cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4751: Structure and inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MEK4): A prostate cancer pro-invasion protein

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Introduction: Metastasis of Prostate Cancer (PCa) represents the second highest cause of death due to cancer among men in the United States. If this unregulated movement of cells can be inhibited, mortality arising from PCa will be greatly reduced. Our group has shown that Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MAP2K4/MEK4), a 399 amino acid protein, activates pro-invasion signaling pathways in human PCa. Further, we have shown that 4,5,7-trihydroxyisoavone (genistein) inhibits MEK4 kinase activity, cell invasion and metastasis of human PCa cells in a murine model. While therapeutically effective, genistein represents a non-chemically optimized natural product with additional undesired effects such as estrogenic receptor stimulation. Recognizing that MEK4 represents a novel and important therapeutic target, we have sought to characterize its structure, biochemical function and have synthesized genistein analogs designed to target it. Summary of Results: Using X-ray crystallography we have obtained a 3.38A resolution structure of the MEK4 catalytic domain. We are in the process of improving our resolution, and of deriving 3D structures with inhibitors bound to MEK4. We have evaluated biophysical interactions between MEK4 and ligands (i.e., genistein and its analogs). Ligand binding to a protein tends to increase its stability, thereby increasing the temperature of denaturation, or melting. Using a fluorescence thermal shift (FTS) assay, we demonstrated that genistein and 6 of 39 novel analogs thermally stabilized MEK4 in a concentration dependent manner, consistent with MEK4 binding. We identified a similar pattern in 5 compounds from a commercial library, one of which was staurosporine - a broad spectrum protein kinase inhibitor. We developed and characterized a novel in vitro MEK4 kinase assay, using kinase dead p38MAPK (K53A) as substrate. In human PCa cells, MEK4 activates the p38 MAPK pro-invasion pathway. To date, we have used this assay system to demonstrate that staurosporine inhibits MEK4 with nanomolar IC50 values. Conclusions and Future Directions: MEK4 is a novel target for therapeutic intervention in PCa. Our ultimate goal is to synergistically utilize structural and biochemical information to inform the synthesis of inhibitors that specifically and selectively act upon MEK4 to inhibit human PCa metastasis in man. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4751. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4751
From rockstar researcher to selfless mentor: a daughter's perspective.

Carlos Castillo-Chavez's tenure at Cornell University with Simon Levine,also marks the beginning of my life as his daughter. I was nine months old when I arrived to Ithaca, and my recollections of my father in elementary school and middle school were of him furiously writing equations at his desk, or outside on the chalk board in our shed, or on napkins, notepads or anything he could get his hands on at restaurants; but more likely than not, away. When I was young, my father was becoming the researcher that today makes him a three-time Presidential honoree, a member of Barak Obama's Presidential Committee on the National Medal of Science, and of course, the purpose of this volume. Even in those early days, he was away a lot -- either traveling to conferences or increasingly as an invited lecturer, or at the office. Of course, I was still (and am) a daddy's little girl, bonded forever by a shared obsession with the same movies (The Godfather, My Name is Nobody, The Man from Snowy River); the same TV shows (Law & Order); and all things sports related, but I also knew that my father was a very busy man and his time was limited. So I would watch him work, often with my own little extra homework he would give me to keep me entertained, peck him on the check and let him know that I would take over his job when I was old enough. For more information please click the “Full Text” above
Measurements of fuel burn rate, emissions and thermal efficiency from a domestic two-stage wood-fired hydronic heater

An experimental study is conducted of a two-stage wood-fired hydronic heater (WFHH). The WFHH contains two combustion chambers. The first is associated primarily with wood pyrolysis while the second, located down stream, is designed for secondary burning of undesirable emissions. A piezo-electric load cell based apparatus is developed to obtain direct measurements of fuel burn rate (FBR) - avoiding possible inaccuracies of standardized (full appliance weighing) approaches used for certification. To check the internal consistency of the experimental measurement, a theoretical mass loss relation is developed and used for reducing data and to explain the physical mechanism responsible for the existence of the experimentally observed global maximum burn rate. A system level numerical model is also developed based on a combination of well-stirred reactor theory and chemical equilibrium to provide estimates of flue exhaust products and temperature. Overall agreement between experiments and model predictions are reasonable for temperature and major combustion species. Experimental emissions maps within a temperature/equivalence ratio state space are used to demonstrate the current operating path for this WFHH. Average thermal efficiencies are measured in the range of 48–55%. These measurements are found to be internally self-consistent and provide guidance for more complete theoretical studies.
Tumor-associated methylation of the putative tumor suppressor AJAP1 gene and association between decreased AJAP1 expression and shorter survival in patients with glioma

Allelic loss of the short arm of chromosome 1 has been observed frequently in a wide spectrum of cancers,most frequently in oligodendroglioma.In our previous studies,we evaluated 177 oligodendroglial tumor samples and identified the AJAP1 gene(formerly Shrew1) in the consensus region of deletion.AJAP1 is a transmembrane protein found in adheren junctions and functions to inhibit glioma cell adhesion and migration.Whereas a putative tumor suppressor gene,we did not detect AJAP1 gene mutations.In subsequent studies,we found that AJAP1 was underexpressed in oligodendrogliomas relative to normal brain tissues.Bioinformatic analysis revealed the presence of CpG islands in the promoter of AJAP1.Methylation analysis of the AJAP1 promoter identified hypermethylation in 21% of oligodendrogliomas(n = 27),and the degree of methylation correlated with low levels of AJAP1 expression(P = 0.045).The AJAP1 promoter was also highly methylated in a wide spectrum of cell lines(n = 22),including cell lines of glioblastoma.Analysis of the National Cancer Institute's REMBRANDT dataset,which contains 343 glioma samples,indicated that low AJAP1 gene expression was associated with decreased survival.Thus,both genetic(gene deletion) and epigenetic alterations(promoter methylation) are likely mechanisms that inactivate the putative tumor suppressor AJAP1 in gliomas,which contributes to poor prognosis.
PRACTICE OF DUST SUPPRESSION BY DUAL-SWIRL SPRAYING TECHNOLOGY CONTROL COAL DUST

The dust problem is the important issues that affect coal preparation plant efficient security and cleaner production.This paper analyses the reasons of the emergence and spread of dust,According to the actual situation of coal preparation plant,use dual-swirl spray control dust pollution.The system of simple,reliable operation,less investment and better prospects.
Genotype and Epigenotype by Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Analysis

Publisher Summary Determining the DNA sequence of the human genome was the first step for molecular understanding of complex human diseases with a genetic component. Knowing a reference DNA sequence led to the formation of an international consortium dedicated to develop a catalog of common human genomic variation. The International Haplotype Mapping Consortium set its initial goal of identifying all common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), defined as SNPs with minor allele frequency> 5%, every 5 kilo bases (kb) across the genome. This highly successful project ( International HapMap Consortium, 2005 ) not only provided a resource for studying genomic variations that contribute susceptibility to common disease, but also stimulated the development of molecular tools for highly multiplexed examination of genetic abnormalities, in high resolution, across the entire genome
Neuronal overexpression of human VAPB slows motor impairment and neuromuscular denervation in a mouse model of ALS

Four mutations in the VAMP/synaptobrevin-associated protein B (VAPB) gene have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) type 8. The mechanism by which VAPB mutations cause motor neuron disease is unclear, but studies of the most common P56S variant suggest both loss of function and dominant-negative sequestration of wild-type protein. Diminished levels of VAPB and its proteolytic cleavage fragment have also been reported in sporadic ALS cases, suggesting that VAPB loss of function may be a common mechanism of disease. Here, we tested whether neuronal overexpression of wild-type human VAPB would attenuate disease in a mouse model of familial ALS1. We used neonatal intraventricular viral injections to express VAPB or YFP throughout the brain and spinal cord of superoxide dismutase (SOD1) G93A transgenic mice. Lifelong elevation of neuronal VAPB slowed the decline of neurological impairment, delayed denervation of hindlimb muscles, and prolonged survival of spinal motor neurons. Collectively, these changes produced a slight but significant extension in lifespan, even in this highly aggressive model of disease. Our findings lend support for a protective role of VAPB in neuromuscular health.
Terahertz waves in cultural heritage: imaging results via the fiber-coupled terahertz time domain system

Terahertz imaging and spectroscopy are receiving an increasing attention in cultural heritage owing to their ability to gather information on materials, constructive techniques and possible damages characterizing artworks in a non-invasive and contactless way. In order to assess the potentialities offered by this emerging technology, examples available in the pertaining literature and concerning surveys of painting masterpieces are briefly reviewed. Moreover, surveys carried out at the Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment - National Research Council of Italy are presented. These surveys have been performed by means of a commercial system on a laboratory wood object and a majolica tile, which is an example of the Neapolitan majolica tile production of the XIX century. The achieved results provide a further proof of the ability of terahertz waves to image hidden details and represent one of the first example concerning the use of terahertz waves as a tool to characterize majolica objects.
Recent advances towards a lithium vapor box divertor

Abstract Fusion power plants are likely to require near complete detachment of the divertor plasma from the divertor target plates, in order to have both acceptable heat flux at the target to avoid prompt damage and also acceptable plasma temperature at the target surface, to minimize long-term erosion. However hydrogenic and impurity puffing experiments show that detached operation leads easily to x-point MARFEs, impure plasmas, degradation in confinement, and lower helium pressure at the exhaust. The concept of the Lithium Vapor Box Divertor is to use local evaporation and strong differential pumping through condensation to localize low-Z gas-phase material that absorbs the plasma heat flux and so achieve detachment while avoiding these difficulties. The vapor localization has been confirmed using preliminary Navier–Stokes calculations. We use ADAS calculations of e cool , the plasma energy lost per injected lithium atom, to estimate the lithium vapor pressure, and so temperature, required for detachment, taking into account power balance. We also develop a simple model of detachment to evaluate the required upstream density, based on further taking into account dynamic pressure balance. A remarkable general result is found, not just for lithium-vapor-induced detachment, that the upstream density divided by the Greenwald-limit density scales as n up /n GW ∝ ( P 5/8 / B 3/8 ) T det 1/2 /(e cool + γ T det ), with no explicit size scaling. T det is the temperature just before strong pressure loss, assumed to be ∼ ½ of the ionization potential of the dominant recycling species, and γ is the sheath heat transmission factor.
System Level Design Considerations

This chapter is a top level treatment of system level considerations concerning high-contrast imaging coronagraphy from various approaches. Considerations include target properties and their effect on fundamental imaging requirements such as resolution, bandpass and contrast. I compare the advantages and disadvantages of observing from the ground, balloons, rockets, and satellites. I outline different methods of starlight suppression presently being explored and compare them based on the crucial performance metrics of spatial and chromatic response. I present components for wavefront control and techniques for wavefront sensing. Finally, a brief overview of efforts that have been undertaken to implement these systems is given.
An Investigation of the Expressive Values of Graphemes

It was shown that graphemes, grouped according to articulation location, were rated differentially by English speaking Ss along three semantic differential dimensions — evaluation, potency, and activity. Front consonants were rated as more pleasant than back consonants, but no differences were noted on the other two factors for consonants. Front vowels were rated as less powerful and more active than back vowels, but no difference was noted on the evaluative factor. Other descriptive dimensions proved to differentiate expressive values of sound groups. Thus, voiced consonants were rated as more potent than nonvoiced consonants. Tense vowels were rated as more pleasant, potent, and active than lax vowels. A multiple factor approach to description and interpretation of phonetic symbolism was suggested as most consistent with these data.
The Roots of Belief

This chapter focuses on the origins of students' beliefs about mathematics. It presents analyses of two problem-solving sessions recorded by the students LS and TH before and after the 1980–1981 problem-solving course. It examines these sessions in terms of all four categories of the analytical framework, with an emphasis on the ways that belief shaped the students' behavior. These analyses provide the opportunity to see the way the full framework is implemented. The major lesson that LS and TH seem to have learned from their encounters with geometry is that geometric argumentation has nothing to do with learning or discovery. Although they were capable of making deductive arguments, the students avoided making them in situations where they could be used to advantage. This kind of behavior is much more the rule than the exception. The prevalence of such behavior raises some serious questions about what students are really learning in the mathematics classrooms. Selections from some ongoing classroom studies suggest that there is cause for concern. They indicate that the roots of students' empiricism can be traced directly to the ways that they are being taught mathematics.
Pathophysiology of Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus Metabolism

Calcium, the principal mineral of the human skeleton and the most abundant cation of the body, is essential to the integrity and function of cell membranes, neuromuscular excitability, transmission of nerve impulses, multiple enzymatic reactions, and regulation of parathyroid hormone secretion. The primary factor in the regulation of extracellular calcium is parathyroid hormone. It acts on the skeleton, small intestine, and kidney and interrelates with vitamin D and calcitonin to maintain the extracellular calcium concentration within narrow limits. Parathyroid hormone increases serum calcium by (1) increasing the activity and number of osteoclasts, inducing bone resorption, and consequently mobilizing calcium from bone; (2) augmenting calcium reabsorption by the kidney; and (3) increasing calcium absorption by the small intestine, indirectly, due to greater production of l,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 (see Chapter 3). Since more than 99% of the body calcium resides in the skeleton, and some of it is in dynamic equilibrium with soluble forms of circulating calcium, bone plays a key role in calcium metabolism. Thus, factors affecting calcium metabolism may lead to skeletal derangements. In order to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying a given clinical disorder of calcium metabolism, it is necessary to review calcium balance in health.
Evaluation of medical and dental visits in New York City: Opportunities to identify persons with and at risk for diabetes mellitus in dental settings.

Objective The identification of persons with or at risk for chronic diseases is a new practice paradigm for oral healthcare. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease of particular importance to oral health providers. This study sought to understand healthcare utilization patterns that would support the introduction of this new practice paradigm. Methods The primary and oral healthcare utilization patterns of New York City (NYC) adults were assessed using data collected from the 2013 NYC Community Health Survey. We stratified healthcare utilization patterns by type of provider, insurance, DM diagnosis and DM modifiable risk factors. Results Of 6.4 million NYC adults, an estimated 676 000 (10.5%) reported a previous diagnosis of DM, and 3.9 million (69.5%) were identified with one or more modifiable risk factor for DM. Of these at risk individuals, 2.2 million (58.9%) received dental services in the past 12 months, and 545 000 (14.3%) did not see a primary care provider during the same period. Of the approximately 1.16 million adults without health insurance, an estimated 338 000 (26.2%) had a dental visit only. Conclusion Healthcare utilization patterns in this urban setting suggest that oral healthcare providers can support the identification of patients with and at risk for DM who may otherwise not have the opportunity for screening.
Socio-scientific Issues-Based Education: What We Know About Science Education in the Context of SSI

Over the last decade, interest in socio-scientific issues (SSI) as research themes and instructional contexts for science education has grown dramatically. During this period, science educators have presented several articles and chapters that outline the conceptual and theoretical dimensions of this emerging field (e.g., Hodson, 2003; Sadler & Zeidler, 2009; Zeidler & Keefer, 2003; Zeidler, Sadler, Simmons & Howes, 2005). Scholars working in this area have also conducted a fair amount of research addressing a wide range of questions making use of various methodologies including correlational analyses, quasi-experimentally designed quantitative studies, case studies, and grounded theory. Much of this research has been reviewed and synthesized elsewhere (Bennett, Lubben & Hogarth, 2007; Sadler, 2004; 2009). These contributions provide an important backdrop for the development of this volume.
Linguistic rhythm in foreign accent.

This study investigates the influence of L1 on L2 with respect to linguistic rhythm. The L2 English of French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish speakers is compared with L1 English. The results show that the linguistic rhythm of L1 transfers to L2. Compared to L1 English, L2 English has shorter stressed vowels but longer reduced vowel. Stressed vowels in the L2 English of stress-timed languages have a higher pitch contour than those in the L2 English of syllabletimed languages.
Particle settling in a simulated melter discharge riser

Abstract Legacy tank waste from plutonium production at the Hanford site is planned for vitrification at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). The accumulation of spinel crystals in the melter, discharge throat and riser is a possible operational concern wherein clogging and/or subsequent failure of the high level waste (HLW) melter may occur. Experiments were conducted in a full-scale, room temperature test platform that is prototypic of the WTP HLW melter to characterize the particle settling in the riser. The experimental system consists of an acrylic discharge riser and throat attached to a feed tank that allows for visual observation of the particle behavior. Silicone oil and magnetite particles were used as simulants for the molten glass and spinel crystals. A set of equations for wall-corrected, cloud settling of particles at low particle concentration is presented that closely matches the experimentally determined settling rate.
Evaluation of Novel Modified Activated Alumina as Adsorbent for Arsenic Removal

In this research work, the feasibility of using novel activated alumina (AA) and modified AA adsorbents for arsenic (As) removal from drinking water was evaluated. A sol-gel derived activated alumina adsorbent was prepared. Equilibrium adsorption studies were conducted to evaluate the As removal efficiency of synthesized and modified adsorbents. Results on As adsorption using Solgel AA and modified Solgel AA adsorbents demonstrated that ZnO nanoparticle-modified AA (Nanogel AA) provided better adsorption performance. The high As adsorption capacity of Nanogel AA is attributed to the enhanced pore textural and surface properties as well as to the pH independency of the adsorbent. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm fitted well with the adsorption of arsenic over modified AA.
Las cicatrices de la fugacidad

Fernando de Szyszlo. Reproducciones en color y textos en ingles (mas separata con traduccion castellana) de Mario Vargas Llosa, Ana Moria Escallon, Ricardo Pau-Llosa; entrevista de Ana Maria Escallon y cronografia de Judith Alnais. Ediciones Alfred Wild, Bogota, 1991.
Effect of temperature, nitrate concentration, pH and bicarbonate addition on biomass and lipid accumulation in the sporulating green alga PW95

Abstract The mixed effects of temperature (20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C), nitrate concentration (0.5 mM and 2.0 mM), pH buffer, and bicarbonate addition (trigger) on biomass growth and lipid accumulation were investigated in the environmental alga PW95 during batch experiments in standardized growth medium. PW95 was isolated from coal-bed methane production water and classified as a Chlamydomonas-like species by morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis (18S, ITS, rbcL). A factorial experimental design tested the mixed effects on PW95 before and after nitrate depletion to determine a low cost, high efficiency combination of treatments for biomass growth and lipid accumulation. Results showed buffer addition affected growth for most of the treatments and bicarbonate trigger had no statistically significant effect on growth and lipid accumulation. PW95 displayed the highest growth rate and chlorophyll content at 30 °C and 2.0 mM nitrate and there was an inverse relation between biomass accumulation and lipid accumulation at the extremes of nitrate concentration and temperature. The combination of higher temperature (30 °C) and lower nitrate level (0.5 mM) without the use of a buffer or bicarbonate addition resulted in maximal daily biomass accumulation (5.30 × 106 cells/mL), high biofuel potential before and after nitrate depletion (27% and 20%), higher biofuel productivity (16 and 15 mg/L/d, respectively), and desirable fatty acid profiles (saturated and unsaturated C16 and C18 chains). Our results indicate an important interaction between low nitrate levels, temperature, and elevated pH for trade-offs between biomass and lipid production in PW95. This work serves as a model to approach and advance the study of physiological responses of novel microalgae to diverse culture conditions that mimic environmental changes for outdoor biofuel production. The most promising conditions for growth and biofuel production were identified for PW95 and this approach can be implemented for other microalgal production systems.
Gallantry and Matrimonial Heterosexuality: Love and Friendship in Scudéry’s Carte de Tendre (1654)

This article reads Scudery’s Carte de Tendre from the viewpoint of the history of sexuality. Scholars have argued that Scudery’s map, by implementing a reconfiguration of emotions, paves the way fo...
DNA methylation profile of genes involved in inflammation and autoimmunity correlates with vascular function in morbidly obese adults.

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Blood-detected epigenetic profiles may serve as non-invasive clinically relevant biomarkers. Therefore, we investigated DNA methylation of...
Effects of rotation and blade incidence on the properties of turbomachinery rotor wake

An experimental investigation of the effects of the speed of rotation on a turbomachinery rotor blade wake was conducted using a fan rotor in incompressible flow. Measurements were made at two different rotational speeds (1753 and 1010 rpm) but keeping the same blade loading. This was achieved by maintaining the same incidence angle to the rotor blades in both sets of measurements. The blade incidence angle was also varied to discern the effect of blade loading. A tri-axial hot wire probe mounted in a stationary frame of reference was used for the measurements made at several radial and axial stations in the near- and far-wake regions. The three dimensional mean velocity and turbulence profiles, the wake defect, wake decay rate, turbulence intensities and turbulence stresses are appreciably altered when the speed of rotation and the blade loading are changed. The wake defect is substantially reduced and the radial velocity increased when the rotational speed is increased.
Formaldehyde-induced Cross-Linkages in the α Subunit of the Escherichia coli Tryptophan Synthetase

Two intramolecular cross-linkages (methylene bridges) have been introduced by formaldehyde in the α subunit of the Escherichia coli tryptophan synthetase without any detectable loss in enzyme activity. These have been assigned to side chains in the sequences between residues 152 to 158, 212 to 218, and 227 to 233. Based on the conditions of reaction, the stability of the methylene bridges, and the availability of reactive residues in these sequences, the specific amino acid pairs linked together have been tentatively designated as asparagine-156-serine-214 and glutamine-218-serine-232.
SNARE-ing neurotransmitter transporters.

A new study demonstrates a link between neurotransmitter secretion and reuptake by showing that syntaxin 1A also interacts with—and regulates—GAT1 GABA transporters.
Amyloid-DNA Composites of Bacterial Biofilms Stimulate Autoimmunity

Research on the human microbiome has established that commensal and pathogenic bacteria can influence obesity, cancer, and autoimmunity through mechanisms mostly unknown. We found that a component of bacterial biofilms, the amyloid protein curli, irreversibly formed fibers with bacterial DNA during biofilm formation. This interaction accelerated amyloid polymerization and created potent immunogenic complexes that activated immune cells, including dendritic cells, to produce cytokines such as type I interferons, which are pathogenic in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). When given systemically, curli-DNA composites triggered immune activation and production of autoantibodies in lupus-prone and wild-type mice. We also found that the infection of lupus-prone mice with curli-producing bacteria triggered higher autoantibody titers compared to curli-deficient bacteria. These data provide a mechanism by which the microbiome and biofilm-producing enteric infections may contribute to the progression of SLE and point to a potential molecular target for treatment of autoimmunity.
Prediction of HIV-1 protease/inhibitor affinity using RosettaLigand.

Predicting HIV-1 protease/inhibitor binding affinity as the difference between the free energy of the inhibitor bound and unbound state remains difficult as the unbound state exists as an ensemble of conformations with various degrees of flap opening. We improve computational prediction of protease/inhibitor affinity by invoking the hypothesis that the free energy of the unbound state while difficult to predict is less sensitive to mutation. Thereby the HIV-1 protease/inhibitor binding affinity can be approximated with the free energy of the bound state alone. Bound state free energy can be predicted from comparative models of HIV-1 protease mutant/inhibitor complexes. Absolute binding energies are predicted with R=0.71 and SE=5.91 kJ/mol. Changes in binding free energy upon mutation can be predicted with R=0.85 and SE=4.49 kJ/mol. Resistance mutations that lower inhibitor binding affinity can thereby be recognized early in HIV-1 protease inhibitor development.
Reduced energy intake and moderate exercise reduce mammary tumor incidence in virgin female BALB/c mice treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene

The concurrent effects of diet (standard AIN-76A, restricted AIN-76A and high-fat diet) and moderate rotating-drum treadmill exercise on the incidence of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary carcinomas in virgin female BALB/cMed mice free of murine mammary tumor virus are evaluated. Analyses show that, although energy intake was related to mammary tumor incidence, neither body weight nor dietary fat predicted tumor incidence.
High-speed uncooled DFB lasers for LAN applications

Summary form only given. Low cost, uncooled, fibre-optic transceiver modules have enabled explosive growth in the use of fiber optics technology in the local area network (LAN). For high temperature operation of a DFB laser, researchers have proposed new material systems such as AlInGaAs quantum wells which have a high characteristic temperature, InGaAsP buried (pnpn) heterostructure devices have also shown good high temperature performance.
Aglets: Programming Mobile Agents in Java

Mobile agents are programs that can be dispatched from one computer and delivered to a remote computer for execution. Arriving at the remote computer, they present their credentials and obtain access to local services and data. They also provide a single uniform paradigm for distributed object computing, encompassing synchrony and asynchrony, message-passing and object-passing, and stationary objects and mobile objects. In this paper, we describe our Java-based mobile agents called Aglets and present its programming interface, called Java Aglet API.
Developmental Expression of IL-12Rβ2 on Murine Naive Neonatal T Cells Counters the Upregulation of IL-13Rα1 on Primary Th1 Cells and Balances Immunity in the Newborn

Upon exposure to Ag on the day of birth, neonatal mice mount balanced primary Th1 and Th2 responses, with the former displaying upregulated IL-13Rα1 expression. This chain associates with IL-4Rα to form a heteroreceptor (IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1) that marks the Th1 cells for death by IL-4 produced by Th2 cells during rechallenge with Ag, hence the Th2 bias of murine neonatal immunity. The upregulation of IL-13Rα1 on neonatal Th1 cells was due to the paucity of IL-12 in the neonatal environment. In this study, we show that by day 8 after birth, naive splenic T cells are no longer susceptible to IL-13Rα1 upregulation even when exposed to Ag within the neonatal environment. Furthermore, during the 8-d lapse, the naive splenic T cells spontaneously and progressively upregulate the IL-12Rβ2 chain, perhaps due to colonization by commensals, which induce production of IL-12 by cells of the innate immune system such as dendritic cells. In fact, mature T cells from the thymus, a sterile environment not accessible to microbes, did not upregulate IL-12Rβ2 and were unable to counter IL-13Rα1 upregulation. Finally, the 8-d naive T cells were able to differentiate into Th1 cells even independently of IL-12 but required the cytokine to counter upregulation of IL-13Rα1. Thus, in neonatal mice, IL-12, which accumulates in the environment progressively, uses IL-12Rβ2 to counter IL-13Rα1 expression in addition to promoting Th1 differentiation.
Surface Micromachined Capacitive Differential Pressure Sensor With Lithographically-defined Silicon Diaphragm

A capacitive surface micromachined sensor suitable for the measurement of liquid and gas pressures was fabricated. The structure consists of a polysilicon stationary electrode suspended 0.7 /spl mu/m above a 20 /spl mu/m-thick lightly-doped silicon diaphragm formed by a patterned etch stop. The a-priori patterning of the buried etch stop yields diaphragm widths independent of wafer thickness variations with excellent alignment. The design described here has a pressure range of 100 PSI, a nominal capacitance of 3.5 pF with a full scale span of 0.8 pF and a temperature coefficient of 100 ppm//spl deg/C. Each device, including a matched reference capacitor, occupies 2.9 mm/sup 2/ yielding approximately 2000 devices per 100 mm wafer.
Puberty, statural growth, and growth hormone release in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are smaller than normally growing children.. The association between the growth hormone (GH) axis and growth in children with CP during puberty is unknown. We compared growth and markers of the GH axis in pre-pubertal and pubertal children with moderate to severe CP and without CP over a three-year period.
Assessing Benefit from Feature Feedback in Active Learning for Text Classification

Feature feedback is an alternative to instance labeling when seeking supervision from human experts. Combination of instance and feature feedback has been shown to reduce the total annotation cost for supervised learning. However, learning problems may not benefit equally from feature feedback. It is well understood that the benefit from feature feedback reduces as the amount of training data increases. We show that other characteristics such as domain, instance granularity, feature space, instance selection strategy and proportion of relevant text, have a significant effect on benefit from feature feedback. We estimate the maximum benefit feature feedback may provide; our estimate does not depend on how the feedback is solicited and incorporated into the model. We extend the complexity measures proposed in the literature and propose some new ones to categorize learning problems, and find that they are strong indicators of the benefit from feature feedback.
The Role of the agouti Gene in the Yellow Obese Syndrome

The yellow obese syndrome in mice encompasses many pleiotropic effects including yellow fur, maturity-onset obesity, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, increased skeletal length and lean body mass, and increased susceptibility to neoplasia. The molecular basis of this syndrome is beginning to be unraveled and may have implications for human obesity and diabetes. Normally, the agouti gene is expressed during the hair-growth cycle in the neonatal skin where it functions as a paracrine regulator of pigmentation. The secreted agouti protein antagonizes the binding of the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone to its receptor (melanocortin 1 receptor) on the surface of hair bulb melanocytes, causing alterations in intracellular cAMP levels. Widespread, ectopic expression of the mouse agouti gene is central to the yellow obese phenotype, as demonstrated by the molecular cloning of several dominant agouti mutations and the ubiquitous expression of the wild-type agouti gene in transgenic mice. Recent experiments have revealed that the hypothalamus and adipose tissue are biologically active target sites for agouti in the yellow obese mutant lines.
Design of a novel low power 6-T CNFET SRAM cell working in sub-threshold region

A novel low power 6-T SRAM cell operating in sub-threshold region based on CNFET is presented. Compared with the 4-T SRAM structure, the proposed 6-T SRAM structure can operate with 0.4V supply voltage, which is not possible for the 4-T structure. The proposed 6-T SRAM structure is optimized with the back-gate biasing technique for speed and stability improvements. Compared with a conventional 6-T cell, simulation results show that the read and write delay have been improved by more than 80% and 75% at 0.4V supply voltage, respectively. The proposed 6-T SRAM cell achieves power reduction of 33.3% and 59.6% for read and write operations, respectively compared with the traditional 6-T SRAM cell while the supply voltage is at 0.4V. The read and write PDP are 70% and 91% smaller than that of 6-T cell.
Access to Primary Health Care Among Persons With Disabilities in Rural Areas: A Summary of the Literature

Despite the prevalence of disabilities among persons living in rural areas, scarce data exist on their health care needs. While rural residents generally experience barriers to access to primary health care, these problems are further exacerbated for people with disabilities. This article summarizes findings from the published literature on access to primary health care among people with disabilities living in rural locations. A comprehensive computerized literature search turned up 86 articles meeting the study criteria, focused on the following rural populations affected by disabilities: children and adolescents, working-age adults, the elderly the mentally ill, and people with AIDS. For each of these populations, substantial problems in accessing appropriate health care have been documented. The literature consistently emphasizes the failure of local health care systems in nonmetropolitan areas to adequately address the complex medical and related needs of individuals with disabilities. In the absence of specialized expertise, facilities, and primary care providers trained specifically to care for disabled persons, local programs rely heavily on the use of indigenous paraprofessionals and alternative models of care. Further research is needed to identify and test the efficacy of innovative service delivery strategies to improve health care access for this population.
Essentialism vs. social constructionism in the study of human sexuality

According to classical essentialism, there are underlying true forms or essences, there is discontinuity between different forms rather than continuous variation, and these true forms are constant ...
Combined topographical and chemical micropatterns for templating neuronal networks

In vitro neuronal networks with geometrically defined features are desirable for studying long-term electrical activity within the neuron assembly and for interfacing with external microelectronic circuits. In standard cultures, the random spatial distribution and overlap of neurites makes this aim difficult; hence, many recent efforts have been made on creating patterned cellular circuits. Here, we present a novel method for creating a planar neural network that is compatible with optical devices. This method combines both topographical and chemical micropatterns onto which neurons can be cultured. Compared to other reported patterning techniques, our approach and choice of template appears to show both geometrical control over the formation of specific neurite connections at low plating density and compatibility with microelectronic circuits that stimulate and record neural activity.
System for automatic estimation of data sensitivity with applications to access control and other applications

The Enterprise Information Security Management (EISM) system aims to semi-automatically estimate the sensitivity of enterprise data through advanced content analysis and business process mining. We demonstrate a proof-of-concept of EISM that crawls all the files in a personal computer and estimates the sensitivity of individual files and the overall sensitivity level of the computer. The system can identify 11 different personally identifiable information (PII) types and 11 sensitive data categories, and estimate data sensitivity based on the identified sensitive information in the data. Furthermore, the tool produces the evidences of the discovered sensitive information including the surrounding context in the document to help users understand what kinds of sensitive information are stored in their computer. The evidences allow users can easily redact the sensitive information or move it to a more secure location. Thus, this system can be used as a privacy enhancing tool as well as a security tool.
Influence of tachycardia cycle length and antiarrhythmic drugs on pacing termination and acceleration of ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract We examined the influence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) cycle length and antiarrhythmic drugs on the frequency of VT termination and acceleration by single and double extrastimuli and right ventricular burst pacing. In 57 patients, 89 episodes of sustained VT (32 control, 57 drug) were induced by programmed electrical stimulation. Overall, 60 of 89 (67%) episodes of ventricular tachycardia were terminated by means of programmed electrical stimulation. In patients with relatively slow ventricular tachycardia (VT cycle length ≥ 350 msec) pacing terminated 37 of 44 (84%) episodes but terminated only 23 of 45 (51%) episodes of more rapid VT (VT cycle length ≤ 349 msec, p p
Taxonomic considerations of four “wild”-type crystalliferous bacilli and their toxicity to larvae of the gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar

Abstract Four strains of “wild”-type sporeforming, crystalliferous bacilli were isolated from dead or diseased gypsy-moth larvae. Morphological and physiological characteristics of these strains, together with the Mattes strain of Bacillus thuringiensis and an acrystalliferous strain, were studied. Results showed that the four crystalliferous bacilli conform to the description of B. thuringiensis var. thuringiensis Berliner ( de Barjac and Bonnefoi, 1962; Bonnefoi and de Barjac, 1963 ) and should belong to serotype 1-Berliner. All crystalliferous isolates were found to be pathogenic. In feeding trials employing 3,900 instar II larvae, significant differences were observed in the toxicity of the laboratory-prepared crystal-spore powders of each “wild” strain.
Evolution of Enzymatic Activities in the Enolase Superfamily: L-Fuconate Dehydratase from Xanthomonas campestris

Many members of the mechanistically diverse enolase superfamily have unknown functions. In this report we use both genome (operon) context and screening of a library of acid sugars to assign the L-fuconate dehydratase (FucD) function to a member of the mandelate racemase (MR) subgroup of the superfamily encoded by the Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris str. ATCC 33913 genome (GI:21233491). Orthologues of FucD are found in both bacteria and eukaryotes, the latter including the rTS beta protein in Homo sapiens that has been implicated in regulating thymidylate synthase activity. As suggested by sequence alignments and confirmed by high-resolution structures in the presence of active site ligands, FucD and MR share the same active site motif of functional groups: three carboxylate ligands for the essential Mg2+ located at the ends of the third, fourth, and fifth beta-strands in the (beta/alpha)7beta-barrel domain (Asp 248, Glu 274, and Glu 301, respectively), a Lys-x-Lys motif at the end of the second beta-strand (Lys 218 and Lys 220), a His-Asp dyad at the end of the seventh and beta-strands (His 351 and Asp 324, respectively), and a Glu at the end of the eighth beta-strand (Glu 382). The mechanism of the FucD reaction involves initial abstraction of the 2-proton by Lys 220, acid catalysis of the vinylogous beta-elimination of the 3-OH group by His 351, and stereospecific ketonization of the resulting enol, likely by the conjugate acid of Lys 220, to yield the 2-keto-3-deoxy-L-fuconate product. Screening of the library of acid sugars revealed substrate and functional promiscuity: In addition to L-fuconate, FucD also catalyzes the dehydration of L-galactonate, D-arabinonate, D-altronate, L-talonate, and D-ribonate. The dehydrations of L-fuconate, L-galactonate, and D-arabinonate are initiated by abstraction of the 2-protons by Lys 220. The dehydrations of L-talonate and D-ribonate are initiated by abstraction of the 2-protons by His 351; however, protonation of the enediolate intermediates by the conjugate acid of Lys 220 yields L-galactonate and D-arabinonate in competition with dehydration. The functional promiscuity discovered for FucD highlights possible structural mechanisms for evolution of function in the enolase superfamily.
Myc Represses Primitive Endoderm Differentiation in Pluripotent Stem Cells

The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides a novel method to facilitate investigations into the mechanisms that control stem cell pluripotency and self-renewal. Myc has previously been shown to be critical for murine embryonic stem cell (mESC) maintenance, while also enhancing directed reprogramming of fibroblasts by effecting widespread changes in gene expression. Despite several studies identifying in vivo target genes, the precise mechanism by which Myc regulates pluripotency remains unknown. Here we report that codeletion of c- and N-MYC in iPSCs and ESCs results in their spontaneous differentiation to primitive endoderm. We show that Myc sustains pluripotency through repression of the primitive endoderm master regulator GATA6, while also contributing to cell cycle control by regulation of the mir-17-92 miRNA cluster. Our findings demonstrate the indispensable requirement for c- or N-myc in pluripotency beyond proliferative and metabolic control.
Spontaneous action potentials and resting potential shifts in fertilized eggs of the tunicate Clavelina.

Abstract Electrical activity in the fertilized egg of the tunicate Clavelina was studied with microelectrode recording and voltage clamp techniques. The resting potential could assume either of two stable values (approximately −70 or −30 mV) and could be shifted between these values by direct current stimulation. Spontaneous shifts between two stable resting potentials were also seen. Egg cells produced action potentials spontaneously and in response to depolarizing stimuli. Inward currents were carried by both Na and Ca ions and a prominent outward potassium current was seen with depolarization to voltages above −15 mV. The steady-state current-voltage relationship (I–V curve) of the membrane showed two voltages where the net membrane current equaled zero: approximately −35 and −70 mV. Between these two voltages, membrane current was inward and carried by noninactivating Na and Ca currents. Inward rectification, which was blocked by external Rb, occurred at voltages below −70 mV. The voltage dependence of inward rectification is thought by the authors to be important for establishing the more negative resting potential; it is also thought the presence of inward current which does not inactivate completely at voltages more negative than about −20 mV is an important determinant of the more depolarized resting potential.
Effect of changes in complex part of the refractive index on polarization of light scattered from haze and clouds.

The polarization and radiance of the reflected and transmitted radiation is calculated for a continental haze model and for a nimbostratus cloud model. The complex part- of the index of refraction n2 is varied from 0 to 1 in the calculation. Various surface albedos and optical thicknesses for the haze and cloud are considered. The polarization is an especially sensitive function of these parameters. For a thin cloud the reflected polarization depends strongly on the surface albedo. Large polarizations often occur, even at large optical thicknesses, when the single scattering albedo is small, because of the small number of multiple scattered photons. The mean optical path, diffuse flux, and cloud albedo are also discussed.