cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel expression of gastrin (CCK-B) receptors in pancreatic carcinomas and dysplastic pancreas from transgenic mice

Transgenic mice bearing the elastase I promoter--SV40 T-antigen fusion gene (ELSV) develop pancreatic acinar cell carcinomas by 3 to 6 months of age. The purpose of the study was to determine if pancreatic carcinomas and dysplastic pancreas from the Tg (Ela-1, SV40E + Ela-1, neo) Bri19 strain of ELSV transgenic mice express gastrin (CCK-B) receptors. To accomplish this, we utilized iodine 125 (125I)-gastrin binding studies, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Southern blot analysis to examine pancreatic carcinomas from 26-week-old male ELSV transgenic mice, dysplastic pancreas from 8-week-old male ELSV transgenic mice, and normal pancreas from 30-week-old nontransgenic male mice (SJL/J) and from 8-week-old nontransgenic male mice (B6SJLF1/J). No saturable gastrin binding to normal nontransgenic mouse pancreas was found. In contrast, saturable gastrin binding was detected at pH 6.5, 22 degrees C, in 9 of 13 pancreatic carcinomas and all 5 dysplastic pancreata. Competitive inhibition 125I-gastrin binding assays showed gastrin bound to a single class of high-affinity receptors (receptor binding affinity [Kd] 0.11 +/- 0.02 nM, binding capacities ranging from 1 to 60 fmol/mg protein for pancreatic carcinomas; Kd: 0.15 +/- 0.04 nM, binding capacities ranging from 1 to 9 fmol/mg protein for dysplastic pancreas). RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis confirmed 125I-gastrin binding studies by demonstrating gastrin (CCK-B) receptor mRNA expression in pancreatic carcinomas and dysplastic pancreas but an absence of mRNA expression in normal nontransgenic mouse pancreas. In conclusion, pancreatic carcinomas and dysplastic pancreas in ELSV transgenic mice novelly express gastrin (CCK-B) receptors. This expression may provide a growth advantage to acinar cells as part of the multistage process of carcinogenesis.
Recent CLEO II results on charm

Recent CLEO II results on charmed mesons and baryons are discussed. For mesons, comments are restricted to one recent measurement of the D *+ → D + γ branching fraction, whereas for baryons a quick review is given of recent baryon spectroscopy and branching fraction measurements.
ROCKS, FROGS, AND THE CARTESIAN GULF: TOWARD A NATURALISM OF PERSONS*

Rychlak and Winegar have raised a number of pertinent and useful questions concerning the model outlined in “The Influence of Early Experience on Personality Development” (Bickhard & Christopher, 1994). Most of these questions address metaphysical assumptions or possible assumptions made in the course of the arguments-either to seek clarification ofwhat those assumptions might be, or to challenge what those assumptions seem to be. As such, these questions force further elucidations of the metaphysics within which the discussion proceeds. Rychlak and Winegar correctly see that the metaphysics of the model is not standard in contemporary psychology, and that, consequently, it requires probing and challenging to see how well it satisfies-or dissolves, or avoids, or fuil.s to satisfyvarious meta-metaphysical criteria (usually these are criteria that we already know are failed by standard approaches). I welcome these questions and the opportunity they provide to clarify further the metaphysical framework within which the model of the influence of early experience is situated. I am resigned to the certainty that my replies will be inadequate, especially given the limitations of time and space, but I will attempt to make some positive contributions, even if fragmentary, toward the issues raised.
Empirical investigation of several techniques for computer generation of order statistics

Although the generation of order statistics from a given distribution has been of considerable interest, the ordering or "sorting" aspect of the problem presents a serious handicap with regard to computer time. This time limitation hinders the effectiveness of many simulation studies. In this paper several shortcut techniques for the systematic generation of a subset of joint order statistics from U (0.1) are simultaneously utilized for various sample sires, and their corresponding generation times are recorded and compared.
Random linear systems: A special case

IN CONTROL SYSTEMS, elements are frequently used whose ?gain? is a function of variables outside of the primary control loop. For example, the gain of an armature controlled servomotor depends on the motor field current. The gain of a hydraulic valve (with respect to flow rate as output and valve displacement as input) depends on the static head on the valve. The effectiveness of a control surface in turning a body moving in a turbulent medium varies with time: The gain from control surface deflection to turning torque may be assumed to vary randomly with time.
Calibration of the clumped isotope geothermometer in soil carbonate in Wyoming and Nebraska, USA: Implications for paleoelevation and paleoclimate reconstruction

Abstract Recent work has shown that soil carbonates typically form as the soil dries after seasonal rainfall, and therefore record seasonal aspects of climate rather than mean annual conditions. Because soil carbonate formation is closely related to the timing of local rainfall and drying, it is necessary to understand the formation seasonality and temperature, and soil water δ O 18 values recorded in modern soil carbonate before accurate estimates of stable isotope-based paleoelevation and paleoclimate can be made. Here we study carbonate clumped-isotope ( Δ 47 ) and oxygen isotope ( δ O 18 ) compositions of modern soil carbonates and seasonal variations of soil moisture and temperature of nearby climate stations in Wyoming and western Nebraska, USA, to understand the seasonality of soil carbonate formation in semi-arid to arid temperate montane settings. We find that soil carbonate clumped-isotope temperatures ( T ( Δ 47 ) ) are 3–5 °C higher than mean summer air temperature and are similar to or higher than average summer soil temperature. At depths >40 cm, soil moisture dramatically decreases in early summer following the cessation of spring rains and snowmelt and shows only brief increases after major mid–late summer rain events. Soil water δ O 18 values calculated using carbonate δ O 18 and T ( Δ 47 ) values are similar to the δ O 18 values of local mean summer precipitation. These lines of evidence suggest that soil carbonates in our study area formed during times of soil dewatering in early summer and after major summer storm events in mid–late summer, and in or near equilibrium with mean summer precipitation δ O 18 values. T ( Δ 47 ) values of modern soil carbonates are inversely correlated with elevation, with a lapse rate, −4.0 °C/km, similar to the modern air and soil temperature lapse rates. Calculated soil water δ O 18 values also are inversely correlated with elevation, with a lapse rate of − 3.7 ‰ / km . Sample elevations can be reconstructed using both T ( Δ 47 ) values and calculated soil water δ O 18 values between 900 m and 2600 m in our studied area, with an accuracy of ±0.5 km or less. However, δ O 18 values of precipitation and soil water reflect the complex interaction of climatic, environmental, and topographic conditions prior to carbonate formation, whereas T ( Δ 47 ) values may be influenced by site-specific conditions. We suggest that both soil carbonate T ( Δ 47 ) values and calculated soil water δ O 18 values should be used to corroborate paleoelevation reconstruction, and the seasonal nature of soil carbonate formation should be considered when soil carbonate T ( Δ 47 ) values and δ O 18 values are applied for paleoclimate reconstruction.
Managing State Aid in a Time of Crisis: Commission Crisis Communications and the Financial Sector Bailout

Abstract The September 2008 collapse of American investment bank Lehman Brothers triggered a global financial crisis whose effects were quickly felt in European banking. The scale of the crisis and the speed with which it propagated through the sector prompted governments to take aggressive action. In the months following the onset of the crisis, EU governments approved guarantee schemes, recapitalizations, and asset relief measures worth over €4.5 trillion. Such vast amounts of aid, necessary though it may have been, threatened to distort competitive conditions in the sector. To forestall this, the European Commission issued four ‘crisis communications’ in which authorities set out how member states could best support financial institutions whilst respecting EU competition rules and thus avoiding undue distortions of competition. We argue that these guidance documents, though only non-binding soft law, not only helped preserve competition in the banking sector but also provided a policy resource that Com...
Differential tariffs, growth, and welfare in a small open economy

Abstract This paper analyzes the effects of consumption and investment tarrifs on growth and welfare. With endogenous laber supply, consumption tariffs are not growth-neutral. Instead, an increase in either tariff reduces both the short-run growth rates of key economic variables such as GDP, consumption, and foreign debt, and their common long-run equilibrium growth rate. Numerical simulations suggest that the investment tariff has a more adverse effect on growth rates and welfare than does a comparable consumption tariff. Accordingly, a revenue-neutral substitution of a consumption tariff for an investment tariff is both growth-enhancing and welfare-improving. The second-best and first-best optimal tariffs are characterized and shown to involve the heavy subsidization of investment.
Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula mimicking prostate hyperplasia.

Abstract Background: Initially described in 1926, spinal dural arteriovenous fistula remains diagnostically challenging. Presenting symptoms are often common complaints in general practice or the emergency department, such as leg weakness or numbness. One of the less recognized early features is that of sphincteric disturbance. Objectives: To elucidate the underappreciated early feature of urinary sphincter disturbance in spinal arteriovenous fistula. Case Report: We report on 2 patients with early urinary symptoms that mimicked obstructive uropathy, both of whom sought medical attention on several occasions before the diagnosis was reached. The clinical and imaging findings of spinal dural fistula are discussed. Conclusion: Atypical presentations of bladder dysfunction in addition to other neurologic complaints in the appropriate patient population should prompt spinal imaging to exclude a spinal dural fistula. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent the progression of spinal cord edema to infarction with paraparesis, and permanent bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Matrix-free laser desorption/ionization of ions landed on plasma-treated metal surfaces.

We report new experiments in which laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF-MS) was applied to detection and characterization of gramicidin S and IgG pentapeptide (DSDPR) that were reactively landed on plasma-treated stainless steel surfaces. The distributions of [M + H]+, [M + Na]+ and [M + K]+ ion species in LDI-TOF for gramicidin S and IgG pentapeptide (DSDPR) were found to be markedly different from those in conventional MALDI-TOF spectra of the same samples. LDI-TOF mass spectra showed a strong preference for [M + K]+ adducts even in the presence of a large excess of sodium cations, or following surface treatment with trifluoroacetic acid. Alkali metal cations (K+ and Cs+) can be exchanged in reactively landed peptide samples to provide the corresponding cationized peptide ions by LDI. Multiple charged trypsin cations were reactively landed into a layer of 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid and ionized by LDI. The ionization mechanisms for LDI of surface-deposited peptides are briefly discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resolution enhancement in digital in-line holography

Both thereconstructed imagebandwidth which islimited by the finite sizeofthehologram and twin image artifactcaused by the lack ofphase information restrict the achievable reconstruction resolution using in-line holography. In this paper an new iterative error energy reduction algorithm is used to address these problems. This algorithm suggests the possibility of superresolution in in-line holography in which the conventional diffraction limit may be approached or even exceeded. Superresolution has been demonstrated for several other types of coherent and incoherent imaging but not yet for holography. 1 .© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The effect of hours of food deprivation on hippocampal theta rhythm

Abstract Nine rats were chronically implanted in the hippocampus and habituated to a light stimulus for six consecutive hours. All Ss experienced habituation sessions at two levels of food deprivation, 3 and 22 hours, presented in a counterbalanced paradigm. Electroencephalographic data were recorded from the hippocampus during these habituations. These data were spectrally analyzed by an I.B.M. 360-44 computer, and the spectograms were then statistically examined by analyses of variance. The results indicated that Ss following 22 hours of food deprivation showed increased EEG activity in the hippocampal theta range (4–7 Hz), when compared to the theta of the Ss following a 3-hour deprivation period. The results were discussed in the light of theta rhythm as a measure of separate classes of attention.
School Behavior Problems of Learning Disabled and Normal Girls and Boys

Girls and boys aged 7 to 12 years, identified as either learning disabled or normal, were rated by their teachers on the Behavior Problem Checklist. Analysis of these ratings revealed that school b...
Bis(permethylindenyl) Complexes of Thorium: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity

A variety of thorium complexes incorporating the bulky permethylindenyl ligand (Ind* = C9Me7) have been synthesized and characterized. Specifically, the dichloride Ind*2ThCl2 is obtained by reactio...
THE EFFECT OF THYROXINE ON THE EXTENT OF REGENERATION IN THE ENUCLEATED ADRENAL GLAND OF THE RAT

It has previously been shown that regeneration of cortical tissue from the capsule of an enucleated adrenal gland occurs when the opposite gland is removed (1). The presence of one intact adrenal gland suppresses regeneration in the other enucleated gland. Likewise, regeneration of cortical tissue in an enucleated gland may be completely suppressed by the administration of cortin (1). Thus it seems clear that the physiologic requirement by the organism for cortical hormone is an important factor influencing the regeneration of the adrenal cortex. It is well known that the administration of thyroxine to the normal animal produces hyperplasia of the adrenal cortices. When thyroxine is administered to the adrenalectomized dog, the maintenance requirements for cortin are increased (3). Since thyroxine induces cortical hyperplasia in the adrenal glands of normal animals, will it increase the extent of cortical regeneration within enucleated adrenal glands?
The general modifier ("allosteric") unireactant enzyme mechanism: redundant conditions for reduction of the steady state velocity equation to one that is first degree in substrate and effector.

The general unireactant modifier mechanism in the absence of product can be described by the following linked reactions: E + S k1 in equilibrium k-1 ES k3----E + P; E + I k5 in equilibrium k-5 EI; EI + S k2 in equilibrium k-2 ESI k4----EI + P; and ES + I k6 in equilibrium k-6 ESI where S is a substrate and I is an effector. A full steady state treatment yields a velocity equation that is second degree in both [S] and [I]. Two different conditions (or assumptions) permit reduction of the velocity equation to one that is first degree in [S] and [I]. These are (a) that k-2k3 = k-1k4 (Frieden, C., J. Biol. Chem. 239, pp. 3522-3531, (1964)) and (b) that the I-binding reactions are at equilibrium (Reinhart, G. D., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 224, pp. 389-401 (1983)). It is shown that each condition gives rise to the other (i.e., if the I-binding reactions are at equilibrium, then k-2k3 must equal k-1k4 and vice-versa). If one assumes equilibrium for the I-binding steps, the velocity equation derived by the method of Cha (J. Biol. Chem. 243, pp. 820-825 (1968)) is apparently second degree in [I] (Segel, I. H., Enzyme Kinetics, p. 838, Wiley-Interscience (1975)), but reduces to a first degree equation when the relationship derived by Frieden is inserted. If one starts by assuming a single equilibrium condition for I binding, e.g., k-5[EI] = k5[E][I] or k-6[ESI] = k6[ES][I], then a traditional algebraic manipulation of the remaining steady state equations provides first degree expressions for the concentrations of all enzyme species and also discloses the Frieden relationship.
Synthesis and Structure of Chiral Titanium(IV) Complexes Containing N-Substituted Amino Alcohols

Several Ti(IV)−amino alcohol complexes of the type TiX2[OCHPhCHPhN(R)] (X = NMe2, NEt2, OiPr; R = SO2CF3 (Tf), SO2Ar, CH2Ar) have been synthesized by protonolysis of Ti(NMe2)4, Ti(NEt2)4, or Ti(OiPr)4 with various N-substituted amino alcohol ligands derived from (1S,2R)-(+)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol. X-ray crystal structures of [Ti[OCHPhCHPhN(Tf)](NMe2)2]2 (2a), [Ti[OCHPhCHPhN(CH2[2,4,6-(CH3)3C6H2])](NMe2)2]2 (2d), and [Ti[OCHPhCHPhN(Tf)](OiPr)2]2 (4) show these compounds to be dimeric in the solid state, bridging through the amino alcohol oxygens; vapor pressure osmometry (VPO) molecular weight measurements on 2−4 confirm a dimeric solution structure. The dimers [Ti[OCHPhCHPhN(Tf)](NEt2)2]2 (3) and 4 form 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) adducts which exhibit a concentration-dependent monomer−dimer equilibrium by VPO. An X-ray crystal structure of Ti[OCHPhCHPhN(Tf)](OiPr)2[DMAP] (6), however, indicates that it is monomeric in the solid state.
Induction of Filopodia by Direct Local Elevation of Intracellular Calcium Ion Concentration

In neuronal growth cones, cycles of filopodial protrusion and retraction are important in growth cone translocation and steering. Alteration in intracellular calcium ion concentration has been shown by several indirect methods to be critically involved in the regulation of filopodial activity. Here, we investigate whether direct elevation of [Ca2+]i, which is restricted in time and space and is isolated from earlier steps in intracellular signaling pathways, can initiate filopodial protrusion. We raised [Ca2+]i level transiently in small areas of nascent axons near growth cones in situ by localized photolysis of caged Ca2+ compounds. After photolysis, [Ca2+]i increased from approximately 60 nM to approximately 1 microM within the illuminated zone, and then returned to resting level in approximately 10-15 s. New filopodia arose in this area within 1-5 min, and persisted for approximately 15 min. Elevation of calcium concentration within a single filopodium induced new branch filopodia. In neurons coinjected with rhodamine-phalloidin, F-actin was observed in dynamic cortical patches along nascent axons; after photolysis, new filopodia often emerged from these patches. These results indicate that local transient [Ca2+]i elevation is sufficient to induce new filopodia from nascent axons or from existing filopodia.
DISCUSSION OF Tax Misreporting and Avoidance by Nonprofit Organizations

INTRODUCTION Omer and Yetman (2006) examine tax evasion and tax avoidance by nonprofit organizations as well as the determinants of evasion and avoidance. They measure tax evasion as the amount of excess taxable expenses arising from improperly applying mechanical expense limitations associated with certain unrelated business activities. They measure tax avoidance as tax-motivated expense allocations estimated using the methodology developed in Yetman (2001). The results suggest that 19 percent of the sample nonprofits evade the Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) by overstating taxable expenses by 30 percent. Further, UBIT evasion/avoidance is decreasing in detection risk and increasing in tax rates, tax return complexity, and accounting system flexibility. Given the ongoing, spirited debate surrounding various issues connected with organizational financial reporting, I think Omer and Yetman (2006) address timely research questions that have a broad appeal to policymakers, academics, and practitioners.
Linking Management Behavior to Ethical Philosophy—An Empirical Investigation

Ethical theory is linked to management behavior by classifying responses of managers to a series of vignettes according to the ethical theory represented by the response. The vignettes represent ethical dilemmas in the following areas: (I) coercion and control, (2) conflict of interest, (3) physical environment, (4) paternalism, and (5) personal integrity.
Arrest of cell growth in the G1 phase of the cell cycle by serine deprivation

Abstract BHK21 cells cultured in minimal essential medium (Eagle) supplemented with 10% dialyzed fetal calf serum did not grow as they did in whole serum containing medium. Logarithmic growth was, however, initiated after a lag period, the length of which was dependent upon the cell density: medium volume ratio. The quiescent cells conditioned the medium during this lag period, and growth stimulation was apparently due to the release of serine into the medium. Cells cultured in 10% dialyzed serum plus the low molecular weight fraction of serum (serum dialysate), grew with kinetics similar to cells cultured in serum containing medium. When serum dialysate was chromatographed on Bio-gel P-2 the growth promoting activity eluted with the amino acids. Each of the non-essential amino acids was tested for its ability to stimulate the growth of cells in 10% dialyzed serum. Serine was capable of stimulating cell growth to the same extent as 10% serum dialysate and its concentration optimum was similar to its concentration in 10% serum dialysate. The remaining non-essential amino acids were either slightly stimulatory or had no effect on cell growth. Shifting a logarithmically growing population of cells to serine-free medium resulted in the accumulation of 95% of the cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle within 24 h. Escape from the G1 block could occur if serine was added to the medium or if the cells were allowed to condition the medium. Entry of cells into S phase after the addition of 0.05 μmoles/ml of serine followed a 4–6 h lag and 80% of the cells were synthesizing DNA 12 h after shift-up.
Axial–Shear Strain Distributions in an Elliptical Inclusion Model: Experimental Validation and in vivo Examples With Implications to Breast Tumor Classification

Recently, we reported on the axial-shear strain fill-in of the interior of loosely bonded stiff elliptical inclu- sions in a soft backgroundat non-normal orientations, and the lack of fill-in in firmly bonded inclusions at any orien- tation. In this paper, we report on the experimental validation of the simulation studies using tissue-mimicking gelatin-based phantoms. We also show a few confirmatory examples of the existence of these phenomena in benign vs. malignant breast lesions in vivo. Phantom experiments showed that axial-shear strain zones caused by firmly bonded elliptical inclusions occurred only outside of the inclusion, as predicted by the simulation. By contrast, the axial-shear strain zones filled in the interior of loosely bonded elliptical inclusions at non-normal orientations. The axial-shear strain elastograms obtained from the in vivo cases appeared to be in general agreement with our experimental results. The results reported in this paper may have important clinical implications. Specifically, axial-shear strain fill-in inside an inclusion may be auniquesignature of stiff, loosely bonded, ellipsoidal or elongated inclusions at non-normal orientations. Thus, it may be useful as a marker of benignity of benign breast lesions (e.g., fibroadenomas) that are generally stiff, elongated and loosely bonded to the host tissues. (E-mail: Jonathan.Ophir@ uth.tmc.edu) 2010 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.
An Automatic Post Silicon Clock Tuning System for Improving System Performance based on Tester Measurements

Optical shrink for process migration, manufacturing process variation and dynamic voltage control leads to clock skew as well as path delay variation in a manufactured chip. Since such variations are difficult to predict in pre-silicon phase, tunable clock buffers have been used in several microprocessor designs. The buffer delays are tuned to improve maximum operating clock frequency of a design. This however shifts the burden of finding tuning settings for individual clock buffers to the test process. In this paper, we describe a process for using Boolean tester measurements for determining the settings of the tunable buffers. The results show that frequency improvements of 10% or more are possible by appropriate setting of tunable clock buffers.
Comment on “Log or Linear? Distinct Intuitions of the Number Scale in Western and Amazonian Indigene Cultures”

Dehaene et al. (Reports, 30 May 2008, p. 1217) argued that native speakers of Mundurucu, a language without a linguistic numerical system, inherently represent numerical values as a logarithmically spaced spatial continuum. However, their data do not rule out the alternative conclusion that Mundurucu speakers encode numbers linearly with scalar variability and psychologically construct space-number mappings by analogy.
Neoliberal teacher preparation: Conceptualising a response in the US borderlands

The current era of neoliberal capitalism has witnessed the domination of public education by business interests which openly promote the spirit of competition among schools, educators and students through a policy of high stakes accountability for immediately measurable educational outcomes. In the USA, this policy proposes to make teacher educator programmes accountable for the impact of their programme completers on student achievement, namely standardised test scores. Consequently, some programmes have begun to rethink their practices in an effort to avoid negative sanctions. Unfortunately, little empirical evidence of improvement is available to teacher educators, particularly those committed to the preparation of working class Mexican-origin bilingual education teachers who are victims of a weak K-12 public school system. Drawing on various sources from the research literature, this paper describes the creation of a context-specific signature border pedagogy aimed at preparing effective bilingual teachers in a majority Latino public university in the South Texas Borderlands. Keywords: bilingual education, border pedagogy, teacher preparation, curriculum, teaching effectiveness, bilingual learner achievement (Published: 1 December 2012) Citation: Education Inquiry Vol. 3, No. 4, December 2012, pp. 553–568
Optimized dextran-polyethylenimine conjugates are efficient non-viral vectors with reduced cytotoxicity when used in serum containing environments

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a cationic polymer that is an efficient transfection reagent marred by high toxicity and a susceptibility to aggregate in the presence of serum. Dextran is a biodegradable natural polysaccharide that can be used to reduce the toxicity of PEI and increase its stability in the presence of serum. In this study, small branched PEI units (800/2000 Da) were attached to dextran (Dex; 15/100-200 kDa) to form dextran-polyethylenimine (Dex-PEI) conjugates. The Dex-PEI conjugates were then tested as a gene carrier in the model HEK293 cell line. Dex-PEI conjugates displayed significantly lower cytotoxicity than PEI (25k). Both Dex-PEI and PEI efficiently delivered firefly luciferase encoded plasmid DNA (pDNA) to the HEK293 cells. Dex-PEI resulted in moderately lower transfection efficiencies than PEI 25k when the transfection was carried out in media without serum for 4h. However, in the presence of serum, which more accurately predicts the anticipated environment of non-viral vectors in vivo, Dex-PEI and unmodified PEI generated similar transfection efficiencies when incubated with the cells for 4h. When the incubation time of the vectors was increased to 48h, significantly higher transfection efficiencies were generated by Dex-PEI in comparison to PEI. Turbidity measurements showed that complexes formed between plasmid DNA and unmodified PEI were more susceptible to aggregation in serum-containing media than complexes formed from pDNA and Dex-PEI. Dex-PEI conjugates are therefore believed to have greater potential for translational applications because of lower cytotoxicity characteristics and improved stability in serum containing environments.
Experimental Comparison of Thermoelectric Module Characterization Methods

Characterization of thermoelectric modules is critical to validate device models, to compare and optimize fabrication techniques, and to obtain parameters for system design. Four characterization methods found in the literature were compared experimentally for the first time using a single test stand developed to characterize modules over a wide range of temperatures. The test stand incorporates a programmable electronic load that allows for a variety of tests to be performed. A single module was tested using the steady-state, rapid steady-state, Gao Minʼs constant heat rate, and Buistʼs modified Harman methods. Here, we present the differences observed and offer a preliminary explanation for the discrepancies.
An abstract hardware/software model for early performance evaluation

To address the separation between the hardware and software domains, this paper presents an abstract hardware/software model employing unified representation. The model supports early hardware/software evaluation and trade-off exploration. In addition, systems can be evaluated at different levels of detail, allowing those aspects of interest to be focused on. The benefits of a unified representation are also discussed. Some examples are presented to illustrate the abstract hardware/software model and demonstrate the concepts and ideas embodied in the paper.
Understanding endogenously active mechanisms: A scientific and philosophical challenge

Although noting the importance of organization in mechanisms, the new mechanistic philosophers of science have followed most biologists in focusing primarily on only the simplest mode of organization in which operations are envisaged as occurring sequentially. Increasingly, though, biologists are recognizing that the mechanisms they confront are non-sequential and the operations nonlinear. To understand how such mechanisms function through time, they are turning to computational models and tools of dynamical systems theory. Recent research on circadian rhythms addressing both intracellular mechanisms and the intercellular networks in which these mechanisms are synchronized illuminates this point. This and other recent research in biology shows that the new mechanistic philosophers of science must expand their account of mechanistic explanation to incorporate computational modeling, yielding dynamical mechanistic explanations. Developing such explanations, however, is a challenge for both the scientists and the philosophers as there are serious tensions between mechanistic and dynamical approaches to science, and there are important opportunities for philosophers of science to contribute to surmounting these tensions.
Preferential Dissolution of an Intergranular Amorphous Phase in a Nuclear Waste Ceramic

A leaching experiment is conducted on thin transmission electron microscope samples of a tailored polyphase nuclear waste ceramic. The results demonstrate that the intergranular noncrystalline phase is preferentially dissolved, which calls attention to the possibly detrimental role of any intergranular glass in ceramics designed to immobilize nuclear waste.
Modulation Equations for Nearly Integrable PDEs with Periodic Boundary Conditions

This note, following my lecture, is a summary of the current state of practical application of periodic, N-phase modulation equations. First, I sketched interesting bifurcation phenomena that have been documented in [1] through extensive direct numerical investigations. These long-lived “attractors” of the damped, driven periodic sine-Gordon equation consist of various flows among coherent spatial structures. The temporal behavior ranges from periodic to quasiperiodic to chaotic, quantified in terms of several diagnostics. The spatial resolution during each flow is coherent and low-dimensional. In addition to Fourier projections, we use the sine-Gordon spectral transform to independently measure the “N-phase integrable mode approximations” of the perturbed field at each time step. The upshot is that the attractors are well-approximated, at least locally, by modulated N-phase periodic waves, where N remains small into the chaotic regime.
Modulated perturbations from instant preheating after new ekpyrosis

I present a mechanism to transfer the spectrum of perturbations in a scalar isocurvature field {xi} onto the matter content in the radiation era via modulated, instant preheating after ekpyrosis. In this setup, {xi} determines the coupling constant relevant for the decay of a preheat matter field into fermions. The resulting power spectrum is scale invariant if {xi} remains close to a scaling solution in new ekpyrotic models of the Universe; by construction the spectrum is independent of the detailed physics near the bounce. The process differs from the curvaton mechanism, which has been used recently to revive the ekpyrotic scenario, in that no peculiar behavior of {xi} shortly before or during the bounce is needed. In addition, a concrete and efficient realization of reheating after ekpyrosis is provided; this mechanism is not tied to ekpyrotic models, but could equally well be used in other setups, for instance inflationary ones. I estimate non-Gaussianities and find no additional contributions in the most simple realizations, in contrast to models using the curvaton mechanism.
Integrative phenomics reveals insight into the structure of phenotypic diversity in budding yeast

To better understand the quantitative characteristics and structure of phenotypic diversity, we measured over 14,000 transcript, protein, metabolite, and morphological traits in 22 genetically diverse strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. More than 50% of all measured traits varied significantly across strains [false discovery rate (FDR) = 5%]. The structure of phenotypic correlations is complex, with 85% of all traits significantly correlated with at least one other phenotype (median = 6, maximum = 328). We show how high-dimensional molecular phenomics data sets can be leveraged to accurately predict phenotypic variation between strains, often with greater precision than afforded by DNA sequence information alone. These results provide new insights into the spectrum and structure of phenotypic diversity and the characteristics influencing the ability to accurately predict phenotypes.
Epithelioid Variant of Hemangioma and Hemangiosarcoma in the Dog, Horse, and Cow

Epithelioid hemangiomas, hemangioendotheliomas, and angiosarcomas are well recognized histologic variants of endothelial tumors in humans that in the past have been confused with neoplasms of epithelial or histiocytic origin. We describe 12 epithelioid endothelial vascular tumors in 8 dogs, 3 horses, and 1 cow that share microscopic features with these tumors in humans. Ten tumors were located within the dermis and subcutis, 1 in the gastrocnemius tendon, and 1 in the skeletal muscle of the thigh. Key histologic features were the plump, epithelioid appearance of neoplastic endothelial cells and occasional cytoplasmic vacuolation, which rarely contained a single erythrocyte. Patterns of epithelioid endothelial cell growth ranged from conventional vasoformative structures to glandlike acini and short ducts to solid, sheetlike arrangements. All tumors were positive for endothelial markers: 12/12 (100%) were positive for von Willebrand factor with variable intensity and distribution and 9/9 (100%) were positive for CD31. All 12 were negative for cytokeratin. We subdivided these tumors into epithelioid hemangiomas (n = 3) and hemangiosarcomas (n = 9) based on conventional morphologic criteria, growth pattern (invasive or not), and metastasis (known in 1 case at the time of biopsy). Additional follow-up information obtained by a written questionnaire was available for 6/12 (50%) animals and revealed local recurrence in 3 animals (1 epithelioid hemangioma and 2 epithelioid hemangiosarcoma) and regional metastasis in 3 animals (all epithelioid hemangiosarcomas). This series represents a novel group of vascular tumors in domestic animals of which there are only 3 previous cases reported in the veterinary literature.
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS: FAILED FOREIGN POLICY TOOL AND A COST TO AMERICAN BUSINESS

In recent years the US government has increased its use of economic sanctions in order to punish countries, organisations and individuals. This form of foreign policy has become an increasing burden on US business and adversely affects US competitiveness and perceived reliability in the global marketplace. In addition, economic sanctions are generally ineffective in producing the desired changes and often harm the people they were intended to help. This paper argues that economic sanctions are an increasing menace to US business, represent an ineffective tool of foreign policy, and do not meet generally accepted ethical standards.
HONESTY AND INTELLIGENCE JUDGMENTS OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS: THE EFFECTS OF ENTITY-RELATED BEHAVIOR DIAGNOSTICITY AND IMPLICIT THEORIES

Abstract Two experiments examined trait judgments made from behaviors. Results from an initial experiment suggest that the informativeness of the behaviors, and not peoples' affective responses or approach/avoidance tendencies, best account for the impact of inconsistent information on trait judgments. The results of a second experiment yielded additional support for this idea by showing that when a target's behaviors were inconsistent in their trait implications: (1) negativity effects emerged in judgments of the target's honesty; (2) positivity effects emerged in judgments of the target's intelligence; (3) these effects diminished when the targets were groups rather than individuals; and (4) judgments made by entity theorists were less affected by inconsistent behavior than judgments made by incremental theorists. These effects did not emerge when a target's behaviors were consistent in their implications. Collectively, these results suggest that the usefulness of a behavior for a trait judgment depends...
Cross-Linking Proteins To Show Complex Formation: A Laboratory that Visually Demonstrates Calmodulin Binding to Calmodulin Kinase II

I n order to maintain homeostasis, animals must coordinate the activities of cells and organs. This coordination involves a sequence of events known as signal transduction. In this process a cell converts an extracellular signal into an intracellular response by converting the signal from one physical or chemical form to another, leading to an intracellular metabolic change. Signal transduction begins with the binding of an extracellular chemical signaling molecule (first messenger) to a specific receptor located at the surface of the cell membrane. The interaction leads to the formation or release of intracellular signaling molecules called second messengers that coordinate the metabolic activities of the cell.
A re-examination of the reaction of dichloro-tris-(triphenylphosphino)ruthenium(II) with benzonitrile: Crystal structures of triphenylphosphine chloro ruthenium complexes

Abstract The reaction of RuCl2(PPh3)3 with benzonitrile has been investigated in toluene. When excess benzonitrile is employed cis-RuCl2(PPh3)2(NCPh)2 is obtained and has been characterized by X-ray diffraction. This contrasts to acetonitrile which yields trans-RuCl2(PPh3)2(NCMe)2. With excess RuCl2(PPh3)3 a triply chloro bridged diruthenium compound (PPh3)2(Cl)Ru(μ-Cl)3Ru(NCPh)(PPh3)2 is obtained. A dark red crystalline side product, formed during the preparation of RuCl2(PPh3)3, is identified as [Ph3PMe][RuCl4(PPh3)2] by low temperature crystal structure determination with better precision than previously reported. In each case, the Ru atom presents octahedral coordination geometry.
Infant Sleep and Parent Health Literacy.

Objective Child sleep problems are prevalent and have been linked to poor behavior, worse school performance, and obesity. Low health literacy (HL) is associated with suboptimal parenting practices and worse health outcomes, but the relationship between parent HL and child sleep-related issues is not known. We examined the association between parent HL and child sleep-related issues.
GENETIC VARIATION AND HOST PLANT RELATIONS IN A PARTHENOGENETIC MOTH.

Ecological genetics is the investigation of the influence of ecological factors on the genetic properties of populations, and the influence of genetic structure on their ecological properties. Ideally, these studies should determine how genetic variation is affected by selection and by the size, dynamics, and degree of subdivision of populations; what ecological factors determine the relative fitness of genotypes; and what effect the genetic composition of a population has on such ecological parameters as its density, stability, and ecological amplitude. Many studies have demonstrated selection in natural populations; indeed, the widespread existence of selection is perhaps the only generalization that can be made about ecological genetics. But most studies are incomplete. A few, such as the analysis of inversion karyotypes in Drosophila pseudoobscura by Dobzhansky
Immunoglobulin Levels in Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid in Certain Viral Infections of the Central Nervous System

Summary It is seriously debated whether the presence of immunoglobulins in CSF is due to local production, diffusion of proteins through the blood-brain barrier, or both. Tourtellotte et al [1] strongly suggest that in both healthy and diseased individuals, immunoglobulins are synthesized extravascularly and subsequently diffuse into the CSF. Cohen and Bannister [2] demonstrated that lymphocytes from the CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis could produce IgA and IgG in vitro. Although such evidence suggests the likelihood of local production of immunoglobulins, others believe that elevated protein levels in CSF are due to migration of immunoglobulins from serum to CSF because of damage to the blood-brain barrier [3]. Thus, the elevated IgG level in CSF could be an expression of such an impaired blood-brain barrier. A further implication of this hypothesis is that the more the function of this barrier is impaired, the more extensive is the transudation. This includes the migration of large molecules such as IgM during the inflammatory state, a condition which increases not only the number of theoretical filters but also the size of the pores. IgG levels in CSF and serum were elevated in all five infections studied except viral encephalitis, in which this value remained normal. The serum IgA level was elevated in all five lesions, but the IgA level in CSF was elevated only in viral encephalitis, Guillain-Barr6 syndrome, and meningeal carcinomatosis. The IgM results are particularly interesting; although the IgM level was elevated in the CSF in all five lesions, serum IgM levels remained normal. These results suggest that the increases in immunoglobulin level in CSF are due to local production, thus agreeing with Tourtellote et al [1] and Cohen and Bannister [2]. In acute infection, then, the rise in immunoglobulin levels in CSF is due to local production and, in the chronic stage, may also be due to transudation through the blood-brain barrier.
Evaluation of Methods for Sampling Predatory Arthropods in Soybeans

Sweep-net, plant shake, and vacuum net procedures were evaluated for sampling Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), Nabis spp., (Hemiptera: Nabidae), Araneida, adult Chrysopa spp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), adult Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), and adult Anthicus cervinus La Ferte-Senectere (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) in Iowa soybeans. Absolute-density estimates, taken by whole-plant removal procedures, provided standards for comparison. Plant shaking generally produced the most precise and cost-efficient estimates and is recommended for sampling the majority of predators. Sweep-net sampling was superior in terms of cost and in variability analyses for adult Nabis spp., Chrysopa spp., and Coccinellidae. The vacuum net was least satisfactory and is not recommended. Correlation of relative estimates with absolute population trends varied between years and seemed to be influenced by soybean plant growth factors.
Protective action of methylprednisolone on the isolated perfused rat heart following severe hypoxia.

SummaryThe isolated rat heart was studied to determine if pretreatment with the glucocorticoid, methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg), both afforded protection to the heart during a period of hypoxia and improved recovery during reoxygenation. Hearts from rats treated with methylprednisolone sodium succinate exhibited significantly better force of contraction during the period of reoxygenation than did hearts from vehicle-treated rats. This improved recovery of the steroidtreated group was seen in the presence or absence of glucose and was not related to a steroid-induced positive inotropism or en hanced total coronary flow. However, the possibility exists that methylprednisolone pretreatment was associated with a favorable redistribution of coronary blood flow and as such produced a protective effect on the hypoxic heart.
First Principles Calculations of Surface Stress

Only recently have there been fully quantum-mechanical calculations of two-dimensional surface stress tensors. We have calculated total energies and stresses of semiconductor surfaces within the Local Density Approximation, using norm-conserving pseudopotentials. In order to hasten convergence of the stress with respect to basis size, it is useful to remove a fictitious tensile stress. We have calculated surface stress for the relaxed Si (111) 1×1 and 2×2-adatom surfaces, as well as for the relaxed Ge (111) 1×1 and 2×2-adatom surfaces. We have also calculated the surface stress for several chemisorbed systems, including Ga, Ge and As chemisorbed onto Si. We find a dramatic correlation between the electronic structure and chemistry of the surface, and its elastic properties.