cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-splicing RNA: Autoexcision and autocyclization of the ribosomal RNA intervening sequence of tetrahymena

In the macronuclear rRNA genes of Tetrahymena thermophila, a 413 bp intervening sequence (IVS) interrupts the 26S rRNA-coding region. A restriction fragment of the rDNA containing the IVS and portions of the adjacent rRNA sequences (exons) was inserted downstream from the lac UV5 promoter in a recombinant plasmid. Transcription of this template by purified Escherichia coli RNA polymerase in vitro produced a shortened version of the pre-rRNA, which was then deproteinized. When incubated with monovalent and divalent cations and a guanosine factor, this RNA underwent splicing. The reactions that were characterized included the precise excision of the IVS, attachment of guanosine to the 5' end of the IVS, covalent cyclization of the IVS and ligation of the exons. We conclude that splicing activity is intrinsic to the structure of the RNA, and that enzymes, small nuclear RNAs and folding of the pre-rRNA into an RNP are unnecessary for these reactions. We propose that the IVS portion of the RNA has several enzyme-like properties that enable it to break and reform phosphodiester bonds. The finding of autocatalytic rearrangements of RNA molecules has implications for the mechanism and the evolution of other reactions that involve RNA.
Partial atrioventricular canal defect : Long-term follow-up after initial repair in patients ≧ 40 years old

Objectives. This study was undertaken to determine the results of repair of partial atrioventricular (AV) canal in patients ≥40 years old. Background. Although postoperative outcomes in younger patients have been well documented, the fate of older patients with repaired partial AV canal is less clear. Methods. From 1958 to 1990, 31 patients 40 to 71 years old (mean age 51) had repair of partial AV canal. Twenty-three patients had repair of the cleft mitral valve; two had mitral valve replacements; and six needed no mitral valve operation. Results. Early mortality was 6%. One patient was lost to follow-up. Nine of the early survivors are known to have died. There is a small but significant development over the long term of atrial arrhythmias, complete heart block, subaortic stenosis, recurrent mitral regurgitation and, rarely, mitral stenosis. Three of the 28 patients available for follow-up had mitral valve reoperation, and subaortic stenosis developed in 2. Nineteen patients were alive in 1991 (mean follow-up 14 years). Seven patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I, eight were in class II, and four were in class III. Fifteen of the 19 patients reported sustained postoperative improvement. Conclusions. Patients ≥40 years old can have partial AV canal repair with low risk. Long-term survival is good, with subjective improvement in symptoms. Late complications occur but are uncommon, suggesting that long-term follow-up is warranted.
Akt phosphorylation regulates the tumour-suppressor merlin through ubiquitination and degradation

The neurofibromatosis-2 (NF2) tumour-suppressor gene encodes an intracellular membrane-associated protein, called merlin, whose growth-suppressive function is dependent on its ability to form interactions through its intramolecular amino-terminal domain (NTD) and carboxy-terminal domain (CTD). Merlin phosphorylation plays a critical part in dictating merlin NTD/CTD interactions as well as in controlling binding to its effector proteins. Merlin is partially regulated by phosphorylation of Ser 518, such that hyperphosphorylated merlin is inactive and fails to form productive intramolecular and intermolecular interactions. Here, we show that the protein kinase Akt directly binds to and phosphorylates merlin on residues Thr 230 and Ser 315, which abolishes merlin NTD/CTD interactions and binding to merlin's effector protein PIKE-L and other binding partners. Furthermore, Akt-mediated phosphorylation leads to merlin degradation by ubiquitination. These studies demonstrate that Akt-mediated merlin phosphorylation regulates the function of merlin in the absence of an inactivating mutation.
PERIODIC-GROUP-DELAY DISPERSION COMPENSATION REDUCES COLLISION-INDUCED TIMING SHIFTS IN DISPERSION-MANAGED QUASILINEAR SYSTEMS

Periodic-group-delay (PGD) dispersion-compensation modules have recently been proposed as mechanisms to alleviate collision-induced timing shifts in dispersion-managed (DM) systems. We obtain frequency and timing shifts in quasilinear DM systems with PGDs and show that significant reductions are achieved when even a small fraction of the total dispersion is compensated by PGDs.
Abstract 1843: Surgical and chemotherapy influence on circulating developmental microRNA miR17-92 and long term survival in breast and ovarian cancer patients.

Background Breast cancer (BrCa) is treated with surgery (SUR), radiation (RAD) and or chemotherapy (CTx) based on stage at diagnosis. Over 75% of women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer (OvCa) are diagnosed at stage III and treated with debulking SUR and CTx. Only 1/5 of OvCa are cured of their disease with SUR followed by CTx. In stage III BrCa 40% are long term survivors after SUR, CTx & RAD. There are no markers to quantify the contribution of each therapeutic intervention to the overall success in cancer patients. Patterns of circulating miRs may explain the role of SUR and CTx in ovarian/breast cancer cure. MiRs-17-92 have essential roles in embryonal and immune system development. MiR-17-92 cluster is deleted in 20% of ovarian cancers. Aims We set out to identify changes microRNA patterns in plasma obtained before and after surgery for breast/ovarian cancer and during chemotherapy that correlated with the patients’ long-term outcomes. Methods Between 2004 and 2011 we investigated patterns of plasma miRNAs collected before, after surgery, during and after chemotherapy in 50 patients presenting for surgery for ovarian cancer 18 breast cancer patients and 11 age and race-matched normal controls. We also collected blood at ovarian cancer relapse and tumor and benign ovary for miRNA analysis. 2-sample t-test was used for all 2-sample comparison and ANOVA followed by Benjamin-Hochberg method for multiple testing to limit the false discovery rate (FDR) at the 5% level. All tests were 2-tailed and results with a p Results Fifty patients were operated for EOC mean age at surgery 65 (range 51-78), 11 race matched women controls - mean age of 58 (range 25-67). Four patients were cured, 21 patients died within 36 month of their diagnosis and 21 patients who survived long term not cured but continue to receive chemotherapy. 18 brCa patients were ER/PR/Her2- W(5), B(5) and ER/PR+ W(5) B(3). MiR-19a was pre-op in patients with short over all survival (p Conclusions During CTx, levels of miR-17-92 change dramatically compared to the pre-surgical levels. Shifts in microRNAs from the cluster 17-92 observed in the nadir phase of adjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian cancer patients correlate with long term outcomes. Breast and ovarian cancer patients with higher circulating miR-17-92 levels in pre-surgical plasma levels had better long-term survival. Citation Format: Iuliana Shapira, Annette Lee, Michaela Oswald, Janaki Parameswaran, Keith Sultan, Daniel Budman. Surgical and chemotherapy influence on circulating developmental microRNA miR17-92 and long term survival in breast and ovarian cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1843. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1843
Digital beta counting and pulse-shape analysis for high-precision nuclear beta decay half-life measurements: Tested on Alm26

Abstract A digital β - counting method has been developed for high-precision nuclear β - decay half-life experiments that use a gas proportional counter. An 8-bit, 1-GS/s sampling-rate digitizer was used to record the waveforms from the detector and a software filter was designed, tested and applied successfully to discriminate genuine β - decay events from spurious signals by pulse-shape analysis. The method of using a high-speed digitizer for precision β counting is described in detail. We have extensively tested the digitizer and the off-line filter by analyzing saved waveforms from the decay of Al m 26 acquired at rates up to 10,000 per second. The half-life we obtain for Al m 26 is 6345.30±0.90 ms, which agrees well with previous published measurements and is as precise as the best of them. This work demonstrates the feasibility of applying a high-speed digitizer and off-line digital signal processing techniques for high-precision nuclear β - decay half-life measurements.
Adipokines, insulin resistance, and coronary artery calcification.

Objectives We evaluated the hypothesis that plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin are independently but oppositely associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC), a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis. In addition, we assessed which biomarkers of adiposity and insulin resistance are the strongest predictors of CAC beyond traditional risk factors, metabolic syndrome, and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP). Background Adipokines are fat-secreted biomolecules with pleiotropic actions that converge in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Methods We examined the association of plasma adipocytokines with CAC in 860 asymptomatic, nondiabetic participants in the SIRCA (Study of Inherited Risk of Coronary Atherosclerosis). Results Plasma adiponectin and leptin levels had opposite and distinct associations with adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Plasma leptin was positively (top vs. bottom quartile) associated with higher CAC after adjustment for age, gender, traditional risk factors, and Framingham risk scores (tobit regression ratio 2.42 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48 to 3.95; p = 0.002) and further adjustment for metabolic syndrome and CRP (tobit regression ratio: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.36 to 3.94; p = 0.002). In contrast, adiponectin levels were not associated with CAC. Comparative analyses suggested that levels of leptin, interleukin-6, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2, as well as the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, predicted CAC scores, but only leptin and HOMA-IR provided value beyond risk factors, metabolic syndrome, and CRP. Conclusions In SIRCA, although both leptin and adiponectin levels were associated with metabolic and inflammatory markers, only leptin was a significant independent predictor of CAC. Of several metabolic markers, leptin and the HOMA-IR index had the most robust, independent associations with CAC.
Slit ventricle syndrome in children: Clinical presentation and treatment

Symptomatic ventricular coaptation, or the slit ventricle syndrome, is frequently described and recognized as a clinical entity in the pediatric population. It is characterized by symptoms of shunt failure (i.e., ataxia, obtundation, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, and complaints of headache) and the CT findings of ventricular coaptation (slit-like ventricles). This study of twenty-two children with this syndrome reflects the variety of possible clinical presentations, and the variety of available treatment modalities. Multiple therapeutic approaches were required in seven of the patients. This illustrates not only an evolving treatment regimen, but also that a single treatment modality is not universally effective. Six patients needed only occasional symptomatic support. Blockage and/or removal of the shunt system was the definitive therapy in six patients, pressure augmentation in nine patients, and subtemporal craniectomy in one. This article outlines the theoretical pathophysiology, and a scheme for the management of patients with this syndrome.
Diminished Role of Dopamine D1-Receptor Signaling with the Development of An Addicted Phenotype in Rats

Background Although considerable evidence implicates dopamine D1-receptor signaling in the nucleus accumbens in motivation for cocaine during early stages of addiction, less is known with regard to its role after the development of addiction. Here, we examined its role in the development of an addicted phenotype in intact male and female rats, and in female rats that were either resistant or vulnerable to developing this phenotype. Methods Intact males, females, and ovariectomized (OVX) females with and without estradiol (vulnerable, OVX+E; resistant, OVX+Veh) were given either short access (ShA) (three fixed-ratio 1 sessions, maximum of 20 infusions) or 24-hour extended access (ExA) to cocaine for 10 days (4 trials/hour). Motivation for cocaine was assessed after a 14-day abstinence period with a progressive-ratio schedule. Once responding stabilized, the effects of intra-accumbens infusion of the D1-receptor antagonist, SCH-23390 (0, .3, 1.0, 3.0 µg), were examined. Results Motivation for cocaine was markedly higher after abstinence from ExA versus ShA self-administration in intact males and females, indicating the development of an addicted phenotype in these groups. Motivation for cocaine was also higher than ShA control subjects in OVX+E but not OVX+Veh females after ExA self-administration, confirming the categorization of these groups as vulnerable versus resistant. After ExA self-administration, intact males and females and OVX+E but not OVX+Veh females were less sensitive to the effects of D1-receptor antagonism as compared with their ShA counterparts. Conclusions These results suggest that the role of D1-receptor signaling, although critical in "nonaddicted" stages, becomes diminished once addiction has developed.
The stability of the Phillips curve in India: Does the Lucas critique apply?

Abstract The overwhelming majority of the literature that has attempted to estimate a Phillips curve for India has found that the model does not fit the data, with the notable exception of Paul (2009) . However, this paper argues that the Indian Phillips curve can be estimated using standard econometric techniques, as opposed to several special adjustments that are required in Paul (2009)’s work. Once we establish the existence of the Phillips curve in India, we examine whether the Lucas critique applies to the behavior of the model under different Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governors. We find that there is little-to-no evidence for structural change in the model between successive RBI Governors. Hence the results demonstrate that the Phillips curve is alive and well in India, and that the Lucas critique does not apply empirically to Indian inflation–output data.
Aerobic Fitness, Micronutrient Status, and Academic Achievement in Indian School-Aged Children

Aerobic fitness has been shown to have several beneficial effects on child health. However, research on its relationship with academic performance has been limited, particularly in developing countries and among undernourished populations. This study examined the association between aerobic fitness and academic achievement in clinically healthy but nutritionally compromised Indian school-aged children and assessed whether micronutrient status affects this association. 273 participants, aged 7 to 10.5 years, were enrolled from three primary schools in Bangalore, India. Data on participants’ aerobic fitness (20-m shuttle test), demographics, anthropometry, diet, physical activity, and micronutrient status were abstracted. School-wide exam scores in mathematics and Kannada language served as indicators of academic performance and were standardized by grade level. The strength of the fitness/achievement association was analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation, multiple variable logistic regression, and multi-level models. Significant positive correlations between aerobic capacity (VO2 peak) and academic scores in math and Kannada were observed (P < 0.05). After standardizing scores across grade levels and adjusting for school, gender, socioeconomic status, and weight status (BMI Z-score), children with greater aerobic capacities (mL * kg-1 * min-1) had greater odds of scoring above average on math and Kannada exams (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.15 and OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.18, respectively). This association remained significant after adjusting for micronutrient deficiencies. These findings provide preliminary evidence of a fitness/achievement association in Indian children. While the mechanisms by which aerobic fitness may be linked to academic achievement require further investigation, the results suggest that educators and policymakers should consider the adequacy of opportunities for physical activity and fitness in schools for both their physical and potential academic benefits.
The dimensions of sexual harassment: A structural analysis

Abstract Despite the growing attention devoted to the topic of sexual harassment in the vocational behavior literature, little formal theory has emerged, and, in fact, basic definitional issues remain unresolved. In the present study, 28 subjects completed 200 paired comparisons of situations describing sexual harassment in a university setting, and rated their degree of similarity on a 7-point bipolar scale. In addition, subjects rated the situations on the degree of severity, type of harassment (quid pro quo vs conditions of work) and form of coercion (psychological vs physical). The results of nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis, supported by a complete link-cluster analysis and a vector-fitting procedure, suggest that the continuum of severity model is an oversimplification, and that at least two dimensions are required to adequately account for the data. The results of an individual differences scaling analysis are also reported and discussed in context of the differing roles played by the two sexes in interactions such as the ones examined in the present study.
Pneumatic pulse dampener for liquid chromatography

A simple pulse dampener is described for use with reciprocating pumps. The dampener may be assembled locally form readily available components and consists mainly of a small reservoir of compressed helium which acts as a cushion to dampen the mobile phase pulsations pneumatically. Depulsing is 99% complete and is uniform through a wide pressure range. The pneumatic dampener allows the use of single- piston reciprocating pumps in conjunction with highly flow-sensitive detectors at their highest sensitivity settings.
Bureaucratic responses to tax limitation amendments

In recent years government budgets in the U.S. have grown at unprecendented rates, particularly at the state and local levels. Perhaps provoked by this spending record, and by the overwhelming approval of California's Proposition 13 (a limit of property tax rates), several states have adopted tax/ spending limits. Activities are proceeding in many other states, and even at the federal level, which would lead to some form of budgetary control. These amendments vary in terms of scope and interest, but their essential purpose is to give voters the right to determine the upper limits to the size of government budgets. Supporters of tax limitation amendments (TLAs) maintain that voter preferences are not accurately reflected in the actual decision-making process. Recent theoretical and empirical work on the economics of state and federal bureaucracy generally support the advocates' characterization [1, 7, 8]. These studies indicate that because of the institutional structure surrounding government decision-making, bureaucratic production tends to result in a level of government goods expenditure exceeding the desired level. A TLA is designed to solve this problem, or so supporters contend, by imposing a ceiling on the spending level. In this paper, we analytically address this intuitively plausible contention. Given the premise that bureaus are monopoly suppliers, a primary purpose of this paper is to outline those circumstances where a TLA will, and will not, make taxpayers better off.1 The effect of a TLA on voter welfare is largely a function of the bureaus' response to the budget ceiling. Of course, the arguments in the bureaucrats' utility function will help shape the bureaus' reaction. Over the last decade, bureaucracy theory has advanced in the direction of explicitly applying traditional utility maximization principles to bureaucratic behavior. William Niskanen's early work posited that bureaucrats simply attempt to maximize the size of their budgets [6]. Noting that this approach unduly delimits the range of utility-maximizing activities, Jean-Luc Migue and Gerard Belanger
Corrigendum to "Incorporation of crop phenology in Simple Biosphere Model (SiBcrop) to improve land-atmosphere carbon exchanges from croplands" published in Biogeosciences, 6, 969–986, 2009

Corrigendum to “Incorporation of crop phenology in Simple Biosphere Model (SiBcrop) to improve land-atmosphere carbon exchanges from croplands” published in Biogeosciences, 6, 969–986, 2009 E. Lokupitiya1, S. Denning1, K. Paustian2,3, I. Baker1, K. Schaefer4, S. Verma5, T. Meyers6, C. J. Bernacchi7, A. Suyker5, and M. Fischer8 1Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA 2Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA 3Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA 4National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA 5School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0978, USA 6NOAA/ARL/ATDD, Oak Ridge, TN 37830-2456, USA 7Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA 8Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Environmental Energy Technologies Division, Atmospheric Science Department, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Lower Bounds for the Norm of the Symmetric Product

Abstract Suppose each of m, n, and k is a positive integer, k ⩾ n, A is a (real-valued) symmetric n-linear function on Em, and B is a k-linear symmetric function on Em. The tensor and symmetric products of A and B are denoted, respectively, by A ⊗B and A⋅B. The identity ‖A · B‖ 2 = ∑ q=0 n ( n k ) ( n+k k ) ‖A⊗ q B‖ 2 is proven by Neuberger in [1]. An immediate consequence of this identity is the inequality ‖A · B ‖ 2 ⩾ n+k n −1 ‖A · B ‖ 2 In this paper a necessary and sufficient condition for ‖A · B ‖ 2 = n+k n − ‖A · B ‖ 2 is given. It is also shown that under certain conditions the inequality can be considerably improved. This improvement results from an analysis of the terms ‖A⊗qB‖, 1⩽q⩽n, appearing in the identity.
R68-40 Sequential Machines and Automata Theory

Quite frequently, a subject of considerable academic interest will emerge with a flow of textbooks that range from very narrow to very broad in scope. Not quite so frequently, a well-organized and comprehensive textbook is written—Booth has written such a book
The effect of background pressure and magnetic field shape on MPD thruster performance

Background pressure and magnetic field shape effect on MPD thrustor performance, testing radiation cooled thrustors
Holding the Line: Limits in Child Psychotherapy

Since the beginning of child treatment, therapists of various orientations have struggled with whether, when, and how to set limits during therapy. Debate centers on the extent to which therapy should impose external limits or develop internal constraints on behavior and whether following one of those courses negatively impacts the other. This paper explores how that determination can be made through the same principles underlying other interventions: an understanding of the complex dynamics of the case; the developmental level of the child; the meaning, purpose, and communication of the offensive behavior; and the dynamics in the transference and countertransference. What happens before, during, and after a limit is set functions as significant therapeutic moments that require their own attention and response, including at times interpretation or reparation. The understanding of underlying dynamics and how they are addressed is what makes limit setting a therapeutic tool that deepens and furthers the the...
Linearized form of implicit TVD schemes for the multidimensional Euler and Navier-Stokes equations

Linearized alternating direction implicit (ADI) forms of a class of total variation diminishing (TVD) schemes for the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations have been developed. These schemes are based on the second-order-accurate TVD schemes for hyperbolic conservation laws developed by Harten (1983, 1984). They have the property of not generating spurious oscillations across shocks and contact discontinuities. In general, shocks can be captured within 1-2 grid points. These schemes are relatively simple to understand and easy to implement into a new or existing computer code. One can modify a standard three-point central-difference code by simply changing the conventional numerical dissipation term into the one designed for the TVD scheme. For steady-state applications, the only difference in computation is that the current schemes require a more elaborate dissipation term for the explicit operator; no extra computation is required for the implicit operator. Numerical experiments with the proposed algorithms on a variety of steady-state airfoil problems illustrate the versatility of the schemes.
Systematic Statistics Used for Data Compression in Space Telemetry

Abstract The need for data compression, a consequence of the demands made on the telemetry system of a space vehicle, prompts consideration of the use of sample quantiles in estimating population parameters and obtaining tests of goodness of fit for large samples. In this paper optimal unbiased estimators of the mean and standard deviation are given using up to twenty quantiles when the parent population is normal. Moreover, the estimators are relatively insensitive to deviations from normality. A distribution-free goodness-of-fit test is presented based on the sum of the squares of four quantiles after an orthogonal transformation to independent normal deviates. If a frequency function is of the form f(x; p) = pf 1(x) + (1 - p) f 2(x), 0 < p < 1, where f 1 and f 2 are normal frequency functions, the distribution is likely to be bimodal. Another goodness-of-fit test is obtained using four quantiles, which is likely to have considerable power with a null hypothesis of normality and the alternative hypothes...
A parent-implemented, naturalistic strategy produced increases in vocalizations and appropriate play in two children with autism1

1 Abstracted from: Gillett, J. N., & LeBlanc, L. A. (2007). Parent-implemented natural language paradigm to increase language and play in children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 1, 247–255.
Drug-induced thrombocytopenia.

A variety of drugs may cause thrombocytopenia. Although it occurs more often than drug-induced anemia it is less well understood because techniques for studying drug-platelet-immune interactions have been unavailable until recently. The mechanisms by which drugs cause thrombocytopenia are varied. Bone marrow suppression or increased peripheral destruction of platelets could be involved. Nonimmunologic as well as immunologic mechanisms may also occur. These different mechanisms of drug-induced thrombocytopenia are reveiwed. Diagnostic methods and treatment are also summarized.
Analysis of bead sizes for MR capsules labeled for sprinkle.

The bead sizes used in approved modified release capsules labeled for sprinkling on food was investigated to generate bead size guidelines for generic products labeled for sprinkling. The conclusions from a survey of FDA databases were corroborated with experimental data obtained by measuring the bead sizes of several reference-listed drugs on the market labeled for administration by sprinkling on food. The experimental data show that majority of the marketed products were found to have bead sizes of less than 1,500 μm (1.5 mm). Based on this information, a bead size of less than 1,500 μm should generally be considered acceptable for use in generic products labeled for sprinkling.
Who controls the machine, III: accountability in the results‐based revolution

Following up on two previous analyses of the efforts of Member States to solve the problems of command and control in the United Nations and its organisations, the article focuses on the latest effort, the institution of results-based budgeting. The approach as applied to assessed budgets is critical for the maintenance of support of major contributors to the United Nations and other international organisations. After reviewing the problems inherent in previous efforts at using programme planning to control the organisation and make it accountable, the article focuses on the use of monitoring and evaluation as means of holding organisations accountable for producing results and on the conditions necessary for this to be effective. It argues that refocusing the work of the Committee for Programme and Coordination and the Office of Internal Oversight Services as its independent secretariat could make the results-based revolution work and Member States finally to control the machine. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeting a c-Myc inhibitory polypeptide to specific intracellular compartments using cell penetrating peptides

The therapeutic index of current anti-cancer chemotherapeutics can be improved by two major mechanisms: 1) developing drugs which are specifically toxic to the cancer cells and 2) developing methods to deliver drugs to the tumor site. In an attempt to combine these approaches, we developed a thermally responsive polypeptide inhibitor of c-Myc. This polypeptide is based on the thermally responsive Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP). When injected systemically, ELP-fused drugs will aggregate and accumulate at the tumor site where local hyperthermia is applied. ELP was fused to a peptide which blocks c-Myc/Max dimerization (H1), thereby inhibiting transcription activation by c-Myc (ELP-H1). In this study, the cellular uptake, intracellular distribution, and potency of the Pen, Tat and Bac cell penetrating peptides fused to ELP-H1 were evaluated. While Pen-ELP-H1 and Tat-ELP-H1 were localized in the cytoplasm, Bac-ELP-H1 localized to the nucleus in a subset of the cells and was the most potent inhibitor of MCF-7 cell proliferation. This data demonstrates that ELP can be targeted to the desired cellular compartment simply by choice of the CPP used, resulting in a more potent nuclear targeted c-Myc inhibitory polypeptide which may be beneficial in cancer therapy.
Effects of Applied Potential on Friction of a PVDF Micro Gripper

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) is a commercially available, piezoelectric polymer. It is widely utilized due to its advantageous mechanical, chemical, and electromechanical properties. In this paper, we discuss a PVDF microgripper and then characterize its gripping (frictional) force. This mechanical characterization of the PVDF will be helpful to design the microgripper. The microgripper has many applications like surgeries, microassembly and micromanipulation. The friction force is an important criterion that greatly affects the gripping. The actuation of the gripper is done by applying voltage. It is fundamentally interesting to understand the effects of the applied voltage on the coefficient of friction. The friction force was measured as a function of the applied voltage. It was found that the increasing voltage applied on the sample lead to an increase in the coefficient of friction measured on the surface of the sample. This work serves as an investigation on the effect of applied voltage on the friction coefficient of the sample. The possible mechanisms behind this phenomenon are also discussed here.© 2006 ASME
Monte Carlo Simulations of Product Distributions and Contained Metal Estimates

Estimation of product distributions of two factors was simulated by conventional Monte Carlo techniques using factor distributions that were independent (uncorrelated). Several simulations using uniform distributions of factors show that the product distribution has a central peak approximately centered at the product of the medians of the factor distributions. Factor distributions that are peaked, such as Gaussian (normal) produce an even more peaked product distribution. Piecewise analytic solutions can be obtained for independent factor distributions and yield insight into the properties of the product distribution. As an example, porphyry copper grades and tonnages are now available in at least one public database and their distributions were analyzed. Although both grade and tonnage can be approximated with lognormal distributions, they are not exactly fit by them. The grade shows some nonlinear correlation with tonnage for the published database. Sampling by deposit from available databases of grade, tonnage, and geological details of each deposit specifies both grade and tonnage for that deposit. Any correlation between grade and tonnage is then preserved and the observed distribution of grades and tonnages can be used with no assumption of distribution form.
Transplantable murine tumors release mouse-tropic and xenotropic type-c viruses

Transplantable mouse tumors used in many areas of cancer research generally produce several host-range classes of infectious type-C virus. The release of virus from such tumors should be considered in the design and evaluation of experiments in which they are used.
The role of real income level and income distribution in fulfillment of basic needs

Abstract Using internationally comparable estimates of real GDP per capita, along with World Bank data on seven basic-needs indicators and one income equality measure, relative importance of real income level and income equality, for improvement in the provision of basic needs, is assessed on the basis of a multiple regression model. Income level seems important in almost all cases; but the importance of income equality is observed only on a limited scale. Although income is probably more important in low-income LDCs, the relationships studied appear broadly similar in the low-income and the middle-income LDC contexts.
MONTE CARLO SIMULATION OF REAL TIME QUANTUM PROCESSES

It is shown that Monte Carlo methods can be fruitfully applied to the computation of quantum processes in the real-time (Minkowski) regime. The method is first explained in the context of a simple quantum-mechanical model, then applied to the problem of the quantized electromagnetic field interacting with a large number of discrete two-state systems (the problem of superradiance). Numerical results previously obtained by operator methods are reproduced in this framework and the calculations extended to much larger systems.
Day Care Attendance in the First Year of Life and Illnesses of the Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract in Children With a Familial History of Atopy

Objective. To examine the relationship between day care attendance and illnesses of the upper and lower respiratory tract in the first year of life. Study Design. Prospective birth cohort study. Methods. Children (N = 498) who had at least 1 parent with a history of allergy or asthma were enrolled at birth and followed prospectively for the first year of life. A home visit at 2 to 3 months of age and bimonthly telephone questionnaires were used to obtain information on day care arrangements, home characteristics, respiratory symptoms, and physician-diagnosed illnesses of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Results. Day care attendance in the first year of life was associated with two or more doctor-diagnosed ear infections (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.7–3.6), three or more parental reports of runny or stuffed nose (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.9–5.5), a doctor9s diagnosis of sinusitis (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1–4.2), and doctor-diagnosed lower respiratory illnesses (croup, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia; OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.0–2.4). For children attending day care, exposure to pets in day care, the presence of a rug or carpet in the area where the child slept in day care, and a nonresidential setting for day care all were independent predictors of two or more doctor-diagnosed ear infections. Conclusions. The results suggest that day care increases the risk of illnesses of the upper and lower respiratory tract in the first year of life for children with a familial history of atopy. Specific environmental exposures within day care, such as the presence of pets or having a rug or carpet in the area where children sleep, may increase the risk of recurrent ear infections in the first year of life among children with familial history of atopy who attend day care.
Rat luminal cell nuclear area changes correlated with uterine growth responses induced by a low dose infusion or injection of estradiol-17 β

Abstract Rat uterine luminal epithelial cells (LEC) responded differently when exposed to an injection of 1.0 μg estradiol-17β (E2) compared to a continuous infusion of E2 at the rate of 1.0 μg/24 hours. After injection or beginning infusion, LEC mean nuclear area significantly decreased by 4 h, then increased thereafter. After injection, nuclear area distributions were determined at each time point. The percentage of large nuclei (>40 μ2) decreased by 4h postinjection and remained a relatively small proportion of the population, while the percentage of nuclei of 20–30 μ2 areas increased throughout the experiment. During infusion, the percentage of large nuclei decreased by 4h after pump implantation, then increased. Only infusion induced sustained, increased uterine protein content, DNA synthesis and ornithine decarboxylase activity. This study suggests that E2 treatment modality induces differences in nuclear size in target cells as well as in biochemical parameters.
Synthesis and superstructural characterization of Fe1.89Mo4.11O7

Superstructuring in the new compound Fe[sub 1.89]Mo[sub 4.11]O[sub 7] has been elucidated by transmission electron microscopy. This compound is a member of the family M[sub 2]Mo[sub 4]O[sub 7] and has both iron and molybdenum atoms occupying octahedrally coordinated sites in the structure, represented by Fe[sup [ital t]](Fe[sub 0.89]Mo[sub 0.11])[sup [ital o]]Mo[sub 4]O[sub 7]. The superstructuring, detected only by electron diffraction, involved tripling of all three lattice parameters of the subcell. The subcell was structured by single crystal x-ray diffraction ([ital Imma], no. 74, [ital a]=5.9793(5)A, [ital b]=5.7704(4)A, and [ital c]=17.036(1)A). This structure type contains a close-packed arrangement of Mo[sub 4]O[sub 7] units, which are infinite chains of trans edge-shared molybdenum octahedra running parallel to [ital b]*. Two different coordination environments are observed for the cations. Parallel to the [ital a]* direction, infinite edge-sharing MO[sub 6] (M=89% Fe or 11% Mo) octahedra are observed. The second cation site, with nearly tetrahedral coordination by oxygen, is filled solely by iron. The superstructure can be rationalized by a regular arrangement of iron and molybdenum atoms in the octahedrally coordinated cation sites.
Hydraulic and Geomorphic Influence on Macroinvertebrate Distribution in the Headwaters of a Small Watershed

ABSTRACT Spatial variability of aquatic macroinvertebrates was examined in riffles of second to fourth order streams in Onondaga Creek, in central New York, USA. Even with only small differences in stream sizes, aquatic macroinvertebrates were distributed primarily by a headwater-to-valley gradient as defined by mean stream width and water surface slope. Secondary and tertiary gradients were based on hydraulic character. Direct gradient analysis using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) examined the common and rare (respectively, < 5—0.5% and 0.5—0.001% of total) macroinvertebrate assemblage among sites. The variables used in the analysis were mean wetted width, water surface slope, mean Froude number and Froude number variance. The first CCA axis explained 43.1% of the variability. Froude number variance and Froude number affected the second and third CCA axes most strongly. The gradients revealed by the second and third CCA axes did not influence lower gradient valley sites, but did separate the hea...
Pain management in the home.

There is a major shift in responsibility for day-to-day pain management when a patient is to be cared for at home. What was primarily the responsibility of the nurse/physician team in the inpatient setting now becomes the responsibility of the patient and family. Poorly controlled pain affects not only the patient, but the family system as a whole. Successful pain management at home depends on a patient and family who feel reasonably confident in understanding the cause of the pain and in their ability to use the analgesics as prescribed (eg, around-the-clock doses and “rescue” doses), how to recognize and report changes in the pain site, character and severity, how to recognize and report adverse side effects from the analgesic prescribed, how to use non-drug measures to help relieve the pain, and how to access help and support on a 24-hour basis. Therefore, family education is key.
Plant regeneration and genetic transformation of C. canadensis: a non-model plant appropriate for investigation of flower development in Cornus (Cornaceae)

Efficient Agrobacterium -mediated genetic transformation for investigation of genetic and molecular mechanisms involved in inflorescence architectures in Cornus species. Cornus canadensis is a subshrub species in Cornus, Cornaceae. It has recently become a favored non-model plant species to study genes involved in development and evolution of inflorescence architectures in Cornaceae. Here, we report an effective protocol of plant regeneration and genetic transformation of C. canadensis. We use young inflorescence buds as explants to efficiently induce calli and multiple adventitious shoots on an optimized induction medium consisting of basal MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l of 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.1 mg/l of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. On the same medium, primary adventitious shoots can produce a large number of secondary adventitious shoots. Using leaves of 8-week-old secondary shoots as explants, GFP as a reporter gene controlled by 35S promoter and hygromycin B as the selection antibiotic, a standard procedure including pre-culture of explants, infection, co-cultivation, resting and selection has been developed to transform C. canadensis via Agrobacterium strain EHA105-mediated transformation. Under a strict selection condition using 14 mg/l hygromycin B, approximately 5 % explants infected by Agrobacterium produce resistant calli, from which clusters of adventitious shoots are induced. On an optimized rooting medium consisting of basal MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l of indole-3-butyric acid and 7 mg/l hygromycin B, most of the resistant shoots develop adventitious roots to form complete transgenic plantlets, which can grow normally in soil. RT-PCR analysis demonstrates the expression of GFP transgene. Green fluorescence emitted by GFP is observed in transgenic calli, roots and cells of transgenic leaves under both stereo fluorescence microscope and confocal microscope. The success of genetic transformation provides an appropriate platform to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which the various inflorescence forms are developed in Cornus plants.
A multi-paradigm approach to system dynamics modeling of intercity transportation

The complexity of the transportation system calls for a holistic solution approach that employs multiple modeling paradigms such as agent-based modeling and system dynamics. Various techniques for combining these paradigms are explored and logically classified, which helps guide hybrid modeling. A system dynamics model for multimodal intercity transportation is created, which integrates socioeconomic factors, mode performance, aggregated demand and capacity. The model is calibrated against a set of data points from an existing agent-based model. An effective inheritance of the proven predictive power of the agent-based model is demonstrated by reproducing the historic aviation demand with sufficient accuracy.
THE COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF WALLS OF DARK FUNGUS SPORES.

Dark pigmented fungi predominate in desert soils. The dark pigment of the spores is a melanin. These dark spores resist ultraviolet radiation of 2537 A. The degree of opacity depends on the amount and location of the melanin. In the presence of hexachloracetone, about half of the spores produced in culture are light colored, and easily killed by u.v. light. Electronmicrographs are presented showing spore wall structure of several representative fungi at high resolution.
Generalization of a voluntary response as a function of presentation frequency of the training stimulus in testing

Frequency of presentation of the original training stimulus in the test phase of a study of human voluntary generalization was found to affect the form of the generalization gradient on a weight dimension. That is, in a situation in which all of the additional test stimuli are larger than the original training stimulus, and all stimuli are presented with equal frequency, a tendency to choose stimuli toward the middle of the test range as the original was observed However, if the original stimulus was presented more frequently than any of the other stimuli in testing, Ss tended to choose the original “correctly,” yielding a “typical” unidirectional generalization gradient.
Framingham Heart Study 100K Project: genome-wide associations for blood pressure and arterial stiffness

Background About one quarter of adults are hypertensive and high blood pressure carries increased risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and death. Increased arterial stiffness is a key factor in the pathogenesis of systolic hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Substantial heritability of blood-pressure (BP) and arterial-stiffness suggests important genetic contributions.
Breaking the nanosecond barrier in FTIR time-resolved spectroscopy

Abstract The state of the art in broad spectral bandwidth infrared time-resolved spectroscopy (IRTRS) is reviewed, with particular regard to time resolution in the nanosecond and sub-nanosecond regime. While step-scan Fourier transform infrared (S 2 FTIR) has been successful in pushing the time resolution of IRTRS to sub-microsecond limits, and is, in principle, applicable for monitoring time-dependent phenomena on any time scale, a practical limit for S 2 FTIR is currently about 1 ns, due to the limitations of parts of the instrument other than the interferometer itself. For the particular case of IRTRS of transient photo-excited states illustrated here and other photo-excitation studies, it is proposed that the most effective way to breach the nanosecond barrier and to push the time resolution limit of IRTRS to 10 ps, or even lower, while still maintaining the spectral bandwidth and resolution and the multiplex and throughput advantages of interferometry, is to turn to constant velocity, continuous-scan (CS) FTIR, in the pump–probe asynchronous sampling mode. In the method described, the pump is provided by the picosecond UV pulse of an electron storage ring-powered free electron laser and the infrared probe is the picosecond `white light' synchrotron pulse from the same storage ring. The design specifications of this system are 10 ps time resolution with 3 cm −1 spectral resolution.
A 76–84-GHz 16-Element Phased-Array Receiver With a Chip-Level Built-In Self-Test System

This paper presents a 16-element phased-array receiver for 76-84-GHz applications with built-in self-test (BIST) capabilities. The chip contains an in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) mixer suitable for automotive frequency-modulation continuous-wave radar applications, which is also used as part of the BIST system. The chip achieves 4-bit RF amplitude and phase control, an RF to IF gain of 30-35 dB at 77-84 GHz, I/Q balance of and at 76-84 GHz, and a system noise figure of 18 dB. The on-chip BIST covers the 76-84-GHz range and determines, without any calibration, the amplitude and phase of each channel, a normalized frequency response, and can measure the gain control using RF gain control. System-level considerations are discussed together with extensive results showing the effectiveness of the on-chip BIST as compared with standard S-parameter measurements.