cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparing the Urban Public Health Workforce

Oxford University Press;2021 Hardcover: 361 pp;$38.50 ISBN-10: 0190885300 ISBN-13: 978-0190885304 rban Public Health: A Research Toolkit for Practice and Impact seeks to prepare public health and other professionals to understand, measure, and change urban settings to improve the well-being of people living in cities and shrink the wide gaps in health that now characterize most cities. Edited by Gina S. Lovasi, Ana V. Diez-Roux, and Jennifer Kolker, three leaders at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, and including 51 authors, of whom 11 are based outside the United States, the book provides essential lessons for health professionals who work in cities. Three main sections discuss core competencies for urban health professionals: identifying and collecting data for urban health research, choosing appropriate tools for working with urban health data, and selecting strategies to convert evidence into action to improve health. Both implementation science and, as Green has suggested, system science can be used to generate practice-based evidence,9 an approach that could enable researchers and policymakers to better learn from the public health policy and programmatic successes and failures that occur in cities every day.10 Urban health researchers have long grappled with the questions of scale.11 How can we bring interventions to the level where they have a meaningful impact on population health?
Pollination, Seed Predation, and Seed Dispersal

Insects are the major agents of pollination, seed predation, or seed dispersal in many ecosystems. Pollination, seed predation, and seed dispersal are major processes by which insects (and other animals) affect plant reproduction and distribution. Pollinators control fertilization and reproductive rates for many plant species, especially in the tropics. This chapter gives the brief overview of pollination, seed predation, and seed dispersal. Pollination is an important means of increasing genetic heterogeneity and improving plant fitness. It can be accomplished by abiotic (wind) or biotic (insects, birds, and bats) agents. Pollinator functional groups can be distinguished on the basis of their degree of specialization on particular floral resources. In addition, insects are more important predispersal seed predators, but vertebrates are more important as postdispersal seed predators in most ecosystems. Seed predators often consume the entire reproductive effort of host plants. Predispersal seed predators typically focus on concentrated seed resources on the parent plants, whereas postdispersal seed predators must locate more scattered seed resources on the ground. Both pollination and seed dispersal affect plant population and community dynamics. Differential pollination, seed predation, and seed dispersal efficiencies among plant species affect seedling recruitment and growth.
- Cdk5: Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (vertebrates) (PSSALRE)

The cDNA encoded cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) was cloned via homology to the Cdc2/Cdc28 family. Although Cdk5 is widely expressed, histone HI kinase activity has been detected only in the brain. The Cdk5 subunit consists essentially of a catalytic domain only. Putative regulatory subunits include a 35 kDa protein associated with the active kinase in the brain, and cyclin D1 in fibroblasts and other tissue culture cells. Cdk5 has been sequenced from human (fetal brain and HeLa cells), rat brain, bovine brain, and Caenorhabditis elegans. The brain form of Cdk5 can phosphorylate histone H1, microtubule-associated protein 2, and neurofilaments. The enzyme can be assayed by transfer of radioactivity from [γ32P]ATP to histone H1.
The Effect of Diabetes and Insulin on Liver Glycogen Synthetase Activation

Alloxan diabetes results in a loss of activity of the liver glycogen synthetase-activating system. Insulin treatment of diabetic rats restores glycogen synthetase activation which suggests a direct hormone effect on the synthetase-activating enzyme.
A Historical Perspective on Coronal Mass Ejections

The concept of mass leaving the Sun was thought possible over 100 years ago from the observations of prominence material that was seen to be moving outward at speeds in excess of the escape velocity. While the direct observation was elusive, the coupling between solar activity and geomagnetic storms became quite apparent. In the 1940's the concept of corpuscular radiation from the sun was proposed and then in the 1950's used to explain the discontinuity in a comet tail. Parker s theory in 1957 predicted a continuous outflow from the sun that was then observed by in-situ spacecraft less than 10 years later. The first optical observations of a transient event showing mass moving through the solar corona in 1971 were accompanied by excitement, fascination and speculation. Two questions at that time were: What causes the CME eruption? What is their significance? These questions and others are still with us. In this paper, the coronal mass ejection is viewed in its historical context.
Stem cell survival and functional outcome after traumatic brain injury is dependent on transplant timing and location

Purpose: Recent work indicates that transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) can survive, migrate to the injury site, and facilitate recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present study manipulated timing and location of NSC transplants following controlled cortical impact injury (CCI) in mice to determine optimal transplant conditions. Methods: In Experiment 1 (timing), NSCs (E14.5 mouse) were injected into the host striatum, ipsilateral to the injury, at 2, 7, or 14 days. In Experiment 2 (location), NSCs or vehicle were injected into the mouse striatum (7 days post-CCI) either ipsilateral or contralateral to the injury and cognitive and motor abilities were assessed from weeks 1-8 post-transplant. Histological measures of NSC survival, migration, and differentiation were taken at 6 and 8 weeks post-transplant. Results: The results demonstrate that: (1) 2-7 days post-injury is the optimal time-range for delivering NSCs; (2) time of transplantation does not affect short-term phenotypic differentiation; (3) transplant location affects survival, migration, pheno- type, and functional efficacy; and (4) NSC-mediated functional recovery is not contingent upon NSC migration or phenotypic differentiation. Conclusions: These findings provide further support for the idea that mechanisms other than the replacement of damaged neu- rons or glia, such as NSC-induced increases in protective neurotrophic factors, may be responsible for the functional recovery observed in this model of TBI.
That pesky last mile: Call termination strategies for mobile satellite systems

Abstract This article will examine call termination strategies of several representative mobile satellite service (MSS) operators with an eye towards identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their terrestrial call routing strategies. MSS traffic must easily flow into and out from public switched telephone networks even if it triggers an accounting rate settlement. To provide a flat, per minute rate of $3.00 or less per minute, MSS operators must recognize the strategic importance of where they install gateways, and the potentially adverse financial impact of the current accounting rate regime.
The New Deal Realignment: A Real-Time Analysis

We offer a new view of the New Deal realignment. It was the wartime experience and the postwar prosperity, not the Great Depression or the New Deal, that gave the Democratic Party its overwhelming hold on the American electorate for the next three decades. The 1948 election plays the critical role, not the 1932 or the 1936 election. The generation that contributed the most to the Democratic ascendancy is the one that came of age in the 1940’s, not the one that did in the 1930’s. Whatever gains the Democratic Party had reaped in party identification by 1936 were short-lived. Generational replacement, not conversion, makes the major contribution to the transformation of partisanship. We reach these conclusions with a “real-time” analysis of party loyalties in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The data come from over 170 Gallup polls conducted between early 1937 and 1952 that probed party identification.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DATA FUSION SYSTEMS

Data fusion systems seek to combine information from multiple sensors and sources to achieve improved inferences than those achieved from a single sensor or source. Applications of data fusion related to the Department of Defense (DoD) span a number of areas including automatic target recognition (ATR), identification-firiend-foe-neutral (IFFN), smart weapons, battlefield surveillance systems, threat warning systems (TWS), and systems to support precision guided weapons. Waltz and Llinas [1], Hall [2], and Hall and Llinas [3] provide a general introduction to multisensor data fusion. Additional information can be obtained from the texts by Blackman [4], Antony [5], and Hall [6]. Data fusion systems typically use a variety of algorithms and techniques to transform the sensor data (e.g., radar returns, and infrared spectra) to detect, locate, characterize, and identify entities such as aircraft and ground-based vehicles. These techniques include signal and image processing, statistical estimation, pattern recognition, and many others (see Hall and Linn [7]). In addition, the fusion systems may use automated reasoning techniques to understand the context in which the entities are observed (i.e., situation assessment) and to understand the intent and possible threat posed by the observed entities (i.e., threat assessment).
Transformational grammars of three agrammatic patients.

This paper presents a qualitative description of the speech of three Broca's aphasics who have different degrees of agrammatic disturbance. Included is a description of the grammatical constituents and operations underlying the patients' free speech. By a comparison of the similarities and differences in these three grammars, a hierarchial organization within phrase structure correlated to degree of severity has been proposed.
Clarification of projective identification

This paper clarifies the various current usages of the term "projective identification." The author presents a broad reference model of projective identification based on the work of Ogden. This model divides projective identification into three steps. Step 1 is the projection of a part of oneself onto an external object. Step 1a is the blurring of self and object representations. Step 2 is an interpersonal interaction in which the projector actively pressures the recipient to think, feel, and act in accordance with the projection. Step 3 is the reinternalization of the projection after it has been psychologically processed by the recipient. The different definitions of projective identification are shown to relate to exactly how the term "projection" is conceptualized (in step 1), to whether step 1a is deemed necessary, and to how many of the three steps are required for the definition of projective identification. The author reviews the work of Ogden, Kernberg, Meissner, Sandler, Malin and Grotstein, Porder, and Zinner et al. Six detailed case examples are provided from within and outside psychotherapy to illustrate all three steps of projective identification.
Revisiting Submarine Mass Movements Along The U.S. Atlantic Continental Margin: Implications For Tsunami Hazards

Interest in the generation of tsunamis by submarine mass movements has warranted a reassessment of their distribution and the nature of submarine landslides offshore of the eastern U.S. The recent acquisition and analysis of multibeam bathymetric data over most of this continental slope and rise provides clearer view into the extent and style of mass movements on this margin. Debris flows appear to be the dominant type of mass movement, although some translational slides have also been identified. Areas affected by mass movements range in size from less than 9 km 2 to greater than 15,200 km 2 and reach measured thicknesses of up to 70 m. Failures are seen to originate on either the openslope or in submarine canyons. Slope-sourced failures are larger than canyon-sourced failures, suggesting they have a higher potential for tsunami generation although the volume of material displaced during individual failure events still needs to be refined. The slope-sourced failures are most common offshore of the northern, glaciated part of the coast, but others are found downslope of shelf-edge deltas and near salt diapirs, suggesting that several geological conditions control their distribution.
Risk factors for injury in law enforcement officer vehicle crashes

Purpose – Vehicle crashes and being struck by vehicles are the leading causes of death among police. The purpose of this paper is to identify risk factors for injury in police officer vehicle crashes in order to help determine the most effective approaches to improve officer vehicle safety. Design/methodology/approach – The study entailed a cross-sectional survey of officer drivers involved in vehicle crashes from 16 local, county, and state law enforcement agencies across the USA over one year. The relative risk of injury for officers in crashes with a given characteristic relative comparison crashes without that characteristic was computed to determine which characteristics are more likely to be associated with injuries. Findings – The survey yielded 854 crashes, 90 of which involved injuries to the officer driver. Crash characteristics associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of injury include multiple vehicle collisions, collision direction, officer vehicle type, officer vehicl...
A Mass Balance-Based Semiparametric Approach to Evaluate Neonatal Erythropoiesis

Postnatal hemoglobin (Hb) production in anemic preterm infants is determined by several factors including the endogenous erythropoietin levels, allogeneic RBC transfusions administered to treat anemia, and developmental age. As a result, their postnatal Hb production rate can vary considerably. This work introduces a novel Hb mass balance-based semiparametric approach that utilizes infant blood concentrations of Hb from the first 30 postnatal days to estimate the amount of Hb produced and the erythropoiesis rate in newborn infants. The proposed method has the advantage of not relying on specific structural pharmacodynamic model assumptions to describe the Hb production, but instead utilizes simple mass balance principles and nonparametric regression analysis. The developed method was applied to the Hb data from 79 critically ill anemic very low birth weight preterm infants to evaluate the dynamic changes in erythropoiesis during the first month of life and to determine the inter-subject variability in Hb production. The estimated mean (±SD) cumulative amount of Hb produced by the infants over the first month of life was 6.6 ± 3.4 g (mean body weight, 0.768 kg), and the mean estimated body weight-scaled Hb production rate over the same period was 0.23 ± 0.12 g/day/kg. A significant positive correlation was observed between infant gestational age and the mean body weight-scaled Hb production rate over the first month of life (P < 0.05). We conclude that the proposed mathematical approach and its implementation provide a flexible framework to evaluate postnatal erythropoiesis in newborn infants.
"Placing" Energy Development in a Local Context: Exploring the Origins of Rural Community Perspectives

There is a growing need for sustainable energy development to meet domestic and international demand for electricity and fuel generation. A critical component in energy systems development is support from the public, particularly the acceptance of these technologies among local populations. The goal of this study is to examine how locally affected populations view energy developments, especially with regard to community and place (ties to the area and local relationships). In-depth, face-to-face interviews and community observation were employed to better understand how residents in a rural Canadian community perceive of potential energy development in their locale. Our findings demonstrate that the unique combinations of local characteristics across rural communities are likely to have a bearing on the support for or opposition to energy development in those areas. Residents' perceptions of energy systems are influenced by the intersection of local values, community relationships and place attachment. We present a framework of the intersecting factors that influenced community perceptions in the study location and discuss how the framework can be used to better anticipate and understand the origins of rural community perspectives of energy development. Keywords: risk perceptions; energy; community; communication; place --------------------------------------------- Il y a un besoin croissant de developpement des energies durables pour satisfaire les demandes interieures et internationales en production electrique et de carburant. Un element fondamental dans le developpement des systemes energetiques est le soutien du public en particulier l'acceptation de ces technologies parmi les populations locales. Le but de cette etude est d'examiner comment les populations localement affectees voient les developpements energetiques, en particulier au regard de la communaute et des roles (liens dans la region et relations locales). Plus specifiquement, les entrevues en face a face et les observations au sein de la communaute furent employees pour mieux comprendre comment les residents d'une communaute rurale canadienne percoivent le developpement des potentiels energetiques dans leur localite. Nos resultats demontrent que la combinaison unique des caracteristiques locales a travers les communautes locales sont susceptibles d'avoir un effet sur le support ou sur l'opposition au developpement energetique dans ces regions. Les perceptions qu'ont les residents des systemes energetiques sont influencees par le chevauchement des valeurs locales, les relations communautaires et l'attachement a un lieu. Nous presentons le cadre du recoupement de ces facteurs qui ont influence les perceptions communautaires dans le lieu des etudes et discutons dans quelle mesure le cadre peut etre utilise pour mieux anticiper et comprendre les origines des perspectives communautaires rurales du developpement energetique.
Higher-order bud production increases tillering capacity in the perennial caespitose grass Scribner’s Panicum (Dichanthelium oligosanthes)

The persistence and dynamics of perennial grass populations strongly depend on tiller recruitment from the bud bank. Because of the structural organization of grasses as populations of phytomers, bud production and tillering are constrained by morphology. An infrequent trait observed in only a few caespitose grasses is the branching of buds to produce higher-order buds prior to tiller development. We studied bud bank dynamics in Dichanthelium oligosanthes (Schult.) Gould a C3 perennial caespitose grass widely distributed in the eastern Great Plains. A hierarchy of bud development occurred in D. oligosanthes, with primary buds branching to produce secondary, tertiary, and quaternary buds. This higher-order bud production increased the overwintering propagule supply for spring recruitment by 4.5 times, and more than half of successful tiller recruits originated as higher-order buds. The temporal patterns of higher-order bud production and development suggest that growing season length may be an important fa...
Preparation And Characterization Of Thin Films Of Amorphic Diamond

Reported here is the use of a unique laser plasma source able to deposit thin films of amorphic diamond at practical rates of growth. The beam from a pulsed Nd-YAG Laser is focused at very high power densities of 10 12 W/cm 2 onto graphite feedstock in an ultrahigh vacuum environment. The resulting plasma ejects carbon ions able to migrate to the plane of deposition. In this way diamond-like coatings have been applied to silicon, gold, germanium, glass, and plastic. No seeding or heating of the substrate is needed and substrate temperatures seem to remain at ambient room values during processing. Progress in the characterization of this material will be reported.
Changes in lung hyaluronidase activity associated with lung growth, injury and repair

We measured lung hyaluronidase activity in rats during postnatal life and during the repair of oxygen-induced lung injury. Hyaluronidase activity increased rapidly after birth and peaked at 16-fold the initial value at 8 days. The peak preceded decreased cell proliferation and the onset of differentiation; this is consistent with current concepts of the role of hyaluronidase. During the repair of lung injury, hyaluronidase activity increased to 2.5-fold the control value at 1 day post-injury, but had decreased by 3 days. This early peak is probably related to simultaneous cell proliferation and differentiation. We postulate that changes in hyaluronidase can influence lung growth and repair and that the system may be amenable to manipulation.
Forty-eight year decline and fragmentation of aspen (Populus tremuloides) in the South Warner Mountains of California

Abstract Aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michaux) is a biologically significant component of landscapes in the western United States that has declined throughout its range since European settlement. We used historic (1946) and recent (1994) aerial photographs and a geographic information system (GIS) to compare the amount and fragmentation of aspen in the South Warner Mountains, California. The total area occupied by aspen declined by 24% during this 48-year period. Aspen stands were smaller and more numerous in 1994 than in 1946, contributing to greater overall fragmentation. Restoration of aspen in the South Warner Mountains is a high priority for land managers. The effectiveness of current and past management actions such as prescribed burning, conifer removal, and livestock exclusion should be assessed, and new strategies developed to reverse the decline and ensure the persistence of aspen.
The Relationships between Mothers’ Work Pathways and Physical and Mental Health

We contribute to research on the relationships between gender, work, and health by using longitudinal, theoretically driven models of mothers' diverse work pathways and adjusting for unequal selection into these pathways. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Youth-1979 (N = 2,540), we find full-time, continuous employment following a first birth is associated with significantly better health at age 40 than part-time work, paid work interrupted by unemployment, and unpaid work in the home. Part-time workers with little unemployment report significantly better health at age 40 than mothers experiencing persistent unemployment. These relationships remain after accounting for the unequal selection of more advantaged mothers into full-time, continuous employment, suggesting full-time workers benefit from cumulating advantages across the life course and reiterating the need to disentangle health benefits associated with work from those associated with pre-pregnancy characteristics.
WEAK AND STRONG SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

. To investigate the role of explicit and implicit assumptions in different models of weak and strong sustain-ability, the Solow/Hartwick model of intergenerational equity with nonrenewable resources is gradually extended to include renewable resources, endogenous technical progress, and stock pollution. This reveals the fundamental role of endogenous technical progress for sustainable development, the inconsistency of implicit sustainability assumptions in various models, as well as the existence of a Hartwick rule for Daly's steady-state economy. Moreover, it shows that the concepts of Solow sustainability and strong sustainability coincide as a special case of weak sustainability. The latter integrates economic and environmental concerns and aims at maintaining the welfare potential of an economy over time. It does not rule out economic growth by assumption. Rather, the analysis shows that environmental conservation and economic growth can be compatible with each other, without jeopardizing social welfare. Finally, the analysis shows that the discussion of sustain-ability models cannot be restricted to the explicit differences that are usually pointed out by their authors and commentators. Rather, implicit assumptions must be made explicit.
Homologous RIG-I–like helicase proteins direct RNAi-mediated antiviral immunity in C. elegans by distinct mechanisms

RNAi-mediated antiviral immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans requires Dicer-related helicase 1 (DRH-1), which encodes the helicase and C-terminal domains homologous to the mammalian retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like helicase (RLH) family of cytosolic immune receptors. Here we show that the antiviral function of DRH-1 requires the RIG-I homologous domains as well as its worm-specific N-terminal domain. We also demonstrate that the helicase and C-terminal domains encoded by either worm DRH-2 or human RIG-I can functionally replace the corresponding domains of DRH-1 to mediate antiviral RNAi in C. elegans. Notably, substitutions in a three-residue motif of the C-terminal regulatory domain of RIG-I that physically interacts with viral double-stranded RNA abolish the antiviral activity of C-terminal regulatory domains of both RIG-I and DRH-1 in C. elegans. Genetic analysis revealed an essential role for both DRH-1 and DRH-3 in C. elegans antiviral RNAi targeting a natural viral pathogen. However, Northern blot and small RNA deep sequencing analyses indicate that DRH-1 acts to enhance production of viral primary siRNAs, whereas DRH-3 regulates antiviral RNAi by participating in the biogenesis of secondary siRNAs after Dicer-dependent production of primary siRNAs. We propose that DRH-1 facilitates the acquisition of viral double-stranded RNA by the worm dicing complex for the subsequent processing into primary siRNAs. The strong parallel for the antiviral function of RLHs in worms and mammals suggests that detection of viral double-stranded RNA may activate completely unrelated effector mechanisms or, alternatively, that the mammalian RLHs have a conserved activity to stimulate production of viral siRNAs for antiviral immunity by an RNAi effector mechanism.
Failure of Anterior Hypothalamic Lesions To Prevent Either Pituitary Reactions to Castration or the Inhibition of Such Reactions by Estrogen Treatment

Three estrogenic regimens (0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 μg of estradiol benzoate/day for 30 days) were used to inhibit pituitary castration cell development. Each appeared equally effective in rats with and without that part of the hypothalamus which Flerkd reported to be essential for the inhibitory action of estrogen on gonadotrophin secretion. This demonstrates that estrogen can inhibit gonadotrophin secretion (at least gonadotrophin synthesis) in rats which lack the hypothetic “steroid receptors” said to exist in the anterior hypothalamus. The interpretation of these findings is discussed.
Variable-length source coding with a cost depending only on the code word length

Variable-length noiseless coding of sequences of length n produced by a discrete memoryless source is considered, where the cost of coding a sequence is assumed to be a function only of the code word length. A class of decision rules is defined for deciding which of two sources can be coded with smaller expected cost as n → ∞ . It is shown that for a large family of cost functions, there exists a best decision rule.
Synthesis of polycarbonates using a cationic zirconocene complex

The cationic alkyl zirconocene complex Cp2Zr+Me[CH3B−(C6F5)3] is found to initiate the ringopening polymerization of 1,5,7,11-tetraoxaspiro[5,5]undecane under mild condition to give poly(oxypropylenepropylenecarbonate) with low polydispersity. The rate of the polymerization is first-order with respect to monomer and catalyst concentration. At high monomer concentration, the initial rate of polymerization becomes zero-order with respect to monomer concentration.
The structure of pyrolytic carbon deposited in a fluidized bed

Abstract A variety of pyrolytic-carbon structures deposited in fluidized beds have been categorized according to their structure. For a given coater configuration and flow rate, the structure of the deposits was found to vary systematically with bed temperature, gas composition, and bed surface area. The structures were divided into three groups according to their structure, i.e., laminar, isotropic, or granular. The structural data, together with kinetic measurements and published results on related processes, suggest that the low-temperature laminar structures are built up from large planar molecules that form in the gas phase, dehydrogenate, and, when deposited, align themselves parallel to each other and to the substrate. The isotropic low-density structures are formed at conditions where general gas-phase nucleation of droplets and soot occurs in the bed. The high-density granular structures form when there is orderly crystal growth over relatively large distances.
The magnetohydrodynamic inclined slider bearing with a transverse magnetic field

Abstract The magnetohydrodynamic inclined slider bearing is analyzed under general electrical loading conditions. The magnetic field is applied normal to the bearing surface, and the external electrical circuit is assumed to be fixed in either the slider or bearing, the two situations being related by Lorentz transformations. It is found that significant load increases can be effected by supplying external power, and if the Hartmann number is large enough, open circuit conditions can give rise to greatly increased load capacities. Analytical solutions are presented for large and very small values of Hartmann number and the results can easily be extrapolated for values of Hartmann numbers in between.
Playing with computers, playing with ideas

In this article I react to the thoughts of Hennessey, addressing mainly the student, and Esquivel, addressing mainly the teacher. These authors present complementary, interesting, and consistent pictures of creativity education. Here I comment on a few issues that are less clear and discuss implications of these authors' work for computers in education. I conclude that teachers need to play with ideas about how they might use computers to build a culture that promotes deep, meaningful, and creative learning.
Expression of the choroid plexus sodium-nucleoside cotransporter (N3) in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Abstract In this study, we determined the expression of the Na + nucleoside cotransporter (N3) in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with poly(A) + RNA isolated from rabbit choroid plexus. The Na + -dependent thymidine uptake in poly(A) + RNA-injected oocytes (maximum 4–5 days after injection) increased proportionally with the injected dose of poly(A) + RNA. Uptake was enhanced 4- to 5-fold in oocytes injected with 40 ng poly (A) + RNA in comparison to water-injected oocytes. Consistent with the N3 Na + -nucleoside cotransporter, Na + -dependent thymidine uptake in poly(A) + RNA-injected oocytes was inhibited significantly by both purine and pyrimidine nucleosides, but not by dideoxycytidine, a nucleoside analog modified on the ribose ring. These data suggest for the first time that the N3 Na + -nucleoside cotransporter in rabbit choroid plexus can be expressed in X. laevis oocytes.
Nest Density of the Black-headed Gull in Relation to Vegetation

Black-headed Gulls at Ravenglass (Cumbria) show a marked preference for nesting in the cover of marram, which is however replaced by nettles after several years of fertilisation of the dunes by the birds' guano. The marram recovers some years after desertion of nettle areas, and shifts within the gullery are always from nettle-grown to new marram sites.
Positive illusion in close relationships

The literature regarding self-other comparisons suggests that self-enhancing perceptions are prevalent, including forms of “illusion” such as excessively positive self-evaluation, unrealistic optimism, and exaggerated perceptions of control. Concepts from optimal distinctiveness theory served as the basis for two experiments examining whether illusion functions similarly when the context of evaluation involves a relationship. In both experiments participants rated themselves, the best friend, and the average other-or their own romantic relationships, the best friend’s relationship, and the relationship of the average other-using scales measuring positivity of evaluation, optimism regarding the future, and perceptions of control. In both experiments, participants exhibited centrality-based differentiation, rating targets more favorably to the degree that the target was more central to their social identity. Patterns of differentiation differed for the two contexts: In the individual context, participants differentiated themselves and their friends from the average other. In the relationship context, participants differentiated their own relationships from the relationships of friends and average others. Also, participants rated individuals as more controllable than relationships. Participants in Experiment 2 provided information regarding potential predictors of illusion. Analyses of these data suggest that favorable centrality-based differentiation may be partially accounted for by impression management, global self-esteem (particularly in the individual context), and commitment level (particularly in the relationship context).
High aspect ratio grid effects on the accuracy of Navier–Stokes solutions on unstructured meshes

Abstract The method of manufactured solutions is used to evaluate the stability and accuracy of several unstructured discretization schemes in the presence of high-aspect ratio grids. Both inviscid and viscous discretizations are studied by systematically varying parameters such as the aspect ratio, mesh stretching, curvature, skewness, and non-planar faces. For the inviscid terms, gradient reconstruction based on cell least squares and nodal Green–Gauss are considered. In particular, high curvature grids are shown to lead to instabilities with both classes of schemes and a new Green–Gauss scheme based on nodal projection is developed that retains stability and formal second-order accuracy under all conditions. A further advantage of the nodal Green–Gauss schemes is that the nodal values can be used in the viscous discretization as well. All the viscous schemes tested here are demonstrated to preserve second-order accuracy. Finally, for three-dimensional meshes, triangulation of non-planar faces is found to be necessary to preserve second-order accuracy.
Prostaglandin E2 regulates the complement inhibitor CD55/decay-accelerating factor in colorectal cancer.

Cyclooxygenase-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates tumor progression by modulating several proneoplastic pathways. The mechanisms by which PGE2 promotes tumor growth and metastasis through stimulation of cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis have been fairly well characterized. Much less is known, however, about the molecular mechanisms responsible for the immunosuppressive effects of PGE2. We identified PGE2 target genes and subsequently studied their biologic role in colorectal cancer cells. The complement regulatory protein decay-accelerating factor (DAF or CD55) was induced following PGE2 treatment of LS174T colon cancer cells. Analysis of PGE2-mediated activation of the DAF promoter employing 5′-deletion luciferase constructs suggests that regulation occurs at the transcriptional level via a cyclic AMP/protein kinase A-dependent pathway. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs blocked DAF expression in HCA-7 colon cancer cells, which could be restored by the addition of exogenous PGE2. Finally, we observed an increase in DAF expression in the intestinal mucosa of ApcMin+/- mice treated with PGE2in vivo. In summary, these results indicate a novel immunosuppressive role for PGE2 in the development of colorectal carcinomas.
Functional domains and upstream activation properties of cloned human TATA binding protein

The TATA binding protein, TFIID, plays a central role in the initiation of eukaryotic mRNA synthesis. Here, we present a human cDNA clone for this factor. Comparison of its predicted protein sequence with those from Drosophila and yeast reveals a highly conserved carboxyl-terminal 180 amino acids. By contrast, the amino-terminal region of TFIID has diverged in both sequence and length. A striking feature of the human protein is a stretch of 38 glutamine residues in the NH2-terminal region. Expression of human TFIID in both Escherichia coli and HeLa cells produces a protein that binds specifically to a TATA box and promotes basal transcription; the conserved COOH-terminal portion of the protein is sufficient for both of these activities. Recombinant TFIID forms a stable complex on a TATA box either alone or in combination with either of the general transcription factors, TFIIA or TFIIB. Full-length recombinant TFIID is able to support Sp1 activated transcription in a TFIID-depleted nuclear extract, while a deletion of the NH2-terminal half of the protein is not. These results indicate the importance of the NH2-terminal region for upstream activation functions and suggest that additional factors (co-activators) are required for mediating interactions with specific regulators.
Outcome analysis of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia treated with venovenous vs venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Abstract Purpose Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (VA) is used more commonly in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) than venovenous ECMO (VV). We hypothesized that VV may result in comparable outcomes in infants with CDH requiring ECMO. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) database (1991-2006). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to compare VV- and VA-associated mortality. Results Four thousand one hundred fifteen neonates required ECMO, with an overall mortality rate of 49.6%. Venoarterial ECMO was used in 82% and VV in 18% of neonates. Pre-ECMO inotrope use and complications were equivalent between VA and VV. The mortality rate for VA and VV was 50% and 46%, respectively. After adjusting for birth weight, gestational age, prenatal diagnosis, ethnicity, Apgar scores, pH less than 7.20, Paco 2 greater than 50, requiring high-frequency ventilation, and year of ECMO, there was no difference in mortality between VV vs VA. Renal complications and on-ECMO inotrope use were more common with VV, whereas neurologic complications were more common with VA. The conversion rate from VV to VA was 18%; conversion was associated with a 56% mortality rate. Conclusion The short-term outcomes of VV and VA are comparable. Patients with CDH who fail VV may be predisposed to a worse outcome. Nevertheless, VV offers equal benefit to patients with CDH requiring ECMO while preserving the native carotid.
Weighted distributions viewed in the context of model selection: A Bayesian perspective

Closed form expressions and Monte Carlo estimates for the Bayes factor are obtained for selection among weighted and unweighted models. Weighted distributions occur naturally in contexts where the probability that a particular observation enters the sample gets multiplied by some non-negative weight function. Suppose a realizationy of Y under the generalized densityf(y|ϑ) enters the investigator’s record with probability proportional tow(y,τ). Clearly, the recorded y is not an observation onY, but on the random variableY w , say, having pdf: $$f^w (y|\theta ,\tau ) = w(y|\tau )f(y|\theta )/E_{y|\theta } [w(y,\tau )],$$ which is called a weighted distribution. Closed form expressions for the Bayes factor are obtained for models arising from the exponential family for commonly used weight functions, and the behavior of these expressions is analyzed. Unknown weight functions are also considered. A convenient form for Monte Carlo estimation of the Bayes factor is presented, and a computational example is discussed, which uses this method to compare weighted mixture models of some aircraft data from Proschan (1963).
Relationship between MRI and clinical findings in the acromioclavicular joint.

Objective: To determine the relationship between the magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint and the physical findings. Design: A total of 116 consecutive patients underwent routine MR imaging (MRI) of the shoulder over an 18-month period. All MR studies were interpreted by a blinded, experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. Eleven variables were studied: the presence of osteophytes; fluid in the joint; fluid outside the joint; high signal in the clavicle or in the acromion; fluid in the subacromial bursa; irregularity of the joint margins; bulging of the capsule; widening of the joint; the age of the patient; and the presence of a rotator cuff tear. The clinical information was supplied by an experienced shoulder surgeon blinded to the MRI findings. A control group of 23 normal volunteers was also studied. Results: The only statistically significant correlation (P=0.0249) was between high signal in the distal clavicle and degenerative changes found clinically. A weaker relationship existed between fluid in the joint and the clinical examination and between increasing degenerative changes and advancing age. Otherwise, no material relationship was found between any of the other MR abnormalities and the clinical picture. Conclusion: There appears to be no real correlation between the MR appearances and the clinical findings in the AC joint.
Slow light by Bloch surface wave tunneling.

We demonstrate a slow light configuration that makes use of Bloch Surface Waves as an intermediate excitation in a double-prism tunneling configuration. This method is simple compared to the more usual technique for slowing light using the phenomenon of electromagnetically induced transparency in atomic gases or doped ionic crystals operated at temperatures below 4 K. Using a semi-numerical approach, we show that a 1D photonic crystal, a multilayer structure composed of alternating layers of TiO2 and SiO2, can be used to slow down light by a factor of up to 400. The results also show that better control of the speed of light can be achieved by changing the number of bilayers and the air-gap thickness appropriately.
Role of protégé personality in receipt of mentoring and career success.

We used structural equation modeling to investigate relationships among proteges' personality characteristics, initiation of mentoring, mentoring received, and career success for 147 managers and p...
Site of inactivation of melanocyte-stimulating hormone-release-inhibiting hormone by human plasma.

Abstract Since the main melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)-release-inhibiting factor or hormone (MIF or MRIH) has been isolated from bovine hypothalami and its structure determined to be H-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH 2 , the corresponding synthetic hormones H-Pro-[ 14 C]Leu-Gly-NH 2 and [ 3 H]Pro-Leu-Gly-NH 2 were prepared to facilitate studies on the inactivation of MIF. Incubation of [ 14 C]MIF for 1 hr at 37° with human plasma, followed by recovery and bioassay, showed complete inactivation. At 0°, inactivation was negligible. The radioactivity recovered from the inactivated products of MIP incubated at 37°, and from the active, intact hormone incubated at 0°, was similar. Thin-layer Chromatographic and electrophoretic separation of the inactivation products of [ 14 C]MIF yielded four peptide materials which were identified by amino acid analyses, Edman-dansyl degradation, and measurement of radioactivity as: proline, [ 14 C]Leu-Gly-NH 2 , and traces of Pro-[ 14 C]Leu-Gly-OH and [ 14 C]Leu-Gly-OH. The peptides, Pro-Leu-Gly-OH, Leu-Gly-NH 2 and Leu-Gly-OH, were then synthesized and shown to be inactive in the MIF assay. Electrophoretic and Chromatographic comparison of the mobilities of these synthetic peptides and proline with that of the purified inactivation products obtained from labeled or unlabeled MIF confirmed Leu-Gly-NH 2 and proline as the main fragments as well as traces of Pro-Leu-Gly-OH. These studies show that incubation of MIF with human plasma caused cleavage of its Pro-Leu bond and destruction of biological activity.
Temperature and doping level dependence of solar cell performance including excitons

Abstract Recent papers have indicated that the excitonic population in silicon can approach that of minority carriers and make their presence felt even at room and higher temperatures in generation–recombination processes and solar energy conversion. This paper presents an investigation of temperature and doping-level dependence of silicon solar cell perfomance for doping levels from 10 16 to 10 18 cm −3 and temperature interval 100–500 K. Our investigation was been performed using the three-particle theory developed by R.Corkish, D.S.-P.Chan, and M.A.Green (J. Appl. Phys. 79 (1996) 195). We have found that dissociation lifetime and diffusion length of excitons are 3–6 orders of magnitude less than that of free carriers. Inclusion of excitons results in a significant increase of dark current, decrease of short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, fill factor, and efficiency. The results obtained, taking into account the effect of excitons, are in good agreement with experimental data. We have found accurate and simplified expressions for the dark saturation current and short-circuit current. Approximate value of the upper limit of photogeneration intensity of excitons φ ex is found that is at least eight times less than that of free carriers φ , i.e., φ ex ⩽ φ . An optimal doping-level range of silicon solar cell base region was found that is less than 10 17 cm −3 , and agrees with experimental data. The work includes a suggestion for experimental methods to confirm exciton involvement in photocurrent transport in silicon solar cells.
An Artificial Safranine Enzyme which Activates Chemotherapeutic Prodrugs

Protein design has opened new boundaries in the past decade, particularly in the area of designed enzymes capable of catalyzing reactions not yet observed in nature. We report the design and synthesis of an artificial enzyme capable of activating the class of nitroaromatic anticancer prodrugs typified by CB1954. The enzyme utilizes a synthetic flavin analogue cofactor, p-methoxysafranine, which has a reduction potential preoptimized for efficient nitroreduction. Progress toward optimizing catalytic activity and determination of the three-dimensional structure of this novel enzyme will also be reported.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Identification of a Ligand-dependent Switch within a Muscarinic Receptor

G-protein-coupled receptors spontaneously switch between active and inactive conformations. Agonists stabilize the active conformation, whereas antagonists stabilize the inactive conformation. In a systematic search for residues that participate in receptor function, several regions of the m5 muscarinic receptor were randomly mutated and tested for their functional properties. Mutations spanning one face of transmembrane 6 (TM6) were found to induce high levels of receptor activity in the absence of agonists (constitutive activity). The same face of TM6 contained several residues crucial for receptor activation by agonists and one residue identified as a contact site for both agonists and antagonists. In addition, one mutation induced agonist-like responses from the receptor when exposed to classical antagonists. These results suggest that TM6 is a switch that defines the activation state of the receptor, and that ligand interactions with TM6 stabilize the receptor in either an active or an inactive conformation.
The immune suppressive effect of hypoxia on chicken embryos

Die Immunreaktion von Huhnerembryonen konnte durch stimulierte Hohenbehandlung (hypoxischer Stress) unterdruckt werden, wahrend die Immunreaktion von Junghuhnern nicht beeinflusst wurde. Dies macht wahrscheinlich, dass Hypoxia die Differenzierung pluripotentieller Stammzellen nach Immunozyten verhindert.