cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Organization and Expression of Nuclear Genes for Yeast Cytochrome c Oxidase

In eukaryotes the assembly and function of holocytochrome c oxidase requires the protein products of both nuclear and mitochondrial genes 1. Some of these genes provide protein subunits of the holoenzyme itself while others are required specifically for the biosynthesis or assembly of these subunits into a functional oligomer2. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. three mitochondrial genes (COX1, COX2, and COX3) and six nuclear genes (COX4, COX5a, or COX5b, COX6, COX7, COX8, and COX9) encode the subunit polypeptides of the complex. COX5a and COX5b encode interchangeable isologs of subunit V, designated Va and Vb 3-5. All other subunits are specified by unique genes present in single copy on their respective genomes. Considering that nine structural genes in two different cellular compartments specify the subunit polypeptides of cytochrome c oxidase, the synthesis and assembly of the holoenzyme poses many interesting questions. Is the expression of this set of genes coordinated? If so, at what level (transcription, transcript processing, translation, or assembly) is their expression regulated? What is the nature of the intracellular effectors (metabolites, trans-acting proteins, etc.) that serve to modulate the level of each subunit and determine the overall level of holocytochrome c oxidase activity in cells? Are COX5a and COX5b expressed differentially and if so, do their protein products, Va and Vb, confer different properties on the holoenzyme?
X-ray-induced structural transition in La 0.875 Sr 0.125 MnO 3

We report a synchrotron x-ray-scattering study of the magnetoresistive manganite ${\mathrm{La}}_{0.875}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{0.125}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}.$ At low temperatures, this material undergoes an x-ray-induced structural transition at which charge ordering of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{3+}$ and ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{4+}$ ions characteristic to the low-temperature state of this compound is destroyed. The transition is persistent but the charge-ordered state can be restored by heating above the charge-ordering transition temperature and subsequently cooling. The charge-ordering diffraction peaks, which are broadened at all temperatures, broaden more upon x-ray irradiation, indicating the finite correlation length of the charge-ordered state. Together with the recent reports on x-ray-induced transitions in ${\mathrm{Pr}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3},$ our results demonstrate that the photoinduced structural change is a common property of the charge-ordered perovskite manganites.
Bayesian Predictions from the Semi-analytic Models of Galaxy Formation

The semi-analytic models of galaxy formation (SAMs) have long been criticized because they can not correctly include the model uncertainties into model predictions to make the models testable. We demonstrate that using posterior samples drawn by advanced MCMC algorithms under data constraints we can rigorously establish confidence bounds for model predictions and perform model checks using posterior predictive distributions. We conduct a model inference from the K-band luminosity function of local galaxies and make predictions for galaxies at higher redshifts. The posterior predictive checks show that while the model can reasonably well fit the local galaxy luminosity function, its predictions for the stellar mass function of high redshift galaxies are inconsistent with existing data.
Lower Bounds on the Dimension of Spaces of Bivariate Splines

We consider spaces of bivariate C r -splines of degree k defined on a triangulation of a polygonal domain. The lower bound on the dimension of such spaces given by L. L. Schumaker is valid only for simply connected domains. In this paper, we establish a lower bound on the dimension of such spaces for any polygonal domain possibly with holes. This lower bound is sharp in the sense that it gives the exact dimension for such spaces when k > 3r +1. Furthermore, this result is extended to bivariate spline spaces on arbitrary polygonal partitions.
Repetitive pattern and renewal process

This section is a digression. Its purpose is to establish the equivalence of several notions in current usage.
The Federal Reserve and the Cross-Section of Stock Returns

We analyze the eects of monetary policy on the equity premium and the cross-section of stock returns in a general equilibrium framework. Monetary policy is conducted using an interest-rate policy rule reacting to inflation and output. The real eects of the policy are the result of product price rigidities in the production sector. The model predicts that (i) industries with lower price rigidities earn higher expected returns than industries with higher price rigidities and (ii) the dierence in expected returns declines with more aggressive monetary policies. We provide an explanation for these results based on countercyclical markups. Markups of industries with low price rigidities are less variable than markups of industries with high price rigidities. When the marginal utility of consumption is high, markups in industries with high rigidities increase by more than markups in industries with low rigidities. As a result, profits of industries with low rigidities are more sensitive to policy shocks, and investors require a higher compensation for holding stocks on these industries. When the response of monetary policy to inflation is more aggressive, the markup variability reduces, and the dierence in expected returns between high and low rigidity industries decreases. We find empirical evidence supporting the model’s predictions.
Financial Machine Learning in 10 Minutes (Presentation Slides)

Most publications in Financial ML seem concerned with forecasting prices. While these are worthy endeavors, Financial ML can offer so much more. In this presentation, we review a few important applications that go beyond price forecasting: 1. Portfolio construction 2. Structural breaks 3. Bet sizing 4. Feature importance 5. Detection of false investment strategies (backtest overfitting).
Abstract C30: Coping strategies in cancer: A systematic review of African American women with breast cancer

Introduction: African American women (AAW) have lower mortality rates for breast cancer compared to non-Hispanic white women. Late-stage diagnosis contributes to these lower mortality rates in AAW. AAW who are diagnosed with breast cancer and receive treatment report a disconnect in provider and patient communication. This disconnect leads to poor outcomes in survivorship. Understanding coping strategies in cancer for AAW diagnosed with breast cancer can help improve provider-patient communication and overall survivorship for patients. Methods: The systematic review included an electronic search of PubMed and EBSCOHost databases. A search of terms “coping with cancer” and “African American women with breast cancer” yielded results of 35 articles. 14 of 35 articles were used in this review. Articles included in this study were screened for information related to spirituality, coping, and knowledge about cancer. Results: The 14 studies reviewed all contained qualitative data. Common themes among all 14 studies were that spirituality and religion were the main sources for support for AAW with breast cancer. AAW reported feeling mistrust with health care providers, limited access to health care, and educational providers as barriers in physician-patient communication. Discussion: Based on the results of this study, AAW use religion and spirituality to cope with cancer diagnosis and treatments. More AAW felt a disconnect with their providers because they felt neglected after completion of treatment. AAW credited medical mistrust to strained communication with health care providers. This information could be helpful to nurses and medical professionals to improve treatment for AAW with breast cancer. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Jeanette Renay McFall, Jeanette Renay McFall, Jeanette Renay McFall, Jeanette Renay McFall. Coping strategies in cancer: A systematic review of African American women with breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr C30.
The anaphase-promoting complex regulates the degradation of the inner nuclear membrane protein Mps3 in budding yeast

The nucleus is enclosed by the inner nuclear membrane (INM) and the outer nuclear membrane (ONM). While the ONM is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the INM is independent and separates the nucleoplasm from the ER lumen. To maintain INM homeostasis, proteins mislocalized to the INM are degraded by the ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) pathway. However, the mechanism for turnover of resident INM proteins is less clear. Here we show that the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates the degradation of Mps3, a conserved integral protein of the INM. Turnover of Mps3 requires the ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes Ubc7 and Ubc6, but not the three known ERAD ubiquitin ligases, Doa10, Hrd1, and the Asi1-Asi3 complex. Using a genetic approach, we have found that Cdh1, a coactivator of APC/C, modulates Mps3 stability. APC/C controls Mps3 degradation through Mps3 N-terminus, which resides in the nucleoplasm and possesses two putative APC/C-dependent destruction motifs. Accumulation of Mps3 at the INM impairs nuclear morphological changes and cell division. Our findings therefore reveal an unexpected mechanism of APC/C-mediated protein quality control at the INM that coordinates nuclear morphogenesis and cell-cycle progression.
Structural Relaxation Processes and Collective Dynamics of Water in Biomolecular Environments

In this simulation study, we investigate the influence of biomolecular confinement on dynamical processes in water. We compare water confined in a membrane protein nanopore at room temperature to pure liquid water at low temperatures with respect to structural relaxations, intermolecular vibrations, and the propagation of collective modes. We observe distinct potential energy landscapes experienced by water molecules in the two environments, which nevertheless result in comparable hydrogen bond lifetimes and sound propagation velocities. Hence, we show that a viscoelastic argument that links slow rearrangements of the water-hydrogen bond network to ice-like collective properties applies to both, the pure liquid and biologically confined water, irrespective of differences in the microscopic structure.
Engineered Tissue Development in Biofabricated 3D Geometrical Confinement-A Review.

Living tissue is a complex, heterogeneous structure where spatially organized ECMs present embedded cells with a variety of biochemical and mechanical signals. These signals are important to the fo...
Polyelectrolyte hydrogel capsules as stabilizers for reconfigurable complex emulsions

Responsive complex emulsions are increasingly of interest for use in diagnostics, optics, and chemical sensing due to their tunable chemical and physical properties. A significant limitation of such fluid droplets for long-term applications is their eventual breakdown over time by pathways such as coalescence and Ostwald ripening that lead to variations in droplet size and composition. Elucidating approaches by which to enhance droplet stability while simultaneously maintaining their reconfigurability and responsive character is therefore important. This report explores the behavior of reconfigurable hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon droplets in water that are encapsulated in a polyelectrolyte hydrogel shell. Surfactant-free gelation pathways are investigated to form oil-core calcium alginate capsules, and the effects of the hydrogel capsule structure on droplet stability and reconfigurability in the presence of surfactants are characterized.
Dopaminergic D1 receptor effects on commissural inputs targeting layer V pyramidal subtypes of the mouse medial prefrontal cortex

In humans, prefrontal cortical areas are known to support goal-directed behaviors, mediating a variety of functions that render behavior more flexible in the face of changing environmental demands. In mice, these functions are mediated by homologous regions within medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and rely heavily on proper dopaminergic tone. Comprised of two major subtypes, pyramidal tract (PT) and intratelencephalic (IT), layer V pyramidal cells serve as the major outputs of the mPFC, targeting brainstem nuclei and the contralateral hemisphere, respectively. However, it remains relatively unknown how cortical inputs targeting these subtypes are integrated. We explored how layer V pyramidal cell subtypes integrate commissural inputs, which integrate information flow between the hemispheres. An optogenetic approach was used to elicit commissural fiber activation onto PT and IT cells and the effects of D1 receptor activation on elicited EPSPs were explored. We showed that commissural inputs into PT and IT cells elicit facilitating and depressing EPSP patterns, respectively. D1 receptor activation increased the initial EPSP amplitude, enhanced EPSP facilitation, and prolonged EPSP decay time constant in PT cells. In IT cells, D1 receptor activation increased commissural-evoked initial EPSP amplitude but did not affect facilitation or EPSP shape. Furthermore, D1 receptor activation elicited burst firing in a subset of PT cells in response to commissural fiber activation. Combined, these results lend insight into the role of dopamine in promoting persistent firing and temporal integration in PT and IT cells, respectively, that in turn may contribute to working memory functions.
A multi-level analysis of the direct and joint effects of gender and mode of disposition on sentencing in federal courts

The current study examines the influence of defendant sex, mode of disposition, and sex-by-mode of disposition grouping on incarceration and sentence length decisions. In addition, this study exami...
Do Temporal Trends in Cancer Incidence Reveal Organ System Connections for Cancer Etiology

BACKGROUND Recent studies have reported substantial increases in cancer incidence in young adults under 40 years in the United States. METHODS We applied hierarchical cluster analysis to identify cancer anatomical clustering, for 48 anatomic sites, using incidence trends since 1973 for 25- to 39-year-olds. RESULTS Temporal trends mapped to three major clusters in men involving six organ systems (digestive, endocrine, urinary, blood, respiratory, and male genital) and one cluster in women involving five systems (digestive, endocrine, urinary, female genital, central nervous system). For both men and women, kidney, thyroid, and colorectal cancers consistently clustered for all ages 25-39 and for each 5-year age subgroup. Further, several cancers linked to the endocrine and digestive systems (three in men and six in women) had highly consistent temporal incidence trends. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that there may be organ system connections for cancers of the endocrine and digestive systems; etiologic approaches focused on clusters of cancers rather than individual cancers may prove fruitful.
Pemetrexed in Recurrent or Progressive Central Nervous System Lymphoma: A Phase I Multicenter Clinical Trial.

Lessons learned The findings from this study using monotherapy with pemetrexed in a pretreated patient population are, overall, encouraging. Unlike high-dose methotrexate, which requires several days of inpatient hospitalization, pemetrexed is relatively easy to administer in the outpatient setting and remains a viable treatment option in this patient population. The maximum tolerated dose of pemetrexed administered (900 mg/m2 every 2 weeks) was generally well tolerated and showed activity in patients with relapsed or refractory CNSL. Background There is currently no standard salvage treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (CNSL). We report the results of a phase I study of pemetrexed, an antifolate drug with broader activity than methotrexate (MTX). We provide the safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of pemetrexed in patients with recurrent CNSL. Methods Through October 2015, 17 patients with relapsed/refractory CNSL received pemetrexed every 2 weeks with the first cohort receiving 600 mg/m2 and dose escalation in increments of 300 mg/m2 to a maximum of 1,200 mg/m2 . Three patients were to enroll at each dose level with expansion to six patients in the event of dose-limiting toxicity. Patients with both primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) and secondary CNS lymphoma (SCNSL) could be enrolled. Results Seventeen patients were evaluable with a median age of 63.7 years. Main adverse events included fatigue (82.4%), anemia (82.4%), and neutropenia (70.6%). The MTD was established at 900 mg/m2 . Dose-limiting toxicities were recorded in one patient in the 600 mg/m2 cohort and in two patients in the 1,200 mg/m2 cohort. Fourteen patients were evaluable for response assessment; 21.4% achieved a complete response, 35.7% had a partial response, 14.3% had stable disease, and 28.6% had progressive disease. The median progression-free survival was 4.2 months. The median overall survival was 44.5 months. In the original study protocol, the plan was to add an expansion cohort of six patients at MTD level. However, the first phase of the study was characterized by slow recruitment. Therefore, after achieving the primary objective of the study and establishing the MTD, the investigators decided to amend the protocol and to close the study. Conclusion Pemetrexed administered at 900 mg/m2 every 2 weeks exhibits single-agent activity in patients with recurrent CNSL; it is well tolerated, and side effects are manageable.
Daily text message assessments of 6-mercaptopurine adherence and its proximal contexts in adolescents and young adults with leukemia: A pilot study

Background This pilot study explored the feasibility and acceptability of implementing text-based assessments of oral chemotherapy adherence in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with leukemia. Methods AYA prescribed maintenance 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) received daily text message surveys and utilized an electronic pill bottle for 28 days. Text surveys assessed 6MP adherence and contextual associates (eg, mood). Feasibility was defined by recruitment/retention rates, survey completion rates, cost, and technical issues. After the 28-day period, AYA completed an acceptability survey. Secondary analyses compared text survey and electronic pill bottle adherence rates, and explored the daily associations between contextual factors and 6MP nonadherence. Results Eighteen AYA enrolled (M age = 18, range 15-22) and completed study procedures (100% recruitment and retention rates). Adherence survey completion rates were high (M = 88.9%), the technology cost was $204.00, and there were few technical issues. AYA reported high satisfaction with the surveys and perceived them as a helpful medication reminder. While not significantly correlated, survey and electronic pill bottle adherence data converged on the majority of days (>90%). Exploratory analyses showed that AYA were more likely to miss a dose of 6MP on weekends (OR = 2.33, P = .048) and on days when their adherence motivation (OR = 0.28, P = .047) and negative affect (OR = 3.92, P = .02) worsened from their own typical functioning. Conclusions For AYA with leukemia, daily text-based surveys are a feasible and acceptable method for delivering medication adherence assessments, and may operate as a short-term intervention. To develop personalized mobile health interventions, findings also highlighted the need to study time-varying predictors of 6MP nonadherence.
Team effectiveness in creative problem solving: Examining the role of students’ motivational beliefs and task analyses in team performance

Abstract This study investigated the collective creative problem solving (CPS) processes and beliefs within a self-regulated learning (SRL) framework within a younger population, in order to further the research and provide practical advice to practitioners. Third through twelfth grade students (N = 120) competed in a creative problem-solving competition in which appraisers evaluated their creative problem-solving (e.g. teamwork, creativity, effective solution). Using a Micro-Macro Mutli-Level Modeling (MMMLM) analysis approach, this study sought to account for the multi-level nature of the data in the team-based environment in which the predictor variables were at the individual level and the outcome was at the team-level. Many of the individual forethought variables correlated (i.e. participant age, mastery experiences, creative collective efficacy, task value, and outcome expectations) with the team outcomes, and the model, including all forethought variables, explains approximately 64 % of the variance in the team score. The results also show that task value was the only forethought variable to significantly predict the team score outcome variable after accounting for the nested structure of the data.
Letting Go: Knowing When and How

The idea of data-enabled creativity discussed in previous chapters demands often substantial mindset and skillset organization-wide transformations, in addition to also developing brand new competencies. It is the goal of this chapter to, firstly, outline the core aspects of those skills and competencies and, secondly, to identify and discuss the key obstacles that are likely to impede the necessary individual-level and organization-wide transformations. The former, which are discussed first, centre on cognitive processes and sensemaking heuristics, while the latter, discussed next, are summarized by the multidimensional idea of informational literacy, which encompasses digital, data, analytic and communication dimensions. Set in the context of those key determinants of individual and organizational data-enabled creativity-focused transformations is an overview of ideas of probabilistic thinking, fact-based decision-making and organizational change.
Hedging against Rawls: Randomization and Commitment under Risk

We consider a decision maker (DM) whose preferences over risky prospects satisfy convexity. Under convexity, DM's preferences admit a conservative multi-utility representation: lotteries are ranked only through the lowest utility valuation they generate. Given a DM with convex preferences, we exploit the notion of blocking coalition of utilities to characterize the set of optimal actions and study their efficiency properties. Randomization allows DM to hedge against its Rawlsian attitude. When this is the case, DM generically must be able to credibly commit to its random choice. Finally, we apply our results to a single prize assignment problem and show that the unique and efficient assignment involves randomization and is such that only worst-off contenders receive the prize with positive probability.
Packaging and Waste in the Endoscopy Suite

Abstract Global warming is a great threat to life on our planet. Health care systems are high resource utilizers and contribute significantly to the problem. However, we can also be part of the solution as endoscopy services are the second waste producer in a hospital. Green endoscopy is a concept of implementing efficient strategies to minimize waste and to optimize utilization of equipment and supplies to maximize the benefits for the patient, the hospital, and our community. This manuscript aims to educate us on the problem and the cost to all of us as a whole and put into context the important part that endoscopic services have in energy utilization and waste generation. Finally, we suggest strategies, some low cost and high impacts, such as appropriate waste classification and disposal, some higher cost and high impact, such as water recycling and management as well as natural and LED lighting. We hope that we can generate enough momentum and enhance the discussion at the local, regional, national, and international levels about this challenge facing us and how we can be a unified force for positive change.
Dynamics of Radiation-Induced Amorphization in Ordered Intermetallic Compounds

Two of the fundamental aspects of solid-state amorphizing transformations are concerned with the nature of the driving force and with the transition mechanism. In recent years, systematic experiments of radiation-induced amorphization performed on various intermetallic compounds and molecular dynamics simulations, which provided atomistic details about the evolving physical properties of the alloy systems during the displacementproducing process, have significantly contributed to our current understanding of these basic aspects.
Designing traffic profiles for bursty Internet traffic

The paper proposes a new class of traffic profiles that is better suited for metering bursty Internet traffic streams than the traditional token bucket profile. A good traffic profile should satisfy two criteria: first, it should consider packets from a conforming traffic stream as in-profile with high probability to ensure a strong QoS guarantee; second, it should limit the network resources consumed by a non-conforming traffic stream to no more than that consumed by a conforming stream. We model a bursty Internet traffic stream as an ON/OFF stream, where both the ON-period and the OFF-period have a heavy-tailed distribution. Our study shows that the heavy-tailed distribution leads to an excessive randomness in the long-term session rate distribution. Therefore, it is inherently difficult for any profile that limits the long-term average session rate to give a strong QoS guarantee for the conforming traffic streams. Our simulation demonstrates that a token bucket profile that couples the average rate control and the burst size control has a weak QoS guarantee. Based on this result, we propose a new class of traffic profiles that decouples the long term average rate control from the burst size control. Compared to a token bucket profile, this profile improves the level of QoS for a conforming traffic stream, yet limits the "effective bandwidth" consumed by a non-conforming traffic stream.
Enhancing Women's Partnership with Health Providers in Hormone Replacement Therapy Decision-Making:: Research and Practice Directions

In the next two decades nearly 40 million women will reach menopause. The women now approaching menopause are different in a variety of ways from previous cohorts of women. More women are surviving to this age with better health and functioning. They are better educated and the first cohort of women to have been employed outside the home throughout most their adult years. This cohort of women expect more from the health care system. They want far more information, involvement, control and choice regarding their care. The pressures of this most educated, consumer-oriented cohort will soon be felt in the services women seek related to menopause. This cohort of women is reaching menopause at a time where there are still no definitive answers about the long-term safety and efficacy of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The task is not to convince women to use HRT, but to help women make informed choices in the face of uncertainty. The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the unique problems associated ...
Temperature and structural effects on transfer of double-stranded RNA among isolates of the chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica).

Abstract Cryphonectria parasitica is a unique fungus which can serve as a model for understanding transfer of genes between eukaryotic microorganisms. We studied transfer of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) between compatible and incompatible strains of C. parasitica to determine whether hyphal types or temperature could restrict that exchange. Hyphal connections between incompatible strains occurred at about 30% of the frequency of connections between compatible strains and differed morphologically. Gel electrophoresis and in situ hybridization confirmed that dsRNA was transferred through substrate hyphae but not through aerial hyphae. Freezing temperatures resulted in the loss of dsRNA from the new mycelium of the donor colony and stimulated the production of virulent pycnidiospores. These temperature and structural restrictions may help to explain the lack of spread of the dsRNA despite its presence in the field.
Voices in the Wilderness

Book reviewed in this article: Theological Voices in Medical Ethics. Edited by Allen Verhey and Stephen E. Lammers
Comparison of the aspartate transcarbamoylases from Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli

Abstract The aspartate transcarbamoylases (ATCase, EC 2.1.3.2) of Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens have similar dodecameric enzyme structures (2(c3):3(r2] but differ in both regulatory and catalytic characteristics. The catalytic cistrons (pyrB) of the ATCases from E. coli and S. marcescens encode polypeptides of 311 and 306 amino acids, respectively; there is a 76% identity between the DNA sequences and an overall amino acid homology of 88% (38 differences). The regulatory cistrons (pyrI) of these ATCases encode polypeptides of 153 and 154 amino acids, respectively, and there is a 75% identity between the DNA sequences and an overall amino acid homology of 77% (36 differences). In both species, the two genes are arranged as a bicistronic operon, with pyrB promoter proximal. A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences reveals that the active site and the allosteric binding sites, as well as most of the intrasubunit interactions and intersubunit associations, are conserved in the E. coli and the S. marcescens enzymes; however, there are specific differences which undoubtedly contribute to the catalytic and regulatory differences between the enzymes of the two species. These differences include residues that have been implicated in the T-R transition, c1:r1 interface interactions, and the CTP binding site. A hybrid ATCase assembled in vivo with catalytic subunits from E. coli and regulatory subunits from S. marcescens has a 6 mM requirement for aspartate at half-maximal saturation, similar to the 5.5 mM aspartate requirement of the native E. coli holoenzyme at half-maximal saturation. However, the heterotropic response of this hybrid enzyme is characteristic of the heterotropic response of the native S. marcescens holoenzyme: ATP activation and CTP activation. Activation by both allosteric effectors indicates that the heterotropic response of this hybrid holoenzyme (Cec:Rsm) is determined by the associated S. marcescens regulatory subunits.
Airway basal cells of healthy smokers express an embryonic stem cell signature relevant to lung cancer.

Activation of the human embryonic stem cell (hESC) signature genes has been observed in various epithelial cancers. In this study, we found that the hESC signature is selectively induced in the airway basal stem/progenitor cell population of healthy smokers (BC-S), with a pattern similar to that activated in all major types of human lung cancer. We further identified a subset of 6 BC-S hESC genes, whose coherent overexpression in lung adenocarcinoma (AdCa) was associated with reduced lung function, poorer differentiation grade, more advanced tumor stage, remarkably shorter survival, and higher frequency of TP53 mutations. BC-S shared with hESC and a considerable subset of lung carcinomas a common TP53 inactivation molecular pattern which strongly correlated with the BC-S hESC gene expression. These data provide transcriptome-based evidence that smoking-induced reprogramming of airway BC toward the hESC-like phenotype might represent a common early molecular event in the development of aggressive lung carcinomas in humans. Stem Cells 2013;31:1992-2002
Weather type classification of wildfire ignitions in the central Gulf Coast, United States

Limited research has been performed examining the relationships between southeast US wildfire and weather type patterns using modern techniques and data sets. The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between wildfire ignitions in the central Gulf Coast, United States and weather type occurrences in an effort to identify regional patterns associated with wildfire ignitions. Wildfire occurrence data are obtained for nine national forests in the central Gulf Coast for the period 1970 to 2011. The Spatial Synoptic Classification scheme (SSC) is used to classify daily weather type variations for each national forest. Years with high numbers of ignitions experience statistically higher numbers of dry tropical (DT) weather types than years with low numbers of ignitions in five of nine national forests. These differences range from 17 to 160% more DT days during periods of high ignitions. Statistically significant positive Spearman rank correlations exist between annual number of ignitions and annual number of DT days in a given forest. While understanding such relationships on an annual scale is useful, it says nothing about the actual timing of weather types leading up to an ignition. An analysis of weather type activity 30, 90, and 180 days prior to ignitions reveals that the median ratio of DT days to moist moderate (MM) and moist tropical (MT) days is statistically higher for periods leading up to a fire. Positive phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) result in an increased number of DT days. This confirms previous studies that have suggested the strength of the westerlies increases during the positive phase of the NAO, driving DT weather types eastward from their southwest US/Mexico source region. We can therefore also conclude that the positive phase of the NAO is linked with increased wildfire activity in the central Gulf Coast, United States.
Heating Garlic Inhibits Its Ability to Suppress 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-Induced DNA Adduct Formation in Rat Mammary Tissue

The present studies compared the impact of heating, either by microwave or convection oven, on the ability of garlic to reduce the in vivo bioactivation of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in 55-d-old female Sprague-Dawley rats. In study 1, rats were fed a semipurified casein-based diet and treated by gastric gavage thrice weekly for 2-wk with crushed garlic (0.7 g in 2 mL corn oil) or the carrier prior to DMBA treatment (50 mg/kg body weight). Providing crushed garlic reduced by 64% (P < 0.05) the quantity DMBA-induced DNA adducts present in mammary epithelial cells compared to controls. In study 2, microwave treatment for 60 s, but not 30 s, decreased (P < 0.05) the protection provided by garlic against DMBA-induced adduct formation. In study 3, allowing crushed garlic to stand for 10 min prior to microwave heating for 60 s significantly (P < 0.05) restored its anticarcinogenic activity. Microwave heating of garlic for 30 s resulted in a 90% loss of alliinase activity. Heating in a convection oven (study 4) also completely blocked the ability of uncrushed garlic to retard DMBA bioactivation. Study 5 revealed that providing either 0.105 micromol diallyl disulfide or S-allyl cysteine by gastric gavage thrice weekly for 2 wk was effective in retarding DMBA bioactivation but isomolar alliin was not. These studies provide evidence that alliinase may be important for the formation of allyl sulfur compounds that contribute to a depression in DMBA metabolism and bioactivation.
Biosorption of uranium by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain CSU: characterization and comparison studies.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain CSU, a nongenetically engineered bacterial strain known to bind dissolved hexavalent uranium (as UO{sub 2}{sup 2+} and/or its cationic hydroxo complexes) was characterized with respect to its sorptive activity. The uranium biosorption equilibrium could be described by the Langmuir isotherm. The rate of uranium adsorption increased following permeabilization of the outer and/or cytoplasmic membrane by organic solvents such as acetone. P. aeruginosa CSU biomass was significantly more sorptive toward uranium than certain novel, patented biosorbents derived from algal or fungal biomass sources. P. aeruginosa CSU biomass was also competitive with commercial cation-exchange resins, particularly in the presence of dissolved transition metals. Uranium binding by P. aeruginosa CSU was clearly pH dependent. Uranium loading capacity increased with increasing pH under acidic conditions, presumably as a function of uranium speciation and due to the H{sup +} competition at some binding sites. Nevertheless, preliminary evidence suggests that this microorganism is also capable of binding anionic hexavalent uranium complexes. Ferric iron was a strong inhibitor of uranium binding to P. aeruginosa CSU biomass, and the presence of uranium also decreased the Fe{sup 3+} loading when the biomass was not saturated with Fe{sup 3+}. Thus, a two-state process in which iron andmore » uranium are removed in consecutive steps was proposed for efficient use of the biomass as a biosorbent in uranium removal from mine wastewater, especially acidic leachates.« less
Social Capital and Walkability as Social Aspects of Sustainability

The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development are frequently described as having three main components, sometimes referred to as the three pillars or the triple bottom line: environmental, economic, and social. Because of an historical focus in the sustainability field on correcting environmental problems, much consideration has been given to environmental issues, especially how they interface with economic ones. Frequently mentioned but rarely examined, the social aspects of sustainability have been considered the weakest and least described pillar. After a brief review of existing concepts and theories, this paper uses a case study approach to examine the third pillar more comprehensively and offers social capital as one measure of social sustainability. Specifically, social capital was used to measure the social-environmental interface of communities. The positive correlation between aspects of the built environment, specifically walkability, and social capital suggests that measuring a social aspect of sustainability may be feasible, especially in the context of community development.
The Role of Health System Pharmacy in Improving Influenza Vaccination Rates among Health Care Workers

The Director's Forum series is written and edited by Robert J. Weber and Scott M. Mark and is designed to guide pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health systems. During the autumn months, health care professions and the media will advocate for immunizing all patients to prevent the occurrence and spread of influenza. A potential source of influenza in hospitalized patients is health care workers (HCWs) who have not been vaccinated. Pharmacists have long served as vaccine immunizers, advocates, and educators and may play an active role in improving vaccination rates among HCWs. Pharmacy directors should consider their department's role in influenza vaccination by becoming active partners in influenza prevention. By actively participating in making vaccines available in a variety of ways to HCWs, pharmacy directors can maximize the benefits of a hospital's employee vaccination program.
Miscibility and cocrystallization behavior of two melt-processable random copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkylvinylether

Abstract Miscibility, crystallization behavior, and mechanical properties of blends made from melt-processable perfluoropolymers of poly(tetrafluoroethylene- co -perfluoropropylvinylether) (PFA) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene- co -perfluoroethylvinylether) (EFA) have been examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). PFA and EFA (PEVE comonomer:5.7 wt%) blends cocrystallize regardless of crystallization speed and blending method. On the other hand, PFA/EFA blends that contain EFA with high PEVE comonomer content (PEVE:13.3 wt%) formed segregated crystals. However, these blends [PFA/EFA (PEVE:13.3%)] showed a composition dependent single α-relaxation temperature which suggests that they are miscible in the amorphous phase. Therefore, it is concluded that PFA/EFA blends are miscible in the amorphous or molten state, they form segregated crystals during crystallization. In contrast, EFA containing low PEVE content form cocrystals with PFA from the melt. Measuring the flex life (folding endurance) of the blends revealed that only 20% EFA (PEVE: 13.3%) is required to increase the flex life of neat PFA by four times.
New roles for the cerebellum in health and disease

The cerebellum has a well-established role in maintaining motor coordination and studies of cerebellar learning suggest that it does this by recognizing neural patterns, which it uses to predict optimal movements. Serious damage to the cerebellum impairs this learning and results in a set of motor disturbances called ataxia. However, recent work implicates the cerebellum in cognition and emotion, and it has been argued that cerebellar dysfunction contributes to non-motor conditions such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Based on human and animal model studies, two major questions arise. Does the cerebellum contribute to non-motor as well as motor diseases, and if so, how does altering its function contribute to such diverse symptoms? The architecture and connectivity of cerebellar circuits may hold the answers to these questions. An emerging view is that cerebellar defects can trigger motor and non-motor neurological conditions by globally influencing brain function. Furthermore, during development cerebellar circuits may play a role in wiring events necessary for higher cognitive functions such as social behavior and language. We discuss genetic, electrophysiological, and behavioral evidence that implicates Purkinje cell dysfunction as a major culprit in several diseases and offer a hypothesis as to how canonical cerebellar functions might be at fault in non-motor as well as motor diseases.
A right-ear advantage for perception of graveness in monaural processed speech

The Diagnostic Rhyme Test (DRT) is designed to assess the degree to which various distinctive features of speech degraded by processing are perceived by listeners. The DRT involves the presentation of lists of verbally presented words. As each word is presented, two response alternatives that differ in terms of a distinctive feature of speech are displayed visually. In the present experiment, eight highly practiced listeners were tested on the DRT, using speech that had been degraded by processing; right- and left-ear performance was contrasted. A right-ear advantage (REA) in identifying the distinctive feature of graveness was found, but no other distinctive feature yielded an REA. The implications of these results are discussed.
Light-Induced Molecular Cutting: Localized Reaction on a Single DNA Molecule

A short focused pulse of light was used to selectively cut lambda-phage DNA molecules at specific restriction sites. Lambda DNA (48.5 kbp) was stretched and placed in a solution containing a restriction enzyme (Sma 1), caged magnesium ions (using a DM-Nitrophen complex), and a chelating agent (EDTA). When a pulse of UV light was directed at a particular location on the stretched DNA molecule, magnesium ions were released into solution. A series of binding reactions then occur in which the enzyme and the chelating agent compete for free Mg2+ ions. Since Sma 1 functions only in the presence of Mg2+, as is true of most endonucleases, the site(s) in the vicinity of the pulse (typically ∼6 μm) were cut while other sites (three total for this DNA/enzyme pair) were not. The ratio of the concentration of the chelating agent to that of the magnesium ions was used to control the radius of this reaction zone with higher ratios leading to smaller, localized reaction areas. This optically based reaction mechanism coul...
Improved Subfilter-Scale Models from the HATS Field Data

Abstract An earlier paper proposed simple rate-equation models for subfilter-scale (SFS) scalar flux and deviatoric stress in the terra incognita—that is, in numerical modeling applications where the filter (grid-mesh) scale is of the order of the scale of the turbulence. Here the physics in these models is extended and further tested against data from the Horizontal Array Turbulence Study (HATS) experiment. It is found that extensions of the SFS scalar-flux model do not appreciably improve its performance, although an advection term (which could easily be used in modeling applications) substantially and realistically increases the fluctuation level of SFS scalar flux. The addition of buoyancy and rapid-mean-shear terms to the SFS stress model does improve its performance, bringing it to the level of the scalar-flux model.
Impact of drying method on broiler litter analyses

Abstract Drying broiler litter prior to chemical analyses may alter its chemical composition and result in excessive or inadequate nutrient applications to crops if such analyses are used for recommendation purposes. A study was conducted to determine the effect of drying method and temperature on broiler litter N, P, K, Cu, Fe, and Zn contents. Treatments consisted of no drying (ND), air drying (AD), oven drying at 40°C (OD40), oven drying at 60°C (OD60), microwave drying at 40°C (MW40), microwave drying at 60°C (MW60), and freeze drying at ‐40°C (FD). All drying treatments lost N when compared to ND, and greatest losses were observed with the FD, OD60 and AD treatments; losses were 15, 12 and 12% of the ND total N, respectively. Changes in broiler litter P, K, Cu, Fe and Zn due to drying were small and were inconsequential with respect to agronomic and environmental considerations. It appeared that maintaining broiler litter in a moist, refrigerated state before chemical analyses was more desirable than...
Reversible Unfolding of β-Sheets in Membranes: A Calorimetric Study

The hexapeptide acetyl-Trp-Leu5 (AcWL5) has the remarkable ability to assemble reversibly and spontaneously into β-sheets on lipid membranes as a result of monomer partitioning followed by cooperative assembly. This system provides a unique opportunity to study the thermodynamics of protein folding in membranes, which we have done using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results, which may represent the first example of reversible thermal unfolding of peptides in membranes, help to define the contribution of hydrogen bonding to the extreme thermal stability of membrane proteins. ITC revealed that the enthalpy change for partitioning of monomeric, unstructured AcWL5 from water into membranes was zero within experimental error over the temperature range of 5 °C to 75 °C. DSC showed that the β-sheet aggregates underwent a reversible, endothermic, and very asymmetric thermal transition with a concentration-dependent transition temperature (Tm) in the range of 60 °C to 80 °C. A numerical model of nucleation and growth-dependent assembly of oligomeric β-sheets, proposed earlier to describe β-sheet formation in membranes, recreated remarkably well the unusual shape and concentration-dependence of the transition peaks. The enthalpy for thermal unfolding of AcWL5 β-sheets in the membrane was found to be about 8(±1) kcal mol−1, or about 1.3(±0.2) kcal mol−1 per residue.