cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bodies Public: The Roaring Girl and the Rise of Celebrity

This chapter argues that seventeenth-century London is structured by a dialectic of abstraction and embodiment. Publicity demands bracketing the body, even as the body is what makes one public in the first place. Celebrities emerge during this time because they remedy the abstraction that publicity entails. By a vicarious relation, celebrities are the bodies their publics can never have. To make this claim, I turn to The Roaring Girl, Thomas Dekker and Thomas Middleton’s comedy about the historical Mary “Moll” Frith.
Glittering Dust, Dormant Treasure: Press, Public Memory and Georgia's “Forgotten” Gold Rush

Abstract This article examines nineteenth-century local, regional and national newspaper coverage of the first major American gold rush, which began in 1828 when as many as 20,000 people headed to the hills of northern Georgia to seek their fortunes. So much gold was discovered that a United States Mint was established in Dahlonega, Georgia, a town named for the Cherokee word for gold. The mint produced more than $100,000 during its first year, and more than one-and-a-half million coins by the time it closed in 1861. Accounts of this gold rush are “as fascinating as any fiction,” yet unlike the storied gold stampedes in California, Colorado, Alaska and the Black Hills, the Georgia rush has been lost to American collective memory. The purpose of this article is to seek to understand why. Despite boosterism and increasing nostalgia in coverage, the story was overshadowed by the Civil War, the exploitation of the Cherokee, the hardships of Reconstruction and the sensationalized gold rushes in the American West.
La Ley de Lotka: aplicaciones del modelo Lagrangian Poisson a la productividad de autores

DESCRIBES THE LAGRANGIAN POISSON DISTRIBUTION AS DEVELOPED BY JANARDAN & SCHAEFFER WITH SPECIFIC EQUATIONS FOR CASES WHEN ZERO OBSERVATIONS ARE PRESENT IN THE DATA COLLECTED. TO ILLUSTRATE THE APPLICATION PROCESS, DATA COLLECTED AND STUDIED BY TARGINO & CALDEIRA ON BRAZILIAN LITERATURE PRODUCED BY PROFESSORS AT THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF PIAUIIS REPLICATED. THE X2 TEST WAS UDDES TO FIT OBSERVED TO EXPECTED VALUES. WITH A DISPERSION RATE OF G2=0.53925, AN ATTRACTION RATE OF G1=0.112054, AT 0.05 LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AND 3 DEGREES OF FREEDOM, IT WAS FOUND THAT X2 CRITICAL VALUE WAS EQUAL TO 7.81473 HIGHER THAN ESTIMATED X2 OF 6.027. THEREFORE, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT DATA FITS WELL TO POISSON LAGRANGIAN MODEL.
Situationally driven local navigation for mobile robots

For mobile robots to autonomously accommodate dynamically changing navigation tasks in a goal-directed fashion, they must employ navigation plans. Any such plan must provide for the robot's immediate and continuous need for guidance while remaining highly flexible in order to avoid costly computation each time the robot's perception of the world changes. Due to the world's uncertainties, creation and maintenance of navigation plans cannot involve arbitrarily complex processes, as the robot's perception of the world will be in constant flux, requiring modifications to be made quickly if they are to be of any use. This work introduces Navigation Templates (or NaTs) which are building blocks for the construction and maintenance of rough navigation plans which capture the relationship that objects in the world have to the current navigation task. By encoding only the critical relationship between the objects in the world and the navigation task, a NaT-based navigation plan is highly flexible; allowing new constraints to be quickly incorporated into the plan and existing constraints to be updated or deleted from the plan. To satisfy the robot's need for immediate local guidance, the NaTs forming the current navigation plan are passed to a transformation function. The transformation function analyzes the plan with respect to the robot's current location to quickly determine (a few times a second) the locally preferred direction of travel. This dissertation presents NaTs and the transformation function as well as the needed support systems to demonstrate the usefulness of the technique for controlling the actions of a mobile robot operating in an uncertain world. ftn*This work was supported in part by a grant from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory under a contract from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and by a grant from the Naval Surface Weapons Center.
Bridging the formal methods gap: a computer-aided verification tool for hardware designs

The author describes a computer-aided verification tool, called Spectool, for synchronous hardware designs. The tool reduces the effort required for verifying a design in the targeted class by automating most of the routine, but cumbersome, parts of the verification process. The input to the tool is a circuit diagram of the design drawn using the graphical user interface provided by the tool. Spectool has been used on several examples including a large pipelined microprocessor design. >
Psychological Factors Involved in Impotence A Review of the Literature

Recent developments in the treatment of impotence and studies on the results of psychological methods for its treatment seem to indicate that the number of individuals who suffer from impotence of purely psychogenic origin is less than was reported in literature of the last decade. It is undoubtedly true, however, that psychological factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. This review looks at psychological factors involved in impotence from three perspectives. Beginning with a historical review, those theoretical bases which formed the premise for psychological therapies are described. Second, diagnostic issues are explored in some detail. Finally, the variety of treatment modalities which have been used, with varying degrees of success, is described. It appears that whatever psychological treatment method is used, the patients who have the best prognosis are those in whom the disorder has lasted for less than two years, who have a strong motivation for psychotherapy, persisting sexual desire, and who are without significant psychopathology.
The More Control, the Better?

Despite of the popularity of interactive movie trailers, rigorous research on one of the most apparent features of these interfaces – the level of user control – has been scarce. This study explored the effects of user control on users’ immersion and enjoyment of the movie trailers, moderated by the content type. We conducted a 2 (high user control versus low user control) × 2 (drama film trailer versus documentary film trailer) mixed-design factorial experiment. The results showed that the level of user control over movie trailer interfaces decreased users’ immersion when the trailer had an element of traditional story structure, such as a drama film trailer. Participants in the high user control condition answered that they were less fascinated with, absorbed in, focused on, mentally involved with, and emotionally affected by the movie trailer than participants in the low user control condition only with the drama movie trailer. The negative effects of user control on the level of immersion for the dram...
Suramin interacts with RANK and inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation.

Abstract Suramin is a naphthalene trisulfonic acid derivative that inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro and in vivo; however, the mechanisms underlying this activity have not been studied. Receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK) ligand (RANKL) is a key regulator of osteoclast differentiation and function and this study evaluated the ability of suramin, which has been shown to disrupt protein–protein interactions, to interfere with RANKL functional activity and binding to RANK. Suramin inhibited osteoclastic bone resorption in a calvarial model and inhibited osteoclast differentiation in RANKL-stimulated murine spleen cells and RAW264.7 cells. RANKL-induced second messenger signaling (AKT and p38 MAP Kinase phosphorylation) was completely blocked by 100 μM suramin. The ability of RANKL to bind to recombinant human RANK-Fc (rhRANK-Fc) was reduced 50% by suramin in an in vitro binding assay. Surface plasmon resonance technology and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to evaluate the ability of suramin to bind to rhRANK-Fc. Suramin was found to selectively interact with immobilized rhRANK-Fc chimera in a concentration-dependent manner by Biacore 3000 analysis. Similar results were obtained using saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy to demonstrate that suramin binds to rhRANK-Fc, but not IgG 1 Fc or sRANKL. In summary, these findings demonstrate that suramin inhibits sRANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and suggest that these effects are mediated by suramin binding to RANK and blocking the ability of sRANKL to induce second messenger signaling.
Adolescence: A developmental approach to problems and psychopathology

Developmental factors are important throughout life to the development of problems and psychopathology. Adolescence, in particular, involves several changes that challenge the individual, both in the important social contexts and in individual maturation. Whether the adolescent is able to cope adaptively and enhance subsequent developmental outcomes or copes maladaptively and jeopardizes future developmental outcomes depends on previous maturation in the individual as well as the nature of previous challenges presented and resources provided by social context. The transition during early adolescence apprears to be particularly important in the development of healthy status versus problems and psychopathology. The developmental outcome depends on the fit between the current challenges and the individual's resources for coping with those challenges. those who are vulnerable at this time are more likely to develop negative outcomes. Conversely, successful coping may even augment subsequent development and resilience.
The role of glycophosphatidylinositol anchor in the amplification of the scrapie isoform of prion protein in vitro.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are associated with an autocatalytic conversion of normal prion protein, PrPC, to a protease-resistant form, PrPres. This autocatalytic reaction can be reproduced in vitro using a procedure called protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA). Here we show that, unlike brain-derived PrPC, bacterially-expressed recombinant prion protein (rPrP) is a poor substrate for PrPres amplification in a standard PMCA reaction. The differences between PrPC and rPrP appear to be due to the lack of the glycophosphatidylinositol anchor in the recombinant protein. These findings shed a new light on prion protein conversion process and have important implications for the efforts to generate synthetic prions for structural and biophysical studies.
The validity of measuring bone density from roentgenograms by means of a bone density computing apparatus.

Abstract Rat bone mineral content can be accurately determined from roentgenograms. Calcium changes of 4% or less are detectable. Bulk densities of dry bone, ash, and calcium of femur segments are highly related to in vivo x-ray densities (r = .92) and can be predicted from roentgenograms using regression equations.
Kinetochore Orientation during Meiosis Is Controlled by Aurora B and the Monopolin Complex

Kinetochores of sister chromatids attach to microtubules emanating from the same pole (coorientation) during meiosis I and microtubules emanating from opposite poles (biorientation) during meiosis II. We find that the Aurora B kinase Ipl1 regulates kinetochore-microtubule attachment during both meiotic divisions and that a complex known as the monopolin complex ensures that the protein kinase coorients sister chromatids during meiosis I. Furthermore, the defining of conditions sufficient to induce sister kinetochore coorientation during mitosis provides insight into monopolin complex function. The monopolin complex joins sister kinetochores independently of cohesins, the proteins that hold sister chromatids together. We propose that this function of the monopolin complex helps Aurora B coorient sister chromatids during meiosis I.
Environmental tax reform: does it work? A survey of the empirical evidence

Abstract Environmental tax reform is the process of shifting the tax burden from employment, income and investment, to pollution, resource depletion and waste. Can environmental tax reform produce a double dividend — help the environment without hurting the economy? This paper reviews the practical experience and available modeling studies. It concludes that when environmental tax revenues are used to reduce payroll taxes, and if wage-price inflation is prevented, significant reductions in pollution, small gains in employment, and marginal gains or losses in production are likely in the short to medium term, while investments fall back and prices increase. Results are less certain in the long term. They might be more positive if models selected welfare instead of production indicators for the second dividend, and if several important variables, such as wage rigidities and the feedback of environmental quality on production, were factored into simulations.
Undesirable effects of hypnosis: the determinants and management.

Abstract Various kinds of complications arising from the use of hypnosis are reviewed. The distinction is drawn between the induction of hypnosis when it is perceived as an episodic event, as in a laboratory context, versus the effect when it is perceived as leading to permanent changes, as in a therapeutic context. An attempt is made to draw these and other distinctions in order to understand better the possible sources of difficulties.
Thermodynamics of the thermal unfolding of eglin c in the presence and absence of guanidinium chloride

The thermal unfolding of eglin c, a small proteinase inhibitor of molecular weight 8.1 kDa, is studied by means of high sensitivity scanning calorimetry over a wide pH range in dilute buffer solutions, and in the presence of varying concentrations of guanidinium chloride at pH 7.00 and 10.55. The temperature of half-completion of the unfolding transition, t1/2, in dilute buffer varies from 41 degrees C at pH 1.1 to 86 degrees C at pH 7.0 to 10.55, with corresponding enthalpy changes of approximately 40 kcal mol-1 and 71 kcal mol-1. This latter enthalpy change, amounting to 8.7 cal g-1, is unusually large for a protein, especially for one of unusually small molecular weight. Addition of 3.3 M guanidinium chloride at pH 10.55 lowered t1/2 from 86 degrees C to 40 degrees C and decreased the enthalpy change from approximately 71 kcal mol-1 to 25 kcal mol-1.
Experimental Evaluation of CO Poisoning of an Air-Breathing High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell Stack

In this paper, we experimentally studied an air breathing high temperature PEM fuel cell at steady operating conditions to investigate the effects of CO poisoning at different temperatures ranges between 120°C∼180°C. The effects of changes in temperatures with different amount of CO poisoning on the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell are investigated. Experimental data of this type would be very useful to develop design parameters of fuel processor based on reformate hydrocarbons. The high CO tolerance of high temperature PEM fuel cells makes it possible to use the reformate gas directly from the reformer without further CO removal. Here we considered the fact that a steam reformer is a consumer of heat and water, and fuel cell stacks are a producer of heat and water. Thus, integration of the fuel cell stack and the reformer is expected to improve the system performance. The results obtained from the experiments showed variations in current-voltage characteristics at different temperatures with different CO poisoning rates. The results will help to understand the overall system performance development strategy of high temperature PEM fuel cell in terms of current-voltage characteristics, when fed with on-site reformate hydrogen gas with variable CO concentrations.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The modulation of caveolin-1 expression controls satellite cell activation during muscle repair

We have previously shown that caveolin-1, the principal structural protein component of caveolar membrane domains, inhibits cellular proliferation and induces cell cycle arrest. We demonstrate here for the first time that caveolin-1 is expressed in satellite cells but not in mature muscle fibers. Satellite cells are quiescent myogenic precursors that, after muscle injury, become mitotically active, proliferate, and fuse together or, to existing myofibers, to form new muscle fibers. We show that down-regulation of caveolin-1 expression occurs in satellite cells/myogenic precursor cells (MPCs) during muscle regeneration and that hepatocyte growth factor, which is produced after muscle injury, down-regulates caveolin-1. We also demonstrate that down-regulation of endogenous caveolin-1 expression activates ERK and that activation of the p42/44 MAP kinase pathway is necessary to promote muscle regeneration. Finally, we show that overexpression of caveolin-1 inhibits muscle repair mechanisms both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these results propose caveolin-1 as a novel regulator of satellite cell functions and suggest that the following signaling pathway modulates satellite cell activation during muscle repair: injured fibers release HGF --> HGF down-regulates caveolin-1 protein expression --> down-regulation of caveolin-1 activates ERK --> activation of ERK promotes muscle repair by stimulating the proliferation and migration of MPCs toward the wounded area.
Matrix isolation magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectrum of NH radical produced by a glow discharge technique

Abstract MCD and absorption spectra are reported for the X( 3 Σ − )→A( 3 H i transition of NH produced by a glow discharge and isolated in Ar and Xe matrices. The MCD is strongly temperature dependent and is detectable at concentrations well below those required in a conventional absorption measurement.
Health-seeking resources and adaptive functioning in depressed and nondepressed adults

Psychiatric mental health nurses remain challenged to develop theory-based strategies that assist depressed clients toward more productive, healthy lifestyles. This comparative study examined health-seeking resources, depressive symptoms, and adaptive functioning in matched groups of 63 depressed inpatients and 63 nondepressed adults. Results indicated high scores on measures of health-seeking resources correlated with high scores in adaptive functioning in both groups. Significant predictors of adaptive functioning were absence of depressive symptoms (nondepressed group) and learned resourcefulness (depressed group). Findings support Schlotfeldt's health-seeking model which explicates the significance of strengthening health-seeking resources to promote adaptive functioning.
The genes for ribosomal RNA in diploid and polytene chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster

The proportion of the Drosophila genome coding for ribosomal RNA was examined in DNA from both diploid and polytene tissues of Drosophila melanogaster by rRNA-DNA hybridization. Measurements were made on larvae with one, two, three and four nucleolus organizer regions per genome. In DNA from diploid tissues the percent rDNA (coding for 28S and 18S ribosomal DNA) was found to be in proportion to the number of nucleolus organizers present. The number of rRNA genes within a nucleolus organizer therefore does not vary in response to changes in the number of nucleolus organizers. On the other hand, in DNA from cells with polytene chromosomes the percent rDNA remained at a level of about 0.1% (two to six times lower than the diploid values), regardless of either the number of nucleolus organizers per genome or whether the nucleolus organizers were carried by the X or Y chromosomes. This independence of polytene rDNA content from the number of nucleolus organizers is presumably due to the autonomous polytenization of this region of the chromosome. When the rDNA content of DNA from whole flies is examined, both the rDNA additivity of the diploid cells and the rDNA independence of polytene cells will affect the results. This is a possible explanation for the relative rDNA increase known to occur in X0 flies, but probably not for the phenomenon of rDNA magnification. — In further studies on DNA from larval diploid tissues, the following findings were made: 1) the Ybb-chromosome carries no rDNA; 2) flies carrying four nucleolus organizers do not tend to lose rDNA, even after eleven generations, and 3) the nucleolus organizer on the wild type Y chromosome may have significantly less rDNA than does that on the corresponding X chromosome.
The Oldest Marine Carbonate Ooids Reinterpreted as Volcanic Accretionary Lapilli, Onverwacht Group, South Africa

ABSTRACT Sand-sized spheroids in the 3.4 billion-year old Onverwacht Group, South Africa, previously interpreted as silicified marine carbonate ooids, were constructed of loose volcanic dust and ash and closely resemble accretionary lapilli found in younger volcanic sequences. They commonly show concentric internal structuring, including a nucleus, a relatively coarse-grained detritus layer made up of recrystallized vitric and crystal grains, and an outer rind of recrystallized fine-grained ash. The outer rind was rigid when the grains were deposited whereas the detritus layer was soft and plastic. Graded lap Jill beds lacking current structures represent air-fall lapilli and ash which accumulated rapidly under shallow water to subaerial conditions. The tops of many units were reworked by curr nts to form flat- and cross-laminated layers. Accretionary lapilli are known from many younger volcanic sequences, but seldom represent more than trace accumulations and are rare as water-deposited grains. Their apparent abundance in Archean terranes in both South Africa and Australia may suggest that the geologic and hydrologic setting of certain Archean volcanic complexes favored the formation and preservation of accretionary lapilli. It may reflect, however, an abnormally wet early atmosphere or the relatively higher rate of outgassing of volatiles through early Precambrian volcanoes.
A Trematode Metacercaria Causing Gill Cartilage Proliferation in Steelhead Trout from Oregon

Gills of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) held in liveboxes to detect the presence of pathogens in the Willamette River (Oregon, USA) became heavily infected with trematode metacercariae. The metacercariae encysted adjacent to the cartilaginous rods of gill filaments and elicited a host response of cartilage proliferation from the perichondrium. Although some hyperplasia of gill epithelium and fusion of lamellae was apparent, the extent of damage to the respiratory surface was apparently insufficient to cause trout mortality. Morphological characteristics of the metacercariae did not allow precise identification, but they suggested affinities to either the Heterophyidae or Cryptogonimidae. Some heterophyids are known to cause proliferation of cartilage in fish gills, while cryptogonimids are not. This is the first report of trematode induced gill cartilage proliferation in steelhead trout.
East African higher education from the community standpoint

The concept of community education is considered in relation to higher education in East Africa. The case of the University of Dar es Salaam is taken as an example to show how the concept has been adapted to meet the needs of a university in a developing society. Orientations towards the community in terms of teaching, research and other activities are described. Problems of access, admission, control and participation are considered in the context of the changed conditions within which the university must operate. The suggestion is made that experience shows that an institution can re-order itself in such a way as to contribute more effectively to the national community it serves.
Cytophotometric analyses of brain neuronal RNA in soman intoxicated rabbits

Abstract Quantitative azure B-RNA cytophotometry was used to monitor metabolic responses of individual neurons of the motor cortex (layer V) and caudate nucleus of soman (pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) poisoned rabbits. Time- and dose-dependent RNA responses were related to the extent of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inactivation of these 2 brain regions and to overt behavioral manifestations of toxication. A complex pattern of RNA responses was evidenced, with RNA depletion occuring at both arousal and convulsive doses of soman. In general, RNA changes paralleled previously reported metabolic responses observed in soman toxicated rats and mice: (1) linear dose-dependent suppression of RNA was evidenced during the depressant phase but not in the acute excitatory phase of toxication; and (2) RNA depletion was more severe following than during the appearance of excitatory symptoms. These data indicate that soman poisoning results in metabolic correlates of impaired rather than excessive CNS activation. It is postulated that metabolic disturbances are related to blockade of central cholinergic excitation, and that disruption of functionally integrated synaptic activity forms a critically important aspect of toxication.
Trade, foreign direct investment, and environmental policy: The case of Mexico

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to determine whether there is an observed relationship between the environmental policies of Mexico and the country's trade and foreign direct investment flows. To frame the study, a set of conjectures relating trade and the environment was formulated and evaluated. The information required to perform the analysis was collected from interviews with government officials, managers, and members of professional associations during a field trip to the city of San Nicholas de los Garza in the State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The results indicate: (1) that Mexico is battling to become a polluters' abhorrence rather than a pollution-heaven country; (2) that there has been a limited transfer of foreign direct investment into heavy polluting industries, therefore, this limited capital flow does not support the notion of “industrial flight” into Mexico; and (3) that the persistent trade deficit observed in heavy polluting industries does not support the “dirty exports” conception implicit in the “trade surplus” postulate implicit in the theory of externalities.
Ontogeny of stress effects on ornithine decarboxylase activity in rats

Abstract This study demonstrates that “stress” elicits a specific pattern of organ response in developing rats that is determined by the particular “stress” and by the age of the animal. Maternal deprivation (MD) of preweanling rat pups decrease ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in many tissues, as reported previously, while immobilization (IMM) and cold stress increase ODC activity in liver and heart of neonatal rat. Serum GH is decreased by MD and by IMM, but is not affected by cold stress. Stress-induced ODC elevation increases with age, while MD effects disappear at weaning. IMM and cold increase ODC activity in kidney, liver and heart of adult rats. These effects of IMM are blocked by the ganglionic antagonist chlorisondamine in adult but not in neonatal rats. The results of this study suggest that MD and the “classical” stress paradigms IMM and cold evoke different patterns of organ ODC response in neonatal rats. Furthermore, these findings suggest that the mechanism by which immobilization increases ODC activity changes from a hormonal to a neural mechanis, during ontogeny.
Experimental validation of numerical simulations for an acoustic liner in grazing flow: Self-noise and added drag

Abstract A coordinated experimental and numerical simulation effort is carried out to improve our understanding of the physics of acoustic liners in a grazing flow as well our computational aeroacoustics (CAA) method prediction capability. A numerical simulation code based on advanced CAA methods is developed. In a parallel effort, experiments are performed using the Grazing Flow Impedance Tube at the NASA Langley Research Center. In the experiment, a liner is installed in the upper wall of a rectangular flow duct with a 2 in. by 2.5 in. cross section. Spatial distribution of sound pressure levels and relative phases are measured on the wall opposite the liner in the presence of a Mach 0.3 grazing flow. The computer code is validated by comparing computed results with experimental measurements. Good agreements are found. The numerical simulation code is then used to investigate the physical properties of the acoustic liner. It is shown that an acoustic liner can produce self-noise in the presence of a grazing flow and that a feedback acoustic resonance mechanism is responsible for the generation of this liner self-noise. In addition, the same mechanism also creates additional liner drag. An estimate, based on numerical simulation data, indicates that for a resonant liner with a 10 percent open area ratio, the drag increase would be about 4 percent of the turbulent boundary layer drag over a flat wall.
The Transcriptional Activity of Estrogen Receptor-α Is Dependent on Ca2+/Calmodulin

Estrogen binds to estrogen receptors in cells, thereby activating the receptors and eliciting biological effects. One of the best characterized effects of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) is transcriptional activation that regulates selected target genes in the nucleus. Work from several laboratories has documented a Ca2+-dependent interaction between ERα and calmodulin. In addition, we previously showed that antagonism of calmodulin function in cells prevented estradiol from inducing ERα transcriptional activity, suggesting that association of ERα with calmodulin participates in ERα function. In this study we adopted a multifaceted approach to directly address this hypothesis. The calmodulin binding domain on ERα was identified and several mutant ERα constructs unable to bind calmodulin were generated. Elimination of calmodulin binding prevented estradiol from stimulating ERα transcriptional activation. Essentially identical results were obtained when intracellular Ca2+ was chelated with the cell-permeable chelator 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl)ester (BAPTA-AM). Moreover, CaM1234, a calmodulin mutant that is unable to bind Ca2+, functioned as a dominant negative construct. Transfection of cells with CaM1234 reduced estradiol-stimulated ERα transcriptional activity. These data indicate that binding to calmodulin is required for normal transcriptional function of ERα.
Improving Descriptive Sentence Writing in Elementary Students

(2004). Improving Descriptive Sentence Writing in Elementary Students. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth: Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 34-36.
Numerical simulation of a 325 Mbit/s QPPM optical communication system

Optical digital receivers are being considered for intersatellite laser communication links. A demonstration system is being designed to operate at 325 MBit/s, using quaternary pulse position modulation (QPPM). Laboratory experiments have been conducted using a 50 MBit/s prototype system. A numerical model has been developed to simulate a QPPM optical receiver. The 50 MBit/s system was simulated to verify the validity of the model. The model was then used to simulate the projected behavior of the 325 MBit/s system. The model predicts a bit error rate of 10.6 at 38 incident photons per bit for 820 nm light.
Intersecting and competing discourses in Harvey Fierstein's Tidy endings

This essay illustrates the fallacies of dichotomizing a monolithic ideological, oppressive, dominant discourse and a pluralistic, potentially resistant subcultural discourses. The argument is based upon a case study of gay‐male spectators’ interpretations of Tidy Endings, a teleplay about gay rights. In the case of Tidy Endings, the dominance/resistance metaphor cannot account for the power struggle among multiple discourses within the text and spectators’ interpretation of the text. Perhaps more significantly, the dichotomy would lead a critic into confounding a discourse of gay rights with a discourse of gay liberation and a discourse of heterosexuality with a discourse of patriarchy.
Quantitative EEG Evidence of Increased Alpha Peak Frequency in Children with Precocious Reading Ability

ABSTRACT Background. EEG research with specific clinical populations (e.g., Alzheimer's and mentally disabled) has confirmed that reduced alpha peak frequency often is associated with impaired cognitive functioning. However, research with high-functioning populations does not exist, and increased peak frequency in alpha has only been hypothesized to relate to advanced brain maturation. Methods. This study compared peak frequency in the alpha band (8.0 to 12.0 Hz) of children with precocious reading ability to that of control groups. The experimental group consisted of 15 early readers (ER). One comparison sample included 15 age-level matched (ALM) children, similar to the ER group in terms of cognitive functioning and age, but reading at grade level. A second comparison group, composed of 15 reading-level matched (RLM) children, had intelligence and reading level scores equivalent to the ER group, but was 2.5 years older. Using Lexicor NeuroSearch-24 equipment and v151 software, quantitative EEG (QEEG) da...
Nanoscale adhesion, friction and wear of proteins on polystyrene

Protein layers are routinely deployed on biomaterials and biological micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (bioMEMS/NEMS) as a functional layer allowing for specific molecular recognition, binding properties or to facilitate biocompatibility. In addition, uncoated biomaterial surfaces will have uncontrolled protein layers adsorbing to the surface within seconds of implantation, so a pre-defined protein layer will improve the host response. Implanted biomaterials also experience micromotion over time which may degrade any surface protein layers. Degradation of these protein layers may lead to system failure or an unwanted immune response. Therefore, it is important to characterize the interfacial properties of proteins on biomaterial surfaces. In this study, the nanoscale adhesion, friction and wear properties of proteins adsorbed to a spin coated polystyrene surface were measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in deionized (DI) water and phosphate buffered saline. Adhesion, friction and wear have been measured for bovine serum albumin (BSA), collagen, fibronectin and streptavidin (STA) in DI water and PBS as a function of protein concentration. These proteins were chosen due to their importance and widespread application in the biotechnology field. Adhesion and friction were also measured for BSA and STA at two different temperatures and different pH values to simulate a biological environment. Based on this study, adhesion, friction and wear mechanisms of the different proteins are discussed.
Cure monitoring of a photosensitive polymer using the luminescent organometallic complex fac-CIRe(CO)3(4,7-Ph2-phen)

Abstract The organometallic complex fac-CIRe(CO)3(4,7-Ph2-phen) exhibits a bright yellow-orange phosphorescence centred at 576 nm in poly(methyl methacrylate)/trimethylolpropane triacrylate (PMMA/TMPTA) solutions. This luminescence feature is shown to be a useful spectroscopic probe of the acrylate crosslinking reactions in the u.v. photochemical curing of a model PMMA/TMPTA thin film system.
Molecular QCA cells. 2. Characterization of an unsymmetrical dinuclear mixed-valence complex bound to a Au surface by an organic linker.

Utilization of binary information encoded in the charge configuration of quantum-dot cells (the quantum-dot cellular automata, QCA, paradigm) requires surface-bound molecule-sized dots for room temperature operation. Molecular QCA cells are mixed-valence complexes, and the evaluation of a surface-bound unsymmetrical, heterobinuclear, two-dot, Fe−Ru molecular QCA cell is described. The tailed complex, trans-[Ru(dppm)2(C⋮CFc)(N⋮CCH2CH2NH2)][PF6] (dppm = methylbis(diphenylphosphane), Fc = (η5-C5H5)Fe(η5-C5H4)), is covalently modified with the molecular adapter, HS(CH2)10COOH, for binding to a Au surface. Preparation and characterization of the films by AFM, XPS, and electrochemical techniques are reported. Cyclic voltammetric techniques are used to assess film growth, coverage and uniformity, effects of thiol diluents on areal densities of the complex, and stabilities of the accessible redox states. Amperometric techniques are used to investigate the efficiency of both chemical and electrochemical oxidation ...
The Maf transcription factors: regulators of differentiation

Since the identification of the v-maf oncogene in an avian tumor virus, the Maf protein family has grown rapidly, forming a unique subclass of basic-leucine zipper transcription (bZIP) factors. Maf family members appear to play important roles in the regulation of differentiation.
Developmental variations of tyrosine hydroxylase and acetylcholinesterase in embryonic and post-hatching chicken sympathetic ganglia.

Summary The developmental variations of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were studied in embryonic and post-hatching chicken sympathetic ganglia. Different levels of TH activity were found in two different flocks of White Leghorn chicken, which are probably dependent on genetic differences. These enzymatic differences, however, do not become apparent before hatching and may indicate a combined effect of genetic variation the functional demands. During the period of incubation, TH activity is characterized by a pronounced and steady increase from the twelfth day of incubation up to day 2 after hatching. This corresponds to a period of intense maturation of the sympathetic neuron. In the period following hatching, the ‘fourth day fall phenomenon’ previously described by us for DOPA decar☐ylase (DDC), dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) is not seen in the TH curve. Instead, TH activity tends to remain constant between days 2 and 14 after hatching (ah). Both ganglionic protein and weight remain constant in this period, indicating a phase of general pause in protein synthesis. AChE activity increases steadily from the eight until the twenty-first day of incubation. A sudden and significant drop in AChE activity was found at day 2 ah followed by a period of rapid increase at day 3 ah and a levelling of activity up to day 30 ah. Comparing the present variations to those observed in our previous studies on DBH, a temporal relationship between TH and DBH activity is observed during the phases of synaptogenesis and maturation but not during the phase of intense functional activity. Our results strongly suggest that before hatching in chick embryo sympathetic ganglia, the cholinergic presynaptic terminals play a role in regulating the development of the adrenergic neurons. In the period following hatching, however, the DBH and TH levels in cell bodies seem to be principally regulated by the functional activity. This results in depletion of DBH, but not TH, through liberation along with the neurotransmitter at the periphery. Depletion of DBH at the terminals may result in increased transport and thereby depletion in the cell body. This mechanism is probably responsible for the difference in the profiles of activity of DBH and TH in the cell bodies observed in the first week after hatching.
Deoxyribonucleic acid base composition of species of Klebsiella, Azotobacter and Bacillus.

Methods of molecular taxonomy were used to study the genome or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of different strains of five genera of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The DNA base compositions of all strains ofKlebsiella pneumoniae (previously classified as strains ofAchromobacter sp.,Aerobacter aerogenes orK. pneumoniae) occupy a fairly narrow range of values from 56.7 to 62.5% G-C content. No significant difference was observed in the DNA base composition of bacteria which can fix molecular nitrogen and that of strains which do not fix nitrogen.
A long pathlength liquid-core waveguide sensor for real-time pCO2 measurements at sea

Abstract An improved spectrophotometric pCO2 sensor based on a long pathlength liquid-core waveguide is described for pCO2 underway measurements. A low refractive index (RI) amorphous fluoropolymer (Teflon AF 2400) tubing, the heart of the sensor, served as both a CO2-permeable membrane equilibrator and a long pathlength liquid-core waveguide spectrophotometric cell. By using absorbance ratios at three wavelengths and carefully preparing and storing indicator solution, good reproducibility and long-term stability were achieved. The sensor behaved closely to theoretical prediction. Two pronounced features of the sensor were fast response (approximately 2 min to reach 99% of full response) due to high permeability of the Teflon AF, and high precision (about ±2–3 μatm in the pCO2 range of 200–500 μatm) due to the long pathlength. The temperature dependence of the sensor is also discussed. The sensor's measurements agreed well with the “showerhead equilibrator plus infrared detector” method during an underway survey of sea surface pCO2 along a transect off the Georgia coast in December 2000. Besides underway mapping, the sensor shows broad applicability for measuring pCO2 in different environments.
Teaching and learning responsible research conduct: influences of prior experiences on acceptance of new ideas.

Despite requirements for Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training, little is known about how much this training actually influences the thinking and behaviors of participants. Interview-based qualitative research methods were used to study the reactions of Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows to what was taught in an RCR course. For trainees with limited prior RCR experience, or who agreed with what was taught, it was relatively easy to influence their attitudes and how they thought they would use the new information in the future. However, if their prior experiences or existing knowledge conflicted with what was taught they resisted and often rejected new ideas that were presented. Interviews also revealed the tremendously complex process trainees must undergo trying to resolve or integrate all of the different perspectives they receive on RCR from other sources. These results revealed the importance of viewing RCR training from the perspective of learning theory and how prior knowledge influenc...
The Subcellular Distribution of Peptide Histidine Isoleucine Amide-27-Like Peptides in Rat Brain and Their Release from Rat Cerebral Cortical Slices In Vitro

: The subcellular distribution of peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHI)-27-like peptides (PLP) was investigated in rat cerebral cortex and whole rat brain in comparison with the distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The highest content of PLP was found in the crude mitochondrial fraction (P2) and was also detected in the microsomal pellet. PLP was recovered in synaptosomes when further fractionation of P2 was performed. This distribution of PLP closely follows that of VIP and is suggestive of possible storage in vesicles at the nerve terminal. Basal release of PLP from rat cerebral cortical slices was below the detection limit of the PHI radioimmunoassay. However, depolarization by 55 mM potassium induced measurable PLP release. This release was calcium-dependent. These findings support the hypothesis that PLP could play a role in neurotransmission.
Glycogen in the epidermis of the dolphin Tursiops truncarta.

Das Kohlehydrat-Speicherprodukt Glykogen wurde nach Verletzungen im Regenerationsepithel des DelphinsTursiops truncarta gefunden, was darauf hinweist, dass Glykogen, das in der regenerierenden Epidermis anderer Saugetiere gefunden wurde, nicht vom Glykogenvorrat der Haarfollikel stammt.
Time-series analysis of NDVI from AVHRR data over the Hindu Kush–Himalayan region for the period 1982–2006

The Hindu Kush–Himalayan HKH region with its surrounding mountains in central Asia is a region that has been warming at an alarming rate and is sensitive to climate change due to its heterogeneous terrain and high altitude. In a region where research is limited due to the paucity of field-based biophysical observations, analysis of remotely sensed data such as the normalized difference vegetation index NDVI can provide invaluable information on spatio-temporal patterns in linkages among land use, climate and vegetative phenological cycles, and trends in vegetative cover. In this study, NDVI data with 8 km spatial resolution for each 15 day composite period from 1982 to 2006 were analysed using a seasonal trend analysis technique, where the first step determines the annual mean and seasonal NDVI patterns across the HKH region. The second step analyses the non-parametric trends in magnitude and timing of the annual mean and seasonal NDVI cycle. The seasonal vegetation cycles were compared for the first and last ten years of the time series and were also analysed across areas undergoing significant change. Results indicated an overall greening trend in NDVI magnitude in most areas, particularly over open shrubland, grassland and cropland. Trends in the annual seasonal timing of NDVI indicated an earlier green-up for most parts of this region. Results also confirmed deforestation trends observed in a few states in northeastern India and Myanmar Shan state within the HKH region.
Altering AAV tropism with mosaic viral capsids

Over the past decade, AAV-based vectors have emerged as promising candidates for gene therapeutic applications. Despite the broad tropism of the first eight serotypes identified, certain cell types are refractory to transduction with AAV-based vectors. Furthermore, for certain applications the targeting of specific cell types is desirable. To improve on present methods to alter AAV2 tropism, we take advantage of AAV2 mosaics. Here, we show that AAV2 mosaics have improved infectivity compared with all-mutant virions. Using an AAV2 mutant that contains the immunoglobulin-binding Z34C fragment of protein A, we demonstrate the utility of AAV2 mosaics to alter AAV2 tropism. This system allows us to transduce selectively and efficiently MO7e and Jurkat cells. The use of AAV2 mosaics with a protein A fragment inserted into their capsid, together with targeting antibodies, is a versatile method that allows the specific transduction of a wide array of cell types.
Barrett Esophagus: A Sequela of Chemotherapy

In the 1950s, the British surgeon Norman Barrett called attention to a peculiar condition in which the distal esophagus is lined by columnar mucosa rather than by squamous epithelium (1). Barrett o...
Pre/Early Adolescent Onset of Gambling and Psychosocial Problems in Treatment-Seeking Pathological Gamblers

This study examined the association between pre- or early-adolescent onset of gambling and severity of gambling and psychosocial problems in treatment-seeking adult pathological gamblers. A total of 236 pathological gamblers entering outpatient treatment completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Using a quartile split procedure, gamblers who began gambling during their pre- or early-adolescent years (mean age of 10.5 years; 1st quartile) were compared to gamblers who began gambling later in life (mean age of 23.0 years; 2nd to 4th quartiles). Compared to later onset gamblers, pre/early adolescent onset gamblers reported increased severity of psychiatric, family/social, and substance abuse problems on the ASI. They were more likely to report cognitive problems (trouble understanding, concentrating, or remembering), suicidal ideation, and a history of inpatient psychiatric treatment, and were less likely to be satisfied with their current living situation. Pre/early adolescent onset gamblers also reported earlier age of initiation of drinking, and were more likely to have received treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and to have used cannabis and cocaine in their lifetimes. Taken together, these data suggest that pre/early adolescent-onset of gambling may be a risk factor for later-life psychiatric, family/social, and substance abuse problems in treatment-seeking pathological gamblers.