cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pavement macrotexture estimation using principal component analysis of tire/road noise

An investigation on the prediction of macrotexture Mean Texture Depth (MTD) of pavement from a moving vehicle is conducted. The MTD was predicted by using the tire/road noise measured from a microphone mounted underneath a moving vehicle. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is used to filter noise from microphone data prioer to estimating its energy over an optimally selected bandwidth. Energy obtained using this method is named PCA energy, hence the developed method for MTD estimation is termed as PCA Energy Method. The acoustic energy is assumed to have positive linear correlation with MTD of pavement. Moreover, PCA was used to differentiate important information about the road surface from noisy data while vehicle is moving, yielding a set of principal component vectors representing the conditions of each road section. This principal component vector was used to compute the PCA energy that is to be used for MTD prediction. The frequency band most relative to pavement macrotexture was determined to be 140 to 700 Hz through theoretical and statistical research. Then, a MTD prediction model was built based on a Taylor series expansion with two variables, PCA energy and the driving speed of the vehicle. The model parameters were obtained from an engineered track (interstate highway) with known MTD, and then applied to urban roads for the feasibility test. The accuracy of the model is 83.61% for the engineered track, which is 10% higher than the previous energy-based methods without PCA treatment. Moreover, applicability of the model is increased by the extended MTD prediction range between 0.2 and 3 mm compared to that of the engineered track having 0.4 to 1.5 mm. In addition, the MTD could be predicted every 7.8 meters and with good repeatability in the urban road test, which proves the feasibility of the proposed approach. Therefore, the PCA Energy Method is a reliable, efficient, and cost effective way to predict MTD for engineering applications as an important index for pavement friction prediction and pavement segregation identification.
Relationship model: a network model for integrating human expertise with systematic distributed processes

In this paper we offer an integrated flexible system in which two inter-related models interact. One: the systems environment model that is inherent in all large enterprises and defines the logical enterprise organizations, units, division of work and responsibilities. Two: the Relationship model, which is a dynamic network derived from the data provided by the distributed expertise of the systems environment model representing several types of relationships among the units. This network model can be probed to produce related units with specific relationships to efficiently initiate a change, plan a change, adjudicate and implement a change. Each unit of the network can initiate a proposal for a new change by exploring its effect on the rest of the network; once a proposal for change is explored, its implications are evaluated and approved, a coordinated change is planned and implemented in a timely and organized manner while every constituency has been prepared for the planned change. While the proposed model can easily be adapted for organizations with well-defined systems environment models, this paper focuses on the design, integration and implementation of the Relationship network and its processes for information technology (IT) within a large telecommunication company with an existing systems environment model. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (We develop an integrated flexible system in which two inter-related models will interact: the systems environment model inherent in large enterprises with the new Relationship model which is a dynamic network derived from the data provided by the distributed expertise of the systems environment model representing several types of relationships among the units. This network model can be probed to produce related units with specific relationships to efficiently initiate a change, plan a change, adjudicate and implement a change.)
Exposure of mice to tobacco smoke attenuates the toxic effect of methamphetamine on dopamine systems

Methamphetamine treatment of mice rapidly and severely depleted levels of dopamine and its metabolites, homovanillic acid (HVA) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the caudate nucleus. Exposure of mice to cigarette smoke by means of nose-only breathing apparatus for 20 min twice daily over 3 days prior to drug treatment significantly attenuated the neurotoxicity of methamphetamine as judged by a lesser depletion of dopamine, DOPAC and HVA. The lesser effect of methamphetamine upon content of serotonin level was unaltered by prior inhalation of smoke. Results suggest a specific protective effect of inhaled tobacco smoke upon the effects of methamphetamine upon dopaminergic circuitry.
Abstract B20: Immunotherapy as treatment for dogs with glioma.

Gliomas, the most invasive tumors of the brain, are a disparate group of oncological diseases for which there is currently no cure. Despite the use of combination therapy (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy) as the standard of care for patients, limited progress has been made in the control of the disease. Similar to that in humans, dogs develop spontaneous brain tumors that often carry a dismal prognosis regardless of therapeutic intervention. There is an obvious need for new therapies to treat dogs with brain tumors. Cancer immunotherapy, with the premise that tumor-reactive lymphocytes are able to infiltrate the brain to eradicate microscopic disease, is emerging as a promising strategy to treat glioma. To date, very little is known regarding canine glioma treatment outcome and there has been no reported randomized clinical trials examining the use of immunotherapy for treatment of glioma in dogs. A clinical trial using immunotherapy with autologous glioma cell lysate vaccines, combined with the TLR9 agonist CpG oligodeoxynucleotide to treat dogs with glioma, is underway in our laboratory. The objective of the treatment is to induce specific anti-tumor immunity in the brain and to prevent tumor recurrence. Our preliminary results have shown that vaccinated dogs exhibited extended survival when compared with historical controls. Based on western blot and flow cytometric analysis, this therapeutic approach induced tumor-reactive antibody responses with elevation of IgG antibody levels after vaccination. Thus, the examination of immune responses in therapeutic trials conducted in dogs with gliomas should greatly help predict outcomes of similar treatments in humans, and additionally provide an opportunity to accelerate the development of more efficient immunotherapeutic cancer vaccines for treatment of intracranial malignances. Citation Format: Michelle Goulart, Elizabeth Pluhar, Brian Andersen, Charles Seiler, Matthew Hunt, Gerry O9Sullivan, Zoe Zhang, John Ohlfest. Immunotherapy as treatment for dogs with glioma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B20.
A protracted and aggressive variant of lymphocytic hypophysitis with mammillary body involvement and cognitive dysfunction.

Objective: Our objective was to describe the 14-year course of a patient with a protracted and aggressive variant of lymphocytic hypophysitis.Methods: This is a case report.Results: Despite several...
The Impact of Perceived Organizational Support on Self-Directed Learning in Sales Training

Perceived organizational support has a positive influence on the willingness of salespeople to use self-directed learning (SDL) projects. These SDL projects can be tailored to fit a salesperson's distinct learning needs, to increase performance, and to achieve the overarching goals of collaborative members of a marketing channel. Hence, it is beneficial for channel members to create a supportive learning culture that promotes the use of SDL projects by salespeople. Salespeople within the insurance industry play an essential role inside their marketing channel. Data collected from 392 insurance salespeople in over 170 firms is used to empirically test how perceived organizational support influences the use of two types of SDL projects. Salespeople encouraged to use elective SDL projects reported higher levels of performance than those required to use compulsory SDL projects.
An alternative strategy to determine the mitochondrial proteome using sucrose gradient fractionation and 1D PAGE on highly purified human heart mitochondria.

An alternative strategy for mitochondrial proteomics is described that is complementary to previous investigations using 2D PAGE techniques. The strategy involves (a) obtaining highly purified prep...
A detailed analysis of pseudorotation in PH4F

Pentacoordinated molecules are thought to undergo intramolecular isomerization by the widely accepted Berry pseudorotation mechanism. Through our investigations, we have found that the actual pseudorotation for the PH4F system is more complex than that envisioned by Berry. The potential energy surface of PH4F is mapped out at the RHF/6-311G(d, p) level. According to the Berry mechanism, this system is expected to have two minima and two maxima; however, the system actually has two transition states and one global minimum. The minimum energy path from the highest transition state is followed to the second transition state, which in turn has a minimum energy path leading to the global minimum. Along the path between the two transition states there is a branching region. This portion of the potential energy surface is probed extensively.
Black-White Differences in Perceptions of Fear of Crime

Abstract The combined effects of race and social factors on fear of crime were investigated. The sample consisted of 1,835 black and white residents of Mississippi, 15 years old or older. The results indicated that (a) for the pooled sample, race, age, and marital status had significant effects on fear of crime, and (b) with the exception of age, the variables had significantly different effects on fear of crime among black and white respondents.
Understanding and simulating software evolution

Simulations have been used in various areas, yielding good results, but their application to software evolution is still limited. Simulations of software evolution can help people understand the driving forces that shape software evolution, and predict future evolutionary paths. To move towards simulation of software evolution, this research tries to explore possible models to simulate software evolution, and the applicability of different data to parameterize the models. The simulations will both be based on fine-grained code changes obtained by comparing the abstract syntax trees of source code. The use of fine-grain code changes could reveal information about software evolution that is unavailable by other means.
Leveraging Learning Technologies for Collaborative Writing in an Online Pharmacotherapy Course.

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the development and delivery of a hypertext case scenario document to be used as the capstone assessment tool for doctoral-level physical therapy students. The integration of Web-based collaborative tools (PBworks™ and Google Sites™) allowed students in this all-online course to apply their pharmacotherapy knowledge in a physical therapy patient scenario, while working with colleagues to determine the best route of patient care. Students developed digital writing skills imperative to a patient-centered, collaborative health-care field, and practiced evidence-based patient care. The findings demonstrate that the implementation of collaborative digital writing with a hypertext document case scenario assessment as the primary assessment tool in this online pharmacotherapy course delivered to doctoral-level physical therapy students is a feasible and effective educational strategy.
Attraction of zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio, to isolated and partially purified chromatographic fractions

Water from donor fish of either sex maintained in tank systems for 16 days was tested to determine intrasexual responses in a T-maze apparatus. Only donor water attracted fish, suggesting the presence of intrasexual pheromone(s). The sexual attractant(s) was removed by methylchloroform extraction. The residue from this extraction elicited positive responses in test fish. Dried residues showed 5 bands in thin-layer chromatograms, but only one band (Rf 0.94), identified as cholesterol ester. contained the sexual attractant(s).
Nuclear DEAF-1-related (NUDR) protein contains a novel DNA binding domain and represses transcription of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 promoter.

Nuclear DEAF-1-related (NUDR) protein is a novel transcriptional regulator with sequence similarity to developmental and oncogenic proteins. NUDR protein deletions were used to localize the DNA binding domain between amino acids 167 and 368, and site-specific DNA photocross-linking indicated at least two sites of protein-DNA contact within this domain. The DNA binding domain contains a proline-rich region and a region with similarity to a Myc-type helix-loop-helix domain but does not include the zinc finger motif at the C terminus. Deoxyribonuclease I protection assays confirmed the presence of multiple NUDR binding motifs (TTC(C/G)G) in the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNP A2/B1) promoter and also in the 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of hNUDR cDNA. NUDR produced a 65–70% repression of the hnRNP A2/B1 promoter activity, and NUDR binding motifs in the 5′-UTR were found to mediate this repression. NUDR-dependent repression was also observed when the 5′-UTR of NUDR was placed onto a heterologous thymidine kinase promoter in an analogous 5′-UTR position but not when placed upstream of transcription initiation. These results suggest that NUDR may regulate the in vivo expression of hnRNP A2/B1 and NUDR genes and imply that inactivation of NUDR could contribute to the overexpression of hnRNP A2/B1 observed in some human cancers.
Chemically and photochemically stable conjugated poly(oxadiazole) derivatives: A comparison with polythiophenes and poly(p-phenyleneethynylenes)

We have designed and synthesized highly stable conjugated poly(oxadiazoles) derivatives (PO1 and PO2). The oxadiazole-containing conjugated polymers have a strong photoluminescent property and are completely soluble in organic solvents. PO1 and two commonly used conjugated polymers, PPE and P3HT, were tested under strong acidic condition and strong UV irradiation condition to investigate their chemical and photochemical stability. PO1 turned out to be intact through the harsh treatments while the two control polymers were severely damaged in their conjugated backbone and lost their emissive property. Protonation of the oxadiazole unit of PO1 by acids induced backbone planarization of PO1, resulting in emission color change from blue to green. Reversible color change by adding and removing trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to PO1 and latent fluorescent patterning by using a photoacid generator and UV irradiation through a photomask were demonstrated. The results provide a design principle to develop highly stable...
A Meta-Theory for Understanding Information Systems Within Sociotechnical Systems

Abstract: Information systems (IS) research often attempts to examine and explain how technology leads to outcomes through usage of IS. Although extensive research in this area has resulted in a significant number of theories, limited work has been done on integrating these theories. This paper presents adaptive structuration theory (AST) as a meta-theory for examining IS within an organizational context. The two main contributions of the paper are an understanding of meta-theory's role in IS and building a case for using AST as a meta-theory to (1) provide an overarching perspective for understanding and integrating existing literature and theories, (2) provide a template and set of guidelines for creating better context-specific IS models and theories, and (3) provide a deeper understanding of a theory. Along with discussion of the contributions, we provide examples to guide researchers in applying AST as a meta-theory.
PARTITIONING OF MERCURY FROM ACTINIDES IN THE TRUEX PROCESS

A mercury complexant, L-cysteine hydrochloride, was tested for use in separating Hg(II) from actinides during transuranic extraction (TRUEX) processing of wastes at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Mercury, americium, plutonium, and uranyl distributions for the TRUEX solvent were characterized over a nitric acid concentration range of 0.01 to 2 M with and without cysteine. The applicability of cysteine was evaluated for selective Hg(II) complexation in an INEEL sodium-bearing waste simulant. A test was also conducted to evaluate the applicability of cysteine to separate Hg(II) from Sr in the strontium extraction (SREX) process with Sr Resin used as a stand-in for the SREX process solvent. In all cases, the use of L-cysteine HCl retained Hg in the aqueous phase while causing no or little perturbation in the actinide and Sr distribution behavior.
HLA and susceptibility to type I diabetes

Positive associations between the antigens D(R)3 and D(R)4 and negative associations of D(R)2 have been reported with insulin dependent or type I diabetes mellitus. It has been suggested that susceptibility factor(s) associated with the D(R)3 and D(R)4 haplotypes and a resistance factor associated with the D(R)2 haplotype may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. We propose a hypothesis herein which attempts to unify these findings based on our present understanding suggesting (a) the existence of multiple antigenic determinants associated with any one D(R) haplotype and (b) the sharing of "single" D region encoded determinants between what we now refer to as different D(R) haplotypes. The hypothesis, in its simplest form, focuses on a single D region determinant which can be found associated at different frequencies with the various D haplotypes as potentially explaining the findings.
Antineoplastic Agents. 554. The manitoba bacterium Streptomyces sp.

A Streptomyces sp. isolated from riverbank soil in Manitoba, Canada, was found to contain two cancer cell growth inhibitories: diazaanthraquinone 1 and 3-(hydroxyacetyl)indole (8). The structures were determined by interpretation of data from HRMS, UV, and high-field (400 MHz) NMR experiments. The red-colored diazaanthraquinone 1 and 3-(hydroxyacetyl)indole (8) were found to inhibit (0.1−3 μg/mL) growth of a minipanel of human cancer cell lines and P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells. Diazaanthraquinone 1 was also found to inhibit growth of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria gonorrheae. However, three companion constituents, cyclo-Pro-Leu (5), cyclo-Pro-Phe (6), and cyclo-Pro-Val (7), did not inhibit cancer cell growth.
Angular distribution of the reaction 1H(d, 3He)γ

Abstract The angular distribution of the proton-deuteron radiative capture cross section is calculated using the plane wave form of the electromagnetic interaction operator and model wave functions for the 3 He S, S′ and D-states and a plane wave continuum state.
Essential Role for the SMN Complex in the Specificity of snRNP Assembly

The Survival of Motor Neurons (SMN) protein, the product of the spinal muscular atrophy-determining gene, is part of a large macromolecular complex (SMN complex) that functions in the assembly of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Using cell extracts and purified components, we demonstrated that the SMN complex is necessary and sufficient to mediate the ATP-dependent assembly of the core of seven Sm proteins on uridine-rich, small nuclear ribonucleic acids (U snRNAs). In vitro experiments revealed strict requirements for ordered binding of the Sm proteins and the U snRNAs to the SMN complex. Importantly, the SMN complex is necessary to ensure that Sm cores assemble only on correct RNA targets and prevent their otherwise promiscuous association with other RNAs. Thus, the SMN complex functions as a specificity factor essential for the efficient assembly of Sm proteins on U snRNAs and likely protects cells from illicit, and potentially deleterious, nonspecific binding of Sm proteins to RNAs.
Assigning Quantitative Function to Post-Translational Modifications Reveals Multiple Sites of Phosphorylation That Tune Yeast Pheromone Signaling Output

Cell signaling systems transmit information by post-translationally modifying signaling proteins, often via phosphorylation. While thousands of sites of phosphorylation have been identified in proteomic studies, the vast majority of sites have no known function. Assigning functional roles to the catalog of uncharacterized phosphorylation sites is a key research challenge. Here we present a general approach to address this challenge and apply it to a prototypical signaling pathway, the pheromone response pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The pheromone pathway includes a mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade activated by a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). We used published mass spectrometry-based proteomics data to identify putative sites of phosphorylation on pheromone pathway components, and we used evolutionary conservation to assign priority to a list of candidate MAPK regulatory sites. We made targeted alterations in those sites, and measured the effects of the mutations on pheromone pathway output in single cells. Our work identified six new sites that quantitatively tuned system output. We developed simple computational models to find system architectures that recapitulated the quantitative phenotypes of the mutants. Our results identify a number of putative phosphorylation events that contribute to adjust the input-output relationship of this model eukaryotic signaling system. We believe this combined approach constitutes a general means not only to reveal modification sites required to turn a pathway on and off, but also those required for more subtle quantitative effects that tune pathway output. Our results suggest that relatively small quantitative influences from individual phosphorylation events endow signaling systems with plasticity that evolution may exploit to quantitatively tailor signaling outcomes.
Molecular genetics of avian proteins—III. The egg proteins of an isolated population of jungle fowl, Gallus Gallus L.

Abstract 1. 1. Egg whites and yolks of jungle fowl and of various breeds of domestic fowl have been compared by starch gel electrophoresis. The yolk proteins of jungle fowl and domestic fowl are identical. Some egg-white proteins are identical; other egg-white fractions contain individual, genetically controlled variation common to both jungle fowl and domestic fowl. In addition, nearly three-fifths of the jungle fowl examined had an egg-white protein not yet found in other populations. 2. 2. The “jungle-fowl protein” appears to be part of the globulin fraction G 3 and to be controlled by a gene ( G 3 J ) codominant with the G 3 A allele at the G 3 locus. 3. 3. While the full evolutionary significance of these findings cannot be assessed until there is more information from other species and populations within species, the similarity of the haemoglobins and of the proteins of egg whites, egg yolks and sera of jungle fowl and domestic fowl is so great that it would appear unnecessary to regard the latter as a separate species, G. domesticus .
The relation of body fat distribution, as assessed by six girth measurements, to diabetes mellitus in women.

Independently of the amount of adipose tissue, certain patterns of fat distribution increase the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Although the ratio of waist to hip (WHR) circumferences has been consistently related to diabetes mellitus, it is possible that only two measures do not completely characterize fat topography. The current study, therefore, examines the cross-sectional relation of six girths (waist, hip, neck, bust, wrist, and ankle) to diabetes mellitus in 43,595 women. As compared with non-diabetics, Quetelet index (kg/m2) and all circumferences were elevated among diabetics. Stratified analyses showed that WHR, and waist, neck, and bust girths were consistently related to diabetes independently of the degree of overweight. As estimated from a logistic regression model that simultaneously controlled for age and all anthropometric variables, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was positively related to Quetelet index, and to the waist, bust, and neck girths, with odds ratios (ORs) rangin...
Current Trends in Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms

Objective To define how patients with pancreatic cysts are being diagnosed and treated. Design Retrospective case series. Setting University-affiliated tertiary care center. Patients Four hundred one patients evaluated in the Department of Surgery between January 2004 and December 2007. Main Outcome Measures Clinical management, histological diagnosis, and results of surveillance. Results Pancreatic cysts were incidentally discovered in 71% (284 of 401) of patients. There was no statistically significant difference in age (60.4 vs 63.1 years; P = .10), cyst size (31 vs 27 mm; P = .12), or histological diagnosis between symptomatic patients and patients with incidentally discovered cysts. Whereas the majority of symptomatic patients had their cystic neoplasms resected on diagnosis, 50% (142 of 284) of incidentally discovered cysts were initially managed nonoperatively. Of the patients who were managed with surveillance, 13 (8%) subsequently underwent resection after a median of 2.1 years because of an increase in cyst size, development of symptoms, increasing tumor markers, worrisome endoscopic ultrasonography findings, or patient anxiety. The most common diagnosis among resected lesions was either main-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (25%) or branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (23%). Invasive cancer was found in 29 of 256 (11%) resected cystic neoplasms, 9 of which were incidentally discovered, and in 7% (1 of 13) of patients who underwent watchful waiting prior to resection. Conclusions Incidentally discovered pancreatic cystic neoplasms composed 71% of our series, of which 50% were immediately resected. Subsequent morphologic changes or development of symptoms prompted an operation in 8% of patients after a period of surveillance. Invasive malignancy was present in 11% of all resected specimens but in 38% of main-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.
Developing the Blueprint for a Genetic Testing Registry

While the number of genetic tests continues to grow, publicly accessible information about the analytic and clinical validity of such tests is lagging. Information gaps impede informed decision making by health care providers and patients. Enhancing the transparency of information about what tests are being offered, for which indications tests are being offered, and the analytic and clinical validity of tests is a key prerequisite to ensuring test quality. A recent government recommendation for a mandatory genetic test registry has received wide stakeholder support but leaves many practical questions unanswered. We propose a ‘blueprint’ for the creation of a genetic test registry in order to expedite its implementation. We describe the goals of a registry, propose criteria for the inclusion of registrants and tests in the registry, and define the categories of information that should be included for such tests. We discuss the sources of legal authority that empower the government to mandate that a registry be established and identify the federal agencies with the relevant expertise and resources to do so. We conclude that establishing a registry is a critical first step in the development of a more transparent, quality-centered system of oversight that will better inform and protect the public.
Inflammation and Atherosclerosis: Group IIa and Group V sPLA2 Are Not Redundant

The secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) family hydrolyzes glycerophospholipids at the sn-2 position to generate lysophospholipids and free fatty acids. Ten members have been described in mammals. These enzymes must be clearly distinguished from the intracellular phospholipase A2s that are involved in intracellular signaling. They are also distinct from lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), which has been shown to be bound predominantly to LDL particles in human plasma, and hydrolyzes oxidized LDL to generate lysophosphatidylcholine and oxidized nonesterified fatty acids.1 Group IIa sPLA2, which was originally isolated from rheumatoid arthritis fluids, is considered to be the prototypic inflammatory sPLA2. Its expression is markedly elevated in many cell types in response to proinflammatory stimuli. The concentration of Group IIa sPLA2 in sera or exudating fluids correlates well with the severity of inflammatory disease. In humans, Group IIa and Group V sPLA2 are tightly linked on chromosome 1 and their gene regulation and functions have largely been viewed as overlapping. Indeed, cross-reactivity of antibodies and molecular probes for these related enzymes has led to confusion in older literature. The study by Rosengren et al, reported in this issue, provides new insights into the expression and functional activity of Group IIa and Group V sPLA2 in the context of atherosclerosis.2 See page 1579 A role for sPLA2s in atherogenic processes has been suggested by epidemiological studies showing that in humans, serum concentrations of Group IIa …
Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Abdominal Wall Cellulitis

A 73-year-old woman ultimately proven to have perforated colorectal adenocarcinoma presented to the emergency department with cellulitis of the abdominal wall. This case illustrates the challenge of diagnosis and management of such patients. It demonstrates limitations of colonoscopy and the importance of computed tomography to diagnose and characterize the disease. The optimal strategy for percutaneous abscess drainage and the utility of pre-operative radiation therapy for such rare presentations of colon cancer are discussed. Favorable outcomes are achieved despite the locally-invasive colon cancer.
Exocyclic amino groups of flanking guanines govern sequence-dependent adduct conformations and local structural distortions for minor groove-aligned benzo[a]pyrenyl-guanine lesions in a GG mutation hotspot context

The environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BP) is metabolized to reactive diol epoxides that bind to cellular DNA by predominantly forming N2-guanine adducts (G*). Mutation hotspots for these adducts are frequently found in 5'- ... GG ... dinucleotide sequences, but their origins are poorly understood. Here we used high resolution NMR and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate differences in G* adduct conformations in 5'- ... CG*GC ... and 5'- ... CGG* C... sequence contexts in otherwise identical 12-mer duplexes. The BP rings are positioned 5' along the modified strand in the minor groove in both cases. However, subtle orientational differences cause strong distinctions in structural distortions of the DNA duplexes, because the exocyclic amino groups of flanking guanines on both strands compete for space with the BP rings in the minor groove, acting as guideposts for placement of the BP. In the 5'- ... CGG* C ... case, the 5'-flanking G . C base pair is severely untwisted, concomitant with a bend deduced from electrophoretic mobility. In the 5'- ... CG*GC ... context, there is no untwisting, but there is significant destabilization of the 5'-flanking Watson-Crick base pair. The minor groove width opens near the lesion in both cases, but more for 5'- ... CGG*C.... Differential sequence-dependent removal rates of this lesion result and may contribute to the mutation hotspot phenomenon.
Triarchic conceptualization of psychopathy: developmental origins of disinhibition, boldness, and meanness.

The clinical concept of psychopathy (“psychopathic personality”) is generally considered to entail persistent behavioral deviancy in the company of emotional–interpersonal detachment. However, longstanding debates continue regarding the appropriate scope and boundaries of the concept. Here, we review alternative historic descriptions of the disorder together with empirical findings for the best-established assessment instruments in use with adolescents and youth as a basis for formulating an integrative, triarchic model of psychopathy. The essence of the triarchic model is that psychopathy encompasses three distinct phenotypic constructs: disinhibition, which reflects a general propensity toward problems of impulse control; boldness, which is defined as the nexus of social dominance, emotional resiliency, and venturesomeness; and meanness, which is defined as aggressive resource seeking without regard for others (“dysaffliated agency”). These differing phenotypic components are considered in terms of relevant etiologic and developmental pathways. The triarchic conceptualization provides a basis for reconciling and accommodating alternative descriptive accounts of psychopathy, and a framework for coordinating research on neurobiological and developmental processes contributing to varying manifestations of the disorder.
Quantization Requirements in Digital MTI

To minimize hardware complexity, it is desirable to implement a digital moving target indicator (MTI) with the fewest number of quantization levels. The reduction of the clutter cancellation ability of single-and double-canceller MTI's is discussed with binominal weighting as a function of the number of levels and the spacing of the levels. The method of analysis is applicable to more complex MTI's as weil as nonuniform quantizers.
Velocity analysis for tilted transversely isotropic media: A physical modeling example

Transverse isotropy with a tilted symmetry axis (TTI media) has been recognized as a common feature of shale formations in overthrust areas, such as the Canadian Foothills. Since TTI layers cause serious problems in conventional imaging, it is important to be able to reconstruct the velocity model suitable for anisotropic depth migration. Here, we discuss the results of anisotropic parameter estimation on a physical‐modeling data set. The model represents a simplified version of a typical overthrust section from the Alberta Foothills, with a horizontal reflector overlaid by a bending transversely isotropic layer. Assuming that the TTI layer is homogeneous and the symmetry axis stays perpendicular to its boundaries, we invert P-wave normal‐moveout (NMO) velocities and zero‐offset traveltimes for the symmetry‐direction velocity V0 and the anisotropic parameters e and δ. The coefficient e is obtained using the traveltimes of a wave that crosses a dipping TTI block and reflects from the bottom of the model. T...
Elasto-Plastic Failure Analysis of Composite Bolted Joints:

An elasto-plastic finite element analysis of pin loaded joints in laminated composites has been investigated and comparisons made with both existing 2-D linear elastic plane stress analytical solutions and experimental results for a graphite/epoxy laminate. The finite element analysis included nonlinear material behavior after initial failure by assuming an elastic-perfectly plastic bimodular material model. Laminated plate theory was used to obtain lamina stresses and the Hill yield criterion applied in each layer to create a ply-by-ply failure analysis. The effect of including friction forces along the fastener hole interface on the stress distribution around the hole was also studied. Based upon the results, failure criteria are proposed for each of the basic failure modes, bearing, shearout and net-tension. Failure maps for each ply were developed to characterize the damage progression and identify critical failure strength and mode. For the [0i/±45j/90k] family of laminates the elasto-plastic finite ...
A Bioinformatics-Inspired Adaptation to Ukkonen's Edit Distance Calculating Algorithm and Its Applicability towards Distributed Data Mining

Edit distance measures the similarity between two strings (as the minimum number of change, insert or delete operations that transform one string to the other). An edit sequence s is a sequence of such operations and can be used to represent the string resulting from applying s to a reference string. We present a modification to Ukkonenpsilas edit distance calculating algorithm based upon representing strings by edit sequences. We conclude with a demonstration of how using this representation can improve mitochondrial DNA query throughput performance in a distributed computing environment.
When in Doubt, Shout! Paradoxical Influences of Doubt on Proselytizing

A seminal case study by Festinger found, paradoxically, that evidence that disconfirmed religious beliefs increased individuals' tendency to proselytize to others. Although this finding is renowned, surprisingly, it has never been subjected to experimental scrutiny and is open to multiple interpretations. We examined a general form of the question first posed by Festinger, namely, how does shaken confidence influence advocacy? Across three experiments, people whose confidence in closely held beliefs was undermined engaged in more advocacy of their beliefs (as measured by both advocacy effort and intention to advocate) than did people whose confidence was not undermined. The effect was attenuated when individuals affirmed their beliefs, and was moderated by both importance of the belief and open-mindedness of a message recipient. These findings not only have implications for the results of Festinger's seminal study, but also offer new insights into people's motives for advocating their beliefs.
Suicide-Bereaved Individuals' Attitudes Toward Therapists

Background: Suicide-bereaved individuals represent an important group impacted by suicide. Understanding their experiences fol- lowing the suicide of a loved one is an important research domain, despite receiving limited attention. Although suicide-bereaved individuals may benefit from mental health treatment, their attitudes toward therapy and therapists are poorly understood. Aims: The present study aimed to understand the extent to which bereaved individuals' attitudes toward therapy and therapists are impacted by whether their loved one was in therapy at the time of death. Method: Suicide-bereaved individuals (N = 243) from the United States were recruited to complete an online survey about their experience with and attitudes toward therapy and therapists following the suicide of a loved one. Results: Bereaved individuals whose loved one was in therapy at the time of death (N = 48, 19.8%) reported more negative and less positive attitudes toward the treating therapist than those whose loved one was not in therapy at the time of death (N = 81, 33.3%) or whose loved one was never in therapy/the deceased's therapy status was unknown (N = 114, 46.9%). Conclusion: The deceased's involvement with a therapist appears to be an important factor impacting the experience of bereaved individuals and should be considered when attempting to engage these individuals in postvention.
Endurance training increases LKB1 and MO25 protein but not AMP-activated protein kinase kinase activity in skeletal muscle.

LKB1 complexed with MO25 and STRAD has been identified as an AMP-activated protein kinase kinase (AMPKK). We measured relative LKB1 protein abundance and AMPKK activity in liver (LV), heart (HT), s...
Sparticle mass spectra from SU(5) SUSY GUT models with b − τ Yukawa coupling unification

Supersymmetric grand unified models based on the gauge group SU(5) often require in addition to gauge coupling unification, the unification of b-quark and τ -lepton Yukawa couplings. We examine SU(5) SUSY GUT parameter space under the condition of b − τ Yukawacouplingunificationusing2-loopMSSMRGEsincludingfull1-loopthreshold effects. The Yukawa-unified solutions break down into two classes. Solutions with low tan β ~ 3 − 11 are characterized by $ {m_{{\mathop{g}\limits^{\sim } }}} $ ~ 1 − 4 TeV and $ {m_{{\mathop{q}\limits^{\sim } }}} $ ~ 1 − 5 TeV. Many of these solutions would be beyond LHC reach, although they contain a light Higgs scalar with m h < 123 GeV and so may be excluded should the LHC Higgs hint persist. The second class of solutions occurs at large tan β ∼ 35 − 60, and are a subset of t − b − τ unified solutions. Constraining only b − τ unification to ∼ 5% favors a rather light gluino with $ {m_{{\mathop{g}\limits^{\sim } }}} $ ∼ 0.5 − 2 TeV, which should ultimately be accessible to LHC searches. While our b − τ unified solutions can be consistent with a picture of neutralino-only cold dark matter, invoking additional moduli or Peccei-Quinn superfields can allow for all of our Yukawa-unified solutions to be consistent with the measured dark matter abundance.
Sequence Diversity of Nuclear and Polysomal Polyadenylated and Non-polyadenylated RNA in Normal and Regenerating Rat Liver

A DNA probe purified from RNA · DNA hybrids of total sham-operated liver RNA and non-repetitive DNA was used to show that nuclear poly(A)-rich RNA from sham-operated liver and from 2.5-h and 48-h regenerating liver contains about 50% of the complexity of total liver RNA. It was further shown that the differences between normal and regenerating liver, reported earlier from this laboratory, occur in the poly(A)free fraction of nuclear RNA. At the polysome level it was found that polysomal RNA has one-third of the sequence diversity of total RNA and of this, approximately 65 % can be accounted for by poly(A)-rich and 55 by poly(A)-free molecules. When DNA probes were prepared from hybrids formed using polysomal RNA from sham-operated liver and regenerating liver at 2.5 h and 48 h post-hepatectomy and then employed in reactions with homologous and heterologous RNAs, no differences were detectable between either normal and regenerating liver or regenerating liver at times during hypertrophy and hyperplasia.
Wanderings of a DNA enzymologist: from DNA polymerase to viral latency.

AbstractI am a member of what has been called, perhaps too grandiosely, “The Greatest Generation.” I grew up during the Great Depression and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Because of my military service and the benefits of the GI Bill, I was able to attend college and, later, graduate school. Early in my graduate studies, I became fascinated with enzymes and the biochemical reactions that they catalyze. This fascination has never left me during the 50 years I have been a “DNA enzymologist.” I was fortunate to have had as a mentor Arthur Kornberg, one of the great biochemists of the twentieth century, and a splendid group of postdocs and graduate students. I have studied DNA polymerases, DNA nucleases, DNA ligases, and DNA recombinases, enzymes that are critical to our understanding of DNA replication, repair, and recombination. Most recently, I have been studying herpes virus replication and inadvertently wandered into an entirely new area—viral latency.
ACTIVATION OF ETB RECEPTORS INCREASES SUPEROXIDE LEVELS IN SYMPATHETIC GANGLIA IN VIVO

Dai and colleagues (Dai X, Galligan JJ, Watts SW, Fink GD, and Kreulen DL. Hypertension 43: 1048–1054, 2004) found that endothelin (ET) stimulated O2− production in sympathetic ganglion neurons in ...
Atherosclerosis, Acute Coronary Events, and Cholesterol-Lowering: A New Paradigm

Our current understanding of some mechanisms involved with the occurrence of acute coronary events indicates that coronary atherosclerotic plaques need not develop to the point of stenosis before resulting in an acute event. Recent studies show that the majority of myocardial infarctions result from lesions that are 30–60% stenotic, many of which are not associated with any overt clinical symptoms. Considering that every year in the United States, ≈ 200,000 persons with no previous history of coronary disease die from their first myocardial infarction, a major issue becomes identifying persons at risk for coronary disease. Risk assessment for coronary events is a critical area in terms of moving forward with decision-making for lipid-lowering therapies and developing strategies to reduce acute coronary events, and the morbidity and mortality related to them.
Numerical Simulation of Swirling Flow in Complex Hydroturbine Draft Tube Using Unsteady Statistical Turbulence Models

A numerical method is developed for carrying out unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations and detached-eddy simulations (DESs) in complex 3D geometries. The method is applied to simulate incompressible swirling flow in a typical hydroturbine draft tube, which consists of a strongly curved 90° elbow and two piers. The governing equations are solved with a second-order-accurate, finite-volume, dual-time-stepping artificial compressibility approach for a Reynolds number of 1.1 million on a mesh with 1.8 million nodes. The geometrical complexities of the draft tube are handled using domain decomposition with overset (chimera) grids. Numerical simulations show that unsteady statistical turbulence models can capture very complex 3D flow phenomena dominated by geometry-induced, large-scale instabilities and unsteady coherent structures such as the onset of vortex breakdown and the formation of the unsteady rope vortex downstream of the turbine runner. Both URANS and DES appear to yield the general shape and magnitude of mean velocity profiles in reasonable agreement with measurements. Significant discrepancies among the DES and URANS predictions of the turbulence statistics are also observed in the straight downstream diffuser.
Building efficient spectrum-agile devices for dummies

Spectrum management and device coordination for Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) networks have received significant research attention. However, current wireless devices have yet to fully embrace DSA networks due to the difficulties in realizing spectrum-agile communications. We address the practical hurdles and present solutions towards implementing DSA devices, answering an important question "what is a simple practical extension to current wireless devices that makes them spectrum-agile?" To this end, we propose RODIN, a general per-frame spectrum-shaping protocol that has the following features to support DSA in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) wireless devices: (a) direct manipulation of passband signals from COTS devices, (b) fast FPGA-based spectrum shaping, and (c) a novel preamble design for spectrum agreement. RODIN uses an FPGA-based spectrum shaper together with a preamble I-FOP to achieve per-frame spectrum shaping with a delay of under 10 μ s.