cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioral stress alters corticolimbic microglia in a sex- and brain region-specific manner

Women are more susceptible to numerous stress-linked psychological disorders (e.g., depression) characterized by dysfunction of corticolimbic brain regions critical for emotion regulation and cognitive function. Although sparsely investigated, a number of studies indicate sex differences in stress effects on neuronal structure, function, and behaviors associated with these regions. We recently demonstrated a basal sex difference in- and differential effects of stress on- microglial activation in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The resident immune cells of the brain, microglia are implicated in synaptic and dendritic plasticity, and cognitive-behavioral function. Here, we examined the effects of acute (3h/day, 1 day) and chronic (3h/day, 10 days) restraint stress on microglial density and morphology, as well as immune factor expression in orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), basolateral amygdala (BLA), and dorsal hippocampus (DHC) in male and female rats. Microglia were visualized, classified based on their morphology, and stereologically counted. Microglia-associated transcripts (CD40, iNOS, Arg1, CX3CL1, CX3CR1, CD200, and CD200R) were assessed in brain punches from each region. Expression of genes linked with cellular stress, neuroimmune state, and neuron-microglia communication varied between unstressed male and female rats in a region-specific manner. In OFC, chronic stress upregulated a wider variety of immune factors in females than in males. Acute stress increased microglia-associated transcripts in BLA in males, whereas chronic stress altered immune factor expression in BLA more broadly in females. In DHC, chronic stress increased immune factor expression in males but not females. Moreover, acute and chronic stress differentially affected microglial morphological activation state in male and female rats across all brain regions investigated. In males, chronic stress altered microglial activation in a pattern consistent with microglial involvement in stress-induced dendritic remodeling across OFC, BLA, and DHC. Together, these data suggest the potential for microglia-mediated sex differences in stress effects on neural structure, function, and behavior.
Parallel computation of magnetic field parameters from HMI active region patches

Magnetic parameters are crucial to analyze and forecast solar events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These parameters can be computed from vector magnetogram data collected from the solar surface. We propose a tool to compute these magnetic parameters from solar image data files in parallel using multi-threading and GPUs. The architecture of the proposed solar magnetic parameter computational tool is discussed in detail. We use the images from Spaceweather HMI Active Region Patches (SHARP) data available from JSOC to perform our experiments. We perform exhaustive analysis on the parameters used in the architecture. Run times of magnetic parameter generation are compared across serial execution codes (implemented in Python and C++) and parallel code (implemented in python and C++ using OpenACC). We conclude by showing that parallel computation of magnetic parameters using GPUs is much faster when compared to serial execution.
Description and explanation of pragmatic development: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research

Abstract Developmental research in L2 pragmatics addresses two essential issues: changes within the L2 pragmatics systems and influences on the systems (Bardovi-Harlig, 1999). These two issues can be best examined through the lens of longitudinal research, which by design allows us to observe how L2 learners change over time and helps establish causal relationships between change and time. Although the body of longitudinal studies describing changes has expanded in the past decade, not many studies have documented influences on the changing pragmatic systems. Existing studies are largely descriptive rather than explanatory, and do not explain how and why changes occurred. To address this limitation, this paper presents mixed methods research as a promising approach. By integrating quantitative and qualitative data analyses in a single study, mixed methods research can reveal patterns of change over time, and at the same time help reveal individual and contextual factors influencing the observed patterns. Using example studies, this paper illustrates how mixed methods approaches can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of pragmatic development.
Localized Distributivity Conditions

Various conditions have been used in lieu of full two-sided distributivity to obtain structure theory for near-rings, most successful and most widely known being the distributively generated condition, but also including a plethora of other conditions, some being quite exotic. Imperative in justifying the use of such a condition is not only that it gives satisfory results, but that also there is a wide class of natural examples which satisfy the condition. Definition: Let K, S, and T be subsets of a (left) near-ring R, with K and T non-empty. We say “K is (S, T)-distributive” if s (k 1 +k 2 )t = sk 1t + sk 2t, for each k 1 , k 2 ∈ K, s ∈ S, t ∈ T. We say “K is (S,T)-d.g.on X” if K is (S, X)-distributive and T is contained in the subgroup of R which is generated additively by X. Generically we call such conditions “localized distributivity conditions”. First we give a historically oriented survey of such conditions and how they were used. This serves as one source of motivating examples. Then certain localized distributivity conditions on special R-subgroups or ideals are discussed with applications to the study of minimal ideals, various types of prime ideals and their associated radicals, and primitivity and the J v radicals. Examples of near-rings of mappings or homomorphisms on additive groups are given to illustrate how these particular conditions discussed arise naturally, thus satisfying both justification criteria.
CSF: Formation, Absorption, Markers, and Relationship to Blood-Brain Barrier

This chapter describes the physiology of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the blood–brain interfaces, particularly in relation to stroke. The CSF is formed by the choroids plexuses and cerebral capillaries, while interstitial fluid (ISF) is formed by cerebral capillaries. The composition of the two fluids is the same as they mix freely across the gap junctions in the ependymal and pial surfaces. The interfaces between blood and brain preserve the integrity of the neuronal microenvironment. Choroid plexuses and cerebral capillaries form CSF and ISF, which circulate through the cerebral ventricles and the extracellular spaces, leaving the brain mainly via the arachnoid granulations. CSF functions as the brain's lymph by delivering nutrients and removing metabolic products. At each interface between blood and brain, anatomic or enzymatic processes are present that block movement of substances that are not lipid soluble. Carrier-mediated processes transport nutrients essential to brain cell function, such as glucose and amino acids, into the central nervous system. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is frequently opened during injury, allowing brain edema to form, causing damage to brain cells. Many cytotoxic factors, including free radicals, cytokines, and proteases, participate in disruption of the BBB.
No-tillage Corn Weed Management

Materials and Methods The crop rotation was corn following soybean. Crop residue was 95–100% at planting. Fertilization included 100 lb/A actual N applied as 28% urea ammonium nitrate dribble banded. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Herbicides were applied in 20 gal. water/acre. Visual estimates of crop injury and percentage of weed control were made during the growing season. These observations were compared with an untreated control, rated on a 0–100% scale (0% = no control or injury; 100% = complete control or crop kill).
Some Ins and Outs of Indispensability: A Modal-Structural Perspective

Empiricism has traditionally had great difficulty in making sense of mathematics. The problems with Mill’s empiricism in this regard, as exposed by Frege, are well known. In this century, Carnap’s logical empiricism turned on the claim that all mathematical truths are really analytic, i.e., true solely in virtue of linguistic meanings, a claim that cannot withstand scrutiny in light of Godel’s work and its aftermath. Quine’s naturalistic empiricism has sought to do better. The insight that testing of scientific theories is holistic, involving substantial bodies of propositions, suggested that even purely mathematical assumptions, essential in both the formulation of (say) physical theories and in deduction of testable consequences, can gain empirical support or confirmation indirectly, in a manner analogous to the way in which highly theoretical physical postulates can. (The locus classicus is [20].) There is no need to claim that, say, abstract set-existence axioms are really analytic, nor is there any need to invoke a special intuitive faculty for grasping mathematical objects or propositions. Mathematics can be seen as continuous with the sciences, and mathematical epistemology promises to be brought within a thorough-going naturalistic framework.
Admixture mapping and fine-mapping of birth weight loci in the Black Women's Health Study.

Several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants associated with birth weight. To date, however, most GWAS of birth weight have focused primarily on European ancestry samples even though prevalence of low birth weight is higher among African-Americans. We conducted admixture mapping using 2918 ancestral informative markers in 2596 participants of the Black Women’s Health Study, with the goal of identifying novel genomic regions where local African ancestry is associated with birth weight. In addition, we performed a replication analysis of 11 previously identified index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and fine-mapped those genetic loci to identify better or new genetic variants associated with birth weight in African-Americans. We found that high African ancestry at 12q14 was associated with low birth weight, and we identified multiple independent birth weight-lowering variants in this genomic region. We replicated the association of a previous GWAS SNP in ADRB1 and our fine-mapping efforts suggested the presence of new birth weight-associated variants in ADRB1, HMGA2, and SLC2A4. Further studies are needed to determine whether birth weight-associated loci can in part explain race-associated birth weight disparities.
A simple developmental model recapitulates complex insect wing venation patterns

Insect wings are typically supported by thickened struts called veins. These veins form diverse geometric patterns across insects. For many insect species, even the left and right wings from the same individual have veins with unique topological arrangements, and little is known about how these patterns form. We present a large-scale quantitative study of the fingerprint-like "secondary veins." We compile a dataset of wings from 232 species and 17 families from the order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), a group with particularly elaborate vein patterns. We characterize the geometric arrangements of veins and develop a simple model of secondary vein patterning. We show that our model is capable of recapitulating the vein geometries of species from other, distantly related winged insect clades.
Navigating, managing and loving Mostar: methodologies, activisms and theories

This Special Issue takes up a challenging task: as the title Challenging the Representation of Ethnically Divided Cities reveals, the contributing authors all question the notion of ethnically divi...
Accumulation-Driven Surfactant-Free Synthesis of Architectured Immiscible Metallic Nanoalloys with Enhanced Catalysis

Accumulation-mediated chemical reactions are a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature. Herein, we explore microbubble-induced accumulation of precursor ions to achieve surfactant-free synthesis of immiscible metallic nanoalloys and to simultaneously pattern the nanoalloys into targeted architectures for their enhanced catalytic applications. We name our approach as a unified spatiotemporal synthesis and structuring (US3) strategy, wherein millisecond-scale accumulation of the precursor ions in a highly confined laser-mediated microbubble trap (MBT) drives ultra-fast alloy synthesis in sync with the structuring process. As a case-in-point, we employ US3 strategy for the in-situ surfactant-free synthesis and patterning of traditionally immiscible rhodium-gold (RhAu) nanoalloys. Stochastic random walk simulations justify the millisecond-scale accumulation process, leading to a 3-order reduction in synthesis time. The catalytic activity and structure-property relationship of the structured nanoalloys were evaluated using the reduction of p-nitrophenol with NaBH4. Our in-situ synthesis and structuring strategy can be translated for high-throughput production and screening of multi-metallic systems with tailored catalytic, opto-electronic, and magnetic functions.
PROTEINS OF THE CONIFER EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX

Cell walls have many critical roles in plant physiology and development including the control of cell shape, plant morphogenesis, mechanical strength, and water transport. In addition to the structural roles, recent research suggests that the plant cell surface, including the cell wall, plasma membrane, and middle lamella, plays important roles in many cellular and developmental processes (Nothnagel 1997). Signals present in or on cell walls have been shown to influence cell fate and to be involved in defense against insects and pathogens (Carpita and Gibeaut 1993). In addition to their roles in plant physiology and development, cell walls are the primary component of wood and are therefore, ecologically and economically important. Wood is by far the most abundant component of the terrestrial biomass and therefore has a significant influence upon the planetary carbon cycle and the global climate. Wood is also a leading industrial raw material and an important component of the global economy.
SBOLExplorer: Data Infrastructure and Data Mining for Genetic Design Repositories

This paper describes SBOLExplorer, a system that is used to provide intuitive searching within the SynBioHub genetic design repository. SynBioHub stores genetic constructs encoded in the SBOL data format. These constructs can represent genetic parts, circuits, and sequences. These constructs are often numerous, exist in various states of completeness and documentation, and do not lend themselves to simple searching and discovery. In particular, this paper focuses on improving the search capabilities of SynBioHub. Inspiration is drawn from the techniques used to organize and search over the World Wide Web, a linked data set with many of the same properties of the SBOL data in SynBioHub. SBOLExplorer integrates these methods into SynBioHub's data representation and search, providing significant improvement over the previous search implementation based on pattern-matching.
Your Cheating Cognitions: Young Women’s Responses to Television Messages about Infidelity

The current study examined how exposure to a depiction of sexual infidelity on television influenced women’s responses to hypothetical infidelity. In addition, we examined three individual factors ...
Mortality of the invasive white garden snail Theba pisana exposed to three US isolates of Phasmarhabditis spp (P. hermaphrodita, P. californica, and P. papillosa)

Theba pisana is a serious snail pest in many parts of the world and affects diverse crops including grain, vegetables, grapevines, and ornamental plants and shrubs. Due to its gregarious nature, ability to reproduce rapidly, and the difficulty of controlling it by conventional methods, it has the potential to become a significant pest where introduced. Mitigating this pest is an important challenge that must be addressed. Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, is a gastropod-killing nematode that is commercially available only in Europe (Nemaslug ®) and Sub-Saharan Africa (Slugtech ® SP). The use of effective gastropod-killing nematodes in the genus Phasmarhabditis (P. hermaphrodita, P. californica and P. papillosa) in California may provide one strategy for alleviating the potential damage and further spread of these snails, which are currently limited to San Diego and Los Angeles counties. Laboratory assays demonstrated for the first time that US isolates of P. hermaphrodita, P. californica and P. papillosa at 150 DJs/cm2 caused significant mortality and are equally lethal to T. pisana. Molluscicidal efficacy of these nematodes are comparable with those of iron phosphate, at the recommended high dose of 4.88 kg/m2. Additional trials are needed to determine their effects at lower dose and whether they are dependent on the size or age of the snails.
Semipolar group III-nitride distributed-feedback blue laser diode with Indium tin oxide surface grating

A novel approach to realize DFB gratings on GaN based laser diodes is presented and single longitudinal mode operation is achieved. For lasers with plasma-etched surface gratings, single mode operation was maintained until 900 mA and the spectral width FWHM was less than 5 pm with a SMSR of more than 29 dB. Moreover, several issues limiting the performance of semipolar III-Nitride DFB laser diodes with the etched grating are also addressed in this work. Besides these first order gratings that were formed by electron beam lithography and shallow plasma etching, an improved grating design based on dielectric teeth imbedded into ITO is described, along with the design’s impact on power and spectral performance. Particularly, by utilizing the HSQ resist, we focus on reducing the high operating voltage by imbedding the grating inside the transparent conductive oxide layer without dry etching. This new design with a non-etched imbedded grating successfully reduces the threshold voltage and achieves an output power of more than 200 mW under pulsed operation from an anti-reflection coated facet.
Complete Minimal Surfaces in Rn

Let M be a compact oriented smooth manifold with boundary ∂M (possibly ∂M = O). Also let f: M → (N, ds2) be an immersion into a Riemannian manifold N. By a smooth variation of f we mean a smooth map F: I × M → N, I =(−1, 1) such that i) Ft = F(t, ·): M → N is an immersion; ii) F0 = f; iii) Ft | ∂M = f| ∂M for every t ∈ I.
Nanomedicine in Healing Chronic Wounds: Opportunities and Challenges

The poor healing associated with chronic wounds affects millions of people worldwide through high mortality rates and associated costs. Chronic wounds present three main problems: First, the absenc...
Role of metAB in Methionine Metabolism and Optimal Chicken Colonization in Campylobacter jejuni.

Campylobacter jejuni is a zoonotic pathogen and is one of the leading causes of human gastroenteritis worldwide. C. jejuni IA3902 (representative of the sheep abortion clone) is genetically similar to C. jejuni W7 (representative of strain-type NCTC 11168), however, there are significant differences in the ability of luxS mutants of these strains to colonize chickens. LuxS is essential for the activated methyl cycle and generates homocysteine for conversion to L-methionine. Comparative genomics identified differential distribution of genes metA and metB, which function to convert homoserine for downstream production of L-methionine, between IA3902 and W7 which could enable a secondary pathway for L-methionine biosynthesis in W7ΔluxS but not in IA3902ΔluxS. To test the hypothesis that genes metA and metB contribute to L-methionine production and chicken colonization by Campylobacter, we constructed two mutants for phenotypic comparison: W7ΔmetABΔluxS and IA3902ΔluxS::metAB. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and tandem mass spectrometry protein analysis were used to validate MetAB transcription and translation as present in IA3902ΔluxS::metAB and absent in W7ΔmetABΔluxS. Time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer fluorescence assays demonstrated L-methionine and S-adenosyl methionine concentrations decreased in W7ΔmetABΔluxS and increased in IA3902ΔluxS::metAB. Assessment of chicken colonization revealed that IA3902ΔluxS::metAB partially rescued the colonization defect of IA3902ΔluxS, while W7ΔmetABΔluxS resulted in significantly decreased colonization compared to the wild type and W7ΔluxS. These results indicate that the ability to maintain L-methionine production in vivo, conferred by metA and metB in the absence of luxS, is critical for normal chicken colonization by C. jejuni.
How companion animal veterinarians in the United States perceive financial constraints on antibiotic decision-making.

BACKGROUND The misuse of antibiotics is a persistent problem in both human and veterinary medicine. While complex social and behavioural factors drive inappropriate use in human medicine, less is known about factors that impact antibiotic use in companion animal medicine. OBJECTIVE To identify the perceptions that veterinarians practicing companion animal medicine hold about the influence of financial considerations on antibiotic use. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with veterinarians practicing companion animal medicine in a major metropolitan area in the Eastern United States. Respondents were sampled purposefully, and data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS Interviews were conducted with 36 veterinarians from 19 practices. Veterinarians believed that their clients' willingness to pay for diagnostic testing or treatment interfered with their ability to make appropriate decisions about antibiotic use. Concerns over antibiotic expiration and subsequent financial losses limited which antibiotics veterinarians stocked. Some veterinarians feared that restricting antibiotic use to appropriate uses could harm their business and lead to economic euthanasia of their patients. CONCLUSIONS Veterinarians perceive that financial factors can impede their ability to appropriately prescribe antibiotics. Interventions that address the financial aspects of prescribing have the potential to improve antibiotic decision-making in veterinary medicine.
New computational methods for inverse wave scattering with a new filtering technique

This note is concerned with inverse wave scattering in one and two dimensional domains. It seeks to recover an unknown function based on measurements collected at the boundary of the domain. For one-dimensional problem, only one point of the domain is assumed to be accessible. For the two dimensional domain, the outer boundary is assumed to be accessible. It develops two iterative algorithms, in which an assumed initial guess for the unknown function is updated. The first method uses a set of sampling functions to formulate a moment problem for the correction to the assumed value. This method is applied to both one-dimensional and two dimensional domains. For two dimensional Helmholtz equation, it relies on a new effective filtering technique which is another contribution of the present work. The second method uses a direct formulation to recover the correction term. This method is only developed for the one-dimensional case. For all cases presented here, the correction to the assumed value is obtained by solving an over-determined linear system through the use of least-square minimization. Tikhonov regularization is also used to stabilize the least-square solution. A number of numerical examples are used to show their applicability and robustness to noise.
The Effects of Cycloheximide on Energy Transfer in Rat and Guinea Pig Liver Mitochondria

Abstract Cycloheximide was found to inhibit rat and guinea pig liver mitochondrial respiration in State 3 and after uncoupling by carbonyl cyanide p - trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, although no effect was observed during State 4 respiration. This inhibition was dependent upon the nature of the mitochondrial substrate since oxygen consumption, pyridine nucleotide oxidation, and ADP phosphorylation were inhibited with all NAD+-linked substrates tested whereas no significant effects were noted with flavin-linked substrates such as succinate. Reversed electron transport was estimated directly by pyridine nucleotide fluorescence or by the formation of β-hydroxybutyrate following succinate addition. In both instances, cycloheximide caused a significant inhibition. No direct effect of this inhibitor on a variety of purified NAD+-dependent dehydrogenases could be shown. Unlike rotenone, but similar to Amytal, cycloheximide significantly depressed the activity of the uncoupler-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase in isolated mitochondria. Taken together, these findings indicate that cycloheximide inhibits the mechanism of energy transfer specifically at Site I, but not at Sites II and III of the electron transport chain. Similar results were obtained with the isolated mitochondria of both rat and guinea pig liver. However, cycloheximide, in guinea pig liver mitochondria, produced a profound inhibition of P-enolpyruvate formation which was out of proportion to the observed inhibition of both substrate oxidation and ADP phosphorylation. The implications of this finding for the regulation of intramitochondrial guanine nucleotide balance are discussed.
Determination of Optical and Dielectric Properties of Polymers by Vibrational Spectroscopy

Principles of refraction and extinction of electromagnetic radiation incident upon homogeneous isotropic condensed phases are reviewed. The relation between the complex refractive index, n(ν), and the attenuation constant, k(ν), through the Kramers–Kronig transform is shown as is the relation of these optical constants to ɛ, the complex dielectric function. The basis of the determination of the optical constants n and k as a function of frequency for transparent amorphous polymeric materials by reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) is illustrated with examples. Also discussed is the effect of absorber concentration on the RAIR spectra. Various methods for the measurement of the optical constants and dielectric function of isotropic polymers included are other reflectance methods, attenuated total reflectance (ATR), transmittance–reflectance, transmission, and ellipsometry. The incipient importance of approaches for determining anisotropic optical constants is noted. Keywords: isotropic polymers; optical constants; refractive index – n; attenuation constant – k; dielectric function; reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy – RAIRS; Fresnel coefficients; Kramers–Kronig transform; transmittance; ellipsometry
Humanity Usurps Nature

The Weather Makers. How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth. By Tim Flanner Atlantic Monthly Press, New York, 2006. 381 pp. $24. ISBN 0-87113-935-9. The Weather Makers. The History and Future Impact of Climate Change . Allen Lane, London, 2006. £N 0-713-99921-7. Besides offering an accessible overview of the history, science, and politics of climate change, the author suggests what must be done to restrain global warming.
Next generation anatomy: integrating whole genome sequencing within the human anatomy curriculum (723.2)

Advances in genomics have vastly outpaced clinical education in this area. To help address this problem, the UW has piloted the introduction of whole genome sequencing within our first year human anatomy course. Last year, thirteen first-year medical students performed whole genome sequencing and analysis of a cadaver during the anatomy course. The patient expired with a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Students participated in a dissection of the cadaver, and a pathologist highlighted the anatomical changes resulting from the disease. Students then worked collaboratively to complete a ~45× whole genome sequence and then analyzed this patient’s genome using various bioinformatics tools. The analysis identified a variant in mucin-encoding MUC5B that was recently associated with pulmonary fibrosis. A year later, these students presented their findings to small groups (<20 students) of the new first year students and discussed the patient’s clinical history, the results of the dissection and genom...
The Empirical Valence Bond (EVB) Method

The empirical valence bond (EVB) model is a powerful conceptual and practical tool for studies of reactions of complex systems, ranging from reactions of large molecules to chemical processes in solutions and in enzymes. This method that can be viewed as an extension of force-field approaches to chemical reactivity is related here to other hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods and to other approaches. The review starts by pointing out the relationship between the EVB and early VB concepts. It is noted that while the VB models were developed for studies of chemical bonding in small molecules, the EVB models have provided a general and uniform way of simulating chemical reactions in large molecules and molecules in any environment. The use of the EVB approach in modeling chemical reactions is reviewed, emphasizing the effectiveness of the method in studies of enzyme catalysis. The advantages of the EVB approach are also considered, pointing out the usefulness of the analytical form of this method and its crucial importance for molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations of processes in condensed phases. Finally, the current proliferation of the EVB approach and its emergence under different names is discussed, clarifying the relationship between the different EVB–type models. Keywords: valence bond; solvation; QM/MM; EVB; enzyme catalysis; enzyme mechanisms; force-fields; reactions in solutions; FEP of chemical reactions; LFER; transition state search
The Fourth Gospel and History

HE relation of the Fourth Gospel to history continues to be a problem of importance to the student of the New Testament. There was a time when a sharp distinction was drawn between the Synoptics and the Fourth Gospel. The former, headed by Mark, were conceived as history and therefore readily available for a reconstruction of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, while the latter was recognized as interpretation. That distinction has now largely broken down; it is widely recognized that all four canonical Gospels are religious documents, concerned with setting forth the meaning of Jesus, the Son of God. Nevertheless, throughout the period when this re-evaluation was taking place, voices were raised which insisted on the allowance
Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors differentially modulate synergistic cytokine responsiveness of hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) influence proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), but little is known of how they influence proliferative responsiveness of HPCs to colony stimulating factors (CSFs), alone and in combination with other hematopoietically active factors, such as the potent co-stimulating cytokine stem cell factor (SCF), or inhibition by myelosuppressive chemokines. Using mice with deletions in p18INK4c, p21CIP1/WAF1, or p27KIP1 genes, and in mice with double gene deletions for either p18/p21 or p18/p27, we determined effects of absence of these CDKIs and their interactions on functional HPC numbers in vivo, and HPC proliferative responsiveness in vitro. There is a decrease in bone marrow HPC proliferation in p18−/− mice commensurate with decreased numbers of HPC, suggesting a positive role for p18 on HPC in vivo, similar to that for p21. These positive effects of p18 dominate negative effects of p27 gene deletion. Moreover, the CDKIs differentially regulate responsiveness of granulocyte macrophage (GM) progenitors to synergistic cell proliferation in response to GM-CSF plus SCF, which is considered important for normal hematopoiesis. Responsiveness of HPCs to inhibition by myelosuppressive chemokines is directly related to the capacity of HPCs to respond to synergistic stimulation, and their cell cycle status. P18INK4c gene deletion rescued the loss of chemokine suppression of synergistic proliferation due to deletion of p21CIP1/WAF1. These findings underscore the complex interplay of cell cycle regulators in HPC, and demonstrate that loss of one can sometimes be compensated by loss of another CDKI in both, a pro- or anti-proliferative context.
SEVERE COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENCY ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERIMMUNOGLOBULINAEMIA E, EOSINOPHILIA AND IMPAIRED NEUTROPHIL CHEMOTAXIS

. Beck, B., Friis, B., Heilmann, C., Pedersen, F. K. and Valerius, N. H. (University Clinic of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital, Fuglebakken, University Clinic of Infectious Diseases and University Clinic of Paediatrics, Department G, Rigshospitalet and Department of Clinical Microbiology, Statens Seruminstitut, Copenhagen, Denmark). Severe combined immunodeficiency associated with hyper-immunoglobulinaemia E, eosinophilia and impaired neutrophil chemotaxis. Acta Paediatr Scand 69:797, 1980.—A boy with severe combined immunodeficiency was found to have coexistent hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E, eosinophilia and impaired neutrophil chemotaxis. Based on the literature, a deficient regulatory function of the T-cell system is proposed as the basic defect leading to the observed impairment of the cellular and humoral immunity and, probably through hyper-immunoglobulinaemia E, to defective neutrophil chemotaxis.
Complex Kerr-Newman geometry and black-hole thermodynamics.

We establish that in the functional-integral expression for the grand partition function, the thermodynamic properties of a charged, rotating black hole are derived from a complex geometry. The corresponding real ``thermodynamical'' action is constructed explicitly.
Farming Systems Research: Issues in Research Strategy and Technology Design: Discussion

Byerlee, Harrington, and Winkelmann state that the highest expectations of the farming systems approach are in its problem solving role, which aims to increase productivity of farming systems by generating new technologies appropriate to farmers. They argue that because of the chronic shortage of resources in national agricultural institutions and because of the urgent need to help small farmers increase their productivity, cost effective methods that provide quick results are critical. I concur that this is how farming systems research should be viewed. But farming systems should be more than part of a dynamic research system if it is to achieve anticipated results. It must be part of a complete technological system for agriculture that includes a mass transfer mechanism. For-
Potent inhibition of microRNA in vivo without degradation

Chemically modified antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are widely used as a tool to functionalize microRNAs (miRNAs). Reduction of miRNA level after ASO inhibition is commonly reported to show efficacy. Whether this is the most relevant endpoint for measuring miRNA inhibition has not been adequately addressed in the field although it has important implications for evaluating miRNA targeting studies. Using a novel approach to quantitate miRNA levels in the presence of excess ASO, we have discovered that the outcome of miRNA inhibition can vary depending on the chemical modification of the ASO. Although some miRNA inhibitors cause a decrease in mature miRNA levels, we have identified a novel 2′-fluoro/2′-methoxyethyl modified ASO motif with dramatically improved in vivo potency which does not. These studies show there are multiple mechanisms of miRNA inhibition by ASOs and that evaluation of secondary endpoints is crucial for interpreting miRNA inhibition studies.
Effect of amplitude roughness on EUV mask specifications

The importance of partitioning scatterometry data from EUV multilayer mask blanks into amplitude and phase roughness on meeting LWR specifications is examined using thin mask simulations. Scatterometry measurements are unable to determine whether the scattering is due to phase or reflectivity variations. We show that if a fraction of the scattering is due to amplitude roughness there can be a significant impact on the total amount of scatter permitted to meet the LWR specification.
Number, location and severity of coronary arterial changes in spawning Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus).

Abstract Migrating salmon have increasing amounts of intimal proliferation in their epicardial arteries. These changes increase more in the hypobranchial and larger coronary arteries. The lesions are generally larger in area in the later stages of the migration. Few lesions occur in arterioles.
Transition metal oxides: extra thermodynamic stability as thin films.

The oxides of many transition metals wet their own metal surface. The adhesion energy at this interface (${E}_{\mathrm{adh},\mathrm{ox}/\mathrm{m}}$) provides extra stabilization, which lowers the ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ pressure required for oxide stability as a thin film below that required for bulk-oxide stability by the factor $\mathrm{exp}﻿[(2{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{ox}}\ensuremath{-}{E}_{\mathrm{adh},\mathrm{ox}/\mathrm{m}})/(t{N}_{\mathrm{ox}}RT)]$, where ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{ox}}$ is the surface energy of the oxide, $t$ is the oxide film thickness, and ${N}_{\mathrm{ox}}$ is the oxygen concentration in the bulk oxide (moles ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ per volume). For oxide films only $\ensuremath{\sim}1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{nm}$ thick, this correction can be many orders of magnitude. This may extend to other compounds.
Elastic light scattering spectroscopy for the detection of early cancer and pre-cancer

Optical spectroscopy mediated by fiberoptic probes can be used to perform minimally-invasive, real-time assessment of tissue pathology in-situ. Such techniques, sometimes called “optical biopsy,” can serve as clinical diagnostic tools. A range of spectroscopies have been investigated for optical diagnosis, all of which have one basic principle in common: the specific optical spectrum of a tissue sample contains information about the biochemical composition and/or the structure of the tissue. This basic approach is useful not only for the detection of cancer, but may also be used for other diagnostic applications such as blood oxygen saturation and intra-luminal detection of atherosclerosis. Special interest, however, has been given to the detection of early carcinoma and premalignant conditions. Spectroscopies based on fluorescence (both autofluorescence and exogenous-agent fluorescence), Raman scattering, and elastic light scattering have been investigated clinically. The most common approaches have been based on UV-induced fluorescence spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, which are assumed to be responsive to biochemical changes in cells.
The Crisis of Federalism and Electoral Strategies in Iraq

After uprooting Saddam Hussein from power, establishing democracy in Iraq has been declared among the most important objectives of the U.S.-led Coalition. However, the Coalition has encountered complex ethnic and religious relations and resentment of foreign intervention in Iraq. These reactions reflect decades, even centuries, of divisive and antagonistic policies whose impacts continue to complicate and threaten coexistence and civil peace. The immediate challenge of achieving stability and peace in Iraq, therefore, rests in the ability to foster a genuinely indigenous institutional political structure that can accommodate the different ethnic and sectarian aspirations. This article highlights the major potential shortcomings of the federal model established by the “Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for The Transitional Period.” It also examines the shortcomings of the List Proportional Representation system as presented by the United Nations for Iraq's transition, and alternatively proposes national electoral reform strategies, with the implementation of an Alternative Vote system with Minority Provision in the election to the National Assembly, as a means to strengthen Iraq's national unity.
Varieties having Boolean factor congruences

Abstract Every ring R with identity satisfies the following property: the factor ideals of R (i.e., those ideals I such that I + J = R and I ∩ J = (0) for some ideal J ) form a Boolean sublattice of the lattice of all ideals of R . The universal algebraic abstraction of this property is known as Boolean factor congruences (BFC) or as the strict refinement property ; more examples of algebras having BFC are lattices, semilattices, and centerless groups. We take up the study of varieties all of whose members have BFC, and show that all known examples of such varieties have a first-order definable 4-ary relation witnessing BFC. We also show that if every member of a variety is centerless then the variety has BFC, but not vice versa; and that, for a certain class of varieties, BFC is equivalent to the absence of abelian algebras.
Experimental verification of a multicompartment Na+-flow model of frog skin epidermis

Abstract A re-investigation was undertaken to consider the rates of transepidermal Na+-influx and Na+-backflux in the undamaged, isolated normal and Ouabain poisoned skins of Rana pipiens. The experimentally obtained rate values agreed with predictions derived from a computer model of skin epidermis. Both laboratory results and data computed by the use of a multicompartment epidermis model led to the conclusion that Ouabain greatly affects the flow of Na+ via the cellular, and not via the extracellular pathways. This study is presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the computer simulation technique in the analysis of the kinetics of flow of material across an epithelial membrane of considerable anatomical complexity.
Synthesis of Molecular Precursors to Carbon−Nitrogen−Phosphorus Polymeric Systems

The synthesis, single-crystal X-ray structure, and decomposition reactions of new molecular precursors to amorphous C3N3P, a material analogous to C3N4, are described. These precursors, F2(C3N3)P(SiMe3)2 and Cl2(C3N3)P(SiMe3)2, are prepared via reactions of C3N3X3 (X = F, Cl) with P(SiMe3)3 and decompose at 200−400 °C via complete elimination of stable SiMe3X (X = F, Cl) byproducts to produce thin films and bulk material of composition C3N3P. This material reacts with oxygen to form a novel C3N3PO polymer. C3N3P and C3N3PO represent promising precursors for high-pressure synthesis of three-dimensionally bonded structures that are expected to be hard, strong, and refractory.
Bilateral intra-orbital ophthalmic artery aneurysms

Clinical details A 52-year-old man presented with neck pain, nausea and vomiting (Hunt-Hess grade 1). CT scan showed subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography showed multiple arterial aneurysms (right communicating posterior, right anterior choroid, left pericallosal, intraorbital ophthalmic bilaterally). All aneurysms but intraorbital ophthalmic ones were treated with endovascular embolisations. As the intraorbital aneurysms were asymptomatic no treatment was performed. The patient was dismissed without any neurological deficits.
Nuclear Spin-Polarized Proton and 11 B Fuel for Fusion Reactors: Advantages of Double Polarization in the 11 B ( p , α ) 8 Be * Fusion Reaction

A previously developed general formalism has been used to calculate the yield and the angular distributions of outgoing particles for fusion reactions when the projectile and target nuclei are both polarized. The case of D–3He is compared with earlier calculations and experiments and a new study for the case of fully polarized protons and 11B in the 11 B(p, α)8 Be * reaction is presented. The conditions which produce a gain in the yield and the angular distributions which affect the production of fusion energy are presented.
Assessing Financial Feasibility of a Build-Operate-Transfer Project Under Uncertain Demand

The financial feasibility of the build-operate-transfer (BOT) approach, which is being used increasingly by governments in their drive to privatize major public transportation projects, is discussed. A simulation-optimization framework is developed as an assessment tool to evaluate the financial feasibility of BOT projects. It embeds an efficient network optimization solver in a stochastic simulation framework to assess the investment risk of BOT projects under uncertain traffic forecasts. The network optimization solver determines the traffic volumes that will patronize both the BOT links and free links, and the stochastic simulation creates the uncertain traffic forecasts. The simulation-optimization procedure is used to conduct an experiment to estimate the expected profit and its associated probability of making a certain desired profit. These profit forecasts and their probability will help the authorities or the private sector to properly and systematically evaluate BOT investment projects. A case s...
Peer Influence, Social Bonding, Physical and Relational Aggression: Perpetration and Victimization in an Elementary School Sample

Abstract Aggression in the school context is a problem that has received increasing attention over the past decade. It is important for the prevention of aggression in school that we understand the etiology of aggression at different ages and grades in school to help us better identify targets for program intervention. The present study draws insights primarily from an integrated theory of problem behavior first proposed by Elliott, Ageton, and Canter (1979) to examine the impacts of internal bonding, external bonding, and peer influence on perpetration of and victimization by physical and relational aggression for students at the elementary school level. Although the research is done in the context of an intervention program to reduce school aggression and bullying, the focus is not on the program itself, but on the nonprogram variables that influence school aggression. This research also represents the extension of research on the integrated theory to a younger age group than has been previously studied...
Long-term mortality rates (>8-year) improve as compared to the general and obese population following bariatric surgery

Sparse data are available on long-term patient mortality following bariatric surgery as compared to the general population. The purpose of this study was to assess long-term mortality rates and identify risk factors for all-cause mortality following bariatric surgery. New York State (NYS) Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) longitudinal administrative data were used to identify 7,862 adult patients who underwent a primary laparoscopic bariatric surgery from 1999 to 2005. The Social Security Death Index database identified >30-day mortalities. Risk factors for mortality were screened using a univariate Cox proportional hazard (PH) model and analyzed using a multiple PH model. Based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity, actuarial projections for NYS mortality rates obtained from Centers of Disease Control were compared to the actual post-bariatric surgery mortality rates observed. The mean bariatric mortality rate was 2.5 % with 8–14 years of follow-up. Mean time to death ranged from 4 to 6 year and did not differ by operation (p = 0.073). From 1999 to 2010, the actuarial mortality rate predicted for the general NYS population was 2.1 % versus the observed 1.5 % for the bariatric surgery population (p = 0.005). Extrapolating to 2013, demonstrated the actuarial mortality predictions at 3.1 % versus the bariatric surgery patients’ observed morality rate of 2.5 % (p = 0.01). Risk factors associated with an earlier time to death included: age, male gender, Medicare/Medicaid insurance, congestive heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary circulation disorders, and diabetes. No procedure-specific or perioperative complication impact for time-to-death was found. Long-term mortality rate of patients undergoing bariatric surgery significantly improves as compared to the general population regardless of bariatric operation performed. Additionally, perioperative complications do not increase long-term mortality risk. This study did identify specific patient risk factors for long-term mortality. Special attention and consideration should be given to these “at risk” patient sub-populations.