cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Turbulent mixing of r-process elements in the Milky Way

We study turbulent gas diffusion affects on $r$-process abundances in Milky Way stars, by a combination of an analytical approach and a Monte Carlo simulation. Higher $r$-process event rates and faster diffusion, lead to more efficient mixing corresponding to a reduced scatter of $r$-process abundances and causing $r$-process enriched stars to start appearing at lower metallicities. We use three independent observations to constrain the model parameters: (i) the scatter of radioactively stable $r$-process element abundances, (ii) the largest $r$-process enrichment values observed in any solar neighborhood stars and (iii) the isotope abundance ratios of different radioactive $r$-process elements ($^{244}$Pu/$^{238}$U and $^{247}$Cm/$^{238}$U) at the early solar system as compared to their formation. Our results indicate that the Galactic $r$-process rate and the diffusion coefficient are respectively $r 0.1 \mbox{ kpc}^2\mbox{Gyr}^{-1}$ ($r 0.5 \mbox{ kpc}^2\mbox{Gyr}^{-1}$ for collapsars or similarly prolific $r$-process sources) with allowed values satisfying an approximate anti-correlation such that $D\approx r^{-2/3}$, implying that the time between two $r$-process events that enrich the same location in the Galaxy, is $\tau_{\rm mix}\approx 100-200\mbox{ Myr}$. This suggests that a fraction of $\sim 0.8$ ($\sim 0.5$) of the observed $^{247}$Cm ($^{244}$Pu) abundance is dominated by one $r$-process event in the early solar system. Radioactively stable element abundances are dominated by contributions from $\sim 10$ different events in the early solar system. For metal poor stars (with [Fe/H]$\lesssim -2$), their $r$-process abundances are dominated by either a single or several events, depending on the star formation history.
How Education Stakeholders Made Sense of School Readiness in and beyond Kindergarten.

The focus on improving children’s readiness for kindergarten has intensified globally. While most studies examine this issue prior to children entering kindergarten, little is known about how educa...
Carbohydrate (Chondroitin 4) Sulfotransferase-11-Mediated Induction of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Generation of Cancer Stem Cells.

Introduction We have previously shown that the expression of carbohydrate (chondroitin 4) sulfotransferase-11 (CHST11) is elevated in human breast cancer tissues, and that its expression in human breast cancer cell lines is associated with aggressive behavior of cells. The clinical significance of CHST11 expression is unknown, and its function in breast cancer cells is not fully understood. Objective The current study was performed to define the clinical significance of this gene and address its biological function in promoting the aggressive behavior of breast cancer cells. Methods Publicly available datasets were analyzed to determine the correlation of CHST11 expression with breast cancer survival. MCF-7 cells were transfected with the human CHST11 gene, and MCF-7-CHST11 cells with stable expression of the gene were established. Morphology and metastatic capacity of transfected cells were monitored in vitro. E-cadherin and β-catenin expression was compared by immunofluorescence. The expression of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and pluripotency was determined using real-time PCR. The Wnt inhibitor, Wnt-C59, was used to examine the involvement of Wnt in CHST11-mediated morphology. Results The elevated expression of CHST11 in breast tumor specimens was significantly associated with poor survival among patients. MCF-7-CHST11 cells displayed morphological characteristics consistent with EMT, together with a significantly higher proliferation rate, enhanced migratory potential, and more robust anchorage-independent growth. MCF-7-CHST11 cells showed decreased expression of E-cadherin and increased accumulation of β-catenin, as assessed by immunofluorescence. Consistently, increased expression of CHST11 resulted in upregulation of key EMT and stem cell markers. Morphological transition in MCF-7-CHST11 cells was partially reversed by co-incubation with an inhibitor of the Wnt pathway. Conclusions Our findings support a role for CHST11 in induction of EMT and stem cell-like properties. Our data also associate the expression levels of CHST11 in breast tumor specimens with patients' survival. The results have a significant implication for CHST11 expression level as a novel molecular signature for predictive and prognostic purposes in breast cancer. Moreover, with a possible role in driving tumor cell aggressiveness, CHST11 expression might be further considered as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.
Continuum Mechanics and Nonlinear Elasticity

This chapter derives the fundamental equations of continuum mechanics and the nonlinear theory of elasticity. Topics include the description of motion of particles and continua; analysis of deformation and stress; balance of mass, momentum, and energy; the entropy inequality; and constitutive relations. To facilitate understanding of the basic concepts, equations are developed in one, two, and three dimensions.
Validation of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) to screen for atypical social behaviors in juvenile macaques

Primates form strong social bonds and depend on social relationships and networks that provide shared resources and protection critical for survival. Social deficits such as those present in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other psychiatric disorders hinder the individual’s functioning in communities. Given that early diagnosis and intervention can improve outcomes and trajectories of ASD, there is a great need for tools to identify early markers for screening/diagnosis, and for translational animal models to uncover biological mechanisms and develop treatments. One of the most widely used screening tools for ASD in children is the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), a quantitative measure used to identify individuals with atypical social behaviors. The SRS has been adapted for use in adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) –a species very close to humans in terms of social behavior, brain anatomy/connectivity and development– but has not yet been validated or adapted for a necessary downward extension to younger ages matching those for ASD diagnosis in children. The goal of the present study was to adapt and validate the adult macaque SRS (mSRS) in juvenile macaques with age equivalent to 4-6 yr old human children. Expert primate coders modified the mSRS to adapt it to rate atypical social behaviors in juvenile macaques living in complex social groups at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Construct and face validity of this juvenile mSRS (jmSRS) was determined based on well-established and operationalized measures of social and non-social behaviors in this species using traditional behavioral observations. We found that the jmSRS identifies variability in social responsiveness of juvenile rhesus monkeys and shows strong construct/predictive validity, as well as sensitivity to detect atypical social behaviors in young male and female macaques across social status. Thus, the jmSRS provides a promising tool for translational research on macaque models of children social disorders.View Full Text
Concentration Polarization, Surface Charge, and Ionic Current Blockade in Nanopores

We elucidate how the concentration polarization, the surface charge densities on the nanopore and nanoparticle, as well as the applied voltage affect the ionic current blockade arising when a nanos...
Endoscopic cauterization and excision of a bleeding vallecular varix using Endopath bipolar macro forceps

Abstract Introduction Vallecular varices are easy to overlook because of their small size and intermittent bleeding pattern, but they can cause dramatic blood loss. Here we describe our novel method of treating a bleeding vallecular varix using the Ethicon Endopath 5mm bipolar forceps with macro jaw (Endopath), a tool originally designed for use during laparoscopic surgery. Case description A healthy 59-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a week of hemoptysis, postnasal drip, and occasional epistaxis. Labs were notable for hemoglobin 7.5g/dL. Nasopharyngolaryngoscopy revealed a pedunculated, vascular-appearing lesion in the left vallecula that bled sluggishly during a Valsalva maneuver. The patient underwent direct laryngoscopy and operative excision. The stalk was cauterized using Endopath and the varix was separated from the surrounding vallecular tissues with a combination of Endopath bipolar forceps and sharp dissection using microlaryngoscopy scissors. Results The patient had no further bleeding episodes and was discharged on post-operative day one. Final pathology confirmed the vallecular lesion was a varix. Seven weeks post-operatively, her hemoglobin was stable at 14.8 g/dL. Conclusion A vallecular varix should be considered in patients with significant bleeding from the oral cavity when history is not suggestive of pulmonary, gastrointestinal, or nasal source. Thermal cauterization with the Endopath and excision with microlaryngoscopy scissors is a successful treatment for a bleeding vallecular varix. The Endopath bipolar forceps are a useful new addition to the otolaryngologist's armamentarium.
The association between number of children and weight loss outcomes among individuals undergoing bariatric surgery

Abstract Background Existing research demonstrates that parity is associated with risk for obesity. The majority of those who undergo bariatric surgery are women, yet little is known about whether having children before bariatric surgery is associated with pre- and postsurgical weight outcomes. Objectives We aim to evaluate presurgical body mass index (BMI) and postsurgical weight loss among a racially diverse sample of women with and without children. Setting Metropolitan hospital system. Methods Women (n = 246) who underwent bariatric surgery were included in this study. Participants self-reported their number of children. Presurgical BMI and postsurgical weight outcomes at 1 year, including change in BMI (ΔBMI), percentage excess weight loss (%EWL), and percentage total weight loss (%TWL) were calculated from measured height and weight. Results Those with children had a lower presurgical BMI (P = .01) and had a smaller ΔBMI (P = .01) at 1 year after surgery than those without children, although %EWL and %TWL at 1 year did not differ by child status or number of children. After controlling for age, race, and surgery type, the number of children a woman had was related to smaller ΔBMI at 1 year post surgery (P = .01). Conclusions Although women with children had lower reductions in BMI than those without children, both women with and without children achieved successful postsurgical weight loss. Providers should assess for number of children and be cautious not to deter women with children from having bariatric surgery.
An efficient non-enumerative method to estimate path delay fault coverage

A method for estimating the coverage of path delay faults of a given test set, without enumerating paths, is proposed. The method is polynomial in the number of lines in the circuit, and thus allows circuits with large numbers of paths to be considered under the path delay fault model. Several levels of approximation, with increasing accuracy and increasing polynomial complexity, are proposed. Experimental results to show the effectiveness and accuracy of the estimate in evaluating the path delay fault coverage are presented. Combining this nonenumerative estimation method with a test generation method for path delay faults would yield a cost effective method to consider path delay faults in large circuits, which are beyond the capabilities of existing test generation and fault simulation procedures that are based on enumeration of paths. >
Biomass Growth and the Language of Dynamic Systems

Key concepts of the dynamical systems approach are introduced on examples supplied by biomass growth kinetics, a process fundamental to the existence of all life forms. Continuous-time models are considered first, which demonstrate how biomass, or the population size, can settle into steady states that are defined by the parameters describing the organism-organism interactions and the species’ interaction with its environment. Stability of the steady states is analyzed, revealing existence of unstable equilibria and their relationship, in the system phase space, to stable equilibria. Dependence of the system trajectory and occupancy of the steady states on the system history and the history of parameter changes illustrates the concepts of irreversibility and hysteresis. Populations with generations are treated next, which display oscillations, multiperiodicity, and apparent chaos.
Membrane interaction of Pasteurella multocida toxin involves sphingomyelin

Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) is an AB toxin that causes pleiotropic effects in targeted host cells. The N-terminus of PMT (PMT-N) is considered to harbor the membrane receptor binding and translocation domains responsible for mediating cellular entry and delivery of the C-terminal catalytic domain into the host cytosol. Previous studies have implicated gangliosides as the host receptors for PMT binding. To gain further insight into the binding interactions involved in PMT binding to cell membranes, we explored the role of various membrane components in PMT binding, utilizing four different approaches: (a) TLC-overlay binding experiments with (125) I-labeled PMT, PMT-N or the C-terminus of PMT; (b) pull-down experiments using reconstituted membrane liposomes with full-length PMT; (c) surface plasmon resonance analysis of PMT-N binding to reconstituted membrane liposomes; (d) and surface plasmon resonance analysis of PMT-N binding to HEK-293T cell membranes without or with sphingomyelinase, phospholipase D or trypsin treatment. The results obtained revealed that, in our experimental system, full-length PMT and PMT-N did not bind to gangliosides, including monoasialogangliosides GM(1) , GM(2) or GM(3) , but instead bound to membrane phospholipids, primarily the abundant sphingophospholipid sphingomyelin or phosphatidylcholine with other lipid components. Collectively, these studies demonstrate the importance of sphingomyelin for PMT binding to membranes and suggest the involvement of a protein co-receptor.
A New Framework for Unsupervised Semantic Discovery

This paper presents a new framework for the unsupervised discovery of semantic information, using a divide-and-conquer approach to take advantage of contextual regularities and to avoid problems of polysemy and sublanguages. Multiple sets of documents are formed and analyzed to create multiple sets of frames. The overall procedure is wholly unsupervised and domain independent. The end result will be a collection of seets of semantic frames that will be useful in a wide range of applications, including question-answering, information extraction, summarization and text generation.
On the structure and dynamics of human thought: The legacy of William J. McGuire for social and political psychology

We humans seem to have evolved with a need to know, a need to represent reality to ourselves insofar as our cognitive apparatus allows. This representational or knowing process appears to be a crucial aspect of our mode of coping with the environment. It is the tragedy of knowledge that this process, which we cannot do without, we cannot do well: it inevitably misrepresents the environment both by oversimplifying and by distorting it. . . . The only thing more outrageous than using our faulty intellectual processes, including scientific inquiry, to arrive at a representation of reality is not to use them. (William J. McGuire, 1985b, pp. 584–585)
Study of relative quantification of Tc-99m with partial volume effect and spillover correction for SPECT oncology imaging

The apparent concentration of activity in nuclear medicine images is altered by the finite spatial resolution of the imaging systems blurring the counts emitted at a given site out into a surrounding volume in the reconstructed slices. If a structure only partially occupies this volume then more counts will be lost from the location then are brought back in to it from activity within the structure. This is the partial volume effect (PVE). Similarly, counts from surrounding structures can be blurred into the structure. This spillover (SO) also alters the apparent concentration of activity. In total these effects alter the detection and quantification of activity within structures. The increased availability of dual-modality imaging systems whereby high-resolution anatomical information which is registered with the emission slices makes this anatomical information available for use in correcting for the PVE and SO. In this study we investigated the use a template projection-reconstruction method for correction PVE and SO in terms of both its impact of visual image quality and the quantification of activity in simulated spheres of varying contrast relative to a uniform background distribution of activity. We determined that such corrections can dramatically improve both the visualization and quantification of activity within the spheres
Neurobiología de la impulsividad y los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria.

INTRODUCTION: Impulsivity is a complex personality trait related to the control of behavior and emotions and it is present in a wide variety of psychiatric diseases, including eating disorders and particularly in bulimia nervosa (BN). Yet, the relationship between impulsivity and bulimia nervosa, as well as the neurobiological substrates of these disorders, are difficult to discern. OBJECTIVES: The present manuscript reviews the neural substrates for impulsivity, including executive function, preference formation and emotional regulation, and the function of these circuits in individuals with BN. METHODS: A selective review of the literature related to the subject was performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The discussion illustrates the complex relationship between impulsivity and BN, where impulsivity may serve as a vulnerability factor that sensitizes the subjects with BN to negative emotional states that bias the impact of environmental and internal stimuli over behavioral regulation processes, favoring maladaptive and inflexible behavioral patterns.
The Legitimacy of Political Intelligence Trading and the Threat of Insider Trading by the Treasury Department

This written testimony accompanied Professor J.W. Verret's oral testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services. This testimony highlights some of the costs of the Stop Trading on Government Knowledge Act, or STOCK Act. It argues that Section 2 of the Act, which would include in the definition of insider trading any trades based on material non-public information obtained from government sources about pending laws or regulations, stretches insider trading law beyond its original foundation in fiduciary duty principles in a way that risks harm to efficient flows of information about political risk in capital markets.
Rational design and tuning of ribozyme-based devices.

A synthetic gene-regulatory device platform was described by modularly assembling three RNA components encoding distinct functions of sensing, transmission, and actuation. The molecular binding at the sensor component is translated by the transmitter component through a strand-displacement event to modulate activity of the actuator component, which then interacts with cellular transcriptional machinery to affect gene expression levels. Here, we provide some general guidelines on linking RNA components to construct gene-regulatory devices and strategies to tune device regulatory activities through an RNA folding program for specific cellular applications.
Helicopter Night Pilotage

The sections in this article are 1 Night Pilotage Sensors Currently in Use 2 Sensor Theory of Operation 3 Pilotage Sensor Performance 4 Data Relating to Design Improvements 5 Evaluation
Urinary excretion of acid and neutral deoxyribonuclease by rats under normal and post-irradiation conditions.

INTEREST in devising methods of studying tissue breakdown after irradiation has led us to investigate the deoxyribonucleases in body fluids on the premise that these enzymes are liberated only by damaged or destroyed cells. We have reported previously on the increased urinary excretion of the neutral deoxyribonuclease by rats exposed to lethal doses of X-rays1. The purpose of the present communication is to describe a similar but more prompt increase in the urinary excretion of an acid deoxyribonuclease (pH optimum 5.6) by irradiated rats. This is the enzyme which has been studied recently in extenso by Allfrey and Mirsky2. It has been found in many tissues, especially those capable of active proliferation. The urinary acid deoxyribonuclease is partially inhibited by magnesium ion and citrate (0.1 M); its activity is not affected by antimony sulphate, sodium arsenate and extract of the pigeon crop gland, all of which inhibit the neutral deoxyribonuclease3,4.
Systematic shifts in subducting slab behavior with depth

When tectonic plates collide, the less buoyant plate will, in some cases, be forced beneath the other. At such subduction zones the sinking tectonic plate, known as a slab, does not follow a simple path from the surface to the deeper mantle. Instead, new research by Fukao and Obayashi suggests that subducting slabs pass through four largely distinct stages as they penetrate toward the core. To systematically catalog the stages of slab subduction, the authors analyzed roughly 10 million observations of the subsurface that were part of a tomographic study that used primary seismic waves to detect the structure of slabs in subduction zones around the Pacific.
Multicolor Super-Resolution Imaging with Photo-Switchable Fluorescent Probes

Recent advances in far-field optical nanoscopy have enabled fluorescence imaging with a spatial resolution of 20 to 50 nanometers. Multicolor super-resolution imaging, however, remains a challenging task. Here, we introduce a family of photo-switchable fluorescent probes and demonstrate multicolor stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM). Each probe consists of a photo-switchable "reporter" fluorophore that can be cycled between fluorescent and dark states, and an "activator" that facilitates photo-activation of the reporter. Combinatorial pairing of reporters and activators allows the creation of probes with many distinct colors. Iterative, color-specific activation of sparse subsets of these probes allows their localization with nanometer accuracy, enabling the construction of a super-resolution STORM image. Using this approach, we demonstrate multicolor imaging of DNA model samples and mammalian cells with 20- to 30-nanometer resolution. This technique will facilitate direct visualization of molecular interactions at the nanometer scale.
Generalization of Creative Productive-Thinking Training to LD Students' Written Expression.

This study examined whether intermediate-grade LD students could generalize creativity training to increase competency on a spontaneous writing task. The investigation used seven intact classrooms to analyze differences between groups on initial creative productive-thinking level, measured by Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) subtest Tin Can: Unusual Uses. Mean difference scores were compared for number of (a) words, (b) thought units, (c) subordinate clauses, (d) vocabulary, and (e) thematic maturity on the story subtest of the Test of Written Language (TOWL) given before and after training in New Directions in Creativity (NDC).A nonequivalent control-group design was used. Teachers administered the TTCT and TOWL pre- and posttests to 49 subjects in self-contained LD classrooms. Teachers of a 25-member experimental (E) group also conducted NDC intervention, including nonjudgmental brainstorming activities, three times per week for nine weeks. Analysis of covariance results revealed that, after cr...
A Novel CaV1.2 N Terminus Expressed in Smooth Muscle Cells of Resistance Size Arteries Modifies Channel Regulation by Auxiliary Subunits

Voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ (CaV1.2) channels are the principal Ca2+ entry pathway in arterial myocytes. CaV1.2 channels regulate multiple vascular functions and are implicated in the pathogenesis of human disease, including hypertension. However, the molecular identity of CaV1.2 channels expressed in myocytes of myogenic arteries that regulate vascular pressure and blood flow is unknown. Here, we cloned CaV1.2 subunits from resistance size cerebral arteries and demonstrate that myocytes contain a novel, cysteine rich N terminus that is derived from exon 1 (termed “exon 1c”), which is located within CACNA1C, the CaV1.2 gene. Quantitative PCR revealed that exon 1c was predominant in arterial myocytes, but rare in cardiac myocytes, where exon 1a prevailed. When co-expressed with α2δ subunits, CaV1.2 channels containing the novel exon 1c-derived N terminus exhibited: 1) smaller whole cell current density, 2) more negative voltages of half activation (V1/2,act) and half-inactivation (V1/2,inact), and 3) reduced plasma membrane insertion, when compared with channels containing exon 1b. β1b and β2a subunits caused negative shifts in the V1/2,act and V1/2,inact of exon 1b-containing CaV1.2α1/α2δ currents that were larger than those in exon 1c-containing CaV1.2α1/α2δ currents. In contrast, β3 similarly shifted V1/2,act and V1/2,inact of currents generated by exon 1b- and exon 1c-containing channels. β subunits isoform-dependent differences in current inactivation rates were also detected between N-terminal variants. Data indicate that through novel alternative splicing at exon 1, the CaV1.2 N terminus modifies regulation by auxiliary subunits. The novel exon 1c should generate distinct voltage-dependent Ca2+ entry in arterial myocytes, resulting in tissue-specific Ca2+ signaling.
Caloric curves and critical behavior in nuclei

Data from a number of different experimental measurements are used to construct caloric curves for five different regions of nuclear mass. These curves are qualitatively similar, and exhibit plateaus at the higher excitation energies. The limiting temperatures represented by the plateaus decrease with increasing nuclear mass, and are in very good agreement with results of recent calculations employing either a chiral symmetry model or the Gogny interaction. This agreement strongly favors a soft equation of state. Evidence is presented which suggests that critical excitation energies and critical temperatures might be determined from caloric curve measurements when the mass variations inherent in such measurements are taken into account.
A Case Study in Print Media and Heroic Myth: Lee Iacocca 1978-1985.

Previous literature concerning the hero myth has not addressed how someone becomes a contemporary folk hero. This essay suggests that an answer can be found within the mythopoetic role of the media. The mediated “Chrysler drama” and subsequent popular proclamation of Lee Iacocca as a national folk hero is examined as a case study to determine the rhetorical strategies that present mediated actions and actors as “heroic.”
Automated facilitation of electronic meetings

Much group support system (GSS) research has focused on the impact of group size, leadership, tasks, and other variables on the effectiveness and efficiency of meetings, but few studies have investigated the effect of different facilitation modes. An automated facilitator could assist or possibly supplant a human facilitator in complex or geographically distributed meetings. Our study of electronic meetings showed that automated facilitation was as good as expert-human and better than novice-human facilitation for simple idea generation and ranking tasks.
The Pick-up and Penetration of Ultra-Low-Volume and Emulsifiable Concentrate Malathion Formulations by Tobacco Budworm Larvae

The amount of an ultra-low-volume (ULV) and a water-diluted emulsifiable concentrated (EC) formulation of malathion picked up by larvae of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), from treated cotton leaves and the amount penetrating into larvae were compared. Dead larvae on ULV treated leaves contained a greater amount of malathion than larvae from EC treated leaves. The ULV droplet remained in a liquid form on the leaf while the EC dried and was less readily obtained by larvae crawling on the surface of leaves. Malathion EC rapidly disappeared from the surface of topically treated larvae both by evaporation and absorption of the dose by the cuticle and thus did not reach the site of action. A greater total amount of malathion was present internally in ULV. than EC topically treated larvae.
Leishmania major expresses a single dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase localized in the glycosome, important for rapid growth and survival at high cell density and essential for virulence

Despite major advances in the understanding of pathogenesis of the human protozoan parasite Leishmania major, little is known about the enzymes and the primary precursors involved in the initial steps of synthesis of its major glycerolipids including those involved in virulence. We have previously demonstrated that the initial step of acylation of the precursor glycerol 3-phosphate is not essential for the synthesis of ester and ether phospholipids in this parasite. Here we show that Leishmania expresses a single acyltransferase with high specificity for the precursor dihydroxyacetone phosphate and shows the best activity in the presence of palmitoyl-CoA. We have identified and characterized the LmDAT gene encoding this activity. LmDAT complements the lethality resulting from the loss of both dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase activities in yeast. Recombinant LmDAT exhibits biochemical properties similar to those of the native enzyme of the promastigote stage parasites. We show that LmDAT is a glycosomal enzyme and its loss in a delta lmdat/delta lmdat null mutant results in complete abrogation of the parasite dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activity. Furthermore, lack of LmDAT causes a major alteration in parasite division during the logarithmic phase of growth, an accelerated cell death during stationary phase, and loss of virulence. Together, our results demonstrate that LmDAT is the only dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase of the L. major localized in the peroxisome, important for growth and survival and essential for virulence.
Quality Control of mRNA Function

While individual nuclear and cytoplasmic reactions required for the formation of functional mRNA can be carried out in isolation in vitro, it has become increasingly clear that many of the steps along the path from gene to protein are, in vivo, interdependent in a way that provides important mechanisms for the QC of mRNA function. In fact, nothing less would be expected of an efficiently operating assembly line, which should discard defective products rather than proceed to process them. Owing to space and reference constraints, this minireview describes neither the bulk of data demonstrating the interdependence of reactions required for mRNA biosynthesis, nor the finer details of these reactions. Future work will no doubt reveal the complete network of integrated events that ensures mRNA QC and yet-to-be-defined molecular constituents of this network.‡E-mail: lynne_maquat@urmc.rochester.edu (L. E. M.); gcarmich@neuron.uchc.edu (G. G. C.).
Intrinsic and synaptic properties of turtle red nucleus neurons in vitro

Burst discharges in the red nucleus are correlated with discrete limb movements. Intracellular recordings from red nucleus neurons in the in vitro turtle brainstem-cerebellum was performed to elucidate mechanisms underlying these bursts. Depolarizing intracellular current injection failed to demonstrate endogenous membrane currents that might produce burst discharges, and neurons did not exhibit significant spike frequency adaptation, which is a characteristic of synaptically driven bursts. Responses of red nucleus neurons to synaptic input demonstrated a late, slow depolarizing synaptic potential (slow EPSP) having a latency of 9-12 ms, and a maximal duration of 600 ms. it is concluded that neither intrinsic membrane responses, nor the duration of the slow EPSP, can fully account for the behavior of red nucleus neurons during burst discharge. We hypothesize that activity in the red nucleus is driven by a gradual recruitment of NMDA receptors, and lpr by polysynaptic excitatory pathways.
A modified column for sperm isoelectric focusing

A modified U-shaped column is described for efficient isoelectric focusing of spermatozoa, other cells, and protein. The washed spermatozoa of the rabbit showed a PI of 4.4. After sonication, heads and tails focused at same pH, indicating similar and equal charge.
Electronic Medical Records, Nurse Staffing, and Nurse-Sensitive Patient Outcomes: Evidence From the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators:

Electronic medical records (EMR) have the potential to improve nursing care in the hospital setting. This study estimated the association of EMR implementation with nurse staffing levels, skill mix, contract/agency percent, and nurse-sensitive patient outcomes in U.S. hospitals. Data on nurse staffing and patient outcomes came from the 2004-2008 National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators. Data on EMR implementation came from the 2004-2008 HIMSS Analytics Database. The authors conducted a longitudinal analysis of an unbalanced panel of 3,048 medical/surgical units in 509 short-term, general acute care hospitals. EMR implementation was associated with lower total nurse hours per patient day, higher Registered Nurse percent and contract/agency percent, and higher adverse patient events in the short term. EMR may create a skill bias toward higher-skilled nurses. As more advanced EMR systems diffuse into practice, managers and policy makers should consider potential negative associations of EMR implementation with patient safety.
RGS3 and RGS4 are GTPase Activating Proteins in the Heart

RGS family members are regulatory molecules that act as GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) for G alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. RGS proteins are able to deactivate G protein subunits of the Gi alpha, Go alpha and Gq alpha subtypes when tested in vitro and in vivo. Although the function of RGS proteins in cardiac physiology is unknown, their ability to deactivate Galpha subunits suggests that they may inhibit the action of muscarinic, alpha-adrenergic, endothelin, and other agonists. To evaluate the role of RGS family members in the regulation of cardiac physiology, we investigated the expression pattern of two RGS genes in normal and diseased rat heart tissue. RGS3 and RGS4 mRNAs and proteins were detected in adult myocardium. RGS3 and RGS4 gene expression was markedly enhanced in two model systems of cardiac hypertrophy: growth factor-stimulated cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and pulmonary artery-banded (PAB) mice. RGS3 and RGS4 mRNA levels were reduced in failing myocardium obtained from SHHF/Mcc-fa(cp) (SHHF) rats. These findings support the hypothesis that RGS gene expression is highly regulated in myocardium and imply that RGS family members play an important role in the regulation of cardiac function.
TCP-RC: a receiver-centered TCP protocol for delay-sensitive applications

TCP is the de-facto standard transport-layer protocol in the Internet. However, TCP is generally considered to be inappropriate for delay-sensitive applications such as multimedia. This paper proposes a novel receiver-centered TCP (TCP-RC), which is a TCP modification at the receiver that is intended for delay-sensitive applications. The basic principle behind TCP-RC is that it achieves low latency at the expense of reliability. In particular, TCP-RC forges lost packets, passing them on to an enabled application. This allows low-latency transmission for a class of applications that do not demand full reliability. Results obtained from emulated experiments show that over a range of loss rates and round-trip times, TCP-RC has a significantly smaller average- and worst-case per-packet delay than regular TCP.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Asymmetrical loss of sialic acid from membrane glycoproteins during platelet aging.

Platelet cohorts prepared from <- 24 hour old rabbit platelets were infused into myelosuppressed recipient animals and allowed to age in them. Serial withdrawals of platelets at 24 hour intervals revealed a sharp drop in total platelet N-acetylneuraminic acid. Platelet membrane proteins were double labeled by reductive methylation of free amino groups in the presence of [14C]-formaldehyde and by metaperiodate oxidation of sialic acid residues followed by reduction with [3H]-NaBH4. Senescence of platelets in vivo is associated with a disproportionate loss of metaperiodate-oxidizable residues from a glycopeptide of M.W. 45,000.
Metabolic pathways involved in lipogenesis from lactate and acetate in bovine adipose tissue: effects of metabolic inhibitors.

Abstract Metabolic inhibitors were used in vitro in an attempt to elucidate the biochemical pathways by which lactate is converted to fatty acids by bovine adipose tissue. Subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were obtained by biopsy techniques from steers fed a high-energy ration. Kynurenate (α-2-diamino-γ-oxabenzenebutanoic acid) (5–10 m m ), an inhibitor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and cerulenin (2,3-epoxy-4-oxo-7,10-dodecadienamide) (20–100 μg/ml), an inhibitor of the fatty acid synthetase enzyme complex, inhibited fatty acid synthesis from both acetate and lactate. The hydrogen acceptor, N-methylphenazonium methosulfate (10 μ m ) inhibited acetate but not lactate incorporation into fatty acids. α-Cyanohydroxycinnamate (5 m m ) and phenylpyruvate (10 m m ), which inhibit pyruvate entry into the mitochondria and pyruvate carboxylase, respectively, decreased lipogenesis from both acetate and lactate. The effects of phenylpyruvate on lipogenesis from acetate were greater in the presence of glucose plus insulin. Agaric acid (2-hydroxy-1,2,3-nonadecanetricarboxylic acid) (0.2 and 1.0 m m ), which inhibits citrate efflux from the mitochondria also decreased lipogenesis from both acetate and lactate. Fluoroacetate (2.5 m m ), an inhibitor of aconitate hydratase, had no effect on lipogenesis from acetate; but, in the presence of glucose or pyruvate, decreased lactate incorporation into fatty acids. n-Butylmalonate (5 m m ), which blocks malate transport across the mitochondrial membrane, decreased lipogenesis from lactate but not acetate. Malate transport during lipogenesis is not associated with an operative malate:asparate shuttle in bovine adipose tissue, as indicated by the lack of effect of either 0.2 or 1.0 m m aminooxyacetate, a transaminase inhibitor, on lipogenesis from acetate or lactate. The results suggest a functional ATP-citrate lyase:NADP-malate dehydrogenase pathway in bovine subcutaneous adipose tissue and that this pathway may be involved in lipogenesis from acetate as well as lactate.
Fibromyalgia Is Not a Muscle Disorder

Originally described as "fibrositis," fibromyalgia has long been considered a muscle disorder, and many studies have investigated the possible pathologic basis of the disorder by examining muscle tissue, using various methodologic approaches. Although initial studies suggested a possible pathologic basis in muscle, most had serious methodologic limitations. More recent studies, however, have avoided methodologic pitfalls and indicate that the muscles of patients with fibromyalgia are normal. When data from studies of tenderness are also taken into account, the weight of evidence suggests that fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome which has a central rather than peripheral or muscular basis.
Assessment of AOS for treatment planning

Assessment of speech involves profiling a disorder, possibly at multiple levels, as well as interpreting that information to determine direction for treatment. Assessment of perceptual, acoustic, and physiological characteristics of apraxic speech is discussed, identifying the specific information that is contributed at each level. A combination of methods is advocated because each level of analysis provides the clinician with unique information. Perceptual analyses identify deviations from normal-sounding speech, whereas acoustic and physiological analyses can help provide insight into the underlying cause of perceptual abnormality. The latter can also identify abnormality that may not be detected perceptually but may be interfering with performance. Applications of the different assessment levels and methods to developing treatments and measuring outcome are addressed.
World Wide Web technologies in CWRU libraries

In this paper we focus on the development of World Wide Web technologies in our university libraries. We first outline a task force set up to design library services and to share techniques and resources across department boundaries. Next is a description of the first main project of the task force: the design of the Web interface into the library catalog, including a description of the final outcome and the design criteria used. Third, a description of the Master List of Databases project, an effort to centralize the list of all CWRU‐available indexes and full‐text resources. Following the database list project is a discussion of the evolution of our OPAC station software from a custom‐written DOS application to a Web‐based menu system. Finally, a description of the problem of remote access to library resources and an outline of two possible solutions: authenticating proxy servers and the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol.
Adolescents' perceptions of attachments to their mothers and fathers in families with histories of domestic violence: a longitudinal perspective.

Abstract Objective: The effects of both childhood and teenage experiences of domestic violence on adolescent-parent attachments were examined. Method: Israeli adolescents (M = 15.9 years) who were either victims of physical abuse, witnesses of physical spouse abuse, victims and witnesses of abuse, or neither victims nor witnesses of abuse were questioned about attachments to their parents using the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment [IPPA; Armsden, G. C., & Greenberg, M. T. (1987). The inventory of parent and peer attachment: Individual differences and their relationship to psychological well-being in adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 16, 427–454]. Findings: Abuse status 5 years earlier was unrelated to the adolescents’ current perceptions of their attachments whereas current abuse status predicted the adolescents’ perceptions of attachment to their mothers. Adolescents who were victims of physical abuse reported weaker attachments to their parents than adolescents who were not abused or who had solely witnessed interparental physical abuse. Attachments to mothers were weaker whether or not mothers were the perpetrators of abuse. Conclusions: These findings suggest that victimization adversely affects children's perceptions of relationships with their parents, but that changes in the exposure to family violence are associated with changes in relationships with parents. These findings suggest that intervention can have positive effects on parent-child relationships despite violent histories.
Assessing regulatory effectiveness with exogenously declining risk: a case study of the CPSC's 1973 mattress standard.

INTRODUCTION: This paper examines the contribution of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) 1973 cigarette ignition mattress flammability standard to reduce mattress fires since 1980, when the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Incident Reporting System became fully operational. METHOD: The paper attempts to separate the effect of the cigarette ignition standard from the declining trend in mattress fires that would have resulted without the standard. We analyze the impact of the 1973 cigarette standard on smoking material ignition fires, deaths, and injuries as well as its effect on fires, deaths, and injuries from all ignition sources (smoking material ignitions, open-flame ignitions, and other ignition sources). Impacts on Industry: The results suggest that the 1973 mattress standard has effectively reduced the mattress fire risk and that further reductions in risk via actions tied specifically to cigarette ignition are likely to be difficult to achieve. Language: en
“Asians are Good at Math. What an Awful Stereotype” The Model Minority Stereotype's Impact on Asian American Engineering Students

Background The Model Minority Stereotype (MMS) describes Asians and Asian Americans (As/AsAm) as the epitome of assimilation into U.S. society using hard work, intelligence, high educational attainment, and economic success to overcome the challenges of discrimination and recent immigration. Certain facets of the MMS intersect with qualities often perceived as desirable in engineering education. Purpose (Hypothesis) Our research questions are: To what degree do academic data support the assertion that AsAm engineering students conform to the MMS? How do AsAm engineering students express the impact of the facets of the MMS on their lived experiences? What facets of the MMS are more often reported than others among AsAm engineering students? How do AsAm engineering students perceive their fellow racial/ethnic peers fit within the MMS? Design/Method The research uses a mixed methods approach including analysis of academic transcript data, surveys and semi-structured interviews. Results The academic record of AsAm participants was not significantly different from participants in other racial/ethnic groups. Although the AsAm participants were not found to conform to the MMS academically, they discussed their perceptions of many facets of the MMS including: being hardworking, uncomplaining and extremely intelligent, and seeking both economic attainment and educational prestige. Interestingly, many students who denied that the stereotype applied to them projected this stereotype on other AsAms. Conclusions Documentation of the existence of the MMS on our campus shows that, although AsAm students are not underrepresented, they face stereotyping and discrimination. We present specific recommendations for institutions to address equity and parity challenges.
Some theorems on construction of magic squares

Abstract Four theorems are given on the construction of magic squares. Theorem I proves that substituting the number k in a N×N magic square by the kth incremental square of a m×m magic square, the resultant mN×mN square is a magic square. Theorem II shows that dividing an even rank N×N magic square into four quadrants, substituting the number k in the odd-number quadrants by the kth incremental square of a type-1 simple square and substituting the number k in the even-number quadrants by the kth incremental square of a type-2 simple square, the resultant mN×mN square is a magic square. In an even rank N×N magic square, Theorem III proves that substituting the number kAij by the kth incremental simple square of type-1 or type-2, depending on the sum of i+j even or odd, the resultant square is a magic square. Theorem IV shows that in an even rank N×N magic square with each row and each column having an equal number of odd and even numbers, substituting for odd numbers by the kth incremental simple square of type-1 and for even numbers by the kth incremental simple square of type-2, the resultant square is a magic square. Sixteen examples are given.