cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Method to Assess Linkage Disequilibrium between CNVs and SNPs Inside Copy Number Variable Regions

Since the discovery of the ubiquitous contribution of copy number variation to genetic variability, researchers have commonly used metrics such as r-squared to quantify linkage disequilibrium (LD) between copy number variants (CNVs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, these reports have been restricted to SNPs outside copy number variable regions (CNVR) as current methods have not been adapted to account for SNPs displaying variable copy number. We show that traditional LD metrics inappropriately quantify SNP/CNV covariance when SNPs lie within copy number variable regions (CNVR). We derive a new method for measuring LD that solves this issue, and defaults to traditional metrics otherwise. Finally, we present a procedure to estimate CNV-SNP allele frequencies from unphased CNV-SNP genotypes. Our method allows researchers to include all SNPs in SNP/CNV LD measurements, regardless of copy number.
Searching for the sources responsible for cosmic reionization: Probing the redshift range 7 < z < 10 and beyond

We review recent observations that suggest that the global star formation rate density of UV-bright galaxies is declining monotonically with redshift over 3 < z < 7 and illustrate the challenges that a continuation of this decline poses in explaining the assembled stellar mass in several z ~ 6 galaxies deduced from recent Spitzer data. A plausible conclusion is a vigorous period of yet earlier star formation. Prior to JWST and TMT, strong lensing offers a unique probe of the extent of this earlier activity. We discuss the first results of a blind spectroscopic survey of 10 lensing clusters for 8.5 < z < 10 Ly α emitters using NIRSPEC on Keck. We demonstrate this survey is achieving an (unlensed) sensitivity equivalent to a star formation rate of 0.1 M_⊙ yr^(−1). A companion survey, now beginning with HST and Spitzer, will target lensed z and J-band drop-outs and probe a ≃1 arcmin^2 region 1 magnitude deeper than the UDF/NICMOS observations. In combination, both surveys will provide the first constraints on the contribution of early, low luminosity, sources to cosmic reionization.
Localization of preproenkephalin A mRNA in the neonatal rat retina.

Abstract An opioid growth factor, [Met 5 ]-enkephalin, is known to regulate developmental events in the neonatal rat retina. This growth factor interacts with the zeta (ζ) opioid receptor to modulate retinal ontogeny. Both peptide and receptor are present in developing retina, but not in adult retina. We have used in situ hybridization histochemistry to identify and localize preproenkephalin A mRNA in the neonatal rat retina. Preproenkephalin mRNA was localized to the ganglion cell layer, with some radiolabeling found in the neuroblast layer. This result indicates that 1) the mRNA to preproenkephalin A is present during the critical stage of development in the neonatal retina that coincides with the presence of the growth-regulating peptide, [Met 5 ]enkephalin, and 2) that the source of the opioid growth factor controlling the production of retinal cells appears to be autocrine (i.e., retinal neuroblasts) and paracrine (i.e., ganglion cells) in nature. Retina Development Rat In situ hybridization Preproenkephalin Opioid Enkephalin Gene expression Growth factor
Effects of antitrust enforcement on aggregate concentration

Four indexes are employed to measure trends in asset concentration of large business in the United States between 1967 and 1992 using the Fortune 500 data. The paper also investigates whether the merger wave of the 1980s was statistically significant. For all the 500 and the top 100 firms, each of the indexes confirmed that concentration trends were on the increase for the whole period and that the increase in the level of concentration due to the mergers of the 1980s was statistically significant. However, on both counts, not all indexes were in agreement for the bottom 300 firms when examined by subsets of 100 firms.
Quantitative estimation of neutral sugars by gas—liquid chromatography

Abstract This paper reports an improved method for separating by isothermal gas—liquid chromatography, the hexoses, the pentoses, five deoxy sugars associated with natural products, and erythrose, as their alditol acetates. The solvent peak shows virtually no tailing, thus making quantitative estimation of the pentose sugars as accurate as that of the hexoses. It is also shown that the surface characteristics of the solid support to a large extent determine the degree of resolution of the various sugars. The conditions described give sharp, well resolved, and relatively narrow peaks for the slower moving components, thus improving the accuracy with which they can be measured quantitatively.
Ramulosin: inhibitory effect against plant seeds and various fungi.

Abstract Ramulosin, a new fermentation product reported recently from this laboratory, was tested for biological activity. The compound inhibited germination of wheat and oats at 10 p.p.m.; tomato and grass seeds at 100 p.p.m.; and corn, clover, sorghum and morning glory seeds at 1000 p.p.m. No appreciable activity was noted in tests with Pinto and soy beans. Ramulosin also inhibited the germination of conidiospores of Aspergillus niger and Fusarium moniliforme; ascospores of Chaetomium globosum; and sporangiospores of Rhizopus stolonifer and Mucor rouxii. Although it did not exhibit antibacterial activity, ramulosin did retard the growth of several basidiomycetes and ascomycetes.
Direct observation of the dynamic magnetic action in metal-in-gap recording heads

The behavior of the dynamic magnetic switching of metal-in-gap recording heads, observed directly through the use of the magnetooptic Kerr effect, shows significant magnetic action in the vicinity of poorly formed interfaces between Sendust and ferrite. A series of MnZn ferrite heads with increasingly better interfaces between the ferrite and Sendust is examined, and results from magnetooptic measurements are correlated with recording characteristics on media with coercivities of 900 Oe. No magnetic discontinuity at the interface of the best head is detectable by either technique, demonstrating that careful control of the interface can enhance the magnetic coupling between Sendust and ferrite to an acceptable level for suitable recording characteristics on such media. >
Characteristics and outcomes of tumors arising from the distal nephron.

Objective To compare the characteristics and predictors of cancer-specific survival (CSS) of 2 rare distal nephron tumors—medullary renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) and collecting duct carcinoma (CDC). Methods All cases of histologically verified MRCC and CDC reported to The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 1995 and 2007 were considered. A number of characteristics were compared by tumor histology. Subset analyses were performed for metastatic patients and those managed surgically. CSS was analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models. Results Overall, 21 cases of MRCC and 227 cases of CDC met the criteria for analysis. Patients with MRCC were younger (median 24 vs 63 years, P P P P = .015) compared with patients with CDC. Tumor size was similar between MRCC and CDC (median 6 vs 5 cm, P = .70). Median survival was 5 months for MRCC and 30 months for CDC ( P P ≤.05) despite having larger primary tumors than those managed nonsurgically (median 7.5 vs 5.0 cm, P Conclusion Patients with MRCC present younger, at a later stage, and are more often black than patients with CDC. The stage migration toward localized kidney cancer is not apparent for these tumors. Although both cancers have a poor prognosis, the clinical and survival characteristics are distinct. Patients selected for cytoreductive surgery have improved survival.
A highly ion-sensitive ATP-phosphorylation system in lobster nerve

Abstract The transfer of -phosphate from 32P labeled adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) at low concentrations (10−10 to 10−7M) into the peripheral nerve of the lobster was found to be highly sensitive to external ionic environments. The phosphorylation process is inhibited at conditions similar to extracellular environments (high Na+, Ca++ and pH) and stimulated by those close to intracellular medium (high K+, Mg++ and low pH). This system is not related to NaK ATPase (pump ATPase) which is highly sensitive to ouabain and is active only at higher ATP concentrations (>10−6M). The system is membrane bound and sensitive to a variety of neuro-active agents which are known to interfere with ionic conductance changes in axons.
The lymphocyte transformation response of fetal hemolymphatic tissue to mitogens and antigens.

Summary: Lymphocyte transformation responses to three different mitogens (phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and concanavalin A (Con A)) as well as four antigens (streptolysin O (SLO), keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), streptokinase-streptodornase (SKSD) and tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD)) were studied ontogenetically in 30 human fetuses ranging in gestational age from 6–19 weeks. In most organs lymphocyte responsiveness to Con A in human fetuses seemingly develops in concert with responsiveness to PHA and PWM. One 19 week fetus had an apparent antigen specific response to SLO with stimulation of cord blood and bone marrow lymphocytes. The same fetus also had mitogen responsiveness in bone marrow. Speculation: The onset of response to different mitogens (PHA, PWM, and Con A) apparently fails to distinguish subpopulations of lymphocytes in most fetal organs tested. Such agents may be of restricted value in studies of early immune ontogeny. Observation of one case of apparent fetal sensitization to SLO at 19 weeks gestational age suggests that transplacental immunization without gross infection may not be as rare as is believed currently.
The Persistence of College Students from Their Freshman to Sophomore Year

This research examined the predictive accuracy of selected variables (high school letter grade average, first-year college grade point average (GPA), residence location, cumulative hours taken, mot...
Silicon nanocrystals based light emitting diodes integrated using all inorganic metal oxides as the charge transport layers

Air-stable luminescence silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) were synthesized using a novel in-flight system composed of a Si-NC synthesis SiH4/Ar plasma and an SF6 plasma which etches and passivates the NCs. The etch plasma can efficiently tailor the Si-NC size and the surface functionalities by tuning the gas flow rate, applied power, and pressure of the plasma. Si-NCs based light emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated by using the Si-NCs as the recombination center for injected electron-hole pairs. Si-NCs were deposited in between two inorganic metal oxide layers, nickel oxide (NiO) and zinc oxide (ZnO), which served as the hole transport layer (HTL) and electron transport layer (ETL), respectively. NiO and ZnO have been chosen by considering their energy band offsets with respect to Si-NCs, and their band offsets to the electrodes which should produce roughly comparable carrier concentrations once the contacts are forward biased, to get charge balance at the Si-NCs. The as-prepared metal oxides were confirmed to be stoichiometric using Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). Four-point probes measurements show the oxide sheet resistances in the range of 2-5×10 6 Ω/(see manuscript). The as-prepared etched Si-NCs generate orange photoluminescence at a peak intensity of 650nm with a quantum efficiency of 23%. I-V characteristics and light intensities of the Si-NCs LED without depositing the ZnO ETL have been studied with respected to the Si-NCs thickness. LEDs made using a two minute deposition of Si-NCs (approximately 250nm thick) showed an easily visible air-stable light emission; however, the light intensity decreased by 50% for thicker (1.5μm) Si-NC films. The LED performance was improved by using an ITO/ZnO/SiNCs/NiO/Al device structure. The turned on voltage increased to 7V but the current saturated to 0.1A very rapidly. The Si-NCs LED EL spectrum was collected at a bias voltage of 8.5V. The emission peaked at 653 nm for the Si-NCs LED in good agreement with the PL results. At the highest current densities some degradation of the device was observed, otherwise device operation was consistent and yield was good. The I-V characteristics of the Si-NC LED made using all inorganic metal oxides showed Schottky behavior as well as good light intensity.
Abstract 1788: The CDK inhibitor dinaciclib sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer cells to PARP inhibition.

Background: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) comprises 15% of all breast cancers, and has a poor prognosis relative to other breast cancer subtypes. Inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) causes the degeneration of single-strand DNA breaks to more lethal double-strand breaks (DSBs), and also traps PARP-DNA complexes, which must be repaired or bypassed by homologous recombination (HR). BRCA1 plays a critical role in HR and its activity is in part regulated by cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1)-mediated phosphorylation. PARP inhibition results in synthetic lethality in cells that have impaired HR, such as BRCA-deficient cells. Other CDK family members activate additional components of the HR pathway. Here, we show that HR-proficient TNBC cells can be sensitized to PARP inhibition through use of CDK inhibition to impair BRCA1 function and disrupt HR. Methods: We examined the effects of dinaciclib (CDK1, 2, 5 and 9 inhibitor), γ-irradiation and veliparib (PARP inhibitor) on a panel of BRCA1 wild type TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and BT549). Levels of phospho-S1497 BRCA1 (pBRCA1; CDK phosphorylation site), γ-H2AX, and RAD51 were measured by western blot to assess effects on HR proteins. A direct assessment of DSB repair was measured using the U2OS-DR-GFP reporter system. Cell viability was measured using Cell-Titer Glo assays. Patient-derived TNBC xenograft models were established in immunocompromised NOD-SCID-IL2γ-/- mice, and implanted orthotopically into cohorts of mice for in vivo efficacy studies. Results: There was a significant reduction in total and pBRCA1 and RAD51 protein levels with increasing concentrations of dinaciclib in all TNBC cell lines. In response to 10 Gy γ-irradiation treatment, pretreatment with dinaciclib (20 nM) reduced the percentage of cells with greater than five BRCA1 foci from 54% to 5% (P Conclusion: CDK inhibition effectively inhibits HR, and renders BRCA-proficient TNBC cells sensitive to PARP inhibition. This combination represents an effective strategy for the treatment of TNBC. Citation Format: Shawn F. Johnson, Neil Johnson, David Chi, Benjamin Primack, Alan D. D9Andrea, Elgene Lim, Geoffrey I. Shapiro. The CDK inhibitor dinaciclib sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer cells to PARP inhibition. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1788. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1788
Uncertain indemnity and the demand for insurance

This paper considers the demand for insurance in a model with uncertain indemnity. Uncertain indemnity tends to increase the demand for insurance for precautionary reasons, but it also tends to decrease the demand due to the risk created by indemnity uncertainty. When the coefficient of relative prudence is not too large, uncertain indemnity reduces the demand for insurance and partial coverage is optimal even at actuarially fair premiums. In addition, insurance may be an inferior good or a normal good, depending on the behavior of absolute risk aversion and the magnitude of the coefficient of relative risk aversion.
Probing actin incorporation into myofibrils using Asp11 and His73 actin mutants.

We used a cell free system [Bouche et al.: J. Cell Biol. 107:587–596, 1988] to study the incorporation of actin into myofibrils. We used α-skeletal muscle actin and actins with substitutions of either His73 [Solomon and Rubenstein: J. Biol. Chem. 262:11382, 1987], or Asp11 [Solomon et al.: J. Biol. Chem. 263:19662, 1988]. Actins were translated in reticulocyte lysate and incubated with myofibrils. The incorporated wild type actin could be cross-linked into dimers using N,N′-1,4-phenylenebismaleimide (PBM), indicating that the incorporated actin is actually inserted into the thin filaments of the myofibril. The His73 mutants incorporated to the same extent as wild type actin and was also cross-linked with PBM. Although some of the Asp11 mutants co-assembled with carrier actin, only 1–3% of the Asp11 mutant actins incorporated after 2 min and did not increase after 2 hr. Roughly 17% of wild type actin incorporated after 2 min and 31% after 2 hr. ATP increased the release of wild type actin from myofibrils, but did not increase the release of Asp11 mutants. We suggest that (1) the incorporation of wild type and His73 mutant actins was due to a physiological process whereas association of Asp11 mutants with myofibrils was non-specific. (2) the incorporation of wild type actin involved a rapid initial phase, followed by a slower phase, and (3) since some of the Asp11 mutants can co-assemble with wild type actin, the ability to self-assemble was not sufficient for incorporation into myofibrils. Thus, incorporation probably includes interaction between actin and a thin filament associated protein. We also showed that incorporation occurred at actin concentrations which would cause disassembly of F-actin. Since the myofibrils did not show large scale disassembly but incorporated actin, filament stability and monomer incorporation are likely to be mediated by actin associated proteins of the myofibril. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Henry VII and Dante's Dream of a New Golden Age

Dante's Divine Comedy is an attempt to restore a wayward society through the eradication of cupidity. Cupidity, as represented by the She-wolf, has driven Justice from the world just as it drove the goddess Astraea, Justice, from the Golden Age under Saturn's reign. Just like Virgil whom Dante regards as the quintessential poet of the Pagan Golden Age, for prophesying in the Fourth Eclogue the return of the Saturnian Golden Age under Emperor Caesar Augustus, Dante aspires to be the poet of a Christian Golden Age by championing in the Epistles and the Monarchia the coming of Henry VII of Luxembourg as a novel Saturn to bring back Justice to wayward Italy. Ultimately the Saturnine Henry becomes a coordinate for Dante himself, as the role of the poet and that of the emperor seem to meld as promoters of “civilitas.” Although Henry failed to bring about a new Golden Age on earth, Dante did not give up his dream. Convinced in the civilizing power of poetry, Dante offers a vision of the perfect Christian society...
Mentoring and Nurse Practitioner Student Self-Efficacy

The relationship between nurse practitioner students and their clinical teachers (preceptors) may have an impact on students' confidence in their ability to take on the advanced practice role of the nurse practitioner. This descriptive, correlational study investigated the relationship between nurse practitioner students' perceptions of mentoring by their clinical preceptors and student self-efficacy. Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory and Biddle's Role Theory provided the framework for the research. Study results may have an impact on graduate nursing program philosophy, clinical placement management strategies, and preceptor selection.
Characteristics of Tip Vortex Cavitation Noise

Tip vortex cavitation noise was experimentally investigated utilizing hydrofoils with an elliptic planform. The noise was monitored by an array of hydrophones. A variety of cavitating conditions were studied, including inception, fully developed vortex cavitation, and surface cavitation. An analysis of noise source distribution indicated that sound at cavitation inception is radiated from either just downstream of the vortex roll-up region or right at the tip of the hydrofoil where the vortex cavity intially develops
Design and Performance of Hand-Struck Tools Using High Performance Polymers

One of the oldest tools in the world, the hand-struck chisel, has been improved with the addition of a polymer cap. The cap enhances the safety and ergonomic features without compromising chisel cutting performance. During the development of this new design, a lumped-parameter model was used to quantify force transmission characteristics, and select a suitable polymer-reinforced nylon (Minlon™). In addition, a finite element model together with laboratory and field tests were used to demonstrate that the addition of the polymer cap significantly reduces chisel vibration and noise. Additional long term tests confirmed the cutting effectiveness and durability of the capped chisel.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
The Relationship between Teachers' Preactive Planning and Student Process Measures

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the student process behavior differences resulting from divergent lesson planning patterns within an Experimental Teaching Unit (ETU). Two teachers were asked to plan for and implement a 20 minute ETU on three occasions using different groups of fourth grade students (N = 65). The ETU task, a combination hockey/golf novel skill, was explained to the teachers, as were their identical teaching space and equipment allocations. The two teachers planned and implemented contrasting lessons for this same teaching goal. The purpose of this study was to determine the student process behavior differences that resulted from the two divergent planning strategies. The Flow of Teacher Organizational Patterns (FOTOP) system was used to verify that the teachers consistently and faithfully implemented their intended plans. Student process behavior was analyzed with the Academic Learning Time–Physical Education (ALT–PE) observational system. The data indicate that the stude...
Spectrophotometric constants in glacial acetic acid of 2,2'-dipyridine and its 4,4'-disubstituted derivatives as fe(ii) complex cations

Abstract A continuing study of of previous work involving; the same organic reagents – 2,2'-dipyridine and lts 4.4'-disubstituted derivatives as Fe(II)complex caution – in glacial acetic acid and in buffered aqueous solutions. Determination of the spectrophotometric Constants (wave length of maximum absorbtion and molar absorptivity) in glacial acetic acid for the visual and near ultraviolet region. of the spectrun has been supplied
Error Patterns in Auditory Comprehension of Adult Aphasics

The error patterns of normal and aphasic adults on a sentence comprehension test were studied. For position of error, both normals and the three aphasic groups performed consistently with the expected error distribution. Neither sentence half was experienced as more difficult to process. All groups, both aphasic and normal, demonstrated error patterns for grammatical class and for surface structure linguistic constituent which were consistent with the expected error distributions. Exceptions were noted for the normals on the verb class and for the Wernicke's aphasics on the NP and VP linguistic constituents. Rank orderings of error proportions were similar across groups for both grammatical form class and linguistic constituent. The general findings lend support to the notion that, for auditory comprehension of sentences, aphasic patients differ quantitatively from normal adult speakers, but behave qualitatively similar to them.
Melting and Polymorphism at High Pressures in Some Group IV Elements and III-V Compounds with the Diamond/Zincblende Structure

The fusion curves of several elements and III-V compounds crystallizing in the diamond/zincblende structure have been determined to 50, or sometimes 70, kbar by means of differential thermal analysis. The melting slopes are (in \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C/kbar); Si, -5.8 (lower bound); Ge, -3.8; InAs, -4.3; GaAs, -3.4; InP, -2.9; AlSb, -6.9 (provisional); GaSb, -5. Gallium antimonide has a triple point near 56.5 kbar and 385\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C; its high pressure metallic polymorph melts with an initial slope of +3.4 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C/kbar. Progressively more negative slopes for the melting of the diamond/zincblende structures are apparently correlated with increasing atomic volume and decreasing normal melting point. Extension of these correlations suggests that diamond melts with only a slightly negative slope. The sequence of pressure-induced polymorphic transitions strikingly reflects straightforward increases in coordination.
The effect of respiration on the arterial pulse in left ventricular failure

Abstract An anomalous effect of respiration on the arterial pulse has been found in several patients with severe left heart failure. In contrast to the behavior of the pulse in normals in which the pulse beat becomes stronger in expiration, in these cases the strong beats occurred in inspiration. In two of the cardiac patients the pattern reverted to normal with clinical improvement.
The Mus81-Mms4 structure-selective endonuclease requires nicked DNA junctions to undergo conformational changes and bend its DNA substrates for cleavage

Mus81-Mms4/EME1 is a DNA structure-selective endonuclease that cleaves joint DNA molecules that form during homologous recombination in mitotic and meiotic cells. Here, we demonstrate by kinetic analysis using physically tethered DNA substrates that budding yeast Mus81-Mms4 requires inherent rotational flexibility in DNA junctions for optimal catalysis. Forster Resonance Energy Transfer experiments further reveal that recognition of 3′-flap and nicked Holliday junction substrates by Mus81-Mms4 involves induction of a sharp bend with a 100° angle between two duplex DNA arms. In addition, thiol crosslinking of Mus81-Mms4 bound to DNA junctions demonstrates that the heterodimer undergoes a conformational change induced by joint DNA molecules with preferred structural properties. The results from all three approaches suggest a model for catalysis by Mus81-Mms4 in which initial DNA binding is based on minimal structural requirements followed by a rate-limiting conformational transition of the substrate and protein. This leads to a sharply kinked DNA molecule that may fray the DNA four base pairs away from the junction point to position the nuclease for cleavage between the fourth and fifth nucleotide. These data suggest that mutually compatible conformational changes of Mus81-Mms4 and its substrates tailor its incision activity to nicked junction molecules.
GPR profiles of partially to completely unstratified geologic formations

We discuss 150 MHz GPR profiles of glacial till, reworked till, colluvium or decaying granite, which mainly contain random inclusions related to lithology, grain size, or water. The profiles contain numerous diffractions and limited stratification to possibly more than 40 m depth. The penetration, lack of dispersion, and lack of well developed asymptotes that originate from diffractions at depth suggest that volume scattering is present, but not a significant source of signal loss. The deep penetration may result from enhanced backscatter, by which rays propagating in opposite directions along the same and least lossy round trip path interfere constructively.
Voter Turnout in the California Recall: Where Did the Increase Come From?

Prior to the 2003 California recall election, pundits and academics pondered how a host of factors—including the historic nature of the election and the unusual cast of characters on the ballot—would influence voter turnout. Here, we examine two questions to shed some light on the turnout dynamics of the election: How was the recall electorate different from its 2002 counterpart, and what explains the 10% increase in registered voter turnout compared to 2002? Using the statewide voter file, we find the recall produced a younger, less partisan, and less politically experienced electorate. Citizens who stayed home in 2002 but cast ballots in 2003 tended to be intermittent voters. Media attention appears to have helped boost turnout, confirming in a new context other studies that find that lowering the costs of voting affects most strongly those citizens with demographic characteristics somewhere between habitual voters and hard-core and nonvoters.
Value distribution and potential theory

We describe some results of value distribution theory of holomorphic curves and quasiregular maps, which are obtained using potential theory. Among the results discussed are: extensions of Picard's theorems to quasiregular maps between Riemannian manifolds, a version of the Second Main Theorem of Nevanlinna for curves in projective space and non-linear divisors, description of extremal functions in Nevanlinna theory and results related to Cartan's 1928 conjecture on holomorphic curves in the unit disc omitting hyperplanes.
Preconditioning constrained eigenvalue problems

Abstract The purpose of our paper is to introduce a robust preconditioning scheme for the numerical solution of the leftmost eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors of a constrained eigenvalue problem. This constrained eigenvalue problem is congruent to a nonsymmetric eigenvalue problem with nontrivial Jordan blocks associated with infinite eigenvalues. The proposed preconditioning scheme is relevant to the application of Krylov subspace methods and preconditioned eigensolvers. The two key results are a semi-orthogonal decomposition and a transformation process that implicitly combines a preconditioning step followed by abstract projection onto the subspace associated with the finite eigenvalues. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the preconditioning scheme.
Effect of processing variables on texture development in a mica‐based glass–ceramic

The purpose of this study was primarily to determine the feasibility of heat-pressing a mica-based glass-ceramic with the use of commercially available dental equipment, and secondly to evaluate the effect of various processing variables on the degree of crystal alignment in the pressed glass-ceramic. The hypotheses were that the mica-based glass-ceramic could be successfully heat-pressed and that some degree of crystal orientation would be obtained, depending on the processing variables. The glass composition was melted at 1400 degrees C for 2 h and cast into 12 x 60-mm rods. Ingots (10 x 12 mm) were cut from the glass rods, heat treated, and heat-pressed under various conditions. The microstructure of the pressed specimens was investigated by SEM and compared to that of heat-treated controls. The length of Vickers-induced cracks was measured on heat-pressed specimens and heat-treated controls. The results showed that mica-based glass-ceramics could be successfully pressed with the use of commercially available dental equipment. The resulting degree of crystal alignment (texture) along the direction of pressing varied between 35 +/- 6 and 79 +/- 6. There was a linear relationship between the degree of texture and the apparent aspect ratio of the mica platelets. A significant decrease in the length of the Vickers-induced cracks in the direction perpendicular to pressing was observed, associated with an increase in length in the direction of pressing.
Mechanisms underlying memory impairment in schizophrenia.

Background The purpose of this experiment was to investigate mechanisms underlying commonly-observed verbal memory impairments in schizophrenia, and especially the hypothesized encoding deficit. Methods A verbal memory task was administered to 38 patients with schizophrenia and 38 normal controls. Three functions involved in long-term memory-encoding, early phase of storage, retrieval-were investigated. First, non-organizable lists were compared to semantically-organizable lists in a free recall task, in order to vary encoding conditions. Superficial encoding (measured by a 'sequence' index) and deep encoding (measured by a categorization index) were assessed. Secondly, early storage was investigated by varying the delay between learning and recall. Lastly, cues were provided for organizable lists (semantic cues) and non-organizable lists (recognition sheet), in order to vary retrieval conditions. Results An analysis of variance revealed an interaction between type of list (organizable, non-organizable) and group, showing that patients used organization less than controls. A further analysis showed that deep encoding was impaired. Also, although the propensity to use superficial encoding was unimpaired, its efficiency was less. The analysis of variance revealed no interaction with delay or with either type of cue. A correlation was found between deep processing and memory performance in both groups. Conclusions A major deficit in encoding appeared in the patient group, with a lesser use of deep encoding and a lesser efficiency of superficial encoding. On the other hand, the early phase of storage and the retrieval function seemed unaffected. Overall memory performance appeared to be related to the depth of encoding.
A new type of convergence at the deictic center: Second person and cislocative in Karbi (Tibeto-Burman)

There is a functional overlap between motion towards the deictic center and (di-)transitive events directed at speech act participants. Grammatical evidence for this comes from verbal morphemes that are used in motional clauses like ‘come to me!’ and ditransitive clauses like ‘give (it) to me!’ While the literature suggests that such syncretic markers develop through extension from a cislocative (venitive/ventive) to a speech act participant index, the evidence presented here indicates that this development has gone the other way in Karbi (Tibeto-Burman). This suggests that neither cislocative nor non-subject speech act participant indexation is more primary, but that they share an equally basic idea of orientation towards and therefore impact on the deictic center.
Anomalous dose-response characteristics induced by caffeine in ultraviolet-irradiated V79--79 Chinese hamster cells.

— Cultured Chinese hamster cell line V79–79 exhibits an increase in survival with increasing UV fluence after a sharp decrease when exposed to 2.5 mM caffeine for 44 h after far-UV irradiation resulting in an anomalous maximum in the survival curve. No survival maximum is evident when either 0 or 1 mM caffeine is administered under the same conditions. The UV survival curve for 2.5 mM caffeine crosses the corresponding 1 mM curve and apparently becomes asymptotic to the OmM curve as UV fluence is increased. Chinese hamster cell lines V79–753B (related to V79–79 by derivation from the same parental line) and M3–1F3 (unrelated) exhibit only potentiation of post-UV lethality by the same concentration of caffeine and have no caffeine-induced anomalies in their survival curves. Xanthine. used alone or in combination with caffeine, only potentiated a slight amount of lethality and appears not to be a major causative factor of the anomaly.
Influence of initial food restriction on subsequent body weight gain and body fat accumulation in rats.

To determine the effect of initial food restriction on sub sequent body weight gain and body fat accumulation, rats were restricted to 75, 50, or 25% of the intake of control rats for 1 week and were subse quently pair-fed on a food intake basis to the control rats. As expected, restricted rats gained weight at a slower rate and had less body fat at the end of the restriction period than control rats. Upon refeeding the same amount of food as consumed by the control rats, these rats gained more body fat than control rats. This compensatory fat gain occurred regardless of whether the rats were force-fed twice daily, meal-fed once daily, or allowed to consume the food throughout the day. Both a high-carbohydrate and a high-fat diet produced compensatory fat gain. Compensation was apparent as early as the first week of refeeding and was greater in rats which had been restricted to 50 or 25% of ad libitum intake than in rats less severely restricted. Restricted rats were also refed on a body weight basis. They gained as much weight and fat as the ad libitum fed controls, indicating that the restricted rats were more efficient in converting dietary energy to body fat when refed than rats fed ad libitum continuously. These results suggest that the initial food restriction inherent in many studies involving meal frequency may cause the subsequent increased food ef ficiency and greater accumulation of body fat often attributed to an altera tion in meal pattern. Our studies indicate that meal pattern has a minimal influence on body fat content provided the control animals are pair-fed throughout the entire experiment. J. Nutr. 108: 1724-1732, 1978. INDEXING
Space-time translational gauge identities in Abelian Yang-Mills gravity

We derive and calculate the space-time translational gauge identities in quantum Yang-Mills gravity with a general class of gauge conditions involving two arbitrary parameters. These identities of the Abelian group of translation are a generalization of Ward-Takahasi-Fradkin identities and important for general discussions of possible renormalization of Yang-Mills gravity with translational gauge symmetry. The gauge identities in Yang-Mills gravity with a general class of gauge conditions are substantiated by explicit calculations.
Mucosal lesions in older adults

ABSTRACT Background and Overview Many oral diseases/conditions associated with aging are complex and can have a significant effect on the quality of life for ambulatory older adults. Among these are oral cancers and premalignant lesions, vesiculoerosive diseases, candidiasis, aphthous ulcers and herpes virus reactivation. The practitioner should establish the diagnosis so that appropriate management can be instituted. Conclusions The challenge to the practitioner is to formulate a differential diagnosis from oral mucosal signs and symptoms, arrange tests and referrals as needed, and establish a definitive diagnosis so that appropriate management can be instituted. Clinical Implications Recognition of benign and malignant muosal lesions will accelerate proper treatment that will help control a variety of oral diseases and conditions. It also will improve the quality of life for many elderly patients who experience associated pain and altered oral functions.
NITRIC OXIDE–RELEASING DRUGS

Pharmacological compounds that release nitric oxide (NO) have been useful tools for evaluating the broad role of NO in physiology and therapeutics. NO deficiency has been implicated in the genesis and evolution of several disease states. Both medical needs and commercial opportunities have fostered attempts to modulate NO in the human body for therapeutic gain. Strategies for NO modulation encompass antiinflammatory, sexual dysfunction, and cardiovascular indications. Apart from newly developed drugs, several commonly used cardiovascular drugs exert their beneficial action, at least in part, by modulating the NO pathway. This review discusses the fundamental pharmacological properties and mechanisms of action of NO-releasing drugs. Some of these compounds may enter in the clinical arena providing important therapeutic benefits in human diseases.
Pharmacological Agents That Directly Modulate Insulin Secretion

Blood glucose levels are sensed and controlled by the release of hormones from the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The β-cell, the insulin-secreting cell in the islet, can detect subtle increases in circulating glucose levels and a cascade of molecular events spanning the initial depolarization of the β-cell membrane culminates in exocytosis and optimal insulin secretion. Here we review these processes in the context of pharmacological agents that have been shown to directly interact with any stage of insulin secretion. Drugs that modulate insulin secretion do so by opening the KATPchannels, by interacting with cell-surface receptors, by altering second-messenger responses, by disrupting the β-cell cytoskeletal framework, by influencing the molecular reactions at the stages of transcription and translation of insulin, and/or by perturbing exocytosis of the insulin secretory vesicles. Drugs acting primarily at the KATP channels are the sulfonylureas, the benzoic acid derivatives, the imidazolines, and the quinolines, which are channel openers, and finally diazoxide, which closes these channels. Methylxanthines also work at the cell membrane level by antagonizing the purinergic receptors and thus increase insulin secretion. Other drugs have effects at multiple levels, such as the calcineurin inhibitors and somatostatin. Some drugs used extensively in research, e.g., colchicine, which is used to study vesicular transport, have no effect at the pharmacological doses used in clinical practice. We also briefly discuss those drugs that have been shown to disrupt β-cell function in a clinical setting but for which there is scant information on their mechanism of action.
Electric-field penetration into metals: consequences for high-dielectric-constant capacitors

A consequence of the finite electronic screening length in metals is that electric fields penetrate short distances into the metal surface. Using a simple, semiclassical model of an idealized capacitor, we estimate the capacitance correction due to the distribution of displacement charge in the metal electrodes. We compare our result with experimental data from thin-film high-dielectric-constant capacitors, which are currently leading contenders for use in future high-density memory applications. This intrinsic mechanism contributes to the universally-seen decrease in measured dielectric constant with capacitor film thickness.
Thermodynamics of carbonates and hydrates related to heterogeneous reactions involving mineral aerosol

[1] Carbonates that are widely present in mineral aerosol may interact with gas-phase species through reactions of the form XCO3 + 2HY + nH2O ↔ XY2.nH2O + CO2 + H2O (R1), where X = Ca or Mg, Y = NO3 or Cl, and n is the hydration number of the XY2 salt. Laboratory investigations of R1 (X = Ca, Y = NO3) indicate that nitric acid is irreversibly acquired by CaCO3 to form Ca(NO3)2 in idealized environments that do not contain CO2. However, CO2 is present in the atmosphere and could drive R1 in reverse. In the bulk, the XY2 salts are known to exist as stable hydrates, yet an expression for the variation of the deliquescence relative humidity (DRH) with temperature (T) for hydrates has not been reported. One goal of this work is to determine the thermodynamically preferred state governed by R1 for tropospheric conditions. A related objective is to derive an equation for predicting DRH(T) for hydrates. Equilibrium concentrations of HCl and HNO3 as functions of RH and T were determined for R1 and compared with ambient measurements from regions where high dust loadings are common. An equation for DRH(T) for hydrates was derived by building on previous work for anhydrous salts. Predictions of DRH(T) for hydrates agree with measurements and indicate that DRH(T) is markedly different for hydrated and anhydrous forms of certain salts. For R1 with stable-hydrated XY2, the forward direction is thermodynamically preferred for tropospheric conditions. These reactions scavenge HCl and HNO3 from the gas phase. For R1 with anhydrous XY2, the forward direction is prohibited under some tropospheric conditions. The behavior of the chemical system in this situation is dependent on solid-phase nucleation kinetics. R1 containing aqueous-ionized CaCl2 can proceed in reverse under some tropospheric conditions, and thereby release HCl into the gas phase. Our work suggests that hydrated states of XY2 should be considered when modeling R1 in low RH situations.
Mre11 assembles linear DNA fragments into DNA damage signaling complexes.

Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 complex (MRN) is essential to suppress the generation of double-strand breaks (DSBs) during DNA replication. MRN also plays a role in the response to DSBs created by DNA damage. Hypomorphic mutations in Mre11 (which causes an ataxia-telangiectasia-like disease [ATLD]) and mutations in the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) gene lead to defects in handling damaged DNA and to similar clinical and cellular phenotypes. Using Xenopus egg extracts, we have designed a simple assay to define the biochemistry of Mre11. MRN is required for efficient activation of the DNA damage response induced by DSBs. We isolated a high molecular weight DNA damage signaling complex that includes MRN, damaged DNA molecules, and activated ATM. Complex formation is partially dependent upon Zn2+ and requires an intact Mre11 C-terminal domain that is deleted in some ATLD patients. The ATLD truncation can still perform the role of Mre11 during replication. Our work demonstrates the role of Mre11 in assembling DNA damage signaling centers that are reminiscent of irradiation-induced foci. It also provides a molecular explanation for the similarities between ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) and ATLD.
Un-cooled resonant IR detectors based on Barium Strontium Titanate switchable FBARs

In this paper Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) based thin film bulk acoustic tunable resonators (FBAR) are proposed for un-cooled infrared (IR) detection. Measured TCF as well as other important characteristics of BST based resonators are compared with the previously proposed IR resonant detectors. Optimized BST IR resonators, with their low conductivity, high TCF, and high quality factors can be a strong candidate for IR resonant sensor applications.
When should we use urine cultures

Medicine and infectious disease textbooks have traditionally advised physicians to obtain urine cultures routinely before the initiation of therapy for presumed urinary tract infection. In practice, however, many physicians treat patients empirically, without doing a culture, and a recent cost-effectiveness analysis has supported this approach, at least in selected patients. What, then, are trie pros and cons of diagnostic urine cultures, and in which situations does current evidence favor their use?
Outcomes of dialysis catheters placed by the Y-TEC peritoneoscopic technique: a single-center surgical experience

Background: In the last few years, peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter placement techniques and outcomes have become important because of the growing population of PD patients. Although there are a growing number of catheters placed by the minimally invasive Y-TEC peritoneoscopic technique, there are still limited data on outcomes for these catheters, especially those placed by a surgeon. We aimed to conduct a retrospective study of our experience with PD catheters placed by the Y-TEC peritoneoscopic technique in our institution. Methods: We reviewed patients with peritoneoscopic PD catheter insertion over the last decade and described their complications and outcomes. In a secondary analysis, we compared the outcomes and complications of these catheters with those with open placement placed by the same surgeon. Results: We had complete data on 62 patients with peritoneoscopic catheter placement during the study period. The mean age was 55 years, 48.4% were females and the most common cause of end-stage renal disease was diabetes mellitus (33%). Surgical complicationswere seenin only6/62(9.6%)andperitonitisin16/62(26%)ofperitoneoscopiccatheters.Mostcatheterswere used after 2 months of placement, while 12.3% were used within 2 months. When compared with 93 patients with open placement of catheters as a secondary analysis, peritoneoscopic catheters were found to have a higher 2-year survival. Conclusion: Our large series of peritoneoscopically placed catheters by a surgeon demonstrate low surgical complications and peritonitis rates as well as superior 2-year survival compared with open placement of catheters.