cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative fluorescence correlation spectroscopy on DNA in living cells

FCS is a fluorescence technique conventionally used to study the kinetics of fluorescent molecules in a dilute solution. Being a non-invasive technique, it is now drawing increasing interest for the study of more complex systems like the dynamics of DNA or proteins in living cells. Unlike an ordinary dye solution, the dynamics of macromolecules like proteins or entangled DNA in crowded environments is often slow and subdiffusive in nature. This in turn leads to longer residence times of the attached fluorophores in the excitation volume of the microscope and artifacts from photobleaching abound that can easily obscure the signature of the molecular dynamics of interest and make quantitative analysis challenging.We discuss methods and procedures to make FCS applicable to quantitative studies of the dynamics of DNA in live prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The intensity autocorrelation is computed function from weighted arrival times of the photons on the detector that maximizes the information content while simultaneously correcting for the effect of photobleaching to yield an autocorrelation function that reflects only the underlying dynamics of the sample. This autocorrelation function in turn is used to calculate the mean square displacement of the fluorophores attached to DNA. The displacement data is more amenable to further quantitative analysis than the raw correlation functions. By using a suitable integral transform of the mean square displacement, we can then determine the viscoelastic moduli of the DNA in its cellular environment. The entire analysis procedure is extensively calibrated and validated using model systems and computational simulations.
Once Upon a Car: A Tale of Three Ambiguities

Using a real example from standard auto-insurance forms, this article explores ambiguity and legal drafting in depth. In a definition just ten words long, readers see vivid examples of semantic, contextual, and syntactic ambiguity -- each of which has fueled litigation across the nation. The article dissects the definition and offers insight on how it might be redrafted to cure potential ambiguity, illustrating the value of consistency, tabulation, vertical lists, and plain language. It also reveals how the visual structure of a provision can sometimes clarify and reinforce the drafter's intended meaning. The article is meant to assist transactional attorneys, legal drafters of all kinds, law professors, and law students. But it will be equally helpful to litigators who wish to fine-tune their ability to spot and exploit weaknesses in contracts and codified law.
Mary Kay Vaughan. Portrait of a Young Painter: Pepe Zúñiga and Mexico City’s Rebel Generation. Durham: Duke University Press, 2015, 289 p. ISBN 978-0-8223-5781-0

La ultima obra de la historiadora Mary Kay Vaughan, Portrait of a Young Painter: Pepe Zuniga and Mexico City’s Rebel Generation , recorre la vida del pintor Jose “Pepe” Zuniga, nacido en Oaxaca pero crecio y vivio la mayor parte de su vida adulta en la Ciudad de Mexico, como un lente que nos permite contemplar la formacion de su generacion. La juventud de Zuniga y sus compatriotas hizo un cruce con el movimiento estudiantil del ano 68, aunque no se integro con el mismo. Este libro complementa las grandes contribuciones historicas de la autora a nuestro entendimiento de la historia nacional del siglo XX, sobre todo en los campos de la historia de la educacion, la relacion entre el patriarcado y la nacion-estado, y la historia del genero, pero este libro utiliza una nueva metodologia y tono. Vaughan recurre a las entrevistas como las fuentes primarias en las que esta basada la narrativa, y las suple con documentos de los archivos historicos. Asi reconstruye la vida de Zuniga desde su infancia tradicional y provincial en Oaxaca en los 1930, y sigue la trayectoria de su adolescencia y juventud en la movida y cosmopolita ciudad capitalina hasta los primeros anos de la decada de los 70s. La historia de la vida personal de Zuniga se vuelve metafora por la evolucion de su cohorte, una generacion expuesta a las novedosas influencias sonicas, visuales, y sentimentales trasnacionales.
Osteocyte-specific WNT1 regulates osteoblast function during bone homeostasis

Mutations in WNT1 cause osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and early-onset osteoporosis, identifying it as a key Wnt ligand in human bone homeostasis. However, how and where WNT1 acts in bone are unclear. To address this mechanism, we generated late-osteoblast-specific and osteocyte-specific WNT1 loss- and gain-of-function mouse models. Deletion of Wnt1 in osteocytes resulted in low bone mass with spontaneous fractures similar to that observed in OI patients. Conversely, Wnt1 overexpression from osteocytes stimulated bone formation by increasing osteoblast number and activity, which was due in part to activation of mTORC1 signaling. While antiresorptive therapy is the mainstay of OI treatment, it has limited efficacy in WNT1-related OI. In this study, anti-sclerostin antibody (Scl-Ab) treatment effectively improved bone mass and dramatically decreased fracture rate in swaying mice, a model of global Wnt1 loss. Collectively, our data suggest that WNT1-related OI and osteoporosis are caused in part by decreased mTORC1-dependent osteoblast function resulting from loss of WNT1 signaling in osteocytes. As such, this work identifies an anabolic function of osteocytes as a source of Wnt in bone development and homoeostasis, complementing their known function as targets of Wnt signaling in regulating osteoclastogenesis. Finally, this study suggests that Scl-Ab is an effective genotype-specific treatment option for WNT1-related OI and osteoporosis.
Exposure to secondhand smoke, exclusive breastfeeding and infant adiposity at age 5 months in the Healthy Start study.

SummaryBackground Infant adiposity may be influenced by several environmental risk factors, but few studies have explored these interactions. Objective To examine the interaction between exposure to secondhand smoke and breastfeeding exclusivity on adiposity at age 5 months. Methods We studied 813 mother-offspring pairs from the longitudinal Healthy Start study. Fat mass and fat-free mass were measured by air displacement plethysmography. Linear regression analyses were used to estimate the association between household smokers (none, any) with fat mass, fat-free mass, percent fat mass, weight-for-age z-score, weight-for-length z-score and BMI-for-age z-score as separate outcomes. Interaction terms between household smokers and breastfeeding exclusivity (<5 months, ≥5 months) were added to separate models. Results The combination of exposure to secondhand smoke and a lack of exclusive breastfeeding was associated with increased adiposity at age 5 months. For example, within the not exclusively breastfed strata, exposure to secondhand smoke was associated with increased fat mass (0.1 kg; 95% CI: 0.0–0.2; P = 0.05). Conversely, within the exclusively breastfed strata, there was virtually no difference in fat mass between exposed and non-exposed infants (coefficient: −0.1; 95% CI: −0.3–0.1; P = 0.25). Conclusions Our findings may inform new public health strategies with potential relevance for both smoking cessation and obesity prevention.
Posttransplant oxygen inhalation improves the outcome of subcutaneous islet transplantation: A promising clinical alternative to the conventional intrahepatic site

Subcutaneous tissue is a promising site for islet transplantation, due to its large area and accessibility, which allows minimally invasive procedures for transplantation, graft monitoring, and removal of malignancies as needed. However, relative to the conventional intrahepatic transplantation site, the subcutaneous site requires a large number of islets to achieve engraftment success and diabetes reversal, due to hypoxia and low vascularity. We report that the efficiency of subcutaneous islet transplantation in a Lewis rat model is significantly improved by treating recipients with inhaled 50% oxygen, in conjunction with prevascularization of the graft bed by agarose-bFGF. Administration of 50% oxygen increased oxygen tension in the subcutaneous site to 140 mmHg, compared to 45 mmHg under ambient air. In vitro, islets cultured under 140 mmHg oxygen showed reduced central necrosis and increased insulin release, compared to those maintained in 45 mmHg oxygen. Six hundred syngeneic islets subcutaneously transplanted into the prevascularized graft bed reversed diabetes when combined with post-operative 50% oxygen inhalation for 3 days, a number comparable to that required for intrahepatic transplantation; in the absence of oxygen treatment, diabetes was not reversed. Thus, we show oxygen inhalation to be a simple and promising approach to successfully establishing subcutaneous islet transplantation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Effective CVR planning with smart DGs using MINLP

Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) schemes and renewable energy based distributed generation (DG) can be coordinated to maintain lower node voltages for reducing load consumption and line losses in distribution systems. In addition, smart inverter interfaced DGs are significant resources to maintain the lowest possible voltages at the loading points and adjacent nodes. This paper describes a method of coordination of distributed smart inverters and existing network infrastructure (i.e., capacitor banks and step voltage regulator) of radial distribution system for precise CVR planning. This helps to keep the source voltage and LTC stepper in a range which can maintain the voltage profile within the lower ANSI band (0.95 p.u.–1.0 p.u) throughout the feeder. A mixed integer nonlinear Programming (MINLP) formulation is used to co-ordinate the whole network to keep the voltage in the desired service range. The IEEE 37 bus test system is used to validate the method and to compare with the outcome of conventional inverter based DGs for CVR deployment.
Direct Primary Care and Concierge Practice

In the United States, primary care has been undermined by a delivery and payment model that leads to decreased accessibility and cost-effectiveness, as well as increased administrative complexity and overhead. Patient and physician dissatisfaction with the third-party payer-dependent model has led to the emergence of concierge and direct primary care practices, which shift practices’ financial dependence from third parties to the patients themselves. By sidestepping administrative and financial burdens of third-party contracting, direct pay practices instead have focused their efforts on streamlining and reinventing the patient experience by enhancing access and continuity, with particular benefits for patients with chronic health conditions.
Basic Principles of Microwaves and Recent Developments

Publisher Summary This chapter presents basic principles of microwaves and recent developments and their uses. The first type of microwave process device to be developed was the batch-type oven. Originally, this type of oven operated at 3000 megacycles; now it uses the 2450-megacycle band. The second general type of microwave process device utilizes five 1-2-kw parabolic radiators radiating onto foodstuffs placed on a belt made of a low-loss dielectric material. A continuous-type microwave oven was developed that feeds microwave power from one single large power tube into a tunnel through a series of slit openings. At the end of the belt are energy-trapping devices that serve two functions: (1) they prevent excess radiation from leaking out of the ends of the tunnel, being absorbed in the water loads instead. (2) Being thus absorbed when there is no load in the tunnel, there is no energy to go back into the power tube and damage it. One of the latest developments relates to a folded-waveguide, or meander system, wherein the energy is piped into one end and the product passes through the waveguide. Another (and relatively recent) development is the Amplitron tube. The problem of efficiency of microwave absorption into foods has been approached on a thermodynamic basis, because the sole effect of microwaves in foods is that of heat, and because the amount of heat that can be absorbed is a function of frequency and of the dielectric-loss characteristics of the foodstuffs. The chapter discusses most of the important uses that have been suggested for R F energy in the processing of foods.
Exploiting Dependencies of Patterns in Gene Expression Analysis Using Pairwise Comparisons

In using pairwise comparisons to analyze gene expression data, researchers have often treated comparison outcomes independently. We now exploit additional dependencies of comparison outcomes to show that those with a certain property cannot be true patterns of genes’ response to treatments. With this result, we leverage p-values obtained from comparison outcomes to predict true patterns of gene response to treatments. Functional validation of gene lists obtained from our method yielded more and better functional enrichment than those obtained from the conventional approach. Consequently, our method promises to be useful in designing cost-effective experiments with small sample sizes.
Pediatric acute compartment syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is an emergency with potentially devastating consequences. Delayed recognition may be especially concerning for the pediatric population, as children present with a wide variety of etiologies, symptoms, and levels of communication. We sought to determine the average
Patch transplants of human fetal retinal pigment epithelium in rabbit and monkey retina.

Purpose To transplant human fetal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) into the subretinal space of rabbits and monkeys as an organized monolayer without artificial support. Methods The method involves dissecting small patches of cultured RPE monolayers in sheets (1 to 5 mm2), sucking them into a glass pipette and injecting them into the subretinal space after producing a bleb detachment of the neural retina. Results These patches unfold and survive as a quasi-monolayer under the reattached neural retina intimately associated with the host photoreceptors and phagocytizing host outer segment material. Graft rejection is observed in most rabbits at 1 month but not in monkeys at 3 months after transplantation. Conclusions Monolayer patches of cultured human fetal RPE can be transplanted to the subretinal space, where they survive in contiguity with healthy host outer segments. In primates, but not in rabbits, host-graft rejection does not occur for at least 2 to 3 months.
Human immunodeficiency virus vaccines

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the progress in the development of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine. It focuses principally on HIV, ranging from the properties of the virus that are most relevant for vaccine development to experimental trials of candidate HIV vaccines in chimpanzees and in humans. Present and future vaccine strategies as well as the application of vaccines as therapeutic measures are also considered. Over the past several years, substantial progress has been made in the quest for a vaccine against AIDS. This stems in large measure from a better understanding of the basic features of HIV but has been punctuated by successful feasibility studies of experimental vaccines in animal models. These developments have provided the impetus for the biomedical research establishment to pursue a vaccine against HIV as a legitimate target goal. Because the number of effective neutralization and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) targets is low in the case of HIV, this provides the virus with a considerable survival advantage with respect to the host immune defense, given its ability to escape both humoral and cellular mechanisms under immune pressure. The use of live vectors that are both effective and safe alone or in combination with other forms of immunization appears to hold great promise against HIV disease and may become a reasonable facsimile for whole HIV preparations that are precluded from use because of safety considerations.
An analytical model for wood composite sandwich beams with a biaxial corrugated core under bending

Abstract In this study, an analytical model to evaluate the bending behavior of wood-based sandwich panels with a biaxial corrugated core was developed. A homogenization method was adopted to replace the geometry of the core with a homogeneous medium. Considering the deformation of the core under pure tension, compression, and shear, the properties of the homogenized core were computed. A high-order sandwich panel theory, that takes into account the deformation of the sandwich beam through the thickness, was applied to derive the governing equations. Fourier series expansions were used to solve the governing equations for a simply supported sandwich beam. The analytical results for sandwich beams with two different geometries were compared to finite element predictions and experimental results. The analytical model differed by 0.5–1.9% from the finite element model, and 1.6–7.8% with experiment.
The effect of patellar thickness on gait biomechanics following total knee arthroplasty

Abstract Background Patella resurfacing is commonly performed during total knee arthroplasty; however, determining the appropriate patellar thickness remains a challenge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of post-TKA patellar thickness on knee extensor strength and biomechanical joint loading forces during walking and stair negotiation. Methods Fifteen patients (21 knees) underwent gait analysis prior to TKA and post-TKA at six weeks, three months, six months, and one year. Knee extensor strength and biomechanics were collected during level walking and stair negotiation and analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results Knee extensor strength was positively correlated to patellar thickness at three months and one year post-TKA (p ≤ .05). During walking, no significant correlations were present. During stair ascent, there was a positive correlation between patellar thickness and peak knee flexion angle one year post-TKA (p ≤ .05). During stair descent, there was a positive correlation between patellar thickness and maximum vertical ground reaction forces at one year post-TKA (p ≤ .01). Conclusions The loss of patellar thickness when compared to measured pre-resurfacing thickness was correlated with a decrease in knee extensor strength; however, changes in patellar thickness were not significantly correlated to biomechanical loading forces during walking. Increases in demand of activity increase the torque to the knee joint, which elicit increases in compensatory motions, likely reducing the extent to which differences in joint loading during stair negotiation may be attributable to changes in patellar thickness. Therefore, the effect of post-patellar thickness on patient function in primary TKA is limited.
Covariate-Adjusted Hybrid Principal Components Analysis

Electroencephalography (EEG) studies produce region-referenced functional data in the form of EEG signals recorded across electrodes on the scalp. The high-dimensional data capture underlying neural dynamics and it is of clinical interest to model differences in neurodevelopmental trajectories between diagnostic groups, for example typically developing (TD) children and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In such cases, valid group-level inference requires characterization of the complex EEG dependency structure as well as covariate-dependent heteroscedasticity, such as changes in variation over developmental age. In our motivating study, resting state EEG is collected on both TD and ASD children aged two to twelve years old. The peak alpha frequency (PAF), defined as the location of a prominent peak in the alpha frequency band of the spectral density, is an important biomarker linked to neurodevelopment and is known to shift from lower to higher frequencies as children age. To retain the most amount of information from the data, we model patterns of alpha spectral variation, rather than just the peak location, regionally across the scalp and chronologically across development for both the TD and ASD diagnostic groups. We propose a covariate-adjusted hybrid principal components analysis (CA-HPCA) for region-referenced functional EEG data, which utilizes both vector and functional principal components analysis while simultaneously adjusting for covariate-dependent heteroscedasticity. CA-HPCA assumes the covariance process is weakly separable conditional on observed covariates, allowing for covariate-adjustments to be made on the marginal covariances rather than the full covariance leading to stable and computationally efficient estimation. A mixed effects framework is proposed to estimate the model components coupled with a bootstrap test for group-level inference. The proposed methodology provides novel insights into neurodevelopmental differences between TD and ASD children.
Genetically Modified Crops’ Environmental Impact and Trust in Eco-labels:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects companies to disclose genetically modified (GM) ingredients in foods and beverages by January 2022. While food companies fear that the stigma of GM labels...
Mental Health Links With Eating Disorder Risk and Weight Related Concerns in First Semester College Students

Objectives Both mental health and eating disorders are increasing health concerns for college students. This study aimed to examine associative links between psychological distress, eating disorder risk, food addiction, and weight related concerns among first semester college students.
A physical phantom for amine chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI.

To develop a robust amine chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) physical phantom, validate the temporal stability, and create a supporting software for automatic image processing and quality assurance. The phantom was designed as an assembled laser-cut acrylic rack and 18 vials of phantom solutions, prepared with different pHs, glycine concentrations, and gadolinium concentrations. We evaluated glycine concentrations using ultraviolet absorbance for 70 days and measured the pH, relaxation rates, and CEST contrast for 94 days after preparation. We used Spearman’s correlation to determine if glycine degraded over time. Linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis were performed between baseline and follow-up measurements of pH and MRI properties. No degradation of glycine was observed (p > 0.05). The pH and MRI measurements stayed stable for 3 months and showed high consistency across time points (R2 = 1.00 for pH, R1, R2, and CEST contrast), which was further validated by the Bland–Altman plots. Examples of automatically generated reports are provided. We designed a physical phantom for amine CEST-MRI, which is easy to assemble and transfer, holds 18 different solutions, and has excellent short-term chemical and MRI stability. We believe this robust phantom will facilitate the development of novel sequences and cross-scanners validations.
Innovation and Real Labour Force in Rural Areas as a Basis of Future Rural Development

The common West European problems are the following: population ageing and proportional (and often also absolute) decline of the labour force. These deficits are partially covered by the East-West migration flows for work, but these labour force movements generate similar problems on the labour markets in the origin countries. The external migration flows for jobs from CEE countries to West European countries are motivated, on one hand, by the lack of occupational alternatives in the origin countries, and on the other hand by the significant differences between the labour remuneration in the origin countries and the West-European countries, as main destinations of the circulatory migration flows. The job deficit in the CEE countries is much stronger in the rural areas, so that the pressure upon the occupational migration is greater for the active population in these areas. The rural entrepreneurship capacity to bring an active contribution to sustainable economic growth, to provide jobs and to contribute to the general welfare increase has an optimizing trend when: the total number of entrepreneurs is great and increasing; the share of employers in the employed population is on the rise; the young people are well represented in the age structure of employers. The main question that remains is the following: what is the innovation level and who will be the innovators in the rural area in the CEE countries as long as the migration level to the West-European countries remains high? As a consequence, the following question arises: what is the real available labour force in the rural area on which the economy can rely in the CEE countries, both in statistical and practical terms? As a result of this study, the approximate determination of the innovation level, of the real labour force in the rural area and of the interdependencies between these two indicators is expected, under the conditions of a strong migration phenomenon.
Touch and Haptics

This chapter describes the psychophysics of touch—how tactile abilities and perceptions are measured, and what those measurements reveal about the somatosensory system. The ability to discern spatial aspects of tactile stimuli, such as how many are present and where they are on the skin, has been extensively studied: A key finding in this area is that resolution acuity predicts performance on a range of other tasks. Researchers have also examined temporal aspects of touch, especially through the use of vibration. Studies using masking and other paradigms have revealed the existence of vibrotactile channels associated with mechanoreceptor classes. Signals in these channels encode the intensity and frequency of vibratory stimuli, and contribute to the perception of textured surfaces. Many tactile stimuli involve temporal changes in spatial aspects of stimulation; an understanding of how these are perceived requires that a variety of spatio-temporal distortions be taken into account. The chapter ends with a discussion of haptics (active touch) by which an attentive observer explores an object to discover its properties and identity. Kinesthetic as well as cutaneous signals play a role in this search for information, but how they are combined is a process that is only beginning to be understood. Keywords: haptic exploration; proprioception; tactile adaptation; tactile attention; tactile pattern perception; tactile texture perception; vibrotactile discrimination
Convert distributed processing with computer viruses

Computer viruses can be used by their authors to harness the resources of infected machines for the author's computation. By doing so without the permission or knowledge of the machine owners, viruses can be used to perform covert distributed processing. We outline the class of problems for which covert distributed processing can be used. A brute-force attack on cryptosystems is one such problem, and we give estimates of the time required to complete such an attack covertly.
Topological Criteria for $k-$Formal Arrangements

We prove a criterion for k-formality of arrangements, us- ing a complex constructed from vector spaces introduced in (2). As an application, we give a simple description of k-formality of graphic arrangements: Let G be a connected graph with no loops or multiple edges. Let be the flag (clique) complex of
The Effects of Acquisitions on Firm Value, Evidence from Turkey

Sirket satin almalarinin hem satin alan hem de satilan firmanin piyasa degerini arttirdigi varsayilir. Bu makalede, Turkiye'de 2013 yilinda gerceklesen yerli satin almalar, piyasalarin genel trendini de goz onunde bulundurarak incelenmistir. Standart Piyasa degeri teknigini kullanarak, satin alan firmanin hisse senedi fiyatlarindaki anormal getiriler hesaplanmistir . Satin almanin aciklandigi tarih oncesi ve sonrasinin karsilastirilmasi sonucunda, firma degerindeki artisin uzun vadede istatistiki olarak anlamli oldugu, fakat kisa vadede anlamli olmadigi bulunmustur.
Designing real-time and distributed applications with the UML (tutorial session)4

Object-oriented concepts are crucial in software design because they address fundamental issues of adaptation and evolution. With the proliferation of object-oriented notations and methods, the Unified Modeling Language (UML) has emerged to provide a standardized notation for describing object-oriented models. However, for the UML notation to be effectively applied, it needs to be used with an object-oriented analysis and design method. This tutorial describes the COMET method for designing real-time and distributed applications, which integrates OO and concurrency concepts and uses the UML notation.
Regulation of β-1,4-Endoglucanase Synthesis in Thermomonospora fusca

In Thermomonospora fusca YX, endocellulase synthesis varies over a 100-fold range depending on the carbon source used. This study shows that the variation is caused by two regulatory mechanisms: an induction mechanism that increases the rate of endocellulase synthesis about 20-fold and a growth rate-dependent repression mechanism that changes the rate of synthesis over a 6-fold range in both induced and noninduced cells. In T. fusca, endocellulase synthesis can be induced by cellulose, cellobiose, or cellodextrin. Cellulase is involved in inducer generation from cellulose. Growth rate-dependent repression can be reversed by limiting cultures for carbon, nitrogen, or, to a lesser extent, phosphorus. Further evidence for two separate regulatory mechanisms is provided by the isolation of mutants (CC-1 and CC-2) whose endocellulases are synthesized constitutively but are still sensitive to growth rate-dependent repression. These conclusions about total endocellulase synthesis were extended to the individual endocellulases by showing that three T. fusca endocellulases are coordinately regulated.
Latent Expression of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Encoded Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I TAP Inhibitor, BNLF2a, in EBV-Positive Gastric Carcinomas

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BNLF2a gene product provides immune evasion properties to infected cells through inhibition of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)-mediated transport of antigen peptides. Although BNLF2a is considered to be a lytic gene, we demonstrate that it is expressed in nearly half of the EBV-associated gastric carcinomas analyzed. Further, we show that BNLF2a expression is dissociated from lytic gene expression. BNLF2a is therefore expressed in this latency setting, potentially helping protect the infected tumor cells from immunosurveillance.
Short tandem repeat polymorphism linkage to the androgen receptor gene in prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Due to high polymorphism, common sequences, and ubiquitous presence, short tandem repeats (STRs) may enhance genomic typing to determine prostate carcinoma (CaP) predisposition. The human phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK1) gene is located within Xq11-Xq13, a region implicated in familial prostate carcinoma, androgen insensitivity, perineal hypospadias, and other genitourinary abnormalities. The PGK1 STR is the most polymorphic site described in the Xq11-Xq13 interval and was investigated for its ability to detect differences comparing a heterogeneous CaP population versus controls. METHODS We compared PGK1 STR allele sizes in 103 localized CaP patients with 299 control subjects to evaluate the STR's ability to detect potential CaP predisposing genetic factors. Allele sizes were measured with an automated DNA sequencer after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based copying of the PGK1 STR region. Allele sizes were compared using chi square and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS Among 402 subjects, there were 10 distinct allele sizes consisting of five common and five relatively rare alleles. The PGK1 STR, 12 allele (12 tetrameric repeats) was more common among patients with CaP (p=0.03). Allele 13 was more common in CaP patients > 60 years old than among younger patients (p< 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that STRs in the Xq11-Xq13 region and other regions may provide a means to rapidly scan genetic loci in large populations of CaP patients and controls. Within limitations, STRs offer the advantage of relatively uniform protocols that could potentially provide a means to comprehensively scan genomes at known predisposing loci. Cancer 2001;92:2603–8. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Modeling Techniques for Dynamic Analysis of a Helicopter Transmission System

This research presents a rotor dynamic, finite element model of a rotary-wing transmission based on first principles. The transmission and model formulation are presented. The effects of the different gearing configurations within the model are discussed. The natural frequencies and mode shapes are extracted using conventional eigenvalue analysis. The frequencies are compared and shown to correspond with experimental results. Observations on the resulting system mode shapes are presented. The model exhibits great potential for use in health monitoring of rotary-wing systems and sensor optimization algorithms.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Safe inclusion of the entire pancreas as a component of the multivisceral graft.

Background. Multivisceral transplantation (MVtx) involves simultaneous transplantation of the intestine with other organs, often including the pancreas. The pancreas portion of the graft has always been approached with caution because allograft pancreatitis, rejection or technical complications maybe devastating in this setting. We reviewed our experience with multivisceral grafts that included the entire pancreas. Methods. Twenty-five patients received 27 MVtx that included the entire pancreas between July 2003 and November 2006. In five, a modified MVtx with preservation of the native liver was performed. Two patients required retransplantation for severe rejection. Insulin requirements, graft and patient survival were determined at 6-months posttransplant. Serum amylase and lipase levels were analyzed on postoperative days 3, 7, 30, and 180. Results. Twenty of 25 patients with a transplant pancreas graft were alive at 6-months posttransplant. Median serum amylase and lipase levels posttransplant were normal at all time points. One patient exhibited elevation of amylase and lipase at the time of severe acute cellular rejection of the intestinal graft, likely representing simultaneous pancreas allograft rejection, although this was not confirmed by biopsy. There were no episodes of allograft pancreatitis or technical complications. Once weaned from hyperalimentation, all patients remained normoglycemic and insulin-independent 6-months posttransplant. Conclusion. In this series, there were no postoperative pancreatic complications, no episode of isolated pancreas allograft rejection, and no loss of pancreatic graft function. None of the five deaths were related to pancreatic graft complications.
Triple therapy for acute myocardial infarction: combining fibrinolysis, platelet IIb/IIIa inhibition, and percutaneous coronary intervention.

Abstract Reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction (MI) has generally been approached in 1 of 2 ways—fibrinolysis or primary angioplasty. Although fibrinolysis is widely available and has been shown to reduce mortality and improve left ventricular function, its disadvantages include hemorrhage, failure to reperfuse in up to 40% of patients, and early reocclusion in up to 10% of patients. Alternatively, primary angioplasty offers the advantages of anatomic definition, the potential for higher rates of reperfusion, and a lower rate of intracranial hemorrhage. Recently, a better understanding of platelet physiology and its inhibition, and advances in mechanical revascularization with stents have led to combined approaches (fibrinolytic agents, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and percutaneous coronary interventions [PCI]). Faciliated PCI, the use of planned PCI after pharmacologic reperfusion therapy, has the best potential to fuse the best aspects of thrombolysis and primary angioplasty. This article reviews recent advances and trials studying use of these combinations.
H2O-H2SO4 system in Venus' clouds and OCS, CO, and H2SO4 profiles in Venus' troposphere

A coupled problem of diffusion and condensation is solved for the H2SO4-H2O system in Venus' cloud layer. The position of the lower cloud boundary, profiles of the H2O and H2SO vapor mixing ratios, and of the H2O/H2SO4 ratio of sulfuric acid aerosol and its flux are calculated as functions of the column photochemical production rate of sulfuric acid. Variations of the lower cloud boundary are considered. Our basic model, which is constrained to yield f(sub H2O)(30km) = 30 ppm, predicts the position of the lower cloud boundary at 48.4 km coinciding with the mean Pioneer Venus value, the peak H2SO4 mixing ratio of 5.4 ppm, and the H2SO4 production rate phi(sub H2SO4) = 2.2 x 10(exp 12) cm(exp -2)s(exp -1).
Modeling the human-induced spread of an aquatic invasive: The case of the zebra mussel ☆

Ecological evidence indicates that transient recreational boating is the principal overland vector of dispersal for several freshwater invasive species. Understanding boating behavior, and how behavior responds to policy changes, is central to understanding the effectiveness of efforts to halt or slow the spread of aquatic invasives. We develop a framework that combines a recreation demand model of boating behavior with a discrete duration model describing the spatial and temporal spread of an aquatic invasive. The integrated approach allows us to link invasion risk probabilities directly to boating behavior, policy levers, and behavior changes arising from policy shocks. With an application to zebra mussels in Wisconsin we show that explicitly accounting for behavioral responses can dramatically change predictions for the effectiveness of particular policies, in some instances leading to increases in invasions risks at some sites.
Approach to the joint optimization of video communications and video signal processing

Compressed video bitstreams require protection from channel errors in a wireless channel. The three-dimensional (3-D) SPIHT coder has proved its efficiency and its real-time capability in compression of video. A forward-error- correcting (FEC) channel (RCPR) code combined with a single ARQ (Automatic-repeat-request) proved to be an effective means for protecting the bitstream. In this paper, the need for ARQ is eliminated by making the 3D SPIHT bitstream more robust and resistant to channel errors. Packetization of the bitstream and the reorganization of these packets to achieve scalability in bit rate and/or resolution in addition to robustness is demonstrated and combined with channel coding to not only protect the integrity of the packets, but also allow detection of packet decoding failures, so that only the cleanly recovered packets are reconstructed. In extensive comparative tests, the reconstructed video is shown to be superior to that of MPEG- 2, with the margin of superiority growing substantially as the channel becomes noisier.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Evidence for a subtype of insulin-like growth factor I receptor in brain

Abstract We examined the structure of receptors for insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in human brain and human placenta using affinity cross-linking procedures and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In human brain, proteins specifically cross-linked to 125 I-IGF-I, 125 I-insulin, and 125 I-EGF had apparent molecular weights of 120000, 115000 and 170000, respectively. In human placenta, proteins cross-linked to 125 I-IGF-I and 125 I-insulin were 10 kDa larger than the corresponding subunits in brain. The receptor labeled by 125 I-EGF in placenta was indistinguishable from the EGF receptor in brain. The size discrepancy of IGF-I receptors in brain and placenta was no longer apparent after removing the carbohydrate moieties of the proteins with endo -β-N- acetylglucosaminidase F (EndoF). Furthermore, the brain IGF-I receptor was not cleaved by neuraminidase, whereas, the placental IGF-I receptor had increased mobility on SDS gels following neuraminidase treatment. The results indicate that (1) receptors for IGF-I and insulin in human brain are structurally distinct from the corresponding receptors in human placenta, (2) the structural heterogeneity of the receptors involves differences in N-linked glycosylation, particularly the terminal processing steps, and (3) EGF receptors are present in human brain and human placenta but are structurally similar in these tissues. We conclude that there is a selective modification in the glycosylation of receptors for IGF-I and insulin in brain.
Chemical structure of the adducts formed by the oxidation of benzidine in the presence of phenols

Bioactivation of carcinogens by peroxidases has received increasing attention since the discovery of the oxidation of carcinogens by prostaglandin hydroperoxidase. Benzidine and 3,5,3',5'-tetramethylbenzidine are oxidized by horseradish peroxidase and prostaglandin synthase to two-electron oxidation products (di-imines). Di-imines readily react with the phenolic anti-oxidant butylated hydroxyanisole to form adducts. In this paper, we have studied the oxidation of benzidine by horseradish peroxidase in the presence of phenolic compounds and characterized the resultant benzidine/phenol adducts. A benzidine/2,6-dimethylphenol adduct was isolated and characterized by mass spectrometry and high field n.m.r. The reaction of (/sup 14/C)benzidine in the presence of horseradish peroxidase and phenol yielded only the benzidine/phenol adduct. Our results indicate that the benzidine/phenol adducts are analogous to the indoaniline dyes, differing only in substitution of a biphenyl group for a benzene ring. The reaction of benzidine di-imine with endogenous phenols may represent a new pathway for detoxication, removing potentially harmful metabolites of benzidine.
Autoantibodies against the fibrinolytic receptor, annexin 2, in antiphospholipid syndrome.

The association of thrombosis and gestational morbidity with antiphospholipid antibodies is termed antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Annexin 2 (A2) is a profibrinolytic endothelial cell surface receptor that binds plasminogen, its tissue activator (tPA), and β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI), the main antigen for antiphospholipid antibodies. Here, we evaluate A2 as a target antigen in APS. Serum samples from 434 individuals (206 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus without thrombosis, 62 with APS, 21 with nonautoimmune thrombosis, and 145 healthy individuals) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot for antiphospholipid and A2 antibodies. Anti-A2 antibodies (titer > 3 SDs) were significantly more prevalent in patients with APS (22.6%; venous, 17.5%; arterial, 34.3%; and mixed thrombosis, 40.4%) than in healthy individuals (2.1%, P < .001), patients with nonautoimmune thrombosis (0%, P = .017), or patients with lupus without thrombosis (6.3%, P < .001). Anti–A2 IgG enhanced the expression of tissue factor on endothelial cells (6.4-fold ± 0.13-fold SE), blocked A2-supported plasmin generation in a tPAdependent generation assay (19%-71%) independently of β2GPI, and inhibited cell surface plasmin generation on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by 34% to 83%. We propose that anti-A2 antibodies contribute to the prothrombotic diathesis in antiphospholipid syndrome.
Studies of the Circulation and Respiration in a Patient with Anasarca Following Administration of Cortin and Sodium Chloride

Edema is of common occurrence in patients with Addison's disease following treatment with desoxycorticosterone and sodium chioride (1 4). In addition to edema, some patients also exhibit dyspnea, reduced vital capacity, elevated venous pressure and roentgenographic changes suggestive of cardiac dilatation. It has been assumed that heart failure occurs under these circumstances, as a consequence of cardiac dilatation due to overloading the circulation with fluid. However, all of the patients thus far described had the decreased blood volume and abnormally small cardiac size found in Addison's disease. The present report is based on studies made in a patient without Addison's disease who developed massive generalized edema following administration of cortin and sodium chloride. REPORT OF CASE B. F. (B. I. H. #52040), a 43-year-old man, with a past history of asthma, eczema and eosinophilia for many years and no evidence of adrenal cortical insufficiency, entered the hospital on Jan. 10, 1942, because of dys...
7Li(p, n)7Be neutron polarization measurements for Ep = 3.0 to 5.5 MeV

Abstract Angular distributions of neutron polarization have been measured for 7 Li(p, n 0 ) 7 Be and 7 Li(p, n 1 ) 7 Be∗ at proton energies 3.0, 3.5, 4.0,4.5, 5.0 and 5.5 MeV. From Legendre polynomial fits of σ(θ) and associated Legendre polynomial fits of P (θ)σ(θ), contour maps of P ( θ ) and P 2 ( θ ) σ ( θ ) were produced. Levels in the compound nucleus 8 Be and the reaction mechanism are discussed.
The use of capillary gas chromatography—mass spectrometry for identification of radiation-induced DNA base damage and DNA base—amino acid cross-links

Application of capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to isolation and identification of radiation-induced DNA base damage including DNA base-amino acid crosslinks is reported. gamma-Irradiated samples of thymine (thy), thymidine (dT), thymidine-5'-monophosphate (pdT), cytosine(cyt),2'-deoxycytidine (dC), 2'-deoxycytidine-5'-monophosphate (pdC), and mixtures of thy, dT and pdT with tyrosine were used as model systems. Trimethylsilylation was used as the derivatization method. Samples containing nucleosides and nucleotides were first subjected to hydrolysis with formic acid or hydrochloric acid to remove sugar or sugar-phosphate moieties, then trimethylsilylated and analyzed by GC-MS. Trimethylsilyl derivatives of radiation-induced monomeric and dimeric products of the model systems mentioned above were shown to have excellent GC properties and easily interpretable mass spectra. The presence of the molecular ion (M+.) and a characteristic (M-CH3)+ ion in the mass spectra facilitated structural elucidation. The complementary use of tert.-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives was also demonstrated. These derivatives provided an intense characteristic (M-57)+ ion in their mass spectra, which may be used to corroborate the molecular weight and to monitor the corresponding compounds in a complex mixture by means of selected-ion monitoring. All gas chromatograms and mass spectra obtained are discussed in detail.
A difference equation method for the calculation of the probability that two molecules will collide

The probability that one molecule will collide with another is calculated for the case in which the molecule is confined to equally spaced rings about the second larger molecule except when it jumps from one ring to the next. The result is practically the same as that obtained for an infinitesimal mean free path, not having first-order terms in the ratio of the mean free path to the particle radius as does the result of the calculations of R. Wijsman (1952).
The Death and Rebirth of a Party System, Peru 1978-2001

This article evaluates structural, institutional, and actor-centered explanations of the collapse of the Peruvian party system around 1990 and its surprising partial recovery in 2001. It begins by describing the changes in the dependent variable, the emergence, collapse, and partial resurrection of the 1980s Peruvian party system. The next section examines the argument that the large size and rapid growth of the informal sector undermined the party system and led to its collapse. The author shows that the evidence does not support this argument. The article then examines changes in the electoral system. The author demonstrates that, contrary to theoretical expectations, the changes in the electoral system do not correlate with the observed changes in the party system. The final section shows that performance failure by political elites, including corruption in government, was more important than social cleavages or electoral institutions in the collapse and partial recovery of the party system.