cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression and purification of recombinant hRPABC25, hRPABC17, and hRPABC14.4, three essential subunits of human RNA polymerases I, II, and III.

Transcription of eukaryotic genes is performed by RNA polymerases I, II, and III, which synthesize ribosomal, messenger, and transfer RNAs, respectively. Eukaryotic RNA polymerases are large macromolecular complexes composed of multiple subunits. Among these subunits, five are shared by all RNA polymerases and are essential for cell growth and viability. Remarkably, the human common subunits are structurally conserved and functionally interchangeable with their yeast homologues and are believed to play an important role in the assembly of the three transcription complexes. To understand the structure and function of human RNA polymerases, we overexpressed the common subunits hRPABC25, hRPABC17, and hRPABC14.4 as hexahistidine fusions in Escherichia coli. The recombinant proteins were purified using metal-chelate affinity chromatography on Ni-NTA resin and gel filtration. Depending on the subunit, the yield was 5-17 mg of purified recombinant protein per liter of culture medium. The purified proteins were of high quality and sufficient quantity for structural studies, as demonstrated by the successful crystallization of hRPABC17 and hRPABC14.4. The expression and purification of the common subunits hRPABC25, hRPABC17, and hRPABC14. 4 will make possible their structural analysis with X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance, providing important insights into the structure and function of the three human RNA polymerases.
Neuronal circuitry controlling the near response

Experiments in primates have contributed greatly to our understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in the eye movements required to view objects at different distances. Early work focused on the circuitry for generating horizontal vergence eye movements alone. However, vergence eye movements are associated with lens accommodation and are usually accompanied by saccadic eye movements, so more recent work has been directed at understanding the interactions between vergence and accommodation, and between vergence and saccades. A new model explains the neural basis for interactions between vergence and accommodation by a neural network in which pre-motor elements are shared by these two systems. The effects of saccades on vergence eye movements appear to be the result of shared pre-motor circuits as well. Current evidence suggests that pontine omnipause neurons, known to be crucial for the generation of saccades, play an important role in the vergence pre-motor circuitry.
Composition of milk from spotted and spinner porpoises.

The composition of milk obtained from eight Stenella graffmani and from one Stenella microps is reported and compared with previous determinations on milk from other cetacean species. The milk had a higher concentration of fat than previously reported for porpoises, but much less than that reported for baleen whales. There was no indication of a change during the course of lactation. The milk contains casein and sugar; the sugar concentration was similar to concentrations reported for other cetaceans. The sugar was shown to be lactose. The chloride concentration was elevated, compared to cows milk, probably due to the necessity of keeping the osmotic pressure of the milk close to that of the blood.
Backbone structure of the infectious ε15 virus capsid revealed by electron cryomicroscopy

A half-century after the determination of the first three-dimensional crystal structure of a protein1, more than 40,000 structures ranging from single polypeptides to large assemblies have been reported2. The challenge for crystallographers, however, remains the growing of a diffracting crystal. Here we report the 4.5-A resolution structure of a 22-MDa macromolecular assembly, the capsid of the infectious epsilon15 (e15) particle, by single-particle electron cryomicroscopy. From this density map we constructed a complete backbone trace of its major capsid protein, gene product 7 (gp7). The structure reveals a similar protein architecture to that of other tailed double-stranded DNA viruses, even in the absence of detectable sequence similarity3,4. However, the connectivity of the secondary structure elements (topology) in gp7 is unique. Protruding densities are observed around the two-fold axes that cannot be accounted for by gp7. A subsequent proteomic analysis of the whole virus identifies these densities as gp10, a 12-kDa protein. Its structure, location and high binding affinity to the capsid indicate that the gp10 dimer functions as a molecular staple between neighbouring capsomeres to ensure the particle’s stability. Beyond e15, this method potentially offers a new approach for modelling the backbone conformations of the protein subunits in other macromolecular assemblies at near-native solution states.
Total synthesis of halichondrins: Highly stereoselective construction of a homochiral pentasubstituted H-ring pyran intermediate from α-d-glucose

Abstract The functionality of α- d -Glucose is stereoselectively manipulated exploiting pyranose ⇋ furanose ⇋ pyranose interconversions and lactonization for selective masking to achieve a stereocontrolled synthesis of the densely substituted H-ring pyran of halichondrins.
WebQTL: rapid exploratory analysis of gene expression and genetic networks for brain and behavior.

WebQTL: rapid exploratory analysis of gene expression and genetic networks for brain and behavior
Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Current Progress in Vaccine Development

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the etiological agent for a serious lower respiratory tract disease responsible for close to 200,000 annual deaths worldwide. The first infection is generally most severe, while re-infections usually associate with a milder disease. This observation and the finding that re-infection risks are inversely associated with neutralizing antibody titers suggest that immune responses generated toward a first RSV exposure can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality throughout life. For more than half a century, researchers have endeavored to design a vaccine for RSV that can mimic or improve upon natural protective immunity without adverse events. The virus is herein described together with the hurdles that must be overcome to develop a vaccine and some current vaccine development approaches.
Methimazole treatment of 262 cats with hyperthyroidism.

The efficacy and safety of the antithyroid drug methimazole were evaluated over a 3-year period in 262 cats with hyperthyroidism. In 181 of the cats, methimazole was administered for 7 to 130 days (mean, 27.7 days) as a preoperative preparation for thyroidectomy. The remaining 81 cats were given methimazole for 30 to 1,000 days (mean, 228 days) as sole treatment for the hyperthyroid state. After 2 to 3 weeks of methimazole therapy (10 to 15 mg/d), the mean serum thyroxine (T4) concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from a pretreatment value of 12.1 μg/dl to 2.1 Mg/dl. The final maintenance dose needed to maintain euthyroidism in the 81 cats that were given methimazole as sole treatment for hyperthyroidism ranged from 2.5 to 20 mg/d (mean, 11.9 mg/d). Clinical side effects developed in 48 (18.3%) cats (usually within the first month of therapy), which included anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, self-induced excoriation of the face and neck, bleeding diathesis, and icterus caused by hepatopathy. Mild hematologic abnormalities developed in 43 (16.4%) cats (usually within the first 2 months of treatment), which included eosinophilia, lymphocytosis, and slight leukopenia. In ten (3.8%) cats, more serious hematologic reactions developed including agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia (associated with bleeding). These hematologic abnormalities resolved within 1 week after cessation of methimazole treatment. Immunologic abnormalities associated with methimazole treatment included the development of antinuclear antibodies in 52 of 238 (21.8%) cats tested and red cell autoantibodies (as evidenced by positive direct antiglobulin tests) in three of 160 (1.9%) cats tested. These immunologic reactions were not associated with evidence of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia or lupus-like syndrome in any of the cats. The results of this study indicate that methimazole is effective in blocking excess thyroid hormone secretion in cats with hyperthyroidism. In addition, although not entirely free of adverse side effects, methimazole is a relatively safe antithyroid drug for use in the cat.
Disutility of Illness for Caregivers and Families: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background Caring for an ill or disabled family member imposes a well-documented burden on the caregiver. The benefits of a health intervention may be underestimated if “spillover” effects on family members are not captured, resulting in inaccurate conclusions of economic evaluations.
Electrochemically-modulated liquid chromatography (EMLC): Column design, retention processes, and applications

This work describes the continued development of a new separation technique, electrochemically-modulated liquid chromatography (EMLC), from column design, retention mechanisms to pharmaceutical applications. The introduction section provides a literature review of the technique as well as a brief overview of the research in each of the chapters. This section is followed by four chapters which investigate the issues of EMLC column design, the retention mechanism of monosubstituted aromatic compounds, and the EMLC-based applications to two important classes of pharmaceutical compounds (i.e., corticosteroids and benzodiazepines). These four sections have been removed to process separately for inclusion on the database. The dissertation concludes with a general summary, a prospectus, and a list of references cited in the General Introduction. 32 refs.
Treating Metaphor Interpretation Deficits Subsequent to Right Hemisphere Brain Damage: Preliminary Results

Aims: This investigation sought to determine whether a structured intervention focused on improving use of semantic associations could improve patients' ability to provide oral interpretations of metaphors following right hemisphere damage (RHD). Methods & Procedures: Principles of single participant experimental design provided the basis for the study. Five patients received either 10 or 20 baseline assessments of oral metaphor interpretation and, as a control, assessments of line orientation skill. They then received approximately 10 one-hour sessions of structured intervention to improve oral metaphor interpretation followed by post-training assessments and a 3-month follow up. Outcomes & Results: Patients' performances revealed evidence of good response to training as shown by patients' ability to reach criterion on all intervention tasks and by their significant improvement on oral metaphor interpretation. There was relatively little improvement on the line orientation task. Conclusions: The results ...
Single and multiple turnover reactions in the ubiquinone-cytochrome b-c2 oxidoreductase of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. The physical chemistry of the major electron donor to cytochrome c2, and its coupled reactions

We have examined the thermodynamic properties of the physiological electron donor to ferricytochrome c2 in chromatophores from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. This donor (Z), which is capable of reducing the ferricytochrome with a halftime of 1-2 ms under optimal conditions, has an oxidation-reduction midpoint potential of close to 150 mV at pH 7.0, and apparently requires two electrons and two protons for its equilibrium reduction. The state of reduction of Z, which may be a quinone.protein complex near the inner (cytochrome c2) side of the membrane, appears to govern the rate at which the cyclic photosynthetic electron transport system can operate. If Z is oxidized prior to the flash-oxidation of cytochrome c2, the re-reduction of the cytochrome takes hundreds of milliseconds and no third phase of the carotenoid bandshift occurs. In contrast if Z is reduced before flash activation, the cytochrome is rereduced within milliseconds and the third phase of the carotenoid bandshift occurs. The prior reduction of Z also has a dramatic effect on the uncoupler sensitivity of the rate of electron flow; if it is oxidized prior to activation, uncoupler can stimulate the cytochrome rereduction after several turnovers by less than tenfold, but if it is reduced prior to activation, the stimulation after several turnovers can be as dramatic as a thousandfold. The results suggest that Z plays a central role in controlling electron and proton movements in the ubiquinone cytochrome b-c2 oxido-reductase.
Phytosiderophores decrease iron stress and pyoverdine production of Pseudomonas fluorescens PF-5 (pvd-inaZ)

Abstract Experiments were conducted to study the relationship between iron stress and pyoverdine production during growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5 (pvd-inaZ) in vitro, and the Fe stress status of this bacterium in the rhizosphere of barley and rice. The bacterial strain used for these experiments has been engineered with a plasmid containing an iron-regulated ice nucleation reporter that enables monitoring of the relative Fe stress status of the cells. In vitro, Fe stress and pyoverdine production of P. fluorescens Pf-5 (pvd-inaZ) decreased in the following order: 0 Fe>50 μ m FeCl3>50 μ m Fe-phytosiderophore or 50 μ m Fe-citrate, demonstrating that P. fluorescens Pf-5 (pvd-inaZ) could utilize both Fe-phytosiderophore and Fe-citrate as Fe sources. To study the relative Fe stress status of P. fluorescens Pf-5 (pvd-inaZ) in the rhizosphere, and the influence of plant phytosiderophore release on Fe stress of the bacterium, a microcosm experiment was conducted in Fe-deficient soil planted with two grass species which differ in iron-efficiency and phytosiderophore release rates. Control treatments employed microcosms in which the plants received a foliar Fe treatment. Ice nucleation activity and population densities of P. fluorescens Pf-5 (pvd-inaZ) were determined periodically over 18 d using a non-destructive filter paper technique to lift bacteria from the root surface in different root zones. Results showed that cells of this bacterium sampled from both barley and rice were relatively non iron-stressed as compared to cells grown in liquid media with low Fe concentrations, but were nonetheless significantly influenced by plant species. The bacterium was less Fe stressed in the rhizosphere of iron-efficient barley, which produces high quantities of phytosiderophore, as compared to iron-inefficient rice. In barley, foliar Fe treatments, which alleviated plant Fe stress and concomitant phytosiderophore release, resulted in increased Fe stress for the bacterium in the rhizosphere. These data strongly suggest that P. fluorescens Pf-5 (pvd-inaZ) utilizes phytosiderophores for Fe acquisition. The relatively low iron-stress status of this bacterium in the rhizosphere indicates that only very low concentrations of pyoverdine might be expected to accumulate in the rhizosphere.
Understanding Chemical Sensors and Chemical Sensor Arrays (Electronic Noses): Past, Present, and Future

The use of sensor arrays, embodied in electronic noses, to characterize complex samples is an active and dynamic expression of research in chemical sensors. In this review, we emphasize sensors, instrumentation, and applications aspects of electronic nose technology. In addition, we have added to the existing historical description of electronic nose development, projected likely directions into the future, and evaluated research needs that are a prerequisite to eventual success of electronic nose technology.
Chiral separation of polychlorinated biphenyls using a combination of hydroxypropyl‐γ‐cyclodextrin and a polymeric chiral surfactant

Chiral separation of moderately to highly hydrophobic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using a conventional chiral micelle or a polymeric chiral surfactant, as the single chiral selector is very difficult since the hydrophobic interactions between the chiral PCB and the monomeric or polymeric surfactant is very strong. Combined use of a polymeric chiral surfactant, polysodium N-undecanoyl-D-valinate (poly-D-SUV) with hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CD) was successful in cyclodextrin modified electrokinetic chromatography (CD-EKC) enantioseparation of PCB congeners. Addition of HP-γ-CD to the background electrolyte containing poly-D-SUV functioned to improved chiral resolution for the PCBs and reduce the analysis time for these congeners. In addition, concentration of methanol, concentration of 2-(N-cyclohexylamino) ethanesulfonic acid (CHES) buffer and separation voltage was also varied to optimize multicomponent separation of five chiral PCBs. Simultaneous separation and enantioseparation of all five PCBs was possible in less than 50 min under optimized conditions that requires a 5 mM CHES solution buffered at about pH 10 with 1.5% w/v (ca. 60 mM) poly-D-SUV and 16 mM HP-γ-CD. In addition, 1 M urea and 20% v/v methanol should be added as organic modifier and the capillary temperature maintained at 45°C. As expected the polymeric surfactant showed improved chiral resolution of PCBs over conventional micelles of SUV. Under optimized conditions, when CD-EKC of chiral PCBs using poly-D-SUV was compared to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), better resolution, higher efficiency and shorter analysis time was achieved with poly-D-SUV.
Record I on (0.50 mA/µm at V DD = 0.5 V and I off = 100 nA/µm) 25 nm-gate-length ZrO 2 /InAs/InAlAs MOSFETs

We report MOSFETs with 25-nm gate length (L g ), extremely thin 2.5 nm InAs channels and 0.7/3.0 nm (physical) Al 2 O x N y /ZrO 2 gate dielectrics, and 12 nm In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As vertical spacers in the raised epitaxial source/drain. The FETs establish key new DC performance records, at VLSI-relevant gate lengths (25 nm), including 0.50 mA/μm on-current (at 100 nA/μm I off and 0.5 V V DD ) and 77 mV/dec. subthreshold swing (SS) at V DS =0.5 V. At 1 μm L g and V DS =0.1 V, the minimum subthreshold swing is 61 mV/dec., a record low for InAs/InGaAs, indicating high interface quality.
Differential torsion theory

Differential torsion theories are introduced and it is shown that for a hereditary torsion theory τ every derivation on an R-module M has a unique extension to its module of quotients if and only if τ is a differential torsion theory. Dually, we show that when τ is cohereditary, every derivation on M can be lifed uniquely to its module of coquotients.
Importance of matrix:analyte ratio for buffer tolerance using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as a matrix in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-fourier transform mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight

Many biological samples destined for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) contain buffers. The presence of these buffers often inhibits the ability to obtain spectra. Here, the results of a study of the effects of six different buffers on spectra of three representative small proteins are reported utilizing 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as matrix. These proteins, bovine insulin, cytochrome c, and bovine albumin have masses from ∼5000 to 66,000 Da. Three different sample preparation techniques were investigated: aerospray, dried-drop, and acetone redeposition. Both MALDI Fourier transform and time-of-flight mass spectrometry results show that buffer tolerance of MALDI-MS samples depends upon several factors, including the relative amount of the buffer in the MALDI matrix, as well as the identity of the specific buffer. Furthermore, the rate at which buffer tolerance decreases as buffer concentration is increased varies from buffer to buffer. The current results reveal that, at very high matrix:analyte ratios, buffer tolerance of MALDI is dramatically greater than concluded in previous literature reports.
On the k -ary hypercube

Abstract In this paper, we propose and analyze a new interconnection network, the k -ary hypercube. This new architecture captures the advantages of the mesh network and those of the binary hypercube. We show that the hamiltoniacity of this network and its capability of efficiently simulating other topologies. It has a smaller degree than that of its equivalent binary hypercube (the one with at least as many nodes) and has a smaller diameter than its equivalent mesh of processors.
Probing Catalysis by Escherichia coli dTDP-Glucose-4,6-dehydratase: Identification and Preliminary Characterization of Functional Amino Acid Residues at the Active Site†

A model of the Escherichia coli dTDP-glucose-4,6-dehydratase (4,6-dehydratase) active site has been generated by combining amino acid sequence alignment information with the 3-dimensional structure of UDP-galactose-4-epimerase. The active site configuration is consistent with the partially refined 3-dimensional structure of 4,6-dehydratase, which lacks substrate−nucleotide but contains NAD+ (PDB file 1BXK). From the model, two groups of active site residues were identified. The first group consists of Asp135DEH, Glu136DEH, Glu198DEH, Lys199DEH, and Tyr301DEH. These residues are near the substrate−pyranose binding pocket in the model, they are completely conserved in 4,6-dehydratase, and they differ from the corresponding equally well-conserved residues in 4-epimerase. The second group of residues is Cys187DEH, Asn190DEH, and His232DEH, which form a motif on the re face of the cofactor nicotinamide binding pocket that resembles the catalytic triad of cysteine-proteases. The importance of both groups of res...
Response of Stallions to Primary Immunization with a Modified Live Equine Viral Arteritis Vaccine

Abstract This study was undertaken to re-evaluate safety aspects of the commercial modified live virus vaccine against equine viral arteritis (Arvac) in stallions. Ten seronegative stallions were administered a single dose of vaccine, whereas three others were used as controls. Presence of vaccine virus in blood, semen, and nasopharyngeal and conjunctival secretions was determined by virus isolation and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. No adverse effects were observed after vaccination. Vaccine virus was detected in buffy-coat cultures of all stallions for an average of 4.3 days, and in nasopharyngeal swabs from 40% of the stallions for an average of 3.2 days. No virus was detected in conjunctival swabs. Small quantities of virus were detected in the semen of one stallion on days 4 and 6 postvaccination. Vaccinated stallions showed a marked increase in neutralizing antibody titers within 5 to 8 days after vaccination. The stallions in the control group remained uninfected. Finding very low levels of virus in the semen of one stallion provides justification for withholding semen from a first-time vaccinated stallion for a minimum of 14 days to avoid the potential risk of virus transmission or having vaccine virus detected in semen frozen from a recently vaccinated stallion. There was no evidence of persistence of vaccine virus in the reproductive tract of the vaccinated stallions. Virus isolation proved more sensitive than reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for detection of virus in buffy-coat and nasopharyngeal specimens. Peak antibody responses were reached at a little more than a week after vaccination and these remained undiminished for the remainder of the study.
Micromolding of photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogel for spheroid microarray and co-cultures

Bioengineering approaches, such as co-cultures of multiple cell types, that aim to mimic the physiological microenvironment may be beneficial for optimizing cell function and for engineering tissues in vitro. This study describes a novel method for preparing a spheroid microarray on microfabricated hydrogels, alone or in co-cultures. Photocrosslinkable chitosan was synthesized and utilized for fabricating hydrogel microstructures through a micromolding process. The chitosan surface was initially cell repellent but became increasingly cell adhesive over time. By using this unique property of chitosan hydrogels, it was possible to generate patterned co-cultures of spheroids and support cells. In this scheme, cells were initially microarrayed within low shear stress regions of microwells. Human hepatoblastoma cells, Hep G2, seeded in these wells formed spheroids with controlled sizes and shapes and stably secreted albumin during the culture period. The change of cell adhesive properties in the chitosan surface facilitated the adhesion and growth of a second cell type, NIH-3T3 fibroblast, and therefore enabled co-cultures of hepatocyte spheroids and fibroblast monolayers. This co-culture system could be a useful platform for studying heterotypic cell-cell interactions, for drug screening, and for developing implantable bioartificial organs.
Alleviating communication apprehension through rational emotive therapy: A comparative evaluation

This article describes a Rational Emotive Therapy approach to treating classroom communication apprehension. The study compares the RET approach, systematic desensitization, and skills only. Each method of treatment produced significant differences from pretest to posttest. The study opens future discussion about the effects of expectancy theory (such as the Pygmalion effect) as a critical independent variable.
Measurement of cell wall depolarization of polarized hydrogen gas targets in a weak magnetic field

Abstract Polarized gas targets using windowless storage cells are being developed for use as internal targets in medium and high energy particle storage rings. Tests were conducted to evaluate wall depolarization for different cell wall materials. Measurements of the target polarization were made on polarized H 0 gas targets in a weak magnetic field. Fifteen materials were tested in geometries corresponding to different average number of wall collisions, N 0 , from 40 to 380 collisions, for wall temperatures, T , from 20 K to 300 K. A method was developed to measure the polarization of a H 0 target in a 0.5 mT field: a beam of 50 keV D + picks up electrons from the target gas and the D 0 acquires a tensor polarization, p zz , which is measured by means of the 3 H( d , n) 4 He reaction. A simple model for depolarization at surfaces is proposed. Comparison to the data shows fair agreement, but the model is unrealistic in that it does not include the effects of the recombination of atoms on the surface to form molecules.
LYRIC/AEG-1 overexpression modulates BCCIPα protein levels in prostate tumor cells

Abstract LYRIC/AEG-1 is a unique protein that has been shown to promote tumor cell migration and invasion through activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. We performed yeast two-hybrid screening to detect LYRIC/AEG-1 associated proteins, and identified BCCIP, a CDKN1A and BRCA2-associated protein involved in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair. Here, we demonstrate association between LYRIC/AEG-1 and BCCIP in mammalian cells, and define the region of interaction. Co-expression of the two proteins resulted in decreased levels of BCCIPα, an effect partially abrogated by proteasome inhibition. A truncated LYRIC/AEG-1 construct lacking the interaction region did not alter BCCIPα protein levels. Coincidentally, it was observed that overexpression of BCCIPα in DU145 prostate tumor cells induced an apparent neuroendocrine differentiation. In summary, our data suggest LYRIC/AEG-1 is a negative regulator of BCCIPα, promoting proteasomal degradation either through direct interaction, or potentially through an indirect mechanism involving downstream effects of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Size effects in superfluid helium II - I. Experiments in porous systems

The properties of the superfluid phase of liquid helium are modified by size effects. We discuss here experiments on helium contained in very fine compressed powders (∼ 100 to 104 A) : lowering of the onset temperature for superfluidity, T0, and superfluid properties for T < To : critical flow rate, specific heat, superfluid fraction. These last data are obtained from the measurement of the hydrodynamic sound velocity that propagates in such porous systems : 4th sound. We present in some detail the techniques of the measurements and the physical properties of 4th sound. A discussion of the results is presented in analogy with the study of the proximity effect in superconductors.
Solving two-dimensional cases for cracks in piecewise-homogeneous bodies

A survey is made on papers concerned with a general approach to solving planar problems in the theory of elasticity for finite and infinite piecewise-homogeneous bodies containing curvilinear cracks, where singular integral equations are used. Cases are considered for an infinite plane and half-plane containing arbitrary and periodic elastic-inclusion systems together with curvilinear cracks, as well as a curvilinear two-component ring having internal and edge cracks.
Nutritional risk factors for breast cancer

The observation of large differences in breast cancer rates between countries has led to the hypothesis that excessive intake of dietary fat is an important risk factor for breast cancer in women. Case-control and prospective studies, however, generally have failed to show associations between dietary fat and breast cancer risk. There therefore is only weak evidence that modest reductions in fat intake (for instance to levels of 30% of caloric intake from fat) will reduce breast cancer risk. The possible benefits of lowering fat intake to levels substantially below 30% of calories will need to be tested in a randomized trial. In the meantime, the possible roles of micronutrient imbalances and childhood nutritional factors need to be studied better. Obesity is related to breast cancer in a complex way that suggests that a hormonal correlate of excessive body weight might affect breast cancer growth and metastasis. The potential benefit of intentional weight loss as an adjunct breast cancer treatment deserves further study. Many studies have suggested that drinking alcohol, even at modest levels, might increase breast cancer risk. Because the potential benefits of modest levels of alcohol for cardiovascular disease may outweigh the risk for breast cancer, recommendations for total alcohol abstinence may be premature for women with an average breast cancer risk. Women at unusually high risk for breast cancer who have a lower-than-average risk for cardiovascular disease, however, might make an informed decision to abstain from alcohol intake. Following current dietary advice to increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the diet while reducing fats is certainly prudent for women to reduce their risk of several chronic disease, but current data points to the somber conclusion that such changes probably will have little effect on breast cancer risk.
Comparison of active participants and dropouts in CAPRI cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs

Of 547 men and 56 women enrolled up to April 1974 in Cardiopulmonary Research Institute (CAPRI) community programs for cardiopulmonary rehabilitatation, 84.5 percent had clinical manifestations of coronary heart disease. These medically supervised programs of physical training involved 30 to 60 minutes of graded levels of working, calisthenics and, if indicated, jogging for 3 mornings/week. Altogether 352 (58.4 percent) dropped out after an average of 8.6 months for men and 5.7 months for women. The remaining 230 men and 21 women remained active for 22 and 20 months, respectively. In retrospect, there were few minor differences between active participants and dropouts in physical characteristics, clinical diagnoses and responses to exercise testing on enrollment. Elapsed time to morbidity tended to be longer in active persons than in dropouts. Over one half of active men and about one third of dropouts were working. Of six early deaths, one occurred before training was instituted, and five within the first 2 weeks of training. Among men, the respective total mortality rates were 2.7 and 4.7/100 person-years for active participants and dropouts; among women, the rates were 0 and 3.8 respectively. Whereas 24 episodes of cardiac arrest occurred in 13 men, with three fatalities outside the training program, in 11 instances of exertional arrest during class training all defibrillations were successful. Without this benefit of medical supervision there would have been little difference in mortality experience.
Towards a Self-Calibratable MEMS Absolute Temperature Sensor: A Theoretical Study

In this paper, we present a theoretical description of a novel self-calibratable MEMS absolute temperature sensor. Our analysis suggests that the sensor might provide accurate and precise measurements over a large range of temperatures. Due to the high accuracy and precision required for some experiments and devices, such as studies involving fundamental laws or sensor drift due to thermal expansion, accurate temperature sensing is necessary. Conventional temperature sensors require factory calibration, which significantly increases the cost of manufacture. Using the equipartition theorem, nanotechnologists have long determined the stiffness of their atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilevers by measuring temperature and the cantilever’s displacement. Since we have determined how to measure MEMS stiffness, we propose that the reverse can be done, i.e. determine temperature by measuring MEMS stiffness and displacement. In this paper we describe our method for accurately and precisely measuring nonlinear stiffness and expected displacement. We also provide an expression for quantifying the uncertainty in measuring temperature.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Show me your CDIB Blood Quantum and Indian Identity among Indian People of Oklahoma

Discourse concerning the legitimacy of claims of Indian identity characterize much of the debate in Indian country today. Any legitimate claim to an Indian identity rests, in part, on tribal membership, which requires certification by the U.S. government in the form of a Certified Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) and a tribal membership identification. Once a person establishes biological heritage with the CDIB, the blood quantum—full, 1/2, 1/256, and so forth—often is taken as a rough measure of “Indianness.” This emphasis on blood quantum has been an important feature of both Indian and Tribal identity in Oklahoma throughout the 20th century. Using data from interviews with Oklahoma Indian people taken in the 1930s, 1960s, and gathered in the field from 1994 on, this report will look at the meaning and importance of blood quantum in Indian identity and how that has been expressed by Indian women and men throughout the past 100 years.
Radiocarbon detection with a small low-energy cyclotron

Abstract A small cyclotron (the “cyclotrino”) was proposed for direct detection of radiocarbon in 1980. This combined the suppression of background through the use of negative ions, which had been used effectively in tandem accelerators, with the high intrinsic mass resolution of a cyclotron. Development of a small electrostatically-focused cyclotron for use as a mass spectrometer was previously reported but the sensitivity needed for detection of 14C at natural abundance was not achieved. A high current external ion source has now been integrated with a small flat-field, electrostatically-focused cyclotron to comprise a system capable of measuring 14C at natural levels. The carbon ion beam from the ion source is preseparated with a Wien filter and is transported to the cyclotron via a series of electrostatic lenses. Beam is injected radially into the cyclotron using electrostatic deflectors and an electrostatic mirror. Axial focusing is entirely electrostatic. A microchannel plate detector is used with a phase-gated output. The design and performance of this system are presented here. In its present form the system is capable of improving the sensitivity of detecting 14C in some biomedical experiments by a factor of 104. Modifications are discussed which could bring about an additional factor of 100 in sensitivity, which is important for archaeological and geological applications. Possibilities for measurements of other isotopes, such as 3H, 10Be, and 26Al, are discussed.
Assessment of critical thinking: A Delphi study

Nurse educators are responsible for preparing nurses who critically analyze patient information and provide meaningful interventions in today's complex health care system. By using the Delphi research method, this study, utilized the specialized and experiential knowledge of Certified Nurse Educators. This original Delphi research study asked Certified Nurse Educators how to assess the critical-thinking ability of nursing students in the clinical setting. The results showed that nurse educators need time, during the clinical experience, to accurately assess each individual nursing student. This study demonstrated the need for extended student clinical time, and a variety of clinical learning assessment tools.
The major volatile constituents of the scent mark of a South American primateSaguinus fuscicollis, Callithricidae

The major volatile constituents of the scent mark of a South American primate, the marmosetSaguinus fuscicollis have been isolated and identified to be a series of saturated, mono- and diunsaturated fatty alcohols esterified withn-butyric acid. Squalene was also found in the scent mark. The identification and possible significance of these components in marmoset chemical communication are discussed.
Through the Sea Snow: The Central Role of Videography in the Deep Gulf Wrecks Mission

The media team on the 2004 Deep Gulf Wrecks mission fulfilled three video-related functions: documentation, preservation, and outreach. Instead of looking at the media team as witnesses to the scientific events or as video tourists, the mission leadership integrated the video, backup, and Internet work into the scientific process carried out in the Gulf of Mexico. While not the first time this kind of cooperation has occurred in deep sea exploration work, the extent of media-scientific collaboration was exceptional in an age of soundbites and formulaic scientific filmmaking. The key strategic and technical lessons learned from the mission are summarized.
Linkage of progestin and epidermal growth factor signaling: phosphorylation of progesterone receptors mediates transcriptional hypersensitivity and increased ligand-independent breast cancer cell growth.

Progesterone receptor (PR) action is linked to epidermal growth factor (EGF) initiated signaling pathways at multiple levels; mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are key mediators of this important cross-talk. Herein, we probed the effects of EGF on PR function and regulation of breast cancer cell growth. EGF stimulated rapid and transient phosphorylation of PR-B Ser294 relative to persistent phosphorylation of this site induced by the synthetic progestin, R5020. EGF induced nuclear translocation and DNA binding of unliganded wild-type, but not mutant PRs containing an Ala at position 294 (S294A). However, EGF alone induced little to no PR-B transcriptional activity; S294A PR-B was transcriptionally impaired. In contrast, pretreatment of cells with EGF (30 min) significantly increased the potency and efficacy of wild-type, but not S294A PR transcriptional activity in response to progestin, and enhanced ligand-dependent downregulation of wild-type but not S294A PR. Replacement of Ser294 with aspartic acid (S294D) to mimic phosphorylation at this site decreased receptor stability and, as predicted, heightened progestin-induced transcription relative to wild-type PR-B. RT-PCR demonstrated the Ser294 phosphorylation-dependence of selected PR target genes (TGFα and HB-EGF). Surprisingly, PR-B expressing cells growing in soft agar were highly responsive to EGF or progestin, and this was further stimulated by the combination of both hormones. Cells expressing S294A PR exhibited reduced soft agar growth, and were also sensitive to R5020 alone, but failed to respond to EGF. These results suggest that PR Ser294 is an important “sensor” for growth factor inputs that affects PR function and breast cancer cell growth in the absence of progestin or in the presence of low or “sub-threshold” progestin concentrations. PR function likely contributes to breast cancer progression when EGFR family members or their ligands are overexpressed, a condition that predicts low abundance, but highly active and nuclear PR.
Tangent focal plane approximations in the Browne-Buechner spectrometer

Abstract First order focusing for the magnetic spectrometer of Browne and Buechner is discussed in the approximation where the focal surface is taken to be the plane tangent to the actual hyperbolic focal surface at the image point for 90° bending. Expressions for magnification, dispersion, and related quantities are derived for arbitrary source-to-magnet distances, and compared with those for the hyperbolic case. Results of numerical calculations as applied to the University of Illinois 26″ spectrometer are discussed.
Correlation of very late activation integrin and CD44 expression with extrarenal invasion and metastasis of renal cell carcinomas

Cell adhesion molecules mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and they are thought to play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Altered expression of integrins and CD44 in renal cell carcinoma has been recently demonstrated, but an association with invasive or metastatic behavior has not been reported. We examined very late activation (VLA) integrin and CD44 expression in 37 renal cell carcinomas and correlated adhesion molecule expression with multiple histological and clinical parameters. Most tumors exhibited positive staining for VLA3 (81%). Approximately one third of the tumors stained positively for VLA6 and CD44, and fewer (27%) were positive for VLA2. Only a few tumors were positive for VLA4 (8%) and VLA5 (14%). Most of the tumors exhibiting positive staining showed a combination of membranous and cytoplasmic staining patterns. Low-grade tumors positive for VLA6 showed a tendency for basilar staining of the tumor cells, whereas high-grade tumors exhibited diffuse cytoplasmic staining. All tumors exhibiting weak or strong positive staining for VLA4 or VLA5 showed extrarenal invasion or were known to have developed metastases at the time of nephrectomy. All tumors strongly positive for VLA2 or CD44 showed invasion beyond the renal capsule or metastases. In contrast to a previous study, no association was observed between positive staining and tumor grade. Nor were tumor size, architectural pattern, cell type, or DNA ploidy found to be associated with particular staining patterns. Although many of the invasive tumors showed no difference in VLA integrin or CD44 expression compared with tumors confined to the kidney, increased expression in some of them suggests that these cell adhesion molecules may contribute to the invasive or metastatic phenotype.
Characterization of cucumber mosaic virus I. Molecular heterogeneity mapping of RNA 3 in eight CMV strains

RNAs from 13 strains of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were divided into two groups on the basis of their ability to hybridize to cDNA of either Fny-CMV RNA or WL-CMV RNA. The extent of the cross-hybridization within one of these groups was analyzed by an RNA protection assay. A cDNA clone of RNA 3 of the Fny strain of CMV was placed in a transcription vector between bacterial promoters T3 and T7. Labeled, minus-sense RNA transcripts prepared from all or part of the cDNA to RNA 3 of Fny-CMV were annealed to the genomic RNA of each of a number of cucumoviruses and digested with RNases. The patterns of RNA fragments protected from digestion were specific for each CMV strain and revealed the extent and location of heterogeneity among the viruses as well as within the Fny-CMV natural population. This approach will allow the differences in host range and disease processes to be correlated with variations in genomic RNAs.
Hybrid position/force and positional accuracy controller for a hydraulic manipulator

A hybrid position/force controller is presented for a 6 DOF hydraulic manipulator. The controller has been implemented on a Kraft telerobotic slave which has been modified to accommodate a 6 DOF force/torque sensor at the wrist. The controller is implemented within the task frame, and both the position and force are controlled with a non-conventional hybrid control method. Positional accuracy control is maintained at the joint level by using a joint error prediction method based on measured joint torques which have been low-pass filtered. This prediction method eliminates the need for integral gains, which introduce unwanted limit cycling. Dynamic stability is maintained and Cartesian positional error is held to less than 0.2 inches. Conventional hybrid control is based on the ability to control joint torques, but hydraulic actuator torque can not generally be directly controlled. We instead employ a feedback loop which adjusts positional commands along force controlled DOFs until desired end effector force/,moments have been realized. This feedback loop has been implemented in both joint and Cartesian space. The joint space feedback method is based on the observed joint error verses joint torque characteristics used in the positional accuracy control portion. The joint space method has better force tracking capabilities than the Cartesian method, but is not stable for all robot configurations. Cartesian space feedback method has sufficient force tracking for a useful range of tasks, and is stable for all configurations.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase improves recovery of postischemic hypercapnic cerebral blood flow in piglets.

We tested the hypothesis that administering polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD) either before global cerebral ischemia or at the time of reperfusion would alter recovery of cerebral blood flow (CBF; microspheres) response to alteration in arterial PCO2 in pentobarbital-anesthetized, mechanically ventilated piglets (1 to 2-wk old). CBF was measured at an arterial PCO2 of approximately 3.3, 5.3, and 8.7 kPa before and 2 h after ischemia (10 min aortic cross clamp). To determine the effect of preischemic versus postischemic treatment with PEG-SOD, each piglet received two i.v. drug injections of either 30,000 U PEG-SOD or an equal volume of PEG diluent in a randomized, blinded fashion before ischemia and just before reperfusion. Cerebral oxygen consumption and somatosensory evoked potentials were measured during reperfusion as an assessment of brain function. During reperfusion, no group demonstrated delayed hypoperfusion. Hypercapnic CBF was less during reperfusion (48 +/- 6 mL/min/100 g) compared with preischemia (69 +/- 10 mL/min/100 g) in PEG/PEG-treated piglets. However, hypercapnic CBF during reperfusion was not different from preischemic values with either preischemic or postischemic PEG-SOD treatment. Improved return of hypercapnic CBF in PEG-SOD-treated piglets was not attributable to improved postischemic cerebral oxygen consumption. Somatosensory evoked potential amplitude was decreased similarly during reperfusion (approximately 25% of preischemic values) in all groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)