cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cellular Retinoic Acid-Binding Proteins in Human Epidermis and Sebaceous Follicles

Evidence suggests that some of the effects of retinoids on sensitive target tissues are mediated by specific cellular binding proteins. This study demonstrated the presence of cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins (cRABP) in human skin. The approximate concentration and affinity of cRABP was determined independently in epidermal and sebaceous follicle cytosol, using both tritiated retinoic acid (RA) and tritiated 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) as radiolabeled ligands. Scatchard analysis suggested that on the basis of binding per mg of cytosol protein, the binding capacities by epidermal and sebaceous follicle cytosol were similar for RA and 13-cis-RA. However, the dissociation constants of binding of 13-cis-RA by sebaceous follicle cRABP was more than 9-fold the Kd, for RA (1096 nM compared to 117 nM). The Kd for binding 13-cis-RA by epidermal cRABP was 31-fold the Kd, for binding RA (3582 nM compared to 114 nM). Thus the affinity for 13-cis-RA by epidermal and sebaceous follicle cRABP is significantly less than for RA. It appears that the specificity of response of human sebaceous glands to 13-cis-RA is dependent on factors other than the concentration or affinity of cRABP in these structures.
The influence of an adaptation period in reducing the third party observer effect during a neuropsychological evaluation

Individuals have been shown to perform suboptimally on memory measures when a third party observer (TPO) is present. The current study attempted to use adaptation to reduce the inhibitory effect of a TPO on memory performance. Undergraduate participants (N=80) were randomly assigned to one of four groups in a 2 x 2 (+/-adaptation period, +/-observation) design in order to investigate the interaction between adaptation period and observation status. Results indicated that the adaptation period had a negligible inhibitory effect over the recall of observed participants (d= -0.11), but unexpectedly, when unobserved participants were not given an adaptation period, recall was inhibited by a sizeable degree (d= -1.11). These findings suggest that the presence of the TPO may have prevented participants from benefiting from adaptation to the general testing situation. To date, there are no known methods for eliminating the TPO effect.
Effect of active foot positioning on the outcome of a balance training program

Abstract Objectives . To compare the effectiveness of a traditional balance training program and a balance training program that emphasizes foot positioning, in improving postural control. Design . Randomized control study using a pre-post design. Setting . A laboratory setting. Participants . Forty-five healthy college students participated. Sixteen completed a traditional balance training program (TRAD), 14 completed a training program emphasizing foot positioning (POS), and 15 received no intervention (CONT). Subjects in the TRAD and POS group performed balance training on their dominant lower extremity for 4 weeks. Main outcome measure . Center of pressure excursion velocity (COPV) assessed during single leg quiet standing on a force plate during eyes open and eyes closed trials on both the trained and untrained limbs. Results . The TRAD group improved substantially more than did the POS or CONT groups. Improvements in COPV measures were seen in the TRAD group for both the trained and untrained limbs. The most substantial improvements occurred on the trained leg in the eyes closed condition. Conclusion . Traditional balance training appears to be more effective than balance training emphasizing active foot positioning in healthy individuals. Bilateral improvement in balance for the TRAD group suggests a central nervous system control of postural control.
Thyrotropin-receptor-mediated diseases: a paradigm for receptor autoimmunity☆

Abstract Autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) can act as thyrotropin agonists or antagonists, or can cause thyroid hypertrophy. Neither the autoantibody-binding sites on the TSHR nor the intracellular mechanisms by which the autoantibodies mediate their u, erse functional effects are completely understood. This article reviews how cloning of the TSHR has contributed to our understanding of its structure and function, and has allowed induction of experimental autoimmunity to the TSHR.
A neutron detector for use in strong gamma backgrounds

Abstract We describe the simulation of a new concept for a neutron detector system involving polyethylene radiators and multiwire proportional detectors which detect protons produced by neutron interactions in the radiators. The detector system is relatively insensitive to gamma radiation as long as the individual proportional counters maintain their stability. The detector system has a linear energy response and good energy resolution from threshold (determined by the radiator thickness) up to approximately 20 MeV. By detecting events in which two proton tracks are produced, the detector system can be used for imaging with a spatial resolution of ∼9°.
Frequency measurements of high-J rotational transitions of OCS and N2O

Abstract A metal-insulator-metal diode has been used to generate far-infrared radiation as the difference between two CO2 lasers. With this technique rotational transitions of all the vibrational states below 2000 cm−1 have been measured for the normal isotopic species of OCS with an accuracy of 200 kHz or better. Transitions were measured primarily in the range from J = 65 ← 64 to J = 67 ← 66 but some measurements were also made from J = 91 ← 90 to J = 93 ← 92. Measurements are also given for the lower vibrational states of 16O12C34S in the range from J = 67 ← 66 to J = 69 ← 68 and for the normal isotopic species of N2O for J = 60 ← 59.
Real interest parity (RIP) over the 20th century: New evidence based on confidence intervals for the largest root and the half-life

Abstract In this paper, we employ local-to-unity asymptotics to investigate the validity of real interest parity (RIP) for three countries relative to the US. Using long-span data, we find that deviations from parity are corrected quickly and this is what could, in principle, be expected to happen in an integrated world where economic forces act rapidly so that discrepancies do not grow systematically over-time. Moreover, the observed speed of reversion raises important issues for policy in that the tendency for rates to converge implies that the impact of the domestic authorities' stabilization polices might be limited. Finally, there is no clear-cut difference in the adjustment to shocks across fixed and floating regimes.
Open Framework Structures Based on Sex2- Fragments: Synthesis of (Ph4P)[M(Se6)2] (M = Ga, In, TI) in Molten (Ph4P)2Sex.

Polychalcogenide compounds with open polymeric frameworks are rare, and they represent a class of compounds in which microporosity might be achieved. Microporous frameworks that are not oxide-based are now attracting interest because of the combination of catalytic and electronic properties they may simultaneously possess. Three new compounds that may be forerunners to such materials have been discovered and are reported here. The reaction of gallium (Ga), indium (In), and thallium (TI) metal with (Ph4P)2Se5 (Ph, phenyl) and an excess of elemental selenium (Se) in a sealed, evacuated Pyrex tube at 200°C yielded small red crystals of (Ph4P)[Ga(Se6)2] (I), (Ph4P)[In(Se6)2] (II), and (Ph4P)[TI(Se6)2] (III), respectively. The [M(Se6)2]– (M = Ga, In, TI) ions form a two-dimensional, open framework filled with Ph4P+ ions. The [M(Se6)2]nn– structure consists of tetrahedral M3+ centers and bridging Se62– ligands, leading to an extended structure in two dimensions. These layers stack perfectly one on top of the other giving rise to one-dimensional channels running down the c axis that are filled with Ph4P+ cations. These cations are situated in the layers, as opposed to between the layers, and the whole structure can be viewed as a template. Compound II shows remarkable thermal stability and melts congruently at 242°C. Upon cooling to room temperature it gives a glassy phase that recrystallizes upon subsequent heating to 160°C.
Some results on existence and approximation in metric fixed point theory

Some extensions and applications of the synthetic approaches to fixed point theorems introduced recently by Angrisani and Clavelli are discussed.
Dynamics of increased neutrophil adhesion to ICAM-1 after contacting immobilized IL-8.

Changing affinity of β2-integrins on neutrophils for their ligands on endothelium is a critical, regulated step in the inflammatory response. In this report, the dynamics of the neutrophil response to the inflammatory chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) is examined. Human IL-8 was immobilized on beads and brought into contact with neutrophils selected from whole blood samples. Resulting changes in cellular adhesion were assessed by measuring the adhesion frequency between a human neutrophil and a bead coated with the endothelial ligand ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1). Cells engulfed the IL-8 coated beads within a few tens of seconds, and most of the cells exhibited an increase in adhesion to ICAM-1 after approximately 5 to 10 min of contact with IL-8 at room temperature (3 to 5 min at 37°C). Neither monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) nor anti-CD45-coated beads caused any changes in adhesion to ICAM-1. IL-8 induced adhesion was blocked by antibody against CD18. At lower surface density of chemokine, approximately 20% of IL-8 coated beads adhered but were not engulfed by the cells, although the increase in adhesion for ICAM-1 was still effected. Heterogeneity in the cellular response and variability between donors was also noted.
Role of in vitro cholesterol depletion in mediating human platelet aggregation

Summary. We investigated the direct role of cholesterol lowering on human platelet aggregation by in vitro cholesterol depletion using methyl-β-cyclodextrin. Collagen and thrombin receptor agonist peptide induced maximal aggregation was significantly decreased in cholesterol depleted platelets. In contrast, anti-CD9 antibody, mAb7, or anti-β3 antibody, D3, induced percent maximal aggregation was unaffected by cholesterol depletion. Surface and total αIIbβ3 levels were equivalent in both groups. Morphological and ultrastructural analysis of collagen induced aggregates revealed that normal and cholesterol depleted platelets changed shape and aggregated; however, cholesterol depletion impaired microtubule ring formation and aggregate size. Cholesterol depletion also diminished the extent of the open canalicular system and collagen induced platelet ATP release. These data suggest cholesterol depletion impairs platelet aggregation by altering platelet ultrastructure critical in mediating secretion. Temporal differences and differences in tyrosine phosphoprotein levels following collagen stimulation were observed, thereby indicating that platelet signaling was concurrently affected by cholesterol depletion.
8.9: Presentation session: Measurement sciences and imaging technologies: “Behavioral testing for TBI: Current and future perspectives”

In a TBI population, cognitive changes are often the most salient features after traumatic brain injury of any severity, and they typically contribute more to a persisting disability than do physical impairments. These changes may include negative impacts on attention, memory, processing speed, and multiple other aspects of cognition and language. Current behavioral test methods are based on interpreting accuracy with tasks to measure these different cognitive processes. Numerous studies have been published documenting the effects of brain injury on these areas from a behavioral perspective, but interest in reaction time measures and electrophysiological impact is relatively new. Interestingly, accuracy has been found to be a less sensitive measure of ability than other methods (Barrow et al, 2003; King et al, 2006; King et al, in press). More recent research has indicated that reaction time (RT) is a more effective measure for speed of information processing, especially in brain injury patients (Tombaugh et al. 2007). And different types of RT have been used to measure different levels of processing, and higher level tasks requiring conceptual/semantic processing are considered sensitive to deficits associated with TBI (Barrow et al, 2003, King et al, 2006; King, in press; Tombaugh et al., 2007). Current research is indicating that future directions for TBI assessment may lie with more objective measures that address both cognitive processing speed and electrophysiological correlates of behavioral data.
Seasonal changes in serum lipids and proteins in the 13-lined ground squirrel

Abstract 1. 1. Blood lipid, protein and hematocrit levels in Spermophilus tridecemlineatus follow yearly cycles. Total lipid, α-lipid, β-lipid and chylomicrons were minimal in late spring (7·0, 2·5, 2·3 and 1·0 g/l) and maximal in late fall (27·0, 5·8, 9·8 and 6·0 g/l). Secondary maxima or plateaux were observed in late summer in all, and in the spring for α-lipid. 2. 2. All proteins were minimal in late spring except β-globulin which was minimal in January. Albumin concentration increased to threefold (from 18 g/l) by midsummer, and then to fourfold in early fall, a level maintained through the winter (av. 65 g/l) until early spring when levels decrease sharply. All globulin components increased briefly at midsummer. Brief maxima also occurred in January and March for β-globulin and in February and May for α- and γ-globulin.
Verifying the Origins of a Reintroduced Population of Gould’s Wild Turkey

The restoration of wildlife populations to historically occupied ranges is an important goal of modern wildlife management. In Arizona, USA, efforts have begun to reintroduce the Gould's subspecies of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) into its former range in the southeastern part of the state. However, individuals or descendants of the Merriam's subspecies (M. g. merriami) may remain in the reintroduction area from earlier releases and could potentially interbreed with reintroduced Gould's turkeys. We used 3 fundamentally different genetic markers to determine whether the wild turkeys currently occupying the Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona were descended from the Gould's turkeys translocated'there during the 1980s, or whether interbreeding had occurred with descendants of Merriam's turkeys from a translocation during 1950. We found consistent genetic differences between relict populations of the Merriam's turkey in Arizona and the Gould's turkey in northern Mexico. The Huachuca Mountains wild turkey population consistently grouped with the relict Gould's populations and showed no evidence of interbreeding with the Merriam's subspecies. In addition, we found evidence that the Huachuca Mountains population was less genetically diverse than the relict populations, and we recommend that this population be monitored for signs of inbreeding depression. The molecular markers developed for this study are important tools for future management of wild turkeys.
Real Property Taxes and Farm Real Estate Values: Incidence and Implications: Comment

Deaton and Mundy in their comment on Pasour suggest the effects of the Tennessee reduction of assessment ratio for farmland may be dissipated in considerable measure by the resultant increase in market value brought on by the initial tax decrease. Empirical studies might show that the gains are overcapitalized, but economic theory would suggest this an unlikely result. Thus, the most that economic theory might lead us to expect as rational would be immediate capitalization of the expected tax reduction so that in fact no reduction in taxes actually would take place. This situation would be described by
Site-specific variation in femoral head cartilage composition in dogs at high and low risk for development of osteoarthritis: insights into cartilage degeneration.

Abstract Objective To determine which characteristics of cartilage lesion pathology are detected in dogs at high risk to develop osteoarthritis prior to diagnosis by standard radiographs or macroscopic cartilage abnormality on necropsy. Methods Fourteen disease-free dogs were assigned to risk groups based on hip distraction index. For seven dogs, three dimensional images of hip joints from computed tomography were available. At necropsy, ligamentum capitis femoris volumes were measured and articular cartilage was harvested and analyzed for percent water, swelling, glycosaminoglycan, and fibronectin. Comparisons were made with nine dogs with macroscopic cartilage lesions (OA group). Results Ligament volumes were greater in the high distraction index group ( P =0.000). Water content was elevated in the lesion area in both low and high risk dogs ( P =0.000); no additional increase was noted in the high risk group. Glycosaminoglycan content was slightly elevated in the surrounding area in both groups ( P 0.02) but loss was noted histologically in the lesion area of the high risk group. Fibronectin was increased in the lesion area and in the high risk group ( P =0.000). The magnitude of this increase was greatest in the lesion area ( P =0.000) in explants. Computed tomography indicated dorsal acetabular rim impingement on the lesion area in high risk dogs. Conclusions Water content and swelling suggest matrix structure is weaker at the site of lesion predilection in all dogs regardless of risk status. Computed tomography imaging is consistent with site specific initiation of lesions by mechanical factors.{copy}
Solar resource model for rural microgrids in India

There is a strong correlation between access to electricity and quality of life. Approximately 1.4 billion people in the world currently lack access to electricity. Furthermore, 85% of the people without access to electricity live in rural areas. The cost of installing electrical infrastructure to these remote communities is often unrealistic. Microgrids offer another approach for electrification of some of the worlds most remote rural areas. Standalone microgrids can be used in an economically favorable, environmentally benign, and sustainable fashion to meet the needs of these rural communities. This paper provides an overview of the work being performed by the SPEED consortium to develop rural microgrids in India and the modeling effort the team put together to capture the renewable energy resources available in those areas. While SPEED works to develop a variety of renewable based microgrids, only the solar based model is covered in this paper. The model was developed in MATLAB using field data from India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and team partners.
Complex partial status epilepticus in young children

Complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE) has rarely been described in children. We have recently studied four girls, aged 1 to 4 years, who presented with CPSE. Their seizures were characterized by decreased level of consciousness, lack of response to familiar persons, diminished response to pain, staring, slow visual tracking, eye deviation, picking at nearby objects, and lip smacking. Three patients developed focal clonic activity during their seizures and one progressed to a generalized motor seizure after 4 hours of CPSE. Two patients had ictal electroencephalograms demonstrating temporpoccipital poly spikes and slow waves.
The Evolution of Flight Management Systems

Flight management systems (FMSs) have become an essential component of almost every aircraft's cockpit. The FMS is the pilot's primary interface for flight planning operations on the airplane and contains a worldwide aeronautical navigation database for controlled flight into any airport. It optimizes routing to save fuel and time and increases safety by providing a flight plan display and airplane control without the need for costly ground-based infrastructure.
Smectic networks obtained from twin LC epoxy monomers-mechanical deformation of the smectic networks

Deformation experiments were carried out for densely crosslinked smectic-like networks obtained from diepoxy monomers with twin mesogen architecture. For the initially unoriented smectic networks, the network could be aligned up to an orientation parameter of 0.35 by applying 8 MPa of external stress in the rubbery regime. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the deformed smectic network possesses both smectic-A like and smectic-C like structure. It is thought that after extension domains initially oriented parallel to the external stress displayed a smectic-A-like structure, whereas domains initially tilted with respect to the tensile direction showed a stress-induced smectic-C like structure. A smectic network oriented under a.c. electric fields with an orientation parameter of 0.4 had a smectic-A like structure and possessed linear elasticity in the rubbery regime.
Cloning and sequence analysis of an H(+)-ATPase-encoding gene from the human dimorphic pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum.

Abstract A gene related to the PMA1 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated from the pathogenic human dimorphic fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum , using fungal-specific oligodeoxyribonucleotide (oligo) probes. This gene has been given the name Hc- PMA1 . The structural organization of Hc-PMAl consists of three exons (375, 2329 and 44 bp) and two introns (115 and 116 bp). The nucleotide sequence predicts an H + -ATPase-related protein of 916 amino acids (aa). Comparison of the deduced aa sequence to that of Neurospora crassa and S. cerevisiae (PMA1) plasma membrane H + -ATPases showed a greater similarity to that from N. crassa (85% identity). Furthermore, the two introns in the Hc- PMA1 gene interrupt the coding region in the precise locations determined for two of the four N. crassa Nc- PMA introns. H. capsulatum intron 1 contains two repeat motifs, d(TA) 16 and d(TG) 10 , each potentially capable of forming non-B DNA structures. Northern analysis of H. capsulatum total RNA indicated that the Hc- PM A1 -specific mRNA is approx. 3.3 kb in size, in agreement with the predicted size of the gene.
Three Visions of Persons: Sacred, Secular, and Scientific

There are three perspectives on the nature of persons: Sacred, Secular, and Scientific. One idea is that these perspectives are fundamentally incompatible, inconsistent, incommensurable. Another is that these three perspectives can be reconciled. I explore the tension and explain how the ideas of a good human life, a morally excellent human life can be preserved even if the theories of evolution by natural selection and the view that the conscious mind is fully embodied are true.
The Role of Parotidectomy in Sjögren's Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome, a chronic and progressive autoimmune disorder mainly characterized by xerophthalmia, xerostomia, and parotid enlargement, is primarily managed medically, but some patients will require surgical management. Patients with Sjogren's syndrome have an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Superficial parotidectomy is indicated for diagnostic purposes and can be therapeutic in limited circumstances. Surgical indications for parotidectomy in Sjogren's syndrome include recurrent parotitis refractory to medical management; salivary gland malignancy; and severe, refractory pain. Surgical complications include transient or permanent facial nerve injury, post-operative pain, persistent inflammation of remnant parotid tissue, Frey syndrome, and facial scarring.
Highly luminescent and stable hydroxypyridinonate complexes: a step towards new curium decontamination strategies

The photophysical properties, solution thermodynamics, and in vivo complex stabilities of Cm(III) complexes formed with multidentate hydroxypyridinonate ligands, 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) and 5-LIO(Me-3,2-HOPO), are reported. Both chelators were investigated for their ability to act as antenna chromophores for Cm(III), leading to highly sensitized luminescence emission of the metal upon complexation, with long lifetimes (383 and 196 μs for 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) and 5-LIO(Me-3,2-HOPO), respectively) and remarkable quantum yields (45 % and 16 %, respectively) in aqueous solution. The bright emission peaks were used to probe the electronic structure of the 5f complexes and gain insight into ligand field effects; they were also exploited to determine the high (and proton-independent) stabilities of the corresponding Cm(III) complexes (log β110 = 21.8(4) for 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) and log β120 = 24.5(5) for 5-LIO(Me-3,2-HOPO)). The in vivo complex stability for both ligands was assessed by using (248) Cm as a tracer in a rodent model, which provided a direct comparison with the in vitro thermodynamic results and demonstrated the great potential of 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) as a therapeutic Cm(III) decontamination agent.
Analysis and functional prediction of reactive cysteine residues

Cys is much different from other common amino acids in proteins. Being one of the least abundant residues, Cys is often observed in functional sites in proteins. This residue is reactive, polarizable, and redox-active; has high affinity for metals; and is particularly responsive to the local environment. A better understanding of the basic properties of Cys is essential for interpretation of high-throughput data sets and for prediction and classification of functional Cys residues. We provide an overview of approaches used to study Cys residues, from methods for investigation of their basic properties, such as exposure and pK(a), to algorithms for functional prediction of different types of Cys in proteins.
Lattice gas models of intercalation: Comparison of Monte Carlo, cluster variation method and renormalization group calculations

Abstract Comparisons are made of Monte Carlo, cluster variation method and renormalization group calculations of ∂x/∂μ, the derivative of composition with chemical potential, for a triangular lattice gas with nearest-neighbor replusive interactions. The cluster variation method is found to give a better description of ∂x/∂μ than the renormalization group, especially at small compositions or interactions, because the renormalization group calculations overestimate the size of the critical region.
Explicit sparse almost-universal graphs for ${\bf {{\cal G}(n, {k \over n})}}$

For any integer n, let ${\cal G}$ be a probability distribution on the family of graphs on n vertices (where every such graph has nonzero probability associated with it). A graph Γ is ${\cal G}$-almost-universal if Γ satisifies the following: If G is chosen according to the probability distribution ${\cal G}$, then G is isomorphic to a subgraph of Γ with probability 1 - ${1 \over \sqrt{n}}$. For any p ∈ [0,1], let ${\cal G}$(n,p) denote the probability distribution on the family of graphs on n vertices, where two vertices u and v form an edge with probability p, and the events lu and v form an edger; u,v ∈ V (G) are mutually independent. For k ≥ 4 and n sufficiently large we construct a ${{\cal G}(n, {k \over n})}$-almost-universal-graph on n vertices and with O(n2-q-1)polylog(n) edges, where q = ⌈${k + 3 \over 2}$⌉ for such k ≤ 6, and where q = ⌈${k + 2 \over 2}$⌉ for k ≥ 7. The number of edges is close to the lower bound of Ω(${n^{2- {2 \over k}}}$) for the number of edges in a universal graph for the family of graphs with n vertices and maximum degree k. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2010
Is Securitization Right for Microfinance

by providing tiny loans to the marginalized majority of the world’s population that lives on less than $3/day. The demand for microfinance loans, however, exceeds the current supply of capital available to microfinance institutions. Innovations in the commercial capital markets are starting to play a greater role in making more loan capital available to microfinance institutions so they can make loans to the poor. For example, in recent years, a growing number of microfinance institutions have issued bonds in their local capital markets to raise funds for expanding microfinance loan portfolios. This article focuses on yet another new, more structured, innovative form of financing: securitizing microfinance loan portfolios. In 2006, the world of true sale securitizations reached the microfinance market. In May of 2006, ProCredit Bank Bulgaria securitized 47.8 million of its Eurodenominated microfinance loans. Enhanced by guarantees provided by the European Investment Fund and Germany’s KfW, a state-supported development bank, these securities received a BBB credit rating, considered “investment grade,” from the global credit rating agency Fitch. In July of 2006, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) closed a deal to securitize $180 million equivalent of local currency microfinance loans over a six-year period, with $15 million to be disbursed in the first six months. The issuance received the highest quality credit rating (AAA) from a local rating agency, Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh (CRAB), and succeeded in attracting two local banks as key investors. These transactions were landmark issuances for the microfinance industry. While securitizations are not new to Wall Street, they are a significant innovation in microfinance. By using this form of structured finance, microfinance institutions have the opportunity to attract a broader range of investors. Securitizations have existed for over 30 years in the developed world, enhancing liquidity in sophisticated financial markets, but to apply this complex financial product to the world of microfinance requires new strategies, innovation, and a vision of unprecedented partnerships between the traditional banking sector and
Treatment Impact of an Integrated Sex Offender Program as Measured by J-SOAP-II

Despite the increase in juvenile sex offending in society and the significant growth in the number of treatment programs, relatively few studies have examined the effectiveness of these programs. This study examined the effectiveness of an integrated sex offender program on a sample of 309 adjudicated male sex offenders in a juvenile correctional facility using the dynamic scale score of the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol II (J-SOAP-II). The youth participated in one of the three treatment groups characterized by length of treatment and risk of recidivism: low risk (0 to 9 months), moderate risk (9 to 23 months), and high risk (23 to 56 months). A significant decrease in the dynamic scale scores of the J-SOAP-II was found only for the moderate treatment group (9 to 23 months).
False discovery rates in spectral identification

Automated database search engines are one of the fundamental engines of high-throughput proteomics enabling daily identifications of hundreds of thousands of peptides and proteins from tandem mass (MS/MS) spectrometry data. Nevertheless, this automation also makes it humanly impossible to manually validate the vast lists of resulting identifications from such high-throughput searches. This challenge is usually addressed by using a Target-Decoy Approach (TDA) to impose an empirical False Discovery Rate (FDR) at a pre-determined threshold x% with the expectation that at most x% of the returned identifications would be false positives. But despite the fundamental importance of FDR estimates in ensuring the utility of large lists of identifications, there is surprisingly little consensus on exactly how TDA should be applied to minimize the chances of biased FDR estimates. In fact, since less rigorous TDA/FDR estimates tend to result in more identifications (at higher 'true' FDR), there is often little incentive to enforce strict TDA/FDR procedures in studies where the major metric of success is the size of the list of identifications and there are no follow up studies imposing hard cost constraints on the number of reported false positives. Here we address the problem of the accuracy of TDA estimates of empirical FDR. Using MS/MS spectra from samples where we were able to define a factual FDR estimator of 'true' FDR we evaluate several popular variants of the TDA procedure in a variety of database search contexts. We show that the fraction of false identifications can sometimes be over 10× higher than reported and may be unavoidably high for certain types of searches. In addition, we further report that the two-pass search strategy seems the most promising database search strategy. While unavoidably constrained by the particulars of any specific evaluation dataset, our observations support a series of recommendations towards maximizing the number of resulting identifications while controlling database searches with robust and reproducible TDA estimation of empirical FDR.
PAIN MANAGEMENT IN DENTAL PRACTICE: TRAMADOL VS. CODEINE COMBINATIONS

ABSTRACT Background Tramadol hydrochloride is a novel, centrally acting analgesic with two complementary mechanisms of action: opioid and aminergic. First marketed in 1994, tramadol is frequently prescribed by physicians for the management of moderate-to-moderately severe chronic pain. The author evaluates its unique analgesic pharmacology and limited clinical utility for managing acute pain in denistry. Types of Studies Reviewed Clinical drug trials in medicine and dentistry were reviewed to assess analgesic efficacy. Postmarketing surveillance studies and reports of adverse drug events were evaluated to determine short-and long-term safety. Results Tramadol's maximum analgesic efficacy for relieving acute pain after oral surgery appears to be similar to that of 60 milligrams of codeine alone but less than that of a full therapeutic dose of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or a codeine combination, such as aspirin/codeine or acetaminophen/codeine. Adverse events reported by patients receiving tramadol therapy since it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration suggest a risk of seizures, drug abuse and anaphylactoid reactions. Clinical Implications Tramadol has limited indication for management of acute pain in dentistry, possibly as an alternative analgesic when gastrointestinal side effects contraindicate the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and when codeine/acetaminophen combination analgesics are not well-tolerated or are contraindicated.
Multiple-copy cluster-type organization and evolution of genes encoding O-methyltransferases in the apple

Plant O-methyltransferases (OMTs) play important roles in secondary metabolism. Two clusters of genes coding for caffeic acid OMT (COMT) have been identified in the apple genome. Three genes from one cluster and two genes from another cluster were isolated. These five genes encoding COMT, designated Mdomt1–Mdomt5 (GenBank accession nos. DQ886018–DQ886022), were distinguished by a (CT)n microsatellite in the 5′-UTR and two transposon-like sequences present in the promoter region and intron 1, respectively. The transposon-like sequence in intron 1 unambiguously traced the five Mdomt genes in the apple to a common ancestor. The ancestor must have undergone an initial duplication generating two progenitors, and this was followed by further duplication of these progenitors resulting in the two clusters identified in this study. The distal regions of the transposon-like sequences in promoter regions of Mdomt genes are capable of forming palindromic hairpin-like structures. The hairpin formation is likely responsible for nucleotide sequence differences observed in the promoter regions of these genes as it plays a destabilizing role in eukaryotic chromosomes. In addition, the possible mechanism of amplification of Mdomt genes in the apple genome is also discussed.
Atomic force microscopy investigation of wild-type Moloney murine leukemia virus particles and virus particles lacking the envelope protein

Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) lacking the gene for the envelope glycoprotein (env(-)) was produced in NIH 3T3 cells and investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The particles were compared with similarly produced wild-type virions, some of which had been exposed to a monoclonal antibody against the surface component of the envelope protein (SU protein). The env(-) particles generally exhibit a distinctly different external appearance suggesting only a low density of associated proteins that have an almost fluid, mechanically unstable character. The weakly associated proteins may be host cell membrane proteins that are incorporated into the viral membrane in place of or in addition to virus envelope protein. The amount of this non-viral protein on virion surfaces appears to vary from negligible in most cases to a substantial complement in others. It seems clear that the presence of the envelope protein, in a mechanical sense, significantly strengthens and stabilizes the virion envelope. Binding of monoclonal antibody to wild-type virions indicates that some particles expose a significant amount of antigen while adjacent virions may not. This suggests that the conformation of the envelope glycoprotein or the disposition of oligosaccharides may be different among particles, on some virions exposing the specific epitope, and others little or none.
The Younger Dryas: From whence the fresh water?

[1] Oxygen isotopic records of meltwater outflow and records of sea level change do not support the idea that fresh waters derived solely from the melting of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets was likely to have stabilized the upper layers of the North Atlantic Ocean and prevented deep convection during the Younger Dryas. Yet there are paleoceanographic indicators that point to a pause in the formation of North Atlantic Deep Water during the Younger Dryas. This apparent conflict in evidence may be resolved by the existence of large, relatively thick, tabular icebergs that spilled out of the Arctic and into the Norwegian-Greenland Sea and North Atlantic. The melting of large icebergs would have no impact on sea level but combined with meltwater runoff would provide enough fresh water to “cap” the North Atlantic. The timing of the start and the end of the Younger Dryas, however, may not have been directly related to freshwater supply.
Optical properties of the clearest natural waters (200–800 nm)

A new UV submersible spectroradiometer has been employed to determine the diffuse attenuation coefficient for irradiance in the clearest natural waters [K;(X)] with emphasis on the spectral region from 300 to 400 nm. K (X) can be related to the inherent optical properties of pure water, in particular the total absorption coefficient a,,(X) and the molecular scattering coefficient bm(X), by means of equations derived from radiative transfer theory. We present an analysis showing that limiting values of K. (X) can be estimated from aw(X) and vice versa. Published a (X) data, which show discrepancies much larger than their estimated accuracies, are briefly reviewed and then compared, via our analysis, with K, (X) data (our own new and previously published data as well as relevant data of others). This comparative analysis and new data allow a consistent and accurate set of optical properties for the clearest natural waters and for pure fresh water and saltwater to be estimated from 300 to 800 nm.
Antagonism of Alcohol-Induced Suppression of Rat Testosterone Secretion by an Inhibitor of Nitric Oxide Synthase

To examine whether nitric oxide (NO) mediates the suppression of testosterone secretion by alcohol (ethanol), adult male rats were pretreated with a NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME), then treated with alcohol. Serum and testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) testosterone concentrations, serum luteiniring hormone (LH) concentrations, blood alcohol concentrations (BAC), and TIF volumes were measured 2 hr after alcohol treatment at a time of peak effects of alcohol and NAME on testosterone secretion. Pretreatment with NAME (30 or 100 mg/kg, subcutaneous) 30 min before alcohol treatment (0.5–3 g/kg, intraperitoneal) completely blocked the alcohol-induced suppression of testosterone secretion into the general circulation and into TIF without significantly altering blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) or TIF volumes. These results support the hypotheses that NO synthase inhibitors can antagonize alcohol induced suppression of testicular steroidogenesis, that alcohol interacts with arginine-NO synthase systems that regulate testicular steroidogenesis, and that NO is involved in mediating alcohol's testicular and reproductive effects.
Polypeptide-Solvent Interactions Measured by Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy

Stimulus-responsive biomolecules have attracted a large research interest because of their potential application in various areas such as drug delivery, actuators and sensing devices at the nanoscale. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) we studied elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs). These stimulus-responsive polypeptides undergo an inverse temperature transition, accompanied by a large conformational change, when the solvent quality is changed by increasing the temperature or by addition of salt. Understanding the relationship between peptide sequence and mechanisms of force generation can provide a route to engineer ELPs with desirable mechano-chemical properties. Here we studied the effect of solvent quality and type of guest residue on the mechanical properties of ELPs on the single-molecule level. We used a statistical approach to estimate polymer elasticity parameters from model fits to the data. With this approach we were able to resolve small changes in the Kuhn segment length distributions associated with different molecular architectures. We then show that these mechanical differences likely arise from differences in the hydrophobic hydration of sidegoups, in line with recent predictions from molecular dynamics simulations.
Drug interactions between proton pump inhibitors and antiretroviral drugs

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and other related symptoms are common comorbidities for HIV-infected patients. Therefore, concurrent use of proton pump inhibitors and antiretrovirals is a common practice in the clinical setting. However, this practice may alter antiretroviral pharmacokinetics and lead to treatment failure due to inadequate drug exposure. Clinician awareness of these complex interactions is essential for optimal HIV management. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the interactions between proton pump inhibitors and antiretrovirals, and makes recommendations for the coadministration of proton pump inhibitors.
MURPHY: A Robot that Learns by Doing

MURPHY consists of a camera looking at a robot arm, with a connectionist network architecture situated in between. By moving its arm through a small, representative sample of the 1 billion possible joint configurations, MURPHY learns the relationships, backwards and forwards, between the positions of its joints and the state of its visual field. MURPHY can use its internal model in the forward direction to "envision" sequences of actions for planning purposes, such as in grabbing a visually presented object, or in the reverse direction to "imitate", with its arm, autonomous activity in its visual field. Furthermore, by taking explicit advantage of continuity in the mappings between visual space and joint space, MURPHY is able to learn non-linear mappings with only a single layer of modifiable weights.
Preconditioning with ischemia: a delay of lethal cell injury in ischemic myocardium.

We have previously shown that a brief episode of ischemia slows the rate of ATP depletion during subsequent ischemic episodes. Additionally, intermittent reperfusion may be beneficial to the myocardium by washing out catabolites that have accumulated during ischemia. Thus, we proposed that multiple brief ischemic episodes might actually protect the heart from a subsequent sustained ischemic insult. To test this hypothesis, two sets of experiments were performed. In the first set, one group of dogs (n = 7) was preconditioned with four 5 min circumflex occlusions, each separated by 5 min of reperfusion, followed by a sustained 40 min occlusion. The control group (n = 5) received a single 40 min occlusion. In the second study, an identical preconditioning protocol was followed, and animals (n = 9) then received a sustained 3 hr occlusion. Control animals (n = 7) received a single 3 hr occlusion. Animals were allowed 4 days of reperfusion thereafter. Histologic infarct size then was measured and was related to the major baseline predictors of infarct size, including the anatomic area at risk and collateral blood flow. In the 40 min study, preconditioning with ischemia paradoxically limited infarct size to 25% of that seen in the control group (p less than .001). Collateral blood flows were not significantly different in the two groups. In the 3 hr study, there was no difference between infarct size in the preconditioned and control groups. The protective effect of preconditioning in the 40 min study may have been due to reduced ATP depletion and/or to reduced catabolite accumulation during the sustained occlusion. These results suggest that the multiple anginal episodes that often precede myocardial infarction in man may delay cell death after coronary occlusion, and thereby allow for greater salvage of myocardium through reperfusion therapy.
Differential roles of GABAergic and glycinergic input on FM selectivity in the inferior colliculus of the pallid bat

Multiple mechanisms have been shown to shape frequency-modulated (FM) selectivity within the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (IC) in the pallid bat. In this study we focus on the mechani...
The estimation of oxygen consumption.

Improved estimates of the indexed rate of oxygen consumption ( V O2/BSA) are provided for use in calculating haemodynamic quantities in cardiac catheterization. They were derived from a multivariate analysis of covariance applied to 879 patients, mostly children, with a wide variety of heart diseases.
Climatic forcing of carbon-oxygen isotopic covariance in temperate-region marl lakes

Carbon and oxygen stable isotopic compositions of lacustrine carbonate from a southeastern Michigan marl lake display linear covariance over a range of 4.0% Peedee belemnite (PDB) in oxygen and 3.9% (PDB) in carbon. Mechanisms of delta 13 C-delta 18 O coupling conventionally attributed to lake closure in arid-region basins are inapplicable to hydrologically open lake systems. Thus, an alternative explanation of isotopic covariance in temperate region dimictic marl lakes is required. We propose that isotopic covariance is a direct record of change in regional climate. In short-residence-time temperate-region lake basins, summer meteoric precipitation is enriched in 18O relative to winter values, and summer organic productivity enriches epilimnic dissolved inorganic carbon in 13C. Thus, climate change toward longer summers and/or shorter winters could result in greater proportions of warm-month meteoric precipitation, longer durations of warm-month productivity, and net long-term enrichment in carbonate 18O and 13C. Isotopic covariance observed in the Michigan marl lake cores is interpreted to reflect postglacial warming from 10 to 3 ka followed by cooler mean annual temperature, a shift toward greater proportions of seasonal summer precipitation, a shortening of the winter season, or some combination of these three factors.