cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner) maize and conventional measures for control of the European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

Field experiments were conducted in 1997 to compare the efficacy Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner) maize hybrids and two conventional measures for control of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner). Treatments consisted of transgenic Bt maize hybrids and their non-Bt isolines, and isolines treated with a formulated Bt or permethrin insecticide. All control measures significantly reduced O. nubilalis damage in terms of tunnels per plant, length of tunneling, and larvae per plant. The following hierarchy in terms of O. nubilalis efficacy was observed: transgenic Bt > permethrin > formulated Bt > control. In most cases, transgenic Bt maize was most effective in preventing European corn borer damage to ear shanks and generally produced the highest grain yields.
Anxiety sensitivity and bodily kinematics.

Abstract Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is an individual difference factor reflecting the fear of anxiety-related sensations and is one of the best researched risk factors for psychopathology. Decades of research have focused on exploring the relations between AS and clinical symptoms and disorders, although most of the research has employed self-report or interview-based methodologies to index primary dependent measures. No past research has sought to characterize the explanatory relevance of AS from a body kinematics perspective. The present study explored AS in relation to body kinematics to AS-specific images using a dual-task attentional control paradigm (i.e., approach versus avoidance) that employs AS-specific stimuli and motion-tracking technology. Participants included 108 young adults (58.3% female, M age = 25.3) who took part in a ball catching game to index their measures of behavioral engagement with the AS-specific and neutral stimuli presented at either side of the game environment. After adjusting for age, gender, race, handedness, physical functioning, and negative affectivity, self-reported AS was significantly associated with biokinematically-driven behavioral engagement with the AS-specific stimuli. The present study provides novel empirical evidence that AS is related to anxiety-related bodily kinematics. Future work is needed to extend the current results to clinical samples.
Effects of bulk charged impurities on the bulk and surface transport in three-dimensional topological insulators

In the three-dimensional topological insulator (TI), the physics of doped semiconductors exists literally side-by-side with the physics of ultrarelativistic Dirac fermions. This unusual pairing creates a novel playground for studying the interplay between disorder and electronic transport. In this mini-review, we focus on the disorder caused by the three-dimensionally distributed charged impurities that are ubiquitous in TIs, and we outline the effects it has on both the bulk and surface transport in TIs. We present self-consistent theories for Coulomb screening both in the bulk and at the surface, discuss the magnitude of the disorder potential in each case, and present results for the conductivity. In the bulk, where the band gap leads to thermally activated transport, we show how disorder leads to a smaller-than-expected activation energy that gives way to variable-range hopping at low temperatures. We confirm this enhanced conductivity with numerical simulations that also allow us to explore different degrees of impurity compensation. For the surface, where the TI has gapless Dirac modes, we present a theory of disorder and screening of deep impurities, and we calculate the corresponding zero-temperature conductivity. We also comment on the growth of the disorder potential in passing from the surface of the TI into the bulk. Finally, we discuss how the presence of a gap at the Dirac point, introduced by some source of time-reversal symmetry breaking, affects the disorder potential at the surface and the mid-gap density of states.
LINKING Lyα AND LOW-IONIZATION TRANSITIONS AT LOW OPTICAL DEPTH

We suggest that low optical depth in the Lyman continuum (LyC) may relate the Lyα emission, C II and Si II absorption, and C II* and Si II* emission seen in high-redshift galaxies. We base this analysis on Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic Origins Spectrograph spectra of four Green Pea (GP) galaxies, which may be analogs of z > 2 Lyα emitters (LAEs). In the two GPs with the strongest Lyα emission, the Lyα line profiles show reduced signs of resonant scattering. Instead, the Lyα profiles resemble the Hα line profiles of evolved star ejecta, suggesting that the Lyα emission originates from a low column density and similar outflow geometry. The weak C II absorption and presence of non-resonant C II* emission in these GPs support this interpretation and imply a low LyC optical depth along the line of sight. In two additional GPs, weak Lyα emission and strong C II absorption suggest a higher optical depth. These two GPs differ in their Lyα profile shapes and C II* emission strengths, however, indicating different inclinations of the outflows to our line of sight. With these four GPs as examples, we explain the observed trends linking Lyα, C II, and C II* in stacked LAE spectra, in the context of optical depth and geometric effects. Specifically, in some galaxies with strong Lyα emission, a low LyC optical depth may allow Lyα to escape with reduced scattering. Furthermore, C II absorption, C II* emission, and Lyα profile shape can reveal the optical depth, constrain the orientation of neutral outflows in LAEs, and identify candidate LyC emitters.
First-principles versus semi-empirical modeling of global and local electronic transport properties of graphene nanopore-based sensors for DNA sequencing

Using first-principles quantum transport simulations, based on the nonequilibrium Green function formalism combined with density functional theory (NEGF+DFT), we examine changes in the total and local electronic currents within the plane of graphene nanoribbon with zigzag edges (ZGNR) hosting a nanopore which are induced by inserting a DNA nucleobase into the pore. We find a sizable change of the zero-bias conductance of two-terminal ZGNR + nanopore device after the nucleobase is placed into the most probable position (according to molecular dynamics trajectories) inside the nanopore of a small diameter $$D=1.2$$D=1.2 nm. Although such effect decreases as the nanopore size is increased to $$D=1.7$$D=1.7 nm, the contrast between currents in ZGNR + nanopore and ZGNR + nanopore + nucleobase systems can be enhanced by applying a small bias voltage $$V_b \lesssim 0.1$$Vb?0.1 V. This is explained microscopically as being due to DNA nucleobase-induced modification of spatial profile of local current density around the edges of ZGNR. We repeat the same analysis using NEGF combined with self-consistent charge density functional tight-binding (NEGF+SCC-DFTB) or self-consistent extended Huckel (NEGF+SC-EH) semi-empirical methodologies. The large discrepancy we find between the results obtained from NEGF+DFT vs. those obtained from NEGF+SCC-DFTB or NEGF+SC-EH approaches could be of great importance when selecting proper computational algorithms for in silico design of optimal nanoelectronic sensors for rapid DNA sequencing.
Unification of the Two Koreas: Comparative Examination of Media Coverage on the Unified Women’s Ice Hockey Team across South Korea, the United States, and China

This study examined the media coverage of a unified Korean women’s ice hockey team between North and South Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, the United States, and China. Framing th...
Hiding in the dark: pan-cancer characterization of expression and clinical relevance of CD40 to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

HIGHLIGHTS CD40 expression correlates with the type I anti-tumor response and better survival. Pan-cancer bioinformatics characterization reveals reduced CD40 expression in 11 cancer types, including RASmut melanoma compared to nevi. RAS mutation correlates with reduced CD40 expression in malignant melanoma. CD40 expression is associated with better response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy in melanoma.
Screening and characterization of β-galactosidase activity in lactic acid bacteria for the valorization of acid whey

Abstract β-Galactosidase is an enzyme produced by some strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) commonly found in dairy products; however, industrial demand for these enzymes is still low. Acid whey (AW), a lactose-rich byproduct, has large output from cottage cheese and remains unexploited. The purpose of this study was to understand the production mechanism of β-galactosidase from LAB using AW as a culture medium. First, bioinformatics analysis was conducted on 15 species of LAB. Then, 24 strains were selected and inoculated in de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) broth and in AW medium to compare the bacterial kinetic growth and β-galactosidase production. Bacterial growth and total protein activity were measured using spectrophotometric techniques. β-Galactosidase activity was determined by 2 methods: following the hydrolysis of o-nitrophenyl-β- d -galactopyranoside and of 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl-β- d -galactopyranoside (X-gal) in tryptic soy agar plates. The relative expression of the β-galactosidase gene was performed using real-time quantitative PCR. Despite generally lower growth in AW, 18 strains showed higher β-galactosidase activity when grown in AW compared with MRS medium. The highest β-galactosidase activity in AW was in Lactobacillus helveticus strain OSU-PECh-4A, which showed almost 5 times higher activity than average. Analysis of 6 selected strains for expression of the bgal-620 gene found higher overexpression in AW than in MRS, regardless of specific β-galactosidase activity. Strains of LAB such as OSU-PECh-4A could valorize AW through the production of β-galactosidase (as an aid to lactose digestion) and production of prebiotic galactooligosaccharides.
Adenoma detection rate in high-risk patients differs from that in average-risk patients

Background Adenoma detection rates (ADRs) are established as quality targets in average-risk (AR) individuals undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening colonoscopy. Little is known about the ADR in high-risk (HR) individuals undergoing index or surveillance colonoscopy. Objective To determine and compare ADR in HR versus AR individuals undergoing colonoscopy. Design and Setting Retrospective study, tertiary care center. Patients and Intervention We reviewed records of 7357 patients who underwent colonoscopy by 66 multispecialty endoscopists at our institution during the period 2008 to 2009. Both screening and surveillance colonoscopies in AR and HR patients for CRC were studied. HR patients were further divided into 3 subgroups: those with a (1) personal history of polyps (PHP), (2) family history of polyps (FHP), and (3) family history of CRC (FHCRC). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate differences in ADR between the groups after adjusting for possible confounders. Main Outcome Measurements ADR in HR patients. Results The study included 4141 patients, of whom 2170 were AR and 1971 were HR. Patients in the HR group were older (64.5 ± 9.1 years vs 59.1 ± 7.9 years, P P P P P P = .15 for females and 0.93; 95% CI, 0.70-1.2; P = .61 for males). HR females were found to have a 40% greater likelihood of having proximal adenomas than AR females (1.4; 95% CI, 1.01-2; P = .04). Limitations Retrospective design, single tertiary center. Conclusions Patients with a PHP have a significantly higher ADR compared with AR patients. Defining a minimum target ADR for individuals with a PHP undergoing surveillance colonoscopy is important.
A Comparison of Telephone Genetic Counseling and In‐Person Genetic Counseling from the Genetic Counselor's Perspective

Growing demand for and limited geographic access to genetic counseling services is increasing the need for alternative service delivery models (SDM) like telephone genetic counseling (TGC). Little research has been done on genetic counselors’ perspectives of the practice of TGC. We created an anonymous online survey to assess whether telephone genetic counselors believed the tasks identified in the ABGC (American Board of Genetic Counseling) Practice Analysis were performed similarly or differently in TGC compared to in person genetic counseling (IPGC). If there were differences noted, we sought to determine the nature of the differences and if additional training might be needed to address them. Eighty eight genetic counselors with experience in TGC completed some or all of the survey. Respondents identified differences in 13 (14.8 %) of the 88 tasks studied. The tasks identified as most different in TGC were: “establishing rapport through verbal and nonverbal interactions” (60.2 %; 50/83 respondents identified the task as different), “recognizing factors affecting the counseling interaction” (47.8 %; 32/67), “assessing client/family emotions, support, etc.” (40.1 %; 27/66) and “educating clients about basic genetic concepts” (35.6 %; 26/73). A slight majority (53.8 %; 35/65) felt additional training was needed to communicate information without visual aids and more effectively perform psychosocial assessments. In summary, although a majority of genetic counseling tasks are performed similarly between TGC and IPGC, TGC counselors recognize that specific training in the TGC model may be needed to address the key differences.
Augmented Solute Reduction in Diseases Treated by Extracorporeal Detoxification Systems: X-Effect Hypothesis

As early as 20 years ago (Mito et al. 1960), changes in circulating blood cellular elements were noted during extracorporeal circulation, particularly at the onset. In these early studies with extracorporeal membrane devices, decreases in leukocytes in the first 15–30 min of perfusion were noted and related to changes in their body distribution. Increases mainly in the lung capillaries were noted with related pulmonary functional changes. Serum taken from an animal on extracorporeal circulation, injected into a healthy animal, gave decreases in circulatory polymorphs. A humoral factor was thus implicated in those changes seen with extracorporeal circulation.
On the use of polarized radar measurements for vegetation studies

Radar engineers have used several polarization combinations (HH, HV, VV, and/or VH) in the design of radar imagers and scatterometers for remote sensing research and applications. Scientists have explored their use for vegetation identification, mapping, and canopy condition assessment. In some cases, one polarization combination or another has produced good results; however, the results have not been consistent. In this paper, the use of polarized radar measurements is considered for vegetation studies on a theoretical basis to define ways of isolating parameters related to canopy structure and composition in the presence of backscattering from the underlying surface. It is found that scientists should use all three polarization combinations (VV, HH, and VH or HV) and their ratios.
Routing overhead optimization in smart grid networks

This paper presents a routing overhead optimization algorithm called Staggered Link Quality algorithm to reduce routing overhead in large scale smart grid networks that use reactive routing protocols. A reduction in routing overhead will result in higher channel utilization and improved throughput. The proposed algorithm is evaluated over both power line and wireless network through experimental and simulation results. It is shown that the proposed algorithm not only reduces routing overhead but also reduces route discovery time and establishes near optimal paths. Reduction in routing overhead of up to 85% is observed under certain network conditions.
The sustainability revolution : A societal paradigm shift - ethos, innovation, government transformation

The Sustainability revolution: A societal paradigm shift – ethos, innovation, governance transformationThis paper identifies several key mechanisms that underlie major paradigm shifts. After identifying four such mechanisms, the article focuses on one type of transformation which has a prominent place in the sustainability revolution that the article argues is now taking place. The transformation is piecemeal, incremental, diffuse – in earlier writings referred to as ”organic”. This is a more encompassing notion than grassroots, since the innovation and transformation processes may be launched and developed at multiple levels through diverse mechanisms of discovery and development. Major features of the sustainability revolution are identified and comparisons made to the industrial revolution.
Phospholipid metabolism by phagocytic cells: I. A comparison of conversion of [32P]lysolecithin to lecithin and glycerylphosphorylcholine by homogenates of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes and alveolar macrophages

Abstract A comparison has been made of the metabolism of lysolecithin by homogenates of two types of phagocytic cells which differ in their intermediary metabolic pathways, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and alveolar macrophages obtained from rabbits. Using lysolecithin labeled with 32P and [1-14C]labeled fatty acid, evidence was obtained for the direct conversion of lysolecithin to lecithin by two synthetic mechanisms: At physiologic pH and at low lysolecithin concentration acylation of lysolecithin accounts for lecithin formation. The extent and properties of this enzymatic activity appear closely similar in homogenates of leukocytes and macrophages. In addition, confirming an earlier report, at acid pH and at higher lysolecithin concentration, the reaction 2 lysolecithin → lecithin and glycerylphosphorylcholine operates in the leukocyte homogenates. This activity, in contrast to the acylating activity, is not sedimented by centrifugation at 100000 × g for 1 h, does not require addition of ATP and CoA and produces much more lecithin. Compared with leukocytes, macrophage homogenates have a smaller capacity for conversion of lysolecithin to lecithin at higher lysolecithin concentrations. At all concentrations studied, lecithin-forming activity was dependent on added ATP and CoA and was sedimented by centrifugation at 100000 × g for 1 h. No definite conclusion was reached concerning the separate occurrence in macrophage homogenates of the transfer reaction (2 lysolecithin → lecithin and glycerylphosphorylcholine). As has previously been shown for leukocytes, macrophages also contain phospholipase A (EC 3.1.1.4) and lysolecithinase (EC 3.1.1.5) activities.
Instability Patterns, Wakes and Topological Limit Sets

Many hydrodynamic instability patterns can be put into correspondence with a subset of characteristic surfaces of tangential discontinuities. These topological limits sets to systems of hyperbolic PDE’s are locally unstable, but a certain subset associated with minimal surfaces are globally stabilized, persistent and non-dissipative. Sections of these surfaces are the spiral scrolls so often observed in hydrodynamic wakes. This method of wake production does not depend explicitly upon viscosity.
Mitochondrial K(ATP) channel as an end effector of cardioprotection during late preconditioning: triggering role of nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the "second-window" of ischemic preconditioning (PC). However, the identity of the end effector after initiation of preconditioning by NO is not known. It is likely that NO is involved in opening of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoK(ATP)) channels. We hypothesized that NO is an important trigger for the opening of mitoK(ATP) channels in the late phase of preconditioning and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) up-regulation via NF kappa B plays a critical role in diazoxide-induced cardioprotection. To examine this, diazoxide (7 mg/kg) was administered to wild-type (WT) mice and mice lacking the gene 24 hours before 40 minutes of global ischemia. Hearts were perfused in a Langendorff mode and effects of activation of mitoK(ATP) channel and other interventions on functional, biochemical and pathological changes in ischemic hearts were assessed. In hearts from WT mice treated diazoxide, left-ventricular-developed pressure, end-diastolic pressure and coronary flow were significantly improved after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was also significantly decreased, while ATP contents were significantly higher. Administration of 5-HD, a specific blocker of mitoK(ATP) channel or l -NAME, an inhibitor of iNOS before I/R, during diazoxide-pretreatment completely blocked the late cardioprotection against ischemia. Late cardioprotection was also blocked by inhibition of either PKC- delta by rottlerin or NF kappa B by DDTC before diazoxide pretreatment. Diazoxide pretreatment significantly increased nuclear translocation of p65 which was blocked by protein kinase C (PKC) or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition. Diazoxide was totally inefffective in iNOS knockout mice. These results suggest that diazoxide activates NF kappa B via PKC signaling pathway and that leads to iNOS up-regulation after 24 hours. NO which is generated upon ischemic stress triggers the opening of mitoK(ATP)channel as an end effector of cardioprotection during late PC.
Synthesis of a photoresponsive liquid-crystalline polymer containing azobenzene.

The synthesis of an oriented liquid-crystalline photoresponsive polymer, prepared by polymerization of mono- and di-acrylates, both of which contain azobenzene chromophores, is reported. The prepared free-standing polymer film shows strong reversible photoinduced deformation upon exposure to unpolarized UV light at 366 nm, as a result of an optically induced isomeric change of the azobenzene moieties in the polymer network. The synthesis process is relatively simple and more efficient compared to conventional ones, and can be used to synthesize other liquid-crystalline photoresponsive polymers. The use of this photoresponsive polymer film as an optical high-pass/low-pass switch under UV or natural light irradiation for a laser beam is demonstrated. This photoresponsive polymer may have applications in robotic systems, artificial muscles, and actuators in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and labs on chips.
Mucolytic Enzyme Systems. V. Anaphylactic Effects on Hydumnidase Inhibitor in Serum of Normal and Herpetic Rabbits.

SummaryHyaluronidase inhibitor in the blood serum of the rabbit was found to undergo no consistent change in concentration as the result of anaphylaxis induced by egg white. An elevation of the inhibitor level was observed during the acute phase of infection by Herpes simplex virus administered via the corneal route. Anaphylactic shock in rabbits which had recovered from the herpetic infection, administered via the leg route, resulted in elevated inhibitor values which were correlated with the severity of the disease thus precipitated from the latent state by the shock.
Do middle classes bring about institutional reforms

Abstract We reexamine the association between poverty, the middle class, and institutional outcomes using a newly developed cross-country panel dataset containing detailed information on the distribution of income and expenditure. When the size of the middle class increases (measured as the proportion of people with income above 10 US dollars a day in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms), social policy on health and education becomes more active and the quality of governance regarding democratic participation and official corruption improves. This does not occur at the expense of economic freedom, as an expansion of the middle class also implies more market-oriented economic policy on trade and finance. In these respects, the impact of a larger middle class appears to be more robust than those of lower poverty, lower inequality, or higher gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.
Lack of specific binding of labeledRhizobium japonicum lipopolysaccharides to wild soybean (Glycine soja) roots

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were extracted from two strains ofRhizobium japonicum (61A76NS and 3I1b110-I). The extracted LPS was purified by gel filtration column chromatography and the amount of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (KDO) was determined. Column purified LPS from both strains were conjugated to rhodamine isothiocyanate on celite to examine binding of this purified, labeled surface component to aseptically grownGlycine soja (wild soybean) seedlings as a basis for symbiotic specificity using fluorescent microscopy. Rhodamine conjugated LPS from both strains ofRhizobium japonicum did not exhibit specific binding to wild soybean seedling roots.
Students' illustrations of the human nervous system as a formative assessment tool

The purpose of this study was to explore students' knowledge and learning of the human nervous system (HNS) in an introductory undergraduate Human Anatomy and Physiology course. Classroom observations, demographic data, a preinstructional unit test with drawings, and a postinstructional unit test with drawings were used to identify students' overall knowledge and learning during the unit of study. Quantitative and qualitative analysis indicate that students have an initially poor understanding of the nervous system with many prevailing alternative conceptions. These alternative conceptions include both structural and functional components and often incorporate colloquial use of language. Findings reveal students include the heart as a major component of the HNS, a reflex arc illustrated by the action rather than structure, and types of neurons (unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar) differentiated by charge or number of cell bodies rather than structural arrangement. Classroom instruction coupled with concurrent laboratory participation provided experiences for students to overcome some of their alternative conceptions. The finding of this research suggest that instructors should be aware of the students' prevailing alternative conceptions prior to instruction and that use of drawings as a formative assessment tool is an excellent way to collect such information. Anat Sci Educ 3:227–233, 2010. © 2010 American Association of Anatomists.
Extracting phylogenetic signals from multi-labeled gene trees and its significance for species tree construction

The frequent agreement subtree (FAST) problem provides an effective approach for extracting highly supported subtrees from collections of conflicting phylogenetic tree topologies. Efficient heuristics exist to extract maximal FASTs (i.e., MFASTs) from single-labeled trees (i.e., trees with each taxon appearing at most once). Many classes of phylogenetic trees, such as gene trees, are however multi-labeled (i.e., they may contain multiple copies of each taxon). No methods exist for identifying MFASTs from such trees. In this paper, we develop a new method for constructing phylogeny of species from a given collection of gene trees. Our method works in two steps. It first identifies MFASTs from a given set of gene trees. These MFASTs typically cover small portions of the species tree. It then uses these MFASTs to construct the species tree. Our key algorithmic contribution is that our method allows for multi-labeled input trees, which is the central characteristic of the gene trees. Our results demonstrate that our method is able to find MFASTs in a wide range of multi-labeled synthetic and real datasets efficiently and accurately. We also demonstrate that the resulting MFASTs are highly supported subtrees and informative in phylogenetic analyses. This provides a new approach for identifying the strongest phylogenetic signals from large genomic datasets. The resulting MFASTs may be useful for phylogenetic inference, by eliminating noise in gene tree topologies.
Evidence for a Physical Association between the Shc-PTB Domain and the βc Chain of the Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Receptor

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) regulates the growth and function of several myeloid cell types at different stages of maturation. The effects of GM-CSF are mediated through a high affinity receptor that is composed of two chains: a unique, ligand-specific alpha chain and a beta common chain (beta c) that is also a component of the receptors for interleukin 3 (IL-3) and IL-5. Beta c plays an essential role in the transduction of extra cellular signals to the nucleus through its recruitment of secondary messengers. Several downstream signaling events induced by GM-CSF stimulation have been described, including activation of tyrosine kinases and tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins (including beta c) and activation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase and the JAK/STAT pathways. A region within the beta c cytoplasmic tail (amino acids 517-763) has been reported to be necessary for tyrosine phosphorylation of the adapter protein, Shc, and for the subsequent GM-CSF-induced activation of Ras. In this paper, we describe a physical association between the tyrosine phosphorylated GM-CSF receptor (GMR)-beta c chain and Shc in vivo. Using a series of cytoplasmic truncation mutants of beta c and various mutant Shc proteins, we demonstrate that the N-terminal phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain of Shc binds to a short region of beta c (amino acids 549-656) that contains Tyr577. Addition of a specific phosphopeptide encoding amino acids surrounding this tyrosine inhibited the interaction between beta c and shc. Moreover, mutation of a key residue within the phosphotyrosine binding pocket of the Shc-PTB domain abrogated its association with beta c. These observations provide an explanation for the previously described requirement for Tyr577 of beta c for GM-CSF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and have implications for Ras activation through the GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5 receptors.
RWA using wavelength ordering for crosstalk limited networks

A wavelength ordering technique is proposed to combat adjacent-channel crosstalk in wavelength-routed optical networks. The blocking probability using ordering approaches the performance of QoS-aware wavelength assignment algorithms with the same complexity as traditional techniques.
Analysis of air pollutants by PIXE: The second decade

Abstract Analysis of air pollution by PIXE was the earliest and one of the most successful applications of the technique. In the first decade that followed the pioneering paper of Johansson et al. in 1970 [1], many innovative programs grew up around the technique. By 1980, five of the six largest PIXE groups in the world listed analyses of air pollutants as their most numerous sample type [2], with more than 30000 analyses in the year 1979 alone. The purpose of this article is to examine the role of PIXE in air pollution in the second decade, to see to what degree the bright promises of the 1970s have been realized, to examine the reasons for the successes and the failures, and to attempt to use this information to predict the role of PIXE in the next decade.
Nucleosomes Containing Methylated DNA Stabilize DNA Methyltransferases 3A/3B and Ensure Faithful Epigenetic Inheritance

How epigenetic information is propagated during somatic cell divisions is still unclear but is absolutely critical for preserving gene expression patterns and cellular identity. Here we show an unanticipated mechanism for inheritance of DNA methylation patterns where the epigenetic mark not only recruits the catalyzing enzyme but also regulates the protein level, i.e. the enzymatic product (5-methylcytosine) determines the level of the methylase, thus forming a novel homeostatic inheritance system. Nucleosomes containing methylated DNA stabilize de novo DNA methyltransferases, DNMT3A/3B, allowing little free DNMT3A/3B enzymes to exist in the nucleus. Stabilization of DNMT3A/3B on nucleosomes in methylated regions further promotes propagation of DNA methylation. However, reduction of cellular DNA methylation levels creating more potential CpG substrates counter-intuitively results in a dramatic decrease of DNMT3A/3B proteins due to diminished nucleosome binding and subsequent degradation of the unstable free proteins. These data show an unexpected self-regulatory inheritance mechanism that not only ensures somatic propagation of methylated states by DNMT1 and DNMT3A/3B enzymes but also prevents aberrant de novo methylation by causing degradation of free DNMT3A/3B enzymes.
Effect of Wheelchair Tilt-in-Space and Recline Angles on Skin Perfusion Over the Ischial Tuberosity in People With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract Jan Y-K, Jones MA, Rabadi MH, Foreman RD, Thiessen A. Effect of wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline angles on skin perfusion over the ischial tuberosity in people with spinal cord injury. Objective To investigate the efficacy of wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline on enhancing skin perfusion over the ischial tuberosity in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Repeated-measures, intervention, and outcomes-measure design. Setting A university research laboratory. Participants Wheelchair users with SCI (N=11; 9 men, 2 women; mean ± SD age, 37.7±14.2y; body mass index, 24.7±2.6kg/m 2 ; duration of injury, 8.1±7.5y). Interventions Protocols (N=6) of various wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline angles were randomly assigned to participants. Each protocol consisted of a 5-minute sitting-induced ischemic period and a 5-minute wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline pressure-relieving period. Participants sat in a position without tilt or recline for 5 minutes and then sat in 1 of 6 wheelchair tilted and reclined positions, including (1) 15° tilt-in-space and 100° recline, (2) 25° tilt-in-space and 100° recline, (3) 35° tilt-in-space and 100° recline, (4) 15° tilt-in-space and 120° recline, (5) 25° tilt-in-space and 120° recline, and (6) 35° tilt-in-space and 120° recline. A 5-minute washout period (at 35° tilt-in-space and 120° recline) was allowed between protocols. Main Outcome Measures Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to measure skin perfusion over the ischial tuberosity in response to changes in body positions caused by performing wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline. Skin perfusion response to wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline was normalized to skin perfusion of the upright seated position (no tilt/recline). Results Combined with 100° recline, wheelchair tilt-in-space at 35° resulted in a significant increase in skin perfusion compared with the upright seated position (no tilt/recline; P P Conclusions Our results indicate that wheelchair tilt-in-space should be at least 35° for enhancing skin perfusion over the ischial tuberosity when combined with recline at 100° and should be at least 25° when combined with recline at 120°. Although smaller angles of wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline are preferred by wheelchair users for functional purposes, wheelchair tilt-in-space less than 25° and recline less than 100° may not be sufficient for effective pressure reduction for enhancing skin perfusion over the ischial tuberosity in people with SCI.
The GdF strike action crisis: cross-cultural lessons and applications

Commercial airports are powerful economic engines, generating jobs and substantial funds for regional, national, and global economies. The 2012 GdF strike action at Frankfurt International Airport represents a crisis scenario that not only threatened to disrupt the overall operations of the transport company, Fraport AG, but also global commerce and air traffic at large. While this crisis event jeopardised Fraport’s balance of quality service and economic competitiveness, the company still managed to maintain growth in the 2012 fiscal year. According to assumptions derived from total quality management principles, an effective management system ultimately impacts the quality of the organisation’s output. Fraport established its management system within a process- and value-oriented framework, thus its output (i.e., the overall customer experience) ranks among the best in the world. While observing the positive impact of Fraport’s integrated business model on its recovery from the GdF strike action, it is also worthwhile to consider other airports that struggle to recover as effectively from crisis events.
Structure and mutagenesis of the DNA modification-dependent restriction endonuclease AspBHI

Structure and mutagenesis of the DNA modification-dependent restriction endonuclease AspBHI
Stereochemical Investigations of Local Anesthetic Action

The toxicities and local anesthetic activities in a variety of assay systems are reported for a series of 1-alkyl-3-benzoyl-3-acyloxypiperidines. In solution, the procaine analog, XI, is conformationally more homogeneous than procaine about the 4-atom aminoethoxy unit and is 8 times more active and 16 times more toxic than procaine on a molar basis. This suggests that the preferred gauche-conformation of XI has positive biological significance for local anesthetic receptors on one hand and for CNS and/or cardiac receptors on the other hand, although this stereo-chemical feature discriminates in favor of CNS and/or cardiac receptors.
Weakly parallel tests in latent trait theory with some criticisms of classical test theory

A new concept of weakly parallel tests, in contrast to strongly parallel tests in latent trait theory, is proposed. Some criticisms of the fundamental concepts in classical test theory, such as the reliability of a test and the standard error of estimation, are given.
The effect of glyoxylate on photosynthesis and photorespiration by isolated soybean mesophyll cells.

Incubating isolated soybean leaf mesophyll cells with glyoxylate increased the rates of CO2 fixation by as much as 150%. In order to cause this stimulation, the glyoxylate must be presented to the cells before the NaHCO3. Significant stimulation was observed 15 seconds after beginning the glyoxylate treatment. The glyoxylate-dependent stimulation was increased by high O2 concentrations and decreased by high CO2 concentrations. Glyoxylate treatment resulted in a 71% inhibition in the rate of CO2 incorporation into glycolate and glycine. Glyoxylate may be stimulating net photosynthesis solely by decreasing photorespiration or it may be increasing the amount of CO2 fixed by both decreasing photorespiration and increasing gross photosynthesis. Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, when preactivated and assayed in situ, was unaffected by the glyoxylate treatment.
Exercise conditioning and intraocular pressure

We studied the intraocular pressure response to short-term maximal aerobic exertion before and after exercise conditioning in ten healthy sedentary volunteers. Before exercise conditioning, mean intraocular pressure ± S.E.M. decreased by 5.9 ± 0.6 mm Hg after short-term maximal aerobic exercise, returning to baseline in a mean of 37 ± 4 minutes. After four months of exercise conditioning, this ocular hypotensive response was significantly dampened, with a mean intraocular pressure reduction of only 1.6 ± 0.4 mm Hg after short-term maximal aerobic exercise (P
Spin and charge order around vortices and impurities in high-T(c) superconductors.

A comparative study is made for the spin and charge structure around superconducting vortices and unitary impurities, by solving self-consistently an effective Hamiltonian including interactions for both antiferromagnetic spin-density wave (SDW) and $d$-wave superconducting orderings. Around vortices, we show the induction of an SDW two-dimensionally modulated with a period of eight lattice constants ($8{a}_{0}$) and an associated charge-density wave (CDW) with a period of $4{a}_{0}$, which explains very well recent experimental observations. In the case of unitary impurities, an SDW modulation with identical periodicity, but without an associated CDW, is also predicted.
Ideologies of Violence: The Social Origins of Islamist and Leftist Transnational Terrorism

We evaluate the argument that Islamist terrorist attacks represent a distinctive "4th wave" of transnational terrorism that has supplanted Leftist terrorism. Drawing on ITERATE data for 1968-2003, the annual count of Leftist attacks has declined since the end of the Cold War while Islamist attacks have persisted and spiked upward in 2002-03. Pooled cross-sectional time-series regression demonstrates that the generation of Islamist terrorism is more deeply rooted in the social strains created by modernization, the competition between Islam and other religions, and the growth of secular government. Leftist terrorism was uniquely stimulated by Cold War rivalry (and subsequently declined thereafter). Both forms of transnational terrorism display a kindred nature, however, in that both are encouraged by the social strains of transitional development and the political opportunities created by increasing political rights. Moreover, foreign direct investment is associated with reduced transnational terrorism over time, calling into question theories that stress global order and anti-systemic violence against international capitalism.
Xanthine oxidase activity in rat brain

Abstract Xanthine oxidase activity was demonstrated in rat brain preparations by a spectrofluorometric method using pterine as a substrate. The activity of the enzyme in brain cytosol was 10 ± 4.3 nmoles/g protein per h (mean ± S.D.) as compared with an activity of 46.0 ± 24.9 μmoles/g protein per h in liver cytosol. Column chromatography of brain cytosol on Sephadex G-150 dextran resulted in elution of two peaks of 280 nm absorption. The first peak contained xanthine oxidase activity with a 174-fold increase in total activity over that measurable in the cytosol applied to the column, and an increase in specific activity to 2620.4 nmoles/g protein per h. The second peak contained an inhibitor to the enzyme assay. Similar chromatography of liver cytosol resulted in only a 1.54-fold increase in the yield of xanthine oxidase activity, a slight increase in specific activity to 54.9 μmoles/g protein per h and no detection of an inhibitor. The inhibitor separated from brain xanthine oxidase was identified as hypoxanthine by paper chromatography and its characteristic ultraviolet spectra. The brain enzyme had temperature and pH optima, apparent molecular weight, and kinetic properties similar to those of the liver enzyme. The presence of xanthine oxidase activity in brain tissue could contribute to the regulation of purine metabolism in the brain.
Lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions in membranes

Over the past decade spectroscopic methods (fluorescence, ESR, and NMR) have been used to provide new information about the molecular dynamics of lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions in membranes. The various methods of characterizing isotropic and anisotropic motion are described. Lipid bilayers are highly dynamic, with rapid acyl chain motion and rapid lateral diffusion in the plane of the membrane. In membranes where proteins penetrate through the bilayer, a large hydrophobic surface area exists in contact with the bilayer lipids. Lipids at the protein interface are in dynamic equilibrium with the remaining pools of bilayer. The protein has been shown spectroscopically to have some influence on the dynamics of the nearest neighbor lipids, leaving the rest of the bilayer relatively unperturbed. Evidence is summarized that, in some cases, the lipid composition in the interfacial region is influenced by the protein.
Chemical control of feeding behavior in Palythoa (zoanthidea, coelenterata)

Abstract 1. 1. The feeding response of the Hawaiian zoanthid Palythoa consists of three well-defined steps: lip formation, mouth opening and ingestion of solid food. 2. 2. The function of lip formation is to seize food and carry it to the mouth. It requires a mechanical and a chemical stimulus. 3. 3. Mouth opening and ingestion of food are both induced by the synergistic effect of proline and glutathione. 4. 4. The interaction between the α-imino acid and the tripeptide affects the intensity and speed of the response. 5. 5. The most effective combination to elicit feeding behavior in Palythoa is one formed by proline 5 × 10 −5 M and glutathione 10 −6 M.
Lumbar Alignment and Clinical Outcome after Single Level Asymmetrical Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis with Local Coronal Imbalance

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is widely accepted for the treatment of lumbar arthrodesis. However, the exact characteristics of TLIF depend on the number, location, shape, or materials of the interbody implants, and the type of posterior instrument. Clinical and biomechanical characteristics of each TLIF procedure are still unclear. The present study investigated the clinical and radiological improvements after single level asymmetrical TLIF, in which a single box-shaped spacer was obliquely inserted into the intervertebral space, for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis in patients with or without local coronal imbalance (LCI) at the operated level. The clinical records of 60 patients who underwent single level asymmetrical TLIF augmented with the pedicle screw fixation system from January 2005 to January 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into the LCI group (n = 19) and non-LCI group (n = 41), based on segmental lateral translation or disc wedging at the operated site. Clinical recovery was significantly good in both groups at 2 years after surgery, but improvement of low back pain was significantly worse in the LCI group. Radiological examination revealed that the mean lumbar scoliotic angle was significantly worse in the LCI group postoperatively. Preoperative greater scoliotic angle and coronal off balance of the lumbar spine were related to unfavorable radiological outcomes. The present study showed that single level asymmetrical TLIF is an acceptable method for achieving good clinical and radiological outcomes for patients with symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis, however, the clinical benefits and realignment are limited if the patient has LCI at the operated site with greater scoliotic angle or coronal off balance of the lumbar spine.
Luminescence and spectroscopy

Abstract The connection between luminescence and different chapters of spectroscopy is discussed. Modern theoretical concepts and experimental techniques wiped away the boundaries that traditionally existed between them. Nevertheless, the basic notions of luminescence remain valid. Being focused on the dynamics and kinetics of electronically excited states, luminescence serves as an effective tool in solving numerous problems in contemporary solid-state physics. Electron–phonon interaction, excitons in disordered systems, the emission spectroscopy of the fractional quantum Hall effect and spin injection are discussed as specific examples.
A direct measure of human lateral temporal lobe neurons responsive to face matching

Do the human cerebral hemispheres process faces differently? Clinical lesion observations and primate studies suggest that the right temporal lobe is critical in face processing. Yet, the nature of this relationship remains unclear. Recording from single neurons during a visuospatial (VS)-matching paradigm, we found that 100% of significantly active neurons discriminated matching from perception, bilaterally. Lateralized differences in the nature and timing of responses revealed that the right hemisphere neurons responded earlier, and with uniform frequency reductions. Additional lateralized differences favoring the right hemisphere neurons were found when subjects matched intact faces compared to scrambled faces or complex objects. We conclude that widely distributed neural ensembles are involved in 'lateralized' behaviors, but cerebral specialization of face processing is as much a function of the nature and timing of neuronal activity as anatomic location.
Cell meets cell

Cell Behaviour: A Tribute to Michael Abercrombie. Edited by Ruth Bellairs, Adam Curtis and Graham Dunn. Pp.615. ISBN 0-521-24107-3. (Cambridge University Press: 1982.) £45, $89.50.