cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between oxygen metabolism, aging and development

Abstract Evidence concerning the involvement of metabolic rate, prooxidants and antioxidants in processes of aging and development of animals is examined. Life span of poikilotherms and homeotherms is apparently dependent on a genetically-determined metabolic potential (i.e., total amount of energy expended during life per unit weight) and the rate of metabolic expenditure. Metabolic potential may vary in different species and under different environmental conditions. The relationship between metabolic potential, metabolic rate and duration of life is most demonstrable in organisms with a variable basal metabolic rate, such as poikilotherms and mammalian hibernators. Experimental regimes which reduce metabolic rate prolong life span and tend to retard the rate of age-related physiological and biochemical changes and vice versa. Effects of metabolic rate on aging may be mediated by oxygen free radicals. Antioxidant defenses tend to decline during aging, whereas, free radical induced damage seems to increase with age. Intracellular environment becomes progressively less reducing during the course of development and aging. We have postulated that such a shift in redox potential may play a role in the modulation of gene activity during development and aging.
Reflection sieve obstructions in finite groups of type dn

Abstract In [4] we constructed certain homology representations of a finite group G of type An, Bn or Cn, and showed that these representations can be used to sift out the reflection compound characters of G. In the present note, we show that for a group G of type Dn, each reflection compound character π(k), 2 ⩽ k ⩽ n − 2, determines a unique “obstruction” character θ(k), which occurs with positive multiplicity in every homology representation containing π(k).
Ontogenetic Transition in Fetal Wound Transforming Growth Factor-β Regulation Correlates with Collagen Organization

Fetal rat skin transitions from scarless fetal-type repair to adult-type repair with scar between day 16 (E16) and day 18 (E18) of gestation (term = 21.5 days). Deficient transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and -β2 injury response has been proposed as a mechanism for scarless fetal-type repair. However, previous fetal studies have inconsistently reported the degree of TGF-β induction after injury. To minimize developmental variables in fetal versus adult TGF-β regulation, we narrowed our study to wounded fetal animals. We hypothesize that TGF-β ligand and receptor expression will be differentially regulated during the transition from early gestation (E16) wounds manifesting scarless fetal-type repair to late gestation (E19) wounds manifesting adult-type repair with scar. In this study, decreased and rapidly cleared TGF-β1 and -β2 expression accompanied by increased and prolonged TGF-β3 levels in wounded E16 animals correlated with organized collagen deposition. In contrast, increased and prolonged TGF-β1 and -β2 expression accompanied by decreased and delayed TGF-β3 expression in wounded E19 animals correlated with disorganized collagen architecture. Similarly, expression of TGF-β receptors type I and II were also increased or prolonged in E19 animals. Our results implicate increased TGF-β1, -β2, and decreased TGF-β3 expression, as well as increased type I and II receptor expression in late gestation fetal scar formation.
Real-time near-IR imaging of laser-ablation crater evolution in dental enamel

We have shown that the enamel of the tooth is almost completely transparent near 1310-nm in the near-infrared and that near-IR (NIR) imaging has considerable potential for the optical discrimination of sound and demineralized tissue and for observing defects in the interior of the tooth. Lasers are now routinely used for many applications in dentistry including the ablation of dental caries. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that real-time NIR imaging can be used to monitor laser-ablation under varying conditions to assess peripheral thermal and transient-stress induced damage and to measure the rate and efficiency of ablation. Moreover, NIR imaging may have considerable potential for monitoring the removal of demineralized areas of the tooth during cavity preparations. Sound human tooth sections of approximately 3-mm thickness were irradiated by a CO 2 laser under varying conditions with and without a water spray. The incision area in the interior of each sample was imaged using a tungsten-halogen lamp with band-pass filter centered at 131--nm combined with an InGaAs focal plane array with a NIR zoom microscope in transillumination. Due to the high transparency of enamel at 1310-nm, laser-incisions were clearly visible to the dentin-enamel junction and crack formation, dehydration and irreversible thermal changes were observed during ablation. This study showed that there is great potential for near-IR imaging to monitor laser-ablation events in real-time to: assess safe laser operating parameters by imaging thermal and stress-induced damage, elaborate the mechanisms involved in ablation such as dehydration, and monitor the removal of demineralized enamel.
Laughter and suffering: Sinhalese interpretations of the use of ritual humor

Abstract Among several possible models … for the psychotherapist, consider the court jester. This figure, we are told, made playful comments about the king, his followers, and affairs of state; he punctured pretensions, took an upside-down look at human events. Now the patient, it might be said, suffers from gravity. To him life is a burden, his personality a riddle; yet viewed from the outside, he may seem altogether obvious and his problems nothing much. Indeed, just because he hurts … eventually he must find laughter in the midst of his accustomed tears and glimpse his own absurdity [1].
NORMATIVE POLITICAL SCIENCE

The bad news is that critics of the quantitative movement in policy and political science are right (so far). Widely accepted quantitative models of politics promote cynicism and counter-productive uses of government power. Mainstream social science provides a perverse basis for policy analysis. The good news is that there is no sound scientific reason for the schism between so called “empirical” and “normative” theories of politics. Traditional theories of politics, which show how government power can be used to serve the public interest, can be quantified and tested as empirical theory. The resulting scientific normative theory provides a constructive foundation for policy analysis.
Two noncontiguous regions of sendai virus p protein combine to form a single nucleocapsid binding domain

Abstract Binding of Sendai virus P protein to viral nucleocapsids requires amino acids in two separate regions of P protein. Both required regions are near the carboxyl terminus, and they are separated by a region which is expendable for binding (K. W. Ryan and A. Portner, 1990, Virology 174, 515–521) . To examine the topography of these regions in the folded P protein molecule we mapped the epitopes present in several undenatured P proteins with overlaping deletions near their carboxyl termini. The epitopes recognized by two monoclonal antibodies were each composed of both protein regions necessary for binding, indicating that these two regions are each required at some point during the folding of P protein. To determine if these protein regions interact directly in forming the nucleocapsid binding domain, we constructed a deleted P gene which encodes a protein comprising only these two regions with all other P protein sequences deleted. This protein was able to bind to nucleocapsids, demonstrating that these two regions alone are sufficient to form the nucleocapsid-binding domain. In addition, this protein formed the folded epitopes comprising the two nucleocapsid-binding regions, indicating that the two regions interact directly with each other to form a single folded structure. The involvement of this binding domain in viral mRNA synthesis was examined by testing the ability of each monoclonal antibody to inhibit the in vitro transcription activity of full-size P protein. Several antibodies to epitopes near the binding domain were found to be potent inhibitors of viral transcription, showing that these regions contribute to P protein's role in mRNA synthesis.
Analysis of tight junction formation and integrity

In this paper, we study segmentation of tight junctions and analyze the formation and integrity of tight junctions in large-scale confocal image stacks, a challenging biological problem because of the low spatial resolution images and the presence of breaks in tight junction structure. We present an automated, three-step processing approach for tight junction analysis. In our approach, we first localize each individual nucleus in the image by using thresholding, morphological filters and active contours. By using each nucleus position as a seed point, we automatically segment the cell body based on the active contour. We then use an intensity-based skeletonization algorithm to generate the boundary regions for each cell, and features are extracted from tight junctions associated with each cell to assess tight junction continuity. Based on qualitative results and quantitative comparisons, we show that we are able to automatically segment tight junctions and compute relevant features that provide a quantitative measure of tight junction formation to which the permeability of the cell monolayer can ultimately be correlated.
Sinkhole Structure Imaging in Covered Karst Terrain

[1] Ground penetrating radar (GPR) and resistivity techniques have been widely used to map the locations of sinkholes in covered karst terrain. To determine whether a sinkhole is a likely preferential conduit for groundwater flow, however, requires higher-resolution imaging than that used in conventional sinkhole mapping surveys. Field observations combined with simulated surveys for a 15-m diameter 3-m deep sinkhole in west-central Florida are used to assess the resolution of GPR and resistivity surveys targeting the semiconfining unit that floors the sinkhole depression. 2D resistivity surveys clearly show the central depression as well as resistivity contrasts between the cover sediments within and outside of the sinkhole, but are inadequate for resolving breaches in the semiconfining unit or underlying conduits. A 3D GPR survey resolves vertical structure on the order of tens of centimeters within the semiconfining unit, as well as indicators of conduits that extend several meters beneath the central depression. 3D GPR thus holds promise for imaging hydrologically significant features of sinkholes.
Diagnostic challenges in adrenocortical carcinoma: recommendations for surveillance after surgical resection of selected adrenal nodules.

ABSTRACT Objective To discuss challenges in the diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma and to suggest surveillance measures after removal of selected adrenal nodules. Methods We present the case of a 65-year-old man with worsening hypertension and new-onset hypokalemia attributed to primary hyperaldosteronism due to a 3-cm right adrenal nodule. Results A laparoscopic right adrenalectomy was performed, and the histologic diagnosis was a benign adenoma. The patient’s hypertension and hypokalemia improved postoperatively but recurred 8 months later, and florid Cushing’s syndrome developed. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an 8-cm mass in the right adrenal bed and multiple hepatic metastatic lesions. Fine-needle biopsy confirmed the presence of adrenocortical carcinoma. Conclusion Despite a comprehensive biochemical, radiologic, and histologic assessment, the diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma can be missed. Particularly, we caution against undue reliance on the initial tumor size. We recommend that abdominal imaging be performed every 3 months for the first year and every 6 months for the second year after surgical removal of selected adrenal nodules. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:636-641)
Formation of bulk metallic glasses in neodymium-based alloys

Abstract Bulk amorphous Nd-A1-TM (TM [tbnd] transition metal) alloy rods with diameters up to 6 mm have been produced using a mould-casting method. X-ray and electron diffraction experiments reveal that these rods are in an amorphous state. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements show that the DSC curves of the amorphous rods are similar to those of the rapidly quenched ribbon samples with the same composition. The low liquidus temperatures and relatively high reduced glass temperatures T rg, combined with the large atomic-size variation in these alloys, are important factors in helping to explain their superior glass-forming ability.
Quasidimensional Modeling of Direct Injection Diesel Engine Nitric Oxide, Soot, and Unburned Hydrocarbon Emissions

In this study we report the development and validation of phenomenological models for predicting direct injection (DI) diesel engine emissions, including nitric oxide (NO), soot, and unburned hydrocarbons (HC), using a full engine cycle simulation. The cycle simulation developed earlier by the authors (D. Jung and D. N. Assanis, 2001, SAE Transactions: Journal of Engines, 2001-01-1246) features a quasidimensional, multizone, spray combustion model to account for transient spray evolution, fuel–air mixing, ignition and combustion. The Zeldovich mechanism is used for predicting NO emissions. Soot formation and oxidation is calculated with a semiempirical, two-rate equation model. Unburned HC emissions models account for three major HC sources in DI diesel engines: (1) leaned-out fuel during the ignition delay, (2) fuel yielded by the sac volume and nozzle hole, and (3) overpenetrated fuel. The emissions models have been validated against experimental data obtained from representative heavy-duty DI diesel engines. It is shown that the models can predict the emissions with reasonable accuracy. Following validation, the usefulness of the cycle simulation as a practical design tool is demonstrated with a case study of the effect of the discharge coefficient of the injector nozzle on pollutant emissions.
Behavior of Ellipsoids of Two Sizes

The influence of particle shape on granular material response is examined by using the discrete element method. Triaxial drained and undrained tests were performed on specimens of ellipsoids of two sizes. The triaxial test boundary conditions were simulated with a recently developed boundary mechanism. Different loading paths including axial compression, axial extension, lateral compression, and true extension were employed. The specimens were composed of 1,170 ellipsoids having two types of particles. The specimen is made up of 50% by weight of Type I particles that have an aspect ratio of 1.2. The aspect ratio of the Type II particles varies between 1.5 and 2. The specimens were consolidated isotropically before shearing. Comparing with the behavior of specimens of mono-size particles, a higher friction angle and a more complex particle shape effect were observed. The friction angles from the drained tests (axial extension, true extension, and lateral compression tests) were similar and the values are higher than that of the axial compression test. All simulated results are in good agreement with laboratory observation of sands.
N-Arylation of Sulfonamides on Solid Supports

A general and mild method for the N-arylation of sulfonamides on solid supports is reported. Copper acetate, triethylamine mediated coupling of arylboronic acids at room temperature to solid-supported sulfonamides gave good to excellent yields of the desired N-arylsulfonamides. Sulfonamide bond cleavage of the o,p-dinitrobenzene(N-aryl)sulfonamide provides a route to N-arylated secondary amine products.
Renormalized self-energy operator in the dual-resonance model

Abstract A divergent planar self-energy operator and a real dual counterterm operator that cancels the divergence are obtained. These operators can be used to calculate multiloop planar diagrams.
Conductance of a Cobalt(II) Terpyridine Complex Based Molecular Transistor: A Computational Analysis †

A recent experiment, in which a molecular transistor based on the coordination chemistry of cobalt(II) and organic self-assembled monolayers is formed by means of self-aligned lithography,2 is analyzed with a computational approach. The calculations reveal that a complex involving two cobalt(II) ions bridged by acetate ions can effectively span the nanogap. This bridged complex is shown to be both more flexible and more conductive than the alternative structure involving a single cobalt(II) ion. The single cobalt(II) ion complex is the more stable structure in a nonconfined environment (i.e., in solution) but is found to be less effective at connecting the leads of the fabricated gap and is less likely to result in a conductive device.
Use of Prehire Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2–Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) Police Candidate Scores to Predict Supervisor Ratings of Posthire Performance:

We examined associations between prehire Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) scores and posthire performance ratings for a sample of 131 male police officers. Substantive scale scores in this sample were meaningfully lower than those obtained by the test's normative sample and substantially range restricted, but scores were consistent with those produced by members of the police candidate comparison group (Corey & Ben-Porath). After applying a statistical correction for range restriction, we found several associations between MMPI-2-RF substantive scale scores and supervisor ratings of job-related performance. Findings for scales from the emotional dysfunction and interpersonal functioning domains of the test were particularly strong. For example, scales assessing low positive emotions and social avoidance were associated with several criteria that may be affected by lack of engagement with one's environment and other people, including problems with routine task performance, decision making, assertiveness, conscientiousness, and social competence. Implications of these findings for assessment science and practice are discussed.
Experimental induction of crystalluria in rats using mini-osmotic pumps

Crystalluria was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by implanting potassium-oxalate-containing miniosmotic pumps. Urine of all experimental animals had abundant crystals of calcium oxalate, hydroxypatite, struvite, and calcium phosphate. These crystals were similar in morphology to the crystals found in human crystaluria. Histological examination of kidneys and tissue samples from other organs revealed no abnormality. One group of animals was injected with sodium oxalate in addition to implantation of potassium-oxalate-containing mini-osmotic pumps. Bladder urine from these animals contained calcium oxalate microstones and their kidneys had deposits of calcium oxalate crystals.
Sulphur and sulphate from Mt Erebus

Although sulphur is the most common element in the Antarctic aerosol, no more than 6% of the sulphate can be of direct marine origin1. Cadle et al.2 and Bigg3 found much of the aerosol in the Antarctic to be a complex, partially neutralized, acid sulphate, although essentially ‘pure’ H2SO4 and (NH4)2SO4 particles were common. Efforts to analyse size-segregated aerosol samples chemically have been generally unsuccessful. There is, therefore, a question of the origin of the sulphate component of the Antarctic aerosol. I consider here the contributions that Antarctic volcanic activity may make to the sulphate content of the Antarctic aerosol.
Human Interests, Modes of Rationality and the Social Foundations of Economic Science

Modern economics, because of its instrumental orientation and its adherence to positivistic canons of science, suffers from two pernicious illusions. The first is that the discipline fails to acknowledge its own participation in the determination of the ends to be sought. The task of positivistic economics, guided by instrumentalism, is seen as the search for efficient means for attaining ends which are externally given. Second, modern economics pretends that empirical testing, in combination with testing for logical consistency, can be counted upon for ensuring scientific progress. As a result of these illusions, modern economics has become preoccupied with the seemingly endless formalisation of an exceedingly narrow body of theory. Because mainstream economics lacks an adequate methodological foundation, it has not only substantially abdicated its function of providing public enlightenment, but it is too readily used as ideology.
Keeping an Open Mind About Evidence-Based Management: A Reply to Learmonth's Commentary

The article provides a response by D. M. Rousseau to Mark Learmonth's commentary on evidence-based management. Rousseau writes that evidence-based management should not be confused with “managerialism,” which she defines as the hierarchical system of management that exists in many corporations. Rousseau sees evidence-based management as a tool to help managers share power with workers, by avoiding arbitrary decision-making.
Immunization of Alzheimer model mice with adenovirus vectors encoding amyloid β-protein and GM-CSF reduces amyloid load in the brain

Induction of anti-amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) antibodies in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer disease (AD) by repeated injection of synthetic Abeta was shown to be effective in preventing and removing deposition of Abeta aggregates in the brain. Here, we have tested a non-invasive modality whereby a replication-defective adenovirus vector encoding Abeta was intranasally administered to mice to elicit immune responses against Abeta. Intranasal immunization only with the adenovirus vector failed to induce significant immune responses. When an adenovirus vector encoding granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was used as an adjuvant in conjunction with the adenovirus encoding Abeta, a marked immune response was elicited against Abeta. Immunoglobulin isotyping revealed that the induced anti-Abeta antibodies are predominantly of the IgG2b and IgG1 isotypes, suggesting a Th-2 anti-inflammatory type. Furthermore, amyloid load in the brain of AD model mice (Tg2576) vaccinated with adenovirus vectors encoding Abeta and GM-CSF was much smaller than that in control Tg2576 mice. Thus, intranasal administration of adenovirus vectors encoding Abeta and GM-CSF may be effective in prevention and treatment of AD.
Consistency of primary brain tumor diagnoses and codes in cancer surveillance systems.

High-quality cancer registry data are essential for assessing trends in incidence rates. This study evaluated the consistency of brain tumor surveillance data using a random sample of cases from the C
Temperature- and illumination-dependence of the work function of gallium arsenide☆

Abstract Contact potentials of vacuum-cleaved (110) surfaces of GaAs have been measured as functions of temperature (77 T 18 cm −3 doping exhibit photovoltages of 1–2 mV or less and little variation of work function with temperature. At a doping level of 10 17 cm −3 p-type samples display photovoltages of more than 50 mV at 77 K and up to 10 mV at room temperature. Moderately doped n-type samples (1.8 × 10 16 and 2.7 × 10 17 ) exhibit photovoltages up to 0.25 eV at room temperature. At low temperatures, their work function can have two apparently stable values: upon rapid cooling in total darkness, the work function decreases about 80 mV, but during illumination at 77 K, however weak, it decreases by an additional 0.5 V to a new value at which it remains in the dark. This behavior can be accounted for by surface photovoltage according to a simple model not requiring a temperature dependence of surface state spectra. Light is absorbed through interband transitions in the bulk, the surface charge is altered by surface recombination and the return to equilibrium occurs by thermal excitation and tunneling of carriers.
Effect of UUO on D1aR expression reveals a link among dopamine, transforming growth factor-β, and nitric oxide

Interactions between transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and nitric oxide (NO) are important in the pathophysiology of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Dopamine (DA) is a vasoactive renal me...
Women and the Great War: Femininity under Fire in Italy

Allison Scardino Belzer (2010) Women and the Great War: Femininity under Fire in Italy (New York: Palgrave Macmillan), 282 pp., ISBN 978230100404, $84.00, hard cover Allison Scardino Belzer's book ...
Twenty years after: Argentina in the wake of the South Atlantic War

(2002). Twenty years after: Argentina in the wake of the South Atlantic War. Defense & Security Analysis: Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 351-362.
Damage tolerance approach for probabilistic pitting corrosion fatigue life prediction

Abstract The fatigue damage process induced by pitting corrosion is composed of seven stages: pitting nucleation, pit growth, transition from pit growth to short crack, short crack growth, transition from short crack to long crack, long crack growth, and fracture. A comprehensive mechanics-based probabilistic model for pitting corrosion fatigue life prediction by including all the seven stages is presented in this paper. An analytical first-order reliability method (FORM) and Monte Carlo simulation are implemented with the proposed model. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis is performed using the analytical FORM approach as well as through parametric studies. A numerical example is implemented for the application of the proposed method for the corrosion fatigue life prediction of aluminum alloys. The cumulative distribution function of the fatigue life is obtained and the effect of several important random variables and their scatter on the fatigue life estimation is investigated.
Spontaneous gastroesophageal reflux during double-contrast upper gastrointestinal radiography with glucagon

A prospective double-blind study of 240 patients found the incidence of spontaneous gastroesophageal reflux (SGER) during glucagon-assisted double-contrast upper gastrointestinal examination to be 37.5%, compared to a control group with an incidence of 22.5% (P<0.05). Furthermore, SGER in individuals who receive glucagon is not a consistently reproducible phenomenon. We feel the observation of SGER in individuals who receive glucagon is of questionable value. When SGER may be of clinical importance, the patient should be re-examined after at least 30 minutes when plasma clearance of the drug has occurred.
Topography and Distribution of Trace Surface Metals (Sn, In) on Alloys for Porcelain-Metal Restoration: Influence of Surface Treatments

Gold alloys were given five different conditioning treatments prior to porcelain firing. The alloys were examined with a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer. Only two of the alloys had tin and indium present; these were concentrated in particles partially fused to the alloy's surface.
Integral action with time scale separation: A mechanism for modularity in biological systems

Modularity is the property according to which the input/output dynamic behavior of a system does not appreciably change after interconnection with other systems. Whether modularity is a natural property of biological systems is one of the most vexing questions in systems biology and crucial for the advancement of synthetic biology. In this paper, we recall design techniques for disturbance attenuation, which are well established in the control theory literature, and illustrate how the underlying principles are also found in biological systems as means to attain modularity. The specific system structure that we consider is the one where an integral action and the system internal dynamics occur at a much faster time scale than the reference input and external disturbances. In this case, the system displays a separation of time scales and can be taken to standard singular perturbation form to show that on the timescale of the reference input the effect of the disturbance is attenuated. We illustrate how this fast integral action structure is found in some interconnected biomolecular systems, where it allows to track time-varying input stimuli while rejecting loading disturbances due to interconnection with other systems.
Antitumor effects of GBS toxin: a polysaccharide exotoxin from group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

A group B streptococcus (GBS) isolated from human neonates diagnosed with sepsis and respiratory distress (“early-onset disease”) produces a polysaccharide exotoxin (GBS toxin) that, when infused in sheep, causes lung pathophysiology similar to that seen in humans. Histological studies have demonstrated that GBS toxin induces a strong inflammatory response in the lung, with pulmonary sequestration of granulocytes and extensive capillary endothelial damage. The susceptibility of humans to GBS toxin is age-dependent and limited to about 4 days after birth. It is rarely evident thereafter. This suggests that the binding of GBS toxin to the target endothelium occurs via specific components in the developing lung endothelial cells of the newborn that are later lost. We report here that GBS toxin can also bind to developing endothelium associated with neoplasia and induce an inflammatory response. GBS toxin was shown by immunohistochemistry to bind to capillary endothelium of human large-cell carcinomas. In nude mice bearing human tumor xenografts, intravenously administered GBS toxin caused tumor necrosis and hemorrhagic lesions, and substantially inhibited the rate of growth of the tumors. In BALB/c mice bearing Madison lung tumors, GBS toxin induced an inflammatory response resulting in marked changes in tumor morphology, including vasodilation, endothelial and tumor cell necrosis, invasion of lymphocytes and macrophages, and capillary thrombosis. In these tumor models, no evidence of toxicity to the vasculature of other tissues was observed. The reported pathophysiology of GBS in human neonates, the lack of disease in non-neonates colonized with GBS, and these results suggest that GBS toxin may have potential as a well tolerated agent in cancer therapy of some human tumors.
Transcriptional control of the testis-specific histone H1t gene

The mammalian testis-specific linker histone H1t is synthesized only in pachytene primary spermatocytes during spermatogenesis. In this review we summarize some of the progress made in our laboratory and in other laboratories in understanding transcriptional regulation of this gene. The gene is transcriptionally active in pachytene primary spermatocytes and is repressed in all other germinal and non-germinal cell types. To place the transcriptional control of the testis-specific histone H1t gene in the proper context, we briefly review recent literature concerning mammalian linker histone genes in general and we compare and contrast these with the testis-specific histone H1t gene.
Hamiltonian lattice gravity. Deformations of discrete manifolds.

The structure constants appearing in the Poisson-brackets relations among constraints in the Hamiltonian theory of gravity depend on the properties of deformations of a d-dimensional spatial manifold embedded in a (d+1)-dimensional continuum. The study of such deformations is extended to the case where the d-dimensional manifold is a piecewise flat Regge lattice. Although we cannot say whether the algebra of deformations does or does not close for the general lattice, should it close we provide a prescription for obtaining the structure constants. We discuss the case of small lattices where closure can be demonstrated explicitly.
Human adipose-derived cells: an update on the transition to clinical translation

The pace of discovery involving adipose-derived cells continues to accelerate at both the preclinical and clinical translational levels. Adipose tissue is a source of freshly isolated, heterogeneous stromal vascular fraction cells and culture-expanded, adherent and relatively homogeneous adipose stromal/stem cells. Both populations display regenerative capacity in soft and hard tissue repair, ischemic insults and autoimmune diseases. While their major mechanism of action has been attributed to both direct lineage differentiation and/or paracrine factor release, current evidence favors a paracrine mechanism. Over 40 clinical trials using adipose-derived cells conducted in 15 countries have been registered with the NIH, the majority of which are Phase I or Phase I/II safety studies. This review focuses on the literature of the past 2 years in order to assess the status of clinical and preclinical studies on adipose-derived cell therapies for regenerative medicine.
Capital Markets And Economic Development: A Framework For Newly Liberalized Economies

One of the main objectives of this study is to show the necessity of capital markets and the sine qua non condition for their effective and efficient use for economic development. I relied heavily on a large body of scientific literature and empirical evidence to support my assertions. The implementation of capital markets requires time and more importantly cooperation between the government authorities and the private sector. I believe that the efficient functioning of capital markets presupposes a favorable economic and political environment and a corresponding appropriate institutional support for this environment. The confidence in the future and the confidence of the investors in this future are the sine qua non for the success of these capital markets. Thus, the role of the government in providing this confidence is pivotal to the implementation of efficient capital markets and to the propelling of economic development.
The Setting of Entrepreneurship in India

I. Introduction, 553. — II. Nature and origin of the managing agency system, 554; critical role of the agency firm, 554; British and Indian agency firms contrasted, 556; origin and development of the managing agency system, 559. — III. Scope of the managing agency system, 563; industrial distribution of the agency system, 564; type and size of agency firms, 565. — IV. Relations between the agency firm and operating companies, 567; the managing agency contract, 568; financial relations, 569; control of voting rights by the agency firm, 573; role of boards of directors, 573. — V. Conclusion, 575.
CHANGES IN CELLULAR ENZYME LEVELS AND EXTRACELLULAR RELEASE OF LYSOSOMAL ACID HYDROLASES IN MACROPHAGES EXPOSED TO GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL CELL WALL SUBSTANCE

Mouse peritoneal macrophages exposed to type-specific polysaccharide and peptidoglycan (PPG) from group A streptococci undergo marked morphologic and biochemical changes. The cells show increases in size and an increased number of lysosomes as demonstrated by vital staining with acridine orange. There are significant elevations in the levels of both lysosomal and nonlysosomal enzymes. Higher doses of PPG cause selective release of the hydrolases into the extracellular environment with no detectable loss of cell viability. The in vitro phenomena may be relevant to understanding the role of macrophages in chronic inflammation.
Work in progress-an innovative web-based game to illustrate basic traffic control and safety concepts

Effective education in the field of traffic operations and control requires efficient delivery of theory, applications, and live demonstration or tutorials to help students understand the subject. While practical engineering knowledge is usually imparted through carefully designed experiments conducted in laboratories, traffic operations require repetitive observation of traffic behavior (or simulated traffic) under different control actions. This paper describes a web game developed on a .NET framework to complement a Traffic Engineering course. The game is assessed for its impact on student engagement using survey questions based on the Situational Motivational Scale (SIMS).
Pro-poor growth and the lognormal income distribution *

A widely accepted criterion for pro-poorness of an income growth pattern is that it should reduce a (chosen) measure of poverty by more than if all incomes were growing equiproportionately. Inequality reduction is not generally seen as either necessary or sufficient for pro-poorness. Because empirical income distributions fit well to the lognormal form, lognormality has sometimes been assumed in order to determine analytically the poverty effects of income growth. We show that in a lognormal world, growth is pro-poor in the above sense if and only if it is inequality-reducing. It follows that lognormality may not be a good paradigm by means of which to examine pro-poorness issues.
Aging, DNA methylation and cancer

2. DNA methylation patterns in normal cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 2.1. Normal DNA methylation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 2.2. CpG islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 2.3. CpG island promoter methylation and gene expression. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 2.4. DNA methyltransferase enzymes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
A Petri Net Siphon Based Solution to Protocol-Level Service Composition Mismatches

Protocol-level mismatch is one of the most important problems in service composition. The commonly used reachability exploration method focuses on verifying deadlock-freeness. When this property is violated, the states and traces in the reachability graph only give clues to re-design the composition. The process must then repeat itself until no deadlock is found. In this paper, multiple web service interaction is modeled with a Petri net called Composition net (C-net). The protocol-level mismatch problem is transformed into the deadlock structure problem of a C-net. If mismatches are found, a solution based on Petri net siphons is proposed. The proposed method is shown to achieve higher efficiency for resolving protocol-level mismatching issues than traditional ones do.
Levels of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in macrophages determines the severity of murine HIV-1 encephalitis

The presence of specific neuroinvasive strains and necessity for brain viral replication for disease progression remain controversial issues in neuro-AIDS research. To investigate these questions, the authors injected human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) infected with diverse viral strains were injected into the caudate and putamen of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Independent of viral strain, infected MDMs became immunologically activated and elicited profound inflammatory reactions in brain areas most affected in humans. The intensity of neuropathologic changes, including microglial reactions, paralleled levels of viral infection and numbers of infected MDMs. The data suggest that HIV-1-associated neurological disease is related to the level of productive viral infection in activated macrophages. Virus infection, per se, may affect the ability of macrophages to respond to immune stimuli by overproduction of proinflammatory factors and neurotoxins, leading to neuronal dysfunction.
Insertion of a GFP Reporter Gene in Influenza Virus

The incorporation of a fluorescent reporter gene into a replication-competent influenza A virus (IAV) has made it possible to trace IAV infection in vivo. This protocol describes the process of inserting a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter into the IAV genome using the established reverse genetics system. The strategy begins with the reorganization of segment eight of the IAV genome, during which the open reading frames of nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) and the nuclear export protein (NEP) are separated to allow for GFP fusion to the NS1 protein. The NS1, GFP, and NEP open reading frames (ORF) are then cloned into the IAV rescue system backbone. Upon construction of the GFP-encoding segment eight rescue plasmid, recombinant NS1-GFP influenza virus can be rescued via co-transfection with the remaining seven rescue plasmids. The generated NS1-GFP IAV can subsequently be used to visualize infected cells, both in vitro and in vivo.
Determinants of Viral Clearance and Persistence during Acute Hepatitis C Virus Infection

The virological and immunological features of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were studied weekly for 6 months after accidental needlestick exposure in five health care workers, four of whom developed acute hepatitis that progressed to chronicity while one subject cleared the virus. In all subjects, viremia was first detectable within 1–2 weeks of inoculation, 1 month or more before the appearance of virus-specific T cells. The subject who cleared the virus experienced a prolonged episode of acute hepatitis that coincided with a CD38+ IFN-γ− CD8+ T cell response to HCV and a small reduction in viremia. Subsequently, a strong CD4+ T cell response emerged and the CD8+ T cells became CD38− and started producing IFN-γ in response to HCV, coinciding with a rapid 100,000-fold decrease in viremia that occurred without a corresponding surge of disease activity. Chronic infection developed in two subjects who failed to produce a significant T cell response and in two other subjects who initially mounted strong CD4+ T cell responses that ultimately waned. In all subjects, viremia was higher at the peak of acute hepatitis than it was when the disease began, and the disease improved during the viremia. These results provide the first insight into the host–virus relationship in humans during the incubation phase of acute HCV infection, and they provide the only insight to date into the virological and immunological characteristics of clinically asymptomatic acute HCV infection, the commonest manifestation of this disease. In addition, the results suggest that the vigor and quality of the antiviral T cell response determines the outcome of acute HCV infection, that the ability of HCV to outpace the T cell response may contribute to its tendency to persist; that the onset of hepatitis coincides with the onset of the CD8+T cell response, that disease pathogenesis and viral clearance are mediated by different CD8+ T cell populations that control HCV by both cytolytic and noncytolytic mechanisms, and that there are different pathways to viral persistence in asymptomatic and symptomatic acute HCV infection.
Molecular epidemiology, cancer-related symptoms, and cytokines pathway

The Human Genome Project and HapMap have led to a better appreciation of the importance of common genetic variation in determining cancer risk, created potential for predicting response to therapy, and made possible the development of targeted prevention and therapeutic interventions. Advances in molecular epidemiology can be used to explore the role of genetic variation in modulating the risk for severe and persistent symptoms, such as pain, depression, and fatigue, in patients with cancer. The same genes that are implicated in cancer risk might also be involved in the modulation of therapeutic outcomes. For example, polymorphisms in several cytokine genes are potential markers for genetic susceptibility both for cancer risk and for cancer-related symptoms. These genetic polymorphisms are stable markers and easily and reliably assayed to explore the extent to which genetic variation might prove useful in identifying patients with cancer at high-risk of symptom development. Likewise, they could identify subgroups who might benefit most from symptom intervention, and contribute to developing personalised and more effective therapies for persistent symptoms.
First North American Records of the East Palearctic Seed Beetle Bruchidius terrenus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), a Specialist on Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin, Fabaceae)

ABSTRACT The eastern Palearctic bruchine seed beetle Bruchidius terrenus (Sharp) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), a specialist seed predator of mimosa or silk tree (Albizia julibrissin), is reported for the first time in North America based on collections from seven southeastern states. This is the third Asian insect species recently reported from A. julibrissin in the United States. A diagnosis, description, photographs of the adult, a summary of the known U.S. distribution, notes on seasonal history, and a revision to an existing key to North American Bruchidius are presented.
Effects of Codon Usage on Gene Expression: Empirical Studies on Drosophila

For most amino acids, more than one codon can be used. Many hypotheses have been put forward to account for patterns of uneven use of synonymous codons (codon usage bias) that most often have been indirectly tested primarily by analyses of patterns. Direct experimental tests of effects of synonymous codon usage are available for unicellular organisms, however empirical data addressing this problem in multicellular eukaryotes are sparse. We have developed a flexible transfecting plasmid that allows us to empirically test the effects of different codons on transcription and translation and present data from Drosophila. We could detect no significant effects of codon usage on transcription. With regard to translation, optimal codons (most used) produce higher levels of protein expression compared to non-optimal codons if the effect of difference in thermodynamic stability of secondary structure of the 5′ mRNA ribosome-binding site is controlled for. These results are consistent with what has been found in bacteria and thus expand the generality of these principles to multicellular eukaryotes.
A Novel Echocardiographic Marker (PDAM) Incorporating the Diameter of the Patent Foramen Ovale to Assess Hemodynamically Significant Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Persistent hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants may lead to significant morbidity and increased mortality. This report proposes a new composite marker to predict a hemodynamically significant PDA, termed the PDA marker (PDAM) score, which incorporates the diameter of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) in addition to the ratio of the diameter of the left atrium to the diameter of the root of the aorta (LA/Ao) and ratio of the size of the patent ductus arteriosus to the left pulmonary artery (PDA/LPA) diameter. PDA was suspected in 191 infants between 2009 and 2013. Analysis of the data indicated that there was no significant difference between the accuracy of the PDA diameter and the PDAM score as markers of either a hemodynamically significant PDA or a very hemodynamically significant PDA that needed ligation. These data did show that the PDAM score provided slightly higher sensitivity (93.3%) and specificity (75.6%) than the PDA diameter to identify a PDA that needed ...