cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 209: Identification of β-catenin lysine 394 as a novel charge button and ubiquitination site by Rad6B

Clinical evidence suggests that β-catenin accumulation in breast cancer is associated with poor prognosis. Accumulation of β-catenin occurs even though activating mutations are rare. However, the mechanisms responsible for stabilization of β-catenin in breast cancer are not well known. We have previously shown that Rad6B stabilizes β-catenin by polyubiquitin modifications that render β-catenin insensitive to 26S proteasome. Rad6B silencing in breast cancer cells with autocrine Wnt activity inhibits β-catenin polyubiquitination and β-catenin mediated transcriptional activity. In this study, we identify the Rad6B-induced site of β-catenin ubiquitination. To map the lysine(s) of β-catenin that are ubiquitinated by Rad6B, in vitro ubiquitination assays were performed with recombinant Rad6B and extracts of COS7 cells transiently transfected with various lengths of myc-tagged β-catenin. These experiments indicated lysine residues located between amino acids 181-422 of β-catenin as potential targets of Rad6B mediated ubiquitination sites. To identify the Rad6B responsive ubiquitination site(s) in β-catenin, lysines 312, 335, 345, 354 or 394 located in the transcriptional regulatory domain in armadillo repeats (ARM) 5-7 were mutated to arginine as this maintains the charge distribution and minimizes the risk of disturbing the superhelical armadillo domain structure. In vitro ubiquitination assays identified K394 located in ARM 7 as the major site of Rad6B-induced ubiquitination. In vivo ubiquitination assays in Wnt silent MCF-7 breast cancer cells showed impairment of K345R- and K394R-β-catenin ubiquitination. The impact of these mutations on β-catenin mediated reporter transactivation was determined in MCF-7 cells. Whereas K312R, K335R, K345R or K354R mutations caused none to marginal drop in TOP-mediated reporter activation as compared to wild type β-catenin, K394R mutation of β-catenin caused ∼50% drop in TOP/Flash activity. Consistent with the TOP reporter transactivation data, expression of Rad6B, itself a β-catenin/TCF transcriptional target, was reduced in K394R-β-catenin transfected MCF-7 cells. In vitro ubiquitination assays using recombinant wild type or catalytically inert Rad6B and a synthetic 29 amino acid β-catenin peptide encompassing the K394 residue confirmed Rad6B ubiquitination of K394. We observed decreased expression of K394R-β-catenin in vivo. Treatment with the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 failed to rescue its expression, indicating that decreased expression is not due to proteasomal degradation. These data reveal K394 as a novel site of β-catenin ubiquitination and a novel charge button that may be important for maintaining the overall structure and stability of β-catenin. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 209. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-209
Molecular analysis of multiple CYP6B genes from polyphagous Papilio species.

Abstract Papilio glaucus (eastern tiger swallowtail) and Papilio. canadensis (Canadian tiger swallowtail) are two closely related species with broad but overlapping hostplant ranges. P. glaucus encounters toxic furanocoumarins occasionally in its diet in its rutaceous hostplants, whereas P. canadensis rarely if ever encounters these compounds. Analysis of their furanocoumarin-metabolic profiles indicates that these species induce cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) capable of metabolizing linear and angular furanocoumarins to varying degrees in response to dietary supplementation with xanthotoxin (a linear furanocoumarin). In P. glaucus , metabolism is induced to a significantly higher level than in P. canadensis . Cloning of multiple P450 genes from each species has revealed that both species contain and express two groups of P450s, designated CYP6B4 and CYP6B17 , that are related to the P. glaucus CYP6B4v1 enzyme known to metabolize an array of furanocoumarins. Expression patterns of the CYP6B4 and CYP6B17 group transcripts differ in these species in both their basal and furanocoumarin-inducible levels. In P. glaucus , CYP6B4 transcripts, which are not detectable constitutively, are 311-fold induced by xanthotoxin and CYP6B17 transcripts, which are detectable constitutively, are 3-fold induced by xanthotoxin. In P. canadensis , CYP6B4 transcripts are only 8-fold induced and CYP6B17 transcripts are 13-fold induced. These findings are consistent with the postulated evolutionary history of these two species, according to which P. glaucus maintains its association with rutaceous hostplants and P. canadensis has differentiated to utilize hostplants in other families more extensively
Su1441 The Rate of Decline in the Levels of Bilirubin and Alkaline Phosphatase After Therapeutic ERCP for the Relief of Common Bile Duct Obstruction

The Rate of Decline in the Levels of Bilirubin and Alkaline Phosphatase After Therapeutic ERCP for the Relief of Common Bile Duct Obstruction Kian Makipour, Mandeep Singh, Anil K. Vegesna, Larry S. Miller Temple University, Philadelphia, PA Background: In certain clinical situations it is important to know the rate of change of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase. For example when a CBD stone is removed or a stent placed the levels of bilirubin and/or alkaline phosphatase should decrease at a certain rate. If they do not drop at that rate it may be assumed that the bile duct remains fully or partially obstructed. However, the rate of change in bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase is not clear. Purpose: To evaluate the rate of change in bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase after therapeutic ERCP for the relief of common bile duct obstruction. Methods: A retrospective review of 86 patients (52Yrs, 32M, 54F, 27Caucasian, 25African American, 33Hispanic and 1Asian) with CBD obstruction and elevated bilirubin and/or alkaline phosphatase was performed to determine the rate of change of the levels of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase during the CBD obstruction and after relief of the CBD obstruction. 86 patients with CBD obstruction had either a stone removed (86 patients) and or a stent placed (20 patients) to relieve the obstruction. Levels of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin were followed for up to five days or until the patient was discharged from the hospital. Results: The initial alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels were 232 IU, 5 mg/dl and 3 mg/dl respectively. The rate of change for alkaline phosophtase, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels were -7.28 IU/L, -0.59 mg/ dl and -0.36 mg/dl per day respectively (graph 1 and 2). Conclusions: We measured the rate of change of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin after relief of CBD obstruction. The rate of change in alkaline phosphatase levels was greater than the rate of change in bilirubin levels after relief of CBD obstruction. We plan to use these rates of change in the future to monitor patients after relief of CBD obstruction.
Degenerate Mass Operator Perturbation Theory in the Hubbard Model

The "atomic limit" (kinetic energy zero) of the Hubbard Hamiltonian has extreme degeneracy under very general circumstances. The kinetic energy or hopping term removes this degeneracy. It has been shown by Harris and Lange that there are important first-order manifestations of this fact. For instance, nonlocal correlations exist which invalidate usual Green's function truncation schemes. We present a mass operator perturbation scheme devised on the principle that, first of all, the role of kinetic energy as a breaker of degeneracy must be accounted for. A sort of Taylor's expansion of the mass operator in terms of the kinetic energy is found, the coefficients of which are functionals of the exact Green's functions at zero kinetic energy. The ambiguity due to the degeneracy is removed from these functions self consistently and thereby the degeneracy properly treated. We present a Green's function which accounts for all first-order effects of the kinetic energy.
Male defense of the breeding cavity and factors affecting the persistence of breeding pairs in the stomatopod, Gonodactylus bredini (Manning) (Crustacea: Hoplocarida)

In Caribbean Panama, nonreproductive male and female stomatopods are solitary and defend their own coral-rubble cavities. When breeding pairs form, however, males assume all responsibility for cavity defense. To compare success in cavity defense and defensive tactics among paired and unpaired males, and to examine the tendency for paired stomatopods to exchange their present mates for larger (higher quality) individuals, we introduced same-sized and 15% larger male, and same-sized and 15% larger reproductive female intruders to paired and unpaired male residents in a balanced design. Paired males were more successful at cavity defense than unpaired males, evidently because paired males strike intruders more than unpaired males, and because intruders fight less intensely against paired males than against unpaired males. Paired males occasionally attempted extrapair copulations, but showed little tendency to abandon their mates in favor of larger females. Paired females, however, mated readily with intruder males that evicted resident males. Populationwide female breeding synchrony and prolonged female receptivity before oviposition reduce variance in male mating success and may force males to guard the breeding cavity to assure their paternity. Uncertainty about the reproductive condition of intruder females may prevent males from exchanging mates.
Metabolism of estrogens by rabbit blastocysts: formation of estrogen glucosides and preferential conversion of estrone to estradiol-17β

Abstract When day 6 rabbit blastocysts were cultured (3 embryos/mL) in medium 199 containing 3.68 μM estradiol-17β (E2), 40% of E2 was metabolized in 24 h, at a rate of 18 pmol/embryo(b)h, yielding 4 major metabolite fractions. Two of them were identified to be estrogen glucosides: 17β-hydroxyestra-1,3,5(lO)-trien-3-yl β-D-glucopyranoside (E23G) (12 pmol/b/h) and 17-oxoestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-yl β-D-glucopyranoside (E13G) (0.5 pmol/b/h). If the blastocysts were cultured in 3.68 μM E1 medium, 75% of E1 was metabolized in 24 h (34.1 pmol/b/h); most of it appears as E2 (8 pmol/b/h), E13G (16 pmol/b/h), and E23G (6 pmol/b/h). Thus, the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the rabbit blastocysts catalyzes mainly in the direction of the E1→E2 conversion, with little or no E2→E1. This may be responsible in part for the faster metabolism of E1 than E2 by the rabbit blastocyst. In comparison with the rat, mouse, and hamster blastocyst, the rabbit embryo shows an additional capability to conjugate large amounts of estrogens into glucosides by steroid glucosyltransferase.
The Wisconsin Wind Tunnel project: an annotated bibliography

This document lists contributors to the Wisconsin Wind Tunnel Project, gives a brief description of the project, and presents references and abstracts to its principal papers, including how to obtain them online.
Desiccation tolerance of four strains of Rhizobium japonicum

Abstract The survival of different strains of Rhizobium japonicum was evaluated in three soils with two matric- and three osmotic-induced moisture potentials. Both drying and added NaCl significantly decreased populations. Strains CC 709 and USDA 110 were less affected by the matric- or osmotic-induced desiccation than strains CB 1809 and USDA 123. The survival of CC 709 and USDA 110 at 2 weeks with 0.7% added NaCI was 33 and 46% of initial counts in soils undergoing drying, and 70 and 69% in soils maintained at the 30kPa (0.3 bar) potential. Comparable survivals of CB 1809 and USDA 123 were 15 and 18% and 56 and 59%, respectively. The soil with the greatest clay and organic C contents maintained the highest populations during desiccation. Turbidity measurements indicated similar rates of growth of the four strains at a water activity ( A w ) of 0.999 in yeast mannitol broth (YMB). When the YMB was adjusted with glycerol to lower water activities, strains CC 709 and USDA 110 consistently showed greater growth than did strains CB 1809 and USDA 123. No growth of CB 1809 and USDA 123 was observed at an ( A w ) of 0.975. Water adsorption isotherms of freeze-dried cells showed that the more desiccation-susceptible strains (CC 709 and USDA 110) retained greater amounts of water at a given relative vapor pressure than did the two more tolerant strains.
Algebraic formulation of the fast Fourier transform

A new unified formulation of the fast Fourier transform is presented. It is shown that all FFT algorithms can be derived by different methods of multidimensional array unwrapping. The eight principal decimation in time FFT algorithms are derived. Two algorithms with the desirable properties of sequential input, sequential output and identical computational geometry are also derived. The derivation of the decimation in frequency FFT algorithms is then discussed. While most of the results presented here have been derived earlier using matrix Kronecker products, the present formulation is simpler and more intuitive that the equivalent matrix formulation.
Effects of Extensive and Poor Gastrointestinal Metabolism on the Pharmacodynamics of Pravastatin

The enhanced nonenzymatic isomerization of pravastatin to SQ 31,906, a relatively inactive metabolite, has been demonstrated to occur on exposure to gastric acidity in humans. However, the effect of gastric metabolism on the pharmacodynamics of pravastatin has not been studied. In addition, it was hypothesized that some individuals may be more extensive gastric metabolizers than others. Sixteen men received 4 weeks of oral therapy with pravastatin 10 mg after a 6-week drug washout diet run-in period. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were determined after 8 hours of serum sampling on the final day of therapy. Patients with a metabolic ratio for area under the concentration-time curve (AUC 0-8 of pravastatin/AUC 0-8 of SQ 31,906) of less than 1.6 had a significantly lower reduction in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol compared with those with a ratio 1.6. An enteric formulation of pravastatin should increase the bioavailability of pravastatin and enhanced lipid-lowering efficacy.
Duration of poststrike elevation in tongue-flicking rate in the savannah monitor lizard, Varanus exanthematicus

The duration of poststrike elevation in tongue-flicking (PETF) in the savannah monitor, Varanus exanthematicus, is experimentally estimated to be at least 25 min, with some residual increase persisting for at least 30 min. This is by far the most prolonged PETF yet observed in a lizard, as predicted from the active foraging on mobile prey and the chemosensory specializations of the varanid tongue. PETF is shorter than in rattlesnakes, presumably because prolonged search is more likely to be successful when the prey has been envenomated. Strike-induced chemosensory searching, which consists of both PETF and searching movements, appears to be of shorter dutation than PETF because searching movements do not last as long as PETF. Individual lizards differ markedly in the duration of tongue-flicking and the degree of increase in tongueflicking attributable to biting prey. Individuals tongue-flick at their own highest rates in the first minutes after stimulus presentation, then show a decline, often to zero. So...
Novel features of prephenate aminotransferase from cell cultures of Nicotiana silvestris.

Abstract A prephenate aminotransferase enzyme that produces l -arogenate was demonstrated in extracts from cultured-cell populations of Nicotiana silvestris . The enzyme was very active with low concentrations of prephenate, but required high concentrations of phenylpyruvate or 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate to produce activity levels that were detectable. It is the most specific prephenate aminotransferase described to date from any source. Only l -glutamate and l -aspartate were effective amino-donor substrates. Prephenate concentrations greater than 1 m m produced substrate inhibition, an effect antagonized by increasing concentrations of l -glutamate cosubstrate. The enzyme was stable to storage for at least a month in the presence of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, EDTA, and glycerol, and exhibited an unusually high temperature optimum of 70 °C. The identity of l -arogenate formed during catalysis was verified by high-performance liquid chromatography. DEAE-cellulose chromatography revealed two aromatic aminotransferase activities that were distinct from prephenate aminotransferase and which did not require the three protectants for stability. The aromatic aminotransferases were active with phenylpyruvate or 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate as substrates, but not with prephenate. Both of the latter enzymes were similar in substrate specificity, and each exhibited a temperature optimum of 50 °C for catalysis. The primary in vivo function of the two aromatic aminotransferases is probably to transaminate between the aspartate/2-ketoglutarate and glutamate/oxaloacetate couples, since activities with the latter substrate combinations were an order of magnitude greater than with aromatic substrates. The demonstrated existence of a specific prephenate aminotransferase in N. silvestris meshes with other evidence supporting an important role for l -arogenate in tyrosine and phenylalanine biosynthesis in higher plants.
Carnitine acetyltransferase activity in the human brain and its microvessels is decreased in Alzheimer's disease

L-Carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine facilitate mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids. In the brain, they may also have a role in acetylcholine synthesis. Carnitine acetyltransferase catalyzes the interchange between L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine. Recently, acetyl-L-carnitine was reported to have a beneficial effect in patients with Alzheimer's disease. We therefore assessed carnitine acetyl-transferase activity in selected brain regions and in isolated cerebral microvessels obtained at autopsy from patients with Alzheimer's disease and from age-matched control subjects. We found a 25 to 40% decrease in carnitine acetyltransferase activity in patients with Alzheimer's disease, which attained statistical significance in most brain regions and in cerebral microvessels. These findings document another neurochemical abnormality in patients with Alzheimer's disease and provide a rationale for the use of acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Food habits and intestinal parasites of deep demersal fishes from the upper continental slope east of Newfoundland, northwest Atlantic Ocean

Stomach contents and intestinal parasite faunas of 471 individuals of demersal fishes in 14 species were examined from the Carson Canyon region (Lat. 45°30′N; Long. 48°40′W) of the upper continental slope of the Grand Banks off Newfoundland, Canada. Individual species tended to feed either on benthic or on pelagic/benthopelagic organisms, but pelagic prey assumed the greatest importance overall. Data from stomach contents were supported by the parasite information. Prevalence of parasites was higher in benthic feeders (53.1%) than in pelagic feeders (28.9%), and relative abundance by major group was: Digenetic Trematoda 5.8% benthic vs 27.8% pelagic, Nematoda 53.1% vs 72.2%, and Acanthocephala 40.9% vs 0%. Of the dominant fishes, there were more species of benthic feeders (5) than pelagic feeders (3), but pelagic feeders were numerically more abundant (pelagic 70.9%, benthic 20.5%). Benthic feeders were on average larger (=270.6g) than pelagic ones (=130.6g), but pelagic feeders represented a larger proportion of the biomass (pelagic 43.3%, benthic 25.9%). The results of this study combined with those from other areas suggest that feeding from the pelagial by demersal fishes at upper continental slope depths is probably the general rule.
In vivo Serotonin-Sensitive Binding of [11C]CUMI-101: A Serotonin 1A Receptor Agonist Positron Emission Tomography Radiotracer

Positron emission tomography studies of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A receptors have hitherto been limited to antagonist radiotracers. Antagonists do not distinguish high/low-affinity conformations of G protein-coupled receptors and are less likely to be sensitive to intrasynaptic serotonin levels. We developed a novel 5-HT1A agonist radiotracer [11C]CUMI-101. This study evaluates the sensitivity of [11C]CUMI-101 binding to increases in intrasynaptic serotonin induced by intravenous citalopram and fenfluramine. Two Papio anubis were scanned, using [11C]CUMI-101 intravenous bolus of 4.5±1.5 mCi. Binding potential (BPF=Bavail/KD) was measured before (n=10) and 20 minutes after elevation of intrasynaptic serotonin by intravenous citalopram (2 mg/kg, n=3; 4 mg/kg, n=3) and fenfluramine (2.5 mg/kg, n=3) using a metabolite-corrected arterial input function. Occupancy was also estimated by the Lassen graphical approach. Both citalopram and fenfluramine effects were significant for BPF (P=0.031, P=0.049, respectively). The Lassen approach estimated 15.0, 30.4, and 23.7% average occupancy after citalopram 2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, and fenfluramine 2.5 mg/kg, respectively. [11C]CUMI-101 binding is sensitive to a large increase in intrasynaptic serotonin in response to robust pharmacological challenges. These modest changes in BPF may make it unlikely that this ligand will detect changes in intrasynaptic 5-HT under physiologic conditions; future work will focus on evaluating its utility in measuring the responsiveness of the 5-HT system to pharmacological challenges.
Recombinant Human Insulin-Like Growth Factor II Expressed in Escherichia coli

Human Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) was produced in Escherichia coli as a 113 amino acid chimeric protein, LE1-Met-IGF-II consisting of 45 N-terminal amino acids from the E. coli trp leader peptide and the trpE polypeptide, and 67 C-terminal amino acids for IGF-II. High-level expression of the fusion protein, LE1-Met-IGF-II, was obtained with pCZ21, a plasmid containing a thermoinducible runaway replicon and the kanamycin resistance marker from Tn5. In E. coli, LE1-Met-IGF-II formed granules that were isolated and cleaved with cyanogen bromide to liberate IGF-II. IGF-II was sulfitolyzed, purified by anion exchange chromatography, refolded through a disulfide interchange reaction, and further purified by reverse-phase HPLC and gel filtration. The biological activity of this recombinant human IGF-II was measured in a competitive protein binding assay for IGF-II and by its ability to stimulate amino isobutyric acid uptake and protein synthesis in NCTC 2414 fibroblast cultures.
Pellet fueling system for ITER

Abstract The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) will use an advanced, high-velocity pellet injection system to achieve and maintain ignited plasmas. Three pellet injectors are proposed. For ramp-up to ignition, a highly reliable, moderate-velocity (1- to 1.5-km/s) single-stage pneumatic injector and a high-velocity (1.5- to 5-km/s) two-stage pneumatic pellet injector that uses frozen hydrogenic pellets encased in sabots will be used. For the steady-state burn phase, a continuous, single-stage pneumatic injector is proposed; this injector will provide a flexible fueling source beyond the edge region to aid in decoupling the edge region (whose parameters are constrained by divertor requirements) from the high-temperature burning plasma. Because pellet fueling is more efficient than gas injection, it may be possible to use pellet fueling to provide all of the tritium and a portion of the deuterium needed to sustain the fusion reaction and to use deuterium gas injection to provide the required edge densities for optimum divertor conditions. In addition to decreasing the tritium throughput and raising the tritium burn fraction, this mode of operation allows a deuterium-rich boundary layer gas at the edge, which could significantly lower tritium inventories in plasma-facing components. All three pellet injectors are designed for operation with tritium feed gas. Issues such as performance, neutron activation of injector components, maintenance, design of the pellet injection vacuum line, gas loads to the reprocessing system, and equipment layout are discussed. Results and plans for supporting research and development in the areas of tritium pellet fabrication, continuous extruders, and high-velocity, repetitive two-stage pneumatic injectors are presented.
Geopolymerization of biopolymers: a preliminary inquiry

Abstract The Maillard reaction occurring in biopolymers was investigated to prove that biopolymers could convert to geopolymers over the years. Melanoidin chromophore was used as a marker for the Maillard reaction to take place. A characteristic property of geopolymers is the high content of humic materials, particularly humic and fulvic acids containing melanoidin. Chitosan can play the role of nitrogen functional groups, forming the precursor of the melanoidin compound. We observed the absorption peak that is identified by UV–Vis Spectrometry, in the chitosan as well as in the glucose–glycine or glucosamine, respectively. This peak represents the formation of melanoidin, the Maillard product. However, xanthan gum, not containing nitrogenous functions, did not yield the melanoidin peak. The Maillard reactions are dependent upon temperature and reaction time, and occurred in the following experiments: glucosamine, chitosan plus glucose, chitosan plus glucosamine, xanthan gum plus tea, and xanthan gum plus urine. These reactions also depend on the carbohydrate molecules as well as on the existence of nitrogen functional groups. Simple Maillard reaction in biopolymers can help simulate a possible pathway for the geopolymerization phenomena in natural environments.
An Interactive Computer Graphics Package for Electric Power Engineering Education

The widespread availability of computer terminals with graphics capability has made it possible to develop interactive software for use in electric power engineering education. This paper presents a general description of the RPI graphics system and the programs now available for power engineering use.
Potential Energy Surfaces for the Al+O2 Reaction

We present a systematic multiconfigurational study of the lowest two doublet potential energy surfaces of atomic aluminum with molecular oxygen. The most likely products, AlO and AlO2, are expected to figure prominently in subsequent reactions to form Al2O3. The main reaction pathways on both surfaces invariably lead to the formation of cyclic AlO2, possibly followed by isomerization to the lower-energy linear AlO2 isomer. A reaction path leading from Al+O2 directly to AlO+O was not located. However, both AlO2 isomers can dissociate to AlO+O with no barrier beyond endothermicity. There is also no barrier for the reaction of AlO2 with AlO to form Al2O3, and this reaction is highly exothermic.
Carcinoma of the prostate. Its treatment by a combination of radioactive gold‐grain implant and external irradiation

Out of 67 patients treated with radiotherapy from 1967 to August 1972, a small group of 17 patients were treated by a combination of radioactive gold grain implant plus external Cobalt-60 teletherapy. The average dose from the implant was 4000 rads, which was supplemented with external irradiation to a total dose of 8000 rads TD. Because of the small number of patients and the short follow-up, no definite conclusions can be drawn at this time. The technique used permits the delivery of a higher total tumor dose of about 8000 rads with relatively low complication rate.
"Northern Territories" and Beyond: Russian, Japanese, and American Perspectives

Preface by James E. Goodby, Vladimir I. Ivanov, and Nobuo Shimotomai Introduction by Vladimir I. Ivanov History of the Territorial Dispute to 1986 The Northern Territories/South Kuril Islands Dispute by Saburo Okita and Minoru Takahashi A Diplomatic History of the Dispute by Raymond Garthoff From Stalin to Brezhnev by Alexander N. Panov Problems of the Neutrality Period by Matthew J. Ouimet On the Historiographical Frontier by John J. Stephan Japanese Perceptions of Russia by Hiroshi Kimura Russian Perceptions of Japan by Semiyon I. Verbitskii Rethinking the Relationship, 1986-1993 From Gorbachev to Yeltsin by Alexander Panov Shintaro Abe's "Creative Diplomacy" by Junjiro Isomura The Debate Before the Summit by Herbert J. Ellison Continuing Stalemate by Tsuyoshi Hasegawa Japan's Russia Policy and October 1993 Summit by Nobuo Shimotomai Overcoming the Psychological Impasse by Konstantin O. Sarkisov Beyond the Cold War The Territorial Dispute in the Post-Cold War International Context by Robert A. Scalapino An Age of Upheaval by Donald C. Hellmann Paths to Resolution of the Territorial Dispute by Vasili I. Saplin Natural Resources of the Disputed Area by Mark J. Valencia and Noel A. Ludwig Environment and History by Peter J. Poole Russian Economic Reforms and Japan by Ivan Tselitschev How Japan Should Deal with Russia by Motohide Saito Towards New Era of Russian-Japanese Relations by Susumu Takahashi Regional Security and the Future of the Trilateral Relationship New Opportunities for Russian-Japanese Normalization by Vladimir P. Lukin New Priorities for Asia-Pacific Security by Sheila A. Smith Regional Security Context by Atsushi Shimokobe Naval and Other Forces in the Northwest Pacific by James L. George Japan, Russia, and Nuclear Nonproliferation by Takehiko Kamo Russia and the United States-Japan Partnership by Vladimir I. Ivanov Nuclear Disarmament, Nuclear Energy, and Defense Conversion by Takeshi Kondo Cooperative Security in Northeast Asia by James E. Goodby Chronology of Events, 1986-1994 by Robert Valliant Bibliography by Frederick A. Williams
Spectra and cross sections for electron autoionisation in low energy Mg/+/-Ne collisions

Electron autoionisation spectra resulting from Mg+-Ne collisions are reported in the electron energy range 19-30 eV, at Mg+ energies of 5.0, 2.0 and 0.70 keV. An energy shift in one autoionisation feature and a broadening of another are observed. Large absolute differential cross sections at theta =90 degrees (of the order 10-17 cm2 sr-1) are measured by comparison of the Mg+-Ne electron signal to elastic scattering signal of electrons on Ne.
Parallel Block Vectors: Collection, Analysis, and Uses

Parallel block vector profiles (PBVs) establish a mapping between a multithreaded application's basic blocks and the degree of parallelism the application exhibits each time a block executes. PBVs offer a new perspective that helps users both reason about parallel programs' hardware and software interactions and identify opportunities for performance improvements. Here, the authors present two PBV applications for architectural design and discuss further opportunities to apply PBVs in other fields. They also demonstrate how the open-source tool Harmony lets programmers collect PBVs with minimal programmer effort and application perturbation.
A visualization tool to support decision making in environmental and biological planning

Large-scale ecosystem management involves consideration of many factors for informed decision making. The EverVIEW Data Viewer is a cross-platform desktop decision support tool to help decision makers compare simulation model outputs from competing plans for restoring Florida's Greater Everglades. The integration of NetCDF metadata conventions into EverVIEW allows end-users from multiple institutions within and beyond the Everglades restoration community to share information and tools. Our development process incorporates continuous interaction with targeted end-users for increased likelihood of adoption. One of EverVIEW's signature features is side-by-side map panels, which can be used to simultaneously compare species or habitat impacts from alternative restoration plans. Other features include examination of potential restoration plan impacts across multiple geographic or tabular displays, and animation through time. As a result of an iterative, standards-driven approach, EverVIEW is relevant to large-scale planning beyond Florida, and is used in multiple biological planning efforts in the United States. Decision-support tool for evaluating alternative restoration plans against objectives.Development of metadata conventions incentivizes community cooperation and compliance.Georeferenced data overlays on side-by-side 3D Earth map panels and table views.Multiple displays: spatial, tabular, and ability to animate through seasons and years.Location tracking through time of simulation model output for ease of decision making.
A study of cesium vapor attack on thermionic converter construction materials

Abstract Results are reported on a study of the rate of attack by cesium vapor on a number of ceramic, metallic and metal-ceramic seal materials considered for possible use in the construction of cesium vapor thermionic converters. The main objectives in this study were two-fold: (1) to obtain data on which to select attack resistant materials for use in current thermionic converter work, (2) to determine where concerted effort was needed and should be placed in more extensive attack rate experiments to follow. A description is given of a test vessel having an integral cesium source in which the attack experiments were conducted, as well as the processing and testing procedures that were followed. A considerable variation of attack rates were observed for various commercial and proprietary ceramic bodies between 600 and 900°C. What appears to be an anomalous variation in the attack rate with temperature was also observed for certain ceramic bodies. Photomicrographs are presented showing the results of attack on a variety of metallic materials of interest at 900°C along with similar results on representative active-alloy metal-ceramic seals. A brief description will be given of a program which is under way to investigate those areas determined to be in need of additional study, along with any pertinent early results obtained.
High stress late Maastrichtian paleoenvironment: inference from planktonic foraminifera in Tunisia

High resolution (V5^10 kyr) planktonic foraminiferal analysis at Elles, Tunisia, reveals major changes in the structure of the Tethyan marine ecosystem during the upper Maastrichtian. During the first 1.5 Myr of the late Maastrichtian (68.3^66.8 Ma) relatively stable environmental conditions and cool temperatures are indicated by diverse planktonic foraminiferal populations with abundant intermediate and surface dwellers. A progressive cooling trend between V66.8^65.45 Ma resulted in the decline of globotruncanid species (intermediate dwellers). This group experienced a further decline at the climax of a rapid warm event about 300 kyr before the K^T boundary. At the same time relative abundances of long ranging dominant species fluctuated considerably reflecting the high stress environmental conditions. Times of critical high stress environments during the late Maastrichtian, and particularly at the K^T boundary, are indicated by low species diversity and blooms of the opportunistic genus Guembelitria at warm^ cool transition intervals. During the last 100 kyr of the Maastrichtian rapid cooling is associated with accelerated species extinctions followed by the extinction of all tropical and subtropical species at the K^T boundary. fl 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Moving lupus epidemiology forward: returning to the basics

The protracted diagnostic period and variable disease presentation not only complicate diagnosing SLE but also the epidemiologic study of it. Coupled with the remitting and relapsing nature of the disease and the challenges in managing it, clinical research in lupus requires careful attention to study design, control selection, temporality, and many often overlooked issues in the analysis phase. Between "big data" and the impressive advances in the basic sciences, it is tempting to either oversimplify methods to take advantage of "big data" or overcomplicate because the problem itself is complicated. As we revisit the building blocks of epidemiologic research, we will uncover opportunities to move epidemiology and clinical research forward in SLE. Why do we care about effect modification and what is it? Why can we not just adjust for everything that we want to? And perhaps, most importantly, going back to the very beginning and asking ourselves: does this matter? During this talk we will discuss issues relating to case identification methods, potential biases associated with control selection, and return to the basics of epidemiologic research. Although we shall discuss these issues in the context of environmental (nongenetic) factors, these concerns extend across the worlds of observational data analysis, can impact randomized trials, and are relevant for all types of exposures and outcomes.
Iteration by literation and magic squares

We consider sequences of natural numbers in which each successive term is the number of letters in a literation of its predecessor. It is shown that these sequences may or may not converge depending on the language being used. Also considered are magic squares that are obtained from a literation of the numbers in another magic square. Some language‐dependent techniques for constructing such examples are presented.
The Convergent and Discriminant Validity of Procedural Justice and Police Legitimacy: An Empirical Test of Core Theoretical Propositions

Abstract Purpose Procedural justice and police legitimacy have been recognized as important antecedents to people's willingness to cooperate with police officers and obey the law. What existing literature lacks, however, is a thorough psychometric examination of procedural justice and police legitimacy with respect to convergent and discriminant validity. Methods The present study employs confirmatory factor analysis to examine convergent and discriminant validity and ordinary least squares regression to assess whether revised scales operate similarly to ones used in past research. Results Results suggest that the legitimacy construct is not internally consistent and that one of its subscales loads with the procedural justice items to form a single scale composed of both procedural justice and legitimacy items. Regression analyses indicate that the modified measures operate similarly to traditional ones. Conclusion It is urged that researchers pursue the theoretical and empirical development of procedural justice and police legitimacy in order to further the study of the normative model of policing.
Universal (Non)service? Water Markets, Household Demand and the Poor in Urban Kenya

Compared with the non-poor, just how inadequately are the urban poor served by the public utilities and private water providers? Based on a survey of 674 households, this paper examines current water use and unit costs in three Kenyan towns and also tests the willingness of the unconnected to pay for piped water or improved kiosk service. By examining the water use behaviour of poor and non-poor households, this study brings into question a long-standing notion in the literature-that only the poor are underserved, use little water and pay a lot for it. It also indicates that the standard prescription to 'price water and create water markets' is in itself insufficient to improve service delivery and that kiosks are not always a good solution for serving the poor.
The Making of (Post)colonial Cities in Central Europe

In her article "The Making of (Post)colonial Cities in Central Europe" Agata Anna Lisiak discusses some of the transformations taking place in Berlin, Budapest, Prague, and Warsaw after 1989. Lisiak proposes that Central European capitals are (post)colonial cities because their politics, cultures, societies, and economies have been shaped by two centers of power: the Soviet Union as the former colonizer, whose influence remains visible predominantly in architecture, infrastructure, social relations, and mentalities and Western culture and Western and/or global capital as the current colonizer, whose impact extends over virtually all spheres of urban life. Furthermore, the cities under scrutiny are "in-between" not only because they exist between the West and the East, but also because they are torn between the Soviet colonial past and the Western/global colonial present. The (post)colonial and "in-between peripheral" identities and locations of the Central European capitals complement each other and their analysis provides a relevant perspective on the transformation processes that have shaped and continue to shape the region after 1989. Agata Anna Lisiak, "The Making of (Post)colonial Cities in Central Europe" page 2 of 9 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 12.1 (2010):
Adenylic acid-rich sequence in RNAs of Rous sarcoma virus and Rauscher mouse leukaemia virus.

ADENYLIC ACID (A)-rich sequences have been found in some mRNAs of animal cells1,2 and DNA viruses3 but not in the RNAs of cytocidal or oncogenic RNA viruses. These sequences have been proposed to be involved in the transport of mRNA to the cytoplasm from the nucleus or vaccinia virus core2,3, or in the association of mRNA with proteins necessary for translation1.
Ecydsial efficiency and evolutionary efficacy among marine arthropods: implications for trilobite survivorship

A comparison of ecdysial patterns between trilobites and other macrobenthic marine arthropods (crabs, shrimp, lobsters, horseshoe crabs) reveals differences that may have evolutionary consequences. Limulus and many malacostracans apparently have a signature ecdysial style; conversely, a range of moult configurations characterized trilobite ecdysis, and this variation is evident even within individual species. A canalised ecdysial habit may be safer or metabolically more efficient and therefore, summed over the history of the class, evolutionarily advantageous. Some trilobite clades show evolutionary trends toward morphologies that would have facilitated ecdysis (e.g. reduction in the number of thoracic segments, reduction in the number and prominence of spines), but co-adaptation or multiple-use effects complicate the evolutionary signal of ecdysial selection. Survivorship analysis supports a possible link between ecdysial habit and evolutionary success: genera with fewer thoracic segments (= easier ecyds...
A double missense variation of the BUB1 gene and a defective mitotic spindle checkpoint in the pancreatic cancer cell line Hs766T

To determine sequence variations of the BUB1 and BUB1B genes in pancreatic cancer, the entire coding regions of the BUB1 and BUB1B genes were sequenced in pancreatic cancer cell lines and xenografts. Although only polymorphic alterations were found in the BUB1B gene, the aneuploid pancreatic cell line Hs766T had two novel missense variants (p.[Y259C;H265N]) in the BUB1 gene. These mutations were on the same allele, accompanied by a wild-type BUB1 allele. This change was not found in other samples, the literature, or 110 additional chromosomes from a reference population. Compared to two cell lines having microsatellite instability (MIN), the TP53 wild-type pancreatic cell line Hs766T had a defective mitotic spindle checkpoint, indicative of a cell line with chromosomal instability (CIN). Evidence that this checkpoint pathway can be abrogated by mutations in the BUB1 gene (Cahill et al., 1998) supports the suggestion the missense mutations of the BUB1 gene in the Hs766T cell line may contribute to its observed mitotic checkpoint defect.
Estimating sub-surface dispersed oil concentration using acoustic backscatter response

The recent Deepwater Horizon disaster resulted in a dispersed oil plume at an approximate depth of 1000 m. Several methods were used to characterize this plume with respect to concentration and spatial extent including surface supported sampling and autonomous underwater vehicles with in situ instrument payloads. Additionally, echo sounders were used to track the plume location, demonstrating the potential for remote detection using acoustic backscatter (ABS). This study evaluated use of an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) to quantitatively detect oil-droplet suspensions from the ABS response in a controlled laboratory setting. Results from this study showed log-linear ABS responses to oil-droplet volume concentration. However, the inability to reproduce ABS response factors suggests the difficultly in developing meaningful calibration factors for quantitative field analysis. Evaluation of theoretical ABS intensity derived from the particle size distribution provided insight regarding method sensitivity in the presence of interfering ambient particles.
Interfractional anatomic variation in patients treated with respiration-gated radiotherapy

As quality assurance for respiration-gated treatments using the Varian RPM system, we monitor interfractional diaphragm variation throughout treatment using extra anterior-posterior (AP) portal images. We measure the superior-inferior (SI distance between one or more bony landmarks and the ipsilateral diaphragm dome in each such radiograph and calculate its difference, D, from the corresponding distance in a planning CT scan digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR). For each patient, the mean of D represents the systematic diaphragm displacement, and the standard deviation of D represents random diaphragm variations and is a measure of interfractional gating reproducibility. We present results for 31 sequential patients (21 lung, 10 liver tumors), each with at least 8 such portal images. For all patients, the gate included end-exhale. The patient-specific duty cycle ranged from 30% to 60%. All patients received customized audio prompting for simulation and treatment, and 14 patients also received visual prompting. Respiration-synchronized fluoroscopic movies taken at a conventional simulator revealed patient-specific diaphragm excursions from 1.0 cm to 5.0 cm and diaphragm excursion within the gate from 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm, demonstrating a significant reduction of intra-fractional diaphragm (and by inference tumor) motion by respiratory gating. One standard deviation of the systematic displacement (the mean of D) was 0.63 cm and 0.48 cm for the lung and liver patient groups, respectively. The average +/-1 SD of the random displacements (i.e., the average of the standard deviations of D) was 0.42 +/- 0.11 cm and 0.50 +/- 0.19 for the two groups, respectively. The similar magnitude of the systematic and random displacements suggests that both derive from a common distribution of interfractional variations. Combining visual with audio prompting did not significantly improve performance, as judged by D. Guided by these portal images, field changes were made during the course of treatment for 6 patients (1 lung, 5 liver).
Macro and micro factors in ethnic identity construction and educational outcomes: minority university students in the People's Republic of China

This article develops a theoretical model for examining the interrelationship between ethnic identity and educational outcomes. The model is aimed at developing an understanding of why ethnicity may at times make a difference in academic performance and student empowerment. Ethnic identity is conceptualized as a product of multiple levels of societal structures in a dialectical relationship with the individual student, who constructs reality and responds to the constructions of others. The historical–social situation of minority university students in the People's Republic of China is used to develop and illustrate the model. The model includes macro components (such as the nation‐state's designation of some groups as minority nationality or ethnic groups, and the social scientific construction of ethnicity) and micro‐level components (such as the student's family and community background, significant life events, campus status hierarchies, campus interactional experiences and status negotiation by the st...