cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Clf1p splicing factor promotes spliceosome assembly through N-terminal tetratricopeptide repeat contacts.

Abstract Spliceosome assembly follows a well conserved pathway of subunit addition that includes both small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) particles and non-snRNP splicing factors. Clf1p is an unusual splicing factor composed almost entirely of direct repeats of the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) protein-binding motif. Here we show that the Clf1p protein resides in at least two multisubunit protein complexes, a small nuclear RNA-free structure similar to what was reported as the Prp19p complex (nineteen complex; NTC) and an RNP structure that contains the U2, U5, and U6 small nuclear RNAs. Thirty Ccf (Clf1p complexfactor) proteins have been identified by mass spectroscopy or immune detection as known or suspected components of the yeast spliceosome. Deletion of TPR1 or TPR2 from an epitope-tagged Clf1p protein (i.e. Clf1Δ2-TAP) destabilizes Clf1p complexes assembled in vivo, causing the release of the Cef1p and Prp19p NTC factors and decreased association of the Rse1p, Snu114p, and Hsh155p snRNP proteins. In vitro, temperature inactivation of Clf1Δ2p impairs the prespliceosome to spliceosome transition and prevents Prp19p recruitment to the splicing complex. These and related data support the view that the poly-TPR Clf1p splicing factor promotes the functional integration of the U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP particle into the U1-, U2-dependent prespliceosome.
DNA Assisted Assembly of Multisegmented Nanowires

This work demonstrates a highly specific and selective assembly of multisegmented nanowires on prepatterned gold electrodes using DNA hybridization. Multisegmented Au/Pd/Au nanowires were synthesized using template-directed electrodeposition. Two complementary single-stranded DNAs modified with thiol tags adsorb on gold electrodes and gold segments of nanowires, and enable the nanowires to assemble across electrodes. The assembled nanowires show ohmic contact with minimum contact resistance. Using these nanowires, the temperature dependent electrical resistance and the sensing performance toward hydrogen were investigated. The temperature coefficient of resistance of nanowires was lower than bulk polycrystalline counterpart, because of higher electron scattering at the surface and grain boundaries of nanowires. The nanowires were sensitive toward hydrogen gas at room temperature with a detection limit of 0.5%.
The Impact of Recommendation Agents on Consumer Evaluation and Choice: The Moderating Role of Category Risk, Product Complexity, and Consumer Knowledge

The rapid growth of the Internet as an information medium has given rise to “infomediaries” that help aid consumers in making decisions. Recent research in the context of recommendation agents has shown that their use can lead to increases in consumer welfare. However, it is not clear if this varies by customer and by type of product. In this article, the role of category risk, product complexity, and customer category knowledge in moderating the impact of recommendation agents on consumer welfare is examined. A controlled experiment simulating a recommendation agent was used in conducting this study. Various product characteristics for which the recommendation agent provided information were manipulated. The results support some of the hypothesized effects. It is shown that category risk moderates the impact of recommendation agents on decision quality and product complexity moderates the role of recommendation agents on amount of search. The implications of this for theory and research on the Internet are discussed.
Comparative diagnostic abilities of child health associate interns and practicing pediatricians

Child health associate interns and practicing pediatricians independently evaluated 143 ambulatory pediatric patients with a wide variety of pediatric problems. Agreement in the diagnostic assessment of patients by the two groups of health professionals occurred in 131 patients (91.6 per cent); in seven patients (4.9 per cent) the child health associate intern listed diagnoses not recorded by the pediatrician, and in five patients (3.5 per cent) differences occurred in their diagnostic interpretation. This study suggests that child health associate interns can identify the problems of ambulatory pediatric patients with an accuracy comparable to that of pediatricians.
The roles of individuals' socioeconomic characteristics and the government family planning program in China's fertility decline

This paper explores answers to the following two questions: first, did individuals' socioeconomic characteristics play any role in the rapid fertility decline that occurred in China during the 1970's? Secondly, if the rapid fertility decline during the 1970s is mostly a result of the government policy, as many have perceived, to what extent was the government policy effective? Using the 1982 Chinese 1/1000 fertility survey data for Hebei province of China, this paper examines variation in fertility among women of two age cohorts by linking their fertility outcome with their socioeconomic background and earlier reproductive experiences. In addition, this paper assesses the effect of government policy by comparing the determinants of fertility outcome between two cohorts of women and by studying the factors affecting their current contraceptive use. The findings reveal that the individual's socioeconomic background was important in explaining earlier fertility variation. Government policy, although powerful enough to override most of the effect of socioeconomic factors on fertility, was not able to eliminate differences in contraceptive behavior among Chinese women.
Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentrations in Adult Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Returning to Coastal and Puget Sound Hatcheries of Washington State

Identifying the source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is the first step to eliminating contamination within anadromous salmonids and other aquatic species. We evaluated PCB concentrations in the muscle tissue of 4-year old Puget Sound and coastal hatchery Chinook salmon in an effort to identify potential locations where contamination occurs. Ten muscle samples were taken from each of two Puget Sound hatcheries and two coastal hatcheries in Washington State to determine PCB concentrations. Two technical mixtures of PCBs, Aroclor 1254 and Aroclor 1260, were measured in the tissue samples collected. Aroclor 1254 was detected in all samples, while Aroclor 1260 was detected in 16 of 40 samples. Generalized linear modeling (GLM) was used to evaluate the influence of region (Puget Sound and coast), hatchery, sex, fish length, and percent lipids on PCB concentrations. Twenty different GLMs representing multiple null hypotheses were ranked using Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Six of the 20 models evaluat...
Using ecological land types to examine landscape-scale oak regeneration dynamics

The long-standing interest in regenerating oaks stimulated the development of a number of research studies during the past several decades. Most studies have focused on addressing oak regeneration problems and many of these suggested that oak regeneration failures occur where site conditions favor the establishment and growth of competing species that capture the growing space following crown release. Because ecosystem classification regimes incorporate information about site conditions including many of the biophysical factors that largely govern site quality, some forest scientists have proposed that they be used for predicting oak regeneration dynamics. We used a large data set from a replicated landscape-scale experiment comprising nine, 400-ha forest management compartments to systematically examine oak regeneration dynamics following the application of a range of regeneration methods (clearcutting, group and single-tree selection) across differing ecological land types. We found that species of the red oak group appeared to be regenerating successfully only in stands harvested with clearcutting and that regeneration success was greatest in clearcut stands located on ecological land types of lower site quality where the density of competitors was relatively low. In contrast, species of the white oak group were regenerated with clearcutting and with the combination of group and single-tree selection but their regeneration response did not appear to be related to ecological land type. We conclude that an ecological classification framework is valuable for partitioning the landscape into finer-scale land units each having a similar propensity to (1) accumulate red oak reproduction in advance of harvesting and (2) respond to various regeneration methods each in a uniform manner. This framework was less important for examining species in the white oak group, which had similar regeneration dynamics across land types.
New eutectic alloys and their heats of transformation

Eutectic compositions and congruently melting intermetallic compounds in binary and multicomponent systems among common elements such as Al, Ca, Cu, Mg, P, Si, and Zn may be useful for high temperature heat storage. In this work, heats of fusion of new multicomponent eutectics and intermetallic phases are reported, some of which are competitive with molten salts in heat storage density at high temperatures. The method used to determine unknown eutectic compositions combined results of differential thermal analysis, metallography, and microprobe analysis. The method allows determination of eutectic compositions in no more than three steps. The heats of fusion of the alloys were measured using commercial calorimeters, a differential thermal analyzer, and a differential scanning calorimeter.
Electronic medical record availability and primary care depression treatment.

Background Electronic medical records (EMR) are commonly believed to improve quality of care. Primary care patients with multiple chronic conditions have potentially greater opportunity to benefit from receiving care at practices with EMRs if these systems help coordinate complex care.
Isolation and genetic characterization of dibucaine-resistant variants of a mouse lymphocytic cell line

Abstract A series of dibucaine-resistant (DibR) variants of the mouse lymphoid cell line L5178Y have been induced by mutagen (EMS) and isolated by selection for resistance to a short (48 h), high concentration (0.045 mM) drug pulse. DibR isolates grow exponentially in the presence of 0.025-– 0.030 mM dibucaine, drug concentrations that are toxic to the parent cell line. Like L5178Y, these variants are pseudodiploid. The dibucaine-resistant phenotype has remained stable in four independently derived populations, subcultured for 7 or 11 months in growth medium without drug. Also, the frequency of DibR variants increases as the concentration of inducing mutagen is increased. These latter two findings suggest, but do not prove, that the dibucaine-resistant phenotype occurs because of gene mutation. All DibR isolates were found to be cross-resistant to the growth-inhibiting effects of tetracaine, but sensitive to procaine and benzocaine. Chromosome number or cell size is an important consideration in evaluating the cytotoxicity of dibucaine because normal pseudotetraploid cells are more tolerant to the toxic effects of this drug than are wild-type pseudodiploid cell populations. Hybridization studies indicate that the dibucaine-resistant phenotype of one variant may be dominant, and that of another recessive. DibR variants will be important for future studies of the mechanism of local anesthetic action.
Specific inhibition by NH4Cl of autophagy-associated proteolysis in cultured fibroblasts

Abstract Rat embryo fibroblasts, prelabeled with [ 14 C]leucine, showed an enhanced degradation of cell protein as well as increased peptide release when placed in a serum-deficient medium. NH 4 Cl inhibited only the induced proteolysis, but had no effect on basal protein turnover. Electron microscopy studies showed that enhanced proteolysis was associated with an increase in autophagic vacuoles containing amorphous and membranous debris, and that NH 4 Cl markedly increased the number of these intracellular vacuoles. Upon release from NH 4 Cl inhibition, these cells showed a compensatory enhanced release of 14 C into the medium and a decrease in the number of intracellular degradative vacuoles. We conclude that enhanced proteolysis reflects an activation of the autophagic-lysosomal system in these cells and that NH 4 Cl inhibits the final hydrolysis and release steps in this mechanism.
The Asian flu and Russian virus: the international transmission of crises in firm-level data

Abstract This paper examines how the Asian and Russian crises affected different types of firms around the world. It constructs a new data set of financial statistics, industry information, geographic data, and stock returns for over 10 000 companies in 46 countries. Results show that firms competing with exports from the crisis countries, or with direct sales exposure to the crisis countries, had significantly lower abnormal stock returns. Firms with higher debt ratios, however, did not experience lower abnormal returns. Country-specific effects, although important determinants of company stock returns, are generally less important than firm-specific characteristics. These results suggest that trade channels are important factors determining how crises are transmitted internationally.
Topology of the caudal fat body of the tumorw mutant of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract Hereditary melanotic tumors in the tumorw strain of Drosophila melanogaster are known to involve encapsulation of the caudal fat body by the larval hemocytes. The encapsulated masses are subsequently melanized. The present study shows that the chain of events preceding encapsulation includes disintegration of the basement membrane of the caudal fat body and the appearance of particulate materials between and around the dissociating fat cells.
Ecological Communities and Processes in a Mojave Desert Ecosystem

Deserts provide a harsh and inhospitable environment for plants and animals, and the ecosystem is correspondingly fragile and prone to disruption by a variety of external factors. The Mojave Desert is a winter-rainfall desert, experiencing drought in the summer months, and occasional rain during the cooler winter months. For many years, it has attracted the attention of ecologists and conservation biologists concerned to maintain the unique status of this region. This book provides a broad overview of plant and animal ecology in the Mojave Desert, presented with a focus on data from Rock Valley, Nevada. The data from many major research projects is synthesized into a description of community structure and dynamics in desert ecosystems.
Serial position as a stimulus in serial learning

Summary Young (1962) has presented evidence which indicates that S associates each item in a serial list with its distinctive temporal position in the list. In this experiment, Young found that items maintaining the same serial position (S-items) in a second list were learned faster than items placed in different positions (D-items), demonstrating a positive effect of position constancy between the two lists. However, it is possible to interpret these results in terms of a chain connecting the S-items with the D-items learned in the original list. The present experiment tested the validity of this explanation in terms of mediation by employing an arrangement of items in which mediation could occur but position associations would not facilitate second-list learning. This was accomplished by shifting the S-items up or down one serial position but maintaining the same relative order in the list. In addition, a further test of the position hypothesis was conducted with a list in which no obvious patterning of S-items was present, allowing the elimination of the mediational chain as a possible aid to second-list learning. The results of the experiment gave no evidence for the operation of the mediational chain either in the learning of the shifted items (Group M) or in the types of errors observed during the second-list learning of Group Y. In addition, the positive effect of constant serial position for the condition (Group P) in which the operation of serial chains was minimized provided further evidence for position association in serial learning.
The ultrastructure of the adult stage of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Haemonchus placei.

The ultrastructure of the adult stage of T. colubriformis and H. placei was studied. The cuticle of both nematodes was composed of (1) a membrane-bound layer, (2) external cortex, (3) inner cortex, (4) matrix, (5)–(7) three fibre layers, and (8) a basal lamella. Pear-shaped bodies embedded in the matrix layer in H. placei occur, along the length of the animal, once per annulus. A thin hypodermis enlarged to form lateral, dorsal and ventral cords which contained hypodermal cells, nerves and excretory canals. The muscle cells were large and multilobular. Two sizes of myofilaments, present in the contractile part of the cell, conformed to the filament arrangement of obliquely striated muscle. The mouth, buccal cavity and oesophagus of the alimentary tract were lined with cuticle. The oesophagus contained gland cells, muscle cells and apical cells. The lumen of the intestinal cells of both species had a well-developed microvillar border. In H. placei each microvillus was encircled by a ring of apparently spirally orientated vesicles or tubules. The authors are grateful to Dr D. W. Brocklesby for his help and advice. They would also like to thank Dr D. L. Lee and Dr W. G. MacMillan for helpful discussions.
Health risk factors among detained adolescent females

Objectives To identify the prevalence of health risk factors among a sample of detained adolescent females and determine whether there are racial/ethnic differences. Design and setting A cross-sectional survey of 197 adolescent females (aged 14 to 18 years) recruited within eight detention facilities. Outcome measures Thirty-five measures, comprising four domains, were assessed. Domains were sex-related risk factors, violence-related risk factors, selected mental health issues, and substance abuse behaviors. Measures were collected using audio-computer–assisted self-interviewing. A biological assessment for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis was also conducted. Results Several health risk factors were especially prominent. Mean age of sexual debut was 13 years. The mean number of sex partners (lifetime) was 8.8. Twenty percent tested positive for an STD, and 32.2% had ever been pregnant. Of those reporting sexual activity, 33.9% had not used any form of contraception in the past 2 months and about 40% reported having recent sex with a casual partner. More than 40% reported that a friend had been beaten, attacked, or hurt by others in the past year. More than one half had witnessed violence (past year) and nearly 30% had ever belonged to a gang. Forty percent had thought about committing suicide in the past 2 months, with 35% informing someone of their intent, and 25% attempting suicide. Recent use of illegal substances was common. Correlations between the four domains were significant (p Conclusions Preventive medicine programs for adolescent females within detention facilities are warranted. Our evidence suggests that health risk behaviors in this population may be quite diverse; therefore, these programs should be broad in scope and that depth of the programs should vary as a function of risk level.
Synthesis of polyfluoro ketones for selective inhibition of human phospholipase A2 enzymes.

The development of selective inhibitors for individual PLA2 enzymes is necessary in order to target PLA2-specific signaling pathways, but it is challenging due to the observed promiscuity of known PLA2 inhibitors. In the current work, we present the development and application of a variety of synthetic routes to produce pentafluoro, tetrafluoro, and trifluoro derivatives of activated carbonyl groups in order to screen for selective inhibitors and characterize the chemical properties that can lead to selective inhibition. Our results demonstrate that the pentafluoroethyl ketone functionality favors selective inhibition of the GVIA iPLA2, a very important enzyme for which specific, potent, reversible inhibitors are needed. We find that 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-7-phenyl-heptan-3-one (FKGK11) is a selective inhibitor of GVIA iPLA2 (XI(50) = 0.0073). Furthermore, we conclude that the introduction of an additional fluorine atom at the α′ position of a trifluoromethyl ketone constitutes an important strategy for th...
The electrocardiogram in patients with pacemakers

Abstract A study of the pacemaker-induced ventricular complexes can be of help in determining the site of stimulation. The first step consists in separating the stimulus artefacts from the QRS complexes. Right ventricular pacing usually produces a complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) morphology. The electrical axis can be left, normal or even right, as pacing is performed from the apex to the outflow tract. Rarely an S1-S2-S3 pattern (with negative deflection in V1 and V2) appears during right ventricular apical pacing. Left ventricular stimulation usually produces a right bundle branch block pattern with inferior and rightwards deviation of the AQRS, although a superior axis is rarely seen with inferior stimulation. In the absence of pacer failure the basic QRS morphology produced by late diastolic stimuli can change if: (a) there are significant respiratory movements; (b) stimulation occurs during the relative refractory period; and (c) fusion beats occur. The classical Wolff-Parkinson-White beat was interpreted as a fusion beat, as long as exclusive Kent bundle conduction was not present. In the latter instances pacing from the preexcited area appeared to have produced similar QRS complexes.
The child development associate program and the child development consortium in review

The Child Development Associate approach has several unique features that represent major departures from traditional practice. These are cited by one who has worked closely with the Child Development Associate Consortium over the years.
Genetics and type 1 diabetes: online resources for patients.

PURPOSE This Web-based review was undertaken to compile online resources for diabetes educators on genetics--specifically, the genetics of type 1 diabetes--and to provide helpful and accurate information for the public. METHODS Keyword searches were performed to identify Web sites for genetics education for the lay public and for sites specifically geared toward children/young adults. Web sites were critiqued based on credibility (source, currency, relevance/utility), content (accuracy), and design (accessibility, logical organization). Additional keyword searches were conducted to find sites describing the genetics of type 1 diabetes, which were evaluated for content validity. RESULTS The Web sites selected for general genetics education contain accessible, credible, and accurate information about basic genetics in an easy-to-follow format with both text and visual aides. Although these sites adequately educate the public about genetics, only diabetes-specific Web sites discussed the relationship between genetics and risk for type 1 diabetes associated with high-risk HLA alleles. CONCLUSIONS In this genomic age, it is important for healthcare professionals to provide genetics information. Educational tools that specifically address the genetics of type 1 diabetes are urgently needed to fill the current information gaps on the Internet.
Near-IR Calibration Transfer between Different Temperatures

Calibration transfer between spectra measured at different temperatures was investigated for near-IR spectroscopic determination of NaCl in aqueous solutions. A principal component regression (PCR) calibration model developed at 23.0 C was transferred to 28.5 C by using a piecewise direct standardization (PDS) method. The effect of window symmetry on calibration transfer was investigated. Only two transfer samples were needed in obtaining a good calibration transfer. The standard error of prediction (SEP) was 0.048 M NaCl when the calibration model developed at 23.0 C was used for predictions at 28.5 C without the standardization. The SEP was reduced to 0.008 M through the standardization, which was very close to 0.006 M obtained from a full set recalibration at 28.5 C and 0.007 M obtained from a general calibration model based on the spectra measured at different temperatures between 23.0 and 28.5 C. The calibration transfer from one temperature to another can save a lot of time in remeasuring the calibration samples and redeveloping a new calibration model at a new temperature.
PowerPlay: creating virtual power meters through online load tracking

Online load tracking is the problem of monitoring an individual electrical load's energy usage by analyzing a building's smart meter data. The problem is important, since many energy optimizations require fine-grained, per-load energy data in real time; it also differs from the well-studied problem of load disaggregation in that it emphasizes efficient, online operation and per-load accuracy, rather than accurate disaggregation of every building load via offline analysis. In essence, tracking a particular load creates a virtual power meter for it, which mimics having a networked-connected power meter attached to it. To enable high performance, we take a model-driven approach that focuses on efficiently detecting a small number of identifiable load features in smart meter data. Our results demonstrate that our system, called PowerPlay, i) enables efficient online tracking on low-power embedded platforms, ii) scales to thousands of loads (across many buildings) on server platforms, and iii) improves per-load accuracy by more than a factor of two compared to a state-of-the-art load disaggregation algorithm.
Genetic transformation and mutagenesis of the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus

We have developed a DNA-mediated transformation system for the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus based on resistance to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium. The resistance is provided by the bar gene from Streptomyces hygroscopicus and is under the control of the Aspergillus nidulans trpC promoter and terminator sequences. Frequencies of up to 110 transformants/μg of linearized plasmid DNA were obtained aided by the addition of the nuclease inhibitor, aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA). The transformants were stable for drug resistance for five consecutive vegetative transfers under selective and nonselective conditions. Southern analyses revealed that the transforming DNA integrated into the P. fumosoroseus genome in single and multiple copies. Single-copy integration events were generated with higher efficiency by restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI), although rates of transformation were generally not as high as those treatments containing ATA. Two mutant strains altered in sporulation capacity and virulence toward the Russian wheat aphid were recovered using this approach. This transformation-based manipulation of P. fumosoroseus will facilitate insertional mutagenesis and the functional analysis of various genes.
D-cycloserine augmented exposure therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Background D-cycloserine (DCS), a glutamatergic partial N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) agonist, can facilitate extinction learning related to cued fear in animals and humans. We predicted that DCS would accelerate obsession-related distress reduction in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) undergoing extinction-based exposure therapy. Methods We administered DCS (125 mg) or placebo in a double-blind fashion to individuals with OCD approximately 2 hours before each exposure session. Results D-cycloserine decreased both the number of exposure sessions required to achieve clinical milestones and the rate of therapy dropout. After four exposure sessions, patients in the DCS group reported significantly greater decreases in obsession-related distress compared with the placebo group; however, after additional sessions, the placebo group tended to catch up. Conclusions D-cycloserine augmentation has the potential to increase the efficiency, palatability, and overall effectiveness of standard exposure therapy for OCD.
Molecular Structures of 10-Valence Electron Species. 4. Potential Energy Surfaces and Properties of HSiX+ (X = O, S, Se)

Potential energy surface (PES) searches of HSiX+ (X = O, S, Se) ions were performed using HF and MP2 computational methods. Split-valence triple-ζ isotropic basis sets augmented by sets of p and d polarization functions on hydrogen atoms and sets of d and f polarization functions on heavy atoms (TZP(2d,2p) and TZP(2df,2pd)) were used. Unlike those of the linear form of HOSi+, the strongly bent HSSi+ and HSeSi+ global minimum-energy structures are predicted at both HF and correlated levels of theory, in contradiction to Mulliken−Walsh's rules. Isomeric HSiS+ and HSiSe+ forms are higher-energy local minima on the studied PESs.
Synthesis of a [Fe4S4]−S−Ferriheme Bridged Assembly Containing an Isobacteriochlorin Component: A Further Analogue of the Active Site of Sulfite Reductase

The catalytic site of sulfite reductase consists of exchange-coupled cubane-type Fe4S4 cluster and siroheme components bridged by a cysteinate sulfur atom in the Escherichia coli enzyme and, presumably, by sulfide in certain other bacterial enzymes. A synthetic analogue of the latter in the form of a sulfide-bridged assembly has been synthesized by the reaction of [Fe(OEiBC)Cl] and the site-differentiated cluster [Fe4S4(LS3)(SSiMe3)]2- (4) in benzene/acetonitrile. Demonstration of the [Fe4S4(LS3)−S−FeIII(OEiBC)]2- (5) formulation follows from spectroscopic evidence. The Mossbauer spectrum proves the [Fe4S4]2+ core oxidation state. 1H NMR spectra demonstrate a close juxtaposition of macrocycle and cluster owing to the appearance of doubled cluster resonances when two diastereomers of 5 are prepared from an isomeric mixture of [Fe(OEiBC)Cl]. Isotropic shifts of 5 are dominantly contact in origin and are 7−11 times larger than in 4, a typical [Fe4S4]2+ cluster, owing to spin delocalization involving Fe(III)....
Polymer nanoparticles for drug and small silencing RNA delivery to treat cancers of different phenotypes

Advances in nanotechnology have provided powerful and efficient tools in the development of cancer diagnosis and therapy. There are numerous nanocarriers that are currently approved for clinical use in cancer therapy. In recent years, biodegradable polymer nanoparticles have attracted a considerable attention for their ability to function as a possible carrier for target-specific delivery of various drugs, genes, proteins, peptides, vaccines, and other biomolecules in humans without much toxicity. This review will specifically focus on the recent advances in polymer-based nanocarriers for various drugs and small silencing RNA's loading and delivery to treat different types of cancer.
A Systematic Review of Observational Studies Evaluating Implant Placement in the Maxillary Jaws of Medically Compromised Patients

Background Even though the efficacy of implant treatment and the excellent success rates that modern implant surfaces yield remain unchallenged, there is limited information available on implant success rates in medically compromised patients. Purpose The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the survival of implants placed in the maxillary jaws of medically compromised patients. Materials and Methods Two reviewers using predefined selection criteria performed an electronic search complemented by a manual search, independently and in duplicate. Results After the final selection, 11 studies reporting on four distinct medical conditions were included out of 405 potentially eligible titles. In detail, three studies reported on implants placed in diabetic patients, six on implants placed in patients with a history of oral cancer, one on implants in patients with a history of epilepsy, and one on implants in patients with autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusions Placement of maxillary implants in medically compromised patients seems to yield acceptable survival rates. Implant survival in well-controlled diabetic patients, patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and patients treated for severe epilepsy is comparable to that in healthy patients. Implants placed in the maxillae of patients treated for oral cancer may attain osseointegration less predictably than in the mandible.
Isolation Structures for the Solid-State Quantum-to-Classical Interface

Solid-state qubits confront a much higher density of states than atomic-scale systems. This is deleterious for quantum information processing. We analyze various superconducting structures for isolating qubit circuits to increase their coherence time.
Radiometric and spectroradiometric comparison of power outputs of five visible light-curing units

The spectral distributions of the radiation emitted by five visible range curing lights were measured spectroradiometrically. The light intensities in specific wavelength bands were evaluated by graphical integration. The results were then compared with the instantaneous readings of power density of all of the units as measured with a commercial curing radiometer. The data obtained by both techniques correlated well at narrower specific wavelengths (450-500 nm), which are assumed to be more effective for photopolymerization. This finding indicates that curing radiometer is sensitive to the desired wavelengths and may be an effective tool to quickly characterize the curing efficiency of dental photocuring sources in a clinical setting.
Management of dominant upper extremity injuries: a survey of practice patterns.

Abstract Study Design Internet survey. Purpose To describe current practice patterns in hand therapy to 1) gain insights into beliefs of certified hand therapists (CHTs) related to initiating a hand dominance transfer, 2) describe CHTs’ clinical decision-making strategies, and 3) describe research priorities related to hand dominance transfer in hand therapy. Participants Five hundred sixty-three members of the American Society of Hand Therapists. Methods The online Internet survey contained 30 questions related to four categories: 1) demographics of clinicians, 2) beliefs about hand dominance transfer, 3) clinical strategies and decision making, and 4) a research agenda related to hand dominance transfer. Data were sorted, compiled, and analyzed descriptively. Results Respondents were primarily occupational therapists working as full-time staff therapists treating between nine and 15 patients per day with orthopedic injuries to the dominant upper extremity caused by trauma. The overwhelming majority of respondents (92.7%) believed that motivation is a factor in the success of the hand dominance transfer. Most respondents (83%) do not directly initiate a hand dominance transfer. The number one reason (64%) for not initiating a dominance transfer is that CHTs believe that their patients will regain full recovery of injured hand over time. If a transfer is initiated, the number one task addressed is handwriting (62%); the most commonly recommended piece of adaptive equipment was the handsfree can opener (63.8%); 72% educate on the risk of overuse injury to the noninjured (intact) limb. Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed that more research needs to be done related to hand dominance transfer, specifically related to return to work rates, interventions using virtual reality, and assessments using neuroimaging technologies. Level of Evidence 3b.
Prophylactic and Therapeutic Efficacy of Antibodies to a Capsular Polysaccharide Shared among Vancomycin-Sensitive and -Resistant Enterococci

Enterococci are important nosocomial pathogens that are increasingly difficult to treat due to intrinsic and acquired resistance to antibiotics, including vancomycin. A recently described capsular polysaccharide (CP) isolated from Enterococcus faecalis 12030 was used to evaluate the potential efficacy of active or passive immunotherapy regimens as adjunctive treatments. Evaluation of protective efficacy was carried out in immunocompetent mice challenged intravenously (i.v.) with live enterococci. In nonimmune mice, i.v. inoculations resulted in high levels of bacteria in kidneys, spleens, and livers 5 days after challenge. Mice immunized with four 10-μg doses of CP antigen/mouse were protected against challenge with the homologous E. faecalis strain. High-titer opsonic immunoglobulin G was also induced by immunizing rabbits with the purified CP, and passive transfer of this antiserum to mice produced significantly lower bacterial counts in organs than did normal rabbit serum or sterile saline. Antibodies to the polysaccharide isolated from E. faecalis 12030 were protective against Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF and against two serologically related, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium clinical isolates. Antibodies to this CP antigen were also effective as a therapeutic reagent in mice when passive therapy was initiated 48 h after live bacterial challenge. These data indicate that CP antigens from enterococci are potential targets of protective antibodies and that these antibodies may be useful for prophylaxis and treatment of enterococcal infections.
Preanesthetic evaluation of the oral surgical patient

Abstract To evaluate properly the candidate for oral surgery, one should have a good background in the basic sciences, experience in the hazards of anesthesia, a thorough knowledge of anesthetic methods, agents, and techniques, and an unmitigating attitude based on predetermined opinions formed in the smoke and sweat of near calamity. Prevention of death is not enough. Often postoperative sequelae of a serious nature follow neglect of the cardinal principles of a safe procedure—airway maintenance, adequate oxygenation, and prevention of leakage of fluids around the mouth pack. It is the moral and ethical duty of the anesthetist to insure minimal disturbance to the normal physiology, neither initiating nor contributing to disease processes. To this end, the proper evaluation of the physical state, the correct agent and anesthetic method suitable for the candidate must be ascertained by obtaining a good history and consulting with other specialists if necessary. Conditions and complications of a medical, surgical, and anesthetic nature, including the pathologic processes peculiar to anesthetic agents and technique, have been discussed. A possible solution to some of these problems has been given.
Formal and Informal IS Control Mechanisms in Multinational Corporations: A Test of Resource Dependence Theory

The management of the Information Systems (IS) function is a complex task, particularly in the case of multinational corporations (MNCs), where installations dispersed across distance, time, and cultures can lead to diverse and incompatible systems across foreign subsidiaries. The need to globally control and coordinate the IS management function is often met with resistance from local IS managers who may perceive corporate standards as intrusive. Resource Dependence Theory argues that control is made easier when a subsidiary unit is dependent on corporate headquarters for critical resources. This study examined the IS management relationship between 54 headquarters-subsidiary pairs spread across 19 countries. While the theory holds up well in the case of dependence, the expected relationship with IS resource availability was not observed. Though there was a significant relationship with the use of informal mechanisms of control and coordination, it was in the opposite direction to what was expected.
Local adenoviral-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase gene transfer inhibits neointimal formation in the porcine coronary stented model

In this study the effect of local adenoviral-mediated delivery of inducible nitric oxide synthase on restenosis was evaluated in a porcine coronary stented model. Local gene transfer of recombinant adenoviral vectors that encode human inducible nitric oxide synthase (AdiNOS) was tested. Control vector (AdNull) lacked a recombinant transgene. Endoluminal delivery of 1.0 × 1011 adenoviral particles was accomplished in 45 s using the Infiltrator catheter (Interventional Technologies, San Diego, CA). Coronary stents were deployed, oversized by a ratio of 1.2:1, in the treated segments immediately after gene transfer. Fourteen animals were sacrificed at day 28 to evaluate the effects of iNOS gene transfer on morphometric indices, and 4 animals were sacrificed at day 4 for detection of human iNOS expression by RT-PCR. iNOS mRNA was detected in six of eight iNOS-transferred arteries, whereas no expression of human iNOS was detected in the nontarget arteries. Morphometric analysis showed that iNOS transfer significantly reduced neointimal formation (3.41 ± 1.12 mm2 vs 2.14 ± 0.68 mm2, P < 0.05). We concluded that efficient intramural adenovirus-mediated iNOS transfer can be achieved by using Infiltrator catheters. iNOS gene transfer significantly reduces neointimal hyperplasia following stent injury.
Projecting extended optical traps with shape-phase holography

We describe a method for projecting single-beam optical traps whose potential energy wells are extended along one-dimensional curves. This technique exploits shape-phase holography in which computer-generated phase-only diffractive optical elements are used to implement complex and amplitude-only holograms. The resulting optical traps can have specified intensity and phase profiles along their lengths and can extend along curves in three dimensions. We demonstrate the extended traps' operation and characterize their potential energy profiles through digital video microscopy of trapped colloidal spheres.
Effects of immobilization onto aluminum hydroxide particles on the thermally induced conformational behavior of three model proteins

Although the thermal unfolding/aggregation behavior of proteins in solution has been extensively studied, little is known about proteins immobilized on the surface of nanoparticles and other solid-phase materials. In this study we carefully monitor and analyze the thermal denaturation process of three model proteins adsorbed onto aluminum hydroxide as a function of temperature by FT-IR spectroscopy. The results reveal that the proteins immobilized onto aluminum hydroxide retain their native conformation at lower temperatures (<45 degrees C). Upon thermal denaturation, the structural transition between the native and denatured states is very similar, in terms of disappearance of the major native secondary structural elements, between the proteins adsorbed onto aluminum hydroxide adjuvant and in solution. This result suggests that the thermal stability of proteins is not significantly affected, or marginally affected at most, by the adsorption onto aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, considering a 5 degrees C temperature interval used for data collection. However, the adsorption rate and crowding of proteins on aluminum hydroxide particles have a profound effect on the aggregation behavior of the proteins, hydrogen bonding strength of intermolecular beta-sheet aggregates and conformation of intermediate states.
Optimization of metallic micro-heaters for reconfigurable silicon photonics

Integration of silicon microresonators with metallic micro-heaters optimized for low power consumption and fast reconfigurability is experimentally demonstrated. It is shown that narrower heaters improve the performance and also LPCVD SiN over-cladding enhances tuning speed.
Physiology of incontinence

The physiology of incontinence is related to the normal physiologic mechanisms of aging and to abnormal pathologic changes that recently have become better understood. Further research is needed to develop new methods of pharmacologic treatment.
Launching to the Moon, Mars, and Beyond

This viewgraph presentation reviews the planned launching to the Moon, and Mars. It is important to build beyond the capacity to ferry astronauts and cargo to low Earth orbit. NASA is starting to design new vehicles using the past lessons to minimize cost, and technical risks. The training and education of engineers that will continue the work of designing, testing and flying the vehicles is important to NASA.
A Multiscale Attentional Framework for Relaxation Neural Networks

We investigate the optimization of neural networks governed by general objective functions. Practical formulations of such objectives are notoriously difficult to solve; a common problem is the poor local extrema that result by any of the applied methods. In this paper, a novel framework is introduced for the solution of largescale optimization problems. It assumes little about the objective function and can be applied to general nonlinear, non-convex functions; objectives in thousand of variables are thus efficiently minimized by a combination of techniques - deterministic annealing, multiscale optimization, attention mechanisms and trust region optimization methods.
Radiation-Induced Segregation in Nickel-Silicon Alloys

Radiation-induced segregation was studied in a nickel 1 atomic percent silicon (Ni-1Si) alloy after irradiation at ∼525°C with 3-MeV 5 8 Ni + ions. Postirradiation profiles of alloy composition as a function of depth fromthe irradiated surface were obtained by standard Auger techniques and ion-sputtering at room temperature. Rapid segregation of silicon toward the irradiated surface was observed. The solubility limit of silicon in nickel was reached at the surface after a dose of only 0.05 displacements per atom (dpa). Segregation continued to increase up to the highest dose (6.5 dpa) investigated. Precipitation of Ni 3 Si occurred at the external surface and internally on dislocation loops. The experimental results are compared with calculations using the Johnson-Lam segregation model and a set of parameters that was used previously to fit the temperature dependence of radiation-induced segregation in Ni-1Si.
Accurately modeling workload interactions for deploying prefetching in Web servers

Although Web prefetching is regarded as an effective method to improve client access performance, the associated overhead prevents it from being widely deployed. Specifically, a major weakness in existing Web servers is that prefetching activities are scheduled independently of dynamically changing server workloads. Without proper control and coordination between the two kinds of activities, prefetching can negatively affect the Web services and degrade Web access performance. We first develop an open queuing model to characterize detailed transactions in Web servers. Using this model, we analyze server resource utilization and average response time with different request arrival rates when prefetching is involved under different kinds of Web services. Guided by this model, we then design a responsive and adaptive prefetching scheme that dynamically adjusts the prefetching aggressiveness in Web servers. Our scheme not only prevents the Web servers from being overloaded, but it can also minimize the average server response time. We have effectively implemented this scheme on an Apache Web server. Our measurement-based performance evaluation shows our model can accurately predict the utilization of Web server resources and the correspondent average response time