cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recognizing and referring at-risk youth

Nearly 20% of children and adolescents in the US have at least one mental health condition yet less than half of these youth are engaged in treatment. Violent acts such as school shootings, suicide and even bullying have been attributed in part to inadequate mental health awareness, screening and follow-up care in youth. Children and adolescents with persistent behavioral problems, low academic functioning and high rates of psychosocial adversity are ideal candidates for mental health screening in schools and the community. School-based screening offers easier access and less stigma while community care offers the opportunity for more specialized psychiatric evaluation and treatment. There are simple validated screening tools for the most common mental health problems in youth such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, autistic spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and suicidality. This paper provides an overview of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescen...
Preoperative pulmonary assessment of the older adult

Postoperative pulmonary complications in the elderly are common and are a significant source of morbidity, mortality, and prolonged length of stay. Risk factors differ from the well-known risk factors for cardiac complications and can be divided into patient- and procedure-related factors. Patient-related factors include COPD, recent cigarette use, poor general health status as defined by Goldman or ASA class, dependent functional status, and laboratory parameters including abnormal chest radiograph, renal insufficiency, and low serum albumin. Age is a minor risk factor when adjusted for comorbidities and confers approximately a two-fold increase in risk. Elderly patients who are otherwise acceptable surgical candidates should not be denied surgery based solely on age and concern for postoperative pulmonary complications. The surgical site is the single most important predictor of pulmonary complications. High-risk surgeries include thoracic, upper abdominal, aortic, neurosurgery, and peripheral vascular. Other procedure-related risk factors include surgery lasting longer than 3 hours, the use of general anesthesia, pancuronium use, and emergency surgery. Clinicians should not recommend routine preoperative spirometry before high-risk surgery because it is no more accurate in predicting risk than clinical evaluation. Patients who might benefit from preoperative spirometry include those who have unexplained dyspnea or exercise intolerance and those who have COPD or asthma in whom uncertainty exists as to the status of airflow obstruction when compared with baseline. After identifying patients at risk for postoperative pulmonary complications, clinicians can recommend strategies to reduce risk throughout the operative period. In addition to minimizing or avoiding the above risk factors, optimization of COPD or asthma, deep breathing exercises, incentive spirometry, and epidural local anesthetics reduce the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly surgical patients.
Dynamic alveolar mechanics in four models of lung injury

Objective To determine whether pathological alterations in alveolar mechanics (i.e., the dynamic change in alveolar size and shape with ventilation) at a similar level of lung injury vary depending on the cause of injury.
On coordination games with quantum correlations

A necessary condition is derived that helps to determine whether an entangled quantum system can improve coordination in a game with incomplete information.
Cholesterol and coronary artery disease what do clinicians do now

Coronary atherosclerosis and its clinical sequelae are problems of enormous magnitude. Because the first clinical sign of coronary artery disease may be sudden death, investigators have searched for signs or symptoms of coronary atherosclerosis before it becomes symptomatic. Among these signs or risk factors are elevated plasma levels of total cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or a reduced level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Recent studies complement older epidemiologic, genetic, metabolic, morphologic, and animal data by demonstrating directly in humans the value of cholesterol change. These studies have shown that a reduction in total plasma cholesterol or in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and/or an elevation in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol results in decreased development of angina, positive exercise test results, and referral for coronary artery bypass surgery, as well as reductions in more severe cardiovascular end points such as heart attack, heart death, and atherosclerotic plaque progression. In the Lipid Research Clinics Coronary Primary Prevention Trial with hypercholesterolemic men, every 1 percent reduction in plasma cholesterol levels was associated with a 2 percent reduction in coronary risk. Today, the issue is no longer whether a reduction in cholesterol levels is beneficial. The questions now are much more practical: whom to treat, when to treat, and how to treat. The potential public health value of reducing cholesterol levels is enormous. Such a reduction should be espoused by all health care professionals, because it promises a better and longer life for persons at risk for coronary artery disease.
Fruit Preferences of Four Sympatric Primate Species at Ketambe, Northern Sumatra, Indonesia

Recent researchers have drawn attention to fruit preferences in a variety of primates;for instance, in 1991, Davies noted that monogastric primates prefer the flesh of succulent, sugar-rich fruits, while colobines more often consume and digest large seeds of drier fruits. I compare fruit preferences in four sympatric primates— Hylobates lar, Macaca fascicularis, Pongo pygmaeus,and Presbytis thomas—which I studied concurrently at the Ketambe Research Center in northern Sumatra. I collected continuous focal animal data during 40–50 hr per taxon per month for 10 months and recorded fruit species size,pH, and descriptive attributes, including degree of ripeness, hardness, pericarp type, and number of seeds. The langurs prefer dry fruit seeds while the monogastric primates more often consume acidic, succulent fruit flesh. Further, H. lar, M. fascicularis,and P. pygmaeusvary significantly in preferences for fruits vis-a-visthe characteristics examined.
Evolutionary considerations of related Bacillus subtilis temperate phages phi 105, rho 14, rho 10, and rho 6 as revealed by heteroduplex analysis.

Abstract The temperate Bacillus subtilis bacteriophages φ105, ϱ14, ϱ10, and ϱ6 have previously been shown to be 80% homologous by studies on serology, host range, immunity, and plating efficiency on resistant cells. Physical analysis by restriction endonuclease mapping of phage DNA has also demonstrated that restriction sites and comigrating fragments are largely conserved (90% homologous). Here we show by heteroduplex analysis, using φ105 DNA as a standard, that these phage genomes have extensive nucleic acid homology. Phage DNAs were hybridized to φ105 DNA at 50 and 30% formamide conditions. The ϱ14/φ105 hybrid at 50% formamide showed three consistent denaturation bubbles: A-14 at the left end, and B-14 and C-14 in the central region. These bubbles were also present at 30% formamide indicating extensive nonhomology. The ϱ10/φ105 hybrid exhibited a single bubble close to a hybrid terminus at 50% formamide but not at 30%. A single central bubble and one split end were seen in the ϱ6/φ105 hybrid. To orient the molecules, a known φ105 deletion mutant, DI:2C, was hybridized to ϱ14. The degree of homology determined by measurement of double-stranded areas for this group of phages is 80%. The heteroduplex data show that some regions of partial homology exist indicating that sequence divergence has occurred as accumulated base substitutions but also that complete divergence has occurred, possibly by inversion, in larger-sized units in the central and left ends of these phage genomes.
Current status of physical measurements of the skeleton.

An overview is presented of some of the major methods of measuring the skeleton in the past 30 years. These include single photon absorptiometry (SPA), dual photon absorptiometry (DPA), quantitative computed tomography (QCT), and recently dual energy radiographic absorptiometry (DRA), also called DEXA (dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry). In addition to these methods, all attempting to measure bone mineral density, regional and total body calcium have been determined by in vivoneutronactivation analysis (IVNAA). An attempt to determine bone quality as contrasted with bone quantity has been made using ultrasound, with measurements of speed of sound and of attenuation as useful parameters to characterize bone tissue. While the various methods for measuring bone density have been most useful, no one method includes all the features required to be entirely satisfactory: excellent precision and accuracy and the ability to measure volumetric density in gm/cm3. Least successful has been the ability to predict fracture risk, an essential goal in helping the patient.
On the performance of random-coefficient pattern-mixture models for non-ignorable drop-out.

Random-coefficient pattern-mixture models (RCPMMs) have been proposed for longitudinal data when drop-out is thought to be non-ignorable. An RCPMM is a random-effects model with summaries of drop-out time included among the regressors. The basis of every RCPMM is extrapolation. We review RCPMMs, describe various extrapolation strategies, and show how analyses may be simplified through multiple imputation. Using simulated and real data, we show that alternative RCPMMs that fit equally well may lead to very different estimates for parameters of interest. We also show that minor model misspecification can introduce biases that are quite large relative to standard errors, even in fairly small samples. For many scientific applications, where the form of the population model and nature of the drop-out are unknown, interval estimates from any single RCPMM may suffer from undercoverage because uncertainty about model specification is not taken into account.
Cu 2 O/SWNTs/n-Si heterojunctions for enhanced light harvesting

To improve the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the SWNT/n-Si configuration, we introduce p-type wide bandgap semiconductor Cu2O nanoparticles into the void space of the SWNT network. This has brought in several improvements for the SWNTs/n-Si junction: (1) increase light absorption in the original void space through the newly formed Cu2O/n-Si junctions, the new part of the original SWNTs/n-Si junction; (2) enhance the utilization of photons at high energy (Cu2O has a larger band gap > 2.0 eV); (3) improve charge transport through the Cu2O/SWNT interface. It was found that the p-n heterojunctions form at the Cu2O/n-Si interface can help photon absorption and separate the electron and hole pair of the excitons; the short circuit current of the Cu2O-SWNT/n-Si devices increases with the thickness of the Cu2O film.
Terebrospira chattoni sp. n., a Parasite of the Endocuticle of the Shrimp Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis*

SYNOPSIS. Terebrospira chattoni sp. n. may be a species in transition between ectosymbiosis and endosymbiosis. It penetrates the epicuticle of Palaemonetes pugio and feeds on the endocuticle by dissolving galleries through it and absorbing the products of dissolution. Although similar in some respects to species of the endosymbiotic apostome genus Synophrya, T. chattoni is clearly related to ectosymbiotic apostomes that feed on exuvial fluid. However, instead of stimulating the metamorphosis of a phoront to a trophont, the host's ecdysis stimulates T. chattoni to metamorphose from a dedifferentiated trophont with 13 meridional kineties to a protomont, a predivision stage with 10 spiralled kineties. The protomont encysts and dedifferentiates to the division stage, an orthotomont with 13 kineties, either on the new exoskeleton before ecdysis, within a chamber in the endocuticle of the old exoskeleton, or on a substrate away from the host and the molt. The site of division determines the product of the division. On the new exoskeleton, the tomites in the reproductive cyst secrete walls around themselves thereby forming the lenticular, compartmented cysts characteristic of Terebrospira. Each daughter tunnels out of its compartment into the endocuticle. Although its infraciliature remains undifferentiated like that of the orthotomont, the ciliate in the gallery is the trophont, the only feeding stage in the life cycle. Daughters originating from the division of the orthotomont in a chamber in the endocuticle swim out of the exoskeleton at ecdysis. encyst on the substrate, and presumably form tomites. When the protomont itself leaves the molt, it encysts on the substrate and divides to form daughter cells with a rosette and the pattern of ciliature of the conventional tomite of other apostome genera. Tomites carry the infection to new hosts while compartmented cysts insure that the original host retains the infection. Terebrospira chattoni is always astomatous, although a dedifferentiated oral ciliature appears in the orthotomont and persists in the trophont. Terebrospira chattoni sp. n. is separated from T. lenticularis Debaisieux the other species in the genus because the latter species may divide outside a cyst and because T. chattoni has an extra reproductive stage in its life cycle.
Solving the paradox of nonconvergence: valence, position, and direction in democratic politics

Abstract One of the paradoxes of democratic politics is that in two-party electoral systems parties do not usually converge, although standard theories of party competition suggest they will. In this article we introduce the idea that electoral competition includes valence as well as position issues. This has a striking effect on party strategy, producing party divergence under both the traditional spatial model and the directional model. In addition, the presence of valence issues implies moderation for advantaged parties in directional competition.
Charge transfer in collisions involving symmetric and asymmetric resonance

The cross-sections for charge transfer in collisions between atomic hydrogen and O$^+$ and He$^{2+}$ ions are presented. Unique interest attaches to these processes because they may occur with small or zero energy defect. Theoretical conflict exists regarding the magnitude and energy dependence of the cross-sections for accidental resonance collisions; the present work was prompted by the need for further information. Cross-sections for symmetric resonance charge transfer between protons and atomic hydrogen are also presented for energies down to 20 eV. The experiments were carried out by means of the techniques of modulated crossed beams.
Performance modeling of reconfigurable distributed systems based on the opensparc FPGA board and the SIRC communication framework

In this paper we present a model for predicting performance of a distributed, reconfigurable computing cluster using commodity parts, specifically the Digilent OpenSPARC development board, and the SIRC Framework, developed by Microsoft Research. The goal of this work is to assist in determining the feasibility of deploying a similar system for a given problem. This work is aimed a low-budget and introductory projects that wish to leverage commodity hardware. This paper also provides experimental results for a reconfigurable, distributed system simulating various loading configurations.
A numerical study of stress singularities in a two-material wedge

Abstract A general numerical procedure for determining the stress singularity at the vertex of a two material wedge is presented. Using an eigenfunction expansion technique and assuming the asymptotic displacement field or stress potential to be of the form rλF(θ), a finite element approach is constructed. The dominant order of stress singularity is determined by solving the eigenvalue equation obtained from the finite element model. Numerical results for some specific problems are given. These results include the order of stress singularities at the free edge of an interface between adjacent layers in a laminated composite, as well as the case of an interface crack in a composite laminate. Results are also obtained by a spectral overlay on a finite element mesh through a least square procedure and show that if high resolution is used near the free edge, a good estimate of singularity can be obtained.
Isolation and identification of phase II enzyme-inducing agents from nonpolar extracts of green onion (Allium spp.)

The objective of the study was to isolate and identify potential cancer preventive constituents from green onion based on the ability to induce quinone reductase (QR, a representative phase II enzyme) in murine hepatoma cells (Hepa 1c1c7). Crude nonpolar solvent extracts were prepared from freeze-dried green onion by sequential refluxing with hexane and then ethyl acetate, followed by liquid-liquid extraction. Active fractions were subjected to the Hepa 1c1c7 bioassay-guided steps of flash chromatography, thin layer chromatography (TLC), and high-pressure preparative liquid chromatography (HPLC) to afford pure isolates capable of inducing QR. Multiple fractions were active in inducing QR. Five pure compounds were isolated from active fractions and identified using spectroscopic methods; these were p-hydroxyphenethyl trans-ferulate (1), 5,6-dimethyl-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid (2), ferulic acid (3), 1-(6-hydroxy-[3]pyridyl)-propan-1-one (4), and N-trans-feruloyl 3-O-methyldopamine (5). p-Hydroxyphenethyl trans-ferulate (1) doubled QR specific activity in Hepa 1c1c7 cells at a level of 2.1 microg/mL (6.6 microM).
Genetic factors in addiction: QTL mapping and candidate gene studies implicate GABAergic genes in alcohol and barbiturate withdrawal in mice

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping has allowed dramatic progress toward the detection and chromosome mapping of minor and major gene loci involved in murine responses to alcohol and other drugs of abuse. Here we focus on the identification of QTLs for one particular trait relevant to addiction, drug withdrawal following acute or chronic drug administration. To date, five significant QTLs ( p < 5 × 10 -5) and six suggestive QTLs ( p < 0.001) have been mapped to specific murine chromosomes for alcohol and pentobarbital withdrawal, indicating the presence of a relevant gene or genes at each location. Overlapping QTLs for alcohol withdrawal and pentobarbital withdrawal are identified on murine chromosomes 1, 4, and 11, and may detect the influence of common genes. For many QTLs, candidate genes with relevant neurobiological function lie within the mapped region. Notably, several QTLs for alcohol and pentobarbital withdrawal are in proximity to genes that directly or indirectly affect GABA A receptor-mediated transmission, which has been implicated in some of the actions of alcohol and other drugs. These include a cluster of GABA A receptor genes and genes encoding the enzymes steroid 5α-reductase-1 (involved in biosynthesis of the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone) and glutamic acid decarboxylase-1 (involved in GABA biosynthesis). This paper will discuss data that examines the involvement of GABAergic genes in withdrawal and other drug responses, including genetic variation in gene sequence, expression and function.
ACTH-INDEPENDENT UNILATERAL MULTINODULAR ADRENOCORTICAL HYPERPLASIA (UMAH) IN INFANCY: A DISTINCT ENTITY?

ACTH-INDEPENDENT UNILATERAL MULTINODULAR ADRENOCORTICAL HYPERPLASIA (UMAH) IN INFANCY: A DISTINCT ENTITY?
Nitric Acid−Water Interaction Probed via Isolation in Carbon Tetrachloride†

The interaction between nitric acid and water is investigated under conditions of limited water activity: at the aqueous interface and dispersed in the hydrophobic solvent, carbon tetrachloride. It is found that water forms only monomers in carbon tetrachloride at temperatures >0 °C. Addition of nitric acid shows features due to molecular nitric acid and the hydrates: nitric acid monohydrate (NAM), nitric acid dihydrate (NAD), and nitric acid trihydrate (NAT). Spectral features from water molecules weakly bound to nitric acid are slightly red-shifted from the symmetric and antisymmetric stretch of water monomers. The solvent-isolated results support a model in which nitric acid is molecular at the aqueous−nitric acid solution interface. The presence of molecular nitric acid at the interface has important consequences for atmospheric chemistry.
The intracellular distribution of metal ions in rat liver

Abstract Rat liver cell fractions were prepared by differential centrifugation, and analyzed for their content of nitrogen, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. Characteristic distribution patterns of the metal ions have been established for the cell fractions prepared under the conditions described. Significant proportions of the metal ions of the cell are found to be associated in a non-diffusible form with the sedimentable cell fractions. It is suggested that these metal ions may be a special and characteristic group of the total of such ions present in the cell, although their specific functions are as yet unknown.
Feasibility study of fuzzy control systems in machining processes

Abstract A new on-line force control algorithm was developed in machining operations by using fuzzy set theory. A simulation study was carried out in machining operations to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control system for the improvement of productivity based on experimental data. Fuzzy control logic proved very successfully in analyzing uncertain and complex systems which cannot be defined explicitly by mathematical tools because of properties such as multi input-multi output, non-linearity, time delay, etc. Also, the computation task and time is enormously reduced as compared to classical or modern control theory. Hence, it is possible to have real-time control of processes.
Identification of novel inhibitors that disrupt STAT3-DNA interaction from a γ-AApeptide OBOC combinatorial library.

From a γ-AApeptide-based one-bead-one-compound (OBOC) combinatorial library, we identified γ-AApeptides that can selectively inhibit STAT3–DNA interaction and suppress the expression levels of STAT3 target genes in intact cells. Our results demonstrate that in addition to the SH2 domain, the DNA binding domain of STAT3 is targetable for the development of a new generation of anti-cancer therapeutics.
Cure kinetics of thermosetting bisphenol E cyanate ester

Resin injection repair is a common method to repair delamination damage in polymer matrix composites (PMCs). To repair high-temperature PMCs, the resin should have a very low viscosity, yet cure into a compatible adhesive with high temperature stability. Normally, thermosetting polymers with high glass transition temperatures (Tg) are made from monomers with high room temperature viscosities. Among the high temperature resins, bisphenol E cyanate ester (BECy, 1,1’-bis(4-cyanatophenyl)ethane), is unique because it has an extremely low viscosity of 0.09–0.12 Pa s at room temperature yet polymerizes as a cross-linked thermoset with a high Tg of 274°C. BECy monomer is cured via a trimerization reaction, without volatile products, to form the high Tg amorphous network.
The Dynamic Effects of Land Title Systems

Abstract The question of title concerns which specific individual enjoys the property rights to a particular parcel of land when there are competing claims. This paper examines how the title system affects urban development in a market economy. It considers two alternative title systems, recording and registration. Both hasten the development pace relative to the social planner benchmark, but the registration system is generally closer than the recording system to the benchmark. The effects of the two systems on the capital-land ratio depend on whether the demanded capital-land density is rising or falling over time.
Measuring perceived 3D shape at multiple spatial scales.

Abstract We present and test a novel multiscale representation of perceived 3D surface orientation: the orientation path. Using a multiscale probe, we measure perceived surface orientation at multiple spatial scales; linking the measurements for a given surface location yields that location’s orientation path. The multiscale data obtained show that observers consistently see different surface orientations at different spatial scales. We demonstrate that such multiscale data can reveal multiscale differences between observers’ percepts of a stimulus and the stimulus geometry. We also demonstrate the use of the orientation path in evaluating the multiscale effects of adding a depth cue to a 3D display.
When are urodynamics indicated in patients with stress urinary incontinence

Despite technical and procedural advances in urodynamics over the past decade, the role of urodynamics in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) remains controversial. Many of these advancements have been the result of multicentric studies in the United States, such as the UITN and PFDN, which will be highlighted in this article. It appears to be the consensus that urodynamics may not be needed in pure stress incontinence. Urodynamics can be valuable in unmasking stress urinary incontinence in prolapse, although its impact on the ultimate management of occult incontinence remains debated. This article reviews the indications for urodynamic testing in women with SUI but will exclude more complex conditions such as mixed or recurrent incontinence which are outside the scope of this review.
Multilayer tunable ferroelectric materials and thin films

This work outlines the material processing technique used to fabricate a multilayer ferroelectric material BST (barium strontium titanate). The composition and thickness of each layer can be controlled such that a tunable multilayer frequency-selective device can be fabricated. The BST materials can be processed by a combination of sol-gel powder processing, tape-casting and microwave processing to yield a multilayer composite material having variable and tunable dielectric properties. For thinner layers, microwave assisted plasma deposition is used to prepare thin film BST from a sol-gel slurry.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Facilitatory effects of 4-aminopyridine on neuromuscular transmission in disease states

The in vitro effects of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on neuromuscular transmission were determined by microelectrode techniques in intercostal muscles from patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and the Eaton-Lambert syndrome (ELS), and in forelimb muscles from rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). In MG and EAMG, the amplitudes of miniature endplate potentials (MEPPs) and endplate potentials (EPPs) were reduced, and there was increased sensitivity to the blocking action of d-tubocurarine (dTc). In ELS, MEPP amplitude was normal but the average number of acetylcholine quanta released by nerve impulses was reduced, causing subthreshold EPPs. In EAMG muscle, 4-AP produced dose-dependent increases in EPP amplitude and in the duration of indirectly elicited muscle action potentials but no changes in MEPP amplitude and resting membrane potential. 4-AP completely reversed the postsynaptic blockade produced by dTc and EAMG. 4-AP appears to facilitate neuromuscular transmission in EAMG, MG, and ELS by increasing the neurally evoked transmitter release, thus overcoming either the pre- or the postsynaptic neuromuscular blockade.
Polydisperse polymers with random trifunctional branching. II. Weight‐averaging of chosen molecular size‐dependent functions and a restatement of the approximate distribution function

The product gzbZa is weight-averaged over the distribution of molecular species in a polydisperse polymer possessing randomly distributed trifunctional branch points. This permits comparison between branched and nonbranched polydisperse polymers of certain physical properties that depend upon the relative degree of polymerization, z, and upon the ratio of branched to nonbranched molecule mean-square radii, g = Rbr2/Rl2. Values of a, b, and γ (a branching index) are chosen for specific physical reasons and the computed ratios, are tabulated. The distribution function for the polydisperse polymer possessing randomly distributed trifunctional branch points is restated in terms of a modified Bessel function of the first kind. This form is of use since properties of the Bessel function are known and the tabulated values of this function are generally available.
Differences in the rat uterine weight-stimulating capacity of rat luteinizing hormone and other LH's: the non-physiologic nature of bovine and ovine LH in the rat.

Previous observations on an apparent causal relationship between species differences in the circulatory half—time of LH' in the rat and differences in certain aspects of the biological activity of these LH' have been extended, in this study, to the intact, immature female rat uterine weight assay. LH preparations (specifically, hCG, and human (hLH), simian (rhLH), rat (rLH), bovine (bLH), and ovine (oLH) LH'), largely devoid of FSH activity, were standardized in terms of one reference preparation (NIH—LH—Sl, ovine), and one bioassay (OAAD). On this basis, the activities of these preparations were then compared in another type of bioassay, the rat uterine weight method. Bovine and ovine LH', even in doses as high as 400–1000 μgEq of NIH—LH—Sl (OAAD assay) were ineffective in stimulating rat uterine weight increase. However, all other LH' were highly active in this regard. Relative potencies decreased in the order hCG, hLH, rLH, rhLH, bLH, oLH. Quantitative assessment, by simultaneous testing, of the potenc...
Nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling of the hdm2 oncoprotein regulates the levels of the p53 protein via a pathway used by the human immunodeficiency virus rev protein

The hdm2 gene is overexpressed in a variety of human tumors. Its gene product localizes predominantly to the nucleus, where it acts as an inhibitor of the p53 tumor suppressor gene product. It is shown here that the hdm2 oncoprotein constantly shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Shuttling of hdm2 does not depend on its interaction with p53. Nuclear export of hdm2 is mediated by a signal sequence similar to the nuclear export signal of the rev protein from human immunodeficiency virus and other lentiviruses. Mutation of this signal sequence abolishes detectable nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling. When fused to a carrier protein, the hdm2 signal sequence can mediate nuclear export after intranuclear microinjection into HeLa cells. The export of hdm2 can be blocked by a competitive inhibitor of rev export, arguing that the export pathways for hdm2 and rev are either overlapping or identical. Inhibition of its export modifies the ability of hdm2 to block p53-mediated transcriptional activation, and hdm2's export function is required to accelerate the degradation of p53. Thus the rev nuclear export pathway may be used to regulate an oncogene product's activity and modulate cellular growth.
1098 SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF CALCIFEROL AND PARATHYROID HORMONE ON CALCIUM ABSORPTION IN NEWBORN RATS (NBR)

Serum calcium (CaS) in NBR was 9.0±.05 mg/dl at spontaneous or Caesarean delivery; maternal CaS was 8.7±.08. At 20 hr, CaS was 7.6±.13 in nursing NBR and 7.1±.07 in NBR gavaged with calciferolfree simulated rat milk(F). When F was supplemented with ergocalciferol (D2, 41U/rat=800IU/Kg) , CaS at 20 hr was 7.0±.05. When F contained 1-25(OH)2D3 (10 ng/rat=2μg/Kg), CaS at 20 hr was 8.1±.06. Ca-free F gave a 20 hr CaS of 6.9±.05; with 1-25(OH)2D3 CaS was 7.0±.08, indicating that enhancement of CaS by 1-25(OH) 2D3 was due to intestinal absorption rather than bone Ca mobilization. When F contained no D2, parathyroid extract (PTE, .05 ml 1M) at delivery had no effect on CaS at 20 hr (7.0±.08). On D2-supplemented F with PTE at delivery, 20-hr CaS was 7.4±.10. Absorption of Ca was increased by 1-25(OH)2D3 but not by D2. CaS increased when both D2 and PTE were given, suggesting that hypoparathyroidism rather than insufficient renal hydroxylase or unresponsive mucosa caused the lack of response to D2 alone. The feto-maternal CaS gradient indicates a placental pump which may account for neonatal hypoparathyroidism on the basis of intrauterine suppression, as has been inferred for human subjects. Insofar as these results apply to human newborns, they suggest that the effectiveness of 1-25(OH)2D3 in the amelioration of neonatal hypocalcemia derives from functional hypoparathyroidism rather than from renal or intestinal unresponsiveness.
Evaluation of a prototype steerable angioscopic laser catheter in a canine model: A feasibility study

To overcome some of the persisting technical problems related to laser angioplasty, a new catheter was designed and investigated in a canine model. This 5F catheter contained a deflectable tip for steerability, an angioscope, and a laser fiber. Catheter steerability, angioscopic function, and the effects of a 480 nm flash lamp pumped pulsed dye laser on normal canine vessel walls were evaluated. Steering, angioscopic guidance, and application of laser energy were easy and fast to perform in a bloodless vessel segment. Maintaining a condition of bloodlessness at the target site, critical to angioscopic guidance, proved to be the most difficult part in this prototype evaluation. It was noted that the 480 nm pulsed dye laser did not cause macroscopic alterations or perforations to the normal vessel wall. We conclude that a relatively simple deflection mechanism of a small-caliber angioscope provides the kind of aiming ability requisite for precise endovascular therapy. Complete bloodlessness of the area is necessary for both viewing and laser ablation at 480 nm.
Cimetidine-induced bicarbonate production in canine gastric pouches

Secretion of HCO3− into a mucus-gel “unstirred layer” has been proposed as part of the gastric mucosal defense system. Cimetidine has a cytoprotective effect on salicylate-challenged gastric mucosa independent of its acid-inhibiting property. This study was done to (1) evaluate whether cimetidine increases gastric mucosal HCO3 and to (2) ascertain if ionic shifts accompany the HCO3− to explain the mechanism of its production. Six dogs with Heidenhain gastric pouches were fasted 24 hr prior to testing. Pouch access was provided by a cannula fitted with an airtight apparatus for test solution instillation and removal and transmucosal potential difference (PD) measurement. A test solution composed of 175 mM mannitol, 25 mM NaCl, and 50 mM EPPS buffer was used, its pH adjusted to above 8.0; 14C-labeled polyethylene glycol was added for volumetric determinations. Nine 15-min periods comprised each test: four control periods of iv saline infusion; a fifth period when an iv cimetidine bolus was given; and four test periods when doses of 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg/hr cimetidine were infused iv. Test solution (50 ml) was placed in the pouch and an initial sample taken; 15 min later a final sample was taken, the pouch rinsed, and the next period begun. Concentrations of HCO3−, Na+, K+, and Cl− were determined for each sample as well as changes in osmolality, pH, volume, and PD. Mean net HCO3− increased from 79 μmol/15 min during saline infusions to 109, 124, and 123 μmol/15 min with 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg/hr cimetidine iv; all are significantly increased compared to saline controls (P < 0.01). None of the other measured parameters changed significantly after cimetidine infusion. Cimetidine causes modest but significant increases in gastric mucosal HCO3−. The clinical role, if any, of these increases in HCO3− in gastric mucosal defense remains to be determined.
Indomethacin supresses renal vasodilation in response to local renal hypoxemia

Abstract Acute local renal hypoxemia (renal arterial pO 2 36±10 torr) was produced in anesthetized dogs during fixed volume perfusion of the kidney in situ with blood passed through an extracorporeal oxygen desaturating circuit. Local renal hypoxemia for 20 minutes was associated with a fall in renal perfusion pressure secondary to a decrease in renal vascular resistance. Treatment of these animals with indomethacin, 5 mg per kg intravenously, reversed the fall in renal perfusion pressure and renal vascular resistance in response to local renal hypoxemia. Systemic arterial blood pressure and arterial blood gases remained unchanged throughout these experiments. This study demonstrates that local renal hypoxemia reduces renal vascular resistance. Indomethacin treatment blocks this local renal vascular response to hypoxemia, suggesting that the response may be modulated by prostaglandins.
Voltage dependence of the MOSFET gate-to-source/drain overlap

Etude de l'effet de la tension de polarisation de la grille et de la source/drain (S/D) sur la mesure de la capacite de chevauchement de la grille a S/D des MOSFET s . Une methode de mesure avec la jonction S/D polarisee en inverse est proposee. Cette capacite depend enormement des tensions de polarisation et peut changer par 30% ou plus durant le fonctionnement normal d'un MOSFET
Relationship between juvenile hatching and acridine orange fluorescence of Heterodera glycines eggs

Uptake of acridine orange resulting from increased eggshell permeability is a reliable predictor of hatching for Globodera rostochiensis eggs. We conducted laboratory experiments to determine whether fluorescence of Heterodera glycines eggs stained with acridine orange correlated with hatching. Heterodera glycines eggs were incubated in sterile distilled water, zinc sulphate or soybean root diffusate and were stained with acridine orange 24 h prior to assessing fluorescence. Fluorescence of mature eggs positively correlated with hatching in zinc sulphate. Correlations in soybean root diffusate were positive, negative or non-existent, depending on the concentration of the diffusate. Although there were some significant correlations between hatching and fluorescence of H. glycines eggs in zinc sulphate, the relationships were not sufficiently consistent for this technique to be used reliably to predict H. glycines hatching in soybean root diffusate.
Surface molecular tailoring via pulsed plasma-generated acryloyl chloride polymers : Synthesis and reactivity

A variable-duty cycle-pulsed radio frequency discharge is shown to provide film chemistry control during plasma polymerization of acryloyl chloride. A nonlinear dependence is observed between the percent retention of acid chloride groups in the deposited films and the average power input during plasma polymerization. Significant C(O)Cl group retention is observed only under conditions of exceptionally low power input, as made available in the pulsed experiments. Additionally, relatively large scale systematic changes in surface morphology and film formation rates are observed with sequential variations in the plasma duty cycle employed during film formation. Specifically, film surface roughness decreases and the film thickness per joule of input energy increases as the plasma duty cycles employed are decreased. The plasma-generated films were employed in subsequent chemical reactions to attach target molecules to the substrate surfaces via facile reactions with the surface acid chloride groups. This conce...
Protease IV, a Unique Extracellular Protease and Virulence Factor from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Comparisons of virulence between a Pseudomonas parent strain and an isogenic mutant devoid of protease IV have demonstrated a significant role for this enzyme during infection. We have characterized purified Pseudomonas aeruginosa protease IV in terms of its biochemical and enzymatic properties, and found it to be a unique extracellular protease. The N-terminal decapeptide sequence of protease IV is not homologous with any published protein sequence. Protease IV has a molecular mass of 26 kDa, an isoelectric point of 8.70, and optimum enzymatic activity at pH 10.0 and 45 degreesC. Purified protease IV demonstrates activity for the carboxyl side of lysine-containing peptides and can digest a number of biologically important proteins, including immunoglobulin, complement components, fibrinogen, and plasminogen. Protease IV is not inhibited by thiol-, carboxyl-, or metalloproteinase inhibitors. The total loss of enzyme activity in the presence of N-p-tosyl-L-chloromethyl ketone and the partial inhibition of enzyme activity by diisopropyl fluorophosphate or phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride imply that protease IV is a serine protease. Inhibition by dithiothreitol and beta-mercaptoethanol suggests that intramolecular disulfide bonds are essential for enzyme activity. The characteristics of this enzyme suggest that inhibitors of serine proteases could be developed into a medication designed to arrest tissue damage during Pseudomonas infection.
Freezing resistance in polar fishes.

Arctic and antarctic fishes, living in contact with sea ice at -1.9°C, have plasma equilibrium freezing points near -1.2°C which are dependent on salt concentrations. These supercooled fishes have plasma protein concentrations much higher than other polar animals have, and the proteins impede ice propagation at temperatures down to -2°C. Plasma protein concentration increases as environmental water temperature decreases.
Kindergarten teachers' certification status and participation in staff development activities in relation to their knowledge and perceived use of developmentally appropriate practices (DAP)

Abstract Two factors are examined that may impact public school kindergarten teachers’ knowledge of DAP: certification status and participation in various staff development activities. Four research questions guide this investigation: (1) Is knowledge of DAP related to certification backgrounds? (2) Does extent of participation in different kinds of DAP‐related staff development relate to certification? (3) Does extent of participation in different kinds of DAP‐related staff development relate to knowledge of DAP? (4) Is there a combined effect of certification background and staff development on DAP knowledge? Knowledge of DAP was assessed with a modified form of the “Teacher Beliefs Scale (TBS)” and “Instructional Activities Scale (IAS)” (Charlesworth, Hart, Burt, & Hernandez, 1991; Charlesworth et al, 1993a). Three different certification types were compared: Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and Other/Specialized. Teachers were asked to report different kinds of staff development and teachers wit...
Abstract LB-238: Regulation of signaling pathways by endogenous small molecules

A major goal in cancer biology is the comprehensive understanding of signals that drive the growth and spread of cancer cells. My long term goal is to develop methods to isolate new small molecules that play a role in cancer signaling and then to identify the proteins that interact with these small molecules. Such small molecule-protein pairs are likely to be particularly good drug targets in oncology. To develop tools for this endeavor, we are focusing on the identification of small molecules that regulate the “Hedgehog” signaling circuit. Damage to this circuit has been shown to drive the development of a large number of adult and childhood cancers. We are taking advantage of the previous observation that molecules related to cholesterol, called oxysterols, can activate the Hedgehog pathway. To understand how these enigmatic molecules work, we are attempting to find the protein targets through which oxysterols function and also generating analogs of these molecules as novel modulators of this important cancer signaling pathway. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-238. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-238
Banking Strategies in the UK: A US Perspective

Banking strategies in the UK are examined from a US perspective. The attractive features of the retail and corporate sectors of the UK bank market are discussed and possible future opportunities and strategies. The need for relevant management skills and appropriate control systems is emphasised.
An analysis of the feeding behavior of daphnia pulex

The feeding abilities of Daphnia pulex were investigated by offering it suspensions of the small alga Chlamydomonas minutissima and its larger congener Chlamydomonas capensis. The suspensions differed in the relative abundance of the two algae and in th e presence or absence of intermediately sized latex spheres. The experiments were designed to distinguish between mechanistic and behavioral modes of feeding. Daphnia showed marked flexibility in its feeding patterns, consistent with the behavioral hypothesis. It preferred to feed on C. minutissima. Significant feeding on C. capensis occurred only when C. capensis-conditioned animals were presented suspensions relatively low in C. minutissima or in the presence of latex spheres. Analysis of gut contents revealed a reduction in the ingestion of latex spheres over time. Total carbon and life history analyses suggest that the preferred food, C. minutissima, is the superior food as well.
Stitching: pen gestures that span multiple displays

Stitching is a new interaction technique that allows users to combine pen-operated mobile devices with wireless networking by using pen gestures that span multiple displays. To stitch, a user starts moving the pen on one screen, crosses over the bezel, and finishes the stroke on the screen of a nearby device. Properties of each portion of the pen stroke are observed by the participating devices, synchronized via wireless network communication, and recognized as a unitary act performed by one user, thus binding together the devices. We identify the general requirements of stitching and describe a prototype photo sharing application that uses stitching to allow users to copy images from one tablet to another that is nearby, expand an image across multiple screens, establish a persistent shared workspace, or use one tablet to present images that a user selects from another tablet. We also discuss design issues that arise from proxemics, that is, the sociological implications of users collaborating in close quarters.
Re-analysis of the nuclear winter phenomenon

An analysis of the report of the (U.S.) National Academy of Sciences (NAS) on atmospheric effects of a nuclear exchange leads to conclusions that differ from those of the NAS and of the earlier “TTAPS” and “AMBIO” studies. Any cooling of the earth's surface is likely to beshort-lived because of rapid removal of the smoke clouds originating from nuclear burst-initiated fires, andminor because of appreciable green-house effects due to several distinct physical causes. (One of these, neglected in prior analyses, is the infrared absorption from cirrus clouds produced directly by the nuclear bursts.) Taken together, these effects may even induce slight surface warming (“nuclear summer”) instead of cooling (“nuclear winter”). The consequences to atmospheric ozone are similarly ambiguous; depending on the detailed nuclear scenario, the net ozone content may increase-rather than decrease as argued by “TTAPS”. Experiments could settle some uncertainties.
The Heat of Formation of Aluminum Nitride

The standard heat of formation at 298° K of aluminum nitride was determined by the direct nitridation of aluminum powder in a bomb calorimeter to be −76.47 ± 0.20 kcal/mole.