cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differences in the quinacrine staining of the chromosomes of a pair of sibling species: Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans.

The patterns of intense fluorescence after staining with quinacrine dihydrochloride were studied in both the polytene chromosomes and mitotic chromosomes of a pair of sibling species, Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans. Consistent differences between the two species were found in the pattern of fluorescence of both polytene and mitotic chromosomes. In addition, it was discovered that our stock of D. melanogaster (Oregon-R) is polymorphic at one autosomal position for the property of intense fluorescence after quinacrine staining. On the basis of these findings, the usefulness of quinacrine staining in the study of the cytogenetic structure of evolutionarily interesting populations is discussed.
Theoretical study of the anions of BeF2 and MgF2

Abstract Extended basis self-consistent field calculations are carried out on the ground state anions of BeF 2 and MgF 2 . In their equilibrium geometries both anions are found to be strongly bent, having FBeF and FMgF angles of 135° and 117°, respecively. The dipole field of the bent neutral molecules is found to play an important role in the binding of the “extra” electron. Adiabatic electron affinities of −0.3 and 0.5 eV are obtained for BeF 2 and MgF 2 , respectively.
Characterization of upstream sequences of the LIM2 gene that bind developmentally regulated and lens-specific proteins

Abstract During lens development, lens epithelial cells differentiate into fiber cells. To date, four major lens fiber cell intrinsic membrane proteins (MIP) ranging in size from 70 kD to 19 kD have been characterized. The second most abundant lens fiber cell intrinsic membrane protein is MP19. This protein probably is involved with lens cell communication and relates with cataractogenesis. The aim of this research is to characterize upstream sequences of the MP19 (also called LIM2) gene that bind developmentally regulated and lens-specific proteins. We have used the gel mobility assays and corresponding competition experiments to identify and characterize cis elements within approximately 500 bases of LIM2 upstream sequences. Our studies locate the positions of some cis elements, including a “CA” repeat, a methylation Hha I island, an FnuD II site, an Ap1 and an Ap2 consensus sequences, and identify some specific cis elements which relate to lens-specific transcription of LIM2. Our experiments also preli...
Mutual regulation between mitochondrial ATPase and respiratory chain activities

Abstract Compounds made from the reaction of fluorescamine with simple primary amines and with mycosamine-containing macrolide antibiotics (e.g., amphotericin B) are used to investigate possible interactions between ATPase and respiration enzymes in rat liver mitochondria. The following observations have been made. (1) The acyclic form of the benzyl amine-fluorescamine compound stimulates the ATPase-linked inorganic phosphate formation, and this stimulation is not affected by rotenone, antimycin A, and potassium cyanide. In contrast, the respiratory inhibitors are able to prevent the stimulation of ATPase activity that is caused by conventional uncouplers e.g., 2,4-dinitrophenol. (2) The acyclic form of the amphotericin B-fluorescamine compound has no effect on ATPase-linked inorganic phosphate formation rate. However, in the presence of the antibiotic-fluorescamine compounds, the respiratory inhibitors are no longer able to prevent the uncoupler-stimulated ATPase activity. (3) The amine-fluorescamine modifiers have no effect on rotenone-sensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase, on succinate-cytochrome c reductase, and on cytochrome oxidase in submitochondrial particles. (4) The amine-fluorescamine modifiers decrease the rate of the ATP-driven NAD + reduction by succinate in submitochondrial particles. (5) The amine-fluorescamine modifiers inhibit the stimulation of respiration that is caused by conventional uncouplers, although the modifiers have no effect on the kinetics of the proton influx induced by uncouplers. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the ATPase-linked and respiration-linked proton pumps may interact directly with each other, and this step establishes the mutual regulation between ATPase and respiratory activities .
The distribution of interspersed repetitive DNA sequences in the human genome.

Abstract The distribution of interspersed repetitive DNA sequences in the human genome has been investigated, using a combination of biochemical, cytological, computational, and recombinant DNA approaches. “Low-resolution” biochemical experiments indicate that the general distribution of repetitive sequences in human DNA can be adequately described by models that assume a random spacing, with an average distance of 3 kb. A detailed “high-resolution” map of the repetitive sequence organization along 400 kb of cloned human DNA, including 150 kb of DNA fragments isolated for this study, is consistent with this general distribution pattern. However, a higher frequency of spacing distances greater than 9.5 kb was observed in this genomic DNA sample. While the overall repetitive sequence distribution is best described by models that assume a random distribution, an analysis of the distribution of Alu repetitive sequences appearing in the GenBank sequence database indicates that there are local domains with varying Alu placement densities. In situ hybridization to human metaphase chromosomes indicates that local density domains for Alu placement can be observed cytologically. Centric heterochromatin regions, in particular, are at least 50-fold underrepresented in Alu sequences. The observed distribution for repetitive sequences in human DNA is the expected result for sequences that transpose throughout the genome, with local regions of “preference” or “exclusion” for integration.
Papierchromatographische Prüfung der Sekrete von Bufo melanostictus Schneider und Bufo asper Gravenhorst Krötengifte, 30. Mitteilung

According to paperchromatograms the paratoid secretion ofBufo melanostictus SCHNEIDER was found to contain 12 bufogenins. Three of these (M, Bt und H) have been identified with the known genins Marinobufagin, Bufotalin and Hellebrigenin. Two other ones (X1 and X2) are possibly identical with Resibufogenin and Bufalin. By the same method the secretion of Bufo asper GRAVENHORST was found to contain 9 bufogenins. A1 again is possibly identical with Resibufogenin; two others have been shown to be Marinobufagin (M) and Bufotalin (Bt). One genin (AZ), present in relatively large amount, should certainly be a new substance.
HANDICAPPED NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The 34th legislature provided the Arizona State Community College Board with an opportunity to initiate planning related to handicapped program needs and costs at the community college level. This ...
A sparse distributed representation using prime numbers

The Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic (uniqueness of the prime factorisation of positive integers) allows us to represent multivariate polynomials by LISP lists of ordered pairs of numbers. In this representation one can perform all the elementary polynomial arithmetic operations of adding, negating, subtracting and multiplying multivariate polynomials or raising them to non-negative integer powers. The scheme involves the use of an isomorphic image of the ring of polynomials in n variables with rational coefficients. It has the speed and space advantages of Kronecker's trick to transform multivariate polynomials to univariate polynomials. Additional advantages are that the exponents cannot overflow and that the scheme can accommodate terms with negative integer powers.
Detecting mines and minelike objects in highly cluttered multispectral aerial images by means of mathematical morphology

Automatic mine detection is a critical issue in battle field management. This is expected to lead to better technologies that provide accurate and reliable detection of mines embedded in clutter. In this paper, we review a procedure for automatic mine detection in multispectral data provided by the Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) program. Our procedure is essentially a two-step method that employs the Maximum Noise Fraction (MNF) transform, a powerful enhancement tool for multispectral data, combined with nonlinear morphological operators that do the actual detection. Mathematical morphology is also used to account for the critical step of clutter estimation required by the MNF transform. Results obtained with available, truthed data, show the high success of the proposed method in meeting performance requirements. A low number of midsections is observed, whereas only a small number of false alarms is introduced by the algorithm. The results are better than the ones obtained by means of a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) algorithm provided along with the data.
Bovine Oviductal Cannulations

Oviductal fluid was collected from 23 dairy cows following cannulation of the oviduct in 38 procedures utilizing silastic catheters. Standing laparotomy in the caudal abdomen enabled exteriorization of the ipsilateral ovary, oviduct, and uterine horn tip. A simple plastic device inserted through the ostium facilitated placement of an indwelling catheter. The exteriorized catheter connected to a collection device attached to the flank that provided ready access for harvesting fluids. Typical fluid volumes collected ranged from 0.1 to 3 ml per day depending on the estrus cycle stage. Patency varied from 2 to 156 days with an average duration of 68.2 days. Fluid flow ceased most commonly when a catheter was avulsed from the surgical site (58%) or became occluded with fibrin (14%). Slight modification of the stanchion housing has increased the longevity of the preparations
Comparison of magnetotransport in two-dimensional arrays of quantum dots and antidots.

The longitudinal and Hall conductivities and resistivities are compared for two-dimensional (2D) square arrays of quantum dots and antidots in 2D electronic systems (ES's). The effects on the magnetotransport from the bound and coherent collimated states are explained. The energy eigenvalue spectra are obtained as a function of the magnetic field. The wave-vector dispersion of the energy eigenvalues is also calculated for the two systems. For antidots, there is a threshold magnetic field above which the system behaves like a homogeneous 2D ES. This threshold and the quenching of the Hall effect for antidots and the insulating behavior and Aharonov-Bohm quantum oscillations in a quantum-dot array are the main findings in this paper.
Wnt signaling activation during bone regeneration and the role of Dishevelled in chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation

Wnt signaling is intrinsically involved in diverse cellular activities during cell differentiation, early embryonic development and organogenesis. Although much is known regarding the effects of Wnt signaling in the developing skeletal system, its role during regeneration remains unclear. Herein, we show transcriptional activation of specific members and target genes of the Wnt signaling pathway. Specifically, all of the Wnt signaling members and target genes analyzed were found to be upregulated during the early stages of fracture repair, with the exception of LEF1 whose expression was downregulated. In addition, spatial expression analysis of Dishevelled (Dvl) and β-catenin in the fracture callus revealed an identical pattern of expression with both proteins localizing in osteoprogenitor cells of the periosteum, osteoblasts and proliferating/pre-hypertrophic chondrocytes. Further, in vitro knockdown of all three Dvl isoforms in chondrocytes using small interfering RNAs (siRNA) leads to partial inhibition of cell proliferation and differentiation, decreased expression of chondrogenic markers (ColII, ColX, Sox9) and suppressed nuclear accumulation of unphosphorylated β-catenin. Taken together, these data verify our previous finding that the Wnt signaling pathway is activated during bone regeneration, by characterizing the temporal and spatial expression of a broad spectrum of Wnt-signaling molecules. Our data also suggest that all three Dvl isoforms, acting through the Wnt canonical pathway, are critical regulatory molecules for chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation.
Emergency and disaster relief ICS infrastructure of smart grid

Base on introduced China smart grid infrastructure version, applied scene of emergency disaster relief information and communication system (ICS) is discussed from forecast extreme condition, emergency and service demand. Emergency and disaster relief ICS infrastructure of served China smart grid is discussed from research angle, emergency and disaster relief information communication technology, and ICS infrastructure. Electric assets running functional life-span of China smart grid matches two to four generations of ICS running functional life-span. In case of two generations of ICS running functional life-span match one generation of electric assets running functional life-span, the first generation keystone is how to via foundational technologies improving to reliably safeguarded viability of network and establishment, the second generation keystone is how to adopt virtual organization theory that base on game theory, to provide an integrated ICS ability, and to build distributing virtual system.
Expected Equity Returns on Real Estate Financed with Life Insurance Company Loans: 1967–1977

This paper estimates the internal rate of return on eleven real property types for the period 1967–1977 using a national sample of over 39 billion dollars worth of real property. Returns are calculated four ways—1) before tax, before financing. 2) before tax, after financing, 3) after tax, before financing, and 4) after tax, after financing. Comparisons are then made to determine the effects of taxes and financing on the returns. Finally, the results are compared to an earlier study for the period 1954–1966 to determine the changes of the various factors over time.
Coupled Rolling and Pitching Oscillation Effects on Transonic Shock-Induced Vortex-Breakdown Flow of a Delta Wing

Unsteady, transonic vortex dominated flow over a 65 deg. sharp edged, cropped-delta wing of zero thickness undergoing forced coupled pitching and rolling oscillations is investigated computationally. The wing mean angle of attack is 20 deg. and the free stream Mach number and Reynolds number are 0.85 and 3.23 x 10(exp 6), respectively. The initial condition of the flow is characterized by a transverse terminating shock and vortex breakdown of the leading edge vortex cores. The computational investigation uses the time-accurate solution of the laminar, unsteady, compressible, full Navier-Stokes equations with the implicit, upwind, Roe flux-difference splitting, finite volume scheme. The main focus is to analyze the effects of coupled motion on the wing response and vortex breakdown flow by varying oscillation frequency and phase angle while the maximum pitch and roll amplitude is kept constant at 4.0 deg. Four cases demonstrate the following: simultaneous motion at a frequency of 1(pi), motion with a 90 deg. phase lead in pitch, motion with a rolling frequency of twice the pitching frequency, and simultaneous motion at a frequency of 2(pi). Comparisons with single mode motion at these frequencies complete this study and illustrate the effects of coupling the oscillations.
Erratum: Temporal and spatial patterns of opsin gene expression in the zebrafish (Danio rerio): Corrections with additions

We report here a reexamination of the developmental expression of cone opsins in the zebrafish retina. The red- and blue-sensitive opsins appear at 51 h postfertilization (hpf) whereas ultraviolet (UV) opsin is not seen until after 55 hpf. More cells show red cone opsin expression than blue at 51 and 55 hpf, indicating the sequence of cone opsin expression in zebrafish is first red, then blue, and finally UV. Curiously, morphological development of the cones is in reverse order; UV cones appear quite mature by day 6-7 postfertilization (pf), but morphologically, red cones do not appear adult-like until 15-20 days pf.
Localized Spin Fluctuations in Nearly-Magnetic Dilute Alloys: Thermal Resistivity and Lorenz Number

We calculate the thermal resistivity and Lorenz number due to scattering of conduction electrons from localized spin fluctuations, using a model appropriate for nearly-magnetic transition-metal impurities in a host of similar electronic structure. The temperature dependence of the Lorenz number, which is determined by the characteristic energy of the spin-fluctuation excitation spectrum, is predicted for $\mathbf{I}\mathbf{r}\mathrm{Fe}$ and related alloys assuming the spin-fluctuation model is applicable.
Pariah or Paragon? student teachers' evaluations of enrolling mentally ill students

The notion that student teachers are less accepting of mentally ill than of normal students was investigated. Student teachers read case descriptions of a student who had been hospitalized for schizophrenia (mentally ill student), a student who had been hospitalized for crushed legs (accident student), and a student who had recently moved (transfer student). Teachers were told that the students were being considered for either their own classes or for another class. The accident and transfer students were evaluated more positively than the mentally ill student, who was not differentially evaluated as a result of being considered for placement in the teacher's own class or another class. Implications for revealing potentially stigmatizing information about mental illness to teachers were discussed.
Aggregation of Colloidal Silica by n-Alkyl Sulfates

The coagulation behavior of aqueous colloidal silica (Ludox TM) in the presence of a homologous series of n-alkyl sulfates has been studied. Coagulation concentrations were measured for a simple salt, NaCl, and electrolyte/surfactants NaCnSO4 with chain lengths n = 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, or 12 carbons. The C6 and shorter homologues had coagulation concentrations equivalent to that of NaCl, while C8 and higher homologues had coagulation concentrations at lower ionic strengths. Calculations of the Ludox−Ludox interaction potential show that the coagulation concentration results are consistent with the action of a screened repulsion plus a depletion attraction induced by the presence of surfactant micelles. Small angle neutron scattering measurements were made of mixtures with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) under contrast-match conditions that isolated the silica−silica interactions. The silica−silica interactions indeed progressed from repulsive to attractive as more SDS micelles were added, a trend consistent with ...
Comparative study of secondary-electron emission from positron and electron bombardment of Ni, Si, and MgO.

The total secondary-electron yield from positron and electron bombardment with incident energy 20--480 eV on Ni(110), Si(111), and MgO(100) has been measured. The positron-induced and electron-induced secondary-electron yield fit the same ''universal'' curve but with different scaling parameters. Comparison of the secondary yields suggests that the positron primary beam experiences stronger energy-loss processes than the electron beam in Ni, and qualitatively agrees with calculations and other experiments. The ratio of the maximum electron-induced secondary yield to the positron-induced secondary yield is 0.79, 1.26, and 0.6 for Ni, Si, and MgO, respectively.
Systems of Breeding Designed to Utilize Heterosis in the Domestic Fowl

Abstract FEW will deny that the conventional system of poultry breeding combining mass selection with progeny testing and family selection has played a major role in raising the level of performance in the poultry population. Furthermore, a wider distribution of existing superior stocks would undoubtedly significantly raise the national production average. While it is important to devise ways of improving the conventional system of breeding by such techniques as selection indices, diallel crossing, analysis of part records, etc., some effort should be given to devising and testing new breeding systems which might be more efficient than those now practiced. The success of the corn breeder in forming inbred lines and combining them into superior hybrids has served as a challenge to all poultry breeders. No effort will be made to review the reports on inbreeding and hybridization in poultry or to discuss in detail the relative merits of this system of . . .
Introducing game elements in crowdsourced video captioning by non-experts

Video captioning can increase the accessibility of information for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and benefit second language learners and reading-deficient students. We propose a caption editing system that harvests crowdsourced work for the useful task of video captioning. To make the task an engaging activity, its interface incorporates game-like elements. Non-expert users submit their transcriptions for short video segments against a countdown timer, either in a "type" or "fix" mode, to score points. Transcriptions from multiple users are aligned and merged to form the final captions. Preliminary results with 42 participants and 578 short video segments show that the Word Error Rate of the merged captions with two users per segment improved from 20.7% in ASR to 16%. Finally, we discuss our work in progress to improve both the accuracy of the collected data and to increase the crowd engagement.
Higher circulating adiponectin levels are associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation in older adults

Background Adiponectin has cardioprotective properties, suggesting that lower levels seen in obesity and diabetes could heighten risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). Among older adults, however, higher adiponectin has been linked to greater incidence of adverse outcomes associated with AF, although recent reports have shown this association to be U-shaped. We postulated that higher adiponectin would be linked to increased risk for AF in older adults in a U-shaped manner. Methods We examined the associations of total and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin with incident AF among individuals free of prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) participating in a population-based cohort study of older adults (n=3190; age=74±5 years). Results During median follow-up of 11.4 years, there were 886 incident AF events. Adjusted cubic splines showed a positive and linear association between adiponectin and incident AF. After adjusting for potential confounders, including amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide 1–76, the HR (95% CI) for AF per SD increase in total adiponectin was 1.14 (1.05 to 1.24), while that for HMW adiponectin was 1.17 (1.08 to 1.27). Additional adjustment for putative mediators, including subclinical CVD, diabetes, lipids and inflammation, did not significantly affect these estimates. Conclusions The present findings demonstrate that higher, not lower, levels of adiponectin are independently associated with increased risk of AF in older adults despite its documented cardiometabolic benefits. Additional work is necessary to determine if adiponectin is a marker of failed counter-regulatory pathways or whether this hormone is directly harmful in the setting of or as a result of advanced age.
An introduction to robust procedures

This introduction is given to make it easier for the statistician who knows little about robust methods to read the articles in this special issue. Various terms will be defined here, and there will be some explanation of how each of the individual articles relates to the total picture that we wish to present.
Pulmonary extraction of 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine before and after cardiopulmonary bypass in man.

Pulmonary extraction of 14C-5-hydroxytryptamine and 3H-norepinephrine was estimated in patients undergoing aortocoronary saphenous vein grafting. Identical mixtures of both amines were administered intravenously before Cardiopulmonary bypass and again just after bypass. Immediately after each injection, 6 ml of blood was withdrawn into tubing, at a constant rate, simultaneously from both the pulmonary artery and the left atrium. Each set of tubing was then divided into six segments, and the 3H and 14C content of each segment was measured. In this manner, total isotope collected and blood isotope concentration as a function of time at the two sampling sites were compared directly. Before bypass in every patient studied, less 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine were withdrawn on the left than on the right of the lungs, implying pulmonary extraction of both amines. In nine patients, the mean percent extraction was 65 ± 4% for 5-hydroxytryptamine and 23 ± 5% for norepinephrine (P < 0.005). After bypass, th...
Behaviour of iron oxide (Fe3O4) Janus particles in overlapping external AC electric and static magnetic fields

The assembly behaviour of Fe3O4-capped Janus particles with magnetically and electrically anisotropic properties is investigated in overlapping external AC electric and static magnetic fields. Generally, Fe3O4 Janus particles have been shown to form double and staggered chains in external static magnetic and AC electric fields, respectively. Here, the reaction of Fe3O4 Janus particles to sequentially applied AC electric and static magnetic fields in parallel and perpendicular field geometry is studied in order to elucidate to what extend the asymmetric nature of the Janus particle can be addressed independently by each field during assembly. A parallel field geometry leads to contraction of the Janus particle chains, whereas a perpendicular field geometry leads first to the rotation of the Janus particle chains towards the more dominant field followed by rhombohedral stacking of the chains into two-dimensional, two-particle thick sheets as a result of the weaker field. The Janus particle assembly behaviour in each field geometry tested is parameterized by the characteristic angle, θ, and the inter-particle distance, d. The observed response of the Fe3O4 Janus particles is shown to be driven by the interaction of electric and magnetic dipoles generated in the caps by the external AC electric and static magnetic fields, respectively, as well as the polarization of the polystyrene particle. Reversibility of the assembly behaviour correlates strongly with the fact that the electric dipoles disappear immediately after the AC electric field is turned off, whereas the magnetic dipoles remain permanently in the Fe3O4 caps even after the static magnetic field is removed. As a result, the Fe3O4 Janus particle assembly behaviour is responsive to both the electric and the magnetic fields and their behaviour can be manipulated by the sequence and relative orientation of the external fields.
Comments on “quantum theory does not require action at a distance”

Kraus claims that the argument for action at a distance depends upon the classical prejudice that a measurement always measures something that already exists. It is shown that in the example considered by Kraus no assumption about pre-existing results is needed. A criterion proposed by Kraus for a theory to be compatible with locality is shown to be untenable.
Reduction in medium chain acids and monoenoic acids in livers and plasma of rats fed eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraynoic acid

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 8 weeks a corn oil (CO) diet or a hydrogenated coconut oil (HCNO) diet. These diets were fed in the absence or presence of eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraynoic acid (TYA). The inclusion of TYA in the HCNO diet reduced the levels of 12∶0 and 14∶0 in the total fatty acids of livers and plasma. With either diet, the presence of TYA caused an alteration in the fatty acid composition of these tissues so as to reduce the values of the ratios: 16∶1/16∶0, 18∶1/18∶0, and 20∶4/18∶2. These results suggest that dietary TYA can influence the hepatic metabolism of medium chain fatty acids and that it may inhibit the desaturase enzyme involved in the synthesis of not only 20∶4 but also of monoenoic fatty acids.
Preconditioning by incomplete block elimination

The recursive construction of Schur-complements is used to construct a multi-level preconditioner for an iterative linear solver. For each level, the removed unknowns are selected in such a way that the eliminated matrix block is strictly diagonally dominant. A Newton-type iteration scheme is used to construct a sparse approximate inverse of this sub-matrix. The threshold for the diagonal dominance controls the computational effort to achieve a certain accuracy in the Newton iteration. We present a modification of the greedy algorithm in order to identify a suitable sub-matrix that is diagonally dominant and ensures a stable forward and backward substitution. Some examples are presented.
Space, energy and anisotropy effects on 238U effective capture cross sections in the resonance region

Agreement between calculations and measurements within prescribed limits of error is always the test of engineering design analysis. Large and puzzling discrepancies do exist between several measured and calculated important integral reactor parameters. A thorough and exhaustive investigation of the methods used in reactor analysis revealed that in the generation of effective resonance cross sections no anisotropy effects are considered in the resonances. This is true in the integral transport and fundamental-mode codes. The neglect of anisotropy introduces errors at two levels: (1) the effective group cross sections such as σc, σf and σs; and (2) the diffusion coefficients and P1 and higher components of the scattering cross sections. The study showed that the inclusion of linear scattering anisotropy increases, in general, the cell effective capture cross section of 238U in both ZPR-6/5 and TRX-3 reactors. The increase was up to 2% in TRX-3 and 0.5% in ZPR-6/5. The effect on the multiplication factor was −0.003% Δkk for ZPR-6/5 and −0.05% Δkk for TRX-3.
The differentiation of embryonic stem cells seeded on electrospun nanofibers into neural lineages

Due to advances in stem cell biology, embryonic stem (ES) cells can be induced to differentiate into a particular mature cell lineage when cultured as embryoid bodies. Although transplantation of ES cells-derived neural progenitor cells has been demonstrated with some success for either spinal cord injury repair in small animal model, control of ES cell differentiation into complex, viable, higher ordered tissues is still challenging. Mouse ES cells have been induced to become neural progenitors by adding retinoic acid to embryoid body cultures for 4 days. In this study, we examine the use of electrospun biodegradable polymers as scaffolds not only for enhancing the differentiation of mouse ES cells into neural lineages but also for promoting and guiding the neurite outgrowth. A combination of electrospun fiber scaffolds and ES cells-derived neural progenitor cells could lead to the development of a better strategy for nerve injury repair.
Preventing Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Virus Infections among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are 2 common sexually transmitted diseases that are preventable by vaccination. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus through sexual exposure. Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that MSM receive immunizations against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Many health care providers and most MSM are unaware of the risks and the potentially dangerous consequences posed by hepatitis A and B virus infection, and the MSM thus remain unvaccinated and unprotected from exposure to these viruses. It is important for health care providers to educate and vaccinate their at-risk male patients against hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infections.
Carcinogenicity of General-Purpose Phthalates: Structure-Activity Relationships

There does not appear to be any evidence that other GP phthalates pose higher-level risk than DEHP. There is evidence that a very significant fraction of GP phthalate production capacity is devoted to turning out products which may have about the same carcinogenic potency as DEHP, and that another significant fraction of that capacity is devoted to turning out products with less potency. Public and private risk control choice takers considering this family of products need to be aware of this evidence, its limitations, and the means for upgrading certainty.
A Theoretical Framework of Flood Induced Changes in Urban Land Values

: By integrating literature from flood hazard research and urban economics a theoretical structure is developed to explain changes in residential land values following flood events. The negative aspects of the flood hazard are shown to be capitalized in the value of the property. It is further suggested that land values (i.e., capitalization) will vary both spatially across the floodplain and temporally depending on the frequency, severity and spatial characteristics of the flood event. Previous work in this area has not addressed the capitalization process explicitly and has not specifically examined the ability of the land market to recover. This may account for the contradictory findings in the published literature.
Vaccination with a non-human random sequence amyloid oligomer mimic results in improved cognitive function and reduced plaque deposition and micro hemorrhage in Tg2576 mice

It is well established that vaccination of humans and transgenic animals against fibrillar Aβ prevents amyloid accumulation in plaques and preserves cognitive function in transgenic mouse models. However, autoimmune side effects have halted the development of vaccines based on full length human Aβ. Further development of an effective vaccine depends on overcoming these side effects while maintaining an effective immune response. We have previously reported that the immune response to amyloid oligomers is largely directed against generic epitopes that are common to amyloid oligomers of many different proteins and independent of a specific amino acid sequence. Here we have examined whether we can exploit this generic immune response to develop a vaccine that targets amyloid oligomers using a non-human random sequence amyloid oligomer. In order to study the effect of vaccination against generic oligomer epitopes, a random sequence oligomer (3A) was selected as it forms oligomers that react with the oligomer specific A11 antibody. Oligomer mimics from 3A peptide, Aβ, islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), and Aβ fibrils were used to vaccinate Tg2576 mice, which develop a progressive accumulation of plaques and cognitive impairment. Vaccination with the 3A random sequence antigen was just as effective as vaccination with the other antigens in improving cognitive function and reducing total plaque load (Aβ burden) in the Tg2576 mouse brains, but was associated with a much lower incidence of micro hemorrhage than Aβ antigens. These results shows that the amyloid Aβ sequence is not necessary to produce a protective immune response that specifically targets generic amyloid oligomers. Using a non-human, random sequence antigen may facilitate the development of a vaccine that avoids autoimmune side effects.
Limited Good or Limited Goods? Response to Economic Opportunity in a Tarascan Pueblo

This article describes the differential response to new economic opportunities in Cuanajo, a Tarascan Indian community in Michoacan, Mexico. It is argued here that blocks to development are primarily economic in nature, not cultural or cognitive (e.g., “limited good”) as has been asserted by others working in the area. When real opportunities became available, some individuals responded to them. Such positive forces lead us to reevaluate some basic premises concerning development which have been suggested in the areal literature.
Cultural Crossroads of Community Participation in Development: A Case from Nepal

The approach of "community participation" now stands as an established development strategy to promote a more equitable meeting of the basic needs of poor persons in developing countries. While the moral merits of this approach cannot be discounted, questions remain about the cross-cultural viability of the concept of participatory development. This paper suggests that the concept as promoted by international donor agencies is based on Western notions of self-reliance, equality, and individualism. Development planners cannot assume that these value orientations are shared by rural persons of developing countries, or that these values can readily find expression within local social organization or social ideology in developing areas. Based on a study undertaken for a watershed development project in Nepal, the paper points out how villagers of the project area hold ideas very different from those of expatriate project staff concerning both the concepts of "development" and "participation." These ideas must...
Nitrogen cycling within suboxic and anoxic sediments from the continental margin of Western North America

Abstract Here we report rates of benthic nitrogen (N) cycling and assess controls on biological NO 3 − sequestration and transport in sediments underlying oxygen deficient regions of the ocean ranging from anoxic/suboxic ([O 2 ] of 0–2 μM) to more oxic (57 μM [O 2 ]) conditions. N mass balances were constructed based on benthic fluxes (N 2 , NH 4 + and NO 3 − ) and pore water profiles (N 2 , NO 3 − , NO 2 , N 2 O, Fe and HS − ) at sites in the Southern California Borderland and the Mexican Margin. Fluxes across the sediment-water interface for N 2 , NO 3 − and NH 4 + were determined directly by whole core incubations, and fluxes of N 2 were also determined by modeling mm-scale pore water profiles. Estimates of the N 2 flux by these two methods agree to ± 50%, thereby establishing a range of net N 2 production in these settings. The average N 2 efflux was four times larger at a site with high pore water H 2 S concentrations (Soledad Basin 3.14 ± 1.10 mmol N m − 2 day − 1 ) compared to an iron-rich site (Santa Monica Basin 0.74 ± 0.21 mmol N m − 2 day − 1 ) despite both sites having comparable NO 3 − uptake fluxes (− 0.93 ± 0.14 vs. − 0.82 ± 0.08 mmol N m − 2 day − 1 respectively). Pore water profiles from both sulfidic and iron-rich sites reveal subsurface maxima in NO 3 − , NO 2 − , and N 2 O that are likely caused by the presence of NO 3 − sequestered by infaunal microbiota. In Soledad Basin, the sequestered pool of microbial NO 3 − contributes to NH 4 + production via DNRA resulting in an NH 4 + efflux (2.66 ± 0.52 mmol N m − 2 day − 1 ) to the overlying water. This flux exceeds the rate of NH 4 + production by C org degradation by 10 times. At the suboxic sites, a total N balance can only be achieved if the flux of NO 3 − into sediments is composed of two components: diffusive and biologically mediated transport. The more oxic site shows no evidence of a sequestered microbial NO 3 − pool and diffusive fluxes can account for all N transformations. Core incubations do not capture the total amount of NO 3 − uptake where biological transport is important as they do not account for NO 3 − sequestered prior to the start of the incubation. Pore water N 2 O concentrations of up to 500 nM in sub-surface sediments greatly exceed the background concentration (7 nM) and are likely generated by the metabolic reduction of the intracellular nitrate pool, however, there was no measurable efflux of N 2 O from sediments to the overlying water. Biological NO 3 − transport is a ubiquitous process in suboxic and anoxic sediments, however the magnitude of its importance appears to be linked to the presence of dissolved iron or sulfide in the pore waters.
The Generalization of Perceptual-Motor Intra-Individual Variability in Young and Old Adults

We examined the generalizability of intra-individual perceptual-motor variability in young and old adults. Participants completed four motor tasks that all required the maintenance of a steady state: finger tremor, and single-digit, two-digit, and three-digit isometric force production. Older adults had a greater amount of variability and an increased time and frequency structure of variability, except in the tremor task. There was a moderate association between the magnitudes of variability across tasks in the oldest age group, but the structural measures of variability were more highly related across tasks and the strength of this relationship increased with age. These findings support the hypothesis that older adults are less able than younger adults to adapt the structure of their perceptual-motor variability to task demands.
Infection of the heart by the human immunodeficiency virus

Heart muscle disease in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), characterized by electrocardiographic changes or congestive cardiomyopathy, is a documented clinical problem, but its pathogenesis is obscure. In AIDS the heart is known to be involved by a variety of opportunistic infections as well as Kaposi's sarcoma, but no causative relation with the development of cardiomyopathy has been established. This study reports evidence for direct infection of the heart in AIDS, not by an opportunistic pathogen but by the AIDS virus itself, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). For this study the technique of in situ deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization was applied to cardiac tissues obtained at autopsy from AIDS patients. Using sutfur-35-labeled ribonucleic acid probes encompassing the entire HIV genome, HIV nucleic acid sequences were detected in cardiac tissue sections from 6 of 22 patients examined who died of AIDS. The hybridization targets appeared to be cardiac myocytes, although their precise morphology was often obscured by the intensity of the signal. The myocardial cells showing a positive hybridization signal were sparse, often comprising only 1 or a few cells per section, and their number and location did not correlate obviously with any histopathologic or clinical evidence of heart muscle disease in these patients. It is conceivable that the presence of HIV nucleic acid sequences may represent a preclinical marker of impending AIDS-associated heart muscle disease. This sequela would not be recognized in many patients, including those in this series, who died rapidly of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, Kaposi's sarcoma and other well-documented manifestations of AIDS. As patients' lives are prolonged by antiretroviral drugs and other therapies, it may become more apparent. These results implicate the cardiac myocyte as a new target cell for the AIDS virus and extend others' observations of HIV in cardiac tissue by culture or Southern blot but without localization to a particular cell type. Further study is required to determine the pathogenetic relation, if any, between the HIV-infected heart and AIDS-associated cardiomyopathy.
Fine-structure deletion analysis of the transcriptional silencer of the proU operon of Salmonella typhimurium.

Transcriptional control of the osmotically regulated proU operon of Salmonella typhimurium is mediated in part by a transcriptional silencer downstream from the promoter (D.G. Overdier and L.N. Csonka, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:3140-3144, 1992). We carried out a fine-structure deletion analysis to determine the structure and the position of the silencer, which demonstrated that this regulatory element is located between nucleotide positions +73 to +274 downstream from the transcription start site. The silencer appears to be made up of a number of components which have cumulative negative regulatory effects. Deletions or insertions of short nucleotide sequences ( or = 0.8 kbp) result in a high level of expression from the proU promoter, similar to that imparted by deletion of the entire silencer. The general DNA-binding protein H-NS is required for the full range of repression of the proU operon in media of low osmolality. Although in the presence of the silencer hns mutations increased basal expression from the proU promoter three- to sixfold, in the absence of the silencer they did not result in a substantial increase in basal expression from the proU promoter. Furthermore, deletion of the silencer in hns+ background was up to 10-fold more effective in increasing basal expression from the proU promoter than the hns mutations. These results indicate that osmotic control of the proU operon is dependent of some factor besides H-NS. We propose that the transcriptional regulation of this operon is effected in media of low osmolality by a protein which makes the promoter inaccessible to RNA polymerase by forming a complex containing the proU promoter and silencer.
A Fabrication Process for Microstructured Optical Fibers

In this paper, a fabrication process is introduced and demonstrated for a square microstructured optical fiber lattice. An existing mathematical model of the manufacturing process of a single-hole capillary tube was modified to identify parameters for the microstructured fiber case. Commercial interests in silica microstructured optical fiber have resulted in the limited documentation of the fabrication process. This work may provide a straightforward technique to produce high-quality novel silica microstructured optical fibers with the potential to serve as a "road map" to future research in the area of micro- and nanostructured fiber development
Epidemiology and Genotypic Characteristics of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains of Porcine Origin

The main goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), particularly livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) in pigs and pork. The genotypic relatedness of isolates on the farm, at slaughter, and at the retail level was assessed. Paired nasal and perianal swab samples were collected from 10 cohorts of market-age pigs (24 pigs per cohort) and carcasses at slaughterhouse, and pork samples were collected at retail. Staphylococci were isolated using selective enrichment method. Isolates were tested for antimicrobial resistance by broth microdilution. Duplex PCR was used to confirm MRSA using species-specific (nuc) and methicillin resistance (mecA) genes. The clonal relatedness of isolates was determined using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), Staphylococcus protein A (spa) typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element (SCCmec) typing. MRSA was detected in 5 of the 10 cohorts (50%), with the prevalence ranging from 0% to 12.5% per cohort. Of all the pigs sampled on the farm before they went to market, 3% (7/240) were MRSA positive. A higher prevalence of MRSA was detected at holding pens at the slaughterhouse (11% [27/240]). MRSA was also detected in 2% (4/235) of the carcasses and 4% (5/135) of the retail pork. While the isolates appear predominantly to be highly clonal, PFGE had a relatively higher discriminatory power (discriminatory index [DI] = 0.624). Four genotypic clusters were identified by PFGE; of the four clusters, clonal type B was predominant across the farm-to-retail continuum. MLST findings revealed that sequence type 5 (ST5) was the most predominant subtype (32/50). The livestock-associated MRSA (clonal complex 398 [CC398] or sequence type 398 [ST398]) was the second common type (12/50) and was detected at all stages from farm to retail. Nine of the 50 (18%) MRSA isolates belonged to spa type 539/t034 that were of ST398 based on MLST. The results of this study confirm that MRSA, including LA-MRSA, is common in herds of swine in Ohio and hereby shown to persist in the farm to processing and retail continuum.