cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclin D1 expression in melanocytic lesions of the skin.

Abstract Background Progression through the cell cycle is controlled by cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitory proteins. The role of cyclin D1 in the development and progression of melanomas is controversial. The goal of this study is to evaluate the role of cyclin D1 in benign and malignant melanocytic lesions of the skin. Methods A total of 126 pigmented lesions of the skin including compound nevi (21), intradermal nevi (18), melanoma in situ (28), primary invasive melanomas (30), and metastatic melanoma (29) were evaluated for cyclin D1 expression. The following tiered system was used for scoring: 0% nuclear staining (score 0), 1% to 19% nuclear staining (score 1), 20% to 49% nuclear staining (score 2), and 50% or greater nuclear staining (score 3). Results Average scores were significantly higher for primary melanomas compared with nevi and for in situ melanomas compared with primary invasive melanomas. The average score for metastatic melanomas was not significantly different compared with primary invasive melanomas. Scores for primary invasive melanomas did not correlate with depth of invasion or presence of metastases. Compound nevi exhibited a slightly higher level of cyclin D1 expression compared with intradermal nevi. Conclusion Although primary melanomas show a higher level of cyclin D1 expression compared with nevi, cyclin D1 appears to have little role in development of a metastatic phenotype. It is not clear why lesions localized near the dermal-epidermal junction express higher levels of cyclin D1. Further studies are indicated to ascertain the biologic role and practical utility of cyclin D1 in melanocytic lesions of the skin.
Tactics of Implementation

This study identified implementation tactics used by managers in making planned changes by profiling 91 case studies. Analysis revealed four types of tactics, variations within these tactics, and h...
17O NMR investigation of radiolytic hydrolysis in polysiloxane composites

The γ-irradiated hydrolysis of polysiloxane composites was investigated as a function of γ-irradiation dose using 17O nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that by using 17O labeled water during the high humidity exposure of the siloxane copolymer, details about the radiolytic hydrolysis degradation mechanism can be obtained directly from analysis of the 17O NMR spectra. The formation of 17O labeled silanols and Si–O–Si linkages occurs during the radiolytic hydrolysis, with the silanol species being the dominant non-volatile degradation product observed. For the polysiloxane composite investigated the distribution of hydrolysis species shows little variation at high total irradiation doses. In addition, the silica filler does have an effect on the distribution of the hydrolysis species within the copolymer at lower γ-irradiation doses. The ability of 17O NMR to isolate the hydrolysis species from other degradation processes within the polysiloxane composites demonstrates the applicability of this technique to address hydrolytic aging in other materials.
Analytic Reviews : Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction: Physiology and Pathophysiology

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is the unique re sponse of the lung circulation to ventilation with hy poxic gas, resulting in an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance. The site of hypoxic vasoconstriction is the small pulmonary arteries. The hypoxic pressor response optimizes ventilation and per fusion matching and thus preserves arterial oxygen ten sion. The mechanism of this response is not clear, al though considerable knowledge has been gained about its modulation. We review the current state of under standing of the physiology and pathophysiology of hy poxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.
Detection, Distribution, and Genetic Variability of 'Candidatus Liberibacter' Species Associated with Zebra Complex Disease of Potato in North America.

ABSTRACT The specificity and sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers developed for ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous’ were evaluated in conventional and real-time PCR assays. All PCR primers were specific for ‘Ca. L. psyllaurous’ and ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ insomuch as they did not detect other prokaryotic plant pathogens that affect potato except for the putative pathogens associated with psyllid-yellows and haywire. Conventional PCR assays were capable of detecting 0.19 to 1.56 ng of total DNA per reaction, and real-time PCR was found capable of detecting 1.56 to 6.25 ng of total DNA per reaction, depending on the specific PCR primer set used. ‘Ca. Liberibacter’ species associated with zebra complex disease (ZC) was confirmed in plants affected by this disease throughout Texas from 2005 to 2008, in seed tubers produced in Wyoming in 2007, and in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Mexico in 2008. A multiplex PCR assay using ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’–spe...
Effects of laser processing and doping on the lubrication and chemical properties of thin MoS2 films

Abstract We have examined the effect of dopant incorporation (nickel and gold) in sputter-deposited MoS 2 thin films. The nickel was codeposited during d.c. triode sputter deposition, whereas the gold was laser mixed into films after deposition. The films were characterized by Raman, Auger and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy before and after laser treatment. The gold in the laser-mixed MoS 2 films was distributed through the film and did not coalesce into islands on the surface. In addition to gold incorporation, laser doping produced changes in the Roman spectra characteristic of increased crystallinity. Specifically, the spectra after treatment were nearly identical to those from a MoS 2 sputtering target, whereas thin films before laser processing were characterized by increased S-S bonding and in some cases the presence of MoO 3 . We measured the friction coefficients both in laboratory air and in ultrahigh vacuum; in both ambients the friction coefficients of laser-treated films (with and without gold) were less than those of the deposited films.
Pharmacokinetics of the warfarin enantiomers in rats

The pharmacokinetics of elimination and anticoagulant action of the R(+) and S(-) enantiomers of warfarin were determined in individual adult male Sprague- Dawley rats. A 12 mg/kg dose of one of the enantiomers and a tracer dose of racemic 14C -warfarin were injected intravenously, and the same doses of the other enantiomer and the tracer were administered 3 weeks later to the same animals. The apparent biological half- life of racemic warfarin ranged from about 6 to 18 hr and was very reproducible in individual animals. The ranges of the biological half-lives of R(+) and S(-)-warfarin were 4.9–9.6 hr and 7.7–21.6hr, respectively. There is a strong positive correlation between the half- life of each enantiomer in individual rats; the ratio of these half- lives, S(-):R(+), is 1.87 (sd 0.21, n=10). The apparent half- life of racemic warfarin in individual rats is in very good agreement with the half- life predicted from the sum of the plasma concentrations of R(+)-andS(−)-warfarin at various times after injection. There was no significant difference in the apparent volumes of distribution of R(+)-,S(-)-, and racemic warfarin. There was a pronounced intersubject variation in the relative potency of the two enantiomers; the ratio R(+):S(-) of the plasma concentrations required to decrease the synthesis rate of prothrombin complex activity by one-half ranged from 0.7 to 6.3, with a mean of 2.2.
Caveolin Expression is Common among Benign and Malignant Smooth Muscle and Adipocyte Neoplasms

The caveolins belong to a newly described group of membrane-scaffolding proteins. Their presence in benign endothelial cells has been used to discriminate benign from malignant vascular neoplasms. The extent of caveolin expression in cutaneous mesenchymal neoplasms has not yet been evaluated, and thus the diagnostic utility of these antibodies is not yet known. In our study, we immunohistochemically examined a spectrum of tumors derived from smooth muscle and adipocytes for caveolin expression. We found that both benign and malignant smooth muscle tumors and tumors comprised of adipocytes expressed caveolins. The presence of this protein in a range of mesenchymal neoplasms is important to know about as this decreases the reported specificity of a positive finding. It is doubtful that caveolin down-regulation contributes to the pathogenesis of liposarcomas and leiomyosarcomas. This finding also may suggest a common origin between endothelial cells and other mesenchymal cells.
The Intel Design Automation System

The Intel Design Automation (DA) System is overviewed within the framework of Intel's business and technological goals. The philosophies and goals that direct development, acquisition, and deployment of DA capabilities throughout Intel are provided as a foundation for a more detailed discussion of specific areas within the total DA system. The "computing hierarchy" used within Intel world-wide for design and verification of its products is presented, as well as a high-level picture of the entire DA system for Intel's components products mix. With this overview as a basis, detailed explanations of the Engineering Design Environment (EDeN), Functional Design Verification, Hierarchical Layout Verification, and Circuit Performance Verification are presented.
A Note on the Effectiveness of a Pool

A measure of ineffectiveness I of a pool of independent service facilities is defined and it is shown to be rather insensitive to changes in the service-time distribution for queues with a Poisson input, assuming equal mean service rates of the servers. This result reduces consideration to the simple case of exponentially distributed service times and in this case (i) I can be computed using well-known formulae and (ii) it is possible to construct a simple upper bound for I.
Integrative Literature Review: Methods in Identifying Exemplary Performance: A Review of the Literature and Implications for HRD

This literature review provides an analysis of relevant ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) competency studies in Workplace Learning and Performance (WLP) and other research findings related to the methodology used in identifying exemplary and average performers. These findings helped create the research model and methods used in the qualitative data collection for the rubric used for the CPLP (Certified Professional in Learning and Performance) pilot exam. This chronicle is for those who seek out a method of collection of exemplary status behaviors within their organizations.
Relationship between naturally occurring human antibodies to casein and autologous antiidiotypic antibodies: implications for the network theory.

Previous studies on human autologous antiidiotypes have been based largely upon analyses of autoimmune disease. We have previously described polyclonal, naturally occurring human antoantibodies directed against antibodies with specificity toward bovine casein in the sera of IgA-deficient humans. In order to define this system more exactly we have now produced two murine monoclonal antibodies directed against bovine milk κ-casein to use as clonal tools to identify specific antiidiotypes in these human sera. Kappa-casein is an important part of the casein micelle in milk and cheese; in addition to being an important immunogen for man, κ-casein is known to have conserved amino acid sequence and two antigenic epitopes. Data presented here show that the serum of up to 74% of IgA-deficient and 10% of normal humans have specific autologous antiidiotypes in their serum which bind to monoclonal antibodies directed to bovine κ-casein. These human antibodies [intact or F(ab)′2] can be blocked from binding to the monoclonal anti-κ-caseins by pure bovine κ-casein or the κ-casein peptide fragment. In contrast to previous studies in autoimmune disease, serum levels of the autoantiidiotypes were directly proportional to the level of IgG antibody to bovine κ-casein. These observations suggest that continual exposure to a ubiquitous dietary antigen may produce an antigen driven system in which stimulation of both Ab1 and Ab2 occurs in concert.
Sources of Influence in Preservice Teacher Socialization

ABSTRACT This paper uses data collected for a national research project, The Study of the Education of Educators, to investigate different sources of influence on the educational beliefs and values of teacher candidates in their initial professonal socialization experiences in 29 teacher training institutions in the USA. Student teaching and cooperating teachers were found to be the most important sources of such influence. School pupils and school teachers other than cooperating teachers in the practice school also demonstrated great potential as sources of influence. The course curriculum on the college campus was found to be less influential than student teaching. The education faculty on the college campus, peer culture among teacher candidates, prior socialization experiences of teacher candidates, and family, relatives and friends of teacher candidates exerted only mild influences.
Fluctuations of pulsar emission with sub-microsecond time-scales

A model of pulsar emission fluctuations down to sub-microsecond time-scales is presented. The model is consistent with the empirical amplitude modulated noise model. It is proposed that the time-scale of the shortest observed micropulses is determined by the coherence of single-particle curvature radiation.
Stability estimates on general scalar balance laws

Consider the general scalar balance law in N space dimensions ∂tu+Divf(t,x,u)=F(t,x,u). Under suitable assumptions on f and F, we provide bounds on the total variation of the solution. Based on this first result, we establish estimates on the dependence of the solutions from f and F. In the more particular cases considered in the literature, the present estimate reduces to the known ones. To cite this article: R.M. Colombo et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 347 (2009).
Reducing equivalent transport by substrate shuttles in rat liver and colon

Abstract 1. 1. The observed level and subcellular distribution of the α-glycerophosphate and malate-aspartate substrate shuttle enzymes in liver and colon were consistent with their proposed roles in reducing equivalent transport. 2. 2. Km value determinations of shuttle enzymes were performed. 3. 3. Substrate shuttles were reconstructed from isolated liver and colon mitochondria which displayed satisfactory respiratory control and P:O ratios. 4. 4. The results obtained suggest that while the malate-aspartate shuttle is the primary means of reducing equivalent transport in the liver, the α-glycerophosphate shuttle predominates in the colon.
The Influence of Substance Use on Adolescent Brain Development

Adolescence is a unique period in neurodevelopment. Alcohol and marijuana use are common. Recent research has indicated that adolescent substance users show abnormalities on measures of brain functioning, which is linked to changes in neurocognition over time. Abnormalities have been seen in brain structure volume, white matter quality, and activation to cognitive tasks, even in youth with as little as 1-2 years of heavy drinking and consumption levels of 20 drinks per month, especially if > 4-5 drinks are consumed on a single occasion. Heavy marijuana users show some subtle anomalies too, but generally not the same degree of divergence from demographically similar non-using adolescents. This article reviews the extant literature on neurocognition, brain structure, and brain function in adolescent substance users with an emphasis on the most commonly used substances, and in the context of ongoing neuromaturational processes. Methodological and treatment implications are provided.
Quantitative genetics and the evolution of reaction norms

We extend methods of quantitative genetics to studies of the evolution of reaction norms defined over continuous environments. Our models consider both spatial variation (hard and soft selection) and temporal variation (within a generation and between generations). These different forms of environmental variation can produce different evolutionary trajectories even when they favor the same optimal reaction norm. When genetic constraints limit the types of evolutionary changes available to a reaction norm, different forms of environmental variation can also produce different evolutionary equilibria. The methods and models presented here provide a framework in which empiricists may determine whether a reaction norm is optimal and, if it is not, to evaluate hypotheses for why it is not.
Motion of Cadmium Tracer Atoms in Al11R3 Phases (R=La,Ce,Pr)

Jump frequencies of Cd tracer atoms were measured in three phases having the orthorhombic Al11R3 structure, with R= La, Ce, or Pr. The structure has four inequivalent Al-sites and two inequivalent R-sites. 111In/Cd tracer atoms were observed to occupy several sites via the nuclear quadrupole interaction using perturbed angular correlation of gamma rays (PAC). Time-domain PAC spectra became damped as the temperature increased, which is attributed to nuclear relaxation caused by diffusional jumps of Cd tracer atoms leading to changes in orientations and/or magnitudes of electric field gradients (EFG’s). Maximum relaxations were observed near 770 K. A method is proposed for estimating the mean jump frequency at that temperature, giving a mean jump frequency w averaged over all sites of about 100 MHz. At still higher temperatures, damping decreased due to motional averaging, and the quadrupole perturbations evolved into unique signals having lower frequencies and corresponding in each phase to the averages of EFG tensors of all sites visited by the Cd tracer atoms. For Al11La3, the jump frequency at 1073 K was estimated to be 1.9 GHz. Such jump frequencies imply unusually high diffusivities in these phases.
The efficacy of facilitated tucking for relieving procedural pain of endotracheal suctioning in very low birthweight infants.

Purpose This study compared the efficacy of a behavioral pain reducing intervention (facilitated tucking) with standard neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care for decreasing procedural pain (endotracheal suctioning) in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. Study design and methods A prospective randomized crossover design with infants as their own controls were used. The sample consisted of 40 VLBW infants, 23-32 weeks gestation, and weighing 560-1498 g with tracheal intubation. The infants were observed twice during each endotracheal suctioning experience; one suctioning was done according to normal nursery routine; another was done using facilitated tucking (the caregiver "hand-swaddling" the infant by placing a hand on the infant's head and feet while providing flexion and containment). The Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) measured the infant's pain response, and severity of illness of each infant was measured by the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP) and the NTISS (Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System). Repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA) determined the efficacy of facilitated tucking for reducing procedural pain (PIPP) and the effects of order of intervention vs. control. Regression analyses examined the relationship of gestational age, severity of illness, and number of painful procedures to the pain response. Results There was a significant difference between the PIPP scores for tucking and nontucking positions (p = 0.001) and a nonsignificant interaction with order (p = 0.64) as well as a nonsignificant main effect for order (p = 0.46). In the regression analyses, all predictors taken together did not significantly predict PIPP scores in the tucked position (p = 0.11) or nontucked position (p = 0.57). Clinical implications Facilitated tucking is a developmentally sensitive, nonpharmacological comfort measure that can relieve procedural pain in VLBW infants. Nurses need to be increasingly aware of infant pain during daily care taking, and to use validated pain assessment instruments. Further clinical research on individual pain assessment is needed for better understanding of the quality and significance of pain for each infant, and the factors that affect pain expression.
Insulin receptors in murine mammary cells: comparison in pregnant and nonpregnant animals

Abstract 1. 1. 125 I-labelled insulin binds in vitro to isolated mammary cells prepared by treating freshly excised murine mammary gland with bacterial collagenase. The binding is specific for insulin, and it is saturable with respect to insulin in the range of physiologic concentrations of the hormone. Small amounts (50 pg/ml) of native insulin effectively compete with labeled insulin for binding. The specific binding of insulin to mammary cells is destroyed by digesting the cells with trypsin. 2. 2. Physiologic concentrations (about 10 −10 M of insulin stimulate the incorporation of [ 3 H] uridine into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material by isolated mammary cells from pregnant mice, but not from adult virgin mice. Although a metabolic response to insulin is observed only in cells from pregnant animals, the characteristics of 125 I-labelled insulin binding to cells from pregnant and virgin animals are very similar. Lactating cells bind 3–4 times more insulin than do cells from virgin or pregnant animals. 3. 3. Although proliferation of mammary cells during pregnancy may be stimulated or regulated by insulin following prolactin priming of these cells, the normal quiescence of the virgin tissue probably cannot be explained by the absence of insulin receptors. The absence of metabolic responses to insulin in the virgin tissue is probably explained by the improper function or incomplete nature of the hormone-receptor complex in the membrane.
In Vitro Synthesis of Oleoylglycine by Cytochrome c Points to a Novel Pathway for the Production of Lipid Signaling Molecules

Long chain fatty acyl glycines represent a new class of signaling molecules whose biosynthetic pathway is unknown. Here we report that cytochrome c catalyzes the formation of oleoylglycine from oleoyl-CoA and glycine, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The identity of oleoylglycine product was confirmed by isotope labeling and fragmentation mass spectrometry. Synthesis of oleoylglycine by cytochrome c was dependent upon substrate concentration and time. Other heme-containing proteins, myoglobin and hemoglobin, did not catalyze oleoylglycine synthesis. The functional properties of the reaction closely resemble those observed for the ability of cytochrome c to mediate the synthesis of oleamide from oleoyl-CoA and ammonia, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (Driscoll, W. J., Chaturvedi., S., and Mueller, G. P. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282). The ability of cytochrome c to catalyze the formation of oleoylglycine experimentally indicates the potential importance of cytochrome c as a novel mechanism for the generation of long chain fatty acyl glycine messengers in vivo.
Genetics and ontogeny of alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase isozymes in Drosophila melanogaster.

α-Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) occurs in Drosophila melanogaster in three isozymic forms. These are separable by starch gel electrophoresis and have been tentatively numbered 1, 2, and 3. GPDH-1 is most concentrated in the adult thorax and GPDH-3 in the abdomen; 1 and 3 are in approximately equal amounts in the head. GPDH-2 is relatively weak in all preparations. In larvae, only GPDH-3 is present. Purified GPDH-1 has optimal activity at pH 6.7–7.0. GPDH-3 at pH 7.5, and GPDH-2 is intermediate. Changes in total GPDH activity parallel larval growth, pupal histolysis, and differentiation of adult tissues. In the latter period the ratio of activity at pH 6.7 to pH 7.6 increases, reflecting the shift from GPDH-3 to GPDH-1. Two types of homozygous GPDH patterns which differ in the electrophoretic mobilities of all three isozymes have been found in inbred strains. In heterozygous adults six bands, the parental forms of GPDH-1 and GPDH-3 and “hybrid” forms of each, can be resolved. Analysis of F2 and backcross progeny suggests that a single genetic locus affects all three isozymes. Heterozygous embryos have only the maternal form of GPDH-3 until just before they hatch as first instar larvae. At this stage they have maternal and paternal GPDH-3 plus an intermediate band.
Sources of Radio Noise on the Planet Jupiter

THE discovery in 1955 by Burke and Franklin1 of a source of radio noise corresponding to the position of the planet Jupiter was confirmed by Shain2, who reviewed a series of old records taken in an investigation of cosmic noise at 18.3 Mc./s. during 1950–51. Shain found that certain noise bursts, which previously had been assumed to be interference, corresponded to the times when Jupiter was passing through the reception beam of the aerial system. He then expressed the times at which these noise bursts occurred in terms of the System I and System II zenocentric longitudes used for Jupiter (corresponding respectively to rotation periods of 9h. 50m. 30s. in the equatorial belt and 9h. 55m. 40.6s. for the rest of the planet) and found that a certain periodicity was shown in the System II longitudes, corresponding to a localized source at a longitude of 67°. The results were correlated, so far as possible, with visual observations made by the Jupiter Section of the British Astronomical Association, and the possible identification of the noise source with a visual disturbance in the Southern Temperate Belt was discussed.
A Stannylene/Aryl Iodide Reagent for Allylic CH Activation and Double Bond Addition Chemistry

Allylic CH bond activation and addition across the C═C double bond are both observed in the reactions of alkenes with a stannylene/phenyl iodide reagent. The relative amounts of each of these products are sensitive to the steric bulk of the alkene and of the aryl halide.
Data reduction for air-side performance of fin-and-tube heat exchangers

Abstract The present study focuses on the data reduction method to obtain the air-side performance of fin-and-tube heat exchangers. The data reduction methodology for air-side heat transfer coefficients in the literature is not based on a consistent approach. This paper recommends standard procedures for dry surface heat transfer in finned-tube heat exchangers having water on the tube-side. Inconsistencies addressed include the e-NTU relationships, calculation of the tube-side heat transfer coefficient, calculation of fin efficiency, and whether entrance and exit loss should be included in the reduction of friction factors. Use of the recommended standardized methodology will provide more meaningful data for use in the development of correlations, or for performance comparison purposes.
Integrating LIDAR Range Scans and Photographs with Temporal Changes

Registering 2D and 3D data is a rapidly growing research area. Motivating much of this work is the fact that 3D range scans and 2D imagery provide different, but complementing information about the same subject. Combining these two perspectives leads to the creation of accurate 3D models that are texture mapped with high resolution color information. Imagery can even be obtained on different days and in different seasons and registered together to show how a scene has changed with time. Finding correspondences among data captured with different cameras and containing content and temporal changes can be a challenging task. We address these difficulties by presenting a contextual approach for finding 2D matches, performing 2D-3D fusion by solving the projection matrix of a camera directly from its relationship to highly accurate range scan points, and minimizing an energy function based on gradient information in a 3D depth image.
Examining the Relationships Between Acculturation Orientations, Perceived and Actual Norms, and Drinking Behaviors of Short-Term American Sojourners in Foreign Environments

As little research has examined factors influencing increased and heavy drinking behavior among American sojourners abroad, this study was designed to examine how acculturation orientations (i.e., separation versus assimilation), host country per capita drinking rates, and perceptions about the drinking behavior among other sojourners and natives in the host country predicted alcohol risk abroad. A sample of 216 American college students completing study abroad programs completed a pre-abroad questionnaire to document their pre-abroad drinking levels, followed by a post-return questionnaire to assess drinking while abroad, acculturation orientations and perceived norms of drinking behavior within the foreign environment. A dichotomous variable was created to compare United States (U.S.) per capita drinking rates with those of the host country. Hierarchical repeated-measures ANOVAs examined the changes in drinking from pre-abroad to abroad levels. Participants studying in countries with higher drinking rates than the U.S. and those with higher perceptions about the drinking behavior in the country increased their drinking to a greater extent. Those with higher separation acculturation orientations and greater perceptions drank at heavier levels while abroad. Participants with a greater assimilation orientation and higher perceptions about native drinking, as well as those with a greater separation orientation and higher perceptions about other students’ alcohol use drank the heaviest while abroad. These findings have implications for future preventive work with American students and other sojourning groups to promote pre-abroad knowledge of more accurate drinking norms and greater engagement in the culture to potentially prevent increased and heavier drinking.
VERSATILE DNA-PACKAGING NANOMOTOR OF BACTERIOPHAGE phi29 WITH APPLICATIONS IN NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY

Nanobiotechnology entails the use of nanosized materials to build structures that can be applied in both biotechnology and medicine. In one vein of this field of study, scientists seek to mimic the wide variety of nanomachines and macromolecular structures that exist in nature and to replicate them in both structure and function. As a most intriguing example, the bacterial virus phi29 uses a self-contained nanomotor to package its DNA after replication. The 30-nm nanomotor contains 12 copies of a protein (gp10) which together form a 3.6-nm central channel through which the genomic DNA passes into the procapsid during viral assembly and exits during infection. This connector has been recently reengineered and embedded into a lipid bilayer, creating a system with tremendous application for DNA detection and characterization through electrophysiological measurement. A second component of the phi29 bacteriophage is an ATP-binding pRNA that forms a hexameric ring to gear the motor. The pRNA has been utilized to construct nanoparticles of dimers, trimers, hexamers and patterned superstructures via the interaction of two interlocking loops. Such structures constructed via bottom-up assembly have been used in the delivery of drugs, siRNA, ribozymes, and genes to specific cells, both in vitro and in vivo. This review summarizes current studies on the structure, function, and mechanism of the phi29 DNA packaging motor, as well as addresses the applications of these motor components in the field of nanobiotechnology.
Studies toward the total synthesis of the oroidin dimers

A Diels–Alder/rearrangement sequence is described for the construction of the core ring systems of several oroidin dimers, including ageliferin and palau'amine.
Improving Ensemble-Based Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts for Topography-Enhanced Typhoon Heavy Rainfall over Taiwan with a Modified Probability-Matching Technique

AbstractIn this paper, a modified probability-matching technique is developed for ensemble-based quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) associated with landfalling typhoons over Taiwan. The main features of this technique include a resampling of the ensemble realizations, a rainfall pattern adjustment, and a bias correction. Using this technique, a synthetic ensemble is created for the purpose of rainfall prediction from a large-size (32 members), low-resolution (36 km) ensemble and a small-size (8 members), high-resolution (4 km) ensemble. The rainfall pattern is adjusted based on the precipitation distribution of the 36- and 4-km ensembles. A bias-correction scheme is then applied to remove the known systematic bias from the resampled 4-km ensemble realizations as part of the probability-matching procedure. The modified probability-matching scheme is shown to substantially reduce or eliminate the intrinsic model rainfall bias and to provide better QPF guidance. The encouraging results suggest that ...
Overactive bladder in males

The prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms is considerable in both men and women and the impact on quality of life (QOL) is equally substantial. Ironically, despite nearly equal prevalence, OAB symptoms in men are infrequently treated, and often with medical therapies aimed at bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). In this review, we examine the pathophysiology of OAB and its evaluation in the context of benign prostatic hypertrophy and concomitant BOO. We then consider the efficacy and safety of individual therapeutic options for lower urinary tract symptoms in men, focusing on the mainstays of medical therapy: α-adrenergic blockers, 5-α reductase inhibitors, and antimuscarinic agents. Finally, we aim to comment on new therapeutic strategies and targets that may one day be available for the treatment of male OAB.
A mental health intervention for rural, foster children from methamphetamine-involved families: Experimental assessment with qualitative elaboration

Abstract This mixed method study describes the cultural adaptation, implementation and impact of a mental health intervention for individual rural children aged 7–17 from methamphetamine-involved families who are in foster care. Features of the culturally-shaped intervention include: 1) close collaboration with local professionals who provide the intervention over a seven month period; 2) provision of the intervention in and around children's homes; and 3) the use of local storytelling traditions in a narrative- and relationship-based intervention. As a group, children (N = 15) showed problematic levels of Childhood Behavior Checklist (CBCL) externalizing and total problem behaviors and symptoms of PTSD/dissociation during the pretest. Children were randomly assigned to an experimental group who received the intervention immediately (n = 8), or a wait-list control group (n = 7) who received the intervention at the end of the study. There was a significant interaction effect of time (pre and post test) and group on externalizing behavior with the trajectory of the experimental group improving while that of the control group worsened. Gains made by the experimental group were maintained over a seven month follow-up period. Comparative case studies, individual qualitative interviews and open-ended questionnaires provided rich elaboration of participants' experiences and illuminated complexities and challenges of the intervention.
Evidence for electrogenic bicarbonate transport in Amphiuma small intestine

Abstract Isolated segments of small intestine of Amphiuma were short-circuited in buffer containing bicarbonate. Theophylline (10 mM) increased short circuit current ( I sc ) in proportion to the bicarbonate concentration in the bath. The theophylline-stimulated I sc was rapidly reduced, though not abolished, in the presence of acetazolamide at concentrations as low as 10 −6 M. Unidirectional fluxes of 22 Na and 24 Na in paired intestinal segments in Cl-free buffer reveal that the increase in I sc produced by theophylline is not accounted for by an increase in net sodium flux. These results suggest that theophylline stimulates an electrogenic secretion of bicarbonate.
Development of a classification scheme for “introduction to engineering” courses

“Introduction to Engineering” courses are often designed from scratch and can become a grab-bag of unrelated topics. They are often designed by instructors to cover what they feel is important. Therefore, while they may be prerequisites to second-year courses, first-year engineering programs are not necessarily integrated into the curriculum. Further, since they are often designed with little consideration for existing models, overall outcomes and content may vary widely. The results include an issue of course developers “reinventing the wheel” as successful models are not adequately disseminated. Results of multiple methods of investigation are presented. An analysis of syllabi for Introduction to Engineering courses identified course learning objectives, and these objectives were grouped to establish an initial classification scheme. A workshop in which objectives were discussed was held at a national conference and a separate draft classification scheme was proposed. A concurrent effort uses a Delphi procedure to define and categorize expected outcomes in first-year courses. Survey data from the Delphi study has been collected toward a single, final classification scheme. This paper will present results of the first two components of the study and the initial high level classification scheme identified as the Delphi analysis begins.
Experience with an applicative string processing language

Experience using and implementing the language Poplar is described. The major conclusions are: Applicative programming can be made more natural through the use of built-in iterative operators and post-fix notation. Clever evaluation strategies, such as lazy evaluation, can make applicative programming more computationally efficient. Pattern matching can be performed in an applicative framework. Many problems remain.
Low-Frequency Cooperative Dynamics in l-, d-, and dl-Alanine Crystals: A 13C and 15N Cross-Polarization Magic-Angle-Spinning NMR Study

Knowledge of the dynamical changes in molecular configurations in various amino acid structures over a wide range of time scales is important since such changes may influence the structural transfo...
Importance of person‐organization fit to job seekers

This study investigates the importance of person‐organization fit to job seekers. The study hypothesizes that as job experience increases, importance of fit will also increase. Further, it hypothesizes that desire for personal control will be positively associated with importance of fit. Results suggest that while number of years of work experience is not related to the importance placed on person‐organization fit, having an experience of perceiving poor fit with an organization does relate to the importance placed on fit in future job searches. Findings also suggest that desire for personal control is positively associated with importance placed on fit. The study suggests that disposition as well as situational factors influence the assessment of organizational attractiveness.
THE DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID CONTENT OF PURIFIED SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS.

Abstract Chloroplasts isolated from spinach leaves in aqueous media and purified by a variety of techniques were found to contain DNA. Identification of the DNA was based on its chemical properties and on the absorption spectra of the reaction products of the material with diphenylamine, cysteine-sulfuric acid, and indole. Values of 1.3–7.1 μg. of DNA per milligram of protein were found; however, values of 3–4 μg. DNA per milligram protein were typical.
Approximate dynamic programming approach for process control

Abstract Abstract In this talk, we assess the potentials of the approximate dynamic programming (ADP) approach for process control, especially as a method to complement the model predictive control (MPC) approach. In the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Operations Research (OR) research communities, ADP has recently seen significant activities as an effective method for solving Markov Decision Process (MDP), which represents a type of multi-stage decision problems under uncertainty. Process control problems are similar to MDPs with the key difference being the continuous state and action spaces as opposed to discrete ones. In addition, unlike in other popular ADP application areas like robotics or games, in process control applications first and foremost concern should be on the safety and economics of the on-going operation rather than on efficient learning. We explore different options within ADP design, such as the pre-decision state vs. post-decision state value function, parametric vs. nonparametric value function approximator, batch-mode vs. continuous-mode learning, exploration vs. robustness, etc. We argue that ADP possesses great potentials, especially for obtaining effective control policies for stochastic constrained nonlinear or linear systems and continually improving them towards optimality.
Flash photolysis of N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide; proton quenching of radical and electron production

Abstract Proton quenching of fluorescence, radical and electron production in the flash photolysis of N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide indicates these processes originate from a common state. An indole photolysis model consistent with these and earlier observations is suggested.
The Meaning of Gene Positioning

There is no doubt that genomes are organized nonrandomly in the nucleus of higher eukaryotes. But what is the functional relevance of this nonrandomness? In this Essay, we explore the biological meaning of spatial gene positioning by examining the functional link between the activity of a gene and its radial position in the nucleus.
β‐Oxydation bei der Einwirkung von Permanganat auf Fettsäuren

Unter dem Einflus von schwach alkalischer Permanganatlosung werden Fettsauren uberraschend leicht abgebaut, hierbei wurden vorwiegend Monokarbonsauren isoliert, die um zwei oder vier Kohlenstoffatome armer waren. Der Nachweis von Aceton bei der Oxydation von Buttersaure spricht eindeutig fur β-Oxydation.
Sodium magnetic resonance imaging and chemical shift imaging

Abstract The study of sodium in biological systems is critical for an understanding of physiology and pathophysiology. NMR has proven to be an excellent tool for the study of sodium because of the relatively high concentration of sodium in the extracellular fluids of biological tissues, the inherent sensitivity of the 23 Na quadrupolar nucleus to its environment, and the high contrast obtainable in 23 Na MR images. The challenge has been to improve the instrumentation and to develop the data acquisition techniques to the point where high quality images and CSI data sets could be obtained in an acceptable time. As techniques have improved it has been demonstrated that 23 Na MRI is indeed sensitive to tissue viability and pathologic state, yet clinical studies have not yet found unique information from 23 Na MR images alone. (56, 75) The use of multiple echoes to provide relaxation information has greatly increased the utility of 23 Na MRI in spite of the fact that intra- and extracellular sodium pools do not appear to be differentiable solely on the basis of the presence of a short component of T 2 . The generation of images based on relaxation time thresholds (70) may prove valuable in providing more tissue-specific information. The use of paramagnetic shift reagents or contrast reagents has proved useful for the differentiation of intra- and extracellular sodium pools, but toxicity of the currently available shift reagents may be problematic. In instances where toxicity is not a severe problem, shift reagents can be used to monitor fluid dynamics as well as to distinguish different sodium pools.
Preparation of skin powder and skin extracts.

Skin is one of the most durable tissues of the human body. It is resistant to pressure great enough to compress steel. In spite of its high water content (approximately 70 per cent) fresh skin cannot be ground or extracted as can other tissues. It cannot be homogenized satisfactorily in a Potter-Elvehjem glass homogenizer or in a Waring blendor.
The relative age of the transition zone between Hellas and the Martian cratered terrain

Consideration of the relationships of craters to scarps and ridges and of the antiquity of Hellas relative to the cratered terrain. Scarps and ridges in the transition zone between Hellas and the cratered terrain both postdate and predate large craters. It appears that there are a number of craters which are older than the transition zone structures, which in turn are presumably related in some way to the formation of Hellas. Sharp et al. (1971) have suggested impact, large-scale volcanic explosion, or subsidence for the origin of Hellas. Volcanic explosion seems the least likely explanation, for the resulting deficiency of mass beneath Hellas should induce later isostatic rebound, contrary to observations of the transition zone which imply subsidence relatively late in the history of the Martian surface. An origin of Hellas by impact with later isostatic subsidence (because of a dense mass under its floor, as suggested by Sharp et al.) to account for the characteristics of the transition zone seems to be the best model, and may also account for the featureless floor of the basin.
Public health impact of genetic tests at the end of the 20th century.

Purpose: To evaluate genetics tests available for clinical, research, and public health purposes in terms of their public health impact as measured by the number of people who could potentially be tested. Methods: Genetic tests for the 751 inherited diseases or conditions listed in the GeneTests database as of November 2000, were classified on the basis of their use for population-based testing and the prevalence of the disease or condition being tested. The GeneTests database divides the tests into two groups: those offered for clinical use and those available for research only. Results: Of the 423 clinical tests, 51 had potentially greater impact on public health because of their use in statewide newborn screening programs, other population screening programs, or testing for common diseases with a prevalence over 1 in 2,000 people. Among the 328 tests performed for research purposes only, 18 met the criteria for potentially greater public health impact. Conclusions: Our classification scheme indicated that fewer than 10% of the genetic tests listed in the GeneTests database at the end of 2000 are highly relevant to public health. The majority of genetic tests are used in diagnosis and/or genetic counseling for rare, single-gene disorders in a limited number of people. However, as more tests are being considered for newborn screening, and associations between genes and common diseases are being discovered, the impact of genetic testing on public health is likely to increase.