cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A replicational model for DNA recombination between direct repeats

DNA rearrangement (recombination) mediated by direct repeats is a major cause of genome instability. In Escherichia coli, direct repeats in close proximity can mediate efficient recA-independent intramolecular recombination, which produces multiple products. Using plasmid substrates, three basic forms of products have been revealed: the monomeric deletion product and two dimeric products. The frequency of recombination has been shown to be affected by structural factors such as the length of the repeat and the distance between the repeats. We show here that these factors also affect the relative abundance of each form of the product. Recombination between very short tandem repeats yields exclusively the monomeric product. Lengthening the repeats increases the abundance of the dimeric products. Increasing the distance separating the repeats sharply reduces the formation of the monomeric product. These results can be explained by a model for DNA rearrangement (recombination) involving DNA replication. We propose that misalignment of the repeats at the replication fork creates a recombinogenic intermediate that can be differentially processed to form the three basic products. The proposed sister-strand recombination mediated by direct repeats might be a general mechanism for deletion and/or amplification of repeated sequence in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes.
Femtochemie: Studium der Dynamik der chemischen Bindung auf atomarer Skala mit Hilfe ultrakurzer Laserpulse (Nobel‐Aufsatz)

Uber viele Jahrtausende war die Menschheit bestrebt, Vorgange auf einer immer kurzeren Zeitskala zu verfolgen. In diesem Wettlauf gegen die Zeit ist die Femtosekunden-Zeitauflosung (1 fs=10−15 s) die nicht zu ubertrumpfende Errungenschaft im Hinblick auf das Studium der grundlegenden Dynamik der chemischen Bindung. Die Beobachtung genau der Vorgange, die Chemie zu Wege bringen – die Bildung und der Bruch von Bindungen auf ihren tatsachlichen Zeit- und Langenskalen –, ist der Urquell fur das Gebiet der Femtochemie, der Untersuchung molekularer Bewegungen in den bisher nicht beobachtbaren fluchtigen Ubergangszustanden physikalischer, chemischer und biologischer Veranderungen. Das Erreichen dieser Auflosung auf atomarer Skala unter Verwendung von ultrakurzen Laserpulsen als Blitzlichtern ist ein Triumph fur die Molekuldynamik, ahnlich wie es die Rontgen- und Elektronenbeugung sowie in jungerer Zeit die Rastertunnelmikroskopie und die NMR-Spektroskopie bei der Untersuchung statischer Molekulstrukturen waren. Auf der Femtosekunden-Zeitskala lassen sich (teilchenartige) Materiewellen erzeugen und ihre koharente Entwicklung als Einzelmolekul-Trajektorie beobachten. Das Forschungsgebiet nahm seinen Anfang mit der Untersuchung einfacher Systeme aus wenigen Atomen und hat jetzt die Welt des sehr Komplexen in isolierten Systemen, mesoskopischen und kondensierten Phasen und in biologischen Systemen wie Proteinen oder DNA-Strukturen erreicht. Es eroffnet uns auserdem neue Moglichkeiten der Reaktionssteuerung sowie der Struktur-Femtochemie und der Femtobiologie. Die hier vorgelegte Anthologie gibt einen Uberblick uber die Entwicklung dieses Forschungsgebietes aus einer personlichen Sicht, umfasst unsere Arbeiten am Caltech und konzentriert sich auf die Entwicklung von Techniken, auf Konzepte und auf neue Entdeckungen.
Induction of sporulation of fungi isolated from Dactylis glomerata seed by exposure to near-ultraviolet radiation

SUMMARY Pure cultures of fifty-two species of plant pathogenic and saprophytic fungi isolated from orchard (cock's-foot) grass seed (Dactylis glomerata L.) were incubated either in total darkness or exposed to a diurnal cycle of near-ultraviolet (NUV) radiation (12 h NUV/12 h darkness). Twenty-four species sporulated only after exposure to NUV including seven species of Drechslera, five species of Fusarium, as well as species olAscochyta, Photna, Septoria, Pyrenochaeta, Rhynchophoma and Stagonospora; six species sporulated moderately in darkness but more profusely following exposure to NUV; twenty species sporulated whether they were irradiated or not; and only two species failed to sporulate. To assess the pathogenic fungal microflora of orchard grass seed accurately, seeds should be incubated under a daily regime that includes NUV to induce sporulation.
The influence of ion-implanted yttrium on the selective oxidation of chromium in Co-25 wt.% Cr

Specimens of Co-25 wt.% Cr, Co-25 wt.% Cr-1 wt.% Y, and yttriumimplanted Co-25 wt.% Cr alloy were oxidized at 1000°C in 1 atm O2. The implantation dosage ranged between 1016 to 1018 ions/cm2. The unimplanted binary alloy oxidized to a duplex Co-rich scale, but the Y-containing ternary alloy formed a continuous Cr2O3 layer. When the implantation dosages were lower than a nominal 1018 ions/cm2, the alloy failed to develop a similar continuous Cr2O3 layer as that observed with the Y-containing alloy. A temporarily stable external Cr2O3 scale was formed on the most heavily implanted specimen (1×1018 Y+/cm2). This Cr2O3 scale consisted of very fine-grained oxide, which is permeable to the outward transport of Cr and Co. Internal oxidation pretreatment of the ion-implanted specimens converting the Y metal to its oxide prior to the oxidation experiment, can enhance the development of an external Cr2O3 scale, but this scale is also unstable. Results suggest that the selective oxidation of chromium in an ordinarily non-Cr2O3 -forming alloy can be due to the reactive element oxides acting as preferential nucleation sites on the alloy surfaces, but the subsequent growth of these scales may require a continuous supply of reactive elements in the alloy.
Optimal defocus estimates from individual images for autofocusing a digital camera

Recently, we developed a method for optimally estimating focus error given a set of natural scenes, a waveoptics model of the lens system, a sensor array, and a specification of measurement noise. The method is based on first principles and can be tailored to any vision system for which these properties can be characterized. Here, the method is used to estimate defocus in local areas of images (64x64 pixels) formed in a Nikon D700 digital camera fitted with a 50mm Sigma prime lens. Performance is excellent. Defocus magnitude and sign can be estimated with high precision and accuracy over a wide range. The method takes an integrative approach that accounts for natural scene statistics and capitalizes (but not does depend exclusively) on chromatic aberrations. Although chromatic aberrations are greatly reduced in achromatic lenses, we show that there are sufficient residual chromatic aberrations in a high-quality prime lens for our method to achieve good performance. Our method has the advantages of both phase-detection and contrastmeasurement autofocus techniques, without their disadvantages. Like phase detection, the method provides point estimates of defocus (magnitude and sign), but unlike phase detection, it does not require specialized hardware. Like contrast measurement, the method is image-based and can operate in "Live View" mode, but unlike contrast measurement, it does not require an iterative search for best focus. The proposed approach could be used to develop improved autofocus algorithms for digital imaging and video systems.
Bring on the biomarkers

The dismal patchwork of fragmented research on disease-associated biomarkers should be replaced by a coordinated 'big science' approach, argues George Poste.
Temozolomide for corticotroph pituitary adenomas refractory to standard therapy

To highlight the potential of temozolomide (TMZ) to induce rapid tumor regression in patients with aggressive corticotroph adenomas (CA) that are refractory to surgery and radiation therapy and to review use of TMZ in other pituitary tumors. We present a case of a 56-year-old male with a 3 cm CA treated with transphenoidal surgery (TSS) and conventional radiotherapy in the same year. His hypercortisolemia recurred 11 years later with rapid tumor growth (to 4.2 × 2.5 cm) and he underwent a second TSS with good resection. The tumor recurred 6 months later with ophthalmoplegia. Over 16 months he underwent an additional three surgeries (two TSS, one craniotomy) and repeated conventional radiotherapy. Ki67 staining index on surgical specimens was 5–6%. Temozolomide is an oral alkylating agent approved for glioblastoma multiforme treatment that has only recently shown promise in treating some pituitary tumors. In this patient TMZ was started at 150 mg/m2/day, titrated to 200 mg/m2/day, taken 5 days per month. The only significant side effect was moderate nausea. After 10 weeks, the tumor showed a remarkable 60% regression with objective improvement in ophthalmoplegia. Treatment of aggressive CAs represents a therapeutic challenge and in some cases surgical debulking and radiotherapy are of limited success. Few reports of CAs responsive to TMZ have been reported in the literature. To our knowledge, this case represents the most rapid robust CA shrinkage response reported to date. Further randomized clinical trials of TMZ in the treatment of aggressive pituitary adenomas are warranted.
The proteins of human gallbladder bile with and without gallstones.

Abstract 1. 1. Seventy-four human gallbladder bile samples were analyzed for proteins by techniques of disc-gel electrophoresis combined with immunodiffusion and standard gel-immunoelectrophoresis, employing antiserum to human serum proteins and antisera against normal and against stone-containing human gallbladder bile. Numbers of proteins averaged 6 to 8 per bile with a range up to 16. Albumin and pigment were commonest and greatest in amount. Serum proteins were identified immunochemically and averaged 4 to 6 per bile with a range up to 13, documenting the consistency, multiplicity and normalcy of the presence of serum proteins in bile. 2. 2. Bile-specific protein was demonstrated by: (a) quantitatively more proteins by chemical staining than by reaction with antiserum to human serum; (b) quantitatively more reactions with anti-bile than with anti-serum antisera; (c) differences in locale of immunoreactions and reactions of non-identity along the electrophoretic migration pathway; and (d) immunoreactions to anti-bile-antiserum-absorbed-with-whole-serum on combined disc electrophoresis-immunodiffusion, standard immunoelectrophoresis and Ouchterlony immunodiffusion. One to 4 specific proteins were demonstrated in from 8% to 95% of biles tested by any one of these methods. These proteins occurred preponderantly in pigment-prealbumin and α1-globulin zones of standard immunoelectrophoresis and in post-albumin and pre-stacking gel zones of disc electrophoresis. Evidence for a difference in specific proteins between normal and stone bile was obtained when differences were demonstrated between anti-normal-bile and anti-stone-bile antisera. It was hypothesized that the difference may indicate stone bile lacks protein in normal bile or contains protein immunologically different from that in normal bile, hence “abnormal” protein.
RANK LOWERING OPERATORS ON GL(n, ℝ)

If one takes the Mellin transform of an automorphic form for GL(n) and then integrates it along the diagonal on GL(n - 1) then one obtains an automorphic form on GL(n - 1). This gives a rank lowering operator. In this paper a more general rank lowering operator is obtained by combining the Mellin transform with a sum of powers of certain fixed differential operators. The analytic continuation of the rank lowering operator is obtained by showing that the spectral expansion consists of sums of Rankin–Selberg L-functions of type GL(n) × GL(n - 1).
Effect of finishing on the in vivo wear rate of a posterior composite resin

A problem with posterior composites is an unacceptable wear level. One factor contributing to inadequate wear resistance may be the way the restoration is surfaced or finished. A clinical study was carried out to determine the influence of finishing on the wear rate of a posterior composite resin. Except for the first 30 days, the resistance to wear was significantly higher for the unfinished group as compared to those that received a conventional finish. The average difference in wear between the two groups was nearly 40 μm.
Social Behaviors of Children With Language Impairment on the Playground: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: This pilot study examined the social behaviors of children with language impairment (LI) and their typical peers on the playground. Method: Eight children with LI and their age-matched pee...
comforTABLE: a robotic environment for aging in place

While high-technology has become pervasive in hospitals, domestic environments remain essentially low-tech and conventional, despite the care needs of an aging population wishing to age in place. In response, an interdisciplinary team - robotics engineer, architect, human factors psychologist and gerontologist - are designing, constructing, field testing, and evaluating comforTABLE, an intelligent environment for aging in place. comforTABLE is designed to increase the quality of life of both healthy individuals as well as persons with impaired mobility by intelligently supporting the physical organization of their immediate environment. While comforTABLE features intelligent behavior and robotic elements, comforTABLE aims to help people do things for themselves. This paper introduces the motivations for comforTABLE, presents its three intelligent, networked components and describes scenarios of how the system might operate in domestic situations.
The raman spectra and X-ray powder diffraction data of stabilized hafnia phases

Abstract Raman spectra and X-ray powder diffraction data were measured for various compositions of Y2O3-doped hafnia, and interpreted on the basis of the growth of a stabilized hafnia phase apparently possessing tetragonal distortion with increasing dopant concentration. In contrast to the results for pure zirconia, there was no evidence in the Raman spectra or powder X-ray diffraction patterns to indicate the formation of a small particle size-stabilized tetragonal hafnia phase when X-ray amorphous hafnium hydroxide was heated at 425–600°C.
Relativistic Treatment of the Excitation of Characteristic L X Rays by the Impact of Heavy Charged Particles

The cross sections for $L$ electron ionization by incident heavy, but slow, charged particles are evaluated. Incident particles are described in the plane-wave Born approximation, while relativistic wave functions are used for the atomic electrons. Numerical results are given for holmium and mercury and compared with experimental data for holmium. The results are discussed.
Condensins, Chromosome Condensation Protein Complexes Containing XCAP-C, XCAP-E and a Xenopus Homolog of the Drosophila Barren Protein

We report here purification and characterization of chromosome condensation protein complexes (termed condensins) containing XCAP-C and XCAP-E, two Xenopus members of the SMC family. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation reveals two major forms of condensins. The 8S form is a heterodimer of XCAP-C and XCAP-E, whereas the 13S form contains three additional subunits. One of them is identified as a homolog of the Drosophila Barren protein whose mutation shows a defect in chromosome segregation. Chromosomal targeting of condensins is mitosis-specific and is independent of topoisomerase IIalpha. 13S condensin is required for condensation, as demonstrated by immunodepletion and rescue experiments. Our results suggest that the condensin complexes represent the most abundant structural components of mitotic chromosomes and play a central role in driving chromosome condensation.
Revisiting Adjusted ADA Scores for the U.S. Congress, 1947–2007

This paper replicates and extends Groseclose, Levitt, and Snyder, “Comparing Interest Group Scores Across Time and Chambers: Adjusted ADA Scores for the U.S. Congress,” which appeared in the American Political Science Review (1999/93:33–50). We replicate the most recent unpublished extension by Dr. Groseclose and research assistants for years 1947–1999, and then we extend the analysis to include years 2000 through 2007. We make available inflation-adjusted ADA scores from 1947 through 2007, allowing scholars to incorporate the most recent interest group scores into their analyses.
Scintillation proximity radioimmunoassay for the measurement of acyclovir

Abstract A homogeneous, single-tube scintillation proximity radioimmunoassay (SPRIA) to quantitate acyclovir (Zovirax®), ACV, (9-[(2[hydroxyethoxy)]methylguanine)} in human plasma is described. The reagents for the SPRIA are an anti-ACV monoclonal antibody (WACO4 MAb), tritiated ACV, and scintillation proximity reagent (goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin G (IgG) coupled to fluoromicrospheres). The ACV standard curve range in the SPRIA is from 0.7 ng ml−1 (3.0 nmol l−1) to 90.0 ng ml−1 (0.4 μmol l−1) with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 5.0 ng ml−1 (22.2 nmol l−1). However, the lower limit of quantification is 7 ng ml−1 at 1:10 dilution of plasma. Analytical recovery of ACV in spiked human plasma controls ranges between 90–110%. Intra- and inter-assay relative standard deviations were l -valyl ester of ACV). Automation of this assay will further improve efficiency in processing a larger number of samples.
Mouse models for induced genetic instability at endogenous loci

Exposure to environmental factors and genetic predisposition of an individual may lead individually or in combination to various genetic diseases including cancer. These diseases may be a consequence of genetic instability resulting in large-scale genomic rearrangements, such as DNA deletions, duplications, and translocations. This review focuses on mouse assays detecting genetic instability at endogenous loci. The frequency of DNA deletions by homologous recombination at the pink-eyed unstable (p(un)) locus is elevated in mice with mutations in ATM, Trp53, Gadd45, and WRN genes and after exposure to carcinogens. Other quantitative in vivo assays detecting loss of heterozygosity events, such as the mammalian spot assay, Dlb-1 mouse and Aprt mouse assays, are also reviewed. These in vivo test systems may predict hazardous effects of an environmental agent and/or genetic predisposition to cancer.
The Enterococcus faecalis cytolysin: a novel toxin active against eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.

Summary The enterococcal cytolysin, a two-peptide lytic system, is a divergent relative of a large family of toxins and bacteriocins secreted by pathogenic and non-pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria. This family includes the lantibiotics and streptolysin S. The enterococcal cytolysin is of interest because its activities enhance enterococcal virulence in infection models and, in epidemiological studies, it has been associated with patient mortality. The cytolysin is lethal for a broad range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and this activity requires two non-identical, post-translationally modified peptides. The smaller of the two peptides also plays a role in a quorum-sensing autoinduction of the cytolysin operon. As a trait that is present in particularly virulent strains of Enterococcus faecalis, including strains that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, it serves as a model for testing the value of developing new virulence-targeting therapeutics. Further, because of the interest in small membrane active peptides as therapeutics themselves, studies of the molecular structure/activity relationships for the cytolysin peptides are providing insights into the physical basis for prokaryotic versus eukaryotic cell targeting.
Border effects on nitrogen-15 fertilized winter wheat microplots grown in the Great Plains

Field experiments requiring 15 N enriched fertilizer are costly, thus microplot techniques are generally used. Placing physical barriers around microplot to contain the 15 N may introduce artefacts that affect N recovery by crops, limit types and numbers of measurements, and cause other restrictions. The purpose of this experiment was to determine minimum microplot size (without the use of barriers) for accurately measuring enriched 15 N uptake into a winter wheat crop, while using normal field cultural practices (...)
High sensitivity liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric methods for the analysis of dioctyl sulfosuccinate in different stages of an oil spill response monitoring effort.

After the incident on the Deepwater Horizon platform, around 1.8 million gallons of dispersants were used in the field as part of the response cleanup efforts. This study describes an online solid phase extraction–liquid chromatography (LC)–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method and a direct-injection LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of dioctyl sulfosuccinate (DOSS; a component in Corexit® EC9500A) in seawater at trace levels, with method detection limits (MDLs) of 7.0 and 440 ng/L and run times of 7 and 17 min, respectively. Stability and preservation studies demonstrated that samples at 4.7 μg/L could be preserved for up to 150 days without loss of analyte when stored with 33 % acetonitrile in glass containers. Data acquisition was performed by heated electrospray ionization (ESI) MS/MS operating in negative mode. Methods were validated in terms of percent recovery in fortified blank and matrix samples and to evaluate carryover. A simple modification of the direct-injection method allowed quantitation of 2-butoxyethanol, a dispersant component specific to the Corexit® EC9527A formulation. This method was used to simultaneously quantify DOSS and 2-butoxyethanol in two Corexit® formulations and extracts from an MC-252 source oil standard. MDLs in crude oil were 0.723 and 4.46 mg/kg, respectively, with recoveries of (92 ± 9)% for DOSS and (104 ± 8)% for 2-butoxyethanol. Detection of both indicators was achieved in a single chromatographic run by ESI-MS/MS operating sequentially in positive and negative mode. Corexit® EC9500A and Corexit® EC9527A were found to contain (21 ± 2)% and (22 ± 5)% w/w DOSS and 0 and (37 ± 2)% w/w 2-butoxyethanol, respectively.
Radical intermediates in peroxide-dependent reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P-450

Highly purified liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 acts as a peroxygenase in catalyzing the reaction, RH+ XOOH→ROH+XOH, Where RH represents any of a large variety of foreign or physiological substrates and ROH the corresponding product, and XOOH represents any of a series of peroxy compounds such as hydroperoxides or peracids serving as the oxygen donor and XOH the resulting alcohol or acid. Several experimental approaches in this and other laboratories have yielded results compatible with a homolytic mechanism of oxygen-oxygen bond cleavage but not with the heterolytic formation of a common iron-oxo intermediate from the various peroxides.
Symmetric cell evaluation of the effects of electrolyte additives on Cu2Sb–Al2O3–C nanocomposite anodes

Abstract Coulombic efficiency and capacity retention are some of the main issues with alloy anodes in lithium-ion batteries, and the use of electrolyte additives is a viable approach to overcome these problems. Accordingly, the effects of three electrolyte additives, viz., vinylene carbonate (VC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), and vinylethylene carbonate (VEC), on the performance of a promising alloy anode material Cu 2 Sb–Al 2 O 3 –C have been investigated. With an aim to rapidly assess the effects of the electrolyte additives, symmetric cells fabricated with Cu 2 Sb–Al 2 O 3 –C were used. Symmetric cell testing showed results similar to those of conventional half-cell testing in as little as one-fifth of the time, illustrating that symmetric cell testing is a valuable tool for optimization the performance of battery materials. Among the various additives and concentrations investigated, 2% VEC was found to offer the best cell performance with the Cu 2 Sb–Al 2 O 3 –C nanocomposite anode.
Satellite Observations of Mesoscale Eddy Dynamics in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

Abstract Active mesoscale (300 km diameter) eddy formation off the Pacific coast of Central America was observed during February 1976 by a thermal infrared sensor aboard the NOAA 4 satellite. These anticyclonic eddies, closely associated with wind-induced upwellings, propagate westward at an average speed of 13 km day−1, which is approximately the speed of nondispersive baroclinic Rossby waves at latitude 12°N.
Work-related consequences of smoking cessation.

This study assessed the effects of smoking cessation on mood, job perceptions and attitudes, work absenteeism, and self-appraised health, eating habits, and weight. Four-hundred and twenty-two blue...
Hyponatriämisches Delir als Frühsymptom eines kleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinoms

In the psychiatric clinic, delirious states are rare as the first symptoms of paraneoplastic syndrome, and the aetiology can only be clarified by consequent differential diagnostic efforts. We report the case of a 49-year-old man who was admitted to our psychiatric unit with delirium. Laboratory investigations showed hyponatraemia, serum hypo-osmolality, and urine hyperosmolality characterising the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIADH). As a paraneoplastic syndrome, SIADH is most frequently associated with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Whereas chest X-ray was negative, chest CT scan and bronchoscopy including histology revealed a SCLC at an early stage of limited disease. Early oncological therapy made it possible for our patient to return to work with a satisfactory quality of life. Twenty-one months after first admission, he died as a result of recurrent SCLC metastases.
Prognostic and aetiological relevance of 8-hydroxyguanosine in human breast carcinogenesis

In order to estimate the level of oxidative damage and its role in breast cancer, the promutagenic oxidative lesion, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), was determined in DNA isolated from 75 human breast tissue specimens and from normal and transformed human breast cell lines, utilising a newly developed solid-phase immunoslot blot assay. The amount of 8-OHdG was found to be 0.25 +/- 0.03 pmol/microgram in normal breast tissue from reduction mammoplasty, 0.98 +/- 0.174 pmol/microgram in benign tumours and 2.44 +/- 0.49 pmol/microgram DNA in malignant breast tissue with invasive ductal carcinoma. The malignant tissue had a statistically significant 9.76-fold higher level of 8-OHdG than normal tissue (P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney). A statistically significant 12.9-fold (P = 0.004) higher endogenous formation of 8-OHdG was also observed in cultured breast cancer cells compared with normal breast epithelial cells. In addition, a significantly elevated level (3.35-fold higher, P < 0.05) of 8-OHdG observed in oestrogen receptor-positive compared with oestrogen-negative malignant tissues, and in breast cancer cell lines (9.3-fold higher, P = 0.007) suggests a positive relationship between 8-OHdG formation and oestrogen responsiveness. The extent of 8-OHdG adducts did not show a discernible correlation with either the age or the smoking status of the patients. These results indicate that the accumulation of 8-OHdG in DNA has a predictive significance for breast cancer risk assessment and is conceivably a major contributor in the development of breast neoplasia.
On c-Bhaskar Rao Designs and tight embeddings for path designs

Under the right conditions it is possible for the ordered blocks of a path design PATH(v,k,@m) to be considered as unordered blocks and thereby create a BIBD(v,k,@l). We call this a tight embedding. We show here that, for any triple system TS(v,3), there is always such an embedding and that the problem is equivalent to the existence of a (-1)-BRD(v,3,3), i.e., a c-Bhaskar Rao Design. That is, we also prove the incidence matrix of any triple system TS(v,3) can always be signed to create a (-1)-BRD(v,3,3) and, moreover, the signing determines a natural partition of the blocks of the triple system making it a nested design.
Factors Explaining Seafood Consumption among Hispanics Living in New York City

Abstract Responses (n = 373) to a bilingual mail survey were used to assess factors explaining seafood consumption in a sample of Hispanics living in New York City, 97% of whom consumed seafood. Multiple regression analysis examined the roles of background characteristics (sociodemographic factors, Hispanic background characteristics, past seafood experience) and beliefs in explaining the variation in three measures of seafood consumption: past 2-week frequency of all seafood and usual monthly consumption of noncanned and canned seafood. Background and belief variables explained more of the variation in consumption than did either type of variable alone for all three measures of consumption. Overall, explanatory factors for the noncanned and canned models differed. Household size was positively associated with all measures of consumption while country of origin was associated with two measures. Beliefs positively related to consumption were that seafood is healthy and nutritious, part of religious and family traditions, familiar to prepare, worth buying, and tastes good. Dislike for odor and touch and the belief that preparing seafood is too much trouble were negatively associated with consumption. Differences in beliefs and past experience were observed among the four main countries of origin represented: United States, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
The spliceosomal proteome: At the heart of the largest cellular ribonucleoprotein machine

Almost all primary transcripts in higher eukaryotes undergo several splicing events and alternative splicing is a major factor in generating proteomic diversity. Thus, the spliceosome, the ribonucleoprotein assembly that performs splicing, is a highly critical cellular machine and as expected, a very complex one. Indeed, the spliceosome is one of the largest, if not the largest, molecular machine in the cell with over 150 different components in human. A large fraction of the spliceosomal proteome is organized into small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles by associating with one of the small nuclear RNAs, and the function of many spliceosomal proteins revolve around their association or interaction with the spliceosomal RNAs or the substrate pre-messenger RNAs. In addition to the complex web of protein-RNA interactions, an equally complex network of protein-protein interactions exists in the spliceosome, which includes a number of large, conserved proteins with critical functions in the spliceosomal catalytic core. These include the largest conserved nuclear protein, Prp8, which plays a critical role in spliceosomal function in a hitherto unknown manner. Taken together, the large spliceosomal proteome and its dynamic nature has made it a highly challenging system to study, and at the same time, provides an exciting example of the evolution of a proteome around a backbone of primordial RNAs likely dating from the RNA World.
Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow Effects on Marine Current Turbines

This paper presents a numerical model to study the fluid flow effects in an idealized, full scale marine current turbine. The effect of changing fluid flow conditions on the operation and structural integrity of a marine current turbine is of utmost importance in designing the shape, size and composition of the turbine blade. The model uses the measured current velocity offshore the coast of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. A probability distribution function is used to describe the probability of exceedance of the current velocity. The effects of free surface, kinematic viscosity and pitch angle are considered in this study. The turbine rotor is modeled using a 3D computer aided design (CAD) tool, SolidWorks. The rotor and the computational domain are meshed using geometric mesh generation software, ANSYS ICEM CFD. ANSYS FLUENT software is used to model the fluid flow interactions by solving the conservation equations for mass and momentum, considering non-uniform inflows and turbulence. The model will provide a methodology for predicting the lift and drag coefficients, bending moments and center of pressure in the turbine rotor. The results from this study can be used to predict the fatigue life of a turbine blade based on the statistical data of the current profile at a particular location. Furthermore, the estimation of power generation and efficiency of the turbine can be calculated to provide the information needed to evaluate the feasibility and economics of the energy converter.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Adrenocorticotropin and cortisol responses to vasopressin during pregnancy.

CRH is secreted by the placenta into the maternal and fetal circulation during pregnancy in humans and nonhuman primates. ACTH and cortisol responses to exogenous CRH are blunted during pregnancy. In the present study we examined the pituitary-adrenal response to another corticotropin releasing factor, vasopressin. Studies were performed in chronically catheterized female baboons moving freely in their home cages; 13 studies were performed in 4 pregnant animals, and 8 studies were performed in 6 nonpregnant animals. Vasopressin was administered iv in 2 doses (0.3 and 3.0 U), and plasma samples were obtained for CRH, ACTH, and cortisol measurements. Results are expressed as the mean ± sem. Baseline plasma CRH was 240 ± 20 pmol/L in the pregnant animals and unmeasurable (<20) in the nonpregnant animals. In the pregnant animals, ACTH concentrations rose from a baseline of 6.4 ± 1.3 pmol/L to 10.1 ± 0.4 after 0.3 U vasopressin and to 24.9 ± 5.2 after 3.0 U vasopressin. In the nonpregnant animals, ACTH levels ...
Analysis of transporter sequence on the design of layout of an FMS

Abstract This paper identifies some of the facility layout problems associated with FMS and proposes a method which may be used to generate alternate layouts and select the best of these. The problem is stated as one of assigning N facilities to locations so as to minimize the total movement time of the system transporter. A sequential FMS with a single transporter is considered in the model. Various factors which have an influence upon the choice of the location of the work stations are considered and the most important of them identified.
Carl Rogers's Emphasis on His Own Direct Experience:

Carl Rogers's emphasis on using his "own direct experience" was a major influence in his theory building and in his psychotherapy. The influence of this position on Rogers's theory building resulte...
Vibration analysis of non-axisymmetric tires

A method is presented for predicting the effect of local non-uniformities such as the addition of concentrated masses or stiffnesses on the vibration characteristics of inflated tires. The approach, which is applicable to any linear vibration problem, is based on the receptance method. The natural frequencies and mode shapes of the non-axisymmetric tire have been formulated in terms of the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the axisymmetric tire. When various non-uniformity configurations are being considered for a given tire, the modal characteristics of the axisymmetric tire may be calculated once and used repeatedly to calculate the vibration characteristics of the non-axisymmetric tire.
Ice in Stream Pools in California's Central Sierra Nevada: Spatial and Temporal Variability and Reduction in Trout Habitat Availability

Abstract Ice in streams can be detrimental to fish in many ways, including physical exclusion offish from habitat. Stream pools along an elevational gradient in California's central Sierra Nevada were monitored during winters 1990–1991 and 1991–1992 for ice thickness, coverage by ice, and below-ice water depth. Both ice thickness and duration in pools increased with site elevation. Because minimum water depths were below a 6-cm criterion for adult trout movement for only a l0-d period in only 1 of 30 pools monitored over the two winters, 1 concluded that physical exclusion offish from habitat by ice was not a problem. Validated methods to predict the presence and thickness of ice in mountain streams are needed. Ice presence along the elevational gradient and ice thickness at the one pool evaluated were predicted moderately well from air temperature, There is a need for refined models that incorporate the effects of snow cover and stream velocity on ice formation.
In vivo chemical shift imaging of γ‐aminobutyric acid in the human brain

A gradient-based multiple quantum filtering method is presented for in vivo chemical shift imaging of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the human brain, which provides effective suppression of the overlapping creatine singlet with close to optimal detection efficiency. It is shown by product operator calculations and coherence pathway analysis that under conditions of no B1 and B0 inhomogeneity gradient filtering retains 75% of the two outer resonance lines of the GABA-4 triplet with no creatine contamination. A variation of the method with 100% retention of the GABA-4 outer resonance lines but higher sensitivity to B1 inhomogeneity is also discussed. By using a localized version of the sequence with an 8-cm surface coil for transmission and detection, it was found in phantom experiments at 2.1 T that a 69% signal retention of the two outer resonance lines of the GABA-4 triplet was achieved relative to a spin echo sequence with inhibition of GABA J modulation. A creatine suppression ratio of 2000:1 was measured. The use of the method for chemical shift imaging of GABA is demonstrated by coronal images obtained from phantoms and from the occipital lobe of a healthy volunteer. Magn Reson Med 41:35-42, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Explicit R-Parity Breaking in Supersymmetric Models

Supersymmetric models generally invoke R parity to ensure that baryon and lepton numbers are symmetries of the renormalizable operators of the low-energy effective theory. The phenomenology of lepton-number violation is analyzed in low-energy models in which R parity is explicitly broken by superrenormalizable operators. Constraints on lepton-number violating parameters are found to be mild. The photino is able to decay, avoiding a stringent cosmological lower bound on its mass. Alternatives to R parity are considered in the context of an SU(5) grand unified model coupled to N=1 supergravity. One possibility, θ parity, leads to new mechanisms for baryon- number violation in addition to lepton-number violation.
APOE Modulates the Correlation Between Triglycerides, Cholesterol, and CHD Through Pleiotropy and Gene-by-Gene Interactions

Relationship loci (rQTL) exist when the correlation between multiple traits varies by genotype. rQTL often occur due to gene-by-gene (G × G) or gene-by-environmental interactions, making them a powerful tool for detecting G × G. Here we present an empirical analysis of apolipoprotein E (APOE) with respect to lipid traits and incident CHD leading to the discovery of loci that interact with APOE to affect these traits. We found that the relationship between total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (ln TG) varies by APOE isoform genotype in African-American (AA) and European-American (EA) populations. The e2 allele is associated with strong correlation between ln TG and TC while the e4 allele leads to little or no correlation. This led to a priori hypotheses that APOE genotypes affect the relationship of TC and/or ln TG with incident CHD. We found that APOE*TC was significant (P = 0.016) for AA but not EA while APOE*ln TG was significant for EA (P = 0.027) but not AA. In both cases, e2e2 and e2e3 had strong relationships between TC and ln TG with CHD while e2e4 and e4e4 results in little or no relationship between TC and ln TG with CHD. Using ARIC GWAS data, scans for loci that significantly interact with APOE produced four loci for African Americans (one CHD, one TC, and two HDL). These interactions contribute to the rQTL pattern. rQTL are a powerful tool to identify loci that modify the relationship between risk factors and disease and substantially increase statistical power for detecting G × G.
Studies on Thermoelectric Properties of n‐type Polycrystalline SnSe1‐xSx by Iodine Doping

Iodine-doped n-type SnSe polycrystalline by melting and hot pressing is prepared. The prepared material is anisotropic with a peak ZT of ≈0.8 at about 773 K measured along the hot pressing direction. This is the first report on thermoelectric properties of n-type Sn chalcogenide alloys. With increasing content of iodine, the carrier concentration changed from 2.3 × 1017 cm−3 (p-type) to 5.0 × 1015 cm−3 (n-type) then to 2.0 × 1017 cm−3 (n-type). The decent ZT is mainly attributed to the intrinsically low thermal conductivity due to the high anharmonicity of the chemical bonds like those in p-type SnSe. By alloying with 10 at% SnS, even lower thermal conductivity and an enhanced Seebeck coefficient were achieved, leading to an increased ZT of ≈1.0 at about 773 K measured also along the hot pressing direction.
A knowledge-based system approach to the development of a system functional requirement specification processor

The authors have designed a system functional requirement (SFR) specification processor using a knowledge-based system approach in conjunction with other artificial intelligence techniques, this processor can be used for a variety of software systems. Domain-specific expert knowledge is defined for each software system application. The adopted specification language can easily be read by a variety of people such as customers, managers, requirement writers, software designers, and the test team. The processor, for a given software system application, not only checks for consistency, completeness, nonredundancy, and nonambiguity, but also uses domain-specific expert knowledge to verify that the SFR specification document is correct from the domain expert's point of view. To illustrate the proposed approach, the authors give an example of a component of a telephone switching system and the processor system methodology. >
Maximizing Transcription Efficiency Causes Codon Usage Bias

The rate of protein synthesis depends on both the rate of initiation of translation and the rate of elongation of the peptide chain. The rate of initiation depends on the encountering rate between ribosomes and mRNA; this rate in turn depends on the concentration of ribosomes and mRNA. Thus, patterns of codon usage that increase transcriptional efficiency should increase mRNA concentration, which in turn would increase the initiation rate and the rate of protein synthesis. An optimality model of the transcriptional process is presented with the prediction that the most frequently used ribonuclectide at the third codon sites in mRNA molecules should be the same as the most abundant ribonucleotide in the cellular matrix where mRNA is transcribed. This prediction is supported by four kinds of evidence. First, A-ending codons are the most frequently used synonymous codons in mitochondria, where ATP is much more abundant than that of the three other ribonucleotides. Second, A-ending codons are more frequently used in mitochondrial genes than in nuclear genes. Third, protein genes from organisms with a high metabolic rate use more A-ending codons and have higher A content in their introns than those from organisms with a low metabolic rate.
Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and bilateral pneumothoraces after laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

Pneumothorax is recognized as a possible complication following urological laparoscopy as a result of surgical injury to the diaphragm. A rare event is spontaneous bilateral pneumothoraces associated with laparoscopy but without evidence of diaphragmatic injury. Such cases have been discussed in the gynecological and surgical literature but to our knowledge none has been reported in association with urological laparoscopy.1, 2 We report such a case and propose a likely mechanism. CASE REPORT
Viral gene transfer of the antiapoptotic factor Bcl-2 protects against chronic postischemic heart failure.

Background Apoptosis secondary to acute ischemia and chronic remodeling is implicated as a mediator of heart failure. This study was designed to assess the effect of in vivo viral gene transfer of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 to block apoptosis and preserve ventricular geometry and function. Methods and Results In a rabbit model of regional ischemia followed by reperfusion, an experimental group treated with adeno-Bcl-2 was compared with a control group receiving empty vector adeno-null. Function was assessed by echocardiography, and sonomicrometry of the border zone was compared with the normal left ventricle (LV). Animals were killed at 6 weeks, and an additional group was killed after 3 days to see whether virus administration conferred an immediate effect. Animals that were administered Bcl-2 maintained higher ejection fractions at 2, 4, and 6 weeks compared with controls. Sonomicrocrystals demonstrated greater protection of border zone fractional shortening at 6 weeks. The Bcl-2 group had superior...
Corrigendum: Cycloelimination of Imidazolidin-2-ylidene N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Mechanism and Insights into the Synthesis of Stable "NHC-CDI" Amidinates.

We report the discovery that 1,3-bis(aryl)imidazolidin-2-ylidenes, one of the most widely studied classes of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), undergo quantitative conversion to zwitterionic "NHC-CDI" amidinates upon heating to ≈100 °C in solution. The mechanism of this novel NHC decomposition process is studied in detail. These studies enabled the rational synthesis of a new class of bench stable amidinates from a panel of NHCs and carbodiimides. We expect these constructs to find utility in a variety of applications.
Promoting Arrhythmia Susceptibility

The SCN5A -encoded voltage-gated cardiac sodium channel α-subunit (hNaV1.5) is one of the critical ion channels necessary to orchestrate both the cardiac action potential and excitation-contraction coupling of the ventricular myocyte.1 Rare mutations in SCN5A have been implicated in a cadre of the cardiac channelopathies, including congenital long-QT syndrome (LQTS), Brugada syndrome (BrS), progressive cardiac conduction disease, idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, autosomal recessive sick sinus syndrome, sudden infant death syndrome, and even a cardiomyopathic electropathy characterized by dilated cardiomyopathy, conduction disease, and atrial fibrillation.1–9 In addition, some common nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNPs or coding polymorphisms) may increase the risk of drug-induced torsade de pointes and sudden cardiac death, particularly among blacks, whereas other cSNPs may result in a “reduced depolarization capacity.”10–12 Article p 338 Now, because of this international all-star cast of channelologists, the proverbial street lamp is shining on a new location in the SCN5A gene and has illuminated an excitingly novel genetic mechanism that may promote arrhythmia susceptibility. In this issue of Circulation , Bezzina and colleagues13 reveal their discovery of a novel ethnic-specific promoter variant (HapB) that may genetically reduce the “antifibrillatory reserve” of a host. To appreciate the magnitude of these investigators’ sleuthing, one must consider where the street lamp has been shining for the past decade. Since the sentinel discovery of SCN5A as a disease gene for LQTS in 1995,1 SCN5A genetic testing has focused on the 27 translated exons that encode the 2015 or 2016 amino acids of the channel (depending on which alternatively spliced SCN5A transcript is generated). To date, ≈56 LQT3-associated mutations (mostly missense) and 77 BrS1-associated mutations (mostly missense) have been reported.2,3,14,15 This compendium of rare LQT3/BrS1-associated SCN5A mutations can be viewed at the web-based Inherited Arrhythmias Database (http://pc4.fsm.it:81/cardmoc). In general, gain-of-function mutations confer susceptibility …
Part scaling and mechanics of thin part self-assembly in the fludic phase

This paper presents an experimental and theoretical study of previously demonstrated high yield self-assembly processes using surface programmable template and specific surface Faraday waves. Here we focus on the combined effect of substrate tilting angle and part size. For 1×1, 3×3 and 5×5 mm2 parts of 100 µm thickness, the maximum substrate tilting angles for effective assembly are experimentally determined and the surface tension induced torques are calculated based on a newly developed model.