cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-Determination and Empowerment: A Feminist Standpoint Analysis of Talk about Disability

In this paper we offer a feminist analysis of talk about self-determination and empowerment in the context of disability, focusing on the case of developmental disabilities. We find strains of the same patterns feminist epistemologists have argued shape the organization of formal knowledge from the standpoint of the privileged. At the extreme, people with developmental disabilities appear as objects without selves, outside of the context of interpersonal and social structural relationships that constrain who they can be by defining them as other, often in multiple and interacting ways. Empowerment, from the dominant standpoint, becomes an abstract attribute or condition; something a person has or does not have. Taking the standpoint of women and other marginalized people offers a view of self-determination as a person's development of his or her self. Empowerment becomes a potential characteristic of a social relationship, one that facilitates the development of someone's self. The most empowering relationships are mutual, recognizing and building on the diverse contributions and needs of participants in ways that seek to minimize inequalities over time. The reason some of us are self-determining is that we are in interpersonal and social structural relationships that empower us. To construct interpersonal and social structural relationships that empower people with developmental disabilities requires challenging the way dominant conceptualizations of independence and productivity also express the standpoint of the privileged. The standpoint of women allows all of us to talk more of how we connect with and facilitate one another's developing selves within communities.
Theta functions of indefinite quadratic forms over real number fields

We define theta functions attached to indefinite quadratic forms over real number fields and prove that these theta functions are Hilbert modular forms by regarding them as specializations of symplectic theta functions. The eighth root of unity which arises under modular transformations is determined explicitly.
Learning from plausible explanations

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the incomplete-theory problem in which a learning system has an explicit domain theory that cannot generate an explanation for every example. The general method is to use the existing domain theory to generate a plausible explanation of the example and to extract from it one or more rules that may then be added to the domain theory. This method is an application of abductive reasoning in that it is attempting to account for a known conclusion (the goal concept) by proposing various hypotheses, which, together with the existing domain theory, may account for it. If a complete explanation can be created for an example, the domain theory is adequate and need not be extended. If the example cannot be completely explained, there are usually many partial explanations that can be generated to explain it. The chapter presents the implementation of a prototype system that is able to extend its domain theory this way. The goal of this method is to increase the explanatory power of the domain theory rather than to acquire a specific way of recognizing instances of the goal concept.
Osteoblast Response to Zinc‐Doped Sintered P‐Tricalcium Phosphate

Sintered β-tricalcium phosphate (p-TCP, β-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 ) and Zn-doped (600, 4100, and 10100 ppm) β-TCP samples were prepared by using an aqueous chemical synthesis technique, followed by the calcination of pressed powders at 1000°C in air. Precursor powders of the synthesis process were Ca-deficient nanoapatites (i.e., Ca/P molar ratio varying from 1.49 to 1.51) with rod-like but agglomerated particles of 50 nm length and 20 nm thickness. In vitro culture tests performed by mouse osteoblast-like cells showed that β-TCP doped with 4100 ppm Zn had the highest cell viability and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity values over a range of 0 to 1 wt% Zn. The sample surface roughness, measured by non-contact profilometry, was also found to have an effect on the Live/Dead cell counts, and the highest cell viability recorded in this study corresponded to the surfaces with the least roughness.
Exploring mars with solar-powered rovers

The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) project landed two solar-powered rovers, "Spirit" and "Opportunity", on the surface of Mars in January of 2003. This talk reviews the history of solar-powered missions to Mars and looks at the science mission of the MER rovers, focusing on the solar energy and array performance.
Molecular mechanism of the Neurospora circadian oscillator

Circadian clocks are the internal time-keeping mechanisms for organisms to synchronize their cellular and physiological processes to the daily light/dark cycles. The molecular mechanisms underlying circadian clocks are remarkably similar in eukaryotes. Neurospora crassa, a filamentous fungus, is one of the best understood model organisms for circadian research. In recent years, accumulating data have revealed complex regulation in the Neurospora circadian clock at transcriptional, posttranscriptional, post-translational and epigenetic levels. Here we review the recent progress towards our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the Neurospora circadian oscillator. These advances have provided novel insights and furthered our understanding of the mechanism of eukaryotic circadian clocks.
Rapid and sensitive method for detection of hepatitis C virus RNA by using silica particles

We describe a rapid, sensitive, and economic method for detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. This method uses silica particles for purification of nucleic acid and then a modified reverse transcription-PCR that minimizes the risk of contamination and reduces the amount of reagents used. We found purification by silica particles to be at least as sensitive and in certain circumstances more sensitive than that by traditional phenol-chloroform extraction. This improved sensitivity may be due to more efficient recovery of HCV RNA by silica particles. HCV RNA appears to bind to silica particles in a saturable fashion, and the addition of extraneous nucleic acids (salmon sperm DNA or tRNA) decreases the binding in a dose-related fashion. The reverse transcription-PCR is performed by using a modified single tube method which further simplifies and reduces the cost of this assay. Finally, this method may be applied to clinical specimens such as liver tissue.
Dynamic Shear Rheological Properties of Polymer-Modified Asphalt Binders:

Rheological characteristics were measured using DSR (Dynamic Shear Rheometry) for two asphalts (A and B, conventional AC-20 viscosity grades) from different crude sources modified with 5% SBR, 5.5% LDPE, 5% SB, and a crumb rubber (5%)/SBS (2%) mixture. Mastercurves were constructed from DSR frequency sweeps at temperatures ranging from -20 to 80°C. The mastercurves were constructed using the method of reduced variables, similar to the WLF equation, and described all binders well except for the A-LDPE binder. Polymer network formation is suggested in the B-SB binders based on the tendency of the tan δ mastercurve to exhibit a local minimum and the lack of observable phase separated polymer domains within the resolution of the fluorescence microscope. The morphology of the SBR polymer in the asphalt was observed to be dependent on the specific asphalt source. Initiation of polymer network formation is postulated for B-SBR based on the behavior of tan δ and the asphalt swollen phase separated polymer domains...
Generalized linear modeling of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation with application to seasonal forecasting and climate change projections

[1] A new framework for simulating the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) using a generalized linear model (GLM) is provided. The GLM provides a versatile and computationally inexpensive method for investigating ENSO dynamics, by conditioning an ENSO index on an arbitrary set of input variables. Here the system state (El Nino/neutral/La Nina) at previous times is combined with the first few principal components of sea surface temperature (SST) and thermocline depth. Despite having relatively few degrees of freedom, the model accurately reproduces 20th century SST time series, seasonal variance, power spectra, and autocorrelation functions for both the eastern and western Pacific. The GLM also has good overall forecast skill, especially at subyearly lead times; performance is competitive with models currently used for operational ENSO forecasting. The model is then used to examine changes to El Nino/La Nina statistics under CO2 increases, by using the GLM to represent simulations run with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate System Model (CCSM), versions 3.5 and 4. GLM simulations of 21st century CCSM4 changes to El Nino/La Nina magnitudes show insignificant results, despite a slight increase in El Nino persistence. GLM fits conditioned on millennial stabilized CCSM3.5 simulations with varying CO2 levels, however, show a weakening and shortening of El Nino events as CO2 concentration increases, whereas La Nina events become markedly stronger and do not change significantly in length. The reduction in El Nino persistence in CCSM3.5 is consistent with previous results showing that at higher CO2 levels, a stronger seasonal cycle creates a Southern Hemisphere “seasonal footprint” leading to more efficient El Nino termination.
Fatigue study of modified asphalt mixture stress-absorbing material Interlayer

Author tests small beam repeated bending fatigue test to the modified asphalt mixture stress-absorbing material Interlayer(SAMI) made up of local practical materials by controlling strain mode, and compares the fatigue performance of the other four kinds of materials commonly used, The results show that the preparation of AC-SAMI has a very good anti-fatigue properties, and can significantly improve the life of the road.
Human capital flight : stratification, globalization and the challenges to tertiary education in Africa

A recent remark by the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration (IOM), captioned African brain drain robs continent of future perhaps best captures the sentiment on the human capital outflow from the region. The remark asserts that the brain drain of highly skilled professionals from Africa to overseas opportunities is making economic growth and poverty alleviation an almost impossible task across the continent. Recent meetings of the Heads of State of the Southern African Development Community and the meeting of the Association of African Central Banks (August 2001) echoed similar sentiments. Africa is a capital scarce region and loss of this limited resource is widely considered detrimental to the prospects of sustained growth and development. The concerns about loss of African capital have to date largely focused on the flight of financial wealth from the region. Investment in Africa remains low even by developing countries standards, at the same time that valuable own private capital, estimated at nearly 40 percent of the Africas private wealth, has left the continent in search of safer havens elsewhere. Independent estimates show that in 1990 Africans held up to $360 billion or 40 percent of their wealth outside the region. This was equivalent to the size of Africas debt or 90 percent of GDP. This high capital flight compares unfavorably with just 6 percent of East Asian wealth and 10 percent for Latin America being held outside of their respective regions (Collier, Hoeffler and Patillo, 1999). Many of the factors that inhibit capital inflows also motivate capital flight from Africa. There is a significant parallel to this problem on the side of human capital.
Films of Agarose Enable Rapid Formation of Giant Liposomes in Solutions of Physiologic Ionic Strength

This paper describes a method to form giant liposomes in solutions of physiologic ionic strength, such as phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or 150 mM KCl. Formation of these cell-sized liposomes proceeded from hybrid films of partially dried agarose and lipids. Hydrating the films of agarose and lipids in aqueous salt solutions resulted in swelling and partial dissolution of the hybrid films and in concomitant rapid formation of giant liposomes in high yield. This method did not require the presence of an electric field or specialized lipids; it generated giant liposomes from pure phosphatidylcholine lipids or from lipid mixtures that contained cholesterol or negatively charged lipids. Hybrid films of agarose and lipids even enabled the formation of giant liposomes in PBS from lipid compositions that are typically problematic for liposome formation, such as pure phosphatidylserine, pure phosphatidylglycerol, and asolectin. This paper discusses biophysical aspects of the formation of giant liposomes from hybrid films of agarose and lipids in comparison to established methods and shows that gentle hydration of hybrid films of agarose and lipids is a simple, rapid, and reproducible procedure to generate giant liposomes of various lipid compositions in solutions of physiologic ionic strength without the need for specialized equipment.
The Development of Gonadotropin and Steroid Hormone Patterns in Male and Female Hamsters from Birth to Puberty

Male (1--60 days old) and female (1--30 days old) hamsters were decapitated and serum levels of LH, FSH, PRL, progesterone, androgens (males), and estradiol (females) were measured by RIA. Males and females had similar levels of LH until 15 days of age and of FSH until 12 days of age, at which times gonadotropin levels increased significantly in females. Peak levels for females occurred on days 19--21 for LH and on days -2--24 for FSH, later than the times reported for female rats. Adjusting female gonadotropin peaks for gestation length places these peaks for hamsters and rats at the same time in postmating age. In female hamsters, large variations occur in LH between 16--25 days of age, as reported for female rats. Males reached peak serum levels of LH and FSH on day 40, just before the first motile epididymal sperm. Serum PRL levels were identical in male and female hamsters until at least day 30. PRL levels sharply increased in both sexes after day 18 and remained elevated until at least day 30. In males, serum androgens were low until 30 days of age, in contrast to high levels reported for infantile rats. Androgens rose sharply in male hamsters after day 30 to peak levels on day 50. Progesterone in males also remained low until after day 30. Serum estradiol in females did not attain the extremely high elevations seen in rats. Some fluctuations occurred between 10--30 days of age, which presumably represent maturational changes in the ovary. Serum progesterone in females followed a pattern of development similar to estradiol.
Kinetic analysis of active membrane transport systems: equations for net velocity and isotope exchange.

Abstract Equations for the initial net velocity and for isotope exchange velocities in active membrane transport systems are presented. The equations are expressed entirely in terms of kinetic constants which are experimentally determinable from appropriate reciprocal plots, and replots of slope and intercept (for net velocity) or 1/Δslope and 1/Δintercept (for isotope exchange). The equations and plots are equally applicable to a soluble iso uni uni enzyme system. The effect of pH on sulfate transport by an ATP-sulfurylase negative mutant of Penicillium notatum was analyzed assuming that 35 SO 4 2− and H + are cosubstrates of the transport system. The kinetics are consistent with an ordered addition to the carrier of one H + ion followed by 35 SO 4 2− , with H + in equilibrium with the carrier and the carrier-H + complex.
Non-invariance groups from intermediate coupling models

Abstract The non-invariance groups for the symmetric pseudoscalar theory and unitary symmetric pseudoscalar theory are considered. Most of the results of the conventional static SU(6) theory are obtained together with a new relation for electromagnetic mass differences of baryons, which agrees well with experiment.
Response summation in the pigeon

Three experiments were performed to determine the effects of schedule of reinforcement on additive summation using pigeons as subjects. In the first experiment the subjects were reinforced on a VI 1-min schedule whenever either of two stimuli was present. Their simultaneous presentation produced response summation. In the second experiment key color and the schedule of reinforcement were changed in alternate sessions. When the reinforcement schedule was VI 30 sec, only one of the four subjects showed response summation. When the reinforcement schedule was VI 3 min, all four subjects showed response summation. In the third experiment, the subjects were reinforced on a VI 30-sec schedule whenever either of two stimuli was present. Their simultaneous presentation produced response summation in only one of three subjects. The results suggest that either high reinforcement frequency or high response rate sets a ceiling beyond which response summation is not observed.
Magnetic phases of the pseudobinary compound Tb2−xGdxAu

Abstract DC susceptibility measurements on the pseudobinary compound Tb 2− x Gd x Au have shown that the Tb-rich side compounds resemble all the characteristics of Tb 2 Au while the Gd-rich side compounds those of Gd 2 Au. In the region 1⩽ x ⩽1.2 a new phase appears which is of a spin glass type.
Ionic and osmoregulation in the fresh-water medusa, Craspedacusta sowberyi.

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of a 168-hr exposure to a graded series of salinities ranging from 7 to 92 mOsM/kg on the tissue fluid osmotic pressure of the medusa Craspedacusta sowberyi has been studied. 2. 2. The tissue fluids of the medusae were hypertonic to pond water, and probably hypertonic to salinities above 69mOsM/kg. A steady loss in volume was noted in those medusae held in the two highest salinities, 74 and 92mOsM/kg. 3. 3. Craspedacusta can accumulate both Na + and K + in pond water, but apparently cannot carry out any net excretion of either ion.
PET Imaging of development and malignant transformation in a mouse model of mammary intraepithelial neoplasia

The purpose of this work is to explore image quantitation in small-animal positron emission tomography (PET) as a tool for following proliferation and malignant transformation of mammary intraepithelial neoplasia outgrowths in vivo in laboratory mice. The expected application of the work is preclinical evaluations of breast cancer therapeutics. For nonpalpable or prepalpable disease, current practice involves large cohorts of mice with groups sacrificed at each time point. Because of the substantial variability in tumor development, numerous mice are needed at each time point to obtain statistical power. In vivo imaging techniques have the ability to follow a single mouse over multiple time points in longitudinal studies, and therefore reduce the number of mice needed for evaluation. Longitudinal studies offer an additional increase in statistical power by being able to control for the condition of disease (e.g. tumor size) at onset of treatment. Critical to the success of this approach is the ability to extract meaningful quantitative markers of disease. The study reported here describes a computational approach to extracting quantitative markers of disease progression and proliferation in longitudinal PET studies, and an analysis of the increase in statistical power due to temporal correlations in the extracted markers.
Information Systems in the Social Services: Factors for Success:

This paper presents the systems approach for the design and operation of a social service information system. Because the information technology hasn't been widely accepted throughout the social service profession, the assimilation of its benefits is only beginning to be realized. The paper includes the design and operation factors that have proven successful from the collective experiences of social service agencies and their lessons learned. This paper cites an example of an agency which subscribes to these factors for success. The evolving need for human services information systems is delineated as well as the major forces contributing to system development. Lastly, those factors related to informa tion system success are presented and correlated to various operating and system design criterion.
Cancer and thrombosis: implications of published guidelines for clinical practice

Cancer is a frequent finding in patients with thrombosis, and thrombosis is much more prevalent in patients with cancer, with important clinical consequences. Thrombosis is the second most common cause of death in cancer patients. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer is also associated with a high rate of recurrence, bleeding, a requirement for long-term anticoagulation, and worsened quality of life. Risk factors for cancer-associated VTE include particular cancer types, chemotherapy (with or without antiangiogenic agents), the use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents, the presence of central venous catheters, and surgery. Novel risk factors include platelet and leukocyte counts and tissue factor. A risk model for identifying cancer patients at highest risk for VTE has recently been developed. Anticoagulant therapy is safe and efficacious for prophylaxis and treatment of VTE in patients with cancer. Available anticoagulants include warfarin, heparin, and low-molecular weight heparins (LMWHs). LMWHs represent the preferred therapeutic option for VTE prophylaxis and treatment. Their use may be associated with improved survival in cancer, although this issue requires further study. Despite the significant burden imposed by VTE and the availability of effective anticoagulant therapies, many oncology patients do not receive appropriate VTE prophylaxis as recommended by practice guidelines. Improved adherence to guidelines could substantially reduce morbidity, decrease resource use, enhance quality of life, and improve survival in these patients.
Interaction of inhomogeneities of repolarization with anisotropic propagation in dog atria. A mechanism for both preventing and initiating reentry

Having found the regional differences in right atrial action potentials shown in an accompanying article, we tested two seemingly paradoxical hypotheses: 1) The spatial pattern of repolarization provides a protective mechanism against reentry, and 2) repolarization inhomogeneities interact with anisotropic discontinuous propagation to produce reentry. Measurement of multidimensional refractory periods demonstrated an anisotropic distribution within large bundles with the longest refractory periods in the medial upper crista terminalis (sinus node area), a distribution similar to that of action potential durations. Also, discontinuities of repolarization were found at muscle bundle junctions. Early premature impulses originating in the sinus node area propagated throughout the right atrial preparations without conduction disturbances or reentry. Conversely, early premature impulses that originated at sites distal to the sinus node area resulted in localized conduction block at multiple sites, which frequently produced complex conduction changes and reentry. The critical nature of the site of origin of a premature impulse in initiating reentry was related to locations where the steepest repolarization gradients occurred: within anisotropic bundles in the direction of highest axial resistance (across fibers) and at muscle bundle junctions that represented localized discontinuities of axial resistance. The multiple conduction abnormalities at localized sites interacted to produce different types of reentry at a larger size scale (25 mm2 to several cm2). In each case, neither repolarization inhomogeneities (leading circle concept) nor anisotropic discontinuous propagation was the only "mechanism" involved. That is, reentry at a macroscopic size scale occurred as a result of a combined repolarization-anisotropic discontinuous propagation mechanism.
AG337, a novel lipophilic thymidylate synthase inhibitor: in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies.

3,4-Dihydro-2-amino-6-methyl-4-oxo-5-(4-pyridylthio)-quinazoline dihydrochloride (AG337) is a water-soluble, lipophilic inhibitor of thymidylate synthase (TS) designed using X-ray structure-based methodologies to interact at the folate cofactor binding site of the enzyme. The aim of the design program was to identify TS inhibitors with different pharmacological characteristics from classical folate analogs and, most notably, to develop non-glutamate-containing molecules which would not require facilitated transport for uptake and would not undergo intracellular polyglutamylation. One molecule which resulted from this program, AG337, inhibits purified recombinant human TS with a Ki of 11 nM, and displays non-competitive inhibition kinetics. It was further shown to inhibit cell growth in a panel of cell lines of murine and human origin, displaying an IC50 of between 0.39 μM and 6.6 μM. TS was suggested as the locus of action of AG337 by the ability of thymidine to antagonize cell growth inhibition and the direct demonstration of TS inhibition in whole cells using a tritium release assay. The demonstration, by flow cytometry, that AG337-treated L1210 cells were arrested in the S phase of the cell cycle was also consistent with a blockage of TS, as was the pattern of ribonucleotide and deoxyribonucleotide pool modulation in AG337-treated cells, which showed significant reduction in TTP levels. The effects of AG337 were quickly reversed on removal of the drug, suggesting, as would be expected for a lipophilic agent, that there is rapid influx and efflux from cells and no intracellular metabolism to derivatives with enhanced retention. In vivo, AG337 was highly active against the thymidine kinase-deficient murine L5178Y/TK- lymphoma implanted either i.p. or i.m. following i.p. or oral delivery. Prolonged dosing periods of 5 or 10 days were required for activity, and efficacy was improved with twice-daily dose administration. Dose levels of 25 mg/kg delivered i.p. twice daily for 10 days, 50 mg/kg once daily for 10 days, or 100 mg/kg once daily for 5 days elicited 100% cures against the i.p. tumor. Doses required for activity against the i.m. tumor were higher (100 mg/kg i.p. twice daily for 5 or 10 days) but demonstrated the ability of AG337 to penetrate solid tissue barriers. Oral delivery required doses of ≥150 mg/kg twice daily for periods of 5–10 days to produce 100% cure rates against both i.m. and i.p. implanted tumors. These results were consistent with the pharmacokinetic parameters determined in rats, for which oral bioavailability of 30–50% was determined, together with a relatively short elimination half life of 2 h. Clinical studies with AG337 are currently in progress.
The Presence of Ribonucleotides in Mature Closed-Circular Mitochondrial DNA

Mitochondrial DNA from mouse and HeLa cells is nicked by alkali and chick-embryo ribonuclease H. It has been concluded that ribonucleotides are present in the closed-circular duplex. A comparative study of the scission rates at pH 13.0 of RNA and of mitochondrial DNAs indicates that there are no more than 10 ribonucleotides in the major fraction of the mitochondrial DNAs.
Robust and accurate filtered spherical harmonics expansions for radiative transfer

We present a novel application of filters to the spherical harmonics (P"N) expansion for radiative transfer problems in the high-energy-density regime. The filter we use is based on non-oscillatory spherical splines and a filter strength chosen to (i) preserve the equilibrium diffusion limit and (ii) vanish as the expansion order tends to infinity. Our implementation is based on modified equations that are derived by applying the filter after every time step in a simple first-order time integration scheme. The method is readily applied to existing codes that solve the P"N equations. Numerical results demonstrate that the solution to the filtered P"N equations are (i) more robust and less oscillatory than standard P"N solutions and (ii) more accurate than discrete ordinates solutions of comparable order. In particular, the filtered P"7 solution demonstrates comparable accuracy to an implicit Monte Carlo solution for a benchmark hohlraum problem in 2D Cartesian geometry.
Diffusion of DiI, Fast DiO, and TopFluor-PC in the Outer Membrane of Live E. Coli

While there have been many studies on the diffusion of membrane lipids in eukaryotic cells, which have given insight into the structure and organization of these membranes, little is known to date of their mobility in bacterial membranes, specifically the Gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli. The E. coli outer envelope consists of inner and outer lipid membranes that are separated by a periplasmic space containing the cell wall. The outer membrane is unique in that it is thinner than mammalian plasma membranes and consists of a phospholipid inner leaflet with a predominantly lipopolysaccharide (LPS) outer leaflet.Here we look at the diffusion of the fluorescent lipid analogs DiI, FAST DiO, and TopFluor-PC in the outer membrane of live E. coli cells using single molecule imaging/tracking techniques. Lipid analog dynamics are compared in several cells - E. coli with no O antigen, E. coli with no core oligosaccharides, and a mammalian cell line -- at several sampling rates. Lipid analogs deviate from free diffusion at time scales smaller than 30 fps for FAST DiO and smaller than 260 fps for TopFluor-PC. The diffusion of lipid analogs differs according to the charge of the headgroup and fatty acid composition. These differences give evidence for predictions that LPS plays a role in membrane structure and organization and may imply a lipid-based compartmentalized structure in E. coli.
Measurement of gene-sepcific transcription by nuclease protection of pulse-labeled nuclear RNA

Abstract A gene-specific transcription assay was developed that is based on pulse-labeled incorporation of [ 3 H]uridine into nuclear RNA. Transcription is quantified by scintillation counting of [ 3 H]]uridine incorporated into nuclear RNA that is protected from S 1 nuclease digestion by hybridization with cold gene probes. This assay was dependent upon partial degradation of nuclear RNA and optimization of hybridization and nuclease digestion conditions. To validate this assay, transcription of β-actin and c- myc genes was measured in two different human cell lines using the incorporation assay in parallel with the nuclear run-off assay. Transcription kinetics of the β-actin and c- myc gene in serum-stimulated fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells determined by [ 3 H]-uridine incorporation were comparable to that determined by the nuclear run-off method. For β-actin, there was an approximate 2-fold increase in transcription rate within two hours of stimulation that declined to basal levels by 20 h. The c- myc gene response followed a similar kinetics as for the β-actin gene except that maximal enhancement was greater at 6–9-fold. The relative transcriptional activities of the β-actin gene to that of the c- myc gene were virtually identical using the two assay methods. Comparable transcription results using both methods were also observed when β-actin and c- myc gene transcription were measured in long-phase HL-60 leukemia cells.
THE DIFFEOMORPHISM GROUP APPROACH TO ANYONS

We explain an approach to quantum mechanics, based on diffeomorphism groups and local current algebras, that predicts many of the fundamental properties of anyons. Our formulation also yields further insight into the meaning of particle statistics, and permits the unified description of a wide variety of quantum systems.
Monte Carlo Appraisals of Gravity Model Specifications

Many improvements have been proposed for the basic gravity model specification, most of which are confirmed by standard statistical tests due to the large number of observations often used to estimate such models. We use Monte Carlo experiments to examine situations in which features of models may be found statistically significant (or insignificant) when it is known ex ante that they are absent (or present) in the underlying data process. Erroneous assumptions about the presence or absence of lagged dependent variables, fixed effects, free-trade associations and customs unions are shown to introduce economically important bias in estimates of the coefficients of interest, and in some cases to be confirmed spuriously. Policy effects, such as for free trade associations and currency unions, can also be confirmed spuriously when they do not exist in the data-generating process.
Structural factors influencing linear M-H-M bonding in bis(dialkylphosphino)methane complexes of nickel.

Structural data for four closely related dinuclear nickel hydride complexes have been compared in order to gain insight into the factors governing the Ni−H−Ni geometries. The derivatives [(dippm)2Ni2X2](μ-H) [dippm = 1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)methane] were found to contain a linear Ni−H−Ni bridge, whereas the derivatives [(dcpm)2Ni2X2](μ-H) [dcpm = 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane] were found to contain a bent Ni−H−Ni bridge. The number of internal and interatomic CH-to-halide contacts of the former were much shorter and more numerous than the latter, suggesting an important role of external forces in bridging hydride geometries.
GPR56 and TG2: possible roles in suppression of tumor growth by the microenvironment.

Metastasis is a complex process that involves multiple levels of cell-cell interaction. Among these interactions, tumor-stroma interactions are being actively investigated. Metastatic cells are hypothesized to show gene expression changes that contribute to their survival and growth at the distant site. Such chances could contribute either to enhancement of growth or to evasion of growth inhibition by the normal tissue environment thus allowing growth as metastases. Our recent report that tumors from highly metastatic melanoma derivatives express low levels of a suppressor of tumor progression, GPR56, is consistent with such a model. GPR56 associates in a complex with Gαq and the tetraspanin CD81. We further identified a ligand that interacts with GPR56 in the extracellular matrix (ECM) as TG2, a major crosslinking enzyme in the matrix. TG2 also binds to fibronectin and integrins and affects their cell adhesion functions. TG2 itself has been implicated in suppression of tumor progression; therefore TG2 mi...
Kinetics of absorption and elimination of pralidoxime chloride in dogs

The kinetics of the absorption and elimination of pralidoxime chloride were investigated in the dog. Similar apparent elimination rate constants were obtained after intravenous, intramuscular, and oral administration. Although oral absorption occurred slowly, intramuscular absorption proceeded rapidly. With in situ techniques, it was found that no absorption occurred from the isolated stomach and duodenum but that absorption did take place from the jejunum and ileum.
Apparent Thermal Conductivities of Fiberglass Insulation

This paper deals with the thermal characterization of fiberglass insu lation used in baking oven applications. The apparent thermal conductivities of fiber glass bats were measured with a commercially available guarded hot plate k-tester as a function of density, thickness, hot and cold surface emissivities and mean tempera ture levels applicable to range operation and self cleaning conditions. An axisym metnc conduction analysis was performed to estimate the k-tester accuracy, and a few calibration measurements were executed with a fiberglass mat provided by the k-tester manufacturer. The apparent thermal conductivities, measured within the specific ranges of the parameters listed above, were correlated with a model which in cludes the gas and solid conduction, as well as radiation transport.
ATF/CREB Elements in the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Latency-Associated Transcript Promoter Interact with Members of the ATF/CREB and AP-1 Transcription Factor Families

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) latency-associated transcript (LAT) promoter 1 (LP1) is an inducible and cell type-specific promoter involved in regulating the production of an 8.3-kb primary
Remote sensing of cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Champlain, USA

The objective of this study was to develop cyanobacteria remote sensing models using Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) as an alternative to shipboard monitoring efforts in Lake Champlain. The approach allowed for estimation of cyanobacteria directly from satellite images, calibrated and validated with 4 years of in situ monitoring data from Lake Champlain's Long-Term Water Quality and Biological Monitoring Program (LTMP). The resulting stepwise regression model was applied to entire satellite images to provide distribution of cyanobacteria throughout the surface waters of Lake Champlain. The results demonstrate the utility of remote sensing for estimating the distribution of cyanobacteria in inland waters, which can be further used for presenting the initiation and propagation of cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Champlain.
Judgment and the Cultivation of Appreciation in Policy-Making:

The periodic irrelevance of social science may be far easier to explain than we have thought. For in the face of ambiguous claims, little time, and unsatisfactory data, most practical people, among them public policy analysts and planners, friends and co-workers, have to learn not only about feasible outcomes and stable relationships of cause and effect but about value in our possible worlds, about potential significance, import, consequentiality. Practical people in our lives help us learn what to want, what to care about, and what we should care for, too. Yet as long as social scientists treat value as essentially irrational, an epiphenomenal dependent variable, or merely the expression of preferences, they will ignore, if not fail to understand entirely, the demands and opportunities of practical judgment and deliberative rationality, the heart of practical inquiry in the applied professions.
Linear Plasmid in the Genome of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus

Contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel analysis of genomic DNA of the plant pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus revealed the presence of a previously unreported extrachromosomal element. This new element was demonstrated to be a linear plasmid. Of 11 strains evaluated, all contained either a 90-kb (pCSL1) or a 140-kb (pCSL2) linear plasmid.
Integral cohomology of classical groups over a finite field

Abstract Let G be one of the groups GL n , SL n , U n , SU n or Sp 2n over a finite field of characteristic p . We calculate the order of the integral Chern classes, obtained by Brauer lifting. From the cellular cochains of suitable Eilenberg–MacLane spaces, we construct a complex. Using a description of the mod l cohomology of G (l prime ≠ p ), we prove thatthe homology of this complex is the integral cohomology of G , away the p -torsion. Quillen gives the mod l cohomology of GL n and Fiedorowicz and Priddy give this cohomology for the groups U n and Sp 2 n . We compute this cohomology for the special groups SL n and SU n .
Fluorescent Proteins in Cellular Organelles: Serious Pitfalls and Some Solutions

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) have been powerful tools for cell biologists for over 15 years. The large variety of FPs available rarely comes with an instruction manual or a warning label. The potential pitfalls of the use of FPs in cellular organelles represent a significant concern for investigators. FPs generally did not evolve in the often distinctive physicochemical environments of subcellular organelles. In organelles, FPs can misfold, go dark, and even distort organelle morphology. In this minireview, we describe the issues associated with FPs in organelles and provide solutions to enable investigators to better exploit FP technology in cells.
Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor: prognostic and clinical implications

Abstract The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been implicated in many tumorigenic processes and is therefore a promising target for novel anticancer agents such as the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib (‘Iressa’, ZD1839). Clinical trials in non-small-cell lung cancer have shown gefitinib to have encouraging antitumour activity; however, not all patients exhibit the same response. This review explores whether there potential prognostic indicators - such as biological markers, disease characteristics, or surrogate markers - that might predict the response to agents such as gefitinib. Interestingly, although expression levels of the EGFR itself do not appear to predict response to gefitinib, a number of candidate genes associated with clinical response or resistance have been identified. Various demographic factors, including performance status, gender and histology, appear to have prognostic value in some settings; however, the skin toxicity associated with EGFR-targeted agents does not appear to be predictive of response to gefitinib.
Total body potassium in the infant

We have examined several whole body counting geometries for exclusive use in total body potassium (TBK) measurements in preterm infants. This paper describes two counters, one for very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants with body weights under 2000 g, and a second counter for larger preterm infants. Both systems use large-volume NaI(Tl) detectors (10.2 cm × 10.2 cm × 45.7 cm) and are operated in a low background room. The standard error for a TBK measurement decreases from 5% at 1 kg body weight to 2% at 4.5 kg weight.
Ion-Selective Microchemical Sensors with Reduced Preconditioning Time. Membrane Biostability Studies and Applications in Blood Analysis

Abstract Progress on solution of two general problems regarding the use of in vivo planar microchemical sensors is reported. These are issues of short term and long term response stability. Reduction of preconditioning time (hydration period), i.e., the time needed by the planar microchemical sensors based on Kapton® substrate to achieve the optimal analytical performances, has been achieved. By storing the electrodes in containers with humid atmospheres (100% humidity) their short time responses, e.g. measured potential, when placed in samples to be analyzed, are practically constant after one minute of immersion. The electrode sensitivity, potential reproducibility and membrane resistance of both pH and K+ sensors were evaluated and compared before and after placing them in whole blood samples for specified periods of time. Blood serum samples were successfully assayed and the results compared with those obtained with a pH glass electrode and a blood gas analyzer, respectively. The long term stability o...
Chloride-sensitive renal microangiopathy in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Chloride-sensitive renal microangiopathy in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat. Background In the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) fed a low-normal NaCl diet, we recently reported that supplemental KCl, but not KHCO 3 or K-citrate (KB/C), exacerbated hypertension and induced hyperreninemia and strokes. We now ask the following question: In these SHRSP, is either such selectively Cl - -sensitive hypertension or hyperreninemia a pathogenetic determinant of renal microvasculopathy? Methods SHRSPs were randomized to either supplemental KCl, KB/C, or nothing (control) at 10 weeks of age. Four and 14 weeks afterward, we assessed renal microangiopathy histologically and measured plasma renin activity (PRA). From randomization, blood pressure was measured radiotelemetrically and continually; proteinuria was measured periodically. Results KCl, but not KB/C, amplified renal microangiopathy and proteinuria. Four weeks after randomization, when KCl initially exacerbated hypertension, renal microangiopathy, hyperproteinuria, and hyperreninemia had not yet occurred. However, across all groups, the increment of SBP at four weeks strongly predicted its final increment, severity of renal microangiopathy, proteinuria, and PRA 14 weeks after randomization. Then, the severity of renal microangiopathy varied directly with the levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP; R 2 = 0.9, P R 2 = 0.7, P R 2 = 0.8, P Conclusions In the SHRSP, ( 1 ) like cerebral microangiopathy, renal microangiopathy is selectively Cl - sensitive and hence, systemic microangiopathy is as well; ( 2 ) Cl - likely amplifies microangiopathy by exacerbating hypertension and possibly also by increasing PRA; and ( 3 ) Cl - might increase blood pressure and PRA by further constricting the renal afferent arteriole.
Exploring Aromatic Chemical Space with NEAT: Novel and Electronically Equivalent Aromatic Template

In this paper, we describe a lead transformation tool, NEAT (Novel and Electronically equivalent Aromatic Template), which can help identify novel aromatic rings that are estimated to have similar electrostatic potentials, dipoles, and hydrogen bonding capabilities to a query template; hence, they may offer similar bioactivity profiles. In this work, we built a comprehensive heteroaryl database, and precalculated high-level quantum mechanical (QM) properties, including electrostatic potential charges, hydrogen bonding ability, dipole moments, chemical reactivity, and othe properties. NEAT bioisosteric similarities are based on the electrostatic potential surface calculated by Brood, using the precalculated QM ESP charges and other QM properties. Compared with existing commercial lead transformation software, (1) NEAT is the only one that covers the comprehensive heteroaryl chemical space, and (2) NEAT offers a better characterization of novel aryl cores by using high-evel QM properties that are relevant t...
Operations-research problems in the design of multiphasic screening centers.

Abstract A relatively new and potentially important component in a national health-care system is a multiphasic screening center, where a non-acutely ill individual is rapidly tested to determine a number of his health-care needs. The design of these centers in the United States has utilised currently available equipment and technology. In this paper the authors examine the possibility of utilising the multiphasic screening concept in the total health-care system of an emerging nation, as well as some problems in designing such centers. The role of operations research in developing and evaluating a system of tests which gives the most accurate screening assessment of an individual's health, based on a country's health characteristics and resources, is discussed.
Biological sulfane sulfur.

Abstract A voltammetric method for determining cyanidereactive sulfane sulfur in biological materials is described. Samples are incubated with a sulfurtransferase, a thiolic cofactor, and cyanide. Thiocyanate formed and/or residual cyanide may then be determined electrochemically with either a silver rotating disk electrode or a dropping mercury electrode in differential pulse mode to provide estimates of sulfane sulfur content. The thiocyanate-based procedure is preferable, particularly when samples contain either serum albumin or inorganic sulfide.