cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gonadotropin Produced by a Microorganism

Production of a factor resembling chorionic gonadotropin (CG) by a microorganism named Progenitor cryptocides was reported by Livingston and Livingston (1974) and Cohen and Strampp (1976). The factor was tentatively identified as a CG-like substance based on hemagglutination inhibition assay, radioimmunoassay (RIA), and radio-receptor assay (RRA) methods. Recently, with use of immunocytochemical techniques, Acevedo and associates (1978, 1979) and Slifkin et al. (1979) demonstrated that CG-like immunoreactive substance is present in the cell wall of several microorganisms which were isolated from patients bearing malignant neoplasms. Furthermore, Richert and Ryan (1977a) reported that the media in which Pseudomonas maltophilia were cultured may contain a protein which cross-reacts with antisera to hCG and hCGB. Other microorganisms which were reported to produce or contain CG-like factor are Escherichia Coli (Cohen and Strampp, 1976), Staphylococcus epidermidis (Affronti et al., 1977a, b; Affronti and Charoenvit, 1979) and Staphylococcus faecalis (Koide et al., 1979).
Protein–Ligand Interactions: Molecular Basis

The binding of ligand (typically, a small molecule) to a highly specific site on a protein molecule is an obligatory initial event in almost every life process. Keywords: protein; ligand; equilibrium; thermodynamics; binding constant; dissociation constant; pH; kinetics
Comprehensive Sequence Analysis

OMIGA 1.1 . Oxford Molecular Group Inc. Oxford, UK. Industry $1995; academic/government $1495. Phone: (800) 876-9994. products{at}oxmol.com In this review, Calvet assesses the comprehensive DNA and protein sequence analysis program OMIGA 1.1 and finds it powerful and easy to use.
Convergence of a block coordinate descent method for nondifferentiable minimization

We study the convergence properties of a (block) coordinate descent method applied to minimize a nondifferentiable (nonconvex) function f(x 1, . . . , x N ) with certain separability and regularity properties. Assuming that f is continuous on a compact level set, the subsequence convergence of the iterates to a stationary point is shown when either f is pseudoconvex in every pair of coordinate blocks from among N-1 coordinate blocks or f has at most one minimum in each of N-2 coordinate blocks. If f is quasiconvex and hemivariate in every coordinate block, then the assumptions of continuity of f and compactness of the level set may be relaxed further. These results are applied to derive new (and old) convergence results for the proximal minimization algorithm, an algorithm of Arimoto and Blahut, and an algorithm of Han. They are applied also to a problem of blind source separation.
National context and organizational performance across three sectors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of diffusional pressures as they relate to organizational performance (OP) across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors in two different national contexts. Design/methodology/approach – A review is conducted of institutional forces in the environment of two nations; one highly developed and the other developing to identify isomorphic pressures in each of the countries. An organizational performance assessment (OPA) tool is used to analyze the differences in the performance of the three sectors in the two national contexts identified. The research relies on Pearson correlation, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and MANCOVA statistical applications to validate the assessment instrument and shed light on differences across nations and sectors that can be attributed to organizational diffusion as a result of institutional pressures that exist in the countries in which the organizations are embedded. Findings – The fin...
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Evolution From Fibrinolytic Therapy to a Fibrinolytic Strategy for Patients With ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction”

I thank Drs Weiss and Gotsman for their interest in my editorial and respectfully acknowledge their pioneering work on prehospital fibrinolytic therapy. The potential benefit of prehospital compared with in-hospital fibrinolytic therapy was nicely demonstrated in a meta-analysis of 6 randomized, clinical trials including 6434 patients with ST-elevation–elevation myocardial infarction.1 Prehospital therapy produced a 17% relative risk reduction and 2% absolute risk reduction for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.70–0.98; P =0.03). Additionally, a retrospective substudy analysis including 596 patients from 2 randomized, clinical trials suggested a 1-year mortality advantage for prehospital fibrinolytic therapy compared with primary percutaneous coronary …
THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF THE FOLATE ANTAGONISTS IN MAN.

Summary The folate antagonists, in particular amethopterin (methotrexate), continue to be useful drugs for the treatment of certain neoplastic diseases in man. The effectiveness of amethopterin in preventing DNA synthesis and cellular replication appears to be a consequence of inhibition of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. This premise is supported by in vivo studies which show that in patients treated with amethopterin, the conversion of folate to reduced forms is blocked, as well as in vitro studies which demonstrate that amethopterin inhibits this enzyme activity at remarkably low concentrations. The administration of amethopterin to subjects with leukemia as well as to subjects without hematologic disease results in increased dihydrofolate reductase activity in leukocytes and erythrocytes. This “induction” of dihydrofolate reductase activity parallels the amethopterin concentration in blood cells. The binding of the folate antagonist to the reductase enzyme is tightest at pH 5.9. Because of the in vitro assay conditions (dilution of the enzyme and inhibitor and assay at pH 8.3), this increase in enzyme activity observed in vitro may not represent a true increase of enzyme activity, since most of the increased enzyme activity may be bound by amethopterin within the cell. A knowledge of the ability of leukemic cells to transport and retain amethopterin may be of value in the prediction of responsiveness to therapy with this agent. However, other factors that deserve further investigation are cited that may also influence responsiveness.
Spectra and structures of metal-carbon monoxide compounds—II: Manganese and rhenium decacarbonyls☆

Abstract The infra-red absorption spectra of Mn2(CO)10 and Re2(CO)10 have been measured from 450–3000 cm−1 in the solid, in solution, and in the gas phase. The spectra are interpreted according to a method of local symmetry, and two possible structures, both involving a pseudo-ring of carbon monoxide ligands lying between the metal atoms, are suggested.
A two‐layer model to simulate variations in surface water chemistry draining a northern forest watershed

[1] Seasonal patterns are evident in surface water chemistry draining forested headwaters in the northeastern United States. This variation in surface water chemistry is largely driven by seasonal fluctuations in hydrologic flow paths and biological activity. Especially during spring snowmelt, high-flow conditions are characterized by high concentrations of NO3‒, naturally occurring organic anions and aluminum species, and depression in surface water pH and acid neutralizing capacity (ANC). Under extreme conditions, decreases in pH and ANC and increases in aluminum can have adverse effects on aquatic biota. As a result, there is a critical need to be able to simulate seasonal variations in surface water acid-base chemistry. Previously, a single soil layer biogeochemical model (PnET-BGC) was found to be inadequate to simulate seasonal variations in stream chemistry draining acid-sensitive forest watersheds. In order to better simulate the seasonal variations in the acid-base chemistry of surface waters, a two-layer model (PnET-BGC2) was formulated and applied to a northern forest ecosystem. End-member mixing analysis was used to better understand hydrologic flow paths contributing to temporal patterns in stream chemistry and to parameterize the model. The resulting two-layer model is generally able to reproduce the seasonal variations in surface water runoff, concentrations of base cations, SO42‒, NO3‒, pH, and ANC.
How do student and school characteristics influence youth academic achievement in Ghana? A hierarchical linear modeling of Ghana YouthSave baseline data

Abstract Few attempts have been made to examine the influence of student and school factors on academic achievement of youth in West Africa. We examined student- and school-level predictors of academic achievement of Ghanaian junior high school students. Age, gender, academic self-efficacy, and commitment to school are significantly associated with math and English scores. Class size and the presence of toilet facility are significant predictors of English scores. Given the long-standing debate of whether student characteristics or school resources have larger effects on academic achievement, this study presents evidence on the importance of student characteristics on Ghanaian youth's academic achievement.
Time-varying effects in models for current-mode control

This paper investigates issues in modeling of current-mode controlled DC-DC converters. The effects of the current-sampling intrinsic to current-mode control are analyzed, and inadequately recognized limitations of linear, time invariant models at high frequencies are exposed. The paper also examines the geometric methods used to derive duty ratio constraints in averaged models of current-mode control. The conclusions are supported by simulation and experimental results. >
Altered proteoglycan metabolism in mouse limb mesenchyme cell cultures treated with vitamin A.

Abstract The inhibition of chondrogenesis by vitamin A was examined in mouse limb mesenchyme cultures. Chondrogenesis in control cultures was characterized by increased synthesis of proteoglycans composed predominantly of chondroitin sulfate. The proteoglycans synthesized in vitamin A cultures were smaller than those from cartilage and were found to contain mainly heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. No indication of increased proteoglycan degradation resulting from vitamin A treatment was observed. The similarity in size and glycosaminoglycan composition of proteoglycans from control cultures prior to chondrogenesis and vitamin A cultures suggests that vitamin A maintains the cells in a mesenchyme-like state. Vitamin A also stimulated the mannosylation of a specific fraction of glycopeptides.
Anthropology in the Public Sphere, 2008: Emerging Trends and Significant Impacts

ABSTRACT The themes, trends, and significant events of 2008 demonstrate that anthropology has established a new foothold in the public sphere—one that makes the most of novel forms of communication to reach far beyond the ivory tower to disseminate knowledge widely and freely. This review focuses on six topical areas of robust anthropological research in 2008 that also addressed some of the year's most pressing problems and issues, including the following: (1) war and peace; (2) climate change; (3) natural, industrial, and development-induced disaster recovery; (4) human rights; (5) health disparities; and (6) racial understanding, politics, and equity in the United States. It concludes by addressing some emerging issues in 2009 that especially require anthropological attention and insight, if we are to move beyond “business as usual.”[Keywords: practicing anthropology, public anthropology, 2009 trends, anthropological impacts]
A cellular mechanism for myogenic regulation of cat cerebral arteries.

Autoregulation of cerebral blood flow is accomplished through integration of metabolic, neurogenic and myogenic mechanisms. Myogenic mechanisms involve activation of cerebral arterial muscle cells as transmural pressure increases, providing a means through which vessel caliber can be regulated to maintain blood flow constant. The cellular mechanisms involved in this myogenic response may involve changes in the electrical potential across the plasma membrane. When isolated cat middle cerebral arteries are cannulated and prepared in a manner allowing manipulation of transmural pressure, the muscle cell membrane depolarizes as pressure increases. The degree of membrane depolarization in response to an elevated pressure is dependent upon extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca]0), increasing as [Ca]0 is elevated and markedly decreasing as [Ca]0 is reduced to low levels. When these arterial preparations are maintained at a physiological pressure of around 100 mm Hg, spontaneous action potentials can be recorded which increase in frequency upon further elevation in pressure. Vessels exhibiting such electrical activity can be observed to decrease in diameter as pressure is increased. Such finding suggest a membrane electrical mechanism for myogenic autoregulation of cerebral arteries.
PRAIRIE INCLUSIONS IN THE DECIDUOUS FOREST CLIMAX

In the deciduous forest of the central states small fragments of prairie frequently occur (see fig. I). These vary in area from a few square feet to several acres, occurring usually on hillsides exposed to the south, southeast, or southwest. Shimek (5, 6, 7) has noted them in northwestern Iowa and along the Missouri River; Pammel, MacDonald, and Clark (2) along the Missouri River in Iowa; Vestal (8) in Illinois; Pool, Weaver, and Jean (3) in southeastern Nebraska, and the writer in the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio. During the spring and summer of 19I7, near Peru, in southeastern Nebraska, the writer studied intensively two small inclusions in relation to the surrounding forest. The data collected in this study are important in explaining the occurrence of prairie inclusions.
A PROTRACTED FORAGING AND ATTENDANCE CYCLE IN FEMALE JUAN FERNÁNDEZ FUR SEALS

Previous studies of fur seals suggest that the attendance patterns and consequent temporal patterning of energy transfer from mother to pup follows a latitudinal cline. While data from subpolar, tropical, and some temperate latitude species support the postulated cline, data for the temperate latitude Juan Fernandez fur seal do not. Maternal foraging trips and associated visits ashore were the longest of all otariids studied to date. The first foraging trip postpartum averaged 10.2 d (n= 51 females, range 1–22.5), foraging trips combined averaged 12.3 d (n= 100, range 1.0-25.0), and visits ashore averaged 5.3 d (n= 91, range 0.3-15.8) over the three seasons of study. Only duration of lactation was intermediate between subpolar and tropical strategies as predicted. Dive records suggest that these females feed almost exclusively at night at depths of less than 10 m and at distances of more than 500 km offshore. The prey species of this fur seal, primarily myctophids and squid, migrate to the surface at night and are patchily distributed. Foraging trip length varied between years in conjunction with shifts in seasurface temperature and type of prey consumed. We suggest that distribution of prey, irrespective of latitude, dictates foraging patterns of fur seals and leads to the exceptionally long foraging trips and visits ashore observed in this species.
Theory of mesonic and dibaryonic excitations in πNN systems

Progress made in developing a ..pi..NN model for describing all NN and ..pi..d reactions up to intermediate energy regions is reported. An accurate ..pi..NN model is the starting point of developing a microscopic description of nuclear phenomena up to the energy region where pion production can occur. The model can be used to carry out many-nucleon calculations, such as the calculations of pion absorption and electroproduction of ..delta.. on nuclei. It reduces to existing nuclear theory in the low energy region. 5 refs., 6 figs.
A mouse with bad hair and poor taste

The tufted (tf) locus causes mice of the BTBR strain to lose hair in characteristic waves that spread from snout to tail. These mice are also indifferent to sweeteners, bitter compounds and calcium solutions. To positionally clone the underlying genes, we produced BTBR × NZW/LacJ F2 mice, phenotyped them with a series of taste preference tests, and conducted a genome scan. Preferences for several taste compounds were strongly linked to chromosome 17. To isolate this linkage we developed a congenic line by repeatedly backcrossing chromosome 17 BTBR.NZW mice to the BTBR strain. After 11 backcrosses, the congenic interval involved a 0.8-Mb region containing 21 genes. Tufted hair was present in mice that inherited the BTBR.BTBR haplotype but not the BTBR.NZW haplotype, implying that one of the 21 genes is responsible for the hair loss. A strong candidate to mediate taste deficits was Itpr3, the inositol triphosphate receptor type 3, which is a component of the taste transduction cascade. To evaluate this, we produced Itpr3 knockout mice and used complementation mapping to show that the BTBR form of Itpr3 is nonfunctional. Like the BTBR inbred and BTBR. BTBR congenic control mice, Itpr3 knockout mice were insensitive to sweet, bitter, calcium and other tastes mediated by G protein-coupled receptors. Sequencing the BTBR form of Itpr3 revealed a 12-bp deletion in exon 23, which probably causes the loss of function. Thus, the BTBR mouse has a defective Itpr3 gene to blame for both its bad hair and its poor taste perception.
Description of Wilsonipsylla spinicoxa, New Genus and Species of Flea from Papua New Guinea and Review of the Suborder Pygiopsyllomorpha (Insecta: Siphonaptera)

ABSTRACT The infraorders Ceratophyllomorpha, Hystrichopsyllomorpha, Pulicomorpha, and Pygiopsyllomorpha erected by Medvedev (1998) have been elevated to subordinal entities. A systematic review of the suborder Pygiopsyllomorpha is provided. Three families (Lycopsyllidae, Pygiopsyllidae, and Stivaliidae) are recognized in the superfamily Pygiopsylloidea and a new subfamily, Farhangiinae is erected within Stivaliidae. A new genus and species, Wilsonipsylla spinicoxa , is described in the family Stivaliidae. A generic key is provided for the suborder Pygiopsyllomorpha. To date, 84 valid flea species are recognized in “New Guinea” (West Papua and Papua New Guinea) (to include W. spinicoxa), while the author is aware of more than 30 additional new species from multiple described genera.
Mitochondrial ATP-Dependent Potassium Channels: Viable Candidate Effectors of Ischemic Preconditioninga

Pharmacological evidence has implicated ATP-dependent potassium (KATP) channels in the mechanism of ischemic preconditioning; however, the effects of sarcolemmal KATP channels on excitability cannot account for the protection. KATP channels also exist in mitochondrial inner membrane. To test whether such channels play a role in cardioprotection, we simultaneously measured flavoprotein fluorescence, an index of mitochondrial redox state, and sarcolemmal KATP currents in intact rabbit ventricular myocytes. Our results show that diazoxide, a KATP channel opener, induced reversible oxidation of flavoproteins, but did not activate sarcolemmal KATP channels. This effect of diazoxide was blocked by 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5-HD). We further verified that 5-HD is a selective blocker of the mitochondrial KATP channels. These methods have enabled us to demonstrate that the activity of mitochondrial KATP channels can be regulated by protein kinase C. In a cellular model of simulated ischemia, inclusion of diazoxide decreased the rate of cell death to about half of that in control. Such protection is inhibited by 5-HD. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that diazoxide targets mitochondrial but not sarcolemmal KATP channels, and imply that mitochondrial KATP channels may mediate preconditioning.
Reevaluation of the sections of Rhus L. subgenus lobadium (Raf.) T. & G. (Anacardiaceae)

Species ofRhus subgen.Lobadium have in the past been grouped into five sections:Pseudosumac, Stypkonia,Pseudoschmaltzia, Rhoeidium andLobadium. Reexamination of the morphological criteria used to delimit the sections, as well as consideration of data from flavonoid chemistry and wood anatomy, suggest that the affinities of this group of taxa are best reflected by recognizing three sections and three subsections. The namesPseudosumac andPseudoschmaltzia are rejected as beingnomina nuda.
Durable Fixation Achieved With Medialized, High Hip Center Cementless THAs for Crowe II and III Dysplasia

Background A high hip center total hip arthroplasty (THA) for dysplasia allows more complete socket coverage by native bone at the expense of abnormal hip biomechanics. Despite poor results with cemented components, intermediate-term results with cementless cups at a high hip center have been promising, but there are few reports at long-term followup without bone graft.
Y-Ba-Cu-O thin films as high-speed IR detectors

Y-Ba-Cu-O thin film infrared detectors were fabricated and studied with various lasers. Operation of the detector in both the bolometric and nonbolometric modes was investigated at 10 microns with a CO2 laser. In the bolometric mode, the detectivity of the detector at 90 K was 2.1 x 10 to the 8th cm sq rt Hz/W with a response time of 15 microsec, corresponding to a bandwidth of 70 KHz. The speed of the detector in the nonbolometric mode was much faster and was beyond the instrument resolution. With a picosecond N2 laser, the output showed an instrument limited duration of 2 ns. The detectivity could not be determined in the nonbolometric mode due to the extremely low noise. The superconducting film quality is critical to the performance of these detectors.
Promoting physical activity in communities: Approaches for successful evaluation of programs and policies

There are few studies evaluating changes made to enhance the activity friendliness of a community. The purpose of this paper is to review approaches that practitioners can use to evaluate interventions at the community level. Interventions at the community level address indicators across the physical, socio-cultural, institutional/organizational and political/economic environments. Evaluation approaches can include a variety of perceived and objective measures, including self-report surveys, in-depth interviews, environmental audits and use of existing data. The purpose of each approach, along with examples, is presented first, followed by a discussion of how and when each approach should be used and other considerations when evaluating interventions. In addition, this paper reviews special considerations for policy evaluation, while highlighting the need for such work. The paper concludes with a section discussing overarching challenges and lessons learned, including the use of multiple sources of data, participatory approaches and reliable and valid measurement tools.
Mechanical Properties of Infiltrated Alumina-Y-TZP Composites

Small Al 2 O 3 additions (∼4 vol%) made to Y-TZP using an infiltration technique increased the fracture toughness and strength by ∼15% and the amount of transgranular fracture. Ionic conductivity measurements showed decreased grain-boundary conductivity, confirming a change in the grain-boundary composition. The predominant failure origins for both the unmodified Y-TZP and the Al 2 O 3 -Y-TZP were surface flaws related to agglomerates in the original powder. Finishing reduced the severity of these flaws and substantially increased the strength of both materials (>50%). The infiltration approach introduced a new flaw population in some specimens ; however, this problem was overcome by a simple processing modification.
Estimation of random bending strain using a scanning laser vibrometer

Results are presented which were obtained from vibration measurements at discrete locations on a randomly excited structure to estimate the power spectral density of bending strain. The technique is intended to be applied using a scanning laser vibrometer to allow a non-contacting measurement of random bending strain over the surface of a structure. The experimental setup is described along with the data analysis procedure. The results presented here indicate that the method is practical and can lead to reliable estimates.
The Circulation and Salinity Distribution of the Upper Potomac Estuary

Salinity and current data from the Upper Potomac estuary have been analyzed to determine the intensity of the internal circulation. One set of data, collected during the fall of 1973, suggested that a reverse flow existed as far upstream as Maryland Point. Data taken during other periods indicated that an estuarine circulation, with a reverse flow in the lower layer, was not well developed above Morgantown. However, the net seaward flow did decrease significantly with depth at all stations below Douglas Point causing vertical shear in the mean profiles and, although there was no direct observational evidence from the measurements, it is possible that a return flow existed close to the bottom at some of the stations.
Dealing in Difference: Comparative Law's Potential for Broadening Legal Perspectives

Comparative law is a field which by definition deals with and analyzes the other, the different. This characteristic suggests its immediate relevance for major intellectual legal debates and practical legal issues of our time which also focus on the role of the different or other. The diverse communities in contemporary democracies, previously unnoticed within what formerly frequently passed for homogeneous legal cultures, pose increasing and disconcerting challenges to constitutional law's ability to protect the rights of all of a state's constituencies.1 Similarly, the emerging European Union of the next millennium will have to cope with issues of distinctive national traditions and sovereignty within a developing body politic that strives to attain arguably incompatible goals of political and cultural freedoms and, simultaneously, supranational uniformity in legal standards and in political and civil rights. Modern theoretical work in legal scholarship reflects these national and international concerns. Feminist and critical race theory have focused on how to reconcile concepts of justice and equality with the recognition of differences within and among communities whose needs may appear to be mutually irreconcilable, and whose discourses may appear to be mutually incommunicable.2 Contemporary legal and societal issues, as well as contemporary scholarly develop-
Reactions to “Ethical challenges and complexities of including people with intellectual disability as participants in research” by Dr Teresa Iacono

We thank the Editor for this opportunity to react to the excellent article by Dr Teresa Iacono (Iacono, 2006). Dr Iacono has done an outstanding job of describing creative solutions for obtaining a...
Development of a bead-based multiplex assay for simultaneous quantification of cytokines in horses.

Abstract The detection and quantification of equine cytokines has been hampered by the lack of antibodies for many years. With the development of antibody pairs for equine cytokines during the past years, the quantification of these essential regulators of the immune response became possible. After being successfully tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), three of these anti-cytokine reagents were used here to establish the first cytokine multiplex assay for equine IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-α. A fluorescent bead-based system was used as matrix for this assay that allows the simultaneous detection of the cytokines in a single sample by a Luminex analyzer. Equine recombinant cytokine/IgG fusion proteins were validated as standards for quantification of the individual cytokines. The analytical sensitivities of the multiplex assay were found to be 40 pg/ml for IL-4 and 15 pg/ml for IL-10 and IFN-α. The sensitivity of cytokine detection by the multiplex assay was increased by 13- to 150-fold compared to the corresponding ELISA. The specificity of the multiplex assay was validated using cell culture supernatants from equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with different mitogens or infected with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). As predicted, supernatants from PBMC stimulated with different mitogens contained IL-4 and IL-10, but no IFN-α. EHV-1 infection of PBMC resulted in a dose-dependent secretion of IFN-α. Low concentrations of IL-10 were also measured. IL-4 was not detectable in these samples. The resulting detection pattern found for the multiplex analysis and assays performed with individual standard cytokines indicated that individual bead assays did not interfere or cross-react during simultaneous detection of equine IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-α. The equine cytokine multiplex assay is a valuable and cost-effective tool for quantification of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-α and can be used for manifold immunological applications. In the future, the assay can also be expanded by adding bead assays for other equine cytokines and chemokines to the existing platform.
Immunology and Thoracic Surgery

This report reviews the current status of three types of diseases in which knowledge of immunology is changing the practice of thoracic surgery. Evidence is presented for myasthenia gravis being an autoimmune disease. Thymectomy is widely considered to be the therapy of choice for patients with generalized myasthenia regardless of age or sex. Opportunistic pulmonary infections of unusual types are being encountered frequently in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs for organ transplantation or malignancy. The important role of bronchial brushing and open lung biopsy is stressed. Immunotherapy of several types is currently being investigated experimentally and clinically and promises to change therapy for bronchogenic and esophageal neoplasms.
Monod kinetics for aerobic biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in unsaturated soil microcosms.

We use Monod kinetics to calibrate previously published data that document the aerobic biodegradation of hydrocarbon vapors in soil microcosms from a weathered petroleum spill site. Monod kinetics ...
Comment on using auroral spectra to detect extraterrestrial life

Syun Akasofu,in an opinion published in Eos [1999], suggests using auroral spectra as a tool to detect extraterrestrial life. He argues that the green line of atomic oxygen at 557.7 nm wavelength is direct evidence for the existence of free oxygen in a planetary atmosphere. As the green line in the terrestrial aurora arises mostly from the fact that plants release abundant free oxygen into the atmosphere by the photosynthesis process, detecting an extraterrestrial aurora would indicate that the possibility of the presence of plant life is high. This idea is a good one because auroral spectra point to two key elements of the existence of life: atmospheric oxygen and a magnetic field. It also extends the search for extraterrestrial intelligence to the search for lower life forms.
Heat stress and milk production in the South Carolina coastal plains.

Abstract A model developed for the South Carolina coastal plains relates hours with temperature-humidity index values above 74 and 80 to summer season daily milk production. When tested on an independent production data set for 1985, the root mean square model error was less than 1.3 kg/d per cow. The model can be used to develop expected summer season dairy production climatologies. Realtime milk production forecasts obtained using daily predicted maximum and minimum temperatures can be used in herd management to reduce effects of heat stress on productivity.
Mixed convective heat transfer from a heated sphere at an arbitrary incident flow angle in laminar flows

Abstract The mixed convection from a heated sphere for an arbitrary flow incident angle (θ) at low to moderate Reynolds numbers ( 1 ⩽ Re ⩽ 100 ) and Richardson numbers ( 0 ⩽ Ri ⩽ 5 ) is studied by an immersed boundary method, thereby investigating the influence of different flow incident angles ( 0 ⩽ θ ⩽ 180 ° ) on the buoyancy flow and heat transfer. The numerical method is validated by comparing the results with the simulation results of pure forced convection as well as those of mixed convection with assisting flow (0° flow incident angle) published in the literature. Extensive simulations for a wide range of different incident flow angles have been performed. New correlations are obtained for the overall Nusselt number (Nu) in terms of θ, Ri, and Re, showing a quadratic decrease in Nu with respect to θ only for 0 ° ⩽ θ ⩽ 90 ° (aiding and cross flow) and a half bell-shaped decrease in Nu for 90 ° θ ⩽ 180 ° (opposed flow). The combined treatment of mixed convection for the completely upward flow, cross flow, and completely downward flow (i.e. at incident angle 0°, 90° and 180°, respectively) was achieved showing almost linear relationships between the heat transfer rates and Ri for Ri ⩾ 1 .
Political Aspects of the Intersection of Sexual Orientation and Race in Higher Education in the United States: A Queer Scholar of Color's Perspective

(2007). Political Aspects of the Intersection of Sexual Orientation and Race in Higher Education in the United States: A Queer Scholar of Color's Perspective. Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 78-83.
Framing of climate change in newspaper coverage of the East Anglia e-mail scandal

In late 2009, a series of e-mails related to climate research were made public following the hacking into a server and the e-mail accounts of researchers at the University of East Anglia Climate Research Unit. According to some skeptics of climate change research, the content of those e-mails suggested data were being manipulated, while climate scientists said their words were taken out of context. The news coverage of this scandal provides an opportunity to consider media framing. This study has two aims: to extend previous research using a cluster analysis technique to discern frames in media texts; and to provide insight into newspaper coverage of the scandal, which is often referred to as "Climategate." This study examines the frames present in two British and two American newspapers' coverage of the issue.
Toward a theory of change in community-based practice with youth: A case-study exploration

Abstract Community organizations are potentially important mechanisms to support the well-being of children, youth, and their families in ways that are responsive and appropriate to their particular circumstances and with reference to the context of the neighborhoods in which they live. They do this, in part, by engaging with those with whom they seek to work in multiple ways: formally and informally, through a broad range of intervention strategies, activities, and programs, and by establishing ongoing, day-to-day interactions that are both flexible and grounded in an understanding of local context, individual needs, and community circumstances. However, given the complexity and ambiguity of the inputs and the breadth of their intended outcomes, understanding the impact that such organizations may have is problematic. This paper provides a brief case-study description in an effort to begin to tease out the inputs, outputs, and expected outcomes in one particular example of community-based practice. In particular, it seeks to identify and begin to investigate the range and nature of intermediate outcomes that may be posited to lead to the broader outcomes at the individual, family, and community level that such organizations often seek to effect.
Comparison of prognostic factors for survival and recurrence in malignant melanoma of the skin clinical stage i

Potential prognostic factors for survival time, 5-year survival rate, recurrence-free time, and 5-year recurrence-free rate were explored for 262 patients with malignant melanoma of the skin, Stage I, using the long-rank test, proportional hazards (Cox) regression, and linear logistic regression. Breslow's thickness was the most important variable in each analysis. A thinner Breslow's thickness was associated with a better prognosis. After adjusting for Breslow's thickness, sex was the next most important variable in each analysis. Women had a better prognosis than men. After adjusting for Breslow's thickness and sex, there were no additional significant prognostic factors for survival time; Clark's level was significant for 5-year survival rate; the number of mitoses, evidence of regression, and presence of vascular invasion were significant for recurrence-free time; and the presence of vascular invasion and number of mitoses were significant for 5-year recurrence-free rate. It is recommended that in future prospective studies of adjuvant therapy of Stage I melanoma, patients be stratified into treatment groups on the basis of Breslow's thickness and sex.
Biogenesis of a Bacterial Organelle: The Carboxysome Assembly Pathway

The carboxysome is a protein-based organelle for carbon fixation in cyanobacteria, keystone organisms in the global carbon cycle. It is composed of thousands of subunits including hexameric and pentameric proteins that form a shell to encapsulate the enzymes ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and carbonic anhydrase. Here, we describe the stages of carboxysome assembly and the requisite gene products necessary for progression through each. Our results demonstrate that, unlike membrane-bound organelles of eukaryotes, in carboxysomes the interior of the compartment forms first, at a distinct site within the cell. Subsequently, shell proteins encapsulate this procarboxysome, inducing budding and distribution of functional organelles within the cell. We propose that the principles of carboxysome assembly that we have uncovered extend to diverse bacterial microcompartments.
Asymptotic behavior of the chromatic index for hypergraphs

Abstract We show that if a collection of hypergraphs (1) is uniform (every edge contains exactly k vertices, for some fixed k ), (2) has minimum degree asymptotic to the maximum degree, and (3) has maximum codegree (the number of edges containing a pair of vertices) asymptotically negligible compared with the maximum degree, then the chromatic index is asymptotic to the maximum degree. This means that the edges can be partitioned into packings (or matchings), almost all of which are almost perfect. We also show that the edges can be partitioned into coverings, almost all of which are almost perfect. The result strengthens and generalizes a result due to Frankl and Rodl concerning the existence of a single almost perfect packing or covering under similar circumstances. In particular, it shows that the chromatic index of a Steiner triple-system on n points is asymptotic to n 2 , resolving a long-standing conjecture.
A survey of technology assessment activities in selected U.S. corporations

Abstract This article presents the results of a survey on industrial practices of technology assessment (TA). The objective of the survey was to elicit qualitative responses to determine the role of technology assessment in corporate planning and decision making as applied by certain selected corporations in the U.S.A. Following the survey process used, the responses are summarized according to the questions used in the survey. Then the responses are analyzed in the following categories: technology assessment and corporate planning; organizational aspects of industrial practices; use of technology assessment results; and reasons for use or lack of use of TA. Finally some important characteristics are presented which show the way technology assessment is currently viewed and practiced in the corporations surveyed.
Abstract 2146: Development of functional assays for p97/VCP inhibition.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC p97 (also called VCP in metazoans and CDC48 in yeast) is a highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed, and essential AAA ATPase. p97 plays a key role in endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation of misfolded secretory and membrane proteins as well as ubiquitin-dependent turnover of a subset of cytoplasmic substrates of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. p97 also plays a critical role in specific cellular processes including Golgi membrane reassembly, membrane fusion, autophagy and DNA repair mechanisms. p97 expression is elevated in a number of cancer types including prostate cancer, non-small-cell lung carcinoma and leukemia. Given its cellular functions in protein homeostasis and the successful clinical development of proteasome inhibitors, p97 has emerged as an exciting new target for cancer therapy. We used p97 siRNA and a recently identified small molecule p97 inhibitor, N2,N4-dibenzylquinazoline- 2,4-diamine (DBeQ) as tools to develop functional assays suitable for further evaluating the activity of potential p97 inhibitors. A panel of unfolded protein response marker genes that are consistently modulated by p97 siRNA or DBeQ treatment has been identified. In addition, methods to monitor autophagic activity have been developed, including high content analysis of LC3B-GFP puncta formation. Cell viability assays were used to determine the susceptibility of various cancer cell lines to p97 inhibition. These assays will be used to evaluate the effects of potential p97 inhibitors on p97-dependent pathways and anti-proliferative activity. Acknowledgement: Funded by NExT Chemical Biology Consortium, NCI Contract No. HHSN261200800001E. Citation Format: Yihui Shi, Xiaohe Liu, Joy Calaoagan, Steven Samuelsson, Tsui-Fen Chou, Raymond J. Deshaies, Lidia C. Sambucetti. Development of functional assays for p97/VCP inhibition. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2146. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2146
Reply to Deighton et al.: Neuronal activity regulates distinct antioxidant pathways in neurons and astrocytes

We thank Deighton et al. (1) for highlighting the importance of antioxidant pathway regulation in the brain, the topic of our recent study (2). In their letter, Deighton et al. show that expression of antioxidant genes Srxn1 and xCT [which can be regulated by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)] is increased by neuronal activity in cortical cultures that lack both Nrf2 and astrocytes (1). Although this finding is in agreement with their previous work, which showed that activity regulates neuronal Srxn1 expression through transcription factors ATF4 and AP-1, the authors raised a possibility that activity-induced increase in Gclc and Nqo1 expression in mixed hippocampal cultures (2) was also Nrf2- and astrocyte-independent. However, in contrast to Srxn1 , xCT , and other genes that are regulated by multiple transcription factors, Nqo1 gene expression is controlled exclusively through Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) interaction (3) [a possible regulation by AP-2 was reported in 1996 (4), but has not been confirmed since]. … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Marta.Margeta{at}ucsf.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Kinetics and continuum emission of negative atomic ions in partially ionized plasmas

Kinetics and continuum emission of negative ions are studied in stationary atomic hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen plasmas. The intensity of the negative-ion emission was found to be neglibible when compared to those of bound-bound and free-bound emission at low and medium particle densities. However, the negative-ion continuum emission can contribute significantly in certain parts of the emission spectrum at high particle densities.
In the Shadow of the Constitutional Council: The ‘Juridicisation’ of the Legislative Process in France.

This study examines, first, why and how the French Parliament was ‘juridicised’, that, is, gradually placed under the tutelage of the Constitutional Council, and, secondly, the influence of past Council jurisprudence and the threat of future censure on the legislation of the 1986 parliamentary sessions. This influence is greater than has been heretofore acknowledged ‐ indeed, one simply cannot assess the legislative process without understanding the role, direct and indirect, of the Council. Assessment of the legislative effects of Council control of legislation shows that the controversy surrounding the legitimacy of judicial review in France, and the extent to which the Council functions as a gouvernement des juges, is understandable and probably permanent.
Photochemical mechanisms of light-triggered release from nanocarriers

Over the last three decades, a handful of photochemical mechanisms have been applied to a large number of nanoscale assemblies that encapsulate a payload to afford spatio-temporal and remote control over activity of the encapsulated payload. Many of these systems are designed with an eye towards biomedical applications, as spatio-temporal and remote control of bioactivity would advance research and clinical practice. This review covers five underlying photochemical mechanisms that govern the activity of the majority of photoresponsive nanocarriers: 1. photo driven isomerization and oxidation, 2. surface plasmon absorption and photothermal effects, 3. photo driven hydrophobicity changes, 4. photo driven polymer backbone fragmentation and 5. photo driven de-crosslinking. The ways in which these mechanisms have been incorporated into nanocarriers and how they affect release are detailed, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each system.
One course is not enough : Preservice elementary teachers' retention of improved views of nature of science

This study examined the views, and the retention of these views, of 19 preservice elementary teachers as they learned about nature of science (NOS). The preservice teachers participated in a cohort group as they took a science methods course during which they received explicit reflective instruction in nature of science. Through Views of Nature of Science version B (VNOS-B) surveys and interviews it was found that most preservice teachers held inadequate ideas of nature of science prior to instruction, but improved their views after one semester of instruction in the science methods course. However, 5 months after instruction, the graduate preservice teachers were again interviewed and it was found that several of the students reverted back to their earlier views. The results are interpreted through Perry's scheme, and implications and recommendations for elementary science teacher education are made. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 194–213, 2006
A Low Temperature Infrared Cell Assembly

The present note communicates a simple modification of the standard demountable liquid cell for low temperature studies. The technique is especially suited for observation of spectral changes for the transition: liquid ⇆ solid, and the temperature dependence of these spectra.
Computer program to implement automated factor-jump thermogravimetry

Abstract The paper describes a computer program written to implement the factor-jump method on a thermogravimetry apparatus automated with an in-laboratory mini-computer. The program is written almost entirely in FORTRAN and constitutes a system of seven overlays. It determines activation energies during the course of the experiment and provides feedback to pursue desired precision in experimental quantities and in the activation energy. The program is modular and can probably adapt to situations other than the apparatus and technique for which it was originally designed.