cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eliminating the requirement of an essential gene product in an already very small virus: scaffolding protein B-free øX174, B-free.

Unlike most viral assembly systems, two scaffolding proteins, B and D, mediate bacteriophage oX174 morphogenesis. The external scaffolding protein D is highly ordered in the atomic structure and proper function is very sensitive to mutation. In contrast, the internal scaffolding protein B is relatively unordered and extensive alterations do not eliminate function. Despite this genetic laxity, protein B is absolutely required for virus assembly. Thus, this system, with its complex arrangements of overlapping reading frames, can be regarded as an example of "irreducible complexity." To address the biochemical functions of a dual scaffolding protein system and the evolution of complexity, progressive and targeted genetic selections were employed to lessen and finally eliminate B protein-dependence. The biochemical and genetic bases of adaptation were characterized throughout the analysis that led to the sextuple mutant with a B-independent phenotype, as evaluated by plaque formation in wild-type cells. The primary adaptation appears to be the over-expression of a mutant external scaffolding protein. Progeny production was followed in lysis-resistant cells. The ability to produce infectious virions does not require all six mutations. However, the lag phase before progeny production is shortened as mutations accumulate. The results suggest that the primary function of the internal scaffolding protein may be to lower the critical concentration of the external scaffolding protein needed to nucleate procapsid formation. Moreover, they demonstrate a novel mechanism by which a stringently required gene product can be bypassed, even in a system encoding only eight strictly essential proteins.
Recent advances in detector-array technology for mass spectrometry

Abstract Array detectors capable of determining the spatial distribution of particles, whether photons, neutrons, atoms, or others, have long existed. More recently, this technology has been applied to mass spectrometry for the simultaneous detection of multiple ions of differing mass-to-charge (m/z) values. When simultaneous detection is utilized in mass spectrometry, benefits such as improved detection limits and precision, reduced sample consumption and analysis time, and the elimination of correlated noise sources are realized. Presented here is a review of some of the relevant technologies that have been or could be applied to mass spectrometric ion detection. The array detector technologies are classified according to detection method; the figures of merit of each type of array are discussed.
What the price data tell us about heroin flows across Europe

Using data from the World Drug Reports on wholesale prices for heroin for 17 European countries over the period 2000–2008, patterns of heroin flows across Europe are constructed. For any pair of co...
The Once and Future Self: Beliefs about Temporal Change in Goal Importance and Goal Achievement

College students (n = 244) predicted that the current goals of both themselves and an acquaintance would remain relatively stable into the future. In contrast, they believed their level of achievement would increase more in the future than it had in previous years. They also believed that the relevant goals were more important to them than to their acquaintances, and comparisons of predicted future (but not present) achievements exhibited a self-enhancing bias. In addition to demonstrating the relative perceived stability of covert aspects of the current self, the findings suggest a fundamental difference between conceptualizations of self and conceptualizations of acquaintances. They suggest that participants may define themselves, more than others, in terms of current aspirations and expectations that those aspirations will be met.
LAND-USE ASPECTS OF AIR-QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Abstract This paper describes relationships between land-use and air quality. Until very recently, strategies directed toward improved air quality relied almost exclusively upon fuel switching and employment of emission control devices. However, air quality can also be influenced through alteration of land-use patterns. Engineers during their education are generally not exposed to land-use and other socio-economic aspects of air-quality management, although federal and state policy maker are increasingly recognizing that exclusive reliance upon emission control devices is not a very satisfactory long range approach. Alteration of land use as it affects the living, working, and transportation patterns must be considered as well. The first two sections of this paper attempt to provide guidelines within which land-use alternatives can be meaningfully evaluated. Air-quality standars and other aspects of air-quality management are described and interpreted within a quantitative cost-benefit framework. The rudiments of urban geography are also provided in order to introduce the readers to the economics and social forces which shape cities. The fundamental purpose is to make technologists aware of the conflict between these forces and plans for arbitrary changes in spatial patterns. Next, energy variables are proposed as a way to meaningfully relate land-use and environmental pollution with society's quest for affluence. The section on meteorology and dispersion models describes and criticizes the modeling tools and simulations currently available for the prediction of pollution dispersion. Finally, an urban simulation is used to integrate the foregoing material. The air-pollution propensities of various land-use alternatives are assessed. Thus a diversity of topics—all with the common thread of relating urban air quality to urban land use—is addressed. Rather than providing ready-made answers, this paper describes useful evaluation tools and provides insight into the complex problems and interactions involved.
The geometric factor of a cylindrical plate electrostatic analyzer

A method for calculating the geometric factor of cylindrical plate electrostatic energy analyzers with various detector geometries is described. The effects of the fringe field are estimated. For a special simple case an exact geometric factor is calculated, enabling an estimate to be made of the inaccuracies of the approximations used in other cases. The results of some calculations are presented, and a simple approximate expression for the geometric factor is deduced.
Growth rate dependence of solventogenesis and solvents produced by Clostridium beijerinckii

Acidogenesis and solventogenesis byClostridium beijerinckii NRRL B-593 has been studied in batch growth, and in sucrose-limited chemostat and recycling fermentor growth. Cells grown in batch culture without pH control primarily produced either butyric and acetic acids, or these acids plus butanol, ethanol and isopropanol in ratios depending on the medium's content of reducing agent, calcium and iron. Cells in chemostat-culture at a mass doubling time (td) of 5.8 h produced primarily butyric and acetic acids at pH 6.8 and these acids plus butanol, ethanol and isopropanol at pH 4.8. Cells grown in a recycling fermentor (in which the td continuously increases) at pH 6.8 entered solventogenesis at a td of 43 h, producing primarily propanol, ethanol and butanol, along with butyric acid, but with greatly decreased production of acetic acid. Although “clostridial form” morphology, succeeded by sporulation, usually accompanied solventogenesis, the association was not invariant so that solventogenesis and sporogenesis can occur separately in this species.
Child Illness, the Parenting Alliance, and Parenting Stress

Assessed relationship between children's minor illnesses during the first 3 years of life and parenting stress in the 4th year. Also examined whether a good parenting alliance would compensate for or moderate this relationship. Parents of 56 3- to 4-year-olds completed parenting alliance and stress questionnaires. Child morbidity, assessed from medical records, was directly related to mothers' but not fathers' feelings of stress. The parenting alliance was more strongly related to parenting stress for fathers than for mothers. However, child morbidity and parenting alliance interacted in predicting child-related paternal stresses. While fathers in a poor alliance reported more stress, stress was unrelated to their children's illnesses; for fathers in a moderate to strong alliance, illness and stress were positively correlated. Even minor child illnesses appear to be a source of stress for parents.
Random heuristic search

There is a developing theory of growing power which, at its current stage of development (indeed, for a number of years now), speaks to qualitative and quantitative aspects of search strategies. Although it has been specialized and applied to genetic algorithms, its implications and applicability are far more general. This paper deals with the broad outlines of the theory, introducing basic principles and results rather than analyzing or specializing to particular algorithms. A few specific examples are included for illustrative purposes, but the theory's basic structure, as opposed to applications, remains the focus.
Engineering C4ISR Architecture Based Solutions for the 21st Century: Are we Making Progress?

This paper discusses an architecture based engineering solution of achieving command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) interoperability and several challenges. This paper addresses the problem space from a system engineering & analyst viewpoint and uses the object-oriented (OO) unified modeling language (UML) as the model representation of the architectural artifacts described in the DAF. The utilization of the three new diagrams (i.e. composite, interaction & timing) which have been introduced in UML version 2 are discussed and integrated into the SoS analysis approach discussed. Finally, the paper concludes with several areas of potential research for the future.
Assessment of Urinary Thyrotropin-Competing Activity in Choriocarcinoma and Thyroid Disease: Further Evidence for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Interacting at the Thyroid Cell Membrane

The TSH-competing activity of kaolin-acetone urine concentrates from patients with choriocarcinoma and/or thyroid dysfunction was investigated using a highly sensitive TSH radioligand-receptor assay which employs porcine thyroid homogenate and membrane-purified [125I]bovine TSH. TSHcompeting activity in urine concentrates obtained from normal pregnant women and patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease or primary and secondary hypothyroidism did not exceed that found in urinary concentrates from normal control subjects. Euthyroid patients with choriocarcinoma, whose urinary hCG levels were typical of those found in pregnancy (2.3-73 eg/ml), had levels of urinary TSH-competing activity indistinguishable from those of normal controls. In contrast, increased urinary TSH-competing activity was readily detected in urine extracts from four choriocarcinoma patients with high urinary hCG levels (620-5,200 eg/ml). Three of these four patients were biochemically hyperthyroid and their urine concentrates demonstrat...
Prognostic Significance of a Positive Nonsentinel Lymph Node in Cutaneous Melanoma

Purpose Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy provides important prognostic information for patients with cutaneous melanoma. There may be additional prognostic significance to melanoma spreading from the SLN to nonsentinel lymph nodes (NSLN). We examined the implications of a positive NSLN for overall and distant disease-free survival.
Heterogeneous CD8+ T Cell Migration in the Lymph Node in the Absence of Inflammation Revealed by Quantitative Migration Analysis

The three-dimensional positions of immune cells can be tracked in live tissues precisely as a function of time using two-photon microscopy. However, standard methods of analysis used in the field and experimental artifacts can bias interpretations and obscure important aspects of cell migration such as directional migration and non-Brownian walk statistics. Therefore, methods were developed for minimizing drift artifacts, identifying directional and anisotropic (asymmetric) migration, and classifying cell migration statistics. These methods were applied to describe the migration statistics of CD8+ T cells in uninflamed lymph nodes. Contrary to current models, CD8+ T cell statistics are not well described by a straightforward persistent random walk model. Instead, a model in which one population of cells moves via Brownian-like motion and another population follows variable persistent random walks with noise reproduces multiple statistical measures of CD8+ T cell migration in the lymph node in the absence of inflammation.
Self-association of sodium cholate in isotonic saline solutions

Abstract The self-association of dialyzed solutions of sodium cholate in isotonic saline solutions has been studied by vapor pressure osmometry and sedimentation equilibrium. These studies were carried out at 25, 31 and 37°C. In all experiments the self-association could be described as a two-equilibrium constant, indefinite self-association in which odd species beyond monomer were absent. The plots of M 1 / M na or M 1 / M wa vs. c were quite smooth with no sharp breaks; this suggested that there were no critical phenomena. The temperature dependence of the self-association was quite small. Our results are in accord with other studies on sodium cholate which indicate that the self-association involves several species, and that it is not a monomer- n -mer self-association.
False-positive xerostomia following radioactive iodine treatment: case report

Radioactive iodine (131I), used in the treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, is known to cause both short-term and long-term radiation damage to the salivary glands. The injury appears as glandular swellings and/or decreased salivation with 131I dosage and passage of time playing significant roles. A case report is presented to alert the profession to the existence of patients who have received 131I therapy and who complain shortly thereafter of xerostomia, but following a thorough examination are found to represent a group of false-positives. Emphasis is placed on the diagnostic techniques used in the differential diagnosis.
Post-natal paucity of regulatory T cells and control of NK cell activation in experimental biliary atresia

Background & Aims Although recent studies have identified important roles for T and NK cells in the pathogenesis of biliary atresia (BA), the mechanisms by which susceptibility to bile duct injury is restricted to the neonatal period are unknown. Methods We characterised hepatic regulatory T cells (Tregs) by flow cytometry in two groups of neonatal mice challenged with rhesus rotavirus (RRV) at day 7 (no ductal injury) or day 1 of life (resulting in BA), determined the functional interaction with effector cells in co-culture assays, and examined the effect of adoptive transfer of CD4+ cells on the BA phenotype. Results While day 7 RRV infection increased hepatic Tregs (Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+) by 10-fold within 3days, no increase in Tregs occurred at this time point following infection on day 1. In vitro , Tregs effectively suppressed NK cell activation by hepatic dendritic cells and decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNFα and IL-15, following RRV infection. In vivo , adoptive transfer of CD4+ cells prior to RRV inoculation led to increased survival, improved weight gain, decreased population of hepatic NK cells, and persistence of donor Tregs in the liver. Conclusions (1) The liver is devoid of Tregs early after perinatal RRV infection; (2) Tregs suppress DC-dependent activation of naive NK cells in vitro , and Treg-containing CD4+ cells inhibit hepatic NK cell expansion in vivo . Thus, the post-natal absence of Tregs may be a key factor that allows hepatic DCs to act unopposed in NK cell activation during the initiation of neonatal bile duct injury.
Violence in the American Family

The paper reviews current knowledge on violence between family members in the United States, including how and why family violence became a topic of interest after years of being masked by a public and professional perceptual blackout. It presents data from a nationally representative sample of 2,143 American families that measured the extent of child abuse, wife abuse, husband abuse, and violence between siblings. The paper then reports differences in child abuse rates according to factors such as the age and sex of the child, family income, occupation, stress, unemployment, social isolation, and previous exposure or experience with violence. It is suggested that the roots of family violence lie in the organization of the family and in the implicit cultural norms tolerating or approving violence as a means for social control.
Denaturation of oxyhemoglobin S by mechanical shaking

The oxy form of sickle hemoglobin precipitates rapidly during mechanical shaking. The rate of precipitation depends on shaking conditions such as stroke amplitude, frequency, angle between the vial axis and the shaking motion, volume and viscosity of hemoglobin solution and temperature. The rate increases linearly with either stroke (S) or frequency (n) above a certain value (S = 5 mm or n = 10Hz). The rate constant was maximum when the angle 0 between the vial axis and the shaking direction was 30 degrees. The rate of precipitation of sickle oxyhemoglobin was faster at high temperatures and always about 10 times greater than that of normal hemoglobin. The activation energies of precipitation of hemoglobin S and A are 20.3 and 21.3 kcal/mol, respectively. The thermogram of hemoglobin was measured by a differential scanning calorimeter. The denaturation temperatures determined from the peak of denaturation curves were 83.5 degrees C for oxyhemoglobin S and 85 degrees C for oxyhemoglobin A. The precipitated hemoglobin after mechanical shaking did not show any denaturation peak indicating that the protein molecules are irreversibly denatured by shaking.
Plugging it in: signaling circuits and the yeast cell cycle

Signal transduction pathways provide the means to transmit information and elicit specific responses. Modulation of the cell cycle machinery is one such response. Molecular genetic approaches with budding yeast have been instrumental in elucidating the components of these complex signaling pathways and the inter-relationships among these components. Recent progress has revealed pathways that link extracellular signals with the machinery governing both cell cycle progression and morphogenesis. The nature of the interface between nutritional and checkpoint signals with the cell cycle apparatus is just now emerging.
Analysis of transmembrane proteins from eukaryotic cells

The topography and properties of plasma membrane proteins from mouse L-929 cells are studied by comparing their availability for enzymatic labeling on the external and internal surfaces of the membrane. In order to study the internal surface, phagolysosomes are prepared from cells after they ingest latex particles. The plasma membrane surrounding these seems to have an “inside-out” orientation. The sugars of the membrane glycoproteins in intact phagolysosomes are not available for interaction with lectins or available for periodate-borotritide labeling. A comparison of the lectin-binding proteins lableled by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination on the external cell surface with those labeled on the internal cell surface suggests that a variety of plasma membrane glycoproteins span the lipid bilayer. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis it has been shown that selected proteins are labeled at both the internal and external faces of the plasma membrane. Analysis of the 2-D gel electrophoregrams reveals that there are two distinct prominent proteins at 60,000 and 100,000 daltons which are enzymatically iodinated from both sides of the membrane. The partial hydrolysis of the 100,000 dalton protein reveals that different peptides are iodinated when the iodination is performed on intact cells or on the phagolysosomes. These proteins are extensively phosphorylated in cells incubated with inorganic 32P. We conclude that the phagolysosome is probably oriented in an “inside-out” configuration and that this membrane preparation can be used to study the topographic organization of membrane proteins. The use of oriented membranes, selective labeling of proteins, and affinity separation of proteins in combination with gel electrophoresis to define the position and properties of proteins is discussed.
Amino acid geochronology of gastropod-bearing Pleistocene units in Illinois, central USA

Abstract Amino acid racemization (AAR) values measured in gastropod shells are demonstrated to be an important aid for correlations and chronology of fossiliferous loessal, lacustrine, and alluvial Pleistocene units in Illinois, central USA. Aspartic acid (Asx) and Glutamic acid (Glx) D/L values were analyzed on a total of 167 Succinea , Hendersonia , and Pomatiopsis shells from 9 geologic units, with clear stratigraphic relationships, at a total of 18 localities in central and southern Illinois. AAR data from Hendersonia and Succinea are less variable and more normally distributed than Pomatiopsis data, but the latter are locally useful for units lacking preferred genera. Based on analysis of variance tests, Asx- and Glx-D/L data can confidently distinguish among Wisconsin Episode (MIS 2–3), Illinois Episode (MIS 6), late pre-Illinois Episode (MIS 8–14), and early pre-Illinois Episode (MIS 20) deposits. Last glacial Peoria Silt (MIS 2) and Roxana Silt (MIS 3), have mean Asx-D/L values of 0.34–0.37 and 0.42–0.43, respectively, considering all genera. The Illinois Episode Petersburg Silt (∼150 ka) has Asx-D/L ( x ¯ : 0.50–0.56) and Glx- D/L ( x ¯ : 0.17–0.22) ratios that are statistically distinctive from other units. Three late pre-Illinois Episode units (Harkness Silt Member, Belgium Member, and Banner silt units) have similar Asx D/L values ( x ¯ : 0.63–0.71) and, along with stratigraphic context, confirm extensive middle Pleistocene glaciations in the region. Using parabolic kinetic age models, depositional ages of ∼550–250 ka (MIS 14–8) are implied for these units, with a favored correlation with MIS 12 (∼450 ka), a time of especially high global ice volume. The Canteen member, a preglacial alluvium–colluvium below the Harkness Silt, is statistically indistinguishable from other pre-Illinois Episode units with AAR data, but was likely deposited during ∼660–480 ka (MIS 16 or 14), based on parabolic age estimates. The paleomagnetically reversed County Line silt (∼780–830 ka: MIS 20), with the highest mean AAR values, is the oldest known gastropod-bearing Pleistocene unit in Illinois.
A criticism of the “absolute space-time theory”

It is argued that the so-called “absolute space-time theory” is inconsistent, in disagreement with some astronomical observations, and improperly titled.
THE PERCENTAGE BEND CORRELATION COEFFICIENT

A well-known result is that the usual correlation coefficient,ρ, is highly nonrobust: very slight changes in only one of the marginal distributions can alterρ by a substantial amount. There are a variety of methods for correcting this problem. This paper identifies one particular method which is useful in psychometrics and provides a simple test for independence. It is not recommended that the new test replace the usual test ofH 0:ρ = 0, but the new test has important advantages over the usual test in terms of both Type I errors and power.
Stable Superhydrophobic Coatings from Polyelectrolyte Multilayers

The present study demonstrates that the superhydrophobic behavior of the lotus leaf structure can be mimicked by creating a honeycomb-like polyelectrolyte multilayer surface overcoated with silica nanoparticles. Superhydrophobicity was achieved by coating this highly textured multilayer surface with a semifluorinated silane. The surface maintains its superhydrophobic character even after extended immersion in water. The key structural elements needed to create stable, superhydrophobic coatings from polyelectrolyte multilayers are discussed.
Family Integrated Transitions: A Promising Program for Juvenile Offenders with Co-Occurring Disorders

This study evaluates the impact of the Family Integrated Transitions (FIT) program on juvenile recidivism. FIT is a family-based intervention for youths with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders transitioning to home from incarceration. We used administrative data to compare 36-month recidivism rates for youths receiving FIT (N = 105) versus usual care (N = 169). Participation in FIT was associated with a 30% reduction in felony recidivism, but not related to overall, violent felony, or misdemeanor recidivism. This study provides cautious evidence for a promising approach toward reducing felony recidivism for youths with co-occurring disorders transitioning out of the juvenile justice system.
The relationship between the trimethylation of lysine 77 and cytochrome c metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract 1. 1. Site directed mutations were constructed in the yeast iso-1-cytochrome c gene adjacent to the lysine 77 (methylation site) codon. 2. 2. These mutant genes were then cloned and transformed into the S. cerevisiae strain B-6642 which contains a deficiency in the iso-1-cytochrome c gene. 3. 3. The resulting transformants were screened for cytochrome c production using gel electrophoresis. 4. 4. Amino acid analysis of the mutated cytochromes c demonstrated varying levels of trimethyllysine formation, depending on the nature of the site directed mutation. 5. 5. The resulting transformants were then used as tools in order to investigate the relationship between trimethyllysine formation and various aspects of cytochrome c metabolism including protein stability and heme conjugation.
Potentiation of mercury-induced nephrotoxicity by endotoxin in the Sprague-Dawley rat.

Abstract Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) and mercury are nephrotoxic compounds of food safety concern. Endotoxin is a product of cell walls of gram negative bacteria. Humans are constantly exposed to LPS through food, water and air. Food is the main source of mercury exposure for humans. Endotoxin potentiates the toxicity of a number of xenobiotics, but its interaction with nephrotoxic heavy metals has not been investigated. We tested the hypothesis that endotoxin enhances mercury-induced nephrotoxicity. Thirty-two, 41–43-day-old, male Sprague–Dawley rats were allocated randomly to four groups of eight rats each as follows: group I received 0.9% sodium chloride, group II received 2.0 mg of Escherichia coli 0128:B12 LPS kg −1 once, group III received 0.5 mg mercuric chloride kg −1 once, and group IV received 2.0 mg E. Coli 0128:B12 LPS kg −1 once 4 h before receiving 0.5 mg mercury chloride kg −1 once. Mercury, LPS and 0.9% sodium chloride were all injected IV through the tail vein. Rats were monitored for 48 h after mercury injection. Serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and polyuria were significantly increased in rats given LPS plus mercury relative to those given either agent alone or saline ( P ≤0.05). The most severe morphologic lesions were found in rats given LPS plus mercury, which also had significantly greater renal mercury concentration than those given mercury alone ( P ≤0.05). In conclusion, LPS potentiated mercury-induced nephrotoxicity.
Respiratory symptoms: associations with pesticides, silos, and animal confinement in the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project.

BACKGROUND: Farmers are at risk for airways diseases resulting from exposures which include organic agents and chemicals on the farm. Few data on airways disease and farm exposures are available from population-based studies. The Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project provided the opportunity to assess associations between symptoms of airway disease and several farm exposures, including pesticides, grain dust, animal confinement, and exposures from silos, in a population-based study. METHODS: A stratified two-stage cluster sample was used to provide a representative farmer sample from the state. Participants provided questionnaire responses concerning demographic, respiratory symptoms, smoking, and exposure information. Associations between farm exposures and airways disease symptoms were assessed in the 385 farmer participants using chi(2) analysis and logistic regression analysis adjusting for age and smoking. RESULTS: The most frequently reported respiratory symptoms were flu-like symptoms in connection with dusty work (22%), dyspnea (21%), and phlegm (15%). Current smoking was uncommon (13%). Among farmers, applying pesticides to livestock was associated with significantly increased odds of phlegm (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.02-3.57), chest ever wheezy (OR = 3.92, 95% CI 1.76-8.72), and flu-like symptoms (OR = 2.93, 95% CI 1.69-5.12) in models adjusting for age and smoking. Conventional vertical silos were significantly associated with increased odds of chest ever wheezy (OR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.23-6.12) and flu-like symptoms (OR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.31-4.37). There were also significant associations between several respiratory symptoms and the presence of animal confinement facilities on the farm. CONCLUSIONS: The association between insecticide application to livestock and symptoms of airways disease is a new finding that could lead to further study of specific airway responses and exposures associated with this practice. Results confirming associations between respiratory symptoms and conventional vertical silos may be important in future studies aimed at prevention and control of exposures in those farm buildings.
Fibroblast growth factor-2 mediates transforming growth factor- β action in prostate cancer reactive stroma

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is overexpressed at sites of wound repair and in most adenocarcinomas including prostate cancer. In stromal tissues, TGF-beta regulates cell proliferation, phenotype and matrix synthesis. To address mechanisms of TGF-beta action in cancer-associated reactive stroma, we developed prostate stromal cells null for TGF-beta receptor II (TbetaRII) or engineered to express a dominant-negative Smad3 to attenuate TGF-beta signaling. The differential reactive stroma (DRS) xenograft model was used to evaluate altered stromal TGF-beta signaling on LNCaP tumor progression. LNCaP xenograft tumors constructed with TbetaRII null or dominant-negative Smad3 stromal cells exhibited a significant reduction in mass and microvessel density relative to controls. Additionally, decreased cellular fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) immunostaining was associated with attenuated TGF-beta signaling in stroma. In vitro, TGF-beta stimulated stromal FGF-2 expression and release. However, stromal cells with attenuated TGF-beta signaling were refractory to TGF-beta-stimulated FGF-2 expression and release. Re-expression of FGF-2 in these stromal cells in DRS xenografts resulted in restored tumor mass and microvessel density. In summary, these data show that TGF-beta signaling in reactive stroma is angiogenic and tumor promoting and that this effect is mediated in part through a TbetaRII/Smad3-dependent upregulation of FGF-2 expression and release.
Minimum Variance Unbiased Estimation of P[Y < X] in the Normal Case

A new expression is obtained for the minimum variance unbiased estimator of P[Y < X] under the assumption that X and Y are independent normal random variables. This new expression yields approximations to the UMVUE which are superior to those previously used by Church and Harris [1] and Downton [2].
Insights into the carcinogenic mode of action of arsenic

That arsenic can induce cancer in humans has been known since the late 17th century, yet how arsenic induces cancer has been the subject of numerous scientific publications. Various modes of action (MOA) have been proposed for arsenic's carcinogenicity. In this paper we review our previous studies on the ability of arsenicals to cause DNA damage, the relative inability of these arsenicals to induce point mutations, and the involvement of arsenicals in spindle disruption. We present new evidence that shows that reduced glutathione (GSH) can chemically reduce inactive pentavalent arsenicals to trivalent arsenicals which can disrupt tubulin polymerization, and show that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are most likely not involved in tubulin disruption. A hypothesis is also presented on how arsenic may induce stable chromosome aberrations (CAs) that can lead to cancer, thus supporting a role for genetic damage in the MOA for arsenic. We then propose promising areas of research that might give insight into the MOA of arsenic.
WE-D-L100J-07: High-Resolution Digital Ultrasonic Thermometers

Purpose: To develop and test 1) fully digital μK‐resolution ultrasonicthermometer for non‐invasive measurements of absorbed radiation dose in water;2) rapid ultrasonic 2D temperature mapping system for precise characterization of radiation beam intensity profiles. Method and Materials: Monitoring tiny phase shifts of ultrasonic signals in water heated by ionizing radiation allows assessing water temperature changes at the μK level. Instead of the analog frequency‐driven Pulsed Phase‐Locked Loop (PPLL) used in the earlier work to track signal phase, the current system relies on fast digital phase algorithms that extract signal delay with resolution of 100ppb and better. Another ultrasonic system was built to produce 2D temperature maps in water. This system contains a 128‐element, 14″‐diameter circular transducer array operating in a tomographic fan‐beam data acquisition mode. The system acquires temperature maps in seconds and allows monitoring evolution of thermal processes in time. Results: The single‐channel digital ultrasonicthermometer demonstrated resolution equivalent or better than analog PPLL‐based prototype at overall lower noise level. The 2D temperature mapping system was constructed and went though a preliminary testing round. It monitored evolution of temperature profile in the cylindrical tank every 3–4 seconds acquiring each time a 64‐projection data set with 45 rays per projection. After extracting phase information from the acoustic waveforms the system reconstructed a sequence of phase shift images and converted them to temperature maps using newly developed calibration procedure. The maps were combined into movies to watch temperature evolution dynamics. Conclusion: The digital high‐resolution ultrasonicthermometer demonstrated performance improvement and will replace its analog predecessor in the radiation‐testing lab. The 2D ultrasonic temperature mapping system was successfully tested with a light radiation heating source. We plan to continue characterizing its spatial and temperature resolution and incorporate all findings into a next‐generation prototype for ionizing radiationtesting. Research sponsored by NIST.
The desire to be fashionable. Should we consider it a risk factor for infection in adolescents with acute leukaemia

Three cases of skin infection, two with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one with Staphylococcus aureus in three adolescents with acute leukaemia are described. In all cases the infection was clearly related to the latest fashion in shoes. This report underline the fact that factors related to everyday life and less frequently considered than those related to the underlying illness can also put increase the risk of developing severe infections in immunocompromised patients.
An obfuscation framework for controlling value of information during sharing

Sensory information is characterized by its inherent quality and context-specific value. It is thus natural that the information provider would want to exercise control over the information shared based on her perception of the risk of possible misuse due to sharing and also depending on the consumer requirements. To attain this utility vs. risk trade-off, information is subjected to varying but deliberate quality modifying transformations which we term as obfuscation. In this paper, treating privacy as the primary motivation for information control, we highlight initial considerations of using feature sharing as an obfuscation mechanism to control the inferences possible from shared sensory data. We provide results from an activity tracking scenario to illustrate the use of feature selection in identifying the various trade-off points.
An analysis tool for the assessment of student participation and implementation dynamics in online discussion forums

In order to conduct a successful online forum it is necessary to have a collection of proven provocative discussion topics, a sound technique to implement them, and a consistent way to assess student participation. In this paper I present an analysis tool that helps me evaluate individual student participation, the viability of the forum cases, and their success/failure of their execution. The paper begins with a brief introduction to the ANGEL learning system in use by my university, a review of techniques to promote, facilitate, and assess participation. This is followed by a description of the analysis tool, its operation, and factors that it measures. The paper concludes with lessons learned and opportunities for future work.
The direct observation of etch-pits at dislocations in molybdenum

Abstract The correlation between etch-pits and dislocations in molybdenum has been examined by optical microscopy and replication techniques on bulk single crystals, and transmission electron microscopy of etched thin foils. Dilute Murakami chemical etch gives a one-to-one correspondence between etch-pits and dislocations on {421} planes; however, for other orientations and/or solutions, the one-to-one correspondence no longer exists. Detailed examination of the {421} plane shows that: (a) dislocation decoration by impurities is not required for etch-pitting; (b) annnealing of as-grown crystals in hydrogen at ∼ 1900°c reduces the dislocation density from ∼6 × 107 cm−2 to ∼ 106 cm−2, with an accompanying re-arrangement of dislocations into sub-grain boundaries; (c) standard strength Murakami etch produces etch-pits at dislocations and at other sites in the matrix; (d) the shape and orientation of the etch-pits is independent of the Burgers vector or angle of inclination of the dislocation to the free cryst...
Current issues in the treatment of depression in bipolar disorder patients.

Reviewing abstracts of posters and presentations at scientific meetings offers a rapid overview summary of the state of the art of a given discipline and/or disorder, with data presented being available months to years before formal publication occurs. This article reviews selected abstracts of posters presented at the Sixth International Conference on Bipolar Disorder, held in Pittsburgh, PA June 16–18, 2005. The review consists of the consideration of nine published abstracts (of a total of 278 abstracts). The major focus of this review is on the nature and treatment of depression in bipolar disorder patients, and includes information generally not previously circulated to psychiatric professionals.
ANTI-APOPTOTIC ACTIONS OF VASOPRESSIN IN H32 NEURONS INVOLVE MAP KINASE TRANSACTIVATION AND BAD PHOSPHORYLATION

Abstract Vasopressin (VP) secreted within the brain modulates neuronal function acting as a neurotransmitter. Based on the observation that VP prevented serum deprivation-induced cell death in the neuronal cell line, H32, which expresses endogenous V1 receptors, we tested the hypothesis that VP has anti-apoptotic properties. Flow cytometry experiments showed that 10 nM VP prevented serum deprivation-induced cell death and annexin V binding. Serum deprivation increased caspase-3 activity in a time and serum concentration dependent manner, and VP prevented these effects through interaction with receptors of V1 subtype. The signaling pathways mediating the anti-apoptotic effect of VP involve mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), Ca 2+ /calmodulin dependent kinase (CaMK) and protein kinase C (PKC). Western blot analyses revealed time-dependent decreases of Bad phosphorylation and increases in cytosolic levels of cytochrome c following serum deprivation, effects which were prevented by 10 nM VP. These data demonstrate that activation of endogenous V1 VP receptors prevents serum deprivation-induced apoptosis, through phosphorylation-inactivation of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bad, and consequent decreases in cytosolic cytochrome c and caspase-3 activation. The data suggest that VP has anti-apoptotic activity in neurons and that VP may act as a neuroprotective agent in the brain.
Mucosal immune deficiency in IBD: Role of IL-4

Interleukin-4 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Mucosal Immune Reactivity. West GA, Matsuura T, Levine AD, Klein JS, Fiocchi C. Gastroenterology 1996;110:1683-95.
A Through-hole Array on Optical Fibers Fabricated by 1-kHz/400-nm Femtosecond Laser Pulses for an in-line/pico-Litter Spectrometer Design

Abstract Femtosecond laser machining has successfully been applied to develop for a spectroscopic sensing in multi-mode optical fibers by embedding through holes penetrating the fiber core, which could work to be a sample cell for spectroscopic measurements. In this report, the spectroscopic measurement using the pico-litter sample cell will be shown for liquid dye of Rhodamine 6G (R6G). Even with a single cell volume of 20 pL, the absorption spectra are appeared in the visible range centered at a wavelength of 530 nm corresponding to the peak absorption wavelength of R6G solutions.
On power-of-choice in downlink transmission scheduling

A low-complexity guiding principle is considered for transmission scheduling from n homogeneous queues whose channel states fluctuate independently. The scheduler transmits from a longest queue within d randomly chosen queues with eligible channel states. A Markovian model is studied where mean packet transmission time is n-1 and packet arrival rate is lambda < 1 per queue. Equilibrium distribution of queue occupancy is obtained in the limit as n rarr infin and it is shown to have tails that decay as Theta((lambda/d)k). If transmissions are scheduled from a longest eligible queue in the entire system then almost all queues are empty in equilibrium; the number of queues with one packet is Theta(1) and the number of queues with more than one packet is o(1) as n rarr infin. Equilibrium distribution of the total number of packets in the system is also characterized in this latter case.
A fractal Radon inversion problem

For a family of Cantor measuresμ on ℝn, we construct a solution to the problem of recoveringƒ from μ *ƒ forƒ of compact support, as the limit of λk * (μ*ƒ) where λk is a sequence of distributions exhibiting a form of self-similarity. We also investigate Ehrenpreis’ necessary and sufficient condition on\(\hat \mu \) for there to exist a fundamental solutionλ withμ * λ =δ, and show that it depends on certain number-theoretic conditions in the description ofμ. The first result is also proved for certain self-similar measures on Heisenberg groups.
Rancidity in Frozen Catfish Fillets as Influenced by Antioxidant Injection and Storage

The effects of antioxidant injection and frozen storage on volatile aldehyde concentrations and TBA values of three external fillet sites and an internal site were compared with sensory evaluations of whole, frozen stored fillets. Fillets were IQF processed, ice glazed and stored at -20°C for up to 6 months. The fillet site tissues were excised bimonthly from whole, frozen stored fillets for chemical and instrumental analysis of rancidity. The lateral line and skin-side of fillets were two sites most susceptible to rancidity as reflected by increasing volatile aldehyde concentrations and TBA values over storage time. Injection of a polyphosphate and lemon juice antioxidant significantly reduced rancidity-related aldehydes in all external fillet sites. Antioxidant injection significantly improved flavor of frozen fillets stored beyond 2 months. TBA analysis of only the dark muscle was a good indicator of rancidity, while volatile aldehyde content of either the lateral line or skin-side site was a good ranc...
Altered Local Coherence in the Default Mode Network due to Sevoflurane Anesthesia

Recently we introduced a robust measure, integrated local correlation (ILC), of local connectivity in the brain using fMRI data which reflects the temporal correlation of brain activity in every voxel neighborhood. The current work studies ILC in fMRI data obtained in the absence and presence of sevoflurane anesthesia (0%, 2%, and 1% end-tidal concentration, respectively) administered to healthy volunteers. ILC was determined specifically in regions of the default mode network (DMN) to address local changes in each state. In addition, a potential confound in analyses based on correlations due to signal-to-noise variations was addressed by wavelet denoising. This accommodated decreases in signal power commonly seen during anesthesia without artificially reducing derived correlations. Results showed that ILC was significantly reduced in the entire DMN during 2% sevoflurane yet recovered in the posterior and anterior cingulate cortices as well as inferior parietal cortex during 1% sevoflurane. By contrast, ILC remained attenuated prefrontally in the 1% condition, which indicates uncoupling of the frontal areas of DMN during light anesthesia. These results confirm widespread anesthetic-induced cortical suppression but also demonstrate that the local connectivity of the prefrontal cortex is rapidly reduced by sevoflurane. It remains to be seen whether these alterations arise locally as a direct consequence of anesthetic action on local neurons or are driven by distant changes in oscillations and activity elsewhere in the brain.
Desiderata for cognitive architectures

This article addresses issues in developing cognitive architectures--generic computational models of cognition. Cognitive architectures are believed to be essential in advancing understanding of the mind, and therefore, developing cognitive architectures is an extremely important enterprise in cognitive science. The article proposes a set of essential desiderata for developing cognitive architectures. It then moves on to discuss in detail some of these desiderata and their associated concepts and ideas relevant to developing better cognitive architectures. It argues for the importance of taking into full consideration these desiderata in developing future architectures that are more cognitively and ecologically realistic. A brief and preliminary evaluation of existing cognitive architectures is attempted on the basis of these ideas.
Free vibration of a finite row of continuous skin-stringer panels

Abstract The determination of natural frequencies and normal modes is discussed for a row of skin-stringer panels which are continuous over supporting stringers, and which resembles the fuselage construction for modern airplanes. The number of panels in the row is assumed finite. All the panels and the interior stringers are assumed identical. On the other hand, exterior stringers are allowed to be different from the interior ones. Formulation of the problem leads to a fourth-order symmetrical difference equation, common in problems of “repeated structures”. A relatively simple solution is obtained by assuming that each normal mode is spatially periodic. The implication 0f this assumption is discussed, and it is shown that the assumption is not restrictive for certain practical applications, in particular, in the study 0f panel response to jet noise. Two reduced cases are then discussed wherein the bending rigidity and the torsional rigidity of the stringers, respectively, are taken to be infinite. Analytical difficulties are greatly reduced in the special cases. It is found that for conventional airplane-panel construction the natural frequencies may be computed with good accuracy by regarding the stringer-bending rigidity to be infinite.