cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning on Edema Formation and Cerebrovascular Injury Following Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Many studies have shown that a brief period of ischemia can protect against a subsequent severe ischemic event and this has been termed ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Most studies have been focused on neuroprotection, with only a little attention on cerebrovascular effects. This study examines the effect of IPC, induced by 15 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in the rat, on brain edema formation and cerebrovascular injury induced by a permanent MCAO induced three days later. Brain edema formation was significantly reduced in IPC treated rats compared to non-IPC treated rats. IPC-treated rats also had reduced blood-brain barrier disruption and reduced cerebrovascular expression of heat shock protein 70, a marker of cell stress. These results indicate that IPC reduces cerebrovascular injury from subsequent permanent focal cerebral ischemia. Understanding the mechanisms involved may provide new therapeutic strategies for stroke.
ASPIRE: An Agent-Oriented Smart Parking Recommendation System for Smart Cities

An Agent-oriented Smart Parking Recommendation System for Smart Cities (ASPIRE) using Internet of Things (IoT) is proposed in which significant consideration is given to the driver's parking preferences such as type of parking sought, the maximum price that the parker is willing to pay, and the maximum time to walk from parking space to the destination that the parker can tolerate. ASPIRE is a lightweight, scalable, and adaptable system that automates the workflow of reserving the best parking spots. It employs a novel parking brokerma software agent that leverages valuable route planning information from other traffic information services, and promotes road-safety by minimizing the need for parkers to interact with their smartphones or onboard units, thus lowering distracted driving. The main contribution of this paper is the novel adoption of lightweight Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in order to determine the best parking space. In addition, the parking record collected by ASPIRE can provide local governments with statistics for building future parking lots. ASPIRE's parking network and architecture, system workflow, strategy model, and simulation highlight the importance of the desirable feature such as satellite navigation, indoor navigation, event data recording, parking reference, traffic and weather information, and parking reservations.
BRIDGING THE GAP: A CHALLENGE TO PRE-TRANSPLANT EVALUATION

Typically a benign finding, myocardial bridging has rarely been associated with myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death. Surgical denervation of transplanted hearts complicates the typical management of such coronary anomalies detected incidentally. A 53 year old female
Stability, controllability and observability of linear matrix-second-order systems

The stability, controllability and observability of lightly damped linear mechanical systems are considered and gyroscopic effects (e.g., control moment gyros) are also included. The structure of the equations is further specified to include both 'rigid' and 'elastic' modes, possibly coupled by gyroscopic terms. Stability and asymptotic stability results are summarized in two theorems. The special structure of the system equations permits a statement of the necessary and sufficient conditions for controllability and observability in terms of simple rank tests. Of great practical significance, the minimum number of actuators and sensors are among the necessary conditions derived. Natural definitions for modal controllability and observability are also evolved which give a direct indication of beneficial locations for actuators and sensors.
Distance based knowledge retrieval through rule mining for complex biomarker recognition from tri-omics profiles

Biomarker discovery from complex biomedical data has become an important topic to unveil the significant new disease signals for disease diagnosis and treatment during past two decades. The earlier methods were proposed on a single genomic profile, and most of them utilize a single minimum support/confidence/lift cutoff. To overcome these shortcomings, here, we developed a framework for identifying complex markers using shortest distance based rule mining from the tri-omics profiles (gene expression, methylation and protein-protein interaction). We applied our method to a high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas multi-omics dataset. The novel markers were {GRB2-, STAT3-}('-' and '+' denote decreased and increased gene activities, respectively), {STAT3+, TP53-, MAPK3+} and {STAT3+, FYN+, MAPK3+}. We showed the superiority of our method vs. others, as it generates fewer rules and lower mean of the shortest distance than others. Moreover, our method is useful to extract complex markers from tri-omics profiles for the complex disease.
The Digital Layer in the Museum Experience.

The role of digital technologies within the museum context continues to evolve. We have moved from ensuring a digital presence in exhibits to considering digital spaces equal to physical spaces. Now, content and message are driven by most appropriate presentation method. Sometimes, that method is either digital but often, the physical and digital method ologies can be tightly integrated to create a seamless experience. The “digital” is in service of a seamless museum experience. We refer to this as “the digital layer,” a digital experience that both sits independently of the physical experience and is designed to work along with the physical experience. It leverages many digital technologies (some seen by visitors while others unseen by visitors) that add to the visitor experience in a way that physical exhibits cannot. It tells a story, connects themes across the Museum, allows visitors to see what they could not otherwise see, all in service of a more impactful Museum experience that contributes to the Museum’s mission. This chapter explores how the American Museum of Natural History both thinks about the digital layer and practical applications in all areas of the museum experience and goal to communicating science.
Postsurgical thrombotic microangiopathy: Case series and review of the literature.

Objectives Describe the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of postsurgical thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Methods In this retrospective study, records of individuals diagnosed with TMA developing within 30 days of a surgical procedure at Mayo Clinic from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed. Available literature regarding postsurgical TMA was comparatively reviewed. Results Twenty patients were diagnosed with TMA developing within 30 (median 6.5, range (1-28)) days) following a procedure. Preceding procedures included orthopedic (n = 4), vascular (n = 4), abdominal (n = 8), thoracic (n = 2), and other (n = 2). Review of the literature identified 65 patients with postsurgical TMA and cardiovascular procedures were the most common preceding surgery. The majority of patients in the current cohort and literature were treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Among the evaluable patients in the current cohort, 100% demonstrated response to TPE; however, 25% required the addition of other therapy including eculizumab to maintain a response 80% of patients in the literature demonstrated a response to TPE. Conclusions Although rare, early recognition and treatment of postsurgical TMA can lead to good outcomes. More research is necessary to determine the underlying pathophysiology and optimal treatment for postsurgical TMA.
Olanzapine as a rescue antiemetic in hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

BackgroundChemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting occurs in up to 80% of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment and is associated with a deterioration in quality of life. Olanzapine is an atyp...
Chirurgische Behandlung der Appendix

Die Entfernung der Appendix kann in Abhangigkeit vom Entzundungsstadium und der Lokalisation der Appendix eine sehr einfache, aber auch eine sehr komplizierte Operation sein. In allen Fallen geht man jedoch nach den gleichen Richtlinien vor. Die wichtigsten Punkte sind eine ausreichende Freilegung, die exakte Blutstillung, die Entfernung der gesamten Appendix und wenn immer moglich, ein dichter Verschlus des Appendixstumpfes. Bei der fruhzeitig erkannten akuten Appendizitis sind Antibiotika nicht indiziert, beim Vorliegen eitrigen Exsudats sollten sie jedoch praoperativ und postoperativ eingesetzt werden, um Komplikationen zu vermeiden.
NCBP2 modulates neurodevelopmental defects of the 3q29 deletion in Drosophila and Xenopus laevis models

The 1.6 Mbp deletion on chromosome 3q29 is associated with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia, autism, microcephaly, and intellectual disability. Despite its importance towards neurodevelopment, the role of individual genes, genetic interactions, and disrupted biological mechanisms underlying the deletion have not been thoroughly characterized. Here, we used quantitative methods to assay Drosophila melanogaster and Xenopus laevis models with tissue-specific individual and pairwise knockdown of 14 homologs of genes within the 3q29 region. We identified developmental, cellular, and neuronal phenotypes for multiple homologs of 3q29 genes, potentially due to altered apoptosis and cell cycle mechanisms during development. Using the fly eye, we screened for 314 pairwise knockdowns of homologs of 3q29 genes and identified 44 interactions between pairs of homologs and 34 interactions with other neurodevelopmental genes. Interestingly, NCBP2 homologs in Drosophila (Cbp20) and X. laevis (ncbp2) enhanced the phenotypes of homologs of the other 3q29 genes, leading to significant increases in apoptosis that disrupted cellular organization and brain morphology. These cellular and neuronal defects were rescued with overexpression of the apoptosis inhibitors Diap1 and xiap in both models, suggesting that apoptosis is one of several potential biological mechanisms disrupted by the deletion. NCBP2 was also highly connected to other 3q29 genes in a human brain-specific interaction network, providing support for the relevance of our results towards the human deletion. Overall, our study suggests that NCBP2-mediated genetic interactions within the 3q29 region disrupt apoptosis and cell cycle mechanisms during development.
Estimating information cost functions in models of rational inattention

Abstract Models of costly information acquisition have grown in popularity in economics. However, little is known about what form information costs take in reality. We show that under mild assumptions on costs, including continuity and convexity, gross payoffs to decision makers are non-decreasing and continuous in potential rewards. We conduct experiments involving simple perceptual tasks with fine-grained variation in the level of potential rewards. Most subjects exhibit monotonicity in performance with respect to potential rewards, and evidence on continuity and convexity of costs is mixed. Moreover, subjects' behavior is consistent with a subset of cost functions commonly assumed in the literature.
Representações de leitura: notas sobre a valorização do universo da leitura em crônicas do jornal caxiense Pioneiro

Este artigo objetiva estudar algumas representacoes de leitura presentes em duas cronicas publicadas no jornal Pioneiro , da cidade de Caxias do Sul (RS). O objetivo e perceber como os textos dos cronistas Waldyr Luiz Previdi e Oscar Bertholdo agem na promocao da leitura, promocao de livros e promocao de autores relacionados ao universo das letras. O referencial teorico utilizado baseia-se em Andrade (2009); Arendt e Cecchin (2018); Candido (1992; 2000); Ferreira (2004); Manguel (1997); Martins (1977); Melo (2003); Moises (2005); Pesavento (2012); Pozenato e Giron (2004) e Sa (2008). A metodologia utilizada e de orientacao geral qualitativa. A pesquisa bibliografica (STUMPF, 2011), a analise documental (MOREIRA, 2011) e a analise de conteudo (BARDIN, 2011) sao as tres modalidades metodologicas empregadas. Conclui-se que as cronicas aqui estudadas podem ser consideradas importantes elementos para a difusao de temas relacionados ao universo da leitura. O artigo traduz uma sintese de analise ampla desenvolvida na tese de doutorado R epresentacoes de leitura em cronicas literarias de jornais de Caxias do Sul (1963-1983), defendida no Programa de Doutorado em Letras – Associacao Ampla UCS/UniRitter.
Exposure–response assessment of cancer mortality in styrene-exposed boatbuilders

Objectives To improve exposure estimates and reexamine exposure–response relationships between cumulative styrene exposure and cancer mortality in a previously studied cohort of US boatbuilders exposed between 1959 and 1978 and followed through 2016. Methods Cumulative styrene exposure was estimated from work assignments and air-sampling data. Exposure–response relationships between styrene and select cancers were examined in Cox proportional hazards models matched on attained age, sex, race, birth cohort and employment duration. Models adjusted for socioeconomic status (SES). Exposures were lagged 10 years or by a period maximising the likelihood. HRs included 95% profile-likelihood CIs. Actuarial methods were used to estimate the styrene exposure corresponding to 10-4 extra lifetime risk. Results The cohort (n= 5163) contributed 201 951 person-years. Exposures were right-skewed, with mean and median of 31 and 5.7 ppm-years, respectively. Positive, monotonic exposure–response associations were evident for leukaemia (HR at 50 ppm-years styrene = 1.46; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.97) and bladder cancer (HR at 50 ppm-years styrene =1.64; 95% CI 1.14 to 2.33). There was no evidence of confounding by SES. A working lifetime exposure to 0.05 ppm styrene corresponded to one extra leukaemia death per 10 000 workers. Conclusions The study contributes evidence of exposure–response associations between cumulative styrene exposure and cancer. Simple risk projections at current exposure levels indicate a need for formal risk assessment. Future recommendations on worker protection would benefit from additional research clarifying cancer risks from styrene exposure.
Developing and Evaluating a Remote Quality Assurance System for Point-of-Care Ultrasound for an Internal Medicine Residency Global Health Track

Background: A quality assurance system is vital when using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to ensure safe and effective ultrasound use. There are many barriers to implementing a quality assurance system including need for costly software, faculty time, and extra work to log images. Methods: With minimal funding or protected faculty time, we successfully developed an effective remote quality assurance system between residents rotating internationally and faculty in the US. Results: 270 total exams were logged using this system (41 per resident over a 7 week period). Over the course of the implementation period, a significant increase was seen in average image quality (p = 0.030) and percent agreement with reviewer (p = 0.021). No significant increase was seen for percent images with quality rating 5/5 (p = 0.068) or for studies per resident per week (p = 0.30). Discussion/Conclusions: A quality assurance system for remote review and feedback of POCUS exams was successfully developed with limited available funding, using consumer-level software and an educational collaboration. Residents used the system regularly and demonstrated improvement in reviewer-rated image acquisition and interpretation skills. A similar system can be applied for physicians in any geographic area looking to learn POCUS, in partnership with local or international POCUS mentors. We detail a step-by-step approach, challenges encountered, and lessons learned, to help guide others seeking to implement similar programs.
Outside Computation with Superior Functions.

We show that a general algorithm for efficient computation of outside values under the minimum of superior functions framework proposed by Knuth (1977) would yield a sub-exponential time algorithm for SAT, violating the Strong Exponential Time Hypothesis (SETH).
Tax Practice and Procedure Changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted far-reaching changes to taxation of corporations, individuals, and U.S. companies operating in foreign countries. Perhaps because of extensive revisions to tax procedure rules in the Protecting Americans From Tax Hikes (PATH) Act in 2015, the TCJA contains only minor revisions in this area. The TCJA’s reductions in tax rates for individuals and corporations, on the other hand, have a significant impact, not only to the computation of tax on taxable income but also to other provisions in the Internal Revenue Code. And despite claiming tax simplification as one purpose of the TCJA, Congress slipped in some additional reporting requirements. This article discusses the TCJA’s major revisions to tax practice and procedure rules.
ON HIRATA SEPARABLE GALOIS EXTENSIONS

Let B be a Hirata separable and Galois extension of B G with Galois group G of order n invertible in B for some integer n, C the center of B, and VB(B G ) the commutator subring of B G in B. It is shown that there exist subgroups K and N of G such that K is a normal subgroup of N and one of the following three cases holds: (i) VB(B K ) is a central Galois algebra over C with Galois group K, (ii) VB(B K )i s separable C-algebra with an automorphism group induced by and isomorphic with K, and (iii) B K is a central algebra over VB(B K ) and a Hirata separable Galois extension of B N with Galois group N/K. More characterizations for a central Galois algebra VB(B K ) are given.
The Stokes resistance of an arbitrary particle—II: An extension

Abstract A previous attempt [1] to characterize the intrinsic hydrodynamic resistance of rigid particles to translational and rotational motions in Stokes flow, via two fundamental symmetric tensors, has been found to be adequate only for particles whose geometric form lacks skewness. More general bodies are found to be screw-like in behaviour and require, for a complete specification of their hydrodynamic resistance, a third fundamental tensor—the Coupling Tensor . A general study is made of the properties of this non-symmetric, second-rank tensor. Under certain circumstances its existence is shown to impart a permanent spinning motion to particles settling through a fluid at small Reynolds numbers. A dyadic-matrix method is developed by means of which one may also characterize the intrinsic Stokesian resistance of multiparticle systems comprised of particles of any shape in any configuration.
Promoting a positive image: hints for the new reference librarian in dealing with faculty

La phase du bibliothecaire charge des renseignements au sein du personnel universitaire et les problemes de reconnaissance sous-jacents
Quantum chemical study of TiO2/dopamine-DNA triads

Abstract Photoinduced charge separation in triads of DNA covalently linked to an anatase nanoparticle via a dopamine bridge was studied by ab initio calculations of the oxidation potentials of carboxyl-DNA trimers and the TiO 2 /dopamine complex. Conjugation of dopamine to the TiO 2 surface results in a lower oxidation potential of the complex relative to the surface and in localization of photogenerated holes on dopamine, while photogenerated electrons are excited into the conduction band of TiO 2 . Linking dopamine to the DNA trimers at the 5′ end of the oligonucleotide may lead to further hole migration to the DNA. Calculations show that for several different sequences hole migration is favorable in double stranded DNA and unfavorable in single-stranded DNA. This extended charge separation was shown to follow from the redox properties of DNA sequence rather than from the modification of DNA’s electron donating properties by the dopamine linker, which explains experimental observations.
Networks Modulating the Retinal Response to Injury: Insights from Microarrays, Expression Genetics, and Bioinformatics

Defining the master regulators of retinal wound-healing response is the holy grail of transcriptome-wide analyses. To predict regulatory networks, we integrated transcriptome-wide changes with genetic linkage analysis and bioinformatics. Our studies yielded three complementary insights. First, groups of functionally related genes underlie the early, delayed, and sustained responses of wound healing. For example, transcriptional factor upregulation define the early response, whereas glial reactive markers and crystallin family upregulation define the sustained response. Second, expression of a subset of neural development, proliferation, and cell survival genes displayed genetic linkage to a locus that includes positional candidate genes Id2 and Lpin1. Third, mice with a nonfunctional Lipin 1 protein displayed increased ganglion cell survival and crystallin expression after optic nerve crush. The Crystallin Network represents one of the first modulatory mechanisms predicted from expression data of injured retina, expression genetics, and bioinformatics.
Optimism and Economic Crisis

How are expectations for the future affected by economic crisis? This is a question of interest to both economists and psychologists, especially as we increasingly consider the interplay between the two disciplines. Using a longitudinal design, we evaluate the impact of the financial crisis of 2008 on MBA students’ dispositional optimism, a widely used measure of generalized expectations for the future. Following three cohorts of students, graduating in 2007, 2008 and 2009, we find that dispositional optimism is a stable individual trait, robust to personal events such as class grades and recruiting success. However, we find that the economic crisis in the fall of 2008 corresponded with a reliable drop in dispositional optimism. Moreover, this drop was largely concentrated among US citizens, for whom the crisis has more global future consequences. This pattern sheds light on the nature of optimism and the role of personality traits in management.
Cultural, sociological, and experiential challenges for CIS education

Enrollment in Computer and Information Science (CIS) majors have been dropping sharply since 2000 [5]. This decline poses untold ramifications for the nation's ability to maintain it's technological and research and development edge, leading to potential reductions in both economic and political security for the United States. Consequently, substantive research in CIS education has been performed to try and identify new methods of instruction and curriculum design intended to attract otherwise disinterested students to these majors. However, such research must consider the cultural, sociological, and experiential factors which influence student attitudes towards CIS majors and technology in general.
Poly(alkyl thiophene-3-carboxylates). Synthesis, properties and electroluminescence studies of a polythiophene with a carbonyl group attached to the ring

Abstract Improved synthetic methodology for poly(hexyl and octyl thiophene-3-carboxylates) (la and lb) is reported. n = 6700 and 9400 (M w /M n = 2.5 and 3.2), λ max for fluorescence emission = 600 and 610 nm and for electroluminescence = 600 and 615 nm, for la and lb respectively. The 1 H NMR spectra showed more aromatic peaks than can be explained using triads, and it is suggested that pentads, involving longer range influences, must be considered to explain the spectra. Electroluminescence efficiencies of ca. 0.02% were observed for devices made from la and b. A bilayer device of ITO/poly(3-octylthiophene)/lb/Al emitted at 646 nm, where poly(3-octylthiophene) emits. The efficiency was low but was an order of magnitude greater than for poly(3-octylthiophene) itself.
Loss of TGFβ Signaling Destabilizes Homeostasis and Promotes Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Stratified Epithelia

Although TGFbeta is a potent inhibitor of proliferation, epithelia lacking the essential receptor (TbetaRII) for TGFbeta signaling display normal tissue homeostasis. By studying asymptomatic TbetaRII-deficient stratified epithelia, we show that tissue homeostasis is maintained by balancing hyperproliferation with elevated apoptosis. Moreover, rectal and genital epithelia, which are naturally proliferative, develop spontaneous squamous cell carcinomas with age when TbetaRII is absent. This progression is associated with a reduction in apoptosis and can be accelerated in phenotypically normal epidermis by oncogenic mutations in Ras. We show that TbetaRII deficiency leads to enhanced keratinocyte motility and integrin-FAK-Src signaling. Together, these mechanisms provide a molecular framework to account for many of the characteristics of TbetaRII-deficient invasive SQCCs.
Analysis of Protein Binding to the Sma/Cla Dna Repeat in Pathogenic Neisseriae

Antigenic variation of the pilus is an essential component of Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis. Unidirectional recombination of silent pilin DNA into an expressed pilin gene allows for substantial sequence variation of this highly immunogenic surface structure. While the RecA protein is required for pilin gene recombination, the factors which maintain the silent reservoir of pilin sequences and/or allow unidirectional recombination from silent to expression loci remain undefined. We have previously shown that a conserved sequence at the 3'end of all pilin loci (the Sma/Cla repeat) is required to be present at the expression locus for efficient recombination from the silent loci. In this study, the binding of gonococcal proteins to this DNA sequence was investigated. Gel mobility shift assays and competition experiments using deletion derivatives of the repeat, show that multiple activities bind to different regions of the Sma/Cla repeat and define the boundaries of the binding sequences. Moreover, only the pathogenic Neisseria harbor proteins which specifically bind to this repeat, suggesting a correlation between the expression of these DNA binding proteins and the potential to cause disease.
Experimental study of the behavior of single bubbles

Abstract A method is described for measurements of the rates of volume change of a rising gas bubble, its surface area, velocity of rise, and the instantaneous mass transfer coefficient. The principle of this method is to follow by means of high speed photography the motion of the bubble simultaneously with the changes in volume as indicated by the capillary of a dilatometer. In this way an almost continuous record is obtained of the bubble volume, shape and oscillation, as related to the height of the bubble in the liquid and the time elapsed from the moment of the bubble release. The reproducibility of this method was investigated and the standard deviations of the results are given and discussed. Results obtained by some other authors are shown for comparison. The effect of the bubble release time on the consistency of the K L values was found to be of importance and was studied in some detail. The above discussed procedure was developed as a part of a comprehensive study of the behavior of gas bubbles in dilute aqueous solutions.
Midazolam Hydroxylation by Human Liver Microsomes In Vitro: Inhibition by Fluoxetine, Norfluoxetine, and by Azole Antifungal Agents

Biotransformation of the imidazobenzodiazepine midazolam to its alpha-hydroxy and 4-hydroxy metabolites was studied in vitro using human liver microsomal preparations. Formation of alpha-hydroxy-midazolam was a high-affinity (Km = 3.3 mumol/L) Michaelis-Menten process coupled with substrate inhibition at high concentrations of midazolam. Formation of 4-hydroxy-midazolam had much lower apparent affinity (57 mumol/L), with minimal evidence of substrate inhibition. Based on comparison of Vmax/Km ratios for the two pathways, alpha-hydroxy-midazolam formation was estimated to account for 95% of net intrinsic clearance. Three azole antifungal agents were inhibitors of midazolam metabolism in vitro, with inhibition being largely consistent with a competitive mechanism. Mean competitive inhibition constants (Ki) versus alpha-hydroxy-midazolam formation were 0.0037 mumol/L for ketoconazole, 0.27 mumol/L for itraconazole, and 1.27 mumol/L for fluconazole. An in vitro-in vivo scaling model predicted inhibition of oral midazolam clearance due to coadministration of ketoconazole or itraconazole; the predicted inhibition was consistent with observed interactions in clinical pharmacokinetic studies. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant fluoxetine and its principal metabolite, norfluoxetine, also were inhibitors of both pathways of midazolam biotransformation, with norfluoxetine being a much more potent inhibitor than was fluoxetine itself. This finding is consistent with results of other in vitro studies and of clinical studies, indicating that fluoxetine, largely via its metabolite norfluoxetine, may impair clearance of P450-3A substrates.
Automated Digital Threshold Determination

A system for automatically measuring and displaying the thresholds of many channels of nanosecond-speed discriminators is described. It is used in high-energy physics experiments in which the results depend critically upon the stability of the discriminator thresholds. Measurements are made in the dead time between accelerator beam spills. The system includes a programable pulse generator, a 20-channel pulse distribution transformer, and a multichannel coincidence array which is sequentially addressed. Since the distribution transformer is constructed as a throughline, matched-impedance element, it remains permanently connected in the signal lines from the phototubes, and no cables whatever need be disturbed to allow threshold measurement.
Identification of araC protein on two-dimensional gels, its in vivo instability and normal level

Abstract ara C protein was identified on two-dimensional O'Farrell gels (O'Farrell, 1975) as a protein electrophoresing as two spots, both of molecular weight 30,500 and pI near 7.1, but differing by about 0.1 pH unit. The two spots were seen in crude extracts from cells overproducing C protein as specified by a plasmid, by a phage, and were also seen in C protein purified to about 20% purity on the basis of biological activity. A label-chase experiment indicated that both species of ara C are unstable in vivo and possess half-lives of about 60 minutes. The normal intracellular level of C protein is about 40 monomers per cell.
Genetic predisposition to cancer with special reference to mutagen sensitivity

From studies on cancer genetics, available information suggests the following tentative conclusions: 1. Cancer starts with a genetic change (or changes) from a normal somatic cell, but the changes (mutational events) must be specific in a target tissue cell. In a number of cases, genetic changes can be detected at the chromosome level. 2. Hereditary cancers usually have one genetic lesion already existing prezygotically; therefore only one additional mutational event is required in the homologous gene to complete the process of neoplastic transformation. In nonhereditary neoplasms, both mutations must occur postzygotically. 3. Individuals with high spontaneous mutation rates (monitored by chromosome breakage rates) are more liable to acquire specific genetic lesions than those with low mutation rates; therefore they are at higher risk to develop neoplasms. 4. Individuals with genetic defects in response to damage induced by mutagens (carcinogens) are more liable to accumulate genetic lesions than those who are more resistant; therefore, they are more liable to develop cancers. Mutagen sensitivity or resistance is probably genetic expression of DNA repair capabilities. 5. An effective assay method for sensitivity or resistance to mutagens can be developed to analyze the human population to identify the at-risk fraction.
Rate-adaptive time synchronization for long-lived sensor networks

Time synchronization is critical to sensor networks at many layers of its design and enables better duty-cycling of the radio, accurate localization, beamforming and other collaborative signal processing. While there has been significant work in sensor network synchronization, measurement based studies have been restricted to very short-term (few minutes) datasets and have focused on obtaining accurate instantaneous synchronization. Long-term synchronization has typically been handled by periodic re-synchronization schemes with beacon intervals of a few minutes based on the assumption that long-term drift is too hard to model and predict. Thus, none of this work exploits the temporally correlated behavior of the clock drift. Yet, there are incredible energy gains to be achieved from better modeling and prediction of long-term drift that can provide bounds on long-term synchronization error across a sensor network. Better synchronization can lead to significantly lower duty-cycles of the radio, simplify signal processing and can enable an order of magnitude greater lifetime than current techniques.We measure, evaluate and analyze in-depth the long-term behavior of synchronization skew and drift on typical Mica sensor nodes and develop an efficient long-term time synchronization protocol. We use four real time data sets gathered over periods of 12-30 hours in different environmental conditions to study the interplay between three key parameters that influence long-term synchronization - synchronization rate, history of past synchronization beacons and the estimation scheme. We use this measurement-based study to design an online adaptive time-synchronization algorithm that can adapt to changing clock drift and environmental conditions while achieving application-specified precision with very high probability. We find that our algorithm achieves between one and two orders of magnitude improvement in energy efficiency over currently available time-synchronization approaches.
Structure of the replicative helicase of the oncoprotein SV40 large tumour antigen

The oncoprotein large tumour antigen (LTag) is encoded by the DNA tumour virus simian virus 40. LTag transforms cells and induces tumours in animals by altering the functions of tumour suppressors (including pRB and p53) and other key cellular proteins. LTag is also a molecular machine that distorts/melts the replication origin of the viral genome and unwinds duplex DNA. LTag therefore seems to be a functional homologue of the eukaryotic minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex. Here we present the X-ray structure of a hexameric LTag with DNA helicase activity. The structure identifies the p53-binding surface and reveals the structural basis of hexamerization. The hexamer contains a long, positively charged channel with an unusually large central chamber that binds both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. The hexamer organizes into two tiers that can potentially rotate relative to each other through connecting alpha-helices to expand/constrict the channel, producing an 'iris' effect that could be used for distorting or melting the origin and unwinding DNA at the replication fork.
Stability of lateral pnp transistors during accelerated aging

Lateral pnp devices stressed under accelerated temperature and voltage conditions show a degradation in the transistor breakdown voltage. These results and additional experiments that were conducted to better understand the mechanisms involved in the observed behavior are described. It was concluded that the degradation can be related to a negative surface charge in the base region of the transistor. This preliminary finding has design and process implications for potential improvement of bipolar device reliability in applications that call for high voltages and low epitaxial doping concentration.
Improving asthma self-efficacy: Developing and testing a pilot community-based asthma intervention for African American adults

Background Low-income African American adults in Chicago have disproportionately high asthma morbidity and mortality rates. Interventions that improve asthma self-efficacy for appropriate self-management behaviors might ultimately improve asthma control in this population. Objective We sought to pilot test an intervention to improve asthma self-efficacy for appropriate self-management behaviors. Methods Participants for this trial were recruited through 2 primary care clinics located in the largest African American community in Chicago. Participants were then randomized into one of 2 groups. The control group received mailed asthma education materials. The intervention group was offered 4 group sessions led by a community social worker and 6 home visits by community health workers. Telephone interviews were conducted at baseline (before intervention), 3 months (after intervention), and 6 months (maintenance). Results The 42 participants were predominantly African American and low income and had poorly controlled persistent asthma. The intervention group had significantly higher asthma self-efficacy at 3 months (P Conclusions This community-based asthma intervention improved asthma self-efficacy, self-perceived coping skills, and asthma quality of life for low-income African American adults. Larger trials are needed to test the efficacy of this intervention to reduce asthma morbidity in similar high-risk populations.
Evaluation of termination rate by segmental and translational diffusions in radical polymerizations.

A diffusion coefficient of a segment is proposed from the fact that the Mth segment from the end arrives at the place where the Nth segment is located by jumping (N–M) times. By using this and the translational diffusion coefficient derived previously, a termination-rate equation is formulated. After such an equation is applied to the diffusion-controlled model terminations, it is also applied to the polymerization rates in the polymerizations of styrene and methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by azo compounds, without any modification for reactions in terms of primary radicals. The mobility factor of a segment, which denotes the ratio of the segmental mobility to the mobility of a particle of the segment size, is estimated to be 0.24 for PMMA and 0.14 for polystyrene; these values would be independent of solvent properties.
Perception of managerial characteristics and organizational performance: comparative evidence from Israel, Slovenia, and the USA

A survey of managers in Israel, Slovenia, and the USA finds a marked similarity with respect to the characteristics and abilities managers need to contribute to organizational success. Factors such as decision making ability, communication skills, commitment to organizational goals, ability to choose the right persons in key persons and ability to delegate are considered to be very important although there are differences with respect to the degree of their importance. Several managerial characteristics are also found to be significantly correlated with the firm’s financial success and employee morale. The findings are framed in the context of convergence‐divergence hypothesis as it applies to the internationalization of management practices.
Biochemical Analysis of Angelman Syndrome-associated Mutations in the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase E6-associated Protein

Angelman syndrome is a severe neurological disorder characterized by mental retardation, absent speech, ataxia, seizures, and hyperactivity. The gene affected in this disorder is UBE3A, the gene encoding the E6-associated protein (E6AP) ubiquitin-protein ligase. Most patients have chromosomal deletions that remove the entire maternal allele of UBE3A. However, a small subset of patients have E6AP point mutations that result in single amino acid changes or short in-frame deletions that still allow translation of a full-length protein. By studying these point mutations in E6AP, we found a strong correlation between Angelman-associated mutations and a loss of E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Interestingly the point mutations affect E6AP activity in different ways. Some mutant proteins cannot form thiol ester intermediates with ubiquitin, others retain the thiol ester formation activity but cannot efficiently transfer ubiquitin to a substrate, and still others are unstable in cells. Our results suggest that the loss of E6AP catalytic activity and likely the improper regulation of E6AP substrate(s) are important in the development of Angelman syndrome.
Trowels, trenches and transformation: A case study of archaeologists learning a more critical practice of archaeology

The purpose of this research was to explore how archaeologists who are working at a new archaeological project in Yucatan, Mexico have arrived at new understandings and practices of archaeology that are more environmentally friendly and community inclusive. We position these archaeologists as adult learners, and, using the framework of critical transformational learning, we explore how the transformational journeys of these archaeologists are integrated with social and contextual factors. Findings show that these archaeologists are currently undergoing critical transformational learning but are struggling with how to transform their new critical visions into a more critical practice of archaeology. We conceptualize this struggle as a result of moving from enacting technical action towards enacting practical action and conclude that traditional archaeological training needs to be restructured to provide more guidance on how to enact practical action.
Optical Identification of the X-Ray Burster X1746-370 in the Globular Cluster NGC 6441

We find convincing observational evidence to confirm the optical identification of the X-ray burster X1746-370, located in the globular cluster NGC 6441. Chandra HRC-I imaging yields a much improved X-ray position for the source, which we show to be fully consistent with our rederived position of a UV-excess star, U1, in the same astrometric reference frame. In addition, the smaller Chandra X-ray error circle excludes the only other blue stars previously identified in the old Einstein circle. We have also obtained Hubble Space Telescope STIS time-resolved optical spectra of star U1. Although there are no strong line features, the flux distribution demonstrates U1 to be unusually bright in the blue and faint in the red, consistent with earlier WFPC2 photometry. More notably, the flux level of the continuum is seen to vary significantly compared with stars of similar brightness. Indeed, the light curve can plausibly be fitted by a sinusoid with period 5.73 hr, which is the period of the recurring X-ray dips seen in this source. The presence of modulations in both wavelengths strengthens the case for an orbital origin and, therefore, deepens the puzzle of the unusual energy-independent X-ray dips. Lastly, we note that X1746-370 remains the longest-period confirmed X-ray burster in a globular cluster, and the only one with a period typical of the Galactic population as a whole.
Treatment outcome for a maltreated population: benefits, procedural decisions, and challenges.

Abstract Objective: To review the benefits, challenges, and procedural decisions to consider when implementing and managing a treatment outcome program for a maltreated population. Method: We reviewed the reasons to implement a treatment outcome program, decisions regarding procedures, and challenges likely to be encountered based on literature in the field and the authors’ 6 years of experience in developing and maintaining an outcome program at a center specializing in the treatment of maltreated children. Results: The development of an outcome programs requires careful measurement selection, early and ongoing staff- involvement, support from higher management, a well-developed data base and client tracking system, a coordinator and support staff, clinical utility, planning for fiscal impact, and flexibility to contend with challenges. Conclusions: Based on our experience, the plethora of clinically rich and administratively useful information derived from an outcome program far outweighs the challenges and costs of establishing and maintaining an outcome program.
Sensory-motor interactions for vocal pitch monitoring in non-primary human auditory cortex.

The neural mechanisms underlying processing of auditory feedback during self-vocalization are poorly understood. One technique used to study the role of auditory feedback involves shifting the pitch of the feedback that a speaker receives, known as pitch-shifted feedback. We utilized a pitch shift self-vocalization and playback paradigm to investigate the underlying neural mechanisms of audio-vocal interaction. High-resolution electrocorticography (ECoG) signals were recorded directly from auditory cortex of 10 human subjects while they vocalized and received brief downward (−100 cents) pitch perturbations in their voice auditory feedback (speaking task). ECoG was also recorded when subjects passively listened to playback of their own pitch-shifted vocalizations. Feedback pitch perturbations elicited average evoked potential (AEP) and event-related band power (ERBP) responses, primarily in the high gamma (70–150 Hz) range, in focal areas of non-primary auditory cortex on superior temporal gyrus (STG). The AEPs and high gamma responses were both modulated by speaking compared with playback in a subset of STG contacts. From these contacts, a majority showed significant enhancement of high gamma power and AEP responses during speaking while the remaining contacts showed attenuated response amplitudes. The speaking-induced enhancement effect suggests that engaging the vocal motor system can modulate auditory cortical processing of self-produced sounds in such a way as to increase neural sensitivity for feedback pitch error detection. It is likely that mechanisms such as efference copies may be involved in this process, and modulation of AEP and high gamma responses imply that such modulatory effects may affect different cortical generators within distinctive functional networks that drive voice production and control.
An isocurvature model for early galaxy assembly

The evidence for early assembly of the central parts of the giant galaxies is a challenge for the adiabatic cold dark matter (CDM) model for structure formation; it more readily fits an isocurvature version where homogeneity is broken by CDM that is the remnant of a massive scalar field frozen from quantum fluctuations during inflation. In this picture the primeval CDM mass distribution is proportional to the square of a random Gaussian process, so for a given power spectrum the prominent upward density fluctuations have contrast about three times that of a Gaussian process. This could lead to the assembly of spheroids at redshift z ~ 10 in concentrations outside of which generally smaller fluctuations become the Lyα forest at z ~ 3 and dwarf galaxies at z ~ 1, as the evidence suggests.
Rapid adsorptive separation of citrus polymethoxylated flavones in non-aqueous conditions

Abstract Flavanoids exist as secondary plant metabolites, which displays a wide variety of biological effects. The polymethoxylated flavones, such as nobiletin and tangeretin, present in Citrus reticulata peels are of great interest due to their pharmacological effects. Separation and isolation of these structurally very similar flavones has been achieved by using commercially available ion exchange resins. The strong cation exchange resin [H+] selectively adsorbs the tangeretin and other phenolic compounds present in the matrix in comparison to the hexamethoxylated flavone, i.e. nobiletin. The cation exchange resin can be used successfully to isolate nobiletin and tangeretin from a plant extract. Purity of the isolated compounds was monitored by HPLC using a C-18 column with photometric detection at 280 nm. The structures of the isolated compounds have been confirmed by NMR and tandem mass spectrometry.