cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Replication Efficiency of Soil-Bound Prions Varies with Soil Type

ABSTRACT Prion sorption to soil is thought to play an important role in the transmission of scrapie and chronic wasting disease (CWD) via the environment. Sorption of PrP to soil and soil minerals is influenced by the strain and species of PrP Sc and by soil characteristics. However, the ability of soil-bound prions to convert PrP c to PrP Sc under these wide-ranging conditions remains poorly understood. We developed a semiquantitative protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) protocol to evaluate replication efficiency of soil-bound prions. Binding of the hyper (HY) strain of transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) (hamster) prions to a silty clay loam soil yielded a greater-than-1-log decrease in PMCA replication efficiency with a corresponding 1.3-log reduction in titer. The increased binding of PrP Sc to soil over time corresponded with a decrease in PMCA replication efficiency. The PMCA efficiency of bound prions varied with soil type, where prions bound to clay and organic surfaces exhibited significantly lower replication efficiencies while prions bound to sand exhibited no apparent difference in replication efficiency compared to unbound controls. PMCA results from hamster and CWD agent-infected elk prions yielded similar findings. Given that PrP Sc adsorption affinity varies with soil type, the overall balance between prion adsorption affinity and replication efficiency for the dominant soil types of an area may be a significant determinant in the environmental transmission of prion diseases.
Variation of parameters in cosmology

Abstract Parameters which appear in the solutions of the dynamical equations of spatially homogeneous cosmology or in the dynamical equations themselves are subject to algebraic relations imposed by the constraint equations, i.e., are confined to a constraint hypersurface in parameter space. Values of these parameters off the constraint hypersurface often correspond to solutions which have an additional stiff perfect fluid source that may or may not be flowing orthogonally to the spatially homogeneous foliation or to a related inhomogeneous but spatially self-similar solution or to a combination of the two. These possibilities are studied and explicitly illustrated, leading to a uniform derivation of most of the known exact anisotropic spatially homogeneous or spatially self-similar solutions as well as some new ones.
Thinking about Cybersecurity

What is a "security mindset" beyond a healthy dose of paranoia? This article explores advances in neuroscience and the science of learning as a foundation for thinking about whether cybersecurity educators can teach the security mindset, and if so, what that might entail.
Dielectric changes in neutron-irradiated rf window materials

Abstract Ceramics used for windows in ECRH heating systems for magnetically-confined fusion reactors must retain adequate properties during and after intense neutron irradiation. Of particular concern is a decrease in transmissivity, a parameter inversely related to the product of dielectric constant K and loss tangent tan δ. Samples of polycrystalline Al2O3 and BeO were irradiated to 1 × 10 26 n/m 2 at 660 K in the EBR-II fission reactor, and the above properties subsequently measured at 95 GHz. It was found that K tan δ for both materials doubled, implying a doubling of thermal stresses and a consequent reduction of time-to-failure from an assumed one year to 20 min for beryllia and 2 s for alumina. In the case of BeO, a large increase in reflectance of the incident millimeter-wave power results from dielectrically uncompensated swelling. This phenomenon could significantly degrade source performance.
Generalizing the L-fuzzy unit interval

Abstract Given an arbitrary connected topological space, an L -fuzzy space is constructed. When the original space is the real line (unit interval) the constructed space is the L -fuzzy real line ( L -fuzzy unit interval). For some spaces, including R n for all n , the original space is embedded as a subspace of the constructed space. Lastly, the construction yields a non-trivial fuzzy topology on certain classically important spaces of monotone mappings.
Observations on the choice of Lewis acid and mode of addition for the Lewis acid mediated reaction of crotyltri-n-butylstannane with aldehydes: convenient and highly selective access to both erythro and threo products

Abstract For additions crotyltri- n -butylstannane to simple aldehydes mediated by BF3·Et2O, erythro selectivity may be increased considerably (25:1 vs. 9:1, for example) by simply using 2 eq. of stannane, TiCl4 mediated additions give high erythro or threo selectivity depending simply on the order in which reactants are mixed; and other Lewis acids are also evaluated in such reactions.
Translocation of Y chromosome to an autosome in the Bolivian owl monkey, Aotus

Karyotypic study of a population sample of twenty-one owl monkeys, Aotus, originating from Bolivia, revealed two sex-specific somatic diploid chromosome numbers: 49 for males and 50 for females. The presence of a trivalent in male meiotic figures and the identification of chromosomes by band pattern analysis confirmed the interpretation of a Y-autosome translocation in the males.
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in High-Risk Patients

In America more than 100,000 high-risk patients/year have conditions normally evaluated by gastrointestinal endoscopy. This review analyzes the safety and efficacy of gastrointestinal endoscopy in hig
A review of fire hazards and fire protection concerns of commercial fuel cycle facilities in the United States

Abstract Fuel cycle facilities constitute a basic industry that provides uranium fuel for the generation of electricity in nuclear power plants. Processes carried out in these facilities range from milling and extraction of uranium oxide concentrates from the uranium ore, conversion of the mill concentrates to uranium hexafluoride, enrichment, and fuel fabrication, to spent fuel reprocessing. The hazard of accidental fire and the potential for consequential release of radioactive material, as well as of toxic chemicals, exist at several steps of the manufacturing processes. Conventional fire protection measures, when applied to enriched uranium facilities, must be tempered by the consideration of avoidance of accidental nuclear critically and by requirements of treatment and filtration of plant effluents, including those generated by fire. This paper examines the facilities and the processes involved in nuclear fuel production, that are currently regulated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), from the point of view of fire protection. The NRC, at this time, does not regulate fuel enrichment or reprocessing facilities. However, most of the comments contained herein may be generally applicable to all fuel cycle facilities.
FILM COOLING ANALYSIS USING DES TURBULENCE MODEL

The complex dynamic nature of the spanwise vortices in film cooling of turbine blades makes it necessary to accurately model the flow field temporally and spatially using detailed simulation techniques like direct numerical simulation or large eddy simulation of turbulence. Although, the later requires less computational effort and thus can simulate flows at higher Reynolds number than direct simulation, both these methods remain very expensive. As a viable alternative, this paper presents a Spalart-Allamaras based detached eddy simulation (DES) that is applied to a film cooled flat plate for the first time. The numerical model uses an unstructured grid system to resolve the dynamic flow structures on both sides of the plate as well as inside the hole itself. Detailed computation of a single row of 35 degree round holes on a flat plate has been obtained for blowing ratio of 1.0, and a density ratio of 2.0. The DES solution is also benchmarked with Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes formulation for the same blade-hole configuration. The comparison shows that the DES simulation, which makes no assumption of isotropy downstream of the hole, greatly enhances the realistic description of the dynamic mixing processes.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Yeast sterol C24-methyltransferase: role of highly conserved tyrosine-81 in catalytic competence studied by site-directed mutagenesis and thermodynamic analysis.

Abstract The role of Try-81 in the reaction catalyzed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae sterol 24-C-methyltransferase (Erg6p) was investigated kinetically and for product differences against a panel of position-81 mutants in which Tyr was substituted with Trp, Phe, Ile, Leu, Val and Ala. The residue chosen for mutation is one that was reported previously to accept fecosterol and yield a set 24-ethyl (idene) sterol products typical of plants, showing the amino acid residue is located close to the transient C25 carbocation intermediate in the active site. One group of mutants (aromatic) tested with the natural substrate zymosterol accelerated the C-methylation reaction ( k cat / K m ) whereas the other group of mutants (aliphatics) decreased catalytic competence as the amino acid side chain was downsized. Mutating to aromatic and assaying with the substrate analog designed as a suicide substrate 26,27-dehydrozymosterol favored C26-monol formation, whereas mutating to the aliphatic of smaller size favored C26-diol formation (a measure of enzyme alkylation). In no case was zymosterol converted to an intermediate that formed a C25-diol. Thermodynamic analysis (determination of E a , Δ G ‡ , Δ H ‡ and T Δ S ‡ ) for the C-methylation reaction performed by these enzymes assayed with the substrate and its analog or zymosterol paired with the “charged’ high energy intermediate (HEI) analogs 24( R,S )25,epiminolanosterol and 25-azalanosterol or “neutral” membrane insert ergosterol showed that mutation to aromatics can reduce inhibitor potency (measured as K m / K i ), yet catalysis can improve in Trp81 by the introduction of a gain in free energy associated with stabilization of the transition state of a rate-controlling step directed toward turnover. Alternatively, mutation to the smaller aliphatic amino acid side chains led to a destabilization in the active site structure which was accompanied by increases in the partition ratios associated with abortive complex formation. The results are explained by consideration of the functional differences attributed to Tyr81 substitution to aromatics and aliphatics of different size involved with cation-π or hydrogen bonding interactions and in the activation barriers required of differing side chain conformations to orient the reactants in the direction of turnover versus enzyme inactivation.
Sodium currents in dissociated bull-frog sympathetic neurones.

1. Sodium currents were recorded from the cell bodies of single dissociated sympathetic neurones of bull-frogs, using patch electrodes in the whole-cell configuration, in Cs+-loaded cells, using external Mn2+ to block calcium currents. 2. A discontinuous single-electrode voltage-clamp method was used. Switching frequencies of 40-50 kHz were possible with 0.5-2 M omega electrodes, giving clamp settling times of approximately 0.2 ms and adequate clamp of currents up to 30 nA. 3. The sodium currents required unusually positive voltages for both activation and inactivation, with half of the maximal observed conductance activating at +2 mV, and half-maximal steady-state inactivation at -35 mV. Both fast (in the order of milliseconds) and slow (in the order of seconds) inactivation processes occurred. 4. Two pharmacologically and kinetically distinct sodium currents were observed. The larger current was blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX) and saxitoxin (STX) with I50 values (i.e. the concentration which results in 50% inhibition) of 10 nM or lower, and activated and inactivated relatively rapidly. 5. A smaller current (approximately 25% of peak current) was blocked by 0.1-1 microM-STX but not by 1-10 microM-TTX. It also activated rapidly, but inactivated approximately 3-fold more slowly than the larger current. The slower current was blocked 75-90% by Cd2+ (50-200 microM).
Texas Youth Fitness Study: A Commentary

When institutional testing is done well, there are many potential benefits; however, it is not without its negatives. The TYEP is an example of large scale institutional testing that yielded more than a few benefits as described in this supplement. However, results reported some problems as well. We have learned much from the TYEP, including what works and what does not when conducting large-scale fitness testing projects. Questions that need answers include: (a) How often must similar testing be done to achieve the intended goals? (b) Can alternative forms of testing be used to meet our goals? (c) How can we improve the next institutional testing to accentuate the positives and diminish the negatives? (d) How do we acquire the necessary funding and adequate teacher support for future institutional testing? and (e) How can we best obtain the necessary funding and support for quality physical education, including already approved but unfunded mandates? Support for quality physical education is necessary if we are to increase youth activity levels, improve youth fitness, and help reduce the risk for childhood obesity-all important goals of the TYEP.
Three-Dimensional Display Of Radiation Therapy Planning

Three-dimensional (3-D) treatment planning has been widely recognized as the ultimate method for radiation therapy for several decades. Recently, interest in developing 3-D treatment planning has been stimulated by the advent of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and advanced computer technology. A 3-D treatment planning system requires an interactive computer system which is capable of performing the following functions: Demonstration of the tumor volume and normal anatomy in three dimensions, Calculation of the tumor volume, Definition of the target volume, Measurement of the distance and angles from outer surface reference points (e.g., external meatus) to specific anatomic points of interest (e.g., center of tumor), Projection of the spatial relationship between the therapy beam and normal anatomy, and calculation and display of dose distribution in three-dimensions. We have used a commercially available computer display system with a host microcomputer (M68000) to satisfy the above display and interaction requirements except for the calculation of 3-D dose distributions. The system has been applied to several cases which used CT as the imaging modality. A scanning protocol was established which called for contiguous 5mm thick slices from 2 cm above to 2 cm below the skin markers for the designated treatment field. Each patient was scanned in the treatment position, possibly using a fixation device. The outer skin contours, the tumor and adjacent contours were manually traced using a digitizing pen. The surfaces of the skin, the tumor, and normal anatomic structures were reconstructed in the display computer which then allowed a variety of interactions with the data, including beam definition and the real time positioning of the beam. After beam positions were established, the dose distribution within the treatment volume was computed, reconstructed, and then displayed along with the anatomic structures.
VLSI cell placement techniques

VLSI cell placement problem is known to be NP complete. A wide repertoire of heuristic algorithms exists in the literature for efficiently arranging the logic cells on a VLSI chip. The objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive survey of the various cell placement techniques, with emphasis on standard cell and macro placement. Five major algorithms for placement are discussed: simulated annealing, force-directed placement, min-cut placement, placement by numerical optimization, and evolution-based placement. The first two classes of algorithms owe their origin to physical laws, the third and fourth are analytical techniques, and the fifth class of algorithms is derived from biological phenomena. In each category, the basic algorithm is explained with appropriate examples. Also discussed are the different implementations done by researchers.
A double-blind study of the effects of butorphanol compared with morphine in balanced anaesthesia

In a randomized double-blind trial a total of 50 consenting patients scheduled for elective surgical operations were given multiple intravenous doses of butorphanol tartrate or morphine sulphate in combination with other agents to evaluate and compare the efficacy of these drugs in balanced anaesthesia.
Reversible inhibition of Hsp70 chaperone function by Scythe and Reaper

Protein folding mediated by the Hsp70 family of molecular chaperones requires both ATP and the co-chaperone Hdj-1. BAG-1 was recently identified as a bcl-2-interacting, anti-apoptotic protein that binds to the ATPase domain of Hsp70 and prevents the release of the substrate. While this suggested that cells had the potential to modulate Hsp70-mediated protein folding, physiological regulators of BAG-1 have yet to be identified. We report here that the apoptotic regulator Scythe, originally isolated through binding to the potent apoptotic inducer Reaper, shares limited sequence identity with BAG-1 and inhibits Hsp70- mediated protein refolding. Scythe-mediated inhibition of Hsp70 is reversed by Reaper, providing evidence for the regulated reversible inhibition of chaperone activity. As Scythe functions downstream of Reaper in apoptotic induction, these findings suggest that Scythe/Reaper may signal apoptosis, in part through regulating the folding and activity of apoptotic signaling molecules.
Mechanisms supporting long-lived episodes of propagating nocturnal convection within a 7-day WRF model simulation

Abstract A large-domain explicit convection simulation is used to investigate the life cycle of nocturnal convection for a one-week period of successive zonally propagating heavy precipitation episodes occurring over the central United States. Similar to climatological studies of phase-coherent warm-season convection, the longest-lived precipitation episodes initiate during the late afternoon over the western Great Plains (105°–100°W), reach their greatest intensity at night over the central Great Plains (100°–95°W), and typically weaken around or slightly after sunrise over the Midwest (95°–85°W). The longest-lived episodes exhibit average zonal phase speeds of ∼20 m s−1, consistent with radar observations during the period. Composite analysis of the life cycle of five long-lived nocturnal precipitation episodes indicates that convection both develops and then propagates eastward along an east–west-oriented lower-tropospheric frontal zone. An elevated ∼2-km-deep layer of high-θe air helps sustain convect...
Common Quantitative Trait Loci for Alcohol‐Related Behaviors and CNS Neurotensin Measures: Voluntary Ethanol Consumption

The C57BL/6, DBA/2, and recombinant inbred (RI) strains derived from them (BxD Rls) are the most frequently studied mouse strains with regard to genetic regulation of voluntary ethanol consumption (VEC). We have studied VEC in an alternate genetic model provided by the LSxSS Rls. These RI strains exhibit phenotypic extremes in VEC comparable to the C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice and genotype-dependent sex differences in drinking behavior. A correlational analysis between various ethanol-related behaviors suggests genetic independence of VEC from high-dose neurosensitivity (sleep time), acute ethanol tolerance, hypothermia, and low-dose locomotor activity. A search for quantitative trait loci identified a number of putative quantitative trait loci (QTL), three of which are identical to those previously reported for 10% ethanol drinking in the BxD RIs. We also find a significant correlation between low-affinity neurotensin receptor densities (NTR L ) in the frontal cortex and VEC, and more common QTL between these two phenotypes than expected by chance. This suggests a role for frontal cortex NTR L in regulating voluntary ethanol intake.
The Chronology of the Revolt of Pescennius Niger

During the past six years the problem of the chronology of Niger's revolt in Syria has been studied in detail in three separate works. My own appeared in the United States in 1915, a book by Platnauer in England in 1918, and a work by Hasebroek in Germany in 1921. Due to poor means of communication during the war, Platnauer did not see my study, and Hasebroek saw neither Platnauer's nor mine. Since the appearance of his book Platnauer has also published a short paper in The Journal of Roman Studies , taking issue emphatically with my views. This paper, too, escaped Hasebroek's attention. The three studies independently produced are not in harmony. They agree very well on the beginning of the revolt, but differ concerning its course, and concerning the date of its end. Since my own view does not now coincide with either of the other two, but has been modified by both of them, it has seemed worth while to examine them carefully, to study again the available evidence, and, with what new evidence can be brought to bear, to suggest a solution of the problem.
Sympatric speciation: a simulation model

A model of mating and population growth dependent on competition that suggests circumstances under which sympatric speciation might occur is described. The model is similar to one in a companion paper by Rosenzweig in that a heterozygote genotype, involving a new allele, is first selected by virtue of its ability to exploit a new niche and is then eliminated through competition. The superior competitor, which eliminates the heterozygote, is the homozygote for the new allele. For this process to occur the heterozygote must be sufficiently fit to exploit and invade a new niche, but not so fit that a classical polymorphism results from heterozygous advantage. This process of speciation is most likely to occur when there are vacant niches. When and where these might occur are discussed.
Ultrastructural and textural changes in processed carrot tissue.

Processed carrot tissues were studied using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and an Instron Universal Testing Instrument. Carrot slices were evaluated raw, after thermal processing and after freezing and thawing. Cell walls of carrot tissues, frozen and thawed, were intact and dense. The middle lamella lost pectic materials. Overall, frozen and thawed cells were not so closely pressed as those of raw tissues. In thermally processed carrots the cell wall and the middle lamella were less densely stained compared to raw or frozen-thawed carrots. Thermally processed carrots exhibited significantly smaller modulus of deformability and stiffness and toughness values than raw carrots. There were no significant differences between the modulus of deformability and stiffness values for frozen-thawed and thermally processed carrots. Toughness values were, however, significantly lower for the thermally processed in comparison with the frozen-thawed carrots. Instrumental texture measurements indicated that different areas of carrot tissue behave differently to thermal processing.
A Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Primary Frequency Regulation Based on Wide Area Measurement System Data

On the basis of comparative research on primary frequency regulation (PFR) evaluation index of each grid bureau, a comprehensive evaluation index system of PFR is established, including some specific solution scheme according to problems existing in PFR evaluation index of Central China power grid bureau. The index system ensures a more precise and accurate evaluation of actual PFR process. Meanwhile, accurate data source is provided for correct calculation of PFR index through signals processing of wide area measurement system (WAMS) data.
Psychiatric Aspects of Gastroparesis

Patients with gastroparesis have chronic upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms related to meal ingestion. Many patients also have associated psychologic/psychiatric symptoms. These psychological symptoms can result from their chronic gastrointestinal symptoms (secondary psychiatric symptoms) or can be from a primary psychiatric disorder. Differentiation between these two can be difficult. In addition, medications used to treat gastroparesis symptoms, such as metoclopramide, may cause psychiatric symptoms, such as depression and/or anxiety. Many of the refractory symptoms of gastroparesis, particularly nausea and vomiting, are treated with psychiatric medications, particularly antidepressant agents. Psychiatric consultation may be obtained in patients with gastroparesis for a number of these reasons. This chapter reviews pertinent psychiatric aspects of gastroparesis. In addition, a proposed psychiatric evaluation form for patients with gastroparesis is presented at the end of the chapter.
An integrated algorithm for optimal floorplan sizing and enumeration

A generalized optimal sizing problem on a set of related slicing trees is considered. For computation efficiency, the tree enumeration and sizing process are combined in a unified algorithm where floorplan trees and cell sizes are computed simultaneously. The tree enumeration is based on a dual graph of the input cells, which ensures that the adjacency requirements of the cells are preserved. Experimental results using MCNC benchmarks are reported. >
Resolution requirements for alphanumeric readability

Multiple series of data were acquired specifically to relate the number of resolvable cycles across an observation of an alphanumeric character to enable humans to accurately read it. This has serious impli- cations for the resolution needed for a surveillance camera to present a ''readable'' image to a human. We present the theory based both on an extension of the Ratches/Johnson criteria and Fourier analysis. The theory is supported by empirical data based on user identification of random English letters and Arabic numerals. The results strongly indi- cate that accurate readability (defined as 90% correctness or better) can be accomplished with approximately 2.8 cycles across a block letter. This appears to suggest a lower requirement than that generally ac- cepted for unknown target identification. However, this is consistent due to the limited dataset: there are only 36 alphanumeric characters, and the observer intuitively possesses this a priori knowledge. Moreover, the ability to read an alphanumeric is a steep function of the resolution at a certain number of cycles, which lies between 2 and 3 cycles. The authors define a new level of discrimination, ''read,''which lies between the clas- sical ''recognize'' and ''identify.'' The probability of correct reading can be expressed similarly to that of Detection, Recognition, and Identification by using a postscript such as ''Read 90 .'' © 2003 Society of Photo-Optical Instru-
Protein-containing hydrophobic coatings and films.

Abstract The incorporation of enzymes and other proteins into hydrophobic polymeric coatings and films has been investigated in this study with the goal of generating biologically active materials for biocatalysis, antifouling surfaces, and biorecognition. The protein–polymer composites are created using standard solution coating techniques with poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, and poly(vinyl acetate) as polymers and α-chymotrypsin and trypsin as biocatalysts. The specific enzyme is first extracted into a nonpolar organic solvent using hydrophobic ion-pairing. The ion-paired enzyme is dried and redissolved into a solvent also miscible with the polymer. This solution is then poured over a surface and the solvent is allowed to evaporate to form the enzyme-containing coating, which can then be delaminated to form a film. Leaching of enzyme from and activity of the biocatalytic coatings and films were evaluated. The biocatalytic coatings showed no loss of activity over ca. one week. For the biocatalytic films, the leaching rate was initially high followed by a slow rate of enzyme loss. Activity was measurable for at least one month, with only ca. one-third of the initial activity lost in that time, while, being continuously incubated in a buffer solution. Activity was also exhibited on macromolecular (protein) substrates. The biocatalytic coatings could be reused over 100 times with only a modest loss of activity. Finally, coatings and films containing a lectin (Concanavalin A) were capable of selectively binding to glycoproteins, thereby extending the application of such films for use in bioseparations and biorecognition.
Social Economic Perspectives: An Interdisciplinary Review

In July 1988, at the suggestion of Br. Leo Ryan CVS, then dean at DePaul University, I received a notebook from William Waters, professor of economics at DePaul and then editor (1965–1986) of the R...
Surface recombination at the Si/SiO/sub 2/ overgrowth interface

Thin silicon solar cells must meet several requirements for high efficiency. These are minority carrier diffusion lengths exceeding the active layer thickness, enhanced absorption from light trapping, and passivation of all surfaces bounding the active region. A thin silicon solar cell will in general be supported by a foreign substrate. This approach will produce a buried interface which will not allow for characterization of surface recombination by short wavelength spectral response. New methods must be developed to measure and control surface recombination at a buried interface. A gated diode device structure is proposed for this purpose. The gate will be formed at the buried interface. Varying the gate bias is expected to control carrier populations due to field effect, and hence the recombination rate at the back surface. In this work, a thin layer of single crystal silicon is formed on the gate structure by epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) using liquid phase epitaxy. The dielectric insulator is currently thermally grown SiO/sub 2/. This device structure could enable control of buried surface recombination for a wide variety of substrate materials.
Sensitivity of excision repair in normal human, xeroderma pigmentosum variant and Cockayne's syndrome fibroblasts to inhibition by cytosine arabinoside

Inhibition of the gap-filling, polymerizing step of excision repair by 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) after irradiation with ultraviolet light in human diploid fibroblasts resulted in the formation of persistent DNA strand breaks in G1, G2, and plateau phase cells, but not in S phase cells. Addition of hydroxyurea to ara-C resulted in partial inhibition of repair in S phase cells. These observations can be explained either in terms of changing roles in repair for different DNA polymerases throughout the cell cycle or by the presence of a pool of deoxycytidine nucleotides during S phase equivalent to be an external source of deoxycytidine at 50 microM concentration. A similar concentration dependence on ara-C was observed for inhibition of repair in normal human, xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) variant, and Cockayne's syndrome cells but slightly more in XP variant cells. Exonuclease III and S1 nuclease independently both degraded about 50% of the 3H-thymidine incorporated into repaired regions in the presence of ara-C. Sequential digestion with both enzymes degraded nearly 90% of the repaired regions. These observations can be explained if excision repair proceeds by displacing the damaged strand so that both the 3H-labeled patch and the damaged region are still ligated to high molecular weight DNA and compete for the same complementary strand during in vitro incubation with the nucleases. The amount of 3H-thymidine incorporated in DNA by repair decreased with increasing concentrations of ara-C and hydroxyurea, suggesting that the incomplete patches became shorter under these conditions. Extrapolation of the digestion kinetics with exonuclease III permits an estimate of the normal patch size of about 100 nucleotides, consistent with previous estimates.
The description of Preseucoela Buffington, new genus, with notes on the status of Nearctic species of Agrostocynips Diaz (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae)

The eucoiline genus Preseucoela Buffington is described. Also provided is a redescription of Preseucoela pallidipes (Ashmead), new combination, and the descriptions of Preseucoela heratyi Buffington, new species, and Preseucoela imallshookupis Buffington new species. One definitive rearing record was found, and indicates hosts for species of Preseucoela are agromyzid flies. Agrostocynips Diaz, another eucoiline genus parasitic on agromyzids, is discussed. Agrostocynips robusta (Ashmead), new combination, and Agrostocynips diastrophi (Ashmead), new combina- tion, are proposed, raising the number of recognized species of Agrostocynips to four, and expanding the range of Agrostocynips into central North America.
Depression and anger as risk factors underlying the relationship between maternal substance involvement and child abuse potential.

Objective This study examines how emotion regulation deficits in the area of anger arousal and reactivity are associated with child abuse potential in mothers with substance use and depressive disorders in order to identify targeted areas for prevention and treatment.
Obstructive uropathy secondary to phimosis and balanoposthitis.

Campbell 1 states that congenital phimosis is "the only preputial anomaly of grave concern" and cites five cases of infant death secondary to uremia subsequent to congenital phimosis. Overzier 2 also alludes to severe fibrous phimosis with retention of urine leading to dilatation of the upper urinary tract. However, little emphasis has been placed upon acquired phimosis as etiologic in obstructive uropathy, and one is often guided to the meatus and more proximal structures in the search for the cause of urinary tract obstruction. The present case demonstrates how acquired phimosis and balanoposthitis can be obstructive with resultant stasis of urine, pyelocaliectasis, urinary tract infection, and bilateral acute pyelonephritis. Report of a Case A 16-year-old white boy presented to the Urology Clinic with symptoms of fever, chills, nausea, and difficulty in voiding of three days' duration. He had a history of difficulty in voiding, necessitating straining, which dated back "many
Proviral insertional activation of c-erbB: Differential processing of the protein products arising from two alternate transcripts

Abstract Proviral insertional activation of c-erbB results in the expression of two alternate transcripts (ENV+ and ENV-). We used cDNA clones representing the two alternate transcripts to generate stably transformed quail fibroblast cell lines which express the products of these transcripts independently. Analysis of the co- and posttranslational processing of the insertionally activated c-erbB products expressed in these cell lines revealed that the protein products of the ENV+ and ENV- transcripts were processed differently. The ENV+ transcript produced a primary translation product which was rapidly cotranslationally cleaved near the amino terminus to form a 79,000-Mr product. This protein product was efficiently converted to a higher-molecular-weight form, of between 82,000 and 88,000 (gp82-88), which was terminally glycosylated and expressed on the cell surface. A small portion of the ENV+ primary translation product underwent a second proteolytic cleavage to generate an unglycosylated 53,000-Mr species. In contrast, the primary translation product of the ENV- transcript, p80, was not proteolytically processed; this precursor form was rapidly converted to two discrete glycosylation intermediates, gp82 and go84. Only a small portion (less than 10%) of the total ENV- insertionally activated c-erbB product was slowly converted to the terminally glycosylated cell surface form, gp85-88. The processing differences that distinguished the ENV+ and ENV- products were similar to processing differences that we observed in parallel studies on the viral erbB products of the avian erythroblastosis viruses AEV-H and AEV-R, respectively. Since all four erbB protein products shared the same number, position, and sequence context of potential N-linked glycosylation sites, yet differed in the extent of their carbohydrate maturation, these data suggest that the mechanisms used by these truncated receptor molecules to associate with cellular membranes may be distinct.
Two phase replication approach for MANETs

Data replication is a key approach for achieving high accessibility on mobile ad hoc networks. We propose a new replication approach based on two main phases. In the first phase, primary replicas for new shared data are created at k hops distance. This is a preventive means in case of unpredictable partitioning. In the second phase, these replicas are dynamically relocated. To preserve data availability, it considers user needs, node neighbourhood and the access response time. We propose three data replication methods based on this two phase approach. The simulation results indicate that the methods can increase the data accessibility.
Effect of Muraglitazar on Death and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

ContextPeroxisome proliferator–activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear transcription factors that modulate gene expression. Therapeutic agents targeting 2 distinct families of PPARs (α and γ) have been introduced in the United States. The first dual-PPAR agonist, muraglitazar, was reviewed by a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee on September 9, 2005, resulting in a vote of 8:1 recommending approval for its use in controlling blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence of death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, congestive heart failure (CHF), and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in diabetic patients treated with muraglitazar compared with controls.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThe source material for this analysis consisted of documents about phase 2 and 3 clinical trials released under public disclosure laws for the FDA advisory committee meeting. All reviewed trials were prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter studies enrolling patients with type 2 diabetes and hemoglobin A1c levels between 7% and 10%. Patients (N = 3725) were randomized to receive differing doses of muraglitazar, pioglitazone, or placebo as monotherapy or in combination with metformin or glyburide in trials ranging from 24 to 104 weeks.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome was the incidence of death, nonfatal MI, or nonfatal stroke. A more comprehensive composite outcome included these events plus the incidence of CHF and TIA.ResultsIn the muraglitazar-treated patients, death, MI, or stroke occurred in 35 of 2374 (1.47%) patients compared with 9 of 1351 (0.67%) patients in the combined placebo and pioglitazone treatment groups (controls) (relative risk [RR], 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-4.66; P = .03). For the more comprehensive outcome measure that included TIA and CHF, the incidence was 50 of 2374 (2.11%) for muraglitazar compared with 11 of 1351 (0.81%) for controls (RR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.36-5.05; P = .004). Relative risks for each of the individual components of the composite end point exceeded 2.1 but were not statistically significant. Incidence of adjudicated CHF was 13 of 2374 (0.55%) muraglitazar-treated patients and 1 of 1351 controls (0.07%) (RR, 7.43; 95% CI, 0.97-56.8; P = .053).ConclusionsCompared with placebo or pioglitazone, muraglitazar was associated with an excess incidence of the composite end point of death, major adverse cardiovascular events (MI, stroke, TIA), and CHF. This agent should not be approved to treat diabetes based on laboratory end points until safety is documented in a dedicated cardiovascular events trial.
Asian Americans and prostate cancer: A nationwide population-based analysis

Abstract Introduction It remains largely unknown if there are racial disparities in outcomes of prostate cancer (PCa) for Asian American and Pacific Islanders (PIs) (AAPIs). We examined differences in diagnosis, management, and survival of AAPI ethnic groups, relative to their non-Hispanic White (NHW) counterparts. Methods Patients (n = 891,100) with PCa diagnosed between 1988 and 2010 within the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database were extracted and stratified by ethnic group: Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Korean, Vietnamese, Asian Indian/Pakistani, PI, and Other Asian. The effect of ethnic group on stage at presentation, rates of definitive treatment, and PCa-specific mortality was assessed. The severity at diagnosis was defined as: localized (TxN0M0), regional (TxN1M0), or metastatic (TxNxM1). Results Relative to NHWs, Asian Indian/Pakistani, Filipino, Hawaiian, and PI men had significantly worse outcomes. Filipino (odds ratio [OR] = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.27–1.51), Hawaiian, (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.41–2.04), Asian Indian/Pakistani (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.15–1.64), and PI men (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.46–2.49) were more likely to present with metastatic PCa (P Conclusions Compared with NHWs, AAPI groups were more likely to present with advanced PCa but had better cancer-specific survival. Conversely, Hawaiian and PI men were at greater risk for PCa-specific mortality. Given the different cancer profiles, our results show that there is a need for disaggregation of AAPI data.
Physicochemical insights of irradiation-enhanced hydroxyl radical generation from ZnO nanoparticles

The widespread use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has raised environmental and human health concerns owing to their significant cytotoxicity. Although their cytotoxic effects have been associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS), the physicochemical mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains poorly understood. In this study, the physicochemical properties of ZnO NPs were systematically investigated in relation to their effect on ROS generation. Factors that were found to affect hydroxyl radical (˙OH) generation included: NP concentration, irradiation, NP hydrodynamic size, localized pH, ionic strength, NP zeta-potential, and dissolved oxygen levels. The mechanism by which ˙OH was generated under alkaline conditions was found to obey first-order reaction kinetics that followed the conversion of OH− anions and dissolved O2 to ˙OH. Based on these findings, we propose that ZnO NP cytotoxicity involves ˙OH adsorption to the nanoparticle surface, creating a highly localized source of ROS capable of potentiating oxidative damage to cellular structures. This hypothesis was evaluated with time-resolved intracellular calcium [Ca]i imaging that irradiated ZnO NPs triggered cytoplasmic calcium influxes and facilitated nuclear degradation. Together these findings present a novel physicochemical mechanism for ˙OH generation from ZnO NPs with significant implications for nanoparticle cytotoxicity and their relation to human health.
Optimizing the value of manure nutrients through testing and treatment

As agricultural production increases and demands for more sustainable production rise, it becomes necessary to develop and improve best management practices that allow farmers to efficiently utilize their inputs while minimizing unwanted losses. In addition to this, farmers must utilize recommendations in a way that is economically beneficial to their operation. Large-scale animal production needs improved best management practices because of the complexities involved. Animal manure is a valuable fertilizer for crop production, but effective utilization requires knowledge of the manure’s nutrient content and retaining as much of the nutrients as possible in the manure. This thesis explores two different possible best management practices recommended for manure management: testing manure for nutrient content and treating manure with an additive called More than Manure. Based on the research, it showed that testing manure for nutrient content is an economically and environmentally beneficial recommendation, while using More than Manure did have a positive effect at ammonia retention, it was not sufficient economic benefit to justify use.
A Study of Reliability Using Canonical Correlation

The present analysis was undertaken for several reasons, not the least of which was the desire to explore the use of canonical correlation with the type of multivariate data usually obtained in treatment evaluations. Canonical correlation is a technique for estimating the maximum correlation between two sets of variables. Applied to problems of reliability or interrater agreement it provides an upper bound estimate (rather than a lower bound) which might be more useful for some purposes. Because it takes into account all of the variables in each set, the resulting coefficient should be a higher level indicator of agreement than the coefficients associated with any of the syndromes taken singly. Finally, the technique provides information about the number of independent but significant ways in which the two sets are related. Since the author has extensively examined the first and second order dimensionality of the IMPS, it was of interest to determine the number of orthogonal linear combinations that would be yielded by this analysis. The 822 patients were a random sample of psychotics from 16 state and university hospitals and have been described elsewhere (Lorr & Klett, 1965). Each patient was interviewed within the first week of admission to the hospital and rated immediately thereafter on the IMPS by the interviewer and an independent observer. The ratings yielded a set of scores for the observer and the interviewer on the following variables: Excitement, Hostile Belligerence, Paranoid Projection, Grandiosity, Percepmal Distortion, Intropunitiveness, Retardation, Disorientation, Motor Disturbances, and Conceptual Disorganization. The two sets of variables were intercorrelated and the canonical correlations computed. It is possible to obtain as many canonical correlations and the associated pairs of linear functions as there are variables in the smaller of the two sets. With the present data therefore, it was possible to find as many as ten significant canonical correlations and this was the number yielded by the analysis. They ranged in descending order from ,966 for the firsc to .739 for the tenth. This implies a high degree of agreement berween two raters. That there were ten independent ways in which the interviewer set of ratings were related to the observer set of ratings provides additional evidence for the existence of ten independenr dimensions in the data. REFERENCES
The cytoplasmic amino-terminus of the Latent Membrane Protein-1 of Epstein-Barr Virus: relationship between transmembrane orientation and effector functions of the carboxy-terminus and transmembrane domain

The Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP-1) protein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is localized in the plasma membrane of the infected cell. LMP-1 possesses a hydrophobic membrane spanning domain, and charged, intracellular amino- and carboxy-termini. Two models have been proposed for the contribution of the amino-terminus to LMP-1's function: (i) as an effector domain, interacting with cellular proteins, or (ii) as a structural domain dictating the correct orientation of transmembrane domains and thereby positioning LMP-1's critical effector domains (i.e. the carboxy-terminus). However, no studies to date have addressed directly the structural contributions of LMP-1's cytoplasmic amino-terminus to function. This study was designed to determine if LMP-1's cytoplasmic amino-terminus (N-terminus) encodes information required solely for maintenance of proper topological orientation. We have constructed LMP-1 chimeras in which the cytoplasmic N-terminus of LMP-1 is replaced with an unrelated domain of similar size and charge, but of different primary sequence. Retention of the charged amino-terminal (N-terminal) cytoplasmic domain and first predicted transmembrane domain was required for correct transmembrane topology. The absolute primary sequence of the cytoplasmic N-terminus was not critical for LMP-1's cytoskeletal association, turnover, plasma membrane patching, oligomerization, Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-associated factor (TRAF) binding, NF-kappaB activation, rodent cell transformation and cytostatic activity. Furthermore, our results point to the hydrophobic transmembrane domain, independent of the cytoplasmic domains, as the primary LMP-1 domain mediating oligomerization, patching and cytoskeletal association. The cytoplasmic amino-terminus provides the structural information whereby proper transmembrane orientation is achieved.