cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systems biology approaches for toxicology

Systems biology/toxicology involves the iterative and integrative study of perturbations by chemicals and other stressors of gene and protein expression that are linked firmly to toxicological outcome. In this review, the value of systems biology to enhance the understanding of complex biological processes such as neurodegeneration in the developing brain is explored. Exposure of the developing mammal to NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonists perturbs the endogenous NMDA receptor system and results in enhanced neuronal cell death. It is proposed that continuous blockade of NMDA receptors in the developing brain by NMDA antagonists such as ketamine (a dissociative anesthetic) causes a compensatory up-regulation of NMDA receptors, which makes the neurons bearing these receptors subsequently more vulnerable (e.g. after ketamine washout), to the excitotoxic effects of endogenous glutamate: the up-regulation of NMDA receptors allows for the accumulation of toxic levels of intracellular Ca(2+) under normal physiological conditions. Systems biology, as applied to toxicology, provides a framework in which information can be arranged in the form of a biological model. In our ketamine model, for example, blockade of NMDA receptor up-regulation by the co-administration of antisense oligonucleotides that specifically target NMDA receptor NR1 subunit mRNA, dramatically diminishes ketamine-induced cell death. Preliminary gene expression data support the role of apoptosis as a mode of action of ketamine-induced neurotoxicity. In addition, ketamine-induced cell death is also prevented by the inhibition of NF-kappaB translocation into the nucleus. This process is known to respond to changes in the redox state of the cytoplasm and has been shown to respond to NMDA-induced cellular stress. Although comprehensive gene expression/proteomic studies and mathematical modeling remain to be carried out, biological models have been established in an iterative manner to allow for the confirmation of biological pathways underlying NMDA antagonist-induced cell death in the developing nonhuman primate and rodent. Published in 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Friction and wear of ion-implanted TiB2

Abstract The unlubricated sliding of diamond and cobalt-bonded tungsten carbide (WC) against nickel-ion-implanted titanium diboride (TiB 2 ) have been investigated. The diamond sliding is characterized by low friction (less than 0.02) and the formation of a carbon-bearing debris layer on the wear path. WC slides on TiB 2 with a stick-slip motion and coefficients of friction ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 and forms wear grooves. The effect of implantation on sliding wear rates has been explored by sequential wear tests which indicate a limitation of the wear groove depth to that of the modified lattice.
Transient Stability of Multimachine Power Systems via the Direct Method of Lyapunov

The direct method of Lyapunov applied to the problem of transient power system stability is developed to permit the practical study of n-machine systems. A simple physical interpretation and a proof are given for two Lyapunov functions. A new and better Lyapunov function is defined, and several possibilities for its evaluation are studied. Through an analysis of the singular points of the system the causes of the conservativeness of the results are established, and a further improvement on the Lyapunov function is made. A general structure for a computer program is proposed, and results of an example with a 10-machine system solved by the conventional and the new methods are presented; the computing time by the Lyapunov method was about 40-percent shorter. Finally, several ideas for a further generalization and optimization of the method and a possibility for the design and control of power systems are proposed.
Family Friendly Workplace Benefits: Policy Mirage, Organizational Contexts, and Worker Power

The general purpose of the paper is to expand our understanding of how and why employer-provided benefits and resources that support the obligations and commitments of workers to their families are more or less available in the workplace. The specific objectives of this paper are threefold. First, it considers the limitations of a public policy approach to family benefits in the workplace through a brief review of the background and impact of the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Second, it identifies a cluster of "family friendly" workplace benefits and uses several divergent theoretical approaches (e.g., neoclassical economics, dual economy, segmented labor market) as the basis for predicting and exploring the impact of organizational factors on the availability of benefits to workers. Third, using a labor-process, production control, and class interest perspective, it explores the relationship between variations in worker power and the availability of family friendly benefits. The paper conclud...
Secure architecture for embedded systems

Devices connected to the internet are increasingly the targets of deliberate and sophisticated attacks [1]. Embedded system engineers tend to focus on well-defined functional capabilities rather than “obscure” security and resilience. However, “after-the-fact” system hardening could be prohibitively expensive or even impossible. The co-design of security and resilience with functionality has to overcome a major challenge; rarely can the security and resilience requirements be accurately identified when the design begins. This paper describes an embedded system architecture that decouples secure and functional design aspects.
Frequency and Distribution of Occult Micrometastases in Lymph Nodes of Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma

BACKGROUND Accurate assessment of the presence and absence of tumor in the regional lymph nodes is critical in assessment of prognosis for patients with lung cancer. Development of sensitive immunohistochemical techniques and specific monoclonal antibodies has increased our capacity, in melanoma and breast cancer, to detect small groups of tumor cells or even single tumor cells in lymph nodes that appear to be tumor free in conventionally stained sections. PURPOSE This retrospective study was designed to assess whether use of a polyclonal antikeratin reagent in immunohistochemical analysis offers any advantage over conventional histopathology in detection of regional lymph node metastases in non-small-cell lung cancer. METHODS Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from regional lymph nodes of 65 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer were studied. We examined tissue from 588 nodes of 60 patients with a diagnosis of disease confined to the lung and from 72 nodes of five patients with a diagnosis of metastasis to some nodes. A polyclonal antikeratin antibody was applied to the lymph node tissue sections, using the avidin-biotin complex immunoperoxidase technique. RESULTS Single tumor cells and small clusters of tumor cells (occult micrometastases) not visible on routine evaluation were readily detected in 38 (63%) of the 60 patients whose nodes appeared to be negative on examination of hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides. In the five patients with a diagnosis of node-positive non-small-cell lung cancer, five (10%) of 51 nodes that were tumor free on conventional examination contained metastases. Metastatic tumor cells were most often located in the subcapsular or medullary sinuses. The lymph nodes that contained occult tumor cells were those located nearest to the tumor, mainly in peribronchial and hilar locations. The median survival of patients with occult metastases (1977 days) was shorter than that of patients whose nodes contained no tumor (2456 days) but was longer than that of patients whose nodes contained metastases detectable on hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides (927 days). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that, in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, metastatic involvement of regional lymph nodes is more frequent than was previously determined by the conventional histologic method and substantially more frequent than in other tumor types, such as melanoma and breast cancer. IMPLICATIONS The high frequency of occult nodal metastases in non-small-cell lung cancer makes it clear that, without immunohistochemistry, disease is understaged in many patients. Therefore, it seems essential that immunohistochemical evaluation of the lymph nodes be undertaken in clinical trials.
Augmentation of wheat common root rot by Fusarium acuminatum

Wheat was inoculated with Bipolaris sorokiniana and Fusarium acuminatum individually and in combination under controlled conditions. Only B. sorokininana produced significant disease when used alone; however, F. acuminarum significantly augmented the effects of B. sorokiniana when plants are inoculated with both fungi.
Period gene expression in mouse endocrine tissues

Circadian rhythms are generated by the oscillating expression of the Per1 and Per2 genes, which are expressed not only in the central brain pacemaker but also in peripheral tissues. Hormones are li...
Function of the TCRα Enhancer in αβ and γδ T Cells

We have used gene targeted mutational approaches to assess the role of the T cell receptor alpha (TCR alpha) enhancer (E alpha) in the control of TCR alpha and TCR delta gene rearrangement and expression. We show that E alpha functions in cis to promote V alpha to J alpha rearrangement across the entire J alpha locus, a distance of greater than 70 kb. We also show that E alpha is required for normal alphabeta T cell development; in this lineage, E alpha is required for germline J alpha expression, for normal expression levels of rearranged V alpha J alpha genes, and for expression of a diverse V alpha repertoire. In gamma delta T cells, E alpha is not required for VdeltaDJdelta rearrangement, but, surprisingly, is required for normal expression levels of mature VdeltaDJdelta transcripts and for expression of germline J alpha transcripts. Our findings imply that E alpha function is not limited to the TCR alpha components of the TCRalpha/delta locus or to the alpha beta lineage; rather, E alpha function is important in both alphabeta and gammadelta lineage T cells.
Elevated Serum Glyceraldehyde Phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

Since myocardium is rich in glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), we performed 115 serum GAPDH determinations in 63 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 54 hospitalized control subjects in order to evaluate serum GAPDH as an index of myocardial necrosis. The normal range (mean ± 2 SD) for serum GAPDH was found to be 16 ± 12 milli International Units, (mIU)/ml. In 41 patients with infarction studied within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, mean serum GAPDH activity increased to 53 mIU (p
Using sterics to promote reactivity in fac-Re(CO)3 complexes of some 'non-innocent' NNN-pincer ligands.

Two new redox active ligands based on di(2-(3-organopyrazolyl)-p-tolyl)amine have been prepared in order to investigate potential effects of steric bulk on the structures, electronic properties, or reactivity of tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes. Replacing the hydrogens at the 3-pyrazolyl positions with alkyl groups causes significant distortion to the ligand framework due to potential interactions between these groups when bound to a fac-Re(CO)3 moiety. The distortions effectively increase the nucleophilic character of the central amino nitrogen and ligand-centered reactivity of the metal complexes.
CLASS AND CLASS INTERESTS IN AGRICULTURE: SUPPORT FOR NEW DEAL FARM PROGRAMS AMONG TOBACCO PRODUCERS

Most sociological studies classify all farmers in a single category, usually the petty bourgeoisie or "middle class." Recent studies, however, have criticized this view and have demonstrated how factors such as land, capital, labor, and management differentiate agricultural producers. Further, Mooney argues that the subjective elements of the class structure of agriculture have been ignored. This article examines the subjective and objective elements of the class structure in tobacco production. Data collected form a random sample of flue-cured tobacco growers and allotment holders in Pitt County, North Carolina, indicate that measures of class were relatively poor predictors of support for government intervention and for the tobacco program. The implications of these findings for class analyses of agriculture and New Deal farm programs are suggested. Sociologists have displayed an increased interest in the class structure of agriculture (Goss, Rodefeld, and Buttel 1980; Mooney 1983). This interest reflects both a growing rejection of assumptions that all family labor farms are in a single class (Nikolitch 1965), and a recognition that classes in agriculture may be structured differently from other classes in realms of production. The major disagreement in the literature focuses on whether or not capitalist development is further differentiating agricultural producers.' Two important issues have been raised in these recent stratification analyses. First, a commodity-specific approach toward a sociology of agriculture has been advocated by Friedland (1984).2 This position points to differences in the labor processes of various commodities, which demand a comparative analyses of production systems. A second issue concerning the ideological and political dimensions of class structure in agriculture, is raised by those who are critical of attempts to conceptualize class as strictly an
Design curves for non-linear analysis of simply-supported, uniformly-loaded rectangular plates

Design curves for the non-linear analysis of simply-supported rectangular plates subjected to uniform normal pressure loads have been developed. These curves yield the center deflection, center stress and corner stress in non-dimensionalized form plotted against a dimensionless parameter describing the load intensity. The results presented are based on extensive non-linear finite element analysis employing the ARGUS structural analysis program. Plates with length to width ratios of 1, 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 are included. The load range considered extends to 1000 times the load at which the behavior of the plate becomes significantly non-linear. Over the load range considered, the analysis shows that the ratio of center deflection to plate thickness for a square plate is less than 16 to 1, whereas linear theory would predict a center deflection 400 times the plate thickness. Likewise, the stress is markedly lower than would be predicted by linear theory. The present results are shown to be in excellent agreement with the classical linear theory up to a central deflection to plate thickness ratio of about one-half. In the non-linear regime the present results for deflection and stress are in very good agreement with the analytical and experimental work of other investigators.
Partial Cross Sections of Nucleus-Nucleus Reactions

Spallation cross sections of nucleus-nucleus reactions are calculated by scaling up the proton-nucleus cross sections (with additional fitting factors) using the weak factorization property of fragment production and, with adjusted energy dependence, using the concept of nuclear participants and spectators in nuclear interactions. Special fittings are provided for charge-pickup cross sections. Separate calculations are presented for electromagnetic dissociation cross sections. Elemental and isotopic resolution is comparable to that of the proton-nucleus interactions. Also a brief discussion is presented of the total inelastic cross sections and their energy dependence.
Optical recording of electrical activity in guinea-pig enteric networks using voltage-sensitive dyes.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a self-contained network with identified functions, capable of performing complex behaviors in isolation. Its neurons (10 to 25 μm in diameter) are arranged in plexuses that are confined to distinct planes of the gut wall 1; the myenteric plexus can be found between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers, and the submucous plexus between the circular muscle layer and the mucosa. Since the effector systems for these plexuses (transporting epithelium, endocrine cells, immune elements, blood vessels and smooth muscle) are also contained within the gut wall, semi-intact preparations can be dissected that preserve individual components of different reflex pathways. The behavior of the effector systems is controlled by the submucous and myenteric plexuses acting in concert. Therefore, detailed knowledge of synaptic interactions within and between ganglia, and of communication between the plexuses, is essential for understanding normal gastrointestinal function. The ENS, as an intact nervous system, is a unique experimental model in which one can correlate molecular and cellular events with the electrical behavior of the neuronal network and its physiological outputs. Because of the quasi-two-dimensional organization of its plexuses, the ENS is particularly well suited for the study of neural networks using multiple site optical recording techniques that employ voltage-sensitive dyes 2,7,8,9. We will illustrate here the use of a relatively new naphthylstyryl-pyridinium dye (di-4-ANEPPDHQ) 3 that offers multiple advantages over its predecessors, including very low phototoxicity, slow rate of internalization, and remarkable chemical stability. When used in conjunction with a camera that permits sub-millisecond time resolution, this dye allows us to monitor the electrical activity of all the neurons in the field of view with a maximal spatial resolution of ~ 2.5 μm at 100X magnification. At lower magnification (10X or 20X), the sacrifice of single-cell resolution is compensated by a gain in perspective, revealing the intricacies of the inter-ganglionic circuitry.
The Effect Of An Argon Laser's Spectral Content On A Phased Array's Search For Zero Optical Path Difference

The Air Force Weapons Laboratory phased array experiment, PHASAR, uses a multiline argon laser to phase together the output of three beam expanding telescopes. A two beam interference technique is used to compare the optical path differences (OPD) between the three telescope's beam paths. Generally, one telescope is designated as a reference and the other two telescopes are phased to it. One limitation of the system is its inability to positively identify the zero OPD point when scanning over a large range of OPDs. Due to the argon laser's limited spectral content, there are OPDs other than zero OPD where the various wavelengths are nearly back in phase, resulting in positions which are essentially indistinguishable from zero OPD. A simple procedure for determining OPDs that will be difficult to discriminate from zero OPD is described. This procedure provides a convenient means for evaluating sources for use in OPD sensors based on the two beam interference technique.
An improved ion guide for external ion injection in glow discharge—fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

To improve the existing ion transport optics of our glow discharge (GD)-Fourier transformion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer, we simulated several ion trajectories between the GD source region and the ICR analyzer cell. These calculations suggested that a number of simple improvements, including the use of an ion flight tube and an electrically isolated conductance limit, would increase the efficiency of ion transfer through the fringing fields of the FT-ICR superconducting magnet and into the ICR analyzer cell. Ion beam intensity was monitored as a function of the distance between the GD source and the analyzer cell before and after implementing these improvements. A twentyfold improvement in the transport efficiency, as well as a fifteenfold enhancement in detected ET-ICR signals, was observed.
Combining concept maps to catalyze creativity

Combining concept maps aids creative problem solving. In two studies, participants were presented with a story describing a problem and its solution. They were then asked to read an analogous problem and provide a solution. In order to facilitate transfer from the first story to the second, concept maps of the stories were elicited and participants instructed to combine them. The results show that participants were more likely to solve the problem when they produced and combined concept maps, as compared to a condition in which concept maps were used without combination, and compared to a condition in which no maps were used, but instead summaries were created and combined.
Region-specific rates of molecular evolution: a fourfold reduction in the rate of accumulation of "silent" mutations in transcribed versus nontranscribed regions of homologous DNA fragments derived from two closely related mouse species.

We have sequenced homologous DNA fragments of 2.7 and 2.8 kbp derived from the closely related mouse speciesMus musculus domesticus (M. domesticus) andMus musculus musculus (M. musculus), respectively. These two species diverged approximately 1 million years ago. Each DNA fragment contains 1.35 kbp of the 3′ end of the constitutively expressed 2.2-kbpaprt (adenine phosphoribosyltransferase) gene and a similarly sized nontranscribed region downstream of theaprt gene. Theaprt gene region contains protein coding sequences (0.35 kbp), intronic sequences (0.75 kbp), and a 3′ nontranslated sequence (0.25 kbp). Both theM. domesticus andM. musculus downstream regions share three partial copies of the B1 repetitive element with theM. musculus downstream region containing an additional complete copy of this element. A comparison of the 2.7-and 2.8-kbp DNA fragments revealed a total of 63 molecular alterations (i.e., mutations) that were approximately fourfold more abundant in the nontranscribed downstream region than in the transcribedaprt gene. Of the 11 mutations observed in the transcribed region, 7 were found in introns, 3 in the 3′ untranslated sequence, and 1 was a synonymous change in an exon. A comparison of the human andM. domesticus aprt genes has previously revealed no homology in either the intronic or 3′ nontranslated regions with the exception of a 26-bp sequence in intron 3 and sequences at the exon/intron boundaries necessary for correct mRNA splicing (Broderick et al.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 84:3349, 1987). Therefore, there does not appear to be selective pressure for sequences within these regions. We conclude that there is a lower rate of accumulation of “silent” mutations in the transcribed mouseaprt gene than in a contiguous nontranscribed downstream region. A possible molecular mechanism involving preferential DNA repair for the transcribed region is discussed.
Library as a place in space

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to pose the question for librarians of what the right mix is today and for the future in meeting the needs and expectations of library patrons.Design/methodology/approach – The paper looks at how use of library space is evolving, including uses that were not part of the original plans for the building.Findings – The paper finds that changes in technology cause the amount of library space devoted to traditional library uses to shrink dramatically in an ever more digitized environment.Originality/value – The paper provides useful information on the evolving use of library space.
The calcaneal fat pad and the preservation of human dignity.

Behold the calcaneal fat pad: a modest mass of adipose tissue humbly but strategically situated at the lowest point of our bodies. Indeed, these pads are our own living “doormats.” Beautifully bundled into elastic-bound chambers of fluidic cells, they passively, yet faithfully, with impeccable resilience, support our body weight in relative comfort. Each step a duty, each upright moment on call. Ever onward, quiescent, obedient. Yet, however resilient this servant, the calcaneal fat pad also is vulnerable, as undue forces can burst chamber walls and destroy its protective integrity. Forces such as heel fracture,1 running,2 and the like…. These causes are unintentional, manageable, and forgivable. Sadly, there are other causes. Falanga—where the repeated strikes of rifle butts crush bared soles and inner souls—leaves fellow human beings broken in body and in spirit, to be eventually returned to …
Plurality distortion and majority rule

Discussions of the implications of Arrow's theorem for majority rule have typically focused on calculating the probability of the paradox of voting. In doing so, these analyses have ignored another significant problem of preference aggregation in n-way (n > 2) elections, the existence of non-Condorcet winners, when a Condorcet alternative is available, under a simple plurality criterion. At the level of the democratic political system, e.g., a proposed national presidential primary or any electoral subsystem, e.g., state presidential primaries, gubernatorial, senatorial elections, the simple plurality criterion may distort electoral preferences by failing to select an available Condorcet candidate. An algorithm for calculating the probability of such plurality distortion is offered, and probability calculations for three-way elections for small electorates are presented. Most notable is the discovery that single-peaked preferences, while reducing or eliminating the probability of the paradox, lead to a concomitant increase in the probability of plurality distortion. In instances in which no candidate receives half the vote and preferences are single-peaked, the probability of plurality distortion is actually greater than the probability of plurality-Condorcet coincidence. These results cast some doubt on the validity of the plurality criterion as a voting procedure as well as indicating some of the difficulties inherent in the Condorcet criterion. Alternatives to the plurality criterion are discussed, and some preliminary tests of these alternatives are made.
The Scarring Effects of Primary-Grade Retention?: A Study of Cumulative Advantage in the Educational Career

Triggering events and the scarring, or status-dependence, process they induce are an important cornerstone of social stratification theory that is rarely studied in the context of the educational career. However, the decades-old high-stakes environment that ties many educational outcomes to a test score or other singular achievement underscores the potential importance of scarring in the contemporary educational career. In this paper, I study scarring in the educational career in the case of primary-grade retention. Using propensity score matching and sibling fixed-effects models, I evaluate evidence for primary-grade retention effects on high school completion and college entry and completion. I find consistent evidence of a causal effect of early primary school grade retention on high school completion. These effects operate largely through middle school academic achievements and expectations, suggesting that students who recover from the scar of grade retention on high school completion largely do so earlier rather than later in the educational career. Students can continue to recover from the effects of grade retention through early high school, not only through their academic achievements but through their expectations of high school completion as well. Models suggest that early primary grade retention scars the educational career mainly at high school completion, though there are important, unconditional effects on college entry and completion as a result. I conclude by placing these findings in the larger grade-retention literature and discussing future research on heterogeneities in and mechanisms of retention effects.
(-)-(1S,2S)-N,N′-Bis(salicylidene)-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediamine

The crystal structure of the title compound, (−)-2,2′-[(1S,2S)-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediylbis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol, C28H24N2O2, has been determined at 173 (2) K in the non-centrosymmetric space group P21212. The mol­ecule lies on a crystallographic twofold axis of symmetry. The asymmetric unit contains one-half of the molecule. An intramolecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bond is formed between the phenol OH group and the Schiff base N atom.
Adulthood Animal Abuse Among Women Court-Referred to Batterer Intervention Programs

The substantial increase in the enrollment of women in batterer intervention programs (BIPs) over the past 30 years has greatly outpaced research on women who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV). As a result, it is unknown whether existing programs, which were originally designed to treat male perpetrators, are effective at preventing recidivism among women. Recent research shows that men who perpetrate IPV may also aggress against nonintimate partners, children, and animals, and that the reach of their aggressive tendencies has implications for treatment. Conducting similar investigations on women who perpetrate IPV may help to inform treatment delivery in BIPs. This study examined the prevalence of adulthood animal abuse perpetration and its association with psychological and physical IPV perpetration in a sample of women arrested for domestic violence (N = 87). Seventeen percent (n = 15) of the women committed at least one act of animal abuse since the age of 18, in contrast to the 0.28% prevalence rate reported in the general population. The overrepresentation of animal abuse in this sample was consistent with that of men arrested for domestic violence. Furthermore, women who reported committing animal abuse as an adult showed moderately higher rates of psychological aggression and physical assault perpetration against their partners, relative to women who did not report animal abuse. Implications for future research are discussed.
Regional Changes in Capillary Supply in Skeletal Muscle of Interval-Sprint and Low-Intensity, Endurance-Trained Rats

Objective: Exercise training produces regional increases in blood flow capacity among muscle fibers that experience increased activity during exercise. We tested the hypothesis that this increase is partially due to capillary angiogenesis among muscle fibers with large increases in activity during exercise training bouts.Methods: Two training programs were evaluated: a program consisting of 10–12 weeks of exposure to low-intensity (30 m/min, 0 incline, 60 min/day) (LET) exercise bouts, 5 days/week, and a second program consisting of 8–10 weeks of exposure to repetitive bouts (6/day) of sprint (60 m/min, 15% incline) exercise, alternating running (2.5 min) and recovery (4.5 min), 5 days/week (IST). Cage-confined rats were utilized (SED) as controls. After training was completed, rat hindquarters were perfusion-fixed with modified Karnovsky's fixative. Transverse sections from soleus (Sol), and red (GR), mixed (GM), and white (GW) portions of gastrocnemius muscle were prepared to evaluate capillarization. S...
Transduction of Hepatocytes after Neonatal Delivery of a Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus Based Retroviral Vector Results in Long-Term Expression of β-Glucuronidase in Mucopolysaccharidosis VII Dogs

The use of Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV)-based retroviral vectors (RV) can result in stable in vivo expression in the liver, but these vectors only transduce replicating hepatocytes. As newborn animals exhibit rapid growth, we evaluated the ability of MLV-based RV to transduce hepatocytes in neonatal dogs. IV injection of a β-galactosidase-expressing RV at 3 days after birth resulted in transduction of 9% of hepatocytes. Prior treatment with human hepatocyte growth factor at 2.5 mg/kg did not increase transduction. Although cells from the spleen were also transduced with moderate efficiency, cells from other organs were not. Neonatal dogs with mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII) received an IV injection of an RV containing the canine β-glucuronidase (cGUSB) cDNA. At several months after transduction, clusters of hepatocytes that expressed high levels of cGUSB were present in the liver, which probably derived from replication of transduced hepatocytes. At 6 months after transduction, serum GUSB levels were 73% that of homozygous normal dogs and were 34% of the peak values observed at 1 week. We conclude that neonatal delivery of an MLV-based RV results in stable transduction of hepatocytes in dogs. This approach could result in immediate correction in patients with an otherwise-lethal genetic deficiency.
Political ideology: Its structure, functions, and elective affinities

Ideology has re-emerged as an important topic of inquiry among social, personality, and political psychologists. In this review, we examine recent theory and research concerning the structure, contents, and functions of ideological belief systems. We begin by defining the construct and placing it in historical and philosophical context. We then examine different perspectives on how many (and what types of) dimensions individuals use to organize their political opinions. We investigate (a) how and to what extent individuals acquire the discursive contents associated with various ideologies, and (b) the social-psychological functions that these ideologies serve for those who adopt them. Our review highlights “elective affinities” between situational and dispositional needs of individuals and groups and the structure and contents of specific ideologies. Finally, we consider the consequences of ideology, especially with respect to attitudes, evaluations, and processes of system justification.
Pedicle Anterolateral Thigh Flap Reconstruction after Pelvic Tumor Resection: A Case Report

A 47-year-old female with a locally advanced urologic malignancy previously managed with resection, diversion, and postoperative radiation therapy presented for management of her recurrent cancer that had eroded through the soft tissues of the left inner thigh and vulva. On all staging studies the tumor involved the left common femoral artery, and vein, both above and below the inguinal ligament. The difficulty with such tumors is the availability of tissue to reconstruct the defect. The patient had a history of deep venous thrombosis in the femoral venous system. A local flap was the most logical type of reconstruction. The patient had a right lower quadrant ureterostomy with a large parastomal hernia which further limited the local flap options. An anterolateral thigh flap from the opposite thigh was used to reconstruct the soft tissue deficit in this patient. This resurfaced the defect and provided coverage for the vascular reconstruction.
Performance characteristics of a scanning laser imaging system through atmospheric turbulence

The transverse angular (spatial) imaging performance of a laser imaging system through atmospheric turbulence is characterized and described in a practical sense. The system is assumed to scan a far-field scene with a collimated Gaussian beam truncated by a circular aperture and a single channel receiver records the returns. The system point spread function is defined as the average beam profile at the scene and the half-angle beam spread is used to characterize the point spread function. A system modulation transfer function is defined that includes the effects of beam diffraction and turbulence. Spatial sampling of the scene is also considered. A normalized resolution metric (Strehl ratio) is applied to investigate the effects of sampling, beam size, turbulence, and beam truncation. The analysis indicates that resolution will be reduced by more than 90% in homogenous turbulence when the beam waist size is on the order of the atmospheric coherence length. Consistency with conventional imaging performance is discussed.
Securities Regulation in Malaysia: Emerging Norms of Governmental Regulation

The author examines the emergence of an alternative model of capital market regulation i, developing countries. He argues that Western models, such as those in the U.S. and Great Britain. cannot be transferred outright to developing countries without considering factors that are unique to securities regulation m those countries. As an example of the approach used in one developing nation. the author examines the Malaysian nodel, which has emerged after man., attempts to utilize and modify the British model of self-regulation.
Activity–Composition Relations in Platinum–Chromium and Platinum–Vanadium Alloys at 1500°C

This paper reports on activity-composition relations in Pt--Cr and Pt--V alloys at 1500{degrees}C that were determined from equilibration of these alloys with Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}and V{sub 2}O{sub 3}, respectively, in CO{sub 2}--H{sub 2} atmospheres of known oxygen partial pressures, followed by quenching to room temperature and microprobe analyses of the quenched alloys. The activities of Cr and V were calculated from known standard free energies of formation of Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} and V{sub 2}O{sub 3} from the respective elements, and the oxygen pressures were calculated from the C--H--O equilibrium in the gas phase. Both alloy systems show strong negative deviations from Raoultian behavior.
Laboratory Tests to Predict the Commercial Yield of Flaking or Large Grits in Dry Corn Milling

Test weight and hardness, determined by density and especially by the Stenvert Hardness Tester and NIR reflectance at 1680 nm, were significantly correlated with the yield of commercially produced flaking grits from seven lots or large grits from three lots of corn.
The origin of rotational remanent magnetization

Summary. Rotational remanent magnetization, RRM, is the magnetization acquired when a sample is rotated during alternating field demagnetization. Although the existence of RRM has been well documented in different laboratories, until now no physical mechanism explaining its origin has been given. We propose that the RRM originates from thermal fluctuations biased by a precessional torque associated with the alternating field. Our theory is consistent with the observation that no directional preference exists in the experimental situation until the sample is rotated relative to the alternating field. Moreover, our theory predicts that the combined sample rotation and precession will produce a RRM that switches direction when the frequency of sample rotation increases from any value below the frequency of the alternating field to any value above that frequency as observed in experiments. Although no precise theory is given for the intensity of RRM, the model presented here can qualitatively explain previous intensity observations.
Near-surface seismic anisotropy, attenuation and dispersion in the aftershock region of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake

SUMMARY Seismograms from local aftershocks of the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan, earthquake recorded at a 200-m-deep downhole station CHY of the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau Seismic Network (CWBSN) have clear direct upgoing shear waves and their surface-reflected downgoing phases. Measurements of time difference between the direct and reflected phases of the fast and slow components of split shear waves show approximately 8 per cent velocity anisotropy in the top 200 m of the crust. The phase velocities extracted from the direct and reflected waveforms display clear evidence of attenuation-related dispersion. Taking the dispersion and geometrical spreading factor into account, we estimate the Q value of the shear waves by fitting calculated results to the observed reflected waveforms. The amplitude spectral density ratios between the direct and reflected phases are approximately linear within the frequency range 2‐15 Hz. This allows us also to estimate the Q value from the slope of the amplitude spectral ratio (in dB Hz −1 )i nthis range. The estimated Q values with both methods, based on a set of similar waveforms and additional 156 high-quality records, are 61‐68 for the fast components and 43‐52 for the slow components. The observed attenuation anisotropy may be, similarly to velocity anisotropy, a manifestation of microcracks alignment and their response to in situ stress. Strong attenuation anisotropy (23‐30 per cent in this study) along with attenuationrelated dispersion in the shallow crust can affect significantly the properties of shear waves and should be taken into account in studies employing surface and shallow borehole records of shear waveforms.
Mutation of a single amino acid converts the human water channel aquaporin 5 into an anion channel.

Aquaporin 6 (AQP6) is unique among mammalian AQPs in being an anion channel with negligible water permeability. However, the point mutation Asn60Gly converts AQP6 from an anion channel into a water...
Diagnoses of hybrid hummingbirds (Aves: Trochilidae). 14. New perspectives on Sefton's specimen (Calypte costae × Selasphorus platycercus) from the Rincon Mountains, southeastern Arizona

ABSTRACT The unique hummingbird specimen collected by J. W. Sefton, Jr., in 1932 in the Rincon Mountains, southeastern Arizona, is confirmed to be a hybrid, Calypte costae × Selasphorus platycercus. The hybrid exhibits a blended mosaic of plumage characters of the parental species. Other parental hypotheses were ruled out on the basis of plumage color and on measurements of the outermost rectrix (R5).
Histopathologic patterns among achalasia subtypes

Background Achalasia has three distinct manometric phenotypes. This study aimed to determine if there were corresponding histopathologic patterns. Methods We retrospectively examined surgical muscularis propria biopsies obtained from 46 patients during laparoscopic esophagomyotomy. Pre-operative (conventional) manometry tracings were reviewed by two expert gastroenterologists who categorized patients into Chicago Classification subtypes. Pathology specimens were graded on degree of neuronal loss, inflammation, fibrosis, and muscle changes. Key Results Manometry studies were categorized as follows: type I (n = 20), type II (n = 20), type III (n = 3), and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) (n = 3). On histopathology, complete ganglion cell loss occurred in 74% of specimens, inflammation in 17%, fibrosis in 11%, and muscle atrophy in 2%. Comparing type I and type II specimens, there was a statistically significant greater proportion of type I specimens with aganglionosis (19/20 vs 13/20, p = 0.044) and a statistically significant greater degree of ganglion cell loss in type I specimens (Wilcoxon Rank-Sum, p = 0.016). CD3+/CD8+ cytotoxic T cells represented the predominant inflammatory infiltrate on immunohistochemistry. Three patients had completely normal appearing tissue (1 each in type II, type III, EGJOO). Conclusions & Inferences The greater degree, but similar pattern, of ganglion cell loss observed in type I compared to type II achalasia specimens suggests that type I achalasia represents a progression from type II achalasia. The spectrum of histopathologic findings – from complete neuronal loss to lymphocytic inflammation to apparently normal histopathology – emphasizes that ‘achalasia’ represents a pathogenically heterogeneous patient group with the commonality being EGJ outflow obstruction.
Creation, deployment and evaluation of an innovative secondary school software development curriculum module

This paper describes a project underway at Arizona State University to develop an innovative secondary school software development curriculum module which provides students with a better understanding of the software development field, dispels misconceptions and, hopefully, increases the number and diversity of students continuing their studies in preparation for software development careers. This curriculum module can be used as a stand alone course or integrated into other secondary school information technology courses. This module takes advantage of new and innovative learning technologies and introduces the concept of a "virtual company" that the students are a part of. The module is designed to be offered early in the student's program in order to encourage the taking of additional courses, such as advanced placement courses, if they are available. Web and CD-Based course materials are under development to facilitate flexible delivery by secondary school teachers. This paper presents the current version of the curriculum module along with the experiences of three high schools implementing it.
Comparison of Broselow tape measurements versus physician estimations of pediatric weights

Objective: We sought to determine the agreement of physician estimates compared with Broselow tape measurements in accurately determining children's weights. Our secondary objective was to evaluate whether physician adjustment of the Broselow tape weight measurement is a better estimate of pediatric weight compared with either method alone. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary children's hospital. Children between the ages of 0 and 14 years consecutively registered in the pediatric ED were eligible for enrollment. Height, weight, body mass index, and Broselow tape measurement were obtained for all subjects. Blinded ED physicians provided estimates for weight and body habitus for enrolled subjects. Physicians next were given the Broselow weight measurement and then submitted a second, amended estimate (hybrid). Percentage differences were used to analyze the discrepancy between estimates and actual weight. Specifically examined were the proportion of estimates that fell within 10% of the patients' actual body weights. Results: A total of 372 subjects met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 45.7 months, mean body mass index was 17.4, mean weight was 16.8 kg, and 39 participants (18.1%) met the definition for obese. Broselow estimates were within 10% of actual weight 63% of the time, physician estimates were within 10% of the actual weight 43% of the time and hybrid estimates 55% of the time. Based on average mean percent error, compared with actual weight, Broselow differed by 10.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.7-12), hybrid estimate by 11.3% (95% CI, 10.3-12.2), and physician estimate by 16.2% (95% CI, 14.7-17.7). The Broselow tape was significantly worse than physician estimate for obese patients: 26.4% (95% CI, 19.7-33.1) versus 16.0% (95% CI, 12.3-19.8). Conclusion: The Broselow tape generally has greater agreement with actual weight than physician visual estimation, except for obese children. Physician adjustment of the Broselow measurement also proved to be comparable to the Broselow tape.
Effect of polyplex morphology on cellular uptake, intracellular trafficking, and transgene expression.

Nanoparticle morphology has been shown to affect cellular uptake, but there are few studies investigating the impact of particle shape on biologic drug delivery. Recently, our group synthesized a series of N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA)-oligolysine brush polymers for nucleic acid delivery that varied in oligolysine peptide length and polymer molecular weight. Interestingly, a 50% longer peptide (K15) transfected very poorly compared to the optimized polymer comprised of K10 peptide despite similar chemical composition and molecular weight. We hypothesized that differences in particle morphology contributed to the differences in plasmid DNA delivery. We found that particles formed with plasmid DNA and a polymer with the longer oligolysine peptide (pHK15) had larger aspect ratios than particles formed with optimized polymer (pHK10). Even though both formulations showed similar percentages of cellular association, particles of a higher aspect ratio were internalized to a lesser extent. Furthermore...
“I Know, you Know”: Epistemic Egocentrism in Children and Adults:

This article reviews the evidence and theory pertaining to a form of perspective-taking failure—a difficulty in setting aside the privileged information that one knows to be unavailable to another ...
Queer Sects in Patristic Commentaries on Romans 1:26-27: Goddess Cults, Free Will, and "Sex Contrary to Nature"?

This article provides evidence that Romans 1:26b–27 was interpreted by the early Christian church as a reference to the sexual practices of the goddess cults, and was used as an attack on polytheistic religions, not a reference to homosexuality. I clarify the rhetorical usefulness of the goddess cults for the early church in making the antipolytheistic case in relation to the Patristic contrast between free will and determinism. While the early church did not originally interpret Romans 1:26b as female homogenitality, a transition to this view is apparent as the Western Roman Empire began to collapse. A queer theory lens is incorporated into the discussion about Romans 1 by introducing cultural practices of gender, sexuality, and religion uncommon today.