positively with A. anophagefferens, potentially increasing the encounter rates between M. leidyi and A. tonsa by promoting suspension feeding in the latter. Despite the enhanced fecundity, however, ctenophore abundances were five times lower in 2008 and a mismatch was identified between optimum egg production by adults and sufficient microplanktonic prey (dinoflagellates and ciliates) abundance for their larvae, compared to 2009 when the two coincided. We propose that increased microflagellate abundance during the brown tide provided a benefit to ctenophore fecundity by enhancing their encounter rates with A. tonsa, but ultimately larval recruitment was limited by insufficient food availability.
[3H]sumatriptan labels both 5-HT1D and 5-HT1F receptor binding sites in the guinea pig brain: an autoradiographic study

We have used in vitro autoradiography to visualize [3H]sumatriptan binding sites in sections of guinea-pig and rat brain. In saturation studies, this ligand recognized a single saturable population of high affinity binding sites in all regions examined (pKD = 8.3–9.3). While 5-HT and the sumatriptan derivative CP-122,288 (5-methyl-aminosulfonylmethyl-3-(N-methylpyrrolidin-2R-yl-methyl)-1H-indole) competed for [3H]sumatriptan binding sites with a high affinity and monophasic profile, displacement experiments with 5-carboxamidotryptamine revealed the existence of 2 classes of binding sites. The high affinity component (pKD = 9.2–9.9) probably corresponded to 5-HT1B (rat) or 5-HT1D (guinea-pig) receptors. The intermediate affinity (pKD = 5.7–7.3) of the other component, taken together with their high affinity for [3H]sumatriptan, was similar to that of the cloned 5-HT1F receptor. The regional distribution of the 5-HT1B/1D [3H]sumatriptan binding sites was in agreement with previously published studies (striatonigral system, hypothalamus, central gray, superficial layer of the superior colliculus) and corresponded to the pattern of serotonin-5-O-carboxymethyl-glycyl [125I]tyrosinamide labeling in consecutive sections. [3H]sumatriptan binding sites with a low affinity for 5-CT predominated in the intermediate neocortical layers, the claustrum (in the guinea-pig only), the mammillary nuclei, most of the thalamic nuclei and the principal oculomotor nucleus (in the guinea-pig only). This distribution is very similar to that of 5-HT1F mRNA, indicating further the identity of these sites with 5-HT1F receptors. Very high densities of 5-HT1F sites were also found in the rat parafascicular nucleus.
Group Living, Competition, and the Evolution of Cooperation in a Sessile Invertebrate

Competition and cooperation are thought to represent the opposite extremes of organism interactions. I here show that the formation of aggregations in a sessile organism requires cooperation between individuals and that the gregarious pattern of habitat selection generating these aggregations is a response to a density dependence in the outcome of interference competition.
Studies of triplet energy migration between anthracene molecules in a polystyrene matrix

Abstract Using spatially intermittent radiation, rates of triplet energy migration between anthracene molecules in a polystyrene matrix have been measured. Diffusion coefficients observed are on the order of 10 −3 cm 2 /s and are concentration dependent. A small dependence on polymer molecular weight is also observed.
Enhanced selectivity in the conversion of methanol to 2,2,3-trimethylbutane (triptane) over zinc iodide by added phosphorous or hypophosphorous acid

The yield of triptane from the reaction of methanol with zinc iodide is dramatically increased by addition of phosphorous or hypophosphorous acid, via transfer of hydride from a P–H bond to carbocationic intermediates.
Stereospecific Hydrogenations IV: Palladium-on-Poly-S-Valine and Palladium-on-Poly-S-Leucine

Studies concerning the influence of helical conformation on the enantioselective hydrogenations catalyzed by palladium-on-poly-S-amino acids are described. Poly-S-valine which does not normally form a helical conformation and poly-S-leucine which forms a right-handed helix were chosen as carriers for this study. Hydrogenations of α-methylcinnamic acid and α-acetamidocinnamic acid using palladium-on-poly-S-valine produced predominantly S(+)-dihydro-α-methylcinnamic acid and R( +)-phenyl-alanine (after hydrolysis), respectively. The hydrogenations catalyzed by palladium-on-poly-S-leucine produced predominantly R(−)-dihydro-α-methylcinnamic acid and S(−)-phenylalanine (after hydrolysis), respectively. These results indicate that the helical conformation of the polyamino acid carriers does influence the asymmetric induction observed. The asymmetric induction arising from the chirality of the screw sense of the polyamino acid appears to have a stronger influence on the configuration of the products than does the asymmetric induction arising from the configurations of the amino acid residues. The asymmetric induction arising from the helical conformation appears to mask any influence arising from the asymmetric carbon atoms of the amino acid residues.
Numerical dynamic analysis of moving GTA weld pool

A three dimensional model with a moving heat source is developed to describe heat transfer and fluid flow in transient weld pools. Full penetration and free top and bottom surfaces are incorporated in the model in order to simulate the welding process more practically. The influence of plate thickness and welding current on the dynamics of weld pools is analyzed using calculated data. It is shown that when the workpiece is nearly penetrated, the depth of weld pool increases quickly. Also, the elevation of the top surface decreases quickly once the full penetration status is established.
Client Matching: A Severity-Treatment Intensity Paradigm

ABSTRACT Despite considerable effort to develop matching strategies and client placement protocols, research studies fail to yield compelling results regarding the benefits of matching to treatment. The most consistent findings suggest a matching paradigm, which defines a successful placement as the least treatment intensity required addressing the severity of the disorder. The purpose of the present study is to provide further empirical support for the validity of a severity-intensity paradigm utilizing data from the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies. A “passive match” approach employed the Client Matching Protocol decision algorithm, which recommended clients to long-term residential or outpatient drug-free treatment. One-year outcomes for clients matched to long-term residential treatment were better on all outcome variables compared to those undertreated in outpatient drug-free treatment. Findings supported the validity of the severity-intensity paradigm in that undertreated clients showed less imp...
Laser and Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for the Esthetic Treatment of Lower Extremity Veins

The role of lasers and intense pulsed light sources has gained increasing popularity over the last decade. Major advances associated with improved results are the main reasons associated with this increasing popularity. These advances include epidermal cooling technologies, variable spot sizes and pulse durations as well as the ability to deliver high-energy fluences. These advances have allowed the delivery of sufficient energy to cause uniform pan-endothelial necrosis without affecting epidermal structures causing adverse sequelae such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and epidermal surface irregularities. The advent of extended-pulse longer-wavelength technologies such as the 1064 Neodymium : Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd : YAG) laser have allowed the treatment of individuals with darker phenotypic skin types as well as deep blue reticular veins up to 3mm in diameter in a monomodal fashion. Combined approaches of sclerotherapy plus laser treatments performed at the same treatment session may produce synergistic results in selected individuals.
High CW power narrow-spectral width (< 1.5 Å) 980 nm broad-stripe distributed-feedback diode lasers

100 /spl mu/m-stripe, broad-waveguide InGaAs-InGaAsP-GaAs DFB diode lasers (/spl lambda/=976 nm) have been realised which exhibit narrow spectral widths (full width at half maximum) of 0.5 and 1.3 /spl Aring/ at CW powers of 0.5 and 1 W, respectively. 5/95% facet-coated devices have been realised which have an external differential quantum efficiency of 52% and a wallplug efficiency of 33% at 1 W.