cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of estrogen and progesterone on KLK 5 secretion and expression in SKOV-3 cells

3153 Ovarian cancer, the deadliest of all gynecological carcinomas, is linked to kallikreins (KLK), a novel family of 15 serine proteases. An increased level of KLK 5 has been associated with bad prognosis of ovarian cancer. Reports indicate that the ovarian steroid hormones, estrogen (E2) may promote the onset of ovarian cancer, while P4 may play a protective role against the progression of this fatal cancer. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effect of E2 and P4 treatment on the secretion and expression of KLK 5 in an ovarian cancer cell line, SKOV-3. We hypothesized that E2 will increase, while P4 will decrease KLK 5 secretion and expression. We also postulated that there will be no synergistic effect of the combined E2 and P4 treatment on KLK 5 secretion and expression, and further, that cells primed with E2 and then treated with P4 will show a marked decrease in KLK 5. SKOV-3 cells were treated with (1) 10-8M E2; (2) 10-6M P4; (3) 10-8M E2 + 10-6M P4 for a period of four days and (4) 10-8M E2 for two days followedby 10-6M P4 for a period of two days. Culture supernatants were collected daily and the concentration of KLK 5 was determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). After treatment, cells were then harvested, total protein extracted, and the expression of KLK 5 in E2-and P4-treated SKOV-3 cells was determined by Western blot analysis. On days 3 and 4 of treatment, supernatants from cells treated with E2 and P4 or E2/P4, tended to have lower KLK 5 concentrations than supernatants from cells treated with E2 and P4 alone. The expression of KLK 5 was slightly down regulated in SKOV-3 cells that were treated with E2 compared to control. There was no detection of KLK 5 expression in cells treated with P4; E2 and P4; or E2 followed by P4. Our data suggests that E2 and P4 may act synergistically in reducing KLK 5 secretion, while any exposure to P4 (alone or in combination with E2) may significantly reduce KLK 5 expression in ovarian cancer.
More social support is associated with more positive mood but excess support is associated with more negative mood

Support gaps occur when an individual receives less or more of a certain type of social support than the individual desires. Existing research suggests that support gaps are associated with unwante...
Future Extreme Event Risk in the Rural Northeastern United States

Future climate change impacts on humans will be determined by the convergence of evolving physical climate and socioeconomic systems. Rural areas of the northeastern United States have experienced ...
Intermittent Short Days and Chilling, and Benzylaminopurine Affect the Growth and Morphology of Fraser fir Seedlings

Abstract Fraser fir (Abies fraseri (Pursh.) Poir.) seedlings were either grown continuously under long days (16 hr) or intermittently exposed to short days (8 hr) to induce bud set followed by a ch...
Extrahepatic Malignancies in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Malignancy is the second most common cause of death in individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Understanding unique characteristics of malignancy risk beyond hepatocellular carcinoma in NAFLD has significant implications in counseling and personalized preventative measures in this high-risk population. Herein, we systematically review the literature reporting extra-hepatic malignancies in NAFLD and discuss the key biological mechanisms underpinning the association between excess adiposity and cancer risk. Several studies have shown significant associations between NAFLD and extrahepatic malignancies. The strongest association was found with cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and hormone-sensitive cancers. Recent data support sex-specific differences in cancer risk increase in NAFLD: colorectal cancer in men and uterine cancer in women. The risk of cancer development is higher in NAFLD than obesity alone. A growing body of observational evidence over the last decade supports the association between NAFLD and extrahepatic malignancies. This association requires further studies, ideally designed to include more detailed measures of body fat deposition beyond BMI in well-characterized, large cohorts of NAFLD patients, to determine if screening policies should be individualized in this group.
SAOU: safe adaptive overclocking and undervolting for energy-efficient GPU computing

The current trend of ever-increasing performance in scientific applications comes with tremendous growth in energy consumption. In this paper, we present a framework for GPU applications, which reduces energy consumption in GPUs through Safe Overclocking and Undervolting (SAOU) without sacrificing performance. The idea is to increase the frequency beyond the safe frequency fsa f eMax and undervolt below Vsa f eMin to get maximum energy saving. Since such overclocking and undervolting may give rise to faults, we employ an enhanced checkpoint-recovery technique to cover the possible errors. Empirically, we explore different errors and derive a fault model that can set the undervolting and overclocking level for maximum energy saving. We target cuBLAS Matrix Multiplication (cuBLAS-MM) kernel for error correction using the checkpoint and recovery (CR) technique as an example of scientific applications. In case of cuBLAS, SAOU achieves up to 22% energy reduction through undervolting and overclocking without sacrificing the performance.
Attachment configurations to mothers and fathers during infancy predict compliance, defiance, and effortful control in toddlerhood

Abstract Infant-parent attachment has been theoretically proposed to serve a key regulatory function for children's emotion, cognition, and behavior, with secure attachment leading to more favorable outcomes, but much of the research supporting this claim has been conducted solely on infant-mother dyads. While research on infant-father attachment has gained traction, studies including fathers often examine their contributions as independent from mothers, which may overlook the interacting influence of multiple attachment relationships on child development. Here, we use a new approach in which we consider infant attachment to both mothers and fathers as a configuration. This study examined whether infant attachment configurations to both mothers and fathers predicted effortful control, compliance, and defiance during toddlerhood. Using data from a longitudinal study on socio-emotional development, 117 infants participated in the Strange Situation, first with their mothers at 12 months, and then again with their fathers at 14 months to assess attachment. When toddlers were 20 months of age, mothers completed a questionnaire assessing toddlers’ effortful control, and toddlers were video recorded with their mothers and fathers in a gratification delay and clean-up task during a laboratory visit. Toddlers’ compliance and defiance towards parents were coded. Using linear mixed models, attachment configuration in infancy significantly distinguished effortful control, compliance, and defiance in toddlerhood. Infants with a secure attachment only to fathers had significantly lower effortful control and higher defiance at 20 months than the other 3 attachment configurations. In contrast, infants with a secure attachment to mothers were significantly more compliant than infants without a secure attachment to mothers. Our findings provide evidence that when analyzed from a family systems perspective, attachment security (and insecurity) to mothers and fathers may be functionally distinct for children's developing socio-emotional competence.
A Diagnostic Study of the Criminal Alias

The author found that 64 (30.9%) of 207 incarcerated male offenders had been officially recognized as having changed their names at some time. The most common ways in which their names were modified included changing the middle name or initial, changing the spelling of one name, or completely changing all three names. These alias users were older property offenders who had more prior arrests, less education, more tattoos, more prior psychiatric contact, and were more often alcoholics than alias nonusers. While these findings are consistent with intentional deception, they also suggest that criminal alias users may have a pathological self concept.
Population structure of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in U.S. waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Population structure of adult red snapper ( Lutjanus campechanus ) from the southeastern coast of the United States (Atlantic) and the northeastern Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) was assessed using genotypes at 16 nuclear-encoded microsatellites and mitochondrial (mt)DNA haplotypes of the NADH dehydrogenase 4 (ND4) gene. Initial tests ( F ST -based, hierarchical AMOVA) of spatial genetic homogeneity within and between regions were non-significant, consistent with a single population or stock of red snapper in the Atlantic and Gulf. Inferences derived from other statistical approaches were consistent with genetic and/or demographic differences within and between the two regions. The estimated, average, long-term migration rate between the two regions (0.27%) was well less than the 10% rate below which populations can respond independently to environmental perturbation. Comparisons of global estimates of average, long-term effective size ( N eLT ) with estimates from individual sample localities indicated genetic heterogeneity within both the Atlantic and Gulf. These results paralleled those of prior genetic studies of red snapper from the Gulf. Future genetics studies and other work on red snapper in both the Atlantic and Gulf should include approaches to identify demographically independent units within each region and assess their size, patterns of connectivity, and contribution to the fishery. Monitoring global and/or local effective size also should be considered.
Digitally Enhanced Classrooms: Understanding the Effect of Individualized Technology on Language Arts Instruction in Elementary Schools

The use of technology in elementary classroom settings has been increasing every year. Many schools already included computer classes; however, recently there has been a large move towards individualized, or 1:1, technology as well. We now find certain schools have acquired tablets and laptops for each student – fully integrating modern technology with traditional instruction. However, in the effort to keep up with the surge of technology, schools may be ignoring the need for professional development and curriculum planning to support technology as a tool that enhances student learning. While working in an “Apple Distinguished” school that provided individual tablets as learning devices to fourth and fifth grade students, I observed teaching methods with technology. This research study focuses on 1:1 implementation techniques in fourth/fifth grade Language Arts and how students and teachers use these devices. As the researcher, I observed how two teachers used iPads to engage 50 fourth and fifth graders during a two-month observation period. The research data suggests that integrating 1:1 technologies, such as iPads, requires implementation guidelines, curriculum planning, and teacher professional development.
Variations in Gastric and Duodenal Motility During Gastric Emptying of Liquid Meals in Humans

The gastric emptying of liquids is determined by the pressure gradient between the stomach and the duodenum. This study monitored intragastric and intraduodenal pressures of 7 healthy volunteers during the gastric emptying of an acid meal (pH 2) and an oleate meal (50 mM) in comparison with the gastric emptying of a 154 mM saline meal (pH 7) in order to elucidate the mechanisms of delayed gastric emptying seen with the acid and the fatty meals. Antroduodenal motility was measured by means of a continuously perfused catheter system, and fundic pressure was monitored by means of a water-filled balloon. Gastric emptying was measured with the double sampling dye dilution technique. As expected, the gastric emptying of the pH 7 meal (t1,2 = 2.2 ± 0.7 min) was significantly faster than that of the acid (t1/2 = 11 ± 2.1 min) and the oleate (t1,2 = 18 ± 2 min) meals. The rapid gastric emptying of the neutral meal was consistently associated with a significant increase in tonic fundic pressure (p
Electrophoretic and Immunological Differences Between the Cytochrome c3 of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and that of Desulfovibrio vulgaris

The cytochrome c 3 of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and that of D. vulgaris were purified to homogeneity as judged by disc gel electrophoresis and by ultracentrifugation. Both cytochromes had an oxidation-reduction potential of −205 ± 5 mv at p H 7.0 and showed characteristic absorption bands at 525 and 553 nm in the reduced state. The molecular weights of the two cytochromes (calculated from sedimentation and diffusion data) were similar, with values of 13,500 to 14,300 for D. desulfuricans and 13,800 to 14,700 for D. vulgaris . The two cytochromes differed in their electrophoretic properties on Geon and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and did not share a common precipitating antigenic determinant as judged by immunodiffusion data. Images
Tetra-n-butylammonium Fluoride†

(TBAF) [429-41-4] C16H36FN (MW 261.53) (TBAF·3H2O) [87749-50-6] C16H42FNO3 (MW 315.59) (TBAF·xH2O) [22206-57-1] (can be used for most fluoride-assisted reactions; deprotection of silyl groups;1e desilylation;2, 3 fluorination;4 used as a base5, 6) Alternate Name: TBAF. Physical Data: TBAF·xH2O: mp 62–63 °C. Solubility: sol H2O, THF, MeCN. Form Supplied in: trihydrate, 1.0 M solution in THF, and 75 wt % solution in water. Preparative Method: aqueous Hydrofluoric Acid is passed through an Amberlite IRA 410 OH column, followed by an aqueous solution of Tetra-n-butylammonium Bromide. After the resin is washed with water, the combined water fractions are repeatedly evaporated until no water is present. Tetrabutylammonium fluoride is collected as an oil in quantitative yield. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: use in a fume hood.
A minimum bacteriologic criterion of cure of gonorrhea in women

Abstract 1.1. Repeated cultures may be necessary to demonstrate the gonococcus in chronic and latent infections, particularly following chemotherapy. 2.2. Negative smears have no value as a bacteriologic test for cure, and indeed the smear might well be abandoned altogether for this purpose. 3.3. On the basis of data presented, it would appear that six successive cultures will detect a high percentage of residual gonococcal infections. 4.4. It is suggested that a minimum of six negative cultures at weekly intervals, including one or two postmenstrual cultures, be obtained before a patient is released from observation.
An Interactive Database for the Assessment of Histone Antibody Specificity

Access to high-quality antibodies is a necessity for the study of histones and their posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Here we debut the Histone Antibody Specificity Database (http://www.histoneantibodies.com), an online and expanding resource cataloging the behavior of widely used, commercially available histone antibodies by peptide microarray. This interactive web portal provides a critical resource to the biological research community that routinely uses these antibodies as detection reagents for a wide range of applications.
Transient Exposure to TGF-β3 Improves the Functional Properties of MSC-Seeded Photocrosslinked Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels

Articular cartilage is the primary compressive load bearing soft tissue in diarthrodial joints. While the tissue can function remarkably well in a demanding environment over a lifetime of use, focal defects and other trauma can initiate progressive degeneration. Cartilage tissue engineering approaches have been developed with the goal of forming biologic replacement materials with functional mechanical properties [1]. While chondrocytes are a popular cell source for such approaches, and can produce constructs with near-native functional properties [2], mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow have emerged as an attractive alternative cell type. MSCs are multi-potent and easy to expand, and so are available in a nearly unlimited supply, and in an autologous fashion. While MSCs can undergo functional chondrogenesis in a variety of 3D contexts [3], we are particularly interested in the translational capacity of hyaluronic acid (HA). Hydrogels formed from this natural constituent of the cartilage extracellular matrix provide a biologically relevant interface for encapsulated cells and gel properties are readily tunable [4, 5]. Indeed, using a methacrylated (and so photo-crosslinkable) HA macromer, we have optimized gel formation and functional matrix production by MSCs with variations in both macromer (1%, [5]) and MSC (∼60 million cells/mL, [6]) concentration, consistently producing cartilage-like constructs with near native compressive properties. Additionally, we have reported that transient exposure of TGF-β3 (for three weeks) to MSCs in agarose constructs at a high-density induced a stable chondrogenic phenotype, with functional properties at six weeks greater than continual exposure to this pro-chondrogenic factor [7]. Transient exposure presents an interesting paradigm with clinical relevance, in vivo defect filling will require robust maturation of the engineered tissue driven by TGF-β3 delivered from the material itself in a controlled and sustained fashion. The purpose of this study was to determine the minimal TGF-β3 dosage and duration of exposure required to promote the most robust chondrogenesis and functional maturation of MSCs in this HA hydrogel system.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Birthspacing and fertility decline in Costa Rica

This paper uses data from the Latin American Comparative Fertility Surveys as well as from the World Fertility Survey to study trends and differentials in birthspacing among ever married women in Costa Rica during the period 1945-1974. A good deal of attention is placed on the pace of fertility in threshold, early and late stages of the fertility decline that this country experienced during the sixties and early seventies. The results show a good deal of similarity in the tempo of reproduction across parities and geographical areas. However, an analysis of the background variables affecting birthspacing shows differences between urban and rural zones. Finally, it is postulated that the recent plateau in period rates may be a consequence of changes in the tempo of family building, with women at low parities having their postponed births now, offsetting the trends of decline generated among women at higher parities who still may be curtailing reproduction.
Microcode generation for the control of a massively parallel computer

Software organization for the control of a single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) machine is explained. It is argued that the bulk of an algorithm adapted to a SIMD architecture should be executed on a microsequencing controller which is directly connected to the SIMD machine. Typical systems have a main control unit which calls low-level primitives on a controller which is directly connected to an SIMD machine. The results show that an algorithm can be autonomously run on a microsequencer directly connected to an SIMD machine. Two algorithms are applied to the two major SIMD controller configurations and their performances are examined. To demonstrate how the software organization can be applied to a system, a compiler is written for the GAM pyramid that generates microcode from a high-level language with parallel data structures. The microcode executes on a microcode sequencer unit which is directly connected to a pyramid architecture SIMD machine. >
Superselection Rule for Charge

The customary notion of superselection rule stipulates the vanishing of those matrix elements of the density matrix that connect states separated by the superselection rule, i.e., the relative phases of which are, according to the superselection rule, meaningless. It is shown that, if any two states for which an additive conserved quantity has different values are separated for all physical systems by a superselection rule at one time, the separation will persist for all times. It is concluded that the states with different electric (or baryonic) charges are so separated. The reason for the difference between electric charge and other additive conserved quantities, such as momentum, is brought out.
A cross sectional analysis of the role of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin in lung function impairment within the ALIVE cohort.

Background Vitamin D deficiency is associated with reduced lung function. Cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide regulated by vitamin D, plays a role within the innate immune system. The association of cathelicidin with lung function decrement and respiratory infection is undefined. We determined the independent relationship of cathelicidin with lung function.
Role of Breast Ultrasound and Mammography in Evaluating Patients Presenting with Focal Breast Pain in the Absence of a Palpable Lump

To determine if ultrasound and/or mammography is helpful in detecting breast cancers in patients presenting with focal breast pain. Patients who presented between February 2008 and April 2011 with focal breast pain without a lump were included in the study. The mammographic and US findings were retrospectively reviewed. BIRADS 0, 4, and 5 were considered positive on mammogram while BIRADS 4 and 5 were considered positive on US. The efficacy of mammogram-alone, ultrasound-alone, and in combination to detect breast cancer was evaluated. The performance of mammography for detecting any mass lesions that were present on subsequent US was also evaluated. A total of 257 patients were evaluated with US and 206 (80.1%) of these also had mammograms prior to the US. Cancer incidence was 1.2% (n = 3). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of mammogram-alone and US-alone for detection of breast cancer in these patients were 100%, 87.6%, 10.7%, 100% and 100%, 92.5%, 13.6%, and 100%, respectively, while for combined mammogram and US was 100%, 83.7%, 8.3%, and 100%. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of mammogram for identifying an underlying suspicious mass lesion that was subsequently detected by US was 58%, 91%, 39%, and 95%. The NPV of a BIRADS 1 mammogram for any underlying mass lesion was 75%. Addition of an ultrasound to a mammogram did not detect additional cancers; likely due to low cancer incidence in these patients. However, US detected underlying mass lesions in 25% cases with a BIRADS 1 mammogram result.
Estimation of the adsorption energy distributions for the Jovanovic–Freundlich isotherm model with Jovanovic local behavior

Abstract The successful design of many modern separation processes as the overloaded chromatographic separations require an accurate knowledge of the associated adsorption equilibria. It is well known that the characterization of the adsorbent heterogeneity plays an important role in the understanding of the adsorption equilibria. In a previous paper, a new Jovanovic–Freundlich isotherm model for single-component adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces was proposed. Also, the adsorption energy distributions (AEDs) corresponding to the new model for Langmuir local behavior were derived and evaluated for the specific case of the adsorption of a series of chlorinated hydrocarbons on silica gel. In the present study, the adsorption energy distributions corresponding to the Jovanovic–Freundlich model with Jovanovic local behavior are evaluated for the same set of experimental data. In order to provide a basis for comparison, adsorption energy distributions were also estimated for the given set of data via an established expectation–maximization procedure which does not assume any particular model for the overall isotherm. The results presented in these paper complement the previous findings and provide new insights into the features of the Jovanovic–Freundlich isotherm model, which could be useful both in the correlation of single-component adsorption data and in the prediction of multicomponent equilibria.
Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Repair: Single vs Double Row

Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of upper extremity pain and dysfunction. The purpose of this article is to briefly review the preoperative assessment of patients with rotator cuff tears, including history, physical examination, and imaging of the shoulder. Its emphasis is to outline both the single-row and double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair techniques. Although there is no universally accepted best technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, a surgeon’s experience, patient’ expectation, and technical considerations—including available equipment, tissue quality, and the size of the tear—are key to the success of the repair. At the conclusion of the article, the general principles of postoperative rehabilitation are briefly discussed.
S1122 Analysis of Function and Predictors of Failure in Women Undergoing Repair of Crohn's Related Rectovaginal Fistula

Purpose Crohn’s-related rectovaginal fistulae have significant impact on quality of life including sexual function. The aim of this study was to obtain long-term follow-up of Crohn’s related rectovaginal fistulae to assess variables that influence surgical success and determine its effects on quality of life and sexual function.
Exact solutions of cyclically symmetric oscillator equations with non‐linear coupling. Part II: Coupling with phase shift

Several authors have found very simple exact limit cycle solutions in cyclically symmetric systems of N oscillator equations with linear coupling in zero order of a perturbation parameter and non-linear coupling in first order. In contrast with such solutions in most other non-linear systems, each of these limit cycles is an exact normal mode of the unperturbed equations with no change in frequency or addition of higher harmonics. In Part I of this paper it was shown that the construction and analysis of such systems of equations are substantially simplified if the equations are expressed in terms of the normal mode co-ordinates of the unperturbed system. the effects of the cyclic symmetry, as well as those of a higher symmetry shared by previous authors' models, were studied. It is shown here that similar results can be obtained in systems if the coupling involves a phase shift. the phase shift places added conditions on the systems, so that some sets of equations, shown to have the simple limit cycle solutions, no longer have them after shift is introduced. the methods of the earlier paper, however, can be used to find families of systems with phase shifts which have such solutions. A result in Part I, that frequencies in a system with the higher symmetry mentioned above are unchanged from those of the unperturbed system, is not valid if phase shifts are introduced.
A theory for the effects of neutral carriers such as the macrotetralide actin antibiotics on the electric properties of bilayer membranes.

To develop a quantitiative theoretical treatment for the effects of neutral macrocyclic antibiotics on the electrical properties of phospholipid bilayer membranes, this paper proceeds from the known ability of such molecules to form stoichiometric, lipid-soluble complexes with cations and deduces the electrical properties that a simple organic solvent phase would have if it were made into a membrane of the thinness of the phospholipid bilayer. In effect, we postulate that the essential barrier to ion movement across a bilayer membrane is its liquid-like hydrocarbon interior and that the neutral macrocyclic antibiotics bind monovalent cations and solubilize them in the membrane as mobile positively charged complexes. Using the Poisson-Boltzmann equation to describe the equilibrium profile of the electrical potential, it is shown that an excess of the positive complexes over all the other ions is expected in the membrane as a net space charge for appropriate conditions of membrane thickness and values of the partition coefficients of the various ionic species and without requiring the presence of fixed charges. Describing the fluxes of these complexes by the Nernst-Planck equation and neglecting the contribution to the electric current of uncomplexed ions, theoretical expressions are derived for the membrane potential in ionic mixtures, as well as for the limiting value of the membrane conductance at zero current when the membrane is interposed between identical solutions. The expressions are given in terms of the ionic activities and antibiotic concentrations in the aqueous solutions so as to be accessible to direct experimental test. Under suitable experimental conditions, the membrane potential is described by an equation recognizible as the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation, in which the permeability ratios are combinations of parameters predicted from the present theory to be independently determinable from the ratio of membrane conductances in single salt solutions. Since this identity between permeability and conductance ratios is expected also for systems obeying the “Independence Principle” of Hodgkin and Huxley, the applicability of this principle to membranes exposed to antibiotics is discussed, and it is shown that this principle is compatible with the permeation mechanism proposed here.
Differential recognition of two cloned Brugia malayi antigens by antibody class.

The humoral and cellular immune response to filarial parasites is complex. Numerous studies have shown that antibodies to a large number of protein and non-protein antigens may be produced over the course of infection and that immune recognition of any given antigen may vary by disease manifestation and by immunoglobulin class. We have used the techniques of molecular cloning to attempt to dissect this complex interaction, and describe here two clones, isolated from an expression library constructed from Brugia malayi genomic DNA, whose products are recognized by distinct immunoglobulin classes. A kgtll fusion protein containing part of the B. malayi myosin tail region is recognized by antibodies of the IgG class from a high percentage of bancroftian filariasis patients. A fusion protein containing a collagen-like sequence is less frequently and weakly recognized under the same experimental conditions, but is almost universally recognized when the developing reagent is specific for IgE. We thus identify specific filarial proteins against which the infected human host responds preferentially with antibodies of a specific immunoglobulin class.
Implications of persistent ice supersaturation in cold cirrus for stratospheric water vapor

[1] Recent measurements made near the tropical tropopause during the NASA Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers - Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (CRYSTAL-FACE) indicate persistent ice saturation ratios (si) of about 1.2–1.3 in cold ice clouds (T < 200 K) even when the ice surface area is substantial [Gao et al., 2004]. These observations challenge the conventional thinking that any water vapor in excess of ice saturation should be depleted by crystal growth given sufficient time. Here we use model simulations to evaluate the impact of this steady-state ice supersaturation on cirrus formed in situ within the tropical tropopause layer and water vapor fluxes across the tropical tropopause. We show that cirrus occurrence frequencies are unexpectedly increased, and we estimate an increase of about 0.5–1 ppmv in the water vapor concentration in air entering the stratosphere. Inclusion of the enhanced in-cloud supersaturation in our simulations improves agreement with satellite measurements of water vapor.
Responses of male mice to odors from stressed vs nonstressed males and females

Thirty-two male mice reared in social isolation from the time of weaning preferred the odor from nonshocked males over the odor from males which had received a single series of shocks shortly before the odors were collected. Twenty-six males preferred the odor from nonshocked females over that from shocked females.
Simulations of indium arsenide antimonide (InAs 0.91 Sb 0.09 ) monovalent barrier-based thermophotovoltaic cells

Thermophotovoltaics (TPVs) have attracted interest due to their ability to harvest infrared radiation and produce usable energy. The focus of this research is the characterization of novel TPV cell designs which employ a barrier layer in the pn junction, creating a p-B-n (p-type, barrier, n-type) structure. First suggested for use with photodetectors, the monovalent barrier is designed to block only one carrier; it exists in either the valence band or conduction band but not both. This monovalent band is accomplished by careful selection of a wide bandgap material in place of, or in addition to, the intrinsic layer. The use of a barrier layer enables these p-B-n cells to operate at longer wavelengths, higher efficiencies, and higher operating temperatures. p-B-n designs utilizing InAs 0.91 Sb 0.09 lattice matched to GaSb were examined. Barrier and absorber materials were researched and simulations were performed to determine optimal band alignments as well as to perform an initial optimization of the design.
Simulating translation-induced laser speckle dynamics in photon Doppler velocimetry

Historically, single-beam optical velocimetry has been limited to measuring only the component of velocity along the beam. However, theoretical work and recent experimental results have shown that laser speckle dynamics may be exploited to measure lateral motion, thereby gaining information about surface dynamics across an additional degree of freedom. In the use of photon Doppler velocimetry (PDV), this new information is considered “free” in that it is already contained within the PDV signal, needing only to be extracted and interpreted correctly. In this manuscript, we relate speckle dynamics to the lateral motion of a planar scattering surface in the PDV coordinate system via the space–time correlation function of the diffracted electric field. Next, we relate the characteristic time scale of speckle intensity fluctuations in the PDV signal to the rate of lateral surface translation and to parameters characterizing the optical probe. Analytical results are compared with a numerical simulation and found to be in close agreement.
CONSERVATIONAL WATER PRICING FOR INCREASED WATER SUPPLY BENEFITS

ABSTRACT: A study was undertaken to see if benefits from water supply could be increased by utilizing price-usage information in reservoir design studies. Three pricing policies were examined. The first policy assumed no price-use relationship, and quantity demanded was based on existing community usage with a low water rate. The price of water was set to recover system costs. A price-use relationship was assumed in the second policy and the water rate was constant. The price of water was determined from the associated system which provided maximum expected net benefits. The third policy assumed the price-use relationship and the price charged for water during each billing period was a non-linear function of storage which increased as the amount of water in storage at the beginning of the period decreased. It was found that the use of the conservation pricing policies substantially reduced storage requirements while providing demonstrable net benefits to the community and a large average supply. The conservation pricing policies substantially lowered the average price paid for water. The effect of uncertainty in consumer response to changes in price was studied by using a probabilistic price-use relationship. This uncertainty did not significantly reduce the effectiveness of the conservation policy. It was concluded that demand management by the use of a proper pricing policy could significantly increase net water supply benefits to a community.
Transformational Teaching: Theoretical Underpinnings, Basic Principles, and Core Methods

Approaches to classroom instruction have evolved considerably over the past 50 years. This progress has been spurred by the development of several learning principles and methods of instruction, including active learning, student-centered learning, collaborative learning, experiential learning, and problem-based learning. In the present paper, we suggest that these seemingly different strategies share important underlying characteristics and can be viewed as complimentary components of a broader approach to classroom instruction called transformational teaching. Transformational teaching involves creating dynamic relationships between teachers, students, and a shared body of knowledge to promote student learning and personal growth. From this perspective, instructors are intellectual coaches who create teams of students who collaborate with each other and with their teacher to master bodies of information. Teachers assume the traditional role of facilitating students’ acquisition of key course concepts, but do so while enhancing students’ personal development and attitudes toward learning. They accomplish these goals by establishing a shared vision for a course, providing modeling and mastery experiences, challenging and encouraging students, personalizing attention and feedback, creating experiential lessons that transcend the boundaries of the classroom, and promoting ample opportunities for preflection and reflection. We propose that these methods are synergistically related and, when used together, maximize students’ potential for intellectual and personal growth.
Involvement of PKCα/β in TLR4 and TLR2 dependent activation of NF-κB

Abstract Protein kinase C (PKC)α/β dependent signaling events downstream of TLR4 or TLR2 were investigated in neutrophils stimulated with LPS or PGN. Pretreatment of neutrophils with the structurally distinct PKCα/β inhibitors Go6976 or GF109203X decreased nuclear translocation of NF-κB and production of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Inhibition of PKCα/β also prevented LPS or PGN induced phosphorylation of IKKα/β, phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α, as well as phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB. Activation of p38, JNK, and ERK 1/2 in response to TLR2 engagement was diminished in neutrophils in which PKCα/β was inhibited. However, no alteration in the activation of these kinases was found in TLR4 stimulated neutrophils when PKCα/β was blocked. Such results indicate that distinct intracellular signalling pathways leading to MAPK activation are induced by TLR4 and TLR2 stimulation. PKCα/β can regulate NF-κB dependent transcription in neutrophils both by enhancing nuclear translocation of NF-κB and also by stimulating phosphorylation of the p65 subunit.
Allelic amber and ochre suppressors

Abstract Two amber suppressors, su-II and su-Y Mel have been converted to ochre suppressors by single-step mutations. Mapping data suggest that these conversions are due to changes within the suppressor genes. The conversions allow UAA suppression and result in an efficiency of suppression of both UAG and UAA lower than that of the original UAG suppression. The effects of these ochre suppressors on the growth of the bacterial cell indicate that the UAA codon has some important role in the translation process.
Efficient copper-catalyzed benzylic amidation with anhydrous chloramine-T.

Benzylic hydrocarbons are selectively converted to the corresponding sulfonamides by the [Cu(CH3CN)4]PF6-catalyzed reaction with anhydrous TolSO2NNaCl (chloramine-T). Under the same conditions, representative ethers are also α-amidated; olefins produce allyl sulfonamides, aziridines, and/or β-chloro sulfonamides.
Latent semantic information in maximum entropy language models for conversational speech recognition

Latent semantic analysis (LSA), first exploited in indexing documents for information retrieval, has since been used by several researchers to demonstrate impressive reductions in the perplexity of statistical language models on text corpora such as the Wall Street Journal. In this paper we present an investigation into the use of LSA in language modeling for conversational speech recognition. We find that previously proposed methods of combining an LSA-based unigram model with an N-gram model yield much smaller reductions in perplexity on speech transcriptions than has been reported on written text. We next present a family of exponential models in which LSA similarity is a feature of a word-history pair. The maximum entropy model in this family yields a greater reduction in perplexity, and statistically significant improvements in recognition accuracy over a trigram model on the Switchboard corpus. We conclude with a comparison of this LSA-featured model with a previously proposed topic-dependent maximum entropy model.
Osmotic pressures and second virial coefficients for aqueous saline solutions of lysozyme

Experimental data at 25 degrees C are reported for osmotic pressures of aqueous solutions containing lysozyme and any one of the following salts: ammonium sulfate, ammonium oxalate and ammonium phosphate at ionic strength 1 or 3M. Data were obtained using a Wescor Colloid Membrane Osmometer at lysozyme concentrations from about 4 to 20 grams per liter at pH 4, 7 or 8. Osmotic second virial coefficients for lysozyme were calculated from the osmotic-pressure data. All coefficients were negative, increasing in magnitude with ionic strength. Results are insensitive to the nature of the anion, but rise slightly in magnitude as the size of the anion increases.
Membership in voluntary neighborhood associations and urban revitalization

This study examines patterns of membership in neighborhood associations in a revitalized neighborhood in a large midwestern city. The neighborhood is ethnically heterogenous and working class. The research assesses the extent of participation in local associations, its effect on revitalization, and differences between old-timers and newcomers.
Passive tunable fiber Fabry-Perot filters for transparent optical networks

The high performance characteristics of lenseless, tunable, all-fiber Fabry-Perot filters allow diverse optical signal processing necessary for a variety of wavelength division multiplex telecommunication systems and wavelength division multiple access data communication networks.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Stage-specific expression of phosphoprotein p19 during spermatogenesis in the rat

The expression of phosphoprotein p19, a 19-kDa cytosolic substrate for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase, occurs abundantly in brain and testis and is developmentally regulated. In the present study we have identified the cell types of adult rat testis that contain p19. Using cryostat sections, which were first incubated with rabbit anti-p19 for immunohistochemistry followed by counterstaining with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-hematoxylin to reveal nuclear morphology, we demonstrate that immunoreactive p19 is detectable only in germ cells and is restricted to a limited stage of spermatogenesis. Expression first appears after the differentiating gametes have entered the prophase of meiosis, is abundant in spermatocytes until meiosis is completed, and declines to undetectable levels in maturing spermatids. We have ruled out immunocross-reactivity with SCG10, a 22-kDa protein that is closely related in structure to p19, by demonstrating, using Northern blot analysis, that RNA transcripts encoding SCG10 are not detectable in adult rat testis, whereas p19 is abundantly expressed. The transient expression of p19 during spermatogenesis suggests that the protein plays a role during male gamete differentiation.
Mutagenic activity of hymenovin in Salmonella typhimurium: Association with the bishemiacetal functional group

Abstract Hymenovin retained 41% of its mutagenic potency to Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100 after hydrogenation of the exo-methylene portion of the α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety, but less than 3% after diethylation of the bishemiacetal moiety. These data indicate that the principal reactive site responsible for the mutagenicity of hymenovin to Salmonella typhimurium is the unusual bishemiacetal moiety and not the α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety.
STABILITY ANALYSES OF RAINFALL INDUCED LANDSLIDES

The slope stability issues concerning rainfall induced slope failures are investigated and presented. Specifically, the effect of both negative and positive pore water pressures on the stability of initially unsaturated slopes are carefully explained and coupled with infinite slope analysis methods in order to present a predictive formulation of slope failures that occur as a result of rainfall events. The formulation serves as a baseline analysis method for evaluating potentially unstable soil slopes that are subject to surface infiltration and explains the various triggering mechanisms that may occur based on individual combinations of the slope geometry, soil strength, and infiltration parameters. A procedural method is outlined for utilizing the analytical formulation to predict the change in the factor of safety for a slope subject to infiltration and a detailed analysis of a case study is presented to verify the method. Quantitative statements are made concerning the time and depth of failure in relationship to the soil, slope, and rainfall parameters.
Gel shift and UV cross-linking analysis of Tetrahymena telomerase

Telomerase is an unusual ribonucleoprotein that synthesizes new telomeres onto chromosome ends. The enzyme has been most extensively characterized in ciliates, where the RNA component has been cloned from several species, and its elongation properties have been characterized in detail. To understand the substrate specificity and protein composition of telomerase, we have used gel shift and UV cross-linking to characterize the enzyme from the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. In a mobility shift assay, a complex was identified that contained telomerase RNA, co-purified with telomerase activity, and was sensitive to nuclease treatment. The mobility shift complexes specifically formed using several different single-stranded, telomeric sequences but not non-telomeric primers. These results suggest that the specificity of telomerase for G-rich primer sequences occurs at least in part at the level of primer binding. UV cross-linking analysis identified a 100-kDa cross-linked protein that may be a telomerase component.
Optogenetic approach for functional assays of the cardiovascular system by light activation of the vascular smooth muscle

Cardiovascular diseases are the major challenge to modern medicine. Intervention to cardiovascular cells is crucial for treatment of the diseases. Here we report a novel intervention to vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells by optogenetics. Channelrhodopsin in a tandem with YFP was selectively expressed in smooth muscle of transgenic mice in which YFP fluorescence was found in arterial walls of various tissues. In dissociated VSM cells from the mice blue light evoked inward currents, leading to depolarization and contraction. In isolated mesenteric arterial rings, optostimulation produced vasoconstriction that was reproducible, sustained, light intensity-dependent and comparable to popular vasoconstrictors. Blue light raised robustly coronary resistance without significant effects on heart rate and pulse pressure. Optostimulation produced renal vasoconstriction as well. The optical vasoconstriction had temporal resolutions less than 40s in these organs. These results indicate that optical vasoconstriction can be effectively produced in various organs with channelrhodopsin expression in VSM cells.