cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Birth Synchrony in American Bison (Bison bison): Response to Predation or Season?

Calving of American bison was observed at the National Bison Range, Montana, in 1982. Approximately 80% of the calves were born in the last week of April and first 2 weeks of May. During calving, cow-calf pairs grouped preferentially with other cow-calf pairs rather than with cows without calves. Because of their open-country habit and lack of group defense, bison are well-suited for application of Estes (1976) predator confusion and saturation hypothesis of reproductive synchrony. However, comparison shows that the length of bison calving seasons is fairly typical for temperate zone ungulates. Although bison calves are highly precocious, bison do not show the calving aggregations predicted by the anti-predator hypothesis. Thus, climatic factors appear to be the best explanation of breeding synchrony in bison.
Conventional fractionated radiation therapy vs. radiosurgery for selected benign intracranial lesions (arteriovenous malformations, pituitary adenomas, and acoustic neuromas)

Despite growing interest in radiosurgery, the precise role of radiosurgery relative to that of conventional fractionated external-beam radiation therapy is not fully clear. A critical review of the available data suggests that radiosurgery is both a safe and effective treatment for small arteriovenous malformations, pituitary adenomas and acoustic neuromas. For arteriovenous malformations, the effectiveness of radiosurgery is clearly reduced as the size of the malformation increases. Conventional external-beam radiation therapy is also an effective treatment for pituitary adenomas and acoustic neuromas, while the results for arteriovenous malformations are less encouraging. However, most arteriovenous malformations that have been treated with fractionated radiation therapy were large and received relatively low doses of radiation. Onc can speculate that high doses (≥50 Gy) of fractionated radiation therapy may be effective in the treatment of small arteriovenous malformations. Differences in the apparent effectiveness of radiosurgery and conventional fractionated radiation therapy are partly due to patient selection. A single fraction of approximately 20 Gy (a dose frequently used during radiosurgery) is probably ‘biologically equivalent’ to approximately 50 to 110 Gy of fractionated radiation therapy (at 2 Gy/fraction based on the linear quadratic model). In this regard, radiosurgery may be just a means of dose escalation. It remains to be shown that the possible benefit of radiosurgery could not be achieved by simply escalating the doses of fractionated radiation. Further clinical experience is needed to better define the role of radiosurgery. Randomized trials comparing conventional fractionated radiation vs. radiosurgery at approximately equal complication levels may be possible.
Carbazole and trinitrofluorenone: an ab initio investigation of ionization potentials, electron affinities and excited states

Abstract Minimal basis set SCF calculations are reported for the ground states and positive and negative ions of carbazole and tirnitrofluorenone. For carbazole, wavefunctions for several low-lyng excited states have also been obtained. Methods for surmounting convergence difficulties for these large systems are discussed. Relaxation effects in the calculations of excitations energies are considered and found to be significant. Calculated energies are compared to experimental results.
Regulation of Transcription Factors MHR4 and βFTZ-F1 by 20-Hydroxyecdysone during a Larval Molt in the Tobacco Hornworm, Manduca sexta

Abstract During the last larval molt in Manduca sexta, a number of transcription factors are sequentially expressed. Unlike E75A and MHR3, whose mRNAs are induced when the ecdysteroid titer increases, the expression of MHR4 mRNA occurs transiently at the onset of the decline of ecdysteroid titer followed by βFTZ-F1 mRNA expression when the ecdysteroid titer becomes low. When day 2 fourth epidermis was exposed to 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in vitro, MHR4 mRNA appeared between 12 and 21 h, peaked at 24 h, and then declined. Using the protein synthesis inhibitors cycloheximide and anisomycin both in vivo and in vitro, we found that the MHR4 transcript was directly induced by 20E and required the presence of 20E for its expression. The accumulation of MHR4 mRNA, however, did not occur until a 20E-induced inhibitory protein(s) disappeared. This control of MHR4 expression is unique among the ecdysone-induced transcription factors. When the epidermis was cultured with 20E, βFTZ-F1 mRNA was not induced until after the removal of 20E as previously found for Drosophila and the silkworm Bombyx mori. The presence of juvenile hormone had no effect on accumulation of either transcript.
The NAM and the Congressional Investigations of 1913: A Case Study in the Suppression of Evidence

Over a famous Congressional investigation lies the shadow of evidence suppressed for political reasons and long ignored by scholars, who by too glib acceptance of the printed testimony have perpetuated bias as historical fact.
A database of unique protein sequence identifiers for proteome studies

In proteome studies, identification of proteins requires searching protein sequence databases. The public protein sequence databases (e.g., NCBInr, UniProt) each contain millions of entries, and private databases add thousands more. Although much of the sequence information in these databases is redundant, each database uses distinct identifiers for the identical protein sequence and often contains unique annotation information. Users of one database obtain a database-specific sequence identifier that is often difficult to reconcile with the identifiers from a different database. When multiple databases are used for searches or the databases being searched are updated frequently, interpreting the protein identifications and associated annotations can be problematic. We have developed a database of unique protein sequence identifiers called Sequence Globally Unique Identifiers (SEGUID) derived from primary protein sequences. These identifiers serve as a common link between multiple sequence databases and are resilient to annotation changes in either public or private databases throughout the lifetime of a given protein sequence. The SEGUID Database can be downloaded (http://bioinformatics.anl.gov/SEGUID/) or easily generated at any site with access to primary protein sequence databases. Since SEGUIDs are stable, predictions based on the primary sequence information (e.g., pI, Mr) can be calculated just once; we have generated approximately 500 different calculations for more than 2.5 million sequences. SEGUIDs are used to integrate MS and 2-DE data with bioinformatics information and provide the opportunity to search multiple protein sequence databases, thereby providing a higher probability of finding the most valid protein identifications.
Intrathecal methotrexate induces focal cognitive deficits and increases cerebrospinal fluid homocysteine

Although most children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can be cured, a significant subset of survivors manifests focal deficits in cognitive function, even when the treatment regimen does not include cranial radiation. Intrathecal administration of the folate antagonist methotrexate (MTX) is necessary to prevent leukemic relapse within the central nervous system, but is suspected to contribute to treatment-induced cognitive dysfunction. To better elucidate the underlying pathophysiology, we sought to establish a rodent model of the cognitive and neurotoxic effects resulting from direct administration of MTX into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). MTX or artificial CSF was injected via transcutaneous puncture at the level of the cisterna magna. Subsequent behavioral tests were designed to assess cognitive domains frequently impaired among children treated for ALL. MTX administration produced both recognition and spatial memory deficits, without altering general activity or motor coordination. In addition, MTX significantly reduced folate levels in both CSF and serum and increased CSF homocysteine. Thus, we have established an animal model that mimics the clinical effects of prophylactic intrathecal MTX on cognitive function. Using this model we can further study the pathophysiology of MTX-induced cognitive dysfunction and test protective interventions.
Backward Stimulated Raman Scattering in Shock-Compressed Benzene

Backward stimulated Raman scattering measurements have been used to measure the frequency shift of the 992-${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ vibrational ring-stretching mode of benzene shock-compressed to pressures of 0.6 to 1.2 GPa. Results of the dynamic experiment are compared to shifts measured for benzene isothermally compressed with a diamond-anvil cell. A Gr\"uneisen mode $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ was determined for this vibrational degree of freedom.
Effect of divalent cation concentrations on the antibiotic susceptibilities of nonfermenters other than Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The effects of supplementing Mueller-Hinton broth with calcium and magnesium on the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of eight aminoglycosides, colistin, tetracycline, and carbenicillin for 11 nonfermenters other than Pseudomonas aeruginosa were studied and compared with the effects for Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa . MICs were simultaneously performed in unsupplemented Mueller-Hinton broth and Mueller-Hinton broth supplemented to contain 5 mg of calcium and 2.5 mg of magnesium per dl. Changes in MICs were expressed as the increases in the number of log 2 concentrations caused by supplementation. The usual increases in MICs of aminoglycosides caused by supplementation were: zero concentrations for E. coli , one to six concentrations for P. aeruginosa , and one to two concentrations for most other nonfermenters. The largest increases (five to six concentrations) were observed with gentamicin and P. aeruginosa . The usual increases in MICs of colistin were: zero concentrations for E. coli , two concentrations for P. aeruginosa , and one to two concentrations for other nonfermenters. Increases in MICs of tetracycline were: one to five concentrations for all organisms tested. The usual increases in MICs of carbenicillin were: zero concentrations for E. coli and P. aeruginosa and zero to two concentrations for other nonfermenters. These observations indicated that supplementation of Mueller-Hinton broth to contain recommended concentrations of calcium and magnesium had little effect on MICs of aminoglycosides and colistin for E. coli but increased MICs for most nonfermenters, increased MICs of tetracycline for E. coli and all nonfermenters, and had little effect on MICs of carbenicillin for E. coli and P. aeruginosa but increased the MICs for several nonfermenters other than P. aeruginosa .
Nurses' Conflicting Values in Competitively Managed Health Care

The combined effect of the medical model of care and a philosophy of health care as a business is threatening the complex human interactions that are essential to nursing. In the United States, nursing in 1999 is practiced in an environment that restricts understanding of its value and purpose.
Structural Factors affecting the kinetics of O,N-acyl transfer in potential O-peptide prodrugs

Abstract In the present study, the conversion kinetics of a number of O-peptide prodrugs have been investigated to elucidate the importance of side chain bulkiness, backbone cyclization and the reactive amine moiety. The significant difference in the chemical reactivities of iso[Val-MeLeu (3-OH)-Abu] and iso[Val-Leu (3-OH)-Abu], indicated that the nature of amine moiety is important to the kinetics of O,N-acyl migration. The importance of side chain bulkiness and backbone cyclization were found to be less significant.
An affinity-based method for the purification of fluorescently-labeled biomolecules.

Due to the difficulty of separating mixtures of labeled and unlabeled biomolecules, a general new method for the affinity purification of modified proteins has been developed. A Sepharose-based solid support bearing ‚-cyclodextrin groups was used to capture chromophore-modified proteins selectively, while unmodified proteins remained in solution. After isolation of the resin, the modified proteins were released by treating the sample with a competitive cyclodextrin binder, such as adamantane carboxylic acid. This procedure was demonstrated for several dyes displaying a wide range of spectral characteristics and diverse chemical structures. Preliminary studies have shown that this method can also be used to enrich modified peptide fragments present in proteolytic digests. This technique is anticipated to accelerate the development of new protein modification reactions and could provide a useful tool for proteomics applications.
CALCULATION OF ELECTRON-ELECTRON SCATTERING

The matrix elements involved in the calculation of electron-electron and positron-electron scattering are written down explicitiy for a complete set of initial and final spin states of the particles. This permits the evaluation of the cross section for any polarization combination desired, with a minimum of labor. (auth)
Spin and parity of the T = 12K ππ system near 1.3 GeV☆

Abstract The Kππ Dalitz plots for the two reactions K + p→K♂π + p at 7.38 GeV/ c beam momentum in the effective mass interval 1.2 M Kππ ∗++ (1.13 M π + p J P = 1 + to the Kππ system, are supported by the observed correlations of the outgoing K and K ∗ with the incident K + .
Polynomial-time theory of matrix groups

We consider matrix groups, specified by a list of generators, over finite fields. The two most basic questions about such groups are membership in and the order of the group. Even in the case of abelian groups it is not known how to answer these questions without solving hard number theoretic problems (factoring and discrete log); in fact, constructive membership testing in the case of 1 × 1 matrices is precisely the discrete log problem. So the reasonable question is whether these problems are solvable in randomized polynomial time using number theory oracles. Building on 25 years of work, including remarkable recent developments by several groups of authors, we are now able to determine the order of a matrix group over a finite field of odd characteristic, and to perform constructive membership testing in such groups, in randomized polynomial time, using oracles for factoring and discrete log. One of the new ingredients of this result is the following. A group is called semisimple if it has no abelian normal subgroups. For matrix groups over finite fields, we show that the order of the largest semisimple quotient can be determined in randomized polynomial time (no number theory oracles required and no restriction on parity). As a by-product, we obtain a natural problem that belongs to BPP and is not known to belong either to RP or to coRP. No such problem outside the area of matrix groups appears to be known. The problem is the decision version of the above: Given a list A of nonsingular d × d matrices over a finite field and an integer N, does the group generated by A have a semisimple quotient of order > N? We also make progress in the area of constructive recognition of simple groups, with the corollary that for a large class of matrix groups, our algorithms become Las Vegas.
Nuclear‐Spin Polarization in Electron‐Transfer Reactions of Amines

Chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (CIDNP) observed during electron transfer (ET) reactions of tertiary amines such as DABCO (1) or Et3N (2) with a wide range of electron acceptors support the involvement of amine radical-cations (e.g., 1.+ or 2.+) as key intermediates. Radical ions such as 2.+ may be deprotonated, generating neutral aminoalkyl radicals (e.g., 2.). When generated by reaction with an electron acceptor of energetically low triplet state such as naphthalene (1Naph*), the resulting pair 2.+/Naph.− reacts mostly by reverse electron transfer (RET) from triplet pairs populating the naphthalene triplet state.
Chemical and radiochemical stability of the adrenal-scanning agents, 66-iodomethyl-19-norcholest-5(10)-en-3β-ol and 19-iodocholest-5-en-3β-ol

Abstract The chemical stabilities of the adrenal-scanning agents, 6β-iodo-methyl-19-norcholest-5(10)-en-3β-o1 (6-iodomethylnorcholesterol) and 19-iodocholest-5-en-3β-ol (19-iodocholesterol), and several of their derivatives were examined by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. Neat 6-iodometh-ylnorcholesterol, sealed in glass under nitrogen and stored at 0°C, remains 98 mole% chemically pure for 3 months. Neat 19-iodocholesterol, stored in the dark at 25°C, remains 98 mole% chemically pure for 3 months. Either 6-iodomethylnorcholesterol-125I or-131I, in formulation and stored at 5°C, will remain > 97% radiochemically pure for at least 15 days. Labelled 19-iodocholesterol, formulated and stored under the same conditions, shows 20% decomposition after 3 weeks and 40% after 6 weeks.
Some Applications of the Method of Least Squares to Agricultural Experiments

The estimation of the probable errors of a large number of small duplicate plats well distributed in the area devoted to a field experiment indicates that the precision of agricultural experiments can be increased by replicating the experiments on small plats. Replication is urged not only for giving greater precision in experiments in which the results justify the increased labor, but also for furnishing a means whereby the experimenter and his reading public may determine what reliance can be placed upon the data and conclusions of the experiment. Replication also lessens the uncertainties involved in the use of check plats, and may decrease the total area required for the conduct of field experiments.
Truth and falsity in group.

The universal tension and juxtaposition between truth seeking and truth evasion are explored in a contemporary relational context, drawing on Bion’s later ideas on group. Bion’s key idea of “psi,” ...
Rapid Economic Assessment of Flood-control Failure along the Rio Grande: A Case Study

Recent flood events along the international border between the USA and Mexico resulted in significant economic damage and loss of human life. The International Boundary and Water Commission, the agency responsible for monitoring US–Mexican flood control levees, had requested funding for maintenance and improvement of these levees. However, the Office of Management and Budget requires agencies to provide benefits or in this case avoided loss estimates to justify the budget request. Due to severe time constraints in the budgetary process there was a need for a rapid assessment of the potential economic impacts from a failure of this ageing flood-control infrastructure. The economic losses avoided by four major flood-control projects on the Rio Grande were estimated using an innovative combination of satellite imagery, geographic information systems, and economic methods. The control projects apply to about 547 km (340 miles) of levees from Caballo Reservoir in New Mexico to Brownsville, Texas, and include s...
Does the Market Value Corporate Philanthropy? Evidence from the Response to the 2004 Tsunami Relief Effort

This study investigates the market reaction to corporate press releases announcing donations to the relief effort following the December, 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. Based on a sample of 79 U.S. companies, results indicate a statistically significant positive 5-day cumulative abnormal return. While differences in the timing of the press releases do not appear to have influenced market reactions, the amount of the donations did. Overall, the results appear to support Godfrey’s (Academy of Management Review30, 777–798; 2005) assertion that philanthropic giving must be perceived as being a genuine manifestation of the firm’s underlying social responsiveness in order to increase firm value.
Studies of the unfolding of an unstable mutant of staphylococcal nuclease: Evidence for low temperature unfolding and compactness of the high temperature unfolded state

Fluorescence and circular dichroism data as a function of temperature were obtained to characterize the unfolding of nuclease A and two of its less stable mutants. These spectroscopic data were obtained with a modified instrument that enables the nearly simultaneous detection of both fluorescence and CD data on the same sample. A global analysis of these multiple datasets yielded an excellent fit of a model that includes a change in the heat capacity change, deltaC(p), between the unfolded and native states. This analysis gives a deltaC(p) of 2.2 kcal/mol/ x K for thermal unfolding of the WT protein and 1.3 and 1.8 kcal/mol/K for the two mutants. These deltaC(p) values are consistent with significant population of the cold unfolded state at approximately 0 degrees C. Independent evidence for the existence of a cold unfolded state is the observation of a separately migrating peak in size exclusion chromatography. The new chromatographic peak is seen near 0 degrees C, has a partition coefficient corresponding to a larger hydrodynamic radius, and shows a red-shifted fluorescence spectrum, as compared to the native protein. Data also indicate that the high-temperature unfolded form of mutant nuclease is relatively compact. Size exclusion chromatography shows the high temperature unfolded form to have a hydrodynamic radius that is larger than that for the native form, but smaller than that for the urea or pH-induced unfolded forms. Addition of chemical denaturants to the high-temperature unfolded form causes a further unfolding of the protein, as indicated by an increase in the apparent hydrodynamic radius and a decrease in the rotational correlation time for Trp140 (as determined by fluorescence anisotropy decay measurements).
Rehabilitation outcomes in c6 tetraplegia

This study reports on the rehabilitation outcome of 69 C6 tetraplegic patients admitted to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago during an 8 year period. All patients' last normal level was C6 bilaterally. A 100-point modified Barthel Index was used to obtain measures of functional independence in 15 self-care and mobility tasks. The population consisted of 54 males and 15 females with an average age of 29.2 years. The average number of days from injury to admission to the rehabilitation unit was 58.6 and the average length of rehabilitation stay was 108.4 days. The average Modified Barthel Index score increased from 16.6 on admission to 50.1 on discharge. The Self-Care Subscore increased from 12.8 to 32.2 and the Mobility subscore from 3.7 to 17.9. There were statistically significant increases in the number of patients able to perform all tasks except ability to don an orthosis and ability to walk 50 yards. This study documents a significant increase in function of C6 spinal cord injured patients during rehabilitation.
Hepatoprotective Role of Endogenous Interleukin-13 in a Murine Model of Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Disease

Recent evidence suggests that a deficiency in one or more hepatoprotective regulatory mechanisms may contribute to determining susceptibility in drug-induced liver disease. In the present study, we investigated the role of interleukin (IL)-13 in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver disease (AILD). Following APAP (200 mg/kg) administration to male C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice, hepatotoxicity developed up to 24 h post-APAP, with a concomitant increase in serum IL-13 concentration. Pretreatment of these mice with an IL-13-neutralizing antibody exacerbated liver injury, as did APAP administration to IL-13 knockout (KO) mice in comparison to WT mice. No difference was observed in either overall APAP−protein adduct formation or liver glutathione levels between KO and WT mice following APAP administration, suggesting that the increased susceptibility of IL-13 KO mice to AILD was not due to enhanced APAP bioactivation but rather injurious downstream events. In this regard, multiplex antibody arrays were used to iden...
Progress report from SUNY at Buffalo

Following Prof. David G. Hays's suggestions concerning a network form for the representation of knowledge in the human mind, we are constructing a robot that will create and use a human memory based on the linguistic experience of learning to drive a car. The main functional components in the model are a Parser, an Integrator, a Planner, and an Effector. The robot is to be simulated in a general-purpose digital computer.
Relationships Between Mechanical Properties and Extracellular Matrix Constituents of the Cervical Stroma During Pregnancy

In normal pregnancy, the cervix maintains its shape during a period of substantial fetal and uterine growth. Hence, maintenance of biomechanical integrity is an important aspect of cervical function. It is known that cervical mechanical properties arise from extracellular matrix (ECM). The most important constituent of the cervical ECM is fibrillar collagen—it is collagen protein that the cervix derives its “strength” from. Other matrix molecules known to affect the collagen network include water, proteoglycans, hyaluronan, and elastin. The objective of this review is to discuss relationships between biochemical constituents and macroscopic mechanical properties. The individual constituents of the ECM will be discussed, especially in regard to collagen remodeling during pregnancy. In addition, the macroscopic mechanical properties of cervical tissue will be reviewed. An improved understanding of the biochemistry of cervical “strength” will shed light on how the cervix maintains its shape in normal pregnancy and shortens in preterm birth.
A phase II pilot trial investigating the efficacy and activity of single agent granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor as maintenance approach in castration - resistant prostate cancer patients responding to chemotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the toxicity and efficacy of GM-CSF in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients who maximized their response to systemic chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: CRPC patients who maximized their response to either docetaxel or mitoxantrone chemotherapy were eligible if they demonstrated adequate performance status, liver, kidney, and bone marrow function. Maximum response to chemotherapy was defined as either receiving at least 8 cycles of chemotherapy without radiographic or biochemical progression, receiving less than 8 cycles as long as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) changes by less than 10%, or being off chemotherapy for less than 12 weeks without disease progression. Patients received GM-CSF at 250 mcg/m 2 subcutaneously for 14 days followed by 14 days of rest. GM-CSF was continued until disease progression. Results: Fifteen patients were enrolled of which all were evaluable for toxicity and 13 were evaluable for efficacy. Median age was 78 (range 66-96) and 93% of patients had a Gleason score ≥ 7. Biochemically, 2 patients (15.3%) attained partial response (PR) and 4 (30.7%) had stable disease (SD). Median time to PSA progression was 6 months (range 4-12). Radiographically, 9 patients (69.2%) had SD that lasted a median of 6 months (range 2-10). With a median follow-up of 24 months from starting GM-CSF (range 2-38), 2 patients (13.3%) remain alive and well. Median OS from start of any chemotherapy was 21 months (range 10-44). GM-CSF was well-tolerated with minimal expected manageable toxicities. Conclusions: GM-CSF is active post-chemotherapy in CRPC patients. Further studies with GM-CSF in this setting are warranted.
Four years of BATSE gamma-ray burst observations

In four years BATSE has observed more than 1000 gamma-ray bursts, making unprecedented measurements of their spatial and brightness distributions. These measurements and their implications for the origin of gamma-ray bursts are reviewed.
Guest Editors' Introduction: Overview of Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks could advance many scientific pursuits while providing a vehicle for enhancing various forms of productivity, including manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and transportation.
O.14 Optimization and evaluation of new read-through compounds (RTCs) for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Approximately 13% of mutations causing DMD are due to premature termination codons (PTCs) that lead to degradation of the mRNA template and to the production of a non-functional, truncated polypeptide. Using a luciferase-independent high-throughput screening assay we have identified novel RTCs capable of suppressing PTCs and demonstrated their ability to suppress the mdx UAA premature termination codon in exon 23 of the dystrophin gene. Among those, RTC13 was shown to restore dystrophin expression into skeletal muscles of mdx mice more efficiently than gentamicin or PTC124 suggesting that this compound may have great therapeutic potential for the treatment of DMD. When administered systemically, RTC13 was shown to restore significant amounts of dystrophin in different muscle groups, including diaphragm and heart. Improved muscle strength was detected in all treated animals and was accompanied by a significant decrease in creatine kinase (CK) levels. Structure activity relationship (SAR) studies were used to optimize the molecular structure of RTC13 and to identify a derivative that meets optimal safety profiles while still maintaining maximal read-through activity. Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and safety profiles were assessed after oral delivery of the compound and to determine the effective dose to be administered to achieve sustained effects. Dystrophin expression was assessed in mdx mice subjected to a 4-week oral regimen and correlated to functional and morphological analyses of muscle. No signs of toxicity were detected in mdx after prolonged administration of RTC13 demonstrating that the compound was well tolerated in mice. These results demonstrate that RTC13 is an ideal candidate for the treatment of DMD due to nonsense mutations as well as other forms of muscular dystrophies characterized by PTCs.
Optimum design of systems for dynamics and controls using sequentialquadratic programming

This paper describes application of a sequential quadratic programming method for dynamic response optimization and optimal control problems. Several methods to treat time-dependent constraints are described
Radiation-induced effects in a highly birefringent fibre

The effect of γ-ray irradiation on a high-birefringence polarisation-holding fibre is investigated. A permanent attenuation of 2000 dB/km at a wavelength of 0.85 μm results from a dose of 6 × 105 rad. For the same dose, there is no appreciable change in either the fibre birefringence or the polarisation-holding parameter. This indicates that no significant crosscoupling of the polarisation modes is caused by the defects induced by ionising radiation.
Sphere light field rendering

Light field algorithm is one of the most famous image-based rendering techniques. In this paper, an improved light field algorithm - sphere light field algorithm - is proposed. This new algorithm replaces the parallel planes used in traditional light field algorithms by a triangularly parameterized sphere surface. Comparing to the traditional light field algorithms, this new algorithm achieves a more uniform distribution of light slabs in the three dimensional space. This improves the quality of the rendered images. Using the triangular parameterization and subdivision of the whole light field, less calculation and less memory are needed, resulting in improved real-time rendering.
Workforce Allocation in Cyclical Scheduling Problems: A Survey

This paper surveys the basic mathematical models for workforce scheduling with cyclic demand for staff, and reviews several problem areas in which these models have been successfully adapted and applied.
Characteristics of Pt-Rh gauze catalyst and kinetics of the HCN synthesis

Abstract Investigations were done on the HCN synthesis via the combustion of methane, air, and ammonia over Pt-Rh gauze catalyst. A pack of new catalyst required 60 to 80 hr to be fully activated. It could then maintain its economical life for several thousand hours. The relationships of catalyst activity with morphological change, crystal structure, surface area, and gauze impurities were defined. After external diffusion resistance was eliminated, maximum conversion of NH3 to HCN was found at a certain contact time. During this period, the rate of HCN formation was approximately first order each with respect to NH8 and CH4.
Real investment and stock prices in the USA

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to re‐examine the relationship between real investment and stock prices for the USA for 1960‐2005 in view of distinct economic regimes during the 40‐year period.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs simple models of investment, checks for cointegration, and applies the value at risk (VAR) methodology.Findings – First, it was found that during the 1960‐1990 period investment and the stock market exhibited a good relationship and shared a common stochastic trend. Second, during the 1990‐2005 period this relationship broke down. Finally, extending the model to include the long‐term interest rate did not produce significant impacts on or feedbacks from and to either variable. It is concluded that the 1990‐2005 period has been distinct from the previous periods in that the stock market did not always abide by the fundamentals such as interest rates and/or investment expenditures. It is thus concluded that the high stock market growth rates of the 1990s have adve...
EBSTEIN'S ANOMALY: PRE AND POSTOPERATIVE EXERCISE CARDIORESPIRATORY FUNCTION

To determine the effects of definitive operation for Ebstein's anomaly upon rest and exercise cardiorespiratory function, we performed cycle exercise studies on 38 patients with Ebstein's anomaly prior to operation and 10 patients after operation. All but 2 of the postop studies represented a maximal cardiorespiratory effort. Mean age of the preop group was 15.5 years and the postop group 13.6 years. Atrial septal defects were present in 31 of 38 preop and 0 of 10 postop patients. Seven of 10 postop patients had tricuspid valvuloplasty and 3 had valve replacement. All existing atrial septal defects were closed. Comparing pre to postop studies exercise duration increased* from 49.5 ± 21 to 77.9 ± 15% of predicted and maximum oxygen consumption increased* from 20.9 ± 7 to 27.2 ± 7 cc/kg/min. Rest systemic arterial oxygen saturation increased* from 87 ± 9 to 95 ± 3% and exercise saturation increased* from 77 ± 15 to 94 ± 3%. Maximum exercise heart rate was 80 ± 11 preop and 84 ± 13% of predicted postop. Rest ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/VO2) decreased* from 48 ± 13 preop to 38 ± 6 postop and exercise VE/VO2 decreased* from 53 ± 23 preop to 38 ± 6 postop. Definitive operation (tricuspid valvuloplasty or replacement and ASD closure) results in significant improvement of exercise tolerance and normalization of systemic arterial oxygen saturation, and reduction of excess ventilation at rest and during exercise. * = P<0.05 ± = standard deviation
Myosin-II inhibition and soft 2D matrix maximize multinucleation and cellular projections typical of platelet-producing megakaryocytes

Cell division, membrane rigidity, and strong adhesion to a rigid matrix are all promoted by myosin-II, and so multinucleated cells with distended membranes—typical of megakaryocytes (MKs)—seem predictable for low myosin activity in cells on soft matrices. Paradoxically, myosin mutations lead to defects in MKs and platelets. Here, reversible inhibition of myosin-II is sustained over several cell cycles to produce 3- to 10-fold increases in polyploid MK and a number of other cell types. Even brief inhibition generates highly distensible, proplatelet-like projections that fragment readily under shear, as seen in platelet generation from MKs in vivo. The effects are maximized with collagenous matrices that are soft and 2D, like the perivascular niches in marrow rather than 3D or rigid, like bone. Although multinucleation of other primary hematopoietic lineages helps to generalize a failure-to-fission mechanism, lineage-specific signaling with increased polyploidy proves possible and novel with phospho-regulation of myosin-II heavy chain. Label-free mass spectrometry quantitation of the MK proteome uses a unique proportional peak fingerprint (ProPF) analysis to also show upregulation of the cytoskeletal and adhesion machinery critical to platelet function. Myosin-inhibited MKs generate more platelets in vitro and also in vivo from the marrows of xenografted mice, while agonist stimulation activates platelet spreading and integrin αIIbβ3. Myosin-II thus seems a central, matrix-regulated node for MK-poiesis and platelet generation.
CNS cell groups regulating the sympathetic outflow to adrenal gland as revealed by transneuronal cell body labelling with pseudorabies virus

The CNS cell groups that innervate the sympathoadrenal preganglionic neurons of rats were identified by a transneuronal viral cell body labeling technique combined with neurotransmitter immunohistochemistry. Pseudorabies virus was injected into the adrenal gland. This resulted in retrograde viral infections of the ipsilateral sympathetic preganglionic neurons (T4-T13) and caused retrograde transneuronal cell body infections in 5 areas of the brain: the caudal raphe nuclei, ventromedial medulla, rostral ventrolateral medulla, A5 cell group, and paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH). In the spinal cord, the segmental distribution of virally infected neurons was the same as the retrograde cell body labeling observed following Fluoro-gold injections in the adrenal gland except there was almost a 300% increase in the number of cells labeled and a shift in cell group distribution. These results imply there are local interneurons that regulate the sympathoadrenal preganglionic neurons. In the medulla oblongata, serotonin (5-HT)-, substance P (SP)-, thyrotropin-releasing hormone-, Met-enkephalin-, and somatostatin-immunoreactive neurons of the raphe pallidus and raphe obscurus nuclei and the ventromedial medulla were infected. In the ventromedial and rostral ventrolateral medulla, immunoreactive phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase, SP, neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, and enkephalin neurons were infected. The A5 noradrenergic cells were labeled, as were some somatostatin-immunoreactive neurons in this area. In the were infected. The A5 noradrenergic cells were labeled, as were some somatostatin-immunoreactive neurons in this area. In the hypothalamus, tyrosine hydroxylase- and SP-immunoreactive neurons of the dorsal parvocellular PVH were infected. Only a few immunoreactive vasopressin, oxytocin, Met-enkephalin, neurotensin, and somatostatin PVH neurons were labeled.
Do salt bridges stabilize proteins? A continuum electrostatic analysis

The electrostatic contribution to the free energy of folding was calculated for 21 salt bridges in 9 protein X-ray crystal structures using a continuum electrostatic approach with the DELPHI computer-program package. The majority (17) were found to be electrostatically destabilizing; the average free energy change, which is analogous to mutation of salt bridging side chains to hydrophobic isosteres, was calculated to be 3.5 kcal/mol. This is fundamentally different from stability measurements using pKa shifts, which effectively measure the strength of a salt bridge relative to 1 or more charged hydrogen bonds. The calculated effect was due to a large, unfavorable desolvation contribution that was not fully compensated by favorable interactions within the salt bridge and between salt-bridge partners and other polar and charged groups in the folded protein. Some of the salt bridges were studied in further detail to determine the effect of the choice of values for atomic radii, internal protein dielectric constant, and ionic strength used in the calculations. Increased ionic strength resulted in little or no change in calculated stability for 3 of 4 salt bridges over a range of 0.1-0.9 M. The results suggest that mutation of salt bridges, particularly those that are buried, to "hydrophobic bridges" (that pack at least as well as wild type) can result in proteins with increased stability. Due to the large penalty for burying uncompensated ionizable groups, salt bridges could help to limit the number of low free energy conformations of a molecule or complex and thus play a role in determining specificity (i.e., the uniqueness of a protein fold or protein-ligand binding geometry).
JOHN DEWEY AND THE SOVIET UNION: PRAGMATISM MEETS REVOLUTION

John Dewey, like many other American intellectuals between the world wars, was fascinated by Soviet events. After visiting Russia in 1928 he wrote excitedly about the “Soviet experiment” and especially about Soviet educational theorists. In his early enthusiasm Dewey hoped that the US and the USSR could learn from each other, especially among the cosmopolitan group of progressive pedagogues he met on his trip. Observing the rise of Stalinism in the 1930s, though, his optimism dissipated; at the same time he came to emphasize historical and cultural differences between the US and the USSR. The result is apparent in Dewey's writings in the late 1930s (especially Freedom and Culture, 1939), as he began to evaluate the Soviet Union in terms that would have been anathema to him a decade earlier. He increasingly blamed Russia's cultural heritage for inhibiting Soviet development along the lines he had envisioned. Dewey's transformation suggests the importance of a cultural reading of American ideas about the USSR. Many American observers joined Dewey in seeing the USSR as the product of Russian culture, with its historical traditions and its own national character—and not just as the instantiation or betrayal of a political doctrine.
SRC-p300 coactivator complex is required for thyroid hormone-induced amphibian metamorphosis

Abstract Gene activation by the thyroid hormone (T3) receptor (TR) involves the recruitment of specific coactivator complexes to T3-responsive promoters. A large number of coactivators for TR have been isolated and characterized in vitro. However, their roles and functions in vivo during development have remained largely unknown. We have utilized metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis to study the role of these coactivators during post-embryonic development. Metamorphosis is totally dependent on the thyroid hormone, and TR mediates a vast majority, if not all, of the developmental effects of the hormone. We have previously shown that TR recruits the coactivator SRC3 (steroid receptor coactivator-3) and that coactivator recruitment is essential for metamorphosis. To determine whether SRCs are indeed required, we have analyzed the in vivo role of the histone acetyltransferase p300/CREB-binding protein (CBP), which was reported to be a component of the SRC·coactivator complexes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that p300 is recruited to T3-responsive promoters, implicating a role of p300 in TR function. Further, transgenic tadpoles overexpressing a dominant negative form of p300, F-dnp300, containing only the SRC-interacting domain, displayed arrested or delayed metamorphosis. Molecular analyses of the transgenic F-dnp300 animals showed that F-dnp300 was recruited by TR (displacing endogenous p300) and inhibited the expression of T3-responsive genes. Our results thus suggest that p300 and/or its related CBP is an essential component of the TR-signaling pathway in vivo and support the notion that p300/CBP and SRC proteins are part of the same coactivator complex in vivo during post-embryonic development.
High incidence of mild acute mountain sickness in conference attendees at 10 000 foot altitude

An epidemic of mild acute mountain sickness (AMS) occurred at a 4-day meeting of epidemiologists held at an altitude of 3000 m (9800 ft) in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA. Questionnaires from 96% of the 105 attendees documented the following symptom frequencies: headache, 59%; shortness of breath, 59%; difficulty in sleeping, 45%; weakness or dizziness, 40%; and nausea, 12%. AMS, defined as three or more symptoms, occurred in 42% of the respondents, and 90% had at least one symptom. One third felt the illness interfered with their concentration at the meeting, and 31% would not plan another meeting at this altitude, although only one person missed meeting sessions as a result of the AMS. AMS should be anticipated by those planning meetings of short duration at high altitude, and by physicians advising travelers to altitudes over 2000 m.
Cystic Muscus-Producing Neoplasia: Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms and Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) are pancreatic epithelial neoplasms that produce abundant extracellular mucus. Both appear cystic on radiologic imaging. Both tumors may potentially develop invasive malignancies. In addition, it is estimated that, when identified, up to 30% of such lesions may harbor concurrent invasive malignancy that will not be identified until resection. Therefore, the current dogma favors surgical resection of many of these tumors when possible.
Design and evaluation of a carbon nanotube-based programmable architecture

In the hunt to find a replacement to CMOS, material scientists are developing a wide range of nanomaterials and nanomaterial-based devices that offer significant performance improvements. One example is the Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor, or CNFET, which replaces the traditional silicon channel with an array of semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Given the increased variation and defects of nanometer-scale fabrication, and the regular nature of bottom-up self-assembly, field programmable devices are a promising initial application for such technologies. In this paper, we detail the design and evaluation of a novel nanomaterial-based architecture called FPCNA (Field Programmable Carbon Nanotube Array). New nanomaterial-based circuit building blocks are developed and characterized, including a lookup table created entirely from continuous CNT ribbons. To accurately determine the performance of these building blocks, we create variation-aware physical design tools with statistical timing analysis that can handle both Gaussian and non-Gaussian random variables. When the FPCNA architecture is evaluated using this CAD flow, we see a 2.75× performance improvement over an equivalent CMOS FPGA at a 95% yield. In addition, FPCNA offers a 5.07× footprint reduction compared to the baseline FPGA.