cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Role of WASp in Gene Transcription Is Uncoupled from Its ARP2/3-Dependent Cytoplasmic Role in Actin Polymerization

Defects in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASp) underlie development of WAS, an X-linked immunodeficiency and autoimmunity disorder of childhood. Nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs) of the WASp family generate F-actin in the cytosol via the VCA (verprolin-homology, cofilin-homology, and acidic) domain and support RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription in the nucleus. Whether nuclear-WASp requires the integration of its actin-related protein (ARP)2/3-dependent cytoplasmic function to reprogram gene transcription, however, remains unresolved. Using the model of human TH cell differentiation, we find that WASp has a functional nuclear localizing and nuclear exit sequences, and accordingly, its effects on transcription are controlled mainly at the level of its nuclear entry and exit via the nuclear pore. Human WASp does not use its VCA-dependent, ARP2/3-driven, cytoplasmic effector mechanisms to support histone H3K4 methyltransferase activity in the nucleus of TH1-skewed cells. Accordingly, an isolated deficiency of nuclear-WASp is sufficient to impair the transcriptional reprogramming of TBX21 and IFNG promoters in TH1-skewed cells, whereas an isolated deficiency of cytosolic-WASp does not impair this process. In contrast, nuclear presence of WASp in TH2-skewed cells is small, and its loss does not impair transcriptional reprogramming of GATA3 and IL4 promoters. Our study unveils an ARP2/3:VCA-independent function of nuclear-WASp in TH1 gene activation that is uncoupled from its cytoplasmic role in actin polymerization.
Un programa Windows para asistir la redacción de reportes del WAIS-III Mexicano.

The WAIS Assistant is a new tool that can facilitate reporting the results of testing with the Mexican Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition with U.S. norms. The Assistant has a Spanish language user interface and produces draft reports in Spanish, which should be edited and merged with additional information. This Windows program is available at no charge to qualified psychologists
Defining periodontal health

Assessment of the periodontium has relied exclusively on a variety of physical measurements (e.g., attachment level, probing depth, bone loss, mobility, recession, degree of inflammation, etc.) in relation to various case definitions of periodontal disease. Periodontal health was often an afterthought and was simply defined as the absence of the signs and symptoms of a periodontal disease. Accordingly, these strict and sometimes disparate definitions of periodontal disease have resulted in an idealistic requirement of a pristine periodontium for periodontal health, which makes us all diseased in one way or another. Furthermore, the consequence of not having a realistic definition of health has resulted in potentially questionable recommendations. The aim of this manuscript was to assess the biological, environmental, sociological, economic, educational and psychological relationships that are germane to constructing a paradigm that defines periodontal health using a modified wellness model. The paradigm includes four cardinal characteristics, i.e., 1) a functional dentition, 2) the painless function of a dentition, 3) the stability of the periodontal attachment apparatus, and 4) the psychological and social well-being of the individual. Finally, strategies and policies that advocate periodontal health were appraised.
EVALUATING SCHOLARSHIP PRODUCTIVITY IN COAMFTE-ACCREDITED PHD PROGRAMS

Due to an increasing trend among states to cut higher education funds, many universities are relying more on private donations and federal funding to keep programs afloat. Scholarship productivity in general has become an integral factor in terms of universities granting tenure to faculty, allocating resources, and supporting program goals due to the fact that more research in a particular area tends to increase the likelihood that one will obtain funding from federal, state, and private sources. In the past, ranking systems have also been used to evaluate programs. However, most ranking systems use methodologies that do not quantify research productivity or evaluate factors that match current university trends. The purpose of this article is to explore current scholarship productivity trends among COAMFTE-accredited doctoral programs through the use of several evaluation methods. Specifically, productivity was examined in regard to the following areas: (a) family therapy journal publications; (b) family science journal publications; (c) historic journal publication trends; and (d) recent journal publication trends.
Sterecselective Epoxidation of a Pendant Vinyl Group at C3 of a Pyranoside

Abstract The epoxidation of a pendant vinyl group, axially oriented at C3 of the pyranoside ring, can be effected with complete diastereofacial selectivity, depending upon whether a free hydroxyl group is located at C2 or CM.
Comparative analysis of the uptake and expression of plasmid vectors in human ciliary and retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro.

The retinal pigment epithelium is uniquely suited to gene therapy that uses lipid-mediated DNA transfer due to its high phagocytic activity in situ. We compared the relative efficacy of phagocytosis on the uptake of labeled plasmid vectors by retinal pigment epithelial and ciliary epithelial cells in vitro. Relative levels of endocytosis were then compared with the efficiency of marker transgene expression in these cells. Human retinal pigment epithelial and ciliary epithelial cells from a single donor were isolated and expanded in vitro. Polyplex-mediated transfections were performed using a rhodamine-labeled expression vector for green fluorescent protein. Rhodamine-labeled endosomes were examined by fluorescence microscopy at different time points. Rhodamine labeling and green fluorescent protein expression were analyzed by flow cytometry 48 h after transfection. These gene transfer studies showed that expression of transgenes does occur in both human retinal pigment epithelial and ciliary epithelial cells in vitro. Endocytosis of labeled plasmid vectors occurs at a significantly higher number and density in retinal pigment epithelial cells than in ciliary epithelial cells (P < 0.04). However, the efficiency of marker transgene expression is similar in the two cell types. These studies demonstrate that the higher intrinsic phagocytic activity does not enhance the efficacy of transgene expression in retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro. Both human retinal pigment epithelial and ciliary epithelial cells are competent recipients for lipid-mediated gene transfer, and transgene expression occurs at similar levels in both cell types.
PLASMA LIPID ABNORMALITIES IN THE MINIATURE POODLE WITH PROGRESSIVE ROD-CONE DEGENERATION

The miniature poodle with progressive rod-cone degeneration (prcd) is a model for human retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Since previous studies from several laboratories have shown abnormalities in plasma lipids in human RP, we examined the plasma lipids of prcd-affected animals. Fasting blood was drawn on three separate occasions from affected and control miniature poodles and on one occasion from normal Irish setters and those affected with a different inherited retinal degeneration (rod-cone dysplasia). Plasma phospholipids from prcd-affected animals had significantly lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3) and cholesterol, compared to control miniature poodles. No differences were observed in plasma levels of phospholipids, vitamin E, or vitamin A, and no lipid differences were found between control and affected Irish setters. The ratios of 22:5 omega 3 to 22:6 omega 3 and of 22:4 omega 6 to 22:5 omega 6 were significantly elevated in prcd-affected poodles compared to controls. Since the conversion of 22:5 omega 3 to 22:6 omega 3 and of 22:4 omega 6 to 22:5 omega 6 is catalysed by a delta 4-desaturase, these results are consistent with a defect in desaturase activity in the prcd-affected poodle.
A statistical method for estimating uncertainties in the total global budgets of atmospheric trace gases

Abstract The global cycles of trace gases are described by a balance between the atmospheric distributions and the annual emission and removal rates. Often for each source a range of possible annual emissions is consistent with experimental observations. When these ranges are added together to produce a total annual emission rate, a range is usually quoted with a lower limit consisting of the sum of the lower limits of emissions from each source and an upper limit as the sum of the upper limits of emissions from each source. This process often leads to an unrealistically large range for the total source even though the uncertainties in emissions from individual sources are justified. This paper deals with a method by which the uncertainties in the total emissions can be interpreted statistically. When applied to 11 global budgets of CH4, two budgets of CO, and a budget of carbonyl sulfide (OCS), the 95% confidence limits of total global emissions are about half as big as the range of total emissions deriv...
Preliminary Report: Modified Goeckerman Therapy for Hospitalized Patients: Ambulatory Day Care Center and Improved Quantitative Dosimetry

The use of tar and ultraviolet light as an inpatient therapy for psoriasis was described by Goeckerman more than 50yr ago. Since that time it has been shown to be an effective treatment for psoriasis at numerous medical centers with the average period of hospitalization approximating 3weeks. This study was designed to evaluate whether inpatient treatment would be comprised if the patients were permitted to spend each night of the final week of treatment at home. Of 267 patients hospitalized in 1979 for Goeckerman therapy, 84 patients were selected for study. These were divided into two groups, A and B. Group A consisted of patients receiving 3weeks of inpatient care. Group B consisted of patients receiving 2weeks hospitalization for inpatient Goeckerman therapy and 1week of daily Goeckerman therapy in the ambulatory Psoriasis Treatment Center while spending the previous evening at home. Group A and group B were compared for rate and degree of improvement and for duration of remission following hospital discharge. For purposes of statistical comparisons, patients from groups A and B were matched by sex, age, and date of admission to the study. Both groups showed 80–90% clearing in the first 3weeks. For patients in group A, the average total radiation received was 61.3 J/sq cm of UVA and 9.85 J/sq cm of UVB. The average total radiation received by group B was 61.3 J/sq cm of UVA and 8.63 J/sq cm of UVB. Neither difference was statistically significant ( p Both Group A and group B had similar numbers of patients who exacerbations required readmission to the hospital for either repeat Goeckerman therapy or for other types of treatment during the 18 mo follow-up period. The length of time before rehospitalization was also similar for both groups. These findings are of a preliminary nature. However, it appears that the rate of clearing and period without exacerbation in psoriasis can be maintained by modifying the traditional inpatient Goeckerman regimen.
Low charge polyvinylamine nanogels offer sustained, low‐level gene expression

Cationic polymer charge and polymer degradability each play a crucial role for packaging and delivering plasmid DNA. High density cationic charge has been shown to enhance transfection efficiency but may give rise to undesirable toxicity. Polyvinylamine (PVAm) nanogels bearing discrete amounts of surface charge were used to systematically examine the balance between transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity. Poly(N-vinylformamide) (PNVF) nanogels were prepared via an inverse emulsion polymerization reaction and crosslinked with a nondegradable or acid-labile crosslinker. The nanogels were then hydrolyzed to yield varying degrees of primary amines. The degree of conversion from PNVF to PVAm was controlled using different concentrations of NaOH and hydrolysis times. PVAm nanogel size and charge ranged from 150 to 310 nm, and +3.5 to +18 mV, respectively. These cationic particles were then complexed with pDNA encoding for luciferase. The cytotoxicity of PVAm nanogels and the transfection efficiency of PVAm/DNA complexes were evaluated in carcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549). The cytotoxicity of PVAm nanogels increased with increasing accessible charge as expected. Transfection efficiency increased with increasing amounts of amine groups for nondegradable nanogels. Interestingly, acid-labile nanogels bearing low charge demonstrated more sustained gene transfection when compared with the more highly charged nanogels. These observations suggested that the use of degradable particles with less charge may reduce cytotoxicity without compromising overall transfection efficiency. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
HIV-Infected African Americans are willing to participate in HIV Treatment trials

Despite the high prevalence rates of HIV infection in the African-American community, African Americans remain underrepresented in HIV treatment trials. (1) To develop a questionnaire that measures attitudes and concerns about HIV treatment trials among HIV-infected African Americans at a university-based clinic. (2) To determine actual participation rates and willingness to participate in future HIV treatment trials among HIV-infected African Americans at a university-based clinic. Questionnaire development and cross-sectional survey. In a sample of 200 HIV-infected African-American adults receiving medical care at the Pittsburgh AIDS Center for Treatment (a university-based ambulatory clinic), we assessed research participation rates and willingness to participate in future HIV treatment trials, trust in the medical profession, sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes, and concerns about HIV treatment trials. Research participation rates and willingness to participate in future HIV treatment trials. Only 57% of survey respondents had ever been asked to participate in an HIV treatment trial but 86% of those asked said yes. Prior research participation was significantly related to willingness to participate in future HIV treatment trials (P = .001). Contrary to previous studies, neither trust/distrust in the medical profession nor beliefs about the dishonesty of researchers was associated with research participation rates or willingness to participate in future HIV treatment trials. Having never been asked to participate in research is a major barrier to the participation of HIV-infected African Americans in HIV treatment trials. African Americans who seek medical care for HIV infection should be asked to participate in HIV treatment trials.
Coronal Plane Knee Moments Improve After Correcting External Tibial Torsion in Patients With Cerebral Palsy

Background External tibial torsion causes an abnormal axis of joint motion relative to the line of progression with resultant abnormal coronal plane knee moments and affects lever arm function of the foot in power generation at the ankle. However, it is unclear whether surgical correction of the tibial torsion corrects the moments and power.
The Role of Relationship Attributions in Relationship Satisfaction Among Cohabiting Gay Men

Relationship attributions, how a spouse explains his or her partner's behavior, were examined using a sample of cohabiting gay males (N = 175) in relationships of at least 6 months. The psychometric properties of the most commonly used attribution measure were investigated with this new population and found to be adequate through confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses. Analyses from heterosexual married couples regarding the association between relationship satisfaction, attributions, and negative affectivity were replicated in this sample using structural equation modeling. The findings from the gay male sample differed from what has been found in previous research with heterosexual couples; neither relationship attributions of causality or responsibility were strongly linked to relationship satisfaction. Counseling implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Intracardiac undifferentiated sarcoma in infancy

A rare case of an intracardiac undifferentiated sarcoma in a 3 month old infant is described together with the clinical, angiographic, echocardiographic, surgical and histopathologic findings. The tumor was successfully removed surgically, and monthly echocardiographic follow-up is being performed.
Empirical Analysis of Imperfect Competition and Trade in the Food Industries: Discussion

the papers presented here will offer us an opportunity to view applied research in the area of imperfect competition and trade. Upon receiving these papers for review prior to the meetings, I was surprised to learn that only one of the papers (McCorriston et al.) contained any empirical analysis. Nevertheless, I found that the papers raised important issues about a topic which has become recently popular in the economics literature in general and the agricultural economics literature in particular. Imperfect competition has received much attention over the years. This is perhaps because perfect competition as explained by neoclassical theory is rarely observed. In the early 1980s, we witnessed the emergence of the so-called "new" trade theory, which incorporates industrial organization models into explanations of international trade. This "new" theory provided us with theoretical attempts to show how large countries can gain by diverging from free trade. Empirical studies have attempted to determine whether agents (countries and/or firms) who control large shares in international markets exercise market
Effect of Molecular Structure on Mesomorphism.4. Factors Governing Polymorphism of Smectic Liquid Crystals

A three-dimensional energy surface is proposed as a model to account for smectic polymorphism. This model allows interplay between the two factors relating to phase transformations: (1) thermodynam...
The Threads of Class at La Virgen: Misrepresentation and Identity at a Mexican Textile Mill, 1918-1935

IN EARLY SEPTEMBER OF~ 1927, the morning shift of loom operators at the "La Virgen" textile mill in west-central Mexico abruptly declared a sit-down strike (huelga de brazos caidos). As the day wore on, a group of workers at the plant, which was located just outside the town of Ciudad Hidalgo, Michoacain, decided to write a letter to the president of the republic. They complained that the factory manager had fired an operative without just cause and beseeched his help in the name of "Organized Labor."' A federal inspector soon arrived, convened a delegation of strikers, and inquired about their grievances. A memorandum was drawn up and signed by both the inspector and the delegation, explaining that the strike broke out when the manager attempted to "remove" loom operator Santiago Soto "from his place of work" without first contacting the proper union stewards. According to the memorandum, the workers demanded that the company rehire Soto and grant official recognition to their union, a local affiliate of the Mexican Regional Confederation of Labor, or CROM. At the time, the CROM was Mexico's most powerful labor federation and a key supporter of the federal government. The controversy dragged on for ten days until the firm agreed to negotiate with the union and give Soto back his job.2 A thick packet of reports and official memoranda filed with the Department of Labor detailed every phase of what appeared to be a straightforward labor action. In fact, though, the strike was bound up with a more intimate set of conflicts. Everyone familiar with conditions at the mill knew that the strike was yet another incident in an ongoing feud been two factions of mill workers, each from a different region of the country. Most of the pro-CROM strikers were longtime residents of Ciudad Hidalgo and worked the first shift at the mill. Their opponents had
Standpoint: Joseph Klapper and the effects of mass communication: A retrospective

(1996). Standpoint: Joseph Klapper and the effects of mass communication: A retrospective. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media: Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 563-569.
Some aspects of illuminated model atmosphere theory as applied to close binary systems

Only recently has the use of irradiated stellar atmosphere models become practical in the study of close binary systems. Aspects of this problem, such as geometrical illumination from a finite solid angle, the transport of polarized radiation, and multiple-iterative heating between the stars, must be included for a realistic treatment. These concepts are developed and applied to grids of plane-parallel stellar atmospheres computed on modified Roche equipotentials. The reflection effect between the stars, actually a radiative heating of the outer layers of the atmosphere, is iterated to consistency, and the incident moments of the radiation field are integrated numerically
Toward The Improvement Of The Traditional Course In Engineering Economy Through Unification As Applied Decision Theory

ABSTRACT A general discussion of the undergraduate course in Engineering Economy is presented for comment and evaluation. The discussion is aimed at unification and cohesion of engineering decision methods by means of a basic structure of applied decision theory centered in a simplifying abstraction of teleological behavior. The traditional course covers concepts and methods that are useful to the improvement of the efficiency with which engineering decisions are made, but textbooks lack organization, cohesion, and rigor. Suggested elements of the unifying structure are (1) the formulation of specific objectives from value potential, (2) the measurement of value, (3) the specification of available choices, (4) the prediction of outcomes, (5) the estimation of criterion functions, and (6) optimization processes. Engineering Economy is traditionally taught as a bagful of disorganized tools. As a student of Civil Engineering the author went through it twice, once as an undergraduate and once as a graduate (a...
Computational Consequences of Agreement and Ambiguity in Natural Language

The computer science technique of computational complexity analysis can provide powerful insights into the algorithm-neutral analysis of information processing tasks. Here we show that a simple, theory-neutral linguistic model of syntactic agreement and ambiguity demonstrates that natural language parsing may be computationally intractable. Significantly, we show that it may be syntactic features rather than rules that can cause this difficulty. Informally, human languages and the computationally intractable Satisfiability (SAT) problem share two costly computional mechanisms: both enforce agreement among symbols across unbounded distances (Subject-Verb agreement) and both allow ambiguity (is a word a Noun or a Verb?).
Primary extramedullary esophageal plasmacytoma. First case report

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytomas are rare tumors, reported to occur most commonly in the upper respiratory passages, but which also are rarely seen in the middle and lower gastrointestinal system. This report documents the first primary plasmacytoma of the esophagus. A 67-year-old Caucasian man complained of dysphagia and weight loss. Preoperative diagnosis, based on functional inquiry, radiology, and biopsy, was undifferentiated carcinoma involving the lower third of esophagus. The patient was treated by esophagogastrectomy. The pathology specimen revealed the typical histology of plasmacytoma. The extramedullary nature of the tumor was established postoperatively on the basis of the following criteria: 1) Absence of Bence-Jones proteinurea; 2) normal serum electrophoresis; 3) normal bone marrow biopsy; and 4) absence of distant metastases on liver scan and bone survey.
TRANSFECTION OF MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBLITY COMPLEX CLASS I AND CLASS II GENES CAUSES TUMOUR REJECTION

Many human and mouse tumours do not express MHC class II antigens and have reduced levels of class I antigens. Because of the requirement for class I and/or class II antigen for antigen presentation to Th and Tc cells, these phenotypes may enable tumour cells to 'escape' the host's immune response. Experiments presented here are designed to assess the role of MHC class I and class II antigens in tumour immunity, and to overcome the MHC class I- or class II-negative phenotype. When transfected with the syngeneic H-2Db gene, the MHC antigen-negative 402AX teratocarcinoma expresses high levels of H-2Db antigen. 402AX/Db cells are rejected by MHC allogeneic and some MHC syngeneic 402AX-susceptible mice, however the fully syngeneic strain of origin (129) remains tumour-susceptible. Induction of MHC class I gene products on class I antigen-negative embryonal carcinoma cells therefore increases tumour immunogenicity in some hosts, but not in the fully syngeneic mouse. In an attempt to enhance antigen presentation of tumour-associated antigens to Th cells, MHC class I antigen-positive SaI (KkDd) sarcoma cells were transfected with syngeneic A alpha k and A beta k genes to generate Iak-expressing tumour cells. SaI/Ak cells are efficiently rejected by syngeneic A/J (KkDd) mice, while untransfected SaI cells are lethal. Induction of MHC class II antigen expression on the class I antigen-positive SaI sarcoma therefore completely abrogates malignancy.
Chemical Imaging of the Cell Membrane by NanoSIMS

The existence of lipid microdomains and their role in cell membrane organization are currently topics of great interest and controversy. The cell membrane is composed of a lipid bilayer with embedded proteins that can flow along the two-dimensional surface defined by the membrane. Microdomains, known as lipid rafts, are believed to play a central role in organizing this fluid system, enabling the cell membrane to carry out essential cellular processes, including protein recruitment and signal transduction. Lipid rafts are also implicated in cell invasion by pathogens, as in the case of the HIV. Therefore, understanding the role of lipid rafts in cell membrane organization not only has broad scientific implications, but also has practical implications for medical therapies. One of the major limitations on lipid organization research has been the inability to directly analyze lipid composition without introducing artifacts and at the relevant length-scales of tens to hundreds of nanometers. Fluorescence microscopy is widely used due to its sensitivity and specificity to the labeled species, but only the labeled components can be observed, fluorophores can alter the behavior of the lipids they label, and the length scales relevant to imaging cell membrane domains are between that probed by fluorescence resonance more » energy transfer (FRET) imaging (<10 nm) and the diffraction limit of light. Topographical features can be imaged on this length scale by atomic force microscopy (AFM), but the chemical composition of the observed structures cannot be determined. Immuno-labeling can be used to study the distribution of membrane proteins at high resolution, but not lipid composition. We are using imaging mass spectrometry by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in concert with other high resolution imaging methods to overcome these limitations. The experimental approach of this project is to combine molecule-specific stable isotope labeling with high-resolution SIMS using a Cameca NanoSIMS 50 to probe membrane organization and test microdomain hypotheses. The NanoSIMS is an imaging secondary ion mass spectrometer with an unprecedented combination of spatial resolution, sensitivity and mass specificity. It has 50 nm lateral resolution and is capable of detecting 1 in 20 nitrogen atoms while excluding near-neighbor isobaric interferences. The tightly focused cesium ion beam is rastered across the sample to produce simultaneous, quantitative digital images of up to five different masses. By labeling each specific components of a membrane with a unique rare stable isotope or element and mapping the location of the labels with the NanoSIMS, the location of the each labeled component can be determined and quantified. This new approach to membrane composition analysis allows molecular interactions of biological membranes to be probed at length-scales relevant to lipid rafts (10s to 100s of nm) that were not previously possible. Results from our most recent experiments analyzing whole cells will be presented. « less
The role of hypoxia-inducible factors in tumorigenesis.

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are essential mediators of the cellular oxygen-signaling pathway. They are heterodimeric transcription factors consisting of an oxygen-sensitive alpha subunit (HIF-α) and a constitutive beta subunit (HIF-β) that facilitate both oxygen delivery and adaptation to oxygen deprivation by regulating the expression of genes that control glucose uptake, metabolism, angiogenesis, erythropoiesis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. In most experimental models, the HIF pathway is a positive regulator of tumor growth as its inhibition often results in tumor suppression. In clinical samples, HIF is found elevated and correlates with poor patient prognosis in a variety of cancers. In summary, HIF regulates multiple aspects of tumorigenesis, including angiogenesis, proliferation, metabolism, metastasis, differentiation, and response to radiation therapy, making it a critical regulator of the malignant phenotype.
Qualified parts list optical fibers in radiation enviroments

ABSTRACT The optical attenuation induced in 6 Navy Qualified Parts List (QPL) fibers by 60Co 'y-ray exposures to 106 rad has beenmeasured at 3 different dose rates: 26, 1000, and 20,500 rad/min. The loss in the Corning, Lucent and Plasma Optical Fibermultimode fibers was measured at 1340 nm, while that in the Corning, Lucent, and SpecTran single mode fibers wasmeasured at both 13 1 5 and 1 5 10 nm. Growth and recovery data were measured for the highest dose rate exposure, whileonly growth data were obtained for the lower dose rates. In an effort to predict the fibers' radiation response at much lowerdose rates, the data have been fit to a model based on an exponential distribution of trap depths below the glass mobilityedge. Although the results of the model are in qualitative agreement with the data, additional refmement is necessary.However, the agreement is sufficient that an upper bound can be calculated for the degradation induced by low-dose-rateradiation environments.Keywords: Fiber optics, radiation effects, radiation-induced attenuation, low dose rate
"Torn Country": Turkey and the West in Orhan Pamuk's Snow

In his controversial book The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (1996), Samuel P. Huntington hypothesized that Turkey (along with Mexico and Russia) was a "torn" country standing on the threshold between two civilizations (which he categorized as Western and Islamic civilizations). While Huntington's thesis is problematic, it serves as a useful theory for exploring Orhan Pamuk's novel Snow (2004), which recounts the story of protagonist Ka and his return to rural Turkey after many years living in Germany. This essay reads the novel through the lens of texts and theories from the social and political sciences to illuminate the literary and thematic conflicts and struggles within the novel.
Isolation, serial position, and rehearsal in free recall

If the superior recall of isolated, high-priority items is the result of selective rehearsal, then recall of these items will depend on both serial position and retention interval in a single-trial free-recall task. Using presentation times of 2 sec and 5 sec per item, predictions made from the selective-rehearsal hypothesis were supported. With both presentation times, recall of words adjacent to the recalled isolated words was poorer than corresponding control words.
A hypothetical means of treating or preventing cancer

Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells rely on threonine as a metabolic fuel. ES cells express the gene encoding threonine dehydrogenase (TDH) at a 1,000-fold higher level than any other mouse cell or tissue type. The mitochondrial TDH enzyme catalyzes the conversion of threonine into acetyl-CoA and glycine. The former metabolite feeds the TCA cycle, and the latter is consumed by the glycine cleavage enzyme complex to fuel one carbon metabolism. If compromised by nutritional, genetic or pharmacological means, inhibition of TDH kills mouse ES cells. By contrast, knockout mice lacking any TDH activity are viable, fertile and exhibit no phenotypic deficits. Were TDH essential to the growth of any human tumor, one might predict that inhibitors of the enzyme would display favorable therapeutic utility. Unfortunately, among all mammals - including primates - humans are unique in being TDH-deficient. Proceeding with the idea that human tumors might exist in some other form of metabolic specialization, Benjamin Tu and I have followed an acetyl-CoA centric path in search of tumor-specific metabolic vulnerabilities. Numerous clinical studies using 11C-acetate PET imaging have reported tumor-enhanced uptake of acetate. Three enzymes are capable of converting acetate into acetyl-CoA; two of mitochondrial localization (ACSS1 and ACSS3), and a third that is nucleo-cytosolic (ACSS2). The McKnight and Tu labs, working collaboratively with the labs of Elizabeth Maher and Robert Bachoo, have found that the nucleo-cytosolic ACSS2 enzyme is primarily responsible for acetate uptake in cultured tumor cells and human tumors. Knockout mice lacking ACSS2 are viable, fertile and devoid of obvious phenotypic deficits. When crossed with either of two genetic models of hepatocellular cancer, ACSS2-deficient mice exhibit a substantial reduction in tumor burden. Proceeding with these observations, a drug screen was performed in search of selective inhibitors of the ACSS2 enzyme. The screen yielded ACSS2 inhibitors that do not inhibit other acyl-synthetase enzymes, including ACSS1 and ACSS3. These inhibitors have been polished by medicinal chemistry to improve potency and pharmacological properties. As expected from the genetic ablation of ACSS2, potent ACSS2 inhibitors are well tolerated by mice and rats. Should it be the case that humans, like mice, are not reliant on the ACSS2 enzyme, it is possible that chemical inhibitor of ACSS2 may be of use in either the treatment or prevention of cancer.
Carbon and nitrogen elemental and isotopic patterns in macrofungal sporocarps and trees in semiarid forests of the south‐western USA

Summary 1Previous studies in humid forests have shown that the 13C and 15N isotopic composition differs between ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and saprotrophic (SAP) fungi, and that this ECM–SAP ‘divide’ may provide a useful tool for evaluating fungal trophic status. 2We evaluated whether this method could delineate the trophic status of fungi in two semiarid, temperate forests of the south-western USA. This technique could be particularly valuable in arid regions where the functional roles of fungi can be difficult to assess because of infrequent sporocarp production. 3Our data were consistent with the existence of an ECM–SAP divide, although δ13C values were more useful than δ15N values in separating trophic status. Saprotrophic fungi consistently had higher δ13C values than their presumed substrates; however, the degree of 15N enrichment in SAP sporocarps was highly variable. Comparison of 11 sporocarp species common to both sites showed that δ15N values were higher in one of the forests, even though the δ15N values of foliage from common understorey and overstorey trees were similar between forests. 4We conclude that assessment of the isotopic compositions of fungal sporocarps and their substrates is helpful for elucidating ecological relationships in semiarid forests.
Technique for microcrystallization of silver dichromate

An improved method for the microcrystallization of silver dichromate is presented. It features continuous suspension of forming crystals in their “mother liquor” by rotation of the containing stoppered test tube while in a horizontal position all during the process of cooling. This technique is very successful in producing crystals of optimum size and perfection in a very difficult case, and it holds promise generally in similar applications.
Densification During Sintering in the Presence of a Liquid Phase. II. Experimental

Experimental measurements of the densification rate and microstructure changes taking place during sintering of the iron‐copper system, which is typical of those systems showing spheroidal grain development, indicate that in this system the rate of densification during liquid phase sintering is controlled by diffusion through a liquid film between particles. Dependence of the sintering rate on time, particle size and temperature are in agreement with theoretical predictions. A theoretical estimation of the sintering rate is in good agreement with experimental measurements.
Inertial effects on thermophoretic transport of small particles to walls with streamwise curvature—II. Experiment☆

Directing a high-speed, high-temperature, seeded jet generated by a micro-combustor past the concave sicle of a 'cold', platinum circular foil whose temperature is actively controlled, we investigate the simultaneous action of inertial and thermophoretic effects on particle deposition from curved, laminar boundary layer flows. Although particle Stokes numbers in these experiments are of 0(10-*), much smaller than the values customarily thought to signal the onset of inertial effects, we observe a significant increase of particle deposition rates over those expected based on 'pure thermophoresis' theory, in agreement with a recently developed theory of inertially modified thermophoresis in such flows.
A robust, normal ocular motor system model with latent/manifest latent nystagmus and dual-mode fast phases.

The fast phases of LMLN may either cause the target image to fall within (foveating) or outside (defoveating) the foveal area. We verified that both types are generated by the same mechanism as voluntary saccades and propose a hypothetical, dual-mode mechanism (computer model) for LMLN that utilizes normal ocular motor control functions. Fixation data were recorded from subjects with LMLN using both infrared and mag­ netic search coil oculography and used as templates for our simulations. Fast-phase amplitude vs. both peak velocity and duration of simulated saccades were equivalent to those of saccades in normal subjects. Based on our LMLN data, we constructed a hypothetical model in which the slow-phase velocity acted to trigger the change between foveating and defoveating LMLN fast phases. Foveating fast phases were generated during lower slow-phase velocities whereas, defoveating fast phases occurred during higher slow-phase velocities. The bidirectional model simulated Alexander's law behavior under all viewing and fixation conditions. Our ocular-motor model accurately simulates LMLN-patient ocular motility data and provides a hypothetical explanation for the conditions that re­ sult in both foveating and defoveating fast phases. As is the case for normal physiological saccades, position error determined saccadic am­ plitudes for foveating fast phases. However, final slow-phase velocity determined amplitudes of defoveating fast phases. In addition, we sug-
Efficacy and effectiveness as aspects of cluster randomized trials with nursing home residents: methodological insights from a pneumonia prevention trial.

This report discusses how methodological aspects of study efficacy and effectiveness combine in cluster randomized trials in nursing homes. Discussion focuses on the relationships between these study aspects in the Pneumonia Reduction in Institutionalized Disabled Elders (PRIDE) trial, an ongoing cluster randomized clinical trial of pneumonia prevention among nursing home residents launched in October 2009 in Greater New Haven, Connecticut. This clinical trial has enrolled long-term care nursing home residents, over 65 years in age, who have either inadequate oral care or swallowing difficulty, previously identified risk factors for pneumonia. It has used a multicomponent intervention consisting of manual tooth/gum brushing, 0.12% chlorhexidine oral rinse administered twice daily by nurses, and upright feeding positioning at meals to reduce rates of radiographically documented pneumonia. Cluster randomization is attractive for nursing home intervention studies because physical proximity and administrative arrangements make it difficult to deliver different interventions to residents of the same nursing home. Implementing an intervention in an entire home requires integration into the daily life of residents and into the administrative procedures of the nursing home. This characteristic of nursing home cluster randomized trials makes them approximate “real-world” research contexts, but implementation can be challenging. The PRIDE trial of pneumonia prevention utilized specific methodological choices that include both efficacy and effectiveness elements. Cluster randomized trials in nursing homes having elements of both efficacy and effectiveness (i.e., hybrid designs) can address some of the methodological challenges of conducting clinical research in nursing homes; they have distinctive advantages and some limitations.
Unsupervised kernel parameter estimation by constrained nonlinear optimization for clustering nonlinear biological data

Data on a wide-range of bio-chemical phenomena is often highly non-linear. Due to this characteristic, data analysis tasks, such as clustering can become non-trivial. In recent years, the use of kernel-based algorithms has gained popularity for data analysis and clustering to ameliorate the above challenges. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for kernel parameter estimation using constrained nonlinear programming and conditionally positive definite kernels. The central idea is to maximize the trace of the kernel matrix, which maximizes the variance in the feature space. Therefore, the parameter estimation process does not involve any user intervention or prior understanding of the data and the parameters are learned only from data. The results from the proposed method significantly improve upon results obtained with other leading non-linear analysis techniques.
Experimental verification of energy harvest from non-planar photovoltaic surfaces

Non-planar photovoltaic (PV) surfaces have the potential to increase the total energy harvested from the sun compared to a planar surface of the same two-dimensional footprint. This offers opportunities to increase the electricity generated from a given roof surface. This paper presents a modeling approach to determine the view factor of an arbitrary geometry so that the total incident solar energy can be computed. Experimental measurements confirm the increase in generation and provide insights into the requirements for the balance of system to make most effective use of the non-planar geometry.
Cryogenic Refractive Index and Coefficient of Thermal Expansion for the S-TIH1 Glass

Using the CHARMS facility at NASA GSFC, we have measured the cryogenic refractive index of the Ohara S-TIH1 glass from 0.40 to 2.53 micrometers and from 120 to 300 K. We have also examined the spectral dispersion and thermo-optic coefficients (dn/dT). We also derived temperature-dependent Sellmeier models from which refractive index may be calculated for any wavelength and temperature within the stated ranges of each model. The S-TIH1 glass we tested exhibited unusual behavior in the thermo-optic coefficient. We found that for delta < 0.5 micrometers, the index of refraction decrease with a decrease in temperature (positive dn/dT). However, the situation was reversed for delta larger than 0.63 micrometers, where the index will increase with a decrease in temperature (negative dn/dT). We also measured the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) for the similar batch of S-TIH1 glass in order to understand its thermal properties. The CTE showed a monotonic change with a decrease in temperature.
Kinematics of deep trapping in amorphous selenium

Abstract Experimental studies on amorphous selenium under potential probe configuration have shown a well defined residual potential. By analytically relating this quantity to material parameters, we have been able to separate out the bulk and surface trapping from each other and also from complicating photogeneration effects. Apart from obtaining the deep trapping lifetime, we were able to identify a surface region in amorphous selenium which had different trapping properties from the bulk. The knowledge about this surface region is essential in a complete description of the photogeneration process. We believe that the study of residual potential can lead to valuable information about high resistivity materials.
In Vitro Epsilon RNA-Dependent Protein Priming Activity of Human Hepatitis B Virus Polymerase

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicates its DNA genome through reverse transcription of a pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) by using a multifunctional polymerase (HP). A critical function of HP is its specific recognition of a viral RNA signal termed e (He) located on pgRNA, which is required for specific packaging of pgRNA into viral nucleocapsids and initiation of viral reverse transcription. HP initiates reverse transcription by using itself as a protein primer (protein priming) and He as the obligatory template. We have purified HP from human cells that retained He binding activity in vitro. Furthermore, HP purified as a complex with He, but not HP alone, displayed in vitro protein priming activity. While the HP-He interaction in vitro and in vivo required the He internal bulge, but not its apical loop, and was not significantly affected by the cap-He distance, protein priming required both the He apical loop and internal bulge, as well as a short distance between the cap and He, mirroring the requirements for RNA packaging. These studies have thus established new HBV protein priming and RNA binding assays that should greatly facilitate the dissection of the requirements and molecular mechanisms of HP-He interactions, RNA packaging, and protein priming.
Comparative merits of multispectral optical polarization to microwave remote sensing

A brief history of RADAR development is followed by an indication of the relevance of LIDAR to ranging and detection of targets. Initially, radiated laser power is discussed. Peak power of 100 kilowatts with a diode pumped solid-state laser appears feasible. Frequency control appears possible with atomic standards controlling the high power laser. Optical characterization of the polarization properties of lasers on targets is being pursued as well as the options. Coherence length of LASER radiation still poses a problem over ranges beyond one hundred meters. Target identification is enhanced using polarization with the aid of higher-resolution focal plane arrays. Coherence applications appear feasible in the near future.
A dissection of 30 Doradus and a discussion of other Magellanic Cloud OB associations.

I Present the results of ground-based and Hubble Space Telescope photometry and spectroscopy of the stars in the central region (roughly 7×7 arcmin) of 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Using photometric data for over 2400 stars (complete toV≈18 mag), and spectroscopic observations of over 150 stars in the region, the best estimate of the initial mass function (IMF) yields a slope of Γ=−1.5±0.2 for masses > 12M⊙, where the Salpeter slope is Γ=−1.35. I compare these results to other measurements of the IMF for OB associations in the Magellanic Clouds.