cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sperm axoneme: a tale of tubulin posttranslation diversity.

Two microtubule-containing structures are assembled during spermiogenesis: a transient manchette and a stable axoneme. Both structures contain microtubules enriched in posttranslationally modified tubulins. Despite the existence of a spectrum of tubulin isotypes postulated by the multi-tubulin hypothesis, further extended by an elaborated array of posttranslational modifications, it is unknown how this diversity influences microtubule function. There is increasing evidence that different alpha beta-tubulin isotypes can affect the structure and function of microtubules. It is also becoming increasingly clear that eukaryotic cells encode other tubulin proteins expressed by the tubulin superfamily: gamma, delta epsilon, zeta eta, and FtsZ have been identified so far. Although the role of gamma-tubulin in the nucleation of microtubule assembly is well established, the function of delta-, epsilon-, zeta-, eta-, and FtsZ-tubulins is less understood. The members of the tubulin superfamilies found in spermatids include the alpha beta-tubulin dimer, in addition to gamma-tubulin in the centrosome, and delta-tubulin in the perinuclear ring region of the mouse spermatid manchette, the centrosome region, and flagellum. Posttranslational modifications in tubulin isotypes are predominant in the C-terminus exposed on the outside surface of the microtubule. This target site may influence the interaction of microtubule-associated proteins, including motor proteins, and therefore determine the functional specificity of tubulin isotypes. It remains to be determined whether other newcomers to the superfamily of tubulins contain sites prone to posttranslational modification.
An Interactionist Perspective on Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Personality

It is now well established that nature and nurture are both important contributors to variation in human personality. As a result, the field of personality behavior genetics is moving beyond simply estimating the magnitude of genetic and environmental influences on various personality constructs. Recent methodological advances provide for the study of how these different sources of influence interact in the development of personality. Specifically, newer biometrical moderation models allow for group-specific estimates of heritability and environmental influences on personality (a form of gene–environment interaction). In the current paper, we review selected recent research using these models. Furthermore, we explore how moderation might also be important in understanding links between specific genes and personality. Accounting for the contingencies between genes and environment will be an important catalyst for the molecular genetic study of personality, as unmoderated ‘main effect’ types of gene → personality associations have been elusive.
Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) in morbidly obese patients.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience with LVHR in morbidly obese patients (BMI > 40) and to compare their outcomes to those of patients with lower BMI.
Utilizing recommender systems to support software requirements elicitation

Requirements Engineering involves a number of human intensive activities designed to help project stakeholders discover, analyze, and specify the functional and non-functional needs for a software intensive system. Recommender systems can support several different areas of this process including identifying potential subject matter experts for a topic, keeping individual stakeholders informed of relevant issues, and even recommending possible features for stakeholders to consider and explore. This position paper summarizes an extensive series of experiments that were conducted to identify best-of-breed algorithms for recommending forums to stakeholders and recommending unexplored topics to project managers.
The North-Central Oklahoma Event of February 16, 1956

The event of February 16, 1956, 2330 GMT, 1 allegedly caused modified Mercalli intensity V and VI effects in North-Central Oklahoma and was felt and (or) heard over an area of 13,000 km 2 to 22,000 km 2 . According to instrumental data, this event could not have been an earthquake of magnitude (mbLg) greater than 3. The event was probably a sequence of sonic booms from aircraft.
Life History of the Longnose Dace, Rhinichthys cataractae, in the Surge Zone of Eastern Lake Michigan Near Ludington, Michigan

Abstract Longnose dace taken mainly during night hours over gravel-rock substrates in a surge zone of east-central Lake Michigan provided seasonal data on distribution, age, growth, maturity, fecundity, and food habits. Dominated by age-classes II and III, longnose dace entered surge-zone waters in mid-May for spawning and remained in small numbers through November. Peak spawning occurred during late June and early July. Egg production ranged from 870 to 9,953 eggs per female. Age 0 fish were taken in early August and reached a mean length of 42 mm by late October. Only a few yearlings (age I) spawned the following year; all fish were mature by age II. Major foods of adult fish were from terrestrial sources.
HOW FUNCTIONAL ARE ECONOMIC AREAS? TESTS FOR INTRA-REGIONAL SPATIAL ASSOCIATION USING SPATIAL DATA ANALYSIS

Spatial associations within eight Southeastern Functional Economic Areas were investigated using three spatial data analysis techniques (Moran's L. G2(d) statistic and local Moran) and 1980 to 1990 population change at the country and census tract levels. Core hinterland relationships in EEAs were categorized as spread through growth, spread through decentralization, backwards or independent, based on intra regional patterns of spatial association. Findings indicate that all four of the spread backwash typologies were evident among the eight economic regions. Yet, spatial association with the core (spread or backwash) generally was limited to hinterland areas at the core's range. Spatial dependence between core and hinterland areas declined with distance from the economic region's core area. For many rural locations, changes in economic activity are independent of economic development experiences in nearby locations.
A problem in rotation therapy with X-rays: dose distributions with an axis of symmetry.

Abstract We give the equations which need to be solved to extend the work of Brahme, Roos, and Lax to dose distributions which are not circularly symmetrical. These equations do not contain the linear absorption coefficient, μ, explicitly so they are valid in principle for any μ. The general solution of these equations has not been found, but the solution given by Brahme, Roos, and Lax is used to extend their work to simple dose distributions with an axis of symmetry. Some examples are given and discussed.
Astronomical Imaging with InSb Arrays

Ten years ago, Forrest presented the first astronomical images with an SBRC 32 × 32 InSb array camera at the first NASA-Ames Infrared Detector Technology Workshop. Soon after, SBRC began development of 58 × 62 InSb arrays, both for ground-based astronomy and for SIRTF. By the time of the 1987 Hilo workshop “Ground-based Astronomical Observations with Infrared Array Detectors”astronomical results from cameras based on SBRC 32 × 32 and 58 × 62 InSb arrays, a CE linear InSb array, and a French 32 × 32 InSb CID array were presented. And at the Tucson 1990 meeting “Astrophysics with Infrared Arrays”, it was clear that this new technology was no longer the province of “IR pundits”, but provided a tool for all astronomers. At this meeting, the first astronomical observations with SBRC’s new, gateless passivation 256 × 256 InSb arrays will be presented: they perform spectacularly!
Optimal XOR hashing for non-uniformly distributed address lookup in computer networks

Hashing algorithms have been widely adopted to provide a fast address lookup process which involves a search through a large database to find a record associated with a given key. Modern examples include address lookup in network routers for a forwarding outgoing link, rule-matching in intrusion detection systems comparing incoming packets with a large database, etc. Hashing algorithms involve transforming a key inside each target data to a hash value hoping that the hashing would render the database a uniform distribution with respect to this new hash value. When the database are already key-wise uniformly distributed, any regular hashing algorithm would easily lead to perfectly uniform distribution after the hashing. On the other hand, if records in the database are instead not uniformly distributed, then different hashing functions would lead to different performance. This paper addresses the cases when such distribution follows a natural negative linear distribution, a partial negative linear distribution, or an exponential distribution which are found to closely approximate many real-life database distributions. For each of these distributions, we derive a general formula for calculating the distribution variance produced by any given non-overlapping bit-grouping XOR hashing function. Such a distribution variance from the hashing directly translates to performance variations in searching. Through this, the best XOR hashing function can be easily determined for any given key size and any given hashing target size.
Efficient Plasmid DNA Replication in Xenopus Egg Extracts Does Not Depend on Prior Chromatin Assembly

Abstract Small plasmids replicate efficiently in unfertilized Xenopus eggs provided they are injected before rather than after activation of the cell cycle. Here we use Xenopus egg extracts to test the hypothesis that efficient replication results from chromatin assembly prior to activation giving preloaded plasmids a head start toward the formation of a replicating pseudonucleus (Sanchez, J. A., Marek, D., and Wangh, L. J.(1992) J. Cell Sci. 103, 907-918). As in ovum, plasmid DNA preincubated in unactivated egg cytoplasmcytostatic factor extracts) replicate more efficiently after extract activation than does the same DNA added to the same extract after activation. Unlike in ovum, however, plasmids that replicate efficiently in vitro do not assemble into chromatin during preincubation and become topologically knotted instead. But even DNA knotting does not explain subsequent efficient replication. Also, plasmids preassembled into chromatin in vitro do not replicate efficiently in activated egg cytoplasm unless first preincubated in a CSF extract. We conclude that unactivated eggs contain replication-enhancing activities that can act independently of plasmid chromatin assembly and DNA topology. These postulated “preloading” factor(s) may be related to licensing factor, an activity that controls initiation of DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. The experimental conditions described here will permit characterization of preloading/licensing factor(s) in the context of a small plasmid substrate.
Review of Quartz Analytical Methodologies: Present and Future Needs

Abstract A review of analytical methods for the qualitative and quantitative determination of crystalline silica is presented. The three prevalent forms of crystalline silica—quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite—are alluded to. Performance and popularity of present quartz analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and colorimetry are illustrated using Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) Program data. Although substantial improvements in performance have been made since the 1970s, quartz PAT sample results still continue to display high imprecision (>20% coefficient of variation). Past and present analytical methods are detailed in terms of theory and use, and strengths and weaknesses are discussed. Methods include gravimetric, chemical, microscopic, atomic absorption, XRD, IR, and colorimetry. Methods for determining bulk materials such as thermal analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance are briefly discussed. Results of a survey regarding international use of analytica...
Las Vegas RNC algorithms for unary weighted perfect matching and T -join problems

Abstract Karp, Upfal and Wigderson developed an RNC algorithm to find a minimum-weight perfect matching in a graph when the edge weights are given in unary. This was a Monte Carlo randomized algorithm—it produced an optimal solution with high probability, but could not certify the optimality of its solution. In this paper we give a Las Vegas RNC algorithm for the problem—one that certifies, with high probability, that its solution is correct—utilizing reductions between the minimum- weight perfect matching problem and the T -join problem. We also give Las Vegas RNC algorithms for finding a minimum cardinality T -join, a maximum 1-packing of T -cuts in a bipartite graph, the T -join structure of a graph, and a planar multicommodity flow.
Funerary Practices and Afterlife Expectations in Ancient Israel

Ancient Israel was thoroughly familiar with existence beyond death. Individual personalities survived the death of the body, most Israelites believed, albeit in a considerably weakened and vulnerable state. The ensnaring tentacles of Sheol constantly threatened the living-dead, but the fortunate among them were able to use the power of kinship bonds to keep Sheol's threats at bay. The traditional ties of lineage and kin bonding, according to biblical Yahwism, were an actual way for the living-dead to pull themselves back from death's devouring suction. Ancient Israel's funerary practices and afterlife expectations are greatly illumined by recent archaeological studies and by a new comparative model that draws on data gleaned from African ethnography.
The Heat Shock Protein 90-CDC37 Chaperone Complex Is Required for Signaling by Types I and II Interferons

Interferon signaling pathways are critical to both innate and adaptive immunity. We have demonstrated here that the inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) functions by small interfering RNAs or chemical inhibitors blocking interferon-induced gene expression. Hsp90 was required for signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 phosphorylation, and in its absence, Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2 were degraded by the proteosome. JAK1 interacts with Hsp90 and the CDC37 co-chaperone, and both interactions are destabilized by Hsp90 inhibitors. The biological consequences were suggested by experiments showing that T cell activation by interferon-γ-primed macrophages and the antiviral response of interferons required Hsp90. We conclude that JAK1/2 are client proteins of Hsp90 and that Hsp90 and CDC37 play a critical role in types I and II interferon pathways.
Regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue of normal and diabetic mice

Gluconeogenesis has been studied in perfused livers of normal albino, as well as of C57 lean and obese-hyperglycemic (ob/ob) mice. In livers of normal albino mice, the highest rate of gluconeogenesis was observed with saturating levels of fructose and dihydroxyacetone. Pyruvate and lactate were about half as effective. Oleate-albumin complex did not stimulate gluconeogenesis. Glucagon, epinephrine or cyclic AMP did not alter gluconeogenesis, despite the fact that they were strongly glycogenolytic, suggesting that gluconeogenesis in livers of normal albino mice is regulated mostly by substrate availability. Gluconeogenesis in livers of C57 lean and ob/ob mice was compared and it was found that the capacity for gluconeogenesis from lactate or pyruvate was similar in both groups of mice. Lipogenesis from glucose was studied in C57 lean and ob/ob mice, using an in vivo technique. Lipogenesis per total liver or per total adipose tissue was extremely high in the ob/ob animals compared with the lean ones. Lean mice responded to intravenous insulin with a marked increase in lipogenesis while ob/ob mice did not. Insulin-stimulated lipogenesis in the lean animals was similar in magnitude to that of non-treated ob/ob mice. When ob/ob mice were made relatively insulin deficient by treatment with streptozotocin or anti-insulin serum, liver and adipose tissue lipogenesis were markedly decreased. It is postulated that part of the increased lipogenesis seen in the ob/ob mice may be related to their abnormally high circulating insulin levels. This view is strengthened by experiments carried out on perfused livers of C57 lean and ob/ob mice. Basal and substrate-stimulated lipogenesis, as well as newly synthesized triglyceride secretion by livers of ob/ob mice, was greater than that of lean controls. Furthermore, in the absence of oleate, the secretion of triglycerides by livers of ob/ob mice was much higher than that of lean mice but it was not stimulated by oleate, while such a stimulation could be obtained in livers of normal controls. All these anomalies of lipid metabolism could be restored towards normal when the ob/ob mice were made relatively insulin deficient by streptozotocin treatment prior to the experiments. In perfused livers of normal albino mice the release of triglycerides into the perfusate has been measured as an index of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion. Vincristine or colchicine, drugs known to interfere with the microtubular system, were found to inhibit markedly triglyceride release. Biochemical and ultrastructural evidence has indicated that these drugs affect specifically microtubules. In a similar fashion, vincristine was found to decrease the secretion of globulins, albumin and small polypeptides by perfused livers. It is concluded that the functional integrity of microtubules is important for the intracellular movement and eventual release from the liver of VLDL particles, as well as of albumin and other proteins.
Activity-based disaggregate travel demand model system with activity schedules

Abstract We present an integrated activity-based discrete choice model system of an individual’s activity and travel schedule, for forecasting urban passenger travel demand. A prototype demonstrates the system concept using a 1991 Boston travel survey and transportation system level of service data. The model system represents a person’s choice of activities and associated travel as an activity pattern overarching a set of tours. A tour is defined as the travel from home to one or more activity locations and back home again. The activity pattern consists of important decisions that provide overall structure for the day’s activities and travel. In the prototype the activity pattern includes (a) the primary – most important – activity of the day, with one alternative being to remain at home for all the day’s activities; (b) the type of tour for the primary activity, including the number, purpose and sequence of activity stops; and (c) the number and purpose of secondary – additional – tours. Tour models include the choice of time of day, destination and mode of travel, and are conditioned by the choice of activity pattern. The choice of activity pattern is influenced by the expected maximum utility derived from the available tour alternatives.
The influence of organizational and functional support on the development of salesperson job satisfaction

This article investigates whether organizational and functional support (OS and FS) provided to the sales force are distinct determinants of salesperson job satisfaction. We examine whether salesperson trust in their supervisor and in the organization serve as mediating mechanisms through which OS is translated to salesperson job satisfaction. Using data from 157 salespeople in a health care field setting, we explore the relationship between OS and job satisfaction as mediated by trust and moderated by the extent of FS provided to salespeople. Study results were consistent with the hypothesized conceptual scheme of moderated mediation, in that FS moderated the indirect effect of OS on job satisfaction through trust in organization but not through trust in supervisor. These findings broaden current understanding of relationships among trust, OS and job satisfaction and illustrate that the OS–salesperson job satisfaction linkage is more nuanced than previously depicted. This study has important implications...
Antagonism of ethanol ataxia by intracerebellar nicotine: Possible modulation by mouse cerebellar nitric oxide and cGMP

Abstract We have reported previously that intracerebellar nicotine attenuates ethanol ataxia via nicotinic-cholinergic receptors. We report now that attenuation of ethanol ataxia by intracerebellar nicotine is modulated by cerebellar nitric oxide-guanylyl cyclase (GC) messenger system. Intracerebellar microinfusion of SNP (sodium nitroprusside, a nitric oxide donor; 15, 30, and 60 pg) and SMT (S-methylisothiourea; 70, 140, and 280 fg; an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase), significantly enhanced and reduced, respectively, intracerebellar nicotine-induced attenuation of ethanol ataxia in a dose-related manner. Similarly, intracerebellar isoliquiritigenin (an activator of GC; 1, 2, and 4 pg) and ODQ (1 H [1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of GC; 375, 750, and 1500 fg), significantly enhanced and reduced, respectively, intracerebellar nicotine-induced attenuation of ethanol ataxia in a dose-related fashion. These results suggest that the functional interaction between nicotine and ethanol may involve modulation by cerebellar nitric oxide and cGMP. Intracerebellar microinfusion of isoliquiritigenin (4, 8, and 16 pg) in the absence of nicotine significantly attenuated ethanol ataxia dose-dependently indicating a tonic involvement of cGMP in ethanol ataxia. Finally, intracerebellar nicotine (5 ng) significantly increased and ethanol 2 g/kg i.p. decreased levels of total cerebellar nitrite + nitrate (NOx) which were functionally correlated with ethanol ataxia and its attenuation by intracerebellar nicotine. The ethanol-induced decrease in NOx was significantly antagonized by intracerebellar nicotine. The NOx data further supported an involvement of nitric oxide in the behavioral interaction between nicotine and ethanol. Overall, the results of the present investigation demonstrate a functional correlation between cerebellar nitric oxide messenger system and the behavioral interaction between nicotine and ethanol.
Mesenteric venous thrombosis as sole complication of decompression sickness

A 27-year-old male commercial diver developed massive mesenteric venous thrombosis following a dive. Symptoms at presentation included abdominal pain and diarrhea. A severe upper gastrointestinal bleed developed. Exploratory laparotomy demonstrated 130 cm of infarcted small bowel. The pathophysiologic events in decompression sickness predispose to vascular obstruction and venous infarction. This patient had a past history of possible thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism associated with diving but no identifable coagulopathy.
Hydroisomerization and hydrocracking of n-hexane on Pt/SAPO-5 and Pt/SAPO-11 catalysts

The activity, stability, and selectivity of a series of bifunctional Pt/SAPO-5 and Pt/SAPO-11 catalysts containing 0.5 wt% platinum were compared for n-heptane transformation at 300-450°C and atmospheric and 3 and 5 bars hydrogen pressures. Hydrogen pressure had a strong influence on the activity, iso-heptane selectivity, and time-on-stream deactivation. Isomerization of n-heptane to iso-heptanes was the major reaction with Pt/SAPO-5 catalyst, especially at lower conversions, whereas Pt/SAPO-11 shows high selectivity to isomers in all conversion range. The selectivity patterns found in these classes of molecular sieve catalysts are well interpreted in terms of a series of reaction pathways that incorporate both confinement effects and shape selectivity factors as being important in determining the observed product distribution. Based on experimental results, the protonated cyclopropane appears as an intermediate in the mechanism of this reaction.
Resolution to the Supersymmetric CP Problem with Large Soft Phases via D-Branes

We examine the soft supersymmetry breaking parameters that result from various ways of embedding the standard model (SM) on D-branes within the type I string picture, allowing the parameters to have large CP -violating phases. One embedding naturally provides the relations among soft parameters to satisfy the electron and neutron electric dipole moment constraints even with large phases, while with other embeddings large phases are not allowed. The results generally suggest how low energy data might teach us about Planck scale physics. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Transition-metal-free synthesis of alternating thiophene-perfluoroarene copolymers.

The fluoride-activated coupling between silyl-functionalized thiophene monomers and perfluoroarenes leads to moderately high-molecular-weight alternating copolymers in excellent yields and high chemical purity. The method bypasses transition-metal catalysis and the associated need for perfluoroarenes carrying additional functional “handles”. Small-molecule model studies provide insight into the relative reactivities of functional groups in this synthetic pathway.
Sensitive absorbance measurement method based on laser multi-wave mixing

Abstract A sensitive absorbance measurement based on nonlinear laser degenerate four-wave mixing is demonstrated for cadmium. The cadmium ions react with dithizone to form a cadium complex which is then extracted in carbon tetrachloride and analyzed. A relatively low-power argon ion laser line at 514.5 nm is used as the excitation light source. This nonlinear laser method offers many useful features including efficient and simple optical signal detection (signal is a collimated coherent beam), excellent detection sensitivity for absorbance, and efficient use of low laser power levels, small laser probe volumes and short analyte path legnths (e.g., ng ml for cadmium, corresponding to an absorbance detection limit of 1.8 × 10 −6 AU is reported using a flowing analyte cell at room temperature.
A fully-automated one-pot synthesis of [18F]fluoromethylcholine with reduced dimethylaminoethanol contamination via [18F]fluoromethyl tosylate.

Introduction A novel one-pot method for preparing [18F]fluoromethylcholine ([18F]FCH) via in situ generation of [18F]fluoromethyl tosylate ([18F]FCH2OTs), and subsequent [18F]fluoromethylation of dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), has been developed.
Development of Eimeria meleagrimitis Tyzzer from Sporozoites and Merozoites in Turkey Kidney Cell Cultures

SYNOPSIS. Sporozoites and 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-generation merozoites of Eimeria meleagrimitis were inoculated into primary cultures of turkey kidney cells. In vitro-excysted sporozoites developed into mature macrogamonts in 8 days; in vivo-excysted sporozoites developed into 2nd- or 3rd-generation schizonts within 5 to 7 days. First-generation merozoites obtained from infected turkeys produced mature 2nd-generation schizonts within 24 h. Second-generation merozoites from turkeys produced mature macrogamonts and oocysts within 72 h, whereas 3rd-generation merozoites produced these stages within 48 h. The oocysts that developed from 3rd-generation merozoites sporulated at 25 C and were infective for turkeys. The timing of the early stages and the intervals between schizogonic generations in cultures were comparable with those in turkeys. Morphologic parameters, however, indicated that some differences existed between in vitro and in vivo development. Second- and 3rd-generation schizonts and gamonts that developed after inoculation of cultures with merozoites were similar to stages in turkeys. Oocysts, however, were significantly smaller (P < 0.05) in cultures. All stages that developed after inoculation of cultures with sporozoites were smaller (P < 0.05) than their in vivo counter parts.
NILOOFAR HAERI , Sacred language, ordinary people: Dilemmas of culture and politics in Egypt

Niloofar Haeri , Sacred language, ordinary people: Dilemmas of culture and politics in Egypt . New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003. xvi, 184. Hb $59.95. Sacred language, ordinary people is an excellent linguistic ethnography of Arabic diglossia in “an attempt at understanding the cultural and political implications of the divide between Classical Arabic and Egyptian Arabic” (p. xi). The passionate debate about Classical Arabic (the language of the Qur'an) as a facilitator of or a barrier to modernization and change is handled intelligently, though provocatively.
Can polarization of triple bond in tolanes be deduced from 13C NMR shifts? Re-evaluation of factors affecting regiochemistry of the palladium-catalyzed hydrostannation of alkynes.

Polarization of the triple bond in a series of differently substituted ortho- and para-tolanes has been studied by NMR and computational methods in order to examine if 13C NMR data can be effectively used for the assessment of electronic polarization of a triple bond in diarylacetylenes. DFT calculations of both natural charges and NMR properties revealed that chemical shifts concur with effective charges on sp-carbon atoms in para-tolanes, whereas in ortho-analogues magnetic anisotropy complicates the analysis making 13C NMR data inapplicable for ascribing triple bond polarization. The obtained information was used to reevaluate factors affecting the regiochemistry of the Pd-catalyzed hydrostannation of the triple bond in tolanes. Computational study on the polarization of triple bonds taken together with the experimental data on hydrostannation of various mono- and disubstituted tolanes bearing para- and ortho-substituents demonstrated that the regioselectivity of hydrostannation is governed by a combin...
Predicting treatment choice for patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate which clinical factors were predictive of treatment choice for patients with pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: One hundred fifty-two patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study to collect clinical data on potential predictors of treatment choice. Continuous parametric, continuous nonparametric (ordinal), and categoric data were compared with chosen management plan (expectant, pessary, surgery) using analysis of variance, the Kruskal‐ Wallis test, and the 2 test for association, respectively. All significant predictors (P < .05) of treatment choice for pelvic organ prolapse identified during univariate analysis were entered into a backward elimination polytomous logistic regression analysis for predicting surgery versus pessary versus expectant management, with surgery as the reference group. RESULTS: The probability of choosing expectant management rather than surgery 1) increases as the preoperative pelvic pain score increases (odds ratio [OR] 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07, 2.40; P .024) and 2) decreases as the prolapse severity increases (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.29, 0.72; P .001). The probability of choosing pessary rather than surgery 1) increases as age increases (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.05, 1.16; P < .001), 2) decreases as the prolapse severity increases (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.60, 0.99; P .042), and 3) is less if the participant had prior prolapse surgery (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.07, 0.76; P .017). CONCLUSION: Age, prior prolapse surgery, preoperative pelvic pain scores, and pelvic organ prolapse severity were independently associated with treatment choices in a predictable way and provide physicians with medical evidence necessary to support a patient’s decision. (Obstet Gynecol 2003;101:1279 ‐ 84. © 2003 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.)
Plasmid DNA Delivery by d-Alanine-Deficient Listeria monocytogenes

Optimal DNA vaccine efficacy requires circumventing several obstacles, including low immunogenicity, a need for adjuvant, and the costs of purifying injection grade plasmid DNA. Bacterial delivery of plasmid DNA may provide an efficient and low-cost alternative to plasmid purification and injection. Also, the bacterial vector may exhibit potential as an immune adjuvant in vivo. Thus, we elected to examine the use of cell-wall-deficient Listeria monocytogenes as a DNA delivery vehicle in vitro. First, the D-alanine-deficient (Deltadal-dat) L. monocytogenes strain DP-L3506, which undergoes autolysis inside eukaryotic host cells in the absence of D-alanine, was transformed with a plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of the CMV promoter (pAM-EGFP). Then COS-7 and MC57G cell lines were infected with the transformed DP-L3506 at various multiplicities of infection (MOI) in the presence or absence of D-alanine. Subsequent GFP expression was observed in both cell lines by 24 h post-infection with DP-L3506(pAM-EGFP). Notably, no GFP positive cells were observed when D-alanine was omitted. Although transfection efficiency initially increased as a result of D-alanine supplementation, high concentration or long-term supplementation led to sustained bacterial growth that killed the infected host cells, resulting in fewer GFP-expressing cells. Thus, efficient DNA delivery by transformed bacteria must balance bacterial invasion and survival with target cell health and survival.
High-efficiency polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation of mammalian cells

A new, high-efficiency method for transformation of mammalian cells with nucleic acids is described which yields 105−106 plaques/μg poliovirus infectious RNA (iRNA). The optimized procedure consists of two steps: (1) exposure of cells to iRNA in a high ionic-strength buffer followed by (2) a brief exposure to a 35% polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution. Optimized conditions for each variable in the procedure are described. Under optimized conditions for PEG-mediated transformation with RNA, large numbers of transformants are recovered with plasmid DNA as well. The procedure presented is similar to other high-efficiency PEG-mediated methods previously described for the genetic transformation of both nonprotoplasted Escherichia coliand yeast.
Sugars with a new functional group: Hydroxythio(thiocarbonate

Abstract The preparation and some properties are described of two sugar derivatives containing a new functional group, namely hydroxythio(thiocarbonate) [ROC(=S)-SOH]. These derivatives were prepared by reaction of hydrogen peroxide with the O-(sodium thiolthiocarbonyl) derivative of 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α- D -galactopyranose (1) and 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α- D -glucofuranose (7). These derivatives are acidic enough to be titrated with alkali and, in presence of hydrogen peroxide, are able to initiate graft polymerization of acrylamide. The nature of the linkage between the sugars and polyacrylamide is (in part) a thioester type.
Adrenergic Regulation of Ion Transport by Primary Cultures of Canine Tracheal Epithelium: Cellular Electrophysiology

We examined the effect of adrenergic agents on the cellular electrical properties of primary cultures of canine tracheal epithelium. Both isoproterenol and epinephrine stimulated Cl secretion, as evidenced by an increase in transepithelial voltage and a fall in transepithelial resistance. Moreover, both agents appear to increase the conductance of apical and basolateral membranes. However, the pattern of response was different. Isoproterenol initially depolarized apical voltage Ψa and decreased the fractional resistance of the apical membranefR. These changes are consistent with an initial increase in apical Cl conductance. In contrast, epinephrine acutely hyperpolarized Ψa and increasedfR, changes consistent with an initial increase in basolateral K conductance. Following the acute effect of epinephrine, Ψa depolarized andfR decreased to values not significantly different from those observed with isoproterenol. The acute increase in basolateral K conductance produced by epinephrine appeared to result from stimulation of α adrenergic receptors because it was reproduced by addition of the α agonist phenylephrine, and blocked by the α antagonist phentolamine. The ability of prazosin but not yohimbine to block the acute epinephrine-induced increase in K permeability indicates the presence of α1 adrenergic receptors. The acute α adrenergic-induced increase in basolateral K conductance may be mediated by an increase in cell Ca because the response was mimicked by addition of the Ca ionophore A23187. In contrast, the response to isoproterenol was similar to that observed with addition of 8-bromo-cAMP and theophylline. These results indicate that both β and α adrenergic agents mediate the ion transport processes in canine tracheal epithelium. β adrenergic agents have their primary effect on the apical Cl conductance, probably via an increase in cAMP. α adrenergic agents exert their primary effect on the basolateral K conductance, possibly via an increase in cell Ca.
The kinetics of hammer milling of maize

Abstract The kinetics of breakage of maize were measured in a small laboratory hammer mill, with a rigid blade used as hammer. It was found that breakage was first-order, and that the primary breakage distributions were insensitive to mill conditions or moisture content of the material. The specific rates of breakage were dependent on particle size to approximately the third power; they increased as moisture content of the grain was reduced, showing that the drier material was more brittle; and a minimum rotation speed was necessary to get significant breakage. It appeared that material was thrown to the outer wall, so that only the ends of the hammer were effective, and a major part of fracture occurred by particles being thrown against the wall; an optimum loading exists for maximum breakage rates.
Effects of healthy aging on human primary visual cortex

Aging often results in reduced visual acuity from changes in both the eye and neural circuits [1-4]. In normally aging subjects, primary visual cortex has been shown to have reduced responses to visual stimulation [5]. It is not known, however, to what extent aging affects visual field representations and population receptive sizes in human primary visual cortex. Here we use functional MRI (fMRI) and population receptive field (pRF) modeling [6] to measure angular and eccentric retinotopic representations and population receptive fields in primary visual cortex in healthy aging subjects ages 57 - 70 and in healthy young volunteers ages 24 - 36 (n = 9). Retinotopic stimuli consisted of black and white, drifting checkerboards comprising moving bars 11 deg in radius. Primary visual cortex (V1) was clearly identifiable along the calcarine sulcus in all hemispheres. There was a significant decrease in the surface area of V1 from 0 to 3 deg eccentricity in the aging subjects with respect to the young subjects (p = 0.039). The coherence of the fMRI% BOLD modulation was significantly decreased in the aging subjects compared to the young subjects in the more peripheral eccentricity band from 7 to 10 deg (p = 0.029). Finally, pRF sizes were significantly increased within the 0 to 3 deg foveal representation of V1 in the aging subjects compared to the young subjects (p = 0.019). Understanding the extent of changes that occur in primary visual cortex during normal aging is essential both for understanding the normal aging process and for comparisons of healthy, aging subjects with aging patients suffering from age-related visual and cortical disorders.
Effect of Ag layer thickness on the electrical transport and optical properties of ZnO/Ag/MoOx transparent composite electrodes and their use in P3HT:PC61BM-based organic solar cells

Abstract In this paper, the optoelectronic properties and morphological features of indium-free ZnO/Ag/MoOx electrodes deposited by in situ combination of RF and DC sputtering at room temperature for low-cost organic photovoltaics has been discussed. The transparent composite electrode (ZnO/Ag/MoOx) was optimized by inspecting the formation of a continuous Ag thin film on top of the ZnO layer. It was found that a 9 nm thick Ag film had the best Haacke figure of merit. Organic solar cells on these composite electrodes revealed good optical and electrical properties, making them a promising alternative indium-free and PEDOT:PSS-free organic solar cells.
Exponential bounds and semifiniteness of point spectrum for $N$-body Schrödinger operators

For a large class ofN-body Schrodinger operatorsH, we prove that eigenvalues ofH cannot accumulate from above at any threshold ofH. Our proof relies onL2 exponential upper bounds for eigenfunctions ofH with explicit constants obtained by modifying methods of Froese and Herbst.
Comparison of pretreatment methods on the enzymatic Saccharification of aspen wood

Five different chemical pretreatments, using dilute sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide, peroxymonosulfate, and acetic acid, were applied to aspen thermomechanical fibers. The pretreated fibers were submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis and the liberated glucose was monitored. High glucose concentrations were observed for the peroxymonosulfate and the acetic acid pretreated samples. Glucose concentrations greater than 25 g/L were obtained in these cases. This corresponds to conversions on the order of 90% of the pretreated substrate glucose content.
Solving billing issues in ad hoc networks

Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), which were targeted initially for military applications, are slowly finding their way into commercial applications. Ad hoc networking is based on the assumption that every node is willing to forward packets and act as a router. In a military environment, the nodes are assumed "co-operative" and willing to forward packets not intended for them. In a commercial network however, a node may not be totally willing to forward a packet originating from another node, since it utilizes its own battery power. Thus, there is an issue of billing for services provided by the nodes in the network.The problem of billing in ad hoc networks has not been researched extensively, but it must be addressed effectively to make MANETs commercially viable. This paper briefly explains the existing approaches targeted at solving billing and charging issues in MANETs. It gives a lead to solve billing issues using efficient routing mechanisms, and provides an insight into suitable routing approaches and frameworks that could possibly be adopted to support billing. It also provides an example Load-based hybrid routing approach, which solves the problem of billing using an inherent property that stimulates cooperation among nodes.
Conformational analysis of piperazine and piperidine analogs of GBR 12909: stochastic approach to evaluating the effects of force fields and solvent.

Analogs of the flexible dopamine reuptake inhibitor, GBR 12909 (1), may have potential utility in the treatment of cocaine abuse. As a first step in the 3D-QSAR modeling of the dopamine transporter (DAT)/serotonin transporter (SERT) selectivity of these compounds, we carried out conformational analyses of two analogs of 1: a piperazine (2) and a related piperidine (3). Ensembles of conformers consisting of local minima on the potential energy surface of the molecule were generated in the vacuum phase and in implicit solvent by random search conformational analysis using the Tripos and MMFF94 force fields. Some differences were noted in the conformer populations due to differences in the treatment of the tertiary amine nitrogen and ether oxygen atom types by the force fields. The force fields also differed in their descriptions of internal rotation around the C(sp3)–O(sp3) bond proximal to the bisphenyl moiety. Molecular orbital calculations at the HF/6-31G(d) and B3LYP/6-31G(d) levels of C–O internal rotation in model compound (5), designed to model the effect of the proximity of the bisphenyl group on C-O internal rotation, showed a broad region of low energy between −60° to 60° with minima at both −60° and 30° and a low rotational barrier at 0°, in closer agreement with the MMFF94 results than the Tripos results. Molecular mechanics calculations on model compound (6) showed that the MMFF94 force field was much more sensitive than the Tripos force field to the effects of the bisphenyl moiety on C–O internal rotation.
Oral administration of fructose-1,6-diphosphate has anticonvulsant activity

Abstract Recently it has been shown that fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) has dose-dependent anticonvulsant activity in rat models of acute generalized motor seizures induced with chemical convulsants. The present study asked whether FDP also has activity in an epileptic brain after oral administration and activity against non-convulsive seizures. Animals ( n = 14) were administered pilocarpine to induce status epilepticus. Several weeks later, these animals had spontaneous seizures and a baseline rate of seizure frequency was determined over a 6-day period. Animals were then continued without treatment ( n = 8) or 0.5% FDP was added to the drinking water ( n = 6). In animals treated with FDP the seizures completely stopped after 7 days. Removal of FDP from the water resulted in the return of seizure activity in 4 of the 6 animals by 16 days of observation. To induce non-convulsive seizures, animals ( n = 6) received a single injection of γ-butyrolactone (GBL, 100 mg/kg i.p.). All animals had spike-wave activity recorded in the cortex within minutes after GBL administration. Administration of a single injection of FDP (500 g/kg i.p.) had no effect on the baseline cortical activity, nor on the spike-wave activity induced by GBL ( n = 5). These experiments suggest that oral administration of FDP may have utility in the treatment of partial or generalized convulsive seizure disorders, but not absence seizures.
Delayed one-trial extinction of the McCollough effect.

Initial tests of the McCollough effect were made on separate groups at delays of 4, 24 or 96 h after induction, with little apparent decrement. Subsequent tests were made at 4, 24 and 96 h after each initial test delay, again using separate subject groups in order to avoid test-induced extinction. All tests consisted of magentagreen nulling of the aftereffect. A single test session, whenever administered, seems to initiate a decay or extinction process lasting several days, resembling the time course shown by repeated testing. These results are difficult to reconcile with a perceptual conditioning model of the McCollough effect.
QCD at large N c —Skyrme or the bag?

A framework for extracting the low-energy dynamics of pseudoscalar mesons from QCD at large N is developed and, to leading order in the decoupling of heavy mesons, the pure pseudoscalar theory is calculated truncated to four derivatives. The soliton is found not to be manifestly stabilized by the four derivative terms. Under a plausible assumption about the classical solution for the scalar meson field, a natural realization of the previously proposed topological soliton bag model is obtained.
Factors Affecting the Unacceptability of Suicide and the Effects of Evaluator Depression and Religiosity.

This study represents a partial replication and extension of Deluty's investigations of the factors affecting suicide unacceptability [1]. Two hundred eighty-two Catholic college students evaluated scenarios which manipulated precipitating illness (i.e., severe depression, chronic physical pain, and terminal bone cancer) and gender of victim. In addition, evaluator variables (i.e., gender, mood state, and religiosity) were also considered. Results indicated that the unacceptability of suicide is a function of precipitating illness and gender of victim as well as a function of an evaluator's mood state, and religiosity. In addition, complex interactions among several of these variables were found, suggesting the complexity of decisions regarding the unacceptability of suicide.
Measurement of frequency dependent Lg attenuation in the Great Basin

Measurement of the spatial decay of spectral amplitudes of the higher-mode seismic surface wave train Lg indicates that in the Great Basin the apparent seismic quality factor, Q, is a function of frequency. Observations along a 300 km profile recording of a nuclear explosion yield the function Q(ƒ)=206ƒ0.68 over the band 0.3 ⩽ ƒ ⩽ 10.0 Hz. Similar analysis using numerous recordings of earthquakes along paths which provide a good average sampling of the Great Basin crust gives Q(ƒ) = 214(± 15)ƒ0.54(±0.09), for 0.3 ⩽ ƒ ⩽ 5.0 Hz. If the crustal sampling by Lg energy from nuclear explosions (surface sources) is primarily in the shallow crust, as has been suggested, then these results indicate a greater frequency dependence of apparent Q there than at depth.