cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1367: BRCA1 and BARD1 protein interactions that are required for DNA repair function

Breast and ovarian cancers are prevalent among women, and hereditary breast and ovarian cancers (HBOCs) have been associated with germline mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BARD1. BRCA1 and BARD1 form an obligate heterodimer, and the BRCA1/BARD1 complex is required for tumor suppression functions. Our lab has tested hundreds of BARD1 and BRCA1 variants and identified many that are deficient in homologous recombination, which we have shown to accurately predict cancer predisposition in the clinic. Several of these functionally defective BRCA1 mutants map to a pocket of amino acids on the surface of the protein that does not have any known binding partners. Repair-deficient mutations are also present on the surface of the BARD1 protein in domains that are not known to be associated with DNA repair. We hypothesize that the DNA repair deficiencies mediated by these BRCA1 and BARD1 mutants are due to differences in protein binding when compared to wild-type protein. We have found that BRCA1 mutants in this protein pocket do not phosphorylate and do not localize to the nucleus following DNA damage, both of which are characteristic of the DNA damage response. However, BARD1 repair-deficient mutants still bind phosphorylated BRCA1, indicating that their deficiencies are not due to loss of BRCA1 function. To investigate protein interaction differences we are creating fusion proteins of wild-type and mutant BRCA1 with BioID2, which will biotinylate proteins that bind to BRCA1. We will then be able to identify, via avidin purification and mass spectrometry, protein interactions that are present in the wild-type but absent in the mutant BRCA1. Novel proteins that we identify will be tested for DNA repair and tumor suppressor function. This information will allow us to better understand both BARD1 and BRCA1 function and the mechanism of homologous recombination. Citation Format: Aleksandra Adamovich, Margaret Wingo, Tapahsama Banerjee, Miranda Gardner, Michael Freitas, Jeffrey Parvin. BRCA1 and BARD1 protein interactions that are required for DNA repair function [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1367.
Radiographic findings in cats with intranasal neoplasia or chronic rhinitis: 29 cases (1982-1988).

Objective To compare radiographic findings and determine useful criteria to differentiate between intranasal neoplasia and chronic rhinitis in cats. Design Retrospective study. Animals Cats with chronic nasal disease caused by neoplasia (n = 18) or by chronic rhinitis (n = 11). Procedure Radiographs were reviewed by 3 radiologists, followed by group review. Diagnosis was determined by intranasal biopsy or necropsy, and specimens were reviewed by a pathologist to confirm cause and histologic diagnosis. Results Lymphosarcoma was the most common (n = 5) of the 6 histopathologic types in the neoplasia group. Cats in the neoplasia and chronic rhinitis groups had a high prevalence of aggressive radiographic lesions. Prevalence of a facial mass in cats with neoplasia (8/18) versus in those with chronic rhinitis (4/11) and of deviation (9/18 vs 6/11, respectively) or lysis (12/18 vs 7/11) of the nasal septum was similar. However, significantly (P = 0.02) more cats with neoplasia than with chronic rhinitis (13/16 vs 3/7, respectively) had unilateral turbinate destruction/lysis. Additionally, unilateral lateral bone erosion and loss of teeth associated with adjacent intranasal disease were more prevalent in cats with neoplasia (7/8 and 5/18, respectively) than in cats with chronic rhinitis (1/3 and 0/11, respectively). Clinical implications Features that may assist in radiographic diagnosis of neoplasia include the appearance of unilateral aggressive lesions, such as lysis of lateral bones, nasal turbinate destruction, and loss of teeth. Bilaterally symmetric lesions are more suggestive of chronic rhinitis than of neoplasia.
Thyroid Hormone Regulates Tachykinin Gene Expression in Rat Anterior Pituitary

Substance P (SP) and Substance K (SK, also known as neurokinin alpha) are two mammalian tachykinin peptides which are widely but selectively distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems (1). These peptides are also found in endocrine tissues, in particular, in the anterior pituitary gland and their content within this gland can be regulated by thyroid hormone status (2,3). The present studies were performed to determine if the preprotachykinin (PPT) gene which encodes both SP and SK (4) is expressed within the anterior pituitary gland of adult male rats and if so, whether PPT messenger RNA. (mRNA) abundance can be regulated by thyroid hormone status.
Genetic Immunization ☆: What's in a Name?

The concept and demonstration of genetic immunization (GI) was first introduced in 1992. At the time it appeared to be a revolutionary new approach in vaccinology. Since then, genetic immunization has been applied with much success in a wide variety of model and natural systems. It has also been used in several human clinical trials. Currently there is a general impression that genetic immunization has limitations inhibiting its broad use. The technique is thought to be poor at antibody production and more importantly not to work well in primates and humans (simian barrier). However, recent reports addressing these issues (poor antibody production and the simian barrier) showed improvements of GI to produce protective immune responses in humans. We propose that the apparent limitations of gene vaccines may arise from not using the technologies' potential to manipulate the immune system. This dearth of imaginative use is manifested in the tendency by some to term the technique DNA immunization. The apparent limitations of DNA vaccines may not be limitations for gene vaccines.
Low-Profile Diplexing Filter/Antenna Based on Common Radiating Cavity With Quasi-Elliptic Response

A low-profile single-layer substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) diplexing filtering antenna with two-pole response in each channel is presented. Synthesis technique is proposed, which allows independent design of the filtering networks for the two channels. A common slot loaded SIW cavity is used to obtain the desired radiation in both channels. The diplexing filtering antenna provides quasi-elliptic response in both channels due to source-load coupling. The filtering antenna provides a maximum broadside gain of 2.65 and 2.7 dBi at operating frequencies of 5.25 (lower channel) and 5.8 GHz (upper channel), respectively. The interchannel isolation is more than 29 dB with a channel frequency ratio as low as 1.1.
Management of orbital fractures

Fractures of the orbit are a very common injury, and are often treated by multiple facial subspecialties. Many fractures can be asymptomatic and do not require surgical therapy, but for those fractures where intervention is indicated, neglect, delay, or inappropriate technique can have permanent consequences on visual function and facial deformity. In this article, the indications and techniques of repair for specific fractures will be discussed, as well as possible risks and complications.
Two-stage Cascaded EHD Air Pump Evaluation

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) fluid pumps use a properly shaped high electric field to create mechanical flow of a dielectric fluid without involving mechanical moving parts. They have several distinct practical advantages and they have been proposed as a workable solution for a large number of applications, especially when miniaturization and/or silent operation is required. Numerous experimental studies have proven their advantages over mechanical solutions, especially for food drying and electronics cooling. A large portion of the research efforts is focused on various techniques to improve the overall efficiency and performance of existing concepts. Among other concepts, the implementation of multiple cascaded stages is recently drawing the attention of researchers. In this paper the overall performance of a two-stage wire-to-wire EHD air pump is experimentally investigated, providing measurements on the produced air velocity and electric power requirements. The experimental results were very promising, indicating that the air flow velocity and the efficiency of a two-stage cascading EHD pump are considerably higher in comparison to the traditional single-stage design. The proposed two-stage configuration was found to be directly comparable with existing mechanical fans of similar diameter in terms of flow characteristics, yet maintaining the general advantages of EHD pumping technology.
Energy localization and excess fluctuations from long-range interactions in equilibrium molecular dynamics

Abstract Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of standard systems of interacting particles (“atoms”) give excellent agreement with the equipartition theorem for the average energy, but we find that these simulations exhibit finite-size effects in the dynamics that cause local fluctuations in energy to deviate significantly from the analogous energy fluctuation relation (EFR). We have made a detailed analysis of Lennard-Jones atoms to track the origin of such unphysical fluctuations, which must be corrected for an appropriate description of the statistical mechanics of small systems, especially at low temperatures (T). Similar behavior is found in a model of nitromethane at higher T. The main conclusion of our study is that systems separated into nanometer-sized “blocks” inside much larger simulations exhibit excess fluctuations in potential energy (pe) that diverge inversely proportional to T in a manner that is strongly dependent on the range of interaction. Specifically, at low T with long-range interactions pe fluctuations exceed the EFR by at least an order of magnitude, dropping abruptly to below the EFR when interactions include only 1st-neighbor atoms. Thus, excess pe fluctuations cannot be due to simple surface effects from the robustly harmonic 1st-neighbor interactions, nor from any details in the simulations or analysis. A simplistic model that includes 2nd-neighbor interactions matches the excess fluctuations, but only if the 2nd-neighbor energy is not included in Boltzmann’s factor, attributable to anharmonic effects and energy localization. Empirically, adding 2nd-neighbor interactions greatly increases the width of the pe distribution, suggesting that Anderson localization may play a role. Characterizing energy correlations as a function of time and distance reveals that excess pe fluctuations in each block coincide with negative pe correlations between neighboring blocks, whereas reduced pe fluctuations coincide with positive pe correlations. Indeed, anomalous pe fluctuations in small systems can be quantified using a net local energy in Boltzmann’s factor that includes pe from the surrounding shell of similarly small systems, or equivalently an effective local temperature. Our results and analysis elucidate the source of non-Boltzmann fluctuations, and the need to include mesoscopic thermal effects from the local environment for a consistent theoretical description of the equilibrium fluctuations in MD simulations of standard models with long-range interactions.
N-Acetyl-Seryl-Aspartyl-Lysyl-Proline Augments Thrombolysis of tPA (Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator) in Aged Rats After Stroke

Background and Purpose- Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, mainly affecting the elderly. However, preclinical studies in aged ischemic animals are limited. N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (AcSDKP) is a naturally occurring tetrapeptide with vascular-protective properties. The present study investigated the effect of AcSDKP on tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator)-induced thrombolysis in aged rats after ischemic stroke. Methods- Aged male rats (18 months) were subjected to embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion. Rats subjected to 4 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion were randomized into the following groups: (1) AcSDKP; (2) tPA; (3) AcSDKP in combination with tPA; and (4) saline. Neurological deficits, cerebral microvascular patency and integrity, and infarction were examined at 1 day and 7 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion. In vitro experiments were performed to examine the effect of AcSDKP on aged cerebral endothelial cell permeability. Results- Compared with saline, AcSDKP, or tPA as monotherapy did not have any therapeutic effects, whereas AcSDKP in combination with tPA significantly reduced cerebral tissue infarction and improved neurological outcome without increasing cerebral hemorrhage. Concurrently, the combination treatment significantly augmented microvascular perfusion and reduced thrombosis and blood-brain barrier leakage. In vitro, compared with cerebral endothelial cells from ischemic adult rats, the endothelial cells from ischemic aged rats exhibited significantly increased leakage. AcSDKP suppressed tPA-induced aged endothelial cell leakage and reduced expression of ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) and NF (nuclear factor)-κB. Conclusions- The present study provides evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of AcSDKP in combination tPA for the treatment of embolic stroke in aged rats at 4 hours after stroke onset. AcSDKP likely acts on cerebral endothelial cells to enhance the benefits of tPA by increasing tissue perfusion and augmenting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Visual Overview- An online visual overview is available for this article.
PraPR: practical program repair via bytecode mutation

Automated program repair (APR) is one of the recent advances in automated software engineering aiming for reducing the burden of debugging by suggesting high-quality patches that either directly fix the bugs, or help the programmers in the course of manual debugging. We believe scalability, applicability, and accurate patch validation are the main design objectives for a practical APR technique. In this paper, we present PraPR, our implementation of a practical APR technique that operates at the level of JVM bytecode. We discuss design decisions made in the development of PraPR, and argue that the technique is a viable baseline toward attaining aforementioned objectives. Our experimental results show that: (1) PraPR can fix more bugs than state-of-the-art APR techniques and can be over 10X faster, (2) state-of-the-art APR techniques suffer from dataset overfitting, while the simplistic template-based PraPR performs more consistently on different datasets, and (3) PraPR can fix bugs for other JVM languages, such as Kotlin. PraPR is publicly available at https://github.com/prapr/prapr.
From Hypotext to Hypertext and (Hyper-)Space Opera: Schiller’s Don Karlos, Verdi’s Don Carlo, and George Lucas’ Star Wars

AbstractFriedrich Schiller's long journey to Hollywood began in the late eighteenth-century with the early resonance of his dramas on U.S. stages. After rising to prominence in the nineteenth centu...
Child Immigration from Both Sides of the Border: Implications for Trauma-Informed Practices in the Schools

Many children as young as 7 years old journey across Central America to the USA, facing danger and uncertainty that influence their later physical and emotional development and socialization. This paper synthesizes the literature on the experiences of unaccompanied immigrant children from Latin America traveling to the USA, how the trauma of immigration can manifest in their development, and offers evidence-informed strategies that mental health service providers in the schools can implement. Results show that the initial negative events that promote immigration along with traumatic experiences during their migration journey suggest that child immigrants may be at a higher risk to experience acculturation-based problems, discrimination-based problems, and trauma-based difficulties. School psychologists are at the frontline of this crisis and need adequate resources and tools to respond to the needs of a segment of the school population that is increasingly at risk for serious mental health and poor socio-emotional outcomes. More research in this area is needed, especially as it applies to a school setting. Implications for interventions are discussed.
Area from a Triangular Point of View

THE creative mind balks at the ac cepted, the ordinary, the usual. Indeed, new mathematics seems to emerge as a reaction against the ordinary. If the role of the teacher is to encourage creativity by trying to guide students to think as mathematicians do, then accepted state ments must be challenged, alternate avenues explored, and comparisons made throughout the exploration. With this exploratory objective fore most, let us consider the sequence of area proofs in geometry. One such begins with a right triangle, moves to a general tri angle, and develops the areas of parallelo grams, trapezoide, and polygons from this triangular area. Yet each of these areas is described as the measure of "square" units. Why, one might ask, is the square used to describe the resulting areas when the triangle forms the basis for the sequence of proofs? Is it the result of an agreement? What would happen if we agreed to speak of y "triangular'' units? How would y compare with x? Could each of the basic area theorems be de
States, firms, and economic development: Review article

The books by Aseema Sinha in 2016 and Adnan Naseemullah in 2017 focus on India’s international and domestic political economy, and Naseemullah examines Pakistan as well. The challenge for the study...
Optimal Pacing of a Cyclist in a Time Trial Based on Individualized Models of Fatigue and Recovery.

This paper formulates optimal pacing of a cyclist on hilly terrain time-trials as a minimum-time optimal control problem. Maximal power of a cyclist serves as a time-varying constraint and depends on fatigue and recovery which are captured via dynamic models proposed early in the paper. Experimental protocols for identifying the individualized parameters of the proposed fatigue and recovery models are detailed and results for six human subjects are shown. In an analytical treatment via necessary conditions of Pontryagin Minimum Principle, we show that the cyclist's optimal power in a time-trial is limited to only four modes of all-out, coasting, pedaling at a critical power, or constant speed (bang-singular-bang). To determine when to switch between these modes, we resort to numerical solution via dynamic programming. One of the subjects is then simulated on four courses including the 2019 Duathlon National Championship in Greenville, SC. The dynamic programming simulation results show 24% reduction in travel time over experimental results of the self-paced subject who is a competitive amateur cyclist. The paper concludes with description of a pilot lab experiment in which the subject trial time was reduced by 3% when the near-optimal pace was communicated to her in real-time.
On the use of nanoscale indentation with the AFM in the identification of phases in blends of linear low density polyethylene and high density polyethylene

The microstructures generated by blends of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) following isothermal crystallization from the melt have been studied using several techniques. The traditional methods of electron microscopy, wide angle X-ray scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to examine the superstructures, lattice spacings, and thermal properties, respectively. In addition, nanoindentation of specific moieties within the microstructure was performed using the atomic force microscope (AFM). The indentation measurements were used to generate values for the relative elastic moduli of the crystalline features and to identify phases within the superstructures. The AFM results were compared to results obtained from the aforementioned techniques and to microhardness measurements.
Formal optimization of hovering performance using free wake lifting surface theory

Free wake techniques for performance prediction and optimization of hovering rotor are discussed. The influence functions due to vortex ring, vortex cylinder, and source or vortex sheets are presented. The vortex core sizes of rotor wake vortices are calculated and their importance is discussed. Lifting body theory for finite thickness body is developed for pressure calculation, and hence performance prediction of hovering rotors. Numerical optimization technique based on free wake lifting line theory is presented and discussed. It is demonstrated that formal optimization can be used with the implicit and nonlinear objective or cost function such as the performance of hovering rotors as used in this report.
An ultrasound-driven kinematic model of the heart that enforces local incompressibility

Local incompressibility can be used to improve fitting and analysis of ultrasound-based displacement data using a heart model. An analytic mathematical model incorporating inflation, torsion, and axial extension was generalized for the left ventricle. Short-axis and long-axis images of mouse left ventricles were acquired using high frequency Bmode ultrasound and myocardial displacements were determined using speckle tracking. Deformation gradient components in the circumferential and longitudinal directions were fitted using linear regressions. The slopes of these lines were then used to predict motion in the radial directions. The optimized kinematic model accurately predicted the motion of mouse left ventricle during filling with normalized root mean square error of 4.4±1.2%.
Studies on the primary structure of ribosomal 28 S ribonucleic acid and its nucleolar precursors. Isolation of an electrophoretically homogeneous fragment rich in guanylic and cytidylic acids.

Abstract A comparative study was made on the pancreatic and T1 RNase digestion products of Novikoff hepatoma 28 S ribosomal RNA and its nucleolar precursors, i.e. nucleolar 28 S, 35 S, and 45 S RNA. No significant differences were found in the distribution of 32P in oligonucleotides obtained by pancreatic digestion of 28 S ribosomal RNA and nucleolar 28 S, 35 S, and 45 S RNA. Moreover, no discernible differences were noted in the electrophoretic mobilities of the large fragments obtained from 28 S rRNA, nucleolar 28 S, 35 S, and 45 S RNA after limited T1 RNase digestion. An electrophoretically homogeneous fragment referred to as the B3a fragment was obtained from the T1 RNase digest of ribosomal 28 S RNA and nucleolar 28 S, 35 S, and 45 S RNA. The B3a fragment contains 81% guanylic and cytidylic acid residues and has an approximate molecular weight of 200,000 and a Tm of 75°. On further hydrolysis by T1 RNase, smaller products of the B3a fragment were produced; one of these, the B4 fragment, which has an approximate molecular weight of 150,000, was obtained in an electrophoretically homogeneous state. This distribution of 32P in oligonucleotides of the B3a fragment of 28 S rRNA and nucleolar 28 S RNA was essentially the same. For other fragments, including the B4 fragment and the double band containing B3a and B3b, the oligonucleotide frequencies were essentially the same for 28 S ribosomal RNA and nucleolar 28 S, 35 S, and 45 S RNA.
Taiwan and the WT0

This paper is about Taiwan and the World Trade Organization. It discusses the history of Taiwan's involvement in the world trading system and the accession to the WTO. The paper then notes some unique features of Taiwan's membership and discusses the current political tension with China in the WTO. The paper ends with a discussion of the implications of Taiwan's membership in the WTO for potential Taiwanese membership in other international organizations.
Wind turbulence estimates in a valley by coherent Doppler lidar

In this paper, the effect of several turbulence parameters during various flow conditions in Owens Valley, educed from coherent Doppler lidar data have been studied. Radial velocity structure functions are processed to estimate the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation rate, integral length scale and velocity variance, assuming a theoretical model for isotropic wind fields. Corrections for turbulence measurements have been considered to address the complications due to inherent volumetric averaging of radial velocity over each range gate, noise of the lidar data, and the assumptions required to estimate effects of smaller scales of motion on turbulence quantities. Using data from the Terrain-induced Rotor Experiment (T-REX) in April–May 2006, vertical profiles of wind and turbulence parameters have been retrieved. During T-REX, unusual valley flows were detected by the lidar data, for example on 19 and 27 March 2006, daytime down-valley and night time up-valley flows, respectively, were observed. This paper focuses on understanding various turbulence parameters during these flow events. Turbulence estimates during daytime down-valley conditions were observed to be constant for most of the day, while for night time up-valley circumstances the turbulence increased steadily as the day progressed. Good comparison was observed between lidar and tower measurements, which validate the lidar turbulence retrieval assumptions. Comparison between TKE estimates from lidar and the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) model is also presented. This analysis will be helpful for improving the current turbulence parameterization schemes in COAMPS. Finally, differences and similarities in turbulence measurements between both the flow regimes are discussed. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Effect of (+)-gossypol on fertility in male hamsters.

( + )-Gossypol was isolated from the bark of Thespesia populnea and tested for its ability to inhibit the fertility of male hamsters. Male hamsters of proven fertility were treated orally for 54 days with 40 mg/kg of ( + )-gossypol, 40 mg/kg of racemic gossypol, or 5% gum acacia (vehicle control) and were mated with estrous female hamsters during the fourth and seventh weeks of treatment. Both the control and the (+ )-gossypol-treated animals exhibited normal fertility throughout the experiment. The racemic gossypol-treated animals were infertile when evaluated during both the fourth and seventh weeks of treatment. Morphologic examination of the testicular tissue could not explain the loss of fertility. These data demonstrate the inability of (+)gossypol to decrease male fertility and suggest that the activity of racemic gossypol may be due primarily to the presence of the (-) optical isomer.
Is Nonparaphilic Compulsive Sexual Behavior a Variant of OCD

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the essential clinical features of nonparaphilic compulsive sexual behaviors (NCSBs) and the research on etiological and conceptual models. NCSBs—variously referred to as sexual “addictions,” “compulsions,” or “hypersexuality”—include repetitive sexual acts comprised of conventional, normative, or nondeviant sexual thoughts or behaviors that the person feels compelled or driven to perform, often in an exploitative way, which may or may not cause distress. This chapter also reviews the possible relationship between NCSBs and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Because of the repetitive and perseverative nature of sexual thoughts, urges, and behaviors in this condition, proponents of an obsessive-compulsive-spectrum (OCS) proposal have drawn parallels between NCSBs and OCD and suggested that NCSBs are a variant of OCD. However, the sexual thinking and behavior in NCSBs are in sharp contrast to those observed in OCD. Individuals with NCSBs find their sexual thoughts arousing and often deliberately conjure them up for the purposes of sexual excitement. Therefore a more meaningful approach is to examine these behaviors more closely at the level of their antecedents and consequences. When this standard is used to evaluate the relationship between NCSBs and OCD, it appears that these two conditions bear little resemblance to each another.
Multiple speciation, competitive exclusion, evolutionary pattern, and the grand ensemble in volterra eco-dynamics

Abstract The general means are set forth by which, in a highly speciated Volterra eco-system, the bifurcation of a species into two in a competitive-exclusion configuration, provides a description of odd as well as even systems. Then the Gibbs ensemble theory earlier developed is extended to grand ensembles in which the number of ecotypical species in genera-like clusters is allowed to be variable. The probability law for the sizes of clusters is deduced, and shown very closely to imply independent Poisson statistics for the cluster sizes, in answer to a fundamental issue of bioevolution. The role of the eco-analogs of Gibbs' chemical potentials is brought forth, with a suggestion of how to describe cluster-to-cluster eco-genetic flows, and therewith a definite relationship between the degrees of speciation of genetically linked clusters on the one hand, and amplitudes of population fluctuations of member species within the clusters on the other hand.
Re-engineering aptamers to support reagentless, self-reporting electrochemical sensors.

Electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors have emerged as a promising and versatile new biosensor platform. Combining the generality and specificity of aptamer–ligand interactions with the selectivity and convenience of electrochemical readouts, this approach affords the detection of a wide variety of targets directly in complex, contaminant-ridden samples, such as whole blood, foodstuffs and crude soil extracts, without the need for exogenous reagents or washing steps. Signaling in this class of sensors is predicated on target-induced changes in the conformation of an electrode-bound probe aptamer that, in turn, changes the efficiency with which a covalently attached redox tag exchanges electrons with the interrogating electrode. Aptamer selection strategies, however, typically do not select for the conformation-switching architectures, and as such several approaches have been reported to date by which aptamers can be re-engineered such that they undergo the binding-induced switching required to support efficient E-AB signaling. Here, we systematically compare the merits of these re-engineering approaches using representative aptamers specific to the small molecule adenosine triphosphate and the protein human immunoglobulin E. We find that, while many aptamer architectures support E-AB signaling, the observed signal gain (relative change in signal upon target binding) varies by more than two orders of magnitude across the various constructs we have investigated (e.g., ranging from −10% to 200% for our ATP sensors). Optimization of the switching architecture is thus an important element in achieving maximum E-AB signal gain and we find that this optimal geometry is specific to the aptamer sequence upon which the sensor is built.
Geometric surface patches without twist constraints

Abstract An interpolation scheme which assumes position values, derivatives and curvature values on the boundary of an arbitrary triangle is presented. The development of this interpolant is based upon univariate interpolation using a geometric Hermite-operator along line segments joining a vertex and a side.
Comments on papers by Sharlin and Wall

Summary Wall is convincing on the Fuller court, but less so on Holmes, who may have understood Spencer's Social statics as a laissez faire rather than as a Darwinist document. Sharlin helps us to follow Spencer's attempt to universalize the concept of energy, even if Sharlin's explanation for Spencer's failure reduces to an application of the classical insight that physical phenomena are more predictable than social phenomena. Sharlin's conception of ‘scientism’ is helpful in some contexts, but less so in others; we need to remind ourselves that the role of values in scientism is active as well as passive.
Diastereoselective allylstannane additions to (S)-5,6-dihydro-2H-5-phenyloxazin-2-one. A concise synthesis of (S)-beta-methylisoleucine.

The addition of allyl stannanes to (S)-4,5-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-oxazinone (3) was achieved under Bronsted acid catalysis to give 2-allylmorpholinones with high diastereoselectivity (up to dr 14.2:1). The product of dimethylallyltributylstannane addition to 3 was converted to l-β-methylisoleucine, an α-amino acid residue found in the complex, biologically active marine-derived peptides polytheonamides A and B, and polydiscamides A−C.
Effect of removal of various parts of the brain on ACTH secretion in dogs.

SummaryThe adrenocortical response to the trauma of cannulating the adrenal vein has been tested in dogs 4 hours after removal of various parts of the brain. Compared to controls, 17-hydroxycorticoid output in adrenal venous blood is slightly decreased in dogs in which all brain tissue above the pons except the hypothalamus has been removed. Output was significantly lower, but still definitely above basal levels in dogs in which the entire brain above the pons had been removed. It was in the same range when the entire brain had been removed. Acute section of the pituitary stalk decreased the adrenocortical response to an approximately equal degree. Removal of the pituitary as well as the brain reduced output to low levels. These data do not support the hypothesis that the hindbrain secretes a factor which stimulates the pituitary to secrete ACTH. Other possible explanations of the results are discussed.
Calcium signaling is gated by a mechanical threshold in three-dimensional environments

Cells interpret their mechanical environment using diverse signaling pathways that affect complex phenotypes. These pathways often interact with ubiquitous 2nd-messengers such as calcium. Understanding mechanically-induced calcium signaling is especially important in fibroblasts, cells that exist in three-dimensional fibrous matrices, sense their mechanical environment and remodel tissue morphology. Here, we examined calcium signaling in fibroblasts using a minimal-profile, three-dimensional (MP3D) mechanical assay system and compared responses to those elicited by conventional, two-dimensional magnetic tensile cytometry and substratum stretching. Using the MP3D system, we observed robust mechanically-induced calcium responses that could not be recreated using either two-dimensional technique. Furthermore, we used the MP3D system to identify a critical displacement threshold governing an all-or-nothing mechanically-induced calcium response. We believe these findings significantly increase our understanding of the critical role of calcium signaling in cells in three-dimensional environments with broad implications in development and disease.
Glucose metabolism in rat lymphatic tissues: effects of acute and chronic exercise.

Abstract The pathways of glucose metabolism in lymphatic tissues of immature rats were examined enzymatically during periods of exercise-induced, elevated corticosteroid secretion. Acute exercise (10 hours) of untrained rats increased corticosterone levels 230% above controls, caused a moderate arrest of thymus and spleen growth, decreased thymus GPT and LDH activity 15–25% below controls, and increased spleen MDH activity 25%. Acute exercise of trained rats increased corticosterone secretion only 116% above controls, but caused a marked arrest of lymphatic tissue growth and a variety of changes in tissue enzyme activity. These included increases in GPT and MDH, reciprocal changes in LDH and α-GPD, and decreases in G6PD and 6-PGD activity. The pattern of enzymatic response was interpreted as a hormonally mediated regulatory mechanism to divert substrate (glucose-6-phosphate) from the hexose monophosphate shunt to glycolysis during periods of suboptimal lymphatic tissue growth.
An Algorithm for Intercell Communication in a Tesselated Automaton

An algorithm is presented which permits any arbitrary subset of the cells of a content addressable tresselated automaton (CATA) to communicate with any other arbitrary subset.
The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope – By Jonathan Alter

Scholars who are familiar with the literature on Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal will find little that is new or interesting in this book. General readers, however, may find Jonathan Alter's...
The Effects of Exemplification on Perceptions of News Credibility

Exemplification (the use of examples) in news stories is a common method of providing information about social phenomena to make stories more interesting to audience members. However, previous research has consistently linked exemplification to highly inaccurate perceptions about the prevalence or severity of a given phenomena. The current study further explored outcomes of exemplification by examining the extent to which the practice influenced perceptions of news credibility. Exemplification of public opinion via layperson quotes was found to differentially affect perceptions of news story credibility. Anecdotal exemplification, however, did not predict credibility ratings. Implications for journalism and democratic participation as well as partisans' preference for congenial coverage in news stories are discussed.
Chronic glutathione depletion alters expression of enteric inhibitory neurochemicals in the mouse.

Antioxidants may delay or prevent neural diseases. Depletion of the non-enzymatic antioxidant, glutathione, in a mouse model was produced by inhibiting its rate-limiting enzyme, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, for 7 weeks. Ileum and colon were obtained from treated and control (saline) mice. Glutathione levels and nicotineamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase activity were determined by spectrophotometric assays; vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Glutathione levels were higher in ileum than colon. Colonic glutathione was decreased in treated mice compared to controls; there were no differences in ileal glutathione levels. VIP was decreased in ileum compared to controls, while NADPH diaphorase activity was decreased in colon compared to controls. In this chronic mouse model, glutathione appeared to regulate expression of enteric inhibitory nerve cell products.
Interactions of trimethyl gallium and trimethyl aluminum with Ni(111): a TPD, SIMS and AES study

Abstract The interaction of trimethyl gallium (TMG) and trimethyl aluminum (TMA) with Ni(111) was studied using TPD, SSIMS and AES. At 100 K and low exposures, TMG adsorbs dissociatively; below 0.3 L, some atomic Ga forms, but up to 2.4 L, CH3 and dimethyl gallium (DMG) are the main products. For higher exposures, including multilayers, molecular adsorption dominates. While multilayers desorb intact at 155 K, there is no parent desorption from the first layer. During TPD, the first dissociation occurs below 200 K and is dominated by CH3 and DMG formation. Over a broad temperature range, 100 to 500 K, DMG decomposes to leave atomic Ga and C. Above 250 K, there is evidence for nucleation of Ga into islands and rearrangement of Ni-Ga bonds. Some CH3's undergo dehydrogenation above 150 K; others are hydrogenated at 250 K, yielding gaseous CH4. The TPD of H2 has peaks at 372 and 422 K; the former rate is limited by recombination of H atoms bound to Ni; the latter rate is controlled by C-H bond cleavage. The dissociative uptake of TMG increases when the dosing is done at higher Ni temperatures. Complete dissociation of C-Ga bonds, i.e. atomic Ga, H and C, is preferred at low exposures; DMG accumulates at high exposures. The surface Ga and C formed at low exposures modify the subsequent surface reactivity and increase the thermal stability of DMG. A new pathway opens for doses at elevated temperatures (200–400 K) and involves intra- and/or inter-molecular decomposition and reaction of DMG to produce CH4, H2 and GaCH. GaCH decomposes between 500 and 700 K, with simultaneous release of H2. The chemistry of TMA on Ni(111) is analogous to that of TMG. Multilayer TMA, which is dimerized, desorbs in monomer form at 185 K. Surface Al nucleates at a higher temperature (300 K) than does surface Ga.
A Model-Based Comparison Of Underwater Imaging Systems

In this paper we will explore the predicted performance of a number of different underwater imaging configurations via computer modeling. A convenient metric for ocean imaging is to classify the performance of a system based on the maximum number of attenuation lengths that can be imaged. Previously, we introduced the idea that there are several imaging regimes for underwater imaging [Jaffe;1986]. Using this notation, we note that most standard platforms create images at distances of 1-2 attenuation lengths. Alternate designs for imaging systems are aimed at moving the performance of these systems into a different regime. In this paper we consider two alternate designs whose goal is to increase the range performance of underwater imaging systems. The performance of range-gated systems is characterized and it is demonstrated that although the contrast in these systems is high, they are currently power limited. In order to circumvent the power limitations and still maintain high contrast, a new idea for a system based on scanning a stripe of white light is presented. The system is analyzed in a variety of water types and it is demonstrated that in some situations reasonable images can be obtained at distances of at least 4-attenuation lengths.
Metabolism of the lignin model compounds veratrylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether and 4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium metabolized the lignin model compounds veratylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether I and 4-ethoxy-3-methoxy-phenylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether V in stationary culture under an atmosphere of 100% oxygen and under nitrogen limiting conditions. 2-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-ethanol VII was identified as a product of the metabolism of both substrates. Veratryl alcohol and 4-ethoxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol IV were identified as metabolites of I and V respectively. Metabolites were identified after comparison with chemically synthesized standards by mass spectrometry. These results indicate the existence of an enzyme system capable of directly cleaving the etherated dimers I and V at the α, β bond. The additional identification of 2-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-1,3 propanediol IX as a metabolic product indicates that cleavage of the alkyl-phenyl bond of these dimers or their metabolites also occurs.
DNA Loss during Robertsonian Fusion in Studies of the Tobacco Mouse

THE centric fusion of two telocentric chromosomes to form a metacentric chromosome, described by Robertson1, is one of the basic mechanisms for altering the karyotype of eukaryotes. In conjunction with other processes, such as geographical isolation, it is frequently one of the initial steps in the formation of new species. Electron microscopy of mammalian chromosomes has suggested that both of the centromere regions may be retained during the fusion process2. A similar conclusion can be drawn on the basis of staining of the centromeric heterochromatin3. In spite of the retention of these regions it is likely that the fusion process is basically a reciprocal translocation event resulting from a crossover within the chromatin fibres that go to make up the centromeric region. The reciprocal product is presumably lost as it is too small to possess a kinetochore.
Microhabitat Use in Rodent Communities: Predator Avoidance or Foraging Economics?

Coexisting rodent species often differ conspicuously in their habitat or microhabitat affinities, but it is not yet clear why. Speculation regarding the basis for microhabitat preference has focussed on two factors: predation risk and foraging economics. In this paper I outline these alternative explanations much more explicitly than they have been in the past and derive the expected consequences of each for patterns of morphology and microhabitat use within rodent communities. Then, using morphological traits that have been invoked in support of one explanation or the other, I compare observed patterns from three rodent communities with those expected if animals respond only to predation risk or physiological costs, or only to foraging efficiency, in choosing microhabitats. Patterns suggest that microhabitat use is more sensitive to foraging economics than risk or cost, but this conclusion should be viewed as tentative in light of the weaknesses associated with pattern analysis and in light of our general ignorance about the ecological significance of the morphological characteristics used in the analysis.
Developing country consumer fast food preferences: an empirical examination in Saudi Arabia

Abstract The author explores consumer fast food preferences in Saudi Arabia, a developing country where U.S. fast food companies have been mushrooming since the early ′90s. Utilizing a sample of 250 fast food restaurant patrons, the study examines the attributes of fast food restaurants that are important to consumers, the pattern of fast food purchases, and the variations in fast food preferences and purchase behavior across different consumer demographics. The results indicate that the top five most important service attributes are cleanliness, taste, friendliness, speed, and variety. In this market, people most often eat fast food for dinner, followed in preference by lunch; breakfast is not popular as yet. With respect to the frequency of purchase, the amount spent per visit, the type of fast food restaurant preference, and the type of fast food menu preference, there exist differences across various consumer demographics.
Matlab for first-year college engineers

We present our approach to introducing Matlab to first-year engineering students without declared majors. Matlab is a widespread tool for computation, which has experienced a significant increase in usage. Upper-level courses in particular require students to complete assignments and projects using this versatile software. However, without a separate required course offering in the first-year curriculum, students oftentimes find themselves learning Matlab once they reach advanced courses. Taking into account the various applications of Matlab for different departments and first-year students who are undecided on their majors, a separate course for Matlab may prove excessive and lack sufficient focus. We embed a sequence of six Matlab lectures in an introductory engineering design course required by all first-year engineering students. The lectures focus on introducing the fundamental data structure of a matrix, programming constructs of loops, conditionals, and functions, and basic numerical and graphical statistical analysis. The selection of topics accounts for some of the most common applications across engineering majors, drawing playful examples from image and signal processing and statistical analysis. We discuss our experiences and curriculum developments for a period of four years over which the Matlab sequence evolved. We also address some of the logistical matters of using homework assignments versus examinations.
Stamping SERS for creatinine sensing

Urine can be obtained easily, readily and non-invasively. The analysis of urine can provide metabolic information of the body and the condition of renal function. Creatinine is one of the major components of human urine associated with muscle metabolism. Since the content of creatinine excreted into urine is relatively constant, it is used as an internal standard to normalize water variations. Moreover, the detection of creatinine concentration in urine is important for the renal clearance test, which can monitor the filtration function of kidney and health status. In more details, kidney failure can be imminent when the creatinine concentration in urine is high. A simple device and protocol for creatinine sensing in urine samples can be valuable for point-of-care applications. We reported quantitative analysis of creatinine in urine samples by using stamping surface enhanced Raman scattering (S-SERS) technique with nanoporous gold disk (NPGD) based SERS substrate. S-SERS technique enables label-free and multiplexed molecular sensing under dry condition, while NPGD provides a robust, controllable, and high-sensitivity SERS substrate. The performance of S-SERS with NGPDs is evaluated by the detection and quantification of pure creatinine and creatinine in artificial urine within physiologically relevant concentration ranges.