cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Post–Conflict Global Governance: The Case of Microfinance Enterprise Networks in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The article examines the institutional infrastructure that supports the foreign aid flows in the mcrocredit sector in postconflict Bosnia and Herzegovina. It documents the mobilization of transnational networks between different international agencies in the course of the policy formulation and implementation, and elicits the effects that certain network attributes exert on the policy choices made by individual organizations. How and why do international governmental and nongovernmental organizations, with at times conflicting goals, join forces in such networks? More important, whose goals are eventually implemented, and under what conditions? Whose goals are diluted in the process of network mobilization? What are the policy implications of such “battles” for the postconflict reconstruction? The article seeks some answers to these questions, demonstrating how transnational networks intermediate between the organizational goals and the final policy outcomes that result from such a network–based mode of global governance in postconflict regions.
How doctors learn: the role of clinical problems across the medical school-to-practice continuum.

The author proposes a theory of how physicians learn that uses clinical problem solving as its central feature. His theory, which integrates insights from Maslow, Schon, Norman, and others, claims that physicians-in-training and practicing physicians learn largely by deriving insights from clinical experience. These insights allow the learner to solve future problems and thereby address the learner's basic human needs for security, affiliation, and self-esteem. Ensuring that students gain such insights means that the proper roles of the teacher are (1) to select problems for students to solve and offer guidance on how to solve them, and (2) to serve as a role model of how to reflect on the problem, its solution, and the solution's effectiveness. Three principles guide instruction within its framework for learning: (1) learners, whether physicians-in-training or practicing physicians, seek to solve problems they recognize they have; (2) learners want to be involved in their own learning; and (3) instruction must both be time-efficient and also demonstrate the range of ways in which students can apply what they learn. The author concludes by applying the theory to an aspect of undergraduate education and to the general process of continuing medical education.
The Nutritional Status of Breast-fed Infants in a Rural Peruvian Community

The World Health Organization has identified Protein Calorie Malnutrition (PCM) as the leading contributor to the morbidity and mortality of children under 5 years of age in underdeveloped regions of the world. It is estimated that 3% of the children in these areas suffer from one of the severe forms of PCM and another 20% from mild-moderate disease. The fall in prevalence and duration of breastfeeding is believed to contribute to this problem because early weaning may predispose infants to inadequate nutrition and infection. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate growth achievement of children in a small rural community in Peru. Stunting of growth was found in older children (1-2 years of age) who were minimally breast fed and wasting was observed in 24% of younger subjects regardless of the degree of breastfeeding. We hypothesize that early weaning may be in part responsible for these deficits. (authors)
To Inspect and Make Safe: On the Morally Responsible Liability of Property Owners

There is currently a stalemate over the correct approach to legal liability. To take a prominent example, it remains a point of contention whether land owners should be held liable for injuries to trespassers. Many of those who insist that land owners should be held liable for injuries to trespassers maintain this for purely economic or pragmatic reasons. In contrast, those on the other side frequently defend their view on the grounds that, in such trespass cases, owners are not morally responsible for the injuries. We maintain that the best way forward for all parties in this debate is to recognize the existence of “morally responsible liability”—of cases where owners qua owners are morally responsible for damages caused by their property. Once this is recognized, the debate can be framed in terms of whether there are economic or pragmatic reasons for legal liability to diverge from morally responsible liability. Unfortunately, there is no good account of morally responsible liability in the literature. Taking lessons from the failings of the few extant accounts, we draw on the work of A. M. Honore and Jeremy Waldron to develop an account of our own. We argue that owners are morally responsible for damages caused by their property when and because their taking ownership of something leads to increased risk to others. We explain how and why such increases in risk come about, and how our account captures our intuitions concerning various cases, including those concerning injuries to trespassers.
Religious Concepts are Probably Epiphenomena: A Reply to Pyysiäinen, Boyer, and Barrett

It is to the commentators’ great credit that they have managed to cull the conceptual imperfections of my article “The Natural Foundations of Afterlife Beliefs” (Bering 2002a) into a fairly coherent discussion of the “innateness” of representations of dead agents’ minds. In response to their insightful remarks, I will do my best to clarify my position on precisely this topic of the etiology of religious concepts. Unlike Barrett, who stated that “the chicken-and-egg problem of whether intuitive ideas  ll in explicit ones or the other way around may be moot” (p. *), I cannot think of a more important, central question for researchers to be concerned with. Still, because experimental research on the cognitive bases of religion has only recently begun in earnest (e.g., Barrett 1998; Barrett & Keil 1996; Barrett, Richert & Driesenga 2001; Bering 2002; Bering & Bjorklund 2003; Barrett & Nyhof 2001; Boyer & Ramble 2001; Evans 2001; Kelemen 1999; Norenzayan & Atran, in press; Walker 1992; Woolley & Phelps 2001), to some extent I feel it premature to forcibly argue the position
Controlled Communication and Care: The Quest for Intimacy in Edwidge Danticat's BROTHER I’M DYING

Silence or the absence of communication is a recurring motif in Edwidge Danticat's oeuvre, generally representing unresolved trauma, unsuccessful acculturation, guilt, and shame, while speech manif...
Electric polarization as a bulk quantity and its relation to surface charge

A definition of the electric polarization of an insulating crystalline solid is given in terms of the centers of charge of the Wannier functions of the occupied bands. The change of this quantity under an adiabatic evolution of the Hamiltonian has previously been shown to correspond to the physical change in polarization. Here, we show that the polarization as defined above also has a direct and predictive relationship to the surface charge which accumulates at an insulating surface or interface.
Teaching Advanced Interviewing Skills to Residents: A Curriculum for Institutions with Limited Resources

Residency program directors currently face new requirements from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), including the mandate to demonstrate their residents’ proficiency in communication skills. Such skills can be improved through an educa­tional intervention, but few residencies specifically offer formal instruction in communication. Furthermore, the only formal instruction in communication skills described thus far for internal medicine residents requires hundreds of hours per month of faculty and resident time. This paper describes a time-efficient seminar series in communication skills for first-year internal medicine residents, which has been received well by faculty and learners as evidenced by post-seminar surveys and focus groups. Keywords: clinical science education, evaluation, ambulatory education, education-housestaff, doctor-patient communication, interviewing, doctor-patient relationship
Why Do You Keep Them There? A Qualitative Assessment of Firearms Storage Practices

Thousands of children are killed or injured each year in the United States after gaining access to firearms. Storage methods are inconsistent and influenced by various contextual factors in the home. We explored reasons underlying parents' choices of firearm storage. Thirty individuals were interviewed regarding firearm storage methods used in their homes and reasons for choosing those methods. Storage practices varied within and across households. Qualitative results suggested that storage practices were related to child presence and age, intended use of firearms, and perception of risk associated with potential access by unsafe individuals. Implications for injury prevention are discussed.
Axial channeling in perfect crystals, the continuum model, and the method of averaging

Abstract We present a mathematically rigorous treatment of axial channeling motions of energetic, positively charged particles based on the classical relativistic perfect crystal model. More specifically, we reduce the study of motions in a six-dimensional phase space to the study of associated motions in a four-dimensional space. Our main mathematical tool is a recently improved version of the classical method of averaging for ordinary differential equations, which we discuss separately. Applying the method at orders one, two, and three, we extract successively better approximations to perfect crystal model motions (the time of validity is the same for each approximation and scales inversely with the square root of incident particle energy). We call these approximations first-, second-, and third-order continuum model solutions, respectively, and our first-order continuum model solutions are precisely those arising in Lindhard's classical continuum model for axial channeling. The second-order solutions introduce the effects of lattice periodicity in what we believe to be the simplest possible way, e.g., in a computationally simpler way than the standard constant longitudinal momentum approximation. The third-order continuum model solutions introduce the first nontrivial relativistic corrections, and are also, we believe, the most precise approximations which may be useful in applications. After introducing these approximations and discussing their use, we conclude by briefly disussing the present state of the mathematics of channeling.
Mouth gaping behavior in Caribbean reef sharks, Carcharhinus perezi

Mouth gaping in sharks has been considered to be either a threat display or a response to sharksucker irritation, but has never been examined in greater detail. Another form of gaping was observed frequently around feeding scenarios, primarily when sharks swam away from the food source. This form of a yawn-like behavior of Caribbean reef sharks, Carcharhinus perezi, was videotaped during both standard feeding and non-feeding scenarios, and examined for both proximate causation and function. This type of gaping reflects a simulated bite process, including all bite phases, but differs from actual bites in that the duration is as great as 10 times longer, with the expansion phase disproportionally prolonged and a pause at the gape's peak. Of all the possible functions discussed, a maintenance behavior to reposition the jaw elements after feeding fits all of the measured parameters.
Orientation of Limulus polyphemus in the Vicinity of Breeding Beaches

1) Horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus, emerge in mating pairs on sandy beaches to lay eggs then return offshore. Rapid offshore locomotion is exhibited during escape responses. A variety of potent...
Uranium and manganese diffusion in apatite

Abstract Diffusion of manganese and uranium has been characterized by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) in fluorapatite. The following Arrhenius relation is obtained for Mn diffusion in natural Durango fluorapatite, for diffusion parallel to c: D Mn = 5.4 × 10 − 7 exp ( − 288 kJ mol − 1 / R ⁢ T ) m 2 s − 1 . Mn diffusion normal to c appears to be similar to diffusion parallel to c, and diffusivities in natural and synthetic (free of significant amounts of REE or other minor constituents) apatites are the same within experimental uncertainties. Experiments run in air, where Mn is in a more oxidized state, yield diffusivities similar to those for experiments run in sealed silica capsules, which the above Arrhenius relation represents. Uranium diffusion experiments over the temperature range 1000–1300 °C yield the following Arrhenius relation for diffusion parallel to c: D U = 1.3 × 10 − 6 exp ( − 394 kJ mol − 1 / R ⁢ T ) m 2 s − 1 . Diffusion coefficients for transport normal to c are quite similar to those parallel to c. U diffusion experiments run in air, where U is most likely hexavalent, yield diffusivities about an order of magnitude slower than the Ni–NiO buffered experiments. Diffusivities of Mn are comparable to those established previously for Sr and are slightly slower than Pb in apatite. The similar diffusion rates for Sr and Mn, despite their significant differences in cationic radii, suggest that cation size does not exert strong influence on diffusion of divalent cations in apatite, a finding consistent with that previously observed for the trivalent REE. In contrast, cation charge does seem to influence diffusivities strongly in apatite (although Mn appears perhaps something of an exception). U diffusion (buffered at NNO) is about 4 orders of magnitude slower than Mn diffusion, and about 2 orders of magnitude slower than REE diffusion. The differences between U diffusivities in experiments run with the NNO buffer, when U is more likely in the tetravalent state, and in air, where U is hexavalent, are also consistent with this observation.
Autophagy and oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases

Autophagy is a highly conserved degradation process by which intracellular components, including soluble macromolecules (e.g. nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) and dysfunctional organelles (e.g. mitochondria, ribosomes, peroxisomes, and endoplasmic reticulum) are degraded by the lysosome. Autophagy is orchestrated by the autophagy related protein (Atg) composed protein complexes to form autophagosomes, which fuse with lysosomes to generate autolysosomes where the contents are degraded to provide energy for cell survival in response to environmental and cellular stress. Autophagy is an important player in cardiovascular disease development such as atherosclerosis, cardiac ischemia/reperfusion, cardiomyopathy, heart failure and hypertension. Autophagy in particular contributes to cardiac ischemia, hypertension and diabetes by interaction with reactive oxygen species generated in endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. This review highlights the dual role of autophagy in cardiovascular disease development. Full recognition of autophagy as an adaptive or maladaptive response would provide potential new strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention and management. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Autophagy and protein quality control in cardiometabolic diseases.
Further evidence of lead contamination of Omaha skeletons.

A previous analysis of Omaha skeletons dating between A. D. 1780 and 1820 revealed the presence of lead in all skeletons with high concentrations in children and adult males (Reinhard and Ghazi [1992] Ann. J. Phys. Anthropol. 89:183–195). Two likely explanations for the high lead levels were presented: 1) metabolic absorption of lead and 2) diagenetic uptake of lead by the bones from postmortem application of pigments to the corpse. Two types of lead were available to the Omaha tribe: 1) Mississippi Valley type, and 2) non-Mississippi Valley type. It has been suggested that red-lead pigment mixed with mercury sulphide (cinnabar) applied to the corpse may have been one of the sources of lead found in bones. Further isotopic analyses of samples of pigment and metallic lead artifacts associated with the skeletons revealed that non-Mississippi Valley type lead is present in the pigment while Mississippi Valley type lead comes from metallic artifacts. Both lead and mercury were found in the pigment samples, verifying that a lead-based pigment mixed with cinnabar-based pigment was used as a cosmetic by the Omaha. Isotopic analysis of lead in skeletons indicates that the pigment contributed most to lead content of bone. This new evidence clarifies the previous study and suggests specific mechanisms by which lead became incorporated into bone. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Polyelectrolyte effects on site-binding equilibria with application to the intercalation of drugs into DNA.

A theory of polyelectrolyte effects on site-binding equilibria is generalized to multivalent ligands, multivalent supporting salt, intercalation, and multiple-site exclusion. The theory, which contains no adjustable parameters, except the number of sites excluded by a bound ligand, gives the dependence of the equilibrium constant on the binding fraction and the salt concentration. The theory is compared with prior experimental data for the dissociation of poly(acrylic acid), the binding of magnesium to polyphosphate, and the binding of ethidium and actionomycin D to DNA. The theory predicts the binding fraction dependence of the dissociation constant of poly(acrylic acid) well. The theory predicts the binding fraction dependence of the association constant of the binding of Mg2+ to polyphosphate well, if either one or two phosphates are bound by a magnesium ion. We conclude that polyelectrolyte effects on drug-DNA equilibria must be substantial. It follows that an incorrect estimate of the number of sites excluded by a bound drug molecule (because of its size or some other nonpolyelectrolyte effect) can be obtained from binding data if polyelectrolyte effects are ignored. The estimate is also within the context of, and subject to the validity of, the model used to describe the nonpolyelectrolyte contribution to binding. Our results suggest that, subject to these conditions, the anticooperativity of the binding of ethidium to DNA might be explained solely in terms of polyelectrolyte effects, and without reference to multiple-site exclusion, if sequence-specificity effects can be safely ignored. Our results also suggest that as few as two base pairs might be excluded by an actinomycin molecule. The theory gives fairly good agreement for the salt-concentration dependence of the association constant of all of the systems studied, including the complex of the neutral drug actinomycin with DNA.
Gender difference in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis response to alcohol in the rat: activational role of gonadal steroids

Alcohol administration activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis of both male and female rats, with females secreting more adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticosterone than males in response to the same dose of alcohol. Our earlier work suggested that this gender difference arises due to the activational effects of gonadal steroids. In particular, we hypothesized that both androgens and estrogens play a role, with androgens exerting an inhibitory influence while estrogens elevate activity of the HPA. In the present studies, we tested this hypothesis by manipulating steroidal milieu in male rats using surgical castration and chronic implantation of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or estradiol (E2). Intact male and female rats were included as controls. Injection of alcohol (3 g/kg b.wt., i.p.) resulted in elevation of blood alcohol levels, ACTH and corticosterone in all groups. However, the amount of ACTH secreted was greater in females and castrated males implanted with E2 than in intact males. In castrated males, regardless of androgen implantation, the ACTH response was intermediate, with mean levels between those of females and males, but not differing significantly from either. In contrast to the ACTH results, significantly higher corticosterone secretion was measured in females and castrated males which did not receive a steroid implant. Since there were no significant differences between groups in blood alcohol levels (BALs), these results are not due to steroid-dependent alterations in alcohol metabolism. Because the ACTH data confirmed an activational effect of E2, we sought to determine whether this steroid regulated levels of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) mRNAs in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Four pretreatment groups were studied: intact males, intact females, castrated males, and castrated males implanted with E2. Two weeks after surgery, alcohol or vehicle was administered 3 h before brains were collected. In intact males, alcohol treatment elevated levels of both CRF and AVP mRNAs in the PVN, as previously reported. In contrast, this treatment decreased CRF mRNA in castrated males implanted with E2. In addition, steroid pretreatment alone elevated CRF mRNA levels in castrated males. Although we did not observe E2-dependent increases in CRF or AVP mRNAs, our data do support a complex effect of gonadal steroids on expression of these mRNAs in the PVN.
Save: a method for dimension reduction and graphics in regression

Sliced average variance estimation (SAVE) is a method for constructing sufficient summary plots in regressions with many predictors. The summary plots are designed to capture all the information about the response that is available from the predictors, and do not require a model for their construction. They can be particularly helpful for guiding the choice of a first model. Methodological aspects of SAVE are studied in this article.
Reply to “A note on the orientation and size of noctilucent cloud particles”

(1983). Reply to “A note on the orientation and size of noctilucent cloud particles”. Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology: Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 76-76.
The prediction of 2D thermal detonations and resulting damage potential

Abstract The main purpose of this paper is to introduce a new concept for the processes responsible for the escalation and propagation of steam explosions. The concept recognizes that initially only a small quantity of coolant around each coarsely premixed melt mass “sees” the fragmenting debris coming off it, hence it is called the concept of “microinteractions”. We also derive the analytical basis for it, define the nature of the requisite constitutive laws and related experimental data, and demonstrate that this concept is essential for the prediction of steam explosion energetics in large-scale premixtures in 2D geometries. We also provide the first numerical illustrations of this concept, implemented in the computer code esprose .m. Further, we provide the first numerical results of steam explosions in large water pools, i.e. ex-vessel explosions. These results reveal two important mechanisms for explosion “venting” and thus for reducing the dynamic loads on adjacent structures. We conclude that, taken together, the “microinteractions” and “venting” make realistic predictions of steam explosion loads feasible and within reach in the near future.
Characteristics of glycine-activated conductances in cultured medullary neurons from embryonic rat.

Characteristics of glycine-activated currents in 10- to 20-day-old neurons were studied using the gigaseal whole-cell technique. Glycine activated a Cl− conductance that was blocked by strychnine acting as a mixed inhibitor, effecting both Imax and Kd. Glycine receptors with at least two different sensitivities to strychnine were found, based on the apparent inhibition constants (Ki). These two Ki values were associated with different Hill coefficients for the glycine responses. Cs+ activated the same receptor and also activated a relatively nonselective cation conductance.
The coalitional approach to core theory

Abstract The Core-Walras Equivalence is examined in a finite or infinite economy in which the competitive gap is bounded by the size of the atoms in the economy. The economy is represented by a Boolean algebra of coalitions, and coalitions rather than individual agents are taken as a primitive concept. Coalition arbitrage plays the central role in our analysis.
Endothelial Cell Protein C Receptor: Role Beyond Endothelium?

See related article, pages 255–262 Endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) is a type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein with homology to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-class 1/CD1 family of molecules.1 EPCR was isolated and cloned as an endothelial cell-specific, high selectivity and high affinity binding protein for protein C (PC) and activated PC (APC).1 EPCR binds PC on the endothelial surface and presents it to the thrombin:thrombomodulin (TM) complex for activation (Figure 1). Thrombin bound to TM proteolytically activates PC and generates APC which exerts independent anticoagulant and cellular activities.2 The APC anticoagulant pathway is mediated by proteolytic inactivation of blood coagulation Factors Va and VIIIa with the contribution of several cofactors, including protein S, high density lipoproteins, phosphatidylserine, cardiolipin, and glucosylceramide to name a few. The APC cellular pathway on endothelium requires EPCR and the protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1)3 which mediates APC’s cytoprotective effects, including alterations in gene expression profiles, antiapoptotic activity, antiinflammatory activity and protection of endothelial barriers4–10 (Figure 1). EPCR also regulates endogenous physiologic activation of PC by thrombin which is linked to PAR-1-dependent APC protective autocrine signaling in endothelium.11 Figure 1. EPCR binds protein C (PC) on endothelium and presents it to TM (thrombomodulin)-thrombin complex for activation by thrombin. Activated PC (APC) dissociates from EPCR and TM-thrombin complexes and inactivates coagulation factors Va and VIIIa into inactive forms Vi and VIIIi promoting anticoagulation. APC bound to EPCR activates the protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) which binds the Gq and Gi proteins to activate phosophlipase(s) (PLC) in SMCs and endothelium resulting in IP3 (inositol triphosphate)-mediated release of intracellular [Ca2+]i, activation of mitogen-activated …
Specifying interdependence in networked systems

Realistic assessments of the reliability of networked systems, series and parallel systems being special cases, require that we account for interdependence between the component life-lengths. The key to doing this is the specification and use of a suitable probability model in two or more dimensions. Consequently, several multivariate probabilistic models have been proposed in the literature. Many of these models have marginal distributions that are exponential; the ones by Gumbel, and by Marshall and Olkin being some of the earliest and the best known. The purpose of this paper is two fold: The first purpose is to articulate the nature of dependence encapsulated by such models, using a perspective which is best appreciated by a user. Specifically, we anchor on the bivariate case, and focus attention on the conditional mean as a measure of dependence. The second purpose, motivated by the first, is to introduce a new family of multivariate distributions with exponential marginals, whose conditional mean fills a void in the general forms of the conditional means of the available models. The method of "copulas" is used to generate this new family of distributions. Attention is focused on the case of exponential marginals, because the notion of "hazard potentials" enables us to use multivariate distributions with exponential marginals as a seed for generating multivariate distributions with marginals other than the exponential.
Magnetoacoustic Tomography of Biological Tissue with Magnetic Induction

We exploit magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI), which integrates magnetic induction and ultrasound measurements. We report, for the first time, the ability of MAT-MI in imaging electrical conductivity properties of biological tissue.
Addressing the Needs of Students With Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems Reflections and Visions

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders continue to challenge educators, and their progress in school has not been favorable. In my experience, we have failed to implement some of the most promising practices with this group of students. In this article, I discuss three approaches, positive supports, mentoring and relationship building, and fidelity of intervention delivery, that have the potential to significantly improve the lives of many students with emotional and behavioral problems.
Heats of Solution, Density, and Refractive Index Changes in Sodium Borate Glasses Subjected to High Pressure

The densification produced in sodium borate glasses by pressures to 40 kbars at 25° and 250°C was measured. At a constant temperature and pressure, the densification decreased with increasing alkali content. For specimens pressed at 40 kbars and 250°C, the densification ranged from 14.2% for B2O3 to 6.3% for the 33.3 mole % Na2O composition. Under the same conditions, the refractive index increase ranged from 4.8 to 1.1%, and the decrease of the molar refraction of the oxygen ions ranged from 2.5 to 1.5%. The heats of solution of the pressed glasses were more negative than those of the corresponding unpressed glasses. The heats of solution of both the pressed and unpressed glasses pass through a minimum near 20 mole % Na2O. A decrease in density was observed at room temperature for all pressed specimens. Electron micrographs were made of two of the pressed specimens. The results could be explained on the basis of a repacking of structural units.
A Sample Bias in the Evaluation of Smoked Frankfurters by the Triangle Test

SUMMARY— A taste panel was able to determine the difference between smoked and unsmoked frankfurters, at a statistically significant level, only when the smoked frankfurter was the “odd” sample; non-significant selections were made with the unsmoked frankfurter as the “odd” sample. Positional differences of the “odd” sample in tasting the three samples did not affect its selection. Determination of difference between two food products by the triangle taste panel test can be affected by the choice of sample for the “odd” sample.
Cell-free cytoplasmic polyadenylation of oogenic RNA.

The products of cell-free ATP incorporation mediated by cytoplasmic fractions prepared from unfertilized sea urchin eggs, anucleate egg halves, nucleate egg halves, emetine-treated fertilized eggs, and four-cell embryos have been characterized to determine to what extent the polymers synthesized are poly(A) and to assess the size distribution of the primers adenylated. As judged by alkaline lability, ribonuclease resistance, and retention on poly(U)-impregnated filters, greater than 92% of the label recovered after RNA extraction is present in poly(A). LiCl fractionation indicates that little, if any, free poly(A) is synthesized or cleaved from RNA primers during the reaction, and that 4s RNA is not an effective initiator. In excess of 85% of the poly(A) is associated with RNA having S-values ≥ 18S. Sedimentation profiles of RNA adenylated in the unfertilized egg and anucleate egg half reactions are identical. Suppression of in vivo protein synthesis by emetine alters the profile of RNA subsequently adenylated in vitro. It is proposed that the apparent constraints on the utilization of cytoplasmic RNA or ribonucleoprotein primers of oogenic origin may be effected by RNA-associated proteins capable of regulating the selection and/or extent of their polyadenylation during early embryogenesis.
Transgenic Models to Study Actions of Prolactin in Mammary Neoplasia

Transgenic models to explore the role of prolactin and its interactions with other factors in mammary oncogenesis have begun to reveal the dynamic contributions of prolactin to the development and progression of this disease. Targeting prolactin to mammary epithelial cells mimics the local production of this hormone that is prominent in women, and permits studies in the absence of effects on the ovarian steroid milieu. These models have demonstrated that local production of prolactin is sufficient to induce mammary tumors after a long latency. Prolactin also can potentiate actions of other oncogenic stimuli, decreasing tumor latency and increasing incidence in several models. Augmented proliferation, without alteration of apoptosis, is a consistent feature. Pathways in addition to the well-characterized Jak2-Stat5 pathway, including ERK1/2 and Akt1/2, are implicated in these actions. These studies have also revealed a complex relationship with estrogen; while prolactin increases ERα expression, it does not require estrogenic ligand for lesion development, and indeed, in combination with the EGFR ligand, TGFα, prolactin can contribute to estrogen insensitivity. These studies highlight the utility of these models to decipher the interplay between prolactin and other oncogenic factors in breast cancer, with implications for preventative and therapeutic strategies.
Two-Stage End-to-End Reconstruction of Long-Segment Tracheal Defects With a Bioabsorbable Scaffold Grafting Technique in a Canine Model

Background When a long segment of trachea is resected and grafted with a bioabsorbable scaffold, chronic contraction of the graft occurs, leading to substantial delayed native tracheal axial approximation. This phenomenon may allow for safe two-stage end-to-end tracheal reconstruction of large tracheal defects. We performed this trial to confirm that delayed tracheal axial approximation occurs in a mature animal model and to test the surgical feasibility of two-stage end-to-end tracheal reconstruction. Methods Five dogs (weight, 19 to 21 kg) underwent cervical tracheal resection and replacement (50 mm) with use of a conduit of a copolymer of L-lactide and ɛ-caprolactone reinforced with polyglycolic acid. A silicone stent (70 mm) was placed to prevent graft collapse. Postoperative bronchoscopy and computed tomography were scheduled to assess tracheal approximation and graft absorption. Native tracheal end-to-end reconstructive surgical procedures were planned at 9 months, when the defect that had been grafted decreased to less than 25 mm in length. Results Suture-related granulation tissue in the airway of one dog, which prevented operation. The grafted area length in four animals ranged from 19 mm to 23 mm 9 months after operation. These animals then underwent tracheal reconstructive surgical procedures consisting of resection of the grafted area and end-to-end native tracheal reanastomosis without postoperative stent placement. All surgical procedures were successful, and there were no procedural deaths or postoperative complications after the second operation for as long as 2 months. Conclusions Delayed tracheal axial approximation after bioabsorbable grafting was confirmed in a mature animal model and allowed two-stage end-to-end tracheal reconstruction of large tracheal defects.
Liquid Crystal Nonlinear Optics

Liquid crystals occupy a very important and unique place in current research and development efforts in various display and electro-optical devices. Research conducted in the last decade has also shown that they are optically highly nonlinear materials, and can be applied to practical devices and systems. Among the many noteworthy features of liquid crystals are the following [1]: A large birefringence and good transparency spanning the near UV to far infrared spectrum (c.f., fig. 1). Extraordinary large optical non1inearities of various forms suitable for applications with cw–picosecond laser pulses. Almost inexhaustible possibilities for synthesizing new compounds or mixtures of liquid crystals, or liquid crystals and other organic molecular systems, for optimizing material nonlinear optical responses or device performance. Fluid-like and crystalline properties that allow the fabrication of thin film devices or optical guided wave structures (fibers or planar waveguide) with great flexibility in configurations. Indeed, our recent studies have conclusively demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating liquid crystalline optical fibers of various dimensions, and the generation of several nonlinear optical effects with high-efficiency/low-threshold.
The JAK-STAT Pathway

The Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway transmits information received from extracellular polypeptide signals, through transmembrane receptors, directly to transcription factors that bind target gene promoters in the nucleus. This process provides a mechanism for transcriptional regulation without second messengers. Evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotic organisms from slime molds to humans, JAK-STAT signaling appears to be an early adaptation to facilitate intercellular communication that has coevolved with myriad cellular signaling events. This coevolution has given rise to highly adapted, ligand-specific signaling pathways that control gene expression. In addition, the JAK-STAT signaling pathways are regulated by a vast array of intrinsic and environmental stimuli, which can add plasticity to the response of a cell or tissue. The Connections Map provides a generalized view of this JAK-STAT signaling, with additional Connections Maps highlighting the components that are activated by type I interferons (IFN-α/β), IFN-γ, and interleukins and growth factors that activate STAT3. Science Viewpoint D. S. Aaronson, C. M. Horvath, A road map for those who don9t know JAK-STAT. Science 296 , 1653-1655 (2002).[Abstract] [Full Text]
IPX066: a new intermediate - and extended-release carbidopa-levodopa formulation

Carbidopa-levodopa (CD-LD) is the mainstay of treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), yet most patients with advanced PD develop motor fluctuations with time when treated with CD-LD. Development of longer-acting CD-LD formulations is a major goal for reducing motor fluctuations in advanced PD. IPX066 is a new formulation of CD-LD that contains both an immediate-release and a sustained-release levodopa component, which is currently under review by the US FDA. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated improved effectiveness of IPX066 compared with other CD-LD formulations in advanced PD, with a reduction in 'off' time of approximately 37%. While it has also been shown to be effective in early PD compared with placebo, its role in early PD compared with other available medications for PD is unclear at this time.
Evaluation of B3LYP, X3LYP, and M06-Class Density Functionals for Predicting the Binding Energies of Neutral, Protonated, and Deprotonated Water Clusters.

In this paper we assess the accuracy of the B3LYP, X3LYP, and newly developed M06-L, M06-2X, and M06 functionals to predict the binding energies of neutral and charged water clusters including (H2O)n, n = 2-8, 20), H3O(+)(H2O)n, n = 1-6, and OH(-)(H2O)n, n = 1-6. We also compare the predicted energies of two ion hydration and neutralization reactions on the basis of the calculated binding energies. In all cases, we use as benchmarks calculated binding energies of water clusters extrapolated to the complete basis set limit of the second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory with the effects of higher order correlation estimated at the coupled-cluster theory with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations in the aug-cc-pVDZ basis set. We rank the accuracy of the functionals on the basis of the mean unsigned error (MUE) between calculated benchmark and density functional theory energies. The corresponding MUE (kcal/mol) for each functional is listed in parentheses. We find that M06-L (0.73) and M06 (0.84) give the most accurate binding energies using very extended basis sets such as aug-cc-pV5Z. For more affordable basis sets, the best methods for predicting the binding energies of water clusters are M06-L/aug-cc-pVTZ (1.24), B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) (1.29), and M06/aug-cc-PVTZ (1.33). M06-L/aug-cc-pVTZ also gives more accurate energies for the neutralization reactions (1.38), whereas B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) gives more accurate energies for the ion hydration reactions (1.69).
Exploring the diagnostic utility of facial composites: Beliefs of guilt can bias perceived similarity between composite and suspect

Facial composite research has generally focused on the investigative utility of composites— using composites to find suspects. However, almost no work has examined the diagnostic utility of facial composites—the extent to which composites can be used as evidence against a suspect. For example, detectives and jurors may use the perceived similarity of a suspect to a composite as evidence to determine the likelihood of a suspect’s guilt. However, research in social cognition and models of cognitive coherence suggest that these similarity judgments may be biased by evaluators’ preexisting beliefs of guilt. Two studies examined how preexisting beliefs of guilt influence similarity ratings between a suspect and a facial composite. Study 1 (n 93) demonstrated that mock-investigators’ beliefs in a suspect’s guilt inflated their subsequent similarity ratings. Study 2 (n 49) demonstrated that mock-jurors’ beliefs in a defendant’s guilt predicted their similarity ratings. These findings highlight a problem of using facial composites as evidence against a suspect, and demonstrate the malleability of similarity judgments.
Disturbances in the spontaneous attribution of social meaning in schizophrenia

Background. Schizophrenia patients show disturbances on a range of tasks that assess mentalizing or 'Theory of Mind' (ToM). However, these tasks are often developmentally inappropriate, make large demands on verbal abilities and explicit problem-solving skills, and involve after-the-fact reflection as opposed to spontaneous mentalizing. Method. To address these limitations, 55 clinically stable schizophrenia out-patients and 44 healthy controls completed a validated Animations Task designed to assess spontaneous attributions of social meaning to ambiguous abstract visual stimuli. In this paradigm, 12 animations depict two geometric shapes' interacting' with each other in three conditions: (1) ToM interactions that elicit attributions of mental states to the agents, (2) Goal-Directed (GO) interactions that elicit attributions of simple actions, and (3) Random scenes in which no interaction occurs. Verbal descriptions of each animation are rated for the degree of Intentionality attributed to the agents and for accuracy. Results. Patients had lower Intentionality ratings than controls for ToM and GO scenes but the groups did not significantly differ for Random scenes. The descriptions of the patients less closely matched the situations intended by the developers of the task. Within the schizophrenia group, performance on the Animations Task showed minimal associations with clinical symptoms. Conclusions. Patients demonstrated disturbances in the spontaneous attribution of mental states to abstract visual stimuli that normally evoke such attributions. Hence, in addition to previously established impairment on mentalizing tasks that require logical inferences about others' mental states, individuals with schizophrenia show disturbances in implicit aspects of mentalizing.
New marine algal records from the Polynesia–Micronesia region of the Pacific Ocean

The first known collections of marine algae from Santa Rosa Reef, a submerged seamount located 46 km south-south-west of Guam in the Mariana Islands, occurred at 10.0 to 13.7 m depths in 2003 and 2005. Dasycladus vermicularis, a green alga known predominantly from the Caribbean but also reported from the Philippines in 1976 and the Ryukyus in 1995, and Cutleria irregularis, a brown alga first described from the Hawaiian Islands in 2003, represent the first record of D. vermicularis in the Polynesia–Micronesia region, and the first record of C. irregularis in Micronesia. In total, 8 of the 32 algal species collected at Santa Rosa Reef represent new records for the Mariana Islands.
Tumor Promoter-induced Inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor Binding to Cultured Mouse Primary Epidermal Cells

The effect of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and other diterpene derivatives on the binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to primary cultures of mouse epidermal cells was studied. 125I-EGF was used to study the specific binding of the growth factor to monolayer cultures of mouse epidermal cells grown under low-calcium culture conditions (0.06 mM Ca2+). Under these growth conditions, nonspecific binding did not exceed 10%. Initially, TPA decreased the binding of 125I-EGF to cells. However, when cells were incubated continuously in TPA plus EGF (0.25 ng/ml) for 19 hr, there was more EGF bound to the TPA-treated cells than to control cells. This phenomenon was not observed at high (5 ng/mg) EGF concentrations. Scatchard analysis of specific 125I-EGF binding at 4 degrees after a 1-hr pretreatment of the cells with TPA at 37 degrees converted a curvilinear plot to a linear plot. TPA induced a 25% decrease in the number of receptors per cell and eliminated binding of EGF to a class of high-affinity receptors. Preincubation of cells in TPA at 37 degrees for up to 13 hr followed by Scatchard analysis at 4 degrees showed that the curvilinear plot was restored and that the effects of TPA were partially reversible. TPA did not alter the rate at which bound EGF was degraded. However, at low EGF concentrations, TPA reduced the amount of EGF that was metabolized. The greater amount of EGF bound to TPA-treated cells over controls after long-term incubation was due to the presence of larger amounts of whole EGF in the media of TPA-treated cells at a time when the cells have regained their ability to bind EGF. A series of diterpene derivatives of different abilities to act as tumor promoters and hyperplasia-inducing agents were tested for their ability to influence EGF binding. The abilities of members of this series to decrease EGF binding and prevent degradation of EGF correlated more with their potentials to induce hyperplasia than with their tumor-promoting potentials. The ability of these diterpene derivatives to induced DNA synthesis with EGF synergistically may depend on the transient sparing of the EGF from degradation and subsequent binding of the spared EGF.
Comparison of short-term seacliff retreat measurement methods in Del Mar, California

article i nfo Seacliff retreat has been variously characterized as the recession rate of the cliff top, of the cliff base, and as the bulk recession rate based on volumetric changes of the entire cliff face. Here, these measures of retreat are compared using nine semi-annual airborne LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) surveys of southern California seacliffs. Changes in the cliff base location (where the steeply sloping cliff face intersects the beach) include cliff retreat owing to basal erosion, but also reflect changes in beach sand level and basal talus deposits. Averaged over the 2.5 km alongshore study span, the cliff base actually prograded seaward about 12 cm during the 4-year study. Cliff top change was dominated by few, relatively large (several meters) localized retreats. Cliff face changes, that include failures and deposits anywhere on the cliff profile, had a relatively small mean magnitude compared to cliff top changes and were more widely distributed alongshore. However, the similar alongshore averaged, cumulative cliff top and net bulk cliff face end-point retreat (14 and 19 cm, respectively) suggest that mean cumulative cliff top retreat can potentially be a viable surrogate for mean net cumulative cliff-wide erosion (and vice versa) over relatively short time periods. Cliff face erosion occurred repeatedly at some locations, confirming the presence of seacliff erosion hot-spots during the study period.