cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Specificity of gfa2 derived promoters in adenoviral vectors for conditional replication in glioblastoma

4602 The limited spread of non-replicating adenoviral vectors after injection into glial tumors may contribute to the lack of significant tumor reduction in many human gene therapy trials. To enhance viral spread in the tumor while keeping it restricted to the the brain, we designed conditionally replicating viruses in which the E1A gene is under the control of the promoter of the glia specific intermediate filament Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP). Because of the moderate activity of the normal GFAP promoter (gfa2) compared to the CMV promoter, we also evaluated constructs containing additional glial specific enhancers: gfa2(B)3 and gfa2(ABD)3 promoters. The gfa2 derived promoters followed by a beta galactosidase reporter gene were cloned into the pShuttle plasmid, in an orientation inverse to wildtype E1 expression . Viral vectors were produced according to the Ad-Easy protocol and viruses giving rise to blue plaques upon infection of U251 but not A549 cells were selected and grown to high titers. To check the specificity and effectivity of the promoter constructs, a panel of human cell lines (glial and non-glial) was infected with the gfa2 (triple enhancer) promoter-beta galactosidase vectors. An adenoviral vector containing a CMV-beta galactosidase cassette was included to estimate cell entry. Expression of beta galactosidase was evaluated both in situ using X-gal staining and quantitatively using ONPG staining. Results: Of 11 glial cell lines tested, four were positive for GFAP on a Western blot incubated with anti-GFAP (U251, SNB19, U373 and GOS3). Furthermore, of 12 primary cultures of glial tumors one was positive for GFAP using immunohistochemistry. This positive primary culture was also GFAP positive on Western and was added to the panel of cell lines, as were fourteen non glial cell lines (all GFAP negative on Western). Of the three gfa2 derived promoters, the gfa2 (ABD)3-LacZ construct gives rise to high beta galactosidase expression levels in the GFAP positive cell lines. Beta galactosidase expression levels in some GFAP positive lines are at a level comparable to the CMV promoter construct. The ONPG ratio of GFAP positive cell lines to GFAP negative cell lines (both glial and non-glial) is best for the gfa2-(B)3 promoter containing virus. Preliminary results indicate that conditionally replicating adenovirus in which E1A is regulated by the gfa2-B3 promoter replicate better on the GFAP positive U251 cell line than on the GFAP negative Hep2 cells. Conclusion: The gfa2 promoter constructs are highly active in an adenoviral context and have retained their specificity. Constructs for conditionally replicating viruses using these promoters have been prepared and conditionally replicating virus is being produced.
Circadian- and Light-driven Metabolic Rhythms in Drosophila melanogaster:

Complex interactions of environmental cues and transcriptional clocks drive rhythmicity in organismal physiology. Light directly affects the circadian clock; however, little is known about its relative role in controlling metabolic variations in vivo. Here we used high time-resolution sampling in Drosophila at every 2 h to measure metabolite outputs using a liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approach. Over 14% of detected metabolites oscillated with circadian periodicity under light-dark (LD) cycles. Many metabolites peaked shortly after lights-on, suggesting responsiveness to feeding and/or activity rather than the preactivity anticipation, as observed in previous transcriptomics analyses. Roughly 9% of measured metabolites uniquely oscillated under constant darkness (DD), suggesting that metabolite rhythms are associated with the transcriptional clock machinery. Strikingly, metabolome differences between LD and constant darkness were observed only during the light phase, highlighting the importance of photic input. Clock mutant flies exhibited strong 12-h ultradian rhythms, including 4 carbohydrate species with circadian periods in wild-type flies, but lacked 24-h circadian metabolic oscillations. A meta-analysis of these results with previous circadian metabolomics experiments uncovered the possibility of conserved rhythms in amino acids, keto-acids, and sugars across flies, mice, and humans and provides a basis for exploring the chrono-metabolic connection with powerful genetic tools in Drosophila.
“The law of white gloves”—The Museum as Spectacle in Edward Carey’s Observatory Mansions

Barnaby examines Carey’s depiction of the contemporary built environment as an aestheticized space in which tactile encounter has been replaced by acts of exhibiting and viewing. Working in a wax museum and moonlighting as a performance artist, the main character develops a compulsion to don white gloves at all times and curate a collection of discarded objects titled the “Exhibition of Myself.” Guy Debord’s Situationist critique of urbanism and cultural consumption in Society of the Spectacle; architectural theory regarding the visual dispossession of city-dwellers within the “museum as habitation”; and Walter Benjamin’s account of the flâneur provide the context for Barnaby’s analysis. Barnaby contends that instead of inscribing the reader in a spectatorial stance, Carey critiques and rehabilitates the trope of the flâneur within the novel’s realist consciousness of spectacle.
On controllability of time-varying linear population systems with parameters in unbounded sets

Abstract The ability to finely manipulate a population of structurally identical dynamical systems is important for various emerging applications across a broad spectrum of fields in science and engineering. Robust control of such an ensemble is fundamentally challenging, because individual systems in the ensemble obey the same dynamical law but have different system parameter values, and only a broadcast control can be applied to the entire ensemble. In this paper, we establish controllability conditions for the finite-dimensional time-varying linear ensemble system in a Hilbert space, whose parameters are in an unbounded set. This work extends our previous study in one-parameter families of linear ensemble systems with the parameter lying in a one-dimensional compact set.
A talent for life

Soulevant la question de la valeur de la morale chez Nietzsche et de la reconstruction sociobiologique de la genealogie de la morale chez les partisans du neodarwinisme, l'A. examine la notion de talent pour la vie utilisee par une survivante de Treblincka, qui designe la tentative rationnelle d'eclairer les experiences humaines incomprehensibles ou inintelligibles dans des situations de survie extremes. Analysant les notions de selection naturelle et mauvaise conscience, nature et culture, l'A. montre qu'une ethique existentielle authentique ne peut mesurer la valeur de l'homme bon ou de l'homme mechant en ce sens que l'etre humain est a la fois bon et mechant, et que toute separation entre le bien et le mal releve de l'alienation (Sartre)
Zonotope Dynamics in Numerical Quality Control

Mathematical rigorous error bounds for the numerical approximation of dynamical systems have long been hindered by the wrapping effect. We present a new method which constructs high order zonotope (special polytopes) enclosures for the orbits of discrete dynamical systems. The wrapping effect can made arbitrarily small by controlling the order of the zonotopes. The method induces in the space of zonotopes a dynamical system of amazing geometrical complexity. We emphasis the visualization of the zonotopes to better understand the involved dynamics.
Some Quantitative Aspects Concerning the Trophic Role of the Nerve Cell

The functional and structural unit of the nervous system is the nerve cell, the neuron. The neuron resembles all other cells in that it has a nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm. It differs from other cells in the tremendous volume of cytoplasm in relation to its nuclear size, and particularly in the fact that the cytoplasm is drawn out into long cylindrical threads which extend for great distances to contact an end organ, for example muscle, or another neuron. In long neurons these extended processes, called axons, may be a meter or more in length depending on the size of the animal; and, yet, the diameter is measured in a few microns. Moreover, the axons branch repeatedly especially as they approach their terminus. The region of the neuron containing the nucleus is called the cell body, which is often irregularly spherical in shape. From the cell body arises the axon which is found in all neurons. Some types of neurons have other cytoplasmic processes, called dendrons, which also arise from the cell body. Dendrons are much shorter and very branched; they end within the vicinity of the cell body and serve to enlarge the surface of the cell body to receive contacts from axons of other neurons. Such contacts made on the cell body and dendrons are called synapses.
Fighting obesity by targeting factors regulating beige adipocytes.

Author(s): McQueen, Allison E; Koliwad, Suneil K; Wang, Jen-Chywan | Abstract: Purpose of reviewThe current review provides an update on secreted factors and mechanisms that promote a thermogenic program in beige adipocytes, and their potential roles as therapeutic targets to fight obesity.Recent findingsWe outline recent studies revealing unrecognized mechanisms controlling beige adipocyte physiology, and summarize in particular those that underlie beige thermogenesis independently of classical uncoupling. We also update strategies aimed at fostering beige adipogenesis and white-to beige adipocyte conversion. Finally, we summarize newly identified endogenous secreted factors that promote the thermogenic activation of beige adipocytes and discuss their therapeutic potential.SummaryThe identification of novel endogenous factors that promote beiging and regulate beige adipocyte-specific physiological pathways opens up new avenues for therapeutic engineering targeting obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Nonproteinuric progressive diabetic kidney disease.

Purpose of review We will summarize recent epidemiological observations on the risk for overt diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in nonproteinuric patients, will focus on novel studies based on a proteomic biomarker of DKD and will discuss the possibility of preventing the progression of DKD in nonproteinuric patients by sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Recent findings Although less frequently than in type 2 diabetes, DKD may develop also in nonproteinuric type 1 diabetes. However, the progression rate to kidney failure in nonproteinuric diabetic people is much lower than in proteinuric ones. A new proteomic biomarker, the chronic kidney disease (CKD)273, reliably predicts the risk of incident micro and macroalbuminuria and of CKD in nonalbuminuric diabetic people. SGLT2 inhibition markedly reduces albuminuria in macro and microalbuminuric patients and discernibly mitigates albumin excretion also in those with albuminuria in the normal range. Summary Studies focusing on risk factors for DKD in nonproteinuric patients are a clinical research priority. The CKD273 classifier is a promising biomarker for the early identification of nonproteinuric patients at high risk for progressive DKD. Empagliflozin and SGLT2 inhibitors may have a favorable impact on the progression of DKD in nonalbuminuric diabetic people, a hypothesis to be tested in specific clinical trials.
Effects of speaking rate, loudness, and clarity modifications on kinematic endpoint variability.

It is virtually impossible for a speaker to produce identical articulatory movements across several repetitions of the same utterance. This study examined how kinematic endpoint variability, define...
Metabolic control of coronary blood flow

Coronary blood flow is closely linked to the metabolic activity of the heart under a variety of physiological conditions. Several agents have been suggested as messengers between the parenchymal tissue and the vascular smooth muscle of the coronary resistance vessels. Among these are oxygen tension, carbon dioxide, lactic acid, adenosine, osmolarity and prostaglandin. A decrease in pH produces only a small decrease in coronary resistance, an increase in osmolarity has a negligible effect on coronary blood flow, oxygen tension, probably acts indirectly via release of a vasodilator substance and the prostaglandins have not been shown to play a physiological role in the regulation of coronary blood flow. Adenosine fulfills many of the criteria for a mediator of metabolically linked coronary vasodilation. Adenosine is produced by and released from the myocardial cells when the oxygen supply becomes inadequate for the oxygen needs of the myocardium under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Hence, adenosine is a major factor but not the only factor involved in the metabolic regulation of coronary blood flow.
A Multilevel Energy-based Quantization 1Scheme

A vector quantizer maps N -dimensional vectors in the domain Ω ⊂ R into a finite set of vectors {zi}i=1 . Each vector zi is called a code vector or a codeword, and the set of all the codewords is called a codebook. A special, yet popular, quantization scheme is given by the Voronoi tessellation associated with some codewords {zi} , also called generators. A Voronoi tessellation for the given generating points {zi}i=1 ⊂ Ω refers to the tessellation of a given domain Ω by the Voronoi regions {Vi}i=1 where, for each i , the Voronoi region Vi consists of all points in Ω that are closer to zi than to the other generating points. For a density function ρ defined on Ω , we define the centroids, or mass centers, of the regions {Vi}i=1 by zi = ( ∫
Mars Exploration: Wideband Frequency Reconfigurable Electrically Small Multi-Turn Loop Antenna Using MEMS Switch

Wideband frequency reconfigurable electrically small multi-turn loop antenna is designed for 0.8-10MHz broadband dielectric spectrometer for potential future Mars rover missions to explore water and hydrated minerals present in the Martian subsurface. The novelty of this work is the achievement of reconfigurability and wideband impedance transformation by employing MEMS switch and transmission line transformers. Switch circuit model and ideal transmission line transformer model are used to demonstrate proof of the concept. A prototype of the design is developed, and measurements are performed.
Patterns and predictors of older adult Medicare Part D beneficiaries' receipt of medication therapy management

Abstract Background Medicare Part D medication therapy management (MTM) includes an annual comprehensive medication review (CMR) as a strategy to mitigate suboptimal medication use in older adults. Objectives To describe the characteristics of Medicare beneficiaries who were eligible, offered, and received a CMR in 2013 and 2014 and identify potential disparities. Methods This nationally representative cross-sectional study used a 20% random sample of Medicare Part A, B, and D data linked with Part D MTM files. A total of 5,487,343 and 5,822,188 continuously enrolled beneficiaries were included in 2013 and 2014, respectively. CMR use was examined among a subset of 620,164 and 669,254 of these beneficiaries enrolled in the MTM program in 2013 and 2014. Main measures were MTM eligibility, CMR offer, and CMR receipt. The Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use informed covariates selected. Results In 2013 and 2014, 505,658 (82%) and 649,201 (97%) MTM eligible beneficiaries were offered a CMR, respectively. Among those, CMR receipt increased from 81,089 (16%) in 2013 to 119,181 (18%) in 2014. The mean age of CMR recipients was 75 years (±7) and the majority were women, White, and without low-income status. In 2014, lower odds of CMR receipt were associated with increasing age (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.994–0.995), male sex (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.926–0.951), being any non-White race/ethnicity except Black, dual-Medicaid status (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.626–0.650), having a hospitalization (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.839–0.893) or emergency department visit (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.658–0.686), and number of comorbidities (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.896–0.905). Conclusions CMR offers and completion rates have increased, but disparities in CMR receipt by age, sex, race, and dual-Medicaid status were evident. Changes to MTM targeting criteria and CMR offer strategies may be warranted to address disparities.
Training Deep Networks to Construct a Psychological Feature Space for a Natural-Object Category Domain

Many successful formal models of human categorization have been developed, but these models have been tested almost exclusively using artificial categories, because deriving psychological representations of large sets of natural stimuli using traditional methods such as multidimensional scaling (MDS) has been an intractable task. Here, we propose a novel integration in which MDS representations are used to train deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to automatically derive psychological representations for unlimited numbers of natural stimuli. In an example application, we train an ensemble of CNNs to produce the MDS coordinates of images of rocks, and we show that the ensemble can predict the MDS coordinates of new sets of rocks, even those not part of the original MDS space. We then show that the CNN-predicted MDS representations, unlike off-the-shelf CNN representations, can be used in conjunction with a formal psychological model to predict human categorization behavior. We further show that the CNNs can be trained to produce additional dimensions that extend the original MDS space and provide even better model fits to human category-learning data. Our integrated method provides a promising approach that can be instrumental in allowing researchers to extend traditional psychological-scaling and category-learning models to the complex, high-dimensional domains that exist in the natural world.
A photo-capacitive sensor operational from 6 K to 350 K with a solution printable, thermally-robust hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) dielectric and conductive graphene electrodes

Abstract A new exfoliation route is introduced for overcoming the drawback of horn-tip exfoliation by combining it with slow magnetic stirring for hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) bulk crystals. Inkjet printing of h-BN is then conducted, where various patterns were designed and printed and a change from translucent-to-opaque was observed with increasing printing passes from 1 pass (0.417 µm thickness) to 5 passes (1.964 µm thickness). The increase in the E2g peak intensity in the Raman spectra with the thickness of h-BN printed films is demonstrated, which is attributed to an increase in collective photon number as thickness increases. The effect of temperature on the Raman spectra of printed h-BN patterns is studied and the first-order temperature coefficient χ is derived indicative of the thermal properties of printed h-BN films at elevated temperatures. The red-shift of the E2g peak with temperature arises from the variation in the interplanar vibrational frequency with material expansion due to heating. The χ values of −0.033 cm−1/K and −0.028 cm−1/K for 20 and 30 passes of printed h-BN is suggestive of thermally stable h-BN after annealing. All inkjet-printed graphene/h-BN/graphene capacitors were fabricated and the leakage current density, JLeakage, was measured to be ∼ 72 nA/mm2, while the capacitance density was measured to be ∼ 2.4 µF/cm2. Finally, the influence of temperature, frequency, and light irradiation on the performance of graphene/h-BN-based capacitive structures were explored using capacitance density-voltage measurements. The ratio, Con/Coff, between the capacitance density in the illumination ON state, Con, and in the illumination OFF or dark state, Coff, was also calculated for the graphene/h-BN capacitor fabricated with 30 printing passes. The Con/Coff was ∼ 1.6 at 6 K and ∼ 1.4 at 350 K (measured at 1 kHz frequency), suggesting the potential of this 2D graphene/h-BN heterostructure to serve as a photo-capacitive sensing element for printed electronics applications over a wide thermal regime from 6 K to 350 K.
Strategies to Reduce Procrastination in College Students.

College students’ procrastination patterns and strategies to decrease procrastination were investigated. Each week, participants alternated between two schedules of delivery of practice quizzes while preparing for weekly quizzes. In Study 1, one practice quiz was available per day in the noncontingent condition. In the contingent condition, participants had to submit one practice quiz per day to access the subsequent practice quiz. In Study 2, two practice quizzes were available every other day in the noncontingent condition. In the contingent condition, participants had to submit two practice quizzes every other day to access subsequent practice quizzes. Six of 25 participants stopped procrastinating at the end of the contingent condition. Both conditions yielded high scores on weekly quizzes even when participants procrastinated. These results indicate that college students’ procrastination patterns can be changed, although it does not necessarily lead to increased quiz scores.
SIEVE: Speculative Inference on the Edge with Versatile Exportation

This paper proposes SIEVE, Speculative Inference on the Edge with Versatile Exportation, which dynamically distributes CNN computation between the cloud and edge device based on the input data and environmental conditions to maximize efficiency and performance. A speculative CNN is created through aggressive precision reduction techniques to run most of the inferences on the edge device, while the original CNN is run on the cloud server. A runtime system directs each input to either the edge or cloud and decides whether to accept speculative inferences made on the edge or invoke recovery by replaying the inference on the cloud. Compared to the cloud-only approach, SIEVE reduces energy consumption by an average of 91%, 57% and 26% and increases performance by an average of 12 . 3×, 2 . 8× and 2 . 0× for 3G, LTE and WiFi connections without accuracy loss across a range of nine CNNs.
Comparing the performance of different types of bike share systems

Abstract Bike share systems (BSSs) can be implemented in different types: station-based, dockless, and hybrid. Existing literature lacks models to quantitatively compare and assist the selection of system types. This study proposed a stochastic simulation framework to compare how different system types may impact user experience and system operations. The framework estimates actual origins-destinations of travel demands and integrates the user behavior model and rebalance optimization model. Applying the framework to three cities’ BSSs, our simulation results found that, although station capacities restrict bike allocations, the forced rerouting trips (returning bikes to neighboring stations when target stations are full) indirectly rebalance station-based systems. This benefit is lost in dockless systems, partially canceling the benefit of bike allocation flexibility. However, dockless users can save trip time by 10%–15% with bike access/return. Overall, systems with high usage-intensity (e.g., those in Philadelphia and Chicago) can benefit from transitioning their station-based systems into hybrid systems.
Infective endocarditis following heart transplantation: A systematic review.

Abstract Purpose Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication following heart transplantation (HTx). There is a lack of literature regarding the patterns and clinical course of IE development following HTx. We sought to pool the existing data in regards to defining characteristics, management options, and outcomes of IE following HTx. Methods An electronic search of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Ovid Medline, and the Scopus databases were performed to identify all articles in the English literature that report IE following HTx in adult patients. Patient-level data were extracted and analyzed. Results Systematic search yielded 57 patients from 32 articles. Median patient age was 52 [IQR 43, 59] and 75% of patients (43/57) were male. Median time to IE presentation post-HTx was 8.4 [IQR 3.0, 35.8] months. IE of the mitral valve was observed in 36.8% (21/57) of patients, followed by mural IE in 24.6% (14/57), and tricuspid valve IE in 21.1% (12/57). The most common organisms were Staphylococcus aureus in 26.3% (15/57), Aspergillus fumigatus in 19.3% (11/57), Enterococcus faecalis in 12.3% (7/57), and an undetermined or unspecified organism in 14.0% (8/57) patients. Overall case fatality was 44.6% (25/56). Fungal IE was associated with a significantly higher case fatality 75.0% (9/12) than that of bacterial IE 36.1% (13/36) (p = 0.02). Surgical management of post-HTx IE was observed in 35.1% (20/57) of patients. This included valve surgery for 70.0% (14/20), including the mitral valve in 50.0% (7/14), aortic valve in 35.7% (5/14), and the tricuspid valve in 14.3% (2/14) of patients. Conclusion In addition to bacterial organisms, fungi also represent a frequent cause of IE in post-HTx patients. Overall HTx patient survival in the setting of IE is poor and may be worse if caused by A. fumigatus.
Chapter 15 Other pitfalls and sources of errors

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the commonly encountered pitfalls and other source of errors according to their importance in daily practice and whether they represent physiological or non-physiological factors. Among Electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies, nerve-conduction studies (NCS) and needle electromyography (EMG) are most often employed. These studies yield critical information about the underlying disorder and allow other laboratory tests to be used in a more appropriate and efficient manner. For instance, the laboratory evaluation of an acquired demyelinating neuropathy is quite different from one that is chronic and axonal. In many cases, the information gained from EDX studies leads to specific medical or surgical therapy. However, the value of this information relies on two important and complementary processes: (1) correct data collection, and (2) correct data interpretation. If the data is not technically accurate, then correct data interpretation can never occur, either at the time of the study, or later by other treating physicians. Performed correctly, EDX studies rely upon collecting and amplifying very small bioelectric signals in the millivolt and microvolt range. Failure to recognize these technical factors can result in type I and type II errors: (1) making a diagnosis of an abnormality when none is present (e.g., convicting an innocent man), and (2) making a diagnosis of no abnormality when one is present (e.g., letting a guilty man go free).
Ethological Aspects of Chemical Communication in Ants

Publisher Summary The complex organization of an ant society depends on the efficiency of many different forms of communication, involving a diversity of mechanical and chemical cues. This chapter discusses the communication between sexual stages, alarm, and recruitment communication, communication and territorial strategies, and communication between ants and their guests. The chapter discusses on the ethological aspects of chemical communication in ants. The best studied communication behavior in ants is probably chemical communication. Social insects use chemicals to repel predators, and defensive responses are closely connected with alarm communication, and the discharge of alarm pheromones and defensive substances is accompanied by characteristic body movements and postures. The recruitment techniques employed by different groups of ant species vary considerably, and the best studied recruitment behavior is the chemical trail communication. The cumulative studies have made clear that motor displays and mechanical signals play an important role during recruitment communication in many ant species. The chapter suggests that the success of the myrmecophiles depends largely on their ability to communicate with their hosts. By comparative analyses of the interspecific associations and communication mechanisms of closely related species, it is possible to reconstruct a picture of the possible evolutionary pathways that have led to the highly specialized social parasitic relationships in ant societies.
Mutants of Escherichia coli with altered deoxyribonucleases. II. Isolation and characterization of mutants for exonuclease I.

Escherichia coli mutants deficient in exonuclease III, designated xth, were identified by means of nuclease assays performed on randomly selected, heavily mutagenized clones. The screening of large numbers of colonies was facilitated by newly developed microtechniques. Among the 10,000 clones surveyed, 23 mutants were found which had less than 25% of the parental level of exonuclease III. Seven mutants of independent origin were selected for further study. Although the mutants were isolated on the basis of a defective nuclease activity, they were also deficient in the DNA-3′-phosphatase activity associated with exonuclease III. Four of the mutants had less than 1% of the parental DNA-3′-phosphatase activity at either 25 or 42 °C; the other three strains had thermolabile enzyme activities. An altered exonuclease III, purified 710-fold from one of the latter strains (BW9093), was more thermolabile than the wild-type enzyme, and its exonuclease and DNA-3′-phosphatase activities were inactivated by heat at equal rates. These results further support the assumption that these two activities are due to a single enzyme. All seven mutants were viable at both 25 and 42 °C. No marked consistent differences were found between the mutants and their parent strain in the following biological functions: conjugational recombination, host-mediated recombination of bacteriophage λ, recombination of T4 and of T7 bacteriophages, restriction of non-glucosylated T2 and T4 bacteriophages, and rates of spontaneous mutation. Sensitivity of the mutants to ultraviolet- and γ-irradiation and to mitomycin C varied independently from their levels of exonuclease III. Therefore, the biological role of the enzyme remains unclear.
Do Macro-Contextual Characteristics Account for Individual Rates of Adolescent Deviance? A Nine-Country Study

The current study tested whether macro, country-level character- istics (per capita income, crime rate, divorce rate, drinking age, and median population age) account for variability in individual-level deviant behavior. Based on a sample of N = 14,290 adolescents from nine different countries (Hungary, Japan, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States), key findings include that (a) for all deviance measures, with the exception of alcohol use (vandalism, drug use, school misconduct, general deviance, theft, and assault), factor structures were largely invariant across the nine countries; (2) between-country variability comprised a significant proportion of variance in all seven deviance indices (particularly for less serious forms of deviance, and less so for more serious forms, such as theft or assault); and (3) only national crime rates explained significant variability in any of the deviance indices.
An analog macromodel of the SG1525A PWM for use with SPICE 2G.6 simulators

An analog macromodel for the SG1525A PWM (pulse width modulator) has been developed that is compatible with SPICE2G.6 and PSPICE version 5.1 analog simulators. The SG1525A PWM integrated circuit is a sophisticated design which provides accurate performance while lowering the external parts count when used to implement all types of switching power supplies. The analog macromodel exhibits no convergence problems, simulates realistic line and load responses, frequency response, and output voltage levels, and has time domain capability. Model development and a comparison of macromodel performance with actual measurements are discussed. >
Guidelines for optimizing system performance for 20 WDM channels propagating through a cascade of EDFA's

We analyze 20 wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) channels propagating through a cascade of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA's) covering megameter distances. Optimal operating conditions are found for achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), with as small an SNR differential between channels as possible without resorting to external equalization methods. Issues considered are the link loss between amplifiers, the small-signal gain per amplifier, the wavelength and power of the pump, and the input signal power. We find that the link loss is the most critical parameter for narrowing the SNR differential among the 20 channels. Furthermore, 20-dB small-signal gain for each amplifier provides the highest overall SNR for the 20 channels transmitted across 4500 km. Additionally, either 0.98 or 1.48 mu m pump wavelength can be equivalently used, and the cascade performs well with moderate pump and signal powers. >
Parathyroid hormone (PTH), PTH-derived peptides, and new PTH assays in renal osteodystrophy

Parathyroid hormone (PTH), PTH-derived peptides, and new PTH assays in renal osteodystrophy. Reliable measurements of parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations in serum or plasma are critical for the appropriate diagnosis and management of patients with renal osteodystrophy. With the introduction of second generation immunometric assays for PTH, it is now possible to measure exclusively full-length, biologically active PTH(1-84). In contrast, first generation immunometric assays that have been used widely for many years detect not only PTH(1-84), but also other large amino-terminally-truncated, PTH-derived peptides. This development will require a careful re-evaluation of PTH measurements, as determined by either first or second generation immunometric assays, and their relationship to bone histology and bone remodeling rates in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Such information is essential for proper clinical management, but only limited bone biopsy data are available to guide the interpretation of PTH results using second generation PTH assays. The different performance characteristics of first and second generation immunometic PTH assays also makes it possible to quantify the plasma levels of amino-terminally-truncated, PTH-derived peptides, which may accumulate disproportionately in patients with ESRD. Recent experimental evidence indicates that one or more of these peptides can modify bone cell activity and skeletal remodeling, possibly by interacting with a PTH receptor distinct from the type I PTH receptor that binds to the amino-terminal portion of PTH and mediates the classical biological actions of the hormone. The putative C-PTH receptor interacts with mid- and/or carboxyterminal regions of PTH and other amino-terminally-truncated PTH-derived peptides; signaling through it may contribute to the skeletal resistance to PTH that characterizes ESRD. The current review discusses certain aspects of the molecular structure of PTH and its interaction with various receptors, briefly comments about selected components of PTH secretion, highlights recent technical advances in PTH assays, and summarizes the effects of various PTH-derived peptides on bone cells and on skeletal metabolism.
Did welfare reform influence the fertility of young teens

During the 1990s, states made several reforms to their welfare programs designed to reduce teenage fertility among minors. Among the most prominent of these changes, states started requiring teenage mothers younger than 18 to live with a parent or legal guardian and enroll in high school in order to receive welfare benefits. Using natality data from the National Center for Health Statistics, we compare the trend in fertility rates for young women aged 15 to 17 to the trend for a control group of 18-year-olds. Our estimates imply that the annual percent decline in fertility rates following implementation of these minor parent provisions was 0.7 percentage points larger for young teens than for teens aged 18, a difference of over 22 percent.
Belief Congruence of Governmental and Interest Group Elites With Their Constituencies

Most studies of belief congruence between elites and their constituencies have dealt with a single type of political institution, such as legislatures, political parties, or bureaucracies. This article compares the extent of congruence between governmental and interest group elites with their constituencies. After discussing elites' incentives to appeal both to their very broad "claimed" constituency and to a much narrower "activist" constituency, we suggest a number of reasons for hypothesizing that governmental elites will do a better job than interest group leaders of mirroring the beliefs of their broader "Claimed" Constituency. Survey data from a number of governmental and interest group elites involved in a longstanding environmental dispute at Lake Tahoe generally support this contention.
Two-Phase Heat Transfer and Bubble Dynamics in a Microchannel Array

Heat transfer coefficients and bubble dynamics are reported for two-phase water flow in an array of 13 equally spaced microchannels over an area of 1 cm2 . Each channel has Dh = 451 ± 3 8 μm, W/H = 0.8, and L/Dh = 22.2. Uniform heat flux is applied through the base, and wall temperatures are determined from thermocouple readings corrected for heat conduction effects. The upper surface is insulated and transparent. Single-phase heat transfer coefficients are obtained for 216 < Re < 2530 and 216 < G < 4100 kg/m2 s and are in good agreement with comparable trends of existing correlations for developing flow and heat transfer, although a difference is seen due to the insulated upper surface. Two-phase experiments are run to determine overall heat transfer coefficients and bubble dynamics for a mass flux of 221 < G < 466 kg/sm2 and heat flux of 25 < q < 178 W/cm2 . Heat transfer coefficients normalized with mass flux exhibit a trend comparable to that of available studies that use similar thermal boundary conditions. Two-phase flow visualization via shows expanding vapor slug flow as the primary flow regime, but bubbly flow and nucleation leading to elongated bubble flow are also observed. Analysis of bubble dynamics reveals a t1/3 dependence for bubble growth, and flow reversal is observed and quantified. Different speeds of the phase fronts are observed at the leading and trailing edges of elongated slugs once a bubble diameter equals the channel width. Bubble formation, growth, coalescence and detachment at the outlet of the array are characterized by the Weber number.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Small-scale magnetic structures on the Sun

The Sun provides us with a unique astrophysics laboratory for exploring the fundamental processes of interaction between a turbulent, gravitationally stratified plasma and magnetic fields. Although the magnetic structures and their evolution can be observed in considerable detail through the use of the Zeeman effect in photospheric spectral lines, a major obstacle has been that all magnetic structures on the Sun, excluding sunspots, are smaller than what can be resolved by present-day instruments. This has led to the development of indirect, spectral techniques (combinations of two or more polarized spectral lines), which overcome the resolution obstacle and have revealed unexpected properties of the small-scale magnetic structures. Indirect empirical and theoretical estimates of the sizes of the flux elements indicate that they may be within reach of planned new telescopes, and that we are on the verge of a unified understanding of the diverse phenomena of solar and stellar activity. In the present review we describe the observational properties of the smallscale field structures (while indicating the diagnostic methods used), and relate these properties to the theoretical concepts of formation, equilibrium structure, and origin of the surface magnetic flux.
Injury, nerve, and wound epidermis related electrophoretic and fluorographic protein patterns in forelimbs of adult newts

Polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis and [35S]methionine fluorography were used to examine proteins in regenerating newt limbs, amputated denervated limbs, unamputated denervated limbs, and separated blastema mesodermal core and wound epidermis. A total of 27 protein electrophoretic bands were obtained from amputated limbs and 24 bands from unamputated limbs. Amputation resulted in the appearance of 4 new bands and the loss of 1 band as compared to unamputated limbs. These 5 banding differences were apparent on stained gels 3 days postamputation and were maintained through 10 weeks postamputation (complete regenerate stage). Only one band in unamputated limbs was always detectable on fluorographs, whereas virtually all of the stainable bands of amputated limbs were visible on fluorographs. Amputation clearly stimulated a marked, generalized increase in the synthesis of limb proteins. The 5 amputation induced changes were equally evident in stained gels of both innervated and denervated limbs. Amputated denervated limbs possessed a full set of fluorographic bands (including the 5 differences) through 18 days postamputation. However, denervation without amputation was not sufficient to alter the stainable banding pattern. Wound epidermis and mesodermal core both displayed the 5 banding differences and had identical banding patterns with the exception of one epidermal specific band. This band was also present in whole limb skin but was absent in unamputated mesodermal limb tissue. This was the only band of unamputated limbs that was consistently detectable by fluorography. It is concluded that amputation induces nerve independent changes in protein synthesis that are common to both mesodermal core and wound epidermis. These changes may represent preparation for cellular proliferation.
Air Injection as a Thermal Management Technique for Radial Foil Air Bearings

A thermal management technique for radial foil air bearings was experimentally evaluated. The technique is based on injecting air directly into the internal circulating fluid-film to reduce bulk temperatures and axial thermal gradients. The tests were performed on a single top foil, Generation III, radial foil bearing instrumented with three thermocouples to monitor internal temperatures. A through hole in the bearing shell coincident with the gap between the top foil's fixed and free ends provided entry for the injection air. The tests were conducted at room temperature with the bearing operating at speeds from 20 to 40 krpm while supporting 222 N. Two different mass flow rates of injection air were evaluated for this method, 0.017 and 0.051 kg/min. Test results suggest that the air injection approach is a viable thermal management technique capable of controlling bulk temperatures and axial thermal gradients in radial foil air bearings.
5-hydroxytryptamine uptake blockers attenuate the 5-hydroxytryptamine-releasing effect of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and related agents.

This study examined the [3H]5-HT-releasing properties of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and related agents, all of which cause significant release of [3H]5-HT from rat brain synaptosomes. 5-HT uptake blockers dose dependently block MDMA-induced [3H]5-HT release. The EC50s of the uptake drugs in blocking MDMA-induced release correlate with their affinity for the 5-HT uptake site labeled by [3H]paroxetine (r = 0.98; P < 0.01). These data demonstrate that the 5-HT uptake carrier plays a significant role in the release of 5-HT induced by MDMA and related agents.
Insertional mutation of the motor endplate disease (med) locus on mouse chromosome 15

Homozygous transgenic mice from line A4 have an early-onset progressive neuromuscular disorder characterized by paralysis of the rear limbs, muscle atrophy, and lethality by 4 weeks of age. The transgene insertion site was mapped to distal chromosome 15 close to the locus motor endplate disease (med). The sequence of mouse DNA flanking the insertion site junctions was determined. A small (<20 kb) deletion was detected at the insertion site, with no evidence of additional rearrangement of the chromosomal DNA. Noncomplementation of the transgene-induced mutation and med was demonstrated in a cross with med{sup J}/ + mice. The new allele is designated med{sup TgNA4Bs}(med{sup tg}). The homologous human locus MED was assigned to chromosome 12. Synaptotagmin 1 and contactin 1 were eliminated as candidate genes for the med mutation. The transgene-induced allele provides molecular access to the med gene, whose function is required for synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction and long-term survival of cerebellar Purkinje cells. 49 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.
External shocks, financial reforms, and stabilization attempts in Uruguay during 1974–1983

Abstract This paper interprets and evaluates Uruguay's reforms emphasizing the outcome of financial reforms and attempts to bring down inflation. It is shown that domestic interest rate deregulation and the removal of prohibition towards holding dollar-denominated assets led to a rise in the ratio of financial assets in GDP and to a shift towards dollar-denominated assets. Causes of the persistent and large spread between peso and dollar interest rates adjusted for the preannounced rate of devaluation ( tablita ) are examined. The discussion of the stabilization program during 1979–1982 and its aftermath in 1983 shows that setting the tablita at less than the difference between internal and external inflation led to severe imbalances. Because of remaining redundant protection and price stickness, the real exchange rate appreciated sharply for a prolonged period and the trade balance widened until the stabilization episode ended with capital flight when doubts set in about the sustainability of the tablita .
Resource Mobilization and Density Dependence in Cooperative Purchasing Associations in Saskatchewan, Canada1

This paper examines the conditions under which Saskatchewan farmers were willing and able to establish consumer cooperatives as a means to contest exploitation in relation to the cost of agricultural inputs and consumer goods. Event history analysis supports Lipset's contention that agrarian protestors engaged in cooperative building primarily during times of prosperity. The founding rate for consumer cooperatives increased during periods when the cost-price squeeze on farmers eased and during periods of increased institutional support for the consumer movement The results of the analysis give tentative support for Hannan and Freeman's density dependence hypothesis. They also give strong support for rate dependence in relation to prior foundings, though not in relation to prior disbandings.
Complex patterns in reaction‐diffusion systems: A tale of two front instabilities

Two front instabilities in a reaction‐diffusion system are shown to lead to the formation of complex patterns. The first is an instability to transverse modulations that drives the formation of labyrinthine patterns. The second is a nonequilibrium Ising–Bloch (NIB) bifurcation that renders a stationary planar front unstable and gives rise to a pair of counterpropagating fronts. Near the NIB bifurcation the relation of the front velocity to curvature is highly nonlinear and transitions between counterpropagating fronts become feasible. Nonuniformly curved fronts may undergo local front transitions that nucleate spiral‐vortex pairs. These nucleation events provide the ingredient needed to initiate spot splitting and spiral turbulence. Similar spatiotemporal processes have been observed recently in the ferrocyanide–iodate–sulfite reaction.