cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Revealing A-T and G-C Hoogsteen base pairs in stressed protein-bound duplex DNA.

Watson-Crick base pairs (bps) are the fundamental unit of genetic information and the building blocks of the DNA double helix. However, A-T and G-C can also form alternative 'Hoogsteen' bps, expanding the functional complexity of DNA. We developed 'Hoog-finder', which uses structural fingerprints to rapidly screen Hoogsteen bps, which may have been mismodeled as Watson-Crick in crystal structures of protein-DNA complexes. We uncovered 17 Hoogsteen bps, 7 of which were in complex with 6 proteins never before shown to bind Hoogsteen bps. The Hoogsteen bps occur near mismatches, nicks and lesions and some appear to participate in recognition and damage repair. Our results suggest a potentially broad role for Hoogsteen bps in stressed regions of the genome and call for a community-wide effort to identify these bps in current and future crystal structures of DNA and its complexes.
Mathematical Software Production

ABSTRACT Locally constructed collections of mathematical routines are gradually being replaced by mathematical software that has been produced for broad dissemination and use. The process of producing such software begins with algorithmic analysis, and proceeds through software construction and documentation, to extensive testing, and finally to distribution and support of the software products. These are demanding and costly activities which require such a range of skills that they are carried out in collaborative projects. The costs and effort are justified by the utility of high quality software, the efficiency of producing it for general distribution, and the benefits of providing a conduit from research to applications. In this paper we first review certain of the early developments in the field of mathematical software. Then we examine the technical problems that distinguish software production as an intellectual activity, problems whose descriptions also serve to characterize ideal mathematical software. Next we sketch three mathematical software projects with attention to their emphasis, accomplishments, organization, and costs. Finally, we comment on possible future directions for mathematical software production, as extrapolations of the present involvement of universities, government laboratories, and private industry.
Direct evidence for GABAergic activity of Withania somnifera on mammalian ionotropic GABAA and GABAρ receptors.

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Withania somnifera (WS) has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine as a remedy for debility, stress, nervous exhaustion, insomnia, loss of memory, and to enhance cognitive function. This study provides an empirical evidence to support the traditional use of WS to aid in mental process engaging GABAergic signaling. Aim of the study We evaluated the effect of aqueous WS root extract (aqWS), and its two main components, withaferin A and withanolide A, on the main inhibitory receptors in the central nervous system: ionotropic GABA A receptors. Materials and methods The pharmacological activity of aqWS, withaferin A and withanolide A, was tested on native rat brain GABA A channels microtransplanted into Xenopus oocytes and GABA ρ1 receptors heterologously expressed in oocytes. The GABAergic activity of aqWS compounds was evaluated by the two-electrode voltage-clamp method and the fingerprint of the extract was done by LC–MS. Results Concentration-dependent inward ion currents were elicited by aqWS in microtransplanted oocytes with an EC 50 equivalent to 4.7 mg/mL and a Hill coefficient ( n H ) of 1.6. The GABA A receptor antagonist bicuculline blocked these currents. Our results show that aqWS activated inotropic GABA A channels but with lower efficacy compared to the endogenous agonist GABA. We also demonstrate for first time that aqWS is a potent agonist of GABA ρ1 receptors. GABA ρ1 receptors were 27 fold more sensitive to aqWS than GABA A receptors. Furthermore, aqWS activated GABA ρ1 receptors eliciting maximum currents that were no significantly different to those produced by GABA (paired t -test; p =0.533). The differential activity on GABA A and GABA ρ1 receptors and the reported lack of significant GABA presence in WS root extract indicates that the GABAergic activity of aqWS is not mediated by GABA. WS main active components, witaferin A and withanolide A, were tested to determine if they were responsible for the activation of the GABA receptors. Neither compound activated GABA A nor GABA ρ1 receptors, suggesting that other constituent/s in WS are responsible for GABA A receptor mediated responses. Conclusions Our results provide evidence indicating that key constituents in WS may have an important role in the development of pharmacological treatments for neurological disorders associated with GABAergic signaling dysfunction such as general anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, muscle spasms, and seizures. In addition, the differential activation of GABA receptor subtypes elucidates a potential mechanism by which WS accomplishes its reported adaptogenic properties.
Multi-resolution 3D approximations for rendering complex scenes

We present a simple, effective, and efficient technique for approximating arbitrary polyhedra. It is based on triangulation and vertex-clustering, and produces a series of 3D approximations (also called “levels of detail”) that resemble the original object from all viewpoints, but contain an increasingly smaller number of faces and vertices. The simplification is more efficient than competing techniques because it does not require building and maintaining a topological adjacency graph. Furthermore, it is better suited for mechanical CAD models which often exhibit patterns of small features, because it automatically groups and simplifies features that are geometrically close, but need not be topologically close or even part of a single connected component Using a lower level of detail when displaying small, distant, or background objects improves graphic performance without a significant loss of perceptual information, and thus enables realtime inspection of complex scenes or a convenient environment for animation or walkthrough preview.
Ploidy manipulation and induction of alternate cleavage patterns through inhibition of centrosome duplication in the early zebrafish embryo.

Background: Whole genome duplication is a useful genetic tool because it allows immediate and complete genetic homozygosity in gynogenetic offspring. A whole genome duplication method in zebrafish, Heat Shock, involves a heat pulse in the period 13–15 min postfertilization (mpf) to inhibit cytokinesis of the first mitotic cycle. However, Heat Shock produces a relatively low yield of gynogenotes. Results: A heat pulse at a later time point during the first cell cycle (22 mpf, HS2) results in a high (>80%) frequency of embryos exhibiting a precise one-cell division stall during the second cell cycle, inducing whole genome duplication. Coupled with haploid production, HS2 generates viable gynogenetic diploids with yields up to 4 times higher than those achieved through standard Heat Shock. The cell cycle delay also causes blastomere cleavage pattern variations, supporting a role for cytokinesis in spindle orientation during the following cell cycle. Conclusions: Our studies provide a new tool for whole genome duplication, induced gynogenesis, and cleavage pattern alteration in zebrafish, based on a time period before the initiation of cell division that is sensitive to temperature-mediated interference with centrosome duplication. Targeting of this period may also facilitate genetic and developmental manipulations in other organisms. Developmental Dynamics 244:1300–1312, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluating Fixed Income Fund Performance with Stochastic Discount Factors

We evaluate the performance of fixed income mutual funds using stochastic discount factors from continuous-time term structure models. Time-aggregation of the models for discrete returns generates additional empirical "factors," and these factors contribute significant explanatory power to empirical the models. We provide the first conditional performance evaluation for US fixed income mutual funds, conditioning on a variety of discrete ex ante characterizations of the state of the term structure and the economy. During 1985-1999 fixed income funds returned less on average than passive benchmarks that don't pay expenses, but not in all economic states. Fixed income funds typically do poorly when short term interest rates or industrial capacity utilization rates are high, and offer higher returns when quality-related credit spreads are high. We find more heterogeneity across fund styles than across characteristics-based fund groups. Mortgage funds under perform a GNMA index in all economic states. These excess returns are reduced, and typically become insignificant, when we adjust for risk using the stochastic discount factors.
A micropower band-pass filter for use in bionic ears

A micropower power programmable bandpass filter for use in bionic ears was built using a Gm-C topology with capacitive attenuation and subthreshold MOS operation. In a 1.5/spl mu/m process and a 2.8V power supply, the filter demonstrates 66dB of dynamic range while operating on 2/spl mu/W of power to filter between 5kHz and 10kHz. When filtering between 250Hz and 500Hz, the power consumption is less than 45nW.
Tall tales: Are magnetic susceptibility tails intrinsic?

Abstract The rapid increase in χ as T → 0 K (the magnetic susceptibility tail) is definitely intrinsic in Sc and probably intrinsic in CeSn 3 . The high temperature maximum and the low temperature minimum in the χ vs. T plots become sharper the purer the sample. The susceptibility tail is thought to be due to spin fluctuations which are suppressed by the presence of impurities.
Diffusion Constant in the Effective Bloch Equation for Ferromagnetic Resonance in Metals

A method is given for calculating the spin-diffusion constant in a ferromagnetic metal using a spin-transport equation. The result is that the diffusion constant in a ferromagnetic metal is reduced below that for a normal metal by the factor ${(1+{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{ex}}}^{2}{{T}_{p}}^{2})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, where ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{ex}}$ is the effective exchange frequency and ${T}_{p}$ is the momentum relaxation time. The physical idea for the calculation was first thought of by L. L. Hirst, who has obtained the same results using an alternative method of calculation.
Clinical utility of a circulating tumor cell assay in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Background Quantitation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has utility in managing breast, colon, and prostate carcinomas. Objective We sought to determine whether a commercially available CTC assay provides prognostic information in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), insight into treatment responses, or both. Methods We analyzed CTCs in 52 specimens from 34 patients with MCC. Results The presence of CTCs correlated with extent of disease at blood draw ( P = .004). Among 15 patients with regional nodal disease, CTC-negative patients had 80% disease-specific survival at 2 years after the test, versus 29% for CTC-positive patients ( P = .015). Among the entire cohort, those without CTCs had 72% MCC-specific survival whereas CTC-positive patients had 25% survival (n = 34, median follow-up 19 months, P = .0003). Fifty seven percent of patients with MCC had a cytokeratin "dot" visible in 20% or more of CTCs, a feature that was absent among CTCs from other carcinomas (0 of 13 cases). Limitations CTC assay was performed at variable times after diagnosis and heterogeneity in extent of disease affects interpretability of the data. Conclusion CTC detection in MCC is feasible and appears to add prognostic information, particularly in patients with regional nodal disease. It may also assist clinical management in certain situations, including differentiating metastatic MCC cells from those of other carcinomas.
Identification of endothelial cell binding sites on the laminin γ1 chain

Abstract—The laminins belong to a family of trimeric basement membrane glycoproteins with multiple domains, structures, and functions. Endothelial cells bind laminin-1 and form capillary-like struc...
Minimal reduplication and reduplicative exponence

This paper presents Minimal Reduplication, a theory which analyzes reduplication as an emergent phenomenon. The theory is discussed with special focus on the area of morphophonology. Key claims and architecture are discussed in some detail. Finally a case study of a complex set of reduplicative data is considered in order to illustrate the utility of the theory and how the theory is deployed.
Optimized Spectroscopic Signal Estimates Using Integration and Matched Filters

This paper examines theories of signal processing as applied to peak magnitude estimation in absorption and emission spectroscopy. Signals obtained from Fourier transform, fixed wavelength, and scanning dispersive instruments are modeled in terms of the time required to obtain a spectrum. The differences between these techniques and the signal processing procedures that should be used for each technique are characterized for a Lorentzian spectral feature. Including the time required to scan over a range of optical frequencies results in optimal signal processing procedures that are different from those previously supposed. In particular, it is found that the optimal matched filter is less efficient than repetitive measurements at a single frequency. The theory developed for the Lorentzian line model is extended to include an arbitrary shaped peak.
The changing demand for energy in rich and poor countries over 25 years

Abstract Country-specific income and own-price elasticities of demand for private consumption of energy are compared across time and affluence for 43 countries that participated in the 1980, 1996, and 2005 International Comparison Program based on estimates from a ten-good-demand system. Results indicate that income elasticities of demand for energy are significantly larger than unitary in 1980, are approximately unitary in 1996 but become inelastic for all 43 countries in 2005. Own-price elasticities decrease absolutely going from 1980 to 1996 to 2005 ranging from − 0.8 to − 1.0 in 1980, − 0.7 to − 0.8 in 1996, and − 0.6 to − 0.7 in 2005. Elasticity estimates are also calculated for the set of countries in 1996 and 2005 that do not participate in the ICP in 1980.
Modes of variability in a low-order two-level model

A low-order, two-level model in a beta-plane channel is integrated over long periods of time to study low-frequency mid-latitude variability. The model allows for nonlinear wave-wave and wave-mean flow interactions as well as zonally asymmetric forcing by topography. Time scales for the forcing and damping terms are varied, and, for closer analysis, values are chosen according to best estimates for the earth. A damping parameter, compensating for unresolved scales, is introduced at the shortest resolved length scale to prevent a spurious build-up of energy at this scale. Flow patterns are produced which are highly variable and seemingly chaotic, not suggestive of trajectories around multiple equilibria or distinct strong attractors in phase space. Analysis of the model integrations reveals the existence of low-frequency variability in the form of slowly-propagating Rossby waves, wave amplitude modulation and persistent anomalies in the height fields, which satisfy magnitude and duration criteria. Such anomalies have an equivalent barotropic structure and tend to occur in certain preferred regions and have preferred signs for larger threshold criteria. Similar anomalies were found in integrations without topography, but were evenly distributed geographically, fewer in number and not as long-lived. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1988.tb00354.x
Paleozoic continental-margin sedimentation in east-central Alaska

A thick, unusually continuous record of late Proterozoic and Paleozoic continental margin sedimentation exists in east-central Alaska. Depositional and lithofacies relationships show that shelf conditions and source areas persisted to the northeast, whereas open-marine conditions existed to the south and west. Lithostratigraphic correlations with units of equivalent age elsewhere in Alaska are poor, but very good correlations can be made with Cordilleran rocks in northwest Canada. The geology is consistent with what would be expected along a rifted or collapsed continental margin along a south- to west-facing depositional system. Insufficient data exist to demonstrate westward continuation of this margin into other parts of Alaska. This may indicate that a major re-entrant in, or the western terminus of, the Paleozoic North American continent was in east-central Alaska.
Modeling and analysis of LEAP, a key management protocol for wireless sensor networks

A formal analysis of a key management protocol, called LEAP (Localized Encryption and Authentication Protocol), intended for wireless sensor networks is presented in this paper. LEAP is modeled using the high level formal language HLSPL and checked using the AVISPA tool for attacks on the security and authenticity of the exchanges. We focus on the protocol's establishment of pairwise keys for nearest neighbors and for multi-hop neighbors. We then use this foundation to test the protocol's method of cluster key redistribution. Finally, we check LEAP's use of μTESLA, an authentication protocol utilized a one-way key chain and delayed key disclosure, which LEAP uses for authentication of node revocation messages.
UGVs in future combat systems

The Army and Office of the Secretary of Defense agreed in May 2003 that the Future Combat Systems (FCS) Program had achieved sufficient maturity to pass what is referred to as "Milestone B." This milestone cleared the way for the Army and DARPA to award Boeing/SAIC FCS Lead System Integrator a 7 year System Design and Development Contract with options leading to production of systems and a Fielded Operational Capability in the year 2012. The breadth of the FCS Program is unique for DoD. It encompasses at least 7 variants of manned ground vehicles, 6 variants of unmanned ground vehicles, 4 unmanned aerial vehicles, unattended sensors, and the critical integration of these assets through a common Command/Control/Communications (C4ISR) backbone and protocol. As such, it has both internal program developments and strong linkages with existing programs in weapons, communications, sensors, command and control, and soldier integrated systems. An important new capability area for FCS is the integrated use of Unmanned Systems (both air and ground). This paper will deal with the LSI efforts associated with the UGV systems and additional detail will be available from the contractor teams working with us on each of these systems in later talks.
Hypericin-mediated photodynamic therapy of pituitary tumors: preclinical study in a GH4C1 rat tumor model

Objective Hypericin-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) is receiving greater interest as a potential treatment for a variety of tumors and nonmalignant disorders. PDT involves systemic administration of a photosensitizer that selectively accumulates within tumor tissue followed by focal light activation. In the presence of molecular oxygen, a photochemical reaction generates a reactive oxygen species that induces apoptosis in target cells. The purpose of this preclinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of hypericin-mediated PDT for treatment of pituitary adenoma in a rodent model. Methods Wistar-Furth rats were implanted with a pituitary adenoma rat cell line, GH4C1. Tumor masses were allowed to develop over 28 days; rats with tumors of comparable sizes were then assigned to three treatment groups: control (neither hypericin nor light); light only; and hypericin and light. Hypericin was administered in four doses (1 mg/kg) at 28-h intervals prior to light exposure, wherein those rats treated with light were exposed to a light source four hours after the last hypericin dose. Tumor size was measured up to 12 days after treatment. Results Over the short interval examined, hypericin-mediated PDT was not effective against large tumors greater than 1 cm3, but this treatment significantly slowed tumor growth for tumors less than 1 cm3. Histological evaluation and TUNEL assay of the treated tumor identified apoptotic clusters on the periphery of the PDT-treated specimens. Conclusions Hypericin-mediated PDT shows promise in its effectiveness in the treatment of residual small tumor rests.
Abnormal Behaviors and Microstructural Changes in White Matter of Juvenile Mice Repeatedly Exposed to Amphetamine

Amphetamine (AMP) is an addictive CNS stimulant and has been commonly abused by adolescents and young adults, during which period brain white matter is still developing. This study was to examine the effect of a nonneurotoxic AMP on the white matter of juvenile mice. d-AMP (1.0 mg/kg) was given to young male C57BL/6 mice once a day for 21 days. The spatial working memory and locomotion of mice were measured at the end. Then, mice were sacrificed and their brains were processed for morphological analyses to examine the white matter structure and for Western blot analysis to measure three main proteins expressed in mature oligodendrocytes. AMP-treated mice displayed higher locomotion and spatial working memory impairment and showed lower levels of Nogo-A and GST-pi proteins in frontal cortex and lower MBP protein in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. They also had fewer mature oligodendrocytes and weak MBP immunofluorescent staining in the same two brain regions. But the striatum was spared. These results suggest that the late-developing white matter is vulnerable to AMP treatment which is able to increase striatal and cortical dopamine. Both the compromised white matter and increased dopamine may contribute to the observed behavioral changes in AMP-treated mice.
The values of science : empiricism from a feminist perspective

This essay delineates the contributions of feminist critiques of science to contemporary reconstructions of empiricism. I argue that three central tenets arise from feminist attention to the dynamics of gender and oppression in the theories and methods of science: 1) a rejection of the science/politics dichotomy; 2) an acknowledgement of the epistemic import of subjective components of knowledge; and 3) a reconfiguration of the subject of knowledge. These three tenets are illustrated and supported through examples from the history of science.
Asexual transmission, non-suppressiveness and meiotic extinction of small plasmid-like derivatives of the mitochondrial DNA in Neurospora crassa.

Abstract For reasons that are not obvious, sets of related plasmid-like elements that consist of short segments of DNA that overlap the 5′ terminal region of the mitochondrial large-subunit rRNA gene sometimes appear spontaneously and become amplified in the mitochondria of some cytochrome-deficient and/or UV-sensitive mutants of Neurospora crassa. These elements are transmitted efficiently through hyphal anastomoses and appear to invade the mitochondria of recipient strains, but they do not cause senescence and at best cause only slight deficiencies in cytochromes a and b even though they are transcribed copiously. Hence, the small elements are not suppressive and, unlike large deletion derivatives of the mitochondrial chromosome, do not displace normal mtDNA molecules in vegetatively propagated mycelia. Unlike the mitochondrial chromosome, large plasmid-like mtDNA derivatives and true mitochondrial plasmids, the small plasmid-like mtDNA derivatives are rarely transmitted sexually even though they persist without selection in very high copy numbers in vegetative cells. The high copy numbers and high stability of these elements in vegetatively propagated cultures suggests that their monomers contain all the features required for their replication and transmission in the hyphae and conidia of Neurospora. However, the mt-rnl-derived molecules appear to lack a sequence or attribute required for the maintenance or transmission of mitochondrial genetic elements at some stage of the sexual reproductive cycle, including ascospore maturation and germination.
Exogenous and Endogenous Adenosine Inhibits Fetal Calf Serum–Induced Growth of Rat Cardiac Fibroblasts Role of A2B Receptors

Background Because proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts participates in cardiac hypertrophy/remodeling associated with hypertension and myocardial infarction, it is important to elucidate factors regulating cardiac fibroblast proliferation. Adenosine, a nucleoside abundantly produced by cardiac cells, is antimitogenic vis-a-vis vascular smooth muscle cells; however, the effect of adenosine on cardiac fibroblast proliferation is unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of exogenous and endogenous (cardiac fibroblast–derived) adenosine on cardiac fibroblast proliferation. Methods and Results Growth-arrested cardiac fibroblasts were stimulated with 2.5% FCS in the presence and absence of adenosine, 2-chloroadenosine (stable adenosine analogue), or modulators of adenosine levels, including (1) erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (EHNA; adenosine deaminase inhibitor); (2) dipyridamole (adenosine transport blocker); and (3) iodotubericidin (adenosine kinase inhibitor). All of these agents inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, FCS-induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation as assessed by DNA synthesis ([3H]thymidine incorporation) and cell counting. EHNA, dipyridamole, and iodotubericidin increased extracellular levels of adenosine by 2.3- to 5.6-fold when added separately to cardiac fibroblasts, and EHNA+iodotubericidin or EHNA+iodotubericidin+dipyridamole increased extracellular adenosine levels by >690-fold. Both KF17837 (selective A2 antagonist) and DPSPX (nonselective A2 antagonist) but not DPCPX (selective A1 antagonist) blocked the antimitogenic effects of 2-chloroadenosine, EHNA, and dipyridamole on DNA synthesis, suggesting the involvement of A2A and/or A2B but excluding the participation of A1 receptors. The lack of effect of [CGS21680][1] (selective A2A agonist) excluded involvement of A2A receptors and suggested a major role for A2B receptors. This conclusion was confirmed by the rank order potencies of four adenosine analogues. Conclusions Cardiac fibroblasts synthesize adenosine, and exogenous and cardiac fibroblast–derived adenosine inhibits cardiac fibroblast proliferation via activation of A2B receptors. Cardiac fibroblast–derived adenosine may regulate cardiac hypertrophy and/or remodeling by modulating cardiac fibroblast proliferation. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=GENPEPT&access_num=CGS21680&atom=%2Fcirculationaha%2F96%2F8%2F2656.atom
Use of Long‐Term Leukapheresis in the Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

We used repeated leukapheresis in the long-term management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Twelve patients with far-advanced disease that was refractory to standard forms of therapy, were studied. Six patients completed a predefined course of therapy. Although a single patient responded favorably for a period of time, no other patient was benefited by this treatment. While circulating lymphocyte counts in these patients always could be reduced, generally, this was not associated with improvements in pancytopenia, hypogammagobulinemia, adenopathy, organomegaly, or constitutional symptoms of lethargy, fevers and night sweats. Mean survival was only ten months from onset of therapy. We conclude that long-term leukapheresis is ineffective in the management of far-advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Scalable thermoelectric (TE) device technologies for power generation

ABSTRACT Recent development efforts on thermoelectric (TE) power converters comprised of low-to-mid-temperature (25-400°C), and high-temperature (400-750°C) materials have achieved >60 Watts electrical power with a thermal-to-electric conversion efficiency of ~8%. This paper will focus on thermoelectric de vices fabricated from these materials, and also on cascaded power converters that enable the high power and effi ciency to be obtained. In addition, work is underway to explore the use of more advanced low- to mid-temperature TE materials that have achieved over 10% efficiency in a single junction converter. Keywords: thermoelectric, energy harvesting, exhaust waste heat recovery, power generation 1. INTRODUCTION While thermoelectric (TE) power generation technology has been ar ound for years, the vast majority of TE devices have been operated under low temperature conditions (T=25° to 240°C). The application of thermal energy harvesting in higher temperature environments, ranging from 200°C to 750° C while offering higher efficiencies, presents some unique challenges, as discussed in this paper. RTIs development of high power, high efficiency bulk thermoelectric devices presents an opportunity to enhance the performance of TE energy harvesting for higher temperature applications.The optimum temperature range for commercially available Bi
Neuroglobin expression in neurogenesis

Neuroglobin is a hypoxia-inducible, neuroprotective protein related to myoglobin and hemoglobin, but little is known about its neurodevelopmental expression or function. To begin to explore these issues, we measured neuroglobin protein expression during neuronal differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in vitro and in the neurogenic subventricular zone of adult rats in vivo. Neuroglobin protein expression was barely detectable by western blotting in human embryonic stem cells, but was readily demonstrable in neural stem cells, and was further induced upon differentiation to neurons. In the adult subventricular zone, neuroglobin expression coincided with that of the neuronal lineage marker doublecortin, but not with vimentin or glial fibrillary acidic protein. These findings suggest that neuroglobin is expressed early in the course of neuronal differentiation and may, therefore, have a role in neurodevelopment.
The common and distinct neural bases of affect labeling and reappraisal in healthy adults

Emotion regulation is commonly characterized as involving conscious and intentional attempts to change felt emotions, such as, for example, through reappraisal whereby one intentionally decreases the intensity of one's emotional response to a particular stimulus or situation by reinterpreting it in a less threatening way. However, there is growing evidence and appreciation that some types of emotion regulation are unintentional or incidental, meaning that affective modulation is a consequence but not an explicit goal. For example, affect labeling involves simply verbally labeling the emotional content of an external stimulus or one's own affective responses without an intentional goal of altering emotional responses, yet has been associated with reduced affective responses at the neural and experiential levels. Although both intentional and incidental emotional regulation strategies have been associated with diminished limbic responses and self-reported distress, little previous research has directly compared their underlying neural mechanisms. In this study, we examined the extent to which incidental and intentional emotion regulation, namely, affect labeling and reappraisal, produced common and divergent neural and self-report responses to aversive images relative to an observe-only control condition in a sample of healthy older adults (N = 39). Affect labeling and reappraisal produced common activations in several prefrontal regulatory regions, with affect labeling producing stronger responses in direct comparisons. Affect labeling and reappraisal were also associated with similar decreases in amygdala activity. Finally, affect labeling and reappraisal were associated with correlated reductions in self-reported distress. Together these results point to common neurocognitive mechanisms involved in affect labeling and reappraisal, supporting the idea that intentional and incidental emotion regulation may utilize overlapping neural processes.
Perceptions of White Identity and White Liability: An Analysis of White Student Responses to a College Campus Racial Hate Crime

This study takes a qualitative approach to understanding perceptions of White student identity in response to a racial hate email circulated to minority students throughout a predominantly White university campus community in the U.S. in 1999. This investigation adopts a critical White studies framework. Results indicated that even though White students did not feel the need to identify themselves as “White” because of its sense of normalcy, they still enjoyed and expected the privileges of being a member of that race. There is also a sense that their Whiteness is perceived as a negative attribute that now places them at a perceptual disadvantage in society. Additionally, the participants reported that their Whiteness should not be used as a marker of liability for continuing racial hate against minorities.
Culture of Small Barley Embryos on Defined Media

Barley embryos, measuring 90 Fz in length, grew and became differentiated on a phosphate-enriched White's medium which was fortified with glutamine and alanine as major sources of organic nitrogen, and lesser amounts of five other amino acids. The pH of the medium was a critical factor in differentiation. On this medium, excised barley embryos developed more rapidly than embryos remaining in vivo, or embryos grown on media containing coconut milk.
SET for life: biochemical activities and biological functions of SET domain-containing proteins

SET domain-containing proteins belong to a group of enzymes named after a common domain that utilizes the cofactor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to achieve methylation of its substrates. Many SET domain-containing proteins have been shown to display catalytic activity towards particular lysine residues on histones, but emerging evidence also indicates that various non-histone proteins are specifically targeted by this clade of enzymes. Here, we summarize the most recent findings on the biological functions of the major families of SET domain-containing proteins catalyzing the methylation of histones 3 on lysines 4, 9, 27, and 36 (H3K4, H3K9, H3K27, and H3K36) and histone 4 on lysine 20 (H4K20) as well as candidates that have been reported to regulate non-histone substrates.
Wave Recognition and Use of the Intraoperative Unipolar Esophageal Electrocardiogram

Abstract Study Objectives: To evaluate the automated determination of onset and offset times and amplitudes of all the PQRST waves from simultaneously recorded surface electrocardiogram (SECG) and unipolar esophageal ECG (EsECG). The occurrence of ST segment deviation is also examined. Design: Prospective, observational study. Setting: University hospital. Patients: 30 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Interventions: SECG and two-lead unipolar EsECG were recorded after induction of anesthesia and before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Measurements and Main Results: The amplitudes of the P and T waves and the ST segment deviation were measured. EsECG had more noise than SECG. Slight movement of the esophageal electrodes occasionally caused substantial changes in the wave amplitudes and ST segment deviation in the unipolar EsECG. The maximum P wave amplitude in EsECG was, on average, 97% greater than the maximum P wave amplitude in SECG. ST segment deviation in EsECG was observed in the absence of ST segment deviation in SECG and vice versa. Conclusions: The recognition and measurement of all the PQRST waves can be improved and automated by simultaneous use of EsECG and SECG. The P wave amplitude is greater in EsECG than in SECG, which may facilitate the identification of supraventricular versus ventricular arrhythmias. ST segment deviation in the unipolar EsECG may not be suitable for the routine detection of ischemia.
Paris Masters of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries and Ideas of Intellectual Freedom

To introduce the theme of this essay, there are few statements more fitting than the caustic judgment of Albertus Magnus on those whom he considered the enemies of freedom in his day. Reproaching the petty obscurantism of the opponents of Aristotle's philosophy, he described these men, whose sole aim in reading books was to find something to condemn, as stagnant themselves in intellectual inertia, and seeking always to paralyze others into their own state. It was men like these, he said, who killed Socrates, and whose plots forced Aristotle to leave Athens with the words, “I shall not give the Athenians a second chance of sinning against philosophy.” In the world of learning, according to Albertus, such bitter, bilious men are like the liver in the body; “they try to inject their own bitterness into everyone else, and to prevent others from pursuing truth in the sweetness of society.”
Onset and recovery from chlordecone- and mirex-induced hepatobiliary dysfunction

Abstract Male Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained on diets containing uniformly mixed chlordecone (CD, 100 ppm) or mirex (M, 100 ppm). Control groups received similarly prepared diets without CD or M. Daily food consumption and body weights were monitored. Chlordecone treated animals exhibited tremors and hyperexcitability and mirex group exhibited diarrhea and lethargy by Day 8 of treatment. Every fifth day groups of three to five animals were surgically prepared to measure biliary excretion of phenolphthalein glucuronide (PG). Biliary excretion of PG was suppressed within 10 days by both CD and M and maximal hepatic excretory dysfunction occurred by Day 25 for M and Day 35 for CD. Serum transaminase enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) were not significantly elevated. Significant liver enlargement was seen throughout the treatment period in both groups. During the onset of hepatic dysfunction a significant hepatic functional rebound effect was seen in the case of animals treated with CD. Livers were enlarged and total volume of bile secretion increased, M being more potent in this regard than CD. CD residues were higher in the liver and bile samples compared to M. After maximal hepatic dysfunction, animals were transfered to control diets and the above parameters were monitored during the recovery phase. It appears that onset of hepatic dysfunction is more rapid with M and recovery slower in comparison to CD induced hepatic dysfunction. Since higher levels of CD were found in the liver than M the differences between CD and M induced impairment of hepatobiliary dysfunction were more closely related to their intrinsic physicochemical properties than dispositional differences. The levels of M and CD in the liver tissue were closely related to the extent of hepatobiliary dysfunction induced by these chemicals.
The emergence process: conceptual and linguistic influences on morphological development:

This paper extends prior research on the links between cognition and semantic/pragmatic aspects of language to the more formal area of morphology, and highlights the importance of studying process ...
Evaluation of the use of the Chebyshev algorithm with the quadrature method of moments for simulating aerosol dynamics

Abstract The quadrature method of moments (QMOM) has been widely used for the simulation of the evolution of moments of the aerosol general dynamic equations. However, there are several shortcomings in a crucial component of the method, the product-difference (P-D) algorithm. The P-D algorithm is used to compute the quadrature points and weights from the moments of an unknown distribution. The algorithm does not work for all types of distributions or for even reasonably high-order quadrature. In this work, we investigate the use of the Chebyshev algorithm and show that it is more robust than the P-D algorithm and can be used for a wider class of problems. The algorithm can also be used in a number of applications, where accurate computations of weighted integrals are required. We also illustrate the use of QMOM with the Chebyshev algorithm to solve several problems in aerosol science that could not be solved using the P-D algorithm.
Double and multiple chromosomal aneuploidies in spontaneous abortions: A single institutional experience.

Objective: To characterize double and multiple aneuploidies in spontaneous abortions (SAB). Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of cytogenetics data obtained by culturing/harvesting products of the conception material at our center from 2006 to 2009 was performed. The abnormal cytogenetic results, maternal age, gestational age, and previous pregnancy history were recorded and compared. Results: Double and multiple aneuploidies are rare, however, a high percentage of double (4.6%) and multiple (0.4%) chromosomal aneuploidies were observed in our study of 1502 cases of SAB. Of 1502 cases of SAB evaluated, 70 cases (4.6%) showed double aneuploidy, whereas 6 cases (0.4%) had multiple aneuploidies. The chromosomes most frequently involved in double aneuploidy in the decreasing order were 21, 16, ± X, 22, 18, 13, and 15. The most frequent chromosome combinations observed were: Loss of X/21 (8.5%), 21/22 (4.4%), 16/21 (4.4%), and 7/16 (4.4%). The chromosome combinations in multiple aneuploidy included trisomy of chromosomes X/5/8, 8/20/22, 16/20/22, 14/21/22, and loss of X with 21/21 and 7/21. These abnormalities were significantly observed in women between the age group 40-44 years (59.2%). A high success rate (94%) of obtaining metaphase cells was observed in this study mainly due to the use of direct and long-term cultures. Conclusions: We observed a high percentage of double (4.6%) and multiple (0.4%) aneuploidies, frequently involving the acrocentic chromosomes 13, 15, 21, and 22 and nonacrocentric chromosomes X, 16, and 18.
The influence of gender on conflicts of interest in the allocation of limited critical care resources: Justice versus care

After noting that the principle of autonomy has been inadequate for the resolution of many of the complex and difficult moral dilemmas involving conflicts of interest in the allocation of limited critical care resources, this paper analyzes the concepts of justice and care as alternative solutions to moral problems and applies them to the issue of repeat organ transplants to a single recipient. These concepts are found to be the basis of the notions of moral reasoning and moral orientation, respectively, which serve in moral development theory as two fundamentally different ways to approach moral problem solving. Following an elaboration of moral reasoning as found in Kohlberg's cognitive moral development theory, the influence of gender on moral reasoning is investigated. The empirical data show that women (mean Defining Issues Test score, 47.18) score significantly higher (P < or = .0001) than men (mean Defining Issues Test score, 41.77) in the use of moral reasoning based on the concept of justice for resolving moral dilemmas. Following an elaboration of moral orientation as found in Gilligan's moral theory of the ethics of care, the influence of gender on moral orientation is investigated. The empirical data show that women use the concept of care significantly more often (P < or = .0139) than their male colleagues in resolving moral dilemmas. From these data it is concluded that men are more likely than women to use justice in the resolution of moral dilemmas, such as the conflicts of interest in the allocation of limited critical care resources, but that if women do use, or are required by the social system to use, justice in the resolution of moral dilemmas, they do a better job of it than men.
Diffusion through non-linear orthotropic cylinders

Abstract In this paper, we study the problems of radial diffusion of a fluid through a hollow non-linearly elastic orthotropic cylinder. It is found that shearing and stretching have qualitatively different effects on the diffusion process. The effect of orthotropy on the diffusion process is also studied. These results are compared with those for the isotropic case [cf. Int. J. Engng Sci. 25, 1441–1457 (1987)].
"Up against a Stone Wall": Women, Power and the National Catholic Community Houses

This article is about the rise and fall of the National Catholic Community Houses, institutions created by the National Catholic War Council (NCWC) and run by Catholic laywomen. It explores how Catholic laywomen sought to take advantage of the opportunities the post World War I era offered to create viable national institutions, and the forces outside and within their church that undermined their efforts. They faced three interrelated problems that ultimately caused the project to fail. First, while the bishops and priests of the NCWC did willingly support the creation of women-run institutions, they stopped far short of the idea of making them women-controlled institutions. Second, although the women who ran the houses had ambitions that they would take their place as equals in the world of social work, their defensive attitudes undermined their efforts to build useful networks with both non-Catholic social workers and Catholic women religious who had far greater experience in the field. Finally, Catholic laywomen struggled to run these national institutions within local dioceses and parishes where priests and bishops aggressively protected their territory. The combination of these factors meant that Catholic laywomen who ran the National Catholic Community Houses were continually running into stone walls.
Next-generation sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicons.

One of the major questions in microbial ecology is “who is there?” This question can be answered using various tools, but one of the long-lasting gold standards is to sequence 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicons generated by domain-level PCR reactions amplifying from genomic DNA. Traditionally, this was performed by cloning and Sanger (capillary electrophoresis) sequencing of PCR amplicons. The advent of next-generation sequencing has tremendously simplified and increased the sequencing depth for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The introduction of benchtop sequencers now allows small labs to perform their 16S rRNA sequencing in-house in a matter of days. Here, an approach for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing using a benchtop next-generation sequencer is detailed. The environmental DNA is first amplified by PCR using primers that contain sequencing adapters and barcodes. They are then coupled to spherical particles via emulsion PCR. The particles are loaded on a disposable chip and the chip is inserted in the sequencing machine after which the sequencing is performed. The sequences are retrieved in fastq format, filtered and the barcodes are used to establish the sample membership of the reads. The filtered and binned reads are then further analyzed using publically available tools. An example analysis where the reads were classified with a taxonomy-finding algorithm within the software package Mothur is given. The method outlined here is simple, inexpensive and straightforward and should help smaller labs to take advantage from the ongoing genomic revolution.