cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic rhythms of a diazotrophic cyanobacterium, cyanothece sp. strain atcc 51142, heterotrophically grown in continuous dark

Aerobic unicellular cyanobacteria temporally separate nitrogen fixation and photosynthetic activity to protect oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase. Diurnal metabolic oscillations in the unicellular diazotroph, Cyanothece sp. str. CGD occurred even when cells were grown under continuous dark conditions, as determined in this study. The metabolic processes of nitrogen fixation, respiration, carbohydrate storage, and nitrogen storage all remained highly synchronized during heterotrophic growth, despite the absence of light signals. This shows the importance of circadian regulation in this unicellular cyanobacterium. The nitrogenase complex is apparently tightly regulated at the transcriptional and post-translational levels. Carbohydrates accumulated during the subjective light phase were metabolized in a burst of respiration in the subjective dark phase. The utilization of carbohydrates occurred at the same time as the intense period of nitrogenase activity and downregulation of the capacity for photosynthetic oxygen evolution. Abundance of the D1 protein of photosystem II in Cyanothece sp. str. CGD remained relatively constant under continuous darkness, but the psbA transcript was more abundant in the subjective light phase. Accumulation of the psaAB gene products in photosystem I was highest in the subjective dark phase. The storage of fixed nitrogen as cyanophycin granules also exhibited periodic changes, with the amount of cyanophycin being greatest after the peak of nitrogenase activity. These results strongly implicate a circadian regulatory mechanism operating on these metabolic processes, independent of light cues, and stress the importance of circadian rhythms in global metabolic regulation in this unicellular cyanobacterium.
Functional and evolutionary significance of human microRNA seed region mutations.

MicroRNAs have emerged in recent years as important regulators of cell function in both normal and diseased cells. MiRNAs coordinately regulate large suites of target genes by mRNA degradation and/or translational inhibition. The mRNA target specificities of miRNAs in animals are primarily encoded within a 7 nt “seed region” mapping to positions 2–8 at the molecule's 5′ end. We here combine computational analyses with experimental studies to explore the functional significance of sequence variation within the seed region of human miRNAs. The results indicate that a substitution of even a single nucleotide within the seed region changes the spectrum of mRNA targets by >50%. The high functional cost of even single nucleotide changes within seed regions is consistent with their high sequence conservation among miRNA families both within and between species and suggests processes that may underlie the evolution of miRNA regulatory control.
Changes in the compound classes of dissolved organic matter along an estuarine transect: A study using FTIR and 13C NMR

Abstract In this work, we use Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 13 C NMR) data to quantify the changes of major chemical compound classes (carboxylic acid, amide, ester, aliphatic, aromatic and carbohydrate) in high molecular weight (HMW, >1 kDa) dissolved organic matter (DOM) isolated along a transect through the Elizabeth River/Chesapeake Bay system to the coastal Atlantic Ocean off Virginia, USA. Results show that carboxylic acids and aromatic compounds are lost along the transect, while HMW DOC becomes enriched in carbohydrate moieties that could have a mid-transect source, perhaps the intensive red tide bloom ( Choclodinium polykrikoides ) which occurred during our sampling period. Taking the second derivative of the FTIR spectra resolved three pools of de-protonated carboxylic acids at our Dismal Swamp site (used to represent terrestrial organic matter in this area): one carboxylic acid pool, complexed with iron, seems to be lost between the Dismal Swamp and river sites; the second appears biogeochemically active throughout the riverine transect, disappearing in the coastal ocean sample; the third seems refractory, with the potential to be transported to and to accumulate within the open ocean. Five-member ring esters (γ-lactones) were the major ester form in the Dismal Swamp; aliphatic and acetate esters were the dominant esters in the estuary/marine DOM. No amide groups were detectable in Dismal Swamp DOM; secondary amides were present at the estuarine/marine sites. Coupling FTIR with 13 C NMR provides new insights into the biogeochemical roles of carboxylic acid, amide and ester compounds in aquatic ecosystems.
Smoking and roentgenographic opacities in US Navy asbestos workers.

The US Navy's Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program monitors civilian and military employees with current or historical exposure to asbestos. The prevalence of definite radiologic parenchymal abnormalities (ILO category ≥ 1/0) was 3.10 percent for 32,233 smokers vs 1.09 percent for 13,414 nonsmokers. The age-adjusted prevalence ratio was 2.23. The difference in prevalence between smokers and nonsmokers persisted in all age groups studied and was greatest among the oldest employees. These findings in a large population suggest that parenchymal opacifications alone will not reliably differentiate between the impacts of asbestos exposure and smoking in patients who face both risks.
Clinical applications of iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging of brain tumors

Current neuroimaging provides detailed anatomic and functional evaluation of brain tumors, allowing for improved diagnostic and prognostic capabilities. Some challenges persist even with today's advanced imaging techniques, including accurate delineation of tumor margins and distinguishing treatment effects from residual or recurrent tumor. Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are an emerging tool that can add clinically useful information due to their distinct physiochemical features and biodistribution, while having a good safety profile. Nanoparticles can be used as a platform for theranostic drugs, which have shown great promise for the treatment of CNS malignancies. This review will provide an overview of clinical ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides and how they can be applied to the diagnostic and therapeutic neuro-oncologic setting.
Severe Hyperparathyroidism Despite Paricalcitol (Zemplar) Therapy: One Year Follow‐up

Paricalcitol, a new Vit. D analogue is thought to be more potent than Calcitriol and has also been reported to cause less hypercalcemia. We report one-year follow-up on patients (N = 74) from one inner city dialysis unit. Patients were stratified in groups A, B, C, D depending on intact Paratharmone (iPTH) levels i.e., 600 respectively. Serum Ca, PO4, alkaline phosphatase (ALK), albumin (ALB), hemoglobin (Hb) was measured monthly and serum iPTH was checked quarterly. The results are as follows: Group # PTH Ca PO4 ZPR Hb EPO pg/dl mg/dl mg/dl mcg/hd g/dl U/kg/hd A 6 56.83* 9.74 5.32 0 11.72 255.8† B 22 197.01** 9.04 5.53 2.48¶ 12.12 137.55 C 29 422.89** 9.4 5.73 4.54¶¶ 11.86 128.87 D 17 1253.4** 9.88 7.21 12.51¶¶ 12.1 74.35†† PTH: p < 0.05 = *vs**, ZPR(zemplar): p < 0.05¶ vs¶¶, mcg: microgram EPO(erythropoietin): p < 0.05 = † vs††, Mean age, weight, URR, ALB., ALK. and iron indices were not statistically different in all groups. Mean duration of hemodialysis (HD) was 34, 30, 57 & 65 months in groups A, B, C, D respectively. None of these patients had symptomatic bone disease. Seven patients were changed to low Ca (1.0 meq/L) bath secondary to hypercalcemia (Ca > 11.5) & severe hyperparathyroidism (HPT). This data suggest that severe HPT is frequent despite aggressive Paricalcitol therapy in the inner city HD population. More effective noncalcium phosphate binders and/or calcimimetic agents may be needed in addition to dietary and medication compliance in group D to control severe HPT. Interestingly patients with low PTH (< 100) showed relative epogen resistance while patients in group D required smaller epogen doses. There was inverse relationship between ZPR & EPO dosage. The effect of ZPR on EPO responsiveness needs to be confirmed in larger study.
Insight through innovation: a dynamic approach to demand based toll plaza lane staffing

For many years the operations of toll plazas have been studied to determine the optimal number of toll lanes staffed during specific times of the day. The goal in this type of analysis is to increase or decrease staffing to match peak and off-peak demand. The paper presents a comprehensive approach to modeling toll plaza vehicle processing and evaluating alternate toll collector staffing scenarios. Utilizing a General Purpose Simulation System (GPSS) World simulation model, an effective tool was developed to evaluate toll plaza queuing dynamics and provide insight into their relationship to the quality of service provided.
Retrospective Analysis of Thoracolumbar Junction Injuries Using the Thoracolumbar Injury Severity and Classification Score, American Spinal Injury Association Class, Injury Severity Score, Age, Sex, and Length of Hospitalization.

Study Design:Retrospective review of patient cohort.Objective:Our goal was to assess the validity of the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity (TLICS) score system by comparing the TLICS system to prior management of thoracolumbar injuries at our institution between January 1, 2006 to Mar
Dual-polarization cylindrical long-slot array antenna integrated with hybrid ground plane

In this paper, a dual-polarization ultra-wideband long-slot antenna arrays (LSA) integrated with hybrid electromagnetic band-gap (EBG)/ferrite ground planes is designed for communication radar applications. The dual-polarization was achieved by combining connected dipole and long slot array concept. Connected dipole mode provides horizontal polarization while long slot mode gives vertical polarization. The developed antenna is a cylindrical shape of the LSA with cylindrical EBG/Ferrite hybrid ground plane, which is designed to cover NTDR, and EPLRS bands. This antenna provides the omni directional pattern from 150 to 500 MHz. The hybrid EBG/Ferrite ground plane, previously developed and experimentally verified by the authors for planar arrays, both eliminating the slot radiation toward the center of the cylinder and was important in enhancing the wideband properties of the array. Antenna characteristics of the developed antennas were analyzed by simulations and the simulation results are presented.
Upregulation of NMDARI mRNA induced by MK-801 is associated with massive death of axotomized motor neurones in adult rats

Abstract Studies on the pathogenesis of human motor neurone disease have suffered from the absence of models of motor neurone degeneration in adult animals. Normally in adult rodents, transection of motor neurone axons results in only a modest degree of neuronal death. We reasoned that axotomy-induced motor neurone death might be enhanced by modulating glutamatergic transmission. By axotomizing the facial nerve in adult rats and then administering MK-801 for the first week of a 4-week or 8-week post-lesion survival period, we induced a 67% motor neurone loss by 8 weeks as compared with a 19% loss in controls. A possible explanation for the increased motor neurone loss after MK-801 treatment is that transient blockade of NMDA receptors may upregulate synthesis of NMDA receptor components. In order to test this idea, we employed quantitativein situhybridization to determine the response of NMDAR1 mRNA to axotomy and axotomy + MK-801 treatment. Quantification of the percentage of area occupied by NMDAR1 silver grains per motor neurone somata indicated that axotomy alone did not provoke a change in NMDAR1 mRNA. However, axotomy and MK-801 combined treatment resulted in a highly significant upregulation of NMDAR1 mRNA when compared with controls or animals treated solely with axotomy. Our results suggest that motor neurone death in adult animals can be enhanced after axotomy in association with the upregulation of NMDA receptor mRNA. Thus, abnormalities in glutamate receptor signalling may lead to subacute motor neurone deathin vivo. Furthermore these results indicate that transient treatment with MK-801 is a convenient method for enhancing the degree of motor neurone death after axotomy in adult animals.
Solid phase radioimmunoassay for plant viruses.

Abstract In a radioimmunoassay procedure, adapted to the antigenic analysis of plant viruses, antibody was irreversibly attached to the walls of disposable polystyrene tubes. In the direct test, labeled antigen was effectively assayed in a range of 10–100 ng/ml. In the indirect test, unlabeled antigen from 0.5 to 5.0 μg/ml and a constant amount of labeled antigen were added sequentially to antibody-coated tubes. The latter procedure was applied effectively to serological differentiation of virus strains and of coat-protein and intact virus rods.
Cavity ring-down spectroscopy of the phenyl radical in a pulsed discharge supersonic jet expansion

Absorption spectra for the 12B1-X˜2A1 transition of the phenyl radical have been recorded using the technique of cavity ring-down spectroscopy. The radicals were produced by an electric discharge through Ar/C6H5Br mixtures and cooled by supersonic expansion. Partially resolved rotational structure was observed for the 000, 901, and 1001 bands, and excited state rotational constants were derived from these data. For the 901 band, homogeneous line broadening was indicative of an excited state lifetime of 96 ps.
Temperature-sensitive interferon production in rabbit kidney cell cultures treated with toyocamycin.

Abstract 1. The adenosine analogue toyocamycin caused an inhibition of ribosomal RNA synthesis in cultures of rabbit kidney cells at concentrations as low as 0.1 μg/ml. The synthesis of other species of RNA in the ribosome fraction was relatively resistant to toyocamycin. Amino acid incorporation in intact cells was not suppressed at concentrations as high as 10.0 μg/ml. 2. At a concentration of 10 μg/ml, toyocamycin suppressed interferon synthesis stimulated with polyinosinic · polycytidylic acid (poly(I) · poly(C)). Lower concentrations of the drug that still inhibited the synthesis of ribosomal RNA not only did not suppress, but actually enhanced, the interferon yield. 3. In order to allow incorporation of toyocamycin into interferon mRNA, cultures were stimulated with poly(I) · poly(C) and then incubated for 3 h in the presence of toyocamycin (1 μg/ml) and cycloheximide. Cycloheximide was included to suppress translation of interferon mRNA, while allowing its transcription to take place. Interferon synthesis in toyocamycin-treated cells following the reversal of cycloheximide action was found to be more temperature sensitive than in control cells. In addition, interferon made in toyocamycin-treated cells was more rapidly inactivated at 56 °C than control interferon.
Vitamin supplementation practices: health/nutrition education implications

A sample of 310 supplement users, 216 nonsupplement users and 247 inconsistent (user/nonuser) supplementers were followed for 18 months to examine the consistency of supplementation. Since supplementation is often not required for a healthy diet, factors associated with persistence or stability of supplement use have implications for appropriate health/nutrition education. Consistent supplementation (at least 18 months' duration) was associated (P < 0·01) with (i) female sex, (ii) health beliefs in the efficacy of supplementation, (iii) seeking health information from physicians, nurses, dietitians and nutritionists, (iv) using periodicals, TV/radio and books for sources of nutrition information, (v) older age, (vi) higher income and (vii) higher levels of education. Nonusers were more likely to attribute health to chance on the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale, and inconsistent users were more likely to have experienced a change in employment status, relocation to another town/city and a higher number of ‘change’ events in the previous 18 months. Based on the characteristics of the consistent supplement user, ‘academic controversy’ may be an effective educational strategy to employ, if changes in supplementation attitudes and beliefs are desired.
1141610241 Altered expression of HuR, an mRNA stabilizing protein, mediates aberrant Placenta Growth Factor (PlGF) expression in preeclampsia

Background: Control of mRNA stability is an essential regulatory process in eukaryotic gene expression. HuR, a 3’UTR mRNA binding protein, can protect AU-rich mRNA from degradation in response to stresses. PlGF, an angiogenic growth factor, contains two consensus AU-rich sites suggesting that under normal conditions HuR may protect PlGF mRNA from degradation. Trophoblast expression of PlGF is significantly decreased in preeclampsia and by hypoxia in vitro. We hypothesize that decreased levels of cytoplasmic HuR may contribute to decreased PlGF expression in hypoxic and preeclamptic trophoblast. Methods: Western blots were used to determine relative effects of in vitro hypoxia on HuR protein expression and subcellular localization in trophoblast. Immunohistochemistry was used to compare HuR expression patterns in trophoblast of preeclamptic and normal placentae. Results: Cytoplasmic expression of HuR was decreased 1.4 fold in the cytoplasm and 1.2 fold in the nucleus of JEG3 cells. A shift in HuR was more apparent in primary trophoblast with a greater than 2-fold decrease in the cytoplasm and a 1.4 fold decrease in the nucleus following 24 hr of hypoxia. Immunohistochemical analyses detected HuR expression in near term trophoblast in situ. However, this technical approach did not detect a significant change in HuR expression between normal and preeclamptic trophoblast. Conclusions: HuR expression is decreased in hypoxic trophoblast, at least in vitro, which may provide a causal link to decreased PlGF mRNA expression. Down regulation of trophoblast PlGF expression is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology associated with preeclampsia including the relative lack of perfusion of the placenta and systemic renal effects.
Psychiatric symptoms in caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder: A review

Abstract Objectives The burden experienced by caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder has been associated with increased caregiver depression, anxiety and mental health service use. As caregiver burden is also associated with poor patient outcome, these findings may indicate a source of distress not only for caregivers, but also for patients. This review presents what is currently known about psychiatric symptoms in this population and suggests directions for future research. Methods Computerized databases Medline, Pubmed, PsychINFO and Google Scholar were searched using the keywords ‘bipolar disorder’, ‘manic–depressive disorder’, ‘caregiver’, ‘caregiver burden’, ‘family’, ‘couple’, ‘spouse’ and ‘partner.’ Of these, publications both measuring and reporting psychiatric symptoms or mental health service use in adult caregivers were included. Results Twenty four (24) papers were analyzed. Thirteen (13) of these papers measured general psychiatric distress, 2 measured anxiety symptoms, 9 reported mood symptoms and 8 reported increased mental health service use. 21 total papers reported clinical significance of least one category of psychiatric distress. Significant findings include up to 46% of caregivers reporting depression and up to 32.4% reporting mental health service use. Data suggest that caregiver psychiatric symptoms depend on the nature of the caregiving relationship. Common methodological problems included: lack of control groups, small sample sizes and non-standardized caregiver and patient criteria. Conclusions While not all of the data are consistent, the majority of papers report the presence of psychiatric symptoms in caregivers, such as depression, anxiety and increased mental health service use. Future research is needed to address methodological issues and focus on distinguishing symptoms and identifying effects of mediators such as caregiver–patient relationship, coping styles and stigma. Interventions tailored towards the psychiatric needs of bipolar families may result in improved caregiver and patient outcomes, as well as in decreased health care costs.
The role of test context in latent inhibition of conditioned inhibition: Part of a search for general principles of associative interference.

In two lick suppression experiments with rats, we assessed interference with behavior indicative of conditioned inhibition by a latent inhibition treatment as a function of test context. We asked what effect the test context has, given identical latent inhibition treatments in Phase 1 and identical conditioned inhibition trainings in Phase 2. In Experiment 1, an AAA versus AAB context-shift design determined that the latent inhibition treatment in Phase 1 attenuated behavior indicative of the conditioned inhibition training administered in Phase 2, regardless of the test context, which could reflect a failure to either acquire or express conditioned inhibition. In Experiment 2, an ABA versus ABB design showed that test performance in Contexts A and B reflected the treatments that had been administered in those contexts (i.e., conditioned inhibition was observed in Context B but not A), which could reflect either the context specificity of either latent inhibition or conditioned inhibition. In either case, latent inhibition of conditioned inhibition training in at least some situations was seen to reflect an expression deficit rather than an acquisition deficit. These data, in conjunction with prior reports, suggest that latent inhibition is relatively specific to the context in which it was administered, whereas conditioned inhibition is specific to its training context only when it is the second-learned relationship concerning the target cue. These experiments are part of a larger effort to delineate control by the test context of two-phase associative interference, as a function of the nature of target training and the nature of interference training.
Constraints on the high momentum behavior of inelastic scattering amplitudes

The ground state contributions to the leading high momentum behavior of the breakup amplitude of a composite system by a weak probe are shown to be exactly cancelled by final state interactions. The cancellation is a manifestation of the orthogonality of the target and continuum final states. The remaining large momentum behavior falls more rapidly and is more difficult to interpret directly in terms of properties of the target.
A burn center cost-reduction program

A concerted effort to decrease resource usage and length of stay without sacrificing quality of care was undertaken over a 2-year period in a high-census Burn Center. Through a series of changes in practice, substantial decreases in the costs of several high-usage items were tracked. During this period the average length of stay also was decreased. The average hospital charge decreased from $46,628 per patient in fiscal year 1993 to $33,159 per patient in fiscal year 1994. During this period there was no significant change in the patient population as measured by total body surface area percentage burn and acuity level. With the exception of significant improvement in the infection rate, there was no substantial change in indicators of quality care as measured by readmission, morbidity, and posthospital would healing progression. This cost-reduction program showed that costs can be reduced without diminishing quality of care; in some respects quality of care improved due to the practice changes that were implemented. Language: en
Invited review: The use of distillers products in dairy cattle diets.

Abstract Distillers grains with solubles (DGS) is the major coproduct of ethanol production, usually made from corn, which is fed to dairy cattle. It is a good protein (crude protein, CP) source (>30% CP) high in ruminally undegradable protein (∼55% of CP) and is a good energy source (net energy for lactation of approximately 2.25 Mcal/kg of dry matter). The intermediate fat concentration (10% of dry matter) and readily digestible fiber (∼39% neutral detergent fiber) contribute to the high energy content in DGS. Performance was usually similar when animals were fed wet or dried products, although some research results tended to favor the wet products. Diets can contain DGS as partial replacement for both concentrates and forages, but DGS usually replaces concentrates. Adequate effective fiber was needed to avoid milk fat depression when DGS replaced forages in lactating cow diets. Nutritionally balanced diets can be formulated that contain 20% or more of the diet dry matter as DGS. Such diets supported similar or higher milk production compared with when cows were fed traditional feeds. Although DGS can constitute more than 30% of diet dry matter, gut fill may limit dry matter intake and production in diets with more than 20% wet DGS and that also contain other moist feeds. The fiber in DGS, which often replaces high-starch feeds, does not eliminate acidosis but minimizes its problems. Distillers solubles, which are often blended with distillers grains to provide DGS, can be fed separately as condensed corn distillers solubles. Other distillers coproducts besides DGS such as high-protein distillers grains, corn germ, corn bran, and low-fat distillers grains are becoming available.
On-column surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection in capillary electrophoresis using running buffers containing silver colloidal solutions

Direct on-column surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection is demonstrated in capillary electrophoresis (CE). Distinctive SERS spectra of two test compounds, riboflavin and Rhodamine 6G, are obtained in 100 μm i.d. fused-silica capillaries under CE conditions using running buffers that contain silver colloidal solutions. Detection is performed using an unmodified commercial Raman spectrometer in a confocal microscope mode of operation. The effects of laser power, wavelength, spectra acquisition time, silver colloidal concentration, and applied voltage (i.e., flow rate) on the quality of SERS spectra are evaluated. Using laser powers of 17 mW (at the sample) at 515 nm and employing 1 s spectral acquisition times, spectra with bands exhibiting signal-to-noise ratios greater than 10 could be obtained for 1.0 × 10-6 M riboflavin and very low nanomolar concentrations of Rhodamine 6G. This was accomplished without optimization of silver colloidal solution compositions and by using a low-throughput sp...
Identification and location of protecting groups on the nucleotide components of chemically synthesized oligodeoxyribonucleotides by mass spectral analysis.

Abstract A mass spectral method has been devised for the analysis of reaction products containing protecting groups at any stage in the chemical synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides. Mass spectra reveal certain m e values which indicate that a particular protecting group is attached at a specific site on the nucleotide components of the oligonucleotide. The analysis can be eariied out on either the isolated reaction product, or on the silica gel containing the product spot following silica gel chromatography of the reaction mixture. The method is of particular value in determining that all blocking groups have been removed from a defined-sequence oligonucleotide that has been chemically synthesized for use in biological investigations involving sequence or binding studies.
The cardiac catheter: past, present and future.

Abstract The cardiac catheter represents a major clinical development in twentieth century medical practice. Cardiac catheterization has been used to provide physiologic information on the function of the heart, to detect disease conditions and to treat coronary artery disease. Since the evolution of our understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease has been shaped by catheterization, we will examine the past and present of the catheter with an eye toward potential future applications.
Symbolizing Place: Journalistic Narratives of the City

As scholarship in a variety of disciplines acknowledges the power of symbolic systems to shape human conception, geographical research has increasingly scrutinized popular culture texts as repositories of spatial understanding. The newspaper particularly repays such study because it is tied functionally and symbolically to conceptions of place and describes characteristic inflections of the narrative of city life. Strategies in news narrative typically mediate between the newspaper's economic self-interest in regional development and the journalistic ideal of public service. A rhetorical analysis of stories announcing a redevelopment project demonstrates how conventions of journalistic representation can work subtly to present, yet subordinate, critical views of urban redevelopment.
Classification of Air Force Aviation Accidents: Mishap Trends and Prevention

This article reanalyzed 124 U.S. Air Force aviation mishaps from 1992 through 2005, using the Department of Defense Human Factors Analysis and Classification System. Mishap types included controlled flight into terrain, loss of control, spatial disorientation, and midair collisions. All accidents were linked with supervisory errors related to proficiency and experience factors. Preconditions to unsafe acts were most frequently related to cognitive, psychobehavioral, and coordination, communication, and planning factors. Continued improvements in operational risk assessment and crew resource management are suggested, as well as interventions such as flight operations quality assurance and line-oriented safety audits to specifically focus latent error mitigation strategies.
Genome projects, genetic analysis, and the changing landscape of malaria research

Genome analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite already is identifying genes relevant to therapeutic- and vaccine-related research. The genetic blueprint of P. falciparum will ultimately need to be understood at multiple levels of an integrated system and will provide a detailed account of the life processes of the parasite and of the devastating disease it causes.
COMMENT ON TWO RECENT REPORTS OF OPERANT HEART RATE CONDITIONING

This paper examined two reports of operant heart rate (HR) conditioning, one of which reported apparently successful cardiac slowing, and the other apparently successful cardiac speeding. Although the authors of these two studies concluded that they had demonstrated instrumental modification of HR independent of somatic mediators, this review of their results indicated that voluntary activity was a crucial mediator of the obtained effects. New statistical analyses were presented to support the notion that Ss’ cognitive and somatic activities influenced HR change more than the reinforcement contingencies utilized.
Acute neurologic and psychiatric complications associated with cocaine abuse

Abstract This report reviewed 996 emergency room visits and 279 hospital admissions of patients with complications of cocaine abuse seen at the San Francisco General Hospital between 1979 and 1986. In 143 cases, acute neurologic or psychiatric symptoms were the primary complaint, and case-notes provided sufficient detail for analysis. The major neurologic complications included one or more seizures (n = 29), focal neurologic symptoms or signs (12), headache (10), and transient loss of consciousness (six). Psychiatric disturbances included agitation, anxiety, or depression (33), psychosis and paranola (24), and suicidal ideation (18). The most serious consequences were found in patients with prolonged seizures or strokes, those who jumped out of buildings, and those who attempted suicide by overdosing with other drugs. There was no correlaton between the appearance of complications and the reported route of administration, the amount of cocaine used, or prior experience with cocaine. The number of patients who are seeking hospital attention for these or related complaints appears to be rising substantially. Cocaine abuse, regardless of the use pattern, is associated with a variety of potentially severe neurologic and psychiatric complications.
Type-I cAMP Dependent Protein Kinase Delays Apoptosis Induced by Diverse Stimuli in Human Neutrophils 57

Type-I cAMP Dependent Protein Kinase Delays Apoptosis Induced by Diverse Stimuli in Human Neutrophils 57
Use of Research Biopsies in Clinical Trials: Are Risks and Benefits Adequately Discussed?

Purpose Although the incorporation of research biopsies into clinical trials is increasing, limited information is available about how study protocols and informed consents integrate and describe their use. Methods All therapeutic clinical trials in which image-guided research biopsies were performed from January 1, 2005, to October 1, 2010, were identified from an interventional radiology database. Data from study protocols and informed consents were extracted and analyzed. Procedural complications were recorded. Results A total of 57 clinical trials were identified, of which 38 (67%) contained at least one mandatory biopsy. The analysis of the research biopsy tumor tissue was a study end point in 95% of trials. The primary indication for a research biopsy was for integral biomarker analysis in 32% and for correlative science in 68% of trials. A statistical analytic plan for the correlative science research biopsy tumor tissue was mentioned in 26%, described as exploratory in 51%, and not mentioned in 23% of trials. For studies with mandatory biopsies, biopsy was an eligibility criterion in 71% of trials, and a statistical justification for the research biopsy sample size was present in 50% of trials. A total of 745 research biopsies were performed on 576 patients. Overall and major complication rates were 5.2% (39 of 745 biopsies) and 0.8% (six of 745 biopsies), respectively. Complication rates for intrathoracic and abdominal/pelvic solid organ biopsies were 17.1% (36 of 211 biopsies) and 1.6% (three of 189 biopsies), respectively. Site-stratified research biopsy–related risks were discussed in five consents. Conclusion A better representation of the risks and benefits of research biopsies in study protocols and informed consents is needed. J Clin Oncol 31:17-22. © 2012 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
Palmitoylation of the murine leukemia virus envelope glycoprotein transmembrane subunits.

Abstract The envelope protein of Friend murine leukemia virus is modified by fatty acylation of the transmembrane (TM) protein subunit. The labeling by [3H]palmitic acid was found to be sensitive to treatment with the reducing reagents 2-mercaptoethanol and hydroxylamine, indicating the presence of a thioester linkage. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the precursor protein can be labeled by [3H]palmitic acid prior to its cleavage into the surface and TM subunits. By using site-directed mutagenesis, we determined that palmitoylation occurs on a cysteine residue, Cys 606, located in the transmembrane domain. A thin-layer chromatography assay after acid hydrolysis showed that incorporated label comigrated with palmitic acid. When another cysteine residue was introduced into the cytoplasmic tail 22 amino acids from the transmembrane domain, no palmitoylation was observed to occur on this cysteine residue, demonstrating the importance of the position of the cysteine residue for palmitoylation. Sequence comparison revealed that most retrovirus envelope proteins have one or two conserved cysteine residues in their transmembrane domain. Mutations that change the palmitoylation state of the murine leukemia virus envelope protein did not affect its transport, processing, surface expression, or cell fusion activity. The palmitate-deficient viral envelope proteins were incorporated into virus particles, and replication of the virusin vitrowas not affected significantly by the mutation of the palmitoylation site.
Admissible two-stage designs for phase II cancer clinical trials

In a typical two-stage design for a phase II cancer clinical trial for efficacy screening of cytotoxic agents, a fixed number of patients are initially enrolled and treated. The trial may be terminated for lack of efficacy if the observed number of tumour responses after the first stage is too small, thus avoiding treatment of patient with inefficacious regimen. Otherwise, an additional fixed number of patients are enrolled and treated to accumulate additional information on efficacy as well as safety. The minimax and the so-called 'optimal' designs by Simon have been widely used, and other designs have largely been ignored in the past for such two-stage cancer clinical trials. Recently Jung et al. proposed a graphical method to search for compromise designs with features more favourable than either the minimax or the optimal design. In this paper, we develop a family of two-stage designs that are admissible according to a Bayesian decision-theoretic criterion based on an ethically justifiable loss function. We show that the admissible designs include as special cases the Simon's minimax and the optimal designs as well as the compromise designs introduced by Jung et al. We also present a Java program to search for admissible designs that are compromises between the minimax and the optimal designs.
Variation in the intensity of pollination inDrosera tracyi: Selection is strongest when resources are intermediate

I propose that the strength of selection is greatest when resource levels are intermediate. This idea was partially tested using artificial character variation for petal size inDrosera tracyi. This plant opens one flower each morning, with stigmas becoming available and pollen being presented simultaneously throughout the population. Bees remove all the pollen that can be removed and deposit all the pollen that can be deposited in one or two visits. Visitation rates track blooming density, as do pollen removal and deposition. I measured selection as the difference in pollen removal and deposition between flowers with trimmed petals versus flowers with normal petals. In one meadow, I found a wide range of levels of pollination and corresponding levels of selection, and selection was strongest at intermediate levels of pollination. This might mean that organisms are adapted to conditions when resources are at intermediate levels even though they may experience those conditions relatively rarely.
The Lipid Dependence of Purified and Reconstituted Kir2.1 and Kir2.2

Ion channels are embedded in the membrane bilayer and are known to be regulated by their lipid environment. Insights on the structural basis of channel-lipid interactions have been gained by recent potassium channel crystal structures that reveal bound lipid or detergent molecules. However, efforts to define the lipid dependence of channel activity have been limited to cellular expression systems, in which the membrane composition cannot be fully controlled. We have expressed and purified functional human Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 from S. cerevisiae, and characterized the phospholipid dependence of channel activity in a liposomal 86Rb+ flux assay. Reconstituted Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 require incorporated PIP2 for activity and are maximally active in 0.1-1% PIP2 on a background of 3:1 POPE:POPG. This provides definitive evidence that eukaryotic Kir channels are directly activated by PIP2 without any intermediary components. Interestingly, Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 are minimally active in ∼1% PIP2 on a POPE (neutral) background, and are activated by increasing amounts of POPG (1 negative charge) or other anionic phospholipids. By contrast, the prokaryotic inward rectifier, KirBac1.1, shows no phospholipid dependence of activity, except potent inhibition by PIP2 (1), DGS-NTA, cardiolipin and oleoyl CoA. Our data suggest that the site of action for this secondary regulation by anionic phospholipids in Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 is distinct from the cytoplasmic PIP2 binding site. This study represents the first description of the lipid dependence of activity for recombinantly-expressed, purified eukaryotic ion channels in liposomes, and demonstrates that Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 have two lipid requirements for activity: a high affinity requirement that is specific for PIP2, and a low affinity requirement that is relatively non-specific for anionic phospholipids.1. D. Enkvetchakul, I. Jeliazkova, C. G. Nichols, J.Biol.Chem. 280, 35785 (2005).
Vision for a smart transmission grid

This paper has provided a vision for the smart transmission grid from the perspective of system protection and control based on IEC 61850 standard. More and more major utilities are beginning to implement IEC61850 and several wide-area protection schemes to standardize their protection and control scheme, and minimize changes in power system frequency and/or voltages and avoid large disturbances during severe or multiple contingencies. In particular the benefits of Wide Area Monitoring, Protection and Control are discussed.
Supported Bilayers with Excess Membrane Reservoir: A Template for Reconstituting Membrane Budding and Fission

A complete mechanistic understanding of membrane-localized processes in vesicular transport, such as membrane budding and fission, requires their reconstitution with biochemically-defined components from a biochemically-defined substrate. Supported bilayers formed by vesicle fusion represent an attractive substrate for this purpose. However, conventional supported bilayers lack a sufficient membrane reservoir to recreate membrane budding and fission events. We describe the formation of supported bilayers with excess membrane reservoir (SUPER) templates from the fusion of liposomes containing negatively charged lipids on silica beads under high-ionic-strength conditions. Using a fluorescence microscopy-based assay to monitor early and late stages of supported bilayer formation, we show that an increase in ionic strength leads to an increase in the rates of liposome adsorption and subsequent fusion during formation of supported bilayers. The two rates, however, increase disproportionally, leading to accumulation of excess reservoir with an increase in ionic strength. SUPER templates allow the seamless application of microscopy-based assays to analyze membrane-localized processes together with sedimentation-based assays to isolate vesicular and nonvesicular products released from the membrane. The results presented here emphasize the general utility of these templates for analyzing vesicular and nonvesicular transport processes.
Incidence and severity of hardcore in sweet potatoes as affected by genetic line, curing, and lengths of 1°C and 21°C storage

The effects of genetic line, curing, length of 1°C storage, and length of subsequent 21°C storage on hardcore in sweet potato roots (Ipomoea batatas) were studied. Both incidence (percent roots affected) and severity (amount of affected tissue per root) were measured. ‘Centennial’ and NC 320 (= ‘Caromex’) were found to be susceptible to the disorder, ‘Jewel’ and NC 625 were resistant, and NC 327 was intermediate. Cured roots showed a trend toward less hardcore than uncured roots. Hardcore increased as roots were chilled from 1 to 14 days. A post-chilling 21°C storage period of 2 days resulted in the highest amount of hardcore, with 6 days less was present, and with 0 days least. Significant interactions were present between all factors.
Effect of hormone therapy on immune response in patients with prostatic cancer

Abstract Thirty-one patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate had laboratory studies done for total proteins, serum immunoglobulins, white blood cell counts, lymphocyte blastogenesis, skin tests, acid phosphatase, and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen). The 16 patients receiving no hormones had depressed total proteins, lymphocyte and monocyte counts, skin tests, and CEA compared with the 15 patients receiving hormones who had depressed serum immunoglobulins, white blood cell counts, lymphocyte blastogenesis, and acid phosphatase.
Role of extrastimulus site and tachycardia cycle length in inducibility of atrial preexcitation by premature ventricular stimulation during reciprocating tachycardia

Preexcitation of the atria during reciprocating tachycardia (RT) by a premature ventricular complex occurring when the His bundle is refractory provides direct evidence of the presence of accessory atrioventricular (AV) connection. The impact of ventricular stimulation site and RT cycle length on inducibility of atrial preexcitation was assessed in 38 patients with RT utilizing a single accessory AV connection (right free wall in 5 patients, left free wall in 21 and posterior septal/paraseptal in 12). Extrastimuli were inserted at right ventricular (RV) apical, left ventricular (LV) septal and LV free wall sites. Inducibility of and magnitude of atrial preexcitation increased as stimulation site approached accessory AV connection site. Thus, for RV free wall connections, RV extrastimuli preexcited the atria in 5 of 5 patients, LV septal in 1 of 5 and LV free wall in 0 of 4. For LV free wall accessory connections, RV extrastimuli preexcited the atria in only 3 of 21 patients, compared with 12 of 17 with LV septal and 20 of 21 with LV free wall stimulation. Additionally, the magnitude of atrial preexcitation achieved was related to RT cycle length, diminishing as cycle length shortened. Finally, in a few instances both RV apical and LV free wall extrastimuli failed to elicit preexcitation in patients with a posterior septal connection. Thus, ventricular pacing site and RT cycle length contribute importantly to induction of atrial preexcitation by ventricular extrastimulation technique and should be considered during evaluation of patients with RT in whom accessory AV connections may be present.
Does Gender Schema Mediate Between Sex-Role Identity and Self-Actualization

This study examined the relationship between the Bern Sex-role Inventory and Self-actualization as measured by the Personality Orientation Inventory. To examine both relationships between sex-role ...
Optimal interpolation in a general setting—a beginning

Determination de la matrice des derivees partielles liee a un probleme d'interpolation optimale
THE ONE CLAUSE AT A TIME (OCAT) APPROACH TO DATA MINING AND KNOWLEDGE DISCOVERY

This chapter reviews a data mining and knowledge discovery approach called OCAT (for One Clause At a Time). The OCAT approach is based on concepts of mathematical logic and discrete optimization. As input it uses samples of the performance of the system (or phenomenon) under consideration and then it extracts its underlying behavior in terms of a compact and rather accurate set of classification rules. This chapter also provides ways for decomposing large scale data mining problems, and a way of how to generate the next best example to consider for training. The later methods can be combined with any Boolean function learning method and are not restricted to the OCAT approach only.
Defining and Delivering Measurable Value: A Mega Thinking and Planning Primer

Mega planning has a primary focus on adding value for all stakeholders. It is realistic, practical, and ethical. Denning and then achieving sustained organizational success is possible. It relies on three basic elements: 1. A societal value-added “frame of mind” or paradigm: your perspective about your organization, people, and our world. It focuses on an agreed-upon focus on adding value to all stakeholders. 2. A shared determination and agreement on where to head and why: all people who can and might be impacted by the shared objectives must agree on purposes and results criteria, and 3. Pragmatic and basic tools. This article provides the basic concepts for thinking and planning Mega in order to define and deliver value to internal and external partners.
Design of components for programmable passive impedance

A form of impedance control is proposed which addresses the issue of stability and provides for the programming of robots for interactive tasks. Passive mechanical elements, specifically springs and dampers, are incorporated into the drive of a robot. The impedance of the robot is programmable because the stiffness and damping coefficients of these mechanical elements are themselves programmable. The design of these elements and their use are outlined. Prototype springs and dampers have been fabricated, and their performance in theory and in practice is discussed. >