cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Partial Characterization of Bacteriophages of the Phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae.

Abstract Bacteriophages isolated from culture supernatants of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and from sewage were identified. The DNA from each phage was isolated and digested with the restriction endonuclease EcoRI. Eight isolates were determined to be different, with two phage isolates from sewage having restriction patterns identical to two phages from culture supernatants. The sizes of the phage DNA ranged from 24 to49 kilobases for isolates from sewage and from 39 to 52.5 kilobases for the isolates from culture supernatants. Buoyant densities of phage particles in CsCl varied from 1.498 to 1.507 g/cm3 for isolates from sewage and from 1.506 to 1.516 g/cm3 for isolates from culture supernatants. Electron microscopy revealed four morphological types. Based on plaque-forming ability of culture supernatants, 31 out of 47 strains of P. syringae are probably lysogenic.
Inventive Billion Dollar Firms: A Faster Way to Grow

One of the questions or challenges we constantly wrestle with at Kauffman is “how could annual U.S. economic growth be increased by one additional percentage point?” It is not an idle question. If, for example, the economy grew at 4 percent annually rather than 3 percent, GDP would double six years faster (eighteen years versus twenty-four years). Given the magic of compounding, this extra one percent would cumulate over a century to produce roughly three times the level of GDP than would otherwise exist.Such a world would be a far more comfortable one than many of us may be able to imagine. It would mean a dramatically lower level of poverty, while the average American would have a living standard that is three times as comfortable as one that he or she would otherwise enjoy (imagine today, for example, the average family income being roughly $135,000 rather than its current level of about $45,000). A richer society also would have more resources to address the public challenges - upgrading our infrastructure, doing more to clean the environment, and so on - that would make life in America even more comfortable for all our citizens.America’s great challenge is to scale the successful ecosystems and to create others to bring about a substantial increase in the numbers of highly successful new companies (whether or not they reach a billion dollars in sales). Nothing less than the future welfare of America and its citizens is at stake.
J-Integral Estimates for Strain Hardening Materials in Antiplane Shear Using Fully Plastic Solution

General procedures are proposed which utilize the elastic and the fully plastic solutions to interpolate behavior from the small-scale yielding range to the fully plastic range. The relations between the J-integral, load point displacement, crack opening displacement, and the applied load thus developed, are applicable to test configurations and cracked bodies in general. To assess the accuracy of the estimated relationships, a detailed numerical investigation, which employs an accurate finite element approach, is carried out for a particular configuration under antiplane shear. The results obtained from the full numerical calculations, for values of the applied load well into the fully plastic range, are in excellent agreement with the estimated results.
The Prague School and North American functionalist approaches to syntax

Modern functionalist approaches to syntax were pioneered in the 1920s by the scholars associated with the Linguistic Circle of Prague and Prague-based functionalism is a dynamic force today. Nevertheless, citations of this work by North American functionalists are few and far between. This paper sets out to explain that state of affairs. It pinpoints the profound theoretical differences between mainstream North American and Czech approaches that have led to partisans of the former losing interest in the latter. The paper argues that, on the other hand, Praguian functional syntax has a great deal in common with more ‘formal’ functionalist approaches and with much work in formal semantics. Not surprisingly, then, recent years have seen increasing productive collaboration between North American and Western European practitioners of these approaches and members of the Prague School.
The sea-floor spreading history of the eastern Indian Ocean

The geologic history of the eastern Indian Ocean between northwest Australia and the Java Trench is known to involve two separate events of rifting and sea-floor spreading. Late Jurassic spreading in the Argo Abyssal Plain off northwest Australia was followed by Early Cretaceous spreading in the Cuvier and Perth Abyssal Plains off west Australia. However, the evolution and interaction of these events has not been clear. Mesozoic sea-floor spreading anomalies have been identified throughout the Argo Abyssal Plain that define a rifting event and subsequent northward spreading on the northwestern Australian margin at 155 m.y.b.p. Magnetic anomalies northwest of the Argo Abyssal Plain indicate a ridge jump to the south at about 130 m.y.b.p. that is approximately synchronous with east-west rifting along the southwestern Australian margin. The Joey Rise in the Argo Plain was probably formed by volcanism at the intersection of this new rift and the spreading ridge to the north. The southern and northern spreading systems were connected through the Exmouth Plateau which was stretched and faulted as spreading progressed. The RRR triple junction was formed at the intersection of the two spreading systems and appears to have migrated west along the northern edge of the Gascoyne Abyssal Plain. Spreading off northwest Australia cannot be easily related to simultaneous spreading in the west central Pacific via any simple tectonic scheme.
Ferrihemoprotein Hydroxides: A Correlation Between Magnetic and Spectroscopic Properties

Optical absorption spectra and magnetic moments were obtained from paramagnetic susceptibility measurements for hemoglobin, myoglobin, and peroxidase. Mossbauer scattering experiments were performed to study the bonding in ferrihemoprotein hydroxides. (R.E.U.)
Con: Primary Prophylaxis for Patients With Small Esophageal Varices From Cirrhosis: Let the Buyer Beware

Con: Primary Prophylaxis for Patients With Small Esophageal Varices From Cirrhosis: Let the Buyer Beware
Use of the five-factory inventory in characterizing patients with major depressive disorder.

Research on personality traits has suggested an association between depression and certain personality traits, such as neuroticism and extraversion. Costa and McCrae's five-factor personality inventory (NEO) has been shown to measure personality traits in a nonclinical population, but its use has not been fully explored in clinical populations. This study aims to compare NEO results in a sample of depressed outpatients with published test norms, and determine if different levels of neuroticism and extraversion are associated with differences in certain psychosocial and clinical characteristics. Seventy-six depressed outpatients participating in antidepressant clinical trials completed this self-report questionnaire before beginning pharmacological treatment. Diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) was made using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R or DSM-IV and the severity of depression was measured with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). The three analyses conducted were as follows: (1) NEO factor scores were compared with published normative means; (2) three groups, based on level of neuroticism, were compared on certain psychosocial and clinical characteristics; and (3) three groups, based on level of extraversion, were compared on the same psychosocial and clinical characteristics. Both the males and females obtained T score values for the Neuroticism Scale 1.5 SD above the mean, for the Extraversion Scale 1.5 SD below the mean, and for the Conscientiousness Scale 1.5 SD below the mean. No significant differences were found between subjects with different levels of neuroticism and extraversion, although a trend did exist indicating a positive relationship between neuroticism and severity of depression. Depressed outpatients experience frequent negative affects, have irrational thought processes, cope with stress poorly, have difficulty controlling impulses, prefer to be alone, and have difficulty carrying out tasks. Future studies should examine how such personality factors affect response to treatment and course of illness.
Comparison of three methods for measuring electrical resistances of plant cell membranes.

The reliability of two different membrane resistance-measuring methods that use a single intracellular microelectrode was tested against a conventional method that uses two intracellular microelectrodes. The first single-electrode method used a single square current pulse and required a constant microelectrode resistance. This method was unreliable because the electrode resistance changed markedly on cell penetration and changed with time within the cell. The second method used a high frequency square wave for injecting current into the cell and depended upon the membrane having a much longer RC (resistance × capacitance)-time constant than the microelectrode. The resistance values obtained by this latter method were usually different from membrane resistances obtained at the same time on the same cells using two intracellular microelectrodes. Therefore, neither single intracellular microelectrode method was as reliable as the conventional method. All tests were with coleoptile cells of Avena sativa var. Victory.
Impact of elevated peak serum estradiol levels during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on the birth weight of term singletons from fresh IVF-ET cycles.

Purpose To investigate the impact of elevated serum estradiol (E2) levels on the day of hCG trigger on the birth weight of term singletons after fresh In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)-Embryo Transfer (ET) cycles.
Hyperpolarization of gas evolving electrodes—I. Aqueous electrolysis

Abstract Electrodes evolving oxygen and hydrogen in aqueous media were rotated at up to several thousand rpm in order to shear away gas bubbles and allow measurement of a voltage component, called hyperpolarization, due to masking of the electrode by gas bubbles. The difference in overpotential between rotated and non-rotated electrodes increased as a function of rotation rate at low rpm and then reached a plateau between one and three thousand rpm. Upon further rotation, the voltage difference increased again. The plateau was the hyperpolarization in the measurement, less then five mV at 0.1 A cm −2 , that corresponds to an effective surface coverage of less than 10%. The increase beyond the plateau marked the relief of the supersaturation of the electrolyte with product gas near the electrode.
T cell hybridomas define the class II MHC-restricted response to vesicular stomatitis virus infection

Abstract T cell hybridomas with specificity for VSV (vesicular stomatitis virus)-infected cells were generated in an attempt to better define the la-restricted helper T cell response to VSV. The hybridomas were created by fusing BALB/c (H-2 d ) anti-VSV immune spleen cells to the murine thymoma BW 5147. These hybridomas produce IL-2 when stimulated with VSV-infected spleen cells. They were found to recognize viral antigens in association with I-A d and, in addition, could also be stimulated by VSV-infected A20 cells (an la-positive B cell lymphoma of H-2 d origin). The purified viral membrane glycoprotein, G protein, and Gs (secreted G protein that lacks the hydrophobic and intracytoplasmic domains) both stimulated IL-2 production when added to cultures of A20 and the hybridomas. These hybridomas therefore recognize a viral antigenic determinant on G protein. Since chemically-fixed antigen-presenting cells fail to stimulate the hybridomas after exogenous addition of purified G protein we can conclude that these T cell hybridomas recognize a processed form of the G protein. Stimulator cells created by expression in A20 of a transfected cDNA encoding G protein were also recognized. Recognition in this case was I-A d -restricted, as anti-I-A d monoclonal antibodies blocked stimulation, and an la-negative cell (P815) expressing a transfected G protein gene failed to stimulate the hybridomas. Even after paraformaldehyde fixation, G gene-transfected, la-positive cells could stimulate the hybridomas, suggesting that processing of this endogenously-synthesized antigen has occurred.
Multiple mechanisms regulate the expression of murine immune response genes

Abstract The immune response antigens (la antigens) are heterodimeric cell-surface glycoproteins that regulate lymphocyte and macrophage interactions leading to the production of antibody against foreign antigens. The class II genes in the I region of the murine major histocompatibility complex encode the α and β chains of the two known la antigens, I-A and I-E. Molecular cloning of the I region led to the discovery of three DNA regions, Aβ2, ψAβ3, and Eβ2, which share some nucleotide homology with the classical class II β genes. In this report we present evidence that Aβ2 is transcribed in spleen and in a cultured B cell hybridoma. Aβ2 mRNA is also found on membrane-bound polysomes, suggesting that it is translated. In contrast to the classical I region genes, Aβ2 transcripts are not induced in macrophage cells by γ-interferon (γ-IFN). This difference in sensitivity to γ-IFN suggests that B cells and macrophages regulate the expression of the class II genes by distinct mechanisms.
The Post-1989 Era as Heyday of the Nation-State?

It is widely held that contemporary globalization is bringing about the decline of the nation-state. This article questions this assumption, using a historical perspective to make the case that it is only in the wake of the global transformations since 1989 that the principle of national self-determination has truly had the opportunity to come into its own. It is precisely the supranational structures associated with contemporary globalization that have the potential to facilitate political independence for small nations without the attendant geopolitical and economic vulnerabilities that condemned such undertakings to catastrophic failure in earlier eras. Despite the dangers and abuses historically associated with the nation-state, the alternative of unbounded political communities carries even greater potential risks.
Privacy and Security in E-Healthcare Information Management

Abstract The E-healthcare operating environment is defined as a cybernetic medical setting where healthcare or medical information is processed, manipulated, transmitted, or distributed in electronic forms via computer-based systems, networks, or the Internet. E-technology has changed healthcare in the management of how care is delivered and in the transformation of the infrastructure that supports the healthcare delivery system.1 The traditional paradigm of the healthcare industry is challenged by the new paradigm of E-commerce and E-healthcare in the 21st century. The healthcare industry is undergoing a fundamental shift that will change consumer, patient, and healthcare professional behavior and interaction.2,3 During the E-revolution in the healthcare industry, technical barriers in telecommunication security and privacy must first be overcome.24 Healthcare organizations and their computer systems are required to ensure that the privacy and security of individually identifiable healthcare information ...
Evaluating public web site information: a process and an instrument

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the attempt to find an evaluation instrument for undergraduate students to use to evaluate public web sites, the analysis of the variety of instruments discovered, the subsequent development of an appropriate instrument, and the application of the instrument in workshops with students.Design/methodology/approach – The instrument was created based on the following criteria that the authors determined would meet the students' needs. It focuses exclusively on the information aspect of a web site, has some basis in theory or is based on an accepted model, is parsimonious, is quantitative, with both absolute and relative measures, and indicates whether or not the information should be accepted or rejected. The instrument was also developed with the goal of focusing on the process rather than the outcome.Findings – Although a number of diverse evaluation instruments from the literature and from web‐based sources were examined, none was deemed suitable for studen...
Laser propulsion for orbit transfer - Laser technology issues

Using reasonable near-term mission traffic models (1991-2000 being the assumed operational time of the system) and the most current unclassified laser and laser thruster information available, it was found that space-based laser propulsion orbit transfer vehicles (OTVs) can outperform the aerobraked chemical OTV over a 10-year life-cycle. The conservative traffic models used resulted in an optimum laser power of about 1 MW per laser. This is significantly lower than the power levels considered in other studies. Trip time was taken into account only to the extent that the system was sized to accomplish the mission schedule.
Continental-scale patterns in modern wood cellulose δ18O : Implications for interpreting paleo-wood cellulose δ18O

Abstract The isotopic composition of ancient wood may be a useful archive of some climatic or geochemical conditions of the past, but presently there are many uncertainties that constrain such interpretations. We sampled naturally growing, predominantly native trees in forested regions of North America and the Caribbean to evaluate the strength of the relationships among cellulose δ 18 O (δ 18 O cel ), relative humidity (RH), precipitation δ 18 O (δ 18 O ppt ), and mean annual temperature (MAT) at the continental scale, and the general range of variability in δ 18 O cel associated with site hydrologic conditions and species differences. We found up to 4‰ differences among different species growing at the same site, that conifer cellulose at a site is more enriched than angiosperm cellulose by 1.5‰ ( p 18 O cel . At the continental scale, δ 18 O cel was strongly influenced by modeled δ 18 O ppt ( R 2 = 0.80, p min ) combined with δ 18 O ppt explained more of the variability ( R 2 = 0.93, p 18 O cel across North American and Caribbean forests. MAT and δ 18 O cel were also strongly correlated across North America ( R = 0.91 and 0.95, p 18 O ppt and δ 18 O cel is not constant (varying from 35–44‰) and is inversely correlated with δ 18 O ppt . The relationships among δ 18 O ppt , RH min , δ 18 O cel , and MAT established for North America and the Caribbean applied reasonably well when δ 18 O cel was used to estimate MAT and δ 18 O ppt in Asia, Europe, and South America, but there were important exceptions. The most accurate predictions of MAT and δ 18 O ppt from δ 18 O cel require RH min . Predictions of δ 18 O ppt and MAT made from δ 18 O cel alone produced errors of up to 8‰ and 16 °C, respectively.
Prediction of the dissociation energy of hexaphenylethane using the ONIOM(MO :MO:MO) method

We systematically calibrated a three-level hybrid quantum mechanical ONIOM method that is suitable for the accurate and efficient calculation of bond dissociation energies (BDE's) of phenyl-substituted hydrocarbons. We applied the combination ONIOM(G2MS(R):RMP2/6-31G(d):B3LYP/3-21G)//ONIOM(B3LYP/6-31G:B3LYP/3-21G) to the BDE calculation of hexaphenylethane (HPE). We predict that the BDE of HPE (including the temperature correction) is 16.6 kcal/mol, indicating that synthesis of HPE may be feasible, despite all attempts so far having been unsuccessful.
The immunophenotypic attributes of NK cells and NK-cell lineage lymphoproliferative disorders

Natural killer (NK) cells are a distinct lymphocyte subset that, like cytotoxic T cells, recognize and destroy abnormal self-cells. Unlike T cells, however, NK cells lack a uniquely rearranged antigen receptor gene or a single defining immunophenotypic attribute. Furthermore, there is considerable functional and phenotypic overlap between NK cells and cytotoxic T cells, and the latter are induced by cellular activation to express many NK-associated antigens. These factors all contribute to difficulties in recognizing abnormal NK-cell expansions and distinguishing them from cytotoxic T cells in the clinical laboratory. Recently, new classes of NK-associated major histocompatibility complex receptors have been described that can be of value in evaluating NK-cell and cytotoxic T-cell populations. In this review, immunophenotyping approaches using antibodies to traditional and novel T- and NK-associated antigens that can be used to evaluate these cell types and diagnose NK-cell and cytotoxic T-cell disorders in the clinical laboratory setting are discussed.
A primer of nutritional support for gastroenterologists.

Ingestion and absorption of a nutritionally adequate diet is necessary to maintain normal body composition and organ function. Patients with gastrointestinal diseases are at increased risk for developing nutritional abnormalities from anorexia, dietary restrictions, malabsorption, increased intestinal losses, or altered nutrient requirements. Therefore, it is important for gastroenterologists to understand the general principles of clinical nutrition for optimal management of patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of this review is to provide gastroenterologists with information on the basic principles of nutritional support, including metabolic principles, evaluation of nutritional status, indications for nutritional support, appropriate initiation and monitoring of nutritional therapy, and effective management of nutrition-related complications.
Contemporary views of euthanasia: A regional assessment

Abstract A survey of euthanasia attitudes of 245 college students at six universities in three regions of the United States was completed using two scales which assessed ideological position toward and behavioral endorsement of euthanasia actions. Geographical region, religious participation, mass media, class rank, socioeconomic status, and personality (locus of control) were associated in various ways with the scales employed. In addition, the attitudinal and behavioral dimensions were moderately associated.
Simple Method for Teaching Coronary Artery Surgery

Abstract This simple bench model facilitates the development of technical skills in coronary artery surgery and permits unlimited practice of the maneuvers involved.
Bladder cancer: Twenty years of progress and the challenges that remain

The most obvious improvements in the care of patients with bladder cancer over the past 20 years are bacille Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer and cisplatin and methotrexate-based combination chemotherapy for advanced disease. The challenges that remain are prevention, early detection, and improved treatment of both superficial and advanced disease. Meeting these challenges requires research, financial investment, and public education.
Image Classification and Querying Using Composite Region Templates

The tremendous growth in digital imagery is driving the need for more sophisticated methods for automatic image analysis, cataloging, and searching. We present a method for classifying and querying images based on the spatial orderings of regions or objects using composite region templates (CRTs). The CRTs capture the spatial information statistically and provide a robust way to measure similarity in the presence of region insertions, deletions, substitutions, replications, and relocations. The CRTs can be used for classifying and annotating images by assigning symbols to the regions or objects and by extracting symbol strings from spatial scans of the images. The symbol strings can be decoded using a library of annotated CRTs to automatically label and classify the images. The CRTs can also be used for searching by sketch or example by measuring image similarity based on relative counts of the CRTs.
Can Residents Safely and Efficiently be Taught Single Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Objective Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has recently emerged as an option for selected patients undergoing gallbladder removal. While SILC appears safe when performed by experienced surgeons under controlled conditions, there are no studies evaluating the SILC learning curve for incorporation into resident education and the effect on OR efficiency. Design, Setting, and Participants Chief residents were taught and evaluated by a single attending surgeon facile with SILC techniques. Residents were transitioned from assistants to primary surgeon during their clinical rotation. Outcomes data were prospectively tabulated compared with data from standard laparoscopic SLC and attending surgeon SILC outcomes. The setting was an academic, tertiary care teaching hospital. Participants were chief residents rotating on hepatobiliary surgery service. Residents previously had demonstrated mastery of basic laparoscopic surgical techniques. Results Seven chief residents were evaluated with a total of 49 SILCs with a mean of 7 (range 5-12) SILCS/resident. Five conversions to SLC occurred, all within the first 3 SILCs performed by the resident as operative surgeon. Mean blood loss was 30 mL. Median length of stay was Conclusions Residents can safely be taught the techniques of SILC with minimal disruption to operating room efficiency. Residents already proficient in the use of standard laparoscopic techniques transition to SILC quickly with a short learning curve and proper instruction.
The role of ‘complex’ empiricism in the debates about satellite data and climate models

Climate scientists have been engaged in a decades-long debate over the standing of satellite measurements of the temperature trends of the atmosphere above the surface of the earth. This is especially significant because skeptics of global warming and the greenhouse effect have utilized this debate to spread doubt about global climate models used to predict future states of climate. I use this case from an understudied science to illustrate two distinct philosophical approaches to the relations among data, scientist, measurement, models, and theory. I argue that distinguishing between “direct” empiricist and “complex” empiricist approaches helps us understand and analyze this important scientific episode. I introduce a complex empiricist account of testing and evaluation, and contrast it with the basic hypothetico-deductive approach to the climate models used by the direct empiricists. This more developed complex empiricist approach will serve philosophy of science well, as computational models become more widespread in the sciences.
The Development and Implementation of the Stochastic Rewards Model for Human Resource Valuation in a Human Capital Intensive Firm

‘Human resource accounting’ (HRA) is a term of relatively recent origin: research on HRA only began during the 1960s. Initially, the objective was to improve corporate financial reporting by accounting for ‘human assets’ and, in turn, to increase the representational validity of income and asset numbers. A related purpose was to prevent prevailing accounting conventions from motivating suboptimal treatment of people — specifically, to reduce the likelihood that liquidation of human resources would not be revealed in financial reports because of the failure to account for investments in people as assets.
Simulation of pH-dependent edge strand rearrangement in human β-2 microglobulin

Amyloid fibrils formed from unrelated proteins often share morphological similarities, suggesting common biophysical mechanisms for amyloidogenesis. Biochemical studies of human b-2 microglobulin (b2M) have shown that its transition from a water-soluble protein to insoluble aggregates can be triggered by low pH. Additionally, biophysical measurements of b2 Mu sing NMR have identified r esidues of the protein that participate in the formation of amyloid fibrils. The crystal structure of monomeric human b2M determined at pH 5.7 shows that one of its edge b-strands (strand D) adopts a conformation that differs from other structures of the same protein obtained at higher pH. This alternate b-strand arrangement lacks a b-bulge, which may facilitate protein aggregation through intermolecular b-sheet association. To explore whether the pH change may yield the observed conformational difference, molecular dynamics simulations of b2M were performed. The effects of pH were modeled by specifying the protonation states of Asp, Glu, and His, as well as the C terminus of the main chain. The bulged conformation of strand D is preferred at medium pH (pH 5–7), whereas at low pH (pH <4) the straight conformation is observed. Therefore, low pH may stabilize the straight conformation of edge strand D and thus increase the amyloidogenicity of b2M.
A Golden Age? Unemployment and the American Labor Market, 1880-1910

We calculate the natural rate of unemployment in 1909 by first estimating equations for the incidence and time lost in unemployment on a pooled dataset integrating the manuscript sample of the 1910 census and state BLS surveys and then simulating a counterfactual unemployment rate as if the economy had been on trend that year with business-cycle effects neutralized. Following a similar procedure for the 1960s, we find the natural rate in the earlier period to have been substantially higher. The demise of casual unskilled labor, or floaters, seems to have been an important contributory factor.
The enantiomer of strychnine is a weak antagonist of the inhibitory glycine receptor

ent-Strychnine (2) was synthesized for the first time from (1R,4S)-(+)-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenyl acetate (3) by a slight modification of the sequence recently employed to prepare natural (−)-strychnine. ent-Strychnine is about a 1000 fold weaker antagonist of the inhibitory glycine receptor expressed in oocytes than natural (−)-strychnine.
Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 influences cell motility and chemotaxis by regulating PI3K membrane localization in Dictyostelium

Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK3) is a multifunctional kinase involved in diverse cellular activities such as metabolism, differentiation, and morphogenesis. Recent studies showed that GSK3 in Dictyostelium affects chemotaxis via TorC2 pathway and Daydreamer. Now we report that GSK3 affects PI3K membrane localization, of which the mechanism has remained to be fully understood in Dictyostelium. The membrane localization domain (LD) of Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase 1 (PI3K1) is phosphorylated on serine residues in a GSK3 dependent mechanism and PI3K1-LD exhibited biased membrane localization in gsk3(-) cells compared to the wild type cells. Furthermore, multiple GSK3-phosphorylation consensus sites exist in PI3K1-LD, of which phosphomimetic substitutions restored cAMP induced transient membrane localization of PI3K1-LD in gsk3(-) cells. Serine to alanine substitution mutants of PI3K1-LD, in contrast, displayed constitutive membrane localization in wild type cells. Biochemical analysis revealed that GSK3 dependent serine phosphorylation of PI3K1-LD is constitutive during the course of cAMP stimulation. Together, these data suggest that GSK3 dependent serine phosphorylation is a prerequisite for chemoattractant cAMP induced PI3K membrane localization.
Pin1 Regulates the Dynamics of c-Myc DNA Binding To Facilitate Target Gene Regulation and Oncogenesis

The Myc oncoprotein is considered a master regulator of gene transcription by virtue of its ability to modulate the expression of a large percentage of all genes. However, mechanisms that direct Myc's recruitment to DNA and target gene selection to elicit specific cellular functions have not been well elucidated. Here, we report that the Pin1 prolyl isomerase enhances recruitment of serine 62-phosphorylated Myc and its coactivators to select promoters during gene activation, followed by promoting Myc's release associated with its degradation. This facilitates Myc's activation of genes involved in cell growth and metabolism, resulting in enhanced proproliferative activity, even while controlling Myc levels. In cancer cells with impaired Myc degradation, Pin1 still enhances Myc DNA binding, although it no longer facilitates Myc degradation. Thus, we find that Pin1 and Myc are cooverexpressed in cancer, and this drives a gene expression pattern that we show is enriched in poor-outcome breast cancer subtypes. This study provides new insight into mechanisms regulating Myc DNA binding and oncogenic activity, it reveals a novel role for Pin1 in the regulation of transcription factors, and it elucidates a mechanism that can contribute to oncogenic cooperation between Pin1 and Myc.
Mode of infection and factors affecting disease incidence of loose smut of crabgrass.

Abstract Ustilago syntherismae,which causes loose smut of crabgrass, infects its host systemically and reduces seed production. In greenhouse experiments to evaluate its utility as a biological control agent, the fungus infected southern crabgrass,Digitaria ciliaris,both when applied to soil and when applied directly to seed. Disease incidence was high (up to 96%) in some treatments. When spores were added to the potting mixture, high smut incidences were obtained only when time between spore application and sowing was short (4 days or less). Under greenhouse conditions, the first panicles of infected plants emerged about 4.5 weeks later than those of healthy plants, which explains why the disease does not appear in the field until late in the season. Southern crabgrass developed smut when inoculated with spores collected from large crabgrass,D. sanguinalis,but not with spores from smooth crabgrass,D. ischaemum.Conversely, smooth crabgrass became infected only by spores from smooth crabgrass, not by spores from large crabgrass.
Effects of a macroalgal mat (Ulva lactuca) on estuarine sand flat copepods: an experimental study

The effects of a macroalgal mat (Ulva lactuca) on intertidal sand flat copepods were studied in Jamaica Bay, NY. In 1999, Ulva was removed from paired quadrats in the algal mat. Density and species richness were estimated from sediment cores over seven biweekly periods and compared with Ulva-removal quadrats and with an unvegetated reference site. In a separate analysis at the same site, species composition and density of all copepods within the algal mat were determined from replicated quadrat samples over seven dates. Emergence traps were deployed in all treatments in 1999 to quantify copepod movements from sediments into the water column during flooding tide. Dissolved oxygen (DO) was continuously monitored over several 96-h periods in and above the algal mat. In 2000, three biomass levels of Ulva (0, 100, 200 g DW per m2) were added to paired quadrats in the unvegetated zone. Density and species richness were estimated over eight time periods. Ulva removal resulted in significant increases in density and species richness, but levels remained lower than at the unvegetated site. Likewise, addition of Ulva biomass produced significant declines in copepod density. However, the differences between low- and high-Ulva-addition treatments were insignificant. Increases in phytal copepods after Ulva addition did not compensate for losses of epibenthic and infaunal species. The overall effect of the Ulva mat was a net loss of copepod density, including the loss of nearly all infaunal species. Anoxia in sediments and within the algal mat are correlated with declines in infaunal species and with escape by some infaunal species from the sediment into the water column.
Electronic Structure Studies of Main Group Oxides Possessing Edge-Sharing Octahedra: Implications for the Design of Transparent Conducting Oxides

Experimental and computational studies were performed to investigate the electronic structure of main group oxides containing edge-sharing octahedra. Compounds belonging to four structure types were investigated: rutile (SnO2, PbO2), trirutile (MgSb2O6, ZnSb2O6, MgBi2O6, ZnBi2O6), PbSb2O6-type (CdSb2O6, CaSb2O6, SrSb2O6, BaSb2O6, SrBi2O6, BaBi2O6), and ilmenite (ZnSnO3, CdSnO3, CaSnO3, NaSbO3, KSbO3, NaBiO3, AgBiO3). For application as an n-type transparent conductor, the conduction band (CB) properties are of primary importance. In all compounds investigated here, the CB arises primarily from the antibonding M ns to O 2p interaction (M = Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi). To be an effective transparent conductor the lowest energy band in the CB should be wide so that carriers introduced upon doping will be highly mobile. For this to occur, the antibonding M ns to O 2p interactions must be offset by a bonding interaction at the CB minimum (normally at the Γ point). In ternary oxides, the bonding interaction involves overl...
Mdm2 Mutant Defective in Binding p300 Promotes Ubiquitination but Not Degradation of p53 EVIDENCE FOR THE ROLE OF p300 IN INTEGRATING UBIQUITINATION AND PROTEOLYSIS

Turnover of the p53 tumor suppressor protein is mediated by Mdm2 through the ubiquitin proteolysis pathway. p300, a co-activator for p53, also participates in this process by complexing with Mdm2. We now report that the mutant Mdm2, defective in p53 binding, does not promote p53 ubiquitination and degradation in vivo or inhibit p53 transcriptional activation. By contrast, the mutant Mdm2, defective in p300 binding, still retains its activity to promote p53 ubiquitination and to inhibit p53 transcriptional activation but fails in promoting p53 degradation. We also show that both wild-type Mdm2 and the mutant Mdm2, defective in p300 binding, can promote the ubiquitination of cancer-derived p53 mutants, but only wild-type Mdm2 can cause their degradation. Furthermore, adenoviral oncoprotein, 12S.E.1A, but not its deletion mutant that lacks p300 binding, was shown to decrease in vivo ubiquitination of mutant p53. Taken together, these results provide genetic evidence that p300 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of Mdm2-mediated p53 turnover by integrating the cellular ubiquitination and proteolytic processes.
The clinical efficacy of poly(ethylene glycol)-modified proteins

Abstract Modification of proteins with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) creates a conjugate with a dramatically increased circulating life and reduced immunogenicity and antigenicity. The increase in circulating life is attributed to the masking of ligands or antigenic determinants recognized by cellular receptors. Steric hindrance of the antigenic determinants on the protein is believed to reduce the immunogenicity and antigenicity. Currently four PEG-modified enzymes are undergoing clinical trials. PEG- l -asparaginase is in Phase III studies for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia; PEG-adenosine deaminase (PEG-ADA) is in phase III trials and is used in ADA-deficient Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome; PEG-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD) is in Phase III studies for treatment of reperfusion injury associated with kidney transplantations; PEG-uricase is a uricolytic agent in Phase I trials for treatment of hyperuricemia associated with chemotherapy. PEG-catalase has completed preclinical trials and shows potential therapeutic use in trauma, burns and hydrogen peroxide-mediated injuries. All these enzymes demonstrate increased circulating lives and decreased immunogenicity. Clinical studies have shown these modified enzymes to be safe and have therapeutic value.
Layer alignment tooling and bonding process for the fully dense freeform fabrication (FDFF) adaptive layering process

The Fully Dense Freeform Fabrication (FDFF) process utilises an adaptive layering method for predefined sheets and uses slices cut by an abrasive waterjet cutter or laser cutter machine for manufacturing functional parts through smart layer alignment and compatible bonding materials. Under pressure and heat, layers are attached and form a 3D prototype from a fully dense material. This paper presents an integrated alignment and compression bonding mechanism that is functional for a variety of complex parts. It also explores the benefits of using induction heaters to reach the brazing quality layer bonding heat for the metallic parts. Finally, feasible settings for producing functional metallic parts for variety of geometries and materials are presented.
Geographic information system based decision support systems for facility location, routing, and scheduling

Abstract Distribution management is concerned with the location of facilities, routing, and scheduling of vehicles and crews between the facilities to meet given objectives. Decision problems arising in distribution management are spatial in nature. This paper presents a method for the development of decision support systems based on geographic information systems for solving facility location and logistics problems.
Glioblastoma biomarkers from bench to bedside: advances and challenges.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumour, with few available therapies providing significant improvements in mortality. Biomarkers, which are defined by the National Institutes of Health as ‘characteristics that are objectively measured and evaluated as indicators of normal biologic processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention’, have the potential to play valuable roles in the diagnosis and treatment of GBM. Although GBM biomarker research is still in its early stages because of the tumour's complex pathophysiology, a number of potential markers have been identified which can be measured in either brain tissue or blood serum. In conjunction with other clinical data, particularly neuroimaging modalities such as MRI, these proteins could contribute to the clinical management of GBM by helping to classify tumours, predict prognosis and assess treatment response. In this article, we review the current understanding of GBM...
Homelessness and Smoking Cessation: Insights from Focus Groups

Smoking prevalence among homeless persons is approximately 70%, yet little is known about tobacco use patterns or smoking cessation practices in this population. We assessed smoking attitudes and behaviors, psychosocial and environmental influences on smoking, barriers to and interest in quitting, and preferred methods for cessation among some homeless smokers. Six 90-min focus groups of current smokers (N = 62) were conducted at homeless service facilities. Participants had a mean age of 41.5 years (SD = 9.3), were predominantly male (69.4%) and African American (59%), and smoked an average of 18.3 cigarettes/day. Although most reported that they were motivated to quit, a number of barriers to quitting were identified. Participants reported that the pervasiveness and social acceptance of tobacco use in homeless settings contributed to smoking more cigarettes per day, adopting alternative smoking behaviors such as smoking cigarette butts and making their own cigarettes, and experiencing difficulty in quitting. High levels of boredom and stress also were cited as reasons for continued smoking. Smoking frequently occurred in combination with alcohol or illicit drug use or to achieve a substitute "high." Most participants (76%) reported that they planned to quit smoking in the next 6 months. Many were interested in using pharmacotherapy in combination with behavioral treatments. Results suggest that, although motivated to quit smoking, homeless smokers are faced with unique social and environmental barriers that make quitting more difficult. Interventions must be flexible and innovative to address the unique needs of homeless smokers. Smoking restrictions at homeless service facilities and funding for smoking cessation assistance in this underserved population may help to reduce prevalence.
Substance use problems reported by historically Black college students: combined marijuana and alcohol use versus alcohol alone.

Abstract Using secondary data analysis, this study compares alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems experienced by African-American students attending a historically Black university who use alcohol only versus those who use alcohol plus marijuana. Results indicate that students who used marijuana plus alcohol experienced more AOD problems than their counterparts who used alcohol only. The current findings are similar to previous research with a majority White college student population.
Some results in graph theory and their application to abstract relational biology.

It has been shown in earlier work that one approach to what Rashevsky has called “abstract biology” is through the study of the class of (\(\mathfrak{M}, \Re \))-systems that can be formed in an arbitrary subcategory of the category of sets. The concept of the (\(\mathfrak{M}, \Re \))-system, however, depends on the availability of mappings that contain other mappings in their range. It is shown that, by introducing an appropriate measure for this property, the problem of characterizing those categories suitable for a rich theory of (\(\mathfrak{M}, \Re \))-systems reduces to a problem familiar from the general theory of graphs. Some new results in these directions are obtained, and it is then shown that any category with mappings that possess properties we might expect to hold in the physical world will also admit a rich theory of (\(\mathfrak{M}, \Re \))-systems. In particular, it is shown that a sufficiently large family of mappings drawn at random from such a category will with overwhelming probability contain an (\(\mathfrak{M}, \Re \))-system.
Structural analysis of a hmg-coA-reductase pseudogene: insights into evolutionary processes affecting the hmgr gene family in allotetraploid cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Structural analysis of hmg-coA reductase (hmgr) genes in the allotetraploid cotton species Gossypium hirsutum L. revealed the first-known existence of a pseudogene, ψhmg5, for this important enzyme. Complete sequencing of the genomic clone hmg5 unveiled several deleterious lesions, resulting in an organization that departed significantly from the linear canonical hmgr gene structure. Although analysis of the 5′ flanking region indicated a promoter-like composition based on comparison with other known plant hmgr genes, the precise loss of intron 3, and putative poly-(A) signals, small poly-(A) tracts, and terminal repeats (TRs) found in the 3′-flanking region are characteristic features of retro-pseudogenes. DNA-blot analysis indicated that a ψhmg5-related subfamily exists within a larger hmgr gene family in cotton. Several mechanisms are proposed to account for the formation of this partially intronless pseudogene, including intragenic homologous-replacement recombination and gene conversion involving a cDNA. Alignments of ψhmg5 with functional cotton homologs also raised interesting possibilities for the formation of `chimeric' gene structures, or differential intragenic mutation rates, as potential evolutionary mechanisms involved in shaping the hmgr gene family in cotton.
Security Seals on Voting Machines: A Case Study

Tamper-evident seals are used by many states’ election officials on voting machines and ballot boxes, either to protect the computer and software from fraudulent modification or to protect paper ballots from fraudulent substitution or stuffing. Physical tamper-indicating seals can usually be easily defeated, given they way they are typically made and used; and the effectiveness of seals depends on the protocol for their application and inspection. The legitimacy of our elections may therefore depend on whether a particular state’s use of seals is effective to prevent, deter, or detect election fraud. This paper is a case study of the use of seals on voting machines by the State of New Jersey. I conclude that New Jersey’s protocols for the use of tamper-evident seals have been not at all effective. I conclude with a discussion of the more general problem of seals in democratic elections.