cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Knockdown of AMPA Receptor GluR2 Expression Causes Delayed Neurodegeneration and Increases Damage by Sublethal Ischemia in Hippocampal CA1 and CA3 Neurons

Considerable evidence suggests that Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors are critical mediators of the delayed, selective neuronal death associated with transient global ischemia and sustained seizures. Global ischemia suppresses mRNA and protein expression of the glutamate receptor subunit GluR2 and increases AMPA receptor-mediated Ca(2+) influx into vulnerable neurons of the hippocampal CA1 before the onset of neurodegeneration. Status epilepticus suppresses GluR2 mRNA and protein in CA3 before neurodegeneration in this region. To examine whether acute downregulation of the GluR2 subunit, even in the absence of a neurological insult, can cause neuronal cell death, we performed GluR2 "knockdown" experiments. Intracerebral injection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeted to GluR2 mRNA induced delayed death of pyramidal neurons in CA1 and CA3. Antisense-induced neurodegeneration was preceded by a reduction in GluR2 mRNA, as indicated by in situ hybridization, and in GluR2 protein, as indicated by Western blot analysis. GluR2 antisense suppressed GluR2 mRNA in the dentate gyrus but did not cause cell death. The AMPA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxiline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and the Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptor channel blocker 1-naphthyl acetyl spermine protected against antisense-induced cell death. This result indicates that antisense-induced cell death is mediated by Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors. GluR2 antisense and brief sublethal global ischemia acted synergistically to cause degeneration of pyramidal neurons, consistent with action by a common mechanism. These findings demonstrate that downregulation of GluR2 is sufficient to induce delayed death of specific neuronal populations.
Models of Spots and Flares

MHD effects in stars are seen in their most spectacular form in the processes which are typical of flares. At first sight, it appears that the phenomena of dark spots (whose long lifetimes give an impression of quasi-equilibrium) are inevitably less interesting. However, this is not necessarily true. Laboratory experiments in recent years have shown that there are many more ways to drive a plasma out of equilibrium than to preserve equilibrium. In that sense, then, it is perhaps “easier to understand” why flares should occur in a stellar atmosphere (where convective jostling of field lines creates potential for driving a large number of instabilities) than why a long-lived feature such as a dark spot should persist. Various instabilities which may contribute to flares are discussed by Priest and Spicer (this volume). Here, we summarize work on the equilibrium structure of cool spots in the sun and stars. Since spots involve complex interactions between convective flows and magnetic fields, we need to refer to observations for help in identifying the dominant processes which should enter into the modelling. This summary therefore begins by discussing certain relevant properties of spots in the solar atmosphere.
Investigation of a recent rise of dual amantadine-resistance mutations in the influenza A M2 sequence

The S31N amantadine-resistance mutation in the influenza A M2 sequence currently occurs more frequently in nature than the S31 wild type. Overcoming the resistance of the S31N mutation is the primary focus of M2 researchers who aim to develop novel antiviral therapies. Recent studies have noted a possible rise in frequency of the V27A/S31N double amantadine-resistance mutation in recent years. The purpose of this study is to investigate this recent rise in frequency of the double mutation and any possible bias of the other mutations toward co-occurrence with S31N or S31 strains. The primary dataset used for this study was comprised of 24,152 influenza A M2 channel sequences which were downloaded from UniProt. There is an increased frequency for the S31N/V27A dual AR mutation in recent years, especially in swine. A test for difference in two proportions indicates that the V27A mutation is co-occurring with S31N more often than expected (p-value < 0.001) when considering individual amino acid frequencies. At the same time, the different propensities for the V27A as compared to the V27T dual mutant may reflect differences in viral fitness or protein energetics, and this information could be exploited to focus drug development so as to reduce further drug insensitivity. The development of the S31N/V27A variant in the Midwestern US swine may be a harbinger of novel human strain development. V27A/S31N is a possible path forward for the evolution of M2 which may convey a new level of drug resistance and should receive attention in drug design.
Optic Nerve Head Blood Flow Assessment by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography May Be More Sensitive Than Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Detecting Multiple Sclerosis-Related Optic Nerve Dysfunction (P2.258)

OBJECTIVE: To determine if regional retinal blood flow, as captured by a novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography technique, can identify multiple sclerosis (MS)-related optic nerve dysfunction. BACKGROUND: Few good outcome measures capture non-relapse related disease progression in MS. Optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow, likely reflecting metabolic demand of the associated tissue, may prove more sensitive and responsive than retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLt) which reflects axonal loss. DESIGN/METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, MS and healthy control (HC) subjects underwent high and low-contrast visual acuity testing and OCT for both ONH flow index (ONH-FI) and RNFLt. ONH-FI was quantified from OCT angiograms based on 4 registered scans, where blood flow was detected by the split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography algorithm. RNFL and ONH-FI values less than 1.65 standard deviations below the mean of HC data were considered abnormal (5th percentile). The Mann-Whitney u test tested group differences in continuous variables and Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Fifty-two MS eyes (38 without [ON-] and 14 with history of optic neuritis [ON+]) and 21 HC eyes have been analyzed. MS ON+ eyes had significantly lower ONH-FI than HC and MS ON- eyes (both p < 0.005). MS ON+ eyes trended toward toward a lower RNFLt than MS ON- eyes (p = 0.06). No significant correlations between ONH-FI and RNFL existed. Of the MS ON+ eyes, 6 showed abnormal ONH-FI only, 3 abnormal RNFLt only, 1 both abnormal ONH-FI and RNFLt, and 4 with neither abnormalities. Visual acuity, clinical, and full cohort data will be presented. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in ONH blood flow by OCT angiography identified more MS ON+ subjects than RNFLt. ONH-FI may be a more sensitive measure of ON dysfunction than RNFLt by reflecting metabolic activity rather than irreversible axonal loss. ONH-FI may provide a complementary method of monitoring MS-related optic nerve dysfunction. Study Supported by: NIH: UL1TR000128, R01-EY013516, R01-EY023285, P30EY010572; Medical Research Foundation of Oregon (GNEUR0728A) Disclosure: Dr. Spain has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jia has received research support from Optovue, Inc. Dr. Tan has received royalty, or license fee, or contractual rights payments from Carl Zeiss Meditech, Inc. Dr. Tan has received research support from Optovue, Inc. Dr. Bourdette has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Serono Inc., and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Huang has received royalty, license fee, or contractual rights payments from Optovue Inc., and Carl Zeiss Meditech Inc. Dr. Huang has received research support from Optovue Inc.
Modulation of cone horizontal cell activity in the teleost fish retina. II. Role of interplexiform cells and dopamine in regulating light responsiveness

Following the destruction of the terminals of the dopaminergic interplexiform cells by intraocular injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6- OHDA), cone horizontal cells exhibited high light responsiveness in prolonged darkness and their responses to moderate and bright full- field flashes were as large as 60 mV. Furthermore, the light responsiveness of these cells in the 6-OHDA-treated retinas was not enhanced by background illumination. The application of dopamine (50 microM) by superfusion to 6-OHDA-treated retinas resulted in a decrease in light responsiveness and changes in response waveform of the cone horizontal cells. Twenty minutes following dopamine application the responses of the cone horizontal cells closely resembled the response of cells recorded in prolonged dark-adapted retinas. Dopamine caused similar changes in cone horizontal cells recorded in light-exposed retinas, but had no obvious effects on rod horizontal cells. The selective dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, Sch 23390, enhanced cone horizontal cell responsiveness when applied to prolonged dark-adapted retinas, mimicking background illumination. The light responsiveness of cone horizontal cells recorded after application of Sch 23390 was less than that for cells in retinas that had been exposed to background lights, but light responsiveness could not be further enhanced by background illumination. Another dopamine antagonist, (+)-butaclamol, was found to have effects similar to Sch 23390 on cone horizontal cells, but (-)-butaclamol, the inactive enantiomer, did not enhance the light responsiveness of these cells. The results suggest that the dopaminergic interplexiform cells play a crucial role in the regulation of cone horizontal cell responsiveness by prolonged darkness and background illumination. These cells may release dopamine tonically in the dark, which suppresses cone horizontal cell responsiveness. Background illumination may decrease dopamine release and liberate cone horizontal cells from the suppression.
Do Experimental and Nonexperimental Evaluations Give Different Answers about the Effectiveness of Government-Funded Training Programs?.

This paper uses meta-analysis to investigate whether random assignment (or experimental) evaluations of voluntary government-funded training programs for the disadvantaged have produced different conclusions than nonexperimental evaluations. Information includes several hundred estimates from 31 evaluations of 15 programs that operated between 1964 and 1998. The results suggest that experimental and nonexperimental evaluations yield similar conclusions about the effectiveness of training programs, but that estimates of average effects for youth and possibly men might have been larger in experimental studies. The results also suggest that variation among nonexprimental estimates of program effects is similar to variation among experimental estimates for men and youth, but not for women (for whom it seems to be larger), although small sample sizes make the estimated differences somewhat imprecise for all three groups. The policy implications of the findings are discussed. © 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Becoming aware of motor skill

Conscious processes have a complex relationship to skilled motor performance. Past work has shown that some types of motor skill can be learned without any contribution from conscious processes. New work indicates that if those unconscious processes are disabled, conscious processes might step in to make up for the deficit.
A new sinc-galerkin method for convection-diffusion equations with mixed boundary conditions

Abstract A new sinc-Galerkin method is developed for approximating the solution of convection-diffusion equations with mixed boundary conditions on half-infinite intervals. The method avoids differentiation of the coefficients of the PDE, rendering it appropriate as a forward solver in an inverse coefficient problem. The method has the advantage that no functions are appended to the sinc basis in the discretization. An error analysis is included, and it is shown that the error in the approximate solution is bounded in the infinity norm by the norm of the inverse of the coefficient matrix multiplied by a factor that decays exponentially with the size of the system. We demonstrate the exponential convergence of the method on several test problems.
Pharmacokinetics and cerebrospinal fluid penetration of moxalactam in children with bacterial meningitis

The serum pharmacokinetics and CSF penetration of moxalactam were determined in 39 children with bacterial meningitis. The mean serum concentrations 30 minutes after a 37.5 or 50 mg/kg dose were 66.7 and 113 μg/ml, respectively. The t 1/2β was between 1.8 and 2.0 hours. The mean ±1 SD CSF/serum percentage was 18.5±16.0% (range 2.0 to 61%) for all children on any day of therapy or hour, after the last of three 50 mg/kg doses. Cerebrospinal fluid bactericidal titers were ≥1:32 in 13 of 14 CSF specimens. Moxalactam adequately penetrates into the CSF of children with bacterial meningitis after repetitive 50 mg/kg doses.
Keeping a Critical, Postmodern Eye on Educational Leadership in the United States: In Appreciation of Bill Foster

Although William P. Foster assumed the critical theorist's stance of revealing the pre- sumptions and assumptions of educational leadership, he, among others, also provided the underpinnings for the field's current attention to issues of social justice. This article furthers the call, which Foster articulated in his final article, to assert leadership locally in countering the homogenizing effects of national standardization policies. Those who prepare local school leaders must engage in research at the local level that reveals edu- cative approaches to preparing educational leaders that transcend policy limits on leadership.
Cellular uptake of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides is negatively affected by cell density in a transformed rat tracheal epithelial cell line: implication for antisense approaches.

Abstract Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides have been used to specifically inhibit the expression of a variety of genes. In the process of testing phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides ( S-oligos ) as specific inhibitors of transforming growth factor α synthesis, we observed that the efficiency of cellular uptake of S-oligos was not constant throughout the culture period but decreased as the cell densities increased. Our data suggest that the mechanism by which oligonucleotides enter cells is negatively affected by increased cell density. These results emphasize the importance of determining uptake kinetics before designing and interpreting antisense experiments using phosphorothioate oligonucleotides.
Clean-Slate Development of Certified OS Kernels

The CertiKOS project at Yale aims to develop new language-based technologies for building large-scale certified system software. Initially, we thought that verifying an OS kernel would require new program logics and powerful proof automation tools, but it should not be much different from standard Hoare-style program verification. After several years of trials and errors, we have decided to take a different path from the one we originally planned. We now believe that building large-scale certified system software requires a fundamental shift in the way we design the underlying programming languages, program logics, and proof assistants. In this talk, I outline our new clean-slate approach, explain its rationale, and describe various lessons and insights based on our experience with the development of several new certified OS kernels.
Ion-Enhanced Dry Etching of Magnetic Multilayers: Post-Etch Cleaning and Effects of UV Illumination

Patterning of magnetic multilayer structures of the type used for MRAMs (e.g. NiFeCo/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/NiFeCo) is generally performed with ion milling, but this can degrade the coercivity of small (micron-size) MRAM elements and lead to sidewall redeposition. In high ion density reactive plasmas (Cl2/Ar) it is possible to produce ion-enhanced desorption of otherwise involatile halogenated reaction products, and achieve practical etch rates (∼600 A/min) for the multilayers. However, removal of the chlorinated etch products from the feature sidewalls is critically important to avoid corrosion. We have used de-ionized water rinsing or in-situ exposure to H2, O2 or SF6 plasmas for removal of these etch residues. Some slight degradation in magnetization was observed in O2 plasma treated structures, but the other cleaning procedures produced no change in magnetic properties and excellent long-term stability. UV illumination of the sample surface during etching is also found to enhance etch rates, as has been reported previously for room temperature etching of Cu.[1]
The bitter with the sweet: The taste/stress/temperament nexus

Is the tongue a window to the psyche? In rats, stress alters taste, and individual differences in taste are related to measures of emotion. The present study concerned stress-induced changes in taste and its modulation by temperament in people. College students rated saccharin's bitterness and sweetness and a tone's loudness after exposure to a mild stressor. Temperament (trait arousability, pleasure, and dominance) was assessed separately. When individual differences were ignored, stress appeared to selectively increase sensitivity to saccharin's bitterness. However, the stressor's impact was modulated by temperament: Stress nonselectively augmented stimulus magnitude ratings among highly arousable individuals; relative to high-pleasure counterparts, low-pleasure individuals gave higher bitterness ratings and lower sweetness ratings after stress. Taste does seem to provide a glimpse of the emotional life of humans and other animals and opens new avenues to the study of the biological bases of affect.
A Methodology for Establishing a Data Reliability Measure for Value of Spatial Information Problems

We propose a value of information (VOI) methodology for spatial Earth problems. VOI is a tool to determine whether purchasing a new information source would improve a decision-makers’ chances of taking the optimal action. A prior uncertainty assessment of key geologic parameters and a reliability of the data to resolve them are necessary to make a VOI assessment. Both of these elements are challenging to obtain, as this assessment is made before the information is acquired. We present a flexible prior geologic uncertainty modeling scheme that allows for the inclusion of many types of spatial parameter. Next, we describe how to obtain a physics-based reliability measure by simulating the geophysical measurement on the generated prior models and interpreting the simulated data. Repeating this simulation and interpretation for all datasets, a frequency table can be obtained that describes how many times a correct or false interpretation was made by comparing them to their respective original model. This frequency table is the reliability measure and allows a more realistic VOI calculation. An example VOI calculation is demonstrated for a spatial decision related to aquifer recharge where two geophysical techniques are considered for their ability to resolve channel orientations. As necessitated by spatial problems, this methodology preserves the structure, influence and dependence of spatial variables through the prior geological modeling and the explicit geophysical simulation and interpretations.
Nuclear Spin Relaxation in Cs Metal

The characteristic nuclear-magnetic-resonance parameters, Knight shift, line shape and width, and relaxation times have been measured in cesium metal from the melting point to 1.6\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The nuclear spin relaxation time ${T}_{1}$ is inversely proportional to the temperature from 300 to 7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, with ${T}_{1}T=0.135\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01$ sec \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. For temperatures below 7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, the relaxation shows another contribution of unknown origin. The Knight shift increases linearly with temperature down to 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, following the line previously measured by Gutowsky and McGarvey at higher temperatures. Diffusion narrowing of the magnetic-resonance line is observed at 190\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, but the strong electron-nucleus interactions preclude good diffusion-constant measurements.
Scintigraphy compared to other imaging modalities in benign superior vena caval obstruction accompanying fibrosing mediastinitis

Evaluation of a 50-year-old man with benign but insidious development of chronic superior vena caval obstruction secondary to old pulmonary histoplasmosis is presented. The radiologic evaluation was done in stages to exclude involvement of other disease. Nuclear scintigraphy revealed the superior vena caval obstruction. Anatomical features are compared to dynamic findings using contrast venography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging to differentiate pulmonary vascular compression from neoplasm and pulmonary embolism. The combination of modalities reveals the character and extent of pathology without extensive interventional procedures.
State of copper in a working, low-concentration CuH-ZSM-5 catalyst for exhaust gas purification: in-situ ESR monitoring

Abstract A flow cell was designed for in-situ ESR monitoring of the state of copper ions in a working Cu-ZSM-5 catalyst at high temperatures. The equilibrium oxidation state of the copper in the catalyst depends both on the temperature and the composition of the gas mixture. At 500°C in [C3H6 (or C2H 5OH) +NO+ O2] with excess oxidant, the condition prevailing during selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx virtually all the copper ions preserve the Cu2+ state. At 200–350°C in the same gas mixtures a partial reduction of the Cu2+ ions is observed. Steam-aging (650–700°C) or dry calcination (850–900°C) of CuH-ZSM-5 lead to the change in Cu2+ coordination without noticeable agglomeration or encapsulation of the isolated cations. The drastic loss of catalytic activity due to such treatment is associated with the change in the localized coordination of the isolated cupric sites.
Association of Postprandial Triglyceride and Retinyl Palmitate Responses With Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in Middle-aged Men and Women: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Abstract Blood lipid alterations after a fatty meal may be atherogenic, but there is little information regarding their associations with disease independent of fasting lipids. Asymptomatic atherosclerosis cases (n=229) and 373 control subjects free of atherosclerosis, as defined by carotid intima-media thickness on ultrasound images, were given a fatty meal with vitamin A, followed by 3.5- and 8-hour measurements of triglycerides (TGs), TG-rich lipoprotein TGs, apoproteinB48, and retinyl palmitate. Among white men and women but not among blacks, case status was associated with greater postprandial responses of TGs and TG-rich lipoprotein TGs, but only in nonobese persons (body mass index <30 kg/m2). The associations were strong and significant after controlling for coronary risk factors (odds ratio, ≈2.0) and fasting TGs (odds ratio, 1.5). Associations with other postprandial lipid measurements did not persist after controlling for fasting lipids. Elevated postprandial TGs appear to be an independent risk factor for carotid intimal thickening in nonobese whites. The lack of such a relation in obese subjects and the lipid profile they manifest suggest that postprandial TGs must be accompanied by accumulation of TG-rich lipoprotein remnants to be atherogenic.
The act of voluntary wheel running reverses dietary hyperphagia and increases leptin signaling in ventral tegmental area of aged obese rats

To test the hypothesis that exercise increases central leptin signaling, and thus reduces dietary weight gain in an aged obese model, we assessed the effects of voluntary wheel running (WR) in 23-month-old F344×BN rats fed a 60% high-fat (HF) diet for 3 months. After 2 months on the HF diet, half of the rats were provided access to running wheels for 2 weeks while the other half remained sedentary. Following the removal of the wheels, physical performance was evaluated, and 4 weeks later leptin signaling was assessed in hypothalamus and VTA after an acute bout of WR. Introduction of a HF diet led to prolonged hyperphagia (63.9 ± 7.8 kcal/day on chow diet vs. 88.1 ± 8.2 kcal/day on high-fat diet (when food intake stabilized), p < 0.001). As little as 9 (ranging to 135) wheel revolutions per day significantly reduced caloric consumption of HF food (46.8 ± 11.2 kcal/day) to a level below that on chow diet (63.9 ± 7.8 kcal/day, p < 0.001). After 2 weeks of WR, body weight was significantly reduced (7.9 ± 2.1% compared with prerunning weight, p < 0.001), and physical performance (latency to fall from an incline plane) was significantly improved (p = 0.04). WR significantly increased both basal (p = 0.04) and leptin-stimulated (p = 0.001) STAT3 phosphorylation in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), but not in the hypothalamus. Thus, in aged dietary obese rats, the act but not the extent of voluntary WR is highly effective in reversing HF consumption, decreasing body weight, and improving physical performance. It appears to trigger a response that substitutes for the reward of highly palatable food that may be mediated by increased leptin signaling in the VTA.
PAF Levels and PAF-AH Activities in Placentas from Normal and Preeclamptic Pregnancies

Objective The aim of this study was to determine: (1) platelet-activating factor (PAF) levels and PAF–acetylhydrolase (PAF–AH) activities in normal and preeclamptic placentas; (2) lipid peroxide production by placental tissues stimulated with PAF. Methods Placentas were obtained immediately after delivery from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Tissue pieces were snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −70°C. One gram of tissue from each placenta was used for PAF extraction and for total RNA isolation. PAF was measured by PAF [ 3 H] scintillation proximity assay (SPA) system. Trophoblast PAF–AH activity was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). mRNA expression for PAF receptor was assessed by RNase protection assay (RPA). Normal placental explants were incubated with PAF at concentrations of 1 and 10μg/ml for 48h. Lipid peroxide productions of 8-isoprostane and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by ELISA and thiobarbituric acid reaction, respectively. Data were presented as mean±SE and analyzed by nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test and ANOVA. A p level less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results (1) The mean tissue level for PAF was elevated, but not statistically different, in preeclamptic ( n =7) than in normal ( n =8) placentas, 6.45±1.05 versus 4.47±0.60ng/g, p =0.42. (2) PAF–AH activity was higher in trophoblasts from preeclamptic ( n =7) placentas than that in trophoblasts from normal ( n =8) placentas, 0.69±0.16 versus 0.38±0.03μmol/min/μg protein, p p =0.60. (4) Productions of 8-isoprostane and MDA were not increased in tissues with PAF in culture, 8-isoprostane: 0.37±0.09ng/mg (control) versus 0.32±0.09ng/mg (1μg/ml) and 0.37±0.07ng/mg (10μg/ml), p >0.5; MDA: 0.62±0.05nmol/mg (control) versus 0.68±0.04nmol/mg (1μg/ml) and 0.69±0.03nmol/mg (10μg/ml), p >0.5. Conclusions Increased PAF–AH activity in trophoblasts may be a compensatory effect to control PAF level in the preeclamptic placenta. The co-existence of PAF–AH and PAF receptor in trophoblasts suggests an autocrine regulation of PAF in these cells to limit PAF and its metabolites within the placenta.
Spectral output of piecewise linear nonlinearity

The transference or effective gain of a piecewise linear component is derived. The output autocorrelation function of a clipper, a dead zone, and a general piecewise linear nondynamic component is obtained by a double integration of the second probability density. The output power is a sum of Gaussian error integrals. This can be divided into fundamental or correlated power, and distortion power due to lack of desired signal or presence of harmonics.
The masculinization of the Mexican maquiladoras

Abstract Men’s involvement in the maquiladora labor force has increased more than 17 times between 1975 when men constituted 21.7 percent of the non-technician, non-management workers, and 1995 when men constituted 40.9 percent of the maquila workers. Is this occurring because the dearth of “maquila grade” female labor is fueling a more heterogeneous maquiladora labor force? Or is it that the proliferation of maquiladoras involves more plants with jobs traditionally typed as “masculine”? Or, is it possible that “docile, nimble-fingered” males have made their appearance on the labor market? This paper will attempt to answer these questions.
Activation of the Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Long Terminal Repeat by the Ternary Complex Factor Elk-1

Serum response factor (SRF) was recently shown to bind and activate the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) promoter at bases -116 to -125 relative to the transcription start site. In addition to the SRF binding site (CArG box), serum response elements (SRE) also typically contain a binding site for a member of the ternary complex factor (TCF) family. Here we demonstrate the presence of two TCF binding sites upstream of the viral CArG box. Binding of the TCF family member Elk-1 to these sites was shown to activate transcription of the promoter. Based on these results, the position of the previously described viral SRE (vSRE) within the HTLV-1 promoter can be extended from -116 to -157 to include the two newly identified TCF sites. Purified Elk-1 bound to a probe containing the vSRE, and this complex formed a ternary complex with SRF. In addition, the complex formed by nuclear extract on this probe contained Elk-1, as shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay supershift. Both of the predicted TCF sites independently bound Elk-1. Elk-1 activated transcription of the HTLV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR), and mutations within either of the TCF sites or the CArG box reduced responsiveness of the LTR to Elk-1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that Elk-1 associates with the HTLV-1 LTR in vivo. These results identify a functional SRE within the HTLV-1 LTR and suggest that both Elk-1 and SRF play important roles in regulating basal HTLV-1 gene expression.
A defense of the “Grand Hotel Abyss”: The Frankfurt School’s nonideal theory

The menace of pessimism in early critical theory is often criticized for being antithetical to Marxism’s emancipatory vision and/or implicitly conservative, a position memorably illustrated in Luka...
When is Nonlinear Dynamic Modeling Necessary

The purpose of this paper is to propose an answer to the title's question, and examine the ramifications of the provided answer. Our proposition is to quantify the nonlinearity of a system by a carefully defined 2-norm, which results from a newly constructed inner product. We develop the pertinent theory which allows the easy computation of this norm for a broad class of nonlinear dynamic systems, through Monte Carlo calculations. Explicit formulae are provided for linear systems. In addition, the problem of best approximation of a nonlinear system by a linear or nonlinear model is put in perspective, and pathways to computationally convenient solutions are charted. Practical issues are elucidated through examples of chemical engineering relevance. Further elaboration will be included in forthcoming publications.
Ballistic seed dispersal in Illicium (Illiciaceae).

The primary mode of fruit dispersal in the woodyMagnoliidae is animal dispersal.Illicium floridanum and other members of the genus have a well development system of ballistic fruit dehiscence. The ballistic dispersal is effective only over short distances, but may be important in propelling the seeds away from the parent tree. The presence of explosive dehiscence mechanisms in relatively primitive angiosperm genera suggests that a diversity of dispersal mechanisms may have been present in early angiosperms.
Genetic analyses of male fertility restoration in wheat. VI: A defective-seed gene

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) results from interactions between Triticum timopheevii Zhuk. cytoplasm and genes in the T. aestivum L. nucleus. Euploid plants with CMS genes are believed to exhibit no detrimental characteristics other than male sterility. However, seed viability and plant vigor are reduced in Chris monosomics of Group 3. Similarly, a monosomic analysis of L222, an R-line, showed that it has a defective seed gene (dfs), but dfs could not be linked to a chromosome with the materials and methods used previously (.)
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B induces anergy to conventional peptide in memory T cells

Microbial superantigens can alter host immunity through aberrant activation and subsequent anergy of responding naive T cells. We show here that the superantigen, staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), directly induces tolerance in memory CD4 T cells. Murine naive and memory CD4(+) T cells were labeled with the fluorescent dye CFSE and the cells were exposed to SEB before they were cultured with specific peptide antigen. Memory, but not naive, T cells became anergic and did not respond to their cognate peptide antigen. The extent and duration of T cell receptor (TCR) clustering was similar to promote naive T cell activation and memory T cell anergy, suggesting similar TCR-SEB interactions led to distinct intracellular signaling processes in the two cell types. Like SEB, soluble anti-CD3 mAb does not stimulate memory cell proliferation. However, unlike SEB, soluble anti-CD3 mAbs did not induce anergy to cognate peptide. Anergy was directly visualized in vivo. CD4(+) memory T cells were identified in mice that had been administered SEB. The cells failed to proliferate in response to subsequent immunization with their cognate recall antigen. Hence, one mode of pathogen survival is the modulation of host immunity through selective elimination of memory T cell responses.
Promoting International Environmental Cooperation Through Unilateral Action: When Can Trade Sanctions Help?

International environmental cooperation is difficult because states disagree on burden sharing and have incentives to free ride. However, interested countries can promote future cooperation through unilateral action that induces technological change in and, thereby, shapes the preferences of foreign countries. How can the effectiveness of such unilateral action be improved? This article offers a game-theoretic analysis of the value of combining unilateral action with trade sanctions, or policies that force foreign exporters to comply with domestic environmental regulations. Trade sanctions can significantly improve the effectiveness of unilateral action, but only when (1) they induce clean technology adoption by exporters in targeted countries and (2) this reduces the cost of clean technology elsewhere in the economy through intersectoral technology spillovers.
Quantification of ribonucleotides and uridine metabolism in ovaries of the kelp fly (Coelopa frigida, Diptera) during final stages of oogenesis

Abstract The concentrations of twelve 5′-ribonucleotides (AMP, ADP, ATP, CMP, CDP, CTP, GMP, GDP, GTP, UMP, UDP, UTP) and four ribonucleotide sugars: CDP-glucose (CDPG), UDP-glucose (UDPG), UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine (UDPGlcNAc), and UDP-glucoronic acid (UDPGlcUA) in homogenates from Coelopa frigida ovarioles were determined by high pressure liquid chromotography. It was possible to separate the ribonucleotides from each other and from the ribonucleotide sugars in the same analysis. The amount of mono- and di-nucleotides per ovariole remains low during the final stages of oogenesis (stages 10–14). Of the mono-, di- and tri-phosphates the amounts of triphosphates per ovariole are the highest in all cases and double during this phase of follicle development. Of all nucleoside triphosphates, ATP reaches the highest concentration with an increase from 30 pmoles per ovariole to 58 pmoles between stage 10 and 14.
Multilevel Logical Networks

In this correspondence we present a design technique for implementation of systems of Boolean functions in the form of multilevel AND-OR networks. We show that for a given system of Boolean functions, the transition from the traditional two-level AND-OR implementation to multilevel AND-OR implementations results in considerable savings in gate counts and delays. We discuss gate-array implementations of these multilevel networks and their space and time complexities. Experimental data for 11 different components of peripheral control units for VAX computers indicate that the transition from the two-level implementations to multilevel implementations results in average savings of about 40 percent in gate counts, of about 25 percent in required silicon areas and of about 25 percent in delays, which illustrate a good potential of the proposed techniques for design of cost-efficient gate arrays.
Isocratic HPLC analysis of adenine nucleotides in environmental samples

Abstract An isocratic high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure was developed to utilize common laboratory instrumentation for analysis of ATP, ADP and AMP in aqueous extracts of natural samples. Adenylates were reacted with chloroacetaldehyde (CAA) to form 1, N 6 -etheno-derivatives for fluorescence detection. Optimal derivatization conditions were 0.3 M CAA and pH values of 4.0–5.0. Derivatives were separated on an ODS (C-18) column with mobile phase 10% methanol: 90% 150 mM NaH 2 PO 4 , pH 6.0. Elution time was under 18 min. Lower limits of quantification were 10 nM (5 pmol in 500 μl injection), and detector response was linear to at least 150 nM. Coefficient of variation for fluorescence peak height was under 4% at concentrations of 50 nM and greater. Eight other adenine or cytidine compounds tested did not interfere in the HPLC analysis. Derivatization and HPLC procedures were compatible with common aqueous extraction media for nucleotides: phosphoric acid, sodium phosphate, sulfuric acid and tris. The procedures were used extensively to measure adenine nucleotides is seston from a small, oligotrophic lake.
Autonomous mobile acoustic relay positioning as a multi-armed bandit with switching costs

Underwater acoustic communication channels display highly variable and stochastic performance, especially in multipath-limited shallow-water and harbor environments. A mobile acoustic node can, however, learn the channel's properties as it moves about. Maximizing the cumulative data transmission through adaptive node positioning is a clean exploitation vs. exploration scenario because learning about poorly characterized locations must be balanced against exploiting known ones. While this problem is well described with the stochastic multi-armed bandit formalism, the classical assumption of costless switching is untenable in the field, where slow-moving vehicles often cover large distances. We present a heuristic adaptation to the MAB Gittins index rule with limited policy enumeration to account for switching costs, and describe field experiments conducted in the Charles River (Boston MA). The field data establish that the MAB and its switching cost extension are tractable in this application, and that performance is consistently superior to that of ϵ-greedy policies.
Ventilatory responses during wakefulness in children with obstructive sleep apnea.

The pathophysiology of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is not fully understood. In children, airway obstruction secondary to tonsilloadenoidal hypertrophy is the leading cause of OSAS. However, not all children with tonsilloadenoidal hypertrophy develop OSAS. Thus, other factors, including abnormalities in ventilatory control, may contribute to the etiology of OSAS. To test this, we performed polysomnography and hypercapnic and hypoxic ventilatory response testing in 20 children and adolescents with OSAS (mean age, 8 +/- 3 [SD] yr) and 19 control subjects. Only two children with OSAS were obese. Children with OSAS had an apnea index of 16 +/- 20, peak PETCO2 of 54 +/- 5 mm Hg, and SaO2 nadir of 84 +/- 13% during polysomnography. Ventilatory responses were performed by rebreathing techniques. The slope of the hypercapnic ventilatory responses, corrected for body surface area, was 1.74 +/- 0.79 L/min/m2/mm Hg PETCO2 in children with OSAS and 1.45 +/- 0.58 L/min/m2/mmHg PETCO2 in control subjects...
CHOOSING AND USING PICTURE BOOKS FOR MINI‐LESSONS WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Because of the inclusion of special needs students in regular classrooms, more teachers are using the reading and writing workshop approach to meet the diverse abilities of their students. Mini‐lessons are an important component of reading and writing workshops. This article discusses the benefits of using picture books for mini‐lessons, the selection of appropriate picture books for middle school children, and suggestions for using picture books with middle school children. A bibliography of books appropriate for different lessons is also provided.
An algorithm for precise aperture photometry of critically sampled images

We present an algorithm for performing precise aperture photometry on critically sampled astrophysical images. The method is intended to overcome the small-aperture limitations imposed by point-sampling. Aperture fluxes are numerically integrated over the desired aperture, with sinc-interpolation used to reconstruct values between pixel centers. Direct integration over the aperture is computationally intensive, but the integrals in question are shown to be convolution integrals and can be computed ~10000x faster as products in the wave-number domain. The method works equally well for annular and elliptical apertures and could be adapted for any geometry. A sample of code is provided to demonstrate the method.
Militarized Interstate Crises: The BCOW Typology and Its Applications

The Behavioral Correlates of War data set, which has been recently released for public use, is described and its potential uses are explored. The data set consists of coded descriptions of the actions of states engaged in a sample of thirty-eight interstate crises occurring between 1816 and 1975. The article begins by briefly comparing the BCOW data to extant events data collections, and then turns to detailed descriptions of the structure and content of the typology and coding scheme. The final section of the article discusses statistical techniques employed in analyzing the data, and reports on the most salient findings to date.
Two-dimensional CFD modeling of wave rotor flow dynamics

A two-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver developed for detailed study of wave rotor flow dynamics is described. The CFD model is helping characterize important loss mechanisms within the wave rotor. The wave rotor stationary ports and the moving rotor passages are resolved on multiple computational grid blocks. The finite-volume form of the thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations with laminar viscosity are integrated in time using a four-stage Runge-Kutta scheme. The Roe approximate Riemann solution scheme or the computationally less expensive Advection Upstream Splitting Method (AUSM) flux-splitting scheme are used to effect upwind-differencing of the inviscid flux terms, using cell interface primitive variables set by MUSCL-type interpolation. The diffusion terms are central-differenced. The solver is validated using a steady shock/laminar boundary layer interaction problem and an unsteady, inviscid wave rotor passage gradual opening problem. A model inlet port/passage charging problem is simulated and key features of the unsteady wave rotor flow field are identified. Lastly, the medium pressure inlet port and high pressure outlet port portion of the NASA Lewis Research Center experimental divider cycle is simulated and computed results are compared with experimental measurements. The model accurately predicts the wave timing within the rotor passage and the distribution of flow variables in the stationary inlet port region.
Production of fever by influenzal viruses. IV. Tolerance to mumps and influenza pyrogens.

SummaryIntravenous injection of mumps virus causes a febrile response in rabbits similar to that produced by influenza or Newcastle disease viruses. Animals are partially or completely resistant to a second injection of mumps virus 24 hours later. Pretreatment with the PR8 strain of influenza A virus also inhibits the febrile response to mumps virus. Mumps virus itself is equally effective in producing tolerance to the PR8 strain.
Spin dynamics in the pulsed spin locking of nuclear quadrupole resonance

We theoretically examine the perturbative effects of a series of radio-frequency (rf) pulses, electric field gradient inhomogeneity, and dipole-dipole coupling on the spin dynamics of spin-1 nuclei dominated by the quadrupole interaction. The dipole-dipole coupling is between neighboring spin-1 nuclei with identical nuclear quadrupole resonance frequencies, but the principal axes frames of the electric field gradient at each nucleus are not aligned. Such a comprehensive treatment is necessary to determine the optimal sequence of rf pulses which maximizes the echoes in the detection of the substance of interest, for example, an explosive or other contraband material. We confirm our theoretical model using the nitrogen in powder samples of $p$-chloroaniline and sodium nitrite.
Japanese Espionage and American Countermeasures in Pre-Pearl Harbor California

During the summer of 1941, Los Angeles newspaper headlines were filled with stories of Texas Congressman Martin Dies's sensational claims of widespread Japanese espionage and subversive activities in California. The congressman, who was chairman of the House Com mittee on Un-American Activities, had been carrying out highly pub licized investigations on the West Coast for almost a year. Finally he focused on Southern California. The 23 July edition of the Los Angeles Examiner quoted Congressman Dies as saying, "It is now time for a showdown on Japanese spy activities in this country."1 He announced to the press that he would prove that "thousands of Japanese on the west coast are under the direct domination of Japan and [are] cooper ating fully with their mother country in fifth column spy and traitor activities."2 Most of these unsubstantiated charges were directed at the Japanese fishermen in San Pedro and San Diego, but accusations were also made against Japanese language schools, Buddhist and Shinto organizations, Japanese cultural associations, and Japan's con sular corps. The Dies committee report concluded that "all Japanese" shared an "absolute reverence for Japan" and that "no Japanese can ever be loyal to any other nation other than Japan." In addition, it claimed that even native-born second-generation Japanese "cannot become thoroughly Americanized."3 There is little doubt that Congressman Dies made these wild accu sations as part of a larger publicity stunt that followed his recent loss in the Texas senatorial election. Even members of the U.S. Office of
Electron and phonon scattering Thermoelectricity in potassium and alloys at very low temperatures

An experimental study has been made at very low temperatures of the thermoelectric power of potassium and alloys with sodium, rubidium and caesium as solutes. The results enable a clear separation to be made between the ‘ electron diffusion ’and‘ phonon drag9 components of thermoelectric power. Comparison of the results with theory has led to a number of useful conclusions about phonon and electron scattering in potassium; we believe our results also confirm that the Fermi surface in pure potassium must be nearly spherical and we have drawn conclusions about the influence of rubidium and caesium in distorting the Fermi surface of potassium. Our interpretation of the data on phonon scattering by impurities has led us to consider the possible role of coherent scattering of lattice waves when the impurity concentration becomes fairly high. It appears that of the three impurities, rubidium probably strains the parent lattice least when it is present in solid solution.