cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sugar-Modified Analogs of Auranofin Are Potent Inhibitors of the Gastric Pathogen Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection poses a worldwide public health crisis, as chronic infection is rampant and can lead to gastric ulcers, gastritis, and gastric cancer. Unfortunately, frontline therapies cause harmful side effects and are often ineffective due to antibiotic resistance. The FDA-approved drug auranofin is a gold complex with a Au(I) core coordinated with triethylphosphine and peracetylated thioglucose as the ligands. Auranofin is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and also displays potent activity against H. pylori. One of auranofin's modes of action involves cell death by disrupting cellular thiol-redox balance maintained by thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), but this disruption leads to unwanted side effects due to mammalian cell toxicity. Here, we developed and tested sugar-modified analogs of auranofin as potential antibiotics against H. pylori, with the rationale that modulating the sugar moiety would bias uptake by targeting bacterial cells and mitigating mammalian cell toxicity. Sugar-modified auranofin analogs displayed micromolar minimum inhibitory concentrations against H. pylori, maintained nanomolar inhibitory activity against the target enzyme TrxR, and caused reduced toxicity to mammalian cells. Taken together, our results suggest that structurally modifying the sugar component of auranofin has the potential to yield superior antibiotics for the treatment of H. pylori infection. Broadly, glyco-tailoring is an attractive approach for repurposing approved drugs.
The Monstrous Womb of Early Modern Midwifery Manuals

Thomas Raynalde’s The Byrth of Mankynde (1540), the first printed midwifery manual in the English vernacular, features an illustration of two conjoined fetuses in the womb described as “a monster … such as of late was seen in the dominion of Werdenbergh.” This illustration inaugurates a trademark feature of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century midwifery manuals: sensational accounts of monstrous births. This project argues two key points relating to the inclusion of monstrous birth accounts in midwifery manuals. First, as printed midwifery manuals begin to attract a more diverse audience than midwives, monstrous birth accounts take up increasing space in these manuals. As the content of these manuals tips more toward monstrous subject matter, an increasingly negative association builds between reproductive processes and representations of monstrosity. Second, I consider how, rather than vilifying the “monstrous” nature of nonstandard bodies, such inclusions instead recast what should be accepted as normate bodies in the early modern period. The signification of monstrous childbirth in early modern midwifery manuals, then, works at cross-purposes, creating and reinforcing pejorative representations of monstrosity, while unintentionally offering a space to challenge the normate representation of childbirth in the early modern period.
Learning from troubled patients.

Though we may sometimes be tempted to look down on troubled patients, they have much to teach us.
Generation X presidents leading community colleges: New challenges, new leaders

Martha Ellis and Linda Garcia in their book Generation X presidents leading community colleges: New challenges, new leaders provide a convincing argument about the challenges America’s community co...
N400 Amplitude, Latency, and Variability Reflect Temporal Integration of Beat Gesture and Pitch Accent During Language Processing

This study examines how across-trial (average) and trial-by-trial (variability in) amplitude and latency of the N400 event-related potential (ERP) reflect temporal integration of pitch accent and beat gesture. Thirty native English speakers viewed videos of a talker producing sentences with beat gesture co-occurring with a pitch accented focus word (synchronous), beat gesture co-occurring with the onset of a subsequent non-focused word (asynchronous), or the absence of beat gesture (no beat). Across trials, increased amplitude and earlier latency were observed when beat gesture was temporally asynchronous with pitch accenting than when it was temporally synchronous with pitch accenting or absent. Moreover, temporal asynchrony of beat gesture relative to pitch accent increased trial-by-trial variability of N400 amplitude and latency and influenced the relationship between across-trial and trial-by-trial N400 latency. These results indicate that across-trial and trial-by-trial amplitude and latency of the N400 ERP reflect temporal integration of beat gesture and pitch accent during language comprehension, supporting extension of the integrated systems hypothesis of gesture-speech processing and neural noise theories to focus processing in typical adult populations.
Latent learning, cognitive maps, and curiosity

Curiosity is a desire for information that is not motivated by strategic concerns. Latent learning is not driven by standard reinforcement processes. We propose that curiosity serves the purpose of motivating latent learning. While latent learning is often treated as a passive or incidental process, it normally reflects a strong evolved pressure to actively seek large amounts of information. That information in turn allows curious decision makers to represent the structure of their environment, that is, to form cognitive maps. These cognitive maps then drive adaptive flexible behavior. Based on recent data, we propose that orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) play complementary roles in curiosity-driven learning. Specifically, we propose that (1) OFC tracks intrinsic value of information and incorporates new information into a cognitive map; and (2) dACC tracks the environmental demands and information availability to then use the cognitive map from OFC to guide behavior.
HiDeF: identifying persistent structures in multiscale 'omics data.

In any ‘omics study, the scale of analysis can dramatically affect the outcome. For instance, when clustering single-cell transcriptomes, is the analysis tuned to discover broad or specific cell types? Likewise, protein communities revealed from protein networks can vary widely in sizes depending on the method. Here, we use the concept of persistent homology, drawn from mathematical topology, to identify robust structures in data at all scales simultaneously. Application to mouse single-cell transcriptomes significantly expands the catalog of identified cell types, while analysis of SARS-COV-2 protein interactions suggests hijacking of WNT. The method, HiDeF, is available via Python and Cytoscape.
Homoleptic Rhodium Pyridine Complexes for Catalytic Hydrogen Oxidation

The homoleptic rhodium pyridine complex [Rh(py)4]+ ([1]+) is prepared from simple precursors. Lacking good π-acceptor ligands but being sterically protected, [1]+ reversibly oxidizes to colorless [Rh(py)4(thf)2]2+. This monomeric S = 1/2 Rh(II) complex activates H2 to give [HRh(py)4L]2+, which can also be generated by protonation of [1]+. The Rh(III)-H bond is weak, being susceptible to H atom abstraction as well as deprotonation. These results underpin a novel catalytic system for the oxidation of H2 by ferrocenium.
Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming for the VAX

An Introduction to Computer Systems. Unsigned Binary Representations. Signed Integer Representations. Character Data Type. Floating-Point Representations and Other Data Types. Memory. The Arithmetic/Logic Unit. Input/Output and Mass Storage. The Control Unit. Introduction to the VAX and MACRO. Addressing Modes. Some Basic MACRO Commands. Compare and Branch Instructions. Logical and Shift Commands. Input/Output in MACRO. Procedures. Macros and Conditional Assembly. Other Topics in MACRO. The Assembly Process. Linking and Loading. Appendices. Index.
PrOntoLearn: unsupervised lexico-semantic ontology generation using probabilistic methods

Formalizing an ontology for a domain manually is well-known as a tedious and cumbersome process. It is constrained by the knowledge acquisition bottleneck. Therefore, researchers developed algorithms and systems that can help to automatize the process. Among them are systems that include text corpora for the acquisition. Our idea is also based on vast amount of text corpora. Here, we provide a novel unsupervised bottom-up ontology generation method. It is based on lexico-semantic structures and Bayesian reasoning to expedite the ontology generation process. We provide a quantitative and two qualitative results illustrating our approach using a high throughput screening assay corpus and two custom text corpora. This process could also provide evidence for domain experts to build ontologies based on top-down approaches.
Bringing the Study of Street Gangs Back into the Mainstream

Criminology's evolution, from early roots in sociology through claims of autonomy and specialization within the field, has become more global in its reach. Study of street gangs, once imbedded in sociology, has become a specialized field within criminology and more closely identified with law enforcement and control. The immediacy of control concerns had the effect of virtually removing gangs as a focus of the basic social and behavioral sciences, an effect exacerbated by law enforcement's primary focus on individual gang members, thus obscuring the importance of historical, organizational, and group contexts and processes that are associated with gangs and their behavior. Historical research, network and group process analyses, and studies of genocide and human rights violations suggest that the study of gangs by mainstream social and behavioral sciences is important to these sciences as well as for better understanding of gangs. Examples from recent studies, including our research agenda, are provided as a basis for optimism in this regard. Keywords: gangs; group process; juvenile delinquency; race and ethnicity; Chicago
Improving performance of adaptive media access control protocols for high-density wireless networks

The problems of intermittent disconnection, high error rate and collision in high-density wireless networks cause degradation in the performance of wireless media access control protocols, such as slotted ALOHA Time Division Multiple Access (slotted ALOHA/TDMA) and Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS/CDMA). We propose adaptive techniques for improving performance of media access protocols through awareness of the mobile communication environment. These techniques involve detection of intermittent disconnection, high error rates, and collisions. Upon detection and notification of these conditions by snooping devices, the media access control layer adapts its operation and synchronization accordingly to reduce delay and loss of bandwidth. Results from our simulation studies show that adaptive TDMA improves performance by as much as 12 times over basic TDMA and adaptive CDMA improves by as much as 4 times over basic CDMA in wireless network with high population cells. Overall, adaptive CDIMA still performs better than adaptive TDMA by about 4 times.
Very-Brief, Web-Based Interventions for Reducing Alcohol Use and Related Problems among College Students: A Review

Very brief, web-based alcohol interventions have great potential due to their convenience, ease of dissemination, and college students’ stated preference for this intervention modality. To address the efficacy of these interventions, we conducted a review of the literature to identify randomized, controlled trials (RCTs). Fifteen published reports were included. All RCTs meeting criteria for inclusion tested an intervention that featured personalized feedback on students’ patterns of alcohol consumption. This review found some evidence to support the efficacy of very brief, web-based interventions among college students for alcohol use reduction. Several trials, however, reported no evidence of efficacy and it is possible that methodological limitations of some of the studies could have had an impact on their results. This review did not yield evidence to support the efficacy of very-brief, web-based interventions for reduction of alcohol-related problems among college students. We found evidence to support the efficacy of two main types of intervention content: (a) focused solely on personalized normative feedback designed to correct misconceptions about peer alcohol consumption and (b) multi-component interventions. Future research is needed to test enhancements to very brief, web-based interventions that feature personalized feedback on patterns of alcohol use and to determine for which types of college drinkers (e.g., heavier or lighter drinkers) these interventions are most efficacious. In addition, future studies are needed to test novel, very brief, web-based interventions featuring approaches other than personalized feedback. In summary, this review yielded some evidence supporting very brief, web-based interventions in reducing alcohol use but not related problems in college students. Very brief, web-based interventions are worth pursuing given their convenience, privacy and potential public health benefit.
Matrix, Extracellular and Interstitial

The requirement of bidirectional communication between cells and their local acellular microenvironment for proper development and homeostasis in multicellular organisms has been appreciated for decades. Interestingly, intriguing new studies have suggested that some of this molecular information may be cryptic or hidden within the three-dimensional architecture of proteins and requires structural modification of the ECM for efficient transmission and utilization by cells and tissues. Thus, the dynamic interplay between cells and both intact and structurally altered ECM proteins help establish specificity, coordinate, and refine the complex interconnected biological responses critical for normal physiological processes. In this regard, unique insight will likely be gained into pathological events by a more complete understanding of the integrated network of molecular signals regulated by cellular interactions with the ECM. Keywords: Basement Membrane (BM); Cryptic ECM Epitope; Extracellular Matrix (ECM); Interstitial Matrix; Matricellular Proteins
Understanding the role of stimulation in reflexology: development and testing of a robotic device

Reflexology is a common choice of women with breast cancer as supportive care during treatment. It involves stimulation of specific locations of the feet called reflexes using a specialised walking motion with the thumb of the reflexologist. Reflexology has shown potential for the successful management of cancer and treatment-related symptoms and improvement in physical functioning; however to date, the mechanism of action for these improvements is unknown. One confounder to the study of reflexology is the 'human factor'. To study the effects of the stimulation of the reflexes independent of the 'human factor', there is a need for an alternative method for the delivery of reflexology. The objective of this work was to design and create a robotic reflexology device that would deliver a breast cancer-specific reflexology protocol to the feet of patients. A prototype robotic reflexology device was developed and tested for feasibility, safety and acceptability with breast cancer survivors (n= 13), and preliminary efficacy in symptom management and enhanced functional status with a sample of women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer (n= 13). Safety, feasibility and acceptability were established, and significant improvements from pre- to post-device-delivered reflexology were seen in symptom severity among women on chemotherapy.
Evolving background recovery in lecture videos

Efficient utilization of videos of lectures and presentations requires indexing based on extracted background which includes slides and / or handwritten notes. Since the background in such videos is constantly evolving there is a need for special techniques for background recovery. The objective of this paper is a method for automatically extracting the evolving background in such videos. In contrast to general background subtraction techniques which aim at extracting foreground objects, the goal here is to extract the background and complete it where the foreground is removed. Experimental results comparing the proposed approach to other known techniques demonstrate improved performance when using the proposed approach.
Glycan modifying enzymes in luminal fluid of rat epididymis: are they involved in altering sperm surface glycoproteins during maturation?

Testicular spermatozoa undergo morphological and biochemical alterations, collectively termed epididymal maturation, in the intraluminal environment of epididymis. As a result of these modifications, the spermatozoon becomes a motile and functionally competent cell capable of undergoing capacitation and binding to the zona pellucida, the extracellular coat that surrounds the mammalian oocyte. Although details of all the changes are not fully known, several studies provide evidence suggesting that sperm plasma membrane undergoes extensive biochemical changes, including organization and modification of surface glycoproteins as spermatozoa transit from the proximal to the distal epididymis. In this article, I have attempted to summarize results with two sets of glycoprotein (glycan)-modifying enzymes, namely, glycohydrolases (hydrolytic enzymes) and glycosyltransferases (synthetic enzymes) present in the epididymal luminal fluid (LF). The in vitro experimental approaches described in this report demonstrate that: 1) a PNA-positive glycoprotein(s) (containing O-linked glycan) of 135–150 kDa subunit molecular mass which is present on the surface of caput (but not the cauda) spermatozoa can be degalactosylated by the enzymatic digestion with LF β-D-galactosidase; and 2) an N-linked glycan chain(s) which is present on a sperm surface glycoprotein (apparent subunit molecular mass of 86 kDa) can be fucosylated in vitro when distal caput sperm (or sperm plasma membrane-rich fractions) are incubated in the presence of a nucleotide sugar (GDP[14C]fucose). Combined, these results strongly suggest a role for the glycan-modifying enzymes in degalactosylation and fucosylation of sperm surface glycoproteins during epididymal transit. Microsc. Res. Tech. 61:18–27, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Natural selection favors rapid reproductive phenology in Potentilla pulcherrima (Rosaceae) at opposite ends of a subalpine snowmelt gradient

In high altitude plants, flowering quickly ensures reproductive success within a short snow-free period, but limits maturation time and fecundity. Natural selection on prefloration intervals may therefore vary in contrasting snowmelt environments and could influence the outcome of phenological responses to climatic change. This study investigated adaptive differentiation and plasticity of prefloration intervals in the subalpine perennial Potentilla pulcherrima. Three years of in situ field observations were combined with phenotypic selection analyses and a common garden experiment. Plants from high, intermediate, and low altitudes expressed similar prefloration intervals and plasticity when grown at common altitude, indicating no evidence for adaptive differentiation. Selection on the prefloration interval was negative at both low and high altitudes before and after accounting for strong positive selection on size. Environmental differences between high and low altitudes indicated that long, dry seasons and short, wet seasons both favored rapid reproduction. Therefore, quicker reproduction was adaptive in response to late snowmelt, but slower reproduction in response to earlier snowmelt appeared to be maladaptive. Selection differed marginally between late snowmelt years and dry ones. Plastic responses to future precipitation patterns may therefore have positive or negative effects on fitness within a single species, depending upon altitude and year.
Phorbol ester-induced neuritic alterations in the rat neocortex. Structural and immunocytochemical studies.

In order to explore the effect of aberrant sprouting in the CNS, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was administered into the neocortex of adult rats. PMA is a growth-promoting agent that activates and eventually downregulates protein kinase C (PKC), and induces in the rat the expression of several genes, including amyloid precursor protein (APP). We found that multiple injections of 100 nM PMA into the rat neocortex promote, in the first week postinjection, a widespread vacuolization of the neuropil with a subsequent disruption of the synapses in the injection site, followed, at d 15, by the formation of abnormally distended clusters of neurites that resembled aberrant, sprouting axons. At d 30, fewer aberrant sprouts were observed, and many degenerating neurites were found. At the ultrastructural level, the PMA-induced abnormal neurites at d 7–15 resembled growth cones, whereas the dystrophic neurites at d 30 contained abundant dense and laminated bodies. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the abnormal neurites in the areas of denervation and PMA administration were positive with antisynaptophysin and antigrowth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), with an increased APP immunoreactivity surrounding them. APP immunoreactivity around the injection site was mostly associated with pyramidal neurons and glial cells. Control experiments, where saline alone or 4α-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate (PDD, an inactive phorbol derivative) was injected, failed to show aberrant sprouting neurites. Further immunohistochemical analysis showed that the PMA-treated animals presented increased amyloidΒ immunoreactivity in the pyramidal cells at the site of injection, when compared with control injections. These findings suggest that aberrant sprouting induced by overstimulation could be followed by neurodegeneration. Alternatively, PKC downregulation could directly induce the neurodegeneration, with a secondary sprouting response.
Ab initio molecular dynamics study on the initial chemical events in nitramines: thermal decomposition of CL-20.

CL-20 (2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane or HNIW) is a high-energy nitramine explosive. To improve atomistic understanding of the thermal decomposition of CL-20 gas and solid phases, we performed a series of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. We found that during unimolecular decomposition, unlike other nitramines (e.g., RDX, HMX), CL-20 has only one distinct initial reaction channel—homolysis of the N−NO2 bond. We did not observe any HONO elimination reaction during unimolecular decomposition, whereas the ring-breaking reaction was followed by NO2 fission. Therefore, in spite of limited sampling, that provides a mostly qualitative picture, we proposed here a scheme of unimolecular decomposition of CL-20. The averaged product population over all trajectories was estimated at four HCN, two to four NO2, two to four NO, one CO, and one OH molecule per one CL-20 molecule. Our simulations provide a detailed description of the chemical processes in the initial stages of thermal d...
Teachers’ Participation in Research Programs Improves Their Students’ Achievement in Science

Research experience programs engage teachers in the hands-on practice of science. Program advocates assert that program participation enhances teachers' skills in communicating science to students. We measured the impact of New York City public high-school science teachers' participation in Columbia University's Summer Research Program on their students' academic performance in science. In the year before program entry, students of participating and nonparticipating teachers passed a New York State Regents science examination at the same rate. In years three and four after program entry, participating teachers' students passed Regents science exams at a rate that was 10.1% higher (P = 0.049) than that of nonparticipating teachers' students. Other program benefits include decreased teacher attrition from classroom teaching and school cost savings of U.S. $1.14 per $1 invested in the program.
Part 2: Family Health During and After Death of a Family Member

An ethnographic study of families who used hospice services was conducted to identify how families defined and practiced family health during a time of family transition. Eight families (N = 29) who recently experienced the death of a family member participated in three interviews. Key findings were: (a) family health is a complex construct with dynamic intergenerational linked patterns, (b) mothers continue to have roles related to family health when children are adults, (c) household context influences family health, and (d) health routines changed during caregiving and loss. Hospice care was a valued family health support during caregiving and following death. Family members deconstructed, reconstructed, and established some new health routines during the terminal phase and bereavement. Future family research should consider transgenerational influences, mothers’ roles related to the health of adult children, contextual influences most predictive of family health, and interventions most supportive of f...
Compromise solutions and estimation of the noninferior set

A general framework is presented in which the relation of the set of noninferior points and the set of compromise solutions is studied. It is shown that the set of compromise solutions is dense in the set of noninferior points and that each compromise solution is properly noninferior. Also, under convexity of the criteria space, a characterization of the properly noninferior points in terms of the compromise solutions is presented. In this characterization, the compromise solutions depend continuously on the weights. Use of the maximum norm is studied also. It is shown that a subset of these max-norm solutions, obtained by taking certain limits of compromise solutions, is dense and contained in the closure of the set of noninferior points.
A dynamical fingerprint of tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures on the decadal-scale variability of cool-season Arctic precipitation

[1] The temporal and spatial characteristics of decadal-scale variability in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) cool-season (October–March) Arctic precipitation are identified from both the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) and the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) precipitation data sets. This decadal variability is shown to be partly connected to the decadal-scale variations in tropical central Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) that are primarily associated with a decadal modulation of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), i.e., transitions between periods favoring typical eastern Pacific warming (EPW) events and periods favoring central Pacific warming (CPW) events. Regression and composite analyses reveal that increases of central Pacific SSTs drive a stationary Rossby wave train that destructively interferes with the wave number-1 component of the extratropical planetary wave. This destructive interference is opposite to the mean effect of typical EPW on the extratropical planetary wave. It leads to suppressed upward propagation of wave energy into the polar stratosphere, a stronger stratospheric polar vortex, and a tendency toward a positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation (AO). The positive AO tendency is synchronized on the decadal scale with a poleward shift of the NH storm tracks, particularly in the North Atlantic. Storm track variations further induce changes in the amount of moisture transported into the Arctic by synoptic eddies. The fluctuations in the eddy moisture transport ultimately contribute to the observed decadal-scale variations in the total Arctic precipitation in the NH cool season.
Effect of insulin to decrease glucose transport in dissociated cells from the R3230AC mammary adenocarcinoma of diabetic rats.

Abstract Dissociated cells of the R3230AC mammary tumor were found to take up glucose by diffusion and by a passive carrier system. Using labeled 3-O-methylglucose as the probe, the following properties of the passive carrier were identified: (1) specificity for glucose, (2) competition by galactose and mannose but not by mannitol and fructose, (3) inhibition by phloretin but not by phloridzin, (4) temperature sensitivity, and (5) a Km for transport of 3–4 mM. The effects of insulin in vitro on carrier-mediated glucose transport were investigated in tumor cells from diabetic rats. At 10−9 M insulin, a time-related decrease in v for transport was observed resulting in an increased calculated Km (2- to 3-fold increase after 60–90 min incubation with insulin); only slight effects on V were obtained. This unusual response in v to insulin was observed when glucose was present in the medium at 2 mM and 5 mM, but not at 20 mM glucose. The effect of insulin to decrease the v was dose-related, with the major effects seen between 10−10 M and 10−8 M. The apparent decrease in glucose entry in vitro may in part explain the ability of insulin to inhibit growth of this tumor in vivo.
Wake of a Compressor Cascade with Tip Gap, Part 1: Mean Flow and Turbulence Structure

The purpose of this work is to understand the structure of the vortex-dominated endwall flows found in aircraft engine fans and compressors. Our approach is to model the flow using a linear cascade where detailed turbulence measurements can be made and the relative motion between blade tip and casing can be simulated. The cascade consists of eight 4% thick modified circular-arc blades and operates at a chord Reynolds number of 3.88 × 10 5 with a thin inlet boundary layer and 12.5 deg of turning. We present baseline results for the tip-leakage flow with stationary endwall. Three component velocity and turbulence measurements are used to reveal the evolution of the flow as a function of distance downstream of the blades for a tip gap of 1.6% chord and as a function of tip gap from 0.8 to 3.3%
Impact of Presoaking on Flavor of Cooked Rice

ABSTRACT Soaking rice in water for 30 min or longer before cooking is traditionally practiced in Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries. When soaked, the rice grains hydrate, develop cracks, and water is absorbed. Soaking facilitates uniform cooking and shortens cooking time. The cooked kernel is usually less firm. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of presoaking on the flavor of cooked rice and whether flavor differences are associated with textural changes that could influence retention of aroma compounds. Eleven samples of short, medium, and long grain milled rice representing scented and nonscented rice and a wide range of amylose contents were presented to a descriptive sensory panel. For the set of all rice samples, undesirable sewer/animal flavor significantly increased and sweet taste significantly decreased with presoaking for 30 min. For individual rice samples, significantly higher sewer/animal intensity was observed with presoaking for the 2 Basmati rice samples and one...
Tennessee Politics Since Kefauver and Reece: A ‘Generalist’ View

In a similar fashion the Republican party . .. is a regional opposition to the dominant Democratic party. 'In no small measure, southern republicanism preserves a pioneer small hill farmer's resentment to lowland plantation agriculture. It preserves the memory of the Civil War, the loyalty to the Union and opposition to either big agriculture or urbanism. Both political parties in the South are anachronisms with their eyes fixed on the past, not on the future. Both are embalmed traditions rather than vital functioning organisms which give expression to the dynamic forces of modern industrial life.l
Levels of uracil DNA glycosylase and AP endonuclease in murine B- and T-lymphocytes do not change with age

Abstract Two DNA repair enzyme activities, uracil DNA glycosylase and AP endonuclease, were measured in extracts of T- and B-lymphocytes isolated from mice ranging in age from 3 to 24 months. T- and B-lymphocytes had roughly equal levels of AP endonuclease which did not change appreciably with age. T-lymphocytes had roughly twice as high a level of uracil DNA glycosylase as B-lymphocytes; these levels were not affected by age either. This constancy with age contrasts dramatically with increases in both enzymes—roughly 3-fold on a protein basis or 50-fold on a per cell basis—in a transformed line (MPC-11) derived from a carcinogen-induced lymphocytoma. These results are similar to those obtained with cultured murine fibroblasts, wherein a relative constancy was noted with passage of non-transformed cells, followed by dramatic changes upon transformation (La Belle, M & Linn, S, Mutat res 132 (1984) 51) [17]. Hence these enzyme assays do not support the notion of a drop in base excision DNA repair capacity as being a causative factor in aging, but suggest instead that DNA repair properties might differ dramatically in transformed vs non-transformed cells.
Halophilic-blue-green algae

The isolation of a halophilic blue-green alga, Aphanothece halophytica, from Great Salt Lake is described. The organism was cultured from waters with salinities up to saturated NaC1 (about 30% w/v). It has an optimum salinity for growth of about 16% NaC1, but can grow very slowly even in saturated NaC1. Based on the study of the Great Salt Lake organism, and on a review of the earlier literature, it is concluded that despite recent reports to the contrary, true halophilic blue-green algae do exist.
Specificity of attentional bias in panic disorder and social phobia

Anxious individuals have an attentional bias for threatening information. However, the specificity of this attentional bias among patients with different anxiety disorders remains unclear. The primary goal of this study was to compare Stroop response times to a range of emotionally positive and threatening words in patients with different anxiety disorders and nonanxious controls. Patients with panic disorder (n = 15), social phobia (n = 15), and control subjects (n = 15) participated in a computerized Stroop color-naming task of positive and threatening words related to panic, social concerns, general concerns, as well as neutral words. When compared to others, patients with panic disorder exhibited longer response times to all threatening word types, whereas patients with social phobia demonstrated longer response times to social-threat words only. These findings suggest that patients with panic disorder may possess a broader fear network and thus display more generalized attentional bias to threat than socially anxious patients.
Tailoring the framework and textural mesopores of HMS molecular sieves through an electrically neutral (S°I°) assembly pathway

Water:ethanol solvent mixtures of differing polarity have been used to tailor the framework and textural mesopores of HMS molecular sieve silicas through an electrically neutral (S°I°) assembly pathway (S° = dodecyl- or tetradecylamine; I° = tetraethyl orthosilicate). Mesostructure assembly from a water-rich solvent mixture, water:ethanol = 90:10 (v/v), afforded wormhole-like framework structures with a complementary textural pore volume equal in magnitude to the framework pore volume. An ethanol-rich mixture, water:ethanol = 35:65 (v/v), also formed wormhole-like frameworks, but the textural porosity was less than 20% of the framework pore volume. HMS derivatives with high textural porosity were composed of mesoscale fundamental particles that aggregate into larger particles. In contrast, HMS mesostructures with low textural porosity were assembled into much larger aggregates of macroscale spheroid to disk-shaped fundamental particles. The differences in particle textures were attributed to differences i...
Fuel spray simulation with two-fluid nozzles

Two-phase interacting flow inside a two-fluid fuel atomizer was investigated and a correction of aerodynamic and liquid-surface forces with characteristic drop diameter was obtained for liquid-jet breakup in Mach 1 gas flow. Nitrogen gas mass-flux was varied from 6 to 50 g/sq cm sec by using four differently sized two-fluid atomizers with nozzle diameters varying from 0.32 to 0.56 cm. The correlation was derived by using the acoustic gas velocity, V sub c, as a basic parameter in defining and evaluating the dimensionless product of the Weber (We) and Reynolds (Re) numbers. By using the definition of WeRe, it was found that the ratio of orifice diameter to Sauter mean drop diameter could be correlated with the dimensionless ratio WeRe and the gas to liquid density ratio.
Toxic responses of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) eggs following topical and immersion exposures to pentachlorophenol

Abstract Oryzias latipes eggs were exposed to a wide range of concentrations of pentachlorophenol (PCP) using the medaka embryo-larval assay (MELA) topical protocol as well as a standard aquatic immersion protocol. The immersion concentrations were developed as equivalents to the topical doses using a bioconcentration factor (BCF) of 770 for PCP. The lethal and sublethal results were compared in relation to salinity (0 and 20 ppt), as well as between the two treatment procedures. The results indicated that the effect of salinity on PCP toxicity in medaka eggs is minimal, with 21-day ED 50 values of 0.0558 μg PCP/egg and 0.0618 μg PCP/egg for the freshwater and 20 ppt exposures, respectively. In addition, similar sublethal responses were observed in the two treatment types. These results indicate that there appears to be little stress of salinity itself on the PCP toxicity to medaka eggs. Further, using a published BCF for PCP, it was possible to develop immersion concentrations which resulted in similar responses to those observed for the topical MELA treatment. This confirmatory finding suggests that, given the proper information (e.g., a BCF), the MELA topical exposure can be used for chemicals for which an immersion exposure regime may prove problematic. Conversely, the combination of topical and immersion toxicity data may allow BCFs to be estimated for embryonic stages for which direct bioaccumulation measurements cannot be made due to limited biomass.
Lunar Baselines and Libration from Differential VLBI Observations of ALSEPs

Differential very-long-baseline interferometric observations of signals from Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package telemetry transmitters will yield the relative projected positions of the transmitters with uncertainty of only 1-3 m, set mainly by uncertainty of the lunar ephemeris. Noise and systematic instrumental errors which in the past affected similar observations have been reduced to the equivalent of a few centimeters on the lunar surface by the development of a new type of differential receiver. Continued observations should yield a determination of the motion of the moon about its center of mass with uncertainty less than 1 sec of selenocentric arc. Improvements (by other means) in our knowledge of the moon's orbital motion would allow a further order-of-magnitude refinement in the libration and relative position results obtainable by differential VLBI.
STUDIES ON THE BLOOD PROTEINS : I. THE SERUM GLOBULINS IN BACTERIAL INFECTION AND IMMUNITY.

The progress of an infection is usually associated with marked changes in the serum proteins. There may be an increase in the percentage of the total protein during some stage of the infection, and there is usually a change in the albumin-globulin ratio with an increase in the total globulins. This rise may antedate the development of any resistance by a considerable period of time. The non-protein constituents of the blood show fluctuations with a tendency to rise as the infection progresses. The process of immunization is in almost all instances associated with a definite increase in the globulins of the blood, and in some cases with a complete inversion of the normal albumin-globulin ratio. This may be produced both by living and dead organisms and by bacterial endotoxins. Massive doses usually result in an upset which shows no tendency to right itself during the period of observation. A rise in the globulins has been shown to occur long before the animal develops immune bodies in any appreciable concentration; and where the globulin curve and antibody curve appear to parallel one another, it can be shown by a careful analysis of both curves that there is a definite lack of correspondence at various periods of the experiment. Animals possessing a basic immunity show a more rapid rise in the globulin curve following inoculation. There is no parallelism between the leukocytic reaction and the globulin reaction. During periods of leukopenia the globulins may be as high as during the period of a leukocytosis. Bacterial endotoxins produce as striking an increase in the serum globulins as do living and killed bacteria. This would seem to indicate that a bacterial invasion of the organism is not absolutely essential for the globulin changes, and that the toxogenic factor in infection and immunity must play a part in the production of the changes noted. Inflammatory irritants injected intraperitoneally also result in a globulin increase. In this case the changes produced may best be explained by the toxogenic effect produced by the protein split products resulting from the inflammatory condition. Intraperitoneal injections of killed bacteria give rise to a more rapid increase in the serum globulins. The rapidity of the response following intraperitoneal as compared with intravenous injections doubtless stands in intimate relationship to the neutralizing power possessed by the blood serum and perhaps to the more extensive surface of absorption following injection by the intraperitoneal route.
Near-infrared spectrophotometry for soil property sensing

A portable, prototype NIR spectrophotometer was redesigned for improved accuracy and ease of use. The instrument was used to estimate soil organic carbon (or organic matter), moisture content, and clay content of 30 Illinois surface soils in the laboratory. Accuracy of carbon estimation by partial least squares regression was similar to that obtained with the previous design. The unit was also used to estimate soil organic carbon through the profile of two Illinois soils. Results of this test were promising, but need to be verified over a wider range of soils.
Nanomechanical systems: measuring more than mass.

The response of a cantilever to bacteria deposited on it depends on the mechanical properties of the sample, as well as its mass. This effect needs to be considered in sensor design.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 clade B and C gp120 differentially induce neurotoxin arachidonic acid in human astrocytes: implications for neuroAIDS

HIV-1 clades (subtypes) differentially contribute to the neuropathogenesis of HIV-associated dementia (HAD) in neuroAIDS. HIV-1 envelop protein, gp120, plays a major role in neuronal function. It is not well understood how these HIV-1 clades exert these neuropathogenic differences. The N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-reduced glutamine synthesis could lead to secretion of neurotoxins such as arachidonic acid (AA) which plays a significant role in the neuropathogenic mechanisms in neuroAIDS. We hypothesize that clade B and C gp120 proteins exert differential effects on human primary astrocytes by production of the neurotoxin arachidonic acid. Our results indicate that clade B gp120 significantly downregulated NMDA receptor gene and protein expression, and level of glutamine while increasing expression of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2 R) compared to HIV-1 clade C gp120 protein. Thus, our studies for the first time demonstrate that HIV-1 clade B-gp120 protein appears to induce higher levels of expression of the neuropathogenic molecule cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-mediated arachidonic acid by-products, PGE2, and TBXA2 R compared to HIV-1 clade C gp120 protein. These studies suggest that HIV-1 clade B and C gp120 proteins may play a differential role in the neuropathogenesis of HAD in neuroAIDS.
Pavlovian conditioning and signaling: Higher order conditioning and transfer in rats

Five rats were trained to barpress for food and then a first-order Pavlovian task (CS1-shock) was superimposed on this ongoing operant. Rapid suppression to CS1 was found. In the next phase, a second-order task (CS2-CS1) was superimposed on the ongoing operant, followed by CS1 extinction and then by CS2 probe trials. Evidence of second-order conditioning was found even after CS1 extinction, as has been previously reported. In the final phase, a third signal (CS3) was followed by CS1 and resulted in some suppression to CS3, although the response rate to CS1 during this phase was similar to that of the last day of CS1 extinction. The data suggest that when the CS1 was presented alone it resulted in behavior different from that when it followed a given signal.
takeout-dependent longevity is associated with altered Juvenile Hormone signaling

In order to understand the molecular mechanisms of longevity regulation, we recently performed a screen designed to enrich for genes common to several longevity interventions. Using this approach, we identified the Drosophila melanogaster gene takeout. takeout is upregulated in a variety of long-lived flies, and extends life span when overexpressed. Here, we investigate the mechanisms of takeout-dependent longevity. takeout overexpression specifically in the fat body is sufficient to increase fly longevity and is additive to the longevity effects of Dietary Restriction. takeout long-lived flies do not show phenotypes often associated with increased longevity, such as enhanced stress resistance or major metabolic abnormalities. However, males exhibit greatly diminished courtship behavior, leading to a reduction in fertility. Interestingly, takeout contains a binding domain for Juvenile Hormone, a fly hormone that plays a role in the regulation of developmental transitions. Importantly, the longevity and courtship phenotypes of takeout overexpressing flies are reversed by treatment with the Juvenile Hormone analog methoprene. These data suggest that takeout is a key player in the tradeoff-switch between fertility and longevity. takeout may control fertility via modulation of courtship behavior. This regulation may occur through Juvenile Hormone binding to takeout and a subsequent reduction in Juvenile Hormone signaling activity.
Women and psychology: An international perspective.

This article examines the status of women in psychology internationally. Earlier research is reviewed and compared with recent findings, including a survey responded to by 40 individuals from countries around the world. Although improvements for women have been noted in many areas, problems of sexism and antifeminism still exist. The importance of comparative analyses across countries because of increasing worldwide interaction among psychologists is noted.
Characterization of a Saturated and Flexible Aliphatic Polyol Anion Receptor

Nature employs flexible molecules to bind anions in a variety of physiologically important processes whereas supramolecular chemists have been designing rigid substrates that minimize or eliminate intramolecular hydrogen bond interactions to carry out anion recognition. Herein, the association of a flexible polyhydroxy alkane with chloride ion is described and the bound receptor is characterized by infrared and photoelectron spectroscopy in the gas phase, computations, and its binding constant as a function of temperature in acetonitrile.