cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology: Interpreting studies of interactions between RA risk factors

Interactions between HLA and PTPN22 genotypes and smoking have been implicated in overall susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis as well as the incidence of particular disease phenotypes in case-control and case-only studies. As recent epidemiological evidence shows, deciphering these interactions demands consideration of the analytical approach used.
The N -methyl- D -aspartate receptor type 2A is frequently methylated in human colorectal carcinoma and suppresses cell growth

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian brain. We found that among the three NMDARs examined (NMDAR1, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B), only NMDAR2A was silenced in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cell lines at basal line and reactivated by the demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. NMDAR2A was expressed in normal colon epithelium, while expression was hardly detectable in colon cancer tissues. Promoter methylation of NMDAR2A was confirmed by bisulfite sequencing and combined bisulfite restriction analysis in the CRC cell lines and primary tumors. Quantitative methylation-specific PCR demonstrated NMDAR2A promoter hypermethylation in 82 of 100 primary human CRC, 15 of 100 normal corresponding epithelial tissues and 1 of 11 (9%) normal colon mucosa samples obtained from patients without cancer. Moreover, forced expression of full-length NMDAR2A in CRC cell lines induced apoptosis and almost abolished the ability of the cells to form colonies in culture, while NMDAR2A knockdown increased cell growth. Thus, NMDAR2A is commonly hypermethylated in primary human CRC and possesses tumor-suppressive activity.
Hybrid Steered Molecular Dynamics Approach to Computing Absolute Binding Free Energy of Ligand-Protein Complexes: A Brute Force Approach That Is Fast and Accurate.

Computing the free energy of binding a ligand to a protein is a difficult task of essential importance for which purpose various theoretical/computational approaches have been pursued. In this paper, we develop a hybrid steered molecular dynamics (hSMD) method capable of resolving one ligand–protein complex within a few wall-clock days with high enough accuracy to compare with the experimental data. This hSMD approach is based on the relationship between the binding affinity and the potential of mean force (PMF) in the established literature. It involves simultaneously steering n (n = 1, 2, 3, ...) centers of mass of n selected segments of the ligand using n springs of infinite stiffness. Steering the ligand from a single initial state chosen from the bound state ensemble to the corresponding dissociated state, disallowing any fluctuations of the pulling centers along the way, one can determine a 3n-dimensional PMF curve connecting the two states by sampling a small number of forward and reverse pulling p...
Case History: 3-D Shear-wave Processing And Interpretation In Radial-transverse (SV-SH) Coordinates

Summary A 9-C 3-D seismic reflection data set from Clark County, Kansas is processed to produce SH and SV data volumes. Data processing is quite straightforward; rotation of the data from field coordinates to radial-transverse coordinates, static corrections (elevation, shot, and receiver) derived from the SH data, NMO correction with a single velocity function, inside-trace mute, and stack. Super gathers monitor the convergence of the shear-wave statics, which are found to be relatively small (+/- 40 ms), and simple to estimate from the dominantly 12 Hz SH data. Single velocity function NMO (velocities derived from SH) show the SV data to be slightly overcorrected, suggesting the presence of vertical transverse isotropy. An inside-trace mute eliminates the surface-wave noise cone. Dominant reflections in the stacked data are from the top and base of the Morrow clastic interval. Reflection signal quality is superior on the SH data.
IT-management software deployment: field findings and design guidelines

This paper reports field research of Enterprise IT-Management Software deployments in corporate data centers. The observed deployments were complex, time-consuming and often did not provide tools and documentation that optimally supported IT Professionals' work. The findings highlight deployment work practices and challenges, and inform guidelines for designing deployment tools and documentation that support IT Professionals' work.
Assessment of Density Dependent Flow-Volume Parameters in Nonsmokers and Smokers: Measurement with Spirometry, Body Plethysmography and Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the density-dependent flow-volume components of the forced vital capacity using simultaneous spirometry, respiratory inductive plethysmography, and body plethysmography in the detection of small airway disease. The forced vital capacity was measured during air, helium-oxygen and sulfur-hexafluoride breathing to provide a range of gas density influences. Combining flow measured at the mouth with volume referenced to change in alveolar gas volume as measured by body or respiratory inductive plethysmography during helium-oxygen breathing accentuated the differences between non-smokers and smokers because of the variable degree of alveolar gas compression occurring over the second half of FVC. The volume of isoflow obtained when comparing the helium and oxygen mixture to air also effectively separated nonsmokers from smokers. The utilization of the high density gas mixture, sulfur hexafluoride-oxygen during the FVC maneuver did not provide useful diagnostic information. Therefore, density-dependent flow-volume information using helium as a test gas alone or compared to air with a variety of analyses is a good approach to detection of early lung disease in smokers.
Computer-assisted tutoring: Teaching letter sounds to kindergarten students using incremental rehearsal

The profound consequences of early reading failure necessitate the provision of early literacy interventions to struggling readers. Many schools struggle, however, to address early reading difficulties because of insufficient human resources. Accordingly, the present study investigated the effectiveness of incremental rehearsal (IR) as a Tier 3 intervention to improve letter sound knowledge and fluency with four kindergarten students. Four participants not making adequate progress toward letter sound fluency benchmarks were selected for an IR intervention targeting letter sounds that was delivered via a computerized tutoring program. All four students improved their letter sound knowledge and fluency. Overall, results indicated that a computer-aided IR intervention is an effective, efficient, and acceptable intervention. Implications for research and practice are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
COMPARISON OF FREEZING CELLS USED IN THE DETERMINATION OF SOIL FROST SUSCEPTIBILITY

Because of the importance that side friction plays in the direct freezing tests of soils it was decided to compare four freezing cell geometries to determine which showed the least resistance to frost heaving. Two of the most common freezing cells, the tapered cylinder and the multi-ring cyclinder, were selected to be compared to the Cornell split cylinder freezing cell. A tapered wall multi-ring freezing cell was also compared to see if a combination geometry offered any advantages. Soils were compacted in the molds using the standard Proctor method. The specimens were frozen simultaneously using the Corp of Engineers twelve-day freeze test procedure. The results showed that the multi-ring cylinders were far superior to the tapered wall and split cylinder freezing cells. The tapered wall multi-ring freezing cell did not offer any advantages over the multi-ring cylinder freezing cell.
Diagnostic entropy as a function of therapeutic benefit/risk ratio.

Abstract Current clinical practice is based upon ‘our stubborn quest for diagnostic certainty’ which in turn is considered as one of the major reasons for ever-increasing health costs. We linked a treatment-threshold concept with classic information theory to show that measurable clinical variables, such as benefit and risk of available treatments, can be used to calculate the acceptable levels of diagnostic uncertainties associated with a particular clinical situation. Our analysis shows that practising physicians should aim for diagnostic certainty only when the benefit of treatment is equal to its associated risk. In all other cases, decisions about treatment do not have to rely on maximum diagnostic certainty. Determination of acceptable levels of diagnostic uncertainty according to the concepts outlined here should lead to improvement of clinical practice and decrease healthcare costs.
Effect of adenosine metabolites on methyltransferase reactions in isolated rat livers

Abstract Adenosine is rapidly metabolized by isolated rat livers. The major products found in the perfusate were inosine and uric acid while hypoxanthine could also be detected. S -Adenosylhomocysteine was also excreted when the liver was perfused with both adenosine and L -homocysteine. A considerable portion of the added adenosine was salvaged via the adenosine kinase reaction. The specific radioactivity of the resultant AMP reached 75–80% of the added [8- 14 C]adenosine within 90 min. When the liver was perfused with adenosine alone, hydrolysis of S -adenosyllhomosysteine, via S -adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, appeared to be blocked resulting in the accumulation of this compound. As the intracellular level of S -adenosylhomocysteine increased, the rates of various methyltransferase reactions were reduced, resulting in elevated levels of intracellular S -adenosylmethionine. When the liver was perfused with normal plasma levels of methionine the S -adenosylmethionine : S -adenosylhomocysteine ratio was 5.3 and the half-life of the methyl groups was 32 min. Upon further addition of adenosien the S -adenosylmethionine : S -adenosylhomocysteine ratio shifted to 1.7 and the half-life of the methyl groups to 103 min. In the presence of adenosine and L -homocysteine such inordinate amounts of S -adenosylhomocysteine accumulated in the cell that methylation reactions were completely inhibited. Although adenine has been found to be a product of the S -adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase only trace quantities of this compound were detectable in the tissue after perfusing the liver with high concentrations of adenosine for 90 min.
National trends in resource utilization associated with ED visits for syncope

Background Over the last 20 years, numerous research articles and clinical guidelines aimed at optimizing resource utilization for emergency department (ED) patients presenting with syncope have been published.
Behavior of phosphofructokinase during the aerobic-anaerobic transition period in the isolated perfused turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans) heart.

Abstract 1. 1. Turtle hearts were perfused in a recirculating system at 22°C. Levels of intermediates of the phosphofructokinase (PFK) reaction were monitored during the aerobic-anaerobic changeover. 2. 2. ADP increased three-fold and remained elevated following initiation of anaerobiosis, while ATP increased slightly to a plateau during the same period. 3. 3. F-6-P decreased transiently upon initiation of anaerobiosis, while F-1,6-diP increased transiently at the same time in reciprocal fashion. 4. 4. The mass action ratio of the reaction catalyzed by PFK increased sharply from 2·83 × 10 −2 immediately before the changeover to 18·37 × 10 −2 15 min after changeover, returning to 7·04 × 10 −2 60 min after changeover. 5. 5. A nine-fold increase in the rate of lactate production was observed beginning 10 min after changeover, when oxygen tension reached a near minimal level. Lactate continued to accumulate in the perfusate at a constant rate throughout the period of anaerobiosis.
Kernel design for RNA classification using Support Vector Machines

Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are a state-of-the-art machine learning tool widely used in speech recognition, image processing and biological sequence analysis. An essential step in SVMs is to devise a kernel function to compute the similarity between two data points. In this paper we review recent advances of using SVMs for RNA classification. In particular we present a new kernel that takes advantage of both global and local structural information in RNAs and uses the information together to classify RNAs. Experimental results demonstrate the good performance of the new kernel and show that it outperforms existing kernels when applied to classifying non-coding RNA sequences.
Molecular dynamics simulation of Li-alkaline earth-F3 compounds

Abstract We have performed first principle molecular dynamics simulations on LiXF3 compounds where X is Be, Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba. Short range pair potentials were determined using the Gordon-Kim approach. The Be and Mg compounds are predicted to have distorted perovskite structures at low temperature, while the rest are antiperovskites. The role of size effect in this structural crossover will be discussed. We also present prediction of phase transitions and the variation of physical properties as function of temperature for these materials.
Radiationless decay processes in 2-naphthaldehyde

Abstract The deuteration of the aldehydic C-H in 2-naphthaldehyde exerts a marked effect on the non-radiative process while the deuteration on all of the seven aromatic C-H's exerts a far less pronounced effect. The results are discussed in connection with the vibrational structures of the phosphorescence emissions from 2-naphthaldehyde and deuterated 2-naphthaldehyde.
Safflower Meal—Utilization as a Protein Source for Broiler Rations

Abstract PARTIALLY decorticated safflower meal, except for deficiencies in lysine and possibly methionine, has been reported to be a good protein source for chicks (Kratzer and Williams, 1947, 1951; Peterson et al., 1957; Halloran, 1961; Young and Halloran, 1962; Valadez et al., 1965; Kohler et al., 1966). When the safflower meal is adequately supplemented it was shown to promote a growth response comparable to that of soybean meal. The commercially available partially decorticated meal contains about 42 % protein and 12–16% fiber. This high fiber content is due mainly to the safflower hulls remaining in the meal. Consequently, the metabolizable energy of the meal is relatively low and this presents a problem for its use in high energy broiler rations. (Zablan et al., 1963; Kohler et al, 1966; Shoji et al., 1966). Our earlier results showed that the chick growth rate from lysine-supplemented safflower rations exceeded that from soy rations . . .
Supermolecular coordination isomers: synthesis and crystal structures of four new one-dimensional copper(I) coordination polymers with 1,3-dithiane

Reaction of [Cu(MeCN)4]BF4 with 1,3-dithiane results in the formation of four novel coordination networks depending on metal-to- ligand ratio and solvent conditions used. 1 and 2, both [Cu(1,3-dithiane)(MeCN)2]+∞, and 3, [Cu(1,3-dithiane)2(MeCN)]+∞, are one-dimensional chains, but due to the different bonding modes of the dithiane sulfur atoms all three networks are unique. In 4, [Cu(1,3-dithiane)(MeCN)]+∞, one–dimensional ribbons are formed where each dithiane is bonding to three copper(I) centers, and one of the S-atoms on each ligand acts as a μ2 4-electron donor.
Targeting HER2 Positive Breast Cancer with Chemopreventive Agents

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer is a subtype of breast cancer that is exhibited in approximately 20-30% of breast cancer cases. The overexpression of HER2 is typically associated with a more aggressive disease and poor prognosis. Currently, the therapeutic drugs trastuzumab and lapatinib are the most commonly used to combat HER2+ breast cancer. However, tumors can develop resistance to these drugs. A better understanding of the mechanism of how HER2+ breast cancer works will help aid the development for new therapeutic approaches which more closely target the source of the signaling dysfunction. This review summarizes four major points in the context of HER2 over-expressing breast cancer (i) HER2 as a molecular target in breast cancer therapy, (ii) current treatment options as well as ongoing clinical studies, (iii) animal and cellular models for the study of HER2 over-expressing breast cancer, and (iv) future therapies and chemopreventive agents used to target HER2+ breast cancer.
Staff and Member Perceptions of the Clubhouse Environment

Several studies have been conducted about Clubhouse operations and the users of Clubhouses (i.e., members); however none have sought to weigh the importance of both staff and member perceptions of the Clubhouse environment. A measure assessing the program climate as well as service components was administered to both members and staff across a representative sample of Clubhouses. In addition, level of program fidelity was included to examine differences between high and low fidelity clubhouses and ratings of the program environment. Two overarching questions were explored in this study: (1) to what extent do staff and members share common perceptions of the Clubhouse environment, and (2) is fidelity to the Clubhouse model relevant to rating of the program environment? Members and staff were concordant on 68% of the environmental assessments. Across all program environment domains, staff ratings of the clubhouse environment were higher than those of clubhouse members. Staff endorsed items reflecting the philosophy of the psychosocial program whereas consumers perceived the environment in terms of the actual services or lived experiences. Members of relatively high fidelity Clubhouses rated the program environment higher on five dimensions.
On the Use of DesertFD to Generate Custom Architectures for H.264 Motion Estimation

Deriving a custom architecture for H.264 video compression based motion estimation is a complex hardware design problem. The problem is complicated by the plethora of design options in the H.264 standard. To derive an efficient architecture, the designer must select between suitable algorithms, allocate computational resources to a custom datapath architecture, and schedule operations onto that architecture, while subject to constraints on both area and execution time. Design space exploration (DSE) addresses the design optimization problem by automating or semi-automating trade-off analysis. We use a DSE tool, DesertFD, to derive architectures for the motion estimation modules of a H.264 encoder. DesertFD is a domain- independent DSE tool which facilitates the representation and pruning of a design space using constraint satisfaction. Using post synthesis data for resource components, we use DesertFD to explore possible architectural solutions for H.264 motion estimation, subject to various area and latency constraints. Our results indicate that UMHEX algorithm is selected for tight area constraints while a five- step-search 5SS algorithm is selected otherwise.
Elucidating the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling network in chronic lymphocytic leukemia through phosphoproteomics analysis.

Background Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) pathogenesis has been linked to the prolonged survival and/or apoptotic resistance of leukemic B cells in vivo, and is thought to be due to enhanced survival signaling responses to environmental factors that protect CLL cells from spontaneous and chemotherapy-induced death. Although normally associated with cell migration, the chemokine, CXCL12, is one of the factors known to support the survival of CLL cells. Thus, the signaling pathways activated by CXCL12 and its receptor, CXCR4, were investigated as components of these pathways and may represent targets that if inhibited, could render resistant CLL cells more susceptible to chemotherapy. Methodology/principal findings To determine the downstream signaling targets that contribute to the survival effects of CXCL12 in CLL, we took a phosphoproteomics approach to identify and compare phosphopeptides in unstimulated and CXCL12-stimulated primary CLL cells. While some of the survival pathways activated by CXCL12 in CLL are known, including Akt and ERK1/2, this approach enabled the identification of additional signaling targets and novel phosphoproteins that could have implications in CLL disease and therapy. In addition to the phosphoproteomics results, we provide evidence from western blot validation that the tumor suppressor, programmed cell death factor 4 (PDCD4), is a previously unidentified phosphorylation target of CXCL12 signaling in all CLL cells probed. Additionally, heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), which mediates anti-apoptotic signaling and has previously been linked to chemotherapeutic resistance, was detected in a subset (approximately 25%) of CLL patients cells examined. Conclusions/significance Since PDCD4 and HSP27 have previously been associated with cancer and regulation of cell growth and apoptosis, these proteins may have novel implications in CLL cell survival and represent potential therapeutic targets. PDCD4 also represents a previously unknown signaling target of chemokine receptors; therefore, these observations increase our understanding of alternative pathways to migration that may be activated or inhibited by chemokines in the context of cancer cell survival.
Relationships among ISO 9001, competitive dimensions and profitability

The purpose of this paper is to better understand the relationships among ISO 9001 certification, competitive dimensions and profitability by focusing on two major industries in the USA. In this study, data was collected from 441 ISO 9001 registered manufacturing companies, of which, 295 companies belong to the electronics industry and 119 companies to the chemical industry. One important result of this research is that there is evidence that ISO 9001 registration efforts benefit a firm’s competitiveness. However, achieving ISO 9001 certification alone will not lead to higher profitability. In the chemical industry, companies attain better financial performance by making improvements in costs. For electronics firms, higher profits can be obtained through enhancing the quality of their products, reducing cost of doing business and providing greater flexibility to their customers.
A Subset of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Harboring Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) Type IV Is Deficient in CcrAB-Mediated SCCmec Excision

The gene encoding resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in the staphylococci is found on the chromosome in a genomic island designated staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec, or SCCmec. In addition to the resistance gene mecA, SCCmec also contains site-specific recombinase genes that are capable of catalyzing the chromosomal excision and reintegration of SCCmec. SCCmec is found in five major isotypes partially defined by the recombinase genes present, either ccrAB or ccrC. Of these, SCCmec type IV is presumed to be mobile in the environment, and this mobility may be partially responsible for the rise in community-associated methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections. In this study, we investigate the presumptive first step in type IV SCCmec mobility: chromosomal excision of the element. CcrAB from a panel of six Staphylococcus aureus and four Staphylococcus epidermidis strains were able to catalyze chromosomal excision of SCCmec types I and II, indicating that these proteins maintain recombinase activity despite varying by up to 3.7% at the amino acid level. Excision of type IV SCCmec was not universally seen, as a subset of S. aureus strains with type IV SCCmec did not excise their element. These strains are all highly related and represent a lineage of successful community-associated pathogens. In addition, the inability to excise SCCmec in these strains is associated with the insertion of a presumptive mobile element containing the gene for staphylococcal enterotoxin H (seh) immediately downstream of SCCmec on the chromosome. Acquisition of this mobile element, containing a known virulence gene, appears to have stabilized the chromosomal integration of the methicillin resistance gene in these strains.
Cryo-EM structure of dodecameric Vps4p and its 2:1 complex with Vta1p.

The type I AAA (ATPase associated with a variety of cellular activities) ATPase Vps4 and its co-factor Vta1p/LIP5 function in membrane remodeling events that accompany cytokinesis, multivesicular body biogenesis, and retrovirus budding, apparently by driving disassembly and recycling of membrane-associated ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport)-III complexes. Here, we present electron cryomicroscopy reconstructions of dodecameric yeast Vps4p complexes with and without their microtubule interacting and transport (MIT) N-terminal domains and Vta1p co-factors. The ATPase domains of Vps4p form a bowl-like structure composed of stacked hexameric rings. The two rings adopt dramatically different conformations, with the “upper” ring forming an open assembly that defines the sides of the bowl and the lower ring forming a closed assembly that forms the bottom of the bowl. The N-terminal MIT domains of the upper ring localize on the symmetry axis above the cavity of the bowl, and the binding of six extended Vta1p monomers causes additional density to appear both above and below the bowl. The structures suggest models in which Vps4p MIT and Vta1p domains engage ESCRT-III substrates above the bowl and help transfer them into the bowl to be pumped through the center of the dodecameric assembly.
Phylogenomic inference of protein molecular function: advances and challenges

Motivation: Protein families evolve a multiplicity of functions through gene duplication, speciation and other processes. As a number of studies have shown, standard methods of protein function prediction produce systematic errors on these data. Phylogenomic analysis---combining phylogenetic tree construction, integration of experimental data and differentiation of orthologs and paralogs---has been proposed to address these errors and improve the accuracy of functional classification. The explicit integration of structure prediction and analysis in this framework, which we call structural phylogenomics, provides additional insights into protein superfamily evolution. Results: Results of protein functional classification using phylogenomic analysis show fewer expected false positives overall than when pairwise methods of functional classification are employed. We present an overview of the motivations and fundamental principles of phylogenomic analysis, new methods developed for the key tasks, benchmark datasets for these tasks (when available) and suggest procedures to increase accuracy. We also discuss some of the methods used in the Celera Genomics high-throughput phylogenomic classification of the human genome. Availability: Software tools from the Berkeley Phylogenomics Group are available at http://phylogenomics.berkeley.edu
Problems in acquiring mineral revenues for financing economic development: a case study of Zambia during 1970-78

During the 1970s Zambia granted tax incentives to translational mining companies (thereby foregoing some revenues) in order to achieve expected investment benefits to the economy and government. The Government also acquired ownership interests in the companies via asset acquisition. Global market forces turned against Zambia's interests, and expected benefits were not forthcoming because company profits had become the sole tax base in the mineral sector. Zambia's experience from 1970 to 1978 suggests that it and other mineral export countries should (a) evaluate carefully whether reducing the effective tax rate on company profits actually induces investment and (b) consider thoroughly whether a tax scheme that includes a proper mix of profit, mineral and export levies is more appropriate than a single tax base.
Differential NR2A and NR2B expression between trigeminal neurons during early postnatal development.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play an important role in the production of rhythmical trigeminal motor activity resembling suckling and chewing. The developmental relationship between the expression of NMDA receptor subunits and the function of neurons comprising brainstem oral-motor circuitry is not clear. We conducted receptor immunohistochemistry studies to demonstrate the expression of NR2A and NR2B subunits in trigeminal motoneurons (Mo5) and mesencephalic trigeminal neurons (Me5) during the first 2 weeks of development. During this time period, rats begin the transition from suckling to chewing, two distinct motor behaviors. In Mo5, NR2A and NR2B immunoreactivity was observed throughout the time frame sampled. A significant increase in the NR2A:NR2B ratio occurred between P3-4 and P11 due to a reduction in the number of NR2B immunoreactive neurons. The temporal and spatial expression of NR2A and NR2B was differentially regulated between caudal and rostral regions of Me5. In contrast to Mo5, the NR2A:NR2B ratio decreased between P0-1 and P11 in caudal Me5 due to a concurrent increase in the number of NR2A and NR2B immunoreactive neurons. In rostral Me5, NR2A and NR2B immunoreactivity emerged at P3 and P11, respectively. Our data provides further insight into the molecular changes of trigeminal neurons during the transition from suckling to chewing behaviors. The differences in the NR2A:NR2B ratio between Mo5 and Me5 suggest functional differences in these neurons during NMDA-mediated neurotransmission.
Antitrypanosomal activity of purine nucleosides can be enhanced by their conversion to O-acetylated derivatives.

Fifteen purine nucleosides and their O-acetylated ester derivatives were examined for in vitro antitrypanosomal activity against the LAB 110 EATRO isolate of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and two clinical isolates of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Initial comparisons of activity were made for the LAB 110 EATRO isolate. Three nucleoside analogs exhibited no significant activity (50% inhibitory concentrations [IC50s] of > 100 microM), whether they were O acetylated or unacetylated; three nucleosides showed almost equal activity (IC50s of or = 3-fold) upon O acetylation; of these nine analogs, six displayed activity at least 10-fold greater than that of their parent nucleosides. The most significant results were those for four apparently inactive compounds which, upon O acetylation, displayed IC50s of < or = 25 microM. When the series of compounds was tested against T. brucei rhodesiense isolates (KETRI 243 and KETRI 269), their antitrypanosomal effects were comparable to those observed for the EATRO 110 strain. Thus, our studies of purine nucleosides have determined that O acetylation consistently improved their in vitro antitrypanosomal activity. This observed phenomenon was independent of their cellular enzyme targets (i.e., S-adenosylmethionine, polyamine, or purine salvage pathways). On the basis of our results, the routine preparation of O-acetylated purine nucleosides for in vitro screening of antitrypanosomal activity is recommended, since O acetylation transformed several inactive nucleosides into compounds with significant activity, presumably by improving uptake characteristics. O-acetylated purine nucleosides may offer in vivo therapeutic advantages compared with their parent nucleosides, and this possibility should be considered in future evaluations of this structural class of trypanocides.
Are presentation frequency and spatial numerosity distinct attributes of memory

Twenty-five words were assigned to all combinations of the spatial numerosities 1-6 and the presentation frequencies 1-6. Frames displaying the appropriate number of copies of each word were repeated the appropriate number of times, and subjects attempted to memorize the words' numerosities. A combination frequency-judgment and numerosity-recall test was then given. Numerosity showed no tendency to intrude in the frequency-judgment task, and there was only marginal evidence for interference in the opposite direction. The results are interpreted as further support for the view that presentation frequency has a privileged representation, which is not shared with other kinds of quantitative information in memory. A fundamental assumption of multiple-trace theories is that presentation frequency has a unique or privileged status as an attribute of memory (Hintzman, 1976; Hintzman, Nozawa, & Irmscher, 1982). That is, the number of memory traces of an item provides an ana­ logue representation of the item's frequency, a represen­ tation not shared with any other remembered quantity. To test this assumption, Hintzman et al. (1982) had subjects learn associations between pictures and the digits 1-5, presenting the pairs from one to five times each. Half the subjects were then shown the pictures and asked to recall the digits. The other half unexpectedly were asked fust to judge the presentation frequencies of the pictures, and only then were they given the digit recall test. In the frequency-judgment task, subjects showed no tendency to mistakenly give the digit associ­ ates, and only the second group of subjects (those who had judged the frequencies of the pictures first) showed a tendency to intrude frequency information in digit recall.
ETHICAL DECISIONS IN PERIOPERATIVE ELDER CARE

Owing in large measure to the increasing growth of the elderly population, geriatric care is rapidly emerging as a unique specialty in its own right. Advancements in medical science and changes in the health care delivery system that impact the care of the elderly are accompanied by a myriad of ethical dilemmas that confront not only the physician and patient, but social workers, nursing home staff, and family members. Settings involving the extremes of age and illness are the most complex in ethical deliberations and require sound principles that can be clearly applied to individual situations. Although anesthesiologists may confront a variety of ethical issues, such as confidentiality, care of Jehovah's Witnesses, substance abuse, and so forth, this article focuses on those issues more likely to be encountered in the elderly patient.
Phosphorus removal in small constructed wetlands dominated by submersed aquatic vegetation in South Florida, USA

Aims Free-surface flow-constructed wetland is a powerful means for the reduction of contaminants from agricultural runoff. Wetlands dominated by submerged aquatic vegetations (SAVs) may take up nutrients, particularly phosphorus (P), from surface flow with high efficiency. The objective of this study was to assess P removal performance by the SAV community under high and low P concentrations. Methods Weekly or biweekly inflow and outflow water samples were collected from four small constructed wetlands (test cells) planted with SAV in South Florida, USA, between September 1999 and September 2001. These test cells were divided into two groups, with the north test cells receiving a higher inflow total phosphorus (TP) concentration (average = 75 lg l ) than the south test cells receiving a lower TP concentration (average = 23 lg l ). Limerock (LR) berms were installed in two of these test cells to allow an evaluation of the efficiency of this physical barrier to enhance wetland performance. Important findings North test cells displayed high TP removal of ;60% while the removal efficiency of the south test cells was only ;20%. Soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations in both north and south test cells were sequestered down to near-detection limit. High removal efficiencies for particulate phosphorus were also observed in the north test cells. The LR berms at the two test cells were found to be associated with decreases of an average TP removal of 2 lg l . Outflow TP concentration did not increase with inflow TP concentration, but increased with nominal hydraulic loading rates. Findings from this study demonstrated high P removal from inflow water containing high TP concentration by the SAV wetland and the importance of hydraulic regime to wetland performance.
Overbite Correction and Smile Aesthetics

Achievement of optimum smile aesthetics during orthodontic treatment has recently been the focus of several published articles in the orthodontic literature. Authors speculate that overbite correction, specifically maxillary incisor intrusion, will lead to flattening of the smile arc and consequently reduce smile attractiveness. The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to investigate differences in outcomes from two common procedures used to reduce deep overbite: maxillary incisor intrusion using an intrusion arch and posterior tooth eruption using an anterior bite plate. Pretreatment and postoverbite correction records were gathered from 20 patients who presented with deep overbite malocclusions to the Virginia Commonwealth University orthodontic clinic. Both the intrusion arch and bite plate procedures effectively reduced overbite significantly over a relatively short period of treatment. Intrusion arch patients displayed significant reductions in maxillary incisor display (lip to tooth) accompanying documented incisor intrusion. Half of the patients in both groups experienced flattening of the smile arc in agreement with previous studies showing similar changes in orthodontic patients in general. There was no greater tendency for flattening to occur in either group. Changes in the smile arc are likely due to other factors involved in orthodontic tooth alignment and are not necessarily attributable to the overbite correction method employed during treatment.
Pion non-analog double charge exchange: 16O(π+, π−)16Ne

Abstract The non-analog pion double charge exchange reaction 16 O (π + ,π − ) 16 Ne has been observed. The ground-state differential cross section at 0° is found to be 0.87 ± 0.21 μb/sr at a mean pion energy of 145 MeV. The mass excess obtained for 16 Ne of 24.4 ± 0.5 MeV is in fair agreement with theoretical predictions. The result indicates that cross sections for pion induced non-isobaric-analog double-charge-exchange transitions can be comparable to those for analog transitions.
Stratification-Score Matching Improves Correction for Confounding by Population Stratification in Case-Control Association Studies

Proper control of confounding due to population stratification is crucial for valid analysis of case-control association studies. Fine matching of cases and controls based on genetic ancestry is an increasingly popular strategy to correct for such confounding, both in genome-wide association studies (GWASs) as well as studies that employ next-generation sequencing, where matching can be used when selecting a subset of participants from a GWAS for rare-variant analysis. Existing matching methods match on measures of genetic ancestry that combine multiple components of ancestry into a scalar quantity. However, we show that including nonconfounding ancestry components in a matching criterion can lead to inaccurate matches, and hence to an improper control of confounding. To resolve this issue, we propose a novel method that assigns cases and controls to matched strata based on the stratification score (Epstein et al. [2007] Am J Hum Genet 80:921-930), which is the probability of disease given genomic variables. Matching on the stratification score leads to more accurate matches because case participants are matched to control participants who have a similar risk of disease given ancestry information. We illustrate our matching method using the African-American arm of the GAIN GWAS of schizophrenia. In this study, we observe that confounding due to stratification can be resolved by our matching approach but not by other existing matching procedures. We also use simulated data to show our novel matching approach can provide a more appropriate correction for population stratification than existing matching approaches.
Temperature sensitivity analysis of high-performance InGaAs(N) (/spl lambda/ = 1.185 - 1.3 /spl mu/m) quantum well lasers

Summary form only given. We find the use of a tensile-strained InGaP buffer layer to be crucial for the growth of the high-In-content InGaAsN QWs on a thick high-Al-content AlGaAs bottom-cladding layers, as evident from the significant improvement in the luminescence from incorporation of the buffer layer. The InGaAs QW laser, exhibits low threshold and transparency current densities.
Mitigating with macrophytes: Submersed plants reduce the toxicity of pesticide‐contaminated water to zooplankton

In ecotoxicology, appreciation is growing for the influence that ecological interactions have on the toxicity of contaminants, such as insecticides, to sensitive species. Most previous studies, however, have focused on factors that exacerbate insecticide effects on species, while factors that may mitigate these effects have been relatively ignored. In aquatic habitats, a small number of studies have shown that submersed macrophytes can remove some insecticides from the water column via sorption. Although examining sorption dynamics is important for understanding the environmental fate of insecticides, whether and to what extent macrophytes actually mitigate insecticide effects on aquatic species remains unknown. In the present study, the authors examined how much and how quickly several realistic densities of the macrophyte Elodea canadensis decreased the toxicity of the insecticide malathion to Daphnia magna, a keystone aquatic herbivore. To do this, the authors quantified Daphnia survival in outdoor test systems (0.95 L) exposed to a factorial combination of five Elodea densities crossed with five malathion concentrations. The authors discovered that malathion's lethality to Daphnia decreased with increasing Elodea density. Furthermore, the rate at which Elodea reduced malathion's toxicity in the water column increased with macrophyte density. These results provide strong evidence that submersed macrophytes can mitigate the ecological impacts of a popular insecticide and further support that ecological interactions can strongly influence contaminant environmental effects. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:699–706. © 2012 SETAC
Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that is restricted entirely to the brain, leptomeninges, eyes, and rarely the spinal cord. It typically presents with focal neurologic symptoms and is characterized by diffuse infiltration of the brain. Corticosteroids are useful for symptomatic treatment but can interfere with definitive pathological diagnosis. PCNSL is radiosensitive and responds to whole-brain radiotherapy. The use of preirradiation high-dose methotrexate-based regimens has significantly improved response rates and patient survival. Longer survival, however, is often marred by devastating neurotoxicity to which the elderly are particularly susceptible. Newer regimens aim to minimize such toxicity while maintaining the survival benefit of combined modality treatment.
Unique factorization in cyclotomic integers of degree seven

This article provides a survey of some basic results in algebraic number theory and applies this material to prove that the cyclotomic integers generated by a seventh root of unity are a unique factorization domain. Part of the proof uses the computer algebra system Maple to find and verify factorizations. The proofs use a combination of historic and modern techniques and some attempt has been made to discuss the history of this material.
Multiresolutional semiotic systems

It turns out that intelligent systems cannot be completely and consistently described without reference to semiotics. Semiotics is a discipline that focuses upon maintenance of the systems of signs and symbols so that they could convey the intended meaning. Semiotics differs from mathematics and mathematical logic by its close attention to the operation of symbol grounding. Semiotics conducts this operation not only in the beginning and in the end of the problem solving process but at all stages of it. An important property of semiotic closure holds in the intelligent system as the paradigm for verification of consistency of its functioning. If a symbol demonstrates any changes in interpretation, this is recorded, and the required transformations continue under shifted interpretation. This paper outlines the set of theoretical premises required for constructing a pragmatically complete, logically consistent, and mathematically formalized semiotic system for interpretation and control.
Relaxation of guinea pig trachealis during electrical field stimulation increases with age.

Our laboratory has previously shown that maturation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractility may play a role in the airway hyperresponsiveness displayed by juveniles of many species, including h...
VOLUMETRIC AND MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES OF SUPERPAVE MIXTURES

This investigation studied the volumetric and mechanical performance properties of the Superpave mixtures SP-1 and SP-2 and a typical Taiwan mixture (TTM). Both the Marshall and the Superpave mix design procedures were used to produce these mixtures, and the Superpave gyratory compactor was used for realistically compacting specimens to densities achieved under actual pavement conditions. The three mixtures were tested using the Superpave shear tester for conducting a simple shear test at constant height, frequency sweep test at constant height, and repeated shear test at constant height. Volumetric analyses of specimens showed that the TTM mixture hardly met the Superpave volumetric requirements and it contained less than 1% air voids at the number of gyrations for design compaction, which strongly suggests that this mixture might be highly prone to rutting. The design asphalt content of each mixture was found very close to the peak of its compaction slope-asphalt content curve. Mechanical test results indicated that the Superpave mixtures were more resistant to permanent deformation than the TTM mixture.
Monolayer strain by NEMS for low power application

In recent years, two dimensional (2D) materials have attracted much attention due to its potential to overcome the roadblocks of electronics miniaturization and follow Moore's law. These materials consist of atoms covalently bonded along one plane and weakly bonded with its neighboring planes via van der Waal forces [1]. This property allows these materials to be mechanically cleaved or exfoliated in mono- or multilayers. Graphene is one of the most studied 2D materials due to its high mobility, strength and flexibility. But the lack of a band gap of this semi-metal material has limited its application in digital electronics [2]. Fortunately the transition-metal di-chalcogenides (TMD) in the form of 2D layers have been shown to possess a band gap. One example is MoS 2 which consists of one plane of Mo atoms sandwiched between two planes of S atoms. Interestingly, the band gap in MoS 2 monolayers and multilayers can be modulated by mechanical strain as reported theoretically [3] and experimentally [4]. A 1.9% compressive strain increases the band gap from 1.73 eV to 1.86 eV and changes it from direct to indirect. Moreover, an 11% tensile strain causes the band gap energy to be zero; essentially making the MoS 2 to transition from semiconductor to metallic [3]. The demonstrations of heterojunctions with useful electronic properties [5] and even MOSFET devices [2] have illuminated the potential of MoS 2 to create electronic devices beyond CMOS. However the strain effect on the band gap of MoS 2 has not been fully explored for electro-mechanical devices. For example nano-electromechanical (NEM) switches offer an avenue for low-power electronics due to their minimal or zero “off” current and steep switching. However, two significant problems in the NEMs devices are mechanical fatigue and the adhesive force between the contacts. In this work, a MoS 2 monolayer is used in a NEMs cantilever to achieve a low-voltage switching device that exploits the strain effect on the band gap. Essentially the NEMs cantilever strains the MoS 2 monolayer and causes its bandgap to change from semiconducting to conducting.
Animal Memory: Chimpanzees Anticipate What Comes Next in Short Movies

A recent study shows that chimpanzees remember a movie they viewed one day earlier, and their eye movements show that they anticipate certain actions in that movie before those actions occur by looking to parts of the scene that are about to become relevant to the storyline.