cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Binding of Thrombin to the Surface of Human Platelets

Abstract We previously postulated that thrombin might initiate platelet aggregation and the release reaction by acting at the platelet surface. We have now demonstrated surface binding of thrombin using highly purified bovine thrombin labeled with 125I. At least two classes of binding sites have been demonstrated. When studies are done at relatively high thrombin concentrations, platelets bind 50,000 thrombin molecules per platelet at saturation with an apparent dissociation constant of 2.9 units per ml (30 nm thrombin). Binding studies carried out at lower thrombin concentrations disclose that approximately 500 thrombin molecules bind per platelet with an apparent dissociation constant of 0.02 unit per ml (0.21 nm thrombin). The other properties of these two types of thrombin-binding sites were identical. Diisopropyl fluorophosphate-treated thrombin (DIP-thrombin) binds to platelets with equal affinity and competes for the same sites as native thrombin, even though DIP-thrombin does not cause platelet aggregation or the release reaction. Experiments using high resolution electron microscopic autoradiography established that 125I-thrombin binds to the cell surface. The mean position of 400 grains was 490 ± 90 A (S.E.M.) external to the platelet plasma membrane, suggesting that bound thrombin is located in the "glycoprotein coat" of the platelet surface. Similar localization was found for 125I-lentil phytohemagglutinin, which is known to bind to a platelet surface oligosaccharide. Addition of excess unlabeled thrombin rapidly displaced g95% of 125I-thrombin previously bound to platelets, further suggesting that thrombin does not enter the cell. Although DIP-thrombin competitively inhibits binding of native thrombin, DIP-thrombin increases the extent of [14C]serotonin release when platelets are exposed to suboptimal concentrations of native thrombin. These findings suggest that thrombin induces the release reaction by a complicated mechanism involving both binding and proteolytic activities.
Gamma Heavy Chain Disease: Rapid, Sustained Response to Cyclophosphamide and Prednisone

A patient, CAL, with gamma heavy chain disease is presented who has had a complete remission lasting over 2 yr with combination chemotherapy consisting of pulsatile cyclophosphamide and prednisone. The patient exhibited many features of an atuoimmune process including a vasculitis, low serum complement levels, a positive antiglobulin (Coombs) test, Raynaud's phenomenon, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The CAL paraprotein was found to have several previously undescribed characteristics. It reacted with antisera to Fd, Fab, and Fab', suggesting that most of the Fd portion of the molecule was intace. CAL protein consists of two polypeptide chains of molecular weight 49,000 covalently linked to form a dimer of 95,000 molecular weight. The covalent linkage suggests that the hinge region of this gamma heavy chain is intact.
Spatial and objective decompositions for very large SCAPs

This paper reconsiders the single commodity allocation problem (SCAP) for disaster recovery, which determines where and how to stockpile a commodity before a disaster and how to route the commodity once the disaster has hit. It shows how to scale the SCAP algorithm proposed in [1] to a geographical area with up to 1,000 storage locations (over a million decision variables). More precisely, the paper shows that spatial and objective decompositions are instrumental in solving SCAP problems at the state scale (e.g., for the state of Florida). The practical benefits of these decompositions are demonstrated on large-scale hurricane disaster scenarios generated by Los Alamos National Laboratory using state-of-the-art disaster simulation tools.
The DAML-S virtual machine

This paper introduces the DAML-S Virtual Machine (DS-VM): an embedded component that uses the DAML-S Process Model to control the interaction between Web services. We provide a proof of the validity of the implementation of the DAML-S Virtual Machine by proving a mapping from the rules used by the DS-VM to the DAML-S Operational Semantics. Finally, we provide an example of use of the DS-VM with a DAML-Sized version of Amazon.com's Web service, and we conclude with an empirical evaluation that shows that the overhead required by the DS-VM during the interaction with Amazon is only a small fraction of the time required by a query to Amazon. The DS-VM provides crucial evidence that DAML-S can be effectively used to manage the interaction between Web Services.
Functional studies of P-glycoprotein in inside-out plasma membrane vesicles derived from murine erythroleukemia cells overexpressing MDR 3. Properties and kinetics of the interaction of vinblastine with P-glycoprotein and evidence for its active mediated transport

Active [3H]vinblastine (VBL) transport (efflux) was documented for inside-out plasma membrane vesicles from murine erythroleukemia cells (MEL/VCR-6) resistant to vinca alkaloids and overexpressing MDR 3 P-glycoprotein (P-gp) 80-fold. Uptake of [3H]VBL at 37 degrees C by these inside-out vesicles, but not rightside-out vesicles or inside-out vesicles from wild-type cells, was obtained in the form of a rapid, initial phase (0-1 min) and a slower, later phase (> 1 min). The rapidity of each phase correlated with relative P-gp content among different MEL/VCR cell lines. The initial MDR-specific phase was temperature- and pH-dependent (optimum at pH 7), osmotically insensitive, and did not require ATP. The second MDR-specific phase was temperature-dependent, osmotically sensitive, and strictly dependent upon the presence of ATP (Km = 0.37 +/- 0.04 mM). Although other triphosphate nucleotides were partially effective in replacing ATP, the nonhydrolyzable analogue ATP gamma S (adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate)) was ineffective. This time course appears to represent tandem binding of [3H]VBL by P-gp and its mediated transport, with the latter process representing the rate-limiting step. In support of this conclusion, both binding and transport were inhibited by verapamil, quinidine, and reserpine, all known to be inhibitors of photoaffinity labeling of P-gp, but only transport was inhibited by C219 anti-P-gp antibody or orthovanadate. Although the rate of transport of [3H]VBL was 7-7.5-fold lower than the rate of binding (Vmax = 104 +/- 15 pmol/min/mg protein, Kon = 1.5 - 2 x 10(5) mol-1 s-1) to P-gp, each phase exhibited saturation kinetics and values for apparent Km and KD for each process were approximately the same (215 +/- 35 and 195 +/- 30 nM). Intravesicular accumulation of [3H]VBL was almost completely eliminated by high concentrations of nonradioactive VBL, suggesting that simple diffusion does not contribute appreciably to total accumulation of [3H]VBL in this vesicle system. This could be at least partially explained by the fact that these inside-out vesicles under the conditions employed did not maintain a P-gp mediated pH gradient. However, ATP-dependent, intravesicular accumulation of osmotically sensitive [3H]VBL occurred against a substantial permeant concentration gradient in both a time- and concentration-dependent manner consistent with an active, saturable process.
Persistent racial and ethnic differences in location of death for children with cancer.

Background Approximately one in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before reaching their 20th birthday. While both oncologists and parents report a preference that these children die at home rather than in a hospital, there are limited data exploring this issue in depth. Procedure We performed a retrospective analysis of national-level data from 1999 to 2011 from the National Center for Health Statistics “Underlying Cause of Death” database. Characteristics investigated included sex, race, age, ethnicity, cancer type, geographic location, and population density where the child lived. Results Of the 2,130 children with a death attributable to neoplasm in 2011, 37.6% (95% CI, 35.5–39.6%) died at home compared to 36.9% (95% CI, 35.0–38.8%) in 1999. In 2011, there were statistically significant racial differences between white, black, and Hispanic children across nearly every age group, with white children consistently most likely to die at home. Children of non-Hispanic origin were significantly more likely to die at home than Hispanic children (40.3% vs. 29.3%, P < 0.001). Children with CNS tumors are more likely to die at home than children with neoplasms as a whole, while children with leukemia are less likely. Statistically significant differences by race and ethnicity persist regardless of cancer type. Conclusions There has been no significant change in the rate of children with cancer who die at home over the past decade. Racial and ethnic differences have persisted in end of life care for children with cancer with white non-Hispanic children being most likely to die at home. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1403–1408. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epigenetics and epilepsy

Seizures can give rise to enduring changes that reflect alterations in gene-expression patterns, intracellular and intercellular signaling, and ultimately network alterations that are a hallmark of epilepsy. A growing body of literature suggests that long-term changes in gene transcription associated with epilepsy are mediated via modulation of chromatin structure. One transcription factor in particular, repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST), has received a lot of attention due to the possibility that it may control fundamental transcription patterns that drive circuit excitability, seizures, and epilepsy. REST represses a suite of genes in the nervous system by utilizing nuclear protein complexes that were originally identified as mediators of epigenetic inheritance. Epigenetics has traditionally referred to mechanisms that allow a heritable change in gene expression in the absence of DNA mutation. However a more contemporaneous definition acknowledges that many of the mechanisms used to perpetuate epigenetic traits in dividing cells are utilized by neurons to control activity-dependent gene expression. This review surveys what is currently understood about the role of epigenetic mechanisms in epilepsy. We discuss how REST controls gene expression to affect circuit excitability and neurogenesis in epilepsy. We also discuss how the repressor methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and activator cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) regulate neuronal activity and are themselves controlled by activity. Finally we highlight possible future directions in the field of epigenetics and epilepsy.
Using team science to address health disparities: MacArthur network as case example.

The papers in this volume attest to the complexity of answering the question “how does SES get under the skin,” and provide an overview of the significant progress that has been made in the last decade. They illustrate the necessity for causal thinking at several levels of analysis and across multiple disciplines, and the importance of conceptual, methodological, and analytic advances in addressing this question. They demonstrate the relevance of research findings to policy and the development of valid and effective interventions to reduce health disparities. Many of the advances documented in this volume emerged from the work of the MacArthur Network on SES and Health in addition to the contributions of many individuals and groups who are also working on health disparities. The network provided a structure where scientists from a wide range of disciplines could address this issue by working together over an extended period of time. While today it’s not uncommon to have multidisciplinary teams of researchers addressing complex problems (indeed, this is the hallmark of the NIH roadmap initiatives), this type of collaboration was relatively rare when the network began over a decade ago. The number of projects undertaken through team science has been increasing but our understanding of how team science works is still in an early phase. Team science is potentially less efficient than the traditional single investigator approach in part because it demands the transformation of a group of individuals in the service of reaching a shared vision. This raises the question of whether “the juice is worth the squeeze.” In this concluding paper, we attempt to capture the essence of our experiment in “team science,” and assess its value.
Essential amino acid deficiency enhances long-term intake but not short-term licking of the required nutrient

Rats can adjust their nutrient intake in response to nutritional deficiency. This phenomenon has been described extensively for sodium deficiency, whereas other nutrient deficiencies have not been explored thoroughly. Essential amino acid (EAA) deficiency represents a relevant model to describe adaptive changes in behavior resulting from deficiency. The purpose of these experiments was to examine more closely the behavioral responses that occur as a result of lysine (LYS) and threonine (THR) deficiency. Licking to LYS, THR, glycine and distilled water during 10-s trials was measured in control (CON) and EAA-deficient rats. Licking tests were conducted both before and after 23-h intake tests. Although EAA-deficient rats did not show increased licking to the deficient EAA in any of the brief-access tests, in all cases, they did initiate significantly more overall trials than did CON. The EAA-deficient rats also had elevated intake of the deficient EAA in long-duration tests. These findings suggest that LYS or THR deficiency does not emulate the behavioral properties of sodium deficiency in that it does not result in enhanced immediate licking responses to the limiting EAA in brief-access tests. Nevertheless, an appetite is expressed to the relevant EAA in a long-term intake test.
Control of Breathing During Exercise

During exercise by healthy mammals, alveolar ventilation and alveolar-capillary diffusion increase in proportion to the increase in metabolic rate to prevent PaCO2 from increasing and PaO2 from decreasing. There is no known mechanism capable of directly sensing the rate of gas exchange in the muscles or the lungs; thus, for over a century there has been intense interest in elucidating how respiratory neurons adjust their output to variables which can not be directly monitored. Several hypotheses have been tested and supportive data were obtained, but for each hypothesis, there are contradictory data or reasons to question the validity of each hypothesis. Herein, we report a critique of the major hypotheses which has led to the following conclusions. First, a single stimulus or combination of stimuli that convincingly and entirely explains the hyperpnea has not been identified. Second, the coupling of the hyperpnea to metabolic rate is not causal but is due to of these variables each resulting from a common factor which link the circulatory and ventilatory responses to exercise. Third, stimuli postulated to act at pulmonary or cardiac receptors or carotid and intracranial chemoreceptors are not primary mediators of the hyperpnea. Fourth, stimuli originating in exercising limbs and conveyed to the brain by spinal afferents contribute to the exercise hyperpnea. Fifth, the hyperventilation during heavy exercise is not primarily due to lactacidosis stimulation of carotid chemoreceptors. Finally, since volitional exercise requires activation of the CNS, neural feed-forward (central command) mediation of the exercise hyperpnea seems intuitive and is supported by data from several studies. However, there is no compelling evidence to accept this concept as an indisputable fact.
High-Fidelity Tissue Engineering of Patient-Specific Auricles for Reconstruction of Pediatric Microtia and Other Auricular Deformities

Introduction: Autologous techniques for the reconstruction of pediatric microtia often result in suboptimal aesthetic outcomes and morbidity at the costal cartilage donor site. We therefore sought to combine digital photogrammetry with CAD/CAM techniques to develop collagen type I hydrogel scaffolds and their respective molds that would precisely mimic the normal anatomy of the patient-specific external ear as well as recapitulate the complex biomechanical properties of native auricular elastic cartilage while avoiding the morbidity of traditional autologous reconstructions. Methods: Three-dimensional structures of normal pediatric ears were digitized and converted to virtual solids for mold design. Image-based synthetic reconstructions of these ears were fabricated from collagen type I hydrogels. Half were seeded with bovine auricular chondrocytes. Cellular and acellular constructs were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsa of nude rats and harvested after 1 and 3 months. Results: Gross inspection revealed that acellular implants had significantly decreased in size by 1 month. Cellular constructs retained their contour/projection from the animals' dorsa, even after 3 months. Post-harvest weight of cellular constructs was significantly greater than that of acellular constructs after 1 and 3 months. Safranin O-staining revealed that cellular constructs demonstrated evidence of a self-assembled perichondrial layer and copious neocartilage deposition. Verhoeff staining of 1 month cellular constructs revealed de novo elastic cartilage deposition, which was even more extensive and robust after 3 months. The equilibrium modulus and hydraulic permeability of cellular constructs were not significantly different from native bovine auricular cartilage after 3 months. Conclusions: We have developed high-fidelity, biocompatible, patient-specific tissue-engineered constructs for auricular reconstruction which largely mimic the native auricle both biomechanically and histologically, even after an extended period of implantation. This strategy holds immense potential for durable patient-specific tissue-engineered anatomically proper auricular reconstructions in the future. © 2013 Reiffel et al.
The effects of four different radiant warmer temperature set-points used for rewarming neonates.

Temperatures for rewarming neonates have been established for convection incubators. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects on neonates when the skin surface was rewarmed at one of four different levels with an infra-red warmer. A total of 42 normal term neonates were first divided into four groups according to deep rectal temperature on admission; infants in each of the respective groups were then allotted to one of the following skin surface temperature set-point groups: 35, 36, 37, or 38°C for rewarming under a servo-controlled infra-red heat source. Although rewarming at 38° (100.4°F) surface temperature bears the theoretic risk of the effects of hyperthermic stress to the neonate, particularly of apnea, the 12 infants rewarmed at this temperature set-point all achieved normal rectal temperatures significantly sooner than the infants in the other three groups without evidence of ill effects. The attainment of a rectal temperature of 37°C within the 4 hr study period and the absence of hypoglycemia in the 38°C skin temperature group was statistically significant when compared to the frequency of occurrence in the other groups.
Linear systems cut out by quadrics on projections of varieties

Let X be a variety embedded in P; where R is an algebraically closed field. Let L(X)(k) denote the linear system cut out on X by the hypersurfaces of degree k. Then L(X)(k) is complete for large enough k. The question arises: Given a particular embedding of X, how large does k have to be before L(X)(k) is complete? In the case C is a curve, the problem was studied by Castelnuovo [2], who showed, in particular, that if Cc P3, then L(C)(k) is complete if k> deg(C) 2 ( see Szpiro [ 12) for a modern proof due to Gruson) and more recently by Lazarfeld et al. [5], who have shown that if C a nondegenerate curve in P”, then L(C)(k) is complete for F> deg(C) n + 1. In this paper, we study the following special case. Let X be a variety in P” with ideal sheaf .7’. To say that L(X)(k) is complete is equivalent to saying that the sequence
FUZZY SYSTEMS IN KNOWLEDGE ENGINEERING

The purpose of this paper is to outline a theoretical approach to approximate reasoning. The author shares the view that the emergence of an algebraic approach is vital for the advancement of conceptual understanding as well as technical knowledge of knowledge engineering. The notion of a knowledge diagram is suggested as a unifying framework to explain some significant results in this area. This is a categorial point of view promoting the idea that the concept of transformation be taken as fundamental in place of membership. Entities are characterized by their universal properties which specify their role in relation to other entities. Once the operational description is known, internal structure is of lesser importance.
An economical, low-power, inductively-coupled plasma discharge system for research and instructional applications

Abstract Design and construction of an economical radio-frequency generator and impedance matching network for inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry are described. The generator was made from radio-kit assemblies and the impedance-matching network from conventional electronic components. Comparisons with commercially available instrumentation are discussed with respect to performance, cost, and operation. Characteristics of the system include (discontinuous) burst operating conditions, low power, and low argon consumption.
Long-term results of extensor tendon repair

A retrospective analysis was done in 62 patients with 101 digits having extensor tendon injury. Quality of outcome and parameters that might influence outcome were evaluated. The majority of patients were treated with conventional static splinting. Sixty percent of all fingers sustained an associated injury (fracture, dislocation, joint capsule or flexor tendon damage). Patients without associated injuries achieved 64% good/excellent results, and total active motion of 212 degrees. This difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Distal zones (1 to 4) had a significantly poorer result than more proximal zones (5 to 8). The percentage of fingers losing flexion was greater than the percentage of fingers losing extension. In addition, the average degree loss of flexion was greater than the average degree loss of extension. This would seem to indicate that loss of flexion may be a more significant complication from extensor tendon injury than previously thought.
Cationic Liposomes Enhance Adenovirus Entry via a Pathway Independent of the Fiber Receptor and αv-Integrins

ABSTRACT The ability of adenoviral vectors to mediate efficient gene delivery both in vitro and in vivo is limited by the availability of specific cell surface receptors and αv-containing integrins. We tested whether this limitation could be overcome by enhancing viral entry with cationic liposomes. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, delivery of adenoviral vectors in the presence of cationic liposomes increased vector-encoded transgene expression up to 20-fold. The increase in transgene expression was associated with the formation of adenovirus–lipid aggregates and an increase in the amount of vector DNA in the cells, suggesting that enhanced viral entry was responsible for the increase in gene expression. Treatment of the cells with an RGD-containing peptide or adenovirus type 5 fiber protein did not diminish liposome enhancement of transgene expression, indicating that liposomes increase viral entry via a pathway independent of the fiber receptor and of αv integrin-assisted endocytosis. Liposomes...
Structure in momentum-transfer for (pπ−) systems produced in diffractive dissociation of neutrons on protons

Abstract The four-momentum transfer distribution of (pπ − ) systems produced in the neutron dissociation reaction n + p → (p π − ) + p has substantial structure which depends strongly on the mass and on the angular decay properties of the produced (pπ − ) system. No significant energy dependence is observed in the data for incident neutrons in the momentum range between 50 GeV/ c and 300 GeV/ c . The results are compared with a Deck-type of model.
PR localization and anterior pituitary cell populations in vitro in ovariectomized wild-type and PR-knockout mice.

The PR is critical for normal female reproductive function in mammals, including primates, and the PR-knockout mouse is an important model for establishing PR targets. For example, LH secretion is significantly altered both in vivo and in vitro in female PR-knockout mice, but to establish specific mechanisms affected by the absence of the PR in the mouse requires characterization of wild-type mouse cell biology. As steps toward this, the aims were to establish whether altered LH secretion in PR-knockout mice reflects altered mouse gonadotrope cell lineage during development secondary to PR deletion and to test the assumption that PR in wild-type mouse pituitaries has the same exclusive gonadotrope localization and E2 and progesterone regulation as in rat and monkey pituitaries. As an in vitro model, dispersed pituitary cells from 2-wk ovariectomized wild-type or PR-knockout mice were cultured ± E2 for 3 d. These cells were subjected to dual immunofluorescence staining for PR and LH, PRL, or GH. The propor...
Impedance on platinum from voltammetry with superimposed alternating voltage

Abstract A technique is described in. which the ohmic or capacitive component of the impedance electrode/solution may be registered as a function of potential at a given frequency during the anodic and cathodic sweep of the electrode potential which changes linearly with time. Impedance measurements were made on smooth platinum in 1 N HClO 4 , 0.1 N H 2 SO 4 , 1 N H 2 SO 4 , and 10 N H 2 SO 4 in the double-layer region and in the region of oxygen adsorption. The adsorption of SO 4 2− anions causes a decrease of the double layer capacity with increasing concentration in the double-layer region. The capacity increase with potential after the double-layer region during the anodic sweep is caused by a change of the structure of the Helmholtz double layer at frequencies between 1 kc/sec and 10 kc/sec. A faradaic component is included in the capacitive and ohmic components of the impedance at frequencies below 1 kc/sec. The faradaic contribution is attributed to the reaction between water molecules and adsorbed OH-radicals.
The effects of protein solubility on the RNA Integrity Number (RIN) for recombinant Escherichia coli

Abstract High quality, intact messenger RNA (mRNA) is required for DNA microarray and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis and is generally obtained from total RNA isolations. The most widely recognized measure of RNA integrity is the RNA Integrity Number (RIN) obtained from the Agilent Bioanalyzer, as it provides sizing, quantification, and quality control measures. This work describes comparisons of the RIN values obtained for recombinant Escherichia coli . Uninduced recombinant E. coli cultures were examined, as well as induced cultures that produced either a soluble or insoluble recombinant protein. The uninduced cultures and the induced cultures producing soluble protein had higher RIN values than the induced cultures producing insoluble protein. These lower RIN values for E. coli producing the insoluble protein indicate that cellular degradation of the ribosomal RNA species is the likely cause of the lower RIN values. As the use of DNA microarrays and other gene expression tools increase in usage in the industrial recombinant protein production community, these results suggest the need for further studies to determine acceptable RIN ranges for gene expression analysis and effects of various culture conditions on RIN values for recombinant E. coli .
Functional Characterization of an Inositol-sensitive Upstream Activation Sequence in Yeast A cis-REGULATORY ELEMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR INOSITOL-CHOLINE MEDIATED REGULATION OF PHOSPHOLIPID BIOSYNTHESIS

Abstract A repeated element, the inositol-sensitive upstream activation sequence (UAS), having the consensus sequence, 5′-CATGTGAAAT-3′, is present in the promoters of genes encoding enzymes of phospholipid biosynthesis that are regulated in response to the phospholipid precursors, inositol and choline. None of the naturally occurring variants of the UAS element exactly recapitulates the consensus (for review, see Carman, G. M., and Henry, S. A.(1989) Annu. Rev. Biochem. 58, 635-669 and Paltauf, [Medline] F., Kolwhein, S., and Henry, S. A.(1992) in Molecular Biology of the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Broach, J., Jones, E., and Pringle, J., eds) Vol. 2, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY). The first six bases of the UAS element are homologous with canonical binding motif for proteins of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family. Two bHLH regulatory proteins, Ino2p and Ino4p from yeast, were previously shown to bind to promoter fragments containing this element. In the present study, an extensive analysis of UAS function has been conducted. We report that any base substitution within the putative bHLH binding site resulted either in a dramatic reduction or in a complete obliteration of UAS function as tested in an expression assay in vivo. Base substitutions in the 5′ region that flanks the 10-base pair repeat, as well as sequences within the repeat itself at its 3′ end outside the bHLH core, were also assessed. The two bases immediately flanking the 5′ end of the element proved to be very important to its function as a UAS element as did the two bases immediately 3′ of the bHLH core motif. Substitutions of the final two bases of the original ten base pair consensus (i.e. 5′-CATGTGAAAT-3′) had less dramatic effects. We also tested a subset of the altered elements for their ability to serve as competitors in an assay of Ino2p•Ino4p binding. The strength of any given sequence as a UAS element, as assayed in vivo, was strongly correlated with its strength as a competitor for Ino2p•Ino4p binding. We also tested a subset of the modified UAS elements for their effects on expression in vivo in a strain carrying an opi1 mutation. The opi1 mutation renders the coregulated enzymes of phospholipid synthesis constitutive in the presence of phospholipid precursors. All elements that retained some residual UAS activity when tested in the wild-type strain were constitutively expressed at a level comparable with the wild-type derepressed level when tested in the opi1 mutant. Thus, UAS appears to be responsible for OPI1 mediated repression, as well as Ino2p•Ino4p binding. Furthermore, each of the identified functions of the UAS element appears to have the same sequence specificity, and all require the presence of the intact bHLH motif, suggesting that transcriptional activation, repression, and Ino2p•Ino4p binding are all components of a single regulatory mechanism.
Health-care facility choice and the phenomenon of bypassing

Health policy-makers in developing countries are often disturbed and to a degree surprised by the phenomenon of the ill travelling past a free or subsidized local public clinic (or other public facility) to get to an alternative source of care at which they often pay a considerable amount for health care. That a person bypasses a facility is almost certainly indicative either of significant problems with the quality of care at the bypassed facility or of significantly better care at the alternative source of care chosen. When it is a poor person choosing to bypass a free public facility and pay for care further away, such action is especially bothersome to public policy-makers. This paper uses a unique data set, with a health facility survey in which all health facilities are identified, surveyed, and located geographically; and a household survey in which a sample of households from the same health district is also both surveyed and located geographically. The data are analyzed to examine patterns of health care choice related to the characteristics and locations of both the facilities and actual and potential clients. Rather than using the distance travelled or some other general choice of type of care variable as the dependent variable, we are able actually to analyze which specific facilities are bypassed and which chosen. The findings are instructive. That bypassing behaviour is not very different across income groups is certainly noteworthy, as is the fact that the more severely ill tend to bypass and to travel further for care than do the less severely ill. In multivariate analysis almost all characteristics of both providers and facilities are found to have the a priori expected relationships to facility choice. Prices tend to deter use, and improved quality of services to increase the likelihood of a facility being chosen. The answer to the bypassing dilemma seems to be for providers to provide as good quality care relative to the money charged (if any), as other, often further away, providers.
Ionic interactions and multilayer structures on self-assembled surfaces of calix[4]resorcinarene

Abstract The ionization of a self-assembled monolayer of tetrathiol calix[4]resorcinarene, which is a synthetic host in guest–host recognition phenomena, was investigated. Using surface plasmon resonance measurements, it was found that ionization of the self-assembled surface occurred in water at a pH of approximately 11.5. These ionized surfaces of calix[4]resorcinarene were used to bind ionic guests such as metallic copper ions that were further exploited in the formation of supramolecular ionic assemblies of calix[4]resorcinarene. The structure of the molecular assemblies was characterized using polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. The use of ionic interactions to attach molecules such as 11-mercapotundecanoic acid to the upper rim of the calix[4]resorcinarene host was also investigated as a method for simple and non-covalent modification of the host cavity.
Effects of exogenous N-acetylhexosaminidase on the structure and mineralization of the post-ecdysial exoskeleton of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus

Abstract A cuticular glycosidase with characteristics of N-acetyl-β- d -hexosaminidase (HexNAcase) was identified in post-ecdysial crab cuticle. Its appearance coincided with changes in cuticular glycoproteins and the onset of mineralization. To test if HexNAcase might be the causative agent in the alteration of the glycans and initiation of calcification, newly molted crab cuticle was treated with exogenous HexNAcase. Treating cuticular extracts from crabs at 0 h post-ecdysis with exogenous HexNAcase mimicked those changes observed in vivo. Specifically, the enzyme decreased the concanavalin A affinity of an 83-kDa glycoprotein that binds to calcite crystals in vitro. Treating pieces of 0 h post-ecdysial cuticle with HexNAcase rendered them capable of nucleating calcite in vitro (similar to 5 h post-ecdysial cuticle), while untreated, 0 h controls remained uncalcified. The data imply a role of the cuticular HexNAcase-like enzyme in the initiation of calcite nucleation in the newly formed exoskeleton.
On implementation of the extended interior penalty function

The extended interior penalty function formulation is implemented. A rational method for determining the transition between the interior and extended parts is set forth. The formulation includes a straightforward method for avoiding design points with some negative components, which are physically meaningless in structural analysis. The technique, when extended to problems involving parametric constraints, can facilitate closed form integration of the penalty terms over the most important parts of the parameter interval. The method lends itself well to the use of approximation concepts, such as design variable linking, constraint deletion and Taylor series expansions of response quantities in terms of design variables. Examples demonstrating the algorithm, in the context of planar orthogonal frames subjected to ground motion, are included.
Les intégrons : structure et épidémiologie

Resume Objectifs Decrire la nature, la structure et le role dans la resistance bacterienne des integrons. Structure et role dans le monde bacterien De decouverte relativement recente (fin des annees 1980), les integrons constituent la structure genetique la plus efficace connue du monde bacterien dans le domaine de l’emergence et de la dissemination de la resistance aux antibiotiques. Les trois constituants fondamentaux de l’integron sont le gene intI, qui encode pour une integrase de la famille des tyrosines recombinantes, le site de recombinaison primaire attI et un promoteur qui controlera le niveau de transcription des genes qui seront integres. Role de l’integrase IntI Car grâce a l’activite de l’integrase IntI, les integrons sont de veritables pieges pour tous les genes de resistance passant a leur portee. Ce sont donc les integrons qui sont au premier plan de la dissemination et de l’expression des genes de resistance les plus recents : la resistance plasmidique aux quinolones (qnr), les betalactamases a spectre elargi (BLSE) emergentes (CTX-M) et la resistance a l’imipeneme (carbapenemases). La majorite des integrons mediant la resistance aux antibiotiques appartient aux integrons de classe 1. Integrons de classe 1 Ces integrons de classe 1 sont retrouves aussi bien au sein des souches cliniques qu’au sein des souches commensales, notamment chez Escherichia coli. La prevalence de ces integrons semble augmenter avec la pression de selection en antibiotique, avec une forte prevalence de ces structures au sein des souches isolees des milieux hospitaliers. Impact sur la resistance L’association des integrons avec la multiresistance aux antibiotiques et la correlation entre la pression de selection en antibiotiques et la prevalence en integrons, sont des arguments forts pour essayer de controler au maximum la prescription en antibiotiques.
A study of the impact of environmental stochasticity on extinction probabilities by Monte Carlo integration

Abstract An environmental process was characterized by a stationary second order autogressive process with Gaussian noise. This process was then linked to survivorship and reproductive success by logistic transformations. The sensitivity of extinction probabilities to variations in the parameters of the environmental process was studied by computer experiments in Monte Carlo integration. Against the background of the rather limited number of fertility and mortality levels studied in these experiments, the extinction probabilities were demonstrated to be quite sensitive to variations in the parameters of the environmental process. Although more extensive experiments will need to be carried out, those conducted so far suggest that concerted efforts should be made to model those environmental factors that are critical to the survivability of an endangered species in assessing its chances for continued existence.
An Arabidopsis mutant missing one acid phosphatase isoform.

Plant response to phosphorus starvation includes the increased production and secretion of acid phosphatase. We have isolated a mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., phosphatase-underproducer 1 (pup1), that has reduced histochemical staining for acid phosphatase activity in roots of plants grown under phosphorus-starvation conditions. Although pup1 is defective in the production of one inducible acid phosphatase isoform, the most abundant inducible isoform is present. The pup1 mutants are able to respond to phosphorus-deficient conditions by an increase in overall levels of acid phosphatase activity, accumulation of anthocyanins, an increase of the root-to-shoot ratio, and changes in the partitioning of phosphorus between roots and shoots. The gross morphology of the mutants appears normal, except that a small difference in the root to shoot ratio was observed in plants grown under non-stressed conditions. The pup1 gene is incompletely dominant and it is located between 40.2 (±6.2) and 44.9 (±9.9) cM on chromosome 2. This mutant will be useful for determining the role of this acid phosphatase isoform in plant response to phosphorus starvation.
Small Molecule Tertiary Amines as Agonists of the Nuclear Hormone Receptor Rev-erbα

The structure-activity relationship study of a small molecule Rev-erbα agonist is reported. The potency and efficacy of the agonists in a cell-based assay were optimized as compared to the initial lead. Modest mouse pharmacokinetics coupled with an improved in vitro profile make 12e a suitable in vivo probe to interrogate the functions of Rev-erbα in animal models of disease.
Absolute ion-molecule rate constants from drift cell ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy

Abstract The various exact methods of calculating power absorption and its relationship to ion-molecule rate constants in an ion cyclotron resonance spectrometer are summarized. An approximate method that does not require computer analysis is developed and related to other approximate methods. A number of rate constants of model second order reactions are measured and rate constants obtained from the various exact analyses and the approximate method. The approximate method gives rate constants within 5% of the general exact method of Comisarow for most cases. The utility of the graphical approximate method in determining reaction order and mechanism is demonstrated by including pseudo second order and third order reactions. The systems studied include the parent ion reactions in methane, ethylene, vinyl fluoride, vinyl chloride, trifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene and benzene.
Enabling Gigabit services for IEEE 802.11ad-capable high-speed train networks

Wireless systems operating in the 60 GHz band are promising for achieving broadband connectivity to/from high-speed trains. However, the high mobility creates new challenges on the physical and medium access control (MAC) layer and requires a dedicated infrastructure of closely-spaced base stations near the train tracks. We develop an optimization framework for selecting the pairs between infrastructure stations and the antennas on the train to achieve sum rate maximization. We investigate the maximum spacing between base stations that allows Gigabit/s transmission. We then evaluate a MAC protocol similar to IEEE 802.11ad and find that the overhead enforced by sector scanning can be greatly reduced by exploiting the fact that the train position can be approximately predicated by a mobility manager.
Discriminant analysis based on binary and continuous variables

Abstract An observation consisting of both binary and continuous variables may be classified into one of two populations by the double-discriminant function based on the point-biserial model. When the parameters are unknown or partially known, a sample double-discriminant function is obtained by replacing the unknown parameters by their sample estimates. A sampling scheme referred to as the double inverse sampling is proposed to ensure nonsingularity of the sample covariance matrices. An asymptotic expansion for the distribution of the sample double-discriminant function is given under the double inverse sampling scheme. Comparisons of three classification procedures—double-discriminant function, X-out procedure, and X-continuous procedure—are made.
Structural biology: Life's transistors.

Voltage-gated ion channels control electrical activity in nerve, muscle and many other cell types. The crystal structure of a bacterial voltage-gated channel reveals the astonishingly simple design of its voltage sensor.
Incidence of cetuximab-related infusion reactions in oncology patients treated at the University of North Carolina Cancer Hospital.

PurposeThe primary purpose of this study was to determine the rate of infusion reactions to cetuximab in oncology patients treated at the University of North Carolina Cancer Hospital. Secondarily, we sought to evaluate predictors of grade 3–4 hypersensitivity, including geography.MethodsData were collected by retrospective chart review for patients treated with cetuximab at the University of North Carolina Cancer Hospital between 15 November 2006 and 31 December 2010. Data were analyzed for occurrence of hypersensitivity reaction in 125 patients with various cancer types.ResultsOf the 125 subjects, 31 (24.8%) experienced an infusion reaction of any grade. Of 125, 18 (14.4%) experienced a grade 3 or 4 reaction. The odds ratio for patients with an allergy history having a grade 3 or 4 reaction was 2.57 (95% CI 0.93 to 7.09, p = 0.07). Pretreatment with steroids was associated with absence of grade 3 or 4 reaction with an odds ratio of 0.21 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.83, p = 0.04). Mapping of reaction rates by county...
The Russian free press in the transition to a post‐communist society

An increasingly independent press was both a harbinger of, and a participant in, Russia's transition from communism. Associated at first with the struggle against the communist regime, the issue of press freedom has acquired new dimensions in the aftermath of communism's defeat. A study of three newspapers ‐ Nezavisa‐maya gazeta, Delovoi mir and Panorama ‐ suggests the direction that the development of a free press in Russia might take. First, it seems unlikely that overt, political restrictions of the press will be reintroduced. Secondly, however, there is evidence of newspapers exercising self‐restriction and self‐censorship in the face of the newly restructured governmental power. Thirdly, the press now faces constraints of a new kind in the struggle to acquire scarce material resources in a competitive market environment, and this will make the goal of changing old habits of mind and developing an alert, critical and well‐informed public opinion difficult to realize.
Mental health and the urban crisis.

The current urban crisis is profoundly affecting mental health workers and institutions. Community consultation, emergency treatment, group therapy, and nonprofessional activities are growing in importance. Yet mental health institutions and programs are under attack from various factions in both the community and the profession—proving the new involvement both a challenge and a danger.
Density dependence of the momentum distribution in normal liquid 4He.

Deep inelastic neutron scattering measurements on normal liquid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ at 4.25 K have been carried out at 11 densities between 0.125 (saturated vapor pressure) and 0.200 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$, at a momentum transfer of 23 A${\r{}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. A sum of two Gaussians is required to characterize the scattering at all densities, even when the broadening due to instrumental resolution and corrections to the impulse approximation are included. The kinetic energy varies from 15.5 K at 0.125 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ to 32.7 K at 0.200 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$.
The oncofetal gene Pem specifies a divergent paired class homeodomain

The polypeptide sequence predicted from the Pem oncofetal gene cDNA contains a homeodomain most closely related to the paired class. Pem, paired class member orthodenticle, and the bicoid maternal gene product homeodomains all have lysine residues at a recognition helix position implicated in DNA-binding specificity. The Pem recognition helix also has an isoleucine residue replacing an invariant asparagine residue and shares an asparagine residue at a third position with two other vertebrate homeoproteins, at least one of which binds to DNA only as a dimer.