cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-temperature measurements and a theoretical study of the reaction of OH with 1,3-butadiene.

The reaction of hydroxyl (OH) radicals with 1,3-butadiene (C4H6) was studied behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range 1011−1406 K and at pressures near 2.2 atm. OH radicals were produced by shock-heating tert-butyl hydroperoxide, (CH3)3−CO−OH, and were monitored by narrow line width ring dye laser absorption of the well-characterized R1(5) line of the OH A-X (0,0) band near 306.7 nm. OH time histories were modeled using a comprehensive 1,3-butadiene oxidation mechanism, and rate constants for the reaction of OH with 1,3-butadiene were extracted by matching modeled and measured OH concentration time histories. Detailed error analyses yielded an uncertainty estimate of ±13% at 1200 K for the rate coefficient of the target reaction. The current data extends the temperature range of the only previous high-temperature study for this reaction. The rate coefficient and the branching fractions for the H-abstraction channels of the target reaction were also calculated over the temperature range 250−...
Are Print Books Dead? An Investigation of Book Circulation at a Mid-Sized Academic Library

In this article the author analyzes circulation of print books at Seton Hall University Libraries using the WorldCat Analysis tool and Voyager data. Only 21.5% of the collection circulated between 2005 and 2009, but circulation varied by subject area. Circulation was higher for subjects with more current collections. Over one-third of recent science books circulated, while older science books had low circulation. Print book circulation declined by 23% between 2005 and 2009. Results of this study informed collection development and prompted a comprehensive weeding project, participation in an international scholarly reading study, and an e-book, patron-driven acquisition program.
Work Processes, Role Conflict, and Role Overload: The Case of Nurses and Engineers in the Public Sector.

This study examined five sets of work process variables with respect to their relationship with role conflict and role overload among samples of public sector nurses and engineers. The findings suggest that managerial strategies appropriate for minimizing role conflict are not necessarily appropriate for minimizing role overload. The findings also suggest that, in the context of public sector employment, some work process predictors of role conflict and overload may be similar across professions. Finally, in contrast with some of the assumptions of recent job design theory, the findings indicate that for public sector professionals, managerial strategies that reflect professional ethos may not reduce role conflict and role overload.
Distinguishing anisotropic from isotropic transport in ion mixing of metal/oxide bilayers

We have characterized the interaction of isotropic and anisotropic atomic transport mechanisms in the mixing of Ni/S'02/S' multilayers induced by irradiation with Xe at fluencesof 0.01–10 X 10^(15) cm^(−2). In the work reported here, the fluence dependence of net metal transport into the underlying layers was measured with different thicknesses of Si02 and different sample temperatures during irradiation (−196 to 50°C). There is a linear dependence at low fluences. The initial slope depends on sample temperature. A^(1/2) behavior dominates at high fluences for irradiation temperatures much below 500°C. For thin SiO_2 layers (< 20 nm), the cross-over point depends on the SiO_2 thickness. These results are readily interpreted in terms of competition between the flux of injected atoms and diffusion of the accumulating metal. Metal appears to be the dominant moving species in these systems. The initial linear dependence was not observed in samples without SiO_2, proving that the effect is not due to cascade overlap. The injected atoms are most likely to be secondary recoils. We conclude from our experiments that chemical reaction kinetics are more important than reaction enthalpies in determining net atomic transport in metals-SiO_2 ternary systems, although the latter affects final phase formation.
Top-Down Structural Analysis of an Intact Monoclonal Antibody by Electron Capture Dissociation-Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance-Mass Spectrometry

Top-down electron capture dissociation (ECD) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry was performed for structural analysis of an intact monoclonal antibody (IgG1kappa (κ) isotype, ∼148 kDa). Simultaneous ECD for all charge states (42+ to 58+) generates more extensive cleavages than ECD for an isolated single charge state. The cleavages are mainly localized in the variable domains of both heavy and light chains, the respective regions between the variable and constant domains in both chains, the region between heavy-chain constant domains CH2 and CH3, and the disulfide bond (S–S)-linked heavy-chain constant domain CH3. The light chain yields mainly N-terminal fragment ions due to the protection of the interchain disulfide bond between light and heavy chain, and limited cleavage sites are observed in the variable domains for each chain, where the S–S spans the polypeptide backbone. Only a few cleavages in the S–S-linked light-chain constant domain, hinge region, and heavy-chain c...
The subpopulation of brain coated vesicles that carries synaptic vesicle proteins contains two unique polypeptides.

Abstract Coated vesicles have been purified in the past on the basis of their remarkably homogeneous structure, not their function. We have succeeded in isolating two subpopulations of bovine brain coated vesicles that carry specific "cargoes," in this case two synaptic vesicle membrane polypeptides (M r = 95,000 and 65,000). Monoclonal antibodies that recognize cytoplasmic domains of these polypeptides can penetrate the clathrin coat and recognize them on the outer surface of the coated vesicle membrane. An immunoadsorption technique could therefore be used to fractionate coated vesicles on the basis of their membrane composition. The subpopulations have the normal complement of conventional coated vesicle proteins. Exclusive, however, to the subpopulations that carry synaptic vesicle polypeptides are two new coated vesicle polypeptides (M r = 38,000 and 29,000).
The dimensionality of partisan strength and political independence

This study explores the dimensionality of partisan strength and independence by analyzing the relationships between the traditional four-point partisan strength scale, a strength of independence scale, and other relevant variables in the 1980 and 1984 NES/CPS election studies. In particular, the investigation centers on the possible different explanations for independence. The findings tend to support explanations for independence that concern party attachment and civic responsibility. The data show that partisan strength and independence are separate components of party identification. Previous findings based on the use of the traditional partisan strength scale may therefore need to be reconsidered.
Dualizing the Poisson summation formula

Abstract If f(x) and g(x) are a Fourier cosine transform pair, then the Poisson summation formula can be written as 2sumfrominfinityn = 1g(n) + g(0) = 2sumfrominfinityn = 1f(n) + f(0). The concepts of linear transformation theory lead to the following dual of this classical relation. Let phi(x) and gamma(x) = phi(1/x)/x have absolutely convergent integrals over the positive real line. Let F(x) = sumfrominfinityn = 1phi(n/x)/x - integralinfinity0phi(t)dt and G(x) = sumfrominfinityn = 1gamma (n/x)/x - integralinfinity0 gamma(t)dt. Then F(x) and G(x) are a Fourier cosine transform pair. We term F(x) the "discrepancy" of phi because it is the error in estimating the integral phi of by its Riemann sum with the constant mesh spacing 1/x.
The biotechnology sector and US gene patents: Legal challenges to intellectual property rights and the impact on basic research and development

Of recent commercial interest are so-called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) patents, and specifically gene patents, a subset of DNA patents that contain protein-encoding nucleic acid sequences. Heller and Eisenberg addressed the 'tragedy of the anticommons', whereby biomedical research is negatively impacted by an over proliferation of gene patents, although a review of research studies initiated over the last decade has not provided the evidence of biomedical research having been negatively impacted by single-gene patents. To remedy future potential patent-related issues to whole-genome sequencing research, it is recommended for the biotechnology industry's two major industry associations to institute an advisory policy among its memberships for each company to voluntarily recognize a patent liability exemption for firms engaged in pure (basic) whole-genome sequencing research. Copyright The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.
The effect of prostaglandins on the isolated internal muscles of the mammalian eye, including man.

The effects of PG’s on the isolated intraocular muscles were determined in cat, rabbit, monkey and man, as well as their interactions with cholinergic agents and with catecholamines; the effects of PG antagonists; the effects of PG synthetase inhibitors, and the effects of cholinergic and adrenergic blockade and depletion. It is speculated that PG’s may be involved in the regulation of the pupil and accommodation.
Expression of the gut-enriched Krüppel-like factor (Krüppel-like factor 4) gene in the human colon cancer cell line RKO is dependent on CDX2

Gut-enriched Kruppel-like factor (GKLF or KLF4) is a zinc finger-containing, epithelial-specific transcription factor, that functions as a suppressor of cell proliferation. We previously showed that GKLF expression is decreased in intestinal and colonic adenomas, respectively, from multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients. This study shows that GKLF is induced upon activation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. However, among several human colon cancer cell lines surveyed, expression of GKLF is lowest in RKO, a line with wild-type APC and β-catenin. RKO contains a mutated allele that encodes the putative tumor suppressor homeodomain protein, CDX2. We show that wild-type CDX2 activates the GKLF promoter and that the mutated CDX2 has a dominant negative effect on wild-type function. Our results may help explain the exceedingly low levels of GKLF expression detected in this cell line, which may in turn contribute to the tumor phenotype.
Nonlinear finite element analysis of the thin elastic shell of revolution

A cubic-cubic finite element is derived for the thin shell of revolution undergoing large axisym-metrical Kirchhoff deformation. Application is made to the nonlinear elastic distortion of a spherical shell under surface pressure and polar forces.
Lactobacillus plantarum Gives Drosophila the Grow Signal

Human gut bacteria are implicated in normal metabolism as well as in diseases including diabetes and obesity. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Storelli et al. (2011) report that a single Drosophila gut species, Lactobacillus plantarum, can promote larval growth by modulating TOR and hormonal growth signaling pathways, thereby providing an ideal duo for study of host-microbe interactions.
Computer-aided detection of clustered microcalcifications in digital breast tomosynthesis: A 3D approach

Purpose: To design a computer-aided detection (CADe) system for clustered microcalcifications in reconstructed digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) volumes and to perform a preliminary evaluation of the CADe system. Methods: IRB approval and informed consent were obtained in this study. A data set of two-view DBT of 72 breasts containing microcalcification clusters was collected from 72 subjects who were scheduled to undergo breast biopsy. Based on tissue sampling results, 17 cases had breast cancer and 55 were benign. A separate data set of two-view DBT of 38 breasts free of clustered microcalcifications from 38 subjects was collected to independently estimate the number of false-positives (FPs) generated by the CADe system. A radiologist experienced in breast imaging marked the biopsied cluster of microcalcifications with a 3D bounding box using all available clinical and imaging information. A CADe system was designed to detect microcalcification clusters in the reconstructed volume. The system consisted of prescreening, clustering, and false-positive reduction stages. In the prescreening stage, the conspicuity of microcalcification-like objects was increased by an enhancement-modulated 3D calcification response function. An iterative thresholding and 3D object growing method was used to detect cluster seed objects, which were used as potential centers of microcalcification clusters. In the cluster detection stage, microcalcification candidates were identified using a second iterative thresholding procedure, which was applied to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhanced image voxels with a positive calcification response. Starting with each cluster seed object as the initial cluster center, a dynamic clustering algorithm formed a cluster candidate by including microcalcification candidates within a 3D neighborhood of the cluster seed object that satisfied the clustering criteria. The number, size, and SNR of the microcalcifications in a cluster candidate and the cluster shape were used to reduce the number of FPs. Results: The prescreening stage detected a cluster seed object in 94% of the biopsied microcalcification clusters at a threshold of 100 cluster seed objects per DBT volume. After clustering, the detection sensitivity was 90% at 15 marks per DBT volume. After FP reduction, at 85% sensitivity, the average number of FPs estimated using the data set containing microcalcification clusters was 3.8 per DBT volume, and that estimated using the data set free of microcalcification clusters was 3.4. The detection performance for malignant microcalcification clusters was superior to that for benign clusters. Conclusions: Our study indicates the feasibility of the 3D approach to the detection of clustered microcalcifications in DBT and that the newly designed enhancement-modulated 3D calcification response function is promising for prescreening. Further work is needed to assess the generalizability of our approach and to improve its performance.
Bizarre imagery in paired-associate learning: an effective mnemonic aid with mixed context, delayed testing, and self-paced conditions.

Recent findings have indicated that bizarre imagery can be an effective mnemonic aid with delayed testing, a context of mixed materials, and an adequate stimulus presentation pace, so we hypothesized an interaction among these variables. Using a variation of the McDaniel and Einstein 1986 methodology, 40 undergraduates were each randomly presented three paired-associate lists (i.e., normal, bizarre, and mixed). The sentences within each list consisted of stimulus-response pairs of high-imagery nouns. 20 of these subjects participated in an immediate cued-recall condition for each list while the remaining ones were tested after a 1-wk. retention interval. Subjects were further subdivided depending on whether the presentation pace was forced or not. As predicted, a three-way interaction was found, with bizarre imagery benefiting immediate recall under a combined mixed context, self-paced condition; with delayed recall, however, context was the determining factor in performance (and not presentation pace).
Comprehensive screening of a North American Parkinson's disease cohort for LRRK2 mutation.

Background. Recently, mutations in LRRK2 encoding the protein dardarin have been linked to an autosomal dominant form of parkinsonism. Objective: To identify mutations causing Parkinson's disease (PD) in a cohort of North Americans with familial PD. Methods: We sequenced exons 1-51 of LRRK2 in 79 unrelated North American PD patients reporting a family history of the disease. Results: One patient had a missense mutation (Thr2356IIe) while two others had the common Gly2019Ser mutation. In addition, I patient had a 4-bp deletion in close proximity to the exon 19 splice donor (IVS20+4delGTAA) that in vitro abrogates normal splicing. Conclusions: Our observations in the 79 North American patients indicate that mutations in LRRK2 are associated with approximately 5% of PD cases with a positive family history. The results also show that G2019S represents approximately half of the LRRK2 mutations in United States PD cases with a family history of the disease. We have identified two novel mutations in LRRK2. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.
TPC tracking inside a Cherenkov detector

Abstract We describe test results on the operation of a time projection chamber incorporated into a Cherenkov counter to track a particle while it is emitting its Cherenkov light. The common Cherenkov and drift chamber medium is high-pressure hydrogen. The ring-imaging counter detects and digitizes Cherenkov photons by means of an image-intensifier and matrix-camera. The TPC measures the particle trajectory without obscuring the Cherenkov light. In a beam of 5.4 GeV/c pions, the particle direction is determined to within 82 μ rad and the particle velocity to within 9 ppm.
A Model of Ethical Decision Making: The Integration of Process and Content

We develop a model of ethical decision making that integrates the decision-making process and the content variables considered by individuals facing ethical dilemmas. The process described in the model is drawn from Janis and Mann’s [1977, Decision Making: A Psychological Analysis of Conflict Choice and Commitment (The Free Press, New York)] work describing the decision process in an environment of conflict, choice and commitment. The model is enhanced by the inclusion of content variables derived from the ethics literature. The resulting integrated model aids in understanding the complexity of the decision process used by individuals facing ethical dilemmas and suggests variable interactions that could be field-tested. A better understanding of the process will help managers develop policies that enhance the likelihood of ethical behavior in their organizations.
A case for end system multicast (keynote address)

The conventional wisdom has been that IP is the natural protocol layer for implementing multicast related functionality. However, ten years after its initial proposal, IP Multicast is still plagued with concerns pertaining to scalability, network management, deployment and support for higher layer functionality such as error, flow and congestion control. In this paper, we explore an alternative architecture for small and sparse groups, where end systems implement all multicast related functionality including membership management and packet replication. We call such a scheme End System Multicast. This shifting of multicast support from routers to end systems has the potential to address most problems associated with IP Multicast. However, the key concern is the performance penalty associated with such a model. In particular, End System Multicast introduces duplicate packets on physical links and incurs larger end-to-end delay than IP Multicast. In this paper, we study this question in the context of the Narada protocol. In Narada, end systems self-organize into an overlay structure using a fully distributed protocol. In addition, Narada attempts to optimize the efficiency of the overlay based on end-to-end measurements. We present details of Narada and evaluate it using both simulation and Internet experiments. Preliminary results are encouraging. In most simulations and Internet experiments, the delay and bandwidth penalty are low. We believe the potential benefits of repartitioning multicast functionality between end systems and routers significantly outweigh the performance penalty incurred.
Progression and regression of carotid atherosclerosis in clinical trials.

Progression and regression of carotid atherosclerosis in clinical trials 1524-4636 Copyright © 1991 American Heart Association. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 1079-5642. Online ISSN: 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 72514 Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology is published by the American Heart Association. 1991, 11:443-451 Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol http://atvb.ahajournals.org/content/11/2/443.citation located on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is
Sulfuric acid esters as major ultimate electrophilic and hepatocarcinogenic metabolites of 4-aminoazobenzene and its N-methyl derivatives in infant male C57BL/6J x C3H/HeJ F1 (B6C3F1) mice.

Liver cytosols from 12-day-old male C57BL/6 X C3H/HeJ F1 (B6C3F1) mice contain 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS)-dependent sulfotransferase activity for N-hydroxy-4-aminoazobenzene and N-hydroxy-N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene. No acetyl co-enzyme A-dependent transacetylase activity for these hydroxylamines was detected in the cytosols. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol were only moderately active inhibitors of the sulfotransferase activity; at a 100-microM concentration each compound inhibited the activity by only 50-80%. A single dose of 0.04 mumol/g body weight of PCP administered to 12-day-old male B6C3F1 mice 45 min prior to a single dose of 0.1 mumol/g body weight of [3H]4-aminoazobenzene ([3H]AB) or [3H]N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene ([3H]DAB) inhibited DNA adduct formation by approximately 50%. Under identical conditions, PCP also reduced the average number of hepatomas induced per mouse at 9 months by AB and N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene (MAB) by 52 and 36%, respectively. PCP strongly inhibited the hepatocarcinogenicity of DAB or AB when this agent was administered in the diet with either dye to female CD-1 mice over a 10- month period. Single doses of 0.15 mumol/g body weight of [3H]AB and [3H]DAB bound to hepatic DNA of 12-day-old brachymorphic B6C3F2 mice, which are deficient in the synthesis of PAPS, at levels 15 and 20%, respectively, of those found in their phenotypically normal litter mates. Under identical conditions, the incidence of hepatomas in brachymorphic mice at 9 months were 11 and 29%, with averages of 0.2 and 0.8 hepatomas/mouse for AB and MAB, respectively. Incidences of 77 and 86%, with averages of 6.6 and 5.4 hepatomas/mouse, respectively, were found in their phenotypically normal litter mates. These data strongly indicate that N-sulfooxy-AB is a major ultimate electrophilic and hepatocarcinogenic metabolite of AB in mice. Similarly, this ester and N-sulfooxy-N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene appear to be critical metabolites for these activities of DAB and MAB.
The prospects and challenges of universal vaccines for influenza

Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the impact of epidemic as well as pandemic influenza. However, the licensed inactivated influenza vaccine induces strain-specific immunity and must be updated annually. When novel viruses appear, matched vaccines are not likely to be available in time for the first wave of a pandemic. Yet, the enormous diversity of influenza A viruses in nature makes it impossible to predict which subtype or strain will cause the next pandemic. Several recent scientific advances have generated renewed enthusiasm and hope for universal vaccines that will induce broad protection from a range of influenza viruses.
An Invasive Strategy Is Associated With Decreased Mortality in Patients 80 Years and Older With Acute Myocardial Infarction

The value of invasive therapy in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction is controversial. The authors performed a retrospective chart review of 140 consecutive patients 80 years and older who were hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction. Hospital outcomes and long-term survival were compared in 79 patients referred for cardiac catheterization during hospitalization with outcomes in 61 patients managed conservatively. Vital status as of December 2003 was determined from the Social Security Death Index. Propensity analysis was used to limit confounding from 13 variables. After a mean follow-up of 333 days, unadjusted mortality was lower in the invasive group (16.5% vs 50.8%; P<.001). The multivariable propensity-adjusted hazard ratio for death was 0.30 (95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.76; P=.01), favoring the invasive group. These data suggest that in patients 80 years and older who are hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction, an invasive strategy confers a significant survival advantage during the first year after hospital discharge.
Chirality and the transient electromagnetic pulse

The one-dimensional plane wave propagation of a transient TEM (transverse electromagnetic) pulse in a homogeneous isotropic chiral material is analyzed. Using asymptotic techniques the authors have derived expressions for the electric field at various times of interest and observed similarities and differences between transient responses in chiral and nonchiral materials. >
Multi-target tracking based on KLD mixture particle filter with radial basis function support

The two major difficulties associated with practical real time multi-target tracking are accuracy and speed. A new technique is proposed for multi-target tracking based on multi-modal particle filter with fast tracking capability and improved accuracy. The speed in tracking is achieved by a KLD sampling stage while the accuracy is improved by an additional stage that uses radial basis functions (RBF) for interpolating the sparse particles. Test results of the proposed multi-target tracking approach on both synthetic and real video data demonstrate the improved performance.
AIDS — The First 20 Years

In 1981, no one would have believed that unusual infections in five young men were the harbinger of a worldwide health catastrophe.
Monitoring pH of otitis media effusion in chinchillas using fluorescence spectroscopy

The authors have developed a fiber optic fluorometer to measure fluorescent signal intensities across an epithelium barrier. As a medically relevant example, the authors have measured the pH of the effusion formed during Hemophilus influenzae induced otitis media infection in the chinchilla, the classical animal model for human middle ear disease. Because the choice of antibiotic used in clinical therapy is dependent on the pH of the effusion, a noninvasive method of measuring pH is highly desirable. Using the fluorescent pH probe carboxy-seminapthorhodafluor, the authors were able to detect pH changes of 0.15 units in the pH range around 7.0. The development and resolution of the otitis media was followed with magnetic resonance imaging to confirm the presence of the effusion formed during the infection. >
Trustworthiness in electronic commerce: the role of privacy, security, and site attributes

Abstract While the growth of business-to-consumer electronic commerce seems phenomenal in recent years, several studies suggest that a large number of individuals using the Internet have serious privacy concerns, and that winning public trust is the primary hurdle to continued growth in e-commerce. This research investigated the relative importance, when purchasing goods and services over the Web, of four common trust indices (i.e. (1) third party privacy seals, (2) privacy statements, (3) third party security seals, and (4) security features). The results indicate consumers valued security features significantly more than the three other trust indices. We also investigated the relationship between these trust indices and the consumer's perceptions of a marketer's trustworthiness. The findings indicate that consumers' ratings of trustworthiness of Web merchants did not parallel experts' evaluation of sites' use of the trust indices. This study also examined the extent to which consumers are willing to provide private information to electronic and land merchants. The results revealed that when making the decision to provide private information, consumers rely on their perceptions of trustworthiness irrespective of whether the merchant is electronic only or land and electronic. Finally, we investigated the relative importance of three types of Web attributes: security, privacy and pleasure features (convenience, ease of use, cosmetics). Privacy and security features were of lesser importance than pleasure features when considering consumers' intention to purchase. A discussion of the implications of these results and an agenda for future research are provided.
Carboniferous biogeography of the bryozoan Archimedes in North America

The fenestrate bryozoan genus Archimedes apparently originated and then diversified in Early Carboniferous seas of eastern North America. Its highest species richness and greatest abundance are reached in uppermost Lower to lowest Upper Carboniferous (Chesterian) rocks of eastern North America. Following the unconformity that marks the mid‐Carboniferous eustatic event, however, it is known in North America only in Upper Carboniferous basinal deposits of the Oquirrh Mountains and in nearby regions of Utah and Nevada. It is hypothesized that Archimedes’ life‐history patterns caused the biogeographical change: dependence on fragmentation as a means of recruitment did not allow Archimedes to keep up with its rapidly migrating preferred back‐barrier environment during the numerous eustatic transgressive and regressive cycles that caused the shoreline to sweep across North America during the Late Carboniferous. The persistence of Archimedes in the Oquirrh Basin and vicinity is inferred to have resulted from its...
TWO APPROACHES TO HANDWRITING INSTRUCTION

Abstract The results of a study which compared a task analysis and a diagnostic‐remedial approach for remediating cursive handwriting are presented The task‐analysis approach resulted in higher scores on the measure of handwriting used.
Tissue and Process Specific microRNA–mRNA Co-Expression in Mammalian Development and Malignancy

An association between enrichment and depletion of microRNA (miRNA) binding sites, 3′ UTR length, and mRNA expression has been demonstrated in various developing tissues and tissues from different mature organs; but functional, context-dependent miRNA regulations have yet to be elucidated. Towards that goal, we examined miRNA–mRNA interactions by measuring miRNA and mRNA in the same tissue during development and also in malignant conditions. We identified significant miRNA-mediated biological process categories in developing mouse cerebellum and lung using non-targeted mRNA expression as the negative control. Although miRNAs in general suppress target mRNA messages, many predicted miRNA targets demonstrate a significantly higher level of co-expression than non-target genes in developing cerebellum. This phenomenon is tissue specific since it is not observed in developing lungs. Comparison of mouse cerebellar development and medulloblastoma demonstrates a shared miRNA–mRNA co-expression program for brain-specific neurologic processes such as synaptic transmission and exocytosis, in which miRNA target expression increases with the accumulation of multiple miRNAs in developing cerebellum and decreases with the loss of these miRNAs in brain tumors. These findings demonstrate the context-dependence of miRNA–mRNA co-expression.
Potential Role of Preoperative Conventional MRI Including Diffusion Measurements in Assessing Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene Amplification Status in Patients with Glioblastoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Epidermal growth factor receptor amplification is a common molecular event in glioblastomas. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential usefulness of morphologic and diffusion MR imaging signs in the prediction of epidermal growth factor receptor gene amplification status in patients with glioblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed pretreatment MR imaging scans from 147 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma and correlated MR imaging features with tumor epidermal growth factor receptor amplification status. The following morphologic tumor MR imaging features were qualitatively assessed: 1) border sharpness, 2) cystic/necrotic change, 3) hemorrhage, 4) T2-isointense signal, 5) restricted water diffusion, 6) nodular enhancement, 7) subependymal enhancement, and 8) multifocal discontinuous enhancement. A total of 142 patients had DWI available for quantitative analysis. ADC maps were calculated, and the ADC mean , ADC min , ADC max , ADC ROI , and ADC ratio were measured. RESULTS: Epidermal growth factor receptor amplification was present in 60 patients (40.8%) and absent in 87 patients (59.2%). Restricted water diffusion correlated with epidermal growth factor receptor amplification ( P = .04), whereas the other 7 morphologic MR imaging signs did not ( P > .12). Quantitative DWI analysis found that all ADC measurements correlated with epidermal growth factor receptor amplification, with the highest correlations found with ADC ROI ( P = .0003) and ADC mean ( P = .0007). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a role for diffusion MR imaging in the determination of epidermal growth factor receptor amplification status in glioblastoma. Additional work is necessary to confirm these results and isolate new imaging biomarkers capable of noninvasively characterizing the molecular status of these tumors.
Pulmonary Oxygen Toxicity: Investigation and Mentoring

At sea level oxygen is toxic to man when breathed for more than twenty-four hours at a percentage greater than about forty percent. Pulmonary pathology is the first manifestation in subjects with previously normal lungs. In patients with pre-existing lung disease the results are often additive. There is, however, great variation in response from subject to subject and between patients. Queen's Belfast and Harvard University Medical School have been the sites of seminal investigations. Mentoring at both universities is due to training at the University of Copenhagen.
Theoretical spectral scattering of ice clouds in the near infrared

Ice clouds near IR spectral reflectivity dependence on particle size, noting application to planetary atmospheres
The endotracheal tube introducer revisited

Abstract [Knopp RK. The endotracheal tube introducer revisited. Ann Emerg Med. July 2000;36:74-75.]
Wavelet-based volume morphing

This paper presents a technique for performing volume morphing between two volumetric datasets in the wavelet domain. The idea is to decompose the volumetric datasets into a set of frequency bands, apply smooth interpolation to each band, and reconstruct to form the morphed model. In addition, a technique for establishing a suitable correspondence among object voxels is presented. The combination of these two techniques results in a smooth transition between the two datasets and produces morphed volume with fewer high frequency distortions than those obtained from spatial domain volume morphing. >
Performance evaluation for multiprocessors programmed using monitors

We present a classification of synchronization delays inherent in multiprocessor systems programmed using the monitor paradigm. This characterization is useful in relating performance of such systems to algorithmic parameters in subproblems such as domain decomposition. We apply this approach to a parallel, adaptive grid code for solving the equations of one-dimensional gas dynamics implemented on shared memory multiprocessors such as the Encore Multimax.
Matching of postcontraction perfusion to oxygen consumption across submaximal contraction intensities in exercising humans

Studying the magnitude and kinetics of blood flow, oxygen extraction, and oxygen consumption at exercise onset and during the recovery from exercise can lead to insights into both the normal control of metabolism and blood flow and the disturbances to these processes in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the on- and off-kinetics for oxygen delivery, extraction, and consumption as functions of submaximal contraction intensity. Eight healthy subjects performed four 1-min isometric dorsiflexion contractions, with two at 20% MVC and two at 40% MVC. During one contraction at each intensity, relative perfusion changes were measured by using arterial spin labeling, and the deoxyhemoglobin percentage (%HHb) was estimated using the spin- and gradient-echo sequence and a previously published empirical calibration. For the whole group, the mean perfusion did not increase during contraction. The %HHb increased from ∼28 to 38% during contractions of each intensity, with kinetics well described by an exponential function and mean response times (MRTs) of 22.7 and 21.6 s for 20 and 40% MVC, respectively. Following contraction, perfusion increased ∼2.5-fold. The %HHb, oxygen consumption, and perfusion returned to precontraction levels with MRTs of 27.5, 46.4, and 50.0 s, respectively (20% MVC), and 29.2, 75.3, and 86.0 s, respectively (40% MVC). These data demonstrate in human subjects the varied recovery rates of perfusion and oxygen consumption, along with the similar rates of %HHb recovery, across these exercise intensities.
A 36V JFET-input bipolar operational amplifier with 1μV/°C maximum offset drift and −126dB total harmonic distortion

A 36V JFET-input bipolar operational amplifier is presented with a maximum offset drift of 1μV/°C over a temperature range of −40 to 125°C, which represents a 3x improvement on the state-of-the-art. This is achieved with a drift-compensating circuit incorporated in the input stage that relies on a wafer-level 2-tem-perature laser-trimming method. The opamp has a GBW of 11MHz, a flat-band noise of 5.1nV/√Hz, a slew-rate of 20V/μs, a −126dB (0.00005%) total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) ratio, and a quiescent current of 1.8mA. This combination of high slew rate and good noise-to-power ratio is accomplished through the use of a linearized class-AB boosting circuit in the input stage.
Fracture Mirror‐Failure Stress Relations in Weathered and Unweathered Window Glass Panels

Published results for window glass panel failures were analyzed by using finite-difference methods to determine the stress states at the fracture origins. Although the state of stress was often complex, it was found that the maximum principal tensile stress at the fracture origin correlated with the fracture mirror. size. Fracture mirror constants were calculated and found to agree closely with published values.
Preexposure Prophylaxis for Adolescents and Young Adults at Risk for HIV Infection: Is an Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Cure?

An alarming proportion of incident human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections worldwide occur in youth. In the United States, 69% of all new infections among youth occurred in young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Recent studies show the promise of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for preventing HIV infection, but research efforts suffer from disproportionately low representation of the youth who are most at risk. Youth-focused research is critical and should include behavioral, community, and biomedical interventions to create a comprehensive HIV prevention package. The many ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations in conducting HIV research among, and in providing care services to, youth must be addressed so that those at high risk and most likely to benefit can have unfettered access to safe and effective health-promoting interventions. YMSM and minority youth are at substantial HIV risk and urgently need effective HIV prevention tools for which the short and long-term benefits and risks have been carefully considered.
Separation of Insulin Signaling into Distinct GLUT4 Translocation and Activation Steps

GLUT4 (glucose transporter 4) plays a pivotal role in insulin-induced glucose uptake to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Here, we report that a cell-permeable phosphoinositide-binding peptide induced GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane without inhibiting IRAP (insulin-responsive aminopeptidase) endocytosis. However, unlike insulin treatment, the peptide treatment did not increase glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, indicating that GLUT4 translocation and activation are separate events. GLUT4 activation can occur at the plasma membrane, since insulin was able to increase glucose uptake with a shorter time lag when inactive GLUT4 was first translocated to the plasma membrane by pretreating the cells with this peptide. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity failed to inhibit GLUT4 translocation by the peptide but did inhibit glucose uptake when insulin was added following peptide treatment. Insulin, but not the peptide, stimulated GLUT1 translocation. Surprisingly, the peptide pretreatment inhibited insulin-induced GLUT1 translocation, suggesting that the peptide treatment has both a stimulatory effect on GLUT4 translocation and an inhibitory effect on insulin-induced GLUT1 translocation. These results suggest that GLUT4 requires translocation to the plasma membrane, as well as activation at the plasma membrane, to initiate glucose uptake, and both of these steps normally require PI 3-kinase activation.
Determinants of attitudes toward police of Latino immigrants and non-immigrants

Abstract Though much attention has been given to the effect of ethnicity on perceptions of the police, few studies had focused on Latino immigrants. Using research conducted in an immigrant rich area, this study examined the possibility that determinants of attitudes toward the police differ across immigrants and non-immigrants. Using several statistical techniques, this article explores the impact of the most commonly used variables (e.g., age, gender, contact with the police) as well as those most associated with immigrants (e.g., language proficiency, religiosity, residential stability). Other variables used to assess various social processes (e.g., social cohesion, informal social control, neighboring and civic behavior) were also included. The findings revealed variations in determinants of attitudes toward the police between immigrants and non-immigrants, and suggest distinct social processes may account for these differences. These findings suggest that both researchers and policymakers must expand their breadth to more fully understand immigrant attitudes toward the police.
Comprehensive analysis of escape-cone losses from luminescent waveguides

Luminescent waveguides (LWs) occur in a wide range of applications, from solar concentrators to doped fiber amplifiers. Here we report a comprehensive analysis of escape-cone losses in LWs, which are losses associated with internal rays making an angle less than the critical angle with a waveguide surface. For applications such as luminescent solar concentrators, escape-cone losses often dominate all others. A statistical treatment of escape-cone losses is given accounting for photoselection, photon polarization, and the Fresnel relations, and the model is used to analyze light absorption and propagation in waveguides with isotropic and orientationally aligned luminophores. The results are then compared to experimental measurements performed on a fluorescent dye-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) waveguide.
Adapting to Thrive in a New Economy of Memory Abundance

Processing technology has eclipsed memory technology for the past six decades, but processor-centric architectures are reaching their terminal efficiency. We can reboot computing on the basis of abundant memory enabled by emerging device physics, which will make computation, communication, and memory more efficient. This approach also provides a unique opportunity to address novel security threats with modern, systemic solutions.
Angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations of cuprate superconductors in a model with Fermi surface reconstruction and magnetic breakdown

We calculate angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations (AMRO) for interlayer transport of cuprate superconductors in the presence of ($\ensuremath{\pi},\ensuremath{\pi}$) order. The order reconstructs the Fermi surface, creating magnetic breakdown junctions; we show how such magnetic breakdown effects can be incorporated into calculations of interlayer conductivity for this system. We successfully fit experimental data from an overdoped cuprate using our model, showing that behavior previously attributed to anisotropic scattering in this material may in fact be due to ($\ensuremath{\pi},\ensuremath{\pi}$) ordering. This work paves the way for the use of AMRO as a tool to distinguish ordered states that have different ordering wave vectors.
Unfinished Business

This column deals with Internet security and steps that can be taken to improve resistance to various forms of attack, surveillance, mis-routing and improper buffer sizing. A variety of technical remedies are outlined. IPv6 is also addressed as an important feature whose adoption needs to be accelerated along with dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 capability, especially in residential settings.
A Computer Simulation Model for Selecting Advertising Schedules

Selection of the best set of national magazines and national television programs to communicate a firm's advertising message to present and potential customers is a many-faceted problem. Some variables influencing the media selection process are the availability of time or space in each media vehicle, the firm's budget, whom the firm wishes to reach with a given message, the value of each repeat exposure, the environment provided by the media vehicle, the quality of the advertising copy, and the discounted cost of running a selected media package. Consequently, formulation of the media decision problem by identifying the key variables and quantifying the relationships between these variables is not a simple task.
Taxatio and Pollicitatio in Roman Africa

Numerous inscriptions from different parts of the Empire, and particularly from North Africa, testify to the munificence of the urban aristocracy. By munificence I mean the spending of wealthy individuals on, for example, monuments or projects of construction of one sort or another for their cities, or handouts of money, food or other commodities to their fellow-citizens. The significance of munificence from an economic viewpoint can be readily appreciated: it would not be an exaggeration to say that the prosperity of the cities rested in large part on the generosity of their leading citizens. In this paper, however, I will be concerned with some of the political and institutional implications of munificence. If the cities were financially dependent on their aristocracies, then the possession of wealth and the willingness to spend would clearly hold the key to both the acquisition and the retention of power. At the same time, we might expect some form of public control to have been exerted over aristocratic spending. In this connection, it may be significant that much of the expenditure of which we have record was incurred by individuals when they assumed magistracies or priesthoods or entered the local council. When would the wealthy have more readily submitted to financial levies than in the context of election victories? On the other hand, would it have been necessary to exact contributions from successful politicians, who would perhaps have shown their gratitude—and self-esteem—without any prompting through some form of public expenditure ? If any were inclined to hesitate, would they not have responded when reminded of the liberality of their predecessors ? In fact, it is not difficult to show that the dictates of the law, the weight of custom, and personal considerations and motives are all relevant; to determine the relative importance of the three factors is a more formidable task.
Hurricane Studies for Narragansett Bay

Hurricane flooding has emerged as one of the major coastal engineering problems of the Atlantic and Gulf Coast areas of the United States. Engineering and scientific investigations have been made to determine the fundamental mechanics of the hurricane surges that cause inunda tion of coastal areas and to develop practical and economical protection. Mathematical models and large hydraulic models were used for the Narragansett Bay studies of two major projects. The discussions presented herein are limited to the hydraulic studies of barriers at the mouth of the bay, known as the Lower Bay Barri Plan, and a brief description of this plan and the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier which is now under construction.