cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supported employment: evidence for an evidence-based practice

Supported employment for people with severe mental illnesses is an evidence-based practice, based on converging findings from 4 studies of the conversion of day treatment to supported employment and 9 randomized controlled trials comparing supported employment to a variety of alternative approaches. These two lines of research suggest that between 40% and 60% of consumers enrolled in supported employment obtain competitive employment while less than 20% of similar consumers do so when not enrolled in supported employment. Consumers who hold competitive jobs for a sustained period of time show benefits such as improved self-esteem and better symptom control, although by itself, enrollment in supported employment has no systematic impact on nonvocational outcomes, either on undesirable outcomes, such as rehospitalization, or on valued outcomes, such as improved quality of life. The psychiatric rehabilitation field has achieved consensus on a core set of principles of supported employment, although efforts continue to develop enhancements. A review of the evidence suggests strong support for 4 of 7 principles of supported employment, while the evidence for the remaining 3 is relatively weak. Continued innovation and research on principles is recommended.
Muslims, the New Age and Marginal Religions in Indonesia: Changing Meanings of Religious Pluralism

The author examines the changing meanings of religious pluralism in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, Indonesia. She demonstrates the paradoxical viability of three new organizations—Salamullah, the Brahma Kumaris, and the Anand Ashram—that challenge normative conceptions of ‘‘religion’’ embodied in national law since the 1960s but nonetheless attract substantial numbers of cosmopolitan Indonesians, including religiously well-educated Muslims. The high modern construction of ‘‘religions’’ that underpins existing law is being reworked in the actual religious practice of cosmopolitan Indonesians. With their patronage they are expanding the sphere of internal dialogue within Indonesia’s Muslim community, effecting a new permeability in the boundaries of the nation’s offcial religions, and contributing to the emergence of an arena of unregulated ‘‘spiritual’’ groups that now exists alongside the highly regulated, rigidly denominational religious market structured by the New Order Government (...
Sensorless control of the BLDC motors from near-zero to high speeds

This work presents the theory and implementation of a novel sensorless control technique for the brushless DC (BLDC) motor. The proposed new sensorless drive method solves the problem of the sensorless BLDC motor drives at very low speeds. It provides a highly accurate and robust sensorless operation from near zero to high speeds. For this purpose, an approach, a new flux linkage function is defined, that is speed-independent. The validity of the proposed method is verified through both simulation and experimental results and discussion.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Lipid-Linked Oligosaccharides in Lipid Bilayers

We have used molecular modeling and simulation to study the structure and dynamics of two lipid-linked oligosaccharides (LLO: eukaryotic Glc3-Man9-GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol and bacterial Glc1-GalNAc5-Bac1-PP-undecaprenol) in membrane bilayers of different composition. The LLOs used in this study consist of an isoprenoid moiety and an oligosaccharide linked by pyrophosphates. Each component has been studied previously as independent components, i.e., oligosaccharide in solution and isoprenoid in bilayer. However, the overall structure and dynamics of the complete LLO molecule in bilayer remain elusive. From our molecular dynamics simulations, different lipid types do not perturb the structure and dynamics of the isoprenoid moiety. The oligosaccharide conformation and dynamics appears to be similar to those measured by NMR in solution, however, preferential interaction between the oligosaccharide and bilayer interface is observed. Such preferential interaction may influence the binding to OST. Finally, the potential binding mode of the oligosaccharide moiety to bacterial OST is examined by molecular docking.
Evaluation of Errors of Optical Origin Arising in the Size Analysis of a Dispersion by Light Transmission

Due to relatively recent advances in theory, light transmission apparatus need not be calibrated against monodisperse standards in order to provide accurate size information for transparent spherical particles. However, the precision of construction necessary for accurate results has not heretofore been evaluated. In this paper the effects of unavoidable approximations in the optical construction of light transmission apparatus are evaluated quantitatively. Tables and graphs are presented which will enable the apparatus designer and user to avoid, or at least account for, errors in interpretation of light transmission data, without resort to empirical calibration.
Strain induced martensite formation in stainless steel

The Conversion Electron and X-ray Mossbauer studies of the surface of Type 316 stainless steel at 400 K, 300 K, and 100 K show that both the substitutional and interstitial elements perturb the cubic symmetry at the iron site. The single peak of austenite is a superposition of at least five quadrupole split doublets whose magnitudes and intensities depend on the type and concentration of the impurity elements. However, when the surface of the stainless steel is plastically deformed, a layer of martensite about 5000 A thick is formed on the austenite base. This layer consists of a mixture of 31 pct martensite with the rest being the original austenite. The magnetic environment of the iron in this martensite is controlled by the concentration of alloying elements, and the distribution of the hyperfine fields is determined by the number of nearest and next nearest neighbor impurity atoms. The magnetic field decreases linearly at first as the number of nearest neighbors increases and then follows a nonlinear trend for a number of nearest neighbors. The temperature dependence of the sublattice magnetization is different for each number of neighbors, and a Curie temperature has been estimated for each site.
Unified review of 3D model generation for reverse engineering

Abstract Reverse engineering is a methodology for constructing CAD models of physical parts whose drawings are not available by digitizing an existing prototype, creating a computer model and then using it to manufacture the component. This paper presents a review of the techniques available for reverse engineering, with particular emphasis on the three-dimensional model generation. The different steps involved in the process are described, and then a number of techniques available for the model generation from the point data are illustrated. These are then compared with regards to speed, accuracy and domain of problems solved. Thus, this paper brings together the literature on the subject in a unified way.
Variabilidad de la práctica clínica urológica en cáncer de próstata en España

Resumen Objetivos Explorar la opinion de los urologos espanoles respecto a los principales puntos en el diagnostico, prevencion, calidad de vida y tratamiento del cancer de prostata. Material y metodos Se administro un cuestionario anonimo a 290 especialistas que representan el colectivo profesional urologico involucrado en el manejo del cancer de prostata en Espana. En su definicion se tuvo en cuenta el grado de experiencia profesional, el ambito de trabajo, la relacion contractual con el paciente y el caracter academico del centro. El analisis estadistico se baso en el estudio de frecuencias relativas para variables cualitativas. La interpretacion de resultados se llevo a cabo en 2009-2010 y el informe de emision final de los mismos en 2011. Resultados La tasa de respuesta recogida y correctamente transcrita de los formularios fue del 96,9% (n = 281), lo que supone un 10-15% del colectivo nacional. La mediana de edad fue 47,7 (29-69) anos y el 92% fueron hombres. La mediana de experiencia profesional fue 19,1 (1-43) anos. Se analizan las respuestas recogidas relativas a 153 cuestiones que tratan: a) como se lleva a cabo el diagnostico de la enfermedad en el entorno de los encuestados; b) las opiniones vertidas acerca de la prevencion de la enfermedad; c) el tratamiento de la enfermedad localizada; d) el tratamiento de la enfermedad avanzada; y e) la definicion de campos de interes para el profesional. Conclusion Esta encuesta demuestra una importante variabilidad en algunos puntos de la practica clinica con respecto a las recomendaciones de expertos. Pone tambien en evidencia las principales preocupaciones del profesional, define oportunidades de mejora formativa y detecta necesidades en el colectivo urologico nacional.
Solute distribution in nanocrystalline Ni–W alloys examined through atom probe tomography

Atom probe tomography is used to observe the solute distribution in electrodeposited nanocrystalline Ni-W alloys with three different grain sizes (3, 10 and 20 nm) and the results are compared with atomistic computer simulations. The presence of grain boundary segregation is confirmed by detailed analysis of composition fluctuations in both experimental and simulated structures, and its extent quantified by a frequency distribution analysis. In contrast to other nanocrystalline alloys previously examined by atom probe tomography, such as Ni-P, the present nanocrystalline Ni-W alloys exhibit only a subtle amount of solute segregation to the intergranular regions.
Role of Transportation Accessibility in Attracting New Businesses to New Jersey

A general research methodology is developed to analyze the factors affecting companies' relocation decisions, and its practicality is tested through an application on a study region that includes 21 counties in New Jersey representing the "destinations" for the new businesses, and New York City and Philadelphia representing the "origins." Within the framework of the suggested methodology, a gravity based business relocation model is developed and calibrated using an iterative approach. The modeling process also involves multi-attribute decision analysis to evaluate the determinants of business relocation process as precisely as possible. Input data includes the number of companies that relocated to New Jersey from New York City and Philadelphia, from 1990 to 1999, and a set of factors that are considered to affect companies' relocation decisions including land prices, safety, land availability, market size, economic stability, and transportation accessibility. The results show that businesses moving from Philadelphia tend to locate deeper into New Jersey than businesses moving from the New York City area. This result might be attributable to the fact that businesses are attracted to the high density of the New York City market and its economic potential, and therefore do not want to relocate as much. Results of the sensitivity analysis and estimated market elasticities also support this finding. This study also demonstrates that the attractiveness index can be represented in a functional form.
Joint velocity uniformity in redundant robot manipulators

A redundant robot manipulator has several certain or expected advantages over a nonredundant one. It is expected, among other capabilities, that the joints vary with constant velocities during the execution of those tasks which in a nonredundant manipulator require variable joint velocities. In this way, motion becomes more precise because of the elimination of errors associated with velocity change in joints. In this paper, it is shown that this expected advantage is not possible for all the joints, and that only as many joints as the degree of redundancy can have constant velocities.
Pyramidal piecewise uniform lattice quantization in the wavelet transform domain for image coding

The wavelet transform, which provides a multiresolution representation of images, has been widely used in image compression. A new image coding scheme using the wavelet transform and lattice vector quantization is presented. The input image is first decomposed into a hierarchy of three layers containing 10 subimages by discrete wavelet transform. The lowest resolution low-frequency subimage is scalar quantized with 8 bits/pixel. High-frequency subimages are encoded by lattice vector quantization. A pyramidal piecewise uniform companding approach is used to design the lattice quantizer according to a piecewise constant approximation to the probability density function of the input source. Due to the fast algorithm of lattice quantization, computational complexity is greatly reduced as compared to the vector quantizers based on the Linde-Buzo-Gray (LBG) algorithm. Computer simulations show that the proposed coding scheme can achieve a high compression ratio while maintaining good reconstruction image quality (both objectively and subjectively).
Early molecular changes in endometrial cancer

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is currently divided into two major types, Type I and II, based on clinicopathological parameters. Type I carcinomas are associated with a hyperestrogenic state and account for approximately 85% of ECs. Type I carcinomas are low-grade, indolent tumors of endometrioid histology. In contrast, Type II tumors are estrogen independent and arise in the setting of atrophy. They are poorly differentiated tumors and most commonly demonstrate a serous morphology. Molecular genetic studies over the past decade have shown that the two tumor types evolve via distinct pathogenetic pathways(1). The most frequent early molecular genetic alterations in Type I tumors are mutations in the PTEN tumor suppressor gene and KRAS oncogene and microsatellite instability (MI). Molecular genetic studies have shown that PTEN and KRAS mutations are present in complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH), the direct precursor to endometrioid carcinoma. In addition, methylation of the hMLH1 gene, which is thought to result in MI, has also been documented in CAH. In addition, it has been consistently reported that there is a statistically significant association between PTEN mutations and MI in Type I tumors, however the biological significance of the association remains unclear(2). More recently mouse models have further supported a central and early role for the PTEN gene and MI in the development of Type I EC. One hundred percent of Pten heterozygous female mice spontaneously develop complex atypical hyperplasia. The lesions begin to develop at about 16 weeks and increase in number and size with age. By 10 months of age approximately 20% develop carcinoma. The invasive lesions are histologically very similar to well-differentiated endometrioid carcinoma often demonstrating mucinous and squamous metaplasia as seen in primary human endometrioid carcinoma. In order to explore the relationship of MI and PTEN mutations, Pten heterozygous, Mlh1 null mice were generated. Mice of this genotype have an accelerated onset of lesions and an increase in the frequency of invasion at a young age(3). This mouse model should provide a system in which the association of these two common molecular alterations can be studied and the relationship between genetic alterations and hormonal influences can be addressed. Although there have been fewer studies on Type II tumors, mutations in P53 have been found in 75% of endometrial intraepithelial carcinomas, the putative precursor to serous carcinoma, and in 90% of serous carcinomas. Additional studies are clearly needed to uncover the other common alterations in this uncommon, but aggressive, form of endometrial carcinoma.
The Cultural Contexts of International Capital Expansion: British Ranchers in Wyoming, 1879–1889

In the late-nineteenth century, open-range cattle ranching in the American West became popular among the British upper classes both as an investment and as a vocation. However, after a severe winter in 1886–1887, many of these enterprises failed and foreign investment in the American range cattle industry waned. This paper examines the experiences of British ranchers in Wyoming and in particular the career of Moreton Frewen (1857–1924) in order to explore the dialectical relationship between culturally constructed nature, shaped by discourses of class and gender, and material nature, itself transformed by capitalist production. Although from an elite family, Frewen lacked the financial resources necessary to sustain the kind of life to which he felt he was entitled. The great profits and excellent big-game hunting supposedly available to ranchers attracted him to the Powder River region of Wyoming, where he began a ranch that failed in the crisis of 1886–1887. British images of a bountiful American nature spurred investment, but also led to ranching practices that were ultimately harmful to the ranges upon which cattle depended. A detailed study of the elite British ranchers provides insight into the specific cultural, historical, environmental, and local contexts within which global capital expansion takes place.
On-State and Switching Performance of High-Voltage 15 – 20 kV 4H-SiC DMOSFETs and IGBTs

We compare the on-state and switching performance of high-voltage 4H-SiC n-channel DMOSFETs and p-channel IGBTs within a three-dimensional parameter space defined by blocking voltage, switching frequency, and current density. We determine the maximum current density each device can carry at a given switching frequency, such that the total power dissipation is 300 W/cm2. The IGBT current depends strongly on lifetime in the NPT buffer layer, and only weakly on lifetime in the drift layer. The MOSFET current is essentially independent of frequency.
PReS13-SPK-1350: Autoimmune responses following vaccination in healthy populations.

Vaccinations against infectious diseases are one of the major achievements in medicine in the last century and the most effective method for preventing infections. Concern about safety of vaccinations has been heightened by several reports of possible vaccine-induced autoimmune phenomena following various vaccinations. So far no study was able to show a casual connection between any vaccine and autoimmune syndrome. Few studies were published showing that induction of autoantibodies following various vaccination is possible, but without clinical significance. In few cases antibodies after vaccination were elevated even 6 months after vaccination. Induction of autantibodies, mainly antiphospholipid antibodies, in selected apparently healthy individuals was reported after influenza, hepatitis B and hepatitis A vaccination. Autoimmune manifestations reported have been only temporally related to the respective vaccine. Guillian Barre syndrome was described following vaccination against influenza and few other vacines, multiple sclerosis and arthritis were mainly reported after hepatitis B vaccination. There are some evidence to suggest a connection of reactive arthritis and rubella vaccine. Dermatomyositis was described following hepatitis B, tuberculosis, influenza and tetanus vaccinations. Recently a new syndrome Autoimmune-Autoinflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants-ASIA has been described. Highlights of lecture: - autoimmune adverse events following vaccinations is possible in selected individuals but the risk of autoimmune disease after vaccination is, comparing to advantages of vaccination, negligible. - induction of autoantibodies in selected individuals after vaccination has no clinical significance. - new generation vaccine, mainly oriented on finding safer and effective adjuvants, are needed. At present few effective adjuvants are considered safe for use in humans.
Single-coal-particle combustion in O2/N2 and O2/CO2 environments

Abstract A fundamental investigation has been conducted on the combustion of single particles of a bituminous coal (45–53, 75–90, and 150–180 μm), of a lignite coal (45–53 and 75–90 μm), and of spherical and monodisperse synthetic chars (43 μm) at increasing O2 mole fractions in either N2 or CO2 balance gases. The synthetic particles were used to facilitate the observation of combustion phenomena with minimum distractions from particle-to-particle variabilities. The laboratory setup consisted of a drop-tube furnace operated at temperatures of 1400 and 1600 K. A calibrated three-color pyrometer, interfaced with the furnace, recorded luminous particle temperature–time profiles. Experimental results revealed that coal particles burned at higher mean temperatures and shorter combustion times in O2/N2 than in O2/CO2 environments at analogous oxygen mole fractions. In the case of the bituminous coal used herein and for the experimental combustion conditions tested, measured volatile and char temperatures as in air (21% O2) were attained with an oxygen content in the CO2 mixtures in the neighborhood of 30%. Bituminous coal volatile and char burnout times comparable to those in air (21% O2) were attained with oxygen content in the CO2 mixtures in the range of 30–35%. In the case of the lignite coal burned, the corresponding differences in oxygen mole fractions, which result in similar particle temperatures and burnout times in the two different gas mixtures, were less pronounced.
International Policy Formation: The Development Of Restorative Justice Policy Within The United Nations

Restorative justice and its related terms moved from the background of ancillary sessions to the floor of the United Nations Congress. This article documents and discusses the transfer of local policy to the international arena using the UN forum and restorative justice as a case study. First, a historical timeline traces the three influential forces, (1) the United Nations forum, (2) the non-governmental organization (NGO) activities, and (3) the individual Member States’ activities, behind the restorative justice movement onto the UN agenda. An integrated modification of Blumer’s process of collective problem definition is used as a framework to analyze the policy formation. Finally, the context of how future researchers may make use of the process is analyzed by comparing the traditional research development framework to Blumer’s policy framework. A need for wide spread implementation and outcome evaluations are needed as the policy is implemented is among the key findings.
Sleep in the intensive care unit: Sleepy doctors and restless patients

AbstractThis review focuses on the adverse effects of sleep derangements on physicians and patients in the intensive care unit. Recent evidence suggests that the complexity and level of care delivered in the intensive care unit (ICU) has outstripped a trainee's ability to forego sleep and is compromising both physician and patient safety and thereby threatens the foundation of the profession. Sleepy physicians are not only more capable of committing medical errors, but are also more likely to suffer motor vehicle crashes, workplace conflicts, and occupational injuries. Moreover, critically ill patients may suffer from sleep derangements due to a host of factors that includes mechanical ventilation, ICU noise levels, and healthcare activities, although a majority of sleep disturbances in this population are as yet unexplained. Besides suffering at the hands of sleepy physicians, critically ill patients may experience adverse outcomes due to severe sleep derangements during their ICU stay. In conclusion, bo...
Short versus long cephalomedullary nails for the treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures in patients older than 65 years.

Objectives:To compare failure rates between short and long cephalomedullary nails used for the treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures in patients over 65 years of age.Design:Retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from medical records and radiographs.Setting:Three level 1 trauma center
Conformations of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) in various environments.

Enzymes bind NAD(+) in extended conformations and yet NAD(+) exists in aqueous solution as a compact, folded molecule. Thus, NAD(+) conformation is environment dependent. In an attempt to investigate the effects of environmental changes on the conformation of NAD(+), a series of molecular dynamics simulations in different solvents was performed. The solvents investigated (water, DMSO, methanol and chloroform) represented changes in relative permittivity and hydrophobic character. The simulations predicted folded conformations of NAD(+) to be more stable in water, DMSO and methanol. In contrast, extended conformations of NAD(+) were observed to be more stable in chloroform. Furthermore, the extended conformations observed in chloroform were similar to conformations of NAD(+) bound to enzymes. In particular, a large separation between the aromatic rings and a strong interaction between the pyrophosphate and nicotinamide groups were observed. The implications of these observations for the recognition of NAD(+) by enzymes is discussed. It is argued that a hydrophobic environment is important for stabilizing unfolded conformations of NAD(+).
Aflatoxin inhibition of glucocorticoid binding capacity of rat liver nuclei

The effect of aflatoxin B1 on the binding capacity of rat liver cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors and the nuclear binding of the activated receptor complex was investigated. No alterations in the kinetics of [3H]dexamethasonccytosol receptor complex formation were noted 2 h after treatment with 1 mg/kg aflatoxin B1. However, a 33% decrease in the concentration of nuclear acceptor sites and a 24% decrease in the glucocorticoid receptor-nuclear binding equilibrium constant of dissociation was observed. This response was near maximal at 2 h and persisted for at least 36 h. Inhibition of nuclear binding capacity was directly related to aflatoxin B1 dose, with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. Actinomycin D treatment (0.1 mg/kg) resulted in a slight reduction (16%) in the concentration of nuclear acceptor sites but had no effect on the nuclear binding dissociation constant. Administration of [3H]dexamethasone to aflatoxin B1-treated rats produced a similar pattern of glucocortocoid binding distribution in vivo to that observed in vitro. No differences in [3H]dexamethasone-cytoplasmic receptor binding between control and aflatoxin B1-treated rats were found, whereas nuclear [3H]dexamethasone binding was reduced 34% by aflatoxin B1 treatment.
Some elementary results concerning Pollaczek–Chebyshev polynomials

The Pollaczek polynomials are considered in the case λ = 1. As the other two parameters (a and b) tend to zero, these polynomials tend to the Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind and hence we call them Pollaczek–Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. A finite Green's function method yields an expression for the nth such polynomial in terms of those of lower order. Asymptotic expressions are obtained for the zeros of these polynomials closest to the endpoints of the interval of orthogonality. These expressions illustrate earlier general results on the zeros of Pollaczek polynomials.
A revolution coming to a classic model organism.

Classic gene targeting and gene replacement can now be achieved in zebrafish after cleaving the genome with engineered nucleases in the presence of donor DNA. This simple-to-implement method enables new classes of biological study in this important model organism.
A versatile approach to selective and inexpensive copper patterns using polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings

Versatile, highly selective, and inexpensive metal patterning techniques on various substrates are demanded for current research in microelectronic device fabrications. We present a new process for creating highly selective and cost-effective copper patterns that can be plated on virtually any substrate including plastics by combining polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings, microcontact printing, and electroless deposition. Optical microscope, atomic force microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to show the resulting copper structures exclusively plated where the patterned catalyst was electrostatically bound to the PEM coated surfaces. The copper plating rate was measured using a quartz crystal microbalance. The unpatterned polyelectrolyte surfaces are still active and can be used with additional processing to create complicated three dimensional metal architectures or even bimetallic patterns.
Blunt slender cones in viscous hypersonic flow

An experimental investigation has been conducted to obtain surface measurements and flowfield properties about blunt slender cones and to study viscous-inviscid coupling in hypersonic flow. The measurements, obtained on a 3° half-angle cone in helium at Mach 40, included surface pressures and heat transfer, shock-wave shapes, and detailed shock-layer surveys at angles of attack of 0°, 3°, ±5°, and ±10°. At zero angle of attack, significant changes caused by boundary-layer entropy-layer coupling were observed in the inviscid flowfield structure. An approximate theoretical inviscid-viscous calculation using a mass balance procedure to determine boundary-layer-edge quantities gave reasonable agreement with the experimentally determined surface quantities and shock-wave shapes. However, for the calculation of the details of a flowfield a more complicated analysis would be required. A correlation of blunt cone heat transfer was obtained for a range of Reynolds numbers including merged layer, viscous interaction, and thin boundary-layer cone flow regimes. At angle of attack on the windward cone rays, the flowfield structure and surface pressure distribution suggested that inviscid equivalent cone techniques are sufficient. The heat-transfer results indicated that neither equivalent cone nor approximate two-dimensional techniques are sufficient to predict the data.
Atmospheric corrections for mid-IR (3- to 5-μm) spectroscopy

Terrestrial spectroscopy in the 3 - 5 micrometer wavelength region offers unique applications, such as detection of carbon and sulfur compounds, and subpixel temperature determination of ground fires and volcanic lava flows. Two challenges in this region are the similar levels of solar reflected and terrestrial emitted fluxes, and the low values of both these fluxes making measurements of high quality more difficult than in the short-wave or long-wave IR regions. We collected airborne hyperspectral images with a Fourier transform spectrometer over seawater in a tropical environment combined with radiosonde data and MODTRAN atmospheric modeling, to distinguish ground radiances, atmospheric contributions, and spurious instrumental effects. Within the range of our radiosonde data (3 km altitude), MODTRAN very closely reproduces the sensor- detected mid-IR fluxes. Clear separation between solar reflected and terrestrial emitted components is achieved, and different atmospheric compositional spectral effects are analyzed. We applied the results from this well-truthed experiment, to spectra collected of the same locations at different times without supporting radiosonde data, to assess surface radiance accuracy and atmospheric variability.
Diagnostic Use of IDH1/2 Mutation Analysis in Routine Clinical Testing of Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Glioma Tissues

Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme isoforms 1 (IDH1) and 2 (IDH2) have been identified in many adult astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. These mutations are targeted to specific codons (e.g. R132 in IDH1 and R172 in IDH2), making assays to detect them in clinical specimens feasible. We describe a simple and accurate molecular assay for detection of IDH1/2 mutations on routine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Using this polymerase chain reactionYbased assay, we tested 75 glial neoplasms and 57 nonneoplastic conditions that can mimic gliomas including radiation changes, viral infections, and infarcts. Of the gliomas, 37 (49%) were positive for IDH1 or IDH2 mutations; the most common mutation was IDH1 (97%). Two of 12 gangliogliomas were positive for IDH1 mutation, and both had unfavorable clinical outcomes (p G 0.03). None of the nonneoplastic cases were positive for IDH mutations. The assay detected IDH mutations in biopsy material containing mostly glioma and in concomitant near-miss stereotactic core biopsies that were otherwise equivocal for the presence of glioma by light microscopy. These results indicate that testing for IDH1/2 mutations can be effectively performed in a clinical setting and can enhance the accuracy of diagnosis of gliomas when traditional diagnostic methods are not definitive.
A Synaptonemal Complex Protein Promotes Homology-Independent Centromere Coupling

We describe a process in meiotic cells of budding yeast in which chromosomes become joined together in pairs at their centromeres independent of chromosomal homology. These centromeric interactions depend on the synaptonemal complex component Zip1. During meiosis in wild-type diploids, centromere couples are initially nonhomologous and then undergo switching until all couples involve homologs. This transition to homologous coupling depends on Spo11, a protein required for the initiation of meiotic recombination. Regions of synaptonemal complex assembled early in meiosis are often centromere-associated. We propose that centromere coupling facilitates homolog pairing and promotes synapsis initiation.
Occurrence of Vine Decline Diseases of Melons in Honduras

A survey of vine decline diseases of melons (Cucumis melo L.) was conducted on three geographically separate farms (12 fields) in the area of San Lorenzo, Honduras, during the spring of 1996. Symptoms were typical of the vine declines in that the leaves began yellowing and collapsing in the crown just prior to harvest and the decline radiated outward. Crown lesions, typical of many of the vine declines, were observed infrequently. Most plants exhibited no crown lesion. Roots exhibited brown lesions and root corking, and were generally lacking root hairs, although the roots were not macerated. Fruit were small sized, low in sugars, and sunburned. Isolations were made from the crown area, primary root, and secondary roots of affected plants by excising 3- to 5-mm pieces and surface sterilizing for 30 to 60 s with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite. Four tissue pieces from each plant part were placed on 2.0% water agar plus 0.1 g of streptomycin sulfate per liter and their identity maintained. Plates were examined for fungal growth daily for 5 days and hyphal tips from all colonies were transferred to potato dextrose agar and Synthetischer nahrstoffarmer agar (2) to allow for sporulation. Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn was the predominant fungus isolated from affected plants in several fields, with an incidence as high as 75%. A Pythium sp. was isolated from primary and secondary roots of 50% of the plants on the Santa Rosa farm. Vines exhibiting tan to light brown crown lesions either on one side of the vine or encompassing the crown, but without gumming, always produced colonies of Fusarium semitectum Berk. & Ravenel. Fusarium solani (Mart.) Appel & Wollenweb. emend. W. C. Snyder & H. N. Hans. was isolated from roots of more than 30% of the plants, although this is not unusually high. Crown lesions typical of charcoal rot were observed in some fields, with Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goidanich being isolated from 65% of the plants in one field. Charcoal rot was a minor problem in all fields but one. Didymella bryoniae (Auersw.) Rehm was not isolated from any of the plants. A Stagonospora-like fungus, which has been demonstrated recently as a potential contributor to vine decline (1), was isolated on 17% of the plants from five fields on the Embarcadero Farm. Monosporascus cannonballus Pollack & Uecker was isolated infrequently in one field on the Santa Rosa Farm. This is the first report of M. cannonballus and a Stagonospora-like fungus in Honduras. References: (1) M. E. Miller et al. Phytopathology 86:S3, 1996. (2) H. I. Nirenberg. Mitt. Biol. Bundesanst. Land Forstwirtsch. Berlin-Dahlem. 169:1, 1976.
Feeding hydrogenated fatty acids and triglycerides to lactating dairy cows

Effects of feeding hydrogenated tallow fatty acids and triglycerides to lactating dairy cows were studied using five primiparous Holstein cows in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. A control diet with no supplemental fat and diets containing either hydrogenated tallow fatty acids or triglycerides at 2 and 5% levels were fed for ad libitum intake. Diets were isonitrogenous but not isocaloric. Each treatment period consisted of 28 d; the last 14 d were used for data collection. Fat-supplemented diets had no effects on DM intake, milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, and BW compared with the control diet. Energy intake and milk yields were higher for cows fed fat-supplemented diets. Adding fatty acids to diets increased milk fat percentage above that in milk from cows fed triglyceride diets. Apparent digestibilities of DM and OM were lowered by the addition of fat, mainly in response to fatty acid additions. Feeding fatty acids reduced ash digestibility compared with feeding triglycerides, and NDF digestibility also tended to be lower for cows fed fatty acid diets. Fat addition to diets reduced fatty acid digestibility; digestibility of added fat averaged 37.7%. Although of similar saturation, the triglyceride supplement was more ruminally inert than the fatty acid supplement. Esterification and degree of saturation are features of importance when processing tallow for use in ruminant diets.
CueO is a multi-copper oxidase that confers copper tolerance in Escherichia coli.

The putative multi-copper oxidase CueO had previously been implicated in intrinsic copper resistance in Escherichia coli. In this report we showed that the presence of CueO in the periplasm protected alkaline phosphatase from copper-induced damage. CueO contained four copper atoms per molecule and displayed spectroscopic properties typical of blue copper oxidases. CueO catalyzed the oxidation of p-phenylenediamine (pPD), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (DMP) and exhibited ferroxidase activity in vitro.
Questions for Meta-Analysis

In spite of an abundance of data, the empirical evidence as yet does not make clear whether meta-analysis will bring about progress in psychological science. Therefore, it is still useful and desir...
Deamidation, but Not Truncation, Decreases the Urea Stability of a Lens Structural Protein, βB1-Crystallin†

Crystallins, the major structural proteins in the lens of the eye, are maintained with little turnover throughout the lifetime of the host. With time, lens crystallins undergo post-translational modifications that may play an important role in loss of vision during aging and cataract formation. Specific modifications include deamidation and truncation. Urea-induced denaturation was studied for recombinantly expressed wild-type βB1 (WT), the deamidated mutant (Q204E), an N-terminally truncated mutant (βB1(ΔN41)), and other truncated versions of these proteins generated by calpain II digestion. Tryptophan fluorescence was used to monitor loss of global tertiary structure. Loss of secondary structure was followed by circular dichroism, and electron paramagnetic resonance site-directed spin labeling was used to monitor loss of tertiary structure selectively in the N-terminal domain. Our results indicated that the deamidated mutant was significantly destabilized relative to WT. Q204E showed a two-step denatura...
SATELLITE DNA COMPONENTS IN EUGLENA GRACILIS CELLS LACKING CHLOROPLASTS.

Satellite DNA components in the algal flagellate Euglena gracilis have been investigated by density-gradient equilibrium sedimentation in cesium chloride and by velocity sedimentation in linear sucrose gradients. Dark-grown cells which lack chloroplasts but retain the capacity for chloroplast formation were observed to contain at least two satellite DNA's, as previously shown for light-grown cells with chloroplasts. The higher molecular weight (20 to 40×l06) satellite DNA was identified as the component of buoyant density 1·685 g/cm3, while satellite DNA of the lower molecular weight (3×106) was identified as the component of buoyant density 1·690 g/cm3. Mutants of Euglena which lacked the capacity for chloroplast formation were found to contain the lower molecular weight satellite DNA (buoyant density 1·690 g/cm3) while lacking the higher molecular weight satellite DNA (buoyant density 1·685 g/cm3). The possible existence of a third satellite DNA (buoyant density 1·694 g/cm3) was indicated.
Monaural response properties of single neurons in the chinchilla inferior colliculus.

Abstract The responses of 274 inferior colliculus (IC) central nucleus neurons from 20 chinchillas were studied. Characteristic frequency (CF) increased as the IC was traversed in the dorsal-ventral direction. Most units had little or no spontaneous activity, with a mean threshold for response of about 30 dB SPL across all units. Tuning curve width varied between units, with a significant increase in Q20 with increasing CF. Peri-stimulus time histogram (PSTH) types were similar to those reported for cat inferior colliculus units. Transient, sustained, pauser, and buildup types were observed, with transient responses predominating. Response area (RA) types were also similar to those of cat IC units, with most units displaying stable best frequencies across a range of stimulus intensity levels. For a few units, excitatory RA regions were surrounded by inhibitory sidebands. Nonmonotonic discharge rate vs. stimulus intensity level functions were common in all CF ranges and for all PSTH and RA types. Mean first spike latencies, however, differed across PSTH groups, owing to the temporal definitions of these PSTH shapes. Latencies of sustained units were significantly longer than those of transient units, and buildup PSTHs showed significantly longer latencies than any other group.
Significance of Peptide Transporter 1 in the Intestinal Permeability of Valacyclovir in Wild-Type and PepT1 Knockout Mice

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively determine the contribution of PepT1 [peptide transporter 1 (SLC15A1)] to the intestinal permeability of valacyclovir, an ester prodrug of the antiviral drug acyclovir. In situ single-pass intestinal perfusions were employed (pH 6.5 × 90 minutes) to assess the effective permeability (Peff) of 100 μM [3H]valacyclovir in wild-type and PepT1 knockout mice. Acyclovir pharmacokinetics was also evaluated after oral administration of 25 nmol/g valacyclovir. In wild-type mice, jejunal uptake of valacyclovir was best described by both saturable (Km = 10.2 mM) and nonsaturable components where the saturable pathway accounted for 82% of total transport. Valacyclovir Peff was 2.4 × 10−4 cm/s in duodenum, 1.7 × 10−4 cm/s in jejunum, 2.1 × 10−4 cm/s in ileum, and 0.27 × 10−4 cm/s in colon. In Pept1 knockout mice, Peff values were about 10% of that in wild-type animals for these small intestinal segments. Valacyclovir Peff was similar in the colon of both genotypes. There were no differences in valacyclovir Peff between any of the intestinal segments of PepT1 knockout mice. Valacyclovir Peff was significantly reduced by the dipeptide glycylsarcosine and the aminocephalosporin cefadroxil, but not by the amino acids l-valine or l-histidine, the organic acid p-aminohippurate, or the organic base tetraethylammonium (all at 25 mM). PepT1 ablation resulted in 3- to 5-fold reductions in the in vivo rate and extent of valacyclovir absorption. Our findings conclusively demonstrate, using in situ and in vivo validations in genetically modified mice, that PepT1 has a major influence in improving the oral absorption of valacyclovir.
Comparison of ArcGIS and SAS Geostatistical Analyst to Estimate Population-Weighted Monthly Temperature for US Counties

Temperature changes are known to have significant impacts on human health. Accurate estimates of population-weighted average monthly air temperature for US counties are needed to evaluate temperature's association with health behaviours and disease, which are sampled or reported at the county level and measured on a monthly-or 30-day-basis. Most reported temperature estimates were calculated using ArcGIS, relatively few used SAS. We compared the performance of geostatistical models to estimate population-weighted average temperature in each month for counties in 48 states using ArcGIS v9.3 and SAS v 9.2 on a CITGO platform. Monthly average temperature for Jan-Dec 2007 and elevation from 5435 weather stations were used to estimate the temperature at county population centroids. County estimates were produced with elevation as a covariate. Performance of models was assessed by comparing adjusted R2, mean squared error, root mean squared error, and processing time. Prediction accuracy for split validation was above 90% for 11 months in ArcGIS and all 12 months in SAS. Cokriging in SAS achieved higher prediction accuracy and lower estimation bias as compared to cokriging in ArcGIS. County-level estimates produced by both packages were positively correlated (adjusted R2 range=0.95 to 0.99); accuracy and precision improved with elevation as a covariate. Both methods from ArcGIS and SAS are reliable for U.S. county-level temperature estimates; However, ArcGIS's merits in spatial data pre-processing and processing time may be important considerations for software selection, especially for multi-year or multi-state projects.
Accurate assessment of the strain energy in a protein-bound drug using QM/MM X-ray refinement and converged quantum chemistry

An ongoing question regarding the energetics of protein-ligand binding has been; what is the strain energy that a ligand pays (if any) when binding to its protein target ? The traditional method to estimate strain energy uses force fields to calculate the energy difference between the ligand bound conformation and its nearest local minimum/global minimum on the gas-phase or aqueous phase potential energy surface. This makes the implicit assumption that the underlying force field as well as the reference crystal structure is accurate. Herein, we use ibuprofen as a test case and compare MMFF and ab initio QM methods to identify the local and global minimum conformations. Nine low energy conformations were identified with HF/6-31G* geometry optimization in vacuo. We also obtained highly accurate relative energies for ibuprofen's conformational energy surface based on M06/aug-cc-pVXZ (X = D and T), MP2/aug-cc-pVXZ (X = D and T) and the MP2/CBS method (with and without solvent corrections). Moreover, we curate and re-refine the ibuprofen-protein complex (PDB 2BXG) using QM/MM X-ray refinement approaches (HF/6-31G* was the QM method and the MM model was the AMBER force field ff99sb), which were compared with the low energy conformers to calculate the strain energy. The result indicates that there was an 88% reduction in ibuprofen conformation strain using the QM/MM refined structure versus the original PDB ibuprofen conformations. Furthermore, our results indicate that, due to its inherent limitations in estimating electrostatic interactions, force fields are not suitable to gauge strain energy for charged drug molecules like ibuprofen. The present work offers a carefully validated conformational potential energy surface for a drug molecule as well as a reliable QM/MM re-refined X-ray structure that can be used to test current structure-based drug design approaches.