cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finding genes for uterine fibroids

Abstract Objective: Uterine leiomyomata (fibroids) are the most common pelvic tumors in women, accounting for approximately one third of hysterectomies in the United States. Although little is known about their etiology, cytogenetic and epidemiologic evidence suggests a strong heritable component to fibroid development. To clarify further the role of genes in the pathogenesis of fibroids, the Center for Uterine Fibroids is performing a genome-wide screen to identify susceptibility gene(s) for fibroids. This approach has been successful in identifying genes involved in breast and prostate cancers. Methods: Three hundred sister-pairs with documented fibroids and other affected family members are being recruited to submit epidemiologic surveys and blood samples. Genotype analysis will then be conducted and correlated with epidemiologic data. Participants are being recruited via our website (www.fibroids.net), through referring physicians, and from medical records searches. Results: To date, 132 families have consented to participate. Of these families, 75 are African American, 47 are Caucasian, 4 are Hispanic, 1 is Middle Eastern, 1 is Native American, 1 is Asian, 2 are of multiracial heritage, and 1 is of unknown racial origin. Conclusions: Compelling evidence supports an underlying genetic susceptibility for developing uterine leiomyomas. Ultimately, understanding the gene(s) involved in the pathogenesis of this common tumor may lead to innovative treatments. We invite other physicians, clinics, and interested parties to join in the recruitment process to facilitate enrollment of eligible participants.
Renal transplant pathology: An update

Summary Renal transplant pathology occupies an ever-changing spectrum, due to new techniques and drugs. Acute and chronic antibody-mediated rejection is diagnosed by a combination of light, immunofluorescence (C4d) and electron microscopic features, and these newly recognized diseases are now in the Banff schema. C4d deposition, with normal graft histology, is a sign of accommodation, most common in ABO-incompatible grafts. Chronic allograft nephropathy has been removed from the Banff system in an attempt to promote more specific diagnosis and treatment of the causes of late graft injury. A new aspect of polyomavirus is the formation of immune complexes along tubular basement membranes. Rapamycin causes lesions resembling myeloma cast nephropathy and exacerbates proteinuria, probably due to tubular and/or glomerular toxicity. Protocol biopsies, now part of routine care in many centers, detect the early stages of pathological processes, such as subclinical rejection, polyomavirus infection or transplant glomerulopathy, when they are potentially treatable.
Perfect and total altruism across the generations

The traditional formulation of the altruism model has altruistic terms that relate solely to other parties’ felicities from consumption. But if those others are altruistic as well, their altruism benefits are being neglected. Total altruism takes the total utilities of others, rather than their mere felicities, as the basis for altruistic valuations. We assess total altruism in an intergenerational world. Perfect altruism, a concept due to Ramsey (Econ. J. 38(152):543–559, 1928), requires that a generation value itself relative to its successor as it would any two consecutive generations. Total altruism and perfect altruism prove to be incompatible concepts. Total altruism is only meaningful when there is some generational selfishness. The analysis considers both forward-looking and forward and backward-looking altruism.
Resection of frontal encephalomalacias for intractable epilepsy: Outcome and prognostic factors

Summary: Purpose: Because focal encephalomalacia is an important cause of medically intractable partial epilepsy and few studies have evaluated the efficacy and the safety of resecting focal encephalomalacias to improve seizure control, we studied a cohort of 17 consecutive patients who underwent resection of encephalomalacias in the frontal lobes as a treatment of their intractable epilepsy. Methods: We evaluated several factors for their value in predicting postsurgical seizure control. Pre- and postsurgical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were reviewed independently by 2 blinded investigators. Results: At a median of 3 years of follow-up (range 0.67.5 years), 12 patients (70%) were seizure-free or had only rare seizures. The presence of a focal fast frequency discharge (focal ictal p pattern) at the beginning of seizures on scalp EEG was predictive of seizure-free outcome (p = 0.017), even among patients who had complete resection of their encephalomalacias (p = 0.016). There was no significant differences in outcome with regard to age at the time of the injury that caused encephalomalacia, interval between injury and onset of seizures, duration of presurgical seizure history, presurgical seizure frequency, age at surgery, or the completeness of encephalomalacia resection. The analysis regarding completeness of encephalomalacia resection almost reached significance, suggesting that it may also be an important predictive factor (p = 0.051). Conclusions: We conclude that surgery is a very effective treatment for intractable frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) secondary to encephalomalacias. Patients are more likely to become seizure-free if they have a focal ictal /3 discharge on their scalp EEG. Complete resection of the encephalomalacia should be attempted, since our results suggest that this may be a favorable predictive factor. Moreover, the operative strategy for our patients entailed, whenever possible, complete resection of the encephalomalacias and of the adjacent electrophysiologically abnormal tissues. Key Words: Epilepsy-Surgery-Encephalomalacia-Posttraumatic-Frontal Lobectomy.
Manipulation of Polymer Chain Entanglement and Self‐Assembly for DNA Capillary Electrophoresis

A conceptual model has been developed and tested experimentally on five different aspects, relating to the architecture and topology of the polymers making up the transient network that constitutes the separation matrix. The concept can be applied for DNA sequencing analysis and separations of short fragments double-stranded DNA as well as oligonucleotides. Examples are provided to illustrate the success of the concept.
A Scalable Massively Parallel Motion and Disparity Estimation Scheme for Multiview Video Coding

Multiview video coding (MVC) has recently received considerable attention. It is proposed as an extension of H.264/Advanced Video Coding (AVC) standard for multiple video source compression. To resolve the extremely high computational complexity of MVC (and in fact other AVC techniques), suitable parallel algorithms need to be developed that are amenable to implementation on low-cost massively parallel architecture, platforms that have found a common place due to recent advances in the parallel computer architecture. The high complexity of MVC is due to its prediction structure, where motion estimation (ME) between the frames and disparity estimation (DE) between the views contribute to more than 99% of overall complexity of the coder. This paper presents the development and implementation of a scalable massively parallel fast search algorithm to significantly reduce the computational cost of ME/DE over the current best available full block matching, and suboptimal fast search algorithms. The proposed massively parallel fast search algorithm (DZfast), when evaluated over eight views, outperforms the existing full search and fast search MVC algorithms by a factor of up to 245.8 and 8.4, respectively. This speedup comes at no or minute loss in rate-distortion performance.
Pharmacotherapy of Oral Hypoglycemic Agents

The use of sulfonylurea in conjunction with a diet and exercise regimen continues to be the primary treatment modality for obese type II diabetics in the United States. These agents work to lower plasma glucose by several proposed mechanisms. Pancreatic mechanisms of action improve efficiency of the islet beta cells, and extrapancreatic mechanisms of action increase peripheral insulin-receptor sensitivity. Sulfonylureas are extensively metabolized in the liver. Depending on the specific agent, renally excreted metabolites with hypoglycemic activity may be produced and pose a threat to patients with impaired renal function. Accumulation of these metabolites can result in hypoglycemia, a common adverse reaction seen with the sulfonylurea. Other adverse reactions and their prevalence, presentation, and treatment are also presented. Clinically significant drug interactions of the sulfonylurea are tabulated and discussed. Because the sulfonlyureas have equivalent efficacy to each other, proper agent selection ...
Modulation of muscle gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans: differential levels of transcripts, mRNAs, and polypeptides for thick filament proteins during nematode development.

Abstract The body-wall muscle cells of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans produce thick filaments during embryonic, larval, and adult stages. These thick filaments contain two myosin isoforms, A and B, which assemble into different zones along the 10-microns lengths. Paramyosin, a protein homologous to myosin rods, forms a substratum for the myosins. The three filament proteins are encoded by different genes: myo-3 V (myosin heavy chain A), unc-54 I (myosin heavy chain B), and unc-15 I (paramyosin). The relative expression of these genes has been studied by run-on nuclear transcription in vitro, hybridization of accumulated mRNA, and immunochemical determination of specific polypeptide accumulation. In late larval nematodes (L4), the relative levels of nuclear run-on transcription per mol of probe are 6.4 unc-54:2.4 myo-3:1.0 unc-15. Similarly, the relative levels of immunospecific proteins are 4.5 unc-15:3.1 unc-54:1.0 myo-3. Most strikingly, the relative mRNA amounts are 50.0 unc-54:12.4 unc-15:1.0 myo-3. Thus, the orders of relative abundance and the quantitative relations of expression of the three functionally related genes change from transcriptional activities to final accumulated product of thick filament proteins. Modulation of the expression appears to involve processes affecting accumulation of mRNA and protein. The great difference in accumulation of the mRNAs for the two myosin heavy chain isoforms A and B may be related to the different roles of the myosins in thick filament assembly.
Propagation of Femtosecond Surface Plasmon Polariton Pulses on the Surface of a Nanostructured Metallic Film: Space-Time Complex Amplitude Characterization

Ultrashort surface plasmon polariton (SPP) pulses, propagating on the surface of a nanostructured metallic film, are characterized in space and time using time-resolved spatial-heterodyne imaging. Optical pulses are coupled from free space into various surface modes using a 2D array of circular nanoholes, and spatial amplitude and phase characteristics of the scattered surface field are measured with femtosecond-scale time resolution. Demonstrated in-plane focusing of SPP pulse provides additional electromagnetic field localization with possible applications in SPP nanophotonics, nonlinear surface dynamics, biochemical sensing, and ultrafast surface studies.
Solvent effects on dinucleotide conformation.

Abstract The effect of the addition of organic solvents and reagents on the absorption, optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism of ApA was investigated. The added reagents were dioxane, ethylene glycol, glycerol, dimethylsulfoxide, trimethylphosphate, guanidine hydrochloride, formamide and tetrahydrofuran. In all the solvents the exciton optical activity and hypochromicity are decreased indicating a diminished probability of the stacked form. The ORD and CD were measured as a function of temperature in dioxane-water mixtures. It was concluded that ΔH and ΔS for the stacking interaction are both diminished, the larger proportionate decrease of ΔH leading to a lowering of the transition temperature. All CD and ORD spectra were tested to see if they required more than two optical components. Except for solutions in formamide and 6 m -guanidine hydrochloride, all of the spectra could be represented approximately as linear combinations of two spectra. The limitations and interpretations of the two-state model are discussed. TpT and UpU were also investigated but only qualitative results were obtained.
Source Term Model for Steady Micro Jets in a Navier-Stokes Computer Code

A source term model for steady micro jets was implemented into a non-proprietary Navier-Stokes computer code, OVERFLOW. The source term models the mass flow and momentum created by a steady blowing micro jet. The model is obtained by adding the momentum and mass flow created by the jet to the Navier-Stokes equations. The model was tested by comparing with data from numerical simulations of a single, steady micro jet on a flat plate in two and three dimensions. The source term model predicted the velocity distribution well compared to the two-dimensional plate using a steady mass flow boundary condition, which was used to simulate a steady micro jet. The model was also compared to two three-dimensional flat plate cases using a steady mass flow boundary condition to simulate a steady micro jet. The three-dimensional comparison included a case with a grid generated to capture the circular shape of the jet and a case without a grid generated for the micro jet. The case without the jet grid mimics the application of the source term. The source term model compared well with both of the three-dimensional cases. Comparisons of velocity distribution were made before and after the jet and Mach and vorticity contours were examined. The source term model allows a researcher to quickly investigate different locations of individual or several steady micro jets. The researcher is able to conduct a preliminary investigation with minimal grid generation and computational time.
Toxicological and biochemical characterization of coumaphos resistance in the San Roman strain of Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The San Roman strain of the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus, collected from Mexico was previously reported to have a high level of resistance to the organophosphate acaricide coumaphos. An oxidative detoxification mechanism was suspected to contribute to coumaphos resistance in this tick strain, as coumaphos bioassay with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) on larvae of this resistant strain resulted in enhanced coumaphos toxicity, while coumaphos assays with PBO resulted in reduced toxicity of coumaphos in a susceptible reference strain. In this study, we further analyzed the mechanism of oxidative metabolic detoxification with synergist bioassays of coroxon, the toxic metabolite of coumaphos, and the mechanism of target-site insensitivity with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition kinetics assays. Bioassays of coroxon with PBO resulted in synergism of coroxon toxicity in both the San Roman and the susceptible reference strains. The synergism ratio of PBO on coroxon in the resistant strain was 4.5 times that of the susceptible strain. The results suggested that the cytP450-based metabolic detoxification existed in both resistant and susceptible strains, but its activity was significantly enhanced in the resistant strain. Comparisons of AChE activity and inhibition kinetics by coroxon in both susceptible and resistant strains revealed that the resistant San Roman strain had an insensitive AChE, with a reduced phosphorylation rate, resulting in a reduced bimolecular reaction constant. These data indicate a mechanism of coumaphos resistance in the San Roman strain that involves both insensitive AChE and enhanced cytP450-based metabolic detoxification.
A heuristic for page turning in a multiprogrammed computer

One school of thought for future computer systems involves the use of large computer complexes, time-shared among many users. Because internal computer speeds are so much greater than communication speeds with the outside world, machine efficiency requires that a large system be capable of working on many programs at once, and working on each in turn while others are completing input-output operations. One approach [1] to a successful multi-programmed computer has been called “page turning”, where the object programs are automatically broken into blocks of a fixed size (pages) and these pages are then shuffled in and out of the main store automatically by the operator system as reference to the data or instructions contained in each page may dictate. Experience to date indicates that this process is prohibitively time-consuming if significant hardware features are not included to aid the executive program in carrying out this task. It is not the purpose of this note to discuss these hardware features but to address specifically a single aspect of the situation which remains a problem even if adequate hardware features are provided.
Psychological and legal perspectives on surrogate motherhood

Abstract The psychological and legal considerations that arise in connection with surrogate motherhood are critical not only for the children born of such arrangements, but also for the adult principals and their families. The perspectives of professionals in these two fields at times conflict, as psychologists and psychiatrists focus on the emotional ramifications of legal decisions on the individuals involved, and attorneys concern themselves more with contract law and Constitutional rights than with personal outcomes. In the event that the surrogacy alternative to infertility continues to be legal in any jurisdiction, it appears that the participation of mental health practitioners in the preliminary and arrangements phases is vital from the outset.
Bipolar Supernova Explosions

We discuss the optical spectropolarimetry of several core-collapse supernovae, SN 1996cb (Type IIB), SN 1997X (Type Ic), and SN 1998S (Type IIn). The data show polarization evolution of several spectral features at levels from 0.5% to above 4%. The observed line polarization is intrinsic to the supernovae and not of interstellar origin. These data suggest that the distribution of ejected matter is highly aspherical. In the case of the Type IIn SN 1998S, the major-to-minor axis ratio must be larger than 2.5 if the polarization is 3% from an oblate spheroidal ejecta seen edge-on. A well-defined symmetry axis can be deduced from spectropolarimetry for SN 1998S, but the Type IIB events SN 1993J and SN 1996cb seem to possess much more complicated geometries with polarization position angles showing larger irregular variations across spectral features; the latter may be associated with large-scale clumpiness of the ejecta. The observed degree of polarization of the Type Ic SN 1997X is above 4%. The data reveal a trend that the degree of polarization increases with decreasing envelope mass and with the depth within the ejecta. The high axial ratio of the ejecta is difficult to explain in terms of the conventional neutrino-driven core-collapse models for Type II explosions. Highly asymmetric explosion mechanisms such as the formation of bipolar jets during core collapse may be a necessary ingredient for models of all core-collapse supernovae.
Altered Glucagon- and Catecholamine Hormone- Sensitive Adenylyl Cyclase Responsiveness in Rat Liver Membranes Induced by Manipulation of Dietary Fatty Acid Intake

Glucagon-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity has been shown to change in liver membranes manipulated to alter either their fatty acid composition or fluidity. We examined whether membrane alterations induced by dietary manipulation affected receptor function. Glucagon- and β-adrenergic-stimulated receptor-adenylyl cyclase systems were examined in liver membranes of rats fed diets containing 10% corn oil, 10% coconut oil (essential FFA deficient), or 8.5% coconut oil with 1.5% corn oil (essential FFA repleat). Basal and maximal nonreceptor- mediated adenylyl cyclase activity (stimulated by NaF, guanylylimidodiphosphate, and forskolin) was the same in membranes of each of the dietary groups, suggesting that Gs-protein and the catalytic unit activity per se were unaltered by the manipulations. Glucagon-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity increased with increasing unsaturation of dietary fatty acids; activity in coconut oil-fed rats was 527 ± 30 (mean ± SEM) pmol/mg-10 min, that in coconut/corn oil-fed rats...
A simple method to reduce truncation error in planar near-field/far-field transformers

A planar near-field/far-field transformer (NFFFT) is used to compute the radiated field of an antenna under test from near-field planar measurements. The first step in taking an NFFFT is to calculate the plane-wave spectrum (PWS) by Fourier transforming the measurements. The integration used in this step is almost always done numerically with a windowed fast-Fourier transform (WFFT). Certain assumptions implicit in the WFFT introduce errors into the PWS. A simple method to reduce some of these errors is the subject of this paper.
The precise control of manipulators with joint friction: a base force/torque sensor method

Joint friction is a major problem in accurately controlling robot position during manipulator tasks involving small and slow motions. Previous research in this field suggests the use of either complex modeling and identification techniques, or expensive and delicate torque sensors that must be integrated into the manipulator. This paper proposes a simple, cost-effective method for compensating the effect of joint friction, which utilizes a six-axis force/torque sensor mounted on the base of the manipulator. From the base wrench measurements, the joint torques are estimated and fed back through a torque controller, that virtually eliminates friction and gravity effects. With such high-quality torque control, a simple PD position controller is sufficient to provide high precision motion control even at very low speed and small motions. Theoretical and practical aspects of the torque estimation are first discussed. Next, the control design and tuning is shown. Experimental results for an industrial Puma manipulator, with high Coulomb friction in its gear trains, show the effectiveness of the method. The achieved precision is substantially greater than for conventional methods and approaches the resolution of the Puma's encoders.
Non-Parametric Time Series Classification

We present an improved state-based prediction algorithm for time series. Given time series produced by a process composed of different underlying states, the algorithm predicts future time series values based on past time series values for each state. Unlike many algorithms, this algorithm predicts a multi-modal distribution over future values. This prediction forms the basis for labelling part of a time series with the underlying state that created it given some labelled example signals. The algorithm is robust to a wide variety of possible types of changes in signals including changes in mean, amplitude, amount of noise, and period. We show results demonstrating that the algorithm successfully segments signals from several robotic sensors generated while performing a variety of simple tasks.
Effects of Verbal Cues Versus Pictorial Cues on the Transfer of Stimulus Control for Children With Autism

The author examined the transfer of stimulus control from instructor assistance to verbal cues and pictorial cues. The intent was to determine whether it is easier to transfer stimulus control to one form of cue or the other. No studies have conducted such comparisons to date; however, literature exists to suggest that visual cues may be preferred. An adapted alternating treatment design within a multiple baseline design across subjects was used in this investigation to compare effects when teaching two functional skills to four young students with autism. Results indicate that it is more efficient to achieve transfer of stimulus control from instructor assistance to pictorial cues for three of the participants.
Obese hypertensive rabbits develop concentric and eccentric hypertrophy and diastolic filling abnormalities.

We have developed a new small animal model of obesity in which rabbits fed a high fat diet develop abnormalities in common with obese humans, including left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Using M-mode and two dimensional Doppler echocardiography we examined the characteristics of LV hypertrophy and diastolic function in obese and lean rabbits. Obese rabbits had greater interventricular septum and LV posterior wall thicknesses and greater LV internal end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters. Functionally, obese rabbits had higher A/E ratios. Similarly to obese humans, obese hypertensive rabbits develop combined concentric and eccentric LV hypertrophy and diastolic filling abnormalities. Therefore, this model may be valuable in the study of the development and pathology of obesity-related LV hypertrophy.
Anaerobic C1 Metabolism of the O-Methyl-14C-Labeled Substituent of Vanillate

The O-methyl substituents of aromatic compounds constitute a C1 growth substrate for a number of taxonomically diverse anaerobic acetogens. In this study, strain TH-001, an O-demethylating obligate anaerobe, was chosen to represent this physiological group, and the carbon flow when cells were grown on O-methyl substituents as a C1 substrate was determined by 14C radiotracer techniques. O-[methyl-14C]vanillate (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzoate) was used as the labeled C1 substrate. The data showed that for every O-methyl carbon converted to [14C]acetate, two were oxidized to 14CO2. Quantitation of the carbon recovered in the two products, acetate and CO2, indicated that acetate was formed in part by the fixation of unlabeled CO2. The specific activity of 14C in acetate was 70% of that in the O-methyl substrate, suggesting that only one carbon of acetate was derived from the O-methyl group. Thus, it is postulated that the carboxyl carbon of the product acetate is derived from CO2 and the methyl carbon is derived from the O-methyl substituent of vanillate. The metabolism of O-[methyl-14C]vanillate by strain TH-001 can be described as follows: 314CH3OC7H5O3 + CO2 + 4H2O → 14CH3COOH + 214CO2 + 10H+ + 10e- + 3HOC7H5O3.
Cost/performance of a parallel computer simulator

This paper examines the cost/performance of simulating a hypothetical target parallel computer using a commercial host parallel computer. We address the question of whether parallel simulation is simply faster than sequential simulation, or if it is also more cost-effective. To answer this, we develop a performance model of the Wisconsin Wind Tunnel (WWT), a system that simulates cache-coherent shared-memory machines on a message-passing Thinking Machines CM-5. The performance model uses Kruskal and Weiss's fork-join model to account for the effect of event processing time variability on WWT's conservative fixed-window simulation algorithm. A generalization of Thiebaut and Stone's footprint model accurately predicts the effect of cache interference on the CM-5. The model is calibrated using parameters extracted from a fully-parallel simulation (p=N), and validated by measuring the speedup as the number of processors (p) ranges from one to the number of target nodes (N. Together with simple cost models, the performance model indicates that for target system sizes of 32 nodes and larger, parallel simulation is more cost-effective than sequential simulation. The key intuition behind this result is that large simulations require large memories, which dominate the cost of a uniprocessor; parallel computers allow multiple processors to simultaneously access this large memory.
Fact, Value, and Economic Policy Objectives

This paper critically examines some elusive but fundamental methodological issues in the study of economic policy objectives. Despite long and widespread concern of economists with policy and policy objectives, consensus regarding scope and methodology in this area remains unachieved. What follows provides more key questions than definitive answers. Still, one fruitful result of this procedure is to suggest that methodologies often perceived as competitive are actually complementary. 1 The paper focuses upon three major issues: (i) the interdependence between “fact” and “value”; (ii) policy objectives as a social fact, subject to explanation; (iii) evaluation of policy objectives.
Positive Bias Temperature Instability Effects in nMOSFETs With $\hbox{HfO}_{2}/\hbox{TiN}$ Gate Stacks

The positive bias temperature instability (PBTI) and the stress-induced leakage current (SILC) effects are thoroughly examined in nFETs with SiO2/HfO2/TiN dual-layer gate stacks under a wide range of bias and temperature stress conditions. Experimental evidence of the SILC increase with time is obtained suggesting the activation of a trap generation mechanism. Threshold voltage (V T) instability is found to be the result of a complicated interplay of two separate mechanisms; filling of preexisting electron traps versus trap generation each one dominating at different stress condition regimes. Furthermore, V T instability relaxation experiments, undertaken at judiciously chosen conditions, show that the preexisting and stress-induced traps exhibit similar detrapping kinetics indicating that both types of traps may have similar characteristics. Finally, it is shown that the role of the SILC effect (and the associated trap generation component) on V T instability is process dependent and that SILC reduction is accompanied by enhancement of the PBTI device lifetime.
DNA binding properties of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae DAT1 gene product.

The DAT1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a DNA binding protein (Dat1p) that specifically recognizes the minor groove of non-alternating oligo(A).oligo(T) tracts. Sequence-specific recognition requires arginine residues found within three perfectly repeated pentads (G-R-K-P-G) of the Dat1p DNA binding domain [Reardon, B. J., Winters, R. S., Gordon, D., and Winter, E. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 11327-1131]. This report describes a rapid and simple method for purifying the Dat1p DNA binding domain and the biochemical characterization of its interaction with oligo(A).oligo(T) tracts. Oligonucleotide binding experiments and the characterization of yeast genomic Dat1p binding sites show that Dat1p specifically binds to any 11 base sequence in which 10 bases conform to an oligo(A).oligo(T) tract. Binding studies of different sized Dat1p derivatives show that the Dat1p DNA binding domain can function as a monomer. Competition DNA binding assays using poly(I).poly(C), demonstrate that the minor groove oligo(A).oligo(T) constituents are not sufficient for high specificity DNA binding. These data constrain the possible models for Dat1p/oligo(A).oligo(T) complexes, suggest that the DNA binding domain is in an extended structure when complexed to its cognate DNA, and show that Dat1p binding sites are more prevalent than previously thought.
Chemistry and Mineralogy of Precambrian Paleosols in Northern Michigan

Paleosol profiles can be recognized on a basement terrain of granodiorite, peridotite, and diabase that underlie the upper Keweenawan (?) Jacobsville sandstone. The main characteristics of the granodiorite and peridotite profiles are a substantial loss in SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , and alkaline earths; a smaller loss in Fe 2 O 3 and NiO; the concentration of dolomite and quartz in paleocaliche horizons; and the strong pigmentation of some of the primary minerals at the lower fringe of weathering. The granodiorite paleosol consists of a mixture of secondary and primary minerals: sericite, chlorite, vermiculite, biotite, muscovite, K-feldspar, dolomite, quartz, hematite, and rutile. The paleosol on peridotite contains chlorite, vermiculite, dolomite, quartz, hematite, and talc. The paleosol profiles resemble present-day ones developed under semi-arid to arid conditions.
Sources of variation in working class formation

. Using data from residents of three differentiated working class neighbourhoods in Sheffield, England, this study explores the relative plausibility of three analytical perspectives on the working class formation process (the ecological, sectoral, the socialization perspectives). Expectations drawn from each of these are used to account for observed variations among respondents on several measures of working class formation. The results of several tests provide some support for the ecological and (to a lesser extent) the sectoral perspectives. However, both seem to offer less satisfactory accounts of observed variations in class formation than the socialization perspective. Some suggestions for further research to build upon the findings presented here are offered.
Microbial Community Profiling to Investigate Transmission of Bacteria Between Life Stages of the Wood-Boring Beetle, "Anoplophora glabripennis"

Many insects harbor specific bacteria in their digestive tract, and these gut microbiota often play important roles in digestion and nutrient provisioning. While it is common for a given insect species to harbor a representative gut microbial community as a population, how this community is acquired and maintained from generation to generation is not known for most xylophagous insects, except termites. In this study, we examined acquisition of gut microbiota by the wood-feeding beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, by identifying and comparing microbial community members among different life stages of the insect and with microbes it encounters in the environment. Automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis was employed to compare bacterial communities present in the egg and larval stages of A. glabripennis as well as with microbes found in the oviposition site and the surrounding woody tissue. Multivariate analyses were used to identify relationships between sample type and specific bacterial types (operational taxonomic units). From this analysis, bacteria that were derived from the environment, the oviposition site, and/or the egg were identified and compared with taxa found in larvae. Results showed that while some larval microbes were derived from environmental sources, other members of the larval microbial community appear to be vertically transmitted. These findings could lead to a better understanding of which microbial species are critical for the survival of this insect and to development of techniques that could be used to alter this community to disrupt the digestive physiology of the host insect as a biological control measure.
Cryptococcal meningitis/acquired immune deficiency syndrome presenting as a transient neurologic deficit

A previously healthy man presented with a transient neurologic deficit and neck pain. Lumbar puncture revealed cryptococcal meningitis. He was subsequently found to have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Transient neurologic deficit is an uncommon initial manifestation of cryptococcal meningitis. We suggest AIDS-related infections be considered in the differential diagnosis of transient neurologic deficits.
Simple analytic embedded atom potential for FCC materials

A simple empirical embedded-atom potential that includes a long range force is developed for FCC metals. The potential parameters of this model are determined by fitting lattice constant, three elastic constants, cohesive energy, and vacancy formation energy using an optimisation technique (Arora, 2007). Parameters for Cu, Ag, Au, Al, Ni, Pd and Pt have been obtained. The obtained parameters are used to calculate bulk modulus, divacancy formation energy, and melting point. The predicted values are in good agreement with experimental results. The predicted total energy as a function of lattice parameter is also in good agreement with the equation of state of Rose et al.
Orientation of Birds by Geomagnetic Field

Recent evidence strongly indicates that homing pigeons and migrating birds use but do not require optical clues to find their way about. We review the possible nonvisual alternatives and fix our attention on information contained in the geomagnetic field as being the most likely one on present evidence. This possibility is examined in a simple manner from the point of view of seeing whether or not any serious difficulties arise in the reception system, in the secular variations of the geophysical field, or in a “navigation” strategy. As an illustration, a strategy for golden plovers is presented. We conclude that the geophysical field is a reasonable source of information for guiding birds in their wanderings.
Portability Rewards And Avoidance Of Longevity Risk: Factors In The Growth Of Defined Contribution Plans

The decline in defined benefit plans has been offset by a significant growth in defined contribution plans. An important consideration in this phenomenon lies in the fact that employees view this shift as a tradeoff between longevity risk and portability rewards. Companies are shifting from defined benefit plans to avoid the longevity risks associated with such plans. On the other hand, in some instances when given the option, employees chose defined contribution plans, due to the associated portability rewards where participants have a choice of rolling over, or transferring plans from former employers.. This paper examined research relevant in assessing factors contributing to growth in defined contribution with particular interest in 401(k)s and the relationship between investment returns, the availability of loans, and investment strategy that may affect plan growth. It is concluded that there is insufficient evidence for assuming a relationship between investment returns, loan availability and investment strategy and the growth of defined contribution plans.
Women’s talk, mothers’ work: Korean mothers’ address terms, solidarity, and power:

This study analyzes 400 minutes of natural conversations between Korean married women and investigates their interactions with focus on their use of address terms to index closeness. In particular,...
A New Nonparametric Test for the Umbrella Alternative

AbstractA nonparametric test for the umbrella alternative with known peak is proposed. This test should generally have higher powers than the general alternative Kruskal-Wallis test when at least one of the means is different and the umbrella alternative holds. The powers should be lower than the Mack-Wolfe test in situations where the means are different and the umbrella alternative is not true.
Conceptual blending in legal writing: Linking definitions to facts

Abstract Although the body of research on legal language is significant, analysis of the kinds of texts that lawyers learn to write in the vocational stage of their training remains limited. While some legal writing textbooks explicitly address the lexicogrammatical resources necessary to write common genres such as the legal memorandum, the use of features such as tense and articles is largely tied to explanations based on generality or specificity. Drawing on conceptual blending theory, this study examines the use of such features in the “Question Presented” section of eleven legal memoranda. Textual analysis is further supplemented with questionnaire data from legal writing professionals. Analysis suggests that rather than representing a clear distinction between general and specific reference, these linguistic features indexically reference and blend various “mental spaces” that are necessary for common law argumentation. The study highlights the need to connect discipline-specific concepts to linguistic meaning in English for Legal Purposes, particularly for L2 students trained in other jurisdictions.
Neighborhood interference among velvet leaf, Abutilon theophrasti, and pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus

Spatially local interference among pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) and velvet leaf (Abutilon theophrasti) individuals was studied in experimental two species stands. Although survivorship was density-independent for both species, individual fecundities were affected by the local population density of velvet leaf and pigweed near each plant. We estimated the functional forms of the spatially local density dependence and the distances over which plants interfere with one another. For both species hyperbolic functions provided better fits than either linear or log-linear functions. The apparent significance of higher-order interaction terms from the linear and log-linear regressions appears to be an artifact of the hyperbolic form of the data. We explain aspects of the functional forms of the relations between fecundity and local densities in terms of morphological attributes of each species. We also describe some statistical problems associated with estimating the effects of spatially local interindividual interference.
Emergencies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Despite the chronic and recurring nature of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, these two disorders can present acutely as true medical emergencies. The urgent complications include both intestinal and extraintestinal disease. The successful management of such emergencies will depend on early diagnosis and the judicious and timely use of both medical and surgical therapy.
Commercial Green Leasing in the Era of Climate Change: Balancing Risks, Burdens, and Incentives

Recent studies make clear that it is not whether a building is built “green” that matters in terms of both greenhouse gas reductions and other environmental benefits; rather the most important factor is how the building is operated and used in the long term. Long-term leases negotiated today should address the operation of green buildings to achieve environmental benefits and the roles of parties in doing so. A review of model leases available in the United States and throughout the world, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, provides a global view of how real estate markets - both public and private - are navigating the dilemma of meeting climate change mandates through leases.
Asia’s Financial Blues: The End of POLIS?

The East Asian financial crisis was by all accounts the most significant event in the world economy in 1997. The topic dominated the headlines, attracted the attention of the world and generated much despairing rhetoric. The economists naturally joined the cacophony of condemnations. The dismal science had never looked so dismal since the great depression of the 1930s. Without doubt, the speed and depth of the collapse of financial markets in East Asia caught everyone by surprise. Neither the existing surveillance mechanisms nor markets warned the euphoric investors adequately of impending calamity. The reversal of fortunes in East Asia came suddenly and surprised even the experts. The contagion spread rapidly, engulfing a number of economies in quick succession. It started as a currency crisis, then became a financial crisis. By 1998 it had become a full-blown economic crisis.
The radiology of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a progressive multifocal disease of the brain secondary to an opportunistic viral infection that primarily affects immunosuppressed patients. Fifty-five to 85% of PML cases are directly attributable to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The neuroimaging findings of PML parallel the pathologic changes and have a variable appearance on CT and MRI. The features are nonspecific and can mimic a wide spectrum of pathologic states.
Apoptosis/Programmed Cell Death

The concept of cell death dates back to 1858, when cell death at the gross level was discussed in Virchow’s Cellular Pathology as degeneration, mortification, and necrosis equivalent to the term “gangrene”1. Carl Weigart in 1877 described coagulation necrosis in which he observed that necrotic cells lose their nuclei 2. When stains became available in 1885, Walther Flemming described spontaneous cell death as a physiological event3. This was perhaps the first morphological description of apoptosis. He observed that the epithelial lining of regressive ovarian follicles was full of cells whose nuclei were breaking up. The broken nuclei ultimately disappeared. He described half-moons of pyknotic chromatin and loose chromatin in the follicular cavity. He termed the entire process “chromatolysis”. Soon after the description of Walther Flemming, Franz Nissen, a German medical student, described chromatolysis in the lactating mammary gland4. Chromatin margination was described in 18905. In 1892, Strobe gave a detailed account of chromatolysis and nuclear pathology in breast cancer cells, which would be a modern description of apoptosis6. Ludwig Grapher in 1914 published a paper in German under the title “Eine neue Anschauung uber physiologische Zellausschaltung”, whose English translation is, “A new point of view regarding the elimination of cells”7. His hypothesis was that there must be an amitotic mechanism to counterbalance mitosis. Based upon his studies, he concluded that physiological elimination of cells occurs by chromatolysis during the shrinkage of organs; a sister cell engulfs a neighboring cell that breaks down. Glucksmann understood the significance of chromatolysis in morphogenetic mechanism. In a landmark paper, he described physiological cell death in the embryo8. In 1960 Majno et al, using a model of ischemic cell death, established a role of protein denaturation in cell death9. The concept of cell suicide was proposed by De Duve, who postulated that the cells might be killed from within by an explosion of their lysosomes acting as “suicide bag s”10.
The spatial-affective economy of (post)colonial Paris: reading Haneke’s Caché (2005) through Octobre à Paris (1962)

AbstractMany have asked the following questions in regards to Michael Haneke’s Cache (2005): Does the postcolonial subject have agency, and does the film do justice to the victims of October 17, 1961, when police officers beat and murdered hundreds of peacefully protesting French-Algerians in Paris? This essay posits that some scholars overestimate the value of the auteur’s intent and Georges’ (Daniel Auteuil) subjectivity while underestimating the spectator’s agency, as well as Majid (Maurice Benichou) and his son’s (Walid Afkir) subversive power within the constraints of (post)colonial Paris’s unjust ‘spatial-affective economy.’ I read Cache against a long-repressed documentary about the massacre, Jacques Panijel’s Octobre a Paris (1962), in order to illustrate this economy’s historical continuity. Drawing on Sara Ahmed’s concept of ‘affective economy’ – the circulation of emotions among bodies, signs, and objects – I show how Cache and Octobre link the affective economy between the universal ‘French’ b...