cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Positively Charged Surface of Herpes Simplex Virus UL42 Mediates DNA Binding

Herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase is a heterodimer composed of UL30, a catalytic subunit, and UL42, a processivity subunit. Mutations that decrease DNA binding by UL42 decrease long chain DNA synthesis by the polymerase. The crystal structure of UL42 bound to the C terminus of UL30 revealed an extensive positively charged surface ("back face"). We tested two hypotheses, 1) the C terminus of UL30 affects DNA binding and 2) the positively charged back face mediates DNA binding. Addressing the first hypothesis, we found that the presence of a peptide corresponding to the UL30 C terminus did not result in altered binding of UL42 to DNA. Addressing the second hypothesis, previous work showed that substitution of four conserved arginine residues on the basic face with alanines resulted in decreased DNA affinity. We tested the affinities for DNA and the stimulation of long chain DNA synthesis of mutants in which the four conserved arginine residues were substituted individually or together with lysines and also a mutant in which a conserved glutamine residue was substituted with an arginine to increase positive charge on the back face. We also engineered cysteines onto this surface to permit disulfide cross-linking studies. Last, we assayed the effects of ionic strength on DNA binding by UL42 to estimate the number of ions released upon binding. Our results taken together strongly suggest that the basic back face of UL42 contacts DNA and that positive charge on this surface is important for this interaction.
Impact of walking surface on the range of motion of equine distal limb joints for rehabilitation purposes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three footing surfaces on the flexion/extension, and range of motion (ROM) of the carpus, tarsus and fetlocks in the horse. The percentage of stride spent in the stance phase of sound horses at the walk was also measured. Nine sound horses were walked on hard ground (HD), soft ground (SF) and a land treadmill (LT), and five complete gait cycles were recorded by a digital video camera. Retro-reflective markers were placed on the skin at four anatomical locations on the left fore and hind limbs, and data were analyzed using two-dimensional (2D) motion-analysis software. Maximal flexion/extension angles and range of motion were calculated for each joint, and the percentage of the stride spent in stance phase was determined for each stride. Maximal flexion of the tarsus and hind fetlock was greater on LT and SF compared to HD, while maximal flexion of the carpus was greater on LT compared to HD and SF. Maximal extension of the carpus was greater on HD compared to SF and LT, maximal extension of the tarsus was greater on HD and SF compared to LT, and maximal extension of the forelimb and hind limb fetlocks was greater on LT compared to HD and SF. The greatest overall ROM of the carpus and fetlocks was achieved on LT, while the greatest overall ROM of the tarsus was achieved on SF. The stance percentage of the stride for the hind limb was significantly different between all surfaces. In conclusion, walking surface influences flexion/extension of the carpus, tarsus and fetlocks in healthy horses, which should be considered when walking equine rehabilitation cases.
State resolved rotational excitation cross-sections and rates in H2 + H2 collisions

Abstract Rotational transitions in molecular hydrogen collisions are computed. The two most recently developed potential energy surfaces for the H 2 –H 2 system are used from the following works: [A.I. Boothroyd, P.G. Martin, W.J. Keogh, M.J. Peterson, J. Chem. Phys., 116 (2002) 666; P. Diep, J.K. Johnson, J. Chem. Phys., 113 (2000) 3480; P. Diep, J.K. Johnson, J. Chem. Phys., 112 (2000) 4465]. Cross-sections for rotational transitions 00 → 20, 22, 40, 42, 44 and corresponding rate coefficients are calculated using a quantum-mechanical approach. Results are compared for a wide range of kinetic temperatures 300 K ⩽ T ⩽ 3000 K.
Speed ratios greater than 1000 and temperatures less than 1 mK in a pulsed He beam.

Speed ratios v/\ensuremath{\Delta}v greater than 1000 and temperatures less than 1 mK have been achieved for the first time in a gas expansion into vacuum. The pulsed-beam source used in these experiments had an open time of 150 \ensuremath{\mu}sec, a nozzle diameter of 0.125 mm, and was operated with pure He gas at 294 K and pressures between 34 and 136 atm. Speed distributions for the collimated He beam were measured by time of flight. It is possible that such temperatures may be low enough to probe the low-energy limiting behavior predicted by Wigner in 1948 for the single-collision quantum dynamics of atoms and molecules.
Childhood hemolytic uremic syndrome is associated with adolescent-onset diabetes mellitus.

Extra-renal manifestations of the hemolytic uremic syndrome in children are well described. Pancreatic involvement may manifest as transient hyperglycemia and permanent diabetes mellitus. Two previous case reports demonstrate short periods of “remission” between initial hyperglycemia and the development of permanent diabetes mellitus. We report an unusual case of a two-year-old Caucasian boy whose HUS-associated hyperglycemia resolved shortly after the acute phase of his illness only to recur as permanent diabetes mellitus at puberty. To our knowledge no other case is reported that demonstrates such a long interval between initial presentation and the development of permanent diabetes mellitus.
Teaching teachers from east to west a look at common myths

From the present examination of teaching teachers from East to West, a list of common myths has evolved from expected differences. That is, these “myths”; are a progression of commonly held beliefs which are in fact only imagined. Specifically, these myths range from general to specific, and from highlighting similarities to focusing on differences. The purpose is to give us a perspective on (1) tools that communication has to offer teachers, (2) concepts and contexts which we can research and develop, and most importantly (3) initiating a cooperative responsibility with our colleagues in education.
Common expression analysis in database applications

Independent optimization of database requests overlooks potential savings which can be achieved when they are optimized collectively. An intuitive model for queries called the query graph supports common expression detection for optimization of a stream of requests. We describe how ad hoc query processing can be improved using intermediate results and answers produced from earlier queries, without significantly impacting processing costs when no common expressions are found. We have written a Pascal program, COMMON, which implements a variation of the algorithm which we describe.
Writing in Foreign Language Contexts: Learning, Teaching, and Research edited by MANCHÓN, ROSA M.

The article reviews the book "Writing in Foreign Language Contexts: Learning, Teaching, and Research," edited by Rosa M. Manchon.
para-Chloro-D, L-phenylalanine induced filicidal behavior in the female rat.

Abstract The administration of para-chloro-D,L-phenylalanine (PCPA) produces a high incidence of aggressive (filicidal) behavior in pre-, postpartum, and nulliparious rodents. PCPA inhibits brain tryptophan 5-monooxygenase and can produce a reduction in whole brain serotonin. Apparently PCPA mediates the release of a natural latent aggressive tendency which is potentiated by the interference in, or reduction of, a suppressing system governed primarily by serotonin. Latency of attack, intensity phases, and characteristics of the filicidal behavior were found to vary inversely with brain serotonin content, and be reversed or eliminated by replacement of serotonin i.e., via 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin's immediate precursor. Although aggressive tendencies were in evidence prior to filicide, filicide became evident once the apparently minimal whole brain level of serotonin reached ca 0.10 μg/g. Neither the parturition process nor severe food deprivation are strong causative factors in the precipitation of filicidal behavior. Since not all animals become filicidal, other behavioral and/or biological variables must be involved in the mediation of this aggressive phenomenon.
Reasons for (Non)engagement in Infidelity

This investigation examined reasons for (un)faithfulness. Driven by interdependence theory, data from 220 undergraduates at a southwestern U.S. university indicate that men have more relational alternatives than women and individuals’ relational investments tied to relational stage as well as length of relationship. Significant predictors of infidelity among men and women are quality of alternatives, believing that sex occurs early in a relationship, and having been cheated on (applied to men only). Quality of alternatives predicted cheating among seriously dating individuals, whereas marrieds reported the strongest predictor of cheating as being cheated on. Fear of sanctions related to cheating but not to commitment. Legal sanctions motivated monogamy for men but not women. Participants reported over 500 reasons to remain faithful and over 1,000 reasons to cheat.
Age- and Dementia-Associated Impairments in Divided Attention: Psychological Constructs, Animal Models, and Underlying Neuronal Mechanisms

Following a brief description of the psychological construct 'divided attention', impairments in divided attention and related executive functions are discussed as the major variable in the development and manifestation of age- and dementia-associated cognitive impairments. Neuropsychological and functional imaging studies in humans have indicated that dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal, cingulate, parietal and premotor cortical areas are involved in the mediation of dual task performance. Furthermore, reduced activity in these areas has been suggested to mediate age- and dementia-associated impairments in divided attention. Experimental studies in animals have provided strong support for the hypothesis that cholinergic projections terminating in all cortical areas and layers crucially mediate the performance in tasks that tax processing capacity and/or the allocation of processing resources to competing demands. This specification of the 'cholinergic hypothesis' is evaluated in light of recent critical accounts of the role of this system in the development of age- and dementia- related cognitive disorders. The converging animal experimental and human neuropathological, as well as neuropsychological, evidence indicates that decreases in the integrity of cortical cholinergic inputs represent a necessary, possibly even sufficient, neuronal process mediating the impairments in divided attention and the resulting, broad decline in cognitive functions.
Monte Carlo method for the many-body scattering problem

Abstract The non-relativistic many-body scattering problem is cast in a form suitable for treatment by Monte Carlo methods. The formulation is based on resonant standing waves of the compound system, similar to those used in the R -matrix theory of nuclear reactions. Integral expressions are derived from which the scattering matrix elements at low energies can be evaluated. The method is demonstrated by application to simple one- and two-channel one-dimensional scattering problems.
Glioblastoma multiforme after radiotherapy for acromegaly

A case of glioblastoma multiforme that occurred 14 years after radiotherapy for acromegaly is presented. The striking correspondence between the anatomy of the tumor and the geometry of the radiation ports is suggestive of a causal relationship. Previously reported cases of radiation-associated glioma are reviewed, and a brief appraisal of the evidence for induction of these lesions by radiation is presented. The differentiation of radiation-associated neoplasms from radionecrosis is also discussed.
Pervasive Reinforcement and the Role of Sexual Selection in Biological Speciation

Sexual selection has been widely implicated as a driver of speciation. However, allopatric forms are often defined as species based on divergence in sexually selected traits and it is unclear how much such trait differences affect reproductive isolation upon secondary contact, the defining feature of biological species. We show that in birds, divergence in song and plumage in allopatry corresponds poorly with whether species mate assortatively in hybrid zones and argue that this is because many other factors besides trait divergence affect propensity to hybridize, including rarity of conspecific mates and choice based on territory rather than male traits. We then present a general model for the establishment of sympatry that assumes a period of differentiation in allopatry followed by secondary contact and often hybridization, with hybridization subsequently reduced by reinforcement of mate preferences. We suggest that reinforcement commonly operates by a narrowing of a "window of recognition" for traits that are different between the species, rather than evolution of the traits themselves. Our arguments imply that it is important to study postmating as well as premating reproductive isolation in limiting sympatry and suggest that studies of reinforcement should focus on evolution of female preferences for diagnostic traits, rather than evolution of traits per se.
Energy-optimal velocity profiles for car-like robots

For battery-powered mobile robots to operate for long periods of time, it is critical to optimize their motion so as to minimize energy consumption. The driving motors are a major source of power consumption. In this paper, we study the problem of finding velocity profiles for car-like robots so as to minimize the energy consumed while traveling along a given path. We start with an established model for energy consumption of DC motors. We present closed form solutions for the unconstrained case and for the case where there is a bound on maximum velocity. We also study a general problem where the robot's path is composed of segments (e.g. circular arcs and line segments). We are given a velocity bound for each segment. For this problem, we present a dynamic programming solution which uses the solution for the single-constraint case as a subroutine. In addition, we present a calibration method to find model parameters. Finally, we present results from experiments conducted on a custom-built robot.
ℍ3 and Euclidean Approximations in ℍ2

To investigate the fine structure of hyperbolic geometry, we use a method due essentially to Lobachevski. It turns out that the geometry of the horosphere, a certain surface in three-dimensional hyperbolic space ℍ3, is Euclidean if the definitions are made as follows. The “straight lines” of that geometry are the horocycles in that surface, the “distances” are the arclengths between points along horocycles lying in that surface, and the “angle” between two intersecting horocycles is the angle between the tangent vectors. In that sense, the horosphere, together with the geometry that it inherits from the ℍ3 in which it is embedded, is a model of the Euclidean plane. In it, parallel horocycles are equidistant throughout their entire lengths; there are Cartesian coordinates; and so on. All the formulas and relations of Euclidean geometry apply. Therefore, by projecting small figures in that surface onto a tangent plane in ℍ3, we find that in that plane, for small figures near the point of tangency, the Euclidean formulas hold approximately, with relative error terms that tend to zero as the sizes of the figures tend to zero. In order to carry out this approach, we first develop three-dimensional hyperbolic geometry, which, however, has independent interest. We give a set of axioms, which, like those of the hyperbolic plane, are user friendly. The first seven axioms are almost identical with those of the hyperbolic plane and the last three deal with planes in ℍ3. We then develop a set of theorems of the geometry of ℍ3, and we prove that the geometry inherited by a horosphere is Euclidean.
Macondo-1 well oil-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mesozooplankton from the northern Gulf of Mexico

[1] Mesozooplankton (>200 μm) collected in August and September of 2010 from the northern Gulf of Mexico show evidence of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that distributions of PAHs extracted from mesozooplankton were related to the oil released from the ruptured British Petroleum Macondo-1 (M-1) well associated with the R/VDeepwater Horizon blowout. Mesozooplankton contained 0.03–97.9 ng g−1 of total PAHs and ratios of fluoranthene to fluoranthene + pyrene less than 0.44, indicating a liquid fossil fuel source. The distribution of PAHs isolated from mesozooplankton extracted in this study shows that the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill may have contributed to contamination in the northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.
O-Router: an optical routing framework for low power on-chip silicon nano-photonic integration

In this work, we present a new optical routing framework, O-Router for future low-power on-chip optical interconnect integration utilizing silicon compatible nano-photonic devices. We formulate the optical layer routing problem as the minimization of total on-chip optical modulator cost (laser power consumption) with Integer Linear Programming technique under various detection constraints. Key techniques for variable number reduction and routing speed-up are also explored and utilized. O-Router is tested on optical netlist benchmarks modified from top global nets of ISPD98/08 routing benchmarks. O-Router experimental results are compared with conventional minimum spanning tree algorithm, demonstrating an average of over 50% improvement in terms of total on-chip optical layer power reduction.
Chemical Proteomic Probes for Profiling Cytochrome P450 Activities and Drug Interactions In Vivo

The cytochrome P450 (P450) superfamily metabolizes many endogenous signaling molecules and drugs. P450 enzymes are regulated by posttranslational mechanisms in vivo, which hinders their functional characterization by conventional genomic or proteomic methods. Here we describe a chemical proteomic strategy to profile P450 activities directly in living systems. Derivatization of a mechanism-based inhibitor with a "clickable" handle provided an activity-based probe that labels multiple P450s both in proteomic extracts and in vivo. This probe was used to record alterations in liver P450 activities triggered by chemical agents, including inducers of P450 expression and direct P450 inhibitors. The chemical proteomic strategy described herein thus offers a versatile method to monitor P450 activities and small-molecule interactions in any biological system and, through doing so, should facilitate the functional characterization of this large and diverse enzyme class.
Low-Dose Radiation-Induced Senescent Stromal Fibroblasts Render Nearby Breast Cancer Cells Radioresistant

In addition to cell cycle arrest, DNA repair or/and apoptosis, ionizing radiation can also induce premature senescence, which could lead to very different biological consequences depending on the cell type. We show in this report that low-dose radiation-induced senescent stromal fibroblasts stimulate proliferation of cocultured breast carcinoma cells. Such effects of senescent fibroblasts appear to result from their ability to induce the expression in carcinoma cells of mitotic genes and subsequent mitotic division. The elevated proliferation of breast carcinoma cells correlates with resistance to radiation as well as to adriamycin. Of interest is the observation that exposure to lower doses (<20 cGy) augments the ability of senescent fibroblasts to promote the survival of cocultured breast carcinoma cells. The resistance appears to be mediated partially by the Akt pathway, because expression of a dominant negative Akt mutant in breast carcinoma cells results in a partial reversal of the radioresistance. The ability of fibroblasts to modulate the radiosensitivity of nearby carcinoma cells implicates the importance of targeting the stroma during therapy.
A decision structure using generalized and/or trees containing chance nodes

Abstract A decision structure was developed which generalizes the well known AND/OR trees to include “CHANCE” nodes. A CHANCE node is a generalization of an AND node and its associated value is defined as the expected value of the successors. A search algorithm was developed for this decision structure. The algorithm utilizes an informed model, which encodes heuristic information as upper and lower bounds for non-terminal nodes. These “CHANCE/OR” trees pertain to a large variety of decision processes involving limited look-ahead, and reasoning under uncertainty, e.g. strategic decision making, short-term planning, etc. The search algorithm was implemented and tested against a direct extension of the α-β pruning procedure. The results of 1440 runs of the algorithms based on various matrices and tree configurations were analyzed and discussed. The computational results show that the proposed algorithm can sufficiently solve trees of various configurations within reasonable computer time.
Security policies for downgrading

A long-standing problem in information security is how to specify and enforce expressive security policies that control information flow while also permitting information release (i.e., declassification) where appropriate. This paper presents security policies for downgrading and a security type system that incorporates them, allowing secure downgrading of information through an explicit declassification operation. Examples are given showing that the downgrading policy language captures useful aspects of designer intent. These policies are connected to a semantic security condition that generalizes noninterference, and the type system is shown to enforce this security condition.
Mass loss and macroinvertebrate colonisation of Pacific salmon carcasses in south‐eastern Alaskan streams

SUMMARY 1. We examined the spatial and temporal dynamics of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) carcass decomposition (mass loss and macroinvertebrate colonisation) in southeastern Alaskan streams. Dry mass and macroinvertebrate fauna of carcasses placed in streams were measured every two weeks over two months in six artificial streams and once after six weeks in four natural streams. We also surveyed the macroinvertebrate fauna and wet mass of naturally occurring salmon carcasses. 2. Carcass mass loss in artificial streams was initially rapid and then declined over time (ka ‐0.033 day ‐1 ), and no significant differences were found among natural streams. 3. Several macroinvertebrate taxa colonised carcasses, but chironomid midge (Diptera: Chironomidae) and Zapada (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) larvae were found consistently and were the most abundant (on average 95 and 2%, respectively, of the invertebrates found). Chironomid abundance and biomass increased over time, whereas Zapada abundance and biomass did not. Significant differences in abundance were found among natural streams for Baetis (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) and Sweltsa (Plecoptera: Chloroperlidae) larvae, while no significant differences were found for chironomid and Zapada abundance or biomass. 4. Our results suggest that salmon carcasses initially undergo a high rate of mass loss that tapers off with time. Chironomid and Zapada larvae are likely to be important in mediating nutrient and energy transfer between salmon carcasses and other components of the freshwater-riparian food web in south-eastern Alaskan streams.
Multiple-Valued Logic Memory System Design Using Nanoscale Electrochemical Cells

Nanoscale multiple-valued logic systems require the development of nanometer scale integrated circuits and components. Due to limits in device physics, new components must be developed to operate at the nanoscale level. As part of this effort, the authors have constructed nanoscale electrochemical cell arrays that can function as multiple-valued logic storage cells. In addition, the authors are currently developing a nanoscale crossbar system that will use these cells to implement multiple-valued logic memory units. This paper describes the development of these cells and their applications.
Material awareness: promoting reflection on everyday materiality

Drawing on existing design approaches, this paper argues for the experiential desirability and critical importance--in terms of environmental sustainability--of designing for reflection on everyday material things themselves. This paper motivates and proposes a material awareness design approach, further drawing on developments from philosophy of technology and design theory. A series of conceptual designs are presented to help illustrate this approach.
Grb2 Binding to Tyr284 in TβR-II is Essential for Mammary Tumor Growth and Metastasis Stimulated by TGF-β

We demonstrated previously that growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) associates with the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) type II receptor [TbetaR-II] upon its phosphorylation on Tyr284 by Src. Although this phosphotransferase reaction is critical in mediating TGF-beta stimulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion in mammary epithelial cells (MECs), the necessity of Grb2 in promoting these TGF-beta-dependent events remain purely correlative. Herein, we further evaluated the role of Grb2 in mediating the oncogenic activities of TGF-beta and show that the binding of Grb2 to TbetaR-II paralleled the induction of EMT in MECs stimulated by TGF-beta. Introducing siRNAs against Grb2 or expression of a TbetaR-II mutant that cannot bind Grb2 (i.e. Y284F-TbetaR-II) had no effect on the ability of TGF-beta to activate Smad3, but significantly impaired its stimulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in MECs. Importantly, these same cellular conditions also prevented the ability of MECs to undergo EMT in response to TGF-beta, and to invade synthetic basement membranes when stimulated by beta3 integrin and TGF-beta. Finally, we show that the ability of TGF-beta to stimulate breast cancer growth and pulmonary metastasis in mice required TbetaR-II to be phosphorylated on Tyr284, which activated p38 MAPK in developing and progressing mammary tumors. Collectively, our findings have established the necessity of Grb2 in mediating TGF-beta stimulation of EMT and invasion in MECs, as well as demonstrated the essential function of the alphavbeta3 integrin:Src:phospho-Y284-TbetaR-II:Grb2:p38 MAPK signaling axis to promote breast cancer growth and metastasis in vivo.
Lysophosphatidic acid stimulation of NHE3 exocytosis in polarized epithelial cells occurs with release from NHERF2 via ERK-PLC-PKCδ signaling.

The Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) is a brush border (BB) Na+/H+ antiporter that accounts for the majority of physiologic small intestinal and renal Na+ absorption. It is regulated physiologically and i...
A freshman programming course: two challenging sets of students, one solution

This paper identifies two categories of students who pose a significant teaching challenge in a college freshman programming class, and then discusses one effective way to improve their performance. The most challenging students are those who do not readily adopt a systematic approach to software development. These students tend to fall into two categories: (a) The High School "Hackers"; (b) The Haphazard "Never-Evers" High School Hackers do not use (and might not acknowledge the value of) a systematic approach to software development. Haphazard Never-Evers have trouble adhering to the systematic approach they are trying to learn. Providing these students with a one-page summary which includes the steps of a structured software development methodology-enhanced by detailed instructions for writing the source code-is a very effective way to help them learn and adhere to the systematic approach so critical to their success.
Detuning CD8 T cells: down-regulation of CD8 expression, tetramer binding, and response during CTL activation

CD8 is critical for T cell recognition of peptide/class I major histocompatability complex ligands, yet is down-regulated during activation of CD8 T cells. We report that loss of CD8 expression early during in vivo responses to vaccinia virus or Listeria monocytogenes (LM) correlates with decreased T cell staining with specific class I/peptide tetramers and reduced CD8 T cell sensitivity for antigen. Loss of CD8 cell surface expression occurs despite sustained mRNA expression, and CD8 levels return to normal levels during differentiation of memory cells, indicating a transient effect. We determined that during response to LM, CD8 down-regulation is regulated by T cell reactivity to type I interferon (IFN-I) because CD8 loss was averted on IFN-I receptor–deficient T cells. IFN-I alone was not sufficient to drive CD8 down-regulation, however, as antigen was also required for CD8 loss. These results suggest that CD8 effector T cell differentiation involves a transient down-regulation of antigen sensitivity (CTL “detuning”), via reduced CD8 expression, a feature that may focus the effector response on target cells expressing high levels of antigen (e.g., infected cells), while limiting collateral damage to bystander cells.
Control model of human posture strategy selection

A control model for human balance in the sagittal plane was used to evaluate a continuum of stabilization strategies between the ankle and hip strategies. The parameters for the model were based on experimental data. The resulting model estimates the gain on ankle and hip position needed to successfully stabilize the body. It was found that, to account for the postural responses seen experimentally, it is necessary to use sensory input to choose a specific motor tape or program, which may be constructed by superimposing two separate motor synergies in appropriate proportion. The heteronymous nature of the response selection indicates that local reflexes alone are insufficient to account for the behaviours.
Detection and localization of vapor-emitting sources

We develop methods for detecting and localizing vapor-emitting sources using chemical sensor arrays. Potential applications of these methods include detection of explosives or drugs, sensing of leakage of hazardous chemicals or pollution, and environmental studies. We describe the pertinent physical models, develop estimation and detection algorithms, and derive performance bounds. >
A Genome-wide Screen Identifies PAPP-AA-Mediated IGFR Signaling as a Novel Regulator of Habituation Learning

SUMMARY Habituation represents a fundamental form of learning, yet the underlying molecular genetic mechanisms are not well defined. Here we report on a genome-wide genetic screen, coupled with wholegenome sequencing, that identified 14 zebrafish startlehabituationmutantsincludingmutantsofthevertebrate-specific gene pregnancy-associated plasma protein-aa (pappaa). PAPP-AA encodes an extracellular metalloprotease known to increase IGF bioavailability, thereby enhancing IGF receptor signaling. We find that pappaa is expressed by startle circuit neurons, and expression of wild-type but not a metalloprotease-inactive version of pappaa restores habituationinpappaamutants.Furthermore,acutelyinhibiting IGF1R function in wild-type reduces habituation, while activation of IGF1R downstream effectors in pappaa mutants restores habituation, demonstrating that pappaa promotes learning by acutely and locally increasing IGF bioavailability. In sum, our results define the first functional gene set for habituation learning in a vertebrate and identify PAPPAA-regulated IGF signaling as a novel mechanism regulating habituation learning.
Apo E genotype, diabetes, and peripheral arterial disease in older men: the Honolulu Asia-aging study.

The ϵ4 allele of the gene coding for apolipoprotein (apo) E is associated with an atherogenic lipid profile that has been linked to increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Apo E genotype may also be associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). If present, this association may be modified by diabetes, which is also associated with dyslipidemia that predisposes to macrovascular disease. Observable associations between both ApoE genotype and diabetes with PAD may be confounded by smoking, a potent PAD risk factor that is unrelated to lipids. From 1991 to 1993, apo E genotypes (2/3, 3/3, 3/4), PAD (defined as ankle-brachial index [ABI] <0.9), diabetes (prevalent and newly-diagnosed), and smoking history (ever/never) were determined for 3,161 Japanese-American men aged 71–93. Data on hypertension and other potential confounders were also collected. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) between groups cross-categorized by apo E genotype and diabetes with prevalence of PAD, within strata of smoking. In each smoking stratum, non-diabetic apo ϵ3/3 carriers were considered the reference. Among ever-smokers, there was no association between apo E and PAD, regardless of diabetes status. Among never-smokers there appeared to be both apo E- and diabetes effects on PAD prevalence. Compared to the non-diabetic ϵ3/3 group, the ORS of PAD were 2.3 (1.2–4.4) and 2.0 (1.1–3.4) for ϵ3/3 newly-diagnosed and ϵ3/3 prevalent diabetic subjects, respectively. Associations were stronger among diabetic individuals in the ϵ3/4 group: the ORS were 3.0 (1.1–8.8) and 4.1 (1.9–8.7) for ϵ3/4 newly-diagnosed and ϵ3/4prevalent diabetic subjects, respectively. Despite associations whose pattern and magnitude suggested interaction between apo E genotype and diabetes on PAD prevalence among never-smokers, formal testing of this interaction did not reach statistical significance. Our finding of an apo E-PAD association among never-smokers may result from the effects of an apo ϵ4-related atherogenic lipid profile on peripheral arteries. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential mediating role of diabetes on the apo E-PAD association. Genet. Epidemiol. 19:52–63, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE CASE FOR ADOPTION ALTERNATIVES

In this article, the author takes a unique approach to adoption, criticizing the law's heavy emphasis on adoption while not promoting other permanency alternatives. The author advocates the use and promulgation of subsidized guardianship and cooperative adoption as positive alternatives to traditional adoption. First, the author considers the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA). Discussions of therapeutic jurisprudence and preventive law follow. Then, she talks about family systems theory and cultural competence, leading to discussion of her two favorite alternatives. After examining these theories and approaches, she concludes that these options do a better job of maintaining family relations and correspond more closely with psychological theory.
Cramer-Rao lower bound for constrained complex parameters

An expression for the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRB) on the covariance of unbiased estimators of a constrained complex parameter vector is derived. The application and usefulness of the result is demonstrated through its use in the context of a semiblind channel estimation problem.
Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of discal attachment of superior head of lateral pterygoid muscle in individuals with symptomatic temporomandibular joint

Objective There has been much speculation on the role of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement. As a result, this muscle has been the focus of many reports attempting to understand its possible role in TMJ internal derangement. Study Design Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging exams of 108 TMJ disorder patients were assessed for types of morphologic insertion of the superior head of LPM to the condyle-disc complex and possible correlation with disc position. The investigation was made on the sagittal T1-weighted MR images in closed- and open-mouth positions. Results There was a lack of correlation between attachment pattern of the superior head of LPM and presence or absence of anterior disc displacement. Conclusions The explanation of anterior disc displacement based on the attachment type of the superior head of LPM is unlikely; the type of muscular insertion does not appear to have a predictive or prognostic value for TMJ internal derangement.
Chronic paronychia in children.

Thumb-sucking is the most frequent predisposing factor of chronic paronychia in children.There are two basic components in chronic paronychia. One is a pocket which holds moisture and allows the sur vival of many different organisms. The other is an anatomic deformity of round ing out and retraction of the posterior nail fold because of foreign material in the dermis. The dermal change with the subsequent rounding out and retraction assures the continuing presence of the pocket.Chronic monilial disease usually local izes at sites of pre-existing defects. Mo nilia contribute to the disease process by irritation on the surface and by penetra tion of debris into the dermis. This debris stimulates chronic inflammation which in turn often aggravates the original defect.
Quantifying the benefits and harms of screening mammography.

Like all early detection strategies, screening mammography involves trade-offs. If women are to truly participate in the decision of whether or not to be screened, they need some quantification of its benefits and harms. Providing such information is a challenging task, however, given the uncertainty—and underlying professional disagreement—about the data. In this article, we attempt to bound this uncertainty by providing a range of estimates—optimistic and pessimistic—on the absolute frequency of 3 outcomes important to the mammography decision: breast cancer deaths avoided, false alarms, and overdiagnosis. Among 1000 US women aged 50 years who are screened annually for a decade, 0.3 to 3.2 will avoid a breast cancer death, 490 to 670 will have at least 1 false alarm, and 3 to 14 will be overdiagnosed and treated needlessly. We hope that these ranges help women to make a decision: either to feel comfortable about their decision to pursue screening or to feel equally comfortable about their decision not to pursue screening. For the remainder, we hope it helps start a conversation about where additional precision is most needed.
Factor graph switching portfolios under transaction costs

We consider the sequential portfolio investment problem. Building on results in signal processing, machine learning, and other areas, we use factor graphs to develop new universal portfolio algorithms for switching strategies under transaction costs. These algorithms make use of a transition diagram in order to compactly represent and compute message passing on an exponentially increasing number of factor graphs. We compare this with a previous universal switching portfolios, demonstrating typically superior performance.
Secure Degrees of Freedom in Cooperative MIMO Cognitive Radio Systems

We study the achievable secure degrees of freedom (DoF) in a cooperative MIMO cognitive radio system consisting of one primary source-destination pair, one or two secondary source-destination pairs, and one eavesdropper who is interested only in primary user's data. The cognitive radio users help to secure primary user's transmission against the eavesdropper and in return, the primary user allows the secondary users to access its licensed spectrum. All users are equipped with multiple antennas. We investigate the secure DoF using the interference alignment concept coupled with a zero inter-user interference constraint. We propose a beamforming design based only on the channel state information (CSI) between the primary and secondary user pairs which the legitimate users exchange among each other; no information data are exchanged and no eavesdropper CSI is needed. In the case of a single secondary user pair, we show that if all users have $M$ antennas, secure DoF $d_p$ and DoF $d_s$ of primary and secondary users, respectively, are achievable if they satisfy $2d_p\leq M$ and $d_s \leq M-2d_p$ . In the case of two secondary user pairs, secure DoF $d_p$ and DoFs $d_{s_1},d_{s_2}$ of primary user and two secondary users, respectively, are achievable if they satisfy $2d_p , $d_p+d_i\le M$ , $d_{s_1}+d_{s_2}\le M$ , $i\in\{s_1,s_2\}$ , or $2d_p=M$ , $d_p+d_i\le M$ , $d_{s_1}+d_{s_2} , $i\in\{s_1, s_2\}$ . Simulation examples corroborating the theoretical results are presented.
Counseling Gay Husbands

ABSTRACTThis article is based on the author's work with six married men who had varying degrees of homosexual orientation. Four of their wives were also seen by the author's co-therapist.This article briefly describes the history of each couple, the nature of clinical intervention with the husbands, and the outcomes. Four of the couples divorced while two stayed together. The sources of problems in these marriages and variables which may be associated with couples choosing either to divorce or to stay married are considered. Three phases of clinical intervention are described.The article concludes with an exploration of some of the clinical dilemmas these cases present, as well as specific areas which require further study.
Does Ideology Matter

Objective This study revisits the idea that the American public is moderate or nonideological. In this longstanding view, only informed elites maintain consistent ideologies that constrain their political attitudes and behaviors; the mass public is driven instead by partisan identities that they are socialized into. The study explores whether the public's liberal-to-conservative self-placement is temporally stable, and whether it is predictive of political attitudes when pit against partisanship. Methods The study examines data from the 2010 American National Election Survey and the 2008–2012 General Social Survey longitudinal panel. Results The American public today maintains coherent and consistent ideologies that systematically divide them in their sociopolitical attitudes and policy preferences. Conclusion While partisanship is a powerful top-down driver of the American public's attitudes and policy preferences toward overtly partisan issues and behaviors like Obamacare and voting, on broader sociopolitical issues like abortion, ideology is a powerful bottom-up driver of attitudes.
The Spinal Countdown

This case discusses primary and secondary pharmacodynamic interactions between general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia resulting in hypotension and bradycardia.
Determination of nitrate in vegetables-Spectrophotometric method with phenol disulfonic acid

Objective To establish a spectrophotometric method in vegetables with phenol disulfonic acid for the determination of nitrate.Methods To heat sample in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes,and activated carbon was added to filter and extract.The reaction was conducted with phenol disulfonic acid and the sample in the anhydrous case,and to generate the nitro-sulfonic acid phenol,the latter in an alkaline aqueous solution to form a yellow compound with visible absorption photometry at 410 nm.Results A good relationship was shown within the concentration of 0~10.0 mg/L(r=0.999 5),the detection limit(LOD) was 1.12 mg/kg,the relative standard deviation was 0.78 % with the recoveries ranged from 95.00~100.7 %.Conclusion It was a optimized method to determine nitrate in vegetables with good precision and accuracy,which was able to meet the requirements.
Identification of immune proteins in the pallial mucus of the oyster Crassostrea virginica

The body surface of marine invertebrates is often covered by a layer of mucus, a slippery gel secreted by mucocytes (or goblet cells) lining epithelia. The functions of this gel are diverse and include locomotion, cleansing, food particles processing and defense against physicochemical injuries and infectious agents. In oysters, mucus covering pallial organs (mantle, gills and labial palps) has been demonstrated to have a major importance in particles (microalgae, pathogens) processing. Given the limited information available on pallial mucus in bivalves and the apparent wide spectra of activity of bioactive molecules present in this gel, the characterization of these mucosal secretions has become a research priority. In this study, mucus was collected from the pallial organs of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and analyzed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, in order to investigate glycoconjugate molecules, preliminary glycosyl composition was also performed on mucus using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods. Results showed the presence in pallial mucus of a wide range of molecules involved in non-self recognition, defense mechanisms and interactions with microbes. Mucus composition was different among samples collected from different organs. These results generate a reference map for C. virginica pallial mucus to better characterize the various physiological functions of the mucus. Research is ongoing to assess changes in mucosal immune proteins in response to pathological or environmental alterations.
N+, M0 prostate cancer: local therapy for systemic disease.

Node-positive prostate cancer without distant metastases (T any, N+, M0) currently is encountered rarely, primarily because of the shift to diagnosis at earlier stages, a result of widespread PSA testing.
Do Retailer Pricing Strategies and the Perceived Competitive Situation Influence Retailing Success

The primary objective of this study was to explore the relationship between the employment of selected pricing strategies and the financial success of the member stores of a retail grocery cooperative. For the purposes of the study, the perceived competitive situation of the retail grocery stores was also entered into these relationships.
Selecting Decomposable Models for Word-Sense Disambiguation: TheGrling-Sdm System

This paper describes the grling-sdm system, which is a supervised probabilistic classifier that participated in the 1998 SENSEVAL competition for word-sense disambiguation. This system uses model search to select decomposable probability models describing the dependencies among the feature variables. These types of models have been found to be advantageous in terms of efficiency and representational power. Performance on the SENSEVAL evaluation data is discussed.
The Power of PowerShell: Examples of how PowerShell Scripts can Supplement a Patch Management System to Solve Unusual Problems

Lehigh University currently utilizes the Flexera Corporate Software Inspector (CSI, formerly Secunia CSI) application to patch faculty/staff computers on campus. This system patches third-party applications on all currently supported Windows operating systems by leveraging the Windows Server Update Service (WSUS). This presentation is not meant to focus on a particular patch management product or system, but instead it will discuss how such a system can be used to solve unusual problems when coupled with a powerful scripting language such as PowerShell.This presentation will focus on specific scenarios that PowerShell solved when combined with our patch management system. The scenarios it will present include: an update to our internet browser software, Mozilla Firefox, which when updated disabled our ad-blocking extension, an issue of unknown origin which caused all of our Windows 7 systems to no longer activate utilizing our Key Management Service (KMS) (this included Microsoft Office products), a glitch in Windows 7 which caused garbage files to generate non-stop and completely fill end user hard drives, and our rather unusual implementation of Java. PowerShell saved us immeasurable time in resolving these issues across our entire campus. Using PowerShell with our patch management solution allows us to resolve almost any issue, campus-wide, with the push of a button.