cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Somatic generation of antibody diversity

In the genome of a germ-line cell, the genetic information for an immunoglobulin polypeptide chain is contained in multiple gene segments scattered along a chromosome. During the development of bone marrow-derived lymphocytes, these gene segments are assembled by recombination which leads to the formation of a complete gene. In addition, mutations are somatically introduced at a high rate into the amino-terminal region. Both somatic recombination and mutation contribute greatly to an increase in the diversity of antibody synthesized by a single organism.
Impact of Scheduling Free Goods on the Throughput Performance of a Manufacturing Operation

Theory of Constraints philosophy operates under the assumption that the goal of a for-profit business is to ‘Make money now and in the future’. Consequently, it is a manager's job continuously to search for ways to increase their operation's throughput. Increasing the amount of free goods the operation accepts is one way a manager can do this. Free goods are items that do not use the capacity of the operation's primary constraint. Because of this, it is possible to increase their output. However, increasing the number of free goods processed decreases the amount of protective capacity within the operation. Protective capacity plays a key role in the ability of an operation to deliver orders on time. Increasing the amount of free goods the operation processes is an action that could jeopardize the system's future throughput because it will impact on the operation's ability to ship orders on time. In order for managers to fulfil the goal of making money now and in the future, they must maximize total throug...
High-LET radiations induce a large proportion of non-rejoining DNA breaks

THE mechanisms by which mammalian cells are killed by ionising radiation have not been explained at the molecular level and radiations with a high linear energy transfer (LET) can provide an important tool for investing these mechanisms. High-LET radiations, such as neutrons, π-mesons and low-energy heavy ions are known to kill bacteria1,2, yeast3,4, and mammalian cells in vitro5–9 more efficiently per unit dose than radiations with diffuse patterns of ionization, or low-LETs, such as γ or X rays. Other radiobiological phenomena associated with high-LET radiations are a reduced effect of chemical modifiers, for example, oxygen10, on cellular radiation sensitivity and reduction or loss of cellular ability to recover from radiation damage between split radiation doses5,8. Because of these and other attributes, including the favourable depth–dose distribution of heavy ions and π-mesons, high-LET radiations are being actively considered for use in cancer radiation therapy11,12, and a thorough understanding of their biological effects is necessary for them to be used to advantage clinically. We report here that, over an LET range of 1–1953 KeV µm−1, there is an excellent correlation between the efficiency of exponential (single-hit) cell killing and the induction of non-rejoining DNA strand breaks, as measured on alkaline sucrose gradients. This correlation implies that non-rejoined breaks are a cause of cell death.
Nitrification in subalpine balsam fir soils: Tests for inhibitory factors

Previous work has shown that nitrification is negligible in floors of subalpine balsam fir forests but proceeds vigorously in the Al horizon beneath the forest floor. This paper describes a series of experiments designed to determine the causes for lack of NO−3 production in the forest floor. These experiments showed that denitrification was not important and that autotrophic nitrifiers were present. Increases in pH, essential nutrients and inoculum did not enhance nitrification, indicating that an inhibitor rather than a limiting factor was involved. Analysis of forest floor and Al showed that aluminum was present at concentrations greater than those found to inhibit nitrification in culture. Since the Al was actively nitrifying, it seemed unlikely that aluminum was responsible for nitrification inhibition in the forest floor. Finally, a methanol extract of polyphenols from the forest floor was added to the Al significantly reducing nitrification. These experiments suggest that the higher phenolic concentrations are responsible for inhibition of nitrification in the forest floor.
Exploring Preservice Teachers' Emerging Understandings of Disciplinary Literacy.

This qualitative inquiry examined 14 secondary preservice teachers’ emerging understandings of disciplinary literacy. Data included preservice teachers’ written reflections and annotated lesson plans, which were analyzed for understanding of discipline-specific habits of thinking, texts, reading and writing demands of academic texts, language and vocabulary, and instructional tools. Findings revealed the current literacy course provided limited understanding of disciplinary literacy, exposing areas for course improvement. Annotated lesson plans and structured reflections were useful tools to help preservice teachers examine instructional decisions and strengthen understanding of disciplinary literacy. Limitations included small sample size, minimal sources of triangulated data, short duration of study, and inadequate focus on disciplinary literacy as the mainstay of the course. Implications for strengthening teacher preparation through course reframing and collaborative partnerships are discussed.
Difficulties with a quantum chromodynamic formulation of non-leptonic decays

Abstract A new model for non-leptonic weak interactions has been recently proposed which is based on the introduction of a right handed charm and strangeness changing weak current. We show that this model can be made to fit the data on B → B ′ π and B → B ′ γ decays only if several ad hoc assumptions of large SU 3 breaking are made. We also review the success of the conventional Cabibbo current-current model in fitting all of the non-leptonic data.
Near-optimum serial concatenation of single-parity codes with convolutional codes

A class of concatenated codes using convolutional codes and low-density parity check codes as component codes is proposed, extending the author's previous work. A special case is considered serial concatenation of single parity check codes as the outer code, a convolutional code with recursive systematic encoder as the inner code, separated by a random interleaver. A way to design the interleaver ‘or the corresponding LDPC code’ is presented to minimise the correlation between the extrinsic information. The results show that this parity concatenated code can operate within 0.45 dB of the Shannon limit. Similar to the parity concatenated codes presented in earlier work, these codes are superior in approaching the sphere packing bound (SPB), achieve near-SPB decoding can be achieved for block sizes ranging from 200 (about 0.8 dB) to 10 000 (within 0.6 dB) information bits (for a block error rate of 10−4). The improvement over previous coding schemes is 0.3–0.4 dB for block lengths more than 300 bits, and over JPL turbo codes is 0.3 dB for block lengths less than 1000 bits. A reliable error-detection method is proposed that makes this coding scheme very attractive for communications using short packets.
The saving–investment correlation puzzle is still a puzzle

Abstract A number of simulation studies claim to have solved the Feldstein–Horioka puzzle by demonstrating that a high time-series correlation between saving and investment naturally arises from business cycle shocks. This paper uses panel data of saving and investment controlled for business cycle shocks to empirically test the significance of cyclical shocks — productivity, fiscal and the terms of trade shocks — in explaining a high saving–investment correlation. The estimation results reveal that conventional aggregate shocks only partially explain the high saving–investment correlation. Moreover, country differences in the size of the GNP and the non-traded sector do not significantly affect the saving–investment correlation. The saving–investment correlation puzzle remains a puzzle after all.
Towards cost-efficient EMI shielding materials using carbon nanostructure-based nanocomposites

Using a combination of dispersing low-cost carbon nanofibers and a small quantity of carbon nanotubes within the polystyrene matrix, we have demonstrated the formation of a novel nanocomposite with superior microstructure and improved electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding characteristic. This nanocomposite is very promising for use as an effective and practical EMI shielding material owing to its high shielding effectiveness, light weight, low cost, and easy processability.
Mechanism of metal-promoted catalysis of nucleic acid hydrolysis by Escherichia coli ribonuclease H

Catalytic activation of Escherichia coli ribonuclease H by a series of inert chromium complexes [Cr(NH3)6-x(H2O)x]3+ (x = 0–6) that bear water and ammine ligands in well-defined geometries in the inner coordination shell has been examined. Such complexes are observed to function by transition state stabilization. The importance of hydrogen bonding and electrostatics to catalytic activation of this reaction were quantitatively evaluated. The availability of [Cr(NH3)6-x(H2O)x]3+ complexes of varying coordination geometry also affords a probe of the preferred structural arrangement for hydrogen-bonding interactions. Under the solution conditions employed, a facial array of bound water molecules is required to promote catalysis, as expected from comparison with the ligation of the enzyme-bound Mg2+–cofactor. These results exclude a structural role for the essential metal cofactor. Hydrogen bonding appears to be the dominant stabilizing interaction. In the absence of bound water ligands (for example, in the specific cases of Cr(NH3)63+ and Co(NH3)63+), hydrogen bond stabilization is precluded: however, catalysis is observed as a result of the increased positive charge on the complex. Apparently the trivalent charge offsets the poorer hydrogen bonding abilities of the ammine ligands.
Scatterometry measurements for process monitoring of polysilicon gate etch

This paper presents results from a prototype scatterometer which show that distinctly different zeroth-order diffraction signatures are produced for wafers processed under different etch conditions. We present comparisons between the profiles estimated using the scatterometer signatures and those measured using atomic force microscopy, in-line scanning electron microscopy, and cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy. We found that all the metrology techniques investigated provided useful information about the profile characteristics, but only the atomic force microscope and the scatterometer are suitable as in-line measurements of critical dimension profiles -- and only scatterometry provides estimates of the underlying film structure. In this study, the wafers consisted of patterned photoresist over blanket layers of a deep-ultravoilet anti-reflection coating, polysilicon, and silicon dioxide. These wafers were intentionally varied at the lithography step and intentionally misprocessed at the gate etch step to produce a wide range of process variation. Scatterometry measurements were made on multiple dies per wafer and estimates of feature profile information such as film thickness and critical dimension were generated by comparing the experimental signature to a library of theoretical solutions. We found that the scatterometer was capable of showing signal differences for different wafer processing conditions, and can be used as an in-line measurement of profile characteristics suitable for closed- loop process control of lithographic and etch processes.
Exploring schema similarity at multiple resolutions

Large, dynamic, and ad-hoc organizations must frequently initiate data integration and sharing efforts with insufficient awareness of how organizational data sources are related. Decision makers need to reason about data model interactions much as they do about data instance interactions in OLAP: at multiple levels of granularity. We demonstrate an integrated environment for exploring schema similarity across multiple resolutions. Users visualize and interact with clusters of related schemas using a tool named Affinity. Within any cluster, users may drill-down to examine the extent and content of schema overlap. Further drill down enables users to explore fine-grained element-level correspondences between between two selected schemas.
Areas of Worklife and the Athlete Burnout-Engagement Relationship

The global athlete burnout–engagement relationship was investigated using the areas of worklife and relevant conceptual antecedents. Participants were 227 collegiate football players who completed an online survey assessing study variables. Athlete scores on the areas of worklife measure fit the data as expected. Two contrasting mediational models that incorporated the areas of worklife as antecedent to burnout and engagement, respectively, exhibited similar fit. However, Akaike information criterion (AIC) values and other model estimates indicated that these models were not equivalent. The findings suggest that athlete burnout and engagement are strongly and inversely correlated, but may not exist on a conceptual continuum. Further research using the areas of worklife is warranted.
Extracellular signal-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors decrease amphetamine-induced behavior and neuropeptide gene expression in the striatum.

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine whether inhibition of the extracellular-regulated kinase signaling pathway decreases acute amphetamine-induced behavioral activity and neuropeptide gene expression in the rat striatum. Western blotting revealed that extracellular-regulated kinase1/2 phosphorylation was highly induced in the rat striatum 15 min after an acute amphetamine (2.5mg/kg, i.p.) injection without altering the total amount of extracellular-regulated kinase protein. In a separate experiment, the systemic injection of SL327, a selective inhibitor of extracellular regulated kinase kinase that crosses the blood–brain barrier, 1 h prior to amphetamine administration decreased amphetamine-induced vertical and horizontal activity. Quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry showed that SL327 abolished the high levels of preproenkephalin and preprodynorphin mRNA induced by amphetamine in the striatum with no alteration of their basal levels. In another set of experiments, the hyperlocomotor activity induced by amphetamine was reduced by pretreatment with intra-striatal infusion of U0126. U0126 also blocked the amphetamine-induced increases in phospho-extracellular-regulated kinase and preproenkephalin and preprodynorphin gene expression in the striatum. These data indicate that activation of the extracellular-regulated kinase cascade contributes to the behavioral effects and changes in striatal neuropeptide gene expression induced by acute amphetamine.
2D and 3D transient heat conduction analysis by BEM via particular integrals

Abstract Particular integral formulations are presented for 2D and 3D transient potential flow (heat conduction) analysis. The results of the analysis are compared with an alternative formulation developed using the volume integral conversion approach. Although the mathematical foundation of the two methods are different both formulations are shown to produce almost identical results. For the particular integral formulation, the steady-state heat conduction equation is used as the complementary solution and two global shape functions (GSFs) are considered to approximate the transient term of the heat conduction equation. The numerical results for three example problems are given and compared with their analytical solutions.
Translation and the stability of mRNAs encoding the transferrin receptor and c-fos.

Abstract Turnover of the full-length human transferrin receptor (TfR) mRNA is regulated by iron, and this regulation is mediated by the transcript's 3' untranslated region. Alterations in the sequence of the TfR mRNA regulatory region have been identified that render the mRNA unregulated by iron and intrinsically unstable. When cells expressing this unstable mRNA are treated with inhibitors of protein synthesis (cycloheximide or puromycin), the steady-state level of the encoded human TfR mRNA is increased due to a stabilization of the transcript. A similar set of observations has been made using a chimeric mRNA in which the rapid turnover determinant of the TfR mRNA is replaced by the (A+U)-rich region from the 3' untranslated region of c-fos mRNA. To distinguish between a labile protein participant in the degradation of these mRNAs and a requirement for their translation per se, we introduced a ferritin iron-responsive element into the 5' untranslated region of each of these mRNAs. The presence of the 5' iron-responsive element allowed us to use iron availability to alter the translation of the mRNAs in question without global effects on cellular protein synthesis. Although specific translation of these mRNAs could be inhibited by iron chelation to a degree comparable to that seen with cycloheximide (approximately 95% inhibition), no effects on mRNA turnover were observed. These data support a model in which a trans-acting labile protein is necessary for the turnover of these mRNAs rather than there being a requirement for the translation of the mRNAs themselves.
Effects of dipole magnet inhomogeneities on the beam ellipsoid

Abstract The RAYTRACE computer code [1] has been modified [2] to accept magnetic fields measured in the median plane of a dipole magnet. This modification allows one to study the effects of a nonideal dipole magnet on the beam ellipsoid (as defined by the TRANSPORT code manual [3]). The effects on the beam ellipsoid are due to (1) field inhomogeneities in the interior region of the dipole and (2) discrepancies from design conditions of the magnetic field values in the fringe field region. The results of the RAYTRACE code calculations based on experimentally measured fields will be compared with the results derived using both an ideal (no inhomogeneities) dipole with sharp cutoff boundaries and an ideal dipole with perfect (according to design) fringe fields.
Intramolecular van der Waals' interactions and 1H chemical shifts: steric effects in some cyclic systems

Abstract In previous studies it was found that linear correlations existed between the local van der Waals' interaction energies calculated by the MM2 force field and chemical shifts of the resonant nuclei for 13C, 15N, and 31P in saturated acyclic and cyclic systems. This paper extends these studies to the protons in some cyclic systems. A total of 45 carbinol protons in substituted cyclohexanols and decalols, 19 methylene protons and 7 methine protons in substituted cyclohexanes and decalins were analyzed. Similar correlations are found with root-mean-square errors of 0.19, 0.20 and 0.07 ppm. Most of the steric effects on chemical shifts of protons are well interpreted by this model.
Octahedral metal carbonyls. XXI. Carbonyl and metal-carbon stretching spectra of monosubstituted group VIB metal carbonyls☆☆☆

Abstract The infrared spectra in solution of thirty-seven complexes of the type LM(CO) 5 (L = Lewis base; M = Cr. Mo, W) have been recorded in the regions 2100–1800 and 700–300 cm −1 . It has been found that the position of the metal-carbon stretching absorption (E-mode) is determined by the identity of the Lewis base donor atom, being lowest for “hard” bases. Within a series of deviatives of ligands containing the same donor atom, however, the expected “reciprocal relationship” between νCO and νMC is observed. The positions of νMC correlate well with complex reactivity via rate-determining dissociation of CO. The results are examined on the basis of current bonding theories.
Cancer epigenetics: above and beyond

Epigenetics refers to the study of mechanisms that alter gene expression without altering the primary DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms are heritable and reversible. Over the last few decades, epigenetics has obtained a large importance in cancer research. Epigenetic alterations are widely described as essential players in cancer progression. They comprise DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning, and small, noncoding RNAs (miRNA, siRNA). They are involved in transcriptional changes and decisive events that will determine cell fate and phenotype. Epigenetics not only offers light into cancer biological processes, but also represents an attractive opportunity of reverting cancer-specific alterations, which may lead, in the future, to a possibility of stopping this disease. Epigenetic changes have been identified as putative cancer biomarkers for early detection, disease monitoring, prognosis, and risk assessment. Other epigenetic alterations are promising therapeutic targets and even therapeutic agents. Emerging discoveries in this area are already contributing to cancer management and monitoring, and a lot more progresses are expected in the future.
Adjusting for nonresponse bias using logistic regression

SUMMARY A method of adjustment for nonresponse is considered. No information about the nonrespondents is required, but the respondents are assumed to answer all questions of interest. One or more call-backs are assumed. The probabilities of response are represented by a logistic regression model, in which variables in the survey are explanatory variables. The probabilities are estimated using a modified conditional maximum likelihood approach, based on the respondents. The estimated probabilities are used in a HorvitzThompson type estimator to reduce bias in the estimation of sample moments. Simulations suggest that the method reduces the mean squared error of estimation when response probabilities depend strongly on variables in the survey.
Tropical pacific forcing of a 1998–1999 climate shift: observational analysis and climate model results for the boreal spring season

Observational data and climate model simulations and experiments are utilized to document an abrupt shift in Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and associated atmospheric conditions, which occurred in 1998–1999. Emphasis is placed on the March–May (MAM) season, as the motivation for the work is to extend a recent study that reported an abrupt decline in East African MAM rainfall at that time. An empirical orthogonal function analysis of MAM SSTs over the last century following the removal of the concurrent influence of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation and global warming trend by linear regression reveals a pattern of multidecadal variability in the Pacific similar to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Examination of MAM precipitation variations since 1940 indicates, among other findings, that recurrent drought events since 1999 in East Africa, central-southwest Asia, parts of eastern Australia and the southwestern US are all regional manifestations of a global scale multidecadal pattern. Associated shifts in the low-level wind field and upper-level stationary waves are discussed. Simulations using an atmospheric climate model forced with observed, global SSTs capture many of the salient precipitation and atmospheric circulation features associated with the observed shift. Further, when the model is forced only with observed SSTs from the tropical Pacific it also captures many of the observed atmospheric changes, including the abrupt shift in 1999. The results point to the fundamental role played by the tropical Pacific in driving the response to multidecadal variability of SSTs in the basin and provide important context for recent seasonal climate extremes in several regions of the globe.
Absolute measurement of the photoionization cross section of atomic hydrogen with a shock tube for the extreme ultraviolet

The paper reports an experiment which is part of a program to measure the absolute values of the atomic photoionization cross sections of astrophysically abundant elements, particularly in stars and planetary atmospheres. An aerodynamic pressure-driven shock tube constructed from stainless steel with a quadratic cross section was used to measure the photoionization cross section of H I at 19 wavelength points from 910 to 609 A with experimental uncertainties between 7 and 20%. The shock tube was used to produce fully dissociated hydrogen and neon mixtures for the photoabsorption measurements.
Maximum tumor diameter and the risk of prostate-specific antigen recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Abstract Introduction/Background The aim of this study was to investigate whether the MTD could identify men at low risk of PSA recurrence after RP who might not benefit from ART despite other adverse features. Patients and Methods The study cohort consisted of 354 men with T1c to T2 prostate cancer diagnosed between September 2001 and December 2008 who underwent RP without adjuvant therapy. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the effect of MTD on the risk of PSA recurrence (> 0.1 ng/mL and verified), adjusting for known predictors. Results After a median follow-up of 4.0 years, 34 men (9.6%) experienced PSA failure. In multivariable analysis, increasing MTD was significantly associated with an increased PSA recurrence risk (hazard ratio, 2.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-6.10; P = .01) within the interaction model. Estimates of PSA recurrence-free survival stratified around the median MTD value (1.2 cm) were significantly different in men with a pre-RP PSA > 4 ng/mL (P 4 ng/mL these estimates were significantly different if at least 1 adverse feature (pT3, R1, or Gleason score ≥ 8) was present at RP (P = .01; 5-year estimate: 46.6% vs. 100%) versus none (P = .09; 5-year estimate: 93.4% vs. 98.9%). Conclusion Men with a low MTD (≤ 1.2 cm) appear to be at low risk of PSA recurrence despite adverse features at RP and might not benefit from ART.
Tidal modulated flow and sediment flux through Wax Lake Delta distributary channels: Implications for delta development

Abstract. In this study, a Delft3D model of the Wax Lake Delta was developed to simulate flow and sediment flux through delta distributary channels. The model was calibrated for tidal constituents as well as velocity and sediment concentration across channel transects. The calibrated model was then used to simulate full spring–neap tidal cycles under constant low flow upstream boundary conditions, with grain size variation in suspended load represented using two sediment fractions. Flow and sediment flux results through distributary channel cross-sections were examined for spatial and temporal variability with the goal of characterizing the role of tides in sediment reworking and delta development. The Wax Lake Delta has prograded through channel extension, river mouth bar deposition, and channel bifurcation. Here we show that tidal modulation of currents influences suspended sand transport, and spatial acceleration through distributary channels at low tides is sufficient to suspend sand in distal reaches during lower flows. The basinward-increasing transport capacity in distributary channels indicates that erosive channel extension could be an important process, even during non-flood events.
Electrophysiological tests of autonomic function in patients with idiopathic autonomic failure syndromes

Three electrophysiological tests of autonomic function were performed in patients with autonomic nervous system dysfunction to define test sensitivities and specificities. The skin sympathetic response, Valsalva ratio, and heart rate variation with deep breathing were studied in 10 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and in 7 patients with pure (also called progressive or primary) autonomic failure (PAF); control subjects were 17 normal individuals of similar age. Thirteen patients had abnormal skin sympathetic responses, and 16 had abnormal Valsalva ratios. Fourteen patients had an abnormal variation of the heart rate with deep breathing. Taking the three tests together, binary logistic regression for distinguishing between patients and normal subjects correctly classified 91% of the 33 individuals for whom there were complete data with sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 94%. However, only 69% of the patients could be correctly classified by a logistic regression for discriminating between MSA and PAF. Electromyography (EMG) studies showed that 7 of 8 patients with MSA but only 2 of 7 patients with PAF (both multiparous women) had denervation of the rectal sphincter muscle. The EMG study is, therefore, valuable in men, but has a high false positive rate in women, probably because of pudendal nerve injury from parturition.
Evaluation of fracture toughness of human dentin using elastic-plastic fracture mechanics.

Abstract Dentin, the mineralized tissue forming the bulk of the tooth, lies between the enamel and the pulp chamber. It is a rich source of inspiration for designing novel synthetic materials due to its unique microstructure. Most of the previous studies investigating the fracture toughness of dentin have used linear-elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) that ignores plastic deformation and could underestimate the toughness of dentin. With the presence of collagen (approximately 30% by volume) aiding the toughening mechanisms in dentin, we hypothesize that there is a significant difference between the fracture toughness estimated using LEFM (Kc) and elastic–plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM) (KJc). Single-edge notched beam specimens with in-plane (n=10) and anti-plane (n=10) parallel fractures were prepared following ASTM standard E1820 and tested in three-point flexure. KJc of the in-plane parallel and anti-plane parallel specimens were found to be 3.1 and 3.4 MPa m1/2 and Kc were 2.4 and 2.5 MPa m1/2, respectively. The fracture toughness estimated based on KJc is significantly greater than that estimated based on Kc (32.5% on average; p
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for panic disorder: A case series☆

Abstract Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a new technique that has shown some promise in the treatment of traumatic memories, was evaluated in this pilot study. Subjects were seven clients suffering from panic disorder who received EMDR treatment for memories of past and anticipated panic attacks and other anxiety-evoking memories of personal relevance. Standardized self-report inventories and behavioral monitoring instruments were employed to measure change with treatment. After five sessions of EMDR, subjects reported a considerable decrease in the frequency of panic attacks, fear of experiencing a panic attack, general anxiety, thoughts concerning negative consequences of experiencing anxiety, fear of body sensations, depression, and other measures of pathology.
Characterization of aminoalcoholphosphotransferases from Arabidopsis thaliana and soybean

Abstract Aminoalcoholphosphotransferases (AAPTs, EC 2.7.8.1 and EC 2.7.8.2) catalyze the condensation of 1,2-diacylglycerols with CDP-aminoalcohols to form phosphatidylaminoalcohols. Using a soybean (Glycine max) AAPT cDNA (GmAAPT1) as a heterologous hybridization probe, two additional plant AAPT-encoding cDNAs, designated AtAAPT1 and AtAAPT2, were isolated from an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library. Southern blot assays suggest that these two cDNAs may represent the only AAPT genes in this species. Heterologous expression of AtAAPT1 and AtAAPT2 in a yeast strain deficient in AAPT activities permitted the determination of substrate specificities of the two Arabidopsis enzymes (designated AtAAPT1p and AtAAPT2p). Although each AAPT isoform was capable of incorporating both CDP-ethanolamine and CDP-choline into phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), respectively, AtAAPT2p displayed a somewhat greater preference for CDP-choline over CDP-ethanolamine in comparison to AtAAPT1p. The previously characterized soybean AAPT, GmAAPT1p, and AtAAPT1p showed similar degrees of Ca2+ and CMP inhibition; AtAAPT2p, however, was inhibited to a lesser degree in the presence of these compounds. All three plant AAPTs are capable of catalyzing the reverse reaction, generating CDP-choline and diacylglycerol from PC in the presence of CMP. Finally, overexpression of the soybean AAPT cDNA in transgenic tobacco using a strong constitutive promoter resulted in only modest increases in enzymatic activity, suggesting the possibility of post-transcriptional regulation.
SUPRASEGMENTAL STRUCTURES IN PHONOLOGICAL ENCODING: THE CV STRUCTURE

Abstract Phonological encoding in speech production is the set of processes that generates the sound form of an utterance. The word's sound form includes the phonemes as well as certain structural properties, such as word stress and syllable number. The current paper presents three naming experiments on the word's CV structure, which is the abstract representation of the alternation of consonants and vowels in the words. The naming paradigm used was the translation task in which subjects had to give the Dutch translation of visually presented English words. The results show that (1) a word's CV structure is stored and retrieved from the mental lexicon during phonological encoding, (2) a consonant cluster is represented differently than a single consonant in a CV structure, (3) words with different alternations of vowels and consonants have different CV structures, and (4) long vowels and short vowels are represented the same in a CV structure. Implications for models of speech production are discussed.
A genome-wide linkage scan for cleft lip and cleft palate identifies a novel locus on 8p11-23

Isolated or nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NS CLP) is a complex disorder resulting from multiple genetic and environmental factors. NS CLP has a birth prevalence of 1 per 500 in the Philippines where large families provide an opportunity for gene localization. Genotyping of 392 microsatellite repeat markers at 10 cM intervals over the genome was performed by the Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) on 220 Filipino families with 567 affected and 1,109 unaffected family members genotyped. Among the most statistically significant results from analysis of the genome-wide scan data was a 20 cM region at 8p11-23 in which markers had LODs ≥1.0. This region on 8p11-23 has not been found in any previous genome wide scan nor does it contain any of the candidate genes widely studied in CLP. Fine mapping in 8p11-23 was done in the 220 families plus an additional 51 families, using SNP markers from 10 known genes (FGFR1, NRG1, FZD3, SLC8A1, PPP3CC, EPHX2, BNIP3L, EGR3, PPP2R2A, and NAT1) within the 20 cM region of 8p11-23. Linkage and association analyses of these SNPs yield suggestive results for markers in FGFR1 (recessive multipoint HLOD 1.07) and BAG4 (recessive multipoint HLOD 1.31). © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Analysis of some recently proposed chaos-based encryption algorithms

Abstract We analyze the security and performance of two recently proposed encryption algorithms designed using deterministic chaotic dynamical systems. The analysis shows not only that the encryption rates of these algorithms are not competitive to the encryption rates of the standard algorithms, but that the algorithms can be easily broken using known-plaintext attack.
A partial-postponement decision cost model

A number of factors, including product proliferation and increased customer service-level requirements, have led many companies to consider adopting postponement as a supply chain strategy. Packaging postponement is the process of delaying packaging of a common item into a final product configuration until the customer order is received. For a given product, a portion of demand is known with a high level of certainty and would not benefit from postponement. The remaining portion of demand is known with little certainty and would benefit from delaying the differentiating stage of the operation until demand is known. We develop a single-period, two-product, order-up-to cost model to aid in setting the levels of finished-goods inventory and postponement capacity. Minimum-cost optimal solutions to inventory levels and capacity are obtained by solving the derived analytical expressions using a non-linear programming formulation. We examine the sensitivity of the model to different levels of the model parameters to generate managerial insights beyond those of previous work. We show that changing product value, packaging cost, cost of postponement, holding cost, fill rate, and demand correlation can decrease expected total cost and increase postponement capacity.
Does environmental concern change the tragedy of the commons? Factors affecting energy saving behaviors and electricity usage

Electricity consumption produces private goods, such as heat for homes, but fossil fuel consumption impacts the public goods of clean air and water. While self interests can increase usage, social interests, such as global climate change, can impact an individual's attitude toward energy consumption. This paper examines the tragedy of the commons using household data, and compares the impact of self and social interests in predicting electricity consumption. Using both stated and observed behavioral data, the results show that self interests have a greater impact on energy saving behaviors and electricity use. We extend the analysis to control for an individual's environmental concern and perceived behavioral impact, finding similar results, and supporting the notion that the tragedy of the commons occurs regardless of a person's perception or environmental concern. These findings may explain why pro-environmental attitudes do not necessarily lead to pro-environmental behaviors, and it contributes to our understanding of the motivating factors for energy savings and electricity use by examining both stated and observed behaviors. Policies aimed at electricity reduction may have a greater impact if they focus on private interests, such as pricing, rebates, subsidies, and taxes, rather than social interests alone.
Characteristics Of Bismuth (BI) Photopot Position-Sensing Detectors And Their Use In Adaptive Optical Systems

This paper describes measured characteristics of Bismuth thin film detector assemblies as they are used in different laser power and laser beam centroid position measuring applications. These uncooled detectors are insensitive to wavelength over a wide range of the spectrum (visible and infrared to at least 10.6 microns) and they have relatively wide bandwidth characteristics, that make them very useful in many applications.
Interpreting medical tables as linked data for generating meta-analysis reports

Evidence-based medicine is the application of current medical evidence to patient care and typically uses quantitative data from research studies. It is increasingly driven by data on the efficacy of drug dosages and the correlations between various medical factors that are assembled and integrated through meta-analyses (i.e., systematic reviews) of data in tables from publications and clinical trial studies. We describe a important component of a system to automatically produce evidence reports that performs two key functions: (i) understanding the meaning of data in medical tables and (ii) identifying and retrieving relevant tables given a input query. We present modifications to our existing framework for inferring the semantics of tables and an ontology developed to model and represent medical tables in RDF. Representing medical tables as RDF makes it easier for the automatic extraction, integration and reuse of data from multiple studies, which is essential for generating meta-analyses reports. We show how relevant tables can be identified by querying over their RDF representations and describe two evaluation experiments: one on mapping medical tables to linked data and another on identifying tables relevant to a retrieval query.
Fibrosing Mediastinitis A Squeeze on Arterial and Venous Segments of the Heart

A 38-year-old woman developed fibrosing mediastinitis after an initial episode of histoplasmosis. She had history of frequent bronchitis as a teenager and developed symptoms suggestive of pneumonia unresponsive to conventional antibiotics. In addition to right lung infiltrates, she developed mediastinal lymphadenopathy. After transbronchial biopsy confirmation of histoplasmosis, she received therapy with oral itraconazole. Three years after her initial therapy with itraconazole, she presented with worsening dyspnea on exertion. Echocardiography suggested new-onset pulmonary hypertension and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. Cross-sectional imaging of the chest demonstrated thickened pleura and pericardium; calcified, enlarged lymph nodes; and prominent fibrosis in the hilar region. Thorascopic and mediastinoscopic biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of fibrosing mediastinitis. She was treated with courses of antibiotics and pulsed steroids over the years for symptoms of dyspnea, hemoptysis, and pleuritic chest pain associated with radiological evidence of disease progression. Notably, the steroids did not …
Retinol-binding protein : a major secretory product of the pig conceptus

Pig conceptuses and endometrial explants recovered from gilts between Days 10 and 15 of pregnancy were cultured in leucine-deficient or methionine-deficient medium supplemented with 3H-leucine or 35S-methionine, respectively, for 30 h. Conceptus and endometrial tissues from Day 15 of pregnancy were fixed in Bouin's fixative for immunocytochemistry and light microscopy. Conceptus culture medium from Day 15 of pregnancy was pooled, dialyzed, and fractionated by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. A family of 3-5 low molecular weight (Mr) acidic (Mr = 19,000-22,000; pI = 5.6-6.5) 3H-leu-labeled proteins were isolated and identified by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), electroblotting, and fluorography. The two major proteins (pCSP-1 and pCSP-2) were excised from a polyvinylidene difluoride transfer membrane, and NH2-terminal amino acids were sequenced. One peptide was sequenced through 33 amino acids and the second, which shared 100% homology, was sequenced through 22 amino acids. Analysis of the larger sequence indicated that it shared 93.9% and 90.9% homology with the first 33 amino acids of human and rabbit plasma retinol-binding protein (RBP), respectively. Analyses of culture medium from pig conceptus incubations by 2D-PAGE and immunoprecipitation with rabbit anti-human RBP serum indicated that immunoreactive RBP was produced between Days 10 and 15 of pregnancy and was present in Day 30 allantoic fluid. Western blotting of enriched fractions of Day 15 conceptus RBP followed by immunostaining indicated that five isoforms of radiolabeled RBP were present. Immunoreactive RBP was detected in trophectoderm and yolk sac of conceptuses and endometrial surface and glandular epithelium at Day 15 of pregnancy. Results from this study demonstrate that pig conceptuses secrete RBP prior to onset of conceptus elongation and throughout the peri-implantation period, which suggests that RBP and associated retinoids influence conceptus development.
PI3K regulation of RAC1 is required for KRAS-induced pancreatic tumorigenesis in mice.

Background & Aims New drug targets are urgently needed for the treatment of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Nearly all PDAs contain oncogenic mutations in the KRAS gene. Pharmacological inhibition of KRAS has been unsuccessful, leading to a focus on downstream effectors that are more easily targeted with small molecule inhibitors. We investigated the contributions of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) to KRAS-initiated tumorigenesis. Methods Tumorigenesis was measured in the Kras G12D/+ ;Ptf1a Cre/+ mouse model of PDA; these mice were crossed with mice with pancreas-specific disruption of genes encoding PI3K p110α ( Pik3ca ), p110β ( Pik3cb ), or RAC1 ( Rac1 ). Pancreatitis was induced with 5 daily intraperitoneal injections of cerulein. Pancreata and primary acinar cells were isolated; acinar cells were incubated with an inhibitor of p110α (PIK75) followed by a broad-spectrum PI3K inhibitor (GDC0941). PDA cell lines (NB490 and MiaPaCa2) were incubated with PIK75 followed by GDC0941. Tissues and cells were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence analyses for factors involved in the PI3K signaling pathway. We also examined human pancreas tissue microarrays for levels of p110α and other PI3K pathway components. Results Pancreas-specific disruption of Pik3ca or Rac1 , but not Pik3cb , prevented the development of pancreatic tumors in Kras G12D/+ ;Ptf1a Cre/+ mice. Loss of transformation was independent of AKT regulation. Preneoplastic ductal metaplasia developed in mice lacking pancreatic p110α but regressed. Levels of activated and total RAC1 were higher in pancreatic tissues from Kras G12D/+ ;Ptf1a Cre/+ mice compared with controls. Loss of p110α reduced RAC1 activity and expression in these tissues. p110α was required for the up-regulation and activity of RAC guanine exchange factors during tumorigenesis. Levels of p110α and RAC1 were increased in human pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias and PDAs compared with healthy pancreata. Conclusions KRAS signaling, via p110α to activate RAC1, is required for transformation in Kras G12D/+ ;Ptf1a Cre/+ mice.
Receiver Differences and the Comprehension of Spoken Messages

The purpose of this investigation was to develop receiver difference indices descriptive of organized and disorganized spoken message comprehension. Two months after the completion of four psychological tests, 149 subjects were divided into two groups, one of which heard an organized informative speech, and the other a disorganized version. The comprehension of each speech was measured with a multiple-choice test. Analyses of the data allowed for the interpretation of different indices appropriate for the explication and description of receiver comprehension in a variety of message conditions. These indices provide frameworks for a contemporary approach to the investigation of spoken message organization and receiver comprehension.
Thermal electron detachment rate constants for the molecular anion of perfluorobenzene

Abstract Rate constants for thermal electron detachment (TED) from the molecular anion of hexafluorobenzene (HFB) have been measured over the temperature range 300–350 K. The rate of TED by C 6 F − 6 increases exponentially with increased temperature in close agreement with the prediction, k −1 (s −1 )=4.8×10 15 T 3 2 k 1 exp[−(Δ S / R +EA/ RT )], where EA=12.0 kcal/mol is the electron affinity of HFB, S =7.4 cal/K mol is the entropy of negative ionization of HFB, and k 1 =1.0×10 −7 cm −3 s −1 is the temperature-independent rate constant for electron capture (EC) by HFB. It is shown in this study that TED from C 6 F − 6 is sufficiently rapid at temperatures in excess of 300 K as to negate conclusions drawn in earlier studies of EC by HFB in which the rate of TED was assumed to be negligible. In addition, it is shown that C 6 F − 6 is highly susceptible to reaction with trace levels of molecular oxygen in the buffer gas and that this fact has undoubtedly caused additional complications in previous studies of the negative ion chemistry of HFB by techniques using buffer gas pressures near one atmosphere.
Enhanced S cone syndrome: evidence for an abnormally large number of S cones.

Abstract The cellular basis of the hypersensitivity of the S (blue) cone system in patients with enhanced S cone syndrome was examined by analyzing ERGs from three patients. The patients had large a -waves in response to the blue and white flashes. These a -waves were shown to be driven nearly entirely by the S cones. Although these S cone a -waves were 4–6 times the size of the normal L/M cone a -wave, they are of the same form, and could be quantitatively described with the same model previously shown to fit cone a -waves. We propose that the retina of these patients has many more S cones than the normal retina and that these cones replace some of the normal L/M cones and many of the rods.