cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A minimal murine Msx-1 gene promoter. Organization of its cis-regulatory motifs and their role in transcriptional activation in cells in culture and in transgenic mice.

To dissect the cis-regulatory elements of the murine Msx-1 promoter, which lacks a conventional TATA element, a putative Msx-1 promoter DNA fragment (from −1282 to +106 base pairs (bp)) or its congeners containing site-specific alterations were fused to luciferase reporter and introduced into NIH3T3 and C2C12 cells, and the expression of luciferase was assessed in transient expression assays. The functional consequences of the sequential 5′ deletions of the promotor revealed that multiple positive and negative regulatory elements participate in regulating transcription of theMsx-1 gene. Surprisingly, however, the optimal expression of Msx-1 promoter in either NIH3T3 or C2C12 cells required only 165 bp of the upstream sequence to warrant detailed examination of its structure. Therefore, the functional consequences of site-specific deletions and point mutations of the cis-acting elements of the minimalMsx-1 promoter were systematically examined. Concomitantly, potential transcriptional factor(s) interacting with thecis-acting elements of the minimal promoter were also studied by gel electrophoretic mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting. Combined analyses of the minimal promoter by DNase I footprinting, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and super shift assays with specific antibodies revealed that 5′-flanking regions from −161 to −154 and from −26 to −13 of the Msx-1 promoter contains an authentic E box (proximal E box), capable of binding a protein immunologically related to the upstream stimulating factor 1 (USF-1) and a GC-rich sequence motif which can bind to Sp1 (proximal Sp1), respectively. Additionally, we observed that the promoter activation was seriously hampered if the proximal E box was removed or mutated, and the promoter activity was eliminated completely if the proximal Sp1 site was similarly altered. Absolute dependence of theMsx-1 minimal promoter on Sp1 could be demonstrated by transient expression assays in the Sp1-deficient Drosophilacell line cotransfected with Msx-1-luciferase and an Sp1 expression vector pPacSp1. The transgenic mice embryos containing −165/106-bp Msx-1 promoter-LacZ DNA in their genomes abundantly expressed β-galactosidase in maxillae and mandibles and in the cellular primordia involved in the formation of the meninges and the bones of the skull. Thus, the truncated murine Msx-1promoter can target expression of a heterologous gene in the craniofacial tissues of transgenic embryos known for high level of expression of the endogenous Msx-1 gene and found to be severely defective in the Msx-1 knock-out mice.
Evaluating Oversight of Human Drugs and Medical Devices: A Case Study of the FDA and Implications for Nanobiotechnology

This article evaluates the oversight of drugs and medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) using an integration of public policy, law, and bioethics approaches and employing multiple assessment criteria, including economic, social, safety, and technological. Throughout, assessments employing both the multiple criteria and a method of expert elicitation are combined with the existing literature, case law, and regulations providing an integrative historical case study approach. The goal is to provide useful information from multiple disciplines and perspectives to guide discussions regarding appropriate oversight frameworks for nanobiotechnology applications under the FDA’s purview. The criteria we use for the assessment of oversight were developed through a multi-stage process. The first stage involved consultation of the legal, ethics, and public policy literature regarding oversight and collection of relevant written materials that address criteria utilized in oversight analysis. Searches were conducted using a variety of databases and resources. We refined these criteria and our vision of their relationships by consulting the literature on oversight analysis, through an expert elicitation process described elsewhere, and by consensus among the project investigators. The criteria chosen fell into four groups: (1) those associated with the development of an oversight system (e.g., establishment of policies, procedures, or regulations); (2) the attributes of an oversight system (e.g., how the system operates for particular processes or decisions); (3) the outcomes of an oversight system (e.g., economic, health, safety, and environmental impacts); (4) and the evolution of an oversight system (i.e., changes to the development, attributes, or outcomes over time). This article uses the assessment criteria and expert elicitation findings as tools to assess FDA oversight of drugs and devices and to derive lessons for effective oversight and regulatory mechanisms for nanotechnology. Section I describes nanotechnology in human drugs and medical devices and the state of oversight for those products regulated by the FDA. Section II describes the results of our expert elicitation research. Section III focuses on key criteria and ties them to the current literature and larger debate regarding regulation of human drugs and medical devices. We conclude with lessons for the oversight of nanobiotechnology.
COLONIZATION OF THE EPINEUSTON BY CYSTODINIUM BATAVIENSE(DINOPHYCEAE): BEHAVIOR OF THE ZOOSPORE1

Cystodinium bataviense Klebs is the first dinoflagellate observed to exhibit specialized zoospore behavior which results in colonization of the epineuston. The zoospore: (1) is strongly phototactic; (2) changes shape rapidly upon release; (3) possesses at least two types of swimming behavior, including a “stop mechanism”; and, (4) sheds its theca as the new cell wall asymmetrically elongates into the immobile vegetative stage. These features working in concert facilitate the entrance of Cystodinium into the epineuston. Detailed observations of zoospore morphology and analysis of its behavior are used as new characters to further delimit C. bataviense. Since vegetative morphology has proven unsatisfactory in circumscribing other Cystodinium species, the study of variation in zoospore characters will help to clarify taxonomic units within the genus.
Pathway of oxidation of pyruvic oxime by a heterotrophic nitrifier of the genus Alcaligenes: evidence against hydrolysis to pyruvate and hydroxylamine.

A heterotrophic nitrifier of the genus Alcaligenes, which grows vigorously on pyruvic oxime, was tested by several methods for possible differences or similarities in metabolic performance between pyruvic oxime and its hydrolysis products, pyruvate and hydroxylamine. Major differences were observed between pyruvic oxime and one or both of the other reductants with regard to growth yield, rates of reductant uptake, rates of oxygen uptake, sensitivity of their oxidations to inhibition by thiocyanate, and performance in reductant pulse experiments. Other oximes, some of which are structural analogs of pyruvic oxime and all of which are potential sources of hydroxylamine, were not metabolized by cells or cell-free extract. Collectively the results indicate a pathway of oxidation of pyruvic oxime to nitrite and CO2 that does not involve its initial hydrolysis, but probably involves the oxidation of N and/or C before CN bond breakage.
Economic growth and the human capital intensity of government spending.

The paper models an economy in which long-run growth is driven by human-capital-intensive, private sector research and development, and shows how government spending affects growth through its impact on relative wages. The more human-capital-intensive government spending is relative to private spending, the greater the derived demand for and relative wage of human capital and, hence, the more costly is research and development. The private sector thus devotes fewer resources to research and development and the rates of innovation and economic growth are lower. The paper argues that these effects are likely to be negative, and possibly substantial, in the U.S. The paper's results also offer a plausible explanation for the insignificance of government spending in cross-country growth regressions in recent empirical studies.
Uncoupling of the calcium-induced terminal differentiation and the activation of membrane-associated transglutaminase in murine keratinocytes by type-β transforming growth factor

Calcium is an important regulator of terminal differentiation of cultured epidermal cells. In order to investigate the relationship between the termination of proliferative activity and the process of keratinization, we studied the time course of events induced by a sudden increase of extracellular calcium (calcium-switch) in cultures of established murine skin keratinocytes (BALB/c MK-1). These cells displayed density-dependent growth arrest without undergoing terminal differentiation in the presence of serum- and mitogen-free medium with a calcium concentration less than 0.10 mM. The calcium-switch alone was sufficient to induce a dose-dependent burst of DNA synthesis, which was followed by a state in which the cells became progressively refractory to mitogenic stimulation with epidermal growth factor. Treatment of cultures with type beta transforming growth factor during the first 6- to 10 h following the calcium-switch completely eliminated the initial burst of DNA synthesis as well as the terminal differentiation in response to calcium. On the other hand, the calcium-switch also caused the induction of a four- to fivefold increase of the activity of the membrane-associated form of transglutaminase that is required for keratinization, which was not affected by the presence of type beta transforming growth factor. These observations suggest that type beta transforming growth factor regulates the calcium-induced terminal cell division independently of the induction of phenotypic markers of keratinization, such as transglutaminase.
Ultrasound-induced cellular uptake of plasmonic gold nanorods

Delivery of contrast agents and their interaction with cells is emerging as an important tool in cancer imaging and therapy. An alternative to traditional molecular targeting schemes that induce endocytotic uptake of contrast agents in cells is presented here. Specifically, the application of high-intensity, focused ultrasound (HIFU) was used to enhance uptake of gold nanorods in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. A significant increase was observed in gold nanorod uptake when cells were incubated with nanorods and treated with HIFU. Additionally, inclusion of liquid-filled, perfluorocarbon (PFC) microdroplets in cell samples incubated with nanorods and treated with HIFU exhibited greater uptake of gold over those samples exposed to HIFU without microdroplets. Furthermore, the level of acoustic pressure required to increase nanoparticle uptake did not significantly decrease cell viability. Therefore, improved intracellular delivery of nanoparticle contrast agents is possible using HIFU without compromising cell viability. Since nanoparticle delivery is mechanically induced, this method can apply to a broad range of cancer imaging and therapy applications.
The Effect of Social Anxiety and Self-Esteem on College Adjustment, Academics, and Retention

In a survey of 271 undergraduates conducted during the 2nd and 11th week of their 1st semester of col-lege, the authors found that self-esteem mediated relations between social anxiety and academic, social, and institutional adjustment. Implications for 1st-year college students with social anxiety are discussed, with an emphasis on early identification and recommendations for counselors to adapt cognitive behavior therapy interventions for use with college populations.
The Control of Politicians: An Economic Model

This paper applies economic theory to an analysis of behavior in the public sector. The model focuses on the division of interest between the public and its political representatives. The division of interest arises because the public officeholder is assumed to act to advance his own interests, and these interests do not coincide automatically with those of his constituents. The electoral process and some elements of the political structure are then analyzed as mechanisms which can be used to move the officeholder toward a position where the advancement of self-interest approximates the advancement of the interests of his constituents.
Trace element discharges from coal combustion for power production

Partition factors have been calculated to describe the distribution of 38 elements between slag, total fly ash, atmospherically emitted fly ash, and vapors for a coal fired steamplant. These factors have been generalized to other types of boilers, to calculate the annual U.S. discharge of trace elements due to coal combustion for power production. The magnitude of trace element mobilization by coal combustion is compared with industrial consumption of trace elements, and with estimates of their natural mobilization by weathering. Elemental flows due to coal consumption are never less than 1.5% of their weathering mobilization, and coal combustion introduces As, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sc, Se, U, V, and Zn into the environment at rates comparable to their rates of introduction by weathering.
Potentiation of calcium-mediated stimulation of DNA synthesis by ethanol in human and mouse fibroblasts.

Alcohol abuse is a risk factor for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, and it also can precipitate psoriasis characterized by hyperproliferation of epidermal cells. Because these effects of alcohol may involve stimulation of cell growth, and ethanol (EtOH) was shown to enhance DNA synthesis in mouse fibroblasts and epidermal cells, we conducted a study to determine whether EtOH can also stimulate mitogenesis in human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. In keratinocytes, EtOH had no effects on mitogenesis after shorter (17-hr) treatments, but it partially prevented inhibition of DNA synthesis elicited by longer treatments (3-4 days) with 2 mM calcium (Ca 2+ ), a differentiation-inducing agent. In contrast, treatment of serum-starved zinc-treated (40 μM) human skin fibroblasts with 50-60 mM EtOH for 17 hr resulted in increased DNA synthesis. EtOH-induced DNA synthesis was blocked by I mM EGTA, a specific Ca 2+ chelator. Despite thc presence of 1.8 mM Ca 2+ in the cell culture medium, the addition of 1 mM extra Ca 2+ (final concentration, 2.8 mM) for 17 hr induced DNA synthesis, presumably mediated by Ca 2+ receptors. In eight independent human skin fibroblast lines examined, treatment with EtOH for 46 hr, but not for 17 hr, invariably enhanced the effects of Ca 2+ on DNA synthesis, consistent with synergistic stimulation of cell proliferation by EtOH and Ca 2+ . Neomycin, a Ca 2+ receptor agonist, and EtOH also exerted synergistic effects on DNA synthesis after longer (46-hr) treatments. In mousc NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, both EtOH- and Ca 2+ -enhanced DNA synthesis after 17-hr treatment, but they stimulated cell proliferation only in combination. The results indicate that in human fibroblasts, EtOH can potentiate the longer-term effects of high concentrations of Ca 2+ on DNA synthesis whereas, in keratinocytes, EtOH may inhibit Ca 2+ -induced differentiation.
Miniaturization of a circularly-polarized, uni-directional, ultra-wideband spiral antenna

A low-profile, miniaturized ground-plane backed spiral antenna with a wideband circularly-polarized response is presented. This antenna is a multilayer structure composed of a center-fed modified Archimedean spiral antenna that includes a novel loading structure, a ring shaped absorber, and a feeding network. The loading structure possesses both inductive and capacitive characteristics, which increase the equivalent electrical length of the antenna while maintaining its maximum dimensions. Using this structure, the volume occupied by a conventional uni-directional Archimedean spiral antenna is miniaturized by a factor of 78%. This antenna is integrated into the multilayer structure along with its differential feeding network. An optimized ring-shape absorber is used to reduce the ground effects on the antenna performance. The measured peak realized gain of the antenna with the feeding network is 2.62 dBiC. The measured 3-dB axial ratio (CP) bandwidth is 2.5:1. The size of the antenna with the feeding network is 0.24λ min × 0.24λ min × 0.10λ min , where λ min is the wavelength at the lowest frequency of operation. The design process, simulation, and the measurement results of the antenna are presented and discussed.
Epidemiology of occupational injuries and illnesses in a university population: a focus on age and gender differences.

Background Occupational injuries and illnesses are a major preventable public health problem. Methods This study evaluated the incidence, nature, and cause of awarded workers' compensation claims for a large state university and teaching hospital. Rates and types of injury were compared across age and gender. Results Rates of injury varied over twofold with age, with those 16–25 having the lowest rates of injury and those 36–45 having the highest rates. Claims rates were 1.36-fold higher for women than men. Women had higher rates for injury resulting from lifting, falling, noxious exposures, repetitive motion, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Similarly women had significantly higher rates of claims for pain, sprains, bruises, burns, concussion, and inhalation injury; with lower rates of cuts, ligament injury, and jammed joints. Conclusions These group differences suggest the need to examine age and gender job distributions and relevant ergonomic and environmental causative factors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 39:581–586, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Late Chachapoya population structure prior to Inka conquest.

Archaeological and ethnohistorical documents suggest that the Chachapoya region was inhabited by a number of distinct sociopolitical groups that only united in the face of their common enemy, the Inka. The purpose of this research is to quantify the amount of internal genetic differentiation and levels of extraregional gene flow during the Late Chachapoya period, in order to obtain a better understanding of the genetic relationship between these presumed ethnic groups. Craniometric data were collected from three Late Chachapoya samples (Laguna Huayabamba, Kuelap, and Laguna de los Condores), in order to understand the genetic relationships between the groups and facilitate our understanding of Late Chachapoya population structure. Genetic differentiation among these series ranged from 0.047 (heritability = 1.0) to 0.090 (heritability = 0.55). The Relethford-Blangero residuals indicate that the Laguna Huayabamba and Laguna de los Condores populations were receiving greater than average external gene flow, while Kuelap was receiving less than average external gene flow. The correspondence between biological and archaeological data in the investigation of prehistoric ethnic identity is discussed.
Reporter/Journalist/Critic

(2009). Reporter/Journalist/Critic. Journal of Architectural Education: Vol. 62, No. 3, pp. 12-96.
Reflexive Research Ethics in Fetal Tissue Xenotransplantation Research

For biomedical research in which the only involvement of the human subject is the provision of tissue or organ samples, a blanket consent, i.e., consent to use the tissue for anything researchers wish to do, is considered by many to be adequate for legal and Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements. Alternatively, a detailed informed consent provides patients or study participants with more thorough information about the research topic. We document here the beliefs and opinions of the research staff on informed consent and the discussion-based reflexive research ethics process that we employed in our fetal tissue xenotransplantion research on the impact of environmental exposures on fetal development. Reflexive research ethics entails the continued adjustment of research practice according to relational and reflexive understandings of what might be beneficent or harmful. Such reflexivity is not solely an individual endeavor, but rather a collective relationship between all actors in the research process.
Mean station reliabilities cause throughput overestimates in production system design

Abstract In production system design, we typically lack actual station reliability data for throughput analysis using a model, because these stations do not yet exist. Hence, we either use the mean values from similar existing equipment or mean reliability estimates provided by equipment manufacturers. The real stations may have better or worse reliabilities compared to the means. Hence, when the system is built, the real system throughput may be acceptable or poor depending on actual station reliabilities. This paper compares predicted model throughput using station mean reliabilities with real system throughput. We find that the model often overestimates system throughput. We develop an upper bound and the maximum probability of overestimation when there is an infinite buffer size after each station. We also provide the ranges of overestimation for systems with limited buffers. These results may be used as a “rule of thumb” to adjust system throughput estimation. Monte Carlo simulation is discussed as an approach to analyze real system performance.
Interaction of a macroscopic probe with liquid He II

It is shown that the results of the Pellam Rayleigh disk experiment are accounted for by the thermohydrodynamic equations when the relative velocity between the normal and superfluid components is included and the probe acts as an isothermal boundary.
Effect of friction on the microstructure of compacted solid additive blends for polymers

Abstract The present study is concerned with the characterization of the heat generation during the pelletizing process that produces a shell/core pellet structure. Shell formation contributes to the mechanical durability of compacted pelletized additive blends and alleviates health and environmental issues by handling powder additives. A model system comprised of erucamide (low melting point component) and silica was selected for the investigation. The thermal conductivity of the model system was investigated as a function of the erucamide content. The frictional heat generated during the pelletizing process was studied by conducting tribological experiments. The results show that thermal conductivity behaves according to the rule of mixtures. Frictional heat was correlated to the depth of the shell formation examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy after testing. Temperature distributions using semi-infinite solid approximation with constant surface temperature show that the inside boundary of the shell microstructure is almost always above 70 °C. Differential Scanning Calorimetry experiments show that erucamide, the low-melting component, has an onset of melting at temperatures around 70 °C, well below its melting point (83 °C). This suggests that frictional heating generated at the surface raises temperature until onset of melting of erucamide takes place which leads to the formation of a shell/core microstructure.
Reflection EXAFS studies of metal-semiconductor interfaces

Abstract Reflection EXAFS experiments, using total external reflection and fluorescence detection, have been performed for the Al/GaAs system. Our preliminary EXAFS results imply only moderate interdiffusion of Al into the GaAs substrate. Technical aspects of the technique are also discussed, such as methods to minimize diffraction-peak contamination of the data.
Academic Literacies and Adolescent Learners: English for Subject-Matter Secondary Classrooms

Comprehensive high schools are extremely complex sites for the teaching and learning of academic literacies. However, current policy mandates emphasizing standards and accountability mask this complex ity. Legislation such as No Child Left Behind in the United States and similar initiatives in other countries narrow the curriculum (Afflerbach, 2005; McCarthey, 2008) through their emphasis on the teaching and assessment of discrete skills and features of language. Even as K-12 teachers are encouraged to focus on preparation for standardized tests and formulaic essays, the literacies required for success beyond high school are expanding in remarkable ways in terms of the multimodal information-rich technologies that pervade many professions and informal contexts, as well as the disciplinary literacy skills needed in subject-matter classrooms and specialized fields. Students in secondary schools represent another level of complexity, especially adolescents who are learning English as an additional language. Because secondary school is compulsory in the United States, comprehensive high schools serve recent immigrants who are well-educated in their native tongues, immigrants and migrants with limited formal educations, and Generation 1.5 students (Harklau, Losey, & Siegal, 1999) who have been schooled mostly in the host country but are still behind native-born peers in terms of academic language and literacy skills in English. High schools educate these young people under intense time constraints, with graduation (and in many states, prerequisite exit exams) looming as a fixed high-stakes deadline. Many of these adolescents are still acquiring academic literacy in English when they enter U.S. high schools, often in New Mainstream (Enright, 2010a) classrooms that enroll monolingual English speakers together with multilingual students of varying English proficiencies, with little specialized attention to their unique language backgrounds and needs. The resulting dilemma is that many young people were not exposed to advanced academic literacies in their ESL classes and are unprepared for the academic literacy demands of New Mainstream subject-matter classrooms, where such skills are expected and required.
Efficient GA-based electromagnetic optimization using HDMR-generated surrogate models

An efficient surrogate modelling technique that supports the genetic algorithm (GA) -based optimization of electromagnetic (EM) devices is presented. The proposed method leverages high dimensional model representation (HDMR) expansions, which approximate observables or objective functions as series of iteratively constructed component functions involving only the most strongly interacting design variables. The contributions that feature in HDMR expansions are approximated via a multi-element probabilistic collocation (ME-PC) method. The proposed method is capable of generating surrogate models of rapidly varying observables or objective functions that involve a large number of design parameters. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method are demonstrated via its application to the placement of stacked patch antennas in a linear array.
Liquid helium transfer with a two-phase jet pump

Abstract A new two-phase helium jet pump is described. It may be possible to transfer helium or other cryogenic liquids with a two-phase jet pump that has no moving parts. The pump delivers subcooled liquid for filling the receiver tank without venting. The amount of vapour discharged is about the same as for transfer by receiver-tank venting.
Photometry of Pluto in the last decade and before: evidence for volatile transport?

Abstract Photometric observations of Pluto in the BVR filter system were obtained in 1999 and in 1990–1993, and observations in the 0.89-μm methane absorption band were obtained in 2000. Our 1999 observations yield lightcurve amplitudes of 0.30 ± 0.01, 0.26 ± 0.01, and 0.21 ± 0.02 and geometric albedos of 0.44 ± 0.04, 0.52 ± 0.03, and 0.58 ± 0.02 in the B, V, and R filters, respectively. The low-albedo hemisphere of Pluto is slightly redder than the higher albedo hemisphere. A comparison of our results and those from previous epochs shows that the lightcurve of Pluto changes substantially through time. We developed a model that fully accounts for changes in the lightcurve caused by changes in the viewing geometry between the Earth, Pluto, and the Sun. We find that the observed changes in the amplitude of Pluto’s lightcurve can be explained by viewing geometry rather than by volatile transport. We also discovered a measurable decrease since 1992 of ∼0.03 magnitudes in the amplitude of Pluto’s lightcurve, as the model predicts. Pluto’s geometric albedo does not appear to be currently increasing, as our model predicts, although given the uncertainties in both the model and the measurements of geometric albedo, this result is not firm evidence for volatile transport. The maximum of methane-absorption lightcurve occurs near the minimum of the BVR lightcurves. This result suggests that methane is more abundant in the brightest regions of Pluto. Pluto’s phase coefficient exhibits a color dependence, ranging from 0.037 ± 0.01 in the B filter to 0.032 ± 0.01 in the R filter. Pluto’s phase curve is most like those of the bright, recently resurfaced satellites Triton and Europa. Although Pluto shows no strong evidence for volatile transport now (unlike Triton), it is important to continue to observe Pluto as it moves away from perihelion.
Interanimal "Memory" Transfer: Results from Brain and Liver Homogenates

Sixty mice received either shock or no shock in a shuttle box, or nonspecific stress in another apparatus. Brain and liver homogenates from these animals were then injected into 120 naive recipients, who were all tested in the shuttle box. Subjects receiving brain or liver from shocked or stressed donors had significantly higher latencies than control counterparts. These results are interpreted in terms of stress, rather than a memory transfer hypothesis.
Intracellular cAMP signaling by soluble adenylyl cyclase

Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) is a recently identified source of the ubiquitous second messenger cyclic adenosine 3′,5′ monophosphate (cAMP). sAC is distinct from the more widely studied source of cAMP, the transmembrane adenylyl cyclases (tmACs); its activity is uniquely regulated by bicarbonate anions, and it is distributed throughout the cytoplasm and in cellular organelles. Due to its unique localization and regulation, sAC has various functions in a variety of physiological systems that are distinct from tmACs. In this review, we detail the known functions of sAC, and we reassess commonly held views of cAMP signaling inside cells.
A genomewide scan of male sexual orientation

This is the first report of a full genome scan of sexual orientation in men. A sample of 456 individuals from 146 families with two or more gay brothers was genotyped with 403 microsatellite markers at 10-cM intervals. Given that previously reported evidence of maternal loading of transmission of sexual orientation could indicate epigenetic factors acting on autosomal genes, maximum likelihood estimations (mlod) scores were calculated separated for maternal, paternal, and combined transmission. The highest mlod score was 3.45 at a position near D7S798 in 7q36 with approximately equivalent maternal and paternal contributions. The second highest mlod score of 1.96 was located near D8S505 in 8p12, again with equal maternal and paternal contributions. A maternal origin effect was found near marker D10S217 in 10q26, with a mlod score of 1.81 for maternal meioses and no paternal contribution. We did not find linkage to Xq28 in the full sample, but given the previously reported evidence of linkage in this region, we conducted supplemental analyses to clarify these findings. First, we re-analyzed our previously reported data and found a mlod of 6.47. We then re-analyzed our current data, after limiting the sample to those families previously reported, and found a mlod of 1.99. These Xq28 findings are discussed in detail. The results of this first genome screen for normal variation in the behavioral trait of sexual orientation in males should encourage efforts to replicate these findings in new samples with denser linkage maps in the suggested regions.
Early Estrogen Effects on Lipid Metabolism in the Rat Uterus1

The effects of short periods (1-4hr) of in vivo 17P-estradiol treatment on the subsequent in vitro incorporation of several isotopic precursors into rat uterine lipids were studied. Throughout this period, estrogen progressively accelerated 2-14C-acetate incorporation into all major lipid fractions examined. When phospholipids were doubly labeled with 2-14C-acetate and 32Porthophosphate, estrogenic stimulation of 32P incorporation occurred at a different and greater rate than 14C incorporation. Subsequent separation and identification of major uterine phospholipid classes allowed the finding that novel or selective differential synthesis of specific lipid classes did not occur; rather there was a similar and coordinate increase in the labeling of all classes. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in these responses, the synthesis of the largest class of uterine phospholipids was examined in detail. 90- min periods of estrogen treatment increased Me- 3H-choline incorporation into choline phospholipids by 70...
The Dimensionality of Honey and Mumford’s Learning Styles Questionnaire

The Learning Style Questionnaire (LSQ) developed by Honey and Mumford (1986) is one of several measures of individual learning style. Despite its popularity in the UK there is little published evidence for construct validity. This survey of 329 British managers used cluster and factor analysis to assess the validity of the LSQ. Cluster analysis revealed learning style profiles dominated by Reflector/Theorist traits. The factor structure of the LSQ does not cleanly reflect the four-stage Learning Cycle relied upon for a theoretical foundation. The observed structure is more indicative of a three-stage learning cycle of Action, Reflection and Planning.
Influences of gene flow on adaptive speciation in the Dubautia arborea – D. ciliolata complex

Mechanisms of reproductive isolation during plant speciation are often unclear because distinct species often experience high levels of gene flow and hybridization. Adaptive radiations such as the Hawaiian silversword alliance (HSA) provide unique opportunities to study the interactions of selection, gene flow and isolating mechanisms during the speciation process. We examined patterns of phenotypic and genetic differentiation in Dubautia arborea and Dubautia ciliolata, two parapatric HSA taxa that show marked morphological divergence but evidence of weak molecular differentiation, in order to estimate genome-wide differentiation and gene flow patterns. We scored 166 amplified fragment length polymorphism markers in a set of 89 plants from two populations each of D. arborea and D. ciliolata and phenotypically D. arborea-like and D. ciliolata-like plants from a natural hybrid zone. Analyses of population subdivision showed low levels of differentiation between the two species (F(ST) = 0.089) and evidence that the phenotypically parental hybrid zone plants were largely of parental species rather than of hybrid origin. A Bayesian analysis of population ancestry identified a number of plants with admixed D. arborea and D. ciliolata ancestry, even in nonhybrid-zone populations. These results suggest that genome-wide low levels of differentiation between D. arborea and D. ciliolata are in part due to gene flow, and favour models of genic speciation and collective evolution in which gene flow has different effects on selected loci vs. nonselected genomic regions. We discuss ecological and climatic factors that may have shaped patterns of differentiation in this species complex.
Constraints on melting processes and plume-ridge interaction from comprehensive study of the FAMOUS and North Famous segments, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Abstract Detailed major element, trace element and isotopic study of the FAMOUS and North Famous segments within the geochemical gradient south of the Azores platform provides new constraints on controls on chemical variations at the segment scale and the origin of plume geochemical gradients. A comprehensive investigation of 110 samples along the entire length of the FAMOUS segment, coupled with a recent extensive melt inclusion study by Laubier et al. (2012) , shows large trace element diversity within a single segment and substantial isotopic variability that largely correlates with trace element variations. Substantial variations are also present along the short (18 km) North Famous segment despite the presence of an axial volcanic ridge. These results confirm multiple supply of magmas along the length of these segments, the lack of a centrally supplied magma chamber, and the ability of melting processes to deliver highly diverse melts over short distances and times. With the exception of one group of high Al2O3, low SiO2 magmas (HiAl–LoSi) largely recovered in the original small FAMOUS area, the data can be simply explained by a two-component mixing model coupled with melting variations. The HiAl–LoSi magmas reflect assimilation and mixing in the crust, an interpretation supported by the diverse melt inclusions in these lavas. Since the mantle heterogeneity reflects two-component mixing, the end members can be constrained. Surprisingly, source mixing between the Azores plume and depleted mantle cannot produce the observations. This is evident regionally from the fact that nearly all basalts have highly incompatible trace element ratios (e.g., Th/La, Nb/La) as high or higher than the most plume-influenced MORB near the Azores hotspot, despite being over 300 km farther south and much less enriched isotopically. To account for the elevated highly incompatible trace element ratios, a metasomatic component formed by adding deep, low-degree melts of Azores plume material to a depleted mantle is required. The regional gradient south of the Azores then requires different processes along its length. Close to the Azores, plume material mixes with depleted mantle. The pure plume influence is spatially restricted, and enrichment farther to the south is caused by shallow mantle metasomatized by low-degree melts from deep plume flow. North Famous lavas are spatially closer to the Azores and yet are more depleted in trace elements and isotopes than FAMOUS lavas, suggesting delivery of the enriched component to individual segments is influenced by additional factors such as segment size and offset. The extent to which these processes operate in other regions of plume–ridge interaction remains to be investigated.
Democratic Reliability, Precommitment of Successor Governments, and the Choice of Alliance Commitment

Given frequent leadership turnover and leaders' need to appeal to voters, democracies should face difficulties in maintaining their alliance commitments. Yet the empirical evidence predominantly shows that they do make reliable allies. Democratic governments can increase reliability by binding future administrations through the choice of alliance commitment. While defense pacts precommit future leaders to close military cooperation with an ally, consultation pacts leave more room for discretion. This research note examines when precommitment through a defense pact is likely to occur. A government should be more likely to conclude a defense pact if potential successors have different preferences regarding the alliance, if the government believes that it will lose power soon, and if the costs of precommitment are not too high. I test the theoretical expectations using the Alliance Treaty Obligations and Provisions (ATOP) data between 1945 and 2003. The findings support the argument and suggest an answer to the puzzle of why states sometimes conclude whole-hearted commitments and other times seemingly half-hearted ones.
Enzyme replacement therapy in Fabry disease.

Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that enzyme replacement therapy with α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) constitutes a major clinical advance in the treatment of patients with Fabry disease. This new therapeutic approach has been shown to be well tolerated and effective in reducing levels of the storage product globo-triaosylceramide and in normalizing many of the debilitating manifestations of the disorder. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 26 hemizygous male patients showed that agalsidase alfa (human α-Gal A) significantly reduced neuropathic pain (p= 0.02), increased creatinine clearance (p = 0.02), improved glomerular histology, reduced the QRS interval on electrocardiography and increased weight gain. Positron emission tomography also revealed normalization of cerebrovascular flow. After the 6-month controlled period, all patients were given agalsidase alfa for a further12 months. At the end of this period, all patients had a decrease in neuropathic pain, and there was a significant improvement in their ability to sense heat and cold. In addition, renal function stabilized, even in patients with renal insufficiency at the onset of treatment, and patients reported a normalization of sweating and improvements in their level of energy and sense of well-being. These findings show that enzyme replacement therapy offers promise as an effective management strategy for patients with Fabry disease.
Possible Pathway between Alpha Helical and Beta Helical Structures of the C-terminal in the Mammalian Prion Protein

The normal form of the prion protein(PrPC) has mostly alpha-helical (AH) secondary structure in the C-terminal region (residues 166-230), while the infectious form (PrPSc) has been proposed to have a left-handed beta helical (LHBH) structure(1). The mechanism of conformational change from PrPC to PrPSc is unknown, but recent electron microscope data(2) and computer modeling(3) of in vitro grown prion fibrils suggest a possible LHBH structure in the C-terminal region. We use high temperature (500K) AMBER molecular dynamics over 10 ns runtimes to study the unfolding transitions commencing from both LHBH and AH C-terminal starting structures. Using stability, contact map, and energetic analyses we find that both structures unfold to very similar AH-like conformations and discuss the potential implications of this result for normal prion cellular function and for prion disease.References1) Govaerts, C., et al. (2004) PNAS101, 8342-8347.2) Tattum, M. H., et al. (2006) J. Mol. Biol.357, 975-985.3) Kunes, K. C., et al. (2008) Prion2, 81-90.The image below compares computational models of the initial LHBH structure(left), the initial AH structure(right), and the unfolded AH-like structure(middle).View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Morphology transition in lipid vesicles due to in-plane order and topological defects.

Complex morphologies in lipid membranes typically arise due to chemical heterogeneity, but in the tilted gel phase, complex shapes can form spontaneously even in a membrane containing only a single lipid component. We explore this phenomenon via experiments and coarse-grained simulations on giant unilamellar vesicles of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. When cooled from the untilted Lα liquid-crystalline phase into the tilted gel phase, vesicles deform from smooth spheres to disordered, highly crumpled shapes. We propose that this shape evolution is driven by nucleation of complex membrane microstructure with topological defects in the tilt orientation that induce nonuniform membrane curvature. Coarse-grained simulations demonstrate this mechanism and show that kinetic competition between curvature change and defect motion can trap vesicles in deeply metastable, defect-rich structures.
Transcoding Biomedical Information Resources for Mobile Handhelds

We developed a transcoder gateway that transforms web pages on the fly. The transcoder adapts the pages to the limitation of the user's device, especially the small screen of PDAs and smart phones. We developed novel template-matching algorithms to detect the structure of a webpage and to match the structure with a known template in the template library. Transformation rules such as summarization can then be applied to the template to make reading full-text documents in small screen devices more usable. Our current project focuses on transcoding full-text biomedical information resources (such as full-text biomedical journals) to support mobile healthcare professionals.
Sin1 phosphorylation impairs mTORC2 complex integrity and inhibits downstream Akt signalling to suppress tumorigenesis

Wei and colleagues report that phosphorylation of Sin1 by S6K or Akt results in its dissociation from mTORC2, thus suppressing mTORC2 activity. A cancer-patient-derived Sin1 mutation that impairs this phosphorylation leads to mTORC2 hyperactivation and increased tumour formation in mice.
The Concept of Situations

The concept of situations has a long past, but the conceptualization of situations only has a short history. This article provides a survey of the concept of situations. Based upon Milgram’s [Human Relations 18 (1965), 57] vision toward ‘a compelling theory of situations,’ the authors examine the concept of situations in three specific literatures: definitions of situations, taxonomies of situations, and interrelationships among persons, situations, and behaviors. To further integrate the literature, the authors propose that the essence of a situation is its affordance of human goals, and that situations are largely characterized by two specific principles of goal processes (what happened, is happening, or might happen to people’s goals) and goal contents (the specific goals afforded in the situation).
A note on testing equality of means when sample sizes are random with application

Summary The problem of testing the equality of means of two normal populations is considered when independent random samples of random sizes are given with the total number of observations from both populations being n fixed number. An application in forestry is discussed. Key w0~d.s: Test of hypothesis; Mixture of distribution; Random sample size.
Hard palate graft for repair of eyelid notch deformity

A single case description of a novel surgical treatment using hard palate to correct an upper eyelid deformity after traumatic laceraton. The surgical procedure is described with accompanying diagram to illustrate the technique. The eyelid margin was successfully restored with proper anatomical outcome, as seen up to at least eighteen months post-operatively in the presented case. Our technique can be applied to the correction of small eyelid defects in other patients.