cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Humans accumulate microsatellite instability with acquired loss of MLH1 protein in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells as a function of age

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HPCs) are necessary for long-term survival. Genomic instability and persistent DNA damage may cause loss of adult stem cell function. The mismatch repair (MMR) pathway increases replication fidelity and defects have been implicated in malignant hematopoietic diseases. Little, however, is known about the role MMR pathway failure plays in the aging process of human HPCs. We hypothesized that loss of MMR occurs in HPCs as a process of human aging. We examined microsatellite instability and expression of the MMR genes MutL homologue 1 (MLH1) and MutS homologue 2 (MSH2) in HPCs and colony-forming cell-derived clones (CFCs) from human donors aged 0 to 86 years. CFCs from donors > 45 years had a greater frequency of microsatellite instability and CD34+ progenitors lacking MLH1 expression and protein than individuals ≤ 45 years. Loss of MSH2 did not correlate with age. Thus, a potentially early event in the normal human aging process is microsatellite instability accumulation in normal human HPCs associated with the loss of MLH1 protein expression.
The economics of natural language interfaces: natural language processing technology as a scarce resource

This paper discusses appropriate application areas for natural language interfaces (NLIs) to databases. This requires comparing NLIs with competing approaches, including other user-friendly interfaces, and training of users with less user-friendly interfaces. Also, since NLI technology is still limited, users may need to learn how to use NLIs themselves. This suggests that NLI popularity may snowball at some point, as users become familiar with NLIs. We use a simple prototype NLI to illustrate when NLIs can achieve flexibility unattainable by simpler interfaces. Currently existing commercial NLIs and application-specific customization are also discussed.
What Is the Clinical Value of Lung Volumes

Lung volumes are considered part of a complete pulmonary function test, but their value for enhancing clinical decision making is unknown. Unlike spirometry and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), which do contribute to confirming or excluding a diagnosis, there are few clear indications when lung volumes are discriminatory. Confirming “restriction” when vital capacity (VC) or FVC is reduced is perhaps the most important. A restrictive pattern can have many etiologies, and clinicians often use VC or FVC as a primary index of lung volume. This makes “physiologic” sense because, in healthy subjects, and in patients with true restriction, VC comprises most of the total lung capacity (TLC). Mixed obstruction-restriction and the nonspecific pattern (ie, reduced FVC and FEV1, normal FEV1/FVC and TLC) require measuring TLC to confirm the underlying physiology. In obesity, VC and TLC may remain within normal limits, but functional residual capacity (FRC) can exponentially decrease. Increased lung volumes, particularly residual volume (RV), are commonly observed in airway obstruction. TLC may be normal, but is frequently increased in the late stages of COPD. Hyperinflation and air-trapping are terms commonly used to reflect these changes, but are not well standardized. The variability of lung volumes related to degree of obstruction suggests that measuring gas-trapping may be needed to monitor therapy. Changes in inspiratory capacity, RV, or FRC may be important gauges of response to bronchodilators or other hyperinflation-reducing therapies. How lung volumes are measured may be important, especially in patients who have moderate or severe airway obstruction. Body plethysmography is often considered more accurate than gas dilution methods in the presence of obstruction. However, the differences between techniques are not completely understood. Newer approaches such as computed tomography, although not suitable for routine testing, may help to delineate the true underlying physiology.
Quantitative immunoassay of recombinant murine neuroleukin.

Abstract A eukaryolic. transient expression system was used to produce recombinant neuroluekin, a growth factor for neurons. Neuroleukin in media conditioned by transfected monkey COS-1 cells was purified to homogeneity in one step by high-performance ration-exchange chromatography. Purified neuroleukin was used to establish a quantitative two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the accuracy of the assay was confirmed by analytical high-performance liquid chromatography. The amount of recombinanl neuroleukin secreted by the transfected COS-1 cells and the content of endogenous neuroleukin in various murine cell lines was determined. Neuroleukin levels were nearly undetectable in Balb 3T3 embryo cells, intermediate in several leukocytic cell lines and highest in mouse LBRM-33 T lymphoma cells. Maximal survival of sensory neurons was obtained with approximately 10 9 M recombinant neuroleukin although tissue derived neuroleukin appeared to be significantly more active. Dialysis of the transfected COS-1 cell conditioned medium resulted in increased neuroleukin bioactivity, while binding to the cation-exchange column reduced bioactivity. The expression and purification of the recombinant protein and the detection of natural sources expressing high levels of neuroleukin will greatly facilitate studies of its biological effects.
Nighttime proton fluxes at Millstone Hill

Incoherent scatter measurements of electron density and vertical O+ fluxes over Millstone Hill (42.6°N, 71.5°W) previously have been used to study the exchange of plasma between the ionosphere and the magnetosphere. During the daytime there is usually an upward flux of O+ ions above about 450 km that can be measured readily and equated to the escaping proton flux. At night the O+ fluxes usually are downwards everywhere owing to the decay of the F-layer, and it becomes difficult to detect effects due an arriving proton flux. In a new study of the nighttime fluxes, appeal was made to the estimated abundance of the H+ ions in the upper F-region which can be extracted from the observations. From a study of the behavior on 25 days over the interval 1969–1973, we conclude that in the daytime the flux always is upwards and close to its limiting value. This situation persists throughout the night in summer at times of high sunspot activity (e.g., 1969). There is a period of downward flux prior to ionospheric sunrise on winter nights whose duration increases with decreasing sunspot number. As sunspot minimum is approached (e.g., in 1973) downward fluxes are encountered for a brief period prior to ionospheric sunrise in summer also. Thus, over most parts of sunspot cycle, it appears that the protonosphere supplies ionization to the winter night ionosphere, while being maintained from the summer hemisphere. This helps explain the smallness of the day-to-night variations reported for the electron content of magnetospheric flux tubes near L = 4 in the American sector.
Evolution of transthoracic fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy practice: A comparison of two time periods, 1996-1998 and 2003-2005.

To examine the performance of our large pulmonary transthoracic fine needle aspiration/core biopsy (FNA/CB) practice over time, we performed a retrospective analysis of data from 333 consecutive procedures performed in 1996–1998 and 568 consecutive procedures performed in 2003–2005. Fluoroscopic guidance was performed more frequently in the earlier cohort, while a larger majority of procedures in the later cohort were by computed tomography (CT-guidance). A follow-up histologic diagnosis of cancer or clinical evidence of disease was considered the gold-standard. FNA/CB procedures during the later time period were performed on smaller lesions overall (3.60 cm versus 2.97 cm; P = 0.003) and malignant lesions also tended to be smaller (3.87 cm versus 3.14 cm; P = 0.006). Minimal improvements in sensitivity (94% versus 91%), specificity (99% versus 95%), diagnostic accuracy (95% versus 92%), negative predictive value (NPV) (80% versus 74%), and positive predictive value (PPV) (100% versus 99%) were noted during 2003–2005 when compared with 1996–1998 in all lesions. Larger improvements in sensitivity (94% versus 73%), diagnostic accuracy (95% versus 79%), and NPV (79% versus 50%) were identified in very small lesions (<1 cm) in the later patient cohort in comparison to the earlier patient cohort, as well as a significant decrease in total procedure complications. CT-guided transthoracic FNA/CB continues to be a very effective tool in our practice assessing lung lesions and performance has improved considerably at our institution for very small lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isoprinosine effects on interleukin-1 production in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)☆

The in vitro effects of isoprinosine (ISO) on the production of IL-1 in AIDS patients and normal controls were investigated in this study. IL-1 production from adherent cells was measured by an indirect method using EL-4 cells. Five of eleven AIDS patients had depressed IL-1 production. Various concentrations of ISO were used to treat the adherent cells in vitro and the optimal concentration for stimulating IL-1 production was determined to be 100 μg/ml/106 cells. IL-1 production was augmented to normal or to near normal levels in four of five AIDS patients. Our results indicate that depressed immunity seen in some AIDS patients may be partly due to the depressed in IL-1 production and also that ISO can act as an immune potentiation in enhancing the production of this lymphokine in vitro.
Centralization and government competition

This paper examines the relationship between government size and fiscal centralization with specific focus on the separate influences of centralism and fragmentation on the size of public sector in the United States. The empirical findings at the national level provide support to the hypothesis that fiscal decentralization leads to a smaller government. The findings at the state and local levels, however, show no empirical relationship between government size and the degree of centralization.
On Horowitz's contributions to reset control

History shows that Prof. Isaac Horowitz was often ahead of the curve in his feedback control research, especially in developing quantitatively driven design procedures. In some topics, his work was so out of line with the main stream that it has received virtually no recognition from the control community until a few decades later. In this paper, we present recent research that was directly motivated by Horowitz's pioneering work on reset controllers in the 1970s. Reset controllers are linear controllers that reset some of their states to zero when their inputs reach a threshold. Horowitz motivated their use by showing that with qualitative design, they can exhibit better performance trade-offs than those in linear, time-invariant systems. This paper supports and advances his thinking by presenting recent theoretical and experimental results on reset control. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The nanoscale description of acid penetration to the gold colloids encapsulated in silica sol–gel matrix

Various sizes of gold nano colloidal particles ranging from 5 nm to 100 nm of size were encapsulated in a silica based sol–gel, and these surfaces were exposed to a pH 1 acid solution. This enabled us to observe the process of solvent intrusion and interaction with gold colloids by the absorption spectrum as a function of time. The rate was analyzed by a single exponential analytical function, and the maximum rate was found for gold colloid of 15 nm size. The least acid interaction and colour change was observed for the size of 60 nm. It was speculated that the surface of these gold colloids were homogeneously covered by the sodium tetra-borate buffer which insulated silica gel layer, thus avoiding direct contact of the acid with the surface of the gold colloid. This study confirmed that the nano scale dopant size affects the rate of solvent penetration into a sol–gel cavity.
Electrodynamic seawater jet: an alternative to the propeller?

A seawater jet engine is discussed which differs from standard MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) propulsion in that it does not employ a magnet, relying instead on the ampere forces of reaction between solid (electrode) and liquid (seawater) current elements. The jet propulsive force is proportional to the square of the current. To permit the flow of sufficiently large electronic currents, the saltwater has to be broken down and converted to a water-arc plasma. To better understand the force system which gives rise to the jets in fluid conductors, the author considers two experiments involving liquid mercury instead of seawater: the copper submarine and the liquid mercury fountain. A seawater jet engine that is based on the experimental results for the liquid mercury fountain and the water-arc launcher is proposed. >
Precious metals in massive base metal sulfide deposits

Gold and silver are ubiquitous, sometimes minor but economically important metals in massive base metal sulfide ores. Their content, proportions and distribution in the ores depend on complex, interrelated factors of their source, mobilization, transport and deposition.
Measurement of cardiac output by thermodilution: Development of accurate measurements at flows applicable to the pediatric patient

Routine clinical application of thermodilution techniques for measuring cardiac output became possible when bedside pulmonary arterial catheterization was developed. The addition of a thermistor to the tip of the flow-directed pulmonary arterial catheter resulted in the development of a system whereby a cold tracer could be introduced into a central venous pressure port, and temperature (equivalent to concentration) could be sampled in the pulmonary artery after tracer and blood had mixed in the right ventricle. The technique typically employs an injectate of 3 to 10 ml of cold (O’C) 5% dextrose in water (D5W). The injectate is readily available, simply prepared, inexpensive, and stable. Modern thermistors can be fabricated with predictable temperature-resistance relations. Since there is minimal recirculation of the thermal tracer, elaborate extrapolation procedures are not necessary. New smaller 2-F and 3-F thermodilution catheters, which allow direct placement of the thermal catheter in the pulmonary artery at operation, have been developed. Cardiac output is then recorded postoperatively after injection of cold D,W through a separate catheter in the right atrium. Studies have documented the reliability of the thermodilution method for measuring cardiac output in laboratory animals [4-6,
Yield of Transcranial Doppler in Acute Cerebral Ischemia

Background and Purpose—The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield of emergent transcranial Doppler (TCD) for the evaluation of acute cerebral ischemia. Methods—We performed urgent bedsid...
Global value numbering using random interpretation

We present a polynomial time randomized algorithm for global value numbering. Our algorithm is complete when conditionals are treated as non-deterministic and all operators are treated as uninterpreted functions. We are not aware of any complete polynomial-time deterministic algorithm for the same problem. The algorithm does not require symbolic manipulations and hence is simpler to implement than the deterministic symbolic algorithms. The price for these benefits is that there is a probability that the algorithm can report a false equality. We prove that this probability can be made arbitrarily small by controlling various parameters of the algorithm.Our algorithm is based on the idea of random interpretation, which relies on executing a program on a number of random inputs and discovering relationships from the computed values. The computations are done by giving random linear interpretations to the operators in the program. Both branches of a conditional are executed. At join points, the program states are combined using a random affine combination. We discuss ways in which this algorithm can be made more precise by using more accurate interpretations for the linear arithmetic operators and other language constructs.
Oxidative Stress-mediated, Post-translational Loss of MafA Protein as a Contributing Mechanism to Loss of Insulin Gene Expression in Glucotoxic Beta Cells

Glucose toxicity in pancreatic islet beta cells causes loss of insulin gene expression, content, and secretion due to loss of binding of transcription factors, most notably PDX-1 and RIPE-3b1 activator, to the promoter region of the insulin gene. Recently, RIPE-3b1 activator was cloned and identified as the mammalian homologue of avian MafA/Maf-L (MafA). This enabled us to carry out more extensive studies of the role of MafA in glucotoxicity than were hitherto possible. Northern analysis of glucotoxic HIT-T15 cells revealed normal amounts of MafA mRNA, but Western analysis demonstrated a 97 ± 1% reduction in MafA protein (p
On the Origin of the Tropical Intraseasonal Oscillation

This study provides an explanation for the origin of the tropical intraseasonal (40-50 day) oscillation (TIO) based on a simple generalization of Gill's linear analytic model for tropical large-scale heat-induced circulation. The solution contains a convective region that excites an eastward-moving Kelvin wave and a westward-moving Rossby wave. The entire system moves eastward as a response to the circulation it excites at a speed at which the latent heat energy in the tropics is best extracted. The TIO speed is a weighted mean of the speed of the Kelvin wave and that of the Rossby wave.
Adequacy of Local‐Exchange Excitation Hamiltonias in Insulators

The local-density (Xα) calculation of insulator band gaps is re-examined. Both new and extant data show the calculated gaps to be systematically small by substantial percentages (35 to 50%) while cohesive energies, valence band widths, and PV curves are in satisfactory agreement with experiment. The Slater transition state cannot be invoked directly to resolve the dilemma and its periodic generalization is unsuccessful. The simple periodic excitation calculation of ΔESCF can be interpreted usefully in terms of the first exciton absorption, a fact we illustrate in f.c.c. Ar. It is argued that the numerical results indicate strongly that Xα calculations of metal-insulator transition pressures yield lower bounds to that pressure. Die Lokaldichte-(Xα)-Berechnung von Isolatorbandgaps wird erneut uberpruft. Sowohl neue als schon vorhandene Werte zeigen, das die berechneten Gaps systematisch un einen wesentlichen Prozentsatz (35 bis 50%) zu klein sind, wahrend Kohasionsenergien, Breiten der Valenzbander und PV-Kurven mit dem Experiment befriedigend ubereinstimmen. Der Slater-Ubergangszustand last sich nicht direkt zur Losung des Dilemmas einsetzen, und seine periodische Verallgemeinerung ist nicht erfolgreich. Die simple Berechnung der periodischen Anregung des ΔESCF last sich erfolgreich mit der ersten Absorption des Exzitons interpretieren; diese Tatsache wird an k.f.z.-Ar illustriert. Es wird angenommen, das die numerischen Ergebnisse starke Hinweise dafur geben, das die Xα-Berechnungen der Metall-Isolator-Ubergangsdrucke untere Grenzwerte fur diesen Druck ergeben.
Preventing transition to turbulence using streamwise traveling waves: direct numerical simulations

We use direct numerical simulations of the nonlinear Navier-Stokes (NS) equations to examine the effectiveness of streamwise traveling waves for controlling the onset of turbulence in a channel flow. We highlight the effect of a base flow induced by the streamwise traveling waves on the dynamics of velocity fluctuations and on the net efficiency of control. It is shown that properly designed downstream traveling waves are capable of reducing the fluctuations' kinetic energy and maintaining the laminar flow. In contrast, our results demonstrate that upstream traveling waves promote turbulence even when the uncontrolled flow stays laminar. Our numerical simulations elucidate the predictive power of the theoretical framework developed in a companion paper [1] and suggest that the linearized NS equations with uncertainty serve as an effective control-oriented model for preventing transition.
A Survey of Sex Chromosome Abnormalities In 204 Mares Selected for Breeding

Summary Cytogenetic testing was done on 204 mares for sex chromosome abnormalities. Cases were selected based on owner identification of the animal as a mare they would be willing to invest resources in to breed. Virgin mares or mares in their first year at stud were included, regardless of breed or age. Karyotype evaluation was done on routine Giemsa stained and C-banded metaphase chromosomes. Findings included, 201 (98.5%) 64, XX normal mares, 1 (0.05%) 63X, /64,XX mosaic mare, 1 (0.05%) 64, XY sex reversed mare and 1 (0.05%) 65, XXX trisomy mare. The overall occurrence of sex chromosome abnormalities in the group of mares studied was 1.5%. Based on the occurrence of abnormalities in our study, we suggest the prevalence of sex chromosome abnormalities in mares is
Individual Differences in Recognizing Spontaneous Emotional Expressions: Their Implications for Positive Interpersonal Relationships

The main purpose of the current study was to introduce the Spontaneous Expressions Recognition Test (SERT), a new thin-slice measure of emotion recognition for normative adults, and demonstrate its relative strengths for predicting positive interpersonal relationships. To explore this question, a semester-long longitudinal study was conducted. In this study, college students were randomly assigned to small research teams and worked together throughout the semester to conduct group research projects. Peer ratings of interpersonal relationships were collected at the end of the semester. The results provided preliminary support for the SERT, by demonstrating its relative strength for predicting positive interpersonal relationships.
Protecting women, saving the fetus: Symbolic politics and mandated abortion counseling

Synopsis Roe v. Wade (1973) represented a major US pro-choice victory, but feminists have since noted the chipping away of abortion rights. While Roe did not protect these rights absolutely, subsequent Court decisions increased state power to regulate abortion. Several states have enacted informed consent counseling laws for abortion. These laws theoretically protect patient autonomy, but critics argue that they are detrimental to women's decision-making. Despite this commonly reached conclusion, there is little analysis of the counseling materials themselves. I build on prior research pointing to misinformation and ideological content, but focus on more latent content in the counseling documents. Two primary themes arise: 1) the issue of (un)trustworthy entities, and 2) the centrality of the fetus. I argue that these materials reflect competing institutional jurisdiction over abortion and ultimately position women as victims rather than agents in abortion decision-making.
Induction of p53-, MDM2-, and WAF1/CIP1-like Molecules in Insect Cells by DNA-Damaging Agents

Abstract Cellular responses following DNA damage are ubiquitous in the biological world. In response to DNA damage, cell cycle checkpoints are activated, which delay cell cycle progression and most likely serve to allow time for repair. One important checkpoint in mammalian cells, activated in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, is dependent on the p53 tumor suppressor gene product. While p53 is responsible for inducing G1 arrest, the product of the MDM2 gene is believed to alleviate the arrest, allowing continuation of the cell cycle after a transient delay. Inasmuch as MDM2 and WAF1/CIP1 are transactivated by p53, while MDM2 binds to and modulates the activity of p53, a "feedback loop" is thus created. This pathway has been highly conserved in mammalian cells, but its presence outside of vertebrates is unknown. By using human MDM2 and WAF1/CIP1 cDNA probes, and monoclonal antibodies to p53 and Mdm2, we demonstrate in insect cell lines evidence for the existence of p53-, MDM2-, and WAF1/CIP1 -like molecules and a p53-regulated pathway following treatment by DNA-damaging agents.
Current oscillations of indium(III) at a dropping mercury electrode

Abstract Oscillations in currents observed at potentials around the polarographic maximum during the reduction of indium(III) in potassium nitrate solutions have been characterized. Effects of surfactants, supporting electrolyte concentration, mercury drop rate, resistors in series, and temperature are reported. The current–time series data of the oscillations obtained by holding the potential fixed are used to generate a one-dimensional return map. The minima of adjacent peaks of the oscillations are used for the return map. Analysis of the return map reveals the noise, repeatability of the oscillations, and enhances differences observed in the oscillations between potential settings.
Color scanner performance trade-offs

The goal of a general purpose color scanner is to determine the color of an object in a device independent color space, such as the CIE XYZ tristimulus space. Raw sensor measurements from scanners rarely correspond to CIE XYZ due to design and realizability constraints. The conversion of data from scanner RGB to a device independent color space introduces errors due to the non-colorimetric nature of the scanner and due to the noise present in measurements. This paper analyzes the relative contributions of these two components to color errors. This analysis allows the designer to determine the most cost effective device meeting required specifications.
Biodiesel production from low cost and renewable feedstock

Sustainable biodiesel production should: a) utilize low cost renewable feedstock; b) utilize energy-efficient, nonconventional heating and mixing techniques; c) increase net energy benefit of the process; and d) utilize renewable feedstock/energy sources where possible. In this paper, we discuss the merits of biodiesel production following these criteria supported by the experimental results obtained from the process optimization studies. Waste cooking oil, non-edible (low-cost) oils (Jatropha curcas and Camelina Sativa) and algae were used as feedstock for biodiesel process optimization. A comparison between conventional and non-conventional methods such as microwaves and ultrasound was reported. Finally, net energy scenarios for different biodiesel feedstock options and algae are presented.
A Study of Boundary-Layer Characteristics of Turbomachine Blade Rows and Their Relation to Over-All Blade Loss

This paper presents the results of a number of investigations concerned with the boundary-layer characteristics of turbomachine blade rows and their relation to the over-all blade loss. It is demonstrated how the over-all blade loss can be obtained from the momentum boundary-layer thickness. The momentum boundary-layer thickness is in turn shown to be correlated by flow Reynolds number and total blade surface diffusion. By assuming Zweifel’s form of blade-loading diagram the total blade surface diffusion parameter can be determined as a function of blade solidity and reaction across the blade row. Thus, this type of loss analysis enables an approximate predetermination of the over-all blade row loss as derived from fundamental boundary-layer concepts. In addition, it shows the effect on over-all blade loss of varying such design features as solidity and reaction.
Using Spiropyran Fragment Superposition To Assign the EPR Spectrum of Localized Triplet Excitation on a Distorted Aromatic Nitro Group

On the supposition that the zero-field splitting tensors of analogous triplet states in different crystal packings should be similarly oriented with respect to the group of atoms on which the spin is localized, one can identify the excited group in a series of complex molecules by a combination of X-ray and EPR measurements. This technique of fragment superposition was used to select the correct set of tensor assignments among 512 possibilities for the short-lived triplet states of nitrated benzoindolinospiropyrans. It shows conclusively that the spin-polarized triplet state is localized on the nitro group and that the nitro group loses local C 2v symmetry on excitation. This use of eigenvector orientation constitutes a new method for identifying an excited state of a simple chromophore with puzzling spectroscopy.
Revegetation of a contaminated zinc smelter site

Abstract Over 800 ha of forest vegetation are dead on Blue Mountain at Palmerton, Pennsylvania. The major cause was emissions of Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb, and SO 2 from a zinc smelter operating since 1898. In 1985, a research effort was initiated to develop a remedial action program to mitigate the environmental damage. Field plot studies were conducted to determine the feasibility of using mixtures of dewatered municipal sludge and fly ash as amendments to facilitate the establishment of vegetation on the highly contaminated soil. Three mixtures of sludge (S) and fly ash (FA) were evaluated (1S:1FA, 2S, and 3S:1FA). The amendments were applied on 0.4-ha plots in May 1985. Five grass and legume seed mixtures were hydroseeded on subplots for evaluation. In addition, seedlings of 10 tree species and hybrid poplar cuttings were planted on the plots. After two growing seasons, results indicate that all three sludge-fly ash mixtures were successful in facilitating vegetation establishment.
Effective learning strategies for real-time image-guided adaptive control of multiple-source hyperthermia applicators

Purpose: This paper investigates overall theoretical requirements for reducing the times required for the iterative learning of a real-time image-guided adaptive control routine for multiple-source heat applicators, as used in hyperthermia and thermal ablative therapy for cancer. Methods: Methods for partial reconstruction of the physical system with and without model reduction to find solutions within a clinically practical timeframe were analyzed. A mathematical analysis based on the Fredholm alternative theorem (FAT) was used to compactly analyze the existence and uniqueness of the optimal heating vector under two fundamental situations: (1) noiseless partial reconstruction and (2) noisy partial reconstruction. These results were coupled with a method for further acceleration of the solution using virtual source (VS) model reduction. The matrix approximation theorem (MAT) was used to choose the optimal vectors spanning the reduced-order subspace to reduce the time for system reconstruction and to determine the associated approximation error. Numerical simulations of the adaptive control of hyperthermia using VS were also performed to test the predictions derived from the theoretical analysis. A thigh sarcoma patient model surrounded by a ten-antenna phased-array applicator was retained for this purpose. The impacts of the convective cooling from blood flow and the presence of sudden increase of perfusion in muscle and tumor were also simulated. Results: By FAT, partial system reconstruction directly conducted in the full space of the physical variables such as phases and magnitudes of the heat sources cannot guarantee reconstructing the optimal system to determine the global optimal setting of the heat sources. A remedy for this limitation is to conduct the partial reconstruction within a reduced-order subspace spanned by the first few maximum eigenvectors of the true system matrix. By MAT, this VS subspace is the optimal one when the goal is to maximize the average tumor temperature. When more than 6 sources present, the steps required for a nonlinear learning scheme is theoretically fewer than that of a linear one, however, finite number of iterative corrections is necessary for a single learning step of a nonlinear algorithm. Thus, the actual computational workload for a nonlinear algorithm is not necessarily less than that required by a linear algorithm. Conclusions: Based on the analysis presented herein, obtaining a unique global optimal heating vector for a multiple-source applicator within the constraints of real-time clinical hyperthermia treatments and thermal ablative therapies appears attainable using partial reconstruction with minimum norm least-squares method with supplemental equations. One way to supplement equations is the inclusion of a method of model reduction.
Examining behavioral, relational, and cognitive engagement in smaller learning communities: A case study of reform in one suburban district

The purpose of this project was to examine the impact of Smaller Learning Community reform on students’ behavioral, relational, and cognitive engagement in a suburban school district experiencing urbanization. We describe a project in which we evaluated the engagement of a cohort of 8th grade students as they transitioned to high school (n = 605). Specifically, we disaggregated the data to identify how students’ engagement differed as a function of their participation in Smaller Learning Community structures, prior achievement, and race.
CD40-CD40 Ligand Interactions in Human Microglia Induce CXCL8 (Interleukin-8) Secretion by a Mechanism Dependent on Activation of ERK1/2 and Nuclear Translocation of Nuclear Factor-κB (NFκB) and Activator Protein-1 (AP-1)

CXCL8 is a CXC chemokine that recruits leukocytes to sites of inflammation. Expression of CXCL8 in the CNS has been demonstrated in neuroinflammatory diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) encephalitis, but the mechanism of secretion of this chemokine is not fully understood. CD40 is a 50-kDa protein on the surface of microglia, and we have previously shown that it is increased in expression in HIV-1-infected brain tissue as well as by interferon-γ (IFNγ) in tissue culture. We examined the expression and regulation of CXCL8 in cultured human fetal microglia after ligation of CD40 with soluble trimeric CD40 ligand (sCD40L) as well as the expression of CXCL8 on microglia in HIV encephalitic brain tissue sections. Treatment of cultured microglia with IFNγ + sCD40L resulted in significant induction of CXCL8. This expression was mediated by activation of the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway, as demonstrated by ELISA and Western blot using a specific inhibitor (U0126). Gel shift analyses demonstrated that NFκB and AP-1, but not C/EBPβ, mediate microglial CXCL8 production. We also found increased colocalization of CXCL8 with CD68/CD40-positive cells in HIV encephalitic brain tissue compared with HIV-infected nonencephalitic and normal tissue. Thus, CD40-CD40L interactions facilitate chemokine expression, leading to the influx of inflammatory cells into the CNS. These events can lead to the pathology that is associated with neuroinflammatory diseases.
How do viruses avoid inhibition by endogenous cellular microRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an extensive family of small regulatory RNAs that function by binding to complementary mRNAs, primarily in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTRs), and then inhibiting their expression by reducing mRNA translation and/or stability [1]. MiRNAs are initially transcribed as long pri-miRNAs, which are sequentially processed by the RNase III enzymes Drosha, in the nucleus, and Dicer, in the cytoplasm, to generate the mature, ∼22-nt miRNA [2]. This is then loaded into the RNA Induced Silencing Complex (RISC), which consists minimally of one of the four mammalian Argonaut proteins, Ago1 to Ago4, as well as a member of the GW182 protein family. MiRNAs function as guide RNAs to target RISC to complementary mRNA sequences on specific mRNA 3′UTRs. Analysis has revealed that complementarity to nucleotides 2 through 8 of the miRNA, the so-called seed region, is particularly important for effective RISC recruitment [1], although non-canonical sites, with incomplete seed complementarity, have also been reported [3]. Importantly, RISC recruitment to target sites that are occluded by RNA secondary structure or bound proteins is very inefficient [4].
Fostering Students' Science Inquiry through App Affordances of Multimodality, Collaboration, Interactivity, and Connectivity.

This study examined 6th graders’ use of the VoiceThread app as part of a science inquiry project on photosynthesis and carbon dioxide emissions in terms of their ability to engage in causal reasoning and their use of the affordances of multimodality, collaboration, interactivity, and connectivity. Students employed multimodal production using images with audio or written annotations on VoiceThread to describe their analysis of the photosynthesis process. Analysis of these annotations indicated that the majority of those annotations represented causal reasoning reflecting the use of science inquiry thinking. Students reported that working collaboratively in pairs mediated by a shared focus on the same images and formulation of annotations enhanced sharing of alternative perspectives. Being able to readily share their VoiceThread productions with peers and the teacher enhanced their sense of purpose and audience driving their work. And making intertextual connections between alternative meanings of images l...
Examining the Work of Boundary Spanning Leaders in Community Contexts.

This qualitative study examined boundary spanning leadership in community‐based contexts. The study focused on exceptional leaders of university–school–community partnerships in two urban regions of the USA. The findings indicate that boundary spanners are aided by contextual knowledge, interpersonal skills, trust and connectedness, but they also suggest that they are motivated by an underlying community loyalty and a fundamental, socially conscious impetus—one which invites active advocacy for the oppressed via strategic collaboration. Accordingly, boundary spanners were compared with community organizers and described as ‘institutional infiltrators organizing for community advancement’. Although leaders with the skill and pedigree of those examined here are hard to come by, it was encouragingly suggested that, once found, effective boundary spanners can help develop sustainable boundary spanning infrastructures within their communities.
The elastic resilience of DNA can induce all-or-none structural transitions in the nucleosome core particle

DNA on the surface of the histone octamer in the native nucleosome core particle is modeled as a circumferentially wound elastic line on the surface of a cylinder. In a model for the radial transition, the line is allowed to straighten, and thus lose energy, by swinging off the surface, but it is impeded in such an excursion by a radial force field representing the attractive interaction between DNA and histone octamer. In a model for the axial transition, the line may straighten by becoming more parallel to a generator of the cylinder while remaining on the surface. In this mode of straightening, dimer-tetramer or tetramer-tetramer interfaces are disrupted, and the resulting energy gain impedes the transition. Both radial and axial transitions are predicted to occur in all-or-none fashion. We propose that these models are related to the abrupt transitions actually observed in the nucleosome core particle.
Teacher Reactions to School-Based Consultation Services: A Multivariate Analysis.

Abstract The impact of consultation services on teachers' preferences for consultation versus referral approaches and upon teachers' perceptions of severity for common acting out, withdrawal, and academic types of student problems were investigated. The subjects were 96 teachers whose public and parochial schools were matched and randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. Following a 14-week period during which advanced school psychology graduate students served as consultants in the treatment schools, the Pupil Problem Behavior Inventory (PPBI) was administered to all teachers. The results of a repeated measures MANOVA analysis indicated that the teachers in the treatment group rated the acting out and academic problems on the PPBI as significantly less severe than did teachers in the control group. The subjects in both the treatment and control groups indicated a significant preference for consultation rather than referral services for all types of student problems presented in the PPBI. There was a moderate, positive correlation between perceived problem severity and teacher preference for referral rather than consultation services. The study's results were interpreted as supportive of the consultation model.
The secretory pathway and neuron polarization.

The growth of dendrites and axons is accompanied by an enormous increase in cell surface area. A cultured hippocampal neuron that has grown for 7 d in vitro can have ∼250 μm of dendrites and 3000 μm of axons. Assuming that the diameters of both dendrites and axons are ∼1 μm [a reasonable
Segment predictability as a cue in word segmentation: application to modern Greek

Several computational simulations of how children solve the word segmentation problem have been proposed, but most have been applied only to a limited number of languages. One model with some experimental support uses distributional statistics of sound sequence predictability (Saffran et al. 1996). However, the experimental design does not fully specify how predictability is best measured or modeled in a simulation. Saffran et al. (1996) assume transitional probability, but Brent (1999a) claims mutual information (MI) is more appropriate. Both assume predictability is measured locally, relative to neighboring segment-pairs. This paper replicates Brent's (1999a) mutual-information model on a corpus of childdirected speech in Modern Greek, and introduces a variant model using a global threshold. Brent's finding regarding the superiority of MI is confirmed; the relative performance of local comparisons and global thresholds depends on the evaluation metric.
Association between lowered kievitone hydratase activity and reduced virulence to bean in variants of Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli

Abstract The activity of kievitone hydratase (KHase)—the enzyme catalysing detoxification of the phytoalexin, kievitone, to kievitone hydrate (KH)—in extracts of Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli -infected hypocotyls of Phaseolus vulgaris increased for several days and reached a peak at 5 days after inoculation. Several variants of the virulent isolate of F. solani f. sp. phaseoli were obtained, either following exposure of the fungus to the mutagenic chemical, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, or by making transfers from naturally occurring sectors in agar cultures. These variants were monitored for pathogenicity to bean, sensitivity to kievitone and ability to cause clearing of an opaque, kievitone-amended, modified Fries agar—an assay which indicated KHase activity. All variants with reduced KHase activity were more sensitive to kievitone and were less pathogenic to bean than the virulent strain from which they were derived. No virulent isolate that lacked KHase was found. The presence of KHase in Fusarium -infected bean tissues soon after inoculation, and for several days thereafter, as well as the association between lowered KHase activity and reduced virulence, suggest that this enzyme plays a role in the development of the fungus in its host's tissues. Furthermore, these results are consistent with detoxification of the isoflavonoid, kievitone, by F. solani f. sp. phaseoli being important to the pathogenic behavior of this fungus.
G protein subunits and the stimulation of phospholipase C by Gs-and Gi-coupled receptors: Lack of receptor selectivity of Galpha(16) and evidence for a synergic interaction between Gbeta gamma and the alpha subunit of a receptor activated G protein

Abstract Stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding protein (Gs)-coupled receptors activated by luteinizing hormone, vasopressin, and the catecholamine isoproterenol (luteinizing hormone receptor, type 2 vasopressin receptor, and types 1 and 2 beta-adrenergic receptors) and the Gi-coupled M2 muscarinic receptor (M2R) were expressed transiently in COS cells, alone and in combination with Gbeta gamma dimers, their corresponding Galphas (Galpha(s), or Galpha(i3)) and either Galpha(q) or Galpha(16). Phospholipase C (PLC) activity, assessed by inositol phosphate production from preincorporated myo[3H]inositol, was then determined to gain insight into differential coupling preferences among receptors and G proteins. The following were observed: (i) All receptors tested were able to stimulate PLC activity in response to agonist occupation. The effect of the M2R was pertussis toxin sensitive. (ii) While, as expected, expression of Galpha(q) facilitated an agonist-induced activation of PLC that varied widely from receptor to receptor (400% with type 2 vasopressin receptor and only 30% with M2R), expression of Galpha(16) facilitated about equally well the activation of PLC by any of the tested receptors and thus showed little if any discrimination for one receptor over another. (iii) Gbeta gamma elevated basal (agonist independent) PLC activity between 2- and 4-fold, confirming the proven ability of Gbeta gamma to stimulate PLCbeta. (iv) Activation of expressed receptors by their respective ligands in cells coexpressing excess Gbeta gamma elicited agonist stimulated PLC activities, which, in the case of the M2R, was not blocked by pertussis toxin (PTX), suggesting mediation by a PTX-insensitive PLC-stimulating Galpha subunit, presumably, but not necessarily, of the Gq family. (v) The effects of Gbeta gamma and the PTX-insensitive Galpha elicited by M2R were synergistic, suggesting the possibility that one or more forms of PLC are under conditional or dual regulation of G protein subunits such that stimulation by one sensitizes to the stimulation by the other.
Corn leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylases: Activation by magnesium ions

Abstract From corn leaves, two phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase isoenzymes were separated and purified on DEAE-cellulose and hydroxylapatite columns. Both isoenzymes exhibited non-Michaelis—Menten kinetics with respect to Mg2+ ion concentrations. The Lineweaver—Burk double reciprocal plots were concave downward and consisted of at least three linear portions with different slopes. The Rs values were significantly higher (above 225) than a Michaelis—Menten type enzyme. The Hill coefficients were less than 1.0 at Mg2+ ion concentrations below 0.5 mM. The kinetics thus show a negative cooperativity with respect to the binding of Mg2+ to phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylases but a positive cooperativity with respect to catalysis by Mg2+.
Coding sequence, genomic organization, chromosomal localization, and expression pattern of the signalosome component Cops2: the mouse homologue of Drosophila alien.

The Drosophila alien gene is highly homologous to the human thyroid receptor interacting protein, TRIP15/COPS2, which is a component of the recently identified signalosome protein complex. We identified the mouse homologue of Drosophila alien through homology searches of the EST database. We found that the mouse cDNA encodes a predicted 443-amino-acid protein, which migrates at approximately 50 kDa. The gene for the mouse alien homologue, named Cops2, includes 12 coding exons spanning approximately 30 kb of genomic DNA on the central portion of mouse chromosome 2. Mouse Cops2 is widely expressed in embryonic, fetal, and adult tissues beginning as early as E7.5. Mouse Cops2 cDNA hybridizes to two mRNA bands in all tissues at approximately 2.3 and approximately 4 kb, with an additional approximately 1.9-kb band in liver. Immunostaining of native and epitope tagged proteins localized the mouse Cops2 protein in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus, with larger amounts in the nucleus in some cells.