cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES IN THE CARE OF CRITICALLY-ILL RESPIRATOR PATIENTS: DIFFERENTIAL PERCEPTIONS OF PATIENTS, RELATIVES, AND STAFF

Using questionnaire rating scales, 21 ventilator patients, 17 family members, and 31 members of the medical staff who cared for the patients indicated their perceptions of the ventilator care situation with particular attention given to factors that may be sources of psychological stress for respirator patients. As expected, patients who reported problems in communicating with staff and family due to inability to talk and, in some cases, to write while on the respirator also reported strong feelings or negative emotions, e.g., anger, frustration, fear. The perceptions of staff, patients, and family differed significantly concerning problematic aspects of the respirator care situation. These results have implications for future research dealing with psychological issues of patients in critical care settings
c-Src is required for oxidative stress-mediated activation of big mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (BMK1)

Big mitogen-activated kinase 1 (BMK1) or extracellular signal-regulated kinase-5 (ERK5) has recently been identified as a new member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family. We have shown that BMK1 is activated to a greater extent by H2O2 than growth factors, suggesting that in comparison with other mitogen-activated protein kinase family members, BMK1 is a redox-sensitive kinase. Previous investigations indicate that the tyrosine kinase c-Src mediates signal transduction by reactive oxygen species, including H2O2. Therefore, the role of Src kinase family members (c-Src and Fyn) in activation of the BMK1 by H2O2 in mouse fibroblasts was studied. An essential role for c-Src was suggested by four experiments. First, H2O2 stimulated c-Src activity rapidly in fibroblasts (peak at 5 min), which preceded peak activity of BMK1 (20 min). Second, specific Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitors (herbimycin A and CP-118,556) blocked BMK1 activation by H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Third, BMK1 activation in the response to H2O2 was completely inhibited in cells derived from mice deficient in c-Src, but not Fyn. Finally, BMK1 activity was much greater in v-Src-transformed NIH-3T3 cells than wild type cells. These results demonstrate an essential role for c-Src in H2O2-mediated activation of BMK1 and suggest that redox-sensitive regulation of BMK1 is a new function for c-Src.
Urachal adenocarcinoma presenting as vesicoenteric fistula.

We report a case, which we believe to be the first, of urachal carcinoma presenting as vesicoenteric fistula.
Systemic naloxone administration potentiates locus coeruleus noradrenergic neuronal activity under stressful but not non-stressful conditions.

When administered during non-stressful, quiet-waking conditions, i.v. naloxone (1.0 mg/kg) had no effect on the activity of locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic neurons in behaving cats. In contrast, the activation of LC noradrenergic unit activity produced by restraint stress was greatly potentiated by the same dose of naloxone. Indices of behavioral distress, vocalization and struggling, were also found to be significantly increased in animals given naloxone during stress. These results suggest that endogenous opioids have a moderating influence upon the level of activity of the LC which operates only under specific conditions such as stress.
Sequence-dependent bending in plasmid pUC19

The circular permutation assay has been used to characterize sequence-dependent bending in plasmid pUC19 (2686 bp). Linear, permuted sequence isomers of pUC19 exhibit different mobilities in large-pore polyacrylamide gels, suggesting that the plasmid contains two sequence-dependent bends, one located at approximately 806 bp, close to the start site of transcription, and the other at approximately 2617 bp, near the promoter of the ampicillin resistance gene. The mobility patterns are independent of the buffer in which the gels are cast and run, independent of pH over the range 6.5-8.6, and independent of the presence or absence of various monovalent ions added to the buffer, suggesting that the maxima in the mobility patterns correspond to stable bends in the helix backbone, not anisometric flexibility. Although the mobility patterns are unchanged when Ba(++) or Zn(++) ions are added to the buffer, several of the sequence isomers exhibit multiple sharp sub-bands in solutions containing Mg(++) or Ca(++) ions, indicating the presence of multiple conformational isomers. In addition, the mobility maximum near the start site of transcription is shifted by approximately 100 bp in the presence of Ca(++) ions, suggesting that the location of the actual bend center is somewhat variable, depending on the ionic composition of the surrounding medium. The number of maxima observed in the mobility pattern can be increased by adding a bend from another plasmid, such as Litmus 28; the number of maxima can be decreased by removing one of the bends in pUC19 by restriction enzyme digestion and religation. Hence, the number of maxima in the mobility pattern is an accurate indication of the number of stable, sequence-dependent bends present in the plasmid. The combined results indicate that the circular permutation assay in large-pore polyacrylamide gels is a reliable method of detecting and analyzing sequence-dependent bends in kilobase-sized DNA molecules.
Labor inhibits placental mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling.

Introduction Labor induces a myriad of changes in placental gene expression. These changes may represent a physiological adaptation inhibiting placental cellular processes associated with a high demand for oxygen and energy (e.g., protein synthesis and active transport) thereby promoting oxygen and glucose transfer to the fetus. We hypothesized that mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling, a positive regulator of trophoblast protein synthesis and amino acid transport, is inhibited by labor.
Evidence for an input to the molecular layer and the stratum granulosum of the dentate gyrus from the supramammillary region of the hypothalamus.

Injections of a mixture of tritiated amino acids were made into the posterior hypothalamus in a series of rats and cats. In every case in which the injection involved a significant proportion of the cells in the supramammillary region, labeled fibers could be followed to the dentate gyrus, the anterior hippocampal rudiment and the induseum griseum of both sides. In the dentate gyrus the hypothalamic afferents terminate in a narrow band in the outer half of the stratum granulosum and the inner 20 μm or so, of the stratum moleculare, immediately deep to the zone of termination of the associational and commissural afferents. As judged by silver grain counts across the width of the zone of labeled terminals, the projection to the ipsilateral side is several times as heavy as that to the contralateral side, and although it involves the entire septo-temporal (= rostro-caudal) extent of the gyrus on both sides, the projection to the suprapyramidal (inner) blade of the dentate gyrus is approximately twice as heavy as that to the infrapyramidal (outer) blade.
p-version least-squares finite element formulation for steady-state two-dimensional turbulent flows using thek-? model of turbulence

This paper presents a p-version least-squares finite element formulation for the k-e turbulence model. The dimensionless forms of the describing partial differential equations are cast into a system of first-order partial differential equations by utilizing auxiliary variables. Primary, and auxiliary variables are interpolated over an element using equal order C° p-version hierarchical interpolation functions. The least-squares error functional is constructed by taking the integrated sum of squares of the errors resulting from the system of first-order equations for the entire discretization. The minimization of this least-squares error functional results in finding a solution vector {δ} for which the partial derivative of the error functional, with respect to nodal degrees of freedom {δ}, becomes zero. This is accomplished by using Newton's method with line search. Numerical examples are presented for the fully developed and developing two-dimensional turbulent channel flows utilizing proposed form of the k-e model by Launder and Sharma for various Reynolds numbers to demonstrate the convergence characteristics and accuracy of the proposed formulation. The formulation presented here provides a rigorous and assumption-free approach for numerical simulation of turbulent flows described by complex and highly non-linear partial differential equations with special empirical functions. The element error functionals are inherent in the formulation and provide a natural means of hp-adaptive refinements.
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation regulates refractoriness of status epilepticus to diazepam.

Abstract Status epilepticus, prolonged intermittent or continuous seizure activity lasting 30 min or longer, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The longer a seizure persists, the more refractory to treatment it becomes. The pilocarpine model of status epilepticus in rodents develops refractoriness to many first-line treatments as seizure duration increases, rendering it a good model to study refractory status epilepticus. This study was initiated to study the development of refractoriness of pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus to diazepam. Early pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus responded rapidly to diazepam treatment, whereas status epilepticus of longer duration became increasingly less responsive to treatment. Dizocilpine maleate-pretreated animals responded rapidly to diazepam treatment, even after 60 min of status epilepticus. Animals administered dizocilpine maleate at 15, 30 or 60 min after the onset of status epilepticus also demonstrated a rapid response to diazepam compared to pilocarpine-alone-treated animals. The longer the status epilepticus progressed prior to dizocilpine maleate injection, the longer the status epilepticus lasted after diazepam treatment. However, in all cases where dizocilpine maleate was administered, one injection of diazepam was able to terminate the status epilepticus, in contrast to the animals that did not receive dizocilpine maleate, in which the seizure was only attenuated. The results indicate that N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor activation plays a role in the seizure-induced refractoriness to benzodiazepines in status epilepticus, and blocking N -methyl- d - aspartate receptor activation converts refractory status epilepticus to a seizure responsive to benzodiazepine therapy. These findings offer insights into developing novel therapeutic interventions to improve the treatment of status epilepticus. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that mediate the effects of N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor activation on the development of resistance to treatment in status epilepticus will provide rational insights into more rapid methods to terminate seizure activity in this condition.
Suiza Foods Corporation: best management strategy in the fluid milk industry

Abstract Suiza Foods has rapidly grown to become the largest company in the U.S. fluid milk industry. This teaching case is designed to familiarize students with the challenges which confront Suiza in its quest for further growth and, in turn, high profitability. Interviews with top executives describe the history of Suiza as well as the rationale behind Suiza’s strategies. Information is presented on both economic and financial trends so as to allow the student to assess Suiza’s past, present and future performance.
Cellular Reactive Oxygen Species Inhibit MPYS Induction of IFNβ

Many inflammatory diseases, as well as infections, are accompanied by elevation in cellular levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Here we report that MPYS, a.k.a. STING, which was recently shown to mediate activation of IFNβ expression during infection, is a ROS sensor. ROS induce intermolecular disulfide bonds formation in MPYS homodimer and inhibit MPYS IFNβ stimulatory activity. Cys-64, -148, -292, -309 and the potential C88xxC91 redox motif in MPYS are indispensable for IFNβ stimulation and IRF3 activation. Thus, our results identify a novel mechanism for ROS regulation of IFNβ stimulation.
A Supramolecular Approach to Protein Labeling. A Novel Fluorescent Bioassay for Concanavalin A Activity

[reaction: see text] A new method for the bioassay of concanavalin A is based on the interaction of saccharide-substituted oligopyrrolic macrocycles with lectins. A general sensing mechanism involves the interaction of aggregated and primarily nonfluorescent labels with the target protein, label deaggregation, site-specific binding, and fluorescence signaling. Addition of saccharides to the fluorescent lectin-macrocycle complex leads to the release of the label and partial quenching of fluorescence due to reaggregation. Specificity of the protein-probe binding is discussed.
Rotational Variation of Daughter Species Production Rates in Comet 103P/Hartley: Implications for the Progeny of Daughter Species and the Degree of Chemical Heterogeneity

We present analysis of high spectral resolution optical spectra of Comet 103P/Hartley taken during its Fall 2010 apparition. These spectra include transitions belonging to CN, C2, CH, NH2, and OI. We measure production rates and mixing ratios from these spectra. We find evidence for large changes in production rates (factors of a few) over the course of a nucleus rotation, in agreement with other measurements. We also measure variability with rotational phase in the CN/H2O and C2/CN ratios, which has not been previously reported for any comet. There may also be variability in the NH2/H2O ratio with rotational phase, but this trend is not as clear as for CN/H2O. We interpret the changing mixing ratios as due to H2O and C2 being released primarily from the icy grain halo, while the CN parent molecule comes directly from the nucleus. There is evidence that the CH/CN ratio is higher pre-perihelion than post-perihelion. We conclude that the observed CN and NH2 abundances are consistent with HCN and NH3 being the dominant parent molecules for these species. The C2 and CH abundances are higher than those of candidate parent molecules (C2H2 and CH4 respectively), so there must be another source for these molecules in 103P’s coma. Carbonaceous dust grains could serve as this source.
Structure of the Annual-Mean Equatorial Planetary Waves in the ERA-40 Reanalyses

Abstract The three-dimensional structure of the annual-mean equatorial planetary waves in the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) is documented. The features in the free atmosphere are predominantly equatorially symmetric, driven by east–west heating gradients. The geopotential height and wind perturbations are strongest at or just below the 150-hPa level. Below the level of maximum amplitude, the circulations in the waves are thermally direct with latent heat release in deep convective clouds and radiative cooling in the intervening cloud-free regions. Within the overlying capping layer, the wave-related circulations are thermally indirect, with rising of the coldest air and sinking of air that is less cold. At the cold point, just above the 100-hPa (17 km) level, the ERA-40 annual-mean vertical velocity in the equatorial belt ranges up to 3 mm s−1 over the equatorial western Pacific during the boreal winter, implying diabatic heating rates of up to 3°C day−1, an order of magnitude larger than typical clear...
Selective genomic copy number imbalances and probability of recurrence in early-stage breast cancer.

A number of studies of copy number imbalances (CNIs) in breast tumors support associations between individual CNIs and patient outcomes. However, no pattern or signature of CNIs has emerged for clinical use. We determined copy number (CN) gains and losses using high-density molecular inversion probe (MIP) arrays for 971 stage I/II breast tumors and applied a boosting strategy to fit hazards models for CN and recurrence, treating chromosomal segments in a dose-specific fashion (-1 [loss], 0 [no change] and +1 [gain]). The concordance index (C-Index) was used to compare prognostic accuracy between a training (n=728) and test (n=243) set and across models. Twelve novel prognostic CNIs were identified: losses at 1p12, 12q13.13, 13q12.3, 22q11, and Xp21, and gains at 2p11.1, 3q13.12, 10p11.21, 10q23.1, 11p15, 14q13.2-q13.3, and 17q21.33. In addition, seven CNIs previously implicated as prognostic markers were selected: losses at 8p22 and 16p11.2 and gains at 10p13, 11q13.5, 12p13, 20q13, and Xq28. For all breast cancers combined, the final full model including 19 CNIs, clinical covariates, and tumor marker-approximated subtypes (estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor, ERBB2 amplification, and Ki67) significantly outperformed a model containing only clinical covariates and tumor subtypes (C-Index full model, train[test] = 0.72[0.71] 6 0.02 vs. C-Index clinical + subtype model, train[test] = 0.62[0.62] 6 0.02; p,10 26 ). In addition, the full model containing 19 CNIs significantly improved prognostication separately for ER–, HER2+, luminal B, and triple negative tumors over clinical variables alone. In summary, we show that a set of 19 CNIs discriminates risk of recurrence among earlystage breast tumors, independent of ER status. Further, our data suggest the presence of specific CNIs that promote and, in some cases, limit tumor spread.
TP53 and let-7a micro-RNA regulate K-Ras activity in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells

Recent reports have indicated that KRAS and TP53 mutations predict response to therapy in colorectal cancer. However, little is known about the relationship between these two common genetic alterations. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs), a class of noncoding RNA implicated in cellular processes, have been increasingly linked to KRAS and TP53. We hypothesized that lethal-7a (let-7a) miRNA regulates KRAS through TP53. To investigate the relationship between KRAS, TP53, and let-7a, we used HCT116 KRASmut human colorectal cancer cells with four different genotypic modifications in TP53 (TP53−/−, TP53+/−, TP53mut/+, and TP53mut/−). Using these cells we observed that K-Ras activity was higher in cells with mutant or knocked out TP53 alleles, suggesting that wild-type TP53 may suppress K-Ras activity. Let-7a was present in HCT116 KRASmut cells, though there was no correlation between let-7a level and TP53 genotype status. To explore how let-7a may regulate K-Ras in the different TP53 genotype cells we used let-7a inhibitor and demonstrated increased K-Ras activity across all TP53, thus corroborating prior reports that let-7a regulates K-Ras. To assess potential clinical implications of this regulatory network, we examined the influence of TP53 genotype and let-7a inhibition on colon cancer cell survival following chemoradiation therapy (CRT). We observed that cells with complete loss of wild-type TP53 alleles (−/− or −/mut) were resistant to CRT following treatment with 5-fluorouracil and radiation. Further increase in K-Ras activity with let-7a inhibition did not impact survival in these cells. In contrast, cells with single or double wild-type TP53 alleles were moderately responsive to CRT and exhibited resistance when let-7a was inhibited. In summary, our results show a complex regulatory system involving TP53, KRAS, and let-7a. Our results may provide clues to understand and target these interactions in colorectal cancer.
Endometrial cancer patients and compliance with genetic counseling: Room for improvement

Abstract Introduction Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the presence or absence of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins in tumor samples is a quick and relatively inexpensive method to screen for Lynch syndrome (LS). At our institution we have found that >20% of patients lack expression of MMR proteins and >10% would be expected to benefit from genetic counseling (GC). However, compliance with referral to GC is poor. Therefore, we set out to analyze the reasons for noncompliance, hypothesizing that it could be due to a perception of a low risk for developing other cancers. Methods All patients with endometrial cancer between 2007 and 2009 were identified. Patients with absence of MMR protein expression who would be expected to benefit from GC were identified. These patients were sent a questionnaire assessing the utilization of GC services as well as their perception of LS and Lynch-associated cancers. Results Forty-seven patients out of 384 were identified who would have been expected to benefit from GC. Of the responders, 20 patients (77%) reported that they were referred by their physician for GC, of which 9 saw a genetic counselor, 8 had genetic testing, and 3 mutations were detected. The primary reason for not seeing a genetic counselor was no insurance coverage/cost of the visit followed by anxiety for the results. Nine patients stated that the patient/family did not want to know information regarding cancer risk. As compared to the general population 35% thought their risk of having LS was higher, 12% thought it was the same, 15% lower, and 38% was unsure. Forty-six percent of patients thought the risk of colon cancer was higher than background risk, and 26% thought it was the same. Conclusion Most patients underestimate their risk of LS associated heritable cancer. Physicians should pay more attention to family history and IHC in order to refer patients appropriately. In addition, more verbal and written information may enable patients to accurately assess their cancer risk. This could further improve compliance with genetic counseling and detection of Lynch syndrome.
Drilling of the Kiowa Core, Elbert County, Colorado

A 2,256 ft (688 m) continuous core was drilled in Kiowa, Colorado in early 1999 as part of a research effort coordinated by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The 2.5 inch (6 cm) diameter core sampled the uppermost Pierre Shale, Fox Hills Sandstone, Laramie Formation, and the overlying synorogenic strata (known as the Denver and Dawson Formations) that fill the Denver Basin. Core recovery was 93 percent and the core is archived at the U.S. Geological Survey core research facility in Lakewood, Colorado.
Probing toroidal density distributions with two-proton correlation functions

Transport calculations based on the Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck (BUU) equation predict the formation of toroidal density distributions for central [sup 36]Ar+[sup 45]Sc collisions at [ital E]/[ital A]=80 MeV. Calculations with the Koonin-Pratt formalism are performed to explore whether the occurrence of such nonspherical breakup configurations could be tested via two-proton correlation measurements. The predicted signal appears detectable, but weak, because most protons emerge early in the reaction when the source is more compact. Contributions from nonzero impact parameters give rise to additional complications.
THE EFFECT OF GLUCOSE LOADS ON RENAL URIC ACID EXCRETION IN DIABETIC PATIENTS.

Abstract Despite the occurrence of hyperuricemia in diabetic patients and the various observations relating carbohydrate with uric acid metabolism, 15 uric acid clearance studies failed to uncover a defect of uric acid clearance in mild diabetics, utilizing a technic of uricosuric activity of glucose loads. Uric acid clearances and uric acid clearance/creatinine clearance ratios were found to increase in 5 diabetic subjects following administration of oral glucose loads. In 4 of the 5 subjects there was also a slight decrease in the serum uric acid levels. The diabetics studied exhibited a uricosuric acition of glucose comparable qualitatively to nondiabetics. This influence of glucose may explain the clinically observed improvement of gout with the onset of diabetes, but is not adequate to prevent the occasional coexistence of hyperuricemia with hyperglycemia.
Subterranean species of Acipes Attems, 1937 (Diplopoda, Julida, Blaniulidae).

Two new blind, cave-dwelling species of the genus Acipes Attems, 1937, are described from the Algarve, southern Portugal: A. machadoi n. sp. and A. bifilum n. sp. Acipes andalusius Enghoff & Mauries, 1999, is reported from the mesovoid shallow substratum in Alicante (Spain), 250 km from the type locality in Andalusia.
Fluorescent signatures for variable DNA sequences

Life abounds with genetic variations writ in sequences that are often only a few hundred nucleotides long. Rapid detection of these variations for identification of genetic diseases, pathogens and organisms has become the mainstay of molecular science and medicine. This report describes a new, highly informative closed-tube polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy for analysis of both known and unknown sequence variations. It combines efficient quantitative amplification of single-stranded DNA targets through LATE-PCR with sets of Lights-On/Lights-Off probes that hybridize to their target sequences over a broad temperature range. Contiguous pairs of Lights-On/Lights-Off probes of the same fluorescent color are used to scan hundreds of nucleotides for the presence of mutations. Sets of probes in different colors can be combined in the same tube to analyze even longer single-stranded targets. Each set of hybridized Lights-On/Lights-Off probes generates a composite fluorescent contour, which is mathematically converted to a sequence-specific fluorescent signature. The versatility and broad utility of this new technology is illustrated in this report by characterization of variant sequences in three different DNA targets: the rpoB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a sequence in the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 gene of nematodes and the V3 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16 s ribosomal RNA gene. We anticipate widespread use of these technologies for diagnostics, species identification and basic research.
Mutation, ageing, and ovarian cancer

700 Vol 349 • March 8, 1997 This “epidemic” was uniformly spread throughout Sweden. All 25 regions reported an increase in 1990, except for the smallest one, Gotland (60 000 inhabitants), where the series since 1990 was ten, two, eight, ten, ten, and five cases each year to 1995. There was little evidence of an increase or a decrease among children aged 0–4 years. A nationwide programme of Hib immunisation began in the autumn of 1992, and now more than 90% of those born after that date have been immunised. Between 1990 and 1995, there was no increase in incidence of pneumococcal bacteraemia among children aged 5–19 years. By contrast, for each 10-year age group above 20 years, there was an increase in incidence, which was more pronounced with increasing age. Our findings may reflect ascertainment bias, if blood cultures in patients with fever, suspect pneumonia, or both have become more common during this 6-year period. However, it is unlikely, because budget cuts and new routines for charging individual departments for laboratory costs have led to restricted use of laboratory resources during the 1990s. Furthermore, the Orebro Regional Hospital, with a catchment population of 275 000, has statistics for the total number of positive blood cultures for every year since 1980. From 1980 to 1995, this number increased from 498 to 690 (39%), whereas the number of cultures positive for S pneumoniae increased from 27 to 57 (111%, p=0·06; 2 test). Thus, there is evidence of a developing “epidemic” of bacteraemic pneumococcal infections in Sweden just like in Norway and the UK. There does, however, not seem to be either an increase or a decrease among children vaccinated against Hib. The reason for this growing incidence among adult age-groups and all regions of the country is unclear.
High-level synthesis of biologically active reovirus protein σ1 in a mammalian expression vector system

Abstract The reovirus cell-attachment protein, which modulates tissue tropism and the nature of the antiviral immune response, is protein σ1. This protein is present in reovirus particles in the form of 12 tetramers anchored in the projections or spikes. It is formed in infected cells in very small amounts only. In order to produce larger amounts of it that are necessary for studying its properties in detail, we have cloned it into a mammalian expression vector system that consists of the very strong cowpox virus A-type inclusion body protein gene promoter inserted into the vaccinia virus genome. In cells infected with the resultant recombinant vaccina virus, protein σ1 is formed in large amounts (2–3 mg/10 9 cells). We have isolated the native protein and shown that it exists as tetramers that possess cell-binding activity, hemagglutinating activity, and functional epitopes recognized by both polyvalent antisera and monoclonal antibodies.
Empirical analysis of up-or-out rules for promotion policies

Previous research in the areas of tournaments, human capital, and learning theory have shown that promotion is a function of human capital, experience, ability, and wage growth. These variables were used to estimate a Cox regression using data from a single firm. The survival rates for a Cox regression and an up-or-out regression model are computed. The results suggest that certain up-or-out models are valid even when the firm does not have such a policy and show that an up-or-out procedure predicts the promotion and exit survival rates as well as a Cox regression.
Structure and expression of a muscle specific gene which is adjacent to the Drosophila myosin heavy-chain gene and can encode a cytochrome b related protein.

Abstract We report the characterization of a transcription unit at the second chromosome locus 36B, designated TU-36B which is adjacent to the 3' end of the Drosophila myosin heavy-chain (Mhc) gene. We have isolated and sequenced a complementary DNA clone and the region of genomic DNA which represents this gene. The sequencing studies reveal that this gene contains one intron, the mRNA is 1480 nucleotides in length, the TU-36B mRNA is transcribed in an orientation opposite to the Mhc mRNAs, and the poly(A) addition site of this gene is 99 nucleotides downstream of poly(A) addition site A-2 of the Drosophila Mhc gene. The mRNA contains a continuous open reading frame which can encode a protein product of 47,000 daltons in molecular weight. The proposed protein shares homology with cytochrome b proteins. Comparison of in situ hybridization of Mhc specific and TU-36B specific probes to tissue sections demonstrates that both mRNAs are predominantly transcribed in the same muscle tissues of the developing fly.
Overproduction of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate in the Azotobacter vinelandii mutant that does not express small RNA ArrF

Azotobacter vinelandii contains an iron-regulatory small RNA ArrF whose expression is dependent upon the levels of iron and ferric uptake regulator. The deletion of this ArrF-encoding gene resulted in a 300-fold increase in the production of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a polymer of industrial importance. This ∆arrF mutant exhibited wild-type growth and growth-associated PHB production. Limited iron and aeration elevated the PHB production in the mutant as well as wild type. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that phbB, phbA, and phbC were upregulated ∼61-, 18-, and eightfold, respectively, in the mutant. The phbR transcript of the activator PhbR for this operon was also ∼11 times more abundant. The analysis of phbR transcript predicted a region of complementarity near its Shine–Dalgarno sequence that could potentially basepair with the conserved region of ArrF. These results suggest that ArrF represses the expression of PhbR in an antisense manner and derepression of this activator in the mutant elevates the expression of phbB, phbA, and phbC, resulting in the PHB overproduction.
Disentangling the effects of historic vs. contemporary landscape structure on population genetic divergence

Increasing habitat fragmentation poses an immediate threat to population viability, as gene flow patterns are changed in these altered landscapes. Patterns of genetic divergence can potentially reveal the impact of these shifts in landscape connectivity. However, divergence patterns not only carry the signature of altered contemporary landscapes, but also historical ones. When considered separately, both recent and historical landscape structure appear to significantly affect connectivity among 51 wood frog (Rana sylvatica) populations. However, by controlling for correlations among landscape structure from multiple time periods, we show that patterns of genetic divergence reflect recent landscape structure as opposed to landscape structure prior to European settlement of the region (before 1850s). At the same time, within-population genetic diversities remain high and a genetic signature of population bottlenecks is lacking. Together, these results suggest that metapopulation processes – not drift-induced divergence associated with strong demographic bottlenecks following habitat loss – underlie the strikingly rapid consequences of temporally shifting landscape structure on these amphibians. We discuss the implications of these results in the context of understanding the role of population demography in the adaptive variation observed in wood frog populations.
Failures of local approximation in finite‐element methods

It is shown that standard finite-element discretizations of second-order differential equations (i.e. Galerkin and subdomain methods) using conforming linear elements may fail to approximate the original equation locally if the finite-element grid is irregular or if subdomains are chosen improperly. This failure of local approximation can lead to spurious computational results when subdomain methods are used, but these difficulties can be averted by a judicious choice of subdomains. The conditions which the subdomains must satisfy in order for local approximation to hold are derived and used to construct an algorithm for choosing them properly. The relation of these local results to the global convergence properties of the Galerkin method is discussed.
Social factors influencing delayed reproductive maturation in prairie deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) in laboratory populations.

Six populations of prairie deermice were founded by releasing four males and four pregnant females into 1.9-m2 enclosures with nest boxes, food and water in surplus. Offspring between 130 and 150 days of age were paired with sibs of the opposite sex and placed in “No-Contact” cages either (1) within the population enclosure where they received visual, auditory, and olfactory stimuli from the populations; or (2) outside of the population enclosure but in the same room. Other sibs were (3) left freely ranging in the population. Treatment continued for 100 days. Animals removed from tactile communication with the population developed significantly larger reproductive organs and had a significantly higher reproductive rate than their freely ranging sibs. However, the weights of the reproductive organs and the reproductive rate were significantly less among those animals caged within the populations than those caged outside. Thus while tactile cues appear to be of primary importance in inhibiting reproductive organ development within the populations, once such inhibition has occurred, other cues (auditory, visual, olfactory) may act to retard reproductive recovery.
Linear controller for model reference uncertain system with state delay

This correspondence is concerned with the design of a linear memoryless feedback controller for a class of model reference linear control system in which the plant and input matrices are uncertain, and the plant states have retarded arguments. Under certain assumptions a linear control law is determined which forces the plant states to follow the states of a reference model. The tracking error does not asymptotically decrease to zero; instead the error is bounded. This bound can be made arbitrarily small. An example is provided to illustrate the design method.
Ceramide inhibits development and cytokinesis and induces apoptosis in preimplantation bovine embryos

Ceramide is a second messenger induced by various cellular insults that plays a regulatory role in apoptosis. The objective of the present study was to determine whether ceramide signaling can occur in the preimplantation embryo by testing (1) effects of ceramide on development, cytokinesis, and apoptosis and (2) whether heat shock, which can induce apoptosis in embryos, causes activation of neutral or acidic sphingomyelinases responsible for generation of ceramide. Treatment of embryos � 16 cells collected at Day 5 after insemina- tion with 50 mM C(2)-ceramide increased caspase-9 activity and the proportion of blastomeres undergoing apoptosis but did not increase caspase-8 activity. Induction of apoptosis was more extensive when culture with ceramide was for 24 hr than for 9 hr. Ceramide also reduced the proportion of embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage when exposure was for 24 hr. At the two-cell stage, a period in develop- ment when apoptosis responses are blocked, culture of embryos with ceramide did not increase caspase-9 activity or the proportion of blastomeres that were apoptotic. However, culture with ceramide for 24 hr reduced cell proliferation and caused an increase in multinucleated cells because of inhibition of cytokin- esis. Exposure of Day 5 embryos to a heat shock of 418C for 15 hr increased neutral sphingomyelinase activity but did not change acid sphingomyelinase activity. In conclusion, ceramide can regulate embryo development and apoptosis in a time and stage-of- development dependent manner and ceramide gen- eration can be activated by cellular insult. Thus, the ceramide signaling pathway is present in the preim- plantation embryo. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1063- 1070, 2008. 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Cascading of Contrast Effects on Auditors' Judgments in Multiple Client Audit Environments

Accounting decisions often involve similar types of judgments regarding different clients, projects, or employees. These tasks may use similar information items and be performed within the same work session. While independent consideration of the information for each respective decision may be desired, psychology research on contrast effects suggests that the information from a previous decision may be retained and compared to the information provided for a current judgment. Such contrast effects are potentially critical to accounting judgments because they suggest that the information associated with a given decision task will be evaluated differently depending on the nature of the prior contextual information. Using a multi‐client audit context, we find that auditors are susceptible to contrast effects such that their judgments on a current client are influenced by their exposure to similar judgment information on a prior client. We also extend prior psychology and accounting research by examining and f...
The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system in adolescent offspring born prematurely to mothers with preeclampsia

Hypothesis/introduction: Preeclampsia is associated with alterations in the maternal renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), increased blood pressure (BP), and cardiovascular risk in the offspring. We hypothesized that preeclampsia is associated with alterations in the RAAS in the offspring that persist into adolescence. Materials and methods: We compared components of the circulating (n = 111) and renal (n = 160) RAAS in adolescents born prematurely with very low birth weight (VLBW) of preeclamptic (PreE) and normotensive (NoHTN) pregnancies. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate potential confounding and intermediate variables. Analyses were stratified by sex. Results: Adjusting for race and antenatal steroid exposure, male offspring of PreE mothers had higher circulating aldosterone than those of NoHTN mothers (adjusted mean difference = 109; 95% confidence limits: −9, 227 pmol/L). Further adjustment for current BMI attenuated this difference (adjusted mean difference: 93; 95% confidence limits: −30, 215 pmol/L). Conclusion: Among male preterm VLBW infants, maternal preeclampsia is associated with increased circulating aldosterone level in adolescence, which appears to be mediated in part by higher BMI.
An efficient FFT based spectrum analyzer for arbitrary center frequencies and arbitrary resolutions analysis

In this paper we present an extremely efficient FFT based spectrum analyzer that performs constant-Q spectral analysis. Each stage of the proposed structure is formed of a half-band filter and a 2-to-1 down sampler. It shifts successive lower octaves to the same spectral interval; consequently, the same octave processor can be applied in all the stages. Fourier transforms are normally used for performing equally spaced, equal bandwidth spectral estimation; their main advantage is the efficiency of the FFT algorithm. In this paper, by post processing the output of the FFT block with a frequency sliding window having variable bandwidth, we are able to achieve spectral estimations at arbitrary center frequencies with arbitrary resolutions maintaining the advantages of using the FFT algorithm. To further decrease the total workload, a 4-path polyphase channelizer is used to down sample the octaves before processing them in the FFT block.
The Applications of McIdas

The Man-computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS) is a combination of hardware and software developed for processing image data from high volume data sources such as satellites. This paper describes the use of McIDAS. Key features of McIDAS are: color television display with capability for rapid (up to 30 frames/sec) sequencing of set of images, analog and digital data storage, interactive data processing and display control, data flow and processing controlled by computer software, data processing by accessing subsets of data. Uses of McIDAS include: measuring cloud velocities from geosynchronous satellites, calibrating cloud pictures for rain from radar, classifying land use from ERTS images, assembling weather data for public broadcast.
Identification of Physically Simulated Damage on a Footbridge Based on Ambient Vibration Data

This study is focused on detection of damage as added mass on a pedestrian bridge using a finite element model updating strategy. The Dowling Hall Footbridge, located on the Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts campus, is equipped with a continuous monitoring system that measures the ambient vibration response of the footbridge. Structural damage was physically simulated to the bridge through the addition of mass in the form of concrete blocks placed on the deck of the bridge. Changes in physical properties due to the simulated physical structural damage are detected through changes in the identified modal parameters. The location and extent of simulated damage (added mass) on the bridge is successfully estimated using a finite element model updating method. The variability of the “damage” identification results due to different sources of uncertainty is discussed.
Endovascular external-to-internal iliac bypass as an adjunct to endovascular aneurysm repair for patients with extensive common iliac artery aneurysmal disease

A 78-year-old male with a history of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, repaired emergently with a tube Dacron graft, presented with bilateral common iliac aneurysms, 3.4 cm left and 2.9 cm right, and a 5-cm aortic bifurcation that extended to the iliac bifurcations. The patient underwent a diagnostic arteriogram (A) and selective embolization of the right internal iliac artery (IIA). He subsequently underwent exclusion of his common iliac artery (CIA) aneurysms by an aortouniiliac endograft with femorofemoral bypass and creation of an endovascular external-to-internal iliac bypass (B, Cover). This latter procedure was performed by accessing his left IIA via a retrograde approach and placing an 8-mm 5-cm Wallgraft such that the distal extent was in the IIA just beyond its anterior and posterior division bifurcation and the proximal extent was in the very proximal external iliac artery (EIA). A 10-mm 5-cm Wallgraft was then deployed to extend this graft to the distal EIA. This provided retrograde flow to the IIA from the femorofemoral bypass via the EIA (C). With the advent of endovascular techniques, aortoiliac aneurysms have been approached with either aortouniiliac stent grafts and a femorofemoral bypass or bifurcated stent grafts. Aneurysmal degeneration of the entire length of the common iliac arteries bilaterally has been considered a relative contraindication to endovascular repair owing to the risk of pelvic ischemia with sacrifice of both hypogastric arteries. Several novel approaches have been described to preserve internal iliac flow. A bypass from the EIA to IIA can be created surgically so as to “relocate” the iliac bifurcation, providing a seal zone in the proximal, nonaneurysmal EIA. Another approach is to directly suture the distal end of the stent graft to the common iliac bifurcation via an extraperitoneal approach in situations where there are no distal landing sites. However, both of these techniques require an open procedure with cross-clamping of the iliac arteries. An endovascular approach, the bellbottom technique, provides an endovascular solution, but does not fully exclude the entire aneurysmal vessel from the circulation. We employed a recently described method of preserving retrograde flow via an internally placed endograft bypass from the external to the internal iliac artery. This serves to preserve pelvic blood flow while excluding the CIA aneurysm through an entirely endovascular approach, thus avoiding the morbidity of an open procedure as well as potential injury from cross-clamping of the arteries. The rare occurrence of an endoleak in this excluded segment would most certainly be secondary to an inadequate seal or fabric defect, both of which could be corrected with either a simple stent or intussuscepted covered stent. Ultimately, direct puncture of the aneurysm sac would also allow correction of the endoleak.
Studies on contact sex pheromones of the caridean shrimp Palaemonetes pugio: II. The role of glucosamine in mate recognition

The role of surface glycoproteins in mate recognition of the shrimp Palaemonetes pugio was studied using mating bioassays and fluorescence microscopy. Our data indicate that a glycoprotein associated with female shrimp functions in mate recognition in P. pugio. This glycoprotein is likely to be a glucosamine or an N-acetylglucosamine-containing glycoprotein complemented by a lectinlike receptor on males. Significantly fewer copulations occurred in seawater augmented with glucosamine as compared to seawater augmented with glucose. Thus, it is likely that glucosamine competitively inhibits mate recognition by binding male receptors and significantly reducing recognition of parturial females. The antennal flagellum of decapod crustaceans has long been considered to be chemotactile with bimodal, touch/taste receptors. The fluorescent dye, Lucifer Yellow, is incorporated into antennal setae from the surrounding seawater. Furthermore, the fluorescent dye, DiI, stained neural tissues at the base of the antennal setae. Taken together, these results are consistent with a bimodal, sensory function. When fluo-treated male antennal setae were exposed to the carapace of postmolt, parturial females, an immediate and significant increase in fluorescence intensity was observed, suggesting that Ca 2+ likely acts as a second messenger for the receptor system. Fluo-labeled antennal setae of both males and females showed larger increases in intracellular Ca 2+ levels when exposed to glucosamine as compared to glucose. The effects produced by glucosamine were sexually dimorphic, with male setae displaying a significantly greater mean overall change in fluorescence intensity than female setae. The dimorphic response observed suggests that glucosamine or a related compound serves as a female signal (i.e., contact sex pheromone) in mate recognition.