cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlled and Selective Photo-oxidation of Amyloid-β Fibrils by Oligomeric p-Phenylene Ethynylenes

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been explored as a therapeutic strategy to clear toxic amyloid aggregates involved in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer9s disease. A major limitation of PDT is off-target oxidation, which can be lethal for the surrounding cells. We have shown that a novel class of oligo-p-phenylene ethynylene-based compounds (OPEs) exhibit selective binding and fluorescence turn-on in the presence of pre-fibrillar and fibrillar aggregates of disease-relevant proteins such as amyloid-beta (Ab) and alpha-synuclein. Concomitant with fluorescence turn-on, OPE also photosensitizes singlet oxygen under illumination through the generation of a triplet state, pointing to the potential application of OPEs as photosensitizers in PDT. Herein, we investigated the photosensitizing activity of an anionic OPE for the photo-oxidation of toxic Ab; aggregates and compared its efficacy to the well-known but non-selective photosensitizer methylene blue (MB). Our results show that while MB photo-oxidized both monomeric and fibrillar conformers of Ab40, OPE oxidized only Ab40 fibrils, targeting two histidine residues on the fibril surface and a methionine residue located in the fibril core. Oxidized fibrils were shorter and more dispersed, but retained the characteristic beta-sheet rich fibrillar structure and the ability to seed further fibril growth. Importantly, the oxidized fibrils displayed low toxicity. We have thus discovered a class of novel theranostics for the simultaneous detection and oxidization of amyloid aggregates. Importantly, the selectivity of OPE9s photosensitizing activity overcomes the limitation of off-target oxidation of currently available photosensitizers, and represents a significant advancement of PDT as a viable strategy to treat neurodegenerative disorders.
Margaret R. Scherer, Marvels of Ancient Rome

(1956). Margaret R. Scherer, Marvels of Ancient Rome. The Art Bulletin: Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 129-130.
Cooperation and power

New technologies are not only transforming workplace practices in familiar settings. They are also finding their way into the types of "exotic" locales which have traditionally been of interest to anthropologists. This paper presents an ethnographic analysis of technologically mediated communication in one such atypical setting, among a grassroots group of activists from the Navajo Indian Reservation in the southwestern United States. As this case illustrates, mere access to technology does not solve all of the problems such groups face in terms of empowerment, access to resources for action, and coordination. The discursive practices embodied in technological design may perpetuate the relations of dominance and subordination which characterize interactions between "marginalized" groups and "mainstream" organizations, and force groups into forms of organization which they find inappropriate.
Weasel: A User Guided Enemy Course of Action Generator

A difficulty for military analysts to thoroughly consider possible plans which the enemy might follow under various assumptions 1. However, it is critical to do so to avoid dangerous surprises. Weasel is a decision support system that assists intelligence analysts in developing alternative enemy courses of action (ECOAs) consistent with intelligence conclusions and specified assumptions. A design goal behind Weasel is to provide users with the convenience of automation while still providing them with flexibility and control over the results. Weasel allows users to perform “what if” analyses in which they can change assumptions about enemy resources, current position, and maneuver constraints. Weasel integrates two other decision support tools, CoRaven2, which assists in analyzing intelligence data, and Fox 4, which assists in generating friendly courses of action (FCOAs). The combination of CoRaven, Weasel and Fox can provide powerful assistance in the military tactical decision making process.
Observation of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering in phase-mismatched direction

We have experimentally demonstrated CARS scattering in the forward and backward directions. The signal observed in the backscattered is of the orders of magnitude stronger than would be expected.
Abstract 292: Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Induced Upregulation Of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha Signaling Prevents Hearts From Heart Failure Progression Against Pressure Overload

Background: The heart is under the influence of neurotrophins (NTs) secreted from peripheral sympathetic nerves, including brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is indispensible for cardiac development and vascular wall integrity. Yet, whether BDNF signaling plays a role in governing cardiac function in response to stress is unclear. Hypothesis: BDNF signaling contributes to maintain proper cardiac structure/function in pressure overloaded mice. Results: BDNF expression is markedly down-regulated in hearts subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Cardiac specific over-expression of BDNF (BDNF-TG) or administration of a BDNF-mimetic agonist (LM22A-4) preserved cardiac function against pressure overload. In contrast, cardiac-selective deletion of the BDNF receptor, Tropomyosin related kinase receptor B (TrkB), further exacerbated heart failure. In neurons, BDNF up-regulates Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) that regulates energy metabolism and mitochondrial function/biogenesis. Oxidative stress is a major negative modulator of PGC-1a expression/activity. Exposing neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) to hydrogen peroxide downregulated PGC-1α, and BDNF restored it to normal levels, with a concomitant up-regulation of downstream genes involved in both mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress, resulting in attenuated ROS production and increased mitochondrial biogenesis. Consistent with the cultured myocyte findings, PGC-1α and downstream genes were up-regulated in BDNF-TG mice subjected to TAC, associated with attenuated oxidative stress and improved mitochondrial biogenesis; whereas TrkB-/- mice subjected to TAC displayed further decreased PGC-1α expression with worsened oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusion: Our data show that BDNF confers protection against pressure overload via enhanced PGC-1α signaling that in turn prevents oxidative stress and improves mitochondrial biogenesis. Our data suggest BDNF/trkB is a promising new therapeutic avenue to prevent or retard heart failure.
Care-seeking and appropriate treatment for childhood acute respiratory illness: an analysis of Demographic and Health Survey and Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey datasets for high-mortality countries

Acute lower respiratory illness (ALRI) is a major global cause of morbidity and mortality among children under 5. Antibiotic treatment for ALRI is inexpensive and decreases case fatality, but care-seeking patterns and appropriate treatment vary widely across countries. This study sought to examine patterns of appropriate treatment and estimate the burden of cases of untreated ALRI in high mortality countries. This study used cross-sectional survey data from the Phase 5/Phase 6 DHS and MIC3/MICS4 for 39 countries. We analyzed care-seeking patterns and antibiotic treatment based on country-level trends, and estimated the burden of untreated cases using country-level predictors in a general linear model. According to this analysis, over 66 million children were not treated with antibiotics for ALRI in 2010. Overall, African countries had a lower proportion of mothers who sought care for a recent episode of ALRI (41% to 86%) relative to Asian countries (75% to 87%). Seeking any care for ALRI was inversely related to seeking public sector care. Treatment with antibiotics ranged from 8% in Nepal to 87% in Jordan, and was significantly associated with urban residence. Untreated ALRI remains a substantial problem in high mortality countries. In Asia, the large population numbers lead to a high burden of children with untreated ALRI. In Africa, care-seeking behaviors and access to care issues may lead to missed opportunities to treat children with antibiotics.
Longitudinal adjustment patterns of boys and girls experiencing early, middle, and late sexual intercourse

This study examined the association between psychosocial development and the timing offirst sexual intercourse in a sample of White, rural adolescents. Two theoretical models were tested. The first model, derived from problem behavior theory, proposed that earlier timing of first sexual intercourse is associated with longitudinal patterns of transition proneness and poor psychosocial adjustment. The second model, the stage termination model, proposed that early first sexual intercourse interferes with subsequent development, thereby resulting in negative developmental outcomes. Problem behavior theory was supported. For both boys and girls, earlier timing of first sexual intercourse was associated with longitudinal patterns of greater transition proneness and poorer psychosocial adjustment. The stage termination model was not supported. No evidence was found suggesting that early timing of first sexual intercourse results in negative psychosocial outcomes.
Identification of a novel interaction of 14-3-3 with p190RhoGEF.

Activation of Rho GTPases by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) mediates a broad range of cytoskeletal alterations that determine cell shape. In the nervous system, Rho GTPases are essential for establishing highly asymmetrical neuronal forms and may fine-tune the shape of dendrites in differentiated neurons. p190RhoGEF is a brain-enriched, RhoA-specific GEF whose highly interactive C-terminal domain provides potential linkage to multiple pathways in the cell. In the present study, a yeast two-hybrid screen was used to identify 14-3-3η and 14-3-3e as additional binding partners of p190RhoGEF. Interactions between p190RhoGEF and 14-3-3η were confirmed biochemically and by colocalization of the respective proteins when fused to fluorescent markers and transfected in neuronal cells. We also mapped a unique phosphorylation-independent binding site (I1370QAIQNL) in p190RhoGEF. Deletion of the binding site abolished interactions in vitro as well as the ability of 14-3-3η to alter the cytoplasmic aggregation of p190RhoGEF in cotransfected cells. The findings suggest a potential role for 14-3-3 in modulating p190RhoGEF activity or in linking p190RhoGEF to the activities of other pathways in the neuron.
Solubility and partitioning of Ar in anorthite, diopside, forsterite, spinel, and synthetic basaltic liquids

The solubility and partitioning of Ar in natural anorthite, diopside, forsterite, spinel, and synthetic iron-free basaltic melts was investigated using a new technique that obviates the postquenching phase separation. It was found that the solubility of Ar in the minerals was surprisingly high. Moreover, the solubility of Ar in different samples of a particular mineral run in the same experiment varied more than the solubility in the same sample run in different experiments, suggesting that noble gases are held in lattice vacancy defects. Moreover, the results of TEM imaging revealed no anomalous microstructures, while EXAFS studies of some samples showed that Kr has no preferred site in the lattices, supporting the defect siting conclusion.
How do children and funerals mix

Although no specific post-funeral syndrome seems to exist, many, if not most, children under the age of six or seven seem not benefited psychologically by attending a funeral. Although some young children can tolerate funerals well if sensitively supported by their parents, the fact is that such support is more often absent than present. One useful indicator of the parents' ability to make the funeral experience a positive one is whether or not the child wishes to attend. A child, no matter how young, who feels secure in attending should usually do so. Conversely, a child who refuses or is steadfastly reluctant to attend a funeral is usually perceiving accurately his parents' inability in their own mourning to provide him with adequate support for this emotionally charged endeavor.
New Approaches to Visual Rehabilitation for Cortical Blindness: Outcomes and Putative Mechanisms

Cortical blindness is a chronic loss of vision following damage to the primary visual cortex (V1) or its postchiasmal afferents. Such damage is followed by a brief period of spontaneous plasticity that rarely lasts beyond 6 months. Following this initial phase, the visual deficit is thought to be stable, intractable, and permanent. Cortically blind subjects demonstrate spontaneous oculomotor adaptations to their deficits that can be further improved by saccadic localization training. However, saccadic training does not improve visual sensitivity in the blind field. In contrast, recent studies by a number of independent groups suggest that localized, repetitive perceptual training can improve visual sensitivity in the blind field, although mechanisms underlying the observed recovery remain unclear. This review discusses the current literature on rehabilitative strategies used for cortical blindness with emphasis on the use of perceptual training methods. The putative mechanisms that underlie the resulting, training-induced visual improvements are then outlined, along with the special challenges posed to their elucidation by the great variability in the extent and sometimes nature of the V1 damage sustained in different individuals.
Noncardiac chest pain in adolescents and children with mitral valve prolapse

Abstract Chest pain in adolescents and children is usually not of cardiac origin. Of cardiac conditions commonly linked to chest pain in childhood, mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most prevalent, but this association has recently been questioned. In light of recent reports of gastroesophageal sources of chest pain in adults with MVP, we performed a comprehensive gastroesophageal evaluation of 17 preadolescents and adolescents with mitral valve prolapse who had chest pain as their presenting symptom. Evaluation consisted of esophageal manometry, Bernstein test, esophageal pH probe, and/or esophagogastroscopy. Fourteen of the 17 patients had at least one abnormal finding. Five patients had esophagitis, five had gastritis, one had high-amplitude esophageal contractions, one had abnormal esophageal manometry with positive Bernstein test, one had esophageal reflux and positive Bernstein test, and one had abnormal manometry with esophageal reflux. The 13 patients with esophagitis, gastritis, reflux, or positive Bernstein test were treated with antacid, with resolution of chest pain in 12 patients. Two of these patients underwent follow-up endoscopy with documentation of improvement. The patient with high-amplitude esophageal contractions was treated with dicyclomine, which resulted in resolution of chest pain. The observation that the chest pain was not related to mitral valve prolapse is important in clinical practice and raises further questions as to whether mitral valve prolapse causes chest pain.
The integration of photoacoustic imaging and high intensity focused ultrasound

We have developed an integrated photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system for solid tumor treatment. A single-element, spherically focused ultrasonic transducer, with a central frequency of 5MHz, was used to generate a HIFU field in soft tissue. The same ultrasonic transducer was also used as a detector during photoacoustic imaging before and after HIFU treatments. During each experiment, targeted soft tissue was first imaged by PAI. The resulted image was used for the planning of subsequent HIFU treatment. After HIFU treatment, the sample was imaged again by PAI to evaluate the treatment result. Good contrast was obtained between photoacoustic images before and after HIFU treatment. It is concluded that PA imaging technology may potentially be combined with HIFU treatment for imaging-guided therapy.
Electrostatic sources of electric power

Because they are inherent in the structure of matter, electrostatic phenomena were noted and recorded even in ancient times. However, neglect of their practical application to the generation and utilization of electric power has resulted from the slow development of insulating media. From this viewpoint, the author examines the voltageinsulating qualities of compressed gases and high vacuum and the prospects for obtaining compact machinery so insulated.
Development of a 1 W passive DMFC

Abstract In this paper, development techniques for a passive DMFC prototype in the 1 W range are described in detail. The prototype includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel tank and a passive ancillary system (termed “thermal-fluids management system” in this paper). The fuel cell stack in this study incorporates a window-frame structure that provides a large open area for more efficient mass transfer and is modular. Two stack units connected in series, with a total combined active area of 72.0 cm2, are used in the prototype. The thermal-fluids management system utilizes passive approaches for fuel storage and delivery, air-breathing, water management, CO2 release, and thermal management. The air filter also serves as a waterproof layer for the cathode in order to prevent water contamination. Water immersion tests are conducted to evaluate the air filter. The performance evaluation of the prototype is performed in two fuel feeding modes: dilute methanol solution and pure methanol. A peak power output of 1.5 W is achieved with the dilute methanol solution feed.
Crystal–liquid surface energies from transient nucleation

Abstract A new method for the determination of the crystal–liquid surface energy, σ , from transient nucleation data is described and applied to lithium disilicate glasses (LS 2 ). The method is based upon the use of experimentally determined induction times, nucleation rates and free energy data in conjunction with the Shneidman expression for transient nucleation. Assuming homogeneous nucleation in LS 2 , surface energies are obtained directly from this analysis using data from single-stage nucleation experiments. In order to extend the applicable temperature range for this method, two-stage nucleation data are also used. Results indicate an apparent positive temperature coefficient of σ . Values of surface energies are used to calculate nucleation rates, which are compared with measurements.
Selective Oxidation to Form Dielectric Apertures for Low Threshold VCSELs and Microcavity Spontaneous Light Emitters

Selective oxidation of AlAs (or AlGaAs) can be used to form buried, low refractive index apertures within high Q Fabry-Perot microcavities. These apertures provide electrical and optical confinement, and for vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have resulted in ultra-low threshold room temperature lasing with threshold currents under 25 μA. When used with quantum dot light emitters, the oxide-apertured microcavity can also be used to control the spontaneous lifetime. We describe the microcavity fabrication based on high Q Fabry-Perot microcavities and selective oxidation, and design and cavity Q constraints for apertured microcavities for quantum well and quantum dot VCSELs and microcavity LEDs. Threshold current densities of quantum well VCSELs are as low as 98 A/cm2, while ground state lasing is also obtained for quantum dot VCSELs. Our initial experiments on microcavities with very small apertures and quantum dot emitters demonstrate up to a factor of 2.3 increase in the spontaneous emission rate.
Adaptive rate transmission with opportunistic scheduling in wireless networks

In this paper, we study the adaptive rate transmission with opportunistic scheduling in two-hop relaying networks, in which only channel state information (CSI) at receivers are available. Previous work [5] that proposed an opportunistic relaying scheme has focused on the fixed rate transmission. We develop an adaptive rate transmission scheme according to instantaneous channel connections. The scheme operates with cooperative relays and opportunistic scheduling for adaptive rate transmission, to improve the throughput performance. We obtain the exact throughput expression and we show that the advantage using adaptive rate transmission over fixed rate transmission is the multiplicative factor of log log n, where n is the number of users. Furthermore, we prove that the throughput achieved by the adaptive rate transmission scheme is actually the optimal throughput for two-hop relaying networks. Numerical results are presented, indicating the alignment with our theoretical analysis.
A new approach to computing generators for U(g)K

Abstract Let ( G , K ) be the complex symmetric pair associated with a real reductive Lie group G 0 . We discuss an algorithmic approach to computing generators for the centralizer of K in the universal enveloping algebra of g . In particular, we compute explicit generators for the cases G 0 = SU ( 2 , 2 ) , SL ( 3 , R ) , SL ( 4 , R ) , Sp ( 4 , R ) , and the exceptional group G 2 ( 2 ) .
The Role of Protein and Membrane Context in the Interaction of Polyglutamine Peptides with Lipid Membranes

Huntington's disease is a dominant genetic neurodegenerative disorder associated with motor and cognitive decline, caused by a mutation in the poly-glutamine (polyQ) region near the N-terminus of the huntingtin (htt) protein. Expansion of the polyQ region above 35-40 repeats results in the disease that is characterized by inclusion body aggregates of mutated protein. The polyQ expansion in htt flanked by a 17 amino acid N-terminal sequence (Nt17) and a proline-rich (polyP) region. To investigate the interaction between htt exon1 and lipid membranes, a combination of Langmuir trough techniques and vesicle permeability assays measuring calcein leakage were used to directly monitor the interaction of a variety of synthetic polyQ peptides with different combinations of flanking sequences (KK-Q35-KK, KK-Q35-P10-KK, Nt17-Q35-KK, and Nt17-Q35-P10-KK) on total brain lipid extract (TBLE) model membranes. PolyQ peptides that lacked the Nt17 domain did not appreciably aggregate on or insert into lipid membranes. Nt17 facilitated the interaction of peptides with lipid surfaces while the polyP region enhanced this interaction. Our data suggests that the Nt17 domain plays a critical role in htt binding and aggregation on lipid membranes, and this lipid/htt interaction can be further modulated by the presence of the polyP domain. The addition of cholesterol to TBLE model membranes, to determine its role in htt-membrane interactions, resulted in reduced peptide insertion into lipid monolayers and decreased levels of induced vesicle permeability, though the effect does not scale linearly with cholesterol concentration. Results from parallel studies performed with ganglioside GM1 and sphingomyelin to determine their role will also be presented.
Chemical communication of reproductive status in female cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipusoedipus)

Among Callitrichids, scent secretions have been identified as carrying information regarding species, subspecies, gender, social status, individuality, hormonal status, and timing of ovulation. We propose that information regarding familiarity and reproductive status is also communicated. Seven male-female pairs of cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus oedipus) were presented with several drops of distilled water, a scent secretion from the female of that pair, scent secretions from unfamiliar, reproductively mature but noncycling females, and scent secretions from unfamiliar, reproductively cycling females. Behavioral responses from both males and females were recorded over a 10 min period. Differences in behavioral response for both males and females were significant across all four conditions. This indicates that cotton-top tamarins are capable of discriminating a familiar scent from an unfamiliar scent as well as the reproductive status of an unfamiliar female. The communication of this information may play an important role in regulating mate selection, reducing reproductive competition, and stabilizing transfers in and out of groups in the wild.
Are preference reversals reduced when made explicit

Previous research has shown that preferences for options, such as gambles, can reverse depending on the response mode. These preference reversals have been demonstrated when tasks were performed sequentially. That is, subjects completed one task before beginning another. In an attempt to eliminate preference reversals, we asked subjects to perform tasks simultaneously. That is, subjects made two types of responses for each pair of gambles before evaluating the next pair. In the condition with no financial incentives, preference reversal rates were slightly reduced. In another condition, subjects were paid for their participation and they were allowed to play a gamble with real monetary compensation. A gamble pair was randomly selected, and if a subject's responses in the two tasks were consistent for that pair, he or she was allowed to play the ‘preferred’ gamble. Otherwise, the experimenter selected the gamble from the pair. With these financial incentives, systematic preference reversals were eliminated for two of the three task combinations. Preference reversals continued to occur for attractiveness ratings versus selling prices, although, even for that pair of tasks, the reversal rate was significantly reduced. For all three task pairs, preference orders from the two tasks appeared to merge into more consistent orders.
Observation of temporary liquid crystals in water-in-oil microemulsion systems

Abstract The transport of components from a water-poor microemulsion brought in contact with water gave rise to temporary liquid crystals in the system. The experimental conditions decided if the birefringent liquid crystalline dispersion should be found in the aqueous or in the oil layer. The main condition turned out to be the relative amount of the oil phase and the aqueous phase; the liquid crystal was predominantly found in the phase with the least volume.
Coexistence of enkephalin and dynorphin immunoreactivities in neurons in the dorsal gray commissure of the sixth lumbar and first sacral spinal cord segments in rat.

The dorsal gray commissure (DGC) of the sixth lumbar (L6) and first sacral (S1) spinal cord segments in the rat has been shown to contain several different peptides, including enkephalin (ENK) and dynorphin (DYN). The present study was conducted to determine if DYN and ENK immunoreactivities coexist in neurons in the DGC in L6 and S1. Coexistence was determined using the elution/restaining technique of Tramu in which sections were stained first with anti-DYN then with anti-ENK after elution of the DYN antiserum. The number and location of DYN-immunoreactive cells was compared to the number and location of ENK-immunoreactive cells using photographic negatives. Of 67 ENK-immunoreactive cells counted in 20 sections through L6, 54 also contained DYN immunoreactivity. Of 100 ENK-immunoreactive cells counted in 47 sections through S1, 95 also contained DYN immunoreactivity. No cells with only DYN immunoreactivity were seen. S1 was found to contain a significantly greater number (P < 0.005) of ENK-immunoreactive cells that also contained DYN than L6. The results of these studies indicate that ENK and DYN immunoreactivities coexist in most, but not all, neurons in the DGC of L6 and S1 and that a difference exists between L6 and S1 in the extent of coexistence of these peptides. Further studies are necessary to determine if coexistence of opioids is limited only to autonomic regions of the nervous system and also to define the functional significance of this coexistence.
Noble Metal Decoration and Alignment of Carbon Nanotubes in Carboxymethyl Cellulose

A facile microwave method (MW) is described that accomplishes alignment and decoration of noble metals on carbon nanotubes (CNT) wrapped with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Carbon nanotubes such as single- and multi-walled, and Buckminsterfullerene (C-60) are well dispersed using the sodium salt of CMC under sonication. Addition of respective noble metal salts then generates noble metal-decorated CNT composites at room temperature. However, aligned nanocomposites of CNTs could only be generated by exposing the above nanocomposites to MW irradiation. The CNT composites are characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray mapping, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The general preparative procedure is versatile and provides a simple route to manufacturing useful metal-coated CNT nanocomposites.
The effect of transforming growth factor β on rates of procollagen synthesis and degradation in vitro

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is known to stimulate procollagen production and steady-state levels of procollagen mRNAs, but its ability to affect post-translational processing of procollagen has been little studied. This paper demonstrates the application of recently developed ultrasensitive methods for measuring hydroxyproline to assess rates of procollagen synthesis and degradation in vitro with and without TGF-beta. Foetal rat fibroblasts synthesized 8.63 +/- 0.21 pmol hydroxyproline/mu-g DNA per h, which corresponds to approx. 40 molecules of procollagen/cell per s. Addition of TGF-beta to cultures increased total amounts of procollagen synthesized and degraded by 112% and 82%, respectively, but there was a significant decrease in the proportion of procollagen degraded (control, 38.0 +/- 1.1%; TGF-beta, 32.3 +/- 0.9%; P < 0.005). This study demonstrates a novel mechanism which may contribute to the TGF-beta-induced increase in procollagen production by fibroblasts.
Critical Reflection Mapping as a Hybrid Methodology for Examining Sociospatial Perceptions of New Research Sites

We introduce critical reflection mapping as a novel and hybrid research methodology for examining the sociospatial perceptions of researchers in new research settings, particularly international ones. The methodology, theoretically situated within the critical geographic information systems literature, combines two existing research methods (qualitative sketch mapping and critical reflection) to elicit original ways in which researchers can critically reflect on an area new to them while spatially linking these qualitative place-based reflections to sketch maps. The methodology allows for synergistic data sets to inform each other and to be analyzed together rather than separately. Through critical reflection mapping, we demonstrate how multiple data sets and methods are combined so that critical reflection and word clouds add significant intellectual value by making another layer of textual information immediately accessible to qualitative sketch mapping data analysis. We present two case studies in Beli...
The Impact of Chinese Exchange Rate Policy on the Rest of the World: Evidence from Firm-Level Data

Abstract This paper aims to gauge the global effect of renminbi revaluation on stock markets. Using data on 12,300 firms in operating in tradable sectors in 44 economies, we find that expectations of renminbi appreciation reduce the relative stock returns of firms providing components or raw materials to China as inputs for that country's exports. We also find some evidence that expectations of renminbi appreciation reduce the stock prices of financially constrained firms.
On exponential h-expansiveness of semigroups of operators in Banach spaces

This paper introduces the concept of exponential h-expansiveness for semigroups of nonlinear operators, which is an extension of classical concept of exponential expansiveness. Following the idea of obtaining an unitary treatment for stability and expansiveness, necessary and sufficient conditions for exponential h-expansiveness are given. As particular cases, the variants for exponential expansiveness of some well-known stability results due to Datko, Pazy, Ichikawa, Rolewicz and Neerven are obtained.
High-precision location of pre-eruption seismicity at Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, 30 May–3 June, 1991

Abstract We applied waveform cross-correlation (WCC) to a selected set of 153 volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes that occurred at Mount Pinatubo from 30 May through 3 June, 1991, to determine improved relative P-wave arrival times and locations. Simultaneous inversion for hypocenters and velocity model parameters using the refined arrival times resulted in extremely low arrival time misfits and well-constrained relative earthquake locations. Pre-eruption earthquakes from this time period occurred in two groups: a shallow group located almost directly below the Mount Pinatubo summit, at depths of 2–4 km, and a deeper group located 3–5 km northwest (NW) of the summit, at depths of 3–7 km. We found that most off-summit earthquakes in this time period occurred along a plane dipping approximately 60° and striking approximately 60°E of north. This feature may have been a fault reactivated by Mount Pinatubo’s magmatic activity. The previously diffuse summit cluster collapsed from a cloud to a narrow, roughly linear feature, accompanied by a separate, shallower group of events. These features were not visible in previous studies of Mount Pinatubo seismicity, indicating the importance of high-precision arrival time picks for interpreting volcano seismicity.
Tests of semiclassical theory for rotationally inelastic scattering

Abstract Rotationally inelastic, total integral cross sections are calculated for a model atom-rigid rotor system according to the quantal sudden rotation (IOS) approximation and the classical limit thereof. Errors in the semiclassical results can be substantial depending on the magnitude of both the initial and final rotational quantum numbers.
Topoisomerase II may be linked to the reduction of chromosome number in meiosis.

A reduction of chromosome number in meiosis is essential for genome transmission in diploid organisms. Reduction depends on a change in kinetochore configuration.1 A recent study2 connects changes in kinetochores with other changes in chromosome structure and raises the intriguing possibility that topoisomerase II, the DNA untangling enzyme, is involved. BioEssays 25:309–312, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Information storage density of magnetic recording and other systems

Information storage density in bits per cubic centimeter are compared for various media including magnetic tape, phonograph records, photographic film, the human nervous system, and biological genetics. Magnetic recording is on a par with other man-made systems; but all of these are poorer by many orders of magnitude than genetics. An analogy between contact printing of tapes and genetic replication shows the superiority of the latter. Factors which limit the ultimate density of magnetic recording are discussed: gap-length, straightness, shunt effect, azimuth; tape surface, stability, particle size; head-tape contact, drive stability; amplifier noise, and demagnetization.
Quasicontinuous state hidden Markov models incorporating state histories

The Markovity assumed in conventional hidden Markov models (HMMs) does not necessarily match the statistical structure of many real signals, since many signals have long-term dependencies. In this paper, we generalize the concept of the HMM state to include the history of states or previous models leading to a state, while still limiting the number of basic states to a finite number. This expanded state is efficiently represented using real-numbered states, the fractional part representing the history. State sequence estimation is accomplished using an extension of the Viterbi algorithm. Parameters estimation for state transition probabilities and output distributions is presented.
Toward an experimental foundation for benefit-cost analysis ☆

Abstract Empirical results from experimental economics and neuroscience have uncovered regularities in human behavior that may provide a base for new approaches to welfare theory and economic policy. These empirical findings do not challenge basic economic concepts but they do imply that our assumptions about “rational behavior”, “opportunity cost”, and “social welfare” should be revised using sound scientific evidence and methods. This research has the potential to make benefit-cost analysis more reflective of how people value gains and losses, and more responsive to considerations of environmental and social responsibility.
Enhancement of Serum-response Factor-dependent Transcription and DNA Binding by the Architectural Transcription Factor HMG-I(Y)

The mechanisms by which HMG-I proteins regulate cell growth are unknown, and their effects on gene expression have only been partially elucidated. We explored the potential interaction between HMG-I proteins and serum-response factor (SRF), a member of the MADS-box family of transcription factors. In cotransfection experiments, HMG-I(Y) potentiated SRF-dependent activation (by more than 5-fold) of two distinct SRF-responsive promoters, c-fos and the smooth muscle-specific gene SM22α. This effect was also observed with a heterologous promoter containing multiple copies of the CC(A/T)6GG (CArG) box. HMG-I proteins bound specifically to the CArG boxes of c-fos and SM22α in gel mobility shift analysis and enhanced binding of SRF to these CArG boxes. By chelating peptide-immobilized metal affinity chromatography, we mapped the domain of HMG-I(Y) that interacts with SRF to amino acids 50–81, a region that does not bind specifically to DNA in electrophoretic mobility shift assays even though it includes the third AT-hook DNA-binding domain. Surprisingly, HMG-I(Y) mutants that failed to bind DNA still enhanced SRF binding to DNA and SRF-dependent transcription. In contrast, deletion of the HMG-I(Y) 50–81 domain that bound SRF prevented enhancement of transcription. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an HMG-I protein interacting with a MADS-box transcription factor. Our observations suggest that members of the HMG-I family play an important role in SRF-dependent transcription and that their effect is mediated primarily by a protein-protein interaction.
A model of canopy irradiance in relation to changing leaf area in a phytotron-grown snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) crop

Simple exponential decay models were used to describe the variation in irradiance profiles within a snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) canopy over a 33-day period of canopy development. The extinction coefficients of these models were varied over time as a function of changing canopy leaf area; nonlinear least-squares procedures were used to estimate parameter values. The resultant model response surfaces depict the changes in canopy irradiance that accompany canopy maturation and illustrate the dynamic nature of canopy closure. A criterion index is defined to aid in assessing the applicability of these models for use in whole-plant simulation models, and an evaluation of these models is given based on this index, their predictive accuracy, and the utility for use within varying modeling frameworks.
A mutant of BamHI restriction endonuclease which requires N6-methyladenine for cleavage.

Amino acid residues Asn116 and Ser118 of the restriction endonuclease BamHI make several sequence-specific and water-bridged contacts to the DNA bases. An in vivo selection was used to isolate BamHI variants at position 116, 118 and 122 which maintained sequence specificity to GGATCC sites. Here, the variants N116H, N116H/S118G and S118G were purified and characterized. The variants N116H and N116H/S118G were found to have lost their ability to cleave unmethylated GGATCC sequences by more than two orders of magnitude, while maintaining nearly wild-type levels of activity on the N6-methyladenine-containing sequence, GGmATCC. In contrast, wild-type BamHI and variant S118G have only a three- to fourfold lower activity on unmethylated GGATCC sequences compared with GGmATCC sequences. The N116 to H116 mutation has effectively altered the specificity of BamHI from an endonuclease which recognizes and cleaves GGATCC and GGmATC, to an endonuclease which only cleaves GGmATCC. The N116H change of specificity is due to the lowered binding affinity for the unmethylated sequence because of the loss of two asparagine-DNA hydrogen bonds and the introduction of a favorable van der Waals contact between the imidazole group of histidine and the N6-methyl group of adenine.
JUDGMENT OF EVALUATIVE BALANCE IN SENTENCES

Eight examples each of eight sentence types were generated by combining positively or negatively evaluated concepts as sentence subjects and objects with the verbs love and hate. Correct judgment of evaluative balance or imbalance of the sentences by 42 male and 42 female Ss decreased as the number of negatively evaluated concepts in the sentences increased.
Reversible lattice repacking illustrates the temperature dependence of macromolecular interactions.

Flash-freezing, which has become routine in macromolecular X-ray crystallography, causes the crystal to contract substantially. In the case of Escherichia coli β-galactosidase the changes are reversible and are shown to be due to lattice repacking. On cooling, the area of the protein surface involved in lattice contacts increases by 50%. There are substantial alterations in intermolecular contacts, these changes being dominated by the long, polar side-chains. For entropic reasons such side-chains, as well as surface solvent molecules, tend to be somewhat disordered at room temperature but can form extensive hydrogen-bonded networks on cooling. Low-temperature density measurements suggest that, at least in some cases, the beneficial effect of cryosolvents may be due to a density increase on vitrification which reduces the volume of bulk solvent that needs to be expelled from the crystal. Analysis of β-galactosidase and several other proteins suggests that both intramolecular and intermolecular contact interfaces can be perturbed by cryocooling but that the changes tend to be more dramatic in the latter case. The temperature-dependence of the intermolecular interactions suggests that caution may be necessary in interpreting protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions based on low-temperature crystal structures.
Gene mining, bioinformatics and functional genomics in human arthritis and inflammatory diseases ex vivo

Differential display of gene expression in normal and diseased cell/tissue has become an important component of gene mining. Human arthritis-affected tissue shows superinduction of inflammatory mediators and proteases involved in cell regulation, tissue modeling, and receptors/ligands involved in cell/matrix interactions. In the present study, we describe a method to identify novel regulatory proteases. This includes the RT-PCR analysis of conserved domains of proteases (gene mining), identification (by bioinformatics), and characterization (by ex vivo organ cultures) of TNFα convertase (TACE) known to process proTNFα to soluble TNFα. This enzyme is a potential target for pharmacological intervention of TNFα known to be involved in the pathophysiology of various diseases. Drug Dev. Res. 49:22–28, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Fermion-field nontopological solitons

The interaction between a scalar field and a set of n fermion fields in three space dimensions is investigated by decomposing the total Hamiltonian H into a sum of two terms: H = H/sub qcl/ + H/sub corr/, where H/sub qcl/ denotes the quasiclassical part and H/sub corr/ the quantum correction. General theorems are given for H/sub qcl/ concerning the existence of soliton solutions, the general properties of such solutions, and the condition under which the lowest energy state of H/sub qcl/ is a soliton solution, not the usual plane-wave solution. The effects of the quantum-correction term H/sub corr/ are examined. It is shown that the quasiclassical solution is a good approximation to the quantum solution over a wide range of the coupling constant. The approximation becomes very good when the fermion number N is large. Even for small N (2 or 3) and weak coupling, the quasiclassical solution remains a fairly good approximation. In the strong-coupling region and for arbitrary N, the quasiclassical approximation becomes again very good, at least when the fermions are nonrelativistic. The question whether the relativistic quantum field theory has a strong-coupling limit or not is not resolved.
Rural development in China

The topics in this book deal primarily with more or less conventional attempts to measure what happened to agricultural production and the distribution of income, health, and education in the countryside. The approach is both historical and quantitative. Also, the book describes the many shifts and turns in Chinese agricultural policy, which can be explained without resort to political considerations. The book focuses on agricultural production, agricultural growth, institutional changes, income distribution, health care, and rural education. This study is not the definitive work in China's rural development experience. It is more a summary of what outsiders have learned about that experience in the past three decades.
Comparative aspects of meiotic cell cycle control in mammals

This review examines the mechanisms of cell cycle control in mammalian germ cells with respect to species-specific variations in reproductive strategies. While sex-specific variants are evidenced at the level of checkpoint controls, the timing of meiotic progression, and the modulation of meiosis by hormonal cues, local somatic cell influences impose a hierarchical order to both the initiation and completion of gametogenesis. In the particular case of meiosis in females the rules governing entry into meiotic prophase during gonadal development are generally conserved. In contrast, the regulation of meiotic arrest in developing ovarian follicles, the reinitiation of meiosis at ovulation, and the completion of meiosis upon fertilization involves changes in both the cell cycle machinery and execution of external cues. The overall efficiency of meiotic progression is determined by inputs, mediated by cell contact and/or growth factor, which coordinate oogenesis with folliculogenesis and ensure appropriate and species-specific ovulatory outputs (monovular or polyovular). How mechanisms of meiotic cell cycle control can be exploited to improve gamete quality or interfere with fertility is discussed.
Dietary and Activity Correlates of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To examine the dietary and activity correlates of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by children in middle and high school. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 15 283 children in middle and high schools in Texas. Consumption of sodas and noncarbonated flavored and sports beverages (FSBs) were examined separately for their associations with the level of (1) unhealthy food (fried meats, French fries, desserts) consumption, (2) healthy food (vegetables, fruit, and milk) consumption, (3) physical activity including usual vigorous physical activity and participation in organized physical activity, and (4) sedentary activity, including hours spent watching television, using the computer, and playing video games. RESULTS: For both genders, consumption of soda and FSBs was systematically associated with a number of unhealthy dietary practices and with sedentary behaviors. However, consumption of FSBs showed significant positive graded associations with several healthy dietary practices and level of physical activity, whereas soda consumption showed no such associations with healthy behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of FSBs coexists with healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors, which suggests popular misperception of these beverages as being consistent with a healthy lifestyle. Assessment and obesity-prevention efforts that target sugar-sweetened beverages need to distinguish between FSBs and sodas.