cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WE-D-351-08: Integrated Subvolume Boosting Technique to Reduce Normal Tissue Irradiation During SBRT Treatment Planning Using Helical Tomotherapy

Purpose: To characterize the reduction in normal tissue volume irradiated in a SBRT treatment plan by delivering an inhomogeneous dose to the PTV—via integrated subvolumes prescribed to increasing doses above prescription dose—instead of a homogeneous dose using helical tomotherapy. Method and Materials: Three patients were retrospectively planned using helical tomotherapy with two treatment plans: (1) homogenous plan delivering a uniform prescription dose to the PTV and (2) inhomogeneous plan delivering a non‐uniform dose to the PTV. Subvolumes were created by volumetrically contracting the PTV by 4mm resulting in three subvolumes within the PTV (PTVi, PTVii, and PTViii). Dose prescriptions to the various targets were as follows: Homogenous: PTV: 95% of volume to receive 60.0Gy; Inhomogeneous: PTViii: 20% of volume to receive 80.0Gy, PTVii: 50% of volume to receive 75.0Gy, PTVi: 50% of volume to receive 70.0Gy, PTV: 95% of volume to receive 60.0Gy. The homogenous and inhomogeneous plans were compared on the basis of normal tissue volume reductions to various dose levels assuming identical target coverage of the PTV. Results: A significant reduction in the volume of normal tissue irradiated to high doses was achieved for all patients. Average reduction of V90%, V80%, V50%, and V20% were 18, 15, 9, and 7%, respectively. It was noted that as the dose level decreases, the percent volume reduction between the homogeneous and inhomogeneous plans decreases. Conclusion: The study served to quantify the volumetric reduction of normal tissue irradiated during lungSBRT treatments with helical tomotherapy when delivering non‐uniform doses to the PTV as compared to uniform doses. Our results indicate that an inhomogeneous dose distribution generated by the creation of integrated subvolumes prescribed to higher doses within the PTV significantly reduces the volume of normal tissue irradiated, especially at higher doses (>50% of prescription dose).
Luteinizing hormone in the plasma of white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) during artificial photostimulation.

Serial estimations were made of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the plasma of Whitecrowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) exposed to artificial photostimulation. Following the transfer of photosensitive birds from short (8h light, 16h darkness, 8L 16D) to long (20h light, 4h darkness, 20L 4D) days there was a 200% rise in LH concentration after one long day. Thereafter, the level fluctuated somewhat but generally remained relatively stable until a significant decrease to a “basal” level occurred after 50–70 long days. This was associated with the onset of photorefractoriness. When sexually mature birds on 20L 4D were placed on short days the LH level declined slightly after one short day but did not decrease to the “resting” level for another few days. Retransfer to long days led to a rapid increase in LH concentration. In two experiments with 20L 4D no diurnal rhythms in LH levels were observed. The low LH level in photorefractory birds on 8L 16D was not altered by exposure to 20L 4D. The LH level also remained steady in photosensitive birds maintained on 8L 16D for 2 mo.
Behavioral and neurochemical changes caused by repeated ethanol and cocaine administration.

Combined cocaine and ethanol abuse has become increasingly popular, yet research on the behavioral and neurochemical interactions of these two substances is limited. Four groups of male rats received either daily cocaine (10 mg/kg, IP) or saline injections with either water (groups C and S) or only 15% ethanol to drink (groups CE and E). Initially, locomotor activity was increased equally by ethanol or cocaine and to the greatest extent by both. After 2 weeks of drug treatment, group C exhibited behavioral sensitization to cocaine, group E exhibited ethanol tolerance and group CE exhibited greater cocaine sensitization with no indication of ethanol tolerance. In support of enhanced sensitization to cocaine, amphetamine-stimulated3H-dopamine (DA) release in striatum and D2 DA receptor binding in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) were increased in group CE compared to group C. In support of a loss of ethanol tolerance, increases in striatal D2 DA and35S-TBPS binding seen in group E (which exhibited ethanol tolerance) were absent in group CE (which did not exhibit tolerance). Thus, the synergistic effect of ethanol and cocaine on behavior may be due to complex interactions of these two drugs both on DA and GABA transmission in mesolimbic and nigrostriatal areas.
A Surface Energy Transfer Nanoruler for Measuring Binding Site Distances on Live Cell Surfaces

Measuring distances at molecular length scales in living systems is a significant challenge. Methods like Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) have limitations due to short detection distances and strict orientations. Recently, surface energy transfer (SET) has been used in bulk solutions; however, it cannot be applied to living systems. Here, we have developed an SET nanoruler, using aptamer−gold nanoparticle conjugates with different diameters, to monitor the distance between binding sites of a receptor on living cells. The nanoruler can measure separation distances well beyond the detection limit of FRET. Thus, for the first time, we have developed an effective SET nanoruler for live cells with long distance, easy construction, fast detection, and low background. This is also the first time that the distance between the aptamer and antibody binding sites in the membrane protein PTK7 was measured accurately. The SET nanoruler represents the next leap forward to monitor structural components within l...
Autosomal Dominantly Inherited Macular Dystrophy with Preferential Short-Wavelength Sensitive Cone Involvement

We found an apparently inherited tritan-like color vision defect in five members of a family, spanning three generations. The defect was associated with mild macular pigmentary changes, poor foveolar reflexes, or slightly reduced visual acuity in four of the affected individuals. The inheritance pattern appeared to be autosomal dominant. Results of various color vision tests indicated preferential involvement of the short-wavelength sensitive cone system, with relative preservation of the middle-and long-wavelength sensitive cone systems. Both anomaloscope testing with larger (8-degree) fields and short-wavelength sensitive electroretinography indicated some short-wavelength sensitive cone system involvement beyond the central macula in the three affected individuals on whom testing was performed. The condition appeared to be a familial macular dystrophy with preferential short-wavelength sensitive cone involvement. The abnormal macular findings and mild reduction in visual acuity distinguish this condition from congenital tritanopia; the normal optic disks distinguish it from autosomal dominant optic atrophy.
Proton motion in NH4+ beta and NH4+H3O+ beta″ alumina

Abstract Proton relaxation times ( T 1 and T 2 ) and linewidth studies have been performed on NH 4 + beta (single-crystal and polycrystalline forms) and NH 4 + H 3 O + beta″ (single-crystal) alumina using NMR pulse (10.3 and 18.0 MHz) and cw techniques (27.7 MHz), respectively, over the temperature range of 77–475 K. Both compounds are fast ion (protonic) conductors. The relaxation data suggests that protonic diffusion takes place in these compounds. The first known NMR report of an angular dependence of the form 1/ T 2 (or δ H )_∞ (3 cos 2 θ−1) 2 + const is made for nuclei in these types of compounds where θ is the angle between the crystal's c axis and the dc magnetic field direction. This angular dependence in the layered two-dimensional structure of these compounds is discussed in terms of a diffusion theory of Avogadro and Villa in a two-dimensional system. Based on the T 1 dat3, the activation energy for proton motion in NH 4 + beta and NH 4 + H 3 O + beta″ alumina is 0.21 eV and 0.15 eV, respectively. Differences in relaxation behavior in these compounds are discussed in terms of paramagnetic impurity concentrations determined from EPR studies.
WE-E-17A-10: Singular Value Decomposition Identifies Transcript Length Distribution Functions from DNA Microarray Data and Reveals Evolutionary Forces Globally Affecting Glioblastoma Multiforme Metabolism

Purpose: To search for evolutionary forces that might act upon eukaryotic mRNA transcript length, e.g., as a normal cell is transformed to a tumor cell. Methods: We use the singular value decomposition (SVD) to identify the length distribution functions of sets and subsets of human and yeast transcripts from profiles of mRNA abundance levels across gel electrophoresis migration distances that were previously measured by DNA microarrays. We show that the SVD identifies the transcript length distribution functions as “asymmetric generalized coherent states” from the DNA microarray data and with no a-priori assumptions [Alter and Golub, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103 (32), pp. 11828-11833 (2006); doi: 10.1073/pnas.0604756103]. Results: Comparing subsets of human and yeast transcripts of the same gene ontology annotations, we find that in both disparate eukaryotes, transcripts involved in protein synthesis or mitochondrial metabolism are significantly shorter than typical, and in particular, significantly shorter than those involved in glucose metabolism. Comparing the subsets of human transcripts that are overexpressed in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) or normal brain tissue samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we find that GBM maintains normal brain overexpression of significantly short transcripts, enriched in transcripts that are involved in protein synthesis or mitochondrial metabolism, but suppresses normal overexpression of significantly longer transcripts, enriched in transcripts that are involved in glucose metabolism and brain activity [Bertagnolli, Drake, Tennessen and Alter, PLoS One 8 (11), article e78913 (2013); doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078913]. Conclusion: These global relations among transcript length, cellular metabolism and tumor development suggest a previously unrecognized physical mode for tumor and normal cells to differentially regulate metabolism in a transcript length-dependent manner. The identified distribution functions support a previous hypothesis from mathematical modeling of evolutionary forces that act upon transcript length in the manner of the restoring force of the harmonic oscillator. This research was supported by the Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR) Initiative, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) R01 Grant HG-004302 and National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award DMS-0847173
English as the Language of International Business Communication

Barrett, D. J. (2006). Strong communication skills a must for today’s leaders. Handbook of Business Strategy, 7, 385-390. Campbell, C. P. (1998). Rhetorical ethos: A bridge between high-context and low-context cultures? In S. Niemeier, C. P. Campbell, & R. Dirven (Eds.), The cultural context in business communication (pp. 31-47). Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Kankaanranta, A. (2000). What makes the reader tick? Business professionals’ reactions to firstyear business students’ writing. In M. Charles & H. Kangasharju (Eds.), New orientations and developments: Business communication research and teaching working papers (pp. 153179). Helsinki, Finland: Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration. Kankaanranta, A. (2005). “Hej Seppo, could you pls comment on this!”—Internal email communication in lingua franca English in a multinational company. Retrieved October 2, 2006, from http://ebooks.jyu.fi/solki/9513923207.pdf Lesznyak, A. (2002). From chaos to the smallest common denominator: Topic management in English lingua franca communication. In K. Knapp & C. Meierkord (Eds.), Lingua franca communication (pp. 163-194). Frankfurt, Germany: Peter Lang. Louhiala-Salminen, L. (2002). The fly’s perspective: Discourse in the daily routine of a business manager. English for Specific Purposes, 21, 211-231. Munter, M. (2006). Guide to managerial communication: Effective business writing and speaking. Upper Saddle River NJ: Prentice Hall. Rogers, P. S., & Rymer, J. (20001). Analytical tools to facilitate transitions into new writing contexts: A communicative perspective. Journal of Business Communication, 28, 112-152.
Evolution of Sintering Anisotropy Using a 2D Finite Difference Method

A 2D finite difference method was applied to a model of aligned elliptical particles to determine why experimentally the percentage anisotropy varied with sintering strain. The results of the model showed the percentage anisotropy versus sintering shrinkage followed the trends of experimental results. The shape of the curve was affected both by the eccentricity of the ellipses and by the ratio of the grain-boundary diffusion coefficient to the surface diffusion coefficient. The shape of the curves were dominated by the ratio of the length of grain boundary in the direction of the major axis of the ellipse to that the grain-boundary length in the direction of the minor axis of the ellipse. The change in curvature profile near the triple point had some influence but was not as effective in explaining this trend.
Differences in the rate of DNA adduct removal and the efficiency of mutagenesis for two benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxides in CHO cells

Abstract The initiation of carcinogenesis by carcinogens such as 7 r ,8 t -dihydroxy-9,10 t -oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[ a ]pyrene (BPDE-I) is thought to involve the formation of DNA adducts. However, the diastereomeric diol epoxide, 7 r ,8 t -dihydroxy-9,10 c -oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[ a ]pyrene (BPDE-II), also forms DNA adducts but is inactive in standard carcinogenesis models. We have measured the formation and loss of DNA adducts derived from BPDE-II in a DNA-repair-proficient line of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, AT3-2, and in two derived mutant cell lines, UVL-1 and UVL-10, which are unable to repair bulky DNA adducts. BPDE-II adducts were lost from cellular DNA in AT3-2 cells with a half-life of 13.8 h; this was about twice the rate found for BPDE-I adducts. BPDE-II adducts were also lost from DNA in UVL-1 and UVL-10 cells, but at a much slower rate. When purified DNA was modified in vitro with BPDE-II and then held at 37°C, DNA adducts were removed at a rate identical to that seen in UVL-1 and UVL-10 cells, suggesting that the loss in these cells was not due to enzymatic DNA-repair processes but to chemical lability of the adducts. Mutant frequencies at the APRT and HPRT loci were measured at BPDE-II doses that resulted in > 20% survival, and were found to increase linearly with dose. In the DNA-repair-deficient cells, the HPRT locus was moderately hypermutable compared with AT3-2 cells (about 5-fold); the APRT locus was extremely hypermutable, giving about 25-fold higher mutant fractions in UVL-1 and UVL-10 than in AT3-2 cells at equal initial levels of binding. When we compared the mutational efficiency of BPDE-II at both loci in AT3-2 cells (the mutant frequency in mutants/10 6 survivors at a dose that resulted in one adduct per 10 6 base pairs) with our previous studies of BPDE-I, we found that BPDE-II was 4–5 times less efficient as a mutagen than BPDE-I. This difference in mutational efficiency could be explained in part by the increased rate of loss of BPDE-II adducts from the cellular DNA, part of which was due to an increased rate of enzymatic removal of these lesions compared with the removal of BPDE-I adducts.
Postnatal Ocular Expression of Tyrosinase and Related Proteins: Disruption by the Pink-eyed Unstable (pun) Mutation

Abstract Ocular pigmentation in the mouse occurs primarily postnatally as a result of the melanization of neural crest-derived melanocytes. Using immunologic and biochemical techniques, we demonstrate that in normal mice the expression of tyrosinase and the related proteins TRP-1 and TRP-2, rises during the first week of life, remains elevated for a week, and then steadily declines to low levels by adulthood. Sucrose gradient density centrifugation demonstrates that tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 are present in high molecular weight forms in the eyes of wild-type mice. The normal time course is disrupted in mice carrying the pink-eyed unstable ( p un ) mutation at the P -locus, a model for tyrosinase-positive albinism in man. Tyrosinase and TRP-2 are present at wild-type levels in the eyes of p un / p un mice at birth, but, rather than rising, their levels rapidly decline over the first week of life. TRP-1 is almost undetectable, even at birth. High molecular weight complexes could not be detected in eyes of p un / p un mice. Our results suggest that postnatal ocular melanogenesis in the mouse presents an attractive model for the study of the orderly expression and action of the proteins involved in eumelanin synthesis, and that the p un mutation disrupts this temporally controlled process.
Common Dysmorphic Syndromes in the NICU

Neonatologists are responsible for the care of newborns who have a wide variety of critical illnesses, including complications of multiple congenital anomalies. This review article provides an overview of state-of-the art information on the diagnosis and management of a number of genetic disorders frequently encountered in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The latest diagnostic tool for children who have unknown syndromes (array comparative genomic hybridization) as well as Internet-based search engine databases that can be accessed from the NICU are examined.
International education policies and the boundaries of global citizenship in the US

This paper analyses recent policy statements around international education produced by US state boards of education and their international education advisory councils, and investigates policy developments in two US states, Ohio and Indiana, to better ground the discussion of education policy‐making in the local political, economic, and educational environment. Since 2001, several US states have published policy statements encouraging the expansion of international education in public schools, particularly world‐language study and student and teacher exchange programmes. However, this analysis of the broader aims of this push to internationalize curriculum suggests that they are grounded in local and state issues. Rather than expanding the goals and aims of education from the local to the global, this study argues that these policies establish clear boundaries that limit international education to local economic and national security concerns.
Evaluation of apparent fracture toughness of articular cartilage and hydrogels.

Recently, biomaterials-based tissue-engineering strategies, including the use of hydrogels, have offered great promise for repairing articular cartilage. Mechanical failure testing in outcome analyses is of crucial clinical importance to the success of engineered constructs. Interpenetrating networks (IPNs) are gaining more attention, due to their superior mechanical integrity. This study provided a combination testing method of apparent fracture toughness, which was applied to both articular cartilage and hydrogels. The apparent fracture toughnesses of two groups, hydrogels and articular cartilage, were evaluated based on the modified single-edge notch test and ASTM standards on the single-edge notch test and compact tension test. The results demonstrated that the toughness for articular cartilage (348 ± 43 MPa/mm½ ) was much higher than that for hydrogels. With a toughness value of 10.8 ± 1.4 MPa/mm½ , IPNs of agarose and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) looked promising. The IPNs were 1.4 times tougher than PEG-DA alone, although still over an order of magnitude less tough than cartilage. A new method was developed to evaluate hydrogels and cartilage in a manner that enabled a more relevant direct comparison for fracture testing of hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering. Moreover, a target toughness value for cartilage of using this direct comparison method has been identified (348 ± 43 MPa/mm½ ), and the toughness discrepancy to be overcome between hydrogels and cartilage has been quantified. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regimes of Sovereignty: International Morality and the African Condition

Theorists of the `African state' and Africa's external relations frequently focus on the causes, consequences, and repercussions of its failures. They are justified in their appreciation of `failur...
An Oriented Plastic Slicing Guide for Facilitating Stereotaxic Interpretations in Brain Sections

A rigid plastic cutting guide for whole brains in which the interior conforms to the contours of the interior base of the cranial cavity was molded from plastic that sets at room temperature. The mold was poured in a glass staining dish surrounding a wax-coated plaster cast of the floor of the skull. Both the casting and the molding processes were carried out in a stereotaxic apparatus to insure proper alignment. The molded box supports the brain in correct stereotaxic alignment, and vertical slits sawed at 5 mm intervals along the width of the box allow the passage of a blade through the brain. The resulting tissue slabs are of uniform thickness and can be easily correlated with the coronal planes shown in stereotaxic atlases. This inexpensive cutting device reduces the number of thin sections lost between tissue blocks, an important consideration when tracking degenerating nerves.
Deterministic parallel global parameter estimation for a model of the budding yeast cell cycle

Two parallel deterministic direct search algorithms are combined to find improved parameters for a system of differential equations designed to simulate the cell cycle of budding yeast. Comparing the model simulation results to experimental data is difficult because most of the experimental data is qualitative rather than quantitative. An algorithm to convert simulation results to mutant phenotypes is presented. Vectors of the 143 parameters defining the differential equation model are rated by a discontinuous objective function. Parallel results on a 2200 processor supercomputer are presented for a global optimization algorithm, DIRECT, a local optimization algorithm, MADS, and a hybrid of the two.
SU-8 micromachining of millimeter and submillimeter waveguide circuits

Micromachined WR 3.4 waveguide circuits are fabricated using a SU-8 micromachining process. In order to demonstrate the viability and repeatability of this process both straight waveguide sections and cylindrical cavity resonators are fabricated and measured. The SU-8 waveguide compares reasonably well to a standard WR 3.4 waveguide section. The measured cavity resonators demonstrate quality factors of 1900 and 2200 at a resonant frequency of 308 GHz.
Inlet Boundary-Layer Shapes on Four Aircraft Forebodies at Mach 6

Boundary-layer shape measurements at the engine inlet on four different hypersonic aircraft forebody designs (with no engine on the forebody) are reported. The measurements provide a qualitative assessment of the effectiveness of various forebody geometries as engine inlet precompression surfaces. The designs, tested in a hypersonic tunnel at Mach 6 and a nominal freestream Reynolds number of 30,500,000, included a semiconical forebody, a configuration similar to a slab delta wing, a conical nose blended into a flat surface, and a conical, complex forebody shape. Boundary layer height as a function of forebody compression is shown for each design.
Premature development of cardiac sympathetic neurotransmission in the fetal alcohol syndrome

Abstract The development of the ability of hypoglycemia to evoke centrally-mediated reflex activation of sympathetic efferent pathways was studied in rats whose mothers received ethanol. Hypoglycemia was elicited by insulin administration, and sympathetic stimulation was assessed by measuring heart ODC activity and depletion of adrenal catecholamines. In control rats, cardiac sympathetic neurotransmission was absent at 4 days of age and matured toward the end of the first week of postnatal age. In contrast, pups from ethanol-treated mothers displayed fully functional reflex responses as early as 4 days. This acceleration appeared to be independent of nutritional or body weight-related factors. In contrast, enhanced maturation of peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission in pups born to ethanol-fed mothers was not seen in the sympatho-adrenal pathway.
A FAK/Src chimera with gain-of-function properties promotes formation of large peripheral adhesions associated with dynamic actin assembly.

Formation of a complex between the tyrosine kinases FAK and Src is a key integrin-mediated signaling event implicated in cell motility, survival, and proliferation. Past studies indicate that FAK functions in the complex primarily as a “scaffold,” acting to recruit and activate Src within cell/matrix adhesions. To study the cellular impact of FAK-associated Src signaling we developed a novel gain-of-function approach that involves expressing a chimeric protein with the FAK kinase domain replaced by the Src kinase domain. This FAK/Src chimera is subject to adhesion-dependent activation and promotes tyrosine phosphorylation of p130Cas and paxillin to higher steady-state levels than is achieved by wild-type FAK. When expressed in FAK -/- mouse embryo fibroblasts, the FAK/Src chimera resulted in a striking cellular phenotype characterized by unusual large peripheral adhesions, enhanced adhesive strength, and greatly reduced motility. Live cell imaging of the chimera-expressing FAK -/- cells provided evidence that the large peripheral adhesions are associated with a dynamic actin assembly process that is sensitive to a Src-selective inhibitor. These findings suggest that FAK-associated Src kinase activity has the capacity to promote adhesion integrity and actin assembly.
The effects of loud and soft reprimands on the behavior of disruptive students.

Two children in each of five classes were selected for a 4 month study because of their high rates of disruptive behavior. During a baseline condition the frequency of disruptive behaviors and teac...
Effects of tannic acid on cecal volatile fatty acids and susceptibility to Salmonella typhimurium colonization in broiler chicks.

Abstract Young chickens are more susceptible to Salmonella colonization than older chickens that have developed resistance with age as native microflora become established. Elevated concentrations of cecal propionic acid and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) have been observed by many researchers to be indicators of establishment of anaerobic microflora and protection against Salmonella colonization of the ceca. Disruption of the native microflora or competitive exclusion (CE) cultures by components of diets, such as tannic acid (TA), could alter the concentrations of propionic acid and total VFA and possibly affect Salmonella colonization. Two experiments were conducted using day-of-hatch, mixed-sex broiler chicks to evaluate the effects of TA on cecal VFA and the susceptibility to Salmonella colonization. All chicks in both experiments were challenged orally with 10(4) cfu of Salmonella typhimurium (ST) on Day 3 (Experiment 1) or Day 4 (Experiment 2). One-half of the chicks were orally gavaged on the day of hatch with a CE culture (PREEMPT) and were fed diets containing 0, 0.75, or 1.5% TA for up to 12 d of age. Chicks were maintained in batteries in separate rooms for the experimental period. There were some alterations in concentrations of cecal propionic acid or total VFA in chicks fed diets containing 0.75 or 1.5% TA in non CE-treated chicks and in CE-treated chicks. No significant differences were observed for numbers of Salmonella cecal culture-positive chicks or in the numbers of ST in the cecal contents due to dietary content of TA. With minor exceptions, the chicks treated with the CE culture had higher cecal concentrations of propionic acid and were less susceptible to Salmonella colonization than the non CE-treated chicks. Further research is necessary to determine the biological significance of these changes.
The structure of the human glucocorticoid receptor and its gene

The human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) is a ubiquitous, phosphorylated protein of Mr about 95,000, as determined by PAGE or other physical methods. It is found intracellularly, and current immunocytochemical studies suggest that, in the absence of ligand, it is predominantly cytoplasmic. Limited proteolysis shows that the protein can be divided into steroid-binding, DNA-binding and strongly antigenic regions, roughly one-third each of the molecule. Recently, the hGR gene has been cloned and sequenced, and analysis of the gene has confirmed and extended this general description of the protein. The DNA-binding region is cysteine-rich, and the carboxy-terminal end of the molecule is the steroid-binding region. Analysis of CEM cells, a line of human leukemic lymphoblasts, has resulted in isolation of three classes of resistant cells: receptor-site deficient (r-), receptor activation labile (r act/l), and wild-type receptor but lysis-defective (r+ly-). Monoclonal antibodies to the hGR have been produced and used to show that the r- clone does contain immunoreactive receptor. Northern blots of the RNA of these cells, probed with the full-length hGR cDNA, reveal that the r- cells have mRNA for hGR of normal size but somewhat less in amount than normal r+ cells. Previous somatic cell hybrids had shown failure to complement in crosses between r- and r act/l mutants, but dominance of the sensitive phenotype in r+ x r- and r+ x r act/l hybrids. We now show, however, that the r+ly- clone does complement the receptor-site deficient (r-) mutant. Hybrids between the two are completely steroid sensitive.
Role of endogenous IL-10 in LPS-induced STAT3 activation and IL-1 receptor antagonist gene expression

The regulation of secretory interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (sIL-1Ra) in response to IL-10 is unique. In contrast to most cytokines, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of the sIL-1Ra gene is enhanced by concomitant treatment with IL-10. Cotreatment of RAW 264.7 cells with IL-10 + LPS resulted in at least a twofold increase in sIL-1Ra promoter activity and mRNA expression compared with LPS alone; IL-10 alone had no effect on promoter activity or mRNA expression. Examination of sIL-1Ra mRNA expression in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) resulted in identical results. Transfection of RAW 264.7 cells with the sIL-1Ra/luc reporter and a dominant-negative signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 (Y705A) expression plasmid inhibited the enhanced response induced by exogenous IL-10 in the presence of LPS. The presence of a functional STAT3-binding site within the proximal sIL-1Ra promoter was demonstrated. As IL-10 is produced by LPS-stimulated macrophages, a role for endogenously produced IL-10 in the response of the sIL-1Ra gene to LPS was suggested. This was confirmed in IL-10-deficient BMDM, which when compared with normal BMDM, had significantly decreased LPS-induced sIL-1Ra mRNA levels that could be restored by exogenously provided IL-10, which induced a fivefold increase of LPS-induced IL-1Ra mRNA in cells from IL-10-/- BMDM. Western blot analysis of phosphorylated STAT3 from wild-type and IL-10-/- BMDM and IL-10 neutralization experiments demonstrated a role for endogenously produced IL-10 in the LPS-induced STAT3 activity. Together, these results demonstrate that endogenously produced IL-10 plays a significant role in LPS-induced sIL-1Ra gene expression via the activation of STAT3.
Measurement of Mechanical Compressive Properties and Densification Energy Requirement of Miscanthus × giganteus and Switchgrass

Lignocellulosic biomass in bale form has a low bulk density. Current in-field balers can achieve a bulk density of merely 120 to 180 kg dry matter (DM) m−3, whereas modern high-compression cutting balers produce up to 230 kg m−3. Mechanical compression is a straightforward technique to increase the material density, which significantly improves the efficiency of transportation and storage, and simplifies handling. Traditional compression technology mainly produces pellets, but conceivably bales could be compressed to a higher density as well. To design compression machinery in general, it is essential to determine the mechanical properties of biomass under compression and compression energy consumption. In addition, the material rebound percentage after compression is needed to design low-cost containerization methods for highly compressed bales. In this research, we established pressure–bulk density relationships and calculated Poisson’s ratio for Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus, Poaceae/Gramineae) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L. Poacea/Gramineae). We also calculated rebound percentages for Miscanthus in two particle sizes. The results showed that the energy consumption for compression of Miscanthus and switchgrass is low, ranging from 0.01 to 0.05 % of the inherent heating value of the materials. Poisson’s ratios of Miscanthus and switchgrass ranged from 0.2 to 0.3 for various particle sizes. The rebound percentage was found as 28 % for unground Miscanthus and 23 % for Miscanthus ground to 6.35-mm particles. A common opinion is that high-level compression of biomass may reduce its energy content. Although in this research some of the biomass was exposed to an extreme pressure of 750 MPa, microscopic imagery revealed no fractions in the cell walls, leading to the conjecture that compression does not negatively impact the conversion potential of the biomass.
Use of common factors in numerical synthesis of RLC one ports

Opening (short-circuiting) a series (parallel) resistor-capacitor or resistor-inductor subnetwork in an RLC network produces a common factor in the driving-point function. Synthesising the reduced network results in a set of initial element values for the original network. Coefficient matching and an iterative numerical technique then yield the actual element values.
Spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetries

The spontaneous breaking of chiralU 3×U 3 symmetry down toU 1×U 1×U 1 is studied from the in-field point of view. It is shown that the original symmetry undergoes a dynamical rearrangement and thus the observational symmetry,i.e. the symmetry of in-fields, assumes a totally different structure from that of the Heisenberg fields. As its application, the low-energy theorems are derived. The generalization of this method for higher symmetries is also discussed.
Liver ChIP-seq analysis in FGF19-treated mice reveals SHP as a global transcriptional partner of SREBP-2

Fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF19) is an intestinal hormone that mediates postprandial metabolic responses in the liver. The unusual orphan nuclear receptor, small heterodimer partner (SHP), acts as a co-repressor for many transcriptional factors and has been implicated in diverse biological pathways including FGF19-mediated repression of bile acid synthesis. To explore global functions of SHP in mediating FGF19 action, we identify genome-wide SHP binding sites in hepatic chromatin in mice treated with vehicle or FGF19 by ChIP-seq analysis. The overall pattern of SHP binding sites between these two groups is similar, but SHP binding is enhanced at the sites by addition of FGF19. SHP binding is detected preferentially in promoter regions that are enriched in motifs for unexpected non-nuclear receptors. We observe global co-localization of SHP sites with published sites for SREBP-2, a master transcriptional activator of cholesterol biosynthesis. FGF19 increases functional interaction between endogenous SHP and SREBP-2 and inhibits SREBP-2 target genes, and these effects were blunted in SHP-knockout mice. Furthermore, FGF19-induced phosphorylation of SHP at Thr-55 is shown to be important for its functional interaction with SREBP-2 and reduction of liver/serum cholesterol levels. This study reveals SHP as a global transcriptional partner of SREBP-2 in regulation of sterol biosynthetic gene networks and provides a potential mechanism for cholesterol-lowering action of FGF19.
An introduction to instructional transaction theory

Instructional transactions are instructional algorithms, patterns of learner interactions that have been designed to enable the learner to acquire a certain kind of knowledge or skill. An instructional transaction class is a set of similar instructional transaction shells that have similar interaction requirements and similar knowledge representation requirements. The knowledge, performance, and interactions required for each of several classes of transactions are briefly described. A transaction family is all the transactions necessary to enable a learner to acquire all the knowledge and skill required to engage in a particular complex human activity called an enterprise.
Contributions of immunoaffinity chromatography to deep proteome profiling of human biofluids

Human biofluids, especially blood plasma or serum, hold great potential as the sources of candidate biomarkers for various diseases; however, the enormous dynamic range of protein concentrations in biofluids represents a significant analytical challenge for detecting promising low-abundance proteins. Over the last decade, various immunoaffinity chromatographic methods have been developed and routinely applied for separating low-abundance proteins from the high- and moderate-abundance proteins, thus enabling much more effective detection of low-abundance proteins. Herein, we review the advances of immunoaffinity separation methods and their contributions to the proteomic applications in human biofluids. The limitations and future perspectives of immunoaffinity separation methods are also discussed.
Evolution of reflexive signals using a realistic vocal tract model

We introduce a model of the evolution of reflexive primate signals that incorporates a realistic vocal tract model for generating the signals. Signaler neural networks receive signal types as inputs and produce vocal tract muscle activations as outputs. These muscle activations are input to a model of the primate vocal tract, generating real sounds. Receiver neural networks receive spectrograms of these sounds as inputs and produce signal type classifications as outputs. Incorporating a realistic vocal tract has a substantial effect on the types of signals that can evolve. Compared to a model with abstract signals, the realistic model signals are more similar and have more correlated elements. The realistic, embodied model also exhibits more variability in rate of adaptation, usually adapting more slowly. This may be explained by the more jagged fitness landscapes in the realistic model. The realistic signals also tend to be quiet. Environmental noise results in louder signals but makes the evolutionary process even slower and less robust. These results indicate that signal evolution with a more realistic genotype-phenotype mapping can differ substantially from evolution with abstract signals. Including realistic signal generation mechanisms may enable computational models to provide greater insights into natural signal evolution.
The Company States Keep: How Risk for Core Members Changes on IO Expansion

When emerging markets join international organizations, the effects are clear: investor perceptions of risk rise or fall depending on the reputations of the other members of the organization. But what happens to those existing members once new countries join their ranks? Does the reputation of a group of good members take a hit if a less reputable member comes in? When do bad reputations overwhelm good ones, and whose reputation in a given organization might suffer? And how might those effects be disentangled – do investors rationally fear contagion if a new member gets into economic trouble, or are they making irrational assumptions about an old member's trajectory, based on the type of company it keeps? International organizations frequently expand, yet very little research has been directed toward the consequences of IO enlargement. Scholars who support the view that treaties are endogenous strategies often claim that institutions are chosen from an infinitely large set of possible treaties and may be chosen based on likely compliance. That is, heads of state will not expend their energies negotiating agreements that will not be upheld by members. This view holds that the institutions that we observe in the world should not take on risk – but this chapter provides evidence that letting in new members does precisely that.
Floquet Majorana Fermions for Topological Qubits in Superconducting Devices and Cold-Atom Systems

We develop an approach to realizing a topological phase transition and non-Abelian braiding statistics with dynamically induced Floquet Majorana fermions (FMFs). When the periodic driving potential does not break fermion parity conservation, FMFs can encode quantum information. Quasienergy analysis shows that a stable FMF zero mode and two other satellite modes exist in a wide parameter space with large quasienergy gaps, which prevents transitions to other Floquet states under adiabatic driving. We also show that in the asymptotic limit FMFs preserve non-Abelian braiding statistics and, thus, behave like their equilibrium counterparts.
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disorder characterized by the accumulation of surfactant lipids and protein in the alveolar spaces, with resultant impairment in gas exchange. The clinical course can be variable, ranging from spontaneous resolution to respiratory failure and death. PAP in all forms is caused by excessive accumulation of surfactant within the alveolar spaces. Autoimmune PAP accounts for the vast majority of cases in humans and is caused by autoantibodies to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which results in impaired catabolism and clearance of surfactant lipids and proteins. Inherited or congenital forms of PAP are exceptionally rare and caused by mutations of genes encoding for surfactant proteins. Secondary forms of PAP are associated with diverse clinical disorders and are caused by reduced alveolar macrophage numbers or function with resultant reduced pulmonary clearance of surfactant. PAP is characterized by progressive exertional dyspnea and nonproductive cough with hypoxemia. Bilateral infiltrates are typically present on chest radiograph, and high-resolution computed tomography reveals diffuse ground-glass opacities and airspace consolidation with interlobular septal thickening in a characteristic “crazy paving” pattern. Although surgical lung biopsy will provide a definitive diagnosis, a combination of typical clinical and imaging features with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive material on bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsies is usually sufficient. The standard of care for treatment of PAP remains whole lung lavage, but treatment is not required in all patients. Autoimmune PAP has also been successfully treated with GM-CSF, both inhaled and systemic, but the optimal dose, duration, and route of administration of GM-CSF have not been elucidated.
Some Perspectives on Peptic Ulcer

In this article, the author comments on the following topics: whether peptic ulcer is a disease or just the sign of another process; whether the crater has a multifactorial origin; the ubiquity of Helicobacter pylori and the conclusion that a specific strain will doubtless prove to be the cause of some, but not all, ulcers; the inherent definitional problem of "nonulcer dyspepsia"; and the controversy over how much gastric acid needs to be reduced to speed the healing of peptic ulcer.
Synthesis, Properties, and Reactions of Monosulfonated Triphenylphosphine (PPh2(m-C6H4SO3K) = TPPMS) Complexes of Iridium(I). Crystal and Molecular Structure of [N(CH2C6H5)(C2H5)3+][PPh2(m-C6H4SO3)-]·H2O

Iridium complexes containing the TPPMS ligand (TPPMS = PPh2(m-C6H4SO3K)) have been prepared and studied in DMSO and H2O as a comparison to the PPh3 analogues in toluene. Measurements of the pH of the complexes show that most are almost neutral, but Ir(CO)(H)(TPPMS)3 is basic (pH = 10.7). The basicity of Ir(CO)(H)(TPPMS)3 is confirmed by its reaction with H2O to give Ir(CO)(H)2(TPPMS)3+. In aqueous solution, reaction of trans-Ir(CO)(OH)(TPPMS)2 with H2 produces only fac-Ir(CO)(H)3(TPPMS)2 not the usual mixture of facial and meridional isomers. This is attributed to a hydrogen-bonding interaction between the two cis-TPPMS ligands in H2O. Reaction of trans-Ir(CO)(Cl)(TPPMS)2 with CO in water produces [Ir(CO)2(TPPMS)2+]Cl- and [Ir(CO)3(TPPMS)2+]Cl sequentially in a reaction that is pH dependent. Reaction of trans-Ir(CO)(OH)(TPPMS)2 with CO results in products based on the water gas shift-reaction. These complexes of TPPMS are spectroscopically very similar to the PPh3 analogues, but display significantly diff...
Narrative Burden: A Qualitative Investigation of Transnational, Transracial Adoptee Identity

This essay traces the qualitative investigation into narrative burden as it reveals itself in interpersonal and intercultural interactions involving transnational, transracial adoptees. Narrative burden is the context and crucible wherein adoptees struggle with issues of racism, privacy, and identity formation, given that narrative is both the origin of individual identity and the reminder of difference. Narrative burden also constitutes the centerpiece of an emerging third space for transracial, transnational adoptees. The study uses autoethnography and qualitative surveys while incorporating identity, culture, third space, and validity that requires a crystalline-based, holistic approach to knowledge creation. This approach leads to a broad understanding of narrative burden and reveals multiple trajectories of everyday interactions and individual and cultural identities.
Environment-Friendly Integrated Management of Jujube Gardens in Shanxi Province

Shanxi province is one of the main yielding areas of jujube tree.However,in recent years diseases and insect pests of jujube tree have being badly occurred that affected seriously the quality、the yield and the market competition because of variety of cultivated zoology、increase of host and exten-sive cultivation.According to investigation,the text spoke of some main problems about environment-friendly integrated management,bringing forward relevant environment-friendly prevention measures concerning jujube tree in our province.