cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunosuppressive and trafficking properties of donor splenic and bone marrow dendritic cells.

Background. Infusion of donor dendritic cells (DC) has been shown to prolong allograft survival in a number of models. However, many regimens that utilize donor DC do not consistently produced tolerance or long-term allograft survival. We hypothesized that one factor limiting the therapeutic effect of donor DC is their relative inability to traffic to recipient peripheral lymph nodes and inhibit the function of resident alloreactive T cells. Methods. Donor strain DC isolated from the spleens or bone marrow of Flt3L-treated mice were transferred intravenously into recipients at the time of skin grafting. Where indicated, recipients were treated with an anti-CD40L antibody and CTLA4-Ig. Results. Infusion of donor DC together with costimulatory blockade promoted donor-specific prolongation of skin allograft survival in mice. Perhaps due to their more immature phenotype, bone marrow DC trafficked more effectively to the spleen, bone marrow, and thymus and were associated with significantly longer allograft survival than were splenic DC. Neither population of DC trafficked well to peripheral lymph nodes. Consistent with our hypothesis, splenic but not lymph node T cells from DC-treated recipients displayed donor-specific hyporesponsiveness in vitro. Conclusion. These data suggest that one factor contributing to rejection following treatment with donor DC plus costimulation blockade is the persistence of donor-reactive T cells within the recipient's secondary lymphoid structures. Strategies to improve DC trafficking to these structures may enhance their therapeutic effect.
The proenkephalin a fragment, peptide E: Central processing and CNS activity in vivo☆

Abstract The proenkephalin A derivative, peptide E, delayed gastrointestinal transit in mice and inhibited the micturition reflex in anesthetized rats after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration. BAM22P, BAM12P and [Met 5 ]enkephalin, possible processing fragments of peptide E, were also compared in the two test systems. Of these peptides, peptide E and BAM 22P were found to have the greatest potency and activity. Studies in vitro of peptide E metabolism by enzyme homogenates of mouse brain using HPLC techniques revealed that peptide E is bound to the membrane homogenate avidly for an extended period of time. The total fromation of BAM22P, BAM12P, [Met 5 ]enkephalin and all other peptide fragments during a 40 min incubation period accounted for only 8% of the total peptide E added to the homogenates. Thus, peptide E, rather than one of its known metabolites, appears to be of primary importance in the initiation of CNS-mediated effects. Further, these effects are probably the result of μ-opioid receptor activation.
Comorbidity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Comorbid nongastrointestinal symptoms account for two-thirds of excess health-care costs in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). OBJECTIVES: To determine whether IBS patients are at greater risk for specific comorbid disorders versus showing a general tendency to overreport symptoms; whether patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) show patterns of comorbidity similar to IBS; whether comorbidity is explained by psychiatric disease; and whether excess comorbidity occurs in all IBS patients. METHODS: All 3,153 patients in a health maintenance organization with a diagnosis of IBS in 1994-1995 were compared to 3,153 age- and gender-matched controls, and to 571 IBD patients. All diagnoses in a 4-yr period beginning 1 yr before their index visit were categorized as gastrointestinal, psychiatric, or nongastrointestinal somatic. Nongastrointestinal somatic diagnoses were further divided into symptom-based versus biological marker-based diagnoses. RESULTS: Forty-eight of 51 symptom-based and 16 of 25 biomarker-based diagnoses were significantly more common in IBS versus controls. However, there were no unique associations. Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections and stroke were among diagnoses made more frequently in IBS. IBD patients were similar to controls. Greater somatic comorbidity was associated with concurrent psychiatric diagnosis. Only 16% of IBS patients had abnormally high numbers of comorbid diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidity in IBS is due to a general amplification of symptom reporting and physician consultation rather than a few unique associations; this suggests biased symptom perception rather than shared pathophysiology. Comorbidity is influenced by, but is not explained by, psychiatric illness. Excess comorbidity is present in only a subset of IBS patients.
The benefits and costs of the deferral of U.S. Taxes on retained earnings of controlled foreign corporations

Abstract This paper develops and applies a model to measure the effects of deferral on world and U.S. incomes. It is assumed that elimination of deferral would be accompanied by a compensating reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate which would leave the overall tax burden of corporations unchanged. The results of the model support several conclusions: Deferral has a positive net effect on world income, but has a negative effect on U.S. income; over two-thirds of the income gains of foreign countries due to deferral goes to developed or oil-exporting countries; and the Tax Reform Act of 1976 has roughly doubled the importance of deferral.
Luminescence of Some Airborne Plant Materials.

The objective of this study was to describe the excitation- emission spectra of seed pubescence, pollen and spores, and senesced plant materials that could be carried in the air column. Reference samples were a mature green-colored corn leaf, green-, yellow- and brown-colored soybean leaves, cellulose, commercial grade cotton batting and a soil. Spectral luminescence signatures were collected over the 300 to 800 nanometer region using a scanning spectrofluorometer. The excitation-emission spectra were broadband emission centroids in the 400-nm to 600-nm spectrum. Emission maxima were associated with the 440-nm, 470-nm and 370-nm excitation bands and the 455-nm to 590-nm emission bands. The coma of milkweed, silkvine, cotton (raw), cottonwood seeds and yellow- colored pollen and spores were highly fluorescent. The pappus of thistles, dandelion and goat's beard seeds and newly senesced grass leaves and glumes had moderate to high fluorescence. Dark brown-colored mushroom spores and weathered, senesced plant materials had low fluorescence. The emission spectra resembled that of regent, microcrystalline cellulose although impurities incorporated within the plant materials altered their emission intensities from that of cellulose. Moderate to low emissions were from tan- to dark brown-colored materials, whereas the white-colored or light, tan-colored materials had high emissions.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
β-Catenin Regulates GnRH-Induced FSHβ Gene Expression

The regulation of gonadotropin synthesis by GnRH plays an essential role in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. The known signaling mechanisms involved in gonadotropin synthesis have been expanding. For example, involvement of β-catenin in LHβ induction by GnRH has been discovered. We examined the role of β-catenin in FSHβ gene expression in LβT2 gonadotrope cells. GnRH caused a sustained increase in nuclear β-catenin levels, which was significantly reduced by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibition. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of β-catenin mRNA demonstrated that induction of FSHβ mRNA by GnRH depended on β-catenin and that regulation of FSHβ by β-catenin occurred independently of the JNK-c-jun pathway. β-Catenin depletion had no impact on FSHβ mRNA stability. In LβT2 cells transfected with FSHβ promoter luciferase fusion constructs, GnRH responsiveness was conferred by the proximal promoter (-944/-1) and was markedly decreased by β-catenin knockdown. However, none of the T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor binding sites in that region were required for promoter activation by GnRH. Chromatin immunoprecipitation further corroborated the absence of direct interaction between β-catenin and the 1.8-kb FSHβ promoter. To elucidate the mechanism for the β-catenin effect, we analyzed approximately 1 billion reads of next-generation RNA sequencing β-catenin knockdown assays and selected the nuclear cofactor breast cancer metastasis-suppressor 1-like (Brms1L) as one candidate for further study. Subsequent experiments confirmed that Brms1L mRNA expression was decreased by β-catenin knockdown as well as by JNK inhibition. Furthermore, knockdown of Brms1L significantly attenuated GnRH-induced FSHβ expression. Thus, our findings indicate that the expression of Brms1L depends on β-catenin activity and contributes to FSHβ induction by GnRH.
Vortex ring generation due to the coalescence of a water drop at a free surface

The formation of a vortex ring in a pool by contact with a fluid drop is a familiar phenomenon easily generated by milk drops in a glass of water. First observed over a century ago by Thomson and Newall (1885), however, much about the process is not well understood. For simplicity, much of the work done has been restricted to the case of the the drop and pool having identical composition. Chapman and Critchlow (1967) characterize the rings formed by falling drops in terms of the drop shape at the time of impact and propose a quantitative model of the vortex ring's generation process. Peck and Sigurdson (1994) analyze the structure of rings as they penetrate into the pool after a fall. Hsiao, et al. (1988) experimentally determine a critical Weber number for the falling drop (We ≈ 8) above which a jet, rather than a vortex ring, is formed in the pool. It should be noted that the Peck and Sigurdson drops had a We range of 22-25, which seems to contradict the earlier work of Hsiao, et al. To further simplify matters, the degenerate case (We = 0) in which contact between the drop and pool occurs with zero velocity may be examined. Shankar and Kumar (1995) observe the evolutionary behavior of rings so generated, and characterize the zero velocity case as a function of two dimensionless parameters only. In this work we visualize the formation of the ring rather than its evolution, and quantitatively examine a simplified scaling law based on the analyses of Hsiao, et. al and Shankar and Kumar. This scaling law, when valid, allows the flow conditions to be expressed in a single dimensionless parameter. Validity, however, requires that surface tension forces dominate gravitational and viscous ones in the vortex ring formation process.
Different Levels of the Homeodomain Protein Cut Regulate Distinct Dendrite Branching Patterns of Drosophila Multidendritic Neurons

Functionally similar neurons can share common dendrite morphology, but how different neurons are directed into similar forms is not understood. Here, we show in embryonic and larval development that the level of Cut immunoreactivity in individual dendritic arborization (da) sensory neurons correlates with distinct patterns of terminal dendrites: high Cut in neurons with extensive unbranched terminal protrusions (dendritic spikes), medium levels in neurons with expansive and complex arbors, and low or nondetectable Cut in neurons with simple dendrites. Loss of Cut reduced dendrite growth and class-specific terminal branching, whereas overexpression of Cut or a mammalian homolog in lower-level neurons resulted in transformations toward the branch morphology of high-Cut neurons. Thus, different levels of a homeoprotein can regulate distinct patterns of dendrite branching.
The neural substrates of probabilistic and intertemporal decision making

Many important decisions involve outcomes that are either probabilistic or delayed. Based on similarities in decision preferences, models of decision making have postulated that the same psychological processes may underlie decisions involving probabilities (i.e., risky choice) and decisions involving delay (i.e., intertemporal choice). Equivocal behavioral evidence has made this hypothesis difficult to evaluate. However, a combination of functional neuroimaging and behavioral data may allow identification of differences between these forms of decision making. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain activation in subjects making a series of choices between pairs of real monetary rewards that differed either in their relative risk or their relative delay. While both sorts of choices evoked activation in brain systems previously implicated in executive control, we observed clear distinctions between these forms of decision making. Notably, choices involving risk evoked greater activation in posterior parietal and lateral prefrontal cortices, whereas choices involving delay evoked greater activation in the posterior cingulate cortex and the striatum. Moreover, activation of regions associated with reward evaluation predicted choices of a more-risky option, whereas activation of control regions predicted choices of more-delayed or less-risky options. These results indicate that there are differences in the patterns of brain activation evoked by risky and intertemporal choices, suggesting that the two domains utilize at least partially distinct sets of cognitive processes.
Nucleotide sequence determination and secondary structure of Xenopus U3 snRNA

Abstract Using a combination of RNA sequencing and construction of cDNA clones followed by DNA sequencing, we have determined the primary nucleotide sequence of U3 snRNA in Xenopus laevis and Xenopus borealis. This molecule has a length of 219 nucleotides. Alignment of the Xenopus sequences with U3 snRNA sequences from other organisms reveals three evolutionarily conserved blocks. We have probed the secondary structure of U3 snRNA in intact Xenopus laevis nuclei using single-strand specific chemical reagents; primer extension was used to map the positions of chemical modification. The three blocks of conserved sequences fall within single-stranded regions, and are therefore accessible for interaction with other molecules. Models of U3 snRNA function are discussed in light of these data.
Sets non-thin at ∞ in Cm

Abstract In this paper we define the notion of non-thin at ∞ as follows: Let E be a subset of C m . For any R > 0 define E R = E ∩ { z ∈ C m : | z | ⩽ R } . We say that E is non-thin at ∞ if lim R → ∞ V E R ( z ) = 0 for all z ∈ C m , where V E is the pluricomplex Green function of E. This definition of non-thinness at ∞ has good properties: If E ⊂ C m is non-thin at ∞ and A is pluripolar then E ∖ A is non-thin at ∞; if E ⊂ C m and F ⊂ C n are arbitrary sets, then E and F are non-thin at ∞ iff E × F ⊂ C m × C n is non-thin at ∞ (see Lemma 2). The results of this paper extend some results in [J. Muller, A. Yavrian, On polynomials sequences with restricted growth near infinity, Bull. London Math. Soc. 34 (2002) 189–199] and [Dang Duc Trong, Tuyen Trung Truong, The growth at infinity of a sequence of entire functions of bounded orders, Complex Var. Elliptic Equ. 53 (8) (2008) 717–743].
SAMPLING PROCEDURES USED TO REDUCE ERRORS WHICH MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED IN DETERMINING THE HINDERED SETTLING VELOCITY OF A CALCIUM OXALATE SUSPENSION

It has been observed that hindered settling experiments usually lead to voluminous data, which is usually characterized as “poorly reproducible”. Many factors might affect these techniques. The ability to control these parameters may result in a better analysis of the outcome and the correct estimation of the particle size. An attempt was made to investigate calcium oxalate monohydrate stability in the presence and absence of cholesterol, while determining the factors which may undermine the results obtained. The data may provide interesting information which may be used in other similar investigations to reduce the negative compacts caused by the low reproducibility. *Posthumously.
A Case of Male Infanticide in Equus przewalskii

Abstract Following the introduction of a new stallion to a band of E. przewalskii mares two births, both of male foals, resulted in foal death due to injuries sustained in the first day of life. Neither foal was sired by the new herd stallion. The second foal death was the results of an observed attack on the newborn male and is described here. Subsequently births in the same enclosure and, in one instance, to the same mare whose previous foal was killed, were of foals sired by the new stallion and were uneventful, with 3 male foals surviving to date.
Metabolic rate in relation to body size and environmental oxygen concentration in two species of xanthid crabs.

Abstract The standard metabolic rates of Menippe mercenaria and Panopeusherbstii over a wide range of body weights and at different environmental O2 concentrations were determined. The uptake of O2 by digestive gland tissues from these crabs, in vitro, was measured. 1. 1. The standard metabolic rates of M. mercenaria and P. herbstii are proportional to body weight to the 0·86 and 0·80 powers respectively. 2. 2. The per g O2 consumption of digestive gland tissues, in vitro, likewise decreases as the body size of the crab increases. 3. 3. The effect of reduced O2 concentration on the metabolic rates of these crabs appear to be relatively constant from 0·8 to 5·6 ml O2/l. water.
Protecting Intellectual Property Rights: The Special Case of China

China is the largest source of counterfeit goods. Both U.S. and European Union customs statistics put the People's Republic of China at the top of the list of pirated product seizures. Along with the remarkable growth in the Chinese economy and exports has come the growth of counterfeit product production and distribution throughout the world. To present a full picture of the many intellectual property rights (IPR) protection problems in China this article reviews Chinese history and traditional attitudes toward individual ownership of IP under Confucianism and communism. Finally, the article presents a view of the current enforcement of IPR rights in China describing the major difficulties encountered by rights owners.
Hot electron electroluminescence in AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures

Abstract We have observed hot electron electroluminescence in AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures. The luminescence experiment gives us sufficient energy resolution to separate out ballistically launched (unrelaxed) electrons from those that have emitted one or more longitudinal optical (LO) phonons. The electroluminescence consists of a series of peaks spaced by one LO phonon energy. In addition to giving us information about the electron distribution, the position of the first, unrelaxed, peak provides a new way to accurately measure the conduction band offset in semiconductor heterostructures.
Mitochondrial Modulation of Ca2+-Induced Ca2+-Release in Rat Sensory Neurons

Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release (CICR) from ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores provides a mechanism to amplify and propagate a transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). A subset o...
Cancer metabolism: is glutamine sweeter than glucose?

Glutamine is an essential nutrient for cancer cells. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Wang et al. (2010) show that malignant transformation by Rho GTPases leads to activation of glutaminase, which converts glutamine to glutamate to fuel cancer cell metabolism. Inhibition of glutaminase by a small compound effectively suppresses oncogenic transformation.
How Using the Dsm Causes Damage: A Client’s Report

This case study illustrates the potential for the application of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnoses to exacerbate clients’ symptoms and inhibit the healing process in psychotherapy. Passages are excerpted from therapy sessions to demonstrate that the multiple diagnoses imposed on “Steve” coalesced into his core construct of himself as “crazy.” When his diagnoses became internalized as a construct, his world became viewed through a lens that believed itself to be defective. The use of diagnoses may also have negative consequences for the process of psychotherapy. Alternatives to traditional DSM diagnoses are reviewed. It is proposed that diagnoses should be tentative and rejected if they reify negative self-concepts and do not promote change in clients.
Biologic effects of ultrasound.

Les auteurs evoquent en premier les mecanismes physiques par lesquels les ultra-sons peuvent agir sur la matiere vivante (effet thermique ― phenomene de cavitation) puis decrivent les effets biologiques d'une irradiation ultrasonique experimentale. Le chapitre se termine par les resultats des etudes epidemiologiques conduites pour rechercher un eventuel effet nocif des ultra-sons utilises a des fins diagnostic et donne les regles a respecter lors de cette utilisation
Second Language Teacher Education: The Problems That Plague Us.

teacher education programs are evident. National efforts to improve the preparation of teachers have sparked movements toward major reform in colleges and universities (14; 35; 51). All voices clamoring for reform in the preparation of teachers stress the depth and breadth of knowledge and skills necessary to be a teacher. The restructuring of teacher education has involved an examination of both the academic
On equality of some elements in matrices

Abstract If the non-zero entries of a matrix S satisfy certain sum restrictions, then it is shown that all these entries must be equal. This paper is prompted by a conjecture of Wang [2]. Not only is the conjecture proved, but the basic underlying idea is abstracted and the result extended considerably. The techniques given here have been successfully employed by the author in obtaining significant results on (0,1) matrices and Latin squares (to appear elsewhere).
The dolognawmeter: A novel instrument and assay to quantify nociception in rodent models of orofacial pain

Rodent pain models play an important role in understanding the mechanisms of nociception and have accelerated the search for new treatment approaches for pain. Creating an objective metric for orofacial nociception in these models presents significant technical obstacles. No animal assay accurately measures pain-induced orofacial dysfunction that is directly comparable to human orofacial dysfunction. We developed and validated a high throughput, objective, operant, nociceptive animal assay, and an instrument to perform the assay termed the dolognawmeter, for evaluation of conditions known to elicit orofacial pain in humans. Using the device our assay quantifies gnawing function in the mouse. We quantified a behavioral index of nociception and demonstrated blockade of nociception in three models of orofacial pain: (1) TMJ inflammation, (2) masticatory myositis, and (3) head and neck cancer. This assay will be useful in the study of nociceptive mediators involved in the development and progression of orofacial pain conditions and it will also provide a unique tool for development and assessment of new therapeutic approaches.
The Pseudoallelism of White and Apricot in Drosophila Melanogaster.

The classical example of multiple allelism is the series of eye-color mutants at the white (w) locus in Drosophila melanogaster. The alternative interpretation of this series, namely, that it is made up of “pseudoalleles,” or closely linked genes with similar effects, has usually been considered ruled out by two kinds of evidence. In the first place early attempts to resolve the series by crossing over failed in spite of numerous tests involving most of the mutants available at the time.1–4 Secondly, a heterozygote for two different mutant genes of the series does not have the phenotype expected for non-allelic genes, namely, wild-type (or red) eye color, but instead has a mutant eye color which is usually intermediate between the colors of the two respective homozygotes. In recent years, however, several cases have been found in which non-allelic genes give a positive phenotypic test for allelism by virtue of a position effect.5–7 In such cases, which have been termed “position pseudoalleles,”7 mutant genes at the different loci (say, a and b) give a mutant phenotype in the a+/+b heterozygote, but a wild-type, or more nearly wild-type, phenotype in the ab/++ heterozygote.
Ultraviolet difference spectra of the lactose repressor protein

Abstract Ultraviolet difference spectra of the lactose repressor have been studied under various conditions. Changes in the aromatic residues of the protein upon addition of inducers, but not anti-inducers, are found. The extent of exposure of aromatic residues to solvent perturbation is also found to differ in the presence of inducers and anti-inducers. These differences are interpreted in terms of a change in the protein structure at points distinct from the ligand binding site.
A chemical model for the lower atmosphere of Venus

Abstract The chemistry of the postulated interaction of the atmosphere and lithosphere of Venus is discussed in detail and a zonal model capable of explaining some of the observed atmospheric characteristics is proposed. It is demonstrated that the upper limits in the quantities P CO /P CO 2 , P Hin2 O,andP H 2 and the absolute values of T, P CO 2 ,andP(total) can be used to give a self-consistent picture of the atmosphere if hydrogen is assumed largely lost. The inferred surface values of T ∼ 700°K, P CO /P CO 2 ≤ 10 −3 ,andP H 2 O ≤ 10 −3 atm lead to the result that P H 2 ≤ 10 −5.05 atm and indicate that metallic iron, free carbon, and hydrocarbons are not stable on the surface or in the lower atmosphere. The same is probably true of most hydrogen compounds. The upper limit in P CO /P CO 2 corresponds to the lower limit P O 2 ≥ 10 −27.1 atm at 700°K, which is in the center of the magnetic field. The magnesium carbonate magnesite and the calcium-magnesium carbonate dolomite are found to be unstable in the presence of free silica at P CO 2 (surface) ∼ 10atm . Calcite may be stable in the presence of free silica, and there is a chance that the atmosphere may be approximately buffered by the wallastonite reaction in the range P CO 2 ∼ 1–50atm at the surface. These results agree with the previous conclusions of the writer (Mueller, 1963) and generally with the independent conclusions of Adamcik and Draper (1963) regarding magnesite and calcite. There is also a chance that some carbonates may be stored in the lithosphere in silicate rocks which are unsaturated with respect to SiO 2 . However, simple carbonate dissociation equilibria are probably inapplicable to Venus because of the improbability of isolation of the carbonates from the silicates. Water in the lithosphere is probably confined to structurally bound H 2 O in complex silicates such as amphiboles and micas. However, the escape of hydrogen should prevent the atmosphere from being buffered with respect to water. A detailed discussion of the iron compounds is presented, and it is concluded that FeCO 3 and Fe 2 SiO 4 as well as other pure ferrous silicates should be unstable relative to the iron oxides and magnesium-rich silicates. These relations are used to set an upper limit on P O 2 corresponding to the magnetite-hematite boundary curve. The atmosphere has been divided into three zones: (I) a basal zone of chemical interaction with the lithosphere in which the observed molecular abundances are established; (II) a zone of frozen thermochemical equilibria that is observed in the spectra; and (III) an outer zone that imposes modifications on the spectra by the effect of photochemical reactions. A critique of previous views and speculations on the Venus surface is also presented and little agreement with these is found. In addition, it is proposed that chemical mass transport may be an important factor on Venus.
Impediments to Developing Collaborative Learning Strategies: The Input vs. Output Conflict

The brightest instructional ideas in higher education center around strategies emphasizing collaborative learning. Although the case for collaborative learning is strong, convincing faculty to change undergraduate education to include collaborative learning is proving to be difficult. The impediments to change in large public research universities are systemic and powerful. This essay uses an input/output perspective to analyze the nature of the hindrances that are characteristic of the systemic inertia found in academic cultures (Kuh and Whitt, 1988; Peterson and Spencer, 1990). In addition, suggestions are provided for overcoming inertia and facilitating appropriate change. Although the data and results presented here pertain most directly to science departments in large research universities, the belief system represented is widespread across the whole of academia (since most academics were trained in research universities). Large American research universities have contributed immeasurably to the intellectual, moral, and economic development of our country and of many other countries around the world. They should therefore continue both their research and teaching missions. However, a new priority for teaching and learning should be established, which recognizes that most of the larger culture has moved into the information age. Old concepts and modes of thought are no longer viable. Teaching should emphasize the education of students to be critical thinkers and productive citizens in the information age. Collaborative learning strategies are effective formats for developing the thinking skills necessary for the problems we face now. In addition, they are ideal formats for training students in teamwork and verbal communiation skills, both of which are highly valued in an information society (Reich, 1991). The traditional approach to teaching large enrollment science classes has followed the industrial
Photolabelling of cholera toxin subunits during membrane penetration

There has been much speculation about the mechanism by which cholera toxin exerts its effect on the cytoplasmic side of the membranes with which it interacts1–4. After the pentamer of B subunits (5B) binds to membrane receptors, particularly the monosialylganglioside GM1, the disulphide-linked dimer A1SSA2 (which together with 5B constitutes the complete toxin) is thought to penetrate the membrane, perhaps through a channel formed by 5B and become reduced so that A1SH units reach the cytoplasm and stimulate adenylate cyclase. Evidence for this mechanism is circumstantial1,4,5. If it is correct, a compound which will specifically label intramembranous sections of the toxin should label the channel-forming B subunits but not the channel-contained A1 subunit. We have tested this prediction with a photoreactive glycolipid compound6,7 and have obtained the opposite result. Therefore, we propose that only the A1 subunit enters the membrane and we provide here data on the kinetics of that process.
Comparative strengths and structural properties of the upper and lower cervical spine in flexion and extension

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that the upper cervical spine is weaker than the lower cervical spine in pure flexion and extension bending, which may explain the propensity for upper cervical spine injuries in airbag deployments. An additional objective is to evaluate the relative strength and flexibility of the upper and lower cervical spine in an effort to better understand injury mechanisms, and to provide quantitative data on bending responses and failure modes. Pure moment flexibility and failure testing was conducted on 52 female spinal segments in a pure-moment test frame. The average moment at failure for the O-C2 segments was 23.7+/-3.4Nm for flexion and 43.3+/-9.3Nm for extension. The ligamentous upper cervical spine was significantly stronger in extension than in flexion (p=0.001). The upper cervical spine was significantly stronger than the lower cervical spine in extension. The relatively high strength of the upper cervical spine in tension and in extension is paradoxical given the large number of upper cervical spine injuries in out-of-position airbag deployments. This discrepancy is most likely due to load sharing by the active musculature.
Precise angle monitor based on the concept of pencil-beam interferometry

The precise angle monitoring is a very important metrology task for research, development and industrial applications. Autocollimator is one of the most powerful and widely applied instruments for small angle monitoring, which is based on the principle of geometric optics. In this paper the authors introduce a new precise angle monitoring system, Pencil-beam Angle Monitor (PAM), base on pencil beam interferometry. Its principle of operation is a combination of physical and geometrical optics. The angle calculation method is similar to the autocollimator. However, the autocollimator creates a cross image but the precise pencil-beam angle monitoring system produces an interference fringe on the focal plane. The advantages of the PAM are: high angular sensitivity, long-term stability character making angle monitoring over long time periods possible, high measurement accuracy in the order of sub-microradian, simultaneous measurement ability in two perpendicular directions or on two different objects, dynamic measurement possibility, insensitive to the vibration and air turbulence, automatic display, storage and analysis by use of the computer, small beam diameter making the alignment extremely easy and longer test distance. Some test examples are presented.
An enhanced ISI shaping technique for multi-bit ΔΣ DACs

This paper presents an improved ISI shaping technique for multi-bit ΔΣ DACs. Compared to the prior ISI shaping method (Lars Risbo et al, JSSC, 2011) that monitors only the up (0 → 1) transitions, the proposed technique makes use of both the up and down (1 → 0) transitions with negligible hardware cost. It provides a finer control of the transition activity, thereby improving the ISI shaping effect. In addition, due to the tight coupling between the ISI and mismatch shaping loops, the proposed technique also improves the mismatch shaping result. Simulation results show that it can reduce ISI induced distortions by 10 dB compared to the prior ISI shaping technique and 50 dB compared to DWA.
Two ways to construct a smooth piecewise rational curve

Abstract Two approaches to constructing piecewise rational curves are compared and contrasted. One involves projecting a piecewise polynomial curve whose polynomial segments are joined according to given totally positive connection matrices. The other, which is discussed in more detail, constructs the Bezier points of the rational segments by successively cutting corners of a given control polygon. The smoothness and total positivity properties of the resulting curves are also discussed.
Characterization of bis-(phenoxy)phosphazene polymers using radio frequency glow discharge mass spectrometry

A radio frequency glow discharge mass spectrometry (rf-GDMS) source is evaluated for future applications in the “fingerprint” characterization of polyphosphazene membranes. The rf-GDMS spectra of a series of bis(phenoxy)phosphazene polymers contain ions that originate from both the phosphazene backbone and the phenoxy moiety, resulting in signature ions of the polymer family. “Fingerprint” ions from the substituted R-group on the phenoxy moiety of the different derivatives allows the individual polymers to be distinguished from one another. The ability of the rf-GDMS source to characterize these materials directly in the solid state will be useful for the continued application of these polymers as separation membranes. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 954–961, 2000
Autofluorescence and green fluorescent protein-derived fluorescence in Listeria innocua

Fluorescent L. innocua M1 was generated by transformation with plasmid SB2019 carrying gfp3. The transformed organism exhibited 2 h longer lag phase than the parental strain. The transformation and gfp3 expression did not affect the growth rates (0.49 ± 0.02 and 0.47 ± 0.05 h−1) and the maximum optical densities (1.02 ± 0.01 and 0.90 ± 0.06) of the parental or the transformed strains. The transformation of L. innocua M1 with pSB2019 resulted in cell-concentration related fluorescence which was detectable from washed cells but not in growth media. Statistical discrimination between GFP3-driven and background fluorescence signals of transformed and parental strains occurred at cell optical densities of 0.1 and above which was partially due to a relatively high endogenous autofluorescence. Although the gfp-transformed L. innocua M1 developed in this study has the potential to be a marker organism for monitoring Listeria spp. responses in mixed cultures, more work is needed to optimize the GFP-based fluorescent signal.
Adaptation of a conjugal transfer system for the export of pathogenic macromolecules

Conjugal transfer of bacterial plasmids requires a pore through which DNA can traverse the envelopes of the donor and recipient cells. Recent studies indicate that these pores, which are composed of approximately ten proteins, are evolutionarily related to the transport systems required for the transfer of oncogenic T-DNA from Agrobacterium tumefaciens to plant cells and for toxin secretion from Bordetella pertussis.
Land use change effects on forest carbon cycling throughout the southern United States

We modeled the effects of afforestation and deforestation on carbon cycling in forest floor and soil from 1900 to 2050 throughout 13 states in the southern United States. The model uses historical data on gross (two-way) transitions between forest, pasture, plowed agriculture, and urban lands along with equations describing changes in carbon over many decades for each type of land use change. Use of gross rather than net land use transition data is important because afforestation causes a gradual gain in carbon stocks for many decades, while deforestation causes a much more rapid loss in carbon stocks. In the South-Central region (Texas to Kentucky) land use changes caused a net emission of carbon before the 1980s, followed by a net sequestration of carbon subsequently. In the Southeast region (Florida to Virginia), there was net emission of carbon until the 1940s, again followed by net sequestration of carbon. These results could improve greenhouse gas inventories produced to meet reporting requirements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Specifically, from 1990 to 2004 for the entire 13-state study area, afforestation caused sequestration of 88 Tg C, and deforestation caused emission of 49 Tg C. However, the net effect of land use change on carbon stocks in soil and forest floor from 1990 to 2004 was about sixfold smaller than the net change in carbon stocks in trees on all forestland. Thus land use change effects and forest carbon cycling during this period are dominated by changes in tree carbon stocks.
The Challenges of Diversity in Evaluation: Narrow Versus Expansive Perspectives

As program evaluation has developed over the last twenty years into a viable profession, its central challenge has become to define what it means to be an evaluator. This debate is fueled less by traditional divisions between academic and service-related professionals, or disagreements over methodologies, than by sharply different visions of the evaluator's moral and political role, derived from the profession's historic roots in principles of social justice and concern for individual rights.
The intelligent classroom: providing competent assistance

In the software industry, designers are forever trying to “improve” their products by adding ever more features to them, producing bloated software systems that are capable of doing just about anything. However, these systems often make it increasingly difficult for their users to perform their tasks as they are forced to wade through a mess of unwanted features to find the few that they actually need. We believe that a fruitful area of research is in building intelligent systems for particular tasks and then having the systems actively try to assist their users in performing these tasks. Such a system knows the plans (and the problems associated with those plans) that their users are likely to pursue. These \textit{competent assistants} can use their expertise on their particular tasks to guide their users through their tasks, provide better help, or perhaps even volunteer to take over some part of the task. Such an assistive agent is able to helpful because, through its task knowledge, it is able to limit what it needs to consider in cooperating with its user. In this paper we look at the implementation of a competent assistant that functions in a physical domain. The Intelligent Classroom is a prototype automated lecture facility that serves as its own audio/visual assistant. We focus on the representations and algorithms to use task knowledge to produce cooperative behavior, arguing these techniques could easily to be extended for use in a wide range of domains (i.e. both physical and purely electronic domains).
The central task in teaching speech

(1932). The central task in teaching speech. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 370-380.
Osteoinduction using bone morphogenic protein in irradiated tissue.

Objective To prove the efficacy of bone morphogenic protein as an osteoinductive agent in irradiated tissue. Design Prospective randomized controlled trial designed to test the effectiveness of recombinant bone morphogenic protein 2 (rBMP-2) combined with solid hydroxyapatite disks in an irradiated tissue bed. Subjects Eighteen adult, male, white New Zealand rabbits weighing 3.0 to 3.5 kg. Intervention The rabbits were randomly divided, with 9 receiving radiation treatment and 9 receiving no radiation treatment. Each animal underwent implantation of 2 hydroxyapatite disks onto the snout at 9 weeks following radiation treatment. One disk was impregnated with rBMP-2 and the other with buffer only. The animals were killed at 3, 6, or 20 weeks after implantation for analysis. Results Histological analysis demonstrated that rBMP-2 was equally effective as an osteoinductive agent in the irradiated and nonirradiated tissue. We also found significantly increased new bone formation in the rBMP-2 group vs the buffer group. Conclusions This study supports the potential clinical utility of rBMP-2 and solid hydroxyapatite in irradiated tissue beds. These findings have interesting implications for patients with head and neck cancer who have undergone radiation therapy and need bony reconstruction.
Functional polymorphism of the HLA-DR beta III chain

Several clusters of class II HLA genes contribute to variation in human antigen-presenting capacity. In the HLA-DR cluster, most of the variation is due to the highly polymorphic DR beta I gene. Recent work by others has shown some nucleotide and implied amino acid sequence variation in DR beta III chains, but this variation is not known to be functionally significant. We show here that two proliferating human T-cell clones define three allelic variants of DR beta III (assignment to DR beta III based on blocking of proliferation by selected monoclonal antibodies). Thus, the DR beta III locus encodes at least three alleles that are distinguishable by human T cells and most probably contribute to the human antigen-presenting repertoire. The three DR beta III alleles subdivide the "supertypic" HLA antigen DRw52 into subtypes provisionally called DRw52.1-52.3. The DR3 haplotypes studied to date have been either DRw52.1 or 52.2; DR5 haplotypes have all (23 of 23) been 52.2; DRw6 haplotypes have included all three DRw52 subtypes, nearly half being 52.3. Our data, combined with other published data, imply that DRw8 must either have a fourth DRw52 subtype or be DR beta III null.
Skin ulcers due to adriamycin

Local skin necrosis at the site of intravenous or intra-arterial adriamycin infusion is an infrequent, but serious complication. Ulcers secondary to adriamycin have insidious beginnings, but progress to a much deeper extent than would be expected from their initial appearance. Deep structures, such as tendon or bone, may become exposed. The ulcers are indolent and do not develop a granulation tissue response or epithelialization, as might be expected from their early appearance. Injections of adriamycin in the dorsum of the hand should be avoided when possible, since tendons have little skin cover and the area is difficult to cover with local tissue if there is skin loss. While prevention is important, early surgical treatment may prevent progressive deep involvement and seems warranted when the patient has a life expectancy of months or years. Wide excision of all inflamed tissue is the treatment of choice, with split-thickness skin grafting or flap coverage.
A New Semi-Automatic Apparatus for Measurement of Specific Heats and the Specific Heat of Sodium between 55 and 315 degrees K

An apparatus has been developed for the semi-automatic measurement of specific heats from room temperature to the liquid-hydrogen range. A dynamic system, involving continuous heat input to the sample, is made possible by the use of a relatively small sample together with a large effective surface area for the heaters. Adiabatic conditions can then be maintained automatically. All data relevant to the specific heat determination (time, power input, and temperature) are recorded on a single chart. The operator is required only for periodic switching (which could in principle also be automatic). The specific heat of sodium has been studied between 55 and 315 degrees K with this apparatus. The predicted limits of accuracy ($\pm $0$\cdot $1%) appear to be approached rather closely. A small anomaly, showing some hysteresis effects, appears in the region of 200 degrees K.
Immunocytochemical analysis of secretion mutants of Tetrahymena using a mucocyst‐specific monoclonal antibody

Dense-core granules represent an adaptation of specialized secretory cell to facilitate stimulus-regulated release of stored proteins. Such granules are a prominent feature of mammalian neuroendocrine and exocrine cells and are also well developed in the ciliates. In Tet-rahymena thermophila, the ability to generate mutants in dense-core granule biosynthesis and fusion presents a versatile system for dissecting steps in regulated exocytosis. We have previously shown that defective granules in such mutants could be characterized by several biochemical criteria, including buoyant density, which increases during maturation, and the degree of proteolytic processing of the content precursors. We have now used indirect immunofluorescence, taking advantage of a monoclonal antibody directed against a granule protein, to visualize the morphology and distribution of both granules and putative granule intermediates in mutant and wild-type cells. The results are consistent with the biochemical analysis and extend our characterization of the mutants, allowing us to distinguish four classes. In addition, the assay represents a powerful technique for diagnosis of new mutants. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Teaching Badminton Based on Student Skill Levels

(2009). Teaching Badminton Based on Student Skill Levels. Strategies: Vol. 22, No. 6, pp. 14-18.
Impaired Renal Tubular Function Induced by Sugar Infusion in Man

The infusion of 10% solutions of glucose, galactose and fructose into normal subjects caused significant increases in the excretion ratios of phosphate and alpha-amino nitrogen. The infusions of 10% xylose solutions at the same rate caused similar hemodynamic and osmotic alterations, but no changes in the excretion of these substances. Column chromatographic analysis revealed that glucose infusion impaired the reabsorption of numerous amino acids. The excretion ratios of phosphate and alpha-amino nitrogen could not be correlated with the plasma hexose concentrations or rate of hexose excretion, but other data are cited to support the thesis that the observed inhibition of phosphate and amino acid reabsorption is due to a toxic effect of the hexoses or their metabolites on the renal tubular transport system.