cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of polyamines in p53-dependent apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells

Although p53 is known to play a critical role in the proliferation of gastrointestinal epithelia, the role of the Mdm2/p53 pathway in response to inducers of apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells is unknown. Our data show that camptothecin (CPT)-induced apoptosis correlated with increased p53, p21Cip1, and Mdm2 protein levels, with a simultaneous increase in ATR Ser428, p53 Ser15 and Mdm2 Ser166 phosphorylation in IEC-6 cells. Increased p53 levels and its phosphorylation increased Bax protein, caspase-9, -3 activation and apoptosis. However, TNF-α/CHX-mediated apoptosis was independent of p53 protein levels and phosphorylation. The translation inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX), prevented CPT-induced apoptosis. CHX completely prevented CPT-induced p53 phosphorylation and synthesis of p21Cip1, Bax and Bcl-xL proteins without altering p53 levels. The p53 activator, RITA, augmented CPT-induced apoptosis. The Mdm2 antagonist, Nutlin-3, significantly increased apoptosis, which was accompanied by increased p53, Mdm2 and p21Cip1 protein levels. The ATM/ATR kinase inhibitor, CGK733, blocked CPT-induced p53 Ser15 phosphorylation and protected cells from CPT-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) with α-difluromethylornithine (DFMO) and subsequent depletion of intracellular polyamines increased p53 protein, Mdm2 Ser166 phosphorylation and conferred resistance to CPT-induced apoptosis. However, polyamine depletion had no effect on p53 phosphorylation. Nutlin-3 reversed the protective effect of DFMO and sensitized cells to CPT-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that p53 stabilization and accumulation in response to polyamine depletion predominantly modulate cell cycle checkpoints via p21Cip1 expression and inhibit transcription of target genes responsible for apoptosis. In contrast, phosphorylation and stabilization of p53 in response to DNA-damage lead to apoptosis, which indicates different roles of p53 during DNA damage and polyamine depletion.
Reading the leaves

For Margaret Lowman, the story of a forest is written in its leaves. She has spent much of her life studying them
Polymeric materials for composite matrices in biological environments

Abstract Bifunctional monomers of new formulations have been synthesized and tested for potential use in dental composite filling materials. The monomers were designed to have lower viscosity than the standard basic monomer, thus requiring less dilution with low molecular weight monomer to achieve useful viscosities. It was hypothesized that the presence of the diluent is a main source of adverse effects on curing shrinkage and water sorption. The new materials were diluted to viscosities equivalent to commercial blends and tested for curing shrinkage, water sorption and wetting ability. Shrinkage was determined from the density differences between monomers and polymers, and polymer water sorption was determined gravimetrically. Wetting ability was measured by contact angle against human dentin and enamel as well as poly(methyl methacrylate) and glass. The newly synthesized monomers did exhibit reduced viscosity and required less dilution. They exihibited less curing shrinkage and water sorption. The contact angles showed little change from current materials.
Aspect ratio effect on flow-induced forces on circular cylinders in a cross-flow

Finite-span circular cylinders with two different aspect ratios, placed in a cross-flow, are investigated experimentally at a cylinder Reynolds number of 46,000. Simultaneous measurements of the flow-induced unsteady forces on the cylinders and the stream velocity in the wake are carried out. These results together with mean drag measurements along the span and available literature data are used to evaluate the flow mechanisms responsible for the induced unsteady forces and the effect of aspect ratio on these forces. The coherence of vortex shedding along the span of the cylinder is partially destroyed by the separated flow emanating from the top and by the recirculating flow behind the cylinder. As a result, the fluctuating lift decreases drastically. Based on the data collected, it is conjectured that the fluctuating recirculating flow behind the cylinder is the flow mechanism responsible for the unsteady drag and causes it to increase beyond the fluctuating lift. The fluctuating recirculating flow is a direct consequence of the unsteady separated flow. The unsteady forces vary along the span, with lift increasing and drag decreasing towards the cylinder base. When the cylinder span is large compared to the wall boundary layer thickness, a submerged two-dimensional region exists near the base. As the span decreases, the submerged two-dimensional region becomes smaller and eventually vanishes. Altogether, these results show that fluctuating drag is the dominant unsteady force in finite-span cylinders placed in a cross-flow. Its characteristic frequency is larger than that of the vortex shedding frequency.
Why measure cardiac output

Although cardiac output is a primary determinant of global O2 transport there are no absolute values that reflect circulatory adequacy, though very low values are of negative prognostic use. There is no agreement as to what constitutes a clinically relevant change in cardiac output. A recent clinical trial suggests that early goal-directed therapy aimed at increasing cardiac output improves survival. Thus, in some patients, measurement of cardiac output is indicated as an aid to prognosis, diagnosis and to monitor the adequacy of therapy. Gonzalez et al. compared PAC thermodilution cardiac output with indirect Fick measures of cardiac output. They found that at lower cardiac outputs (< 5 l/min) the agreement between the two techniques is good, whereas at higher flows increased differences exist between the two measures. As discussed in this commentary, this study did not address the three potential questions related to PAC monitoring of cardiac output. These questions are: can the PAC cardiac output data be used to monitor cardiac output? Do technical and physiological constraints limit the accuracy of PAC cardiac output? And; are PAC cardiac output measurement errors due to respiratory variation in pulmonary blood flow? Ways of answering each question are given.
Programming language support for writing fault-tolerant distributed software

Good programming language support can simplify the task of writing fault-tolerant distributed software. Here, an approach to providing such support is described in which a general high-level distributed programming language is augmented with mechanisms for fault tolerance. Unlike approaches based on sequential languages or specialized languages oriented towards a given fault-tolerance technique, this approach gives the programmer a high level of abstraction, while still maintaining flexibility and execution efficiency. The paper first describes a programming model that captures the important characteristics that should be supported by a programming language of this type. It then presents a realization of this approach in the form of FT-SR, a programming language that augments the SR distributed programming language with features for replication, recovery, and failure notification. In addition to outlining these extensions, an example program consisting of a data manager and its associated stable storage is given. Finally, an implementation of the language that uses the x-kernel and runs standalone on a network of Sun workstations is discussed. The overall structure and several of the algorithms used in the runtime are interesting in their own right. >
The Projectile Mass Dependence of the Amorphization Process and the Critical Temperature in the Ion Irradiated CuTi

CuTi was irradiated with 1MeV Ne+ and Kr+ at various temperatures in the Argonne-HVEM interfaced to a tandem accelerator. The integrated intensity of diffuse ring was measured by a microdensitometer and analyzed by Gibbons model for the dose dependence of the amorphous volume. The results indicate that the direct amorphization occurs in a single damage zone with Kr+, but the overlapping of three damage zones is necessary with Ne+. The critical temperature for amorphization was 401±22K for Ne+ and 543±20K for Kr+, respectively. With Kr+, the critical temperature was nearly equal to the thermal crystallization temperature of an amorphous zone embedded in the crystalline matrix. Using the present observations, the relation between the amorphization process and the critical temperature is discussed.
Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness Comparison of Nonprofit, Public, and Private Organizations

Few studies have compared the mitigation and preparedness activities adopted by nonprofit, private, and public organizations. This study contributes to this important literature by comparing the ad...
Social Network Characteristics of Urban Adolescents in Brief Substance Abuse Treatment

In this study, the social network characteristics of 102 urban adolescents in brief substance abuse treatment are described and analyzed longitudinally to examine risk and protective mechanisms. The treatment intervention had one session devoted to social support and networks. Social networks were conceptualized and measured along two dimensions (a risk and a protective dimension) with four categories within each dimension. Results indicate a reduction in risk and an increase in protective characteristics at 12-month follow-up and point to specific characteristics that increase risk for and protection against substance use and psychiatric problems. These findings support a social network approach in understanding adolescent health behaviors.
Al and Fe biogeochemistry in a floodplain forest: Implications for P retention

We examined spatial and temporal variationsin soil chemistry in a floodplain forest landscape todetermine the effects of flooding on aluminum (Al) andiron (Fe) oxide biogeochemistry and inorganicphosphorus (Pi) sorption capacity. Whenpreviously sorbed Pi was considered, the sorptioncapacities of floodplain and adjacent upland soilswere comparable, suggesting that floodplain soilsrepresent a second line of defense protectingdownstream aquatic ecosystems from agriculturalrun-off. Pi sorption capacity was highlycorrelated with oxalate-extractable Al (Alo)(rs = 0.78); Alo and percent organic matter(OM) were also highly correlated (rs = 0.72),suggesting the importance of OM-Al complexes in thesesoils. The correlation of oxalate-extractable Fe(Feo) with OM (rs = 0.64) was improved(rs = 0.80) by removing lower elevation (swale)soils, suggesting that flooding inhibits theassociation of Feo with OM. Fe oxidecrystallinity decreased during seasonal flooding, buttotal extractable Fe did not change significantly. Fesolubilized during flooding was either replaced bysediment deposition (252 ± 3 mmol kg−1yr−1), and/or reprecipitated locally. Al oxidecrystallinity also decreased during flooding due to asignificant decline in NaOH-extractable Al (AlN). AlN concentrations subsequently returned topre-flooding levels, but sediment Al inputs (57 ±3 mmol kg−1 yr−1), were insufficient to account for this recovery. Observed Fetransformations suggest the importance offlooding-induced declines in soil redox potential toFe biogeochemistry; observed Al transformationssuggest the importance of complexation reactions withsoil OM to Al biogeochemistry in this floodplainforest.
Comparative gas exchange and growth responses of C3 and C4 beach species grown at different salinities.

Comparative laboratory gas exchange and relative growth rate experiments were conducted on three native California coastal strand species at four salinity treatment levels. Relative mesophyll conductance sensitivities to salinity of Atriplex leucophylla (Moq.) D. Dietr. (C4) and Atriplex californica Moq. in D.C. (C3) were nearly identical. Mesophyll conductances of both species were stimulated by moderate levels of salinity. Mesophyll conductances of Abronia maritima Nutt. ex Wats. (C3) were highest in the absence of salinity and depressed by increasing levels of salinity. Increasing levels of salinity generally decreased net photosynthesis and leaf conductances but increased water use efficiencies. The C4 species, Atriplex leucophylla, had higher mesophyll conductances and water use efficiencies at all salinity levels than the C3 species. The effects of salinity on relative growth and net assimilation rates of greenhouse grown plants were not directly correlated with the effects on net photosynthesis measured in the laboratory. Growth of Abronia maritima was greatly stimulated by low levels of salinity whereas photosynthesis was substantially inhibited. The possible significance of C4 photosynthesis in relation to salinity is discussed.
The delineation of antigen receptors on human T lymphocytes

Monoclonal antibodies have identified several surface molecules involved in target cell recognition by cytotoxic human T cells. In this article it is proposed that T cells have two recognition units: a complex composed of the T3 molecule and a clonally unique glycoprotein which binds antigen associated with polymorphic MHC gene product; and the T4 or T8 molecule which binds to a constant region of an MHC gene product.
Leaving Homelessness Behind: Housing Decisions among Families Exiting Shelter(1.)

Because homelessness assistance programs are designed to help families, it is important for policymakers and practitioners to understand how families experiencing homelessness make housing decisions, particularly when they decide not to use available services. This study explores those decisions using in-depth qualitative interviews with 80 families recruited in shelters across four sites approximately six months after they were assigned to one of four conditions (permanent housing subsidies, project-based transitional housing, community-based rapid re-housing, and usual care). Familiar neighborhoods near children's schools, transportation, family and friends, and stability were important to families across conditions. Program restrictions on eligibility constrained family choices. Subsidized housing was the most desired intervention and families leased up at higher rates than in other studies of poor families. Respondents were least comfortable in and most likely to leave transitional housing. Uncertainty associated with community-based rapid re-housing generated considerable anxiety. Across interventions, many families had to make unhappy compromises, often leading to further moves. Policy recommendations are offered.
Retinofugal projections in the lepidosirenid lungfishes

Autoradiographic and silver methods indicate that the African and South American lungfishes, Protopterus and Lepidosiren, lack ipsilateral retinal projections. Contralaterally, the retina projects to the preoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, to four discrete areas located in the lateral neuropil of the thalamus, to a superficial pretectal neuropil, to the upper half of the tectal neutropil, and to a laterally situated basal optic neuropil located in the rostral tegmentum. The overall pattern of the primary retinofugal projections is markedly similar to that of amphibians which suggests that lungfishes may be more closely related to amphibians than to actinopterygian fishes. Neotenic trends in both lepidosirenid lungfishes and urodeles may be expressions of parallelism, hence Latimeria and Neoceratodus must be examined to resolve this phylogenetic problem. A 300-fold range in the size of the eye, indicated by the number of ganglion cells present, occurs among lungfishes, salamanders and frogs. This variation may have implications for recognizing the morphological expression of selection operating on the visual systems of lepidosirenids and amphibians.
Latitudinal compensation in oyster ciliary activity

1. Theories of latitudinal compensation predict that individuals living in colder temperature regimes should physiologically compensate for the slowing of standard physiological rates, owing to the relatively low temperature of their local environments, by increasing their metabolic rate in colder water temperatures relative to individuals living in warmer water temperature regimes. 2. This hypothesis was tested with oyster strains originally from geographically separated populations that were raised in a common environment for seven generations. The physiological parameter measured was ciliary activity across a temperature gradient. 3. Support for the latitudinal compensation hypothesis was found: the strain originally from the colder temperature regime had more active cilia at lower experimental temperatures than individuals originally from the warmer temperature regime. Ciliary activity of the more northern Long Island Sound oysters was significantly greater than activity in the more southern Delaware Bay oysters at temperatures of –1, 2 and 6 °C. 4. These results suggest that there is genetically based physiological differentiation between these populations of oysters consistent with the latitudinal compensation for local temperature regime.
Variations in Transcription-Repair Coupling in Mouse Cells

Abstract Formation and repair of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) was examined in three different genes in mouse L cells: 1) a stably integrated insert (called LTL), consisting of a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene (tk) fused to a hormone inducible promotor (LTR); 2) the constitutively expressed proto-oncogene c-abl; and 3) the inactive immunoglobulin J chain gene. Transcription of the tk gene is induced >50-fold by dexamethasone. There is a nonuniform distribution of CPDs in LTL DNA irradiated in vitro, being 4-fold higher in the LTR than in the tk gene, indicating the LTR may be damaged preferentially in irradiated cells. Repair of CPDs occurs efficiently in both strands of LTL and is unaffected by hormone induction of tk gene transcription. Transcription of tk mRNA is very sensitive to UV damage and follows single hit kinetics with UV dose. Furthermore, tk mRNA expression rapidly recovers during repair incubation. Transcription-coupled repair occurs in these cells, however, since only the transcribed strand of c-abl is efficiently repaired of CPDs; the nontranscribed strand as well as both strands of the J chain gene are inefficiently repaired. Thus, repair in the LTL construct may reflect a lack of transcription-coupled repair in either the LTR promotor or the LTL insertion region of chromatin.
Is It Time to Revisit Tobacco Policies on University Campuses

Colleges and universities are obliged to provide a safe, healthy environment for students and employees. Nationally, more universities and colleges are banning tobacco both indoors and outdoors as evidence accumulates about the harmful effects of environmental tobacco smoke. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville complies with Illinois Clean Air statutes, but smoking is still allowed outside of campus buildings. In late 2004, an interdisciplinary team of students and faculty administered a 21-item survey to a purposive sample of 3% of students, faculty, and staff at SIUE. Key informant interviews were conducted and tobacco policies reviewed. Many smokers reported initiating tobacco use during college years (17-23) and that their peers were also tobacco users. Although most respondents were bothered by tobacco use on campus, there was strong opposition to a campus-wide ban on tobacco. Results of this study, along with suggestions for future research and policy considerations, are presented.
Design considerations for sensor networks with gateways

In a large class of sensor network deployments, a small subset of the sensors covering the sensor field is equipped with special communications capability to communicate with operators outside the sensor field. These sensors play the role of gateways for off-field communication in the sense that all communications to- or out of the field is through these nodes, and the other non-gateway nodes are only capable of sensor-to-sensor communication. This design achieves a lower cost by concentrating expensive communication devices in a small subset of nodes. An important problem in designing such gateway-based sensor networks is determining the number of gateway nodes needed, their location in the sensor field, and the automation of the sensor-to-gateway association for off-field communication. These design considerations are addressed in this paper. In determining the number of gateways the tradeoff is between performance and cost. As the number of gateways increases, less traffic load is placed on each gateway and its surrounding nodes, resulting in longer network lifetime and larger off-field aggregate transmission capacity. However, with a larger number of gateways the network may be too costly to deploy as gateway nodes are more expensive than non-gateway sensor nodes. We develop and analyze models that allow us to determine the optimal number of gateways and their location in the sensor field. We also provide initial results with respect to determining the needed number of fusion nodes. While the presence of multiple gateways offers a higher degree of off-field communication reliability, a sensor will need to select one of the gateways at a time for off-field communication. In this paper, we also propose a dynamic sensor-to-gateway association protocol. Based on current energy levels, the distributed protocol dynamically assigns sensors to gateways in such a way that the overall transmission load is balanced among the different gateway regions over the lifetime of the sensor field.
Accuracy of Earth's Thermospheric Neutral Density Models

[Abstract] Atmospheric drag remains the dominant uncertainty for low altitude satellite precision orbit determination . Empirical models are used to estimate satellite drag. Model accuracies have shown little improvement in the past 35 years. A new Ja cchia -Bowman 2006 (JB2006) empirical model has been developed as part of the Air Force Space Command’s High A ccuracy Satellite Drag Model (HASDM) program. Significant new model features of JB2006 are solar indices based on satellite EUV and FUV sensor s and an improved semiannual variation. This new model is compared to historic models vs altitude, latitude, local time , day of year and solar and geomagnetic conditions . Data are from a unique high accuracy set of thermospheric neutral densities with one -day r esolution, obtained from tracking of 38 satellites. The e valuation is carried out for the period 199 7 to 2004 , when the specific solar indices for JB2006 were available . The results provide improved understanding of quantitative relations between current s olar inputs and t he response of the thermosphere . New formulations incorporated into the JB2006 lead to a capability to more accurately specify thermospheric density .
Addressing scope of inference for global genetic evaluation of livestock

Genetic evaluations should become more accurate with the advent of whole genome selection (WGS) based on high density SNP panels. The use of WGS should then accelerate genetic gains for production traits given likely decreases in generation interval due to the greater intent to select more animals based just on their genotypes rather than phenotypes. However, past and current genetic evaluations may not generally connect well to the intended scope of inference. For example, estimating haplotype effects from the data of a single reference population does not bode well for the use of WGS in other diverse environments since the scope of inference is too narrow; conversely, WGS based on estimates, for example, derived from daughter yield deviations of dairy bulls may be too broad to infer upon genetic merit under any one particular environment. The treatment of contemporary group effects as random rather than as fixed, heterogeneous variances, genotype by environment interaction, and multiple trait analyses are all important scope of inference issues that are discussed in this review. Management systems and environments have and will continue to change; hence, it is vital that genetic evaluations are as robust and scope-appropriate as is possible in order to optimize animal adaptation to these changes.
EFFECTS OF RETROREFLECTOR POSITIONING ON NIGHTTIME RECOGNITION OF PEDESTRIANS

This field study investigated potential effects of retroreflector positioning on recognition of nighttime pedestrians. The subject's task was to press a response button whenever he/she recognized a pedestrian on or alongside the road, while in a car with low-beam lamps on that was driven at a constant speed on a dark road. The results showed that each retroreflector configuration yielded significantly longer recognition distances than the no-retroreflector configuration. More importantly, the retroreflective markings attached to the limbs led to significantly longer (about 60-80%) recognition distances than when the retroreflective markings were attached to the torso. Furthermore, a pedestrian was more recognizable while crossing the road than while approaching the subject vehicle, except for configurations involving no retroreflective markings.
Application of the Luminex LabMAP in Rapid Screening for Mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Gene: A Pilot Study

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that occurs in ∼1 in 2500 Caucasians (1)(2)(3). CF can result from combinations of >750 known mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, and in certain populations, as many as 1 person in 25 is a carrier (1)(2)(3). To date, screening methods have either been narrow, requiring multiple methodologies to be brought to bear for comprehensive coverage, or are cost prohibitive (1)(4). This study describes the Luminex LabMAPTM system and its potential for simultaneous, rapid, sensitive, and specific screening for mutations in the CFTR gene. The LabMAP system incorporates polystyrene microspheres that are internally dyed with two spectrally distinct fluorochromes. Using precise ratios of these fluorochromes, an array is created consisting of 100 different microsphere sets with specific spectral addresses. Each microsphere set can possess a different reactant on its surface. Because microsphere sets can be distinguished by their spectral addresses, they can be combined, allowing up to 100 different analytes to be measured simultaneously in a single reaction vessel. A third fluorochrome coupled to a reporter molecule quantifies the biomolecular interaction that has occurred at the microsphere surface. Microspheres are interrogated individually in a rapidly flowing fluid stream as they pass by two separate lasers in the Luminex100 analyzer. High-speed digital …
Sub-lethal glyphosate exposure alters flowering phenology and causes transient male-sterility in Brassica spp

Herbicide resistance in weedy plant populations can develop through different mechanisms such as gene flow of herbicide resistance transgenes from crop species into compatible weedy species or by natural evolution of herbicide resistance or tolerance following selection pressure. Results from our previous studies suggest that sub-lethal levels of the herbicide glyphosate can alter the pattern of gene flow between glyphosate resistant Canola®, Brassica napus, and glyphosate sensitive varieties of B. napus and B. rapa. The objectives of this study were to examine the phenological and developmental changes that occur in Brassica crop and weed species following sub-lethal doses of the herbicides glyphosate and glufosinate. We examined several vegetative and reproductive traits of potted plants under greenhouse conditions, treated with sub-lethal herbicide sprays. Our results indicate that exposure of Brassica spp. to a sub-lethal dose of glyphosate results in altering flowering phenology and reproductive function. Flowering of all sensitive species was significantly delayed and reproductive function, specifically male fertility, was suppressed. Higher dosage levels typically contributed to an increase in the magnitude of phenotypic changes. These results demonstrate that Brassica spp. plants that are exposed to sub-lethal doses of glyphosate could be subject to very different pollination patterns and an altered pattern of gene flow that would result from changes in the overlap of flowering phenology between species. Implications include the potential for increased glyphosate resistance evolution and spread in weedy communities exposed to sub-lethal glyphosate.
The New York Teacher Rating Scale for disruptive and antisocial behavior.

ABSTRACT Objective A teacher rating scale designed to reflect current diagnostic descriptors of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder was developed and standardized. Method Teacher ratings were obtained for 1,258 1st-through 10th-grade children from two school districts in New York and for 81 clinically referred children with conduct disorder. Results Three factors relevant to oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder were generated: defiance, physical aggression, and delinquent aggression. A fourth factor reflects peer problems. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and interrater reliability are documented using a population and a conduct disorder sample. The validity of the factors is supported by the factors' ability to discriminate between children in the general population and those with conduct disorders, by correlations with global impairment items, and by expected sex differences. Conclusion The scale has utility for assessing symptoms of conduct disorder in school settings.
Phenotypic plasticity and experimental evolution

Natural or artificial selection that favors higher values of a particular trait within a given population should engender an evolutionary response that increases the mean value of the trait. For this prediction to hold, the phenotypic variance of the trait must be caused in part by additive effects of alleles segregating in the population, and also the trait must not be too strongly genetically correlated with other traits that are under selection. Another prediction, rarely discussed in the literature, is that directional selection should favor alleles that increase phenotypic plasticity in the direction of selection, where phenotypic plasticity is defined as the ability of one genotype to produce more than one phenotype when exposed to different environments. This prediction has received relatively little empirical attention. Nonetheless, many laboratory experiments impose selection regimes that could allow for the evolution of enhanced plasticity (e.g. desiccation trials with Drosophila that last for several hours or days). We review one example that involved culturing of Drosophila on lemon for multiple generations and then tested for enhanced plasticity of detoxifying enzymes. We also review an example with vertebrates that involves selective breeding for high voluntary activity levels in house mice, targeting wheel-running behavior on days 5+6 of a 6-day wheel exposure. This selection regime allows for the possibility of wheel running itself or subordinate traits that support such running to increase in plasticity over days 1-4 of wheel access. Indeed, some traits, such as the concentration of the glucose transporter GLUT4 in gastrocnemius muscle, do show enhanced plasticity in the selected lines over a 5-6 day period. In several experiments we have housed mice from both the Selected (S) and Control (C) lines with or without wheel access for several weeks to test for differences in plasticity (training effects). A variety of patterns were observed, including no training effects in either S or C mice, similar changes in both the S and C lines, greater changes in the S lines but in the same direction in the C lines, and even opposite directions of change in the S and C lines. For some of the traits that show a greater training effect in the S lines, but in the same direction as in C lines, the greater effect can be explained statistically by the greater wheel running exhibited by S lines ('more pain, more gain'). For others, however, the differences seem to reflect inherently greater plasticity in the S lines (i.e. for a given amount of stimulus, such as wheel running/day, individuals in the S lines show a greater response as compared with individuals in the C lines). We suggest that any selection experiment in which the selective event is more than instantaneous should explore whether plasticity in the appropriate (adaptive) direction has increased as a component of the response to selection.
Identification of type IV collagenase in rat testicular cell culture: influence of peritubular-Sertoli cell interactions.

In the testis, interactions between peritubular cells (mesenchyme) and Sertoli cells (epithelium), together with proteolytic remodeling of the extracellular matrix, may play a central role in testicular development, morphogenesis, and spermatogenesis. In this study we demonstrate that a metalloproteinase of 72 kDa present in rat Sertoli cell and Sertoli-peritubular cell coculture medium is activated by p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (p-APMA) to a lower molecular mass form, indicating that it is likely to be a latent collagenase. Immunoblots using antibodies to three different domains of type IV collagenase show that the 72-kDa protease and a 76-kDa protease are type IV pro-collagenases. Sertoli cells cultured alone produce basal levels of type IV coilagenase that can be immunolocalized in the cytoplasm of cultured cells. Peritubular cells cultured alone produce much less type IV collagenase. However, Sertoli and peritubular cells in coculture do produce type IV pro-collagenase, and in cultures consisting predominantly of peritubular cells, the activated form of type LV collagenase was detected by both zymography and immunoblotting. Cells growing during the transitional phase (from cell attachment to confluence) secrete more metalloproteinases than during the confluent phase. In contrast, plasminogen activator levels are unaffected by time in culture. These results show that rat testicular cells in culture produce and secrete type IV collagenase, and that the secretion and activation of this enzyme and other metalloproteases is regulated by the ratio of mesenchymal cells to epithelial cells and time in culture.
The Composite OLAP-Object Data Model: Removing an Unnecessary Barrier

OLAP and object data models represent different logical concepts and structures, and therefore separate database systems with different query languages were developed based on these models. We show in this paper that it is desirable and possible to combine these models to represent realistic modeling requirements. We define in this paper an OLAP-Object data model that combines the main characteristics of OLAP and Object data models in order to represent their functionalities in a common framework. We use three different types of object classes: primitive, regular and composite. In the OLAP-Object data model, primitive and regular classes which represent object structures can be used for form composite classes that represent OLAP structures. We define a query language that uses path structures to facilitate data navigation and data manipulation. The proposed language uses the concept of an anchor. An anchor is an object class (primitive, regular or composite) that is selected as a starting node from which paths structures can be formed to express queries. The power of the proposed query language is illustrated through numerous examples. The syntax and semantics of the proposed language are developed.
Natural regeneration of Ginkgo biloba from downward growing cotyledonary buds (basal chichi).

This study describes the origin and early development of a distinct organ of clonal regeneration in Ginkgo biloba, the basal chichi. These aggregates of suppressed shoot buds originate from superficial meristems located in the cotyledonary axils of all Ginkgo seedlings as part of their normal ontogeny. Within 6 wk of germination these buds become embedded in the cortex of the stem, and their subsequent growth and development occurs below the surface of the bark. When stimulated by some traumatic event that damages the seedling axis, one of these embedded cotyledonary buds usually grows down from the trunk to form a woody, rhizomelike basal chichi which, under appropriate conditions, is capable of generating both aerial shoots and adventitious roots. Vegetative regeneration by means of basal chichi has not only contributed to the long-term persistence of G. biloba in the forests of China, but may also have played a role in the remarkable survival of the genus since the Cretaceous. The genus Ginkgo, represented today by the widely cultivated Chinese species G. biloba L., has an evolutionary lineage that dates back to the lower Jurassic, about 190 million years ago. Over this length of time, the genus has undergone much change; yet fossil leaf and wood material from the Cretaceous species G. adiantoides is considered indistinguishable from that of G. biloba, leading many authors to refer to the Ginkgo as a "living fossil"
Lisbon meeting of the International Association Of Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity

At the Fifth General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics held at Lisbon, Portugal, September 14 to 23, 1933, there were fire sessions of the Association of Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity. The following countries were represented by delegates and guests: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. The Association evinced its interest in many geophysical researches now in progress among which may be mentioned: The continuous observation of solar phenomena which may lead to an explanation of the production of certain phenomena in the upper atmosphere, especially those for which magnetic observations have shown the origin to reside in more or less persistent areas on the Sun's surface; the results of spectrohelioscopic observations being obtained at stations widely distributed over the Earth's surface; the international aspects of cosmic-ray research. stressing particularly the desirability of furthering in every way the plans for installing and maintaining at selected permanent observatories apparatus for the continuous photographic registration of the penetrating-radiation; and observations relating to the form of lightning.
An Examination of the Levels of Cognitive Demand Required by Probability Tasks in Middle Grades Mathematics Textbooks.

We analyze probability content within middle grades (6, 7, and 8) mathematics textbooks from a historical perspective. Two series, one popular and the other alternative, from four recent eras of mathematics education (New Math, Back to Basics, Problem Solving, and Standards) were analyzed using the Mathematical Tasks Framework (Stein, Smith, Henningsen, & Silver, 2000). Standards-era textbook series devoted significantly more attention to probability than other series; more than half of all tasks analyzed were located in Standards-era textbooks. More than 85% of tasks for six series required low levels of cognitive demand, whereas the majority of tasks in the alternative series from the Standards era required high levels of cognitive demand. Recommendations for future research are offered.
An Interview with Eugene Paul. Wigner by I. Kardos

Eugene (Jeno) Paul Wigner, physicist, of Hungarian origin, was born in Budapest on November 17th, 1902, and is now living in the United States. After finishing his middle school studies, he became a student of the Technische Hochschule in Berlin where he was later given a post as assistant lecturer. He took his degree in chemistry in 1925. Five years later he became a lecturer at the University of Princeton where he taught mathematical physics. For two semesters he also taught at the University of Wisconsin, returning to lecture at Princeton University in 1938.
Fas splicing variants and their effect on apoptosis.

Higher vertebrates frequently contain multigene families of related ligands and their receptors, often with overlapping specificities. Presumably such an organization allows for greater flexibility in the timing and tissue distribution of these molecules. A further level of complexity is introduced by the fact that variants of the same growth factor or receptor can be encoded as alternative transcripts of the same gene. Such variants may remain membrane associated or may be efficiently secreted.
The Politics of Causes: Motivated Reasoning and Attributions About Shooting Tragedies

Individuals develop causal stories about the world around them that explain events, behaviors, and conditions. These stories may attribute causes to controllable components, such as individual choice, or uncontrollable components, such as broader forces in the environment. Here we employ motivated reasoning to understand causal attributions the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting tragedy. We argue that causal attributions stem from individual reasoning that is primarily motivated by existing dispositions and accuracy motives. Both motivations are present for attributions about the Virginia Tech shootings and we seek to understand their significance and whether dispositional motives condition accuracy drives. We are able to test several hypotheses using individual level survey data from a national survey to explain attributions about the 2007 shootings. Our findings suggest a substantial partisan divide on the causes of the tragedy and considerable differences between the least and most educated respondents. However, our analysis also reveal that education have virtually no influence on the attributions made by Republicans, but heightens the differences among Democrats. We discuss these findings for the public’s understanding of the tragedy and more broadly for attribution research.
Remaining useful life prediction based on noisy condition monitoring signals using constrained Kalman filter

Abstract In this paper, a statistical prognostic method to predict the remaining useful life (RUL) of individual units based on noisy condition monitoring signals is proposed. The prediction accuracy of existing data-driven prognostic methods depends on the capability of accurately modeling the evolution of condition monitoring (CM) signals. Therefore, it is inevitable that the RUL prediction accuracy depends on the amount of random noise in CM signals. When signals are contaminated by a large amount of random noise, RUL prediction even becomes infeasible in some cases. To mitigate this issue, a robust RUL prediction method based on constrained Kalman filter is proposed. The proposed method models the CM signals subject to a set of inequality constraints so that satisfactory prediction accuracy can be achieved regardless of the noise level of signal evolution. The advantageous features of the proposed RUL prediction method is demonstrated by both numerical study and case study with real world data from automotive lead-acid batteries.
Wharton-fragmentation-based approach to the carbocyclic core of the phomoidrides.

The carbocyclic core of the phomoidrides has been synthesized efficiently and in high yield. Key steps include a phenolic oxidation/intramolecular Diels–Alder sequence, tandem radical cyclization, and a late-stage Wharton fragmentation of a densely functionalized isotwistane skeleton.
Prevention and osteoporosis management.

BACKGROUND Primary osteoporosis affects one in four women over the age of 65 and reflects lifelong processes and trends. SUMMARY Skeletal bone constantly repairs the microscopic damage it sustains as a result of the normal activities of living. Women achieve their maximum bone density by the close of adolescence. Hereditary, nutritional, hormonal, and life-style factors affect the process of osteoporosis. Bone densitometry can detect very small deficits long before losses become clinically apparent. Intervention can halt osteoporosis at any point and perhaps increase bone density, but no known therapy can restore the normal bone architecture once it is lost. KEY POINTS Women should maintain an adequate intake of calcium throughout their lifetime, especially during adolescence. Bone densitometry at the time of menopause detects preclinical osteoporosis and enables physicians to start therapy to preserve the bone structure.
Ocean Acidification and Scleractinian Corals

In their Brevia “Scleractinian coral species survive and recover from decalcification” (30 March, p. [1811][1]), M. Fine and D. Tchernov present an exciting experimental approach documenting how coral skeletons dissolve as a physiological response to increased atmospheric CO2, a subject
Effect of implant sequence and dose on feedlot cattle performance.

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of delayed implanting or the use of a low-dose implant followed by a higher-dose implant in feedlot cattle. In the first study, 150 steers were allotted to 15 pens (three pens/treatment) and assigned to a nonimplant treatment (control), a single zeranol (36 mg) implant (R), or a double zeranol implant (DR) administered at the start of a 140-d finishing period, or a single zeranol implant administered at the start of an 80-d growing period, followed by a single (RR) or double (RDR) zeranol implant administered at the start of the finishing period. Steers managed under the DR, RR, and RDR implant schemes had greater (P < .10) finishing period gains and intakes than the control steer group. However, only DR and RDR steer groups had improved (P < .10) finishing period feed conversions compared with control steers. In combined growing and finishing periods, the RDR steer group displayed the lowest (P = .12) feed:gain ratio. In a second trial, conducted concurrently to the zeranol trial, steers that did not receive an initial implant containing 20 mg of estradiol benzoate plus 200 mg of progesterone (S) but were subsequently implanted twice, once at the start of the finishing period and again 80 d later, had a lower (P < .11) finishing period feed:gain ratio (6.08 vs 6.51) than steers implanted all three times.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Easily overlooked language disabilities during childhood and adolescence. A cognitive-linguistic perspective.

The identification of language difficulties in young children is made possible through the use of a variety of standardized assessment tools. Relative to young children, however, the language disabilities of older children and adolescents may be quite subtle and difficult to detect because of the paucity of standardized tools. This state of affairs necessitates the speech language clinical to develop a variety of informal tools to assess the higher-order language abilities in these children. Because language functioning entails the convergence of a variety of cognitive and linguistic processes, these informal protocols must be informed by the developmental literature to consider both language-specific and general cognitive processes underlying any individual’s language performance.