cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metals at the surface of last scatter

Standard big-bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) predicts only a trace abundance of lithium and no heavier elements, but some alternatives predict a nonzero primordial metallicity. Here we explore whether CMB measurements may set useful constraints to the primordial metallicity and/or whether the standard CMB calculations are robust, within the tolerance of forthcoming CMB maps, to the possibility of primordial metals. Metals would affect the recombination history (and thus CMB power spectra) in three ways: (1) Lyα photons can be removed (and recombination thus accelerated) by photoionizing metals; (2) The Bowen resonance-fluorescence mechanism may degrade Lyβ photons and thus enhance the Lyβ escape probability and speed up recombination; (3) Metals could affect the low-redshift tail of the CMB visibility function by providing additional free electrons. The last two of these provide the strongest CMB signal. However, the effects are detectable in the Planck satellite only if the primordial metal abundance is at least a few hundredths of solar for (2) and a few tenths of solar for (3). We thus conclude that Planck will not be able to improve upon current constraints to primordial metallicity, at the level of a thousandth of solar, from the Lyman-α forest and ultra-metal-poor halo stars, and that the CMB power-spectrum predictions for Planck suffer no uncertainty arising from the possibility that there may be primordial metals.
The nuclear reactor with a transverse air gap

Abstract Diffusion theory and transport theory treatments of the problem of a nuclear reactor with a transverse air gap are compared. It is suggested that the difference in results for narrow gaps results from the fact that diffusion theory does not adequately represent the flux distribution in the neighbourhood of the gap. For mathematical convenience, previous treatments of the gap problem have involved the use of fictitious image piles which exaggerate the neutron losses. The extent of the error is estimated by direct neutron leakage calculations. Expressions are obtained for the critical size of a reactor with a transverse air gap.
Theoretical study of the pre- and post-translational effects of adenine and thymine tautomers and methyl derivatives

The study of pre-translational effects (ionization, tautomerization) and post-translational effects (methylation) of adenine and thymine has only recently been the focus of some studies. These effects can potentially help regulate gene expression as well as potentially disrupt normal gene function. Because of this wide array of roles, greater insight into these effects in deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) are paramount. There has been considerable research of each phenomenon (tautomerization, methylation and ionization) individually. In this work, we attempt to shed light upon the pre-translational effects and post translational effects of adenine and thymine by investigating the electron affinities (EAs) and ionization potentials (IPs) of the major and minor tautomers and their methyl derivatives. We performed all calculations using the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP functional accompanied with 6-311G(d,p), 6-311+G(d,p) and 6-311++G(df,pd) basis sets. Our results reveal that the thymine tautomer has a higher EA and IP than the adenine tautomers. The higher EA suggests that an electron that attaches to the AT base pair would predominately attach to the thymine instead of adenine. The higher IP would suggest that an electron that is removed from the AT base pair would be predominately removed from the adenine within the base pair. Understanding how tautomerization, ionization and methylation differences change effects, discourages, or promotes one another is lacking. In this work, we begin the steps of integrating these effects with one another, to gain a greater understanding of molecular changes in DNA bases.
Preirradiation of host cells does not alter blockage of simian virus 40 replication forks by pyrimidine dimers

Abstract Do damage-inducible responses in mammalian cells alter the interaction of lesions with replication forks? We have previously demonstrated that preirradiation of the host cell mitigates UV inhibition of SV40 DNA replication; this mitigation can be detected within the first 30 min after the test irradiation. Here we test the hypothesis that this mitigation involves either (1) rapid dimer removal, (2) rapid synthesis of daughter strands past lesions (trans-dimer synthesis), or (3) continued progression of the replication fork beyond a dimer. Cells preirradiated with UV were infected with undamaged SV40, and the effects of UV upon viral DNA synthesis were measured within the first hour after a subsequent test iirradiation. In preirradiated cells, as well as in non-preirradiated cells, pyrimidine dimers block elongation of daughter strands; daughter strands grow only to a size equal to the interdimer distance along the parental strands. There is, within this first hour after UV, no evidence for trans-dimer synthesis, nor for more rapid dimer removal either in the bulk of the parental DNA or in molecules in the replication pool. Progression of the replication forks was analyzed by electron microscopy or replicating SV40 molecules. Dimers block replication-fork progression in preirradiated cells to the same extent as in non-preirradiated cells. These experiments argue strongly against the hypothesis that preirradiation of host cells results in either the rapid removal of dimers, trans-dimer synthesis, or continued replication-fork progression beyond dimers.
Relationship of Serum Magnesium Levels to Serum Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels and to Myocardial Infarction

A comparison of 47 patients having proven myocardial infarction with a group of 50 patients having no evidence of coronary disease failed to show a difference in serum Mg levels between the two groups. Further analysis showed no correlation between the levels of serum magnesium and serum cholesterol or triglyceride. The literature is reviewed and apparent conflicts in results are considered. There is some basis for believing that a relationship exists between Mg and atherogenesis, but it would appear that approaches to the question to date have not been sufficiently thorough. The advent of atomic-absorption spectrophotometry should make possible more-accurate and -dependable Mg determinations in the future.
Ethical concepts and information technology

The fundamental aspects of classical and contemporary ethics, particularly as they apply to the use of IT, offer valuable lessons of professional conduct.
Analytical evaluation of stress-strain test data

An analytical model for deducing the actual stress-strain properties from laboratory test results is discussed. As an illustration, an elastic bilinear material is used for unconfined cylindrical compression test conditions, as simulated with a finite element analysis. The results obtained are applicable for assisting in evaluating measured strength and stiffness properties of some clay soils, concrete test cylinders, concrete cores, and rock cores. The quantitative results of this study can be used for interpreting measured stress-strain data for unconfined compression test conditions. The error in measured results is shown to be influenced by Poisson's ratio, length-to-diameter ratio of the specimen, end condition, and ratio of inelastic modulus to initial elastic modulus. Curves for adjusting the measured results to the theoretical results are presented.
TEACHING NOTES: SOCIAL WORK AND PUBLIC HEALTH: COMPARING GRADUATES FROM A DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAM

This study compared dual-degree master of social work/master of public health (MSW/MPH) and MSW-only graduates with 3 or more years of postgraduate experience. Thirty graduates from an MSW/MPH program were matched with 30 MSW-only graduates. All subjects were randomly selected from the alumni directory and interviewed via telephone. Results showed few differences between the groups, including no significant salary differences. Both groups enjoyed high career satisfaction and were similar on measures of social work professionalism. More research is needed to study the experiences of MSW/MPH professionals and their impact on the field of social work.
The effect of fasting on short‐term cattle grazing behaviour

The effects of fasting on feeding behaviour, intake rates, and diet quality were studied with steers grazing vegetative Lolium multiflorum swards. Fasting interrupted the normal alternation of grazing and rumination and led to longer grazing times (0·65 vs. 0·45 of observed time), shorter rumination times (0·15 vs. 0·30 of observed time), and higher total dry matter (DM) intakes (6200 g DM vs. 3750 g DM d−1)-Fasting did not affect prehended bite size which averaged 047 g DM bite−1. Declining bite size within a day was explicable by changes in herbage mass. Biting rate (38.9 bites min−1) and instantaneous intake rate (2675 g DM min−1) of fasted animals were considerably higher than non-fasting animals in the mornings, but neutral detergent fibre (NDF) concentration of the diet (0 742 of organic matter) was generally not depressed by fasting. Consequently, non-fasted animals appeared to be feeding suboptimally since their nutrient intake rates were considerably lower than that which they are capable of exhibiting. Mastication rates per unit NDF intake were considerably lower in the morning for fasted animals (0·78 chews g−1 NDF intake) which suggested that their intake rates may have led to larger ingested particle size. Therefore, on Lolium multifiorum swards, the steers attained a higher intake rate by masticating the forage less while maintaining diet quality.
Analytical issues in nutritional chromium research

In most readily accessible biological samples from humans, like blood, serum/plasma, urine, etc, the levels of chromium (Cr) are less than 1 ng/g, and in many cases closer to 0.1 ng/g. Only 3 analytical techniques have the required sensitivity to make measurements at these levels, namely, neutron activation analysis (NAA), mass spectrometry (MS), and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The first 2 are not widely available, and the third is the one most susceptible to interferences from the sample matrix. At the sub-parts-per-billion level, collecting samples without contaminating them and generating sufficiently low analytical and reagent blanks become extremely important and difficult. For other determinations of Cr, eg, in diet components, foods and tissues, where the levels are often well above the ng/g level, the required sensitivity is less of a limitation, but contamination problems remain, and factors like sample processing and homogeneity become more important. Problems and precautions in Cr determinations are discussed, and means of accuracy verification are presented. A novel use of stable isotopes of Cr in an accurate, non-radioactive method of measuring blood volume is described, as well as a discussion of the future of Cr determinations using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 12:99–109, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
AWD Vehicle Dynamics and Energy Efficiency Improvement by Means of Interaxle Driveline and Steering Active Fusion

This paper presents a novel approach to improve both energy efficiency and lateral dynamics of an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle by means of active functional/operational fusion of a driveline system, which distributes power between the front and rear driving axles, and a steering system that steers the front driving wheels.The paper starts by presenting the kinematic discrepancy factor, which is a normalized difference of the front and rear theoretical velocities that influences the wheel power distribution, as a mathematical function of the tire rolling radii in the driven mode, the gear ratios of the driveline system, and the steering angle of the front wheels. Using this function, the gear ratios from the transfer case to the front and rear wheels are determined to optimize vehicle energy efficiency by minimizing the kinematic discrepancy at the vehicle’s straight line motion and on a curve.It is also analytically shown that the wheel power distribution leads to the variation of the circumferential force of the front wheels that significantly influences the magnitude and direction of the front wheel lateral force. Thus, the paper introduced the wheel power distribution between the driving axles as an instrument for controlling oversteer-understeer transition of a vehicle, i.e., controlling vehicle lateral dynamics.Finally, the steering angle of the front wheels is considered and analyzed as an input of an active steering system to control the vehicle oversteer-understeer process in combination with the effect of the steering angle on the kinematic discrepancy factor. Longitudinal velocity control is added to constrain the lateral acceleration. Thus, the functional fusion of the active steering and driveline systems for enhancing both AWD vehicle energy efficiency and dynamics is introduced for the first time.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Laboratory diagnosis of syphilis

Abstract Syphilis is a fascinating disease with a varied and perplexing array of clinical manifestations. Diagnosis is based upon clinical manifestations when present, identification of the etiologic agent, and serologic testing. A few new diagnositic tests have been developed in recent years but, with the exception of the IgM tests, most have no apparent advantage over existing standard approaches.
Phospho-H2A and cohesin specify distinct tension-regulated Sgo1 pools at kinetochores and inner centromeres.

Summary Accurate chromosome segregation requires coordination between the dissolution of sister-chromatid cohesion and the establishment of proper kinetochore-microtubule attachment [1–6]. During mitosis, sister-chromatid cohesion at centromeres enables the biorientation of and tension across sister kinetochores. The complex between shugoshin and protein phosphatase 2A (Sgo1-PP2A) localizes to centromeres in mitosis [7–10], binds to cohesin in a reaction requiring Cdk-dependent phosphorylation of Sgo1 [11], dephosphorylates cohesin-bound sororin [11], and protects a centromeric pool of cohesin from mitotic kinases and the cohesin inhibitor Wapl [11–14]. Cleavage of centromeric cohesin by separase allows sister chromatids connected to microtubules from opposing poles to be evenly partitioned into daughter cells [15, 16]. The centromeric localization of Sgo1 requires histone H2A phosphorylation at T120 (H2A-pT120) by the kinase Bub1 [17–19]. The exact role of H2A-pT120 in Sgo1 regulation is, however, unclear. Here, we show that cohesin and H2A-pT120 specify two distinct pools of Sgo1-P2A at inner centromeres and kinetochores, respectively, in human cells. Bub1 inactivation delocalizes cohesin-Sgo1 to chromosome arms. Kinetochore tension triggers Sgo1 dephosphorylation and redistributes Sgo1 from inner centromeres to kinetochores. Incomplete Sgo1 redistribution causes chromosome nondisjunction. Our study suggests that Bub1-mediated H2A phosphorylation penetrates kinetochores and that this histone mark contributes to a tension-sensitive Sgo1-based molecular switch for chromosome segregation.
The structure of post-retirement adaptation for recent and longer-term women retirees

Abstract A review of the literature on adjustment to retirement reveals that many investigators have studied retirees together as a group, regardless of the amount of time they have been retired. The present study questions the validity of that approach. The post-retirement adaptation of a group of 59 relatively recent (3–6 years) and 122 longer-term (7 + years) retirees was compared via canonical correlation analyses. The results showed that the structure of post-retirement adaptation differed for the two groups. The relatively recent retirees' adaptational variate emphasized satisfaction with retirement (.990) and showed weaker loadings on self-esteem (.475) and happiness (.374). Corresponding factor loadings for the longer-term retirees were −.340, .827 and .494, respectively. Thus, retirement satisfaction (or job deprivation) was a more salient aspect of the recent retirees' adaptation while longer-term adaptation was a more general phenomenon. These results suggest that the inclusion of longer-term r...
Signals and interferences in the nuclear car wash

The screening of sea-going cargo containers for highly enriched uranium (HEU) and other fissile material is a challenging problem. This is due in part to the cargo itself, which acts as an attenuator to any radiation that might signal its presence. In the nuclear car wash, β-delayed high-energy γ-rays following neutron-induced fission are utilized as this signal. The delayed γ-rays above 3 MeV are highly penetrating and have energies above natural background radiation. In addition, the half-lives of most fission products emitting γ-rays at these energies are less than 160 s, making it feasible to construct decay curves on a time scale which preserves the flow of commerce through the port. A particular goal of the project is to understand the rate of false alarms. To this end, experiments are underway to investigate possible interferences, and to understand variations in the overall γ-ray background. The experiments and preliminary results are discussed. Work performed under the auspices of the DOE by the UC LLNL W7405Eng4,UCRL-PROC-224803.
A precise and sensitive method for measurement of spinal cord blood flow

Spinal cord blood flow can be accurately and rapidly measured in rabbits by intravenous injection of [14C]iodoantipyrine, collection of sequential arterial samples, and abrupt termination of blood flow to the spinal cord by severing the aorta with a previously implanted ligature. The radioactive tracer concentrations in arterial and spinal cord samples can be rapidly measured in a scintillation counter. The spinal cord blood flow can then be calculated from these blood and tissue tracer concentrations. This method is suitable for use in anesthetized or unanesthetized small animals.
NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy: first human experience.

Objectives To present the operative outcomes of the first natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) transvaginal nephrectomy. Methods A 57-year-old woman with hypertension, right-sided flank pain, and radiographic evidence of an atrophic right kidney consented for NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy. Pneumoperitoneum was achieved with a Veress needle inserted deep in the umbilicus. Under direct vision, a colpotomy was made and a transvaginal port positioned. Using standard and articulating operating instruments inserted transvaginally, the kidney was mobilized and the renal hilum was controlled with an endovascular stapler. The kidney was placed in a laparoscopic retrieval bag and extracted through the vaginal incision. Salient demographic and operative data were obtained. Results NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy was successfully completed, with all the operative steps performed transvaginally. Dense pelvic adhesions from a prior hysterectomy necessitated the use of a 5-mm umbilical port during vaginal port placement and for retraction of the ascending colon during division of the renal hilum. No intraoperative complications occurred. Operative time was 307 minutes, with 124 minutes dedicated to vaginal port placement and 183 minutes dedicated to adhesiolysis and nephrectomy. The duration of hospitalization was 23 hours. The visual analog pain scale score was 1 of 10 on postoperative day 2. Conclusions Our experience shows that NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy is technically feasible. Access to the peritoneal cavity should be performed under visual guidance and after insufflation through the umbilicus. Additional experience is needed to better define patient selection criteria and indications for NOTES transvaginal urologic surgery.
Determination of national pediatric injury prevention priorities using the Injury Prevention Priority Score.

Abstract Purpose Previous studies have found that the Injury Prevention Priority Score (IPPS) provides a reliable and valid method to gauge the relative importance of different injury causal mechanisms at individual trauma centers. This study examines its applicability to prioritizing injury mechanisms on a national level and within defined pediatric age groups. Methods A total of 47,158 patients (age Results Falls of all types account for the greatest number of injuries (n = 15,042; 32%), whereas child abuse results in the most severe injuries (mean Injury Severity Score, 13.3) However, the most significant mechanisms of injury, according to IPPS, were motor vehicle crashes followed by pedestrian struck by motor vehicles. Certain age groups had specific injury problems including child abuse in infants and assault and gun injuries in adolescents. Conclusions IPPS provides an objective, quantitative method for determining injury prevention priorities based on both frequency and severity at the national level. It also is sensitive to age-related changes in different mechanisms of injury.
A Numerical Study of Nonlinear Nonhydrostatic Conditional Symmetric Instability in a Convectively Unstable Atmosphere

Abstract Nonlinear nonhydrostatic conditional symmetric instability (CSI) is studied as an initial value problem using a two-dimensional (y, z)nonlinear, nonhydrostatic numerical mesoscale/cloud model. The initial atmosphere for the rotating, baroclinic (BCF) simulation contains large convective available potential energy (CAPE). Analytical theory, various model output diagnostics, and a companion nonrotating barotropic (BTNF) simulation are used to interpret the results from the BCF simulation. A single warm moist thermal initiates convection for the two 8-h simulations. The BCF simulation exhibited a very intricate life cycle. Following the initial convection, a series of discrete convective cells developed within a growing mesoscale circulation. Between hours 4 and 8, the circulation grew upscale into a structure resembling that of a squall-line mesoscale convective system (MCS). The mesoscale updrafts were nearly vertical and the circulation was strongest on the baroclinically cool side of the initial...
Phenylthiourea Specifically Reduces Zebrafish Eye Size

Phenylthiourea (PTU) is commonly used for inhibiting melanization of zebrafish embryos. In this study, the standard treatment with 0.2 mM PTU was demonstrated to specifically reduce eye size in larval fish starting at three days post-fertilization. This effect is likely the result of a reduction in retinal and lens size of PTU-treated eyes and is not related to melanization inhibition. This is because the eye size of tyr, a genetic mutant of tyrosinase whose activity is inhibited in PTU treatment, was not reduced. As PTU contains a thiocarbamide group which is presented in many goitrogens, suppressing thyroid hormone production is a possible mechanism by which PTU treatment may reduce eye size. Despite the fact that thyroxine level was found to be reduced in PTU-treated larvae, thyroid hormone supplements did not rescue the eye size reduction. Instead, treating embryos with six goitrogens, including inhibitors of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and sodium-iodide symporter (NIS), suggested an alternative possibility. Specifically, three TPO inhibitors, including those that do not possess thiocarbamide, specifically reduced eye size; whereas none of the NIS inhibitors could elicit this effect. These observations indicate that TPO inhibition rather than a general suppression of thyroid hormone synthesis is likely the underlying cause of PTU-induced eye size reduction. Furthermore, the tissue-specific effect of PTU treatment might be mediated by an eye-specific TPO expression. Compared with treatment with other tyrosinase inhibitors or bleaching to remove melanization, PTU treatment remains the most effective approach. Thus, one should use caution when interpreting results that are obtained from PTU-treated embryos.
Temporal trends in breast cancer mortality by state and race

To examine how temporal trends in age-standardized female breast cancer death rates vary by state and race. We analyzed mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) for the years 1975 through 2004 by state and race using joinpoint analyses. By 2004, breast cancer death rates in white women were decreasing in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC), with the onset of decline varying by state. In contrast, among African American women, breast cancer death rates increased in two states (Arkansas and Mississippi) of the 37 states analyzed, were level in 24 states, and decreased in 11 states. In general, states that showed little progress in reducing breast cancer mortality rates over time had higher death rates in 2003–2004. Trends in breast cancer death rates vary widely by state and are considerably less favorable in African American than in white women. State cancer control efforts should ensure that all women have access to high-quality early detection and treatment services.
Post-fire primary production and plant community dynamics in chaparral stands exposed to varying levels of nitrogen deposition

Abstract High levels of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition to southern California chaparral shrublands may interact with fire to affect biomass production and plant species composition during secondary succession. To determine the potential interactions between postfire recovery and N deposition we compared rates of aboveground net primary production (ANPP), shrub growth, and the relative abundance of Adenostoma fasciculatum, other sub-dominant shrubs, and herbaceous species of three chaparral stands exposed to different levels of atmospheric N deposition over the first 3 years of post-fire succession. Our data suggest that rates of ANPP (gdw m−2 month−1) and aboveground N storage (gN m−2 month−1) for these chaparral stands were not related to N deposition even though sites exposed to high levels of N deposition had significantly higher rates of shrub growth (gdw plant−1 month−1) and N uptake (gN plant−1 month−1). However, high-N stands were composed of larger shrubs with a lower density, and this trade-off between shrub size and density may explain the low correlation between N deposition and post-fire ANPP. Differences in relative plant species abundance between sites were significantly correlated with N deposition exposure, where stands exposed to high N deposition had a lower relative abundance of A. fasciculatum and a higher relative abundance of other shrub and herbaceous species. While many factors can affect rates and patterns of post-fire recovery, these results suggest that chronic exposure to N deposition may significantly alter plant growth and species composition in successional chaparral stands.
SEASONAL PREVALENCE OF SKIN TUMORS FROM WALLEYE (STIZOSTEDION VITREUM) FROM ONEIDA LAKE, NEW YORK

A seasonal survey of skin tumor prevalence in walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum) was conducted during the ice-free period on Oneida Lake, New York in 1986. During the survey, 1,028 walleyes were collected and examined for the presence of lymphocystis disease, dermal sarcoma, discrete epidermal hyperplasia and diffuse epidermal hyperplasia. Skin growths were high in prevalence in early spring, low in prevalence during the summer, and again high in prevalence in the fall. Lymphocystis disease and dermal sarcoma were more frequently observed than either discrete or diffuse epidermal hyperplasia. Histologically, a moderate to severe inflammatory response was associated with dermal sarcoma in the early spring and late spring but not in the fall. Regardless of the time of year, varying degrees of inflammatory response were seen associated with lymphocystis disease. Samples were inadequate to assess seasonal trends in incidence of discrete and diffuse epidermal hyperplasia.
Symmetric equilibrium with random entry

Abstract This paper considers Cournot-Nash equilibrium with free entry among identical firms which possess large minimum efficient scale. We consider equilibrium in which all firms receive equal treatment by allowing firms to play mixed strategies. In particular, firms randomize over the decision to enter or not. It is shown that symmetric Cournot-Nash equilibrium in mixed strategies exists when there is a finite number of potential entrants. We then consider a sequence of such mixed strategy equilibria as the number of potential entrants gets large. It is shown that such a sequence always has a convergent subsequence whose limit is a symmetric equilibrium in mixed strategies when the number of potential entrants is infinite. An example is given which shows that increased competition, in the form of a larger pool of potential entrants, is socially harmful in that expected social surplus is decreasing in the number of potential entrants.
Detection, reaction, escape, and debilitation thresholds for electric shock in goldfish☆

Abstract Reception of electric shock by small goldfish was studied with psychophysical methods. Shock intensity was specified as the gradient in volts/centimeter between the shock electrodes. Changes in current density in the water due to resistance changes had negligible effects upon several measures of reaction to shock. Absolute thresholds for an observable motor reaction were higher with the fish parallel to the electrodes than with a perpendicular orientation. These reaction thresholds were essentially identical to detection thresholds determined in an instrumental avoidance situation. Escape thresholds were substantially higher than reaction and detection thresholds. Changes in shock duration had little effect on any of these thresholds. There was a fairly wide range of motivationally significant shock intensities. Exposure to strong shock did not seem to have any long-lasting effects.
Structure of tbe gene for Xenopus transcription factor TMIIIA

Abstract The eucaryotic transcription factor TFIIIA is required for 5S RNA transcription in Xenopus, and changes in the level of TFIIIA have been implicated in the differential expression of 5S RNA genes. In this paper, we report the isolation and sequencing of the X. laevis TFIIIA gene. The gene is approximately 11 kb in length and consists of 9 coding segments separated by 8 introns. A sequence of 30 amino acid residues is known to repeat imperfectly 9 times in tandem within the TFIIIA protein, and Miller et al. (EMBO J. 4, 1609-1614, 1985) proposed that TFIIIA evolved by duplication of a primordial 30 amino acid residue unit. Our results from DNA sequence analysis support their proposal by showing that some of the exon-intron boundaries correspond closely to the repeating unit. We also found that the 5' flanking sequence of the TFIIIA gene contains a TATA box (TATATAA) at position -32 and a CAAT box (GCCAATCC) at position -96 and that the site of polyadenylation is 255 residues 3' of the stop codon. Finally, we have shown that the coding sequence of the TFIIIA gene is significantly polymorphic.
Immunohistochemical evaluation of two corneal buttons with post-LASIK keratectasia.

Purpose:To examine immunohistochemically 2 human corneal buttons after corneal transplantation for post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) keratectasia.Methods:Two ectatic corneas after penetrating keratoplasty and 2 postmortem control corneas from a patient after uncomplicated LASIK were used. Cr
The Traits of Extroverts and Introverts

Resume On a fait subir le test Laird d'introversion et d'extroversion “Personal Inventory C2” a des sujets universitaires des deux sexes, et on a fait subir a 39 sujets (29 hommes et 10 femmes) dont les resultats se trouvaient dans le decile le plus eleve ou le moins eleve de leur sexe les autres tests suivants: Personal Inventory Laird C3, le Test d'Intelligence Thorndike pour les diplomes des ecoles superieures, le Test Conklin des choses preferees et non preferees, le Test Strong de l'Interet Professionnel, le Test Kent-Rosanoff, le Test Allport A-S de Reaction, le Test Watson de l'opinion publique, le Test George Washington de l'Intelligence Sociale, le Test Miles-Terman de la Masculinite et Femininite des Interets. Voici quelques-uns des resultats les plus importants: (1) les introvertis sont un peu superieurs aux extrovertis dans les resultats d'intelligence et l'evaluation de rendement scolaire; (2) les resultats des memes sujets dans les tests C2 et C3 Laird ne s'accordent pas tres bien; (3) le Te...
Oncogenic activity of separase.

Separase, an endopeptidase, plays a pivotal role in chromosomal segregation by separating sister chromatids during the metaphase to anaphase transition. Using a mouse mammary tumor model we have recently demonstrated that overexpression of Separase induces aneuploidy and tumorigenesis (Zhang et al., 2008, PNAS doi:10.1073). Here we have described our views on the oncogenic activity of Seprase and its possible mechanism of action in the development of aneuploidy and tumorigenesis.
Signaling pathways targeted by curcumin in acute and chronic injury: burns and photo‐damaged skin

Phosphorylase kinase (PhK) is a unique enzyme in which the spatial arrangements of the specificity determinants can be manipulated to allow the enzyme to recognize substrates of different specificities. In this way, PhK is capable of transferring high energy phosphate bonds from ATP to serine/threonine and tyrosine moieties in serine/threonine kinases and tyrosine kinases, thus playing a key role in the activation of multiple signaling pathways. Phosphorylase kinase is released within five minutes following injury and is responsible for activating inflammatory pathways in injury-activated scarring following burns. In photo-damaged skin, PhK plays an important role in promoting photocarcinogenesis through activation of NF-kB-dependent signaling pathways with inhibition of apoptosis of photo-damaged cells, thus promoting the survival of precancerous cells and allowing for subsequent tumor transformation. Curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice, turmeric, is a selective and non-competitive PhK inhibitor. By inhibition of PhK, curcumin targets multiple PhK-dependent pathways, with salutary effects on a number of skin diseases induced by injury. In this paper, we show that curcumin gel produces rapid healing of burns, with little or no residual scarring. Curcumin gel is also beneficial in the repair of photo-damaged skin, including pigmentary changes, solar elastosis, thinning of the skin with telangiectasia (actinic poikiloderma), and premalignant lesions such as actinic keratoses, dysplastic nevi, and advanced solar lentigines, but the repair process takes many months.
Combining Hadoop and GPU to preprocess large Affymetrix microarray data

High density oligonucleotide array (microarray) from Affymetrix has been widely used for the measurements of gene expressions. Currently, public data repositories, such as Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), have accumulated large amounts of microarray data. Efficient integrative analysis of those microarray data will provide significant knowledge about biological systems. None of the existing microarray preprocessing and quality assessment tools can handle very large microarray datasets with tens of thousands of experiments. The preprocessing and quality assessment of microarray datasets contain both data-intensive and compute-intensive tasks. In this paper, we develop a new set of tools using a mix of the Hadoop (for data intensive tasks) and the General-Purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPUs) (for compute intensive tasks) to efficiently process large microarray data. Evaluation of our new tools on large microarray datasets with ten thousands of experiments showed promising superior performance. We demonstrate that the combination of Hadoop and GPGPU computation is effective for complex scientific applications that contain both data-intensive and compute-intensive tasks. Our new tool set will make it possible to utilize valuable large microarray data in the public repositories.
N+3 and N+4 Generation Aeropropulsion Engine Combustors: Part 3 — Small Engines’ Emissions and Axial Staging Combustion Technology

Comprehensive assessment of the small rich-dome engines was conducted leading to the following emissions correlations:NOxEILEC = 0.02991 × OPR1.9791RMSE = 3.0%NOxEITALON II = 0.01666 × OPR2.1403RMSE = 2.0%NOxEICFMTI = 0.06763 × OPR1.7458RMSE = 2.1%NOxEICF34 = 0.0541 × OPR1.7917R2 = 0.9794RMSE = 2.4%NOxEISM = 0.04782 × OPR1.8388RMSE = 4.2%NOxEIAll = 0.03856 × OPR1.9058RMSE = 3.9%The best of the small engines’ gaseous emissions, albeit at lower takeoff pressure ratios, were shown to be very competitive with the best of medium and large size engines.Axially-staged combustion with partially premixed jets in crossflow was identified as a promising concept to pursue for the (N+3) technology mixers.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins in R3230AC mammary tumors of intact and diabetic rats

The insulin-responsive R3230AC mammary tumor possesses type I and type II insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors, and membrane preparations display affinity cross-linking of 125I-labeled IGF-I to IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). To identify the IGFBPs produced, Northern blotting analysis of poly(A)+ RNA extracts from tumor tissue was performed. Although transcripts of IGFBP-1 were not detected, intense bands were obtained at 1.7 and 6 kilobases (kb) when hybridized with radiolabeled IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-5 cDNA probes, respectively. A 2.6-kb band and a 2.4-kb weaker band were observed after hybridization with IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 probes, respectively. When IGFBP-6 cDNA was used, two bands were seen: a higher mol wt band at 6.3 kb and a smaller one at 1.3 kb. Tumors from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats displayed an increase in the expression of IGFBP-2, and insulin treatment for 3 days normalized the IGFBP-2 mRNA levels. Tumors from diabetic rats displayed no change in IGFBP-3, -4, -5, and -6 mRNA levels from tumors of normoglycemic rats. However, tumors from insulin-treated rats showed significantly higher levels of mRNA for IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 than tumors from normoglycemic or diabetic rats. A similar, but less pronounced, pattern of changes in IGFBP-3 mRNA was seen, whereas levels of IGFBP-6 mRNA were unchanged throughout. To identify the cell type producing the mRNAs for these IGFBPs, in situ hybridization of tissue sections was used. Procedures were established that localized three of the five IGFBPs expressed in this tumor tissue. This technique showed that IGFBP-3 mRNA transcripts were observed mainly in endothelial cells of tumor vasculature, although they were also detected in stromal cells, IGFBP-4 was present mainly in tumor stroma cells, and IGFBP-5 mRNA was expressed predominantly in the epithelial cells of this tumor. Expression of IGFBP-5 mRNA transcripts was significantly diminished in primary and long term cultured R3230AC cells grown in alpha-Minimum Essential Medium and 10% fetal bovine serum. Tumors arising from injection of long term cultured cells that were injected into isologous rats contained high amounts of mRNA transcripts for IGFBP-5, suggesting the presence, in vivo, of positive regulators for the expression of this BP. Tumor cells cultured in the presence of insulin displayed a 2.2- to 2.5-fold increase in the expression of IGFBP-5. These findings imply a role for insulin as a regulator of the expression of IGFBP-5 in the R3230AC adenocarcinoma.
Regression as a cardinal factor in organizational destabilization

Leaders and organizations are particularly vulnerable to destabilization during periods of transition, severe frustration, or crisis. The author discusses four theoretical constructs that explain organizational destabilization based on regression. Stabilizing strategies are also presented.
Is there a maximal electrostatic field strength.

Neglecting all nonelectromagnetic interactions, nonperturbative techniques are used based on an effective quantum-electrodynamic Lagrangian. A semiclassical argument leads to a finite "classical" electron radius ${\mathcal{r}}_{min}$ of the order of $\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}\frac{3\ensuremath{\pi}}{(2\ensuremath{\alpha})}]$ times the Compton wavelength, and to a corresponding maximal field strength ${E}_{max}\ensuremath{\sim}\frac{1}{{{\mathcal{r}}_{min}}^{2}}$ (in natural units). The charge renormalization constant ${Z}_{3}$ computed with the cutoff thus suggested consequently has a minimum value of $\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{3}\ensuremath{\pi}$, corresponding to a finite bare charge. The bare mass is estimated to be of order ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}$ or possibly zero.
Role of silver addition on mechanical and superconducting properties of high-Tc superconductors

Abstract The effect of silver additions on the mechanical and superconducting properties of sintered bulk YBa 2 Cu 3 O δ (YBCO), Bi 2 Sr 1.7 CaCu 2 O δ (BSCCO-2212), and Bi 1.8 Pb 0.4 Sr 2.2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O δ (BSCCO-2223) has been evaluated. Strength and fracture toughness of YBCO and BSCCO bars increased with increasing Ag content up to 30 vol.% Ag. Addition of 30 vol. % Ag to YBCO increased strength from 87 to 136 MPa and fracture toughness from 1.82 to 3.9 MPa√m. Addition of 30 vol.% Ag to 2212 and 2223 increased strength from 58 to 107 and 41 to 90 MPa, respectively. Corresponding increases in fracture toughness were from 1.89 to 2.79 and 1.09 to 1.94 MPa√m, respectively. These improvements in strength and fracture toughness are believed to be due to the presence of Ag particles that may induce compressive stresses in the superconducting matrix and resist crack propagation by pinning the propagating cracks. The values of strength and fracture toughness of BSCCO-30 vol.% Ag specimens are comparable to those of monolithic BSCCO obtained by sinter forging, hot pressing, and hot isostatic pressing. On the other hand, the hardness of YBCO and BSCCO decreased with increasing Ag contents because of the lower hardness of Ag. Addition of Ag showed no adverse effects on superconducting properties ( J c and T c ) of YBCO or BSCCO superconductors.
Asset returns and economic disasters evidence from the S&L crisis☆

Abstract This paper shows that depositors lost confidence in FSLIC during the two years prior to passage of FIRREA, legislation which recapitalized the deposit insurance fund in 1989. During this period, promised returns on retail CDs reflected the expected loss and return standard deviation on these securities in the absence of government insurance. Cross-sectional analysis is used to estimate both the probability and the conditional price of risk associated with FSLIC default. The results suggest that increased uncertainty about both output and inflation in this disaster scenario drove the price of FSLIC default risk to extremely high levels. The results also indicate that the market for retail deposits is characterized by less than perfect arbitrage across geographical regions.
Magnetocardiograms and their variation over the chest in normal subjects.

Abstract Magnetocardiograms of 6 normal male subjects are presented. For each subject magnetocardiograms were taken at about 32 positions on the chest; the positions were the junctions of a 2 by 2 inch grid. The electrocardiograms of each subject are also presented, for comparison. The magnetocardiograms are recordings of that component of the magnetic field vector which is normal to the chest. They were taken in a magnetically shielded chamber with a newly developed superconducting magnetometer, and are as clear as the conventional electrocardiogram. They contain the same general features as the electrocardiogram such as QRS, T, P and U waves, but with different ratios. New information about the heart, unavailable to the electrocardiogram, is believed to be contained in the variation of the magnetocardiogram across the chest. It is not yet known how to extract this information.
Down-regulation of rat liver β-adrenergic receptors by cysteine

Abstract Down-regulation of hepatic β-adrenergic receptors was indicated by a 56% decrease in the specific activity of 125 I-iodocyanopindolol bound to rat liver membrane preparations from rats fed diets containing 15% of casein supplemented with cysteine, instead of methionine or unsupplemented. Down-regulation of hepatic β-adrenergic receptors by cysteine appears to be mediated through an effect of cysteine on the tissue concentration of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM). The liver tissue concentration of SAM in rats fed cysteine-supplemented diets decreased 53% compared to those fed diets supplemented with methionine. The decrease in liver SAM in rats fed the diet supplemented with cysteine appears to reflect a non-competitive inhibition of methionine adenosyl-transferase by cysteine. Lineweaver-Burk plots demonstrated a dose-related V max response to cysteine but did not change the apparent K m at any concentration tested.
Sire Effects in Different Housing Systems

Abstract Over 1,000 Holstein herds in New York's Dairy Herd Improvement Cooperative were classified as to housing system. The two housing systems considered were stanchions and free stalls. First-lactation records (21,285) produced in these herds by daughters sired through artificial insemination were analyzed to determine if housing system would affect sire ranking. The study covered records started in 1964 through 1967. The sire component of variance was estimated for each housing system for deviations of these records from their adjusted herdmate averages. The covariance between the means of daughters in each housing system was computed. The genetic correlation between sire effects in the two systems was determined by dividing this covariance by the geometric mean of the sire components of variance for the two housing systems. The estimated correlation was near unity for each year of the study, indicating essentially complete agreement between sire rankings in the two housing systems.
Buried mass anomalies along the hemispheric dichotomy in eastern Mars: Implications for the origin and evolution of the dichotomy

[1] Gravity observations indicate the presence of buried, high-density material along the hemispheric dichotomy in eastern Mars. This material is unrelated to present-day topography and is probably the result of localized thinning of the crust. This thinning may be the result of an epoch of edge-driven convection that occurred shortly after the dichotomy formed. Initiation of edge-driven convection requires that lateral variations in lithospheric structure be created on a timescale that is shorter than the conductive cooling time for the lithosphere, a few tens of million years at most. This timescale cannot be achieved if the dichotomy boundary is created solely by large-scale convective flow. Formation or modification of the boundary by large impact basins such as Utopia can create the required lithospheric structure in a geologic instant. This suggests that large impacts were important in shaping the dichotomy, at least on a regional scale.
Multi-Media Fluid Mechanics

This multi-media product is intended to provide an interactive tool for teaching undergraduate fluid mechanics for students in engineering and the basic sciences. Funded by the National Science Foundation and written and prepared by an international group of experts, this CD-ROM includes experiments that demonstrate fluid mechanical phenomena, animations of important principles and concepts, virtual laboratories in which students acquire data from the images, interactive computational exercises in which parameters may be varied, and other descriptive and illuminating material on applications. The coverage is at the level of the Navier-Stokes Equations, but much of the material is accessible to lower level courses as well. The material is conveyed in an attractive and interactive way, with descriptive and developmental text accompanying all the videos and animations. The product is intended to complement any of the standard text books and uses notation and definitions that are standardized to the maximum extent possible. The material may be accessed randomly through a hyperlinked text, a search engine, a video library, and a glossary of terms.