cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of an epidermal growth factor-related transforming growth factor from rat fetuses.

Abstract An epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like transforming growth factor was identified in acid/ethanol extracts of 19-day-old rat embryos. This factor had an apparent molecular weight of 55,000 and possessed EGF-competing activity, stimulated DNA synthesis in quiescent Rat-1 fibroblasts, and induced progressive growth of untransformed cells in soft agar. The factor was trypsin sensitive and required intact disulfide bonds for colony stimulating activity. It was determined to be distinct from adult mouse submaxillary gland EGF based on its elution from BioGel P-60 column and its increased colony stimulating activity/unit of EGF-competing activity.
Interaction of testosterone with monoamineoxidase in mouse brain maturation.

Abstract 1. 1. MAO activity was measured in different brain regions of female and male mice of different ages after being treated with testosterone proprionate on day 1, 4 or 7 postpartum. 2. 2. In general, there was an elevation in MAO activity when measured in mice 2 weeks of age or younger and decrease in activity in older mice. 3. 3. Reasons for these results may be related to the maturational state of the indoleamine system and of the different forms of MAO in postnatal development.
WE-C-224-03: Medical Physics in Senegal: Status and Prospects

Senegal is one of the leading economies in the western sub‐Saharan region. Still, first‐class radiological equipments are lacking in the country. Radiation treatments are still done with 60Co sources and only a few x‐ray machines with limited capabilities are available for diagnostic imaging. This situation is compounded by maintenance issues that are not always easily overcome, due to lack of adequate funds devoted to this aspect of the running of a medical infrastructure. On the other hand, specialized personnel are also needed, in particular medical physicists. The situation has a serious impact on the health care of patients in this country. An ongoing effort to establish in Senegal an international interdisciplinary center is expected to contribute in solving the many issues existing in the field of medical physics. Indeed, the center will offer a strong medical physics component, with diagnosis and treatment tools as well as educational programs aimed at providing the basis for the improvement of health care. This communication will present the current status of medical physics in Senegal together with the interdisciplinary center project and its impact in health care in this country and beyond, in particular in Western Africa.
GPS-Based Tracking System For Tom Orbit Determination

About three years ago, NASA's Oceanic Processes Branch requested that we evaluate alternate tracking concepts for sub-decimeter positioning of earth orbiting spacecraft such as TOPEX. Current high precision techniques, specifically TRANET and ground based laser ranging, yielded at best about 40 cms orbit accuracies on Seasat which flew at an 800 km altitude. Improved versions of these techniques, when coupled with projected improvements in knowledge of the gravitational field of the earth and with the higher altitude (1300 km) of 'IOPEX, appear capable of achieving about a factor of 3 improvement in orbit accuracy. Even at this level orbit errors dominate the overall system error budget. Our study led us to adopt a new tracking system concept based on utilization of the constellation of Naystar satellites in the Global Positioning System (GPS). In simplest terms, this concept involves simultaneous and continuous metric tracking of the signals from all visible Naystar satellites by approximately six globally distributed ground terminals and by the TOPEX spacecraft (see Figure 1). Error studies indicate that this system could be capable of obtaining decimeter position accuracies and, most importantly, around 5 cm in the radial component which is key to exploiting the full accuracy potential of the altimetic measurements for ocean topography. A series of proof-of-concept demonstrations has been completed with a pair of recently developed precision GPS receivers. This paper provides brief background discussions of the GPS, the precision mode for utilization of the system, past JPL research for using the GPS in precision applications, the present tracking system concept for high accuracy satellite positioning, and results from the demonstration.
A Combined QM/MM Poisson−Boltzmann Approach

A method of solving the mixed quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) Hamiltonian in solution, using the Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) equation to calculate partial charges and solvation free energies, is presented. This method combines a linear scaling divide and conquer semiempirical algorithm with the PB equation in a QM/MM framework, allowing only a specified region's charges to be polarized by the solvent while using fixed charges from a MM force field for the remaining system. This can save time over a full QM implementation, only requiring self-consistency to be achieved in a small QM region, while giving comparable results. The solvation free energy of pentapeptides capped with an acetyl group (ACE) at the N-terminus and an N-methylamine group at the C-terminus (NME) was used to study the accuracy of this method as well as several small protein systems. The solvation free energies for the QM/MM implementation compare well with a full QM treatment of the same system, giving reasonable representations for the solvation free energy of the entire system independent of the QM region's size. In the case of the pentapeptides, the average error was only 4.9 kcal/mol with the smallest QM region. This mixed method will allow an accurate description of solvation effects in an area of interest, such as an active site, using mixed QM/MM Hamiltonians. Possible applications for this method include protein-ligand binding and reaction mechanism studies.
Health Care Environments and Patient Outcomes A Review of the Literature

This review of the literature on health care environments and patient outcomes considers three research themes: patient involvement with health care (e.g., the role of patient control), the impact of the ambient environment (e.g., sound, light, art), and the emergence of specialized building types for defined populations (e.g., Alzheimer's patients). The article also describes the challenges presented in doing high-quality research focused on health care environments and contrasts the contributions made by two different traditions: architecture and behavioral science. The implications of managed care and opportunities for research are considered.
Chemical changes to nonaggregated particulate soil organic matter following grassland‐to‐woodland transition in a subtropical savanna

Encroachment of thorn woodlands into grasslands of southern Texas has resulted in greater aboveground and belowground biomass and greater soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Our previous studies showed that a large percentage of the SOC accrued under invading woody clusters was not stabilized within protective soil aggregates or on mineral-surfaces. Here we evaluated lignin and cutin- and suberin-derived substituted fatty acid (SFA) chemistry to determine if the accrual of nonaggregated particulate organic matter (POM) in woodlands was promoted by inherently greater recalcitrance of tissues from woody versus grass species, and if there was selective input of aboveground versus belowground plant carbon to POM. Woody clusters exhibited reduced concentrations of cutin-derived SFA and cinnamyl phenols within surface litter compared to fresh aboveground plant material. However, root litter exhibited relatively minor changes in biopolymer chemistry compared to fresh root tissue, suggesting it was either more stable or was refreshed at a greater rate. Between 14 and 105 years of woody plant encroachment, SFA in free POM fractions appeared to be consistently derived from root material while SFA within intraaggregate POM were increasingly derived from cutin sources. In addition, the shift from herbaceous to woody input was accompanied by enrichment in the amountmore » of cutin and suberin-derived aliphatics with respect to lignin in both root and surface litter as well as nonaggregated POM. Woody plant encroachment at this site results in the rapid accrual of POM pools that are biochemically recalcitrant, providing a mechanism by which soil organic carbon can accumulate in this sandy soil system. Our results also lend further credence to the hypothesis that aliphatic biopolymers, particularly root-derived suberin, are important components of long-term soil organic carbon stabilization.« less
Chronic medical conditions and risk of sepsis.

Background We sought to determine the associations between baseline chronic medical conditions and future risk of sepsis.
Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy versus flexible ureteroscopy/holmium laser lithotripsy: cost and outcome analysis.

Purpose: While percutaneous nephrostolithotomy is the standard of care for renal stones greater than 2 cm, recent studies have shown that staged ureteroscopy/holmium laser lithotripsy may be a reasonable option. Stones 2 to 3 cm may be amenable to ureteroscopy as well as to 1-stage treatment based on their intermediate size. We compared clinical outcomes and the estimated cost of percutaneous nephrostolithotomy vs ureteroscopy for 2 to 3 cm renal stones.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively identified patients who underwent percutaneous nephrostolithotomy and ureteroscopy at our institution from 2004 to 2008 with a maximal renal stone diameter of 2 to 3 cm. Demographic information, disease characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative data, and complications were recorded. Stone clearance was reported as a residual stone burden of 0 to 2 mm and less than 4 mm. Cost was estimated using local Medicare reimbursements for surgeon, anesthesia, hospital and outpatient services.Results: A total of 20 pat...
Kinetic analysis of iron-dependent histone demethylases: α-ketoglutarate substrate inhibition and potential relevance to the regulation of histone demethylation in cancer cells

The Jumonji C domain-containing histone demethylases (JmjC-HDMs) are α-ketoglutarate (αKG)-dependent, O2-activating, non-heme iron enzymes that play an important role in epigenetics. Reported herein is a detailed kinetic analysis of three JmjC-HDMs, including the cancer-relevant JMJD2C, that was achieved by employing three enzyme activity assays. A continuous O2 consumption assay reveals that HDMs have low affinities for O2, suggesting that these enzymes can act as oxygen sensors in vivo. An interesting case of αKG substrate inhibition was found, and the kinetic data suggest that αKG inhibits JMJD2C competitively with respect to O2. JMJD2C displays an optimal activity in vitro at αKG concentrations similar to those found in cancer cells, with implications for the regulation of histone demethylation activity in cancer versus normal cells.
A biomechanical comparison of three spondylolysis repair techniques in a calf spine model.

Summary Summary of background data Previous work has demonstrated the efficacy of lumbar pedicle screw hook rod (PSHR) techniques and the Buck screw in the stabilization of spondylolysis. The mechanical behavior of lower profile cervical implants used to create PSHR, hybrid cable plate constructs, and titanium miniplating has not previously been described. Methods Calf lumbar spines (L2-L6) were utilized for testing (n = 27). Intervertebral rotation was measured in the intact spines across the L4-5 segment before and after creation of bilateral pars interarticularis defects. Defects were then stabilized with one of three repair techniques, PSHR, miniplate, or cable plate (CP) constructs. (n = 9). A 5-Nm load was applied in flexion-extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. Fracture displacement was measured under flexion-extension and lateral bending modes. Results Osteotomy of the pars interarticularis increased intervertebral rotation from 4.6° to 9.2° (P Conclusions Bilateral miniplate fixation demonstrates superiority in restoring stability in lateral bending as compared to pedicle screw hook rod techniques and cable plate constructs. In flexion-extension and axial rotation, it was as effective as a PSHR method. Consideration of anatomic plate designs warrants consideration. Level of evidence IV.
Multiphoton detachment of negative ions in an intense radiation field.

We have applied a momentum-space method to the solution of the three-dimensional time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation for electron detachment from a model negative ion, in particular ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$. We have studied such phenomena as excess-photon detachment and threshold effects. For selected cases, we obtain excellent agreement with the Floquet calculations. We also present results in regimes of strong interest to experimental efforts.
Language, compiler, and runtime system support towards highly scalable big data application (invited talk abstract)

Modern computing has entered the era of Big Data. Analyzing data from Twitter, Google, Facebook, Wikipedia, or the Human Genome Project requires the development of scalable platforms that can quickly extract useful information from an ocean of records collected from customers, clinical trial participants, program execution logs, or the Internet. Most of the existing Big Data applications, including Hadoop, Giraph, Hive, Pig, Mahout, or Hyracks are written managed, object-oriented languages such as Java. While the use of such languages simplifies development tasks, the (memory and execution) inefficiencies inherent in these languages can have large impact on the application performance and scalability. When object-orientation meets Big Data, performance problems are significantly magnified, making data-intensive computing systems fail to scale to large datasets. I will talk about several projects we are currently working on to scale Big Data applications by reducing the cost of a managed runtime. Particularly, I will talk about Facade, a compiler and runtime system we have developed to transform a Big Data application into an almost object-bounded application which has been shown to be much more efficient and scale to much larger datasets. I will also briefly mention two other projects, one attempting to provide a memory-oblivious programming model for developers to allow them to write a program without worrying about how to create threads and use memory, and second aiming to trim a big dataset with probabilistic guarantees to facilitate debugging/testing of a Big Data application.
Highly vectorizable fault simulation on the Cray X-MP supercomputer

A highly vectorizable parallel fault simulation algorithm for high-speed fault simulation of combinational circuits, developed to take advantage of the specific hardware architecture of the Cray X-MP vector supercomputer, is described. The algorithm takes into account the memory organization of the supercomputer, reduces the number of vector fetches per gate simulation, and overlaps computation and I/O. Experimental results on large benchmark circuits show that very high evaluation rates (3.0-3.5*10/sup 9/ evaluations/s) comparable to those of hardware logic simulation energies can be achieved. Speedup factors of 50-60 observed between scalar and vector execution of the simulator on the Cray X-MP/28 are reported. >
Sharp concentration of random polytopes

We prove that key functionals (such as the volume and the number of vertices) of a random polytope is strongly concentrated, using a martingale method. As applications, we derive new estimates for high moments and the speed of convergence of these functionals.
Functional mapping of human growth trajectories

Human height is an important trait from biological and social perspectives. Genes have been widely recognized to be involved in human body growth, but their detailed controlling mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we present a computational model for functional mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control trajectories of human height growth through an interactive network. The model integrates mathematical equations of human growth curves into the mixture model-based functional mapping framework, allowing the identification and mapping of individual QTLs responsible for the developmental pattern of human growth. The model was derived on a random sample of subjects from a natural population, for each of which molecular markers within candidate genes or throughout the entire genome are typed and height data from childhood to adulthood are collected. A series of testable hypotheses are formulated about the genetic control of developmental timing and duration at different stages. The model was used to characterize epistatic QTLs for height growth hidden in 548 Japanese girls which is a semi-real data set with simulated the marker genotypes. With an increasing availability of genetic polymorphic data, the model will have great implications for probing the genetic and developmental mechanisms of human body growth and its associated diseases.
Secondary Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effects in Irreversible Additions of Hydride and Carbon Nucleophiles to Aldehydes: A Spectrum of Transition States from Complete Bond Formation to Single Electron Transfer

The competitive kinetics of hydride and organometallic additions to benzaldehyde-H and -D were determined at −78 °C using LiAlH4, LiBEt3H, NaBH4, LiBH4, LiAl(O-tert-butoxy)3H, NaB(OMe)3H, NaB(OAc)3H (at 20° C). methyl, phenyl, and allyl Grignard, and methyl-, phenyl-, n-butyl-, tert-butyl-, and allyllithium. The additions of hydride were found to have an inverse secondary deuterium kinetic isotope effects in all cases, but the magnitude of the effect varied inversely with the apparent reactivity of the hydride. In the additions of methyl Grignard reagent and of methyllithium and phenyllithium, inverse secondary deuterium isotope effects were observed; little if any isotope effect was observed with phenyl Grignard or n-butyl- and tert-butyllithium. With allyl Grignard and allyllithium, a normal secondary deuterium kinetic isotope effect was observed. The results indicate that rate-determining single-electron transfer occurs with allyl reagents, but direct nucleophilic reaction occurs with all of the other ...
British Isles coastal waters: The concentrations of selected heavy metals in sea water, suspended matter and biological indicators — A pilot survey

Abstract Data, from British Isles coastal waters, on the concentrations of selected metals in sea water and biological indicators, have been obtained by analytical techniques based on atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results show that there are some areas where significant contamination exists, and the east Irish Sea appears to have the highest concentrations of most metals. However, data in most regions indicate that the concentrations of the metals examined are not significantly higher than those in the open Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the British Isles. The sampling of seaweeds strongly suggests that concentrations of most metals, including those in polluted areas, have changed little over the ten years up to 1970; the concentrations of cadmium may well, on average, have fallen over this period. In the Irish Sea, where the most detailed examination has been made, there is a rapid decrease in sea water concentrations from the shoreline to offshore, and, in general, the proportions of a metal associated with suspended matter remain fairly constant with respect to variations of total concentrations in either time or space.
Chance and uncertainty in On War

(1986). Chance and uncertainty in On War. Journal of Strategic Studies: Vol. 9, Clausewitz and Modern Strategy, pp. 95-116.
Abstract SY37-01: Dissecting the canonical and noncanonical interactions of the BCL-2 family for therapeutic benefit

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA BCL-2 family proteins are key regulators of apoptotic and other signaling pathways in health and disease. Discrete amphipathic alpha-helices embedded within the protein infrastructure are essential interaction motifs that can inhibit or activate their physiologic targets. The canonical complex between a pro-apoptotic BCL-2 homology domain 3 (BH3) helix and a surface groove on anti-apoptotic members portrayed a molecular wrestling match between pro- and anti-apoptotic signals. If anti-apoptotic grooves are sufficient in number to bind and sequester the pro-apoptotic BH3 signals, cell survival prevails. In contrast, if the capacity to withstand pro-apoptotic assault is breached, cell death ensues. Not only did this protein interaction paradigm provide a mechanism for apoptotic regulation, but it also informed the development of drugs to reactivate cell death through targeted inhibition of anti-apoptotic BH3-binding pockets. Given the critical roles of amphipathic alpha-helices in mediating signal transduction, we advanced all-hydrocarbon stapling to refold bioactive alpha-helical peptides for use as research tools and prototype therapeutics. Depending on their amino acid composition and design, “stapled peptides” have proven to be structurally stable, protease resistant, and cell permeable agents capable of interrogating and modulating protein interactions in vitro and in vivo. Here, I present our latest applications of Stabilized Alpha-Helices of BCL-2 domains (SAHBs) to dissect the canonical and noncanonical interactions that directly regulate the functional activity of BCL-2 family proteins and their targets. Our findings broaden the opportunities to pharmacologically modulate cell death and other physiologic processes by revealing new protein terrain for therapeutic targeting. Citation Format: Loren D. Walensky. Dissecting the canonical and noncanonical interactions of the BCL-2 family for therapeutic benefit. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr SY37-01. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-SY37-01
Chaotic neural network controlled by particle swarm with decaying chaotic inertia weight for pattern recognition

This study introduces a new type of chaotic neural network, which is built upon perturbed Duffing oscillator. The neurons in this network behave collectively based on a modified version of Duffing map. The proposed neural processor can act chaotically at some areas of the state space. The network has some parameters, which can be adjusted for the system to behave either chaotically or periodically. This nonlinear network adopts the bifurcating behavior of the chaotic Duffing map for the most covered search in the neuronal search space. The neuron’s search space is controlled by swarming in the parameter space to settle the parameters of the network into the critical parameters. Swarming of the parameters is based on particle swarm optimization heuristic. The modified particle swarm adopts a decaying inertia weight based on chaotic logistic map to fast settle down into the attractors of periodic solutions. At last, the swarm-controlled neurochaotic processor is applied to build three models to control parameters of the network. Each model is trained to recognize a set of binary patterns that are as the form of alphabetic letters as a classical pattern recognition problem. A comparison study is then conducted among these three models, Hopfield network and a modified Hopfield model, which demonstrate all three models outperform Hopfiled model and are competitive and in most cases outperform the modified Hopfield model.
Expression of plasminogen receptors on C6 glioma cells

Abstract Plasminogen activators (PAs) play an important role in normal and neoplastic neuromorphogenesis in the central nervous system. Proper function of proteinases such as PA may require focusing of activity on a cellular level. In this study, we demonstrate that highly purified plasminogen binds to receptors on rat C6 glioma cells in culture. Specific binding is reversible and saturable at 4 °C. The Kd is 1.95 ± 0.31 μM and the Bmaxis 3.6 × 106molecules/cell. At 37 °C, there is no evidence for ligand digestion or internalization. Plasminogen receptors may concentrate potential proteinase activity near membranes of glia during normal and neoplastic development in the central nervous system.
Distributed collaborative environments for 21st century modeling and simulation

Distributed collaboration is an emerging technology that will significantly change how modeling and simulation is employed in 21st century organizations. Modeling and simulation (M&S) is already an integral part of how many organizations conduct business and, in the future, will continue to spread throughout government and industry enterprises and across many domains from research and development to logistics to training to operations. This paper reviews research that is focusing on the open standards agent-based framework, product and process modeling, structural architecture, and the integration technologies - the glue to integrate the software components. A distributed collaborative environment is the underlying infrastructure that makes communication between diverse simulations and other assets possible and manages the overall flow of a simulation based experiment. The AFRL Collaborative Environment concept will foster a major cultural change in how the acquisition, training, and operational communities employ M&S.
Birds–Dead and Deadly: Why Numeracy Needs to Address Social Construction

Sociologists use the term social construction to refer to the processes by which people assign meaning to their world. This paper argues that numeracy education needs to address social construction. In particular, thinking critically about the statistics the news media report regarding social issues requires understanding the competitive nature of the social problems marketplace, and the social forces that allow questionable numbers to receive widespread public attention. Such critiques must incorporate more than assessing how the numbers were calculated; they must consider the social construction of particular statistics. Two recent examples—claims about the number of birds killed flying into windows, and warnings about the threat of an avian flu pandemic—are presented to illustrate the need to incorporate social construction into numeracy education.
Coarse-grained modeling of model poly(urethane urea)s: Microstructure and interface aspects

Abstract Poly(urethane urea) elastomers are versatile and can be tailored to exhibit a broad range of mechanical response under high strain rate deformation. In this work, we utilize coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the molecular mechanisms, particularly the effects of hard segment content, intermolecular interaction, and rigidity of the interface between the hard and soft segments on local morphology and rate-dependent stress-strain behavior in the ballistic regime. Simulation results qualitatively agree with available experimental data, where analysis of hard segment orientation during tensile and compression deformation and dynamic strain rate sensitivity was also performed. Further study of the intermolecular interaction on the stress-strain behavior reveals that it has a strong effect on strain hardening, particularly for a rigid interface, once the hard segment content reaches the percolation threshold. Simulation results also show that interface intermolecular interaction could become more dominant over interface rigidity in the initial stress-strain response, particularly below percolation.
Personal is Political is Personal is Political

Kurt Lewin's integration of psychological theory and research practice is seen as a tradition living in feminist theory and practice today. Three narratives, drawn from (a) the feminist academy, (b) the history of ethology and contemporary sociobiology, and (c) the life of T. C. Schneirla, demonstrate the concept of “… personal is political is personal….” The feminist concept and practice of consciousness raising and the theoretical slogan “personal is political” make fundamental contributions to active psychology and societal activity. The narratives also remind us that realistic commitment to the integration of theory and practice through political action may be personally risky.
Sensitivity of equilibrium surface temperature of CCM3 to systematic changes in atmospheric CO2

We have redone our computations of the equilibrium response of surface temperature to atmospheric CO2 concentrations using the latest version of the NCAR Community Climate Model (version 3 rather than version 1). Eight GCM simulations with CO2 concentrations varying from 180 to 3000 ppmv were conducted with CCM3 compared to six CO2 concentrations with CCM1. A preliminary examination of the CCM3 simulations showed the same basic non-linear behaviour of temperature to CO2 concentrations obtained previously with CCM1. The magnitude of the sensitivities, however, were much lower in the new CCM3 runs than in the older CCM1 runs. Four possible reasons for the reduced sensitivity in CCM3 are discussed.
Relations between Proportional Stock Density and Growth and Condition of Northern Pike Populations

Abstract Proportional stock density (PSD) is an index used to quantify length-frequency data. The PSD of populations of northern pike Esox lucius in eight states was positively correlated with growth and condition. Fish condition was positively correlated with PSD, which indicated that populations dominated by larger individuals had higher condition factors than did populations dominated by smaller fish. The PSD was also positively correlated with growth of northern pike. These relationships indicate that PSD is one method that can be used to assess northern pike populations.
The Changing “Face” of Aphasia Therapy

A growing literature suggests that with intensive treatment, individuals with chronic aphasia continue to demonstrate language recovery for years post stroke. For example, Bhogal and colleagues conducted a literature review which suggests that intensive speech language therapy delivered over a short period of time (average of 8.8 hours per week for 11.2 weeks) resulted in significant improvements, while lower-intensity therapy provided over a longer period of time (average of 2 hours per week over 22.9 weeks) did not result in positive change (Bhogal, Teasell, Speechley, & Albert, 2003). Similarly, the constraint induced aphasia therapy data emphasize the importance of massed-practice in the improvement of language skills of individuals with chronic aphasia (Pulvermuller et al., 2001; Maher et al., 2006). However, providing intensive treatment to individuals with chronic aphasia can be costly, and the current healthcare environment in the United States is one which does not recognize its value. As a result, clinicians and researchers in the field are left searching for cost effective ways to deliver aphasia treatment. One method of providing less costly but intensive treatment is via the computer.
Low back pain and the zygapophysial (facet) joints

A basic science and clinical review of low back pain due to the lumbar zygapophysial (facet) joints was performed based on a literature search of scientific journals and textbooks. Recent studies estimate that 15% to 40% of chronic low back pain is due to the zygapophysial joints. The histological basis for zygapophysial joint pain has been scientifically established, but the precise clinical etiology remains undetermined. There are no unique identifying features in the history, physical examination, and radiological imaging of patients with pain of lumbar zygapophysial joint origin. Spine physicians diagnose zygapophysial joint pain based on analgesic response to anesthetic injections into the zygapophysial joints or at their nerve supply. Studies on treatment of isolated zygapophysial joint pain are limited. This review summarizes current understanding of lumbar zygapophysial joint disorders while highlighting the need for additional research.
Improved exercise performance following single daily dose of atenolol in stable angina.

Abstract We administered atenolol to 10 patients with effort limiting angina pectoris. Doses of 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg provided significant improvement ( P The beta-blocker atenolol is an effective drug in the treatment of exercise-induced angina.
Episodic physical forcing and the structure of phytoplankton communities in the coastal waters of New Jersey

[1] The high variability in physical, biological, and chemical properties in coastal waters have limited our ability to sample the appropriate timescale and space scale to resolve physical forcing of the ecosystem. To improve our understanding, a multiplatform adaptive sampling program at the Long-term Ecosystem Observatory (LEO-15) off the coast of New Jersey examined the relationship between episodic summertime upwelling and downwelling events and the corresponding dynamics in bulk phytoplankton biomass and community structure. Inherent and apparent optical properties were concurrently measured to evaluate the use of optics to improve future sampling coverage in coastal regions. Results indicate peak chlorophyll biomass tracked the maximum density gradient and that increasing surface phytoplankton biomass was associated with decreasing stratification offshore over time. Diatoms dominated the study site; however, significant shifts in cyanobacteria and dinoflagellate communities were observed. Dinoflagellate and cyanobacteria communities responded inversely to episodic events, with cyanobacteria being favored during intense downwelling. Differences in phytoplankton absorption properties significantly changed the corresponding in water inherent optical properties, allowing for characterization of the community structure from measurements of above water hyperspectral reflectance.
Molecular Basis for the Association of Microcephalin (MCPH1) Protein with the Cell Division Cycle Protein 27 (Cdc27) Subunit of the Anaphase-promoting Complex

Microcephalin (MCPH1), the first gene identified as causative for primary recessive autosomal microcephaly, is aberrantly expressed in autism-like disorders and human malignancy of breast and ovarian origin. MCPH1, the encoded protein product, has been implicated in various cellular processes including the DNA damage checkpoint, DNA repair, and transcription. Although our understanding of the cellular context in which MCPH1 operates continues to develop, a structural understanding of the C-terminal tandem BRCT domains of MCPH1 remains unexplored. Here, we identify cell division cycle protein 27 (Cdc27), a component of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C), as a novel interacting partner of MCPH1. We provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that the C-terminal tandem BRCT domains of MCPH1 (C-BRCTs) bind Cdc27 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. To characterize this interaction further, we determined the structure of MCPH1 C-BRCTs in complex with a phosphorylated Cdc27 peptide (pCdc27) using x-ray crystallography. Based on this structure, we identified single amino acid mutations targeted at the binding interface that disrupted the MCPH1-pCdc27 interaction. Collectively, our data define the biochemical, structural, and cellular determinants of the novel interaction between MCPH1 and Cdc27 and suggest that this interaction may occur within the larger context of MCPH1-APC/C.
GETENTRY: a simple Unix script for accessing the Protein Data Bank's anonymous ftp server

The category Computer Program Abstracts provides a rapid means of communicating up-to-date information concerning both new programs or systems and signi®cant updates to existing ones. Following normal submission, a Computer Program Abstract will be reviewed by one or two members of the IUCr Commission on Crystallographic Computing. It should not exceed 500 words in length and should follow the standard format given on page 189 of the June 1985 issue of the Journal [J. Appl. Cryst. (1985). 18, 189± 190] and on the World Wide Web at http://www.iucr. org/journals/jac/software/.
Assessment of cellular toxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles for cardiac tissue engineering applications.

AbstractBecause of the increased use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) in tissue engineering (TE), and in new constructs for cardiac TE, their effect was studied on three relevant cell types: Adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes, human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CM) and fibroblasts. For adult rat myocytes, 10 μg/mL TiO2 NPs showed no significant effect on myocyte survival over 24 h or acute myocyte contractility. Increasing the concentration to 100 μg/mL was seen to reduce contraction amplitude (p < 0.05). For hESC-CM, 10 μg/mL TiO2 reduced the beating rate significantly by 24 h. No arrhythmias or cessation of beating were observed in either cell type. Culturing fibroblasts in 5–150 μg/mL TiO2 significantly reduced cell proliferation at day 4 and increased cell death. We conclude that there may be modest but potentially adverse effects of TiO2 NPs if used in fast degrading polymers for myocardial tissue engineering (MTE) applications.
Students' perceptions of teachers' nonverbal behavior: Comparison of American and international students' classroom response

For some international students, teachers' nonverbal immediacy may constitute a violation of expectations in classroom behavior. Using Expectancy Violation Theory framework, this study investigated differences in students ‘perceptions of teachers’ nonverbal immediacy by comparing American and international students studying in the U.S. The findings confirmed that (1) teachers' nonverbal immediacy is perceived as more appropriate by American students than by international students, (2) there are differences in evaluations of specific nonverbal immediacy behaviors by American students and international students, and (3) perceptions depended on student gender for some behaviors, but not teacher's gender. Learning was more positively related to perceived immediacy behaviors for international students than their American counterparts.
Nephron responses to converting enzyme inhibition in non-clipped kidney of Goldblatt hypertensive rat at normotensive pressures

Nephron responses to converting enzyme inhibition in non-clipped kidney of Goldblatt hypertensive rat at normotensive pressures. To evaluate the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition (SQ 20881, CEI) on superficial nephron function of the non-clipped kidney in Goldblatt hypertensive rats in the absence of alterations in renal arterial pressure, control renal arterial pressure (RAP) was reduced first to the range generally obtained during CEI (124 ± 4mm Hg). RAP was maintained during the CEI period by adjustment of a suprarenal aortic clamp. At the reduced RAP, whole kidney and single nephron glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were reduced from the hypertensive levels and were lower than the measurements in normotensive control rats. During CEI, whole kidney GFR and single nephron GFR increased by 55 and 42%, respectively. There were decreases in absolute as well as fractional proximal reabsorption rates. In the intermediate nephron segment, fractional reabsorption was decreased, but absolute fluid reabsorption increased in proportion to the increased delivery rate. Proximal tubule and peritubular capillary hydrostatic pressures increased significantly during CEI also. These results indicate that an increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system occurring in Goldblatt hypertensive rats subjected to aortic constriction exerts effects to lower GFR and increase proximal reabsorption rate. The concomitant superficial nephron and whole kidney GFR responses to CEI when arterial pressure was maintained suggests that the preexisting levels of angiotensin exerted similar influences on the total nephron population.
Reduction of NO by CO over a silica-supported platinum catalyst: Infrared and kinetic studies

The reduction of NO by CO was studied over a Pt/SiO 2 catalyst at 300°C. Reaction rate data were obtained together with in situ infrared spectra of species adsorbed on the catalyst surface. The performance of the catalyst depended strongly on the ratio of CO/NO in the reactor. For net reducing conditions (CO/NO > 1) the catalyst deactivated with time. Measurements of kinetics taken during a period of slow deactivation showed that the rate of NO reduction was first order in NO and inverse second order in CO. Reactivation of the catalyst was obtained with both oxidizing and reducing pretreatments. Under net oxidizing conditions (CO/NO In situ infrared spectra showed bands corresponding to CO chemisorbed on Pt and NCO and CN groups attached to the support as Si-NCO and Si-CN, respectively. Both the CO and NCO bands were more intense under reducing than oxidizing conditions. The kinetics and product selectivities observed under reducing conditions were found to be in good agreement with a mechanism based upon the dissociation of NO as the rate-limiting step. This mechanism further assumes that N 2 O is formed by reaction of adsorbed NO with an adsorbed nitrogen atom. It is proposed that the loss in catalyst activity is associated with a change in the electronic properties of the supported Pt crystallites, caused by the accumulation of large concentrations of NCO and CN groups on the support in areas adjacent to the crystallites.
Reliability study of ultra-thin dielectric films with variable thickness levels

The time-dependent dielectric breakdown of ultra-thin gate oxides is one of the major reliability issues facing scaled metal-oxide semiconductor technologies. As the thickness of the gate dielectric film approaches its scaling limit, process issues such as poor wafer uniformity and oxide growth control become critical for ultra-thin gate dielectric reliability. This article investigates both the physics and statistical aspects of the reliability of the ultra-thin gate dielectric when film thickness variations are present. A physics-based Spatio-Temporal Monte Carlo Simulation (STMCS) model is developed to study the effects of thickness and thickness non-uniformity on dielectric reliability. Its use allows the root cause for the non-linear characteristic of the Weibull time-to-breakdown distribution observed in experimental studies to be revealed. In addition, a Bayesian Weibull Mixture (BWM) model is proposed to analyze the time-to-breakdown data considering the existence of thickness non-uniformity. Nume...
Inhibition of Osteoblast Differentiation by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) has a key role in skeletal disease in which it promotes reduced bone formation by mature osteoblasts and increased osteoclastic resorption. Here we show that TNF inhibits differentiation of osteoblasts from precursor cells. TNF-a treatment of fetal calvaria precursor cells, which spontaneously differentiate to the osteoblast phenotype over 21 days, inhibited differentiation as shown by reduced formation of multilayered, mineralizing nodules and decreased secretion of the skeletal-specific matrix protein osteocalcin. The effect of TNF was dose dependent with an IC50 of 0.6 ng/ml, indicating a high sensitivity of these precursor cells. Addition of TNF-a from days 2‐21, 2‐14, 7‐14, and 7‐10 inhibited nodule formation but addition of TNF after day 14 had no effect. Partial inhibition of differentiation was observed with addition of TNF on only days 7‐ 8, suggesting that TNF could act during a critical period of phenotype selection. Growth of cells on collagen-coated plates did not prevent TNF inhibition of differentiation, suggesting that inhibition of collagen deposition into matrix by proliferating cells could not, alone, explain the effect of TNF. Northern analysis revealed that TNF inhibited the expression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). TNF had no effect on expression of the osteogenic bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs-2, -4, and -6), or skeletal LIM protein (LMP-1), as determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Addition of IGF-I or BMP-6 to fetal calvaria precursor cell cultures enhanced differentiation but could not overcome TNF inhibition, suggesting that TNF acted downstream of these proteins in the differentiation pathway. The clonal osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-E1‐14, which acquires the osteoblast phenotype spontaneously in postconfluent culture, was also studied. TNF inhibited differentiation of MC3T3-E1‐14 cells as shown by failure of mineralized matrix formation in the presence of calcium and phosphate. TNF was not cytotoxic to either cell type as shown by continued attachment and metabolism in culture, trypan blue exclusion, and Alamar Blue cytotoxicity assay. These results demonstrate that TNF-a is a potent inhibitor of osteoblast differentiation and suggest that TNF acts distal to IGF-I, BMPs, and LMP-1 in the progression toward the osteoblast phenotype. (Endocrinology 141: 3956 ‐3964, 2000)
Forecasting the price of farmed Atlantic salmon: an integrated econometric and time series approach.

The demand for and supply of Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon in the United States and European Community are estimated using a dynamic specification and monthly statistics spanning from 1983 through 1987. Time series analysis is conducted to generate future values of exogenous variables which are incorporated into the econometric model to forecast the future FOB prices of Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon in the US and the EC. The results show that these prices will be in a slight decline but not enough to be of great concern to the US salmon fishermen and famers in the short-run.
The phenomenon of conglomerate crystallization. VII. Clavic dissymmetry in coordination compounds.V. An investigation of the crystallization behavior of [cis-β-Co(triethylenetetramine)(NO2)2]X (X = I, NO3) and the crystal structure of racemic [cis-β-Co(trien)(NO2)2]NO3

Abstract [cis-β-Co(trien)(NO2)2]X (X=I−, NO3−) were prepared and examined crystallographically to ascertain whether or not they undergo conglomerate crystallization. As predicted earlier, the nitrate crystallizes as a racemate: space group P21/n with cell constants of a = 7.604(3), b = 13.019(2), c = 14.472- (3) A, β = 98.13(3)°, V = 1418.26 A3, Dc = 1.682g cm−3, Z = 4. The bonding parameters and overall stereochemistry of the [cis-β-Co(trien)] fragment of the cation are essentially identical with that of resolved and racemic salts sharing this common fragment, proving that lattice forces do not play a major role in shaping its geometrical features. The iodide crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc, with cell constants of a = 15.65(1), b = 6.53(3), c = 13.095(7) A, β = 100.59(5)°, V = 1314.72 A3, Dc=2.142 g cm−3, Z = 4. The crystals of the iodide are not only extremely small but of poor quality, allowing only a qualitative solution of the structure which, nonetheless, is sufficient to establish that this salt also crystallizes as a racemate - a surprise in view of the fact that the α isomer crystallizes as a conglomerate; thus, there is a major difference in the crystallization behaviour of this pair of geometrical isomers.