cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Channel activation voltage alone is directly altered in an isoform-specific manner by Na(v1.4) and Na(v1.5) cytoplasmic linkers.

The isoform-specific direct role of cytoplasmic loops in the gating of two voltage-gated sodium channel isoforms, the human cardiac channel (Nav1.5; hH1) and the human adult skeletal muscle channel (Nav1.4; hSkM1), was investigated. Comparison of biophysical characteristics was made among hSkM1, hH1, and several hSkM1/hH1 chimeras in which the putative cytoplasmic loops that join domain I to II (loop A) and domain II to III (loop B) from one isoform replaced one or both of the analogous loops from the other isoform. For all parameters measured, hSkM1 and hH1 behavior were significantly different. Comparison of hSkM1 and hH1 biophysical characteristics with the function of their respective chimeras indicate that only the half-activation voltage (V a) is directly and differently altered by the species of cytoplasmic loop such that a channel consisting of one or both hSkM1 loops activates at smaller depolarizations, while a larger depolarization is required for activation of a channel containing one or both of the analogous hH1 loops. When either cardiac channel loop A or B is attached to hSkM1, a 6–7 mV depolarizing shift in V a is measured, increasing to a nearly 20 mV depolarization when both cardiac-channel loops are attached. The addition of either skeletal muscle-channel loop to hH1 causes a 7 mV hyperpolarization in V a, which increases to about 10 mV for the double loop chimera. There is no significant difference in either steady-state inactivation or in the recovery from inactivation data between hSkM1 and its chimeras and between hH1 and its chimeras. Data indicate that the cytoplasmic loops contribute directly to the magnitude of the window current, suggesting that channels containing skeletal muscle loops have three times the peak persistent channel activity compared to channels containing the cardiac loops. An electrostatic mechanism, in which surface charge differences among these loops might alter differently the voltage sensed by the gating mechanism of the channel, can not account for the observed isoform-specific effects of these loops only on channel activation voltage. In summary, although the DI-DII and DII-DIII loop structures among isoforms are not well conserved, these data indicate that only one gating parameter, V a is affected directly and in an isoform-specific manner by these divergent loop structures, creating loop-specific window currents and percentages of persistently active channels at physiological voltages that will likely impact the excitability of the cell.
Sub-classification of response regulators using the surface characteristics of their receiver domains

The omnipresent bacterial switch known as a two-component system is comprised of a response regulator and a sensor kinase with which it interacts. Sensor kinases have been classified and further sub-classified into groups based on their sequence similarity, loop lengths and domain organization. Response regulators have been classified predominantly by the identity and function of their output domains. Here, comparative based homology modeling of the receiver domains of the OmpR sub-family of response regulators in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli suggests further sub-classification is possible. A color-coded scale is used to show trends in surface hydrophobicity. For the OmpR receiver domains modeled these trends allow further sub-classification. The specific surface regions used for this sub-classification procedure correlate with clusters of residues that are important for interaction with cognate four helix bundle HisKA/Hpt domains.
Pioneers in policing: Clifford Shearing

Clifford Shearing’s pioneering scholarship on policing has been driven by his quest to understand the nature of power and the ways in which human beings both reflect and reify its modalities. Connecting his works are concerns about altering power relations such that they enhance the self-direction of poor and vulnerable populations. The question of what are we not seeing that we should – the invisible that is overlooked – has also been pivotal throughout Clifford’s career. He has advanced the field by expanding the focus of criminology to practices of social ordering beyond government institutions and to non-state institutions that scholars have commonly refused to acknowledge. Beyond his ground-breaking work on policing cultures, Clifford’s concepts of “nodal policing” and the “governance of security” are now part of the lexicon in a growing body of explanatory and normative work on developments across the world and at different geographies of analysis.
Health literacy and health-related knowledge among persons living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract Background: Functional health literacy is associated with illness-related knowledge, understanding, and treatment perceptions for several chronic illnesses. This study examined health literacy in relation to knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS. Methods: Persons living with HIV/AIDS recruited from AIDS service organizations and HIV clinics completed the Test of Functional Health Literacy for Adults (TOFHLA) reading comprehension scale and measures of health status, knowledge and understanding of health status, perceptions of primary care givers, and perceptions of anti-HIV treatments. Results: Eighteen percent of the sample scored below the cutoff for marginal functional health literacy on the TOFHLA. Controlling for years of education, persons of lower health literacy were significantly less likely to have an undetectable HIV viral load, somewhat less likely to know their CD4 cell count and viral load, and lower health-literacy persons who knew their CD4 count and viral load were less likely to understand their meaning. Lower health literacy was also related to misperceptions that anti-HIV treatments reduce risks for sexually transmitting HIV and beliefs that anti-HIV treatments can relax safer-sex practices. Conclusions: Poor health literacy creates barriers to fully understanding one's health, illness, and treatments. Misperceptions of treatment in the case of HIV infection creates danger for potentially transmitting treatment-resistant strains of HIV. These results have implications for patient education and treatment programming for people who have poor health-literacy skills and are living with HIV/AIDS.
Strategic technology investment analysis: an integrated system approach

Complex technology investment decisions within NASA are increasingly difficult to make such that the end results are satisfying the technical objectives and all the organizational constraints. Due to a restricted science budget environment and numerous required technology developments, the investment decisions need to take into account not only the functional impact on the program goals, but also development uncertainties and cost variations along with maintaining a healthy workforce. This paper1,2 reviews a utility-based approach for optimizing and qualifying technology investment portfolios from the perspective of an integrated system model. The methodology encompasses multi-attribute decision theory elements and sensitivity analysis. The evaluation of the degree of robustness of the recommended portfolio provides the decision-maker with an array of viable selection alternatives, which take into account input uncertainties and possibly satisfy non-technical constraints. The methodology is presented in the context of assessing capability development portfolios for NASA technology programs.
Frequency tuning and response latencies at three levels in the brainstem of the echolocating bat, Eptesicus fuscus

To determine the level at which certain response characteristics originate, we compared monaural auditory responses of neurons in ventral cochlear nucleus, nuclei of lateral lemniscus and inferior colliculus. Characteristics examined were sharpness of frequency tuning, latency variability for individual neurons and range of latencies across neurons. Exceptionally broad tuning curves were found in the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus, while exceptionally narrow tuning curves were found in the inferior colliculus. Neither specialized tuning characteristic was found in the ventral cochlear nuclei. All neurons in the columnar division of the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus maintained low variability of latency over a broad range of stimulus conditions. Some neurons in the cochlear nucleus (12%) and some in the inferior colliculus (15%) had low variability in latency but only at best frequency. Range of latencies across neurons was small in the ventral cochlear nucleus (1.3-5.7 ms), intermediate in the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus (1.7-19.8 ms) and greatest in the inferior colliculus (2.9-42.0 ms). We conclude that, in the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus and in the inferior colliculus, unique tuning and timing properties are built up from ascending inputs.
X-parameters and efficient physical device simulation of mm-wave power transistors with harmonic loading

We report on an alternative application of X-parameters to improve the efficiency of a general TCAD physical device simulator when simulating the response of a RF power transistor to different load impedance harmonic terminations. In particular, we combine large-signal circuit-device simulations with the predictive capability of X-parameters in order to avoid very time-consuming multi-harmonic simulations. The success of this approach, that is applicable to any physical device simulator, is validated by comparing the current-voltage waveforms of a standard GaN HEMT simulated through multi-harmonic termination device simulations with the ones predicted through X-parameters extracted from single-harmonic termination device simulations. The proposed method greatly improves the speed of the physical simulation of nonlinear device operations with different harmonic loading, the speed of the TCAD X-Parameter extraction, and also reduces convergence issues.
Moral Opposition to Authoritarian Rule in Chile, 1973-90

Acknowledgements - List of Abbreviations - Introduction - The Catholic Church and Human Rights: The Church and Politics in Chile 1925-73 - The Committee of Cooperation for Peace in Chile, September 1973-November 1975 - The Hierarchy, the Vicaria and the Regime, 1976-82 -The Vicaria and the Opposition, 1976-82 - The Vicaria and the Church, 1980-84 - Vicaria, Church, Regime and Opposition, 1983-89 - Moral Opposition to Authoritarian Rule in Chile: An Appraisal - Sources and Bibliography - Appendices - Index
Design of an On-Line Computer-Based Textile Information Retrieval System

A design is reported for a compatible time-sharing system for textile information storage and retrieval. Simultaneous utilization of an IBM 7094 by 25 to 30 independent users is indicated, some solving mathematical problems, others retrieving information. The principal files of the information system permit the recording and retrieval of document data as to authors, subject matter, and other necessary bibliographic infor mation. During posting and updating of the files, a structured thesaurus is employed as an automatic filter for data input.Varied searching techniques are described, some based on subject inquiry, others on authors, references, or citations. Emphasis is given to action by the user to immedi ate computer response to his inquiries. A sample dialogue between man and machine is reported. Successful interstate and transatlantic demonstrations of the system are reported.
The Retirement Life Course in America at the Dawn of the Twenty-First Century

As the baby boom cohorts expand the number of U.S. retirees, population estimates of the employment, withdrawal and reentry behaviors of older Americans’ remain scarce. How long do people work? How frequently is retirement reversed? How many years are people retired? What is the modal age of retirement? And, how do the patterns for women compare to those for men? Using the 1992–2004 Health and Retirement Study, we estimate multistate working life tables to update information on the age-graded regularities of the retirement life course of men and women in the United States. We find that at age 50 men can expect to spend half of their remaining lives working for pay, while women can expect to spend just one-third. Half of all men and women have left the labor force by ages 63 and 61, respectively. Although the majority of retirement exits are final, variation in the nature and duration of the retirement process is substantial, as about a third of men’s and women’s exits are reversed. By quantifying these patterns for men and women, we provide a sound empirical basis for evaluating policy designed to address the financial pressures population aging places on public and private pension systems.
Problems in Egyptology: Ancient Egyptian Kinship

Egyptologists have produced vast amounts of data on various aspects of the ancient Egyptian society. This information has primarily been developed from ancient Egypt's archaeological and textual records. Egyptologists believe that the data (archaeological and textual records) provide the answers to any questions surrounding ancient Egyptian society; they need only to be translated or excavated (Trigger, 1993, p. 2).1 Because Egyptology is a combination of archaeology, philology, and linguistics, the interpretation of these data has been of great interest to other disciplines. From the archaeological and textual records, numerous studies have been produced on certain aspects of ancient Egyptian society, marriage, family, women, sexual life, and customs. But these studies deal with kinship in an allusive manner. In 1927, Murray published an article titled "Genealogies of the Middle Kingdom" in the journal Ancient Egypt. This article is often cited to give credibility to the popular albeit erroneous assumption that ancient Egypt (pharaonic) was rampant with consanguineous marriages, that is, brother-sister and father-daughter. Indeed, what this article illustrated was Murray's unfamiliarity with the indigenous meaning of ancient Egyptian kinship terms. Consequently, Murray (1927) disposes of the idea that kinship terms such as snt (sister) and hit (wife) may have different cultural connotations than those of Europe. Murray states emphatically,
Composing transformations for instrumentation and optimization

When transforming programs for complex instrumentation and optimization, it is essential to understand the effect of the transformations, to best optimize the transformed programs, and to speedup the transformation process. This paper describes a powerful method for composing transformation rules to achieve these goals.We specify the transformations declaratively as instrumentation rules and invariant rules, the latter for transforming complex queries in instrumentation and in programs into efficient incremental computations. Our method automatically composes the transformation rules and optimizes the composed rules before applying the optimized composed rules. The method allows (1) the effect of transformations to be accumulated in composed rules and thus easy to see, (2) the replacements in composed rules to be optimized without the difficulty of achieving the optimization on large transformed programs, and (3) the transformation process to be sped up by applying a composed rule inone pass of program analyses and transformations instead of applying the original rules in multiple passes.We have implemented the method for Python. We successfully used it for instrumentation, in ranking peers in BitTorrent; and for optimization of complex queries, in the instrumentation of BitTorrent, in evaluating connections of network hosts using NetFlow, and in generating efficient implementations of Constrained RBAC.
Sleep and Fatigue Symptoms in Children and Adolescents With CKD: A Cross-sectional Analysis From the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) Study

Background Although symptoms of sleepiness and fatigue are common in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), little is known about the prevalence of these symptoms in children with CKD. Study Design Cross-sectional analysis within a cohort study. Setting & Participants We describe the frequency and severity of sleep problems and fatigue and assess the extent of their association with measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in 301 participants of the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children cohort. Outcomes & Measurements Sleep and fatigue-related items from the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Scales and the CKD-related Symptoms List were used. Results Median mGFR was 42.0 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (25th-75th percentiles, 31.2-53.2), and median age was 13.9 years (25th-75th percentiles, 10.8-16.2). Children with mGFR of 40- 2 had 2.07 (95% CI, 1.05-4.09), 2.35 (95% CI, 1.17-4.72), and 2.59 (95% CI, 1.15-5.85) higher odds of having more severe parent reports of low energy than children with mGFR ≥ 50 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Compared with participants with mGFR ≥ 50 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , those with mGFR 2 had 3.92 (95% CI, 1.37-11.17) higher odds of reporting more severe weakness, and those with mGFR of 40- 2 had 2.95 (95% CI, 1.26-6.88) higher odds of falling asleep during the day. Low energy, trouble sleeping, and weakness were associated with lower HRQOL scores. Limitations Symptoms of sleep and fatigue represent the child's or parent's perception of symptom severity, whereas individual items can lead to imprecise measurements of sleep and fatigue. Conclusions Lower mGFR was associated with increased weakness, low energy, and daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, a strong association between trouble sleeping, low energy, and weakness with decreases in overall HRQOL was observed. Detection and treatment of poor sleep and fatigue may improve the development and HRQOL of children and adolescents with CKD.
Global analysis of the membrane subproteome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most significant opportunistic bacterial pathogens in humans causing infections and premature death in patients with cystic fibrosis, AIDS, severe burns, organ transplants, or cancer. Liquid chromatography coupled online with tandem mass spectrometry was used for the large-scale proteomic analysis of the P. aeruginosa membrane subproteome. Concomitantly, an affinity labeling technique, using iodoacetyl-PEO biotin to tag cysteinyl-containing proteins, permitted the enrichment and detection of lower abundance membrane proteins. The application of these approaches resulted in the identification of 786 proteins. A total of 333 proteins (42%) had a minimum of one transmembrane domain (ranging from 1 to14) and 195 proteins were classified as hydrophobic based on their positive GRAVY values (ranging from 0.01 to 1.32). Key integral inner and outer membrane proteins involved in adaptation and antibiotic resistance were conclusively identified, including the detection of 53% of...
Peripheral blood cytogenetic studies in myelofibrosis: overall yield and comparison with bone marrow cytogenetic studies.

Abstract Among 59 consecutive patients with myelofibrosis (MF) in whom peripheral blood (PB) cytogenetic studies were performed, at least two analyzable metaphases (median 20, range 2–31) were obtained in 49 (81%) patients and in all 37 (100%) cases with PB myeloid progenitor cell count of 0.1 × 109 L−1 or above (p = 0.02). Twenty-two patients had concomitant PB and bone marrow (BM) cytogenetic studies; 6 showed similarly abnormal findings in both BM and PB. In another 2 cases, results were abnormal in BM but normal in PB; the opposite was seen in 1 case. These results suggest that PB can be considered as an alternative to BM for cytogenetic studies as currently used in MF but additional prospective studies are needed to support change in practice.
Corrigendum to ''Measurement of the second osmotic virial coefficient for protein solutions exhibiting monomer-dimer equilibrium" (Anal. Biochem. 377 (2008) 128-133)

In the above-referenced article, the authors describe the effects of protein self-association on apparent second osmotic virial coefficients and second osmotic virial monomer–dimer cross coefficients measured by light scattering. To make these measurements, they relied on separate determinations of association constants by sedimentation equilibrium. They wish to draw attention to another work [1], published shortly before theirs, that describes a high-throughput light scattering technique for estimating protein monomer–dimer association constants and an overall, mole fraction weighted second virial coefficient. Although the simultaneous determination of association constants and osmotic virial coefficients is challenging because the two are highly correlated [2,3], the high-through-
Crystallographic aspects of geometrically-necessary and statistically-stored dislocation density

Abstract Classical plasticity has reached its limit in describing crystalline material behavior at the micron level and below. Its inability to predict size-dependent effects at this length scale has motivated the use of higher-order gradients to model material behavior at the micron level. The physical motivation behind the use of strain gradients has been based on the framework of geometrically-necessary dislocations (GNDs). A new but equivalent definition for Nye's dislocation tensor, a measure of GND density, is proposed, based on the integrated properties of dislocation lines within a volume. A discrete form of the definition is applied to redundant crystal systems, and methods for characterizing the dislocation tensor with realizable crystallographic dislocations are presented. From these methods and the new definition of the dislocation tensor, two types of three-dimensional dislocation structures are found: open periodic networks which have long-range geometric consequences, and closed three-dimensional dislocation structures which self-terminate, having no geometric consequence. The implications of these structures on the presence of GNDs in polycrystalline materials lead to the introduction of a Nye factor relating geometrically-necessary dislocation density to plastic strain gradients.
β-hairpin-mediated nucleation of polyglutamine amyloid formation

The conformational preferences of polyglutamine (polyQ) sequences are of major interest because of their central importance in the expanded CAG repeat diseases that include Huntington's disease. Here, we explore the response of various biophysical parameters to the introduction of β-hairpin motifs within polyQ sequences. These motifs (tryptophan zipper, disulfide, d-Pro-Gly, Coulombic attraction, l-Pro-Gly) enhance formation rates and stabilities of amyloid fibrils with degrees of effectiveness well correlated with their known abilities to enhance β-hairpin formation in other peptides. These changes led to decreases in the critical nucleus for amyloid formation from a value of n=4 for a simple, unbroken Q23 sequence to approximate unitary n values for similar length polyQs containing β-hairpin motifs. At the same time, the morphologies, secondary structures, and bioactivities of the resulting fibrils were essentially unchanged from simple polyQ aggregates. In particular, the signature pattern of solid-state NMR (13)C Gln resonances that appears to be unique to polyQ amyloid is replicated exactly in fibrils from a β-hairpin polyQ. Importantly, while β-hairpin motifs do produce enhancements in the equilibrium constant for nucleation in aggregation reactions, these Kn values remain quite low (~10(-)(10)) and there is no evidence for significant enhancement of β-structure within the monomer ensemble. The results indicate an important role for β-turns in the nucleation mechanism and structure of polyQ amyloid and have implications for the nature of the toxic species in expanded CAG repeat diseases.
Observations of plasma sheet expansion at substorm onset, R = 15 to 22 Re

We have used a large number of auroral magnetograms to identify four isolated substorms and estimate their onset times. At the onsets, ISEE-1 was in the vicinity of magnetic midnight at radial distances of 15.6 to 21.8 Re and very near the outer boundary of the plasma sheet. We find that, for each event, the plasma sheet expanded, and the magnetic field dipolarized at the inferred onset time. Our most definitive event occurred while ISEE was at a geocentric radial distance of 21.8 Re. This result conflicts with previous understanding, though further verification of the result is required. Our observations show very similar characteristics to those observed at synchronous orbit, and they are consistent with an extension of a portion of the substorm current wedge to the radial distance of the satellite. If this explanation is correct, ISEE must have been within the longitude range of the substorm current wedge at the onsets.
Pulsed CO2 laser photolysis of CF2Cl2

Abstract The pulsed infrared laser photolysis of CF 2 Cl 2 yields primarily (more than 85%) the CF 2 Cl free radical and atomic chlorine. Somewhat smaller amounts (less than 15%) of CF 2 and molecular chlorine are produced in a competing primary process. Depending on experimental conditions, e.g. pressure and intensity, secondary processes can occur that can obscure the primary chemistry. For example, at low intensity the CF 2 Cl radical can thermally dissociate to yield CF 2 plus chlorine atoms while at high intensity the CF 2 Cl radical can undergo reaction with chlorine atoms to yield CF 2 and molecular chlorine. Quantitative measurements can be made of the relative importance of the primary atomic or molecular chlorine elimination channels under conditions where secondary removal of CF 2 Cl is entirely eliminated. Under these conditions, the relative importance of these two channels does not depend on the intensity of the laser or on the laser wavelength. The overall chemistry occurring in this complex system is evaluated in the absence as well as in the presence of atomic and free-radical scavengers using conventional end-product analysis techniques.
Pulse motor control for maximizing average velocity

This paper examines the problem of optimal pulse rocket motor control for minimum time to a specified final range. A complete characterization of the pulsing conditions is derived for the constant altitude case. The results are portrayed in the form of pulse-firing envelopes (one for each pulse) that are range- and velocity-dependent. For the variable altitude case, the problem of optimized guidance and pulse motor control in the vertical plane is treated. One of the major conclusions from this problem analysis is that the use of pulse motors offers little advantage when vertical plane guidance is optimized in the absence of constraints. Special attention is given to the optimality conditions that arise at the junction of boost and coast arcs, and a numerical procedure for computing the junction condition is outlined.
A new view of the mid-ocean ridge from the behaviour of ridge-axis discontinuities

High-resolution images covering large areas of the seafloor reveal numerous discontinuities along the mid-ocean ridge. These discontinuities occur at a range of scales (10–1,000 km) and define a fundamental segmentation of seafloor spreading centres. Some are transient; others persist for millions of years, migrating along the mid-ocean ridge and disrupting the structural and geochemical character of approximately 20% of the oceanic lithosphere.
Anti-F(ab')2 antibodies that interfere with interpretation of the anti-C3 assay for immune complexes in children with rheumatic diseases.

Results of the solid phase F(ab')2 anti-C3 radio-immunoassay for immune complexes were abnormal in sera from some patients with juvenile arthritis and in many patients with other forms of chronic inflammation. However, C3 failed to block positive reactions of sera from patients even though it did block the reaction when aggregated IgG was added to normal sera. Moreover, positive sera reacted with nonspecific F(ab')2 fragments from several species. High correlation coefficients were obtained between abnormal results in the anti-C3 assay with juvenile arthritis sera and reactions with goat, mouse, and rabbit F(ab')2, but less so with human F(ab')2. Sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or cystic fibrosis had similar reactions but different species specificities. After sucrose density fractionation, the reactivity with nonspecific anti-F(ab')2 was only in the IgG-containing fractions, but anti-C3 activity was in both IgG-containing fractions and the fractions between IgG and IgM. We conclude that anti-F(ab')2 antibodies are common in children with inflammation and may interfere with interpretation of assays using F(ab')2 anti-C3 for detection of complexes.
Pressure-induced shear-mode elastic softening in orthorhombic BaCe0.85 Y0.15 O2.925 perovskite

Compressional and shear wave velocities of orthorhombic BaCe0.85 Y0.15 O2.925 perovskite were measured at high pressures up to 8.1 GPa by ultrasonic interferometry combined with energy-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction. At room temperature, the adiabatic bulk modulus increases with increasing pressure, as expected for most polycrystalline materials. The shear modulus, however, show a negative dependence on pressure over a pressure range of ∼2–8.1 GPa. This anomalous elastic softening indicates destabilization of the orthorhombic structure in BaCe0.85Y0.15O2.925 perovskite over the experimental pressure range and is presumably the precursor to the first-order phase transition previously observed at 22 GPa using Raman spectroscopic study.
RNF111-Dependent Neddylation Activates DNA Damage-Induced Ubiquitination

Ubiquitin-like proteins have been shown to be covalently conjugated to targets. However, the functions of these ubiquitin-like proteins are largely unknown. Here, we have screened most known ubiquitin-like proteins after DNA damage and found that NEDD8 is involved in the DNA damage response. Following various DNA damage stimuli, NEDD8 accumulated at DNA damage sites; this accumulation was dependent on an E2 enzyme (UBE2M) and an E3 ubiquitin ligase (RNF111). We further found that histone H4 was polyneddylated in response to DNA damage, and NEDD8 was conjugated to the N-terminal lysine residues of H4. Interestingly, the DNA damage-induced polyneddylation chain could be recognized by the MIU (motif interacting with ubiquitin) domain of RNF168. Loss of DNA damage-induced neddylation negatively regulated DNA damage-induced foci formation of RNF168 and its downstream functional partners, such as 53BP1 and BRCA1, thus affecting the normal DNA damage repair process.
State Departments of Education Policies on Consultation in Special Education: The State of the States

Recent data indicate that more than two-thirds of our nation's handicapped students are receiving the majority of their education in regular classes. This investigation examined state departments of education policies on consultation in five special education program and personnel areas: (a) special education service delivery models, (b) consultation roles/responsibilities of the special educator, (c) consultation competencies of the special educator, (d) certification involving consultation, and (e) job titles including consultation. Results revealed a significant need for improved policies and leadership by state departments of education to assist local education agencies in developing and/or improving teacher consultation programs to provide educational support services to handicapped students in mainstreamed classes. Specific suggestions are made and resources identified to assist state and local education agency officials in responding to this critical need in a timely manner.
Tree matching and simplification

A fast algorithm for performing simplification and matching is described. The algorithm gives an improvement of up to an order of magnitude on suitable problems. It makes use of a dag data structure and tag fields to avoid redundant matches. Performance studies were done to determine the relative importance of various features in improving the running time.
Inhibition of pituitary-gonadal function in male rats by a potent GnRH antagonist.

Abstract The inhibitory effects of the potent GnRH antagonist, [Ac- d -pCl-Phe 1,2 , d -Trp 3 , d -Arg 6 , d Ala 10 ]GnRH (GnRHant) upon pituitary-gonadal function were investigated in normal and castrated male rats. The antagonist was given a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of 1–500 μg to 40–60 day old rats which were killed from 1 to 7 days later for assay of pituitary GnRH receptors, gonadal receptors for LH, FSH, and PRL, and plasma gonadotropins, PRL, and testosterone (T). In intact rats treated with low doses of the antagonist (1, 5 or 10 μg), available pituitary GnRH receptors were reduced to 40, 30 and 15% of the control values, respectively, with no change in serum gonadotropin, PRL, and T levels. Higher antagonist doses (50, 100 or 500 μg) caused more marked decreases in free GnRH receptors, to 8, 4 and 1 % of the control values, which were accompanied by dose-related reductions in serum LH and T concentrations. After the highest dose of GnRHant (500 μg), serum LH and T levels were completely suppressed at 24 h, and serum levels of the GnRH antagonist were detectable for up to 3 days by radioimmunoassay. The 500 μg dose of GnRHant also reduced testicular LH and PRL receptors by 30 and 50% respectively, at 24 h; by 72 h, PRL receptors and LH receptors were still slightly below control values. In castrate rats, treatment with GnRHant reduced pituitary GnRH receptors by 90% and suppressed serum LH and FSH to hypophysectomized levels. Such responses in castrate animals were observed following injection of relatively low doses of GnRHant (100 μg), after which the antagonist was detectable in serum for up to 24 h. These data suggest that extensive or complete occupancy of the pituitary receptor population by a GnRH antagonist is necessary to reduce plasma gonadotropin and testosterone levels in intact rats. In castrate animals, partial occupancy of the available GnRH receptor sites appears to be sufficient to inhibit the elevated rate of gonadotropin secretion.
Ambulatory Extended Recovery: Safely Transitioning to Overnight Observation for Minimally Invasive Prostatectomy

Abstract Introduction We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a clinical pathway designed and implemented to transition inpatient minimally invasive radical prostatectomy to a procedure with overnight observation. Methods In April 2011 ambulatory extended recovery was implemented at our institution. This was a multidisciplinary program of preoperative teaching and postoperative care for patients undergoing minimally invasive radical prostatectomy. We compared the risk of requiring a more than 1-night hospital stay by patients treated with surgery the year before the program vs those treated after the program was initiated, adjusting for age, ASA ® status and surgery type. We also examined the rates of readmission and urgent care visits within 48 hours, and 7 and 30 days before and after the program began. Results The proportion of patients who stayed longer than 1 night was 53% in the year before initiating the ambulatory extended recovery program vs 8% during the program, representing an adjusted absolute risk decrease of 45% (95% CI 39–50, p Conclusions The ambulatory extended recovery program successfully transitioned most patients to a 1-night hospital stay without resulting in an increased rate of readmission or urgent care visits.
Replication of two porcine parvovirus isolates at non-permissive temperatures.

Previous studies have shown that replication in vitro of the porcine parvovirus (PPV) isolate, KBSH, was restricted at 39°C but not at 37°C. In contrast, replication of the Kresse isolate was restricted at 37°C but not at 39°C. In this study, Kresse and KBSH isolates were passaged up to ten times in swine testicle (ST) cells at non-permissive temperatures, and at subsequent passage viral protein synthesis, viral DNA synthesis, and progeny virus were evaluated. KBSH became adapted for replication at 39°C upon serial passages, displaying an appreciable increase in viral progeny, viral polypeptides, and viral DNA concentration. This finding was also observed with Kresse virus isolate continuously passaged at 37°C. Neither isolate became adapted for replication at 32°C. In an attempt to examine the effect of in vitro passage at non-permissive temperatures on pathogenicity in swine, KBSH passaged 10 times either at 37°C or 39°C was inoculated into swine fetuses. Two of four fetuses inoculated with 39°C-passaged KBSH were dead and hemorrhagic or mummified. All four fetuses inoculated with 39°C-KBSH contained viral antigen and viral DNA. In contrast, fetuses inoculated with 37°C-passaged KBSH, or with cell culture fluid were normal in appearance. Viral antigen and viral DNA were not demonstrated in fetuses inoculated with 37°C-KBSH or cell culture fluids. These findings suggest the possibility that the ability to replicate at 39°C is associated with virulence in swine fetuses.
Orthogonal grid construction for modeling of transport in tokamaks

Abstract A simple method has been developed for numerically constructing orthogonal grids based on the tokamak poloidal flux surfaces. The poloidal flux surfaces form -a natural set of coordinate lines for the study of transport in the tokamak scrape-off region, since the energy transport there is mostly along the field lines contained within the flux surfaces. For a study of both the poloidal and perpendicular (radial) transport, a two-dimensional, preferably orthogonal, mesh is required. The need for a new mesh generating code arose from the requirements of the particular topology produced by the zeros in the poloidal field (x-points) and the consequent problems with the numbering of the mesh.
Image analysis with speckles altered by a deformable mirror

Quasi-static speckles are one of the main limitations in imaging exoplanets, since the image of a planet looks similar to a speckle. However, speckles are light from the same coherent source, the star, and incoherent with the planet. By moving the deformable mirror after each image, the speckle pattern as seen on the camera changes between images. The change is very small within the full width half max of the planet, so changes in the planet image are minimal. This fundamental coherence property of the speckles (and incoherence with the planet light) guides us to develop a planet detection method to distinguish a planet from a speckle by taking advantage of a changing speckle pattern. We present a planet detection algorithm using a Bayesian analysis. We seek to conduct a hypothesis test at each pixel in the image to detect the presence of a planet at that location. We formulate a test statistic and use a least-squares method to estimate the unknown parameters. These parameters are the intensities of a planet and a locally constant background. Our algorithm assumes the speckle pattern is independent from one image to another. This approach is used to formulate an integration time estimate for detection of a planet with specified probabilities of false alarms and missed detections. A comparison is made between a single stacked image and using multiple images.
Introduction: the debates and significance of immigrant transnationalism

This introduction explores reasons for the continuing debate on the subject of transnationalism and persistent scepticism about the significance of the topic. The basis for such disagreements has to do less with the actual existence of the phenomenon than with methodological shortcomings that led to its overestimation in the early literature and the conceptual failure to distinguish between cross-border activities conducted by major institutions and by private actors in civil society. I explore these various problems seeking to clarify the actual scope of the phenomenon of transnationalism and its novel character. Despite recent findings that point to limited numerical involvement of immigrant groups in transnational activities, the latter remain significant because of their prospective growth and their impact on both immigrant adaptation in receiving countries and the development prospects of sending nations and communities. The evidence presented in the following articles document in detail these various aspects and indicates the multiple forms adopted by this phenomenon among immigrant groups in Europe and the United States.
DOG1 Antibody Is a Highly Sensitive and Specific Marker for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors in Cytology Cell Blocks

Initial diagnosis of submucosal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is often made from material obtained by endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). Although 95% of GISTs are positive for KIT by immunohistochemical analysis on surgical specimens, we have observed several cases of GIST that were negative for KIT on the cell block but subsequently positive on the surgical resection. DOG1 has been found to be a specific and sensitive marker for GISTs on surgical material. We compared KIT and DOG1 staining in 52 GIST cell blocks and in 44 cell blocks of other intra-abdominal spindle cell neoplasms. We found that DOG1 was the more sensitive marker, with positivity in all 52 GIST cell blocks. KIT was positive in 46 (88%) of the GIST cases, with sensitivity dependent on the FNA method. Both markers were highly specific: KIT was negative in all 44 non-GIST cases, whereas DOG1 showed weak positivity in only 1 leiomyosarcoma.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the forearm as a diagnostic aid in patients with sporadic inclusion body myositis

Because weakness of finger flexors and atrophy of the forearms are frequent findings in inclusion body myositis (IBM) patients, we examined the forearm muscles by MRI to determine if involvement of the distal musculature has a characteristic diagnostic pattern. We performed MRI of the forearms in 21 randomly selected patients with histologically confirmed IBM and in 9 patients with other, age-matched, neuromuscular diseases who served as controls. In addition, we analyzed axial images of 10 individual forearm muscles blindly without knowledge of the clinical status or diagnosis of the patients. TI-weighted MR images showed marbled brightness of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) in 20 of 21 IBM patients, of the flexor carpi ulnaris in 7, the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) in 6, the flexor carpi radialis in 4, the supinator in 3, and the brachioradialis in 1. The extensors were normal. The abnormalities of the FDP correlated with the severity but not the duration of the disease and in some patients preceded overt clinical signs of FDP weakness. In contrast, the FDS was spared even late in the disease. We conclude that selective involvement of the FDP may occur early in the course of IBM and can be easily demonstrated by MRI in up to 95% of patients. Because selective FDP involvement appears to be a very frequent and characteristic finding in patients with IBM, MRI of the forearm is a useful noninvasive test in supporting the diagnosis of sporadic IBM.
High consumption of red meat and processed meat was associated with increased risk for mortality

Source Citation Sinha R, Cross AJ, Graubard BI, Leitzmann MF, Schatzkin A. Meat intake and mortality: a prospective study of over half a million people. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:562-71. 19307518
Elevated phosphorylase kinase activity in psoriatic epidermis: correlation with increased phosphorylation and psoriatic activity.

Summary To determine whether abnormal activity of a calmodulin-containing enzyme which catalyses phosphorylation reactions may play a pathogenetic role in psoriasis, the presence and activity of phosphorylase kinase (PK) in human epidermis were determined in patients with untreated/active psoriasis (n=10), treated/resolving psoriasis (n= 10), and non-psoriatic controls (n= 10). Biopsies were taken from involved and uninvolved skin for PK, organic phosphorus, and inorganic phosphate estimation, and light and electron microscopy. The enzyme was present in involved and uninvolved skin of every patient in the study. PK activity (units/mg protein) was significantly higher in active psoriasis than in resolving psoriasis and controls. PK activity correlated directly with organic phosphorus levels, and inversely with the extent of cellular glycogenolysis measured by the depletion of glycogen granules within the keratinocytes. The study demonstrates that PK is present in both psoriatic and normal epidermis, with significantly higher levels in active psoriasis. Furthermore, higher levels of PK activity, glycogenolysis and phosphorylation are associated with increased clinical psoriatic activity. We conclude that PK, a calmodulin-containing enzyme, is involved in regulating calcium-dependent phosphorylation events in human epidermis, and disturbance of its activity may play a key role in the clinical manifestations of psoriasis.
Adaptive Subcarrier Nulling: Enabling partial spectrum sharing in wireless LANs

Emerging WLAN standards have been incorporating a variety of channel widths ranging from 5MHz to 160MHz, in order to match the diverse traffic demands on different networks. Unfortunately, the current 802.11 MAC/PHY is not designed for the coexistence of variable-width channels. Overlapping narrowband channels may block an entire wide-band channel, resulting in severe spectrum underutilization and even starvation of WLANs on the wide-band. A similar peril exists when a WLAN partially overlaps its channel with multiple orthogonal WLANs. In this paper, we propose to solve the problem of partial spectrum sharing using Adaptive Subcarrier Nulling (ASN). ASN builds on the 802.11 OFDM PHY, but allows the radios to sense, transmit, detect, and decode packets through spectrum fragments, or subbands. An ASN transmitter can adapt its spectrum usage on a per-packet basis, by nulling the subbands used by neighboring WLANs, and sending packets through the remaining idle subbands. ASN preserves the 802.11 CSMA/CA primitives while allowing users to contend for access to each subband, and can opportunistically exploit the merits of wide-band channels via spectrum aggregation. We have implemented and evaluated ASN on the GNURadio/USRP platform. Our experimental results have shown ASN to achieve detection and decoding performance comparable to the legacy 802.11. Our detailed simulation in ns-2 further shows that ASN substantially improves the efficiency and fairness of spectrum sharing for multi-cell WLANs.
Has This Child Been Sexually Abused: Dilemmas for the Mental-Health Professional Who Seeks the Answer

Efforts to determine if a child has been sexually abused are increasingly becoming a part of mental health practice. This article suggests that many aspects of forensic mental health practice to "determine if a child has been abused" may run counter to traditional clinical training. The article also discusses the goals of forensic practice in this area. Language: en
Subcortical vascular dementia caused by bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion (Moyamoya) in a 47-year-old Hispanic woman

We report a case of subcortical vascular dementia in a young Hispanic woman, without vascular risk factors, who was found to have extensive ischemic brain lesions due to bilateral intracranial carotid artery occlusions (Moyamoya disease). A combination of ECIC surgeries, donepezil and antiplatelet therapy resulted in increased cerebral perfusion, improvement of cognitive deficits, and prevention of further ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. Moyamoya disease has been rarely described as a cause of vascular dementia. Differential diagnosis includes atherosclerotic disease, multiple sclerosis, and CADASIL.