cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional Activation of Hepatic ACSL3 and ACSL5 by Oncostatin M Reduces Hypertriglyceridemia Through Enhanced β-Oxidation

Objective— In our previous studies that examined in vivo activities of oncostatin M (OM) in upregulation of hepatic LDL receptor (LDLR) expression, we observed reductions of LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels in OM-treated hyperlipidemic hamsters. Interestingly, the OM effect of lowering plasma TG was more pronounced than LDL-cholesterol reduction, suggesting additional LDLR-independent actions. Here, we investigated mechanisms underlying the direct TG-lowering effect of OM. Methods and Results— We demonstrate that OM activates transcription of long-chain acyl-coenzymeA (CoA) synthetase isoforms 3 and 5 (ACSL3, ACSL5) in HepG2 cells through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. Increased acyl-CoA synthetase activities in OM-stimulated HepG2 cells and in livers of OM-treated hamsters are associated with decreased TG accumulation and increased fatty acid β-oxidation. We further show that overexpression of ACSL3 or ACSL5 alone in the absence of OM led to fatty acid partitioning into β-oxidation. Importantly, we demonstrate that transfection of siRNAs targeted to ACSL3 and ACSL5 abrogated the enhancing effect of OM on fatty acid oxidation in HepG2 cells. Conclusions— These new findings identify ACSL3 and ACSL5 as OM-regulated genes that function in fatty acid metabolism and suggest a novel cellular mechanism by which OM directly lowers the plasma TG in hyperlipidemic animals through stimulating the transcription of ACSL specific isoforms in the liver.
Long-Term Transformation and Fate of Manufactured Ag Nanoparticles in a Simulated Large Scale Freshwater Emergent Wetland

Transformations and long-term fate of engineered nanomaterials must be measured in realistic complex natural systems to accurately assess the risks that they may pose. Here, we determine the long-term behavior of poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in freshwater mesocosms simulating an emergent wetland environment. AgNPs were either applied to the water column or to the terrestrial soils. The distribution of silver among water, solids, and biota, and Ag speciation in soils and sediment was determined 18 months after dosing. Most (70 wt %) of the added Ag resided in the soils and sediments, and largely remained in the compartment in which they were dosed. However, some movement between soil and sediment was observed. Movement of AgNPs from terrestrial soils to sediments was more facile than from sediments to soils, suggesting that erosion and runoff is a potential pathway for AgNPs to enter waterways. The AgNPs in terrestrial soils were transformed to Ag2S (∼52%), whereas AgNPs in th...
Generation, purification, and characterization of a recombinant source of human prostate-specific antigen

Human prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a 33- to 34-kDa serine proteinase with extensive homology to glandular kallikrein, is a single-chain glycoprotein that contains 7% carbohydrate. The presence of PSA in the serum of patients with prostatic cancer is widely employed as a marker of disease status. PSA has also been thought of as a possible target for use in active specific immunotherapy protocols. To date, the source of PSA employed has been seminal fluid from different individuals; this has raised concerns about differences among PSA batches for standardization of assays. This report is the first description of the production and the purification of a recombinant source of PSA using a baculovirus expression system. A baculovirus recombinant of the cDNA encoding the full length PSA was expressed in insect cells yielding two major immunoreactive products of 31 and 29 kDa. The latter size conforms to the molecular weight of a core preprotein deduced from the sequence of the cDNA insert. The larger protein represents the N-linked glycosylated form of the preprotein. Western blot analysis showed that both the glycosylated and aglycosylated forms of PSA reacted with a polyclonal and two different monoclonal antibodies specific for PSA. bV-PSA, like commercially available PSA, showed also low-molecular-weight immunoreactive products when culture supernatants were concentrated or taken through steps of purification. bV-PSA was purified to a final product consisting of a major 29-kDa protein and a minor 31-kDa protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Efficacy and metabolism of MON 37500 in Triticum aestivum and weedy grass species as affected by temperature and soil moisture

Abstract Spray application of 24 and 46 g ha−1 MON 37500 was used in efficacy studies, and vacuum infiltration or droplet application of radiolabeled MON 37500 was used in metabolism studies to evaluate temperature and soil moisture on MON 37500 efficacy and metabolism. Day/night temperatures before vs. after application of MON 37500 of 25/23 vs. 25/23, 25/23 vs. 5/3, 5/3 vs. 25/23, and 5/3 vs. 5/3 C were evaluated for the efficacy study, whereas day/night temperatures of 5/3 and 25/23 C were used for the metabolism study. Soil moisture of one-third and full pot capacities was evaluated for both studies. No Triticum aestivum injury was observed at the different temperatures or soil moistures because of rapid metabolism of MON 37500 by T. aestivum. Weed control was greater when the temperature after application was 25/23 C or soil moisture was at full pot capacity than when the temperature was at 5/3 C after application or soil moisture was at one-third pot capacity. Susceptibility to MON 37500 was greates...
What's That Smell? An Ecological Approach to Understanding Preferences for Familiar Odors

How do odor preferences arise? Following Palmer and Schloss's (2010, PNAS, 107, 8877-8882) ecological valence theory of color preferences, we propose that preference for an odor is determined by preferences for all objects and/or entities associated with that odor. The present results showed that preferences for familiar odors were strongly predicted by average preferences for all things associated with the odors (eg people liked the apple odor which was associated with mostly positive things, such as apples, soap, and candy, but disliked the fish odor, which was associated with mostly negative things, such as dead fish, trash, and vomit). The odor WAVEs (weighted affective valence estimates) performed significantly better than one based on preference for only the namesake object (eg predicting preference for the apple odor based on preference for apples). These results suggest that preferences for familiar odors are based on a summary statistic, coding the valence of previous odor-related experiences. We discuss how this account of odor preferences is consistent with the idea that odor preferences exist to guide organisms to approach beneficial objects and situations and avoid harmful ones.
The strand-separation transition of T7 DNA

The strand-separation transition of T7 DNA has been investigated by temperature shift and viscosity measurements in two formamide–water solvents. The strand-separation region is quite narrow, and follows directly at the end of the denaturation transition observed by absorbance. The kinetics of strand separation of T7 DNA are slow and complex in the strand-separation transition. Similarities and differences in the behavior of T2 and T7 DNA in strand separation are indicated and discussed. Briefly, the time course of strand separation and the conformational changes observed in the population undergoing strand separation are similar for the two molecules. However, the transition breadths and the interval between the helix–coil transition and the strand-separation transition differ markedly. Both DNA molecules exhibit hysteresis in the strand-separation region. For both molecules, it appears that strand separation involves the coupled denaturation and disentanglement of the two-stranded form found at the end of the helix–coil transition.
Gauge Coupling Unification from Unified Theories in Higher Dimensions

Higher dimensional grand unified theories, with gauge symmetry breaking by orbifold compactification, possess $\mathrm{SU}(5)$ breaking at fixed points, and do not automatically lead to tree-level gauge coupling unification. A new framework is introduced that guarantees precise unification---even the leading loop threshold corrections are predicted, although they are model dependent. Precise agreement with the experimental result, ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}^{\mathrm{exp}}=0.117\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002,$ occurs only for a unique theory, and gives ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}^{\mathrm{KK}}=0.118\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003.$ Remarkably, this unique theory is also the simplest, with $\mathrm{SU}(5)$ gauge interactions and two Higgs hypermultiplets propagating in a single extra dimension. This result is more successful and precise than that obtained from conventional supersymmetric grand unification, ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}^{\mathrm{SGUT}}=0.130\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{SGUT}}.$ There is a simultaneous solution to the three outstanding problems of 4D supersymmetric grand unified theories: a large mass splitting between Higgs doublets and their color triplet partners is forced, proton decay via dimension five operators is automatically forbidden, and the absence of fermion mass relations amongst light quarks and leptons is guaranteed, while preserving the successful ${m}_{b}{/m}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ relation. The theory necessarily has a strongly coupled top quark located on a fixed point and part of the lightest generation propagating in the bulk. The string and compactification scales are determined to be around ${10}^{17} \mathrm{GeV}$ and ${10}^{15} \mathrm{GeV},$ respectively.
A numerical implementation of a modified form of the electric field Integral equation

The details of a Galerkin discretization scheme for a modified form of the electric field integral equation are outlined for smooth, three-dimensional, perfectly conducting scatterers. Limitations of the divergence conforming finite-element bases in preserving the self-stabilizing properties of the electric field integral equation operator are indicated. A numerically efficient alternative is outlined which relies on an operator-based Helmholtz decomposition. The condition number of the resulting matrix equation is demonstrated to be frequency independent for scattering from a perfectly conducting sphere at various frequencies.
A postharvest fruit rot in apple caused by Phacidiopycnis washingtonensis

ABSTRACT During a survey of postharvest diseases in Red Delicious apples (Malus domestica) conducted in 2003, a previously undescribed postharvest fruit rot was discovered in Washington State. The causal agent has been described as a new species, Phacidiopycnis washingtonensis. In this study, we described the symptomatology of this disease, determined its occurrence and prevalence in Washington State, tested pathogenicity, and determined infection courts on fruit of three apple varieties. Decayed fruit were sampled from 26, 72, and 81 grower lots during March to August in 2003, 2004, and 2005, respectively, during packing operations from commercial packinghouses. Symptoms of decayed fruit were recorded and isolations were made from decayed fruit to correlate causal agents with the disease symptoms observed. Fruit of Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Fuji apples were inoculated in the orchards with conidial suspensions of the fungus at 1 and 2 weeks before harvest. All fruit were harvested and stored at...
Blockwise data detection for spectral hole-burning memories.

We consider the retrieval of data from a time-domain spectral hole-burning (SHB) memory system. A new iterative log-likelihood (ILL) algorithm is used to reliably detect corrupted retrieved data signals. It is a blockwise technique that takes advantage of the known SHB system characteristics to mitigate time-varying intersymbol interference and detector shot noise. We present bit-error-rate results obtained with the ILL algorithm and five other typical methods (i.e., precompensator, simple threshold, adaptive threshold, a simple Wiener filter, and an adaptive Wiener filter). Results show that the ILL algorithm outperforms all five techniques and hence offers improved SHB storage capacity. In a SHB system with typical material parameters, we find that ILL offers a storage capacity gain of 197% as compared with simple thresholding.
Management of unexpected difficult airway at a teaching institution over a 7-year period

Abstract Study Objective To review an anesthesiology department's experience with managing unexpected difficult airways over a 7-year time span. Design Retrospective review of unexpected difficult airway reporting forms. Setting A tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients 447 patients who had an unanticipated difficult airway and had a difficult airway form filled out by their anesthesiologist. Measurements Retrospective identification of pertinent physical features associated with difficult intubation was noted. The techniques chosen, their success, and the frequency with which the different advanced airway techniques were chosen was reviewed. Main Results An anterior larynx was the most common anatomical feature associated with difficult laryngoscopy. When a laryngeal mask airway was placed in our patients, ventilation was possible in all patients. Intubation was successfully "blindly" achieved (ie, without the use of a fiberoptic bronchoscope) through the laryngeal mask airway in 52% of these patients. Fiberoptic intubation was unsuccessful in intubating approximately 10% of patients. The Bullard laryngoscope was the most common advanced airway technique chosen at our institution. Conclusion Mastery with a number of advanced airway techniques should be sought, as multiple modalities may be needed when faced with managing an unexpectedly difficult airway. Formal written communication to the patient of an unexpected difficult airway encounter may allow future anesthesiologists to formulate an appropriate plan for patient care.
Quantitation of maxillary remodeling. 2. Masking of remodeling effects when an "anatomical" method of superimposition is used in the absence of metallic implants.

Abstract We report the results of a study aimed at quantifying the differences in the perceived pattern of maxillary remodeling that are observed when different methods are used to superimpose maxillary images in roentgenographic cephalometrics. In a previous article, we reported cumulative changes in the positions of anterior nasal spine (ANS), posterior nasal spine (PNS), and Point A for a sample of 31 subjects with maxillary metallic implants. Measurements had been made on lateral cephalograms taken at annual intervals relative to superimposition on the implants. In the present article, we quantify the differences in the perceived displacement of the same landmarks in the same sample when a standard “anatomical best bit” rule was used in lieu of superimposition on the implants. The anatomical best fit superimposition as herein defined was found in this sample to lose important information on the downward remodeling of the superior surface of the maxilla that had been detected when the implant superimposition was used. In fact, we observed a small artifactual upward displacement of the ANS-PNS line. In the anteroposterior direction, the tendency toward backward displacement of skeletal landmarks through time that had been detected with the implant superimposition was replaced by a small forward displacement of ANS and Point A together with reduced backward displacement of PNS. To the extent that the implant superimposition is to be considered the true and correct one, the anatomical best fit superimposition appears to understate the true downward remodeling of the palate by an average of about 0.3 and 0.4 mm per year, although this value differs at different ages and timepoints. The anatomical best fit superimposition also misses entirely the small mean tendency toward backward remodeling that was observed when the implant superimposition was used. In situations in which there are no implants, clinicians and research workers must necessarily continue to use anatomically based superimpositions with definitions more or less similar to that of the anatomical best fit superimposition used here. When they do so, some systematic errors will be incurred. For grouped data, we believe that the best currently available estimates of the mean errors involved in using the anatomical best fit superimposition to approximate an implant superimposition are the “bias” values included in Table IIC. The secondary implications of these differences to the perceived displacements of the maxillary teeth will be considered in our next article.
Evolution, emergence, semiosis: components of the model for intelligent system

The discussion of intelligent system usually starts with issues of defining intelligence as a set of skills, but always ends with specifying the mechanisms of learning. It is important to address the issue of differences and similarities between the techniques of computational/control learning processes (very similar to the processes of semiosis) and biological learning including evolution of species where the resemblance with semiosis is less obvious. We would like to attract attention to the theory of multilevel processes of evolution which are interpreted in this paper as multiresolutional processes of evolution. Novel explanations are preposed for numerous paradoxes known in the area of computational and biological learning including evolution of species. The direct linkage is demonstrated of learning processes and the development of decision-making mechanisms for single and multiple agents.
Design and Performance of Oscillators Using Semiconductor Delay Lines

Bulk-acoustic-wave piezoelectric thin-film technology has been used to synthesize delay lines at microwave frequencies in semiconductor substrates. These structures use either ZnO or AlN for piezoelectric transduction, suitably positioned electrodes for applying an ac signal, and reflecting surfaces for guiding the acoustic energy. the top-side of the semiconductor wafer. We can incorporate these delay structures as the feedback element in an oscillator and exploit the 2n periodicity in these structures to obtain a comb generator output. delay-line oscillators operating near 1 GHz and 3 MHz spectral line spacing. exceeds -90 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz. Design and analysis is based upon the use of SPICE 2G linear circuit models. Because the transducer fabrication process uses semiconductor processing technology as its basis, the synthesis of these oscillators is being studied as an integrable alternative to other technologies. The delay lines are accessed entirely
Real-time robust pitch detector

The authors propose a cumulant-based method to perform voice-unvoiced decision and pitch period estimation. The approach is based on the nature of excitation for different states of speech. The authors accomplished this goal by analyzing cumulant-related time sequences obtained via nonlinear processing of the speech signal. Experimental results indicating the performance of the proposed method, especially in the pitch estimation problem in which there are high power harmonics are presented. >
Statistical Significance of the Fold Test in Palaeomagnetism

Summary The significance of the change in direction dispersion on applying the fold test in palaeomagnetism is used as the criterion for deciding whether or not the fold test has statistical significance. A set of tables is compiled which can be used for quick application of the test.
Orientation in amorphous polymers. II: Characterization of orientation

A method based on network theory is developed for characterizing molecular orientation in amorphous polymers. The proposed procedure gives not only the orientation distribution function for the chain segments in the polymer network (and hence the average orientation) but also a quantitative measure of how this orientation is distributed among the various types of entanglement junctions. The orientation of chain segments can be characterized by two parameters, one which gives the average orientation and another which reflects how much orientation is concentrated in long time entanglement junctions. The new method of characterizing orientation is used to interpret tensile strength data for both brittle and ductile failures.
The cycling and redox state of nitrogen in the Archaean ocean

Organisms that produce oxygen through photosynthesis existed during the late Archaean eon, about 2,500 million years ago, but controversial evidence suggests that they may have evolved several hundred million years earlier. Oxygen is expected to react with oceanic nitrogen, altering its redox state. The reaction leaves a signature in the isotopic composition of the nitrogen bound in organic matter. Here we present a record of the nitrogen isotopic composition of kerogen extracted from minimally altered shales from the Campbellrand–Malmani platform in South Africa. Between the Palaeo–Archaean and about 2,670 million years ago, the δ15N values of the kerogen rose by about 2‰. We interpret this increase as an indication of the onset of coupled nitrification and denitrification or anammox reactions in the surface oceans, which require the presence of free oxygen. A second increase in nitrogen isotopic composition around 2,520 million years ago implies instability of the N cycle with loss of fixed N. This evidence for available oxygen in the oceans occurs at least 200 million years before geochemical indications of the presence of significant levels of atmospheric oxygen. We suggest that coupled nitrification and denitrification drove the loss of fixed inorganic nitrogen, leading to nitrogen limitation, and conclude that the low levels of biologically available nitrogen limited the growth of oxygen-producing plankton, delaying the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere. The initial production of oxygen in early Earth’s oceans altered the redox chemistry and cycling of nitrogen. A record of nitrogen isotopes from preserved organic matter indicates nitrogen cycling in the presence of free oxygen 2.67 billion years ago, about 200 million years before the first geochemical evidence for atmospheric free oxygen.
β -Adrenergic blockade and emotional memory in PTSD

Emotional arousal has been shown to enhance memory, an effect that is blocked by propranolol suggesting that the noradrenergic system is important in the mechanism action. Because PTSD has as prominent features heightened arousal and distressing memories, the current study was undertaken to examine whether PTSD subjects differed from controls in emotional enhancement of memory. Seventeen subjects with PTSD and 21 controls received either placebo or 40 mg of propranolol prior to exposure to either an emotionally arousing or emotionally neutral, narrated slide story. Recall, measured 1 wk later, for the arousing story was enhanced and this effect was reduced by propranolol. PTSD and control subjects did not differ in the acquisition and retention of memories under emotionally arousing or emotionally neutral conditions, nor were differential effects of propranolol observed between the two groups.
Effect of Galerucella spp. feeding on seed production in purple loosestrife

Abstract The effect of shoot feeding by the biocontrol agents, Galerucella calmariensis and Galerucella pusilla (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) seed production and seed germination was quantified in two Minnesota wetlands. In a wet meadow where Galerucella spp. were present on isolated plants, feeding by adults and larvae during shoot elongation resulted in stunting and malformation of shoot tips. There was a subsequent reduction in purple loosestrife inflorescence length and number of flower buds and seed capsules. As Galerucella spp. larvae preferentially fed on shoot meristems, even low levels of feeding on a whole-plant basis (approximately 10% defoliation) reduced seed production. In a sedge meadow wetland with severe feeding damage (a minimum of 70% leaf defoliation), few to no flower buds formed on plants, and subsequently, few to no seed capsules were produced on purple loosestrife plants. Of the few capsules that were produced, number of seeds per capsule and...
State Constitutionalism and the Scope of Judicial Review

This essay, written as a chapter for a forthcoming book on New Frontiers of State Constitutional Law, explores the question of whether and to what extent the scope of judicial review in state courts ought to track our views of state constitutionalism writ large. I consider the three possibilities: that the scope of review should be agnostic as to the overarching structure and theory of state constitutionalism; that the scope of review should be more deferential in light of the broad conception of state governmental power under principles of state constitutionalism; and, finally, that, given these broad powers assigned to state authorities, the scope of review should be more searching. In investigating this general question, we can illuminate broad themes about state constitutionalism and state constitutional law.
The tobacco epidemic in Viet Nam

No reliable data are available on the prevalence of cigarette smoking in Viet Nam. In this study, we present the results of a survey of tobacco use in Viet Nam and the impact of transnational tobacco corporations.
Feeding, Longevity, and Development of Pear Psylla (Homoptera: Psyllidae) Nymphs on Resistant and Susceptible Pear Genotypes

One-day-old first-instar pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola Foerster, were placed on ‘Bartlett’ (susceptible), NY10352 (moderately resistant), and ‘Bradford’ (resistant) pear ( Pyrus spp.) genotypes. Psylla nymphs fed and developed readily on ‘Bartlett’ but fed little, developed slowly, and did not reach the fifth stadium on ‘Bradford.’ Psylla feeding on NYI0352 resulted in an extremely extended development time, with very few reaching the adult stage.
Sensitivities of Market Segments to Separate Advertising Strategies

Five distinct advertising strategies using different creative approaches, media schedules, and direct mail literature were used to affect vacation behavior of five market segments in a state touris...
Production of Peptone Shock in Mice following Administration of H. pertussis Vaccine.

SummaryPopulations of ABC and Swiss-Webster male and female mice were found to be resistant to peptone, but an increased susceptibility to peptone with a lethal outcome could be produced by prior treatment with pertussis vaccine. Mice rendered susceptible to peptone with pertussis vaccine could be protected with the antihistaminic agent, Benadryl, with chlorpromazine and with cortisone. The possible role of histamine in the increased susceptibility of mice to peptone, produced by pertussis vaccine, has been discussed.
Prevalence and Diversity of Bartonella Species in Rodents from Georgia (Caucasus)

Bartonella infections are widespread and highly prevalent in rodents. Several rodent-associated Bartonella species have been related to human diseases. Recently, Bartonella species was reported as the etiology of a human case in the country of Georgia (Caucasus). However, information on Bartonella in rodents in Georgia is absent. Rodent hearts were collected from Georgia to investigate the presence and diversity of Bartonella species. Bartonella bacteria were cultured from 37.2% (16/43) of rodents examined, while Bartonella DNA was detected in 41.2% (28/68) of rodents by polymerase chain reaction targeting citrate synthase (gltA) gene. Sequences of gltA showed that rodents in this region harbored multiple Bartonella strains, including Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella grahamii, and an unknown genogroup. The first three Bartonella species, known to be rat-associated and human cases linked, were commonly observed in wood mice (Apodemus [Sylvaemus] uralensis) (5/8 positive with B. elizabethae and B. tribocorum) and social voles (Microtus socialis) (4/6 positive with B. grahamii and B. elizabethae) in this study. The frequent distribution of these Bartonella species suggests that they may contribute to unidentified clinical infections. The unknown genogroup was observed in 24 Bartonella isolates and/or DNA extracts from heart tissues, all of which were obtained from Libyan jirds (Meriones libycus). Further characterization of the bacterial cultures based on sequence analysis of four additional genes (ftsZ, nuoG, rpoB, and ssrA) supported that the jird-associated Bartonella strains comprise a distinct monophyletic clade. The impact of this bacterium on wildlife and human health needs to be determined.
Sleep disorders and airway obstruction in newborns and infants.

For most infants with a disorder of breathing control or airway obstruction, cause and management can be defined with a careful history and a few simple diagnostic tests. Pneumograms and multichannel studies can identify patterns of apnea and associated hypoxemia and can be used to assess therapeutic efficacy. In the majority of infants with disordered breathing, the outcome is favorable, and conservative management is ^ appropriate. More extensive diagnostic evaluation is reserved for infants with severe apnea or those with evidence of a significant contributing underlying disease. For these infants, management should be directed at the underlying cause and at identifying and preventing life-threatening events.
Biosynthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins by mouse embryos cultured in the presence of a teratogenic dose of chlorambucil.

The effect of chlorambucil on the rates of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in mouse embryos was investigated using a system of whole embryo culture. Embryos were isolated on the 11th day of gestation (33 ± 3 somites) and grown in culture media for periods of 4–8 h. Reichert's membrane and most of the placental tissue was removed leaving only the amnion and visceral yolk-sac surrounding the embryo. In the presence of teratogenic doses of chlorabucil (15 μg/ml) the rate of DNA synthesis was significantly decreased at 4 and 8 h. RNA and protein synthesis were not inhibited at either of these times. A trend toward decreasing rates of protein synthesis at some time beyond 8 h was noted, but not tested.
Molecules in Stellar Winds

High mass-loss molecular winds are characterstic of two important phases of stellar evolution, very young protostars and stars on the asymptotic branch. Novel chemical processes in these winds suggest a variety of new astronomical observations.
Nonneoplastic Mass Lesions of the Central Nervous System

Abstract Nonneoplastic mass lesions of the central nervous system mimic tumors clinically and radiographically. Their etiology is diverse. Although nonneoplastic mass lesions may also require surgical resection, recognition of such lesions and an accurate diagnosis utilizing only imaging modalities may, at times, spare the patient from invasive procedures. Failing to differentiate between the two may delay treatment in malignant tumors or result in unnecessary treatment in nonneoplastic lesions. When surgery is required, utilization of imaging modalities to accurately predict a diagnosis may help the neurosurgeon plan the intervention accordingly. This chapter provides an overview of nonneoplastic mass lesions and their characteristics on neuroimaging studies.
Escape from Tyranny: Civil Society and Democratic Struggles in Africa

Scholars and practitioners have long pinned their hopes for democratization in Africa on civil society groups. Yet, these groups face tremendous barriers and limitations from state and nonstate actors alike, as well as internal contradictions that hamper their abilities to build democracy. This chapter unpacks these contradictions, focusing in particular on how civil society is immersed in neopatrimonial politics across the continent, while remaining essential in the move away from neopatrimonialism to more democratic politics. How can civil society actors, who are so clearly a part of society at large, transform the dominant oligarchic pattern of politics across the continent from within? In grappling with this conundrum, we extrapolate from three cases representing a spectrum of democratic progress. These are: Ghana, a continental success story; Uganda, where the state remains openly hostile to reform; and Nigeria, stuck somewhere in between reform and oligarchy.
Regulation of Endocytic Trafficking of Receptors and Transporters by Ubiquitination: Possible Role in Neurodegenerative Disease

Ubiquitination has recently emerged as the major regulatory mechanism of endocytic trafficking of transmembrane proteins. Ubiquitin-controlled trafficking and endocytosis regulate the function of various receptors, channels and transporters in neurons, and deregulation of the ubiquitination system is associated with neurode-generative diseases. Hence, we will focus on recent advances in understanding the mechanisms and functional roles of ubiquitination of two families of transmembrane proteins: (1) receptor tyrosine kinases, using the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGFR) as a prototypic member of the family; and (2) monoamine transporters, using an example of the plasma membrane dopamine transporter (DAT). Both these families of receptors and transporters are intimately involved in brain development, regulation of survival signaling in adult neurons, neurotransmission, neuronal cyto-toxicity and neurodegeneration. Endocytosis regulates the duration and intensity of the EGFR signaling. Endocytosis of DAT controls the re-uptake of dopamine in dopaminergic neurons, thus regulating dopamine neurotransmission in the brain. Our recent studies revealed unexpected similarities in the regulation of endocyto-sis of these two structurally distinct families of proteins by ubiquitination. We have mapped ubiquitin conjugation sites in the EGFR and demonstrated that mutation of these sites results in inhibition of the lysosomal targeting and degradation of EGFR. However, EGFR ubiquitination appears not to be essential for the internal-ization step of the EGFR trafficking. Surprisingly, we have recently found that DAT is also ubiquitinated and the extent of its ubiquitination is dramatically increased upon activation of protein kinase C (PKC). The ubiquitination sites in DAT were also mapped by mass spectrometry. Mutations of a cluster of three lysines in the N-terminal tail of DAT blocked the clathrin-mediated endocytosis of DAT. Screening of the library of small interfering RNAs revealed that NEDD4-2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase responsible for ubiquitination of DAT and necessary for PKC-dependent DAT endocytosis. Thus, our studies revealed that both EGFR and DAT are ubiquitinated at the plasma membranes and endosomes, and this ubiquitination regulates their turnover and subcellular localization. Interestingly, both EGFR and DAT are modified by Lys63-linked poly-ubiquitin chains. We hypothesize that short, Lys63-linked chains are the major ubiquitin-based molecular signals operating during endocytic trafficking in mammalian cells.
Topological Stability of the Averages of Functions

We present sufficient conditions for the topological stability of the averages of piecewise smooth functions f : $$ \mathbb{R}\to \mathbb{R} $$ with finitely many extrema with respect to discrete measures with finite supports.
Anti-Vascular and Anti-Tumor Effects of the Vascular Disrupting Agent ASA404 (DMXAA) in Human Acute Leukemia Xenograft Models

Abstract 4293 Acute leukemia growth and expansion within the marrow microenvironment is linked to increased vascularization. Vascular delivery of chemotherapy drugs within the marrow space may also be an important mediator of anti-leukemic activity. We examined the effects of a tumor -vascular disrupting agent (tumor-VDA), ASA404 (DMXAA; Vadimezan), against human acute leukemia alone and in combination with anthracycline therapy. Exposure of human acute leukemia cells (HEL, Raji) to ASA404 (200–1000 mM) in vitro for up to 72 hours resulted in no evidence of direct cytotoxicity. However, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) performed in mice bearing subcutaneous HEL xenografts revealed an early increase in vascular permeability 4 hours after treatment with a single dose of ASA404 (25 mg/kg). This was followed by significant vascular disruption at 24 hours after therapy as determined by tumor immunohistochemistry. In systemic leukemia xenograft models established with luciferase-transfected HEL and Raji cells, continuous ASA404 treatment (20 mg/kg twice weekly) slowed overall systemic leukemia disease progression (as determined by whole animal bioluminescent imaging) in association with marked marrow vessel dilation, loss of vascular patency, and marked erythrocyte extravasation within the marrow microenvironment. These effects were accompanied by 20–30-fold elevations of circulating systemic TNF-alpha levels in ASA404 versus vehicle treated animals. Combining in vivo ASA404 treatment with anti-human VEGF antibody (bevacizumab) therapy further inhibited leukemia growth as compared with vehicle- or single-agent treated controls. However, concomitant administration of ASA404 with doxorubicin chemotherapy did not improve anti-leukemia effects and was in fact less effective than single agent therapy. In summary, our results demonstrate that ASA404 therapy is capable of mediating in vivo anti-tumor, anti-vascular and immunomodulatory effects in human acute leukemia models. Further strategies to modulate the marrow environment by combining a vascular disrupting agent with other biological agents for acute leukemia therapy may be warranted. However, given the time-dependent effects of VDAs such as ASA404 on tumor vascular function, combining VDAs with chemotherapy is likely to require further optimization of sequence and schedule of administration to ensure adequate marrow drug delivery and maximal therapeutic efficacy in hematological malignancy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Latent subtypes of youth in psychiatric residential care

Abstract In current practice, residential care programs in the United States are often more general than specialized with little demonstrated results of effectiveness for different types of youth. Subgroup analyses focused on developing a thorough understanding of the subpopulation of youth served in residential group care have potential to inform targeted program development. Using assessment records of a sample of 447 youth in psychiatric residential treatment, a latent class analysis was performed to identify youth subtypes. The results revealed four classes of youth characterized by severe levels of functional impairment and externalizing behavioral problems. Class distinctions were observed in the areas of psychiatric diagnoses, child behavioral problems and strengths, family characteristics, and maltreatment histories. An examination of class profiles lends support for the applicability of some general approaches across therapeutic residential programs, including the use of trauma-informed care and family-centered practice frameworks. The findings further demonstrate the need to also include program elements that are specified to the types of youth the program is designed to treat. Implications for policy and developing specified treatment protocol matched to the types of youth served in psychiatric residential programs are discussed.
Microprocessors: A Programmer's View

This book describes and compares the architectures and characteristics of today's advanced PC and workstation microprocessors: Intel's 80386, Motorola's 68030, DEC's MIPS chip, etc. It features the latest "RISC" (Reduces Instruction Set Computer) chips - Intel's recently announced i860 and Motorola's 88000 - and contrasts the benefits and drawbacks of these chips compared to the older "CISC" (Complex Instruction Set) designs. It is the first book to provide information on IBM's new RISC chip and Intel's i860.
Enantioselective Pd-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Allylic Alkylation of Thiopyranones. Access to Acyclic, Stereogenic α-Quaternary Ketones.

A catalytic, enantioselective decarboxylative allylic alkylation of 4-thiopyranones is reported. The α-quaternary 4-thiopyranones produced are challenging to access by standard enolate alkylation owing to facile ring-opening β-sulfur elimination. In addition, reduction of the carbon–sulfur bonds provides access to elusive acyclic α-quaternary ketones. The alkylated products are obtained in up to 92% yield and 94% enantiomeric excess.
Target strength ex situ of sprattus fuegensis in chilean fjords

Two experiences of target strength measurement of Sprattus fuegensis carried out through two differentiated ex situ methodological approaches “fish group” and “individual mark”. Both experiences were carried out on board of the artisanal vessel Huracan I The system used were (S1) conformed by a 38 Khz transducer (model ES38B) connected to a GPT EK 60; while the second (S2) consisted of a 38 Khz transducer (model ES 38DD) connected to a WBT EK 80. In the S1 system the fishes were introduced to a cylindrical cage armed with mesh cloth with a mesh size of 12 mm. The S2 structure was a monofilament cube of 50×50×50 cm. The specimens were kept alive ad libitum in tank with a 1 m3 water recirculation for both systems. The main results showed that: i) “S1” measurement showed a lower b20 variation in the experiments 4 and 2 with 256 μs pulse (−71.34 and −71.81; CV=3%) and 512 μs pulse (−71 and −71.43; CV=2%) respectively. Meanwhile for “S2” the measurement with 256 μs pulse obtained in the experiment 1 a b20 = −69.65 with TS= −46.42dB (CV=3%) and in the experiment 2 a b20= −70.04 and TS= −45.52(CV=3%); show a lower variation. Thus the resampling per group of length, obtains for the total a variation of TS for −46.69dB of (−46.8 and 46.5) and for the b20 total = −69.91 of (−70.03 and −69.73). It is shown that for S1 it is possible to measure target strength measurement as a shoal discounting the system's target strength, for S2 is possible an individual detection for targets resolved for the species.
Single Threshold Selection Strategy In The Group Interview Problem

AbstractIn many decision situations such as selling an asset on the open market, a decision maker receives a random sequence of offers. Following an evaluation of each offer, the decision maker must decide whether to take the current offer or reject it and consider the next one. One of the simple selection strategies in the sequential decision problem is via an aspiration-level or a threshold value, which allows the decision maker to select the first offer that is higher than the pre-determined threshold value. For the so-called group interview problem in which a number of offers or choices are presented sequentially in groups, we derive the optimal threshold value (1) to maximize the probability of selecting the best choice and (2) to maximize the expected value of the selected choice. For the cases where the order of groups can be rearranged for evaluation, an exact solution is derived for the optimal sequencing of groups. There are many potential applications of the selection strategy, including produc...
Conditional Probability and Expectation

The relations between measurements, that is, measurable functions, and events, that is, members of a σ-field, are explored and used to extend the basic ideas of probability to probability conditioned on measurements and events. Such relations are useful for developing properties of certain special functions such as limiting sample averages arising in the study of ergodic properties of information sources. In addition, they are fundamental to the development and interpretation of conditional probability and conditional expectation, that is, probabilities and expectations when we are given partial knowledge about the outcome of an experiment. Although conditional probability and conditional expectation are both common topics in an advanced probability course, the fact that we are living in standard spaces results in additional properties not present in the most general situation. In particular, we find that the conditional probabilities and expectations have more structure that enables them to be interpreted and often treated much like ordinary unconditional probabilities. In technical terms, there are always be regular versions of conditional probability and we will be able to define conditional expectations constructively as expectations with respect to conditional probability measures.
Ultraviolet Resonance Raman Studies of Electronic Excitations

Electronic excitation of molecules often results in significant changes in chemical bonding and may initiate chemical reaction. This is particularly true for small molecules,because excitation of a single electron can be a major influence on the total bonding of the system. In such cases the bond lengths and the shape of a molecule may be very different in the excited state than in the ground state, or, indeed, the excited state potential may be dissociative or pre-dissociative. These bonding changes may cause the resulting absorption spectra to be very difficult to interpret because of spectral diffuseness, congestion due to the excitation of many degrees of freedom,or very different vibrational frequencies in the excited state from those of the ground state.
DISCO: describing images using scene contexts and objects

In this paper, we propose a bottom-up approach to generating short descriptive sentences from images, to enhance scene understanding. We demonstrate automatic methods for mapping the visual content in an image to natural spoken or written language. We also introduce a human-in-the-loop evaluation strategy that quantitatively captures the meaningfulness of the generated sentences. We recorded a correctness rate of 60.34% when human users were asked to judge the meaningfulness of the sentences generated from relatively challenging images. Also, our automatic methods compared well with the state-of-the-art techniques for the related computer vision tasks.
Automatic Token and Turn Level Language Identification for Code-Switched Text Dialog: An Analysis Across Language Pairs and Corpora

We examine the efficacy of various feature–learner combinations for language identification in different types of text-based code-switched interactions – human-human dialog, human-machine dialog as well as monolog – at both the token and turn levels. In order to examine the generalization of such methods across language pairs and datasets, we analyze 10 different datasets of code-switched text. We extract a variety of character- and word-based text features and pass them into multiple learners, including conditional random fields, logistic regressors and recurrent neural networks. We further examine the efficacy of novel character-level embedding and GloVe features in improving performance and observe that our best-performing text system significantly outperforms a majority vote baseline across language pairs and datasets.
Jensen inequality and the second law

Abstract Jensen's Inequality (JIEQ) has proved to be a major tool to prove the consistency of various fluctuation theorems with the second law in microscopic nonequilibrium thermodynamics. We show that the situation is far from clear and the reliance on the JIEQ may be quite misleading in general.
The Landmark Free-Speech Case that Wasn't: The Nike V. Kasky Story

Written as the Foreword to a Symposium entitled Nike v. Kasky and the Modern Commercial Speech Doctrine, this piece tells the background stories that brought the Nike v. Kasky players to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court and beyond. Subsequently, it explores the principles and perspectives at tension in the Nike controversy, and charts the lessons of the Nike story - legal, political, and cultural.