cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SATB2 induction of a neural crest mesenchyme-like program drives melanoma invasion and drug resistance

Recent genomic and scRNA-seq analyses of melanoma demonstrated a lack of recurrent genetic drivers of metastasis, while identifying common transcriptional states correlating with invasion or drug resistance. To test whether transcriptional adaptation can drive melanoma progression, we made use of a zebrafish mitfa:BRAFV600E;tp53-/- model, in which malignant progression is characterized by minimal genetic evolution. We undertook an overexpression-screen of 80 epigenetic/transcriptional regulators and found neural crest-mesenchyme developmental regulator SATB2 to accelerate aggressive melanoma development. Its overexpression induces invadopodia formation and invasion in zebrafish tumors and human melanoma cell lines. SATB2 binds and activates neural crest-regulators, including pdgfab and snai2. The transcriptional program induced by SATB2 overlaps with known MITFlowAXLhigh and AQP1+NGFR1high drug-resistant states and functionally drives enhanced tumor propagation and resistance to Vemurafenib in vivo. In summary, we show that melanoma transcriptional rewiring by SATB2 to a neural crest mesenchyme-like program can drive invasion and drug resistance in autochthonous tumors.
Endophytic Bacterial Communities in Apple Leaves Are Minimally Impacted by Streptomycin Use for Fire Blight Management

In apple fruit, streptomycin is routinely used to manage fire blight, a devastating disease that greatly affects commercial apple production. Applications of streptomycin may affect the endophytic ...
Derivative feedback control of nonlinear systems with uncertain equilibrium states and actuator constraints

Abstract In this paper, we study the local stabilization of nonlinear systems with uncertain equilibrium states and in the presence of actuator constraints. We propose a derivative feedback control scheme to stabilize the nonlinear system, and to drive the system states to its true equilibrium state even when the location of such equilibrium is uncertain. Actuator constraints in the feedback control are also considered in this paper, and stability conditions are derived for the cases when the actuator output energy is bounded, and the actuator output is subject to saturation. Stability conditions are derived in the form of matrix inequalities for both cases of actuator constraints, and numerical methods are discussed to synthesize feasible control solutions. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated by a numerical example, and experimentally demonstrated through a magnetic levitation test rig.
When minutes matter: A university emergency notification system dataset.

Abstract The data presented in this data article were collected at three points in the 2012–2013 academic year; Fall 2012, Spring 2013, and Summer 2013 from undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory health education course at a large university in the United States. The data regarding undergraduate students’ perceptions of and experiences with the campus emergency notification system were ascertained using a self-administered online-delivered survey instrument. The data included in the Mendeley Data repository affiliated with this data article encompass closed- and open-ended responses from 746 undergraduate students. Closed-ended questions included items based on central constructs from Technology Acceptance Model research–perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitudes toward use, and behavioral intention. Survey questions also assessed students’ actual use of emergency notification messages, students’ perceived self-efficacy to respond to future potential emergency notifications, and demographics and technology use characteristics. This research team asked open-ended questions to collect students’ ideas for systematic improvement in their own words. Descriptive statistics for demographic variables, participant characteristic variables, and scale variables were conducted in SPSS 27 and are provided in tables. The open-ended question response frequencies were also calculated in SPSS 27 and are provided within a supplemental PDF. To date, no data pertaining to an institution of higher education's emergency notification system are published for open access use. This article provides open access data and surveys that campus emergency planners, researchers, and health education specialists can use to inform emergency communication plans, improve the content of critical campus alert messages, structure future emergency notification studies, and frame future emergency notification system evaluations. This research team anticipates these data will help campus emergency personnel craft more effective messages and optimize their channel mixture to make emergency notifications reach and resonate with students in situations when minutes matter. The data for this article are hosted in a .csv file for widespread access in the following Mendeley Data repository: https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/6jdwfbwzk5/1
The Importance of Planning Horizon in End-of-Life Financial and Health Planning

This study uses the 2014 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to examine the predictors of End of Life (EOL) planning among adults age 50 and over and the integration between end of life (EOL) financial and EOL health planning, and the association of financial planning time horizon with EOL financial and EOL health planning documents. The results indicate that both financial and health end-of-life documents were more common among those with greater wealth and more educated individuals. The financial planning time horizon affected the EOL financial planning, but not EOL health planning. This suggests that the financial planning horizon measurement may be limited to financial behaviors, rather than broadly predictive of long-term planning behaviors in other domains.
Prediction of early childhood obesity with machine learning and electronic health record data.

Abstract Objective This study compares seven machine learning models developed to predict childhood obesity from age > 2 to ≤ 7 years using Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) data up to age 2 years. Materials and methods EHR data from of 860,510 patients with 11,194,579 healthcare encounters were obtained from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. After applying stringent quality control to remove implausible growth values and including only individuals with all recommended wellness visits by age 7 years, 27,203 (50.78 % male) patients remained for model development. Seven machine learning models were developed to predict obesity incidence as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (age/sex adjusted BMI>95th percentile). Model performance was evaluated by multiple standard classifier metrics and the differences among seven models were compared using the Cochran's Q test and post-hoc pairwise testing. Results XGBoost yielded 0.81 (0.001) AUC, which outperformed all other models. It also achieved statistically significant better performance than all other models on standard classifier metrics (sensitivity fixed at 80 %): precision 30.90 % (0.22 %), F1-socre 44.60 % (0.26 %), accuracy 66.14 % (0.41 %), and specificity 63.27 % (0.41 %). Discussion and conclusion Early childhood obesity prediction models were developed from the largest cohort reported to date. Relative to prior research, our models generalize to include males and females in a single model and extend the time frame for obesity incidence prediction to 7 years of age. The presented machine learning model development workflow can be adapted to various EHR-based studies and may be valuable for developing other clinical prediction models.
Pathways to institutional transformation at HBCUs: recommendations from HBCU Black women STEM Faculty

Black women STEM faculty at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) experience many barriers to promotion, tenure, and the attainment of leadership positions. Institutional transformation is essential in addressing these inequities. However, there is a lack of literature that addresses the pathways for institutional transformation at HBCUs. The purpose of this paper is to share Black women STEM faculty from HBCUs recommendations for institutional transformation. Interviews were conducted with fifteen Black women STEM faculty at HBCUs. Findings revealed several themes including the need for: (1) institutional accountability and oversight, (2) investment in the representation of Black women in faculty and administration ranks, (3) leadership training and opportunities, (4) increased support for research scholarship, (5) opportunities for internal and external mentorship on scholarship and tenure, and (6) expanding student support services. Based on participants’ reflections recommendations are offered to facilitate institutional transformation that supports the advancement of Black women STEM faculty at HBCUs.
MYC Expression Is Associated With p53 Expression and TP53 Aberration and Predicts Poor Overall Survival in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES We evaluated MYC and p53 expression, TP53 aberration, their relationship, and their impact on overall survival (OS) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)/lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL). METHODS We identified 173 patients with ALL and LBL, including 12 cases of mixed-phenotype acute leukemia, 8 cases of therapy-related B-cell ALL (B-ALL), 119 cases of B-ALL, and 34 cases of T-cell ALL/LBL diagnosed from 2003 to 2019. We retrospectively assessed p53 and MYC expression by immunohistochemistry of bone marrow and correlated MYC expression with p53 expression and TP53 aberration. RESULTS Expression of p53 and MYC was present in 11.5% and 27.7% of ALL/LBL cases (n = 20 and n = 48), respectively. MYC expression was significantly correlated with p53 expression and TP53 aberration (P = .002 and P = .03), and p53 expression and MYC expression had an adverse impact on OS in patients with ALL/LBL (P < .05). MYC and p53 dual expression as well as combined MYC expression and TP53 aberration had a negative impact on OS in patients with ALL/LBL. CONCLUSIONS MYC expression is correlated with p53 overexpression, TP53 aberration, and poor OS in patients with ALL/LBL.
Validation of analytical model and identification of salt effect on wellbore temperature in underbalanced drilling

Understanding the behavior of the borehole temperature recovery process, which influences drilling operations, requires an adequate estimation of fluid temperature. The presence of salt in a saline formation changes the composition of the annular fluid and has a significant impact on the fluid temperature distribution during drilling operations. As a result, while drilling a saline formation, it is vital to examine the key parameter that determines an accurate estimate of fluid temperature. Using python software and statistical quantitative methods, this study proposes a simplified user-friendly computational system that analyzes the drilling fluid systems performance evaluation and selection optimization. The fluid temperature distribution of X Field in China was analyzed using Shan mathematical model as a base model. When compared to MWD data from the field, the model predicted the temperature distribution of the field with less than 10% error. An adjustment factor was introduced to the base model to accommodate for changes in annular fluid composition while drilling a saline formation. The findings show that salt concentration has an impact on fluid temperature distribution during drilling. The fluid temperature at the wellbore condition changes by at least 7% with both high and low adjustment factors. Because the salt in the formation inflow dissolves in the drilling fluid near the annulus, the rheology of the fluid combination changes.
Gratitude, Guilt, Goodwill, and Giving Back: Lessons from Madagascar

In this thematic section, authors consider practical ways of giving back to the communities in which they conduct research. Each author discusses their evolving thoughts on how to give back in these practical ways. Some of these authors discuss giving back by giving money, food, rides, parties, and water bottles. In other cases, authors discuss giving back by creating jobs in the short or long term, grant writing, advocacy, and education. Story-telling is also a theme that many of the authors in this section discuss. For some authors, non-material forms of giving back are critical—simply maintaining social ties to the communities in which they worked, or sharing humor. The authors consider the utility of their attempts at giving back, and in some cases present their personal philosophy or guidelines on the subject.
Market versus Non-Market Assignment of Ownership

We compare different methods of assigning ownership of a good when some agents are wealth-constrained. When a good is sold at the market-clearing price, a high-wealth individual may buy it but a low-wealth (or illiquid) individual may not, even if the latter individual would have the higher valuation given equal wealth. Schemes that assign the good randomly may yield higher welfare than the competitive market would - if the recipients of the good are allowed to resell. Need-based schemes that favor the poor are particularly desirable. The ability to resell is critical to the results, but resale induces speculators to participate, so regulation of resale may be beneficial.
Photoelectron spectra of molecules—IV

Abstract Helium(I) photoelectron spectra have been obtained for the compounds (CH 3 ) 3 MPh and (CH 3 ) 3 MCH 2 Ph (M = Group IV metal). The results have been partitioned by first order perturbation theory into hyperconjugation, induction and in the phenyl derivatives p π d π bonding.
Controls on Suspended Sediment Concentrations and Turbidity within a Reforested, Southern Appalachian Headwater Basin

Water quality data collected between 2007 and 2014 within the Allen Creek Watershed were used to: (1) determine the factors controlling the temporal variations in turbidity and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) within a representative, high-gradient headwater basin in the Southern Appalachians; and (2) assess the recovery of water quality following extensive logging operations during the early to mid-1900s. Regression analysis suggests that suspended sediment is primarily derived from upland areas and variations in concentration reflect rainfall intensity and total event precipitation. Overall, SSC and turbidity were low in stream waters in comparison to both reference values for stable streams and more developed basins in the region. Some floods were characterized by high SSC values, but limited turbidity and vice versa. Differences in measured SSC and turbidity between storms reflect different controls on the two parameters, and the apparent influence of natural organic matter on turbidity during rainfall events that are incapable of transporting sediment to the channel via overland flow. Low SSC and turbidity values are presumably related to the reforestation of hillslopes and riparian buffers following the cessation of logging operations. They also are due to a historical reduction in the sedimentological connectivity of hillslopes and tributaries with the axial channel that occurred during logging operations.
Upper bound on the cosmological constant for a recollapsing, closed universe

An upper bound for the cosmological constant is obtained for a universe which recollapses and is closed. The bound is at least three orders of magnitude smaller than the weak anthropic upper bound obtained recently by Weinberg for a universe that does not recollapse and is flat (k = 0). It is pointed out that the recollapsing, closed universe is equally compatible with the weak anthropic principle. The implications of the smaller upper bound onΛ found here for cosmology are briefly discussed, and possible alternatives to present theories are briefly described.
Resonance with l>lgrIN12C+16O

Abstract In 12 C( 16 O, α) 24 Mg, an l =9 resonance is observed at a CM energy of 11.4 MeV — significantly lower in energy than one would have expected from grazing l -value considerations.
Propagation peculiarities of mean field massive gravity

Massive gravity (mGR) describes a dynamical “metric” on a fiducial, background one. We investigate fluctuations of the dynamics about mGR solutions, that is about its “mean field theory”. Analyzing mean field massive gravity (mGR) propagation characteristics is not only equivalent to studying those of the full non-linear theory, but also in direct correspondence with earlier analyses of charged higher spin systems, the oldest example being the charged, massive spin 3/2 Rarita–Schwinger (RS) theory. The fiducial and mGR mean field background metrics in the mGR model correspond to the RS Minkowski metric and external EM field. The common implications in both systems are that hyperbolicity holds only in a weak background-mean-field limit, immediately ruling both theories out as fundamental theories; a situation in stark contrast with general relativity (GR) which is at least a consistent classical theory. Moreover, even though both mGR and RS theories can still in principle be considered as predictive effective models in the weak regime, their lower helicities then exhibit superluminal behavior: lower helicity gravitons are superluminal as compared to photons propagating on either the fiducial or background metric. Thus our approach has uncovered a novel, dispersive, “crystal-like” phenomenon of differing helicities having differing propagation speeds. This applies both to mGR and mGR, and is a peculiar feature that is problematic for consistent coupling to matter.
Role of Gamma Interferon in Cellular Immune Response against Murine Encephalitozoon cuniculi Infection

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular protozoan parasites that cause a wide variety of opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. Because it is able to grow in vitro, Encephalitozoon cuniculi is currently the best-studied microsporidian. T cells mediate protective immunity against this parasite. Splenocytes obtained from infected mice proliferate in vitro in response to irradiated parasites. A transient state of hyporesponsiveness to parasite antigen and mitogen was observed at day 17 postinfection. This downregulatory response could be partially reversed by addition of nitric oxide (NO) antagonist to the culture. Mice infected with E. cuniculi secrete significant levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Treatment with antibody to IFN-γ or interleukin-2 (IL-12) was able to neutralize the resistance to the parasite. Mutant animals lacking the IFN-γ or IL-12 gene were highly susceptible to infection. However, mice unable to secrete NO withstood high doses of parasite challenge, similar to normal wild-type animals. These studies describe an IFN-γ-mediated protection against E. cuniculi infection that is independent of NO production.
Metabolism of orally administered naphthalene in spawning English sole (Parophrys vetulus)

Abstract English sole (gravid females and ripe males) were force-fed [3H]naphthalene (NPH) in salmon oil and tissues were examined at 24, 48, and 168 hr. NPH was detected in all tissues and fluids examined (e.g., liver, blood, muscle, bile, testes, and ovaries) at 24 hr. There were no statistically significant differences in NPH concentrations, based on dry weight, between comparable tissues and fluids of the sexes, except for the gonads. Ovarian NPH concentrations were approximately three times higher than those in testes. The highest percentage (5%) of the total dose at 24 hr was present in the ovaries; liver and muscle contained about 1–2% of the dose. Concentrations of NPH in all tissues declined markedly from 24 to 168 hr. At 24 hr, male English sole had significantly higher hepatic NPH hydroxylase activity than did female sole. However, no significant sex differences were evident in tissue concentrations of total metabolites of NPH. In liver, blood, and testes, the metabolites at 24 hr were composed of approximately equal proportions of conjugates and nonconjugates. Nonconjugates were the predominant metabolites in the ovaries (>88% of the total). Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of metabolites from liver, blood, ovaries, and testes revealed that the major nonconjugate metabolite was 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene (diol) and glucuronides were the major conjugate class present. Both TLC and high-performance liquid chromatography indicated that the glucuronide conjugate in the liver was derived from the diol. The naphthol conjugates were not detected. The ability of fish to rapidly accumulate orally administered NPH and its metabolites in the gonads may have significant implications with respect to fertilization and subsequent development of the embryo.
Methyl and acetyl complexes of chromium and tungsten. Observations on metal—carbon bond strength variations in the chromium triad

Abstract The complexes trans -( h 5 -C 5 H 5 )M(CO) 2 (L)COCH 3 [M = Cr, L = P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 , P( p -CH 3 OC 6 H 4 ) 3 , P(C 6 H 5 )(CH 3 ) 2 ; M = W, L = P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 , P( p -CH 3 OC 6 H 4 ) 3 , P(C 6 H 5 )(CH 3 ) 2 , P(n-C 4 H 9 ) 3 ] have been synthesized by the direct reaction of h 5 -C 5 H 5 M(CO) 3 CH 3 and the appropriate phosphine in acetonitrile solution. The structures of the subject compounds have been assigned on the basis of proton NMR and IR spectroscopy. Bonding and electron distribution are compared to the isostructural molybdenum complexes on the basis of the spectral data obtained. Both the initial reactions of the h 5 -C 5 H 5 M(CO) 2 CH 3 complexes with phosphorus ligands and ease of decarbonylation of the acetyl products h 5 -C 5 H 5 M(CO) 2 (L)COCH 3 are consistent with the generally observed sequence of metal—carbon bond strengths in the triad, W ⪢ Mo ⩾ Cr. Mass spectral data are reported for the tungsten complexes containing tri-n-butyl-and phenyldimethyl-phosphine and the reactions of the subject complexes with iodine are discussed.
Measured gain for XUV plasma lasers at varying pump intensities

Inverted population densities are measured in a laser-produced carbon plasma and interpreted in terms of absolute gain coefficients in the 1%/cm range for potential amplification in the XUV at 52-nm wavelength. Scaling to higher gain through increased ionization at higher pumping intensities is attempted, and a factor of 2 enhancement is indicated.
Evoked resistance shifts in unanesthetized cats.

Abstract A new phenomenon, the evoked resistance shift (ERS) that is time-locked to the sensory evoked potential (EP), was studied in cats with chronically implanted electrodes. The ERS disappeared at nearly all cerebellar vermis and cerebral cortical electrode sites shortly after implantation but persisted for times up to several months at subcortical nuclei. In the auditory system, the ERS magnitude and capacity for functional recovery (response to increased stimulus repetition rate) varied, being smallest at medial geniculate and largest at medullary nuclei (cochlear nucleus, superior olive). Barbiturate anesthesia failed to alter the subcortical ERS after auditory or visual stimulation. The data demonstrate that brain regions differ in respect to ERS size, stability, sensitivity to drugs and trauma, and capacity for functional recovery. They also show that the events responsible for the electrical EP are not identical with those responsible for the ERS.
Crown Distortion and Elephant Distribution in the Woody Vegetations of Ruhuna National Park, Ceylon

A major wild elephant refuge occurs in the southeastern dry zone of Ceylon. The effect of the elephants on the woody vegetation is manifested in crown distortions mainly of the 2— to 5—m—tall woody plants. A survey of this phenomenon was made in 18 sample stands of four different structural woody vegetation types. A species crown—distorion index was established from summing the number of crown—distorted individuals in each species across the structural vegetation types. A list of species from high to low crown—distortion index is presented, which may serve as a guide to preferential elephant food plants for southeastern Ceylon. A stand crown—distortion index was established for each vegetation sample by summing the number of crown—distortion individuals per stand and relating these to the total number available. It was found that crown distortion is particularly high among earlier seral rather than late seral species, and stands, in spite of equal availability of both. This shows that the elephant is more...
Poverty, the Coup Trap, and the Seizure of Executive Power

The transfer of power through the use of military force is a commonplace event in world affairs. Although no two coups d'etat are alike, they all have a common denominator: poverty. We analyze political and economic data from 121 countries during the period 1950–1982 and find that the probability of a government's being overthrown by a coup is significantly influenced by the level of economic well-being. Thus, even authoritarian governments have powerful incentives to promote economic growth, not out of concern for the welfare of their citizens, but because poor economic performance may lead to their removal by force. When the simultaneity of low income and coups is accounted for, we find that the aftereffects of a coup include a heritage of political instability in the form of an increased likelihood of further coups. Although the effect of income on coups is pronounced, we find little evidence of feedback from coups to income growth.
Plasma Extraction of Plasticizers from “Medical Grade” Polyvinylchloride Tubing

SummaryUp to 13 mg of DEHP and 4 mg of DEHA were extracted from “medical grade” polyvinylchloride tubing by human plasma recirculated for 6 hr at 37°. The demonstrated toxicity of DEHP for in vitro systems suggests that this type of tubing should be evaluated for toxic effects on in vitro organ perfusion systems. The significance of these observations for medical applications has not been determined.
The Regulation of Food Intake by Hypothalamic Malonyl-Coenzyme a: the MalCoA Hypothesis

In animals, food intake and therefore energy balance is regulated by a center in the hypothalamus of the brain. Neurons there release appetite-inhibiting (anorexigenic) or appetite-stimulating (orexigenic) peptide hormones according to whether energy intake exceeds or is less than expenditure, respectively. Recent evidence for the "malonyl coenzyme A hypothesis" showed that the level of malonyl coenzyme A (MalCoA) in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus determines the stimulation or inhibition of food intake. A high level of MalCoA, indicative of energy surplus, signals the release of anorexigenic neuropeptides, resulting in decreased food intake; a low level of MalCoA, due to an energy deficit such as during fasting, signals the release of orexigenic neuropeptides, stimulating food intake.
Quinolone Mode of Action — New Aspects

The interactions of quinolones with the complex of DNA gyrase and DNA have been elucidated by the sequencing of additional mutant gyrA and gyrB genes that produce altered quinolone susceptibility. Strong patterns have emerged in Escherichia coli in which amino acids between positions 67 and 106 of the gyrase A subunit (GyrA) and at positions 426 and 447 of the gyrase B subunit (GyrB) have been consistently identified as important for quinolone action. The susceptibility patterns and changes in amino acids 426 and 447 in mutant resistant GyrB proteins suggest direct electrostatic interactions with quinolones at these positions. The small size and the polar nature of the serine at position 83 of the E. coli GyrA protein are particularly important for determining enzyme sensitivity and bacterial susceptibility to quinolones. Norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin bind most stably to a complex of DNA gyrase and DNA rather than to either component alone, and reduction of norfloxacin binding to complexes containing resistant GyrA proteins confirms the biological relevance of this direct measure of quinolone interaction with the gyrase-DNA complex. Although recent crystallographic studies have expanded and refined information about gyrase structure at the atomic level, direct determination of the sites of quinolone binding within the gyrase-DNA complex awaits further studies.
Two-point transport model for cold divertor plasmas

Abstract A two-point model for plasma transport along divertor field lines is presented here. Solutions for the steady-state plasma temperature, density, and flow speed at the divertor throat and plate are found for a given throat heat flux, divertor field line length, neutral recycling coefficient, and throat density. Because of the simplicity of the model, it is useful for parameter surveys and indications of general trends. Results from the model show that more than one steady-state solution can exist for a particular throat density and that the range of throat densities for which solutions exist is limited. Also, for a constant plasma flux at the divertor throat, as neutral recycling increases, the throat density must also increase to compensate for a large decrease in plasma flow speed at the throat.
Cyclophosphamide and the kidney

The effect of cyclophosphamide on renal function was studied in 17 normally hydrated patients with cancer. No nephrotoxic effects were observed. High-dose cyclophosphamide (⩾50 mg/kg body weight) did, however, impair water excretion as manifested by weight gain, hyponatremia, and inappropriately concentrated urine. The decrease in serum osmolarity (range 6-41mOsm/L) and increase in urine osmolarity (range 305–798 mOsm/L) occurred 4–12 hours after cyclophosphamide administration, lasted 20–24 hours, and correlated temporally with the urinary excretion of cyclophosphamide alkylating metabolites. In three patients who demonstrated the water retention syndrome plasma vasopressin concentration was determined; in only one could the rise in urine osmolarity be explained by a concomitant increase in circulating vasopressin levels. No change in creatinine clearance or urinary excretion of protein, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, and amino acids was observed after cyclophosphamide. Two patients (9%) developed hemorrhagic cystitis; no other abnormalities of urine sediment occurred.
Nucleotide sequence of the region between crr and cysM in Salmonella typhimurium: five novel ORFs including one encoding a putative transcriptional regulator of the phosphotransferase system.

A 4471 bp region between crr and cysM on the Salmonella typhimurium chromosome (49.5 min) has been sequenced. Five ORFs were found within this region, one of which is likely to be the putative regulatory gene, ptsJ, that corresponds in map position to a gene which when mutated allows expression of a cryptic Enzyme I of the phosphotransferase system. The deduced amino acid sequence of the encoded protein is similar to those of several open reading frames (ORFs) including ORFT2 of Rhodobacter spheroides with which it is 28% Identical throughout most of its length (comparison score of 21 S.D.). PtsJ exhibits a putative, N-terminal, helix-turn-helix, DNA binding domain that is similar in sequence to those in members of the GntR family of transcriptional regulators. Analyses of the sequences of the ORFs encoded within this region are presented.
Examining carrier categorization in freight models

Travel demand models are used to aid infrastructure investment and transportation policy decisions. Unfortunately, these models were built primarily to reflect passenger travel and most models in use by public agencies have poorly developed freight components. Freight transportation is an important piece of regional planning, so regional models should be improved to more accurately capture freight traffic. Freight research has yet to fully identify the relationships between truck movements and company characteristics in a manner sufficient to model freight travel behavior. Through analyzing the results of a survey, this paper sheds light on the important transportation characteristics that should be included in freight travel demand models and classifies carriers based on their role in the supply chain. The survey of licensed motor carriers included 33 questions and was conducted in Oregon and Washington. Respondents were asked about their vehicle fleets, locations served, times traveled, time windows, types of deliveries, and commodities. An assessment of how the relationships found can be integrated into existing models is offered.
Use of flow cytometry to measure the interaction between Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin and its intestinal receptor in mice.

Abstract Binding of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) to its putative receptor on the brush border membrane of enterocytes is a prerequisite for the induction of diarrhea in infected humans and animals. Humans and animals of different ages vary in their susceptibility to the effect STa, perhaps due to the difference in STa interaction with its intestinal receptor. Flow cytometry was compared to indirect immunofluorescence and 125 I –STa binding assays to measure the STa–enterocytes receptor interaction in different age groups of Swiss Webster mice (2-, 7-, 14-day-old). Flow cytometry indicated stronger interaction between STa and its putative receptor on enterocytes from the 2-day-old mice than enterocytes from older mice. 125 I –STa-binding assay suggested that the stronger fluorescence intensity on enterocytes from younger mice is due to higher STa receptor density and higher receptor affinity to STa. Flow cytometry is more sensitive quantitative assay to measure the interaction between STa and its intestinal receptor than indirect immunofluorescence microscopy.
Roberts' syndrome.I. Cytological evidence for a disturbance in chromatid pairing

In the rare developmental disorder Roberts' syndrome, prophase and metaphase chromosomes display premature sister-chromatid separation, most prominently at certain regions in which the chromatin is composed of highly reiterated base sequences. In addition, interphase nuclei present a striking distortion in their contours. The observed abnormalities are interpreted as evidence for the presence of a genetically determined disturbance affecting the normal mechanisms for pairing and disjoining of sister chromatids.
Extraction of DNA from Phytophthora infestans Using QIAGEN Columns

High molecular weight DNA of Phytophthora infestans was extracted using a modification of the commercial QIAGEN column procedure. Both a ‘maxi’ and ‘mini’ procedure are described. The maxi procedure utilizes a QIAGEN-tip 500 column while the mini procedure utilizes a QIAGEN-tip 20 column. When fungal protoplasts were used as starting material from 9 g (fresh weight) of mycelium, nearly 500 μg of DNA in the size range of 20–200 kb was obtained and the product was successfully used in construction of a lambda genomic library. The modified QIAGBN method can replace the more timeconsuming, and expensive cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation for extraction of ultra-pure DNA from P. infestans.
MICHAEL D. COE & JUSTIN KERR, The art of the Maya scribe . London: Thames & Hudson, 1997; New York: Abrams, 1998. Pp. 240. Hb $75.00.

This book caps Michael Coe's distinguished career as a Mayanist scholar. In this book, he joins with Justin Kerr to present the formal, technical, and aesthetic characteristics of the art of writing as practiced by the pre-Columbian Maya of Mesoamerica. The collaboration of a renowned archaeologist with an equally illustrious photographer and dedicated student of Maya art has created a readable, highly informative, and well-illustrated text.
A shallow attenuating anomaly inside the ring fracture of the Valles Caldera, New Mexico

Abstract Spectral ratios of teleseismic direct and scattered P waves observed in the Valles Caldera, New Mexico, show a systematic pattern of low amplitudes at sites inside the caldera relative to sites on or outside the ring fracture. Waveforms recorded at caldera stations are considerably more complex than those recorded outside the caldera. The data used in this study were collected during a passive seismic monitoring experiment conducted in 1987. Twenty-four teleseismic events were recorded on two linear arrays spanning the caldera. To first order, the pattern of low amplitudes did not vary with source incidence angle or azimuth of approach, and could not be explained by anomalous amplification at the ring fracture. This observation suggests the presence of a shallow, attenuating zone associated with the caldera fill material inside of the ring fracture. We estimated the general features of the caldera's near-surface structure for the two-dimensional vertical cross section beneath the array, using a modification of the Aki-Larner discrete-wavenumber method to forward model the observed amplitude variations. Our results indicate that the caldera fill material must be subdivided into at least two distinct zones: a strongly attenuating lower zone, extending to depths in excess of 4 km, and a mildly attenuating surface layer. To fit the data we had to assign an unrealistically low value to seismic Q in the deeper attenuating anomaly. We attribute this to the inability of the Aki-Larner method to account for strong re-direction of energy away from the caldera due to local heterogeneity that we could not include within the low- Q anomaly. This interpretation is consistent with the pervasive, fractured hydrothermal system that is known to exist in the caldera fill material.
A novel WFS1 mutation in a family with dominant low frequency sensorineural hearing loss with normal VEMP and EcochG findings

Low frequency sensorineural hearing loss (LFSNHL) is an uncommon clinical finding. Mutations within three different identified genes (DIAPH1, MYO7A, and WFS1) are known to cause LFSNHL. The majority of hereditary LFSNHL is associated with heterozygous mutations in the WFS1 gene (wolframin protein). The goal of this study was to use genetic analysis to determine if a small American family's hereditary LFSNHL is linked to a mutation in the WFS1 gene and to use VEMP and EcochG testing to further characterize the family's audiovestibular phenotype. The clinical phenotype of the American family was characterized by audiologic testing, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), and electrocochleography (EcochG) evaluation. Genetic characterization was performed by microsatellite analysis and direct sequencing of WFS1 for mutation detection. Sequence analysis of the WFS1 gene revealed a novel heterozygous mutation at c.2054G>C predicting a p.R685P amino acid substitution in wolframin. The c.2054G>C mutation segregates faithfully with hearing loss in the family and is absent in 230 control chromosomes. The p.R685 residue is located within the hydrophilic C-terminus of wolframin and is conserved across species. The VEMP and EcochG findings were normal in individuals segregating the WFS1 c.2054G>C mutation. We discovered a novel heterozygous missense mutation in exon 8 of WFS1 predicting a p.R685P amino acid substitution that is likely to underlie the LFSNHL phenotype in the American family. For the first time, we describe VEMP and EcochG findings for individuals segregating a heterozygous WFS1 mutation.
The termination of retinal axons in the pretectal region of mammals.

The retinopretectal projection was investigated in the rat, mouse, rabbit and tree shrew primarily by means of the Fink-Heimer technique. The experimental animals survived for varying periods of time following unilateral eye removal. The retinopretectal projection in each species was predominantly contralateral. A dense field of terminal degeneration was observed in the nucleus of the optic tract and in the olivary pretectal nucleus in each of the species. A less dense projection was observed for the posterior pretectal nucleus in each species. A sparse projection to the anterior pretectal nucleus was observed in the rabbit and tree shrew but not in the rat or mouse. A dense, ipsilateral projection to the olivary pretectal nucleus was observed in the rat, mouse and tree shrew. A sparse, ipsilateral projection was found in the anterior end of the posterior pretectal nucleus in the rat, mouse and tree shrew and in the posterior part of this nucleus in the rabbit. In the tree shrew, a small amount of terminal degeneration was found in the ipsilateral anterior pretectal nucleus. The nomenclature used here is uniformly applicable among the species described.
Utility of Radiometric–aerodynamic Temperature Relations for Heat Flux Estimation

In many land-surface models using bulk transfer (one-source) approaches, the application of radiometric surface temperature observations in energy flux computations has given mixed results. This is due in part to the non-unique relationship between the so-called aerodynamic temperature, which relates to the efficiency of heat exchange between the land surface and overlying atmosphere, and a surface temperature measurement from a thermal-infrared radiometer, which largely corresponds to a weighted soil and canopy temperature as a function of radiometer viewing angle. A number of studies over the past several years using multi-source canopy models and/or experimental data have developed simplified methods to accommodate radiometric-aerodynamic temperature differences in one-source approaches. A recent investigation related the variability in the radiometric-aerodynamic relation to solar radiation using experimental data from a variety of landscapes, while another used a multi-source canopy model combined with measurements over a wide range in vegetation density to derive a relationship based on leaf area index. In this study, simulations by a detailed multi-source soil-plant-environment model, Cupid, which considers both radiative and turbulent exchanges across the soil-canopy-air interface, are used to explore the radiometric-aerodynamic temperature relations for a semi-arid shrubland ecosystem under a range of leaf area/canopy cover, soil moisture and meteorological conditions. The simulated radiometric-aerodynamic temperatures indicate that, while solar radiation and leaf area both strongly affect the magnitude of this temperature difference, the relationships are non-unique, having significant variability depending on local conditions. These simulations also show that soil-canopy temperature differences are highly correlated with variations in the radiometric-aerodynamic temperature differences, with the slope being primarily a function of leaf area. This result suggests that two-source schemes with reliable estimates of component soil and canopy temperatures and associated resistances may be better able to accommodate variability in the radiometric-aerodynamic relation for a wider range in vegetated canopy cover conditions than is possible with one-source schemes. However, comparisons of sensible heat flux estimates with Cupid using a simplified two-source model and a one-source model accommodating variability in the radiometric-aerodynamic relation based on vegetation density gave similar scatter. On the other hand, with experimental data from the shrubland site, the two-source model generally outperformed the one-source scheme. Clearly, vegetation density/leaf area has a major effect on the radiometric-aerodynamic temperature relation and must be considered in either one-source or two-source formulations. Hence these adjusted one-source models require similar inputs as in two-source approaches, but provide as output only bulk heat fluxes; this is not as useful for monitoring vegetation conditions.
Comparison Between Clinician-Assisted and Fully Automated Procedures for Obtaining a Voice Range Profile

A comparison was made between two methods of obtaining a voice range profile. One method was traditional, involving a clinician who gave instructions, motivated the subject to achieve the greatest intensity range, and determined when the goal was achieved. The second method was completely automated, involving the use of a videotape for instruction and a computer for elicitation and evaluation. Ten men and 10 women with normal voices participated as subjects in the study, and a counterbalanced design was used. Results indicated that there is no obvious preference for the use of either method, although considerable individual differences are noted.
Mechanism of Ca2+-dependent Activity of Human Neutrophil Gelatinase B

Progelatinase B can be activated in vitro by organomercurial compounds and by proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and stromelysin. Activation of the proenzyme by either 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate or chymotrypsin yielded proteins that absolutely required Ca2+ for activity, regardless of the pH of the reaction mixture. The trypsin- and stromelysin-activated gelatinases, on the other hand, did not require Ca2+ for activity at pH 7.5, but the activity of the trypsin-activated enzyme became Ca2+ dependent as the pH increased. The pH study revealed that an amino acid residue with an apparent pKa of 8.8 was involved in this process. The NH2-terminal analyses showed that trypsin- and stromelysin-activated enzymes had the same NH2 termini (Phe88), but 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate- and chymotrypsin-activated enzymes had Met75 and Gln89 or Glu92 as the NH2-terminal amino acid, respectively. These data, in conjunction with the x-ray crystal structure of collagenase, suggest that a salt linkage involving Phe88 is responsible for the Ca2+-independent activity of trypsin- and stromelysin-activated gelatinase. Replacing Asp432 in progelatinase with either Glu, Asn, Gly, or Lys resulted in the proteins that, upon activation by trypsin, required Ca2+ for activity. These substitutions did not significantly affect Km for the synthetic substrate but decreased the kcat and increased the half-maximal Ca2+ concentration required for enzyme activity (KCa) by severalfold. The effects on kcat and KCa depended on both charge and size of the side chains of the substituted amino acids. The decrease in kcat correlated well with the increase in KCa of the mutants. The orders of decrease in kcat and increase in KCa were wild type ≥ D432E > D432N > D432G > D432K and wild type ≤ D432E
Coding Odorant Concentration through Activation Timing between the Medial and Lateral Olfactory Bulb

In mammals, each olfactory bulb (OB) contains a pair of mirror-symmetric glomerular maps organized to reflect odorant receptor identity. The functional implication of maintaining these symmetric medial-lateral maps within each OB remains unclear. Here, using in vivo multielectrode recordings to simultaneously detect odorant-induced activity across the entire OB, we reveal a timing difference in the odorant-evoked onset latencies between the medial and lateral halves. Interestingly, the latencies in the medial and lateral OB decreased at different rates as odorant concentration increased, causing the timing difference between them to also diminish. As a result, output neurons in the medial and lateral OB fired with greater synchrony at higher odorant concentrations. Thus, we propose that temporal differences in activity between the medial and lateral OB can dynamically code odorant concentration, which is subsequently decoded in the olfactory cortex through the integration of synchronous action potentials.
Governmentality and contragovernmentality: rethinking sovereignty and territoriality after the Cold War

Abstract This paper speculates about the origins and effects of global disorder after the end of the Cold War. It challenges the categories used by political realists to interpret governmentality as an ensemble of state sovereignty, territoriality and power in an international anarchic system, suggesting that new subnational and supranational anarchies now permit agents of contragovernmentality, or un-stated sovran potentates, to contest the rules of in-stated sovereign powers. These alternative categories, in turn, provide a new conceptual register to assess how and why new anti-statal, transnational, and extraterritorial social forces begin to proliferate after the Cold War.