cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mothers' sensitivity to the competencies of their preschoolers on a concept-learning task

This study investigated the instructional strategies mothers used when interacting with their child on a concept-learning task and the effect of this interaction on subsequent independent child performance. Also investigated was whether mothers' behaviors and perceptions differed depending on the child's age, task difficulty, or the child's needs for assistance. Sixty 3- and 5-year-old children participated in a three-phase sequence of tasks that required the matching of opposite concepts. The pretest and posttest phases were identical for all children, but during the second phase half the children completed the tasks with their mothers and half continued to work independently. During each phase, children received both an easy and a difficult version of the task. Children who interacted with their mothers matched more concepts correctly on the posttest and gave more correct explanations for their matches than children who worked independently. Mothers of 3-year-olds provided more assistance than mothers of 5-year-olds, and mothers provided higher levels of assistance on the difficult task than on the easy task. Most mothers were sensitive to their child's needs in that the instructional strategies they adopted throughout the interaction were appropriately modified in response to their child's successes and failures. There was some evidence that individual differences in maternal sensitivity were related to variations in children's independent performance. Mothers' perceptions of the task, of their child's needs for assistance, and of their own role in the interaction were related to their overt behaviors. Intervention programs aimed at fostering parents' skills in interacting with their children should emphasize the importance of scaffolded instruction tuned to the child's capabilities.
The effective thermal conductivity for a pointcontact porous medium: an experimental study

Abstract In order to test the inner expansion theory of Batchelor and O'Brien for a point-contact porous medium, a unit cell of a spatially periodic porous medium is constructed and used to measure the effective thermal conductivity. The unit cell is made of large, metal hemispheres which are brought into pointcontact as determined by an abrupt change in the electrical conductivity of the system. Experimental data are obtained for ratios of the thermal conductivity k σ / k β ranging from 10 2 to 10 4 and the results verify the functional dependence of K eff on k σ / k β predicted by Batchelor and O'Brien. In addition, our experimental data and the theory of Batchelor and O'Brien are in good agreement with the experimental results of Swift for metal powders having particle diameters of the order of hundreds of micrometers.
A computational model for the electrostatic sequestration of PI(4,5)P2 by membrane-adsorbed basic peptides.

The multivalent acidic phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) plays a key role in many biological processes. Recent studies show that unstructured clusters of basic residues from a number of peripheral proteins can laterally sequester PI(4,5)P2 in membranes. Specifically, experiments suggest that the basic effector domain of the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS), or a peptide corresponding to this domain, MARCKS(151–175), sequesters several PI(4,5)P2 and that this sequestration is due to nonspecific electrostatic interactions. Here, we use the finite difference Poisson-Boltzmann method to test this hypothesis by calculating the electrostatic free energy of lateral sequestration of PI(4,5)P2 by membrane-adsorbed basic peptides: Lys-7, Lys-13, and FA-MARCKS(151–175), a peptide based on MARCKS(151–175). In agreement with experiments, we find that the electrostatic free energy becomes more favorable when: 1), Lys-13 and FA-MARCKS(151–175) sequester several PI(4,5)P2; 2), the linear charge density of the basic peptide increases; 3), the mol percent monovalent acidic lipid in the membrane decreases; and 4), the ionic strength of the solution decreases. In addition, the electrostatic sequestration free energy is in excess of the entropic penalty associated with localizing PI(4,5)P2. Our calculations, thus, provide a structural and quantitative description of the observed interaction of PI(4,5)P2 with membrane-adsorbed basic sequences.
Ultrastructure of the anal organ of Drosophila larva with reference to ion transport.

Abstract The ultrastructure of the anal organ of the full-grown larva of Drosophila melanogaster is described. The thin cuticle is characterized by epicuticular depressions which contain particulate material. In AgNO 3 -treated larvae, silver grains tend to penetrate the cuticle at the epicuticular depressions. At the basal surface, the epithelial cells exhibit narrow, parallel membrane infoldings which bear a particulate coat on the cytoplasmic surface. The infoldings are also attached around the cytoplasmic surface of endocuticular tubercles, thereby greatly increasing the absorptive surface area. At the apical surface, the membrane invaginations, which are closely associated with mitochondria, anastomose freely and extend deeply into the cytoplasm. The lateral membranes are linked by desmosomes and septate junctions. They are highly folded, are closely associated with mitochondria, and enclose intercellular channels and spaces. The epithelial cells are rich in mitochondria, glycogen particles and tracheoles. Numerous vesicles, multivesicular bodies, lysosome-like dense bodies and sparse endoplasmic reticulum are found in the cytoplasm. In concentrated medium, the epithelial cells show complete absence of the membrane infoldings and invaginations and reduction in the number of mitochondria. The ultrastructural features of the anal organ are consistent with its function in ion transport.
SU-FF-I-43: Problems and Techniques in Gamma Camera Imaging of Yttrium-90 Labeled Radiopharmaceuticals

Purpose: This study was to identify problems and investigate camera parameters that would create effective biodistribution images for treatment planning and dosimetry in patients receiving Y-90 radionuclide therapy. Method and Materials: Y-90 energy spectra under different interacting conditions were recorded from MCA, uptake probe and gamma camera. Y-90 (17.6 MBq) was added to an Anthropomorphic Torso Phantom, with or without water in its tank, with following distribution: liver, 70% with water; right lung, 15% with water; left lung, 15% without water. Imaging was performed on a Siemens eCam, dual head camera with HEGP/MEGP collimators at various energy settings. Y-90 patient imaging was performed with retained activities of 1.52 GBq and 6.7 kBq Y-90 labeled microspheres and with 3.7 GBq Y-90 labeled Zevalin. At 30 minutes post Zevalin injection, a whole body scan was performed using a 194 cm bed length (5 cm/min, total 48 min), 256 × 1024 × 16 matrix without zooming. Results: Y-90 spectra indicated a characteristic X-ray peak (Pb. K-alpha) at 75 keV along with characteristic Bremsstrahlung distribution. Phantom tests found an energy window of 75 keV/50% to produce practical images. Significant uptake in the right lung of the phantom versus other structures was identified. Patient's lungs could not be easily visualized. Conclusion: An energy window (75keV/50%) is adequate for characteristic X-ray and Bremsstrahlung imaging. Y-90 imaging depends on scatter characteristic of tissue and does not provide direct biodistribution of Yttrium-90. Further investigations of imaging technique are needed to assess effective Y-90 patient imaging.
Perceptual load modifies processing of unattended stimuli both in the presence and absence of attended stimuli

This study explored effects of perceptual load on stimulus processing in the presence and absence of an attended stimulus. Participants were presented with a bilateral or unilateral display and asked to perform a discrimination task at either low or high perceptual load. Electrophysiological responses to stimuli were then compared at the P100 and N100. As in previous studies, perceptual load modified processing of attended and unattended stimuli seen at occipital scalp sites. Moreover, perceptual load modulated attention effects when the attended stimulus was presented at high perceptual load for unilateral displays. However, this was not true when the attended and unattended stimulus appeared simultaneously in bilateral displays. Instead, only a main effect of perceptual load was found. Reductions in processing contralateral to the unattended stimulus at the N100 provide support for Lavie's (1995) theory of selective attention.
Sediment microbial fuel cell powering a submersible ultrasonic receiver: New approach to remote monitoring

Abstract The goal of this study was to develop a power management system (PMS) that could power a submersible ultrasonic receiver (SUR) continuously to keep accurate time and listen to ultrasonic signals when there was enough energy for a complete scan. We developed a PMS and modified the hardware and firmware of the SUR to allow it to be controlled by our PMS. Thus, the SUR became optimized for the SMFC and was controlled by the PMS. The SUR switched to idle mode without stopping the RTC when there was not enough energy for a complete scan. The PMS used a 350-F capacitor to store microbial energy. The SMFC was deployed in the Palouse River, Pullman, WA. The integrated PMS was tested and operated the SUR continuously for six weeks. Our integrated PMS and sensor could make SMFCs a more viable renewable power source for continuous environmental monitoring. We found that the SUR could only be powered continuously if its operation was controlled by the PMS. We believe that future applications of more complex sensors could benefit from our novel approach of controlling the sensor using the PMS for uninterrupted operation even when the data are collected intermittently.
Beat the clock: paradigms for NTPases in the maintenance of biological fidelity

Kinetic proofreading is a strategy used by cells to reduce the number of errors made when replicating and expressing genetic information. Recent advances in mRNA splicing suggest a variation on the theme of previously described kinetic proofreading mechanisms, which may apply to other multicomponent assembly processes in the cell.
Antiplatelet therapy for prevention of recurrent stroke.

Stroke is a common public health problem. About 25% of strokes are recurrent ones. Stroke subtype should be defined to determine the best evidence-based antithrombotic treatment option for preventing recurrent stroke. When choosing an antiplatelet agent for this purpose, clinicians should take into account cost, side effect profile, medical comorbidity, and patient preference. To prevent recurrent stroke, aspirin alone (50–325 mg/d), a combination of aspirin (25 mg) plus extended-release dipyridamole (200 mg), given twice daily, or clopidogrel (75 mg/d) may be used as initial treatment. Aspirin is an efficacious, relatively safe, widely available, inexpensive, and easy-to-use antiplatelet agent. Current evidence suggests that administration of low-dose aspirin ( 325 mg/d) but is safer. The combination of aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole is more efficacious than low-dose aspirin alone (eg, 50 or 75 mg/d) in preventing recurrent stroke. Clopidogrel (75 mg/d) may be more efficacious than aspirin alone (325 mg/d) for prevention of recurrent stroke. Clopidogrel is a prodrug that must be converted in the liver to its active metabolite by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Certain polymorphisms (eg, CYP2C19) may prevent this conversion and lead to failure of clopidogrel to prevent major cardiovascular events. In patients with well-controlled or treated cardiovascular risk factors, aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole and clopidogrel may provide similar results in preventing recurrent stroke, but aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole may be associated with a slightly higher risk of major hemorrhage. Careful control of vascular risk factors is an important strategy for prevention of recurrent stroke, and blood pressure control reduces the risk of both brain hemorrhage and infarction. Prasugrel, a new thienopyridine derivative, more quickly and consistently inhibits platelets than clopidogrel. In stroke patients, prasugrel may be associated with a higher risk of brain hemorrhage, so it may not be indicated when there is a history of cerebrovascular disease.
Quantitative trait loci regulating the fatty acid profile of acylsugars in tomato

Acylsugars are secondary metabolites with proven insect resistance properties that are produced by many Solanaceous species including Solanum pennellii, a wild relative of tomato. The acylsugar chemotypes of S. pennellii varies greatly within its natural range and might be the product of plant/insect coevolution. The S. pennellii accession LA716 was used to transfer increased levels of acylsugar production into the cultivated tomato, resulting in the acylsugar tomato breeding line CU071026. S. pennellii accession LA716 produces high levels of acylsugars with chemotypes that differ greatly from those produced by CU071026 or the trace acylsugars of cultivated tomato. Understanding the genetic regulation of acylsugar chemistry will aid efforts to breed acylsugar production into cultivated tomato, allowing for alteration of both acylsugar base moieties and fatty acid profiles. This study uses a BC1F1 population produced from the cross of S. pennellii LA716 and CU071026 with CU071026 as the recurrent parent to identify QTL that change the fatty acid profile of acylsugars. Multiple QTL and epistatic interactions between QTL were detected including three QTL on chromosomes 2, 5, and 7, which significantly alter the percentage of extended iso-odd branched fatty acids and straight chain fatty acids on the acylsugars. We also report the introgression of one of these QTL, FA 2, into CU071026, resulting in a new tomato line with significantly increased i11:0 as a percentage of the fatty acids in its acylsugars. Candidate genes for these QTL and the impacts of altering acylsugar fatty acid are discussed.
Lessons learned from an osteoporosis clinical trial in frail long-term care residents.

Background Although osteoporosis affects women of all ages, the impact is most pronounced in frail residents in long-term care. Nevertheless, few interventional trials have been performed in this population, and few data on therapeutic alternatives are available in this cohort.Purpose We describe the challenges and lessons learned in developing and carrying out a trial in frail long-term-care residents.Methods The Zoledronic acid in frail Elders to STrengthen bone (ZEST) study was designed to examine the safety and efficacy of a single-dose therapy for osteoporosis in frail residents in long-term care in the Pittsburgh area. Women with osteoporosis who were 65 years of age and older and currently not on therapy were randomized in a blinded fashion to intravenous zoledronic acid or placebo. Follow-up of each participant was planned for 2 years. All participants received appropriate calcium and vitamin D supplementation.Results Seven hundred and thirty-three contacts were made with long-term care residents ...
Telemedicine, dementia and Down syndrome: Implications for Alzheimer disease

Abstract Background Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) who are at risk for dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) often live at sites remote from major medical centers. Telemedicine (TM) is a modality for providing medical care at remote locations but is underutilized for populations with Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods We studied the feasibility of using TM to evaluate symptoms of DAT in 90 individuals with DS. Dementia was assessed by an informant questionnaire, a direct measure of praxis, pathological reflexes on the neurologic examination, and the presence of cortical atrophy on a neuroimaging procedure. The neurologist was blinded to the scores on neuropsychological measures. Differences in average cognitive scores between a TM and traditional academic medical center–based clinic site (TAC) were tested using 2-way analysis variance with site and premorbid IQ as factors. Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship, in addition to the cognitive scores, of influences such as age, premorbid IQ, and site to the prediction of the physician's diagnosis of dementia. Results Components of the neurologic, imaging, and neuropsychological examinations differentiated subjects with and without DAT ( p ≤0.008) irrespective of whether a subject was evaluated at a TM or TAC site. Conclusions It is feasible to make a diagnosis of DAT in DS by TM. This study supports the need for formal reliability and validity studies of TM preparatory to the consideration of this modality for use in clinical trials for AD.
Compliance with quality assurance measures in patients treated for early oral tongue cancer

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify measurable parameters that provide quality data for assessing how well cancer care adheres to accepted treatment guidelines and is delivered to any given patient with oral tongue cancer. METHODS: A retrospective chart review included 116 patients treated for T1-T2/N0-N1 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral tongue between 1998 and 2003. A set of quality measures considered critical for outcome included: 1) accurate TNM staging at presentation, 2) documentation of margin status, 3) appropriate referral for adjuvant radiation therapy, and 4) neck dissection for depth of invasion >4 mm. In addition, 26 clinical endpoints involving pretreatment assessment, staging, treatment, surveillance, and symptom control were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients comprised 73 men and 43 women (median age, 57 years). Forty-one (35.3%) patients presented with stage I disease, 61 (52.6%) with stage II, and 14 (12.1%) with stage III. The overall 5-year survival rate for all patients was 68.6%. There was a 90.5% compliance with TNM staging at presentation, 99.1% for documentation of margin status, 98.2% for adequate referral to radiation therapy, and 88.7% for appropriate neck dissection based on depth of invasion. Compliance with clinical endpoints was variable and ranged from 100% for endpoints related to radiation therapy to <40% for endpoints related to speech pathology and rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall compliance with documenting the 4 parameters designated as quality measures for treatment of oral tongue SCC was acceptable, thus demonstrating that it is possible to use these data for measuring effective cancer care. Cancer 2010;116:3408–16. V C 2010 American Cancer Society.
The pressure and temperature derivatives of the elastic moduli of lithium hydride

Abstract The pressure and temperature derivatives of the elastic moduli of single crystal LiH have been determined at room temperature, by the ultrasonic pulse echo method. From the pressure data, the mode Gruneisen parameters as well as the low and high temperature limiting values of the Gruneisen constant were computed; the latter were only slightly different. An equation of state has been constructed for LiH, and found to be in agreement with the experimental data. Based on a non-central force model, the values of the elastic moduli and their pressure derivatives have been calculated theoretically, and the latter values compared with the experimental data.
Milk Progesterone Concentration and Production in Superovulated Holstein Cows

Six Holstein cows in a commercial herd (three superovulated and three controls) and eight Holstein cows superovulated a total of 12 times in an experimental herd were studied. Superovulation was induced primarily by treatment with follicle stimulating hormone and prostaglandin F2 alpha. Milk was weighed twice daily for 30 days following treatment in the commercial herd with no effect on production. Milk samples were saved on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to determine progesterone content. Last milk at mid-cycle averaged 8.2 ng/ml of progesterone for the cows in the experimental herd, and 7 days after superovulation they averaged 52.6 +/- 10.2 ng/ml (mean +/- standard error) of progesterone. The correlation with number of embryos recovered was .86. Therefore, milk progesterone may be useful in monitoring superovulatory response. Also, injection of prostaglandin F2 alpha into superovulated cows 9 days after a previous injection did not initiate a new estrous cycle, a fact accurately monitored by milk progesterone determinations.
Arbitrage and knowledge

I investigate in depth the contemporary, nation-wide arbitrage phenomenon of copper penny hoarding. While penny hoarding represents a “pure arbitrage” opportunity, it also clearly demonstrates the knowledge problems that face those entrepreneurs who are fully informed about intra-market price differences. This paper contrasts the Neoclassical and Austrian views on the role of information and knowledge in arbitrage, emphasizing the greater depth in understanding to be gained from the knowledge-based Austrian approach, as opposed to the information-based Neoclassical approach.
Viewers' perceptions of a YouTube music therapy session video.

BACKGROUND Recent research revealed diverse content and varying levels of quality in YouTube music therapy videos and prompted questions about viewers' discrimination abilities. OBJECTIVE This study compares ratings of a YouTube music therapy session video by viewers with different levels of music therapy expertise to determine video elements related to perceptions of representational quality. METHOD Eighty-one participants included 25 novices (freshmen and sophomores in an introductory music therapy course), 25 pre-interns (seniors and equivalency students who had completed all core Music Therapy courses), 26 professionals (MT-BC or MT-BC eligibility) with a mean of 1.75 years of experience, and an expert panel of 5 MT-BC professionals with a mean of 11 years of experience in special education. After viewing a music therapy special education video that in previous research met basic competency criteria and professional standards of the American Music Therapy Association, participants completed a 16-item questionnaire. RESULTS Novices' ratings were more positive (less discriminating) compared to experienced viewers' neutral or negative ratings. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) of novice, pre-intern, and professional ratings of all items revealed significant differences p, .05) for specific therapy content and for a global rating of representational quality. Experienced viewers' ratings were similar to the expert panel's ratings. Content analysis of viewers' reasons for their representational quality ratings corroborated ratings of therapy-specific content. CONCLUSIONS A video that combines and clearly depicts therapy objectives, client improvement, and the effectiveness of music within a therapeutic intervention best represent the music therapy profession in a public social platform like YouTube.
The central drift chamber for the high resolution spectrometer at PEP

Abstract The central drift chamger of the High Resolution Spectrometer (HRS) at PEP is described. Results on efficiency, calibrations and resolution are given for magnetic fields up to 1.6 T.
Selective Distal Enhancer Control of the Mmp13 Gene Identified through Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) Genomic Deletions.

Matrix metalloproteinase 13 (Mmp13, collagenase-3) plays an essential role in bone metabolism and mineral homeostasis. It is regulated by numerous factors, including BMP-2, parathyroid hormone, and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), through transcription factors such as Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ), OSX, and vitamin D receptor (VDR). During osteoblast maturation, the basal expression of Mmp13 and its sensitivity to 1,25(OH)2D3 are strikingly increased. In this report, ChIP-sequencing analysis in mouse preosteoblasts revealed that the Mmp13 gene was probably regulated by three major enhancers located −10, −20, and −30 kb upstream of the gene promoter, occupied by activated VDR and prebound C/EBPβ and RUNX2, respectively. Initially, bacterial artificial chromosome clone recombineering and traditional mutagenesis defined binding sites for VDR and RUNX2. We then employed a CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing approach to delete the −10 and −30 kb Mmp13 enhancers, a region proximal to the promoter, and VDR or RUNX2. VDR-mediated up-regulation of Mmp13 transcription was completely abrogated upon removal of the −10 kb enhancer, resulting in a 1,25(OH)2D3-directed repression of Mmp13. Deletion of either the −30 kb enhancer or RUNX2 resulted in a complete loss of basal transcript activity and a ChIP-identified destabilization of the chromatin enhancer environment and factor binding. Whereas enhancer deletions only affected Mmp13 expression, the RUNX2 deletion led to changes in gene expression, a reduction in cellular proliferation, and an inability to differentiate. We conclude that the Mmp13 gene is regulated via at least three specific distal enhancers that display independent activities yet are able to integrate response from multiple signaling pathways in a model of activation and suppression.
A beef-derived mutagenesis modulator inhibits initiation of mouse epidermal tumors by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

Ground beef contains an organic solvent extractable mutagenesis modulator. Crude or partially-purified preparations of the activity were applied to the backs of SENCAR or CD-1 mice 5 min before application of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Controls received solvent (acetone) only prior to DMBA. Following 1-2 week intervals promotion was effected with twice-weekly applications of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Modulator-treated mice consistently developed fewer papillomas and exhibited lower tumor incidences than did positive control mice.
Multi-Label Classification Method for Multimedia Tagging

Community tagging offers valuable information for media search and retrieval, but new media items are at a disadvantage. Automated tagging may populate media items with few tags, thus enabling their inclusion into search results. In this paper, a multi-label decision tree is proposed and applied to the problem of automated tagging of media data. In addition to binary labels, the proposed Iterative Split Multi-label Decision Tree IS-MLT is easily extended to the problem of weighted labels such as those depicted by tag clouds. Several datasets of differing media types show the effectiveness of the proposed method relative to other multi-label and single label classifier methods and demonstrate its scalability relative to single label approaches.Keywords: Automated Multimedia Tagging; Community Tagging; Multi-label Classification; Multi-label Decision Tree; Pattern Classification
Redundant clothing: a readily observable marker for schizophrenia in the psychiatric emergency room population.

Most mental health workers have seen bizarrely dressed patients who wear multiple pieces of some item of clothing. Since many of these patients carried a schizophrenic diagnosis, we devised a study to test whether redundant clothing is a reliable indicator of schizophrenia. Of 25 patients who presented at the city psychiatric emergency room wearing redundant clothes, 18 received schizophrenic diagnoses. A Chi square analysis comparing proportions attained significance at the P < .0001 level. Although not a particularly sensitive measure, wearing redundant clothes appears to be a readily observable behavior associated with schizophrenia in the psychiatric emergency room.
Classical Yang–Baxter Equation and the A∞-Constraint

Abstract We show that elliptic solutions of classical Yang–Baxter equation (CYBE) can be obtained from triple Massey products on an elliptic curve. We introduce the associative version of this equation which has two spectral parameters and construct its elliptic solutions. We also study some degenerations of these solutions.
PINA Is Essential for Growth and Positively Influences NIMA Function in Aspergillus nidulans

The phospho-Ser/Thr-directed prolyl-isomerase Pin1 was originally identified in vertebrate systems as a negative regulator of NIMA, a Ser/Thr protein kinase that regulates the G2/M transition in Aspergillus nidulans. Here we explore the physiological roles of the Pin1 orthologue, PINA, in A. nidulans and evaluate the relevance of the interaction of PINA with NIMA in this fungus. We find pinA to be an essential gene in A. nidulans. In addition, when PINA levels are reduced 50-fold the cells grow at a reduced rate. Upon germination under conditions that repress PINA expression, the cells are delayed in the interphase activation of NIMXcdc2, whereas they traverse the other phases of the cell cycle at a similar rate to controls. These results indicate that a marked reduction of PINA results in a lengthening of G1. Additionally, PINA repression increases the rate at which the cells enter mitosis following release from a hydroxyurea arrest without altering the sensitivity of the fungus to agents that activate the replication or DNA damage checkpoints. In contrast to predictions based on Pin1, the physical interaction between PINA and NIMA is primarily dependent upon the prolylisomerase domain of PINA and the C-terminal 303 amino acids of NIMA. Finally, reduction of PINA levels exacerbates the nimA5 temperature-sensitive mutant, whereas overexpression of PINA decreases the severity of this mutation, results that are consistent with a positive genetic interaction between PINA and NIMA. Thus, although PINA is essential and positively regulates NIMA function, A. nidulans is most sensitive to a reduction in PINA concentration in G1 rather than in G2/M.
Performance of a Vectorized Three-Dimensional Navier-Stokes Code on the CRAY-1 Computer

A three-dimensio nal, time-dependent Navier-Stokes code using MacCormack's explicit scheme has been vectorized for the CRAY-1 computer. Computations were performed for a turbulent, transonic, normal-shock wave boundary-layer interaction in a wind-tunnel diffuser. The vectorized three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code on the CRAY-1 computer achieved a speed of 128 times that of the original scalar code processed by a CYBER 74 computer. The vectorized version of the code outperforms the scalar code on the CRAY computer by a factor of 8.13. A comparison between the experimental data and the numerical simulation is also made.
Muscarinic Receptor Stimulation Increases Regulators of G-protein Signaling 2 mRNA Levels through a Protein Kinase C-dependent Mechanism *

RGS2, a member of the Regulators of G-protein Signaling family, modulates the activity of G-proteins coupled to the phosphoinositide signal transduction system, but little is known about what regulates RGS2. In human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells stimulation of muscarinic receptors by carbachol activates phosphoinositide signaling and also caused a rapid, large, and long lasting increase in RGS2 mRNA levels. Direct activation of protein kinase C also rapidly increased RGS2 mRNA levels. Inhibition of protein kinase C with Ro31-8220, GF109203x, or Go6976 or down-regulation of protein kinase C inhibited increases in RGS2 mRNA levels induced by carbachol or by the activation of protein kinase C. Blockade of calcium signaling did not alter carbachol-induced increases in RGS2 mRNA levels. Neither activation of epidermal growth factor receptors nor stimulation of cyclic AMP production with forskolin increased RGS2 mRNA levels. Pretreatment with actinomycin D blocked increases in RGS2 mRNA levels but caused a surprisingly small, although statistically significant, partial blockade of protein kinase C-mediated feedback inhibition of carbachol-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Thus, RGS2 mRNA levels are increased by activation of muscarinic receptors coupled to the phosphoinositide signal transduction system through a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism. This action may contribute to negative feedback control of this signaling cascade, but because the small contribution to negative feedback contrasts with the large and prolonged elevations in RGS2 mRNA levels, we speculate that its primary role may be in modulating other signaling components.
A 49-kDa mini-lipoxygenase from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 retains catalytically complete functionality.

Abstract Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is one of the few prokaryotes harboring a lipoxygenase (LOX) gene. The sequence resides in an open reading frame encoding a fusion protein of a catalase-like hemoprotein with an unusually short LOX (∼49 kDa) at the C terminus. The recombinant mini-LOX contains a non-heme iron in the active site and is highly active with linoleic and α-linolenic acids (which occur naturally in Anabaena) giving the respective 9R-hydroperoxides, the mirror image of the 9S-LOX products of plants. Using stereospecifically labeled [11-3H]linoleic acids we show that reaction is catalyzed via a typical antarafacial relationship of initial hydrogen abstraction and oxygenation. The mini-LOX oxygenated C16/C18:2-phosphatidylcholine with 9R specificity, suggesting a “tail first” mode of fatty acid binding. Site-directed mutagenesis of an active site Ala (Ala215), typically conserved as Gly in R-LOX, revealed that substitution with Gly retained 9R specificity, whereas the larger Val substitution switched oxygenation to 13S, implying that Ala215 represents the functional equivalent of the Gly in other R-LOX. Metabolism studies using a synthetic fatty acid with extended double bond conjugation, 9E,11Z,14Z-20:3ω6, showed that the mini-LOX can control oxygenation two positions further along the fatty acid carbon chain. We conclude that the mini-LOX, despite lacking the β-barrel domain and much additional sequence, is catalytically complete. Interestingly, animal and plant LOX, which undoubtedly share a common ancestor, are related in sequence only in the catalytic domain; it is possible that the prokaryotic LOX represents a common link and that the β-barrel domain was then acquired independently in the animal and plant kingdoms.
The multiple scattering of cosmic-ray muons in magnetic spectrometers

The multiple scattering of high-energy cosmic-ray muons in solid-iron magnetic-momentum spectrometers is investigated theoretically and the results are compared with experimental measurements. In particular, spectrometers which record orthogonal views of the muon trajectory are considered. In spectrometers of this type typically two projected angles are measured: 1) an angle ϕT in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic field and 2) another angle, ϕy, in a plane containing the magnetic-field vector. In the present work a new parameter α=ϕy/σϕT is defined and the theory of Moliere is used to derive a multiple-scattering probability distribution,f(α), which can be directly compared to spectrometer data. Here σ is the constant noise-to-signal ratio of the spectrometer as calculated by the Moliere theory. The new multiple-scattering distributionf(α) is independent of the cosmic-ray spectrum, thus allowing for the first time cosmic-ray spectrometer data to be used directly to investigate the predictions of multiple-scattering theory. Good agreement between theory and experiment is demonstrated for a sample of 8000 muon events measured with the AMH magnetic spectrometer.
Generic eigenvalue multiplicities for two-parameter families of operators

A theorem about two-parameter families of Schrodinger operators in proved; the potential is parameter dependent.
Derandomization of Wireless Channel Access using Automata in Sensor Networks

Low cost radio transceivers have enabled the deployment of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) using inexpensive and energy constrained nodes. Real time monitoring and control systems using WSNs often seek to maintain a given, but possibly varying spatial and/or temporal, sensing resolution. This control typically consists of both node participation and communication channel access (MAC). This paper proposes integrating both functions into a simple automaton achieving three benefits. First, control of the desired number of transmitting sensors in a given time period is maintained with small variance around the desired mean. Second, channel efficiency (60%) exceeds slotted-ALOHA without explicit synchronization of or idle listening by nodes. Third, the technique implicitly limits the channel load at the maximum supported level with no increase in collisions, and no additional overhead when the desired number of transmitting sensors exceeds the supported capacity.
Performance characteristics of lithium-ion cells for Mars sample return Athena Rover

Future planetary exploration missions, especially Landers and Rovers, will utilize lithium ion rechargeable batteries, due to their advantages of reduced mass and volume compared with nonlithium systems. In addition to the usual requirements of high specific energy and energy density, some applications, e.g., Mars Landers and Rovers, require the batteries to be functional over wide range of temperatures, i.e., -20 to +40/spl deg/C. Several prototypes with modified chemistries commensurate with these mission needs were built by US Battery manufacturers, in conjunction with a NASA-DoD Interagency developmental effort and are being tested at JPL in the last couple of years. The proposed Mars Rover will have three lithium ion batteries (with one serving the purpose of redundancy) connected in parallel, each with four 6-9 Ah cells in series, to augment the solar array. The charger for these Rover batteries is being designed and built in-house. In this paper, we present several performance characterization tests, including cycle life at different temperatures, rate capability at various charge/discharge rates and temperatures and real time and accelerated storage, which were carried out on these prototype cells in support of the Mars exploration missions.
Site-Directed Mutagenesis Maps Interactions That Enhance Cognate and Limit Promiscuous Catalysis by an Alkaline Phosphatase Superfamily Phosphodiesterase

Catalytic promiscuity, an evolutionary concept, also provides a powerful tool for gaining mechanistic insights into enzymatic reactions. Members of the alkaline phosphatase (AP) superfamily are highly amenable to such investigation, with several members having been shown to exhibit promiscuous activity for the cognate reactions of other superfamily members. Previous work has shown that nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (NPP) exhibits a >106-fold preference for the hydrolysis of phosphate diesters over phosphate monoesters, and that the reaction specificity is reduced 103-fold when the size of the substituent on the transferred phosphoryl group of phosphate diester substrates is reduced to a methyl group. Here we show additional specificity contributions from the binding pocket for this substituent (herein termed the R′ substituent) that account for an additional ∼250-fold differential specificity with the minimal methyl substituent. Removal of four hydrophobic side chains suggested on the basis...
On the Efficacy of Correcting for Refractive Effects in Iris Recognition

In this study, we aim to determine if iris recognition accuracy might be improved by correcting for the refractive effects of the human eye when the optical axes of the eye and camera are misaligned. We undertake this investigation using an anatomically-approximated, three-dimensional model of the human eye and ray-tracing. We generate synthetic iris imagery from different viewing angles using first a simple pattern of concentric rings on the iris for analysis, and then synthetic texture maps on the iris for experimentation. We estimate the distortion from the concentric-ring iris images and use the results to guide the sampling of textured iris images that are distorted by refraction. Using the well-known Gabor filter phase quantization approach, our model-based results indicate that the Hamming distances between iris signatures from different viewing angles can be significantly reduced by accounting for refraction. Over our experimental conditions comprising viewing angles from 0 to 60 degrees, we observe a median reduction in Hamming distance of 27.4% and a maximum reduction of 70.0% when we compensate for refraction. Maximum improvements are observed at viewing angles o/20deg-25deg.
A non-iterative method for emission tomographic image reconstruction with resolution recovery

We propose a non-iterative method called Local Regression FBP (LR-FBP) for emission tomographic image reconstruction with resolution recovery. The method processes the sinogram volume data by running a two-dimensional local regression (LR) algorithm over the image projections - this has the effect of improving data signal-to-noise-ratios (SNR) as it fits the image projections thus reducing noise. Resolution recovery is then performed on the fit sinogram and the Filtered Back Projection (FBP) reconstruction using a ramp filter is then applied. The simulation studies presented show that LR-FBP gives lower bias and improved resolution compared to conventional FBP. Imaging studies using the IndyPET-III Small Animal PET scanner and the Siemens/CTI Biograph-16 PET/CT scanner show qualitative improvements in image resolution and contrast, as well as possible quantitative improvements in contrast recovery.
Lack of Cetuximab induced skin toxicity in a previously irradiated field: case report and review of the literature

Mutation, amplification or dysregulation of the EGFR family leads to uncontrolled division and predisposes to cancer. Inhibiting the EGFR represents a form of targeted cancer therapy. We report the case of 79 year old gentlemen with a history of skin cancer involving the left ear who had radiation and surgical excision. He had presented with recurrent lymph node in the left upper neck. We treated him with radiation therapy concurrently with Cetuximab. He developed a skin rash over the face and neck area two weeks after starting Cetuximab, which however spared the previously irradiated area. The etiology underlying the sparing of the previously irradiated skin maybe due to either decrease in the population of EGFR expressing cells or decrease in the EGFR expression. We raised the question that "Is it justifiable to use EGFR inhibitors for patients having recurrence in the previously irradiated field?" We may need further research to answer this question which may guide the physicians in choosing appropriate drug in this scenario.
Monitoring Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Sex Pheromone-Treated Orchards with (E)-4,8-Dimethyl-1,3,7-Nonatriene or Pear Ester in Combination with Codlemone and Acetic Acid

Traps baited with ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate (pear ester) or (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) in two- or three-way combinations with the sex pheromone (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (codlemone) and acetic acid (AA) were evaluated for codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.). All studies were conducted in apple orchards, Malus domestica Borkhausen, treated with sex pheromone dispensers during 2010. Septa were loaded with codlemone, DMNT, and pear ester individually or codlemone with either DMNT or pear ester together (combo lures). Polyethylene vials loaded with AA were added as a co-lure. Residual analyses of field-aged combo lures and weight loss of the AA co-lure were conducted. AA vials lost 50-150 mg wk(-1). Weekly weight loss was not affected by field aging, but was closely correlated with the daily mean temperature. Pear ester was released from septa at a slightly higher but nonsignificant rate than codlemone. DMNT was released at a significantly higher rate than codlemone, and lures were effective for 4 wk. The addition of codlemone to traps baited with either host plant volatile plus AA had either no effect or significantly increased total moth catches. The addition of AA significantly increased the catch of female moths with either combo lure. Total moth catches in traps baited with pear ester or DMNT combo lures and AA did not differ and were either significantly higher or similar to the pear ester combo lure. These data suggest that codling moth may be more effectively monitored in sex pheromone-treated orchards with multi-component lures, including codlemone, AA, and host plant volatiles.
Non-isothermal unfolding/denaturing kinetics of egg white protein

Egg protein is an important part of our food to get protein in our daily diet, and makes this protein more important to researchers to understand its kinetic behavior to understand the energy involved in the digestion of the egg protein. Hence, the present study explores the denaturing kinetics of the protein obtained from the hen's egg white (EW) using high resolution calorimetric technique. Fresh EW was scanned for heating and cooling to see the ther- modynamics from 10 to 100 C at different heating ramp rates varying from 1 to 20 C min -1 . An endothermic peak was found on heating scan showing denaturing of protein which was found absent at the cooling indicating the absence of any residue after heating. The denature peak shifted towards higher temperature as ramp rate increases following Arrhenius behavior and shows an activated denaturing kinetics of the egg protein. This peak was also compared with the water to avoid water effects. Behavior of denaturing peak can be explained in terms of Arrhenius theory and further discussed to get the energy involved in digestion.
The Newton Bracketing Method for Convex Minimization

An iterative method for the minimization of convex functions {f}\,{:}\,{\bb R}^n \to {\bb R}, called a Newton Bracketing (NB) method, is presented. The NB method proceeds by using Newton iterations to improve upper and lower bounds on the minimum value. The NB method is valid for n e 1, and in some cases for n > 1 (sufficient conditions given here). The NB method is applied to large scale Fermat–Weber location problems.
Parent-Teen Communication About Sexual Topics

Parent-teen communication about sexual topics was examined in 666 mother-teen and 510 father-teen pairs. Parents and their 8th- through 12th-grade children completed parallel surveys that assessed demographic, relationship, and attitudinal variables hypothesized to be linked to sexual communication. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine which variables were linked to teens' reports of “one good talk” about each of three sexual topics (whether teen sex is okay, the dangers of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, and birth control) in the past year. Aside from gender of parents and teens, demographic variables were largely nonsignificant in the final models. Instead, relationship and attitudinal variables were linked to sexual discussions in both mother-teen and father-teen dyads. Discussion focused on implications for program development and directions for future research.