cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AAV for pain: steps towards clinical translation

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors consisting of self-complementary genomes and packaged in certain capsids can target primary sensory neurons efficiently and can control neuropathic pain long term by expressing opioid or non-opioid analgesic genes. This review examines the therapeutic potential of the approach in five sections: Pain control in oncology (including a discussion of cancer centers as translational pain research environment); vector biology; safety considerations and immunological lessons learned from rAAV clinical trials of other disorders; development of intrathecal rAAV therapy in rodent models of pain; and preclinical steps towards clinical translation of rAAV for pain. In the field of analgesic drug development, clinical validation of new approaches identified in rodents is currently a critical limiting step. Small-molecule therapeutics suitable as conventional drugs to probe novel targets in clinical trials are often unavailable. In this context, gene therapy could fill an important gap in the drug development process facilitating first-into-human trials of untested targeted treatments, each instantiated as a therapeutic gene.
Proximity between Glu126 and Arg144 in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli.

Evidence has been presented [Venkatesan, P., and Kaback, H. R. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 9802-9807] that Glu126 (helix IV) and Arg144 (helix V) which are critical for substrate binding in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli are charge paired and therefore in close proximity. To test this conclusion more directly, three different site-directed spectroscopic techniques were applied to permease mutants in which Glu126 and/or Arg144 were replaced with either His or Cys residues. (1) Glu126-->His/Arg144-->His permease containing a biotin acceptor domain was purified by monomeric avidin affinity chromatography, and Mn(II) binding was assessed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The mutant protein binds Mn(II) with a KD of about 40 microM at pH 7.5, while no binding is observed at pH 5.5. In addition, no binding is detected with Glu126-->His or Arg144-->His permease. (2) Permease with Glu126-->Cys/Arg144-->Cys and a biotin acceptor domain was purified, labeled with a thiol-specific nitroxide spin-label, and shown to exhibit spin-spin interactions in the frozen state after reconstitution into proteoliposomes. (3) Glu126-->Cys/Arg144-->Cys permease with a biotin acceptor domain was purified and labeled with a thiol-specific pyrene derivative, and fluorescence spectra were obtained after reconstitution into lipid bilayers. An excimer band is observed with the reconstituted E126C/R144C mutant, but not with either single-Cys mutant or when the single-Cys mutants are mixed prior to reconstitution. The results provide strong support for the conclusion that Glu126 (helix IV) and Arg144 (helix V) are in close physical proximity.
High-performance liquid chromatographic quantitation of trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, and n4-acetylsulfamethoxazole in body fluids

We describe a rapid, precise and simple procedure for the quantitative determination of trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, and N4-acetylsulfamethoxazole in body fluids by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. This method utilizes antipyrine as an internal standard with the compounds detected by dual-wavelength monitoring at 225 nm and 254 nm after a single-step extraction. Precision, sensitivity, and accuracy of this assay are within the range of clinical utility; the coefficient of variation is less than or equal to 3%, sensitivity less than 0.5 micrograms/ml for all compounds, and recovery greater than 97%. The short time for performance and small sample size makes the assay ideal for clinical drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies.
Dehalogenation of organochlorine insecticides by mixed anaerobic microbial populations

Abstract Mixed anaerobic microbial populations were developed using inocula from soil, freshwater mud, sheep rumen, and chicken litter. Each of these populations monodechlorinated dieldrin at the methylene bridge carbon atom, producing syn - and anti -monodechlorodieldrin. The population obtained from the freshwater mud was the most effective, and transformed 10 μg/ml dieldrin to the monodechlorinated products in approximately 7 days. Dechlorination progressed most rapidly at pH 8–9, and when the cultures were grown in the presence of formate. Other cyclodiene compounds, aldrin, endrin, photodechlorodieldrin, and HCE (1,8,9,10,11,11-hexachloro-3,4- exo -epoxy-2,3-7,6- endo -tricycloundec-9-ene) appeared to be monodechlorinated in a similar fashion to dieldrin. Neither dieldrin nor these compounds were further metabolized. In contrast, lindane was initially didechlorinated and then further metabolized to compounds which could not be detected. The dechlorination of dieldrin and lindane apparently involved different mechanisms, because Stickland-type amino acids stimulated dechlorination with the latter, but not with the former compound. The relative susceptibility to dehalogenation of the compounds used in this study was lindane > endrin > HCE > aldrin > dieldrin > photomonodechlorodieldrin; no dechlorination was evident in the case of syn -dechlorodieldrin. The mixed, anaerobic population consisted of up to 10 different obligate anaerobic bacteria, which were subsequently isolated in pure culture. Of these isolates only Clostridium bifermentans, Clostridium glycolium , and Clostridium sp. were capable of dieldrin dehalogenation. The rate of this dehalogenation, however, was much less than that of the mixed, parent population.
Antihypertensive drugs: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic use.

Although there is an ever increasing number of antihypertensive agents available, they can be classified into four major categories according to their mode of action: (1) the diuretics; (2) sympathetic inhibiting drugs; (3) the vasodilators; and (4) the angiotensin II analogues and converting enzyme inhibitors.
Lack of effect of hypercapnic acidosis on elasticity of cat papillary muscles

Changes in external pH from 7.40 to 6.95 obtained by changing the pCO2 of the medium at constant bicarbonate concentration produced in cat papillary muscles a significant decrease in isometric tension with no changes in time to peak tension. Active and resting stiffness, as determined by two different methods, did not change under conditions of hypercapnic acidosis.
Use of auxiliary data to improve the precision of estimators of thematic map accuracy

Abstract Collecting reference samples for accuracy assessment is expensive, so that statistical procedures that improve the precision (reduce variance) of estimators of thematic map accuracy while incurring little additional cost are desirable. Auxiliary data available from existing landcover maps, aerial photographs, videography, or AVHRR, for example, can be used in combination with ground visits to enhance the precision of map accuracy estimates. This precision gain is achieved by employing a regression estimator commonly used in survey sampling. Practically important gains in precision can be achieved with no additional complication in the sampling design and without additional field visits. The only additional cost incurred is that of obtaining the auxiliary data. The regression estimator can be used with simple random or systematic sampling if auxiliary information is available on the entire region represented by the land cover map. Alternatively, a more practical design for accuracy assessment would be double sampling, which requires that the auxiliary information be obtained for only a subsample of the map region. Appropriate estimators and standard errors are presented for using the regression estimator with either simple random or double sampling.
Indigenous, ethnic and cultural articulations of new media

This paper extends a lineage of research that reveals appropriative possibilities by which indigenous and ethnic communities have appropriated media technologies to serve their own cultural, political, and social visions. This paper focuses on networked and database-driven “new” media and information systems, and the possibilities and potentialities these hold within cultural scenarios. A case is presented that has focused on Native communities within the United States. Through this presentation, I present a methodology, process, and analysis of the means by which information systems can enable culturally and community-focused goals.
Practice Mode and Learner Control in Computer-Based Instruction

Abstract This study investigated the effects of practice mode and learner control in computer-based instruction on the achievement and continuing motivation of 152 seventh graders. Subjects were blocked by sex and randomly assigned to either recall practice or recognition practice and either program control or learner control in a computer-delivered instructional program. The recall practice mode produced significantly higher scores than the recognition mode on the recall portion of the 30-item post-test and slightly higher scores on the recognition portion. Overall results also favored program control over learner control. Recognition subjects selected significantly more enroute practice than recall subjects, but recall subjects took significantly longer to complete the program. Both male and female subjects showed a very strong preference for computer-based instruction over paper-based programs. The stronger overall achievement of subjects who received recall practice is explained in part by the greater depth of information processing required by recall practice than by recognition practice.
The global burden of typhoid fever.

OBJECTIVE: To use new data to make a revised estimate of the global burden of typhoid fever, an accurate understanding of which is necessary to guide public health decisions for disease control and prevention efforts. METHODS: Population-based studies using confirmation by blood culture of typhoid fever cases were sought by computer search of the multilingual scientific literature. Where there were no eligible studies, data were extrapolated from neighbouring countries and regions. Age-incidence curves were used to model rates measured among narrow age cohorts to the general population. One-way sensitivity analysis was performed to explore the sensitivity of the estimate to the assumptions. The burden of paratyphoid fever was derived by a proportional method. FINDINGS: A total of 22 eligible studies were identified. Regions with high incidence of typhoid fever (>100/100,000 cases/year) include south-central Asia and south-eastAsia. Regions of medium incidence (10-100/100,000 cases/year) include the rest of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania, except for Australia and New Zealand. Europe, North America, and the rest of the developed world have low incidence of typhoid fever (<10/100,000 cases/year). We estimate that typhoid fever caused 21,650,974 illnesses and 216,510 deaths during 2000 and that paratyphoid fever caused 5,412,744 illnesses. CONCLUSION: New data and improved understanding of typhoid fever epidemiology enabled us to refine the global typhoid burden estimate, which remains considerable. More detailed incidence studies in selected countries and regions, particularly Africa, are needed to further improve the estimate.
A formula for the -matrix using a system of weight preserving endomorphisms

We give a formula for the universal R-matrix of the quantized universal enveloping algebra Uq(g). This is similar to a previous formula due to Kirillov-Reshetikhin and Levendorskii-Soibelman, except that where they use the action of the braid group element Tw0 on each representation V , we show that one can instead use a system of weight preserving endomorphisms. One advantage of our construction is that it is well defined for all symmetrizable Kac-Moody algebras. However we have only established that the result in equal to the universal R-matrix in finite type.
Learning Effectiveness Using Different Teaching Modalities

There is much discussion about whether online instruction is as effective as face-to-face instruction. To address this question, a comparative study was made of two sections of an MBA organizational theory course, one taught online and the other face-to-face. The content covered by both sections was the same with similar assignments and a common final examination. There was little difference between the sections on the results of the final examination or the student course evaluations. This study suggests that neither modality is more effective than the other with regard to student achievement or their perceptions of course effectiveness.
‘Intention-to-treat’ meets ‘missing data’: implications of alternate strategies for analyzing clinical trials data

True intention-to-treat analyses are rare in reports of randomized clinical trials. To highlight the complex issues that arise in conducting and interpreting data from intention-to-treat analyses in studies with substantial levels of protocol violation (e.g. attrition, noncompliance, or withdrawal of participants), data from a clinical trial of treatment for cocaine dependence were analyzed using three strategies to manage missing data: Strategy 1 addressed the effectiveness of treatments based on data collected from participants up to the point of dropout. Strategy 2 addressed the effectiveness of treatments based on data from the full intended duration of the protocol including data collected after participant dropout. The third strategy used a more novel approach, which used an intention-to-treat strategy for the full duration of the trial and the full sample, but also evaluated the effect of treatment retention outcomes by including an independent variable to reflect active treatment retention as a time-varying covariate. Conclusions about the relative efficacy of the study treatments varied to some extent depending on the analytic strategy used. These findings suggest that investigators should make every effort to conduct intent-to-treat analyses, but also to make use of multiple analytic strategies to fully understand the effects of the treatments studied. Moreover, regardless of the strategy used, investigators should clearly describe their handling of data from participants who violate the protocol.
Über die relative Beständigkeit bzw. die Konstitution der verdünnten Amalgame der Alkali- bzw. Erdalkalimetalle

Die Hauptresultate der vorliegenden Arbeit lassen sich folgenderweise zusammenfassen: Es wurde gezeigt: 1 Dass die Untersuchungen von RAMSAY TAMMANN u. a. nur lehren, das in deren verdunnten Quecksilberlosungen die Alkali-bzw. Erdalkalimetalle entweder in Form der Einatomigkeit, oder aber in Form von Verbindungen, die nur ein Atom des amalgamierten Metalles im Molekul enthalten, in Quecksilber gelost vorliegen; 2 dass in deren (auch verdunnten) Quecksilberlosungen jene Metalle wirklich in Form solcher im Quecksilber gelosten Verbindungen vorliegen; 3 dass die Bestandigkeit der Merkuride von K, Rb und Cs bzw. von Ca, Sr und Ba, der entsprechenden Triad der zweiten Gruppe des periodischen Systems, mit deren Atomgewichten, d. h., mit deren chemischen Aktivitat, zunimmt;
Primary groups and cosmopolitan ties: The rooftop pigeon flyers of New York City

■ This article examines a group of working-class men who breed and fly pigeons from their rooftops in New York City. It explores how the flyers experience their neighborhoods through their animal practices and shows how ethnic whites transmitted this practice to non-whites. It also documents their gatherings at a pet shop, where the flyers campaign for status based on their birds’ performance. These men form a distinct collective that is strongly rooted in their solitary animal practices but is given meaning largely through social interactions. Most community studies find conflict among different working-class racial-ethnic groups who share urban neighborhoods, but pigeon flying fosters solidarity among Italian, Hispanic, and African American New Yorkers of varying ages. The study highlights how animal practices can organize social relationships and connections to the environment and demonstrates that shared everyday activities can be as vital as ethnicity or class in primary group formation.
A prospective evaluation of the efficacy of topical adhesive pads for the reduction of facial rhytids.

Objective To determine the efficacy of an over-the-counter topical skin adhesive pad for reducing central forehead and glabellar rhytids over a 4-week period. Design Prospective series involving 30 healthy volunteers with central forehead and glabellar rhytids at a tertiary care academic medical center. The participants used topical skin adhesive pads over the central forehead area and the glabella for 4 weeks in an effort to reduce rhytids. Before and after treatment, the participants had facial photographs taken and completed a questionnaire assessing the severity of their rhytids. Blinded to the timing of the photographs, 2 independent facial plastic surgeons scored the pretreatment and posttreatment rhytid severity using the Glogau scale (1-4) and a wrinkle severity scale (1-10) to evaluate treatment effect. Results Twenty-six participants (87%) completed follow-up with an average of 7.4 hours of use of the topical adhesive pads per night. The independent evaluators found minimal improvements in the Glogau scores (mean [SD], 0.12 [0.33] [ P = .08] and 0.06 [0.22] [ P = .18] for the central forehead area and the glabella, respectively). The same evaluators also found minimal change in the wrinkle severity scores (mean [SD], 0.21 [1.28] [ P = .41] and 0.25 [0.75] [ P = .10] out of 10 for central forehead rhytids and glabellar rhytids, respectively). None of these measures were statistically significant. The study participants' self-evaluations demonstrated changes in the wrinkle severity scores of 0.35 (2.10) ( P = .41) in the central forehead area and 0.73 (1.7) ( P = .04) in the glabella. Conclusions Subjective self-evaluation of topical adhesive pads demonstrates improvement in glabellar rhytids but may be affected by bias. Independent, blinded evaluation by facial plastic surgeons showed no statistical benefit in the reduction of rhytids in the central forehead area or the glabella.
Internal Phase Size Effects on Combustion of Emulsions

Abstract Abslract –The combustion of isolated, free and suspended droplets of a residual oil-water emulsion nas been studied. A constant water content of 5 percent by volume was used but the size distribution of the internal water-phase particles was varied. It was found that the intensity of the disruptive phenomenon was sensitive to the size of the water particles in the emulsion. Emulsified oil droplets with a mean water particle diameter of 2. 1 microns exhibited weak disruptive activity which had no effect on the size of the coke particles subsequently formed. However, when the mean water particle size was increased to 4.5 microns, disruption of the droplet was intense and the very small coke particles formed from the fragments of the shattered droplet quickly burned out. The results indicate that attention should be given to the emulsion structure in evaluating the effectiveness of oil-water emulsions in reducing coke particulates in boilers.
Corruption and oil exploration: expert agreement about the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

The Niger Delta, according to the Nigerian Ministry of Health, has a disproportionately high HIV infection rate, which is double the national average. The United Nations Development Program attributes the spiraling HIV infection rate in the region to poverty, migration and gender inequality. This paper examines two complementary suppositions: Is the high prevalence of HIV in the Niger Delta related to incompetent leadership and corruption? Is it related to the negative effects of oil exploration in the region? Currently, there is a dearth of research on the effectiveness of government programs or the role of the oil industry on the impact of AIDS in Nigeria. To address this gap, we conducted a survey with 27 internationally renowned experts from diverse disciplines using a three-round modified Delphi to formulate consensus about the impact of weak governance and oil corruption on AIDS in the Niger Delta. Results from the Delphi suggest that these factors and others have exacerbated the transmission of HIV in the region. To mitigate the impact of AIDS in the region, efforts to engage oil companies in implementing HIV prevention programs as part of their corporate environmental responsibility to the community are urgently needed.
Comparison of Air and Liquid for Use in Loss-of-Resistance Technique During Labor Epidurals: A Meta-analysis

Background: Air and saline are commonly used in the loss-of-resistance technique to identify the epidural space. However, it is unclear which method promotes more effective analgesic delivery after subsequent epidural catheter placement. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of air and saline identification methods. We performed a systematic literature search of the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed database using terms related to air, saline, epidural, and loss of resistance. Only randomized controlled trials that compared air with saline or local anesthetic were included for analysis. No restrictions were placed on the language of identified articles. Data on pertinent study characteristics and relevant outcomes were extracted from accepted articles. A random effects model was used. Results: The literature search yielded six articles that met all inclusion criteria. A review of the articles reveal 515 subjects for whom air had been used to identify the epidural space and 522 for whom liquid had been used. We were able to obtain pooled estimates for unblocked segments, need for additional medications, and replaced catheters. Use of air was associated with an increased risk for unblocked segments [relative risk (RR) = 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07, 4.21; p = 0.03], but there was no difference with regard to replaced catheters [RR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.26, 1.82; p = 0.45] or additional medication [RR = 1.59, 95% CI: 0.85, 2.41; p = 0.18]. Conclusion: Our pooled analysis revealed that use of air in the loss-of-resistance technique results in decreased analgesia in one parameter (unblocked segments) but not others (additional medications, replaced catheters). The results should be interpreted with caution, and additional examination with a larger randomized controlled trial is warranted, as the overall number of subjects was relatively small.
Protection of multicast sessions in WDM mesh optical networks

We investigate the problem of protecting a multicast session in WDM mesh networks against any single link failure. Our proposed collapsed-ring dedicated 1+1 protection scheme exhibits very good performance relative to other schemes.
The Anatomy of Deep Venous Thrombosis of the Lower Extremity

Background The diagnosis, treatment, and long-term sequelae of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) depend on the anatomic location and extent of the process, yet a lack of such fundamental knowledge has limited the development of effective protocols for managing patients with DVT. Methods Venograms with evidence of acute DVT were evaluated, and the extent of the thrombotic process was recorded and correlated with the clinical presentation. Thrombi were classified according to the venous segments involved and to the thrombus' isolation to one segment or multiple segments. The left-to-right ratio of the DVT was assessed for various etiologic subgroups. Results Among 2762 venograms performed in 2541 patients over a 10-year period, there were 885 cases (34.8%) of DVT documented. Of these cases, 344 cases (39%) were idiopathic, 307 cases (35%) were postoperative, 84 cases (10%) occurred in the setting of malignancy, and 70 cases (8%) occurred as the result of trauma. Distal thrombi were more common than proximal thrombi, with calf involvement in 734 patients (83%), femoropopliteal involvement in 470 patients (53%), and iliac involvement in 75 patients (9%). The most common site of thrombus was the peroneal vein, which was involved in 595 patients (67%). The ratio of left-to-right-sided DVT was 1.32:1 overall but was greater for proximal thrombi, with a ratio of 2.4:1 for iliac DVT versus 1.3:1 for infrainguinal DVT. The preponderance of left-sided DVT appeared to be related to the high-frequency, left common iliac vein involvement; the left-to-right ratio was much closer to equality (1.09:1) for isolated infrainguinal DVT. The anatomic configuration of the DVT was correlated with the etiologic subgroup; postoperative DVTs were more often distal, whereas DVT developing in the setting of malignancy was more frequently proximal and often right sided. Proximal, left-sided DVTs were common in the idiopathic subgroup, presumably as a result of undiagnosed left iliac vein webs. Conclusions The frequency of distal vein involvement greatly exceeds that of proximal involvement in patients with DVTs. Proximal DVTs are more frequently left sided, whereas distal DVTs occur with a more equal left-to-right distribution. The anatomic extent of DVTs appears to depend on the etiology of the process. These observations may shed light on the pathophysiology of venous thrombosis. The findings are of value in planning therapeutic interventions directed at venous recanalization.
The Link between Statistical Segmentation and Word Learning in Adults.

Many studies have shown that listeners can segment words from running speech based on conditional probabilities of syllable transitions, suggesting that this statistical learning could be a foundational component of language learning. However, few studies have shown a direct link between statistical segmentation and word learning. We examined this possible link in adults by following a statistical segmentation exposure phase with an artificial lexicon learning phase. Participants were able to learn all novel object-label pairings, but pairings were learned faster when labels contained high probability (word-like) or non-occurring syllable transitions from the statistical segmentation phase than when they contained low probability (boundary-straddling) syllable transitions. This suggests that, for adults, labels inconsistent with expectations based on statistical learning are harder to learn than consistent or neutral labels. In contrast, a previous study found that infants learn consistent labels, but not inconsistent or neutral labels.
Control of multijoint drawing movements: a comparison of young and elderly adults

Nine young adults and 11 older adults drew repeatedly a circle and ellipses oriented in four directions using shoulder and elbow joint movements. The varying orientations of the ellipses were configured to stress different joint combinations and in turn alter the joint torques generated in each condition. Each template was traced at increasing levels of cycling frequency both with and without vision. Distortions of movement trajectories occurred for both groups at high cycling frequencies, however the pattern of distortion as well as control and coordination of joints differed between groups. Elderly adults showed a preference towards maintaining the shape of the trajectory trading off speed and slope of the trajectory.
A Guide to Neurotoxic Animal Models of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological movement disorder primarily resulting from damage to the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway. To elucidate the pathogenesis, mechanisms of cell death, and to evaluate therapeutic strategies for PD, numerous animal models have been developed. Understanding the strengths and limitations of these models can significantly impact the choice of model, experimental design, and data interpretation. The primary objectives of this article are twofold: First, to assist new investigators who are contemplating embarking on PD research to navigate through the available animal models. Emphasis will be placed on common neurotoxic murine models in which toxic molecules are used to lesion the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. And second, to provide an overview of basic technical requirements for assessing the pathology, structure, and function of the nigrostriatal pathway.
It Can Be Very Tempting to Throw Out the Baby With the Bathwater: A Father-and-Son Commentary on “Does IQ Really Predict Job Performance?”

In this commentary, both father and son respond to the target article (Richardson and Norgate, this issue) from different perspectives. The son, a creativity researcher, generally echoes Richardson and Norgate's arguments, arguing for the construct of creativity to be considered as a supplement to IQ tests for predicting work success. The father, an IQ test developer, is more critical of some of Richardson and Norgate's conclusions and points to gaps in their overview.
The reproducibility of the revised American Fertility Society classification of endometriosis

Objective To assess the degree of intraobserver and interobserver variability in endometriosis staging using the revised American Fertility Society (AFS) classification of endometriosis. Design Videotapes of laparoscopies of 20 patients with endometriosis were each scored twice by five observers. Setting The reproductive endocrine unit of a tertiary care, university-affiliated hospital. Subjects Five subspecialty-certified reproductive endocrinologists. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Variability in assigned score was measured for each of the five components of the AFS classification, as well as total scores and stage of endometriosis. Results There was considerable variability in the scores assigned to each videotape, both by the same observer and by different observers. The grand total score, which ranged from 0 to 90, varied with an SD of 13.44 when a single patient was rated twice by the same observer and varied with an SD of 17.12 when a single patient was rated by two different observers. Among individual components of the score, the greatest variability occurred in endometriosis of the ovary and cul-de-sac obliteration, with less variability observed for peritoneum endometriosis and for ovarian and tubal adhesions. Comparison of intraobserver and interobserver scores resulted in a change in endometriosis stage in 38% and 52% of patients, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in mean endometriosis scores among the observers in four of the five anatomic categories examined. Conclusions Intraobserver and interobserver variability was high for ovarian endometriosis and cul-de-sac subscores using the revised AFS classification of endometriosis.
A Cohesin-Based Partitioning Mechanism Revealed upon Transcriptional Inactivation of Centromere

Transcriptional inactivation of the budding yeast centromere has been a widely used tool in studies of chromosome segregation and aneuploidy. In haploid cells when an essential chromosome contains a single conditionally inactivated centromere (GAL-CEN), cell growth rate is slowed and segregation fidelity is reduced; but colony formation is nearly 100%. Pedigree analysis revealed that only 30% of the time both mother and daughter cell inherit the GAL-CEN chromosome. The reduced segregation capacity of the GAL-CEN chromosome is further compromised upon reduction of pericentric cohesin (mcm21∆), as reflected in a further diminishment of the Mif2 kinetochore protein at GAL-CEN. By redistributing cohesin from the nucleolus to the pericentromere (by deleting SIR2), there is increased presence of the kinetochore protein Mif2 at GAL-CEN and restoration of cell viability. These studies identify the ability of cohesin to promote chromosome segregation via kinetochore assembly, in a situation where the centromere has been severely compromised.
Abstract A69: The feasibility of delivering a home-based motivational exercise program to African American breast cancer survivors

Objective: Most African-American breast cancer survivors do not meet current exercise recommendations for cancer survivors of at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on five or more days/week. Breast cancer survivors who are physically active often have better physical function and health-related quality of life outcomes compared to those who are inactive. The present study addresses a gap in the area of exercise oncology research by focusing on African-American breast cancer survivors who are known to have worse clinical outcomes than their White counterparts. Our goal was to test the feasibility of delivering a home-based exercise intervention to African-American breast cancer survivors, as well as the impact on physical activity levels. Methods: Sedentary (i.e., exercise Results: 17 women enrolled; 13 completed the intervention (76%). Participants had moderately-high adherence (70%) to walking goals, but only 51% for resistance training goals. Most women were compliant with the 15 weekly telephone calls (M = 14). High satisfaction rates were reported. All women reported that they would continue walking for exercise, while only nine indicated they would do resistance training. There was a significant increase in minutes of weekly exercise post-intervention (M = 271, p = 0.001) compared to baseline (M = 60.8). Subjective and objective physical activity data correlated highly. Conclusions: The intervention was feasible, safe and led to increased physical activity. However, study modifications to improve recruitment and adherence in future mixed modality exercise interventions are recommended. Citation Format: Denise Spector. The feasibility of delivering a home-based motivational exercise program to African American breast cancer survivors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A69. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-A69
Similar cytological effects of hydroxylamine and 5-FUDR, agents with different modes of action

L'hydroxylamine et la 5-fluorodeoxyuridine provoquent des alterations notables dans les chromosomes de meristemes radiculaires (Vicia etAllium). Ces deux agents empechent aussi, dans une large mesure la reunion des segments apres ruptures des chromosomes. Il est probable que l'hydroxylamine affecte specifiquement les regions heterochromatiques.
Cumulative Prospect Theory, Aggregation, and Pricing

Cumulative Prospect Theory (CPT) has been used as a possible explanation of aggregate pricing anomalies like the equity premium puzzle. This paper shows that, unlike in expected utility models, a complete market is not sufficient to guarantee that the market portfolio is efficient and that the standard representative-agent analysis is valid. The separation or mutual fund theorems hold only under very restrictive conditions for CPT investors. Without them, aggregation breaks down, and assets are not necessarily priced as if there were one investor who behaved according to CPT. Under more limited conditions, the market portfolio can be efficient in a complete market with equally probable states. But in this case, individual CPT investors behave in the aggregate like a standard expected utility investor. Similarly, when faced with elliptically distributed assets, the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) holds for any combination of CPT investors and expected utility maximizers.
Vaccination coverage estimates for selected counties: achievement of Healthy People 2010 goals and association with indices of access to care, economic conditions, and demographic composition.

Objectives We provided vaccination coverage estimates for 181 counties; evaluated the extent to which Healthy People 2010 (HP 2010) vaccination coverage objectives were achieved; and examined how variations in those estimates depend on access to care and economic conditions. Methods We analyzed data for 24,031 children aged 19 to 35 months sampled from the 2004 and 2005 National Immunization Survey. Results Children living in the 181 counties represented 49% of all the 19- to 35-month-old children living in the U.S. None of the 181 counties had coverage for the polio, measles-mumps-rubella, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and hepatitis B vaccines that was significantly lower than the HP 2010 objective of 90% coverage. However, as many as 30.4% of the counties did not achieve the HP 2010 objective for diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and acellular pertussis or diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis (DtaP/DTP), and as many as 6.6% did not achieve the goal for varicella (VAR). If children who received three doses of DTaP/DTP had received a final fourth dose, and if all children had received one dose of VAR, all of the 181 counties would have achieved the HP 2010 vaccination coverage target of 80% for the entire 4:3:1:3:3:1 vaccination series. Factors found to be associated with low county-level vaccination coverage rates were correlates of poverty, and factors found to be associated with high county-level vaccination coverage rates were correlates of access to pediatric services. Conclusions HP 2010 vaccination coverage goals for all 181 counties can be achieved by improving vaccination coverage for only two vaccines. Those goals may be achieved most efficiently by targeting interventions in counties where indices of poverty are high or where access to pediatric services is low.
Boundedness, Empty Channel Detection and Synchronization for Communicating Finite State Machines

In this paper, we consider networks of communicating finite state machines (CFSM's), that explicitly allow zero testing (i.e. empty channel detection). In our main result, we show that the boundedness problem is decidable for the class of FIFO networks consisting of two such CFSM's, where one of the two machines is allowed to send only a single type of message to the other. This result, we feel, is somewhat surprising since the zero testing capability is precisely the required extension needed in order to render the problem undecidable for the related class of vector addition systems with states (VASS's) of dimension two. Note that both have the ability to store two nonnegative integers which can be conditionally tested for zero. The reason for the disparity appears to be that such a class of extended VASS's would be capable of more synchronized behavior (since the actions of the two counters can be controlled by a single finite state control). The rest of the paper examines other classes of networks which allow empty channel detection. These results seem to indicate that our main result can not be extended.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance and Bank Risk

The use of bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) has more than tripled since 2001 and has caught the attention of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. I find increases in BOLI lead to higher levels of liquidity risk, credit risk, and interest rate risk. Robustness tests confirm these results and suggest over- and underinvestment in BOLI and use of BOLI as a tax shelter contribute to risk increases. Results indicate that the concerns expressed by regulators are warranted, and suggest insurance may not always have the intended effect of reducing firm risk because of unintended consequences or misuse.
Manufacturing technology audit: is your plant's technology adequate?

US manufacturing was on the decline in the 1970s and 1980s, and has not been competitive except in a few industries. A major factor contributing to this situation is thought to be the employment by firms of inappropriate or inefficient manufacturing technology. According to a report by the US President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness, the US ranked twelfth in sophistication of production technologies in the 1980s. Firms need to constantly update their manufacturing technology (MT) to remain globally competitive. To determine whether there is a need for updating a plant's technology to make it globally or locally competitive, one needs to determine the plant's current technological level in relation to competition and the environment. A manufacturing audit helps in such determination. Two measures are used in the manufacturing audit - Technology Need and Technology Gap. This paper presents a framework to determine these two measures for a manufacturing firm. An analysis of the levels of these measures can suggest actions to maintain and upgrade a firm's technological level to suit a competitive environment. The paper describes the analysis and shows its application in an actual situation.
High-Level Stochastic Petri Nets

High-level Petri nets provide a more compact representation of complex DEDS’s, hence, they represent a natural choice for an alternative representation if the time concept can be embedded into them. Different types of high-level Petri nets (HLPN’s) have been proposed, for example, predicate/transition (Pr/T) nets [GL79, GL81, Gen90], colored Petri nets [Jen81, Jen90], and relation nets [Rei83]. These nets are conceptually similar; the model of a system constructed using one type of HLPN can be informally translated into any other type of HLPN [Rei83, Jen83].
Ultra–low‐dose radiotherapy for definitive management of ocular adnexal B‐cell lymphoma

Background The purpose of this study was to report the response to and toxicity of ultra-low-dose radiotherapy (RT) for B-cell ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL). Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients with indolent B-cell and mantle cell OAL treated with 4 Gy to the orbit(s) in two 2-Gy fractions. Disease response was assessed clinically and/or radiographically at 2 to 4-month intervals after RT. Data collected included rates of overall response, complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and treatment-related toxic effects. Results Twenty-two patients (median age, 65 years) had the following histologic subtypes: mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT; 14 patients; 64%); follicular lymphoma (5 patients; 23%); mantle cell lymphoma (MCL; 2 patients; 9%); and unclassifiable (1 patient, 4%). The overall response rate was 100%; 19 patients (86%) had a CR and 3 patients (14%) had a PR. The only acute toxic effect was grade 1 dry eye syndrome in 1 patient. Conclusion Ultra-low-dose RT in patients with OAL is associated with high response rates and minimal toxic effects, and is much shorter in duration and cost. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1095-1100, 2017.
The Components of Power Appearing in the Harmonic Analysis of a Stationary Process

Abstract Suppose that from a continuous record of a stationeuy process over a time interval T seconds, 2n + 1 equally spaced readings are taken and the usual harmonic analysis is performed. Assimiing the true frequencies present in the process to be …, 1/(3 T ), 1/(2 T ), 1/ T , 2/ T , …, cycles per second, it is shown that the power ascribed to the frequency j/T c/s consists of three components: (1) the true power in the frequency j/T c/s; (2) the powers in the frequencies (2 kn ± j )/ T c/s, k = 1, 2, …; (3) a part of the powers in the frequencies 11( mT ) c/s, m = 2, 3, … .
Control Charts for Measurements with Varying Sample Sizes

When sampling sizes vary, analysis by control charts must be modified from that for equal sample sizes. A simple weighted average of the X-bars, with weights n, is taken for X-double bar in general. Usually when n's are small, ranges R are used. Then to..
cis-Diamminodichloronickel and Its Interaction With Guanine and Guanine-Cytosine Base Pair

Comprehensive ab initio calculations are performed on cis-diamminodichloronickel (cisni) at the HF, DFT, and MP2 levels of theory. The results are compared to those obtained for cisplatin. The characteristics of the interactions of cisni with guanine (G) and guanine–cytosine (GC) base pair are also evaluated and compared to the interactions of cisplatin. Cisni causes similar geometric changes of the base as cis-platinum when complexed to guanine. The nickel, palladium and platinum complexes also show similar characteristics when complexed to GC base pair. However, this study predicts higher dissociation energy of the cisni chlorine ligands that indicate areas of differences between the title Ni and Pt and Pd complexes. Comparison of the G-cisni interaction energy to that of cisplatin and cispd indicate differences between the Ni and Pd complexes, but also reveals its closer similarities to cisplatin.
Quasi-Monte Carlo Simulation of Random Walks in Finance

The need to numerically simulate stochastic processes arises in many fields. Frequently this is done by discretizing the process into small time steps and applying pseudo-random sequences to simulate the randomness. This paper address the question of how to use quasi-Monte Carlo methods to improve this simulation. Special techniques must be applied to avoid the problem of high dimensionality which arises when a large number of time steps are required. One such technique, the generalized Brownian bridge, is described here. The method is applied to a classical problem from finance, the valuation of a mortgage backed security portfolio. When expressed as an integral, this problem is nominally 360 dimensional. The analysis of the integrand presented here explains the effectiveness of the quasi-random sequences on this high dimensional problem.
ASB Clinical Biomechanics Award Winner 2006 Prospective study of the biomechanical factors associated with iliotibial band syndrome

Abstract Background Iliotibial band syndrome is the leading cause of lateral knee pain in runners. Despite its high prevalence, little is known about the biomechanics that lead to this syndrome. The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare lower extremity kinematics and kinetics between a group of female runners who develop iliotibial band syndrome compared to healthy controls. It was hypothesized that runners who develop iliotibial band syndrome will exhibit greater peak hip adduction, knee internal rotation, rearfoot eversion and no difference in knee flexion at heel strike. Additionally, the iliotibial band syndrome group were expected to have greater hip abduction, knee external rotation, and rearfoot inversion moments. Methods A group of healthy female recreational runners underwent an instrumented gait analysis and were then followed for two years. Eighteen runners developed iliotibial band syndrome. Their initial running mechanics were compared to a group of age and mileage matched controls with no history of knee or hip pain. Comparisons of peak hip, knee, rearfoot angles and moments were made during the stance phase of running. Variables of interest were averaged over the five running trials, and then averaged across groups. Findings The iliotibial band syndrome group exhibited significantly greater hip adduction and knee internal rotation. However, rearfoot eversion and knee flexion were similar between groups. There were no differences in moments between groups. Interpretation The development of iliotibial band syndrome appears to be related to increased peak hip adduction and knee internal rotation. These combined motions may increase iliotibial band strain causing it to compress against the lateral femoral condyle. These data suggest that treatment interventions should focus on controlling these secondary plane movements through strengthening, stretching and neuromuscular re-education.