cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The NAC family transcription factor GmNAC42–1 regulates biosynthesis of the anticancer and neuroprotective glyceollins in soybean

Glyceollins are isoflavonoid-derived pathogen-inducible defense metabolites (phytoalexins) from soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) that have important roles in providing defense against pathogens. They also have impressive anticancer and neuroprotective activities in mammals. Despite their potential usefulness as therapeutics, glyceollins are not economical to synthesize and are biosynthesized only transiently and in low amounts in response to specific stresses. Engineering the regulation of glyceollin biosynthesis may be a promising approach to enhance their bioproduction, yet the transcription factors (TFs) that regulate their biosynthesis have remained elusive. To address this, we first aimed to identify novel abiotic stresses that enhance or suppress the elicitation of glyceollins and then used a comparative transcriptomics approach to search for TF gene candidates that may positively regulate glyceollin biosynthesis. Acidity stress (pH 3.0 medium) and dehydration exerted prolonged (week-long) inductive or suppressive effects on glyceollin biosynthesis, respectively. RNA-seq found that all known biosynthetic genes were oppositely regulated by acidity stress and dehydration, but known isoflavonoid TFs were not. Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) genes were highly enriched in the geneset. We chose to functionally characterize the NAC (NAM/ATAF1/2/CUC2)-family TF GmNAC42–1 that was annotated as an SAR gene and a homolog of the Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) indole alkaloid phytoalexin regulator ANAC042. Overexpressing and silencing GmNAC42–1 in elicited soybean hairy roots dramatically enhanced and suppressed the amounts of glyceollin metabolites and biosynthesis gene mRNAs, respectively. Yet, overexpressing GmNAC42–1 in non-elicited hairy roots failed to stimulate the expressions of all biosynthesis genes. Thus, GmNAC42–1 was necessary but not sufficient to activate all biosynthesis genes on its own, suggesting an important role in the glyceollin gene regulatory network (GRN). The GmNAC42–1 protein directly bound the promoters of biosynthesis genes IFS2 and G4DT in the yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) system. Acidity stress is a novel elicitor and dehydration is a suppressor of glyceollin biosynthesis. The TF gene GmNAC42–1 is an essential positive regulator of glyceollin biosynthesis. Overexpressing GmNAC42–1 in hairy roots can be used to increase glyceollin yields > 10-fold upon elicitation. Thus, manipulating the expressions of glyceollin TFs is an effective strategy for enhancing the bioproduction of glyceollins in soybean.
The gammaherpesvirus 68 viral cyclin facilitates reactivation by promoting latent gene expression

Gammaherpesviruses establish life-long infections within their host and have been shown to be the causative agents of devastating malignancies. Chronic infection within the host is mediated through cycles of transcriptionally quiescent stages of latency with periods of reactivation into more active lytic and productive infection. The mechanisms that regulate reactivation from latency remain poorly understood. Previously, we defined a critical role for the viral cyclin in promoting reactivation from latency. Disruption of the viral cyclin had no impact on the frequency of cells containing viral genome during latency, yet it remains unclear whether the viral cyclin influences latently infected cells in a qualitative manner. To define the impact of the viral cyclin on latent gene expression, we utilized a viral cyclin deficient variant expressing a LANA-beta-lactamase fusion protein (LANA::{beta}la), to enumerate both the cellular distribution and frequency of latent gene expression. Disruption of the viral cyclin did not affect the cellular distribution of latently infected cells, but did result in a significant decrease in the frequency of cells that expressed LANA::{beta}la across multiple tissues and in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient hosts. Strikingly, whereas the cyclin-deficient virus had a reactivation defect in bulk culture, sort purified cyclin-deficient LANA::{beta}la expressing cells were fully capable of reactivation. These data emphasize that the {gamma}HV68 latent reservoir is comprised of at least two distinct stages of infection characterized by differential latent gene expression, and that a primary function of the viral cyclin is to promote latent gene expression within infected cells in vivo.nnAUTHOR SUMMARYGammaherpesviruses are ubiquitous viruses with oncogenic potential that establish latency for the life of the host. These viruses can emerge from latency through reactivation, a process that is controlled by the immune system. Control of viral latency and reactivation is thought to be critical to prevent {gamma}HV-associated disease. This study focuses on a virally-encoded cyclin that is required for reactivation from latency. By characterizing how the viral cyclin influences latent infection in pure cell populations, we find that the viral cyclin has a vital role in promoting viral gene expression during latency. This work provides new insight into the function of a virally encoded cyclin in promoting reactivation from latency.
Epidemiology of pediatric buprenorphine and methadone exposures reported to the poison centers

Abstract Background Buprenorphine prescriptions have increased dramatically within the United States, whereas methadone continues to be used widely. We investigated the trends and characteristics of buprenorphine and methadone exposures in the pediatric population. Methods We identified pediatric exposures to buprenorphine and methadone using the National Poison Data System from 2013 to 2016. We descriptively assessed characteristics of the exposures. Trends in exposures were evaluated using generalized linear mixed models. Results Pediatric buprenorphine exposures increased from 2013 (1097) to 2016 (1226) while methadone calls decreased (486 to 396). After adjusting for the random effects of the geographical region, the mean number of pediatric buprenorphine exposures (per 100,000 pediatric population) increased from 1.3 to 1.5 (P = .05). Conversely, the mean number of methadone exposures decreased from 0.6 to 0.4 (P = .03). Children aged ≤3 years constituted the highest percentage of both exposures. Unintentional exposures accounted for most of the buprenorphine (86.9%) and methadone (62.4%) exposures. Major clinical effects were demonstrated in 2.3% of buprenorphine exposures and were more frequent with methadone (13%). West Virginia and Maryland demonstrated the highest incidence of buprenorphine and methadone exposures, respectively. Conclusions Pediatric buprenorphine exposures increased but demonstrated less severe effects compared to methadone exposures, which decreased during the study period.
Tackling “Wicked Problems” with the NIF Framework of Deliberative Dialogue.

America’s democracy is experiencing an identity crisis. The dysfunctional political environment culminated in the 2016 presidential election, where the socioeconomic and political cleavages highlight the growing disparities in access, privilege, and hope. This adversarial mobilizing politics of party polarization and gridlock is ill-suited for the problems America faces in the 21st Century. These “wicked problems” have no singular position, nor answer. We argue that, the practice of dialogue and deliberation cultivates student abilities necessary to explore enduring, and multidisciplinary questions and solve persistent public problems. Deliberative Dialogues were developed by the National Issues Forum to deal with “wicked problems." People who engage in Deliberative Dialogues begin to see politics differently from the adversarial electoral politics that have become so divisive. Infusing the curriculum with dialogue and deliberative practice, then, is another way to move civic education from episodic moments to sustained practice.
Linking Attachment and Executive Function Systems: Exploring Associations in a Sample of Children of Young Mothers

Attachment and executive function (EF) are two related systems that develop early in life and may mediate associations between care experiences and later functioning. Though theoretically related, the associations between attachment and EF have not been fully explored among children experiencing adversity. In the current study, we took a person-centered approach to examining attachment representations and EF among children of adolescent mothers. Using Latent Profile Analysis, we identified three groups of attachment representations: a “secure” group, an “insecure-avoidant” group, and an “insecure-disorganized” group. We then explored differences in EF performance across the identified groups. Our results indicated that the “secure” group generally outperformed the “insecure-disorganized” and “insecure-avoidant” groups. Though the “insecure-avoidant” group generally outperformed the “insecure-disorganized” group, significant differences were found only on one task. Our findings document links between attachment and EF among children experiencing adversity and may suggest that prevention or intervention efforts to support the development of secure attachments will also foster optimal EF, those higher-order cognitive processes that drive goal-directed behavior.
Understanding the Effect of Water in Polyamides: A Review

Polyamides (PAs) are repeatedly exposed to environments of varying humidity throughout their service life. Due to their hygroscopic nature, moisture diffusion can alter the polymer properties, some...
A New Infectious Unit: Extracellular Vesicles Carrying Virus Populations

Viral egress and transmission have long been described to take place through single free virus particles. However, viruses can also shed into the environment and transmit as populations clustered i...
Judging the Risk of Banks: Why Can't Bond Raters Agree?

If bank risk were transparent to the market, the protection and regulation of banks would be unnecessary. I argue that banks are opaque, and that the veil is inherent to the business. Relative to the more fixed assets at non-financial firms, the risk of banks mostly financial assets is easier to conceal and/or to change. Their opaque or shiftable assets make the risk of banks difficult to monitor. As evidence, I show that the two most prominent credit analysts in the U.S.--Moody's and Standard and Poor's--disagree more over banks than over other types of firms. Among banks, the raters split more over opaque assets, like loans, and over more liquid assets, like cash and trading assets. Fixed assets, like premises, tend to reduce disagreement. The problem for banks as a class is that they hold very few fixed assets, so I conclude that they are regulated because they are opaque, not (as some argue) the other way around.
Results of vaginal hysterectomy; Immediately and two and one-half to seven years after operation

Abstract 1. 1. One hundred sixty-three vaginal hysterectomy operations were performed at Colorado General Hospital and Denver General Hospital from July, 1946, to July, 1951. 2. 2. Our technique for vaginal hysterectomy is briefly presented. 3. 3. Seventy-four of the 163 patients have been followed for periods varying from two and one-half to seven years. 4. 4. Seventy-seven per cent of results were entirely satisfactory; 14.6 per cent were less than satisfactory anatomically but were asymptomatic, and 8.4 per cent were anatomically unsatisfactory and symptomatic.
Creating subjective and objective sentence classifiers from unannotated texts

This paper presents the results of developing subjectivity classifiers using only unannotated texts for training. The performance rivals that of previous supervised learning approaches. In addition, we advance the state of the art in objective sentence classification by learning extraction patterns associated with objectivity and creating objective classifiers that achieve substantially higher recall than previous work with comparable precision.
Area and International Studies: Political Economy

Modern ‘political economy’ explores relationships among economic and political organizations, institutions, policies, and outcomes. There has never been a consensus on the theories and methods that should structure the exploration of these relationships and the debate over how best to understand these matters has evolved over time. The interpretation offered here simplifies both of these dimensions of difference. It distinguishes two periods of post-war history—the Fordist and Neo-liberal eras—based on the dominant paradigm of economic organization prevailing in the rich capitalist democracies of the global North. For each period, the most important theoretical approaches to political economy, the regions of the world to which they were applied, and the social science departments in which they were based are identified. It is argued that, in the second or neo-liberal era, political economy analyses can be broadly grouped into those that took a critical stance on existing economic paradigms, institutions and policies, and those which accepted the core assumptions of neo-classical economics and the neo-liberal policies and institutions that this approach to economics has legitimated. The relationship between area and international studies and political economy varies, both by period and, to some degree, by the type of political economy in question.
Review article. Common sense: a middle way between formalism and post-structuralism?

John Coates's The Claims of Common Sense argues that common-sense philosophy is central to Cambridge economics and philosophy, and represents a viable middle way between formalism and post-structuralism. This paper concentrates on the opposition between common sense and formalism. The latter is explained in terms of Quine's formal semantics and neoclassical axiomatic choice theory, which share a critique of ordinary language, a commitment to logical determinacy, a functionalist view of mind, and the idea of ontology driven by logic. Coates's common-sense Cambridge alternative is explained in terms of Wittgenstein's and Keynes's views on vagueness.
Animal Medical Biotechnology, Legal, Laws and Regulations Governing Animals as Sources of Human Organs

Introduction Regulatory Context Encouraging Increased Organ Donation Regulatory Policy Defining Xenotransplantation “Xeno” “Transplantation” Associated Definitions Federal Regulation in the United States Animal Regulatory Framework FDA Regulatory Supervision FDA Draft Guidelines on Xenotransplantation Public Health Risks Risks from Patients Risks from Animals Risks from Health Care Workers Risk Assessment and Wider Concerns Risk Reduction, “Natural” and Transgenic Animals A Xenotransplantation Moratorium? Drafting Consent Forms FDA Revised Guidelines International Regulatory Action World Health Organization Council of Europe The European Union Methods of National Regulation Establishing National Regulatory Bodies Regulatory Limits to the Uses of Animals as Donors Comparative Legal Issues Biodiversity and Animal Donors Conflict of Laws Issues Keywords: animal biotechnology
Word sense disambiguation for cross-language information retrieval

We have developed a word sense disambiguation algorithm, following Cheng and Wilensky (1997), to disambiguate among WordNet synsets. This algorithm is to be used in a cross-language information retrieval system, CINDOR, which indexes queries and documents in a language-neutral concept representation based on WordNet synsets. Our goal is to improve retrieval precision through word sense disambiguation. An evaluation against human disambiguation judgements suggests promise for our approach.
Optical rotatory dispersion of aldolase and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Abstract Analysis of the optical rotatory dispersion of aldolase and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase reveals Cotton effects for both enzymes in the 270 to 300 mµ region. The nature of the Cotton effects of these two proteins has been investigated. In the case of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase the Cotton effect probably arises from the diphosphopyridine nucleotide and other compounds attached to the apoenzyme. In the case of aldolase a high content of aromatic amino acids is probably responsible for the Cotton effect. The effects of p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and denaturing agents such as acid, urea, and sodium dodecyl sulfate are reported. The above agents have different effects on the helical content of these proteins. All denaturing agents make the Cotton effects in the aromatic region disappear.
Public Policy Initiatives Addressing Supportive Housing

Abstract In the face of an aging population and escalating long-term (LTC) spending, Connecticut's LTC system disproportionately relies on institutional care to provide LTC for elderly and non-elderly individuals. In response, policymakers are attempting to reform the LTC system by increasing the use of home and community-based alternatives and expanding the availability of supportive housing options.
Activation of GABAB receptors causes presynaptic inhibition at synapses between muscle spindle afferents and motoneurons in the spinal cord of bullfrogs

Baclofen, a specific GABAB receptor agonist, was used to study the functional role of activation of GABAB receptors in synaptic transmission between muscle spindle afferents and motoneurons in the isolated spinal cord of bullfrogs. (+/-)-Baclofen (5 microM) reversibly reduced the amplitude of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) evoked by simulation of various brachial muscle nerves and recorded extracellularly from the ventral root by 47% without shortening the falling phase of the EPSP. Neither the time course nor the amplitude of the action potentials in the sensory afferents was affected. Thus, baclofen caused synaptic inhibition without reducing either the potential change occurring in the muscle sensory afferents or the motoneuronal membrane resistance. Quantal analysis, performed using a deconvolution technique, of the monosynaptic EPSPs in brachial motoneurons evoked by activity in single triceps muscle spindle afferents showed that transmission at these synapses was quantal, and baclofen lowered the quantal content without altering the quantal size. Furthermore, quantal analysis of the electrical component of these unitary EPSPs showed that it did not fluctuate in amplitude, either in normal saline or with baclofen. The inhibition produced by activation of GABAB receptors is therefore presynaptic but is not likely to be caused by conduction failures in the sensory terminals.
Evaluating the fakability of a conditional reasoning test of addiction proneness

The quest to assess personality objectively is riddled with challenges. However, conditional reasoning (CR) methodology takes an innovative approach to personality measurement by indirectly evaluating the cognitive biases associated with specific dispositional traits. In addition to demonstrating strong criterion-related validities, the CR format has been shown to be more resistant to response distortion than traditional self-report measures so long as indirect measurement is maintained. The present study evaluated the necessity of maintaining the indirect nature of a CR-based measure of addiction proneness. Results indicated that disclosing the purpose of assessment yielded significant mean shifts on a CR-based measure of addiction proneness compared to those of an uninformed group. Specifically, when the construct of interest was made explicit, participants could identify the keyed response options when instructed to do so. These findings further underscore the necessity of maintaining indirect measurement when administering CR measures.
Direct observation of crack opening as a function of applied load in the interior of a notched tensile sample of AlLi 2090

Abstract Results of in situ high resolution X-ray computed tomography are reported for a notched tensile sample of AlLi 2090 T841. The fatigue crack within the interior of the sample is imaged with 6 μm voxels as a function of applied load, and the crack face morphology is found to be similar to that observed in compact tension samples of this alloy. The loads and approximate stress intensities at which the tomography data were obtained were 82, 50, 25 and 5 kg and 7.1, 4.3, 2.2 and 0.4 MPa√m, respectively. Crack openings measured during unloading as a function of position show that physical closure at portions of the crack tip and at positions behind the crack tip precedes (during unloading) the bend in the sample's load-displacement curve. The three-dimensional pattern of crack opening shows substantial mixed mode I–III contact on the faces of asperities behind the crack tip, even at the maximum load of the fatigue cycle. Mixed mode I–II contact is also observed at loads above the bend in the load-displacement curve. The fraction of voxels open remains nearly constant for the loads immediately above and below the nominal closure load, as determined from the load-displacement curve, of 41 kg; and this suggests that these mixed mode I–III surfaces begin to carry significant load at the point where the load-displacement curve starts to deflect, and is the source of the apparent stiffening of the sample at loads below the nominal closure load.
Long-Term Impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention on Juvenile Offender Psychosocial Functioning

Abstract We report the results of a study of the long-term impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI) on the psychosocial functioning among youths processed at the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center who entered the project between September 1, 1994 and January 31, 1998. The FEI seeks to improve family functioning by empowering parents. Families involved in the project were randomly assigned to either receive an Extended Services Intervention (ESI) or the FEI. Families in the ESI group received monthly phone contacts and, if indicated, referral information; FEI families received three one-hour, home-based meetings per week from a clinician-trained paraprofessional. The results provide support for the sustained effect of FEI services. Analysis indicated that youths who completed the FEI had statistically significant lower rates of reported getting very high or drunk on alcohol, and claimed frequency of participation in crimes against persons, drug sales, and total delinquency, at last obs...
Customer relationship management strategic application and organizational effectiveness: an empirical investigation

This study was undertaken to study the impact of customer relationship management (CRM) as a strategic approach on overall organizational effectiveness and to identify barriers that affect CRM success. A survey of customer relationship management practices was developed and distributed to 500 randomly selected financial service providers in the United States. Follow‐up interviews were also conducted with key managers among several financial service providers. The results show that organizations generally considered themselves successful at managing their customer relationship management programs. However, while they have achieved significant improvement in customer responsiveness and performance, they have not reached the order of magnitude of improvements ascribed to customer relationship management. This exploratory empirical investigation provides insight into the effectiveness of implementing a customer relationship management strategy approach for increasing the probability of success of the CRM appr...
Conformal re-irradiation of recurrent and new primary head-and-neck cancer

Abstract Purpose: To review the outcome of head-and-neck cancer patients re-irradiated using conformal radiation. Patients and Methods: From 1983 to 1999, 60 patients with recurrent or new primary head-and-neck cancer received re-irradiation at the University of Michigan. Twenty patients were excluded due to the planned cumulative radiation dose being less than 100 Gy (18) and absence of prior radiation details (2), leaving 40 patients. Thirty-five patients were re-irradiated for unresectable disease, while 4 patients received adjuvant re-irradiation for high-risk disease. Thirty-eight patients had recurrences from previously treated cancer (19 regional, 14 local, 5 regional and local), and 2 patients had new primary tumors. The median time from the first course of radiation to re-irradiation was 21 months. Thirty-one patients (78%) were re-irradiated with curative intent, whereas 9 were treated with palliative intent. Re-irradiation was delivered using conformal techniques in the majority of patients and with concurrent chemotherapy in 14 patients. The median re-irradiation dose was 60 Gy. The median cumulative dose received was 121 Gy. Five patients (13%) did not complete their prescribed course of re-irradiation. Results: The median survival following completion of re-irradiation was 12.5 months. The 1- and 2-year actuarial survival rates were 51.1% and 32.6%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, palliative intent of treatment, tumor bulk, and tumor site other than nasopharynx or larynx were associated with worse survival. The patients treated for unresectable disease did no worse than those treated adjuvantly. The median times to relapse-free survival, local-regional recurrence (LRR)-free survival, and ultimate LRR-free survival (allowing for surgical salvage) were 3.9 months, 7.8 months, and 8.7 months, respectively. Seven patients (18%) are presently alive with no evidence of disease, with a median follow-up of 49.9 months (range 3.3–78.9). Severe radiation-induced complications were seen in 7 patients (18%). Two other patients developed orocutaneous fistulas in the presence of tumor recurrence. Moderate fibrosis and trismus were common. Conclusion: Despite the use of conformal techniques, the prognosis of patients treated with re-irradiation is poor, and complications are not infrequent. A subset of patients is salvageable, and high-dose re-irradiation should be considered in selected patients.
Neutron scattering study of the phase transition in s-triazine at high pressure

Abstract The elastic transition in s-triazine (C3N3H3) from a trigonal ( R 3 c ) high temperature (low pressure) structure to a monoclinic (C2/c) low temperature (high pressure) phase has been investigated at pressures up to 5 kbar using neutron scattering techniques. Neutron diffraction was used to measure the pressure dependence of the order parameter and inelastic scattering to study the softening of the transverse acoustic phonon modes on three isotherms. In both cases the effect of pressure on the transition is found to be described primarily by that on the temperature of the transition.
Protein kinase: altered regulation in a hepatoma cell line deficient in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-binding protein.

Abstract Although protein kinase activity in HTC (hepatoma) cell cytosol is 3 times higher than liver, cAMP results in a 5–6 fold greater stimulation of kinase activity in the latter. HTC cytosol binds much less cAMP than liver (0.23 vs. 2.20 pmoles/mg). Since liver cAMP-binding protein inhibits HTC kinase, it appears that the altered kinase regulation in HTC cells is largely related to the deficiency of cAMP-binding protein.
Model-Independent Method of Analyzing Input in Linear Pharmacokinetic Systems Having Polyexponential Impulse Response I: Theoretical Analysis

A rigorous treatment of linear compartmental systems is presented, which allows the input rate of drugs into the systemic circulation to be evaluated without assuming a specific kinetic model. The method allows the input to be evaluated in the presence or absence of any combination of intravenous bolus input and infusion input. Only data for the blood drug concentration are required; there are no requirements for specific sampling times. Applications of the equations are given in several examples. The input rate is evaluated with data obtained from a disposition experiment involving an intravenous bolus or zero-order infusion input and an experiment involving the input to be evaluated. The two experiments can be merged so that the input can be evaluated without a washout period between the two drug administrations. The equations also enable model-independent calculations of the optimal drug input control that produces any desirable drug concentration profile. The approach is a useful deconvolution method for any linear pharmacokinetic system where the impulse response can be approximated by a polyexponential expression.
MR Imaging of the Amide-Proton Transfer Effect and the pH-Insensitive Nuclear Overhauser Effect at 9.4 T

The amide proton transfer (APT) effect has emerged as a unique endogenous molecular imaging contrast mechanism with great clinical potentials. However, in vivo quantitative mapping of APT using the conventional asymmetry analysis is difficult due to the confounding nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) and the asymmetry of the magnetization transfer effect. Here, we showed that the asymmetry of magnetization transfer contrast from immobile macromolecules is highly significant, and the wide spectral separation associated with a high magnetic field of 9.4 T delineates APT and NOE peaks in a Z-spectrum. Therefore, high-resolution apparent APT and NOE maps can be obtained from measurements at three offsets. The apparent APT value was greater in gray matter compared to white matter in normal rat brain and was sensitive to tissue acidosis and correlated well with apparent diffusion coefficient in the rat focal ischemic brain. In contrast, no ischemia-induced contrast was observed in the apparent NOE map. The concentration dependence and the pH insensitivity of NOE were confirmed in phantom experiments. Our results demonstrate that in vivo apparent APT and NOE maps can be easily obtained at high magnetic fields and the pH-insensitive NOE may be a useful indicator of mobile macromolecular contents.
Mechanism of production of scoliosis:a hypothesis

On the basis of previous studies on the vertebral column and thoracic skeleton, the author generated a hypothesis for the mechanism of production of scoliosis. According to this hypothesis, vertical stability of the thoracic spine is maintained by equal support through the ribs from both sides due to the equal load brought to the lamin by both the ribs through the costotransverse articulations and ligaments. Any interference in this balancing mechanism will disturb the mechanism of spinal stability, and the spine will bend toward the more heavier loaded side at the intervertebral joints. On the basis of this hypothesis, mechanisms of production of scoliosis (both in experimental animals and humans) after removal of ribs on one side can be explained. Removal of the ribs from one side produces an imbalance in the symmetric weight transmission through the ribs on the two sides. Pathologic deformations within the vertebrae in scoliosis results from the asymmetric load and the altered route of the load transmission on the convex side of the curve.
Intermittent On/Off Prostaglandin E2 and Risedronate Are Equally Anabolic as Daily PGE2 Alone Treatment in Cortical Bone of Ovariectomized Rats

In this study, we evaluated the rat cortical bone changes after a two-cycle, 60-day each (ON/OFF/ON/OFF) treatment with either prostaglandin E2 (OVX/c-PGE2) alone or in combination with risedronate (OVX/c-PGE2+Ris), in comparison with daily treatment with PGE2 for 240 days (OVX/PGE2−240d) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. At the end of the study, we found that: (1) the overall effectiveness of the treatment on bone mass in the tibial shaft indicates the following ranking: OVX/PGE2−240d = OVX/c-PGE2+Ris > OVX/c-PGE2 > OVX/c-Ris ≥ OVX = aging; (2) the same bone mass and architecture were produced in the OVX/PGE2−240d and the OVX/c-PGE2+Ris groups, but the histomorphometric profiles differed in that the former exhibited a higher bone turnover and index of resorption; (3) OVX/c-PGE2+Ris treatment prevented endocortical bone loss and minimized trabecular bone loss during the OFF periods; and (4) the OVX/c-PGE2 alone treatment resulted in the accumulation of less total bone than OVX/PGE2−240d and OVX/c-PGE2+Ris because it could not maintain most of the new subendocortical and marrow trabecular bone generated earlier. In summary, both continuous daily PGE2 and two cycles ON/OFF combined PGE2 and Ris treatments result in more bone mass than two cycles ON/OFF PGE2 alone and Ris alone in estrogen-deficient rats. This study showed that the anabolic effects of PGE2 can be induced and maintained either by continuous administration or by cyclical PGE2+Ris.
Generation and pulsewidth characterization of high repetition rate soft x-ray lasers operating at 13.2 nm and 13.9 nm

We have demonstrated saturated lasing at 13.2 nm and 13.9 nm in Ni-like ions at a repetition rate of 5 Hz using a table-top pump laser. Streak camera pulse width measurement shows that Ni-like Cd transient lasers excited at grazing incidence have pulse durations of ~5 ps, corresponding to laser peak powers of 0.1-0.2 MW. Intense picosecond duration laser pulses in the 100 eV spectral region are available for the first time at high repetition rate for applications
K-ABC/WISC-R Factor Analysis for a Learning Disabled Population:

A group of 198 children who were either referred for learning disabilities or diagnosed as learning disabled were tested on both the WISC-R and K-ABC. Factor analysis of the K-ABC supported the construct validity of the test for learning disabled children. Joint factor analysis of the K-ABC and WISC-R produced a three-factor and a four-factor solution that were both meaningful and clinically interesting. Factors corresponding to the three K-ABC scales generally converged with the three well known WISC-R factors. The emergence of a Reading Ability factor in the joint analysis proved to be an interesting difference between the findings for learning disabled and normal children. Canonical correlation analysis supported the results of the joint factor analysis.
Large Eddy Simulation of the Wake Behind a Turning Ship

This study examines the dynamics of turbulent flow in the wake of a turning ship using the large eddy simulation (LES) technique. LES is applied in conjunction with a random flow generation (RFG) technique originally developed at West Virginia University to provide unsteady inflow boundary conditions. As the ship is turning, the effects of the Coriolis and centrifugal forces on vortical structures are included. The effects of the Coriolis force on the flow-field are assessed and a grid sensitivity study is performed. The predicted turbulence structures are analyzed and compared with the wake of a non-turning ship.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Comment on the Reports of Over-estimation of ASCVD Risk Using the 2013 AHA/ACC Risk Equation

We read with interest the comment by Ridker and Cook in The Lancet 1 on the new atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk equation released by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association.2 They showed that the new risk equation overestimates ASCVD risk when applied in several cohort studies. One of these studies was the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study,3 which was used in the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines to validate the ASCVD risk equation. As REGARDS investigators, we are writing to provide clarification on design components of REGARDS and other contemporary cardiovascular epidemiology studies cited by Ridker and Cook that could contribute to lower-than-expected event numbers. We offer 4 possible explanations for the apparent overestimation of ASCVD risk by the new equation. In our opinion, these explanations suggest that the ASCVD risk equation may be more valid than has been suggested by Ridker and Cook. First, the studies used to develop the ASCVD risk equation included “active surveillance” to supplement self-report for identifying possible events. For example, in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study (1 of the studies used in developing the ASCVD risk equation), investigators identified possible ASCVD events using 2 approaches: (1) study staff telephoned participants or their proxies annually to identify hospitalizations and deaths; and (2) they searched lists of International Classification of Diseases codes from area hospitals …
Report-Order Inversions: Feature Mislocalizations or Difficulties in Left-Right Location Judgments?

Summary Report-order inversions for two parafoveally presented stimuli were examined by presenting the pair members side by side or one above the other. Regardless of whether the pair appeared above, below, to the left of, or to the right of fixation, inversions predominated when members were presented side by side. Instead of stemming from feature mislocalizations which sometimes place distinctive features from the more peripheral figure to the foveal side of the more foveal member, inversions seem to stem from the particular difficulty humans have in judging left from right.
Chiral properties of the fermionic determinant in quantum chromodynamics

We study gauge-invariant Green's functions of quark-antiquark bilinear densities in massless, two-color quantum chromodynamics. We take into account nonzero-energy fermion modes, pseudoparticle solutions with topological charge $|\ensuremath{\nu}|g1$, and $n$-point functions with $ng2$. Some general properties of the $O(\ensuremath{\hbar})$ approximation are developed, enabling us to isolate and define the terms which contribute to a general $n$-point function. We find the higher effects preserve the symmetry breakdown found earlier in the 2-point function [U(2) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} U(2)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}SU(2) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} SU(2) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} U(1)].
Mutiny by Mutation: Uses of Neoteny in Science Fiction

Developmentalism and Romanticism represent contrary poles in an absolutist dichotomy that frames most Western discourse on childhood. This opposition is generally recognized in current childhood studies but the former discourse still dominates institutional practices. Both views, however, rely on similar presumptions—that development is a linear process, whether an ascent or descent; that childhood as a subjective position is best understood through simple absolutes; that through studying children we can know them and even learn about our adult selves. These common premises reinforce each discourse’s credibility and obscure their contradictions, justifying adult projections and stereotypes. In this essay I demonstrate the deconstruction of this binary in science fiction (my samples come from texts written for or popular among adolescents) and examine the more empowering views posited therein, exemplified by interpreting evolution as neotenous, or led by children.
Competition for Resources: A Reexamination of Sibship Composition Models of Parental Investment

The predictions of resource dilution and sibship gender composition models of educational investment are tested using the Japanese Nationwide Survey on Families (N = 6,985). Japan is an important case because of its postindustrial economy, coupled with high levels of dependence on parental investment to attend a university and persisting gender inequality in educational attainment. In previous between-family analyses of educational attainment in Japan, boys were found to drain resources from their sisters. The within-family, multilevel models of parental educational investments in this analysis show that girls with college-educated brothers fare better than their peers without brothers. An alternative model incorporating the educational investments received by brothers in the same family is proposed.
Mechanistic study of beta-hydrogen elimination from organoplatinum(II) enolate complexes.

A detailed mechanistic investigation of the thermal reactions of a series of bisphosphine alkylplatinum(II) enolate complexes is reported. The reactions of methylplatinum enolate complexes in the presence of added phosphine form methane and either free or coordinated enone, depending on the steric properties of the enone. Kinetic studies were conducted to determine the relationship between the rates and mechanism of β-hydrogen elimination from enolate complexes and the rates and mechanism of β-hydrogen elimination from alkyl complexes. The rates of reactions of the enolate complexes were inversely dependent on the concentration of added phosphine, indicating that β-hydrogen elimination from the enolate complexes occurs after reversible dissociation of a phosphine. A normal, primary kinetic isotope effect was measured, and this effect was consistent with rate-limiting β-hydrogen elimination or C−H bond-forming reductive elimination to form methane. Reactions of substituted enolate complexes were also studi...
Outcome in patients with nonleukemic granulocytic sarcoma treated with chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is an extramedullary tumor composed of immature myeloid cells. The objectives of this study were to describe the frequency, presenting characteristics, and survival in patients with nonleukemic GS by conducting a review of all untreated patients presenting to the MD Anderson Cancer Center between January 1990 and June 2002. In all, 21 patients with nonleukemic GS, 1520 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and 402 patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were identified. GS occurred in 1.4% of patients with AML, and 1.1% of patients with AML or high-risk MDSs. The median patient age was 57 years (range, 7-81). Among 20 patients with available cytogenetics in tissue and/or bone marrow, six had chromosome 8 abnormalities. The median follow-up of surviving patients is 12 months (range, 7-75). In all, 20 patients were treated. Patients were treated with AML-type chemotherapy (n=16), chemotherapy and radiotherapy (n=3), or radiotherapy alone (n=1). A total of 13 patients (65%) achieved complete remission and one patient (5%) achieved partial remission. The median overall survival was 20 months (range, 1-75), median overall failure-free survival was 12 months (range, 1-75). The median survival of patients with chromosome 8 abnormalities was 12 months compared with 40 months of those without (P=0.17). Novel therapies for patients with GS are required.
Fuzzy-logic-based approach to color quality processing

The development of high resolution spectrophotometers and colorimeters, combined with its portability and large data processing abilities, has made the color evaluation process easier and faster. Although these instruments are very useful for rapid pass or fail color inspections in many industries such as, the automotive industry, textile industry, etc., the final decision depends primarily upon a subjective visual assessment. Besides spectral analysis, which is useful in colorant selection, the interrelationship between various environmental factors, metamerism, and texture and composition of the material (substrate), has made visual coordination an acceptable methodology to obtain a repeatable finish and color quality. Subjective assessment in color matching, especially in colors that closely resemble one another, leads to laborious and time consuming adjustments that have to be performed to obtain the right concentration of the colorants. Color evaluation and color mixing for a given material surface are interdependent. Although there are analytical methods that provide a means for colorant analysis, their application is cumbersome and involves complex calculations. In this paper we develop a fuzzy approach to obtain optimal color correlation between visual assessment, computed color differences, and colorant composition.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Aligned wafer bonding: a key to three dimensional microstructures

Successful fabrication of critically aligned three dimensional structures has been achieved by combining precision alignment procedures and techniques for direct silicon bonding. This produces three dimensional bonded layers that might include combinations of mechanical, electronic and/or optical elements formed in separate prefabricated layers. We call this techniquealigned wafer bonding. The precise aligned bonding of the features was done with an Optical AssociatesHyperline 400 Infrared Aligner. This machine can hold two imprinted wafers face to face while projecting an infrared image of the surfaces to a viewing screen. An array of alignment marks were etched into the surface of silicon wafers with hot potassium hydroxide. These V-grooves were then precisely aligned and the wafers were brought into contact for initial bonding. Subsequent high temperature annealing was used to strengthen and complete the chemical bonding. The instrumentation used in this work required alignment features with a vertical dimension of 30 micrometers to produce a suitable infrared image. We found that the apparent size of the images produced by the optical system limited the accuracy in precision alignment. However, with reduced wafer separation, we achieved wafer alignment with an accuracy of better than 5 micrometers. This technique would generally be used for the precision alignment and bonding of complementary micromechanical, electrical, or optical structures during the formation of three dimensional devices. The details of the aligned wafer bonding and its applications are presented.
Development of a Frequency-Domain Multi-Spectral Breast Diffuse Optical Tomography Instrument

We describe the current state and development of a 3 rd generation Diffuse Optical Tomography breast imaging device. Preliminary data and results will be presented.
Effects of calcium channel entry blockers on cocaine and amphetamine-induced motor activities and toxicities

The effects of calcium channel entry blockers on cocaine and amphetamine-induced behavioral responses were investigated. Cocaine and amphetamine produced dose-dependent increases in locomotor activity and stereotyped behavior with a maximum response at 40 and 1.2 mg/kg, respectively. The 1,4-dihydropyridine nimodipine and the benzothiazepine diltiazem were more effective in inhibiting cocaine (20 mg/kg)-induced responses than amphetamine (0.6 mg/kg)-induced responses. At doses of cocaine and amphetamine that caused seizures and death, nimodipine, nitrendipine and diltiazem did not offer any protection; rather, they potentiated the toxicities produced by these psychomotor stimulants.
Modulation of CREB and NF-κB signal transduction by cannabinol in activated thymocytes

Cannabinoid compounds inhibit the cAMP signalling cascade in leukocytes. One of these compounds, cannabinol (CBN) has been shown to inhibit interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression and the activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and nuclear factor for immunoglobulin kappa chain in B cells (NF-kappaB) following phorbol-12-myristate-13 acetate (PMA) plus ionomycin (Io) treatment of thymocytes. Therefore, the objective of the present studies was to determine the role of cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) in the CBN-mediated inhibition of IL-2, CREB, and NF-kappaB in PMA/Io-activated thymocytes. The inhibition of CREB/ATF-1 phosphorylation, or cAMP response element (CRE) or kappaB DNA binding activity produced by CBN in PMA/Io-activated thymocytes, could not be reversed by DBcAMP costimulation. Furthermore, DBcAMP failed to reverse the concentration-dependent inhibition of IL-2 protein secretion by CBN. Pretreatment of thymocytes with H89 produced a modest inhibition of PMA/Io-induced CREB/ATF-1 phosphorylation and CRE DNA binding activity but H89 had no effect on protein binding to a kappaB motif. Additionally, H89 modestly inhibited PMA/Io-induced IL-2 secretion. In light of the modest involvement of the cAMP pathway in CBN-mediated inhibition of CREB and IL-2 in PMA/Io-activated thymocytes, PD098059 (PD), the MEK inhibitor, was utilized to determine the role of ERK MAP kinases in thymocytes. ERKs play a critical role in IL-2 production but not for CREB phsophorylation. Collectively, these findings suggest that CBN may modulate several signalling pathways in activated T cells.