cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reconceptualising risk–benefit analyses: the case of HIV cure research

Modern antiretroviral therapies (ART) are capable of suppressing HIV in the bloodstream to undetectable levels. Nonetheless, people living with HIV must maintain lifelong adherence to ART to avoid the re-emergence of the infection. So despite the existence and efficacy of ART, there is still substantial interest in development of a cure. But HIV cure trials can be risky, their success is as of yet unlikely, and the medical gain of being cured is limited against a baseline of ART access. The medical prospect associated with participation in cure research thus look poor. Are the risks and burdens that HIV cure research places on participants so high that it is unethical, at present, to conduct it? In this paper, I answer ‘no’. I start my argument by describing a foundational way of thinking about the ethical justification for regulatory limits on research risk; I then apply this way of thinking to HIV cure trials. In offering this analysis, I confine my attention to studies enrolling competent adults and I also do not consider risks research may pose to third parties or society. Rather, my concern is to engage with the thought that some trials are so risky that performing them is an ethically unacceptable way to treat the participants themselves. I reject this thought and instead argue that there is no level of risk, no matter how high, that inherently mistreats a participant.
Who Becomes a Business Owner in High-inequality Regimes? The Conditioning Effect of Economic Inequality on the Impact of Individual Educational and Financial Endowment on Entrepreneurship:

Research has shown that individual educational and financial endowments are key indicators of their potential for entrepreneurial entry and success. At the same time, scholars have shown that econo...
P433 Low HIV incidence among women diagnosed with syphilis or gonorrhea does not support PrEP recommendations, king county, WA

Background The November 2018 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force draft statement recommended clinicians offer HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to women with recent syphilis (all stages) or gonorrhea diagnosis. We estimated HIV incidence among women in King County, WA following syphilis or gonorrhea diagnosis, and attempted to identify risk factors for HIV acquisition that might prompt clinicians to offer PrEP. Methods We matched public health HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance data for 2008–2018. Incidence rate was calculated using person-years (py) of follow-up, defined as time from initial STI diagnosis date to either HIV diagnosis date or end of study period. Women with prior or concurrent (within seven days of STI diagnosis) HIV diagnosis were excluded. Risk factors were identified from disease intervention specialists (DIS) interviews. Results Between 2008–2018, 5,524 and 397 King County women were diagnosed with gonorrhea and syphilis, respectively. Over 1,705 py (median: 3.8) of follow-up, no incident HIV diagnoses occurred among women diagnosed with syphilis. Among women diagnosed with gonorrhea, 16 incident HIV diagnoses (incidence 0.06/100 py) occurred over 24,758 py (median: 3.7). Median time from gonorrhea to HIV diagnosis was 1.7 years (IQR: 0.5–3.0). DIS interviewed four (25%) of the incident diagnoses following gonorrhea diagnosis; two (50%) had risks identified: both reported injection drug use (IDU), sex with a person who injected drugs (PWID), and methamphetamine use. DIS interviewed eleven (69%) of the women following HIV diagnosis; nine (82%) reported at least one of following: IDU, methamphetamine use, exchange sex, or serodiscordant, bisexual, or PWID sex partners. Conclusion HIV incidence among King County women with gonorrhea and syphilis appears to be low. Although these diagnoses do not clearly identify a population that would benefit from the draft PrEP recommendations, the generalizability of these findings is uncertain and additional data on HIV incidence among women following bacterial STIs are needed. Disclosure No significant relationships.
Partnerships From the Pews: Promoting Interagency Collaboration With Religious Organizations:

Religious organizations often serve as mainstays of communities, especially rural communities with otherwise limited support to promote improved transition outcomes. Yet, religious organizations ap...
Infected Recurrent Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: A Case Report.

Author(s): Foti, Jennifer; Grimaldo, Felipe | Abstract: Introduction: A thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is a congenital malformation in the neck. Surgical management is often recommended due to risk of recurrent infections and rare possibility of malignancy.Case Report: Herein, we describe the case of an adult presenting with tender neck mass and fever. She had a history of previous surgical excision of her TGDC as a child. On evaluation she was found to have a recurrent TGDC complicated by acute infection via computed tomography imaging.Conclusion: In patients who have had previous surgical intervention to remove a TGDC, recurrence with infection should remain a diagnostic consideration.
DEMOCRACIA EM AÇÃO: indo além das eleições para melhorar o bem-estar

Como a democracia contribui para melhorar o bem-estar? Neste artigo, separamos os componentes da pratica democratica – eleicoes, participacao social, expansao dos programas sociais, capacidade administrativa municipal – para identificar sua relacao com o bem-estar. Nossa analise de um conjunto de dados original abrangendo mais de 5.550 municipios brasileiros demonstra que eleicoes competitivas sozinhas nao explicam variacao nas taxas de mortalidade infantil, um resultado associado ao bem-estar. Vamos alem das eleicoes para mostrar como instituicoes participativas, programas sociais e capacidade administrativa municipal podem interagir para se apoiar e reduzir as taxas de mortalidade infantil. O resultado e uma nova compreensao de como os diferentes aspectos da democracia trabalham juntos para melhorar uma caracteristica essencial do desenvolvimento humano. DEMOCRACY AR WORK: moving beyond elections to improve well-being How does democracy work to improve well-being? In this paper, we disentangle the component parts of democratic practice—elections, civic participation, expansion of social provisioning, local administrative capacity—to identify their relationship with well-being. Our analysis of an original dataset covering over 5,550 Brazilian municipalities demonstrates that competitive elections alone do not explain variation in infant mortality rates, one outcome associated with wellbeing. We move beyond elections to show how participatory institutions, social programs, and local state capacity can interact to buttress one another and reduce infant mortality rates. The result is a new understanding of how different aspects of democracy work together to improve a key feature of human development. Keywords: Democracy, Well-being, Participation, Social programs, Brazil. DEMOCRATIE EN ACTION: aller au-dela des elections pour ameliorer le bien-etre Comment la democratie contribue-t-elle a ameliorer le bien-etre? Dans cet article, nous separons les elements constitutifs de la pratique democratique - elections, participation sociale, expansion des programmes sociaux, capacite administrative municipale - pour identifier sa relation avec le bien-etre. Notre analyse d’un ensemble de donnees original couvrant plus de 5 550 municipalites bresiliennes montre que les elections competitives n’expliquent pas a elles seules la variation des taux de mortalite infantile, resultat lie au bien-etre. Nous allons au-dela des elections pour montrer comment les institutions participatives, les programmes sociaux et la capacite administrative municipale peuvent interagir pour se soutenir mutuellement et reduire les taux de mortalite infantile. Le resultat est une nouvelle comprehension de la facon dont differents aspects de la democratie travaillent ensemble pour ameliorer une caracteristique essentielle du developpement humain. Mots cles: Democratie, Bien-etre, Participation, Programmes sociaux, Bresil.
Abstract B21: Childhood Cancer Molecular Map (C2M2) to define medulloblastoma heterogeneity and predict treatment response

Background: Medulloblastoma is a heterogenous group of tumors that collectively are the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. Advances in treatment are required as one third of patients die from the disease, and those who survive suffer severe long-term side effects from therapy. The ability to sequence entire genome, methylome, and transcriptome of tumors provides the opportunity to identify underlying drivers of malignancy, predict treatment response, and develop novel therapies. A lack of reproducibility when comparing identified genetic mutations with treatment response is challenging because a single genetic change does not reflect the cellular state of a cancer cell in its entirety, which is expressing a multitude of genes. Computational methods allow for the creation of mapping systems that may more accurately describe the cellular state and thereby predict treatment response. Objective: We used Childhood Cancer Molecular Map (C2M2) to define medulloblastoma heterogeneity and predict treatment response using patient-derived xenografts (PDX). Methods: RNA transcription abundance from medulloblastoma samples published by Cho et al. were used to create C2M2. This was accomplished by analyzing the distribution of transcriptional abundance for each gene across all samples in order to select the genes that display the most asymmetric and non-Gaussian behavior. This delineated a “context score” for each gene, emphasizing those over- and underexpressed, allowing for the creation of a unique signature to model cellular states. The medulloblastoma samples from Cho et al. were then plotted onto the map based upon their RNA transcriptional abundance signatures, creating clusters of similar cellular states. Likewise, RNA transcription abundance from 20 PDX samples, for which drug response was known, was then mapped. Results: C2M2 identified ten cellular states for medulloblastoma by which to define patient samples: SHH DNA repair, SHH glutamate signaling, SHH RNA repair, WNT, Photoreceptor and MYC (in which Group 3 medulloblastoma falls), Neuronal migration, Neuronal MAPK activation and Axonal (in which Group 4 medulloblastoma falls), and Homeobox activation. PDX samples for which drug response was known clustered similarly onto the map. Conclusion: C2M2 using RNA transcriptional abundance from medulloblastoma samples could be used to predict drug response. Citation Format: Huwate Yeerna, Benjamin Briggs, Jessica Rusert, Lukas Chavez, Jill Mesirov, Robert Wechsler-Reya, Pablo Tamayo. Childhood Cancer Molecular Map (C2M2) to define medulloblastoma heterogeneity and predict treatment response [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research; 2019 Sep 17-20; Montreal, QC, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(14 Suppl):Abstract nr B21.
Survey of Barbell Trajectory and Kinematics of the Snatch Lift from the 2015 World and 2017 Pan-American Weightlifting Championships

Analysis of elite performances is important to elucidate the characteristics of effective weightlifting technique contributing to the highest level of achievement. The general technique of the weightlifting movements is well established. However, it is also apparent that weightlifting technique can differ based on athlete characteristics. Thus, existing technical models may not accurately reflect current technique of top performers or be applied generically to athletes of different skill, size, sex, or ability. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive study was to update the scientific knowledge of snatch technique of top international weightlifters. This study used video analysis to determine barbell trajectory and kinematics of 319 successful snatch attempts from two major international competitions. Relative frequencies of barbell trajectory types differed based on competition, sex, category, and ranking. No statistical differences were observed among the top-three performers for either sex for most kinematic variables, and there were no overall discernible patterns of effect size differences for individual or clusters of kinematic variables. The results of this study indicate that weightlifting success can be achieved with a variety of technique profiles.
Using acceptance and commitment therapy techniques to enhance treatment engagement in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder

Evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are available for veterans, but many do not benefit due to low treatment engagement. This may be partially due to avoidance behaviors characteristic of individuals with PTSD. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a transdiagnostic treatment approach that aims to reduce avoidance. The authors propose the use of adjunctive ACT techniques to enhance engagement with treatment for PTSD. ACT techniques such as cognitive defusion and values clarification have been shown to promote engagement with other cognitive-behavioral treatments, but no studies to date have examined these techniques as adjuncts to treatment for PTSD. Because of its focus on reducing avoidance, ACT is uniquely suited for promoting treatment engagement with the "gold standard" treatments for PTSD. The authors review the existing research on ACT as an adjunctive intervention, discuss specific concepts and techniques from ACT that are relevant to PTSD, and provide recommendations for future research.
Early-type Stars: Most Favorable Targets for Astrometrically Detectable Planets in the Habitable Zone

Early-type stars appear to be a difficult place to look for planets astrometrically. First, they are relatively heavy, and for fixed planetary mass the astrometric signal falls inversely as the stellar mass. Second, they are relatively rare (and so tend to be more distant), and for fixed orbital separation the astrometric signal falls inversely as the distance. Nevertheless, because early-type stars are relatively more luminous, their habitable zones are at larger semi-major axis. Since astrometric signal scales directly as orbital size, this gives early-type stars a strong advantage, which more than compensates for the other two factors. Using the Hipparcos catalog, we show that early-type stars constitute the majority of viable targets for astrometric searches for planets in the habitable zone. We contrast this characteristic to transit searches, which are primarily sensitive to habitable planets around late-type stars.
Determining Bacterial Load and Water Quality Parameters of Chlorinated Tomato Flume Tanks in Florida Packinghouses

ABSTRACT Monitoring and maintenance of water quality in dump tanks or flume systems is crucial to maintaining proper sanitizer levels to prevent pathogen cross-contamination during postharvest washing of tomatoes, but there is limited information on how organic matter influences sanitizer efficacy in the water. The main objective of this study was to monitor water quality in flume tanks and evaluate the efficacy of postharvest washing of tomatoes in commercial packinghouses. Flume tank water samples (n = 3) were collected on an hourly basis from three packinghouses in Florida and analyzed for pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), free chlorine, chemical oxygen demand (COD), oxidation-reduction potential, and turbidity. Additionally, three flume-water samples were collected and tested for total aerobic plate count (APC), total coliforms (TC), and Escherichia coli. Fresh tomatoes (n = 3), both before and after washing, were collected and analyzed for the same bacterial counts. Turbidity, COD, and TDS levels in flume water increased over time in all packinghouses. Correlations observed include COD and turbidity (r = 0.631), turbidity and TDS (r = 0.810), and oxidation-reduction potential and chlorine (r = 0.660). APC for water samples had an average range of 0.0 to 4.7 log CFU/mL and TC average range of 0.0 to 4.7 log CFU/mL. All water samples were negative for E. coli. The average APC for pre- and postflume tomatoes from the three packinghouses was 6.0 log CFU per tomato and ranged from 2.2 to 7.4 log CFU per tomato. The average TC count was 0.05) of postharvest washing on the microbiological qualities of tomatoes. Water quality in flume tanks deteriorated over time in all packinghouses during a typical operational day of 4 to 8 h. HIGHLIGHTS
Vox2Surf: Implicit Surface Reconstruction from Volumetric Data

Surface reconstruction from volumetric T1-weighted and T2-weighted images is a time-consuming multi-step process that often involves careful parameter fine-tuning, hindering a more wide-spread utilization of surface-based analysis particularly in large-scale studies. In this work, we propose a fast surface reconstruction method that is based on directly learning a continuous-valued signed distance function (SDF) as implicit surface representation. This continuous representation implicitly encodes the boundary of the surface as the zero isosurface. Given the predicted SDF, the target 3D surface is reconstructed by applying the marching cubes algorithm. Our implicit reconstruction method concurrently predicts the surfaces of the brain parenchyma, the white matter and pial surfaces, the subcortical structures, and the ventricles. Evaluation based on data from the Human Connectome Project indicates that surface reconstruction of a total of 22 cortical and subcortical structures can be completed in less than 20 min.
Undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry majors' perceptions of careers in chemistry

In recent years there has been an increased emphasis on recruiting and retaining STEM students in order for the United States to retain its position as a leader in STEM fields (President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, (2012), Report to the president, engage to excel: Producing one million additional college graduates with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; Chen, X. (2013), STEM attrition: College students’ paths into and out of STEM fields). Knowing that choice of major and choice of career are closely related (Negru-Subtirica O. and Pop E. I., (2018), Reciprocal associations between educational identity and vocational identity in adolescence: a three-wave longitudinal investigation, J. Youth Adolesc., 47, 703–716; Negru-Subtirica et al. (2018), Good omens? The intricate relations between educational and vocational identity in adolescence, Eur. J. Dev. Psychol., 15(1), 83–98), it is important that we understand what students know about careers available in the field of chemistry as well as what they know about what those careers are like. In this study, qualitative methodology was utilized using narrative inquiry and case study analysis methods in order to capture the lived experiences of six senior-status chemistry and biochemistry majors at a mid-sized, Midwestern university. Participants were interviewed, narratives were constructed from their interview transcripts, and the narratives were used as case studies that were compared to one another. It was found that students are not fully aware of the careers available to them with a degree in chemistry or biochemistry or what the career options they did identify were like on a day-to-day basis. It was also noted that resources are not distributed evenly to all students and that there were resources that were missing that students would have liked to have access to. Suggestions for improvement in chemistry career education are discussed along with limitations of the study and ideas for future work.
Welfare and Capitalism in Postwar Japan: Introduction: The Puzzle of Japan's Welfare Capitalism

THE REAL VARIETIES OF WELFARE CAPITALISM Japan's welfare state is puzzling. On most measures, Japan's welfare state is small. Its social spending levels are low; its tax revenue is small; and its benefit levels are meager (Figure 0.1). Japan's social spending programs are among the least redistributive in the advanced industrial world (Table 0.1). At first glance, Japan's small welfare spending appears to confirm the conventional scholarly wisdom that attributes the development of a generous and redistributive welfare state to a strong social democratic party – supported by well-organized and centralized labor unions. Yet despite its meager social spending, Japan has nonetheless managed to achieve a fairly egalitarian income distribution. This situation stands in marked contrast to other countries with similarly small welfare states, including the United Kingdom and the United States, which remain the least egalitarian of the advanced industrial democracies. Japan's “small” welfare state does not, in short, mean that Japan possesses a laissez-faire form of capitalism. On the contrary, the Japanese state interferes frequently and extensively with the market. Just as Sweden uses social policy as a form of industrial policy, Japan uses industrial policy as a form of social policy. This book offers a new way of thinking about welfare states and the politics that produces and sustains such states. Most studies of welfare states focus exclusively on a narrow range of social spending programs and rarely ask how different countries draw upon a combination of nonwelfare policies to protect their citizens' well-being.
Thyroid Hormone Induces Cerebellar Purkinje Cell Dendritic Development via the Thyroid Hormone Receptor α1

The thyroid hormone l-3,3′,5-triiodothyronine (T3) plays an important role during cerebellar development. Perinatal T3 deficiency leads to severe cellular perturbations, among them a striking reduction in the growth and branching of Purkinje cell dendritic arborization. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. Despite the well documented broad expression of thyroid hormone receptors (TRs), analysis of different TR-deficient mice has failed to provide detailed information about the function of distinct TRs during neuronal development. The cerebellar cell culture systems offer an excellent model by which to study the effects of T3, because differentiation of cerebellar neurons in mixed and purified cultures proceeds in the absence of serum that contains T3. Addition of T3 to cerebellar cultures causes a dramatic increase in Purkinje cell dendrite branching and caliber in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time that T3 acts on Purkinje cells directly through TRα1 expressed on the Purkinje cell and not on the granule cell, the presynaptic partner of Purkinje cells. In contrast, TRβ isoforms are not involved, because Purkinje cells derived from TRβ-/- mice show the same T3 responsiveness as wild-type cells. T3-promoted Purkinje cell differentiation was not mediated via neurotrophins, as suggested previously, because dendritogenesis of Purkinje cells from BDNF-/- mice could be effectively stimulated in vitro by T3 treatment. Furthermore, the effects of T3 observed were not abolished by tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB)-IgG, TrkC-IgG, or K252a, agents known to block the actions of neurotrophin. These results indicate that T3 directly affects Purkinje cell differentiation through activation of the TRα1.
Antigenic stimulation of lymphocytes: II. Immunogenicity of dinitrophenyl-polyethylene oxide antigens

Abstract Synthetic antigens consisting of dinitrophenyl groups attached to linear or branched-chain polyethylene oxide stimulate anti-DNP antibody production in rabbits and a proliferative response in vitro in immune rabbit lymphocytes. A requirement for immunogenicity is divalence. Linear DNP2PEO is most effective at a molecular weight of 104, but a clear response is obtained even at 103. The optimal valence of DNPnPEO (n = 4–80, MW, 4 × 105) is 20. Destruction of T cells with antithymocyte serum does not impair the in vitro response of the remaining B lymphocytes to DNP2PEO, indicating that these antigens are T independent.
Conformational and geometrical properties of β-sheets in proteins: III. Isotropically stressed configurations

Abstract This paper summarizes and contrasts the geometrical and conformational properties of parallel and antiparallel β-sheets. In either case, it is demonstrated that the geometrical surfaces formed by these structures correspond to isotropically stressed configurations. The attainment of such surfaces in protein β-sheets reflects the interaction of the local conformational forces, which induce the individual chains to twist, and the geometrical requirements for interchain hydrogen bonding, which generally tend to resist the introduction of twist into the sheets. Nevertheless, the conformational behavior associated with optimal, interchain hydrogen bond preservation differs for parallel and antiparallel sheet arrangements. It is shown here how these differences, in concert with the forces that introduce stress into the sheet, reflect themselves in the attainment of different isotropically stressed surface configurations in these structures.
Role of Chemical and Structural Stabilities on the Electrochemical Properties of Layered LiNi1 ∕ 3Mn1 ∕ 3Co1 ∕ 3O2 Cathodes

With an aim to develop an understanding of the higher reversible capacities exhibited by the layered LiNi 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 O 2 cathode compared to that of LiCoO 2 , its chemical and structural stabilities are investigated by characterizing the samples obtained by chemical lithium extraction. The LiNi 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 O 2 cathode prepared by firing the coprecipitated hydroxides of the transition metal ions with 7 atom % excess lithium hydroxide exhibits a discharge capacity of 180 mAh/g (at 4.6-3.0 V and C/5 rate) with 90% capacity retention in 50 cycles. The higher reversible capacity of LiNi 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 O 2 is attributed to its better chemical and structural stability down to a lower lithium content of (1 - x) 0.35 compared to (1 - x) as 0.5 with the analogous Li 1 - x CoO 2 cathode. The Li 1 - x Ni 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 O 2 system is found to be chemically stable for (1 - x) > 0.35 without tending to lose any oxygen from the lattice and structurally stable for at least (1 - x) > 0.23 by maintaining the initial 03 structure.
Photoemission Studies of High Temperature Superconductors

Since the discovery of high temperature superconductivity in doped La 2 CuO 4 [1] and in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 [2], a large amount of work has been carried out in order to determine the essential properties of these compounds. See, for example, a recently published volume, which summarizes the physical properties of the high temperature superconductors [3]. From the beginning, the powerful experimental technique of photoemission spectroscopy has been utilized to probe the electronic structure of these materials.
Creating a positive prior learning assessment (PLA) experience: A step-by-step look at university PLA

A prior learning assessment (PLA) can be an intimidating process for adult learners. Capella University’s PLA team has developed best practices, resources, and tools to foster a positive experience and to remove barriers in PLA and uses three criteria to determine how to best administer the assessment. First, a PLA must be motivating, as described by the ARCS model. Second, it must enable success. Finally, it must use available resources efficiently. The tools and resources developed according to these criteria fall into two categories: staff and online resources. PLA programs can use both to ensure that all departments provide consistent communication to learners about the PLA process, which will foster a positive experience. The PLA online lab houses centralized resources and offers one-on-one interaction with a facilitator to assist learners step-by-step in the development of their petitions. Each unit contains resources, examples, and optional assignments that help learners to develop specific aspects of the petition. By following the examples and recommendations, learners are able to submit polished petitions after they complete the units. The lab facilitator supports learners throughout the units by answering questions and providing recommendations. When learners submit their petitions, the facilitator reviews it entirely and provides feedback to strengthen the final submission that goes to a faculty reviewer. All of these individuals and tools work together to help create a positive experience for learners who submit a PLA petition. This article shares these resources with the goal of strengthening PLA as a field.
Inactivation of the Escherichia coli priA DNA replication protein induces the SOS response.

Many of the proteins that operate at the replication fork in Escherichia coli have been defined genetically. These include some of the subunits of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme, the DnaB replication fork helicase, and the DnaG primase. The multiprotein primosome (which includes the DnaB and DnaG proteins), defined biochemically on the basis of its requirement during bacteriophage phi X174 complementary-strand synthesis, could serve as the helicase-primase replication machine on the lagging-strand template. In order to determine if this is the case, we have begun an investigation of the phenotypes of mutants with mutations priA, priB, and priC, which encode the primosomal proteins factor Y (protein n9), n, and n", respectively. Inactivation of priA by insertional mutagenesis resulted in the induction of the SOS response, as evinced by induction of a resident lambda prophage, extreme filamentation, and derepression of an indicator operon in which beta-galactosidase production was controlled by the dinD1 promoter. In addition, the copy numbers of resident pBR322 plasmids were reduced four- to fivefold in these strains, and production of phi X174 phage was delayed considerably. These results are discussed in the context of existing models for SOS induction and possible roles for the PriA protein at the replication fork in vivo. Images
From Planning to Market: A Framework for Cuba

The measures introduced by Raul Castro since 2008 and the most recent US–Cuba policy change indicate that Cuba is shifting from a planned and highly centralised state socialist economic model toward one in which economic actors and markets become main drivers of the economy. The examples of Asian and Central and Eastern European socialist countries suggest four distinguished pathways for such transition. The question is which one may provide a feasible model for Cuba. Based on the country’s economic and population structure, this study places the Cuban case within the framework of socialist economic transitions and explores some policy implications.
Tracking US photovoltaic system prices 1998–2012: a rapidly changing market

The number of US photovoltaic (PV) systems has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by a wide array of government incentives and other supportive policies aimed, in part, at reducing PV system prices. This article draws from a sample of more than 200,000 US residential, commercial, and utility-scale PV projects to summarize price trends for PV systems installed from 1998 through 2012. These data show that the average installed price of US residential and commercial PV systems declined 6–7% annually during 1998–2012, although the pace and source of price reductions varied. In 2012, the median reported installed price of residential and commercial PV systems was $5.3/W for systems of 10 kW or smaller, $4.9/W for systems of 10–100 kW, and $4.6/W for systems larger than 100 kW. The capacity-weighted average installed price of crystalline, fixed-tilt, utility-scale PV systems (ground-mounted systems at least 2 MW in size) declined from $6.2/W during 2007–2009 to $3.3/W in 2012. Recent price reductions are associated primarily with a precipitous drop in PV module prices, while non-module costs have remained relatively stagnant since 2005. Further system price reductions will be needed to expand US PV deployment as incentive programs reduce their financial support. Because further module price reductions are limited, additional deep reductions in installed prices will require significant reductions in non-module costs, particularly non-hardware (“soft”) costs. Lower installed prices in international markets suggest that deep near-term soft cost reductions in the USA are possible with the help of targeted policies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of Casein Synthesis by Polyamines in Mammary Gland Explants of Mice1

Studies were carried out to determine whether the actions of prolactin on the metabolism of the mammary gland may involve polyamines. In mouse mammary gland explants that were preincubated for 2 days with insulin plus hydrocortisone, the rate of [3H]leucine incorporation into casein was enhanced in a prolactin-like manner during a further incubation with spermidine plus cyclic GMP or phospholipase A. Putrescine (0.5 HIM) plus PGF2α, cyclic GMP or arachidonic acid also enhanced the rate of casein synthesis; but PGF2α plus 0.5 mM arginine, ornithine or spermine had no effect. Methyl GAG, an inhibitor of the enzyme S-adenosyl- L-methionine decarboxylase (which is required for the conversion of putrescine to spermidine), abolished the putrescine plus PGF2α stimulation of casein synthesis. Since this drug did not affect the action of spermidine plus PGF2α on casein synthesis, the specific action of spermidine on casein synthesis is suggested. Neither arginine, ornithine nor the polyamines, by themselves, affec...
Direct Modulation of Calcium- and Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels of Large Conductance by Leukotrienes

Calcium/voltage-gated, large-conductance potassium (BK) channels critically control smooth muscle contractility. Modulation of BK by direct interaction between lipids and channel protein has received increasing attention. Leukotrienes (LTA4-E4) are lipid mediators of inflammation. We performed patch-clamp in Xenopus oocytes that co-expressed BK channel-forming (cbv1; AY330293) and accessory β1 (FJ154955) subunits cloned from rat vascular myocytes. Leukotrienes were applied at 0.1 nM-10 μM to either leaflet of cell-free membranes at a range of [Ca2+]i and transmembrane voltage. LTB4 reversibly increased BK steady-state activity (EC50=1nM; Emax ≈10nM), with physiological [Ca2+]i and voltages favoring this activation. Cbv1 or cbv1+β2 were LTB4-resistant. Computational docking placed LTB4 onto the cholane steroid-sensing region in the BK β1 transmembrane domain 2. Consistent with the idea that cholanes and LTB4 share the docking region, co-application of LTB4 and cholane did not further increase LTB4-induced BK channel activation. LTB4 failed to activate cholane-insensitive cbv1+β1T169A. Moreover, LTB4 failed to activate BK channel containing β1A176S or β1K179I. Ala176 and Lys179 are computationally predicted to participate in LTB4-docking but were proven irrelevant for cholane-sensing. Thus, although cholanes and LTB4 share a docking region, LTB4 fit onto the sensing region is tighter and may explain higher potency of LTB4 to activate BK. Co-application of LTB4 with LTA4,LTC4,LTD4 or LTE4 suppressed LTB4-induced channel activation. Inactive leukotrienes only dock onto a portion of the site likely preventing LTB4's tight docking. In summary, we first document that two endogenous lipids from different chemical families (heterocyclic vs. linear) share their site on a channel protein. Thus, cross-talk between leukotrienes and cholanes might converge on regulation of smooth muscle contractility via BK β1. Moreover, identification of LTB4 as a potent ligand for BK channels may be important for developing β1-specific BK channel activators.
Different subcellular localization of sulphotransferase 2B1b in human placenta and prostate

The human hydroxysteroid SULT (sulphotransferase) 2B1 subfamily consists of two isoforms, SULT2B1a and SULT2B1b. These two isoenzymes are transcribed from the same gene by alternative splicing of their first exons and share 94% amino acid sequence identity. The SULT2B1 isoforms are highly selective for the sulphation of 3beta-hydroxysteroids. Immunoblot analysis of SULT2B1 expression in several human tissues indicates the presence of only SULT2B1b protein. Immunoreactive SULT2B1b protein was detected in human prostate, skin, placenta and lung tissue. SULT2B1b mRNA expression was detected in RNA isolated from term placenta, normal prostate, prostate carcinoma, benign prostate hyperplasia, LNCaP prostate cancer cells, breast cancer specimens and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Immunohistochemical localization of SULT2B1b, in terms placental and prostate tissues, detected it in nuclei of placental syncytiotrophoblasts and cytoplasm of epithelial cells in prostate tissues. Immunoreactive and catalytically active SULT2B1b was identified in nuclei isolated from term human placenta. Also SULT2B1b was capable of translocating to nuclei in BeWo placental cells after stable transfection and differentiation. In contrast, immunohistochemical analysis of human prostate showed only cytosolic localization of SULT2B1b in the basal and luminal prostate epithelial cells. SULT2B1b was not detected in isolated nuclei from LNCaP prostate cancer cells but was present in the cytosolic fraction. Differential subcellular localization of SULT2B1b in prostate and placenta suggests that SULT2B1b may be differentially regulated and have different physiological functions in these two hormonally responsive human tissues.
Acoustic anharmonicity and the ΔE effect in tetragonal SrTiO3

Abstract The interaction of random strain with domains is responsible for large variations of sound velocities (ΔE effect) and for acoustic anharmonicity in tetragonal SrTiO3. It also accounts for amplitude-dependent damping and r.f. conductance. All effects depend on sample history.
Laser flare photometry and complications of chronic uveitis in children

Abstract Purpose To investigate possible relationships between laser flare photometry values, complications of uveitis, and outcomes in children with chronic uveitis. Design Retrospective chart review. Methods We evaluated patients with active, noninfectious anterior, intermediate, or panuveitis who were 16 years of age or younger and who had laser flare photometry at one of two academic institutions. Complications enumerated at baseline and during follow-up were compared with laser flare photometry values and to anterior chamber cell counts. Results At least one laser flare photometry value ("flare"), defined as baseline measurement, was available for 59 patients (41 girls, 18 boys; mean age, 10.3 ± 3.5 years); 38 of these patients had at least one additional measurement during follow-up (median 11 months). Complications of uveitis were present in 35 patients (59%) at baseline. There was a positive association between increased laser flare photometry values and complications at baseline (any complication [ P = .007], posterior synechiae [ P = .003]). The development of complications during follow-up was associated with the presence of complications at baseline ( P = .018). A subgroup of patients with low flare at baseline had no complications during follow-up regardless of treatment given. Conclusions There is a positive relationship between laser flare photometry values and the prevalence of complications of uveitis in children. Laser flare photometry provides a novel way to monitor children with uveitis. Future study will be needed to determine whether values have prognostic importance and whether a treatment strategy that minimizes flare results in fewer uveitic complications.
Efficient Flight Control via Mechanical Impedance Manipulation: Energy Analyses for Hummingbird-Inspired MAVs

Within the growing family of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles (MAV) are a relatively new field of research. Inspired by small size and agile flight of insects and birds, these systems offer a great potential for applications such as reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue, mapping, etc. Nevertheless, practicality of these vehicles depends on how we address various challenges ranging from control methodology to morphological construction and power supply design. A reasonable approach to resolving such problems is to acquire further inspiration from solutions in nature. Through modeling synchronous muscles in insects, we have shown that manipulation of mechanical impedance properties at wing joints can be a very efficient method for controlling lift and thrust production in flapping-wing MAVs. In the present work, we describe how this approach can be used to decouple lift/thrust regulation, thus reducing the complexity of flight controller. Although of simple design, this controller is still capable of demonstrating a high degree of precision and maneuverability throughout various simulated flight experiments with different types of trajectories. Furthermore, we use these flight simulations to investigate the power requirements of our control approach. The results indicate that these characteristics are considerably lower compared to when conventional control strategies--methods that often rely on manipulating stroke properties such as frequency or magnitude of the flapping motion--are employed. With less power demands, we believe our proposed control strategy is able to significantly improve flight time in future flapping-wing MAVs.
Transient overexpression of murine dishevelled genes results in apoptotic cell death.

Abstract The Dishevelled (Dvl) gene family encodes cytoplasmic proteins that are implicated in Wnt signal transduction. In mammals, the manner in which Wnt signals are transduced remains unclear. The biochemical and molecular mechanisms defining the Wnt-1 pathway are of great interest because of its important role in development and its activation in murine breast tumors. In order to elucidate Dvl's role in Wnt signaling, we attempted to overexpress Dvl in cells, but were unable to obtain stable cell lines. We show here that the overexpression of Dvl genes alters nuclear and cellular morphology of COS-1 and C57MG cells and causes cell death due to the induction of apoptosis. Deletion studies demonstrate that all three conserved domains of Dvl (DIX, PDZ, and DEP) are required for Dvl-mediated cell death. Coexpression of protein phosphatase 2Cα, a Dvl-interacting protein identified in yeast two-hybrid studies, protects cells from the cell death observed in cells overexpressing Dvl alone. Furthermore, the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene product appears to be required for Dvl-mediated cell death. The relevance of these findings to Wnt signal transduction, as well as to developmental processes and disease, are discussed.
HORMONAL EFFECTS OF GnRH AGONIST IN THE HUMAN MALE: II. TESTOSTERONE ENHANCES GONADOTROPHIN SUPPRESSION INDUCED BY GnRH AGONIST

Superactive analogues of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and testosterone, when administered together, synergistically inhibit gonadotrophin secretion and spermatogenesis in the rat. In order to determine whether testosterone also enhanced gonadotrophin suppression by GnRH agonist in the human male, two groups of four normal male volunteers first received either 10 or 100 micrograms of a GnRH agonist D(Nal2)6GnRH (GnRH-A) daily for 10 d. After at least a 50 d recovery period, the same subjects received a single injection of 200 mg of testosterone oenanthate (TE) on day 1 in addition to the same dose of GnRH-A daily for 10 d. Serum LH, FSH and testosterone (TS) concentrations were measured daily just prior to the next analogue dose, and on days 1 and 10 at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 and 24 h after the analogue injection. Daily administration of both 10 and 100 micrograms of GnRH-A alone resulted in an early phase of stimulation followed by progressive decline in LH, FSH and testosterone to levels below baseline by day 10 despite continued administration of GnRH-A. Addition of testosterone to 10 micrograms of GnRH-A resulted in hormonal responses identical to those seen with GnRH-A alone. Combined treatment of testosterone with 100 micrograms of GnRH-A did not blunt the peak LH and FSH responses on day 2, but resulted in significantly lower LH (mean integrated responses: 187 +/- 30 vs. 234 +/- 42 mIU-d/ml) and FSH (mean integrated responses: 20.6 +/- 3.3 vs. 32.8 +/- 4.2 mIU-d/ml) responses from days 3 to 11. By day 11, all subjects receiving combined treatment (GnRH-A 100 micrograms + testosterone oenanthate) had undetectable serum FSH levels. In contrast, serum FSH concentrations on day 11 after treatment with GnRH-A alone were 43.6 +/- 8.9% of control and none of the subjects had values below the limit of detection. Serum testosterone levels in the combined treatment group did not fall below baseline by day 10 in either the 10 (161.4 +/- 48%) or the 100 micrograms GnRH-A groups (104.6 +/- 11.2%), while in the group receiving GnRH-A alone, testosterone levels declined to 45.6 +/- 8.3% and 80 +/- 18.8% with the 10 and 100 micrograms dose respectively. We conclude that addition of a suppressive dose of testosterone to an appropriate dose of GnRN-A significantly enhances gonadotrophin suppression by GnRH-A in the human male.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Transient appearance of CRES protein during spermatogenesis and caput epididymal sperm maturation.

In previous studies we identified an epididymal gene that exhibits homology to the cystatin family of cysteine protease inhibitors. The expression of this gene, termed CRES (cystatin-related epididymal and spermatogenic), was shown to be highly restricted to the proximal caput epididymal epithelium with less expression in the testis and no expression in the 24 other tissues examined. In this report, studies were carried out to examine CRES gene expression in the testis as well as to characterize the CRES protein in the testis and epididymis. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that within the testis CRES gene expression is stage-specific during spermatogenesis and is exclusively expressed by the round spermatids of Stages VII-VIII and the early elongating spermatids of Stages IX and X. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that CRES protein was transiently expressed in both the testis and epididymis. Within the testis the protein was localized to the elongating spermatids, whereas within the epididymis CRES protein was exclusively synthesized by the proximal caput epithelium and then secreted into the lumen. Surprisingly, the secreted CRES protein had completely disappeared from the epididymal lumen by the distal caput epididymidis. Western blot analysis of testicular and epididymal proteins showed that the CRES antibody specifically recognized a predominant 19 kDa CRES protein and a less abundant 14 kDa form. These observations suggest that the CRES protein performs a specialized role during sperm development and maturation. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A compact 100 MHz to 7 GHz frequency equalizer based on distributed passive circuits

A compact frequency equalizer based on distributed passive circuits is designed, analyzed and implemented for the front end circuit of a portable spectrum analyzer working between 100MHz to 7 GHz. The equalizer is based on a T-shape passive attenuator consisting of multiple distributed inductive and capacitive elements. As a test vehicle, a 3-stage broadband amplifier has been implemented, connected to the designed equalizer, and characterized in the targeted frequency range. Without the equalizer, the measured gain of the implemented amplifier varies from 34.7 dB to 46.97 dB showing a 12.27 dB roll off in the frequency range. After connecting the equalizer, overall gain variation is reduced to ± 1.1dB. Compared with other preexisting frequency equalizers, the implemented one features a small footprint of 6×8 mm2 and a wide frequency bandwidth of 100MHz to 7GHz. Detail description on the equivalent circuit model and general design guidelines are given, and parametric analysis is performed. The implemented equalizer is suitable for the front end circuits of compact broadband test and measurement instruments, such as a portable spectrum analyzer and vector network analyzer.