cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxicity of tiazofurin and its arabinose and xylose analogues in K562 cells

Summary 2-β-D-Arabinofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide and 2-β-D-xylofuranosyl-thiazole-4-carboxamide are sugar modified analogues of tiazofurin, a C-glycosyl nucleoside which after anabolism to the dinucleotide, TAD (thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide), exhibits antitumor activity. However, ara-T and xylo-T did not exhibit cytotoxicity. Compared to tiazofurin, only 12.5% of the ara-T and 8.8% of the xylo-T were metabolized to TAD derivatives by human myelogenous leukemia K562 cells. This was reflected in the finding that guanylate pools were not depressed after treatment with either tiazofurin derivative. These results provide evidence that the ribose moiety is essential for the metabolism and cytotoxicity of tiazofurin. This investigation should be helpful in the design of new analogues of tiazofurin for future clinical trials.
MULTIENZYME RNA SYNTHETASE COMPLEXES: METABOLIC CHANNELLING OF NUCLEOTIDE MONO- AND DIPHOSPHATE PRECURSORS INTO RNA: 110

The uptake of exogenous nucleoside tracers into RNA proceeds without equilibration of the tracer with the cellular ribonucleotide triphosphate pools. Kinetic analysis of the tracer progression into RNA suggests that the functional nucleotide RNA-precursor pool is very small, so that simple compartmentation into nuclear and cytoplasmic pools fails to account for these results. We have tested the hypothesis that RNA synthesis is dependent on a multienzyme complex (similar to the proposed "DNA replitase") that functions as a metabolic channel. Nuclear lysates of mouse lymphoma S49 cells and human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells were separated on sucrose gradients (20-60%) and fractions analyzed for RNA polymerase and nucleotide kinase activities. At least three fractions with high molecular weights (> 106 Daltons) were identified that were capable of incorporating mono-, di- and triphosphates (U+C+A+G) into acid-insoluble macromolecules. The mono- and diphosphates did not seem to equilibrate with the triphosphate pools in the medium, which suggests metabolic channeling. Tracer incorporation was dependent on the presence of all four bases as their nucleotides in the medium, while DNA template was not required in these fractions. These results provide first evidence for the existence of multienzyme RNA synthetase complexes that preferentially accept distant precursors, i.e. nucleotide mono- and diphosphates. Supported by CA 34304.
Thermodynamic Properties and Kinetic Parameters for Cyclic Ether Formation from Hydroperoxyalkyl Radicals

Rates and thermochemistry for the cyclization of various hydroperoxyalkyl radicals •QOOH with up to six carbons to form cyclic ethers plus OH are computed using complete-basis-set (CBS) and density-functional theory (DFT) methods. Effects of mono- and dialkyl substitution α to the OOH group and β to the radical center were also studied. Many quantum chemical methods have difficulty accurately predicting peroxide energetics and particular problems with the transition state calculations. The popular B3LYP method underestimates many barrier heights as well as O−O bond strengths by up to 8 kcal/mol. The related BH&HLYP method appears to give more accurate barrier heights predictions than B3LYP, but its thermochemistry is inaccurate and it overestimates the heats of reaction by up to 5 kcal/mol. For the transition states, there are subtle problems even with high-level CBS methods. But from the many calculations, a consistent picture emerges and is compared with the limited existing experimental data. Improved ...
Statics and dynamics of two-dimensional vortex liquid crystals

With numerical simulations we examine static and dynamic properties of two-dimensional vortices with anisotropic interactions. We find evidence for a smectic-A phase in the absence of pinning. Quenched disorder can induce a smectic-type state even at T = 0. When an external drive is applied, a variety of novel anisotropic dynamical flow states with distinct voltage signatures occur, including elastic depinning in the hard direction and plastic depinning in the easy direction. We compare our work to recent experiments on two-dimensional colloids with anisotropic interactions. We also discuss the implications of the anisotropic transport for other systems which exhibit depinning phenomena, such as stripes and electron liquid crystals.
Constructing the Image of Ethnic Harmony in Toronto, Canada: The Politics of Problem Definition and Nondefinition

The author applies a social constructionist approach to the issue of urban ethnic relations, arguing that analyzing the political processes that construct urban images, issues, and identities will illuminate arenas of power and conflict obscured by other approaches. Toronto, known for harmonious ethnic relations, is ideal for a case study of how urban images are constructed and maintained and how certain conditions, issues, and grievances are not defined as problems. The author draws on theoretical literature, elite interviews, and textual analysis of the periodical literature on Toronto to demonstrate the important role of elites in framing issues that define the "objective conditions" of urban ethnic relations.
Radiation by Electrons in Large Orbits

By finding the points in the synchrotron magnetic cycle at which the time rate of change of electron orbit radius vanishes, the total electron energy loss per orbit revolution is measured. The results, for electron energies from 205 Mev to 280 Mev, are in excellent agreement with classical electromagnetic theory. The measurements have been extended to 318 Mev with reduced precision by observing orbit shrink rates after the radiofrequency accelerating voltage is removed. No coherent energy losses and no significant energy losses other than radiation have been observed.
A low cost production of hydrogen from carbonaceous wastes

A method of gasifying carbonaceous materials such as coal, shredded waste tire or waste oil into syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas), and an apparatus therefore are presented. The method comprises the steps of supplying syngas and oxygen gas into syngas burners of the gasification reactor to produce steam and carbon dioxide gas, which in turn react with organic materials fed into the reactor to produce syngas. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas are discharged from the top of the reactor. And a portion of the discharged carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas is fed into the syngas burner and produces more steam and carbon dioxide gas to react with the organic materials. Thus, carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas is continuously produced as the product gas is recycled into the reactor to provide the heat source and reactant gases, steam and carbon dioxide. This method facilitates the control of uniform temperature in the gasification reactor as well as produces syngas of high quality by increasing the concentration of hydrogen. Hydrogen gas produced is measured through a gas flowmeter, and it corresponds to the total content of the hydrogen elements in the feed samples. At the reactor temperature above 1200°C, the reformation reaction proceeds rapidly to completion.
Ab initio approach to the deuteron in the Skyrme-Witten model.

An ab initio calculation of the deuteron in the Skyrme-Witten model is presented. Without assuming any a priori symmetries of the configuration, two B = 1 skyrmions are placed on a three-dimensional lattice and a numerical relaxation procedure is used to find the minimum energy configuration. Using no free parameters, the well depth, range, mass, and quadrupole moment of the configuration are found to be in reasonable agreement with deuteron properties. Although the product ansatz is used initially, it is discovered that the relaxed configuration no longer appears to be that of a product of chiral fields. Thus the calculation seems to justify the symmetry assumptions of Braaten and Carson in their derivation of the deuteron quantum numbers.
Temperature fluctuations (flickering) of catalytic wires and gauzes — II experimental study of butane oxidation on platinum wires

Abstract An experimental study of butane oxidation on various platinum wires revealed the existence of local temperature fluctuations (flickering). These fluctuations were measured by an infrared detector and various statistics of this random process were determined. It was found that the amplitude and frequency of the temperature fluctuations increase with decreasing wire diameter. When the average temperature at a given point on the wire is close to the extinction temperature, a rapid decrease in the frequency of the local fluctuations is noted. The experiments indicate that a certain similarity exists between flickering and turbulent velocity fluctuations of the reacting stream.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS: IS IT JUST ANOTHER WAY OF TINKERING WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM?*

This article discusses the theory underlying community corrections, problems involved in implementing it, and describes two recent evaluations of comprehensive community corrections, one in Minnesota and one in Oregon. Among the issues addressed are whether or not it has achieved the intended goals of reducing incarceration in state prisons at less cost, and whether or not it has widened the net of social control.
Synthesis and Luminescent Studies of Poly(phenylenevinylene)s Containing a Biphenyl Moiety

The polymers discussed in this contribution consist of phenylenevinylene chromophores linked together across flexible biphenyl “hinges” to shorten the effective conjugation length and to give sufficiently twisted structures that interchain aggregation is limited or prevented. They are poly[(2,5-dihexyloxy-p-phenylenevinylene)-alt-(4,4‘-dihexyloxy-3,3‘-biphenylenevinylene)] (1), poly[(2,5-dihexyloxy-p-phenylenevinylene)-alt-(2,2‘-dihexyloxy-3,3‘-biphenylenevinylene)] (2), and poly[(2,5-dihexyloxy-p-phenylenevinylene)-alt-(2,2‘-biphenylenevinylene)] (3). Absorption spectra in dilute solution and solid states are very similar for 1−3, consistent with the absence of aggregation effects in their ground electronic states. Photoluminescence emission spectra showed substantial red shifts in the solid state relative to dilute solution phase spectra. Solution emission quantum yields ranged from 0.26 to 0.42. LEDs based on 1−3 gave blue-green emission with maxima in the 480−510 nm range. The similarity of the photol...
A rootstock provides water conservation for a grafted commercial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) line in response to mild-drought conditions: a focus on vegetative growth and photosynthetic parameters.

The development of water stress resistant lines of commercial tomato by breeding or genetic engineering is possible, but will take considerable time before commercial varieties are available for production. However, grafting commercial tomato lines on drought resistant rootstock may produce drought tolerant commercial tomato lines much more rapidly. Due to changing climates and the need for commercial production of vegetables in low quality fields there is an urgent need for stress tolerant commercial lines of vegetables such as tomato. In previous observations we identified a scion root stock combination (‘BHN 602’ scion grafted onto ‘Jjak Kkung’ rootstock hereafter identified as 602/Jjak) that had a qualitative drought-tolerance phenotype when compared to the non-grafted line. Based on this initial observation, we studied photosynthesis and vegetative above-ground growth during mild-drought for the 602/Jjak compared with another scion-rootstock combination (‘BHN 602’ scion grafted onto ‘Cheong Gang’ rootstock hereafter identified as 602/Cheong) and a non-grafted control. Overall above ground vegetative growth was significantly lower for 602/Jjak in comparison to the other plant lines. Moreover, water potential reduction in response to mild drought was significantly less for 602/Jjak, yet stomatal conductance of all plant-lines were equally inhibited by mild-drought. Light saturated photosynthesis of 602/Jjak was less affected by low water potential than the other two lines as was the % reduction in mesophyll conductance. Therefore, the Jjak Kkung rootstock caused aboveground growth reduction, water conservation and increased photosynthetic tolerance of mild drought. These data show that different rootstocks can change the photosynthetic responses to drought of a high yielding, commercial tomato line. Also, this rapid discovery of one scion-rootstock combination that provided mild-drought tolerance suggests that screening more scion-rootstock combination for stress tolerance may rapidly yield commercially viable, stress tolerant lines of tomato.
Do Some Forms of Financial Flows Help Protect from Sudden Stops

There is a debate on whether some forms of financial flows offer better crisis protection than others. Using a large panel of advanced, emerging, and developing countries during 1970-2003, this paper analyzes the behavior of various types of flows: foreign direct investment (FDI), portfolio equity investment, portfolio debt investment, other flows to the official sector, other flows to banks, and other flows to the non-bank private sector. Differences across types of flows are limited with respect to volatility, persistence, cross-country comovement, and correlation with growth at home or in the world economy. However, consistent with conventional wisdom, FDI is found to be the least volatile form of financial flows when taking into account the average size of net or gross flows. The differences are striking during sudden stops in financial flows (defined as drops in total net financial inflows by more than 5 percentage points of GDP compared with the previous year): in such episodes, FDI is remarkably stable; portfolio equity also seems to play a limited role; portfolio debt experiences a reversal, though it recovers relatively quickly; and other flows (including bank loans and trade credit) experience severe drops and remain depressed for a few years.
Mapping of the influenza virus genome. II. Identification of the P1, P2, and P3 genes.

Abstract Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the RNAs of influenza A viruses was performed under conditions in which each of the eight RNA segments of influenza A/PR/8/34 (H0N1) virus migrates differently from the equivalent segments of influenza A/Hong Kong/8/68 (H3N2) virus. As reported previously [Palese, P. and Schulman, J. L. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 73 , 2142–2146 (1976)] , analysis of RNA patterns of recombinant viruses derived from these two parents permitted the identification of the fourth RNA segment (the slowest-moving RNA segment is counted as #1) of each virus as the gene coding for hemagglutinin, and the fifth segment of Hong Kong virus and the sixth segment of PR8 virus as the genes for the respective neuraminidases. Three more genes have been identified by correlating migration patterns of RNAs with protein patterns of recombinant viruses on gradient polyacrylamide gels. The slowest-moving band (RNA 1) is the gene coding for the third largest influenza virus protein (P3). RNA segment 2 codes for the largest protein (Pl), and the P2 protein is coded for by RNA segment 3.
Presidential debate questions and the public agenda

Presidential debates have become an institutionalized component of presidential campaigns. Debates have been shown to create learning in voters and are capable of influencing vote choices. Although candidates have some control over their utterances, questions, usually asked by journalists, have a strong influence on the topics candidates can address. It is fashionable to criticize the questions posed by journalists in these “joint press conferences.” This study adds a new twist to media agenda‐setting, providing empirical evidence on the question of whether voters’ issue interests influence the topics of journalists’ questions. Results show that the questions asked by journalists in debates do not reflect the public interest. We recommend that future debates eschew the use of journalists as sources of questions for presidential debates.
A 3-λ/4 posi coupler for drift-tube linacs

New permanent magnets for quadrupole focusing make possible smaller drift tubes in drift-tube linacs (DTLs), resulting in higher shunt impedance. However, ordinary post couplers cannot stabilize a DTL whose drift-tube-to-wall spacing exceeds one-quarter wavelength (λ/4) by more than a few per cent for the accelerating mode frequency. We have built and tested post couplers that operate in the 3λ/4 mode. These 3λX/4 post couplers, when substituted for λ/4 couplers, had similar stabilization properties. In addition, the coupling between post and drift tube, and the post's resonant frequency can be independently adjusted.
Once-Through Thermal-Spectrum Accelerator-Driven Light Water Reactor Waste Destruction Without Reprocessing

An accelerator-driven thermal-spectrum liquid-fueled system is described for transmutation of spent fuel from commercial power reactors. The primary purpose of the system is to destroy the weapons-...
Effects of DDAVP, a vasopressin analog, on delayed matching behavior in the pigeon

Abstract Five pigeons were tested in a delayed matching-to-sample task after receiving an acute injection of DDAVP(1-desamino-8-D-arginine), scopolamine or d-amphetamine. A feeding test also was used to document non-specific drug effects. Scopolamine produced a marked dose-related decrement in accuracy of matching, regardless of delay, indicating that scopolamine impairs both discrimination and short-term memory. Neither DDAVP nor d-amphetamine produced consistent changes in delayed matching. Thus, an experimental model of short-term memory with pigeons did not confirm the findings of others of a positive effect of DDAVP upon cognitive performance in humans.
Maternal serum placental alkaline phosphatase level and risk for preterm delivery.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether elevated midtrimester serum placental alkaline phosphatase levels are predictive of preterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: By use of banked serum specimens from a sample of women who had received maternal serum α-fetoprotein screening, placental alkaline phosphatase values for multiples of the median were obtained from 270 mothers who had experienced a preterm delivery and from 1598 mothers of term, appropriate-for-gestational-age infants. Specimens were analyzed for placental alkaline phosphatase by means of a monoclonal antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Logistic regression was used to determine whether placental alkaline phosphatase was associated with preterm birth, while potential confounders were controlled for. RESULTS: Women with placental alkaline phosphatase levels ≥2.0 multiples of the median were significantly more likely to be delivered of a preterm infant in the current pregnancy compared with women with levels p CONCLUSION: Women with elevated placental alkaline phosphatase levels are at increased risk for preterm delivery. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the clinical utility of placental alkaline phosphatase testing as a means of identifying mothers at risk for preterm birth.
The adsorption of CO, O2, and H2 on Pt: II. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy studies☆

Abstract Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) has been used to study the chemisorption of CO, O2, and H2 on platinum. Three single crystal surfaces ((111), 6(111) × (100), and 6(111) × (111)) and two polycrystalline surfaces were studied. These studies yielded three important results. First, the most dominant change in the Pt valence band upon gas adsorption was a decrease in the height of the peak immediately below the Fermi level. This decrease was nearly identical for all three gases studied. Second, CO adsorption resulted in the formation of a resonance state ∼8 eV below the Fermi level which was attributed to CO molecular orbitals. In contrast, no dominant resonance states were observed for adsorbed O or H. The lack of an O resonance state on platinum is in contrast to the results observed for O adsorbed on Fe and Ni and suggests important differences between the OPt chemisorption bond and the OFe and ONi chemisorption bonds. Finally, adsorption of CO at steps or defects led to a decrease in work function while its adsorption on terraces led to an increase in work function. For H, adsorption at steps led to an increase in work function while adsorption on terraces led to a decrease in work function. The adsorption of O led to an increase in work function on all of the surfaces studied.
Polymerization, shock cooling, and the high-pressure phase diagram of nitrogen

The trajectory of states passed through by the nitrogen Hugoniot has been followed from the normal molecular liquid up to the dense plasma state near ${10}^{6}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$. A phase diagram is proposed that is very similar to one reported for phosphorous. The nitrogen phase diagram connects the recently observed molecular to cg-$N$ polymer phase transition in the solid at $110\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$, to a liquid-polymer phase line obtained from of shock cooling measurements. At much higher pressures, calculations of the Hugoniot predict that ionization of the tightly bound inner $L$ and $K$ electron shells lead to compression maxima of approximately 5--6 fold near $1000\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ $(T\ensuremath{\sim}3.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{10}^{5}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$ and $40\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}000\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ $(T\ensuremath{\sim}2.3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{10}^{6}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$, respectively.
A purely coronal hard X-ray event

OSO 7 observations of a hard X-ray event of coronal origin are described. This event had a duration of more than 42 min as well as an abnormally large hard/soft ratio and apparently occurred after the disappearance of a bright coronal streamer. This gradual hard X-ray event is tentatively associated with open field lines extending well above the closed loop structures that participated in the originating flare. It is noted that a gradual hardening of the hard X-ray spectral distribution occurred during the event. Physical conditions in the source are considered, and the results are compared with observations of other hard X-ray events associated with flares.
Parkinsonism, L-dopa and mental depression.

Twelve patients with classical idiopathic Parkinson's disease were treated with L-dopa. All 12 experienced improvement in motor status. In 6, however, marked depressive symptoms developed after several months of treatment. Although the study involved only 12 patients, it reveals a disturbing aspect of the treatment of parkinsonism with l-dopa. The occurrence of mental depression deprives the patient of the happier existence that increased mobility should offer. There is also the increased danger of suicide; the 2 patients who attempted it were the only ones with a previous history of depression. More studies must be made to determine to what degree mental depression may limit the use of L-dopa.
Variation of agreement in polyp size measurement between computed tomographic colonography and pathology assessment: clinical implications.

Background & Aims: Clinical management of polyps discovered by computed tomographic (CT) colonography depends on polyp size. However, size measured by CT colonography is an estimate, and its agreement with other measures is not well characterized. We hypothesized that size measurement by CT colonography varies substantially compared with measurement by other methods. Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis of a multicenter study of CT colonography in comparison with colonoscopy. Polyp size was determined by CT colonography, at colonoscopy, and measurement prefixation with a ruler. Agreement was assessed using descriptive statistics and Bland–Altman methodology. Results: Six hundred trial participants completed both tests. Ninety-five percent limits of agreement indicated that estimates of size by CT colonography were between 52% lower to 64% higher than prefixation polyp size estimates. Ninety-five percent limits of agreement stratified by categories of clinical importance indicated that estimates of size by CT colonography were between 44% lower to 84% higher for polyps 0.6 cm or smaller, 44% lower to 44% higher for polyps 0.6 to 0.9 cm, and 48% lower to 22% higher for polyps smaller than 0.6 cm, 44% lower to 44% higher for polyps 0.6 cm to 0.9 cm, and 48% lower to 22% higher for polyps larger than 0.9 cm compared with prefixation estimates. Analysis of participants with 1 identified polyp in the same colon segment showed that categorization based on CT colonography measurement (ie, 0.9 cm) differed from prefixation measurement for 43% of participants. Conclusions: Polyp size estimation by CT colonography varies from prefixation and colonoscopic measures of size. Future studies should clarify whether size estimation by CT colonography is sufficiently reliable as a primary factor to guide clinical management.
Multiple congenital anomalies associated with in utero exposure of phenytoin: Possible hypoxic ischemic mechanism?

BACKGROUND The characteristics of the phenotype of the malformed phenytoin-exposed infant can help to clarify the mechanism of the drug's teratogenesis. One postulated mechanism is vascular disruption. CASE An infant who was exposed to phenytoin as monotherapy throughout pregnancy was born with the following abnormalities: midface hypoplasia, digit hypoplasia with syndactyly in the hands and feet, meningomyelocele, talipes equinovarus, and a long skin pedicle on the back. The mother was also exposed to cigarette smoking and alcohol during the pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS The malformations of the hands and feet, and the talipes deformity are potential effects of vascular disruption, a postulated fetal effect of both phenytoin and cigarette smoking. The mechanism of the teratogenicity of phenytoin may have included episodes of bradyarrhythmia in the fetus; however, no such episodes were documented. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 67:000–000, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
One Hundred Years of Salvarsan

In 1911, the first reports of Paul Ehrlich's “magic bullet,” Salvarsan 606, appeared in the Journal, ushering in a new era. The staggering speed with which Ehrlich's idea was transformed into a drug for clinical use made it a poster child for translational medicine.
Mediators of a Successful Web-based Smokeless Tobacco Cessation Program

Aim To examine self-efficacy and program exposure as possible mediators observed treatment effects for a Web-based tobacco cessation intervention.
Behavioral Competence among Mothers of Infants in the First Year: The Mediational Role of Maternal Self‐Efficacy

This study tests the idea that mothers' self-efficacy beliefs mediate the effects on parenting behavior of variables such as depression, perceptions of infant temperamental difficulty, and social-marital supports. Subjects were 48 clinically depressed and 38 nondepressed mothers observed in interaction with their 3-13-month-old infants (M = 7.35 months). As predicted, maternal self-efficacy beliefs related significantly to maternal behavioral competence independent of the effects of other variables. When the effects of self-efficacy were controlled, parenting competence no longer related significantly to social-marital supports or maternal depression. In addition, maternal self-efficacy correlated significantly with perceptions of infant difficulty after controlling for family demographic variables. These results suggest that maternal self-efficacy mediates relations between maternal competence and other psychosocial variables and may play a crucial role in determining parenting behavior and infant psychosocial risk.
Iterative maximum a posteriori (MAP) restoration from partially-known blur for tomographic reconstruction

An iterative maximum a posteriori (MAP) algorithm is proposed for simultaneous signal-covariance estimation and restoration when only partial knowledge of the system response matrix (SRM) and the noisy-blurred sinogram of an image to be reconstructed are available. Convergence analysis is performed to ascertain that the proposed covariance estimator converges to the optimal one in the MAP sense. The superiority of the proposed algorithm, in comparison with the iterative linear minimum mean-squared-error (LMMSE) filter for incorrect SRM information, is experimentally verified.
Habit control during rapid growth of KDP and DKDP crystals

Abstract KDP and DKDP crystals of various habits were grown at rates of 10–20 mm/day to linear sizes near 90 cm. The ratio of dimensions along the crystallographic axes was controlled by two methods: (1) creation of special dislocation structures during the seed regeneration process and (2) change in the orientation of the seed. The methods to control crystal habit and dislocation structure during subsequent growth are described.
Reasoning About Evolution’s Grand Patterns: College Students' Understanding of the Tree of Life

Tree thinking involves using cladograms, hierarchical diagrams depicting the evolutionary history of a set of taxa, to reason about evolutionary relationships and support inferences. Tree thinking is indispensable in modern science. College students’ tree-thinking skills were investigated using tree (much more common in professional biology) and ladder (somewhat more common in textbooks) cladogram formats. Students’ responses to questions assessing five tree-thinking skills provided evidence for several perceptual and conceptual factors that impact reasoning (e.g., the Gestalt principles of good continuation and spatial proximity, prior knowledge). Instructional implications of the results include using the tree format for initial instruction and clarifying that most recent common ancestry determines evolutionary relatedness. Broader implications for designing scientific diagrams and promoting diagrammatic literacy are considered.
A GA microsatellite in the Fli1 promoter modulates gene expression and is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus patients without nephritis

Introduction: The transcription factor Fli1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recently, a GAn polymorphic microsatellite was characterized in the mouse Fli1 promoter that modulates promoter activity and is truncated in two lupus mouse models compared to non-autoimmune prone mice. In this work, we characterize a homologous GAn microsatellite in the human Fli1 promoter. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the microsatellite length on Fli1 promoter activity in vitro and to determine if the length of the GAn microsatellite is associated with SLE and/or specific disease characteristics. Methods: Constructs with variable lengths of the GAn microsatellite in the Fli1 promoter were generated and analyzed in promoter/reporter (P/R) assays in a human T cell line. Using three SLE patient cohorts and matched controls, microsatellite length was measured and association with the presence of disease and the occurrence of specific disease manifestations was assessed. Results: P/R assays demonstrated that the presence of a shorter microsatellite resulted in higher Fli1 promoter activity. A significant association was observed in the lupus cohort SLE in Gullah Health (SLEIGH) between the GA26 base pair allele and absence of nephritis. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a GAn microsatellite in the human Fli1 promoter is highly polymorphic. The length of the microsatellite is inversely correlated to Fli1 promoter activity in a human T cell line. Although no association between microsatellite length and lupus was observed, an association between a specific microsatellite length and patients without nephritis in the SLEIGH cohort was observed.
Age, Cohort and Perceived Age Discrimination: Using the Life Course to Assess Self-reported Age Discrimination

Self-reported discrimination is linked to diminished well-being, but the processes generating these reports remain poorly understood. Employing the life course perspective, this paper examines the correspondence between expected age preferences for workers and perceived age discrimination among a nationally representative sample of 7,225 working women, followed between 1972-1989. Analyses find that perceived age discrimination is high in the 20s, drops in the 30s and peaks in the 50s. This curvilinear pattern matches external reports of age preferences and is robust to a variety of controls and model specifications. Additionally, the primary driver of perceived age discrimination is age – not cohort or historical period. These findings suggest that perceived age discrimination is a useful indicator of population-level exposure to work-related age discrimination among women.
Neural networks based non-uniform scalar quantizer design with particle swarm optimization

Quantization is a crucial link in the process of digital speech communication. Non-uniform quantizer such as the logarithm quantizers are commonly used in practice. In this paper, a companding non-uniform quantizer is designed using two neural networks to perform the nonlinear transformation. Particle swarm optimization is applied to find the weights of neural networks such that the signal to noise ratio (SNR) is maximized. Simulation results on different speech samples are presented and the proposed quantizer design is compared with the logarithm quantizer for bit rates ranging from 3 to 8.
Approaching Moons from Resonance via Invariant Manifolds

In this work, the approach phase from the final resonance of the endgame scenario in a tour design is examined within the context of invariant manifolds. Previous analyses have typically solved this problem either by using numerical techniques or by computing a catalog of suitable trajectories. The invariant manifolds of a selected set of libration orbits and unstable resonant orbits are computed here to serve as guides for desirable approach trajectories. The analysis focuses on designing an approach phase that may be tied into the final resonance in the endgame sequence while also targeting desired conditions at the moon.
Assessment of racial and sex disparities in open femoral fractures

BACKGROUND: Open femoral fractures are common; however, many factors may affect treatment protocol. We aim to assess any racial/ethnic or sex disparities associated with the definitive fixation of open femoral fractures. METHODS: ICD-9 codes from the National Trauma Data Bank (2007 to 2010) for patients greater than or equal to 18 years with open femoral fractures who underwent operative management at level I or II trauma centers were identified and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 9,406 cases, the majority were White (61%), men (73%), and aged between 25 and 44 years (41%). The odds of definitive fixation after hospital day 2 (odds ratio [OR].96, 95% confidence interval [CI].82 to 1.09, P =.53) or any complication (OR.96, 95% CI.79 to 1.15, P =.69) were not associated with race/ethnicity. Men were 17% less likely to have surgery after hospital day 2 (OR.83, 95% CI.78 to.96, P CONCLUSIONS: There are no racial/ethnic disparities associated with the timing of definitive fixation. Men are more likely to undergo fixation earlier than women; however, they are more likely to have a complication. Fixation within the first 2 hospital days may decrease complications. Language: en
Personality in Domestic Cats

Personality ratings of 196 cats were made by their owners using a 5-point Likert scale anchored by 1: not at all and 5: a great deal with 12 items: timid, friendly, curious, sociable, obedient, clever, protective, active, independent, aggressive, bad-tempered, and emotional. A principal components analysis with varimax rotation identified three intepretable components. Component I had high loadings by active, clever, curious, and sociable. Component II had high loadings by emotional, friendly, and protective, Component III by aggressive and bad-tempered, and Component IV by timid. Sex was not associated with any component, but age showed a weak negative correlation with Component I. Older animals were rated less social and curious than younger animals.
On the implementation and performance of single and double differential detection schemes

A variety of schemes for performing differential detection in environments characterized by frequency offset are discussed. All of the schemes involve encoding the input phase information as a second-order difference and performing an analogous second-order differential detection at the receiver. Because of the back-to-back differential detection operations at the receiver, The performance of most of the schemes is considerably degraded relative to that of first-order differential detection schemes. However, the latter are quite sensitive to frequency offset and, in many instances, cannot be used at all. It is demonstrated that via a simple enhancement of using a 2 T s (instead of T s) delay in the second stage of the encoder and first stage of the decoder, the performance degradation can be significantly reduced. This result is significant in view of the fact that it comes without any penalty in implementation complexity. >
Odds Ratio Forecasts Increase Precautionary Action for Extreme Weather Events

AbstractWhat is the best way to communicate the risk of rare but extreme weather to the public? One suggestion is to communicate the relative risk of extreme weather in the form of odds ratios; but, to the authors’ knowledge, this suggestion has never been tested systematically. The experiment reported here provides an empirical test of this hypothesis. Participants performed a realistic computer simulation task in which they assumed the role of the manager of a road maintenance company and used forecast information to decide whether to take precautionary action to prevent icy conditions on a town’s roads. Participants with forecasts expressed as odds ratios were more likely to take appropriate precautionary action on a single target trial with an extreme low temperature forecast than participants using deterministic or probabilistic forecasts. However, participants using probabilistic forecasts performed better on trials involving weather within the normal range than participants with only deterministic ...
Advantages and disadvantages of computer imaging in cosmetic surgery.

BACKGROUND. Despite the growing popularity of computer imaging systems, it is not clear whether the medical and legal advantages of using such a system outweigh the disadvantages. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this report is to evaluate these aspects, and provide some protective guidelines in the use of computer imaging in cosmetic surgery. METHODS. The positive and negative aspects of computer imaging from a medical and legal perspective are reviewed. Also, specific issues are examined by a legal panel. RESULTS. The greatest advantages are potential problem patient exclusion, and enhanced physician-patient communication. Disadvantages include cost, user learning curve, and potential liability. CONCLUSION. Careful use of computer imaging should actually reduce one's liability when all aspects are considered. Recommendations for such use and specific legal issues are discussed.
THE EVOLUTION OF HUMAN PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS

AbstractEverywhere the issue has been examined, people make discriminations about others’ physical attractiveness. Can human standards of physical attractiveness be understood through the lens of evolutionary biology? In the past decade, this question has guided much theoretical and empirical work. In this paper, we (a) outline the basic adaptationist approach that has guided the bulk of this work, (b) describe evolutionary models of signaling that have been applied to understand human physical attractiveness, and (c) discuss and evaluate specific lines of empirical research attempting to address the selective history of human standards of physical attractiveness. We also discuss ways evolutionary scientists have attempted to understand variability in standards of attractiveness across cultures as well as the ways current literature speaks to body modification in modern Western cultures. Though much work has been done, many fundamental questions remain unanswered.
Peroxisomal Proliferator-activated Receptor-γ Coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) Enhances the Thyroid Hormone Induction of Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-Iα)

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I) catalyzes the rate-controlling step in the pathway of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Thyroid hormone will stimulate the expression of the liver isoform of CPT-I (CPT-I alpha). This induction of CPT-I alpha gene expression requires the thyroid hormone response element in the promoter and sequences within the first intron. The peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) is a coactivator that promotes mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and hepatic gluconeogenesis. In addition, PGC-1 alpha will stimulate the expression of CPT-I alpha in primary rat hepatocytes. Here we report that thyroid hormone will increase PGC-1 alpha mRNA and protein levels in rat hepatocytes. In addition, overexpression of PGC-1 alpha will enhance the thyroid hormone induction of CPT-I alpha indicating that PGC-1 alpha is a coactivator for thyroid hormone. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we show that PGC-1 alpha is associated with both the thyroid hormone response element in the CPT-I alpha gene promoter and the first intron of the CPT-I alpha gene. Our data demonstrate that PGC-1 alpha participates in the stimulation of CPT-I alpha gene expression by thyroid hormone and suggest that PGC-1 alpha is a coactivator for thyroid hormone.
Discovering likely method specifications

Software specifications are of great use for more rigorous software development. They are useful for formal verification and automated testing, and they improve program understanding. In practice, specifications often do not exist and developers write software in an ad-hoc fashion. We describe a new way to automatically infer specifications from code. Our approach infers a likely specification for any method such that the method’s behavior, i.e., its effect on the state and possible result values, is summarized and expressed in terms of some other methods. We use symbolic execution to analyze and relate the behaviors of the considered methods. In our experiences, the resulting likely specifications are compact and human-understandable. They can be examined by the user, used as input to program verification systems, or as input for test generation tools for validation. We implemented the technique for .NET programs in a tool called Axiom Meister. It inferred concise specifications for base classes of the .NET platform and found flaws in the design of a new library.
Induced Pluripotential Stem Cells and the Prospects for Cardiac Cell Therapy

This chapter explains the properties of induced pluripotential stem cells (iPS cells) and why they may represent a new dawn for cell therapy of the heart. iPS cells are very similar to embryonic stem cells (ES cells) in that they can grow without limit in tissue culture, and can form all of the cell types in the normal body. But unlike embryonic stem cells, their production requires no eggs or embryos, and can probably be achieved from any individual patient. The technology of making and using iPS cells is based entirely on knowledge gained from growing ES cells. Because ES cells represent the gold standard in performance, it is important to understand their nature and properties as background for understanding and maximizing the potential of iPS cells.
Understanding Women's Educational And Occupational Choices: Applying the Eccles et al. Model of Achievement-Related Choices

Despite recent efforts to increase the participation of women in advanced educational training and high-status professional fields, women and men are still concentrated in different occupations and educational programs, and women are still underrepresented in many high-status occupational fields—particularly those associated with physical science, engineering, and applied mathematics. Many factors, ranging from outright discrimination to the processes associated with gender role socialization, contribute to these gendered patterns of educational and occupational choices. This paper summarizes a set of social and psychological factors that Eccles and her colleagues have been studying for the past 15 years in an effort to understand the occupational and educational choices of women and men. The paper summarizes the key features of the theoretical model they developed and provides an overview of the empirical support now available for key aspects of this model. The implications of this model for understandin...
Fourth branchial pouch anomalies: A study of six cases and review of the literature

A retrospective study in the ENT departments of the Timone Children's Hospital in Marseille and the Armand Trousseau Hospital in Paris and a review of the literature was performed in order to update knowledge about fourth branchial pouch anomalies. Over the 12-year period studied, a total of six children were treated: three boys and three girls. The lesions were located on the left side in all cases and infection was the most common manifestation. Clinical presentation ranged from suppurative thyroiditis in most cases to stridor in a few newborns. The most useful diagnostic examinations are CT-scan of the neck and endoscopy of the pyriform sinus. The authors emphasize the need for complete surgical resection including the cyst and fistulous tract down to the pyriform sinus.
Challenges in assessing the environmental consequences of dietary changes

Tom et al. (Environ Syst Decis 1–12, 2015) compared the energy requirements, water footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions of diet regimens recently recommended by the US Department of Agriculture. This editorial comments on a number of challenges related to the use of the results of life-cycle assessment studies to quantify the environmental impacts of dietary shifts.
Neuromodulation Treatment of Underactive Bladder

While most clinicians know there is a lack of effective pharmacological treatment of the underactive bladder (UAB), not many physicians and nurses realize that there is a regulatory approved minimally invasive therapy for UAB. This technique is neuromodulation via sacral nerve stimulation (SNS).
The applications of fibrin sealant on Children's chronic sinus and fistula

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effects of fibrin sealant in curing chronic sinus and fistula in children.Methods:15 cases of children with chronic sinus or fistula were retrospectively ana-lyzed.In these cases,the fibrin sealant was used after cleaning up the sinus or fistula.Results:In 15 cases,14 of which were cured by one time and only one child was cured twice.The therapeutic efficacy was satisfactory.Conclusion:Using the fibrin sealant to seal the chronic sinus and fistula is an effective method in children.Its advantages are short time of therapy,painless and good therapeutic efficacy.
Anxiety Secondary to Depression

This review poses alternative hypotheses to interpret the coexistence of anxiety with depression and then weighs these hypotheses using epidemiologic, family history, and twin data. Studies of phenomenology, treatment response, and long-term outcome are then reviewed to describe the impact of specific anxiety syndromes on depressive illness.