cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synchronization of Oscillatory Gene Networks

Periodic gene expression in living cells could be subject to synchronization during processes such as cell-to-cell communication, quorum sensing, and entrainment of circadian rhythms. Synchronization occurs when two oscillatory gene networks coordinate the expression of their genes, and subsequently perform in-phase gene transcription. Coordination in gene expression of two oscillatory gene networks can occur when these networks are coupled by a cell signaling pathway. Cell signaling is common in all multicellular systems to perform cell-to-cell signaling and communication. For example, bacteria use a cell communication process known as quorum sensing to coordinate gene expression according to the density of their local population. Bacteria implement quorum sensing by secreting a signal molecule (autoinducer) into the environment. The autoinducer molecules can be taken up by bacteria, which activates gene expression, and also includes production of the autoinducer itself. Bacterial quorum sensing is used to engineer cell-to-cell communication systems that are composed of populations of “sender cells” and “receiver cells,” performing cell-to-cell communication that can be experimentally controlled. If sender and receiver cells exhibit oscillatory gene expression dynamics, then cell-to-cell communication may lead to synchronization of their oscillatory gene networks. By studying this synchronization, we can better understand how cells coordinate the decision-making process.
Who Visits Relatives in Nursing Homes? Predictors of at Least Weekly Visiting.

Abstract Objectives Within the context of a single study, assess the relative importance of the 6 factors identified in a 2019 systematic review as associated with the likelihood that family members will visit nursing home residents. Design Retrospective statistical analysis of an existing survey data set. Settings and Participants A national survey conducted with 4350 relatives of long-term nursing home residents. Methods Probit models of the probability of visiting a family member at least once weekly, stratified by age of the visitor, were estimated. To account for possible endogeneity of respondent involvement in the choice of nursing home and visit rate, visit rates were estimated using 2-stage residual inclusion in which the first stage explained involvement in nursing home choice. Results Involvement in nursing home choice has a substantively and statistically significant positive effect on visit probability for all age groups of respondents. Travel time has a substantively and statistically significant negative association on visit probability for all age groups. Younger women are more likely to visit than younger men. For all but the oldest respondents, higher income and full-time employment contribute to involvement in nursing home choice as does being Black or Hispanic. Conclusions and Implications As in previous research, travel time is an important determinant of visit rates. The strong association of involvement in nursing home choice with visit probability suggests a strong psychological motivation for visiting. To improve visiting, future research should focus on better understanding of the psychological factors that are associated with it and rely on better data and improved statistical methods. Our findings also suggest that nursing home administrators should consider adopting initiatives to facilitate and empower family members’ involvement in nursing home choice, which in turn may lead to increased visitations.
Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay.

Luminescent Identification of Functional Elements in 3’UTRs (3’LIFE) allows the rapid identification of targets of specific miRNAs within an array of hundreds of queried 3’UTRs. Target identification is based on the dual-luciferase assay, which detects binding at the mRNA level by measuring translational output, giving a functional readout of miRNA targeting. 3’LIFE uses non-proprietary buffers and reagents, and publically available reporter libraries, making genome-wide screens feasible and cost-effective. 3’LIFE can be performed either in a standard lab setting or scaled up using liquid handling robots and other high-throughput instrumentation. We illustrate the approach using a dataset of human 3’UTRs cloned in 96-well plates, and two test miRNAs, let-7c and miR-10b. We demonstrate how to perform DNA preparation, transfection, cell culture and luciferase assays in 96-well format, and provide tools for data analysis. In conclusion 3'LIFE is highly reproducible, rapid, systematic, and identifies high confidence targets.
The Least Dangerous Branch: The Dark Horse in American Democracy

This research examines the extent to which the Supreme Court has the power to influence public opinion. There is a good deal of consensus in the literature regarding the influence of public opinion on the Supreme Court. However, a relatively small pool of contradictory research attempting to turn the casual arrow from the Court to the public underscores the fact that the question of whether or not a dynamic, back-and-forth relationship exists is still open for debate. Using a portion of the work done by Erikson, MacKuen and Stimson in The Macro Polity (2002) as a model, and relying heavily on James Stimson's public mood data and salient Supreme Court decisions from 1969-2008, this study asserts that the Supreme Court has the power to influence the public mood on salient issues, especially with regard to highly unanimous decisions. Consequently, this study suggests a dialogue exists between two groups that were never intended to speak. This article is available in Res Publica Journal of Undergraduate Research: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol19/iss1/9
Modeling Supporting Regions for Close Human Interaction Recognition

This paper addresses the problem of recognizing human interactions with close physical contact from videos. Different from conventional human interaction recognition, recognizing close interactions faces the problems of ambiguities in feature-to-person assignments and frequent occlusions. Therefore, it is infeasible to accurately extract the interacting people, and the recognition performance of an interaction model is degraded. We propose a patch-aware model to overcome the two problems in close interaction recognition. Our model learns discriminative supporting regions for each interacting individual. The learned supporting regions accurately extract individuals at patch level, and explicitly indicate feature assignments. In addition, our model encodes a set of body part configurations for one interaction class, which provide rich representations for frequent occlusions. Our approach is evaluated on the UT-Interaction dataset and the BIT-Interaction dataset, and achieves promising results.
The role of cations in yeast phosphofructokinase catalysis.

Abstract The catalytic activity of yeast phosphofructokinase is dependent on the concentrations of both uncomplexed Mg2+ and MgITP2-, and not on the concentration of uncomplexed ITP. The allosteric inhibition of catalysis by ATP is dependent on the concentration of MgATP2- and not on the concentration of uncomplexed ATP. It is proposed that the nucleoside triphosphate substrates are bound as Mg2+ complexes, that catalysis requires uncomplexed Mg2+, and that MgATP2- is the negative effector. Addition of NH4Cl increases the catalytic activity of yeast phosphofructokinase up to 20-fold depending on the allosteric state of the enzyme. This activation can be resolved into the formation of two NH4+-enzyme complexes. Formation of the stronger complex, which has an apparent dissociation constant of 3 mm, produces about a 100% increase in the rate of catalysis irrespective of the allosteric state of the enzyme. Formation of the weaker complex is only detected catalytically in the presence of low concentrations of the positive effector, fructose-6-P, or in the presence of the negative effector, MgATP2-. The apparent dissociation constant of the weaker NH4+-enzyme complex increases as the concentration of the positive effector decreases or the concentration of negative effector increases, or both. The presence of 50 mm NH4Cl increases the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate fructose-6-P and decreases the Hill coefficient of fructose-6-P. It was concluded that NH4+ functions as an activator when binding to the stronger site and as a positive allosteric effector when binding to the weaker site. Addition of KCl also increases the catalytic activity of the enzyme. This activation can be resolved into the formation of two K+-enzyme complexes. Formation of the stronger complex, which has an apparent dissociation constant of about 10 mm, produces a 50% increase in catalytic activity and does not appear to alter the allosteric state of the enzyme. Although the apparent dissociation constant of the weaker K+-enzyme complex increases as the initial concentration of positive effector decreases or negative effector increases (or both), the presence of 200 mm KCl does not change the affinity of the enzyme for fructose-6-P or the Hill coefficient of this substrate. It was concluded therefore that K+ is not a significant allosteric effector. Competition experiments indicate that the stronger NH4+ and K+ sites are distinct from each other and that the catalytic response to the binding of NH4+ and K+ to these sites is not additive.
Dancing, Poetry, Pain: An Ekphrastic Etude

A meditation on dance, poetry, pain and embodied acts of translation, moving along poems by Rainer Maria Rilke.
Identification of Local Treatment Effects Using a Proxy for an Instrument

The method of indirect least squares (ILS) using a proxy for a discrete instrument is shown to identify a weighted average of local treatment effects. The weights are nonnegative if and only if the proxy is intensity preserving for the instrument. A similar result holds for instrumental variables (IV) methods such as two stage least squares. Thus, one should carefully interpret estimates for causal effects obtained via ILS or IV using an error-laden proxy of an instrument, a proxy for an instrument with missing or imputed observations, or a binary proxy for a multivalued instrument. Favorably, the proxy need not satisfy all the assumptions required for the instrument. Specifically, an individual's proxy can depend on others' instrument and the proxy need not affect the treatment nor be exogenous. In special cases such as with binary instrument, ILS using any suitable proxy for an instrument identifies local average treatment effects.
Asymmetrical duty-cycle control of a novel multi-port CLL resonant converter

In this study, a novel multi-port CLL resonant converter with an asymmetrical duty cycle control is analyzed. The proposed asymmetrical duty cycle manages the output voltage for various load conditions. Series connected transformers at the secondary side enable to split the power in each port and reduce the voltage stresses on the switches compared to the parallel connected transformers. Even under the unbalanced input conditions, the current sharing between ports is preserved because of the magnetizing inductance of the CLL resonant converter that can be as large as needed. In order to investigate the proposed control in the converter, two different isolated DC sources and a variable load are used. The converter operation is tested at 120 V inputs with the output of 200 V at a full power of 1 kW with a maximum efficiency of 97.4%. The experimental results show that the multi-port CLL resonant converter with the proposed controller is an appropriate topology for sustainable energy platforms which are supplied by different type of energy sources such as photovoltaic, fuel-cell, wind, etc., at various power capacities.
Spirituality and Aging, by Robert C. Atchley

In Spirituality and Aging, Robert Atchley addresses the challenging task of describing and understanding the spiritual lives of older adults, where spirituality is understood broadly as “a region o...
Retinal Damage Induced by Internal Limiting Membrane Removal

The internal limiting membrane (ILM), the basement membrane of the Muller cells, serves as the interface between the vitreous body and the retinal nerve fiber layer. It has a fundamental role in the development, structure, and function of the retina, although it also is a pathologic component in the various vitreoretinal disorders, most notably in macular holes. It was not until understanding of the evolution of idiopathic macular holes and the advent of idiopathic macular hole surgery that the idea of adjuvant ILM peeling in the treatment of tractional maculopathies was explored. Today intentional ILM peeling is a commonly applied surgical technique among vitreoretinal surgeons as it has been found to increase the rate of successful macular hole closure and improve surgical outcomes in other vitreoretinal diseases. Though ILM peeling has refined surgery for tractional maculopathies, like all surgical procedures it is not immune to perioperative risk. The essential role of the ILM to the integrity of the retina and risk of trauma to retinal tissue spurs suspicion with regard to its routine removal. Several authors have investigated the retinal damage induced by ILM peeling and these complications have been manifested across many different diagnostic studies.
An Efficient Algorithm for Graph Bisection of Triangularizations

Graph bisection is an elementary problem in graph theory. We consider the best known experimental algorithms and introduce a new algorithm called Longest-Path-Algorithm. Applying this algorithm to the cluster tree generation of hierarchical matrices, arising for example in discretizations of partial equations, we show that this algorithm outperforms previous algorithms.
Localization of FMRFamide-like peptides in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The neuropeptide FMRFamide (Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2) is a member of a large family of related peptides that have been found throughout the animal kingdom. By using an antiserum specific for the Arg-Phe-NH2 moiety, we have found that about 10% of the neurons in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans are immunoreactive. Most of these neurons, which include sensory, motor, and interneurons, were identified on the basis of their number, position, and projection pattern and by analysis of characterized mutants. Neurons that were immunoreactive in hermaphrodite animals were generally also found in males, but each sex had, in addition, sex-specific immunoreactive cells. Staining of hermaphrodite animals from different larval stages suggests that the onset of FMRFamide-like expression is differentially regulated among the cells. We have found a possible neuromodulatory role for the related peptide FLRFamide (Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2). In an egg-laying assay, FLRFamide by itself was not active but could potentiate a serotonin effect. The FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity was also used as a marker to examine the differentiation of cells that normally undergo programmed cell death. Cells that are destined to die in the Pn.a lineages appear to differentiate and adopt the fate of lineally equivalent cells before cell death.
Role of protein phosphatases in the modulation of neuronal membrane currents

Although much is known regarding the modulation of ion channels through protein phosphorylation, little is known about their dephosphorylation by protein phosphatases (PrPs). To address this issue we examined the effects of phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid (OA), and protein phosphatases obtained from rabbit skeletal muscle on steady-state membrane current in voltage-clamped sensory neurons ofAplysia. In addition, we examined the ability of OA and PrPs to modulate serotonin (5-HT)- and cAMP-induced inward currents and an opposite outward current induced by the peptide FMRFamide. The results suggest that: (1) some basal level of phosphorylation regulates membrane channels even in the absence of physiological stimulation; (2) the 5-HT-, cAMP-, and FMRFamide-induced responses are highly regulated by PrPs; and (3) the FMRFamide-induced outward current may be due at least in part to the activation of PrPs.
Numerical Navier-Stokes solutions from gas kinetic theory

Abstract In order to test the gas-kinetic based hydrodynamic scheme given in paper I (K. H. Prendergast and K. Xu, J. Comput. Phys. 109 , 53, 1993) as a Navier-Stokes solver, we extend the scheme to two dimensions and exhibit some Navier-Stokes solutions. The scheme is a high-resolution gas kinetic scheme in both space and time. The advective and diffusive fluxes are coupled and solved at the same time by following the time-dependent velocity distribution function for particles. Numerical results for some well-defined Euler and Navier-Stokes test cases are presented. The Kolmogorov and the laminar boundary layer problems exhibit the dominance of the real viscosity effects. The strong shock interaction test cases show the applicability of the scheme to supersonic gas flow.
Incorporation of cadmium into Drosophila

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the toxicity tolerance of Drosophila to cadmium in order to obtain flies with a high Cd body burden. CdCl 2 was added in various concentrations to the larval rearing medium. Development was normal in media containing less than 10 2 μ/g Cd (wet wt). Adult flies reared on a medium with 31 μg/g Cd (dry wt) contained an average of 73 μg/g Cd (dry wt). Much of the Cd incorporated into the body of the adult fly was located in the soft tissues and the haemolymph; only negligible amounts were found in the cuticle.
Nociceptive pathways: anatomy and physiology of nociceptive ascending pathways.

In primates, the principal nociceptive pathways ascend in the anterolateral quadrant of the spinal cord. Among these, the spinothalamic tract (s.t.t.) is the best studied. Cells in Rexed's laminae I and V project to the ventro-posterolateral (v.p.l.) thalamic nucleus. Other cells in the same and deeper laminae terminate in the intralaminar complex. Spinothalamic tract cells may be nociceptive-specific or multireceptive. Those ending in v.p.l. have restricted, contralateral receptive fields, whereas those projecting to the intralaminar region often have large, bilateral receptive fields. Spinoreticular tract (s.r.t.) cells are concentrated in laminae VII and VIII and may be nociceptive. It is proposed that the s.t.t. contributes to sensory-discriminative processing of pain and that the s.t.t. and s.r.t. play a role in the motivational-affective components of pain. Alternative nociceptive pathways are the spinocervical and postsynaptic dorsal column tracts.
Taxonomic considerations of piptocarpha (Compositae: Vernonieae) and new taxa in Brazil

The distribution, affinities and delimiting characters and prospects for a new classification ofPiptocarpha are discussed. Two new species and one subspecies from Brazil are described and figured:Piptocarpha densifolia, P. ramboi andP. rotundifolia (Less.) Baker subsp.hatschbachii.
Modeling and identification of an arbitrarily shaped scatterer using dynamic XFEM with cubic splines

Abstract Localization and shape identification of an arbitrarily shaped scatterer embedded in elastic heterogeneous media is investigated using the dynamic eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM). The scatterer’s geometry is represented using cubic splines whose parameters are adaptively updated in a gradient-based minimization framework that is used to solve the inverse identification problem. The dynamic XFEM is employed to solve the forward (wave propagation) problem, because it enables direct parametric modeling of the moving boundary of the scatterer over a stationary background mesh. The use of open/close cubic splines combined with XFEM enables the effective construction of the complicated scatterer geometry by minimizing the number of unknown shape parameters. A two-phase divide-and-conquer approach is adopted to alleviate complications due to the potential manifestation of multiple solutions to the inverse problem and for increased computational efficiency. In first phase, the scatterer is localized using a simple geometric representation; and the search is carried out using multiple independent inversions starting from different initial estimates. Incidentally, this strategy is perfectly scalable in parallel computation. In the second phase, the geometric representation is adaptively refined using cubic splines to obtain an accurate estimate of the scatterer’s shape. Several numerical experiments are provided, which clearly show that the proposed approach is robust and can yield highly accurate results.
Hydralazine-pyrimidine interactions may explain hydralazine-induced lupus erythematosus

Hydralazine, the prototypic drug that induces systemic lupus erythematosus, reacts with thymidine and deoxycytidine. Analysis of a reaction mixture of therapeutic concentrations of hydralazine with labeled thymidine reveals at least four labeled products. At higher concentrations, hydralazine reacts with labeled deoxycytidine to form at least three labeled products. Formation of these products is markedly enhanced by exposure to ultraviolet light. The reaction of hydralazine with thymidine and deoxycytidine may be in part responsible for initiating drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus.
A bottom-up computational framework for first-principle all-electron calculations

In this paper, we aim to address the challenges of atomistic simulations posed by traditional ab-initio modeling approaches for electronic structure calculations. We propose to demonstrate the robustness of our real-space mesh modeling framework capable to produce well-suited and scalable problems for addressing large-scale ab-initio simulations. First-principle simulations are performed solving the Kohn-Sham self-consistent equation for all-electrons using core potential in order to preserve the locality of the potential and the linear scalability of our modeling framework. We then explore the benefits of the new FEAST eigenvalue solver for simulating arbitrary atomic nanostructures. Finally, we present simulation results for systems of atoms, molecules, and Polyparaphenylene.
Cloning and expression of the cDNA for rat NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase.

Abstract The cDNA for rat NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) was cloned from an intestinal cDNA library. The sequence of this cDNA was found to be identical to that of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) product obtained using rat lung RNA as a template. The cDNA contains a 798-bp open reading frame that codes for a protein of 266 amino acids (Mr 28 775) which shares 88.7% identity with the human 15-PGDH and 92.1% identity with the mouse 15-PGDH protein. The regions that are believed to be the NAD+ binding domain and the active site are conserved in the enzymes from the three different species. However, the sequence of the C-terminal 9 amino acids appears to be significantly different. The authenticity of the rat cDNA was confirmed by the expression of an enzymatically active 15-PGDH in E. coli.
Mineralogy of fine-grained rims in the alh 81002 cm chondrite

Abstract The mineralogy of fine-grained rims in ALH 81002, a relatively primitive CM carbonaceous chondrite, has been determined by using transmission electron microscopy. The most abundant phase is Mg-rich serpentine, which occurs in small (≤20 nm) crystals with cylindrical or fibrous morphologies. Cronstedtite, an Fe-rich phyllosilicate, occurs as relatively large (100 to 2500 nm), platy crystals. Some cronstedtite is coherently intergrown with tochilinite. In many cases, cronstedtite has been partially altered to serpentine. The compositions and textures of these two phases provide a mineralogical and morphologic alteration sequence that parallels the known compositional trend for CM chondrite matrix. Accessory minerals embedded within the phyllosilicates include chlorite, pentlandite, gypsum, olivine, kamacite, taenite, and chromite. Regions containing only anhydrous minerals also occur. The hydrated and anhydrous regions are in direct contact with each other, suggesting that the rims accreted material from multiple reservoirs.
Constructing Binomial Trees From Multiple Implied Probability Distributions

Rubinstein9s seminal work on implied binomial trees showed how to fit a tree to a set of market prices for options maturing on a single date. A problem with the technique is that the tree it produces cannot match option prices for multiple maturities, so it cannot simultaneously cover a full set of options traded in a given market. The tree structure needed for that task is significantly more complex than a simple binomial. Brown and Toft show how such a general tree may be implied out of a set of option market prices. They then illustrate the technique using S&P 500 index options and currency options on the deutschemark. The resulting trees even embody patterns of path dependence commonly observed in volatilities.
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS AND CATABOLISM IN HEALTHY CHILDREN, BEFORE AND AFTER ELECTIVE SURGERY

We measured whole body rates of protein synthesis(S) and catabolism(C) in seven healthy children, age 4 to 15 yrs., before reconstructive surgery and in six of them, 5 days post-operatively using a constant 15N infusion technique. Pre-op, S and C fell between reported infant and adult normal values (g prot/kg/d) but did not vary with age of our subjects. S decreased 15% (P<.05) post-op although body weight, intake of protein and calories, N balance, and C did not change. S did correlate with protein (r = +.75) and calorie (r = + .58) intake. Pre-op, mean S (g prot/d) expressed per unit BMR (0.11) or per g protein allowance (5.0) was the same as that previously estimated for infants or adults. Our studies show: 1 Minor surgery causes decreased protein synthetic rate in face of unchanged protein and calorie intake, N balance, and catabolic rate. 2. Energy expenditure relates closely to protein synthetic rates at all ages. 3. The efficiency of N utilization in healthy children is similar to that in infants and adults.
Steric Considerations in the Covalent Binding of Myoglobin to Thin Films

Myoglobin is shown to bind to mixed thin films of docosyl mesylate and methyl docosanoate. Myoglobin can be attached to films containing docosyl mesylate; however, films containing only methyl docosanoate exhibit only minimal myoglobin attachment. This indicates that myoglobin is specifically attached to the docosyl mesylate sites on the film surface. Surface coverage of myoglobin is dependent on the percentage of docosyl mesylate in the film. A maximum myoglobin coverage of approximately 1.2 × 1012 myoglobin/cm2 is estimated for films composed of between 22% and 30% docosyl mesylate.
Absolute Quantum Efficiency of Sodium Salicylate for Excitation by Extreme Ultraviolet

The absolute quantum efficiency of sodium salicylate has been measured for incident uv in the wavelength range 304 to 1216 A. A simple model for the radiative transfer within a thin phosphor screen is used to correct the results for incomplete absorption of the incident uv and for self absorption of the luminescent flux. The model also predicts the variation of screen response with thickness. The measurements indicate a value of about 45% for the quantum efficiency in the short-wavelength plateau of the excitation spectrum.
Usefulness of Angioscope in Angioplastic Procedures for Arteriosclerotic Obstructions of the Femoral Artery

In patients with arterial occlusion or stenosis of the lower extremity due to arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO), vascular lumen was angioscopically observed immediately after transluminal balloon angioplasty (TBA). Five major findings were observed and classified: (1) abrasion of the intima, (2) irregularity of the lumen due to poor expansion, (3) laceration of the wall, (4) mural thrombus, and (5) intraluminally protruding calcification. The degree of each finding was scored with a 3-grade scale (0, 1, or 2). In analysis of the relationship between angioscopic scoring and long-term vascular patency, when initial scores were high, decreased patency was seen in the early (within six months) and late (after six months) (p<0.05) postoperative periods (p<0.01). In patients in whom total scores were over 5, the vascular patency rate was markedly low (11 % and 0% in the early and late postoperative periods, respectively) (ρ<0.01). These results indicate the usefulness of angioscopic observation of the vascular ...
Stimulation-induced changes in filopodial dynamics determine the action radius of growth cones in the snail Helisoma trivolvis.

Filopodia on neuronal growth cones constantly extend and retract, thereby functioning as both sensory probes and structural devices during neuronal pathfinding. To better understand filopodial dynamics and their regulation by encounters with molecules in the environment, we investigated filopodial dynamics of identified B5 neurons from the buccal ganglion of the snail Helisoma trivolvis before and after treatment with nitric oxide (NO). We have previously demonstrated that treatment with several NO-donors caused a transient, cGMP-mediated elevation in [Ca(2+)](i), which was causally related to an increase in filopodial length and a reduction in the number of filopodia on growth cones. We demonstrate here that these effects were the result of distinct changes in filopodial dynamics. The NO-donor SIN-1 induced a general increase in filopodial motility. Filopodial elongation after treatment with SIN-1 resulted from a significant increase in the rate at which filopodia extended, as well as a significant increase in the time filopodia spent elongating. The reduction in filopodial number was caused by a significant decrease in the frequency with which new filopodia were inserted into the growth cone. With the exception of the back where filopodia appeared less motile, filopodial dynamics appeared to be mostly independent of the location on the growth cone. These results suggest that NO can regulate filopodial dynamics on migrating growth cones and might function as a messenger to adjust the action radius of a growth cone during pathfinding.
More to TTP than VWFCP

Recent advances in understanding thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) have been remarkable, but several important questions about pathogenesis remain unanswered. Most adult patients with “idiopathic” TTP have acquired deficiency of plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving protease (VWFCP
Risk Perception and Use of Warnings

The purpose of the studies was to develop information about how the general public perceives the degree of danger represented by signal words in warnings. Although many organizations have guidelines for the determination of what signal words are to be used with specific hazards, these are usually unknown to the public. For 15 items that had been rated for the seriousness of risk, 288 subjects were asked to indicate which signal word they would use to inform others of the hazard. Signal words that had been found to rate high in seriousness by Leonard, Karnes, and Schneider (1988) tended to be used more with items rated as higher risks. Differences were found among age groups with older subjects using signal words that carried more serious connotations. The possible warnings that might be used were discussed.
The influence of exogenous estradiol on bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) reproductive systems.

1. 1. Mean plasma 17-β-estradiol (E2) concentrations of nonphotostimulated adult bobwhite quail were <31.2 and 119.9pg/ml for males and females, respectively. 2. 2. Dietary β-estradiol-3-benzoate (E2β) dosages of 10, 100 or 500 μg/bird/day caused mean plasma E2 concentrations of females to increase by 1.2, 2.0 or 5.6 times. 3. 3. Oviduct weights were significantly increased in females fed E2β dosages of greater than 100μg/bird/day for five days. Gonad weights were not significantly effected in either sex. 4. 4. Ten- to fifty-fold greater doses of dietary E2β were required to induce oviduct growth responses equivalent to those produced by injected E2β.
Empirical determinations of the effective absorption coefficients for the NO γ-bands at 2259 a and the v3-fundamental of N2O at 4.52 μ

Abstract Shock-tube correlation-absorption data at 2250 A (Δλ = 39 A) of low-pressure (≈5 torr) emission lines by high-pressure (0.5⪅ p , atm⪅2.1) and high-temperature (905⪅ T , °K⪅2015) lines belonging to the (0, 0) band of the NO γ-system are described by using an effective absorption coefficient for emission lines of negligible width and line-center absorption by isolated Voigt-lines of common widths. The effective f -number differs by -26% from the preferred value. Modeling the system with narrow-line emission and absorption by a just-overlapping band system does not correlate the observed data. Shock-tube emission data at 4.52 μ (Δλ = 0.083 μ) for N 2 O in the v 3 -fundamental for 975⪅ T , °K≈2300 and 0.4⪅ p , atm⪅2.2 are well described by the just-overlapping line model. The effective integrated band-intensity agrees within 9.4% with recent literature data. The appropriate models are useful for concentration time-history measurements of NO and N 2 O behind shock waves.
Continuous versus measurable recourse in N-stage stochastic programming☆☆☆

Abstract An optimization model is studied in which a convex functional, giving expected cost subject to convex constraints, is minimized over a class of measurable recourse functions describing decisions that depend nonanticipatively on a sequence of observations of random variables. Conditions are established under which the infimum of the cost functional is not altered if the recourse functions are restricted to be continuous.
Numerical study of the geometric phase in the H+H2 reaction

Abstract The effect on the H + H 2 reaction of the geometric phase induced by the conical intersection between the two lowest electronic states of H 3 is investigated by an accurate quantum mechanical computation up to 2.6 eV above the bottom of the ground state H 2 electronic potential well for the total angular momentum J = 0. The main effects of the inclusion of the geometric phase are a sign change in the reactive scattering matrix and modifications in the nuclear permutation symmetries of the calculated resonances. Cross-sections to which non-reactive processes contribute (ortho → ortho and para → para) are significantly modified, whereas the others (ortho → para and para → ortho) are not.
Evidence for the role of cyclic AMP-responsive elements in human virus replication and disease

We review the involvement of the cyclic AMP responsive DNA element (CRE) and the ATF/CREB (activating transcription factor/CRE binding protein) family of transcription factors in the regulation and pathology of clinically important viruses that infect humans, including the herpesviridae, adenoviridae, parvoviridae, hepadnaviridae, and retroviridae families. CRE sequences found in specific regulatory elements of human viruses are listed, and the functional evidence for CRE activity, in the form of DNA binding assays, mutational studies, transfection and transcriptional activation experiments, or in vitro transcription assays, is summarized. Manipulation of cellular processes is required for virus replication in human cells following infection. A primary target of many viruses is the cellular transcription machinery, and several human viruses contain transcriptional activator and repressor proteins that affect cellular transcription. Through their effect on cellular transcription, viral genes alter the pattern of cellular gene expression, and thereby affect the differentiation state and cell cycle progression of the infected cell. We summarize evidence demonstrating that the CRE and its binding proteins are involved in the activity of the viruses, implicating their function in the pathogenesis of human diseases. The targeting of specific transcription factor pathways as a potential therapeutic approach is discussed.
Organic Light-Emitting Diode Sensing Platform: Challenges and Solutions

The organic light-emitting diode (OLED)-based sensing platform is gaining momentum due to unique attributes of the compact OLEDs that are used as excitation sources. This paper, however, points to issues related to this sensing platform that will affect many (bio)chemical sensing applications, in particular in photoluminescence (PL)-based sensors operated in the advantageous time domain, where pulsed OLEDs are utilized. The issues are related to the post-pulse electroluminescence (EL) profi le, i.e., transient EL, which depends on the OLED materials and structure, and to the long-wavelength tail of the typically broad-band EL spectrum. Depending on materials and device structure, the transient EL may exhibit spikes peaking at ∼ 100–200 ns and μ s-long tails. As shown, these interfere with the determination of PL decay times (that are related to analyte concentrations) of sensing elements. The results also indicate that the long-wavelength tail of the EL spectrum contributes to the interfering post-pulse μ s-long EL tail. Hence, it is shown that the choice of OLED materials, the use of microcavity ( μ C) OLEDs with tunable, narrower EL bands, and the use of UV OLEDs alleviate these issues, resulting in more reliable data analysis. Furthermore, a 2-D uniform 2 μ m-pitch microlens array that was previously used for improving light extraction from the OLEDs (J.-M. Park et al., Optics Express 2011 , 19 , A786) is used for directional PL scattering toward the photodetector, which leads to a ∼ 2.1–3.8 fold enhancement of the PL signal. This behavior is shown for oxygen sensing, which is the basis for sensing of bioanalytes such as glucose, lactate, ethanol, cholesterol, and uric acid.
The regiospecific total synthesis of lavendamycin methyl ester

Abstract The total synthesis of the methyl ester of the antibiotic lavendamycin (4a) by an 8-step sequence from 8-methoxyquinaldic acid (6) is described.
Adherence, Drug Use, and Treatment Failure in a Methadone-Clinic–Based Program of Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy

Supervised dosing is a cornerstone of tuberculosis treatment. HIV treatment strategies that use directly administered antiretroviral therapy (DAART) are increasingly being assessed. In a prospective single-arm clinical trial, we enrolled methadone-maintained, HIV-infected participants to receive supervised doses of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on days when they received methadone. Other ART doses were self-administered. In this analysis we examined factors associated with retention to DAART, adherence to supervised doses, and virologic failure. Factors associated with retention to DAART were assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. Factors associated with nonadherence with supervised dosing and with virologic failure were assessed by logistic regression and techniques for longitudinal data analysis. A total of 16,453 supervised doses were administered to 88 participants over a median follow-up of 9.4 months. The median participant adherence with supervised dosing was 83%. Active drug use, determined by urine drug screens, was associated twofold increased risks of both intervention dropout and nonadherence with supervised doses. Adherence with supervised doses was strongly associated with virologic failure. Because DAART was administered only on methadone dosing days, fewer than half of the total ART doses were scheduled to be supervised in most participants. The percent of doses that was scheduled to be supervised was not associated with either adherence or with virologic failure. Given that a relatively small proportion of the total ART doses were supervised in many patients, future studies should assess how DAART affects adherence with nonsupervised doses and retention to ART.
Behind the photos and the tears: media images, neoliberal discourses, racialized constructions of space and school closings in Chicago

This critical article provides insights into how media frames influence our understandings of school reform in urban spaces by examining images of students during the 2013 school closings in Chicago. Using visual framing analysis and informed by framing theory and critiques of neoliberalism we seek to explore two questions: (1) What role do media images play in the framing of public education in urban spaces?; and (2) What do media images of students during the 2013 school closings in Chicago tell us about the framing of neoliberal education reforms in urban spaces?
Collective excited states of a model 16O nucleus

Abstract As a first step toward developing a coordinate-space based, microscopic theory of nuclear giant resonances, we apply Feynman's theory of collective excitation to the study of excited states of a model 16O nucleus. This is a system of 16 nucleons interacting via a purely central Malfliet-Tjon potential. For this Fermi system, our modified, fixed-node diffusion Monte Carlo algorithm yields excellent results for the ground-state energy and one- and two-body densities. By solving the Feynman eigenvalue equation using these densities as inputs, we can further determine the energy and the transition densities of the collective monopole, dipole and quadrupole excitations.
Evidence for Heterozygous Abnormalities of the Elastin Gene (ELN) Affecting the Quantity of Vocal Fold Elastic Fibers: A Pilot Study

Summary Objectives To investigate the effects of a heterozygous elastin gene ( Eln ) abnormality (deletion of one Eln allele) on the structural characteristics of the vocal fold lamina propria using a mouse model of human disease. Study Design Cross-sectional between-subjects design. Methods Five mice, four with heterozygous Eln deletions ( Eln +/−) serving as an animal model for the human disease supravalvular aortic stenosis and one normal wild-type control ( Eln +/+) were used for this study. Vocal folds were obtained from each animal and stained for the protein elastin using histochemical methods. Descriptive data from qualitative visual inspection and quantitative data from microscopic digital image analysis were collected to determine the staining density of elastic fibers within the vocal fold lamina propria. Results Qualitative visual inspection revealed greater staining density (eg, a greater quantity) for elastic fibers in the Eln +/+ animal. Quantitative measurements using digital pixel analysis of staining density revealed significant differences between mice with the two genotypes, confirming the qualitative findings. Conclusions Results suggest that Eln requires two functioning alleles for normal structural development of the vocal fold lamina propria. This pilot evidence supports the hypothesis of a structural etiology causing altered vocal function in humans with a similar genotype.
Increasing the skill utilization of expatriates

This article examines the utilization, underutilization, and misutilization of expatriate skills in overseas assignments. Using quantitative data from 268 expatriates from six Fortune 500 multinational corporations, the research first examines expatriates' utilization of eight distinct skills and how patterns of skill utilization influence important job attitudes. Then, using qualitative data from the expatriates, the research examines the subsidiary-level, corporate-level, and country- level factors which facilitate (or inhibit) skill utilization. The study highlights the idea that effective skill utilization depends not only on the selection and training of expatriates themselves, but also upon the level of skill and teamwork among host country nationals and the quality of support provided by the MNC as a whole. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Factors to be considered in the selection and cataloging of Internet resources

Internet resources have become a standard part of the resources offered by many libraries. Despite this fact, issues surrounding the selection of these resources, as well as providing access to them through cataloging, continue to present problems for libraries. Since Internet resources are not published or made available to libraries in the same manner as traditional print materials, there are many more factors to be considered in the selection process. The decision to catalog Internet resources presents a number of challenges to libraries as well. Decisions must be made as to what types of Internet resources will receive cataloging, and what information should be included in the bibliographic record. Cataloging decisions are further complicated by the fact that long‐standing cataloging conventions do not readily apply to Internet resources.
Hierarchical texture segmentation with wavelet packet transform and adaptive smoothing

A new texture segmentation algorithm based on the wavelet transform and a hierarchical fuzzy processing technique is proposed in this research. We perform a tree-structured wavelet transform to decompose a textured image adaptively into subimages corresponding to different frequency channels, and assign a fuzzy membership function to every spatial location by examining the averaged energy value of a local window centered at that point. A procedure to determine the proper smoothing window size is described. The fuzzy membership function in different subimages is then integrated hierarchically to lead to the final segmentation result. Numerical experiments are given to demonstrate the performance of our proposed algorithm.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of lidocaine on rat myometrial sodium channels and implications for the management of preterm labor.

Objective: We examined the effects of lidocaine on ionic channels of single uterine myocytes and on the duration of pregnancy. Study Design: The electrophysiologic effects of lidocaine on the sodium, calcium, and potassium channels of freshly dissociated myocytes from rat uteri in late pregnancy were studied with the tight-seal patch-clamp method. Dose-response relations on the sodium and calcium currents and effects on the availability relation for sodium current were examined. Also studied were the effects of long-term administration of lidocaine on the duration of pregnancy. Results: Lidocaine blocks Na + channels selectively, with an ED 50 (concentration of lidocaine capable of blocking half of the Na + current) of 0.11 mmol/L. It shifts the availability relations for sodium ion to more negative voltages. When administered from day 20 until delivery, lidocaine prolonged term by 7%. Conclusion: Lidocaine can selectively block myometrial Na + channels, thereby reducing excitability. It can prolong term in the pregnant rat. These observations suggest that lidocaine might be useful in the clinical management of preterm labor.
The significance of primitive cells in marrow aspirates of children with neuroblastoma.

A study was undertaken to determine the nature of primitive cells resembling lymphoblasts found in the marrow of an asymptomatic child with neuroblastoma. The cells proved to be lymphoblasts by electron microscopy and were similar in appearance to antibody-producing lymphocytes. A retrospective analysis was made of 90 marrow aspirates from 19 children with neuroblastoma. The mean percentage of lymphocytes and lymphoblasts was calculated for each patient. To determine the prognostic significance, if any, of the presence of these cells, patients were grouped according to age and stage of disease at diagnosis and to the presence or absence of disease at the time the analysis was made. Increased numbers of lymphoblasts were seen in patients with a good prognosis. Differentiation between isolated neuroblasts and cells resembling lymphoblasts is important because the presence of tumor cells is an ominous sign while lymphoblasts correlate with a good life expectancy.
Appearance of anti-bacterial agglutinins in X-irradiated rabbits receiving immune spleen nucleoproteins

Le transfert de noyaux, de mitochondries, de desoxyribonucleoproteines et de fractions ribonucleoproteques, derivant de cellules de ganglion lymphatique preparees a partir de lapins donneurs, immunises contre Shigella a provoque l'apparition d'agglutinines anti-Shigella dans le serum de lapins, soumis aux rayons X durant 24 h.