cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE SHARING OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS: COOPERATION WITH THIRD WORLD MUSEUMS

Museums, like other institutions, are part of a larger social whole and as such reflect the organization and fabric of the societies within which they are embedded. The very fact that we have come together to consider and discuss advocacy roles of museums seems to me to be indicative of some fundamental changes in the constitution and governance of American and Western society over the past several decades. At the time when most of our museums were founded, and for some considerable length of time into this century, quibbles over aims, functions, and administration of museums were debated in a small circle of professional museum men and were usually settled by an even smaller elite of founding fathers and their biological and social descendants who supported and maintained most of these institutions. Over the past five decades o r so, museums have slowly had to confront some major changes.
Photoaffinity Labeling of Yeast Farnesyl Protein Transferase and Enzymatic Synthesis of a Ras Protein Incorporating a Photoactive Isoprenoid

Abstract Farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase) catalyzes the covalent attachment of a farnesyl (C 15 ) group from farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) to a specific cysteine residue of Ras and several other proteins. In this report, photoactive farnesyl and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate analogs 2-diazo-3,3,3-trifluoropropionyloxy-geranyl pyrophosphate (DATFP-GPP) and 2-diazo-3,3,3-trifluoropropionyloxy-farnesyl pyrophosphate (DATFP-FPP) were used to study the active site of Saccharomyces cerevisiae FPTase. Both analogs are substrates for the enzyme, and upon irradiation, DATFP-GPP inhibits FPTase activity in a time-dependent manner. Photoinactivation by DATFP-GPP is prevented by the presence of the natural substrate FPP. Photolysis of radiolabeled DATFP-GPP results in preferential labeling of the β subunit of FPTase, suggesting that this subunit is involved in recognition of FPP. Of particular importance, DATFP-GPP and DATFP-FPP were used to enzymatically transfer the photoactive isoprenoid moieties to peptides and to Ras; such molecules should be useful for identifying cellular components which specifically recognize farnesylated Ras and other prenylated proteins.
The impact of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 on cytopathology practice: a 25th anniversary review

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 were passed into law on October 31, 1988; regulations implementing this law have had a dramatic impact on the practice of cytology as well as the operations of the entire laboratory. Articles in the popular press followed by congressional hearings exposed faulty laboratory practices, with false-negative Pap tests being a major focus. The impact of this law on the cytology profession is reviewed in this paper. We discuss the response by professional organizations and laboratories to proposed regulations, including formation of consortium groups, development of interlaboratory comparison programs, and more stringent laboratory accreditation and inspection procedures. Public perceptions related to false-negative Pap tests and the litigation crisis are reviewed, as well as the development of new technologies that would improve test accuracy. Finally, the role of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee in advising the government on laboratory regulations and cytology proficiency testing is discussed. Many of the regulations have promoted quality practices and cytology accuracy, but others have proven relatively inflexible and may have blocked innovation.
Magnetic and orbital order in LaMnO 3 under uniaxial strain: A model study

The effect of uniaxial strain on electronic structure and magnetism in ${\text{LaMnO}}_{3}$ is studied from a model Hamiltonian that illustrates the competition between the Jahn-Teller, superexchange, and double-exchange interactions. We retain in our model the three main octahedral distortions (${Q}_{1}$, ${Q}_{2}$, and ${Q}_{3}$), which couple to the Mn $({e}_{g})$ electrons. Our results show the ground state to be a type A antiferromagnetic (AFM) insulating state for the unstrained case, consistent with experiments. With tensile strain (stretching along the $c$ axis), the ground state changes into a ferromagnetic and eventually into a type ${\text{G}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ AFM structure, while with compressive strain, we find the type A switching into a type G structure. The orbital ordering, which displays the well-known checkerboard ${x}^{2}\ensuremath{-}1/{y}^{2}\ensuremath{-}1$ structure for the unstrained case, retains more or less the same character for compressive strain, while changing into the ${z}^{2}\ensuremath{-}1$ character for tensile strains. While ${Q}_{1}$ and ${Q}_{3}$ are fixed by the strain components ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{xx}$ and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{zz}$ in our model, the magnitude of the in-plane distortion mode $({Q}_{2})$, which varies to minimize the total energy, slowly diminishes with tensile strain, completely disappearing as the FM state is entered. Within our model, the FM state is metallic, while the three AFM states are insulating.
Engaging junior paediatric trainees in patient safety improvement projects

Aims To engage junior paediatric trainees in patient safety projects. To demonstrate that patient safety is everyone9s responsibility, leading to safer paediatric care across the Wessex Deanery. Methods Since 2009 we have been developing a training programme in patient safety for all paediatric ST1 trainees in the Wessex Deanery. This has involved a compulsory training day which includes sessions on human factors, communication, leadership and lessons learnt from industry as well as relevant NPSA alerts. Under the supervision of a regional ‘Paediatric Patient Safety Champion’ the trainees undertake a project, using PDSA cycles where appropriate. The patient safety projects are all a result of discussions about safety issues within their individual departments. The programme culminates in a regional, cross speciality patient safety conference, attended by trainees and regional leaders in patient safety from trusts in the region. Results All paediatric ST1 trainees undertook patient safety projects in 2011. Across all specialities in 2011 there were 77 poster presentations and 15 oral presentations at the patient safety conference. The paediatric projects included ‘Inefficient referrals to medical staff for babies on the postnatal ward’, ‘Weekend care plans for long term patients on paediatric wards’, ‘Safe prescribing among junior doctors for neonates and children in primary and secondary care’, ‘The reorganisation of paediatric handover’ and ‘Creation of departmental Patient Safety Information Boards’. All projects have been very well received, for example one project was invited to present at trust board with a view to rolling out the project across the trust. Conclusion Patient safety training ensures trainees are aware of their role in this very important area. Our programme empowers junior paediatric trainees to identify patient safety issues in their day-to-day work and to produce high quality patient safety improvement projects. The patient safety training and projects have led to improvements in patient care in Wessex. In addition paediatric ST19s in the region are more aware of the importance and relevance of patient safety in everyday practice.
A phase I trial of a single high dose of idarubicin combined with high-dose cytarabine as induction therapy in relapsed or refractory adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Relapsed or refractory adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) carries a grave prognosis. The most promising strategy for curing these patients is through re-induction chemotherapy followed by successful allogeneic transplant. We studied a new high-dose induction regimen in order to improve the outcome for these patients. Eighteen adult patients with relapsed/refractory ALL were treated on a phase I study of high-dose cytarabine combined with a single escalating dose of idarubicin. Five patients had primary refractory disease and 13 were treated in refractory relapse. Nine patients (50%) had Ph+ ALL. The induction regimen was cytarabine 3 g/m2/day intravenously days 1-5 and idarubicin as a single intravenous dose on day 3. G-CSF 5 microg/kg subcutaneously every 12 h was started on day 7. The initial idarubicin dose was 20 mg/m2 with dose escalations of 10 mg m2. Cohorts of three patients were treated at each idarubicin dose level. Unacceptable toxicity was encountered at 50 mg/m2 with one death from infection and one death from cardiotoxicity in a patient with significant prior anthracycline exposure. There were no instances of grade 4 non-hematologic toxicity encountered at idarubicin doses of 20 mg/m2, 30 mg/m2, or 40 mg/m2. The data suggest a dose-response relationship for increasing doses of idarubicin with 0/3 complete responses (CR) at 20 mg/m2, 1/3 CR at 30 mg/m2, and 7/12 (58%) CR at idarubicin doses > or = 40 mg/m2. We conclude that concomitant administration of cytarabine 3 g/m2/day x 5 and high-dose idarubicin at 40 mg/m2 as a single dose on day 3 can be administered safely to patients with refractory and relapsed ALL.
An all sodium iodide anticoincidence shielded multidimensional gamma-ray spectrometer for low-activity samples

Abstract A multidimensional gamma-ray spectrometer detector system has been developed which employs two 23 cm dia. by 20 cm thick NaI(Tl) cyrstals as its principal detectors. Each detector is viewed through 7.6 cm thick pure NaI light pipes by photomultiplier tubes and is surrounded by 38 cm dia. by 28 cm thick NaI(Tl) anticoincidence shields. Each principal detector, along with its light pipe and anticoincidence annulus, is hermetically sealed in a single container. The detector system is coupled to a 4096 word computer memory spectrometer and uses the gamma-ray decay characteristics of each radionuclide for its identification and measurement. This is accomplished by viewing the sample with the two NaI(Tl) detectors operated in coincidence and canceling those events not totally absorbed in the principal detectors by the anticoincidence annulus. Coincidence counts are stored in the energy-energy plane of the memory according to their photon energies, while single gamma rays which interact with either crystal are stored in a normal manner on the X or Y axis. The background response of this detector system has been measured at ground level and at 110 m below ground level where the cosmic-ray contribution is minimized. The two principal sodium iodide crystals have resolutions of 8.7% and 9.2% fwhm, respectively, at the 137Cs 0.662 MeV photopeak. The absolute efficiency for counting the 0.662 MeV 137Cs gamma ray is about 60%, while the coincidence counting efficiency for the 60Co gamma ray is about 14%. This detector system provides the most sensitive means available for the direct measurement of many radionuclides in environmental or extraterrestrial samples. The background contribution has been resolved to show the fraction caused by natural radioactivity in the detector system, that from the surrounding shielding, and that from cosmic radiation. The backscatter, Compton response, and efficiency parameters of the detector system are discussed and compared with other detector systems of somewhat similar design. The application of this instrument to several environmental studies is discussed.
Emerging Photoluminescence in Monolayer MoS2

Novel physical phenomena can emerge in low-dimensional nanomaterials. Bulk MoS2, a prototypical metal dichalcogenide, is an indirect bandgap semiconductor with negligible photoluminescence. When the MoS2 crystal is thinned to monolayer, however, a strong photoluminescence emerges, indicating an indirect to direct bandgap transition in this d-electron system. This observation shows that quantum confinement in layered d-electron materials like MoS2 provides new opportunities for engineering the electronic structure of matter at the nanoscale.
Tunnel Field Effect Transistor With Raised Germanium Source

The performance of a tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) with a raised germanium (Ge) source region is investigated via 2-D device simulation with a tunneling model calibrated to experimental data. The comparison of various Ge-source TFET designs shows that a fully elevated Ge-source design provides for the steepest subthreshold swing and, therefore, the largest on-state drive current for low-voltage operation. Mixed-mode (dc and ac) simulations are used to assess the energy-delay performance. In comparison with a MOSFET, an optimized Ge-source TFET is projected to provide for a lower energy per operation for throughput in the frequency range of up to ~1 GHz for sub-0.5-V operation.
Efficient Index Structures for String Databases

We consider the problem of substring searching in large databases. Typical applications of this problem are genetic data, web data, and event sequences. Since the size of such databases grows exponentially, it becomes impractical to use inmemory algorithms for these problems. In this paper, we propose to map the substrings of the data into an integer space with the help of wavelet coefficients. Later, we index these coefficients using MBRs (Minimum Bounding Rectangles). We define a distance function which is a lower bound to the actual edit distance between strings. We experiment with both nearest neighbor queries and range queries. The results show that our technique prunes significant amount of the database (typically 50-95%), thus reducing both the disk I/O cost and the CPU cost significantly .
THE EFFECTS OF SIZE, SEX, AND REPRODUCTIVE CONDITION ON THERMAL AND DESICCATION STRESS IN A RIPARIAN SPIDER (PIRATA SEDENTARIUS, ARANEAE, LYCOSIDAE)

Within a species, physiological tolerances and thermoregulatory behaviors may vary among ontogenetic stages or between sexes. Such different tolerances can strongly affect the ecology and life history of a species. In a laboratory study, we tested the hypothesis that Pirata sedentarius Montgom- ery 1904 is differentially susceptible to thermal/desiccation stress by size and sex. As predicted, male adults were more susceptible to thermal/desiccation stress than females. Unexpectedly, however, juvenile spiders survived longer under thermal/desiccation stress than adults. Furthermore, female adults without egg sacs displayed a trend toward higher thermal/desiccation tolerance than females carrying egg sacs. These results suggest that for P. sedentarius, microhabitat preferences and/or thermoregulatory behaviors may change over the course of development, and may vary between sexes and between females with and without egg sacs.
The ribosome uses cooperative conformational changes to maximize and regulate the efficiency of translation

One of the most challenging unanswered questions regarding the structural biology of biomolecular machines such as the two-subunit ribosome is whether and how these machines coordinate seemingly independent and random conformational fluctuations to maximize and regulate their functional efficiencies. To address this question, we have used ribosome mutagenesis or a ribosome-targeting antibiotic to predictably perturb the dynamics of intersubunit rotation, a structural rearrangement of the ribosome that is essential for the translocation and ejection of ribosome-bound tRNAs during translation. Concomitantly, we have used single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to characterize the effects of these perturbations on the dynamics of ribosomal L1 stalk movements and ribosome-bound tRNA reconfigurations, conformational changes that are likewise essential for the translocation and ejection of tRNAs during translation. Together with the results of complementary biochemical studies, our smFRET studies demonstrate that the ribosome uses cooperative conformational changes to maximize and regulate the efficiency with which it translocates and ejects tRNAs during translation. We propose that the ribosome employs cooperative conformational changes to efficiently populate global conformational states that are productive for translation, that translation factors exploit this cooperativity as part of their mechanisms of action, and that antibiotics exploit it to maximize the potency with which they inhibit translation. It is likely that similar cooperative conformational changes underlie the function and regulation of other biomolecular machines.
Protease-Activated Pore-Forming Peptides for the Treatment and Imaging of Prostate Cancer

A common hallmark of cancers with highly aggressive phenotypes is increased proteolysis in the tumor and the surrounding microenvironment. Prostate cancer has a number of proteases uniquely associated with it that may play various important roles in disease progression. In this report, we utilize the peritumoral proteolytic activity of prostate cancer to activate engineered peptide constructs for the treatment and noninvasive imaging of prostate cancer. Using a modular "propeptide" approach, a cationic diastereomeric pore-forming peptide domain was linked to an inactivating acidic peptide domain. The inactivating acidic peptide domain was engineered to be a cleavable substrate for the secreted serine protease prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or the transmembrane metalloprotease prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The propeptides were then evaluated in a direct comparison study. Both the PSA and PSMA activated propeptides were found to be cytotoxic to prostate cancer cells in vitro. In vivo, however, treatment of LNCaP and CWR22Rv1 xenografts with the PSMA propeptide resulted in a pronounced cytostatic effect when compared with xenografts treated with the PSA propeptide or the cationic diastereomeric peptide alone. The PSMA activated propeptide also proved to be an effective optical imaging probe in vivo when labeled with a near-infrared fluorophore. These data suggest that protease-activated pore-forming peptides could potentially be used for both imaging and treating prostate cancer.
UvrD Helicase Suppresses Recombination and DNA Damage-Induced Deletions

UvrD, a highly conserved helicase involved in mismatch repair, nucleotide excision repair (NER), and recombinational repair, plays a critical role in maintaining genomic stability and facilitating DNA lesion repair in many prokaryotic species. In this report, we focus on the UvrD homolog in Helicobacter pylori, a genetically diverse organism that lacks many known DNA repair proteins, including those involved in mismatch repair and recombinational repair, and that is noted for high levels of inter- and intragenomic recombination and mutation. H. pylori contains numerous DNA repeats in its compact genome and inhabits an environment rich in DNA-damaging agents that can lead to increased rearrangements between such repeats. We find that H. pylori UvrD functions to repair DNA damage and limit homologous recombination and DNA damage-induced genomic rearrangements between DNA repeats. Our results suggest that UvrD and other NER pathway proteins play a prominent role in maintaining genome integrity, especially after DNA damage; thus, NER may be especially critical in organisms such as H. pylori that face high-level genotoxic stress in vivo.
New Insights Into Cardiac Aging

All animals have limited life spans, and work in a variety of organisms has established that caloric restriction results in increased longevity. For example, inbred female mice fed an ad libitum diet had an average life span of 27 months, whereas calorie-restricted mice fed a diet with 65% fewer calories had an average life span of 45 months.1 The mechanisms by which caloric restriction retards aging and promotes longevity are likely manifold, but reduced insulin action in various tissues is a well-accepted mechanism of this phenomenon. Indeed, in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans , a loss-of-function mutation in the insulin receptor-like gene daf-2 significantly promoted longevity.2 In mice, generalized overexpression of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling inhibitor Klotho resulted in animals that had significantly increased longevity and reduced insulin sensitivity.3 In addition, tissue-specific targeted disruption of the insulin receptor gene in the adipose tissue of mice led to significantly increased life span.4 Article see p 1695 Insulin receptor stimulation leads to the activation of the intracellular lipid kinase phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). A loss-of-function mutation in the age-1 gene that encodes a PI3K also promotes increased longevity in C elegans .5 Activated PI3K that is localized at the internal surface of the plasma membrane generates phopshatidylinositol-3′, 4′, 5′-phosphate (PIP3). PIP3 activates various kinases and ion channels, including phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase 1, which, in turn, activates Akt family members among other kinases.6,7 A loss-of-function mutation in the C elegans pdk1 gene resulted in significantly increased life span in worms.8 Furthermore, overexpression of pdk-1 relieved the requirement for AGE-1 PI3K signaling. Therefore, caloric restriction, reduced insulin receptor, reduced PI3K, and reduced PDK1 activity all promote longevity in animals, but the role of these manipulations in cardiac aging is unclear. In mammals, pancreatic insulin release in response to caloric …
Blue-Yellow Opponency in Primate S Cone Photoreceptors

The neural coding of human color vision begins in the retina. The outputs of long (L)-, middle (M)-, and short (S)-wavelength-sensitive cone photoreceptors combine antagonistically to produce "red-green" and "blue-yellow" spectrally opponent signals (Hering, 1878; Hurvich and Jameson, 1957). Spectral opponency is well established in primate retinal ganglion cells (Reid and Shapley, 1992; Dacey and Lee, 1994; Dacey et al., 1996), but the retinal circuitry creating the opponency remains uncertain. Here we find, from whole-cell recordings of photoreceptors in macaque monkey, that "blue-yellow" opponency is already present in the center-surround receptive fields of S cones. The inward current evoked by blue light derives from phototransduction within the outer segment of the S cone. The outward current evoked by yellow light is caused by feedback from horizontal cells that are driven by surrounding L and M cones. Stimulation of the surround modulates calcium conductance in the center S cone.
Molecular epidemiological and phylogenetic associations of two novel putative virulence genes, iha and iroN(E. coli), among Escherichia coli isolates from patients with urosepsis.

Two novel putative Escherichia coli virulence genes, iha and iroN from E. coli (iroNE. coli), were detected in 55 and 39%, respectively, of 67 E. coli isolates from patients with urosepsis. iha and iroNE. coli exhibited divergent associations with other putative virulence genes, phylogenetic markers, host characteristics, and antimicrobial resistance.
Knowledge discovery in medical and biological datasets using a hybrid Bayes classifier/evolutionary algorithm

A key element of bioinformatics research is the extraction of meaningful information from large experimental data sets. Various approaches, including statistical and graph theoretical methods, data mining, and computational pattern recognition, have been applied to this task with varying degrees of success. Using a novel classifier based on the Bayes discriminant function, we present a hybrid algorithm that employs feature selection and extraction to isolate salient features from large medical and other biological data sets. We have previously shown that a genetic algorithm coupled with a k-nearest-neighbors classifier performs well in extracting information about protein-water binding from X-ray crystallographic protein structure data. The effectiveness of the hybrid EC-Bayes classifier is demonstrated to distinguish the features of this data set that are the most statistically relevant and to weight these features appropriately to aid in the prediction of solvation sites.
ICDs for secondary prevention of sudden death in the older-elderly

Unexpected death from cardiovascular causes accounts for 300 000 to 350 000 deaths annually in the United States and is one of the most common modes of death in the elderly.1 Despite advances in the management of cardiovascular diseases, the overall incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the general population has decreased only marginally and is expected to increase with the aging of the population and increased prevalence of chronic heart disease.1,2 Recent randomized, prospective clinical trials comparing antiarrhythmic drug therapy to implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) have demonstrated the usefulness of ICD in reducing the risk of SCD due to cardiac arrhythmias in those at risk of or resuscitated from cardiac arrest or life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.2–4 However, none of these trials have focused specifically on the efficacy of ICD in the older-elderly. Overall, the average age of patients in the clinical trials of ICD has been in 60s, ranging from 50s into the high 70s. Data on octogenarian and nona-genarians patients are scant, and it is not clear whether the survival benefit observed in the middle-aged and younger-elderly also extends to older-elderly patients with a more limited life span. The impact of ICD on improving survival in the very elderly is difficult to establish because of selection bias in the use of ICD in the elderly, lack of long-term follow-up data and shorter life expectancy due to the high incidence of non-arrhythmic cardiac and non-cardiac deaths in this population. Most published studies in the elderly are retrospective analysis of small number of patients with incomplete follow-up, in which issues related to selection bias have not been fully assessed. Since, the older-elderly constitutes the most rapidly growing segment of the population, it is important to assess the safety, efficacy, and … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 507 284 0519; fax: +1 507 266 0228. E-mail address : jahangir.arshad{at}mayo.edu
A Discrete Model for Resonance Near Embedded Bound States

We present a discrete model for resonance in periodic dielectric slabs arising from the interaction of electromagnetic plane waves with guided modes at frequencies embedded in the continuum. Two infinite rows of interacting masses in the model support propagating and evanescent waves simultaneously. This allows for modes to be exponentially trapped near an obstacle at continuum frequencies. The discrete model manifests resonant transmission features of the periodic slab, and it includes parameters of asymmetry that are connected to the detuning of the resonance. Moreover, resonant transmission in both systems is described by a rigorous universal formula that explicitly incorporates a detuning parameter.
From Protest to Agenda Building: Description Bias in Media Coverage of Protest Events in Washington, D.C.

Social movements often seek to draw attention to issues they deem important by organizing public demonstrations with the aim of attracting mass media coverage. But only a small proportion of all public demonstrations receives any media attention. This article asks whether even the minimal coverage that demonstrations receive reveal any influence of social movements in shaping how issues are framed by the mass media. Analyzing newspaper and television news stories on Washington, D.C. protests held during 1982 and 1991, we ask whether news reports on protests are framed in ways consistent with the aims of protesters. Do demonstrators receive media coverage that highlights the issues about which they are concerned, or does coverage focus on the protest event itself, to the exclusion of the social issues that movements target? Our results support much of the surmising among media scholars, that even when movements succeed at obtaining the attention of mass media outlets, media reports portray protests in ways that may undermine social movement agendas. Despite this obstacle to communicating protest messages through demonstrations, movements engage in other forms of communication that can affect public interpretations of mass media frames.
Petrology and Origin of the Red Beds of the Perry Formation New Brunswick, Canada, and Maine, USA

ABSTRACT Fault trough deposition during the Late Devonian in the Perry Formation of Maine and Canada produced texturally and mineralogically immature red and green sandstones as well as conglomerates and mudstones containing angular clasts and hematite and calcite cement. Deposition occurred in two separate basins, each with different source areas. The origin of the red color of the Perry Formation is two fold. Some of the red pigment is primary, derived from underlying older lithologic units. Secondly, mafic minerals such as magnetite and hornblende, were altered and partially removed by intrastratal solutions providing in situ alteration to form additional hematite. Calcareous crusts associated with these sediments indicate they probably were formed in an arid setting. Once formed, th se crusts impeded upward migrating iron-laden groundwater, trapping some iron in cracks and fractures below the crusts. Migration and deposition of iron in solution by groundwaters is suggested as an agent which aided in the formation of the red beds. The iron in solution might have been derived from an external source in the groundwater recharge area to supplement iron formed by in situ alternation of mafic minerals.
Modeling and analysis of direct-current electrical resistivity in the Durham Triassic basin, North Carolina

Abstract Sixty-two Schlumberger electrical soundings were made in the Durham Triassic basin in an effort to determine basin structural geometry, depth of the sedimentary layers, and spatial distribution of individual rock facies. A digital computer program was used to invert the sounding curves of apparent resistivity versus distance to apparent resistivity versus depth. The apparent-resistivity-versus-depth data from the computer-modeling program were used to construct a geoelectric model of the basin that is believed to accurately represent the subsurface geology of the basin. The largest depth to basement in the basin along a resistivity profile (geoelectric section) was determined to be 1,800 m. A resistivity decrease was observed on certain soundings from depths of 100 to 1,000 m; below a 1,000-m depth, apparent resistivity increased to the bottom of the basin. Resistivity values for basement rocks were greater than 1,000 ohm-m and less than 350 ohm-m for the sedimentary layers in the basin. The data suggest that the basin contains a system of step faults near its eastern boundary.
Contrast and variability in gene names

We studied contrast and variability in a corpus of gene names to identify potential heuristics for use in performing entity identification in the molecular biology domain. Based on our findings, we developed heuristics for mapping weakly matching gene names to their official gene names. We then tested these heuristics against a large body of Medline abstracts, and found that using these heuristics can increase recall, with varying levels of precision. Our findings also underscored the importance of good information retrieval and of the ability to disambiguate between genes, proteins, RNA, and a variety of other referents for performing entity identification with high precision.
A power flow measure for unsolvable cases

As power systems become more heavily loaded, there will be an increase in the number of situations where the power flow equations have no real solution, particularly in contingency analysis and planning applications. Since these cases can represent the most severe threats to viable system operation, it is important that a computationally efficient technique be developed to both quantify the degree of unsolvability, and to provide optimal recommendations of the parameters to change to return to a solvable solution. Such an algorithm is developed in the paper. The distance in parameter space between the desired operating point and the closest solvable operating point provides a measure of the degree of unsolvability, with the difference between these two points providing the optimal system parameter changes. The algorithm is based upon a Newton-Raphson power flow algorithm, which provides both computational efficiency and compatibility with existing security analysis techniques. The method is demonstrated on systems of up to 118 buses. >
Exploiting on-line data sources as the basis of programming projects

The Internet is an exciting place to find real, interesting, and interactive sources of data for use in the classroom. This data (often real world), can provide the basis of interesting projects for CS1 and CS2 courses. Additionally, the source or exchange protocol can be used as a gentle introduction for novice computer science majors to the myriad of data formats and emerging technologies available today. Presented here are a number of interesting data sources used during the 2004-2005 academic year in our own CS2 data structures course.
Recombinant pp60c−src from baculovirus-infected insect cells: purification and characterization

A simple and effective method has been developed to purify the recombinant protein tyrosine kinase pp60c-src from a baculovirus-insect cell expression system. The procedure includes affinity chromatography and HPLC. Milligram quantities of protein have been isolated with an activity of 3.9 mumol/min/mg protein using the substrate poly E4Y. This specific activity is many times higher than any published protocol. The enzyme is stable for months when stored in buffered 10% glycerol at -70 degrees C. This purification technique is compared to the immuno-affinity technique which is widely used for this enzyme. Enzyme kinetics were characterized with respect to substrate specificity, the effect of temperature, ionic strength, pH, and Mg+2 versus Mn+2 ions. Similar to the enzyme expressed in human cells, the recombinant enzyme demonstrated a higher Vmax and substrate specificity for poly E4Y over 5V-Agt-II. An activation energy of 14.2 kcal/mol was determined. Inhibition by increasing ionic strength is mostly due to an increase in Km for the poly E4Y substrate and hence was substrate dependent. The Km(ATP) was pH dependent while the Km(poly E4Y) was pH independent. For the phosphorylation of poly E4Y, free Mg+2 was stimulatory while Mn+2 was inhibitory. In contrast, Mn+2 stimulated the phosphorylation of 5V-Agt-II.
Changing Attitudes Toward the Ethics of Tax Evasion: An Empirical Study of 10 Transition Economies

This paper analyzes the data on tax evasion that was collected over two different periods for ten transition economies. Comparisons are made between the earlier and later data to determine whether attitudes toward tax evasion have changed over time. The study found that some countries became significantly more tolerant of tax evasion over time while other countries became less tolerant of tax evasion. There was no significant difference between earlier and later attitudes toward tax evasion for two countries.
HORMONAL CONTROL OF PITUITARY PROLACTIN-SECRETING TUMORS

Prolactin secreting adenomas (prolactinomas) are the most prevalent form of pituitary tumors in humans. Prolactinomas have been linked to estrogen exposure in humans and animals. However, the mechanism by which estrogen increases mitogenesis in lactotropes, as well as other estrogen responsive cells, is not well understood. Given the complex nature of steroid hormones and their wide array of actions, it seems plausible that there are multiple ways in which estrogen can exert its cell-transforming actions. Estrogen has a wide range of actions on cells depending on the cell type, receptor levels, and other factors present in the cell. A defect at any point could play a potential role in cell transformation. The source of such defects could be the result of any of a wide range of possibilities, including genetic predisposition, prolonged exposure to sufficient levels of the steroid hormone, or other insults to the cell which lead to altered responsiveness to estrogen in some way. This review discusses the recent advances that have been made in the area of understanding estrogen action in transformation of pituitary lactotropes.
Cat-scratch disease.

Summary Cat-scratch disease is a relatively common disorder that is the result of infection with a recently identified gram-negative bacillus. Although it is overwhelmingly a benign, self-limited illness requiring only supportive care, serious complications can occur and the disease may be life-threatening on occasion. Although randomized clinical trials of antibiotic therapy for CSD do not exist, CSD has demonstrated in vitro susceptibility to several antibiotics, and gentamicin has been reported beneficial in a few patients with systemic manifestations of the illness. Therefore, pending clinical trials, gentamicin may be worthy of consideration in CSD patients with serious manifestations of this illness. CSD is one of the most common causes of adenopathy and should be considered in all patients who present with unilateral or regional lymphadenopathy.
Intrarenal Reflux Diagnosis at Contrast-Enhanced Voiding Urosonography

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a childhood condition that is usually diagnosed by fluoroscopic voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). Intrarenal reflux (IRR) of infected urine is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of reflux-associated pyelonephritis and subsequent parenchymal scarring and is traditionally depicted by fluoroscopic VCUG. This case series describes the phenomenon of IRR occurring in association with VUR in 4 children as depicted by contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography. The ability of contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography to show IRR when it occurs in conjunction with VUR compares favorably to that of fluoroscopic VCUG.
Clinical application of image processing system and quantitative analysis of left ventriculogram and coronary arteriogram

Currently cine left ventriculography and coronary arteriography are still one of the most important methods in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease and other coronary arterial diseases. An image processing system, called "IA-87 Medical Image Processing System", for quantitative analysis of cine-coronary and left ventricular angiograms has been developed using IBM-PC/AT computer. The major functions of this system are: (1) left ventricular volume determination, i.e. left ventricular contour can be drawn automatically or semi-automatically, the systolic and diastolic volume of the left ventricle are calculated by Simpson's, length-area and chord-length methods. (2) left ventricular segmental wall motion analysis, using rectilinear and polar method, the segmental ejection fraction and normalized segmental contraction are determined. (3) dynamic display of the cardiac cycle. (4) coronary arterial lesion, such as stenosis, can be quantitatively analysed. In a series of cases free from cardiac disease the normal coronary artery (40 cases) and left ventricle (30 cases) were quantitatively analysed using "IA-87 Medical Image Processing System", and the normal value of coronary artery diameter and left ventricular function among Chinese obtained. At the same time, in a series of 45 cases with coronary heart disease (including anterior, posterior wall infarction, and left ventricular aneurysm in 15 respectively), quantitative analysis of the left ventricle was made. The results showed that the system is of significant value for quantitative diagnosis of ischemic heart disease as well as evaluation of therapeutic effect and prediction of prognosis.
Evaluations of alcohol consequences moderate social anxiety risk for problematic drinking

The link between social anxiety (SA) and problematic drinking is complex; this seems predominantly true among young adults. Individuals high on SA are thought to be particularly sensitive to the negative effects of alcohol, which should deter them from drinking. Yet, some evidence suggests that those high on SA continue to drink despite experiencing negative alcohol-related consequences (NACs) (Morris, Stewart, & Ham, 2005). Although traditionally, researchers assume NACs are perceived as averse, emerging evidence suggests these are not categorically viewed as negative by undergraduates. The study goal was to test whether evaluations of NACs moderate the effect of SA on problematic drinking. It was hypothesized that high SA would predict elevated alcohol use and number of NACs experienced, but only for those who evaluate NACs as less negative. Undergraduate drinkers (N=130, 80 women) completed self-reports of social anxiety, NAC evaluations (ratings of how 'bad' experiencing each alcohol-related consequence would be), alcohol use, and NACs experienced. Regression analyses revealed that NAC evaluations moderated the effect of SA on number of NACs experienced, but not the effect of SA on weekly alcohol use. Simple slopes analyses showed that high SA was associated with elevated NACs experienced for those with weak negative NAC evaluations, controlling for alcohol use. These findings help explain the mixed SA-problematic drinking literature by identifying perceptions of NACs as an important moderator of SA risk for experiencing NACs. Moreover, clinical interventions aimed at reducing SA risk for undergraduate problematic drinking may benefit from targeting NAC evaluations.
Mapping of Agricultural Information Flows for Yam Minisett Technology in Delta State, Nigeria

ABSTRACTThis study examined information flow on minisett technology among yam farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. A sample size of 180 respondents was involved in the study. Data were obtained from respondents of the study through the use of a validated interview schedule. Percentage, frequency count and mean scores were used to summarize data, while line diagrams were used to develop maps of information flows. Results of the study reveal that the chain type of information flow was associated with the Delta North agricultural Zone, while Delta Central and Delta South Agricultural Zones were associated with community based and multiple contact types of information flows respectively. Federal and State government establishments, youth clubs, mass media, socio- cultural groups, farmers’ cooperatives, religious bodies, community development committees and non-governmental organizations were useful in driving information flows on yam minisett technology. The study also revealed that only few farmers used agricultural extension officers as source of information in Delta State. The major sources of information on yam minisett technology include radio (M=2.51); relatives (M=1.83); neighbours (M=1.61); contact and fellow farmers (M=1.47) and television (M=1.26). Based on these findings, The study recommends that multi-media approach should be adopted in the dissemination of information on yam based technologies. Also, farm radio and television broadcasts should be extensively used to air agricultural information to farmers on regular basis.
PEER EFFECTS IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT: EVIDENCE FROM THE PGA TOUR

This study uses putting on the PGA TOUR to examine peer effects in a competitive setting. The nature of play in golf, in which players complete tasks in a discrete order with a group of randomly assigned peers, provides a unique opportunity to observe these effects among individuals competing in a high-stakes tournament. Players have the chance both to learn from their peers, as well as to be psychologically impacted by peer success or failure. We find that learning by observing peers has a positive impact on a player's performance, while peer outcomes are negatively correlated with a player's own performance. (JEL D03, D83, L83)
POLYMERS FOR THE SUSTAINED RELEASE OF MACROMOLECULES: APPLICATIONS AND CONTROL OF RELEASE KINETICS

In an earlier study, we described the first biocompatible polymeric delivery systems capable of continuously delivering macromolecules (M.W. < 1000), such as proteins, for prolonged periods (1). These systems were formed by mixing macromolecules in a polymer solution, pouring the mixture into small, conical molds, and evaporating the solvent. The resulting pellets, when exposed to aqueous medium, released macromolecules in biochemically active form for over 100 days (2).
The Presence of Caudal Courtship-Like Glands in Male and Female Ouachita Dusky Salamanders (Desmognathus brimleyorum)

Abstract Plethodontid salamander courtship is an elaborate yet conserved set of behaviors that involve many different sensory signals. Exocrine glands in the skin produce pheromones that facilitate courtship. These glands, known as courtship glands, are described as being sexually dimorphic, only present in males. Thus, we were surprised to discover glands in female Desmognathus brimleyorum that are histochemically and morphologically similar to male courtship glands. These glands are on the dorsal tail base and are sexually dimorphic in size; male glands are larger than those in females. Granular and mucous glands are not sexually dimorphic. The function of these glands in females is unknown, but could be involved in pheromone delivery to the male during courtship. Glands that are histochemically similar to courtship glands are present on the ventral tail surface in males and females as well. This is the first description of dorsal courtship-like glands in females and of ventral courtship-like glands in ...
Cytokine Signaling in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Therapeutic Applications

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders in young adults. The etiology of MS is not known but it is widely accepted that it is autoimmune in nature. Disease onset is believed to be initiated by the activation of CD4+ T cells that target autoantigens of the central nervous system (CNS) and their infiltration into the CNS, followed by the expansion of local and infiltrated peripheral effector myeloid cells that create an inflammatory milieu within the CNS, which ultimately lead to tissue damage and demyelination. Clinical studies have shown that progression of MS correlates with the abnormal expression of certain cytokines. The use of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model further delineates the role of these cytokines in neuroinflammation and the therapeutic potential of manipulating their biological activity in vivo. In this review, we will first present an overview on cytokines that may contribute to the pathogenesis of MS or EAE, and provide successful examples and roadblock of translating data obtained from EAE to MS. We will then focus in depth on recent findings that demonstrate the pathological role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in MS and EAE, and briefly discuss the potential of targeting effector myeloid cells as a treatment strategy for MS.
Site- and Stereoselective Chemical Editing of Thiostrepton by Rh-Catalyzed Conjugate Arylation: New Analogues and Collateral Enantioselective Synthesis of Amino Acids

The synthesis of complex, biologically active molecules by catalyst-controlled, selective functionalization of complex molecules is an emerging capability. We describe the application of Rh-catalyzed conjugate arylation to the modification of thiostrepton, a complex molecule with potent antibacterial properties for which few analogues are known. By this approach, we achieve the site- and stereoselective functionalization of one subterminal dehydroalanine residue (Dha16) present in thiostrepton. The broad scope of this method enabled the preparation and isolation of 24 new analogues of thiostrepton, the biological testing of which revealed that the antimicrobial activity of thiostrepton tolerates the alteration of Dha16 to a range of amino acids. Further analysis of this Rh-catalyzed process revealed that use of sodium or potassium salts was crucial for achieving high stereoselectivity. The catalyst system was studied further by application to the synthesis of amino esters and amides from dehydroalanine mo...