cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Augmenting Wilderness: Points of Interest in Pre-connected Worlds

This research looks at the way the aesthetics of object-oriented ontology performs in association with augmented reality art made on the borders of Internet connection. The focus of the research is on the notion of “wilderness onticology” by Levi Bryant, and the ideas of “hyperobjectivity” by Timothy Morton, while examining artworks by George Ahgupuk, Alvin Lucier, Mark Skwarek, Nathan Shafer, v1b3, and John Craig Freeman. Most of the conclusions of the research point to the praxis of the art historical anti-tradition as a tool for negotiating ontologies of the wilderness, or the unknown, as well as the virtual objects which exist there, for creating socially useful forms of art. Other topics include the usage of the Earth art binary of site/non-site, media ecology, and the flaneur.
Rotation und Schwingung von Molekülen

Wir haben in Kap. 4 gezeigt, das die Mehrzahl unserer experimentellen Informationen uber die Energieniveaus von Atomen und Molekulen durch spektroskopische Messungen gewonnen wurden. Zwei wichtige Gebiete der Spektroskopie sind die reine Rotationsspektroskopie, gewohnlich Mikrowellenspektroskopie genannt, und die Schwingungsspektroskopie, meist als Infrarot-(IR-)Spektroskopie bezeichnet36). Wie ihre Bezeichnungen schon andeuten, werden hierbei Ubergange zwischen erlaubten Rotationsenergieniveaus bzw. Ubergange zwischen erlaubten Schwingungsenergieniveaus untersucht. Um diese Ergebnisse interpretieren zu konnen, benotigt der Physikochemiker Modelle zur Berechnung der Energien und der Wellenfunktionen, die die erlaubten Rotations- und Schwingungszustande beschreiben. Durch Untersuchung des Zusammenhanges zwischen der Energie und Struktureigenschaften des untersuchten Systems kann der Quantenchemiker die spektroskopischen Daten als Funktionen dieser Struktureigenschaften interpretieren.
Near Term Prospects for Ameliorating Cardiovascular Aging

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States and affects 1 out of every 3 American adults. The most important predictor of CVD is age and this is likely from myriad factors including increased exposure to known cardiovascular risk factors, increased time for disease to occur, and age-related structural and functional changes of the heart and vascular network. These age-related alterations may be further exacerbated when combined with traditional CVD risk factors and provide an even more suitable milieu for atherosclerosis to develop.
Factors affecting the efficiency of introducing precise genetic changes in ES cells by homologous recombination: tag-and-exchange versus the Cre-loxp system.

The introduction of genetic modifications in specific genes by homologous recombination provides a powerful tool for elucidation of structure-function relationships of proteins of biological interest. Presently, there are several alternative methods of homologous recombination that permit the introduction of small genetic modifications in specific loci. Two of the most widely used methods are the tag-and-exchange, based on the use of positive--negative selection markers, and the Cre-loxP system, based on the use of a site-specific recombinase. The efficiency of detection of targeting events at different loci using the two systems was compared. Additionally, we analysed how the distance between two gene markers placed within the region of homology of a targeting vector affects the rate at which both markers are introduced into the locus during the homologous recombination event. Our results indicate that the method based on the use of positive--negative selection markers was les s efficient than the Cre-loxP based system, irrespective of locus or type of positive--negative selection. It was also determined that as the distance between the selectable marker and the genetic modification being introduced increases, there is a progressive reduction in the efficiency of detecting events with the desired genetic modification
Intra- and Inter-Chip Transmission of Millimeter-Wave Interconnects in NoC-Based Multi-Chip Systems

The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the communication capabilities of short-range millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication among network-on-chip (NoC)-based multi-core processors integrated on a substrate board. This paper presents the characterization of transmission between on-chip antennas for both intra- and inter-chip communication in multi-chip computing systems, such as server blades or embedded systems. Through simulation at 30 GHz, we have characterized the inter-chip transmission and studied the electric field distribution to explain the transmission characteristics. It is shown that the antenna radiation efficiency reduces with a decrease in the resistivity of silicon. The simulation results have been validated with fabricated antennas in different orientations on silicon dies that can communicate with inter-chip transmission coefficients ranging from −45 to −60 dB while sustaining bandwidths up to 7 GHz. Using measurements, a large-scale log-normal channel model is derived, which can be used for system-level architecture design. Using the same simulation environment, we perform design and analysis at 60 GHz to provide another non-interfering frequency channel for inter-chip communication in order to increase the physical bandwidth of the interconnection architecture. Furthermore, densely packed multilayer copper wires in NoCs have been modeled in this paper to study their impact on the wireless transmission for both intra- and inter-chip links. The dense orthogonal multilayer wires are shown to be equivalent to copper sheets. In addition, we have shown that the antenna radiation efficiency reduces in the presence of these densely packed wires placed in the close proximity of the antenna elements. Using this model, the reduction of inter-chip transmission is quantified to be about 20 dB compared with a system with no wires. Furthermore, the transmission characteristics of the antennas resonating at 60 GHz in a flip-chip packaging environment are also presented.
A small allelic variant in donor class I MHC is sufficient to induce alloantibodies following transfusion of standard or pathogen‐reduced platelets in mice

Background and objectives Alloimmunization targeting major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens is common following platelet transfusion. Pathogen reduction of platelets can block alloimmunization to MHC in mice and induce partial antigen-specific tolerance to subsequent transfusions. This study utilized small allelic variants to evaluate the relative contributions of class I and class II MHC to the alloresponse against untreated or pathogen-reduced platelets. Materials and methods C57BL/6 (B6) Kbm1 and B6 IAbm12 mice with small variants in the class I Kb and class II IAb alleles, respectively, were used as platelet donors for wild-type B6 recipients. Both untreated and pathogen-reduced platelet-rich plasma (PRP) transfusions were evaluated for immunogenicity by measuring antibody responses and ex vivo cytokine production. Results Both the Kbm1 and IAbm12 alleles induced antibody responses, though the response to Kbm1 was greater. Pathogen reduction blocked the antibody responses to IAbm12 , but not to Kbm1 . Both the Kbm1 and IAbm12 alleles primed ex vivo cytokine responses that were blocked with pathogen reduction, though responses to IAbm12 were broader and larger (Kbm1 responses: IFN-γ, TNFα, and MIP-1β; IAbm12 responses: IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-13, and GM-CSF). Pathogen-reduced Kbm1 PRP did not appear to induce any tolerance to subsequent untreated Kbm1 PRP transfusions. Conclusion Minor allelic variants in both the class I and class II MHC are capable of inducing an alloresponse to transfusion. The Kbm1 PRP induced alloantibodies even with pathogen reduction and did not show signs of inducing the partial tolerance to subsequent transfusions observed with a larger MHC mismatch.
Understanding Perceptions of Smart Devices

We explored perceptions regarding the value and sensitivity of the data collected by a variety of everyday smart devices. Via semi-structured interviews, we found that people’s conceptualizations of operational details and privacy and security threats of “smart” functions are greatly limited. Our findings point to the need for designs that readily enable users to separate the physical and digital aspects of device operation and call for further exploration of the design space of privacy and security controls and indicators for smart devices.
Systemic AAV10.COMP-Ang1 rescues renal glomeruli and pancreatic islets in type 2 diabetic mice

Introduction Diabetic hyperglycemia causes progressive and generalized damage to the microvasculature. In renal glomeruli, this results in the loss of podocytes with consequent loss of constitutive angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) signaling, which is required for stability of the glomerular endothelium. Repeated tail vein injection of adenovirus expressing COMP-Ang1 (a stable bioengineered form of Ang1) was previously reported to improve diabetic glomerular damage despite the liver and lungs being primary targets of adenoviral infection. We thus hypothesized that localizing delivery of sustained COMP-Ang1 to the kidney could increase its therapeutic efficacy and safety for the treatment of diabetes. Research design and methods Using AAVrh10 adeno-associated viral capsid with enhanced kidney tropism, we treated 10-week-old uninephrectomized db/db mice (a model of type 2 diabetes) with a single dose of AAVrh10.COMP-Ang1 delivered via the intracarotid artery, compared with untreated diabetic db/db control and non-diabetic db/m mice. Results Surprisingly, both glomerular and pancreatic capillaries expressed COMP-Ang1, compensating for diabetes-induced loss of tissue Ang1. Importantly, treatment with AAVrh10.COMP-Ang1 yielded a significant reduction of glycemia (blood glucose, 241±193 mg/dL vs 576±31 mg/dL; glycosylated hemoglobin, 7.2±1.5% vs 11.3±1.3%) and slowed the progression of albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis in db/db mice by 70% and 61%, respectively, compared with untreated diabetic db/db mice. Furthermore, COMP-Ang1 ameliorated diabetes-induced increases of NF-kBp65, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAPDH) oxidase-2 (Nox2), p47phox and productions of myeloperoxidase, the inflammatory markers in both renal and pancreatic tissues, and improved beta-cell density in pancreatic islets. Conclusions These results highlight the potential of localized Ang1 therapy for treatment of diabetic visceropathies and provide a mechanistic explanation for reported improvements in glucose control via Ang1/Tie2 signaling in the pancreas.
The RASSF1A Tumor Suppressor Binds the RasGAP DAB2IP and Modulates RAS Activation in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Lung cancer is commonly driven by mutations in the RAS oncogenes, the most frequently activated oncogene family in human disease. RAS-induced tumorigenesis is inhibited by the tumor suppressor RASSF1A, which induces apoptosis in response to hyperactivation of RAS. RASSF1A expression is suppressed in cancer at high rates, primarily owing to promoter hypermethylation. Recent reports have shown that loss of RASSF1A expression uncouples RAS from apoptotic signaling in vivo, thereby enhancing tumor aggressiveness. Moreover, a concomitant upregulation of RAS mitogenic signaling upon RASSF1A loss has been observed, suggesting RASSF1A may directly regulate RAS activation. Here, we present the first mechanistic evidence for control of RAS activation by RASSF1A. We present a novel interaction between RASSF1A and the Ras GTPase Activating Protein (RasGAP) DAB2IP, an important negative regulator of RAS. Using shRNA-mediated knockdown and stable overexpression approaches, we demonstrate that RASSF1A upregulates DAB2IP protein levels in NSCLC cells. Suppression of RASSF1A and subsequent downregulation of DAB2IP enhances GTP loading onto RAS, thus increasing RAS mitogenic signaling in both mutant- and wildtype-RAS cells. Moreover, co-suppression of RASSF1A and DAB2IP significantly enhances in vitro and in vivo growth of wildtype-RAS cells. Tumors expressing wildtype RAS, therefore, may still suffer from hyperactive RAS signaling when RASSF1A is downregulated. This may render them susceptible to the targeted RAS inhibitors currently in development.
Enduring Design for Business Entities

The success or failure of an institution may hinge on some of the earliest decisions of its founders. In constitutional design literature, endurance is a widely accepted drafting objective. Indeed, constitutional endurance is positively associated with prosperous and stable societies. Like drafters of constitutions, business organizers have almost innumerable objectives for their enterprises, and attorneys drafting organizational documents must take into account these myriad goals. Oftentimes the drafting process fails to fully address some of the most important of these aims and results in suboptimal structures that lack predictability and reliability. This article looks specifically at small business organizations and argues that drafters can draw from the lessons of constitutional design to facilitate a more deliberate drafting process that would result in more predictable business institutions. Such a process would accommodate a more thorough bargaining process among organizational founders and enhance the effectiveness of its governing documents. Certain design elements are correlated to constitutional endurance, and those same elements can guide the drafting process for business associations. Specifically, long-lived constitutions incorporate flexible amendment procedures, involve a greater number of constituents in the drafting process and enforcement processes, and offer more detail and specificity in the governing provisions. Business entities can utilize some of these same features, and this article offers specific suggestions for incorporating the elements associated with endurance into business drafting. By crafting organizational structures with elements that parallel those of long-lived constitutions, business attorneys can facilitate a more thorough bargaining process and craft more usable, resilient documents that effectively address unique client objectives.
[Simultaneous determination of 13 antibiotics in disinfection products by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

Obejective To develop a method for the determination of 13 antibiotics in 8 classes for desinfection products by ulta-high perfomance chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS). Methods Samples were extracted by methanol or acetonitrile. The target compouds were separated on a Waters HSS T3 column(100 mm×2. 1 mm, 1. 8 μm), and detected by triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer. Results The 13 selected antibiotics showed good linear relationships in the range of 4-100 μg/L and the correlation coefficients(r~2) were all above 0. 991. The limits of detection ranged from 2 to 25 μg/kg. The recovery rates at three spiked levels(low, medium and high) in three dosage forms of disinfection products were in the range of 71. 2%-130. 4%, and the relative standard deviations(RSD) were all less than 11. 3%, which could meet the detection requirements of illegal addition of antibiotics in disinfection products. Ofloxacin at a concentration of 21. 1 mg/kg was found in a cream disinfection product by the developed method, and no related drugs were detected in other samples. Conclusion This method is simple, reliable, reproducible, which covers a wide range of antibiotics, and provides technical support for monitoring the illegal addition of antibiotics in disinfection products.
Retrospective Study on Personal Protective Equipment During Pandemic Link to Outbreak of Carbpenem-Resistant Enterobacteriace

Background: In 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), had cost the lives of >35,000 patients, particularly the most virulent plasmid-mediated New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM). Although healthcare systems normally have strict surveillance and infection control measures for CRE, the rapid emergence of novel SAR-CoV-2 and COVID-19 led to a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies. As a result, routine infection practices, such as contact precautions, were violated. Studies have shown this depletion and shift in resources compromised the control of infections such CRE leading to rising horizontal transmission. Method: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare system in Detroit, Michigan, to determine the impact of PPE shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic on NDM infection rates. The following periods were established during 2020 based on PPE availability: (1) pre-PPE shortage (January–June), (2) PPE shortage (July–October), and (3) post-PPE shortage (November–December). Rates of NDM per 10,000 patient days were compared between periods using the Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test. Isolates were confirmed resistant by NDM by molecular typing performed by the Michigan State Health Department. Patient characteristics were gathered by medical chart review and patient interviews by telephone. Results: Overall, the average rate of NDM infections was 1.82 ±1.5 per 10,000 patient days. Rates during the PPE shortage were significantly higher, averaging 3.6 ±1.1 cases per 10,000 patient days (P = .02). During this time, several infections occurred within patients on the same unit and/or patients with same treating team, suggesting possible horizontal transmission. Once PPE stock was replenished and isolation practices were reinstated, NDM infection rates decreased to 0.77 ±1.1 per 10,000 patient days. Conclusion: Control of CRE requires strategic planning with active surveillance, antimicrobial constructs, and infection control measures. The study illustrates that in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the burden of effective infection control requires much more multidisciplinary efforts to prevent unintentional lapses in patient safety. A swift response by the state and local health departments at a tertiary-care healthcare center conveyed a positive mitigation of the highest clinical threats and decreased horizontal transmission of disease. Funding: No Disclosures: None Figure 1.
A Brief Survey of the COVID-19 Pandemic's Impact on the Chronic Pain Experience.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has forced sweeping social and behavioral changes that have adversely affected the general population. Many changes, such as business closures, working from home, increased psychological distress, and delayed access to health care, could have unique adverse effects on patients diagnosed with chronic pain (CP). The present study sought to examine perceived changes in the CP experience brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Participants included 487 self-reported patients with musculoskeletal, neuropathic, or postsurgical pain recruited using CloudResearch. A 53-item survey was created to assess changes in perceived pain, mood, control over pain, physical activity, employment, and medical access since the onset of the pandemic. Results Results suggested a worsening of the pain experience, particularly for women, with greater pain, negative affect, sedentary functioning, perceived decline in treatment quality, and increased treatment delays. Of note, pandemic-related declines in control over pain, which represents an important clinical target, are associated with other pandemic-related declines and also mediates relevant associations. Conclusions For frontline treatment providers, particularly primary care nurses and physicians, these findings may be relevant in order to reduce the likelihood of a worsening of symptoms, loss of self-efficacy regarding management of pain and/or potential maladaptive increase in the use of pain medications.
Sirtuin Oxidative Post-translational Modifications

Increased sirtuin deacylase activity is correlated with increased lifespan and healthspan in eukaryotes. Conversely, decreased sirtuin deacylase activity is correlated with increased susceptibility to aging-related diseases. However, the mechanisms leading to decreased sirtuin activity during aging are poorly understood. Recent work has shown that oxidative post-translational modification by reactive oxygen (ROS) or nitrogen (RNS) species results in inhibition of sirtuin deacylase activity through cysteine nitrosation, glutathionylation, sulfenylation, and sulfhydration as well as tyrosine nitration. The prevalence of ROS/RNS (e.g. nitric oxide, S-nitrosoglutathione, hydrogen peroxide, oxidized glutathione, and peroxynitrite) is increased during inflammation and as a result of electron transport chain dysfunction. With age, cellular production of ROS/RNS increases; thus, cellular oxidants may serve as a causal link between loss of sirtuin activity and aging-related disease development. Therefore, the prevention of inhibitory oxidative modification may represent a novel means to increase sirtuin activity during aging. In this review, we explore the role of cellular oxidants in inhibiting individual sirtuin human isoform deacylase activity and clarify the relevance of ROS/RNS as regulatory molecules of sirtuin deacylase activity in the context of health and disease.
Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids alter the functional activities of immune cells and have potential to serve as agents for treatment of neuroinflammatory disorders. They readily access the brain, have low toxicity, and can target selective receptors on specific cell types. To date, two cognate receptors have been identified, the CB1R and the CB2R. The CB1R is expressed primarily in the CNS and testis, while the CB2R is found on immune cells, including microglia and other immunocytes that may be recruited into the CNS. Activation of the CB2R may prove therapeutically manageable in ablating neuropathogenic disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, HIV encephalitis, and closed head injury.
Neutral Pion Photoproduction from Complex Nuclei Near Threshold

Preliminary data are presented for total cross section measurements of π° photoproduction from 6Li, 7Li, 12C, 28Si, and 40Ca. The data were taken utilizing the bremsstrahlung spectrum from the Bates Linear Accelerator at electron energies of 140 and 145 MeV. Below threshold background measurements at an endpoint energy of 134 MeV were also obtained.
Immune response of β2-microglobulin-deficient mice to pathogens

The ability of hosts to respond to pathogens is one of the driving forces in the selection of the immune system. The immune response to both bacteria and viruses involves the ability of T cell to recognize and to respond to pathogens. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are important in the overall immune response. In the most basic paradigm, CD4+ T cells respond to exogenous antigen, which is internalized, degraded, and presented on the surface of antigen-presenting cells by major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded class II molecules. This arm of the response includes not only helping B cells produce antibodies, but also the production of proinflamatory cytokines, including interferon (INF)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-2. It is often stated that these responses are important in inhibiting the spread of virus from cell to cell by aiding the production of antibodies which neutralize virus and creating a cytokine milieu which does not support virus replication. In contrast, CD8+ T cells respond primarily to peptides derived from endogenously synthesized proteins. The T cells are able to recognize and kill the cells expressing these peptides by at least two major pathways, one utilizing perforin exocytosis and the other utilizing fas-fas ligand interactions. This response has the net effect of removing cells which are producing viruses or other pathogens which have access to the cytoplasm of infected cells. This has given rise to the simple idea that CD4 responses (and antibodies) block virus spread, while CD8 responses remove the source of infection, resulting in clearance of pathogens which hide intracellularly.
Studies on Glaciated Karst in New York and New England

The modern scientific study of glaciation, speleogenesis and karst development began in New York in the 1960s and 1970s, with major contributions from Vic Baker, Steve Egemeier, Ernst Kastning, John Mylroie, and Arthur and Margaret Palmer, all working in the Helderberg Plateau of central New York. They demonstrated that large, pre-glacial cave systems existed, and these caves had been modified by glaciation, primarily as a result of base-level changes, backflooding, and sediment occlusion. Their work and subsequent efforts in the 1980s and 1990s hypothesized post-glacial cave development as an outcome of deranged surficial drainage. The 1990s and 2000s saw new cave discoveries as a result of application of the previous glaciated karst models, and the refinement of karst drainage basins by dye tracing, which also lead to new cave discoveries. The application of U/Th dating to caves in the Helderberg Plateau demonstrated conclusively that the major cave systems had survived multiple glaciations in the Pleistocene. Comparison between marble caves in Norway and those in the northeastern US demonstrated much commonality of form and speleogenesis. Recent work has demonstrated glaciolacustrine deposits in caves, and that shallow maze caves of this region are post-glacial in origin. Research moved beyond the Helderberg Plateau region to the glaciated marbles of western New England, where post-glacial caves appear to dominate. The major impact of glaciation is now viewed as significant base level changes affecting flow routes, joint activation by glacial unloading, and sediment deposition in caves that creates additional backflooding.
Chapter 28 The Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloids

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Alkaloids containing the 1-benzylisoquinoline system have attracted the attention of organic chemists and phytochemists, pharmacologists, and clinicians because of their interesting reactions, their traceable derivation from proteins, and their relation to natural products of similar constitution, and their often pronounced, and in some cases beneficial, physiological action. From a chemical structural viewpoint, they may be divided into several groups. The alkaloids in which the aliphatic carbon atom of the benzyl group is connected only to positions 1 and 1' comprise the opium bases papaverine, xanthaline, laudanosine, and various phenolic derivatives of these tetramethoxy compounds, as well as the Cocculus base coclaurine, the Papaver alkaloid armepavine, the Mahonia base neprotine, and a constituent of Corydalis, corpaverine.
Safety of intrathecal administration of cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate in dogs and cats

The objective of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the short-term safety of intrathecal administration of cytosine arabinoside alone or in combination with methotrexate in dogs and cats. One hundred and twelve dogs and eight cats admitted between September 2008 and December 2013, diagnosed with suspected inflammatory (meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown aetiology) or neoplastic disease affecting brain or spinal cord and treated with an intrathecal administration of cytosine arabinoside alone or in combination with methotrexate were included in the study. Recorded information regarding possible adverse events during administration while recovering from anaesthesia and during hospitalization period were evaluated. The results showed that one patient developed generalized tonic-clonic seizure activity after administration of cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate during recovery from anaesthesia, however responded to intravenous administration of diazepam. On the base of our results we can conclude that intrathecal administration of cytosine arabinoside alone or in combination with methotrexate is a safe procedure in dogs and cats.
Laser spectroscopy of the 1A′′–X̃ 1A′ system of CuOH and CuOD

The green bands of CuOH and CuOD have been studied by chemiluminescence and laser‐excitation spectroscopies. CuOH and CuOD were produced by means of a recently developed hollow‐cathode sputtering source. The transitions probed by laser‐excitation spectroscopy were found to arise from the (0,0,0)–(0,0,0) band of a 1A′′–X 1A′ electronic transition. The rotational analyses of the (1,0) and (0,1) rotational subbands of this system is presented. The molecules are well described as near prolate asymmetric rotors and are bent in both the ground and excited electronic states with bond angles of 111(1)° and 119(1)°, respectively.
Regulation of secondary metabolism in Streptomyces spp. and overproduction of daunorubicin in Streptomyces peucetius.

Abstract Two DNA segments, dnrR1 and dnrR2, from the Streptomyces peucetius ATCC 29050 genome were identified by their ability to stimulate secondary metabolite production and resistance. When introduced into the wild-type ATCC 29050 strain, the 2.0-kb dnrR1 segment caused a 10-fold overproduction of epsilon-rhodomycinone, a key intermediate of daunorubicin biosynthesis, whereas the 1.9-kb dnrR2 segment increased production of both epsilon-rhodomycinone and daunorubicin 10- and 2-fold, respectively. In addition, the dnrR2 segment restored high-level daunorubicin resistance to strain H6101, a daunorubicin-sensitive mutant of S. peucetius subsp. caesius ATCC 27952. Analysis of the sequence of the dnrR1 fragment revealed the presence of two closely situated open reading frames, dnrI and dnrJ, whose deduced products exhibit high similarity to the products of several other Streptomyces genes that have been implicated in the regulation of secondary metabolism. Insertional inactivation of dnrI in the ATCC 29050 strain with the Tn5 kanamycin resistance gene abolished epsilon-rhodomycinone and daunorubicin production and markedly decreased resistance to daunorubicin. Sequence comparison between the products of dnrIJ and the products of the Streptomyces coelicolor actII-orf4, afsR, and redD-orf1 genes and of the Streptomyces griseus strS, the Saccharopolyspora erythraea eryC1, and the Bacillus stearothermophilus degT genes reveals two families of putative regulatory genes. The members of the DegT, DnrJ, EryC1, and StrS family exhibit some of the features characteristic of the protein kinase (sensor) component of two-component regulatory systems from other bacteria (even though none of the sequences of these four proteins show a significant overall or regional similarity to such protein kinases) and have a consensus helix-turn-helix motif typical of DNA binding proteins. A helix-turn-helix motif is also present in two of the proteins of the other family, AfsR and RedD-Orf1. Both sets of Streptomyces proteins are likely to be trans-acting factors involved in regulating secondary metabolism.
How Trust Matters: The Changing Political Relevance of Political Trust

Americans most often think about government in terms of its ability to grapple with issues of redistribution and race. However, the September 11 terrorist attacks led to a massive increase in media attention to foreign affairs, which caused people to think about the government in terms of defense and foreign policy. We demonstrate that such changes in issue salience alter the policy preferences that political trust shapes. Specifically, we show that trust did not affect attitudes about the race-targeted programs in 2004 as it usually does, but instead affected a range of foreign policy and national defense preferences. By merging survey data gathered from 1980 through 2004 with data from media content analyses, we show that, more generally, trust's effects on defense and racial policy preferences, respectively, increase as the media focus more attention in these areas and decrease when that attention ebbs.
Using Wirtinger calculus and holomorphic matching to obtain the discharge potential for an elliptical pond

[1] We present in this paper a new method for deriving discharge potentials for groundwater flow. Discharge potentials are two-dimensional functions; the discharge potential to be presented represents steady groundwater flow with an elliptical pond of constant rate of extraction or infiltration. The method relies on Wirtinger calculus. We demonstrate that it is possible, in principle, to construct a holomorphic function Ω(z), defined so as to produce the same gradient vector in two dimensions as that obtained from an arbitrary function F(x, y) along any Jordan curve . We will call Ω(z) the holomorphic match of F(x, y) along . Let the line be a closed contour bounding a domain , and let F(x, y) be defined in and represent the discharge potential for some case of divergent groundwater flow. Holomorphic matching makes it possible to create a function Ω(z), valid outside , such that Ω equals F(x, y) and the gradient of Ω equals that of F(x, y) along . (Note that the technique applies also if is the domain outside .) We can use this technique to construct solutions for cases of flow where there is nonzero divergence (due to infiltration or leakage, for example) in but zero divergence outside . The special case that the divergence within is constant and is zero outside is chosen to illustrate the approach and to obtain a solution that, to the knowledge of the author, does not exist in the field of groundwater flow.
Odonata: Dragonflies, Damselflies

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the odonata (dragonflies), an exopterygote aquatic insects. Dragonfly adults are predaceous, relatively long-lived insects. Their large compound eyes, strong chewing mouthparts, long legs, and unparalleled flight capabilities are ideal adaptations for catching and consuming insect prey. Although adult dragonflies have mastered the air, the immature stage (called nymph or larva) is aquatic and usually much longer lived. Adaptation to an underwater existence has resulted in striking differences in form among nymphs, whereas adults are much more uniform in shape. Dragonflies are quite harmless insects; they do not sting and will try to bite humans only when held captive. However, they are hosts of trematodes (flukes in the family Lecithodendriidae) in Southeast Asia, and when eaten raw, they can be a source of infection in humans (by ingestion of the metacercariae). On the whole, dragonflies are considered beneficial insects for several reasons. In both nymph and adult stages, they feed on many insects that are pests of humans and domestic animals, such as mosquitoes (Culicidae), deer flies (Tabanidae), black flies (Simuliidae), and other Diptera. They are important components of aquatic food webs and are used as indicators of ecological health of streams and lakes; in some areas, nymphs are used as fish bait or as food. They make good subjects for behavioral and ecological studies, and poets and visual artists are often inspired by their beauty and behavior.
Why do non-gauge invariant terms appear in the vacuum polarization tensor?

It is will known that quantum field theory at the formal level is gauge invariant. However a calculation of the vacuum polarization tensor will include non-gauge invariant terms. These terms must be removed from the calculation in order to get a physically correct result. One common way to do this today is the technique of "dimensional regularization". It has recently been noted [2] that at one time a supersymmetric-like solution to the problem was explored - that is, the right combination of fields would cause the offending terms to cancel out. I will examine some of this early work and pose the question - why do the non-gauge invariant terms appear in the first place? I will show that this is due to an improper mathematical step in the formulation of the pertubative expansion. I will then show that when this step is corrected the result is gauge invariant. However a supersymmetric-like solution is still required to cancel out a divergent term.
A novel cyclophilin from parasitic and free-living nematodes with a unique substrate- and drug-binding domain.

A highly diversified member of the cyclophilin family of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerases has been isolated from the human parasite Onchocerca volvulus(OvCYP-16). This 25-kDa cyclophilin shares 43–46% similarity to other filarial cyclophilins but does not belong to any of the groups previously defined in invertebrates or vertebrates. A homolog was also isolated from Caenorhabditis elegans(CeCYP-16). Both recombinant O. volvulus and C. elegans cyclophilins were found to possess an enzyme activity with similar substrate preference and insensitivity to cyclosporin A. They represent novel cyclophilins with important differences in the composition of the drug-binding site in particular, namely, a Glu124 (C. elegans) or Asp123 (O. volvulus) residue present in a critical position. Site-directed mutagenesis studies and kinetic characterization demonstrated that the single residue dictates the degree of binding to substrate and cyclosporin A.CeCYP-16::GFP-expressing lines were generated with expression in the anterior and posterior distal portions of the intestine, in all larval stages and adults. An exception was found in the dauer stage, where fluorescence was observed in both the cell bodies and processes of the ventral chord motor neurons but was absent from the intestine. These studies highlight the extensive diversification of cyclophilins in an important human parasite and a closely related model organism.
Preparation of Plasmonic Platforms of Silver Wires on Gold Mirrors and Their Application to Surface Enhanced Fluorescence

In this report we describe a preparation of silver wires (SWs) on gold mirrors and its application to surface enhanced fluorescence (SEF) using a new methodology. Silica protected gold mirrors were drop-coated with a solution of silver triangular nanoprisms. The triangular nanoprisms were slowly air-dried to get silver wires that self-assembled on the gold mirrors. Fluorescence enhancement was studied using methyl azadioxatriangulenium chloride (Me-ADOTA·Cl) dye in PVA spin-coated on a clean glass coverslip. New Plasmonic Platforms (PPs) were assembled by placing a mirror with SWs in contact with a glass coverslip spin-coated with a uniform Me-ADOTA·Cl film. It was shown that surface enhanced fluorescence is a real phenomenon, not just an enhancement of the fluorescence signal due to an accumulation of the fluorophore on rough nanostructure surfaces. The average fluorescence enhancement was found to be about 15-fold. The lifetime of Me-ADOTA·Cl dye was significantly reduced (∼4 times) in the presence of S...
A CLUSTERING LAW FOR SOME DISCRETE ORDER STATISTICS

Let X 1 , X 2 X n be a sequence of independent, identically distributed positive integer random variables with distribution function F. Anderson (1970) proved a variant of the law of large numbers by showing that the sample maximum moves asymptotically on two values if and only if F satisfies a 'clustering'condition, lim n→ ∞ [l - F(n + 1)]/[1 - F(n)] = 0. In this article, we generalize Anderson's result and show that it is robust by proving that, for any r > 0, the sample maximum and other extremes asymptotically cluster on r + 2 values if and only if lim n→ ∞[1 - F(n + r + 1)]/[1 - F(n)] = 0. Together with previous work which considered other asymptotic properties of these sample extremes, a more detailed asymptotic clustering structure for discrete order statistics is presented.
Prognostic significance of contrast-enhancing low-grade gliomas in adults and a review of the literature.

Abstract Objectives: Survival and tumor recurrence for patients with low-grade gliomas is heterogeneous, with reported survival and recurrence times varying by several months to years. The prognostic implications of a contrast-enhancing low-grade glioma remain less well understood. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all adult patients who underwent a craniotomy for a hemispheric low-grade glioma (WHO grade II) from 1996 to 2006 at a single institution. Multivariate proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify independent associations with survival, recurrence and malignant degeneration. Furthermore, a review of the literature for all works on low-grade gliomas and contrast enhancement was conducted. Results: One hundred eighty-nine patients (87 fibrillary astrocytomas, 89 oligodendrogliomas and 13 mixed gliomas) were available for analysis, with 64 (34%) and 125 (66%) contrast-enhancing and non-enhancing tumors, respectively. There were no significant differences in clinical and treatme...
9 Operative laparoscopy in gynaecological oncology

Summary Initial reports on the role of laparoscopy in gynaecological malignancies have centred around staging procedures. Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, both pelvic and para-aortic, appears to be feasible and adequate. It appears that laparoscopy may play an important role in reviving the radical vaginal hysterectomy for patients with early cervical cancer. Similarly, an abdominal incision may be avoided in patients with early endometrial carcinoma by employing laparoscopic staging with vaginal hysterectomy. The role laparoscopy will play in ovarian cancer is still to be defined, and laparoscopic advocates must be cautious in this subset of patients. However, for those gynaecological oncologists employing second-look procedures, it appears that beginning with laparoscopy may make laparotomy unnecessary in the majority of patients. Survival data for patients with gynaecological malignancies managed using laparoscopy in lieu of laparotomy are still lacking. It is imperative that survival is not compromised by employing a new surgical technique. Cost data comparing laparoscopy to laparotomy in our subspeciality is unavailable. This increasingly important aspect of medical care may influence the future of laparoscopy. These and other important issues need to be addressed by future trials before the role of laparoscopy in gynaecological oncology can be determined.
A Microtasking Algorithm for Optimization of Structures

A microtasking algorithm is developed on a CRAY Y-MP 8/864 machine for optimization of framed structures subjected to displacement and stress constraints using the optimality criterion approach. Speedup results are presented for three frame examples. The efficiency of the microtasking algorithm is shown to improve with the size of the structure, making it particularly suitable for minimum weight design of large structures consisting of several hundred or thousand members.
A multicenter controlled trial of fetal pulse oximetry in the intrapartum management of nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns.

Abstract Objective: Recent developments permit the use of pulse oximetry to evaluate fetal oxygenation in labor. We tested the hypothesis that the addition of fetal pulse oximetry in the evaluation of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns in labor improves the accuracy of fetal assessment and allows safe reduction of cesarean deliveries performed because of nonreassuring fetal status. Study Design: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted concurrently in 9 centers. The patients had term pregnancies and were in active labor when abnormal fetal heart rate patterns developed. The patients were randomized to electronic fetal heart rate monitoring alone (control group) or to the combination of electronic fetal monitoring and continuous fetal pulse oximetry (study group). The primary outcome was a reduction in cesarean deliveries for nonreassuring fetal status as a measure of improved accuracy of assessment of fetal oxygenation. Results: A total of 1010 patients were randomized, 502 to the control group and 508 to the study group. There was a reduction of >50% in the number of cesarean deliveries performed because of nonreassuring fetal status in the study group (study, 4.5%; vs control, 10.2%; P =.007). However, there was no net difference in overall cesarean delivery rates (study, n=147 [29%]; vs control, 130 [26%]; P =.49) because of an increase in cesarean deliveries performed because of dystocia in the study group. In a blinded partogram analysis 89% of the study patients and 91% of the control patients who had a cesarean delivery because of dystocia met defined criteria for actual dystocia. There was no difference between the 2 groups in adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes. In terms of the operative intervention for nonreassuring fetal status, there was an improvement in both the sensitivity and the specificity for the study group compared with the control group for the end points of metabolic acidosis and need for resuscitation. Conclusion: The study confirmed its primary hypothesis of a safe reduction in cesarean deliveries performed because of nonreassuring fetal status. However, the addition of fetal pulse oximetry did not result in an overall reduction in cesarean deliveries. The increase in cesarean deliveries because of dystocia in the study group did appear to result from a well-documented arrest of labor. Fetal pulse oximetry improved the obstetrician's ability to more appropriately intervene by cesarean or operative vaginal delivery for fetuses who were actually depressed and acidotic. The unexpected increase in operative delivery for dystocia in the study group is of concern and remains to be explained. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:1049-58.)
Profile of arthritis disability: II

Objective Arthritis is the most common chronic condition and the most common cause of disability among older US adults. We studied social participation, disabilities in many life domains, accommodations used (buffers), and accommodations needed (barriers) for US adults with arthritis disability compared with adults with disability from other conditions. Methods The data source is the National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement Phase Two. Arthritis-disabled individuals named arthritis as the main cause of ≥1 disabilities. Other-disabled individuals named only other conditions as causes of their disabilities. We compared outcomes for the groups, taking sample weights and complex variances into account. Results Arthritis-disabled individuals get out and about less often than other-disabled individuals, but they manage to maintain active social ties. They have more disabilities of all types (personal care, household management, physical tasks, transportation, home, work), and the disabilities often cause fatigue, long task time, and pain. Despite this, arthritis-disabled individuals use less personal assistance than other-disabled individuals; they do use more equipment assistance. Arthritis-disabled individuals report more barriers in getting around outside their home and at their workplace. Conclusion The distinctive profile of arthritis disability includes extensive and uncomfortable disabilities, yet there are active management strategies to handle these disabilities. Problems away from home and at work should inspire engineers and planners to improve public access and equipment for persons with this high-prevalence disability.