cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping theorems for gateaux differentiable and accretive operators

LET P BE a nonlinear operator mapping the Banach space X into the Banach space Y. There are many approaches to studying solvability of the equation Px = y for y E Y, a considerable number of which involve local or infinitesimal assumptions on the operator P. This is due in part to the fact that P frequently arises from a differential or integral operator which has monotonicity or smoothness properties for which local apriori estimates are readily obtainable. In this paper we derive mapping theorems for operators P satisfying two different kinds of local assumptions: differentiability assumptions and monotonicity assumptions. Our approach in the former case relies on an abstract Newton-Kantorovich scheme which was pioneered by M. Altman (see, for example, [l]) and further developed in [19]; in the latter case we extend some results of F. E. Browder using a combination of both new and standard techniques. In each case our basic technique involves an application of a new version of Ekeland’s Theorem, which we derive from a fundamental maximal principle of H. Brezis and F. E. Browder. In Section 2 of this paper we derive our new version of Ekeland’s Theorem and in Section 3 apply this result to nonlinear operators. Using different (and, by now, standard) techniques we prove a domain invariance result in Section 4 needed for our result an accretive operators.
The integration of ABET and CSAB

On November 3, 2001, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board (CSAB), two US-based accreditation agencies, were officially integrated into a single agency. This action is the result of many dedicated professionals' engaged in many hours of work and discussions over a period of eight years. It has happened because these professionals and the two organizations share the fundamental belief that students, faculty, educational institutions, the professions, industry, and the global community will be better served by a single organization having accreditation responsibility for educational programs in engineering, technology, computing, and applied sciences. This article discusses the historical background of engineering accreditation and the activities leading to the proposal for the integration of ABET and CSAB. The integration transition period from 1998-2001 is discussed and future directions outlined.
Structure and relative energies of the conformers of n‐butyl cyanide and 5‐hexynenitrile

The microwave spectrum of n-butyl cyanide and 5-hexynenitrile (5-cyano-1-pentyne) reveal the presence of three conformers that have been characterized. Each of these molecules can exist in anti–anti (AA), anti–gauche (AG), gauche–anti (GA), gauche–gauche (GG trans), and gauche–gauche′ (GG′ cis) conformations. The first three conformers have been observed experimentally and characterized in both compounds. In previous studies, we examined the microwave spectrum of the related n-butyl acetylene molecule and observed and characterized the mono-13C-isotopomers of the AA and GA forms of n-butyl acetylene as well as the AG form, albeit at lower intensity. The GG conformers, in both cis and trans arrangements have not been identified to date for these molecules. The structures and energies of the five possible conformers of each molecule have been determined through quantum mechanical calculations at the HF and MP2 levels of theory, using both double-zeta [6-31G(d,p)] and triple-zeta [6-311+G(d,p)] basis sets. The calculated energies of the five possible conformers of each molecule are close, and a change in the relative stability order of these conformers is found at different levels of theory. For n-butyl cyanide and n-butyl acetylene, the GA form lies lowest in energy, both experimentally and at the MP2 level of theory. For 5-hexynenitrile, the GG trans form is predicted to lie lowest in energy. The predicted conformer stability order is in agreement with a model of a net attractive electrostatic interaction between the π-electron densities and the closest hydrogen on the next-nearest-neighbor carbon. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002
Lumican suppresses cell proliferation and aids Fas-Fas ligand mediated apoptosis: Implications in the cornea

Abstract Lumican, an extracellular matrix (ECM) keratan sulfate proteoglycan, binds fibrillar collagen and limits collagen fibril diameter in the cornea, skin and tendon. Lumican-deficient mice (Lum−/−) develop abnormally thick collagen fibrils, translucent corneas and fragilities of the skin and the tendon. In addition to modulating interstitial ECM structure, here we hypothesized that lumican regulates proliferation and apoptosis of cells residing in the interstitium. Corneal and embryonic fibroblasts from the Lum−/− mouse show increased growth in culture. Lum−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), compared to their wild type counterparts, display increased rates of proliferation and decreased apoptosis. Ectopic expression of lumican in Lum−/− MEF or exogenous recombinant lumican in the culture medium reduces proliferation to rates seen in the Lum+/+ MEF. We further investigated the implications of lumican's proliferation and apoptosis regulatory role in the cornea where lumican is a major component of the stromal matrix. Stromal keratocytes undergo proliferation and apoptosis during corneal maturation and in the healing of injured cornea. The Lum−/− mouse shows increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis of stromal keratocytes during postnatal corneal maturation at the 10-day age. Apoptosis is also significantly down regulated in Lum−/− vis-a-vis Lum+/+ mice during stromal wound healing in the adult 6-week age. Lumican appears to regulate these cellular functions by modulating specific cell growth and apoptosis mediators. Thus, Lum−/− MEF have decreased p21WAF1/CIP1, a universal inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases and a consequent increase in cyclins A, D1 and E. Furthermore, the tumor suppressor p53, an upstream regulator of p21 is down regulated in the MEF and the cornea of Lum−/− mice. The evidence suggests regulation of p21 by lumican in a p53-dependent way. The MEF and the cornea of Lum−/− mice also show a dramatic decrease in Fas (CD95). The Lum−/− MEF fail to induce Fas upon treatment with Fas ligand. Fas–Fas ligand interaction is an initiating event in apoptosis and its disruption in lumican-deficiency may partly explain the observed decrease in apoptosis. Fas–Fas ligand mediated apoptosis is critical for maintaining the immune privileged status of the cornea, which implies a new and exciting role for lumican in the cornea.
The Significance of Data-driven Descriptions of Forms in Explicit Grammar Instruction

Abstract Researchers have been acknowledging that explicit grammar instruction has a positive effect on learners’ attainment of higher language-proficiency levels and that it is an important piece of the language teaching puzzle. One major issue in teaching lexico-grammatical elements of a language explicitly is that the descriptions of those elements are often not thorough enough to be accurately captured by a grammar rule. The descriptions in grammar books in many languages lack breadth and depth; a lot of linguistic elements may be left out, and those that are described are often not described in enough detail. This leaves students and teachers alike with unanswered questions or with rules that do not apply to all uses of a given linguistic element, both of which can be very frustrating for teachers and language learners. It is argued in this paper that descriptions of lexico-grammatical elements should be data-driven (not intuition-driven) and that corpus-linguistic analyses could help to provide actual usage-based, rather than intuition- based, descriptions and explanations to language elements. Such approach is illustrated through English and Turkish examples.
Parricide An Empirical Analysis of 24 Years of U.S. Data

Empirical analysis of homicides in which children have killed parents has been limited. The most comprehensive statistical analysis involving parents as victims was undertaken by Heide and used Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data for the 10-year period 1977 to 1986. This article provides an updated examination of characteristics of victims, offenders, and offenses in parricide incidents using SHR data for the 24-year period 1976 to 1999. The analysis proceeds in two stages. First, offense (homicide circumstances), victim (age, race), and offender (age, race, sex) correlates are reported. Second, juvenile involvement in incidents in which parents were killed is examined and a determination is made whether changes in youth involvement in parricide offenses are discernible over the 24-year period. The article concludes with a comparison of findings that emerged from 24 years of data with those from the earlier 10-year period and the discussion of the significance of these findings.
Ethanol modulates epidermal growth factor-stimulated tyrosine kinase and phosphorylation of PLC-γ1

Abstract A431 cells have an abundance of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) receptors which possess intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Treatment of membranes isolated from A431 cells with EGF caused a 2–3 fold increase in phosphorylation of a synthetic peptide (Arg-Arg-Leu-Ile-Glu-Asp-Ala-Glu-Tyr-Ala-Ala-Arg-Gly) which is a substrate for tyrosine kinase. Treatment of these membranes with 0.1 to 100 mM ethanol altered basal tyrosine kinase activity in a biphasic manner: increase at 10 mM and decrease at 100 mM ethanol. The treatment of the membranes with the same concentrations of ethanol also altered EGF's ability to stimulate tyrosine kinase activity: increase at 0.1 mM ethanol and decrease at 10 mM. Strikingly, EGF-stimulated tyrosine kinase was more sensitive to ethanol than the basal activity. Experiments with other alcohols showed a relationship between chain length and the inhibitory ability of the alcohol. These data demonstrate a biochemical effect of low concentrations of ethanol on tyrosine kinase. Interestingly, ethanol treatment of A431 cells inhibited EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of PLC- γ 1 which is a substrate for EGF receptor tyrosine kinase. It is concluded that ethanol at low concentrations has significant modulatory effect on basal and EGF-stimulated tyrosine kinase, as well as PLC- γ 1 phosphorylation.
Incorporating Cone-beam CT into the Treatment Planning for Yttrium-90 Radioembolization

Purpose To prepare for yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) microsphere radioembolization therapy, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and technetium- 99m–labeled macroaggregated albumin ( 99m Tc MAA) scintigraphy are used for treatment planning and detection of potential nontarget embolization. The present study was performed to determine if cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) affects treatment planning as an adjunct to these conventional imaging modalities. Materials and Methods From March 2007 to August 2008, 42 consecutive patients (21 men, 21 women; mean age, 59 years; range, 21–75 y) who underwent radioembolization were evaluated by CBCT in addition to DSA and 99m Tc MAA scintigraphy during treatment planning, and their records were retrospectively reviewed. The contrast-enhanced territories shown by CBCT with selective intraarterial contrast agent administration were used to predict intrahepatic and possible extrahepatic distribution of microspheres. Results In 22 of 42 cases (52%), extrahepatic enhancement or incomplete tumor perfusion seen on CBCT affected the treatment plan. In 14 patients (33%), the findings were evident exclusively on CBCT and not detected by DSA. When comparing CBCT versus 99m Tc MAA scintigraphy, CBCT showed eight cases of extrahepatic enhancement (19%) that were not evident on 99m Tc MAA imaging. CBCT findings directed the additional embolization of vessels or repositioning of the catheter for better contrast agent and microsphere distribution. One case of gastric ulcer from nontarget embolization caused by reader error was observed. Conclusions CBCT can provide additional information about tumor and tissue perfusion not currently detectable by DSA or 99m Tc MAA imaging, which should optimize 90 Y microsphere delivery and reduce nontarget embolization.
Attitudes Expressed by Students Toward a Beginning Course in Educational Psychology.

A 21-item attitude inventory was developed from representative statements made by 377 students concerning their expressed attitudes toward a beginning course in educational psychology in order to examine the stability of their attitudes between the midpoint and end of the course. A t-test analysis of results revealed positive change toward the course from pretest (n = 340) to posttest (n = 318) for sixteen items at or beyond the .05 level of significance. Of these sixteen items, fourteen were at or beyond the .01 level and thirteen were at or beyond the .001 level. The rationale and procedures used in the latter half of the course which appeared to influence such changes are described, and five implications for the teaching of beginning courses in educational psychology are suggested.
Survival of Swiss-Webster mouse cerebellar granule neurons is promoted by a combination of potassium channel blockers

Abstract Cultured cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) are commonly used to assess neurotoxicity, but are routinely maintained in supraphysiological (25 mM) extracellular K + concentrations [K + ] o . We investigated the effect of potassium channel blockade on survival of CGN derived from Swiss-Webster mice in supraphysiological (25 mM) and physiological (5.6 mM) [K + ] o . CGN were cultured for 5 days in 25 mM K + , then in 5.6 mM K + or 25 mM K + (control). Viability, assayed 24 h later by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction and by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, was ∼50% in 5.6 mM K + versus 25 mM K + ( p 2+ , individually afforded limited protection in 5.6 mM K + . However, survival in 5.6 mM K + with a combination of 4-AP, TEA and Ba 2+ was similar to survival in 25 mM K + without blockers ( p + alone). CGN survival in 25 mM K + was attenuated 25% by 2 μM nifedipine ( p > .001), but nifedipine did not attenuate neuroprotection by K + channel blockers. Together, these results suggest that the survival of CGN depends on the K + permeability of the membrane rather than the activity of a particular type of K + channel, and that the mechanism of neuroprotection by K + channel blockers is different from that of elevated [K + ] o .
A Pro250Arg substitution in mouse Fgfr1 causes increased expression of Cbfa1 and premature fusion of calvarial sutures

Pfeiffer syndrome is a classic form of craniosynostosis that is caused by a proline→arginine substitution at amino acid 252 (Pro252Arg) in fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). Here we show that mice carrying a Pro250Arg mutation in Fgfr1, which is orthologous to the Pfeiffer syndrome mutation in humans, exhibit anterio-posteriorly shortened, laterally widened and vertically heightened neurocraniums. Analysis of the posterior and anterior frontal, sagittal and coronal sutures of early post-natal mutant mice revealed premature fusion. The sutures of mutant mice had accelerated osteoblast proliferation and increased expression of genes related to osteoblast differentiation, suggesting that bone formation at the sutures is locally increased in Pfeiffer syndrome. Of note, dramatically increased expression of core-binding transcription factor α subunit type 1 (Cbfa1) accompanied premature fusion, suggesting that Cbfa1 may be a downstream target of Fgf/Fgfr1 signals. This was confirmed in vitro, where we demonstrate that transfection with wild-type or mutant Fgfr1 induces Cbfa1 expression. The induced expression was also observed using Fgf ligands (Fgf2 and Fgf8). These studies provide direct genetic evidence that the Pro252Arg mutation in FGFR1 causes human Pfeiffer syndrome and uncovers a molecular mechanism in which Fgf/Fgfr1 signals regulate intramembraneous bone formation by modulating Cbfa1 expression.
Pancreatic expression and secretion of human islet amyloid polypeptide in a transgenic mouse.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a secretory product of the pancreatic β-cell, which is the primary constituent of the islet amyloid that develops in type II diabetes. To study the role the inherent amyloidogenicity of human IAPP (hIAPP) plays in the formation of islet amyloid deposits and to investigate a possible hormonal role for IAPP, transgenic mice expressing hIAPP were developed. The transgene was composed of a fragment of an hIAPP cDNA linked to the rat insulin II promoter. One line of transgenic mice expressed the transgene and synthesized hIAPP in their pancreatic islets. IAPP-like immunoreactivity in pancreatic extracts and plasma were two- to threefold greater in the transgenic mice compared with nontransgenic control mice. Although plasma concentrations of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and glucose were equal in transgenic and control mice, the pancreatic content of IRI was nearly twofold greater in the transgenic animals, and proinsulin mRNA was significantly elevated, suggesting increased rates of insulin biosynthesis. Pancreatic samples obtained from transgenic mice up to 19 months of age had no evidence of islet amyloid. These results indicate that an increased level of synthesis of the amyloidogenic hIAPP is not sufficient to cause islet amyloid deposition. However, the increased synthesis and storage of insulin in the islets of the transgenic mice are consistent with either a direct regulatory effect of IAPP on the β-cell or indirect stimulation of insulin production through IAPP-induced insulin resistance.
Murine Immune Response to Neisseria meningitidis Group C Capsular Polysaccharide: Analysis of Monoclonal Antibodies Generated in Response to a Thymus-Independent Antigen and a Thymus-Dependent Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine

Antibody (Ab) responses to polysaccharides (PSs) such as Neisseria meningitidis group C PS (MCPS) are characterized as being thymus independent (TI) and are restricted with regard to clonotype and isotype expression. PS conjugated to proteins, e.g., MCPS coupled to tetanus toxoid (MCPS-TT), elicits a thymus-dependent (TD) response. In order to understand the influence of the form of a vaccine (TI versus TD) on the Ab repertoire, we generated monoclonal antibody (MAb) panels from mice immunized and boosted with MCPS or MCPS-TT in different ways. The panels of MAbs were examined for isotype, fine specificity, affinity, and V(H) gene family usage. The use of MCPS-TT resulted in a shift in the isotype from immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG3 elicited in response to the MCPS to primarily IgG1. This isotype shift was accompanied by a change in the fine specificity of the response to the conjugate compared to that of PS. New fine specificities and increased affinity were observed in response to the TD antigen (Ag). Dot blot and Northern analyses of MCPS MAbs revealed that V(H) gene family usage is dominated by V(H)J558, used by 23 of 39 MAbs. V(H)3609 was seen in three MAbs of restricted fine specificity. V(H)Q52, V(H)7183, and V(H)VGAM3-8 were seen in more than one MAb across these panels, while V(H)10 and V(H)X24 were detected only once in response to the TI-2 Ag. All MAbs in the panels utilized kappa light chains, and all functional J(kappa) genes were expressed.
A model for the temperature-dependent saturated I/sub D/-V/sub D/ characteristics of an a-Si:H thin-film transistor

A simplified analytical expression for the temperature dependent saturated I/sub D/-V/sub D/ characteristics of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin-film transistors, between -50 degrees C and 90 degrees C, is presented and experimentally verified. The results show that the experimental transfer and output characteristics at several temperatures are easily modeled by a single equation. The model is based on three functions obtained from the experimental data of I/sub D/ versus V/sub G/, over a range of temperature. Theoretical results confirm the simple form of the model in terms of the device geometry. As the temperature increased, the saturated drain current increased and, at a fixed gate voltage the device saturated at increasingly larger drain voltages while the threshold voltage decreased. Good agreement between the measured data and the model was obtained up to 363 K. Also observed at temperatures larger than 363 K was a decrease in I/sub D/ and more severe gate voltage hysteresis characteristics. >
Finite groups of essential dimension one

Abstract We give necessary and sufficient conditions for a finite group to have essential dimension 1 over an infinite ground field.
A new perspective on feature extraction for robust in-vehicle speech recognition

The problem of reliable speech recognition for in-vehicle applications has recently emerged as a challenging research domain. This study focuses on the feature extraction stage of this problem. The approach is based on Minimum Variance Distortionless Response (MVDR) spectrum estimation. MVDR is used for robustly estimating the envelope of the speech signal and shown to be very accurate and relatively less sensitive to additive noise. The proposed feature estimation process removes the traditional Mel-scaled filterbank as a perceptually motivated frequency partitioning. Instead, we directly warp the FFT power spectrum of speech. The word error rate (WER) is shown to decrease by 27.3% with respect to the MFCCs and 18.8% with respect to recently proposed PMCCs on an extended digit recognition task in real car environments. The proposed feature estimation approach is called PMVDR and conclusively shown to be a better speech representation in real environments with emphasis on time-varying car noise.
SRAM methodology for yield and power efficiency: per-element selectable supplies and memory reconfiguration schemes

We present a novel power-aware yield enhancement design methodology and reconfiguration scheme for deep submicron SRAM designs. We show that with the continued trend of raising array supply to counter process variations, it is more effective to use a per-element selectable virtual power-supply scenario as opposed to single array supply with traditional redundancy schemes. The element can be a bank, a sub-array, or an independent row/column, and the element's virtual supply value is determined based on fail bitmaps. The technique can also be used in conjunction with traditional redundancy schemes to further improve the efficiency. The supply and redundancy assignments can be obtained by relying on memory reconfiguration algorithms. For this, we propose a greedy yet accurate algorithm that runs in O(nlogn) as opposed to average case O(n2) traditional algorithms. The methodology leads to significant power savings ranging from 20% to 50% for 65 nm technology. We expect the savings to increase in future technologies as leakage powers dominate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time such a methodology is applied to SRAM designs.
The Effects of Stakes and Threat on Foreign Policy Decision‐Making

Decision research demonstrates that individuals adapt decision processing strategies according to the characteristics of the decision task. Unfortunately, the literature has neglected task factors specific to foreign policy decisions. This paper presents experimental analyses of the effects of the decisional stakes (i.e., salience of the values at issue) and threat (risk of loss on those issues) on decision-makers' information acquisition patterns and choice rules with respect to one of four hypothetical foreign policy scenarios. Contrary to the notion that normative (rational) decision-making is more likely in less dramatic settings, the results indicate that elevated threat encourages rational decision processing, whereas heuristic processing was more prevalent in less threatening situations. Interestingly, the added presence of high stakes magnified both threat effects. These results, although preliminary, suggest that stakes-threat effects are not direct reflections of stress and/or complexity effects, but should be considered independently in foreign policy analyses.
Further Studies on the Influence of Aureomycin in the Chick Diet upon Subsequent Reproductive Performance of Laying Hens

Abstract SIZEMORE, Lillie, Denton and Bird (1953) reported the effect of a vitamin B12-antibiotic feed supplement to the chick diet upon the subsequent reproductive performance of Rhode Island Red pullets. When a vitamin B12 deficient breeder diet was fed, the hatchability of fertile eggs produced by pullets reared on antibiotic-supplemented diets was greater than that of fertile eggs produced by pullets reared without an antibiotic. In some cases the hatchability differences persisted throughout the first laying year of the experiment. To determine the duration of persistence of the hatchability differences, the experiment was carried through the second laying year and the results are presented in this paper. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The experimental procedure was the same during the second year as during the first year. Two cockerels per pen were substituted for the old males. The hens that were carried over into the second year had received as growing diets the Connecticut …
The “Little Five”: Exploring the Nomological Network of the Five-Factor Model of Personality in Adolescent Boys

The California Child Q-set (CCQ) was used to explore the structure of personality in early adolescence and to develop scales to measure the "Big Five" dimensions: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience. Mothers provided Q-sorts of 350 ethnically diverse boys between 12 and 13 years old. Analyses of the construct validity of the scales provided a nomological network relating the Big Five to theoretically and socially important criterion variables, such as juvenile delinquency, Externalizing and Internalizing disorders of childhood psychopathology, school performance, IQ, SES, and race. These effects were obtained using diverse methods, including self-reports from the boys, ratings by their mothers and their teachers, and objective-test data. In addition to the Big Five, analyses also suggested 2 possibly age-specific dimensions of personality in early adolescence. Discussion is focused on the changing manifestations of personality traits throughout development.
Fulminant brain necrosis from atrial myxoma showers.

Atrial myxoma is uncommon and may be associated with brief isolated ischemic events. We describe a patient with atrial myxoma and an incompletely evaluated ischemic stroke followed 1 year later with almost complete brain necrosis.A 63-year-old woman presented with a rapidly progressive illness resulting in coma within 24 hours from multiple myxomatous emboli. Cranial computed tomographic scan demonstrated multiple hypodensities in both cerebellar and cerebral hemispheres. Postmortem examination revealed virtually complete brain necrosis, multiple peripheral artery embolizations, embolization in the coronary arteries with acute myocardial infarction, and tumor emboli in the spleen and kidneys.Although uncommon, atrial myxoma may present as a fatal multiple organ embolization that includes both anterior and posterior circulation territories of the brain.
Bowel Herniation Through Broad Ligament Mimicking Ovarian Torsion: A Novel Presentation

Ovarian torsion is an important differential diagnosis in female patients with severe, lower abdominal pain. We report a patient in whom torsion was considered. However, laparoscopy demonstrated an obstructed bowel loop adjacent to adnexa. Patient had bilateral defects in broad ligament, causing migration and incarceration of bowel on left side. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jcgo163w
Development and assessment of personal skills and aptitudes

Professionalism is an inherent attribute to the practice of surgery. Historically, the importance of this quality arose later than the earliest three fundamental principles of medical knowledge, diagnostic ability, and technical skill. In the modern era, society has clearly come to require that its surgeons embrace professionalism as a fundamental principle. It now stands among the six core competencies that all United States training programs teach and measure. We define professionalism as the pursuit of excellence, the display of humanism, an altruistic commitment, and accountability to all interactions with society. Surgeons teach professionalism to their trainees every day, sometimes by formal curricula but more often by the unspoken and unsuspected modeling of behavior. These methods can be structured into a teaching program. To that program, active practice and engagement in continuous professionalism improvement ought to be added. In this way, a true method of professionalism training can be made that allows for formal assessment.
High Resolution Electron Transfer Dissociation Studies of Unfractionated Intact Histones from Murine Embryonic Stem Cells Using On-line Capillary LC Separation DETERMINATION OF ABUNDANT HISTONE ISOFORMS AND POST-TRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATIONS

Epigenetic regulation of chromatin is dependent on both the histone protein isoforms and state of their post-translational modifications. The assignment of all post-translational modification sites for each individual intact protein isoform remains an experimental challenge. We present an on-line reversed phase LC tandem mass spectrometry approach for the separation of intact, unfractionated histones and a high resolution mass analyzer, the Orbitrap, with electron transfer dissociation capabilities to detect and record accurate mass values for the molecular and fragment ions observed. From a single LC-electron transfer dissociation run, this strategy permits the identification of the most abundant intact proteins, determination of the isoforms present, and the localization of post-translational modifications.
Overview of substance use disorders and incarceration of african american males.

Incarceration affects the lives of many African American men and often leads to poverty, ill health, violence, and a decreased quality of life. There has been an unprecedented increase in incarceration among African American males since 1970. In 2009, the incarceration rate among black males was 6.7 times that of white males and 2.6 times of Hispanic males. Substance abuse in African American males leads to higher mortality rates, high rates of alcohol-related problems, more likely to be victims of crimes and HIV/AIDS. African Americans comprised only 14% of the US population but comprised 38% of the jail population. The cost of incarcerating persons involved in substance related crimes has increased considerably over the past two decades in the United States. A reduction in the incarceration rate for non-violent offences would save an estimated $17 billion per year. Substance use disorder makes the individual more prone to polysubstance use and leads to impulse control problems, selling drugs and other crimes. The high rate of incarceration in U.S. may adversely affect health care, the economy of the country and will become a burden on society. Implementation of good mental health care, treatment of addiction during and after incarceration will help to decrease the chances of reoffending. Therapeutic community programs with prison-based and specialized treatment facilities, cognitive behavioral therapy treatment for 91–180 days, and 12-step orientation with staff specialized in substance abuse can be helpful. It is essential for health care professionals to increase public awareness of substance abuse and find ways to decrease the high rates of incarceration.
The spectral slope coefficient of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (S275–295) as a tracer of terrigenous dissolved organic carbon in river‐influenced ocean margins

The present study demonstrates that the spectral slope coefficient of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) between 275 nm and 295 nm (S275–295) can be used as a tracer of the percent terrigenous dissolved organic carbon (%tDOC) in river-influenced ocean margins, where rivers exert an important control on carbon dynamics and CO2 fluxes. Absorption coefficients of CDOM and concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved lignin were measured on a seasonal basis in the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers and in surface waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGoM). A strong, linear relationship between lignin concentrations and CDOM absorption coefficients indicated lignin is an important chromophore in this environment. The dual nature of lignin as an important chromophore in CDOM and as a terrigenous component of DOC facilitated development of the tracer. The applicability of the tracer relies on the existence of a strong, nonlinear relationship between S275–295 and the DOC-normalized lignin yield in rivers and along the freshwater– marine continuum in the NGoM. Physical mixing and the effects of photodegradation on S275–295 and dissolved lignin were largely responsible for maintaining this relationship, suggesting the tracer is applicable to surface waters of most river-influenced ocean margins. The spectral slope coefficient (S275–295) provides new capabilities to trace tDOC on synoptic scales of relevance to ocean margins and represents an important tool for improving ocean carbon budgets. The key processes controlling carbon transformations in ocean margins remain poorly quantified, thereby limiting our understanding of how the coastal ocean affects the ocean carbon cycle and atmospheric CO2. Ocean margins account for , 10% of the global ocean surface area but
Distorting reality for children: Body size proportions of Barbie and Ken dolls

Using hip measurements as a constant, calculations were made to determine the changes necessary for a young, healthy adult woman and man to attain the same body proportions as Barbie and Ken dolls, respectively. Among the changes necessary were for the female to increase 24 in. in height, 5 in. in the chest, and 3.2 in. in neck length, while decreasing 6 in. in the waist, and for the male to increase 20 in. in height, 11 in. in the chest, and 7.9 in. in neck circumference. Like adults, children are exposed to highly unrealistic ideals for shape and weight.
Mice or Men, Sheep or Goats, Colleges or “Clubs”?

(1948). Mice or Men, Sheep or Goats, Colleges or “Clubs”? The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 92-131.
Common foliar fungi of Populus trichocarpa modify Melampsora rust disease severity

Nonpathogenic foliar fungi (i.e. endophytes and epiphytes) can modify plant disease severity in controlled experiments. However, experiments have not been combined with ecological studies in wild plant pathosystems to determine whether disease-modifying fungi are common enough to be ecologically important. We used culture-based methods and DNA sequencing to characterize the abundance and distribution of foliar fungi of Populus trichocarpa in wild populations across its native range (Pacific Northwest, USA). We conducted complementary, manipulative experiments to test how foliar fungi commonly isolated from those populations influence the severity of Melampsora leaf rust disease. Finally, we examined correlative relationships between the abundance of disease-modifying foliar fungi and disease severity in wild trees. A taxonomically and geographically diverse group of common foliar fungi significantly modified disease severity in experiments, either increasing or decreasing disease severity. Spatial patterns in the abundance of some of these foliar fungi were significantly correlated (in predicted directions) with disease severity in wild trees. Our study reveals that disease modification is an ecological function shared by common foliar fungal symbionts of P. trichocarpa. This finding raises new questions about plant disease ecology and plant biodiversity, and has applied potential for disease management.
Dynamic quantitative operational risk assessment of chemical processes

Abstract This paper presents a novel dynamic quantitative risk assessment method to analyze the operational performance of chemical processes. Unlike traditional methods, the proposed method estimates the probability of undesirable event occurrence by monitoring multiple key variables in the process. This probability is continuously updated considering real-time disturbances in the variables. The consequences are estimated using dynamic loss functions developed considering multiple key state variables. As a result, the process׳ operational performance is assessed dynamically in the form of quantitative risk (dollar) value. The quantitative dynamic risk value helps to make swift operational decisions to maintain the process within the safer operating limits, thus preventing untoward incidents/accidents. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methodology, it is tested on two case studies, a simple tank system and the benchmark Tennessee Eastman process.
Molecular Mechanism of Competitive Adsorption of αs1-Casein and β-Casein at Liquid Interfaces

Food proteins are generally mixtures of several protein components. Thus, the foaming and emulsifying properties of commercial food proteins, such as egg-white, soy protein isolate, caseins, whey proteins, etc., are dependent on relative rates of binding and affinity of the protein components. Changes in composition during protein isolation or intentional manipulation of the composition of a protein mixture may alter the functional properties of the protein. Therefore, knowledge of the molecular factors that affect competitive adsorption of proteins at interfaces may be very useful in preparing protein ingredients that exhibit optimal functional properties in food systems.
‘Circling the wagons’ and community formation: interpreting circular villages in the archaeological record

AbstractIn some respects, the circular village layout might appear to be the ultimate expression of an egalitarian and highly integrated communal society, one in which individual needs are clearly subsumed to the needs of the community as a whole. Cross-cultural studies in Amazonia and the eastern United States, however, suggest that this form of village organization may not be tied so closely to internal social organization as to regional context. The circular village layout may have been important in creating an uneasy but workable group identity vis-a-vis outsiders within a specific social context: that of regional demographic change, social uncertainty and violent inter-village conflict. Recent research in central New Mexico indicates that this regional context may also have been an important factor behind the construction of the little-known circular pueblo at Gran Quivira, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.
Beyond adolescence: Problem-Behavior Theory and young adulthood

For more than a quarter of a century, our research has been guided by a social-psychological framework we refer to as Problem-Behavior Theory. Derived initially from the basic concepts of value and expectation in Rotter's (1954, 1982) social learning theory and from Merton's (1957) concept of anomie, the framework was first applied in a comprehensive study of alcohol abuse and other problem behaviors in a small, tri-ethnic community in southwestern Colorado (Jessor, Graves, Hanson, & Jessor, 1968). Subsequently, the framework was revised to accommodate a major, longitudinal study of problem behavior and psychosocial development in cohorts of junior high school adolescents and college youth (Jessor & Jessor, 1977). It also provided the theoretical basis for two large-scale, national surveys of junior–senior high school youth, with a special focus on the psychosocial correlates of alcohol and drug use (Donovan & Jessor, 1978, 1983; Jessor, Chase, & Donovan, 1980; Jessor, Donovan, & Widmer, 1980). More recently, Problem-Behavior Theory, again revised and extended, has been guiding the follow-up study of the earlier longitudinal cohorts of adolescents and youth as they have traversed through young adulthood; that is the study reported in this volume. Finally, the theory has been elaborated further to guide our most recent research involving the larger domain of health-compromising and health-enhancing behavior in youth (Costa, Jessor, & Donovan, 1989; Donovan, Jessor, & Costa, 1991; Jessor, 1984).
Fine Structure Studies of Cytoplasmic Viruses Associated with Frog Tumors

A relatively short period of time has elapsed since the discovery of cytoplasmic, polyhedral frog viruses, first in both uninoculated “normal” and malignant kidney cultures (1), and then in vivo (2). Since that time particular emphasis has been placed on biochemical aspects of viral maturation events (3, 4, 5) and the relationship between input multiplicity of infection and inclusion body formation in tissue culture (6). Studies concerning the effect of these viruses on immature frogs (7), newts (8) and toads have also been conducted. From the viewpoint of morphology, particles observed in vitro (9) appear to be identical to those seen in certain cells of renal adenocarcinomas. Since this group or class of viruses appears in many respects to be unique, they have rapidly gained the attention of investigators interested in possible model virus systems.
Variant: a malware similarity testing framework

This paper describes Variant, a testing framework for projects attempting to locate variants of malware families through similarity testing. The framework is a series of tests and data standards to evaluate recall and precision in tools that attempt to statically measure similarity in implementation of compiled software, specifically in determining code reuse in compiled software to identify malware variants. The paper offers a malware test dataset that has been manually analyzed to provide a gold standard dataset to be used in current and future malware variant detection works. This set provides a much needed resource in standardizing results across numerous works that have, so far, been tested against datasets that are either not reproducible, algorithmically derived, or both. The framework and dataset provided in this paper are used to test several malware detection approaches published in academic works or used in industry. Finally, the paper brings alignment of testing and reporting methods used in malware variant detection to those used in other statical testing methods used in industry and academia.
The Multifaceted Reactivity of o-Fluoranil

In addition to Diels-Alder and hetero-Diels-Alder reactions, tetrafluoro-o-benzoquinone (o-fluoranil) undergoes nucleophilic additions, addition-eliminations, dioxole formation, and charge-transfer complexation, reacting at every site on the molecular skeleton. It also effects dehydrogenations and other oxidations. The quinone can function as a (CF)(4) synthon.
Perovskite ceramics and recent experimental progress in reactor design for chemical looping combustion application

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a novel method of carbon capture and sequestration. It facilitates CO2 capture by lower energy penalties compared with other methods in this category. The major challenges encountered in CLC are oxygen carrier, reactor and fuel-type selection. A proper combination of these factors is required for an efficient CLC. There have been several studies with regard to oxygen carriers applicable to these processes: novel oxygen carriers, single perovskites and potential oxygen carriers, double perovskites, have been investigated for their oxygen capture and release properties in a number of studies. Different kinds of reactors have also been proposed for use in CLC processes. This paper presents information on the materials capable of oxygen storage and release and the different kinds of reactors investigated for CLC in different studies. It has been shown that, although there are several oxygen carriers and reactors with the desired function and efficiency for CLC, there remains the need for further improvement and optimisation in both areas. © 2014 Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences
Early potentiation of the vasoconstrictor action of norepinephrine by guanethidine.

SummaryIntravenous guanethidine enhances the pressor effect of norepinephrine. These experiments show that the increased pressor response in dogs resulted from augmentation of the vasoconstrictor action of norepinephrine rather than from higher blood flow. In humans the increased pressor response was the result of both increased vascular tone and higher flow.
At the End of Their Rope: A Research Note on the Influence of Parental Low Self-Control and Juvenile Delinquency on Parental Exasperation

The concept of self-control has been used to account for a wide variety of outcomes, both criminal and otherwise. Recently, researchers have started investigating associations between parental self...
The Ethics of Vagrancy

Exploring the double-bind that structures the axiomatic movements of capital, I attempt to unearth the implicit symbolic engagements between the constantly re-striating structures of capital. Progress, as a notion, remains true in its content while impervious in its form; the dismantling of this reconciliation that has been understood as “progress” thereby becomes absolutely necessary. My essay demonstrates that the movements of political/social/economical striations are used in an ideological manner to characterize progressivity in the face of its insidious reconciliation. In this vein, the liberal understanding of universal equality contains the presupposition of progressive linearity that can only stem from an image of thought that misperceives the striated nature of capital. Through such a re-analysis, this essay attempts to reconceive the nature of an ethics that could resist the overdetermination of capitalistic axiomatizations. Furthermore, I attempt to delve into the analysis of the symbolic that subjugates molar subjects, along with the flows that constitutes the molecular, in order to fully understand the immanent movements that structure the libidinal and ideological economy.
Occupational Health Examination on Workers with Benzene Exposure in A Chemical Enterprise of Wuxi City in 2008

[Objective]To understand the effect of benzene and its series on health of workers in a chemical enterprise of Wuxi City.[Methods]The questionnaire was based on related regulations and standards. Totally 323 workers of a chemical enterprise were examined in 2008.[Results]Forty-nine workers' Leucocyte count and platelet count were less than 4.5×109/L and 80×109/L,accounting for 23.6%; 208 (64.4%) had common disease with single index abnormal,taking hypertension,liver and liver-related common diseases as common.[Conclusion]Occupational hazard protection of this enterprise does not meet the requirements,according to "Law of the People's Republic of China on Prevention and Control of Occupational Diseases". It is necessary to further strengthen publicity and implementation in prevention of occupational diseases,and do special survey on related environment hazard.
Neuropeptides and Seizures

A large number of biologically active peptides have been identified in brain over the past 10 years. Although a number of these compounds have been implicated to one degree or another in experimental epilepsy, the most intense interest, to date, concerning a role for neuropeptides in epilepsy, has focused primarily on the opioid peptides. The author reviews this group of peptides.