cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Corticosterone mediates stress-related increased intestinal permeability in a region-specific manner

Background Chronic psychological stress (CPS) is associated with increased intestinal epithelial permeability and visceral hyperalgesia. It is unknown whether corticosterone (CORT) plays a role in mediating alterations of epithelial permeability in response to CPS. Methods Male rats were subjected to 1-h water avoidance (WA) stress or subcutaneous CORT injection daily for 10 consecutive days in the presence or absence of corticoid receptor antagonist RU-486. The visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distension (CRD) was measured. The in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion was used to measure intestinal permeability in jejunum and colon simultaneously. Key Results We observed significant decreases in the levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and tight junction proteins in the colon, but not the jejunum in stressed rats. These changes were largely reproduced by serial CORT injections in control rats and were significantly reversed by RU-486. Stressed and CORTinjected rats demonstrated a threefold increase in permeability for PEG-400 (MW) in colon, but not jejunum and significant increase in VMR to CRD, which was significantly reversed by RU-486. In addition, no differences in permeability to PEG-4000 and PEG-35 000 were detected between control and WA groups. Conclusions & Inferences Our findings indicate that CPS was associated with region-specific decrease in epithelial tight junction protein levels in the colon, increased colon epithelial permeability to low molecular weight macromolecules which were largely reproduced by CORT treatment in control rats and prevented by RU-486. These observations implicate a novel, region-specific role for CORT as a mediator of CPS-induced increased permeability to macromolecules across the colon epithelium.
An estrogen receptor mutant exhibiting hormone-independent transactivation and enhanced affinity for the estrogen response element

To study transactivation by the Xenopus laevis estrogen receptor (XER), we inserted one or two copies of a synthetic amphipathic helix at amino acid 276 of the XER. The XER mutants containing one or two copies of the amphipathic helix (XER/1AH and XER/2AH, respectively) and wild-type XER were expressed at similar levels. In transient transfection assays, XER/1AH exhibited only a modest, promoter-specific increase in transactivation. Constitutive (estrogen-independent) transcription of a synthetic promoter containing two estrogen response elements (EREs) was approximately 10-fold higher for the XER/2AH mutant than for wild-type XER. The XER/2AH mutant and wild-type XER exhibited similar 17 beta-estradiol dose-response curves for transactivation. In studies carried out over a broad range of DNA concentrations using the simple 2ERE-TATA promoter or a complex vitellogenin-derived promoter, the XER/2AH mutant exhibited an estrogen-dependent 2-3-fold increase in transactivation. A 2-3-fold increase in transactivation by XER/2AH was also observed using synthetic promoters in which the two EREs exhibit synergistic interactions with the NF1, AP1, or vitellogenin activator upstream activator sequences. Using a promoter interference assay to investigate intracellular interactions between the estrogen receptor and the ERE, we showed that binding of wild-type XER to the ERE was strongly estrogen-dependent. In the presence of 17 beta-estradiol, XER/2AH and wild-type XER exhibited similar promoter interference curves. In the absence of 17 beta-estradiol, the expression plasmid encoding the XER/2AH mutant achieved levels of promoter interference with 0.25-0.5 microgram of transfected DNA that were similar to those observed with 5-10 micrograms of the expression plasmid encoding wild-type XER. The ability of the XER/2AH mutant to activate transcription in the absence of estrogen therefore is likely to be related to the approximately 20-fold increase in its apparent ability to bind to the ERE. Since XER/2AH was unable to activate transcription from a glucocorticoid response element, enhanced binding of XER/2AH to the ERE did not result from a general increase in binding to DNA. The XER/2AH mutant appears to be the first nuclear receptor mutant to retain hormone-dependent transactivation and to exhibit enhanced hormone-independent binding to its hormone response element.
The Invisible Border: Restrictions on Short-Term Travel for Noncitizens

As Congress considers immigration reform, public debate has focused on border enforcement and whether the undocumented should be provided with a path to citizenship. Underlying this debate is a tacit assumption that issues of border enforcement center on persons who lack a legal status to reside in the United States or who are attempting to evade immigration authorities. The border looms large, however, for millions of immigrants who have a legal status or who have fully presented themselves to immigration authorities in their efforts to obtain permanent status. For these immigrants, short term travel, including a trip of a few days to attend a family funeral, can lead to a permanent bar to readmission. As a result, the border operates invisibly as a force that keeps immigrants in their homes in the United States and stops them from traveling. This paper examines how current immigration law restricts travel by noncitizens, including travel by lawful permanent residents and the spouses of United States citizens. It shows that as a result of the inter-working of various statutory and regulatory interpretations, these restrictions permeate the overall statutory and regulatory scheme governing noncitizens. At that same time, the restrictions generally lack any articulated rationale. Some were enacted without explanation. Others are carryovers from past legislative schemes. This paper proceeds to examine the individual and governmental interests implicated by these policies. Finally, it looks at the role that could be played by the courts, agencies and Congress in achieving a more humane and rational system for regulating travel.
Automatic program transformation with JOIE

While the availability of platform-independent code on the Internet is increasing, third-party code rarely exhibits all of the features desired by end users. Unfortunately, developers cannot foresee and provide for all possible extensions. In this paper, we describe load-time transformation, a stage in the program development lifecycle in which classes are modified at load time according to user-supplied directives. This allows the users to select transformations that add new features, customize the implementation of existing features, and apply the changes to all classes in the environment. The Java Object Instrumentation Environment (JOIE) is a toolkit for constructing transformations of Java classes. An enhanced class loader calls user-supplied transformers that specify rules for transforming target classes. We describe some applications of load-time transformation, including extending the Java environment, integrating classes with specialized environments, and adding functionality directly to classes.
The Initial Abundance of 60 Fe in the Solar System

60Fe, which decays to radiogenic 60Ni (60Ni*), is a now extinct radionuclide. 60Fe is produced only in stars and thus provides a constraint on the stellar contribution to solar system radionuclides. Its short half-life [t1/2 = 1.49 × 106 yr (1.49 Myr)] makes it a potential chronometer for the early solar system. We found clear evidence for 60Ni* in troilite (FeS) grains from the Bishunpur and Krymka chondrites, two of the least metamorphosed (LL3.1) ordinary chondrites. The weighted means of inferred initial 60Fe/56Fe ratios [(60Fe/56Fe)0] for the troilites are (1.08 ± 0.23) × 10-7 and (1.73 ± 0.53) × 10-7 for Bishunpur and Krymka, respectively. We compare our data with upper limits established previously on (60Fe/56Fe)0 for a chondrule in an unequilibrated ordinary chondrite, Semarkona, and for troilites in a relatively metamorphosed chondrite, Ste. Marguerite, taking into account their 26Al-26Mg ages. The 60Fe and 26Al chronometers can be combined to produce a consistent chronology for Ca-Al-rich inclusions, which are thought to be the earliest solar system solids, chondrules, troilites, and Ste. Marguerite. The initial 60Fe/56Fe for the solar system is inferred from this chronology to have been 2.8 × 10-7 to 4 × 10-7. This is at or below the low end of predictions for a supernova source.
Commentaries on George Lakoff’s “Metaphors of Terror”

The linguist Norman Fairclough (1992) argued that, in recent years, there has been a significant shift in the social functioning of language, a shift reflected in the salience of language in the major social changes which have been taking place over the last few decades. Many of these social changes do not just involve language, but are constituted to a significant extent by changes in language practices; and it is perhaps one indication of the growing importance of language in social and cultural change that attempts to engineer the direction of change increasingly include attempts to change language practices (p. 6). In short, language use and social change have become more intertwined and mutually constitutive in today’s world. This phenomenon presents linguists with an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity is to bring an analytic understanding of language use to the public. The challenge lies both in the fact that linguists are not accustomed to communicating their understanding of language in a non-academic manner and the fact that the public is not naturally accustomed to thinking analytically and critically about language use.
Historicism and Critique in Herder's Another Philosophy of History: Some Hermeneutic Reflections

In Another Philosophy of History, J.G. Herder claims that his aim is not to compare and judge different cultures, but merely to describe and explain how each came into being and thus to adopt the standpoint of an impartial observer. I argue, however, that there is a tension between Herder's understanding of his own project—his stated doctrine of historicism and cultural relativism—and the way in which it is actually put into practice. That is, despite Herder's stated aims, he is nevertheless unable to avoid justifying premodern forms of life and making context-transcending evaluative judgments in the process of trying to understand cultures on their own terms and holding them up as exemplars vis a vis the Enlightenment. This tension presents the challenge of accounting for it in the most charitable and illuminating way. I argue that this goal can be achieved by appealing to the resources of the philosophical hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer, which enables us to disclose two enabling conditions for Herder's project of which he was not explicitly aware, viz., the internal connection between understanding and justification and the enabling character of prejudice as the condition for the possibility of understanding as such.
Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants in college students: Attitudes, intentions, and vested interest.

Abstract Introduction Research on vested interest theory (VIT) indicates that the importance and hedonic relevance of attitudes moderates the link between attitudes and attitude-congruent behavior. Though largely untested in prevention research, this relationship may prove crucial in determining the success or failure of prevention efforts. The current study was designed to determine if subjectively perceived vested interest maximized the association between attitudes and intentions regarding the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NUPS). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with college student respondents (N = 162) using Amazon's MTurk. Participant age ranged from 19 to 49 years old. A subsample analysis (n = 129) was also conducted with younger respondents, as the typical college student is usually under the age of 30. Results Four-step hierarchical regression analysis indicated that both attitudes and perceived vested interest were significantly associated with NUPS behavioral intentions (p Conclusions Findings support the proposition that vested interest may be a useful target for attenuating NUPS. Rather than attempting to weaken positive attitudes toward NUPS, campaigns may prove more successful if designed to convince receivers that NUPS is not in their best interest.
The Effects of Auditor Disclosures Regarding Management Estimates on Financial Statement Users’ Perceptions and Investments

Regulators worldwide have recently proposed expanding the auditor’s report in a number of ways, with investors showing particular interest in additional information surrounding management estimates. This study uses an experiment to examine the effects of auditor-provided estimate disclosures on financial statement users’ perceptions of auditor independence, management credibility, reporting quality, and investment decisions. I manipulate auditor agreement with management’s estimates and whether the estimates are incentive-consistent for management. I find that estimate disclosures are value-relevant for users’ investment decisions. Additionally, given an unqualified opinion, users view auditors as more (less) independent when auditors agree (disagree) with management and management as less (more) credible when estimates are incentive consistent (inconsistent). In turn, independence and credibility perceptions influence perceived misstatement probability, financial reporting quality, and investment. The findings empirically support investors’ arguments that auditor disclosures regarding management estimates increase the transparency and value-relevance of the audit report.
Unpacking MOOC Scholarly Discourse: A Review of Nascent MOOC Scholarship.

The rapid rise of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) signals a shift in the ways in which digital teaching and learning are engaged in and understood. Drawing upon a comprehensive search of nine leading academic databases, this paper examines the initial phase of MOOC scholarship (2009–2013), and offers an analysis of these empirical studies that conceptualizes themes in MOOC scholarship and locates them within a chronological framework. Two key phases of scholarship about MOOCs are identified, each with associated research imperatives and themes. Phase One: Connectivist MOOCs, Engagement and Creativity 2009–2011/2012. Themes of Phase One include: development of Connectivism as a learning theory, and technological experimentation and innovation in early cMOOCs. Phase Two: xMOOCs, Learning Analytics, Assessment, and Critical Discourses about MOOCs 2012–2013. Themes of Phase Two include: the rise of xMOOCs, further development of MOOC pedagogy and platforms, growth of learning analytics and assessment, and...
Block and graft polymers their synthesis, especially by living polymer technique, and their properties

The various structures encountered in block and graft polymers are reviewed and a nomenclature useful for the description of these macromolecules is proposed. The concept of living polymers is elucidated and its ramifications discussed. It is shown how greatly the control of polymerization and the uniformity of the products is improved when living polymers are used as the reagents. Their application in the synthesis of block and graft polymers is illustrated by numerous examples. Other synthetic techniques yielding block and graft polymers are briefly sketched, their advantages and shortcomings being considered. Properties of block and graft polymers are described, special attention being devoted to the problems of mesomorphic phases and to the morphology of block polymers. The incompatibility phenomena observed in block and graft polymer systems are compared with those encountered in studies of the polymeric blends. Finally, the present and future applications of block and graft polymers are considered and their potential evaluated.
Characterization of activin A binding sites on the human leukemia cell line K562

Recombinant activin A was radioiodinated to a high specific activity with maintenance of bioactivity using the Bolton-Hunter method. The human leukemia cell line K562, known to differentiate in response to activin A, was found to possess high affinity [125I]BH-activin A receptors (Kd approximately 0.13 nM) with a low number of receptors per cell (approximately 600 per cell). This receptor was found to be specific as FSH, LH, GnRH, and TGF-beta 1 do not compete for binding. This is the first description of binding sites for this protein hormone on K562 cells.
An association study of 43 SNPs in 16 candidate genes with atorvastatin response

Variation in individual response to statin therapy has been widely studied for a potential genetic component. Multiple genes have been identified as potential modulators of statin response, but few study findings have replicated. To further examine these associations, 2735 individuals on statin therapy, half on atorvastatin and the other half divided among fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin were genotyped for 43 SNPs in 16 genes that have been implicated in statin response. Associations with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering, total cholesterol lowering, HDL-C elevation and triglyceride lowering were examined. The only significant associations with LDL-C lowering were found with apoE2 in which carriers of the rare allele who took atorvastatin lowered their LDL-C by 3.5% more than those homozygous for the common allele and with rs2032582 (S893A in ABCB1) in which the two groups of homozygotes differed by 3% in LDL-C lowering. These genetic effects were smaller than those observed with the demographic variables of age and gender. The magnitude of all the differences found is sufficiently small that genetic data from these genes should not influence clinical decisions on statin administration.
The reaction of triplet nitrenes with oxygen: a computational study.

Triplet carbenes react much more rapidly with oxygen than do triplet nitrenes. This trend is explained by DFT and MO calculations.
Better Color Matching Between HD and UHD Content

The introduction of a wide-gamut color space in ultrahigh-definition (UHD) television creates a need to match colors on wide-gamut UHD displays with colors on conventional high-definition (HD) displays. Many contemporary color conversion methods that apply to conversion from HD to standard definition (SD), and color conversion methods mandated by current television standards, fail to produce a good color match when converting colors from HD or narrow-gamut UHD color spaces to the wide-gamut UHD color space. This paper illustrates the color errors caused by the application of several of these conversion methods and recommends one method, using display-referred colorimetry, for better color matching between narrow-gamut and wide-gamut displays.
The KSHV viral interleukin-6 is not essential for latency or lytic replication in BJAB cells

Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus encodes a homolog of the human cellular interleukin-6 that may play a formative role in many KSHV-related diseases. While the viral IL-6 can signal similarly to its human counterpart little is known about the role of vIL-6 during KSHV infection. Using homologous recombination and selection in eukaryotic cells, a KSHV isolate was purified that does not express vIL-6 as was a control recombinant that left vIL-6 intact. The two viruses establish and maintain latency to similar levels in BJAB B-cells, reactivate to similar levels in B-cells and Monkey kidney cells and have very similar KSHV gene expression patterns. BJAB cells expressing KSHV survive better than the parental BJAB cells in low serum and the vIL-6 deletion does not abrogate this growth advantage. Thus vIL-6 is not essential for establishment, maintenance, or reactivation from latency in cell culture and is not involved in the survival of infected BJAB B-cells in low serum.
Stability analysis of connected cruise control with stochastic delays

In this paper we investigate the concept of connected cruise control (CCC) where vehicles rely on ad-hoc wireless vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication to control their longitudinal motion. While V2V communication potentially allows vehicles to build detailed knowledge about the traffic environment, intermittencies and packet drops introduce stochastic delays into the communication channels that make control very challenging. Moreover, while communication and control occurs in discrete time, vehicle dynamics still takes place in continuous time. We convert the dynamics to discrete time and analyze the effects of stochastic delays on vehicular platoons. We derive plant and string stability conditions for the mean dynamics and show how the stable regimes shrink when the sampling time or the packet drop ratio increases. Our results have important implications regarding safety and efficiency of connected vehicle systems.
Analysis of BEECLUST swarm algorithm

We analyze a new swarm search algorithm based on the behavior of social insects, specifically honey bees. The new algorithm does not require any agent-agent communication and does not require the agents to know position information. The agents, or bots, cluster together near peaks in the search space based on the fitness value at the locations where the agents collide. In this paper we describe the algorithm, model the algorithm using a birth and death Markov chain, and determine the expected time for the agents/bots to cluster. We also determine the swarm size needed to complete a search in a reasonable time frame.
Photo-induced formation of semi-conducting Au–Ag aggregated branched nanoalloys on DNA template

A UV-photoirradiation technique has been demonstrated for an innovative, simple, one-step process for the synthesis of semi-conducting Au–Ag aggregated branched nanoalloys on DNA within 3 h. The nanostructures having the diameters range from 4 to 12 nm with length in the micrometer range. During Au–Ag alloy nanostructures synthesis, the DNA acts as both a reducing agent and a non-specific capping agent for the metal nanoparticles. The current–voltage (I–V) under AFM characterization revealed that the nanostructures behave as non-hysteretic semi-conductors at low voltages (<5 V), indicating continuous alloy structure. The deposition of the particles is highly selective on DNA only. These Au–Ag alloy nanostructures may be valuable for the synthesis of other hybrid and composite nanostructures as well as for functional nanodevices, miniature computers, optoelectronics and sensors.
The Design of the Argonne Double-Sided Microtron

The design study of a double-sided microtron is presented. The result of beam optic calculations in several sector magnet configurations is described. Current limitation by beam backup is discussed.
Racial disparities in the use of palliative therapy for ureteral obstruction among elderly patients with advanced prostate cancer

Palliative issues are an important but understudied issue for patients with advanced cancer. Ureteral obstruction is a complication of advanced prostate cancer, usually relieved with placement of retrograde ureteral stent (RUS) or percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) to palliate symptoms associated with obstructive uropathy and/or renal failure. We investigated predictors of receipt of RUS and PCN and their association with survival for older advanced prostate cancer patients. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare database, we identified patients aged 65 or older with stage IV (n = 10,848) or recurrent (n = 7,872) prostate cancer. We used multivariable analysis to compare those with ureteral obstruction treated with RUS or PCN to those not treated and to analyze the association between RUS, PCN, and survival. Sixteen percent (n = 2,958) of the sample developed ureteral obstruction. Compared to no treatment, African Americans were more likely to undergo placement of PCN [odds ratio 1.48, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 1.03–2.13] than Whites, but equally likely to receive a stent. Subjects of >80 years were less likely to undergo RUS (ages 80–84, 0.41, 95 % CI 0.27–0.63; ages ≥85, 0.30, 95 % CI 0.16–0.54) compared to patients 65–69 years. Subjects who received a PCN were 55 % more likely to die than those who were untreated. There was no difference in survival among those receiving RUS vs untreated. Nine percent of subjects received RUS or PCN within 30 days of dying. This is the first population-based study to demonstrate a racial disparity in the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Reasons for disparate care need to be determined so that interventions may be developed.
Transformation of spin projected slater determinants under orbital permutation

This paper gives a proof that spin projected Slater determinants provide a basis for Young's natural representation of the symmetric groups under permutation of the orbitals. The general reduction of sums of spin projected Slater determinants to give functions of pure spatial symmetry type requires this transformation.
Charm production from proton–proton collisions

Abstract We evaluate the cross sections for charmed hadron production from proton–proton reactions pp→p D 0 Λ c + and pp→p D ∗0 Λ c + using a hadronic Lagrangian. With empirical coupling constants and cutoff parameters in the form factors, sum of their cross sections at center-of-mass energy of 11.5 GeV is about 1 μb and is comparable to measured inclusive cross section for charmed hadron production from proton–proton reactions. The cross section decreases to about 1 nb at 40 MeV above threshold.
Segmentation of building point cloud models including detailed architectural/structural features and MEP systems

Abstract Accurate and rapidly produced 3D models of the as-built environment can be significant assets for a variety of Engineering scenarios. Starting with a point cloud of a scene—generated using laser scanners or image-based reconstruction methods—the user must first identify collections of points that belong to individual surfaces, and then, fit surfaces and solid geometry objects appropriate for the analysis. When performed manually, this task is often prohibitively time consuming and, in response, several research groups have recently focused on developing methods for automating the modeling process. Due to the limitations of the data collection processes as well as the complexity of as-built scenes, automated 3D modeling still presents many challenges. To overcome existing limitations, in this paper, we propose a new region growing method for robust context-free segmentation of unordered point clouds based on geometrical continuities. In our method, the user sets a single parameter which accounts for the desired level of abstraction. We treat this parameter as a locally adaptive threshold to account for local context. Our method of segmentation starts with a multi-scale feature detection, describing surface roughness and curvature around each 3D point, and is followed by seed finding and region growing steps. Experimental results from seven challenging point clouds of the built environment demonstrate that our method can account for variability in point cloud density, surface roughness, curvature, and clutter within a single scene.
A replication of Bransford and Franks’ (1971) “The abstraction of linguistic ideas”

Experiment II of Bransford & Frank’s (1971) “The Abstraction of Linguistic Ideas” was replicated in as great a detail as the description of the original procedure would permit. The present results are almost identical to those of Bransford and Franks: Ss frequently reported recognizing new sentences derived from the same complex ideas as sentences heard during acquisition, and their level of confidence in their reports of recognition increased as the complexity of the test sentences increased. These findings enhance Bransford and Franks’s conclusion that Ss integrate complex semantic information as presented in related but nonconsecutively experienced sentences, and do not simply memorize the exact sentences which they have heard. The procedures seem appropriate for use in the investigation of other hypotheses concerning semantic memory.
Decomposing Jacobians of curves with extra automorphisms

Given a fixed genus g, we would like to know the largest possible integer t such that t copies of one elliptic curve E appear in the decomposition of the Jacobian variety JX for some curve X of genus g. In this paper we find nontrivial lower bounds for t for genus up to 10. For genus 3 through 6 we demonstrate curves X such that JX∼E .
Distributions of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in sympathetic neurons of female rats: enriched expression by uterine innervation.

Estrogen modulates many features of the sympathetic nervous system, including cell numbers and ganglion synapses, and can induce uterine sympathetic nerve degeneration. However, distributions of estrogen receptors alpha and beta within sympathetic neurons have not been described, and their regulation by target tissue or estrogen levels has not been explored. We used immunofluorescence and retrograde tracing to define estrogen receptor expression in sympathetic neurons at large in pre- and paravertebral ganglia and in those projecting to the uterine horns. Estrogen receptor alpha immunoreactivity was present in 29 +/- 1%, while estrogen receptor beta was expressed by 92 +/- 1% of sympathetic neurons at large. The proportions of neurons expressing these receptors were comparable in the superior cervical and thoraco-lumbar paravertebral ganglia from T11 through L5, and in the suprarenal, celiac, and superior mesenteric prevertebral ganglia. Injections of FluoroGold into the uterine horns resulted in labeled neurons, with peak occurrences in T13, L1, and the suprarenal ganglion. Uterine-projecting neurons showed small but significantly greater incidence of estrogen receptor beta expression relative to the neuronal population at large, whereas the proportion of uterine-projecting neurons with estrogen receptor alpha-immunoreactivity was nearly threefold greater. Numbers of estrogen receptor-expressing neurons were not altered by acute estrogen administration. We conclude that the vast majority of sympathetic neurons express estrogen receptor beta immunoreactive protein, whereas a smaller, presumably overlapping subset expresses the estrogen receptor alpha. Expression of the latter apparently can be enhanced by target-mediated mechanisms.
The 2 Å resolution structure of the sulfate-binding protein involved in active transport in Salmonella typhimurium☆

The crystal structure of the liganded form of the sulfate-binding protein, an initial receptor for active transport of sulfate in Salmonella typhimurium, has been solved and refined at 2.0 A resolution (1 A = 0.1 nm). The final model, which consists of 2422 non-hydrogen atoms, one sulfate substrate and 143 water molecules, yields a crystallographic R-factor of 14.0% for 16,959 reflections between 8 and 2 A. The structure deviates from ideal bond lengths and angle distances by 0.015 A and 0.037 A, respectively. The protein is ellipsoid with overall dimensions of 35 A x 35 A x 65 A and consists of two similar globular domains. The two domains are linked by three distinct peptide segments, which though widely separated in the amino acid sequence, are in close proximity in the tertiary structure. As these connecting segments are located near the periphery of the molecule, they further serve as the base or a "boundary" of the deep cleft formed between the two domains. Despite the unusual interdomain connectivity, both domains have similar supersecondary structure consisting of a central five-stranded beta-pleated sheet sandwiched by alpha-helices on either side. The arrangement of the two domains gives rise to the ellipsoidal shape and to the cleft between the two domains wherein the sulfate substrate is found and completely engulfed. A discovery of considerable importance is that the sulfate substrate is tightly held in place primarily by seven hydrogen bonds, five of which are donated by main-chain peptide NH groups, another by a serine hydroxyl and the last by the indole NH moiety of a tryptophan side-chain; there are no positively charged residues, nor cations, nor water molecules within van der Waals' distance to the sulfate dianion. All the main-chain peptide units associated with the sulfate are in turn linked (via the peptide CO group) to arrays of hydrogen bonds. Three of these arrays are composed of alternating peptide units and hydrogen bonds within the solvent-exposed part of three alpha-helices and two are linked to a histidine and an arginine residue. The sulfate-binding protein bears strong similarity to the structures of four other periplasmic binding proteins solved in our laboratory which are specific for L-arabinose, D-galactose/D-glucose, leucine/isoleucine/valine and leucine. The similarity includes the ellipsoidal shape and the two globular domain structures, each domain consisting of a central beta-pleated sheet flanked by alpha-helices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Asymmetric electrode-molecule transport dynamics tracked by nanoscale electroluminescence

Common to molecular electronics studies, nanoscale break junctions created through electromigration naturally produce electroluminescent arrays of individual gold nanoclusters spanning the electrodes. The arrival time stamping of detected photons from these electrically driven, room-temperature nanoclusters demonstrates that charge injection to the clusters is directly modulated by dynamic coupling to individual electrodes. These several-atom nanoclusters electroluminesce due to inelastic electron tunneling into cluster electronic energy levels. ac electrical excitation $(\ensuremath{\sim}200\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MHz})$ with time-stamping of photon arrival times enables fast and local tracking of electrode-nanocluster coupling dynamics. The electrode-nanocluster coupling rate fluctuates by nearly an order of magnitude, and due to the asymmetry of the electromigration process, exhibits preferential charge injection from the anode. Directly reporting on nanoscale charge transport, time-tagged single-molecule electroluminescence reveals a significant mechanism for nanoscale charge transport in nanoscale gold break junctions and offers a direct readout of the electrode-molecule interactions that can be correlated with current flow.
Minding metals: Tailoring multifunctional chelating agents for neurodegenerative disease

Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are associated with elevated levels of iron, copper, and zinc and consequentially high levels of oxidative stress. Given the multifactorial nature of these diseases, it is becoming evident that the next generation of therapies must have multiple functions to combat multiple mechanisms of disease progression. Metal-chelating agents provide one such function as an intervention for ameliorating metal-associated damage in degenerative diseases. Targeting chelators to adjust localized metal imbalances in the brain, however, presents significant challenges. In this perspective, we focus on some noteworthy advances in the area of multifunctional metal chelators as potential therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to metal chelating ability, these agents also contain features designed to improve their uptake across the blood–brain barrier, increase their selectivity for metals in damage-prone environments, increase antioxidant capabilities, lower Aβ peptide aggregation, or inhibit disease-associated enzymes such as monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase.
CLOUD PATTERNS: PART 2: A MECHANISM THAT ORGANIZES CLOUD PATTERNS

Abstract The shape of the frontal or inversion surface over a lower moist layer with geostrophic wind balance is shown to be curved, and a steady-state distribution with a discontinuity in the shape of the surface is shown to be possible. As the resulting configuration of stationary ridges on the inversion conforms with many features of cloud streets, it is suggested that the mechanism may play an important role in the organization of cloud patterns. Presentation of the complete theory must await a more elaborate theoretical-descriptive paper.
Stochastic vehicle mobility forecasts using the nato reference mobility model

Abstract The NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM) is a comprehensive means of predicting the speeds of military vehicles in on-road, off road, and gap-crossing contexts. The model has been in service for many years and helps user communities concerned with vehicle design, wargaming, and strategic planning. Recent developments in computer hardware and software are creating an opportunity for NRMM to serve a tactical role on the battlefield. Adaptation of NRMM to this role requires that its users come to grips with the collection of digital data to describe vehicle, terrain, and scenario data in a real-time environment. This paper discusses the performance of NRMM when selected inputs and algorithms contain random components. A developmental pathway is outlined that leads from current deterministic mobility forecasts to stochastic forecasts capable of suggesting the risks taken when speed predictions must be made in the presence of data and algorithm errors. Concepts that express measures of confidence for wide-area mobility forecasts when errors are known with small-area detail are described. Several numerical examples are given.
Information theory and information processing

Abstract The early promise of information theory has not been fulfilled in the arena of human perception and cognition, though interesting applications continue to be made in the newer areas of experimental psychology. Information-theoretic approaches have been largely displaced by information processing methods, several examples of which are reviewed in the domains of memory and thinking.
Family Life and School Experience: Factors in the Racial Identity Development of Black Youth in White Communities

Eighteen middle-class Black college students were interviewed in-depth about their experiences growing up in predominantly White communities. Using Cross's model of racial identity development as a theoretical framework for analysis, case studies of three women and two men are presented to highlight the impact of varied parental socialization practices and school experiences on racial identity development. For all, positive same-race peer relationships, information about African-American achievements, the availability of role models, and the encouragement of significant adults were important for academic success and the beginning resolution of identity conflicts. The implications of these findings for understanding aspects of school integration and for developing relevant school-based interventions are considered.
Low-energy electron diffraction study of CO adsorption on the (100) face of platinum

Abstract Low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) patterns from CO adsorbed on various faces of Pt indicate that the CO molecule attaches itself with its linear axis normal to the metal surface. Two CO structures (phase H and phase L) form on the (100) face of Pt. Both phases are of rectangular symmetry and occur in domains related by a 90° rotation. The phase present is found to depend on the surface concentration of CO, phase H having a higher coverage ( 3 4 ) than phase L ( 2 3 ) . Phase H has a structre 2 × 4 times the Pt (11) spacing with major axes parallel to the Pt [11] directions. Phase L has a structure 1 × 3 times the Pt (10) spacing with major axes parallel to the Pt [10] directions. The phase L structure indicates a rather strong attractive interaction between certain of the adsorbed CO molecules. At a low ambient CO pressure phase H can be transformed to phase L either thermally at approximately 80° C or by action of the electron beam. This action is shown to arise from electron-adsorbate molecule collisions. The observations are compared with current literature data concerning the removal by electron beams of impurities bound in the lattices of oxides and the removal of chemisorbed species from metal substrates. It is concluded that for moderate to strongly bonded adsorbates the electron beam will have negligible effects on LEED observations, but for lightly bonded species such as physisorbed gases it appears that the effects may be quite large unless a relatively high pressure of the ambient gas can be maintained to supply the back reaction.
Design and fabrication of a foldable hexapod robot towards experimental swarm applications

This paper presents the development of a lightweight origami-inspired foldable hexapod robot. Using a single sheet of polyester and a laser cutter, the hexapod robot can be fabricated and assembled in less than one hour from scratch. No screw or other external tools are required for assembly. The robot has built-in polyester fasteners considered in its crease pattern. The design uses four-bar mechanisms, which makes the robot flexible to be adjusted for different speeds or other task metrics. For a given desired locomotion velocity, various parameters of the four-bar mechanisms in the crease pattern can be modified accordingly. Design flexibility, ease of fabrication, and low cost make the robot suitable as an agent for swarm objectives. This work presents the foldable hexapod design and its kinematic analysis. The robot is fabricated, assembled, and tested for functionality. Experimental results show that the robot prototype runs with a maximum forward speed of 5 body lengths per second and turns in place with a speed of 1 revolution per second. The final robot weighs 42 grams.
Cocaine toxicity and the calcium channel blockers nifedipine and nimodipine in rats

Two dihydropyridine type calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were studied for any protective or therapeutic effect upon cocaine-induced toxicity and death in rats. To test for the protective effects, rats were pretreated with vehicle (control), nifedipine or nimodipine, intraperitoneally (IP) 30 minutes prior to an LD85 of cocaine, or intravenously (IV) 10 minutes prior to cocaine administration. Animals receiving IP control vehicle developed seizures in 5.6 +/- 1.0 minutes and respiratory arrest in 9.8 +/- 1.4 minutes. Animals pretreated IP with nifedipine or nimodipine developed seizures and respiratory arrest significantly sooner than the controls, although the overall incidences of seizures and respiratory arrest were not significantly different. Pretreatment with IV CCBs resulted in similar findings. To test the therapeutic effect of CCBs given following cocaine overdose, rats were administered cocaine IP and then treated with IV nifedipine or nimodipine once seizures occurred. In these animals, there was no significant difference in the incidence or time to respiratory arrest compared to vehicle controls. This study demonstrates that neither pretreatment nor posttreatment with the CCBs nifedipine or nimodipine reduces cocaine toxicity in this rodent model.
Studies on the Chronic Toxicity (Inhalation) of Wollastonite in Fischer 344 Rats

AbstractWollastonite is a naturally occurring calcium metasilicate acicular mineral that is used in a variety of commercial applications and has been proposed as an asbestos substitute for selected products. Male Fischer 344 rats were exposed by inhalation to 10 mg/m3 (360 fibers/cm3) wollastonite (NYAD-G) for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk for 12 or 24 mo. They were compared to untreated chamber controls and positive controls [chrysotile asbestos, 70 mg/m3 (-7000 fibers/cm3) for 12 mo]. Six rats from each exposure group were killed after 3, 12, and 24 mo. The remaining rats were held for lifetime observation (until 90% mortality). The results of this study showed that wollastonite was slightly toxic to the lung, producing an alveolar macrophage response that resolved after exposure ceased. There was no evidence of wohstonite-induced neoplasms, although the chrysotile asbestos administered under similar conditions produced a high incidence of bronchoalveolar carcinomas.
Spin-fluctuation effects in CeSi x alloys: High-field heat-capacity, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical resistivity studies, and a comment on TiBe 2

The low-temperature (1.5--20 K) heat capacity in zero and applied fields up to 9.8 T, the magnetization in a field of 1.8 T in the range 1.5--300 K, the low-field ac magnetic susceptibility (50 mK--10 K), and electrical resistivity (2.4--300 K) have been measured for ${\mathrm{CeSi}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ (x=1.83, 1.85, and 1.90) alloys. A contribution of the form ${T}^{3}$lnT to the heat capacity, predicted for spin-fluctuation compounds by the paramagnon theory, occurs for all three compounds. In ${\mathrm{CeSi}}_{1.83}$ and ${\mathrm{CeSi}}_{1.85}$ the deviation from ${T}^{3}$lnT behavior occurs below approximately 8 and 2.4 K, respectively, due to the onset of magnetic order at 5.5 and 1 K, respectively. The transition of the spin-fluctuation regime to a magnetically ordered state in these two alloys is reported for the first time. In ${\mathrm{CeSi}}_{1.83}$ the entropy associated with magnetic ordering accounts for approximately 17% of the theoretically expected R ln2 entropy; the rest is presumably associated with the spin fluctuations. Spin fluctuations in ${\mathrm{CeSi}}_{1.90}$ are not quenched in fields up to 7.5 T, but the data suggest that the quenching may be starting at 10 T. The heat capacity in applied fields develops a bump which is presumably due to the development of a magnetic moment induced by the field. A similar such bump in ${\mathrm{TiBe}}_{2}$ may also occur. A gradual progression from paramagnetic spin or valence fluctuations to magnetically ordered Kondo regime takes place with decreasing silicon concentration. An analysis of these data indicate that the ${\mathrm{CeSi}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ alloys are moderately heavy fermions with \ensuremath{\gamma} values of 184.6--269.6 mJ/mol Ce ${\mathrm{K}}^{2}$, ${T}_{s}$ (spin fluctuation temperature) values of 28 and 29 K, and Stoner enhancements varying from 135 to 645.
ROCK1 functions as a suppressor of inflammatory cell migration by regulating PTEN phosphorylation and stability

Rho kinases belong to a family of serine/threonine kinases whose role in recruitment and migration of inflammatory cells is poorly understood. We show that deficiency of ROCK1 results in increased recruitment and migration of macrophages and neutrophils in vitro and in vivo. Enhanced migration resulting from ROCK1 deficiency is observed despite normal expression of ROCK2 and a significant reduction in overall ROCK activity. ROCK1 directly binds PTEN in response to receptor activation and is essential for PTEN phosphorylation and stability. In the absence of ROCK1, PTEN phosphorylation, stability, and its activity are significantly impaired. Consequently, increased activation of downstream targets of PTEN, including PIP3, AKT, GSK-3β, and cyclin D1, is observed. Our results reveal ROCK1 as a physiologic regulator of PTEN whose function is to repress excessive recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils during acute inflammation.
Future Directions in Asthma Therapy: Is a Cure Possible?

Asthma correctly is characterized as a syndrome rather than a disease, because a single causative mechanism has not yet been defined. This lack of definition makes the search for a cure extremely complex. Until a common pathogenetic link is identified, the possibility of a cure is remote. The precise nature of the inflammatory response in asthma has not been defined, and current concepts of the pathogenesis of asthma represent, to some extent, a reductionistic approach to a process that has been seen variously as an allergic reaction, autonomic hyperresponsiveness, or both. Additional evidence of the polygenomic nature of the disease and the inability to define a specific pathogenetic process linked to a final common pathway suggest that gene therapies probably will not be feasible, at least for the near future. As expected, most approaches now being developed are directed toward improved therapies, and optimal treatment may obviate the need to develop complex therapies effecting a cure. Under any circumstance, the notion of a cure will have to await a more comprehensive understanding of the syndrome known as human asthma. This article is intended to provide provocative insights into the reasons why a cure remains elusive.