cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational modelling of genome-side transcription assembly networks using a fluidics analogy

Understanding how a myriad of transcription regulators work to modulate mRNA output at thousands of genes remains a fundamental challenge in molecular biology. Here we develop a computational tool to aid in assessing the plausibility of gene regulatory models derived from genome-wide expression profiling of cells mutant for transcription regulators. mRNA output is modelled as fluid flow in a pipe lattice, with assembly of the transcription machinery represented by the effect of valves. Transcriptional regulators are represented as external pressure heads that determine flow rate. Modelling mutations in regulatory proteins is achieved by adjusting valves' on/off settings. The topology of the lattice is designed by the experimentalist to resemble the expected interconnection between the modelled agents and their influence on mRNA expression. Users can compare multiple lattice configurations so as to find the one that minimizes the error with experimental data. This computational model provides a means to test the plausibility of transcription regulation models derived from large genomic data sets.
Water and International Security

“Water, like religion and ideology, has the power to move millions of people. Since the very birth of human civilization, people have moved to settle close to it. People move when there is too little of it. People move when there is too much of it. People journey down it. People write, sing and dance about it. People fight over it. And all people, everywhere and every day, need it.” –Mikhail Gorbachev
Electrocardiographic Quantitation of Heterogeneity of Ventricular Repolarization

Background: QT interval dispersion (QT d ) measured from the surface ECG has emerged as the most common noninvasive method for assessing heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization. Although QT d correlates with dispersion of monophasic action potential duration at 90% repolarization and with dispersion of recovery time recorded from the epicardium, total T-wave area, representing a summation of vectors during this time interval, has been shown to have the highest correlation with these invasive measures of dispersion of repolarization. However, recent clinical studies suggest that the ratio of the second to first eigenvalues of the spatial T-wave vector using principal component analysis (PCA ratio) may more accurately reflect heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization. Methods: To better characterize the ECG correlates of surface ECG measures of heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization and to establish normal values of these criteria using an automated measurement method, the relations of QRS onset to T-wave offset (QT o d) and to T-wave peak (QT p d) dispersion and the PCA ratio to T-wave area and amplitude, heart rate, QRS axis and duration, and the QT o interval were examined in 163 asymptomatic subjects with normal resting ECGs and normal left ventricular mass and function. QT o d and QT p d were measured by computer from digitized ECGs as the difference between the maximum and minimum QT o and QT p intervals, respectively. Results: In univariate analyses, a significant correlation was found between the sum of the T-wave area and the PCA ratio (R = -0.46, P < 0.001), but there was no significant correlation of the sum of T-wave area with QT o c (R = 0.11, P = NS) or QT p d (R=0.09, P = NS). There were only modest correlations between QT o d and QT p d (R = 0.45) and between the PCA ratio and QT o c (R = 0.29) and QT p d (R = 0.49) (each P < 0.001). In stepwise multivariate linear regression analyses, the PCA ratio was significantly related to the sum of T-wave area, T-wave amplitude in aVL, and to female gender (overall R = 0.54, P < 0.001), QT o d correlated only with the maximum QT o interval (R = 0.39, P < 0.001), and QT p d was related to heart rate and QRS axis (overall R = 0.36, P < 0.001). In addition, the normal interlead dispersion of repolarization as measured by QT p d was significantly greater than dispersion measured by QT o d (23.5 ± 11.5 ms vs 18.3 ± 11.2 ms, P < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings provide new information on ECG measures of heterogeneity of repolarization in normal subjects, with a significantly higher intrinsic variability of Q to T-peak than Q to T-offset dispersion and only modest correlation between these two measures. The independent relation of the PCA ratio to the sum of T-wave area suggests that the PCA ratio may be a more accurate surface ECG reflection of the heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization.
Evaluation of Online Education about Diabetes Management in the School Setting.

There are a variety of initiatives to provide education to improve the quality of care for children with diabetes in the school setting. This study piloted and evaluated an online continuing education program for school nurses about diabetes management for children in schools using current practice principles. The evaluation determined if objectives of the program were met, if participants believed the education provided would enhance their ability to manage children with diabetes, and participants' opinions about the online delivery method. Nineteen participants were recruited from among school nurses unable to attend statewide face-to-face diabetes workshops. The majority reported that the objectives were met, and 91% reported the education would enhance their ability to manage students with diabetes. Whereas 33% preferred online continuing education, 17% preferred face-to-face education, and 50% were unsure. Because of the increasing prevalence of diabetes in children, it is important that school nurses have access to continuing education that provides current principles for diabetes management for children. The method of delivery should be determined by the learner's learning style preferences.
Reassembly of Active Caspase-3 Is Facilitated by the Propeptide *

Changes in ionic homeostasis are early events leading up to the commitment to apoptosis. Although the direct effects of cations on caspase-3 activity have been examined, comparable studies on procaspase-3 are lacking. In addition, the effects of salts on caspase structure have not been examined. We have studied the effects of cations on the activities and conformations of caspase-3 and an uncleavable mutant of procaspase-3 that is enzymatically active. The results show that caspase-3 is more sensitive to changes in pH and ion concentrations than is the zymogen. This is due to the loss of both an intact intersubunit linker and the prodomain. The results show that, although the caspase-3 subunits reassemble to the heterotetramer, the activity return is low after the protein is incubated at or below pH 4.5 and then returned to pH 7.5. The data further show that the irreversible step in assembly results from heterotetramer rather than heterodimer dissociation and demonstrate that the active site does not form properly following reassembly. However, active-site formation is fully reversible when reassembly occurs in the presence of the prodomain, and this effect is specific for the propeptide of caspase-3. The data show that the prodomain facilitates both dimerization and active-site formation in addition to stabilizing the native structure. Overall, the results show that the prodomain acts as an intramolecular chaperone during assembly of the (pro)caspase subunits and increases the efficiency of formation of the native conformation.
Current Concepts in the Pathophysiology and Management of Arteriovenous Access-Induced Hand Ischemia

The manifestations of hand ischemia because of an arteriovenous access can range from hand pain, tissue necrosis, and loss of the entire hand. Recent data have emphasized that multiple mechanisms (arterial steal, ie, retrograde flow, arterial stenosis, and arterial calcification) are responsible for inducing hand ischemia. Because any or a combination of the 3 mechanisms can lead to peripheral ischemia, distal hypoperfusion ischemic syndrome is a more appropriate term to denote hand ischemia. A detailed history, physical examination, and differential diagnosis form the initial step in the management of distal hypoperfusion ischemic syndrome. A complete arteriogram to evaluate the circulation of the extremity from the aortic arch to the palmar arch is essential. The choice of treatment modality should be based on this evaluation. In this article, we review the pathophysiology and present current strategies to ameliorate distal hypoperfusion ischemic syndrome.
Molecular Interactions at Octadecylated Chromatographic Surfaces

Interactions between fluorescent solutes and an octadecylated silica surface are investigated using fluorescence emission spectra and quenching techniques under conditions similar to those found in...
Survival and sex ratios of the intertidal copepod, Tigriopus californicus , following ultraviolet-B (290–320 nm) radiation exposure

The marine harpacticoid copepod, Tigriopus californicus (Baker), is a successful colonizer of supralittoral splash pools from Torch Bay, Alaska, to Baja California, Mexico. As these pools are subject to abundant amounts of direct solar radiation, it was of interest to determine the sensitivity of T. californicus to ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 290 to 320 nm) radiation. During 1980, copepods were raised under diurnal conditions in the laboratory and fed a mixture of unicellular algae and bacteria. Larval and adult stages were irradiated for 0 to 26 h on a rotating turntable under enhanced ultraviolet radiation. Following irradiation, the copepods were maintained in the culture area and checked daily for survival. All life stages of T. californicus tolerated enhanced UV-B radiation irrespective of exposure period; in contrast, survival of an irradiated planktonic copepod, Acartia clausii (Giesbrecht), was significantly lower. Additionally, there appeared to be asex ratio shift in adults that developed from the youngest naupliar stages (N1/N2) of T. californicus that were irradiated. Extraction and tentative identification of the pigment(s) responsible for the bright orange color of the carapace of T. californicus were performed. These pigments may function to absorb UV radiation and protect internal structures from photochemically induced damage.
Effect of heparin on bone formation in cultured fetal rat calvaria

To assess the effects of heparin on bone formation we measured [3H]proline incorporation into collagenase-digestible (CDP) and noncollagen protein (NCP), [3H]thymidine (TdR) incorporation into DNA, and DNA content in 21-day-old fetal rat calvaria cultured in BGJ medium with bovine serum albumin for 24–96 hours. Heparin at 5–125 μg/ml decreased TdR incorporation by 26–51% at 24 and 96 hours. At 96 hours, heparin 5, 25, and 125 μg/ml decreased [3H]proline incorporation into CDP by 41, 48, and 32%, respectively, with no significant change in NCP. To evaluate the possible role of PGE2 in these inhibitory responses, media PGE2 concentration was measured and the effects of heparin on CDP labeling and DNA synthesis were tested in the presence of indomethacin, piroxicam, and flurbiprofen to inhibit endogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and in the presence of a high concentration (10−7 M) of exogenous PGE2. Heparin did not alter PGE2 production at 24 hours but at 48 hours there was a significant reduction. At 96 hours, indomethacin (10−6 M) inhibited [3H]proline incorporation into CDP by 38% but had no effect on the labeling of NCP. Heparin had no further significant inhibitory effect in the presence of indomethacin. Piroxicam and flurbiprofen did not alter DNA content and had a smaller inhibitory effect than indomethacin on the labeling of CDP. Moreover, addition of heparin produced a further inhibition of CDP and DNA content and finally, heparin decreased CDP labeling by 71% in the presence of PGE2. We conclude that heparin has direct inhibitory effects on DNA and collagen synthesis, which could play a role in heparin-induced osteoporosis. The mechanism by which heparin decreases collagen and DNA synthesis appears to be largely unrelated to its effect to decrease PGE2 production.
Light chain-dependent myosin structural dynamics in solution investigated by transient electrical birefringence.

The technique of transient electrical birefringence was used to compare some of the electric and structural dynamic properties of myosin subfragment 1 (S1(elc, rlc)), which has both the essential and regulatory light chains bound, to S1(elc), which has only an essential light chain. The rates of rotational Brownian motion indicate that S1(elc, rlc) is larger, as expected. The permanent electric dipole moment of S1(elc, rlc) is also larger, indicating that the regulatory light chain portion of S1(elc, rlc) has a dipole moment and that it is aligned head-to-tail with the dipole moment of the S1(elc) portion. The permanent electric dipoles decrease with increasing ionic strength, apparently because of ion binding to surface charges. Both S1(elc, rlc) and S1(elc) have intrinsic segmental flexibility, as detected by the ability to selectively align segments with a brief weak electric field. However, unlike S1(elc), which can be structurally distorted by the action of a brief strong electric field, S1(elc, rlc) is stiffer and cannot be distorted by fields as high as 7800 V/cm applied to its approximately 8000 D permanent electric dipole moment. The S1 . MgADP . Pi analog S1 . MgADP . Vi is smaller than S1 . MgADP, for both S1(elc, rlc) and S1(elc). Interestingly, the smaller, stiffer S1(elc, rlc) . MgADP . Vi complex retains intrinsic segmental flexibility. These results are discussed within a framework of current hypotheses of force-producing mechanisms that involve S1 segmental motion and/or the loss of cross-bridge flexibility during force production.
Tolosa‐hunt syndrome: A case with associated facial nerve palsy

A 54-year-old man developed a painful right third nerve palsy with signs of involvement of the first two divisions of the trigeminal nerve and, later, ipsilateral peripheral facial nerve weakness. A cavernous sinus venogram demonstrated narrowing of the third portion of the right ophthalmic vein and poor filling of the adjacent cavernous sinus. Resolution occurred with steroid therapy. The Tolosa-Hunt syndrome may be a variant of a larger syndrome of recurrent multiple cranial polyneuropathies without identifiable cause.
Anxiety in Palliative Care Patients

SUMMARYAnxiety is a common response to life limiting disease, but it can be pathological. Several different disorders are classified as anxiety and therapy for them varies. Potential underlying etiologies and presentations anxiety are discussed. Non-pharmacological therapies and drug therapy for anxiety in palliative care are described. Evaluation instruments that have been used for this symptom are described. Some open research questions are listed. Evidence tables and drug therapy tables which include drug costs are presented.
Examination of the DNA substrate selectivity of DNA cytosine methyltransferases using mass tagging

The biological significance of cytosine methylation is as yet incompletely understood, but substantial and growing evidence strongly suggests that perturbation of methylation patterns, resulting from the infidelity of DNA cytosine methyltransferase, is an important component of the development of human cancer. We have developed a novel in vitro assay that allows us to quantitatively determine the DNA substrate preferences of cytosine methylases. This approach, which we call mass tagging, involves the labeling of target cytosine residues in synthetic DNA duplexes with stable isotopes, such as (15)N. Methylation is then measured by the formation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The DNA substrate selectivity is determined from the mass spectrum of the product 5mC. With the non-symmetrical duplex DNA substrate examined in this study we find that the bacterial methyltransferase HPA:II (duplex DNA recognition sequence CCGG) methylates the one methylatable cytosine of each strand similarly. Introduction of an A-C mispair at the methylation site shifts methylation exclusively to the mispaired cytosine residue. In direct competition assays with HPA:II methylase we observe that the mispaired substrate is methylated more extensively than the fully complementary, normal substrate, although both have one HPA:II methylation site. Through the use of this approach we will be able to learn more about the mechanisms by which methylation patterns can become altered.
A wide-band high-resolution spectrum analyzer

A two-million-channel 40-MHz-bandwidth, digital spectrum analyzer is described. Its synchronization and configuration control are discussed. The two-million-point matrix discrete Fourier transform at the core of the analyzer, which transforms the time-domain input signal into the frequency domain, is examined. The real-adjust stage and frequency-domain processing modules are also highlighted. The analyzer system will serve as a prototype processor for the sky survey portion of NASA's search for extraterrestrial intelligence program and for other applications in the deep space network. >
Intensity of sexual selection along the anisogamy–isogamy continuum

Research into the evolution of giant sperm has uncovered a paradox within the foundations of sexual selection theory. Postcopulatory sexual selection on males (that is, sperm competition and cryptic female choice) can lead to decreased sperm numbers by favouring the production of larger sperm. However, a decline in sperm numbers is predicted to weaken selection on males and increase selection on females. As isogamy is approached (that is, as investment per gamete by males approaches that by females), sperm become less abundant, ova become relatively less rare, and competition between males for fertilization success is predicted to weaken. Sexual selection for longer sperm, therefore, is expected to be self limiting. Here we examine this paradox in Drosophila along the anisogamy-isogamy continuum using intraspecific experimental evolution techniques and interspecific comparative techniques. Our results confirm the big-sperm paradox by showing that the sex difference in sexual selection gradients decreases as sperm size increases. However, a resolution to the paradox is provided when this finding is interpreted in concert with the 'opportunity for selection' and the 'opportunity for sexual selection'. Furthermore, we show that most of the variation in measures of selection intensity is explained by sperm length and relative investment in sperm production.
SAW sensor for fastener failure detection

The proof of concept for using surface acoustic wave (SAW) strain sensors in the detection of aircraft fastener failures is demonstrated. SAW sensors were investigated because they have the potential for the development of passive wireless systems. The SAW devices employed four orthogonal frequency coding (OFC) spread spectrum reflectors in two banks on a high temperature piezoelectric substrate. Three SAW devices were attached to a cantilever panel with removable side stiffeners. Damage in the form of fastener failure was simulated by removal of bolts from the side stiffeners. During testing, three different force conditions were used to simulate static aircraft structural response under loads. The design of the sensor, the panel arrangement and the panel testing results are reported. The results show that the sensors successfully detected single fastener failure at distances up to 54.6 cm from the failure site under loaded conditions.
Automated generation and evaluation of control programs for discrete manufacturing processes

A set of software tools is described for specifying the control and process dynamics for discrete manufacturing systems. Specifications are entered and modified in a relational database using a formalism that naturally reflects the functional components of a discrete control system. A Petri-net model of the control and process logic is extracted automatically from the database, and various analysis tools are provided to investigate the consistency and viability of the specifications. The control logic is then translated into source code for the online control computer. The specification formalism and generated control software are illustrated using a simple die-stamping example. A real-time process simulator for program verification is also described. >
Early relationships of adolescents Evaluation and observation of romantic attachment and risk behavior

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between attachment behavior, substance use, and sexual activity among adolescents in romantic relationships. Concepts from attachment theory have been proposed to explain adolescent risk behavior; however, research on adolescent attachment rarely assesses both members of the couple. A total of 21 adolescent couples (aged 15–18 years) were assessed on self-report and observed measures of romantic attachment, substance use, and sexual activity. Attachment anxiety was related to one’s own risk behavior. Self-reported attachment avoidance was also related to one’s own and his/her partner’s observed attachment behaviors. Given these results, risk prevention/intervention programs targeted toward adolescents may benefit from assessing attachment representations of adolescents, which may be related to participation in risk behavior.
Fibers from the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala selectively innervate striosomes in the caudate nucleus of the cat

The compartmental organization of the amygdalostriatal projection was studied in the cat by comparing staining patterns seen by cholinesterase enzyme histochemistry with the distribution of fibers labelled with a horseradish peroxidase-wheat germ agglutinin conjugate or by incorporation of 35S-methionine or 3H-leucine. Fibers from the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala were found to innervate selectively acetylcholinesterase-poor striosomes demonstrated in the caudate nucleus and butyrylcholinesterase-rich zones observed in the anterodorsal nucleus accumbens. In no case were the amygdalar fibers fully restricted to striosomes, but the nature and degree of labelling of the striatal matrix, as well as the range of the labelled fibers in dorsal striatum, varied with the positions of the injection sites.
Effect of chitinase and thaumatin on mycelial growth of five sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) grain molding fungi under in vitro conditions

The effects of various concentrations of chitinase, thaumatin, and their mixtures on radial mycelial growth of five grain molding fungi were studied. When compared with the control, chitinase and chitinase+thaumatin mixtures markedly reduced mycelial growth of the fungal species studied, except for Fusarium semitectum. Reductions in fungal radial mycelial growth of 65.4% for Bipolaris sp. and 61.7% for Colletotrichum graminicola were noted when these fungi were grown on half-strength-potato dextrose agar amended with chitinase. A mixture of chitinase at 50 ml L –1 +thaumatin at 37.5 mg L –1 reduced mycelial growth of Bipolaris sp. by 61.7%, C. graminicola by 56.2%, and Curvularia lunata by 44.9% when compared with the control. The levels of thaumatin used in this study were less effective in inhibiting mycelial growth, except for F. semitectum. This study for the first time showed the suppression of mycelial growth in vitro of F. thapsinum, Bipolaris sp., and C. graminicola isolated from sorghum grain.
Full-wave-based emulation of forward-looking radar target imaging in rough terrain environment

Large-scale full-wave modeling of multistatic target imaging in a rough ground environment is described. The emulation methodology employs a parallelized three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm in characterizing the near-grazing angle electromagnetic scattering from the ground surface and buried and on-surface targets in the form of landmines and unexploded ordnances (UXO); subsequent focusing of the scattered fields into an image is obtained with the time-reversal technique. The emphasis of this study is on investigating the detectability of discrete ground targets in the presence of distributed variable ground clutter as relevant to performance prediction for ultra-wideband forward-looking radar applications.
Quality of life, nutritional status and gastrointestinal hormone profile following the Whipple procedure

Pancreatic cancer is the second commonest gastrointestinal cancer, after colorectal cancer, in Canada, and most other European and North American countries. Unfortunately, most patients present with advanced locoregional or metastatic disease. For the 10-20% of patients who have localized disease, pancreatic resection is generally the preferred treatment option. Because pancreaticoduodenectomy can be performed safely in expert hands, it has become a more accepted procedure for patients with pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, it has also meant that there is increasing scrutiny of the longterm outcome of patients, especially their nutritional status and quality of life. In a study of 25 unselected patients who had a Whipple procedure at least 6 months previously and were not known to have residual or recurrent disease, patients appeared to have few gastrointestinal symptoms compared to control patients. However, none of the subjects appeared to be clinically malnourished. Dietary intake and lean body mass were comparable to that of the control group. Quality of life was excellent in these patients. The mean utilities were 0.98 and 1.0 suggesting near normal wellbeing. Similarly, results using the SIP and GIQLI suggested no/minimal impairment in general wellbeing and gastrointestinal function. Two other studies suggest that median survival and performance status are improved in patients having a resection, but it may be due to their disease being more favorable rather than the treatment being beneficial. Further studies objectively assessing the quality of life of all patients undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer at the various disease stages are required.
Prospective Coding for Objects in Primate Prefrontal Cortex

We examined neural activity in prefrontal (PF) cortex of monkeys performing a delayed paired associate task. Monkeys were cued with a sample object. Then, after a delay, a test object was presented. If the test object was the object associated with the sample during training (i.e., its target), they had to release a lever. Monkeys could bridge the delay by remembering the sample (a sensory-related code) and/or thinking ahead to the expected target (a prospective code). Examination of the monkeys' behavior suggested that they were relying on a prospective code. During and shortly after sample presentation, neural activity in the lateral PF cortex primarily reflected the sample. Toward the end of the delay, however, PF activity began to reflect the anticipated target, which indicated a prospective code. These results provide further confirmation that PF cortex does not simply buffer incoming visual inputs, but instead selectively processes information relevant to current behavioral demands, even when this information must be recalled from long-term memory.
Knowledge Transfer in Intraorganizational Networks: Effects of Network Position and Absorptive Capacity on Business Unit Innovation and Performance

Inside a multiunit organization, units can learn from each other and benefit from new knowledge developed by other units. Knowledge transfer among organizational units provides opportunities for mutual learning and interunit cooperation that stimulate the creation of new knowledge and, at the same time, contribute to organizational units' ability to innovate (e.g., Kogut & Zander, 1992; Tsai &
On k -ary n -cubes: theory and applications

Many parallel processing applications have communication patterns that can be viewed as graphs called k-ary n-cubes, whose special cases include rings, hypercubes and tori. In this paper, combinatorial properties of k-ary n-cubes are examined. In particular, the problem of characterizing the subgraph of a given number of nodes with the maximum edge count is studied. These theoretical results are then applied to compute a lower bounding function in branch-and-bound partitioning algorithms and to establish the optimality of some irregular partitions.
Detection of transvenous pacemaker and ICD lead vegetations: the ICE cold facts.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a “malignant” disease in patients with chronic implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). With rare exceptions, IE necessitates removal of the entire CIED system, including the pulse generator and the accompanying intravascular components. Extraction of CIEDs is a
Reproductive Endocrinologists' Utilization of Genetic Counselors for Oncofertility and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) Treatment of BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers.

Genetic counselors believe fertility preservation and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) discussions to be a part of their role when counseling BRCA1/2 mutation-positive patients. This study is the first to explore reproductive endocrinologists’ (REI) practices and attitudes regarding involvement of genetic counselors in the care of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers seeking fertility preservation and PGD. A survey was mailed to 1000 REIs from Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (SREI), an American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) affiliate group. A 14.5 % response rate was achieved; data was analyzed using SPSS software. The majority of participating REIs were found to recommend genetic counseling to cancer patients considering fertility preservation (82 %) and consult with a genetic counselor regarding PGD for hereditary cancer syndromes (92 %). Additionally, REIs consult genetic counselors regarding PGD patient counseling (88 %), genetic testing (78 %), and general genetics questions (66 %). Two areas genetic counselors may further aid REIs are: elicitation of family history, which is useful to determine fertility preservation and PGD intervention timing (32 % of REIs utilize a cancer family history to determine intervention timing); and, interpretation of variants of uncertain significance (VOUS) as cancer panel genetic testing becomes more common (36 % of REIs are unfamiliar with VOUS). Given our findings, the Oncofertility Consortium® created an online resource for genetic counselors focused on fertility preservation education and communication strategies.
Sums of Roots and Poles of Rational Functions

1. Light rays emitted from the point F1 (c, 0) (c > 0) strike a plane curve C and reflect back through the point F2 (-c, 0). Assuming that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, show that the differential equation xy(dy/dx)2 + (x2 c2 y2)(dy/dx) xy = 0 describes the shape of the curve C. 2. Show that for any a > 0, the curve x2/a2 + y2/(a2 c2) = 1 satisfies the equation in Exercise 1. Notice that for a > c, the curve is an ellipse with foci F1 (c, 0) and F2 (-c, 0). And for a < c the curve is a hyperbola with the same foci. 3. Discuss the uniqueness of the solutions in Exercise 2, for the differential equation in Exercise 1.
Further evidence for a role of arachidonic acid in glucocorticoid teratogenic action in the palate.

AbstractArachidonic acid produces a significant reversal of the production of cleft palate by cortisone in the offspring of sensitive strains of mice in vivo. Arachidonic acid in nanogram per milliliter concentrations also produces a significant reversal of the cortisol inhibition of the programmed cell death of the medial edge epithelium of palatal shelves in vitro. This corrective action of arachidonic acid in vitro is significantly blocked by indomethacin at a nanogram per milliliter concentration which selectively inhibits the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and/or thromboxanes at the level of cyclooxygenase. These results support the hypothesis that the inhibition of arachidonic acid release and subsequent prostaglandin and/or thromboxane production by glucocorticoids is involved in the teratogenic action of glucocorticoids and demonstrate that one site of this action is the inhibition of epithelial loss.
Cognitive Challenges to Resilience Dynamics in Managing Large-Scale Event Response

In early 2014, a number of large-scale adverse weather events in the United States (and elsewhere) have renewed discussions of event response and resilience. Unlike events caused by human error or ...
An Analysis of Court Decisions, Statutes, and Administrative Regulations Related to Pregnant Inmates

Pregnant inmates represent about 5% of females within the correctional population. Although this is a small portion of the entire inmate population, it is important to adequately address their need...
424 TESTOSTERONE EFFECTS ON MUSCLE MASS AND STRENGTH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF TRIALS IN YOUNG HYPOGONADAL MEN AND MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER MEN WITH LOW TESTOSTERONE LEVELS.

Purpose Loss of muscle mass and strength contributes to increased risk of falls and fractures, affecting our independence and quality of life. We conducted a systematic review of clinical trials to determine the effects of testosterone (T) replacement on FFM, muscle strength, and physical function in young hypogonadal men and in middle-aged and older men with low T levels. Methods In a review of randomized, placebo-controlled trials in middle-aged and older men using testosterone in replacement doses for ≥ 90 days, seven trials were found which met the inclusion criteria. In hypogonadal men, we found 15 clinical trials that used testosterone in 1,299 hypogonadal men; most of these studies were open-label trials. Odds ratios were pooled using a random effects model, assuming heterogeneous results across studies, after weighting for sample size. The Clopper-Pearson method was used to compute 95% confidence intervals. Results Testosterone replacement in middle-aged and older men was associated with a significantly greater increase in FFM (2.5 kg, 95% CI 1.5, 3.4), grip strength (3.3 kg, 95% CI 0.7, 5.8 kg) and a greater reduction in whole-body fat mass (-2.1 kg, 95% CI -3.1, -1.1) than placebo. Testosterone replacement of hypogonadal men was associated with an average 2.8 kg gain in FFM and 1.1 kg gain in body weight. Conclusions Testosterone consistently increases FFM and grip strength to a greater extent than placebo in middle-aged and older men. The studies were performed in asymptomatic men; further studies are needed to determine testosterone9s effects in older men with disability or symptomatic physical impairment. These first-generation studies do not have sufficient power to detect changes in health-related quality of life or disability.
Determination of ginsenosides in ginseng leaf tea by ultraviolet spectrophotometry

Objective To study the measurement of ginsenosides in ginseng leaf tea by ultraviolet spectrophotometry and make methodological observation.Methods Based on the contents of linear range,precision,repeatability,stability and the average recovery,the method was studied whether it was feasible.Results This method had good correlation(R2=0.999) and the linear range was 0.05-0.50 mg.The result of recovery experiment was great and the stability(RSD=0.86%) was favorable.Conclusion Using UV spectrophotometry to detect the content of ginsenosides in ginseng leaf tea is a kind of simple and accurate method.
Polyribonucleotide inhibition of ribonucleic acid directed deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase of mouse mammary tumor (type B) virus and simian sarcoma (type C) virus.

The response of the RNA-directed DNA polymerases of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) and simian sarcoma virus (SiSV) to synthetic polynucleotides is investigated in this study. Detergent-disrupted, virus-associated—as well as partially purified DNA polymerase—activities were analyzed. DNA polymerase activities from both viruses were inhibited by single-stranded polyribonucleotides. While no major qualitative differences were found, the quantitative responses of the DNA polymerases of the two viruses were different. Analysis of inihibition kinetics revealed the following order of inhibitory potency: Poly(U) > poly(I) » poly(A) for MMTV DNA polymerase and poly(I) > poly(U) » poly(A) for SiSV DNA polymerase. Poly(A) was less and poly(U) was more inhibitory for SiSV DNA polymerase when compared with MMTV DNA polymerase. In addition, MMTV DNA polymerase displayed roughly the same affinity for the template: primers poly(A):oligo(dT) and poly(C):oligo(dG). In contrast, SiSV DNA polymerase preferred poly(C):oligo(dG) over poly(A):oligo(dT).
Thirty years of fetal and neonatal physiologic measurements. Have they made a difference

Technology has been a major component of perinatal care and clinical studies for more than 30 years. Its impact on this care has been positive and negative, although true impact has yet to be assessed in many cases. This article looks at examples of this technology, some of it developed by the author and others developed by colleagues, from the perspective of engineering approaches to problems in fetal and neonatal measurements and clinical care. Technology can be an important ally in measurement and clinical care in perinatal medicine, but it can also be an advisary. Assessment is important whenever it is used.
Evaporation-induced stimulation of bacterial osmoregulation for electrical assessment of cell viability

Abstract Bacteria cells use osmoregulatory proteins as emergency valves to respond to changes in the osmotic pressure of their external environment. The existence of these emergency valves has been known since the 1960s, but they have never been used as the basis of a viability assay to tell dead bacteria cells apart from live ones. In this paper, we show that osmoregulation provides a much faster, label-free assessment of cell viability compared with traditional approaches that rely on cell multiplication (growth) to reach a detectable threshold. The cells are confined in an evaporating droplet that serves as a dynamic microenvironment. Evaporation-induced increase in ionic concentration is reflected in a proportional increase of the droplet’s osmotic pressure, which in turn, stimulates the osmoregulatory response from the cells. By monitoring the time-varying electrical conductance of evaporating droplets, bacterial cells are identified within a few minutes compared with several hours in growth-based methods. To show the versatility of the proposed method, we show detection of WT and genetically modified nonhalotolerant cells (Salmonella typhimurium) and dead vs. live differentiation of nonhalotolerant (such as Escherichia coli DH5α) and halotolerant cells (such as Staphylococcus epidermidis). Unlike the growth-based techniques, the assay time of the proposed method is independent of cell concentration or the bacteria type. The proposed label-free approach paves the road toward realization of a new class of real time, array-formatted electrical sensors compatible with droplet microfluidics for laboratory on a chip applications.
Incorporation of radioactive L-cystine and L-methionine by leukemic leukocytes in vitro.

A method is described for studying the incorporation of radioactive amino acids by leukemic leukocytes in vitro. The effects of time of incubation, concentration of amino acid, temperature, pH, oxygen tension, electrolytes, and glucose concentration on the uptake of S 35 L-cystine and S 35 L-methionine were studied. The in vitro incorporation of these amino acids appears to be an active process and not solely dependent upon simple diffusion. Reproducible results were obtained under constant conditions. The methods are suitable for studying possible therapeutic agents as well as biochemical abnormalities of leukemic leukocytes.
Examining Diffusion in the Real World

Throughout this book, we studied a variety of diffusion models that are commonly seen in the literature of computer science, physics, and biology. In this chapter, we study diffusion processes from a data-driven perspective—specifiably reviewing the early identification of information cascades that will diffuse through a large portion of the network.
Arc geometry and algebra: foliations, moduli spaces, string topology and field theory

1 The spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 The gluing and the operad structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 3 Framed little discs and the Gerstenhaber and BV Structures . . . . . . . . . 23 4 Moduli space, the Sullivan–PROP and (framed) little discs . . . . . . . . . . 35 5 Stops, Stabilization and the Arc spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 6 Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 7 Open/Closed version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 A Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Why Would Bond Referenda Ever Fail? Do They?

Local bond referenda provide the best available information to test whether agenda setters prefer higher levels of public investment than do the voters. This study examines the entire population of local bond referenda in Ohio from 1963 through 1987. The results do tend to support the hypothesis that agenda setters attempt to raise expenditures above the level preferred by the median voter. Although about half of all referenda fail, most projects eventually pass–as is predicted by the hypothesis of expenditure maximization.
The Role of National Culture and Corruption on Managing Earnings around the World

Earnings management involves having and using managerial discretion to make choices about how to treat certain financial items which may result in distorting the actual financial performance of the...
Long-Term Research in Ecology and Evolution (LTREE): 2015 survey data

To systematically assess views on contributions and future activities for long-term research in ecology and evolution (LTREE), we conducted and here provide data responses and associated metadata for a survey of ecological and evolutionary scientists. The survey objectives were to: 1) Identify and prioritize research questions that are important to address through long-term, ecological field experiments; and 2) Understand the role that these experiments might play in generating and applying ecological and evolutionary knowledge. The survey was developed adhering to the standards of the American Association for Public Opinion Research. It was administered online using Qualtrics Survey Software. Survey creation was a multi-step process, with questions and format developed and then revised with, for example, input from an external advisory committee comprising senior and junior ecological and evolutionary researchers. The final questionnaire was released to ~100 colleagues to ensure functionality and then fielded two days later (January 7th 2015). Two professional societies distributed it to their membership, including the Ecological Society of America, and it was posted to three list serves. The questionnaire was available through February 8th 2015 and completed by 1,179 respondents. The distribution approach targeted practicing ecologists and evolutionary biologists in the U.S. Quantitative (both ordinal and categorical) closed-ended questions used a pre-defined set of response categories, facilitating direct comparison across all respondents. Qualitative, open-ended questions, provided respondents the opportunity to develop their own answers. We employed quantitative questions to score views on the extent to which long-term experimental research has contributed to understanding in ecology and evolutionary biology; its role compared to other approaches (e.g. short-term experiments); justifications for and caveats to long-term experiments; and the relative importance of incentives for conducting long-term research. Qualitative questions were used to assess community views on the most important topics and questions for long-term research to address, and primary incentives and challenges to realizing this work. Finally, demographic data were collected to determine if views were conditional on such things as years of experience and field of expertise. The final questionnaire and all responses are provided for unrestricted use. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Differential Effects of Linkers on the Activity of Amphiphilic Tobramycin Antifungals

As the threat associated with fungal infections continues to rise and the availability of antifungal drugs remains a concern, it becomes obvious that the need to bolster the antifungal armamentarium is urgent. Building from our previous findings of tobramycin (TOB) derivatives with antifungal activity, we further investigate the effects of various linkers on the biological activity of these aminoglycosides. Herein, we analyze how thioether, sulfone, triazole, amide, and ether functionalities affect the antifungal activity of alkylated TOB derivatives against 22 Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus species. We also evaluate their impact on the hemolysis of murine erythrocytes and the cytotoxicity against mammalian cell lines. While the triazole linker appears to confer optimal activity overall, all of the linkers incorporated into the TOB derivatives resulted in compounds that are very effective against the Cryptococcus neoformans species, with MIC values ranging from 0.48 to 3.9 μg/mL.
A Mathematical and Cognitive Training Application for Children with Autism: A System Prototype

Some empirical studies showed that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have similar mathematical competences compared to their typically developing (TD) peers, but deficits in social communication or interaction skills. To date, a number of commercial applications are available to children with ASD for practicing mathematical and cognitive skills, yet few of them intended to promote social interaction and equipped with analytical tools for evaluating their cognitive and social development. Our current project aims to fill this void by developing an educational tabletop application to strengthen the capabilities of mathematics and cognition for children with autism. It provides several practices on counting, recognition, and measurements and could be played either alone or together with other children. It could also serve as edutainment tools to lessens the burden of special education teachers from repeatedly teaching mathematical and cognitive knowledge.
Multilevel structural equation modeling-based quasi-experimental synthetic cohort design

This paper provides a theoretical foundation to examine the effectiveness of post-hoc adjustment approaches such as propensity score matching in reducing the selection bias of synthetic cohort design (SCD) for causal inference and program evaluation. Compared with the Solomon four-group design, the SCD often encounters selection bias due to the imbalance of covariates between the two cohorts. The efficiency of SCD is ensured by the historical equivalence of groups (HEoG) assumption, indicating the comparability between the two cohorts. The multilevel structural equation modeling framework is used to define the HEoG assumption. According to the mathematical proof, HEoG ensures that the use of SCD results in an unbiased estimator of the schooling effect. Practical considerations and suggestions for future research and use of SCD are discussed.
Rhabdomyosarcoma in Children and Adolescents: A Review

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a complex, highly malignant tumor of children and adolescents that arises from embryonal mesenchyme with the potential of differentiating to skeletal muscle. Presenting deceptively as a small lump under the skin or in a more occult location, this tumor grows persistently by local extension and metastasizes by lymph nodes and blood stream to more distant sites. During the past 20 years, a multidisciplinary approach has been promoted that has led to accurate histopathologic testing, staging, and multimodality therapy with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy to control local and metastatic disease. Many investigators have contributed to this progress, which has resulted in a dramatic increase in the overall survival rate to 55 per cent for the entire group of 686 patients on the IRS-I study.