cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved gene expression using low molecular weight peptides produced from protamine sulfate.

DNA condensation plays a key role in non-viral gene delivery by affecting gene transfection, nuclear targeting, and eventual gene expression efficiency. Theoretically, a DNA condenser with the appropriate DNA condensation ability but without affecting DNA dissociation from DNA condensates inside the cytoplasm should be a perfect carrier for gene delivery. Protamine is a natural DNA condensation agent and has been widely used in gene delivery. In this work, protamine was selectively digested enzymatically to produce low molecular weight protamine fragments (LMWPs) of various lengths and amino acid compositions. The DNA condensation ability and gene transfection efficiency of these LMWP peptides were tested. Compared to protamine, all the LMWP peptides showed lower DNA binding strength. However, some LMWP peptides demonstrated excellent DNA condensation ability and could form very compact DNA condensates with small particle size (∼100 nm). More interestingly, LMWP peptide-mediated in vitro gene delivery showed prolonged (up to 12 days) gene expression. Results from this study suggest that designing DNA condensers with appropriate and tunable DNA binding strengths and condensation abilities would be an effective means to improve gene expression and thus gene therapy efficiency. Since LMWP peptides have low immunogenicity, they would be safer than protamine for use in gene therapies.
Mining association rules with non-uniform privacy concerns

Privacy concerns have become an important issue in data mining. A popular way to preserve privacy is to randomize the dataset to be mined in a systematic way and mine the randomized dataset instead. On the other hand, people usually have different privacy concerns for different attributes in data. E.g., in survey data, the sensitivity of questions varies. Appropriate use of this information can lead to more accurate data mining results. However, this information has not been fully utilized by many privacy preserving association rule mining algorithms.In this paper, we generalize the privacy preserving association rule mining problem by allowing different attributes to have different levels of privacy, that is, using different randomization factors for values of different attributes in the randomization process. We also propose an efficient algorithm RE (Recursive Estimation) to estimate the support of itemsets under this framework. Both theoretical and empirical results show that the use of non-uniform randomization factors improves the accuracy of the support estimates, compared to the use of one conservative randomization factor.
SynGAP: a Synaptic RasGAP that Associates with the PSD-95/SAP90 Protein Family

The PSD-95/SAP90 family of proteins has recently been implicated in the organization of synaptic structure. Here, we describe the isolation of a novel Ras-GTPase activating protein, SynGAP, that interacts with the PDZ domains of PSD-95 and SAP102 in vitro and in vivo. SynGAP is selectively expressed in brain and is highly enriched at excitatory synapses, where it is present in a large macromolecular complex with PSD-95 and the NMDA receptor. SynGAP stimulates the GTPase activity of Ras, suggesting that it negatively regulates Ras activity at excitatory synapses. Ras signaling at the postsynaptic membrane may be involved in the modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission by NMDA receptors and neurotrophins. These results indicate that SynGAP may play an important role in the modulation of synaptic plasticity.
Social influence and opinions

In this paper we describe an approach to the relationship between a network of interpersonal influences and the content of individuals’ opinions. Our work starts with the specification of social pr...
Radiation Responses of Cancer Stem Cells

Recent experimental evidence indicates that many solid cancers have a hierarchical organization structure with a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The ability to identify CSCs prospectively now allows for testing the responses of CSCs to treatment modalities like radiation therapy. Initial studies have found CSCs in glioma and breast cancer relatively resistant to ionizing radiation and possible mechanisms behind this resistance have been explored. This review summarizes the landmark publications in this young field with an emphasis on the radiation responses of CSCs. The existence of CSCs in solid cancers place restrictions on the interpretation of many radiobiological observations, while explaining others. The fact that these cells may be a relatively quiescent subpopulation that are metabolically distinct from the other cells in the tumor has implications for both imaging and therapy of cancer. This is particularly true for biological targeting of cancer for enhanced radiotherapeutic benefit, which must consider whether the unique properties of this subpopulation allow it to avoid such therapies.
Urban soil ecology as a focal point for environmental education

Direct contact with the natural world is an essential element of environmental education and a key to developing environmental literacy and a stewardship ethic. But providing this experience can be challenging in urban environments where many people believe nature only occurs “outside” the city, and urban biota are often unwelcome and perceived in negative terms. Since 80% of the United States’ population lives in or near urban areas, conservation educators and practitioners need to find ways to make nature accessible to this audience, thereby creating a public who can make informed decisions about environmental issues. Soil systems are an important, under-utilized resource for urban environmental education. Soils are ubiquitous and thus easily accessible and their communities can be effective focal points for introducing all levels of ecology, from populations to ecosystems. Soil and litter taxa are also intrinsically interesting, with discoveries of new species still being made in urban areas. By studying urban soil systems, students can develop an enhanced sense of place and an appreciation of the natural world and their connection to it thereby strengthening environmental stewardship. An important role exists for urban ecologists to work with educators to impart enthusiasm for and to augment educators’ understanding of soil systems.
Partial feedback linearising force-tracking control: implementation and testing in electrohydraulic actuation

The implementation, testing and performance evaluation of a partial feedback linearising force tracking controller on an electrohydraulic actuator is described. The underlying assumptions necessary for the development of the controller are highlighted, and the control law is derived in detail. Performance comparisons are conducted against a linear state feedback with integral controller and a standard PID controller, the latter being the most common industrial solution. Results show that the nonlinear partial feedback linearising controller has improved tracking properties, as might be expected from its use of more modelling and feedback information. Multiple experiments are also conducted to investigate the robustness of the system to certain model parameters; it is shown that the controller tolerates a measurable shift in these parameters.
Middle Atmosphere High Resolution Spectrograph

The Naval Research Laboratory's Middle Atmosphere High Resolution Spectrograph (MAHRS) is included in the experiment complement for the Air Force Space Test Program's Spartan-282 shuttle payload. The major science objectives of the MAHRS experiment are to determine the abundances of nitric oxide (NO) and the hydroxyl radical (OH) between the altitudes of 50 and 150 km, and to measure the diurnal and global variation of these species. The MAHRS instrument is a Czerny-Turner spectrograph fed by a spherical telescope. It's primary measurement objectives are the OH (A E-4" - X2H) 3090 A band and the NO gamma band at 2150 A. The spectral coverage is 1980 to 3091 A at 0.1 A spectral resolution and the field of view is 0.01Â° X 1.15Â°. The focal length is 750 mm and the optical speed is f/7.5. The instrument was designed to produce a flat image at the surface of a 15 mm high X 25 mm wide microchannel plate intensified 2-d array detector with a cesium telluride photocathode and 0.025 mm spatial resolution. In this configuration, for every setting of the grating drive, a passband of about 35 A is imaged on the detector. Recovery of the highest spectral resolution is accomplished by image processing the data.
Infrared Spectra of H2 Molecules Near H Atoms Trapped in Solid H2

Laser-ablation irradiation of normal hydrogen during condensation at 3.8 K produces new IR absorptions in p-H2 and o-H2 cage molecules at 4151.8 and 4143.4 cm-1 that are redshifted 1.0 and 3.3 cm-1, respectively, from induced IR absorptions for each nuclear spin isomer in solid n-H2. Assignment to perturbed p-H2 and o-H2 molecules, respectively, are confirmed by experiments with p-H2-enriched samples. Deuterium experiments give rise to analogous bands for o-D2 and p-D2 at 2985.2 and 2982.4 cm-1, respectively, that are redshifted 1.6 and 2.2 cm-1 from the absorptions induced for each nuclear spin isomer in solid n-D2. However, investigations with solid HD give a single, sharp new line at 3621.7 cm-1, redshifted by 3.0 cm-1 from the sharp induced solid HD absorption. Comparable intensity half-lives recently observed for H atom electron spin resonance signals in solid H2 suggest trapped H atoms as the origin of substantial induced IR intensity in adjacent H2 molecules in the solid. The H atom−H2 molecule int...
A Schedule-based Pathfinding Algorithm for Transit Networks Using Pattern First Search

The lack of effective and efficient schedule-based pathfinding algorithms for transit networks has limited the application of GIS in transit trip planning services. This paper introduces a schedule-based path finding algorithm for transit networks. Based on a pattern-centered spatiotemporal transit network model, the algorithm searches the network by following route patterns. A pattern is a spatial layout of a route in transit terminology. A route usually has many patterns to serve various locations at different times. This path search algorithm is significantly different from traditional shortest path algorithms that are based on adjacent node search. By establishing a set of lemmas and theorems the paper proves that paths generated by the PFS algorithm are schedule-coordinated fastest paths for trips with given constraints. After analyzing computation and database query complexities of the algorithm the paper indicates that the PFS is efficient in computation and database query. Finally, effectiveness and efficiency of the algorithm are demonstrated by implementations in GIS-based online transit trip planners in Wisconsin, US.
Mechanistic and Structural Analyses of the Roles of Arg409 and Asp402 in the Reaction of the Flavoprotein Nitroalkane Oxidase

The flavoprotein nitroalkane oxidase (NAO) catalyzes the oxidation of primary and secondary nitroalkanes to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones. The enzyme is a homologue of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase. Asp402 in NAO has been proposed to be the active site base responsible for removing the substrate proton in the first catalytic step; structurally it corresponds to the glutamate which acts as the base in medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase. In the active site of NAO, the carboxylate of Asp402 forms an ionic interaction with the side chain of Arg409. The R409K enzyme has now been characterized kinetically and structurally. The mutation results in a decrease in the rate constant for proton abstraction of 100-fold. Analysis of the three-dimensional structure of the R409K enzyme, determined by X-ray crystallography to a resolution of 2.65 Angstroms, shows that the critical structural change is an increase in the distance between the carboxylate of Asp402 and the positively charged nitrogen in the side chain of the residue at position 409. The D402E mutation results in a smaller decrease in the rate constant for proton abstraction of 18-fold. The structure of the D402E enzyme, determined at 2.4 Angstroms resolution, shows that there is a smaller increase in the distancemore » between Arg409 and the carboxylate at position 402, and the interaction of this residue with Ser276 is perturbed. These results establish the critical importance of the interaction between Asp402 and Arg409 for proton abstraction by nitroalkane oxidase.« less
Ecotoxicological analysis of glasses obtained from industrial residues using E. coli and S. aureus as bioindicators

Abstract This work deals with the study of the effect of coal ashes and industrial residues in the inertness of glasses designed for industrial uses. Five formulations with four factors (residues) and constraints were used according a mixture design. The residues were dried, sieved and mixed according to the design. The formulations were melted at 1450 °C during 2 h for stabilization using 10% wt of Na2CO3 (fluxing agent). The melts were cast into a refrigerated water mold and annealed at 600 °C, and thus, the glasses were analyzed regarding their ecotoxicological effect using the Agar Diffusion Test for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as bioindicators, comparing the results with the Artemia sp. Acute Toxicity Test. The results were studied by analysis of variance in order to determine the individual influence of each residue in the inertness of the glass system. As a final result, the ecotoxicological analysis showed that the galvanic residue makes a non-inert glass due to the high iron and zinc content of this waste. The Agar Diffusion Test is a fast and accurate technique to determine the toxicity of glass systems only for high concentration samples.
Pitfalls in Diagnosing Brain Death in Infancy

A 3-year-old child with phenotypic trisomy 18 syndrome survived 26 days after a cardiopulmonary arrest, secondary to an acute viral illness. The child was deeply comatose. No barbiturates, other sedatives, or aminoglycoside antibiotics had been recently administered. The child was normothermic with adequate cardiovascular function. Brain stem function was absent, as assessed by testing of brain stem reflexes. Serial cerebral radionuclide angiograms (CRAG) documented intact cerebral blood flow while electrocerebral silence (ECS) was present on two consecutive EEG recordings within 24 hours. Preservation of intracranial circulation was confirmed by rapid rotational computed tomographic (CT) scans. Cranial CT scans also revealed communicating hydrocephalus, and bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhages. This unusual case illustrates discordance between apparent irreversible loss of cortical function as indicated by electrocerebral silence with preserved cerebral blood flow. The implications of these apparent paradoxical events will be discussed in the context of defining brain death in children.
Effects of UCS intensity and postpeak acquisition trials on classical conditioning of the SCR

Abstract The present study examined the effects of UCS intensity and number of postpeak acquisition trials on classical conditioning and extinction of the SCR. A 2 × 3 design was employed in which subjects received either a 1, 2, or 4 mA shock UCS and either two or 16 acquisition trials beyond the peak CR. While conditioning was demonstrated during acquisition, there was no relationship between strength of conditioning and intensity of UCS. The phenomenon of stronger resistance to extinction following fewer acquisition trials (e.g., two past the peak CR) than with many (e.g., 16 past the peak CR) was demonstrated only for the groups that were conditioned with the 4 mA UCS. Resistance to extinction varied positively with UCS intensity, but only for the subjects who received two postpeak acquisition trials. Sixteen trials beyond the peak CR resulted in the UCS intensity having little or no effect on resistance to extinction.
Accuracy of the electron pump.

We calculate the accuracy of the single electron pump numerically and analytically. With a biasing of the device that we describe as optimal, the accuracy is computed with finite temperature cotunneling rates that systematically include all possible cotunneling processes. A simple graphical representation of the operation of the pump illustrates when cotunneling processes become active. We show that the accuracy is limited by cotunneling, thermal activation, and operating the device at too high a frequency; simple approximation formulas are given for these errors. Metrological accuracy is attainable for devices with five or more junctions and with parameters that are experimentally attainable.
Registration of liver images to minimally invasive intraoperative surface and subsurface data

Laparoscopic liver resection is increasingly being performed with results comparable to open cases while incurring less trauma and reducing recovery time. The tradeoff is increased difficulty due to limited visibility and restricted freedom of movement. Image-guided surgical navigation systems have the potential to help localize anatomical features to improve procedural safety and achieve better surgical resection outcome. Previous research has demonstrated that intraoperative surface data can be used to drive a finite element tissue mechanics organ model such that high resolution preoperative scans are registered and visualized in the context of the current surgical pose. In this paper we present an investigation of using sparse data as imposed by laparoscopic limitations to drive a registration model. Non-contact laparoscopicallyacquired surface swabbing and mock-ultrasound subsurface data were used within the context of a nonrigid registration methodology to align mock deformed intraoperative surface data to the corresponding preoperative liver model as derived from pre-operative image segmentations. The mock testing setup to validate the potential of this approach used a tissue-mimicking liver phantom with a realistic abdomen-port patient configuration. Experimental results demonstrates a range of target registration errors (TRE) on the order of 5mm were achieving using only surface swab data, while use of only subsurface data yielded errors on the order of 6mm. Registrations using a combination of both datasets achieved TRE on the order of 2.5mm and represent a sizeable improvement over either dataset alone.
Electron Dynamics at the ZnO (101̅0) Surface

We use femtosecond time-resolved two-photon photoemission spectroscopy (TR-2PPE) to study the dynamics of electrons excited at the ZnO (1010) surface. Efficient relaxation of hot electrons within the Γ valley of the bulk conduction band results in sub-30 fs lifetimes for electron energies greater than 0.1 eV above the conduction band minimum (CBM). These relaxation rates, which are among the fastest observed in any semiconductor over the same energy range, are consistent with the emission of longitudinal optical phonons resulting from strong Frohlich coupling. For energy at or below the CBM, the excited electron lifetime increases exponentially with decreasing energy to as long as 1 ps. Dynamics in this region can be described by electronic relaxation within a quasi-continuum of defect-derived surface states whose density decreases exponentially into the band gap. Deliberately increasing defects on the ZnO surface drastically decreases the lifetime of electrons in this energy region. Existence of these s...
Complaints against the police: Predicting dispositions

Abstract Complaints against the police in a metropolitan police department are studied over a two-year period. Using multivariate analysis, three factors—frequency of complaints, the origin of complaints, and the type of complaints—which may influence whether complaints are sustained are examined. Only the origins of complaints are related to dispositions as predicted. Some of the implications of the findings are also discussed.
Regulation of renal vitamin D-24-hydroxylase by phosphate: effects of hypophysectomy, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I.

Abstract Dietary phosphate (Pi) regulates the production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 . This control is blunted in hypophysectomized (HPX) rats but can be restored by growth hormone (GH) or IGF-I. The regulation of the vitamin D catabolism by Pi, GH and IGF-I is less clear. In the present study, we found that the activity and transcript levels of the catabolic enzyme, vitamin D-24-hydroxylase (24-OHase) were decreased 3- and 5-fold, respectively, during Pi restriction in normal rats, but this effect is greatly reduced in HPX rats. Examination of the serum chemistries revealed that HPX rats on the high Pi diet had lower serum Pi levels than normal rats on this diet, presumably due to the known defective reabsorption of Pi by HPX rats. Treatment of HPX rats, adapted to a 0.6% P diet, with GH (150 μg) or IGF-I (80μg) suppressed 24-OHase mRNA levels by 88% and 64%, respectively, by 20 hours and these effects were preceded by decreases in serum Pi. Our findings show that the 24-OHase is regulated by dietary Pi and this control is modulated by hypophysectomy, GH and IGF-I.
Measuring depressive symptomatology of patients referred to a behavioral medicine clinic: Concordance of self-report measures

We measured depressive symptomatology of 134 outpatient veterans treated within a Behavioral Medicine Clinic utilizing three reliable instruments with depression subscales: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Derogatis Stress Profile (DSP), and Symptom Checklist 90—Revised (SCL-90-R). Results indicate that although the instruments correlate significantly, they differ in sensitivity to depression and are clinically discordant. The MMPI classified a substantially higher number of patients as depressed than either the DSP or SCL-90-R. The present study argues that the discrepancy in clinical concordance and sensitivity of the three depression scales has considerable implications for psychologists concerned with the assessment and treatment of depression.
Gingival hyperplasia and folic acid deficiency from anticonvulsive drug therapy: a theoretical relationship.

Abstract The use of anticonvulsive drugs has been associated with hyperplasia of the gingival connective tissue in approximately 40% of individuals taking them. Inflammation from local etiologic factors, e.g. bacterial plaque, has been demonstrated to be a necessary requisite for this response. It therefore appears that anticonvulsive drugs predispose the gingival tissues to undergo an exaggerated inflammatory response, hyperplasia, in the presence of local irritants. These drugs have likewise been shown to illicit a folic acid deficiency in a large percentage of patients. It has been reported that a deficiency of this vitamin can lend the gingival tissues susceptible to inflammation by causing degenerative changes in the gingival sulcular epithelium, the principle physical barrier against local irritants. Therefore, a cause and effect relationship between anticonvulsive drug induced folic acid deficiency and gingival hyperplasia associated with the use of these drugs is being proposed. Though the concepts in this paper focus on the relationship between folic acid deficiency and gingival hyperplasia from anticonvulsive drugs, they may be applied to other phenomena. A high incidence of folic acid deficiency has been reported to be associated with pregnancy and with the use of oral contraceptives, both of which have also been associated with exaggerated inflammatory responses of the gingiva and with atypical cellular changes in other organs, most notable the uterus.
Use of alternate promoters for tissue-specific expression of the gene coding for connexin32.

Abstract The promoter of rat connexin32 (Cx32), the gap junction protein found in liver, was studied in transgenic mice. Cx32 transgenes, containing 2.5-kb of sequence upstream from the promoter, exon I, the entire 6.1-kb intron and the beginning of the coding sequence linked to the gene encoding luciferase (Luc), were found to be expressed in mouse in the same tissue-specific manner as previously reported for Cx32. Another construct lacking the promoter, but retaining 1.8 kb from the 3′ end of the intron, was found to be expressed specifically in the nervous system. This result suggested that a second promoter, different from that used in liver, functions in nervous tissue. The use of this promoter in normal rats was corroborated by sequence analysis of reverse-transcribed PCR products obtained from rat nervous tissue RNA. The second promoter drives the synthesis of a second Cx32 mRNA species that is processed to remove a small 345-bp intron that shares its acceptor splice site with the large intron. This finding could have implications for the genetic basis of the X-linked form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT-X) in those patients that do not exhibit mutations in the Cx32-coding region.
The conditional gambler’s ruin problem with ties allowed

Abstract We determine the distribution of duration in the gambler’s ruin problem given that one specific player wins. In this version we allow ties in the single games. We present a unified approach which uses generating functions to prove and extend some results that were obtained in [Frederick Stern, Conditional expectation of the duration in the classical ruin problem, Math. Mag. 48 (4) (1975) 200–203; S.M. Samuels, The classical ruin problem with equal initial fortunes, Math. Mag. 48 (5) (1975) 286–288; W.A. Beyer, M.S. Waterman, Symmetries for conditioned ruin problems, Math. Mag. 50 (1) (1977) 42–45].
Further characterization of a cell-free system for measuring replicative and repair DNA synthesis with cultured human fibroblasts and evidence for the involvement of DNA polymerase a in DNA repair

Abstract DNA repair synthesis can be specifically measured in osmotically opened, confluent cultured human fibroblasts after exposure to DNA damaging agents such that both induction and mediation of DNA repair synthesis can take place in this cell-free system. Alternatively, by utilizing osmotically shocked, log phase cells and altering the DNA precursors, pH and ionic strength, replicative DNA synthesis can be specifically monitored. Autoradiographic studies show that virtually all of the nuclei from the lysates of the confluent, UV-iradiated cells are lightly labeled in the fashion characteristic of DNA repair. By contrast, only a fraction of nuclei is labeled in a population of unperturbed, opened log phase cells and the labeling is heavy and characteristic of replicative synthesis. Furthermore, equilibrium density gradient sedimentation shows that DNA synthesis in lysates of log-phase cells is semiconservative, whereas that with UV-irradiated cells is repair synthesis. This open cell system has been used to study the enzymology of DNA repair. Thus, dideoxythymidine triphosphate, a specific inhibitor of DNA polymerases beta and gamma, does not inhibit either replicative or repair synthesis. By contrast, aphidicolin, a specific inhibitor of DNA polymerase alpha, inhibits DNA repair and replicative synthesis in both intact and permeabilized cells. Finally, phage T4 UV-exonuclease stimulates repair synthesis, but only when phage T4 UV-endonuclease is also added to the UV-irradiated nuclei.
Enhancing Mobility: Integrating New Services into Your Library's Mobile Platform to Increase Traffic.

Kimbel Library launched its mobile environment and ran it in full production for several months yet usage patterns were quite low and flat. The library only saw a substantial increase in usage when new, value-added services were integrated into this platform. Upon implementing and integrating discovery services, chat and SMS capabilities, and computer availability maps into our mobile environment the library witnessed and continues to see a steady and significant increase in usage. These services, any issues encountered in their integration, and solutions to resolve these issues are identified, and usage trends and overall increases in mobile platform usage are revealed. Web vs. native app usage trends, devices used, and other metrics and statistical information will be assessed. This article will also explore possible future enhancements to our mobile services, such as geolocation and location-based services for enhancing library instruction, tutorials, library tours, and the possible development of an a...
Solid polymer electrolytes from dilithium salts based on new bis((perfluoroalkyl)sulfonyl)diimide dianions. Preparation and electrical characterization

Abstract Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) were prepared from a series of dilithium salts based on new bis[(perfluoroalkyl)sulfonyl]diimide dianions using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as the polymer host. SPE characterization was accomplished using thermal methods, powder X-ray diffraction, proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H-NMR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Ionic conductivities for SPEs made using the dilithium salts and also using the monomeric lithium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide (LiTFSI) salt were measured over a temperature range between 120 °C and ambient for materials with EO/Li ratios of 30:1 (dilute) and 10:1 (concentrated). SPEs made using the dimeric salts exhibited ionic conductivities that were consistently low when compared with those from SPEs made using monomeric LiTFSI. This finding is thought to reflect a diminished contribution of the anions in the dimeric salts to the overall SPE conductivity. An unexpected finding of increasing ionic conductivity with increasing fluorine content in the dianions is thought to be the result of two opposing trends. One trend reflects an increase in anion size with increasing fluorine content, which diminishes anion transport and conductivity. Another trend reflects a decrease in anion basicity with increasing fluorine content that results in diminished ion pairing and an enhancement in the number of charge carriers, thereby increasing conductivity.
DNA and RNA-DNA annealing activity associated with the τ subunit of the Escherichia coil DNA polymerase III holoenzyme

The DNA polymerase III (pol III)holoenzyme is the 10 subunit replicase of Escherichia coli. The 71 kDa tau subunit, encoded by dnaX, dimerizes the core polymerase (alpha epsilon theta) to form pol III'[(alpha epsilon theta)2 tau 2]. tau is also a single-stranded DNA-dependent ATPase and can substitute for the gamma subunit during initiation complex formation. We show here that tau also possesses a DNA-DNA and RNA-DNA annealing activity that is stimulated by Mg2+, but neither requires ATP nor is inhibited by non-hydrolyzable ATP analogs. This suggests the tau may act to stabilize the primer-template interaction during DNA replication.
Effects of metallic additives upon soot formation in polymer diffusion flames

Abstract This paper presents the results of an investigation whose objectives were to determine (1) the effect of barium, cesium, potassium, and sodium additives upon particulate formation in polymer diffusion flames and (2) the mechanisms through which these additives affect the smoke particulate formation process. Tests were conducted in a specially developed test apparatus in which polyethylene samples were burned in a diffusion flame. Nebulized aqueous solutions of the additives were injected into the flame at rates ranging from zero to 2.86 × 10−5 moles/min. Measurements of the total amount of soot produced in these tests indicate that as much as 40% soot suppression could be obtained with some of the additives. Further analyses of transmission electron micrographs of soot samples removed from two locations in the test apparatus indicated that these additives affected soot formation through different mechanisms. Alkali additives appear to suppress particulate coagulation processes in the gas phase, resulting in the formation of a larger number of smaller diameter particles (as compared to the no-additive case). The observed soot reduction is apparently caused by a larger fraction of these particles being oxidized upon passage through the flame region. In contrast, the addition of Ba does not substantially affect the size of the generated particles while reducing the total amount of generated smoke. These observations support arguments advanced in related investigations which have suggested the Ba additives suppress soot production by catalyzing reactions that produce OH radicals which are capable of oxidizing both soot precursors and young soot particles.
Periodicity of Habitation of a Stenothermal Spring Run in North-Central Florida by Blue Tilapia

Abstract The blue tilapia Tilapia aurea, an exotic African cichlid, has attained nuisance abundances in many Florida lakes. The species congregates in stenothermal spring runs, making it vulnerable to control measures. To determine when control measures would be most effective, the relative abundance of blue tilapias in a spring run in north-central Florida was estimated at monthly intervals from October 1981 to April 1983 by means of gill nets and underwater counts along line transects. Relative abundance of blue tilapias in the run was inversely correlated with water temperature in Lake George, the water body into which the run flows. Many blue tilapias entered the run in late fall or early winter when water temperatures in Lake George fell below those in the run, and they emigrated in spring when Lake George became warmer than the run. Abundances in the run were highest in midwinter during or immediately after periods when lake water temperatures reached their lowest levels. The temperature differentia...
Inelastic scattering contrast in beam-rocking electron diffraction experiments

The double scanning method of Eades has been applied to obtain electron diffraction rocking curves from electrons which have suffered characteristic energy losses in crystals. Observations made on biotite crystals of a few tens of nanometers thickness show that significant information can be obtained with real-time scans of 4 to 8 s for energy losses approaching 1000 eV. Using the characteristic-loss trace for Fe as an example, the possibility of using this technique to determine the substitutional site for a minority species is demonstrated.
Shrinkage of Cotton Fibers in Sodium Hydroxide Solutions and Resulting Elastic Properties

Since the shrinkage of the constituent fibers represents a fundamental change during the slack mercerization of cotton yarns and fabrics, the literature on shrinkage of fibers as such in sodium hydroxide solutions has been reviewed; also that on the elastic properties of air-dry mercerized fibers in comparison with those of the original untreated fibers. It has been reported that raw cotton fibers shrink less than purified fibers. Elongation at break is increased by mercerization of fibers while they are free to shrink, but the shrunken fibers have little if any greater elastic recovery from moderate stretch than similar untreated fibers. Data are included on fibers taken from 2-ply yarns that were mercerized without tension. These fibers seem to have been completely shrunken in the yarn, in which the fibers, if free to swell, apparently shrink as a group.
Maternal nutrition supplementation during pregnancy interferes with physical resemblance of siblings at birth according to infant sex

A randomized controlled double-blind study of nutrition supplementation of pregnant and lactating women was conducted in Suilin township, Taiwan. Pregnant mothers were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups consisting of either a high (800 kcal and 40 g protein) calorie daily supplement or a placebo. For each mother treatment began following the delivery of her first study infant, continued throughout the lactation period; and through the pregnancy and lactation of her second study infant. Comparisons of sibling-sibling anthropometric correlations at birth between groups show that among the placebo group the sibling correlations are statistically significant and of the same magnitude seen in previous studies (approximately 0.5), while among high calorie siblings correlations are unusually low and often not significant. This is particularly true for male fetuses, suggesting that the latter are more sensitive to nutritional environmental variations in utero, than are female fetuses. Reduction in familial correlations, presumed measures of genetic influence, in nutritionally stressed populations, will occur when the environment of relatives differ, but are not due to malnutrition per se.
Anthropometric correlates of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels by race/ethnicity and gender.

Purpose Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels are positively related to some cancers and negatively related to cardiovascular disease. These conditions are also related to insulin resistance and high body weight, leading to the hypothesis that IGF-1 levels may, in part, mediate the association of high body weight with these health outcomes. Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III population, we examined the associations between IGF-1, IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and the IGF-1/IGFBP-3 molar ratio with anthropometric measures in a large, U.S. population-based study where these associations could also be stratified by race/ethnicity and gender. Methods The study population consisted of 3,168 women and 2,635 men (44% non-Hispanic white, 28.2% non-Hispanic black, and 27.7% Mexican-American). Anthropometric measures were obtained by trained personnel in the NHANES mobile examination centers. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were measured using immunoassays by staff at Diagnostic System Laboratories (DSL) Inc. (Webster, TX). Associations of IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 molar ratio with anthropometric variables across race/ethnicity and gender were evaluated by using linear regression modeling. Results Body mass index (BMI) was inversely associated with IGF-1 levels across all of the race/ethnicity and gender subgroups. In contrast, BMI, waist to hip ratio (WHR), and waist circumference were positively associated with IGFBP-3 levels only in non-Hispanic black men and non-Hispanic white women. The IGF-1/IGFBP-3 molar ratio was inversely associated with all anthropometric measures, except height, in all subgroups of the population. Conclusion The significant inverse associations of BMI with IGF-1 levels and of all anthropometric variables, except height, with the IGF-1:IGFBP-3 molar ratio in all subgroups do not support existing hypotheses that associations of excess weight with negative health outcomes, such as specific cancer diagnoses, are mediated through high IGF-1 levels.
Perinatal Cellular Ion Metabolism: 31P-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Analysis of Intracellular Free Magnesium and pH in Maternal and Cord Blood Erythrocytes

OBJECTIVE We sought to establish and compare the distribution of intracellular and extracellular magnesium and pH in cord and maternal erythrocytes at the time of delivery. METHODS We used 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and a magnesium-specific ion-selective electrode apparatus to evaluate plasma and intracellular red cell content of free magnesium, pH, and ionized calcium in blood obtained from cord and corresponding maternal samples. RESULTS Cord erythrocyte intracellular free magnesium content (110 +/- 4 mumol/L) and pH (7.02 +/- 0.01) were lower than corresponding maternal intracellular values (140 +/- 9 mumol/L, P < .05; and 7.20 +/- 0.02, P < .0005, respectively). The extracellular cord ionized magnesium concentration in plasma was closely related to the intracellular free magnesium concentration (r = 0.71, P < .005). Extracellular ionized magnesium and calcium were both greater in cord than in maternal samples (P < .05 and P < .0005, respectively). CONCLUSION These data indicate a differential distribution of extracellular and intracellular magnesium and pH in cord versus maternal blood cells. We hypothesize that these deviations are physiological and may serve to maintain tissue oxygen delivery, while at the same time mediating the changes in vascular tone characteristic of birth.
PROSPER STUDY OF EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION IMPLEMENTATION QUALITY BY COMMUNITY-UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS.

This study examined a community–university partnership model for sustained, high-quality implementation of evidence-based interventions. In the context of a randomized study, it assessed whether implementation quality for both family-focused and school-based universal interventions could be achieved and maintained through community–university partnerships. It also conducted exploratory analyses of factors influencing implementation quality. Results revealed uniformly high rates of both implementation adherence—averaging over 90%—and of other indicators of implementation quality for both family-focused and school-based interventions. Moreover, implementation quality was sustained across two cohorts. Exploratory analyses failed to reveal any significant correlates for family-intervention implementation quality, but did show that some team and instructor characteristics were associated with school-based implementation quality. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 981–999, 2007.
Right mini-thoracotomy: An adjunct to left subcostal automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation

High defibrillation thresholds are encountered in some patients during implantation of the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD). In a consecutive series of 52 patients with AICD implants, 46 had allepicardial implants by left subcostal thoracotomy, and 8 of these patients had thresholds greater than 30 J. Placement of an apicolateral large left ventricular patch and an extrapericardial large right atrial patch electrode through a limited right thoracotomy produced substantial reduction in their thresholds. Especially in patients who have had previous intrapericardial operations, this technique provides a simple solution to the problem of high thresholds.
Studies of water loss in two species of lizards

Abstract 1. 1. The total water loss of the lizards Anolis carolinensis and Uta stansburiana hesperis was determined in dry air at 30°C and convection rates of 0, 252 and 500 cm3/min. Anolis lost water more rapidly than Uta at all three convection rates, the respective mean values at 252 cm3/min being 0·282 and 0·156 per cent initial wt. lost/hr. 2. 2. At 30°C and 252 cm3/min the estimated contribution of respiratory water loss for both Anolis and Uta was equal to 52 per cent of the total water los. Cutaneous evaporation accounted for an estimated 42 per cent of the total water loss of Anolis and 39 per cent of the total for Uta. 3. 3. The greater surface area per unit weight of Anolis undoubtedly contributes to the higher rate of cutaneous evaporation but is insufficient to account for the estimated difference between the two species. 4. 4. The adaptive significance of the rate of water loss is suggested by the fact that the more economical species (Uta) is found in a more arid habitat.
Charmless B decays to baryons

We attempt an estimate of vertical bar V/sub ub//V/sub cb/vertical bar from the recent ARGUS observation of B/sup + -/ ..-->.. p anti p..pi../sup + -/ and B/sup 0/ ..-->.. p anti p..pi../sup +/..pi../sup -/ by studying general processes of the type B ..-->.. N anti N + n..pi.. (n greater than or equal to 0). The main ingredients of the analysis are the pion multiplicity distribution and a few models for the isospin structure of the final state. It is concluded quite generally that vertical bar V/sub ub//V/sub cb/vertical bar = 0.25 +- 0.10 and vertical bar V/sub ub//V/sub cb/vertical bar greater than or equal to 0.08. The ratio may become lower only in the event that both the relevant experimental and theoretical quantities obtain the extreme values considered in our study. We also discuss briefly a possible realization of a ..delta..I = 1/2 rule in these processes.
A Statistical Method for Forecasting Rainfall over Puerto Rico

Using results from a factor analysis regionalization of nontropical storm convective rainfall over the island of Puerto Rico, a statistical methodology is investigated for its potential to forecast rain events over limited areas. Island regionalization is performed on a 15-yr dataset, while the predictive model is derived from 3 yr of surface and rainfall data. The work is an initial attempt at improving objective guidance for operational rainfall forecasting in Puerto Rico. Surface data from two first-order stations are used as input to a partially adaptive classification tree to predict the occurrence of heavy rain. Results from a case study show that the methodology has skill above climatology—the leading contender in such cases. The algorithm also achieves skill over persistence. Comparisons of forecast skill with a linear discriminant analysis suggest that classification trees are an easier and more natural way to handle this kind of forecast problem. Synthesis of results confirms the notion that despite the very local nature of tropical convection, synoptic-scale disturbances are responsible for prepping the environment for rainfall. Generalizations of the findings and a discussion of a more realistic forecast setting in which to apply the technology for improving tropical rainfall forecasts are given.
High precision batch mode micro-electro-discharge machining of metal alloys using DRIE silicon as a cutting tool

This paper reports recent advances in batch mode micro-electro-discharge machining (?EDM) for high precision micromachining of metal alloys such as stainless steel. High-aspect-ratio silicon microstructures with fine feature sizes formed by deep reactive ion etching are used as cutting tools. To machine workpiece features with widths ?10??m, a silicon dioxide coating is necessary to passivate the sidewalls of the silicon tools from spurious discharges. In the machined workpieces, a minimum feature size of ?7??m and an aspect ratio up to 3.2 are demonstrated by the batch mode ?EDM of stainless steel 304 and titanium (Grade 1) substrates. Machining rates up to ?5??m min?1?in feature depth are achieved in batch mode micromachining of typical microfluidic structures, including arrays of channels and cavities of different sizes. The machined features are uniform across a die-scale area of 5???5?mm2. Other machining characteristics are also discussed.