cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproductive caste determination in eusocial wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).

Wasps (Vespidae) exhibit a range of social complexity, from solitary living to eusocial colonies, and thus are exemplary for studies of the evolutionary origin and maintenance of social behavior in animals. Integral to the definition of eusociality is the presence of reproductive castes, group members that differ qualitatively in their ability to reproduce in a social setting. Behavioral and morphological evidence suggests that caste determination, the developmental process by which differences in fecundity are established, occurs to a large extent before adult emergence (pre-imaginally) in many species of Vespidae, in both basal and advanced taxa within the clade (Vespinae+Polistinae), which includes most eusocial species. Pre-imaginal determination has been documented in many taxa (e.g. independent-founding Polistinae) where it was not thought to occur. Correlative and experimental studies indicate that differences in nutrition during larval development are often the basis of pre-imaginal caste determination. Pre-imaginal caste determination has important implications for the roles of subfertility and manipulation by nest mates in the evolution of eusocial behavior.
Positions in Kinesiology and Physical Education at the College or University Level

Many graduates of doctoral programs in kinesiology and physical education (KPE) pursue positions in higher education. To determine how student interests in KPE are aligned with academic positions and the qualifications for and responsibilities of those positions, we conducted two analyses: (a) of student interest based on a survey of 26 doctoral degree programs from 1997-2000, and (b) of position announcements from 1998-2002 in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Overall, 1,483 positions were found. Results showed that competitive candidates need a doctorate degree or ABD (n = 1,108), college/university (n = 695) or K-12 (n = 316) teaching experience, and a record of or potential for scholarly activity (n = 483). Teaching responsibilities were usually in the position subdiscipline, yet candidates need to be prepared to teach a variety of courses. Nonteaching responsibilities included scholarship (n = 723), service (n = 644), and student advisement (n = 543). Doctoral programs in KPE need to determine the f...
Surface energy transport following relativistic laser-solid interaction

After a ∼1-micron Al target spot is excited at 3e18 W/cm2, a delayed probe detects isotropic surface heating out to 12 µm radius. Analysis shows runaway electrons and strong magnetic fields govern fs surface heating.
Effect of impurity scattering on upper critical field of unconventional superconductors

Abstract The effect of Impurity scattering on upper critical fields in the axial state (P) and the hybrid state (D) is studied within weak coupling model. Unlike S-wave superconductor, impurity scattering suppresses both the transition temperature T c and upper critical field H c2 (T). However, when H c2 (x,T) / H c2 (x,o) is plotted against T/ T c (x), the curves for different x(=0.5669 (τT c0 ) −1 ) almost collapse into a single curve. This behavior should give another test of unconventional superconductors.
Transforming Activity of the Rho Family GTPase, Wrch-1, a Wnt-regulated Cdc42 Homolog, Is Dependent on a Novel Carboxyl-terminal Palmitoylation Motif *

Wrch-1 is a Rho family GTPase that shares strong sequence and functional similarity with Cdc42. Like Cdc42, Wrch-1 can promote anchorage-independent growth transformation. We determined that activated Wrch-1 also promoted anchorage-dependent growth transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Wrch-1 contains a distinct carboxyl-terminal extension not found in Cdc42, suggesting potential differences in subcellular location and function. Consistent with this, we found that Wrch-1 associated extensively with plasma membrane and endosomes, rather than with cytosol and perinuclear membranes like Cdc42. Like Cdc42, Wrch-1 terminates in a CAAX tetrapeptide (where C is cysteine, A is aliphatic amino acid, and X is any amino acid) motif (CCFV), suggesting that Wrch-1 may be prenylated similarly to Cdc42. Most surprisingly, unlike Cdc42, Wrch-1 did not incorporate isoprenoid moieties, and Wrch-1 membrane localization was not altered by inhibitors of protein prenylation. Instead, we showed that Wrch-1 is modified by the fatty acid palmitate, and pharmacologic inhibition of protein palmitoylation caused mislocalization of Wrch-1. Most interestingly, mutation of the second cysteine of the CCFV motif (CCFV > CSFV), but not the first, abrogated both Wrch-1 membrane localization and transformation. These results suggest that Wrch-1 membrane association, subcellular localization, and biological activity are mediated by a novel membrane-targeting mechanism distinct from that of Cdc42 and other isoprenylated Rho family GTPases.
Isolation and initial characterization of a Bacillus subtilis mutant with novel, protease secretion capability

Summary A bank of pTV32 (Tn 917 1acZ ) — generated Bacillus sbutilis mutants were examined on milk agar for the ability to produce proteases at 48°C. A single mutant, BUL786, was isolated, which could hydrolyze casein after overnight incubation at 48°C. This mutant secreted protease 10 fold more at 48°C when compared to 37°C, and part of the activity appears to be 48°C-specific. At high temperatures, other strains of B. subtilis , including hyperprotease secretors, were unable to secrete protease to any significant degree. The BUL786 strain is missing the 97K major heat shock protein. Since a number of other proteins also appear to be secreted at 48°C, this mutant may be a hypersecretor of exported proteins at temperatures > 45°C.
Immigration fertility and growth.

Abstract This paper develops an open economy theory of endogenous growth in which agents make fertility and migration choices that affect the rate of transmission of human capital from parents to children. The model produces both a poverty trap as well as a common balanced growth path, and shows that immigration has quite different implications for developing and developed countries. Developing countries may undergo a temporary or permanent output contraction and a widening of the income distribution due to immigration. Developed countries receiving immigrants may have a temporary drop in wages for native workers, but then return to balanced growth.
Comparing the flow on the bounded and unbounded sides of a plate

Abstract A two-plate array is used to compare the flow characteristics between the side of a rectangular plate that is bounded by an adjacent plate and the side of the plate that is unbounded. For c/t = 3, flow visualization shows that the thickness of the recirculation bubble is slightly thinner on the bounded side, but the distance from the plate’s leading edge to the point of reattachment is nearly the same on both the bounded and the unbounded sides of the plate. For c/t = 6.67 and c/t = 16, the flow reattaches in a shorter downstream distance from the leading edge of the bounded side of the plate than the unbounded side of the plate. On the bounded side of the plate, the recirculation zone formed by the reattached flow is less than half as thick as the recirculation zone formed on the unbounded side of the plate.
Mutations in hns reduce the adherence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli 091:H21 strain B2F1 to human colonic epithelial cells and increase the production of hemolysin.

Abstract Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) 091:H21 strain B2F1, an isolate from a patient with the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), produces elastase-activatable Shiga toxin (Stx) type 2d and adheres well to human colonic epithelial T84 cells. This adherence phenotype occurs even though B2F1 does not contain the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) that encodes the primary adhesin for E. coli O157:H7. To attempt to identify genes involved in binding of B2F1 to T84 cells a bank of mini-Tn5 phoA Cm r transposon mutants of this strain was generated. Several of these mutants exhibited a reduced adherence phenotype, but none of the insertions in these mutants were within putative adhesin genes. Rather, insertional mutations within hns resulted in the loss of adherence. Moreover, the hns mutant also displayed an increase in the production of hemolysin and alkaline phosphatase and a loss of motility with no change in Stx2d-activatable expression levels. When B2F1 was cured of the large plasmid that encodes the hemolysin, the resulting strain adhered well to T84 cells. However, an hns mutant of the plasmid-cured B2F1 strain exhibited a reduction in adherence to T84 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that H-NS regulates the expression of several genes and some potential virulence factors in the intimin-negative B2F1 STEC strain and that the large plasmid is not required for T84 cell colonization.
Reinforcing and subjective effects of the volatile anesthetic, sevoflurane

Abstract Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic that is chemically similar to volatile substances of abuse and can be safely administered to humans in laboratory research. In this study, the reinforcing and subjective effects of five concentrations of sevoflurane (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8% sevoflurane in O 2 ) were studied in 20 non-drug-abusers. During each of five sessions, subjects sampled a concentration of sevoflurane and 100% O 2 (placebo) for 10 min each. Later, within the session, they chose nine times, once every 5 min, among sevoflurane (e.g. “Agent A”), placebo (e.g. “Agent B”), or neither (and were administered 100% O 2 , identified as “drug-free air”). Although “neither” was selected most frequently, mean preference ratios (sevoflurane choices/[sevoflurane choices + placebo choices]) and total sevoflurane choice peaked at the 0.4% concentration. Choice patterns varied across subjects, with some subjects never choosing sevoflurane and other subjects showing monotonic increasing or bitonic concentration–choice functions. Concentration-related increases in subjective effects were observed, including effects that are putatively associated with abuse liability. Ratings of drug liking and of wanting to inhale the drug again were positively correlated with sevoflurane choice. This study shows that sevoflurane can function as a reinforcer and produce abuse liability-related subjective effects in some healthy volunteers.
Molecular markers of micrometastasis in oral cavity carcinomas

Objective: To examine the expression of candidate markers for micrometastasis.Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis of subjects with oral cavity carcinomas who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and subsequent immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis.Subjects and Methods: Two groups were identified based on SLNB status: negative SLNB (19/30) and positive SLNB (11/30). Specimens underwent IHC using conjugated monoclonal antibodies for membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), CD44, focal adhesion kinase-1, and E-cadherin. Staining results were evaluated to determine if a particular marker was associated with SLNB status or other histopathologic prognosticators.Results: For MT1-MMP, 21 percent (3/14) of evaluable specimens stained positively in the SLNB(−) group and 67 percent (4/6) stained positively in the SLNB(+) group (P = 0.12). No statistically significant association was seen between any marker's staining pattern and SLNB status alone. When MT1-MMP staining was evaluated in tumors with ...
A computational investigation of phosphaalkynes: a new building block

Abstract The electronic properties of CP, CP and C-P bonds and their aza analogues, CN, CN and C-N bonds, were investigated using an ab initio self-consistent field molecular orbital approach at the 4-31G∗ level. The cyclodimerization and cyclotetramerization of the monomer, methylphosphaacetylene (CH3-CP) were analyzed by the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) method. Based on the MEP maps, two reactive sites attractive towards an incoming electrophile were identified for phosphaacetylene, but its aza analogue, acetonitrile, showed only a single reactive site. The -CP group, in contrast to the -CN group, tends to form ‘side-on’ bonds with transition metals, and this has been reinforced by MEP maps of phosphaacetylene, indicating a larger negative region near the π-bonds.
The silicon-silicon dioxide system: Its microstructure and imperfections

The microstructural features of the Si-SiO2 system and the chemical physics of its defects are reviewed and examined. Topics are grouped by scientific commonality, rather than by the usual technological manifestations. The role of atomic and molecular sized entities is emphasized, and the latter are limited to those containing only Si, O, H, or combinations thereof. Most of the reported researches involve x-ray or electron diffraction, Auger or photoelectron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering, electron spin resonance, or capacitance-voltage or deep-level transient spectroscopy. Several forms of crystalline and amorphous vitreous silica are considered as a basis for discussion of thin film thermal silica on silicon wafers. Local lattice symmetry, stoichiometry, bond lengths and angles, vacancies and voids, dangling orbital centres, and fixed and migratory hydrogen species are treated extensively. Elements of relevant theory are summarized. Overall, it is hoped to provide a solid data base for future development of general models for essential electronic phenomena in the Si-SiO2 system.
Effects of ethanol and carbon tetrachloride upon vitamin A status of rats.

The effects of ethanol and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) upon tissue vitamin A, liver lipids, liver cytochrome P450 and hepatic morphology were investigated. It was anticipated that CCl4 treatment would have more severe effects upon vitamin A status because CCI4 provides greater hepatic injury than does ethanol. After a 2-week standardization feeding period, young male rats were divided into four groups. For 5 weeks one group of rats (n = 17) received ethanol in liquid diets (30% of calories) while another (n = 8) was exposed to CCI4 inhalation twice a week along with phenobarbital in the diet. All groups received the National Regulatory Commission recommended level for vitamin A. Comparison of ethanol and its pair-fed control group (n = 17) revealed: decreased hepatic vitamin A, no change in serum vitamin A, increased percentage of liver lipid, and cytochrome P450 with moderate fat accumulation in hepatocytes. Comparison of the CCI4 -phenobarbitol group with pair-fed controls (n = 8) showed: increased serum vitamin A, decreased hepatic vitamin A, increased cytochrome P4501 marked hepatic fat accumulation, hepatic cell necrosis, and early cirrhosis. Thus, CCl4, (with phenobarbitol), which is a more potent hepatotoxin as evidenced by a more elevated cytochrome P450 and distorted liver morphology, not only reduced liver vitamin A, but also increased serum vitamin A. The extent of substrate and/or organ specificity remains to be elucidated.
Habitat Selection by American Martens in Coastal California

Abstract We investigated habitat selection using single- and mixed-scale modeling at 2 spatial scales, stand and home range, by the only known population of American martens (Martes americana) remaining in the historical range of the Humboldt subspecies (M. a. humboldtensis) in California, USA. During 2000 and 2001, we sampled a 12 × 14 grid with 2-km spacing, using 2 sooted track plates at each grid point. We detected martens at 26 of the 159 grid points. We used resource selection probability functions and an information-theoretic method to model habitat at detection locations. At the stand scale, martens selected conifer-dominated stands with dense, spatially extensive shrub cover (&#x1d465; = 74% cover, SE = 4) in the oldest developmental stage. At the home-range scale, martens selected the largest available patches (&#x1d465; = 181 ha, SE = 14) of old-growth, old-growth and late-mature, or serpentine habitat. Mixed-scale models revealed that habitat characteristics from both scales best explained marten occurrence...
Studies of genetically defined chimeras of a European type A virus and a South African Territories type 2 virus reveal growth determinants for foot-and-mouth disease virus.

The three South African Territories (SAT) types of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) display great genetic and antigenic diversity, resulting from the independent evolution of these viruses in different geographical localities. For effective control of the disease in such areas, the use of custom-made vaccines is required. To circumvent the tedious process of vaccine strain selection, an alternative in the control process is being investigated. Specifically, it is proposed to replace the antigenic determinants of an infectious genome-length cDNA copy of a good SAT vaccine strain with those of appropriate field strains, producing custom-made FMDV chimeras for use in vaccine production. Here the construction of an infectious genome-length cDNA copy of the SAT2 vaccine strain, ZIM/7/83, is described, created utilizing an exchange-cassette strategy with an existing A12 genome-length cDNA clone. The virus derived from this cDNA (designated vSAT2) displayed excellent growth properties in cell culture, indicating its potential usefulness in the production of custom-made vaccine strains. Evaluation of the growth of various SAT2/A12 chimeras created during the derivation of SAT2 infectious cDNA suggested incompatibilities between the non-structural proteins of ZIM/7/83 and the 5′ UTR of A12.
A subset of T cell receptors associated with L3T4 molecules mediates C6VL leukemia cell binding of its cognate retrovirus

We show here that the interaction of a radiation leukemia virus-induced thymoma, C6VL, with its cognate retroviruses occurs in the vicinity of the T cell receptor (TCR). While an anti-clonotypic antibody completely inhibits this interaction, antibodies specific for another T cell receptor complex determinant, L3T4, only partially inhibit the cell-retrovirus interaction. Several antibodies to more abundant cell-surface determinants (T200, Ly15, H-2Db) do not inhibit this interaction. Under capping conditions, either of the antibodies to L3T4 or TCR epitopes modulate virus binding receptors from the surface of C6VL/1 cells. L3T4 and the TCR do not comodulate significantly on the surface of C6VL/1 cells. These experimental findings implicate the existence of rare TCR-L3T4 complexes on C6VL/1 cells, and the involvement of these complexes in the binding of C6VL/1 to its cognate retrovirus. In addition, the clonotypic anti-TCR antibody inhibits C6VL/1 cell proliferation at concentrations that block its binding to its produced retroviruses.
Behçet's disease: endovascular management of a ruptured peripheral arterial aneurysm.

Traditionally, bypass grafts are at a high risk for thrombosis or anastomotic degeneration in patients with Behcet's disease. We report the successful deployment of a vein-covered stent across the neck of a ruptured peripheral arterial aneurysm, via a remote site access, with intermediate-term follow-up. Covered stents may represent an attractive alternative to open surgical bypass for the management of aneurysms in patients with Behcet's disease.
Iterative Workflows for Numerical Simulations in Subsurface Sciences

Numerical simulators are frequently used to assess future risks, support remediation and monitoring program decisions, and assist in design of specific remedial actions with respect to groundwater contaminants. Due to the complexity of the subsurface environment and uncertainty in the models, many alternative simulations must be performed, each producing data that is typically postprocessed and analyzed before deciding on the next set of simulations. Though parts of the process are readily amenable to automation through scientific workflow tools, the larger ldquoresearch workflowrdquo is not supported by current tools. We present a detailed use case for subsurface modeling, describe the use case in terms of workflow structure, briefly summarize a prototype that seeks to facilitate the overall modeling process, and discuss the many challenges for building such a comprehensive environment.
Mantle lithosphere as a source of postsubduction magmatism, northern Sierra Nevada, California

Age, chemical, and isotopic data from late Cenozoic volcanic rocks in the northern Sierra Nevada, California (USA), from Lake Tahoe north to the southern end of the modern Cascades volcanic arc, were obtained to investigate the evolution of the upper mantle beneath this continental margin during the transition from active subduction to the opening of a slabless window, and to test the possibility that the foundering of mantle lithosphere proposed for the southern Sierra Nevada extended to the northern reaches of the mountain range. Our data are consistent with previous work in the region and illustrate that volcanism shifted from widespread intermediate composition magmatism to small volume, localized trachybasalts to trachyandesites ca. 3 Ma. Similar to southern Cascades volcanism, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and 206 Pb/ 204 Pb decrease, and e Nd increase in the older (older than 3 Ma) volcanic rocks with increasing proportions of a slab component, as measured by increasing (Sr/P) N , where N is primitive-mantle normalized. We interpret these observations as evidence that the older volcanic rocks are subduction related and represent the products of basaltic melts derived from flux melting of mantle wedge that interacted to varying degrees during ascent with lower e Nd and higher 87 Sr/ 86 Sr sub–Sierra Nevada continental mantle lithosphere. The younger volcanic rocks lack evidence for the involvement of a slab component in their generation, but have ranges of Nd, Sr, and Pb isotopic compositions similar to those of older volcanic rocks interpreted to have interacted to the greatest extent with the continental mantle lithosphere. However, the younger volcanic rocks have higher high field strength element (HFSE) and higher phosphorus abundances, and higher (La/Yb) N , than their older counterparts, suggesting that they are not simply the products of smaller degrees of partial melting of the same mantle lithosphere involved in the older magmatism. The high HFSE and P contents were more likely controlled by metasomatic accessory carrier phases such as rutile and apatite, the stabilities of which control the abundance of these elements in melts produced from the lithospheric mantle after 3 Ma. One possibility is that the accessory phases were introduced to lithosphere during melt–wall-rock interaction associated with the older magmatic episode. These phases were then purged as a result of conductive heating of the remaining lithospheric mantle triggered by postsubduction upwelling of the sublithospheric mantle. Our data are consistent with lithospheric mantle serving as a melt reactor during the earlier subduction-related magmatism that was baked out during later conductive heating, a process that may be relevant to the production of immediately postsubduction magmatism along other continental margins.
A Hamster Uterine Luteolytic Extract

Further evidence is presented for the production of a thermolabile nondialyzable uterine luteolytic factor (ULF) on the 6th and 7th days of pseudopregnancy in the hamster. Injection of the equivalent of uterine horn/day was ineffective, but dosages of and 1 horn/day were maximally effective in shortening pseudopregnancy in the hysterectomized animal. The submitochondrial particulate fraction of homogenized tissue after centrifugation in 0.25M sucrose at 8400 g contained all ULF activity. Pregnancy abolished synthesis of ULF and active extracts were incapable of interfering with established pregnancies. Immature uterine horns did not produce ULF. Evidence for some local (non-blood-vascular) transport of this factor is presented. (Endocrinology 83: 1065, 1968)
CHESS: Providing Decision Support for Reducing Health Risk Behavior and Improving Access to Health Services

The AIDS epidemic has challenged every aspect of the health services delivery system from prevention activities and programs to nursing home care. Computer technology provides a strategy for meeting the needs of both people at risk as well as those infected with HIV. CHESS Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System is an integrated decision support system that provides multi-dimensional theory-based resources to people infected with HIV and to people at risk of contracting the infection. CHESS provides users with anonymous, current, nonjudgmental, easily accessible information, decision support, referral, and social support.
Fostering Community through the House System at Most Holy Trinity Catholic School

More than ever, the challenges facing Catholic schools and Catholic school leaders require a “readiness to renew and adapt” (Vatican Council II, 1965). The skills and dispositions developed through applied action research—inquiry that is systematic, practitioner driven, and change oriented—are integral to the formation of teachers and leaders who will meet these challenges head on and strengthen Catholic schools for generations to come. The following action research project was conducted by a Catholic school leader who is a recent graduate of the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame. The article you will read is one product of the comprehensive, four-course action research sequence that is a hallmark of the Remick Leadership Program, and is discussed in greater detail in the focus section overview . As you read on, you will notice that action research is highly contextualized—responsive to the specific needs in a particular school community—but also reflective of the broader educational research literature, and the rich traditions and teachings of our Catholic faith. We hope this action research inquiry informs your own practice, and inspires you to pursue mission driven and data informed leadership practices to bring about positive change in your own school or community. Most Holy Trinity Catholic School in Phoenix, Arizona, has experienced a decrease in student enrollment over the last decade, resulting in a reduction to a single class per grade across the PreK-8 community. Recent concerns have surfaced regarding student and teacher isolation, marginalization, and their effects on the broader relationships within the school community. To address these issues, school leaders implemented a house system in an effort to foster stronger communal relationships. This action research project used a survey design to gather quantitative and qualitative data to examine changes in stakeholder perceptions of community and Catholic identity after implementing the intervention. Results indicated that the implementation of the house system led to significant positive changes in stakeholders’ perceptions of school community and Catholic identity.
Copper wirebond package decapsulation technique using mixed acid chemistry

Copper (Cu) wirebond technology in IC packaging has become popular these days due to its better characteristic and cost compare to Gold (Au). Nonetheless, failure analysis remains to be very challenging as Cu is easily dissolved when it is reacted with fuming nitric acid used during standard decapsulation process. Hence, by utilizing enhanced manual decapsulation technique with mixture of fuming nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid at low temperature, successful Cu wire package decapsulation happen to be reproducible mainly for die level failure analysis purposes.
Surgical techniques of open surgical reconstruction in the multiple-ligament-injured knee

Abstract Multiple-ligament injuries of the knee present the orthopedic surgeon with a myriad of management and treatment challenges. Often the result of high-energy trauma, such as motor vehicle and industrial accidents, the multiple-ligament-injured knee is increasing in frequency among athletes participating in a variety of sports. These injuries can be treated by arthroscopic techniques, open techniques, or a combination of the two. The open surgical approach has several advantages. First, the approach is relatively straightforward and is effective in minimizing operating-room time. Second, all structures can be evaluated directly and fixed securely. The purpose of this article is to present the open operative techniques that we use to reconstruct and repair the multiple-ligament-injured knee. In the treatment of these injuries, our goal is to create an environment of controlled arthrofibrosis to provide the patient with a reconstructed knee that is functionally stable.
A strategic deployment and cluster-header selection for wireless sensor networks

A new cluster-based approach to increase the overall network lifetime of the wireless sensor networks is proposed in this paper. We first consider a strategic deployment especially when there are heterogeneous sensor nodes to be deployed. With the strategic deployment, the cluster header selection scheme is proposed. Unlike conventional approaches, we develop our scheme by designing the network with multiple-sized fixed grids while taking into account the arbitrary-shaped area sensed by the sensor nodes. Our simulation results show that the proposed scheme alleviates high energy consumption and a short lifetime of the wireless sensor networks supported by existing schemes.
Characterization of p53 and p21 Functional Interactions in Glioma Cells en Route to Apoptosis

Background: Alterations of the p53 (also called TP53) gene are one of the most common abnormalities in gliomas. We have previously reported that restoration of wild-type p53 protein function in glioma cells results in programmed cell death (apoptosis). Since p53 functions are mediated by genes that directly control the tumor suppressor effect of the p53 protein, understanding the relationship between p53 and p53-related genes in glioma cells will aid in the design of more rational treatment strategies for brain tumors. Purpose : We conducted this study to examine the timing of the p53-mediated events preceding apoptosis. More specifically, we undertook this work to characterize the genetic and cell cycle-related factors that may increase the resistance of glioma cells to p53-induced apoptosis. Methods: Two human glioma cell lines (U-251 MG and U-373 MG) that express mutant p53 protein and two (U-87 MG and EFC-2) that express wild-type p53 protein were used. Replication-deficient adenovirus was utilized as an expression vector to transfer exogenous p53 and p21 complementary DNAs into the glioma cells; control cells were infected with the viral expression vector alone. To monitor gene transfer and the expression of exogenous genes (as well as the expression of endogenous genes), we used western blot analyses and immunohistochemistry analyses. Flow cytometry studies of cellular DNA content were performed to determine the cell cycle phenotype of the glioma cells before and after treatment. Results: p53-mediated apoptosis was preceded by elevation in the levels of the p21 (cell cycle-related) and Bax (apoptosis-related) proteins. In addition, cell cycle analyses showed that glioma cells were arrested in the G 2 phase before undergoing cell death. Transfer of p21 induced a G 2 block but did not induce apoptosis. Moreover, coexpression of p21 and p53 prevented glioma cells from undergoing apoptosis. Expression of exogenous p53 in wild-type p53 cells did not induce elevation of Bax levels, arrest in G 2 phase, or apoptosis. Conclusions and Implications: Our data confirmed the ability of wild-type p53 to induce apoptosis in p53 mutant glioma cells. In addition, our results document that p21 plays a role in protecting cells from p53-mediated programmed cell death and suggest that p53-mediated apoptosis and p21 induction may represent, at least in certain cases, opposite signals. Finally, our data suggest that over-expression of p21 in gliomas may be related to resistance to treatments that induce apoptosis.
A survey on fuzzy relational equations, part I: classification and solvability

Fuzzy relational equations play an important role in fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic systems, from both of the theoretical and practical viewpoints. The notion of fuzzy relational equations is associated with the concept of "composition of binary relations." In this survey paper, fuzzy relational equations are studied in a general lattice-theoretic framework and classified into two basic categories according to the duality between the involved composite operations. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of fuzzy relational equations are discussed and solution sets are characterized by means of a root or crown system under some specific assumptions.
Comparison of marine gravity from shipboard and high‐density satellite altimetry along the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, 30.5°–35.5°S

We compare new marine gravity fields derived from satellite altimetry with shipboard measurements over a region of more than 120,000 sq km in the central South Atlantic. Newly declassified satellite data were employed to construct free-air anomaly maps on 0.05 degree grids. An extensive gravity and bathymetry data set from four cruises along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from 30.5-35.5 deg S provides a benchmark for testing the 2D resolution and accuracy of the satellite measurements where their crosstrack spacing is near their widest. The satellite gravity signal is coherent with bathymetry in this region down to wavelengths of 26 km, compared to 12.5 km for shipboard gravity. Residuals between the shipboard and satellite data sets have a roughly normal distribution. The standard deviation of satellite gravity with respect to shipboard measurements is nearly 7 mGal in a region of 140 mGal total variation, whereas the internal standard deviation at crossovers for GPS-navigated shipboard data is 1.8 mGal. The differences between shipboard and satellite data are too large to use satellite gravity to determine crustal thickness variations within a typical ridge segment.
A joint performance-vulnerability metric framework for designing ad hoc routing protocols

When a network is deployed in a hostile environment, different paths between nodes may provide varying levels of resilience to adversarial attack. Therefore, in order to ensure that network services are both timely and secure, both the vulnerability and performance of the path must be taken into account during route selection. However, current routing protocols do not take resilience of intermediate links into account, instead focusing on optimizing use of network resources. In this work, we propose a new class of resilience-enhanced routing protocols that incorporate the security of individual communication links when selecting a routing path. To enable resilient path selection, we introduce a joint performance-vulnerability metric, which quantifies the cost of a link based on both performance and vulnerability characteristics, so that shortest paths chosen using this metric will be both efficient and resilient to attack. We give an example that measures resilience to key exposure in ad hoc networks and demonstrate the feasibility of our scheme through analysis and simulation.
Fiber coupling with adaptive optics for free-space optical communication

We describe an adaptive optical fiber coupling system for free- space optical communication comprising a micro-electromechanical deformable mirror and a VLSI gradient descent controller for model-free performance optimization. A comparison of Strehl ratio maximization with direct model-free coupling efficiency optimization revealed an advantage of the latter method.
Treating Tics and Tourette’s Disorder in School Settings

Children with Tourette’s Disorder (TD) and other forms of tic disorders display a range of academic and psychosocial impairments that place them at risk for experiencing long-term negative life outcomes. Fortunately, effective treatments and interventions such as habit reversal training (HRT) have been developed and implemented in clinical settings to help these children. However, relatively few youth with tics and related sequelae receive effective treatments for their symptoms, often because of various treatment barriers (e.g., travel difficulties, limitations in trained practitioners). To overcome some of these barriers, educators and school-based mental health practitioners can provide a range of academic, social-emotional, and mental health supports to address the needs of youth with tics in school settings. In support of this notion, this article discusses various ways that members of school communities can help support the academic and social-emotional success of students with tics and related impa...
High-Altitude Hunter-Gatherer Residential Occupations in Wyoming's Wind River Range:

High Rise Village is a hunter-gatherer residential site containing at least 52 house features at a mean elevation of 3200 m in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. Fifteen radiocarbon dates place site occupation(s) between 4500 and 150 cal BP. Though the 4500 cal BP dates likely result from an old wood problem, dates between 2800 and 150 BP appear more sound, particularly those between 1500 and 500 cal BP. Comparison with other high-altitude residential site radiocarbon dates shows a trend of earlier high-altitude residential occupations to the east of the Great Basin. This has important implications regarding Great Basin-Rocky Mountain culture histories, in particular by calling into question both the Numic Spread hypothesis and the relationship of the site to Rocky Mountain-High Plains hunter-gatherer residential patterns. More importantly, these data emphasize the roles medieval climate and regional population densities may have played in conditioning late Holocene high-altitude hunter-gatherer lifeways across western North America.
Studies of Interferon Production in Aedes albopictus Mosquito Cells

SummarySingh's Aedes albopictus mosquito cell line was infected with Sindbis and West Nile viruses in order to assess the ability of these invertebrate cells to produce interferon. The viruses grew...
Prisioneros de Ritoque: La Ciudad Abierta y el centro de detención

espanolA inicios de los setenta aparecieron dos espacios de excepcion en Ritoque: una escuela de arquitectura y un centro de detencion. Si bien no hubo contacto entre ellos, sus ocupantes formaron comunidades y utilizaron repertorios similares (juegos, eventos y performances) para crear espacios reales e imaginarios. Los profesores formaron un enclave utopico que los libero de estructuras normativas pero limito su accion politica. Los prisioneros del campo, en cambio, transformaron su aislamiento forzado en una activa resistencia politica. EnglishIn the early 1970s there were two spaces of exception in Ritoque: a school of architecture and a concentration camp. While there was no contact between them, their occupants formed communities and used similar repertoires (games, events and performances) to create real and imaginary spaces. School professors formed a utopian enclave that freed them from regulatory structures but limited its political action. Camp prisoners instead turned their forced isolation into active political resistance.
Gibberellin-Regulation and Genetic Variations in Leaf Elongation for Tall Fescue in Association with Differential Gene Expression Controlling Cell Expansion.

Leaf elongation rate (LER) is an important factor controlling plant growth and productivity. The objective of this study was to determine whether genetic variation in LER for a fast-growing (‘K-31’), and a dwarf cultivar (‘Bonsai’) of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and gibberellic acid (GA) regulation of LER were associated with differential expression of cell-expansion genes. Plants were treated with GA3, trinexapac-ethyl (TE) (GA inhibitor), or water (untreated control) in a hydroponic system. LER of ‘K-31’ was 63% greater than that of ‘Bonsai’, which corresponded with 32% higher endogenous GA4 content in leaf and greater cell elongation and production rates under the untreated control condition. Exogenous application of GA3 significantly enhanced LER while TE treatment inhibited leaf elongation due to GA3-stimulation or TE-inhibition of cell elongation and production rate in leaves for both cultivars. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that three α-expansins, one β-expansin, and three xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET) genes were associated with GA-stimulation of leaf elongation, of which, the differential expression of EXPA4 and EXPA7 was related to the genotypic variation in LER of two cultivars. Those differentially-expressed expansin and XET genes could play major roles in genetic variation and GA-regulated leaf elongation in tall fescue.
An endorsement-based plan recognition program

This paper describes a plan-recognition program built to explore the theory of endorsements (Cohen, 1983). The program evaluates alternative interpretations of user actions and reasons about which are the most likely explanation of the user's intentions. Uncertainty about the various alternatives was encoded in data structures called endorsements. The paper describes the workings of this program and the successes and limitations of the endorsement-based approach.
Suite of Clinically Relevant Functional Assays to Address Therapeutic Efficacy and Disease Mechanism in the Dystrophic mdx Mouse

This study uses novel phenotypic assays which when applied to the mdx mouse resemble recently used primary end points for DMD clinical trials. A measurable distinction between dystrophic and contro...
Zika Virus Testing Considerations: Lessons Learned from the First 80 Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR-Positive Cases Diagnosed in New York State.

ABSTRACT The performance and interpretation of laboratory tests for Zika virus (ZKV) continue to be evaluated. Serology is cross-reactive, laborious, and frequently difficult to interpret, and serum was initially solely recommended for molecular diagnosis. ZKV testing was initiated in January 2016 in New York State for symptomatic patients, pregnant women, their infants, and patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome who had traveled to areas with ZKV transmission. Subsequently, eligibility was expanded to pregnant women with sexual partners with similar travel histories. Serum and urine collected within 4 weeks of symptom onset or within 6 weeks of travel were tested with real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays targeting the ZKV envelope and NS2B genes. In this review of lessons learned from the first 80 positive cases in NYS, ZKV RNA was detected in urine only in 50 patients, in serum only in 19 patients, and in both samples concurrently in 11 patients, with average viral loads in urine a log higher than those in serum. Among 93 positive samples from the 80 patients, 41 were positive on both gene assays, 52 were positive on the envelope only, and none were positive on the NS2B only. Of the 80 infected patients, test results for 74 (93%) would have defined their infection status as not detected or equivocal if the requirement for positive results from two assay targets (two-target-positive requirement) in the initial federal guidance to public health laboratories was enforced, if urine was not tested, or if the extended eligibility time for molecular testing was not implemented. These changes facilitated more extensive molecular diagnosis of ZKV, reducing reliance on time-consuming and potentially inconclusive serology.
Occupational Sex Composition and Gendered Housework Performance: Compensation or Conventionality?

This article examines the association between occupational sex composition and housework, considering total housework time, time on male-typed and female-typed tasks, and the percent of total time spent on male and female tasks. Previous research examining male- and female-typed chores independent of total housework suggests that couples compensate for gender-atypical employment through gender-typical housework performance, but this analysis of the National Survey of Families and Households (1992–1994) and the American Time Use Survey (2003–2013) demonstrates that assuming a quadratic association and failing to contextualize gendered housework performance within total housework performance obscures the true relationship between occupation and housework. In fact, women and men in gender-atypical occupations perform a more gender-atypical combination of chores. The influence of gender deviance neutralization in the housework literature may overshadow alternative explanations and model specifications. In particular, by assuming a quadratic association, researchers may impose, rather than test, gender deviance neutralization.
The Application of EDPF-300 TM Integrated Distributed Intelligent Control System in Power Plant Monitoring and Control

Abstract One of the most cost effective means for improving and optimizing electric power plant operations is upgrading and/or installation of new state of art controls and instrumentation. In this paper, a typical engineering application of EDPF-3000™ distri buted computer control system for a 200MW boiler-tuibine thermal unit is introduced and also the system overview of the EDPF-3000™.
The U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center (USDFRC) Condensed Tannin NMR Database

This Perspective describes a solution-state NMR database for flavan-3-ol monomers and condensed tannin dimers through tetramers obtained from the literature to 2015, containing data searchable by structure, molecular formula, degrees of polymerization, and 1H and 13C chemical shifts of the condensed tannins. Citations for all literature references are provided and should serve as valuable resource for scientists working in the field of condensed tannin research. The database will be periodically updated as additional information becomes available, typically on a yearly basis and is available for use, free of charge, from the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center (USDFRC) Website.
Infrared light detection by the haller's organ of adult american dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Ixodida: Ixodidae).

Abstract The Haller’s organ (HO), unique to ticks and mites, is found only on the first tarsus of the front pair of legs. The organ has an unusual morphology consisting of an anterior pit (AP) with protruding sensilla and a posterior capsule (Cp). The current thinking is that the HO’s main function is chemosensation analogous to the insect antennae, but the functionality of its atypical structure (exclusive to the Acari) is unexplained. We provide the first evidence that the HO allows the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis , to respond to infrared (IR) light. Unfed D. variabilis adults with their HOs present were positively phototactic to IR. However, when the HOs were removed, no IR response was detected. Ticks in these experiments were also attracted to white light with and without the HOs, but were only positively phototactic to white light when the ocelli (primitive eyes) were unobstructed. Covering the eyes did not prevent IR attraction. A putative TRPA1 receptor was characterized from a D. variabilis -specific HO transcriptome we constructed. This receptor was homologous to transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily A, member 1 (TRPA1) from the pit organ of the pit viper, python, and boa families of snakes, the only receptor identified so far for IR detection. HO scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies in the American dog tick showed the AP and Cp but also novel structures not previously described; the potential role of these structures in IR detection is discussed. The ability of ticks to use IR for host finding is consistent with their obligatory hematophagy and has practical applications in tick trapping and the development of new repellents.
Management Training in Small Business

Trainers, educators, and small business people have for some time, argued the issue of “the need for and the usefulness of” small business training. On the one hand, some individuals believe that s...