cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conformational flexibility determines the Nf2/merlin tumor suppressor functions

Abstract The Neurofibromatosis type 2 gene encodes the Nf2/merlin tumor suppressor protein that is responsible for the regulation of cell proliferation. Once activated, Nf2/merlin modulates adhesive signaling pathways and thereby inhibits cell growth. Nf2/merlin controls oncogenic gene expression by modulating the Hippo pathway. By responding to several physical and biochemical stimuli, Hippo signaling determines contact inhibition of proliferation as well as organ size. The large tumor suppressor (LATS) serine/threonine-protein kinase is the key enzyme in the highly conserved kinase cascade that negatively regulates the activity and localization of the transcriptional coactivators Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its paralogue transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). Nf2/merlin belongs to the band 4.1, ezrin, radixin, moesin (FERM) gene family that links the actin cytoskeleton to adherens junctions, remodels adherens junctions during epithelial morphogenesis and maintains organized apical surfaces on the plasma cell membrane. Nf2/merlin and ERM proteins have a globular N-terminal cloverleaf head domain, the FERM domain, that binds to the plasma membrane, a central α-helical domain, and a tail domain that binds to its head domain. Here we present the high-resolution crystal structure of Nf2/merlin bound to LATS1 which shows that LATS1 binding to Nf2/merlin displaces the Nf2/merlin tail domain and causes an allosteric shift in the Nf2/merlin α-helix that extends from its FERM domain. This is consistent with the fact that full-length Nf2/merlin binds LATS1 ~10-fold weaker compared to LATS1 binding to the Nf2/merlin-PIP2 complex. Our data increase our understanding of Nf2/merlin biology by providing mechanistic insights into the Hippo pathway that are relevant to several diseases in particular oncogenic features that are associated with cancers.
Racial disparity in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to ocular hypotensive medication among patients of African and European descent

Purpose : Emerging evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately affected people of African descent (AD), is disrupting health behaviors such as medication adherence. Studies have not yet assessed, however, whether medication adherence is differentially affected in people of AD, a population shown to have poorer adherence prior to the pandemic. We examined whether racial disparities exist in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medication adherence in people of AD and European descent (ED). Methods : We used a controlled interrupted time series design in which the interruption was the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States on March 13, 2020. The 300-day follow-up period, which bracketed this declaration, started on October 16, 2019 and ended on August 10, 2020. Patients were selected from an ongoing longitudinal NIH-funded study initiated prior to the onset of the pandemic, if they had primary openangle glaucoma, were prescribed ocular hypotensive medication and had adherence data spanning the 300 days of the study. The primary outcome was daliy adherence defined as the number of doses taken divided by the number of doses prescribed, expressed as a percentage. Adherence was measured objectively using Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). Segmented regression analysis using the slope change following a lag impact model was performed and the Davies test was used to compare the slopes in the periods preceding and following the pandemic. Results : 72 patients (35 of AD and 37 of ED) were included. Prior to the pandemic, mean adherence was 75 ± 25% in patients of AD and 91 ± 15% in people of ED (p = 0.001). In patients of AD, the slopes in the periods preceding (0.0% / day) and following (-0.07% / day) the pandemic were significantly different (p < 0.001). In patients of ED, the slopes in the periods preceding (0.01% / day) and following (-0.02 / day) the pandemic were similar (p = 0.05). Conclusions : Medication adherence, a health behavior critical in the management of chronic diseases, was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in patients of African descent with glaucoma. The vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic should be used to inform the development of interventions that will ensure continued use of medication during crisis periods, particularly in high-risk populations.
Fractionated Radiotherapy for Pleomorphic Adenoma.

Purpose/Objective(s) Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign salivary gland tumor. It is primarily treated with definitive surgery. Rarely, radiation therapy can be utilized for recurrent lesions and in other scenarios such as positive margins. There are relatively few studies reporting efficacy and outcomes of pleomorphic adenoma treated with radiation therapy. The purpose of this project is to report tumor control, complications, and survival outcomes of patients treated with fractionated radiotherapy at our institution with pleomorphic adenoma. Materials/Methods This was a retrospective analysis of survival outcomes and treatment-related toxicity in patients with pleomorphic adenoma treated with fractionated radiotherapy at our institution between 1970 and 2016. We excluded patients who did not have a histologic diagnosis and those with prior unrelated head or neck radiation. We identified 35 patients who met these criteria. The Kaplan-Meier product limit method was utilized to assess time-dependent endpoints. Results Median clinical follow-up was 9.1 years and median imaging follow-up was 6.9 years. The 15-year cause-specific survival rate was 86% and the 15-year overall survival rate was 68%. The rate of 15-year local control was 64%; however, 42% of patients with local failures were ultimately successfully controlled with salvage therapies. The rate of patients who experienced grade 3 or higher CTCAE toxicity was 17%. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this study comprises the largest cohort of pleomorphic adenoma patients treated with fractionated radiotherapy in the last 25 years. Our data suggests that radiation therapy is efficacious and minimally toxic in this rare clinical scenario. Furthermore, in patients who do recur following radiation therapy, there is a relatively high rate of successful salvage.
Presynaptic Modulation of Acetylcholine Release

Modulation of synaptic transmission, both pre- and postsynaptically is gaining considerable recognition as a means of fine tuning the nervous system, a requisite for understanding behavioral changes. In this laboratory we are focusing on presynaptic modulation, with an ultimate goal of investigating the molecular mechanisms that may be involved.
Groups Over Z

Let C be a commutative ring with 1. Let A be a coalgebra over C with diagonal map d : A ? A ? C A (it is assumed A has a counit ? : A ? C) and let R be an algebra over C with multiplication m: R ? C R ? R (it is assumed R has a unit p : C ? R).
Why learning objects

This paper intends to answer the question, why Learning Objects (LOs)? It argues that LO is a form of organizing knowledge. Like other historically evolved forms of organizing knowledge such as, mythology, narrative poems, books and others. LOs are a logical expression of contemporary conditions of knowledge, its purpose and the information networks where the learning is produced, distributed and consumed.
Improved distributed regional location management scheme for mobile IP

Mobile IP is the current standard supporting user mobility in wireless IP networks. Mobile IP regional registration is proposed by IETF to reduce the mobile IP location update cost by making the registration localized. A distributed regional registration scheme is also introduced to choose the GFAs dynamically. In the distributed scheme, the signaling burden is evenly distributed among the network and the regional network boundary is dynamically adjusted according to the mobile user's up-to-date mobility and traffic load. In this paper, we develop a system model to analyze the distributed scheme performance. We also propose an improved distributed scheme which is called improved distributed regional location management scheme in our paper. The analytical results show that the dynamic scheme can reduce the mobile IP mobility management cost effectively and the improved scheme can perform better.
Ionospheric plasma resonances: Time durations vs. latitude, altitude, and ⨍N/⨍H

Time durations versus latitude, altitude, and electron plasma frequency to electron cyclotron frequency ratio for ionospheric plasma resonances observed by Alouette satellites
The Rise of Scientific Curriculum Making and Its Aftermath

chapter, "Curriculum Construction and Consensus of Opinion" and of W. W. Charters in the succeeding chapter, "Curriculum Making and the Method of Job Analysis," Bode was attacking not only the work of two men who had established themselves as the prototypes of the curriculum specialist, but the very foundations on which curriculum as a field of specialization had been based. Bode probably did not suspect, however, that the notion of careful prespecification of educational objectives (with variations in terminology and technique) and the notion of activity analysis as the means toward their "discovery" (also with variations in terminology and technique) would become the foundations on which, almost half a century later, many books would be written, Ph.D.s awarded, careers established, and millions of dollars expended. Certainly Bode never dreamed that legislation embodying these principles would be enacted across the United States and that the very ideas he was attacking would become semi-official doctrine in federal and state agencies as well as in many educational institutions.
Use of RNA interference to inhibit integrin (alpha6beta4)-mediated invasion and migration of breast carcinoma cells

The application of small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotides to silence gene expression has profound implications for the intervention of human diseases including cancer. Using this technique, we explored the possibility that the α6β4 integrin, a laminin adhesion receptor with a recognized role in the invasive phenotype of many carcinomas, represents a potential therapeutic target to inhibit the migration and invasion of carcinoma cells. We found that siRNA oligonucleotides targeted to either subunit of the α6β4 integrin reduced cell surface expression of this integrin and resulted in decreased invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells. Interestingly, reduced α6β4 expression also promoted decreased migration on non-laminin substrata indicating that this integrin can function in a ligand-independent manner. In addition, the absence of β4 expression in these cells augmented the formation of α6β1 heterodimers and increased adhesion to laminin-1. Taken together, these results substantiate the importance of the α6β4 integrin in invasion and migration that has been demonstrated previously by expression of the β4 subunit in β4-deficient cell lines and by function blocking antibodies. Furthermore, these data suggest that the utilization of siRNA oligonucleotides to reduce the expression of the α6β4 integrin may be a useful approach to prevent carcinoma cell progression.
Preliminary Staining of Bacteria: Negative Stain

Negative staining is one of the many staining techniques that can be employed for viewing of bacterial cell morphology and size. The advantages of the negative stain include the use of only one stain and the absence of heat fixation of the sample. Negative staining employs the use of an acidic stain and, due to repulsion between the negative charges of the stain and the bacterial surface, the dye will not penetrate the cell. In negative staining, the results yield a clear cell with a dark background.
Influence of a Ceiling on Fire Plume Velocity and Temperature

A series of experiments with a fire impinging onto a ceiling were conducted to quantify the influence of a ceiling on the fire plume centerline gas temperatures and vertical velocities. A 0.3 m square porous burner with propane as the fuel type provided a steady-state diffusion flame. Time averaged gas temperatures and velocities were measured at 76 mm vertical intervals along the centerline of the impinging fire plume for fire heat release rates of 50 kW and 90 kW and flame height to ceiling height ratios of L f /H = 2, 1.5, 1, and 0.8/0.85. At elevations close to the burner surface, gas temperature and velocity were independent of ceiling height. As the elevation above the burner increased, gas temperatures decreased slightly with increasing ceiling height, while velocities differed greatly across ceiling heights, initially increasing with elevation followed by a decrease toward zero close to the ceiling. Simulation results from fire dynamics simulator (FDS) compared well with measured gas temperature and velocity with their maximum values within 5.7% and 11.6%, respectively. Compared with fire plume correlations, gas temperatures compared well while velocities were in agreement up to 60% of the ceiling above which velocities decreased toward zero close to the ceiling.
Gibbs sampling and bioinformatics

Gibbs sampling is one of the best-known Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. Its first and most popular application to bioinformatics is the sequence motif finding problem. Since then, Gibbs sampling has been successfully applied to many other interesting genomics and bioinformatics problems, especially haplotype inference and microarray biclustering. Keywords: Gibbs sampling; sequence motif finding; haplotype inference; microarray biclustering
Direct and Indirect Effects of Textbook Modality on Adolescents' Reading Engagement and Comprehension

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. May 2013. Major: Educational Psychology. Advisor: Matthew K. Burns. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 130 pages, appendices A-D.
The spec# programming system: an overview

The Spec# programming system is a new attempt at a more cost effective way to develop and maintain high-quality software. This paper describes the goals and architecture of the Spec# programming system, consisting of the object-oriented Spec# programming language, the Spec# compiler, and the Boogie static program verifier. The language includes constructs for writing specifications that capture programmer intentions about how methods and data are to be used, the compiler emits run-time checks to enforce these specifications, and the verifier can check the consistency between a program and its specifications.
A Case Study: A Discussion of Depression, Ambivalence, Attachment, and Culture Portrayed in the Therapeutic Environment

ABSTRACT This paper uses object relations theory to conceptualize and manage the complexities of a home-based case that was followed for a period of six months. It discusses maternal depression in relation to the caregiver role, self-harm, and self-determination. The client's ambivalence issues are addressed, with particular emphasis on transference and countertransference issues in the relationship and the use of transitional space and objects. Also discussed is the effect of maternal depression and ambivalence on mother-infant attachment, with the introduction of interaction-guidance as a treatment modality. An examination of cultural differences and the concomitant ethical implications that arose in the treatment process is provided. Finally, therapeutic implications and reflexivity are addressed.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DOMAINS OF APO CALMODULIN ALTER CALCIUM BINDING AND STABILITY

Calmodulin (CaM) is an essential protein that exerts exquisite spatial and temporal control over diverse eukaryotic processes. Although the two half-molecule domains of CaM each have two EF-hands and bind two calcium ions cooperatively, they have distinct roles in activation of some targets. Interdomain interactions may mediate coordination of their actions. Proteolytic footprinting titrations of CaM [Pedigo and Shea (1995) Biochemistry 34, 1179-1196; Shea, Verhoeven, and Pedigo (1996) Biochemistry 35, 2943-2957] showed that calcium binding to the high-affinity sites (III and IV in the C-domain) alters the conformation of helix B in the N-domain despite sites I and II being vacant. This may arise from calcium-induced disruption of interactions between the apo domains. In this study, comparing the cloned domains (residues 1-75, 76-148) to whole CaM, the proteolytic susceptibility of helix B in the apo isolated N-domain was higher than in apo CaM. The isolated N-domain was monotonically protected by calcium binding and had a higher calcium affinity than when part of whole CaM. The change in affinity was small (1-1.5 kcal/mol) but acted to separate the domain saturation curves of whole CaM. Unfolding enthalpies and melting temperatures of the apo isolated domains did not correspond to the two transitions resolved for apo CaM. In summary, the interactions between domains of apo CaM protected the N-domain from proteolysis and raised its Tm by 10 degrees C, demonstrating that CaM is not the sum of its parts.
Can Time Flow Backwards

The nature of time is one of the crucial problems in the philosophy of science, and it cannot be solved by an appraisal of past formulations of the time concept, nor by introspective examination of our awareness of time. Among the philosopher’s tasks is the seemingly thankless one of scrutinizing the advance of modern science for significant facts and ideas, and to integrate these into the larger notions he has formed of time. Recent physics bears suggestions of peculiar interest in this regard; chief among them is the theory of quantum electrodynamics developed by Feynman which involves reversals in the course of time and thereby cherishes, in the minds of many, an age-old phantasy of more than scientific appeal. To appraise that theory in philosophic terms is the purpose of this note.
DBCP residue studies in soil and well water from two south carolina peach orchards

Soil samples collected from a peach orchard near a well containing 1 pg kg−1 1,2-dibromo-3chloropropane (DBCP) (contaminated) and from a peach orchard with a well containing 0.1 pg kg−1 DBCP (uncontaminated) contained less than 0.1 gg kg−1 and 0.5 μg kg−1 DBCP residue, respectively. Soil profiles did not explain the presence of DBCP in the contaminated well. However, a possible spill of DBCP approximately 30 m from the contaminated well may have contaminated the well water. Soil samples taken at the site of the possible spill contained high concentrations of DBCP in the upper meter and at 6.1 m where the water table was encountered. The data indicate that the water contamination resulted from this spill of DBCP and not from normal agricultural use.
Gender equality and the sex differential in suicide rates using gender-age standardized data

Using crude suicide rates, Lester (1994) reports that occupational segregation and gender egalitarianism are not significantly related to the sex differential in suicide rates, male suicide rates, and female suicide rates in 24 countries. Using a gender-age standardized version of Lester's data, occupational segregation is significantly related to all four dependent variables, and gender egalitarianism is significantly related to two of the four dependent variables.
Intracavity gain detection: example I 2 , Br 2

Optical gains as small as 2 × 10−5 are detectable by placing the gain medium inside the cavity of a cw dye laser and operating the laser slightly above threshold to take advantage of moderate spatial hole burning. This technique was used to measure gain on the 40′ → 6″, 7″, and 8″ transitions in optically pumped Br2.
Ultrastructural evidence for neurogenically mediated changes in blood vessels of the rat dura mater and tongue following antidromic trigeminal stimulation

Abstract We investigated the effects of unilateral electrical trigeminal ganglion stimulation (0.1 or 1.0 mA, 5 Hz, 5 ms, 5 min) on the morphology of blood vessels within the rat dura mater and tongue using light and transmission electron microscopy. Stimulation at both intensities caused changes which were confined to the ipsilateral post-capillary venules except in the tongue where arterioles were affected as well. Changes were more marked after 1.0mA. Dramatic increases in the numbers of endothelial pinocytotic vesicles were found along the luminal and abluminal surfaces ipsilateral to the stimulation. Tight junctions remained largely intact, except that injected ferritin particles were occasionally trapped inside these junctions. Cytoplasmic microvilli and endothelial blebs were sometimes present as well. Approximately 80% of the examined dural post-capillary venules showed one or more of these endothelial changes. Horseradish peroxidase injected intravenously 5 min prior to stimulation was detected in the extracellular space surrounding dural blood vessels and within pinocytotic vesicles. Ferritin injected similarly, was also localized in post-capillary venule walls, interstitial spaces, intraendothelial vesicles and in vacuoles. Platelet accumulation and aggregation were present in approximately 10% of post-capillary venules in dura and tongue. These changes were associated with mast cell secretion, but neither vascular nor mast cell activation was observed in adult rats in whom C-fibers were destroyed during the neonatal period with capsaicin. The present observations provide morphological evidence which supports findings from previously reported albumin tracer studies suggesting enhanced transport and endothelial activation following electrical stimulation of small caliber afferent fibers.
Effect of combined radiation injury on cell death and inflammation in skin

In the event of a nuclear disaster, the individuals proximal to the source of radiation will be exposed to combined radiation injury. As irradiation delays cutaneous repair, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of combined radiation and burn injury (CRBI) on apoptosis and inflammation at the site of skin injury. Male C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to no injury, thermal injury only, radiation only (1 and 6 Gy) and CRBI (1 and 6 Gy) and euthanized at various times after for skin collection. TUNEL staining revealed that the CRBI 6 Gy group had a delayed and increased apoptotic response. This correlated with decreased recovery of live cells as compared to the other injuries. Similar response was observed when cleaved-caspase-3 immunohistochemical staining was compared between CRBI 6 Gy and thermal injury. TNFR1, caspase 8, Bax and IL-6 mRNA expression revealed that the higher CRBI group had delayed increase in mRNA expression as compared to thermal injury alone. RIPK1 mRNA expression and necrotic cell counts were delayed in the CRBI 6 Gy group to day 5. TNF-α and NFκB expression peaked in the CRBI 6 Gy group at day 1 and was much higher than the other injuries. Also, inflammatory cell counts in the CRBI 6 Gy group were lower at early time points as compared to thermal injury by itself. These data suggest that CRBI delays and exacerbates apoptosis and inflammation in skin as well as increases necrosis thus resulting in delayed wound healing.
Malnutrition and social isolation: learning in the developing rhesus monkey.

Abstract Early diet and environment were manipulated in a factorial experiment in which the mastery of a spatial delayed alternation task was investigated. Protein-calorie malnutrition resulted in a retarded rate of acquisition while partial social isolation appeared to enhance performance relative to socially reared groups. No interaction was found between treatments.
Asymmetric transbilayer distribution of sterol across plasma membranes determined by fluorescence quenching of dehydroergosterol.

A new method for measurement of transbilayer distribution of sterol in plasma membranes is reported. The procedure utilized a fluorescent sterol, dehydroergosterol, and a chemical quenching agent, trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid. Dehydroergosterol was useful as a probe molecule for sterols for the following reasons. (a) Dehydro- ergosterol contained no bulky side chains as reporter groups. (b) Dehydroergosterol structurally resembled cholesterol and desmosterol, the primary sterol synthesized by LM fibroblasts. (c) Dehydroergosterol interacted with digitonin, filipin, and served as a substrate for cholesterol oxidase. (d) The phase transition of dipalmitoylglycero-phosphocholine was completely abolished by dehydroergosterol. (e) The native sterol of LM fibroblasts, desmosterol, was completely replaced by dehydroergosterol without effect on LM cell growth, cell doubling time, plasma membrane (Na +,K +)-ATPase and 5′-nucleotidase activity, microsomal NADPH-dependent cytochrome c reductase activity, and mitochondria1 succinate-dependent cytochronie c reductase activity. (f) Neither the phospholipid composition nor the sterol/phospholipid ratio of LM fibroblasts were altered by supplementation with dehydroergosterol. The trinitrophenyl group of trinitrophenylglycine or of surface membranes of LM fibroblasts or red blood cells treated with trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid was an excellent quencher of dehydroergosterol fluorescence. Fluorescence in mouse very-low-density lipoproteins, LM fibroblast plasma membranes, red blood cell surface membranes, and in rat red blood cell membranes was quenched 95 ± 3%, 20 ± 2% 75 ± 4% and 69 ± 4% respectively when the quenching agent was present on only the extracellular side of the membrane. Trinitrophenyl residues effectively quenched the dehydroergosterol fluorescence in the plasma membrane of LM cells by 20% when dehydroergosterol was present from 1–85 mol/l00 mol of the mcrnbrane sterol. When both sides of the plasma membrane were trinitrophenylated, greater than 95% of the dehydroergosterol fluorescence was quenched. In addition, when LM cells were cultured with dehydroergosterol, exposed to latex beads, and the endocytosed particles isolated as phagosomes and treated with trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid under non-penetrating conditions, the fluorescence of the dehydroergosterol was quenched nearly 64%. From these and other results we deduced that the inner monolayer of the LM fibroblasts plasma membrane was enriched with dehydroergosterol. In contrast, the distribution of the sterol in red blood cell membranes indicated an enrichment in the outer monolayer
Dry Cucurbitacin-containing Baits for Controlling Diabroticite Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Dry ground baits impregnated with insecticide and containing cucurbitacins as arrestants and feeding stimulants are effective in controlling adult western corn rootworms, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, and southern corn rootworms, Diabrotica undecimpunctata Howardi Barber. Bait effectiveness was proportional to the concentration of cucurbitacins, but differences between different bitter cucurbit sources were negligible. Carbamate insecticides, particularly methomyl, were generally judged superior for bait efficacy compared with organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides. Addition of eugenol to the dried cucurbitacin bait increased response of D. u. howardi adults to the bait by ca. 4-fold, but had no effect on response of D. v. virgifera. Initial studies suggest that substantial reductions in adult corn rootworm populations may be obtained with broadcast applications of baits containing ca. 0.1% cucurbitacins and 0.1% insecticide applied at 11–33 kg/ha in corn or cucurbits.
Pyloromyotomy through an Infraumbilical Incision: Open Technique and Superb Cosmesis

BACKGROUND: The optimal incision for pyloromyotomy remains controversial. METHODS: A new pyloromyotomy incision has been developed. The incision is placed circumferentially in the infraumbilical crease, and accesses the pylorus after dividing the umbilical stalk and enlarging the natural umbilical defect. After the pyloromyotomy, the fascia is closed, simultaneously repairing any concomitant umbilical hernia. Patients were followed up at 2 weeks and at three months after operation. The results of the first 14 consecutive operations over a 5-month period by, or under the supervision of, one staff surgeon are reported. RESULTS: All 14 pyloromyotomies were successfully completed through the infraumbilical incision. The series included 4 patients with metabolic alkalosis requiring preoperative correction. One duodenal perforation was recognized and repaired. Mean age and weight of the patients was 31.2 days (range 13-55), and 3 754 g (range 2 880-5 400), respectively. Mean operation time was 28.4 minutes (range 17-46). Mean duration between operation and discharge was 1.93 days (range 1-6), and mean total hospital stay was 2.8 days (range 1-8). There were no immediate or delayed wound complications. A virtually scarless appearance was seen in all patients on follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A new infraumbilical pyloromyotomy combines the benefits of the laparoscopic and open approaches and results in superb cosmesis.
A Generalized Knowledge-Based Discriminatory Function for Biomolecular Interactions

Several novel and established knowledge-based discriminatory function formulations and reference state derivations have been evaluated to identify parameter sets capable of distinguishing native and near-native biomolecular interactions from incorrect ones. We developed the r·m·r function, a novel atomic level radial distribution function with mean reference state that averages over all pairwise atom types from a reduced atom type composition, using experimentally determined intermolecular complexes in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and the Protein Data Bank (PDB) as the information sources. We demonstrate that r·m·r had the best discriminatory accuracy and power for protein-small molecule and protein-DNA interactions, regardless of whether the native complex was included or excluded from the test set. The superior performance of the r·m·r discriminatory function compared to seventeen alternative functions evaluated on publicly available test sets for protein-small molecule and protein-DNA interactions indicated that the function was not over optimized through back testing on a single class of biomolecular interactions. The initial success of the reduced composition and superior performance with the CSD as the distribution set over the PDB implies that further improvements and generality of the function are possible by deriving probabilities from subsets of the CSD, using structures that consist of only the atom types to be considered for given biomolecular interactions. The method is available as a web server module at http://protinfo.compbio.washington.edu.
Winter grazing system and supplementation during late gestation influence performance of beef cows and steer progeny.

A 2 x 2 factorial study evaluated effects of cow wintering system and last trimester CP supplementation on performance of beef cows and steer progeny over a 3-yr period. Pregnant composite cows (Red Angus x Simmental) grazed winter range (WR; n = 4/yr) or corn residue (CR; n = 4/yr) during winter and within grazing treatment received 0.45 kg/d (DM) 28% CP cubes (PS; n = 4/yr) or no supplement (NS; n = 4/yr). Offspring steer calves entered the feedlot 14 d postweaning and were slaughtered 222 d later. Precalving BW was greater (P = 0.02) for PS than NS cows grazing WR, whereas precalving BCS was greater (P 0.32) by PS. Calf weaning BW was less (P = 0.01) for calves from NS cows grazing WR compared with all other treatments. Pregnancy rate was unaffected by treatment (P > 0.39). Steer ADG, 12th-rib fat, yield grade, and LM area (P > 0.10) were similar among all treatments. However, final BW and HCW (P = 0.02) were greater for steers from PS-WR than NS-WR cows. Compared with steers from NS cows, steers from PS cows had greater marbling scores (P = 0.004) and a greater (P = 0.04) proportion graded USDA Choice or greater. Protein supplementation of dams increased the value of calves at weaning (P = 0.03) and of steers at slaughter regardless of winter grazing treatment (P = 0.005). Calf birth and weaning BW were increased by grazing CR during the winter. Calf weaning BW was increased by PS of the dam if the dam grazed WR. Compared with steers from NS cows, steer progeny from PS cows had a greater quality grade with no (P = 0.26) effect on yield grade. These data support a late gestation dam nutrition effect on calf production via fetal programming.
Detection of neonatal bacteremia

controlled maternal metabolic status cannot be ruled out as important contributing factors to postnatal hyperbilirubinemia. No correlation was found between VECO and serum bilirubin concentration at the time of the determination or at its peak, but the total bilirubin produced, though obligatorily reflected in VECO, may not be directly reflected in the serum bilirubin concentration. The latter would also depend on hepatic uptake, conjugation, excretion, and enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin, suggesting that one or more of these other factors may also play a role in the hyperbilirubinemia seen in IDMs. The weight ratio as an index of macrosomia has been felt to be an indicator of diabetes control of the mother, and has been shown to be significantly correlated with the presence of HgbAlc in the mother. TM Accepting this criterion of maternal diabetes control, it would seem that increased excretion of CO is directly related to poor maternal diabetes control. This implies that prenatal metabolic influences exerted on the fetus by the mother may affect postnatal bilirubin production in the infant. That this effect is most evident in macrosomic infants would be expected, since these infants are the ones presumably most adversely affected by their prenatal environment. Since the mean "VECO for IDMs who were not macrosomic was also increased, other compounding factors which are not necessarily associated with macrosomia, such as varying degrees of postnatal caloric deprivation, may be contributing to the increased production in these infants. 1
Building better SDI profiles for users of large, multidisciplinary data bases

An investigation was conducted for the purpose of improving the performance of SDI profiles in a large and complex data base that contains over a million references to the scientific and technical literature and one that uses full-text indexing for retrieval purposes. Extensive use was made of the on-line retrospective retrieval system to investigate how the retrieval logic and a certain number of the explicitly indexed terms could be used to make retrieval more effective. The items examined included COSATI subject codes; Universal Decimal Classification codes; patent classification codes; journal titles; synonyms; homographs; abbreviations; compound words; spelling variations, including British spellings, commonly misspelled words, and legitimate spelling variants; British terminology; foreign language words; and truncation. The number of relevant documents recalled by using this technique often can be greatly increased.
Differential use of signal transduction pathways in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone-mediated regulation of gonadotropin subunit gene expression.

The regulation of LH and FSH subunit gene expression is under the control of GnRH. Physiological changes in the frequency of pulsatile GnRH release from the hypothalamus result in differential stimulation of α-, LHβ-, and FSHβ-gene expression. Previous studies indicate that the GnRH receptor couples to G proteins of the Gq/11 family, with phosphoinositide turnover and its resultant increase in intracellular calcium concentration and protein kinase C (PKC) activation, to stimulate secretion of LH and FSH. However, the molecular mechanisms by which GnRH mediates its transcriptional effects remain largely unknown. We used GH3 cells, constitutively expressing the rat GnRH receptor (GGH3-1′ cells) and transiently transfected with a luciferase reporter gene controlled by either the α, LHβ, or FSHβ gene regulatory region (αLUC, LHβLUC, and FSHβLUC, respectively), to examine the roles of several signal transduction pathways in the GnRH-mediated stimulation of gonadotropin subunit gene expression. Activation of PK...
Effects of feeding frequency and symbiosis with zooxanthellae on nitrogen metabolism and respiration of the coral Astrangia danae

Colonies of the temperate coral Astrangia danae occur naturally with and without zooxanthellae. Basal nitrogen excretion rates of nonsymbiotic colonies increased with increasing feeding frequency [average excretion rate was 635 ng-at N (mg-at tissue-N)-1 h-1]. Reduced excretion rates of symbiotic colonies were attributed to N uptake by the zooxanthellae. Nitrogen uptake rates of the zooxanthellae averaged 8 ng-at N (106 cells)-1 h-1 in the dark and 21 ng-at N (106 cells)-1 h-1 at 200 μEin m-2 s-1. At these rates the zooxanthellae could provide 54% of the daily basal N requirement of the coral if all of the recycled N was translocated. Basal respiration rates were 172 nmol O2 cm-2 h-1 for starved colonies and 447 nmol O2 cm-2 h-1 for colonies fed three times per week. There were no significant differences between respiration rates of symbiotic and nonsymbiotic colonies. N excretion and respiration rates of fed (symbiotic and nonsymbiotic) colonies increased greatly soon after feeding. N absorption efficiencies decreased with increasing feeding frequency. A N mass balance, constructed for hypothetical situations of nonsymbiotic and symbiotic (3×106 zooxanthellae cm-2) colonies, starved and fed 15 μg-at N cm-2wk-1, showed that the presence of symbionts could double the N growth rate of feeding colonies, and reduce the turnover-time of starved ones, but could not provide all of the N requirements of starved colonies. Rates of secondary production, estimated from rates of photosynthesis and respiration were similar to those estimated for reef corals.
Les protéines antigel

Dans les eaux froides des regions polaires, des poissons ont ≪ invente ≫ un moyen original de lutte contre le gel: des proteines qui empechent la croissance de la glace.
Laryngeal nerve injuries: Evaluation and management

Vocal fold immobility is a frequently encountered problem in the practice of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery. In many cases, the etiology of this immobility is paralysis or paresis of one or both recurrent laryngeal nerves, although superior laryngeal nerve palsies, combined superior and recurrent laryngeal nerve paralyses, and/or fixation of the cricoarytenoid joint may also be incriminated. When presented with such a patient, the otolaryngologist must be prepared to evaluate the etiology and degree of involvement to be able to recommend and carry out the best management of the disease process.
The Effect of Participant Diversity on Perceived Merits of Collaborative Innovations

Technological innovations often involve collaborations between firms from diverse industries. How does the diversity of participating firms’ industry background affect external reviewers’ evaluatio...
Evaluation of oral water irrigation devices.

Water irrigation devices (WIDs) are widely used in homes and dental offices across the country for oral hygiene. There have been several reported cases of tissue damage with the use of these device...
Norman C. Gysbers: A Proponent of Comprehensive School Guidance Programs

Norman C. Gysbers has been a major contributor to the field of counseling and guidance for more than 30 years, not only through scholarship, but also through leadership. Gysbers is best known for his work in comprehensive school guidance and for his many national leadership positions. In this article, he discusses both his life and the evolution of counseling and school guidance programs.
N-Linked oligosaccharide structures in the diamine oxidase from porcine kidney

Structures of the N-linked glycans released from porcine kidney diamine oxidase (DAO) were characterized utilizing various analytical techniques, including matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF-MS), high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE), and high-pH anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). The oligosaccharide sequences present in DAO were conclusively determined using specific exoglycosidases in conjunction with MALDI/TOF-MS. The structures found in the glycoprotein are primarily linear, di-, or tribranched fucosylated complex type. MS analysis of the esterified N-glycan pool derived from DAO indicated the presence of several di- and trisialylated structures.
Employing logic-enhanced memory for high-performance ATM network interfaces

With the advent of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), network speeds are increasing substantially, and the greater communication bandwidth provides considerable potential for distributed applications. However, communication throughput delivered to the user applications has not increased as rapidly: network interfacing has become the next bottleneck. Consequently, better designs for network interfaces are essential to take full advantage of the higher-speed communication links such as the ATM. We present a novel hardware architecture for an ATM network interface employing memory with select on-chip data processing logic; i.e., logic-enhanced memory (LEM). We exhibit how LEM-based interfaces are particularly suitable for servers, where the majority of the operations are memory-intensive processing for client requests.
Measurement of Parental Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Management in Young Children

Self-efficacy is an important construct in diabetes management, especially for parents of young children. The Parental Self-Efficacy Scale for Diabetes Management (PSESDM) was adapted from the Perceived Diabetes Self-Management Scale (PDSMS) to measure parental self-efficacy for diabetes management of young children. The PSESDM was administered to 49 primary caregivers of youth between 2–9 years of age with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Cronbach’s alpha for the 8-item measure demonstrated adequate internal consistency (α = 0.84). Criterion-related validity was established. Higher scores on the PSESDM were associated with better glycemic control and quality of life in children. These preliminary findings provide support for the reliability and validity of the PSESDM, which may be a useful screening measure of diabetes-related parental self-efficacy for young children.
The interaction of phospholipids in monolayers with bovine serum albumin and α-lactalbumin adsorbed from solution

Abstract The interaction of phospholipids in monolayers with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and bovine α-lactalbumin (ALA) adsorbed from solution has been studied by ultraviolet and circular dichroism spectroscopy of films transferred from the air—water interface of a Langmuir film balance. The lipid monolayers were mixtures of palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) and palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylglycerol (POPG). The subphase pH's studied (4.4–7.0) covered the range of acidities found in milk and other dairy products. Both BSA and ALA exhibited considerable adsorption to monolayers of POPC POPG ( 65 35 mol%) at pH 4.4, but only a small amount of either protein was detected in the mixed films when the subphase pH was 7. At a subphase pH of 4.4, a 50% reduction in BSA—lipid binding was observed with about 0.5 mM calcium in the subphase, whereas less than 25 μM calcium was required when the subphase pH was 5.2. At pH 4.4, reduction of ALA—lipid binding by 50% required only 25 μM calcium. The results with BSA suggest an electrostatic mechanism for lipid—protein interaction where the protein is tightly bound to the lipid at pH's below the isoionic point of the protein while the lipid—protein interaction is weaker at the isoionic pH and essentially negligible at pH's above the isoionic point. The results with ALA are consistent with this mechanism.
The Effect of Bone Modulus on the Stress Distribution in a Dental Implant: A 3D Finite Element Analysis

The long-term success of dental implants depends, in part, on the stress distribution created in the bone, when the implant is loaded by biting forces. In this presentation, we present our findings on the stress distribution characteristics of a dental implant by varying bone mechanical properties surrounding the implant.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
FAULT TOLERANT CONTROL SYSTEM: QFT DESIGN

This paper addresses flight control system synthesis and the accommodation of controlled plant variation in an aircraft design envelope by using the frequency domain based quantitative feedback theory (QFT) robust control system design method. Plant variations considered include varying flight conditions in the flight envelope and damage to aerodynamic control surfaces. A robust flight control system is designed for the aircraft's longitudinal and lateral directional channels and validated with simulations containing nonlinear saturation elements. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This paper was produced under the auspices of the US Government and it is therefore not subject to copyright in the US.
A Mother and Child Reunion

> Few subjects can be conceived calculated to attract…more serious thought and attention on the part of obstetricians, than the bearing of organic disease of the heart on the condition of the pregnant, parturient, and lying-in woman….and yet scarcely a subject that borders on the mutual region occupied by the obstetric and the pure physician seems to have received less study from either the one or the other. The reason, no doubt, is partly due to the cramping effects of a too rigid specialism….But as every woman has not only a uterus and ovaries, but also a liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, etc….1 > > Angus Macdonald, 1878 > > The Bearings of Chronic Disease of the Heart on Pregnancy, Parturition, and Childbed Pioneering studies and clinical experience long ago identified the major risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with congenital heart disease (CHD): functional status, pulmonary vascular disease, systemic ventricular dysfunction, and cyanosis.1–4 Additional insights have been provided by subsequent observational studies, population-based research, and reports of pregnancy in new and evolving populations of women with CHD. These studies have validated and expanded earlier observations and provided critical quantitative tools to stratify risk.5–7 They have not, however, fundamentally informed our understanding of why a subset of these women and their offspring suffer specific adverse outcomes. There is an increasingly well-described problem with no clear path toward …
Targeted Transfer of Polyethylenimine–Avidin–DNA Bioconjugates to Hematopoietic Cells Using Biotinylated Monoclonal Antibodies

Here we examine whether attachment of biotinylated antibodies to proteins on the cell surface increases the transfection efficiency of polyethylenimine-avidin-DNA bioconjugate gene transfer. Preliminary experiments were performed to compare avidin endocytosis into cells incubated with biotinylated antibodies. Antibody biotinylation resulted in the endocytosis of avidin-FITC into nearly 100% of cells compared with no detectable binding or entry into unbiotinylated cells. Gene transfer was accomplished with avidin conjugated to polyethylenimine (PEI) at a molar ratio of 4:1 (PA4). Plasmid DNA encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was condensed on the PA4, and transfection efficiencies were measured by flow cytometry as the percentage of cells that fluoresced at levels greater than two standard deviations above the negative control. Gene transfer efficiencies were compared among K562, HEL, and Jurkat leukemia cell lines. Control transfections with DNA alone or untargeted PEI-DNA resulted in </=2% GFP positive cells. Targeting PEI-avidin-DNA to antibody biotinylated cells increased transfection efficiency several fold over untargeted PEI. For each cell type, the increase in transfection efficiency was not significantly different among four biotinylated antibodies tested (antiCD55, antiCD59, antiCD71, and antiCD98). These data suggest biotinylated antibodies may be useful for targeting polyethylenimine-avidin mediated gene transfer.