cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human tropomyosin isoforms in the regulation of cytoskeleton functions.

Over the past two decades, extensive molecular studies have identified multiple tropomyosin isoforms existing in all mammalian cells and tissues. In humans, tropomyosins are encoded by TPM1 (α-Tm, 15q22.1), TPM2 (β-Tm, 9p13.2–p13.1), TPM3 (γ-Tm, 1q21.2) and TPM4 (δ-Tm, 19p13.1) genes. Through the use of different promoters, alternatively spliced exons and different sites of poly(A) addition signals, at least 22 different tropomyosin cDNAs with full-length open reading frame have been cloned. Compelling evidence suggests that these isoforms play important determinants for actin cytoskeleton functions, such as intracellular vesicle movement, cell migration, cytokinesis, cell proliferation and apoptosis. In vitro biochemical studies and in vivo localization studies suggest that different tropomyosin isoforms have differences in their actin-binding properties and their effects on other actin-binding protein functions and thus, in their specification of actin microfilaments. In this chapter, we will review what has been learned from experimental studies on human tropomyosin isoforms about the mechanisms for differential localization and functions of tropomyosin. First, we summarize current information concerning human tropomyosin isoforms and relate this to the functions of structural homologues in rodents. We will discuss general strategies for differential localization of tropomyosin isoforms, particularly focusing on differential protein turnover and differential isoform effects on other actin binding protein functions. We will then review tropomyosin functions in regulating cell motility and in modulating the anti-angiogenic activity of cleaved high molecular weight kininogen (HKa) and discuss future directions in this area.
Missing Teeth: Reviewing the Sociology of Oral Health and Healthcare

Both the US Surgeon General and the World Health Organization have called for further social scientific research on the social determinants of oral health. Oral disease can have detrimental effects on quality of life, having been linked with physical, mental, and social impairments. This article reviews the recent literature pertaining to the sociology of oral health and healthcare. The purpose of this review is to summarize and revive a necessary field. In order to maintain a focus on the United States and expand into other social science disciplines, relevant anthropological works were also included. The review discusses five key areas in both the sociology and anthropology of oral health. Of the 25 included articles, research maintained a focus on the dental profession, the construction of oral health, the mouth and the social self, social factors in dental care, and cultural assumptions of oral health. While the reviewed studies have aided in closing the gap, much of the research has been conducted outside of the United States, has used oral health as a case study for larger arguments, and has not considered the role of social inequality. Future research is necessary to more fully frame oral health and healthcare in society.
Unidentified Industries: Australia 2014

This exercise helps students understand how different business characteristics are reflected in financial statements (balance sheets, income statements, and financial ratios). In this particular exercise, students are given balance sheet data in percentage form (common-size balance sheets) and other selected financial ratios for a set of 12 unidentified firms from 12 different industries (all 12 companies are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, ASX). Students must use the balance sheet data and the financial ratios along with their basic knowledge of the operating characteristics of these various industries to match each firm to the correct industry. The goals are to learn about the major components of balance sheets, and how to calculate and interpret commonly-used financial ratios.
Acyl Carrier Protein: Effects of Acetylation and Tryptic Hydrolysis on Function in Fatty Acid Synthesis

Acetylation of the four lysine residues and the amino group of the terminal serine residue of Escherichia coli acyl carrier protein has no effect on the ability of this protein to function in fatty acid synthesis. Subsequent trypsin hydrolysis resulting in complete inactivation cleaves a single arginyl peptide bond, releasing the amino terminal hexapeptide from the molecule.
A conserved water-mediated hydrogen bond network defines bosutinib's kinase selectivity

Kinase inhibitors are important cancer drugs, but they tend to display limited target specificity, and their target profiles are often challenging to rationalize in terms of molecular mechanism. Here we report that the clinical kinase inhibitor bosutinib recognizes its kinase targets by engaging a pair of conserved structured water molecules in the active site and that many other kinase inhibitors share a similar recognition mechanism. Using the nitrile group of bosutinib as an infrared probe, we show that the gatekeeper residue and one other position in the ATP-binding site control access of the drug to the structured water molecules and that the amino acids found at these positions account for the kinome-wide target spectrum of the drug. Our work highlights the importance of structured water molecules for inhibitor recognition, reveals a new role for the kinase gatekeeper and showcases an effective approach for elucidating the molecular origins of selectivity patterns.
Properties of a composite Higgs particle in a dynamically broken formulation of the standard model.

We suggest that dynamical breakdown of electroweak symmetry in an SU(3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1) model of a single fermion family without fundamental scalars can reproduce the entire scalar sector of the standard model through fermion bound states and loop-induced couplings. The physical Higgs boson is essentially a tt\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} bound state. The top-quark and Higgs-boson masses are approximately 300 and 400 GeV, respectively. The strengths of the induced couplings among the scalars do not indicate a strongly interacting scalar sector.
Analyzing highly variable potency data using a linear mixed-effects measurement error model

A house standard lot is tested along with experimental samples in a variable TCID50 assay in order to monitor and control assay performance. Instead of being simply a control, it is proposed to use this lot as a calibration standard to reduce the systematic variability in the assay caused by acknowledged sources of variability such as the age of the cells used in the assay and interlaboratory differences. Because of this new proposal, the consistency of the relationship between the test sample and the house standard is assessed within the acceptance range of the house standard. A linear mixed-effects measurement error model is proposed for the data. The slope curve is then used to assess the dynamic relationship between the sample and the house standard within the house standard range. It is shown with these analyses that the sample and the house standard have uniformly good agreement within the house standard range.
Using Self-Assembled Monolayers To Understand α8β1-Mediated Cell Adhesion to RGD and FEI Motifs in Nephronectin

Nephronectin is an extracellular matrix protein that interacts with the α8β1 integrin receptor and plays a role in tissue and organ development, though the motifs that mediate adhesion to the receptor remain unclear. This paper describes the use of self-assembled monolayers to study the adhesion of α8β1-presenting cells to the RGD and DLFEIFEIER ligands in nephronectin and found that both ligands can independently mediate cell adhesion through nonoverlapping binding sites on the integrin. Peptide truncation experiments showed FEI to be the minimal binding sequence within the DLFEIFEIER sequence, and adhesion experiments with peptides that include both the RGD and FEI sequences demonstrate that the two peptides bind synergistically to the receptor. Finally, a peptide array was used to establish a strict requirement for the glutamate residue of FEI and tolerance of other aromatic and hydrophobic residues in the first and third positions, respectively. This work provides an enhanced understanding of the bind...
Thermal tuning of mid-infrared plasmonic antenna arrays using a phase change material

We demonstrate that the resonances of infrared plasmonic antennas can be tuned or switched on/off by taking advantage of the thermally driven insulator-to-metal phase transition in vanadium dioxide (VO2). Y-shaped antennas were fabricated on a 180 nm film of VO2 deposited on a sapphire substrate, and their resonances were shown to depend on the temperature of the VO2 film in proximity of its phase transition, in good agreement with full-wave simulations. We achieved tunability of the resonance wavelength of approximately 10% (>1 μm at λ∼10 μm).
A case for compositional file systems (extended abstract)

This article presents a case for compositional file systems (CFSs). The CFS is designed using the end-to-end argument; the basic file system attributes, therefore, are independent of the user requirements. The CFS is designed as a functionally compositional, structurally distributed, and dynamically extendible file system. The article also discusses the advantages and implementation alternatives for such file systems, and outlines possible applications.
Effects of rivastigmine on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Background : The presence of certain behavioral and psychological symptoms (eg, paranoia, hallucinations, aggression, activity disturbances) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) may predict faster cognitive and functional decline; therefore, such symptoms represent an important treatment target. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) may be caused at least in part by cholinergic deficits. Regulatory studies of rivastigmine in AD were not designed to evaluate effects on BPSD, but further investigation of rivastigmine in AD was prompted by later studies demonstrating behavioral benefits in other types of dementia. Objective : The primary aim of this article was to review available data on the behavioral benefits of rivastigmine in patients with AD. Methods : Relevant data were identified through a MEDLINE search for studies published in peer-reviewed journals through January 2004. The search terms were Alzheimer, behavior, psychosis , and rivastigmine . Data presented at international scientific congresses were also reviewed to ensure that the most recent data were considered. Results : A meta-analysis of three 6-month, placebo-controlled trials of rivastigmine in mild to moderate AD indicated that rivastigmine 6 to 12 mg/d may improve or prevent disruptive BPSD ( P P Conclusions : The available dats suggest that rivastigmine may be a well-tolerated treatment option for improving or preventing psychotic and nonpsychotic symptoms associated with AD. Prospective, double-blind studies are needed to evaluate these preliminary findings.
Cyclotron resonant scattering in the spectra of gamma-ray bursts

Data on the GB880205 gamma-ray bursts are presented that have implications for the nature of gamma-ray burst sources. It is shown that cyclotron resonant scattering and Raman scattering account well for the positions, strengths, and shapes of the relative strengths of the first and second harmonics and their narrow widths. These results imply the existence of a superstrong (B of about 2 x 10 to the 12th G) magnetic field in the vicinity of the X-ray emission region of GB880205. Such a superstrong magnetic field points to a strongly magnetic neutron star as the origin of gamma-ray bursts, and to the fact that the gamma-ray sources belong to the Galaxy. 59 refs.
Sudden paradoxic clinical deterioration during angioplasty of the occluded right coronary artery in acute myocardial infarction

The beneficial versus detrimental effects of emergency coronary angioplasty for achieving myocardial reperfusion remain controversial. We studied 83 consecutive patients treated with angioplasty of occluded (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial [TIMID grade 0 or 1 flow) infarct-related arteries. Seventy patients had unsuccessful intravenous thrombolytic therapy and subsequently had rescue angioplasty and 13 patients had direct angioplasty without prior thrombolytic therapy. Forty-six patients had occlusion of the right coronary artery and 37 of the left anterior descending coronary artery. These two patient groups were similar with respect to age, percent of men, history of prior myocardial infarction, known cardiac risk factors and elapsed time from onset of chest pain to reperfusion. Angioplasty was initially successful in achieving TIMI grade 2 or 3 flow in 87% of right coronary artery occlusions and 92% of left anterior descending artery occlusions (p = 0.47). At 1 week follow-up catheterization, vessel patency was 63% for right coronary and 85% for left anterior descending infarct-related arteries (p = 0.03). Patients with right coronary artery occlusion had a higher incidence of life-threatening complications during angioplasty than did patients with left anterior descending artery occlusion (p = 0.002) including, respectively: 1) the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 16% versus 0% (p = 0.02), 2) sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation requiring electric cardioversion in 9% versus 3% (p = 0.33), and 3) sustained hypotension requiring inotropic agents or balloon pump therapy in 11% versus 3% (p = 0.16). The in-hospital mortality rate was 13% in patients with right versus 3% in patients with left anterior descending artery occlusion (p = 0.09), and hypoxic brain damage was seen in 4% in those with right versus 0% in those with left anterior descending artery occlusion (p = 0.20). The mechanisms of the high complication rate in patients with acute right coronary artery angioplasty may involve the Bezold-Jarisch reflex or distal embolization of thrombus. These findings suggest that particular caution needs to be exercised when applying mechanical reperfusion strategies to patients with acute right coronary artery occlusion.
Multigenic control of measles vaccine immunity mediated by polymorphisms in measles receptor, innate pathway, and cytokine genes

Measles infection and vaccine response are complex biological processes that involve both viral and host genetic factors. We have previously investigated the influence of genetic polymorphisms on vaccine immune response, including measles vaccines, and have shown that polymorphisms in HLA, cytokine, cytokine receptor, and innate immune response genes are associated with variation in vaccine response but do not account for all of the inter-individual variance seen in vaccinated populations. In the current study we report the findings of a multigenic analysis of measles vaccine immunity, indicating a role for the measles virus receptor CD46, innate pattern-recognition receptors (DDX58, TLR2, 4, 5, 7 and 8) and intracellular signaling intermediates (MAP3K7, NFKBIA), and key antiviral molecules (VISA, OAS2, MX1, PKR) as well as cytokines (IFNA1, IL4, IL6, IL8, IL12B) and cytokine receptor genes (IL2RB, IL6R, IL8RA) in the genetic control of both humoral and cellular immune responses. This multivariate approach provided additional insights into the genetic control of measles vaccine responses over and above the information gained by our previous univariate SNP association analyses.
On microstructural control of near-threshold fatigue crack growth in 7000-series aluminum alloys

Abstract : Fatigue crack growth rate data for 7000-series aluminum alloys can be approximated with a multilinear form, when plotted in conventional logarithmic coordinates over a sufficiently broad spectrum of delta K. Each transition point in the growth-rate curve appears to be associated with a specific microstructural feature that can serve as a barrier to slip-band transmission, in accord with the cyclic plastic zone model of fatigue crack growth. Evidence strongly suggests that transition to the threshold for fatigue crack growth is controlled by dispersoid particles. (Author)
Implications for social security policy-making of research in mortality.

The main purpose of this article is to outline the relationship between mortality research and policy-making in social security. Reasons are first discussed as to why more information is needed for social security purposes on how and why mortality varies over time periods and across population groups. There follows a synopsis of the correspondence between the type of policy question asked and the kind of research required to answer it. The paper concludes with a discussion of the incorporation of mortality research into policy models. The geographic focus is on the United States. (EXCERPT)
Microhardness-fracture studies: High alumina cement systems

Abstract Microhardness and fracture parameters of several high alumina cement paste systems containing varying proportions of hexagonal and cubic phases have been determined using single edge-notched flexural specimens from each system. Specimens were conditioned and tested at 11% RH in a specially constructed environmental chamber. Data demonstrated dependence of the fracture parameters on microhardness. Effect of morphology and other microstructural features on fracture in HAC paste is also discussed. Some evidence supporting argument for the validity of applying linear-elastic fracture mechanics in studying fracture in brittle cementitious systems is presented.
An extended Kalman filter for ammonia coverage ratio and capacity estimations in the application of Diesel engine SCR control and onboard diagnosis

Ammonia, as the reductant to convert NOx to nitrogen molecules in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, plays an important role in Diesel engine SCR control. To achieve a sophisticated SCR control, the presence of ammonia in the SCR should be precisely monitored. Ammonia sensor for gaseous concentration measurement has been available recently. However, ammonia can also be adsorbed on the SCR substrate which is unmeasurable but dominates the NOx reduction dynamics. And also the catalyst ammonia storage capacity serves as an important factor for the judgment of SCR catalyst aging. In this paper, an observer for SCR catalyst ammonia coverage ratio and storage capacity estimations is designed based on an extended Kalman filter (EKF). Simulation results verify that the EKF-based observer can estimate both the states well.
Church Attendance and Marital Commitment Beliefs of Undergraduate Women

Marital commitment between spouses has been found to be an important predictor of successful marriages. Beliefs about marital commitment among never-married young adults are of interest because of their probable influence on subsequent marital behaviors. The current study examined social-cognitive processes; specifically, religiousness, locus-of-control beliefs, and gender role attitudes, in the prediction of marital commitment beliefs among 294 undergraduate never-married women. We found that higher religiousness and lower chance locus of control were significantly correlated with stronger marital commitment beliefs. Multiple regression analyses revealed that religiousness was the best predictor of marital commitment beliefs in this sample. Social learning processes are implicated in the development of marital commitment beliefs. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.
Adsorption/Desorption Behavior of Ethanol Steam Reforming Reactants and Intermediates over Supported Cobalt Catalysts

The interactions of reactants and intermediates with the surfaces in ethanol steam reforming over Co catalysts supported on ZrO2 and CeO2 were investigated using Temperature Programmed Desorption, Thermogravimetric Analysis-Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA-DSC), in situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and isotopic labeling techniques. Possible mechanistic steps are proposed that lead to acetaldehyde and acetone formation, steam reforming and coking. The role of the support versus active metal (i.e., Co) and the involvement of water in the reaction network are discussed. The interactions of reactants and intermediates with the surfaces were investigated in ethanol steam reforming over Co catalysts supported on ZrO2 and CeO2 were investigated using Temperature Programmed Desorption, Thermogravimetric Analysis-Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA-DSC), in situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and isotopic labeling techniques.
Dynamic slicing long running programs through execution fast forwarding

Fixing runtime bugs in long running programs using trace based analyses such as dynamic slicing was believed to be prohibitively expensive. In this paper, we present a novel execution fast forwarding technique that makes this feasible. While a naive solution is to divide the entire execution by checkpoints, and then apply dynamic slicing enabled by tracing to one checkpoint interval at a time, it is still too costly even with state-of-the-art tracing techniques. Our technique is derived from two key observations. The first one is that long running programs are usually driven by events, which has been taken advantage of by checkpointing/replaying techniques to deterministically replay an execution from the event log. The second observation is that all the events are not relevant to replaying a particular part of the execution, in which the programmer suspects an error happened. We develop a slicing-like technique that can be used to prune irrelevant events from the event log. Driven by the reduced log, the replayed execution is now traced for fault location. This replayed execution has the effect of fast forwarding, i.e the amount of executed instructions is significantly reduced without losing the accuracy of reproducing a failure. Our evaluation shows that skipping irrelevant events can reduce the space requirement for dynamic slicing by factors ranging from 72 to 44490. We also describe how checkpointing and tracing enabled dynamic slicing are combined, which we believe is the first attempt to integrate these two techniques. Finally, the dynamic slices of a set of reported bugs for long running programs are studied to show the effectiveness of dynamic slicing.
A Simple Necessary and Sufficient Condition on Physically Realizable Mueller Matrices

Abstract Development of simple tools to test physical realizability of measured or computed Mueller matrices is the subject of this paper. In particular, the overpolarization problem, i.e., the problem of ensuring that the output degree of polarization does not exceed unity is solved by finding an easily implementable necessary and sufficient condition. With G being the Lorentz metric, it states that a given matrix M is not overpolarizing if and only if the spectrum of GM T GM is real and an eigenvector associated with the largest eigenvalue is a physical Stokes vector. This result is used to characterize some M classes of special interest, and is used to test several examples from recent literature.
Persistent spectral hole burning studies in europium doped sodium silicate and borosilicate glasses

Abstract Spectroscopic studies confirmed the coexistence of Eu3+ and Eu2+ in sodium silicate and borosilicate glasses doped with europium. Persistent spectral hole burning was observed up to room temperature. Multiple hole burning was possible with moderate laser powers. When the glass composition was modified by adding 4–5% yttrium oxide, hole retention capability, hole burning efficiency and hole density also increased in both silicate and borosilicate glasses. Hole burning is due to a charge exchange between the Eu3+ and its environment. Certain defect centers, which were identified by electron spin resonance measurements, contributed to the formation of stable holes in the borosilicate glass.
Mitochondrial bioenergetics is defective in presymptomatic Tg2576 AD mice.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related dementia, with the pathological hallmarks of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, brain atrophy and loss of synaptic terminals. Dysfunctional mitochondrial bioenergetics is implicated as a contributing factor to the cognitive decline observed in AD. We hypothesized that, in the presence of the AD neurotoxic peptide beta-amyloid, mitochondrial respiration is impaired early in synaptic terminals, which are vital to cognitive performance, preferentially in cognitive centers of the brain. We compared oxygen consumption in synaptosomal and perikaryal mitochondria prepared from the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of wild type (WT) and AD transgenic Tg2576 mice. Compared to WT mice, Tg2576 mice showed decreased mitochondrial respiration in the cerebral cortex specifically in synaptosomal fraction, while the perikaryal mitochondria were unaffected. Neither mitochondrial fraction was affected in the cerebellum of Tg2576 mice as compared to WT. The occurrence of a bioenergetic defect in synaptic terminals of mice overexpressing mutant beta-amyloid, in particular in an area of the brain important to cognition, points to an early role of mitochondrial defects in the onset of cognitive deficits in AD.
Pleading Guilty in Lower Courts

The simple logic of plea bargaining is so compelling that it is now often taken for granted, with the result that its value as an explanation is diminished. Differences among a host of distinct practices may be obscured or ignored when they are lumped together under this single term. This comment examines the practice of pleading guilty to petty offenses in lower courts and questions some of the long-standing assumptions about the dynamics of that process. It shows that though plea bargaining of the classical type rarely occurs, the term itself and certain aspects of bargaining continue to serve important symbolic functions. In the conventional view of plea bargaining, the defendant extracts concessions, either the reduction of charges or sentence recommendation, in exchange for pleading guilty. This view is based on the assumption that, in the absence of such concessions, the defendant will go to trial. However, many defendants in lower criminal courts never seriously contemplate trial, although they do plead guilty. The question is why? The virtual absence of trials in lower courts is no doubt partially attributable to the concessions just mentioned, but this is an incomplete answer for such a widespread phenomenon. A more important reason for the absence of trials in the lower courts lies in the economics of the process. If the state's case is weak, the prosecutor is quite likely to drop the charges-contrary to myth-and in many jurisdictions about as many arrests are disposed of in this manner as are handled through guilty pleas. Of those convicted on original misdemeanor charges, few end up serving time in jail. The typical outcome is a suspended jail sentence together with probation or a fine. By comparison, the time, effort, and expense of going to trial are overwhelming. To illustrate, a private attorney may charge $200 or more per day to conduct a trial, yet few fines exceed $50. Prosecutors are aware of this; they know that, for all practical purposes, defendant threats to go to trial are usually hollow and will only rarely be carried out. In fact, trials in the lower courts are so infrequent that some prosecutors and judges regard them as a welcome change of pace, an unusual
Cultural scripts: the home‐school connection

The combination of important elements that form the way a person views the world, behaves, and thinks is called that person's script for living. Groups of people view the world, behave, and have cognitive styles in common, thus, there are ethnic and national scripts. Individuals begin to develop scripts from birth from their parents, caregivers, and significant others. As young children develop, they extract scripts from their own experiences and from their habitual acts. Hence, scripts or “mental maps” give meaning to experiences, and this substructure forms the basis on which parents and teachers can build with instruction. Scripts both teach and enable learning to make sense. Given the potency of scripts, it makes sense that appropriate educational experiences must incorporate and reflect each child's cultural scripts in order to be effective.
Pharmacokinetic analysis of percutaneous absorption; evidence of parallel penetration pathways for methotrexate

Compartmental models were developed to describe the penetration of a drug from a topically applied vehicle through the skin. Data for in vitro penetration of methotrexate through hairless mouse skin from vehicles varying in PH from 3.5 to 6.5 were computer- fitted to estimate model parameters. Comparison of lag time and the exponential coefficient suggested that parallel penetration pathways exist. The fraction of drug penetrating through the shunt pathway increased as vehicle pH and ionization increased. Penetration curves were quantitatively partitioned into bulk tissue and shunt contributions. At pH 6.5, flux through the shunt pathway predominated.
The 23 S rRNA environment of ribosomal protein L9 in the 50 S ribosomal subunit.

Ribosomal protein L9 consists of two globular alpha/beta domains separated by a nine-turn alpha-helix. We examined the rRNA environment of L9 by chemical footprinting and directed hydroxyl radical probing. We reconstituted L9, or individual domains of L9, with L9-deficient 50 S subunits, or with deproteinized 23 S rRNA. A footprint was identified in domain V of 23 S rRNA that was mainly attributable to N-domain binding. Fe(II) was tethered to L9 via cysteine residues introduced at positions along the alpha-helix and in the C-domain, and derivatized proteins were reconstituted with L9-deficient subunits. Directed hydroxyl radical probing targeted regions of domains I, III, IV, and V of 23 S rRNA, reinforcing the view that 50 S subunit architecture is typified by interwoven rRNA domains. There was a striking correlation between the cleavage patterns from the Fe(II) probes attached to the alpha-helix and their predicted orientations, constraining both the position and orientation of L9, as well as the arrangement of specific elements of 23 S rRNA, in the 50 S subunit.
Kinetic aspects of the thermal degradation of poly(dimethyl siloxane) and poly(dimethyl diphenyl siloxane)

The kinetics of degradation of polysiloxanes with different starting chemistries is reported in this paper. The polymers used in the study were vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and poly(diphenyl-dimethyl)siloxane (3.5 and 25% diphenyl content, DP-3.5 and DP-25). These polymers were inert pyrolyzed under isothermal conditions at temperatures from 325 to 400 � C for 5 h. Additionally, these polymers were pyrolyzed under dynamic heating (rate 6.25 � C/min) up to 925 � C. The kinetic rate constants were calculated for each of the polymers, from both isothermal TGA and dynamic, non-isothermal TGA. The Van Krevelen and Coats-Redfern methods of analysis were used for calculating the energy of activation from dynamic TGA. The various analysis
Use of human embryonic stem cells to model pediatric gliomas with H3.3K27M histone mutation

Over 70% of diffuse intrinsic pediatric gliomas, an aggressive brainstem tumor, harbor heterozygous mutations that create a K27M amino acid substitution (methionine replaces lysine 27) in the tail of histone H3.3. The role of the H3.3K27M mutation in tumorigenesis is not fully understood. Here, we use a human embryonic stem cell system to model this tumor. We show that H3.3K27M expression synergizes with p53 loss and PDGFRA activation in neural progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells, resulting in neoplastic transformation. Genome-wide analyses indicate a resetting of the transformed precursors to a developmentally more primitive stem cell state, with evidence of major modifications of histone marks at several master regulator genes. Drug screening assays identified a compound targeting the protein menin as an inhibitor of tumor cell growth in vitro and in mice.
Pressure-Induced Invar Behavior in Pd3Fe.

Synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, nuclear forward scattering (NFS) measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on L1_2-ordered Pd_3Fe. Measurements were performed at 300 K at pressures up to 33 GPa, and at 7 GPa at temperatures up to 650 K. The NFS revealed a collapse of the ^(57)Fe magnetic moment between 8.9 and 12.3 GPa at 300 K, coinciding with a transition in bulk modulus found by XRD. Heating the sample under a pressure of 7 GPa showed negligible thermal expansion from 300 to 523 K, demonstrating Invar behavior. Zero-temperature DFT calculations identified a ferromagnetic ground state and showed several antiferromagnetic states had comparable energies at pressures above 20 GPa.
Seawater degradable thermoplastic polyurethanes

Degradable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomers incorporating poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) were synthesized and characterized. The soft segments consisted of a mixture of poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) and PLGA with PBA/PLGA ratios of 100/0, 75/25, and 50/50 wt %. Two PLGA polyesters were used. BD-PLGA was initiated from butanediol; whereas BHMBA-PLGA was initiated from 2,2-bis-(hydroxymethyl)butanoic acid. The hard segments consisted of dicyclohexylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate (H12MDI) and 1,4-butanediol (BD). The hard segment content, expressed as the weight ratio of BD to polyol used in the TPU formulation, was set either at 8 or 12% (31.2 or 38.1% hard segment by weight, respectively). In all cases initial [NCO]/[OH] ratio was 1.03. The tensile modulus of the TPUs ranged from 9 to 131 MPa and ultimate strains ranged from 100 to 750%. DMA was used to probe the thermomechanical transitions of the TPUs and indicated useful application temperatures from well below zero up to 60–80°C depending on the formulation. Hydrolytic degradation of the TPUs was tested in seawater at 37°C. All of the PLGA-containing TPUs showed enhanced degradation compared to those with only PBA as the soft segment. The latter compositions remained essentially unchanged throughout the test while the PLGA-containing TPUs lost as much as 45% of their initial mass in 153 days. Molecular weights of TPUs containing degradable polyols were lower than those derived from 100% PBA polyol. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Effects of chronic inhibition of glutathione biosynthesis on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in rats.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of chronic inhibition of glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 60 and 65 g, were randomly assigned to one of two groups and allowed a 1-week adaptation period to a 6 a.m.–6 p.m. light cycle. Food and water were available ad libitum. Following the adaptation period, 1 group was given a solution of 30 mM dl-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO, an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis) in saline, while the other group received saline only. All studies were carried out during, or at the end of the second week of BSO treatment. While body weight was minimally affected by BSO treatment, liver weight (% of body weight) was significantly greater in the BSO group (control 4.8 ± 0.2 vs. BSO 5.2 ± 0.3; P < 0.05). The increase in liver weight, however, was not associated with a change in the specific content of cytochrome P-450. Even though fecal output (g/100 g per day) was significantly greater in the BSO group (control 2.4 ±0.1 vs. BSO 2.7 ± 0.3; P < 0.05), it was not commensurate with an increase in fecal bile acids and neutral sterols. In fact, fecal bile acid excretion (mg/100 g per day) was significantly reduced in the BSO group (control 9.0 ± 2.0 vs. BSO 6.2 ± 0.9; P < 0.05), a finding consistent with a significant reduction in bile acid pool size (mg/100 g) in that group (control 23.1 ± 1.9 vs. BSO 14.3 ± 4.8; P < 0.05). Hepatic GSH content (μmol/g) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity (pmol/mg per min) were assayed at two time points: 12–2 a.m. (mid-dark point) and 12–2 p.m. (mid-light point). At mid-dark point, BSO-treated animals had a significantly lower hepatic GSH content (control 4.5 ± 0.3 vs. BSO 0.6 ± 0.3; P < 0.05) and a significantly lower cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity (control 33.5 ± 1.3 vs. BSO 14.7 ± 3.9; P < 0.05). At mid-light point, hepatic GSH content in the two groups was similar to that at mid-dark point. While cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity in both groups was significantly lower (P < 0.05) at mid-light point relative to that at mid-dark point, there was no difference between the two groups in cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity at mid-light point. This suggests that the amplitude of the diurnal rhythm of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity was reduced by chronic inhibition of GSH biosynthesis, resulting in the reduction in bile acid pool size. The results of this study suggest that while hepatic GSH content does have a role in regulating the diurnal rhythm of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity, it is probably not the only factor Involved.
Interpretation, accuracy and management implications of FDG PET/CT in cutaneous malignant melanoma.

PURPOSE To investigate the accuracy of different interpretative approaches and to evaluate the management implications of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in cutaneous malignant melanoma. METHODS We retrospectively identified 60 consecutive patients who underwent 76 PET/CT scans for cutaneous malignant melanoma. PET/CT reports were classified as positive, negative, or equivocal for regional and distant disease. Scan indication (staging, restaging, surveillance, or therapeutic monitoring), tumour stage, presence or absence of regional or distant disease, and post-scan management changes were determined by review of all available medical records. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUV(max)) of all findings were noted. Diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT was compared using either a high or low threshold interpretation (i.e. subtle, but indeterminate findings coded negative or positive, respectively). The frequency of management changes was compared between patient subgroups (stratified by tumour stage or indication). RESULTS Using a high threshold interpretative approach, the overall accuracy of PET/CT for disease was 72.4% (55/76), which was significantly (P<0.05) greater than the accuracy of 53.9% (41/76) seen when using a low threshold approach. Per scan accuracy by staging site was 92.1% (70/76) for regional and 76.3% (58/76) for distant disease. PET/CT changed management in 21 of 76 studies (27.6%). When stratified by stage and indication, management changes occurred in all patient subgroups, except for stage I patients (0 of 5). CONCLUSION When interpreted with a high threshold approach, PET/CT demonstrates high accuracy for the diagnosis of both regional and distant disease in cutaneous malignant melanoma and frequently changes management in patients with stage II-IV disease referred for a variety of indications.
Melatonin-like Immunoreactivity in the Presence of Different Chemicals as Determined by the Radioimmunoassay

Abstract To determine the nature of the molecule(s) that is responsible for the melatonin like immunoreactivity (MLI), we measured the effect of pretreatment of plasma samples with detergents, reducing agent, and proteinase K. Nonidet P-40 Triton X-100, and ethylacetate extraction had no effect, while sodium deoxycholate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, β-mercaptoethanol, ether extraction, proteinase K, and temperature increased the MLI. Since the radioimmunoassay (RIA) was sensitive to proteinase K, ionic detergents, and a reducing compound, we hypothesize that a proteinaceous molecule might be responsible for this MLI. We compared our column procedure for RIA of plasma melatonin (1) with procedures involving extraction with either ethylacetate or ether. In our hands preextraction of samples with organic solvents caused a loss of immunoreactivity. We also found that passing samples through the column is more efficient in eliminating interference in the melatonin assay than extracting samples either with ethylacetate or ether.
Higher Serum Leptin Level in Women than in Men with Type 1 Diabetes

ABSTRACT Leptin is the protein product of the obese (ob) gene, a lipostatic hormone that contributes to body weight regulation through suppressing appetite and/or stimulating energy expenditure in humans and/or rodents. In humans, serum leptin concentrations are increased in relation to increased body fat content. Studies have shown a higher leptin level in women compared with men. However, the gender influence on serum leptin concentrations has never been evaluated in patients with type 1 diabetes. In this study, serum leptin levels and percentage body fat mass were measured in men and women with type 1 diabetes. Fasting serum leptin levels were higher in women (16.7 ± 11.6 ng/mL) than in men (3.0 ± 1.5 ng/mL; P
Application Of The PIPE Image Processing Machine To Scanning Microscopy

PIPE is a pipelined image processing device that was designed for real-time robot vision applications. It accepts images from a video camera 60 times per second, and contains hardware for digitizing, displaying, and performing operations on these images at video rates. Each stage of the pipeline contains arithmetic and logic units, convolvers, image buffers, and look-up tables. The purpose of this paper is to introduce PIPE and some of its applications to the scanning microscopy community. Three kinds of applications are described. The first is stereo analysis, whose purpose is to automatically extract range from two cameras mounted side by side. The second application is motion analysis and tracking. This application involves detecting motion, measuring its velocity, using it to obtain three-dimensional information, and tracking it through time. The final application is inspection of two-dimensional patterns.
Diffusion and Release of Solutes in Pluronic-g-poly(acrylic acid) Hydrogels

Pluronic−PAA, a thermogelling copolymer composed of side chains of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) grafted onto a backbone of Pluronic copolymer, is of interest as a vehicle for the controlled release of compounds. The diffusion of various electrochemically active solutes (ferricyanide, the redox protein cytochrome c, and a range of ferrocene derivatives) with varying sizes and hydrophobicities has been examined in solutions and hydrogels of Pluronic−PAA. Release of the solutes from the hydrogel into aqueous media has also been examined. Small hydrophilic molecules diffused freely through the hydrogel, but diffusion of more hydrophobic species was retarded due to their association with hydrophobic micellar aggregates formed on gelation of Pluronic−PAA. The rate of release of solutes from the hydrogel into aqueous media also decreased with increasing hydrophobicity. Constant-rate release was observed over a considerable time period for hydrophobic materials. Cytochrome c exhibited reduced diffusion coefficients a...
LEARNING AND RETENTION IN THE ESTIMATION OF SHORT TIME INTERVALS: A CIRCUIT AND A STUDY

An investigation of the temporal course of learning and retention in the estimation of short time intervals is reported. In addition, a versatile response feedback circuit used in this investigatio...
Profile of biochemical traits influencing tenderness of muscles from the beef round

The objective of this study was to define the biochemical differences that govern tenderness and palatability of economically important muscles from the beef round using cuts with known tenderness differences. At 24h postmortem, the longissimus dorsi (LD), gracillus (GR), adductor (AD), semimembranosus (SM), sartorius (SAR), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus intermedius (VI) muscles were removed from ten market weight beef cattle. Sensory and biochemical characteristics were determined in each cut and compared with the LD. The GR, SAR and VI had sensory traits similar to the LD while the SM, AD and VL differed. The GR, SAR, AD, and SM all had multiple biochemical characteristics similar to the LD, while the VI and AD had numerous biochemical differences. While no one biochemical characteristic can be used to predict tenderness across all muscles, analysis of the biochemical characteristics revealed that in most beef round cuts postmortem proteolysis provided a good indication of the tenderization occurring during aging.
Associations of IgA and IgA-Rheumatoid Factor with Disease Features in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

In previous studies we have shown that levels of IgM-rheumatoid factor (RF) in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell supernatants are correlated with disease activity and response to second-line therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The present studies were designed to examine whether IgA-RF levels are also correlated with clinical features of this disease. Two groups of RA patients were studied. Group I consisted of 87 patients in whom extensive clinical data had been collected. Group II included nine patients beginning treatment with gold or methotrexate who were studied during the first year of therapy. Measurement of IgM, IgA, IgM-RF and IgA-RF in culture supernatants and plasma was done by an ELISA method. These data were examined for correlations with clinical and laboratory features. Levels of IgA-RF in supernatants and plasma were found not to be correlated with disease features in the cross-sectional analysis of Group I patients, while IgM-RF and total IgA levels did show sig...
A WebGIS for Apollo Analyst's Notebook

A WebGIS is developed at NASA's Planetary Data System's Geosciences Node to facilitate the Apollo Analyst's Notebook to replay the Apollo missions. This system is created based on ESRI ArcGIS server 9.3.1 using JavaScript API. This WebGIS visually presents Apollo data to the general public through the Internet. It also provides data search capability and mapping functions to support the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission and future lunar exploration.
Report on the XXII Annual Conference of ACURIL

The Association of Caribbean University, Research and Institutional Libraries (ACURIL) held its XXII Annual Conference in Port of Spain, Trinidad from 17 to 23 May 1992. The conference honoured the founder of ACURIL, Dr Alma Jordan, the former librarian of the University of the West Indies in St Augustine, Trinidad.
The Lawyer's Pro Bono Publico Responsibility

Lawyers have a pro bono publico obligation, arising both from the profession ‘s tradition of service before gain and from the lawyer's essential and monopolistic position in the justice system. The appropriate measure of this obligation is the reasonable capacity of the profession to provide public service, a standard that can be met only if all lawyers are involved in the effort. While volunteerism has some values that might be impaired by a mandatory system of pro bono service, only a mandatory system gives promise of involving all lawyers in the discharge of this fundamental professional obligation.
New and Emerging Technologies: Promise, Achievement and Deception

Technology has touched every aspect of dentistry from diagnosis to treatment. The promises and limitations of several emerging technologies, including lasers, digital radiology and electronic anesthesia, are reviewed.