cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ribosomal protein S6 is highly expressed in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and associates with mRNA containing a 5' terminal oligopyrimidine tract.

The molecular mechanism(s) linking tumorigenesis and morphological alterations in the nucleolus are presently coming into focus. The nucleolus is the cellular organelle in which the formation of ribosomal subunits occurs. Ribosomal biogenesis occurs through the transcription of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), rRNA processing and production of ribosomal proteins. An error in any of these processes may lead to deregulated cellular translation, evident in multiple cancers and ‘ribosomopathies’. Deregulated protein synthesis may be achieved through the overexpression of ribosomal proteins as seen in primary leukemic blasts with elevated levels of ribosomal proteins S11 and S14. In this study, we demonstrate that ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) is highly expressed in primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) samples. Genetic modulation of RPS6 protein levels with specifically targeted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviruses led to a decrease in the actively proliferating population of cells compared with control shRNA. Low-dose rapamycin treatments have been shown to affect the translation of 5′ terminal oligopyrimidine (5′ TOP) tract mRNA, which encodes the translational machinery, implicating RPS6 in 5′ TOP translation. Recently, it was shown that disruption of 40S ribosomal biogenesis through specific small inhibitory RNA knockdown of RPS6 defined RPS6 as a critical regulator of 5′ TOP translation. For the first time, we show that RPS6 associates with multiple mRNAs containing a 5′ TOP tract. These findings expand our understanding of the mechanism(s) involved in ribosomal biogenesis and deregulated protein synthesis in DLBCL.
Electro-oxidation mechanisms of methanol and formic acid on Pt-Ru alloy surfaces

Abstract Voltammetry combined with single-potential alteration infrared spectroscopy (SPAIRS) were used to study the extent of adsorbed CO produced at Pt, Ru and Pt-Ru alloy electrodes during methanol and formic acid oxidation in acidic supporting electrolyte. The addition of even small atomic fractions of Ru to Pt surfaces caused a decrease in the quasi-steady-state level of CO on the surface for both reactions. This result is consistent with the bifunctional mechanism proposed previously: Ru sites nucleate oxygen containing species at ≈0.2-0.3 V lower potential than on the pure Pt surface; the adsorption of methanol occurs on Pt ensembles producing adsorbed CO; in the case of formic acid, adsorption is equally facile at Pt-Pt, Pt-Ru and Ru-Ru sites, with dehydration producing adsorbed CO; the further electro-oxidation of CO is catalyzed by oxygen-containing species nucleated onto nearby by Ru atoms. The improved efficiency of the alloy surfaces for oxidation of adsorbed CO at low potential shifts the rate limiting step to the adsorption step, which results in very low coverages of the surfaces by adsorbed CO.
Impacts of dissolved oxygen on the sorption of humic substances and the subsequent inhibition of o-cresol ptake by granular activated carbon

Abstract The impacts of dissolved oxygen (DO) on the sorption of natural and model humic substances by granular activated carbon (GAC) were investigated. Among five substances tested, the sorptions of only two, polymaleic acid (PMA) and peat humic acid, were affected by the presence of DO. The uptake of the target compound o -cresol on virgin GAC and on GAC preloaded with PMA under oxic and anoxic conditions was also examined. The oxic and anoxic preloading conditions had similar effects on subsequent o -cresol reactions under both oxic and anoxic sorption conditions. A reduction of approximately 20 % in o -cresol uptake observed under anoxic conditions by GAC preloaded under each condition is attributed to a decrease in the adsorption capacity of the GAC by preloading. In the presence of oxygen, however, an observed reduction of about 45% in o -cresol uptake by preloaded GAC appears to result from a combination of decreased adsorption and inhibited o -cresol polymerization.
Topical review: Multiscale methods in turbulent combustion: strategies and computational challenges

A principal challenge in modeling turbulent combustion flows is associated with their complex, multiscale nature. Traditional paradigms in the modeling of these flows have attempted to address this nature through different strategies, including exploiting the separation of turbulence and combustion scales and a reduced description of the composition space. The resulting moment-based methods often yield reasonable predictions of flow and reactive scalars' statistics under certain conditions. However, these methods must constantly evolve to address combustion at different regimes, modes or with dominant chemistries. In recent years, alternative multiscale strategies have emerged, which although in part inspired by the traditional approaches, also draw upon basic tools from computational science, applied mathematics and the increasing availability of powerful computational resources. This review presents a general overview of different strategies adopted for multiscale solutions of turbulent combustion flows. Within these strategies, some specific models are discussed or outlined to illustrate their capabilities and underlying assumptions. These strategies may be classified under four different classes, including (i) closure models for atomistic processes, (ii) multigrid and multiresolution strategies, (iii) flame-embedding strategies and (iv) hybrid large-eddy simulation?low-dimensional strategies. A combination of these strategies and models can potentially represent a robust alternative strategy to moment-based models; but a significant challenge remains in the development of computational frameworks for these approaches as well as their underlying theories.
On robust Wiener signal estimation

A minimax formulation is considered for the problem of designing robust linear causal estimators of continuous-time signals in noise. It is shown that the minimax estimation problem can generally be reduced to finding a least favorable pair of spectra. In particular, robust predictors, filters, and finite-lag smoothers are shown to be just the optimal predictors, filters, and smoothers, respectively, for a least favorable pair. This result can often greatly simplify the design of robust estimators.
Zebrafish as a model for zoonotic aquatic pathogens

Aquatic habitats harbor a multitude of bacterial species. Many of these bacteria can act as pathogens to aquatic species and/or non-aquatic organisms, including humans, that come into contact with contaminated water sources or colonized aquatic organisms. In many instances, the bacteria are not pathogenic to the aquatic species they colonize and are only considered pathogens when they come into contact with humans. There is a general lack of knowledge about how the environmental lifestyle of these pathogens allows them to persist, replicate and produce the necessary pathogenic mechanisms to successfully transmit to the human host and cause disease. Recently, the zebrafish infectious disease model has emerged as an ideal system for examining aquatic pathogens, both in the aquatic environment and during infection of the human host. This review will focus on how the zebrafish has been used successfully to analyze the pathogenesis of aquatic bacterial pathogens.
The demand and supply for investment goods: does the market clear?☆

Abstract Standard theoretical considerations suggest that the quantity and price of a good are jointly determined by supply and demand. In the literature on physical investment, however, attention has been focused almost exclusively on the demand side. This paper considers the theoretical and statistical problems that arise when the demand and supply sides of the market for investment goods are estimated simultaneously. One of the important problems is dealing with the possibility that the price may not adjust instantaneously to clear the market. The model is estimated using data from post-war Japan. The two most important results that emerge are: 1) The long-run supply curve of investment goods is virtually horizontal; and 2) The market appears to be characterized by equilibrium.
An algorithm with linear expected running time for string editing with substitutions and substring reversals

The edit distance between given two strings X and Y is the minimum number of edit operations that transform X into Y without performing multiple operations that involve the same position. Ordinarily, string editing is based on character insert, delete, and substitute operations. Motivated from the facts that substring reversals are observed in genomic sequences, and it is not always possible to transform a given sequence X into a given sequence Y by reversals alone (e.g., X is all 0's, and Y is all 1's), Muthukrishnan and Sahinalp [S. Muthukrishnan, S.C. Sahinalp, Approximate nearest neighbors and sequence comparison with block operations, in: Proc. ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing (STOC), 2000, pp. 416-424; S. Muthukrishnan, S.C. Sahinalp, An improved algorithm for sequence comparison with block reversals, Theoretical Computer Science 321 (1) (2004) 95-101] considered a ''simple'' well-defined edit distance model in which the edit operations are: replace a character, and reverse and replace a substring. A substring of X can only be reversed if the reversal results in a match in the same position in Y. The cost of each character replacement and substring reversal is 1. The distance in this case is defined only when |X|=|Y|=n. There is an algorithm for computing the distance in this model with worst-case time complexity O(nlog^2n) [S. Muthukrishnan, S.C. Sahinalp, An improved algorithm for sequence comparison with block reversals, Theoretical Computer Science 321 (1) (2004) 95-101]. We present a dynamic programming algorithm with worst-case time complexity O(n^2) but its expected running-time is O(n). In our dynamic programming solution the weights of edit operations can vary for different substitutions, and the costs of reversals can be a function of the reversal-length.
Computational Prediction of Nose-Down Control for F/A-18E at High Alpha

Computational fluid dynamics was used to predict the longitudinal stability and control characteristics of the preproduction F/A-18E Super Hornet configuration with neutral and full nose-down control at high angle of attack, subsonic conditions. Such data contribute to an analysis of the ability of the pilot to recover from extreme angles of attack and are usually obtained and extrapolated from wind-tunnel tests. The current computational study was intended to be an exploratory study of the usefulness of computational fluid dynamics to aid the designer and analysts in predictions of flight behavior. The calculations were made for Mach 0.082 at a Reynolds number of 1.15 x 10 6 based on mean aerodynamic chord at angles of attack between 0 and 60 deg. The F/A-18E was modeled with 34-deg leading-edge flaps, 4-deg trailing-edge flaps, 0-deg aileron deflection, a rudder deflection of 30 deg, a spoiler deflection of 60 deg, and horizontal-tail deflections of 0 and 20 deg. The flow conditions and configuration corresponded to those used in tests of a 15%-scale F/A-18E wind-tunnel model tested at the 30- by 60-ft full-scale wind tunnel at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The flow solver used during this project was USM3D, which was developed by the NASA Langley Research Center. The forces and moments predicted by USM3D compared well to the wind-tunnel data for angles of attack between 0 and 40 deg. For angles of attack from 40 to 60 deg, however, the results from USM3D differed from the wind-tunnel data. These differences are attributed to the unsteady nature of the flow and turbulence effects not adequately captured by the computations.
Mutual dependence, partner substitutability, and repeated partnership: the survival of cross-border alliances

Drawing on the resource dependence perspective, this study suggests that alliance survival is an adaptive response to both environmental dependence and partner dependence independently and jointly. Based on a sample of cross-border alliances formed and terminated by local and foreign firms in a longitudinal setting, the results suggest that the mutual trade dependence between a home country and a host country is positively related to the survival of cross-border alliances in the host country. Whereas partner substitutability reduces the probability of alliance survival, repeated partnership increases the probability. Moreover, mutual trade dependence reduces the negative effect of partner substitutability on alliance survival. The findings support the idea that resource dependence theory provides an important framework for the study of cross-border alliances. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anodic films and passivation of zinc in concentrated potassium hydroxide solution

Abstract The formation of anodic films was studied on vertical and horizontal zinc foils in unstirred 6 M KOH + 0.25 M ZnO by cyclic voltammetry, and on horizontal electrodes by measuring the dc current and the ohmic and capacitive component of the electrode impedance between 10,000 Hz and 100 Hz as a function of time at −1.3, −1.1 and −0.9 V. On vertical electrodes the passivity of the zinc electrode at potentials less negative than −0.9 V was caused by either abrupt changes of the conducting properties of a thin compact film of zinc oxide, or by the completion of the surface coverage with this film. On horizontal zinc electrodes the initial decrease of the current with potential between −1.25 V and about −1.1 V at small sweep rates was due to the inhibiting effect of a precipitated film of zinc oxide on the zincate formation. The subsequent passivation at potentials less negative than −0.9 V was attributed to the property change of the compact film beneath the precipitated film.
X-Ray Particle Tracking of Dense Particle Motion in a Vibration-Excited Granular Bed

The Brazil nut effect is a phenomenon in which large, dense objects migrate to the top of a bed of granular media when exposed to vibration. An example of this phenomenon is finding Brazil nuts on the top of a can of mixed nuts. The same phenomenon can be observed in almost any granular system, which includes numerous industrial processes. By understanding the Brazil nut effect, knowledge can be gained to create or prevent segregation within desired industrial processes. In this project, the Brazil nut problem is examined through the use of stereoscopic X-ray imaging. The stereoscopic images are analyzed with a particle tracking algorithm to quantify large particle motion in three dimensional space. Particle motion is quantified under a variety of operating conditions to both observe the particle motion and examine the accuracy of the particle tracking algorithm.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
In situ iodination of angiotensin-converting enzyme and other pulmonary endothelial membrane proteins.

Abstract Biochemical responses of endothelial cells in culture to pharmacological or physiological stimuli are often extrapolated to define the behavior of the vascular endothelium in vivo . However, culture conditions cannot recreate the environment of endothelial cells in vivo . To compare cell functions in vivo and in vitro , we iodinated endothelial membrane proteins of both the perfused rabbit lung and cultured rabbit lung endothelial cells. Endothelial cell protein 125 I-labeling in the perfused intact lung was catalyzed by lactoperoxidase and glucose oxidase immobilized on 3–10 μm polyacrylamide beads (Enzymobeads, Bio-Rad). Changes in 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake, angiotensin converting enzyme activity and perfusion pressure made before, during and/or after iodination were small, suggesting that the procedure does not grossly injure the lung. As confirmed by tissue autoradiography, iodination was confined to the vascular space. A subcellular “membrane” fraction of the whole homogenate was enriched for several iodinated proteins. Lectin binding further purified a library of putative iodinated endothelial membranes proteins, one of which was angiotensin-converting enzyme as shown by immuno-precipitation with goat anti-rabbit antibody to angiotensin-converting enzyme. Iodinated proteins of similar molecular weights were also isolated from cultured rabbit lung endothelium iodinated under the same conditions, thus confirming the endothelial lineage of proteins iodinated in the intact lung. We conclude that this technique labels endothelial surface proteins in the intact lung without causing observable tissue injury and thus should be valuable in the study of the physiology and pathophysiology of the vascular lining in vivo .
A model of career success: A longitudinal study of emergency physicians

Abstract Objective and subjective career success were hypothesized to mediate the relationships between sociodemographic variables, human capital indices, individual difference variables, and organizational sponsorship as inputs and a retirement decision and intentions to leave either the specialty of emergency medicine (EM) or medicine as output variables. Objective career success operationalized as the number of leadership positions held did not mediate the relationship, but income change and career satisfaction mediated the relationship between the hours worked and years employed in emergency medicine. Work centrality was significantly related to subjective career success more so for men than women and perceptions of success or self-efficacy were positively related to subjective career success for women, but not for men. The expected pattern of women indicating more difficulties with personal time and family time did not emerge; but women did indicate less perceived support from the organization, fewer EM leadership positions, less perceived control over their work situation and less organizational support than did men.
Ultrasonic properties of partially frozen sucrose solutions

Abstract Ultrasonic velocity and attenuation were measured as a function of temperature (−10 °C to 0 °C) in partially frozen sucrose solutions (25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 50% by wt) which had either been degassed under vacuum or not prior to freezing. Ultrasonic velocity increased approximately linearly with ice content in all cases and was somewhat affected by the initial sucrose concentration and degassing. The high ultrasonic attenuation in frozen systems was determined mainly by the presence of air bubbles and only weakly by ice content.
Variable-range hopping conduction in Ba1−xKxBiO3−y system

Abstract Normal state resistivity of the Ba1−xKxBiO3−y system is reported for various K concentrations. In the concentration range where the material is superconducting, phonon-assisted variable-range hopping [exp(T0/T) 1 4 ] is observed between 160 and 300 K.
A version of the Uncertainty Principle for functions with lacunary Fourier transforms

Abstract We prove estimates of the L2 norms on relatively dense subsets of the real line of functions with Fourier transforms supported on lacunary sets of intervals. This result is a real line analogue of Zygmund's theorem on lacunary trigonometric series. The results also hold in higher dimensions.
Copper-binding ability of dissolved organic matter derived from anaerobically digested biosolids

The fate of metals in soils where soluble organic compounds are present may be strongly influenced by the degree to which they are complexed by organic ligands. We undertook this study to determine the combined effect of molecular weight (MW) and hydrophobicity on the Cu-binding ability of dissolved organic compounds in biosolids (i.e., sewage sludge). Dissolved organic matter (DOM) from anaerobically digested sewage biosolids was fractionated by using a combination of MW fractionation and XAD-8 resin chromatography (to separate the dissolved organic compounds according to hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics). The Cu-binding abilities of the DOM fractions were obtained by using a Cu 2+ -ion-selective electrode (CuISE) technique. The Cu-binding ability of fractionated DOM decreased significantly with increasing molecular weight, indicating that low-MW DOM had more metal-binding sites than high-MW DOM. Within each MW fraction, the hydrophilic and the hydrophobic components also exhibited differences in Cu-binding ability. For the DOM with MW 500-3500 Da, the hydrophilic fraction showed a greater Cu-binding capacity than did the hydrophobic fraction, whereas the hydrophobic acid components were most important in binding Cu for DOM with MW > 3500 Da. The maximum Cu-binding capacities of different biosolids-derived DOM fractions, estimated by employing a Langmuir model, ranged from 1.85 to 14.3 mmol Cu mol -1 dissolved organic C (DOC), which is the same order of magnitude as similar measurements of DOM from other sources.
Capital negotiation and identity practices: investigating symbolic capital from the ‘ground up’

This study explores the circulation of Bourdieu's symbolic capital at the level of face-to-face interactions. Recounting a single interaction between three individuals, this study provides an example of (1) the negotiated nature of capital articulation and (2) the relationship between identity practice and capital articulation, when addressed at the microlevel of interaction. Given a group task which forced participants to negotiate at an explicit level symbolic capital affordances, one participant – a non-native speaker of English in an English conversation – was able to articulate cultural capital by way of her links to academic institutions. However, later in the group task her attempt to index capital by way of her reflexive positioning as Asian was rebuked, leading her to disengage from the group task. This study emphasizes the need to analyze symbolic capital from the ‘ground-up’ for that is where its distribution is reproduced but also potentially transformed.
Spiders Reduce Herbivory: Nonlethal Effects of Spiders on the Consumption of Soybean Leaves by Beetle Pests

Abstract To explore the relationship between spiders and insects in agroecosytems, we ran two laboratory experiments to determine if pest insects reduced their foraging activity in the presence of spiders or cues left by spiders. First, we quantified the damage to soybean leaves [Glycine max L. (Merrill); Fabaceae] caused by Japanese beetles [Coleoptera; Scarabeidae; Popilliae japonica (Newman)] and Mexican bean beetles [Coleoptera; Coccinellidae; Epilachna varivestis (Mulsant)] in the presence of either the tangle weaver, Achaearanea tepidariorum (C.L. Koch) (Araneae; Theridiidae), or the orb weaver, Arigope trifasciata (Forskal) (Araneae; Araneidae). Although most beetles survived, they consumed less of the soybean leaf than the beetles in control containers with no spiders. In a second experiment, we attempted to determine if Japanese beetles responded to the cues (e.g., silk draglines and feces) left by three species of wolf spider [Araneae; Lycosidae: Pardosa milvina Hentz, Rabidosa rabida Walckenaer...
Control of the Inheritance of Regulatory T Cell Identity by a cis Element in the Foxp3 Locus

In multicellular organisms, specialized functions are delegated to distinct cell types whose identity and functional integrity are maintained upon challenge. However, little is known about the mechanisms enabling lineage inheritance and their biological implications. Regulatory T (Treg) cells, which express the transcription factor Foxp3, suppress fatal autoimmunity throughout the lifespan of animals. Here, we show that a dedicated Foxp3 intronic element CNS2 maintains Treg cell lineage identity by acting as a sensor of the essential Treg cell growth factor IL-2 and its downstream target STAT5. CNS2 sustains Foxp3 expression during division of mature Treg cells when IL-2 is limiting and counteracts proinflammatory cytokine signaling that leads to the loss of Foxp3. CNS2-mediated stable inheritance of Foxp3 expression is critical for adequate suppression of diverse types of chronic inflammation by Treg cells and prevents their differentiation into inflammatory effector cells. The described mechanism may represent a general principle of the inheritance of differentiated cell states.
The climate‐water‐health nexus in emerging megacities

Today a handful of developing nations (India, China, Nigeria, Brazil, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Pakistan) account for more than half of the world's population. A majority of these nations are rapidly urbanizing, as people from remote regions migrate in search of economic prosperity [Cohen, 2003]. Such a rural-to-urban migratory trend has been the leading cause of cities expanding to megacities, which are defined by the United Nations as cities with a population greater than 10 million. By 2025 a greater proportion of the world's megacities, most of them situated in low-lying coastal areas, will be in developing nations in Asia and Africa (Figure 1a) [Asian Development Bank, 2012].
Rapid on-site evaluation of endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates: correlation of adequacy assessment and final diagnosis in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma.

Introduction We review endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirate samples and investigate cases with discrepancies between rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) and final diagnosis in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Materials and methods Endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates from 2009 to 2010 were studied. On-site adequacy assessments were compared with final diagnoses. Concordant diagnoses showed agreement between ROSE interpretation and final diagnosis. If the initial interpretation differed from the final diagnosis, the case was discordant. Slides from discordant aspirates were reviewed. Discordant results were categorized as sampling error or interpretive/screening error at ROSE. Results A total of 340 endobronchial ultrasound-guided procedures were performed in 335 patients (168 men, 167 women, median age 65 years). Diagnostic discrepancies between ROSE and final diagnoses occurred in 65 aspirates (11%) from 51 patients with carcinoma. Of the 65 discrepant cases, 52 (83%) were subsequently called positive for carcinoma. Rescreening of slides in 47 available cases with a final positive diagnosis showed insufficient tumor for diagnosis in 28 of 47 cases (60%). The remaining 19 of 47 cases (40%) were classified as interpretive/screening errors at ROSE. Most errors occurred in aspirates called atypical or atypical suspicious, which upon rescreening were considered diagnostic (16 aspirates, 84%). Conclusions Initial and final diagnoses were concordant in 89% of aspirates from patients with carcinoma. All aspirates that were positive at ROSE were concordant. In discordant cases, all aspirates deemed "atypical suspicious for malignancy" and 86% of aspirates deemed "atypical cells" on ROSE had a final diagnosis of carcinoma. The majority of discordant cases with a positive final diagnosis were due to sampling (60%).
Optimization of the polyplanar optical display electronics for a monochrome B-52 display

The Polyplanar Optical Display (POD) is a unique display screen which can be used with any projection source. The prototype ten-inch display is two inches thick and has a matte black face which allows for high contrast images. The prototype being developed is a form, fit and functional replacement display for the B-52 aircraft which uses a monochrome ten-inch display. In order to achieve a long lifetime, the new display uses a new 200 mW green solid-state laser (10,000 hr. life) at 532 nm as its light source. To produce real-time video, the laser light is being modulated by a Digital Light Processing (DLP{trademark}) chip manufactured by Texas Instruments (TI). In order to use the solid-state laser as the light source and also fit within the constraints of the B-52 display, the Digital Micromirror Device (DMD{trademark}) chip is operated remotely from the Texas Instruments circuit board. In order to achieve increased brightness a monochrome digitizing interface was investigated. The operation of the DMD{trademark} divorced from the light engine and the interfacing of the DMD{trademark} board with the RS-170 video format specific to the B-52 aircraft will be discussed, including the increased brightness of the monochrome digitizing interface. A brief description of the electronics required to drive the new 200 mW laser is also presented.
Selecting the size of pipes carrying hot gas to defrost evaporators

Resume La determination du diametre correct des tuyauteries transportant du gaz chaud pour le degivrage des evaporateurs est un facteur important de l'economie d'energie par des procedes tels que le maintien d'une basse pression de condensation. Un diametre correct garantira que l'augmentation qui en resulte du volume massique du gaz chaud se produisant a basse pression ne provoque pas de pertes excessives de pression dans les tuyauteries. On examine la facon dont le debit de gaz chaud au cours du degivrage a une influence sur la determination du diametre des tuyauteries ainsi que l'influence de la temperature de saturation.
Identification of Protein-Tyrosine Phosphatases Prevalent in Adipocytes by Molecular Cloning

Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) are among the fastest growing family of enzymes that are closely linked to signal transduction pathways involving reversible tyrosine phosphorylation. In order to identify PTPase homologs expressed in adipocytes that might regulate the action of insulin or growth factors in this tissue, we screened a rat adipocyte cDNA library at reduced stringency with a panel of candidate PTPase probes. After subcloning and sequence analysis of the positive plaques, this approach enabled us to identify the expression of LRP/RPTP-alpha, PTPase 1B, SH-PTP2/Syp, and LAR in adipocytes at an abundance of 16, 7, 6 and 3 per million, respectively. Furthermore, a sequence variant of SH-PTP2/Syp was identified that may have significance in the tissue-specific activity of this enzyme. These data provide insight into PTPase homologs that may have a physiological role in the regulation of phosphotyrosyl turnover in hormone signalling pathways in adipocytes.
Allatinhibin, a neurohormonal inhibitor of juvenile hormone biosynthesis in Manduca sexta.

The corpora allata (CA) of Manduca sexta larvae become incapable of synthesizing juvenile hormone (JH) early in the wandering stage of the last larval stadium. They then switch to the synthesis and release of JH acids. This change in CA activity is induced by an inhibitory factor—allatinhibin (AI)—from the brain. AI activity is present in the fifth (Vth) instar hemolymph from about Day 4 (day of wandering) until Day 7 (early prepupa). CA of early fifth instar larvae (uninhibited) incubated in vitro with brain-corpora cardiaca-corpora allata (Br-CC-CA) complexes or brain alone from wandering larvae are inhibited as demonstrated by bioassay. On the basis of these observations, an in vitro-in vivo assay for AI was developed. Br-CC-CA or Br alone were first incubated in tissue culture medium overnight. Day 0 (0d) Vth instar CA incubated for 16 hr in such medium will lose the ability to induce a larval molt in allatectomized 0d IVth instar larvae if the medium contained AI activity. The highest AI activity was exhibited by the medium obtained from incubations of brain from wandering larvae whereas the medium from incubation of 0d Vth and 0d pupal brains showed no AI activity. Dose-response data show that AI is active at 0.03 brain equivalents/200 μl medium. CA must be exposed to AI for 12–16 hr for manifestation of inhibition. AI causes a stable inhibition of CA. AI is heat-labile, protease sensitive, has a molecular size between 1.0 and 3.5 kDa, and is clearly distinct from the allatostatins described by others.
Open-cavity and closed-cavity (intact canal wall) tympanomastoidectomy

The controversy of open-cavity versus closed-cavity tympanomastoidectomy has persisted for more than 35 years. There are strong proponents for each technique, and many surgeons use both approaches for treating chronic otitis media. In order to understand this controversy more clearly, the indications along with the advantages and disadvantages of each technique must be brought into sharp focus. It is important to address these concepts in each individual patient, in order to select intelligently the approach best suited for management of the ear in question. The first portion of this article discusses these issues. It is axiomatic that successful management of chronic otitis media with either technique dictates that the technique be performed properly. Poor attention to detail and inadequate identification or exposure of important landmarks will frequently doom any procedure to failure. The second portion of this article describes each technique in some detail.
Gastroesophageal reflux medications in the treatment of apnea in premature infants

Abstract Objective: To determine whether medications commonly used in the management of gastroesophageal reflux reduce the frequency of apnea in premature infants. Study design: We reviewed the medical records of all infants ≤36 weeks' gestational age at birth who were treated in 2 neonatal intensive care units from 1990 through 1999 and identified those who received the antireflux medications cisapride or metoclopramide in association with apnea. We averaged the frequency of apnea during the 5 days before and the 5 days after antireflux treatment was started and compared these 2 periods by paired analysis. Results: There were 164 separate courses of treatment with either cisapride or metoclopramide in 132 patients. There were 3.6 ± 3.2 apneic episodes per day during the 5 days before treatment and 4.0 ± 3.4 apneic episodes per day during the 5 days after treatment ( P =.048). When evaluated separately, neither cisapride nor metoclopramide reduced the frequency of apnea. Stratification for documented reflux (by radiographic contrast or by pH probe analysis), concomitant use of methylxanthines or ranitidine, developmental age, feeding volume, and respiratory support did not identify a subgroup of patients whose apnea improved with antireflux treatment. Conclusion: Antireflux medications do not reduce the frequency of apnea in premature infants. (J Pediatr 2001;138:355-60)
Structural and functional studies of the metalloendopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) involved in degrading gonadotropin releasing hormone

Converging biophysical and molecular biological techniques including genetic and computer aided engineering are being utilized in the study of zinc-metalloendopeptidase E.C. 3.4.24.15 (EP 24.15), a peptidase involved in the degradation of Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), the master regulatory decapeptide involved in reproduction. This 71 kDa enzyme rapidly cleaves the Tyr-Gly6 bond in GnRH, the rate limiting reaction in hormone inactivation. EP 24.15 has been identified and isolated (1, 2) and the full length rat cDNA has recently been sequenced, and used to direct the expression of the functional 645 amino acid protein (3). The sequence of EP 24.15 shows no sequence identity with any known metalloendopeptidases beyond the commonly shared active site motif, -H-E-x-x-H-, found in this family of enzymes. EP 24.15 is a predominantly cytosolic enzyme that is stable, not glycosylated, and can be modeled with other globular proteins. Hydrophobic Cluster Analysis, (HCA) (4), is a heuristic algorithm ascertaining structural domains by detecting patterns of secondary structure and sequence homology in a two-dimensional analysis. This method has been used to determine if thermolysin may be used in modeling EP 24.15, and extending this analysis to enkephalinase and angiotensin converting enzyme two other members of the zinc-metalloendopeptidase family. Information gained from this study would be a step towards modeling substrate and inhibitor interactions to elucidate the conformation of this enzyme, as a probe for the function of this enzyme in vivo, and as a target for pharmacological intervention.
Displaying braille and graphics with a "tactile mouse"

Refreshable tactile displays that move with the hand, such as those that resemble computer mice, can be utilized to display tactile graphics faster and more cost effectively to individuals who are blind and visually impaired than traditional paper methods of creating tactile diagrams. However, in tactile diagrams, the word labels can be as important as the diagram itself and so it is important that these displays can present Braille. In this work, we present and discuss findings from a study which used three methods of displaying Braille and tactile graphics simultaneously with a tactile mouse: Braille and graphics at the same amplitude level, Braille and graphics at different amplitude levels, and Braille with a box around it, The simplest method, Braille and graphics at the same amplitude, surprisingly proved to be the most effective.
Cloning of CYP1A in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Abstract To better understand the molecular relationship between contaminant exposure in Atlantic salmon and the cytochrome P450 system, we have cloned a CYP1A gene using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The cloned cDNA possesses all characteristic motifs of teleost CYP1A genes including the start codon, heme-binding region, stop codon, and poly-adenylation signal. The cloned gene is also characterized by an extended 3′ untranslated region (UTR; 1025bp) containing three AUUUA sequences that are likely to be a target for rapid degradation of its mRNA. Its coding region (1569 base pairs) shares 97.4% and 96.7% sequence identity with the corresponding regions of rainbow trout CYP1A1 and CYP1A3 genes, respectively. In addition, the deduced amino acid sequence of salmon CYP1A shows 96.9% and 96.2% identity with rainbow trout P450 1A1 and P450 1A3 enzymes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of a sample of CYP genes confirmed that Atlantic salmon CYP1A is closely related to rainbow trout CYP1A genes as well. Northern analysis showed that CYP1A mRNA is at a significantly higher level in the liver of Atlantic salmon injected intraperitoneally with β-Naphthoflavone (BNF), suggesting that this gene is inducible. Southern analysis verified the presence of at least one copy of the CYP1A gene in the genomic DNA of Atlantic salmon. These results reveal the transcriptional and inductive properties of an Atlantic salmon CYP1A gene with an extended 3′ UTR, and provide molecular tools for studying the effects of xenobiotics on Atlantic salmon populations.
Naturalists of the Pacific Shore: Early Explorer/Naturalists of California1

SYNOPSIS. Soon after the discovery of North America, Spain, Russia, Great Britain, France and slightly later, the United States, vied to exert political control over its Pacific coast. This article details the explorer/naturalists associated with those countries and the observations they made in the time period from 1500 to 1850. Although the principal concern is with observations made in California, some connection is made to Oregon. The paper relates the background of observers, their purposes for being there and the nature of their scientific contributions. Principal individuals mentioned (in chronological order) include: David Douglas (Great Britain–1830), Thomas Nuttall (United States–1834), the U.S. Exploring Expedition (United States–1841), William Gambel (UnitedStates–1841), John C. Fremont (United States–1843), William H. Emory (United States–1847). The account ends in 1850 because that is the year that California achieved statehood and the next two decades mark the origin of local institutions that changed in the way in which natural history observations were supported in California. Institutions begun inthis time period were: the California Academy of Natural Sciences, 1853; the California State Geological Survey, 1860; and the University of California, 1868.
The adsorption and reaction of acetonitrile on clean and oxygen covered Ag(110) surfaces

Abstract The adsorption and reaction of acetonitrile (CH3CN) on clean and oxygen covered Ag(110) surfaces has been studied using temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS), isotope exchange, chemical displacement reactions and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). On the clean Ag(110) surface, CH3CN was reversibly adsorbed, desorbing with an activation energy of 10 kcal mol-1 at 166 K from a monolayer state and at 158 K from a multilayer state. Vibrational spectra of multilayer, monolayer and sub-monolayer CH3CN were in excellent agreement with that of gas phase CH3CN indicating that CH3CN is only weakly bonded to the clean Ag(110) surface. On the partially oxidized surface CH3CN reacts with atomic oxygen to form adsorbed CH2CN, OH and H2O in addition to forming another molecular adsorption state with a desorption peak at 240 K. This molecular state shows a CN stretching frequency of 1840 cm-1, which is indicative of substantial rehybridization of the CN bond and is associated with side-on coordination via the π system. The CH2CN species is stable up to 430 K, where C-H bond breaking and reformation begins, leading to the formation of CH3CN at 480 K and HCN at 510 K and leaving only carbon on the surface. In the presence of excess oxygen atoms C-H bond breaking and reformation is more facile leading to additional desorption peaks for CH3CN and H2O at 420 K. This destabilizing effect of O(a) on Ch2CN(a) is explained in terms of an anionic (CH2CN-1) species. Comparison of the vibrational spectra from CH2CN(a) and CD2CN(a) supports the following assignment for the modes of adsorbed CH2CN: ν(Ag-C) 215: δ(CCN) 545; ϱt(CH2) 695; ϱw(CH2) 850; ν(C-C) 960; ϱr(CH2) 1060; δ(CH2) 1375; ν(CN) 2075; and ν(CH2) 2940 cm-1. These results serve to further indicate the wide applicability of the acid-base reaction concept for reactions between gas phase Bronsted acids and adsorbed oxygen atoms on solver surfaces.
The Lactic Acid Bacteria Genome Project

in 2002, the Joint Genome Institute and the Lactic Acid Bacteria Genome Consortium (LABGC) released draft genome sequences for 11 food fermentation-related bacteria including: Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris. Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacilius brevis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus. Streptococcus thermophilus, Leaconostoc mesenteroides, Pediococcas pentosaceus, Oenococcus oeni, Bifidobacterium longum, and Brevibaciterium linens. Public availability of these aggregate sequence data will allow researchers to examine these microbes, in the contest of food and beverage production, in new detail. Sequence annotation of these strains is ongoing and comparisons between the lactic acid bacteria will shed light on those genetic programs conserved across a range of fermentation niches. Future functional genamic approaches (transcriptomics, proteamics, and metabolomics) will help defined the molecular nature of metabolic networks within these microbes. This knowledge, aided by the development of new genetic tools, will better enable the selection and/or tailoring of strains for various fermentation of probiotic rationales.
Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and prairie voles (M. ochrogaster) differ in their responses to over-marks from opposite- and same-sex conspecifics

Over-marking occurs when one individual deposits its scent mark on the scent mark of a conspecific. Previous studies have shown that meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and prairie voles (M. ochrogaster) that were exposed to an over-mark of two same-sex conspecifics, later responded similarly to the top-scent mark but differed in their response to the bottom-scent mark. In the present study, we examined the responses of meadow voles and prairie voles to same-sex and mixed-sex over-marks to ascertain whether their responses reflect the different tactics which males and females in promiscuous (meadow voles) and monogamous (prairie voles) species use to attract opposite-sex conspecifics and to compete with same-sex conspecifics. Males and females of both species spent more time investigating the mark of the top-scent donor than that of the bottom-scent donor of an over-mark. Meadow voles exposed to a mixed-sex over-mark spent more time investigating the mark of the opposite-sex conspecific independently of whether it was from the top- or bottom-scent donor. In contrast, prairie voles spent more time investigating the mark of the opposite-sex donor if it was from the top-scent donor. These results suggest that: (i) over-marking serves a competitive function; (ii) the scent marks of individuals attract multiple mates in promiscuous species such as the meadow vole; and (iii) the scent marks of individuals establish and maintain pair bonds between familiar opposite-sex conspecifics in monogamous species such as the prairie vole.
Randomized comparative trial and cost analysis of 3-day antimicrobial regimens for treatment of acute cystitis in women.

Objective. —To determine the efficacy, safety, and costs associated with four different 3-day regimens for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis in women. Design. —A prospective randomized trial with a cost analysis. Study Population. —Women with acute cystitis attending a student health center. Interventions. —Treatment with 3-day oral regimens of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 160 mg/800 mg twice daily, macrocrystalline nitrofurantoin, 100 mg four times daily, cefadroxil, 500 mg twice daily, or amoxicillin, 500 mg three times daily. Results. —Six weeks after treatment, 32 (82%) of 39 women treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were cured compared with 22 (61%) of 36 treated with nitrofurantoin (P=.04 vs trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole),21 (66%) of 32 treated with cefadroxil (P=.11 vs trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), and 28 (67%) of 42 treated with amoxicillin (P=.11 vs trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole). Persistence of significant bacteriuria was less common with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (3%) and cefadroxil (0%) compared with nitrofurantoin (16%;P=.05 vs trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) and amoxicillin (14%;P=.11 vs trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole). Persistence of bacteriuria was associated with amoxicillin-resistant strains in the amoxicillin group but nitrofurantoin-susceptible strains in the nitrofurantoin group. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was more successful in eradicatingEscherichia colifrom rectal cultures soon after therapy and from urethral and vaginal cultures at all follow-up visits compared with the other treatment regimens. Adverse effects were reported by 16 (35%) of 46 patients receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 18 (43%) of 42 receiving nitrofurantoin, 12 (30%) of 40 receiving cefadroxil, and 13 (25%) of 52 receiving amoxicillin. The mean costs per patient were less with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole ($114) and amoxicillin ($131) compared with nitrofurantoin ($155) and cefadroxil ($155). Conclusions. —A 3-day regimen of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is more effective and less expensive than 3-day regimens of nitrofurantoin, cefadroxil, or amoxicillin for treatment of uncomplicated cystitis in women. The increased efficacy of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is likely related to its antimicrobial effects againstE coliin the rectum, urethra, and vagina. (JAMA. 1995;273:41-45)