cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Cholesterol Biosynthesis and Acetyl-Coenzyme A Synthetase by Bovine Milk and Orotic Acid

Abstract Pasteurized, homogenized bovine milk or orotic acid in solution at final concentrations varying from 3.3 μ M to 322 μ M in rat liver homogenates inhibited the incorporation of [1-Carbon 14] acetate but not [1-Carbon 14] acetyl-coenzyme A, 3-hydroxy-3-methyj-[Carbon 14] glutaryl-coenzyme A or [5-hydrogen 3] mevalonic acid into cholesterol. Milk inhibited cholesterol biosynthesis up to 72±10% before acetyl-coenzyme A formation, thus indicating that acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase is the affected enzyme. Kinetics of the inhibition were studied with acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase purified from yeast. From a Line-weaver-Burk plot of the inhibition of yeast acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase, orotic acid is a noncompetitive inhibitor of acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase. A Michaelis constant was 6.0×10 −4 M for acetate with the yeast enzyme while a K i was 6.6×10 −5 M for orotic acid. The approximate point of 50% inhibition with rat liver enzyme was 7×10 −6 M orotic acid indicating the mammalian enzyme may be more sensitive to the orotic acid. Nicotinic acid also inhibited the yeast enzyme. Fifty percent inhibition required a relatively high final concentration–about 12mM. Neither raw milk nor pasteurized, homogenized milk inhibited 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase that had been partially purified from rat liver.
A model of multiple zonal jets in the oceans : dynamical and kinematical analysis

Multiple alternating zonal jets observed in the ocean are studied with an idealized quasigeostrophic zonalchannel model, with the supercritical, zonal background flow imposed. Both eastward and westward background flows with vertical shear are considered. The underlying nonlinear dynamics is illuminated with analysis of the vertical-mode interactions and time-mean eddy fluxes. Interactions between the vertical modes are systematically studied. The barotropic component of the jets is maintained by both barotropic‐barotropic and baroclinic‐baroclinic time-mean interactions; thus, the barotropic component of the jets cannot be accurately simulated with a randomly forced barotropic model. The roles of the vertical-mode interactions in driving the baroclinic component of the jets are also characterized. Not only the first but also the second baroclinic mode is found to be important for maintaining the baroclinic component of the jets, whereas the barotropic component of the jets is maintained mostly by the barotropic and first baroclinic modes. The properties of the eddy forcing were systematically studied. It is shown that the baroclinic component of the jets is maintained by Reynolds stress forcing and resisted by form stress forcing only in the eastward backgroundflow.Inthe westwardbackgroundflow,thejets aremaintainedby formstressforcing andresisted by Reynolds stress forcing. The meridional scaling and kinematical properties of the jets are studied as well as the roles of meridional boundaries. The Rhines scaling for meridional spacing of the jets is not generally confirmed, and it is also shown that there are multiple stable equilibria with different numbers of the time-mean jets. It is also found that the jets are associated with alternating weak barriers to the meridional material transport, but the locations of these barriers are not unique and depend on the direction of the background flow and depth. Finally, if the channel is closed with meridional walls, then the jets become more latent but the eddy forcing properties do not change qualitatively.
The Jungian Reading of Gnosticism

(1994). The Jungian Reading of Gnosticism. The San Francisco Jung Institute Library Journal: Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 51-65.
Adhesive Intestinal Obstruction in Infants and Children: The Place of Conservative Treatment

Objectives. Adhesive intestinal obstruction (AIO) is rare in the pediatric age group and its treatment is still controversial. This is a retrospective review of our experience in infants and children with AIO. Patients and Methods. The records of infants and children with AIO between January 2001 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed for age at diagnosis, sex, initial operation, interval between initial operation and presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome. Results. 44 infants and children were admitted with AIO. There were 28 males and 16 females who had 46 episodes. Their ages at presentation ranged from 1 month to 12 years (mean 5.4 years), while their ages at initial operation ranged from 2 days to 12 years (mean 4.15 years). Time elapsed from initial operation to presentation ranged from 7 days to 8 years (mean 1.5 years), and 66% developed AIO within 1 year from initial operation. Appenedecectomy was the commonest operation (29.5%). Four (9%) responded to conservative treatment. The other 40 (91%) required surgical intervention. Twenty-nine had release of adhesions only, while 10 (25%) had resection of small intestines and one underwent stricturoplasty. Two developed recurrence and one died. Conclusions. AIO is rare in the pediatric age group and the majority becomes symptomatic within 1 year of operation. Appendecectomy is the commonest operation leading to AIO. The place of conservative treatment is limited and to obviate delay and decrease the chance of intestinal ischemia, they should be treated early with surgical adhesiolysis.
JOB SATISFACTION DIFFERENTIALS AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN FACULTY AT 2-YEAR AND4-YEAR INSTITUTIONS

ABSTRACT This study explored descriptive data from the National Study of Postsecondary Faculty to assess the extent to which African American faculty at 2-year and 4-year institutions differ in their job satisfaction. Overall, the findings revealed that African American faculty at 2-year institutions are more likely to report being very satisfied with their jobs than African American faculty at 4-year institutions.
Syringomyelia presenting as a delayed complication of treatment for nocardia brain abscess.

Objective: Syringomyelia is defined as a dilatation of the central canal of the spinal cord which often leads to neurologic impairment. Syringomyelia has not previously been reported as a late complication for the treatment of brain abscess. In this report, we review a case involving this unusual association. Clinical presentation: A 25 year-old woman sustained a nocardia brain abscess initially presenting as a pulmonary infection. Treatment led to the development of multiloculated hydrocephalus and syringomyelia. Intervention: Treatment included placement of multiple ventriculoperitoneal shunts and a syringo-pleural shunt. This resulted in stabilization of neurologic symptoms. Conclusion: The possibility of developing syringomyelia should be considered in any case involving post-infectious hydrocephalus. Spinal Cord (2000) 38, 265–269.
Broadly wavelength tunable bandpass filters based on long-range surface plasmon polaritons

We report a new kind of broadly tunable optical bandpass filters based on unusual properties of long-range surface plasmon polaritons. A 0.004 variation in the refractive index of the dielectric medium translates into 210 nm of bandpass tuning at telecom wavelengths. The tuning mechanism reported here may be used to create compact and widely tunable optical systems and other plasmonic components with broadly tunable optical response.
1+ and 0+ states in 90Y

Abstract The 88 Sr( 3 He, p) 90 Y reaction allows the identification of 1 + states at excitation energies of 1816 ± 5 and 2313 ± 10 keV, very close to the predictions of a recent core-coupling shell-model calculation. Three additional 0 + or 1 + states are observed above 3 MeV.
Activation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) via a Converging Plasmin/Stromelysin-1 Cascade Enhances Tumor Cell Invasion

Abstract Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) may play a critical catalytic role in tissue remodeling in vivo, but it is secreted by cells as a stable, inactive zymogen, pro-MMP-9, and requires activation for catalytic function. A number of proteolytic enzymes activate pro-MMP-9 in vitro, but the natural activator(s) of MMP-9 is unknown. To examine MMP-9 activation in a cellular setting we employed cultures of human tumor cells (MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells) that were induced to produce MMP-9 over a 200-fold concentration range (0.03–8.1 nm). The levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) in the induced cultures remain relatively constant at 1–4 nm. Quantitation of the zymogen/active enzyme status of MMP-9 in the MDA-MB-231 cultures indicates that even in the presence of potential activators, the molar ratio of endogenous MMP-9 to TIMP dictates whether pro-MMP-9 activation can progress. When the MMP-9/TIMP ratio exceeds 1.0, MMP-9 activation progresses, but through an interacting protease cascade involving plasmin and stromelysin 1 (MMP-3). Plasmin, generated by the endogenous urokinase-type plasminogen activator, is not an efficient activator of pro-MMP-9, neither the secreted pro-MMP-9 nor the very low levels of pro-MMP-9 associated with intact cells. Although plasmin can proteolytically process pro-MMP-9, this limited action does not yield an enzymatically active MMP-9, nor does it cause the MMP-9 to be more susceptible to activation. Plasmin, however, is very efficient at generating active MMP-3 (stromelysin-1) from exogenously added pro-MMP-3. The activated MMP-3 becomes a potent activator of the 92-kDa pro-MMP-9, yielding an 82-kDa species that is enzymatically active in solution and represents up to 50–75% conversion of the zymogen. The activated MMP-9 enhances the invasive phenotype of the cultured cells as their ability to both degrade extracellular matrix and transverse basement membrane is significantly increased following zymogen activation. That this enhanced tissue remodelling capability is due to the activation of MMP-9 is demonstrated through the use of a specific anti-MMP-9 blocking monoclonal antibody.
Genome-free viral capsids as carriers for positron emission tomography radiolabels.

We have developed a modular synthetic strategy to append imaging agents to a viral capsid. The hollow protein shell of bacteriophage MS2 (mtMS2) was labeled on its inside surface with [18F]fluorobenzaldehyde through a multistep bioconjugation strategy. An aldehyde functional group was first attached to interior tyrosine residues through a diazonium coupling reaction. The aldehyde was further elaborated to an alkoxyamine functional group, which was then condensed with n.c.a. [18F]fluorobenzaldehyde. Biodistribution of the radioactive MS2 conjugates was subsequently evaluated in Sprague–Dawley rats. Relative to fluorobenzaldehyde, fluorine-18-labeled MS2 exhibited prolonged blood circulation time and a significantly altered excretion profile. It was also observed that additional small molecule cargo installed inside the capsids did not alter the biodistribution. These studies provide further insight into the pharmacokinetic behavior of nanomaterials and serve as a platform for the future development of targeted imaging and therapeutic agents based on mtMS2.
The potency of sensitized photohemolysis depends on the composition of the reaction vessel.

— Delayed photohemolysis has been shown to vary with the composition of the reaction vessel. Human erythrocytes were illuminated in the presence of sensitizer for 1 h and examined 23 h later for percent hemolysis. Four sensitizers, two cationic and two anionic, and three types of reaction vessel were studied. The cationic sensitizers were much more effective in tissue culture treated plastic than in neutral plastic or glass. All were somewhat more effective in neutral plastic than glass. Sorption of sensitizers to reaction vessels without cells present was also studied. In some cases sorption leads to virtually complete removal of sensitizer from the reaction medium. In other cases no sorption is detectable. For the highest sorbing sensitizer total replacement of the reaction medium with sensitizer-free solution did not decrease effectiveness, demonstrating that sorbed sensitizer is available to sensitize. The results suggest that photooxidation of the cell membrane occurs in two zones, one at the interface between vessel surface and cell surface, and the other where the membrane faces the bulk reaction medium. The relative importance of the interface may depend on the strength of sorption and the affinity of sensitizer for the cell membrane.
Liquidating a remainder interest: simplifying personal finance

Abstract There are many ways in which decedents leave property in trust for their heirs. One technique is to grant a life estate to surviving children. The purpose of this paper is to describe verbally, and through example, an approach to liquidating a life estate. This simplification in personal finance involves a “buyout” of the interests of the remaindermen. The result is dissolution of the trust, leaving the income beneficiaries to manage, as owner in fee, the remaining assets as they wish, without the expense and complexity associated with maintaining a trust.
Determination of protein expression and plasmid copy number from cloned genes in Escherichia coli by flow injection analysis using an enzyme indicator vector

On-line determination of expression rates from cloned genes in Escherichia coli and of plasmid copy number would be useful for monitoring accumulation of non-secreted proteins. As an initial model for monitoring gene expression in intact cells, a non-gene-fusion enzyme-based indicator plasmid has been constructed containing the phoA gene coding for alkaline phosphatase (AP) in pUCIS and pACYC184. The activity of AP can be rapidly determined in permeabilized cells. A flow injection analysis (FIA) assay has been developed which allows the direct real-time measurement of the AP activity during cell growth. A model target gene coding for E. coli cyanase (cynS) has been inserted in order to determine the ratio between the expression of the target and indicator, AP. A linear relationship has been found between plasmid copy number and AP activity for the high-copy pUC vector. To minimize indicator expression, transcription terminators have been inserted between the cynS and phoA genes, altering the target-to-indicator ratio by 10- to 40-fold. These vectors may be useful for the rapid continuous determination of plasmid copy number and target gene expression for nonsecreted proteins and would overcome the limitations of in situ probe biosensors for real-time determination of the accumulation of proteins from cloned genes in E. coli.
Paraneoplastic pemphigus with a pemphigus vegetans-like plaque as the only cutaneous manifestation

Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is a recently recognized autoimmune mucocutaneous disease associated with a few unusual lymphoreticular neoplasms. Intractable stomatitis is the most constant clinical feature but the cutaneous presentations are characteristically variable. We describe a patient with PNP associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who presented with severe oral, laryngeal, and pharyngeal involvement. The only cutaneous finding was a pemphigus vegetans-like plaque, a previously undescribed manifestation. The plaque evolved from a flaccid blister that formed at a prior intravenous catheter site. The mucosal biopsy specimen demonstrated faint intercellular staining with IgG, whereas results for the cutaneous plaque were negative. Indirect immunofluorescence testing was positive on both monkey esophagus and rat bladder epithelium. Immunoprecipitation (IP) studies demonstrated a complex of 4 proteins with molecular weights of 250, 230, 210, and 190 kd, confirming the diagnosis of PNP.
Asynchronous stochastic convex optimization over random networks: Error bounds

We consider a distributed multi-agent network system where the goal is to minimize the sum of convex functions, each of which is known (with stochastic errors) to a specific network agent. We are interested in asynchronous algorithms for solving the problem over a connected network where the communications among the agent are random. At each time, a random set of agents communicate and update their information. When updating, an agent uses the (sub)gradient of its individual objective function and its own stepsize value. The algorithm is completely asynchronous as it neither requires the coordination of agent actions nor the coordination of the stepsize values. We investigate the asymptotic error bounds of the algorithm with a constant stepsize for strongly convex and just convex functions. Our error bounds capture the effects of agent stepsize choices and the structure of the agent connectivity graph. The error bound scales at best as m in the number m of agents when the agent objective functions are strongly convex.
Estimating the error of the classic Runge-Kutta formula

Abstract A high-quality error estimator is presented for the classic four-stage, fourth-order Runge–Kutta formula that is “free.” When using this estimator, the solution can be approximated accurately throughout the step at no additional cost.
A continuum approach to the theory of elastic waves in heterogeneous materials

Abstract The neighborhood concept is utilized to substitute for a given heterogeneous medium a simpler medium endowed with dispersion characteristics. The connection of displacement fields in the two media through neighborhood influence coefficients leads directly to an affine connection and wave velocity co-efficients needed for the complete characterization of the new medium. The torsion part of the connection is interpreted in terms of a curvature deviation tensor analogous to the lattice curvature tensor. Thus, the entire approach is closely related to the differential-geometric approach developed by Kondo. Bilby and kroner for the continuum theory of dislocations. Conjugate fields of stress and momentum are defined for the new medium in a manner leading to separation of the total wave problem into two distinct phases. In the first, only average fields are sought through appropriate equations of motion derived herein. In the second, local stress deviation fields appear related to average stress in a manner similar to that encountered in theories of thin shells. pt]Il concetto di vicinanza viene impiegato per sostituire un mezzo piu semplice con caratteristiche di dispersione a un dato mezzo eterogeneo. Il collegamento di campi di spostamento nei due mezzi tramite coefficienti con influenza di vicinanza porta direttamente a un collegamento affine e a coefficienti con filosofia d'onda necessari per la completa caratterizzazione del nuovo mezzo. La parte di torsione del collegamento e interpretata in termini di un tensore della deviazione di curvatura analogo al tensore della curvatura del reticolo. In tal modo, l'intera impostazione e strettamente legata all'impostazione differenziale-geometrica sviluppata da Kondo, Bilby e Kroner per la teoria continua degli spostamenti. Si definiscono i campi coniugati di sollecitazione e momento del nuovo mezzo in modo da giungere alla separazione del problema d'onda totale in due fasi distinte. Nella prima, si cercano solo campi medi con appropriate equazioni di movimento in essi derivato. Nella seconda, i campi di deviazioni da sollecitazione localizzata sembrano legati alla sollecitazione media in modo simile a quello che s'incontra nelle teorie dei gusci sottili.
Reduced Metabolism in Brain “Control Networks” following Cocaine-Cues Exposure in Female Cocaine Abusers

Objective: Gender differences in vulnerability for cocaine addiction have been reported. Though the mechanisms are not understood, here we hypothesize that gender differences in reactivity to conditioned-cues, which contributes to relapse, are involved. Method: To test this we compared brain metabolism (using PET and 18 FDG) between female (n=10) and male (n=16) active cocaine abusers when they watched a neutral video (nature scenes) versus a cocaine-cues video. Results: Self-reports of craving increased with the cocaine-cue video but responses did not differ between genders. In contrast, changes in whole brain metabolism with cocaine-cues differed by gender (p,0.05); females significantly decreased metabolism (28.6%610) whereas males tended to increase it (+5.5%618). SPM analysis (Cocaine-cues vs Neutral) in females revealed decreases in frontal, cingulate and parietal cortices, thalamus and midbrain (p,0.001) whereas males showed increases in right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 44/45) (only at p,0.005). The gender-cue interaction showed greater decrements with Cocaine-cues in females than males (p,0.001) in frontal (BA 8, 9, 10), anterior cingulate (BA 24, 32), posterior cingulate (BA 23, 31), inferior parietal (BA 40) and thalamus (dorsomedial nucleus). Conclusions: Females showed greater brain reactivity to cocaine-cues than males but no differences in craving, suggesting that there may be gender differences in response to cues that are not linked with craving but could affect subsequent drug use. Specifically deactivation of brain regions from ‘‘control networks’’ (prefrontal, cingulate, inferior parietal, thalamus) in females could increase their vulnerability to relapse since it would interfere with executive function (cognitive inhibition). This highlights the importance of gender tailored interventions for cocaine addiction.
Research in the Midst of Organized School Reform: Versions of Teacher Community in Tension

Arising from a longitudinal study examining the influence of school reform on teachers’ knowledge communities and communities of knowing, this narrative inquiry traces the development of a workshop approach to reading and writing, principally through the introduction of a staff developer, to the school’s professional knowledge landscape and to the literacy teachers’ curriculum making over a 3-year period. While some of the school administrators perceived the trainer as building professional learning community through sharing knowledge, skills, and dispositions, the majority of the teachers, and some of the other administrators, appeared to view the staff developer, herself a teacher, as being in collusion with the principal (and vice versa) and as crossing the line concerning what teachers and their communities of knowing are able to tolerate. Different stories produced different visions of community, and a number of issues related to teacher development emerged. Disconnects among theory, practice, and po...
Tactile or visual?: Stimulus characteristics determine receptive field type in a self-organizing map model of cortical development

Tactile receptive fields (RFs) are similar to visual receptive fields, while there is a subtle difference. Our previous work showed that tactile RFs have advantage in texture boundary detection tasks compared to visual RFs. Our working hypothesis was that tactile RFs are better in texture tasks since texture is basically a surface property, more intimately linked with touch than with vision. From an information processing point of view, touch and vision are very similar (i.e., two-dimensional sensory surface). Then, the question is what drives the two types of RFs to become different? In this paper, we investigated the possibility that tactile RF and visual RF emerge based on an identical cortical learning process, where the only difference is in the input type, natural-scene-like vs. texture-like. We trained a self-organizing map model of the cortex (the LISSOM model) on two different kinds of input, (1) natural scene and (2) texture, and compared the resulting RFs. The main result is that RFs trained on natural scenes have RFs resembling visual RFs, while those trained on texture resemble tactile RFs. These results suggest that the type of input most commonly stimulating the sensory modality (natural scene for vision and texture for touch), and not the intrinsic organization of the sensors or the developmental process in the cortex, determine the RF property. We expect these results to shed new light on the differences and similarities between touch and vision.
The performance implications of ambivalent initiative: The interplay of autonomous and controlled motivations

Abstract Although initiative is thought to contribute to higher performance, researchers have called for a more comprehensive understanding of the contingencies for this relationship. Building on self-determination theory, we propose that initiative is more likely to predict performance when individuals experience autonomous and not controlled motivation. Across two studies, we find support for a hypothesized three-way interaction between initiative, autonomous motivation, and controlled motivation in predicting individual performance. In Study 1, the personal initiative reported by job applicants was most positively related to the number of job offers that they received several months later when they experienced high autonomous motivation and low controlled motivation. In Study 2, the objective initiative taken by call center employees was most positively related to the revenue that they generated in subsequent months when they reported high autonomous motivation and low controlled motivation. We discuss theoretical implications for motivation, initiative, proactivity, and performance.
End-stage renal disease due to lupus nephritis among children in the US, 1995-2006.

Objective To identify predictors of wait-listing for kidney transplantation, kidney transplantation, and mortality among children with lupus nephritis-associated end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods Children ages 5-18 years with new-onset lupus nephritis-associated ESRD were identified in the US Renal Data System (1995-2006). Demographic and clinical characteristics, causes of death, and predictors of wait-listing for kidney transplantation, kidney transplantation, and mortality during the first 5 years of ESRD were investigated. Cox proportional hazards models were used. Results A total of 583 children had incident lupus nephritis-associated ESRD. The mean ± SD age of the patients at the time of ESRD onset was 16.2 ± 2.4 years; 49% were African American, and 24% were Hispanic. During the 5-year period after the onset of ESRD, 292 (49%) were wait-listed, 193 (33%) received a kidney transplant, and 131 (22%) died. The main causes of death were cardiopulmonary (31%) and infectious (16%). Children living in the northeast and west were more than twice as likely as children in the south to be wait-listed and were >50% more likely than children in the south to undergo transplantation. There were fewer kidney transplants among older versus younger patients (odds ratio [OR] 0.59, P = 0.009), African American versus white patients (OR 0.48, P Conclusion Among US children with lupus nephritis-associated ESRD, age, race, ethnicity, type of medical insurance, and geographic region were associated with significant variation in 5-year wait-listing for kidney transplantation, kidney transplantation, and mortality.
A novel approach to identify driver genes involved in androgen-independent prostate cancer

Background: Insertional mutagenesis screens have been used with great success to identify oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Typically, these screens use gammaretroviruses (γRV) or transposons as insertional mutagens. However, insertional mutations from replication-competent γRVs or transposons that occur later during oncogenesis can produce passenger mutations that do not drive cancer progression. Here, we utilized a replication-incompetent lentiviral vector (LV) to perform an insertional mutagenesis screen to identify genes in the progression to androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). Methods: Prostate cancer cells were mutagenized with a LV to enrich for clones with a selective advantage in an androgen-deficient environment provided by a dysregulated gene(s) near the vector integration site. We performed our screen using an in vitro AIPC model and also an in vivo xenotransplant model for AIPC. Our approach identified proviral integration sites utilizing a shuttle vector that allows for rapid rescue of plasmids in E. coli that contain LV long terminal repeat (LTR)-chromosome junctions. This shuttle vector approach does not require PCR amplification and has several advantages over PCR-based techniques. Results: Proviral integrations were enriched near prostate cancer susceptibility loci in cells grown in androgendeficient medium (p < 0.001), and five candidate genes that influence AIPC were identified; ATPAF1, GCOM1, MEX3D, PTRF, and TRPM4. Additionally, we showed that RNAi knockdown of ATPAF1 significantly reduces growth (p < 0.05) in androgen-deficient conditions. Conclusions: Our approach has proven effective for use in PCa, identifying a known prostate cancer gene, PTRF, and also several genes not previously associated with prostate cancer. The replication-incompetent shuttle vector approach has broad potential applications for cancer gene discovery, and for interrogating diverse biological and disease processes.
Biologically inspired evolutionary temporal neural circuits

The success of classical artificial neural networks as well as the wealth of new data about neuronal functions encourages researchers to explore new possibilities for the creation of biologically inspired artificial neural circuits. Temporal sequence is an important factor which is underrepresented in classical artificial neural networks. We developed a computational model of a neuronal circuit that incorporates more biological resemblance in a form of a fully interconnected temporal network. The proposed function of the circuit is crucial in selecting the parameters which control each neuron and their final arrangement. However, the mathematics behind the dynamics of nonlinear, time sensitive, interconnected neural circuits and their learning processes as well as the choice of temporal neural code is daunting. To solve this problem, we use evolutionary optimization methods to find the appropriate configuration of simulated neural circuits. The results of a preliminary simulated neural circuit demonstrate that pattern recognition tasks can be performed with robustness to noisy or distorted patterns.
Children's Exposure to Violence in the Family and Community

Exposure to family and community violence is linked with aggression, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and academic and cognitive difficulties. It has the potential to permeate many dimensions of children's day-to-day lives and to erode possible sources of social support. Although the literature focuses on deleterious outcomes, many children fare well in the face of exposure to violence. Research attending to developmental processes, the co-occurrence of multiple forms of violence, and psychobiological mechanisms will clarify why outcomes are better for some children than for others. Greater understanding of children's risk and resilience in the face of such exposure will inform intervention efforts.
BIOCHEMICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRODUCTS OF THE Adh LOCUS IN DROSOPHILA

An analysis of the molecular properties of the major alcohol dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.1) allozyme variants found segregating in natural populations of D. melanogaster is presented. Our results indicate: (1) ADH-S enzyme has generally lower Michaelis-Menten constants than those of ADH-F; (2) ADH-S and ADH-F enzymes display opposite interactions for both co-factor and substrate; and (3) higher levels of ADH are associated with the Adh-fast genotype. The possible adaptive significance of these findings is discussed.
Assessing the Validity of SWAT as a Workload Measurement Instrument

The Subjective Workload Asssessment Technique (SWAT) carries with it the implicit assumption that people can accurately predict the amount of mental workload they would experience under various levels of three component dimensions. Research suggests that the perceptions of these dimensions may not be independent. This study was designed to measure the subjective interactions between the dimensions used in SKAT. Mental workload was generated using a text editing task in which the dimensions were manipulated independently. Results revealed significant positive correlations between the subjective levels of the three dimensions. That is, when a subject experienced a high level of one dimension, s/he also tended to rate the other two dimensions high. It may be unreasonable to assume that people can accurately predict the magnitude of these interactions when performing the ranking process which is used to derive the workload scale.
Do Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Have a Higher Risk for Sleep Apnea

Objective. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to subjects in the general population. The development of CVD has also been linked to chronic sleep apnea. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk for sleep apnea in patients with RA compared to subjects without RA. Methods. We recruited RA patients and non-RA subjects who were age and sex matched from the same population. These persons completed the Berlin Sleep Questionnaire, which evaluated their level of risk (high or low) for sleep apnea. In addition, there were 3 subscales evaluating snoring, fatigue, and relevant comorbidities [i.e., high blood pressure and obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2)]. Chi-squared tests were used for comparisons. Results. The study population consisted of 164 patients with RA and 328 patients without RA. Age, sex and BMI were similar for both groups. There was no difference in snoring (p = 0.31) or in the comorbidities subscale (p = 0.37). However, RA patients reported more fatigue (38%) than subjects without RA (13%; p Conclusion. Patients with RA may be at a higher risk for sleep apnea compared to non-RA subjects. This apparent risk difference may be attributed to reports of fatigue in RA patients, which may be associated with sleep apnea or RA disease itself.
Exploring studio-based instructional models for computing education

While the demand for college graduates with computing skills continues to rise, such skills no longer equate to mere programming skills. Modern day computing jobs demand design, communication, and collaborative work skills as well. Since traditional instructional methods in computing education tend to focus on programming skills, we believe that a fundamental rethinking of computing education is in order. We are exploring a new "studio-based" pedagogy that actively engages undergraduate students in collaborative, design-oriented learning. Adapted from architectural education, the studio-based instructional model emphasizes learning activities in which students (a) construct personalized solutions to assigned computing problems, and (b) present solutions to their instructors and peers for feedback and discussion within the context of "design crits." We describe and motivate the studio-based approach, review previous efforts to apply it to computer science education, and propose an agenda for multi-institutional research into the design and impact of studio-based instructional models. We invite educators to participate in a community of research and practice to advance studio-based learning in computing education.
Reactive planning and control with mobile robots

A system that enables robots to perform nonelementary tasks in an environment where unpredictable demands require adaptation of the robots' actions is described. A motion control system dealing with this problem is implemented in the context of a representative motion task. The control system is composed of a planning module (written in the action network formalism) that governs various behaviors implemented with artificial potential fields or other specific control strategies. The hardware employed in the experiments is described. The demands of a reactive architecture for robots are examined in detail. The main features of the action network and artificial potential field techniques are presented, as well as explanations of the way they were integrated with other modules to form a whole control system. A demonstration on a GOFER robot is described. >
The Furin Inhibitor Hexa-d-Arginine Blocks the Activation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A In Vivo

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (PEA) protein requires furin-mediated cleavage for manifestation of toxicity. We show here that the small stable furin inhibitor hexa-D-arginine amide effectively blocks PEA-induced cell lysis and is itself noncytotoxic. Administration of hexa-D-arginine to PEA-treated mice significantly improves their survival rate and also decreases circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha.
Effects of Differential Text Formats on Adult Conceptualization of Science: Evidence from Three Disciplines

The World Wide Web (Web), the largest multimedia system in existence, has been heralded by many as the perfect tool for lifelong learning. One topic mentioned in this regard is science, since many adults have little prior knowledge about it and the field is constantly changing. Yet little empirical research has been done to examine how web documents may actually affect the learning process. This article looks at learning theories that point to the importance of affective attributes of messages that may be particularly applicable to the mixed medium that is the Web and then focuses on the effects of textual elements on the learning of science from both static and interactive texts.
α-synuclein acts in the nucleus to inhibit histone acetylation and promote neurotoxicity

Alpha-synuclein is a neuronal protein implicated genetically in Parkinson's disease. alpha-synuclein localizes to the nucleus and presynaptic nerve terminals. Here we show that alpha-synuclein mediates neurotoxicity in the nucleus. Targeting of alpha-synuclein to the nucleus promotes toxicity, whereas cytoplasmic sequestration is protective in both cell culture and transgenic Drosophila. Toxicity of alpha-synuclein can be rescued by administration of histone deacetylase inhibitors in both cell culture and transgenic flies. Alpha-synuclein binds directly to histones, reduces the level of acetylated histone H3 in cultured cells and inhibits acetylation in histone acetyltransferase assays. Alpha-synuclein mutations that cause familial Parkinson's disease, A30P and A53T, exhibit increased nuclear targeting in cell culture. These findings implicate nuclear alpha-synuclein in promoting nigrostriatal degeneration in Parkinson's disease and encourage exploration of histone deacetylase inhibitors as potential therapies for the disorder.
An Opinion On Independent Auditors Opinions Of Substantial Doubt: A SOX-2002 Efficiency Evaluation

Given the recent events involving allegations of ethical misconduct by corporate executives and oversight neglect from the auditing community, the government was motivated to implement national reform to minimize the continued threat of corporate malfeasance. Due to the severity of these corporate scandals, Congress mandated and the President signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX-2002) to affect sweeping corporate disclosure and financial reporting reform to thwart continued scrupulous activities. In light of these events, the motivation of this study is to examine the effects of SOX-2002 in empowering independent auditors to provide unbiased opinions of an entity’s ability to remain as a going concern. The uniqueness of this study is that it attempts to determine if substantial doubt opinions signal bankruptcy greater than the chance occurrence of these events. If true, then these early warnings could be used to minimize the costs of bankruptcy. This study suggests that these opinions do signal bankruptcy filings greater than chance, which supports the position of auditor empowerment in a post-SOX-2002 period.
Lower Risk of Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformation Hemorrhage in Patients With Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia.

BACKGROUND Patients diagnosed with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) are at risk of developing intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM). However, the clinical manifestations and natural history of HHT-related AVMs remain unclear due to the rarity of these lesions. OBJECTIVE To clarify the clinical characteristics and hemorrhagic risk in HHT-related AVMs. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with both HHT and intracranial AVMs who were evaluated at our institution from 1990 to 2013. Patients with missing data or lost to follow-up were excluded. Baseline characteristics and subsequent hemorrhagic risk were evaluated. RESULTS In an AVM database of 531 patients with 542 AVMs, a total of 12 HHT patients (2.3%) with 23 AVMs were found. Mean age at diagnosis was 36.5 years, with 41.7% male. Compared to patients with sporadic AVMs, patients with HHT were less likely to present with ruptured AVM (P = .04), headaches (P = .02), and seizures (P = .02), and presented with better modified Rankin scores (P < .01). HHT-related AVMs were smaller in size (P < .01), of lower Spetzler-Martin grade (P = .01), and had less temporal lobe involvement (P = .02) compared to sporadic AVMs. Six HHT patients (50.0%) were found with multiple intracranial AVMs. One hemorrhage was found during an observation period of 149.6 patient-years and 297.5 lesion-years, translating to 1.3% per patient per year or 0.7% per AVM per year. CONCLUSION HHT-related AVMs are smaller in size with lower Spetzler-Martin grade and less temporal lobe involvement than sporadic AVMs. Patients with HHT frequently present with multiple intracranial AVMs. Conservative management is generally recommended due to lesion multiplicity and relatively low hemorrhagic risk.
Public Health Assessments as a Tool in Identifying Human Exposure to Environmental Pollutants

This paper summarizes the presentation made at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on the “Use of Biomarkers in Assessing Health and Environmental Impacts of Chemical Pollutants” held in Luso, Portugal on June 1–5, 1992. This paper provides a brief overview of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, focusing primarily on the public health assessment program.
It is Time for the Federal Trade Commission to Require Financial Performance Representations to Prospective Franchisees

As our country moves beyond the recent years of financial and investment abuses fueled by greed and corruption-such as the Enron accounting scandal, Bernie Madoff and other Ponzi schemes, and the subprime mortgage housing crisis-the need for greater regulation and effective enforcement, as well as transparency in the financial community, have become vital issues. Burned by huge financial losses, the public clamors for reforms that will eliminate or at least mitigate similar calamities in the future. Although the country and Congress have their eyes glued on the banking industry and the investment sector, another popular and very pervasive business system begs reexamination in terms of appropriate governmental regulation. This is the ever-growing arena of franchising.The most comprehensive recent estimate of the total economic impact of franchised businesses on the United States economy comes from the 2005 PricewaterhouseCoopers prepared study, The Economic Impact of Franchised Businesses. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, in 2005 there were 909,253 establishments in franchise systems that provided 11 million jobs, which translates into 8.1% of all private-sector jobs. Thus, franchised businesses accounted for more jobs than were found in durable goods, manufacturing, financial activities, or construction, and had an economic output worth $880.9 billion, equaling 4.4% of all private sector output. Combining this with the additional jobs and larger payrolls that result from franchise businesses and employees, which purchase products and services from other enterprises on both a professional and a personal level, the numbers swell to 21 million jobs (15.3% of all private-sector jobs) with an economic output worth $2.31 trillion (11.4% of all private-sector output). Although the FTC's Franchise Rule requires pre-sale disclosure by franchisors to prospective franchisees of certain material information to assist the prospect in making an informed investment decision, surprisingly, the FTC fails to require the person selling the franchise ("franchisor") to answer the most pertinent question that any prospective buyer of the franchise ("franchisee") should ask, that is: "How much money can I reasonably expect to make operating the franchise, based on the experiences of the existing franchisees?" Although such a disclosure is of paramount interest to a prospective franchisee, the FTC, through Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document ("FDD"), does not mandate such disclosure but rather merely makes disclosure of this information optional. For the improved health of the franchise industry-by rewarding profitable franchise concepts and weeding out the unprofitable ones as well as the financial well-being of franchisees, it is imperative that the FTC correct this problem by making Financial Performance Representations ("FPRs") a mandatory pre-sale disclosure requirement.
Assessing Resting Metabolic Rate in Overweight and Obese Adolescents With a Portable Indirect Calorimeter: A Pilot Study for Validation and Reliability.

Background: Indirect calorimetry measured via the traditional indirect calorimeter is considered the “gold standard” for determining resting metabolic rate (RMR). Portable devices for assessing RMR are a less expensive option for measuring RMR in the clinical setting. This pilot study tested the reliability and validity of a portable device for measuring RMR, specifically in overweight and obese adolescents. Materials and Methods: Participants aged 17–19 years (n = 19) and ≥85th percentile on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention body mass index growth curves for age and sex were recruited from a university campus. Participants completed testing on a traditional indirect calorimeter and a portable indirect calorimeter in a randomized order on 2 separate testing days. Results: A paired samples t test comparing the means of the portable device and the traditional indirect calorimeter found no significant difference (P = .22). The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient for assessing RMR was ...
Cloning and mapping the mouse Crygs gene and non-lens expression of [gamma]S-crystallin.

PURPOSE [gamma]-Crystallins are major structural proteins of the eye lens. While other crystallins have revealed distinct non-lens functions and patterns of expression, [gamma]-crystallins have generally appeared to be the most lens-specific of the crystallins. Here we examine the mouse [gamma]S-crystallin ([gamma]S) gene and its expression. METHODS The cDNA and gene for mouse [gamma]S were cloned and sequenced. The Crygs gene was mapped using genetic crosses. Expression patterns in mouse and cow were examined by northern blot, PCR and western blot using a specific peptide antibody. RESULTS The Crygs gene was sequenced and mapped to mouse chromosome 16, at or near the locus for the genetic cataract Opj. Northern blots of tissues from new born mice, showed lens specific expression of [gamma]S. However, in the mature mouse eye there was, in addition, clear non-lens expression of [gamma]S. In the adult bovine eye RT-PCR shows that [gamma]S is expressed in lens, retina and cornea. A peptide antibody directed against [gamma]S detects bands of the expected size in western blots of mouse lens and in 33 day old mouse retina. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that [gamma]-crystallins have a non-crystallin role outside the lens, one which may predate the lens in evolutionary terms. Non-lens expression seems to increase with age in young mice, hinting that [gamma]S may have a role similar to that of a stress protein in tissues of the eye, perhaps related to accumulating insults resulting from light exposure.
Pharmacists as a Liability-Reducing Factor

The potential for clinical pharmacy services to reduce the liability of institutions and the personnel who practice in them is presented. Several studies are reviewed that identify the characteristics of patients who are at a high risk of developing complications. Based on these data and data gathered on drug-related malpractice claims, pharmacists can concentrate their efforts on those patients who have the greatest liability implications to the institution. Pharmacists' efforts to reduce the liability of their institutions can also provide a justification for their clinical services.