cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RECEPTOR ACCESSORY FACTOR (RAF) ENHANCES SPECIFIC DNA BINDING OF ANDROGEN AND GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTORS

The biological responses to steroid hormones are mediated by a family of ligand-inducible intracellular receptors that activate or repress transcription of target genes. Protein-protein interactions arc common among other transcriptional activators and may have important consequences for gene regulation by steroid hormone receptors. Using the mobility shift assay we have identified a factor that enhances specific DNA binding of truncated rat androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors by 25-fold and 6-fold, respectively, through the formation of heteromeric complexes. This factor, designated receptor accessory factor, or RAF, also potentiates DNA binding of full-length human GR. RAF is temperature and trypsin sensitive and is present in a variety of cultured mammalian cells. By gel filtration RAF has a predicted molecular mass of 130 kDa. RAF enhancement of AR-DNA binding requires androgen response clement DNA. RAF appears to interact directly with AR because deoxycholate, which interferes with protein-protein but not protein-DNA interactions, prevents RAF-AR-DNA complex formation. Furthermore, RAF activity is recovered from an androgen response element DNA affinity column only in the presence of AR. Mutagenesis of truncated AR fragments indicates that a region in the NH2-terminal domain is required for RAF to enhance AR-DNA binding. The interaction of RAF with AR and GR suggests that RAF might influence the ability of these nuclear receptors to activate transcription.
In vitro thyroxine effect on rat kidney cortex as influenced by addition of amino acids.

The thyroxine maintenance of the metabolism of rat kidney slices incubated at 5° C. for 24, 48 and 72 hours has been studied in terms of specific participation of some 50 amino acids and related compounds. Based on a comparison of initial Qo2 and maintenance with similar values obtained with simple Ringer-glucose solution without added amino acid, DLalanine, N-acetyl-DL-alanine, and L-proline were the most active. Considered as intermediate were β-alanine, threonine, β- and γ-amino-n-butyric acids, taurine, α- and β-amino-n-isobutyric acids. Tryptophan inhibited the thyroxine effect, alone or in the presence of alanine or proline. Further analysis of the DL-alanine action indicated the D-form to be responsible for all of the activity. Indirect evidence points to deamination plus decarboxylation being important in the alanine effect, but transamination and even peptide bond synthesis have not been ruled out.
Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve in Diagnostic Test Assessment

The performance of a diagnostic test in the case of a binary predictor can be evaluated using the measures of sensitivity and specificity. However, in many instances, we encounter predictors that are measured on a continuous or ordinal scale. In such cases, it is desirable to assess performance of a diagnostic test over the range of possible cutpoints for the predictor variable. This is achieved by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve that includes all the possible decision thresholds from a diagnostic test result. In this brief report, we discuss the salient features of the ROC curve, as well as discuss and interpret the area under the ROC curve, and its utility in comparing two different tests or predictor variables of interest.
AB INITIO CALCULATIONS OF OFF-DIAGONAL HYPERFINE INTERACTION IN CESIUM

We have performed a relativistic many-body calculation of the off-diagonal hyperfine interaction mixing amplitude ${M}_{\mathrm{hf}}$ for the $6s\ensuremath{-}7s$ transition in atomic cesium. The ab initio result ${M}_{\mathrm{hf}}=0.8070(73)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}|{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{B}}/c|$ is in excellent agreement with a previous semiempirical value ${M}_{\mathrm{hf}}=0.8094(20)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}|{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{B}}/c|.$
A Spectral Element Framework for Option Pricing Under General Exponential Lévy Processes

We derive a spectral element framework to compute the price of vanilla derivatives when the dynamic of the underlying follows a general exponential Levy process. The representation of the solution with Legendre polynomials allows one to naturally approximate the convolution integral with high order quadratures. The method is spectrally accurate in space for the solution and the greeks, and third order accurate in time. The spectral element framework does not require an approximation of the Levy measure nor the lower truncation of the convolution integral as commonly seen in finite difference approximations. We show that the spectral element method is ten times faster than Fast Fourier Transform methods for the same accuracy at strike, and two hundred times faster if one reconstructs the greeks from the solution obtained by FFT. We use the SEM approximation to derive the $$\Delta $$ Δ and $$\Gamma $$ Γ in a variance gamma model, for which there is no closed form solution.
Numerical simulation of void nucleation in irradiated metals

Abstract An atomistics-based theory for void nucleation has been used to calculate — for the first time — terminal void number densities for irradiated nickel, type 316 stainless steel, and the Ni-base alloy, PE-16. Both the absolute magnitudes and temperature dependences of the void number densities are in agreement with experiment. The void nucleation parameter, ψ, which governs spontaneous void nucleation was evaluated for the three materials; the results are in agreement with experiment. The critical gas content for rapid void growth was calculated for PE-16 and type 316 stainless steel, and was found to increase from about 10 helium atoms at the lower end of the void swelling range to some 104 atoms at the upper end. The theory was also found to predict re-nucleation of a new distribution of voids after a drop in temperature during irradiation.
A novel cDNA/PCR strategy for efficient cloning of small amounts of undefined RNA.

Abstract In this report we present a strategy for generating a representative cDNA library from prohibitively low amounts of mRNA template. A defined DNA adapter, which carries an EcoRI site, is ligated to both ends of the products of a cDNA synthesis reaction. This allows low levels of cDNA to be amplified by a polymerase chain reaction. In studies with pg amounts of rabbit globin mRNA, the amplified cDNA product is shown to be full-length. Globin cDNA recombinants are positively identified in λgt10. The protocol should be widely applicable to mRNAs of low abundance, whose sequences have not been determined, and to limited samples from patients or animals. It may also be useful for generating representative libraries of low titer or variant viral sequences.
Preparation of the caspase-3/7 substrate Ac-DEVD-pNA by solution-phase peptide synthesis

This protocol describes the gram-scale solution-phase synthesis of the colorimetric caspase-3/7 substrate Ac-DEVD-pNA. The caspase enzymes are integral to cellular inflammation and apoptotic cascades, and are commonly studied by cell biologists, medicinal chemists and chemical biologists. In particular, the assessment of caspase enzymatic activity is a standard method to evaluate cell death pathways and new apoptosis-modulating agents. Caspase enzymatic activity can be conveniently monitored with peptidic chromogenic or fluorogenic substrates, with certain peptide sequences imparting selectivity for certain caspases. The synthesis of these peptide substrates is typically carried out by solid-phase synthesis, a method that is not ideal for production of the gram quantities needed for high-throughput screening. Described herein is a facile method for the synthesis of the Ac-DEVD-pNA caspase-3/7 substrate using solution-phase peptide synthesis. This protocol, involving iterative PyBOP-mediated couplings and Fmoc deprotections, is rapid (about 5 d), operationally simple and can be used to generate over 1 g of product at a fraction of the cost of the commercial substrate.
Rotation and Lorentz Symmetries of Scattering Amplitudes

A general study of the space-time symmetries of the scattering amplitude is made. The scattering amplitude in the c.m. frame has $O(2, 1)$ symmetry in the physical regions of the crossed channels. By working in this frame, we can use the same definition of the helicity as that used in the usual angular momentum analysis. For the pairwise equal-mass case, the helicity amplitude in the forward scattering region of the crossed channels has $O(2, 2)$ symmetry in the c.m. frame, and $O(3, 1)$ symmetry in the brick-wall frame. We apply an $O(2, 2)$ expansion to a multiparticle system. We also continue the $O(4)$ expansion in the brick-wall frame into the $O(3, 1)$ region, and show the equivalence between the $O(4)$ expansion and the $O(3, 1)$ expansion. Finally, we point out the difference between the implications of the three-dimensional and four-dimensional symmetries.
Environmental Sustainability in the Hospitality Management Curriculum: Perspectives from Three Groups of Stakeholders

Debate about sustainability centers on the responsibilities of consumers and businesses working towards a sustainable future with a new focus on business management. This focus should be considered as a key component within undergraduate hospitality management programs with varied courses, content and sequencing. Graduates would possess a range of perspectives and competences increasing awareness of good sustainable business practices. To develop a meaningful curriculum model, three stakeholders (students, educators, and industry professionals) were assessed on their perspectives of environmental sustainability, its importance in hospitality curricula, and suggestions for course content and pedagogic approaches. The results suggest significant differences between the groups in their attitudes, behaviors, interest in sustainability, importance of environmental issues and topics in the curriculum.
Smart structures applications for hypersonic vehicles

James A. August and Shiv P. JoshiUniversity of Texas at ArlingtonDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringBox 19018, Arlington, Texas, 76019ABSTRACTA survey of current literature was performed and vehicle designers from the aerospace industry were polled to examinehow state of the art smart structural concepts could improve the design of hypersonic vehicles. Several types of hypersonicvehicles; including winged single stage to orbit (SSTO), sub-orbital cruise aircraft, and supersonic/hypersonic missileshave demanding airframe and systems requirements which may not be sufficiently met with traditional structural designs.The use of smart structures is examined to improve vehicle performance in areas such as active vibration control, noisereduction, vehicle attitude control, structural cooling, and engine performance. The operating environments of hypersonicvehicles are examined and the capabilities of currently used structural materials and actuators are compared with those ofsmart materials and structures. Possible smart structures applications are presented as modifications to existing designs aswell as new structural concepts. Conclusions are made on the suitability of various smart structures concepts for currentand future hypersonic applications.Keywords: smart structures, active structures, smart materials, hypersonic, supersonic, missile.1. INTRODUCTIONWhile information can be found in published literature on research in smart structures for various aircraft applicationsit seems that most of them have been for subsonic operating conditions. Hypersonic vehicles, which we will consider to bethose flying in excess of Mach 3, present a rather different set of unique problems which might be solved with smartstructures. The goal of this research is to identify problem areas in hypersonic vehicle design where the application ofsmart structures could provide unique solutions for sensing and actuation individually or in combination.The research done for this project consisted of a literature search as well as interviews with various designers from
Serotonin Rhythm in the Pineal Organ: Control by the Sympathetic Nervous System

The serotonin content of the pineal organ of the rat varies diurnally in relation to the photoperiod. When the sympathetic nerves to the pineal are interrupted by the removal of the superior cervical ganglia, no such fluctuation in the serotonin content of the pineal occurs.
The effects of Ge content in Poly-Si 1− x Ge x gate material on the tunneling barrier in PMOS devices

The use of SiGe gates in MOSFET technology has promise as a single-gate material for both n- and p-channel MOSFETs. The Ge content in the gate, however, affects the gate energy band diagram. While Ge in the SiGe gate does not affect the conduction-band energy level, it is found to raise the valence-band energy level and reduce the gate bandgap. This change results in an increase in the gate current resulting mainly from the tunneling of electrons from the valence band of the gate in PMOSFETs. This paper reports on the effects of Ge content in SiGe gates on the tunneling characteristics of PMOSFETs.
Catalysis of singlet oxygen production in the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid by 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO)

Summary The kinetics of the singlet oxygen production in the hydrogen peroxide plus hypochlorous acid reaction were studied by measuring the time course of the singlet oxygen emission at 1268 nm. The addition of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) increased the peak intensity of the chemiluminescence, but decreased its duration. The increased rate of singlet oxygen production likely accounts for the enhancement of singlet oxygen dimol emission reported in 1976 by Deneke and Krinsky (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 98 , 3041–3042). This phenomenon was not seen when singlet oxygen was generated with the reaction of hypobromous acid and hydrogen peroxide. Thus, the enhancement of red chemiluminescence by DABCO should not be regarded as a general test for the production of singlet oxygen in complex biochemical systems.
Solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst of the thoracic spine: a case report

The solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst is rare, and only 13 cases involving the spine have been reported to date, including seven in the thoracic vertebrae. The diagnosis is difficult to secure radiographically before biopsy or surgery. An 18-year-old Hispanic man presented to our facility with a one-year history of left chest pain without any significant neurological deficits. An MRI scan demonstrated a 6 cm diameter enhancing multi-cystic mass centered at the T6 vertebral body with involvement of the left proximal sixth rib and extension into the pleural cavity; the spinal cord was severely compressed with evidence of abnormal T2 signal changes. Our patient was taken to the operating room for a total spondylectomy of T6 with resection of the left sixth rib from a single-stage posterior-only approach. The vertebral column was reconstructed in a 360° manner with an expandable titanium cage and pedicle screw fixation. Histologically, the resected specimen showed predominant solid fibroblastic proliferation, with minor foci of reactive osteoid formation, an area of osteoclastic-like giant cells, and cyst-like areas filled with erythrocytes and focal hemorrhage, consistent with a predominantly solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst. At 16 months after surgery, our patient remains neurologically intact with resolution of his chest and back pain. Because of its rarity, location, and radical treatment approach, we considered this case worthy of reporting. The solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst is difficult to diagnose radiologically before biopsy or surgery, and we hope to remind other physicians that it should be included in the differential diagnosis of any lytic expansile destructive lesion of the spine.
Justification, truth, and coherence

A central issue in epistemology concerns the connection between truth and justification. The burden of our paper is to explain this connection. Reliabilism, defended by Goldman, assumes that the connection is one of reliability. We argue that this assumption is too strong. We argue that foundational theories, such as those articulated by Pollock and Chisholm fail to elucidate the connection. We consider the potentiality of coherence theories to explain the truth connection by means of higher level convictions about probabilities, which we call doxastic ascent, and defend such a theory. Our defense appeals to the work of Reid and contemporary cognitive psychology in order to account for the psychological reality of higher level evaluations.
A Quantitative Nonradial Oscillation Model for the Subpulses in PSR B0943+10

In this paper we analyze time series measurements of PSR B0943+10 and fit them with a nonradial oscillation model. The model we apply was first developed for total intensity measurements in an earlier paper, and expanded to encompass linear polarization in a companion paper to this one. We use PSR B0943+10 for the initial tests of our model because it has a simple geometry, it has been exhaustively studied in the literature, and its behavior is well documented. As prelude to quantitative fitting, we have reanalyzed previously published archival data of PSR B0943+10 and uncovered subtle but significant behavior that is difficult to explain in the framework of the drifting-spark model. Our fits of a nonradial oscillation model are able to successfully reproduce the observed behavior in this pulsar.
Proxy benchmarks for intercomparison of 8.2 ka simulations

Abstract. The Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project (PMIP3) now includes the 8.2 ka event as a test of model sensitivity to North Atlantic freshwater forcing. To provide benchmarks for intercomparison, we compiled and analyzed high-resolution records spanning this event. Two previously-described anomaly patterns that emerge are cooling around the North Atlantic and drier conditions in the Northern Hemisphere tropics. Newer to this compilation are more robustly-defined wetter conditions in the Southern Hemisphere tropics and regionally-limited warming in the Southern Hemisphere. Most anomalies around the globe lasted on the order of 100 to 150 yr. More quantitative reconstructions are now available and indicate cooling of ~ 1 °C and a ~ 20% decrease in precipitation in parts of Europe as well as spatial gradients in δ18O from the high to low latitudes. Unresolved questions remain about the seasonality of the climate response to freshwater forcing and the extent to which the bipolar seesaw operated in the early Holocene.
Enhanced direct stiffness method for finite element analysis of textile composites

Abstract Traditional homogenization techniques are not useful when the microstructural scale of a material is of the same order of magnitude as the structural scale of a component. Such is the case for many textile composites. Since discrete modeling of the microstructure throughout a component is prohibitively expensive, continuum finite elements are needed which account for the microstructure within a single element. This paper describes a simple substructuring technique for formulating these special elements.
Early vertebrate evolution: pharyngeal structure and the origin of gnathostomes

Some authors have claimed that pharyngeal morphology supports the classical division of vertebrates into Gnathostomata and Agnatha. Assuming the branchial arches of jawed and jawless fish to be homologous, and noting that the arches lie on opposite sides of the gills (internal vs. external), these authors necessarily concluded that the gills evolved independently in the two groups (ectobranchiates, endobranchiates). A gill-less common vertebrate ancestor must have been very simple and ancient (early Cambrian or older). The present paper challenges this scheme by arguing that the gills of lampreys and gnathostome fish are too structurally similar to have been independently derived. Rather, the branchial arches in the two groups are non-homologous, for they differ in location, not only with respect to the gills, but also with respect to other major organs (ventral aorta, thyroid, visceral musculature). It is concluded that the common ancestors of gnathostomes and lampreys were not simple animals, but fish with fully developed gills that could have existed well after the Cambrian period. Constructing a gnathostome-like pharynx requires only the addition of internal branchial arches to an agnathan pharynx (larval lamprey). It is widely held that vertebrates initially fed on microscopic particles; if so, the mere addition of larger, zooplankton-sized items to the pre-gnathostome diet would have provided selection for protectively re-enforcing the medial margins of the gills with internal arches. Summary Contrary to one widely held view, pharyngeal morphology does not separate jawless vertebrates (lampreys) from gnathostome fish. Despite differences in branchial arch location, gills of lampreys and gnathostomes are fundamentally alike. Phylogenetic considerations might take a fruitful new direction by asking how the branchial arches came to differ in the two groups. Thanks are extended to Quentin Bone, Philippe Janvier, R. P. S. Jefferies, Malcolm Jollie, Ken Kardong, Colin Patterson, Barbara Stahl, Keith Thomson and Richard Wassersug for discussion of the ideas in this paper, and to Barbara Comstock and Sue Rose for typing the manuscript.
Toxoplasma gondii: Acquired Ocular Toxoplasmosis in the Murine Model, Protective Role of TNF-α and IFN-γ

Abstract DNA and mRNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunohistochemical, and histopathology were performed in the eyes and brains from C57BL/6 mice infected with an avirulent strain of Toxoplasma gondii (ME49). Focal ocular inflammation and retinal pigment epithelial involvement were commonly observed after 15 days of infection. Four weeks after infection a stable number of cysts was observed in the brain but rarely in the eye, and they did not elicit an inflammatory response. In most of the ocular lesions the presence of the parasite could not be demonstrated even with the PCR technique. B1 DNA fragments of T. gondii were detected in only 4 of 11 eyes tested by PCR and Southern blot hybridization. Treatment of mice with mAbs against T cells (CD4 plus CD8) or cytokines (IFN-γ or TNF-α) resulted in a marked increase of ocular lesions, more often associated with the presence of the parasite and the severity of inflammatory response. This model and the techniques utilized here can improve our understanding of the respective roles of parasite proliferation and immune mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of acquired ocular totoplasmosis.
Effect of cell volume on potassium transport in human red cells

Abstract The influx of K + into fresh human red cells is shown to be reversibly dependent on cell volume. With a 10 % decrease in cell volume, K + influx increases by an average of 19 %. The effect persists in the presence of cardiac glycosides which are more effective inhibitors of K + influx in shrunken cells than in normal ones; furthermore, increases in extracellular K + inhibit the action of cardiac glycosides more in shrunken than in normal cells. It is suggested that the volume dependent flux change is due to a conformational change in a receptor on the cell surface. This hypothesis is consistent with observed changes in measurable characteristics of the transport mechanism.
1665 A CHARACTERISTIC EEG PATTERN IN MULTIFOCAL CEREBRAL WHITE MATTER NECROSIS

Surface positive sharp waves (PRS) in central (Rolandic) regions of the premature infant's electroencephalogram (EEC) were associated with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in 1972. Later studies using CT scans confirmed the PRS-IVH relationship. Current studies with real time echoencephalography (RTE) and autopsies suggest PRS are associated with multifoca] necrosis (MFN) of the cerebral white matter in the presence or absence of IVH. MFN was diagnosed in 30 premature infants. The number of infants with PRS positive EEG's were as follows: PRS were present during the progressive phase of MFN which appears on RTE as paraventricular echodensities and emerging cavitations. No PRS were observed when cavitations remained focal or were resorbing. RPS were recorded from the central vertex (Cz) electrode in nearly all cases. In summary, PRS on a preterm infant's EEG suggest the need for serial EEC and RTE evaluations to determine the presence and evolution of cerebral white matter necrosis, even if IVH is present.
Shrinkage of lithium aluminosilicate gels during drying

Drying behavior for lithium aluminosilicate gels was observed during low temperature natural evaporation. The mole ratio of water to tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was either 2:1, 4:1 or 8:1. The solvent was methanol. Both lithium and aluminum were added as nitrates. It was found that total drying shrinkage was independent of drying rate. Shrinkage was anisotropic with respect to radial and axial dimensions. However, by monitoring weight loss and volume reduction, a drying schedule was designed to produce crack-free cylinders.
Estimating national road crash fatalities using aggregate data

Injuries and fatalities from road traffic crashes have emerged a major public health challenge in Pakistan. Reliable estimates of road crash fatalities (RCF) of a country, is a vital element needed for identification and control of key risk factors, road-safety improvement efforts and prioritizing national health. Reliability of current annual RCF estimates for Pakistan becomes highly questionable due to serious underreporting. This study aimed to predict annual RCF for Pakistan using data from World Health Organization and International Road Federation sources. An ordinary least square (OLS) regression model that relates fatality rate with different explanatory variables was developed. RCF were predicted for Pakistan for year 2012 and 2013, and results were compared with national police reported estimates. Study results indicated that there is serious underreporting of RCF in Pakistan and immediate measures are needed to improve the existing road crash recording and reporting system at the national and subnational levels.
Comparison of methods for fecal microbiome biospecimen collection

Effective means are needed to efficiently collect fecal samples for microbiome analysis in large-scale epidemiological studies. Using twenty-four fecal aliquots prepared from three healthy individuals, we compared the following four fecal sample collection methods for assessment of human gut microbiome: 1) fecal occult blood test cards, held at room temperature for three days, 2) Eppendorf tubes, at room temperature for three days, 3) Eppendorf tubes with RNAlater, at room temperature, and 4) as controls, samples immediately frozen at −80°C. The 24 samples were assayed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing to compare overall microbiome structure and taxon distributions according to collection method. Storing fecal occult blood test card samples at room temperature for three days did not affect total DNA purity and relative 16S rRNA bacterial gene contents, compared with fresh frozen collection. Overall microbiome structure, based on phylogenetic UniFrac index, differed significantly by subject (p = 0.001), but microbiome structure (p = 0.497) and relative abundance of major microbial taxa (phyla) (p > 0.05) did not differ significantly by collection method. Our findings suggest that low-cost fecal occult blood test card collection may be a feasible means of sample collection for fecal microbiome assessment in large-scale population-based studies.
(1+1)-Dimensional Yang-Mills Theory Coupled to Adjoint Fermions on the Light Front

We consider SU(2) Yang-Mills theory in 1+1 dimensions coupled to massless adjoint fermions. With all fields in the adjoint representation the gauge group is actually SU(2)/Z{sub 2}, which possesses a nontrivial topology. In particular, there are two distinct topological sectors and the physical vacuum state has a structure analogous to a {theta} vacuum. We show how this feature is realized in light-front quantization, with periodicity boundary conditions in x{sup {plus_minus}} used to regulate the infrared behavior of the theory. The gauge field zero mode is treated as a dynamical quantity. We find expressions for the degenerate vacuum states and construct the analogue of the {theta} vacuum. We then calculate the bilinear condensate in the model. We argue that the condensate does not affect the spectrum of the theory, although it is related to the string tension that characterizes the potential between fundamental test charges when the dynamical fermions are given a mass. We also argue that this result is fundamentally different from calculations that use periodicity conditions in x{sup 1} as an infrared regulator. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Analogical insight: toward unifying categorization and analogy

The purpose of this paper is to present two kinds of analogical representational change, both occurring early in the analogy-making process, and then, using these two kinds of change, to present a model unifying one sort of analogy-making and categorization. The proposed unification rests on three key claims: (1) a certain type of rapid representational abstraction is crucial to making the relevant analogies (this is the first kind of representational change; a computer model is presented that demonstrates this kind of abstraction), (2) rapid abstractions are induced by retrieval across large psychological distances, and (3) both categorizations and analogies supply understandings of perceptual input via construing, which is a proposed type of categorization (this is the second kind of representational change). It is construing that finalizes the unification.
Immunomodulatory actions of gonadal steroids may be mediated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Estrogens are considered to be immunostimulatory, whereas androgens are considered to be immunosuppressive. We hypothesized that the divergent actions of gonadal steroids on the immune system may be mediated indirectly, via their potent divergent feedback effects on the hypothalamic hormone GnRH, which is itself immunostimulatory. We used the GnRH-deficient HPG/Bm mouse in an effort to disentangle the effects of gonadal steroids from the effects of GnRH. We randomized GnRH-deficient mice and their GnRH-sufficient littermates to receive androgens, estrogens, or GnRH. We subsequently measured B and T cell proliferative responses to mitogen and serum IgG levels. We demonstrate that estrogens exert stimulatory effects on B cell proliferation and serum IgG levels in the presence of GnRH but not in the absence of GnRH. Testosterone exerts suppressive effects on B cell function in the presence of GnRH but not in its absence. Androgens and estrogens exerted divergent actions on T cell function irrespective of the presence and absence of GnRH, although responses were markedly attenuated in GnRH-deficient mice. Our data suggest that the immunostimulatory effects of estrogen and the immunosuppressive effects of androgens on B cell function may be mediated indirectly via GnRH.
Relaxation in excited vibrational levels of NH3 by infrared triple-resonance spectroscopy

Abstract A two step optical pumping technique in combination with transient diode laser absorption is described which provides a powerful tool for preparing sel
The Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Late-Life Depression

Mental illnesses in later life are multidimensional phenomena that occur in interpersonal, psychosocial, and biological contexts. With depression used as an example, the purpose of this article is to review how psychosocial variables contribute to the onset and maintenance of depression in late life, as well as influence treatment outcomes. Particular issues discussed are how these variables can be modified to prevent the onset and relapse of depression, how nonmodifiable risk factors can be addressed to prevent onset and relapse, and how research in this area needs to evolve to improve prevention and treatment.
Ninety-Degree Acoustic Spectrum of a High Speed Air Jet

Tam and Auriault successfully predicted the acoustic spectrum at 90 deg to the axis of a high-speed air jet by using an acoustic equation derived from ad hoc kinetic theory-type arguments. It is shown that similar predictions can be obtained by using a rigorous acoustic analogy approach together with actual measurements of the relevant acoustic source correlations. This puts the result on a firmer basis and enables its extension to new situations and to the prediction of sound at other observation angles.
The effect of rodent seed predation on four species of California annual grasses.

The effect of seed predation by Microtus californicus and Mus musculus on plant numbers of four species of California annual grasses was investigated for one year period on a grassland near Davis, California. In winter, mice utilized dead star thistle plants for cover when grasses in open areas were short, but moved into open areas when grass grew tall in spring.
Olivocochlear Neuron Central Anatomy Is Normal in α9 Knockout Mice

Olivocochlear (OC) neurons were studied in a transgenic mouse with deletion of the α9 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit. In this α9 knockout mouse, the peripheral effects of OC stimulation are lacking and the peripheral terminals of OC neurons under outer hair cells have abnormal morphology. To account for this mouse’s apparently normal hearing, it has been proposed to have central compensation via collateral branches to the cochlear nucleus. We tested this idea by staining OC neurons for acetylcholinesterase and examining their morphology in knockout mice, wild-type mice of the same background strain, and CBA/CaJ mice. Knockout mice had normal OC systems in terms of numbers of OC neurons, dendritic patterns, and numbers of branches to the cochlear nucleus. The branch terminations were mainly to edge regions and to a lesser extent the core of the cochlear nucleus, and were similar among the strains in terms of the distribution and staining density. These data demonstrate that there are no obvious changes in the central morphology of the OC neurons in α9 knockout mice and make less attractive the idea that there is central compensation for deletion of the peripheral receptor in these mice.
Gulick and the american presidency: vision, reality, and consequences

One of Luther Gulick's most significant legacies was his conception of the executive. This chapter explores the nature and origins of that conception and shows how it coincided with President Franklin Roosevelt's notions for altering the powers of the presidency. These two conceptions came together in the Brownlow Committee's recommendations and their subsequent promulgation in the Executive Reorganization Act of 1939. Gulick's notions of an executive were derived from the city manager, a different executive than any with which the authors of the Constitution were familiar. It thus contributed to one of the most profound changes in our Constitution, reshaped our notion of the presidency, crystallized a new public philosophy about how we govern ourselves, and entrenched a conventional wisdom that underlies the practice of public administration. These results spawned an alliance between presidents, who found it useful to portray themselves as powerful chief executive officers buttressed by the potent symbol...
Fiber-optic sensor for distance and velocity measurements using speckle dynamics.

A fiber-optic sensor for distance and velocity measurements is described which is based on dynamic properties of speckles formed by two illuminating laser beams. This sensor is composed of two optical-fiber laser guides and an optical-fiber-array spatial filter consisting of linearly arrayed endfaces of optical fibers. The measurable ranges of distance and velocity and their accuracies are expressed in terms of the sensor's configuration parameters. The configuration for accurate sensing over a wide range is discussed. The usefulness of this sensor is confirmed by experiments.
Measuring Policy Content on the U.S. Supreme Court

Political scientists have developed increasingly sophisticated understandings of the influences on Supreme Court decision making. Yet, much less attention has been paid to empirical measures of the Court's ideological output. We develop a theory of the interactions between rational litigants, lower court judges, and Supreme Court justices. We argue that the most common measure of the Supreme Court's ideological output—whether the Court's decision is liberal or conservative—suffers from systematic bias. We trace this bias empirically and explain the undesirable consequences it has for empirical analyses of judicial behavior. Specifically, we show that, although the Court's preferences are positively correlated with the ideological direction of the justices’ decision to reverse a lower court, the attitudes of the justices are negatively related—and significantly so—to the ideological direction of outcomes that affirm lower court decisions. We also offer a solution that allows scholars to work around this “a...
Irritable bowel syndrome: newer pharmacological agents acting on the gut

The objectives of this brief review are to provide an update on the clinical pharmacology and clinical trials of new potential therapies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These medications include: 5-HT3 antagonists, 5-HT4 agonists, α2-adrenergic agonists, κ opioid agonists, neurokinin antagonists, neostigmine, probiotics and antibiotics. While these approaches offer promise and a substantial rationale based on modulating the brain gut axis, the potential for central effects and the clinical efficacy of some of these agents are still being explored, and proof of concept studies needs to be supported by robust evidence of positive risk–benefit.
Solitary wave interactions with an array of two vertical cylinders

Abstract This paper addresses a numerical investigation of nonlinear waves interactions with an array of two surface-piercing vertical cylinders and the corresponding nonlinear hydrodynamic loads on each individual cylinder. The primary interest of this study is concentrated on the problem of three-dimensional scattering of solitary waves by cylinder arrays and the nonlinear interactions between scattered waves. The theoretical model adopted for simulation is the generalized Boussinesq two-equation model. The boundary-fitted coordinate transformation and multiple-grid technique are utilized here to simplify the computation domain and to facilitate the applications of the boundary conditions on the cylinder surfaces. The velocity potential, free-surface elevation and subsequent evolution of the scattered wave field are numerically evaluated. The hydrodynamic forces on each cylinder during wave impact are also determined. A study of the sheltering effect by the neighboring structures on wave loads is conducted. It is found that the presence of the neighboring cylinder has shown significant influence on the wave loads and the scattering of the primary incident waves. For two transversely arranged cylinders, the transverse force coefficient increases as the separation distance decreases.
p27, a novel inhibitor of G1 cyclin-Cdk protein kinase activity, is related to p21

Using a yeast interaction screen to search for proteins that interact with cyclin D1-Cdk4, we identified a 27 kDa mouse protein related to the p21 cyclin-Cdk inhibitor. p27 interacts strongly with D-type cyclins and Cdk4 in vitro and more weakly with cyclin E and Cdk2. In mouse fibroblasts, p27 is associated predominantly with cyclin D1-Cdk4. Recombinant p27 is a potent inhibitor of cyclin D1-Cdk4 and cyclin A-Cdk2 protein kinase activity and a weaker inhibitor of cyclin B1-Cdc2. Overexpression of p27 in Saos-2 cells causes G1 arrest. p27 protein levels do not change as serum-stimulated quiescent mouse fibroblasts progress through the cell cycle. p27 is identical to p27Kip1, a cyclin-Cdk inhibitor present in TGF beta-treated cells. p27 has the hallmarks of a negative regulator of G1 progression and may mediate TGF beta-induced G1 arrest.
Interleukin‐1β and Thymic Peptide Regulation of Pituitary and Glial Cell Cytokine Expression and Cellular Proliferation

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a B-cell differentiating and T-cell activating cytokine that is expressed in T cells, neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and mast cells. Because IL-6 is also synthesized and released by anterior pituitary cells and IL-6 stimulates pituitary hormone release, this cytokine may serve a paracrine or autocrine role within the pituitary. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) stimulates IL-6 release from anterior pituitary cells through a mechanism that involves lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC 18:0) generation and protein kinase C activation. In the rat C6 glioma cell line, IL-1 beta synergistically stimulates IL-6 release in the presence of increased intracellular cAMP concentrations. The catecholamines and serotonin also synergistically stimulate IL-6 release in the presence of IL-1 beta. LPC 18:0 synergistically increases IL-6 release in the presence of norepinephrine, and IL-1 beta transiently increases LPC 18:0 formation in C6 cells. Therefore, IL-1 beta induction of LPC 18:0 may lead to increases in IL-6 production via activation of a kinase cascade. The bovine thymic preparation, thymosin fraction 5 (TF5), also stimulates IL-6 release from C6 glioma cells in a protein kinase C-dependent manner. Of interest, TF5 inhibits the proliferation of C6 cells, pituitary adenoma MMQ cells, and promyelocytic HL-60 cells. We suggest that a thymic hormone immune surveillance mechanism may suppress neuroendocrine and hematopoietic tumor formation. Thus, IL-1 beta and certain thymic peptides act to increase IL-6 expression in neuroendocrine cells. The enhanced production of neuroendocrine cytokines may affect hormone secretion, neurotransmission, and the development of certain neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease). The isolation of the active component of TF5 that inhibits neuroendocrine and hematopoietic tumor cell proliferation will provide a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these tumors.
Spectroscopic and Computational Studies of Nitrite Reductase: Proton Induced Electron Transfer and Backbonding Contributions to Reactivity

A combination of spectroscopy and DFT calculations has been used to define the geometric and electronic structure of the nitrite bound type 2 (T2) copper site at high and low pH in nitrite reductase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides. At high pH there is no electron transfer from reduced type 1 (T1) to the nitrite bound T2 copper, while protonation triggers T1 → T2 electron transfer and generation of NO. The DFT calculated reaction coordinate for the N−O bond cleavage in nitrite reduction by the reduced T2 copper suggests that the process is best described as proton transfer triggering electron transfer. Bidentate nitrite binding to copper is calculated to play a major role in activating the reductive cleavage of the nitrite bond through backbonding combined with stabilization of the −OH product by coordination to the Cu2+.
Resource allocation in a middleware for streaming data

Increasingly, a number of applications rely on, or can potentially benefit from, analysis and monitoring of data streams. To support processing of streaming data in a grid environment, we have been developing a middleware system called GATES (Grid-based AdapTive Execution on Streams). Our target applications are those involving high volume data streams and requiring distributed processing of data arising from a distributed set of sources.This paper addresses the problem of resource allocation in the GATES system. Though resource discovery and resource allocation have been active topics in grid community, the pipelined processing and real-time constraint required by distributed streaming applications pose new challenges. We present a resource allocation algorithm that is based on minimal spanning trees. We evaluate the algorithm experimentally and demonstrate that it results in configurations that are very close to optimal, and significantly better than most other possible configurations.
Fluoride effectiveness in high caries risk and medically complex Veterans

Background The Global Burden of Disease Study showed there was a 34.5% increase in years lived with disability due to dental caries from 1990 to 2010. With the aging of 76 million baby boomers, dental caries will continue to pose a significant challenge for older adults. Objective Test the effectiveness of prescription or professionally applied fluoride in the prevention of new dental restorations in a clinical setting where patients are medically compromised and more dentally impaired than the general population. Methods A retrospective cohort study, using multiple electronic databases within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Propensity scores were used to adjust for confounding by indication and logistic regression modeled the outcome and included all expected covariates. Results The study sample included 140 114 high caries risk Veterans with a mean of 3.4 physical comorbidities, 1.2 mental comorbidities, and 11 medication groups per patient. Patients who received clinical fluoride treatments had 17–20% decreased odds of requiring a restoration during the follow-up period. Conclusions Prescription self-applied or professionally applied fluoride provided either before or during an episode of care significantly reduced the likelihood of new restorations in high caries risk and medically compromised Veterans.
Shirking, sharing risk and shelving: The role of university license contracts

Abstract In this paper, we develop a theoretical model of university licensing to explain why university license contracts often include payment types that differ from the fixed fees and royalties typically examined by economists. Our findings suggest that milestone payments and annual payments are common because moral hazard, risk sharing, and adverse selection all play a role when embryonic inventions are licensed. Milestones address inventor moral hazard without the inefficiency inherent in royalties. The potential for a licensee to shelve inventions is an adverse selection problem which can be addressed by annual fees if shelving is unintentional, but may require an upfront fee if the firm licenses an invention with the intention to shelve it. Whether the licensing contract prevents shelving depends in part on the university credibly threatening to take the license back from a shelving firm. This supports the rationale for Bayh–Dole march-in rights but also shows the need for the exercise of these rights can be obviated by contracts.
Mitochondrial cytochrome b analysis reveals two invasive lionfish species with strong founder effects in the western Atlantic

Lionfish (Scorpaenidae, Pteroinae) are venomous predatory fish that are native to the IndoPacific region and have recently become established in the western Atlantic Ocean. Since the invasion was first documented in 2000, the number of lionfish in the Atlantic has increased substantially and spurred a series of investigations regarding their biology and potential impacts on the ecosystem. The present study uses haplotypes from the mitochondria-encoded cytochrome b (cyt b) locus to determine the number of lionfish species involved in the Atlantic invasion and the decrease in genetic diversity that accompanied the invasion. The cyt b data reveal that Pterois volitans along with a small number of Pterois miles are present in the Atlantic Ocean and that a strong founder effect has resulted in a large decrease in genetic diversity compared with native lionfish populations.