cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in Cellular Crosstalk between Skeletal Muscle Myoblasts and Bone Osteoblasts with Aging

Musculoskeletal function declines with aging, resulting in an increased incidence of trips and falls. Both bone and muscle experience age-related losses in tissue mass that alter their mechanical interactions in a well characterized manner, but changes in the biochemical interactions between bone and muscle with aging are not well understood. Of note, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a potent growth factor for bone and muscle, can be negatively altered with aging and may help explain losses in these tissues. We recently developed a co-culture system for simultaneous growth of bone mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and muscle satellite cells (SCs) to investigate the biochemical crosstalk between the two cell types. Here, we utilized an aging rat model to study cellular changes between young and old rat MSCs and SCs, in particular whether 1) young MSCs and SCs have increased proliferation and differentiation compared to old MSCs and SCs; 2) young cells have increased IGF-1 and collagen expression as a measure of crosstalk compared to old cells; and 3) young cells can mitigate the aging phenotype of old cells in co-culture. Rat MSCs and SCs were either mono- or co-cultured in Transwell(R) plates, grown to confluence, and allowed to differentiate for 14 days. Across the 14 days, cell proliferation was measured, with differentiation and crosstalk measurements evaluated at 14 days. The results suggest that in both young and old, proliferation is greater in mono-cultures compared to co-cultures, yet age and cell type did not have a significant effect. Differentiation did not differ between young and old cells, yet MSCs and SCs demonstrated the greatest amount of differentiation in co-culture. Finally, age, cell type, and culture type did not have a significant effect on collagen or IGF-1 expression. These results suggest co-culture may have a controlling effect, with the two cell types acting together to promote differentiation more than in mono-cultures, yet this response was not altered by age. In general, results for old cells had higher variability, suggesting a wider variety in the aging phenotypes demonstrated in these animals. This study was the first to use this rat aging model to investigate changes between bone and skeletal muscle cells, however further investigations are required to determine what signaling changes occur in response to age. Determining these signaling changes could lead to new targets for mitigating the progression of aging.
Implications of PREX-2 on the electric dipole polarizability of neutron-rich nuclei

The nuclear symmetry energy plays a key role in understanding physics of neutron-rich matter from the valley of stability up to neutron-star masses. Analysis of two of the best symmetry energy constraints---the neutron-skin thickness of ${}^{208}$Pb recently extracted from parity-violating electron scattering and the electric dipole polarizability measured in photoabsorption experiments---lead to different conclusions, which highlights a long-standing question in nuclear physics.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens of 1789, the Reign of Terror, and the Revolutionary Tribunal of Paris

Recently, Americans have been engaged in an effort to properly commemorate the bicentennial of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. If one is serious about that endeavor, it may be profitable to focus on the other bicentennial being celebrated this year in France. The early days of the French and American republics were intertwined, and it would be erroneous to think that the developments which then took place in the two countries can now fully be understood in isolation.A number of legal aspects of the French Revolution are especially relevant to the American experience, therefore worth consideration. Among these are the terms of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens, the American contributions toward its enactment, the failure of the French to enforce the Declaration’s guarantees through an independent judiciary, and the abuses of legal procedure and governmental power which occurred during the Reign of Terror. In reflecting on the Declaration of Rights’ origin and content on the occasion of the French bicentennial, Americans can pay tribute to the struggles of the great nation and honor a small part of their own history as well.
Impact of Fukushima Daiichi Accident on Japan’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Spent Fuel Management

This chapter briefly summarizes the current status of spent nuclear fuel and historical development of nuclear fuel cycles in Japan, and problems that Japan faces after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident for spent fuel management. (1) Aomori Prefecture’s refusal to store HLW and spent fuel in Rokkasho without a plan for them to be taken out to a permanent geological repository, (2) drainage of national wealth for purchasing additional oil and gas, (3) international pressure on Japan not to have an unnecessary Pu stockpile, and (4) perpetual safeguards inspection and higher potential radiological risk to be imposed on a final repository for spent fuel and separated Pu and U, are coupled to each other, creating a deadlocked situation after the accident.
Acid-activated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 proteolysis in normal and transformed cells. Role of cathepsin D.

Abstract Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IG-FBP-3) is an important member of a family of proteins which binds IGF peptides and modulates their biological actions. In this study, we describe an acid-activated IGFBP-3 protease in media derived from a variety of human cell lines. Radiolabeled IGFBP-3 remained intact during incubation (pH 5.5-8) in media conditioned by normal and transformed human fibroblasts, MG-63 osteoblastic cells, and breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and Hs578T. However, acidification of the conditioned medium samples (pH < 5.5) resulted in 125I-IGFBP-3 hydrolysis and the appearance of specific radiolabeled fragments. No proteolysis of 125I-IGFBP-3 occurred during incubation in unconditioned medium at neutral or acid pH. Estrogen treatment of estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 cells enhanced acid-activatable IGFBP-3 proteolysis in the cell-conditioned medium but had no effect on proteolytic activity in estrogen receptor-negative Hs578T cells. The cell-derived IGFBP-3 protease was identified as the aspartic proteinase cathepsin D, based on acidic pH optimum, inhibition by pepstatin, distinctive proteolytic fragment pattern, and immunoreactivity with cathepsin D antisera. Furthermore, immuno-depletion of cathepsin D effectively attenuated acid-activated IGFBP-3 proteolysis. These data suggest a role for cathepsin D in the regulation of cellular IGF action by virtue of its potential to alter the structure/function of IGFBP-3.
Genetic Map Functions

A genetic map function gives a relation r = M(d) connecting recombination fractions r and genetic map distances d between pairs of loci along a chromosome. They have been widely used in genetics because (a) genetic map distances are additive, whereas recombination fractions are not; and (b) recombination fractions are much easier to estimate from data. In effect, map functions correct for multiple exchanges in chromosomal intervals during meiosis. The most well-known map function is that due to Haldane, r = 0.5(1 − exp(−2d)), which arises in the Poisson or no- interference model for recombination. Another is associated with the name Kosambi. In general, map functions should be regarded as organism specific, as they embody certain assumptions about recombination, in particular, the nature and extent of genetical interference. However, map functions only consider pairs of loci, and do not necessarily correspond to global models of recombination. While genetical interference has some consequences for map functions, it is not well captured by the associated map function. When multilocus mapping is carried out with a full probability model for recombination, map functions are not needed. Keywords: recombination; map distance; meiosis; interference; multiple exchanges
Investigation of optically active defect clusters in KH2PO4 under laser photoexcitation

Photoexcited defect clusters in the bulk of KH2PO4 crystals are investigated using a microscopic fluorescence imaging system with 1 μm spatial resolution. The observed defect cluster concentration is approximately 104–106 per mm3 depending on the crystal growth method and sector of the crystal. The intensity of the emission clusters varies widely within the image field while a nearly uniformly distributed background is present. Spectroscopic measurements provided information on the emission characteristics of the observed defect population.
Modelling of automobile dynamics for digital control of vehicle platoons

This paper presents a mathematical model of the automobile dynamics of a small vehicle such as a passenger car. Nonlinearities as well as time delay, inherited in the engine dynamics, and the effects of the environment on vehicle motion are included. This model is linearized and a discrete-time system model is developed using the modified z-transform technique. While the primary emphasis of the paper is on system modelling, a simple digital LQ-PI controller is used in simulation to illustrate applicability of the model to the automatic control of speed and spacing in a vehicle platoon, using only local information.
Automated abstraction of software

Automatically proving that a program has some property requires the discovery of appropriate abstractions. Such abstractions simplify the proof task and make it tractable. One approach is for a human to identify an appropriate abstraction. Another approach is to use the computer to search for an appropriate abstraction, based on the program and property under consideration. I will explain how the techniques of predicate abstraction and analysis of spurious error paths can guide the search for appropriate abstractions. These techniques are embedded in the SLAM analysis engine, which forms the core of a recently released Microsoft tool for checking Windows device drivers, called Static Driver Verifier.
Dynamics of SOX2 Interactions with DNA

Abstract In this review we summarize recent nuclear magnetic resonance work composed of line-width analysis, z-exchange spectroscopy, and paramagnetic relaxation enhancement to probe the dynamics of specific and nonspecific interactions of SOX2 with deoxyribonucleic acid and how these are affected upon interaction with a transcription factor (OCT1) bound at an adjacent specific site. These approaches enable one to detect sparsely populated states involved in the specific target location within a sea of nonspecific sites, the existence of sliding (intramolecular translocation), and the partitioning of intermolecular translocation between direct intersegment and dissociation/association pathways.
Linaclotide induces secretion of cGMP from mouse colonic epithelium

Linaclotide is a novel receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C) agonist approved for treatment of abdominal pain and constipation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Linaclotide effects on bowel movements are mediated by the intracellular cGMP that is produced upon activation of GC-C. It is hypothesized that the effects of linaclotide on abdominal pain are mediated by extracellular cGMP, which was shown to decrease the activity of pain-sensing nerves [1]. Here we used an ex vivo Ussing chamber assay to measure the secretion of cGMP from the mouse colonic mucosa in response to linaclotide treatment. Ion transport and epithelial barrier function were monitored by measuring short-circuit current (Isc) and trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Stimulation with linaclotide (1 µM) elicited a robust short-circuit current across mouse colonic epithelium. Isc reached a maximum within ten minutes following stimulation with linaclotide and remained steady during the duration of the study (60 min). Treatment of colonic mucosa with linaclotide induced release of cGMP from the apical, as well as, the basolateral side of the epithelium. The time course of cGMP accumulation in the basolateral bath of the Ussing chamber was linear with an estimated cGMP secretion rate equal to 23 fmol/min×cm2. The trans-epithelial electrical resistance of the colonic mucosa remained high over the course of the study indicating that the barrier to diffusion of cGMP between apical and basolateral sides remained intact throughout the study.. In summary, these data demonstrate that linaclotide-stimulated mouse colonic epithelium secretes cGMP from both the apical and basolateral sides and that cGMP is available in the submucosal interstitial space to inhibit colonic nociceptors.
Temperature dependence of the preferential interactions of ribonuclease a in aqueous co‐solvent systems: Thermodynamic analysis

The temperature dependence of preferential solvent interactions with ribonuclease A in aqueous solutions of 30% sorbitol, 0.6 M MgCl2, and 0.6 M MgSO4 at low pH (1.5 and 2.0) and high pH (5.5) has been investigated. This protein was stabilized by all three co-solvents, more so at low pH than high pH (expect 0.6 M MgCl2 at pH 5.5). The preferential hydration of protein in all three co-solvents was high at temperatures below 30 degrees C and decreased with a further increase in temperature (for 0.6 M MgCl2 at pH 5.5, this was not significant), indicating a greater thermodynamic instability at low temperature than at high temperature. The preferential hydration of denatured protein (low pH, high temperature) was always greater than that of native protein (high pH, high temperature). In 30% sorbitol, the interaction passed to preferential binding at 45% for native ribonuclease A and at 55 degrees C for the denatured protein. Availability of the temperature dependence of the variation with sorbitol concentration of the chemical potential of the protein, (delta mu(2)/delta m3)T,p,m2, permitted calculation of the corresponding enthalpy and entropy parameters. Combination with available data on sorbitol concentration dependence of this interaction parameter gave (approximate) values of the transfer enthalpy, delta H2,tr, and transfer entropy delta S2,tr. Transfer of ribonuclease A from water into 30% sorbitol is characterized by positive values of the transfer free energy, transfer enthalpy, transfer entropy, and transfer heat capacity. On denaturation, the transfer enthalpy becomes more positive. This increment, however, is small relative to both the enthalpy of unfolding in water and to the transfer enthalpy of the native protein from water a 30% sorbitol solution.
Velocity and Hydrographic Structure of a Gulf Stream Warm-Core Ring

Abstract The hydrographic and velocity structure of Gulf Stream warm-core ring 81D are investigated using a deep CTD–O2 section through the ring together with horizontal currents at 100 m depth obtained with an acoustic-Doppler system. The pycnocline within the ring is depressed 500 m below that of the surrounding Slope Water and maximum currents at 100 m approach 2 m s−1 at a radius of 70–80 km from the ring center. Water-mass analysis reveals that the waters in the central core of the ring are similar to the Sargasso Sea and distinct from the Slope Water to depths of 1300 m. Near the surface, the central core is rotating as a solid body approximately once every 3.6 days. The azimuthal currents at 100 m were combined with the gradient current relationship to obtain the absolute dynamic topography of the ring. The sea surface in the ring center is 70 dynamic centimeters above that in the Slope Water and ring currents decrease quickly with increasing depth to undetectable levels below 2000 m. The ring is l...
Measurement Properties of Two Innovative Item Formats in a Computer-Based Test

Many innovative item formats have been proposed over the past decade, but little empirical research has been conducted on their measurement properties. This study examines the reliability, efficiency, and construct validity of two innovative item formats—the figural response (FR) and constructed response (CR) formats used in a K–12 computerized science test. The item response theory (IRT) information function and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were employed to address the research questions. It was found that the FR items were similar to the multiple-choice (MC) items in providing information and efficiency, whereas the CR items provided noticeably more information than the MC items but tended to provide less information per minute. The CFA suggested that the innovative formats and the MC format measure similar constructs. Innovations in computerized item formats are reviewed, and the merits as well as challenges of implementing the innovative formats are discussed.
Polynomial Decomposition in Active Network Synthesis

This paper deals with the use of polynomial decomposition as a basis for the synthesis of active RC networks. The first part briefly reviews the formation and important properties of the Horowitz decomposition. Next, the relationships between the decompositions of two polynomials are presented in the form of three basic theorems. Significant in the development of these theorems is the use made of the theory of positive real functions. The active network function is treated as the even or the odd part of a positive real impedance, and hence the wealth of information available on positive real functions is brought to bear on the problem of active synthesis. The tie between active and passive synthesis is then illustrated by means of a method of active driving point synthesis, which closely parallels the synthesis of lossless terminated passive networks.
Churg-Strauss syndrome.

Churg–Strauss syndrome is a rare diffuse vasculitis that is closely associated with a severe asthma. The clinical diagnosis may be difficult in the early stages. Nevertheless, the onset of severe asthma in an adult and the emergence of extrarespiratory manifestations should alert one to the probable diagnosis of Churg–Strauss syndrome. Imaging is useful to assess the cardiorespiratory system and the sinus cavities. Pathological confirmation can be challenging as the characteristic histological features are often incomplete. Prognosis is usually good with corticosteroid therapy alone or in combination with immunosuppressive drugs.
Host range in phytophagous insects: the potential role of generalist predators

The potential role of generalist natural enemies is presented as one of the important ecological pressures that select for narrow host range in phytophagous insects, and dominant relative to physiological bases for specialization. Experiments are described in three completely different systems indicating that generalist herbivores are more vulnerable to predation than specialist herbivores. The three predators were (a) the vespid waspMischocyttarus flavitarsus, (b) the Argentine antIridomyrmex humilis and (c) the coccinellid beetleHippodamia convergens. It is concluded the predators may provide strong selection pressure for maintenance and perhaps evolution of narrow host range in insect herbivores.
Neurocognitive Basis of Implicit Learning of Sequential Structure and Its Relation to Language Processing

The ability to learn and exploit environmental regularities is important for many aspects of skill learning, of which language may be a prime example. Much of such learning proceeds in an implicit fashion, that is, it occurs unintentionally and automatically and results in knowledge that is difficult to verbalize explicitly. An important research goal is to ascertain the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms of implicit learning abilities and understand its contribution to perception, language, and cognition more generally. In this article, we review recent work that investigates the extent to which implicit learning of sequential structure is mediated by stimulus-specific versus domain-general learning mechanisms. Although much of previous implicit learning research has emphasized its domain-general aspect, here we highlight behavioral work suggesting a modality-specific locus. Even so, our data also reveal that individual variability in implicit sequence learning skill correlates with performance on a task requiring sensitivity to the sequential context of spoken language, suggesting that implicit sequence learning to some extent is domain-general. Taking into consideration this behavioral work, in conjunction with recent imaging studies, we argue that implicit sequence learning and language processing are both complex, dynamic processes that partially share the same underlying neurocognitive mechanisms, specifically those that rely on the encoding and representation of phonological sequences.
Comment on 'Molecular arrangement in water: random but not quite'.

Accurate high energy x-ray diffraction data are presented on liquid water measured at room temperature. Sources of both systematic and statistical errors within the experiment are considered and data consistency checks are discussed. It is found that the resulting x-ray pair distribution function is smoothly varying in real space and shows no evidence of small peaks in the 3–5 A region. Our results are in contrast to the recent findings reported in Petkov et al 2012 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 24 155102.
Influence of Silicon Substrate Ion Implantation on the Subsequent Microstructure Evolution in Cobalt Silicide Films

The influence of amorphization of the Si substrate by Ge+ implantation on the microstructural evolution of CoSi2 thin films has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and four-point-probe measurement. While the silicide films formed on unimplanted or recrystallized Si were similar in formation kinetics, microstructure and resistivity, unique features were found for silicide films formed on amorphized Si. The phase transformation to CoSi2 on amorphized Si was considerably accelerated, the silicide grain size was smaller, and the CoSi2/Si interface was much smoother on the amorphized Si. Direct evidence of grain boundary diffusion induced silicide/Si interface roughness was obtained. The origin of the difference in both the microstructure and kinetics on different Si substrates is explained by the latent energy stored in amorphous Si, increasing the silicide nucleation rate. Weak XRD peaks and different texture were found for the CoSi2 formed on amorphized Si. The facts that the dominant diffusing species during CoSi2 formation is Co, and the new phase was developed in an amorphous medium are thought to be responsible for these phenomena.
Chlamydia pneumoniae present in the human synovium are viable and metabolically active.

We demonstrated that chromosomal DNA from Chlamydia pneumoniae is present in synovial tissue in at least some patients with reactive arthritis/Reiter's syndrome and other arthritides. Here, we provide initial molecular evidence that the bacterium is viable and metabolically active when present in the synovium. We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays targeting primary transcripts from the chlamydial rRNA operons, and mRNA from several C. pneumoniae genes (hsp60, ompA, KDO transferase, Mr=76000 protein), to analyse RNA preparations from synovial tissue of 10 patients with various forms of arthritis; each patient was known to be PCR-positive for C. pneumoniae DNA in synovium prior to RT-PCR assays. Two PCR-negative patients served as controls for RT-PCR assays. In the 10 patients PCR-positive for C. pneumoniae DNA, RT-PCR assays targeting primary transcripts from the rRNA operons of the organism showed that these molecules were present in each sample, as were transcripts from the bacterial hsp60 gene. Assays targeting mRNAs from the Mr=76000 protein and the KDO transferase genes of C. pneumoniae gave positive results for 6/10 preparations. We were unable to identify mRNA from the chlamydial major outer membrane protein gene (ompA) in any preparation. RNA preparations from the two control patients were negative in all RT-PCR assays targeting C. pneumoniae transcripts. These results indicate that in patients infected with the organism, synovial C. pneumoniae are viable and metabolically active, as are C. trachomatis cells in the same context. Such viability is consistent with a role in long-term contribution to pathogenesis in joint disease.
Pulsatile versus nonpulsatile reperfusion improves cerebral blood flow after cardiac arrest

Abstract Cardiopulmonary bypass using nonpulsatile flow (NF) is currently advocated for treating refractory cardiac arrest. Although the heart can be revived using cardiopulmonary bypass support, the brain must recover if such therapy is to be considered successful. Previous studies have demonstrated that pulsatile flow (PF) reperfusion can improve neurologic outcome compared with NF reperfusion after cardiac arrest. The purpose of this study was to assess cerebral perfusion and oxygen consumption during either PF or NF reperfusion after cardiac arrest. Dogs (n = 22) underwent a 15-minute cardiac arrest followed by 1 hour of either PF or NF reperfusion. Microsphere techniques were used to assess cerebral perfusion and oxygen consumption at 3, 15, and 60 minutes of reperfusion. Mean arteriovenous gradients and total brain flows were similar in both groups. However, cerebral oxygen consumption was significantly improved at 3 minutes of reperfusion with PF versus NF (1.8 ± 0.3 versus 0.9 ± 0.3 mL O2 · dL −1 · min −1 , respectively; p p
Simulation of aerosol dynamics and transport in chemically reacting particulate matter laden flows. Part I: Algorithm development and validation

To accurately predict aerosol dynamics in various systems, it is imperative to combine the governing equations for transport of momentum, mass and energy as well as reaction kinetics with an accurate procedure for solving the general dynamic equation (GDE). A generalized approach for solution of the GDE based on the discrete-sectional approach in presence of convective and molecular transport is presented. As computational efficiency is an important factor in realistic implementation of such a model, in Part-I of this two-part paper series an adaptive semi-implicit algorithm based on the concept of operating splitting is presented. It is shown that this algorithm is the method of choice for solving the GDE in presence or absence of convective transport based on a discrete-sectional approach.
A unified theory for correlating steady laminar natural convective heat transfer data for horizontal annuli

= (n+ 1)/3; Grashof number, j3cT*xJIv2 : see equation (5); ” = 2 (al/2): Nusselt number [KF/ay]),=, A’/(TiTo); a dimensionless constant which describes the thermal boundary conditions; local dynamic pressure ; Prandtl number, va-’ ; characteristic radius for the Rayleigh No. [see equations (7) and (8)); = Gr,Pr ; local temperature ; local velocity in the principal flow direction; local velocity transverse to the principal flow direction ; a constant dimensional quantity.
Why do projections of the cost of family planning differ so widely

Projections of the costs of providing family planning in the year 2000 differ from a low of $2.6 million to a high of $11.5 million. The cost estimates per user of modern methods vary from a low of $14 to a high of $20. 4 key studies are reviewed to show how per-unit costs are estimated. Speidels Cost Study was carried out in 1983 and he estimated the cost per user at $12 in 1980 for 80 million users per year with expenditures estimated at $2 billion annually. Per-user costs vary from $4.70 for Colombia to $445.80 for Swaziland. Speidel found that $350 million came from sole donor sources including the United States Agency for International Development $286 million from multilateral sources (the United Nations Fund for Population Activities the World Bank and the International Planned Parenthood Federation) and the rest from the less developed countries. Bulatao in 1985 calculated pubic and private voluntary organizations (PVO) expenditures per user at an average of $19.55. Estimates for all developing countries ranged from less than $11 to $26. Gillespie estimated cost per user from Bulataos study using a cost per user or per couple-years protection (CYP) of $18 which was derived from international averages presented by Bulatao. In Janowitzs cost study the focus was on service-delivery costs that a typical user would incur whereby service-delivery costs for different method-delivery costs for different method-delivery-system combinations can be determined. Nonservice-delivery costs in Raos estimate in the year 2000 was based on the studies of Janowitz and Gillespie with a range from $4.6 to $6.5 billion (including China) Rao added $1.2 billion for maternal-child health expenditures. Another $3 billion was added for complementary activities giving a total of $8.3 billion to $9.5 billion. Rao included a wider range of indirect activities than was included in estimates of sample surveys vital registration and censuses. ALthough some of the indirect activities listed by Ray may be included in cost estimates of Janowitz and Gillespie comparisons are not easy to make.
Molecular Mapping and Allelic Relationships of Russian Wheat Aphid–Resistance Genes

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), is a serious economic pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Although resistant wheat cultivars provide good control of RWA, genetic characterization is critical to the continual use of aphid-resistance genes. The objective of this study was to determine the chromosome location and the genetic relationships of the RWA-resistance genes Dn1, Dn2, Dn4, Dn5, Dn6, Dnx, and several uncharacterized Dn genes. Molecular mapping demonstrated that Dn genes in four uncharacterized wheat lines (PI 47545, PI 222666, PI 222668, and PI 225245) as well as Dn1, Dn2, Dn5, Dn6, and Dnx are tightly linked to microsatellite markers Xgwm44 and Xgwmlll. Deletion bin mapping assigned Xgwm44 physically in the region distal to the breakpoints 7DS-4 (FL 0.61) and Xgwmlll distal to 7DS-5 (FL 0.36) of wheat chromosome arm 7DS. Allelism tests detected no segregation for susceptibility among TC 1 F 1 plants from the test crosses or among F 2 plants derived from intercrosses between wheat lines containing each of these known Dn genes. Both marker-linkage analyses and allelism tests revealed that all these Dn genes are clustered in a region linked to Xgwmlll and are either alleles of a single locus or are closely related members of a Dn gene family. Dn4 and the uncharacterized Dn gene in PI 151918 are either allelic or linked on wheat chromosome IDS. The linked markers and genetic relationships of these Dn genes will greatly facilitate their use in wheat breeding and the deployment of aphid-resistant cultivars.
Cognitive mapping in technology transfer

Frequent tensions continue to plague the operations of multinational corporations (MNCs) in less-developed countries (LDCs). Accusations of insensitivity and heed-lessness toward the needs and aspirations of LDCs are commonplace. In this writer's opinion, negative perceptions of the MNCs' operations result in part from differing “world views” between the two groups that are frequently overlooked in strategy formulation. This paper is an attempt to demonstrate that productive, culturally sensitive strategies can be formulated if MNCs use a multiple-perspective approach in their relationships with LDCs. To illustrate this, cognitive mapping is used to analyze the MNCs' decisionmaking behavior. Use of this process should provide MNCs with an opportunity to evaluate the consequences of their actions, the prospect of more effective strategies emerges.
Atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high grade intraepithelial lesion (ASC‐H): Does HPV matter?

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in cases diagnosed as atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high squamous grade intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H) in cervical specimens is not well established. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of HPV status in cases of ASC-H in a major cancer center. One hundred thirty-two patients with a diagnosis of ASC-H were identified over a 4-yr period in our institution. Forty–four of 132 cases were evaluated for high-risk HPV and had biopsy follow-up. The positive predictive value (PPV) of ASC-H for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions overall was 32% while PPV of ASC-H with associated HR HPV was 42%. This increase was statistically significant with P = 0.003 and suggest that HPV testing might be useful to increase the PPV of ASC-H. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:1–5. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Primary hepatic malignant fibrous histiocytoma: Report of a case and review of the literature

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is a common sarcoma of adulthood, frequently arising in the extremities, but also in the abdomen and the retroperitoneum. Primary MFH of the liver, however, remains extremely rare and is one of the least diagnosed primary hepatic sarcoma. Another case of primary MFH of the liver is reported. The patient presented with a 12 cm mass involving the right and left lobes of the liver. The histopathologic examination revealed a typical MFH swirling (storiform) pattern composed of atypical spindle and giant cells. The radiologic, histologic, and clinical behavior of this rare neoplasm are reviewed.
A Beginning Synthesis of Leadership and Communication Studies

Contemporary leadership scholars suggest the need to develop an interdisciplinary definition and practice of leadership to prepare people for a postindustrial era. Although leadership has been studied from various perspectives, the discipline of communication studies has been overlooked in this effort. In this article, I attempt to integrate scholarly material from the literatures of communication and leadership studies. Within this review, I explicate the texts of predominant leadership scholars to demonstrate theoretical affinity between their views of leadership and a dramaturgical school of communication studies. From this foundation, I construct a dramatistic definition and method of leadership. The author is hopeful that this theoretical synthesis will bring more attention to the neglected relationship between leadership and communication studies.
Quantitative assessment of workload and stressors in clinical radiation oncology.

Purpose Workload level and sources of stressors have been implicated as sources of error in multiple settings. We assessed workload levels and sources of stressors among radiation oncology professionals. Furthermore, we explored the potential association between workload and the frequency of reported radiotherapy incidents by the World Health Organization (WHO). Methods and Materials Data collection was aimed at various tasks performed by 21 study participants from different radiation oncology professional subgroups (simulation therapists, radiation therapists, physicists, dosimetrists, and physicians). Workload was assessed using National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task-Load Index (NASA TLX). Sources of stressors were quantified using observational methods and segregated using a standard taxonomy. Comparisons between professional subgroups and tasks were made using analysis of variance ANOVA, multivariate ANOVA, and Duncan test. An association between workload levels (NASA TLX) and the frequency of radiotherapy incidents (WHO incidents) was explored (Pearson correlation test). Results A total of 173 workload assessments were obtained. Overall, simulation therapists had relatively low workloads (NASA TLX range, 30-36), and physicists had relatively high workloads (NASA TLX range, 51-63). NASA TLX scores for physicians, radiation therapists, and dosimetrists ranged from 40-52. There was marked intertask/professional subgroup variation ( P P P =.001), and effort ( P =.006) significantly differed among professional subgroups. Typically, there were 3-5 stressors per cycle of analyzed tasks with the following distribution: interruptions (41.4%), time factors (17%), technical factors (13.6%), teamwork issues (11.6%), patient factors (9.0%), and environmental factors (7.4%). A positive association between workload and frequency of reported radiotherapy incidents by the WHO was found ( r = 0.87, P value=.045). Conclusions Workload level and sources of stressors vary among professional subgroups. Understanding the factors that influence these findings can guide adjustments to the workflow procedures, physical layout, and/or communication protocols to enhance safety. Additional evaluations are needed in order to better understand if these findings are systemic.
Alcohol Consumption and Colon and Rectal Cancer in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract The associations between alcohol and colon and rectal cancers were examined in the Iowa Women's Health Study. In January 1986, 41 837 postmenopausal women, aged 55-69, completed a questionnaire including usual alcohol intake and other information. Through December 1990, 237 incident colon and 75 rectal cancer cases occurred. Mantel-Haenszel age-adjusted relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for consumers of or = 4.0 g of alcohol per day compared to abstainers were 1.07 (0.61-1.89) and 1.27 (0.72-2.24) (P for trend = 0.46) for rectal cancer. Alcohol intake was inversely associated with distal colon cancer (RR for or = 4.0 g of alcohol per day were 0.64 and 0.69 respectively, P for trend = 0.04), which was specific to wine; however, no association was observed with proximal colon cancer (P for trend = 0.94). This is the only report of an inverse association between alcohol and colon cancer in women. Because gut physiology and alcohol metabolism differ between men and women, more research on the association between alcohol and colon cancer in women only, is warranted.
THE PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF PYRIMIDINE IN REALISTIC ASTROPHYSICAL ICES AND THE PRODUCTION OF NUCLEOBASES

Nucleobases, together with deoxyribose/ribose and phosphoric acid, are the building blocks of DNA and RNA for all known life. The presence of nucleobase-like compounds in carbonaceous chondrites delivered to the Earth raises the question of an extraterrestrial origin for the molecules that triggered life on our planet. Whether these molecules are formed in interstellar/protostellar environments, in small parent bodies in the solar system, or both, is currently unclear. Recent experiments show that the UV irradiation of pyrimidine (C4H4N2) in H2O-rich ice mixtures that contain NH3, CH3OH, or CH4 leads to the formation of the pyrimidine-based nucleobases uracil, cytosine, and thymine. In this work, we discuss the low-temperature UV irradiation of pyrimidine in realistic astrophysical ice mixtures containing H2O, CH3OH, and NH3, with or without CH4, to search for the production of nucleobases and other prebiotic compounds. These experiments show the presence of uracil, urea, glycerol, hexamethylenetetramine, small amino acids, and small carboxylic acids in all samples. Cytosine was only found in one sample produced from ices irradiated with a higher UV dose, while thymine was not found in any sample, even after irradiation with a higher UV dose. Results are discussed to evaluate the role of the photochemistry of pyrimidine in the inventory of organic molecules detected in meteorites and their astrophysical/astrobiological implications.
Student Perspectives of Small-Group Learning Activities

The purpose of this study was to understand what small-group learning activities meant to the students in an undergraduate thermodynamics course. Small-group learning activities (also known as cooperative- or collaborative-learning activities) were used throughout the course with one class session per week being entirely devoted to such activities. An analysis of field notes and a questionnaire completed by the students yielded three findings from the perspective of the students. First, these small-group learning activities created a learning community characterized by intellectual challenge, support, and encouragement producing a warmer classroom climate. Second, the interaction between students facilitated the development of interpersonal skills and communication skills which led to more meaningful learning. Third, these activities gave students the opportunity to focus on the material in order to draw connections between concepts. These findings allowed us to add breadth and depth to our understanding of positive small-group learning outcomes such as learning, achievement, and persistence and affirmed the importance of preparing students to work in groups.
Validation of the dual radiotracer method for quantitative In-111 platelet scintigraphy.

Abstract We have developed a simple in vivo scintigraphic technique that permits accurate quantitative comparison of intravascular platelet deposition in blood vessels of similar size. Regional count information from scintigraphic images of In-111 platelets and Tc-99m red blood cells is used to determine the ratio of radioactivity in the thrombus relative to that in the blood. Multiplication of this ratio by the percent injected dose (%ID) of In-111 per ml of blood yields a quantity (%ID index) that is directly proportional to the %ID of In-111 platelets in the thrombus as measured in vitro (r = .879, p
Autophosphorylation of the mammalian multifunctional protein that initiates de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis.

CAD, a large multifunctional protein that carries carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPSase), aspartate transcarbamoylase, and dihydroorotase activities, catalyzes the first three steps of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis in mammalian cells. The CPSase component, which catalyzes the initial, rate-limiting step, exhibits complex regulatory mechanisms involving allosteric effectors and phosphorylation that control the flux of metabolites through the pathway. Incubation of CAD with ATP in the absence of exogenous kinases resulted in the incorporation of 1 mol of Pi/mol of CAD monomer. Mass spectrometry analysis of tryptic digests showed that Thr1037 located within the CAD CPS.B subdomain was specifically modified. The reaction is specific for MgATP, ADP was a competitive inhibitor, and the native tertiary structure of the protein was required. Phosphorylation occurred after denaturation, further purification of CAD by SDS gel electrophoresis, and renaturation on a nitrocellulose membrane, strongly suggesting that phosphate incorporation resulted from an intrinsic kinase activity and was not the result of contaminating kinases. Chemical modification with the ATP analog, 5′-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine, showed that one or both of the active sites that catalyze the ATP-dependent partial reactions are also involved in autophosphorylation. The rate of phosphorylation was dependent on the concentration of CAD, indicating that the reaction was, at least in part, intermolecular. Autophosphorylation resulted in a 2-fold increase in CPSase activity, an increased sensitivity to the feedback inhibitor UTP, and decreased allosteric activation by 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate, functional changes that were distinctly different from those resulting from phosphorylation by either the protein kinase A or mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Experimental Pneumococcal Meningitis in the Rabbit: Cerebral Hemodynamics and Metabolism

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Experimental Pneumococcal Meningitis in the Rabbit: Cerebral Hemodynamics and Metabolism
Expression of Functional GABAA Receptors in Transfected L929 Cells Isolated by Immunomagnetic Bead Separation

Abstract Transient cotransfection of fibroblasts, with plasmids encoding individual GABAA receptor (GABAAR) subunits, has provided a model to characterize the pharmacological and kinetic properties of receptor subtype combinations. However, identifying transfected cells for electrophysiological recording is often difficult due to low transfection efficiencies. Selection of transfected cells has required cotransfection with a marker gene and fluorescence microscopic localization prior to recording. To circumvent these problems, two GABAAR subtype combinations in transfected L929 cells were isolated with a novel biomagnetic separation system. Cell selection was accomplished by cotransfection with a plasmid (pHook™-1) encoding a single-stranded cell surface antibody (sFv), which bound to ferromagnetic beads, coated with an antigen (phOx). Bead-covered cells were then magnetically separated from non-transfected cells. Bead-selected cells cotransfected with α6, β3 and γ2L subtypes, expressed GABAAR currents in 95% ( 41 43 ) of cells recorded. Cells cotransfected with α5, β3 and γ2L subtypes had an ec 50 for GABA of 5.4 μM and a Hill slope of 1.4. Membrane patches from cells expressing the α5 β3 γ2L isoform demonstrated single channel currents with a main conductance state of 23 pS. Magnetic bead immunoselection provides a purified population of transfected cells well suited for whole cell and single channel recording. © 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Résumé and remarks on the open boundary condition minisymposium

The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations—and their thermal convection and stratified flow analogue, the Boussinesq equations—possess solutions in bounded domains only when appropriate/legitimate boundary conditions (BCs) are appended at all points on the domain boundary. When the boundary—or, more commonly, a portion of it—is not endowed with a Dirichlet BC, we are faced with selecting what are called open boundary conditions (OBCs), because the fluid may presumably enter or leave the domain through such boundaries. The two minisymposia on OBCs that are summarized in this paper had the objective of finding the best OBCs for a small subset of two-dimensional test problems. This objective, which of course is not really well-defined, was not met (we believe), but the contributions obtained probably raised many more questions/issues than were resolved—notable among them being the advent of a new class of OBCs that we call FBCs (fuzzy boundary conditions).
Elevated Serum Triglycerides with Clozapine Resolved with Risperidone in Four Patients

Serum triglyceride levels of four patients with psychotic disorders were decreased after switching therapy from clozapine to risperidone. In two patients clozapine was reinstated after risperidone was discontinued; serum triglyceride levels increased. This increase when clozapine was switched to risperidone and vice versa is consistent with our previous report of elevated serum triglyceride levels in clozapine-treated patients. Other reports show increases with the atypical antipsychotics, olanzapine and quetiapine. We believe serum triglyceride levels should be monitored in patients who have other cardiac risk factors and are receiving clozapine.
Effects of dietary protein concentration on l-proline transport by Manduca sexta midgut

Abstract Foliar protein concentrations vary widely. Phytophagous insects may respond to this variation by regulating the rate of absorption of protein breakdown products. Using fifth-instar Manduca sexta reared on artificial diets, we examined whether the rate of l -proline transport across the posterior midgut was affected by dietary protein concentration. Caterpillars were reared to the fifth instar on a low- or high-protein diet and then transferred to the same or opposite diet for 24 h prior to the flux measurements. Posterior midguts were mounted in Ussing chambers, and both potential difference and 14 C-proline flux across the tissue were measured during two-hour experiments. Midguts transported proline from lumen to hemolymph at about 6.5 μmol/cm 2 /h and from hemolymph to lumen at less than 0.43 μmol/cm 2 /h. Only a small fraction was oxidized (0.58 μmol/cm 2 /h), and proline was not converted to another compound while crossing the midgut epithelium. Neither proline transport rates nor potential differences across the epithelium differed significantly among treatment groups, suggesting that larval M. sexta do not regulate proline transport in response to dietary protein variation.