cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atomic-pair theorem for universal matrix representatives of molecules and atomic clusters in non-relativistic Born-Oppenheimer approximation

The mathematical underpinnings of a universal atomic-pair based approach to ab initio calculations of the electronic wave functions and energies of molecules and other atomic clusters are reported in non-relativistic Born-Oppenheimer approximation. The general approach utilizes the closure of an orthonormal (Eisenschitz-London) outer product of atomic spectral eigenstates to support totally antisymmetric aggregate eigenstates in the absence of explicit term-by-term atomic-product basis antisymmetry. Meaningful definitions of atomic-pair interaction operators and of their corresponding universal matrix representatives on the atomic product basis are obtained in this way for calculations on physical and chemical aggregates. Symmetric-group-based permutation-symmetry methods for partitioning of aggregate Hamlitonian matrices, performed to date by unitary transformations to remove unphysical “non-Pauli” states after aggregate Hamiltonian matrix construction, are supplemented here with a new two-step procedure...
Garment workers' rights are women's rights: Suggestions for future studies on support for socially responsible businesses

Globally, 80% of garment workers are women. This conceptual paper proposes that future research studies frame garment workers' rights as women's rights as a way to increase support for socially responsible businesses. The proposition is based on current literature and the construal-level theory of psychological distance.
The Imperial Collusion: The Anglo-American Campaign against Indian Nationalism in the United States and the Anti-Imperialist Response, 1917–20

AbstractDuring and immediately after World War I, Indian nationalism became subsumed into the overall American governmental efforts to cripple the activism of alleged subversives, radicals and anar...
Pharmacogenomics and Placebo Response in a Randomized Clinical Trial in Asthma.

Genetic variation may differentially modify drug and placebo treatment effects in randomized clinical trials. In asthma, although lung function and asthma control improvements are commonplace with placebo, pharmacogenomics of placebo vs. drug response remains unexamined. In a genomewide association study of subjective and objective outcomes with placebo treatment in Childhood Asthma Management Program of nedocromil/budesonide vs. placebo (N = 604), effect estimates for lead single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were compared across arms. The coughing/wheezing lead SNP, rs2392165 (β = 0.94; P = 1.10E-07) mapped to BBS9, a gene implicated in lung development that contains a lung function expression quantitative trait locus. The effect was attenuated with budesonide (Pinteraction = 1.48E-07), but not nedocromil (Pinteraction = 0.06). The lead forced vital capacity SNP, rs12930749 (β = -5.80; P = 1.47E-06), mapped to KIAA0556, a locus genomewide associated with respiratory diseases. The rs12930749 effect was attenuated with budesonide (Pinteraction = 1.32E-02) and nedocromil (Pinteraction = 1.09E-02). Pharmacogenomic analysis revealed differential effects with placebo and drug treatment that could potentially guide precision drug development in asthma.
The “Interrupted Story”: Elizabeth Bishop’s Fairy–Tale Aesthetics

In her post-college notebook dated 1934–1937, Elizabeth Bishop marked the relationship between children’s literature, especially the fairy tale, and poetry. She observed that the fairy tale was an ...
KinasepKipred: A Predictive Model for Estimating Ligand-Kinase Inhibitor Constant (pKi).

Motivation: Kinases are one of the most important classes of drug targets for therapeutic use. Algorithms that can accurately predict the drug-kinase inhibition constant(pKi) of kinases can considerably accelerate the drug discovery process. In this study, we have developed computational models, leveraging machine learning techniques, to predict (pKi). Kinase-ligand inhibition constant (Ki) data was retrieved from Drug Target Commons (DTC) and Metz databases. Results: Machine learning models were developed based on structural and physicochemical features of the protein and, topological pharmacophore atomic triplets fingerprints of the ligands. Three machine learning models [random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and artificial neural network (ANN)] were tested for model development. We built our predictive model using the Random Forest (RF) machine learning method. The performance of our model was evaluated using several metrics with 95% confidence interval and the best model achieved a Pearson correlation coefficient (R) of 0.887 (0.881, 0.893), a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.475 (0.465, 0.486), Concordance index (Con. Index) of 0.854 (0.851, 0.858), and an area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.957 (0.954, 0.960) during the internal 5-fold cross validation. Among the three aforementioned machine learning algorithms RF outperformed the other models. Availability: https://github.com/sirimullalab/KinasepKipred Implementation: https://drugdiscovery.utep.edu/pki
Insulin Glargine in Critically ill Patients: Once/Day versus Twice/Day Dosing

Objective Twice/day dosing of insulin glargine has been used to treat hyperglycemia in clinical practice; however, data supporting its use in the critically ill population are lacking. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of twice/day insulin glargine in critically ill patients. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in adult patients admitted to the intensive care units between February 2013 and June 2017 who received insulin glargine twice/day or 40 units or more once/day for 48 hours or longer. Post cardiovascular surgery patients were excluded. Data were collected for up to 14 patient-days. The efficacy outcomes included the incidence of hyperglycemia (blood glucose [BG] above 180 mg/dl), predose hyperglycemia rate (BG above 180 mg/dl within 4 hrs before the dose), and BG variability (standard deviation). The safety outcome was assessed by the development of hypoglycemia (BG below 70 mg/dl). Results A total of 58 patients (twice/day = 23; once/day = 35) were included in the analysis. Demographics were similar between the groups including history of diabetes mellitus, baseline hemoglobin A1C , and home insulin use. No difference was observed between the twice/day and once/day groups in the mean BG (153 vs 154 mg/dl, p=0.95, respectively), and BG variability (46 vs 44 mg/dl, p=0.29, respectively). Although the overall incidence of hyperglycemia was similar between twice/day and once/day groups (96% vs 97%, p=1.00, respectively), the twice/day group had a significantly lower predose hyperglycemia rate (twice/day 0.27 vs once/day 0.43, p=0.02). Additionally, the twice/day group did not experience an increased incidence of hypoglycemia (twice/day 23% vs once/day 34%, p=0.57) or hypoglycemia without having anything by mouth (twice/day 0% vs once/day 9%, p=0.27). Conclusions This is the first study demonstrating that twice/day insulin glargine reduced the rate of predose hyperglycemia without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia in critically ill patients. A large randomized study is needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of twice/day glargine in the critically ill.
It’s Not How You Say It, But What You Say: Communication Valence in the Workplace and Employees’ Reactions

Social information processing theory argues that information available from coworkers and the general social environment in the workplace are related to employees’ attitudes and behaviors. Focusing on valence of coworker communication content (i.e., positive or negative conversation about work), we proposed and tested two models: first, communication content or valence of what employees talk about at work will be related to their burnout, and second, burnout will be related employees’ counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Based on social role theory, we proposed that gender would moderate the relationship between contents of communication and burnout, as well as between burnout and CWB. The study sampled 442 employees from a central governmental department in South Korea. Positively valent coworkers’ communications were negatively related to burnout, but negatively valent communication was positively related to burnout. Furthermore, burnout was related to CWB. Also, the relationship between negative communication content and burnout was stronger among female than male employees, but there was no gender difference in the positive communication-burnout association. Lastly, weaker positive relationships between burnout and CWB were found among female employees compared to male employees. Overall, the present study shows the differential relationships of positive and negative communication with employees’ outcomes and extends communication research in the workplace with its practical implications (i.e., communications promoting positive aspects of the organization).
Hair sampling for cortisol analysis with mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes.

Abstract Background A first step to advance stress science research in young children is understanding the relationship between chronic stress in a mother and chronic stress in her child. One non-invasive measure of chronic stress is hair cortisol. However, little is known about strategies for hair sampling in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S. To address prior limitations, the purpose of this study was to understand the feasibility of sampling hair for cortisol analysis in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S. We examined feasibility related to participation, eligibility, and gathering an adequate hair sample weight. Methods We approached 142 low-income, racially diverse, urban-dwelling mothers who were participating in an ongoing longitudinal birth cohort study for informed consent to cut approximately 150 hairs from the posterior vertex of their scalp and their toddlers’ (20–24 months) scalp. We demonstrated the process of sampling hair with a hairstyling doll during home visits to the mother and toddler using rounded-end thinning shears. Results Overall, 94 of 142 mother-toddler dyads (66 %) participated in hair sampling. The most common reason for participation refusal was related to hairstyle. All but three hair samples were of adequate weight for cortisol extraction. Discussion The findings from this study can help researchers address sampling feasibility concerns in hair for cortisol analysis research in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S.
The effect of succinic acid on the metabolic profile in high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.

Obesity, insulin resistance, and poor metabolic profile are hallmarks of a high-fat diet (HFD), highlighting the need to understand underlying mechanisms. Therefore, we sought to determine the effect of succinic acid (SA) on metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Animals were randomly assigned to either low-fat diet (LFD) or a high-fat diet (HFD). Mice consumed their respective diets for 4.5 months and then assigned to the following groups: (LFD)+vehicle, LFD + SA (0.75 mg/ml), HFD + vehicle, or HFD + SA. Body weight (BW), food, and water intake, were tracked weekly. After 6 weeks, insulin, glucose, and pyruvate tolerance tests were completed, and spontaneous physical activity was assessed. Epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT) mass and in vitro measurements of oxidative skeletal muscle (soleus) respiration were obtained. Expectedly, the HFD increased BW and EWAT mass, and reduced glucose and insulin tolerance. SA significantly reduced EWAT mass, more so in HFD (p .05). A significant (p < .05) interaction was observed between mitochondrial respiration and treatment, where SA increased respiration, likely owed to greater mitochondrial content, as assessed by complex IV activity in both LFD and HFD. In HFD-induced obesity, coupled with insulin desensitization, we found no favorable effect of succinic acid on glucose regulation, though adiposity was attenuated. In oxidative skeletal muscle, there was a tendency for increased respiratory capacity, likely owed to greater mitochondrial content, suggestive of a succinic acid-induced mitochondrial biogenesis.
From Compliance, to Acceptance, to Teaching: On Relocating Rule Consequentialism's Stipulations

Several recent formulations of Rule Consequentialism (RC) have broken with the consensus that RC should be formulated in terms of code acceptance, claiming instead that RC should focus on the consequences of codes' being taught. I begin this article with an examination of the standard case for acceptance formulations. In addition to depending on the mistaken assumption that compliance and acceptance formulations are the only options, the standard case claims advantages for acceptance formulations that, upon closer examination, favor teaching formulations. In the remainder of the article, I defend this new teaching-centered approach against some recent criticisms. I argue that preoccupation with the somewhat technical problem of identifying the best criterion for making choices under conditions of uncertainty has distracted rule consequentialists from paying more careful attention to the advantages and disadvantages that result from decisions concerning where they locate RC's stipulated assumptions within the theory.
El impasse deseante: Traducciones, malentendidos y racismo en Chile

This article examines how the translation of concepts such as queer and cuir theory, intersectional feminism, antiracism, and Indigenous thought always run the risk of failing in the context of hemispheric dialogue (that is, regarding the Americas--Turtle Island and Abya Yala). Specifically, critical approaches to gender, sexuality and race generate what this essay proposes as the desiring impasse of translation. This impasse produces desiring reverberations that at the same time generate other forms of seeing, feeling, and understanding different (and dissident) forms of embodiment. This article dwells on moments of rupture that signal how the work of hemispheric dialogue--a dialogue that aims to undermine the imperial domination of the United States in terms of the production of knowledge--depends on imperfect translations; on embodied proximities, gestures, affects, which in any moment may end in violence, failure, or silence. This text advocates for a praxis of incompleteness, a desiring but never perfect desire for translation that pays attention to situated knowledges while also refusing to erase epistemic differences.
CureQuest: A Digital Game for New Drug Discovery

Cure Quest is an educational adventure game about Clinical Translational Therapeutics, the process of discovery and development of new medical treatments, drugs, devices, and therapies. The game is being developed through collaboration between faculty and students from a game design program and those from a medical school to raise awareness and improve collaboration in the “bench to bedside” process. Cure Quest aims to address this gap, first with medical students and ultimately for a general audience, with a game that instills wonder and inspires players with drug discovery challenges. In addition to the game's impact when completed, the development process itself presents a novel case study of integrating the interdisciplinary fields of game development and “team science.” We present the current version of the game in development, the unique design challenges presented by the project, and the evolution of our collaborative process.
Reproductive Freedom and the Paradigmatic Character of Plato's "Republic"

In the Republic, the paradigmatic character of Plato’s best city appears incompatible with the use of deception in the procreative practices of the Auxiliaries and Guardians. I argue that this incongruity, as well as the exact provisions of Plato’s reproduction festival, are explained by three facts: his commitment to eugenics, his insistence on the abolition of the typical Greek household and his belief that there are serious limitations to the type of knowledge that Auxiliaries can achieve.
Practical Body Mechanics

(1948). Practical Body Mechanics. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 19, No. 9, pp. 591-632.
H/sub /spl infin// identification-based robust control system design

In this paper the interaction between H/sub /spl infin// identification and H/sub /spl infin// robust control design problems is studied. An iterative solution for the coupled H/sub /spl infin// identification and control problems is proposed, which involves pre-filtering the plant data. Some conditions on the pre-filter to permit convergence are derived. The use of pre-filtering is shown to significantly reduce the number of experiments required at successive iterations.
Lumped passive circuits for 5GHz embedded test of RF SoCs

Many companies have been trying to integrate the entire WLAN system on a SoC. Such a high level integration calls for the development of embedded self tests for the SoC. This WLAN embedded self test requires 5 GHz directional couplers, baluns, and dividers, which are presented in this work. Lumped passive 5 GHz ICs were developed to demonstrate these compact test devices. Measurement results show excellent agreement with simulation for the integrated 5 GHz coupler, balun and divider designs.
Learning to recognize complex actions using conditional random fields

Surveillance systems that operate continuously generate large volumes of data. One such system is described here, continuously tracking and storing observations taken from multiple stereo systems. Automated event recognition is one way of annotating track databases for faster search and retrieval. Recognition of complex events in such data sets often requires context for successful disambiguation of apparently similar activities. Conditional random fields permit straightforward incorporation of temporal context into the event recognition task. This paper describes experiments in activity learning, using conditional random fields to learn and recognize composite events that are captured by the observation stream.
The 3-D transesophageal echocardiography scanning requirements for the entire heart

The objective of this study was to define in a quantitative manner the geometrical relationship between the human esophagus and the heart. This information is useful in the design of 3-D transesophageal ultrasound probes where the entire heart is to be imaged from within the esophagus. Serial coronal CT sections of ten live human subjects were studied For each section, the esophageal centroid and the border of the pericardium were digitized. The boundaries of the heart were defined in terms of a distance r, and two angles cP and 8. The maximum ranges of r, /spl phi/, /spl theta/ were (0.4 cm-20 cm), (-7/spl deg/-279/spl deg/), and (1.5/spl deg/- 155/spl deg/), respectively. >
Effect of cystine intake on methionine kinetics and oxidation determined with oral tracers of methionine and cysteine in healthy adults.

There is evidence based on nitrogen balance that dietary cystine spares, from ∼16% to 89%, the total methionine requirement. In a previous study we did not detect, by tracer techniques, a sparing effect of cystine when the diet provided methionine at a limiting intake (requirement level: 13 mg.kg -1 .d -1 ). One reason could be that we used an intravenous infusion of the tracer, which may not, therefore, have labeled the carbon dioxide derived from the splanchnic oxidation of dietary methionine. The aim of this study was to compare methionine metabolism and oxidation in eight healthy adults given for 6 d each of three different diets: 13 mg (87.0 μmol) methionine.kg -1 .d -1 and no cystine (diet A): 5 mg (33.5 μmol) methionine.kg 1 .d -1 and no cystine (diet B): and 5 mg (33.5 μmol) methionine .kg -1 .d -1 and 6.5 mg (52.4 μmol) cystine.kg -1 .d -1 (diet C). On day 7, tracers ([1- 13 C, methyl- 2 H 3 [methionine and [ 2 H 2 ]cysteine) were administered orally at 30-min intervals for 8 h. Blood and breath samples were obtained for analysis during 3-h fasting and consecutive 5-h feeding periods. During fasting. methionine oxidation and methionine methyl (Q m ) and carboxyl (Q c ) fluxes and plasma concentrations were not affected by the amount of sulfur amino acids in the three diets. In the fed state methionine oxidation was significantly lower during diets B (3.0 ± 0.5 μmol.kg -1 .h -1 ) and C (2.8 ± 0.6 μmol.kg -1 .h -1 ) than during diet A (4.1 ± 0.9 μmol.kg -1 .h -1 ); there were no significant differences between diets B and C. Q m and Q c, decreased with decreased methionine intake but no effect was observed by adding cystine. Cysteine flux (Q cys ) was not affected by diet composition but it was lower during feeding than during fasting. In conclusion, replacing 60% of the total requirement for methionine with cystine over a short diet period did not result in a detectable sparing of methionine oxidation.
Monoclonal antibodies directed against the sugar sequence of lacto-N-fucopentaose III are obtained from mice immunized with human tumors.

Abstract Four hybridomas obtained from mice immunized with human adenocarcinomas of colon or stomach produce antibodies that bind specifically in solid-phase radioimmunoassay to the ceramide pentasaccharide that contains the lacto-N-fucopentaose III sequence of sugars. Binding of the antibodies to the glycolipid is inhibited by lacto-N-fucopentaose III, but not by structurally related oligosaccharides. The antibodies bind to glycolipids of erythrocytes, granulocytes, and certain normal and malignant tissues.
Interaction of the cyanobacterial thiazoline‐containing lipid curacin A with bovine brain tubulin

Curacin A is a thiazoline-containing lipid from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula. Despite being a potent inhibitor of microtubule assembly and of colchicine binding to tubulin, curacin A bears little or no structural resemblance to colchicine or to any other tubulin ligand. We investigated the interaction of curacin A with bovine brain tubulin using three different approaches. We first examined its effect on the intra-chain formation of a cross-link in β-tubulin by N,N′- ethylenebis(iodoacetamide). Formation of this cross-link, between cys239 and cys354, is blocked by colchicine and its A-ring analogues as well as by various other inhibitors of colchicine binding; C-ring analogues do not inhibit its formation. Curacin A strongly inhibited formation of this cross-link. Second, we examined the effect of curacin A on the time-dependent exposure of sulfhydryl groups on tubulin as measured by alkylation with iodo[14C]acetamide. Curacin A inhibited this very strongly, more so than either colchicine or podophyllotoxin. Last, we investigated the effect of curacin A on the time-dependent exposure of hydrophobic areas on the tubulin molecule. We found that curacin A had only a small effect on this process, comparable in magnitude to that of podophyllotoxin. Curacin A thus appears to have an unusual interaction with tubulin. Its binding site on tubulin is likely to overlap with that of the A-ring of colchicine. Drug Dev. Res. 40:223–229, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Evidence-based practice in laparoscopic surgery: perioperative care

Best practices for reducing risks of postoperative infection, venous thromboembolism, and nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery are uncertain. As a result, perioperative care varies widely. We reviewed evidence from randomized clinical trials on the effectiveness of interventions for postoperative infection, venous thromboembolism, and nausea and vomiting Data sources were the Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, reference lists of published trials, and randomized clinical trials published in English since 1990. Trials were also limited to those focused on patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Data from 98 randomized clinical trials were included in the final analysis. Routine antibiotic use in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and possibly other clean procedures not involving placement of prostheses, is likely unnecessary. Similarly, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is probably unnecessary for low-risk patients undergoing brief procedures. Of a wide variety of methods for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting, serotonin receptor antagonists appear the most effective and should be considered for routine prophylaxis.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Allantoin Racemization

Abstract The kinetics and mechanism of racemization of allantoin have been examined; racemization proceeds via two independent pathways that can be separately monitored. One pathway involves proton exchange at C5 with solvent. The other pathway occurs via intramolecular attack of N8 on C4 to form a symmetrical bicyclic intermediate, which can decompose to form either enantiomer of allantoin. The intramolecular pathway proceeds more rapidly from the allantoin anion than from neutral allantoin. This result is explained by conformational analyses based on experimental NMR data and computational results, which suggest that the ureido arm of anionic allantoin adopts a cis -conformation, allowing intramolecular attack. Neutral allantoin adopts a trans -conformation. The proton exchange pathway is buffer-catalyzed and also proceeds more rapidly at basic pH, although it is suggested that the reaction occurs from neutral allantoin. The relatively slow rate of racemization, particlarly at physiological pH, suggests that nonenzymatic racemization of allantoin is not a viable mechanism for the in vivo generation of ( S )-allantoin.
Late Miocene biogeography and paleoclimatology of the central North Atlantic

Abstract Quantitative analyses of planktonic foraminiferal assemblages from Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Holes 334 and 410 demonstrate that subpolar and subtropical faunal provinces existed in the North Atlantic during the late Miocene. Climatic oscillations are clearly recorded in Hole 410 by variations in abundance of the Neogloboquadrina subpolar assemblage. These climatic oscillations have a period of about 1 m.y. Higher frequency oscillations with a periodicity of one to several hundred thousand years are evident from about 6.5 to 7.5 m.y. and are probably present throughout the entire late Miocene. A revised age of 7.0 m.y. is proposed for the first occurrence of the calcareous nannofossil Amaurolithus primus (the Amaurolithus datum).
The introduction of poliovirus RNA into cells via lipid vesicles (liposomes)

Abstract Large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) composed of phosphatidylserine are capable of encapsulating poliovirus ribonucleic acid (RNA) and delivering it efficiently to cells in an infectious form. The biological activity of vesicle-entrapped poliovirus RNA was 1–2 × 10 4 plaque forming units/nanogram (pfu/ng) and appeared to be enhanced by ribonuclease treatment of the vesicle preparations (infectivity = 1–2 × 10 5 pfu/ng). Vesicle-mediated RNA infection produced equivalent titers in primate and nonprimate cells. Moreover, the data strongly suggest that the ratio of molecules per infectious unit is close to one when the RNA is properly delivered to the cell. A comparative study of LUV and multilamellar vesicles (MLV) indicates that LUV deliver their contents to the cell cytoplasm much more efficiently than MLV. LUV-entrapped poliovirus RNA produced infectious titers 10–100 fold higher than comparable RNA preparations delivered to cells by other techniques.
Trace metal distributions in Posidonia oceanica and sediments from Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy)

Distribution of metals (Hg, Pb, Sn, Cu, Cd and Zn) was determined in sediments and in different tissues of Posidonia oceanica collected from San Pietro Island, Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy). In seagrass, results, compared with metal concentrations in sediments, showed that the highest concentrations of Hg, Pb, Sn and Cu were found in the roots, while in the green leaves were found the highest levels of Cd and Zn. Instead the lowest metal concentrations were found in the basal part of the leaf. Levels of metals in the leaves were similar to those found by other authors in uncontaminated areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Mercury levels in roots were correlated to levels in sediments. This could demonstrate the plant memorizes sediments contamination . This study reinforces the usefulness and the relevance of Posidonia oceanica as an indicator of spatial metal contamination and an interesting tool for environmental quality evaluation.
Entanglement between dissimilar chains in compatible polymer blends: poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinylidene fluoride)

The plateau modulus and zero-shear melt viscosity of binary compatible blends of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) were measured by dynamic oscillation and shear creep, and used to analyze the entanglement between dissimilar chains and its effect on melt viscosity. It is found that dissimilar chains are less likely to entangle with each other than similar chains, resulting in a large reduction of zero-shear melt viscosity in this system.
Molecules take center stage

All animals, including humans, begin life as a single cell. During the first few hours of development, that initial cell and its progeny make a series of crucial decisions that ultimately lead to the formation of organs and structures of the adult organism. The principal aim of developmental biology
Single Molecule Analysis of Human Telomerase RNA Pseudoknot Folding and Dynamics

The essential telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) enzyme adds telomere DNA repeats to chromosome ends, combating chromosome degradation and erroneous DNA repair processes. The telomerase RNP is minimally comprised of the telomerase reverse transcriptase protein (hTERT) and telomerase RNA (hTR). hTR provides the template sequence for the reverse transcription reaction and serves as a scaffold for other telomerase-associated proteins. Among several conserved structural motifs within hTR, the structure of a pseudoknot fold that undergoes compaction into a triple helical structure has been solved using NMR. We established a single-molecule FRET based assay to characterize the structural dynamics of the hTR pseudoknot in the context of the native RNA sequence. The effects of mutations affecting pseudoknot or triplex stability have been studied in both minimal and native RNA constructs. Our results suggest the folding properties of the hTR pseudoknot are significantly influenced by the presence of proximal RNA structural elements, affecting pseudoknot formation in the functional hTR sequence. We also demonstrate that the structural manifestation of a specific pathogenic mutation within the hTR pseudoknot depends on both the sequence context and Mg(II) concentration. The energetic stabilization conferred by (i) the native pseudoknot structure, (ii) the binding of Mg(II) ions, and (iii) the triplex structure all contribute individually to the folding of the functional hTR. Importantly, in the absence of any one of these three stabilizing factors the native hTR sequence is unable to successfully navigate the rugged energy landscape toward its native fold.
Representation, Attitudes, and Behavior: Analyzing the Spatial Dimensions of Community Response to Mental Disability

Anecdotal evidence indicates that community opposition has become intensified and more focused on human service facilities over the past decade. The irrational, selfish, and exclusionary tendencies often associated with the NIMBY (not in my backyard) syndrome do not reflect the complexity inherent in local responses to controversial human services, such as mental health care facilities. In this paper I instead develop a framework incorporating the broader structure of social relations to explain local response to mental disability. In this framework I posit that marginalized representations of mental disability based in a continuum of stigma lead to rejecting attitudes and behavior.The first national survey of attitudes toward controversial human services conducted in the USA (N = 1326) provides the data for exploring the spatial dimensions of resident acceptance and rejection. Results of a multivariate analysis indicate that the spatial dimensions of community response are linked to both the structure of...
Ventricular fibrillation during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Changes in ultrastructure after induced ventricular fibrillation were studied in the normothermic and nonhypertrophic canine heart using a transmural myocardial biopsy method. Comparisons were made between subendocardial and subepicardial layers by the quantitative evaluation of ultrastructural changes in mitochondria and glycogen granules.
Presence and distribution of sensory structures on the mouthparts of self-medicating moths

Abstract Unique structures often accompany unusual feeding behaviors in erebid moths. We test whether self-medicating (e.g., pharmacophagous) adult tiger moths have specialized structures on their mouthparts. We examined mouthparts of pharmacophagous and non-pharmacophagous adults using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Self-medicating adults had significantly higher numbers of chemosensory structures when compared with non-self-medicating adults. Putative olfactory sensilla are reported on the proboscis of Nyctemera coleta and pollen grains were found adhered to the proboscis of Nyctemera secundiana. Sensilla on the observed tiger moth proboscides may play a role in the recognition of pyrrolizidine alkaloid plants by pharmacophagous adults.
Fun in Victorian London Today

This essay is devoted to the pair of terms that brackets my subtitle, terms that seem to me both counterintuitive and highly relevant to current academic and non-academic thinking about Victorian L...
A Comparison of Fertility Assessment and Cytogenetic Analysis for the Detection of Translocation Heterozygotes in CD-1 Mice

ABSTRACTA comparison of the fertility and cytogenetic analyses and the combination of both techniques as generally used in the heritable translocation assay was conducted with triethylenemelamine (TEM). CD-lmice were used as the F0 generation and were divided into two groups that received i.p. either distilled water (control) or TEM at 0.15–0.20 mg/kg. A total of 226 F1 males were generated (125 control, 101 TEM group) and were subjected to both sequential fertility assessment and direct cytogenetic analysis. A litter size of 10 was used for the fertility assessment method and 25 cells per animal were scored for the direct cytogenetic analysis; 20 animals were initially identified as translocation carriers based on the fertility analysis and 16 animals were identified by cytogenetic analysis. When these data were compared and the discrepancies resolved, each method separately identified 16 translocation carriers (15 animals common to both methods). With the combination of data for both techniques, as is d...
Cosmic evolution of nontopological solitons.

Nontopological solitons are stable field configurations which may be formed in a primordial phase transition. We study their cosmic evolution and examine the possibility that such objects could contribute significantly to the energy density of the Universe. As the Universe cools, initially all but the largest lumps evaporate into free particles; those which survive may subsequently enter a brief accretion phase before they "freeze out" at a final size. Although the minimum critical charges which survive depend on particle masses and couplings, we develop an analysis which applies to a wide class of models. In most cases, solitons of moderate size survive the evaporation process only if there is a significant charge asymmetry or if they form at a temperature well below their binding energy per charge.
Persistence of myosin heavy chain-based fiber types in innervated but silenced rat fast muscle.

Myosin heavy chain (MHC) profile and size of fibers in deep and superficial regions of the adult rat medial gastrocnemius (MG) were determined after 4, 15, 30, and 60 days of inactivity induced by spinal cord isolation (SI). After 4 days, fiber size decreased by 33 to 50% and 36 to 46% in deep and superficial regions, whereas MHC composition was unaffected. By 15 days, these values were 45 to 78% and 51 to 69%, and MHC composition was shifting toward faster isoforms. By 60 days, there were no pure type I MHC fibers and increases from 1 to 18% and 78 to 93% in pure type IIb fibers in deep and superficial regions. The percentage of type I MHC (gel electrophoresis) was∼10 and ∼3%, and of type IIb ∼40 and ∼60% in control and 60-day SI rats. Thus, adaptations in the MHC molecule occurred at a slower rate and for a longer duration than the atrophic response. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 735–747, 2000
From Thucydides to Mayor Daley: Bad Politics, and a Culture of Corruption?

“Don't Vote—It Only Encourages Them!”The words appeared on a chalkboard outside a London pub the day after Margaret Thatcher called the 1987 general election, but they might just as well be the motto of half or more of the American electorate in 2006 as well. Deep into a midterm election campaign in a time of war and economic worries—a campaign that could change control of one or, conceivably, both houses of Congress, and that will set the stage for the next presidential election—disenchanted voters far outnumber political enthusiasts. Between 60–70% of poll respondents say the country is “on the wrong track,” and roughly the same percentages say they are “dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States.” “Wrong track” responses are more common among non-registered voting-age respondents than in the population as a whole. Neither party in Congress enjoys a net positive assessment by the public. The Pew Research Center regularly asks, “Regardless of how you feel about your own representative, would you like to see most members of Congress reelected in the next congressional election, or not?” In June of this year 29% answered “yes” and 57% “no”—a major change from October of 2000 when 40% said “yes” and 34% responded “no.” Despite these levels of apparent alienation, and the sizeable stakes in play this year, there are few signs that voter turnout in 2006 will rise above the dismal levels traditionally associated with midterm federal elections.
A study of slug characteristics for two-phase horizontal flow

Understanding the behavior of multiphase flow in pipelines is an important factor in the safe and economical design and operation of multiphase systems. Slug flow is a common and very complex occurrence in these pipelines. Sixty-two slug-flow tests were conducted over varying combinations of gas and liquid flow rates. A total of 25,975 slugs were generated, ranging from 23 to 1145 slugs per test. The flow loop consisted of a 3.068-in diameter, 1378-ft long horizontal flowline, a two-stage air compressor, a centrifugal pump, and a data acquisition system utilizing LabVIEW with a Macintosh II ci computer. The primary data collected during the experimental tests consisted of continuous readings of pressures, temperatures, flow rates, and liquid holdup. Processing of this data yielded slug translational velocities, slug lengths, pressure drops, slug length distribution, and slug frequency. Analysis of the results showed that the slug length distribution followed a Lognormal pattern. New correlations were developed for slug liquid holdup, film liquid holdup, slug translational velocity, slug frequency, average slug length and design slug length. Using the data from this study, the new correlation for slug liquid holdup was compared with predictions from the correlations of Gregory et al. and Yang. Similarly, the new correlation for slug frequency was compared with the correlation of Hill and Wood.
Classical conditioning of meaning—I. A replication and higher-order extension

The meaning that individuals associate with verbal stimuli may be modified by using classical conditioning procedures. Clinically, such procedures may be used to modify a client's maladaptive associations. The current research investigated the existence and generalizability of this phenomenon by attempting to replicate Staats and Staats' (1957) language conditioning effect and then extent it to a second-order classical conditioning situation (CS1----UCS then CS2----CS1). Such higher-order conditioning would suggest that several different but related maladaptive associations can be modified simultaneously. Significant conditioning was obtained to the CS1, particularly for aware subjects, but no conditioning occurred to the CS2.
S-nitrosylation of surfactant protein D as a modulator of pulmonary inflammation.

Abstract Background Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a member of the family of proteins termed collagen-like lectins or “collectins” that play a role in non-antibody-mediated innate immune responses [ 1 ]. The primary function of SP-D is the modulation of host defense and inflammation [2] . Scope of review This review will discuss recent findings on the physiological importance of SP-D S -nitrosylation in biological systems and potential mechanisms that govern SP-D mediated signaling. Major conclusions SP-D appears to have both pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling functions. SP-D multimerization is a critical feature of its function and plays an important role in efficient innate host defense. Under baseline conditions, SP-D forms a multimer in which the N-termini are hidden in the center and the C-termini are on the surface. This multimeric form of SP-D is limited in its ability to activate inflammation. However, NO can modify key cysteine residues in the hydrophobic tail domain of SP-D resulting in a dissociation of SP-D multimers into trimers, exposing the S -nitrosylated N-termini. The exposed S -nitrosylated tail domain binds to the calreticulin/CD91 receptor complex and initiates a pro-inflammatory response through phosphorylation of p38 and NF-κB activation [3,4]. In addition, the disassembled SP-D loses its ability to block TLR4, which also results in activation of NF-κB. General significance Recent studies have highlighted the capability of NO to modify SP-D through S -nitrosylation, causing the activation of a pro-inflammatory role for SP-D [3]. This represents a novel mechanism both for the regulation of SP-D function and NO's role in innate immunity, but also demonstrates that the S- nitrosylation can control protein function by regulating quaternary structure. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Regulation of Cellular Processes by S -nitrosylation.
Evaluation of the Tenderness of Beef Top Sirloin Steaks

Top sirloin butts and strip loins were obtained from both sides of 20 U.S. Choice beef carcasses and cut into six steaks (2.54 cm thick). These steaks were assigned randomly to one of six aging treatments (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 or 35 days). Top sirloin steaks were less tender and more variable in tenderness than top loin steaks. This difference in tenderness appeared to be due to higher amounts of collagen in top sirloin steaks and a tendency toward lower collagen solubility, shorter sarcomere length and higher (less tender) fragmentation index.
Is NASH underdiagnosed among African Americans

OBJECTIVE: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are considered risk factors for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Because obesity and type 2 diabetes are prevalent among African American females by the 5th and 6th decades, one would expect an increased number of African Americans among patients with NASH and cryptogenic cirrhosis. METHODS: We determined the percentage of patients of African American and European American descent among all of the patients in our liver disease registry and those with NASH and cryptogenic cirrhosis. We also assessed the ethnicity of patients in our registry with other common liver diseases including hepatitis C, and we determined the ethnicity of patients seen at our center with type 2 diabetes and a primary diagnosis of obesity over a 4-yr period. Using census data, we compared these results to our local and regional ethnic demographics. RESULTS: Overall, 199 of 2253 patients (9%) in the registry were of African American descent, whereas 1906 were of European American descent (85%). This distribution is similar to the ethnic mix in central Virginia (12% African American, 86% European American) and Albemarle County (12% African American, 83% European American). The prevalence of African American patients among individuals seen at our center for either type 2 diabetes or a primary diagnosis of obesity was over two times the prevalence of African Americans in the county or regional population. In contrast, of 159 NASH patients only one (0.6%) was of African American descent and 154 (97%) were of European American descent (p < 0.001 compared to the total registry, county, or region). Among 206 cryptogenic cirrhosis patients, only two (1%) were of African American descent, whereas 195 (95%) were of European American descent (p < 0.001 compared to the total registry). With regard to other liver diseases, African American patients were slightly overrepresented among hepatitis C patients and markedly overrepresented among patients with hepatic sarcoidosis, similar to previously reported national figures. CONCLUSION: Although there is overrepresentation of African Americans among patients with major risk factors for NASH, individuals of primarily African American descent are infrequently represented among our patients with NASH or cryptogenic cirrhosis. This could result from underrecognition, underreferral, or a true lower prevalence of these disorders among African Americans.
Spatiotemporal dimensionality and Time-Space characterization of multitemporal imagery

Abstract Spatiotemporal dimensionality refers to the continuum of spatial and temporal patterns in an image time series. Time-Space characterization refers to a way of representing this continuum of patterns as combinations of spatial and temporal constituents — with a minimum of assumptions about the forms of the patterns. Patterns can be related to processes through modeling. By combining characterization and modeling, two complementary analytical tools can be used together so that each resolves a key limitation of the other. This study describes a straightforward extension of Principal Component Analysis and Spectral Mixture Analysis to multitemporal imagery and illustrates how characterization of the dimensionality and eigenstructure of the data can inform modeling of the processes represented in the data. The relationships among spatiotemporal processes can be represented as combinations of temporal endmembers in a temporal feature space where the dimensions represent different components of the temporal patterns present in the data. The topology of the feature space and the processes being modeled together inform the selection of temporal endmembers and the structure of the model chosen to represent the processes. The dimensionality revealed by the characterization can also provide a partial solution to the problem of endmember variability. The characterization and modeling process is illustrated with the vegetation phenology of the Ganges–Brahmaputra delta using a MODIS vegetation index time series. Additional applications and limitations of Time-Space characterization and mixture modeling are further illustrated by comparing the eigenstructures and temporal feature spaces of Landsat vegetation fraction and DMSP-OLS night light time series.
A second-order global solution of the ideal resonance problem

The Ideal Resonance Problem, as formulated in 1966 (Paper I), is defined by the Hamiltonian