cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MOLECULAR CHAPERONES HSP70 AND HSP60 IN PROTEIN FOLDING AND MEMBRANE TRANSLOCATION

Given the difficulties protein chemists may encounter when attempting to renature unfolded proteins in vitro,it is noteworthy that the acquisition of the correctly folded structure seems to be much less of a traumatic experience for a nascent polypeptide chain in vivo. Generally, unfolded polypeptides have the tendency to aggregate. The cellular environment with its extremely high concentration of total protein (~0.3 g/ml) and of newly-synthesized, folding chains (30–50 μM in Escherichia coli) may result in even further reduction of solubility and thus should strongly favor misfolding and aggregation of a folding protein (Zimmerman and Trach, 1991). Nevertheless, the yield of folded protein in vivo can reach almost 100% (Gething et al., 1986). It has become clear over recent years that the action of molecular chaperones, helper proteins which interact with folding intermediates and prevent unproductive off-pathway reactions (Ellis, 1987; Rothman, 1989; Gething and Sambrook, 1992), is essential in accomplishing this high efficiency of physiological protein folding.
Leveraging Information Systems for Enhanced Product Innovation

While firms have become more tech savvy, the leveraging of information systems for product innovation remains a challenge to firms, from large multinationals to the smallest start-ups. Successful practices vary, but one commonality is experimentation. As a result, firms are trying out a range of digital initiatives. This study explores three important methods by which firms are using information systems to improve the process of product innovation or new product development. These include: “listening in” to social media, crowd-funding, and virtual product teams.
Effects of High Temperature Sintering on the Fatigue Resistance of Low Alloyed PM-steel

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of high temperature sintering on the initiation and growth of short fatigue cracks emanating from blunt notches in a PM-steel is investigated. The material containing 1.8% Ni, 1.6% Cu, 0.55% Mo and 0.6% C and balance Fe was prepared by elemental blend and vacuum sintered at a temperature range of 1100 - 1250°C, then quenched and tempered. The results indicated that as the material strength increases there is a reduction in the crack initiation life, and this reduction becomes more pronounced for blunt notches. It is also shown that initiation and growth rate of short cracks emanating from blunt notches can be accurately described by an effective stress intensity factor range ΔKeff.
Cancer Survivors’ Beliefs About the Causes of Their Insomnia: Associations of Causal Attributions With Survivor Characteristics

ABSTRACTObjectives: Insomnia is common among cancer survivors, yet survivors’ beliefs about their insomnia following cancer are largely unknown. This study describes cancer survivors’ causal attrib...
2-Deoxy-D-glucose kills select tumor cell types under normoxia: reversal by mannose indicates interference with glycosylation

2375 Cells growing under hypoxia are solely dependent on glucose metabolism via glycolysis for energy production. Consequently, when this pathway is blocked, with 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), they die. In contrast, under normoxia when glycolysis is blocked most cells survive since fats and proteins can substitute as energy sources to fuel mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Here, utilizing trypan blue exclusion assays, as well as flow cytometric analysis of DNA content, we find that 500 μg/ml of 2-DG kills a variant of the human breast carcinoma cell line, SKBR3, even when growing under normal oxygen tension. Previous studies demonstrated that 2-DG, under normal oxygen conditions, interferes with the process of N-linked glycosylation in viral coat glycoprotein synthesis, which can be reversed by addition of exogenous mannose. Thus, our results which show that 2-DG toxicity in SKBR3 variants growing under normoxia, can be completely reversed by low dose mannose (180 μg/ml) implicates glycosylation and not glycolysis as the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon. Moreover, mannose is not able to reverse the toxicity of 2-DG in tumor cells that are sensitive to it under hypoxic conditions. Additionally, 2-fluro-deoxy-D-glucose (2-FG) containing a fluoro group in the gluco configuration, which prevents it from resembling mannose, is not toxic to SKBR3 cells under normoxia at equivalent 2-DG doses. 2-FG, however, is as good or better than 2-DG in killing hypoxic tumor cells via blockage of glycolysis. To investigate the effect of 2-DG on glycoprotein synthesis, we measured an over-expressed glycoprotein in the SKBR3 variant, ErbB2, by western blot analysis and found it to be inhibited. Furthermore, the inhibition of ErbB2 synthesis by 2-DG could be reversed by mannose. However, SKOV3, an ovarian cancer line that also over-expresses Erb2 is found to be resistant to 2-DG under normoxic conditions suggesting that ErbB2 is not the sole target of -2DG in SKBR3. Overall, our results raise the possibility that in the appropriate tumor cell types, 2-DG could be used clinically as a single agent to selectively kill both the aerobic (via interference with glycosylation) as well as the hypoxic (via inhibition of glycolysis) cells of a solid tumor.
Wildfire Mapping in Interior Alaska Using Deep Neural Networks on Imbalanced Datasets

Wildfires are the dominant disturbance impacting many regions in Alaska and are expected to intensify due to climate change. Accurate tracking and quantification of wildfires are important for climate modeling and ecological studies in this region. Remote sensing platforms (e.g., MODIS, Landsat) are valuable tools for mapping wildfire events (burned or burning areas) in Alaska. Deep neural networks (DNN) have exhibited superior performance in many classification problems, such as high-dimensional remote sensing data. Detection of wildfires is an imbalanced classification problem where one class contains a much smaller or larger sample size, and performance of DNNs can decline. We take a known weight-selection strategy during DNN training and apply those weights to MODIS variables (e.g., NDVI, surface reflectance) for binary classification (i.e., wildfire or no-wildfire) across Alaska during the 2004 wildfire year, when Alaska experienced a record number of large wildfires. The method splits the input training data into subsets, one for training the DNN to update weights and the other for performance validation to select the weights based on the best validation-loss score. This approach was applied to two sampled datasets, such as where the no-wildfire class can significantly outweigh the wildfire class. The normal DNN training strategy was unable to map wildfires for the highly imbalanced dataset; however, the weight-selection strategy was able to map wildfires very accurately (0.96 recall score for 78,702 wildfire pixels (500 × 500 m)).
Any-k Algorithms for Exploratory Analysis with Conjunctive Queries

We recently proposed the notion of any-k queries, together with the KARPET algorithm, for tree-pattern search in labeled graphs. Any-k extends top-k by not requiring a pre-specified value of k. Instead, an any-k algorithm returns as many of the top-ranked results as possible, for a given time budget. Given additional time, it produces the next-highest ranked results quickly as well. It can be stopped anytime, but may have to continue until all results are returned. In the latter case, any-k takes times similar to an algorithm that first produces all results and then sorts them. We summarize KARPET and argue that it can be extended to support any-k exploratory search for arbitrary conjunctive queries.
Resolving Routing and Spectrum Allocation with Optimal Revenue Problem in Spectrum-Sliced Elastic Optical Path Networks

Routing and Spectrum Allocation (RSA) is the key problem in Spectrum-Sliced Elastic Optical Path (SLICE) networks. The difficulty of RSA problem lies on three factors: first, the allocated sub-carriers have to be continuously available along each established spectrum path; second, the allocated sub-carriers have to be consecutive in the spectrum domain as implied by the OFDM technology of SLICE networks; and third, sub-carriers of spectrum paths sharing the same fiber have to be separated by the guard-band that is determined at run-time. As a decision problem, the RSA has been proven to be NP-Complete. In this work, we study an optimization version of the RSA problem with the goal of maximizing the revenue from the accommodated requests. We present Integer Liner Programming (ILP) formulations for the problem, namely Routing and Spectrum Allocation with Optimal Revenue (ROR). Also, we present detailed design of a framework that utilizes techniques of relaxation, decomposition and auxiliary graphs, which can be employed to obtain a near optimal solution that has a per-instance guarantee on the closeness to the optimal solution.
Experience, risk, warnings, and demographics: Predictors of evacuation decisions in Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

Abstract Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017 provided opportunities to study demographic and experiential predictors of evacuation behavior, including factors that differ between hurricanes. A Qualtrics panel targeted the 12 Texas counties evacuated during Hurricane Harvey, and the 23 Florida counties and 27 Georgia ZIP codes evacuated during Hurricane Irma. 822 respondents completed the survey 14–21 December 2017, including demographic and experiential variables related to evacuation. Younger adults and those who lived with children were more likely to evacuate. Perceived risk and previous trauma were associated with evacuation, but hurricane experience was not. In two logistic regressions, frequency of receiving evacuation orders and perceived risk remained as significant predictors, including subjective and objective measures of the degree to which others evacuate. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.
Low-correlation Low-cost Stochastic Number Generators for Stochastic Computing

Stochastic computing provides low-area and fault- tolerant computing circuits. However, the required stochastic number generators (SNGs) in these circuits are area consuming and can diminish their overall saving in hardware size, particularly if several SNGs are required. A SNG circuit consists of two parts: a random number source (RNS), e.g., a linear feedback shift register (LFSR), and a probability converter circuit (PCC), e.g., a comparator. In this paper, we propose area-efficient SNGs by sharing the permuted output of one RNS among several SNGs. With no hardware overhead, the proposed architecture generates random bit streams with minimum stochastic computing correlation (SCC). Compared to the circular shifting approach presented in recent prior work, our approach produces stochastic bit streams with 52% and 67% less average SCC when a 8-bit and a 10-bit LFSR are shared between two SNGs, respectively. We evaluated the proposed method for several applications. The results show that, compared to prior work, our approach yields lower MSE values with the same (or even lower) area-cost.
A Non-Exhaustive Search Algorithm to Identify Distribution Grid Operational Topology

Distribution grid, in general, is constructionally loopy but a radially operated network. Opening and closing of suitable tie-switches allow transition from one topology to another. Identifying the operational topology of a distribution system is essential for accurate control actions. This paper proposes a non-exhaustive search approach to detect the operational topology of the distribution feeder by estimating the switch statuses. In this work, a mixed-integer linear programming approach is proposed that finds the correct operational topology by identifying the system load demand and power flow variables that are closest to the corresponding measured values. The problem is constrained by distribution power flow and radial structure of the feeder. This formulation allows the inclusion of errors in power/line flow measurements making it more suitable for a practical distribution system. The proposed approach finds the correct operational topology without exhaustively searching for all possible topologies. We thoroughly validate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed approach in identifying correct operational topology using IEEE 123-node feeder with the help of numerous simulations studies. It is observed that the approach performs well even at very high percentages of load and flow measurement errors.
Abdominoperineal Resection (Extralevator)

This chapter describes the technical aspects of abdominoperineal resection and Miles resection (extralevator) including patient positioning, instrumentation, type of incision, and approach and steps of dissection, resection, and reconstruction. The authors also offer pearls and pitfalls.
Sub-Saharan African Legal Traditions

Sub-Saharan African legal systems are pluralistic in nature and incorporate an amalgam of heterogeneous influences. These states face the ongoing task of reconciling and maintaining these diverse legal traditions in a constitutionally compliant and structurally cohesive way. This article traces the inception of legal pluralism in sub-Saharan Africa and explores the various tensions and complexities created by the complex interplay of ostensibly opposed systems of law and the attendant quest to balance completing values in the context of a unique melange of legal cultures and tradition.
Preadmission Cannabis Use Is Positively Correlated With Inpatient Opioid Dose Exposure in Hospitalized Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Background Opioid use is associated with excess mortality in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recent data have highlighted that inpatient opioid exposure is associated with postdischarge opioid use in this population. It is unknown if preadmission use of cannabis, which is commonly used for symptom relief among patients with IBD, increases the risk for inpatient opioid exposure when patients lack access to cannabis for symptom management. We sought to determine the association between preadmission cannabis use and inpatient opioid exposure while adjusting for relevant confounders. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients hospitalized for IBD within a large academic health system from March 1, 2017, to April 10, 2018. Opioid exposure was calculated by converting the sum of administered opioid doses to intravenous morphine milligram equivalents and dividing by length of stay. We used multivariable linear regression to assess the association between cannabis use and inpatient opioid exposure while adjusting for confounders including IBD severity and preadmission opioid use. Results Our study included 423 IBD patients. Linear regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation between inpatient opioid exposure (intravenous morphine milligram equivalents divided by length of stay) and preadmission cannabis use (coefficient = 12.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-21.5). Other significantly associated variables were first patient-reported pain score (coefficient = 1.3; 95% CI, 0.6-2.0) and preadmission opioid use (coefficient = 22.3; 95% CI, 17.0-27.6). Conclusions Cannabis use is positively correlated with inpatient opioid exposure after controlling for confounders. A personalized pain management approach should be considered to limit inpatient and possibly future opioid exposure among hospitalized patients with IBD who use cannabis.
Classical Gravity and Geometry

In this chapter we look at the familiar classical gravitational force from a novel perspective, as a geometric effect. This perspective is motivated by the equivalence principle, the close similarity of gravitational effects to the effects of acceleration. As an application of the geometric view the gravitational redshift can be easily derived.
Pharmacokinetics, Metabolite Measurement and Biomarker Identification of Dermal Exposure to Permethrin Using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS).

Impregnating military uniforms and outdoor clothing with the insecticide permethrin is an approach to reduce exposure to insect borne diseases and to repel pests and disease vectors such as mosquitos and sandflies, but the practice exposes wearers to prolonged dermal exposure to the pesticide. Key metabolite(s) from a low dose dermal exposure of permethrin were identified using accelerator mass spectrometry. Metabolite standards were synthesized and a high performance liquide chromatography (HPLC) elution protocol to separate individual metabolites in urine was developed. Six human subjects were exposed dermally on the forearm to 25 mg of permethrin containing 1.0 µCi of 14C for 8 h. Blood, saliva and urine samples were taken for 7d. Absorption/elimination rates and metabolite concentrations varied by individual. Average absorption was 0.2% of the dose. Serum concentrations rose until 12-24 h postdermal application then rapidly declined reaching predose levels by 72 h. Maximum saliva excretion occurred 6 h postdosing. The maximum urinary excretion rate occurred during 12-24 h; average elimination half-life was 56 h. 3-Phenoxybenzyl alcohol glucuronide was the most abundant metabolite identified when analyzing elution fractions, but most of the radioactivity was in still more polar fractions suggesting extensive degradative metabolism and for which there were no standards. Analyses of archived urine samples with the ultra performance liquid chromatography-accelerator mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (UPLC-AMS-MS) system isolated a distinct polar metabolite but it was much diminished from the previous analyses a decade earlier.
The biological clock: it's all in the genes.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the recent progress using genetic approaches to study circadian rhythms in mammals. A central question in the field of circadian rhythms concerns the molecular mechanism of circadian clocks. Two general approaches have been used to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating circadian rhythms—physiological analysis and genetic analysis using circadian clock mutants. Until recently, most work in the field has favored physiological approaches; however, a new era in which the genetic approach can also be successfully applied to mammals is now growing up. While substantial progress has been achieved in the understanding of the neurobiology and physiology of circadian rhythms, much less is known about the molecular mechanisms that generate circadian rhythms in mammals. N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis and screening for clock mutants provides an efficient approach to identify previously unknown genes, using phenotype-driven methods. The isolation of clock is just the beginning of the attempts to open and understand the black box that has so far represented the molecular mechanism of the circadian clock in mammals.
The Roots of Impasse in the Mind of the Mediator

Impasse in mediation can arise on a fundamental level from differences in the cognitive frameworks within which the participants – and the mediator – think and act. I argue that people involved in mediation tend to speak and act in accordance with one of four qualitatively distinct mental frameworks: 1.) distributive compromise; 2.) creating new value through attention to underlying interests; 3.) relationship; and 4.) mutual understanding. Each framework tends to operate to the exclusion of the others. Talk and action appropriate for one can be badly out of place in another. When the mediator and other participants inhabit different frameworks from each other, impasse can result. For the most part, these frameworks apply tacitly. They comprise four different heuristics with which to deal with the tasks of mediation. Moment by moment, and with little or no awareness or conscious control, each swiftly elicits framework-appropriate words and actions. But the frameworks also provide a way to deal with the very impasses to which they might contribute. Unlike the explicit “schools” of mediation thought, which they resemble, they do not necessarily persist throughout a mediation. Participants and mediators can flip from framework to framework in the course of a single mediation, and often do so. I argue that each framework is associated with one or more of seven different kinds of subject matters. Each of these subject matters – such as historical fact, law and legal rights, fairness and moral rights, what can happen in the future, feelings, and so on – is more characteristic of some frameworks than of others. Consequently, the degree to which a subject matter remains under discussion can show mediators which mental framework is most likely in play. Similarly, mediators can try to shift everyone’s thinking from one framework to another by steering the conversation to a different subject matter.
Drotrecogin alfa in sepsis: analysis of outcomes in a UK district general intensive care unit.

The PROWESS [1] study reported a 6.1% reduction in risk of death at 28 days with Drotrecogin alfa use. We wished to review the hospital mortality of all critically ill patients treated within 48 hours of two organ failures with Drotrecogin alfa since its introduction into our clinical practice. We therefore undertook a prospective case-controlled study.
MyOncofertility.org: A Web-Based Patient Education Resource Supporting Decision Making Under Severe Emotional and Cognitive Overload

As these scenarios illustrate, cancer patients and their families face a crucible of high-stake decisions during a time of extreme stress. They must cope with the shock and fear that attends a cancer diagnosis and navigate a complex set of treatment options. Then there is the often neglected issue of fertility preservation (FP) for those of reproductive age. Many cancer treatments, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, carry significant risks of irreversibly compromising a patient’s fertility. Patients are often unaware of these risks and in far too many cases, their health-care providers (HCPs) do not adequately inform them of these risks or available fertility preserving or sparing options.
An Investigation of Faculty’s Perceptions and Experiences when Transitioning to a New Learning Management System

A qualitative study using the cross-case analysis method investigated the experiences of faculty members as they transitioned from one Learning Management System (LMS) to another. The study has several implications for administrators, researchers, instructional designers, trainers, and educators on how to implement a new instructional technology and to facilitate transitioning efforts. Based on the findings of this study, we have identified several contributing factors to a successful transition to and implementation of a new LMS at the institutional level, including (a) the critical importance of ongoing systemic support at different levels and in different formats, (b) the demands for pedagogical support in addition to technological assistance, and (c) the requirements for customized support to address discipline-specific challenges. Lastly, we discuss why faculty should be empowered to join in decision-making processes regarding community-wide technology innovations. https://doi.org/10.34105/j.kmel.2010.02.031
Site response for urban Los Angeles using aftershocks of the Northridge earthquake

Ground-motion records from aftershocks of the 1994 Northridge earthquake are used to estimate site response in the urban Los Angeles area. Over 1300 shear-wave records from 61 sources and 90 sites are used in a linear inversion for source and site-response spectra. The methodology makes no assumptions about the shape of the source spectrum. To obtain a stable unique inverse, a Q model and geometrical spreading factor are assumed. In addition, the site response at a hard-rock site is constrained to be approximately 1.0 with a kappa of 0.02. The site-response spectra compare favorably with the results of previous and on-going investigations in Los Angeles. A couple of first-order effects are lower site response in the surrounding mountains, dominated by Mesozoic and Tertiary rocks, and higher values in the San Fernando and Los Angeles Basins, containing surficial Pleistocene and Holocene alluvial deposits. Results show good correlation of high site-response spectral values with localized areas of severe damage (Interstate 10 collapse, Sherman Oaks, Northridge, Interstate 5/14 collapse). However, widespread trends in site response across the sedimentary basins are not obvious. The data suggest that site responses are lower near the southern margin of the San Fernando Valley for sources to the north, due to north-dipping sedimentary structures. But the general pattern of site response is characterized by high variability on length scales less than a kilometer. Variations of a factor of 2 in site response are observed over the length scale of 200 m and for the same surficial geologic unit. For some of the alluvial basin sites, surface-wave generation is a significant contributor to elevated site response at lower frequencies, below 2 Hz. The total damage pattern for the Northridge earthquake is influenced by strong source directivity to the north and strong local site effects. The correlation of weak-motion site-response estimates with areas of significant damage demonstrates the value of these field measurements in future urban planning and in the reduction of seismic risk in urban areas.
Association between Hospital Volume and Within-Hospital Intensive Care Unit Transfer for Sickle Cell Disease in Children's Hospitals

Objective To assess the relationship between hospital volume and intensive care unit (ICU) transfer among hospitalized children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Study design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 83 477 SCD-related hospitalizations at children's hospitals (2009-2012) using the Pediatric Health Information System database. Hospital-level all-cause and SCD-specific volumes were dichotomized (low vs high). Outcomes were within-hospital ICU transfer (primary) and length of stay (LOS) total (secondary). Multivariable logistic/linear regressions assessed the association of hospital volumes with ICU transfer and LOS. Results Of 83 477 eligible hospitalizations, 1741 (2.1%) involving 1432 unique children were complicated by ICU transfer. High SCD-specific volume (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.64-0.91) was associated with lower odds of ICU transfer while high all-cause hospital volume was not (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.73-1.04). A statistically significant interaction was found between all-cause and SCD-specific volumes. When results were stratified according to all-cause volume, high SCD-specific volume was associated with lower odds of ICU transfer at low all-cause volume (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.38-0.55). High hospital volumes, both all-cause (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.92-0.97) and SCD-specific (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.84-0.88), were associated with shorter LOS. Conclusions Children's hospitals vary substantially in their transfer of children with SCD to the ICU according to hospital volumes. Understanding the practices used by different institutions may help explain the variability in ICU transfer among hospitals caring for children with SCD.
Beyond leaf color : comparing camera-based phenological metrics with leaf biochemical, biophysical, and spectral properties throughout the growing season of a temperate deciduous forest

Plant phenology, a sensitive indicator of climate change, influences vegetation-atmosphere interactions by changing the carbon and water cycles from local to global scales. Camera-based phenological observations of the color changes of the vegetation canopy throughout the growing season have become popular in recent years. However, the linkages between camera phenological metrics and leaf biochemical, biophysical, and spectral properties are elusive. We measured key leaf properties including chlorophyll concentration and leaf reflectance on a weekly basis from June to November 2011 in a white oak forest on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA. Concurrently, we used a digital camera to automatically acquire daily pictures of the tree canopies. We found that there was a mismatch between the camera-based phenological metric for the canopy greenness (green chromatic coordinate, gcc) and the total chlorophyll and carotenoids concentration and leaf mass per area during late spring/early summer. The seasonal peak of gcc is approximately 20 days earlier than the peak of the total chlorophyll concentration. During the fall, both canopy and leaf redness were significantly correlated with the vegetation index for anthocyanin concentration, opening a new window to quantify vegetation senescence remotely. Satellite- and camera-based vegetation indices agreed well, suggesting that camera-based observations can be used as the ground validation for satellites. Using the high-temporal resolution dataset of leaf biochemical, biophysical, and spectral properties, our results show the strengths and potential uncertainties to use canopy color as the proxy of ecosystem functioning.
Proof of Varagnolo–Vasserot conjecture on cyclotomic categories {\mathcal {O}}

We prove an asymptotic version of a conjecture by Varagnolo and Vasserot on an equivalence between the category \({\mathcal {O}}\) for a cyclotomic rational Cherednik algebra and a suitable truncation of an affine parabolic category \({\mathcal {O}}\) that, in particular, implies Rouquier’s conjecture on the decomposition numbers in the former. Our proof uses two ingredients: an extension of Rouquier’s deformation approach as well as categorical actions on highest weight categories and related combinatorics.
Thermo-mechanical strain gradient plasticity with energetic and dissipative length scales

Plasticity in heterogeneous metallic materials of small volumes is governed by the interactions of the dislocations in the bulk and at the interfaces. The temperature distribution and accumulated heat in the medium, due to the high rate of loading, can also strongly affect the mechanical properties in micro and nanosystems. In this paper, the framework of higher-order strain gradient plasticity with interfacial energy effect is used to investigate the coupling of thermal and mechanical responses of materials in small scales and fast transient process. In order to accurately describe the size effect exhibited in micro/nano structured materials and to address the strengthening and hardening mechanisms, the theory is developed based on the decomposition of the mechanical state variables into energetic and dissipative counterparts. This, in turn, endowed the constitutive equations to have both energetic and dissipative gradient length scales len and ldis respectively. The effect of the material microstructural interface between two materials is also incorporated into the proposed formulation. Hence four material length scales are introduced: two for the bulk and the other two for the interface. In addition, the temperature distribution in the system due to conversion of plastic work into heat and the partial dissipation of heat due to fast transient time, is included into the model using a generalized heat equation. The microstructural interactions (i.e. photon–electron coupling) and the effect of fast transients is considered by incorporating two time scales into the heat equation. The developed framework is solved numerically by using a thin film on an elastic substrate under biaxial straining. Furthermore, the obtained results are compared with experimental data.
An Insecticidal N-Acetylglucosamine-Specific Lectin Gene from Griffonia simplicifolia (Leguminosae)

Griffonia simplicifolia II, an N-acetylglucosamine-specific legume lectin, has insecticidal activity when fed to the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). A cDNA clone encoding G. simplicifolia II was isolated from a leaf cDNA library, sequenced, and expressed in a bacterial expression system. The recombinant protein exhibited N-acetylglucosamine-binding and insecticidal activity against cowpea weevil, indicating that glycosylation and multimeric structure are not required for these properties. These results support the hypothesis that genes of the legume lectin gene family encode proteins that function in plant defense against herbivores.
Temperature measurement of an alkali metal- seeded plasma in an electric field.

Sodium-potassium seeded argon plasma in electric field measured for electrical conductivity
Bone marrow contamination of canine cerebrospinal fluid.

Summary Bone marrow cells were identified in cytocentrifuge preparations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained by lumbar punctures from two dogs. CSF analyses were characterized by normal or increased total cell counts, normal or increased total protein concentration and the presence of erythrocytes. Hematopoietic cells present included both erythroid and myeloid precursors and, in one case, an erythroblastic island was seen. Peripheral blood smear examination confirmed that the hematopoietic cells observed were not the result of blood contamination. Neither case was associated with a difficult tap procedure, nor with a specific disease process. Contamination may have resulted from actual marrow penetration or from extramedullary hematopoiesis in the dura mater. Accurate interpretation of CSF cytology requires the consideration of possible bone marrow contamination when hematopoietic cells are observed.
Immune complexes in primary biliary cirrhosis: Higher prevalence of circulating immune complexes in patients with associated autoimmune features☆

A longitudinal study, examining the levels of immune complexes serially for three years, in serum from 88 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis was performed by the Raji cell radioimmunoassay. Studies of the association of autoimmune features in primary biliary cirrhosis and the effect of D-penicillamine therapy in relation to the levels of complexes were carried out. Twenty-two patients (25 percent) were found to have autoimmune features, such as Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid-like arthritis, scleroderma, Raynaud's disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In this subset of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, a significantly higher prevalence (86 percent) of circulating immune complexes was detected compared with those patients showing no autoimmune features (60 percent). In addition, patients with associated autoimmune features had higher mean levels of immune complexes (259.7 micrograms AHG eq/ml) compared with those without autoimmune features (202.1 micrograms AHG eq/ml). The mean levels of complement C4, reflecting activation of classic complement pathway, were significantly lower in patients with elevated immune complexes and associated autoimmune features. The mean level of immune complexes in 13 patients receiving D-penicillamine, in contrast to the placebo group, decreased at one year but subsequently was greater than the initial level. Patients who had normal levels of immune complexes and received penicillamine therapy continued to have complex levels within the normal range for up to three years of follow-up study, but patients receiving placebo showed significantly elevated levels at subsequent intervals. Thus, levels of immune complexes in primary biliary cirrhosis may reflect the association with autoimmune features.
Burden, reward and family functioning of caregivers for relatives with mood disorders: 1-year follow-up.

Abstract Background Longitudinal caregiver studies of patients with mood disorders report no consistent pattern in burden over time. This naturalistic study of caregivers of patients with mood disorders assesses caregiver perceptions of burden, reward and family functioning at hospitalization and at 1 year follow-up. Methods Thirty-nine caregivers of patients with mood disorders were recruited during their relative's in-patient psychiatric hospitalization. Caregivers were given an assessment packet to complete at the time of enrollment and identical assessment packets were mailed to the caregivers at 1 year. Results Caregivers of bipolar disorder relatives reported less reward, more subjective burden and worse family functioning than depression caregivers, at recruitment. Bipolar caregivers showed a significant reduction in burden 1 year after their relative was discharged from the hospital, whereas depression caregivers showed no change at 1 year. At 1 year, overall family functioning was unchanged and was in the unhealthy range in all dimensions except for behavior control. Limitations of the study include the small sample size, the selective recruitment from a hospital setting where family members did not actively seek out help and the high drop-out rate. Conclusions Caregivers of relatives with mood disorders show a different pattern of burden and reward, over time, depending on the patient diagnosis. In all cases, however, family functioning was significantly impaired. Clinical relevance Short-term family interventions can be offered at the time of hospitalization to try to reduce caregiver burden and increase caregiver reward.
The Mouse Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Pump Isoform 1 Promoter: Cloning and Characterization

Abstract The expression of plasma membrane Ca 2+ pump (PMCA) is regulated by various hormones or agonists via multiple second messenger pathways. Two different 5′ segments of the PMCA1 gene (isoform 1) were cloned from a mouse genomic library. While one segment contained the 3′ end of intron 1 and exon 2, the other segment was found to encompass the 5′-flanking region of the gene, exon 1, and the 5′ portion of intron 1. Sequence analysis of the 5′-flanking region suggested the presence of the putative promoter. Four sites for initiation of transcription (spanning 64 bp) were identified by RNase protection assay and primer extension analysis. The promoter region was very GC-rich, contained no "TATA box," but had a "CAAT box" at −51. Comparison of sequence with known cis -regulatory motifs disclosed that the 5′-flanking region has a number of potential regulatory elements including an AP-1 site at −354, AP-2 binding sites at −267 and −123, Sp1 binding sites at −127, −111, and +3, and a cyclic AMP response element binding protein site at −67. To demonstrate promoter activity, a segment containing 611 bp of the promoter region (from −442 to +169) was subcloned in front of a promoterless chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. This segment was able to drive the expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in transient transfections of mouse (or human) neuroblastoma cells as well as rat aortic endothelial cells. Deletion analysis demonstrated that a fragment from −256 to +169 showed strong promoter activity, while a fragment from −117 to +169 had CAT activity that was not different from the vector control. The promoter was stimulated threefold by phorbol ester and twofold by cyclic AMP. These results provide further proof indicating up-regulation of the PMCA1 gene by multiple second messenger pathways.
Substance use treatment outcomes for youth: integrating personal and environmental predictors.

Abstract This investigation examined personal and environmental predictors of substance treatment outcomes in youth. A 424 adolescents ( M = 15.9 years, S.D. = 1.3) completed comprehensive assessments, including substance use, environmental factors (e.g., family history, social supports), and person-centered variables (e.g., Axis I diagnosis, motivation, self-esteem), at study intake and throughout the year following inpatient treatment. Youth treatment outcomes were assessed by relapse status (abstaining, minor relapse, major relapse) and DSM-IV dependence symptoms at 1 year. Relapse status was predicted by demographic (age), environmental (social supports), and person-centered factors (diagnosis) while dependence symptoms were best predicted by substance use variables alone. Consideration of the general and specific nature of risk and protection within the adolescent developmental context were explored.
Opiate antagonists for the treatment of schizophrenia

Numerous studies suggest that opiate antagonists may have antipsychotic properties. A review of the literature describing the use of naloxone to treat schizophrenic patients has shown mixed results. The three studies on naltrexone have found no benefit in controlling auditory hallucinations. We present a synopsis of these studies.
MITOSIS AND CYTOKINESIS IN PLATYMONAS SUBCORDIFORMIS, A SCALY GREEN MONAD1

SUMMARY Scaly green monads are often placed in a separate class, Prasinophyceae, and have been considered to be among the most, primitive of green algae. Platymonas possesses rhizoplasts which resemble sarcomeric structures. At prophase, extranuclear spindle micro-tubules emanate from a granular region which appears to arise through dissolution or dispersion of the rhizoplasts. It is probable that the rhizoplasts are largely consumed during the formation of the spindle and only small fragments are left at metaphase. The rhizoplasts can be seen again at telophase but are short at this stage. The basal bodies are not at the spindle poles but remain at their interphase position. The interzonal spindle collapses early at telophase, and shortly thereafter cleavage microtubules appear. These microtubules extend from the region of the basal bodies to the posterior of the cell. The events of cell division are compared with these events in other green algae and in Ochromonas. The functional and phylogenetic significance of the observations is discussed.
The effect of a metronome on the speech of young stutterers

The effects of a metronome on the speech of 9- to 11-year-old boys was examined. Boys identified as stutterers showed a decrease in rate of dysfluency with the metronome whether or not they were instructed to pace their speech with the rhythmic beat of the device. Implications for speech therapy are discussed.
7-S-Glutathionyl-tryptamine-4,5-dione: A possible aberrant metabolite of serotonin

Abstract Tryptamine-4,5-dione (Compound 1) is an in vitro oxidation product of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Recent evidence has suggested that aberrant oxidations of 5-HT occur in the central nervous system of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the event that Compound 1 is formed as a result of oxidation of 5-HT within serotonergic nerve terminals or axons, it would be expected to be rapidly conjugated by intraneuronal glutathione (GSH) to give 7-5-glutathionyl-tryptamine-4,5-dione (Compound 2). When injected into the brains of laboratory mice, Compound 2 was lethal (LD50 = 21 μg) and evoked hyperactivity for the first 30 min following drug administration. Particularly during this hyperactive phase Compound 2 caused a statistically significant decrease in whole brain levels of norepinephrine and 5-HT. Levels of dopamine were also decreased while whole brain concentrations of its metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid, were increased significantly. In the presence of GSH, NADPH and ascorbic acid. Compound 2 redox cycled in reactions that catalyzed the oxidation of these cellular reductants by molecular oxygen and formed H2O2 as a byproduct. Compound 2 also reacted with molar excesses of GSH to form more structurally complex glutathionyl conjugates. Several of these conjugates have been isolated and their structures determined using spectroscopic methods. It is conceivable that one or more of these conjugates might serve as analytical markers in a search for evidence in support of the hypothesis that aberrant oxidations of 5-HT occur in the Alzheimer brain. The redox cycling properties of Compound 2 and its facile reactions with cellular nucleophiles such as GSH may represent mechanisms that contribute to the toxicity of this drug.
Dynamic Priority–Dynamic Programming Scheduling Method (DP)2SM: a dynamic approach to resource constraint project scheduling

Abstract The purpose of this paper is twofold: first to introduce and evaluate a dynamic priority scheduling model developed in this research for solving the resource constraint project scheduling problem and second, to introduce an improvement made upon the first model by cross-breeding Dynamic Programming with the Dynamic Priority Scheduling Method (DPSM). The second model, called the Dynamic Priority Dynamic Programming Scheduling Method [(DP) 2 SM], aims at optimising the staged resource allocation decisions in DPSM. DPSM divides a project into phases (cycles), the length of which depends on the duration of the project and the period of clock cycle selected. The scheduling process starts by allocating resources to the first phase/cycle using a variety of policies, then the best schedule is selected based on an objective function. The process continues till all the activities are scheduled. In DPSM the interaction between phases is ignored while the decisions of each phase or cycle will affect all the remaining phases. Using (DP) 2 SM it may be possible to improve the quality of a schedule and reduce the duration of a project by optimising the overall project schedule.
Interaction of C60 Derivatives and ssDNA from Simulations

We report atomistic modeling studies on the interaction of water-soluble C{sub 60} derivatives and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) segments in phosphate-buffered solutions. Stable hybrids are formed by C{sub 60} derivatives and ssDNA segments, with binding energies in the range of -23 to -47 kcal/mol. By contrast, the typical binding energy between two C{sub 60} derivative molecules is -11 to -15 kcal/mol. The binding pattern of C{sub 60} derivatives with ssDNA molecules depends on the size and shape of the C{sub 60} functional groups. For C{sub 60} derivatives with functional groups that contain aromatic rings, strong ? stacking was observed between the ssDNA base rings and the functional benzene rings. For C{sub 60} derivatives with a long hydrophilic chain, the binding is greatly enhanced by the hydrophilic interaction from the entanglement between the chain and the ssDNA backbone. Stable hydrogen bonds were observed between the hydroxyl hydrogen on the functional chain and the phosphate oxygen on the ssDNA backbone. For C{sub 60} derivative with short hydrophilic groups, at least two binding patterns were observed, one of which is dominated by the hydrophobic interaction between the C{sub 60} surface and bases on ssDNA, and the other involves multiple weak hydrogen bonds between themore » functional carboxylic groups and ssDNA.« less
Radiation Hormesis and Cancer

Despite the long history of radiation hormesis and the public health concerns with low-level exposures to ionizing radiation, there has been surprisingly little formal evaluation of whether hormetic effects are displayed with respect to radiation exposure and cancer incidence (i.e., reduced cancer risk at low radiation doses compared to controls, enhanced cancer risk at higher doses) until relatively recently. This paper reviews data relevant to the question of radiation hormesis and cancer with particular emphasis on experimental studies in animal models exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation. Data exist that provide evidence both consistent with and/or supportive of radiation hormesis. Other biomedical research provides potentially important mechanistic insight: low dose exposures have the capacity to activate immune function to prevent the occurrence of tumor development and metastasis; low doses of radiation have been shown to reduce mutagenic responses and induce endogenous antioxidant responses...