cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sleep in Kcna2 knockout mice

Shaker codes for a Drosophila voltage-dependent potassium channel. Flies carrying Shaker null or hypomorphic mutations sleep 3–4 h/day instead of 8–14 h/day as their wild-type siblings do. Shaker-like channels are conserved across species but it is unknown whether they affect sleep in mammals. To address this issue, we studied sleep in Kcna2 knockout (KO) mice. Kcna2 codes for Kv1.2, the alpha subunit of a Shaker-like voltage-dependent potassium channel with high expression in the mammalian thalamocortical system. Continuous (24 h) electroencephalograph (EEG), electromyogram (EMG), and video recordings were used to measure sleep and waking in Kcna2 KO, heterozygous (HZ) and wild-type (WT) pups (P17) and HZ and WT adult mice (P67). Sleep stages were scored visually based on 4-s epochs. EEG power spectra (0–20 Hz) were calculated on consecutive 4-s epochs. KO pups die by P28 due to generalized seizures. At P17 seizures are either absent or very rare in KO pups (< 1% of the 24-h recording time), and abnormal EEG activity is only present during the seizure. KO pups have significantly less non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep (-23%) and significantly more waking (+21%) than HZ and WT siblings with no change in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep time. The decrease in NREM sleep is due to an increase in the number of waking episodes, with no change in number or duration of sleep episodes. Sleep patterns, daily amounts of sleep and waking, and the response to 6 h sleep deprivation are similar in HZ and WT adult mice. Kv1.2, a mammalian homologue of Shaker, regulates neuronal excitability and affects NREM sleep.
Advances in fusion technology

The US fusion technology program is an essential element in the development of the knowledge base for an attractive fusion power source. The technology program incorporates both near and long term R&D, contributes to material and engineering sciences as well as technology development, ranges from hardware production to theory and modeling, contributes significantly to spin-off applications, and performs global systems assessments and focused design studies.
An Lrp-type transcriptional regulator from Agrobacterium tumefaciens condenses more than 100 nucleotides of DNA into globular nucleoprotein complexes

Abstract The PutR protein of Agrobacterium tumefaciens positively regulates expression of the putA gene in response to exogenous proline, resulting in the utilization of proline as a source of carbon and nitrogen. PutR activity required a region of DNA extending more than 106 nt upstream of the putA transcription start site. Purified PutR bound to this region with high degree of affinity and repressed expression of the putR promoter in vitro . PutR also activated the putA promoter in vitro in the presence of proline, though less strongly than in whole cells. PutR protected a DNA interval extending from nucleotides −30 to −140, but protected only one helical face over most of this interval, suggesting that it may bind only to this face of the DNA. The addition of proline caused a slight decrease in binding affinity and altered DNase I protection patterns along the entire length of the binding site. PutR-DNA complexes were found by atomic force microscopy to be globular rather than elongated. Although the DNA fragment in these complexes was 190 nm in length, the length of the visible DNA was only 150 nm, indicating that 40 nm of DNA (115 nt) must be condensed with protein. PutR caused a net bend of this binding site, and under some conditions, proline shifted the center of this bend by one helical turn.
Localization of the 5S rRNA genes and evidence for diversity in the 5S rDNA region of maize

Abstract The 5S rRNA genes of maize are located in the long arm of chromosome 2 (88% of the distance from the centromere to the end) and organized in a 320-bp repeat. Genomic blots of maize DNA digested with the restriction enzymes Bam HI and Msp I reveal ladders of bands in multiples of 320 bp. Analysis of 5S rDNA from genomic clones reveals that the ladders are due to both modification and divergence of the 5s rDNA nucleotide sequence.
The Liberal State Vs The National Soul: Mapping Civil Society Transplants

The story of the liberal agenda in the former Yugoslavia and other ‘societies in transition’ is a process involving a unity of opposites - of particularism and universalism; local nationalism and global liberalism. This essay suggests a set of tools with which to re-examine the work of foreign actors engaged in ‘rule of law’ and ‘civil society’ projects in countries such as the former Yugoslavia. The essay examines three orientations of the dominant paradigm informing the work of foreign intervenors and asserts counter-orientations. The author argues that there has not been a convergence to a liberal ideal; the liberal agenda cannot be transplanted wholesale to ‘societies in transition’ as localisms, including nationalisms, challenge claims to universalisms. Both liberalism and nationalism have the potential to be either liberatory or oppressive forces; however, no solution can be viable without an accommodation of both. To better examine the liberal campaign, the essay charts the actors at play, the rhet...
Subconjunctival carboplatin in fibrin sealant in the treatment of transgenic murine retinoblastoma

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of subconjunctival carboplatin in fibrin sealant in the treatment of transgenic murine retinoblastoma. Design Experimental study using LHβ- Tag transgenic mice in a randomized controlled trial. Participants and Controls Thirty-three 10-week-old LHβ- Tag transgenic mice: 22 carboplatin-treated animals and 11 control animals. Methods Three groups of 11 mice were treated with a single, 30 μl injection of fibrin sealant in the subconjunctival space of 1 eye; the opposite eye was left untreated as an internal control. Group 1 (low-dose group) received 37.5 mg/ml calculated concentration of carboplatin in fibrin sealant (0.66 mg measured total dose). Group 2 (high-dose group) received 75 mg/ml calculated concentration of carboplatin in fibrin sealant (1.23 mg measured total dose). Group 3 (control group) received fibrin sealant only. Mice were killed on day 22 after treatment. Eyes were serially sectioned, and retinal tumor burden was quantified by histopathologic analysis. For statistical analysis of treatment effects, eyes were divided into 6 groups: low-dose group, sealant-treated eyes; low-dose group, untreated eyes; high-dose group, sealant-treated eyes; high-dose group, untreated eyes; control group, sealant-treated eyes; and control group, untreated eyes. Main Outcome Measures Main outcome measure was mean tumor burden per level per eye in each experimental group. Results The best therapeutic results were obtained in eyes treated with low-dose carboplatin in fibrin sealant, where no histopathologic evidence of toxicity was observed, and 6 of 11 eyes had zero tumor burden. Tumor burden in the remaining 5 eyes in this group was minimal (4 eyes) or moderate (1 eye) compared with mean control values. Mean tumor burden in this group was significantly smaller than mean tumor burden in untreated eyes from the same mice ( P P P Conclusions Subconjunctival carboplatin in fibrin sealant is effective in the treatment of transgenic murine retinoblastoma. A single injection of low-dose carboplatin in fibrin sealant was sufficient to induce complete or near-complete intraocular tumor regression in 10 of 11 eyes (91%), with no associated histologic evidence of toxicity. These results suggest that subconjunctival carboplatin in fibrin sealant provides sustained release and could have clinical use in the treatment of intraocular retinoblastoma.
Ski and SnoN: negative regulators of TGF-β signaling

Ski and SnoN are unique proto-oncoproteins in that they can induce both oncogenic transformation and terminal muscle differentiation when expressed at high levels. Recent studies using in vitro and in vivo approaches have begun to unravel the complex roles of Ski and SnoN in tumorigenesis and embryonic development. The identification of Ski and SnoN as important negative regulators of signal transduction by the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily of cytokines provides a valuable molecular basis for the complex functions of Ski and SnoN.
Low molecular weight chromatin-associated RNA from rat liver.

Abstract A low molecular weight RNA has been isolated from the chromatin of adult rat liver by a method which has been previously used to isolate the 3-S “chromosomal RNA” from a wide variety of plant and animal tissues. The rat liver RNA has a molecular weight less than tRNA but does show some size heterogeneity. It does not, however, contain any dihydropyrimidine bases as do all the other fully characterized chromosomal RNAs reported to date. The possible nature of the RNA is discussed.
Age and aerobic exercise training effects on whole body and muscle protein metabolism.

Aging in humans is associated with loss of lean body mass, but the causes are incompletely defined. Lean tissue mass and function depend on continuous rebuilding of proteins. We tested the hypothes...
Generalized large deformation behaviour for face-centred cubic solids: Nickel, aluminium, gold, silver and lead

Abstract The stage III deformation of 318 single crystal tests of 40 experimentalists in aluminium, nickel, gold, silver, lead and copper is quantitatively compared, through the Taylor aggregate theory, with the present writer's generalized linearly temperature-dependent stress–strain law for completely annealed polycrystals earlier determined by the writer from the measurement of dynamic plastic strain by means of diffraction gratings. From calculations dependent upon a knowledge of stage II parameters, and from independent direct stage III calculations, the single crystal deformation of these six f.c.c. metals is found to be in close agreement with prediction. This parabolic linearly temperature dependent stage III deformation of the single crystals of these six f.c.c. metals is found to be independent of purity, of strain rate, of type of test (i.e. tension or compression) and of initial orientation when the resolved shear strain is calculated for single slip. The universal constant, β 0=58·0 Kg/mm2, f...
Scibox: Online Sharing of Scientific Data via the Cloud

Collaborative science demands global sharing of scientific data. But it cannot leverage universally accessible cloud-based infrastructures like Drop Box, as those offer limited interfaces and inadequate levels of access bandwidth. We present the Scibox cloud facility for online sharing scientific data. It uses standard cloud storage solutions, but offers a usage model in which high end codes can write/read data to/from the cloud via the APIs they already use for their I/O actions. With Scibox, data upload/download volumes are controlled via Data Reduction-functions stated by end users and applied at the data source, before data is moved, with further gains in efficiency obtained by combining DR-functions to move exactly what is needed by current data consumers. We evaluate Scibox with science applications and their representative data analytics - the GTS fusion and the combustion image processing - demonstrating the potential for ubiquitous data access with substantial reductions in network traffic.
A practical demonstration of the computational benefits of biophysical diversity among neurons

Across a variety of brain areas, physiological characterizations of neurons have revealed that neurons of the same subtype often display different biophysical properties from one another. Here we propose that when considering a population of neurons these inter-neuronal differences can be utilized by the population to enhance encoding of a stimulus. Specifically, we demonstrate that a population of neurons with heterogeneous feature selectivity across the population can represent more about a stimulus than a population of neurons with identical feature selectivity. Using a paradigm of an identical frozen noise current injection stimulus delivered to a population of neurons, we simulated the responses of populations of neurons with differing degrees of heterogeneity in their feature selectivity. We simulated neurons using the Linear-Nonlinear-Poisson (LNP) neuron model and constructed neurons selective to different features of the stimulus by varying the stimulus filter of each LNP neuron. To calculate the information encoded in the spike responses of different populations of neurons, we used information theoretic measures as well as optimal Bayesian stimulus reconstruction methods. Stimulus reconstruction methods are particularly useful in this context because they allow us to visualize which particular stimulus features are able to be encoded by different populations. We found that stimulus reconstructions computed from responses of heterogeneous neurons were more accurate than responses from homogenous neurons. Finally, we recorded spike responses in vitro from a number of mitral cells from the mouse olfactory bulb while stimulating each cell with an identical current injection stimulus. Based on the similarity of each neuron’s spike triggered average, an indication of the neuron’s feature selectivity, we grouped neurons into virtual homogenous and heterogeneous populations. As above we found that populations composed of heterogeneous neurons encoded more information about the stimulus input than homogenous populations. Though inter-neuronal diversity is often thought of as a negative consequence of the inability of biology to make identical copies of the same neuron, our results indicate that neuronal diversity may in fact be utilized positively by the brain.
Ethics, morality, and pediatric gender dysphoria.

Reading the case and commentaries, I was reminded how difficult it can be to predict the gender of a very young patient. First, will the growing child identify as a boy or as a girl? Second, how wi...
Synthesis and Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Spectrum Demand Patterns: A First Principles Approach

Modeling and analysis of Primary User (PU) spectrum requirement is key to effective Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA). Allocation of long term licenses, as well as opportunistic spectrum usage by secondary users (SU) cannot be done without accurate modeling of PU behavior. This is especially important in the case of cellular network traffic, which exhibits a significant spatio-temporal variation. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in modeling PU behavior in cellular networks by means of detailed analysis of proprietary data from wireless providers (e.g., Willcomm et al., IEEE DySpan 2008). While such analysis gives useful insights, major shortcomings of such an approach include (i) unavailability of data for open scientific study, and (ii) hard to predict future trends, and changes resulting from behavioral modifications. In this paper, we develop a methodology to generate synthetic network traffic data to model primary usage, by combining a number of different data sets for mobility, device ownership and call generation in a large synthetic urban population. Unlike simple random graph techniques, these methods use real world data sources and combine them with behavioral and social theories to synthesize spatial and dynamic relational networks. We use our tool to model the network traffic in the region of Portland, Oregon, calibrated by using published aggregate measurements of Wilcomm et al. As an illustration of our approach, we study the variation in demand as a result of changes in calling patterns based on user activities, and the impact of increased user demand on hotspots and their cascades within the region.
Reductiveversus coupling pathways in the reactions of nickel and copper vapours with the mono-halobenzenes

The reactions of nickel and copper vapours with mono-halobenzenes to form benzene and biphenyl are reported. Benzene formation apparently proceeds through the intermediacy of the phenyl radical, which is produced when metal clusters abstract halogen from the halobenzene. Biphenyl formation proceedsvia an oxidative insertion/disproportionation/reductive elimination sequence, and requires that metal atoms, rather than metal clusters, initiate the reaction sequence. The concentration of the metal in the matrix determines the pathway of the reaction. Cluster formation and benzene production are favouted by high metal concentrations, while low metal concentrations in the matrix favour biphenyl production. Copper vapours are anomalously less reactive than nickel vapours, even though copper reagents are used in the Ullmann reaction to produce biaryls through the coupling of haloarenes. This result appears to be due to the preferential formation of atoms or very small clusters over large clusters or crystallites under the conditions of the metal vapour synthesis technique.
Many body perturbation calculations of photoionization

Abstract The application of many body perturbation theory to the calculation of atomic photoionization cross sections is reviewed. The choice of appropriate potential for the single-particle states is discussed and results are presented for several atoms including resonance structure. In addition to single photoionization, the process of double photoionization is considered and is found to be significant.
Management and outcomes for children with pyloric stenosis stratified by hospital type.

Background Access to health care has been a source of controversy and public attention in health policy. The issues of access to and utilization of the healthcare system by infants and children is less well documented. Moreover, the impact on outcomes of race, ethnicity, and economic status in infants is vaguely addressed. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of children who had undergone pyloromyotomy from July 31, 1998 to July 31, 2008 at our public hospital and university teaching hospital. Data abstracted included gestational age at delivery, birth weight, gender, race, insurance status, age at presentation, symptom duration, preoperative ultrasound (US), operative date, laboratory evaluations, as well as preoperative, postoperative, and total length of stay (LOS). Results The mean total preoperative LOS was twice as long at our public hospital than our private hospital (1.78 d versus 0.85 d, P = 0.003). Similarly, the mean total length of stay was 0.87 d longer at our public hospital (3.87 d versus 3 d), which trended toward significance ( P = 0.06). Significantly, 72% (27/33) patients at the private hospital had their US either as an out-patient or on the day of admission, while only 58% (28/48) had an US performed as expeditiously at the public hospital ( P = 0.03, χ 2 analysis). Conclusions Care at our public hospital leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment, resulting in longer preoperative and total LOS in infants with pyloric stenosis, most likely related to the timing of the preoperative US. Efforts should be made to encourage patients to use the outpatient clinic facilities for their ill infants, or for physicians at public hospitals to expedite the US process once the diagnosis of pyloric stenosis is entertained.
Moving data-chaos to a clarity of vision: Findings on information design from the University of Idaho Department of Art

Through a state funded grant initiative, the Department of Art at the University of Idaho has recently founded an information visualization studio. We specialize in interdisciplinary research on developing visualization techniques that allow a transformation of complex data into visual formats while providing clarity and exposing underlying structures. Clear and concise visualization of information makes this understanding more immediate. It also allows for added critical thinking about a subject. For example, in the area of hardware and software design, existing visualizations of structures are often clouded by an engineer's previous knowledge about the subject. They know what they are looking at, but a machine doesn't, nor does an end user. Clear graphics developed by an information designer make it easier to see problems and give parameters that a programmer can then apply to building a better system. We seek to produce visualization systems, methodologies, and examples for the resolution of problems where visual demonstration of concepts and materials enhances, even permits, understanding. We intend to summarize the findings of our project by illustrating and demonstrating techniques, which we have developed, for manipulating raw data into clear graphic presentations of complex systems for decision making. We will also summarize our findings on methods for creating visualizations designed to assist individuals with perceptual or cognitive difficulties.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Absorption spectrum of BS2 at 4°K

Abstract BS2, trapped in neon matrices at 4°K, exhibits extensive progressions in the A2Πu ← X2Πg and B 2 Σ u + ← X 2 Π g systems. From these transitions, those observed in the infrared, and a reinterpretation of gas-phase data, the following molecular constants (in solid neon) are obtained for linear symmetric 11BS2 (in cm−1): B 2 Σ u + T0 = 24,072 ν 1 = 516 A 2 Π u T0 = 13.766 ν 1 = 506 A0 = −263 ν 2 = 311 ν 3 = 1535 X 2 Π g A0 = −440 ν 1 = 510 ν 2 = ∼120 ν 3 = 1015 Vibronic coupling (Renner-Teller effect), although present in the A2Πu state, is small, as are also any Fermi resonance effects.
Generating informative paths for persistent sensing in unknown environments

We present an online algorithm for a robot to shape its path to a locally optimal configuration for collecting information in an unknown dynamic environment. As the robot travels along its path, it identifies both where the environment is changing, and how fast it is changing. The algorithm then morphs the robot's path online to concentrate on the dynamic areas in the environment in proportion to their rate of change. A Lyapunov-like stability proof is used to show that, under our proposed path shaping algorithm, the path converges to a locally optimal configuration according to a Voronoi-based coverage criterion. The path shaping algorithm is then combined with a previously introduced speed controller to produce guaranteed persistent monitoring trajectories for a robot in an unknown dynamic environment. Simulation and experimental results with a quadrotor robot support the proposed approach.
HDAC3 is essential for DNA replication in hematopoietic progenitor cells

Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) contributes to the regulation of gene expression, chromatin structure, and genomic stability. Because HDAC3 associates with oncoproteins that drive leukemia and lymphoma, we engineered a conditional deletion allele in mice to explore the physiological roles of Hdac3 in hematopoiesis. We used the Vav-Cre transgenic allele to trigger recombination, which yielded a dramatic loss of lymphoid cells, hypocellular bone marrow, and mild anemia. Phenotypic and functional analysis suggested that Hdac3 was required for the formation of the earliest lymphoid progenitor cells in the marrow, but that the marrow contained 3-5 times more multipotent progenitor cells. Hdac3(-/-) stem cells were severely compromised in competitive bone marrow transplantation. In vitro, Hdac3(-/-) stem and progenitor cells failed to proliferate, and most cells remained undifferentiated. Moreover, one-third of the Hdac3(-/-) stem and progenitor cells were in S phase 2 hours after BrdU labeling in vivo, suggesting that these cells were impaired in transit through the S phase. DNA fiber-labeling experiments indicated that Hdac3 was required for efficient DNA replication in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Thus, Hdac3 is required for the passage of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells through the S phase, for stem cell functions, and for lymphopoiesis.
The Anthropologist and Project Consultancies

I Consider here some of the problems of, and prospects for, AID consulting by anthropologists. Anthropologists are hired as consultants by AID for two main purposes: either to do the initial project, Social Soundness Analysis (SSA), or to do. a project evaluation.
Origins of the KOH technique.

The potassium hydroxide (KOH) procedure is an integral diagnostic procedure, commonly used in daily dermatology practice but with vague origins. Given the many eponyms that exist in dermatology—both for the discovery of a disease and for the pioneering of a technique—it is surprising that no historical consensus exists on the inception of this procedure, nor much scholarly commentary on notable evolutions in technique or utilized materials. Modern dermatology textbooks are notably vague on the matter. Is it because theKOH examination has been considered a largely apprenticed practice—evading widespread description in print and rather kept alive through anecdotal teachings from mentor to trainee? Alternatively, have we technically evolved such that this procedure, with individual adaptations, is largely accepted and practiced in a uniform and systematic manner? The answers seem yes, for contemporary textbook editors provide little detail about the KOH preparation. After its introduction, the KOH examination was received with great aplomb as a novel technique and acquired subsequent modifications to mature into an efficient, diagnostic method of choice. A retrospective exploration of the literature appears to confirm the former, although the
Evidence for a carbon-rich dust cloud in front of HD 193793

The wavelength dependence of the interstellar extinction toward HD 193793 is shown to be anomalous. Although radiative transfer effects could play a role, it is shown that relatively small graphite grains forming in the stellar wind can explain the observations if the particles are slowed down by the interstellar medium at a distance of less than about 10 million solar radii from the star.
Abian's poset and the ordered monoid of annihilator classes in a reduced commutative ring

Let R be a reduced commutative ring with 1 ≠ 0. Then R is a partially ordered set under the Abian order defined by x ≤ y if and only if xy = x2. Let RE be the set of equivalence classes for the equivalence relation on R given by x ~ y if and only if annR(x) = annR(y). Then RE is a commutative Boolean monoid with multiplication [x][y] = [xy] and is thus partially ordered by [x] ≤ [y] if and only if [xy] = [x]. In this paper, we study R and RE as both monoids and partially ordered sets. We are particularly interested in when RE can be embedded in R as either a monoid or a partially ordered set.
Amplitude of the Electrocardiographic QRS Complexes during and after Severe Pulmonary Edema

There is recent evidence that anasarca peripheral edema, irrespective of its etiology, attenuates ECG QRS potentials. Pulmonary edema (PE) also is thought to cause reduction in the amplitude of QRS complexes. The case reported herein is of a patient with severe PE, hypertension, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and no peripheral edema who did not show changes in the QRS complexes with the management of her pulmonary edema. Thus it appears that PE does not attenuate the amplitude of QRS complexes, and alleviation of this condition does not cause augmentation of QRS voltage. This is in contrast to alterations of peripheral edematous states in the setting of congestive heart failure, which result in changes in the QRS amplitude, as shown previously.
SOME REFLECTIONS CONCERNING VALENCE VARIATION AND ATOMIC STRUCTURE.

In bringing to a conclusion these few scattered reflections concerning valence variation and atomic structure, may I be permitted to say this: He who is experimentally inclined may henceforth take heart and he need not be quite so timid in interpreting strange chemical reactions on the assumption of possible anomaly in the valence of the reactants. The physicist has no hesitation in speaking of the temporary existence, at the higher temperature employed in spectroscopic work, of such molecules as BaCl, AlO, (HO), CH+, CH2, MgF, etc. Is it not possible that under the influence of surface forces somewhat similar valence variation may not be excluded even at lower temperatures? That these strange compounds are thermodynamically unstable may be true. Nevertheless, they may function as the mysterious catalysts, or as initiators of chain reactions.
Transient structural disorder as a facilitator of protein-ligand binding: Native H/D exchange—Mass spectrometry study of cellular retinoic acid binding protein I

Binding of all-trans Retinoic Acid (RA) to Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Protein I (CRABP I) does not result in significant changes of the protein tertiary structure, even though the binding site is inaccessible in a static apo-protein conformation. One of the proposed scenarios for the protein-ligand binding process invokes the notion of a flexible portal region adjacent to the binding site, while another model suggests that the requisite dynamic events are induced by dimerization of the apo-protein in solution. In this work, RA binding to CRABP I is studied in dilute solutions (low micro-molar range), where no dimer and/or oligomer formation occurs. Modulation of backbone dynamics within various segments of the protein by its ligand is assessed using a combination of hydrogen exchange, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and collision-induced dissociation of protein ions in the gas phase. Consistent with the portal model of ligand entry, several protein segments (most of them containing residues making hydrophobic contacts to RA in the holo-form of the protein) are flexible in the absence of the ligand. At the same time, the two segments containing arginine residues forming a salt bridge with RA form the least flexible region in the apo-form of the protein. Although the presence of RA in solution reduces flexibility of all protein segments, the largest effect is observed within four strands that form one of the two β-sheets enveloping a cavity which houses the ligand-binding site. These results are consistent with a model in which ligand binding occurs through a partially unstructured state of the protein with unobstructed access to the ligand-binding site. This intermediate (whose core is formed by the two stable arginine-containing strands) corresponds to a relatively low-energy local minimum on the apo-protein energy surface and is frequently sampled under native conditions.
cGMP production in bacteria

Production of cGMP in bacteria has been studied since the early 1970s. From the beginning on it proved to be a challenging topic. In Escherichia coli the cGMP levels were two orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding cAMP levels. Furthermore, no specific cGMP receptor protein was identified in the bacterium and a physiological role of cGMP in the bacterium was not substantiated. Consequently in 1977, compelling evidence was given that cGMP is a by-product of E. coli adenylate cyclase in vivo. This may be the reason why also work on cGMP in other bacteria like Bacillus licheniformis and Caulobacter crescentus was not pursued any further. However, recent study on cGMP and guanylate cyclase in the cyanobacterium Synechocysis PCC 6803 brought cGMP signaling in bacteria back to attention. In Synechocystis cGMP levels are of similar magnitude as those of cAMP and deletion of the cya2 gene markedly reduced the amount of cGMP without affecting cAMP. A few months ago the Cya2 gene product has been biochemically and structurally characterized. It behaves as a specific guanylate cyclase in vitro and a single amino acid substitution transforms the enzyme into a specific adenylate cyclase. These data point toward the existence of a true bacterial cGMP-signaling pathway, which needs to be explored and established by future experiments.
Health related quality of life after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for bladder cancer: a systematic review and critical analysis of the literature.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Continent forms of urinary diversion have become a gold standard of urinary tract reconstruction after radical cystectomy, based mostly on the premise of improved quality of life. It is unclear whether the existing body of literature supports this assumption. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic review to determine if differences exist in health related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes among different types of urinary diversion after radical cystectomy. A MEDLINE search was performed inclusive of the dates 1966 to January 2004. Inclusion criteria included adult patients, patients with bladder cancer, comparative studies, original research, primary study outcome related to quality of life, and use of a quality of life instrument to measure outcomes. Only studies comparing neobladder, continent reservoir, or conduit diversion were included. Results: Of 378 initial articles 15 studies met all inclusion criteria. None of the studies were randomized trials. Only 1 study was prospective. Of 15 studies 10 (67%) used some type of previously validated HRQOL instrument, 10 (67%) used some form of ad hoc instrument, 11 (73%) used bladder cancer disease specific instruments, while 9 (60%) used general instruments. Only 1 of the bladder cancer specific instruments had been previously validated. Common limitations included unvalidated HRQOL instruments, use of general HRQOL instruments only, lack of baseline data, cross- sectional analysis, and retrospective study design. Conclusions: To date, the current body of published literature is insufficient to conclude that 1 form of urinary diversion is superior to another based on HRQOL outcomes. Future studies should attempt to incorporate prospective data collection, longer term followup and validated disease specific HRQOL instruments.
Intracellular 5-Phosphoribosyl-1-Pyrophosphate: Decreased Availability During Glutamine Limitation

Culture of human lymphoblasts in medium containing limited glutamine(less than 0.2 millimolar) effects an inhibition of purine base reutilization and synthesis de novo. Both processes appear to be inhibited by a decreased availability of the common substrate 5-phosphoribosyl-J-pyrophosphate. Under conditions of glutamine limitation, the maintenance of capacity for purine base utilization and synthesis de novo and consequently growth was dependent on supplementation of cultures with inosine. The purine nucleoside provides a source of ribose phosphate for synthesis of 5-phosphoribosyl-J-pyrophosphate. Glutamine limitation may result in a decreased availability of ribose-5-phosphate.
Impediments to psychiatric hospital discharge: what different professional groups think

Perceived impediments to psychiatric hospital discharge were investigated across six professional groups. Seventy-nine psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, rehabilitation personnel, registered nurses, and psychiatric aides were asked to select five behaviors and five other factors that they believed impeded hospital discharge. Violent behaviors, such as suicide, homicide, and damaging property, and financial factors, such as inadequate funds and inadequate living arrangements, emerged as the two areas that hospital staff consistently selected as principal impediments to discharge. Treatment plans of 20 patients were surveyed to ascertain whether the behaviors and other factors identified by staff were reflected in treatment goals.
Strategies for Modeling Friction in Gear Dynamics

Sliding friction between meshing teeth is one of the primary excitations for noise and vibration in geared systems. Yet, there exist very limited studies on this topic. This paper proposes new modeling strategies for incorporating frication in the dynamic analysis of a gear pair First. some tribological issues are discussed for estimation of the friction forces under different operating conditions. Second, modeling procedures and results are compared for linear time-invariant, linear time-varying and non-linear time-varying formulations. Criteria such as energy balance, system complexity and desired solution methodology are discussed. Finally, sample results from the various analyses along with their benefits and limitations are examined.
Fault Protection for the Space Interferometry Mission

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) is a deep space mission with limited ground contact and challenging instrument fault protection requirements. Some faults that could occur on SIM have symptoms only visible in the scientific measurements, and many of the observations that SIM makes must be repeated to be useful. Because of this, SIM needs to be very reliable. We are addressing these challenges by combining several approaches. The use of redundancy in the instrument will be important in making the complex instrument with several dozen actuators reliable. Probabilistic risk assessment and reliability modeling are being performed to study the most cost effective areas for redundancy. Ground checks are important parts of the fault detection approach. Special approaches such as "flood mode" (providing large amounts of raw data) and diagnostic data dumps are also important
Effect of x-rays on nucleic acid isolated from tobacco mosaic virus.

Breakage of RNA, X-irradiated after phenol extraction from tobacco mosaic virus, was measured using the ultracentrifuge equipped with u.v. absorption optics. The sedimentation patterns of control solutions of RNA show a homogeneous component corresponding in size to the fraction of monomer in the parent virus. By following the decrease of this RNA component with increasing X-ray dose, reproducible values for the 37 % survival dose, D0, for breakage of the main chain can be obtained. The indirect action of radiation was minimized by irradiating RNA in concentrated, oxygen-free, frozen solution. Under these conditions the D0 for breakage was 21·105 R, while D0 for dried RNA was 4.2·105 R, and for RNA in the virus was 4.0·105 R (see ref. 1). The anomaly could be due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding2, since heating the irradiated RNA solutions to 65 or 70° drastically increased breakage leading to an effective D0 of 4.4·105 R.
The Incremental Information Content of Earnings and Cash Flows from Operations Affected by Their Extremity

Previous returns studies have shown that extreme earnings and extreme cash flows from operations are less informative than moderate (i.e., less extreme) earnings and moderate cash flows. Studies also report that cash flows supplement to earnings in firm valuation by showing a higher association of cash flows with returns when earnings are extreme than when earnings are moderate. We propose that this supplementary role of cash flows is affected by cash flows extremity. Using data from the US capital markets, we find that the supplementary role of cash flows exists only when cash flows are not extreme. We also investigate the supplementary role of earnings to cash flows and search for a higher association of earnings with returns when cash flows are extreme than when cash flows are moderate. Similar to results on cash flows, our findings show that the supplementary role of earnings exists only when earnings are not extreme. Our results imply that investors and researchers should consider both earnings and cash flows extremity when assessing the information content of these variables.
Gravitational Waves in the Evolution of the Binary WZ Sagittae

NOVA WZ Sagittae is an eclipsing binary with one of the shortest known periods. Krzeminski and Kraft1 obtained the value P=4,897.8 s. They also found that the primary is a white dwarf of mass M1=0.59 M⊙ and obtained an upper limit to the mass of the secondary M2<0.06 M⊙. The secondary fills its Roche lobe and ejects matter that apparently flows into a ring around the primary and is finally captured by it. Krzeminski and Kraft estimate the rate of mass transfer to be σ=1021 g/yr. Another recent estimate by Gorbatskii2 gives σ=3×1022g/yr.
Probability of an Abnormal Screening Prostate-specific Antigen Result Based on Age, Race, and Prostate-specific Antigen Threshold

Objective To determine the distribution of screening prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values in older men, and how different PSA thresholds affect the proportion of white, black, and Latino men who would have an abnormal screening result across advancing age groups. Methods We used linked national Veterans Affairs and Medicare data to determine the value of the first screening PSA test (ng/mL) of 327,284 men older than 65 years who underwent PSA screening in the Veterans Affairs health care system in 2003. We calculated the proportion of men with an abnormal PSA result based on age, race, and common PSA thresholds. Results Among men older than 65 years, 8.4% had a PSA >4.0 ng/mL. The percentage of men with a PSA >4.0 ng/mL increased with age and was highest in black men (13.8%) vs white (8.0%) or Latino men (10.0%) (P 4.0 ng/mL ranged from 5.1% of Latino men aged 65-69 years to 27.4% of black men older than 85 years. Raising the PSA threshold from >4.0 ng/mL to >10.0 ng/mL reclassified the greatest percentage of black men older than 85 years (18.3% absolute change) and the lowest percentage of Latino men aged 65-69 years (4.8% absolute change) as being under the biopsy threshold ( P Conclusion Age, race, and PSA threshold together affect the pretest probability of an abnormal screening PSA result. Based on screening PSA distributions, stopping screening among men whose PSA 10 ng/mL has the greatest effect on reducing the number of older black men who will face biopsy decisions after screening.
Studies on the H-Y antigen in rats

The H-Y antigen has been studied under a variety of experimental conditions in BN and Lewis rats. The results indicate that 1. graft size is crucially important in determining the fate of male skin isografts on females; 2. H-Y incompatible ear skin grafts survive significantly better than those of trunk origin; 3. prior exposure of females to male lymphoid cells greatly increases their capacity to reject male skin isografts; 4. neonatal castration has no influence on the expression of H-Y; 5. multiparity can induce unresponsiveness to H-Y; and 6. although BN females respond better than do Lewis females to H-Y, the antigen is stronger in Lewis males. These findings are compared with the results of similar experiments conducted with mice.
Can an old dog learn (and want to experience) new tricks? Cognitive training increases openness to experience in older adults

The present study investigated whether an intervention aimed to increase cognitive ability in older adults also changes the personality trait of openness to experience. Older adults completed a 16-week program in inductive reasoning training supplemented by weekly crossword and Sudoku puzzles. Changes in openness to experience were modeled across four assessments over 30 weeks using latent growth curve models. Results indicate that participants in the intervention condition increased in the trait of openness compared with a waitlist control group. The study is one of the first to demonstrate that personality traits can change through nonpsychopharmocological interventions.
High-penetrance mouse model of acute promyelocytic leukemia with very low levels of PML-RARα expression

Transgenic mice expressing PML-RARalpha in early myeloid cells under control of human cathepsin G regulatory sequences all develop a myeloproliferative syndrome, but only 15% to 20% develop acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) after a latent period of 6 to 14 months. However, this transgene is expressed at very low levels in the bone marrow cells of transgenic mice. Because the transgene includes only 6 kb of regulatory sequences from the human cathepsin G locus, we hypothesized that sequences required for high-level expression of the transgene might be located elsewhere in the cathepsin G locus and that a knock-in model might yield much higher expression levels and higher penetrance of disease. We, therefore, targeted a human PML-RARalpha cDNA to the 5' untranslated region of the murine cathepsin G gene, using homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. This model produced a high-penetrance APL phenotype, with more than 90% of knock-in mice developing APL between 6 and 16 months of age. The latent period and phenotype of APL (including a low frequency of an interstitial deletion of chromosome 2) was similar to that of the previous transgenic model. Remarkably, however, the expression level of PML-RARalpha in bone marrow cells or APL cells was less than 3% of that measured in the low-penetrance transgenic model. Although the explanation for this result is not yet clear, one hypothesis suggests that very low levels of PML-RARalpha expression in early myeloid cells may be optimal for the development of APL in mice.
CT demonstration of cervical spinal cord compression—cause of reversible itching and burning in the lower extremities

Cervical spinal cord compression is easily and accurately demonstrated by CT. Isolated atypical sensory symptoms in the saddle area and lower extremities may be the earliest and only manifestations of cervical spinal cord compression from cervical spondylosis. A case is presented manifesting such symptoms, which were reversed completely by surgical decompression of the cervical spine.
Ten-year experience with looped catheter manipulation of ureteral calculi.

Abstract Six hundred sixteen procedures for management of ureteral calculi were reviewed. Five hundred six (82 %) were endoscopic procedures; 207 were looped catheter manipulations and 299 were stone basket extractions. The retrieval efficiency for ureterolithotomy, looped catheter manipulation, and basket extraction was 100, 46, and 71 per cent, respectively. The average size of calculus was 7.9 mm (lithotomy), 6.9 mm (looped catheter), and 4.2 mm (basket). Looped catheters were used for larger stones, for stones higher in the ureter, and for stones that could not be extracted with a basket. The looped catheter can be utilized for stones at any level of the ureter. There was no significant difference in the complications from use of the looped catheter or stone basket, except for a longer hospital stay for patients who had manipulation with looped catheters than with stone baskets.
Chaotic instability in the three-body problem

The existence of global exponential instability leading to chaos in plane (nonrigid) motions of the three-body system is demonstrated. In the presence of Newtonian attracting forces the trajectories of the three-body system in the configuration space will no longer be geodesic, and their convergence will depend on the geodesic curvature in addition to the Gaussian curvature. It is noted that the global exponential instability occurs in the n-body problem for n greater than 3 if at least two angular coordinates are disturbed, and that the chaotic instability is not necessarily accompanied by an exponential increase of the distance between the mass-points, but is associated with the exponential divergence of trajectories in the configuration space.
Admissibility in quadratically regular problems and recurrence of symmetric Markov chains: Why the connection?

Abstract In the expository paper, a sufficient condition is discussed for the almost admissibility of formal Bayes rules in quadratically regular problems. This sufficient condition is equivalent to a recurrence property of a natural symmetric Markov chain constructed from the model and the improper prior. Some simple examples involving translation parameter models illustrate the results.
Revisiting Campuses with Newman

This article builds on an essay the author published twenty years ago in Current Issues in Catholic Higher Education that examined the viability of John Henry Newman’s Idea of a University against Catholic campus life and the justreleased Ex corde Ecclesiae . The current essay briefl y notes those earlier key points made in the fi rst article, and then describes the development within Catholic colleges and universities during the intervening years, particularly emphasizing how the institutions have been affected by Ex corde Ecclesiae . The article concludes by applying several of Newman’s writings to Catholic college and university life today.