cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil and natural killer cell imbalances prevent muscle stem cell mediated regeneration following murine volumetric muscle loss

ABSTRACT Volumetric muscle loss (VML) overwhelms the innate regenerative capacity of mammalian skeletal muscle (SkM), leading to numerous disabilities and reduced quality of life. Immune cells are critical responders to muscle injury and guide tissue resident stem cell and progenitor mediated myogenic repair. However, how immune cell infiltration and inter-cellular communication networks with muscle stem cells are altered following VML and drive pathological outcomes remains underexplored. Herein, we contrast the cellular and molecular mechanisms of VML injuries that result in fibrotic degeneration or regeneration of SkM. Following degenerative VML injuries, we observe heightened infiltration of natural killer (NK) cells as well as persistence of neutrophils beyond two weeks post injury. Functional validation of NK cells revealed an antagonistic role on neutrophil accumulation in part via inducing apoptosis and CCR1 mediated chemotaxis. The persistent infiltration of neutrophils in degenerative VML injuries was found to contribute to impairments in muscle stem cell regenerative function, which was also attenuated by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1). Blocking TGFβ signaling reduced neutrophil accumulation and fibrosis, as well as improved muscle specific force. Collectively, these results enhance our understanding of immune cell-stem cell crosstalk that drives regenerative dysfunction and provide further insight into possible avenues for fibrotic therapy exploration. SINGLE SENTENCE SUMMARY Comparison of muscle injuries resulting in regeneration or fibrosis reveals inter-cellular communication between neutrophils and natural killer cells impacts muscle stem cell mediated repair.
Role of calcium in hormone-independent and -resistant breast cancer

Approximately one-third of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast tumors fail to respond to or become resistant to hormonal therapy. Although the mechanisms responsible for hormone resistance are not completely understood, resistance is associated with alterations in ERα; overexpression of proteins that interact with the receptor; and hormone-independent activation of the receptor by growth factor signal transduction pathways. Our previous studies show that in estrogen dependent breast cancer cells, activation of the epidermal growth factor signaling pathway increases intracellular calcium which binds to and activates ERα through sites in the ligand-binding domain of the receptor and that treatment with extracellular calcium increases the concentration of intracellular calcium which activates ERα and induces hormone-independent cell growth. The present study asked whether overexpression of calcium channels contributes to the hormone-independent and -resistant phenotype of breast cancer cells and whether clinically used calcium channel blockers reverse hormone independence and resistance. The results show that hormone-independent and -resistant cells overexpress calcium channels, have high concentrations of intracellular calcium, overexpress estrogen responsive genes and, as expected, grow in the absence of estradiol and that treatment with calcium channel blockers decreased the concentration of intracellular calcium, the expression of estrogen responsive genes and cell growth. More importantly, in hormone-resistant cells, treatment that combined a calcium channel blocker with an antiestrogen reversed resistance to the antiestrogen.
The role of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy in a good prognosis IVF population across different age groups

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy is associated with increased pregnancy success and reduced miscarriage in women 35 years and older when embryos are available for transfer. In this re...
A critique of Nakagawa’s (1993) “Relational rule learning in the rat”

Nakagawa (1993) concluded that rats can use abstract concepts and relational rules. This was based on contrasting performances of two groups of rats in tasks where it was assumed that the controlling features of the stimuli were black visual patterns on white cards. However, the good performances can be explained by the rats’ use of brightness cues with reinforcement contingencies that were consistent throughout pretraining and transfer training. The bad performances can be explained by the rats’ use of brightness cues with unsignaled changes in reinforcement contingencies.
Rapid Detection and Characterization of Foodborne Pathogens by Molecular Techniques

Penned by a distinguished and internationally respected authority on food safety, the book provides a detailed assessment and summary of hundreds of contemporary studies focusing on the molecular d...
The Distinctive Character of the Free University in Amsterdam, 1880–2005: A Commemorative History

The Free University was established as a unique Christian university with Abraham Kuyper's clearly defined neo-Calvinist vision of worldview and science. The distinctive (as the title reads) Christ...
Investigations on the biogenesis of chlorophyll a: III. Biosynthesis of Mg-vinylpheoporphine a5 methylester from Mg-protoporphine IX monomethylester as observed in Chlorella mutants☆

Abstract Ultraviolet Chlorella mutants are described. Structures are suggested for the porphyrins which they accumulate and which appear to complete the gap in the proposed biosynthetic pathway of chlorophyll a between Mg-protoporphine IX monomethyl ester and vinylpheoporphine a5 methyl ester. In this sequence, formation of the isocyclic ring is preceded by reduction of the 4-vinyl side chain. Structure assignments were made primarily by mass spectrometry of a mixture of the esterified porphyrins, oxidation of the mixtures, and identification of the products (maleimides).
Extended Linear Quadratic Gaussian Control under Randomly Varying Distributed Delays

A state estimation and state feedback control law has been formulated in a stochastic setting, based on the principles of minimum variance filtering and dynamic programming, for application to processes that are subjected to randomly varying distributed delays. The proposed estimation and control law for delay compensation is formulated on the concept of the Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG), hereafter called Extended Linear Quadratic Gaussian (ELQG). Although the certainty equivalence property of LQG does not hold for ELQG in general, the combined state estimation and state feedback approach of ELQG offers a suboptimal solution to control of randomly delayed processes. Specifically, ELQG is applicable to analysis and synthesis of Integrated Communication and Control Systems (ICCS) for vehicle management of future generation aircraft and autonomous vehicles where a computer network is employed for distributed processing and on-line information exchange between diverse control and decision-making functions. Results of simulation experiments are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the ELQG algorithm for flight control of an advanced aircraft.
The formation of bacterial flagella. 3. Characterization of the subunits of the flagella of Bacillus subtilis and Spirillum serpens.

The flagellins of Bacillus subtilis strain 19 and Spirillum serpens have been characterized by physical, chemical and immunochemical methods. The purified flagellar structures of both organisms consist of a single type of protein subunit of molecular weight approximately 40,000.
The Effect of Hydrogen Ions on the Control of Mitochondrial Respiration

The respiratory control of mitochondria prepared from pigeon heart is released reversibly by addition of hydrogen ions. The effect can be observed readily by measuring the reduction of pyridine nucleotides or the rate of respiration.
Engineering workshops for K-12 schoolteachers

K-12 teachers' professional development workshops providing educational content standards-based engineering curriculum are offered every summer at the College of Engineering and Applied Science's Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory on the CU-Boulder campus. A typical four-day workshop format engages teachers in mini-lectures and hands-on demonstrations, and integrates the design/build process. A written curriculum includes inquiry-based experiments to help the teachers be fully prepared to engage their students in active learning. Written feedback evaluations gauge the effectiveness and developmental appropriateness of all workshop materials. Practicing engineers and CU engineering faculty share their expertise with the participants and provide a real-world context for the academic content presented.
Transcriptional regulatory strategies in male germ cells.

Transcriptional regulation during spermatogenesis appears to follow the same molecular principles established for cells in general. Basically, there are specific DNA sequences in the promoter region of a gene that comprise the binding sites recognized by a class of proteins, transcription factors, that serve to activate, enhance, or repress expression (Fig. I). The process is complex; the activity of transcriptional regulatory factors may be altered by interaction with different partners, for example. Furthermore, packaging of DNA into nucleosomes regulates the accessibility of different promoters at different stages of the cell cycle. Orchestration of these events results in exquisite timing of a developmental concert of gene expression. While this basic strategy is employed during spermatogenesis, modifications do occur that result in expression of unique gene products specific to the formation, structure, and function of a spermatozoan. Isozymes or protein isoforms may be synthesized in germ cells by activation of gene family members not expressed elsewhere, by alternate promoter usage in genes commonly transcribed ubiquitously, or by alternative splicing. Gene expression is regulated by DNA binding proteins through activation domains or by changing the structure of the DNA. Several structural elements, that allow interaction with DNA or with other proteins include a zinc finger domain, helix-turn-helix motif, and leucine zipper. A very large number of transcriptional regulatory proteins have been identified (see Faisst and Meyer, 1992 for review). Many of these, such as Spl, are ubiquitous and involved in activation of testis-specific genes. Equally. interesting are potential negative regulatory elements responsible for suppression of germ cell-specific genes in somatic cells. In this review it was my intention to describe testis-specific gene expression and raise the following question: Are there transcription factors unique to the
The Role of Sampling in Strategic Management Research on Performance: A Two-Study Analysis

Strategic management researchers often note the inability of many phenomena to consistently explain organizational performance. Using a two-study format, we examine the possibility that sampling practices may contribute to this inability. We chronicle sampling practices within 437 studies investigating the determinants of organizational performance published between 1980 and 1999 in the Academy of Management Journal, Administrative Science Quarterly, Journal of Management, Organization Science, and Strategic Management Journal. Our results reveal that fewer than one in five studies rely on a random sample and that researchers offer little a priori acknowledgement of sample limitations. Although the first study suggests that sampling issues have been problematic, it cannot offer direct evidence. Thus, in the second study, we examine the effect of sample selection on empirical results by testing one popular relationship from the strategy literature (chief executive officer duality and performance) using fou...
Pressure-Flow Differences in Performance During Production of the CV Syllables /pi/ and /pa/

Abstract Inconsistencies in velopharyngeal function were observed to have been reported in pressure-flow reports. This article introduces our findings from a sample of pressure-flow records and discusses possible implications for management. A retrospective review of the pressure-flow records for 51 patients was completed. All patients had been evaluated at the Craniofacial Center, University of Illinois at Chicago. Records were selected based on the following criteria: patients were referred for evaluation of velopharyngeal function and had no secondary surgeries on the velopharyngeal mechanism, no fistulae, no neurologic disorders, and no compensatory articulations. At the time of testing, patients ranged in age from 4 to 38 years with most being under 18 years of age. Velopharyngeal orifice areas were obtained using the pressure-flow technique during repeated CV syllables, including /pi/ and /pa./ Our results show that 8 of 51 patients exhibited a specific type of inconsistent velopharyngeal function (...
Single-Molecule FRET Reveals Shifting Folding Landscapes for Parkinson’s-Related Alpha-Synuclein

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, with the number one risk factor being age. Despite its prevalence and extensive research efforts at many levels to understand the molecular disease mechanism and identify effective drug targets (of which there are currently none), much remains to be understood about PD, including the role of the heavily implicated protein α-synuclein. This small and intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) is the primary component of Lewy bodies (intraneuronal inclusions pathologically associated with PD) and has been linked genetically to PD through mutation and overexpression-linked toxicity. Structural investigation by conventional bulk methods has proven to be quite challenging due to the inherent flexibility of the molecule and subsequent heterogeneity of the population. To reveal critical information about the “misfolding” (or perhaps simply alternative folding) behavior of α-synuclein, especially as it relates to aggregation, single-molecule Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) techniques were applied to wild-type and disease-related variants of α-synuclein. The monomeric protein was then observed in misfolding-related conditions, revealing distinct folding characteristics of aggregation-related conformations, which may eventually lead to new insights into α-synuclein's primary role in human biology by comparison.
Multidisciplinary management of soft-tissue sarcomas.

Soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) is an uncommon form of cancer, affecting approximately 8700 people this year, with approximately half of these patients dying of their disease [[1]]. STSs represent <1% of...
Experience and Knowledge

The question transcribed below occurred in an interview with an artist in New York. It will be used to explore in-depth interviewing as a science of subjective experience. By science I mean a systematic method of constructing knowledge and reporting the phenomena studied. By subjective experience I mean a sub? ject's lived experience. The question asks whether the paintings seen were as much fun to do or as freely done as they look like they were. The question's reply, also explored be? low, unfolds in a long stretch of talk as a story about coming to have fun doing art. Stories are a common conversational form and an indigenous feature of the production of knowledge in in-depth interviews. Since the reply unfolds as a story, it will not be separated from its evolving meanings and changing aspects. Other exchanges about making paintings also will be presented. These ex? changes continue to explore the experience of making art. The transcript records something very close to what I said. It is unedited: false starts, hesitations and hesitation forms appear. For example, "uhm/when you brought-okay/ uhhm/ when you brought thesse/ out" contains the hesitation forms "uhm" and "uhhm" and a repetition "when you brought- . . . thesse/ out."
Molecular Templating of Nanoporous Ultralow Dielectric Constant (≈1.5) Organosilicates by Tailoring the Microphase Separation of Triblock Copolymers

Triblock polymers, poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) (PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO), are used as molecular templates in poly(methyl silsesquioxane) (MSQ) matrixes to fabricate nanoporous organosilicates. The triblock copolymers microphase-separate into nanometer domains as the MSQ matrix becomes increasingly hydrophobic during a curing step. Extremely small pores (2−5 nm) are generated after thermally removing the template material. These materials attain ultralow dielectric constants (k ≈ 1.5) with electrical and mechanical integrity.
Preparation of 11C-methyl iodide and l-[S-methyl-11C]methionine by an automated continuous flow process

Abstract A continuous flow procedure has been developed for the synthesis of 11 C-methyl iodide and l -[S-methyl- 11 C] methionine from 11 CO 2 . The preparation can be completed in 20 min after the end of bombardment. This procedure results in the production of approximately 44 mCi 11 C-methyl methionine with a specific activity of 3.3 Ci/mmol. Radiochemical purity is greater than 96%. The procedure has been automated so that the preparation can be carried out remotely, thus minimizing exposure of personnel to radiation.
Damping Performance of Cocured Graphite/Epoxy Composite Laminates with Embedded Damping Materials

Cocuring viscoelastic damping materials in composites has been shown to be successful in greatly increasing the damping of composite structures. The damping performance, however, is often not as high in cocured composites as in secondarily bonded composites, where the damping material does not undergo the laminate cure cycle. The reason for the discrepancy in damping between the cocured and secondarily bonded samples was found to be resin penetration into the damping material. Samples with a barrier layer between the damping material and the epoxy resin had a 15.7% to 92.3% higher effective loss factor (depending on the frequency) than cocured FasTape™ 1125 samples without the barrier and at least 168% higher effective loss factor than cocured ISD 112 samples without the barrier. These higher damping values are very close to the values achieved by secondarily bonding. Viscoelastic damping materials typically have maximum recommended temperatures below that of the composite cure cycles. The effect of cure ...
Hemodynamic evaluation of 221 patients after intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract Cardiac catheterization and angiocardiographic studies were performed in 221 patients an average of 2 years (range 2 weeks to 10 years) after intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot. The group represented 32.5 percent of the postoperative survivors. The postoperative result was classified as “excellent” (43 percent), “good” (35 percent), “satisfactory” (7 percent) or “unsatisfactory” (14 percent) on the basis of right ventricular peak systolic pressure, right ventricle to pulmonary artery peak systolic gradient and presence of a persistent large or small left to right shunt at the ventricular level. Unsatisfactory results were associated with obstructive pulmonary vascular disease (four patients), severe malformations with obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract and/or a left to right shunt with a Qp:Qs ratio of greater than 1.5:1 or with currently uncorrectable obstructive anomalies of the right ventricular outflow tract or pulmonary arteries. The postoperative result depended upon the amount of reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract and the caliber of the pulmonary arteries. Patients who required a systemic to pulmonary artery anastomosis before total correction and those who required a prosthetic patch for the right ventricular outflow tract fared worse than younger patients who had minimal resection of the right ventricular outflow tract. Pulmonary insufficiency was detected in 94 percent of patients with a right ventricular outflow tract prosthesis and in 10 percent of those who had infundibulectomy alone. The insufficiency was well tolerated clinically and hemodynamically unless there was distal obstruction of the pulmonary artery or its branches. Postoperative catheterization is necessary to assess the immediate and long-term operative results in patients with tetralogy of Fallot. Total correction of tetralogy of Fallot as a primary procedure provides acceptable hemodynamic results even in children less than 4 years of age, providing that the right ventricular outflow tract obstruction can be relieved and that pulmonary insufficiency is not aggravated by increased main pulmonary arterial pressure.
Rotational Motions of Domains in Elongation Factor G Detected by Single-Molecule Polarized Fluorescence Microscopy

During the elongation cycle of protein synthesis, translocation of tRNAs and mRNA is catalyzed by the GTPase elongation factor G (EF-G) with high precision and speed. Conversion of the GTP to the GDP form of EF-G is considered essential for translocation, but the structural dynamics on the ribosome have not been reported. We used single molecule polarized total internal reflection fluorescence (polTIRF) microscopy to characterize tilting and rotational fluctuations within specific domains of EF-G. When EF-G binds to the ribosomal pre-translocation (PRE) complex, domains I and IV of EF-G undergo small rotations (10-15°) in conjunction with translocation, whereas domain III shows a much greater angular change, averaging 50°. Viomycin (Vio), which prevents translocation, reduces the rotational motions of domain III to 10-15° but has virtually no effect on the other domains. Spectinomycin also reduces domain III motions but less strongly than Vio. EF-G binding to ribosomal initiation complexes lacking A-site tRNA gives a similar pattern of domain rotations, but with shorter dwell times. In this case, the large rotation of domain III is barely inhibited by Vio. Irrespective of completion of translocation or presence of A-site tRNA, the initial 10-15° rotations of EF-G domains I, III and IV in the ribosome/EF-G complex indicate that the EF-G initially shifts the minimum of the free energy profile in the direction of translocation, suggesting that EF-G generates a force on the ribosome and/or the mRNA and tRNAs. Near the end of translocation, domain III completes its rotation either to push the mRNA and tRNAs (a working stroke) or to prevent reversal of translocation driven by thermal fluctuations (a ratchet). Supported by NIH grant GM080376 to YEG and BSC and AHA fellowship 12POST8910014 to CC.
Study of teleseismic P I — travel-time data

A detailed investigation of the P travel-time curve by use of LRSM data over a U.S.-wide aperture suggests that the actual curve is composed of near-linear or only slightly curved segments with intersections of the segments being either sharp or the requisite change in curvature between adjacent segments being concentrated in short distance ranges. This curve implies near step-wise increases in P velocity at several depths in the mantle. It seems certain that the actual travel-time curve is distinctly different in nature than that recently published by Herrin et al. (1968). It is demonstrated that real differences in P travel-time and thus in mantle velocity structure occur within the Earth.
Home cage behavior following chemical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus

Cholinergic stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus of the rat was found to produce a reliable increment in drinking and home cage activity, and a reduction in sleeping. These results support the suggestion that the rat and the cat differ with respect to their reactions to lateral hypothalamic sumulation. Also, the hyperactivity accompanying cholinergic stimulation may be considered to represent a difference between cholinergic ally induced thirst and physiological thirst. Adrenergic stimulation failed to reliably modify the home cage behavior of the rat.
Comparison of Pain Associated with Mechanical and Chemomechanical Removal of Caries

Previous studies have indicated that a chemomechanical caries removal system (CRS) has been effective in minimizing the use of conventional mechanical instruments and that it may reduce the need for local anesthesia. In the present study, a comparison of the pain experienced both during treatment with a chemomechanical technique and during conventional caries removal (control) was made for each of 47 patients who initially were not given a local anesthetic. One of two dentists was randomly selected to examine and treat patients with a matched pair of carious teeth, and each pair of teeth was treated in a randomized order with the CRS or control procedure.Responses to the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) revealed a significantly higher level of pain (p <0.025) associated with the conventional treatment compared with the chemomechanical procedure. A significantly greater number of patients (p<0.05) requested local anesthetic for the tooth subjected to the control procedure than for the tooth subjected to the...
Scales of horizontal density structure in the Chukchi Sea surface layer

Abstract Horizontal density structure in the surface Chukchi Sea (in ice-free conditions) is investigated through analysis of high-resolution CTD data from two glider surveys. Temperature and salinity fields in the summer/fall surface layer indicate that horizontal temperature, salinity and density variability extends down to O ( 1 ) km submesoscales. Horizontal temperature and salinity gradients in the surface layer are universally non-compensating, with salinity dominating the density variability. Spectral slopes of k − 3 ( k is horizontal wavenumber) of horizontal potential density variance in the surface layer were found over 0.5 to 20 km wavelengths, consistent with quasi-geostrophic turbulence scaling. The character of horizontal density structure in the surface Arctic Ocean differs from k − 2 spectra commonly observed in the lower latitudes. The observed submesoscale fronts play a role in setting surface-layer properties by restratifying the surface layer, in opposition to forcing such as winds that vertically mix the surface ocean.
Senescence in Isolated Carnation Petals: Differential Response of Various Petal Portions to ACC, and Effects of Uptake of Exudate From Excised Gynoecia

Summary Exogenously-applied ACC accelerates loss of fresh weight in bases and mid portions of isolated petals excised from young carnations, but petal tops show little or no response to uptake of ACC. Petal tops do acquire greater ability to convert ACC to ethylene with age. Senescence is promoted more rapidly in excised petals taking up exudate from excised gynoecia taken from whole carnations aged 6 days than from gynoecia aged 1 day.
Water Tunnel Turbulence Measurements Behind a Honeycomb

The results of turbulence measurements made in a 48-in. (1.22-m) diarn water tunnel with and without an upstream honeycomb are reported. Comparison is made to previous measurements made behind a similar honeycomb. Axial turbulence intensity measurements agreed well with previously predicted levels in the test section, as well as this author's predicted levels based on plenum section measurements. In addition, the longitudinal integral length scale was estimated in the test section. Spectral analysis showed an abnormally high turbulent energy level at low flow speeds; higher flow velocities had energy spectra with consistently lower levels and similar shapes. Recommendations are given for the tunnel operating conditions that produce minimum turbulence levels.
Potential impacts of CFC restrictions on refrigeration and space-conditioning equipment

Abstract Several organizations have recently surveyed alternatives to the use of CFC compounds in refrigeration and space-conditioning applications. ORNL has conducted a preliminary analysis of potential energy-use impacts and an industry survey of R & D needs in response to CFC restrictions. Of the restricted compounds, R11 and R12 will have the major impact due to their wide use in automotive air conditioning, domestic and commercial refrigeration, and centrifugal chillers. Alternative refrigerants available in the short term include R22, R500, R502, and certain blends, but these are not suitable substitutes for all applications. R134a and R123 are environmentally acceptable substitutes which appear promising for new equipment, but information on them is preliminary and they will not be commercially available for several years. Blends of previously unused compounds present additional possibilities. Provided that the new refrigerants prove to be fully acceptable substitutes, long-term adverse energy-use impacts on new equipment will be minor. Impacts will be severe if identified substitutes prove to be unacceptable or if R22 is also restricted in the future. However, significant penalties may be incurred by the use of substitute insulation materials in appliances and buildings. Substitute refrigerants for existing equipment may be a major problem. Generation of comprehensive and accurate information on the engineering properties and health effects of R134a and R123 is an urgent R & D need. Cooperative efforts are needed. The potential use of refrigerant mixtures needs to be explored as replacement substitutes and for efficiency and modulation benefits that can be derived by the use of non-azeotropic mixtures. Alternatives cycles need to be re-examined as back-up substitutes.
Genetic structure and transcriptional analysis of a mobilizable, antibiotic resistance transposon from Bacteroides.

Abstract Tn4555 is a 12.1-kb Bacteroides antibiotic resistance transposon representative of a novel class of transmissible genetic elements that can be transferred by resident conjugative tetracycline resistance transposons (Tcr-elements) but are not capable of self-transfer. Previously it was shown that Tn4555 transposes by a site-specific recombination mechanism that utilizes a circular intermediate. This circular form is induced by tetracycline and it also is the substrate for conjugation. To better understand the mechanism of transposition, the entire nucleotide sequence of Tn4555 was determined and a set of genes potentially involved in transposition was identified. The transposon was 12,105 bp including a variable 6-bp coupling sequence associated with one of the transposon termini. The element had a 44.3% G + C composition and nine potential protein coding regions were observed, eight of which were encoded on the forward strand. Two putative transposition genes were found. The int gene product had significant C-terminal homology to the lambda family of integrases and the xis gene product was similar to several excisionase proteins encoded by both plasmids and conjugative transposons. The mobA mobilization gene and cfxA β-lactamase gene of Tn4555 had been previously identified, and the remaining five open reading frames had no significant matches with sequences in the available databases. Northern hybridization analysis revealed that all Tn4555 genes except for orf-9 were expressed and two sets of genes, tnpA, int and xis, orf-5, orf-6 were organized in operons. None of the genes seemed to be induced significantly by the addition of tetracycline to cultures. Although a small 0.4-kb xis-specific transcript appeared in tetracycline-treated cultures it was not clear if this was due to an induction or if it was a specific degradation product.
Can Specific Mutations Be Induced by Serological Methods

It has been suggested by Haldane (1935) and by Irwin (1939) that many of the erythrocyte antigens of birds and mammals are rather direct gene products. The reason for this view is that (if we except a portion of the antigens present in species-hybrids of doves) there is a one-to-one correspondence between the presence of specific single genes and specific antigens (see summaries for man by Boyd, 1939, and Wiener, 1935, for rabbits by Castle and Keeler, 1933, for fowls by Todd, 1935, for doves and pigeons by Irwin, 1939). In these cases there is -- with the exception noted -- no evidence for gene interaction, either between allelomorphs or between genes at different loci.
Functions realized by consistent sequential machines

A sequential machine is “consistent” iff when both the input and output strings of symbols are regarded as representing numerical quantities according to conventional interpretations (quantitatively more significant symbols occurring earlier than less), then the machine may be regarded as calculating an ordinary numerical function for all possible input strings. Consistent sequential machines have not been of significant interest to automata theorists but they may have applications in signal processing. The relationships holding among (i) input—output alphabets and (ii) structures of consistent sequential machines and (iii) properties of numerical functions thus realized, are explored. In connection with (ii), the finite state and permutation-free properties are of particular interest. In connection with (iii), the properties of monotonicity, invertibility, piecewise linearity, and differentiability, are of particular interest. Synthesis methods are not significantly treated.
Boron Nitride Nanotube: Synthesis and Applications

Scientists have predicted that carbon's immediate neighbors on the periodic chart, boron and nitrogen, may also form perfect nanotubes, since the advent of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991. First proposed then synthesized by researchers at UC Berkeley in the mid 1990's, the boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) has proven very difficult to make until now. Herein we provide an update on a catalyst-free method for synthesizing highly crystalline, small diameter BNNTs with a high aspect ratio using a high power laser under a high pressure and high temperature environment first discovered jointly by NASA/NIA JSA. Progress in purification methods, dispersion studies, BNNT mat and composite formation, and modeling and diagnostics will also be presented. The white BNNTs offer extraordinary properties including neutron radiation shielding, piezoelectricity, thermal oxidative stability (> 800 C in air), mechanical strength, and toughness. The characteristics of the novel BNNTs and BNNT polymer composites and their potential applications are discussed.
Preparation of Chemically Etched Tips for Ambient Instructional Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

A first-year laboratory experiment that utilizes concepts of electrochemical tip etching for scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is described. This experiment can be used in conjunction with any STM experiment. Students electrochemically etch gold STM tips using a time-efficient method, which can then be used in an instructional grade STM that operates under ambient conditions. Electrochemical etching is one method used by researchers to prepare tips for high-quality STM imaging. Whereas the most common materials used to fabricate electrochemically etched tips cannot be used in ambient STMs, this experiment is a way to integrate the importance of tip etching (as opposed to mechanically prepared tips) into an STM laboratory experiment. The students are able to make Au tips with a reasonably small radius of curvature (<100 nm). First-year undergraduate students with almost no previous experience using an STM instrument were routinely able to achieve atomic resolution on a graphite surface.
Afterthoughts on Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century

Has Piketty really gotten to the heart of the matter? David Harvey thinks not, though he admires much of Piketty's empirical work. A challenge to Marx? Hardly.
High temperature scanning tunneling microscopy of purely ion conducting yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ)

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) on wide band gap insulators is generally not possible. Here we demonstrate that ionic insulators with high ion mobility, such as yttria stabilized zirconia, are an exception to this rule. The ion conductivity ensures that the sample maintains a defined potential relative to the STM tip and thus a stable tunnel junction. Consequently, ion conductors provide an opportunity for characterizing wide band gap insulators, and thin films and nanostructures supported on them by STM.
Experimental analyses of data distribution on data center networks

In recent years, operators of large data centers have begun to use BitTorrent to distribute files to large numbers of machines within the data center. The rationale for this trend is clear and well-motivated: BitTorrent is easy to use and enables the scalable distribution of large files to many machines. However, peer-to-peer data distribution applications like BitTorrent are highly configurable, and parameter tuning can have a substantive impact on performance and efficiency. In this work, we use an experimental approach to study the impact of peer-to-peer configuration choices in data center networks. This understanding enables us to improve the performance of Murder, a popular BitTorrent variant used in data centers, by a factor of 5. Moreover, we show that LANTorrent, an alternative tool that uses chain-based distribution rather than swarms, is 12 times faster than Murder.
Care Coordination Program For Washington State Medicaid Enrollees Reduced Inpatient Hospital Costs

Managing clinically complex populations poses a major challenge for state agencies trying to control health care costs and improve quality of care for Medicaid beneficiaries. In Washington State a care coordination intervention, the Chronic Care Management program, was implemented for clinically complex Medicaid beneficiaries who met risk criteria defined by a predictive modeling algorithm. We used propensity score matching to evaluate the program’s impact on health care spending and utilization and mortality. We found large and significant reductions in inpatient hospital costs ($318 per member per month) among patients who used the program. The estimated reduction in overall medical costs of $248 per member per month exceeded the cost of the intervention but did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that well-designed targeted care coordination services could reduce health care spending for Medicaid beneficiaries with complex health care needs.
Effect of Pressure, Particle Size, and Time on Optimizing Performance in Liquid Chromatography

Although the principles of optimization of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have a long history starting with the work of Giddings in the 1960s and continuing with work by Knox and Guiochon extending into the 1990s we continue to see statements that flatly contradict theory. A prominent example is the notion that optimum "performance", as measured by plate count, is always obtained by operating conventional length columns (e.g., 5-15 cm) at eluent velocities corresponding to the minimum plate height in the van Deemter curve. In the past decade the introduction of "Poppe plots" by Poppe and "kinetic plots" by Desmet and others has simplified the selection of "optimum" conditions, but it is evident that many workers are not entirely comfortable with this framework. Here we derive a set of simple, yet accurate, equations that allow rapid calculation of the column length and eluent velocity that will give either the maximum plate count in a given time or a given plate count in the shortest time. Equations are developed for the optimum column length, eluent velocity, and thus plate count for both the cases when particle size is preselected and when particle size is optimized along with eluent velocity and column length. Although both of these situations have been previously considered the implications of the resulting equations have not been previously made explicit. Lack of full understanding of the consequences of the differences between these two cases is very important and responsible for many erroneous conclusions. The simple closed-form equations that result from this work complement the graphical, iterative approaches of Poppe and Desmet; the resulting compact framework allows practitioners to rapidly and effectively find the operating parameters needed to achieve a specific separation goal in the shortest time and to compare emerging technologies (e.g., high pressure, high temperature, and different particle types) in terms of their impact on achievable plate counts and speeds in HPLC. A Web-based calculator based on the equations presented here is now available (http://homepages.gac.edu/ approximately dstoll/calculators/optimize.html).
The Human Airway Epithelial Basal Cell Transcriptome

Background The human airway epithelium consists of 4 major cell types: ciliated, secretory, columnar and basal cells. During natural turnover and in response to injury, the airway basal cells function as stem/progenitor cells for the other airway cell types. The objective of this study is to better understand human airway epithelial basal cell biology by defining the gene expression signature of this cell population. Methodology/Principal Findings Bronchial brushing was used to obtain airway epithelium from healthy nonsmokers. Microarrays were used to assess the transcriptome of basal cells purified from the airway epithelium in comparison to the transcriptome of the differentiated airway epithelium. This analysis identified the “human airway basal cell signature” as 1,161 unique genes with >5-fold higher expression level in basal cells compared to differentiated epithelium. The basal cell signature was suppressed when the basal cells differentiated into a ciliated airway epithelium in vitro. The basal cell signature displayed overlap with genes expressed in basal-like cells from other human tissues and with that of murine airway basal cells. Consistent with self-modulation as well as signaling to other airway cell types, the human airway basal cell signature was characterized by genes encoding extracellular matrix components, growth factors and growth factor receptors, including genes related to the EGF and VEGF pathways. Interestingly, while the basal cell signature overlaps that of basal-like cells of other organs, the human airway basal cell signature has features not previously associated with this cell type, including a unique pattern of genes encoding extracellular matrix components, G protein-coupled receptors, neuroactive ligands and receptors, and ion channels. Conclusion/Significance The human airway epithelial basal cell signature identified in the present study provides novel insights into the molecular phenotype and biology of the stem/progenitor cells of the human airway epithelium.
Globalisation and the politics of negative pluralism

Using Africa as an example, the author suggests how globalisation in the form of innovative and capitalist intensive technology marginalises labour while creating a technically informed elite. The division between them represent social cleavages based on high risk and functional polarisation, both of which lead to divisive rather than mediating forms of pluralism. In such instances interests become elevated to principles, particularly around parochial affiliations, loyalties and jurisdictions, not to speak of propensities to violence.
Secondary ovarian neoplasms in children: imaging features with histopathologic correlation.

Background. Although the pathologic features and imaging appearance of childhood primary ovarian neoplasms have been well described, little information is available about the malignancies that may secondarily involve the ovary. Objective. To determine the relationship between the imaging features and the histopathology of secondary ovarian neoplasms in children treated at our institution. Materials and methods. We searched our institutional database for codes indicating metastatic ovarian disease. Of the 35 patients with such codes,18 had pathologically proven secondary ovarian disease. From their medical records we recorded demographic data, presenting symptoms, and evidence of endocrine dysfunction. We reviewed the pre-oophorectomy imaging and the subsequent pathologic specimens. Results. One-third of the patients had bilateral pelvic masses; another third had large masses indistinguishable from the ovaries. Twelve (67 %) had either ascites, peritoneal implants, matted bowel, adenopathy, pleural effusions, or some combination of these. Five (28 %) had other metastatic disease. Primary tumors included colon adenocarcinoma (9), Burkitt's lymphoma (3), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (3), Wilms' tumor (1), neuroblastoma (1), and retinoblastoma (1). Conclusion. Although rare, secondary ovarian tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children with ovarian masses. Bilateral ovarian masses or large masses indistinguishable from the ovaries, particularly in the presence of other metastatic foci, may help distinguish primary from secondary ovarian malignancies.
The enzymatic phosphorylation of sphinganine.

Abstract A partially purified enzyme preparation from bovine kidney has been shown to catalyze the phosphorylation of sphinganine. The enzyme utilizes ATP as a phosphate donor and the product of the reaction has been identified as sphinganine-1-phosphate.
High-efficiency tandem solar cells on single- and poly-crystalline substrates

Abstract This paper will review and assess the current status of the development of tandem solar cells for space and terrestrial applications. We will also introduce and present results on a new In 0.49 Ga 0.51 P / GaAs tandem cell grown and fabricated on a low-cost, polycrystalline Ge substrate.
International trade policy in the 1980s : prospects and problems

In assessing the possibilities for change in the international trade regime, U.S. policy is critical. That policy has consistently contained two strands: a long-term commitment to the principle of open markets, a commitment repeatedly reaffirmed in good times and bad; and a tendency to stray from that commitment in individual cases, a tendency that derives from certain deep-seated structural features of U.S. government. The central principles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, reflecting U.S. ideological preferences, are nondiscrimination, the continuous reduction of trade barriers, and the mediation of trade disputes. Over time, the strength of these principles has gradually been worn away by a stream of legitimated exceptions. For the present, there is no serious possibility of restoring that strength. A second-best possibility, with uncertain long-term implications, is to pursue the objective of open markets through initiatives that are less than global in their reach. Nevertheless, although key principles of the GATT are in eclipse, the institution itself must be retained as an important instrument for talking out trade disputes and as a potential launching pad for new initiatives when such initiatives again become feasible.
Effect of some operational variables on the efficiency of ion chromatographic separations

Abstract The influence of injection mass, eluent composition and operating temperature on the efficiency of six commercially available ion chromatography columns was examined. Efficiency was linearly related to injection mass even at masses well below the column overload limit. The linear relationship was maintained at injection masses approaching the method's quantitation limit. Injection mass had little influence on the nature of the efficiency versus linear velocity relationship. Changing the concentration of the eluent ion (ionic strength) in the mobile phase influenced efficiency; however, the nature of the effect was analyte and column specific. Modifying the speciation of the mobile phase at constant ionic strength produced a marked effect on efficiency with the multivalent form of the eluent ion producing a better efficiency. For silica based stationary phases, addition of up to 10% by volume methanol had no impact on chromatographic performance. Increasing the column temperature increased efficiency at high linear velocities but decreased efficiency at low linear velocity in accord with theoretical expectations.
The stimulation-seeking motive: Relationship to apparent visual movement

It was hypothesized that extent and complexity of perceived autokinetic movement would be a significant function of individual differences in arousal seeking or the need for stimulation. Three scores-extension, rotation, and complexity-were derived from the auto kinesis protocols of 31 Ss. Individual differences in stimulation seeking were measured by the sensation-seeking scale. No significant relationships of stimulation seeking and autokinetic parameters were obtained.