cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nucleation of apatite crystals in vitro by self-assembled dentin matrix protein 1

Bones and teeth are biocomposites that require controlled mineral deposition during their self-assembly to form tissues with unique mechanical properties. Acidic extracellular matrix proteins play a pivotal role during biomineral formation. However, the mechanisms of protein-mediated mineral initiation are far from understood. Here we report that dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1), an acidic protein, can nucleate the formation of hydroxyapatite in vitro in a multistep process that begins by DMP1 binding calcium ions and initiating mineral deposition. The nucleated amorphous calcium phosphate precipitates ripen and nanocrystals form. Subsequently, these expand and coalesce into microscale crystals elongated in the c-axis direction. Characterization of the functional domains in DMP1 demonstrated that intermolecular assembly of acidic clusters into a beta-sheet template was essential for the observed mineral nucleation. Protein-mediated initiation of nanocrystals, as discussed here, might provide a new methodology for constructing nanoscale composites by self-assembly of polypeptides with tailor-made peptide sequences.
Chiral syntheses of 6′-β-fluoroaristeromycin, 6′-β-fluoro-5′-noraristeromycin and aristeromycin

Abstract Carbocyclic nucleosides substituted at the C-6′ position are receiving increasing attention. Chiral synthetic accessibility to the biologically promising 6′-β-fluoroaristeromycin is lacking. Its preparation and that of the 5′-nor analogue are described. Along the way, a new method to aristeromycin arose as an outgrowth of a requisite structure proof.
Maximal Hyoid Excursion in Poststroke Patients

Reduced maximal hyoid excursion has been suspected as one of the primary physiologic causes of aspiration after a stroke. Vertical and anterior displacement of hyoid excursion is critical to epiglottic closure for airway protection and the opening of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). Without these carefully timed and well-executed components, the bolus cannot pass safely through the pharynx. The purpose of this study was to evaluate vertical and anterior displacement of the hyoid bone during oropharyngeal swallowing in two groups of subjects: (1) 16 stroke patients who aspirate before or during the swallow (aspirators), and (2) 33 stroke patients who do not aspirate (nonaspirators). Means and standard deviations for anterior and vertical displacement were analyzed for 5- and 10-ml thin-liquid boluses using the ImageJ program (136 swallows). A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was run with group and volume as independent variables. There was no significant difference between the two groups for vertical or anterior displacement. Maximal anterior displacement of the hyoid bone was slightly longer in nonaspirators than in aspirators. Aspiration before and during the swallow may be related more to the triggering of pharyngeal swallow than to the maximal extent of hyoid excursion.
"Bombay, U.K., Yuba City": Bhangra Music and the Engendering of Diaspora

In his 1992 song, “Mera Laung Gawacha,” British Indian deejay and record producer Bally Sagoo mixes the voice of Rama, a female, British-based Indian folksinger, with that of Cheshire Cat, a male d...
Group identities on units of locally finite algebras and twisted group algebras

We study locally finite algebras and twisted group algebras with units satisfying a group identity. As a preliminary result, we obtain a necessary condition for twisted group algebras to satisfy a generalized polynomial identity.
Synthesis of 11C-labeled (±)-5-methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5, 10-imine [(±)-[11C]MK801]

Abstract The synthesis of C5 labeled (±)-5-[11C]methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclo-hepten-5, 10-imine [(±)-[11C]MK801] has been accomplished via alkylation of (±)-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5, 10-imine-N-t-butylformamidine [(±)-5-des-methyl MK801 formamidine). The 11C labeling is accomplished by reaction of the anion of (±)-5-des-methyl MK801 formamidine, generated with s-butyllithium, and [11C]methyl iodide.
4 Radiological intervention in upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding

The role of angiography in acute upper GI tract bleeding is less a diagnostic than a therapeutic one because it provides a guide to selective embolization of either the left gastric artery, or the gastroduodenal artery and its two principal branches, the pancreaticoduodenal and the right gastroepiploic artery. Angiographic catheter techniques may also provide substantial diagnostic and therapeutic support for the management of acute lower GI bleeding from a variety of bleeding sources. The advantages are minimal invasion and relatively low risk. The intermittent nature of GI bleeding often interferes with the ability of angiography to demonstrate the source of bleeding. However, at times angiographic techniques provide the only reasonable means of localizing and controlling bleeding.
Observing parent‐child fantasy play

(1974). Observing parent‐child fantasy play. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 13, The Value of Play for Learning, pp. 287-296.
Does the Clock Make the Poison? Circadian Variation in Response to Pesticides

Background Circadian clocks govern daily physiological and molecular rhythms, and putative rhythms in expression of xenobiotic metabolizing (XM) genes have been described in both insects and mammals. Such rhythms could have important consequences for outcomes of chemical exposures at different times of day. To determine whether reported XM gene expression rhythms result in functional rhythms, we examined daily profiles of enzyme activity and dose responses to the pesticides propoxur, deltamethrin, fipronil, and malathion. Methodology/Principal Findings Published microarray expression data were examined for temporal patterns. Male Drosophila were collected for ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD), esterase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and, and uridine 5′-diphosphoglucosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme activity assays, or subjected to dose-response tests at four hour intervals throughout the day in both light/dark and constant light conditions. Peak expression of several XM genes cluster in late afternoon. Significant diurnal variation was observed in ECOD and UGT enzyme activity, however, no significant daily variation was observed in esterase or GST activity. Daily profiles of susceptibility to lethality after acute exposure to propoxur and fipronil showed significantly increased resistance in midday, while susceptibility to deltamethrin and malathion varied little. In constant light, which interferes with clock function, the daily variation in susceptibility to propoxur and in ECOD and UGT enzyme activity was depressed. Conclusions/Significance Expression and activities of specific XM enzymes fluctuate during the day, and for specific insecticides, the concentration resulting in 50% mortality varies significantly during the day. Time of day of chemical exposure should be an important consideration in experimental design, use of pesticides, and human risk assessment.
High values of ΔKa in the fluorescence of nitrogen dioxide and an improved fit of ground state inertial constants

Fluorescence of nitrogen dioxide excited by the 4545-A line of the Ar+ laser has been dispersed and recorded at high resolution. The most intense transitions arise from the 130,13 rotational level of the 2B1 excited electronic state. In addition to the allowed transitions having ΔKa = 1, weaker transitions with ΔKa up to 11 have been observed. Moreover, several spin-forbidden (F1-F2) transitions have been observed with intensity similar to that of the spin-allowed transitions. This result is unexpected on the basis of the near-prolate symmetric top description of the molecule and the heretofore presumed lack of large perturbations to these levels of the excited electronic state. A simultaneous fit has been performed of virtual spin-free combination differences of the ground vibrational state of NO2 taken from infrared and microwave spectra. This simultaneous fit yields inertial constants with smaller statistical uncertainty and superior predictive ability than constants derived from any single spectrum and is able to reproduce the fluorescence line positions to within experimental accuracy.
Renal graft survival and calcineurin inhibitor.

BACKGROUND Tacrolimus is associated with fewer acute rejections than cyclosporine, but a greater risk of new onset diabetes mellitus. When compared to no tacrolimus among nondiabetics in a large patient registry, it is associated with improved graft survival. The current study used the same patient registry to compare more correctly graft survival between nondiabetic renal transplant recipients initially immunosuppressed with either of the two most frequently used calcineurin inhibitors, tacrolimus or modified cyclosporine (CsA). METHODS We examined data provided by the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) on all first, single-organ, renal transplants to nondiabetic recipients that occurred during the years 1996 to 2000. Importantly, we then limited the study to patients on CsA (n = 7,867) or tacrolimus (n = 3,082) as the initial agent. Patients with both or neither were excluded. We used Cox proportional hazards regressions to estimate the tacrolimus-related relative risk of graft failure, controlling for other significant donor, recipient, and transplant characteristics RESULTS We found that tacrolimus patients had graft failure rates equivalent to those of CsA patients (hazard ratio= 1.031, P = 0.631) CONCLUSIONS Although tacrolimus is being used with increasing frequency, analyses of the USRDS data show no net advantage in the ultimate transplantation outcome, graft survival. Given the higher acquisition price of tacrolimus compared to CsA and the similar risk of graft failure, further studies should be conducted to define those patient groups for which tacrolimus might be cost-effective.
Mediated public diplomacy: US and Taliban relations with Pakistani media

This article provides a unique perspective on US–Pakistan and Taliban–Pakistan media relations in the context of the regional war on terror. Based on mediated public diplomacy and news construction literature, the authors explore some of the key challenges and opportunities that both sides face as they aim to influence Pakistani media coverage and win the political support of the Pakistani people. Eighteen online interviews with Pakistani media practitioners explore their perceptions of wartime media relations involving five main categories: US–Pakistani media relations, Taliban–Pakistani media relations, Taliban/extremist groups’ understanding of Pakistani news routines, US officials’ understanding of Pakistani news routines, and social media/internet as sources of information for Pakistani journalists. The study’s key findings are discussed in the context of wartime media relations and mediated public diplomacy.
Multidimensional spectra via the mixed quantum-classical Liouville method: signatures of nonequilibrium dynamics.

Multidimensional optical spectra are often expressed in terms of optical response functions. These optical response functions consist of contributions from a number of Liouville pathways that differ with respect to the chromophore's quantum state during the time intervals between light—matter interactions. The dynamics of the photoinactive degrees of freedom during those time intervals are dictated by potential energy surfaces that are explicitly dependent on the chromophore's quantum state. One therefore expects the system to hop between potential surfaces in a manner dictated by the Liouville pathways and the spectra to reflect the dynamics during the resulting nonequilibrium process. However, the approach commonly used to model spectra of complex condensed-phase systems is based on the ad hoc assumption that the photoinactive degrees of freedom undergo equilibrium dynamics on the potential surface that corresponds to the chromophore's ground state. In this paper, we formulate optical response in terms of mixed quantum-classical Liouville dynamics, which inherently accounts for the underlying nonequilibrium dynamics. It is shown that, when nonadiabatic transitions are neglected, the resulting formulation is equivalent to that obtained via the linearized semiclassical approximation. We demonstrate the feasibility and utility of the approach by using it to calculate the one-and two-dimensional infrared spectra of the hydrogen stretch of a moderately strong hydrogen-bonded complex dissolved in a dipolar liquid. The results are compared with previously reported spectra that were calculated within the framework of the standard equilibrium ground-state dynamical approach [Hanna and Geva J. Phys. Chem. B 2008, 112, 12991.], thereby shedding light on the spectral signatures of nonequilibrium dynamics in systems of this type.
Burden attributable to suboptimal breastfeeding: a cross-country analysis of country-specific trends and their relation to child health inequalities

Abstract Background In 2010, more than 7·7 million children died before their fifth birthday. Over 98% of these deaths occurred in developing countries. Within these countries, child mortality is concentrated in the lowest wealth quintile. Breastfeeding is a proven child health intervention available to almost all mothers and it does not require additional health infrastructure. However, breastfeeding prevalence remains low in many developing countries. This paper seeks to examine how breastfeeding prevalence and associated disease burden vary across countries and how breastfeeding interventions may affect child health inequalities. Methods Using data from more than 400 health and nutrition surveys and spatial temporal regression models, the prevalence of suboptimal breastfeeding was estimated for 137 developing countries from 1990 to 2012. These estimates were compared against WHO infant feeding recommendations and combined with effect sizes from existing literature to estimate associated disease burden using a standard comparative risk assessment approach. These data were disaggregated by wealth quintile and compared with coverage rates for other child health interventions to assess how improved rates of breastfeeding may affect child health inequalities. Findings In 2010, the estimated prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding ranged from 3·5% in Djibouti to 77·3% in Rwanda. The estimated proportion of child disability-adjusted life-years attributable to breastfeeding is 7·6% at the global level and as high as 20·2% in Swaziland. Breastfeeding is a leading childhood risk factor in all developing countries and consistently ranks higher than water and sanitation. Within countries, breastfeeding practices vary considerably across wealth quintiles. Interpretation Breastfeeding is an effective child health intervention that does not require extensive health-system infrastructure. Improvements in rates of exclusive and continued breastfeeding can contribute to the reduction of child mortality inequalities in developing countries. Active promotion of breastfeeding can prevent a large proportion of child deaths and disease burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Measurement of behavior of rats under isolation and observations on preliminary drug effects.

1. Rats were maintained under chronic isolation except for weekly testing with another rat in an open field situation. Such chronic isolates were more active than chronically grouped rats during testing. 2. Activity in the open field increased with duration of isolation, a maximum being reached at 35 days. Thereafter activity gradually decreased until, after 20 weeks of isolation, activity of grouped and isolated rats was not significantly different. Other behavior changes observed in the isolated rats were increased episodes of aggression and “following” the other rat. 3. Chlorpromazine, 5 mg/kg, decreased activity of isolated animals without affecting grouped animals. 4. Methamphetamine, 0.5 mg/kg, increased activity of grouped animals but not of isolates. 5. Higher doses of both drugs (chlorpromazine, 7.5 mg/kg, and methamphetamine, 1 mg/kg) significantly altered activity of both isolated and grouped rats, the first depressing and the second increasing activity. 6. Although all these rats were tested under identical conditions of pairing, the previous environment (isolation or grouping) before testing had a marked effect on the response to centrally acting drugs. 7. It is concluded that the sensitivity of the open field test for measuring some behavioral effects of isolation can be increased by using pairs of rats during testing and that differential effects of drugs can be detected with this method.
Ultra-efficiency via sublinearity

The XRDS blog highlights a range of topics from security and privacy to neuroscience. Selected blog posts, edited for print, will be featured in every issue. Please visit xrds.acm.org/blog to read each post in its entirety.
Reservoir time-scales for anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere: commentary

(1996). Reservoir time-scales for anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere: commentary. Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology: Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 703-706.
Endotracheal intubation skill acquisition by medical students

Background: During the course of their training, medical students may receive introductory experience with advanced resuscitation skills. Endotracheal intubation (ETI - the insertion of a breathing tube into the trachea) is an example of an important advanced resuscitation intervention. Only limited data characterize clinical ETI skill acquisition by medical students. We sought to characterize medical student acquisition of ETI procedural skill. Methods: The study included third-year medical students participating in a required anesthesiology clerkship. Students performed ETI on operating room patients under the supervision of attending anesthesiologists. Students reported clinical details of each ETI effort, including patient age, sex, Mallampati score, number of direct laryngoscopies and ETI success. Using mixed-effects regression, we characterized the adjusted association between ETI success and cumulative ETI experience. Results: ETI was attempted by 178 students on 1,646 patients (range 1-23 patients per student; median 9 patients per student, IQR 6-12). Overall ETI success was 75.0% (95% CI 72.9-77.1%). Adjusted for patient age, sex, Mallampati score and number of laryngoscopies, the odds of ETI success improved with cumulative ETI encounters (odds ratio 1.09 per additional ETI encounter; 95% CI 1.04-1.14). Students required at least 17 ETI encounters to achieve 90% predicted ETI success. Conclusions: In this series medical student ETI proficiency was associated with cumulative clinical procedural experience. Clinical experience may provide a viable strategy for fostering medical student procedural skills. Keywords: clinical skills; education environment; practical procedures; medical education research (Published: 23 August 2011) Citation: Medical Education Online 2011, 16 : 7309 - DOI: 10.3402/meo.v16i0.7309
Simulated Convective Lines with Leading Precipitation. Part II: Evolution and Maintenance

Abstract This article, the second of two describing a study in which the authors used idealized numerical simulations to investigate front-fed convective lines with leading stratiform precipitation (FFLS systems), addresses the dynamics and sensitivities governing the systems' evolution toward other structures and their sustenance despite the apparent contamination of their inflow by preline precipitation. Sensitivity tests show that the middle- and upper-tropospheric wind shear are important to the updraft tilt and overall structure of the simulated systems. In time, simulated FFLS systems tend to evolve toward a convective line with trailing stratiform (TS) precipitation structure because they tend to decrease the line-perpendicular vertical wind shear nearby. This, along with gradual increases in the system's cold pool strength, contributes to more rearward-sloping updrafts and may initiate a positive feedback mechanism that hastens transition toward TS structure. However, whereas the system's tendency...
Assimilating remotely sensed snow observations into a macroscale hydrology model

Abstract Accurate forecasting of snow properties is important for effective water resources management, especially in mountainous areas like the western United States. Current model-based forecasting approaches are limited by model biases and input data uncertainties. Remote sensing offers an opportunity for observation of snow properties, like areal extent and water equivalent, over larger areas. Data assimilation provides a framework for optimally merging information from remotely sensed observations and hydrologic model predictions. An ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) was used to assimilate remotely sensed snow observations into the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) macroscale hydrologic model over the Snake River basin. The snow cover extent (SCE) product from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) flown on the NASA Terra satellite was used to update VIC snow water equivalent (SWE), for a period of four consecutive winters (1999–2003). A simple snow depletion curve model was used for the necessary SWE–SCE inversion. The results showed that the EnKF is an effective and operationally feasible solution; the filter successfully updated model SCE predictions to better agree with the MODIS observations and ground surface measurements. Comparisons of the VIC SWE estimates following updating with surface SWE observations (from the NRCS SNOTEL network) indicated that the filter performance was a modest improvement over the open-loop (un-updated) simulations. This improvement was more evident for lower to middle elevations, and during snowmelt, while during accumulation the filter and open-loop estimates were very close on average. Subsequently, a preliminary assessment of the potential for assimilating the SWE product from the advanced microwave scanning radiometer (AMSR-E, flown on board the NASA Aqua satellite) was conducted. The results were not encouraging, and appeared to reflect large errors in the AMSR-E SWE product, which were also apparent in comparisons with SNOTEL data.
Purification of human myeloperoxidase by Concanavalin A-Sepharose affinity chromatography.

Myeloperoxidase (E.C. 1.11.1.7. Donor: H2O2 oxidoreductase), an enzyme of the azurophil granule of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, has been purified from the blood of a single human donor. Leukocytes were harvested by dextran sedimentation and contaminating erythrocytes were removed by hypotonic lysis. Myeloperoxidase was extracted from the leukocytes by dissolution in cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CETAB). The extract was adsorbed to a Con A-Sepharose gel, eluted with alpha-methyl-D-mannoside and rechromatographed on Sephadex G-200. Approximately 100% of the initial peroxidase activity was recovered in the final preparation, which was homogeneous by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis at pH 4.5 and displayed the typical oxidized and reduced absorption spectra of purified myeloperoxidase. The oxidized enzyme showed a Soret maximum at 430 nm which shifted to 470 nm upon reduction. The molecular weight was estimated by G-200 Sephadex gel filtration chromatography to be 146,000 daltons.
Twilight airglow 2. N2 + emission at 3914 Å

One of the experiments aboard a rocket flight carrying instruments to measure the dawn airglow, the ion and electron densities, and the photoelectron spectrum is reported. For a solar zenith angle of 90 deg the emission at 3914 A from N2(+) peaks at about 260 km. The integrated intensity from model calculations suggests that resonance scattering of 3914-A solar photons off N2(+) produces 90% of the emission, whereas simultaneous photoionization excitation of N2(+) produces less than 10% of the emission. Photoelectron impact excitation is found to contribute about 1%.
Ribonuclease V of Escherichia coli: Susceptibility of Heated Ribosomal RNA and Stability of R17 Phage RNA

Native ribosomal RNA anid inttact pliage R17 RNA are insensitive to attack by ribonuclease V, an exonucleolytic activity associated with ribosome movement on the substrate RNA. However, ribosomal RNA becomes a substrate when it is heated under conditions that make it a template for protein synthesis, and R17 RNA is attacked if it is either heated or fragmnented. Accessibility of the 5' terminus of an RNA molecule is probably inzcreased by heating or fragmnentation and may determine its susceptibility to ribonuclease V.
The problem of image interpretation in mammography: effects of lesion conspicuity on the visual search strategy of radiologists

Radiologists make the decision to report or dismiss a possible cancer based not only on the finding itself, but also in the comparison with selected areas of the background. We examined the effects of fixating, for the first time, the location where the radiologist either reported the presence of a malignant mass or visually inspected the mass but did not report it, and the effects of pairing radiologists to read the same cases. Four experienced mammographers participated in this experiment. They read a set of 20 cases twice. Eye-position tracking was used to monitor the visual search behaviour of the observers. Spatial frequency analysis was used to determine the characteristics of the areas of the background fixated by the observers. Radiologists had more fixations in the cases where they agreed how to manage the lesion than when they disagreed. Correlation between the areas of the background sampled by the radiologists and an "average" representation of the background increased after the observers fixated for the first time a malignant mass that they reported. Fixating, for the first time, a location where the radiologist reports a malignant mass or a location containing a cancer that the radiologist visually inspects but decides not to report, has a significant effect on any further sampling of the background. Furthermore, care should be taken when pairing radiologists, because some observers showed such a similar visual search behaviour that not much would be gained by having them read the same cases.
Glitter and Doom at the Metropolitan: German Art in Search of the Self∗

“To become a self is the urge of all souls that lack as yet an essence. This self I am searching for in my life – and in my painting”, the German painter Max Beckmann told his audience on the occas...
Density-dependent mate searching strategies of male woodfrogs

Individually marked male woodfrogs, Rana sylvatica, were monitored throughout the night in an unmanipulated aggregation and in an aggregation with artificially reduced density. Males were less active in the low density aggregation. Movement was modelled using a computer simulation that assumed that male movement patterns resulted from chance encounters between searching males. The model success-fully predicted the results observed at the low density, but was unable to predict those observed at the high density. This suggest that males may assess density and actively respond to it. A second result was that males in the low density aggregation were more likely to search for mates at the oviposition site, but males in the high density aggregation were more likely to search at the aggregation periphery. This change in behaviour is predicted by a simple evolutionarily stable strategy model.
Open and Arthroscopic Surgical Anatomy of the Ankle

Ankle-related complaints are among the most commonly encountered problems for musculoskeletal clinicians. Ankle pathology is widely variable, including, but not limited to, fractures, deformity, infection, oncologic diseases, neuromuscular conditions, and arthritis. While nonoperative management with activity modification, bracing and/or shoe modifications, and medications is usually indicated as first line of treatment, surgical intervention may become necessary. A thorough understanding of the complex anatomy and biomechanics of the ankle, and in particular, the potential neurovascular structures that may be encountered, is important to reduce complications and obtain good surgical outcomes. The purpose of this review is to discuss the most common open and arthroscopic exposures to the ankle with a focus on surgically relevant anatomy for each approach.
Development and Validation of an Estuarine Biotic Integrity Index

We tested hypotheses about how estuarine fish assemblages respond to habitat degradation and then integrated these responses into an overall index, the Estuarine Biotic Integrity Index (EBI), which summarized observed changes. Fish assemblages (based on trawl catches) and habitat quality were measured monthly or biweekly at nine sites in two estuaries from March 1988 to June 1990. Submerged aquatic vegetation habitats were classified as low or medium quality based on year-round measurements of chemical and physical characteristics (phytoplankton blooms; macroalgae; dissolved oxygen; nutrients; dredged channels). We tested 15 metrics and selected 8 for inclusion in the EBI: total number of species, dominance, fish abundance (number or biomass), number of nursery species, number of estuarine spawning species, number of resident species, proportion of benthic-associated fishes, and proportion abnormal or diseased. Fish assemblages in low-quality sites had lower number of species, density, biomass, and dominance compared with medium-quality sites. Fish abundance peaked in July and August, and was lowest in January to March. The seasonal cycle in low-quality sites was damped compared with medium-quality sites. Abundances of fishes using estuaries as a spawning and nursery area and of benthic species were lower in low-quality sites compared to medium-quality sites. The individual metrics and the overall index correlated with habitat degradation. The EBI based on biomass did not do better than the EBI based on number, indicating that the extra effort to obtain biomass may not be warranted. We suggest the EBI is a useful indicator of estuarine ecosystem status because it reflects the relationship between anthropogenic alterations in estuarine ecosystems and the status of higher trophic levels.
Analysis of the covariance structure of digital ridge counts in the offspring of monozygotic twins.

Improved methods for analysis of covariance structures now permit the rigorous testing of multivariate genetic hypotheses. Using Joreskog 's Lisrel IV computer program we have conducted a confirmatory factor analysis of dermal ridge counts on the individual fingers of 509 offspring of 107 monozygotic twin pairs. Prior to the initiation of the model-fitting procedure, the sex-adjusted ridge counts for the offspring of male and female twins were partitioned by a multivariate nested analysis of variance yielding five 10 x 10 variance-covariance matrices containing a total of 275 distinctly observed parameters with which to estimate latent sources of genetic and environmental variation and test hypotheses about the factor structure of those latent causes. To provide an adequate explanation for the observed patterns of covariation, it was necessary to include additive genetic, random environmental, epistatic and maternal effects in the model and a structure for the additive genetic effects which included a general factor and allowed for hand assymmetry and finger symmetry. The results illustrate the value of these methods for the analysis of interrelated metric traits.
Structural, electronic and optical properties of a large random network model of amorphous SiO2 glass

Abstract The network bonding, electron states and optical excitation of a larger continuous random network (CRN) model of amorphous SiO2 (a-SiO2) glass with 432 SiO2 molecules (1296 atoms) are studied by first-principles methods. A previously constructed model with perfect Si and O coordination and periodic boundary condition is first relaxed by Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP) with high accuracy. The final model with a density 2.202 gm/c.c. and very small bond length and bond angle distortions is obtained. The calculated electronic structure and optical properties of this CRN a-SiO2 glass are in very good agreement with experimental data. This model can serve as a base-line model for silica glass for further research on models containing defects, intentional doping or under high pressure. Comparison with crystalline α-quartz (α-SiO2) yields much insight on the subtle differences between a non-crystalline solid with no long range order and its crystalline counterpart with the same short range order.
Coalescent-based method for learning parameters of admixture events from large-scale genetic variation data

Detecting and quantifying the timing and the genetic contributions of parental populations to a hybrid population is an important but challenging problem in reconstructing evolutionary histories from genetic variation data. With the advent of high throughput genotyping technologies, new methods suitable for large-scale data are especially needed. Furthermore, existing methods typically assume the assignment of individuals into subpopulations is known, when that itself is a difficult problem often unresolved for real data. Here we propose a novel method that combines prior work for inferring non-reticulate population structures with an MCMC scheme for sampling over admixture scenarios to both identify population assignments and learn divergence times and admixture proportions for those populations using genome-scale admixed genetic variation data. We validated our method using coalescent simulations and a collection of real bovine and human variation data. On simulated sequences, our methods show better accuracy and faster runtime than leading competitive methods in estimating admixture fractions and divergence times. Analysis on the real data further shows our methods to be effective at matching our best current knowledge about the relevant populations.
Bladder cancer: etiology and pathophysiology.

Abstract Cancer of the bladder is a very complex disease. While it is known that bladder cancers are most prevalent in industrialized countries, the disease may be found almost anywhere in the world. Much is still unknown about the etiology and pathophysiology of bladder cancer. The tumors may be of several different histologic types and are most likely caused by exposure to a combination of carcinogenic agents. Research projects are ongoing to discover the exact causes of this disease so that it may be prevented or discovered early, and treated with improved rates of cure.
Reducing SIE solution time via a multilevel geometry description and split basis assembly

This paper outlines the advantage of applying domain decomposition to arbitrary surfaces via a multilevel geometry description (MLGD). By constructing the desired simulation surface from embedded lists of subsurface location vectors and orientation matrices; storage, compute, and matrix fill time formulations can be significantly reduced. We discuss proper formation of a multilevel geometry and outline a real-time method for determination of the minimal interaction set within the structure. Basis assembly performed both interior and exterior to the matrix-vector product allowing application of multipole acceleration to bases spanning multiple subdomains is also detailed.
Structure and Activity of NiO/ɑ-Al_2O_3 and NiO/ZrO_2 Calcined at High Temperatures II. Activity in the Fuel-Rich Oxidation of Methane

The activity of NiO/α-Al_2O_3 and NiO/ZrO_2 in the fuel-rich oxidation of methane was measured as a function of time-on-stream for different initial calcination temperatures and for different reduction-reoxidation treatments. The activity was found to decrease substantially with increasing temperature of calcination. However, the activity of the calcined catalysts increased sharply following reduction in H_2 prior to reaction. The changes in total activity are discussed in terms of changes in surface area and specific activity, the latter being the dominant factor. The change in specific activity is discussed in terms of changes in the content of excess oxygen.
Evidence for glucocorticoid target cells in the rat optic nerve. Hormone binding and glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase induction.

: Biochemical evidence suggests that neuroglia are responsive to glucocorticoids, yet previous studies of glucocorticoid localization have typically failed to demonstrate significant uptake by neuroglial cells. To further investigate this problem, we measured glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity and glucocorticoid receptor binding capacity in normal rat optic nerves and in those undergoing Wallerian (axonal) degeneration. Binding studies were also performed on hippocampus and anterior pituitary for comparison purposes. Normal optic nerve preparations possessed a high level of GPDH activity that was glucocorticoid-inducible and that increased further following axonal degeneration. Antibody inactivation experiments demonstrated the presence of more enzyme molecules in the degenerating nerve preparations. Correlative immunocytochemical studies found GPDH-positive reaction product only in morphologically identified oligodendrocytes, a result that is consistent with the previously reported localization of this enzyme in rat brain. Optic nerve cytosol fractions displayed substantial high-affinity binding of both dexamethasone (DEX) and corticosterone (CORT) that, like GPDH, was elevated approximately twofold in degenerating nerves. Finally, in vivo accumulation of [3H]DEX and [3H]CORT by optic nerve and other myelinated tracts was examined using nuclear isolation and autoradiographic methods. Although neither steroid was found to be heavily concentrated by these tissues in vivo, a small preference for DEX was observed in the nuclear uptake experiments. These results are discussed in terms of the hypothesis that glial cells are targets for glucocorticoid hormones.
Diagenetic formation of bedded chert: Evidence from chemistry of the chert-shale couplet

Theories concerning the formation of bedded chert traditionally have emphasized either depositional or diagenetic processes. Major and rare earth element data from Franciscan assemblage (Mesozoic) and Claremont Formation (Miocene) bedded chert sequences, along with physical observations such as the presence of rare and highly corroded radiolarians in shale interbeds, are most consistent with a dominantly diagenetic origin of chert-shale couplets and are incompatible with many depositional theories. Chemical distributions between Franciscan and Claremont bedded chert-shale closely match chemical fractionations recorded by Monterey Formation and Deep Sea Drilling Project-sampled cherts formed by diagenetic SiO{sub 2} dissolution, transport, and reprecipitation, suggesting that diagenetic migration of SiO{sub 2} from proto-shale to proto-chert is also largely responsible for chert-shale couplets. Identical Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce*) found in immediately adjacent chert-shale layers indicate that turbidites or other transport mechanisms are not responsible for the alternating beds. Neither the chemistry of the chert-shale couplet nor the overall stratigraphy of the sequences is consistent with couplet formation being caused by productivity fluctuations. Chemical mass balance calculations reconstructing the total bulk sediment composition suggest that modern siliceous sequences do not contain enough labile biogenic SiO{sub 2} to form entire stratigraphies of bedded chert.
Proactive defense for evolving cyber threats

There is significant interest to develop proactive approaches to cyber defense, in which future attack strategies are anticipated and these insights are incorporated into defense designs. This paper considers the problem of protecting computer networks against intrusions and other attacks, and leverages the coevolutionary relationship between attackers and defenders to derive two new methods for proactive network defense. The first method is a bipartite graph-based machine learning algorithm which enables information concerning previous attacks to be “transferred” for application against novel attacks, thereby substantially increasing the rate with which defense systems can successfully respond to new attacks. The second approach involves exploiting basic threat information (e.g., from cyber security analysts) to generate “synthetic” attack data for use in training defense systems, resulting in networks defenses that are effective against both current and (near) future attacks. The utility of the proposed methods is demonstrated by showing that they outperform standard techniques for the task of detecting malicious network activity in two publicly-available cyber datasets.
Proteasome‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms for FosB destabilization: identification of FosB degron domains and implications for ΔFosB stability

The transcription factor DeltaFosB (Delta FosB) accumulates in a region-specific manner in the brain during chronic exposure to stress, drugs of abuse or other chronic stimuli. Once induced, DeltaFosB persists in the brain for at least several weeks following cessation of the chronic stimulus. The biochemical basis of the persistent expression of DeltaFosB has remained unknown. Here, we show that the FosB C-terminus, absent in DeltaFosB as a result of alternative splicing, contains two degron domains. Pulse-chase experiments of C-terminal truncation mutants of full-length FosB indicate that removal of its most C-terminal degron increases its half-life approximately fourfold, and prevents its proteasome-mediated degradation and ubiquitylation, properties similar to DeltaFosB. In addition, removal of a second degron domain, which generates DeltaFosB, further stabilizes FosB approximately twofold, but in a proteasome-independent manner. These data indicate that alternative splicing specifically removes two destabilizing elements from FosB in order to generate a longer-lived transcription factor, DeltaFosB, in response to chronic perturbations to the brain.
Simplified adaptive control for not ASPR systems

Early stability resuIts for the command generator tracker approach to direct model reference adaptive control required that the plant be almost strictly positive real (ASPR). Later, the stability results were extended to the class of not-ASPR plants for which there exists a known dynamic compensator, with transfer matrix H(s), such that the plant in parallel with H(s) is ASPR. In this paper, we propose a modified algorithm for not-ASPR plants which ensures a bounded error without the need for a compensator to be inserted in parallel with the plant. Some special cases are considered for which the sufficient conditions for a bounded error are easily satisfied. An example is shown to illustrate the use of the new algorithm for a SISO plant which is high gain feedback stabilizable.
Hydrological and Oceanographic Considerations for Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Southern Belize

m3, a volume equal to the basin. During the rainy season, June–September, 84% of the annual discharge occurs, which causes the bay to become brackish. Port Honduras serves as an important nursery ground for many species of commercially important fish and shellfish. The removal of forest cover in the uplands, as a result of agriculture, aquaculture, and village development, is likely to significantly accelerate erosion. Increased erosion would reduce soil fertility in the uplands and negatively affect mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef productivity in the receiving coastal embayment. Alternatively, the conservation of an existing protected areas corridor, linking the Maya Mountains to the Caribbean Sea, is likely to enhance regional sustainable economic development. This study aims to support environmental management at the scale of the “ecoscape”—a sensible ecological unit of linked watersheds and coastal and marine environments.
A unique presentation of atypical SREDA pattern in a young healthy woman

Subclinical rhythmic electrographic discharge of adults (SREDA) is an EEG pattern seen in normal individuals and others with different diseases. we report a case of healthy young woman with alleged epilepsy but normal responsiveness during sustained SREDA. SREDA is a rare EEG variant with variable clinical significance. This is the first report of atypical SREDA in a 25 year-old woman.
THE EFFECTS OF HYPOPHYSEAL IMPLANTS FROM GUINEA PIGS WITH IRRADIATED OVARIES ON THE SEX ORGANS OF IMMATURE GUINEA PIGS

Changes in the sex organs of guinea pigs following irradiation with a minimum sterilization dose of x-rays, the effects on the estrous cycle and on subsequent pregnancies have been described (1, 2). Although the structure of most of these irradiated ovaries was altered greatly, there was reason to assume that a part of their normal function was retained, namely, the secretion of theelin. This assumption was tested by a study of the urinary theelin excretion; since theelin was found present, the amount excreted was compared with that excreted by normal animals (3) and at the same time, the effects of hypophyseal implants from such irradiated animals were compared with the effects of hypophyseal implants from normal animals.
Long-Chain N-Acyl Amino Acid Synthases Are Linked to the Putative PEP-CTERM/Exosortase Protein-Sorting System in Gram-Negative Bacteria

Clones that encode the biosynthesis of long-chain N-acyl amino acids are frequently recovered from activity-based screens of soil metagenomic libraries. Members of a diverse set of enzymes referred to as N-acyl amino acid synthases are responsible for the production of all metagenome-derived N-acyl amino acids characterized to date. Based on the frequency at which N-acyl amino acid synthase genes have been identified from metagenomic samples, related genes are expected to be common throughout the global bacterial metagenome. Homologs of metagenome-derived N-acyl amino acid synthase genes are scarce, however, within the sequenced genomes of cultured bacterial species. Toward the goal of understanding the role(s) played by N-acyl amino acids in environmental bacteria, we looked for conserved genetic features that are positionally linked to metagenome-derived N-acyl amino acid synthase genes. This analysis revealed that N-acyl amino acid synthase genes are frequently found adjacent to genes predicted to encode PEP-CTERM motif-containing proteins and, in some cases, other conserved elements of the PEP-CTERM/exosortase system. Although relatively little is known about the PEP-CTERM/exosortase system, its core components are believed to represent the putative Gram-negative equivalent of the LPXTG/sortase protein-sorting system of Gram-positive bacteria. During the course of this investigation, we were able to provide evidence that an uncharacterized family of hypothetical acyltransferases, which had previously been linked to the PEP-CTERM/exosortase system by bioinformatics, is a new family of N-acyl amino acid synthases that is widely distributed among the PEP-CTERM/exosortase system-containing Proteobacteria.
Urban Malignancy: Similarity in the Fractal Dimensions of Urban Morphology and Malignant Neoplasms

All contemporary landscapes on the planet feature the aggressive growth of cities and other urbanizations. In 1990, we suggested that the similarity between urban forms and malignant lesions could be studied with the use of fractal geometry. Two separate disciplines have emerged since then: the study of urban morphology using various fractal analyses, and “oncological mathematics,” the study of malignant lesions using fractal analysis. Several mathematical techniques are used in both fields to conduct these studies. From the point of view of a physician, the expanding, invasive, colonizing urban form with highly irregular borders resembles a malignant lesion. Malignant neoplasms have at least four major characteristics: rapid, uncontrolled growth; invasion and destruction of adjacent normal tissues (ecosystems); metastasis (distant colonization); and de-differentiation. Many urban forms are almost identical in general appearance, a characteristic that would qualify as “de-differentiation.” Large urban set...