cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of polymorphisms in genes of factors involved in regulation of splicing of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mRNA with acute respiratory distress syndrome in children with pneumonia

Previous work has demonstrated a strong association between lung injury in African American children with pneumonia and a polymorphic (TG)mTn region in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance (CFTR) involved in the generation of a nonfunctional CFTR protein lacking exon 9. A number of splicing factors that regulate the inclusion/exclusion of exon 9 have been identified. The objective of this study was to determine whether genetic variants in these splicing factors were associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in children with pneumonia. This is a prospective cohort genetic association study of lung injury in African American and non-Hispanic Caucasian children with community-acquired pneumonia evaluated in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital. Linkage-disequilibrium-tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (LD-tag SNPs) in genes of the following splicing factors (followed by gene name) involved in exon 9 skipping PTB1 (PTBP1), SRp40 (SFRS1), SR2/ASF (SFRS5), TDP-43 (TARDBP), TIA-1 (TIA1), and U2AF65 (U2AF2) were genotyped. SNPs in the gene of the splicing factor CELF2 (CELF2) were selected by conservation score. Multivariable analysis was used to examine association between genotypes and ARDS. The African American cohort (n = 474) had 29 children with ARDS and the non-Hispanic Caucasian cohort (n = 304) had 32 children with ARDS. In the African American group multivariable analysis indicated that three variants in CELF2, rs7068124 (p = 0.004), rs3814634 (p = 0.032) and rs10905928 (p = 0.044), and two in TIA1, rs2592178 (p = 0.005) and rs13402990 (p = 0.018) were independently associated with ARDS. In the non-Hispanic Caucasian group, a single variant in CELF2, rs2277212 (p = 0.014), was associated with increased risk of developing ARDS. The data indicate that SNPs in CELF2 may be associated with the risk of developing ARDS in both African American and non-Hispanic Caucasian children with pneumonia and suggest that the potential role of the splicing factor CELF2 in ARDS should be explored further.
Interstellar Travel and the Mission for Outer Space: A Human Rights Perspective

The public, whose support is needed to continue exploring outer space, will support outer space exploration when the social contract can demonstrably coexist with a process that increases the potential for a dignified life. Preferably, the development of space exploration starts with such a balance. Societies that deny the free flow of ideas will experience the opposite result. Over-restrictive policies, for example, illustrate how outer space exploration may interfere with reaching the resources found in that great expanse. Indeed, society's assessment of the Internet's development may predict society's assessment of outer space exploration. This article will address similarities and the need for appropriate management. Governments and the private sector are at the center of this future management. Generally speaking, by acting in a managerial capacity, they both have the power to either propel humanity into space with expansionist policies or maroon our global society with repressive policies. But, neither are solely responsible because the future of space exploration rests with all humanity. Shared responsibility is central to the concept of a multi-stakeholder process.This article also acknowledges the importance of space exploration and provides a view into the achievements of humanity. But, above all, this article explores the ideas and ideals of those engineers, astrophysicists, astronauts, radar technicians, and satellite technologists that have prepared humanity for future exploration and commercialization of this new frontier.
Identification of Key Plant-Associated Volatiles Emitted by Heliothis virescens Larvae that Attract the Parasitoid, Microplitis croceipes: Implications for Parasitoid Perception of Odor Blends

Herbivores emit plant-associated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after feeding on plants. These plant-associated VOCs can be used by parasitoids to locate their hosts. It is hypothesized that certain compounds play key roles in the attractiveness of host-associated odor blends. The larval parasitoid, Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its herbivore host, Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a major pest of cotton plant were used as model species to identify key compounds mediating attraction of parasitoids to hosts. Comparative GC/MS analyses of cotton-fed vs. artificial diet-fed hosts indicated that 12 of 17 compounds in the headspace of H. virescens larvae were exclusive to plant-fed hosts, and thus considered to be plant-associated. In order to identify key attractive compounds, a full blend of 15 commercially available synthetic compounds was modified by removing each of the 10 plant-associated compounds emitted by host larvae. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays testing parasitoid responses to modified blends, 1-octen-3-ol, decanal, (E)-β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, α-farnesene, and β-pinene were identified as key compounds contributing to attractiveness of the natural blend of VOCs emitted by cotton-fed hosts. The results showed that while various host-associated compounds act in concert to serve as useful host location cues, only a fraction of the natural blend mediates attraction in parasitoids. Furthermore, the role of a compound is better assessed in the context of other compounds, and odor blends are better perceived as a whole rather than as individual components.
2D infrared phased array leaky-wave antenna

An infrared phased array antenna design using leaky-wave elements is presented. The leaky-wave mechanism is utilized to produce scanning in the ϕ=90° plane while phase tuning by varying distance between the leaky-wave elements produces scanning in the ϕ=0° plane. The combination of these two allows for 2D beam scanning. The applications of such 2D phased arrays lies in highly directive, broadband transmission and reception.
MDTri: robust and efficient global mixed integer search of spaces of multiple ternary alloys

Computational materials design has suffered from a lack of algorithms formulated in terms of experimentally accessible variables. Here we formulate the problem of (ternary) alloy optimization at the level of choice of atoms and their composition that is normal for synthesists. Mathematically, this is a mixed integer problem where a candidate solution consists of a choice of three elements, and how much of each of them to use. This space has the natural structure of a set of equilateral triangles. We solve this problem by introducing a novel version of the DIRECT algorithm that (1) operates on equilateral triangles instead of rectangles and (2) works across multiple triangles. We demonstrate on a test case that the algorithm is both robust and efficient. Finally, we offer an explanation of the efficacy of DIRECT—specifically, its balance of global and local search—by showing that “potentially optimal rectangles” of the original algorithm are akin to the Pareto front of the “multi-component optimization” of global and local search.
Mass–Elite Divides in Aversion to Social Change and Support for Donald Trump:

Donald Trump won the American presidency in 2016 by overperforming expectations in upper Midwest states, surprising even Republican political elites. We argue that attitudes toward social change were an underappreciated dividing line between supporters of Trump and Hillary Clinton as well as between Republicans at the mass and elite levels. We introduce a concept and measure of aversion to (or acceptance of) social diversification and value change, assess the prevalence of these attitudes in the mass public and among political elites, and demonstrate its effects on support for Trump. Our research uses paired surveys of Michigan’s adult population and community of political elites in the Fall of 2016. Aversion to social change is strongly predictive of support for Trump at the mass level, even among racial minorities. But attitudes are far more accepting of social change among elites than the public and aversion to social change is not a factor explaining elite Trump support. If elites were as averse to so...
Prefatory Remarks: Crisis and Critique

This inaugural issue of Critical Times takes the pulse of the current global political condition, engaging with contexts marked both by the crisis of liberal democratic regimes and by the emergence of new authoritarian political and cultural formations. Some of the essays in this issue analyze the sudden consolidation of right-wing populisms, their underlying totalitarian undercurrents, and the attendant shattering of the political and juridical regimes of truth that held sway until recently. Other contributions aim at exploring the popular potential for progressive forms of governance on the left, observing its current achievements and pitfalls, or seeking radical precedents in the historical past.
Paradigms and Paradoxes: Electronegativity and Bond Energies—Living Legacies of Linus and Lee

In this paper we will discuss Pauling's classic Eq. (1) that relates bond energies, "D," and electronegativities, "x." Recast to be applicable to enthalpies of formation and reaction, we apply it to the study of hydrogenolysis reactions of dienes, diynes, and alkanes, halogenolysis reactions (with chlorine, bromine, and iodine) and metathetical reactions of organosulfur species (sulfides, sulfoxides, and sulfones). It is with great regret that this equation is found wanting.
Honeywell’s V-Synth System

Honeywell’s V-Synth (VHDL-Synthesis) System decomposes VHDL descriptions into simple statements, optimizes those statements with compiler-like transformations, schedules the operations into states, and then passes the results to the MIMOLA Synthesis System to complete the design process. See also Univ. of Kiel’s MIMOLA System.
Digital Forensics in the Next Five Years

Cyber forensics has encountered major obstacles over the last decade and is at a crossroads. This paper presents data that was obtained during the National Workshop on Redefining Cyber Forensics (NWRCF) on May 23-24, 2017 supported by the National Science Foundation and organized by the University of New Haven. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed from twenty-four cyber forensics expert panel members. This work identified important themes that need to be addressed by the community, focusing on (1) where the domain currently is; (2) where it needs to go and; (3) steps needed to improve it. Furthermore, based on the results, we articulate (1) the biggest anticipated challenges the domain will face in the next five years; (2) the most important cyber forensics research opportunities in the next five years and; (3) the most important job-ready skills that need to be addressed by higher education curricula over the next five years. Lastly, we present the key issues and recommendations deliberated by the expert panel. Overall results indicated that a more active and coherent group needs to be formed in the cyber forensics community, with opportunities for continuous reassessment and improvement processes in place.
CD56 Expression Marks Human Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell Divergence from a Shared NK Cell and Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cell Developmental Pathway.

Summary According to the established model of murine innate lymphoid cell (ILC) development, helper ILCs develop separately from natural killer (NK) cells. However, it is unclear how helper ILCs and NK cells develop in humans. Here we elucidated key steps of NK cell, ILC2, and ILC3 development within human tonsils using ex vivo molecular and functional profiling and lineage differentiation assays. We demonstrated that while tonsillar NK cells, ILC2s, and ILC3s originated from a common CD34−CD117+ ILC precursor pool, final steps of ILC2 development deviated independently and became mutually exclusive from those of NK cells and ILC3s, whose developmental pathways overlapped. Moreover, we identified a CD34−CD117+ ILC precursor population that expressed CD56 and gave rise to NK cells and ILC3s but not to ILC2s. These data support a model of human ILC development distinct from the mouse, whereby human NK cells and ILC3s share a common developmental pathway separate from ILC2s.
Secondary traumatic stress and self-care inextricably linked

Increasingly trauma scholars are exploring the susceptibility of mental health providers to secondary trauma reactions. The current study explores the relationship between clinical social work prac...
Conceptual barriers to understanding physical barriers

The members of the large family of claudin proteins regulate ion and water flux across the tight junction. Many claudins, e.g. claudins 2 and 15, accomplish this by forming size- and charge-selective paracellular channels. Claudins also appear to be essential for genesis of tight junction strands and recruitment of other proteins to these sites. What is less clear is whether claudins form the paracellular seal. While this seal is defective when claudins are disrupted, some results, including ultrastructural and biochemical data, suggest that lipid structures are an important component of tight junction strands and may be responsible for the paracellular seal. This review highlights current understanding of claudin contributions to barrier function and tight junction structure and suggests a model by which claudins and other tight junction proteins can drive assembly and stabilization of a lipid-based strand structure.
Applying Standards of Effectiveness to Noncontingent Reinforcement: A Systematic Literature Review.

Noncontingent reinforcement is a time-based schedule of reinforcement that has been shown to decrease problem behavior. Although the intervention is considered well established, there exist concern...
Histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery in discriminating between enhancing and nonenhancing lesions in multiple sclerosis

Abstract Purpose This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and T2 fluid-attenuation inversion recovery (T2 FLAIR) in discriminating between new white matter (WM) enhancing lesions (ELs) and non-enhancing lesions (NELs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods Thirty MS patients with a new solitary WM lesion on brain MRI were analyzed. A region-of-interest was drawn on all lesions and the contralateral normal-appearing WM (NAWM) on T2 FLAIR and ADC maps. Normalized ratios of T2 FLAIR and ADC were calculated by dividing lesion value by the contralateral NAWM. Histogram analysis was performed on the T2 FLAIR, ADC values, and their normalized ratios. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare histogram parameters and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis determined the area under the curve (AUC). Results T2 FLAIR histogram parameters were not significantly different between ELs and NELs. Several EL ADC histogram parameters, including maximum and mean, were significantly higher than NELs (p = 0.006 to p = 0.031). There was a trend toward significantly higher maximum ADC in ELs after adjusting for multiple comparisons (p = 0.054). The standard deviation of T2 FLAIR (AUC 0.70), maximum ADC (AUC 0.79), and normalized maximum ADC ratio (AUC 0.75) were among histogram parameters with the highest diagnostic performance. A maximum ADC cutoff of 1274 × 10−6 mm2/s provided a 0.86 sensitivity and 0.75 specificity. Conclusion In patients with contraindications to gadolinium or concerns with gadolinium brain deposition, consideration may be given to ADC and T2 FLAIR as potential noncontrast methods for the evaluation of active MS lesions.
Chemogenetic Inactivation of Orbitofrontal Cortex Decreases Cue-induced Reinstatement of Ethanol and Sucrose Seeking in Male and Female Wistar Rats.

Background The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) encodes internal representations of outcomes and subjective value to facilitate flexible reward seeking. OFC activation is associated with drug seeking in both human subjects and animal models. OFC plays a role in alcohol use, but studies in animal models have produced conflicting results with some showing decreased seeking after OFC inactivation but others showing increased seeking or no changes. In part, this may be due to the different measures of alcohol seeking used (e.g., homecage drinking vs. operant seeking). Methods We characterized the impact of transient inactivation of OFC (primarily lateral and, to a lesser extent, ventral subregions) using inhibitory hM4Di designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). OFC neurons were transiently inhibited during 10% and 20% alcohol (ethanol, EtOH) and sucrose homecage consumption, fixed ratio (FR1) operant self-administration, and cue-induced reinstatement of either 10% EtOH or sucrose in male and female rats. Results OFC inactivation did not affect sucrose or EtOH consumption in the homecage, nor did it influence seeking or consumption under FR1 operant conditions. In contrast, OFC inactivation suppressed cued-induced reinstatement for both EtOH and sucrose in both male and female rats. Conclusions Our results are aligned with previous work indicating a selective suppressive effect of OFC inactivation on reinstatement for alcohol and other drugs of abuse. They extend these findings to demonstrate no effect on homecage consumption or FR1 seeking as well as showing an impact of sucrose reinstatement. These data indicate that OFC plays a uniquely important role when reward seeking is driven by associations between external stimuli and internal representations of reward value, both for natural and drug rewards. They further implicate the OFC as a key structure driving relapse-associated seeking and potentially contributing to alcohol use disorder and other diseases of compulsive reward seeking.
Single-cell RNA sequencing in Drosophila: Technologies and applications

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a powerful tool for investigating cell states and functions at the single-cell level. It has greatly revolutionized transcriptomic studies in many life science research fields, such as neurobiology, immunology, and developmental biology. With the fast development of both experimental platforms and bioinformatics approaches over the past decade, scRNA-seq is becoming economically feasible and experimentally practical for many biomedical laboratories. Drosophila has served as an excellent model organism for dissecting cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie tissue development, adult cell function, disease, and aging. The recent application of scRNA-seq methods to Drosophila tissues has led to a number of exciting discoveries. In this review, I will provide a summary of recent scRNA-seq studies in Drosophila, focusing on technical approaches and biological applications. I will also discuss current challenges and future opportunities of making new discoveries using scRNA-seq in Drosophila. This article is categorized under: Technologies > Analysis of the Transcriptome.
Neural correlates of cognitive behavioral therapy response in youth with negative valence disorders: A systematic review of the literature.

Abstract Background Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the gold-standard psychotherapeutic treatment for pediatric negative valence disorders. However, some youths do not respond optimally to treatment, which may be due to variations in neural functioning. Methods We systematically reviewed functional magnetic resonance imaging studies in youths with negative valence disorders to identify pre- and post-treatment neural correlates of CBT response. Results A total of 21 studies were identified, of overall weak to moderate quality. The most consistent findings across negative valence disorders consisted of associations of treatment response with pre- and post-treatment task-based activation and/or functional connectivity within and between the prefrontal cortex, the medial temporal lobe, and other limbic regions. Associations of CBT response with baseline and/or post-treatment activity in the striatum, precentral and postcentral gyri, medial and posterior cingulate cortices, and parietal cortex, connectivity within and between the default-mode, cognitive control, salience, and frontoparietal networks, and metrics of large-scale brain network organization, were also reported, although less consistently. Limitations The poor quality and limited number of studies and the important heterogeneity of study designs and results considerably limit the conclusions that can be drawn from this literature. Conclusions Despite these limitations, these findings provide preliminary evidence suggesting youths presenting certain patterns of brain function may respond better to CBT, whereas others may benefit from alternative or augmented forms of treatment.
Deciphering Catalytic Selectivity on Uneven Terraces

Understanding the relationship between catalytic selectivity and surface structures of heterogeneous catalysts is essential for high-performance catalysis. In this issue of Chem, Zhu et al. report a puzzle-solving strategy relying on single-crystal foils and Pearson correlation analysis to determine the dependence of catalytic activity on the principal surface parameters.
A tale of two receptors: Bmp heterodimers recruit two type I receptors but use the kinase activity of only one

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the larger transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family of cytokines that play diverse roles in embryonic development, adult tissue homeostasis, and human disease (1). BMPs are grouped into subfamilies based on sequence similarity, and can signal as either homodimers or heterodimers. It has been known for over 25 y that BMP2 and BMP4, which comprise one subfamily, can heterodimerize with BMP5, BMP6, or BMP7, which belong to a distinct subfamily, and that these heterodimeric ligands have significantly higher per-molecule activity than their respective homodimers (2). For example, homodimers of BMP2, BMP4, BMP5, BMP6, or BMP7 can all induce bone formation, but BMP2/5, BMP2/6, BMP2/7, and BMP4/7 heterodimers can do so at 30- to 50-fold lower concentrations (3⇓–5). Likewise, BMP2/6 heterodimers show enhanced ability to activate downstream signaling in embryonic stem cells (6), and Bmp2/7 and Bmp4/7 heterodimers show heightened ability to induce ventral fate in Xenopus and zebrafish (7, 8). More-recent studies have shown that endogenous BMP2/7, BMP4/7, or BMP2/6 heterodimers are the obligate signaling ligands in a number of in vivo contexts, including during dorsoventral patterning in Drosophila (9) and zebrafish embryos (10), cell fate specification and patterning in early mouse embryos (11), and regulation of iron homeostasis in adult mice (12). Despite growing evidence that BMP heterodimers are required to signal in vivo, the reasons why these heterodimers have higher per-molecule activity than homodimers has remained a mystery. In PNAS, Tajer et al. (13) cast light on this longstanding conundrum by exploring potential roles for BMP antagonists and receptors in enhancing the potency of BMP heterodimers. Previous work from the Mullins laboratory established that Bmp2/7 heterodimers are solely responsible for all Bmp activity in early zebrafish embryos (10). This was somewhat surprising, since endogenous Bmp2 and Bmp7 … [↵][1]1Email: Jan.Christian{at}hsc.utah.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Chapter 28. The Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction in Organic Synthesis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the importance of intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction in organic synthesis. The [4+2]cycloaddition reaction long known to organic chemists as the Diels–Alder reaction is among the most powerful of the many synthetic tools for the synthesis of complex organic molecules. Its ability to produce with high stereoselectivity, good yield, and in a predictable manner a single stereoisomer containing several chiral centers is almost unique among organic reactions. Two novel synthetic approaches to the sesquiterpene seychellene have been based upon the utilization of the intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction as the key step in the generation of the tricyclic carbon skeleton. In the first approach, the strategy involved the preparation of the tricyclic intermediate by the intramolecular cyclization of the cyclohexadienone. The required cyclohexadienone was prepared in several steps as a mixture of diastereomers from 2,3-dimethylcyclohexenone and generated in situ by an amine oxide pyrolysis. The synthesis of the α- and β-himalchenes that uses an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction as the key step in establishing the proper carbon skeleton is also elaborated in the chapter.
Plantinga’s Skepticism

For over 20 years, Alvin Plantinga has been advocating his Evolutionary Argument against Naturalism, or EAAN. We will argue that this argument functions as an atypical form of global skepticism, and Plantinga’s development of it has repercussions for other types of skepticism. First, we will go over the similarities and differences; for example, the standard ways of avoiding other forms of skepticism, namely by adopting some form of naturalized or externalist epistemology, do not work with the EAAN. Plantinga himself is a naturalized epistemologist, and his skepticism comes from within this perspective. Next, we will look at how Plantinga moved from presenting his skepticism diachronically, as a loop, to presenting it synchronically, as an infinite regress. Finally, we can extend this move from Plantinga’s skepticism to other forms of global skepticism, in so far as these will involve the rejection of our cognitive faculties’ reliability, and formulate them synchronically as well. Global skepticism is often accused of instability, since it leads us to skepticism about all of our beliefs, including belief in the skeptical scenario itself. Yet formulating it as an infinite regress rather than a loop allows the skeptical charge to go forward.
Towards Less Conservative Stability Criterion for Discrete-Time Linear Uncertain Systems

The stability problem of discrete-time linear uncertain systems is considered. The uncertainty is expressed in terms of uncertain system matrix, and is allowed to be arbitrary time varying. The criterion is based on quadratic stability. The necessary and sufficient condition of the quadratic stability is formulated in a two level optimization problem. The higher level of this optimization is proved to be convex. When the uncertainty bounding set is a hyperpolyhedron, the lower level can be reached by one of the finite number of vertices. An illustrative example is presented to show the advantage of the proposed criterion.
Institutionalizing the Field of Expertise Studies and Its Applications to Computer Science

This Workshop is a forum at which researchers who are interested in the study of expertise and its applications in computer science will gather to share ideas and generate collaborative projects. A number of world’s foremost “experts on expertise” have chosen to move to the northern 'Bend' region of Florida, which extends from the northern main peninsula across through the western panhandle. At few places in the world is there such a concentration of researchers and scientists focused on the goal of understanding the nature of expertise and then applying that knowledge to the development of new information technologies─a goal that is of immense value to society. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that The Bend includes not just a critical mass, but a complementarity in each research center has a topical focus (expert performance, expert teams, experts' cognition, computer science applications) and each center is interested in particular domains of expertise, such as music, sports, aviation, weather forecasting, and military command and control. At the Workshop, the Principals will present brief summaries of their research and interests, and then the group will engage in discussions aimed at (1) generating an action plan to facilitate research, (2) institutionalizing a process for training and education of researchers in Expertise Studies, and (3) generating new avenues for applications in computer science.
Design windows for a He cooled fusion reactor

A design window concept is developed for a He-cooled fusion reactor blanket and divertor design. This concept allows study of a parameter regime under which a possible design exists with different design requirements, such as allowable pumping fraction. The concept identifies not only the required parameter regime, but also investigates the robustness of the design, i.e., the validity of the design with change of design parameters and requirements. Some recent directions of helium cooled design for ITER and for divertor can also be explained by this design window concept.
Solitary four-wave-mixing states in /spl chi//sup (3)/ media

Summary form only given. Here we present two-parameter coupled spatial solitary solutions where the effective nonlinear shift in the indices of refraction allows three fields to be phase matched for four-wave mixing. The corresponding linear phase propagation constants are for the FWM linear phase mismatch. Even though the linear phase propagation constants generally may not be phase matched for FWM, the total phase propagation constants can be phase matched because of the nonlinear susceptibility.
Biosynthesis of reovirus-specified polypeptides. Analysis of ribosome pausing during translation of reovirus S1 and S4 mRNAs in virus-infected and vector-transfected cells.

Abstract The steady-state distribution of translating ribosomes on the reovirus s1 and s4 mRNAs was determined using a sensitive primer extension inhibition assay and cDNA clones of the reovirus S1 and S4 genes. Positions of significant ribosome pausing included the sites of initiation and termination of translation, both in vivo in reovirus-infected mouse fibroblast L cells and in vitro in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. The patterns of ribosome pausing detected in vivo and in vitro were comparable. Ribosomes were far less uniformly distributed along the polycistronic s1 mRNA than they were along the monocistronic s4 mRNA. During reovirus infection, ribosome pausing was detected at the initiation codons of the s1 mRNA sigma 1 and sigma 1ns open reading frames and the s4 mRNA sigma 3 open reading frame, direct evidence that initiation is a slow step of translation in vivo. Quantitative analysis of reovirus mRNA translation in infected and transfected cells suggested that ribosomes paused longer at an AUG initiation codon present in strong context than one present in weak context. These results suggest that the dynamics of ribosome movement during translation of the reovirus s1 and s4 mRNAs are similar in vivo and in vitro and that the relative ribosome pause at an AUG initiation codon may be affected by the flanking nucleotide context of the AUG codon.
Signal Processing in Single Cells

Gene networks can be designed that enable exploration of how gene expression is regulated, an example of synthetic biology. In their Perspective, Isaacs et al. discuss two studies ( Rosenfeld et al., Pedraza and van Oudenaarden) that combine modeling with experiments to analyze gene networks in bacteria.
Pharmacogenetics: more than skin deep.

It is well known that the efficacy of certain drugs varies from individual to individual, depending in part on variation in the genes that encode drug metabolizing enzymes. Whereas ethnic and geographic differences are commonly used to classify drug response, new results show that more accurate and robust genetic clusters—identified by genotyping a modest number of neutral markers—can be inferred with no prior knowledge of ethnicity. Such an approach may eventually become a part of drug evaluation and clinical practice.
Soho — Yohkoh Science Collaboration

I present an overview of joint SOHO - Yohkoh observing programs carried out since the beginning of SOHO science operations in April 1996. This is followed by an synopsis of SOHO results to date that are of interest for coordinated SOHO - Yohkoh data analysis.
The Effect on Wound Healing by a Modified Fibrin Scaffold Delivering Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF-1):

This project investigated the efficacy of modified fibrin scaffold as a vehicle for acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1). The goal of this study was to justify the use of a modified fibrin scaffold with altered surface roughness and porosity as a drug-delivery matrix, specifically for the delivery of FGF-1. The hypothesis tested was that FGF-1 delivered in an optimal dose through a modified fibrin scaffold would result in a significant increase in angiogenesis, epithelialization, fibroblast, and healing rate, and correspond to a decrease in overall healing time. In vivo testing was conducted in a full-thickness defect model in a rabbit. Four 3 x 3-cm full-thickness defects were created on the dorsum of each of five white New Zealand rabbits. There were four treatments to be investigated: modified fibrin scaffold, modified fibrin/FGF-1 scaffolds, topical FGF-1, and control defects. The regimen of topical dosing of FGF-1 was determined from release kinetic studies using the modified fibrin scaffold. The ...
A Novel Soluble Peptide with pH-Responsive Membrane Insertion

Several diseases, such as cancer, are characterized by acidification of the extracellular environment. Acidosis can be employed as a target to specifically direct therapies to the diseased tissue. We have used first principles to design an acidity-triggered rational membrane (ATRAM) peptide with high solubility in solution that is able to interact with lipid membranes in a pH-dependent fashion. Biophysical studies show that the ATRAM peptide binds to the surface of lipid membranes at pH 8.0. However, acidification leads to the peptide inserting into the lipid bilayer as a transmembrane α-helix. The insertion of ATRAM into membranes occurs at a moderately acidic pH (with a pK of 6.5), similar to the extracellular pH found in solid tumors. Studies with human cell lines showed a highly efficient pH-dependent membrane targeting, without causing toxicity. Here we show that it is possible to rationally design a soluble peptide that selectively targets cell membranes in acidic environments.
Leadership Traits: Are People Born to Lead?

The notion of the “born leader” has been deeply rooted in popular imagination since ancient times, whether reflected in historical political structures that bestowed power to monarchs by virtue of their bloodline, or in cultural legends that attribute the triumphs of heroes to circumstances of birth and their innate superior skills. From antiquity, it has been assumed that leaders displayed certain personal characteristics that distinguish them from their followers. Plato believed that leaders possessed superior reasoning capacity and wisdom, whereas Machiavelli emphasized the inherent ability of the successful leader to understand and to manipulate social situations. Behavioral scientists still debate whether leaders are born or made. Indeed, in scholarly circles, the pendulum of opinion has swung from nature to nurture and back again over the past century. This chapter discusses leadership traits, and the essence of whether one is born with these traits or can acquire them.
Effect of paternal irradiation on 154 day weight in swine.

The testes of maie swine were exposed once to 300 r of x rays. The males were allowed to recover before they were used for breeding so that the sperm sampled were irradiated as spermatogonia. Exposed males, when bred to females purchased from breeders, sired offspring that had a significantly lower weight at 154 days of age than the comparable controls. Exposed males, bred to females that were from litters produced by the purchased animals, sired offspring having a significantly higher weight at 154 days than the controls. These data suggest that the genetic effect of irradiation may interact with combinations of circumstances perhaps of both genetic and environmental origin. (auth)
An exploration of the verbal encodability hypothesis for sex differences in the digit-symbol (symbol-digit) test☆

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to allow a test of Estes' verbal encodability hypothesis regarding female Digit-Symbol test superiority. Experiment 1 demonstrated significant differences in the relative encodability of various sets of symbols both in the time required to produce verbal associates and in quantitative measures of the uncertainty regarding what associate would be produced. Experiment 2 utilized these symbols to assess the stability of female superiority on a Symbol-Digit task across levels of verbal encodability. Predictions were that females should perform significantly better than males on tests with symbols that are easily encoded verbally, but there should be no significant sex difference when symbols are difficult to encode verbally. Significant effects for sex, task, and their interaction were found. However, the verbal encodability hypothesis is rejected for one favoring perceptual speed, due to the pattern of female superiority on the tests, and the nature of intrasex correlations. Results also show that traditional female supremacy on the Digit-Symbol carries over to the Symbol-Digit format when easily discriminable symbols are used.
Assessing the Consequences of Corporate Discretion on Regulatory Compliance: The Case of Motor Vehicle Safety in Canada

What are the consequences of discretion when government shares the responsibility for regulatory compliance with the industry subject to regulation? Do differing underlying goals affect implementation? This article examines the implementation of Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Act for fiscal years 1974–75 to 1981–82. Since the law creates opportunities for the exercise of discretion and those responsible for implementation (government versus industry) do not share the same underlying goals, one can expect that who implements the act will be of considerable importance. The data suggest that when incentives for compliance differ, discretion creates the opportunity for substantially different outcomes. Notable differences exist in the characteristics of recalls that manufacturers initiated and those that Transport Canada influenced.
Differential stabilization of two hydrophobic cores in the transition state of the villin 14T folding reaction.

We report the distribution of hydrophobic core contacts during the folding reaction transition state for villin 14T, a small 126-residue protein domain. The solution structure of villin 14T contains a central beta-sheet with two flanking hydrophobic cores; transition states for this protein topology have not been previously studied. Villin 14T has no disulfide bonds or cis-proline residues in its native state; it folds reversibly, and in an apparently two-state manner under some conditions. To map the hydrophobic core contacts in the transition state, 27 point mutations were generated at positions spread throughout the two hydrophobic cores. After each point mutation, comparison of the change in folding kinetics with the equilibrium destabilization indicates whether the site of mutation is stabilized in the transition state. The results show that the folding nucleus, or the sub-region with the strongest transition state contacts, is located in one of the two hydrophobic cores (the predominantly aliphatic core). The other hydrophobic core, which is mostly aromatic, makes much weaker contacts in the transition state. This work is the first transition state mapping for a protein with multiple major hydrophobic cores in a single folding unit; the hydrophobic cores cannot be separated into individual folding subdomains. The stabilization of only one hydrophobic core in the transition state illustrates that hydrophobic core formation is not intrinsically capable of nucleating folding, but must also involve the right specific interactions or topological factors in order to be kinetically important.
An Algorithm of Surface Subdivision Based on Texture Feature

Abstract In order to reduce the complexity of the mesh mode and accelerate the processing in real-time virtual reality environment, an algorithm is put forward to implementing the triangle splitting based on the feature values of elevation texture in the surfaces. The triangle mesh model is redefined including vertex, the topological structure and the surface texture map information. The algorithm provides a method to subdivide surfaces based on the feature values of elevation texture in the surfaces and the binary-tree of triangle. The results show that the data structure of binary-tree is designed for the triangle mesh subdivision, and multi-resolution mesh structure is achieved. Experiments indicate that the algorithm can solve difficult technical problems such as large-scale modeling and real-time drawing of geometric objects in the virtual city.
Rankings: A Selected Bibliography

Bestsellers, the weekly Top 40, Fortune 500, Places Rated Almanac are just a few of the ranked lists available that fascinate and thrill almost every‐one. These lists often contribute to our decision making. A consumer looks for the best car, a college graduate hunts for jobs at the top companies, a student applies to the best law schools. Library patrons often ask for ratings of different items, but rankings, though a valuable source of information on various topics, can be very difficult to locate. This bibliography provides a list of selected sources of rankings covering the following areas: multi‐subject, consumer, education, film and television, geography, and music.
The conservation value of linear forest remnants in central Amazonia

Riparian forest is protected under federal legislation in Brazil. In the Amazon Basin, numerous streams and rivers provide huge potential for increasing the conservation value of deforested and fragmented landscapes through the protection of linear remnants along watercourses. However, the potential of such remnants to be used as faunal habitat and possibly as movement corridors has never been fully investigated. We surveyed small mammal and litter-frog communities in linear remnants of primary rainforest ranging from 140 to 190 m in width, and in adjacent continuous rainforest, to compare their species richness, composition, and abundance. No significant differences were found in any aspect of community structure or species abundance. This suggests that linear remnants along watercourses provide suitable habitat for at least some forest vertebrates, a conclusion reinforced by the fact that many frogs and small mammals were found reproducing and moving in the remnants. These results highlight the potential of linear remnants to serve as habitat for small forest vertebrates and suggest they could function as corridors for some species to increase landscape connectivity.
Defects in antiferromagnetic nickel oxide

Antiferromagnetic domain boundaries in single-crystal NiO specimens have been examined by transmission electron microscopy. The domain boundaries were found to move through the matrix as a result of beam-induced thermal stresses. Movement of the boundaries was restricted by dislocations. Some evidence is given to show that domain boundaries may serve as nucleation sites for the reduced species in gaseous reduction of NiO. The presence of vacancy loops in nickel oxide has been established.
Selecting Cities for Usability Research

Human factors practitioners are often asked to conduct usability research in multiple cities to obtain a larger, geographically dispersed sample. Instead of selecting cities first and participants second (as is often done in market research), we suggest an approach whereby usability professionals can select cities based on the type of research and attributes that influence product usage. Starting with these factors, we can develop a table of users and subgroups and then identify the regions in which these groups are prominent. The number of users in each subgroup and the final city selection involves other factors such as time constraints, budget limitations, and organizational credibility. By following this approach, we can make user-centered recommendations to the product team when planning usability research.
Complete Nucleotide Sequence and Organization of the Bipartite RNA Genome of Soil-Borne Wheat Mosaic Virus

Abstract The complete nucleotide sequences of RNAs 1 and 2 of soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV), type member of the furovirus group, were determined. RNA 1 is 7099 nucleotides (nt) and encodes a 150-kDa protein from the 5′ end region, the UGA termination codon of which can be partially read through to produce a 209-kDa protein, and a 37-kDa protein in the 3′ end region. The C-terminal region of the 150-kDa protein contains an NTP-binding helicase motif and the readthrough region, an RNA polymerase motif, indicating that these two overlapping proteins may form an RNA replication complex similar to those of tobamo- and tobraviruses. The 37-kDa protein has sequence similarity with the cell-to-cell transport protein of dianthoviruses. RNA 2 is 3593 nt and, from the 5′ end region, encodes the 19-kDa capsid protein, whose UGA termination codon can be partially suppressed to produce an 84-kDa readthrough protein and, at the 3′ proximity, a 19-kDa protein which is rich in cysteine residues. The 28K (kilodaltons, as estimated by SDS-PAGE) protein, previously considered as another capsid readthrough product, is apparently initiated at an in-frame non-AUG codon upstream from the capsid protein gene. In both RNAs 1 and 2, the 5′ terminus is capped, and the 3′ untranslated region possibly forms internal consecutive pseudoknots as found in tobamovirus RNA as well as a terminal tRNA-like structure similar to tymovirus RNA. An amino acid sequence comparison of RNA replicase genes indicates that, phylogenetically, SBWMV belongs to a cluster formed by tobamo-, tobra-, and hordeiviruses. Differences in the 3′ end structure and in the cell-to-cell movement protein, and the distant phylogeny of the RNA replicase genes of SBWMV and beet necrotic yellow vein virus, suggest that the furoviruses should be divided into at least two groups.
Cosmological constraints on heavy weakly interacting fermions.

Abstract The masses and lifetimes of very heavy weakly interacting fermions which appear in many grand unified gauge models are constrained by the requirement that their decays in the hot big bang early universe should not generate excessive entropy which would dilute n B / n γ below its observed value.
Enzyme replacement in Fabry disease: the essence is in the kidney.

In this issue, Banikazemi and colleagues' landmark trial on Fabry disease provides a crucial path toward lowering the morbidity of this disease. Among other findings, they determined that hemizygou...
Incidence, management, and outcomes of end-stage renal disease in the elderly.

Purpose of review The elderly constitute a substantial and growing fraction of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population. We review recent studies on ESRD incidence, management, and outcomes in the elderly.
21-hydroxylase deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Abstract Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) results from an enzymatic block at any stage in the synthesis of cortisol. All enzyme defects causing CAH are autosomal recessive traits. It is a relatively common disease, occurring in 1 in 5000 t0 1 in 15,000 births in most populations. Since the isolation of the gene responsible for steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (involved in about 90% of the cases of CAH) in 1984, knowledge of the specific mutations that cause the different forms of CAH has grown rapidly. Defects in the encoding gene have been confirmed as the basis of endocrine disease in the case of all but one of the adrenal steroidogenic enzymes. Analysis of DNA obtained by chorionic villus sampling in early pregnancy permits prenatal diagnosis and treatment of 21-hydroxylase deficiency CAH. The correlation between the clinical expression of endocrine disease and the mutations of the primary structural gene is not absolute. Clinicians cannot accurately predict the course of the disease or make therapeutic decisions based on the genotype alone. We will review the various forms of clinical presentation of 21-hydroxylase CAH, its etiology, diagnosis, molecular genetics, and treatment.