cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictive Influence in the Log Normal Survival Model

We discuss case deletion diagnostics for prediction of future observations in the log normal survival analysis model. The point of view taken is that prediction is the primary inferential goal in a survival analysis setting and that particular observations in the sample may be influential with regard to that goal. We thus consider the Kullback-Leibler divergence as a measure of the discrepancy between predictive densities based on full and case deleted samples. A large Kullback-Leibler number for a particular case is an indication that deletion of that case may result in substantially different predictive inferences.
Changes in diode operating characteristics as a function of applied magnetic field geometry

Summary form only. In order to propagate a lithium ion beam to the axis at PBFA II (Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator II), a specific magnetic field geometry is required. If the ions lose no energy in the gas cell, and if lithium ions originate at the anode in the singly charged state and are stripped to the triply charged state in the gas cell membrane, conservation of canonical angular momentum requires that Psi /sub a/=-2 Psi /sub g/, where Psi is the magnetic field stream function and the subscripts a and g refer to its values at the anode and the gas cell, respectively. When Psi not=0, it has proved difficult experimentally to operate the diode efficiently and reliably. It has been hypothesized that the difficulty is associated with the dynamics of virtual cathode formation. Experiments have been carried out, along with analytical and simulation studies, to elucidate this problem. Factors that appear to be important are the anode surface area, the magnitude and uniformity of the magnetic insulation between the cathode tip and the active anode surface, the amount of radial magnetic flux in the diode feeds, and the magnetic field topology in the diode region. These factors may alter the dynamics of charge accumulation in the diode and thereby affect the timing of ion current. >
Exploitable redirects on the web: identification, prevalence, and defense

Web sites on the Internet often use redirection. Unfortunately, without additional security, many of the redirection links can be manipulated and abused to mask phishing attacks. In this paper, we prescribe a set of heuristics to identify redirects that can be exploited. Using these heuristics, we examine the prevalence of exploitable redirects present in today's Web. Finally, we propose techniques for Web servers to secure their redirects and for clients to protect themselves from being misled by manipulated redirects.
The utility of next-generation sequencing in diagnosis and monitoring of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes

Myeloid malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that share a common biology and are a major source of morbidity and mortality. In the last several years, studies using next-generation sequencing (NGS) have identified a core set of recurrently mutated myeloid malignancy genes in the majority of patients with AML and MDS, including those with normal cytogenetics. DNA-level mutations in several of these genes including NPM1, FLT3, and CEBPA in AML and ASXL1, ETV6, EZH2, RUNX1, and TP53 in MDS are associated with changes in patient outcomes and are now tested for in clinical laboratories. In addition to providing prognostic information, these gene mutations can be used to monitor patient disease burden through the use of ultrasensitive detection techniques. In this review, we will focus on the clinical utility of various NGS-based methods including whole-genome sequencing, exome sequencing, and targeted panel-based sequencing in the initial diagnosis and management of AML and MDS and cover recent methodological advances for the molecular monitoring of AML and MDS.
B-spline based weighting functions for helical CT

Spatially variant longitudinal aliasing plagues most volumes reconstructed from single-slice helical computed tomography data, and its presence can degrade resolution and distort image structures. We have recently developed a Fourier-based approach to longitudinal interpolation in helical CT that can, under certain conditions, essentially eliminate this longitudinal abasing by exploiting a generalization of the sampling theorem whose conditions are satisfied by the interlaced pairs of direct and complementary longitudinal samples. However, the algorithm is computationally intensive and cannot be pipelined. In the present work, we address this shortcoming by deriving a spatial-domain, projection-data weighting function that approximates the application of the Fourier-based approach, and preserves its aliasing suppression properties to some degree, while allowing for a pipelined implementation. The approach, which we call 180BSP, is based on an approximate, generalized interpolation approach making use of B-splines. Studies of aliasing and resolution properties indicate that while the 180BSP approach does not perfectly replicate the favorable aliasing suppression and resolution properties of the 180FT approach, it is considerably more computationally efficient and it does represent a distinct improvement over the clinically standard 180LI approach on these fronts.
Studies on the phosphorylation and activation of skeletal muscle phosphorylase and phosphorylase kinase in vivo.

Abstract The transformation of phosphorylase b to a catalyzed by phosphorylase kinase as well as the cyclic 3',5'-AMP-dependent activation of skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase have been shown in vitro to involve phosphorylation of serine residues in the enzymes. The purpose of the present experiments was to determine whether phosphorylation of these proteins occurred in vivo following the administration of epinephrine. 32P-Pi was given to rabbits to label muscle phosphate compounds. Two hours later leg muscle was rapidly frozen 60 sec after the administration of epinephrine. Phosphorylase b purified from the muscle contained no 32P. The epinephrine-induced formation of phosphorylase a was associated with incorporation of 32P, (0.8 mole per 105 g of enzyme) all of which could be removed by alkaline hydrolysis or incubation with phosphorylase phosphatase. The specific activity of this phosphate corresponded to that of the γ-phosphate of the muscle ATP. No incorporation of 32P into the pyridoxal phosphate prosthetic group of phosphorylase was observed in vivo. In contrast, phosphorylase kinase was found to contain bound phosphate irrespective of its degree of activation. It contained 0.4 to 0.8 mole of phosphate per 105 g of protein that could be hydrolyzed by alkali but not by mild acid. This phosphate exchanged in vivo with 32P in the absence of epinephrine, attaining a specific activity greater than that of the γ-phosphate of muscle ATP 1½ to 3 hours after administration of 32P-Pi to the animals. This suggested that phosphorylase kinase was exposed to a different pool of muscle 32P than phosphorylase. Despite an increase in cyclic 3',5'-AMP concentration and kinase activity in the muscle, epinephrine caused no measurable increase in phosphate incorporation into the enzyme. This may be caused by difficulties in detecting small changes in the degree of phosphorylation during activation in vivo of the kinase.
Habitual Self‐Control: A Brief Measure of Persistent Goal Pursuit

Habitual self–control is defined as a trait–like personal resource factor that facilitates the enactment of difficult intentions. A 14–item Habitual Self–Control Questionnaire (HSCQ) was developed ...
From Morphology to Neural Information: The Electric Sense of the Skate

Morphology typically enhances the fidelity of sensory systems. Sharks, skates, and rays have a well-developed electrosense that presents strikingly unique morphologies. Here, we model the dynamics of the peripheral electrosensory system of the skate, a dorsally flattened batoid, moving near an electric dipole source (e.g., a prey organism). We compute the coincident electric signals that develop across an array of the skate's electrosensors, using electrodynamics married to precise morphological measurements of sensor location, infrastructure, and vector projection. Our results demonstrate that skate morphology enhances electrosensory information. Not only could the skate locate prey using a simple population vector algorithm, but its morphology also specifically leads to quick shifts in firing rates that are well-suited to the demonstrated bandwidth of the electrosensory system. Finally, we propose electrophysiology trials to test the modeling scheme.
Corrosion Behavior of Carbon Steels in Sulfide-Containing Caustic Solutions

The corrosion resistance of carbon steels in caustic-containing sulfide solutions depends on the formation of a stable passive film on the metal surface. As processes change chemical concentrations and temperature parameters, the corrosivity of the system also changes. New resistant materials such as duplex stainless steel are being selected for equipment in many processes, yet carbon steel continues to be utilized for a significant amount of new and existing equipment and can be subjected to conditions beyond the initial design parameters. The present study investigates the effects of temperature up to 170 °C and of the concentrations of sulfide and hydroxide on the corrosion rate to determine environmental limits for the reliable operation of carbon steel A516-Gr70. The results indicate that carbon steel A516-Gr70 can exhibit high corrosion rates as the concentration of hydroxide or sulfide increases at temperatures above 100 °C and changes the open-circuit potential to values below −1.00 V (SCE).
Parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons and GABAergic neurons of the basal forebrain project to the rat basolateral amygdala

The basal forebrain (BF) contains a diffuse array of cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons that project to the cerebral cortex and basolateral nuclear complex of the amygdala (BLC). Previous studies have shown that the GABAergic subpopulation of non-cholinergic corticopetal BF neurons selectively innervates cortical interneurons. Although several investigations in both rodents and primates have indicated that some BF neurons projecting to the BLC are non-cholinergic, there have been no studies that have attempted to identify the neurochemical phenotype(s) of these neurons. The present study combined Fluorogold retrograde tract tracing with immunohistochemistry for two markers of BF GABAergic neurons, parvalbumin (PV) or glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), to determine if a subpopulation of BF GABAergic cells projects to the BLC. Injections of Fluorogold confined to the rat BLC, and centered in the basolateral nucleus, produced extensive retrograde labeling in the ventral pallidum and substantia innominata regions of the BF. Although the great majority of retrogradely labeled neurons were not double-labeled, about 10% of these neurons, located mainly along the ventral aspects of the fundus striati and globus pallidus, exhibited immunoreactivity for PV or GAD. The results of this investigation contradict the long-held belief that there is no extra-amygdalar source of GABAergic inputs to the BLC, and indicate that the cortex-like BLC, in addition to the cortex proper, receives inhibitory inputs from the basal forebrain.
STRESS IN FAMILIES OF HIV-POSITIVE CHILDREN LIVING IN SOUTH TEXAS

The purpose was to conduct a pilot study of the extent of stress and differences in sources of stress experienced by HIV+ and HIV- caregivers of HIV+ children living in South Texas. 13 infected and 9 uninfected caregivers each completed the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress for their preschool-aged HIV+ child. Both HIV+ and HIV- caregivers experienced clinically significant stress. HIV+ caregivers reported that relative to the HIV- group, they perceived themselves to be in poorer physical or emotional health, to receive less social support from others, and to be less pessimistic about the future of their child or family.
Juvenile and adult rat neuromuscular junctions: density, distribution, and morphology.

Anatomical and physiological differences in neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) between juvenile and adult muscle may partially explain the variability in clinical results following chemodenervation with botulinum toxin or nerve repair in children and adults. We evaluated NMJ density, distribution, and morphometry in biceps brachii and gastrocnemius muscles from juvenile and adult rats. Motor endplates were stained with Karnovsky–Roots methods, and NMJ density (number/gram muscle tissue) was determined. The NMJ morphometry was quantitated with alpha-bungarotoxin labeling using confocal microscopy. Juvenile rats had a greater NMJ density in both muscles compared with adult rats. Juveniles and adult rats had a similar NMJ distribution in both muscles. In juvenile muscles NMJs occupied approximately 50% of the surface area and 70% of the length, width, circumference, and gutter depth compared with adult muscles. Our study demonstrates that although NMJs are smaller, juvenile muscles have a higher NMJ density than do adult muscles with similar distributions. If these age-dependent differences in NMJ density are obtained in humans, they may account, at least in part, for the better recovery that occurs in children than adults after nerve repair and also suggest that the dosage of botulinum toxin (units per kg) for chemodenervation may need to be increased in juveniles. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 804–809, 2002
HIV-Negative and HIV-Discordant Gay Male Couples’ Use of HIV Risk-Reduction Strategies: Differences by Partner Type and Couples’ HIV-Status

Previous research has found that gay men and other men who have sex with men have adopted a variety of HIV risk-reduction strategies to engage in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). However, whether gay male couples’ use these strategies within and out of their relationships remains unknown. The present national cross-sectional study collected dyadic data from an online sample of 275 HIV-negative and 58 discordant gay male couples to assess their use of these strategies, and whether their use of these strategies had differed by partner type and couples’ HIV-status. The sample used a variety of risk-reduction strategies for UAI. Some differences and patterns by partner type and couples’ HIV-status were detected about men’s use of these strategies. Findings indicate the need to bolster HIV prevention and education with gay male couples about their use of these strategies within and outside of their relationships.
Smooth muscle-like cells in ovaries of the hamster and gerbil.

Smooth muscle-like cells are present in thecae externae, corpora lutea, and interstitial tissue of hamsters and gerbils. The smooth muscle-like cells, as examined by electron microscopy, are fusiform with central nuclei; the cytoplasm contains numerous myofilaments, dense bodies, micropinocytotic vesicles, and dense accumulations of glycogen-like particles. In addition to the smooth muscle-like cells, fibroblasts and cells that have characteristics of both fibroblasts and smooth muscle are located in the thecae externae of both species. There is no ultrastructural evidence of innervation in the theca folliculi, corpora lutea, or interstitial tissue of either species. A possible function for the smooth muscle-like cells is discussed.
Consistent dually semimodular lattices

Abstract In this paper, we study combinatorial and order-theoretical properties of consistent dually semimodular lattices of finite rank. Natural examples of such lattices are lattices of subnormal subgroups of groups with composition series. We prove that a dually semimodular lattice is consistent if and only if it is “locally” atomic and modular. From this, we conclude that dually semimodular subgroup lattices are necessarily consistent. We discuss exchange properties for irredundant decompositions of elements into join-irreducibles. Finally, we show that a finite consistent dually semimodular lattice is modular if and only if it has the same number of joint-irreducibles and meet-irreducibles.
Crystallization of yeast orotidine 5′‐monophosphate decarboxylase complexed with 1‐(5′‐phospho‐β‐D‐ribofuranosyl) barbituric acid

Using an incomplete factorial experimental design, we have identified conditions for crystallization of yeast orotidine 5′-monophosphate decarboxylase (ODCase) in an unliganded state and complexed separately to two inhibitors: 6-azauridine 5′-monophosphate (aza-UMP) and 1-(5′-phospho-β-D-ribofuranosyl) barbituric acid (BMP). Crystals of X-ray diffraction quality have been obtained of yeast ODCase complexed with BMP, a putative transition state analog inhibitor (Ki = 8.8 × 10−12 M). ODCase:BMP complex crystals with a hexagonal rod habit were grown from a solution initially containing 12 mg/ml ODCase (205 μM dimer) plus 450 μM BMP by microdialysis at 4°C against a mother liquor which consisted of 0.1 M Na-PIPES-acetate (pH 6.4), 37.5 μM BMP, 5 mM mercaptoethanol, 1% polyethylene glycol 400, and 2.3 M ammonium sulfate. Crystals were analyzed using precession photography and were assigned to trigonal space group R32 with unit cell dimensions a = b = 115 A, c = 385 A. The crystal density is 1.245 g/cm3 indicating the presence of two ODCase:BMP complex dimers (118 kDa each) per asymmetric unit with a packing density of 2.08 A3/Da and 41% solvent content. The morphological habit of crystals of the ODCase:BMP complex changed when the initial ammonium sulfate concentration was increased in 0.05 M steps from 2.3 to 2.45 M. All of these crystals diffracted to at least 3.0 A resolution over a period of several weeks at room temperature and are isomorphous.
The Relationship Between Maladaptive Cognitions, Anger Expression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans in Residential Treatment

Ninety-nine veterans receiving treatment in a residential program for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were assessed to determine changes in maladaptive cognitions, anger expression, PTSD, and depression after receiving cognitive therapy. Veterans completed the Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS), Trauma-Related Guilt Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2, and PTSD Checklist-Military. Paired samples t tests indicated significant differences from pre- to posttreatment for PTSD, depression, and CDS subscales. A hierarchical linear regression was conducted to determine predictors of posttreatment PTSD severity. Significant predictors were pretreatment cognitions related to wrongdoing and hopelessness and the interaction between anger expression and pretreatment PTSD severity. The interaction indicated that low pretreatment anger was associated with lower levels of posttreatment PTSD as baseline levels of PTSD severity increased.
Feeding elicited by cholinergic and adrenergic hypothalamic stimulation of anorectic tumor-bearing rats.

Abstract Injection of norepinephrine into the hypothalamus of methylcholanthrene sarcoma-bearing rats elicited a normal feeding response both prior to and following the development of anorexia. Feeding elicited by cholinergic stimulation of the hypothalamus of tumor-bearing rats with carbachol was normal prior to the onset of anorexia, but decreased in magnitude as the anorexia became more severe. These data indicate that noradrenergic feeding mechanisms in the hypothalamus of tumor-bearing rats are functioning normally during anorexia. However, cholinergic feeding mechanisms in the hypothalamus of tumor-bearing rats appear to be depressed to the same degree as ad lib intake, possibly through adaption or depletion of endorphin systems that mediate stress-induced feeding.
Behavior problems of Anglo and Mexican-American children.

The present investigation compared Anglo (N=1,999) and Mexican-American children (N=192) on the four factors of the Behavior Problem Checklist (BPCL). Teachers provided general information and BPCL ratings. The Anglo children manifested more problems on three of the factors than did the Mexican-American children. Significant interactions of grade, sex, and social class with ethnic group were revealed for two of the factors.
EXPERIMENTALLY REDUCING NEIGHBOR DENSITY AFFECTS REPRODUCTION AND BEHAVIOR OF A MIGRATORY SONGBIRD

Because populations of territorial birds are relatively stable compared to those of other animal taxa, they are often considered to be tightly regulated. However, the mechanisms that produce density-dependent feedbacks on demographic rates and thus regulate these populations are poorly understood, particularly for migratory species. We conducted a three-year density-reduction experiment to investigate the behavioral mechanisms that regulate the abundance of a Nearctic–Neotropical migrant passerine, the Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens), during the breeding season. We found that the number of young fledged per territory, territory size, and the proportion of time males spent foraging were significantly greater on territories around which neighbor density was experimentally reduced compared to control territories. Territory quality, proportion of nests depredated per territory, and male countersinging rates were not statistically different between treatments. These results indicate that i...
Domain-wall shift based multi-level MRAM for high-speed, high-density and energy-efficient caches

Spin Transfer Torque (STT) Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM) is a promising candidate for future on-chip memory, owing to its attractive features like non-volatility, high-density, and zero-leakage [1, 2]. However, the speed and reliability of the standard MRAM cell (1Transistor-1Resistor or 1T-1R cell shown in Fig. 1), are mainly limited by dielectric breakdown of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) [1] under high write-current injection [3, 8] (Fig. 2). In recent years, several device solutions have been proposed that can mitigate this bottleneck by employing separate read and write paths, thereby avoiding write-current injection into the tunneling oxide. Nonlocal-STT [4], Spin-Hall Effect [5], and domain-wall-shift (DWS) [6-8] are three such write mechanisms. We have observed that DWS can be highly energy-efficient and robust, owing to low-voltage, low-current magnetization switching and high cell TMR (tunnel magneto-resistance ratio [1]) [4-6]. However, such bit-cells, with isolated read and write ports, are bound to use two access transistors (Fig. 3), resulting in significant area-penalty. In this work, we propose a multi-level MRAM (ML-MRAM) bit-cell based on DWS that can store 2-bits of data per-cell and can therefore achieve a factor of ~2x reduction in area, read latency as well as read energy (which dominates the total energy consumption) as compared to a DWS-based single-bit-cell. The proposed bit-cell can outperform the standard 1T-1R MRAM (Fig. 1), by a factor of ~2x in terms of area, read-latency, read-energy and by 8x and 4x in terms of write-energy and read disturb margin respectively, apart from mitigating the reliability issues related to dielectric-breakdown. Due to the possibility of sub-nano-second read/write operations, the proposed multi-level bit-cell can be suitable for all levels of the cache hierarchy, including L1 caches (in contrast, previous MRAM proposals have focused on the lower-level caches, which have less stringent speed requirements).
Obstetric outcome after failed termination of pregnancy--a report of two cases

Unsuccessful therapeutic abortion resulting in continued viability of the fetus is rare. No case of a live birth after unsuccessful vacuum curettage has been published. We report two cases with persistent pregnancies after failed termination, with outcomes complicated by premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery.
Heritability and a genome-wide linkage analysis of a Type II/B cluster construct for cannabis dependence in an American Indian community.

Subtyping of substance dependence disorders holds promise for a number of important research areas including phenotyping for genetic studies, characterizing clinical course, and matching treatment and prevention strategies. This study sought to investigate whether a dichotomous construct similar to Babor's Types A/B and Cloninger's Types I/II for alcohol dependence can be identified for cannabis dependence in a Native American sample. In addition, heritability of this construct and its behavior in a genetic linkage analyses were evaluated. Information on cannabis use and dependence symptoms and other psychiatric disorders was obtained using the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism from a community sample of 606 American Indians. Hierarchical average linkage and K means cluster analysis was used, and a three-cluster solution was found to generate the best separation of variables. Ninety-one per cent of cannabis-dependent participants fell into one of the two subtypes: Type A/I cluster (n = 114, 5 6%) and Type B/II cluster (n = 70, 35%). Heritability (estimated using Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines) was only significant for the Type B/II cluster (h 2 = 0.44, SE = 0.18, P 1.5) were also located on chromosomes 14, 21, 22. These findings suggest that a Type B/II cannabis dependence phenotype can be identified in this population and that it is in part heritable and linked to areas of the genome identified previously for drug dependence phenotypes in this population as well as in other studies.
Final results from the space dust (SPADUS) instrument flown aboard the earth-orbiting ARGOS spacecraft

Abstract In this paper, we present the final report of the data obtained from the Space Dust (SPADUS) instrument on the Earth-orbiting Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS). The University of Chicago's SPADUS instrument on the US Air Force's Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite has been operating in a nearly polar orbit, at an altitude of approximately 850 km, since soon after its launch on day 54, 1999 (23 February) until termination of the SPADUS operations on day 248, 2001 (5 September). The instrument consists of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) dust trajectory system, which includes two planar arrays of PVDF sensors (a total of 16 sensors per array) separated by 20.25 cm to provide time of flight (TOF) measurements. The trajectory system measures dust particle flux, mass distribution, velocity and trajectory. The instrument also includes the SPADUS Ancillary Diagnostic Sensor (ADS) subsystem, which measured energetic charged particles (electrons, protons, etc). The PVDF dust trajectory system detected a total of 368 dust impacts over the SPADUS live-time interval of 739 days, yielding an average particle flux of 0.50 impacts/day. Of these 368 impacts, 35 were D1–D2 type events—where particles impacted and penetrated a D1 sensor, then impacted a D2 rear array sensor—allowing for time-of-flight measurements. Of the 35 D1–D2 impacts on SPADUS, we identified 19 D1–D2 impacts yielding TOF values. Of these 19 events, 14 were ambiguous (either bound or interplanetary) and 5 were unambiguous interplanetary impacts. Examples of particle orbits for debris particles as well as D1–D2 impacts are detailed. We also describe transient particle streams detected by the SPADUS trajectory system, resulting from the passage of ARGOS through streams of debris particles in Earth orbit. One of the streams was shown to result from detection by SPADUS of the debris generated by the explosion of a Chinese booster rocket. The SPADUS flight data accumulated over the 30-month mission shows that PVDF-based dust instruments utilizing two planar arrays of PVDF dust sensors in a TOF arrangement—can provide useful measurements of particle velocity, mass distribution, flux, trajectory and particle orbital elements.
Generating Scenarios of Local Surface Temperature Using Time Series Methods

Abstract A method for creating scenarios of time series of monthly mean surface temperature at a specific site is developed. It is postulated that surface temperature can be specified as a linear combination of regional and local temperature components, where the regional component is an areal-average free tropospheric temperature such as may be produced by general circulation model climate simulations, and the local component is a response to purely local surface effects. Three models were tested for the North Carolina area, using weighted least squares linear regression techniques. The first related free tropospheric temperature directly to the site-specific local temperature, while the second added specifically local parameters as independent variables. For the four stations tested, this second model increased the explained variance from about 60% to near 70%. The third model incorporated a local energy and moisture balance process model to specify interactions between local variables, but yielded no s...
FRACTIONATION OF COMPLEMENTARY RNA.

Complementary RNA molecules or fragments of denatured DNA can be fractionated by means of temperature or salt concentration gradients applied to columns of DNA-agar which contain RNA-DNA or DNA-DNA duplexes. The guanine + cytosine content of eluted RNA molecules is proportional to the elution temperature. The stability of RNA-DNA duplexes is lower than that of DNA-DNA duplexes when subjected to increasing temperatures or decreasing ionic strength. Some physical-chemical and biological implications of the results are discussed.
Cages from coils.

The use of coiled coils could facilitate the modular, predictable design of protein nanocages.
Interaction of CtBP with adenovirus E1A suppresses immortalization of primary epithelial cells and enhances virus replication during productive infection

Abstract Adenovirus E1A induces cell proliferation, oncogenic transformation and promotes viral replication through interaction with p300/CBP, TRRAP/p400 multi-protein complex and the retinoblastoma (pRb) family proteins through distinct domains in the E1A N-terminal region. The C-terminal region of E1A suppresses E1A/Ras co-transformation and interacts with FOXK1/K2, DYRK1A/1B/HAN11 and CtBP1/2 (CtBP) protein complexes. To specifically dissect the role of CtBP interaction with E1A, we engineered a mutation (DL→AS) within the CtBP-binding motif, PLDLS, and investigated the effect of the mutation on immortalization and Ras cooperative transformation of primary cells and viral replication. Our results suggest that CtBP–E1A interaction suppresses immortalization and Ras co-operative transformation of primary rodent epithelial cells without significantly influencing the tumorigenic activities of transformed cells in immunodeficient and immunocompetent animals. During productive infection, CtBP–E1A interaction enhances viral replication in human cells. Between the two CtBP family proteins, CtBP2 appears to restrict viral replication more than CtBP1 in human cells.
A conditional mutant of vRel containing sequences from the human estrogen receptor.

Abstract The mechanism by which the v-rel oncogene of the avian Rev-T retrovirus transforms chicken spleen cells is not known. We have created v-rel mutants that show conditional properties by fusing sequences encoding the ligand-binding domain of the human estrogen receptor (ER) in-frame at the 3′ end of the v-rel oncogene. Two vRel-ER fusion proteins showed estrogen-dependent subcellular localization in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF): vRel-ER proteins were located in the cytoplasm of CEF in the absence of estrogen and were located in the nucleus of CEF in the presence of estrogen. Wild-type vRel was located in the nucleus of CEF in the presence or absence of estrogen. Mobility shift assays using extracts from infected CEF showed that the ability of vRel-ER to bind DNA was also dependent on estrogen. However, the ability of vRel-ER to repress transcription from κB site-containing promoters was not dependent on estrogen. Finally, we were able to isolate a vRel-ER-transformed avian spleen cell line whose growth is dependent on estrogen; this indicates that a vRel function is needed for both the initiation and the maintenance of the transformed state. The vRel-ER protein may be useful for determining genes controlled by vRel.
The expertise of participation: mass housing and urban planning in post‐war France

This article analyses the advent of participation in French planning as the historical touchstone of a larger shift in urban thinking. It investigates how the interactions between inhabitants, developers, state officials and social scientific experts in the production of large-scale modern housing areas and new towns helped bring about user participation as a category of action and discourse. The article argues that the transformation of inhabitants into active participants entails the development of legitimate 'user knowledge' and therefore - perhaps paradoxically - the continuing involvement of experts. The first part of the article examines how the turn towards mass housing production during the 1950s prompted the question of the user and established the ground for debates about participation. The second part of the article explores the relationship between inhabitant contestation and changing urban planning and policy-making during the 1960s. The focus here is on Sarcelles, which served both as a national urban model, a key object of sociological study, and the main target of national public outcry, and helps to reveal relations between local contestation, national policy and shifts in urban thinking. The last part of the article looks at the concrete influence of ideas of participation on subsequent urban policies during the 1970s.
Developmental differences in the neural bases of the face inversion effect show progressive tuning of face-selective regions to the upright orientation

Face inversion hinders face processing in adults, while not affecting children in the same way. This fMRI study examines the neural underpinnings of the behavioral face inversion effect (FIE) from childhood to adulthood, and how face-selective regions in the brain may change with development. Adults, children, and teens performed a facial expression decision on upright and inverted face stimuli. In the right hemisphere (RH) all age groups showed similar profiles of neural activation for upright faces, but important developmental differences occured for inverted faces. For inverted faces, adults, and to a lesser degree teens, exhibited decreased levels of activity in the face-selective, right lateral fusiform gyrus (LFG). However, children exhibited greater activation for inverted than for upright faces in the same region. We found similar, but less robust, developmental trends in the right superior temporal sulcus (STS) and medial fusiform gyrus (MFG). Furthermore, the present study identifies the right LFG as the primary neural correlate of the behavioral FIE, and therefore of face processing expertise, by showing a significant correlation between the behavioral FIE and the neural FIE only in this region. Finally, the present findings shed some light on at least one of the possible mechanisms underlying the development of face processing expertise, by suggesting a progressive tuning of face-selective regions in the right hemisphere to the upright orientation, that extends well into adolescence.
Ketaset-Rompun extends the effective interstimulus interval in long-trace taste-aversion conditioning in rats.

Abstract The effect of anesthesia (Ketaset-Rompun) interpolated between the conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (US) during long-trace taste-aversion conditioning in rats was examined in three experiments. In Experiment 1, rats that were anesthetized immediately after experiencing a saccharin solution formed a taste aversion at a 3-h interval that typically does not support conditioning, a prolongation effect. Prior experience with the anesthetic eliminated the associability of the aversive consequences of the anesthetic but did not eliminate the anesthetic’s prolongation effect. Some evidence was also obtained indicating that LiCl produced an aversion at the 3-h interval in unanesthetized rats if they had experience with the anesthetic prior to conditioning. In Experiment 1a, the interval between prior experience and conditioning was extended from 24 to 96 h. Results demonstrated that the evidence for conditioning at 3 h for unanesthetized subjects in Experiment 1 was not a robust finding. By reversing the role of Ketaset-Rompun (KR) and LiCl as prior experience manipulation and US treatment in Experiment 2, the prolongation effect was shown not to be due to the summation of the aversive properties of the anesthetic and the LiCl. Results were interpreted in terms of a hypothesized metabolic pacemaker.
T3 stimulates the synthesis of a specific mRNA in primary hepatocyte culture

The mechanism of triiodothyronine (T3) induction of a thyroid hormone responsive mRNA (mRNAS14) was studied in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. T3 induced mRNAS14 in less than one hour after addition to the cultures. After 24 hours exposure to T3, the level of mRNAS14 was 2.5 to 6 times above the untreated controls. Addition of Actinomycin-D to both induced and control cultures led to similar mRNAS14 disappearance curves, implying that T3 augments the synthesis of mRNAS14 rather than stabilizing pre-formed mature mRNA. Glucagon inhibits the T3 induction of mRNAS14. When added to both induced and control cultures, glucagon leads to similar fractional decay curves for mRNAS14, confirming the Actinomycin-D studies. These findings demonstrate T3 induces mRNAS14 directly in the hepatocyte by increasing the synthesis of the mature mRNA.
A Stable RAG1–RAG2–DNA Complex That Is Active in V(D)J Cleavage

Abstract The RAG1 and RAG2 proteins initiate V(D)J recombination by making specific double-strand DNA breaks at recombination signal sequences. We show here that RAG1 and RAG2 bind specifically to this sequence, forming a stable protein–DNA complex. The complex requires the conserved heptamer and nonamer motifs of the recombination signal as well as both the RAG1 and RAG2 proteins. This complex is able to either nick or form hairpins at the V(D)J signal sequence, depending on the divalent cation present. A complex trapped using Ca 2+ is subsequently active when transferred to Mg 2+ or Mn 2+ . After cleavage, the complex is destabilized and the RAG proteins dissociate. We term this early precursor in the V(D)J recombination reaction a "stable cleavage complex."
The levonorgestrel two-rod implant for long-acting contraception: 10 years of clinical experience.

Abstract Objective To estimate the effectiveness, side effects, and retention rate of the levonorgestrel two-rod implant used as a long-acting contraceptive. Methods Voluntary participants, ages 18–40 years and desiring long-acting contraception, were enrolled in the study. The original design was to observe the participants for 5 years. Later, the follow-up period was extended to 6 years. Results A total of 249 women underwent two-rod implant insertion and were observed for a total of 823 woman-years. There were two pregnancies observed during the study, yielding a pregnancy rate of 0.24 per 100 woman-years. One pregnancy occurred in the first month, and the other occurred after 6 years of use. The major side effect was menstrual irregularity. No serious side effects were observed during the study. Insertion of the device was easy and took less than 2 minutes; removal time averaged 4.5 minutes. Conclusion The levonorgestrel two-rod implant system is an effective, convenient, long-acting, and well-tolerated method of contraception.
Severe growth retardation and limb anomalies in a boy with 47,XY,+r(7) and maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 7

Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS) is genetically heterogeneous with maternal uniparental disomy (mat UPD) reported in approximately 10% of cases. We report a young boy with severe growth retardation and asymmetric limb anomalies found to have maternal UPD for chromosome 7 and a small ring 7 [47, XY,upd(7)mat,+r(7)]. G.D. was the 1.85 kg SGA product of a 38 week gestation to a 17 year old P0 mother. At 31 months of age, his height was 46.7 cm (5th% for birth), weight 4.29 kg (50th % for 1 month), and head circumference 47 cm (50 % for 1 year). G.D. has asymmetrically shortened femurs and absence of the left fibula. His thumbs appear digitalized and he has decreased range of motion in his elbows. He is normocephalic with a small jaw and is moderately developmentally delayed. G-banded chromosome study showed a tiny marker (ring) containing a centromere and very little euchromatin, by spectral karyotyping the marker was identified as derived from chromosome 7. Parental karyotypes are normal. Because of his severe growth retardation and low birth weight, molecular analysis for UPD(7) was performed, revealing maternal isodisomy for most of chromosome 7 due to a maternal meiotic II error. There was a non-terminal region of heterodisomy in the q arm due to a double crossover at meiosis I. The most likely explanation of the r(7) is unsuccessful trisomy rescue in which the paternal homologue was not completely lost, but rather was retained vestigially in the form of a tiny ring chromosome. A similar mechanism has been hypothesized to explain the occurrence of cases of UPD(15) + mar(15) reported in the literature. To our knowledge, this is only the second report of mat UPD(7)+r(7) in a child. The other patient was mosaic for the ring with a less severe phenotype than our case. Studies on cases of UPD(15)+mar(15) indicate that the size of the marker directly correlates with the severity of the physical and developmental phenotype. This does not hold true for our patient as he has a severe RSS phenotype and a very small marker, leading to speculation on other possible causes including homozygosity for a deleterious gene on 7.
RNA Targets of the Fragile X Protein

Three papers published recently in Cell bring the power of human genetics, Drosophila genetics, and genomics to bear on the understanding of fragile X syndrome. They provide further support for the importance of local protein synthesis within a neuron as a determinant of proper synaptogenesis and the development of cognitive abilities.
Teaching direct marketing and competing for the collegiate echo award

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to provide motivation and direction for marketing, journalism, and mass communication professors to consider offering a basic undergraduate Direct Marketing course and, more specifically, to encourage entry into the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation's Collegiate Echo Competition as a means of structuring the course design and content. The paper addresses the issues of adding a Direct Marketing course, promoting enrollment, and the benefits of the Collegiate Echo Competition to students, potential employers, and professors/instructors. Additional topics covered by the author include: (1) managing and organizing, (2) setting standards of quality, (3) measuring the quality, and (4) measuring the results of using the Collegiate Echo Competition.
Intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of severe Clostridium difficile colitis: an observational study and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile colitis (CDC) is the most common cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. The increase in the incidence and fatality rate of CDC over the past decade has stimulated a search for new therapies, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). We report our experience with IVIG for the treatment of 21 patients with severe CDC. METHOD: Retrospective review of patients with severe CDC who received IVIG between July 2002 and April 2006 at a teaching hospital. The existing literature on IVIG infusion for severe CDC was also reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 1230 patients with CDC were treated with IVIG. The mean age was 68 (range, 35–98) years, with mean hospital stay of 23 (range, 9–64) days. Conventional treatment was used for an average of 8 (range, 1–25) days before IVIG infusion. All patients had evidence of pancolitis (radiologically) or ileus (clinically). The mean Acute Physiological Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score was 25 (range, 6–39) at day 1 of IVIG infusion. Nine patients (43%) survived their hospitalization with colitis resolution while 12 (57%) died. One patient developed pulmonary edema after IVIG infusion. Symptoms resolved after an average of 10 (range, 2–20) days for survivors. Two patients underwent urgent colectomy. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest case series describing IVIG use for patients with severe CDC and the one with the highest mortality rate to date. The use of IVIG in this setting does not seem to benefit all patients. Benefit appears to depend on the extent of systemic involvement. Further studies are needed before adopting IVIG as routine treatment for severe CDC. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E1–E9. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
The effects of tidal fluctuation of salinity on the perivisceral fluid composition of several echinoderms

Abstract 1. 1. Tidal fluctuations of salinity were simulated so that ambient salinity decreased from 30 to 10%. and returned to 30%. over a 12-hr period. 2. 2. Perivisceral fluid osmotic and ionic composition of all three echinoderm species declined to a lesser extent than ambient salinity and returned to control values in Pisaster ochraceus and Cucumaria miniata but did not do so in Strongylocentrotus drobachiensis . 3. 3. Perivisceral fluid osmotic shifts were due predominately to ion flux. 4. 4. The calcium concentration of C. miniata perivisceral fluid was regulated.
Lupus Pleuritis: Clinical Features and Pleural Fluid Characteristics with Special Reference to Pleural Fluid Antinuclear Antibodies

Eighteen patients with lupus erythematosus (LE) and pleural effusions were evaluated. Fourteen patients had lupus pleuritis and four had pleural effusions of other etiologies. All patients were symptomatic, and the presenting signs and symptoms did not help distinguish between lupus pleuritis and pleural effusions of other causes. The presence of LE cells confirmed the diagnosis of lupus pleuritis in seven of eight patients. In 11 of 13 patients with lupus pleuritis, the pleural fluid antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer was ≥1:160, and in nine of 13 patients with lupus pleuritis, the pleural fluid to serum (PF/S) ANA ratio was ≥1. In the four patients with LE and a pleural effusion of another etiology, the pleural fluid ANA titer was negative in two and low titer in two (1:40, 1:80); the pleural fluid to serum ANA titer was always less than one. Of 67 patients with pleural effusions of other etiologies, the pleural fluid ANA was negative. The signs and symptoms of lupus pleuritis are nonspecific, however; the findings of LE cells in pleural fluid confirms the diagnosis and a high pleural fluid ANA titer (≥1:160) and a PF/S ANA ratio of ≥1 strongly supports the diagnosis.
Ultrastructural changes during T-lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis.

The cytological changes that occur during the process of T-cell-mediated cytolysis (CMC) were studied in correlation with the 51Cr release assay. Our data show that both target P-815 and the effector cytolytic T-lymphocytes (CTL), when adequately purified, have a well-defined and distinguishable surface morphology which remained unaltered after lymphocyte-target cell binding. At subsequent stages of the CMC process when specific 51Cr release became significant, some target cells lost their surface microvilli and developed large surface protrusions or blebs. CTL remained bound to target cells undergoing the blebbing process with only minor changes in their surface morphology. Quantitation of the cellular interactions revealed that the frequency of target cells blebbing and binding of specific CTL rose concomitantly with the specific 51Cr released. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that the earliest cytological damage occurred apparently in the mitochondria of the target cells at a stage of the CMC process preceding significant 51Cr release.