cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3199: Pterostilbene supresses prostate cancer progression in transgenic mice model

Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) is a cancer progression-related epigenetic modifier whose overexpression is associated with aggressive prostate cancer (PCa), disease recurrence and metastasis in men. We previously found that MTA1 expression is significantly increased in Pten-null murine cells, and that resveratrol and its analogues inhibit MTA1 expression. In the current study, we used the murine Pten knockout PCa model to evaluate the effect of pterostilbene (PTER) on MTA1-mediated events in PCa progression. Pterostilbene is a potent natural analogue of resveratrol with improved pharmacokinetic properties and superior pharmacological potency. The Pten conditional knockout mice that mimic human disease and provide fast stage-defined development of PCa were fed, starting at 3 weeks of age, with phytoestrogen-free diet AIN 76A and injected daily (i.p.) either with 10% DMSO (control, untreated) or with 10 mg/kg bw PTER until 6, 10, 15 and 25 weeks of age. At necropsy, mouse prostates were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded for histological and immunohistochemical analysis. For protein analysis, mouse prostate dissection was performed to distinguish anterior prostate (AP) and dorso-latero-ventral (DLV) lobes. Our results showed that the PTER-treated group had a lower tumor grade and higher incidence of prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) at the expense of a substantial decrease in adenocarcinoma incidence. Prostate tissues from the PTER-treated group presented a decrese in Ki67 proliferation marker-positive cells and an increase in apoptosis. As potential mechanisms of PTER efficacy, 50-75% decrease in MTA1 and pAkt levels were observed at different time points. In addition, PTER inhibited androgen receptor (AR) expression, especially in the AP. Taken together, our findings suggest that PTER blocks PCa growth and progression at PIN stage in Pten conditional knockout mice model through inhibition of MTA1-Akt axis. Citation Format: Liangfen Zhang, Swati Dhar, Agnes M. Rimando, Avinash Kumar, Janice Lage, Jack R. Lewin, Xu Zhang, Anait S. Levenson. Pterostilbene supresses prostate cancer progression in transgenic mice model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3199. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3199
Taking the “Q” Out of Research: Teaching Research Methodology Courses Without the Divide Between Quantitative and Qualitative Paradigms

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence that the debate between quantitative and qualitative is divisive and, hence, counterproductive for advancing the social and behavioral science field. We advocate that all graduate students learn to utilize and to appreciate both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. As such, students will develop into pragmatist researchers who are able to utilize both quantitative and qualitative techniques when conducting research. We contend that the best way to accomplish this is by eliminating quantitative research methodology and qualitative research methodology courses from curricula and replacing these with research methodology courses at different levels that simultaneously teach both quantitative and qualitative techniques within a mixed methodological framework.
Further development of continuum FEM simulation for ceramic breeder pebble bed unit thermomechanics

This work introduces a unified cap model, implemented in ANSYS, to the field of ceramic breeder pebble bed thermomechanics. The developed continuum numerical model has been validated and applied to predict the temperature/stress-dependent creep phenomena and stress relaxation of Li4SiO4 pebble bed, and the temperature/stress distributions of a DEMO-like breeder unit. In addition, considering the essential of experimental data for deriving the constitutive equations and for model benchmarking, we designed and conducted oedometric compression, creep and stress relaxation tests.
Complex Symmetric Operators and Applications II

A bounded linear operator T on a complex Hilbert space H is called complex symmetric if T = CT*C, where C is a conjugation (an isometric, antilinear involution of H). We prove that T = CJ\T|, where J is an auxiliary conjugation commuting with |T| = √T*T. We consider numerous examples, including the Poincare-Neumann singular integral (bounded) operator and the Jordan model operator (compressed shift). The decomposition T = CJ\T| also extends to the class of unbounded C-selfadjoint operators, originally introduced by Glazman. In this context, it provides a method for estimating the norms of the resolvents of certain unbounded operators.
A microcomputer-based morphometer for bush-type plants

Abstract A microcomputer-based measurement system was developed to allow in-situ, non-destructive measurement of the morphological characteristics of bush-type plants. Seven ultrasonic ranging modules were used to scan the plant row for distance-to-plant measurements at three different positions on each side of the row and one position above the row. An optical incremental shaft encoder was used as a position sensor to measure the forward travel distance of the instrument. The selected horizontal interval between successive scans was 31 mm. An interface was designed to connect a single-board computer (SBC) with the ultrasonic sensor system for data acquisition. Storage capacity of this measurement system was 7000 data values (1000 scans of seven sensors). A key pad was interfaced with the SBC to permit input of the operating commands. A liquid crystal display (LCD) unit displayed all results, including cumulative plant volume, maximum and average plant widths at three vertical positions, and maximum and average plant heights. In both laboratory and field tests, the device produced results which were consistent and in close agreement with physical measurements taken in other ways.
Personal projectors based on VCSEL arrays

The proliferation of hand-held devices containing processors and wireless data connectivity suggests the need to explore how to place a large display into a compact package, both so that the user can share visual information with others in the room who might not have similar devices, and to get around the screen size and resolution limits imposed by the form factors of the devices. Particular requirements for this application include ruggedness, low cost, and low power consumption. We propose the use of linear arrays of vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers operating at visible wavelengths as the basis for 'personal projectors,' and explore the engineering and perceptual issues associated with a prototype design.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY-MAKING IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

ABSTRACT This research examines the evolution of information technology policy formation and policy-making in the People's Republic of China. The paper analyzes, from an institutional and a macro perspective, the basis and formation of the IT policy in China, the policy makers, and the effect of corresponding policy initiatives which contributed to the development and prosperities of China's telecommunication service sector. Embedded in the backdrop of P.R. China's political history and the world trend of liberalization, deregulation, privatization and the entry of the WTO deal in telecommunications community, this paper reveals the unique features of socialist China in transforming its IT industry from a monopolized government sector into managed domestic competition and ultimately opening up to the international investors.
Knowledge acquisition for multiple site, related domain expert systems: Delphi process and application

Abstract Prerequisite to the development of an expert system is the identification of relevant knowledge and expertise. This research explores a Delphi-based approach for managing a portion of the knowledge acquisition process with multiple, geographically dispersed experts. The general context in which the methodology is useful and beneficial, the multiple site, related domain problem, is defined and discussed. An instance of a multiple site, related domain application, hospital operating room scheduling, is used to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach. Thirty five domain experts were engaged in a Delphi process that enabled the creation of a global model of knowledge for operating room scheduling. The resulting model is asserted to be applicable at virtually any hospital site by nature of the way the knowledge is identified and structured. The generality of the knowledge base is novel vis-a-vis the traditional paradigm of custom development typically associated with knowledge acquisition and knowledge bases. The model was successfully validated using two hospitals, one whose operating room Director participated in the Delphi study and one whose Director did not.
Buckling in response to applied heat sources

Abstract We consider the problem of thermoelastic buckling of slender rods and thin plates subject to specified heat sources on their surfaces. The situation arises in experiments in which the heat sources are either distributed in space (heat produced by exothermic heterogeneous chemical reactions catalyzed on the surface of a thin elastic crystal) or are more localized (laser beam heating of the crystal). The steady heat balance equation is solved for the unbuckled rod (plate), taking into account conduction and radiation losses. The resulting temperature fields induce buckling, which is studied analytically and numerically as a bifurcation problem in the appropriate nonlinear elastostatic equilibrium equations.
Mechanism design with incomplete languages

A major achievement of mechanism design theory is the family of truthful mechanisms often called VCG (named after Vickrey, Clarke and Groves). Although these mechanisms have many appealing properties, their essential intractability prevents them from being applied to complex problems like combinatorial auctions. In particular, VCG mechanisms require the agents to fully describe their valuation functions to the mechanism. Such a description may require exponential size and thus be infeasible for the agents.A natural approach for this problem is to introduce an intermediate language for the description of the valuations. Such a language must be succinct to both the agents and the mechanism. Unfortunately, the resulting mechanisms are neither truthful nor do they satisfy individual rationality.This paper suggests a general method for overcoming this difficulty. Given an intermediate language and an algorithm for computing the results, we propose three different mechanisms, each more powerful than its predecessor, but also more time consuming. Under reasonable assumptions, the results of our mechanisms are at least as good as the results of the algorithm on the actual valuations. All of our mechanisms have polynomial computational time and satisfy individual rationality.
BACKWARDS TO THE FUTURE: THE CULTURAL TURN AND THE WISDOM OF INTELLECTUAL HISTORY

Unlike the memory of the querulous and time-bending White Queen in Through the Looking Glass, mine befits her complaint, inclined as I am to thinking backwards when asked to contemplate the state of our field. Backwards, then, I go in the first section of this essay, after a few opening comments on the situation of our field at the present moment. Thereafter, I describe the emergence of cultural history and summarize some of its strengths and weaknesses, to the end of reflecting on its implications for intellectual history.
Kinetic analysis of the in vitro binding of radioactive cis- and trans-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) to DNA☆

The binding of cis(c)- and trans(t)-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 to DNA at platinum/DNA-nucleotide ratios (Ri) of 0.1 or less has been studied by means of radioactive 195mPt-labeled compounds. Kinetic data are consistent with the following scheme: At 25°C and pH 5–6 in 5 mM NaClO4, the values for the rate constants in the above scheme for the c-isomer are k2 = 2.2 × 10−5 sec−1, k7 = 0.32 (sec M)−1, and k8 = 143 (sec M)−1; for the t-isomer the values are k2 < 0.5 × 10−5 sec−1 and k7 = 0.95 (sec M)−1. Platinum-DNA adducts do not undergo detectable exchange after 3 days at 37°C, indicating the absence of a dynamic equillibrium. For both isomers the rate of binding is the same for single- and double-stranded DNA. The conclusions derived from Ag+ and H+ titration studies are consistent with binding at guanine N(7) for Ri < 0.1. The reaction rate is competitively inhibited by various salts and buffers and is suppressed by raising the pH (50% inhibition of initial rates at pH 7.3). At 37°C and pH 7 in 0.15 M NaCl, 6–8% of both the c- and t-isomers bind to DNA in 24 h, suggesting that both compounds should bind to DNA under biological conditions.
Complications of prolonged PROM and oligohydramnios

Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) is the cause of 30-40% of all preterm births. Sometimes delivery occurs shortly after PROM because of acute infection, refractory labor, cord prolapse, or abruption. When the mother and fetus are in stable condition, a policy of expectant management usually
Using the MMPI-2 to Predict Symptom Reduction During Psychotherapy in a Sample of Community Outpatients

In the present study, potential MMPI-2 predictors of psychotherapy outcome were examined in a community clinical sample of 51 patients seeking treatment at a university training clinic. Results indicated that particular MMPI-2 scales (L, F, Pd, Pa, Sc, Trt) were the most predictive of initial levels of patient distress, whereas three other clinical scales (Hs, D, Hy) were significantly associated with actual symptom reduction over time. The clinical implications of these data include the use of the MMPI-2 in clinical practice as a means to frame the provision of direct feedback to patients regarding the likelihood of treatment response, which in turn, might actually have therapeutic benefits. The limitations of the study are reviewed and suggestions for future research are offered, including the potential use of widely known and utilized instruments in helping to predict response to psychotherapy.
A cholinergic-sensitive channel in the cat visual system tuned to low spatial frequencies

Visually evoked responses to counterphased gratings were recorded from the cat visual cortex before and after physostigmine administration. Physostigmine markedly reduced the responses to low spatial frequencies, but minimally affected the response to high frequencies. This effect is considered cholinergic since it could be reversed by atropine. These results support at least a two-channel model of spatial frequency responsivity.
Combining stereotactic radiosurgery and systemic therapy for brain metastases: a potential role for temozolomide

Brain metastases are unfortunately very common in the natural history of many solid tumors and remain a life-threatening condition, associated with a dismal prognosis, despite many clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes. Radiation therapy options for brain metastases include whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). SRS avoids the potential toxicities of WBRT and is associated with excellent local control (LC) rates. However, distant intracranial failure following SRS remains a problem, suggesting that untreated intracranial micrometastatic disease is responsible for failure of treatment. The oral alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ), which has demonstrated efficacy in primary malignant central nervous system tumors such as glioblastoma, has been used in early phase trials in the treatment of established brain metastases. Although results of these studies in established, macroscopic metastatic disease have been modest at best, there is clinical and preclinical data to suggest that TMZ is more efficacious at treating and controlling clinically undetectable intracranial micrometastatic disease. We review the available data for the primary management of brain metastases with SRS, as well as the use of TMZ in treating established brain metastases and undetectable micrometastatic disease, and suggest the role for a clinical trial with the aims of treating macroscopically visible brain metastases with SRS combined with TMZ to address microscopic, undetectable disease.
Effects of In-vivo Application of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Corneal Wound Healing in New Zealand White Rabbits

Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) has been shown to influence tissue wound healing but little is known about the impact of CAP on healthy corneal tissues and their ability to respond to injuries. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of CAP on wound healing after corneal epithelial and basement membrane ablation in New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were assigned into three groups. Ten Rabbits from two groups underwent a 6 mm corneal ablation to the right eyes. After ablation, five rabbits in group (A) received 2 minutes of CAP whereas the other five rabbits (B) were not treated with CAP. A third group (C) included two rabbits and received CAP without ablation. Eyes monitored for corneal haze, epithelial healing, lens clarity and any signs of inflammation. At 24 hours, two rabbits from group A and two from group B were sacrificed to harvest the corneas. Twenty days, all remaining rabbits in groups A, B, and C were sacrificed and corneas were harvested. Corneas were fixed in formalin and stained with H&E or used for immunofluorescence microscopy to assess scar formation using antibodies against fibronectin and a-smooth muscle actin. At 24 hours, corneas from group A had average epithelial defect of 9.25 mm2 on day 1 whereas those from group B had average defect of 12.05 mm2, a difference of 2.8 mm2 (P=0.57). H & E stained corneal sections didn’t show abnormal responses to injury at 24 hours and 20 days. Epithelial thickness and stromal cell counts 20 days after injury showed no significant differences. Analysis of immunofluorescence microscopy images showed no differences between all groups. In conclusion, CAP application to cornea doesn’t appear to have obvious adverse effects. CAP does not interfere with rate of wound closure or induce increased inflammation. CAP did not have an effect on corneal wound healing or lead to scar formation.
A decade of the modified Atkins diet (2003–2013): Results, insights, and future directions

The modified Atkins diet has been used since 2003 for the treatment of children and adults with refractory epilepsy.This “alternative” ketogenic diet is started in clinic, without fasting, hospitalization, and restriction of protein,calories, or fluid intake. Now after 10 years of continued use, approximately 400 patients have been reported in over 30 studies of the modified Atkins diet as treatment for intractable seizures, with results demonstrating similar efficacy to the ketogenic diet and improved tolerability. The modified Atkins diet is being increasingly used in the adult population. Clinical trials have provided insight into the mechanisms of action of dietary therapies overall. This review will discuss the past decade of experience with the modified Atkins diet as well as predictions for its role in the treatment of epilepsy a decade from now.
Adsorption of Water on Gold

Abstract In the atmospheric corrosion of copper, nickel, and iron, adsorption of water affects corrosion rates. Knowledge of water adsorption and metal oxyhydroxide formation is important in unders...
A PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES AND THE INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

Abstract Characteristics of the IUD and contraceptive pills were studied relative to personality. Side effects and effectiveness of use seemed to be an outcome of an interaction between the method and the personality of the user. Successful use of the IUD appears to be hindered by emotional conflict. Oral contraceptives are used most efficiently by women who are more responsible than their husbands, but also compatible with them. Less feminine “pill users” reported more instances of swollen and sore breasts. A decline in fear of pregnancy was connected with less pill-related symptoms. The choice of contraception should hinge on an evaluation of the positive and negative side effects that are likely to transpire for a particular individual.
Experiments in tidal mass conservation

SUMMARY A common feature of theoretical ocean tide models is their failure to conserve mass over the oceans. This failure distorts the tidal solution and imparts ambiguity to the calculation of tidal effects on gravity, crustal loading, and Earth rotation; for example, predicted effects of long-period tides on rotation could be uncertain by up to 50 per cent in magnitude and 100 per cent in phase. Using the spherical harmonic tide theory developed by Dickman (1989), the influence of various global conservation constraints on the tidal solution is explored. an ocean-wide mass conservation constraint, implemented using Lagrange multipliers, produces a realistic and significantly more accurate and unambiguous tidal solution.
Potentiation of NMDA receptor function by the serine protease thrombin.

Although serine proteases and their receptors are best known for their role in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis, the CNS expresses many components of an extracellular protease signaling system including the protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1), for which thrombin is the most effective activator. In this report we show that activation of PAR1 potentiates hippocampal NMDA receptor responses in CA1 pyramidal cells by 2.07 ± 0.27-fold (mean ± SEM). Potentiation of neuronal NMDA receptor responses by thrombin can be blocked by thrombin and a protein kinase inhibitor, and the effects of thrombin can be mimicked by a peptide agonist (SFLLRN) that activates PAR1. Potentiation of the NMDA receptor by thrombin in hippocampal neurons is significantly attenuated in mice lacking PAR1. Although high concentrations of thrombin can directly cleave both native and recombinant NR1 subunits, the thrombin-induced potentiation we observe is independent of NMDA receptor cleavage. Activation of recombinant PAR1 also potentiates recombinant NR1/NR2A (1.7 ± 0.06-fold) and NR1/NR2B (1.41 ± 0.11-fold) receptor function but not NR1/NR2C or NR1/NR2D receptor responses. PAR1-mediated potentiation of recombinant NR1/NR2A receptors occurred after activation with as little as 300 pm thrombin. These data raise the intriguing possibility that potentiation of neuronal NMDA receptor function after entry of thrombin or other serine proteases into brain parenchyma during intracerebral hemorrhage or extravasation of plasma proteins during blood–brain barrier breakdown may exacerbate glutamate-mediated cell death and possibly participate in post-traumatic seizure. Furthermore, the ability of neuronal protease signaling to control NMDA receptor function may also have roles in normal brain development.
On scalable net modeling of OLTP

Practical experiments with the net modeling of OLTP (online transaction processing) applications are discussed. The goal was to propose a convenient and flexible model that would be easy to modify with respect to different scheduling algorithms, number of processors, and disks. The parameters of the model may be varied depending on the size of available memory and timing in a model in order to provide the necessary information to analyze the functioning of the system under different transaction rates and conditions, to identify bottlenecks and potential inefficiencies in the system design. The main effort was focused on speeding up the simulation through combining nets with code, using refinement techniques, and exploiting the scalability of colored Petri nets. >
The changing nature of fatherhood: the nurse and social policy

Fathers, fathering and fatherhood are topics which receive little attention throughout the world's professional literature. Only recently has there been increased interest and research on the changing roles of men with particular emphasis on nurturing and parenting. A body of knowledge has started to accumulate which investigates the role of fathers with their families. The purpose of this article is to summarize the research literature about fatherhood in the United States of America today and to discuss the implications of this research for the practice of nursing. This analysis synthesizes the literature using two different perspectives. The developmental perspective traces the role of fathers from family planning through the family life cycle to grandfatherhood. The social contextual perspective summarizes the literature related to fathers for three common variations in society today: single custodial fathers, fathers in dual earner families, and adolescent fathers. Lastly, implications for nursing practice and social policy are discussed.
Enigmatic origin of the largest-known carbon isotope excursion in Earth's history

Carbonate rocks of Middle Ediacaran age record the largest excursion in carbon isotopic compositions in Earth history. A review of the data offers two intriguing explanations: an extraordinary perturbation of the carbon cycle, or post-depositional alteration that is global, rather than local. Carbonate rocks from the Middle Ediacaran period in locations all over the globe record the largest excursion in carbon isotopic compositions in Earth history. This finding suggests a dramatic reorganization of Earth's carbon cycle. Named the Shuram excursion for its original discovery in the Shuram Formation, Oman, the anomaly closely precedes impressive events in evolution, including the rise of large metazoans and the origin of biomineralization in animals. Instead of a true record of the carbon cycle at the time of sedimentation, the carbon isotope signature recorded in the Shuram excursion could be caused by alteration following deposition of the carbonate sediments, a scenario supported by several geochemical indicators. However, such secondary processes are intrinsically local, which makes it difficult to explain the coincident occurrence of carbon isotope anomalies in numerous records around the globe. Both possibilities are intriguing: if the Shuram excursion preserves a genuine record of ancient seawater chemistry, it reflects a perturbation to the carbon cycle that is stronger than any known perturbations of the modern Earth. If, however, it represents secondary alteration during burial of sediments, then marine sediments must have been globally preconditioned in a unique way, to allow ordinary and local processes to produce an extraordinary and widespread response.
The persistence of lead from past gasoline emissions and mining drainage in a large riparian system: Evidence from lead isotopes in the Sacramento River, California

Lead concentrations and isotope ratios measured in river water colloids and streambed sediment samples along 426 km of the Sacramento River, California reveal that the influence of lead from the historical mining of massive sulfide deposits in the West Shasta Cu-mining district (at the headwaters of the Sacramento River) is confined to a 60 km stretch of river immediately downstream of that mining region, whereas inputs from past leaded gasoline emissions and historical hydraulic Au-mining in the Sierra Nevadan foothills are the dominant lead sources in the remaining 370 km of the river. Binary mixing calculations suggest that more than 50% of the lead in the Sacramento River outside of the region of influence of the West Shasta Cu-mining district is derived from past depositions of leaded gasoline emissions. This predominance is the first direct documentation of the geographic extent of gasoline lead persistence throughout a large riparian system (>160,000 km 2 ) and corroborates previous observations based on samples taken at the mouth of the Sacramento River. In addition, new analyses of sediment samples from the hydraulic gold mines of the Sierra Nevada foothills confirm the present-day fluxes into the Sacramento River of contaminant metals derived from historical hydraulic Au-mining that occurred during the latter half of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries. These fluxes occur predominantly during periods of elevated river discharge associated with heavy winter precipitation in northern California. In the broadest context, the study demonstrates the potential for altered precipitation patterns resulting from climate change to affect the mobility and transport of soil-bound contaminants in the surface environment.
Early object rule acquisition.

The purpose of this study was to generate a grounded theory ofearly object rule acquisition. The grounded theory approach and computer coding were used to analyze videotaped samples ofan infant's and a tod­ dler's independent object play, which produced the categories descriptive of three primary types of object rules: rules of object properties, rules ofobject action, and rules ofobject affect. This occupational science theory offers potential for understanding the role of objects in human occupations, for development of in­ struments, and for applications in occupational ther­ apy ear~y intervention.
Functional pearl: every bit counts

We show how the binary encoding and decoding of typed data and typed programs can be understood, programmed, and verified with the help of question-answer games. The encoding of a value is determined by the yes/no answers to a sequence of questions about that value; conversely, decoding is the interpretation of binary data as answers to the same question scheme.We introduce a general framework for writing and verifying game-based codecs. We present games for structured, recursive, polymorphic, and indexed types, building up to a representation of well-typed terms in the simply-typed λ-calculus. The framework makes novel use of isomorphisms between types in the definition of games. The definition of isomorphisms together with additional simple properties make it easy to prove that codecs derived from games never encode two distinct values using the same code, never decode two codes to the same value, and interpret any bit sequence as a valid code for a value or as a prefix of a valid code.
Nuclear Chromosome Dynamics in the Drosophila Male Germ Line Contribute to the Nonrandom Genomic Distribution of Retrogenes

The origin of RNA-based gene duplicates, that is, retrogenes, involves the reverse transcription of an mRNA derived from a parental gene to generate a cDNA copy, its insertion elsewhere in the genome, and the recruitment of regulatory sequences. Drosophila retrogenes are preferentially expressed in testis and a higher than expected number transpose to autosomal locations from the X chromosome. However, the influence of genomic context on the insertion preference of retrogenes remains poorly understood. We find that the distribution of retrogenes in the Drosophila melanogaster genome can be explained by an insertion bias toward chromosome domains containing testis-biased genes that are located at the nuclear periphery in somatic cells, but at inner positions in the male germ line. The lower fraction of these chromosome domains accessible in the male germ line on the X chromosome as compared with the autosomes also contributes to the scarcity of retrogenes on the X chromosome.
INVITED REVIEW: BRASSICA BIOTECHNOLOGY: PROGRESS IN CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Considerable progress has been accomplished in the cellular and molecular biology of Brassica species in the past few years. Plant regeneration has been increasingly optimized via organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis using various explants; with tissue culture improvements focusing on factors such as age of the explant, genotype, and media additives. The production of haploids and doubled haploids using microspores has accelerated the production of homozygous lines in the Brassica species. Somatic cell fusion has facilitated the development of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids in the sexually incompatible species of Brassica. Crop improvement using somaclonal variation has also been achieved. The use of molecular markers in marker-assisted selection and breeding, transformation technology for the introduction of desirable traits, and a comparative analysis of these as well as their future prospects are important parts of the current research that is reviewed.
RSAvisual: a visualization tool for the RSA cipher

This paper describes a visualization tool RSAvisual that helps students learn and instructors teach the RSA cipher. This tool permits the user to visualize the steps of the RSA cipher, do encryption and decryption, learn simple factorization algorithms, and perform some elementary attacks. The demo mode of RSAvisual can be used for classroom presentation and self-study. With the practice mode, the user may go through steps in encryption, decryption, the Extended Euclidean algorithm, two simple factorization algorithms and three elementary attacks. The user may compute the output of each operation and check for correctness. This helps students learn the primitive operations and how they are used in the RSA cipher. The opportunity for self-study provides an instructor with greater flexibility in selecting a lecture pace for the detailed materials. Classroom evaluation was positive and very encouraging.
Predicting Dissociative Experiences: Imagination, Hypnotizability, Psychopathology, and Alcohol Use

College students (N = 85) were teted in order to examine the ability of imagination, psychopathology, hypnotizability, and alcohol use measures to predict dissociative experiences. Together, these measures predicted 45 percent (Bliss Scale [1]) and 43 percent (Dissociative Experiences Scale, DES [2]) of variance on dissociation scales. We confirmed the hypothesis that imagination and dissociative experiences are related: dissociation and positive constructive daydreaming and poor attentional control (SIPI) measures were moderately associated [3]. These two imagination measures emerged as influential predictors of Bliss (19% of variance) and DES (16% of variance) scores. Psychopathology measures (i.e., state anger, depression, anxiety) were more reliably associated with DES than Bliss scores, although alcohol use predicted Bliss scores. Hypnotizability (HGSHS:A, [4]) and dissociation were not associated, and hypnotizability only accounted for 3 percent of DES variance. Only state curiosity (STPI, [5]) was ...
Prehabilitation Interventions for Older Adults: An Integrative Review

Prehabilitation aims to increase physical activity and improve physical fitness prior to elective surgery to improve postoperative outcomes. This integrative review examined the effect of prehabilitation randomized clinical trial (RCT) interventions on physical activity behavior and physical fitness in older adults. Seven studies met the search criteria. In two studies, effect sizes from baseline to the preoperative period exceeded d = .2, specifically in physical activity and in the physical-fitness dimensions of strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and flexibility. For the effect sizes between baseline and the postoperative period, five studies had positive effects greater than d = .2 in strength, flexibility, balance, and speed. This review demonstrated that prehabilitation continues to be important to physical activity and physical-fitness research because it may improve physical-fitness measures and have implications for multiple dimensions of health in older adults.
Motion planning with narrow C-space passages

A common point of weakness in many path/motion planners is dealing with configuration spaces (C-spaces) that involve narrow gaps of passages. This is caused by the indirect representation of the C-space inherent in those planners. Unfortunately many real environments and tasks give rise to such situations. While a small number of planners do exist which reliably work in these environments, they in turn have problems when the robot has many controllable degrees of freedom. High degree of freedom motion in confined spaces is a typical problem encountered by PARC's PolyBot platform. The algorithm put forward in this paper is designed to work directly with the C-space obstacles' geometry, and so is not hampered by narrow passages. The planner is a homotopic one which solves general problems in n-dimensional C-space. The algorithm's theoretical characteristics are shown to compare very favourably with other contending planners in these specialised domains. Results of some preliminary testing are given.
GRAVITY PERSISTENT SIGNAL 1 (GPS1) Reveals Novel Cytochrome P450s Involved in Gravitropism

 Methods: Thermal asymmetric interlaced (TAIL) PCR was used to identify the gene defective in gps1 . Gene expression data, molecular modeling and computational substrate dockings, quantitative RT-PCR analyses, reporter gene fusions, and physiological analyses of knockout mutants were used to characterize the genes identifi ed.  Results: Cloning of the gene defective in gps1 and genetic complementation revealed that GPS1 encodes CYP705A22, a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450). CYP705A5 , a closely related family member, was identifi ed as expressed specifi cally in roots in response to gravistimulation, and a mutation affecting its expression resulted in a delayed gravity response, increased fl avonol levels, and decreased basipetal auxin transport. Molecular modeling coupled with in silico substrate docking and diphenylboric acid 2-aminoethyl ester (DBPA) staining indicated that these P450s are involved in biosynthesis of fl potentially involved in auxin transport.  Conclusion: The characterization of two novel P450s (CYP705A22 and CYP705A5) and their role in the gravity response has offered new insights into the regulation of the genetic and physiological controls of plant gravitropism.
Natural Right and the Problem of Aristotle's Defense of Slavery

Many social theorists, appalled at the moral enormities made possible by the modern scientific conquest of nature, now look to a restoration of classic natural right as a standard for human affairs. But the key role of slavery in Aristotle's magisterial exposition of natural right is typically overlooked. Commentators on Aristotle's account of natural slavery add to the perplexity, charging that this account is culturally biased and logically inconsistent. Such charges play into the hands of the opponents of natural right, whose common theme is the inability of reason to overcome such biases in its search for what is right by nature. Lacking a defense of the moral and theoretical respectability of Aristotle's account of slavery, the restorationists' cause must remain unpersuasive. To provide this defense, I suggest that Aristotle's teleology implies that the natural slave, generally speaking, is made not born. Childrearing and other cultural practices, which ordinarily promote the natural destiny of mankind, may instead subvert this telos by inculcating a dysfunctional, slavish second nature. Despotic rule may be said to be natural in such cases, and only insofar as it aids the slave in better realizing the telos proper to a human being. Aristotle quite consistently condemns all employments of the slave that are uncongenial to the reformation of slavishness and allows for emancipation in the event of this achievement. C lassic natural right is rooted in a teleological account of human nature and nature as a whole (Strauss 1953, 7-8; 126-33). There are, of course, several variations on this classic theme, but each characteristically grounds its moral and political judgments in an objective and ontologically prior account of the distinctively human vocation. The exponent of classic natural right attempts, then, to describe the quality and operations characteristic of mature human nature and to prescribe how-given our individual circumstances-I, you, or the next person can get there from here. Natural right neither requires nor furnishes a guaranty that any particular being will attain this goal of perfect maturity; on the contrary, it entails the possibility of developmental failure. In fact, natural right recognizes the complete spectrum of diversity as to the manner and the extent to which a given person, at any given time, may fall short of the finality of perfect maturity. The precise adjustment necessary to bring a particular individual into a condition of objective maturity is necessarily, then, a matter of prudential judgment. One may say that a natural right prescription exists for every circumstance, even though all such prescriptions are mutable. But the prudential excellence, as distinguished from the mere cleverness, of such prescriptions is rendered all but invisible to us by modern science. For modern science vilifies any consideration of final
Effects of Inadmissible Evidence and Level of Judicial Admonishment to Disregard on the Judgments of Mock Jurors1

The effects of inadmissible evidence on the judgments of mock jurors were examined in a 2 × 3 design. Subjects (N= 168) read a trial transcript in which critical testimony was introduced either by the prosecution or by the defense and subsequently ruled admissible, ruled inadmissible, or ruled inadmissible with an admonishment by the judge to disregard that testimony. A Control condition in which the critical testimony was omitted was also run. Results indicated that judgments of the defendant's guilt were strongly influenced by the critical testimony when it was ruled admissible. When it was simply ruled inadmissible, the critical testimony had little effect on the guilt judgments. However, when the judge specifically admonished the jurors to disregard the inadmissible testimony, their verdicts were influenced in the direction of that testimony. Further, subjects in the Inadmissible With Admonishment conditions indicated a significantly greater desire to be allowed to consider the inadmissible testimony than did subjects in the Inadmissible Without Admonishment conditions. The results were interpreted in terms of psychological reactance (Brehm, 1966).
Treatment of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-associated cancers.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is the most frequent AIDS-defining cancer worldwide. Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiological agent of KS, and the virus is also associated with two lymphoproliferative diseases. Both KS and KSHV-associated lymphomas, are cancers of unique molecular composition. They represent a challenge for cancer treatment and an opportunity to identify new mechanisms of transformation. Here, we review the current clinical insights into KSHV-associated cancers and discuss scientific insights into the pathobiology of KS, primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman’s disease.
TOWARD A PRAXIS OF WORLD INTEGRATION

The theme of the 90th annual meeting of theAmerican Sociological Association is "Community of Communities: Shaping Our Future." The program asks three leading questions: must the plurality of community ties now identifying themselves throughout the world along ethnic, racial, gender, religious, and other lines ... be blended away to ensure civility? Or, can we have a society of vying tribes without shared bonds and values? Or can there be a shared frameworkin which many colorful elements find a new place ... [in] a "community of communities?"
The Mayo Clinic Arizona Spasmodic Dysphonia Experience: A Demographic Analysis of 718 Patients.

Objective:Analyze demographic data collected over a 25-year experience of 718 patients with spasmodic dysphonia (SD) who have been treated with botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) and compare our data with ...
Dioxin Exposure Impairs BMP-2-Mediated Spinal Fusion in a Rat Arthrodesis Model.

Background: Cigarette smoking inhibits bone-healing and leads to increased rates of pseudarthrosis. However, the mechanisms behind these effects are controversial. Dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin)—a cigarette smoke constituent and potent activator of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr)—negatively impacts bone quality and osteoblast differentiation. We hypothesized that activation of the Ahr by dioxin would inhibit bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-mediated spinal fusion in a rat arthrodesis model. Methods: Female Long-Evans rats were pretreated with dioxin or vehicle in six weekly doses, followed by bilateral posterior lumbar spinal fusion across the L4-L5 transverse processes using recombinant human BMP (rhBMP)-2. Treatments continued until sacrifice at four weeks postoperatively. A third group was treated with dioxin for six weeks, followed by a recovery period of four elimination half-lives to assess the reversible effects of dioxin exposure on spinal fusion capacity. Bone formation and fusion capacity were evaluated using fusion scoring, radiography, micro-computed tomography, and histologic analysis. Results: Fusion scores for dioxin-treated and dioxin-recovery rats were significantly lower than those for controls. Although fusion rates were also significantly reduced in dioxin-treated animals relative to controls (50% versus 100%, respectively), rates were not significantly reduced in dioxin-recovery animals (80%). Conclusions: Dioxin treatment significantly inhibited spinal fusion in a rat arthrodesis model, and a prolonged cessation of dioxin exposure facilitated only a partial recovery of bone-healing capacity. This finding indicates that, although the effects of dioxin are persistent, an extended recovery from exposure could potentially restore bone regeneration in vivo. Clinical Relevance: Development of a pharmacologic agent that reduces the adverse effects of cigarette smoke on bone-healing could prove useful to orthopaedic surgeons. Since dioxin and other similar cigarette smoke toxins exert their effects through Ahr pathway activation, the receptor represents a potential therapeutic target to improve spinal fusion rates in patients who smoke.
Respiratory mask and valves for dogs.

The units to be described were developed in this laboratory for the purpose of collecting expired air of unanesthetized, trained dogs. The avoidance of leaks, minimization of resistance to breathing and of dead space were prime factors considered in designing the apparatus. No new fundamental principles are involved; rather, the apparatus embodies good features of older designs, eliminates some of the bad and utilizes new devices, to our knowledge never previously described.Mask. The mask consists of a copper wire frame, on the order of carefully shaped commercial wire muzzle, made to fit loosely the snout of a 15 kg mongrel hound. The nasal end is projected about 1” beyond the nose and fitted with a No. 9 stopper with a single 3/8” bore. The open end is bent to fit the snout near the lip corners with about 1/4” clearance. Eight longitudinal wires spaced evenly around the frame serve to give good support and shape to the covering material. The finished frame (Fig. 1) is wrapped with 3 or 4 thicknesses of ...
Sociology Faculty Members Employed Part-time in Community Colleges: Structural Disadvantage, Cultural Devaluation, and Faculty-Student Relationships

The large majority of faculty members teaching in community colleges are employed on a part-time basis, yet little is known about their working conditions and professional engagement. This article uses data from a recent national survey of faculty members teaching sociology in community colleges to provide this information, with particular attention to the different situations of those teaching full-time, part-time by choice, and part-time involuntarily. Contrary to previous analyses that assume homogeneous motivation and working conditions for part-time faculty members, our analysis finds differences between two categories in both structural aspects of their employment and perceptions of cultural devaluation expressed interpersonally. Both aspects serve as constraints on developing faculty-student relationships, a proven factor in student learning and success. We conclude that administrators and full-time colleagues must provide stronger support for the individuals introducing students to the discipline ...