cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PrismExp: Predicting Human Gene Function by Partitioning Massive RNA-seq Co-expression Data

Gene co-expression correlations from mRNA-sequencing (RNAseq) can be used to predict gene function based on the covariance structure that exists within such data. In the past, we showed that RNA-seq co-expression data is highly predictive of gene function and protein-protein interactions. We demonstrated that the performance of such predictions is dependent on the source of the gene expression data. Furthermore, since genes function in different cellular contexts, predictions derived from tissue-specific gene co-expression data outperform predictions derived from cross-tissue gene co-expression data. However, the identification of the optimal tissue type to maximize gene function predictions for all mammalian genes is not trivial. Here we introduce and validate an approach we term Partitioning RNA-seq data Into Segments for Massive co-EXpression-based gene function Predictions (PrismExp), for improved gene function prediction based on RNA-seq co-expression data. With coexpression data from ARCHS4, we apply PrismExp to predict a wide variety of gene functions, including pathway membership, phenotypic associations, and protein-protein interactions. PrismExp outperforms the cross-tissue co-expression correlation matrix approach on all tested domains. Hence, PrismExp can enhance machine learning methods that utilize RNA-seq co-expression correlations to impute knowledge about understudied genes and proteins.
Here We Go Again: Another ACA Legal Challenge of Questionable Merit

The barrage of lawsuits challenging the Affordable Care Act (ACA) shows no signs of abating, even in the wake of two major US Supreme Court decisions upholding key aspects of the law. The latest suit [PDF], filed on October 22 by three states, targets a minor aspect of the ACA’s legislative scheme, but it could produce another thorn in the side of the law’s implementation. The plaintiffs see yet another constitutional infirmity with Obamacare, while supporters of the law see a politically motivation stunt. The three states, Texas, Kansas and Louisiana, seek to invalidate an ACA fee on insurance companies as it applies to managed care plans that administer benefits under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The fee, known as the Health Insurance Provider fee, takes the form of a 1.5 percent tax on all health insurance premiums across the country to help offset the law’s cost. It applies not only to premiums paid by employers and individuals for coverage under private plans but also to capitation payments made by states to managed care plans that administer coverage under Medicaid and CHIP. Nonprofit plans that primarily serve low-income, elderly and disabled beneficiaries are exempt. The Actuarial Standards Board (ASB), a private organization that sets standards for actuarial accounting in the insurance industry, has determined that states must account for the fee in the capitation payments as a matter of sound actuarial practice.
Constructing national identity through World Heritage: the international and intranational politics of the built environment in Ahmadabad

In 2017, amidst rising Hindu nationalist politics, the ‘Historic City of Ahmadabad’ was designated India’s first UNESCO World Heritage city for its Islamic architectural heritage. How should we und...
Planning in Dynamic and Partially Unknown Environments

Abstract Motion planning in dynamic and partially unknown environments is a difficult problem requiring both perception and control components. We propose a solution to the control component while cleanly abstracting perception. We show that this clean abstraction can be used to synthesize verifiably safe reference trajectories using a combination of reachability analysis and Mixed Integer Linear Programming. Experiments with a prototype implementation of this algorithm show promise as it has subsecond synthesis performance for nonlinear vehicle models in scenarios with hundred plus obstacles on standard hardware.
Synthetic Biology for Photobiological Production of Butanol and Related Higher Alcohols from Carbon Dioxide and Water

This chapter presents an invention on creating biosafety-guarded designer photosynthetic organisms for photobiological production of butanol and related higher alcohols. The designer photosynthetic organisms are created such that the endogenous photobiological regulation mechanism is tamed, and the reducing power (NADPH) and energy (ATP) acquired from the photosynthetic process are used for synthesis of butanol and/or related higher alcohols from carbon dioxide and water. This photobiological biofuels-production method eliminates the problem of recalcitrant lignocellulosics by bypassing it. This technology is expected to have a much higher solar-to-biofuels energy-conversion efficiency than the conventional biomass technology. Furthermore, this approach enables the use of seawater and/or groundwater for photobiological production of higher alcohols (such as 1-butanol and 2-methyl-1-butanol) without requiring freshwater or agricultural soil, since the designer photosynthetic organisms can be created from certain marine algae and/or cyanobacteria that can use seawater and/or certain groundwater.
Convergence of nicotine-induced and auditory-evoked neural activity activates ERK in auditory cortex.

Enhancement of sound-evoked responses in auditory cortex (ACx) following administration of systemic nicotine is known to depend on activation of extracellular-signaling regulated kinase (ERK), but the nature of this enhancement is not clear. Here, we show that systemic nicotine increases the density of cells immunolabeled for phosphorylated (activated) ERK (P-ERK) in mouse primary ACx (A1). Cortical injection of dihydro-β-erythroidine reduced nicotine-induced P-ERK immunolabel, suggesting a role for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) located in A1 and containing α4 and β2 subunits. P-ERK expressing cells were distributed mainly in layers 2/3 and more sparsely in lower layers, with many cells exhibiting immunolabel within pyramidal-shaped somata and proximal apical dendrites. About one third of P-ERK positive cells also expressed calbindin. In the thalamus, P-ERK immunopositive cells were found in the nonlemniscal medial geniculate (MG) and adjacent nuclei, but were absent in the lemniscal MG. Pairing broad spectrum acoustic stimulation (white noise) with systemic nicotine increased P-ERK immunopositive cell density in ACx as well as the total amount of P-ERK protein, particularly the phosphorylated form of ERK2. However, narrow spectrum (tone) stimulation paired with nicotine increased P-ERK immunolabel preferentially at a site within A1 where the paired frequency was characteristic frequency (CF), relative to a second site with a spectrally-distant CF (two octaves above or below the paired frequency). Together, these results suggest that ERK is activated optimally where nicotinic signaling and sound-evoked neural activity converge.
The influence of green advertising during a corporate disaster

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore influences of green advertising and social activism during one of the worst adverse public relations episodes in history: the British Petroleum (BP) Deep Water Horizon oil spill. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses self-congruency theory and perception of fit to explore the influence of green advertising and social activism on attitudes toward BP’s advertising, commitment to the environment, brand, and company. The survey data cover periods before, during, and after the spill. Findings – Mean ratings for the BP brand were lower during the oil spill for respondents who viewed an environmental ad as compared to those viewing an ad lacking environmental content. Comparison of attitudes toward BP’s environmental commitment, advertising, company, and brand reveal differences between activist and non-activist respondents across all four attitudinal scales during the oil spill. Practical implications – The study finds that lack of fit between corporate s...
Facilities for open heart surgery in the United States

Data from 88 percent of institutions in the United States with facilities for performing open heart surgery were analyzed to determine the current pattern of distribution of these facilities and the extent of their use in the 5 years from 1967 to 1971. Although facilities for open heart surgery were distributed roughly according to population density, the patient case load per hospital varied greatly from institution to institution, ranging in 1971 from 1,616 cases in one hospital to 4 cases in another. A 250 percent increase in the utilization of these facilities occurred between 1967, 2 years before the general introduction of the aortocoronary bypass operation, and 1971. In turn, the percentage of hospitals performing 25 or fewer open heart procedures annually decreased from 52 percent in 1967 to 14 percent in 1971. In 1971 an estimated $249 million in professional fees and hospital costs was incurred by open heart operations alone. A 5 year projection based upon this rate of growth shows that significant improvement in utilization of existing facilities and skilled personnel will occur only if the acquisition of facilities for open heart surgery by additional hospitals is preceded by careful studies documenting need and potential for optimal usage.
The Safe Dates Project: theoretical basis, evaluation design, and selected baseline findings

Approximately 20% of adolescents have experienced violence from a dating partner. The Safe Dates Project tests the effects of a program on the primary and secondary prevention of dating violence among adolescents living in a rural North Carolina county. The program being evaluated aims to prevent dating violence by changing dating violence norms, gender stereotyping, conflict-management skills, help-seeking, and cognitive factors associated with help-seeking. School activities include a theater production, a 10-session curriculum, and a poster contest. Community activities include special services for adolescents in violent relationships and community service provider training. A pretest-posttest experimental design with random allocation of 14 schools to treatment condition was used to test study hypotheses. Data were collected in schools using self-administered questionnaires. Eighty-one percent (n = 1,967) of the eighth- and ninth-graders in the county completed baseline questionnaires, and 91% of those adolescents completed follow-up questionnaires. The sample is 75.9% Caucasian and 50.4% female. Baseline data indicate that 25.4% and 8.0% of this sample have been victims of nonsexual and sexual dating violence, respectively, and 14.0% and 2.0% have been perpetrators of nonsexual and sexual dating violence, respectively. Consistent with other adolescent dating violence studies, both boys and girls report being victims and perpetrators of dating violence. Control and treatment groups are similar at baseline on all demographic, mediating, and outcome variables. Findings suggest that dating violence is prevalent among adolescents and that prevention programs are warranted.
Ka-band monolithic GaAs FET power amplifier modules

Monolithic GaAs FET power amplifiers consisting of several power-combined devices are fabricated and evaluated. The baseline monolithic chip design consists of a single stage 400- mu m FET amplifier and a six-way traveling-wave power divider/combiner with a single-stage amplifier in each of the six arms. Several chip combinations were used to make a 1-W amplifier with 5-dB gain and a 0.55-W amplifier with 27-dB gain at 34 GHz. A two-way hybrid combining scheme making use of 0.6-W monolithic chips producing 1 W of output power is also described. >
A developmental timing switch promotes axon outgrowth independent of known guidance receptors.

To form functional neuronal connections, axon outgrowth and guidance must be tightly regulated across space as well as time. While a number of genes and pathways have been shown to control spatial features of axon development, very little is known about the in vivo mechanisms that direct the timing of axon initiation and elongation. The Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodite specific motor neurons (HSNs) extend a single axon ventrally and then anteriorly during the L4 larval stage. Here we show the lin-4 microRNA promotes HSN axon initiation after cell cycle withdrawal. Axons fail to form in lin-4 mutants, while they grow prematurely in lin-4–overexpressing animals. lin-4 is required to down-regulate two inhibitors of HSN differentiation—the transcriptional regulator LIN-14 and the “stemness” factor LIN-28—and it likely does so through a cell-autonomous mechanism. This developmental switch depends neither on the UNC-40/DCC and SAX-3/Robo receptors nor on the direction of axon growth, demonstrating that it acts independently of ventral guidance signals to control the timing of HSN axon elongation.
Induction of alanine transaminase by adrenal steroids in cultured hepatoma cells

Abstract The capacity of adrenal steroid hormones to accelerate synthesis of alanine transaminase ( L -alanine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, E. C. 2.6. 1.2) in cultured cells of the H-35 hepatoma was investigated. The transaminase of these cells was immunologically identical to the rat liver enzyme. By use of an isotopic- immunochemical method, it was found that transaminase synthesis was increased 150%, 24 hr after hydrocortisone was added to the medium. We conclude that the induction of this enzyme by glucocorticoids in vivo is due to direct action of the hormones of hepatic cells. Lactic dehydrogenase levels were un changed by the steroids tested. The responses of alanine transaminase to various concentrations of hydrocortisone and to modifications of the steroid structure were like those of tyrosine transaminase in H-35 cells, except that synthesis of the latter enzyme is stimulated to a much larger extent.
H-K-ATPase immunoreactivity in cortical and outer medullary collecting duct

H-K-ATPase immunoreactivity in cortical and outer medullary collecting duct. Biochemical and physiologic studies in individual segments of the cortical collecting duct (CCD) and outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) have provided evidence for the presence of an H-K-ATPase which is involved in the reabsorption of potassium in exchange for protons. The present study was designed to determine the cellular distribution of H-K-ATPase immunoreactivity in the CCD and OMCD of the rat and rabbit using mouse monoclonal antibodies against hog gastric H-K-ATPase. Kidneys of normal rats and rabbits were preserved for light microscopic immunohistochemistry and embedded in paraffin. Sections were incubated with the primary antibody followed by the avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase procedure. Sections incubated without primary antibody or with a non-specific mouse Ig served as controls. Light microscopy revealed diffuse cytoplasmic staining indicating H-K-ATPase immunoreactivity in intercalated cells in the CCD and OMCD in both rat and rabbit. In all segments studied except the rat CCD, the percentage of H-K-ATPase immunoreactive cells corresponded to the percentage of intercalated cells. In the rat CCD only 23% of the cells were reactive with H-K-ATPase antibodies, which is less than the percentage of intercalated cells in this region. It is possible that only type A intercalated cells possess H-K-ATPase immunoreactivity or that some intercalated cells did not have sufficient activity to be detected by our method. These results demonstrate H-K-ATPase immunoreactivity in the intercalated cells of the CCD and OMCD of rat and rabbit, suggesting that these cells are involved in potassium reabsorption in exchange for proton secretion in the mammalian collecting duct.
The Influence of Pornography on Sexual Scripts and Hooking Up Among Emerging Adults in College

The explosive growth in access to the Internet has led to a commensurate increase in the availability, anonymity, and affordability of pornography. An emerging body of research has shown associations between pornography and certain behaviors and attitudes; yet, how pornography actually influences these outcomes has not been documented. In two studies (Study 1 N = 969; Study 2 N = 992) we examined the hypothesis that pornography influences potentially risky sexual behavior (hooking up) among emerging adults via sexual scripts. Our results demonstrate that more frequent viewing of pornography is associated with a higher incidence of hooking up and a higher number of unique hook up partners. We replicated these effects both cross-sectionally and longitudinally while accounting for the stability of hook ups over the course of an academic semester. We also demonstrated that more frequent viewing of pornography is associated with having had more previous sexual partners of all types, more one occasion sexual partners (“one night stands”), and plans to have a higher number of sexual partners in the future. Finally, we provided evidence that more permissive sexual scripts mediated the association between more frequent pornography viewing and hooking up. We discuss these findings with an eye toward mitigating potential personal and public health risks among emerging adults.
Adaptive Feedback-Feedforward Control of Building Structures

This paper proposes a combined feedback-feedforward control algorithm for reducing structural response of buildings to seismic excitations. The controller contains both feedback and feedforward components. The feedback component is assumed to be the same as that found from traditional linear quadratic regulator design. The feedforward component is obtained by estimating the external excitation as a series of step functions at each time increment. This feedforward gain varies with the duration of the step function used for estimation and converges as the time duration increases. Thus, a finite number of precalculated gains can be used to represent the potential feedforward gain profile. At any instant in time, the excitation is measured and by using the past measurements, the most effective feedforward gain for the recorded excitation values can be selected from the set of precalculated gains. This value is used as the feedforward gain for the current time step. Numerical examples are presented to show the effectiveness of this adaptive control scheme. The effects of varying the control objectives, the updating time for the feedforward gain, and the number and location of actuators are studied.
Jails, prisons, and the health of urban populations: a review of the impact of the correctional system on community health.

This review examined the interactions between the correctional system and the health of urban populations. Cities have more poor people, more people of color, and higher crime rates than suburban and rural areas; thus, urban populations are overrepresented in the nation's jails and prisons. As a result, US incarceration policies and programs have a disproportionate impact on urban communities, especially black and Latino ones. Health conditions that are overrepresented in incarcerated populations include substance abuse, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other infectius diseases, perpetration and victimization by violence, mental illness, chronic disease, and reproductive health problems. Correctional systems have direct and indirect effects on health. Indirectly, they influence family structure, economic opportunities, political participation, and normative community values on sex, drugs, and violence. Current correctional policies also divert resources from other social needs. Correctional systems can have a direct effect on the health of urban populations by offering health care and health promotion in jails and prisons, by linking inmates to community services after release, and by assisting in the process of community reintegration. Specific recommendations for action and reseach to reduce the adverse health and social consequences of current incarceration policies are offered.
Abrasive wear of engineering materials by mineral and industrial wastes

Abstract Abrasive wear damage in eight engineering materials was evaluated through a statistically designed experiment in a laboratory model hard rubber disk wear testing machine. Mineral and industrial wastes were used as abrasives incorporated in different media and at two concentrations. Wear rate, coefficient of friction and specimen temperature rise were correlated with material, abrasive, medium and abrasive concentration. The abrasive particle size and shape and worn specimen surface characteristics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Alumina, followed by silica sand and iron ore, is the most aggressive mineral in increasing wear rate. The least abrasive mineral is limestone, with red mud as a close second. Quantitatively, silica sand wears all materials 100 times faster than limestone. Similarly, fly ash and iron ore wear all materials 2.2 and 4.2 times faster, respectively, than coke breeze. Tool steel wears the least, with chromium plated steel wearing 2.5 times faster than tool steel. Mild steel wears 2.5 times faster than cast iron with maraging steel falling between them. The different media have no effect on wear rate. The 50% concentration of abrasive increased wear rate by a factor of 5 over 10% concentration. Mild steel generates twice the coefficient of friction μ over tool steel and 25% more over cast iron. Silica sand increases μ by 61% over coke breeze. Water generates a 67% increase in μ over high viscosity oil. Acidic water increases μ by 7% over neutral water but produces a 50% less temperature rise. Bronze increases μ by 17% and temperature by 38% over cast iron.
GP300SCA Is Not a High Affinity Notch Ligand

The Notch protooncogene encodes a receptor important for determination and differentiation of many cell types, and is conserved between vertebrates and invertebrates. It has been suggested that the secreted protein scabrous (sca) might be a Notch ligand acting in the peripheral nervous system. The sca protein was purified and a cell line expressing 18,000 Notch molecules per cell surface used to test sca binding by coimmunoprecipitation, cell adhesion assays, and binding with labeled sca. No interaction was detected between gp300sca and Notch or the related protein Delta, suggesting that sca acts through a distinct mechanism.
Characterization of residual medium peptides from Yersinia pestis cultures.

Here we demonstrate that when Yersinia pesitis is grown in laboratory media, peptides from the medium remain associated with cellular biomass even after washing and inactivation of the bacteria by different methods. These peptides are characteristic of the type of growth medium and of the manufacturer of the medium, reflecting the specific composition of the medium. We analyzed biomass-associated peptides from cultures of two attenuated strains of Yersinia pestis [KIM D27 (pgm-) and KIM D1 (lcr-)] grown in several formulations of 4 different media (tryptic soy broth (TSB), brain–heart infusion (BHI), Luria–Bertani broth (LB), and glucose (G) medium) made from components purchased from different suppliers. Despite the range of growth medium sources and the associated manufacturing processes used in their production, a high degree of peptide similarity was observed for a given medium recipe; however, notable differences in the termination points of select peptides were observed in media formulated using pro...
Modernizing Statistics Ph.D. Programs

This is a draft of some thoughts on modernizing Ph.D. programs in statistics to include more training in crossdisciplinary research. My intention is to provoke discussion by presenting some specific suggestions and raising problems that must be considered in any substantial overhaul of statistics curricula. I am focusing my remarks on the M.S. and Ph.D. curriculum. Although the undergraduate curriculum is very important, there are so many differences among universities in terms of the student bodies they serve and the contexts of their programs that it is difficult to discuss undergraduate statistics education within a single framework. Nevertheless, if substantial cross-disciplinary training is introduced into the graduate curriculum, this will naturally offer opportunities for advanced undergraduate student involvement, and this will certainly enrich any undergraduate statistics program.
Simulation of negative-streamer dynamics in nitrogen.

In this paper we consider how the dynamical characteristics of streamers are determined by their multidimensional structure. Results from two-dimensional (three-dimensional, cylindrically symmetric) simulations are presented at atmospheric pressure for ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ and plane-parallel electrodes. Our high-spatial-resolution simulations are based on a numerical model which is able to treat a wide range of electrode configurations (including point-to-plane and other complex configurations). This model has allowed us to make a more thorough investigation of streamer morphology than has been attempted previously. Detailed knowledge of the streamer morphology and its evolution are vital to the application of streamer discharges to processes such as the destruction of airborne toxic chemicals. We find that the morphology is complex, even for plane-parallel electrodes, with a range of radial structures that become evident at different phases of the streamer evolution. Several distinct phases of evolution are clearly discernible. We demonstrate the transition between these phases, showing how the self-consistent radial and axial structure varies with time.
Technical note: estimating absorbed doses to the thyroid in CT.

PURPOSE To describe a method for estimating absorbed doses to the thyroid in patients undergoing neck CT examinations. METHODS Thyroid doses in anthropomorphic phantoms were obtained for all 23 scanner dosimetry data sets in the ImPACT CT patient dosimetry calculator. Values of relative thyroid dose [R(thy)(L)], defined as the thyroid dose for a given scan length (L) divided by the corresponding thyroid dose for a whole body scan, were determined for neck CT scans. Ratios of the maximum thyroid dose to the corresponding CTDI(vol) and [D'(thy)], were obtained for two phantom diameters. The mass-equivalent water cylinder of any patient can be derived from the neck cross-sectional area and the corresponding average Hounsfield Unit, and compared to the 16.5-cm diameter water cylinder that models the ImPACT anthropomorphic phantom neck. Published values of relative doses in water cylinders of varying diameter were used to adjust thyroid doses in the anthropomorphic phantom to those of any sized patient. RESULTS Relative thyroid doses R(thy)(L) increase to unity with increasing scan length and with very small difference between scanners. A 10-cm scan centered on the thyroid would result in a dose that is, nearly 90% of the thyroid dose from a whole body scan when performed using the constant radiographic techniques. At 120 kV, the average value of D'(thy) for the 16-cm diameter was 1.17 +/- 0.05 and was independent of CT vendor and year of CT scanner, and choice of x-ray tube voltage. The corresponding average value of D'(thy) in the 32-cm diameter phantom was 2.28 +/- 0.22 and showed marked variations depending on vendor, year of introduction into clinical practice as well as x-ray tube voltage. At 120 kV, a neck equivalent to a 10-cm diameter cylinder of water would have thyroid doses 36% higher than those in the ImPACT phantom, whereas a neck equivalent to a 25-cm cylinder diameter would have thyroid doses 35% lower. CONCLUSIONS Patient thyroid doses can be estimated by taking into account the amount of radiation used to perform the CT examination (CTDI(vol)) and accounting for scan length and patient anatomy (i.e., neck diameter) at the thyroid location.
Children’s incremental dental care program: an overview of the southeast Tennessee-northwest Georgia project

The planning, development, and implementation of a limited dental care program for indigent children in a 13-county region of Tennessee and Georgia are reviewed. Indigent children in a 13-county bistate region are receiving dental care from dentists participating in the Georgia-Tennessee Dental Project. Treatment including an oral examination, preventive services, and remedial dental care is offered to 6 year olds; the initial group of children enrolled in the project receive care on a maintenance basis. Children are treated by private dentists in their offices, salaried dentists in fixed clinics, and salaried dentists in mobile units. The project has begun a dental health education program and has made progress toward school and community water fluoridation.
An Inexpensive Circuit for Pulsing-Off a Side-Window Photomultiplier Tube

In many applications, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) must be operated at high gains in order for one to obtain adequate detection of low-light-level signals. However, when an intense light pulse immediately precedes the low-level light signal, the PMT may be promoted into a state of saturation. Saturation is the nonlinear enhancement of the anode current with respect to the intense photon flux incident upon the photocathode. This is caused by the redistribution of the biasing potential across the dynode chain. The last dynodes are unable to be sustained at a constant potential because of space charge depletion of the dynode surfaces. Further illumination of the photocathode results in a nonlinear increase in photocurrent. Saturation effects may last up to several microseconds, rendering the photomultiplier tube inoperable. In the extreme, intense light pulses may result in permanent damage to the MPT.
Reduced Fertility in Female Mice Lacking Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase

Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) is believed to play a major role in the first line of antioxidant defense by catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide anion radicals to form hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. Recent studies have shown that missense mutations in this gene contribute, evidently through a gain-of-function mechanism, to about 20% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To define further the physiologic role of this enzyme, a model of mice deficient in this enzyme was generated using gene targeting technology. Mice lacking this enzyme were apparently healthy and displayed no increased sensitivity to hyperoxia. However, they exhibited a pronounced susceptibility to paraquat toxicity. Most surprisingly, female homozygous knock-out mice showed a markedly reduced fertility compared with that of wild-type and heterozygous knock-out mice. Further studies revealed that although these mice ovulated and conceived normally, they exhibited a marked increase in embryonic lethality. These data, for the first time, suggest a role of oxygen free radicals in causing abnormality of female reproduction in mammals.
Corticotropin releasing activity of synthetic lysine vasopressin.

SummarySynthetic lysine vasopressin was assayed for ACTH releasing activity in nembutal-morphine treated rats using fluorometric determination of plasma corticosteroids as index of ACTH release. A linear logdose vs response relationship was established between pressor doses of 8 to 67 mU. This activity was shown to be “CRF-like” rather than “ACTH-like” by its absence in hypo-physectomized rats injected with 67 mU of pressor activity.The authors wish to express appreciation to Dr. Stephen Mandel, Dept. of Statistics, I.S.U., for many helpful discussions during this work.
A 13-Year Content Analysis of Survey Methodology in Communication Related Journals

Abstract Using content analysis, this study quantitatively analyzes 13 years (1990–2002) of data about survey research methodology in communication journals. Very little research has examined this important method since Yu and Cooper's 1983 study. Of the 54 journals included in our sample, 565 surveys were published in 46 journals. Public relations, marketing, public opinion, advertising and mass communication journals were among those with the greatest number of surveys. Findings and implications focus on how response rates were affected by methodological choices such as the use of incentives and response facilitators. Although monetary incentives were used in a small percentage of the studies, giving merchandise and using a promised incentive were related to the highest mean response rates. While some facilitators, such as utilizing callbacks for telephone surveys, were also associated with high average response rates, further analysis suggests that these factors are not successful in enticing more part...
Chemically-induced delayed hypersensitivity in the cat

Abstract A technique to evaluate the cell mediated immune response in cats by the induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity to the strong contact sensitizer, 1-chloro, 2–4 dinitrobenzene is described. Following topical sensitization with this agent, challenge was done on the cats ear. Ear thickness measurements, the kinetics of the response and histopathologic examination of the tissue were used to assess this delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. Based on the results it is shown that allergic contact dermatitis can be experimentally induced in the cat.
Spatial perturbation with synthetic protein scaffold reveals robustness of asymmetric cell division

Asymmetric cell division is an important mechanism for creating diversity in a cellular population. Stem cells commonly perform asymmetric division to generate both a daughter stem cell for self-renewal and a more differentiated daughter cell to populate the tissue. During asymmetric cell division, protein cell fate determinants asymmetrically localize to the opposite poles of a dividing cell to cause distinct cell fate. However, it remains unclear whether cell fate determination is robust to fluctuations and noise during this spatial allocation process. To answer this question, we engineered Caulobacter, a bacterial model for asymmetric division, to express synthetic scaffolds with modular protein interaction domains. These scaffolds perturbed the spatial distribution of the PleC-DivJ- DivK phospho-signaling network without changing their endogenous expression levels. Surprisingly, enforcing symmetrical distribution of these cell fate de terminants did not result in symmetric daughter fate or any morphological defects. Further computational analysis suggested that PleC and DivJ form a robust phospho-switch that can tolerate high amount of spatial variation. This insight may shed light on the presence of similar phospho-switches in stem cell asymmetric division regulation. Overall, our study demonstrates that synthetic protein scaffolds can provide a useful tool to probe biological systems for better understanding of their operating principles.
Transient Analysis and Measurement of Anisotropic Heat Conduction in Transversely Isotropic Composite Materials

This study focuses on modeling the transient and steady state temperature distribution within a unidirectional fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite laminate beam after it has been inserted into...
Conversion of glutamic acid to glutamine by retinal glutamine synthetase.

Abstract There is a qualitative correlation within a given retinal tissue between level of glutamine synthetase, as measured by its transferase activity, and ability of the tissue to convert glutamic acid to glutamine in vitro. The present study shows this to be the case for age-dependent endogenous enzyme activity, cortisol-induced enzyme activity, and l -methionine- dl -sulfoximine-inhibited enzyme activity.
Modeling Cell Adhesion to a Substrate With Gradient in Ligand Density

Surface density profile of bioadhesive ligands greatly influences spreading and migration of cells on substrates. A 1D peeling model is developed to predict the equilibrium adhesion strength and peeling tension of a cell membrane, adhered on a substrate with linearly increasing density of ligands. Cell membrane is modeled as a linear elastic shell subjected to a tensile force applied at the free extremity and adhesive traction due to specific receptor-ligand interactions with the substrate. Membrane peeling tension increased with gradient slope and reached an asymptotic limit independent of gradient slope but proportional to receptor-ligand interaction energy. Peeling tension from substrates with negative gradient slope, at the rear edge of adhesion zone, was considerably lower than the tension from substrates with positive gradient slope at the leading edge, indicating that detachment is more likely to be initiated at the rear edge. This prediction leads to a possible mechanism for experimentally observed haptotactic locomotion of motile cells toward the direction of higher ligand density. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Maternal and neonatal infection rates with three different protocols for prevention of group B streptococcal disease

Abstract Objectives: We compared maternal and neonatal infection rates under 3 different group B streptococcal prevention strategies and also evaluated reasons for each protocol's failures in preventing neonatal disease. Study Design: Women who were delivered at our center from August 1, 1991, through April 30, 1998, were managed by 1 of 3 protocols for prevention of early-onset neonatal group B streptococcal infection: a selective screening protocol, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists protocol, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–recommended universal screening strategy. We compared maternal infection rates and neonatal group B streptococcal infection rates under each protocol. We also compared reasons for each protocol's failures in preventing neonatal infection. Results: Clinical chorioamnionitis rates were 7.4% with selective screening, 7.7% under The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' protocol, and 5.2% with universal screening (relative risk 0.7, 95% confidence interval 0.6-0.8). Endometritis rates were 4.0% with selective screening, 4.6% with The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists protocol, and 2.8% with universal screening (relative risk 0.7, 95% confidence interval 0.6-0.8). Overall neonatal group B streptococcal infection rates were lower under the 2 more recent strategies, but not significantly so. Despite the ability of universal screening to find more women at risk for group B streptococcal transmission, half of the neonatal infections under this protocol occurred when the mothers were not considered candidates for prophylaxis. Conclusions: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–endorsed universal screening strategy for group B streptococcal infection prevention was associated with significantly lower rates of clinical chorioamnionitis and endometritis than were the other strategies. We were unable to document statistically significant improvement in neonatal outcome under the universal screening protocol. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:416-22.)
Experiments in micromanipulation and CAD-driven microassembly

This paper discusses recent experiments in the manipulation and assembly of parts with 100 micron outside dimensions and submicron tolerances. The objective of this work is to develop a micromanipulation workcell which can automatically assemble LIGA (Lithography Galvonoforming Abforming) parts using an assembly plan and a CAD drawing of each of the components. The workcell consists of an AdeptOne robot, precision stages, long distance microscope, and a high aspect ratio modeled polysilicon tweezers for picking up the parts. Fourier optics methods are used to generate synthetic microscope images from CAD drawings. These synthetic images are used off-line to test image processing routines under varying magnifications an depths of field. They also provide reference image features which are used to visually servo the true part to the desired position.
The Status of Thrassis peninsularis Lewis, 1994 (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) from Baja California, Mexico

The original placement of Thrassis peninsularis Lewis, 1994, is discussed in the light of the diagnostic characters of the genus Thrassis Jordan 1933. It is concluded that the taxon was originally misplaced and it should be placed in its own genus, namely Parathrassis, n. gen. Diagnostic characters which set this new genus apart are enumerated, and Thrassis peninsularis is designated its type species. Parathrassis peninsularis is a new combination.
Re-aligning rationality: Crisis management and prisoner abuses in Iraq

Abstract This paper focuses on the U.S. military abuse of Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghraib as a case-based illustration of a psychodynamic approach to organizations. Rather than viewing the abuse and its PR aftermath as an instance of poor crisis management, we argue that it should be seen as an expression of systemic neurosis at the highest levels of government. Understanding crisis as the normal outcome of a dysfunctional system provides an alternative explanation of the nature and causes of crisis and prescribes therapeutic intervention prior to training in crisis management and public relations.
Problems in the Systematics of the “Sporozoa”*

The taxonomy of the so-called Sporozoa is reviewed, and it is concluded that the group is polyphyletic and should be split into the following independent taxa: (1) The subphylum EUSPORA subph. nov., members of which have simple spores without polar filaments; this subphylum contains the classes TELOSPORASIDA Schaudinn, 1900 and HAPLO-SPORASIDA Caullery and Mesnil, 1899; (2) the subphylum CNIDOSPORA Doflein, 1901, members of which have spores containing 1 or more polar filaments; (3) the class PIRO PLASMASIDA Wenyon, 1926, members of which have no spores, are parasitic in vertebrate erythrocytes and are heter-oxenous; and (4) the class TOXOPLASMASIDA Biocca, 1957 emend., members of which have no spores, have cysts or pseudocysts, and are monoxenous parasites of vertebrates; the latter two groups are not assigned to subphyla but are considered appendages to the Protozoa. A classification to suborders is given of the Euspora.
Fluctuations of Recurrent Processes and Their Applications to the Stock Market

We study a class of stochastic processes describing the evolution of stocks or mutual funds. A stock price protocol is often restricted to particular random observation epochs making price variations look like a jump process. The results include the random time when the price drops for the first time, the price itself, the highest price and the epoch before the fall, as well as all of these in the opposite direction, in terms of easily tractable functionals, from which one can derive probability distributions and all kind of moments. The methodology is based on the fluctuation analysis of marked recurrent processes (with position dependent marking) and the adherence of an auxiliary nonnegative discrete-valued component that is to observe the stock price variations. A particular case of the model under investigation also includes a variant of the marked Poisson process with arbitrarily continuously distributed marks and observation times at one of which a decision to sell or buy a stock can be made.
Inhibition of smooth muscle tension by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase

beta-Adrenergic relaxation of smooth muscle by catecholamines has been associated with elevated levels of cyclic AMP. The question arises whether subsequent activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase has a role in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. There is substantial evidence that a Ca2+-activated myosin light chain kinase/phosphatase system regulates smooth muscle contraction, and Adelstein et al. have shown that the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase plays a part in this regulation, by phosphorylation of the high molecular weight subunit of the light chain kinase, which results in a decrease in the activity of the kinase. Here we have shown for the first time that the catalytic subunit of the protein kinase inhibits Ca2+-activated tension in skinned smooth muscle fiber preparations.
Repositioning for the future. Franklin and marshall college

Lessons from the past, research and analysis, and a focused sense of mission provide direction in a college's quest for academic excellence in an unfavorable financial climate.
Somatostatin analogue predisposes enterocytes to apoptosis

The somatostatin analogue octreotide impairs intestinal regeneration and the adaptive response to intestinal resection and other stimuli. These effects are mediated in part by inhibition of enterocyte migration and proliferation. The aim of this study was to determine whether octreotide promotes enterocyte apoptosis. Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were studied including 18 animals that underwent patch enteroplasty in the distal ileum to stimulate the mucosa and six unoperated controls. The patched animals either received 100 kg or 1000 p,g of subcutaneous octreotide daily or served as operated control subjects. Normal ileal mucosa adjacent to the patch was evaluated at 7 days for villus height, crypt depth, crypt cell production rate (CCPR), and in situ end labeling of DNA fragmentation. Mean DNA fragmentation was significantly greater in octreotide-treated animals (I’ co.05 Mann-Whitney rank test). Fragmentation scores ranged from 1 .0 to 1.5 in controls and 1.1 to 2.65 in treated animals. Staining of enterocytes was quite heterogenous, however, among the villi of individual treated animals. Staining was greater and cells with chromatin condensation were more prevalent near the tip of the villus. Octreotide increased apoptosis at the villus tip, lateral villus, and crypt. The two control groups had similar villus height, crypt depth, and CCPR. The two octreotide-treated groups had similar villus height and CCPR compared to control animals. However, crypt depth was significantly less in the octreotide-treated animals (100 +-9 μm, and 90 +-. 6 μm, 100 μg, and 1000 kg) compared to controls (121 +-10 p,rn and 117 +- 10 μm, unoperated and operated; P <0.05). Crypt depth but not villus height correlated with DNA fiagmentation. Neither correlated with CCPR. The following conclusions were reached: (I) Octreotide treatment is associated with increased DNA fragmentation in enterocytes; (2) octreotide promotes apoptosis in both villus and crypt compartments; (3) predisposition to apoptosis may play a role in octreotides effects on intestinal regeneration and adaptation; and (4) the role of proliferation and apoptosis in determining the size of the enterocyte compartments remains unclear.
A global study of graduate management of technology programs

Abstract In the last decade, the field of technology management has attracted considerable attention from practitioners and scholars. The rapid emergence of powerful and innovative technologies in manufacturing, computing, telecommunications and the life sciences, such as biotechnology are making the strategic management of technology, a critical task in virtually all organizations. Reflecting this trend, several universities offer graduate programs in the management of technology (MOT). These programs have originated from various academic schools and disciplines (business, engineering, public policy) creating considerable diversity of focus, themes emphasized, courses, and student backgrounds. The rise of these programs, in part, reflects the growing need for managers and technologists who are able to understand, contribute to, and manage a wide variety of technology-based programs and organizations. This paper presents the results of a global study of graduate MOT programs. Over fifty (50) universities participated in the research reported in this paper. Findings related to research trends, curriculum developments, staffing, program implementation, and program emphases are examined. Several recommendations are advanced for universities considering initiating or further developing their MOT program. In addition, observations about the future direction of the field are made.