cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An augmented Lagrangian method for VLSI global placement

By ignoring some cell overlaps, global placement computes the best position for each cell to minimize the wirelength. It is an important stage in very large scale integration (VLSI) physical design, since circuit performance heavily depends on the placement results. In this paper, we propose an augmented Lagrangian method to solve the VLSI global placement problem. In the proposed method, a cautious dynamic density weight strategy is used to balance the wirelength objective and the density constraints, and an adaptive step size is used to obtain a trade-off between runtime and solution quality. The proposed method is tested on the IBM mixed-size benchmarks and the International Symposium on Physical Design 2006 placement contest benchmarks. Experimental results show that our global placement method outperforms the state-of-the-art placement approaches in terms of solution quality on most of the benchmarks.
Mechanisms of action of antiestrogens.

Abstract Investigators from laboratories worldwide have spent nearly 40 years studying the mechanisms by which the diverse class of compounds known as antiestrogens exert their effects. In this review we present an overview of the work to date that has led to a greater understanding of both the classical and the sometimes unexpected actions which an antiestrogenic compound can have on the growth of a cell. In addition, we review work which has begun to explain the means by which some cells can ultimately become resistant to the action of antiestrogens. We conclude with a discussion of the current directions being followed by researchers in this area, as well as with several comments regarding what physiological activities might be desired in an ‘ideal’ antiestrogenic compound.
A Model for Atmospheric Pressure Fluctuations in the Mesoscale Range

Abstract It is shown, given perturbations of the jet stream wind system similar to those reported from balloon and aircraft studies, that it is possible to calculate ground level pressure fluctuations. Using a density stratified model of the troposphere and a constant gravity field, and assuming the jet stream to act as a traveling disturbance, a simple linear model predicts the correct order of magnitude and power spectra for microbarographic fluctuations in the 5–60 min period range.
Identification of an inhibitor binding site of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase.

Polymers of ADP-ribose involved in the maintenance of genomic integrity are converted to free ADP-ribose by the action of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). As an approach to mapping functions of PARG onto the amino acid sequence of the protein, we report here experiments that identify an amino acid residue involved in the binding of potent PARG inhibitors. A photoreactive inhibitor, [a- 3 2 P]-8-azidoadenosine diphosphate (hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidinediol (8-N 3 -ADP-HPD), was used to photolabel a recombinant bovine PARG catalytic fragment (rPARG-CF). N-Terminal sequencing of tryptic and subtilitic peptides of photoderivatized rPARG-CF identified tyrosine 796 (Y796), a residue conserved in PARG across a wide range of organisms, as a site of photoderivatization. Site-directed mutants where this tyrosine residue was replaced with an alanine residue (Y796A) had a nearly 8-fold decrease in catalytic efficiency (k c a t /K M ), while replacement with a tryptophan residue (Y796W) had little effect on catalytic efficiency. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy using the PARG inhibitor 8-(aminohexyl)amino-ADP-HPD demonstrated that the binding constant of the inhibitor for Y796A was 21-fold lower (K D = 170 nM) than that of wild-type PARG (K D = 8.2 nM), while Y796W displayed a binding affinity similar to that of the wild-type enzyme. Our results indicate that Y796 is involved in inhibitor binding to PARG via a ring stacking interaction and identify a highly conserved region of the protein that putatively contains other residues involved in catalytic activity and/or substrate recognition.
Expanding the Repertoire of Tools and Techniques for Assessing the Communication Skills of Infants and Toddlers

In recent years, professionals and families alike have expressed dissatisfaction over the tools and techniques used to evaluate and assess the communication skills of infants and toddlers (Campione, 1989; Crais, 1992a, 1993; Neisworth & Bagnato, 1992; Wetherby & Prizant, 1992). These dissatisfactions are often the result of a number of features that characterize many standardized tools and the limitations inherent in their use. In addition, ideas related to the ecological framework within which assessment should take place have altered our thinking about both the context and procedures employed. This article discusses several of the issues related to the growing dissatisfaction with current assessment tools and provides an overview of tools and techniques developed within the last several years that address some of these issues.
Local workplace organising in the wake of globalisation: Street vendors and autoworkers in Puebla, Mexico

Abstract Global changes that seem to limit the intellectual and physical space in which workplace organising takes place, have led many analysts to suggest that labour organisations have become less important politically in recent years. While conceding that global processes have made the workers’ task more difficult, the argument here is that the nature and character of resistance by workers continues to influence political and economic outcomes. When that resistance is ineffective, as is the case to varying degrees with the disparate groups of Pueblan workers compared here, it may appear that global forces are too strong to be challenged. This paper argues, however, that workplace organisations that creatively adapt their structures and strategies to changing circumstances should be able to defend the interests of their constituents, as well as potentially influence political outcomes at local, national and perhaps even international levels.
Primary socialization theory: an exploratory study of delinquent trajectories

Primary socialization theory (PST) is a recent advance in the psychological literature to help understand the role of peers in delinquency. The theory posits that family, schools, and personality will influence delinquent behavior through peers. That is, peers have the most important role in socializing for delinquency. Using a subsample (N = 383) of the longitudinal GREAT data, the results from semi‐parametric group‐based modeling (SGM) suggested five distinct groups of nonsocial reinforcement (one trajectory exhibited little to no nonsocial reinforcement, another group appeared to have a low but stable rate of nonsocial reinforcement, one trajectory appears to be increasing then decreasing, another trajectory is decreasing, and another trajectory is increasing). This study partially supports PST by showing that other measures have links with the developmental trajectories.
Pressure-induced enhancement of the magnetic anisotropy in Mn ( N ( CN ) 2 ) 2

Using dc and ac magnetometry, the pressure dependence of the magnetization of the three-dimensional antiferromagnetic coordination polymer $\text{Mn}{(\text{N}{(\text{CN})}_{2})}_{2}$ was studied up to 12 kbar and down to 8 K. The antiferromagnetic transition temperature, ${T}_{\mathrm{N}}$, increases dramatically with applied pressure $(P)$, where a change from ${T}_{\mathrm{N}}(P=\text{ambient})=16.0\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ to ${T}_{\mathrm{N}}(P=12.1\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\text{kbar})=23.5\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ was observed. In addition, a marked difference in the magnetic behavior is observed above and below 7.1 kbar. Specifically, for $Pl7.1$ kbar, the differences between the field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetizations, the coercive field, and the remanent magnetization decrease with increasing pressure. However, for $Pg7.1$ kbar, the behavior is inverted. Additionally, for $Pg8.6$ kbar, minor hysteresis loops are observed. All of these effects are evidence of the increase of the superexchange interaction and the appearance of an enhanced exchange anisotropy with applied pressure.
Economic evaluation of desalting sub-system as a part of the total water system

Abstract This paper shows that a higher unit cost for water from a desalination plant as compared with other sources could be justified. The economics of desalination is considered from the total water system of which the conversion plant may be only a component. The concept of limited planning horizon is discussed and the water system is synthesized in relation to the long term demand function. The alternative of a mix between the surface water collection systems and desalination is introduced. The traditional two alternative competition is shown to be just a special case of the general mix alternative. The optimum mix is determined on the basis of minimizing the present worth of costs in relation to demand. The variation of cost parameters with plant capacity is considered in determining the optimum capacity and life of each component. Through the use of continuous discounting (interest) and exponential approximations for the demand functions, the effects of the rate of return and rate of growth in demand on the optimum plant characteristics are shown in a direct, simple manner. This could form a basis for a consideration of the uncertainties associated with forecasted data and cost functions. With respect to the individual water supplies, capital cost allocation over the plant's life is made in such a way as to be proportional to the demand pattern. Accordingly, the concept of an equivalent marginal water pricing is formulated. This price is then minimized. The optimum life, investment and capacity are thereby determined.
Nonlinear acceleration of transport criticality problems

We present a nonlinear acceleration algorithm for a transport criticality problem. The algorithm combines the well-known nonlinear diffusion acceleration (NDA) algorithm with a recently developed, ...
Identification of early biomarkers of inflammation produced by keratinocytes exposed to jet fuels jet A, JP-8, and JP-8(100).

The purpose of this study was to identify biomarkers of inflammation in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) exposed to three jet fuel mixtures, Jet A, JP8, and JP8(100). NHEK were treated over 24 hours with 0.1% jet fuels, and mRNA production and protein release of two proinflammatory cytokines, IL-8 and TNF-α, were determined. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), NHEK were found to release both TNF-α and IL-8 in response to exposure to all three jet fuels. IL-8 release was noted within 8 hours and continued to rise through 24 hours compared to controls. Maximal levels of TNF-α release were seen at 4 hours and decreased in a time-dependent manner, although these levels remained above control levels at all time points assayed. mRNA for IL-8 was elevated 4 hours following exposure to the fuels, which was detected via a quantitative competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). mRNA for TNF-α was detected at all time points assayed but was not quantified. These results demonstrate that jet fuels induce the production and release of proinflammatory cytokines in NHEK and thus create the potential for chronic inflammation, which may contribute to the development or progression of disease states in the skin. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Toxicol 14:231–237, 2000
A test of the onsager reciprocal relations and a discussion of the ionic isothermal vector transport coefficientsI Ij for aqueous AgNO3 at 25C

Values ofI ij calculated from experimental data are given for AgNO3 at 25°C. Experimental values of the ratioI 12/I21 are calculated to provide a sensitive direct test of the Onsager reciprocal relations,I 12=I21. This ratio is found to be unity within experimental error (ca. 2%). The general physical interpretation ofI ij/N as mobilities is discussed. An approximate way of estimatingI ij for dissociated salts is considered. A comparison is made between AgNO3 I ij data and corresponding data for NaCl and KCl. It is concluded that ion-pair formation (1) sharply increases the magnitude of the interaction mobility,I 12/N; and (2) increases the “intrinsic mobility” of Ag+,I 11/N, and decreases the intrinsic mobility of NO 3 − ,I 22/N.
Effect of chlorine on stress ethylene production

Abstract Several plant species were exposed to chlorine to determine whether stress ethylene was induced. Increasing the chlorine concentration or duration of exposure increased stress ethylene production until a maximum level was reached; either a higher concentration or longer duration decreased ethylene production below the maximum. The production of stress ethylene persisted less than 24 hr following exposure. Stress ethylene increased prior to visual injury but it was associated with visual injury. However, low concentrations of chlorine that did not cause visual injury elicited stress ethylene formation, suggesting that stress ethylene production is a more sensitive measure of chlorine stress than foliar injury.
Online paging and file caching with expiration times

We consider a paging problem in which each page is assigned an expiration time at the time it is brought into the cache. The expiration time indicates the latest time that the fetched copy of the page may be used. Requests that occur later than the expiration time must be satisfied by bringing a new copy of the page into the cache. The problem has applications in caching of documents on the World Wide Web (WWW). We show that a natural extension of the well-studied least recently used (LRU) paging algorithm is strongly competitive for the uniform retrieval cost, uniform size case. We then describe a similar extension of the recently proposed Landlord algorithm for the case of arbitrary retrieval costs and sizes, and prove that it is strongly competitive. The results extend to the loose model of competitiveness as well. Copyright 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.
In situ calibration of a sediment trap1,2

A relatively small self-contained sediment trap with a timed closing system was deployed in Dabob Bay, Washington, for 1 year. Samples were collected representing 326 trap exposure days. An in situ calibration was obtained by comparing the capture and retention of unsupported /sup 210/Pb by the traps with the steady state acccumulation rate of unsupported /sup 210/Pb in the underlying bottom. The efficiency of the traps to collect a representative sample of the sedimenting material is 118%.
A detailed analysis of sucrose drinking in the rat

The present report represents an initial attempt to examine and quantify the eating and drinking patterns of rats presented with water, laboratory chow, and sucrose solution for 23 hours. The concentration of the sucrose solution was systematically increased (0.10 M, 0.25 M, 0.5 M, 1.0 M) with a single concentration being presented to rats in four-day blocks. As has been previously shown, total intake (ml) of sucrose solution increased with concentration to a peak at 0.25 M and then decreased with further rises in concentration. Calories consumed from sucrose monotonically increased with concentration, reaching a maximum at 0.50 M. As calories consumed from sucrose increased with rising concentration, chow intake monotonically decreased. This compensatory decrease in chow intake was primarily attributable to decreases in nighttime chow consumption when the concentration of sucrose available was less than or equal to 0.25 M; when the concentration was greater than 0.25 M, further reductions in chow intake occurred during the day. Moreover, the decrease in chow intake was due solely to a reduction in the number of chow bouts. As the concentration of sucrose increased, the day-to-night ratio of sucrose intake approached unity. Bout volume increased with concentration to a broad peak spanning 0.25-0.5 M, and then decreased with 1.0 M. Bout duration changed with sucrose concentration such that the bout drinking rate (ml/min) was seen to monotonically increase, reaching a stable maximum at 0.5 M. Since the caloric intake per sucrose bout progressively increased with each rise in concentration, the asymptotic portion of the curve describing calories consumed from sucrose was attributable to alterations in sucrose bout number and not sucrose bout size.
In Vitro Effect of Some Chemicals on Histaminopexy II: Quantification and Potentiation of Histaminopexy

Optimum conditions for histaminopexic determinations were defined resulting in complete dialysis in 18 hr. at 25°. Complexation of histamine with the dialysis membrane was found to be significant and dependent upon histamine concentration. Due to lack of predictability, individual corrections for this phenomenon were made for each determination. The interaction of gamma globulin was found to follow the law of mass action and was enhanced by quercetin.
Quantitative MR susceptibility mapping using piece-wise constant regularized inversion of the magnetic field

Magnetic properties characterized by susceptibility and chemical shift linearly modify the local magnetic field experienced by spins. A piece-wise constant solution using magnetic resonance imaging is found to the challenging inversion problem from field to magnetic properties. The magnetic field shifts were estimated from MR phase images. The MR magnitude images were segmented into many regions of uniform magnetic properties. Standard linear regression using the calculated magnetic field from each region allowed accurate susceptibility quantification. The technique was experimentally validated on a variety of samples including water, vegetable oil, air, Gadolinium, and superparamagnetic iron oxides. Susceptibility was measured with a precision better than 0.1 ppm, in a range of 10 ppm. In vivo feasibility was shown on the forearm for which soft-tissue, cortical bone, and bone marrow susceptibility, and chemical shift values in good agreement with literature data were obtained.
Combined Flexor Carpi Radialis Tear and Flexor Carpi Radialis Brevis Tendinopathy Identified by Ultrasound: A Case Report

A 63-year-old right-handed office worker presented with acute right wrist pain after lifting a heavy file at work. Results of a clinical examination suggested flexor carpi radialis tendinopathy. Diagnostic ultrasound (US) not only detected a complete flexor carpi radialis tear but also revealed the presence of a concomitant flexor carpi radialis brevis (FCRB) tendon with associated tenosynovitis. The ability of US to correctly identify the FCRB has not been previously reported. Furthermore, the US appearance of FCRB tendinopathy and tenosynovitis has not been described. High-resolution US can identify the FCRB muscle-tendon in the wrist region. Sonologists and sonographers should be aware of the US appearance of the FCRB as well as the potential for the FCRB to contribute to radial wrist pain syndromes.
Adaptive digital filters for equalization of telephone channels

An application of digital filtering to communication over a channel having amplitude and phase distortion in the frequency band occupied by the transmitted signal is presented. Described are a nonrecursive and a recursive digital filter which can serve as adaptive equalizers in compensating for the amplitude and phase distortion caused by the channel. The filter coefficients are adjusted automatically by the use of a test signal which is transmitted over the channel. The adjustment of the coefficients is carried out in the presence of noise with the aid of a steepest descent algorithm. The recursive filter, consisting of a comb filter in cascade with a bank of parallel two-pole filters, is shown to be especially suited for performing equalization. By choosing as a test signal sinusoids whose frequencies coincide with the poles of the two-pole filters, the coefficients of the recursive filter are easily adjusted.
Measurement of the Fracture Toughness of Ceramic Materials Using a Miniaturized Disk-Bend Test

The fracture toughness of several ceramic materials has been measured using a miniaturized disk-bend test apparatus and methodology based on small disk-shaped samples 3 mm in diameter. The method involves the Vickers indentation of specimens ranging in thickness from 300 to 700 μm, and testing them in a ring-on-ring bending mode. New experiments on a glass-ceramic (GC) and Si3N4 have been performed to demonstrate the validity of the technique, supplementing the original work on ZnS. The fracture resistances of these materials increase with increasing crack length (R-curve behavior). The data are analyzed using a specific model for the relationship between fracture resistance and crack length; this model enables the R-curve behavior to be treated analytically, and the fracture resistance at “infinite” crack length to be evaluated using a straightforward graphical procedure. The resulting values of the fracture toughness for ZnS, GC, and Si3N4 are 0.74 ± 0.02, 2.18 ± 0.09, and 4.97 ± 0.07 MPa-m1/2, respectively, which are all in very good agreement with values obtained from conventional fracture toughness tests on large specimens. The results verify the utility of the miniaturized diskbend method for measuring the fracture toughness of brittle materials.
Questions about gonococcal pilus phase- and antigenic variation

Pathogenic organisms inhabit one of several defined locations within a host where temperature, pH, and nutrients are relatively constant. While the microorganism must adapt to different environments within the host, the host immune system is the most formidable predator that can limit the growth of a pathogen. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the gonococcus, Gc) is the causative agent of gonorrhoea, and has evolved several systems for varying the antigenicity of different surface antigens, presumably to help evade the effects of the human immune system. The On/Off/On phase variation of surface structure expression also alters the antigenic characteristics of the bacterial cell surface. Antigenic variation of the major subunit of the pilus, pilin, occurs by unidirectional, homologous recombination between a silent locus and the expression locus. The silent loci lie from 1 to 900 kb from the expression locus in the chromosome yet all can donate their sequences to the expression locus. The genetic composition of the pilin loci of two Gc strains has been elucidated, and the types of changes that lead to altered forms of the pilus have been extensively characterized. However, little is known about the precise molecular mechanisms used to allow high-frequency, non-reciprocal, chromosomal recombination between pilin loci or about what regulates the process of maintaining chromosome fidelity.
Expanded CAG/CTG Repeat DNA Induces a Checkpoint Response That Impacts Cell Proliferation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Repetitive DNA elements are mutational hotspots in the genome, and their instability is linked to various neurological disorders and cancers. Although it is known that expanded trinucleotide repeats can interfere with DNA replication and repair, the cellular response to these events has not been characterized. Here, we demonstrate that an expanded CAG/CTG repeat elicits a DNA damage checkpoint response in budding yeast. Using microcolony and single cell pedigree analysis, we found that cells carrying an expanded CAG repeat frequently experience protracted cell division cycles, persistent arrests, and morphological abnormalities. These phenotypes were further exacerbated by mutations in DSB repair pathways, including homologous recombination and end joining, implicating a DNA damage response. Cell cycle analysis confirmed repeat-dependent S phase delays and G2/M arrests. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the above phenotypes are due to the activation of the DNA damage checkpoint, since expanded CAG repeats induced the phosphorylation of the Rad53 checkpoint kinase in a rad52Δ recombination deficient mutant. Interestingly, cells mutated for the MRX complex (Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2), a central component of DSB repair which is required to repair breaks at CAG repeats, failed to elicit repeat-specific arrests, morphological defects, or Rad53 phosphorylation. We therefore conclude that damage at expanded CAG/CTG repeats is likely sensed by the MRX complex, leading to a checkpoint response. Finally, we show that repeat expansions preferentially occur in cells experiencing growth delays. Activation of DNA damage checkpoints in repeat-containing cells could contribute to the tissue degeneration observed in trinucleotide repeat expansion diseases.
Superconducting beamline elements for the NSCL spectrograph

The superconducting beamline elements for a magnetic spectrometer at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory are being constructed. There are four dipoles, which produce a peak field of 1.7 T in a 7 cm gap, and fifteen quadrupoles, which have peak gradients of 25 T/m in a 20 cm diameter bore. A quadrupole has been tested to higher than the required current. All of the devices are being assembled into their cryostats. >
Optimal solid shell element for large deformable composite structures with piezoelectric layers and active vibration control

In this paper, we present an optimal low-order accurate piezoelectric solid-shell element formulation to model active composite shell structures that can undergo large deformation and large overall motion. This element has only displacement and electric degrees of freedom (dofs), with no rotational dofs, and an optimal number of enhancing assumed strain (EAS) parameters to pass the patch tests (both membrane and out-of-plane bending). The combination of the present optimal piezoelectric solid-shell element and the optimal solid-shell element previously developed allows for efficient and accurate analyses of large deformable composite multilayer shell structures with piezoelectric layers. To make the 3-D analysis of active composite shells containing discrete piezoelectric sensors and actuators even more efficient, the composite solid-shell element is further developed here. Based on the mixed Fraeijs de Veubeke–Hu–Washizu (FHW) variational principle, the in-plane and out-of-plane bending behaviours are improved via a new and efficient enhancement of the strain tensor. Shear-locking and curvature thickness locking are resolved effectively by using the assumed natural strain (ANS) method. We also present an optimal-control design for vibration suppression of a large deformable structure based on the general finite element approach. The linear-quadratic regulator control scheme with output feedback is used as a control law on the basis of the state space model of the system. Numerical examples involving static analyses and dynamic analyses of active shell structures having a large range of element aspect ratios are presented. Active vibration control of a composite multilayer shell with distributed piezoelectric sensors and actuators is performed to test the present element and the control design procedure. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the additivity of molar attraction constants

A statistically significant test of the additivity of molar attraction constants on an increment or functional group basis indicates that there may be some limitations regarding its validity. An approximate additivity, however, may be operational and have some practical value.
Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein-2A Induces ITAM/Syk and Akt Dependent Epithelial Migration through αV-Integrin Membrane Translocation.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a highly prevalent herpesvirus associated with epithelial cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The EBV protein latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2) is expressed in NPC tumor tissue and has been shown to induce transformation, inhibit differentiation, and promote migration of epithelial cells. In this study, the effect of LMP2A on migration of human epithelial cells was further analyzed. LMP2A expression induced migration in human foreskin keratinocytes (HFK) and HaCaT keratinocytes measured by wound healing scratch assay and chemoattractant-induced Transwell migration assay. The induction of migration by LMP2A required the ITAM signaling domain of LMP2A and activation of the Syk tyrosine kinase. LMP2A-induced Transwell migration required the Akt signaling pathway, and activation of Akt by LMP2A required the ITAM signaling domain of LMP2A. LMP2A also induced phosphorylation of the Akt target GSK3β, a Wnt signaling mediator that has been shown to regulate the activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a tyrosine kinase activated by clustering and ligand interaction of integrins. Inhibition of either FAK or its signaling mediator Src kinase inhibited LMP2A-induced migration. Interestingly, αV-integrin was greatly increased in membrane-enriched fractions by LMP2A, and a neutralizing antibody to αV-integrin blocked migration, suggesting that the effects of LMP2A on membrane-localized αV-integrin promoted migration. The results of this study indicate that LMP2A expression in human epithelial cells induces αV-integrin-dependent migration through a mechanism requiring ITAM-mediated Syk and Akt activation and inducing membrane translocation or stabilization of αV-integrin and FAK activation. The specific effects of LMP2A on an integrin with a diverse repertoire of ligand specificities could promote migration of different cell types and be initiated by multiple chemoattractants.
Can Cytogenetic and Molecular Genetic Analyses of Malignant Human Gliomas Be Used Yet To Supplement Conventional Classification Schemes

With the advent of improved cell culture and cytogenetic technology, particularly the introduction of chromosome banding procedures in the last 20 years, there have been a number of studies of leukemias and lymphomas which have led to the incorporation of cytogenetic findings in clinical diagnosis. The most notable of these include the 15; 17 translocation of acute promyelocytic leukemia, the 8; 14, the 2;8, and 8;22 translocations of Burkitt’s lymphoma and the 9;22 translocation of chronic granulocytic leukemia (Sandberg et al. 1984). Although there are now a number of well described and accepted cytogenetic abnormalities in solid tumors, the incorporation of them into classification schemes and their use in diagnosis and establishing prognosis is less well established than in leukemias and lymphomas. Nevertheless, several findings such as losses or deletions of chromosomes 22, 11, or 13 in meningiomas, Wilm’s tumor, and retinoblastoma respectively (Zankl and Zang 1972), and double minute chromosomes in advanced neuroblastoma (Brodeur et al. 1984) have been well established.
Huntington’s Chorea, Alzheimer’s Disease

Huntington’s chorea has long been recognized as a specific, highly heritable disorder and is often used as a textbook example of a disease that is inherited as an autosomal dominant single-gene abnormality. It has been estimated to occur in 54.3 persons per million in the U.S. It is more tragic than senility or other degenerative conditions because of the early onset of symptoms (frequently in the fourth decade of life) and because it often destroys the personality completely. Although symptoms most often begin between 30 and 40 years of age, it has been known to start in adolescence or the early 20s. Initial signs include muscle discoordination that is expressed by choreic movements, facial ticks and, later, personality changes that may lead to temporary mis-diagnosis. As the disease progresses, both the mental and motor deterioration become progressively worse. The mental deterioration assumes the form of dementia. Thus, memory is impaired as is the ability to think and reason clearly. These changes are frequently accompanied by symptoms of depression. In the final stage, the patient is in constant, jerky movement, totally unable to take care of bodily functions and may need to be nursed professionally.
Abstract 221: Degenerative Neurological Comorbidities In Patients Hospitalized With Congestive Heart Failure

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chronic heart failure (CHF) has recently been known to be one of the most important public health concerns and a challenge to cardiovascular disease researchers, having increasing incidence and prevalence rates of CHF in industrialized countries. Although there are several sources of data on the congestive heart failure in selected populations, there are less few studies regarding the comorbidity of degenerative neurological disorders in patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of a population-based nationwide inpatient CHF (797,113) subjects, average age (73 years) were analyzed to determine the prevalence of CHF and association of major neurological conditions in the inpatients admitted with CHF. The International Classification of Disease ICD-9 codes were used (CHF - 4280, Alzheimer - 3310, Parkinson- 3320 and Multiple Sclerosis - 340) for the selection. RESULTS: The overall gender-prevalence of CHF was 47% (n = 377,580) for males and 53% (n = 419,481) for females. Inpatients with CHF also had Alzheimer (n = 22,521; 31.65%), Parkinson (n = 10,969; 15.42%), and Multiple Sclerosis (n = 1,620; 2.28%). The prevalence of CHF strongly increased with age, less than 1% (n = 1,299) for subjects < 1 year age to ~4% (n = 31,488) among 82 year old subjects. The regression results for patients who were admitted with CHF as their primary complaints (71,130) showed a significance difference between patients who died in the hospital and most inpatients’ characteristics for age (p = .000), race (p = .000), hospital total charge (p = .000) and median household income (p = .015). However, gender (p = .090) was not statistically significant at p < .05. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CHF increase appears higher in males than in female gender in this study. Patient age, economic status and hospital charges showed significant results with the mortality rate of the patients hospitalized in 2010. The associated degenerative neurological conditions in these inpatients could be attributed to other comorbidities and progressive neurological/degenerative disorders prevalent in elderly populations. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Documenting Post-Yugoslav Identity and Its Discontents/Shattered Mirror: The Problem of Identity in the Post-Yugoslav Documentary, by Magdalena Tutka-Gwóźdź: Krakow, EKRANy, 2013, 434 pp., $12.00 (pbk) ISBN 978-83-934626-3-6

Identity is a concept that has seen its fair share of academic prominence in recent years, particularly when it comes to regions, such as that of the former Yugoslavia, where violent conflicts were...
Comparison Between Destruction of Angiotonin, Hydroxytyramine and Tyramine by Renal Extracts

Summary(1) Angiotonin is inactivated following incubation with renal extracts. This destruction does not occur by oxidative deaminization since (a) oxygen is not necessary for the reaction, (b) a fraction of kidney extract can be prepared which destroys angiotonin but fails to inactivate hydroxytyramine, and (c) angiotonin is destroyed in the presence of octyl alcohol. (2) Evidence is presented for the existence of an aerobic polyphenolase in kidney extracts, capable of destroying specific pressor amines.
Regulation of myocardial prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity. The role of cyclic 3',5'-AMP and calcium ions.

SummaryA prostaglandin dehydrogenase (sp act, 15 units/mg protein) was isolated from the canine myocardium. The enzyme oxidized the 15-hydroxy group of most prostaglandins tested except for PGBs and PGA2 which were poor substrates. It required NAD and intact sulfhydryl groups. Its activity was enhanced by cyclic 3′,5′-AMP at low concentrations (10-10 to 10-7 M) and inhibited by CaCl2. The significance of these findings for the control of myocardial prostaglandin levels is discussed.
Histological Determination of Murine Plaque Mechanics and Implications for Plaque Rupture

Among the most common models in atherosclerosis research is the atherosclerosis-prone mouse. Genetically manipulated mouse strains such as the ApoE−/− mouse will reliably form plaques under certain conditions, and these lesions have been noted to exhibit morphological and biochemical similarities with human atherosclerotic plaques. Unlike plaques in humans, however, murine plaques are not observed to rupture and form occlusive thrombi [1]. As atherosclerosis and its complications are the leading cause of death in the modern world, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of plaque disruption is essential to develop diagnostic and interventional techniques. Although the mouse model is frequently employed to study plaque formation, its validity for studying plaque disruption events such as rupture or erosion has been questioned.© 2010 ASME
The Correlation of the Voges-Proskauer and Methyl-Red Reactions in the Colonaerogenes Group of Bacteria

Bacillus coli was firs.t isolated by Escherich, from the feces of a cholera patient in 1884. It was soon recognized as a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract of man and other animals, and for the past two decades the colon-aerogenes group of bacteria has attracted considerable attention from bacteriologists; particularly those interested in sanitation. Numerous attempts have been made to differentiate colonlike bacteria from different sources by their cultural characteristics, by agglutination reactions, complement-fixation tests, pathogenicity, etc., but until very recently the results were so uniformly negative that the entire group of lactose-fermenting bacteria is held, by some, to be characteristically of intestinal origin. In routine water and milk analyses the presence of colon-like organisms is regarded, by many, as an index of pollution. There is considerable evidence accumulating, however, to show that the animal intestine is not the sole and exclusive habitat of colon-like bacteria. Prescott,1 in this country, and Papasotiriu,2 in Germany, report the presence of colon-like organisms on grains of various kinds. Prescott regards those from grain and feces as identical. He believes that multiplication actually takes place on the grain and that their presence cannot be explained by contamination from the air and dust. Rogers and his co-workers3 of the U. S. Department of Agriculture have recently isolated 166 specimens of colon-like bacteria from 33 samples of dry grain (corn, barley, wheat, and oats). They also obtained 14 cultures from 2 samples of green oats, which had been opened aseptically, and are therefore inclined to believe that these were growing in the milk of the immature grain. In view of the fact that organisms which are apparently B. coli are not uncommon on grains, their presence in water and milk cannot be regarded as prima facia evidence of fecal contamination. Some
PATTERNS OF OVENBIRD (SEIURUS AUROCAPILLUS) PAIRING SUCCESS IN MISSOURI FOREST TRACTS

Minimum-area-requirement estimates for area-sensitive birds may underesti- mate the actual area needed to provide long-term breeding habitat because they do not consider the pairing and mating success of territorial males. Patterns of pairing success were studied in Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) in north-central Missouri in forest tracts below, approaching, and exceeding minimum-area-requirement estimates for this species. The pos- sible roles of habitat area, isolation, and edge effect in causing reduced pairing success were examined. Male Ovenbird territories were spot mapped within seven forest tracts. Each male was observed to determine if he had acquired a mate. The percentage of paired male Ovenbirds was directly related to forest-tract area and total estimated male Ovenbird population. A higher percentage of males with territories more than 300 m from the forest edge were paired than males with territories less than or equal to 300 m from the forest edge. The combined effect of total forest area, edge-to-interior ratio, and percent forest cover within a 5-km radius of the tracts was highly correlated with pairing success. Edge effects are an important con- sideration that should be a contributing factor when developing minimum-area-requirement estimates. Received 9 June 1993, accepted 24 October 1993.
Chaperoning brain diseases

Prion diseases and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's have much in common — both seem to involve proteins which, when destabilized by (for example) genetic mutations, change conformation to form insoluble, pathogenic aggregates. Two papers now ask whether molecular chaperones might be involved in these folding changes, and they show that heat-shock proteins and prions can, indeed, interact in vitro.
What is rational treatment for carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia

In this paper, we shall review 131 cases of carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia from three institutions covering a 10 year period from 1962 to 1972. Wide variations and approaches to the problems proved an opportunity to evaluate the role of various approaches to the quality of survival. We found that such procedures as feeding gastrostomy and cancer dilatation have little if any place for effective management. Direct, effective preparation, resection, and replacement provided the best quality of survival when appropriate. Procedures that did not relieve esophageal obstruction and prevent tracheoesophageal fistula were undesirable on the bases of both quality and longevity of survival. Management which delayed the removal of the obstruction allowed further deterioration of the patient's condition, in many instances placing the patient in the category of being preterminal.
Therapeutic targeting of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: From Alzheimer's to zebrafish

N acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are ligand-gated ion channels permeable to Na+, K+, and Ca2+. nAChR subtypes are pentamers composed of distinct combinations of α (α2-α10) and β (β2-β4) subunits. They are classically responsible for rapid excitatory neurotransmission in the nervous system as well as modulation of the release of other neurotransmitters including dopamine. The number of subtypes naturally present in vivo is not known, but multiple subtypes can exist in an individual cell. nAChRs are also widely expressed outside of the nervous system and multiple nAChR subtypes are expressed in non-neural tissues such as lung, skin, adipose tissue and various immune cells. Neuronal nAChRs are involved in a large number of neurological processes including pain sensation, locomotion, body temperature regulation, cognition, and reward and addiction. nAChR function is involved in several disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, lung cancer, epilepsy, ADHD, Tourette's and of course nicotine addiction. Neuronal nAChRs are a rich target for drug discovery efforts. This presentation will describe our efforts to identify and develop new compounds which specifically target nAChR subtypes. This work has involved a combination of molecular modeling of new allosteric site on the nAChR, synthesis of new drugs targeted to this site and functional analysis of these new compounds using cell lines expressing specific nAChR subtypes. These drugs could be useful in the treatment of nicotine addiction (smoking cessation). It will also describe our work in characterizing zebrafish nAChRs. The biology of zebrafish makes it ideal for use in drug discovery efforts. R. Thomas Boyd, Biochem Anal Biochem 2013, 2:4 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2161-1009.S1.002
Evil Black Guns: Hate, Instrumentality, and the Neutrality of Firearms

In the wake of mass shootings in Aurora, Colorado, where 12 moviegoers were killed and 70 injured; Newtown, Connecticut, where 20 children and 6 adult staff members were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School; and elsewhere, concerned citizens may question whether guns are neutral actors in the rage killings and rampage murders that have become increasingly familiar in U.S. society. Rather than revisit the well-worn aphorism “guns don’t kill people: people do,” this article considers a provocative counter thesis—that firearms may serve not only as mechanisms of violence in shooting rampages but also as catalysts. Can guns themselves cause violence, apart from the motivation and intent of those who wield them? What is the relationship of guns to the triumvirate of hate speech, hate groups, and hate crime? This paper seeks to explore these questions in depth to examine how guns and hate-fueled rhetoric may combine in American soci- ety with deadly effect.
Oral Progestogens Versus Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System for Treatment of Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia*

Abstract Background: Limited therapeutic guidelines exist regarding medical therapy, ideal dosing, duration of therapy, or recommendations for timing of endometrial reassessment for women with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) who desire fertility preservation or who are not optimal surgical candidates. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of oral progestogens (OP) versus the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG IUS) in the medical treatment of EIN. Methods: We retrospectively identified women with EIN at our institution from 2007 through 2014 and compared the outcomes of those treated with OP versus LNG IUS. Results: Among 390 women, 296 were initially treated with OP and 94 with LNG IUS. Baseline characteristics of the patient groups were comparable, except for higher median body mass index in the LNG IUS group versus the OP group (37 kg/m2 vs. 31 kg/m2; p < 0.001). Among 332 women with follow-up endometrial biopsies (263 OP and 69 LNG IUS), EIN subcategory 1 (benign endometria...
Airway Disease in Rescue/Recovery Workers: Recent Findings from the World Trade Center Collapse.

Purpose of Review Our goal is to summarize the airway disease literature since September 11, 2001 (9/11), focusing on studies published since 2011 in World Trade Center-exposed rescue/recovery workers.
Schoolwide Systems of Positive Behavior Support: Implications for Students at Risk and with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders.

The use of schoolwide multitiered systems of support to address challenging social and emotional behavior has been established in >20,000 schools across the United States and 19 other countries wor...
The Associations Among Sibling and Peer-Bullying, Social Support and Internalizing Behaviors

Peer bullying is associated with internalizing problems for children and adolescents. However, less is known about how these same behaviors are related to student well-being when they occur within the context of the sibling relationship and how supportive behavior may benefit those experiencing bullying. The purpose of this study was to examine the unique associations among peer and sibling bullying and internalizing problems, and the role of peer and sibling social support in relation to social-emotional outcomes. Data on students’ experiences of peer and sibling bullying, perceptions of social support and internalizing symptoms were collected from a sample of 372 elementary school students using the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (OBVQ; Olweus 1996), a modified version of the OBVQ created to assess bullying by siblings, the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASSS; Malecki et al. 2000), and three subscales from the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition, Self-Report of Personality (Reynolds and Kamphaus 2004). Results indicated that Sibling Bullying was significantly related to internalizing problems above and beyond Peer Bullying alone. Additionally, social support from peers moderated the association between Sibling Bullying and Depression; and social support from siblings moderated the association between Peer Bullying and Social Stress. Gender differences in study findings were also uncovered. Results of this study suggest that bullying behaviors are detrimental to student social-emotional well-being, regardless of whom the perpetrator may be, and that being bullied by siblings is associated with similar outcomes as traditional bullying.