cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental Changes in Opioid Peptides and Their Receptors inCpefat/CpefatMice Lacking Peptide Processing Enzyme Carboxypeptidase E

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is involved in the biosynthesis of a number of neuropeptides including opioid peptides. A point mutation in this gene results in a loss of enzyme activity, decrease in mature neuroendocrine peptides, and development of late onset obesity as seen in Cpe fat/ Cpe fatmice. In this study, we examined the processing of peptides derived from prodynorphin and proenkephalin in various brain regions of these mice during development. At 6 to 8 weeks, an age prior to the onset of obesity, levels of dynorphin peptides are decreased in all brain regions, whereas levels of ir-Met-enkephalin are differentially altered. There is an accumulation of C-terminally extended forms of all three opioid peptides in Cpe fat/ Cpe fatmice, consistent with a lack of CPE activity. Thus, it appears that there is no direct correlation between the level of mature opioid peptides and the development of obesity in these mice. Since altered levels of peptides can influence the opioid receptor system, we examined the functional activity of μ and κ opioid receptors using [35S]guanosine-5′- O -(γ-thio)-triphosphate binding assays. We find no differences in κ receptor activity in Cpe fat/ Cpe fatcompared with control littermate mice. In contrast, the μ receptor activity is differentially altered in select regions of Cpe fat/ Cpe fatmice in response to a μ-specific ligand. Taken together, these results suggest that the lack of CPE activity leads to alterations in the level of opioid peptides during development and that changes in peptide levels differentially affect opioid receptor activity in vivo.
Larval fish assemblages and water mass history in a major faunal transition zone

A region of distinct oceanographic features that result from the meeting of several water masses is marked by Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, between the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) and South Atlantic Bight (SAB). The features are dynamic, corresponding, in part, to the degree of water exchange between the MAB and SAB. The extent of larval "sh transport via these features could have implications to "sh population genetics, yearclass structure, zoogeography, and access to nursery habitat. As a step in the examination of larval exchange between the MAB and SAB, we studied the association of spring larval "sh assemblages with environmental variables descriptive of the water mass origins. The region was clearly an oceanographic and ichthyoplankton faunal transition zone. Larval distribution corresponded to patterns of adult distributions along the entire eastern seaboard. High taxa-environment correlations described a boundary assemblage strongly in#uenced by oceanographic conditions. Net assemblages from mixed waters were dominated by taxa with widespread adult distributions (e. g. Peprilus triacanthus, synodontidae, triglidae, clupiedae, others) rather than a mix of taxa from other groups. MAB water contained Limanda ferruginea and Benthosema glaciale in deep, cold water and Glyptocephalus cynoglossus, Hippoglossina oblonga, Scomber scombrus, Lophius americanus, and others in shallow, warmer, less saline water. High densities of numerous sub-tropical species, (e.g. Xyrichtys novacula, Bothus spp.) and low densities of many others were found in SAB waters but varied greatly in distribution with depth. Taxa varied in their "delity to environmental indicators, thereby allowing for insight into the nature of the apparent di!erential permeability of this boundary zone to various species and into the precision of future
Characterization of Viral and Human RNAs Smaller than Canonical MicroRNAs

Recently identified small (20 to 40 bases) RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) participate in important cellular pathways. In this report, we systematically characterized several novel features of human and viral RNA products smaller than miRNAs. We found that Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus K12-1 miRNA (23 bases) associates with a distinct, unusually small (17-base) RNA (usRNA) that can effectively downregulate a K12-1 miRNA target, human RAD21, suggesting that stable degradation-like products may also contribute to gene regulation. High-throughput sequencing reveals a diverse set of human miRNA-derived usRNAs and other non-miRNA-derived usRNAs. Human miRNA-derived usRNAs preferentially match to 5 ends of miRNAs and are also more likely to associate with the siRNA effector protein Ago2 than with Ago1. Many non-miRNA-derived usRNAs associate with Ago proteins and also frequently contain C-rich 3-specific motifs that are overrepresented in comparison to Piwi-interacting RNAs and transcription start site-associated RNAs. We postulate that approximately 30% of usRNAs could have evolved to participate in biological processes, including gene silencing. Recent studies have identified several classes of small RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), across a wide range of organisms (9). miRNAs can function as repressors (24) or activators (47) of gene expression. More than 500 human miRNAs are known, and many more are thought to exist (3). Advances in high-throughput sequencing have enabled the discovery of additional animal miRNAs and classes of small RNAs on an unprecedented scale across distantly related species, including animals, fungi, unicellular algae, plants, and viruses (9). In addition to miRNAs, recently identified metazoan small RNAs include endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that mediate mRNA degradation (6, 13, 33, 45), hairpin RNAs that are thought to repress target transcripts in flies (32), Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that modulate spermatogenesis in mammals (14, 22), piRNA-like repeat-associated siRNAs that regulate chromatin structure of retrotransposons in insect germ lines (21), transcription start site-associated RNAs (TSSa-RNAs), and the functionally uncharacterized piRNA-like 21U-RNAs harboring 5 uridines in worms (36). The various small-RNA classes frequently share sequence
Developing The Great Eight Competencies with Leaderless Group Discussion

The Great Eight competencies are work behaviors that promote employee effectiveness in 21st-century organizations. These competencies include enterprising and performing, adapting and coping, organizing and executing, creating and conceptualizing, analyzing and interpreting, interacting and presenting, supporting and cooperating, and leading and deciding. This article proposes an alternative pedagogy, leaderless group discussion, for developing the Great Eight competencies in business students. An example and a roadmap are also provided that show how leaderless group discussion can be employed in the college classroom. Leaderless group discussion is surprisingly efficient in that all of the Great Eight competencies can be developed within the student at the same time with one exercise. Recommendations to help make leaderless group discussion practical for the business classroom are discussed.
Lunine receives Macelwane Medal

The 1995 James B. Macelwane Medal, given by AGU for significant contributions to the geophysical sciences by a young scientist of outstanding ability, was presented to Jonathan Lunine at the AGU Fall Meeting Honor Ceremony on December 13, 1995, in San Francisco. The award citation and Lunine's response are given here.
The Neuroscience of Natural Rewards: Relevance to Addictive Drugs

Addictive drugs act on brain reward systems, although the brain evolved to respond not to drugs but to natural rewards, such as food and sex. Appropriate responses to natural rewards were evolutionarily important for survival, reproduction, and fitness. In a quirk of evolutionary fate, humans
Modulation of neurotransmitter receptor desensitization: chlordiazepoxide stimulates fading of the GABA response.

Benzodiazepines are neuromodulatory drugs that potentiate GABA-mediated conductance increases. We report the findings of an investigation into the effect of a full benzodiazepine-positive modulator (agonist), chlordiazepoxide (CDPX), on desensitization of the GABA response in chick spinal cord neurons maintained in primary monolayer cell culture. GABA application initially increases cell conductance, which then desensitizes. CDPX increases the apparent rate constant and extent of desensitization for the GABA response. The observed values for rate constant and extent of desensitization in the presence of CDPX are significantly greater than the values predicted for an equivalent peak response to GABA alone. Flunitrazepam, another full positive modulator, also stimulates the rate constant for GABA-induced desensitization. Furthermore, a weak partial benzodiazepine-positive modulator, Ro 15- 1788 (an imidazodiazepine) (1) exhibits little or no potentiation of GABA-induced desensitization, and (2) antagonizes the ability of CDPX to stimulate GABA desensitization. The results demonstrate a novel form of neuromodulator action: the stimulation of receptor desensitization that cannot be explained by channel blockade. Thus, benzodiazepine modulators have the capacity to increase GABA receptor desensitization while increasing the peak response to GABA.
Data measures and collection points to detect traffic condition changes on large-scale computer networks

Computer networks, which play a crucial role in the operation of many organizations, are vulnerable to various problems that may cause traffic condition changes, with possible negative impact. In computer and network systems management, it is desirable to detect such changes and correct them before localized problems propagate to an entire network. For large networks, monitoring large amounts of data at all points is inefficient. This study aims to direct network management to those data measures and collection points that are most effective for efficiently detecting traffic condition changes: minimizing the amount of data required for accurate analysis. We design and build a network model to experiment under normal and problem network conditions. Our results indicate that IP traffic received is a good metric for detecting traffic condition changes on our network. The best point for collecting this metric is at popular routers at the edge of collections of sub-networks.
Hemodynamics and the Focal Origin of Atherosclerosis

: Atherosclerosis originates at predictable focal and regional sites that are associated with complex flow disturbances and flow separations in large arteries. The spatial relationships associated with hemodynamic shear stress forces acting on the endothelial monolayer are considered in experiments that model regions susceptible to atherosclerosis (flow disturbance) and resistant to atherosclerosis (undisturbed flow). Flow disturbance in vitro induced differential expression at the single gene level as illustrated for the intercellular communication gene and protein, connexin 43. Transcription profiles of individual endothelial cells isolated from both disturbed and undisturbed flow regions exhibited more expression heterogeneity in disturbed than in undisturbed flow. We propose that within highly heterogeneous populations of endothelial cells located in disturbed flow regions, proatherosclerotic gene expression may occur within the range of expression profiles induced by the local hemodynamics. These may be sites of initiation of focal atherosclerosis. Mechanisms are proposed to account for heterogeneous endothelial responses to shear stress by reference to the decentralized model of endothelial mechano-transduction. Length scales ranging from centimeters to nanometers are useful in describing regional, single cell, and intracellular mechanotransduction mechanisms.
Efficient Proxy Signatures For Ubiquitous Computing

Proxy signatures have been extensively used to solve authentication issues in mobile agent applications and authorization problems in distributed systems. However, conventional proxy signatures use traditional public key cryptosystems and are quite heavyweight. Thus, a direct application of these traditional signatures face significant performance challenges when applied to resource constrained ubiquitous computing environments. In this paper, we introduce the use of an efficient cryptographic primitive from linear feedback shift register (LFSR) sequences to build lightweight proxy signatures, suitable for resource constrained devices. We present a novel third-order LFSR sequence- based, 2-party signature scheme, SCLFSR, following a well- known Schnorr signature scheme. Using SCLFSR, we construct an efficient proxy signature, PC LFSR, which can serve as a protocol building block for performance sensitive ubiquitous computing applications. The scheme, PCLFSR, is also the first construction of a proxy signature using primitives from LFSR sequences. We perform extensive theoretical analysis including correctness and security of PCLFSR and also present a performance (computation and communication costs, storage overhead) comparison of the proposed scheme with well-known traditional constructions.
Role of Scd5, a protein phosphatase-1 targeting protein, in phosphoregulation of Sla1 during endocytosis

Phosphorylation regulates assembly and disassembly of proteins during endocytosis. In yeast, Prk1 and Ark1 phosphorylate factors after vesicle internalization leading to coat disassembly. Scd5, a protein phosphatase-1 (PP1)-targeting subunit, is proposed to regulate dephosphorylation of Prk1/Ark1 substrates to promote new rounds of endocytosis. In this study we analyzed scd5-PP1Δ2, a mutation causing impaired PP1 binding. scd5-PP1Δ2 caused hyperphosphorylation of several Prk1 endocytic targets. Live-cell imaging of 15 endocytic components in scd5-PP1Δ2 revealed that most factors arriving before the invagination/actin phase of endocytosis had delayed lifetimes. Severely affected were early factors and Sla2 (Hip1R homolog), whose lifetime was extended nearly fourfold. In contrast, the lifetime of Sla1, a Prk1 target, was extended less than twofold, but its cortical recruitment was significantly reduced. Delayed Sla2 dynamics caused by scd5-PP1Δ2 were suppressed by SLA1 overexpression. This was dependent on the LxxQxTG repeats (SR) of Sla1, which are phosphorylated by Prk1 and bind Pan1, another Prk1 target, in the dephosphorylated state. Without the SR, Sla1ΔSR was still recruited to the cell surface, but was less concentrated in cortical patches than Pan1. sla1ΔSR severely impaired endocytic progression, but this was partially suppressed by overexpression of LAS17, suggesting that without the SR region the SH3 region of Sla1 causes constitutive negative regulation of Las17 (WASp). These results demonstrate that Scd5/PP1 is important for recycling Prk1 targets to initiate new rounds of endocytosis and provide new mechanistic information on the role of the Sla1 SR domain in regulating progression to the invagination/actin phase of endocytosis.
Adaptive sampling using mobile robotic sensors

This paper presents an adaptive sparse sampling approach based on mobile robotic sensors. Traditionally, the sampling methods collect measurements without considering possible distributions of target signals. In this paper a feedback driven algorithm is discussed, where new measurements are determined based on the analysis of existing observations under a sparse domain. More specifically, Wavelet structure is considered to optimize measurement projections to substantially reduce the number of measurements based on compressive sensing framework. Sensor motion is designed based on the distribution of optimal measurements, striking a balance between moving cost and measurement value. Simulation results are presented to compare the performance with normal compressive sensing method that uses random measurements and other adaptive sampling methods.
Effects of temperature on the formation of hydroxyapatite

The formation of hydroxyapatite by an acid-base reaction between solid calcium phosphates at temperatures from 5 to 60 °C was examined. The basic reactant used is Ca4(PO4)2O, while the acidic reactants include CaHPO4, CaHPO4 · H2O, and Ca(H2PO4)2 · H2O. Rates of heat evolution during reaction were determined by isothermal calorimetry. The variations in the proportions of reactants and hydroxyapatite and the formation of intermediate products were assessed by x-ray diffraction. Development of microstructure was observed. Generally, hydroxyapatite formation occurs by rapid initial reaction followed by a period during which reaction occurs slowly. Apparent activation energies calculated for the reaction when CaHPO4 is the acidic reactant show differing values depending on its surface area. When the acidic reactant is Ca(H2PO4)2 · H2O, intermediate products are formed. At low temperatures the intermediate is CaHPO4 · 2H2O, while at higher temperatures it is CaHPO4. Above 38 °C, the rate during the period of slow reaction decreases with increasing temperature. This appears to be related to the retrograde solubilities of the reactants, CaHPO4 · 2H2O and CaHPO4, and of HAp.
Scalable side-pumped, gain-guided index-antiguided fiber laser

Single-mode laser action has been demonstrated in a gain-guided, index-antiguided (GG IAG) Nd3+ doped phosphate glass fiber through the use of a diode side-pumping scheme. This pump technique can allow for length scaling of diode-pumped GG IAG fibers and therefore true power scaling of the GG IAG concept. Near-Gaussian beam quality was demonstrated with beam M2 of 1.4.
Sleep State and Periodic Respiration

Periodic breathing occurs commonly in stage 1–2 non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep.1–4 When pronounced, apnea may occur at the nadir of ventilation. Thus, sleep apnea may be considered as a severe form of periodic breathing (see discussion, ref. 5). The degree of periodic breathing, however, varies with sleep stage. This was recognized in early, relatively qualitative studies.1,2 Recent quantitative studies in our laboratory have both confirmed and extended such earlier observations.4 The results of these studies led us to the hypothesis that oscillations in ventilation were secondary to oscillations in sleep state. Thus, in addition to the experimental studies, we have performed a theoretical study to determine the implications of the coupling between sleep state and ventilatory drive.
Stress Proteins in Aquatic Organisms: An Environmental Perspective

The cellular stress response protects organisms from damage resulting from exposure to a wide variety of stressors, including elevated temperatures, ultraviolet (UV) light, trace metals, and xenobiotics. The stress response entails the rapid synthesis of a suite of proteins referred to as stress proteins, or heat-shock proteins, upon exposure to adverse environmental conditions. These proteins are highly conserved and have been found in organisms as diverse as bacteria, molluscs, and humans. In this review, we discuss the stress response in aquatic organisms from an environmental perspective. Our current understanding of the cellular functions of stress proteins is examined within the context of their role in repair and protection from environmentally induced damage, acquired tolerance, and environmental adaptation. The tissue specificity of the response and its significance relative to target organ toxicity also are addressed. In addition, the usefulness of using the stress response as a diagnostic in environmental toxicology is evaluated. From the studies discussed in this review, it is apparent that stress proteins are involved in organismal adaptation to both natural and anthropogenic environmental stress, and that further research using this focus will make important contributions to both environmental physiology and ecotoxicology.
A Stochastic Approach to the Gamma Function

(1994). A Stochastic Approach to the Gamma Function. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 101, No. 9, pp. 858-865.
Student Evaluation of Teaching in the Virtual and Traditional Classrooms: A Comparative Analysis.

The present case study consists of the content analysis of anonymous student responses to open-ended evaluation of teaching questions submitted by 202 students for fully online and on-campus versions of the same graduate courses taught by the same professors over four academic years. Online courses received both more praise and more negative comments than did equivalent on-campus courses. The net result was a more negative rating for online courses. Findings suggest that the online course delivery medium introduced misalignment for some students between their preferred learning environment and the actual learning environment, notwithstanding student self-selection of the course delivery medium.
Detection of Construction Workers in Video Frames for Automatic Initialization of Vision Trackers

Vision based tracking can provide the spatial location of construction entities such as equipment, workers, and materials in large scale, congested construction sites. It tracks entities in video streams by inferring their locations based on the entities’ visual features and motion histories. To initiate the process, it is necessary to determine the pixel areas corresponding to the construction entities to be tracked in the following consecutive video frames. In order to fully automate the process, an automated way of initialization is needed. This paper presents the method for construction worker detection which can automatically recognize and localize construction workers in video frames. The method first finds the foreground areas of moving objects using a background subtraction method. Within these foreground areas, construction workers are recognized based on the histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) and histogram of the HSV colors. HOG’s have proved to work effectively for detection of people, and the histogram of HSV colors helps differentiate between pedestrians and construction workers wearing safety vests. Preliminary experiments show that the proposed method has the potential to automate the initialization process of vision based tracking.
Mass Media and Adolescent Female Sexuality

Jessica, 16, wakes up to the music on her clock radio. This morning Britney Spears sings “Baby hit me one more time” and then Brandy asks “What do I gotta do to get you in my arms, baby?” as Jessica stumbles out of bed to the shower. Later, as she gobbles a Poptart for breakfast, the TV on the kitchen counter flashes images of the scene of a rape and murder the night before. On the drive to school, Jessica glances at a billboard that in big red letters declares: “Virgin: Teach your kids it’s not a fouretter word.” During homeroom, Jessica and her friends laugh about the awkward kiss on the new WB program Jack & Jill they all watched on TV the night before, and they ponder if Joey will lose her virginity on Dawson’s Creek this season. At lunch, they pore over the latest issue of Glamour magazine, wishing they were as thin as the perfect models and celebrities and giggling at the tips for how to “get the guy.”
It matters: day of week (DOW) and type of surgical assistant (SAT) (second attending [SA] vs fourth year resident [R-4] vs advanced care provider [ACP]) predict outcomes following radical cystectomy

RESULTS: Median follow-up was 3 years (IQR 1.3-6.1). Median patient age was 69.6. A total of 200 (59%) patients had a recurrence and 14 (4.1%) had stage progression. The number of patients receiving either an ACE-I or ARB was 143. On univariate analysis, factors associated with improved RFS included cis (p1⁄40.040), bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy (p1⁄40.003), and ACE-I/ ARB therapy (p1⁄40.009). On multivariate analysis patients treated with BCG therapy (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.87; p1⁄40.002) or ACE-I/ARB therapy (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45-0.84; p1⁄40.005), were less likely to experience tumor recurrence. The 5-year RFS rate was 45.6% (ACE-I/ARBs) and 28.1% (No ACE-I/ARBs) (p1⁄40.009). In a subgroup analysis, patients on BCG therapy alone (n1⁄485) vs BCG combined with ACE-I/ARB therapy (n1⁄452); multivariate analysis revealed that patients treated with BCG alone (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.01-4.77; p1⁄40.04) were associated with a worse RFS compared to patients treated with BCG and ACE-I/ ARB therapy (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.21-0.98; p1⁄40.04) for stage Ta.
Delivery of Antibiotics by Phagocytes

Mobile phagocytes, especially polymorphonuclear neutrophils, accumulate at the site of many infections. This homing activity of phagocytes can be exploited as a mechanism for the delivery of antibiotics. To be effectively transported by neutrophils, antibiotics must be concentrated in neutrophils, must not interfere with the function of neutrophils, must remain present at high concentration long enough to be transported, and must be released in active form at the site of infection. Experimental studies have demonstrated that these criteria are fulfilled by azithromycin and, to a lesser extent, by rifampin
MT1-MMP is required for efficient tumor dissemination in experimental metastatic disease.

Membrane-type I matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is associated with multiple forms of cancer including mammary cancer. To directly evaluate the significance of MT1-MMP expression in tumor progression and metastasis using a genetically induced cancer model, we crossed MT1-MMP-deficient mice to MMTV–polyoma virus middle T-antigen (PyMT) mice. Expression of PyMT in the MT1-MMP-deficient background consistently resulted in hyperplasia of the mammary gland as seen in wild-type PyMT littermates. Following orthotopic transplantation of PyMT+ glands into the cleared mammary fat pad of syngeneic recipient mice, MT1-MMP-deficient tumors were palpable earlier than wild-type tumors. Moreover, MT1-MMP-deficient tumors grew to the experimental end point size quicker than control tumors, but demonstrated markedly reduced ability to metastasize to the lungs of recipient mice. Accordingly, MT1-MMP-deficient mice displayed an overall reduction in metastasis count of 50%. MT1-MMP was expressed solely in the stroma of PyMT-induced tumors and those metastatic nodules that formed in the lungs were devoid of MT1-MMP expression. Stromal fibroblasts isolated from MT1-MMP-deficient tumors did not degrade type I collagen suggesting that efficient dissemination of tumor cells is dependent on stromal cell remodeling of the tumor environment. The data demonstrate directly that MT1-MMP-mediated proteolysis by stromal cells is important in the metastatic process.
Learning Focused Hierarchical Topic Models with Semi-Supervision in Microblogs

Topic modeling approaches, such as Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and Hierarchical LDA (hLDA) have been used extensively to discover topics in various corpora. Unfortunately, these approaches do not perform well when applied to collections of social media posts. Further, these approaches do not allow users to focus topic discovery around subjectively interesting concepts. We propose the new Semi-Supervised Microblog-hLDA (SS-Micro-hLDA) model to discover topic hierarchies in short, noisy microblog documents in a way that allows users to focus topic discovery around interesting areas. We test SS-Micro-hLDA using a large, public collection of Twitter messages and Reddit social blogging site and show that our model outperforms hLDA, Constrained-hLDA, Recursive-rCRP and TSSB in terms of Pointwise Mutual Information (PMI) Score. Further, we test our model in terms of information entropy of held-out data and show that the new approach produces highly focused topic hierarchies.
The Genetic Contribution of West-African Ancestry to Protection against Central Obesity in African-American Men but Not Women: Results from the ARIC and MESA Studies.

Over 80% of African-American (AA) women are overweight or obese. A large racial disparity between AA and European-Americans (EA) in obesity rates exists among women, but curiously not among men. Although socio-economic and/or cultural factors may partly account for this race-by-sex interaction, the potential involvement of genetic factors has not yet been investigated. Among 2,814 self-identified AA in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, we estimated each individual’s degree of West-African genetic ancestry using 3,437 ancestry informative markers. We then tested whether sex modifies the association between West-African genetic ancestry and body mass index (BMI), waist-circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), adjusting for income and education levels, and examined associations of ancestry with the phenotypes separately in males and females. We replicated our findings in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (n=1,611 AA). In both studies, we find that West-African ancestry is negatively associated with obesity, especially central obesity, among AA men, but not among AA women (pinteraction= 1.24 x 10-5 in pooled analysis of WHR). In conclusion, our results suggest that the combination of male sex and West-African genetic ancestry is associated with protection against central adiposity, and suggest that the large racial disparity that exists among women, but not men, may be at least partly attributed to genetic factors.
Inhibition of Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase Gene Expression by Hemin and Protoporphyrin IX. Identification of a Hemin-Responsive Inhibitor of Transcription

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) is an iron-containing protein encoded by the same gene that codes for uteroferrin, a placental iron transport protein. In human peripheral mononuclear cells, TRAP expression is inhibited by both hemin (ferric protoporphyrin IX) and protoporphyrin IX. Nuclear run-on assays confirmed that this inhibition occurs at the level of gene transcription. Previous studies with mTRAP deletion mutants showed that the hemin effect was dependent on repressor activity in the mTRAP 5′- flanking region at -1846 bp to -1240 bp relative to ATG (Reddy et al, J Bone Mineral Res 10:601, 1995). We now report that gel shift assays showed a DNA binding protein in nuclear extracts of hemin-treated cells termed hemin response element binding protein (HREBP). Additional studies have localized the HREBP binding region in the mTRAP 5′- flanking DNA to a 27-bp sequence at -1815 to -1789 bp relative to ATG. A tandem repeat sequence, GAGGC;GAGGC, contained within this DNA segment, was shown to be involved in binding of HREBP. Highly homologous sequences are present in the 5′-flanking region of the hTRAP gene. Binding of HREBP to the mTRAP DNA sequence was inhibited by anti- HAP1 antibodies, indicating homology between the hemin-responsive factor and the yeast heme-dependent transcription factor, HAP1. A 607- bp segment of the mTRAP 5′-flanking region containing the candidate hemin response element and surrounding sequences conferred hemin regulation on the viral SV40 promoter. Southwestern blotting experiments probing nuclear extracts of hemin-treated U937 cells with the 27-bp binding sequence showed two protein bands at 37 and 133 kD representing candidate HREBPs. A GENINFO search showed several other mammalian genes with tandem GAGGC motifs in noncoding regions, providing the possibility that additional genes may also be regulated by hemin at the level of transcription. These studies provide the first description of a novel iron/hemin-responsive transcriptional regulatory mechanism in mammalian cells.
Modeling Diffusion of Linear Hydrocarbons in Silica Zeolite LTA Using Transition Path Sampling

The diffusivities of linear hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H6, C2H4, C3H8, C3H6, and C4H10) in pure silica zeolite LTA (ITQ-29) are computed at 300 K and infinite dilution. To overcome the time scale problem arising from the slow diffusion process at room temperature, we used transition path sampling (TPS). The influence of framework flexibility on diffusion is investigated by combining TPS simulations with fully flexible molecular dynamics performed in the NpT ensemble. The ensemble of the collected reactive trajectories was used to characterize sets of transition states, and the corresponding configurations were analyzed to construct window size distributions during the molecular hopping events. The diffusion process is affected by framework flexibility, and the influence of framework flexibility on diffusion of propane and butane is much larger than for methane and ethane.
People Pillars: Re-structuring the Toyota Production System (TPS) House Based on Inadequacies Revealed During the Automotive Recall Crisis

Toyota has long been recognized as a leader in lean manufacturing and production quality through a dedicated practice of continuous process improvements and waste elimination techniques hallmarked within their Toyota Production System (TPS) and the ‘Toyota Way’ principles. Toyota's long list of successes and quality achievements has inspired companies within all industry sectors, not just automotive, to seek application of the coveted TPS into their process models in hopes of achieving the rewards that lean production promises. However, a recent series of automotive recall announcements associated with Toyota quality control have led many industry experts and students to reflect on possible inadequacies of the TPS House model. This article seeks to identify potential structural shortcomings and possible deficiencies of the TPS House in light of the root causes of recall crisis and suggest potential re-structuring to better achieve continuous improvement. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Observation of Intrinsic Spin-Orbit Interaction of Light in Few-Mode Optical Fiber

Interaction between spin and intrinsic orbital angular momentum of light in a straight few-mode fiber is observed to generate rotation for both polarization and spatial profiles, in agreement with recent prediction.
Microstructural and geometric influences in the protective scales of Atractosteus spatula

Atractosteus spatula has been described as a living fossil (having existed for 100 Myr), retaining morphological characteristics of early ancestors such as the ability to breathe air and survive above water for hours. Its highly effective armour consists of ganoid scales. We analyse the protective function of the scales and identify key features which lead to their resistance to failure. Microstructural features include: a twisted cross-plied mineral arrangement that inhibits crack propagation in the external ganoine layer, mineral crystals that deflect cracks in the bony region in order to activate the strength of mineralized collagen fibrils, and saw-tooth ridges along the interface between the two scale layers which direct cracks away from the intrinsically weak interface. The macroscale geometry is additionally evaluated and it is shown that the scales retain full coverage in spite of minimal overlap between adjacent scales while conforming to physiologically required strain and maintaining flexibility via a process in which adjacent rows of scales slide and concurrently reorient.
Nonoperatively corrected clubfoot at age 2 years radiographs are not helpful in predicting future relapse

Background: Nonoperative treatment of idiopathic clubfoot is standard. The purpose of this study was to determine if measurements made on standing lateral radiographs of successfully treated clubfeet made at 18 to 24 months of age were predictive of late recurrence. Methods: Inclusion criteria were idiopathic clubfoot with an age at presentation of ≤3 months, nonoperative treatment resulting in a clinically plantigrade foot at 2 years of age, standing lateral radiograph of the involved foot made at 18 to 24 months of age, and a minimum age of 4 years at the time of follow-up. The radiographs were assessed for the talocalcaneal angle and the tibiocalcaneal angle, with measurements made by 2 trained practitioners. The average values of the 2 raters were used. The interobserver reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). A total of 211 patients with 312 clubfeet were evaluated. The average age at the time of follow-up was 8.0 years (range, 4.0 to 13.3 years). Results at the time of follow-up were rated as good (maintained plantigrade foot), fair (required limited surgery to maintain, or return to, a plantigrade position), or poor (required posteromedial release). Results: Over time, 75% of the feet had a good result, 19% had a fair result, and 6% had a poor result. With regard to radiographic assessment, the ICCs were 0.97 (talocalcaneal angle) and 0.98 (tibiocalcaneal angle), demonstrating excellent agreement between the raters. The mean talocalcaneal angle differed significantly between the feet with a good clinical outcome and those with a fair outcome (28° versus 24°; p < 0.02), but did not differ significantly between those with a good versus poor outcome (28° versus 26°), or a fair versus poor outcome (24° versus 26°). There were no significant differences in the mean tibiocalcaneal angle among the groups (86°, 90°, and 84°, respectively) (p = 0.17). Conclusions: Most clubfeet that were clinically plantigrade at 2 years of age remained so, while one-fourth subsequently required some surgery for late recurrence, primarily limited procedures. The tibiocalcaneal angle and talocalcaneal angle from standing lateral radiographs made at 18 to 24 months of age were not helpful in predicting future relapse. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Do We Need to Operate on Patients After Successful Percutaneous Drainage of a Diverticular Abscess

Sigmoid diverticular disease is a significant health problem, resulting in annual estimated costs of over 2.6 billion dollars and 312,000 hospital admissions in the USA [1, 2]. Most cases of diverticular abscess are managed non-operatively with intravenous antibiotics, and the addition of percutaneous drainage (PD) in selective cases [3–5].
Professional versus political contexts: institutional mitigation and the transaction cost heuristic in information systems outsourcing

IS research has considered the outsourcing decision from the perspective of transaction cost economics (TCE) and institutional theory. In this research, we consider how the appropriation of the logic of transaction cost economics is contingent on decision makers' institutional context. The institutional contexts contrasted are professional versus political contexts. In a survey of 214 city governments in the United States, we substantiate the existence of these two institutional contexts, a distinction that has been noted to extend into the private sector as well. Subsequent analyses of the moderating effects of institutional context on the application of the TCE heuristic to the outsourcing decision revealed the following: The institutional context moderated the impacts of "human frailty" conditions-of opportunism and bounded rationality-and of transaction frequency on outsourcing decisions. In professional contexts, opportunism reduced outsourcing and frequency increased outsourcing; in political contexts, bounded rationality fostered outsourcing and frequency dissuaded outsourcing. However, no institutional moderation was noted for the situational conditions of asset specificity and uncertainty. Instead, situational conditions were found to increase the incidence of outsourcing across both contexts. Findings about the contingent effects of human frailty conditions augment our understanding of the outsourcing phenomenon by emphasizing that decision makers' attentiveness to the logic of transaction costs during outsourcing is shaped by their institutional context. Findings with regard to situational conditions suggest a need for future research to consider the role of another contextual factor-resource munificence-in mitigating the effects of situational conditions on responses to transaction costs.
High‐speed microscopy for in vivo monitoring of lymph dynamics

The lymphatic system contributes to body homeostasis by clearing fluid, lipids, plasma proteins and immune cells from the interstitial space. Many studies have been performed to understand lymphatic function under normal conditions and during disease. Nevertheless, a further improvement in quantification of lymphatic behavior is needed. Here, we present advanced bright-field microscopy for in vivo imaging of lymph vessels (LVs) and automated quantification of lymphatic function at a temporal resolution of 2 milliseconds. Full frame videos were compressed and recorded continuously at up to 540 frames per second. A new edge detection algorithm was used to monitor vessel diameter changes across multiple cross sections, while individual cells in the LVs were tracked to estimate flow velocity. The system performance initially was verified in vitro using 6- and 10-μm microspheres as cell phantoms on slides and in 90-μm diameter tubes at flow velocities up to 4 cm/second. Using an in vivo rat model, we explored the mechanisms of lymphedema after surgical lymphadenectomy of the mesentery. The system revealed reductions of mesenteric LV contraction and flow rate. Thus, the described imaging system may be applicable to the study of lymphatic behavior during therapeutic and surgical interventions, and potentially during lymphatic system diseases.
Reprint of: Biogenesis of the cytochrome bc1 complex and role of assembly factors

The cytochrome bc1 complex is an essential component of the electron transport chain in most prokaryotes and in eukaryotic mitochondria. The catalytic subunits of the complex that are responsible for its redox functions are largely conserved across kingdoms. In eukarya, the bc1 complex contains supernumerary subunits in addition to the catalytic core, and the biogenesis of the functional bc1 complex occurs as a modular assembly pathway. Individual steps of this biogenesis have been recently investigated and are discussed in this review with an emphasis on the assembly of the bc1 complex in the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Additionally, a number of assembly factors have been recently identified. Their roles in bc1 complex biogenesis are described, with special emphasis on the maturation and topogenesis of the yeast Rieske iron–sulfur protein and its role in completing the assembly of functional bc1 complex. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biogenesis/Assembly of Respiratory Enzyme Complexes.
An effective σ × p force in nuclear matter☆

Abstract It is shown that the nucleon-nucleon spin-orbit interaction leads to an effective force on a nucleon passing through nuclear matter in the direction σ × p . This force causes nucleons to move in a circular orbit of nuclear dimensions. Fot the Hamada-Johnston potential, the orbit radius is about 5 fm.
Trajectories and themes in world popular music: globalisation, capitalism, identity

The term ‘globalisation’ carries multiple discursive interpretations and embedded cultural subtexts within the context of popular music, and this study confronts numerous central issues adopting a ...
Does Participatory Budgeting Change the Share of Public Funding to Low Income Neighborhoods

Using a newly compiled dataset, we measure the effects of participatory budgeting on the allocation of capital funding among areas of different income levels within New York City council districts. A difference‐in‐differences design compares changes in the allocation of funding in adopting districts before and after the adoption of participatory budgeting to changes over the same period among a control group consisting of later adopters. On average, adopting districts increase funding in the next to the lowest income census tracts more than the control group, but participatory budgeting does not redirect funds to the lowest income census tracts.
Cointegration Testing and Dynamic Simulations of Autoregressive Distributed Lag Models

In this article, we introduce dynamac, a suite of commands designed to assist users in modeling and visualizing the effects of autoregressive distributed lag models and in testing for cointegration...
Evaluation of 2012 US EHDV-2 outbreak isolates for genetic determinants of cattle infection

Following a summer of severe drought and abnormally high temperatures, a major outbreak of EHDV occurred during 2012 in the USA. Although EHDV-1, -2 and -6 were isolated, EHDV-2 was the predominant virus serotype detected during the outbreak. In addition to large losses of white-tailed deer, the Midwest and northern Plains saw a significant amount of clinical disease in cattle. Phylogenetic analyses and sequence comparisons of newly sequenced whole genomes of 2012 EHDV-2 cattle isolates demonstrated that eight of ten EHDV-2 genomic segments show no genetic changes that separate the cattle outbreak sequences from other EHDV-2 isolates. Two segments, VP2 and VP6, did show several unique genetic changes specific to the 2012 cattle outbreak isolates, although the impact of the genetic changes on viral fitness is unknown. The placement of isolates from 2007 and 2011 as sister group to the outbreak isolates, and the similarity between cattle and deer isolates, point to environmental variables as having a greater influence on the severity of the 2012 EHDV outbreak than viral genetic changes.
Undergraduate Research Experience in Cybersecurity for Underrepresented Students and Students with Limited Research Opportunities

Undergraduate research opportunities have expanded from elite universities in the United States to universities and learning institutions of all ranks and sizes. Research studies have showed some positive outcomes of the research experience for undergraduates (REU), such as enhanced research skills and competencies. However, with the widespread implementation of REU programs across the country, there are some serious and challenging issues, such as fierce competition among students for limited participation opportunities and a overlooking of underrepresented studentsâ€™ needs. This study reported a nine-week REU Site program in cybersecurity designed for underrepresented students (women and minorities) and participants from institutions with limited research opportunities for the past three years. Results showed that most participants enjoyed the opportunity to work on a real world project and to gain research experience in the REU program. The program helped participants improve various research skills. Recommendations for future REU programs are discussed.
Does MHC heterozygosity influence microbiota form and function

MHC molecules are essential for the adaptive immune response, and they are the most polymorphic genetic loci in vertebrates. Extreme genetic variation at these loci is paradoxical given their central importance to host health. Classic models of MHC gene evolution center on antagonistic host-pathogen interactions to promote gene diversification and allelic diversity in host populations. However, all multicellular organisms are persistently colonized by their microbiota that perform essential metabolic functions for their host and protect from infection. Here, we provide data to support the hypothesis that MHC heterozygote advantage (a main force of selection thought to drive MHC gene evolution), may operate by enhancing fitness advantages conferred by the host’s microbiome. We utilized fecal 16S rRNA gene sequences and their predicted metagenome datasets collected from multiple MHC congenic homozygote and heterozygote mouse strains to describe the influence of MHC heterozygosity on microbiome form and function. We find that in contrast to homozygosity at MHC loci, MHC heterozygosity promotes functional diversification of the microbiome, enhances microbial network connectivity, and results in enrichment for a variety of microbial functions that are positively associated with host fitness. We demonstrate that taxonomic and functional diversity of the microbiome is positively correlated in MHC heterozygote but not homozygote animals, suggesting that heterozygote microbiomes are more functionally adaptive under similar environmental conditions than homozygote microbiomes. Our data complement previous observations on the role of MHC polymorphism in sculpting microbiota composition, but also provide functional insights into how MHC heterozygosity may enhance host health by modulating microbiome form and function. We also provide evidence to support that MHC heterozygosity limits functional redundancy among commensal microbes and may enhance the metabolic versatility of their microbiome. Results from our analyses yield multiple testable predictions regarding the role of MHC heterozygosity on the microbiome that will help guide future research in the area of MHC-microbiome interactions.