cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuron-specific and developmental regulation of the synapsin II gene expression in transgenic mice.

Synapsin II, a major phosphoprotein of synaptic vesicles, is believed to function in neurotransmitter release as well as in synapse formation. The expression of the synapsin II gene is neuron-specific, and correlates temporally with synaptogenesis. To understand the mechanisms by which the expression of the synapsin II gene is regulated in vivo, we generated transgenic mice carrying a 5.1-kb 5'-flanking sequence of the murine synapsin II gene fused to the firefly luciferase reporter gene. The synapsin II-luciferase transgene is specifically expressed in neural tissues, such as brain and spinal cord, but not in non-neural tissues. Throughout the brain, the expression of the transgene is widely distributed, and restricted only to neuronal cells. Moreover, the expression of the transgene is developmentally regulated, with a temporal profile similar to that of endogenous synapsin II expression. These results indicate that the 5.1-kb flanking sequence of the murine synapsin II gene contains cis-regulatory elements that are required for directing neuron-specific and synaptogenesis-regulated expression in vivo.
Immunomodulatory activity of xanthohumol: inhibition of T cell proliferation, cell-mediated cytotoxicity and Th1 cytokine production through suppression of NF-κB

Xanthohumol (XN), a prenylated chalcone present in hops (Humulus lupus L.) and beer, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity, but has not been studied for effects on T cell-mediated immune responses. Here we demonstrate that XN has profound immunosuppressive effects on T cell proliferation, development of IL-2 activated killer (LAK) cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and production of Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α). The suppression of these cell-mediated immune responses by XN was at, least in part, due to the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor through suppression of phosphorylation of IκBα, an inhibitor of NF-κB.
Perspective on “Inhomogeneous electron gas”

The Hohenberg—Kohn theorems in “Inhomogeneous electron gas” established a whole new perspective for the study of electronic structure theory and marked the birth of modern density functional theory (DFT). In our view, DFT and wavefunction theories complement each other. Starting with the invention of the Kohn—Sham method a fruitful synthesis of DFT and wavefunction theories took place and the most powerful computational tools currently available are combinations of both methods. The Hohenberg—Kohn theorems inspire the quest for simple density functionals of increased accuracy. We believe that the synthesis of accurate density functionals and computationally efficient wavefunction methods will continue to dominate electronic structure theory.
Modes of Mastication in Pocket Gophers

Pocket gophers of the tribe Geomyini are subdivided into three groups according to cranial morphology. Merriam (1895) stated that the mode of mastication corresponds to gross skull shape, with generalized and dolichocephalic forms chewing propalinally and platycephalic forms chewing obliquely. To test these conclusions, we examined different dental and cranial features from those used by Merriam in examples of the three skull types. Dental evidence (tooth scar orientation and alignment of teeth and enamel blades) indicates that propalinal chewing characterizes all three skull types; this conclusion is contrary to that inferred from differences in cranial morphology. We suggest that discordance of these two lines of evidence reflects the dual role in pocket gophers of masticatory and fossorial adaptations in determining the shape of the skull.
Intravenous metronidazole for the treatment of Clostridium difficile colitis

PURPOSE: SevereClostridium difficile colitis may produce abdominal distention and ileus, precluding oral antibiotic therapy. Stimulated by several case reports in which intravenous metronidazole was used, we reviewed our experience. METHODS: Using pharmacy and microbiology laboratory records, we retrospectively identified patients withC. difficile colitis who received intravenous metronidazole as initial monotherapy. To be included, patients had to fulfill the following criteria: 1) at least six doses (equivalent to two days of therapy) of intravenous metronidazole were administered, 2) no other potential cause for colitis was found, and 3) the diagnosis ofC. difficile colitis was firmly established. For eligible patients, five clinical parameters were assessed before and after intravenous metronidazole. RESULTS: Our patient group (n=10) received an average of 13.7 (range, 6–24) doses of intravenous metronidazole as initial therapy forC. difficile colitis. All received a dose of 500 mg three times daily. The majority of patients with vomiting, fever, and/or abdominal pain present at the beginning of therapy had resolution with intravenous metronidazole. Only one patient developed a symptom (vomiting) while on therapy; however, this eventually resolved when oral metronidazole was instituted. No patient required colectomy for refractory colitis or developed toxic megacolon. No patient, including those on prolonged courses, developed toxicity related to intravenous metronidazole such as peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous metronidazole may be effective therapy in patients withC. difficile colitis. A randomized, prospective study appears warranted.
Targeted topical steroid therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Objective To treat patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNL) who failed oral prednisone therapy by using a round window membrane (RWM) microcatheter. This topical delivery strategy sought to improve effectiveness of steroid treatment to the inner ear by targeting drug delivery to the RWM. Study Design Nonrandomized prospective design. Setting Tertiary care facility. Patients Six patients with severe unilateral SSHL, five of whom were refractory to a course of oral steroid therapy treated within 6 weeks of SSHL and three additional patients treated more than 6 weeks after SSHL. Intervention Therapeutic use of RWM catheter. Main Outcome Measures Pure-tone averages (PTAs) and word identification scores (WIS). Results Five of the six patients treated within 6 weeks of SSHL improved their WIS. Of the six, four returned to baseline hearing, one recovered hearing that could benefit by hearing amplification, and one regained moderate improvement in PTA but not WIS. Conclusion Targeted topical steroid administration avoids the significant systemic side effects of oral steroids and may offer more effective dosing than simple transtympanic injection of medicine. Although these findings are preliminary, it is possible that after further study, targeted drug delivery may be a useful technique to consider in patients with severe to profound hearing loss that have failed all other management options.
QUANTIFICATION PROCEDURES, STIMULUS DOMAINS AND DISCRIMINATION DIFFICULTY

Quantification of visual stimuli from different stimulus domains has led to conflicting results when discrimination difficulty is related to selected pattern attributes. It is suggested that complete physical specification of visual patterns should involve both structural and metrical units and that independent manipulation of each may resolve conflicting data.
Fuzzy Classification using Grammatical Evolution for Structure Identification

The use of Grammatical Evolution for automating the structure identification of fuzzy rule based classification systems is investigated in this paper. To demonstrate its usefulness, we apply this method to the iris species identification problem. We achieve favorable results by evolving the rule base of a fuzzy system with fixed membership functions.
Chronic Maternal Protein Deprivation in Mice Is Associated with Overexpression of the Cohesin-Mediator Complex in Liver of Their Offspring

Epigenetic mechanisms may play an important role in the developmental programming of adult-onset chronic metabolic diseases resulting from suboptimal fetal nutrition, but the exact molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. Given the central role of the liver in metabolic regulation, we investigated whether chronic maternal dietary protein restriction has long-term effects on liver gene expression in the offspring. We fed adult C57BL/6J dams ad libitum an 8% maternal low-protein (MLP) or 20% protein control diet (C) from 4 wk prior to mating until the end of lactation. Male pups were weaned to standard nonpurified diet and singly housed at 21 d of age (d 21). Body weights were followed to 1 y of age (1 y). At d 21 and 1 y, organs were quantitatively dissected and analyzed. MLP offspring had significantly lower body weights at all ages and significantly lower serum activity of alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase at 1 y. Gene expression profiling of liver at 1 y showed 521 overexpressed and 236 underexpressed genes in MLP compared to C offspring. The most important novel finding was the overexpression of genes found in liver that participate in organization and maintenance of higher order chromatin architecture and regulation of transcriptional activation. These included members of the cohesin-mediator complex, which regulate gene expression by forming DNA loops between promoters and enhancers in a cell type-specific fashion. Thus, our findings of increased expression of these factors in liver of MLP offspring implicate a possible novel epigenetic mechanism in developmental programming.
Systemic immunity developing from intrauterine antigen exposure in the nonpregnant rat.

Abstract This report provides a simplified model for investigating the antigen handling mechanisms of the mammalian uterus. The effectiveness of the uterus as a site for systemic immunization has been studied using a hapten-protein conjugate (DNP-BGG) as antigen in nonpregnant virgin rats. The data indicate that although the uterus is inefficient as an antigen delivery site, strong systemic immune responses can be generated under appropriate conditions. Intrauterine (i.u.) immunization with alum-precipitated DNP-BGG did not induce significant antibody activity but primed the females so that vigorous anamnestic responses were produced after a second exposure to (soluble) antigen. The following results were obtained: (1) The optimal immunization dose was 100–2000 μg. (2) Alum-precipitation of the immunizing antigen was necessary in order to sensitize the female, while inclusion of killed Bordetella pertussis organisms was not. (3) The site of challenge after i.u. immunization affected the level of serum antibody activity. (4) Retention of antigen within the uterus for as little as 1 day sensitized the females as effectively as 28 days' exposure. (5) The presence or absence of ovarian hormones had no apparent effect in this system.
Thirty years of overt, obscure GI bleeding solved by modern technology.

of ampullary tumors: 12-year review of 21 cases. Surg Endosc 2009;23: 45-9. 4. Adler DG, Qureshi W, Davila R, et al. The role of endoscopy in ampullary and duodenal adenomas. Gastrointest Endosc 2006;64:849-54. 5. Han J, Kim MH. Endoscopic papillectomy for adenomas of the major duodenal papilla (with video). Gastrointest Endosc 2006;63:292-301. 6. Yamamoto H. Technology insight: endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastrointestinal neoplasms. Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007;4:511-20. 7. Yamamoto H. Endoscopic submucosal dissection of early cancers and large flat adenomas. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2005;3(Suppl 1): S74-6. 8. Yamamoto H, Yube T, Isoda N, et al. A novel method of endoscopic mucosal resection using sodium hyaluronate. Gastrointest Endosc 1999;50:251-6. 9. Zadorova Z, Dvofak M, Hajer J. Endoscopic therapy of benign tumors of the papilla of Vater. Endoscopy 2001;33:345-7. 10. Eswaran SL, Sanders M, Bernadino KP, et al. Success and complications of endoscopic removal of giant duodenal and ampullary polyps: a comparative series. Gastrointest Endosc 2006;64:925-32. 11. Yoon YS, Kim SW, Park SJ, et al. Clinicopathologic analysis of early ampullary cancers with a focus on the feasibility of ampullectomy. Ann Surg 2005;242:92-100. 12. Yamamoto H, Kawata H, Sunada K, et al. Successful en-bloc resection of large superficial tumors in the stomach and colon using sodium hyaluronate and small-caliber-tip transparent hood. Endoscopy 2003;35: 690-4.
Water on silica and silicate surfaces. V. Amorphous, porous, hydrophilic, phosphorus-doped silicas

Abstract Silicas prepared in the presence of phosphoric acid were characterized by water adsorption and infrared spectroscopy. The role of phosphorus was found to be (i) to produce 20 A pores, high surface area (to 300 m 2 /g), and a high concentration of surface silanols with SiOH(2ν) band at 7305 cm −1 accompanied by an SiOH(2ν + δ) band at 8110 cm −1 , and (ii) to give rise to a very extensive sintering between 700 and 800°C with a concomitant loss of surface area from 300 to 12 m 2 /g. Heat treatments at 500, 650, and 800°C resulted in a decrease of the initial heats of water adsorption from 18 to 15 to below 10 kcal/mole. In the first case, each water molecule was initially bonded to two surface hydroxyls, in contrast to the nonporous HiSil silicas on which 1:1 SiOH-H 2 O complexes were formed. The 2:1 hydroxyl-to-water ratio and subsequent sorption of water in pores were the cause of hydrophilic character of the phosphorous-doped silica while the earlier reported 1:1 hydroxyl-towater ratio resulted in hydrophobic character of the heat-treated HiSil silicas.
A Statistical-Dynamical Model of the General Circulation of the Atmosphere

Abstract A statistical-dynamical, two-layer model of the atmosphere is constructed for the simulation of the climatic state of the global circulation. The meteorological variables, velocity, temperature and pressure, are decomposed into their zonal mean parts and eddy parts or deviations. The state of circulation is expressed by the zonal mean parts as well as eddy statistics which are the zonal averages of the product of the deviations. Eddy statistics such as the amount of eddy kinetic energy, and eddy transfer of heat and angular momentum are longitudinally integrated measures of the intensity and structure of individual synoptic-scale disturbances. The equations for the zonal means of wind, temperature and pressure and that of eddy kinetic energy are obtained from the equations of motion, the thermodynamical equation, and the continuity equation, and include the terms depending on the eddy statistics. The prediction equation for the horizontal eddy transfer of heat, as well as an estimate of the verti...
S-I-R Model with Directed Spatial Diffusion

A S-I-R epidemic model is described in which susceptible individuals move away from foci of infection, and all individuals move away from overcrowded regions. It consists of hyperbolic partial differential equations, the sum of these equations being parabolic. Positivity and regularity of solutions are discussed and finite time blow-up of some solutions is illustrated through numerical simulations. A numerical test of the finite time blow-up of solutions is proposed.
δ-Opioid receptors mediate inhibition of fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials in cat parasympathetic colonic ganglia

1 The effects of opioids on synaptic transmission in cat sacral parasympathetic colonic ganglia were studied in vitro, using intracellular electrophysiological techniques. Electrical stimulation of the pelvic nerve evoked fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (e.p.s.ps), which were blocked by hexamethonium and tetrodotoxin. 2 [D-Pen2, D-Pen5] enkephalin and [Met5]enkephalinamide, delta-opioid receptor agonists, caused concentration-dependent, reversible depression of fast e.p.s.ps, but had no effect on depolarizations evoked by pressure ejection of the nicotinic agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium. Cell transmembrane potential and membrane input resistance were also unaffected. 3 U-50,488H, a kappa-opioid receptor agonist, had a very small depressant action while [D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5] enkephalin, a mu-opioid receptor agonist, had no effect on fast e.p.s.p. amplitude. Neither compound affected cell transmembrane potential or membrane input resistance. 4 The inhibitory actions of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5] enkephalin were antagonized by both naloxone, an antagonist at each of the three opioid receptor types, and by ICI 174,864, an antagonist selective for delta-opioid receptors. 5 Naloxone and ICI 174,864 both also potentiated fast e.p.s.p. amplitude per se in 50% of cells tested. 6 It is concluded that exogenous opioids act at presynaptic delta-opioid receptors to inhibit sacral parasympathetic synaptic transmission in cat colonic ganglia in vitro. Furthermore, the effects of opioid antagonists alone, suggest that endogenous opioids may also be released by preganglionic nerve stimulation and so regulate the release of acetylcholine in these ganglia.
Scheduling trains on a railway network using a discrete event model of railway traffic

Scheduling trains in a railway network is a fundamental operational problem in the railway industry. A local feedback-based travel advance strategy is developed using a discrete event model of train advances along lines of the railway. This approach can quickly handle perturbations in the schedule and is shown to perform well on three time-performance criteria while maintaining the local nature of the strategy. If the local strategy leads to a deadlock, a capacity check algorithm is applied that prevents deadlock, but requires additional nonlocal information. Extensions to the strategy are developed for networks with double-track sections and with variable train characteristics and priorities.
Origin of Ridge-Top Depressions by Large-Scale Creep in the Olympic Mountains, Washington

In the high mountain area of the Olympic Mountains, Washington, there are many troughlike depressions on and essentially parallel to ridge tops. The troughs are mostly developed on rocks with strong planar anisotropy: slate, sandstone, and phyllite. Similar features in Europe, Japan, and New Zealand have been variously ascribed to erosion, slow movement along deep-seated shear planes, creep, and tectonic movements. In the Olympics, many depressions parallel structure; one wall is steeply dipping rocks, the other shattered, gently dipping rocks. These depressions seem to be the gaps left between undisturbed steeply dipping rocks and beds or cleavage bent valley-ward by creep. A few troughs may be the result of slow down-slope movement along deep-seated shear planes; this is a favorite explanation of eastern European workers. The Olympic ridge-top depressions testify to the importance of gravity in the degradation of high mountains carved from weak rocks.
Reduction of storage fragmentation on direct access devices

A technique is described for partially reorganizing the contents of disk storage so as to reduce the level of fragmentation. The method entails choosing that fraction of the contents which is estimated to have the greatest impact on the free space distribution, followed by the relocation of these data to more favorable locations, subject to the system integrity requirements.
Body Orientation and the Perception of Spatial Auditory and Tactile Cues

This study investigated the effects of five body orientations (supine, kneeling, sitting, standing, and prone) on perception of spatial auditory and spatial tactile cues along eight equidistant points (45° separation) of the azimuth, using a within-participant design. Participants (N = 30) used a graphics tablet and stylus to indicate the perceived direction indicated by either vibrotactile stimuli applied to the abdomen, or spatial auditory stimuli presented via headphones. Response time data show responses to spatial tactile cues were significantly faster than spatial auditory cues at each body position and for each point along the azimuth, with no significant effects of body orientation. Absolute angle differences between presented and perceived cues were significantly smaller in the tactile condition for five of the eight stimulus positions, with no significant effects of body orientation. Results are discussed in terms of designing multi-sensory directional cues for reducing visual search space for d...
Thermo-mechanical stability of forged Ti-26Al-10Nb-3V-1Mo (at.%)

Abstract Dynamic material modeling (DMM) analysis has been employed to examine the high strain, elevated temperature mechanical behaviour of Widmanstatten α 2 + β Ti-26Al-10Nb-3V-1Mo. Flow regimes predicted by this analysis were then correlated with microstructural observations. Unstable flow zones were associated with α 2 platelets kinking and shear band formation in the α 2 + β -phase field, with flow localization at grain boundaries and dynamic grain growth in the β-phase field. Stable flow was associated with dynamic spheroidization of the Widmanstatten α 2 platelets in the α 2 + β -phase field, and with dynamic recrystallization in the β-phase field.
Optimized many body potential for fcc metals

A formalism for optimized many body (OMB) potentials to describe the interatomic interactions in fcc metals is described. The OMB approach is based on the Tersoff potential, widely used to describe covalently bonded materials, and is closely related to the charge optimized many body (COMB) potential formalism for oxides. OMB extends to first nearest neighbors only, and employs a third-order Legendre polynomial to distinguish fcc and hcp structures, the strength of which can be adjusted to match the intrinsic stacking fault energy to arbitrary precision. The potential also predicts generalized stacking fault energy curves that are in very close agreement to the values determined from electronic-structure calculations. This potential is thus well-suited to investigating mechanical properties such as plastic deformation at the atomic scale.
Surgical treatment of neuroendocrine metastases

Neuroendocrine tumors of the intestinal tract have low malignant potential but can result in decreased survival if they spread to the liver. The estimated 5-year survival of patients with liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumor is only 20%. Further, morbidity related to the Carcinoid Syndrome and other endocrine symptoms may also greatly reduce the quality of life. Treatment options for liver neuroendocrine tumor include long-acting somatostatin receptor antagonists (LAR), inteferon-α, chemotherapy and hepatic artery embolisation with and without chemotherapy. Surgical resection is feasible in select patients, but it may result in major morbidity and even mortality. In our series of 18 patients with liver neuroendocrine tumors, there was no operative mortality and acceptable morbidity. All 10 patients with the Carcinoid syndrome had complete amelioration of symptoms and the 5-year actuarial survival was 80%. Aggressive major surgery for liver neuroendocrine tumor metastases can be performed safely with acceptable mortality by experienced surgeons. Results have been similar for patients with gastrinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Surgical resection appears to result in outstanding long-term survival and amelioration of symptoms. It should be the first-line therapy for patients with liver neuroendocrine tumors in whom the tumor can be completely removed.
Blowing Open the Serious Leisure-Casual Leisure Dichotomy: What's In There?

Serious leisure and casual leisure have served as two contrasting concepts for describing leisure experiences. The purpose of this article is to reevaluate the traditional dichotomy of serious leisure-casual leisure in light of accumulated empirical evidence. Greater theoretical attention to the interconnectedness and continuity between the two concepts is advocated. Findings from an on-line survey with a group of women engaged in informal social leisure experiences were examined. Viewed through a multidimensional conceptual framework, which includes 13 dimensions ranging from effort to self-actualization to socialization and fun, the complexity of leisure experience reflects a continuum rather than a dichotomous conception. Further suggestions about delineating the interrelations among dimensions of leisure experience are discussed.
Charge-Density Variation in a Model of Amorphous Silicon

A population analysis of the one-electron eigenfunctions of random-network models of amorphous silicon shows fluctuations of the net atomic charge of about 0.2 electron units rms. The majority of the charge is calculable from a linear function of the deviations of first-neighbor distance and of the interbond angle from their values in the crystal.
FORMATION OF UNUSUAL COPPER CLUSTERS IN HELIUM NANODROPLETS

Photoabsorption profiles of copper clusters, CuN, grown in superfluid helium droplets were studied by beam depletion spectroscopy. For N below ~ 103 the spectra are characteristic of individual metallic particles, but in larger clusters a strong, broad absorption feature appears in the near-infrared region. This suggests a transition from single- to multicenter condensation: as the arrival frequency of metal atoms exceeds their transport time within the helium matrix, they nucleate into small individual agglomerates which later collect into a noncompact, possibly fractal or percolative assembly. The data, in concert with earlier observations on silver cluster growth, affirm that the formation of cluster–cluster aggregates with unusual optical properties is a general phenomenon achievable with the use of the helium nanodroplet technique.
Molecular Characterization of the Cellular Receptor for Poliovirus

The expression of the human poliovirus receptor (hPVR) in several cultured cell lines was studied with the use of different antibodies directed against hPVR proteins. Immunoprecipitations of metabolically labeled cell lysates revealed that membrane-bound glycoforms of hPVR proteins have a molecular weight of about 80 kDa. By applying inhibitors of the glycosylation pathway (deoxymannojirimycin and swainsonine) we were able to monitor the modification of the hPVR glycoproteins when passing through the processing pathway. We show that a 67-kDa hPVR protein identified earlier (using a vaccinia virus expression system) is an intermediate glycoform probably located in the endoplasmic reticulum or cis-Golgi. Further modification of this glycoform is blocked by vaccinia virus infection or by the inhibitor deoxymannojirimycin. We, therefore, conclude that the 80-kDa glycoforms identified here are the fully processed hPVR isoforms. Surface iodination confirms that only the 80-kDa glycoforms are expressed on the cell surface. Treatment with various deglycosylating enzymes (N-Glycanase, O-Glycanase, Endo-H, and neuraminidase) demonstrates that the hPVR proteins bear sialylated complex-type oligosaccharides. Deglycosylation of the hPVR proteins also reveals the presence of both hPVR membrane-bound forms in cultured cells. Their relative expression levels, with respect to each other, vary considerably. The distribution of these hPVR isoforms in tissues may help explain the natural function of the hPVR proteins.
Copper-biomolecule complexes in the gas phase. The ternary way

This review deals with copper complexes of a variety of organic and bioorganic molecules that have been produced as gas-phase ions by electrospray and other ionization methods and studied experimentally by mass spectrometry and theoretically by ab initio and density functional theory computations. Ternary complexes of Cu((II)) allow one to modify the oxidation state and coordination sphere of the copper ion and thus induce novel fragmentations that involve redox and radical-based reactions. Structure elucidation, distinction, and quantitation of leucine and isoleucine isomers in peptides, distinction of enantiomers in chiral compounds, and sensitive detection of antibiotics are some of the highlights of mass spectrometry of ternary copper complexes. Binary copper complexes are mainly represented by Cu((I)) species in which the copper ion displays the properties of a weak Lewis acid.
Deracializing Obama: White Voters and the 2004 Illinois U.S. Senate Race:

Using the unique circumstances of the 2004 Illinois U.S. Senate election, we report findings from survey data from a probability sample of White voters conducted in Illinois during the course of th...
The Complicated Pig Speaks: A Reply to Gore and Brown and Tinsley.

Responses are made to comments regarding Eggerth and Andrew (2006) by Gore and Brown (2006) calling for simplification of the modified C index and by Tinsley (2006) questioning the logic of the modified C index (all articles in this issue).
Impact of K24N Mutation on p53TAD and its Interaction with MDM2

The level of transcription factor p53 is negatively regulated by E3 ubiguitin ligase murine double minute clone 2 (MDM2). The interaction between p53 and MDM2 is essential for the survival of the cell and for organism activity. Structural studies revealed that MDM2 binds to p53 transactivation domain (p53TAD) from residues 17 to 29. The K24N mutation of p53TAD is a naturally occurring mutation that is found in human choriocarcinoma cell lines. In this study we used molecular dynamics simulation to determine how the K24N mutation affects the affinity, structure, and dynamics of p53TAD binding to MDM2. The results suggest that the K24N mutation decreases the affinity between p53TAD and MDM2 due primarily to the entropic contribution to the binding free energy. The results are consistent with experiments and show that this entropy difference is due to a change in the structure of the protein-protein complex that increases the bound flexibility of both the mutant p53TAD and MDM2.
Partial Versus Radical Nephrectomy: The Debate Regarding Renal Function Ends While the Survival Controversy Continues

In the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) trial 30904, patients with small (<5 cm) renal masses and a normal contralateral kidney were randomized to nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) or radical nephrectomy (RN) between 1992 and 2003. This noninferiority trial was powered for 1300 patients and 368 deaths, but it was closed prematurely due to poor accrual after 541 patients were enrolled and 117 deaths were observed during a median follow-up of 9.3 yr. The initial report from this trial demonstrated that complications were acceptable, although slightly higher for NSS, and that follow-up serum creatinine was statistically higher for patients randomized to RN (median: 1.5) compared with NSS (median: 1.29) ( p < 0.001) [1]. Aside from the additional information that 91.9% of patientshadnormalbaseline renal function (definedas 1.25 upper limit of normal serum creatinine), renal functional outcomes in this landmark trialwere not previously reported [1]. In this issue of the Platinum Journal, Scosyrev and colleagues provide postoperative renal functional outcomes using estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) for patients previously randomized in EORTC 30904 [2]. Among the 273 patients randomized to RN, 259 had a recorded postoperative eGFR and were included in this updated analysis; the median number of eGFR measurements was 9 per patient, median time to first eGFR was 3.5mo, andmedian time to last eGFR was 6.8 yr. Among the 268 patients randomized to NSS, 255 had a recorded postoperative eGFR and were included in this updated analysis; the median number of eGFR measurements was also 9 per patient, median time to first eGFR was similarly 3.5 mo, and median time to last eGFR was 6.5 yr for this group. Prior to surgery, baseline eGFR was not available,
The Effect of Imagining an Event on Expectations for the Event: An Interpretation in Terms of the Availability Heuristic.

Previous studies have indicated that explaining a hypothetical event makes the event seem more likely through the creation of causal connections. However, such effects could arise through the use of the availability heuristic; that is, subjective likelihood is increased by an event becoming easier to imagine. Two experiments were designed to demonstrate this principle. In Experiment 1, subjects asked to imagine Jimmy Carter winning the presidential election (prior to the election) predicted that he was more likely to win than subjects asked to imagine Gerald Ford winning. In Experiment 2, subjects asked to imagine a good college football season for the previous championship team were more likely to predict a major bowl bid than subjects asked to imagine a bad season, although the effect did not appear in predictions of the season record. In both studies, subjects who were also asked to explain the imaginary event were no different from subjects who only imagined. Several other attributional distortions are interpreted in terms of the availability heuristic.
Molecular cloning and functional expression of the cardiac sarcolemmal Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger

The Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger of the cardiac sarcolemma can rapidly transport Ca2+ during excitation-contraction coupling. To begin molecular studies of this transporter, polyclonal antibodies were used to identify a complementary DNA (cDNA) clone encoding the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger protein. The cDNA hybridizes with a 7-kilobase RNA on a Northern blot and has an open reading frame of 970 amino acids. Hydropathy analysis suggests that the protein has multiple transmembrane helices, and a small region of the sequence is similar to that of the Na(+)- and K(+)-dependent adenosine triphosphatase. Polyclonal antibodies to a synthetic peptide from the deduced amino acid sequence react with sarcolemmal proteins of 70, 120, and 160 kilodaltons on immunoblots. RNA, synthesized from the cDNA clone, induces expression of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity when injected into Xenopus oocytes.
Efficacy of etretinate for the PUVA-dependent psoriatic.

Summary Twenty-three adult patients (13 males, 10 females) with psoriasis vulgaris had been on long-term PUVA maintenance therapy (mean 4 years 2 months, 210 PUVA exposures). Their psoriasis had broken through PUVA maintenance or relapsed rapidly on discontinuing PUVA. The aromatic retinoid etretinate (Tigason®) was commenced to reduce the dose of PUVA required to control their psoriasis. Four patients subsequently cleared on etretinate alone, 11 cleared on the etretinate-PUVA combination. Five patients improved short of complete clearing and one remained unchanged although his PUVA doses were reduced. The remaining: two patients responded poorly due to non-compliance and side-effects respectively. Overall a 58% reduction in UVA doses was estimated. In general, side-effects of etretinate were well tolerated during a prolonged follow-up period (mean 17·6 months). One female patient was discovered to have vertebral hyperostoses during etretinate therapy.
Emergency Department Provider Fatigue and Shift Concerns

Pediatric emergency medicine poses unique challenges to preventing medical errors because it combines the difficulties inherent in emergency medicine practice with the problems of pediatric patients. In emergency medicine, procedures requiring psychomotor skill are part of routine practice. In addition, most emergency departments are busy 24 hours per day. The requirement for emergency physicians to perform competently through the evening and overnight hours pits professional and societal expectations for round-the-clock work against certain fundamentals of biology. Acknowledgement and understanding of our intrinsic nature can help emergency physicians to manage their abnormal sleep and work schedules to optimize performance in our demanding field. Scientific, medical, and industrial researchers have provided us with the requisite knowledge about sleep physiology and human performance. This article discusses fatigue reduction as a strategy to prevent medical errors in pediatric emergency medicine.
Characterization of Live LaSota Vaccine Strain–Induced Protection in Chickens upon Early Challenge with a Virulent Newcastle Disease Virus of Heterologous Genotype

SUMMARY. Newcastle disease (ND) is a major threat to the international poultry industry, causing bird mortality, reduction in growth and egg production, and trade restrictions. The primary strategy available to the poultry industry to control virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV), the causative agent of ND, is vaccination. LaSota and other commonly used live-virus NDV vaccine strains were developed in the 1950s and 1960s and show a great degree of genetic divergence from currently circulating NDV strains. In order to characterize protective immunity induced by LaSota against a heterologous NDV strain, we vaccinated groups of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens with LaSota (virus titers ranging from 10 2 to 10 8 egg infective dose 50 [EID50 ]i n 10-fold increments) and challenged the birds 14 days later with ZJ1 strain, an NDV strain that was isolated in the year 2000 from geese in China. We monitored multiple parameters of immunity, including serum antibody titers, antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation, and splenic cytokine expression and determined that SPF birds vaccinated with an adequate titer of LaSota strain live vaccine are fully protected from morbidity and mortality due to challenge with ZJ1 strain NDV, and we concluded that in the absence of interfering maternal antibody, protection due to vaccination increases with vaccine titer until a threshold titer is reached, beyond which, little or no further benefit can be elucidated.
Dissociation dynamics of a Bose-Einstein condensate of molecules

An unstable condensate of diatomic molecules will coherently disassociate into correlated pairs of atoms. This dissociation process exhibits very rich quantum dynamics depending on the quantum statistics of the constituent atoms. We show that in the case of bosonic atoms Bose enhancement can lead to stimulated dissociation, whereas, in the case of fermions Pauli blocking of the available states and a buildup of coherence between molecules and atom pairs can give rise to incomplete dissociation of the molecules and transient association-dissociation oscillations.
“The Ships Must Sail on Time”: Histories of Longshore Workers and Why Their Unions Still Matter

Before dawn on Sunday morning, June 20, 2010, upwards of one thousand people gathered near the Port of Oakland, an industrial, sometimes barren section of west Oakland. They then converged on four gates operated by the Stevedore Services of America, one of the main shipping companies on the US Pacific coast and in the world. The protesters were awaiting the arrival of an Israeli cargo vessel in order to protest Israel's ongoing blockade of the Palestinian residents of Gaza as well as the recent Israeli assault on Turkish vessels in the Mediterranean that had resulted in the deaths of nine civilians, part of an international group sympathetic to the Gaza Palestinians. For hours activists protested, including a chant that referenced both the Wobblies and antiapartheid struggle: “An injury to one is an injury to all, bring down the apartheid wall.” Crucially—and not coincidentally—members of Local 10 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) refused to cross this picket line, citing safety reasons. After several hours of negotiations, an arbitrator agreed with the ILWU members that the situation could cause harm to the workers, who therefore could not be punished for not unloading the vessel. Subsequently, the Zim (Israeli shipping line) vessel departed from San Francisco Bay, looking to be unloaded in nearby Monterey Bay. Simultaneously, dock unions in Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and Turkey—all members of The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)—also announced that they would join the “Boycott against Israel campaign.” These dramatic, militant, and overtly political actions by longshore workers across the globe are not unprecedented—at least for union dockers—though they are almost unheard of in the twenty-first century for other sorts of workers on any continent.
The toroidal splitting number of the complete graph K n

Abstract The splitting number of a graph on a surface is defined, and a formula for the splitting number of the complete graph on the torus is established. The method of proof is to use Euler's generalized polyhedral formula for the lower bound, then current graphs are used to obtain the duals of splittings of K 12 s +1 and K 12 s +7 . Suitable additions are made to these duals to obtain the other cases.
A new look at rainfall fluctuations and scaling properties of spatial rainfall using orthogonal wavelets

It has been observed that the finite-dimensional distribution functions of rainfall cannot obey simple scaling laws due to rainfall intermittency (mixed distribution with an atom at zero) and the probability of rainfall being an increasing function of area. Although rainfall fluctuations do not suffer these limitations, it is interesting to note that very few attempts have been made to study them in terms of their self-similarity characteristics. This is due to the lack of unambiguous definition of fluctuations in multidimensions. This paper shows that wavelet transforms offer a convenient and consistent method for the decomposition of inhomogeneous and anisotropic rainfall fields in two dimensions and that the components of this decomposition can be looked at as fluctuations of the rainfall field. It is also shown that under some mild assumptions, the component fields can be treated as homogeneous and thus are amenable to second-order analysis, which can provide useful insight into the nature of the process. The fact that wavelet transforms are a space-scale method also provides a convenient tool to study scaling characteristics of the process. Orthogonal wavelets are used, and these properties are investigated for a squall-line storm to study the presence of self-similarity.
Determination of Total Iodine in Nutritional and Biological Samples by ICP-MS Following Their Combustion within an Oxygen Stream

A mineralization and determination method for total iodine in nutritional and biological samples is described. Combustion of the sample in an oxygen stream is followed by collection of the combustion products in a 5% water-soluble tertiary amine solution. Iodine is determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The accuracy and precision of the quantitative iodine analysis using standard addition is better than +/- 10%. A semi-quantitative analysis of four standard reference materials is evaluated. Owing to the presence of low-level iodine contaminant in the blank solution, the determination limit of the method is +/- 10 micrograms kg-1. Good agreement with certified iodine values is obtained for six reference materials. The use of the tertiary amine matrix solution permits the simultaneous determination of iodine and other trace metals of biological and toxicological importance, including Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Cd, and Pb.
Adsorption of H2O on clean and oxygen-preposed Ni(110)

Abstract The adsorption of H2O on both clean and modified Ni(110) surfaces has been studied using a variety of methods: electron stimulated desorption ion angular distribution (ESDIAD), thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). Fractional monolayers, θ(H2O) 0.5–1 larger hydrogen bonded clusters with long range c(2 × 2) symmetry are formed. Upon heating to ⩾ 200 K, a fraction of the H2O dissociates, forming OH(ad). TDS of H2O from clean Ni(110) reveals four binding states having peak temperatures of 155, 210, 245 and 370 K. They are related to multilayer desorption (155 K), desorption from larger bilayer clusters (210 K), desorption from H2O dimer clusters which might be stabilized by OH (245 K), and recombination of OH to yield H2O(g) (360 K). Dissociation of H2O is promoted by surface oxygen. For the adsorption of H2O on oxygen-dosed Ni(110) at θ(O) > 0.08, a mixture of molecular and dissociative adsortion occurs immediately at 80 K, producing inclined OH. Isotropic exchange of H216O with 18O(ad) is observed even for binding states in which dissociation is believed not to to occur and is related to a proton exchange involving H2O(ad) hydrogen bonded to O(ad).
Influence of Size at Stocking on Survival of Saugeye in a Northern-Latitude Impoundment

ABSTRACT The saugeye [walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) X sauger (S. canadense)] has been used effectively as a predator to reduce recruitment and improve growth and size structure for overabundant crappie (Pomoxis spp.) populations. Saugeye were stocked into 336-ha Richmond Lake, South Dakota, an impoundment that contained an overabundant black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) population. Small fingerling (circa 3–4 cm) stockings in 1992 and 1993 had relatively low survival; fall electrofishing catch per unit effort (CPUE) values for age-0 saugeye were 5/hr and 3/hr. In 1994 and 1995, larger (circa 14–19 cm) fingerlings were stocked, and fall CPUE values were 185/hr and 33/hr. In addition, the fingerlings stocked in 1994 were collected during fall 1995 electrofishing as age-1 fish at a rate of 41/hr. At northern latitudes, small fingerling saugeye grow slowly and likely remain vulnerable to predation by and competition with overabundant black crappie populations. Stocking larger saugeye fingerlings may over...
Cellular DNA content of the Mollusca

Abstract 1. 1. The cellular DNA content of 110 species of Mollusca is reported. 2. 2. DNA content correlates positively with the chromosome number and, within families, DNA content correlates with body size. 3. 3. The more generalized molluscs tend to have a higher amount of DNA than the specialized species. 4. 4. High amounts of DNA appear to be associated with evolutionary radiation in the snails.
Accurate Simulation of Surfaces and Interfaces of Face-Centered Cubic Metals Using 12−6 and 9−6 Lennard-Jones Potentials

Molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations often rely on Lennard-Jones (LJ) potentials for nonbond interactions. We present 12−6 and 9−6 LJ parameters for several face-centered cubic metals (Ag, Al, Au, Cu, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt) which reproduce densities, surface tensions, interface properties with water and (bio)organic molecules, as well as mechanical properties in quantitative (<0.1%) to good qualitative (25%) agreement with experiment under ambient conditions. Deviations associated with earlier LJ models have been reduced by 1 order of magnitude due to the precise fit of the new models to densities and surface tensions under standard conditions, which also leads to significantly improved results for surface energy anisotropies, interface tensions, and mechanical properties. The performance is comparable to tight-binding and embedded atom models at up to a million times lower computational cost. The models extend classical simulation methods to metals and a variety of interfaces with biopolymers, surfact...
Clonal chromosome abnormalities in human breast carcinomas II. Thirty‐four cases with metastatic disease

Cytogenetic analysis was performed on a selected series of short-term cultures from 34 patients with documented metastatic breast carcinoma. The majority of tumor cells were hyperdiploid, with clonal structural alterations observed in 94% of patients (32/34). The most common numeric changes were -2, -15, and -18. Chromosome 20 was the most frequently over-represented (in near-3n tumors only). Clonal structural chromosome alterations included isochromosomes, terminal deletions, and, most frequently, unbalanced non-reciprocal translocations. Chromosomes most often involved in structural rearrangements included 1, 7, 11, and 6 (accounting for 24.7%, 10.3%, 9.1%, and 7.0% of breakpoints, respectively). When the breakpoints of clonal structural abnormalities were analyzed, they were shown to cluster to several chromosome segments, including 1p11-q21, 7pter, 11p12-q12, and 6q11-21. An analysis of the net gain or loss of specific chromosome segments was also performed, with the most consistent tendency observed being the over-representation of 1q, 6p, 7, and 11. The most frequent losses included 1p, 6q, 7, and 11q.