cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progesterone-4-14C metabolism to androgens by testes of normal and isoimmune aspermatogenic guinea pigs.

Minces of testes from normal guinea pigs and from animals with isoimmune aspermatogenesis caused by intradermal injection of homologous testis extracts were incubated for varying times with progesterone-4-14C. Rates of appearance of label in the 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and testosterone fractions were followed. Per equal testis fraction, less progesterone-14C disappeared, and less labeled 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone appeared in the incubations of isoimmune tissue than in the normals. There was no statistically significant difference in label appearing in androstenedione in incubations of isoimmune as compared to normal tissue. The ratio of label in testosterone to that in androstenedione decreased markedly in isoimmunity. It is concluded that progesterone is metabolized to the 2 androgens less readily by the tissue from the isoimmune guinea pigs than from their controls and that the net reduction of androstenedione to testosterone is less in that from the isoimmune animals tha...
The price of gold and the exchange rate

Abstract This paper examines the theoretical relationship between the major exchange rates and the prices of internationally-traded commodities. In the empirical section, the case of gold is analyzed using forecast error data. Among other things, it is found that, since the dissolution of the Bretton Woods International monetary system, floating exchange rates among the major currencies have been a major source of price instability in the world gold market and, as the world gold market is dominated by the European currency bloc, appreciations or depreciations of European currencies have strong effects on the price of gold in other currencies.
Inhibition of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase by bacteriophage T4 AsiA.

The 10 kDa bacteriophage T4 antisigma protein AsiA binds the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase promoter specificity subunit, σ70, with high affinity and inhibits its transcription activity. AsiA binds to σ70 primarily through an interaction with σ70 conserved region 4.2, which has also been implicated in sequence-specific recognition of the −35 consensus promoter element. Here we show that AsiA forms a stable ternary complex with core RNA polymerase (RNAP) and σ70 and thus does not inhibit σ70 activity by preventing its binding to core RNAP. We investigated the effect of AsiA on open promoter complex formation and abortive initiation at two −10/−35 type promoters and two “extended −10” promoters. Our results indicate that the binding of AsiA to σ70 and the interaction of σ70 region 4.2 with the −35 consensus promoter element of −10/−35 promoters is mutually exclusive. In contrast, AsiA has much less effect on open promoter complex formation and abortive initiation from extended −10 promoters, which lack a −35 consensus element and do not require σ70 conserved region 4.2. From these results we conclude that T4 AsiA inhibits E. coli RNAP σ70 holoenzyme transcription at −10/−35 promoters by interfering with the required interaction between σ70 conserved region 4.2 and the −35 consensus promoter element.
Induction of antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by immunization of baboons with immunoglobulin molecules carrying the principal neutralizing determinant of the envelope protein.

Abstract The hypervariable region 3 (V3) within the disulfide-bridged loop of the envelope protein of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) contains an amino acid sequence that was defined as a principal neutralizing determinant (PND). A 19-amino acid residue consensus sequence (designated V3C) predicted from the PND sequences of 245 isolates as well as a sequence from the PND of the WMJ2 HIV-1 isolate (designated V3M) were expressed on the variable region of murine-human immunoglobulin (Ig) chimeras that were designated Ig-V3C and Ig-V3M, respectively. The HIV-1 sequences on the Ig chimeras preserved their antigenicity and interacted with antibodies specific for peptides encompassing the V3C and V3M sequences. In baboons, Ig-V3C and Ig-V3M induced antibodies that bound V3C and V3M peptides as well as the glycoprotein gp120 envelope protein of HIV-1 MN isolate. In addition, the baboons' antisera were able to prevent infection of CD4 SupT1 susceptible T cells by HIV-1 MN. Finally, Ig-V3M chimeras were able to stimulate in vitro production of antibodies specific for the HIV-1 envelope-derived peptides by lymphocytes from HIV-1-infected human subjects.
Large-scale statistical performance modeling of analog and mixed-signal circuits

The aggressive scaling of IC technology results in large-scale performance variations that cannot be efficiently captured by traditional modeling techniques. This paper presents the recent development of statistical performance modeling and its important applications. In particular, we focus on two core techniques, sparse regression (SR) and Bayesian model fusion (BMF), that facilitate large-scale performance modeling with low computational cost. The basic ideas of SR and BMF are first explained and then their efficacy is compared to other traditional modeling approaches by using several analog and mixed-signal circuit examples.
Liver mitochondrial calcium uptake following cold ischemia is regulated by phospholipase C

Abstract Introduction: Altered mitochondrial Ca2+ (MCa2+) uptake has been implicated in graft dysfunction following cold ischemia (CI), when excessive cytosolic Ca2+ enters mitochondria through the MCa2+ uniporter. The actual mechanisms governing uniporter activity are unknown. Ca2+ uptake by the cell is regulated by Phospholipase C (PLC). We therefore hypothesized that PLC exists in mitochondria and regulates MCa2+ uptake following CI. Methods: Rat livers were perfused with UW solution and harvested. Half was homogenized immediately; the other half was first subjected to 24 hour cold storage in UW. Mitochondria were isolated and incubated in a buffer containing 1mM ATP (known [ATP] during ischemia) and 0.2 μM 45Ca2+. Ruthenium Red (RR, [10 μM]) was used as a negative control. A selective PLC inhibitor, U-73122, and its inactive analog, U-73343, were added to determine their effects on MCa2+ uptake. Western blots were performed using anti-PLC antibodies. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MΔψ) was evaluated using Mitotracker Red fluorescence. Results: 1) Western blot confirmed the presence of PLC in isolated mitochondria and mitochondrial membranes. 2) MCa2+ uptake was significantly increased after 24 hour cold storage in UW. 3) U-73122 and RR, but not U-73343, significantly and dose-dependently decreased Ca2+ uptake in mitochondria from both ischemic and non-ischemic livers, without affecting MΔψ. Conclusions: These data demonstrate for the first time that PLC exists in liver mitochondria. The effects of U-73122 indicate that PLC is essential for MCa2+ uptake during both physiologic and CI conditions. Inhibition of mitochondrial PLC therefore represents a novel target in the study of CI damage during liver transplantation. Download : Download high-res image (120KB) Download : Download full-size image
1H‐Imidazolium, 1,3‐Bis[2,6‐bis(1‐methylethyl)Phenyl], tetrafluoroborate(1‐)

[286014-25-3] C27H37N2BF4 (MW 476.40) InChI = 1S/C27H37N2.BF4/c1-18(2)22-11-9-12-23(19(3)4)26(22)28-15-16-29(17-28)27-24(20(5)6)13-10-14-25(27)21(7)8;2-1(3,4)5/h9-21H,1-8H3;/q+1;-1 InChIKey = NTJNPOPDNJTGKC-UHFFFAOYSA-N (used as a precursor to the free carbene, 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, which is typically used as ligand for the preparation of various transition metal catalysts) Alternate Name: IPr-HBF4. Solubility: highly soluble: CH2Cl2, slightly soluble: THF. Form Supplied in: microcrystalline white solid, not widely available. Analysis of Reagent Purity: NMR. Preparative Methods: IPr-HBF4 can be prepared through a straightforward anion metathesis starting with the corresponding chloride salt (eq 1).1 This can be accomplished by dissolving IPr-HCl in a minimal amount of water. Next, HBF4 (40 wt% in water) is added resulting in a white slurry. The desired product is extracted into dichloromethane, dried over MgSO4, and filtered. Removal of the solvent under vacuum and drying yields a white solid. (1) Purification: recrystallize from dichloromethane by the addition of diethyl ether. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: compound is air stable and can be stored under air for years.
An Explicit Asynchronous Contact Algorithm for Elastic-Rigid Body Interaction

The use of multiple-time-step integrators can provide substantial computational savings over traditional one-time-step methods for the simulation of solid dynamics, while maintaining desirable properties, such as energy conservation. Contact phenomena generally require the adoption of either an implicit algorithm or the use of unacceptably small time steps to prevent large amount of numerical dissipation from being introduced. This paper introduces a new explicit dynamic contact algorithm that, by taking advantage of the asynchronous time-stepping of Asynchronous Variational Integrators (AVI), delivers an outstanding energy performance at a much more acceptable computational cost. We demonstrate the performance of the numerical method with several three-dimensional examples.
Form-factor for a target used for positron generation with undulator radiation conversion

It is shown here that the needle type target gives advantages in conversion of gammas from helical undulator into positrons. This is not possible with usual electron to positron production method.
Isolation and characterization of novel salmon microsatellite loci: cross-species amplification and population genetic applications

Twenty-two variable number of tandem repeat microsatellite dinucleotide repeat ((GA)n and (CA)n) loci were cloned from sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) partial genomic libraries. Characteristics and optimal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions were defined for each locus. The degree of conservation of sequences flanking microsatellite repeat motifs and the utility of heterologous PCR primers for analyses in closely related taxa was tested using 10 salmonid species from four genera. Nearly all microsatellite primers produce amplification products in multiple species, suggesting broad application in salmonid research. The utility of these loci for population genetic studies was tested using individuals (N = 83) from three spawning populations of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) from the Yukon River, Yukon Territories. Twelve of 16 loci screened were polymorphic (mean heterozygosity = 0.254). Genetic distance estimates between populations were concordant with results from a previous allozyme survey of these same populations. Discussions of the utility of microsatellite markers in salmonid population genetic research are presented in light of recently described statistical methodologies based on mutational properties and interallelic differences in repeat score. Resume : A partir de banques genomiques partielles de saumons sockeye (Oncorhychus nerka), on a clone 22 loci de microsatellite sequences repetees en tandem dinucleotidiques ((GA)n et (CA)n). Les caracteristiques et les conditions optimales pour la PCR ont ete definies pour chaque locus. Le degre de conversion des sequences qui flanquent les motifs repetes des microsatellites et l'utilite des amorces heterologues de la PCR pour des analyses dans des taxons etroitement apparentes ont ete evalues avec 10 especes de salmonides appartenant a quatre genres. Presque toutes les amorces de microsatellites ont donne des produits d'amplification chez plusieurs especes, ce qui laisse supposer qu'elles sont applicables a grande echelle dans les recherches sur les salmonides. On a evalue l'utilite de ces loci dans les etudes genetiques des populations, en utilisant des individus ( N = 83) provenant de trois populations de saumons quinnat (Oncorhychus tshawytscha ) en cours de reproduction, vivant dans le fleuve Yukon (Territoires du Nord-ouest). Douze des 16 loci examines etaient polymorphes (heterozygotie moyenne = 0,254). Les estimations de distance genetique entre les populations concordaient avec les resultats obtenus au cours d'une etude allozymatique precedente des memes populations. On examine l'utilite de marqueurs a microsatellites dans les recherches genetiques de populations de salmonides, a la lumiere de methodes statistiques recemment decrites, basees sur les proprietes mutationnelles et les differences inter-alleliques des resultats obtenus avec les sequences repetees. (Traduit par la Redaction)
The sex industry and Internet industry: partners in the globalization of sexual exploitation

In the milieu of political and economic restructuring known as globalization, women and children are increasingly becoming commodities to be bought, sold and consumed by tourists, military personnel, organized crime rings, and men seeking sexual entertainment or non-threatening marriage partners. Those with power are using new information technologies to expand their capacity to exploit women and girls throughout the world. By financial and technological interdependence, the sex industry and the Internet industry have become partners in the global sexual exploitation of women and children.
Male infertility due to germ cell apoptosis in mice lacking the thiamin carrier, Tht1. A new insight into the critical role of thiamin in spermatogenesis

A mouse model of thiamin-responsive megaloblastic anemia (diabetes mellitus, deafness, megaloblastic anemia) lacking functional Slc19a2 has been generated and unexpectedly found to have a male-specific sterility phenotype. We describe here the characterization of the testis-specific effects of absence of the high-affinity thiamin transporter, Tht1. Null males were found to have hypoplastic testes secondary to germ cell depletion. Morphologic and expression analysis revealed that under conditions of standard thiamin intake, tissues affected in the syndrome (pancreatic beta-cell, hematopoietic cells, auditory nerve) maintained normal function but pachytene stage spermatocytes underwent apoptosis. Under conditions of thiamin challenge, the apoptotic cell loss extended to earlier stages of germ cells but spared Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. Injection of high-dose thiamin was effective in reversing the spermatogenic failure, suggesting that the absence of the thiamin carrier could be overcome by diffusion-mediated transport at supranormal thiamin concentrations. These observations demonstrated that male germ cells, particularly those with high thiamin transporter expression beyond the blood-testis barrier, were more susceptible to apoptosis triggered by intracellular thiamin deficiency than any other tissue type. The findings described here highlight an unexpected and critical role for thiamin transport and metabolism in spermatogenesis.
Hormone-sensitive lipase-knockout mice maintain high bone density during aging

We tested the hypothesis that the actions of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) affect the microenvironment of the bone marrow and that removal of HSL function by gene deletion maintains high bone mass in aging mice. We compared littermate control wild-type (WT) and HSL−/− mice during aging for changes in serum biochemical values, trabecular bone density using micro-computed tomography, bone histomorphometry, and characteristics of primary bone marrow cells and preosteoblasts. There is a regulated expression of HSL and genes involved in lipid metabolism in the bone marrow during aging. HSL−/− mice have increased serum levels of insulin and osteocalcin with decreased leptin levels. Compared with the marked adipocyte infiltration in WT bone marrow (65% by area) at 14 mo, HSL−/− mice have fewer (16%, P<0.05) and smaller adipocytes in bone marrow. While peak bone density is similar, HSL−/− mice maintain a higher bone density (bone volume/total volume 6.1%) with age than WT mice (2.6%, P<0.05). Primary osteoblasts...
Equilibrium moisture content of groundnut and chillies

Hygroscopic material, when it comes into contact with atmospheric air, desorps or absorps the moisture from the surroundings until it reaches equilibrium. In the present study, groundnut and chillies were dried in a controlled air supply (at a particular temperature and relative humidity). The equilibrium moisture content (e.m.c.) and relative humidity (r.h.) relationships were studied at different temperatures. Values of constants c and n of Henderson's equation were computed and desorption isotherms were drawn for groundnut components and chillies. It was observed that e.m.c. depends upon type of material, the temperature and r.h. of the air.
Effects of antibiotic-diuretic interactions in the guinea pig model of ototoxicity

The guinea pig model has been useful for estimating quantitatively the ototoxic effects of many different drugs. Our model utilizes measures of the Preyer pinna reflex, the alternating current cochlear potential and sensory hair-cell morphology to access drug effects. The principle pathophysiologic lesion of aminoglycoside-induced permanent ototoxicity appears to be sensory hair-cell loss in the organ of Corti. Aminoglycoside antibiotics were found to interact with loop-inhibiting diuretics, and the augmented ototoxic effects were attributed to hair-cell destruction. The interaction is specific for loop-inhibiting diuretics but not for the aminoglycosides since nonaminoglycoside antibiotics, such as viomycin and polymixin B, interacted similarly. Noninteractive antibiotics include amphotericin B and vancomycin. The absence of ototoxic effects with vancomycin is of interest in view of its broadening clinical utility.
LASER-ELECTRON COMPTON INTERACTION IN PLASMA CHANNELS

A concept of high intensity femtosecond laser synchrotron source (LSS) is based on Compton backscattering of focused electron and laser beams. The short Rayleigh length of the focused laser beam limits the length of interaction to a few picoseconds. However, the technology of the high repetition rate high-average power picosecond lasers required for high put through LSS applications is not developed yet. Another problem associated with the picosecond laser pulses is undesirable nonlinear effects occurring when the laser photons are concentrated in a short time interval. To avoid the nonlinear Compton scattering, the laser beam has to be split, and the required hard radiation flux is accumulated over a number of consecutive interactions that complicates the LSS design. In order to relieve the technological constraints and achieve a practically feasible high-power laser synchrotron source, we propose to confine the laser-electron interaction region in the extended plasma channel. This approach permits to use nanosecond laser pulses instead of the picosecond pulses. That helps to avoid the nonlinear Compton scattering regime and allows to utilize already existing technology of the high-repetition rate TEA CO{sub 2} lasers operating at the atmospheric pressure. We demonstrate the advantages of the channeled LSS approach by the example of the prospective polarized positron source for Japan Linear Collider.
Fabrication of 2- and 3-DIMENSIONAL Nanostructures

Amongst tools for fabricating periodic and aperiodic nanostructures and nanodevices, electron beam-induced organometallic chemical vapor deposition (E-OMCVD) offers a highly flexible and controllable one-step deposition process. E-OMCVD enables maskless fabrication of nanoscale research and custom structures that have least dimensions near or below 10nm – a scale at which other methods prove difficult or costly. Using the focused electron beam in a modified HB501 field-emission scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), pads and wires with uniform thickness and well-defined shapes have been defined and deposited. Although conditions for fabricating the smallest deposits have not yet been optimized, the edge acuity (sharpness) of the deposits is consistently as low as 4nm or less and the corresponding smallest wire width is 8nm. Under different deposition conditions, three-dimensional open structured nanonetworks have been fabricated. Results of an investigation of E-OMCVD parameters are presented for the metallocene compound, nickelocene (Ni(C5H5)2), as source organometallic.
Contrast enhancement for mailpiece images

The authors present techniques for improving the contrast in spectrally variant images of mailpieces. These techniques were investigated for a system that captures mailpiece images and performs address interpretation in real-time. Hence it was necessary to satisfy both time constraint and an enhancement criterion. The methods developed are fast and are suitable for real-time applications. The large spectral variation of mailpiece images results in images of low-contrast. Examples are images of dark-colored envelopes with dark ink, such as greeting card envelopes, specially-designed envelopes and so on. This necessitates contrast enhancement methods to be highly adaptive. In the algorithms described most of the parameters are estimated dynamically from image characteristics. Conventional contrast enhancement methods are designed for a static environment and not amenable for use within this problem domain. Their method improves on previous work described by DuVall (1979) in compensating for the limited spectral response of the imaging system. >
Local linear regression estimation under long-range dependence: strong consistency and rates

We consider the nonparametric estimation of multivariate regression functions and their derivatives for a regression model with long-range dependent errors. We adopt a local linear fitting approach and establish strong consistency and rates for the estimators of the regression function and its derivatives. The rates of convergence depend on the amount of smoothing relative to the strength of the long-range dependence (LRD) resulting in distinct rates for small and large bandwidths. Moreover, the conditions determining this dichotomy are different for the estimates of the regression function than for the estimates of its derivatives.
Distributed Algorithm for Maximal Rigid Region in Sparse Wireless Sensor Networks

The network localization problem is closely related to the rigidity of graph. A network can only be localized if the graph of the network is rigid. The rigidity theory for graph states that for a 2D graph to have unique realization, it must be redundantly rigid and tri-connected. Centralized and polynomial algorithms exist to check whether a graph is uniquely realizable. In this paper, we propose a distributed algorithm to find the maximal rigid region in a network. This algorithm does not require the existence of a central node. It starts from local rigid patches and the patches are merged in a distributed manner in the network. In the end, a maximal rigid region can be found. It is proved that the algorithm will converge and all nodes in the network will get a list of maximal rigid regions it belongs to when the algorithm terminates.
Low-power high-level synthesis for FPGA architectures

This paper addresses two aspects of low-power design for FPGA circuits. First, we present an RT-level power estimator for FPGAs with consideration of wire length. The power estimator closely reflects both dynamic and static power contributed by various FPGA components in 0.1 /spl mu/m technology. The power estimation error is 16.2% on average. Second, we present a low power high level synthesis system, named LOPASS, for FPGA designs. It includes two algorithms for power consumption reduction: (i) a simulated annealing engine that carries out resource selection function unit binding, scheduling, register binding, and data pat. generation simultaneously to effectively reduce power; (ii) an enhanced weighted bipartite matching algorithm that is able to reduce the total amount of MUX ports by 22.7%. Experimental results show that LOPASS is able to reduce-power consumption by 35.8% compared to the results-of -Synopsys' Behavioral Compiler.
Detection of NMR signals with a radio-frequency atomic magnetometer.

Abstract We demonstrate detection of proton NMR signals with a radio-frequency (rf) atomic magnetometer tuned to the NMR frequency of 62 kHz. High-frequency operation of the atomic magnetometer makes it relatively insensitive to ambient magnetic field noise. We obtain magnetic field sensitivity of 7 fT/Hz1/2 using only a thin aluminum shield. We also derive an expression for the fundamental sensitivity limit of a surface inductive pick-up coil as a function of frequency and find that an atomic rf magnetometer is intrinsically more sensitive than a coil of comparable size for frequencies below about 50 MHz.
Analytical modeling of the startup characteristics of asymmetrical flat-plate and diskshaped heat pipes

An analytical model is developed for the startup transient of asymmetrical flat-plate and disk- shaped heat pipes. The model solves the proper transient heat conduction equations for the heat pipe wall and liquid-wick regions. A quasi-steady state, pseudo three-dimensional approximation is used for the vapor transi'ent behavior. The heat transfer within the wall and liquid-wick regions is coupled with the vapor phase at the liquid-vapor interfaces. Analytical solutions of temperature, vapor velocity, and vapor pressure distributions are obtained based on an in-depth integral method. Results covering the entire startup transient are presented for disk-shaped and flat-plate heat pipes. 0 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. IINTRODUCTION Asymmetrical flat-plate and disk-shaped heat pipes have some favorable features compared with con- ventional symmetrical heat pipes, such as geometry adaptation, ability for very localized heat dissipation and for producing an entirely isothermal surface. These characteristics have attracted significant atten- tion in electronics cooling and space applications (l- 61. Understanding of the transient behavior of asym- metrical flat-plate and disk-shaped heat pipes is important for the startup phase of applications. In general, the analysis developed for conventional sym- metrical heat pipes cannot be applied to asymmetrical heat pipes, nor can it account for the different design and geometrical features of the flat-plate and disk- shaped heat pipes. A literature survey revealed that the limited transient heat pipe models reported in the open literature are all for symmetrical heat pipes and an analysis for asymmetrical heat pipe startup process is not available. Various transient models for different heat pipe startup stages have been developed (7-IO). All of these studies deal with the conventional cylindrical heat pipes. Almost all the transient heat pipe models reported in the literature are concentrated on a numerical simulat:lon. This is because the analysis of heat pipe dynamics is quite complicated and a relevant analytical solution is difficult to obtain. Only a few analytical studies have been reported on the heat pipe frozen startup process such as those by Sockol and Forman (l l) and Ochterbeck ( 121. These works are based on the use of a lumped one-dimensional model. These analytical frozen startup models neglect tem- perature difference and heat transfer across heat pipe wall and wick and therefore cannot be applied to fully- thawed heat pipe startup process. For the startup of a fully-thawed heat pipe, the temperature difference across the heat pipe wall and liquid-wick is significant. While numerical models based on different simplifying assumptions have been developed, an analytical model for the startup process of a fully-thawed heat pipe is not available at present. An analytical model for the fully-thawed heat pipe can provide a quick prediction method for its transient operation and can aid in understanding the underlying physical phenom-
JNK1 activation mediates C5b‐9‐induced P0 mRNA instability and P0 gene expression in Schwann cells

The protein zero (P0) glycoprotein is an important component of compact peripheral nerve myelin produced by the glial cells of the mammalian peripheral nervous system. P0 mRNA expression is reduced following exposure of Schwann cells to sublytic C5b-9, the terminal activation complex of the complement cascade. Sublytic complement treatment decreased P0 mRNA by 81% within 6 h and required C5b-9 assembly. C5b-9 induced a threefold increase in both JNK1 activity and c-jun mRNA within 20 and 30 min, respectively, compared with cells treated with either human serum depleted of complement component C7 (C7dHS) or medium alone. Sublytic C5b-9 stimulation, in the presence of the transcription inhibitor Actinomycin D, decreased P0 mRNA expression by 52%, indicating that mRNA was selectively destabilized. This effect was prevented by pretreatment with L-JNK inhibitor 1 (L-JNKI1). To study a potential inhibition of P0 gene transcription, we transfected Schwann cells with a P0 promoter-firefly luciferase construct. Sublytic C5b-9 stimulation of the transfected cells decreased luciferase activity by 82% at 6 h, and this effect was prevented by pretreatment with L-JNKI1 inhibitor. Our results indicate that the ability of C5b-9 in vitro to affect P0 gene expression is mediated via JNK1 activation that leads to enhanced mRNA decay and transcriptional repression of P0.
Unbiased Metabolite Profiling Indicates That a Diminished Thymidine Pool Is the Underlying Mechanism of Colon Cancer Chemoprevention by Alpha-Difluoromethylornithine

The ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), is a highly effective chemopreventative agent for colorectal cancer (CRC) thought to act via polyamine depletion. However, in DFMO treated patients, mucosal polyamine levels do not directly correlate with CRC risk. Untargeted metabolite profiling was used to broadly survey DFMO actions on colon cancer cell metabolism. Some studies revealed that DFMO treatment of ApcMin intestinal tumors and human CRC cells is associated with reduced levels of folate-dependent metabolites, including S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), thymidine pools and related pathway intermediates. We hypothesized that unrestrained SAM consumption/regeneration constitutes a futile DFMO-triggered cascade that can steal tetrahydrofolate (THF) from thymidylate synthase and thereby diminishing thymidine pools. In accord with this hypothesis, DFMO-treatment altered the folate cofactor balance and thymidine supplementation prevented DFMO-elicited cytostasis without restoring polyamine levels. These findings suggest that thymidine metabolite pool insufficiency is a fundamental mechanism of DFMO cytostatic activity.
Challenges to understanding dynamics of biodiversity in time and space

The negative consequences of anthropogenic activities such as agriculture and urbanization (e.g., deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution) have become exacerbated by rapid rates of human population increase (see Pimm et al. 2001). Subsequent habitat loss and modification has accelerated rates of extinction, creating a biodiversity crises which arguably is one of the most pressing problems of the twenty-first century. Although causative agents are unclear, the fossil record suggests that biotas undergo periods of massive extinction as well as considerable diversification (Alroy et al. 2001; Jackson and Johnson 2001) at the global scale, even in the absence of human activities. As such, quantifying the spatial and temporal dynamics of biodiversity in past and contemporary times, and understanding their mechanistic bases represent disciplinary emphases of evolutionary and environmental biology. Equally important, such understanding is a critical step in informing regional as well as global management strategies and conservation efforts. Nonetheless, considerable controversy or uncertainty exists surrounding the patterns, underlying mechanisms, and strategies of conservation (Willig 2000; Andelman and Willig 2002). The past may provide important insights into a number of relevant issues regarding contemporary biodiversity (and vice versa), but only recently has the dialogue between neontologists and paleontologists charted productive areas of collaboration. Indeed, a growing body of work has questioned the meaning of global measures of biodiversity (past or present) and has suggested that only detailed studies at local sites provide resolution to important issues about biodiversity. This is due, in part, to considerable sampling problems associated with broad-scale estimation, including the averaging of local and regional patterns. In my view, significant progress has occurred in understanding the dynamics of biodiversity in time and space (e.g., see Brown 1995; Rosenzweig 1995), even though a number of thorny issues and challenges limit synthetic or comprehensive understanding. In particular, …
Operational Activities of Cocoa Export Processing Factories in Ondo State, Nigeria

The specific objectives are to: examine the or ganizational structure of the cocoa Export Processing Factories in the study area, investigate the contribution of cocoa Export Processing Factories to the quality and quantity of cocoa beans in Nigeria, examine the effects of incentives granted by the Federal Government to encourage cocoa exports on the productivity and efficiency of cocoa Export Processing Factories, identify the major constraints facing cocoa Export Processing factories in the study area. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected from the three cocoa processing factories in Ondo State, three recognized cocoa exporters with international af filiation, and sixty cocoa marketers within the state, using structured questionnaire. The secondary data were collected from various publications of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Trend analysis, Profitability analysis, Correlation analysis and t - test. The study revealed that cocoa processing companies are confronted with a variety of challenges ranging from high cost of production including that of unpredictable and fluctuating prices of raw cocoa beans, inevitably high and additional cost of generators and diesel resulting from epileptic power supply to lack of funds when needed. The conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that Cocoa Export Processing Factories are operating at a loss. This might be partly due to the highly capital intensive nature of cocoa processing.
Artificial intelligences, feminist and otherwise

Critique de l'interpretation de Turing par J. Genova fondee sur les concepts de sexe et sexualite. L'A. essaie d'ebaucher une comprehension alternative du sexe et de l'intelligence artificielle dans la philosophie de Turing
Study of the Gamma Rays from Thermal-Neutron Capture in Ni 64

The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ radiation emitted following thermal-neutron capture in ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{64}$ has been studied in singles and coincidence with 15-, 30-, and 40-${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ Ge(Li) detectors. $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays of the following energies (in keV) and relative intensities (in parentheses) were assigned to ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{65}$: 63.6 (13), 247.1 (0.5), 310.5 (23.0), 382.0 (0.7), 628.8 (7.3), 692.2 (1.5), [726 (0.2)], 1107.4 (3.8), [1418 (0.2)], 2083.8 (0.6), 2147.2 (0.3), 3950.2 (1.1), 4679.5 (3.8), 5405.2 (9.2), 5787.1 (18), 6034.0 (70). All these transitions were incorporated in a level scheme for the ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{65}$ nucleus with levels at the following energies: 63.6 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.3, 310.5 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.2, 692.3 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.3, 1417.9 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.4, and 2147.2 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.5 keV. A lower lifetime limit of $\ensuremath{\tau}g3$ \ensuremath{\mu}sec was measured and a conversion coefficient $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\sim}5$ deduced for the 63.5-keV state. These are consistent with the ${\frac{1}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ assignment made in a study of the ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{64}(d,p){\mathrm{Ni}}^{65}$ reaction. A ${\frac{3}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ assignment is suggested for the 310.5-keV state by the branching ratio to the 63.6-keV level and the ground state. The neutron separation energy is 6097.6 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.6 keV for ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{65}$ and 6837.6 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.0 keV for ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{63}$. The strengths of the five observed primary transitions and corresponding proton groups in the ($d,p$) reaction have been compared and a correlation co-efficient of 0.8 obtained. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay of the ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{65}$ ground state was also investigated.
Reproductive Performance of Bracon hebetor after Sublethal Doses of Carbaryl

Females of Bracon hebetor Say were treated topically with single 0.5 μl droplets of a dilution series of carbaryl in acetone. After “knock-down” by an 8 μg/g dose, only 50% of the treated females regained their feet. Higher doses killed all wasps in the sample. Daily egg production and hatchability were recorded until death of the survivors of 8 graded sublethal doses. The number of eggs developing from vitellogenic oocytes was reduced at all doses, but significant decreases in hatchability resulted only from the highest sublethal dose. Examinations of the abdominal tissues under the microwith scope revealed a decrease in fat cell size more rapid and drastic than that seen in terminal starvation. A resulting inefficient protein metabolism could explain the difficulty in vitellogenesis. Resorption of the mature ova and the largest oocytes, an adjustment to nutritional deprivation, also was observed. No evidence of mitotic-cell sensitivity was obtained.
Analysis of hepatoma incidence of the rural residents in Ningbo City from 2006 to 2008

Objective To investigate and analyze the hepatoma incidence and epidemicology of the rural residents in Ningbo City,then to provide the strategies for its control.Methods By collecting liver cancer information from the rural monitoring area in Ningbo City from 2006 to 2008,the crude and standardized incidence of the disease was statistical analyzed.Results The crude incidence of hepatoma of the rural residents in Ningbo from 2006 to 2008 is 38.66/105.The age standardized incidence of this disease is 32.14/105.The incidence of hepatoma increased with aging.Its incidence in male is 2.77 times of that in female.Imageology is the most persuasive method to make a definite diagnosis with a ratio of 58.93%,next to is the pathological examination with 36.72%.Conclusion Hepatoma incidence of rural residents in Ningbo City is above the average of that in Zhejiang province and China.The quality of the case diagnosis and report is acceptable.Therefore,efforts should be further strengthened on its etiological research and prevention and treatment.
Temperature and stress development in ultra-high performance concrete during curing

Abstract This paper presents the application of finite element based numerical model to trace the progression of temperature rise and consequent stresses during hydration in a mass ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) blocks. Results from the analysis suggest that severe thermal gradients can develop within UHPC member leading to high thermal stresses, which in turn lead to cracking at the surface of the concrete structure. The main factors that influence temperature rise and stress development in UHPC blocks during curing are batch mix proportions, size of concrete block, mesh reinforcement and presence of any thermal blankets. Provision of thermal blankets or steel wire mesh can lower curing temperature and resulting thermal stress.
Slave Revolts in Italy and Sicily before the Great Slave Wars

In the second major war that Rome fought with Carthage (218–201 b.c.), the Carthaginian commander Hannibal ravaged Italy south of Rome, while Roman forces devastated the parts of Sicily controlled by the Carthaginians and their allies. After the war, general conditions of peace and prosperity returned to southern Italy and Sicily. The half-century after 200 b.c., however, witnessed several slave rebellions. For information on most of these outbreaks, we are dependent on the year-by-year (annalistic) account of the Roman historian Livy. He reports continuing, though small-scale, episodes of violent slave resistance in southern Italy, which the Roman authorities categorized as “conspiracies.” These uprisings seem to have been linked with the cult of the god Bacchus, also known as Dionysus.
The SIN3A/HDAC Corepressor Complex Functionally Cooperates with NANOG to Promote Pluripotency

Although SIN3A is required for the survival of early embryos and embryonic stem cells (ESCs), the role of SIN3A in the maintenance and establishment of pluripotency remains unclear. Here, we find that the SIN3A/HDAC corepressor complex maintains ESC pluripotency and promotes the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Members of the SIN3A/HDAC corepressor complex are enriched in an extended NANOG interactome and function in transcriptional coactivation in ESCs. We also identified a critical role for SIN3A and HDAC2 in efficient reprogramming of somatic cells. Mechanistically, NANOG and SIN3A co-occupy transcriptionally active pluripotency genes in ESCs and also co-localize extensively at their genome-wide targets in pre-iPSCs. Additionally, both factors are required to directly induce a synergistic transcriptional program wherein pluripotency genes are activated and reprogramming barrier genes are repressed. Our findings indicate a transcriptional regulatory role for a major HDAC-containing complex in promoting pluripotency.
Inner Ear Organoids: Recapitulating Inner Ear Development in 3D Culture

The inner ear contains sensory epithelia composed of mechanosensitive hair cells, supporting cells, and sensory neurons that work in concert to detect sound and positional information and transmit those signals to the brain. Within the backdrop of embryogenesis, inner ear development follows an intricate pathway of signaling cues and morphological changes, leading to its complex final three-dimensional (3D) structure. Application of various small molecules and recombinant proteins to mouse embryonic stem cells at specific time points in vitro has enabled recapitulation of developmental cues with subsequent formation of inner ear organoids. This has resulted in a model system of inner ear development that is easily derived, manipulated, and analyzed. These organoids contain functional mechanosensitive hair cells, supporting cells, and sensory neurons, which phenocopy functional components of the inner ear responsible for detection of positional information. The potential applications of this system include investigation of inner ear development, disease modeling, drug screening, and therapy development. This chapter highlights the process of in vivo inner ear development, the rationale and process behind inner ear organoid formation, and potential applications and limitations of this in vitro model system.
Incorporation of cellulose with adsorbed phosphates into poly (lactic acid) for enhanced mechanical and flame retardant properties

Abstract We have engineered an environmentally sustainable, biodegradable, and flame retardant poly (lactic acid) (PLA) based composite by introducing resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) coated cellulose fibers at a mass fraction of only 8%. Mechanical testing showed that formation of the composite significantly improved the impact strength, dynamic and elastic moduli, and tensile strength relative to neat PLA. The composite self-extinguished in less than 2 s and had greatly reduced dripping, hence easily passing the UL-94 V0 criteria. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to elucidate the chemical mechanism responsible for these effects, which were interpreted in terms of a dehydration process of cellulose in the presence of RDP. This has an overall cooling effect and reduction of the combustion, which can be observed in the reduction of heat release rate (HRR) by cone calorimetry and increase in limiting oxygen index (LOI) value.
A Geometric Analysis of the Regulation of Inorganic Nutrient Intake by the Subterranean Termite Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar.

Most studies on termite food selection have focused on a single nutrient per choice, however, termites, like all animals, must balance multiple nutrients in their diet. While most studies that use multi-nutrient approaches focus on macromolecules, the ability to balance the intake of inorganic nutrients is also vital to organisms. In this study, we used the geometric framework to test the effects of multiple inorganic nutrients on termite feeding. We presented the subsets of Reticulitermes flavipes colonies with food enriched with varying in levels of KCl, MgSO4, and FePO4. Each trial varied two of the three nutrients while the third nutrient was kept constant. The amount of food consumed was measured over two weeks. The termites’ feeding patterns during the study suggested that they fed until they reached a limit for MgSO4. This result suggests that the termites were using the rule of compromise such that the termites would over consume KCl or FePO4 in order to avoid overeating MgSO4. Thus, the termite colonies are able to regulate the intake of inorganic nutrients, and by doing so, adjust their intake from multiple resources in order to maintain an intake target.
Effects of disc warping on the inclination evolution of star-disc-binary systems

Several recent studies have suggested that circumstellar disks in young stellar binaries may be driven into misalignement with their host stars due to secular gravitational interactions between the star, disk and the binary companion. The disk in such systems is twisted/warped due to the gravitational torques from the oblate central star and the external companion. We calculate the disk warp profile, taking into account of bending wave propagation and viscosity in the disk. We show that for typical protostellar disk parameters, the disk warp is small, thereby justifying the "flat-disk" approximation adopted in previous theoretical studies. However, the viscous dissipation associated with the small disk warp/twist tends to drive the disk toward alignment with the binary or the central star. We calculate the relevant timescales for the alignment. We find the alignment is effective for sufficiently cold disks with strong external torques, and is ineffective for the majority of star-disk-binary systems. Viscous warp driven alignment may be necessary to account for the observed spin-orbit alignment in multi-planet systems if these systems are accompanied by an inclined binary companion.
Dropout Prediction in MOOCs: Using Deep Learning for Personalized Intervention:

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) show great potential to transform traditional education through the Internet. However, the high attrition rates in MOOCs have often been cited as a scale-efficac...
Drosophila Mutants that Are Motile but Respond Poorly to All Stimuli Tested: Response by Various Organisms and a Proposal

Adult Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies were placed into one end of a tube near to repellents (benzaldehyde and heat) and away from the other end containing attractants (light and a favored temperature). They escaped from the repellents and went to the attractants. Five motile mutants that failed to do that were isolated. They did not respond to any external attractants tested or external repellents tested. In addition, they did not respond well to internal sensory stimuli like hunger, thirst, and sleep. The mutants, although motile, failed to respond to stimuli at both 34C and at room temperature. Some of the mutants have been mapped. It is proposed that the information from the different sensory receptors comes together at an intermediate, called "inbetween" (Inbet), that brings about a behavioral response. The Boss is defined here.
Immunology of Herpes Simplex Viruses

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) belong to a family of over 70 viruses—Herpesviridae— which have the following main characteristics: They consist of a core surrounded successively by an icosadeltahedral capsid, a globular tegument, and an envelope derived primarily from the nuclear membrane. There are two distinct serotypes of herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) which can be differentiated by serological, biological, and biochemical means and which share about half their base sequences [151].