cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How E. coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) distinguishes between deoxy- and dideoxynucleotides.

Deoxy- and dideoxynucleotides differ only in whether they have a hydroxyl substituent at C-3' of the ribose moiety, and yet the Klenow fragment DNA polymerase prefers the natural (dNTP) substrate by several thousandfold. We have used this preference in order to investigate how Klenow fragment interacts with the sugar portion of an incoming dNTP. We screened mutant derivatives of Klenow fragment so as to identify those amino acid residues that play important roles in distinguishing between dNTPs and ddNTPs. Substitution of Phe762 with Ala or Tyr caused a dramatic decrease in the discrimination against ddNTPs, while mutations in Tyr766 and Glu710 had a smaller effect, suggesting that these two side-chains play secondary roles in the selection of dNTPs over ddNTPs. In order to understand the interactions in the enzyme-DNA-dNTP ternary complex, pre-steady-state kinetic parameters for the incorporation of dNTPs and ddNTPs were determined for wild-type Klenow fragment and for mutant derivatives that showed changes in dNTP/ddNTP discrimination. From elemental effect measurements we infer that selection against dideoxynucleotides takes place in the transition state for the conformational change that precedes phosphoryl transfer. The crucial role of the Phe762 side-chain appears to be to constrain the dNTP molecule so that the 3'-OH can make an interaction with another group within the ternary complex. When Tyr is substituted at position 762, the same interactions can take place to position the dNTP, but specificity against the ddNTP is lost because the phenolic OH can compensate for the missing 3'-OH of the nucleotide. Substitution of the smaller Ala side-chain results in a loss in specificity because the dNTP is no longer appropriately constrained. Measurement of reaction rates as a function of magnesium ion concentration suggests that the interaction made with the dNTP 3'-OH may involve a metal ion and the Glu710 side-chain, the simplest scenario being that both the 3'-OH and the carboxylate of Glu710 are ligands to the same metal ion.
“Solvent Annealing” Effect in Polymer Solar Cells Based on Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and Methanofullerenes

The self-organization of the polymer in solar cells based on regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (RR-P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is studied systematically as a function of the spin-coating time ts (varied from 20–80 s), which controls the solvent annealing time ta, the time taken by the solvent to dry after the spin-coating process. These blend films are characterized by photoluminescence spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) measurements. The results indicate that the π-conjugated structure of RR-P3HT in the films is optimally developed when ta is greater than 1 min (ts ∼ 50 s). For ts < 50 s, both the short-circuit current (JSC) and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the corresponding polymer solar cells show a plateau region, whereas for 50 < ts < 55 s, the JSC and PCE values are significantly decreased, suggesting that there is a major change in the ordering of the polymer in this time window. The PCE decreases from 3.6 % for a film with a highly ordered π-conjugated structure of RR-P3HT to 1.2 % for a less-ordered film. GIXRD results confirm the change in the ordering of the polymer. In particular, the incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency spectrum of the less-ordered solar cell shows a clear loss in both the overall magnitude and the long-wavelength response. The solvent annealing effect is also studied for devices with different concentrations of PCBM (PCBM concentrations ranging from 25 to 67 wt %). Under “solvent annealing” conditions, the polymer is seen to be ordered even at 67 wt % PCBM loading. The open-circuit voltage (VOC) is also affected by the ordering of the polymer and the PCBM loading in the active layer.
Linkages in Capital Structure Theory and Economics

The foremost purpose of this paper is to concisely explain to individuals teaching economics in an academic setting or using economics in a practical setting some of the basics of long run financial theory focusing on the capital structure of a corporation. The main motivation for this study is based on observations of economists being very deficient in the discipline of finance especially in long run financial concepts. Many times practitioners or academics educated in the area of economics lack any type of background in finance and therefore are deficient with their knowledge of financial theory and applications. This disconnect prevents using many financial applications in their own classes, in their own businesses or with their own research. This paper serves as an primer to some of the long run capital structure theories that individuals can use as a starting point to their additional research, study or use in teaching. Areas related to capital structure and financial theory in general can be utilized by economists in academia and the private sector to enhance and advance their professional careers.
Verbal comprehension: The lexical decomposition strategy to define unfamiliar words

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to study one facet of verbal intelligence—the ability of adolescents and adults to use a lexical decomposition strategy to define prefixed words and pseudowords. In the first experiment, subjects in grades 8, 10, 11, and college were given a multiple-choice vocabulary test. The test measured subjects' abilities to use wordpart meanings when defining words. Subjects' metacognitive knowledge of both the words and their prefixes and stems was assessed through a pair of rating tasks. Adults performed better than the adolescents on the vocabulary test. Evidence for a lexical decomposition strategy was found for both the adolescents and adults on subsets of the most familiar items. Measures of metacognitive knowledge were related significantly to measures of vocabulary performance for the adolescents and adults. In the second experiment, college subjects were given one of four multiple-choice vocabulary tests that included decomposable (prefixed) and nondecomposable known (words) and unknown (pseudowords) stimuli. Evidence for use of the lexical decomposition strategy was strong even though there were small effects of two performance factors predicted to affect the use of the strategy. Results are discussed in relation to a theory on the use of internal context in verbal comprehension
Dynamic Instability of Microtubules Assembled from Microtubule-Associated Protein-Free Tubulin: Neither Variability of Growth and Shortening Rates nor “Rescue” Requires Microtubule-Associated Proteins

The growth and shortening of microtubules in dynamic instability is known to be modulated by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). A full understanding of the mechanism of dynamic instability req...
PRIMARY HYPOTHYROIDISM TRANSLATIONALLY REGULATES THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRAIN GLUCOSE TRANSPORTER EXPRESSION. |[dagger]| 532

Glucose, an essential substrate for brain oxidative metabolism, is transported by facilitative glucose transporter proteins (Glut) across the blood brain barrier into glia (Glut 1) and neurons (Glut 3). Since primary hypothyroidism (Hypo-T) adversely affects brain metabolism (myelination) and neurological function, and thyroid hormones (TH-T4/T3) regulate Glut levels in other tissues, we studied the effect of Hypo-T on brain Glut 1 and Glut 3 mRNA and protein levels in Balb-hyt/hyt mice. The Balb-C (+/+) mouse served as the euthyroid control. Hypo-T characterized by a high serum TSH and a low TH concentration occurs due to a point mutation (Pro556-Leu) in theβ-subunit of the TSH receptor and is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Brain homogenates, obtained from 18d fetal (n=6), 1d (n=6), 7d (n=6), 14d (n=6), 21d (n=6), 35d (n=6) and 60d (n=6) postnatal mice were subjected to mRNA extraction, quantitative Northern blot analysis and protein estimation with quantitative Western blot analysis. In Balb-C mice a gradual increase in both Glut 1 and Glut 3 proteins was noted with advancing age, the peak being at 21d (p <0.02) with the value remaining unchanged through 60d. This developmental alteration was paralleled by corresponding mRNA changes (p< 0.01). Comparison of hyt/hyt versus Balb-C mice at 7d (n=6 vs.6), 14d(n=6 vs. 6) and 21d (n=6 vs. 6) postnatal ages revealed changes in brain Glut 1 (decreased to 50%, p < 0.05) and Glut 3 (increased to 60%, p < 0.05) proteins. These developmental changes were not reflected in the corresponding mRNA levels. We conclude that 1] developmental changes in brain Glut 1 and Glut 3 proteins are regulated at a pretranslational level, and 2] Hypo-T alters brain Glut 1 and Glut 3 protein concentrations at a translational or post-translational level. While brain glucose uptake studies are ongoing, we speculate that these reciprocal changes in brain Glut 1 and Glut 3 proteins may help preserve neuronal glucose metabolism and function, while adversely affecting glial metabolism and myelination.
Horse passport survey

THE horsemeat and bute saga has put horse passports under the spotlight, with the Defra minister stating that it will be important to review the horse passport system. BVA and BEVA have responded to …
Cryptosporidiosis in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Lingering Challenge

Hospital- and community-based studies in sub-Saharan Africa document a high prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in children aged 6-36 months, particularly among those who are malnourished or positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and during rainy seasons. This is despite advances in developed countries that have curbed the incidence of cryptosporidiosis in the general and HIV-positive populations. Transmission in sub-Saharan Africa appears to occur predominantly through an anthroponotic cycle. The preponderance of Cryptosporidium hominis, given its limited host range, and the dominance of the more ubiquitous Cryptosporidium parvum after coexposure to both species, however, suggest that the current knowledge of transmission is incomplete. Given the poor sanitation and hygiene, limited availability of antiretrovirals, and the high prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in children-independent of HIV infection-in this region, effective control measures for cryptosporidiosis are desperately needed. Molecular targets from the recently sequenced parasite genome should be exploited to develop an effective and safe treatment for children.
A feeder-cell independent subpopulation of the PICM-19 pig liver stem cell line capable of long-term growth and extensive expansion.

A method for the feeder-independent culture of PICM-19 pig liver stem cell line was recently devised, but the cell line’s growth was finite and the cells essentially ceased dividing after approximately 20 passages over a 1 year culture period. Here we report the isolation, continuous culture, and initial characterization of a spontaneously arising feeder-independent PICM-19 subpopulation, PICM-19FF, that maintained replication rate and hepatocyte functions over an extended culture period. PICM-19FF cells grew to 90–98 % confluency after each passage at 2 week intervals, and the cells maintained a high cell density after 2 years and 48 passages in culture (average of 2.6 × 106 cells/T25 flask or 1 × 105 cells/cm2). Morphologically, the PICM-FF cells closely resembled the finite feeder-independent PICM-19 cultures previously reported, and, as before, no spontaneous formation of 3D multicellular ductules occurred in the cells’ monolayer. Their bipotent stem cell nature was therefore not evident. Over extensive passage, cytochrome P450 (EROD) activity was maintained, although urea production was reduced on a per mg protein basis at later passages. Two other attributes of fetal hepatocytes, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity and serum-protein secretion, were also shown to be maintained by the PICM-19FF cells. The PICM-19FF cells therefore appear to have indefinite growth potential as a feeder-independent cell line and this should enhance the experimental usefulness of the cell line, in general, and may also improve its application to toxicological/pharmacological assays and artificial liver devices.
A bovine model for equine digital cushion development

Material and Methods: Twenty dairy bull calves were randomly assigned to two groups, treated and control. The control group was reared in calf hutches and then in grass lots following weaning. The treated calves were housed in calf hutches until weaning and then walked for a total of at least two miles a day for four months on rocky terrain. At six months of age, all calves were humanely slaughtered. The right front and rear feet were harvested and evaluated utilizing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Topography (CT) scans and further analyzed with software programs Mimics 14 and 3-D Studio Max.
Keys to Reading Among Middle School Children

Abstract A recent decline in reading has become a major issue, as Americans are not reading out of necessity or as a leisure activity. In addition, a connection has been found between children's leisure reading habits and their level of academic achievement, causing even more concern.
Scaling expectations for the time to establishment of complex adaptations

Although the vast majority of research in evolutionary biology is focused on adaption, a general theory for the population-genetic mechanisms by which complex adaptations are acquired remains to be developed. The issue explored here is the procurement of novel traits that specifically require multiple mutations to achieve a fitness advantage. By highlighting the roles played by the forces of mutation, recombination, and random genetic drift, and drawing from observations on the joint constraints on these factors, the ways in which rates of acquisition of specific types of adaptations scale with population size are explored. These general results provide insight into a number of ongoing controversies regarding the molecular basis of adaptation, including the adaptive utility of recombination and the role of drift in the passage through adaptive valleys.
Ternary Diffusion in a RuAl-NiAl Couple

A ternary diffusion couple assembled with NiAl and RuAl disks and annealed at 1100 °C was examined by scanning electron microscopy and analyzed for concentration profiles by electron microprobe analysis. Complete mutual solid solubility with continuous variations in compositions was observed between the binary B2 aluminides. Ternary interdiffusion coefficients were determined with the aid of a program called MultiDiFlux over two composition ranges, one Ru-rich and the other Ni-rich, within the diffusion zone. The interdiffusion coefficient, $$ \ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{ \ifmmode\expandafter\tilde\else\expandafter\sim \fi{D}}^{{{\text{Al}}}}_{{{\text{RuRu}}}} $$ varies little with variation in composition, but the interdiffusion coefficient, $$ \ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{ \ifmmode\expandafter\tilde\else\expandafter\sim \fi{D}}^{{{\text{Al}}}}_{{{\text{NiNi}}}} $$ decreases by an order of magnitude from the Ni-rich region to the Ru-rich region. $$ \ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{ \ifmmode\expandafter\tilde\else\expandafter\sim \fi{D}}^{{{\text{Al}}}}_{{{\text{NiNi}}}} $$ is larger than $$ \ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{ \ifmmode\expandafter\tilde\else\expandafter\sim \fi{D}}^{{{\text{Al}}}}_{{{\text{RuRu}}}} $$ in the Ni-rich region by an order of magnitude. The cross coefficients, $$ \ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{ \ifmmode\expandafter\tilde\else\expandafter\sim \fi{D}}^{{{\text{Al}}}}_{{{\text{NiRu}}}} $$ and $$ \ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{ \ifmmode\expandafter\tilde\else\expandafter\sim \fi{D}}^{{{\text{Al}}}}_{{{\text{RuNi}}}} $$ , are both positive. $$ \ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{ \ifmmode\expandafter\tilde\else\expandafter\sim \fi{D}}^{{{\text{Al}}}}_{{{\text{NiRu}}}} $$ is comparable in magnitude to the main coefficient $$ \ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{ \ifmmode\expandafter\tilde\else\expandafter\sim \fi{D}}^{{{\text{Al}}}}_{{{\text{NiNi}}}} $$ in the Ni-rich region; hence, Ni interdiffusion flux is enhanced down a Ru concentration gradient but decreased against it. Similarly, Ni interdiffusion is reduced down Al gradients. Characteristic depth parameters calculated for Ni and Ru are larger on the NiAl side than on the RuAl side. Approximate calculations of cumulative intrinsic diffusion fluxes past a Kirkendall plane suggest that the atomic mobility of Ni is larger than that of Ru.
Sub-10 nm self-enclosed self-limited nanofluidic channel arrays.

We report a new method to fabricate self-enclosed optically transparent nanofluidic channel arrays with sub-10 nm channel width over large areas. Our method involves patterning nanoscale Si trenches using nanoimprint lithography (NIL), sealing the trenches into enclosed channels by ultrafast laser pulse melting and shrinking the channel sizes by self-limiting thermal oxidation. We demonstrate that 100 nm wide Si trenches can be sealed and shrunk to 9 nm wide and that λ-phage DNA molecules can be effectively stretched by the channels.
Parental Visiting, Conflicting Allegiances, and Emotional and Behavioral Problems Among Foster Children†

This study tested the hypothesis that frequent parental visiting is associated with foster children's conflicting allegiances to foster families and biological parents among a random sample of 199 young adolescents placed in family foster care for longer than 1 year. Conflicting allegiances were expected to be associated with emotional and behavioral disturbance. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that frequent visitation is potentially difficult for foster children because of the loyalty conflicts that might accompany frequent visiting. These results suggest that interventions designed to reduce loyalty conflicts might improve the adaptation of high-risk foster children.
Focused Array Hyperthermia Applicator: Theory and Experiment

The design and analysis of a focused linear array at 2450 MHz for microwave hyperthermia research is described. The array, which was submerged in deionized water to reduce its size and to provide a better impedance match to a high dielectric medium representative of human tissues, consisted of four titanium dioxide loaded horn antennas with apertures of 2.0 x 1.4 cm and a feed network with weighted phase shifts, Power radiation pattern measurements were made in planes ranging from 7.6 to 10.2 cm from the array to determine the focusing characteristics and beam spot size. Due to high attenuation in the medium, planes beyond 10.2 cm were not considered. The half-power beamwidth (HPBW) measured at the focal point was approximately 1.3 cm. The measured patterns were found to be in close agreement with theoretical predictions.
A New Method for Homogenizing Powder Mixtures and One Solution to the Problem of Variable Matrices Commonly Found in Lake Muds

A new method is described, employing acetone and a sonicator, for the procurement of a homogeneous mixture of lake mud and graphite suitable for optical emission analysis. The effects of variable matrices are masked by use of a mixture of 2 parts graphite to 1 part CaF2. The elements studied in these variable matrices were Be, Hg, Bi, Sn, Co, B, Na, Mo, V, Ag, Li, and Cd. The percent standard deviations obtained on replicate analyses are extremely small.
Taste Reactivity in High Alcohol Drinking and Low Alcohol Drinking Rats

High alcohol drinking (HAD) and low alcohol drinking (LAD) rats were tested, in three exposures, for taste reactivity to five concentrations of alcohol (5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%, v/v), water, and one concentration each of sucrose and quinine. Of the three reactivity exposures, one was done before a 3-week period of continuous access to water and 10% alcohol, the second test was done immediately after the consumption period, and the final reactivity test was done after 1 month of alcohol abstinence. The results showed that the groups did not differ in reactivity on the initial test. After the consumption tests (when the HAD rats consumed significantly more alcohol than the LAD rats), differences in reactivity were found: HAD rats produced significantly more ingestive responses (which promote consumption) and significantly fewer aversive responses (which facilitate fluid rejection) than LAD rats. These differences were maintained even after 1 month of alcohol abstinence. The present data replicate an earlier experiment with alcohol-preferring (P) rats and alcohol-non-preferring (NP) rats, and indicate that the selective breeding process does not produce differences in the innate perception of the taste of alcohol. However, after experience with drinking alcohol, rats selectively bred for high alcohol consumption exhibit a palatability shift reflected by high ingestive responding and little or no aversive responding. Such a shift would clearly contribute to the maintenance of high levels of alcohol consumption.
Subtrooping in a chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) population

Subtrooping in two baboon troops at Suikerbosrand, South Africa, was observed during a study of intertroop relations. Individual associations and locations were opportunistically recorded. Subtrooping varied in frequency according to season, being more frequent in the seasons with lower temperatures and food availability. Some subtroops frequented only certain parts of the larger troop range and remained separate from other groups for up to several days. Comparison with reports of subtrooping in other chacma populations reveals the study population to be relatively unique in the seasonality of subtrooping, the consistency of membership and the frequent occurrence of one-male subtroops. Lack of predation coupled with genetic isolation for several generations may have allowed the Suikerbosrand population to increase the efficiency of resource use in the less favorable seasons of the year, especially for less dominant individuals, through subtrooping. Subtrooping appears to be a facultative potential of all baboon species that requires little genetic change to develop.
Chemical potential for harmonically interacting particles in a harmonic potential

The chemical potential μ, as it appears in density functional theory, is examined extensively for harmonically interacting spin-½ fermions in three dimensions. For this system the energy and chemical potential are discontinuous functions of the particle number if the most straightforward equation is used to define the energy for a noninteger particle number.
Non-linear benefits and the evolution of eusociality in the hymenoptera

Abstract A general model for examining the evolution of social behavior is developed which does not require that benefits received be linear functions of the number of social donors encountered. The subsocial route for the evolution of eusociality in haplodiploid organisms is then examined within the context of this model Non-linearities render conditions for frequency independent fixation or loss of sister helping alleles more stringent than expected from models based on the assumption of linear benefits. In particular, both stable polymorphisms and frequency dependent selective thresholds for sister helping behaviour may commonly obtain.
Sources of Market Pioneer Advantages: The Case of Industrial Goods Industries:

In a broad cross-section of industrial goods businesses, market pioneers tend to have substantially higher market shares than late entrants. A stronger product in relation to competitors’ products ...
Understanding evolving group structures in time-varying networks

This paper presents a framework for identifying persistent groups and individuals across multiple time granularities in dynamic graphs. Understanding the longevity of groups and the relevance of individuals within a group is important in many fields, including sociology, biology, economics, psychology, and political science. Different clustering algorithms have been proposed for static and dynamic graphs. However, using the clustering results to understand the changing dynamics of groups can be difficult. In order to better understand how groups evolve and the level of cohesion within these groups, we propose a holistic dynamic clustering framework that allows the user to adjust the underlying algorithms for clustering nodes in a graph that changes over time and then use the final clusters to produce a time hierarchy that highlights the groups and individuals persistent during different time periods. We test our framework and algorithm both on synthetic and real world data. Our findings indicate that our approach not only yields highly accurate results, but also detects unexpected variations in group structure.
Role of α-Synuclein Carboxy-Terminus on Fibril Formation in Vitro†

Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is the major component of intracellular inclusions in several neurodegenerative diseases, and the conversion of soluble α-syn into filamentous aggregates may contribute to d...
Efficient FFT Computation of Plano-plano Interferometer Modes for a Wide Range of Fresnel Numbers

A comparison is made of several iterative techniques including Huygens' integral and Fourier transform methods for computing the dominant modes of a Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI), and the factors which limit the range of application of each method are described. It is shown that when applied to Huygens' integral method, the Fresnel approximation imposes an upper bound on the range of usuable Fresnel numbers. The Fourier expansion method used in this paper also employs the Fresnel approximation, but is valid over a different and much larger range of Fresnel numbers. The results of some numerical calculations for the normal modes of FPIs are presented to verify that the Fourier expansion method together with the fast Fourier transform (FFT) is well suited for efficient computation of FPI modes within a wide range of Fresnel numbers.
Shorter telomeres are associated with obesity and weight gain in the elderly

Obesity and shorter telomeres are commonly associated with elevated risk for age-related diseases and mortality. Whether telomere length (TL) may be associated with obesity or variations in adiposity is not well established. Therefore, we set out to test the hypothesis that TL may be a risk factor for increased adiposity using data from a large population-based cohort study. Levels of adiposity were assessed in six ways (obesity status, body mass index (BMI), the percentage of body fat or % body fat, leptin, visceral and subcutaneous fat mass) in 2721 elderly subjects (42% black and 58% white). Associations between TL measured in leukocytes at baseline and adiposity traits measured at baseline, and three of these traits after 7 years of follow-up were tested using regression models adjusting for important covariates. Additionally, we look at weight changes and relative changes in BMI and % body fat between baseline and follow-up. At baseline, TL was negatively associated with % body fat (s=−0.35±0.09, P=0.001) and subcutaneous fat (s=−2.66±1.07, P=0.01), and positively associated with leptin after adjusting for % body fat (s=0.32±0.14, P=0.001), but not with obesity, BMI or visceral fat. Prospective analyses showed that longer TL was associated with positive percent change between baseline and 7-year follow-up for both BMI (s=0.48±0.20, P=0.01) and % body fat (s=0.42±0.23, P=0.05). Our study suggests that shorter TL may be a risk factor for increased adiposity. Coupling with previous reports on their reversed roles, the relationship between adiposity and TL may be complicated and may warrant more prospective studies.
Concerning the relative importance of enantiomorphic site vs. chain end control in the stereoselective polymerization of lactides: reactions of (R,R-salen)- and (S,S-salen)–aluminium alkoxides LAlOCH2R complexes (R = CH3 and S-CHMeCl)

The preparations and structures of LAlOCH(2)C(S)HMeCl, where L = (R,R) or (S,S)-N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexenediamino, are reported together with the respective LAlOEt compounds, and their reactivities toward L- and rac-lactides in various solvents reveal the surprising complexity of the stereopreference for the ring-opening event.
Reengineering and the marketing function: integration of theory and practice

One of the most popular topics in American business today is reengineering. Rarely has such a misunderstood term been embraced so widely in theory and in practice. Numerous definitions and lists of key components to successful reengineering have confused managers as to what reengineering is in theory and in practice. Brings together the diverse literature and identifies clearly the activities, questions and process changes theorized to be necessary in reengineering efforts. In addition, reports the results of a survey designed to assess which of these purported activities, questions and process changes are, in practice, part of reengineering efforts as perceived by marketing professionals. Over 200 marketing professionals revealed their perception of firms’ involvement in reengineering, and evaluated involvement in key activities, process changes and asking of fundamental questions. The results reveal interesting discrepancies between theoretical reengineering and reengineering in practice. Implies that reengineering may not be a black‐and‐white issue, but rather exist on a gray continuum.
Graphical Determination or Transfer Function Coefficients of a System from Its Frequency Response

In this paper a graphical method is developed for determining the transfer function coefficients of a systems from given frequency-response data. The theory is an extension of the Wiener-Lee lattice network synthesis technique. This new procedure not only greatly simplifies the Wiener-Lee method, but has the advantage of being easily programmed on a digital computer.
Allometry and functional constraints on proboscis lengths in butterflies

1. In generalist nectar-feeding insects such as butterflies, body size and proboscis length show an allometric relationship. Butterflies that deviate from this relationship and have disproportionately long proboscides can access nectar from deep flowers, which is inaccessible to species of similar or larger body size but with shorter proboscides. 2. Despite this selective advantage, few species possess disproportionately long proboscides for their body size, which indicates that there may be developmental, functional or other ecological constraints on very long proboscides. I hypothesized that species with disproportionately long proboscides had a functional cost in terms of higher handling time (amount of time spent per flower); therefore, they were at a competitive disadvantage compared to butterflies that had shorter proboscides and lower handling times. 3. I tested this hypothesis using Costa Rican butterflies. I measured body length, proboscis length and handling time on Lantana and Wedelia, two nectar plants with generalist pollination systems which attract large numbers of nectar-feeding butterfly species. 4. There was a strong positive relationship between 'relative proboscis length' (proboscis length in relation to body size) and handling time per flower on both nectar plants. Species with greater relative proboscis length had up to three times longer handling time per flower. Thus, butterflies with relatively long proboscides should harvest less nectar per unit time from the same flower than butterflies with normal proboscides. 5. Reduced foraging efficiency in the face of competition from other nectarivores may thus be a functional constraint that limits the evolution of disproportionately long proboscides in generalist nectar-feeding butterflies.
Amounts of Artificial Food Dyes and Added Sugars in Foods and Sweets Commonly Consumed by Children

Artificial food colors (AFCs) are used to color many beverages, foods, and sweets in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the AFCs allowed in the diet to 9 different colors. The FDA certifies each batch of manufactured AFCs to guarantee purity and safety. The amount certified has risen from 12 mg/capita/d in 1950 to 62 mg/capita/d in 2010. Previously, we reported the amounts of AFCs in commonly consumed beverages. In this article, the amounts of AFCs in commonly consumed foods and sweets are reported. In addition, the amount of sugars in each product is included. Amounts of AFCs reported here along with the beverage data show that many children could be consuming far more dyes than previously thought. Clinical guidance is given to help caregivers avoid AFCs and reduce the amount of sugars in children's diets.
On Kleene-Diens inference

The Kleene-Diens implication operator is defined in terms of the min T-norm, which is the limit of the Schweizer-Sklar (1961) T-norm as the parameter p grows without bound. Consider a fuzzy rule-based system with trapezoidal antecedent and consequent fuzzy sets and mode defuzzification. The behavior of the system differs significantly depending on whether the Schweizer-Sklar parameter is taken to its limit before of after the inferencing and defuzzification. A four-rule knowledge base provides a simple benchmark to compare the behavior of the two versions of Kleene-Diens inference.
Nonlinear 3-D evolution of bounded kinetic Alfven waves due to shear flow and collisionless tearing instability

The three-dimensional nonlinear simulation of the evolution of a kinetic Alfven wave is presented for simple boundary conditions that resemble those of a discrete auroral breakup arc. The model used is a variant of the reduced megnetohydrodynamic description that includes, in addition, the important dispersive effect of electron inertia. It is found that with a 'generator' boundary condition corresponding to a current generator and a fully conducting 'load' boundary, the wave evolves three-dimensionally through a combination of shear flow and collisionless tearing mode instability.
Evolutionary genomics of host-use in bifurcating demes of RNA virus phi-6

Viruses are exceedingly diverse in their evolved strategies to manipulate hosts for viral replication. However, despite these differences, most virus populations will occasionally experience two commonly-encountered challenges: growth in variable host environments, and growth under fluctuating population sizes. We used the segmented RNA bacteriophage ϕ6 as a model for studying the evolutionary genomics of virus adaptation in the face of host switches and parametrically varying population sizes. To do so, we created a bifurcating deme structure that reflected lineage splitting in natural populations, allowing us to test whether phylogenetic algorithms could accurately resolve this ‘known phylogeny’. The resulting tree yielded 32 clones at the tips and internal nodes; these strains were fully sequenced and measured for phenotypic changes in selected traits (fitness on original and novel hosts). We observed that RNA segment size was negatively correlated with the extent of molecular change in the imposed treatments; molecular substitutions tended to cluster on the Small and Medium RNA chromosomes of the virus, and not on the Large segment. Our study yielded a very large molecular and phenotypic dataset, fostering possible inferences on genotype-phenotype associations. Using further experimental evolution, we confirmed an inference on the unanticipated role of an allelic switch in a viral assembly protein, which governed viral performance across host environments. Our study demonstrated that varying complexities can be simultaneously incorporated into experimental evolution, to examine the combined effects of population size, and adaptation in novel environments. The imposed bifurcating structure revealed that some methods for phylogenetic reconstruction failed to resolve the true phylogeny, owing to a paucity of molecular substitutions separating the RNA viruses that evolved in our study.
Measurement of NOY during the SCOS97-NARSTO

Abstract Dual converter NOY analyzers configured to also measure nitric acid were evaluated under laboratory conditions, smog chamber simulations, and during ambient monitoring. Commercial molybdenum metal converters in the NOY configuration were found to be capable of converting all major NOY species to NO under laboratory testing conditions. Some converters required higher-temperature set points than received from the manufacturer and several converters did not achieve 95% efficiency at the highest temperature allowed by the manufacturer (380°C). They also exhibited varying degrees of efficiency for oxidizing ammonia to NO depending on previous usage, but not operating temperature. After the field measurement program, the efficiency for converting nitric acid was found to be variable during smog chamber measurements. This was ascribed to degradation of the converter under field measurement conditions. The ambient measurement program showed a significant memory effect that contributed to a positive NOY measurement bias. The magnitude of this memory effect appeared to be related to the degree of ambient concentrations of pollutants being sampled. Ambient nitric acid measurements determined from the dual converter approach were related to those from a tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer although the correlation was not high. The variable converter efficiency for ammonia may lead to negative biases when measuring nitric acid.
Atypical presentation of a patient with both kallmann syndrome and a craniopharyngioma: case report and literature review.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe an unusual presentation of a patient with Kallmann syndrome, without the typical eunuchoid features, who had additional hormonal abnormalities caused by a craniopharyngioma. Methods This patient’s clinical features, endocrine evaluation, and treatment are described, and the literature regarding Kallmann syndrome is reviewed. The expected phenotype of Kallmann syndrome is contrasted with this case presentation. A literature search was also performed to determine whether the combination of craniopharyngioma and Kallmann syndrome had been described previously. Results A 23-year-old man had a suprasellar tumor in conjunction with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and growth hormone deficiency. Subsequently, he was also noted to have anosmia, a cleft palate, and bilateral olfactory bulb hypoplasia. His height was less than his calculated midparental height and exceeded his arm span. Defective neuronal migration in Kallmann syndrome is caused by absence of adhesion proteins needed for cellular, neuronal, and axonal guidance. This results in failure of olfactory and gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons to complete normal migration. Defective migration can also cause midline craniofacial abnormalities, renal agenesis, and cardiovascular defects. Arachnoid cysts have been reported in two patients with Kallmann syndrome, although whether a migration defect underlies their occurrence is speculative. No prior reports of craniopharyngioma in a patient with Kallmann syndrome could be identified. Conclusion It is postulated that although this patient had Kallmann syndrome, he did not present with a eunuchoid body habitus because of concomitant growth hormone deficiency caused by his craniopharyngioma. Although midline craniofacial abnormalities have been seen in patients with Kallmann syndrome, this patient’s craniopharyngioma seems more likely to be coincidental, rather than being one of the developmental anomalies that are part of the spectrum of this syndrome. (Endocr Pract. 2005;11:30-36)
Good codons, bad transcript: large reductions in gene expression and fitness arising from synonymous mutations in a key enzyme

Biased codon usage in protein-coding genes is pervasive, whereby amino acids are largely encoded by a specific subset of possible codons. Within individual genes, codon bias is stronger at evolutionarily conserved residues, favoring codons recognized by abundant tRNAs. Although this observation suggests an overall pattern of selection for translation speed and/or accuracy, other work indicates that transcript structure or binding motifs drive codon usage. However, our understanding of codon bias evolution is constrained by limited experimental data on the fitness effects of altering codons in functional genes. To bridge this gap, we generated synonymous variants of a key enzyme-coding gene in Methylobacterium extorquens. We found that mutant gene expression, enzyme production, enzyme activity, and fitness were all significantly lower than wild-type. Surprisingly, encoding the gene using only rare codons decreased fitness by 40%, whereas an allele coded entirely by frequent codons decreased fitness by more than 90%. Increasing gene expression restored mutant fitness to varying degrees, demonstrating that the fitness disadvantage of synonymous mutants arose from a lack of beneficial protein rather than costs of protein production. Protein production was negatively correlated with the frequency of motifs with high affinity for the anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence, suggesting ribosome pausing as the dominant cause of low mutant fitness. Together, our data support the idea that, although a particular set of codons are favored on average across a genome, in an individual gene selection can either act for or against codons depending on their local context.
Wide area differential GPS (WADGPS): future navigation system

Conventional differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) usually has accuracies of 1-3 within 100 km of the reference station wide area differential GPS (WADGPS) can achieve the same accuracy as DGPS in much wider area while reducing the number of reference stations and increasing the integrity substantially. Test results have shown 1.5-4 m positioning accuracy for a dual frequency user with 10-20 s of age using WADGPS, which in this case has six monitor stations with a 1632 km minimum baseline.
Setting Up an Outpatient Imaging Center Adding Computed Tomographic Angiography, Magnetic Resonance Angiography and an Outpatient Angiography Suite to Surgeon-Run Vascular Laboratories

Computed tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance angiography and diagnostic arteriography are all vascular diagnostic tools that should be included in modern vascular diagnostic laboratories. Before undertaking the establishment of such a facility, the vascular specialist or group needs to ensure safe patient care and the ability to provide such diagnostic tests and procedures without incurring a financial loss. This article will detail one method of setting up such a facility and suggest some other approaches. It will also introduce some of the issues that may change the political landscape in the Unites States of America, which may make such arrangements more complex in that country.
Insertion of Helium and Molecular Hydrogen Through the Orifice of an Open Fullerene.

A "molecular surgery" approach has been used to create an opening within a fullerene cage that is large enough to allow atoms and small molecules to pass through. The thermodynamics for the insertion of He and H2 into the open fullerene (left and right pictures, respectively) as well as their escape have been studied by NMR spectroscopy and theoretical methods.
Parkin-independent mitophagy requires Drp1 and maintains the integrity of mammalian heart and brain

Mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy have been linked to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we demonstrate that the mitochondrial division dynamin Drp1 and the Parkinson's disease-associated E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin synergistically maintain the integrity of mitochondrial structure and function in mouse heart and brain. Mice lacking cardiac Drp1 exhibited lethal heart defects. In Drp1KO cardiomyocytes, mitochondria increased their connectivity, accumulated ubiquitinated proteins, and decreased their respiration. In contrast to the current views of the role of parkin in ubiquitination of mitochondrial proteins, mitochondrial ubiquitination was independent of parkin in Drp1KO hearts, and simultaneous loss of Drp1 and parkin worsened cardiac defects. Drp1 and parkin also play synergistic roles in neuronal mitochondrial homeostasis and survival. Mitochondrial degradation was further decreased by combination of Drp1 and parkin deficiency, compared with their single loss. Thus, the physiological importance of parkin in mitochondrial homeostasis is revealed in the absence of mitochondrial division in mammals.
Transference and Countertransference in Aging and Illness

The concept of transference is a central idea in classical and contemporary psychodynamic theories. Often thought to be the bedrock of traditional psychoanalysis, to what extent transference interpretations function as the therapeutic action of the modern psychodynamic therapy encounter, especially with medically ill and aging patients, remains an open question. At the heart of the distinction between traditional and contemporary theory is the nature of involvement of the therapist. At its extremes, proponents of the traditional school hold that a therapist is a “blank screen” on which patient projections and ideas of transference occur; contemporary theorists on the other hand, have recently been advocating that emotional involvement by the therapist is an essential and unavoidable factor in all treatment modalities. The idea among many contemporary clinicians is that the emotions of both the patient and the therapist create a unique and intersubjective world between the two parties. Despite different perspectives about transference, there is perhaps no idea more fundamental to psychodynamic theory.
International Efforts: Perspectives, Policies, and Programs

With more people surviving cancer, it has become more likely that these cancer survivors can continue to work for many years following diagnosis and primary treatment. This chapter will provide a review of factors that are associated with work and the policies and programs in representative countries to address aspects of work in cancer survivors. Concepts of work, work disability following cancer, and optimization of function after primary cancer treatment in cancer survivors in various countries will be highlighted to identify some common themes and approaches across various nations, including an examination of the few programs that currently exist to support return to work efforts. With the advent of cancer treatment enhancements and education of employers and employees, the notion of return to work following (or during) cancer treatment has become a relatively new phenomenon, therefore, return to work or maximizing work has not garnered much attention. Being able to quantify those with cancer has assumed much energy in the past decade for most of the European nations who have been able maintain cancer registries, with some contributing data to the EUROCARE project, the large international registry maintained by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In 1989 the EUROCARE project was established by the European Community under Health Service Research to assess international variation in cancer survival. The individuals in EUROCARE are from 30 population-based cancer registries from twelve European countries that include Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Spain, and Switzerland. EUROCARE represents the first population-based collection and analysis of survival data on cancer patients using a common methodology so survivors can be followed over time to assess issues such as work and functional status [1].