cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The MutSα-Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Interaction in Human DNA Mismatch Repair * ♦

We have examined the interaction parameters, conformation, and functional significance of the human MutSα· proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) complex in mismatch repair. The two proteins associate with a 1:1 stoichiometry and a KD of 0.7 μm in the absence or presence of heteroduplex DNA. PCNA does not influence the affinity of MutSα for a mismatch, and mismatch-bound MutSα binds PCNA. Small angle x-ray scattering studies have established the molecular parameters of the complex, which are consistent with an elongated conformation in which the two proteins associate in an end-to-end fashion in a manner that does not involve an extended unstructured tether, as has been proposed for yeast MutSα and PCNA (Shell, S. S., Putnam, C. D., and Kolodner, R. D. (2007) Mol. Cell 26 ,565 -578). MutSα variants lacking the PCNA interaction motif are functional in 3′- or 5′-directed mismatch-provoked excision, but display a partial defect in 5′-directed mismatch repair. This finding is consistent with the modest mutability conferred by inactivation of the MutSα PCNA interaction motif and suggests that interaction of the replication clamp with other repair protein(s) accounts for the essential role of PCNA in MutSα-dependent mismatch repair.
Duration of breastfeeding and childhood obesity: a generalized propensity score approach.

Objective To estimate the effect of breastfeeding duration on childhood obesity. Data Source The Child Development Supplement (CDS) of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID). The PSID provides extensive data on the income and well-being of a representative sample of U.S. families from 1968 to the present. The CDS collects information on the children in PSID families ranging from cognitive, behavioral, and health status to their family and neighborhood environment. The first two waves of the CDS were conducted in 1997 and 2002, respectively. The data provide information on 3,271 children and their mothers. Study Design We use the generalized propensity score to adjust for confounding based on continuous treatment, and the general additive model to analyze the adjusted association between treatment and the outcome conditional on the propensity score. The main outcome is the body mass index (BMI) directly assessed during the in-person interview in 2002. Covariates include family, maternal, and child characteristics, many of which were measured in the year the child was born. Principal Findings After using propensity scores to adjust for confounding, the relationship between breastfeeding duration and childhood BMI is trivially small across a range of model specifications, and none of them is statistically significant except the unadjusted model. Conclusions The causal link between duration of breastfeeding and childhood obesity has not been established. Any recommendation of promoting breastfeeding to reduce childhood obesity is premature.
Effects of ethanol on three endogenous membrane conductances present in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Abstract The Xenopus oocyte expression and recording system has allowed a detailed analysis of the physiology and pharmacology of neuronal ion channels including their sensitivity to ethanol. It is important however, to ascertain the effects of a particular drug on the channels inherently expressed by oocytes to ensure that drug effects ascribed to the expressed recombinant receptors are manifested solely through those receptors. In this study, the effects of ethanol were determined on three endogenous currents that can be elicited in oocytes and other cells by various manipulations. The inward cation current, IC, was activated by perfusing naive oocytes with a divalent-free recording solution. Ethanol (25–100 mM) modestly inhibited IC with 100 mM ethanol producing a 7–8% inhibition of steady state currents. The store-operated or capacitative calcium current (ISOC) was activated in thapsigargin-treated oocytes by switching from a calcium-free solution to one containing 10 mM calcium. In thapsigargin-treated oocytes also injected with EGTA to block calcium-activated chloride currents, ethanol (100 mM) had no effect on the store-operated calcium current. In contrast, ethanol (10–100 mM) dose-dependently inhibited the calcium-dependent chloride current (ICl(Ca)) in thapsigargin-treated oocytes. A voltage-jump protocol was used to separate the two components of ICl(Ca), ICl-1 and ICl-2. Under these conditions, ethanol (100 mM) inhibited ICl-1 currents to a greater extent (38%) than it did ICl-2 currents (14%). These results show that Xenopus oocytes express endogenous ion channels that are differentially sensitive to ethanol.
Augmented reality for biomedical wellness sensor systems

Due to the commercial move and gaming industries, Augmented Reality (AR) technology has matured. By definition of AR, both artificial and real humans can be simultaneously present and realistically interact among one another. With the help of physics and physiology, we can build in the AR tool together with real human day-night webcam inputs through a simple interaction of heat transfer –getting hot, action and reaction –walking or falling, as well as the physiology –sweating due to activity. Knowing the person age, weight and 3D coordinates of joints in the body, we deduce the force, the torque, and the energy expenditure during real human movements and apply to an AR human model. We wish to support the physics-physiology AR version, PPAR, as a BMW surveillance tool for senior home alone (SHA). The functionality is to record senior walking and hand movements inside a home environment. Besides the fringe benefit of enabling more visits from grand children through AR video games, the PP-AR surveillance tool may serve as a means to screen patients in the home for potential falls at points around in house. Moreover, we anticipate PP-AR may help analyze the behavior history of SHA, e.g. enhancing the Smartphone SHA Ubiquitous Care Program, by discovering early symptoms of candidate Alzheimer-like midnight excursions, or Parkinson-like trembling motion for when performing challenging muscular joint movements. Using a set of coordinates corresponding to a set of 3D positions representing human joint locations, we compute the Kinetic Energy (KE) generated by each body segment over time. The Work is then calculated, and converted into calories. Using common graphics rendering pipelines, one could invoke AR technology to provide more information about patients to caretakers. Alerts to caretakers can be prompted by a patient’s departure from their personal baseline, and the patient’s time ordered joint information can be loaded to a graphics viewer allowing for high-definition digital reconstruction. Then an entire scene can be viewed from any position in virtual space, and AR can display certain measurements values which either constituted an alert, or otherwise indicate signs of the transition from wellness to illness.
Schistosomiasis: from risk assessment to control

In this article, an account of some of the hot areas in schistosomiasis research is given, emphasizing what has been achieved during the past several years in impact assessment and identifying the research frontiers where further action is needed.
Cochlear Implantation in Immunoglobulin M Deficiency

Objectives: To review the indications, efficacy, and long-term outcomes of cochlear implantation in IgM deficiency. Methods: Study design – retrospective case report. Results: The patient with IgM deficiency and chronic suppurative otitis media underwent cochlear implantation as a staged procedure three months after mastoid obliteration, petrosectomy, eustachian tube obliteration, blind sac closure of the external auditory canal, and cavity obliteration with abdominal fat and a temporalis muscle flap. The patent has done well post-operatively without complications and with significant improvement in speech discrimination scores. Conclusion: For patients with IgM deficiency and chronic suppurative otitis media, mastoid obliteration, petrosectomy with temporalis muscle and abdominal fat graft as a staged procedure appears to be an effective means to facilitate cochlear implantation in the IgM-deficient patient. INTRODUCTION Patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in association with active chronic suppurative otitis media or a mastoid cavity after cholesteatoma surgery present significant challenges to successful cochlear implantation. Potential complications include infection of the implant with associated labyrinthitis or meningitis, and extrusion of the implant. Leung and Briggs (1) have proposed mastoid obliteration with cochlear implantation as a oneor two-stage procedure. In the present case, the patient with IgM deficiency and chronic otomastoiditis underwent a two-stage procedure described below. RESULTS The patent has done well post-operatively without complications and with significant improvement in speech discrimination scores. The follow up period has been 18 months. The patient has subsequently undergone a right mastoid obliteration without cochlear implantation.
Activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase in nonkeratinized and keratinized oral epithelium and epidermis in the rabbit.

There are very few reports in the literature on biochemical and histochemical comparative studies of enzyme activity in nonkeratinized and keratinized regions of oral epithelium in the same individuals of a species. Reported studies have dealt for the most part only with keratinized epithelium, and they suggest an important role for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase in the process of keratinization. This is based on increasing activity of the two enzymes towards the surface of keratinized epithelium and decreasing activity in nonkeratinized. To eliminate the possibilitv that the differences observed are individual or species differences, non- keratinized and keratinized oral epithelia from the same animals were assayed. The ratio of activity in keratinized epithelium to that in nonkeratinized reachcd 13:l for acid phosphatase and 2:1 for glucose-6-PO4 dehydrogenase. In nonkeratinized, activity of both enzymes decreased steadily towards the surface. In keratinized, acid phosphatase increased dramatically towards the surface; glucose-6-PO4 dehydrogenase increased at first and then decreased. These findings offer evidence that the biochemical activities represented by the two enzymes have an important role in keratinization.
Weakly Convex and Concave Random Maps with Position Dependent Probabilities

Abstract A random map is a discrete‐time dynamical system in which one of a number of transformations is randomly selected and applied in each iteration of the process. In this paper, we study random maps with position dependent probabilities on the interval. Sufficient conditions for the existence of absolutely continuous invariant measures for weakly convex and concave random maps with position dependent probabilities is the main result of this note.
Anticancer effects of Chinese red yeast rice versus monacolin K alone on colon cancer cells

Chinese red yeast rice (RYR) is a food herb made by fermenting Monascus purpureus Went yeast with white rice. RYR contains a mixture of monacolins, one of which--monacolin K (MK)--is identical to lovastatin (LV). Epidemiological studies show that individuals taking statins have a reduced risk of colon cancer. In the present study, LV decreased cellular proliferation (P<.001) and induced apoptosis (P<.05) in HCT-116 and HT-29 human colon cancer cells. RYR inhibited both tumor cell growths (P<.001) and enhanced apoptosis (P<.05) in HCT-116 cells. Inhibition of proliferation was reversed by mevalonate (MV) in LV-treated cells, since LV is a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR) inhibitor. However, RYR with MV did not reverse the observed inhibition of growth. MK-free RYR did not reverse the observed LV-mediated inhibition of cancer cell growth. These observations suggest that other components in RYR, including other monacolins, pigments or the combined matrix effects of multiple constituents, may affect intracellular signaling pathways differently from purified crystallized LV in colon cancer cells. RYR was purified into two fractions: pigment-rich fraction of Chinese red yeast rice (PF-RYR) and monacolin-rich fraction of Chinese red yeast rice (MF-RYR). The effect of MF-RYR was similar to that of LV, while the effect of PF-RYR was similar to the effect of the whole RYR extract on the proliferation, apoptosis and mRNA level of HMGCR and sterol response element binding protein-2. These results suggest that the matrix effects of RYR beyond MK alone may be active in inhibiting colon cancer growth. RYR with or without MK may be a botanical approach to colon cancer chemoprevention worthy of further investigation.
Stimulus rise time, intensity, and bandwidth effects on acoustic startle amplitude and probability

The amplitude and probability of periorbital EMG responses were assessed for a variety of stimuli. In Experiment 1, 50-ms duration broadband noise (20–20K Hz) and tones (1000 Hz), at 95 and 100 dB(A), with rise/fall times of 2.5, 10, and 25 ms, were presented. Noise stimuli were more effective than tones for both response amplitude and probability. Stimulus intensity affected both measures for tones, but only response amplitude for noise. Increasing stimulus rise/fall time had no significant effect for noise, but resulted in lower probability for tones. In Experiment 2, 50-ms duration 1000 Hz tones, at 98 and 102 dB(A), with rise/fall times of 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 ms were presented. Response amplitude was not affected by rise/fall time changes, but increasing rise/fall time from 5 to 10 ms resulted in lower probability. These data show that the startle response can reflect manipulations of stimulus bandwidth, intensity, and rise/fall time, and that startle amplitude and probability reflect these manipulations in different ways. The two response measures may indicate the activity of partially independent underlying mechanisms, with a startle “trigger’ determining response probability and a startle “amplifier’ determining response amplitude for suprathreshold stimuli.
Total extensions of effect algebras

It is shown that if the natural order on a total extension Open image in new window of an effect algebra Open image in new window coincides with the order on Open image in new window , then Open image in new window is unique. The structure of Open image in new window is called a QI-algebra. It is shown that a QI-algebra is less general than a QMV-algebra, but that a QI-algebra is equivalent to a quasi-linear QMV-algebra. Some examples are given and the properties of these structures are studied.
The role of lactate clearance in the resuscitation bundle

The sepsis resuscitation bundle is the result of an effort on behalf of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to translate individual guideline recommendations into standardized, achievable goals for physicians caring for the critically ill patient. Implementation of this bundle is associated with decreased mortality. Many of the bundle items reflect components of therapy shown to improve mortality in the seminal early goal-directed therapy trial for severe sepsis and septic shock, including an initial lactate measurement. Elevations in serum lactate are associated with increased mortality, and may result from either increased lactate production or impaired lactate clearance. Lactate clearance may be an important addition to the monitoring and management bundles of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, However, specific mechanisms of lactate clearance, the relation of lactate clearance to traditional hemodynamic parameters, and the importance of lactate clearance as a therapeutic target or monitoring tool remain unclear.
“Posterior culdeplasty”: Revisited

Abstract A 22-year-old retrospective review was made of 68 cases treated by the technique of posterior culdoplasty. Indications were moderate to large enterocele (40), complete procidentia (18), and complete prolapse of the vaginal vault after hysterectomy (10). Indications, techniques, and complications are presented. The wedge culdoplasty of Torpin gave good results in moderate-sized enteroceles. The “posterior culdeplasty” of McCall gave very good long-term results (2 to 22 years), especially in the group of patients (28) with complete vaginal eversion who were desirous of maintaining their sexual function.
Benzodiazepine Use in the United States

Importance Although concern exists regarding the rate of benzodiazepine use, especially long-term use by older adults, little information is available concerning patterns of benzodiazepine use in the United States. Objective To describe benzodiazepine prescription patterns in the United States focusing on patient age and duration of use. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective descriptive analysis of benzodiazepine prescriptions was performed with the 2008 LifeLink LRx Longitudinal Prescription database (IMS Health Inc), which includes approximately 60% of all retail pharmacies in the United States. Denominators were adjusted to generalize estimates to the US population. Main Outcomes and Measures The percentage of adults filling 1 or more benzodiazepine prescriptions during the study year by sex and age group (18-35 years, 36-50 years, 51-64 years, and 65-80 years) and among individuals receiving benzodiazepines, the corresponding percentages with long-term (≥120 days) benzodiazepine use, prescription of a long-acting benzodiazepine, and benzodiazepine prescriptions from a psychiatrist. Results In 2008, approximately 5.2% of US adults aged 18 to 80 years used benzodiazepines. The percentage who used benzodiazepines increased with age from 2.6% (18-35 years) to 5.4% (36-50 years) to 7.4% (51-64 years) to 8.7% (65-80 years). Benzodiazepine use was nearly twice as prevalent in women as men. The proportion of benzodiazepine use that was long term increased with age from 14.7% (18-35 years) to 31.4% (65-80 years), while the proportion that received a benzodiazepine prescription from a psychiatrist decreased with age from 15.0% (18-35 years) to 5.7% (65-80 years). In all age groups, roughly one-quarter of individuals receiving benzodiazepine involved long-acting benzodiazepine use. Conclusions and Relevance Despite cautions concerning risks associated with long-term benzodiazepine use, especially in older patients, long-term benzodiazepine use remains common in this age group. More vigorous clinical interventions supporting judicious benzodiazepine use may be needed to decrease rates of long-term benzodiazepine use in older adults.
Mechanical design heuristics to reduce the combinatorial complexity for feature recognition

Feature recognition can be characterized as enhancing the geometric database representation of a mechanical artifact to include some design intent. A number of feature recognition systems have successfully demonstrated the ability to capture such design knowledge. To determine if any such system could “scale-up” to large industrial part databases, it is appropriate to analyze the computational complexity of the recognition system-an issue which appears to have generally been ignored by the feature recognition community. A naive combinatorial analysis, generally applicable over all design domains, suggests that the combinatorial complexity would be exponential, hence intractable within most modern computing environments. Such a theoretical mathematical analysis ignores critical domain-specific engineering knowledge. It is argued that this theoretical potential for combinatorial explosion can be addressed by combining domain-specific mechanical engineering heuristics with a detailed combinatorial analysis. An example of such a heuristically guided combinatorial analysis will be presented for the domain of sheet-metal parts. This example presents combinatorial upper bounds which indicate that feature recognition upon large sheet-metal databases will be computationally tractable. In order to extend the analysis to other domains, it may be necessary to develop other domain-specific heuristics. However, the example presented should serve as a guide to incorporating design heuristics with combinatorial analysis.
HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Antimicrobial Resistance

Increasing drug resistance among many infections of public health importance has created an urgent need for new and effective antimicrobial agents. However, existing economic incentives for research and development appear to be insufficient to meet the anticipated need for new antimicrobial drugs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of new antibacterial agents has decreased by 56% in the past 20 years (1998–2002 vs. 1983–1987), and only 6 of 506 drugs disclosed in the developmental programs of the largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are new antibacterial agents (1). Infectious diseases of worldwide importance such as tuberculosis and malaria are affected by the same problems, and antiretroviral drugs are not used effectively in developing nations because of the lack of economic incentives. The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development is a public-private partnership; its goal is to help develop new, faster acting, and affordable tuberculosis medicines. The partnership intends to accelerate research and development and ensure affordability of the drugs developed, given that the need is greatest in resource-poor countries with high rates of tuberculosis. The Green Light committee reviews applications to the World Health Organization and its international partners for directly observed therapy short course (DOTS)-plus pilot projects in low- and middle-income countries, projects that modify typical DOTS strategy in light of issues (such as the use of second-line drugs) specific to areas with a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The Medicines for Malaria Venture manages a portfolio of projects that are conducted by academic and pharmaceutical partners. Criteria for products to treat uncomplicated malaria include efficacy against drug-resistant strains, cure within 3 days, low propensity to generate rapid resistance, safety in children <6 years old and pregnant women, appropriate formulations and packaging, and low cost. The Accelerating Access Initiative, a joint project of UNAIDS, other international organizations, and several HIV-drug–producing pharmaceutical companies, has developed what it calls a common approach to accelerating access to HIV/AIDS care and treatment in developing countries. The approach calls for political will and commitment of governments; strengthened national healthcare capacity; safe, secure, and efficient distribution systems; involvement of all sectors of society; substantial additional funding from national and international sources; and continued investment in research and development by the pharmaceutical industry.
Imaging System to Measure Kinetics of Material Cluster Ejection During Exit-Surface Damage Initiation and Growth in Fused Silica

Laser-induced damage on the surface of optical components typically is manifested by the formation of microscopic craters that can ultimately degrade the optics performance characteristics. It is believed that the damage process is the result of the material exposure to high temperatures and pressures within a volume on the order of several cubic microns located just below the surface. The response of the material following initial localized energy deposition by the laser pulse, including the timeline of events and the individual processes involved during this timeline, is still largely unknown. In this work we introduce a time-resolved microscope system designed to enable a detailed investigation of the sequence of dynamic events involved during surface damage. To best capture individual aspects of the damage timeline, this system is employed in multiple imaging configurations (such as multi-view image acquisition at a single time point and multi-image acquisition at different time points of the same event) and offers sensitivity to phenomena at very early delay times. The capabilities of this system are demonstrated with preliminary results from the study of exitsurface damage in fused silica. The time-resolved images provide information on the material response immediately following laser energy deposition, the processes later involved during crater formation or growth, the material ejecta kinetics, and overall material motion and transformation. Such results offer insight into the mechanisms governing damage initiation and growth in the optical components of ICF class laser systems.
FUNCTIONAL SIMILARITY AMONG ISOMORPHIC LIFE-HISTORY PHASES OF POLYCAVERNOSA DEBILIS (RHODOPHYTA, GRACILARIACEAE)

Morphologically identical but different life-history phases of the red alga Polycavernosa debilis (Forsskal) Fredericq and J. Norris showed no conspicuous differences in physiological or ecological performances. The costs and benefits of ploidy level, as measured by net photosynthesis, calorific content, structural makeup and resistance to predation, were not sufficient to result in statistically significant differences (P > 0.05 ANOA) for the various reproductive phases [haploid male or female (including cystocarps) and diploid tetrasporic]. The lack of measurable functional responses leads to two hypotheses: (1) that adaptive ecological-physiological differences between life-history phases are subtle, or (2) that predominantly genetic / reproductive factors are implicated in maintaining isomorphic life-history phases.
The nonstationary strain filter in elastography: Part II. Lateral and elevational decorrelation

The nonstationary evolution of the strain filter due to lateral and elevational motion of the tissue scatterers across the ultrasound beam is analyzed for the 1-D cross-correlation-based strain estimator. The effective correlation coefficient that includes the contributions due to lateral and elevational signal decorrelation is used to derate the upper bound of the signal-to-noise ratio in the elastogram (SNRe) predicted by the ideal strain filter. In the case of an elastically homogeneous target, if the transducer is on the axis of symmetry of such target in the elevational direction, the motion of the scatterers out the imaging plane is minimized. In addition, the ultrasound beam along the elevational direction is broader, allowing scatterers to stay longer within the beam during tissue compression. Under these conditions, lateral signal decorrelation becomes the primary contributor to the nonstationary behavior of the strain filter. Both the elastographic SNRe and the dynamic range are reduced, with an increase in lateral decorrelation. Finite element simulations and phantom experiments are presented in this paper to corroborate the theoretical strain filter. The nonstationary behavior of the strain filter is reduced by confining the tissue in the lateral direction (minimizing motion of tissue scatterers), thereby improving the quality of the elastogram.
The changing pattern of basophilia in the mouse uterus from mating through implantation.

Changes in RNA localization and concentration in mouse uteri taken from one-half to seven and one-quarter days after mating were visualized as changes in basophilia following staining by a histochemical method specific for RNA. The basophilia of the luminal epithelium falls abruptly between one-half and two days and is still lower at two and three-quarter days. By 2 and three-quarter days, however, that of the stroma and especially that of the subepithelial endothelial cells is increasing. A further slight increase is found at three and three-quarter days and by four days, a band of subepithelial stromal cells, wider in the antimesometrial than in the mesometrial portion of the uterus, is highly basophilic. At four and one-quarter days, when a distinct decidual reaction is evident, cells in the primary decidual zone are less basophilic than at four days. During the remaining period of observation, cells in different regions of the uterus show increased and often, later, decreased basophilia. It was concluded that these results are in complete accord with those from a recent biochemical study of changes in RNA in the intact rat uterus during the interval from induction of pseudopregnancy through deciduoma formation if the difference in timing in the two species is taken into account.
Radiation Response Prediction Of Single Mode Optical Fiber Waveguides

A program is underway to derive a model for quantitatively predicting the response of single mode optical fiber waveguides to ionizing radiation. The study is based on the extensive body of investigative work on radiation effects in bulk glass and optical materials. Inputs to the model include fiber fabrication history and cross-sectional analysis of fiber composition. Contributions to induced loss by each variable is determined by empirically fitting data from in-house generated samples and use of an orthogonal matrix data reduction technique.© (1987) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Publication Rate of Abstracts Presented at the Shoulder and Elbow Session of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery

Many shoulder and elbow abstracts presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting are cited in the orthopaedic literature or are used to guide orthopaedic practice, but not all of these abstracts are submitted, survive peer review, or eventually are published. Presuming unpublished works have not been scientifically confirmed, one could question whether it is academically responsible to cite abstracts presented at the AAOS before they are peer-reviewed and published. To partly address this issue we determined the peer-reviewed publication rate for 558 abstracts (233 papers and 325 posters) presented at the shoulder and elbow sessions of the AAOS from 1999 to 2004. In April 2007, we searched the computerized database MEDLINE® and PubMed® for published articles based on these abstracts. We examined the published articles to assess publication rate, time to publication, change in contents, change in authors, and change in conclusions of abstracts. The overall publication rate in peer-reviewed journals was 58% (321 of 558), similar to other orthopaedic meetings and medical disciplines. We believe it is unacceptable to cite shoulder and elbow abstracts submitted to the AAOS because only slightly more than ½ (58%) of them are authenticated scientifically.
The role of higher modes in the chaotic motion of the buckled beam—II

Part II of this work completes the analysis of the necessary conditions for the chaos in the system of modal equations of motion of the buckled beam, i.e. a system of coupled Duffing equations. The direct calculation of the stable and unstable perturbed manifolds is used to establish the necessary condition for chaotic motion. It is shown that the higher components of the modified Melnikov vector do not change the critical condition obtained from consideration of only the first component. Analysis of the Lyapunov exponents of the system demonstrates the difference between necessary and sufficient conditions for steady-state chaos. Finally, the additional consideration of the non-hyperbolic modes shows that they can be neglected while developing the condition for the intersection of the stable and unstable manifolds.
Input observer convergence and robustness: Application to compression ratio estimation

The focus of this paper is the analysis of a high-gain observer for estimating un-steady inputs, including guarantees for: (1) robustness to measurement uncertainty, and (2) transient upper bound on estimator error. A method for selecting the observer gain based on measurement uncertainty, acceptable steady-state errors, and desired estimation error convergence rates, is also described. This strategy is demonstrated in practice for internal combustion (IC) engine effective compression ratio (ECR) estimation. Experimental results are shown to be consistent with analytical guarantees—convergence within 4 engine cycles, and a steady-state error less than 0.5 ECR, in the presence of 10% measurement error.
Detection of frequent allelic loss of 6q23–q25.2 in microdissected human breast cancer tissues

Detection of allelic loss in human breast cancer is hindered by the fact that breast cancer tissues are frequently infiltrated by stromal and inflammatory cells. For this study, we carefully microdissected infiltrating breast cancer tumor cells from contaminating normal cells and analyzed the DNA from these samples for allelic loss on the long arm of chromosome 6 by using a panel of 15 dinucleotide repeat markers. We found 53 of the 66 cases studied (80%) to have allelic loss of either the entire chromosomal arm (37 cases) or a portion of the chromosomal arm (16 cases). One common region that was identified for all tumors with deletions of 6q was the area between markers D6S310/314 and D6S473/255, consistent with a tumor suppressor gene locus at 6q23-6q25.2. The use of tissue microdissection allowed the detection of allelic loss in this chromosomal region in human breast cancer at a much higher frequency than was previously recognized.
The Swedish unemployment experience

Abstract Since the 1960s, Sweden has sustained a remarkably low unemployment rate while the average duration of unemployment spells has been increasing over time. This pattern is reproduced in an equilibrium search model incorporating progressive income taxes, generous unemployment compensation, and a program for preventing unemployed workers from abusing the system. Our analysis raises concerns about how well the Swedish system is equipped to handle the current situation of high unemployment.
Stability of personality self-ratings over 30 years: evidence for an age/cohort interaction.

An investigation was made of the hypothesis of Bloom (1964) and others that the stability of personality is greater among older than younger adults. The subjects were 459 men in two cohorts, followed from 1947 to 1977 as part of a longitudinal medical study. Self-ratings were obtained over the 30-year period on 15 item-factor scales from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and on two higher order factors. There was no selective attrition in the sample with respect to baseline personality scores. Thirty-year uncorrected stability coefficients ranged from .08 to .88 across the two cohorts. There was substantial evidence of greater stability on many traits in the older than in the younger age/cohort group. Furthermore, in late adulthood, traits related to the higher order factor Constraint were more stable than were traits related to Positive vs. Negative Affectivity. The study is not a definitive test of Bloom's hypothesis because cohort and age effects are confounded. However, the results are supportive of the hypothesis and the study improves on existing research in a number of ways.
Multitarget inhibition of drug-resistant multiple myeloma cell lines by dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC), a non-COX-2 inhibitory analog of celecoxib.

2,5-dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC) is a close structural analog of the selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib that lacks COX-2 inhibitory function. We and others have demonstrated that DMC, despite its inability to block COX-2, is able to potently mimic the antitumor effects of celecoxib in vitro and in vivo. In this current study, we investigated whether DMC would also be able to inhibit the growth of highly drug-resistant tumor cell variants. We focused on human multiple myeloma (MM) cells, as patients with MM frequently develop drug-resistant disease and ultimately succumb to death. Here we show that DMC (and celecoxib) inhibits the proliferation of various multiple myeloma cell lines, including several (multi) drug-resistant variants. Growth inhibition in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells is mediated via multiple effects, which include diminished signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase (MEK) activity, reduced expression of survivin and various cyclins, and is followed by apoptotic cell death. Thus, our study demonstrates that inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis by DMC (and celecoxib) can be accomplished even in highly drug-resistant multiple myeloma cells, and that this effect is achieved via the blockage of multiple targets that are critical for multiple myeloma cell growth and survival.
Linesmanship and the practice of Linear Geo-art

The theory of Linesmanship and the practice of Linear Geo-art are explained as critiques of methods observed in commonly published classic to recent papers devoted to fracture analysis and related forms of self-delusion.
Hydrogen Confinement in Carbon Nanopores: Extreme Densification at Ambient Temperature

In-situ small angle neutron scattering (SANS) studies of hydrogen confined in small pores of polyfurfuryl alcohol-derived activated carbon (PFAC) at room-temperature provided for the first time its phase behavior in equilibrium with external H2 at pressures up to 200 bar. The data was used to evaluate the density of the adsorbed fluid, which appears to be a function of both pore size and pressure, and approaches the liquid hydrogen density in narrow nanopores at 200 bar. The surface-molecule interactions responsible for densification of hydrogen within the pores create internal pressures which exceed by a factor of up to ~ 60 the external gas pressures, confirming the benefits of adsorptive over compressive storage. These results can be utilized to guide the development of new carbon adsorbents tailored for maximum hydrogen storage capacities at near ambient temperatures.
Phenylalanine flux in adult men: Estimates with different tracers and route of administration

The kinetics of three different tracers of phenylalanine were studied when continuously infused together either by an intravenous (IV) or intragastric (IG) route in six young healthy men during a fasting state. During IV infusion, mean flux values were 39.2 +/- 1.8, 40 +/- 3, 41.8 +/- 3.6 mumol.kg-1.h-1 for L-[ring-2H5], [15N], and L-[1-13C]phenylalanine, respectively (differences not significant). Fluxes were higher (P less than .001) during IG than IV infusion, indicating a disappearance of tracer during the first pass through the splanchnic area. Also, higher fluxes were found for [ring-2H5]phenylalanine (74 +/- 6.23 mumol.kg-1.h-1) compared with [15N] and L-[1-13C]phenylalanine (54.24 +/- 4.7 and 61.15 +/- 5.3 mumol.kg-1.h-1) during IG infusion. Proton exchange might explain this difference, possibly limiting in vivo use of this label when the tracer is to be administered by the IG route.
Quinone-modified polymers as electron transfer relay systems in amperometric glucose sensors

A polysiloxane and an acrylonitrile–ethylene copolymer with covalently attached p-hydroquinone/benzoquinone moieties were prepared and tested as electron transfer relay systems in amperometric glucose biosensors. Using experiments involving cyclic voltammetry and stationary potential measurements, it was shown that the polysiloxane relay system can efficiently mediate electron transfer from reduced glucose oxidase to a conventional carbon-paste electrode. Sensors containing this polymeric relay system and glucose oxidase respond rapidly to low (<0.1 mm) glucose concentrations, with steady state current responses achieved in less than 1 min. The acrylonitrile–ethylene copolymer was found to be less efficient than the polysiloxane system at mediating the electron transfer from reduced glucose oxidase to the electrode. The dependence of the sensor response on the nature of the polymer backbone is discussed.
Direct Observation of Ultrafast Excimer Formation in Covalent Perylenediimide Dimers Using Near-Infrared Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

Energy transfer in perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PDI) aggregates is often limited by formation of a low-energy excimer state. Formation dynamics of excimer states are often characterized by line shape changes and peak shift dynamics in femtosecond visible transient absorption spectra. Femtosecond near-infrared transient absorption experiments reveal a unique low-energy transition that can be used to identify and characterize this state without overlapping excited singlet-state absorption. Three covalently bound PDI dimers with differing PDI-PDI distances were studied to probe the influence of interchromophore electronic coupling on the PDI excimer transient spectra and dynamics.
Obsessive compulsive disorder in children and adolescents: phenomenology and family history.

Abstract Phenomenology and family history in 21 clinically referred children and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder are described. Each child and family participated in a standard clinical psychiatric assessment. The most frequently reported symptoms were repeating rituals, washing, ordering and arranging, checking, and contamination concerns. Controlling behaviors involving other family members were seen in 57% of the patients. Associated psychopathology was common: 38% received an anxiety disorder diagnosis; 29% received a mood disorder diagnosis; tics were observed in 24%. Fifteen (71%) of the children had a parent with either obsessive compulsive disorder ( N = 4) or obsessive-compulsive symptoms ( N = 11). The clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1990, 29, 5:766–772.
The Effect of Social Diversity on Regional Innovation: Measures and Empirical Evidence

This paper discusses two measures of Social Diversity that have appeared in the literature, the gay index and the Country of Birth (CoB) index, and compares their effects on regional innovative activity. We distinguish social diversity from tolerance or openness and argue that the gay index can be considered as a proxy for tolerance or openness, whereas the CoB index can better represent social diversity. According to our regression results, it is the CoB index (i.e., social diversity), not the gay index (i.e., tolerance or openness), that presents a significant and positive effect on innovation. Nevertheless, innovative activity in regions is still dominantly determined by local stocks of R&D capital and doctoral scientists and engineers.
Rhodium(II)-Catalysed Intramolecular O-H Insertion of alpha-Diazo-gamma-Azido-delta-Hydroxy-beta-Ketoesters: Evidence for a Novel Sigmatropic Rearrangement of an Allylic Azide Intermediate

3(2H)-Furanona-2-carboxilatos tem sido preparadas em bons rendimentos e seletividade moderada (d.e. ca 60%), a partir da reacao de insercao de O-H intramolecular de d-hidroxi-a-diazoesteres catalisada por Rh2(OAc)4. Observou-se que as furanonas 2,5-cis substituidas sao formadas inicialmente na reacao, sofrendo epimerizacao quando submetidas a cromatografia em silica gel, fornecendo os isomeros 2,5-trans correspondentes. A decomposicao de g-azido-d-hidroxi-a-diazoesteres catalisada por Rh2(OAc)4 tambem forneceu 3(2H)-furanona-2-carboxilatos. Estes compostos sao formados a partir de transformacoes sequenciais, envolvendo primeiramente uma reacao de insercao de O-H intramolecular, seguido de um rearranjo sigmatropico concertado [3,3] do intermediario alil azida.
Racial disparities in the management of pediatric appenciditis.

Background Our objective was to compare the racial differences in incidence and management of pediatric appendicitis. Materials and methods Data for this study come from two large national hospital discharge databases from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Healthcare Costs and Utilization Project: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID). Analysis was restricted to age less than 18 years with an ICD-9 diagnosis of either simple (540.9) or complex (540.0 and 540.1) appendicitis. Data were weighted to represent national estimates. Incidence was defined as the number of new disease cases divided by the number of at risk hospitalized children. Results The data for this study contained an estimated 428,463 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 414, 672-442, 253] cases of appendicitis, representing approximately 65,000 to 75,000 cases annually. Multi-variant analysis suggests that African-Americans, as compared to Caucasians, were less prone to develop appendicitis [odds ratio (OR) = 0.39, 95% CI (0.38, 0.41)], but less frequently underwent laparoscopic treatment [OR = 0.78, 95% CI (0.74, 0.87)], and were more likely to have complex appendicitis [OR = 1.39, 95% CI (1.30, 1.49)]. In contrast, Hispanics were more likely than Caucasians to both develop appendicitis [OR = 1.48, 95% CI (1.41, 1.56)] and to have complex disease [OR = 1.10, 95% CI (1.05, 1.16)]. The incidence of appendicitis was less frequent in females versus males [OR = 0.69, 95% CI (0.68, 0.70)] but the likelihood of laparoscopic exploration was higher [OR = 1.39, 95% CI (1.34, 1.43)]. Finally, children with public insurance [OR = 1.25, 95% CI (1.21, 1.29)] and uninsured children [OR = 1.10, 95% CI (1.04, 1.16)] were more likely to have complex appendicitis when compared to children with private insurance. Conclusions African-American children with appendicitis have lower overall hospitalization rates, higher rates of perforation, a greater delay to surgical management, and lower laparoscopic rates. In contrast, Hispanic children more frequently had appendicitis and complex disease. The treatment of African-American and Hispanic children overall was associated with a longer hospital stay and higher charges. The lower incidence of appendicitis in African-American children is incompletely understood and the disparity in surgical management among minority children remains troubling.
DDE reduces Medullary Bone Formation in Birds

DURING the past two decades residues of certain chlorinated hydrocarbons, especially DDT, have caused declines in the populations of various carnivorous birds in the North Temperate Zone by reducing their reproductive success1–3. Contaminated birds lay eggs with abnormally thin, insufficiently calcified shells, so that there is increased egg breakage and embryonic death4–9. Although adult mortality, abnormal behaviour, delayed ovulation and nesting, egg eating, and failure to lay eggs also sometimes result from such contamination1–3,8–11, the thin eggshell phenomenon is the chief cause of the declines in population3,6,8.
Anisotropy of BN and Be x-ray-emission bands.

We present measurements of the K emission spectra of hexagonal Be and BN (h-Be and h-BN). The anisotropy of the emission allows us to separate the bands into their \ensuremath{\sigma} and \ensuremath{\pi} components, enabling us to demonstrate the unambiguous \ensuremath{\pi} character of the B core exciton. We find that the exciton presents a double-peaked structure which we attribute to phonon ringing. For the first time we are able to separate into \ensuremath{\pi} and \ensuremath{\sigma} components the doubly ionized K emission bands of B and N in h-BN and of Be in h-Be, revealing the effect of the spectator core hole on the shape of the density of states. Such an effect is in qualitative agreement with the final-state rule, although the local p density of states is distorted more than has previously been reported.