cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Causality and pathway search in microarray time series experiment

Motivation: Interaction among time series can be explored in many ways. All the approach has the usual problem of low power and high dimensional model. Here we attempted to build a causality network among a set of time series. The causality has been established by Granger causality, and then constructing the pathway has been implemented by finding the Minimal Spanning Tree within each connected component of the inferred network. False discovery rate measurement has been used to identify the most significant causalities. Results: Simulation shows good convergence and accuracy of the algorithm. Robustness of the procedure has been demonstrated by applying the algorithm in a non-stationary time series setup. Application of the algorithm in a real dataset identified many causalities, with some overlap with previously known ones. Assembled network of the genes reveals features of the network that are common wisdom about naturally occurring networks. Contact:nitai@lilly.com; chatterjee@stat.umn.edu
A Classic Caribbean Algal Ridge, Holandés Cays, Panamá: an Algal Coated Storm Deposit

Twenty-seven radiocarbon dates of cores recovered from six drill holes indicate that the relief of the ridge on the seaward edge of the Holandes Cays, San Blas, off the Caribbean coast of Panama, was formed by storm deposits about 2,000 to 2,800 years ago. Although crustose coralline algae are a dominant component of the surface cover on this outer ridge, they played a minor role in the construction of the framework of this bioherm, which therefore cannot be classified as an algal ridge. The framework of the ridge consists dominantly of Agaricia/Millepora rubble that is extensively lithified by micritic submarine Mg-calcite cement. The present-day surface of this area in the Holandes Cays is primarily one of widespread bioerosion with very little indication of substrate accumulation over the past 2,000 years.
Uncoupling of Myocardial β-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: The Role of GRK2

Background Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cardioplegic arrest during cardiac surgery leads to desensitization of myocardial β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs). Impaired signaling through this pathway can have a detrimental effect on ventricular function and increased need for inotropic support. The mechanism of myocardial β-AR desensitization during cardiac surgery has not been defined. This study investigates the role of G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2), a serine-threonine kinase which phosphorylates and desensitizes agonist-occupied β-ARs, as a primary mechanism of β-AR uncoupling during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with CPB and cardioplegic arrest. Methods Forty-eight patients undergoing elective CABG were enrolled in this study. Myocardial β-AR signaling was assessed by measuring total β-AR density and adenylyl cyclase activity in right atrial biopsies obtained before CPB and just before weaning from CPB. Myocardial GRK2 expression and activity were also measured before CPB and just before weaning from CPB. Results Myocardial β-AR signaling was significantly impaired after CPB and cardioplegic arrest during CABG. Cardiac GRK2 expression was not altered; however, there was a twofold increase in GRK2 activity during CABG. There was an even greater elevation in cardiac GRK2 activity in patients with severely depressed ventricular function. Conclusions Increased myocardial GRK2 activity appears to be the primary mechanism of impaired β-AR signaling during CABG with CPB and cardioplegic arrest. This may contribute to the greater need for inotropic support in patients with severe ventricular dysfunction. Strategies to inhibit activation of GRK2 during CABG may decrease morbidity in this patient population.
Hole mobilities in films of a pyrazoline:polycarbonate molecularly doped polymer.

The hole mobilities \ensuremath{\mu} of solution cast 1-phenyl-3-p-diethylaminostyryl-5-p-diethylphenyl-pyrazoline:polycarbonate (DEASP:PC) thin films have been characterized by the time-of-flight technique. The mobilities were measured for DEASP doping concentrations in the range 10\char21{}90 % over a wide range of temperatures and electric fields, including measurements above the glass transition temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{g}}$, and analyzed with use of recently suggested deconvolution procedures. The independence of the activation energy on the calculated distance between DEASP molecules \ensuremath{\rho} and the exponential dependence of \ensuremath{\mu} on \ensuremath{\rho} suggest nonadiabatic small-polaron hopping is occurring, as was concluded for the molecularly doped polymer hydrazone:PC. The decrease in activation energy above the glass transition temperature is clear evidence of the role of the polymer matrix in determining the activation energy. The electric-field dependence of \ensuremath{\mu}, while similar to previous measurements, i.e., ln\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\propto} \ensuremath{\surd}E , provides significant new information. We report the first characterization of the field dependence of \ensuremath{\mu} above the glass transition temperature: It appears to be unaffected by ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{g}}$, in contrast to the behavior of the activation energy. We also report the first observation of a mobility that decreases as the electric field increases at 10% DEASP concentration above 370 K. This result is contrary to the predictions of several investigators, but consistent with empirical equations suggested earlier.
Risk assessment in child welfare: the art and science

This paper is an analysis of the current state of risk assessment in child welfare practice. The art (practice wisdom) and science (empirically based instruments) of risk assessment are highlighted and provide a unique focus on risk assessment than has previously been presented in the literature. Factors predicting the occurrence and the recurrence of child maltreatment are discussed, prior research is examined, and methodological problems and limitations are provided. Recommendations are offered on the integration of art and science in risk assessment to formulate the most effective and holistic assessment of the family.
Hydroponic potato production on nutrients derived from anaerobically-processed potato plant residues

Bioregenerative methods are being developed for recycling plant minerals from harvested inedible biomass as part of NASA's Advanced Life Support (ALS) research. Anaerobic processing produces secondary metabolites, a food source for yeast production, while providing a source of water soluble nutrients for plant growth. Since NH4-N is the nitrogen product, processing the effluent through a nitrification reactor was used to convert this to NO3-N, a more acceptable form for plants. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Norland plants were used to test the effects of anaerobically-produced effluent after processing through a yeast reactor or nitrification reactor. These treatments were compared to a mixed-N treatment (75:25, NO3:NH4) or a NO3-N control, both containing only reagent-grade salts. Plant growth and tuber yields were greatest in the NO3-N control and yeast reactor effluent treatments, which is noteworthy, considering the yeast reactor treatment had high organic loading in the nutrient solution and concomitant microbial activity.
The effects of physiological noise on the auditory threshold.

Psychometric function slopes and false positive rates were obtained from two groups of 10 subjects each: a normal group observed both with and without external auditory canal occlusion, and a group...
Some properties of canonical correlations and variates in infinite dimensions

In this paper the notion of functional canonical correlation as a maximum of correlations of linear functionals is explored. It is shown that the population functional canonical correlation is in general well defined, but that it is a supremum rather than a maximum, so that a pair of canonical variates may not exist in the spaces considered. Also the relation with the maximum eigenvalue of an associated pair of operators and the corresponding eigenvectors is not in general valid. When the inverses of the operators involved are regularized, however, all of the above properties are restored. Relations between the actual population quantities and their regularized versions are also established. The sample functional canonical correlations can be regularized in a similar way, and consistency is shown at a fixed level of the regularization parameter.
Mitochondrial DNA spectra of single human CD34+ cells, T cells, B cells, and granulocytes

Previously, we described the age-dependent accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, leading to a high degree of mtDNA heterogeneity among normal marrow and blood CD34+ clones and in granulocytes. We established a method for sequence analysis of single cells. We show marked, distinct mtDNA heterogeneity from corresponding aggregate sequences in isolated cells of 5 healthy adult donors—37.9% ± 3.6% heterogeneity in circulating CD34+ cells, 36.4% ± 14.1% in T cells, 36.0% ± 10.7% in B cells, and 47.7% ± 7.4% in granulocytes. Most heterogeneity was caused by poly-C tract variability; however, base substitutions were also prevalent, as follows: 14.7% ± 5.7% in CD34+ cells, 15.2% ± 9.0% in T cells, 15.4% ± 6.7% in B cells, and 32.3% ± 2.4% in granulocytes. Many poly-C tract length differences and specific point mutations seen in these same donors but assayed 2 years earlier were still present in the new CD34+ samples. Additionally, specific poly-C tract differences and point mutations were frequently shared among cells of the lymphoid and myeloid lineages. Secular stability and lineage sharing of mtDNA sequence variability suggest that mutations arise in the lymphohematopoietic stem cell compartment and that these changes may be used as a natural genetic marker to estimate the number of active stem cells.
Psychopathic personality traits, intelligence, and economic success

A wealth of research has revealed that psychopathy and psychopathic personality traits are associated with criminal involvement. Comparatively less research, however, has examined whether psychopathic personality traits influence economic outcomes in adulthood. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by analyzing data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The results of the analyses indicate that psychopathic personality traits are negatively related to a number of economic outcomes, including household income and employment history measures. Individuals with high levels of psychopathic personality traits were found to have lower household incomes and to be fired more frequently than individuals with lower levels of psychopathic personality traits. Unexpectedly, psychopathic personality traits were also found to be negatively associated with household debt. There was also some evidence that the effect of psychopathic personality traits was moderated by intelligenc...
15.6 12b 250MS/S pipelined ADC with virtual ground reference buffers

High-performance op-amps in a switched-capacitor pipelined ADC consume high power to meet accuracy and speed requirements. This is aggravated by the decrease in intrinsic transistor gain and voltage headroom in nanoscale CMOS. Developments in pipelined ADCs have taken many unique directions to address these issues. Digital calibration of nonlinearity has enabled the use of low-performance op-amps [1]. Non-op-amp-based approaches, such as zero-crossing-based circuits (ZCBC) [2], the pulsed bucket brigade (PBB) [3], and the ring amplifier (RA) [4], have also been explored. This work presents a virtual ground reference buffer approach to significantly relax key op-amp specifications including unity-gain bandwidth, noise, and open-loop gain. Since the op-amp is allowed to settle fully, calibration to remove charge-transfer error in PBB and low gain or non-settling op-amp-based circuits is unnecessary. Also the transient current and corresponding voltage drop across switches and reference buffers in the ZCBCs and in non-settling op-amp-based circuits are avoided. The circuit is also shown to achieve higher maximum operating speed than alternative methods.
A measure of time series' predictability using genetic programming applied to stock returns

Based on the standard genetic programming (GP) paradigm, we introduce a new probability measure of time series' predictability. It is computed as a ratio of two fitness values (SSE) from GP runs. One value belongs to a subject series, while the other belongs to the same series after it is randomly shuffled. Theoretically, the boundaries of the measure are between zero and 100, where zero characterizes stochastic processes while 100 typifies predictable ones. To evaluate its performance, we first apply it to experimental data. It is then applied to eight Dow Jones stock returns. This measure may reduce model search space and produce more reliable forecast models. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serology of H-Y antigen

Anti-H-Y antiserum is generally obtained from female inbred mice or rats that have been hyperimmunized with syngeneic male cells. The specificity of such antiserum is defined by its reactivity for male but not female cells. A number of conventional serological assays have been used to measure that reactivity. However, H-Y is a weak antigen, evidently represented sparingly on the surfaces of cells other than sperm, epidermal cells and brain cells; thus the srological assays for H-Y are technically difficult. Yet H-Y serology has enabled significant progress toward the understanding of primary sex differentiation. A recent advance in H-Y serology is the establishment of monoclonal anti-H-Y antisera which promise to facilitate analysis and clarification of the H-Y system.
Otolaryngologic presentations of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Objectives/hypothesis To determine the incidence of voice disturbance as a presenting symptom of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and describe laryngologic features of ALS. Study design Retrospective review. Methods Records of patients with voice disturbance at a voice center and ALS patients at a neurology clinic were reviewed from January 1998 to March 2003. Results 15 of 1759 patients with voice disturbance were later diagnosed with ALS. Of 220 ALS patients presenting to neurology clinic, 44 had bulbar symptoms and 19 had initially presented to an otolaryngologist. Dysarthria, dysphagia, tongue fasciculation, and incomplete vocal fold closure were common findings. Neuromuscular disease was missed in 8 of 19 ALS patients seen by an otolaryngologist. Conclusions Although otolaryngologists rarely encounter undiagnosed ALS patients, a significant portion of bulbar ALS patients are initially evaluated by otolaryngologists. Significance Vigilance for neuromuscular abnormalities on otolaryngologic exam is important in patients who present with dysarthria, dysphonia, or dysphagia. EBM rating: C.
Terphenyl cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors: optimization of the central ring and o-biphenyl analogs.

Abstract The discovery of terphenyl derivatives as highly selective COX-2 inhibitors resulted from our efforts to overcome poor pharmacokinetics demonstrated by the COX-2 selective diarylthiophene DuP 697 [2-bromo-4-(4′-sulfonylmethyl)phenyl-5-(4′-fluoro)phenylthiophene]. Detailed SAR related to the ortho-biphenyls and variants of the central ring are described herein.
Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders in correctional settings: an ethics review

Opioid use disorders are a pressing health concern that disproportionately impacts the United States (U.S.) correctional population. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based standard of care for opioid use disorders. Despite its availability in the community, MAT and MAT medications (buprenorphine and methadone) are largely unavailable and/or inaccessible for the treatment of opioid use disorders in U.S. prisons and jails. Given that the ethical principles have served as justification for limiting access to MAT on "moral" grounds, this article examines the implications of current correctional policies through the ethical principles of: (1) beneficence/non-maleficence; (2) distributive justice (equivalence-of-care); and (3) autonomy (informed consent). Special attention is paid to the five components of informed consent (capacity, disclosure, understanding, voluntariness, and access), as this facet has been used most often to justify policies that limit access to MAT in the past. Findings highlight that these core ethical principles support the adoption of correctional policies that include MAT. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that autonomy is maximized during the informed consent process when MAT is available as a treatment option.
Magnetic studies of Cu-based organometallic monomers and polymers

We report here magnetic studies of Cu‐based organometallic monomers and polymers. Magnetic susceptibility measurements at high temperature, on monomers having different side groups, show antiferromagnetic Curie–Weiss behavior consistent with a single spin‐1/2 per Cu atom and an antiferromagnetic Curie–Weiss temperature θ≊1 K. The low‐temperature magnetization remains linear to μBH/kBT ≥ 1, suggestive of 1D antiferromagnetic Heisenberg interactions. A sharp decrease in the effective spin per Cu atom is observed in the polymerized organometallic system, with the number of spins decreasing with the degree of polymerization.
THE RATIONALITY OF FUZZY CHOICE FUNCTIONS

If we assume that the preferences of a set of political actors are not cyclic, we would like to know if their collective choices are rationalizable. Given a fuzzy choice rule, do they collectively choose an alternative from the set of undominated alternatives? We consider necessary and sufficient conditions for a partially acyclic fuzzy choice function to be rationalizable. We find that certain fuzzy choice functions that satisfy conditions α and β are rationalizable. Furthermore, any fuzzy choice function that satisfies these two conditions also satisfies Arrow and Warp.
Comparison of MRI and ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT in patients with patellofemoral pain.

Purpose: To determine whether bone metabolic activity corresponds to bone and cartilage damage in patients with patellofemoral pain. Materials and Methods: We acquired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18F-NaF positron emission tomography (PET) / computed tomography (CT) scans of the knees of 22 subjects. We compared locations of increased tracer uptake on the 18F-NaF PET images to bone marrow edema and cartilage damage visualized on MRI. Results: We found that increased bone activity on 18F-NaF PET does not always correspond to structural damage in the bone or cartilage as seen on MRI. Conclusion: Our results suggest that 18F-NaF PET/CT may provide additional information in patellofemoral pain patients compared to MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:928–932. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heat generation and friction in rotating bands

In a numerical model of sliding friction, it is found that surface melting of the rotating band usually occurs before the system has travelled one bund length. Once melting had initiated, it was found that limiting the surface temperature to the melting temperature allowed the coefficient of friction to be found as a dependent parameter. The resulting coefficients of friction agree reasonably well with those found experimentally for rotating bands, particularly if residual heat in the tube is allowed for. The discrepancy between field tests and laboratory tests with pin-disk machines is explained on a basis of insufficent size or pressure to achieve local melting. Presented at the 40th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada May 6–9, 1985
STOCKHOLDER RETURNS AMONG HOMOGENEOUS GROUPS OF MERGERS

A sample of cash and stock merger transactions consummated between 1975 and 1987 is used to form homogeneous groups based on financial characteristics of both bidding and target firms. The results are used to determine how group heterogeneity with respect to financial characteristics influences intergroup differences in both bidding firm and target firm merger returns. Stockholders of bidding firms with attributes that fit the free cash flow hypothesis of merger motivation suffer wealth losses relative to firms that have characteristics consistent with achievement of scale or scope economies or financial synergies. Differences in target and merger portfolio returns are also found.
Characterization of nuclear matrix protein alterations associated with renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES Nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs), which constitute the nuclear skeleton, play a role in regulating gene expression and are thought to play an important role in carcinogenesis. Five NMPs specific to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have been previously identified, RCCA 1 to 5. Our aim was to identify the sequence of these novel NMPs that are associated with RCC. METHODS NMPs were extracted from five conventional clear cell RCC specimens from patients undergoing surgical excision for presumed RCC. The RCCA proteins identified were analyzed by matrix-assisted light desorption ionization mass spectrometry to determine their peptide mass fingerprint. This fingerprint was then analyzed by searching the Mascot and National Institutes of Health BLAST (basic local alignment search tool) databases to determine protein identification. RESULTS Only RCCA-1 and RCCA-2 were able to be consistently identified from each tumor specimen by the reverse staining method necessary to perform mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry peptide mass fingerprinting revealed that RCCA-1 appears to be a differentially spliced form of nucleoporin p54 that has been identified in endometrial carcinoma. RCCA-2 was identified as an albumin-like protein. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of nucleoporin p54 and albumin alterations in RCC. The identification of an abnormal nucleoporin in RCC suggests that alterations in nuclear transport might play a role in the development of this disease. The alterations in these NMPs suggest future areas for investigation in identifying diagnostic markers of, or therapeutic targets for, RCC.
Multi-nephron and multi-vasa recta models of the inner medullary renal concentrating mechanism

Abstract Three multi-nephron vasa recta models of the renal concentrating mechanism are presented. These models are physiologically more realistic than our shunt vasa recta models. It is also shown that by considering the effects of fractional transmural fluxes between tubes and role of the interstitium in the permeability values, these models lead to significant improvements in collecting duct urea and salt concentration ratios.
Photo- and bio-reactivity patterns of dissolved organic matter from biomass and soil leachates and surface waters in a subtropical wetland

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) measurements and optical properties were applied to assess the photo- and bio-reactivity of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from different sources, including biomass leaching, soil leaching and surface waters in a subtropical wetland ecosystem. Samples were exposed to light and/or dark incubated through controlled laboratory experiments. Changes in DOC, ultraviolet (UV-Vis) visible absorbance, and excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) were performed to assess sample degradation. Degradation experiments showed that while significant amounts of DOC were consumed during bio-incubation for biomass leachates, a higher degree of bio-recalcitrance for soil leachate and particularly surface waters was displayed. Photo- and bio-humification transformations were suggested for sawgrass, mangrove, and seagrass leachates, as compared to substantial photo-degradation and very little to almost no change after bio-incubation for the other samples. During photo-degradation in most cases the EEM-PARAFAC components displayed photo-decay as compared to a few cases which featured photo-production. In contrast during bio-incubation most EEM-PARAFAC components proved to be mostly bio-refractory although some increases and decreases in abundance were also observed. Furthermore, the sequential photo- followed by bio-degradation showed, with some exceptions, a "priming effect" of light exposure on the bio-degradation of DOM, and the combination of these two processes resulted in a DOM composition more similar to that of the natural surface water for the different sub-environments. In addition, for leachate samples there was a general enrichment of one of the EEM-PARAFAC humic-like component (Ex/Em: <260(305)/416 nm) during photo-degradation and an enrichment of a microbial humc-like component (Ex/Em: <260(325)/406 nm and of a tryptophan-like component (Ex/Em: 300/342 nm) during the bio-degradation process. This study exemplifies the effectiveness of optical property and EEM-PARAFAC in the assessment of DOM reactivity and highlights the importance of the coupling of photo- and bio-degradation processes in DOM degradation.
Diode laser efficiency increases enable > 400-W peak power from 1-cm bars and show clear path to peak powers in excess of 1-kW

Peak optical power from single 1-cm diode laser bars is advancing rapidly across all commercial wavelengths. Progress in material performance is reviewed and we show that current trends imply there is no fundamental barrier to achieving peak powers of 1-kW per 1-cm diode laser bar. For bars with such high peak powers, commercially available reliable devices would be expected to deliver ~ 300-W per bar. Progress to date has allowed us to demonstrate > 400-W peak output from single 1-cm diode laser bars at emission wavelengths from 800-nm to 980-nm. The available range of emission wavelengths has also been increased, with 90-W bars shown at 660-nm and 24W at 1900-nm, complementing the 100-W bar previously demonstrated at 1470-nm. Peak power is seen to correlate closely peak efficiency. Further advances in diode laser efficiency and low thermal resistance packaging technology continue to drive these powers higher. The most critical improvements have been the reduction in the diode laser operating voltage through optimization of hetero-barriers (leading to 73% efficient 100-W bars on copper micro-channel) and a reduction in packaging thermal resistance by optimizing micro-channel performance (leading to < 0.2-oC/W thermal resistance).
Anti-fouling ultrafiltration membranes containing polyacrylonitrile-graft-poly(ethylene oxide) comb copolymer additives

Abstract Membrane fouling is one of the most important challenges faced in membrane ultrafiltration (UF) operations. In this study, polyacrylonitrile-graft-poly(ethylene oxide) (PAN-g-PEO), an amphiphilic comb copolymer with a water-insoluble polyacrylonitrile (PAN) backbone and hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side chains, was used as an additive in the manufacture of novel PAN UF membranes. During casting, the PAN-g-PEO additive segregates to form a PEO brush layer on all membrane surfaces, including internal pores. Wettability, pure water permeability, and resistance to irreversible fouling increased when either the amount of PAN-g-PEO added to the membrane or the PEO content of the comb copolymer was increased. These trends were consistent with measured adhesion forces between the membranes and a carboxylated latex particle probe in an atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis, and with the near-surface PEO coverage as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed further effects of additive incorporation on membrane morphology. In 24-h dead-end filtration studies, blend membranes prepared with 20 wt% PAN-g-PEO (comb PEO content: 39 wt%) were found to resist irreversible fouling by 1000 ppm solutions of bovine serum albumin (BSA), sodium alginate, and humic acid, recovering the initial pure water flux completely by a pure water rinse, or a backwash in the case of humic acid. This exceptional anti-fouling performance holds promise for extending UF membrane lifetimes without need for aggressive cleaning procedures.
Refinement of the ipsilateral retinocollicular projection is disrupted in double endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene knockout mice.

Abstract Development of retinal connections to the superior colliculus (SC) requires an activity dependent refinement process in which axons gradually become restricted to appropriate retinotopic locations. Nitric oxide has been implicated in this process. We tested this possibility by studying the refinement of the ipsilateral retinocollicular projections (IRP) in normal C57-BL/6 mice and in double knockout mice in which the genes for the edothelial and neuronal isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (e, nNOS) were disrupted. Mice aged between P19 and adulthood were perfused 44–48 h after anterograde injections of WGA-HRP into one eye in order to measure the distribution of the labeled IRP. In normal mice, segregation of the IRP was complete at P21, with the ipsilateral projection restricted to the rostro-medial SC. By contrast, the ipsilateral projection was spread over much more of the SC in double e, nNOS knockouts at P21 with patches of label distributed across the entire medio-lateral axis of the rostral 700 μm. Although the distribution of the ipsilateral projection became more restricted in knockout animals at later ages, it was still more extensive than that of normal mice of the same age at P28 and P42. In the adult, the distribution of axons was similar in both normal and double knockout animals. These results show that refinement of the IRP is delayed when expression of eNOS and nNOS is disrupted, presumably to axons with uncorrelated activity because nitric oxide serves as a repellant molecule during normal development.
Reformulation as a strategy for managing ‘understanding uncertainty’ in office hour interactions between international teaching assistants and American college students

This article provides a discourse analysis of problematic communication in office hour interactions between international teaching assistants and American college students. The goal of the article is to explicate what is termed here as ‘understanding uncertainty’, something which has received little attention in existing studies. The data under consideration consist of a number of dyadic interactions that naturally occurred during office hours. The data analyses revealed that the type of understanding uncertainty as defined here was displayed and managed in six types of reformulations. The findings suggest that reformulation may be used as an interactive strategy to achieve mutual understanding across linguistic and sociocultural boundaries in educational contexts.
The influence of party patronage and state finance on electoral outcomes: Evidence from Romania

Party patronage and party and campaign finance have had a substantial impact on the evolving relationship between Romanian parties and the state. Given that patronage can create clientelistic networks that promote corruption, it is important to understand how patronage is used by parties to control state resources which can be explored through the civil service appointment process, use of local government patronage, the state control of the media and the influence of external monitoring on civil service reform. Party campaign financing (PCF) is a critical example of the party–state relationship, which is often viewed as a means to limit the influence of economic interests and create a more level playing-field among parties. While parties use state resources for electoral gains and as a form of party income, patronage and PCF actually have a modest influence on election outcomes.
In vitro culture of epithelial cells derived from urogenital tissues.

A tissue culture procedure is described which yields a high percentage of successful longterm cultures of epithelial cells derived from malignant and non-malignant human urogenital tissues.
Function of the Two Xenopus Smad4s in Early Frog Development

Abstract Signals from the transforming growth factor β family members are transmitted in the cell through specific receptor-activated Smads and a common partner Smad4. Two Smad4 genes (α and β/10, or smad4 and smad4.2) have been isolated from Xenopus, and conflicting data are reported for Smad4β/10 actions in mesodermal and neural induction. To further understand the functions of the Smad4s in early frog development, we analyzed their activities in detail. We report that Smad10 is a mutant form of Smad4β that harbors a missense mutation of a conserved arginine to histidine in the MH1 domain. The mutation results in enhanced association of Smad10 with the nuclear transcription corepressor Ski and leads to its neural inducing activity through inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. In contrast to Smad10, both Smad4α and Smad4β enhanced BMP signals in ectodermal explants. Using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs) to knockdown endogenous Smad4 protein levels, we discovered that Smad4β was required for both activin- and BMP-mediated mesodermal induction in animal caps, whereas Smad4α affected only the BMP signals. Neither Smad4 was involved directly in neural induction. Expression of Smad4β-MO in early frog embryos resulted in reduction of mesodermal markers and defects in axial structures, which were rescued by either Smad4α or Smad4β. Smad4α-MO induced only minor deficiency at late stages. As Smad4β, but not Smad4α, is expressed at high levels maternally and during early gastrulation, our data suggest that although Smad4α and Smad4β may have similar activities, they are differentially utilized during frog embryogenesis, with only Smad4β being essential for mesoderm induction.
The Phenomenology of Psychosis Associated with Complex Partial Seizure Disorder

Psychosis commonly occurs as a direct result of complex partial seizure disorder (CPSD). This organic mental disorder is indeed "complex" and is easily and frequently misdiagnosed as a variety of functional disorders, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar illness, psychotic depression, and, at best, "atypical psychosis." However, this important clinical syndrome has several clinical features that suggest its presence and which often permit it to be distinguished from other forms of psychosis. Furthermore, this disorder can be successfully treated with limbic anticonvulsants, with or without neuroleptics and/or lithium, but it is generally refractory to neuroleptic medications alone. In this paper, the author reviews the available literature relevant to the clinical phenomenology and treatment of this topic and illustrates the clinical profiles of 10 treatment-refractory patients admitted to a state hospital with previously undiagnosed psychoses secondary to CPSD. This illness needs to be seriously considered in the differential diagnosis of severely ill patients with atypical psychoses refractory to traditional treatments.
Teaching with "Liangxin" (Virtuous Heart) Held in Hands or Not: Untangling Self- and State-Governmentalization of Contemporary Chinese Teachers.

Contemporary Chinese teachers are being transformed into morally divided subjects by institutional teacher-evaluation governance. They claim such institutional governance can "devour" their basic professional ethics of "teaching with liangxin", a reinvoked Confucian ethical notion. Then, how does liangxin work as a cultural governing thesis in historical and present Chinese society? How does such "devouring" become possible? In what ways are teachers mobilizing their ethical liangxin to encounter and counter institutional governance? Borrowing Foucault's governmentality theory, and historicizing the reinvoking of Confucian liangxin, this paper aims to answer these questions.
Co-stimulation of cyclic-AMP-linked metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat striatum attenuates excitotoxin-induced nuclear factor-κB activation and apoptosis

Abstract Interactions between glutamatergic mechanisms mediated by receptors of the ionotropic and metabotropic classes in the central nervous system are complex and incompletely understood. To explore the consequences of these interactions on excitotoxicity, we examined the influence of group II and group III selective metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists on the N -methyl- d -aspartate-induced apoptotic destruction of GABAergic neurons in rat striatum. The intrastriatal administration of a group III metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid, 900–1800 nmol), but not of a group II agonist [(2 S ,1′ S ,2′ S )-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine, 100–1800 nmol] produced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Similarly, amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (600 nmol) but not (2 S ,1′ S ,2′ S )-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (100–1800 nmol) destroyed some striatal neurons as indicated by a loss of D 1 dopamine receptors and 67,000 mol. wt glutamate decarboxylase (glutamate decarboxylase-67) messenger RNA. On the other hand, the intensity of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation induced by N -methyl- d -aspartate (150 nmol) was substantially decreased by the intrastriatal co-administration of either (2 S ,1′ S ,2′ S )-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine or amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (100–600 nmol). Both (2 S ,1′ S ,2′ S )-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine and amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid also reduced the N -methyl- d -aspartate-induced loss of striatal D 1 dopamine receptors by 67% and 68% (both P S ,1′ S ,2′ S )-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine and amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid also attenuated the N -methyl- d -aspartate-induced decline in striatal IκB-α protein levels by 62% and 37%, as well as the increase in nuclear transcription factor nuclear factor-κB binding activity by 135% and 94% (both P These results suggest that stimulation of cyclic-AMP-linked metabotropic glutamate receptors inhibits ionotropic glutamate receptor-mediated activation of apoptotic cascades involving IκB-α degradation and nuclear factor-κB nuclear translocation, as well as p53 and c-Myc induction. Certain selective metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists might thus find utility as adjuncts to N -methyl- d -aspartate antagonists in the protection against the neurotoxicity initiated by excessive ionotropic glutamate receptor stimulation.
Corticosteroid-dependent differentiation of human marrow preadipocytes in vitro.

A unique population of human bone marrow-derived, adherent fibroblastlike cells differentiates to adipocyte morphology when grown in vitro in the presence of horse serum and hydrocortisone sodium hemisuccinate. Over the initial 8-weeks growth at 37°C, 7% CO2, these cells accumulate Oil Red O-positive lipid and form colonies of over 100 cells, which persist in confluent cultures for over 30 weeks. Similar to cultures derived from mouse marrow, corticosteroid-induced adipocyte differentiation is associated with long-term granulopoiesis. Human marrow preadipocytes, as well as human, mouse and rat embryo fibroblast cell lines, failed to differentiate to adipocyte morphology in the presence of insulin. In contrast, the 3T3-L1 insulin-dependent preadipocyte cell line was not induced to differentiate in the presence of hydrocortisone. These studies demonstrate that human marrow preadipocytes are dependent upon corticosteroid for differentiation in vitro.
Predicting diet composition from body length in the zooplankton predator Leptodora kindti

Leptodora kindti and many other species of zooplankton predator range widely throughout temperate-zone lakes, yet these species are rarely included in size-based studies of food webs. This oversight derives mainly from a lack of predictive functions that quantify their effects on prey communities. With laboratory experiments I measured the handling time and phosphorus ingestion of L. kindti fed three cladoceran species radiolabeled with 33 P as a tracer of dry weight (DW). In general, laboratory results show that predator body length exerts strong influence on maximum prey length, on prey handling time (and indirectly predation rate), and on prey profitability (expressed as μg DW ingested time -1 ) in systematic ways that may be useful in predicting predatory effects of L. kindti on natural prey communities. The prey-capturing structure of L. kindti, called the trap basket, constrains the maximum length of prey that is consumable, and handling times on prey increase exponentially as prey length approaches the maximum dimensions of the trap basket. The empirical relationship is given by the following equation: Handling time = 1/[0.067(Trap basket length/Prey length - 1) 0.436 ]. I use handling time and body length data to evaluate the predictive nature of two previously published regression models that relate L. kindti trap basket length to body length. This note offers a length-based approach to analysis of diet composition in L. kindti that will hopefully encourage increased consideration of this species in future studies of food webs.
Fluoroquinolones in the management of community-acquired pneumonia in primary care.

A literature search was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of the respiratory fluoroquinolones (gemifloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin) and their efficacy and safety in the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Data show that CAP is a common presentation in primary care practice, and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly. Although the causative pathogens differ depending on treatment setting and patient factors, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the primary pathogen in all treatment settings. As a class, the respiratory fluoroquinolones have a very favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile. Pharmacodynamic criteria suggest that moxifloxacin and gemifloxacin are more potent against S. pneumoniae, which may have the added benefit of reducing resistance selection and enhancing bacterial eradication. The respiratory fluoroquinolones are also generally well tolerated, and are first-line options for outpati...
Allan Hills 85085: A subchondritic meteorite of mixed nebular and regolithic heritage

Abstract Allan Hills 85085 is a tiny (12-g) meteorite whose closest relatives are the Renazzo and Al Rais chondrites and the subchondritic host material in the Bencubbin meteorite. Its bulk composition is generally chondritic but siderophile abundances are tens of per cent higher and abundances of moderately volatile elements factors of 2–4 × lower than in known authentic chondrites. In addition to this unusual composition ALH85085 has an extremely small particle size, metal that shows no evidence of metamorphic equilibration and a very high abundance of pyroxenitic lithic particles. Chondrules are rare and small; most are pyroxenitic and chemically similar to the lithic particles. Previous workers have inferred that most or all of these strange features of ALH85085 resulted from nebular processes, but we suggest that melting, vaporization, outgassing, condensation and size-sorting in a cloud of impact ejecta offer a more viable alternative. Until additional similar materials have been discovered and characterized, it seems safest to infer nebular properties and processes on the basis of the record in chondrites regarding which there is little doubt that nebular processes were dominant.
Ordinal association rules for error identification in data sets

A new extension of the Boolean association rules, ordinal association rules, that incorporates ordinal relationships among data items, is introduced. One use for ordinal rules is to identify possible errors in data. A method that finds these rules and identifies potential errors in data is proposed.
Structure and function of the hairpin ribozyme

The hairpin ribozyme belongs to the family of small catalytic RNAs that cleave RNA substrates in a reversible reaction that generates 2',3'-cyclic phosphate and 5'-hydroxyl termini. The hairpin catalytic motif was discovered in the negative strand of the tobacco ringspot virus satellite RNA, where hairpin ribozyme-mediated self-cleavage and ligation reactions participate in processing RNA replication intermediates. The self-cleaving hairpin, hammerhead, hepatitis delta and Neurospora VS RNAs each adopt unique structures and exploit distinct kinetic and catalytic mechanisms despite catalyzing the same chemical reactions. Mechanistic studies of hairpin ribozyme reactions provided early evidence that, like protein enzymes, RNA enzymes are able to exploit a variety of catalytic strategies. In contrast to the hammerhead and Tetrahymena ribozyme reactions, hairpin-mediated cleavage and ligation proceed through a catalytic mechanism that does not require direct coordination of metal cations to phosphate or water oxygens. The hairpin ribozyme is a better ligase than it is a nuclease while the hammerhead reaction favors cleavage over ligation of bound products by nearly 200-fold. Recent structure-function studies have begun to yield insights into the molecular bases of these unique features of the hairpin ribozyme.
Environmental RNA interference

The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), the process of sequence-specific gene silencing initiated by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), has broadened our understanding of gene regulation and has revolutionized methods for genetic analysis. A remarkable property of RNAi in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and in some other multicellular organisms is its systemic nature: silencing signals can cross cellular boundaries and spread between cells and tissues. Furthermore, C. elegans and some other organisms can also perform environmental RNAi: sequence-specific gene silencing in response to environmentally encountered dsRNA. This phenomenon has facilitated significant technological advances in diverse fields including functional genomics and agricultural pest control. Here, we describe the characterization and current understanding of environmental RNAi and discuss its potential applications.
A Forward Glance in a Mirror: Diversity Challenged—Access, Equity, and Success in Higher Education

Affirmative action addresses disparities in higher education. Recent trends threaten gains, resegregation is underway nationally. California outlawed affirmative action, the quality of K–12 education is declining, and prison construction is soaring. African American and Latino participation in higher education has declined; both groups are overrepresented in prisons and among the poor. Opponents pretend affirmative action threatens academic quality and promotes reverse discrimination. In fact, economic instability spurs efforts to defend status quo privilege. There is a clash of national ideologies, the American Dream versus White supremacy. Higher education must be a model for society in promoting equity, excellence, and diversity.
The Garcia Family: Using a Structural Systems Approach with an Alcohol-Dependent Family

The authors examine the impact of sociocultural and environmental stressors on alcohol abuse and dependence in the Hispanic family system. General characteristics of Hispanic culture emphasize gender and age hierarchies and stress cooperation, collectiveness, and strong intergenerational family ties. Given the cultural values of this population, a structural systems approach is proposed as an adjunct to other forms of treatment when working during the recovery process. As an illustrative guide, the primary author presents portions of an actual case study involving a multigenerational Hispanic stepfamily.
Rethinking the Energetics of Bipedality

L'auteur presente les resultats d'une etude comparative des depenses energetiques d'un sujet bipede et d'un sujet quadrupede, qui montre que l'energie depensee par un bipede est beaucoup moins importante que celle depensee par un quadrupede. Ce facteur devrait etre considere comme un point important de l'evolution de la bipedie depuis le Mio/Pliocene et chez les hominides. Il aurait en effet eu d'importantes consequences pour les premieres populations d'hominides, leur permettant de mieux exploiter leur environnement