cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Constitutive and Agonist-dependent Self-association of the Cell Surface Human Lutropin Receptor

The human lutropin receptor (hLHR) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays an essential role in reproductive physiology. The present studies were undertaken to determine whether the hLHR self-associates. We show that high molecular weight complexes of the hLHR can be co-immunoprecipitated from 293 cells transfected with differentially tagged hLHRs. These complexes are detected only in extracts from cells that have been co-transfected and not in extracts combined from cells expressing only one form of tagged hLHR, confirming the in vivo self-association of the receptor. In transiently transfected cells, in which a small percentage of cells overexpress hLHR and most of the hLHR is located intracellularly in the ER, the self-associated hLHR is composed predominantly of immature hLHR. When cells were transiently co-transfected with wild-type hLHR and a misfolded mutant of the hLHR, a physical association of the ER-localized misfolded mutant with the immature hLHR was observed, resulting in a decreased cell surface expression of the wild-type receptor. In contrast, in stably transfected cells, where the majority of cells express receptor and there is much less intracellular accumulation of hLHR, the self-associated forms of the hLHR are composed predominantly of cell surface receptor. The abundance of cell surface hLHR dimers and oligomers, as detected on SDS gels, is increased further upon human choriogonadotropin treatment of the stably transfected cells. In addition to documenting the self-association of cell surface hLHR, our results underscore the importance of the cellular distribution of recombinant GPCR as it relates to the nature of the GPCR dimerization and oligomerization.
Spontaneous Superrotation and the Role of Kelvin Waves in an Idealized Dry GCM

The nondimensional parameter space of an idealized dry primitive equation model is explored to find superrotating climate states. The model has no convective parameterization and is forced using a simple thermal relaxation to a prescribed radiative equilibrium temperature. It is demonstrated that, of four nondimensional parameters that determine the model’s state, only the thermal Rossby number has a significant effect on superrotation. The mode that drives the transition to superrotation in an intermediate-thermalRossby-number atmosphere is shown to behave like a Kelvin wave in the tropics.
Distinct Populations of Hepatic Stellate Cells in the Mouse Liver Have Different Capacities for Retinoid and Lipid Storage

Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) lipid droplets are specialized organelles for the storage of retinoid, accounting for 50–60% of all retinoid present in the body. When HSCs activate, retinyl ester levels progressively decrease and the lipid droplets are lost. The objective of this study was to determine if the HSC population in a healthy, uninjured liver demonstrates heterogeneity in its capacity for retinoid and lipid storage in lipid droplets. To this end, we utilized two methods of HSC isolation, which leverage distinct properties of these cells, including their vitamin A content and collagen expression. HSCs were isolated either from wild type (WT) mice in the C57BL/6 genetic background by flotation in a Nycodenz density gradient, followed by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) based on vitamin A autofluorescence, or from collagen-green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice by FACS based on GFP expression from a GFP transgene driven by the collagen I promoter. We show that GFP-HSCs have: (i) increased expression of typical markers of HSC activation; (ii) decreased retinyl ester levels, accompanied by reduced expression of the enzyme needed for hepatic retinyl ester synthesis (LRAT); (iii) decreased triglyceride levels; (iv) increased expression of genes associated with lipid catabolism; and (v) an increase in expression of the retinoid-catabolizing cytochrome, CYP2S1. Conclusion: Our observations suggest that the HSC population in a healthy, uninjured liver is heterogeneous. One subset of the total HSC population, which expresses early markers of HSC activation, may be “primed” and ready for rapid response to acute liver injury.
Low frequency drought variability associated with climate indices

Summary The variability in the sea surface temperature (SST) in the Pacific Ocean has an influence on the variability of the continental US precipitation, streamflow and drought. Analysis of the dominant oscillations of droughts and large-scale climate indices shows that interannual and interdecadal variations related to climate indices are significant indicators of drought occurrences. Using wavelet transforms and cross-correlations and Kriging, spatial structure of teleconnections of both El Nino Southern oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) to droughts during the 20th century is investigated, with particular reference to the state of Texas. Each region in Texas has different responses but arid regions show stronger correlations to climate anomalies than do sub-tropic humid regions. Lag times and correlation coefficients between droughts and climate indices are detected. Maps indicating the spatial variations of lag times and correlation coefficients are presented for annual and decadal scales. The proposed investigation permits to determine lag times between drought characteristics and climate indices along with significant correlations; these features are different from those of existing methods. Decision makers in the field of water resources management and agriculture can benefit from the evaluation of the ENSO variability and drought variability.
Vesicular-Arbuscular Endomycorrhizal Colonization of Wetland Plants

Mycorrhizal fungi colonize many terrestrial plants and often result in an increased uptake of P and several micronutrients. Little information is available on the relationships among vesicular-arbuscular endomycorrhizae (VAM), aquatic plants, and plant P concentrations. The major objectives of this study were to measure the degree of VAM colonization of wetland plants, and to determine the relationship between colonization and plant P concentrations when sampled from two contrasting water regimes (hydric soil with no surface water and hydric soil with a minimum of 10 cm of surface water). Two semipermanent wetlands in Lake County, South Dakota, were chosen for the study. Water regime did not have a significant effect on total or organic soil P concentration. Vesicular-arbuscular endomycorrhizal spore samples collected from wet soils averaged 5000 spores kg⁻¹ compared with 2740 spores kg⁻¹ in dry soils. The eight plant species evaluated to determine VAM colonization were reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), slough sedge (Carex atherodes Spreng.), river bulrush [Scirpus fluviatilis (Torr.) Gray], slender rush (Juncus tenuis Willd.), dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum L.), water smartweed (Polygonum amphibium L.), cattail (Typha X glauca Godr.), and wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota (Nutt.) Pursh). Vescular-arbuscular endomycorrhizal colonization ranged from 78% (wild licorice) to none (slough sedge and slender rush). Roots from dry areas averaged 27% colonization compared with less than 1% in wet areas. Colonization levels of dogbane and reed canarygrass in dry zones were highly correlated to plant P concentrations. The results of this study indicate that several wetland plant species develop substantial mycorrhizal associations, particularly in relatively dry environments.
Do reductions in black market exchange rate premia cause inflation

Unification of the black and official exchange rates and increasing the rate of crawl of the official rate are the competing prescriptions to reduce inefficiencies caused by the black market premia. Pinto (1991) showed that the removal of implicit export taxes could force governments to raise inflation to finance their budget deficit. Park (1995) and Morris (1995) demonstrated that unification need not raise the steady-state level of inflation. In this paper, we investigate the inflation-black market exchange rate premium relationship using time series techniques for Argentina, Peru and Zambia. The empirical evidence from Argentina and Peru tends to support Park and Morris' post-unification low inflation scenario. In contrast, the generalized impulse response functions derived from Zambia's cointegrating VAR support Pinto's result since a temporary positive shock to the black market premium cause a permanent reduction in inflation. However, stability tests suggest that the relationships embodied in the cointegrated system of Zambia are unstable.
Note on a Proposed Test for Random Number Generators

A recently proposed test for uniform random number generators is based on the mean and variance of the outcome of a sequence of iterations. This note points out that many nonuniform random number generators would pass such a test, and derives an improved test based on the exact distribution of the outcome.
Activation of 12-lipoxygenase in proinflammatory cytokine-mediated beta cell toxicity

Aims/hypothesis Beta cell inflammation and cytokine-induced toxicity are central to autoimmune diabetes development. Lipid mediators generated upon lipoxygenase (LO) activation can participate in inflammatory pathways. 12LO-deficient mice are resistant to streptozotocin-induced diabetes. This study sought to characterise the cellular processes involving 12LO-activation lipid inflammatory mediator production in cytokine-treated pancreatic beta cells.
Effect of accelerated aging conditions on resultant depth-dependent oxidation and wear resistance of UHMWPE joint replacement bearing materials

Abstract Oxidative scissioning is known to occur in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) hip and knee joint replacement bearings sterilized by 60 Co gamma radiation and stored in room temperature 1 atm air (shelf aging). To determine the effects of this aging, gamma irradiated UHMWPE samples were exposed to several environments, including shelf aging and combinations of increased temperature and/or oxygen pressure commonly used to accelerate aging. It was found that each aging environment created a unique oxidation profile with a corresponding wear profile. For example, 680 days of shelf aging produced a subsurface oxidation maximum at approximately 0.5 mm from the free surface, while the oxidation maximum for 5 atm O 2 at 25 °C after 271 days had greater intensity and occurred at a greater depth of roughly 2 mm. The commonly used accelerated aging environment of 1 atm air at 70 °C after 271 days produces an oxidation maximum essentially at the free surface with lower levels in the bulk. The two ‘accelerated’ aging conditions share a common wear rate of 0.6×10 −6 mm 3 /N m at the free surface for the 4Mrad dose used in this study, which is approximately the same as that of the material before irradiation, but the values for the two samples diverge in the subsurface. In order to simulate the oxidation and wear profiles created by shelf aging within a shorter accelerated time scale, a proper combination of increased temperature and increased oxygen pressure must be used.
Research Design and Analysis: The Many Faces of Validity

Abstract The goal of every research effort is to identify the “true” relationship that exists between the independent and dependent variables. Unfortunately, nearly all of the literature on medical statistics is concerned primarily with data analysis and glosses over crucial issues related to research methodology and experimental design. In addition to statistical issues, investigators need to consider the many factors that can jeopardize the validity of their studies. The more knowledgeable clinical researchers are about possible threats to their goal of a single, credible interpretation of observed outcome, the better they can reach satisfactory compromises that will maximize the strength of their conclusions. This paper reviews some common methodology problems that threaten the validity of a study. Statistical conclusion, internal, and construct validity are defined, and specific experimental factors that can impact each of these types of validity are discussed.
Successful preoperative apheresis of factor VIII antibody using factor VIII concentrate as a replacement fluid

Plasma exchange was performed on a patient with hemophilia A and inhibitor to factor VIIIC prior to bilateral cataract removal. Koate was used as replacement fluid with effective reduction of the inhibitor level. From the technical standpoint we found out that factor VIII is best reconstituted in water and directly infused through the venous line and not the centrifuge bowl.
Evaluation of saw palmetto for biomass potential

Abstract Saw palmetto is a widely distributed shrubby monocot (palm) which occurs in dense stands in the coastal region of the southern USA. Selected areas of an existing stand in peninsular Florida were subjected to harvest intervals of 6, 12, and 24 months, with season of harvest also evaluated. Annual yields were 2–3 Mg ha −1 of foliage (fronds and petioles) dry matter. A quadratic response to harvest interval was obtained with annual foliage regrowth greatest at the 12-month interval. Plant vigour, as indicated by total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) concentration, and yield per harvest increased linearly with increasing harvest interval. Chemical analyses revealed high extractive content, with 100 mg g −1 ethanol-benzene extract plus 90 mg g −1 ethanol extract. Lignin concentration was also high at 180 mg g −1 . The relatively low biomass yields and high concentrations of extractives and lignin indicate that saw palmetto does not have the desired characteristics for biomass energy conversion. Some potential may exist for specialty uses, such as starter fuel for waste combustion, due to availability and a highly combustible nature produced by the high extractive content.
The pesticide malathion reduces survival and growth in developing zebrafish

Malathion is an organophosphorous pesticide widely used to control mosquitoes in urban areas and pests, such as boll weevils, in agricultural areas. Zebrafish, Danio rerio, are model organisms for developmental toxicology research because they are readily available, produce large numbers of clear embryos, and are sensitive to environmental changes. The nonlethal effects of malathion on developing zebrafish embryos, however, previously have not been analyzed quantitatively. We exposed zebrafish embryos to sublethal malathion concentrations to determine malathion's effects on a developing vertebrate. Zebrafish exposed to 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/L of malathion consistently elicited more rapid hatching from the chorion than zebrafish exposed to 2.0-, 2.5-, or 3.0-mg/L malathion concentrations. In addition, exposure to 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 mg/L of malathion resulted in significantly shorter body length and eye diameters, indicating that malathion had teratogenic effects on zebrafish embryos. Malathion's action as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and the toxicity of the metabolites of malathion may be responsible for malathion's teratogenic effects on fish development.
Reticent and non‐reticent college students’ preferred communication channels for interacting with faculty

This study examined the relationship between reticence and preferences for channels of communication with faculty. Undergraduate students completed measures of reticence, comfort level about using various communication channels, and usage preferences for those channels when interacting with instructors. Results indicated that students’ level of reticence is associated with their comfort level and usage preferences when communicating with faculty. Compared to non‐reticents, reticent students prefer using e‐mail and are less likely to visit an instructor at his or her office. All dimensions of the Reticence Scale were negatively related to comfort level for face‐to‐face, telephone communication, and usage preference for visiting a teacher during office hours. Finally, students’ usage preferences vary according to the situation and are associated with reticence.
The Engrailed homeobox genes determine the different foliation patterns in the vermis and hemispheres of the mammalian cerebellum

Little is known about the genetic pathways and cellular processes responsible for regional differences in cerebellum foliation, which interestingly are accompanied by regionally distinct afferent circuitry. We have identified the Engrailed (En) homeobox genes as being crucial to producing the distinct medial vermis and lateral hemisphere foliation patterns in mammalian cerebella. By producing a series of temporal conditional mutants in En1 and/or En2, we demonstrate that both En genes are required to ensure that folia exclusive to the vermis or hemispheres form in the appropriate mediolateral position. Furthermore, En1/En2 continue to regulate foliation after embryonic day 14, at which time Fgf8 isthmic organizer activity is complete and the major output cells of the cerebellar cortex have been specified. Changes in spatially restricted gene expression occur prior to foliation in mutants, and foliation is altered from the onset and is accompanied by changes in the thickness of the layer of proliferating granule cell precursors. In addition, the positioning and timing of fissure formation are altered. Thus, the En genes represent a new class of genes that are fundamental to patterning cerebellum foliation throughout the mediolateral axis and that act late in development.
Integrating software tool communication within an environment

The proliferation of software tools has simplified the tasks of software development. As demands and costs for improving software quality escalate, more powerful development supprt environments are required to carry out the tasks. However, some obstacles have precluded software developers from attaining those demands and objectives, such as tool use, training, productivity metrics and measurement, and maintenance problems. Various CASE tools are employed to aid in the develo~ertt process. In many cases, these teds are developed by independent vendors to run on different platforms. The results of these tool applications are therefore incompatible. To ease the burden of tool dkrepancies and incompatibility, standardized public tool interfaces were proposed to permit tools developed by different vendors to coexis~ interoperate surveys some of the predominant I%egrated Project Support and be able to transport across com uter systems. This paper Environments (IPSE) to establish a viable architectural framework and requirements for a Virtual Software Communication System (VSTC) prototype.
Iterative quantization: A procrustean approach to learning binary codes

This paper addresses the problem of learning similarity-preserving binary codes for efficient retrieval in large-scale image collections. We propose a simple and efficient alternating minimization scheme for finding a rotation of zero-centered data so as to minimize the quantization error of mapping this data to the vertices of a zero-centered binary hypercube. This method, dubbed iterative quantization (ITQ), has connections to multi-class spectral clustering and to the orthogonal Procrustes problem, and it can be used both with unsupervised data embeddings such as PCA and supervised embeddings such as canonical correlation analysis (CCA). Our experiments show that the resulting binary coding schemes decisively outperform several other state-of-the-art methods.
Category theory based solution for the building block replacement problem in materials design

An important objective in materials design is to develop a systematic methodology for replacing unavailable or expensive material building blocks by simpler and abundant ones, while maintaining or improving the functionality of the material. The mathematical field of category theory provides a formal specification language which lies at the heart of such a methodology. In this paper, we apply material ologs, category-theoretic descriptions of hierarchical materials, to rigorously define a process by which material building blocks can be replaced by others while maintaining large-scale properties, to the extent possible. We demonstrate the implementation of this approach by using algebraic techniques to predict concrete conditions needed for building block replacement. As an example, we specify structure–function relationships in two systems: a laminated composite and a structure–function analogue, a fruit salad. In both systems we illustrate how ologs provide us with a mathematical tool that allows us to replace one building block with others to achieve approximately the same functionality, and how to use them to model and design seemingly distinct physical systems with a consistent mathematical framework.
Cardiovascular Responses to Stress and Disease Outcomes A Test of the Reactivity Hypothesis

The idea that stress can contribute to disease has been a part of the lore of medicine since the ancient Greeks. In the field of psychosomatic medicine, Alexander1 argued that emotional dispositions could lead to persistent bodily response biases that could contribute to organic disease. In hypertension research, Hines and Brown2 proposed that an increased risk for hypertension could be revealed by an exaggerated blood pressure response to the stress of immersing a hand or foot in ice water (the cold pressor test). These proposals contributed to the more recent “stress reactivity hypothesis” that a highly reactive psychological disposition or physiological constitution could increase risk for disease.3 Despite the intuitive appeal of this idea, proof of a reactivity connection to cardiovascular disease has been very difficult to produce. Barriers to such proof include the gradual development of hypertension and heart disease, resulting in the need for long follow-up periods on large numbers of persons; the presence of confounding variables, such as higher rates of smoking in persons experiencing stress in life; and the lack of standardized psychological stress paradigms analogous to the exercise protocols used in cardiology. Additional difficulty arises from uncertainty over the stability of emotional and stress responses in a given individual. …
Affiliation or appropriation? Crossing and the politics of race among children in New York City

Based on ethnographic research in a diverse New York City neighborhood, this article examines issues surrounding the practice of crossing from children’s perspectives. Crossing refers to the use of language varieties to which one does not have conventional access, practices that could be disparaging or affiliative. The author explores how children distinguished the two types through the principle of authenticity, itself derived by means that went beyond the usual determinants of blood, birth and bodies. While playful, the author argues that crossings were one way for children to participate in the everyday politics of difference and critique the existing racial order.
WORKING MEMORY IMPAIRMENT AS AN ENDOPHENOTYPIC MARKER OF A SCHIZOPHRENIA DIATHESIS.

This review focuses on the viability of working memory impairment as an endophenotypic marker of a schizophrenia diathesis. It begins with an introduction of the construct of working memory. It follows with a consideration of the operational criteria for defining an endophenotype. Research findings regarding the working memory performance of schizophrenia and schizophrenia-spectrum patients, first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls, are reviewed in terms of the criteria for being considered an endophenotypic marker. Special attention is paid to specific components of the working memory deficit (namely, encoding, maintenance, and manipulation), in terms of which aspects are likely to be the best candidates for endophenotypes. We examine the extant literature regarding working memory performance in bipolar disorder and major depression in order to address the issue of relative specificity to schizophrenia. Despite some unresolved issues, it appears that working memory impairment is a very promising candidate for an endophenotypic marker of a schizophrenia diathesis but not for mood disorders. Throughout this review, we identify future directions for research in this exciting and dynamic area of research and evaluate the contribution of working memory research to our understanding of schizophrenia.
The paradox of policy analysis: If it is not used, why do we produce so much of it?

This article explores the apparent paradox that our society invests heavily in policy analysis when empirical studies, political science theory, and common wisdom all suggest that analysis is not used by policymakers to make better policy decisions. It offers a critique of the traditional view of policy analysis and presents an alternative view derived from contemporary literature on the policy process and decisionmaking. The alternative view suggests that there are legitimate uses for analysis other than the problem-solving use originally envisioned but apparently rarely attained. The two views imply different patterns of use of analysis by legislative committees—a contrast that I subject to an empirical test. An examination of quantitative data on policy analysis use by congressional committees from 1985 to 1994 lends support for the alternative view. The research has two implications. First, despite its scientific origins, policy analysis may be a more effective instrument of the democratic process than of the problem-solving process. Second, the profession of policy analysis may be in better shape than many who are calling for fundamental changes to its practice seem to believe. © 1999 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Relative interfacial free energy measurements in Cu and Cu-Al alloys

Measurements of γtb/γgb for Cu and Cu-Al alloys utilizing transmission electron microscopy and selected-area electron diffraction techniques, and measurements of γSF for Cu-Al alloys from observations of extended dislocation nodes have shown that both γtb/γgb and γgF decrease with increasing atomic percent Al. Values of γtb = 26 erg/cm2 and γgb = 730 erg/cm2 at 700°C were estimated by correcting previous experimental values of γgb for Cu. By assuming the value of γgb in Cu to be reduced by approximately 10% upon the addition of 16 at % Al, the minimum value of the coherent twin boundary free energy over the range of alloying studied was estimated to be γtb = 12 erg/cm2. Mean values of γtb/γgb = 0.031, 0.029, and 0.018 were measured for the Cu-5, 11, and 16 at % Al samples respectively corresponding to an equilibrium temperature of 700°C. By plotting values of γtb/γgb as a function of misorientation, θ, between 〈110〉 directions for rotations about [100] for Cu and [110] for the Cu-Al alloys, a definite variation of grain boundary free energy with misorientation was established. The spread of histograms of γtb/γgb was also shown to be related to this variation in γgb with θ. Energy cusps were observed in the grain boundary free energy curves. Messungen von γtb/γgb fur Cu und Cu-Al-Legierungen mittels Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie und Elektronenbeugungstechnik an ausgewahlten Flachen und Messungen von γSF fur Cu-Al-Legierungen aus Beobachtungen ausgedehnter Versetzungsknoten haben gezeigt, das sowohl γtb/γgb als auch γSF mit wachsendem Al-Gehalt abnehmen. Werte fur γtb = 26 erg/cm2 und γgb = 730 erg/cm2 bei 700°C wurden durch Korrigieren fruherer experimenteller Werte von γgb, fur Cu berechnet. Unter der Annahme, das der Wert γgb in Cu nach Hinzufugen von 16 at% Al naherungsweise um 10% reduziert ist, wird der Minimalwert der freien Energie fur eine koharente Zwillingsgrenze im untersuchten Legierungsbereich zu γtb = 12 erg/cm2 bestimmt. Mittelwerte von γtb/γgb = 0,031; 0,029 bzw. 0,018 wurden fur die Cu-5, 11 bzw. 16 at% Al-Proben gemessen, die einer Gleichgewichtstemperatur von 700°C entsprechen. Durch Auftragen der Werte von γtb/γgb als Funktion der Fehlorientierung θ zwischen 〈110〉 Richtungen fur Rotationen um [100] fur Cu und [110] fur die Cu-Al-Legierungen, wurde eine definierte Anderung der freien Energie der Korngrenze mit der Fehlorientierung festgestellt. Die Streuung der Histogramme von γtb/γgb. konnte ebenfalls mit dieser Anderung in γgb mit θ verknupft werden. Energie-“cusps” wurden in den Kurven der freien Energie der Korngrenzen beobachtet.
Correlation between the Knight shift of chemisorbed CO and the Fermi level local density of states at clean platinum catalyst surfaces

We have investigated the 195Pt and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of clean-surface platinum catalysts and of CO chemisorbed onto Pt catalyst surfaces. We use Knight shift, relaxation, and J-coupling data to deduce information about the Fermi level local density of states (Ef-LDOS) at catalyst surfaces. There is a linear correlation between the Knight shifts of chemisorbed CO and the clean surface Ef-LDOS of platinum onto which the CO is bound, as determined by 13C and 195Pt NMR. The correlation amounts to ∼12 ppm/Ry-1·atom-1, the same as that which can be deduced for CO on palladium, as well as from the electrode potential dependence of 13C Knight shifts and infrared vibrational frequencies, νCO, and the relationship between νCO and the Ef-LDOS at clean platinum surfaces. The ability to now directly relate metal and adsorbate electronic properties opens up new avenues for investigating metal−ligand interactions in heterogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis.
Increased copy number for methylated maternal 15q duplications leads to changes in gene and protein expression in human cortical samples

Background: Duplication of chromosome 15q11-q13 (dup15q) accounts for approximately 3% of autism cases. Chromosome 15q11-q13 contains imprinted genes necessary for normal mammalian neurodevelopment controlled by a differentially methylated imprinting center (imprinting center of the Prader-Willi locus, PWS-IC). Maternal dup15q occurs as both interstitial duplications and isodicentric chromosome 15. Overexpression of the maternally expressed gene UBE3A is predicted to be the primary cause of the autistic features associated with dup15q. Previous analysis of two postmortem dup15q frontal cortical samples showed heterogeneity between the two cases, with one showing levels of the GABAA receptor genes, UBE3A and SNRPN in a manner not predicted by copy number or parental imprint. Methods: Postmortem human brain tissue (Brodmann area 19, extrastriate visual cortex) was obtained from 8 dup15q, 10 idiopathic autism and 21 typical control tissue samples. Quantitative PCR was used to confirm duplication status. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were performed to measure 15q11-q13 transcript and protein levels, respectively. Methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting-curve analysis was performed on brain genomic DNA to identify the maternal:paternal ratio of methylation at PWS-IC. Results: Dup15q brain samples showed a higher level of PWS-IC methylation than control or autism samples, indicating that dup15q was maternal in origin. UBE3A transcript and protein levels were significantly higher than control and autism in dup15q, as expected, although levels were variable and lower than expected based on copy number in some samples. In contrast, this increase in copy number did not result in consistently increased GABRB3 transcript or protein levels for dup15q samples. Furthermore, SNRPN was expected to be unchanged in expression in dup15q because it is expressed from the single unmethylated paternal allele, yet SNRPN levels were significantly reduced in dup15q samples compared to controls. PWS-IC methylation positively correlated with UBE3A and GABRB3 levels but negatively correlated with SNRPN levels. Idiopathic autism samples exhibited significantly lower GABRB3 and significantly more variable SNRPN levels compared to controls. Conclusions: Although these results show that increased UBE3A/UBE3A is a consistent feature of dup15q syndrome, they also suggest that gene expression within 15q11-q13 is not based entirely on copy number but can be influenced by epigenetic mechanisms in brain.
Reflections on the research methods course: should it be required for a graduate degree in professional communication

In defining what constitutes core knowledge that an academic program in technical communication should provide, one important question is whether a course in research methods should be required. This paper presents data from informal surveys of graduate students in a research methods course at the University of Memphis. Student perceptions of a course in empirical methods tended to be negative, even somewhat fearful, at the beginning of the semester. End-of-the-semester perceptions were far more positive, even on the issue of requiring the course for a master's degree in technical communication. Although this change in attitude is encouraging, technical communicators may need to think about what can be done to dispel negativity in students, and perhaps others, when the topic of empirical research arises.
A comparison of analytical methods for nitrogen analysis in plant tissues

Abstract Automated Dumas methods could replace Kjeldahl digestions for the analysis of nitrogen (N), but few comparisons of these methods for plant tissue are available. Because N nutrition usually affects tissue levels of N, the influence of analytical method (Dumas and a modified micro‐Kjeldahl without salicylic acid pre‐treatment) on N determination in leaves and petioles of ‘Shogoin’ turnips grown under different N regimes was investigated. Dumas‐ and Kjeldahl‐N ranged from 1.31 to 6.70% and 1.22 to 5.77% in leaves and petioles, respectively, and Dumas‐N was significantly (p<0.01) higher than Kjeldahl‐N. This resulted in a tendency to overrate N status when available thresholds developed with Kjeldahl‐N values were use with Dumas‐N data. However, for turnip, Kjeldahl‐N could be estimated from Dumas‐N in the 1–6% range as: Kjeldahl‐N = ‐0.015 (p=0.82) + 0.858 (p<0.001) Dumas‐N (p<0.01, R2 = 0.98) , and developing new interpretative data for Dumas N was not necessary.
Speed scaling to manage energy and temperature

Speed scaling is a power management technique that involves dynamically changing the speed of a processor. We study policies for setting the speed of the processor for both of the goals of minimizing the energy used and the maximum temperature attained. The theoretical study of speed scaling policies to manage energy was initiated in a seminal paper by Yao et al. [1995], and we adopt their setting. We assume that the power required to run at speed s is P(s) = sα for some constant α > 1. We assume a collection of tasks, each with a release time, a deadline, and an arbitrary amount of work that must be done between the release time and the deadline. Yao et al. [1995] gave an offline greedy algorithm YDS to compute the minimum energy schedule. They further proposed two online algorithms Average Rate (AVR) and Optimal Available (OA), and showed that AVR is 2α − 1 αα-competitive with respect to energy. We provide a tight αα bound on the competitive ratio of OA with respect to energy.We initiate the study of speed scaling to manage temperature. We assume that the environment has a fixed ambient temperature and that the device cools according to Newton's law of cooling. We observe that the maximum temperature can be approximated within a factor of two by the maximum energy used over any interval of length 1/b, where b is the cooling parameter of the device. We define a speed scaling policy to be cooling-oblivious if it is simultaneously constant-competitive with respect to temperature for all cooling parameters. We then observe that cooling-oblivious algorithms are also constant-competitive with respect to energy, maximum speed and maximum power. We show that YDS is a cooling-oblivious algorithm. In contrast, we show that the online algorithms OA and AVR are not cooling-oblivious. We then propose a new online algorithm that we call BKP. We show that BKP is cooling-oblivious. We further show that BKP is e-competitive with respect to the maximum speed, and that no deterministic online algorithm can have a better competitive ratio. BKP also has a lower competitive ratio for energy than OA for α ≥5.Finally, we show that the optimal temperature schedule can be computed offline in polynomial-time using the Ellipsoid algorithm.
An Empirical Investigation of the Option-Adjusted Realized Return

The issue of meaningful evaluation of professionally managed portfolios remains to be resolved satisfactorily within the investment community. The fact that many of the current procedures for evaluating portfolio performance are deeply rooted in conventional mean-variance (M-V) analysis raises serious concerns from a theoretical perspective. The primary objective of this paper is an empirical investigation (as differentiated from a thorough empirical test) of an ordinal portfolio performance measure, called the Option-adjusted Realized (average rate of) Return or ORR, developed recently by Smith and Kokoska (1998). The ORR is a leverage- and risk-adjusted average realized rate of return that can be used directly in evaluating portfolio performance.
Global assessment of functioning (GAF) ratings: determinants and role as predictors of one-year treatment outcomes.

Objective: To assess the adequacy of global ratings of patients' psychosocial functioning, which are an integral part of the current system for obtaining multidimensional psychiatric diagnoses and are embodied by the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale as AXIS V of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Method: We identified a sample of 1,688 patients with substance use disorders, many of whom also had psychiatric disorders; examined the determinants of GAF ratings; and focused on how well these ratings predicted patients' one-year symptom and psychosocial functioning outcomes. Results: Patients' clinical diagnoses and psychiatric symptoms were stronger predictors of GAF ratings than was their social and occupational functioning. Moreover, GAF ratings were only minimally associated with patients' one-year psychological, social, and occupational functioning outcomes. Conclusions: These findings raise serious questions about the conceptual and clinical value of the current standard method of assessing psychiatric and substance abuse patients' global functioning. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 56: 449–461, 2000.
Science, Policy, and the Transparency of Values

Background: Opposing groups of scientists have recently engaged in a heated dispute over a preliminary European Commission (EC) report on its regulatory policy for endocrine-disrupting chemicals. I...
Drug-loaded nanoparticles induce gene expression in human pluripotent stem cell derivatives

Tissue engineering and advanced manufacturing of human stem cells requires a suite of tools to control gene expression spatiotemporally in culture. Inducible gene expression systems offer cell-extrinsic control, typically through addition of small molecules, but small molecule inducers typically contain few functional groups for further chemical modification. Doxycycline (DXC), a potent small molecule inducer of tetracycline (Tet) transgene systems, was conjugated to a hyperbranched dendritic polymer (Boltorn H40) and subsequently reacted with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The resulting PEG–H40–DXC nanoparticle exhibited pH-sensitive drug release behavior and successfully controlled gene expression in stem-cell-derived fibroblasts with a Tet-On system. While free DXC inhibited fibroblast proliferation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, PEG–H40–DXC nanoparticles maintained higher fibroblast proliferation levels and MMP activity. The results demonstrate that the PEG–H40–DXC nanoparticle system provides an effective tool to controlling gene expression in human stem cell derivatives.
Disorders of Neutrophil Number and Function

This review of disorders of neutrophil number and function will discuss important research advances in the field and then provide a clinical diagnostic approach. The focus will be on two recent clinical developments in the field of phagocyte disorders. First, an important natural history study from the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry has recently quantitated the incidence and risk factors for death from sepsis and for progression to myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia in a large cohort of severe chronic neutropenia patients, many of whom were followed 10 or more years on treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Second, in the past year, a multinational group has announced successful gene therapy of two adults with chronic granulomatous disease, the most common disorder of neutrophil function. However, monitoring of retroviral insertion sites revealed expansion of the multiclonal population of gene-modified cells, raising concerns about eventual leukemogenesis. The review also provides a pragmatic approach to the evaluation of a patient with a suspected disorder of neutrophil number or function.
HFE deficiency attenuates impulsivity induced by intranasal manganese (907.7)

HFE deficiency attenuates impulsivity induced by intranasal manganese Qi Ye and Jonghan Kim Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA While excessive manganese...
The restoration of Lake Apopka in relation to alternative stable states

Lake Apopka (Florida, USA) changed in 1947 from being a clear, macrophyte-dominated lake, used primarily for fishing, into a turbid algal lake with a poor fishery. The lake has resisted various efforts to reverse the change and restore the previous state. The restoration approach emphasizes the reduction in phosphorus inputs to reduce algal blooms and clear the water. We examined the question of whether a deep-lake approach with nutrient reductions is going to work on this large (area 124 km2) and shallow (mean depth 1.7 m) lake, or if techniques such as drawdowns or wind barriers developed for shallow lakes using the theory of alternative stable states are more applicable.
Mechanical Compression Elicits NO-dependent Increases in Coronary Flow

Our previous studies have demonstrated that a decrease in arteriolar diameter that causes endothelial deformation elicits the release of nitric oxide (NO). Thus we hypothesized that cardiac contraction, via deformation of coronary vessels, elicits the release of NO and increases in coronary flow. Coronary flow was measured at a constant perfusion pressure of 80 mmHg in Langendorff preparations of rat hearts. Hearts were placed in a sealed chamber surrounded with perfusion solution. The chamber pressure could be increased from 0 to 80 mmHg to generate extracardiac compression. To minimize the impact of metabolic vasodilatation and rhythmic changes in shear stress, nonbeating hearts, by perfusing the hearts with a solution containing 20 mM KCl, were used. After extracardiac compression for 10 or 20 s, coronary flow increased significantly, concurrent with an increased release of nitrite into the coronary effluent and increased phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase in the hearts. Inhibition of NO synthesis eliminated the compression-induced increases in coronary flow. Shear stress-induced dilation could not account for this increased coronary flow. Furthermore, in isolated coronary arterioles, without intraluminal flow, the release of vascular compression elicited a NO-dependent dilation. Thus this study reveals a new mechanism that, via coronary vascular deformation, elicited by cardiac contraction, stimulates the endothelium to release NO, leading to increased coronary perfusion.
Oxidized LDL bind to nonproteoglycan components of smooth muscle extracellular matrices.

Arterial wall lipid retention is believed to be due primarily to ionic interactions between lipoproteins and proteoglycans. Thus, oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL), with decreased positive charge relative to native LDL, should have decreased interaction with negatively charged proteoglycans. However, oxidized LDL does accu- mulate within arterial lesions. Therefore, this study investi- gated the binding of native and oxidized LDL to a complex smooth muscle extracellular matrix and the role of ionic charge interactions in their binding. LDL was modified with 2,2-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane)-2HCl, hypochlorite, soybean lipoxygenase, and phospholipase or copper sulfate. The ex- tracellular matrix had 15- to 45-fold greater binding capac- ity for the different forms of oxidized LDL than for native LDL. However, the affinity of binding for all forms of oxi- dized LDL was high ( K a � � 10 � 9 M) and was similar to that for native LDL. Preincubation of the lipoproteins with chondroitin sulfate decreased the binding of native LDL, but had no effect on the binding of oxidized LDL. Diges- tion of matrices with chondroitin ABC lyase and heparinase decreased the binding of native LDL, but increased the binding of oxidized LDL; matrix digestion with pronase or trypsin markedly reduced the binding of both native and oxidized LDL. Thus, the binding of native LDL involves matrix proteoglycans, whereas the binding of oxidized LDL involves a nonproteoglycan component(s) of the matrix. The markedly enhanced retention of oxidized LDL com- pared with native LDL may play an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis .—Chang, M. Y., S. Potter- Perigo, T. N. Wight, and A. Chait. Oxidized LDL bind to nonproteoglycan components of smooth muscle extracellu- lar matrices. J. Lipid Res. 2001. 42: 824-833.
Using the Web to Serve Students as Information Clients

This paper presents an information-client strategy for an academic department’s use of the web. The goals of this strategy are to maintain the department’s range of course offerings in the face of low enrollments and budget constraints, serve different student constituencies, and engage faculty who have diverse webcapabilities and interests in web-sites and web courses. The paper illustrates web-delivery technology that is currently available rather than develop advances in web course or web site methods. Our discussion is based on our experience as accounting educators at a state-supported, commuter campus. We explain the intent of our academic department’s web pages and assess their effectiveness. The paper is developed from the perspective of a Business School’s Accounting Department that primarily teaches Accounting students. It deals with issues and IT capabilities representative of a non-information-technology faculty and non-IT-focused students.
Some Results on Generalized Bases for Linear Topological Spaces

Having introduced the basis concept for Hilbert and Banach spaces, certain generalizations appear to be at least as important. First of all one discards of almost all requirements used for the definition of a basis. Beginning with the absolute minimum one takes a linear topological space X, does not use the concepts of totalness and countability and avoids all mention of series expansions. Thus, the starting point will be a family {xλ} of elements of X and a biorthogonal family {fλ} of continuous linear (coefficient) functionals on X. The biorthogonal system {x λ ,f λ } is said to be maximal if there is no biorthogonal system in which it is properly contained. A biorthogonal system with respect to X is called a generalized basis for X if, in addition, x ∊ X and f λ (x) = 0 for all X implies x = 0. A generalized basis is always a maximal biorthogonal system. If the set of basis elements {x λ } of a biorthogonal system {x λ ,f λ } in X is total in X, then {x λ ,f λ } is called a dual generalized basis for X. Moreover, if such a basis is also a generalized basis for X, it is called a Markushevich basis for X if the set {x λ } is countable, and an extended Markushevich basis for X if {x λ } is not countable. Finally, introducing again the concept of a series expansion for elements of X, then a Markushevich basis for X becomes a Schauder basis for X.