cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rationality and Supervenience: A Comment on Broome (and Lord)

Broome criticizes reasons-responsiveness conceptions of rationality by arguing that while rationality supervenes on non-factive mental states, reasons-responsiveness in the relevant sense does not....
Acyclovir: mechanism of antiviral action and potentiation by ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses acyclovir mechanism of antiviral action and potentiation by ribonucleotide-reductase inhibitors. The safety and efficacy of acyclovir as an antiviral agent are because of its selective interactions with virally-induced enzymes. Acyclovir is selectively phosphorylated by the viral thymidine kinase and then is converted to its triphosphate form by cellular enzymes. Acyclovir triphosphate is an efficient substrate for the virally encoded DNA polymerase. Incorporation of acyclovir monophosphate at the 3'-primer terminus results in chain termination. The antiviral efficacy of acyclovir is potentiated by inhibition of the virally encoded ribonucleotide reductase by thiocarbonohydrazones. These inhibitors cause a decrease in the dGTP pool size and an increase in the concentration of acyclovir triphosphate in herpesvirus-infected cells, thereby increasing the effectiveness of acyclovir triphosphate as a competitive inhibitor with respect to dGTP for the virally encoded DNA polymerase. The synergism between thiocarbonohydrazones and acyclovir has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The chapter explores that this combination therapy can prove useful in the future treatment of human disease.
The Developmental Biochemistry of Cottonseed Embryogenesis and Germination I. PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF A CARBOXYPEPTIDASE FROM GERMINATING COTYLEDONS

Abstract A carboxypeptidase has been purified from the cotyledons of germinating cotton seedlings and some of its properties determined. Homogeneous enzyme is obtained after a 2000-fold purification with a 40% yield. The enzyme appears to have a molecular weight of approximately 85,000, appears to be composed of three nonidentical polypeptide chains, and its appearance during germination appears to be the result of de novo synthesis.
Variational principle for a prototype Rastall theory of gravitation

A prototype of Rastall’s theory of gravity, in which the divergence of the energy-momentum tensor is proportional to the gradient of the scalar curvature, is shown to be derivable from a variational principle. Both the proportionality factor and the unrenormalized gravitational constant are found to be covariantly constant, but not necessarily constant. The prototype theory is, therefore, a gravitational theory with variable gravitational constant.
Extracting an Arabic Lexicon from Arabic Newspaper Text

We describe how to build a large comprehensive, integrated Arabic lexicon by automatic parsing of newspaper text. We have built a parser system to read Arabic newspaper articles, isolate the tokens from them, find the part of speech, and the features for each token. To achieve this goal we designed a set of algorithms, we generated several sets of rules, and we developed a set of techniques, and a set of components to carry out these techniques. As each sentence is processed, new words and features are added to the lexicon, so that it grows continuously as the system runs. To test the system we have used 100 articles (80,444 words) from the Al-Raya newspaper. The system consists of several modules: the tokenizer module to isolate the tokens, the type finder system to find the part of speech of each token, the proper noun phrase parser module to mark the proper nouns and to discover some information about them and the feature finder module to find the features of the words.
A fault tolerant (/spl radic/N) algorithm for distributed mutual exclusion

A low-cost and highly tolerant protocol for distributed mutual exclusion is presented. This protocol logically organizes nodes as a /spl radic/N/spl timesspl radic/N grid. The smallest quorum size of the protocol is O(/spl radic/N). The system model is given. The definition of a quorum is provided. The proof of correctness of the protocol is given. The authors present an algorithm to implement the protocol in distributed systems. They show that every quorum of M. Maekawa's algorithm (1985) and every quorum of the grid protocol (S.Y. Cheung et al., 1990) are also quorums of the protocol. The protocol can survive even if [(/spl radic/N-1)/2] columns of nodes in the grid have failed. Computations comparing the fault tolerance of the protocol with that of Maekawa's algorithm and the grid protocol are included. >
Learning with fixed rules: The minority game

Abstract This paper gives a critical account of the literature on adaptive behaviour in the minority game, a simple congestion game. The literature has proposed a model which differs markedly from many standard learning models in that players are endowed with a fixed subset of behavioural rules or response modes which map the observed history to actions. These rules need not have a behavioural interpretation or be derived from some form of optimizing behaviour. Nonetheless, this model gives rise to behaviour that is close to equilibrium behaviour at the aggregate level. The individual-level behaviour predicted by the model seems to capture some aspects of observed experimental behaviour that are difficult to explain using standard models.
SAMPL: a simple aggregation and message passing layer for sensor networks

In recent years, wireless sensor networking has shown great promise in applications ranging from industrial control, environmental monitoring and inventory tracking. Given the resource-constrained nature of sensor devices and the dynamic wireless channel used for communication, a sensor networking protocol needs to be compact, energy efficient and highly adaptable. In this paper we present SAMPL, a simple aggregation and message passing layer, aimed at flexible aggregation of sensor information over a long period of time, and supporting sporadic messages from mobile devices. SAMPL is a compact network layer that operates on top of a low-power CSMA/CA based MAC protocol. The protocol has been designed with extensibility in mind to support new transducer devices and unforeseen applications without requiring reprogramming of the entire network. SAMPL uses a highly adaptive tree-based routing scheme to achieve highly robust operation in a time-varying environment. The protocol supports peer-to-peer data transactions, local storage of data similar to what many RFID systems provide as well as secure gateway to infrastructure communication. SAMPL is built on top of the Nano-RK[1] operating system that runs on the FireFly sensor networking platform. Nano-RK's resource management primitives are used to create virtual energy budgets within SAMPL that enforce application lifetimes. As of October 2008, SAMPL has been operating as part of the Sensor Andrew project at Carnegie Mellon University with battery powered sensor nodes for over seven months and continues to be actively used as a research testbed. We describe our deployment tools and network health monitoring strategies necessary for configuring and maintaining long-term operation of a sensor network. Our approach has led to sustainable average packet success rate of 94% across the entire network.
Introduction: From the “New Ecology” to the New Ecologies

An earlier ecological anthropology defined its project within the compass of the idealism v. materialism debate. Culture was an adaptive tool, instrumental rather than formal; it was intelligible with respect to its material effects, not—as the idealists would maintain—in terms of itself, as an autonomous, self-determining order of reality. This argument was mounted with respect to bounded, stable, self-regulating, local, or at best regional entities and the environment they inhabited. All of the premises of the earlier ecology have since been challenged, and today's ecologies—symbolic, historical, and political—radically depart from the reductions and elisions of the ecological anthropology of the past. In particular, the new ecologies override the dichotomies that informed and enlivened the debates of the past—nature/culture, idealism/materialism—and they are informed by the literature on transnationalist flows and local-global articulations. This introduction positions Rappaport's work within this historical shift from a polarized field of mutually exclusive frameworks to today's synthetic new ecologies and their antireductive materialism. Rappaport's work, produced over three decades, serves, in and through its own transformations, as a bridge between the reductive materialism of the past and a new-materialist ecology. [Rappaport, ecological anthropology, materialism v. idealism, the new materialism]
Price discrimination and economics journals

An analysis of pricing by economics journal publishers shows that most publishers initially charge libraries and individual subscribers the same price. Over time, however, almost all eventually engage in price discrimination. The few publishers that never price-discriminate seem to be purchasing an explicit non-profit-maximizing pricing strategy. Once discrimination occurs, library prices rise faster than individual subscriber prices. These results are consistent with theoretical predictions.
Gun Ownership and Risk

Kellermann comments on the technical and political barriers to conducting research on firearm injuries and identifies several successful researchers in the field.
A Simple One-Trial Learning Situation for Mice

The advantages of using mice rather than rats in learning experiments have been sparingly exploited despite the fact that mice occupy less space and are less expensive. The present technique for producing one-trial learning in mice appears to be at least as efficient as, if not better than, one-trial learning procedures described for other species (Hudson, 1939; Maatsch, 1959; Jarvik, 1953). S, randomly selected from a group of 10 experimental and 10 control animals, was placed upon a narrow metal, 1%" wide platform, which projected horizontally from the center of a wall measuring 24" square. After 10 sec., a 4" wide, sliding metal shelf was pushed through a slot -$$" below and parallel to the platform on which S was seated. A 400-v, 60-cycle power supply in series with 200,000 ohms was connected to the platform and shelf when experimental Ss were present. The circuit was completed when S stepped down. No voltage was applied when control Ss were placed in the same situation. On the training trial 100% of both groups left the platform within 10 sec., (taken as a cut-off point). A retention test was run 24 hr. following training with the same procedure as the initial training; the only difference was that the platform and shelf were not electrified. Ss not responding by moving off the platform within 20 sec. were removed by hand, whereas those responding in less time were removed from the apparatus 2 sec. after doing so. On the test trial only 10% of the experimental and 90% of the control Ss left the platform in 10 sec. or less. The difference between groups is significant at the 0.005 level as determined by xZ, applying the Yates correction. No significant differences were found between the response latencies of the control group on training and testing, or the control and experimental groups on training. The obvious change in response latency for experimental Ss with one training trial indicates that one-trial learning can be effectively established in mice.
A Toxic-Metabolic Hypothesis of Pathogenesis of Alcoholic Pancreatitis

Rejecting the big duct hypothesis of alcoholic pancreatitis, a toxic-metabolic hypothesis, in which the acinar cells and ductular system participate, is offered instead. This hypothesis explains the latent period from alcoholism inception to clinical signs of pancreatitis and clarifies the secretory changes at various stages of the disorder.
The role of the dentist and the otolaryngologist in evaluating temporomandibular joint syndromes.

Abstract The mandibular articulation in conjunction with its muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nervous innervation comprises a complex system that must not be over-looked in the presence of facial and head discomfort. Diagnosis and treatment of this common syndrome have been described. During a two and one-half year period, a total of 742 patients were evaluated for this syndrome at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. The importance of recognition of the temporomandibular joint syndrome by otolaryngologists, and the nature of the treatment by qualified dentists was stressed. The problems of Costen's Syndrome or of temporomandibular dysfunction in general are subject to controversy. Many otologists feel disinclined to deal with such problems. Yet, dentists frequently report good therapeutic results which cannot be ignored.
The same inducible nuclear proteins regulates mitogen activation of both the interleukin-2 receptor-alpha gene and type 1 HIV.

Abstract Both the interleukin-2 receptor-alpha (Tac, p55, IL-2Rα) gene and the long terminal repeat (LTR) of type 1 HIV are activated by various T cell mitogens. We now demonstrate that an inducible 86 kd nuclear protein termed HIVEN86A specifically binds to both the enhancer element of the HIV-1 LTR and a closely related 12 bp sequence present in the 5′ regulatory region (−267 to −256) of the IL-2Rα gene. The interaction of these binding sites with HIVEN86A and perhaps other cellular proteins such as NF-κB appears importantly involved in mitogen activation since the isolated IL-2Rα promoter binding site or single elements of the normally duplicated HIV-1 enhancer alone are sufficient to confer mitogen inducibility on an unresponsive heterologous promoter. Together these findings suggest that the normal action of an inducible nuclear DNA binding protein(s) involved in the regulation of IL-2Rα gene expression can be subverted by the HIV-1 provirus to promote activation of retroviral gene transcription.
Between Mothers and Markets: Constructing family identity through homemade food

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of homemade food in the construction of family identity. The article examines how homemade, its interface with markets’ competing food offerings, and intergenerational perspectives on homemade can cast light on competing understandings of the family, social relationships, and the market. Using two empirical studies conducted in a Midwestern cultural setting, findings highlight the importance of family meanings of homemade food, the role of homemade food in demarcating the realms of the family and market, the influence of producer-consumer relationships on threats posed by the market to a coherent family identity, and the qualitative changes in the social reproduction of family identities that result from divergences in homemade food meanings and practices across generations.
An experimental and descriptive study of chromosome elimination in Miastor spec. (Cecidomyidae; Diptera)

1. The descriptive cytology of chromosome elimination has been reinvestigated. The results show that most of the eliminated chromosomes are definitely not homologous with the somatic chromosomes. 2. Evidence from both descriptive and experimental sources shows beyond doubt that the errant feature of the chromosomes eliminated is a failure in the production of normal mid-anaphase tension. Interlocking or sticking of daughter chromatid ends is only rarely if ever responsible for chromosome elimination in the Cecidomyidae. 3. The normal amount of DNA is synthesized just prior to chromosome elimination, and hence no alteration in the normal DNA relationships is involved in the chromosomal behavior here. The distribution of RNA, protein and polysaccharides has also been studied; nothing to indicate their direct involvement in chromosome elimination was detected. 4. Centrifugation studies provide support for the hypothesis that in the cecidomyids chromosome elimination is a largely autonomous act of the chromosomes — it can be prevented but not initiated by cytoplasmic factors. Nucleocytoplasmic interaction therefore will account for the limitation of elimination to only the future somatic nuclei, by permitting normal division of the primordial germ-cell chromosomes.
Simulated harvest traffic effects on corn, oats and soybean yields in western Ohio

Abstract The effects of 3 years of vehicle traffic involving a grain cart with 0, 9 and 18 Mg axle loads on yields of corn ( Zea mays ), soybean ( Glycine max ) and oats ( Avena sativa ) were investigated for a Crosby silt loam soil (Aeric Ochraqualf) at South Charleston, OH. Axle load (AL) treatments, involving 100% coverage of the plot by wheel tracks were imposed immediately after harvesting the previous crop in November 1987, 1988 and 1989. With compaction treatments as main plot, two tillage treatments, plow-till (PT) and no-till (NT), were superimposed as subplots. Root length density, crop stand, and grain yields were measured in 1988, 1989 and 1990. In 3 years, crop yields were not significantly affected by the axle load treatments. In the drough year of 1988, yields of corn and soybean were significantly higher in NT than PT treatments. In the wet year of 1989, oat yield was significantly higher in the PT than in the NT treatment (2.43 Mg ha −1 vs. 1.69 Mg ha −1 ). Only NT soybean yield in 1989 and oat yields for NT and PT treatments in 1990 showed a decreasing trend with increasing axle load. In 1989 soybean yields (Mg ha −1 ) were 2.56 for control, 2.38 for 9 Mg and 1.75 for 18 Mg AL treatments in NT; for PT yields were 1.88 for control, 2.64 for 9 Mg and 2.54 for 18 Mg AL. In 1990, oat yields were 1.56 Mg ha −1 , 1.61 Mg ha −1 and 1.49 Mg ha −1 for the NT treatment compared with 0.97 Mg ha −1 , 0.70 Mg ha −1 and 0.83 Mg ha −1 for the PT treatment for AL of 0 Mg, 9 Mg and 18 Mg, respectively. In 1990, soybean yields were 1.72 Mg ha −1 , 1.67 Mg ha −1 and 1.88 Mg ha −1 for NT compared with 1.84 Mg ha −1 , 2.62 Mg ha −1 and 2.71 Mg ha −1 for PT treatments for 0 Mg, 9 Mg and 18 Mg AL, respectively. Corn grain yield in 1990 for the PT treatment also increased with the increasing AL (7.43 Mg ha −1 , 8.28 Mg ha −1 and 8.71 Mg ha −1 for 0 Mg, 9 Mg and 18 Mg AL treatments, respectively).
Survey of Audiologists and Cerumen Management

Purpose Cerumen management (CM) is within the scope of practice of audiology, and the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) is now the entry-level degree for persons practicing the profession. However, little recent information is available about whether and how CM is presently being taught in AuD programs or even if and how audiologists are currently practicing CM. This study surveyed audiologists about their training for, experience with, opinions about, and practices involving CM. Method A questionnaire was designed for this study and was e-mailed with a link to Surveymonkey.com in April and May 2011 to 1,575 audiologists with AuD degrees, randomly sampled from the American Academy of Audiology's membership directory. Results The return rate was 29% (447 returned). Overall, 69% of these audiologists performed CM compared to only 29% reported in earlier studies. More audiologists in private practice (87%) performed CM than those in medical settings (65%). Almost half (48%) of the audiologists who had completed resi...
CAPS and syntaxin dock dense core vesicles to the plasma membrane in neurons

Docking to the plasma membrane prepares vesicles for rapid release. Here, we describe a mechanism for dense core vesicle docking in neurons. In Caenorhabditis elegans motor neurons, dense core vesicles dock at the plasma membrane but are excluded from active zones at synapses. We have found that the calcium-activated protein for secretion (CAPS) protein is required for dense core vesicle docking but not synaptic vesicle docking. In contrast, we see that UNC-13, a docking factor for synaptic vesicles, is not essential for dense core vesicle docking. Both the CAPS and UNC-13 docking pathways converge on syntaxin, a component of the SNARE (soluble N-ethyl-maleimide–sensitive fusion protein attachment receptor) complex. Overexpression of open syntaxin can bypass the requirement for CAPS in dense core vesicle docking. Thus, CAPS likely promotes the open state of syntaxin, which then docks dense core vesicles. CAPS function in dense core vesicle docking parallels UNC-13 in synaptic vesicle docking, which suggests that these related proteins act similarly to promote docking of independent vesicle populations.
Processes affecting δ34S and δ18O values of dissolved sulfate in alluvium along the Canadian River, central Oklahoma, USA

Abstract The δ 34 S and δ 18 O values for dissolved sulfate in groundwater are commonly used in aquifer studies to identify sulfate reservoirs and describe biogeochemical processes. The utility of these data, however, often is compromised by mixing of sulfate sources within reservoirs and isotope fractionation during sulfur redox cycling. Our study shows that, after all potential sulfate sources are identified and isotopically characterized, the δ 34 S SO4 and δ 18 O SO4 values differentiate processes such as sulfate-source mixing, sulfide oxidation, barite dissolution, and organosulfur decomposition. During bacterial reduction of sulfate, the values reflect kinetic sulfur isotope fractionation and exchange of oxygen isotopes between sulfate and water. Detailed analysis of the chemistry (Cl and SO 4 concentrations) and isotopic composition (δ 2 H H2O and δ 18 O H2O ) of groundwater in an alluvial aquifer in Central Oklahoma, USA allowed the identification of five distinct end members that supply water to the aquifer (regional groundwater flowing into the study area, river water, leachate from a closed landfill that operated within the site, rain, and surface runoff). The δ 34 S SO4 and δ 18 O SO4 values in each end member differentiated three sources of sulfate: sulfate dissolved from Early to Late Permian rocks within the drainage basin (δ 34 S SO4 = 8–12‰ and δ 18 O SO4 = 10‰), iron sulfides oxidized by molecular oxygen during low water-table levels (δ 34 S SO4 = − 16‰ and δ 18 O SO4 = 10‰), and organosulfur compounds (predominately ester sulfates) from decomposition of vegetation on the surface and from landfill trash buried in the alluvium (δ 34 S SO4 = 8‰ and δ 18 O SO4 = 6‰). During bacterial reduction of these sulfate sources, similar isotope fractionation processes are recorded in the parallel trends of increasing δ 34 S SO4 and δ 18 O SO4 values. When extensive reduction occurs, the kinetic sulfur isotope fractionation (estimated by e H2S–SO4 = − 23‰) results in the steady increase of δ 34 S SO4 values to greater than 70‰. Equilibrium isotope fractionation during exchange of sulfate oxygen and water oxygen, a process not commonly observed in field-based studies, is documented in δ 18 O SO4 values asymptotically approaching 21‰, the value predicted for conditions at the study site ( e SO4–H2O = 27‰). These results show that recognition of all potential sulfate sources is a critical first step to resolving complexities in δ 34 S SO4 and δ 18 O SO4 data. The approach taken in this study can be used in other aquifer systems where the identification of multiple sulfate sources and sulfur redox cycling is important to understanding natural processes and anthropogenic influences.
Detection of Ca2+-binding proteins on polyacrylamide gels by 45Ca autoradiography.

Abstract A method was developed for the identification of Ca 2+ -binding proteins after electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. The method involves equilibration of the gel with 45 Ca either during or after electrophoresis, followed by visualization of the 45 Ca-binding proteins by autoradiography.
Density Changes in Solid H 2

The relative difference in molar volume between solid ortho- and para-${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ is found to by $\frac{({V}_{p}\ensuremath{-}{V}_{o})}{\overline{V}}=(1.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)%$ at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. We also report the change in molar volume for a given ortho concentration as a function of temperature, in particular, upon the transition from hcp to fcc.
Scaled ice accretion experiments on a rotating wind turbine blade

Abstract This work presents ice accretion tests of a model wind turbine blade mounted on a rotor test stand. The model test blade was scaled to reproduce local flow and icing conditions at the 95% radial station of the NREL Phase VI Rotor. A modified Ruff scaling method was implemented to scale atmospheric icing conditions that could be generated in a laboratory facility. Scaling laws allowed for reduced testing time as well as a reduced chord length of the blades compared to on-site icing events were implemented. Classical Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) was utilized to correlate inflow conditions at the test facility to actual operating conditions of the NREL Phase VI Rotor. Experimentally obtained rime ice shapes are compared to LEWICE predictions and are used to validate the capability of the facility to reproduce representative icing conditions. The rime ice results matched with predictions to within 1% of both ice thickness and ice extent along the blade surfaces. The effects of angle-of-attack, temperature, liquid water content, and icing time on the final ice shapes were investigated in a parametric study. Experimentally obtained glaze ice shapes are used to demonstrate the severity of the icing events on wind turbine torque. The present work comprises testing procedures and experimental data that can be used for future efforts in ice accretion modeling and testing.
Shear stress reduces protease activated receptor-1 expression in human endothelial cells

Shear stress has been shown to regulate several genes involved in the thrombotic and proliferative functions of endothelial cells. Thrombin receptor (protease-activated receptor-1: PAR-1) increases at sites of vascular injury, which suggests an important role for PAR-1 in vascular diseases. However, the effect of shear stress on PAR-1 expression has not been previously studied. This work investigates effects of shear stress on PAR-1 gene expression in both human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs). Cells were exposed to different shear stresses using a parallel plate flow system. Northern blot and flow cytometry analysis showed that shear stress down-regulated PAR-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in both HUVECs and HMECs but with different thresholds. Furthermore, shear-reduced PAR-1 mRNA was due to a decrease of transcription rate, not increased mRNA degradation. Postshear stress release of endothelin-1 in response to thrombin was reduced in HUVECs and HMECs. Moreover, inhibitors of potential signaling pathways applied during shear stress indicated mediation of the shear-decreased PAR-1 expression by protein kinases. In conclusion, shear stress exposure reduces PAR-1 gene expression in HMECs and HUVECs through a mechanism dependent in part on protein kinases, leading to altered endothelial cell functional responses to thrombin.
Addressing Challenging Behavior: Considering the Logic of Probability

When dealing with children who exhibit challenging behaviors there are no known interventions that work for all students or at all times. Thus, intervention for these students is often implemented in a trial and error manner. This article provides a logic for considering probability as a factor in selecting strategies. Understanding that some interventions are more likely to work than others and the fact that adult behavior is the main impetus for change in student behavior, the key is in considering which teacher behaviors offer the highest probability of student success. Suggestions and examples are provided.
Classification of Flapping Wing Mechanisms for Micro Air Vehicles

The purpose of this paper is to categorize the current state of technology in flapping wing mechanisms of micro air vehicles (MAVs). One of the major components of MAVs is the flapping mechanism, which actuates wings to generate sufficient lift and propulsion force. The goal of the flapping wing mechanism design is to develop a highly efficient and highly robust mechanism, which converts the input motion, either rotational or translational, to a beating motion at a frequency ranging from several to hundreds of Hz. The current practice of designing flapping mechanisms follows an ad-hoc approach with multiple design, build, and test cycles. This design process is very inefficient, costly, time-consuming, and not applicable to mass production of MAVs. This work will be an important step towards a systematic approach for the design of flapping mechanisms for MAVs. In this paper, we will study 15 flapping mechanisms used in recent MAV projects worldwide. We classify these mechanisms based on workspace, compliant or rigid body, type synthesis, mobility, and actuator type. This survey of mechanism classification will serve as a resource for the continued design and development of smaller and more efficient MAVs.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
New Insights into the Early Steps of Phosphatidylinositol Mannoside Biosynthesis in Mycobacteria PimB′ IS AN ESSENTIAL ENZYME OF MYCOBACTERIUM SMEGMATIS

Phosphatidyl-myo-inositol mannosides (PIMs) are key glycolipids of the mycobacterial cell envelope. They are considered not only essential structural components of the cell but also important molecules implicated in host-pathogen interactions. Although their chemical structures are well established, knowledge of the enzymes and sequential events leading to their biosynthesis is still incomplete. Here we show for the first time that although both mannosyltransferases PimA and PimB′ (MSMEG_4253) recognize phosphatidyl-myo-inositol (PI) as a lipid acceptor, PimA specifically catalyzes the transfer of a Manp residue to the 2-position of the myo-inositol ring of PI, whereas PimB′ exclusively transfers to the 6-position. Moreover, whereas PimB′ can catalyze the transfer of a Manp residue onto the PI-monomannoside (PIM1) product of PimA, PimA is unable in vitro to transfer Manp onto the PIM1 product of PimB′. Further assays using membranes from Mycobacterium smegmatis and purified PimA and PimB′ indicated that the acylation of the Manp residue transferred by PimA preferentially occurs after the second Manp residue has been added by PimB′. Importantly, genetic evidence is provided that pimB′ is an essential gene of M. smegmatis. Altogether, our results support a model wherein Ac1PIM2, a major form of PIMs produced by mycobacteria, arises from the consecutive action of PimA, followed by PimB′, and finally the acyltransferase MSMEG_2934. The essentiality of these three enzymes emphasizes the interest of novel anti-tuberculosis drugs targeting the initial steps of PIM biosynthesis.
Morphological Description of Flame-Generated Materials

Abstract The soot formed in a coannular ethene diffusion flame was extracted by a thermophoretic sampling technique for examination by transmission electron microscopy. A detailed analysis of the particle statistics of the samples is presented. Primary particle diameters range from 10 to 40 nm and their spatial variation within the flame affords quantitative information on the specific soot surface growth and oxidation rates. The moment ratio of the aggregate volume-equivalent diameters (D63D30,) is found to be close to the values predicted for the self-preserving size distribution in either the continuum or free molecular limit. The fractal dimensions (1 62 and 1.74) for Iwo samples examined are in the range reported in other combustion related experiments as well as in computational simulations of particle growth when cluster-cluster aggregation is an important growth mechanism The primary particle diameters that have been reported by various investigators in a wide variety of flame environments are rev...
Population-level trends in posttreatment cancer survivors' concerns and associated receipt of care: results from the 2006 and 2010 LIVESTRONG surveys.

There is a need to better understand the posttreatment concerns of the nearly 14 million survivors of cancer alive in the United States today and their receipt of care. Using data from 2,910 posttreatment survivors of cancer from the 2006 or 2010 LIVESTRONG Surveys, the authors examined physical, emotional, and practical concerns, receipt of care, and trends in these outcomes at the population level. Results: 89% of respondents reported at least one physical concern (67% received associated posttreatment care), 90% reported at least one emotional concern (47% received care), and 45% reported at least one practical concern (36% received care). Female survivors, younger survivors, those who received more intensive treatment, and survivors without health insurance often reported a higher burden of posttreatment concerns though were less likely to have received posttreatment care. These results reinforce the importance of posttreatment survivorship and underscore the need for continued progress in meeting the...
Differential regulation of cardiomyocyte survival and hypertrophy by MDM2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase.

MDM2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates the proteasomal degradation and activity of proteins involved in cell growth and apoptosis, including the tumor suppressors p53 and retinoblastoma and the transcription factor E2F1. Although the effect of several MDM2 targets on cardiomyocyte survival and hypertrophy has already been investigated, the role of MDM2 in these processes has not yet been established. We have, therefore, analyzed the effect of overexpression as well as inhibition of MDM2 on cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury and hypertrophy. Here we show that isolated cardiac myocytes overexpressing MDM2 acquired resistance to hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cell death. Conversely, inactivation of MDM2 by a peptide inhibitor resulted in elevated p53 levels and promoted hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis. Consistent with this, decreased expression of MDM2 in a genetic mouse model was accompanied by reduced functional recovery of the left ventricles determined with the Langendorff ex vivo model of ischemia/reperfusion. In contrast to cell survival, cell hypertrophy induced by the α-agonists phenylephrine or endothelin-1 was inhibited by MDM2 overexpression. Collectively, our studies indicate that MDM2 promotes survival and attenuates hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes. This differential regulation of cell growth and cell survival is unique, because most other survival factors are prohypertrophic. MDM2, therefore, might be a potential therapeutic target to down-regulate both cell death and pathologic hypertrophy during remodeling upon cardiac infarction. In addition, our data also suggest that cancer treatments with MDM2 inhibitors to reactivate p53 may have adverse cardiac side effects by promoting cardiomyocyte death.
Sunrise at the synapse: the FMRP mRNP shaping the synaptic interface

Recent studies provide new insight into the mechanistic function of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), paving the way to understanding the biological basis of Fragile X Syndrome. While it has been known for several years that there are spine defects associated with the absence of the mRNA binding protein FMRP, it has been unclear how its absence may lead to specific synaptic defects that underlie the learning and cognitive impairments in Fragile X. One hypothesis under study is that FMRP may play a key role in the regulation of dendritically localized mRNAs, at subsynaptic sites where regulation of local protein synthesis may influence synaptic structure and plasticity. This review highlights recent progress to identify the specific mRNA targets of FMRP and assess defects in mRNA regulation that occur in cells lacking FMRP. In addition, exciting new studies on Fmr1 knockout mice and mutant flies have begun to elucidate a key role for FMRP in synaptic growth, structure, and long-term plasticity.
Exploring the Stressors of New Librarians

This article describes the different stressors and anxieties facing new librarians. It also addresses the various ways that new librarians can cope with location, emotional, and work-related stressors. The article is broken into four different categories of stress; some stressors have been more explored than others. The research is based on an extensive review of the literature and the writer's own experience as a new librarian.
Functions and regulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) in the prostate

The prostate is a highly androgen-dependent tissue that in humans exhibits marked susceptibility to carcinogenesis. The malignant epithelium generated from this tissue ultimately loses dependence on androgens despite retention or amplification of the androgen receptor. Accumulating evidence support that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays key roles in the control of androgen dependence and acquisition of resistance to such hormonal control. Although TGF-β functions as a key tumour suppressor of the prostate, it can also promote malignant progression and metastasis of the advanced disease, through undefined mechanisms. In addition to giving an overview of the TGF-β field as related to its function in prostate cancer, this Review focuses on novel findings that support the tumour suppressor function of TGF-β is lost or altered by changes in the activity of the androgen receptor, insulin-like growth factor-I, Akt, and mTOR during malignant progression. Understanding the mechanisms of cross-talk between TGF-β and such growth modulators has important implications for the rational therapeutics of prostate cancer.
Context effects in visual pattern recognition by pigeons

In the experiments described in this paper we examined the effects of contextual stimuli on pigeons’ recognition of visual patterns. Experiment z showed acontext-superiority effect. Specifically, two target forms that were identical except for location in the visual field were not discriminated when presented alone, but the compounds formed when each of these targets was placed between a nearby pair of flanking stimuli were readily discriminated. The size of the context-superiority effect decreased with increasing target-flanker separation. In Experiments 2 and 3 the two targets differed in form rather than spatial location and were readily discriminated in the absence of Hankers. Under these circumstances, adding an identical pair of flankers to each target resulted in a content-inferiority effect; that is, the two target-plus-Hankers compounds were less readily discriminated than the targets atone. The size of the context-inferiority effect decreased with increasing target-flanker separation. The observed effects of context are predictable from the Heinemann-Chase (1990) model of pattern recognition.
Long-term results of lateral internal sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure with particular reference to incidence of fecal incontinence.

PURPOSE: Lateral internal sphincterotomy is the procedure of choice for chronic anal fissure because it relieves symptoms and heals the fissure in nearly all patients. However, there is evidence that fecal incontinence complicates lateral internal sphincterotomy. The aim of this study was to examine the outcome of lateral internal sphincterotomy in terms of fissure healing and incidence of fecal incontinence. METHODS: Between 1984 and 1996, 585 patients underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy and were surveyed by questionnaire. Eighty-three percent (487/585) responded. The mean follow-up was 72 (range, 6–145) months. RESULTS: Fissures had healed by a median of three weeks after surgery in 96 percent of patients. Recurrent fissures occurred in 8 percent. Two thirds of the recurrent fissures healed on conservative management alone. Ninety-eight percent of patients were satisfied with the outcome of surgery, but some degree of fecal incontinence occurred in fully 45 percent of patients at some time in the postoperative period. Incontinence occurred in 53.4 percent of women and 33.3 percent of men (P 5 years after lateral internal sphincterotomy) 6 percent reported incontinence to flatus, 8 percent had minor fecal soiling, and 1 percent experienced loss of solid stool. Importantly, only 3 percent of patients stated that incontinence had ever affected their quality of life. CONCLUSION: Although lateral internal sphincterotomy heals and relieves symptoms of chronic anal fissure in nearly all patients (96 percent), incontinence occurs frequently. Most episodes of incontinence are indeed minor and transient, but in a small subgroup, incontinence seems to be permanent.
Effect of corn stover compositional variability on minimum ethanol selling price (MESP).

Abstract A techno-economic sensitivity analysis was performed using a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 2011 biochemical conversion design model varying feedstock compositions. A total of 496 feedstock near infrared (NIR) compositions from 47 locations in eight US Corn Belt states were used as the inputs to calculate minimum ethanol selling price (MESP), ethanol yield (gallons per dry ton biomass feedstock), ethanol annual production, as well as total installed project cost for each composition. From this study, the calculated MESP is $2.20 ± 0.21 (average ± 3 SD) per gallon ethanol.
Final Results of a Phase II Chemoradiation Protocol for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: RTOG 85-15

Background: The lack of improved cure rates for advanced cervical cancer after three decades of megavoltage radiotherapy (RT) has prompted continued efforts in improved treatment delivery. Concurrent chemoradiation (CR) is one of the several avenues being explored to improve these results. Methods: Sixty women with advanced cervical cancer (30 patients with unfavorable Stage IIB and 30 patients with Stages III and IVA) were treated with CR comprising of a combination of external and intracavitary RT delivering between 7000 to 7500 cGy total to point A and 5890 to 6015 cGy to point B along with one cycle of 5-FU and mitomycin C and a second cycle of 5-FU andcis-platinum. Results: Grade 3 and 4 RT-related toxicities were 15 and 3%, respectively. Chemotherapy-related Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were 9 and 2%, respectively. The 5-year survival for unfavorable Stage IIB patients was 48%; for Stages III and IVA it was 39%. Conclusions: The toxicity of this particular CR regimen was acceptable and suggests that further qualitative and quantitative intensification of chemoradiation may be attempted. Retrospective comparisons with PCS studies and previous RTOG studies 79-20 and 80-05 suggest that this particular chemoradiation regimen may offer a modest survival advantage over RT alone for Stages III and IVA disease. A CR regimen with higher doses of radiotherapy and a greater number of active chemotherapeutic agents may yet result in acceptable toxicity and further improve cure rates in advanced and poor prognostic featured cervical cancer.
Location of Catheter Tip and Its Impact on Central Venous Pressure

Monitoring of the central venous pressure is a simple, relatively inexpensive method of assessing a patient's cardiac status, circulating blood volume, and vasomotor tone. Although it is a measure of considerable value in patients with cardiac, vascular pulmonary, renal, or other acute problems, for regulation of fluid or blood administration, it is essential that the physicians and nurses be fully aware and take into consideration some of the inherent fallacies and inadequacies of the information derived. Inaccurate measurements are often obtained by the aberrant lodgment of the venous pressure catheter tip, in addition to the other well-known complications. Radiographic identification of the catheter tip is essential to eliminate these problems.
Mood and Menopause: Findings from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) over 10 Years

Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depressive symptoms/disorder. Research has focused on physiologic and psychosocial differences between men and women; an important target of study has been periods of reproductive changes. Controversy has existed regarding the extent to which the menopausal transition or postmenopause increases the risk for depressive symptoms/disorders. This paper presents findings from analyses of data from the SWAN study and an ancillary study on mental health. We found that risk for high depressive symptoms and disorder is greater during and possibly after the menopausal transition. Other factors contribute to risk for depression.
Lactation and Incidence of Premenopausal Breast Cancer: A Longitudinal Study

Background Findings from observational studies suggest an inverse association between lactation and premenopausal breast cancer risk, but results are inconsistent, and data from large prospective cohort studies are lacking. Methods We used information from 60 075 parous women participating in the prospective cohort study of the Nurses' Health Study II from 1997 to 2005. Our primary outcome was incident premenopausal breast cancer. Results We ascertained 608 incident cases of premenopausal breast cancer during 357 556 person-years of follow-up. Women who had ever breastfed had a covariate-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-1.00) for premenopausal breast cancer compared with women who had never breastfed. No linear trend was found with duration of total lactation ( P = .95), exclusive lactation ( P = .74), or lactation amenorrhea ( P = .88). The association between lactation and premenopausal breast cancer was modified by family history of breast cancer ( P value for interaction = .03). Among women with a first-degree relative with breast cancer, those who had ever breastfed had a covariate-adjusted HR of 0.41 (95% CI, 0.22-0.75) for premenopausal breast cancer compared with women who had never breastfed, whereas no association was observed among women without a family history of breast cancer. Conclusion In this large, prospective cohort study of parous premenopausal women, having ever breastfed was inversely associated with incidence of breast cancer among women with a family history of breast cancer.
Sensory and affective predictors of overall pain and emotions associated with affective pain.

Objective: Psychological scaling techniques consistently produce separate ratings for sensory and affective components of pain. This study examines the relative contributions of these components to pain as a whole and the contributions of different emotions to the affective component of pain. Design: The design was correlational. Visual analogue scales were used to quantify overall pain, sensory pain, affective pain, and individual emotions. These data lent themselves to regression techniques for expressing pain as a function of sensation and affect as a function of emotion types. Setting: Data were collected at the Pain Clinic within the Department of Physical Medicine at the Ohio State University. Patients: Subjects were 40 chronic pain sufferers admitted to an inpatient pain management program. Results and Conclusions: Ratings of overall pain were not a simple summation of sensory and affective ratings, but a linearly additive function of both component ratings each with a unique weighting. The affective component of pain was a function of three differentially weighted sets of emotions, anger, fear, and sadness being most salient. Implications arise for the broader assessment of chronic pain and the treatment of specific emotions that may be particularly associated with the pain.
Inspiring future female scientists

This paper will briefly summarize the current state of women in the sciences (especially computer science and engineering), examine current trends, and explore the needs of potential female scientists. One recognized need for academic achievement is the availability of mentors. Female mentors serve as role models and offer tangible proof that a woman can succeed in the field. This paper will explore one approach to inspiring and providing role models for women interested in the sciences. At the University of Mary Washington (UMW), a member of the Department of Computer Science introduced an innovative and novel freshman seminar: "Beauty and Brains — Women in the Sciences". This course is designed to expose students to the achievements and lives of many female scientists. Details about teaching methods, successful assignments, and outcomes are included in the paper. Feedback has been very positive.