cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ectopic expression of PTTG1/securin promotes tumorigenesis in human embryonic kidney cells

Pituitary tumor transforming gene1 (PTTG1) is a novel oncogene that is expressed in most tumors. It encodes a protein that is primarily involved in the regulation of sister chromatid separation during cell division. The oncogenic potential of PTTG1 has been well characterized in the mouse, particularly mouse fibroblast (NIH3T3) cells, in which it induces cell proliferation, promotes tumor formation and angiogenesis. Human tumorigenesis is a complex and a multistep process often requiring concordant expression of a number of genes. Also due to differences between rodent and human cell biology it is difficult to extrapolate results from mouse models to humans. To determine if PTTG1 functions similarly as an oncogene in humans, we have characterized its effects on human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. We report that introduction of human PTTG1 into HEK293 cells through transfection with PTTG1 cDNA resulted in increased cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth in soft agar, and formation of tumors after subcutaneous injection of nu/nu mice. Pathologic analysis revealed that these tumors were poorly differentiated. Both analysis of HEK293 cells transiently transfected with PTTG1 cDNA and analysis of tumors developed on injection of HEK293 cells that had been stably transfected with PTTG1 cDNA indicated significantly higher levels of secretion and expression of bFGF, VEGF and IL-8 compared to HEK293 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1 vector or uninvolved tissues collected from the mice. Mutation of the proline-rich motifs at the C-terminal of PTTG1 abolished its oncogenic properties. Mice injected with this mutated PTTG1 either did not form tumors or formed very small tumors. Taken together our results suggest that PTTG1 is a human oncogene that possesses the ability to promote tumorigenesis in human cells at least in part through the regulation of expression or secretion of bFGF, VEGF and IL-8. Our results demonstrate that PTTG1 is a potent human oncogene and has the ability to induce cellular transformation of human cells. Overexpression of PTTG1 in HEK293 cells leads to an increase in the secretion and expression of bFGF, VEGF and IL-8. Mutation of C-terminal proline-rich motifs abrogates the oncogenic function of PTTG1. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the importance of PTTG1 in human tumorigenesis.
Groundwater flow and groundwater-stream interaction in fractured and dipping sedimentary rocks : Insights from numerical models

[1] Groundwater flow is influenced by topography, but in fractured and dipping sedimentary rocks, it is also influenced by structure. Field evidence indicates that groundwater is older on the downdip side of a stream (asymmetry) and that dip-aligned streams receive more base flow than strike-aligned streams (anisotropy). We present detailed numerical models to evaluate the effects of various factors that influence groundwater flow pathways. The models simulate a small watershed drained by headwater streams and underlain by dipping strata. Groundwater flow can be characterized by three components: down the hydraulic gradient, downdip, and along strike. The degree of anisotropy and asymmetry depends on several factors: efficiency of the weathered horizon, bedding anisotropy, and bedding dip angle. Whereas anisotropy increases linearly with dip angle, asymmetry is greatest at a threshold angle. This threshold angle is related to the mean groundwater flow direction in an equivalent homogeneous and isotropic system.
Some cautions on interpreting qualitative indices for word-list learning tests

Abstract The statistical performance of qualitative indices for word-list learning tests was examined using randomly generated data. These included position effects (primacy, middle recall, recency), recall consistency across trials, category clustering, and seriation. Several of the indices in current use have significant correlations with number of words recalled, and thus are not pure measures of the qualitative traits that they purportedly assess. As an alternative, Adjusted Ratio of Clustering indices generally had desirable statistical properties in random data.
Role of the Pericarp Cellulose Matrix as a Moisture Barrier in Microwaveable Popcorn

Since moisture loss of popcorn can cause an increase in the number of unpopped kernels, pericarp properties of popcorn hybrids were analyzed to understand factors affecting moisture loss rate during microwave heating. Differential scanning calorimetry profiles of ground pericarp displayed a notable exothermal event, and hybrids with superior microwave popping performance (fewer unpopped kernels) exhibited significantly higher enthalpies. The number of unpopped kernels was highly correlated (r = 0.826, p = 0.011) with pericarp enthalpy values. X-ray analysis confirmed that cellulose and arabinoxylan are the major structural components of the pericarp. Structural changes in cellulose were induced by moisture and heat, and considerable enhancement in crystallinity occurred when the pericarp was heated in the presence of water. Results of this study indicate that the cellulose component of the pericarp is responsible for the development of exothermal events and increased crystallinity. Thus, the propensity of cellulose to form crystalline structures in the popcorn pericarp during microwave heating improves moisture retention and hence popping performance.
Response to cyanide of two types of glomoid cells in mature rat carotid body

Cells belonging to glomoids of mature rat carotid bodies were studied using the whole-cell patch clamp technique following acute dissociation. The recorded population encompassed two subtypes: one type (n=202), termed G(out), was characterized by a small voltage-dependent inward current (43±9pA, mean ±S.E.M.), large outward current (671±31 pA@+40 mV), high membrane resistance (1910 ± 110M Ω) and low capacitance (5.1 ± 0.1pF). A second subtype (n=56), termed G(in), had significantly lower membrane resistance (177 ± 35 MΩ), membrane capacitance (15.0 ± 1.0 pF) and little voltage-dependent current. Neither subtype supported generation of multiple action potentials during depolarization in the current clamp mode. Intracellular staining of the recorded cells by Lucifer yellow showed co-localization of both subtypes to clusters of cells which stained positively for catecholamines. Somal diameter was slightly, but significantly, larger for G(in) cells 8.7 ± 0.4 μM, n=7) compared to G(out) cells (7.8±0.2 μM, n=31) and all cells had fine cytoplasmic process s extending around neighboring cells. During recordings using the perforated patch technique, histotoxic hypoxia significantly decreased a voltage-dependent outward current in G(out) cells by 113±60pA (n=13), and decreased the holding current by 10±4pA (n=13) from a control value of −32±6pA. In G(in) cells, cyanide significant decreased membrane resistance and decreased holding current by 55±28pA from a control value of +120±42pA (n=7), but caused no significant change in outward current. These results show that glomoids of mature rat carotid bodies contain at least two types of cells which differ in their morphologic and electrophysiologic characteristics. The subtypes rapidly respond to histotoxic hypoxia and thus may mediate separate roles in the organ response to chemostimuli.
Null-plane phenomenology for the pion decay constant and radius.

The pion decay constant and the electromagnetic form factor are computed by using quark diagrams and projecting the bound-state wave function on the null plane. We show that the resulting formulas are the same as those of the Hamiltonian front-form scheme. The connection between the radius (${r}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$) and the pion decay constant (${f}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$) is studied using different models of confinement.
Intracavitary irradiation of renal pyelocalyceal transitional cell carcinoma with iridium-192

A case of multicentric urothelial transitional cell carcinoma is presented, in which the patient underwent a left ureteronephrectomy and in the remaining right kidney recurrent transitional cell carcinoma was found in the inferior calyx. Because this area was accessible via a cutaneous nephrostomy, it is treated with a combination of external beam radiation and intracavitary implantation with iridium-192. The iridium was placed in the vicinity of the tumor using an angiographic procedure. The technique successfully preserved remaining renal parenchyma. The case illustrates how angiography skills and procedures can be applied in a novel brachytherapy application.
Generalizing edit distance for handwritten text recognition

In this paper the Damerau-Levenshtein string difference metric is generalized in two ways to more accurately compensate for the types of errors that are present in the script recognition domain. First, the basic dynamic programming method for computing such a measure is extended to allow for merges, splits and two-letter substitutions. Second, edit operations are refined into categories according to the effect they have on the visual `appearance' of words. A set of recognizer-independent constraints is developed to reflect the severity of the information lost due to each operation. These constraints are solved to assign specific costs to the operations. Experimental results on 2,335 corrupted strings and a lexicon of 21,299 words show higher correcting rates than with the original form.
The complexity of the membership problem for two subclasses of polynomial ideal s

This paper shows that the membership problems for two subclasses of polynomial ideals are NP-hard. The first subclass is defined by bounding the number of variables ($ \leqq 4$), whereas the second is defined by considering polynomials of the form $Y - M$, where Y is a variable and M is a monomial.
The differential sensitivity of free and membrane-bound polyribosomes to inhibitors of protein synthesis.

Summary Cycloheximide and aurin tricarboxylic acid selectively inhibited by 40 to 60% the incorporation of 3 H-leucine into the nascent protein formed on membrane-bound polyribosomes in situ , but had little effect on protein synthesis on free polyribosomes. Fusidic acid and emetine caused differential inhibition, with synthesis of nascent peptide on bound polyribosomes being depressed by 64 to 81% and on free polyribosomes by 22%. In contrast, puromycin and sparsomycin reduced the synthesis of protein on both populations of polyribosomes by 45 to 80%. The findings indicate the need for caution in the interpretation of results obtained using inhibitors of protein synthesis in vivo .
Photoactivation of quantum dot fluorescence following endocytosis.

We studied the fluorescence of quantum dots in cells. Coating quantum dots with cationic peptides caused them to be endocytosed and transported to lysosomes. After overnight incubation, their fluorescence apparently dimmed but became markedly “photoactivatable”, increasing more than 3-fold within minutes on exposure to bright light, and decaying over hours in the dark. Photoactivation was greater in the presence of water than ethanol, and UV illumination compensated for lack of water during photoactivation. Dimming and photoactivation could affect the use of quantum dots as quantitative probes in vivo and lead to new uses, such as tracking molecular movement.
Nonredundant Roles of IL-10 and TGF-β in Suppression of Immune Responses to Hepatic AAV-Factor IX Gene Transfer

Hepatic gene transfer using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has been shown to efficiently induce immunological tolerance to a variety of proteins. Regulatory T-cells (Treg) induced by this route suppress humoral and cellular immune responses against the transgene product. In this study, we examined the roles of immune suppressive cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the development of tolerance to human coagulation factor IX (hF.IX). Interestingly, IL-10 deficient C57BL/6 mice receiving gene transfer remained tolerant to hF.IX and generated Treg that suppressed anti-hF.IX formation. Effects of TGF-β blockade were also minor in this strain. In contrast, in C3H/HeJ mice, a strain known to have stronger T-cell responses against hF.IX, IL-10 was specifically required for the suppression of CD8+ T-cell infiltration of the liver. Furthermore, TGF-β was critical for tipping the balance toward an regulatory immune response. TGF-β was required for CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg induction, which was necessary for suppression of effector CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses as well as antibody formation. These results demonstrate the crucial, nonredundant roles of IL-10 and TGF-β in prevention of immune responses against AAV-F.IX-transduced hepatocytes.
Ultrastructural observation of paracrystalline aggregates of microtubules in anterior pituitary cells of the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger).

Unusual paracrystalline aggregates of microtubules which have not been described in any other mammalian species were observed in cultured anterior pituitary cells of normal chinchillas as well as in situ in the pituitary glands of these animals. These aggregates appeared as regularly arranged tubular structures in the longitudinal plane, and as a checkerboard pattern of closely and regularly packed microtubules when examined in transverse section. Supplementation with vinblastine, colcemide or colchicine in the culture medium did not change these structures morphologically. Each unit of tubules consisted of an outer wall or parellelogram profile and an inner wall composed of a single hexagonal doublet or in a figure “8” form. The outer wall of the parallelogram was 35×28 nm in length for both sides, while the diagonal of the inner wall was 18×28 nm. These paracrystalline aggregates of microtubules in the chinchilla pituitary cells are morphologically distinct from the paracrystalline assembly of cytoplasmic microtubules induced by vinblastine or other alkaloids.
Some remarks on logical design and programming checks

I should like to discuss two topics which are of some interest. One, is it possible to construct out of elements which are known to be imperfect a logical automaton which will have a given degree of reliability? Two, given a machine, what can one do by way of programming checks to insure accuracy of the final results?
Addressing the complexity of patient monitoring with multiagents and modular logic

While there is a recognized need among medical clinicians for assistance in monitoring and diagnostic tasks, the domain is extremely complex. Teams of distributed agents and interchangeable logic modules can address practical issues in a fielding of MAS technology. IM-Agents employ dynamic inference through a hybrid approach of fuzzy logic, connection networks, trend analysis and qualitative logic. Decision functionality in test cases involves emergency trauma scenarios, with particular focus on stabilizing hemorrhagic shock.
Long-term multimodal imaging of tumor draining sentinel lymph nodes using mesoporous silica-based nanoprobes

The imaging of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), the first defense against primary tumor metastasis, has been considered as an important strategy for noninvasive tracking tumor metastasis in clinics. In this study, we report the development and application of mesoporous silica-based triple-modal nanoprobes that integrate multiple functional moieties to facilitate near-infrared optical, magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. After embedding near-infrared dye ZW800, the nanoprobe was labeled with T(1) contrast agent Gd(3+) and radionuclide (64)Cu through chelating reactions. High stability and long intracellular retention time of the nanoprobes was confirmed by in vitro characterization, which facilitate long-term in vivo imaging. Longitudinal multimodal imaging was subsequently achieved to visualize tumor draining SLNs up to 3 weeks in a 4T1 tumor metastatic model. Obvious differences in uptake rate, amount of particles, and contrast between metastatic and contra-lateral sentinel lymph nodes were observed. These findings provide very helpful guidance for the design of robust multifunctional nanomaterials in SLNs' mapping and tumor metastasis diagnosis.
Montagna Symposium 2014-skin aging: molecular mechanisms and tissue consequences.

The 63rd annual Montagna Symposium on the Biology of Skin, “Skin Aging: Molecular Mechanisms and Tissue Consequences,” was held October 9–13, 2014, in Gleneden Beach, Oregon. The meeting brought together basic gerontologists, dermatologists and skin biologists working on mechanisms and problems of skin aging, industry scientists attempting to create products to address unmet needs in the field, and trainees wishing to acquire a better understanding of the aging process and its consequences in skin. The many recent advances in both basic and applied aspects of cutaneous aging led to productive exchanges among these participants, broadened everyone's horizons, and stimulated several new collaborations. The Symposium was chaired by Barbara A. Gilchrest with Session Chairs Judith Campisi, Howard Chang, and Gary Fisher.
The psychometric development and initial validation of the DCI-A short form for adolescent therapeutic community treatment process

The 5-factor client-report Dimensions of Change in Therapeutic Communities Treatment Instrument-Adolescent (DCI-A) was developed to assess adolescent substance abuse treatment process in the therapeutic community (TC). The goal of this study was to use bifactor modeling to derive a unidimensional DCI-A short-form (DCI-A-SF) that would represent content from the original DCI-A factors. Data are from 442 adolescents receiving treatment at one of seven residential TC programs. Bifactor analyses suggested selection of seven DCI-A items to comprise the short form. Three items are from the treatment motivation factor, and one item was selected from each of the remaining four factors. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the 7-item DCI-A-SF is strongly unidimensional, and unidimensional IRT analysis of the items indicated good internal consistency. A structural equation model that demonstrates the mediating relationship of DCI-A-SF with other measures, including demographic and pre-treatment characteristics, and subsequent treatment completion, provides preliminary evidence of internal validity.
Effect of acute and chronic elevated air temperatures, constant (34°) and cyclic (10–34°), on brain and heart norepinephrine of male Japanese quail

Abstract Endogenous levels and turnover of brain and heart norepinephrine (NE) of male quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) were fluorometrically determined after exposure to either acute (6 hr) and chronic (5 week) 34° or cyclic temperature (10–34°) stress. α-Methyl- p -tyrosine (αMT) was used to induce depletion of endogenous norepinephrine levels by inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase. The differences between the levels of treated and control birds (22°) were regarded as changes in turnover. High ambient temperature (34°) stress for 6 hr increased brain NE levels, decreased heart NE levels, and increased turnover of brain and heart NE. However, chronic exposure (5 weeks) to 34° and cyclic temperature (10–34°) did not increase turnover of brain NE, though chronic exposure to 34° increased heart NE turnover. The results indicate that there is increased noradrenergic activity during acute thermal exposure, and that after acclimation to thermal stress for 5 weeks, the noradrenergic activity declines in the brain, though it persists in the heart. Chronic exposure to 34° significantly reduced heart, adrenal, and testes weights, but exposure to chronic cyclic temperatures (10–34°) only reduced adrenal weight.
An RNA electrophoretic mobility shift and mutational analysis of rnp-4f 5'-UTR intron splicing regulatory proteins in Drosophila reveals a novel new role for a dADAR protein isoform.

Abstract Alternative splicing greatly enhances the diversity of proteins encoded by eukaryotic genomes, and is also important in gene expression control. In contrast to the great depth of knowledge as to molecular mechanisms in the splicing pathway itself, relatively little is known about the regulatory events behind this process. The 5′-UTR and 3′-UTR in pre-mRNAs play a variety of roles in controlling eukaryotic gene expression, including translational modulation, and nearly 4000 of the roughly 14,000 protein coding genes in Drosophila contain introns of unknown functional significance in their 5′-UTR. Here we report the results of an RNA electrophoretic mobility shift analysis of Drosophila rnp-4f 5′-UTR intron 0 splicing regulatory proteins. The pre-mRNA potential regulatory element consists of an evolutionarily-conserved 177-nt stem-loop arising from pairing of intron 0 with part of adjacent exon 2. Incubation of in vitro transcribed probe with embryo protein extract is shown to result in two shifted RNA–protein bands, and protein extract from a dADAR null mutant fly line results in only one shifted band. A mutated stem-loop in which the conserved exon 2 primary sequence is changed but secondary structure maintained by introducing compensatory base changes results in diminished band shifts. To test the hypothesis that dADAR plays a role in intron splicing regulation in vivo , levels of unspliced rnp-4f mRNA in dADAR mutant were compared to wild-type via real-time qRT-PCR. The results show that during embryogenesis unspliced rnp-4f mRNA levels fall by up to 85% in the mutant, in support of the hypothesis. Taken together, these results demonstrate a novel role for dADAR protein in rnp-4f 5′-UTR alternative intron splicing regulation which is consistent with a previously proposed model.
Real time diagnosis of logic assemblies

The logic Diagnostic Algorithm is a real-time procedure that analyzes the failure responses of a logic assembly under test, and automatically directs a monitor probe to selected accessible points on the logic assembly to gather additional information. Deterministic conclusions are reached after one or more iterations of probing to locate the error to the lowest replaceable unit.
A monoclonal antibody against the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor complex prevents platelet aggregation and thrombosis in a canine model of coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUNDThe comparative effects of aspirin and F(ab')2 fragments of monoclonal antibody 7E3 against the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor on ex vivo platelet aggregation and in vivo thrombosis were studied in a canine coronary balloon angioplasty model.METHODS AND RESULTSThree groups were studied. Group 1 (n = 8) was pretreated with saline placebo, group 2 (n = 8) was pretreated with 325 mg aspirin, and group 3 (n = 8) was pretreated with 0.8 mg/kg 7E3 F(ab')2. Coronary angioplasty was performed in the left anterior descending coronary artery of open-chest dogs under fluoroscopic control; serial measurements of basal and hyperemic coronary blood flows were then made for 2 hours after application of an external stenosis that decreased hyperemic flow by 50%. There were no significant differences in platelet counts or hemodynamic measurements during the experiments. Platelet aggregation was decreased by treatment: group 1, 64 +/- 13% versus 50 +/- 13% (p = NS); group 2, 57 +/- 4% versus 25 +/- 4% (p ...
Personalized recommendations on books for K-12 readers

Learning to read efficiently and effectively is emphasized at the elementary and high school levels. Finding books that children/youth are interested in reading, however, is a non-trivial task due to the diversity of topics and different readability levels covered in the huge volume of books available these days. Ideally, K-12 students can turn to book recommenders which suggest books that match their interests. However, since the preferences and reading levels of these students vary from one grade to another, books suggested by existing recommenders, which ignore the literacy skills and the personal interests of their users, may be unsuitable for the targeted audience. In this paper, we present additional design issues that should be applied in developing a book recommender based on BReK12, our previously-proposed book recommender for K-12 users, to further enhance the quality of its recommendations. BReK12, which performs content and readability analysis to identify books potentially appealing to its users, is extended to incorporate (i) a multi-criteria analysis that studies its users' complex and diverse interests and (ii) an enhanced readability-detection tool that determines precisely the readability levels of books which match the literary skills of its users.
The Effects of Recessive White and Dominant White Genotypes on Early Growth Rate

The purpose of the studies reported herein was to determine whether the depressing effects on growth rate of dominant white (I) and recessive white (c/c) are additive or possibly interact with each other. A synthetic stock was used that was segregating for both dominant white and recessive white. Using phenotypic observations of down color and juvenile plumage color; it was possible to identify the genotypes at the I and C+ loci and to utilize a factorial experiment that provided for an evaluation of interaction effects between the loci. Five replications of this design were conducted with the following results: 1) the main effect of dominant white on 6 and 8 week body weight was not statistically significant; 2) recessive white consistently depresses early growth rate and the difference (congruent to 4%) between C+/- vs. c/c was highly significant (P less than .01); 3) there was a significant interaction (P less than .05) between I and c indicating that depressing effects of these loci are not additive. It does not appear to be necessary to eliminate (I) from recessive white broiler stocks, but it would be economically advantageous to remove hypostatic (c) from dominant white lines.
The certified Maine North Woods, where money grows from trees

Abstract Beginning in the 1990s, private ownership in Maine forestland shifted from a number of corporate owners to a patchwork of timber investment management organizations (TIMOs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs). This transformation reflected restructuring trends in the paper and pulp industry. During this same period, forest certification increased to levels that today make Maine one of the most certified states in the United States with nearly 8 million acres certified by one of a number of certifying entities. This paper examines the contradictory tensions of these trends. Specifically, the conservation goals of certification are undercut by increased investment in timber resources characterized by new financial instruments focused on return on investments. The increased use of first-party, industry-based certification suggests that the antagonisms between capital and conservation are being resolved in ways that undermine the purported conservation goals of forest certification standards.
Caught Between East and West? Portrayals of Gender in Bulgarian Television Advertisements

This study conducted a content analysis of Bulgarian television advertisements in 2004 to examine the prevailing portrayals of gender in the media environment of the postcommunist, consumer-based Bulgarian society. The study addressed the research questions of how gender was depicted in Bulgarian advertising and what possible social implications these gender portrayals can be for explaining gender relations in postcommunist societies. In examining a sample of 127 ads, the study found that content was highly stereotyped, portraying women in depending roles and in sexually suggestive appearance, similar to results from other European studies. Observations are made about the differences between the current study and previous sex roles studies, recognizing the specific cultural environment in Bulgaria.
A Response to Commentators on “The Limitations of ‘Vulnerability’ as a Protection for Human Research Participants”

We are gratified at the huge response to our article. It fully justifies our premise that it is time for a new examination of the concept of vulnerability in research ethics. The number and range o...
Unconditional Asymptotic Results for Simple Linear Regression

A fundamental specification issue in linear regression is the joint distribution of the regressors and the disturbance. The standard linear model posits regressors that are fixed in repeated samples and, perforce, independent of any random variable, including the disturbance. When regressors are random, the key assumption of fixity in repeated sampling is replaced with either an assumption of zero correlation between regressor and disturbance or, more strongly, independence between the two. It is widely recognized that a violation of uncorrelatedness is a serious misspecification of the linear regression. It appears not to be widely recognized that lack of independence has serious implications for inference even if regressors and disturbance are uncorrelated. The inferential errors that arise in this case are due to inconsistent estimates of the variances of regression coefficients. The purpose of this article is to explore the asymptotic consequences of stochastic regressors. The context of the discussion is a simple (one X) regression with iid regressor and disturbance. This simple structure serves to focus on the joint distribution of regressor and disturbance and to simplify the arguments notationally and conceptually. In particular, the iid assumption allows the use of easily grasped theorems in asymptotic distribution theory. Although the context of the discussion is limited, results are illuminated that carry over into more general settings. The generalizations to multiple regression are straightforward. Generalizations to non-iid circumstances can be found in White (1984) and Gallant and White (1988).
High-Speed Interaction On A Vibrating-Mirror 3D Display

An implementation of a true 3- dimensional display - system using vibrating mirror is described. This implemen- tation is characterized by using a standard raster graphics system, and supports user -interaction for independent Abstract An implementation of a true 3-dimensional display- system using vibrating mirror is described. This implemen­ tation is characterized by using a standard raster graphics system, and supports user-interaction for independent manipulation of multiple objects that is near real-time. The high-speed performance of the object-manipulations, which include translation, rotation, scaling, intensity- windowing, spatial-clipping, intensity-highlighting, and blinking, is achieved through five means: exploiting the power of the user-programmable graphics processor, fully utilizing the raster-device characteristics, coordinating con­ current execution of the host and graphics computers, localizing the image changes effected by interaction, and by relying upon successive refinement of the initially coarse object-display during periods of reduced interaction. Recent enhancements include the capability to display more points (circa 120,000), the integration of the functions into one system allowing multiple simultaneous manipula­ tions, and the support for independent object motion. The system is currently being used to display CT and NMR data for medical imaging and electron microscope tomo­ graphs for molecular modeling.
The carbohydrate specificity of conglutinin and its homology to proteins in the hepatic lectin family.

Abstract Inhibition experiments with D -mannose oligosaccharides establish that conglutinin recognises terminal α1 → 2 mannobiosyl units present in the glycopeptide of the α-chain of the complement component C3b. On the basis of its three domain structure and the homology of its N-terminal amino-acid sequence to that of the dog pulmonary surfactant protein, it is proposed that conglutinin is a member of the hepatic lectin family.
Mars Sample Return using commercial capabilities: Propulsive Entry, Descent, and Landing

This paper describes a critical portion of the work that has been done at NASA, Ames Research Center regarding the use of the commercially developed Dragon capsule as a delivery vehicle for the elements of a high priority Mars Sample Return mission. The objective of the investigation was to determine entry and landed mass capabilities that cover anticipated mission conditions. The “Red Dragon” Mars configuration uses supersonic retro-propulsion, with no required parachute system, to perform Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) maneuvers. The propulsive system proposed for use is the same system that will perform an abort, if necessary, for a human rated version of the Dragon capsule. Standard trajectory analysis tools are applied to publically available information about Dragon and other legacy capsule forms in order to perform the investigation. Trajectory simulation parameters include entry velocity, flight path angle, lift to drag Ratio (L/D), landing site elevation, atmosphere density, and total entry mass. In addition, engineering assumptions for the performance of the propulsion system are stated. Mass estimates for major elements of the overall proposed architecture are coupled to this EDL analysis to close the overall architecture. Three, Type 1 synodic launch opportunities, beginning with the 2022 opportunity, define the arrival conditions. Results are given for a system reflecting a nominal baseline set of the analysis parameters as well as sensitivities to those parameters. The EDL performance envelope includes landing altitudes between 0 and −4 km referenced to the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter datum as well as minimum and maximum atmosphere density. Total entry masses between 7 and 10 mt are considered with architecture closure occurring between 9.0 and 10 mt. Propellant mass fractions for each major phase of the EDL - Entry, Terminal Descent, and Hazard Avoidance - have been derived. A useful payload mass of 2.0 mt is provided and includes mass and growth allowance for a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), Earth Return Vehicle (ERV), and mission unique equipment. The useful payload supports an architecture that receives a sample from another surface asset and sends it directly back to Earth for recovery in a high Earth orbit. The work shows that emerging commercial capabilities as well as previously studied EDL methodologies can be used to efficiently support an important planetary science objective. The work has applications for human exploration missions that will also use propulsive EDL techniques.
Children's Ability to Recognize and Use Categories as a Function of Observation or Task-Oriented Manipulation of Labels or Photographs

Summary In performing an ordering-for-search task, 70 kindergarten, 140 second, and 140 fourth grade boys and girls used category membership of items more frequently if they had previously observed a presentation of the items grouped by category than if they had manipulated the items themselves. However, the latter was more helpful than prior observation of the items in random order, except for kindergartners. Category membership was used as frequently with words as with photos, not only in the ordering-for-search task, but in a delayed recall task as well. Type of material had only a few specific effects on performance of these tasks.
In Vivo Gene Transfer into Adult Stem Cells in Unconditioned Mice by in Situ Delivery of a Lentiviral Vector

The potential of in vivo lentivirus-mediated bone marrow stem cell gene transfer by bone cavity injection, which could take full advantage of any source of stem cells present there, has not been previously explored. Such an approach may avoid several difficulties encountered by ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene transfer. We sought to determine if efficient gene transfer could be achieved in HSC and mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSC) by intrafemoral injection of a lentivirus vector in mice. Four months after injection, up to 12% GFP-expressing cells were observed in myeloid and lymphoid subpopulations. Significant transduction efficiencies were seen in Lin(-)c-kit(+)Sca1(+) HSC/progenitors and CFU with multilineage potential, which were also confirmed by duplex PCR analysis of progenitor-derived colonies. Four months after secondary BMT, we observed 8.1 to 15% vector(+) CFU in all recipients. Integration analysis by LAM-PCR demonstrated that multiple transduced clones contributed to hematopoiesis in these animals. We also showed that GFP-expressing MSC retained multilineage differentiation potential, with 2.9 to 8.8% GFP-containing CFU-fibroblasts detected in both injected and BMT recipients. Our data provide evidence that adult stem cells in bone marrow can be efficiently transduced "in situ" by in vivo vector administration without preconditioning. This approach could lead to a novel application for treatment of human diseases.
Associations of kidney function with cardiovascular medication use after myocardial infarction

Background and objectives: It is unknown whether adherence to recommended medications after myocardial infarction (MI) differs by kidney function. Design, setting, participants, & measurements: This was a retrospective cohort study of older patients who were discharged after MI in two Eastern states between 1995 and 2004. Patients were categorized as having ESRD, having chronic kidney disease (CKD), and being free from diagnosed CKD. Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB), β blockers (BB), and statins was assessed within 30 d after discharge. Good adherence was defined as proportion of days covered >80% during the first year after discharge. Results: Compared with patients with no CKD, patients with CKD had 22% lower adjusted use of ACEI/ARB but similar rates of BB and statin use. Patients with ESRD experienced 43% lower ACEI/ARB and 17% lower statin use. Only 64% (BB), 57% (statins), and 54% (ACEI/ARB) of patients had good 1-yr adherence. Adherence was similar between patients with CKD and with no CKD for all study drugs. Fewer patients with ESRD had good adherence to BB. Conclusions: With the exception of lower ACEI/ARB use in patients with CKD, we found no differences between patients with CKD and with no CKD in their use of and adherence to these cardiovascular medications after MI. Patients with ESRD experienced lower use of ACEI/ARB and statins and lower adherence to BB regimens. Postulated differences in medication use after MI across levels of kidney function are unlikely to explain the observed differences in long-term outcomes.
The photochemistry of amides and amide derivatives 3: The photolysis of methyl-2-phenoxybenzohydroxamate

The photochemistry of methyl-2-phenoxybenzohydroxamate was studied. This compound was found to undergo the type I reaction followed by intramolecular cyclization to generate xanthone, the type II reaction to generate 2-phenoxybenzamide, and a formal 1,5 shift of the phenyl group from the benzohydroxamate ring to the nitrogen. It was also found that the relative amounts of the type II product and the phenyl migration product were solvent dependent. Photolysis in methanol favored the phenyl migration process whereas photolysis in cyclohexane favored the type II process. These results are attributed to an increased amount of single electron transfer from the phenoxy group to the carbonyl group relative to the type II process in methanol. The photolysis of N,N-dimethyl-2-phenoxybenzamide, which cannot undergo phenyl migration, gives xanthone as the only product.
Intertwining knowledge delivery and elicitation: a process model for human-computer collaboration in design

Collaboration among designers can be described with an 'action—reflection—critique' model in which the explicit representation of the design contributes to a shared understanding and to the articulation of design knowledge. The paper describes how domain-oriented design environments based on this model support human-computer collaboration by intertwining knowledge delivery and elicitation. The KID (Knowing-In-Design) system has a shared understanding about the designers' 'task at hand' through a partial design requirement specification and a solution. KID delivers design knowledge relevant to this 'task at hand' and the delivery helps designers uncover tacit design concerns. Designers are encouraged to store the elicited design knowledge in KID, which results in the evolution of the system's knowledge bases. The evolution affects the system's subsequent behavior by tuning the delivery toward the designers. This cycle of knowledge delivery and elicitation processes supported by KID allows designers to gradually coevolve design requirements and solutions.
Use of self-management behaviors to cope with rheumatoid arthritis stressors.

Objective To examine self-management behaviors used to cope with 5 rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related stressors (pain, fatigue, physical limitations, joint changes, and symptom unpredictability) and the relationship between use of self-management behaviors and ability to perform life activities. Methods Data were from telephone interviews of 511 persons with RA. Participants were presented with lists of self-management behaviors for each stressor and asked to indicate which they had used in the past year. Performance of life activities was assessed concurrently (baseline) and 1 year later (followup). The number of activities affected (difficulty performing or unable to perform) and the number that individuals were completely unable to perform were calculated. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the association of perceived stressor impact and arthritis education with strategy use and the association of self-management behaviors with performance of life activities. Results Four self-management strategies were identified: accommodation, active remediation, social, and perseverance. Greater perceived impact of stressors was associated with use of more self-management strategies in total for each stressor (β = 0.43–0.73, all P < 0.0001) and with use of accommodation (β = 0.26–0.29, P < 0.0001), social (β = 0.23–0.43, P < 0.0001), and perseverance (β = 0.29–0.46, P < 0.0001) strategies. Greater use of accommodation strategies at baseline was associated with an increase in the number of activities affected at followup (β = 0.11, P < 0.05); greater use of perseverance strategies was associated with a decrease in activities unable to perform (β = −0.13, P < 0.01). Conclusion Self-management behaviors are commonly used and may help prevent loss of the ability to perform life activities.
Development of a novel microperfusion chamber for determination of cell membrane transport properties

A novel microperfusion chamber was developed to measure kinetic cell volume changes under various extracellular conditions and to quantitatively determine cell membrane transport properties. This device eliminates modeling ambiguities and limitations inherent in the use of the microdiffusion chamber and the micropipette perfusion technique, both of which have been previously validated and are closely related optical technologies using light microscopy and image analysis. The resultant simplicity should prove to be especially valuable for study of the coupled transport of water and permeating solutes through cell membranes. Using the microperfusion chamber, water and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) permeability coefficients of mouse oocytes as well as the water permeability coefficient of golden hamster pancreatic islet cells were determined. In these experiments, the individual cells were held in the chamber and perfused at 22 degrees C with hyperosmotic media, with or without DMSO (1.5 M). The cell volume change was videotaped and quantified by image analysis. Based on the experimental data and irreversible thermodynamics theory for the coupled mass transfer across the cell membrane, the water permeability coefficient of the oocytes was determined to be 0.47 micron. min-1. atm-1 in the absence of DMSO and 0.65 microns. min-1. atm-1 in the presence of DMSO. The DMSO permeability coefficient of the oocyte membrane and associated membrane reflection coefficient to DMSO were determined to be 0.23 and 0.85 micron/s, respectively. These values are consistent with those determined using the micropipette perfusion and microdiffusion chamber techniques. The water permeability coefficient of the golden hamster pancreatic islet cells was determined to be 0.27 microns. min-1. atm-1, which agrees well with a value previously determined using an electronic sizing (Coulter counter) technique. The use of the microperfusion chamber has the following major advantages: 1) This method allows the extracellular condition(s) to be readily changed by perfusing a single cell or group of cells with a prepared medium (cells can be reperfused with a different medium to study the response of the same cell to different osmotic conditions). 2) The short mixing time of cells and perfusion medium allows for accurate control of the extracellular osmolality and ensures accuracy of the corresponding mathematical formulation (modeling). 3) This technique has wide applicability in studying the cell osmotic response and in determining cell membrane transport properties.
Mechanisms of contrast induction in heterogeneous displays

Abstract This study examines how judgments of a region's contrast are influenced by components of a heterogeneous surround. Each stimulus comprised a 5 × 5 grid of squares in a homogeneous background of fixed mean luminance, with the central square the target. On a given trial, the task was to judge (with feedback) whether the (Weber) contrast of the target was 0.04 or −0.04 (relative to the background); the contrasts assigned (in random order) to the 24 surrounding squares were drawn from the values −0.98, −0.33, 0.33, 0.98 in conformity to one of nine pre-chosen histograms. Presentations were brief (80 ms) in one condition and long (800 ms) in another. A novel psychophysical method was used to estimate the impact exerted on judged target contrast (JTC) by a given contrast in a given grid position. Results were similar for four observers. For both display durations, the four squares sharing an edge with the target influenced JTC 2.4–9 times more than any other surrounding squares. In long presentations, abutting squares of extreme contrast repelled target contrast: squares of contrast −0.98 (0.98) increased (decreased) JTC. However, lower contrast abutting squares attracted target contrast: squares of contrast −0.33 (0.33) decreased (increased) JTC. This central finding can be explained by supposing that: (a) JTC is strongly correlated with the average boundary contrast from surround to target, as registered by linear, edge-selective neurons, and, crucially, (b) the responses of these neurons are themselves subject to lateral inhibition from the rectified responses of other similarly tuned neurons. Finally, in brief presentations, a polarity-specific asymmetry was observed: the two positive abutting-square contrasts continued to influence JTC as they did in long presentations, but contrasts −0.33 and −0.98 ceased to exert much impact, suggesting that lateral influences on target appearance propagate more quickly from positive than from negative contrast abutting regions.
Characterization of a Novel Zinc Finger Gene with Increased Expression in Nondividing Normal Human Cells

We report here the cloning and characterization of a novel KRAB zinc finger gene, ZFQR, which has eight tandemly repeated zinc fingers, a complete KRAB box at the N-terminal region, and a unique C-terminal sequence. It is expressed in a variety of human tissues, and mRNA levels are upregulated in nondividing senescent and quiescent human fibroblasts. Overexpression of the protein in quiescent cells stimulated with serum growth factors results in inhibition of entry into the cell cycle. The latter activity is lost when the N-terminal KRAB domain is deleted. The KRAB domain is also required for the transcriptional repression activity of ZFQR and in maintaining association of the protein with the nuclear matrix. The gene has been mapped to human chromosome 19q13.4. The association of ZFQR with the nuclear matrix, transcriptional repression activity, increased expression in senescent and quiescent cells, and the ability to inhibit quiescent cells stimulated with growth factors from entering the cell cycle suggests a role for ZFQR in the maintenance of the nondividing state of normal human cells.