cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Essential role for Stat5a/b in myeloproliferative neoplasms induced by BCR-ABL1 and JAK2V617F in mice

STAT5 proteins are constitutively activated in malignant cells from many patients with leukemia, including the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and polycythemia vera (PV), but whether STAT5 is essential for the pathogenesis of these diseases is not known. In the present study, we used mice with a conditional null mutation in the Stat5a/b gene locus to determine the requirement for STAT5 in MPNs induced by BCR-ABL1 and JAK2(V617F) in retroviral transplantation models of CML and PV. Loss of one Stat5a/b allele resulted in a decrease in BCR-ABL1-induced CML-like MPN and the appearance of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, whereas complete deletion of Stat5a/b prevented the development of leukemia in primary recipients. However, BCR-ABL1 was expressed and active in Stat5-null leukemic stem cells, and Stat5 deletion did not prevent progression to lymphoid blast crisis or abolish established B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. JAK2(V617F) failed to induce polycythemia in recipients after deletion of Stat5a/b, although the loss of STAT5 did not prevent the development of myelofibrosis. These results demonstrate that STAT5a/b is essential for the induction of CML-like leukemia by BCR-ABL1 and of polycythemia by JAK2(V617F), and validate STAT5a/b and the genes they regulate as targets for therapy in these MPNs.
Unusual H2-forming chain reaction in the 3130-Å photolysis of formaldehyde-oxygen mixtures at 25°C

A kinetic study has been made of the 3130-A photolysis of CH2O (8 torr) in O2-containing mixtures (0.02–8 torr) and in the presence of added CO2 (0–300 torr) at 25°C. Quantum yields of formation of H2, CO, and CO2 and the loss of O2 were measured. Φ and ΦCO were much above unity. In an explanation of these unexpected results, a new H-atom-forming chain mechanism was postulated involving HO2 and HO addition to CH2O: CH2O + hν H + HCO (1) H + CH2O H2 + HCO (3) H + O2 + M HO2 + M (6) HCO + O2 HO2 + CO (8) HO2 + CH2O (HO2CH2O) HO + HCO2H (15) HO + CH2O H2O + HCO† (16); HCO† H + CO (19) HO + CH2O H2O + HCO (17) and HO + CH2O HCO2H + H (18). When the results are rationalized in terms of this mechanism, the data suggest k16 ≫ k17 and k16/k18 ≅ 0.5. The data require that a reassessment of the relative rates of reactions (7) and (8) be made, since in the previous work HCO2H formation was used as a monitor of the rate of reaction (7) HCO + O2 + M HCOO2 + M (7). The present data from experiments at P = 8 torr and P = 1–4 torr give k7[M]/(k7[M] + k8) ≥ 0.049 ± 0.017. These data coupled with the k8 estimates of Washida and coworkers give k7 ≥ (4.4 ± 1.6) × 1011 l2/mol2·sec for M = CH2O. The reaction sequence proposed here is consistent with the observed deterimental effect of O2 addition on the laser-induced isotope enrichment in HDCO. In additional studies of CH2O-O2-isobutene mixtures it was found that Φ was equal to ϕ2 as estimated in O2-free CH2O-isobutene mixtures. These results suggest that the increase in CO (ν = 1) product observed with O2 addition in CH2O photolysis does not result from perturbations in the fragmentation pattern of the excited CH2O, but it is likely that it originates in the occurrence of the exothermic reaction HCO + O2 HO2 + CO (ν = 1).
Action of hydralazine on glucose turnover and plasma lipids in dogs

Abstract Acute effects of a single intravenous injection of hydralazine (20 mg./Kg.) on heart rate, femoral arterial blood pressure, glucose turnover (technique of priming injection-continuous infusion of glucose-U-C 14 ) and plasma lipids and catecholamines were studied in 15 anesthetized dogs. In 6 of the dogs, 3 received isotonic saline solution and 3 received hydralazine diluent. These control dogs had no changes in heart rate, arterial pressure or levels of plasma glucose and FFA. In the others, hydralazine produced significant, prompt and sustained increments in plasma FFA and heart rate and a decrement in diastolic (no change in systolic) blood pressure, the respective mean maximal changes from control levels being 330 Eq./L., 57 x/min., and 26 mm.Hg. Plasma level and rate of appearance (hepatic output) of glucose increased after hydralazine, with a maximum increase in plasma glucose of 58 mg. % above control 212hours after injection. Rate of disappearance (tissue uptake) of glucose remained unaltered despite the hyperglycemia. In 3 dogs, high inferior vena cava blood showed marked increases above control levels of both plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine after hydralazine. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not change. In conclusion, hydralazine induces hyperglycemia by increasing rate of appearance and by relatively inhibiting rate of disappearance of glucose. The changes in glucose turnover and the noted elevations in plasma FFA and heart rate are paralleled by increased secretion of catecholamines.
Area postrema and the anorectic actions of dexfenfluramine and amylin.

The present study examined whether the area postrema and adjacent nucleus of the solitary tract (AP/NTS) is necessary for the expression of anorexia to two classes of anorectic agent. The first agent is the serotonergic agonist, dexfenfluramine (DFEN) and the second is the pancreatic peptide, amylin. Rats were prepared with either aspiration lesions of the AP/NTS or a sham operation. Rats with such lesions (APX) displayed normal anorexia following administration of DFEN, but the anorectic effect of amylin was completely eliminated. The magnitude of a conditioned flavor aversion to DEN was similar in APX and sham operated controls but, unlike controls, APX rats did not reduce total intake in the two-bottle preference test. Finally, the induction of Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-ir) following either DFEN or amylin was examined in both APX and sham operated groups. Both agents induced Fos-ir in the AP and/or NTS of sham operated rats, and this region was entirely absent in the APX rats. DFEN-induced Fos-ir was reduced greatly in the PVN of APX rats, but appeared normal in several other regions surveyed, including the central nucleus of the amygdala and the dorsal striatum. In contrast, amylin-induced Fos-ir was reduced in many rostral brain regions of APX rats. These data indicate that neither the anorexia nor the flavor aversion that are produced by DFEN are dependent upon the AP, and in particular that Fos-ir induced by DFEN in the LPBE is not due to afferents from the AP/NTS. In contrast, the anorectic effect of amylin seems to be due principally to its direct action at the AP/NTS.
Vanishingly Low Levels of Ess1 Prolyl-isomerase Activity Are Sufficient for Growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ess1 is an essential peptidylprolyl-cis/trans-isomerase in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ess1 and its human homolog, Pin1, bind to phospho-Ser-Pro sites within proteins, including the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of Rpb1, the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (pol II). Ess1 and Pin1 are thought to control mRNA synthesis by catalyzing conformational changes in Rpb1 that affect interaction of cofactors with the pol II transcription complex. Here we have characterized wild-type and mutant Ess1 proteins in vitro and in vivo. We found that Ess1 preferentially binds and isomerizes CTD heptad-repeat (YSPTSPS) peptides that are phosphorylated on Ser5. Binding by the mutant proteins in vitro was essentially normal, and the proteins were largely stable in vivo. However, their catalytic activities were reduced >1,000-fold. These data along with results of in vivo titration experiments indicate that Ess1 isomerase activity is required for growth, but only at vanishingly low levels. We found that although wild-type cells contain about ∼200,000 molecules of Ess1, a level of fewer than 400 molecules per cell is sufficient for growth. In contrast, higher levels of Ess1 were required for growth in the presence of certain metabolic inhibitors, suggesting that Ess1 is important for tolerance to environmental challenge.
Differences in the applicability of the Easson-Stedman hypothesis to the α1- and α2-adrenergic effects of phenethylamines and imidazolines

The enantiomers of 2-(3,4, alpha-trihydroxybenzyl)imidazoline and the corresponding desoxy derivative, 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)imidazoline, were evaluated at alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors to test the applicability of the Easson-Stedman hypothesis to the imidazoline class of alpha-adrenergic agonists. A series of closely related phenethylamines was included for comparison. The Easson-Stedman hypothesis states that optically active adrenergic agonists possessing an asymmetric hydroxyl-substituted benzylic carbon atom will have the following relative potencies: R(-) greater than S(+) = desoxy. While the phenethylamines were found to adhere to the Easson-Stedman hypothesis at both alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors, the optically active imidazolines did not. These findings further support our previous observations that the phenethylamines and imidazolines may interact differently with alpha-adrenergic receptors.
The Application of Experience Sampling Approaches to the Study of Ethnic Identity: New Developmental Insights and Directions

In this article, we review how the application of experience sampling methods (ESM) has advanced knowledge of the developmental importance of ethnic identity for youth outcomes. In particular, ESM approaches have allowed researchers to explore the construct of salience, the context-dependent and fluid component of ethnic identity. We highlight new information on the importance of context for variability in ethnic identity salience, and the association between ethnic identity and psychological well-being.
Assessing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Review of Instrumentation

The authors review four new instruments designed to assess multicultural counseling competence in trainees and practicing professionals. The Cross-Cultural Counseling Inventory—Revised (CCCI-R), the Multicultural Counseling Awareness Scale—Form B (MCAS:B), the Multicultural Counseling Inventory (MCI), and the Multicultural Awareness-Knowledge-and Skills Survey (MAKSS) were each critically reviewed in terms of item development, psychometric properties, and pragmatic utility. Specific research suggestions for continued empirical validation on the instruments are posited, and strong cautions regarding their current use in training are leveled.
Hardware and software evolution of an adaptive ability measurement system

A software system for the administration of six different strategies of adaptive ability tests in a variety of formats was developed both on a large-scale time-sharing system and on a real-time minicomputer system. Factors influencing both hardware selection and software design are discussed.
On comparing survival probabilities from discrete observations under unequal censoring

Abstract In this paper C(α) tests are derived for the discrete Markov chain set-up that are locally asymptotically most powerful (LAMP) against alternatives with constant odds ratios for the comparison of survival rates under possibly unequal censoring.
Modulational Instability in Quadratic Media in a Quasi Self-Imaging Resonator

We discuss the threshold for transverse modulational instability in a quasi self-imaging resonator with a quadratic nonlinearity. We show that a large reduction in the threshold can be obtained using a short diffraction length.
Free-form machining for micro-imaging systems

While mechanical ruling and single point diamond turning has been a mainstay of optical fabrication for many years, many types of micro-optical devices and structures are not conducive to simple diamond turning or ruling, such as, for example, microlens arrays, and optical surfaces with non-radial symmetry. More recent developments in machining technology have enabled significant expansion of fabrication capabilities. Modern machine tools can generate complex three-dimensional structures with optical quality surface finish, and fabricate structures across a dynamic range of dimensions not achievable with lithographic techniques. In particular, five-axis free-form micromachining offers a great deal of promise for realization of essentially arbitrary surface structures, including surfaces not realizable through binary or analog lithographic techniques. Furthermore, these machines can generate geometric features with optical finish on scales ranging from centimeters to micrometers with accuracies of 10s of nanometers. In this paper, we discuss techniques and applications of free-form surface machining of micro-optical elements. Aspects of diamond machine tool design to realize desired surface geometries in specific materials are discussed. Examples are presented, including fabrication of aspheric lens arrays in germanium for compact infrared imaging systems. Using special custom kinematic mounting equipment and the additional axes of the machine, the lenses were turned with surface finish better than 2 nm RMS and center to center positioning accuracy of ±0.5 μm.
Characterizing forbidden clawless triples implying hamiltonian graphs

In this paper we characterize those forbidden triples of graphs, no one of which is a generalized claw, sufficient to imply that a 2-connected graph of sufficiently large order is hamiltonian.
Site-directed mutagenesis reveals a liver transcription factor essential for the albumin transcriptional enhancer.

Abstract A method based on the polymerase chain reaction is described for constructing a clustered set of basepair changes, deletions, or insertions at any site on a DNA fragment. Advantages of the procedure are that virtually every product has the desired sequence alteration and that only a single round of polymerase chain reaction is required. We used this method to demonstrate that the binding of a specific liver nuclear protein, which we call eH-TF, is essential for the function of the enhancer of the mouse albumin gene. The eH-TF binding activity is hepatocyte-specific; it binds to a functional region of the albumin promoter and is distinct from other albumin promoter factors, and part of the eH-TF binding sequence, TGTTTGC, occurs in functional regulatory sites of other liver-specific genes.
Intra-observer reproducibility of whole slide imaging for the primary diagnosis of breast needle biopsies

Background: Automated whole slide imaging (WSI), also known as virtual microscopy is rapidly becoming an important tool in diagnostic pathology. Currently, the primary utilization of the technique is for transmission of digital images, for second opinion consultation, as well as for quality assurance and education. The high-resolution of digital images along with the refinement of technology could now allow for WSI to be used as an alternative to conventional microscopy (CM) as a first line diagnostic platform. However, the accuracy and reproducibility of the technology for the routine histopathologic diagnosis has not been established yet. This study was undertaken to compare the intra-observer variability of WSI and CM in the primary diagnosis of breast biopsies. Materials and Methods: One hundred and three consecutive core needle biopsies of breast were selected for this study. Each slide was digitally scanned and the images were stored in a shared file. Three board-certified pathologists independently reviewed the glass slides by CM first, and in an interval of 2-3 weeks for the 2nd time to establish their baseline CM versus CM reproducibility. They then reviewed the digital images of all cases following the same interval of time to compare the reproducibility of WSI versus CM for each observer. The diagnostic categories included the typical range of benign and malignant mammary lesions. Results: The intra-observer variability for CM versus CM was 4%, 7%, and 0% for observers 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The diagnostic variability for WSI versus CM was 1%, 4%, and 1% for the same observers. All diagnostic disagreements were between ductal hyperplasia and atypical ductal hyperplasia. There was no intra-observer disagreement in the diagnosis of benign versus malignant disease. Conclusions: The intra-observer variability in the diagnosis of the core needle biopsies of the breast by high-resolution, WSI was the same as conventional glass slide microscopy. These results suggest that, WSI could be used similar to CM for the initial diagnosis of breast biopsies.
Molecular cloning and in situ localization of the human contactin gene (CNTN1) on chromosome 12q11-q12

Chick contactin/F11 (also known as F3 in mouse) is a neuronal cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin (Ig) gene family that is implicated in playing a role in the formation of axon connections in the developing nervous system. In human brain, contactin was first identified by amino terminal and peptide sequencing of the lentil-lectin-binding glycoprotein Gp135. We now report the isolation and characterization of cDNA clones encoding human contactin. Human contactin is composed of six C2 Ig-domains and four fibronectin type III (FNIII) repeats and is anchored to the membrane via a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol moiety, as shown by PI-PLC treatment of cells transfected with contactin cDNA and metabolic labeling with [3H]-ethanolamine. At the amino acid level, h-contactin is 78% identical to chick contactin/F11 and 94% to mouse F3. Independent cDNAs encoding two putative contactin isoforms were isolated and sequenced: h-contactin 1 cDNA encodes a protein with the amino-terminal sequence of purified Gp135, while the putative h-contactin 2 gene has a deletion of 33 nucleotides that predicts a protein with a shortened amino terminus. Northern analysis with a probe common for both isoforms detects one mRNA species of approximately 6.6 kb in adult human brain. Fluorescence in situ hybridization maps the gene for human contactin to human chromosome 12q11-q12. The h-contactin gene locus is thus in close proximity to homeobox 3, integrin subunit alpha 5, several proto-oncogene genes, a chromosomal breakpoint associated with various tumors, and the gene locus for Stickler syndrome. The cloning of human contactin now permits the study of its role in disorders of the human nervous system.
Production of Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) Containing Aromatic Substituents by Pseudomonas oleovorans

Pseudomonas oleovorans was grown separately on 5-(4'-tolyl)valeric acid, 5-(4'-ethylphenyl)-valeric acid, 5-(4'-biphenyl)valeric acid, and 8-(4'-tolyl)octanoic acid either as the sole carbon source or as a coefeed with either nonanoic acid or 5-phenylvaleric acid. For polymer production, 5-(4'-tolyl)valeric acid was the most effective growth substrate of the five. It resulted in the production of poly-3-hydroxy-5-(4'-tolyl)valerate, a crystalline polymer with a glass transition temperature of 18 °C and a melting transition of 95 °C. This poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) is apparently the first example of a crystalline aromatic-containing bacterial PHA. When P. oleovorans was cofed an equimolar mixture of 5-phenylvaleric acid and 5-(4'-tolyl)valeric acid, the polymer produced contained 36 mol % of 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvalerate and 64 mol % of 3-hydroxy-5-(4'-tolyl)valerate, and it did not crystallize.
Array comparative genomic hybridization reveals unbalanced gain of the MYCN region in Wilms tumors

Wilms tumor (WT) is one of the most common solid tumors in childhood. It is characterized by a nonrandom pattern of chromosomal aberrations whose clinical significance is still uncertain. To gain further insight into different genetic events and their corresponding biological role, conventional cytogenetics and array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) were performed on 13 tumor samples. In two of these, array CGH revealed, together with other aberrations, a low-level amplification and an unbalanced gain in the region of chromosome bands 2p23 approximately p24 that encompass the MYCN gene. Both events were confirmed with a MYCN-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization probe, which showed a signal pattern consistent with a small homogenous staining region in one case. In addition, mRNA expression levels for MYCN were determined by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and revealed that gain of chromosomal material was reflected in enhanced levels of MYCN mRNA in both tumors, whereby also additional tumors showed increased MYCN expression. Therefore, our findings suggest that WT is an additional childhood tumor where MYCN gain might play an important role in tumor development.
Topologically consistent trimmed surface approximations based on triangular patches

A scheme to approximate the trimmed surfaces defined by two tensor-product surface patches, intersecting in a smooth curve segment that extends between diametrically opposite patch corners, is formulated. The trimmed surface approximations are specified by triangular Bezier patches, whose tangent planes agree precisely with those of the tensor-product surfaces along the two sides where they coincide. Topological consistency of the two trimmed surfaces is achieved by requiring the "hypotenuse" sides of the triangular patches to be coincident. In the case of bicubic tensor-product patches and quintic triangular trimmed surface approximations, enforcing these conditions entails the solution of a linear system of 30 equations in 32 unknowns. The two remaining scalar freedoms, together with four additional free control points, are employed to enhance the accuracy and/or smoothness properties of the intersection curve and trimmed surface approximations. By means of an appropriate subdivision preprocessing, the trimmed surface scheme may be used on models described by arbitrary bicubic surface patches.
Critical evaluation of frozen section margins in head and neck cancer resections.

BACKGROUND. Negative resection margins are likely the most important prognostic factor for a patient with a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Frozen-section evaluation allows a positive margin to be corrected before surgical closure and reconstruction. A final pathology report is later issued after examination of all resected tissues. The accuracy of the final pathology report relies on accuracy in the preceding steps. The current process of margin reporting in head and neck cancer resections was studied to reveal possible waste and error in the system. METHODS. Two hundred pathologists were surveyed about their center's current process of frozen-section margin evaluation. The authors of the current study used the membership log of the North American Society of Head and Neck Pathology and the list of the top 50 US cancer centers according to US News and World Report. The authors analyzed the process of frozen-section procedure using Toyota industry principles of quality improvement. RESULTS. The majority of surgeons send small fragments of tissue from the surgical defect cavity. Many pathologists receive small unoriented tissue fragments. Many resample all or most of the margins for the final pathology report without anatomic orientation from the surgeon. Other pathologists do not sample any margins. CONCLUSIONS. Final margin reporting redundancy and waste is due mainly to lack of anatomic correlation at interdisciplinary hand-offs. Oversampling and undersampling of margins may be occurring, and the accuracy of the final pathology report may be compromised. There is currently no consensus on how to best submit tissue for frozen-section evaluation of head and neck resection margins. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Persistent Respiratory Failure Due to Low Cervical Cord Infarction in Newborn Babies

Perinatal infarction of the spinal cord is described in two premature babies who survived for several months. In both cases, there was bilateral, multisegmental infarction at the lower cervicothoracic arterial zone (inferior cervical sector), predominantly within the territory of the anterior spinal artery. Clinically, both infants had acute respiratory failure, diaphragmatic respiration, intercostal paralysis, bell-shaped deformity of the thorax, and bilateral arm paresis. Intubation and ventilator support were required for weeks. Eventual extubation was followed by recurrent respiratory failure, atelectasis, and pneumonia. At the level of the infarction, multiple, scattered scars were found in central, perimedullary, and intramedullary arteries, but not in their parent vessels. The etiology of the angiopathy was not determined. These cases demonstrate that discrete arterial infarction of the cord can occur in premature babies, and that such a lesion should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neonatal respiratory failure.
Wake Structures Behind Plunging Airfoils: A Comparison of Numerical and Experimental Results

Comparisons are made between numerically and experimentally produced wake structures behind airfoils undergoing rapid, oscillatory plunging motions. Numerical simulations are performed using an unsteady panel code. Inviscid, incompressible ows about arbitrary moving airfoils are computed with the unsteady wake approximated by discrete point vortices, tracked using a Lagrangian mesh scheme. Numerically computed results are visualized using an interactive, graphical-animation interface. Experimental data are obtained from a low-speed water tunnel. Two-color dye injection is used to visualize unsteady wake structures, and velocity data are acquired using laser doppler velocimetry. Comparisons of vortex location agree well with linear theory for low amplitude motions. For large amplitude, high frequency motions, results diverge from linear theory, but wakes from the two approaches compare well with each other, including highly non-linear, non-symmetric wakes obtained for high amplitude, high frequency motions. Computed velocity pro les and integrated thrust coe cients for both approaches agree well.
Electrooptic light-beam deflection

The impetus given display, recording, computer, and space technologies by the revolutionary discovery of the laser has created an ever-increasing need for controlled optical-beam deflection techniques. Those that have been developed thus far, usually employing mechanical or acoustical methods, have had either high insertion loss or limitation on bandwidth. Electrooptic methods have not only overcome these problems, but have successfully met the demands of systems requiring aperiodic and rapid-access modes of operation. After the basic theory of optical deflection, resolution, and control are outlined, two experimental models of electrooptic beam deflectors, as well as the two major difficulties that have been encountered, are described.
Comprehension deficits of Broca's aphasics provide no evidence for traces

The data provided by Grodzinsky demonstrating a syntactic comprehension deficit in Broca's patients provide no evidence for the theoretical concepts of movement, trace or “trace deletion.” The comprehension deficit data can be more economically accounted for with traditional grammatical concepts that are less theory-internal and more empirically based.
Material fatigue behavior characterization using the wavelet-based AE technique – a case study of acrylic bone cement

Abstract In this paper, a wavelet-based acoustic emission (WBAE) technique was developed to characterize material fatigue behavior and compared to the results of the classical fracture mechanics approach. To demonstrate the proposed method, acrylic bone cement which is sensitive to hand mixing and vacuum mixing (VM) methods was selected as an example. The results obtained by the proposed method showed that the VM specimen significantly affected the crack propagation rate but this was not the case when the classical fracture mechanics approach was considered. The proposed method, therefore, showed the advantages of applying discrete wavelet transform in AE signals to identify and eliminate the noises from AE signals and to provide a multi-resolution analysis. It can be concluded that the WBAE technique is an effective tool to study material fatigue behavior.
Intrinsic and extrinsic hydraulic factors in varying sizes of two Amazonian palm species (Iriartea deltoidea and Mauritia flexuosa) differing in development and growing environment

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF THE STUDY This study seeks to determine how hydraulic factors vary with ontogeny and whether they begin to limit further height growth in palms. Palms are an attractive group for physiological research because their columnar trunks and simple leaf habit allow key intrinsic and extrinsic hydraulic variables to be estimated more easily than in complex arborescent dicotyledons. • METHODS We measured various biometric and physiological factors including sap flux, leaf areas, turnover rates, and internode lengths in two Amazonian rainforest species: terra firme Iriartea deltoidea and swamp-adapted Mauritia flexuosa. These two palm species differ markedly in edaphic conditions, leaf type (pinnately compound vs. palmate), and bole development, making physiological comparisons between them important as well. • KEY RESULTS The species exhibited differing patterns in height growth rate along boles, which appear to relate to their differences in bole development. Growth rates ultimately slowed at the tops of tall palms in both species. We also found a high degree of convergence in total leaf area with height in both species even though they exhibited contrasting patterns in both live frond number and leaf area per frond with height. Sap flux density from leaves was constant with height but four times greater in M. flexuosa than in I. deltoidea. • CONCLUSIONS Although height growth rates slow considerably in tall palms, neither species shows evidence that hydraulic factors become limiting because they are able to support much greater leaf areas with similar sap flux densities as shorter palms.
Immunocytochemical localization and direct assays of serotonin-containing neurons in Aplysia.

Abstract Serotonin-containing neurons were localized in the central nervous system of Aplysia californica by the combination of an immunohistochemical procedure for wholemounts of Aplysia ganglia and, in parallel experiments, by the direct measurement of serotonin in individual neurons with a radioenzymatic assay. Paraformaldehyde fixed, desheathed ganglia were incubated in a commercially available antiserum against a conjugate of serotonin and bovine serum albumin. The bound antibody was visualized by an indirect antibody procedure using the horseradish peroxidase catalyzed reduction of the chromogen, diaminobenzidine, and a cobalt-nickel intensification procedure. The specificity of the immunoreaction for serotonin-containing cells was demonstrated by (1) the consistent staining of previously identified serotonin-containing neurons; (2) the absence of staining in identifiable neurons which do not contain measurable serotonin; and (3) the absence of staining in ganglia treated with antiserum which had been absorbed by serotonin and the serotonin conjugate. Previously unidentified serotonin-containing neurons were localized in the cerebral and pedal ganglia by the combination of immunocytochemistry and direct assay for serotonin. Immunoreactive fibers were found surrounding many neuronal somata. In addition, serotonin assays of known cholinergic neurons that were covered by immunoreactive fibers indicated that measurable amounts of serotonin were associated with such neurons, but the concentration of serotonin was an order of magnitude lower than in neurons known to stain with the anti-serotonin serum. These studies have localized more than a hundred neurons that appear to contain serotonin in concentrations (0.5 mM) in the Aplysia central nervous system. In addition, it appears that the long-held belief that the somata of invertebrate neurons are relatively free of impinging nerve fibers may no longer be tenable. The immunoreactive fibers surrounding many cell bodies may be the source of measurable serotonin associated with neurons known to utilize or to contain transmitter substances other than serotonin. Immunocytochemical techniques applied to wholemounts of molluscan preparations facilitate identification of stained neurons for parallel physiological and chemical experiments.
Illusions of Ticket-Splitting

Studies of ticket-splitting have been based on flaws of evidence and conception, whether using aggregate or survey data. A common basis for error has been the "two-office split- result" approach. Errors devolving from this approach, for example, assume that split congressional districts or split gubernatorial/ state legislative alignments are indeed based on ticket-splitting. Survey studies, with rare exception, suffer from the problem of voter recall, reliability of reported information, and the "missing GOP vote" explanation. Both aggregate and survey studies commonly either ignore the incomplete problem or understate it significantly. However, the high number of incomplete ballots suggests, along with other data, that ticket-splitting is not necessarily widespread or increasing. Approaches to remedy these problems are suggested.
Editor's note: The parameters of adult development

Based on a recent extension of Heinz Werner's (1957) organismic-developmental theory (e.g., Wapner, 1987; Wapner & Demick, 1990, 1991), suggestions for the parameters of theJournal of Adult Development have been generated. These include the need for: (1) a focus on adult development at all levels of integration (biological, psychological, sociocultural); (2) increased examination of the interrelations among these levels as well as between the psychological part-processes ofexperience (cognition, affect, valuation) andaction over the course of adult development; (3) the complementarity of theory and empiricism, of basic and applied research, and of quantitative and qualitative approaches to methodology; and (4) transdisciplinary collaboration. Preliminary editorial policies are sketched; recommendations for any aspect of policy and procedure are strongly encouraged.
Secure Power Grid Infrastructure Simulation-Test System Creation and Telecommunication Network Implementation

This paper presents a hardware test system developed at Florida International University capable of performing the operation of modern power system infrastructure. The purpose of this system is for research and educational applications. We will describe the design and construction of this test system as well as its implementation to simulate distributed control scheme. Some important elements of the system incorporate real life, flexible power system network hardware, data acquisition (DAQ) system and telecommunication industry standard technologies to deal with issues that could trigger cascaded failures. The research effort develops new techniques for local monitoring of a power system. The data obtained are then used to coordinate the distributed control operation of the power system. This technique enables system operators to locally detect and mitigate potential cascading events before spreading to other areas.
Deformation-based nonlinear dimension reduction: Applications to nuclear morphometry

We describe a new approach for elucidating the nonlinear degrees of freedom in a distribution of shapes depicted in digital images. By combining a deformation-based method for measuring distances between two shape configurations together with multidimensional scaling, a method for determining the number of degrees of freedom in a shape distribution is described. In addition, a method for visualizing the most representative modes of variation (underlying shape parameterization) in a nuclei shape distribution is also presented. The novel approach takes into account the nonlinear nature of shape manifolds and is related to the ISOMAP algorithm. We apply the method to the task of analyzing the shape distribution of HeLa cell nuclei and conclude that approximately three parameters are responsible for their shape variation. Excluding differences in size, translation, and orientation, these are: elongation, bending (concavity), and shifts in mass distribution. In addition, results show that, contrary to common intuition, the most likely nuclear shape configuration is not symmetric.
Calculated Risks: Why Statesmen Let It Ride

Balancing Risks: Great Power Intervention in the Periphery. By Jeffrey W. Taliaferro. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2004. 336 pp., $39.95 (ISBN: 0-8014-4221-4). In Balancing Risks: Great Power Intervention in the Periphery , Jeffrey W. Taliaferro makes a substantial contribution to our knowledge of international politics in the realist tradition. He explains why great powers intervene in regions that are peripheral to their security interests and why they tend to escalate these commitments even if their actions prompt threats to their core security concerns. He does this through a marriage of defensive realism and prospect theory, thus joining the growing ranks of international relations scholars who have foregone the blithe assumption of instrumental rationality and examined the impact that different theories of rational decision making have upon our expectations of foreign policy behavior. The product is elegant, empirically supported, and applicable to a wider domain of foreign policy behaviors. Defensive realism holds that the primary goal of states is security and that the anarchic structure of the international system and the distribution of material capabilities provide weak incentives for aggression and conflict. This proposition poses a dilemma for defensive realism in that it does not locate the reasons for security seeking in either the will to power of classical realism or the systemic imperatives of offensive realism. Taliaferro argues that the perceptions, forecasts, and calculations of statesmen regarding the dynamic nature of the distribution of capabilities are the key sources of conflict …
Reasoning about The Past with Two-Way Automata

The Μ-calculus can be viewed as essentially the “ultimate” program logic, as it expressively subsumes all propositional program logics, including dynamic logics, process logics, and temporal logics. It is known that the satisfiability problem for the Μ-calculus is EXPTIME-complete. This upper bound, however, is known for a version of the logic that has only forward modalities, which express weakest preconditions, but not backward modalities, which express strongest postconditions. Our main result in this paper is an exponential time upper bound for the satisfiability problem of the Μ-calculus with both forward and backward modalities. To get this result we develop a theory of two-way alternating automata on infinite trees.
Tregs and rethinking cancer immunotherapy

Tumors express antigens that should induce immune-mediated rejection, but spontaneous rejection of established tumors is rare. Recent work demonstrates that one reason for the lack of tumor rejection is that tumors actively defeat host immunity. This concept forces us to rethink current approaches to harnessing potent, specific host immunity to battle cancer, most of which are based on the paradigm that inducing more antitumor immune cells alone is therapeutic. However, as I discuss in this Personal Perspective, a newer paradigm predicts that reducing tumor-driven immune suppression will be clinically beneficial. CD4+CD25+ Tregs are one mechanism of tumor-driven immune evasion that provide prototypical targets for testing novel anticancer treatment strategies within the newer paradigm.
Divergent Dendronization of Deep‐Cavity Cavitands to Tune Host Solubility

Resorcinarene-based deep-cavity cavitands (DCCs) are useful components in supramolecular chemistry because their extended cavity enables the encapsulation of relatively large guests. To provide H2O solubility, they have been modified with hydroxyl functionalized dendrons. This has been carried out by the divergent dendronization of aliphatic poly(ester) dendrons through the third dendritic generation. The resultant macromolecule demonstrated the desired H2O solubility.
The Emergence of biological coding theory as a mathematical framework for modeling, monitoring, and modulating biomolecular systems

In this work we will discuss the implications of understanding hybridization using the mathematical framework of error control coding theory and how this requires not only the use of information theoretic analysis tools, but compels us to view and model biomolecular systems as information transmission and processing systems. Using the genetic communication theory paradigm, we investigate coding theory algorithms for in silico categorization of single nucleotide polymorphisms based on the calculation of syndromes [1]. We explore the use of coding theory frameworks in the design of in vitro computational biosensors [2] and design of error correcting biosensors [3] for monitoring biomolecular systems. We conclude by briefly investigating the necessity of biological coding theory in the emerging field of synthetic biology [4] where incorporation of error control codes into synthetic DNA, an established area of research in the field of DNA computing [5], is becoming an area of growing interest in order to increase the robustness of engineered biomolecular systems.
THE ROLE OF MESOCORTICOLIMBIC DOPAMINE IN REGULATING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DRUGS OF ABUSE AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

The use of addictive drugs can have profound short- and long-term consequences on social behaviors. Similarly, social experiences and the presence or absence of social attachments during early development and throughout life can greatly influence drug intake and the susceptibility to drug abuse. The following review details this reciprocal interaction, focusing on common drugs of abuse (e.g., psychostimulants, opiates, alcohol and nicotine) and social behaviors (e.g., maternal, sexual, play, aggressive and bonding behaviors). The neural mechanisms underlying this interaction are discussed, with a particular emphasis on the involvement of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system.
Phosphorylation of specific serine residues within the acidic domain of the phosphoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus regulates transcription in vitro.

Abstract The phosphorylated state of the vesicular stomatitis virus phosphoprotein (P), an essential component of the virion-associated RNA polymerase complex, has been shown to be important for the transcriptional activity of the complex. Recent studies indicate that phosphorylation within the acidic domain of the P protein by cellular casein kinase II is necessary for its activity. In an attempt to identify the exact location of the cell kinase-mediated phosphorylation, we altered specific serine and threonine residues within the acidic domain of the New Jersey serotype of P protein by site-directed mutagenesis. The altered P proteins were then tested to determine what effect these mutations had on the phosphorylated state of the protein in vivo as well as its transcriptional activity in vitro. We report that serine residues 59 and 61 within the acidic domain of the P protein must be phosphorylated for it to be functionally active in a reconstituted transcription assay. These results demonstrate the importance of site-specific phosphorylation in the transcriptional activity of a negative-strand RNA viral phosphoprotein and the crucial role played by a cell protein kinase in this process.
Towards Understanding the Asian Crisis and its Aftermath

Abstract During the 1997 economic crisis in Asia, we observed that several East Asian economies encountered significant external and internal shocks that led to a widespread economic recession. The severe exchange rate depreciation may have harmed the supply side of these economies such that production was contracted. Many argue that the initial tightened domestic policies aimed at countering these shocks and restoring economic growth may have further exacerbated the initial crisis by contracting the domestic sector. This paper analyzes the impact of anticipated and unanticipated changes in the real exchange rate, fiscal spending, the money supply, and energy prices on output and price in Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. The results indicate that anticipated real depreciation during the crisis may have adversely affected the supply side, shrinking output growth while accelerating price inflation. In contrast, the combined effects of supply and demand channels render the outcome of un...
Fast construction of force-closure grasps

This article presents a new theorem and an algorithm for fast synthesis of two-fingered force-closure grasps for arbitrary polygonal objects. The polygonal objects are allowed to be of arbitrary shape, in the sense that there is no restriction that the objects be convex. Moreover, each edge of the polygon is allowed to have different frictional characteristics. Our novel formulation results in a simple and efficient algorithm that finds grasps that tolerate the largest positioning errors for each of the fingertips at the contact points. The algorithm is both complete and correct, meaning that if any force-closure grasp exists for the object, the algorithm will find it; furthermore, all the grasps synthesized by the algorithm are guaranteed to be valid force-closure grasps.
Operating robot manipulators through kinematic singularities using a continuously sliding mode control

Planning the motion of end-effectors of robot manipulators can be carried out more directly in the Cartesian space compared to the joint space. Yet, Cartesian paths may include singular configurations where conventional control schemes suffer from excessive joint velocities and loss of tracking accuracy. The difficulties arise because the Jacobian matrix that is used to establish a linear relation between the velocities in the task and joint spaces loses rank at singularities. The problem can be resolved by using a local second-order approximation of robot kinematics for the joint velocities, which is called Resolved Motion Quadratic Rate Control. In this article, we present a control strategy based on this approach and a recently developed variable structure control scheme. The controller receives Cartesian inputs whenever the manipulator is outside the singular domain. Otherwise, it uses resolved motion quadratic rate control to compute the required joint inputs. Numerical simulation is performed to show that the proposed control scheme provides accurate tracking of the desired motion without inducing excessive control activity when operating robot manipulators through singular configurations. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Biodiversity and Biogeography of an Important Inbred Pest of Coffee, Coffee Berry Borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

AmpliÞed fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) Þngerprinting was used to examine the genetic variability and biogeography of the most important insect pest of coffee, Coffea arabica L., the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari). H. hampei samples (n 101) from 17 countries on three continents were examined. Only 26 unique Þngerprints (haplotypes) were dis- covered among all samples. Genetic variability was extremely low (10% average polymorphism per sample), but genetic differentiation was high (ST 0.464). The distribution of the Þngerprints and their genetic relatedness to each other suggested that a West African source population invaded both Asia and America. Three distinct lines entered the Americas through either separate introductions or a single introduction of multiple lines. At least two were Þrst introduced to Brazil and subsequently dispersed throughout the Americas. The third was discovered only in Peru and Colombia. Observa- tions were consistent with the high rate of inbreeding suspected of this pest. With such high inbreeding, undesirable mutations, such as those conferring insecticide resistance, might rapidly become homozygous in H. hampei. However, the low genetic variability observed also suggests that this pest may lack the genetic variability necessary to respond to an intensive control strategy.