cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The progression of 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine‐induced colon tumourigenesis stimulates growth and cell proliferation in the colon of the host mouse

. The aim of this study was to characterize tissue responses attributable to the stage of tumourigenesis in CF-1 mice. The study involved initiating colon carcinogenesis by eight weekly subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH at 12mg/kg body weight), while the control mice received injections of the carrier vehicle. All mice were killed for examination of tissue responses at 24 weeks after the completion of the injections. Each mouse was classified into one of four groups based on the histology of the most advanced colonic lesion. The four groups or stages were: 1 no lesions (non-DMH-treated mice); 2 mice with aberrant crypt foci (ACF); 3 mice with one or more adenomas (AD) and 4 mice with an adenocarcinoma (AC). Significant tissue specific responses were identified and related to the stage of tumourigenesis. For example, mice with AC demonstrated a stage specific and marked hypertrophy of the entire colon and spleen, while demonstrating loss of body weight with no change in weight of the thymus or liver. The colonic crypts from these AC-bearing mice demonstrated hyperproliferation and an upward shift of the proliferative zone, with a concurrent loss of iron, but not of calcium, copper, magnesium or zinc in the liver. Splenomegaly was attributed to transition of the tumour to an invasive state. It is proposed that the AC produces a blood-borne trophic factor which helps explain a field effect on the colonic epithelium far removed from the growing AC. This field effect can help explain how biopsy of the large bowel (usually taken from the rectum in humans) can provide morphokinetic information predictive of the stage of colon carcinogenesis.
Abstract 1107: MicroRNA-182 acts as a chemosensitizer in GBM by repressing Bcl2L12

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive brain tumor, exhibiting high mortality rate and increased resistance to current forms of treatment. GBM development has been linked to deregulation of several signaling cascades involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Bcl2-Like 12 (Bcl2L12) is a multi-functional glioma oncoprotein, which is over-expressed in the majority of GBM and regulates tumor progression and resistance to therapy-induced apoptosis. We identified, Bcl2L12 as a potent inhibitor of post-mitochondrial caspases and the p53 tumor suppressor. To dissect the cellular mechanisms that regulate Bcl2L12 expression and function, we interrogated whether Bcl2L12 is under the control of microRNAs (miRs). In silico analysis of 272 primary GBM samples of the TCGA dataset aimed to identify miRs displaying expression levels that anti-correlate with Bcl2L12 mRNA abundance, as such candidates represent potential Bcl2L12-targeting miRs. This approach revealed a significant anti-correlation between Bcl2L12 mRNA and miR-182 expression, preferentially in the proneural subtype, a GBM class with established low Bcl2L12 genomic amplification and mRNA expression and a longer survival compared to patients with mesenchymal, neural or classical tumors. Enforced expression of miR182 in various glioma cell lines confirmed robust downregulation of Bcl2L12 mRNA and protein levels, identified the miR-182 binding site within the 3′UTR of Bcl2L12, and documented that miR-mediated downregulation of Bcl2L12 is highly specific for miR182, but not for other related miRs, such as miR-96 and miR-183. Transfection of pre-miR-182 significantly sensitized cells to various anti-glioma therapeutics, via enhancement of effector caspase activation. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that p53 regulates miR-182 levels. Taken together, our studies confirmed a Bcl2L12- miR-182 axis on genetic and biological levels, and identified miR182 as a potential therapeutic agent to halt GBM progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1107. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1107
Data integrity attacks and their impacts on SCADA control system

Cyber threats for critical infrastructures is an area of growing concern. Data integrity attacks (e.g., manipulating sensor or control signals) on the power system through the SCADA network could have severe effects as it misleads operators into making wrong decisions. However, for an integrity attack to be successful, the malicious data should be within an acceptable range. Hence, only an attacker with intelligence or an understanding of system functionality can cause an effective attack. This paper extends cyber security attack concepts to control systems in an electric power system. Impact on the physical system is estimated by magnitude of load-generation imbalance and frequency deviation after a successful attack on the Automatic Generation Control (AGC) loop. We conduct experiments creating integrity attacks from our attack template on a sample system and evaluate the impact. Our simulation studies show that an integrity attack plan can have severe effects.
Health reporting as political reporting: Biocommunicability and the public sphere

This article discusses contrasting forms of ‘biocommunicability’ as manifested in health-care reporting. The concept of ‘biocommunicability’ refers to sets of normative assumptions on the productio...
Relict caves as evidence of landscape and aquifer evolution in a deeply dissected carbonate terrain: Southwest Edwards Plateau, Texas, U.S.A.

Abstract Caves lying well above valley floors and within narrow ridges of carbonate rocks in the deeply dissected southwest Edwards Plateau, Texas, provide considerable information about the geomorphic history of the region and the evolution of the Edwards-Trinity aquifer. In the Sonora area, horizontally extensive cave passages occur at three distinct levels along massive burrowed dolomitic beds in the Cretaceous Segovia Formation. Passages lying beneath a resistant caprock consist of long corridors, barren of speleothems. However, in the vicinity of the caprock edge, passages are modified by collapse and stoping, mazework, and speleothem deposition. Conduits are generally oriented down the regional dip and guided by dominant NE-trending fractures. Upper cave levels developed first, but lower passages were excavated as piezometric surfaces dropped in response to valley cutting. Cavern collapses blocked flowpaths in places and ensuing floodwaters enlarged passages, formed maze sections, and promoted development of diversion routes around these constrictions. Collapse at the caprock edge has enhanced retreat of valley slopes and headward erosion of streams. In the Langtry area, caves developed in the Cretaceous Devils River Formation are up to 113 m deep. The Devils River Formation is a stratigraphically-homogeneous high-purity limestone, in which fractures are few but vertically extensive. Incision of the Rio Grande and nearby streams has locally exposed up to 70 m of the Devils River Formation, inducing steep hydraulic gradients that have promoted bathyphreatic circulation and development of deep cave systems. Horizontal passages are relatively short and are connected by vertical shafts and steeply inclined corridors. The two localities have experienced similar climates and dissection in topography, but the relationship of stream incision to geologic structure, stratigraphy and lithology has differed significantly enough to produce long horizontal caves within the shallow phreatic zone around Sonora and deep vertical caves in the deep phreatic zone around Langtry.
Effect of tricuspid regurgitation on the reliability of the thermodilution cardiac output technique in congestive heart failure.

Abstract The accuracy of the thermodilution cardiac output technique in the presence of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has been challenged. 1 TR is common in patients with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF), for whom baseline cardiac output and changes in cardiac output frequently influence therapy. To establish the reliability of the thermodilution method in this setting, we compared simultaneous thermodilution and Fick oximetric cardiac output measurements in patients with advanced CHF before and after acute vasodilator therapy.
Facilitating and direct guidance in student-centered classrooms: addressing "lines or pieces" difficulty

This study explores, from both constructivist and cognitive perspectives, teacher guidance in student-centered classrooms when addressing a common learning difficulty with equivalent fractions—lines or pieces—based on number line models. Findings from three contrasting cases reveal differences in teachers’ facilitating and direct guidance in terms of anticipating and responding to student difficulties, which leads to differences in students’ exploration opportunity and quality. These findings demonstrate the plausibility and benefit of integrating facilitating and direct guidance in student-centered classrooms. Findings also suggest two key components of effective teacher guidance including (a) using pretraining through worked examples and (b) focusing on the relevant information and explanations of concepts. Implementations are discussed.
Major League Baseball and the Dominican Republic: What is in the best interest of the players?

Abstract This case is about Major League Baseball and the Dominican Republic. We explore how Major League Baseball has used this Caribbean island as an inexpensive labor market and the social problems of the situation. Specifically, we examine Corporate Social Responsibility, the leadership of Sandy Alderson, ethics and the various stakeholders involved. We also look into possible reform alternatives while addressing the central question: What is in the best interest of the players?
Catching ants with honey: an experimental test of distraction and satiation as alternative modes of escape from flower-damaging ants

According to the distraction hypothesis, extrafloral nectaries (EFN) evolved under selection to entice ants away from floral nectaries, reducing ant-mediated damage to flowers and/or interference with pollinators. Predator-satiation, through production of nectar in either surplus flowers or EFN, provides an alternative mechanism for reducing the impact of ants as flower visitors. I tested these two hypotheses by experimentally adding EFN to flowering plants of the alpine wildflower, Polemonium viscosum, and by surveying the relationship between ant visitation and nectary number in nature. Plants of P. viscosum lack EFN and experience flower damage by ants of Formica neorufibarbus gelida. Ant behavior was compared on plants with five flowers and three experimental EFN and on controls with equal floral display, but no EFN. Addition of EFN increased flower visitation by ants. The effect of EFN on flower visitation did not depend on proximity of EFN to flowers or attractiveness of EFN to ants. Findings suggest that ants perceived patch quality on a whole plant basis, rather than responding to EFN and flowers as distinct nectar patches. Ant visitation did not keep pace with nectary number in nature. The relationship between ant visitation and nectary number per plant was weak and shallow as predicted under satiation. Ant foraging choices on experimental inflorescences showed that ants bypass flowers avoided by earlier ants, enhancing probability of escape via satiation. Results do not support the idea that EFN evolve to reduce flower visitation by ants, but show instead that nectar in surplus flowers can satiate ants and reduce their negative impacts on flower function and integrity.
The immunosuppressive influence of industrial and environmental xenobiotics

Abstract The immune system is a sensitive target for many classes of xenobiotics and drugs. In this review, the chemical xenobiotics discussed by Michael Luster and Gary Rosenthal represent several of those that have been examined in-depth and demonstrate a level of specificity unexpected from chemicals not designed for immunotherapy. Experimental animal data, along with observations of immune system defects in humans therapeutically, inadvertently or occupationally exposed to xenobiotics, demonstrate that continued consideration of the immunotoxic potential of chemicals is warranted. However, it is important that caution be exercised when attempting to extrapolate meaningful conclusions from experimental data to low level human exposure conditions.
Perfect modules over cohen-macaulay local rings

of modules in C’(A). In Section 4, we will show that K’(A) is generated by the elements [A/a] defined by the cyclic A-modules which are perfect of codimension r. If x, )...) x, is an A-regular sequence then the cyclic module A/(x, ,..., x,) is perfect of codimension r. For r = 0, I, and 2, the group K’(A) is generated by the elements [A/(x,,..., x,)], but this is not so for r = 3. In [2 3, Dutta, Hochster, and McLaughlin exhibit a module M which is of finite length and finite projective dimension over a Cohen-Macaulay local ring A of dimension three, such that M has negative Serre intersection multiplicity with an A-module of the form A/p, where p is prime of height one in A. Since A/p has zero intersection multiplicity with every module of the form A/(x,, x*,x,), it follows that [M] does not belong to the subgroup of K3(A) generated by the elements [A/(x,, x2, x3)]. As we will show, there is a cyclic module A/a of finite length and finite projective dimension over A, such that [M] = [A/a] in K3(A), modulo elements [A/(x,, x2, x3)]. It follows that A/a has negative intersection multiplicity with A/p. This fact is of interest in geometry. We would like to express our thanks to the referee and to Melvin Hochster, for their suggestions improving this paper. When this paper was first submitted, [2] had not appeared, and we were not aware of the 367 0021-8693/87 $3.00
Binding of fluorinated phenylalanine alpha-factor analogues to Ste2p: evidence for a cation-pi binding interaction between a peptide ligand and its cognate G protein-coupled receptor.

Ste2p, a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), binds α-factor, WHWLQLKPGQPMY, a tridecapeptide pheromone secreted by yeast cells. Upon α-factor binding, Ste2p undergoes conformational changes activating a signal transduction system through its associated heterotrimeric G protein leading to the arrest of cell growth in the G1 phase to prepare cells for mating. Previous studies have indicated that Tyr at position 13 of α-factor interacts with Arg58 on transmembrane one (TM1) of Ste2p. This observation prompted this investigation to determine whether a cation−π type of interaction occurred between these residues. Tyrosine at position 13 of α-factor was systematically substituted with analogous amino acids with varying cation−π binding energies using solid-phase peptide synthesis, and these analogues were modified by derivatization of their Lys7 residue with the fluorescent group 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD) to serve as a useful probe for binding determination. Saturation binding of these peptides to Ste2...
Self-assembly of π-shaped copolymers

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation is employed to examine the self-assembly of π-shaped copolymers possessing rigid backbones (rod blocks A) and two flexible (coiled) side chains B in a selective solvent. The dependence of the morphologies of the nanostructures generated on the positions of the junction points of the two side chains on the rod block, on the concentration of the copolymer, on the nature of the solvent, as well as on the repulsive interactions between the two coiled side chains B and the rod blocks A of the copolymer, was investigated. Nanostructures (such as interacting micelles, multicore micelles, nanocages, nanotires) of various shapes were identified. In addition, stacked disks with the two-dimensional sequence BAAB were observed. By varying the selectivity of the solvent for coils B, one can change the internal structure of the self-assemblies. The coil-block cages can be changed in rod-block cages by varying the selectivity of the solvent for the coil blocks B and/or by modifying the interaction between the coil blocks and rod blocks. The kinetics of formation of nanotires and of the two kinds of cages are also examined.
Mutations in the α1 subunit of an L‐type voltage‐activated Ca2+ channel cause myotonia in Caenorhabditis elegans

The control of excitable cell action potentials is central to animal behavior. We show that the egl-19 gene plays a pivotal role in regulating muscle excitation and contraction in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and encodes the alphal subunit of a homologue of vertebrate L-type voltage-activated Ca2+ channels. Semi-dominant, gain-of-function mutations in egl-19 cause myotonia: mutant muscle action potentials are prolonged and the relaxation delayed. Partial loss-of-function mutations cause slow muscle depolarization and feeble contraction. The most severe loss-of-function mutants lack muscle contraction and die as embryos. We localized two myotonic mutations in the sixth membrane-spanning domain of the first repeat (IS6) region, which has been shown to be responsible for voltage-dependent inactivation. A third myotonic mutation implicates IIIS4, a region involved in sensing plasma-membrane voltage change, in the inactivation process.
Detoxication of metal drums from emulsifiable concentrate formulations of parathion

Metal drums of various sizes which had contained a parathion emulsifiable concentrate were found to retain significant amounts of residues after the containers were completely drained. The residual pesticide formulation was removed from the emptied containers by washing with water and organic solvents. Efficient removal of the parathion by water followed by washing with a water-miscible organic solvent has been demonstrated. It is possible that these washings could be disposed of by combining them into the spray mixture. These procedures suggest a simple and economical way of container decontamination.
Synthesis and Properties of Benzo[a]phenoxazinium Chalcogen Analogues as Novel Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Photosensitizers

The goal of this investigation was to develop improved photosensitizers for use as antimicrobial drugs in photodynamic therapy of localized infections. Replacement of the oxygen atom in 5-(ethylamino)-9-diethylaminobenzo[a]phenoxazinium chloride (1) with sulfur and selenium afforded thiazinium and selenazinium analogues 2 and 3, respectively. All three dyes are water soluble, lipophilic, and red light absorbers. The relative photodynamic activities of the chalcogen series were evaluated against a panel of prototypical pathogenic microorganisms: the Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis, the Gram-negative Escherichia coli, and the fungus Candida albicans. Selenium dye 3 was highly effective as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial photosensitizer with fluences of 4−32 J/cm2 killing 2−5 more logs of all cell types than sulfur dye 2, which was slightly more effective than oxygen analogue 1. These data, taken with the findings of uptake and retention studies, suggest that the superior activity of selenium derivative ...
Perfect electrochemical molecular sieving by thin and ultrathin metallopolymeric films

Oxidative electropolymerization at glassy carbon and indium−tin−oxide electrodes from unbuffered aqueous solutions of Fe(5-NH2-phen)32+ and Ru(5-NH2-phen)32+ yields electrode-supported films that self-limit at thicknesses of ca. 50 and 2 nm, respectively. Electrodeposition is characterized by formation of nonelectroactive films, which are electronically insulating at least over the electrochemical potential range of 0 to +1 V. Electrochemical measurements of redox-active probe molecules demonstrate that these films exhibit highly selective molecular sieving. Neutral permeants and hydrophobic permeants are observed to penetrate the polymeric coating more rapidly than charged or hydrophilic forms. Atomic force microscopy, UV−vis spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to correlate the polymeric molecular structure with the observed electrochemical reactivity. Molecular sieving behavior is discussed in terms of a membrane transport model implying that the films are comprised of metallopo...
A Systematic Capture and Replay Strategy for Testing Complex GUI Based Java Applications

In this paper we propose a testing strategy that targets Java applications with complex GUI structure and event interactions. We present a capture and replay testing technique which can be employed for different testing purposes: GUI convergence, functional testing and regression testing. The proposed strategy drastically improves, and from different aspects, on standard capture and replay tools. This is done by combining both a model based testing approach with the capture and replay approach and by implementing different automated test oracles. We first model the behavior of the system from the functional specifications or from a trusted version of the system. Tests are then derived from this model to exercise the system in order to ensure correct functional behavior and to cover goal oriented interactions. The case study applies the test strategy on a role-based, multi-user computer game to demonstrate the usefulness and importance of this approach.
Gamma rays from black holes

As a result of electron ion decoupling, the compression of interstellar matter falling on to an isolated black hole results in ion temperatures greater than 100 MeV as the matter approaches the Schwarzschild radius. Here, experimental pion production cross sections are used to calculate the rate of production of γ rays from this hot gas. A characteristic γ-ray spectrum is produced, which peaks at 18 MeV regardless of the mass of the black hole or the interstellar density.
Tryptophan-47 rotational isomerization in variant-3 scorpion neurotoxin. A combination thermodynamic perturbation and umbrella sampling study

A combination thermodynamic perturbation and umbrella sampling study predicts two free energy wells for the rotational isomerization of the variant-3 scorpion neurotoxin tryptophan-47 indole side chain. One well has the indole side chain in the crystallographic orientation; the other has the indole rotated approximately 220 degrees to form a new conformation with a relative free energy of 3 +/- 2 kcal/mol. The activation barrier is 8.5 kcal/mol from the crystallographic well, from which transition state theory predicts a rate of escape of 2 x 10(5) s-1. Correlations in the displacements of side chains neighboring tryptophan-47 and the isomerization reaction coordinate last up to 20 ps. Favorable conditions of experimental verification are discussed.
Modifications in Optoelectronic Behavior of Plasma-Deposited Amorphous Semiconductor Alloys Via Impurity Incorporation

Abstract We discuss electronic properties of plasma-deposited a-Si:H alloys as functions of oxygen and nitrogen impurities. Over a wide range of processing conditions, features displayed by the data include: i) “anomalous” behavior in photoconductivity versus temperature for films deficient in either, or both, impurities (peaks appear that are associated with thermal-quenching processes and supralinearity); and ii) modification to “classic” behavior in photoconductivity owing to synergistic effects of oxygen and nitrogen . Correlations with photoluminescence are presented. Optical emission spectroscopy is discussed within the context of an emerging spectroscopy for the detection of emitting reactive species in the plasma. The presence of impurities, particularly N 2 , can be diagnosed.
The influence of arroyo edges on Pogonomyrmex rugosus nest distribution in the Chihuahuan Desert, New Mexico

Abstract The dissection of ephemeral drainage channels into alluvial fan deposits create distinct geomorphic edges. This study describes the spatial distribution of Pogonomyrmex rugosus harvester ant colonies in relation to arroyo channel edges in the Chihuahuan Desert. Statistical tests were conducted including the calculation of a distance index of dispersion (Johnson & Zimmer, 1985. Ecology , 66 : 1669–1675). A sample of 74 nests revealed aggregated arroyo edge-to-nest distances nearest the arroyo margin with decreased densities away from the edge. Nest densities nearest the edge were significantly greater than those typically observed in this desert environment.
The association of anastomosed fluvial deposits and dinosaur tracks, eggs, and nests; implications for the interpretation of floodplain environments and a possible survival strategy for ornithopods

The St. Mary River Formation (Maastrichtian) consists of anastomosed fluvial deposits containing several hundred track-bearing beds. Paleontologic and sedimentologic analyses of these beds indicate that large herbivores, ornithopods, inhabited a seasonal wetland dominated by marshes and lakes. Shallow tracks in fine-grained sediments, formed as the sediments dewatered to the point of stiffness, display the highest resolution of detail. The preservation potential of tracks in anastomosed fluvial deposits is large because of the abundance of soft substrates to record the tracks and the occurrence of annual flooding to rapidly bury the footprints. Comparison of the St. Mary River Formation to other anastomosed fluvial deposits as old as the Early Jurassic confirms that tracks are common in this type of deposit. The variation in preservation of track types and depth of penetration raises the possibility that ornithopods employed a survival strategy involving seasonal wetlands. The wetlands provided an abundant food source and at the same time the combination of a soft substrate and flooded conditions would have effectively countered the superior speed and agility of large carnivores. The relatively common occurrence of ornithopod eggshells from anastomosed fluvial deposits suggests that the abundant food supply accompanying the wet season also made the wetlandsmore » an ideal location to rear young. These data can be used to refine the interpretations of depositional environment derived from the sediments by allowing estimates to be made regarding the early post-depositional conditions of the sediments. 95 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.« less
Inhibitors of class 1 histone deacetylases reverse contextual memory deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by cognitive impairments that progress to dementia and death. The earliest symptoms of AD present as a relatively pure deficit in memory retrieval. Therefore, drug treatments that intervene in the early stages of AD by rescuing memory deficits could be promising therapies to slow, or even reverse progression of the disease. In this study, we tested the potential of systemic histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) treatment to rescue cognitive deficits in a mouse model of AD. APPswe/PS1dE9 mice showed pronounced contextual memory impairments beginning at 6 months of age. Chronic HDACi injections (2–3 weeks) did not alter contextual memory formation in normal mice, but had profound effects in transgenic animals. Injections of sodium valproate, sodium butyrate, or vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid; Zolinza®) completely restored contextual memory in these mutant mice. Further behavioral testing of the HDACi-treated transgenic mice showed that the newly consolidated memories were stably maintained over a 2-week period. Measurement of the HDAC isoform selectivity profile of sodium valproate, sodium butyrate, and vorinostat revealed the common inhibition of class I HDACs (HDAC1, 2, 3, 8) with little effect on the class IIa HDAC family members (HDAC4, 5, 7, 9) and inhibition of HDAC6 only by vorinostat. These preclinical results indicate that targeted inhibition of class I HDAC isoforms is a promising avenue for treating the cognitive deficits associated with early stage AD.
Evaluation of thrombogenic potential of electrospun bioresorbable vascular graft materials: acute monocyte tissue factor expression.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the acute expression of tissue factor (TF) by monocytes on interaction with electrospun bioresorbable constructs. A minimal expression of TF will demonstrate the potential for scaffolds to be used as a vascular graft without enhanced risk of failure from acute thrombotic occlusion. Polydioxanone (PDO) (60, 80, 120, and 160 mg/mL) and polycaprolactone (PCL) (80, 10, and 160 mg/mL) dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3 hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFP) were electrospun to form fibrous scaffolds. Circular discs (10 mm diameter) of each scaffold were disinfected and seeded with human monocytes (50,000 cells/well). The discs were statically cultured under standard conditions (37°C and 5% CO2), and removed after 24 h for TF analysis with an In-Cell Western assay. Fiber diameter was calculated through ImageTool analysis of scanning electron micrographs. Acute monocyte interaction with scaffolds of PCL (120 mg/mL) resulted in the lowest amount of TF expressed (4 ng/disc), whereas scaffolds of 160 mg/mL PDO elicited the highest amount of TF expressed (51 ng/disc). TF levels expressed on all scaffolds were comparable with the amount expressed on e-PTFE (20 ng/disc). Preliminary data for TF expression on scaffolds of silk (70 mg/mL and 150 mg/mL) and silk:PCL (100 mg/mL, v/v) blends (50:50 and 70:30) resulted in values of TF expression ranging from 0 to 24 ng. Results from this study reveal electrospun grafts composed of PDO and PCL provide no greater risk of failure from an acute thrombotic occlusion due to TF expression when compared with that of the standard e-PTFE graft. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Concept Relation Extraction from Construction Documents Using Natural Language Processing

The objective of this research is to present an innovative technique for managing the knowledge contained in construction contract documents to facilitate quick access and efficient use of such knowledge for project management and contract administration tasks. Knowledge Management has become the focus of a lot of scientific research during the second half of the 20th century as researchers discovered the importance of the knowledge resource to business organizations. Despite early expectations of improved document management techniques, document management systems used in the construction industry have failed to deliver the anticipated performance. Recent research attempts to utilize analysis of the contents of documents to improve document categorization and retrieval functions. It is hypothesized that natural language processing can be effectively used to perform document text analysis. The proposed system, technique for concept relation identification using shallow parsing (CRISP), utilizes a shallow parser to extract semantic knowledge from construction contract documents which can be used to improve electronic document management functions such as document categorization and retrieval. When compared with human evaluators, CRISP achieved almost 80% of the average kappa score attained by the evaluators, and approximately 90% of their F-measure score.
The effect of ultraviolet light on the cyclic nucleotide system of human fibroblasts.

— The concentrations of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in human skin fibroblasts in culture were determined after exposing the cells to varying fluences of UV (254 nm) light. The cyclic nucleotide concentrations of cells irradiated in the log phase of growth were unchanged relative to controls. In contrast, there was a rise in the concentration of cyclic AMP in cells irradiated after they reached confluency. The increase in concentration was observed as early as 30 min after irradiation, reached a maximum of about 200% of control at 4 to 6 h after exposure, and returned to control values by 24 h after irradiation. The effect was proportional to a UV fluence from 5 to 20 J/m2, and was blocked by the addition of the UV absorbing agent para-aminobenzoic acid. In contrast, our results indicated that UV light had no effect on the concentration of cyclic GMP in human fibroblast cell cultures. Because of the importance of cyclic nucleotides in the regulation of cellular function, it is reasonable to hypothesize that changes in cyclic AMP induced by UV light may affect the extranuclear functions of irradiated cells.
Parent-Child Interaction: A Prototype for Parent Education.

Parent education in the 1980's must address such issues as the prosumer movement, cost efficiency, prevention rather than remediation, program availability, and evaluation. Parent-Child Interactions, a model designed to instruct parents to teach their preschool children basic cognitive and perceptual skills, is responsive to these current issues and concerns. The model is explained and studies testing it are reported.
Quantitative PCR for Genetic Markers of Human Fecal Pollution

Assessment of health risk and fecal bacterial loads associated with human fecal pollution requires reliable host-specific analytical methods and a rapid quantification approach. We report the development of quantitative PCR assays for quantification of two recently described human-specific genetic markers targeting Bacteroidales-like cell surface-associated genes. Each assay exhibited a range of quantification from 10 to 1 × 106 copies of target DNA. For each assay, internal amplification controls were developed to detect the presence or absence of amplification inhibitors. The assays predominantly detected human fecal specimens and exhibited specificity levels greater than 97% when tested against 265 fecal DNA extracts from 22 different animal species. The abundance of each human-specific genetic marker in primary effluent wastewater samples collected from 20 geographically distinct locations was measured and compared to quantities estimated by real-time PCR assays specific for rRNA gene sequences from total Bacteroidales and enterococcal fecal microorganisms. Assay performances combined with the prevalence of DNA targets in sewage samples provide experimental evidence supporting the potential application of these quantitative methods for monitoring fecal pollution in ambient environmental waters.
Regulatable Arabinose-Inducible Gene Expression System with Consistent Control in All Cells of a Culture

The arabinose-inducible promoter P(BAD) is subject to all-or-none induction, in which intermediate concentrations of arabinose give rise to subpopulations of cells that are fully induced and uninduced. To construct a host-vector expression system with regulatable control in a homogeneous population of cells, the araE gene of Escherichia coli was cloned into an RSF1010-derived plasmid under control of the isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside-inducible P(tac) and P(taclac) promoters. This gene encodes the low-affinity, high-capacity arabinose transport protein and is controlled natively by an arabinose-inducible promoter. To detect the effect of arabinose-independent araE expression on population homogeneity and cell-specific expression, the gfpuv gene was placed under control of the arabinose-inducible araBAD promoter (P(BAD)) on the pMB1-derived plasmid pBAD24. The transporter and reporter plasmids were transformed into E. coli strains with native arabinose transport systems and strains deficient in one or both of the arabinose transport systems (araE and/or araFGH). The effects of the arabinose concentration and arabinose-independent transport control on population homogeneity were investigated in these strains using flow cytometry. The araE, and araE araFGH mutant strains harboring the transporter and reporter plasmids were uniformly induced across the population at all inducer concentrations, and the level of gene expression in individual cells varied with arabinose concentration. In contrast, the parent strain, which expressed the native araE and araFGH genes and harbored the transporter and reporter plasmids, exhibited all-or-none behavior. This work demonstrates the importance of including a transport gene that is controlled independently of the inducer to achieve regulatable and consistent induction in all cells of the culture.
A capture-recapture model of amphidromous fish dispersal

Adult movement scale was quantified for two tropical Caribbean diadromous fishes, bigmouth sleeper Gobiomorus dormitor and mountain mullet Agonostomus monticola, using passive integrated transponders (PITs) and radio-telemetry. Large numbers of fishes were tagged in Rio Mameyes, Puerto Rico, U.S.A., with PITs and monitored at three fixed locations over a 2·5 year period to estimate transition probabilities between upper and lower elevations and survival probabilities with a multistate Cormack–Jolly–Seber model. A sub-set of fishes were tagged with radio-transmitters and tracked at weekly intervals to estimate fine-scale dispersal. Changes in spatial and temporal distributions of tagged fishes indicated that neither G. dormitor nor A. monticola moved into the lowest, estuarine reaches of Rio Mameyes during two consecutive reproductive periods, thus demonstrating that both species follow an amphidromous, rather than catadromous, migratory strategy. Further, both species were relatively sedentary, with restricted linear ranges. While substantial dispersal of these species occurs at the larval stage during recruitment to fresh water, the results indicate minimal dispersal in spawning adults. Successful conservation of diadromous fauna on tropical islands requires management at both broad basin and localized spatial scales.
Production of interleukin 1 activity by cultured human melanoma cells.

A panel of melanoma cell lines derived from 7 primary and 20 metastatic lesions was tested for the production of interleukin 1 (IL-1) in standard mouse thymocyte costimulation assays. Constitutively produced IL-1 activity was found in the conditioned media of 4 of 7 primary and 5 of 20 metastatic melanoma cell lines tested. Four of 9 cell lines secreting IL-1 were also shown to contain cell-associated activity in their lysates. Melanoma-conditioned media were, however, unable to support the growth of CTLL, an interleukin 2-dependent cell line. The secreted IL-1 activity was significantly inhibited by antibodies to recombinant IL-1α (3 of 3 lines), but not antibody to recombinant IL-1β. When conditioned medium from one cell line was fractionated on a Superose 12 column by fast protein liquid chromatography, a major peak of activity eluted at M r 22,500–27,500. The presence of 2.2-kilobase mRNA hybridizing a probe for IL-1α and 1.6-kilobase mRNA hybridizing a probe for IL-1β was detected by Northern blot in 3 of 4 secreting cell lines but not in a nonsecreting line. Taken together, these results suggest that cultured melanoma cells produce the cytokine IL-1α, although the relationship between melanoma IL-1 and monocyte IL-1 is unclear. The production of IL-1 by melanoma cells is of interest because of its potential roles in the biology of melanoma through direct effects on tumor growth or through indirect effects on adjacent stromal and endothelial cells and infiltrating lymphoid cells.
Giving Nonselective Downsizing a Performance Review

The failures of performance management (PM) systems are well known, as is the popularity of downsizing as a corporate strategy. We suggest that the factors integral to the success of PM, such as em...
The influence of personality and ability on undergraduate teamwork and team performance

The ability to work effectively on a team is highly valued by employers, and collaboration among students can lead to intrinsic motivation, increased persistence, and greater transferability of skills. Moreover, innovation often arises from multidisciplinary teamwork. The influence of personality and ability on undergraduate teamwork and performance is not comprehensively understood. An investigation was undertaken to explore correlations between team outcomes, personality measures and ability in an undergraduate population. Team outcomes included various self-, peer- and instructor ratings of skills, performance, and experience. Personality measures and ability involved the Five-Factor Model personality traits and GPA. Personality, GPA, and teamwork survey data, as well as instructor evaluations were collected from upper division team project courses in engineering, business, political science, and industrial design at a large public university. Characteristics of a multidisciplinary student team project were briefly examined. Personality, in terms of extraversion scores, was positively correlated with instructors’ assessment of team performance in terms of oral and written presentation scores, which is consistent with prior research. Other correlations to instructor-, students’ self- and peer-ratings were revealed and merit further study. The findings in this study can be used to understand important influences on successful teamwork, teamwork instruction and intervention and to understand the design of effective curricula in this area moving forward.
Differences in Attachment of Salmonella enterica Serovars and Escherichia coli O157:H7 to Alfalfa Sprouts

Numerous Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreaks have been associated with contaminated sprouts. We examined how S. enterica serovars, E. coli serotypes, and nonpathogenic bacteria isolated from alfalfa sprouts grow on and adhere to alfalfa sprouts. Growth on and adherence to sprouts were not significantly different among different serovars of S. enterica, but all S. enterica serovars grew on and adhered to alfalfa sprouts significantly better than E. coli O157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 was essentially rinsed from alfalfa sprouts with repeated washing steps, while 1 to 2 log CFU of S. enterica remained attached per sprout. S. enterica Newport adhered to 3-day-old sprouts as well as Pantoea agglomerans and 10-fold more than Pseudomonas putida and Rahnella aquatilis, whereas the growth rates of all four strains throughout seed sprouting were similar. S. enterica Newport and plant-associated bacteria adhered 10- to 1,000-fold more than E. coli O157:H7; however, three of four other E. coli serotypes, isolated from cabbage roots exposed to sewage water following a spill, adhered to sprouts better than E. coli O157:H7 and as well as the Pseudomonas and Rahnella strains. Therefore, attachment to alfalfa sprouts among E. coli serotypes is variable, and nonpathogenic strains of E. coli to be used as surrogates for the study of pathogenic E. coli may be difficult to identify and should be selected carefully, with knowledge of the biology being examined.
Functional anticodon architecture of human tRNALys3 includes disruption of intraloop hydrogen bonding by the naturally occurring amino acid modification, t6A.

The structure of the human tRNA(Lys3) anticodon stem and loop domain (ASL(Lys3)) provides evidence of the physicochemical contributions of N6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine (t(6)A(37)) to tRNA(Lys3) functions. The t(6)A(37)-modified anticodon stem and loop domain of tRNA(Lys3)(UUU) (ASL(Lys3)(UUU)- t(6)A(37)) with a UUU anticodon is bound by the appropriately programmed ribosomes, but the unmodified ASL(Lys3)(UUU) is not [Yarian, C., Marszalek, M., Sochacka, E., Malkiewicz, A., Guenther, R., Miskiewicz, A., and Agris, P. F., Biochemistry 39, 13390-13395]. The structure, determined to an average rmsd of 1.57 +/- 0.33 A (relative to the mean structure) by NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics, is the first reported of an RNA in which a naturally occurring hypermodified nucleoside was introduced by automated chemical synthesis. The ASL(Lys3)(UUU)-t(6)A(37) loop is significantly different than that of the unmodified ASL(Lys3)(UUU), although the five canonical base pairs of both ASL(Lys3)(UUU) stems are in the standard A-form of helical RNA. t(6)A(37), 3'-adjacent to the anticodon, adopts the form of a tricyclic nucleoside with an intraresidue H-bond and enhances base stacking on the 3'-side of the anticodon loop. Critically important to ribosome binding, incorporation of the modification negates formation of an intraloop U(33).A(37) base pair that is observed in the unmodified ASL(Lys3)(UUU). The anticodon wobble position U(34) nucleobase in ASL(Lys3)(UUU)-t(6)A(37) is significantly displaced from its position in the unmodified ASL and directed away from the codon-binding face of the loop resulting in only two anticodon bases for codon binding. This conformation is one explanation for ASL(Lys3)(UUU) tendency to prematurely terminate translation and -1 frame shift. At the pH 5.6 conditions of our structure determination, A(38) is protonated and positively charged in ASL(Lys3)(UUU)-t(6)A(37) and the unmodified ASL(Lys3)(UUU). The ionized carboxylic acid moiety of t(6)A(37) possibly neutralizes the positive charge of A(+)(38). The protonated A(+)(38) can base pair with C(32), but t(6)A(37) may weaken the interaction through steric interference. From these results, we conclude that ribosome binding cannot simply be an induced fit of the anticodon stem and loop, otherwise the unmodified ASL(Lys3)(UUU) would bind as well as ASL(Lys3)(UUU)-t(6)A(37). t(6)A(37) and other position 37 modifications produce the open, structured loop required for ribosomal binding.
Amazonian Linguistics: Studies in Lowland South American Languages

Amazonian Linguistics: Studies in Lowland South American Languages. Doris L. Payne (editor). Austin: University of Texas Press, 1990. 584 pp.,. figures, 77 tables. $42.50 (cloth). ISBN 0-292-70414-3.
Nonencapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae causes otitis media during single-species infection and during polymicrobial infection with nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

Streptococcus pneumoniae strains lacking capsular polysaccharide have been increasingly reported in carriage and disease contexts. Since most cases of otitis media involve more than one bacterial species, we aimed to determine the capacity of a nonencapsulated S. pneumoniae clinical isolate to induce disease in the context of a single-species infection and as a polymicrobial infection with nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Using the chinchilla model of otitis media, we found that nonencapsulated S. pneumoniae colonizes the nasopharynx following intranasal inoculation, but does not readily ascend into the middle ear. However, when we inoculated nonencapsulated S. pneumoniae directly into the middle ear, the bacteria persisted for two weeks post-inoculation and induced symptoms consistent with chronic otitis media. During coinfection with nontypeable H. influenzae, both species persisted for one week and induced polymicrobial otitis media. We also observed that nontypeable H. influenzae conferred passive protection from killing by amoxicillin upon S. pneumoniae from within polymicrobial biofilms in vitro. Therefore, based on these results, we conclude that nonencapsulated pneumococci are a potential causative agent of chronic/recurrent otitis media, and can also cause mutualistic infection with other opportunists, which could complicate treatment outcomes.
Some optical properties of myosin and tropomyosin.

The optical rotatory dispersion (ORD), and to a lesser extent the circular dichroism (CD) of the proteins tropomyosin and myosin have been extensively studied. The effect of aging and of certain reagents on these optical properties, relating to helical contents, were observed. As expected, spectra typical of right-handed, α-helices were found, with helical contents of 60–65% for myosin and 97–100% for tropomyosin. Studies were made to find which aqueous salt solutions would permit rotation observations in the far ultraviolet and also dissolve these proteins. The presence or absence of sulfhydryl groups (SH) were found to have no effect on helicity, and it is suggested that both proteins have an identical helical portion of 40%.