cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in Estrogen Receptor (ER) Null Mice Reveals Hypergonadism and Endocrine Sex Reversal in Females Lacking ERα But Not ERβ

To determine the role of each estrogen receptor (ER) form (ERalpha, ERbeta) in mediating the estrogen actions necessary to maintain proper function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, we have characterized the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in female ER knockout (ERKO) mice. Evaluation of pituitary function included gene expression assays for Gnrhr, Cga, Lhb, Fshb, and Prl. Evaluation of ovarian steroidogenic capacity included gene expression assays for the components necessary for estradiol synthesis: i.e. Star, Cyp11a, Cyp17, Cyp19, Hsd3b1, and Hsd17b1. These data were corroborated by assessing plasma levels of the respective peptide and steroid hormones. alphaERKO and alphabetaERKO females exhibited increased pituitary Cga and Lhb expression and increased plasma LH levels, whereas both were normal in betaERKO. Pituitary Fshb expression and plasma FSH were normal in all three ERKOs. In the ovary, all three ERKOs exhibited normal expression of Star, Cyp11a, and Hsd3b1. In contrast, Cyp17 and Cyp19 expression were elevated in alphaERKO but normal in betaERKO and alphabetaERKO. Plasma steroid levels in each ERKO mirrored the steroidogenic enzyme expression, with only the alphaERKO exhibiting elevated androstenedione and estradiol. Elevated plasma testosterone in alphaERKO and alphabetaERKO females was attributable to aberrant expression of Hsd17b3 in the ovary, representing a form of endocrine sex reversal, as this enzyme is unique to the testes. Enhanced steroidogenic capacity in alphaERKO ovaries was erased by treatment with a GnRH antagonist, indicating these phenotypes to be the indirect result of excess LH stimulation that follows the loss of ERalpha in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Overall, these findings indicate that ERalpha, but not ERbeta, is indispensable to the negative-feedback effects of estradiol that maintain proper LH secretion from the pituitary. The subsequent hypergonadism is illustrated as increased Cyp17, Cyp19, Hsd17b1, and ectopic Hsd17b3 expression in the ovary.
A classification of approaches to planning and justifying new manufacturing technologies

Abstract New manufacturing technologies (NMT) offer many advantages to those who employ them. However, the complexity associated with these technologies has caused the process of justifying these technologies to be muddled, confusing, and uncoordinated. This analysis of the literature gives the reader a comprehensive perspective of the entire field. Through the approach taken for organizing the literature, several avenues for future research should become obvious to the reader. This paper provides an up-to-date review of the thinking on the subject; approximately one-fourth of the papers included in the study were published no earlier than 1988.
Nuclear targeting of plasmid DNA in human corneal cells.

Purpose. To characterize the mechanisms of plasmid DNA nuclear localization in primary cultures of human corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes. Methods. Purified, supercoiled plasmid DNA was microinjected into the cytoplasm of human corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes that had been established from donor corneas two to three passages previously, and localized 8 hours later by in situ hybridization. To confirm the sequence-specificity of nuclear import observed in microinjected cells, liposome-mediated transient transfection experiments also were performed on human corneal epithelial cell and keratocyte cultures. Results. Primary cultures of human corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes have the capacity to transport plasmid DNA from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in the absence of cell division. This transport activity is sequence-dependent requiring portions of the simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter and enhancer. The majority of this nuclear transport activity resides within the enhancer domain...
Atomic clusters and cluster models in solid state physics

Since it became possible to study experimentally the evolution of a metal and the transition from atomic and molecular to surface and bulk properties, the study of clusters, especially metal clusters due to their role in heterogeneous catalysis, represents a highly active research area. On the other hand, clusters serve also as very useful models in solid state physics to investigate impurity, surface, and interface problems. Both cluster aspects will be discussed in addition to the role of cluster calculations in aperiodic polymer and band structure computations. We also report results of Li-cluster studies. Correlation effects, calculated with the coupled cluster method, are discussed in connection with the onset of Pierls' distortion in Li-rings. Finally, it is demonstrated how the cluster model is used to investigate polymer-metal surface interactions and how these interactions influence and change the polymer conformation.
Biomanufacturing and self-propulsion dynamics of nanoscale bacteria-enabled autonomous delivery systems

Flagellated bacteria have superb self-propulsion capabilities and are able to effectively move through highly viscous fluid and semi-solid (porous) environments. This innate aptitude has been harvested for whole-cell actuation of bio-hybrid microrobotic systems with applications in directed transport and microassembly. In this work, we present the biomanufacturing of Nanoscale Bacteria-Enabled Autonomous Delivery Systems (NanoBEADS) by controlled self-assembly and investigate the role of nanoparticle load on the dynamics of their self-propulsion in aqueous environments. Each NanoBEADS agent is comprised of spherical polystyrene nanoparticles assembled onto the body of a flagellated Escherichia coli bacterium. We demonstrate that the NanoBEADS assembly configuration is strongly dependent upon the nanoparticles to bacteria ratio. Furthermore, we characterized the stochastic motion of the NanoBEADS as a function of the quantity and size of the nanoparticle load and computationally analyzed the effect of the nanoparticle load on the experienced drag force. We report that the average NanoBEADS swimming speed is reduced to 65% of the free-swimming bacteria speed (31 μm/s) at the highest possible load. NanoBEADS can be utilized as single agents or in a collaborative swarm in order to carry out specific tasks in a wide range of applications ranging from drug delivery to whole cell biosensing.
Line integrals and physical optics. Part I. The transformation of the solid-angle surface integral to a line integral

The surface integral that measures the solid angle subtended by a planar aperture at a point in space is transformed to a line integral over the boundary of the aperture. The problem is divided into three distinct cases, and in each case a transformation is established. The results have a direct application to the problem of converting the Kirchhoff integral of diffraction by an aperture on a plane screen to a line integral over the rim of the aperture.
A Sufficient Condition for Topological Chaos with an Application to a Model of Endogenous Growth

Abstract This paper provides an easily verifiable sufficient condition for topological chaos for unimodal maps which can be satisfied when the well-known Li–Yorke condition is not satisfied. It then shows how this result can be applied to a model of endogenous growth with externalities to establish the existence of chaotic equilibrium growth paths in that framework. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C61, D90, O41.
Separation of porphyrins and porphyrin isomers in capillary electrophoresis using mixed ionic surfactant-bovine serum albumin buffer systems

Abstract The separation of six porphyrins having two to eight carboxylic acid side-chains by capillary electrophoresis using a combination of ionic surfactant and protein as a novel modifier in the run buffer is reported. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) together with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as buffer additives, efficient and reproducible separation of mesoporphyrin, coproporphyrin, uroporphyrin, penta-, hexa- and heptacarboxylporphyrins was achieved at pH 7.4 whereas sodium taurodeoxycholate (bile salt) combined with BSA in the run buffer separated type I and III isomers of coproporphyrin as well. The presence of SDS or bile salt appeared to minimize protein-and/or porphyrins-inner capillary wall (untreated silica) interaction and to enhance solubilization and selectivity of porphyrins due to the formation of ionic surfactant-protein complex(es) in the run buffer.
Primary Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection: Incidence, Outcome, and Correlates of Protection

Primary Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection: Incidence, Outcome, and Correlates of Protection
‘Detergent-like’ permeabilization of anionic lipid vesicles by melittin

Abstract Melittin (MLT), the 26-residue toxic peptide from the European honeybee Apis mellifera, is widely used for studying the principles of membrane permeabilization by antimicrobial and other host-defense peptides. A striking property of MLT is that its ability to permeabilize zwitterionic phospholipid vesicles is dramatically reduced upon the addition of anionic lipids. Because the mechanism of permeabilization may be fundamentally different for the two types of lipids, we examined MLT-induced release of entrapped fluorescent dextran markers of two different molecular masses (4 and 50 kDa) from anionic palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylglycerol (POPG) vesicles. Unlike release from palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) vesicles, which is highly selective for the 4 kDa marker, implying release through pores of about 25 A diameter [Ladokhin et al., Biophys. J. 72 (1997) 1762], release from POPG vesicles was found to be non-selective, i.e., ‘detergent-like’. Oriented circular dichroism measurements of MLT in oriented POPG and POPC multilayers disclosed that α-helical MLT can be induced to adopt a transbilayer orientation in POPC multilayers, but not in POPG multilayers. The apparent inhibition of MLT permeabilization by anionic membranes may thus be due to suppression of translocation ability.
The Personal Budget Project: A Practical Introduction to Financial Literacy

Abstract Think a moment about your dream job. Do you know the beginning salary you are likely to make? Are you aware that your take-home pay is going to be only 60 to 75% of that amount? Have you given any thought as to how you might wisely allocate those after-tax dollars to provide for basic needs so that you will also have money to cover “wants” as well? The purpose of the Personal Budget Project is to give you an opportunity to envision your financial future and to understand and practice some important personal financial skills such as estimating income tax, preparing a budget, learning about debt, and recognizing the importance of beginning a savings program as soon as possible. In working through the project, you will discover foundational truths about personal finances that can help to foster sound decision-making as you become responsible for your own financial future. Hopefully your conclusion will echo that of others who have remarked that the Personal Budget Project is one of the most beneficial assignments they have completed throughout their college experience.
Accuracy of diagnosis by guided biopsy of renal mass lesions classified indeterminate by imaging studies

Abstract Objectives. To define the accuracy, safety, and impact of percutaneous biopsies of indeterminate mass lesions as an additional diagnostic tool. The vast majority of renal mass lesions are routinely diagnosed by radiographic features alone. However, with the increased use of computed tomography scanning and ultrasound, many smaller renal masses, which are “indeterminate” (refractory to categorization on the basis of imaging alone), are now being discovered. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 583 patients (364 male and 219 female) with indeterminate renal mass lesions diagnosed by imaging studies that were further investigated by percutaneous biopsy. Patients were followed up for at least 5 years if the biopsy result demonstrated a benign lesion, or they underwent surgical exploration if the biopsy result demonstrated a malignancy. Biopsy or aspiration material was assessed by histopathologic and cytologic evaluation and, when appropriate, with biochemistry, Gram stain, culture, and sensitivity. The biopsy site was localized by computed tomography, ultrasound, or fluoroscopy. Results. Five hundred eighty-three patients with indeterminate renal mass lesions (representing 7.2% of all renal masses diagnosed from 1967 through 1996) were diagnosed by imaging studies complemented by guided biopsy. Sixty-six patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 517 patients who were analyzed. In 393 cases (76%), the imaging-guided biopsy provided a definitive diagnosis. The incidence of false diagnoses was 1.2% (7 biopsies). In 124 of the cases (21%), imaging-guided biopsy was unable to determine the etiology of the lesion with acceptable confidence; of these, 21 biopsies did not provide enough material to establish the diagnosis (16.9%). Conclusions. Overall, percutaneous biopsy of the kidney has proved to be a safe and accurate diagnostic procedure, with impact on the management of cystic or solid renal lesions.
Body-image attitudes among obese enrollees in a commercial weight-loss program

Substantial research shows less favorable body-image experiences among overweight and obese persons relative to persons of average weight. The purpose of this investigation of body image was to compare 102 enrollees in a commercial, very-low-calorie diet program to 258 age- and weight-matched control subjects. Whereas enrollees were more strongly invested in their physical appearance, they held a more disparaging view of their looks. Relative to the control group, enrollees also felt less healthy, yet their evaluation of and investment in their physical fitness were more positive. Obese persons constitute a heterogeneous population, and those who seek rapid and extensive weight loss in commercial programs may have special body-image concerns and needs.
Extraction of shrimp astaxanthin with flaxseed oil: Effects on lipid oxidation and astaxanthin degradation rates

Astaxanthin extracted from shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) byproducts using flaxseed oil (FO) was evaluated for the kinetics of lipid oxidation of FO containing astaxanthin (FOA) and astaxanthin degradation. The FOA was analysed for astaxanthin content, free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide value (PV), fatty acid methyl ester profiles (FA), and colour. The amount of extractable astaxanthin in the shrimp byproducts was 4.83 mg 100 g−1 of shrimp waste. FOA and FO had similar alpha-linolenic (ALA) content. The FO was lighter and more yellow in colour than FOA. The oxidation rate of FOA was lower than that of FO. When FO and FOA were heated to 30 °C, both oils exhibited minimal lipid oxidation with increasing heating time, whereas FO, when heated to 40, 50 and 60 °C, had a higher lipid oxidation rate than FOA with increasing heating time from 0 to 4 h. Astaxanthin was an effective antioxidant agent in FO when it was heated from 40 to 60 °C. The degradation of astaxanthin in FOA could be described by first order reaction kinetics. Astaxanthin was stable in FO at 30 and 40 °C, while significant increases in degradation were observed at 50 °C and 60 °C. The rate of astaxanthin degradation in FOA was significantly influenced by temperature.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of vertebral body lesions: cytologic, pathologic, and clinical correlations of 57 cases.

We reviewed 57 cases of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimens of vertebral body lesions at our institutions and sought correlations between clinical histories, aspirates, and tissue specimens. Patients'ages ranged from 10–86 yr (mean 62 yr). Previous clinical histories included malignancy (n = 33), osteomyelitis or systemic infection (n = 18), and nonspecific (n = 6). FNAB diagnoses were rendered in 81% of cases (n = 46) and were correlated with previous clinical history (P < 0.004). Tissue diagnoses were also correlated with previous clinical history (P < 0.02). In 19% of cases (n = 11), FNAB was unsatisfactory; of these, tissue specimens were diagnostic for five cases. In 19% of cases (n = 11), both aspirates and tissue specimens were available, and the diagnoses coincided in all cases; tissue specimens did not enhance the results of aspirates which produced positive results. Aspirates which showed normal bone marrow elements appeared to effectively rule-out metastatic malignancy based on clinical follow-up (mean 3.7 yr). Diagn Cytopathol 1994;11:348–351. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Stability of Analogically Reconstructed Probability Knowledge among Secondary Mathematics Students

Abstract: The existence of probability misconceptions at various educational levels has been well documented. Furthermore, these misconceptions have been shown to be widespread and highly resistant to change. The author's previous research has shown considerable success in overcoming misconceptions in the short term by basing the knowledge reconstruction process on problems that draw out beliefs held by students that are in agreement with accepted theory and that are therefore expected to receive correct responses. Such problems are referred to as anchoring situations or anchors. In this study, anchoring probability situations that are conceptually analogous to misconception‐prone target probability situations were generated and tested with secondary mathematics students. The testing showed that probability misconceptions were common but also that the generated anchors were effective in reconstructing misconception‐laden probability knowledge. A follow‐up test showed that 65% of the reconstructed knowledg...
Asymptotic Formulas for the Buckling Stresses of Axially Compressed Cylinders With Localized or Random Axisymmetric Imperfections

Buckling of axially compressed circular cylindrical shells with localized or random axisymmetric imperfections, deriving asymptotic approximation formulas for stress calculation
Nicotine-conditioned locomotor activity in rats: dopaminergic and GABAergic influences on conditioned expression

Abstract Little is known about the processes that mediate acquisition and expression of conditioned associations between contextual cues and psychomotor effects of nicotine. In four separate experiments using rats, an environment repeatedly paired with nicotine acquired the ability to elicit increases in activity even in the absence of drug. This conditioned effect was sensitive to nicotine dose. Rats that had 0.6 or 1.2 mg/kg nicotine, but not 0.3 mg/kg, paired with the environment were more active than an unpaired control group (Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, control groups eliminated accounts based on nonspecific effects of nicotine and inhibitory conditioning decreasing activity in the unpaired controls of Experiment 1. Pretreatment on the test day with 100 mg/kg of gamma vinyl-GABA (GVG), a compound that inhibits the enzyme required to breakdown GABA, partially blocked the expression of locomotor conditioning without impairing activity in controls (Experiment 3). In Experiment 4, pretreatment on the test day with the dopamine D 1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390 (0.03 mg/kg) blocked expression of nicotine-conditioned locomotor activity; the D 2 /D 3 receptor antagonist eticlopride did not. Thus, the dopamine D 1 receptor subtype appears to play a role in context-elicited increases in activity conditioned by nicotine; GABA may also modulate the expression of this conditioned effect.
In vivo biocompatibility and stability of a substrate-supported polymerizable membrane-mimetic film.

Abstract The cell membrane establishes an important paradigm for the molecular engineering of coatings for implantable devices because of its intrinsic biocompatibility and ability to act as a template for the assembly of diverse membrane-associated macromolecules. A stabilized membrane-mimetic film was assembled on alginate/Ca2+ hydrogel microcapsules by in situ polymerization of an acrylate functionalized phospholipid. The phospholipid monomer was prepared as unilamellar vesicles and fused onto octadecyl chains that were components of an amphiphilic terpolymer anchored onto a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) by electrostatic interactions. Microcapsules coated with a membrane-mimetic film were implanted into the peritoneal cavity of C57BL/6 mice, and the short-term biostability and biocompatibility of membrane-mimetic films assembled on two different alginate/poly( l -lysine) PEM cushions were compared. The nature of the underlying PEM support had a profound impact on the biocompatibility of the membrane-mimetic film, as the percentage of retrieved microcapsules completely overgrown with host cells shifted from 66±5.9% to less than 1% when modifications to the PEM were made. When assembled on the appropriate PEM support, biocompatibility of membrane-mimetic-coated microspheres was high wherein 87.5±5.7% of the implanted microspheres were retrieved 4 weeks after implantation and 92.6±6.4% of the retrieved capsules were free of cell adhesion or fibrotic overgrowth. Finally, 4 weeks after implantation, microspheres coated with a Texas red-labeled membrane-mimetic film were imaged with confocal microscopy and exhibited a uniform film around the periphery of the implant, indicating a high degree of film biostability. Hence, membrane-mimetic films provide a new route for generating robust, biocompatible, and biochemically heterogeneous coatings for implantable devices through molecular self-assembly.
Test of particle-correlated tunneling for strongly interacting fermions in an optical superlattice

Fermions in an optical lattice near a wide Feshbach resonance are expected to be described by an effective Hamiltonian of the general Hubbard model with particle-correlated tunneling rates resulting from the strong atomic interaction [Duan, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 243202 (2005)]. Here, we propose a scheme to test the predictions of this effective Hamiltonian through manipulation of ultracold atoms in an inhomogeneous optical superlattice. The structure of the low-energy Hilbert space as well as the particle-correlated tunneling rates can be inferred from measurements of the time-of-flight images.
The Influence of Work Environment Stressors and Individual Social Vulnerabilities on Employee Problem Drinking

Guided by the social ecological perspective, this investigation explored relationships among work environment stressors, individual social vulnerabilities, and their interactions in the prediction of employee problem drinking. This cross-sectional survey of administrative support and blue-collar maintenance employees was conducted at a public, urban university in the United States. Data were gathered from self-report mail surveys. Data analyzed were from a weighted sample of 409 employees classified into 1 of 3 drinking groups: abstainers, nonproblem drinkers, and problem drinkers. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that the interactions of decreased work alienation and having met most friends at work as well as decreased work alienation and participation in nonwork-related social groups both predicted problem drinking. These results indicate the usefulness of examining interactions between work environment stressors and individual social vulnerabilities in studies of employee alcohol probl...
Sulfide melt-silicate melt distribution coefficients for nickel and iron and implications for the distribution of other chalcophile elements

Abstract Distribution coefficients for Fe and Ni between sulfide and silicate melts have been determined as functions of f;O2 and f;S2. Experiments were carried out in a piston-cylinder apparatus at 1450°C and 8 kbars. In a system at sulfide saturation the f;S2, f;O2 and aFeO are interdependent; therefore, it was possible to vary f;O2/f;S2 systematically by changing the bulk Fe content of the starting materials. This was accomplished in two ways, first by varying the sulfide to silicate mass ratio and second by synthesizing silicate starting materials of differing FeO contents. The f;O2/f;S2 was further constrained by the choice of graphite capsule material combined with pre-oxidation of the starting silicate. This produced melts which were saturated or nearly saturated in C-O-S vapor. The f;O2 and f;S2 were computed from the independent relationships of f;O2/f;S2, with vapor and silicate melt compositions. The molar distribution coefficients of Ni and Fe, D(Nimol) (=XsulfNiSXsilNio) and D(Femol), exhibit strong dependencies on the molar S concentration of the sulfide melt and FeO content of the silicate melt. D(Nimol) ranges from 1458 to 8857 for sulfide melt S concentrations of 45.8 to 51.1 mol%, respectively. Negative correlations of log D(Nimol) and log D(Femol) with log (f;O2/f;S2) are consistent with reactions between sulfide and oxide components of these elements in both melts and indicate that the controlling equilibrium is MOsil + 1/2 S2 = MSsulf + 1/2 O2, (M = metal). The different values of D(Niwt) reported in the literature can be rationalized in terms of differences in f;O2/f;S2 of the experiments. It is suggested that all chalcophile elements, including PGEs, behave similarly. In particular, it is demonstrated that D(Irwt) and D(Pdwt) vary directly with the S content of the sulfide melt and indirectly with f;O2 in published experiments. For the possible range in f;O2/f;S2 of sulfide-saturated magmas in nature, variations in Ds for Ni and the other chalcophile elements of more than one order of magnitude may exist.
Controlled expression and purification of human immune interferon from high‐cell‐density fermentations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Conditions for high-cell-density fermentations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains producing recombinant-DNA-derived proteins were established. Strains producing human immune interferon (IFN-gamma) from the constitutive PGK promoter failed to grow to high cell densities and exhibited low plasmid stability. Regulated expression of IFN-gamma was obtained in similar strains by employing a hybrid yeast GPD promoter that was subject to carbon source regulation due to the presence of regulatory DNA sequences from the yeast GAL 1,10 intergenic region. IFN-gamma expression programmed by this vector was low during growth on glucose and was induced by galactose. Previously defined fermentation conditions employing glucose as a carbon source were applied to this strain, resulting in high ceil densities with higher plasmid stability. Various methods of galactose induction of IFN-gamma expression in high-cell-density fermentations were investigated. Optimal conditions resulted in a 2000-fold induction and production of 2 g IFN-gamma/L fermentation culture.
Effect of bifurcation on the semi-active optimal control problem

For nonlinear dynamic systems near bifurcation, the basins of attraction of fixed points as well as the steady-state responses can change considerably with a small variation of the bifurcating parameter. This paper studies the effect of bifurcation on the semi-active optimal control problem with fixed final state by using the cell mapping method. A system parameter is taken as the control. The admissible control values considered encompass a bifurcation point of the system. Global changes in the optimal control solution for different targets are studied. Saddle node, supercritical pitchfork and subcritical Hopf bifurcations are considered in the examples. It has been found that the global topology of the optimal control solution is strongly dependent on the state of the target.
Deflated, inflated and phantom citation counts

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to clarify some issues regarding citation indexing, analysis and searching.Design/methodology/approach – The paper begins with a discussion on an article in the D‐Lib Magazine and then focuses on deflated citation counts and inflated and phantom citation counts.Findings – The combination of the inflated citation count values dispensed by Google Scholar (GS) with the ignorance and shallowness of some GS enthusiasts can be a real mix for real scholars.Originality/value – The paper offers insight into deflated, inflated and phantom citation counts.
Electronic structure and conventional superconductivity of UPt3

Abstract Result of a fully relativistic local density band calculation for UPt 3 , which are in excellent agreement with photoemission experiments by Arko et al., are used to study the origin of its observed superconductivity with a conventional approach - the rigid ion approximation and McMillan's theory. We find a highly anisotropic electron-phonon interaction which induces strong superconducting gap anisotropy. The model developed leads to several predictions and a consisted explanation of the unusual properties of UPt 3 .
Solar phase curves and phase integrals for the leading and trailing hemispheres of Iapetus from the Cassini Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer

We performed photometry of Cassini Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer observations of Iapetus to produce the first phase integrals calculated directly from solar phase curves of Iapetus for the leading hemisphere and to estimate the phase integrals for the trailing hemisphere. We also explored the phase integral dependence on wavelength and geometric albedo. The extreme dichotomy of the brightness of the leading and trailing sides of Iapetus is reflected in their phase integrals. Our phase integrals, which are lower than the results of Morrison et al. (Morrison, D., Jones, T.J., Cruikshank, D.P., Murphy, R.E. [1975]. Icarus 24, 157–171) and Squyres et al. (Squyres, S.W., Buratti, B.J., Veverka, J., Sagan, C. [1984]. Icarus 59, 426–435), have profound implications on the energy balance and volatile transport on this icy satellite.
Life-cycle dependence of repair of potentially-lethal radiation damage

(1973). Life-cycle Dependence of Repair of Potentially-lethal Radiation Damage. International Journal of Radiation Biology and Related Studies in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 401-407.
Stability of the nucleoside composition of tRNA during biological ageing of mice and mosquitoes.

IN several organisms, alterations in tRNA have been reported to occur during physiological changes. Both qualitative and quantitative changes have been demonstrated in isoaccepting species of various tRNAs1–4. Chromatographic changes have often been attributed tc changes in nucleoside composition. In Drosophila, changes in the chromatographic patterns of certain tRNA species at different developmental stages have been correlated with an enzymatic alteration producing a minor nucleoside, Q4. Such differences could be involved in control of protein synthesis at the translational level directly by tRNA species, and (or) in regulation of protein activity by interaction of tRNA with a previously formed protein5,6.
Morphological evolution of neodymium boride nanostructure growth by chemical vapor deposition

Nanoscale-driven design of electron emission materials can significantly increase their overall efficiency as cathodes for field-induced electron emission by taking advantage of the field enhancement effect. The refractory nature and low work function (1.6 eV) of neodymium hexaboride (NdB6) suggest that high aspect ratio NdB6 nanostructures are potential candidates as efficient field emission cathodes. Here we report the morphological evolution of one-dimensional neodymium boride nanostructures synthesized using palladium-nanoparticle-catalyzed chemical vapor deposition as a function of reaction temperature. Scanning electron microscopy data show that judicious choices of reaction temperatures (795−940 °C) can lead to the preferential growth of curly nanowires or high aspect ratio nanowires. Transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction reveal that the crystallinity of these nanostructures changes from amorphous, to polycrystalline, to single crystalline as the reaction temperatu...
Interview: How close are we to individualized treatment of breast cancer?

Lawrence J Solin speaks to Natalie Harrison, Commissioning Editor: Lawrence J Solin is Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia (PA, USA). Dr Solin received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Brown University in Providence (RI, USA). He completed his residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University, both in Philadelphia. He is a coeditor of the book Breast Cancer Management and Molecular Medicine: Towards Tailored Approaches. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia (PA, USA) and has concentrated his research interests on breast-conservation treatment with radiation for early-stage breast cancer. Dr Solin has contributed over 170 peer-reviewed publications to the medical literature, has presented more than 170 invited national and international lectures, and serves on nine journal editorial boards. His recent research has focused on the use of breast-cons...
Simultaneous measurement of capillary distensibility and hydraulic conductance.

Abstract Capillaries are often assumed to be indistensible. Only recently has the error caused by capillary distensibility in the measurement of hydraulic conductance been considered. An oil-drop method was used to measure simultaneously distensibility and hydraulic conductance (L p ) of mesenteric capillaries of 40 cranially pithed Rana pipiens . All vessels studied were distensible in the range 5–80 mm Hg, with a mean equilibrium time, t eq , of 12.4 ± 0.5 sec (SEM, n = 7). Capillary distensibility decreased with increasing pressure. Mean capillary distensibilities at 10, 30, and 60 mm Hg were 18.9 ± 4.9 × 10 −4 (mm Hg) −1 , 13.5 ± 1.2 × 10 −4 (mm Hg) −1 (mean ± SEM, n = 9), and 7.6 ± 2.7 × 10 −4 (mm Hg) −1 (mean ± SEM, n = 7), respectively. Mean values of capillary L p , uncorrected and corrected for distensibility, were 0.0113 ± 0.0017 μm(sec·mm Hg) −1 and 0.0083 ± 0.0016 μm(sec·mm Hg) −1 (SEM, n = 8 capillaries), respectively. A paired t test demonstrated that uncorrected and corrected values of L p were statistically different from one another ( P L p varied widely between capillaries indicating the necessity of measuring and correcting for distensibility in each individual capillary when estimating L p . The finding of a slow component of vessel distensibility demonstrates that previous filtration data taken not only from single vessels, but also from whole organs, should be reinterpreted.
Moexipril for Treatment of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis in Patients with an Incomplete Response to Ursodeoxycholic Acid

Blockade of angiotensin II synthesis attenuates hepatic fibrosis in different experimental models of chronic liver injury. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of moexipril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) who have had a suboptimal response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Twenty PBC patients on UDCA (13-15 mg/kg/day) therapy with an elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase at least twice the upper limit of normal were treated with oral moexipril 15 mg/day for one year. No significant changes in serum alkaline phosphatase (379 +/- 32 vs. 379 +/- 51), bilirubin (0.8 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.1), aspartate aminotransferase (60 +/- 8 vs. 63 +/- 9), and Mayo risk score (3.55 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.62 +/- 0.2) was associated with the treatment. Fatigue and health-related quality of life scores during treatment demonstrated a trend toward improvement. Moexipril was not clinically beneficial to PBC patients responding suboptimally to UDCA.
Child adoption and war: ‘Living disappeared’ children and the social worker’s post-conflict role in El Salvador and Argentina

The illegal removal of children from biological family life during conflict has a longstanding history. Briefly overviewed are the Vietnam Babylift and a more recent child abduction attempt in Chad. Then, turning to the history of child abduction and adoption history in Latin America, the conflicts of El Salvador and Argentina are presented and ‘living disappeared’ children – those who disappear into adoption networks during war – are discussed. The post-conflict social realities in both nations are explored. The role of the social worker and specific practices are identified and discussed in context of generalist social work practice.
Commentary on self-regulation in school contexts

Recent years have witnessed increasing academic self-regulation research. Researchers have compared good with poor self-regulators to determine key processes; examined the relations among self-regulation, motivation, and learning; explored the development of self-regulatory skills; and conducted interventions to improve students’ self-regulation. The present articles by Perels et al. and Rozendaal et al. describe interventions that improved students’ self-regulation. Perels et al. showed that combining training on self-regulation with problem-solving instruction was especially effective in enhancing self-regulation and achievement. Rozendaal et al. found that teachers who practiced collaborative interactive teaching strategies promoted deep-level cognitive processing in their students. Suggestions for future research in school contexts are provided.
A logic for handling time in temporal databases

An approach to the handling of time in query languages of historical database management systems is outlined. The approach is based on extending Boolean and comparison operators by allowing their operands to be sets of time intervals. The proposed temporal logic is shown to satisfy the properties of the normal Boolean logic. A relational-calculus query language using the extended logic is proposed. A new syntax for retrieval statements is defined in order to separate the process of selecting entities (tuples) and the process of selecting required values of temporal attributes from the chosen entities. The extension presented in this paper offer a good degree of flexibility in expressing different temporal requirements. >
On testing linear hypotheses on linear functional and structural relationships

We consider an errors in variables model are observed random vectors,μ i ’s are unobserved fixed or random vectorsA and b are unknown parameters, and ei ’sfi ’s are random error vectors. Bansal (1990) derived likelihood ratio tests, under functional relationship, for testing linear hypotheses: (i) H0 : AR = K and (ii) St A = L1 where R,K, S and L are known matrices. In this paper, we obtain the asymptotic distributions of the likelihood ratio test statistics under functional relationship. We also obtain the asymptotic distributions of these test statistics under structural relationship. Some special cases are considered and modified test statistics are given for these cases.
Critical Role of PPAR-α in Perfluorooctanoic Acid– and Perfluorodecanoic Acid–Induced Downregulation of Oatp Uptake Transporters in Mouse Livers

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) have been detected globally in wildlife and humans. Data from a gene array indicate that PFOA decreases organic anion transporting polypeptides (Oatps) in liver. Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp) and Oatp1a1, 1a4, and 1b2 are major transporters responsible for uptake of bile acids (BAs) and other organic compounds into liver. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of two perfluorinated fatty acids, PFOA and PFDA, on mRNA and protein expression of hepatic uptake transporters Oatps and Ntcp, and to determine the underlying regulatory mechanisms by using peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), constitutive androstane receptor, pregnane-X receptor, NF-E2–related factor 2, and farnesoid X receptor-null mouse models. After 2 days following a single i.p. administration, PFOA did not alter serum BA concentrations, but PFDA increased serum BA concentrations 300%. Furthermore, PFOA decreased mRNA and protein expression of Oatp1a1, 1a4, and 1b2, but not Ntcp in mouse liver. In contrast, PFDA decreased mRNA and protein expression of all four transporters, and decreased the mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner, with the decrease of Oatp1a4 occurring at lower doses than the other three transporters. Multiple mechanisms are likely involved in the down-regulation of mouse Oatps and Ntcp by PFDA. By using the various transcription factor-null mice, PPAR-α was shown to play a central role in the down-regulation of Oatp1a1, 1a4, 1b2, and Ntcp by PFDA. The current studies provide important insight into understanding the mechanisms by which PFDA regulate the expression of hepatic uptake transporters. In conclusion, PFOA and PFDA decrease mouse liver uptake transporters primarily via activation of PPAR-α.
A drawing program for teaching computer science II students

Students in the introductory computer science classes are usually given relatively small programs that help the students learn new concepts covered in class. The students need to focus on the new material and giving them a large project is counter-productive to them learning the important concepts. I wanted to challenge the students in our second computer science course by giving them a large project without overwhelming them. To accomplish this I gave them a project that was accomplished in various stages throughout the semester. This paper discusses the various stages of the project and how they fit together so at the end of the semester the students had a large comprehensive project. Also, I wanted a project the students would be excited about doing. A drawing project that allowed the user of the program to draw lines, rectangles, ovals, text, and free hand lines with various colors and having the option to fill or not fill closed objects was selected. The finished project covered the following topics from the second computer science class: graphical interface design, event handling, color control, arrays, inheritance, polymorphism and singly linked list. The students were challenged for this project and enjoyed the finish product.
The effect of suspended sediments on Lake Texoma Daphnia: field distributions and in situ incubations

SUMMARY 1. We measured the abundance and eggs per female of four Daphnia species in turbid and relatively clear regions of Lake Texoma (Oklahoma-Texas, U.S.A.) on 12 dates over the course of 5 years. 2. Two species, Daphnia lumholtzi and Daphnia parvula, occurred and reproduced in turbid locations, but two other species, Daphnia mendotae and Daphnia pulicaria, occurred almost exclusively in relatively clear conditions. 3. To test the hypothesis that interference with foraging excludes clear-water Daphnia species from turbid locations, we incubated adult D. mendotae at both a clear and a turbid site. In three successive experiments D. mendotae individuals incubated at the turbid site carried as many or more eggs than individuals incubated at the clear site.
Interacting nanoparticles with functional surface groups

Functionalized nanoparticles with ionizable groups have generated a large variety of structures with important potential applications in technology. The nature of their interactions is crucial to determining their solubility and to exploring assemblies with diverse symmetries. Here, we use a molecular theory to describe the interactions between two nanoparticles coated with short polymer chains that contain ionizable (functional) end-groups immersed in aqueous salt solution. It is shown here that the fraction of ionized functional groups in the system depends on factors such as the ionic strength and pH of solution, grafting density of polymer chains, the chain length, as well as the separation distance between the nanoparticles. The interactions between two neighboring nanoparticles influence the charge regulation of the end-groups, which consequently induces an asymmetric distribution of these charged end-groups on the nanoparticles, and thus confers a preferred directionality in nanoparticle–nanoparticle interactions. We show that the charge regulating system is less repulsive than an equivalent system with a fixed charge distribution. This is due to a decrease in the charge density of the weak acid end-groups, to avoid a local increase in counterion confinement (condensation) in the region between neighboring nanoparticles, when their separation decreases. The anisotropic degree of ionization found in our results can be used to design aggregates of nanoparticles with reduced symmetries. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Osteoporosis: clinical assessment with quantitative MR imaging in diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To determine if the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging effective transverse relaxation rate (R2*) of trabecular bone marrow is lowered in osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: R2* was measured in 146 women. Control subjects (n = 77; mean age, 46.6 years) had high mean spinal bone mineral densities (BMDs) and no vertebral deformities. Patients with spinal osteoporosis (n = 59; mean age, 59.7 years) had at least one thoracic vertebral deformity and/or low BMDs. RESULTS: R2* was lower in patients for L-2 through L-5 (P < .001). Average R2* of L-3 through L-5 (R2*av) was the best discriminator (64.79 sec-1 +/- 1.18 [standard error] for control subjects vs 53.39 sec-1 +/- 1.24 for patients; P < .0001). R2*av decreased with age in control subjects. The difference in R2*av in a subset of 38 age-matched pairs of patients and control subjects was 8.25 sec-1 (P < .0001). Subjects with deformities had lower 52*av than did control subjects (52.3 sec-1 +/- 1.6 vs 62.5 sec-1 +/- 1.1, P < .0001). R2*av was correlat...
Depolarization-Induced Long-Term Depression at Hippocampal Mossy Fiber-CA3 Pyramidal Neuron Synapses

Hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons receive two types of excitatory afferent innervation: mossy fibers (MFs) from granule cells of the dentate gyrus and recurrent collateral fibers (CFs) from other CA3 pyramidal neurons. At CF-CA3 pyramidal neuron synapses, membrane depolarization paired with low (0.33 Hz) presynaptic stimulation generated a heterogeneous response that ranged from long-term potentiation (LTP), long-term depression (LTD), to no alteration of synaptic strength. However, the same induction paradigm applied at MF-CA3 pyramidal neuron synapses consistently induced LTD. This novel form of LTD was independent of NMDARs, mGluRs, cannabinoid receptors, opioid receptors, or coincident synaptic activity, but was dependent on postsynaptic Ca2+ elevation through L-type Ca2+ channels and release from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-sensitive intracellular stores. Ca2+ imaging of both proximal and distal CA3 pyramidal neuron dendrites demonstrated that the depolarizing induction paradigm differentially elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels. L-type Ca2+ channel activation was observed only at the most proximal locations where mossy fibers make synapses. Depolarization-induced LTD did not occlude the conventional 1 Hz-induced LTD or vice versa, suggesting independent mechanisms underlie each form of plasticity. The paired-pulse ratio and coefficient of variation of synaptic transmission were unchanged after LTD induction, suggesting that the expression locus of LTD is postsynaptic. Moreover, peak-scaled nonstationary variance analysis indicated that depolarization-induced LTD correlated with a reduction in postsynaptic AMPA receptor numbers without a change in AMPA receptor conductance. Our results suggest that this novel form of LTD is selectively expressed at proximal dendritic locations closely associated with L-type Ca2+ channels.