cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developing Family-Friendly Policies in the Public Sector in Wake of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Using federal court cases, legislative and executive documents, and discourse analysis from the past 50 years, this paper offers a comprehensive history of family-friendly employment policies and programs in the U.S. public sector. It also assesses the progress of these policies and implementation of inclusive employment policies and programs for future generations of public personnel administrators.
If Free Will Doesn't Exist, Neither Does Water

In recent years, a number of prominent scientists (e.g., Haggard, Montague, Bargh, Cohen and Greene, Cashmore, etc.) have argued that their particular disciplines, or science in general, shows the non-existence of free will. These claims are frequently demonstrably false or too hasty, given the way any attempt to settle the issue requires substantive commitments about disputed philosophical issues. This essay focuses on three recurring difficulties for scientific free will skeptics. First, despite frequent appeals to determinism in the work of scientists, it is unclear that determinism is more than a theoretical aspiration in many scientific fields. Second, scientific skeptics too quickly dismiss compatibilism as a definitional gambit, rather than a position that has to be addressed before skepticism carries the day. Third, the powers that constitute free will are plausibly high-level, multiply realizable properties that resist straightforward reduction to the properties that figure in many sciences. The upshot is that those who are attracted to scientific skepticism about free will are better served by adopting some form of revisionism about free will.
Abstract 4899: Establishment and characterization of SN-38 resistant metastatic colorectal cancer cells (SW620/SN100) reveals an ABCG2 (BCRP) transport mediated resistance

Despite advances in anticancer drug research, chemotherapy options and response rates for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are poor. Irinotecan, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, is a commonly used chemotherapy against mCRC as a single agent, or in combination with other anti-cancer drugs such as fluorouracil and leucovorin. However, acquired resistance to chemotherapy, especially in metastatic patients, is a critical cause of treatment failure. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) in cancer is a major challenge to chemotherapy success. Mechanisms of MDR involve deliberate alteration in cellular expression, function, and/or responses of the cancer. One of the most notable mechanism of MDR is an increased cellular drug efflux through up-regulation of membrane ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. To investigate a new and clinically relevant mechanism of MDR in mCRC cells, SN-38 (the potent and active metabolite of irinotecan) was regularly administered to SW620 cells with drug-free intervals to reflect a drug induced resistance to treatment. Through cytotoxicity and western blotting assays on the newly formed SW620/SN100 cells, we discovered ABCG2 (BCRP) to be the main mechanism of SN-38 resistance, with no alterations in the topoisomerase I, ABCB1 (P-gp) or ABCC1 (MRP1). These results confirmed our initial hypothesis, given SN-38 is a known substrate of ABCG2. This discovery of SN-38 induced efflux in mCRC is of a larger importance because this mechanism not only limits the efficacy of the chemotherapy, but also poses a threat to the efficacy of a variety of pharmacologically dissimilar drugs which are substrates of ABCG2. As treatments for mCRC continue to be investigated it is important to also continue investigating resistant mechanisms of these drugs. More discoveries of MDR mechanisms which are specific to cancer patient populations will offer superior diagnosis, proper treatment regimens and greater prognosis for patient success. Citation Format: Anna Maria Barbuti, Zhe-Sheng Chen. Establishment and characterization of SN-38 resistant metastatic colorectal cancer cells (SW620/SN100) reveals an ABCG2 (BCRP) transport mediated resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4899.
Modern Korean Grammar: A Practical Guide

Routledge’s Modern Grammar series is an innovative reference guide combining traditional and function-focused grammar in a single volume, with an accompanying workbook. The aim of the Modern Korean Grammar is to provide an overview of the structures and functions of the Korean language. Designed for those who have already acquired the basics of the language, the book combines a comprehensive description of the grammatical structures of Korean with a functional/usage approach to the language. All target grammatical and functional points will be illustrated with examples in Hangul with English translations for better understanding. In addition, the use of linguistic terminology is limited, to facilitate quick and easy comprehension.
Ab Initio Study of Covalency in the Ground versus Core-Excited States and X-ray Absorption Spectra of Actinide Complexes.

Relativistic multireference ab initio wave function calculations within the restricted active space (RAS) framework were performed to calculate metal and ligand X-ray absorption (XAS) near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) intensities for the metal M4,5 edges of [PuO2(H2O)5]2+, [AnVIO2]2+ (An = U, Np, Pu), and [AmCl6]3– and the Cl K edge of the Am complex. The extent of An(5f)–ligand bonding was determined via natural localized molecular orbital analyses of the relevant spin–orbit coupled multireference states. The calculated spectra are in good agreement with experiments and allow a detailed assignment of the observed spectral features. The XANES M4,5-edge spectra are representative of the actinide orbital covalency in the probed core-excited states, which may be different from the ground-state covalency. An assignment of ground-state An orbital covalency based on XAS spectra should therefore be made with caution.
Introduction: Early Specialization and the Rise of Upper Extremity Injuries in Young Athletes

As more children participate in organized sports, pediatric sports injuries are also on the rise. Many of these injuries occur in the upper extremity and can be due to acute trauma, such as fractures and dislocations, or repetitive overuse. There is controversy regarding the role of early sports specialization in the development of overuse injuries in children. Parents and coaches must balance the known positive effects of sports with the risks of overtraining.
The Interwar Period: 1919–1941

In the period between the two World Wars Americans struggled with the morality and the cost of reading other people’s mail. Herbert Yardley created his American Black Chamber and established for the first time that the United States should be in the position to protect itself and further it’s own interests with the use of permanent professional cryptographers and cryptanalysts. William Friedman, working in the Army, established the organization that would be the Army cryptologic backbone during the Second World War. Friedman and the team he put together during the 1930s would move American cryptology into the machine age in both cryptography and cryptanalysis. Despite Yardley’s flaws and failure American would never again be without a cryptanalytic bureau. This chapter briefly examines the professional lives of Herbert Yardley and William Friedman and discusses their contributions to the growth of the American cryptologic infrastructure.
ENDOCARDIAL ELECTRO-ANATOMIC VOLTAGE MAPPING AFTER CARDIAC STEREOTACTIC BODY RADIATION FOR REFRACTORY VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a novel, non-invasive treatment for ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, the functional effects of SBRT on myocardium are unknown, and quantification of endocardial voltage in patients who have previously undergone SBRT has not been described. We
Deterrence Stability in South Asia Today

This chapter analyzes the stability of India-Pakistan nuclear deterrence. I first flesh out the concept of deterrence stability. Then, I briefly examine the precarious state of the relationship between New Delhi and Islamabad in the wake of the February 2019 Pulwama/Balakot crisis. Next, I provide an overview of Indian and Pakistani nuclear weapons capabilities, doctrines, and command and control practices. I then analyze the two dimensions of “ugly stability” between the rivals: the underlying context of subconventional violence combined with the overlay of nuclear deterrence. After that, I assess the nature of nuclear deterrence in South Asia, which is based on the empirical record of India-Pakistan crises and the underlying theoretical logic of nuclear deterrence. Lastly, I argue that while nuclear deterrence dampens the likelihood of escalation to conventional—and possibly nuclear—war, chronically tense relations between New Delhi and Islamabad mean that deterrence failure resulting in major warfare cannot be ruled out.
Caregiving to Family Members with Dementia

The emotional and physical stress experienced by family caregivers of individuals with dementia is well known (Vitaliano, Jianping, Young, Caswell, Scanlan, Echeverria, 2009). Pearlin and colleagues (1990) noted that caregiving is complex, involving a variety of resources and strategies. The purpose of this qualitative study was to better understand careproviders‟ situations in context, including the resources they had available, the meaning of their care, and the strategies they employed to cope. Sixteen family care providers of adults with dementia were recruited through an adult services agency in northern California. Participants were interviewed using open-ended questions and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977). Field notes and interview transcripts for participants were interpreted, and compared with CES-D scores. Eleven out of sixteen care providers had scores indicating risk for clinical depression. Two groups are described: those with low distress scores, and those with high distress scores, highlighting some of the patterns associated with each. A list of coping strategies is provided from respondents‟ interviews. Based on the findings, community-based supports are needed to care for the increasing numbers of elderly individuals in the coming decades.
Comparing medical grade to commercial grade display in a radiation oncology environment

Electronic displays are used in every modern day medical clinic. They are used to view images that are needed to diagnose, treat, and follow-up on patients with a variety of conditions. The type of electronic display used varies from department to department. Currently, a type of displays called medical grade displays are used to evaluate and diagnose disease and conditions. Alternatively, commercial or entry level professional displays are used for almost everything else. In the field of radiation oncology medical images are often used to plan the treatment course for each patient. These images are always viewed using a commercial grade display. An experiment was completed to examine the role a medical grade display might have in a radiation oncology setting. Our study had certified dosimetrists and radiation oncologists view medical images on both a medical grade and commercial grade display and rank their preference on a scale. The observers assessed the images in different categories (Contrast, resolution, and sharpness) and also commented on their preference. Results indicated that the medical grade display performed better than the commercial grade display in every image quality category.
Reduced Uncertainties from Multifrequency Constraints on Terrestrial Carbon and Water Processes

Radar measurements of the Earth’s land surface are sensitive to water in the vegetation and soil: each frequency is jointly sensitive to a range of soil moisture and vegetation water content terms, which are often ignored in order to retrieve a single quantity of interest. Here, we explore the joint capability of multifrequency radar observations of the terrestrial land surface through an observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) case study. Specifically, we investigate the added value of temporal constraints on the carbon (C) and water (H 2 O) cycles through the joint use of K, C, L and P band measurements to retrieve fundamental land surface C and H 2 O state variables and process parameters. We use the CARbon DAta-MOdel fraMework (CARDAMOM) to represent the temporal evolution of C and H 2 O state variables and associated process inter-dependencies. Our results indicate that overall, the assimilation of 4-bands leads to substantial uncertainty reductions relative to single band experiments.
Investigation of Doppler Properties of S-Band in-Plane Bistatic Sea Echoes Through Numerical Monte Carlo Simulations: Exact Solution, Two-Scale Model, and Small Slope Approximation

Doppler characteristics are intrinsic to scattering from ocean surface and can be used for sea state retrievals. In this study, bistatic reflections of time-harmonic S-band signal from evolving sea-like surface are simulated in 2-D space using an exact technique based on the first-principles boundary integral equation formulation. Large Monte Carlo ensembles allow obtaining well-averaged Doppler spectra. The behavior of basic spectral parameters (mean shift and width) at both VV and HH polarizations is analyzed across a broad range of scattering angles (the incident angle is kept at 45°). Changes in those parameters with the sea state (wind speed) are examined. The simulations are also repeated with the two approximate scattering models: the coherent Two-Scale Model and the second-order Small Slope Approximation, providing rigorous assessment of their ability to predict Doppler properties of sea surface scatter.
Aseismic mid-crustal magma reservoir at Cleveland Volcano imaged through novel receiver function analyses

Processes related to eruptions at arc volcanoes are linked by structures that transect the entire crust. Imaging the mid- to lower-crustal portions (here, ~5–15 km and >15 km respectively) of these magmatic systems where intermediate storage may occur has been a longstanding challenge. Tomography, local seismic source studies, geodetic, and geochemical constraints, are typically most sensitive to shallow (<5 km) storage and/or have insufficient resolution at these depths. Geophysical methods are even further limited at frequently-erupting volcanoes where well-developed trans-crustal magmatic systems are likely to exist, due to a lack of deep seismicity. Here we show direct evidence for mid-crustal magma storage beneath the frequently erupting Cleveland volcano, Alaska, using a novel application of seismic receiver functions. We use P-s scattered waves from the Moho as virtual sources to investigate S-wave velocities between the Moho and the surface. Our forward modeling approach allows us to provide direct constraints on the geometry of low velocity regions beneath volcanoes despite having a comparatively sparse seismic network. Our results show clear evidence of mid-crustal magma storage beneath the depths of located volcanic seismicity. Future work using similar approaches will enable an unprecedented comparative examination of magmatic systems beneath sparsely instrumented volcanoes globally.
Does S-STEM Pay? A Return on Investment Analysis

The benefits of the National Science Foundation S-STEM scholarship programs for information technology graduates are well-known. What is new is we ask: What are the measurable benefits for taxpayers who pay the bill? What is the return on investment? Are these good investments? If so, compared to what? The literature gives little attention to these questions. To explore some answers, we undertake a novel investigation that begins with the five-year, $552K S-STEM award we received in 2009 with the goals to recruit, train, and graduate a cohort of 12 talented, underrepresented, Pell Grant eligible scholars primarily from, but not limited to, inner city high schools to major in Computer Science or Information Technology Systems. We base our study additionally on the compounded annual growth rate of the grant award (i.e., the investment) and expected Federal tax receipts from employed graduates (i.e., returns). We use net positive differential or "excess" enrollments above the control prior three-year average enrollment. Finally, we incorporate outplacement, labor, graduation, economic, and administrative overhead statistics. The data suggests that expected returns from the program can outperform historical benchmarks for equities, bonds, and precious metals. Data from the breakeven analysis suggests the results are likely reproducible and furthermore, robust. Thus, we conclude S-STEM pays, as it were, and taxpayers probably do very well from an investment perspective by supporting these programs. It argues to expand S-STEM programs and inform the wider public of the potential benefits.
Sindbis Virus with Anti-OX40 Overcomes the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment of Low-Immunogenic Tumors

Despite remarkable responses to cancer immunotherapy in a subset of patients, many patients remain resistant to therapies. It is now clear that elevated levels of tumor-infiltrating T cells as well as a systemic anti-tumor immune response are requirements for successful immunotherapies. However, the tumor microenvironment imposes an additional resistance mechanism to immunotherapy. We have developed a practical and improved strategy for cancer immunotherapy using an oncolytic virus and anti-OX40. This strategy takes advantage of a preexisting T cell immune repertoire in vivo, removing the need to know about present tumor antigens. We have shown in this study that the replication-deficient oncolytic Sindbis virus vector expressing interleukin-12 (IL-12) (SV.IL12) activates immune-mediated tumor killing by inducing OX40 expression on CD4 T cells, allowing the full potential of the agonistic anti-OX40 antibody. The combination of SV.IL12 with anti-OX40 markedly changes the transcriptome signature and metabolic program of T cells, driving the development of highly activated terminally differentiated effector T cells. These metabolically reprogrammed T cells demonstrate enhanced tumor infiltration capacity as well as anti-tumor activity capable of overcoming the repressive tumor microenvironment. Our findings identify SV.IL12 in combination with anti-OX40 to be a novel and potent therapeutic strategy that can cure multiple types of low-immunogenic solid tumors.
Generation of empirical pseudopotentials for transport applications and their application to group IV materials

Empirical pseudopotentials (EPs) allow for accurate and efficient modeling of atomistic electron transport. Unfortunately, EPs are available only for a few materials and atomic configurations. Furthermore, EPs for nanostructures have historically been described using a variety of different parameterized forms. To compete with more general first-principles methods, we propose an automated workflow to generate EPs of a general form for any material and atomistic configuration. In particular, we focus on the generation of EPs for electron transport calculations, i.e., we provide an EP that accurately reproduces a reference band structure. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, we generate the EPs to reproduce the band structure for bulk Si, Ge, 3C–SiC (zinc-blende polytype), 4H–SiC (hexagonal polytype), diamond, and hydrogen terminated ⟨ 100 ⟩ oriented Si and Ge thin films, calculated using first principles. In addition, using the generated EPs, along with the virtual crystal approximation, we demonstrate that our method reproduces accurately the band structure related properties of Si 1 − x Ge x alloy as a function of Ge mole fraction, x. As an application of our generated EPs, we perform ballistic quantum transport simulations of extremely scaled ( ≈ 0.6 nm wide), hydrogen terminated, ⟨ 100 ⟩ oriented Ge and Si gate-all-around nanowire field-effect transistors and compare their transfer characteristics.
Partisanship and generalized trust in response to the 2016 U.S. presidential election

Election outcomes often produce winner-loser gaps in political attitudes. However, existing research has largely overlooked the relationship between election outcomes and generalized trust. This ar...
Restless legs syndrome.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been called “the most common disorder that is never heard of.” Although most primary care physicians have developed at least a passing familiarity with RLS in recent years, it remains true that this condition is very much underdiagnosed and undertreated. In an effort to promote more widespread awareness of RLS in the medical community and to share up-to-date knowledge regarding management of this condition, several guidelines, updates, and management algorithms have been published. These are summarized next.
Validation of Cryo-EM Structure of IP3R1 Channel

About a decade ago, three electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) single-particle reconstructions of IP3R1 were reported at low resolution. It was disturbing that these structures bore little similarity to one another, even at the level of quaternary structure. Recently, we published an improved structure of IP3R1 at ∼1 nm resolution. However, this structure did not bear any resemblance to any of the three previously published structures, leading to the question of why the structure should be considered more reliable than the original three. Here, we apply several methods, including class-average/map comparisons, tilt-pair validation, and use of multiple refinement software packages, to give strong evidence for the reliability of our recent structure. The map resolution and feature resolvability are assessed with the gold standard criterion. This approach is generally applicable to assessing the validity of cryo-EM maps of other molecular machines.
ACTIVATION BY CANDIDAL B-GLUCANS OF THE AMEBOCYTE LYSATE CLOTTING CASCADE OF THE JAPANESE HORSESHOE CRAB TACHYPLEUS TRIDEHTATUS

ACTIVATION BY CANDIDAL B-GLUCANS OF THE AMEBOCYTE LYSATE CLOTTING CASCADE OF THE JAPANESE HORSESHOE CRAB TACHYPLEUS TRIDEHTATUS
Phase-engineered low-resistance contacts for ultrathin MoS2 transistors.

Ultrathin molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) has emerged as an interesting layered semiconductor because of its finite energy bandgap and the absence of dangling bonds. However, metals deposited on the semiconducting 2H phase usually form high-resistance (0.7 kΩ μm–10 kΩ μm) contacts, leading to Schottky-limited transport. In this study, we demonstrate that the metallic 1T phase of MoS2 can be locally induced on semiconducting 2H phase nanosheets, thus decreasing contact resistances to 200–300 Ω μm at zero gate bias. Field-effect transistors (FETs) with 1T phase electrodes fabricated and tested in air exhibit mobility values of ~50 cm2 V−1 s−1, subthreshold swing values below 100 mV per decade, on/off ratios of >107, drive currents approaching ~100 μA μm−1, and excellent current saturation. The deposition of different metals has limited influence on the FET performance, suggesting that the 1T/2H interface controls carrier injection into the channel. An increased reproducibility of the electrical characteristics is also obtained with our strategy based on phase engineering of MoS2. Non-optimal electrical contacts can significantly limit the performance of MoS2-based thin-film transistors. Transformation of semiconducting MoS2 into its metallic phase is now shown as a viable strategy to decrease the metal–MoS2 contact resistance.
Evaluating private vs. shared last-level caches for energy efficiency in asymmetric multi-cores

In this work we explore the tradeoffs between energy and performance for several last-level cache configurations in an asymmetric multi-core system. We show that for switching threads between cores at intervals on the order of 100k or more instructions, the performance difference is negligible when private last-level caches are used in place of shared last-level caches. Thus, last-level caches can be matched to meet the needs of their host core in order to improve energy efficiency. In particular, we show that when private last-level caches are used to maintain thread state, in conjunction with energy-saving optimizations, the energy delay product of the last-level caches can be reduced by 25% on average for switching frequencies on the order of an operating system scheduling quanta-e.g., every 1 million instructions. Further, the optimizations we propose, such as power-state-aware data forwarding, are simple to implement, and the necessary support for them is already present in most current architectures.
INFLUENCE OF FLOAT MATERIALS ON THE QUALITY OF ‘d'ANJOU’ PEARS AFTER REGULAR AND CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE

Thirty bins of commercially harvested 'd'Anjou' pears from each of three growers were packed at a commercial packing facility, using either of two pear float materials and wrapping the pears in one of three paper wraps. Float materials used were potassium phosphate (XEDA-F, pH 11.3) or lignin sulfonate (lignosite), the industry standard. Paper wraps were impregnated with either Biox-A, 3% oil + copper and ethoxyquin (3% C&E), or 6% oil + copper and ethoxyquin (6%C&E). After packing, 36 boxes were placed in regular atmosphere (RA) storage at 1C. Seventy-two boxes were placed in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage (1.5% O 2 and 1.0% CO 2 at OC). After 50 days (RA) or 100 and 200 days (CA) storage, fruit was removed and quality evaluated. Float material (Lignosite or XEDA-F) did not influence either objective or subjective quality under either RA storage or up to 200 days CA storage. Type of paper wrap did have a strong influence on pear quality, particularly affecting scald rating and subjective ratings of pear quality. Paper wraps containing Biox A produced pears of reduced quality compared to papers with either 3 or 6% oil with C&E, which were comparable in quality.
Vapor pressure prediction and correlation from the triple point to the critical point

Abstract Vapor pressure constants for Wagner-type vapor pressure equations are reported for 11 compounds. The constants in these equations have been determined from heat capacity data at low temperatures and vapor pressure data at higher temperatures. Thus, a single equation is able to give accurate vapor pressures from the triple point to the critical point. The commonly used 3–6 form of the Wagner vapor pressure equation successfully correlated the behavior over the entire temperature range for 9 of the 11 compounds examined. For the two alcohols examined, ethanol and isopropanol, an additional term was required to reproduce the behavior over the entire temperature range. Of the various forms that were examined, the form with exponents 2.5, 5 and 6 performed best for ethanol and isopropanol.
A Cautionary Note on Estimating the Reliability of a Mastery Test with the Beta-Binomial Model

Based on recently published papers, it might be tempting to routinely apply the beta-binomial model to obtain a single administration estimate of the reliability of a mastery test. Using real data, the paper illustrates two practical problems with esti mating reliability in this manner. The first is that the model might give a poor fit to data, which can seriously affect the reliability estimate, and the sec ond is that inadmissible estimates of the param eters in the beta-binomial model might be ob tained. Two possible solutions are described and il lustrated.
Bladder reconstruction using a prevascularized capsular tissue seeded with urothelial cells.

Purpose: Recent advances in cell biology and tissue engineering have involved various avascular or acellular scaffolds with or without seeded cells. These techniques are frequently complicated by tissue necrosis, contracture and resorption. We used a vascularized matrix prelaminated with autologous cultured urothelial cells to reconstruct bladder wall defects.Materials and Methods: A silicone block inserted into the right groin of 50 male Wistar rats directly superficial to the inferior epigastric vessels was used to induce capsule pouch formation. Urothelial cells harvested simultaneously and cultured were then suspended in fibrin glue and seeded into the newly formed capsule after removing the silicone block. After 1 week the prelaminated flap was transposed into a surgically created bladder wall defect. Experimental groups included rats with a urothelial cell seeded capsule pouch sacrificed at 1 and 4 weeks, respectively, after bladder reconstruction. In control rats scaffolds were treated only with fi...
Bilateral Visual Function after Macular Hole Surgery

Purpose: In this study, the authors apply objective measures of bilateral visual function to investigate the benefits of macular hole surgery to overall visual function. Methods: Anatomic and visual acuity outcomes were reviewed for patients undergoing primary macular hole surgery at one institution during a 3-year period. Several measures of bilateral visual function were defined to determine the impact of surgery on bilateral visual function. Patient data were analyzed in two separate cohorts based on whether the fellow eye was normal (visual acuity ≥ 20/40, fellow eye normal group) or abnormal (visual acuity Results: The rim of subretinal fluid resolved after surgery in 85% of patients and 82% gained two or more Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study lines of visual acuity. After surgery, visual acuity in the surgical eye was better than or equal to the fellow eye in 35%, and average visual impairment according to the American Medical Association Guidelines for Disability decreased from 29% to 17%. Among the FEA group, vision in the surgical eye was better than or to equal to that of the fellow eye in 70%, and visual impairment was reduced from 52% to 35%. Conclusion: Bilateral visual function was improved after macular hole surgery. The improvement rate was markedly better in patients with subnormal vision in the fellow eye.
Loss of the PGE1 requirement for MDCK cell growth associated with a defect in cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.

Prostaglandin E1(PGE1), one of the components in the hormone-supplemented, serum-free medium for Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells (Medium K-1), is required for both long-term growth and for dome formation. Variant cells have been isolated from MDCK populations, which lack the PGE1, requirement for long-term growth in Medium K-1. These variants will be useful in identifying the molecular events initiated by PGE1 which are necessary for the growth response to be observed. The growth and functional properties of five independently isolated PGE1 independent clones have been examined. Normal MDCK cells grew at an equivalent rate in Medium K-1 and in serum-supplemented medium; the growth rate was lower in Medium K-1 lacking PGE1. In contrast, PGE1 independent clone 1 grew at an equivalent rate in Medium K-1 minus PGE1, and in serum-supplemented medium. When PGE1 was added to K-1 minus PGE1, less growth of PGE1 independent clone 1 was observed. A similar observation was made with one other PGE1 independent clone which was studied. A hormone deletion study indicated that PGE1 independent clone 1 still retained growth responses to the other four supplements in Medium K-1 (insulin, transferrin, T3, and hydrocortisone). The molecular alterations associated with loss of the PGE1 requirement for long-term growth were examined. At confluency, all of the PGE1 independent clones studied had higher intracellular cyclic AMP levels following PGE1 treatment, as compared with normal MDCK cells. The increased cyclic AMP levels in the variant cells could result from a number of different types of defects, including reduced cyclic adenylic acid (cyclic AMP) efflux, an increased affinity of PGE2 for the PGE1 receptor, or a defect in cyclic AMP metabolism. However, in all of the variant clones studied a decreased rate of cyclic AMP degradation by cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase was observed. Thus, the increased cyclic AMP levels in the PGE1 independent variants may result from alterations which affect cyclic AMP metabolism. The effect of PGE1 on dome formation by the variant cells was also examined. The frequency of dome formation by PGE1 independent clone 1 was enhanced in a dosage-dependent manner, like normal MDCK cells. This observation suggests that PGE1 affects MDCK cell growth and dome formation by different mechanisms.
The kinin system: suggestions to broaden some prevailing concepts.

The existence and importance of the kallikrein-kinin-kininase system, especially in the circulation, has taken over three-quarters of a century to be established. Finding the multiple components derived from renin-angiotensin and their functions stretched over a century [Erdos EG. Perspectives on the early history of angiotensin-converting enzyme-recent follow-ups. In: Giles TD, editor. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE): clinical and experimental insights. Fort Lee: Health Care Communications; 2001, p. 3-16]. Although the discoveries were made independently, it was shown in 1970 that the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) is identical with kininase II, previously discovered by us, thus, a single protein can regulate either the activation or inactivation of the two peptide products. It followed that inhibitors of ACE can affect both processes [Bhoola KD, Figueroa CD, Worthy K. Bioregulation of kinins: kallikreins, kininogens, and kininases. Pharmacol Rev 1992;44:1-80]. After being engaged for a long time in characterizing the metabolism of various bio-active peptides, we, as well as others, noticed that the effect of ACE inhibitors go beyond simply blocking angiotensin (Ang) II release and bradykinin (BK) inactivation by the enzyme (Kaplan AP, Joseph K, Silverberg M. Pathways for bradykinin formation and inflammatory disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002; 109(2):195-209, Yamada K, Erd6s EG. Kallikrein and prekallikrein of the isolated basolateral membrane of rat kidney. Kidney Int 1982;22:331-7]. It also became apparent to us that in the complex multistep reactions needed to activate the kallikrein-kinin system, there should be some shortcuts-shunts-to accelerate and simplify important processes. Thus, some basic tenets developed after decades of intensive laboratory investigations-and by now generally accepted-can be challenged. For example, it should be considered that the activities of BK and Lys BK (kallidin) can be substantially different, and that sequentially linked reactions, starting with prokallikrein activation and leading to kinin release from kininogen and inhibition of kininases, may be only one way to activate kinin receptors. A summary of some suggested alterations on prevailing concepts is given below.
Potassium fertilizer trials with potatoes on coarse-textured soils in southeastern Idaho

Potassium fertilizer needs of potatoes were evaluated with a set of research plots established on coarse textured soils in southeastern Idaho. Over the seven-year period that these trials were conducted, tuber yields indicated no response to potassium fertilization. Specific gravity of tubers decreased with increasing rates of potassium fertilization, with greatest reduction in specific gravity resulting from the use of potassium chloride. Plots were established on land brought under cultivation for the first time in 1968. Under a potato-grain rotation, the plot area was planted to potatoes every other year beginning in 1968. At the conclusion of the trials in 1976, the check plots had not received any potassium fertilizer. Potassium fertilizer was applied to designated plots only in 1970 and 1974. Each plot received the same treatment in both of the years with rates of 150, 300, and 600 lb K2O/A (168, 335 and 670 kg/ha) using two different forms of fertilizer (KCl and K2SO4). Petiole samples were analyzed for levels of K. Soil K levels were determined annually from samples taken prior to planting the potato crop. Petiole K levels decreased as the season advanced. A petiole level of 6.5 to 7.5% K (45 to 75 days after planting) was sufficiently high for maximum yields. Soil test levels (sodium bicarbonate extraction) of 140 ppm K were sufficiently high for production of a 350 cwt/A (40 T/ha) yield.
Unusual role of oxygen in electron-transfer processes

Molecular oxygen's unique involvement in electron-transfer processes is demonstrated on a series of dyads between porphyrin derivatives and fullerene C60. It has been shown for the first time that oxygen can serve as an inhibitor of back electron transfer by enhancing intersystem crossing of a singlet radical ion pair into its triplet state. The effect is observed only when energy of the charge-separated state is lower than that of the locally excited triplet states. Due to the spin statistics, the reverse intersystem crossing is less efficient, allowing use of oxygen and other paramagnetic species for impeding charge recombination in various electron-transfer systems.
Before and After: Gender Transitions, Human Capital, and Workplace Experiences

We use the workplace experiences of transgender people - individuals who change their gender typically with hormone therapy and surgery - to provide new insights into the long-standing question of what role gender plays in shaping workplace outcomes. Using an original survey of male-to-female and female-to-male transgender people, we document the earnings and employment experiences of transgender people before and after their gender transitions. We find that while transgender people have the same human capital after their transitions, their workplace experiences often change radically. We estimate that average earnings for female-to-male transgender workers increase slightly following their gender transitions, while average earnings for male-to-female transgender workers fall by nearly 1/3. This finding is consistent with qualitative evidence that for many male-to-female workers, becoming a woman often brings a loss of authority, harassment, and termination, but that for many female-to-male workers, becoming a man often brings an increase in respect and authority. These findings challenge the omitted variables explanations for the gender pay gap and illustrate the often hidden and subtle processes that produce gender inequality in workplace outcomes.
Differential Induction of NAD(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase by Anti-Carcinogenic Organosulfides from Garlic

This study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of organ specificity and differential efficacy of garlic organosulfides (OSCs) [diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), dipropyl sulfide (DPS) and dipropyl disulfide (DPDS)] in preventing benzo(a)pyrene (BP)-induced tumorigenesis in mice. The results of the present study reveal a good correlation between chemopreventive efficacies of garlic OSCs and their inductive effects on the expression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO), an enzyme implicated in the detoxification of activated quinone metabolites of BP. Treatment of mice with DADS and DATS, which are potent inhibitors of BP-induced forestomach tumorigenesis, resulted in a statistically significant increase (2.4- and 1.5-fold, respectively) in forestomach NQO activity. In addition, DADS and DATS were much more potent inducers of forestomach NQO activity than DAS, which is a weak inhibitor of BP-induced forestomach tumorigenesis than the former compounds. Propyl-group containing OSCs (DPS and DPDS), which do not inhibit BP-induced tumorigenesis, did not affect forestomach NQO activity. Similar to forestomach, a good correlation was also observed between effects of these OSCs against BP-induced pulmonary tumorigenesis and their effects on NQO expression in the lung. For example, treatment of mice with DAS, which is a potent inhibitor of BP-induced pulmonary tumorigenesis, resulted in about 3.2-fold increase in pulmonary NQO activity. On the other hand, this activity was increased by about 1.5-fold upon DATS administration, which does not inhibit BP-induced cancer of the lung. In conclusion, our results suggest that induction of NQO may be important in anti-cancer effects of garlic OSCs.
Fields of values and iterative methods

Abstract The performance of an iterative scheme to solve x = T x + c , T ϵ C n × n , c ϵ C n , is often judged by spectral properties of T . If T is not normal, it is however well known that only conclusions about the assymptotic behavior of an iterative method can be drawn from spectral information. To anticipate the progress of the iteration after a finite number of steps, the knowledge of the eigenvalues alone is often useless. In addition, the spectrum of T may be highly sensitive to perturbations if T is not normal. An iterative method which—on the basis of some spectral information—is predicted to converge rapidly for T may well diverge if T is slightly perturbed. In practice, the convergence of the iteration x m = T x m -1 + c is therefore frequently measured by some norm [Verbar] T [Verbar], rather than by the spectral radius ϱ( T ). But apart from the fact that norms lead to error estimates which are often too pessimistic, they cannot be used to analyze more general schemes such as, e.g., the Chebyshev iterative methods. Here, we discuss another tool to analyze the behavior of an iterative method, namely the field of values W ( T ), the collection of all Rayleigh quotients of T . W ( T ) contains the eigenvalues of T , and the numerical radius μ( T ) = max z ϵ W ( T ) | z | defines a norm on C n × n . The field of values represents therefore an “intermediate concept” to judge an iterative scheme by—it is related to the spectral approach but has also certain norm properties.
Rat Ribosomal RNA Gene Can Utilize Primate RNA Polymerase I Transcription Machinery: Lack of Absolute Species Specificity in rDNA Transcription

Abstract The transcriptional activity of rodent ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) in the primate cell was examined in the light of reported species specificity of eukaryotic ribosomal RNA synthesis. The present study showed that rat rDNA can be transcribed in HeLa nuclear extract whereas mouse rDNA was not transcribed in the heterologous extract. Rat and mouse rDNA transcription factors were interchangeable with respect to efficiency and accuracy of transcription. The initiation of rat ribosomal gene transcription by RNA polymerase I occurred at the +1 site in the heterologous extract. Initiation of transcription at the correct site also occurredin vivofollowing transfection of cloned rat rDNA into the primate (COS-7) cells. These data indicate that rat ribosomal RNA gene can be expressed in the primate systemin vitroandin vivo.The absolute lack of species specificity in rDNA transcription has been discussed based on the present data and other reports.
Electrical activation of artificial muscles containing polyacrylonitrile gel fibers.

Gel fibers made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) are known to elongate and contract when immersed in caustic and acidic solutions, respectively. The amount of contraction for these pH-activated fibers ...
The solution structure of coronaviral stem-loop 2 (SL2) reveals a canonical CUYG tetraloop fold.

The transcription and replication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is regulated by specific viral genome sequences within 5′- and 3′-untranslated regions (5′-UTR and 3′-UTR). Here we report the solution structure of 5′-UTR derived stem-loop 2 (SL2) of SARS-CoV determined by NMR spectroscopy. The highly conserved pentaloop of SL2 is stacked on 5-bp stem and adopts a canonical CUYG tetraloop fold with the 3′ nucleotide (U51) flipped out of the stack. The significance of this structure in the context of a previous mutagenesis analysis of SL2 function in replication of the related group 2 coronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus, is discussed.
The Asheville Project: Factors Associated With Outcomes of a Community Pharmacy Diabetes Care Program

Objective To assess the importance of environment, patient characteristics, and health behavior in explaining differences in clinical, economic, and humanistic outcomes of pharmaceutical care services (PCS) for patients with diabetes. Design Quasi-experimental, pre-post cohort-with-comparison group study using multivariate logistic regression. Setting Twelve community pharmacies in Asheville, N.C. Patients and Other Participants Eighty-five patients with diabetes who were employees, dependents, or retirees from two self-insured employers; community pharmacists who completed a diabetes certificate program and received reimbursement for PCS. Interventions Scheduled consultations with pharmacists involving education and training, assessment, monitoring, follow-up, and referral. Main Outcome Measures Change in glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) value, diabetes diagnosis and all-diagnosis utilization and cost of medical care, quality of life, and satisfaction with pharmacy services. Results The strongest predictors of improvement in A1c following PCS were the patient characteristics baseline glycemie control and type 1 diabetes. All patients with type 1 diabetes had reduced their A1c concentrations at follow-up. Patients in one employer group (an environmental characteristic) were significantly more likely to have a 10%; reduction in diabetes diagnosis costs, compared with employees in the other group. They were also more likely to report improved satisfaction with pharmacy services. No other statistically significant relationships were found. Conclusion The greatest improvement in A1c occurred among patients with type 1 diabetes and/or higher baseline A1c concentrations. When controlling for other factors, PCS did not emerge as a significant factor in lowering A1c, but it was imprecisely measured, and our proxy measure did not capture the full complement of PCS provided to patients. Success in terms of cost savings and patient satisfaction differed by employer group.
Optimization and direct comparison of the dimerizer and reverse tet transcriptional control systems.

Background Exogenously controlled gene expression systems are essential for both the in vivo analysis of gene function and the regulated delivery of therapeutic gene products. However, differences in experimental methods used to characterize the various systems prohibit informative comparisons. The purpose of this study was to identify an optimal system for regulated gene expression studies through a rigorous direct comparison of the dimerizer and the reverse tet transactivator (rtTA) transcriptional switch systems. Methods An optimized bicistronic rapamycin-dependent dimerizer construct and an optimized rtTA construct (based on rtTAs-M2) were developed that utilize a chimeric mammalian activation domain with a flexible interdomain linker. These constructs were reconstituted in identical eukaryotic expression vectors and compared in transient transfection assays employing target gene reporter constructs that differ only in the relevant DNA binding sites. Results The optimized rtTAs-M2 construct, designated rtTAM2.2, exhibited a twofold increase in the magnitude of doxycycline-dependent reporter gene induction and an eightfold increase in sensitivity as compared to the rtTAs-M2 construct. This correlated with a significantly higher level of expression of the rtTAM2.2 protein. In direct comparisons the rtTAM2.2 system mediated inducible expression to a level tenfold greater than the bicistronic dimerizer system. However, while the dimerizer system exhibited no detectable rapamycin-independent expression, a low level of doxycycline-independent target gene expression was detectable. Conclusions The improved rtTAM2.2 rtTA system described here may prove optimal when the overall magnitude of target gene induction is critical, while the dimerizer system may be advantageous when the complete absence of ligand-independent target gene expression is essential. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.