cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blood outgrowth endothelial cell migration and trapping in vivo: a window into gene therapy.

Human blood outgrowth endothelial cells (hBOECs) may be useful delivery cells for gene therapy. hBOECs have high expansion capacity and a stable phenotype. If incorporated into blood vessels, hBOECs could release therapeutic agents directly into the bloodstream. However, little is known about the lodging and homing of hBOECs in vivo . We examined the homing patterns of hBOECs in mice and explored extending cell-based factor VIII (FVIII) gene therapy from mice to larger animals. hBOECs were injected into NOD/SCID mice to determine where they localize, how localization changes over time, and if there were toxic effects on host organs. The presence of hBOECs in mouse organs was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunofluorescence microscopy. hBOECs lodged most notably in mouse lungs at 3 h, but by 24 h, no differences were observed among 9 organs. The longevity of hBOECs was assessed up to 7 months in vivo . hBOECs expanded well and then reached a plateau in vivo . hBOECs from older cultures expanded equally well in vivo as younger hBOECs. hBOECs caused no noticeable organ toxicity up to 3 days after injection. When mice were pretreated with antibodies to E-selectin, P-selectin, or anti-α4 integrin prior to hBOEC injection, the number of hBOECs in lungs at 3 h was decreased. Preliminary studies that infused hemophilic dogs with autologous canine BOECs that overexpressed FVIII (B-domain deleted) showed improvement in whole blood clotting times (WBCTs). In conclusion, the survivability, expandability, and lack of toxicity of BOECs in vivo indicate that they may be valuable host cells for gene therapy.
Solubility and Viscous Properties of Casein and Caseinates

An integrated study was conducted on the effects of temperature, pH, salt type and concentration on the functionality of sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate and rennet casein. At 5.6 ≤ pH ≤ 6.2, all proteins exhibited greatest solubility when sodium phosphate was added. Viscosities under these conditions were one to two orders of magnitude greater than solutions at pH < 4.6. Protein solutions and viscosities with added sodium phosphate were not temperature dependent.
Comparison of Multibubble and Single-Bubble Sonoluminescence Spectra

Comparisons of the spectral characteristics of sonoluminescence from cavitation in bubble fields (MBSL) versus cavitation of single bubbles (SBSL) have been made for aqueous solutions under similar experimental conditions. In particular, alkali metal chloride solutions exhibit sonoluminescence emission from excited state Na or K atoms in MBSL, while SBSL exhibits no such emission. Since the metal ions are not volatile, participation of the initially liquid phase must occur in MBSL. Surface wave and microjet formation in cavitating bubble fields versus the high spherical symmetry of collapse of an isolated bubble may account for the observed differences.
An Exploratory Study Into the Fatigue of Composites Under Spectrum Loading

A fatigue and residual strength degradation model for constant amplitude cyclic loading has been modified and applied to fatigue of composites under service loading spectra. An exploratory study is made to describe the fatigue behavior of composites subject to spectrum loading using some base-line constant amplitude data. Available test data for both composite laminates and bonded joints under service loading spectra are used to correlate with the theoretical results.
The nature of the respiratory rise in slices of chicory root

Abstract 1. 1. The respiratory increment which arises during the incubation of thin pieces of chicory root has been shown to be qualitatively distinct from the initial respiration. Whereas the initial respiration is almost entirely malonate resistant, the developed respiration is completely malonate sensitive. 2. 2. The respiration of fresh tissue may be increased several fold by the uncoupling agent 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), and the rise so induced is malonate sensitive. The respiration rate of incubated tissue is unaffected by DNP. 3. 3. The malonate-sensitive increment arising on aging, and the malonate-sensitive increment induced in fresh tissue by DNP have been shown to be different. 4. 4. Malonate-treated aged tissue readily oxidizes malate, thereby restoring the uninhibited respiration rate. By contrast, malate fails to affect malonate-inhibited, DNP-treated fresh tissue. Mitochondrial preparations from both types of tissue oxidize malate equally. Evidence has been presented that fresh tissue is permeable to malate. 5. 5. The nucleotide composition of fresh and incubated tissue was examined. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) proved the predominant nucleotide in both cases, and no significant difference in nucleotide prevalence or composition was noted. 6. 6. The suggestion has been made that the respiratory rise attending aging is initiated by the removal of a restraint on the phosphorylative activity of the tissue.
Kant's Empiricism in his Refutation of Idealism

In the preface to the second edition of his Critique of Pure Reason, Kant laments thatit still remains a scandal to philosophy and to human reason in general that the existence of things outside us … must be accepted on faith, and if anyone thinks good to doubt their existence, we are unable to counter his doubts by any satisfactory proof. (B xl n.)The two editions of the Critique each contain a celebrated refutation of epistemological scepticisms like those of Descartes and Hume. The first edition refutation has been widely decried as relying on an objectionable sort of idealism. The refutation of the second edition, though rather more difficult to interpret than the first, has usually been read as a mere reworking of the first.
ER Muscles Its Way Around Neurons

In this section we feature some of the latest and most striking new findings in physiology, interpreting the term “physiology” in its broadest sense. In each instance, an effort will be made to place the new findings in perspective. Heinz Valtin Editor, trendsetters In neuronal cells, smooth
New error bounds for the penalty method and extrapolation

New error bounds are obtained for the Babuska penalty method which justify the use of extrapolation. For the problemΔu=f in Ω,u=g on ?Ω we show that, for a particular choice of boundary weight, repeated extrapolation yields a quasioptimal approximate solution. For example, the error in the second extrapolate (using cubic spline approximants) isO (h 3) when measured in the energy norm. Nearly optimalL 2 error estimates are also obtained.
Ab initio analysis of electron currents in thioalkanes

A combined density functional theory and Green's function procedure is used to calculate the electrical characteristics of a group of alkanethiols representing possible experimental settings. It is found that the current running through the molecule is the sum of the contributions from all molecular orbitals each presenting a barrier to electron transport equal to their energy difference from the Fermi level of the contacts. For the alkanethiols the location of these intrinsic barriers are at 0.78 eV (highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and HOMO-1), 1.99 eV (HOMO-2 and HOMO-3), 2.07 eV (LUMO and LUMO1), and 2.67 eV (HOMO-4). However, barriers obtained through fittings to known models do not bear any physical meaning at the molecular level, as they are sort of exponential average of the intrinsic barriers. We have also found that the exponential dependence of the current with the length of the alkane is practically independent of the contact nature, perhaps due to the large resistance of the alkanes.
Processing and characterization of alumina thin films on chemically vapor deposited diamond substrates for producing adherent metallizations

In order to make the surface of chemically vapor deposited diamond (CVDD) substrates amenable to metallization by both thin and thick film approaches currently utilized in electronic packaging, a thin, adherent, insulating aluminum oxide film was grown on diamond at low temperatures (<675 K). The film was produced by reactive thermal evaporation of Al and O in an oxygen atmosphere, followed by low-temperature annealing in oxygen. A Cr intermediate layer was deposited on diamond prior to the deposition of aluminum oxide in order to enhance adhesion between the oxide and diamond. The chemistry, crystal structure, and microstructure of the film were characterized in detail via scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as Auger electron spectroscopy. Particular attention was given to the mechanisms of bonding across the CVDD-Cr and Cr-alumina interfaces, as well as the stability of the surface treatment following metallization by fritted pastes requiring firing at elevated temperatures. The Cr was found to be bonded with CVDD by Cr23C6 formation, while the bonding between the Cr and alumina layers was provided by the formation of a compositionally modulated solid solution with Al2O3-rich and Cr2O3-rich regions.
A descriptive investigation of the possible communication‐based reasons for effective and ineffective group decision making

The present study sought to compare the nature and content of interaction within a number of “effective” and “ineffective” decision‐making groups in an effort to identify consistent differences which might account for the differences in the quality of their group decisions. The goal of the investigation was to generate data which will help us better understand the communication‐based reasons for “effective” and “ineffective” group decision making. Using basically a qualitative approach, six “effective” groups and five “ineffective” groups were compared. The study found that the discussions of those two sets of groups can be distinguished on the basis of at least four communication‐related characteristics: (1) The manner in which the groups examined opinions and assumptions advanced by group members; (2) The manner in which the groups evaluated alternative choices; (3) The nature of the premises which served as the basis for the groups’ decisions; and (4) The nature of influence exerted by the most influen...
EXPECTATIONS ABOUT EFFECTIVENESS OF TELEPHONE CRISIS INTERVENTION

50 male and 50 female college students who had heard of but never actually used a crisis center were asked about their expectations for the quality of help received and its impact on their lives. Expectations were generally very positive and were compared to experiences of actual callers to a crisis center.
OPPOSING EFFECTS OF HOST MONOTERPENES ON RESPONSES BY TWO SYMPATRIC SPECIES OF BARK BEETLES TO THEIR AGGREGATION PHEROMONES

The effects of host tree monoterpenes on primary and secondary attraction of the bark beetles, Ips pini and Ips grandicollis, and their associated phloeophagous insects were investigated. Monoterpenes alone were not attractive to I. pini. However, monoterpenes mediated the attraction of I. pini to its aggregation pheromones. With the exception of 3–carene, the effect of monoterpenes on I. pini's response to its pheromone, ipsdienol plus lanierone, was inhibitory. In contrast, (−)-α-pinene both attracted I. grandicollis and enhanced the attraction of I. grandicollis to its pheromone, ipsenol. No monoterpene inhibited the response of I. grandicollis to its pheromone. The inhibitory effect of host monoterpenes on I. pini response to its aggregation pheromone differs from previous work, in which monoterpenes either synergized responses or had no effect. In addition to possible geographic differences, the concentrations used in our study simulated trees that had begun to respond to attack, whereas previous studies deployed lower concentrations, which simulated constitutive phloem from unattacked trees. These results support the view that trees that undergo induced responses to bark beetles sometimes inhibit attraction of additional beetles, despite the beetles' production of aggregation pheromones. Neither species displayed cross-attraction to the pheromone of the other. The red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens, showed weak and consistent attraction to (+)-α-pinene and in some cases to (−)-α-pinene. Attraction to (−)-α-pinene was usually enhanced by Ips spp. pheromones. The absence of strong attraction to (+)-α-pinene and partial attraction to (−)-α-pinene suggest that the effects of different stereoisomers of α-pinene on D. valens vary throughout its geographical range. Hylastes porculus was also attracted to some monoterpenes, particularly (−)-α-pinene. An additional 10 species of phloeophagous insects were caught in response to monoterpenes and/or pheromones, including the pine root weevils, Hylobius pales and Pachylobius picivorus, and the longhorned beetle, Monochamus carolinensis.
Hierarchical neural network models for identification and control

Control systems are currently being designed for system which are characterized by poor modele, op erate under conditions of great uncertainty but at the same time have to satisfy stringent performance requirements. The fact that biological system are marvelously effective in processing sensory inform* tion and controlling their environments has resulted in control engineers attempting to emulate such behaviora in recent yeam. This has led to the uee of artificial neural networks for the identification and control of complex dynamical systems. The difficultiea that ark in the control of complex system can be broadly clsasified into three categories - complexity, nonlinearity and uncertainty. Artificial neural networke are ideally suited to deal with d three cl- of diflicultiea. Their maesively pardle1 processing capabilities enable them to cope with computational complexity. The fact that they can ap proximate ay continuous map arbitrarily closely on a compact set makea them particularly attractive in a variety of nonlinear applications. Finally the fact that they can be trained using actual data makea them ideally suited for uncertain situations. As a conquence of these advantages artificial neural networks have been applied exteneively in recent yeam for the identification and control of nonlinear dynamical eyehum [l] - [SI. In this paper we describe how the above models can be extended to more campiex situations where the system has to exhibit greater autonomy by demonstrating the ability to comprehend, reason, learn and plan in new environments. Recently the author and hie colleague Dan Koditscbek defined intelligent control aa one which combines in a stable manner different information processing capabilities in on-line eetting. Such capabilities (e.g. pattern recognition, learning, adaptation, self-organisation) imply some computational representation of the designer’s view of what information is important and how it can produce the desired control input. The controller decides which type of problem has arisen and hence what control model is appropriate. The resulting controller ha a hierarchical structure and involves switching and tuning. The paper will describe different hierarchical architectures by which such switching and tuning can be achieved and will diecum how such control systems wiU find ap plication in both engineering and biological systems.
Academic career selection in American emergency medicine residents

Background: The future of academic emergency medicine (EM) is based on the continued successful recruitment and cultivation of new faculty from EM residents. Little data exist as to the current rate of residents initially choosing an academic career path or which residency programs are best situated to result in new faculty. Objectives: Our study was designed to initially describe the current career demographics of graduating residents and then through statistical analysis investigate likely programmatic factors that affect academic career selection. Methods: Data were collected via an online survey sent to EM residency program directors. Responders were asked to describe their graduates and their program characteristics over the past 5 years. A total of 103 survey responses, with complete data from 65 (76 responses contained enough data for national career selection rates), were received. Relevant covariates were tested for association with academic career entry using t-tests or analysis of variance. An adjusted multivariable linear regression analysis model was then fitted. Results: Survey responses indicated that 26.1% of residents chose an academic career (community 57.1%, fellowship 13.5%, military ⁄Veteran’s Administration [VA] 2.6%, other 0.6%) with an approximately normal distribution. There were no significant differences found between programs when presence of mentorship programs, career track programs, or city size were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression analysis demonstrated significantly greater academic career choice among programs located in the Northeast ⁄Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest, larger programs (>12 residents ⁄year), and programs with increased resident academic productivity (presentations given, non‐peer-reviewed publications), but did not demonstrate a difference between 3- and 4-year programs. Overall, the model fitted using the above variables accounted for approximately 30% of the variation seen between programs (adjusted R 2 = 0.295). Conclusions: Our data indicate that program region, size, and research productivity were best associated with academic career selection. Program length was not found to be significantly associated with academic career selection by residents, in contrast to previous studies. While many of these factors are not changeable, academic productivity can be cultivated by decision-makers wishing to increase their residents’ academic career selection as opposed to changing program length to extend training for an additional year. It is our belief that our model provides a good description of programmatic factors affecting career choice. Additional research is necessary to further validate these findings, as well to provide important context to their general applicability for policy-makers and program directors.
Salsa: a structured approach to large-scale anonymity

Highly distributed anonymous communications systems have the promise to reduce the effectiveness of certain attacks and improve scalability over more centralized approaches. Existing approaches, however, face security and scalability issues. Requiring nodes to have full knowledge of the other nodes in the system, as in Tor and Tarzan, limits scalability and can lead to intersection attacks in peer-to-peer configurations. MorphMix avoids this requirement for complete system knowledge, but users must rely on untrusted peers to select the path. This can lead to the attacker controlling the entire path more often than is acceptable.To overcome these problems, we propose Salsa, a structured approach to organizing highly distributed anonymous communications systems for scalability and security. Salsa is designed to select nodes to be used in anonymous circuits randomly from the full set of nodes, even though each node has knowledge of only a subset of the network. It uses a distributed hash table based on hashes of the nodes' IP addresses to organize the system. With a virtual tree structure, limited knowledge of other nodes is enough to route node lookups throughout the system. We use redundancy and bounds checking when performing lookups to prevent malicious nodes from returning false information without detection. We show that our scheme prevents attackers from biasing path selection, while incurring moderate overheads, as long as the fraction of malicious nodes is less than 20%. Additionally, the system prevents attackers from obtaining a snapshot of the entire system until the number of attackers grows too large (e.g. 15% for 10000 peers and 256 groups). The number of groups can be used as a tunable parameter in the system, depending on the number of peers, that can be used to balance performance and security.
On the transformation from a fragment-based design into a module-based implementation

The software process is characterized as a transformation from a need to a software product that responds to that need. An application development environment is described that manages this process. It builds a conceptual model for the desired response (in the form of a fragment-based design) and automatically generates commercial-grade, module-based programs that implement the response. A decade of experience with a large application demonstrates the viability of this approach. Some observations on the software process are made. >
Assessment of Changes in Risk Behaviors During 3 Years of Posttrial Follow-up of Male Circumcision Trial Participants Uncircumcised at Trial Closure in Rakai, Uganda

Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in sub-Saharan Africa have shown that male circumcision reduces female-to-male human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incident infection by 50%–60% (1–3). In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO)/Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) recommended that male circumcision be promoted as an “additional, important strategy for the prevention of heterosexually-acquired HIV infection in men,” and 13 sub-Saharan Africa countries, including Uganda, were identified as priority countries for male circumcision scale-up (4, p. 11; 5, p. 3). Although the RCTs proved the causal effect (i.e., efficacy) of male circumcision for reducing the risk of HIV infection in men, the long-term population-level impact of male circumcision on the HIV epidemic will depend on male circumcision coverage and the influence of male circumcision on sexual risk behaviors. Risk compensation, defined as a change toward riskier sexual behaviors after adopting an HIV prevention strategy, has been a theoretical concern with male circumcision (6–23), particularly during rapid male circumcision scale-up where provision of risk reduction education, counseling, and follow-up may be limited. Simulation studies suggest that risk compensation can reduce the impact of male circumcision on HIV incidence (24, 25), and a modest level of risk compensation in men could increase female HIV infections (26). Data on behavioral changes after male circumcision acceptance have been sparse, and no empirical data are available during the current period when the efficacy of male circumcision is well known and male circumcision rollout is taking place in programmatic settings. The Rakai Health Sciences Program conducted one of the male circumcision RCTs in Rakai, Uganda, during 2003–2006, and has continued to follow the trial participants after trial closure. Using data on the trial participants who were uncircumcised at the end of the trial, we assessed whether the adoption of male circumcision in the posttrial programmatic setting encouraged men to engage in riskier behaviors (i.e., risk compensation associated with male circumcision).
Detection of Open and Closed Conformations of Tryptophan Synthase by 15N-Heteronuclear Single-Quantum Coherence Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Bound 1-15N-L-Tryptophan

1-15N-L-Tryptophan (1-15N-L-Trp) was synthesized from 15N-aniline by a Sandmeyer reaction, followed by cyclization to isatin, reduction to indole with LiAlH4, and condensation of the 15N-indole with L-serine, catalyzed by tryptophan synthase. 1-15N-L-Trp was complexed with wild-type tryptophan synthase and beta-subunit mutants, betaK87T, betaD305A, and betaE109D, in the absence or presence of the allosteric ligands sodium chloride and disodium alpha-glycerophosphate. The enzyme complexes were observed by 15N-heteronuclear single-quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance (15N-HSQC NMR) spectroscopy for the presence of 1-15N-L-Trp bound to the beta-active site. No 15N-HSQC signal was detected for 1-15N-L-Trp in 10 mm triethanolamine hydrochloride buffer at pH 8. 1-15N-L-Trp in the presence of wild-type tryptophan synthase in the absence or presence of 50 mm sodium chloride showed a cross peak at 10.25 ppm on the 1H axis and 129 ppm on the 15N axis as a result of reduced solvent exchange for the bound 1-15N-L-Trp, consistent with formation of a closed conformation of the active site. The addition of disodium alpha-glycerophosphate produced a signal twice as intense, suggesting that the equilibrium favors the closed conformation. 15N-HSQC NMR spectra of betaK87T and betaE109D mutant Trp synthase with 1-15N-L-Trp showed a similar cross peak either in the presence or absence of disodium alpha-glycerophosphate, indicating the preference for a closed conformation for these mutant proteins. In contrast, the betaD305A Trp synthase mutant only showed a 15N-HSQC signal in the presence of disodium alpha-glycerophosphate. Thus, this mutant Trp synthase favored an open conformation in the absence of disodium alpha-glycerophosphate but was able to form a closed conformation in the presence of disodium alpha-glycerophosphate. Our results demonstrate that the 15N-HSQC NMR spectra of 1-15N-L-Trp bound to Trp synthase can be used to determine the conformational state of mutant forms in solution rapidly. In contrast, UV-visible spectra of wild-type and mutant Trp synthase in the presence of L-Trp with NaCl and/or disodium alpha-glycerophosphate are more difficult to interpret in terms of altered conformational equilibria.
Basic Photobiology and Open Problems

That light affects plants, animals, and humans has been known for a long time, as enshrined in the myths concerning the sun in many ancient cultures [1]. The Egyptian sungod Ammon Ra became the supreme deity in the pantheon of gods; the very word radiation is said to stem from Ra. The sun god is illustrated on Egyptian tomb decorations giving off light rays to plants, animals and people, each ray ending in the symbol of life.
The Central Nervous System as a Reservoir for Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV): Steady-State Levels of SIV DNA in Brain from Acute through Asymptomatic Infection

Latent reservoirs of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) present significant challenges for eradicating HIV from infected persons, particularly reservoirs in the brain established during acute infection. A simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/macaque model of HIV dementia was used to show that viral DNA levels in the brain remained at constant levels from acute through asymptomatic infection, despite significant down-regulation of viral RNA in the brain after the acute phase of infection. Viral replication in the brain coincided with activation of macrophages and microglia in the central nervous system; down-regulation of viral replication coincided with increased infiltration of cytotoxic lymphocytes and reduced activation of macrophages and microglia in the brain. Comparison of viral genotypes in the central nervous system and peripheral blood mononuclear cells suggests that recrudescence of viral replication in brain occurs by reactivation of latent viral DNA. Latent virus in the brain must be considered in therapeutic strategies to eliminate HIV from infected persons.
A self-consistent particle model for the simulation of RF glow discharges

A self-consistent particle model of an argon RF glow discharge has been developed. Electric field and charged-particle density profiles determined from simulations with the RF glow discharge model are consistent with results obtained from continuum models. The average ion energy is found to vary greatly between the bulk of the discharge and sheaths, contrary to the assumption that the ion energy is uniform, as is assumed in some continuum models. The accuracy of the particle cross sections and collision representation used in the model is verified with a simplified DC model which calculates swarm parameters. Electron swarm parameters determined with this model are in excellent agreement with experimental data taken from the literature. >
Regularity of the Anosov splitting and of horospheric foliations

‘Bunching’ conditions on an Anosov system guarantee the regularity of the Anosov splitting up to C2−e. Open dense sets of symplectic Anosov systems and geodesic flows do not have Anosov splitting exceeding the asserted regularity. This is the first local construction of low-regularity examples.
An evaluation of a linear clamp pre-load model with respect to milling operations

This paper briefly summarizes the formulation and execution of the linear clamp pre-load (LCPL) model. This model is used to compute the minimum clamp pre-loads necessary to keep a workpiece from slipping within a fixturing during machining. This model takes into account all sources of compliance in the fixture-workpiece system as well as gravity and the system of forces exerted during machining. This paper also describes a series of milling experiments that were used to characterize the accuracy of the LCPL model.
ViewSer: enabling large-scale remote user studies of web search examination and interaction

Web search behaviour studies, including eye-tracking studies of search result examination, have resulted in numerous insights to improve search result quality and presentation. Yet, eye tracking studies have been restricted in scale, due to the expense and the effort required. Furthermore, as the reach of the Web expands, it becomes increasingly important to understand how searchers around the world see and interact with the search results. To address both challenges, we introduce ViewSer, a novel methodology for performing web search examination studies remotely, at scale, and without requiring eye-tracking equipment. ViewSer operates by automatically modifying the appearance of a search engine result page, to clearly show one search result at a time as if through a "viewport", while partially blurring the rest and allowing the participant to move the viewport naturally with a computer mouse or trackpad. Remarkably, the resulting result viewing and clickthrough patterns agree closely with unrestricted viewing of results, as measured by eye-tracking equipment, validated by a study with over 100 participants. We also explore applications of ViewSer to practical search tasks, such as analyzing the search result summary (snip- pet) attractiveness, result re-ranking, and evaluating snippet quality. These experiments could have only be done previously by tracking the eye movements for a small number of subjects in the lab. In contrast, our study was performed with over 100 participants, allowing us to reproduce and extend previous findings, establishing ViewSer as a valuable tool for large-scale search behavior experiments.
Smad3 signaling critically regulates fibroblast phenotype and function in healing myocardial infarction.

Rationale: Cardiac fibroblasts are key effector cells in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad3 signaling is activated in the border zone of healing infarcts and induces fibrotic remodeling of the infarcted ventricle contributing to the development of diastolic dysfunction. Objective: The present study explores the mechanisms responsible for the fibrogenic effects of Smad3 by dissecting its role in modulating cardiac fibroblast phenotype and function. Methods and Results: Smad3 null mice and corresponding wild-type controls underwent reperfused myocardial infarction protocols. Surprisingly, reduced collagen deposition in Smad3−/− infarcts was associated with increased infiltration with myofibroblasts. In vitro studies demonstrated that TGF-β1 inhibited murine cardiac fibroblast proliferation; these antiproliferative effects were mediated via Smad3. Smad3−/− fibroblasts were functionally defective, exhibiting impaired collagen lattice contraction when compared with wild-type cells. Decreased contractile function was associated with attenuated TGF-β–induced expression of α-smooth muscle actin. In addition, Smad3−/− fibroblasts had decreased migratory activity on stimulation with serum, and exhibited attenuated TGF-β1–induced upregulation of extracellular matrix protein synthesis. Upregulation of connective tissue growth factor, an essential downstream mediator in TGF-β–induced fibrosis, was in part dependent on Smad3. Connective tissue growth factor stimulation enhanced extracellular matrix protein expression by cardiac fibroblasts in a Smad3-independent manner. Conclusions: Disruption of Smad3 results in infiltration of the infarct with abundant hypofunctional fibroblasts that exhibit impaired myofibroblast transdifferentiation, reduced migratory potential, and suppressed expression of fibrosis-associated genes.
Independent assortment of seed color and hairy leaf genes in Brassica rapa L.

Rahman, M. 2014. Independent assortment of seed color and hairy leaf genes in Brassica rapa L. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 615-620. A genetic study of seed color and hairy leaf in Brassica rapa was conducted in progeny originating from the brown-seeded, hairy leaf B. rapa subsp. chinensis line and the Bangladeshi B. rapa var. trilocularis line. A joint segregation of both traits was also examined in the F2 and backcross populations. Seed color segregated into brown, yellow-brown, and yellow, which suggests that digenic control of brown or yellow-brown color was dominant over yellow seed color. Hairy leaves were found to be under monogenic control, and hairy leaf was dominant over non-hairy leaf. The data show that genes controlling seed color and hairy leaf are inherited independently.
New approach to collective phenomena in superconductivity models

A new approach to collective phenomena in superconductivity models is presented. In this approach nonlinear spinor models are converted into equivalent theories involving fermions and collective bosonic states. For a wide class of nonlinear spinor theories, interactions among fermions and collective states are of the renormalizable kind, and hence these models themselves turn out to be renormalizable. The equivalence of various four-fermion theories to known renormalizable models is pointed out. The original Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model, for instance, is shown to be equivalent to the linear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model. Detailed discussions are given on the origin of massless fields and the local gauge invariance. Implications of Pauli-G\"ursey-type symmetry in spinor theories are also expounded.
Plasmodium simium and Saimiri boliviensis as a model system for testing candidate vaccines against Plasmodium vivax.

Observations on Plasmodium simium infections in Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis monkeys suggest that this host-parasite combination would be a suitable model for the testing of candidate vaccines against Plasmodium vivax .T o evaluate the normal course of infections, parasitemia in 52 splenectomized S. boliviensis boliviensis monkeys infected with P. simium were analyzed. The mean maximum parasite count for 31 monkeys after injection with trophozoite- infected erythrocytes was 77,580/L. Twenty-one monkeys were infected via sporozoites, and prepatent periods ranged from 14 to 24 days with a median of 15 days. The mean maximum parasite count was 29,234/L. The mean maximum parasite count for monkeys previously infected with Old World P. vivax was 26,337/L versus 56,362/L for those previously infected with New World P. vivax, possibly suggesting a closer antigenic relationship between P. simium and the Old World parasites. Plasmodium simium is a parasite of black howler monkeys (Alouatta fusca) and wooly spider monkeys (Brachyteles arachnoides) in a small area of southeast Brazil. It has many biological features similar, if not identical to, Plasmodium vivax. Biological and genetic studies indicate that the parasite has very recently (during the past 500 years) evolved in and adapted to the large Atelid New World primates and could be considered a strain or even a subspecies of P. vivax that by molecular phylogenetics cannot be readily separated from strains of P. vivax. 1 The circumsporozoite (CS) gene of P. simium has been shown to be identical to that of type I or VK210 of P. vivax. 2 Similarly, the rRNA genes are conserved between the two species. Morphologically, the asexual and gametocyte stages are remarkably like that of P. vivax in the Saimiri monkey host. In mosquitoes, the sporogonic develop- ment requires several days longer for completion than do strains of P. vivax with which it has been compared. The testing of vaccines against P. vivax has used S. bolivi- ensis because of their susceptibility to sporozoite and tropho- zoite infection with Salvador I and certain other strains of P. vivax. 3-10 However, the percentage infection with sporozoites via bite has been low, and it has been necessary to intrave- nously inject relatively large numbers of sporozoites har- vested from the salivary glands of infected mosquitoes to in- duce predictable infection in these monkeys. Plasmodium si- mium, having undergone natural adaptation in New World monkeys, is therefore being studied as a second model for the testing of antisporozoite, transmission-blocking, and blood- stage vaccines against P. vivax. Sporozoite vaccines and vac- cines against other stages of the parasite that are effective against P. simium in S. boliviensis could/should also be effec- tive against P. vivax in the same model system and quite possibly in humans. As will be shown, monkeys challenged via mosquito bite are readily susceptible to infection with P. si- mium.
The effect of a land titling programme on households’ access to credit

This paper assesses the effects of property titling on households’ access to and use of credit by focusing on household responses to an exogenous change in their formal ownership status. We isolate the credit effect on legal ownership by comparing households from communities in Osasco, Brazil. Our statistical estimates suggest that land-titling increases credit use, decreases reliance on credit borrowed from relatives, and increases credit borrowed from commercial banks. The author also find that treated households increased their consumption of timesaving durable goods, which explains an observed reallocation of time among household members, with adults working more and children less.
What Types of Statements are There

Building on the work of Sproule, Fahnestock and Secor, and Kruger, we present a specific typology of statements. In particular, we distinguish broadly logically determinate statements, descriptions, interpretations, and evaluations. We generate this typology through a series of dichotomous divisions of statements. We divide statements first into the broadly logically determinate versus contingent, the contingent into the evaluational versus natural, and the natural into the extensional versus intensional. We show that the rationales for these distinctions are well motivated and philosophically important. In particular, we argue that identifying the type of a statement is relevant to showing whether or not the sources vouching for it render the statement epistemically acceptable.
Vital effects of chronic nicotine absorption and chronic hypoxic stress during pregnancy and the nursing period

Abstract Four experiments were performed in which 3.0 mg. of nicotine per kilogram of body weight twice daily was administered to the gravid rat during the entire gestational period. Other pregnant rats were subjected to hypoxic stress once daily during gestation. Increasing the amount of nicotine administered as weight increased over the gestational period had no greater effect than continuing the dose begun on Day 0. Continuing injections until Day 21 resulted in no additional effects over injecting through Day 20. The offspring of rats given nicotine were significantly more underweight at birth than saline-injected controls; fewer live young were born; and mothers were delivered of their infants later and gained less weight during gestation. Off spring whose mothers received nicotine throughout the nursing period in addition to the above had a poorer survival chance after birth. Hypoxic young tended to be lighter in weight at birth. The sex ratio was shifted to some extent for both nicotine-injected and hypoxic groups in favor of males.
Spiders of Guar in Texas and Oklahoma

Thirteen families, 34 genera, and 51 species of spiders were collected in guar, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub., in Texas and Oklahoma. Dictyna volucripes Keyserling appeared to be a primary predator of adult midges, Contarinia texana (Felt). Larvae of C. texana were preyed upon by the wolf spider, Pardosa pauxilla Montgomery.
Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type I Does Not Increase Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Load In Vivo

Human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) can increase human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV) replication in vitro, and several studies suggest that HTLV-I accelerates the progression of HIV infection. To determine whether HTLV-I enhances HIV replication in vivo, a case-control study was done of serum HIV viral load, using polymerase chain reaction, in 23 subjects with HTLV-II HIV coinfection and 92 control subjects with HIV single infection. The geometric mean serum RNA level was 11,482 copies/mL in the coinfected group and 13,804 in the single-infection group (P = .57), a result that did not change after adjustment for zidovudine use and CD4 cell count. Among subjects with advanced HIV infection, there was a trend toward higher viral load among singly infected subjects. HTLV-I did not appear to increase HIV plasma RNA levels in subjects with coinfection. These results do not provide a biologic basis for the hypothesis that HTLV-I accelerates the course of HIV infection. Human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is associ­ ated with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma and progressive myelopathy [I, 2]. Coinfection with HTLV-I and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with a dissocia­ tion of CD4 lymphocyte count and HIV clinical stage as well as a high frequency of clinically significant myelopathy [3-5]. Several studies suggest that infection with HTL V-lor -II accelerates the clinical progression of HIV infection [6­ 10]. We recently demonstrated that, in comparison with HIV single infection, HTLV-I1HIV coinfection was not associ­ ated with higher rates of detectable p24 antigenemia, sug­ gesting that HTLV-I does not up-regulate HIV in vivo [3]. However, the detection of p24 antigen is limited by antigen­ antibody complexing, and even with acid dissociation, the assay remains relatively insensitive. HIV plasma viral RNA has recently been shown to be a strong predictor of HIV disease progression [11]. We measured HIV RNA levels in stored serum samples from the participants of our previous coinfection study to further test the hypothesis that HTL V­ I up-regulates HIV in vivo.
Intraduodenal infusions of fats elicit satiety in sham-feeding rats.

The satiating effect of duodenally administered fats was investigated with intraduodenal infusions of Intralipid in sham-feeding rats. Intralipid rapidly inhibited sham feeding and elicited the beh...
Skeletal response to exogenous ascorbic acid by vitamins D3 deficient chicks.

SummarySubcutaneous injection of ascorbic acid given to vit. D3 deficient chicks resulted in a highly significant reduction in per cent bone ash suggesting that the introduction of this compound had stimulated bone resorption. Calcium and phosphate release by incubating bone tissue did not support this idea, although the movement of hydroxypro-line did. An alternative explanation is based on the possibility that the marked change in per cent bone ash resulted from a change in the organic-inorganic ratio of bone tissue. If this were true, it would mean that the ascorbic acid stimulated matrix formation had but little or no effect on calcification.
Poesia e Risorgimento fuori d’Italia

Questo scritto esamina la poesia del Risorgimento Italiano prodotta fuori d'Italia. Per molti versi, tale poesia puo considerarsi come un'importante componente del ben piu vasto fenomeno del Romanticismo Europeo. Poeti di grande rilevanza, come Ugo Foscolo – che puo considerarsi un precursore del Risorgimento Italiano – Giovanni Berchet, Giovanni Visconti Venosta e altri, vissero buona parte della loro vita in esilio, sia perche banditi politicamente dall'Italia sia per l'espatrio da loro stessi voluto. La loro attivita fuori d'Italia contribui fortemente alla causa italiana, all'unita e all'indipendenza della loro nazione natia. In particolare, questo saggio esamina la posizione del Foscolo e del Berchet, quali figure esemplari di questo specifico fenomeno avvenuto fuori dall'Italia, i cui riflessi e le cui ripercussioni furono molto funzionali al processo stesso di unificazione e indipendenza italiana.
Energy transfer sensitization of luminescent gold nanoclusters: more than just the classical Förster mechanism (Conference Presentation)

We characterize energy transfer between luminescent 1.5 nm diameter gold nanocrystal (AuNC) acceptors and three structurally/functionally-distinct classes of emissive donors including organic dyes, metal chelates and semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Energy transfer efficiencies within the donor-AuNC assemblies were evaluated with steady-state and time-resolved measurements. Donor quenching was observed for every donor-acceptor pair although AuNC sensitization was only observed from metal-chelates and QDs. Results were analyzed with Forster’s dipole-dipole coupling model (FRET) and dipole-metal damping models including nanosurface energy transfer (NSET) and nanovolume energy transfer (NVET). FRET dramatically underestimated energy transfer efficiencies while the damping models provided qualitatively better fits to the data although neither fully reproduces the experimental data. Analysis suggests that organic dye donor quenching without corresponding AuNC sensitization results from enhanced intersystem crossing between dye singlet and triplet states driven by AuNC magnetic dipoles. We further consider factors that account for the unique electronic properties of the ultra-small luminescent AuNCs including the high excited state densities, rapid dephasing time and strong electron confinement as well as paramagnetic properties. Overall, the results provide insight into requirements necessary for realizing applications based on AuNC acceptor sensitization.
The Influence of Tourism Culture on Tourism Translation

Tourism translation is an important measure of spreading tourism culture in tourism activities,and the differences between tourism cultures influence tourism translation.In the article the influences including living conditions,thinking mode,custom,religion,and value are discussed,in the end several techniques are presented in tourism translation.
Analysis of Epidemiological Characteristics and Control Measures of HIV/AIDS in Meizhou City

Objective To analyze the HIV/AIDS epidemiological characteristics in Meizhou city and set up the control measures of HIV/AIDS. Methods Surveillance and control measures of HIV/AIDS in Meizhou city were from 1992 to 2005. Results The first case of HIV infection was reported in 1992. A total number of 29 cases of HIV infections were reported from 1992 to 2005 and 17 cases died . HIV infections mainly occurred in male (79.13%), mainly 20-49 years old male (75.86%). The main transmission route was sexual transmission, accounting for 62.07%. Blood-born transmission was 13.79%. The transmission from mother to infant was 3.45%. Conclusion It is a critical moment to control and prevent HIV/AIDS in Meizhou city. The strategies should focus on HIV surveillance, control and prevention measures, and the implementation of health education of the public.
Affirmative Disclosure at the FTC: Theoretical Framework and Typology of Case Selection:

This article presents a theoretical framework designed to provide insights about the affirmative disclosure activities of the Federal Trade Commission. This framework was developed on the basis of ...