cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pre-transplant corticosteroid use and outcome in lung transplantation.

Abstract Background The early experience of lung transplantation was plagued with airway anastomotic complications. The use of corticosteroids in the pre-transplant period has been implicated as a major contributing factor in bronchial dehiscence, and many patients have been denied transplantation on the basis of corticosteroid use. We conducted the current study to assess the risks associated with pre-transplant corticosteroid use. Methods We analyzed records of 73 single- and bilateral-single lung transplant recipients who had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or α1-antitrypsin deficiency as their underlying disease from 1986 to 1996. Twenty-six patients (steroid group) received daily corticosteroid therapy (prednisone, 1.5 to 40 mg/day) up to the time of transplantation, whereas 47 patients did not receive chronic corticosteroids and had no corticosteroid therapy within 3 months of transplantation (non-steroid group). Results The demographic profiles of the 2 groups were comparable. We noted no statistical significances in length of hospital stay, duration of intensive care, and post-operative pulmonary function. The rates of cytomegalovirus infection, acute rejection, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, and survival were also similar. The non-steroid group seemed to have a higher rate of bronchial stenosis at 3 years (29% vs 6%, p = 0.03). Bronchial dehiscence did not occur in either study group. Conclusions Pre-transplant use of corticosteroids does not adversely affect outcome following lung transplantation.
A regression model to combine results from 2 × 2 tables

Abstract A test is proposed for the comparison of two treatments with respect to a dichotomous outcome observed in several tables. The relationship of the proposed statistic to the C(α) test and to a test proposed by Radhakrishna is discussed.
Incomplete Markets and Government Agriculture Policy

This paper investigates the welfare effects of several stereotypical agricultural policies in an economy with production risk and incomplete contingent claim markets. The policies analyzed include target price/deficiency payment programs (the Brannan Plan), production controls (the Cochrane Plan), and land set-asides. When there is no trading in contingent claims and when economic parameters take on values characteristic of staple food markets, the paper finds that ajoint Brannan Plan-production control program is often welfare increasing. However, production controls on their own tend to be welfare decreasing. In addition, land set-asides are generally welfare reducing, even in the presence of a Brannan plan. These results are derived analytically in a simple equilibrium model. They are illustrated with a numerical example which demonstrates that welfare benefits from typical agricultural policy interventions can be large.
Local and distal responses to injury in the rapid functional recovery from spinal cord contusion in rat pups.

Abstract Young rats display an accelerated rate of locomotor recovery after contusive spinal cord injury (SCI) compared to adults subjected to a similar standardized injury. We examined possible differences in the responses to SCI at the injury site and in the distal cord that might contribute to this rapid recovery. P14–15 rats were studied at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 28 days after injury at T8 produced with a weight drop device (10g × 2.5 cm). We used immunohistochemistry to investigate distal plasticity of serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways that have been shown to modulate locomotion. After SCI, pups exhibited an expected decrease in monoaminergic innervation of the lumbosacral cord, consistent with partial loss of these descending pathways. Unlike published results for the adult, we found no evidence of partial reinnervation with time after injury. On the other hand, oligodendrocytes at and near the lesion epicenter of the young rats appeared unexpectedly resilient to the insult. No evidence of oligodendrocyte loss in spared white matter was detected at 24 h after injury, as compared to the 50% loss reported in adults. Rather, there was a significant increase in the density of oligodendrocytes by 5 days after injury that was associated with a dramatic upregulation of markers for glial progenitor cells after pup SCI. Our results suggest that an altered glial response near the injury epicenter as compared to that in adults is likely to contribute to the more rapid rate of recovery in hindlimb locomotor function in young rats after SCI.
Vitreous Inflammation Associated with Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Pharmacotherapy

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent promoter of angiogenesis involved in a wide variety of physiologic processes. Intravitreal injections targeting VEGF have transformed the treatment of neovascular retinal diseases. Currently, there are four anti-VEGF agents in use: bevacizumab, ranibizumab, pegaptanib, and aflibercept. The success and frequency of anti-VEGF therapy have made the ocular safety profile of these agents of vital importance. This paper focuses on sterile endophthalmitis. In this paper, we compare the incidences of posttreatment sterile endophthalmitis among the four agents, review the mechanism of actions, and discuss the most prevalent hypotheses leading to sterile endophthalmitis.
Enumeration of Escherichia coli Cells on Chicken Carcasses as a Potential Measure of Microbial Process Control in a Random Selection of Slaughter Establishments in the United States

To evaluate whether the number of Escherichia coli bacteria in carcass rinses from chicken slaughter establishments could be monitored for the purpose of microbial process control, we drew a random sample from 20 of 127 large USDA-inspected operations. In 2005, every 3 months, two sets of 10 carcass rinses, 100 ml each, were collected from establishments, netting 80 sample sets from the rehang and postchill stages. E. coli and Campylobacter numbers and Salmonella prevalence were measured. Mixed-effect models were used to estimate variance of mean log10 E. coli cell numbers of 10-carcass rinse sample sets. Relationships between E. coli and Campylobacter and Salmonella were examined. For 10-carcass rinse sets, at both the rehang and postchill stages the mean log10 E. coli CFU/ml fit the logistic distribution better than the normal distribution. The rehang overall mean log10 E. coli was 3.3 CFU/ml, with a within-sample set standard deviation of 0.6 CFU/ml. The overall postchill mean log10 E. coli was 0.8 CFU/ml, with 13 establishments having mean log10 E. coli CFU/ml values of less than 1.0 and 7 having mean values of 1.2 or more. At the midpoint separating these establishments, a mean log10 E. coli CFU/ml of 1.1, the within-sample set standard deviation was 0.5 CFU/ml, with smaller standard deviations as means increased. Postchill sample sets with mean log10 E. coli counts less than or equal to 1.1 CFU/ml had lower overall prevalence of Salmonella and mean log10 Campylobacter CFU/ml than sample sets with higher means. These findings regarding reductions in E. coli numbers provide insight relevant to microbial process control.
Quantized fermi accelerator: A soluble model for quantum friction

Abstract The motion of a particle constrained to move inside a box with a movable wall is quantized. The semiclassical, adiabatic and exact solutions are worked out. The time-dependent density matrix is found in closed form. The motions of the heavy and the light parts of the system, described by appropriate reduced density matrices, are discussed. General comments about quantum friction are made.
Identification and expression analysis of interferon gamma genes in channel catfish

Multiple species of type I interferon (IFN) were recently identified in catfish (CF) (Ictalurus punctatus). Herein we extend these studies and report the existence of two distinct type II IFN genes in channel CF. As with zebrafish and the green spotted pufferfish, the two CF IFN-γ genes are dissimilar in sequence but closely linked on the same chromosome. One of the genes (IFN-γ2) encodes two distinct messages that likely arose via alternative splicing at two closely spaced splice donor sites within the first intron. Sequence analysis indicates that CF IFN-γ genes contain the hallmarks of authentic IFN-γ including: (1) a conserved nuclear localization site at the C terminus (CF IFN-γ2 only), (2) an IFN-γ signature sequence, (3) six putative helical regions within the mature protein, (4) one or more potential glycosylation sites, and (5) multiple mRNA instability motifs within the 3′ untranslated region. Moreover, well-characterized CF T and NK cell clones were shown to synthesize IFN-γ transcripts. This is the first unequivocal demonstration in any lower vertebrate species that NK and T cells synthesize IFN-γ and is consistent with results in mammalian systems where T cells and NK cells are the major sources of type II IFN production. Collectively, these studies indicate that Siluriformes possess two evolutionarily conserved IFN-γ genes and demonstrate that CF possess three key elements of the innate immune response: NK cells and types I and II IFN.
Transesophageal Echocardiography: Detection of an Acquired Left Ventricular—Right Atrial Shunt

Communication between the left ventricle and right atrium has a reported prevalence of less than 1%. Acquired left ventricular—right atrial shunt is caused by chest trauma or valvular surgery. A case of acquired left ventricular—right atrial shunt after aortic valve surgery is reported. The detection was possible by use of echo-Doppler, color flow imaging, and transesophageal echocardiography. Combined use of these modalities and multiple transducer positions when transthoracic echocardiography is used are recommended to make the diagnosis.
Stereoselective high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for propranolol enantiomers in serum

A simple and sensitive stereoselective high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the quantitation of propranolol enantiomers in serum is described. The method involves conversion of the propranolol enantiomers to diastereomeric urea derivatives by reaction with the clinical reagent (+)-phenylethylisocyanate, followed by chromatographic separation of the diastereomeric products. Conditions of the derivatization reaction were optimized to achieve rapid and quantitative yield with either of the enantiomers. Baseline resolution of the diastereomers was achieved on a reversed phase C8 column with an isocratic mobile phase. Fluorescence detection afforded an absolute on-column detection limit of 100 pg. The assay has been applied to pharmacokinetic studies in humans and small laboratory animals.
N-cadherin, A Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell–Cell Adhesion Molecule: Function and Signaling for Vasomotor Control

Cell-cell adhesion complexes are increasingly recognized as an important cell-signaling site, similar to integrin-extracellular matrix FA. Furthermore, cell-cell adhesions are involved in the regulation of multi-cellular/tissue organization and organ, tissue, and cellular level functional behavior. Although N-cadherin is the major cell-cell adhesion molecule in VSM, only limited studies have been undertaken to understand its function in VSM. In contrast, N-cadherin signaling and functions have been extensively studied in neurons, fibroblasts, and myocytes, as well as in the context of epithelial-mesenchymal-transitions. Increasing evidence has indicated that N-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions are important for tissue integrity and cell proliferation. Relevant to VSM, N-cadherin's role in actin cytoskeleton organization and contraction, as well as its role in regulation of Rho family GTPases are of particular interest. This article briefly reviews the fundamentals of N-cadherin biology that help shape our current understanding of its function and signaling mechanisms. In particular, attention is given to applications of this knowledge to VSM. The review points to the need for more research effort that is directed at understanding the role of N-cadherins in the regulation of vascular function.
Spiral approach navigation concepts for VTOL aircraft using a microwave landing system

Spiral approaches adjacent to the active runways of CTOL airports have been proposed as a means of effectively interfacing CTOL and VTOL landing operations. Assuming an airport equipped with a Microwave Landing System (MLS), a VTOL aircraft following a spiral approach path might, depending on the specific trajectory, pass alternatively in and out of the linear coverage of the MLS and thereby suffer degraded navigation performance. The objective of this study was to employ essentially state-of-the-art aided inertial navigation concepts to explore the expected navigation performance operating in the environment just described. Results show that aided inertial concepts utilizing simple body-mounted inertia systems may be adequate for an instrument landing if the MLS azimuth and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) signal coverages extend to within a few feet of the ground.
Risk-based space system design: A novel probabilistic approach to design risk for small satellites

12Spacecraft are complex systems that involve different subsystems and multiple relationships among them. The design of a spacecraft is an evolutionary process that starts from requirements and evolves across different design phases. During this process, a lot of changes can happen and affect mass and power at component level, at subsystem level, and even at system level. Each spacecraft has to respect overall constraints in terms of mass and power: for this reason, it's important to be sure that the design does not exceed these limitations. Current practice in system modeling primarily deals with this problem allocating margins. However, a statistical characterization of the fluctuations in mass and power in the early design phases is missing. This lack of statistical characterization would result either in a risky spacecraft design that might not fit the mission constraints and requirements, or in a conservative design that might not fully utilize the available resources. The authors have previously developed a mathematical approach ( [1] [2] [3] [4]) to quantify the likelihood that the major design drivers of mass and power of a space communication system would meet the spacecraft and mission requirements and constraints through the mission design lifecycle. The methodology uses a combination of statistics based on data and probabilities assessed by experts in the field. Additionally, the methodology is innovative in the approach developed to elicit experts' opinions [5] which allows the analyst to identify biases or mis-calibrations which can affect the final estimation. The work presented in this paper extends the approach developed to the entire spacecraft design, focusing on small spacecraft (less than 50 Kg mass) due to the recent interest in the space community in such platforms. The spacecraft is analyzed in its subsystems and related components. A database is constructed to compute data statistics. An interview process to elicit expert opinions in all the areas of spacecraft design is developed and the results are presented. A test case made of a small satellite mission (CASTOR) is presented and the results are described.
Mathematics education as a design science

We propose re-conceptualizing the field of mathematics education research as that of a design science akin to engineering and other emerging interdisciplinary fields which involve the interaction of “subjects”, conceptual systems and technology influenced by social constraints and affordances. Numerous examples from the history and philosophy of science and mathematics and ongoing findings of M&M research are drawn to illustrate our notion of mathematics education research as a design sicence. Our ideas are intended as a framework and do not constitute a, “grand” theory (see Lester. 2005, this issue). That is, we provide a framework (a system of thinking together with accompanying concepts, language, methodologies, tools, and so on) that provides structure to help mathematics education researchers develop both models and theories, which encourage diversity and emphasize Darwinian processes such as: (a) selection (rigorous testing), (b) communication (so that productive ways of thinking spread throughout relevant communities), and (c) accumulation (so that productive ways of thinking are not lost and get integrated into future developments).
Interaction of Sox1, Sox2, Sox3 and Oct4 during primary neurogenesis

Sox1, Sox2 and Sox3, the three members of the SoxB1 subgroup of transcription factors, have similar sequences, expression patterns and overexpression phenotypes. Thus, it has been suggested that they have redundant roles in the maintenance of neural stem cells in development. However, the long-term effect of overexpression or their function in combination with their putative co-factor Oct4 has not been tested. Here, we show that overexpression of sox1, sox2, sox3 or oct91, the Xenopus homologue of Oct4, results in the same phenotype: an expanded neural plate at the expense of epidermis and delayed neurogenesis. However, each of these proteins induced a unique profile of neural markers and the combination of Oct91 with each SoxB1 protein had different effects, as did continuous misexpression of the proteins. Overexpression studies indicate that Oct91 preferentially cooperates with Sox2 to maintain neural progenitor marker expression, while knockdown of Oct91 inhibits neural induction driven by either Sox2 or Sox3. Continuous expression of Sox1 and Sox2 in transgenic embryos represses neuron differentiation and inhibits anterior development while increasing cell proliferation. Constitutively active Sox3, however, leads to increased apoptosis suggesting that it functions as a tumor suppressor. While the SoxB1s have overlapping functions, they are not strictly redundant as they induce different sets of genes and are likely to partner with different proteins to maintain progenitor identity.
Testing Gottfredson and Hirschi’s “low self-control” stability hypothesis: An exploratory study

In Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (1990)A General Theory of Crime, criminal and analogous behaviors are argued to be the result of a stable individual psychological trait referred to as “low self-control.” In this article, we test the proposition that low self-control is a stable characteristic. We conduct a two-wave panel study that measures the self-reported self-control of college students at two relatively close time points. Our test of the stability hypothesis includes conducting four separate analyses of the data (t-tests, correlations, individual change scores, and HLM analyses). In general, we find that most of the dimensions of self-control, and the overall self-control construct, appear to be relatively stable across this short period of time. However, given that the measurements were taken closely together and that we do not find correlations as strong as might be expected, at points the strength of the stability is somewhat unclear.
Floquet analysis of atom-optics tunneling experiments

Dynamical tunneling has been observed in atom-optics experiments by two groups. We show that the experimental results are extremely well described by time-periodic Hamiltonians with momentum quantized in units of the atomic recoil. The observed tunneling has a well-defined period when only two Floquet states dominate the dynamics. Beat frequencies are observed when three Floquet states dominate. We find frequencies that match those observed in both experiments. The dynamical origin of the dominant Floquet states is identified.
RNA polymerase II acts as an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to extend and destabilize a non-coding RNA.

RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is a well-characterized DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which has also been reported to have RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) activity. Natural cellular RNA substrates of mammalian Pol II, however, have not been identified and the cellular function of the Pol II RdRP activity is unknown. We found that Pol II can use a non-coding RNA, B2 RNA, as both a substrate and a template for its RdRP activity. Pol II extends B2 RNA by 18 nt on its 3′-end in an internally templated reaction. The RNA product resulting from extension of B2 RNA by the Pol II RdRP can be removed from Pol II by a factor present in nuclear extracts. Treatment of cells with α-amanitin or actinomycin D revealed that extension of B2 RNA by Pol II destabilizes the RNA. Our studies provide compelling evidence that mammalian Pol II acts as an RdRP to control the stability of a cellular RNA by extending its 3′-end.
Super-Resolution Imaging and Single Molecule Tracking of the Nuclear Protein Emerin

Emerin is an integral protein of the nuclear membrane expressed in most somatic cells. When under-expressed or mutated, it leads to Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy. This disease is characterized by cardiac abnormalities and progressive muscle wasting. The molecular bases of these phenotypes are not well defined. Previous attempts at characterizing emerin localization and diffusional mobility have relied on ensemble confocal fluorescence microscopy. This approach did not reveal differences between normal and mutated versions of emerin, perhaps due to the limited optical resolution of confocal and FRAP techniques. Here we employ single molecule tracking and super-resolution optical imaging of emerin to further characterize emerin diffusion behaviors and localization at the nanometer scale.We performed single protein tracking of photoactivable-TagRFP-emerin fusions in live cells and study their dynamics in the nuclear membrane. Diffusion analyses indicate the co-existence of four diffusing sub-populations. One emerin sub-population is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum diffusion, two are located exclusively to the nuclear membrane, and a nearly immobile sub-population also locates to the nuclear membrane. Single molecule pulse-chase experiments reveal that the two nuclear-exclusive sub-populations accumulate at different rates, providing further evidence of their mutual uniqueness and their differential distribution between the inner and outer nuclear membrane. Further studies with disease-associated emerin mutants revealed that a single point emerin mutant has a 250% increase in diffusion coefficient for one of the nuclear membrane sub-populations when compared to the wild type.We also map the 3D nanoscale organization of emerin at the nuclear membrane using super-resolution imaging of SNAP-tag-emerin fusions. Analysis of emerin clusters was performed with 3D Ripley's K-function to compare the distribution of wild-type and mutated versions of emerin.
The Statistical Interpretation of Classical Thermodynamic Heating and Expansion Processes.

A statistical model has been developed and applied to interpret thermodynamic processes typically presented from the macroscopic, classical perspective. Through this model, students learn and apply the concepts of statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and classical thermodynamics in the analysis of the (i) constant volume heating, (ii) constant pressure heating, (iii) isothermal expansion into vacuum, (iv) adiabatic irreversible expansion, and (v) adiabatic reversible expansion of an ideal gas. Whether used as a tool in lecture or as a hands-on computational exercise, the model described herein is a powerful quantitative and visual tool that enables students to more readily grasp the microscopic basis for macroscopic events.
Long-term evaluation of solid oxide fuel cell candidate materials in a 3-cell generic stack test fixture, part III: Stability and microstructure of Ce-(Mn,Co)-spinel coating, AISI441 interconnect, alumina coating, cathode and anode

Abstract A generic solid oxide fuel cell stack test fixture was developed to evaluate candidate materials and processing under realistic conditions. Part III of the work investigated the stability of Ce-(Mn,Co) spinel coating, AISI441 metallic interconnect, alumina coating, and cell's degradation. After 6000 h test, the spinel coating showed densification with some diffusion of Cr. At the metal interface, segregation of Si and Ti was observed, however, no continuous layer formed. The alumina coating for perimeter sealing areas appeared more dense and thick at the air side than the fuel side. Both the spinel and alumina coatings remained bonded. EDS analysis of Cr within the metal showed small decrease in concentration near the coating interface and would expect to cause no issue of Cr depletion. Inter-diffusion of Ni, Fe, and Cr between spot-welded Ni wire and AISI441 interconnect was observed and Cr-oxide scale formed along the circumference of the weld. The microstructure of the anode and cathode was discussed relating to degradation of the top and middle cells. Overall, the Ce-(Mn,Co) spinel coating, alumina coating, and AISI441 steel showed the desired long-term stability and the developed generic stack fixture proved to be a useful tool to validate candidate materials for SOFC.
The first coordinated ground- and space-based optical observations of equatorial plasma bubbles

[1] We report on ionospheric optical emissions detected by the GUVI instrument on the TIMED satellite. As the satellite crosses the equatorial zone the bright Appleton Anomaly region is imaged. Often these bright zones are interrupted by regions slanted from west to east as the equator is approached forming a backwards ‘C’-shape in the image. To explain this feature we use simultaneous ground-based observations looking equatorward from Hawaii using the 777.4-nm emission. We also compare these optical observations to inverted electron density maps, as well as to those made by radar and to numerical simulations of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The characteristic shape is a result of a shear in the eastward plasma flow velocity, which peaks near the F peak at the equator and decreases both above and below that height. The ability to detect these unstable and usually turbulent ionospheric regions from orbit provides a powerful global remote sensing capability for an important space weather process.
John Shary, Charles Pease, and contested irrigation landscapes in early-twentieth-century South Texas

Abstract The paper contributes to notions of ‘hybrid’ historical geographies of irrigation by focusing on contested visions for irrigation in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Adding to geographical work using biography, notions of performance, and racialized landscapes, the paper analyzes debates between John Shary and Charles Pease. Shary and Pease were protagonists, respectively, of pumping water from the Rio Grande and a gravity scheme reliant on action by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The pumping system survived; the gravity system was never constructed. However, the debate between Shary and Pease illustrates tensions within the Anglo elite. The analysis focuses on three early-twentieth-century moments. The first is a 1918 crisis in Shary’s irrigation company, followed by a 1927 debate between Shary and Pease over the flaws of the pumping system and benefits of gravity irrigation. Finally, the paper focuses on Shary and Pease’s constructions of racialized landscapes that subordinated Hispanics as voters to be utilized for Shary’s accumulation strategy, or as ‘non-water users’ that should be excluded from water politics. The paper argues that Shary and Pease projected similarly exclusionary social visions onto the irrigated landscape in spite of their differences on irrigation systems.
Method for extraction of Frankia DNA from soil

Abstract Soil DNA extraction methods that rely on cell extraction prior to lysis are inefficient for filamentous organisms such as Frankia . Direct lysis with detergents and physical cell wall disruption increases yield but the DNA is still contaminated with humic substances. Our method used in situ lysozyme digestion and lysis with SDS and proteinase K followed by centrifugation/wash cycles to collect DNA in solution. Potassium acetate precipitated contaminants; DNA in the supernatant was concentrated by ethanol precipitation. DNA was separated from remaining humic contaminants by agarose gel electrophoresis then electroeluted, phenol/chloroform extracted and precipitated by ethanol. The purified DNA could be cut with restriction endonuclease for restriction fragment length analysis and amplified by polymerase chain reaction.
The Austin, Texas, Flash Flood: An Examination from Two Perspectives—Forecasting and Research

Abstract During the evening of 24 May 1981, rainfall from a slow-moving, multicell thunderstorm exceeded 200 mm (8 in) in just 2 h over western sections of Austin, Texas. This intense precipitation, falling on previously saturated terrain, resulted in record flash flooding. The evolution of the large-scale meteorological setting associated with the flood is briefly examined. The presentation then focuses on the development and movement of several mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) over the southern Plains during the night preceding the flash flood. It is shown that two significant mesoscale convective outflow boundaries stalled and weakened in the Austin vicinity. The flash flood storm appears to have developed along a weak baroclinic zone left behind by these outflows. Additionally, the precursor MCSs primed the hydrologic setting in south central Texas as they produced 75–125 mm (3–5 in) rains. Upper-air soundings are considered and related to the anomalous (relative to other storms over Texas) movemen...
Identification of calreticulin as a nuclear matrix protein associated with human colon cancer

Colon cancer is one of the most common malignancies among populations in the United States and Western Europe, and one of the leading causes of worldwide morbidity and mortality due to cancer. The early detection of colon cancer is central to the effective treatment of this disease and early detection markers are needed. We have demonstrated that high-resolution two-dimensional gel analysis of nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs) demonstrated a specific oncological fingerprint of colon cancer. Utilizing this approach, four proteins specific for colon cancer was identified. Additionally, one protein was expressed much more strongly in colon cancer compared to adjacent and normal donor tissue. The amino acid composition of this protein revealed sequence similarity with calreticulin. The multi-functional protein, calreticulin, is normally found in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum although some reports have described a nuclear localization of the protein. The aim of this study was to confirm the identity of the protein as calreticulin as well as to evaluate the localization of calreticulin in the nuclear matrix of colon cancer tissue.
The Rabbi Moises and the Primer Del Crestià of Francesc Eiximenis

In his Primer del Crestia, chapters 117-25, Francesc Eiximenis refuted beliefs of a certain "Rabbi Moises" or Maimonides concerning Christian beliefs, especially the claim that Jesus was not the Messiah. The text of Maimonides which particularly upset Eiximenis and others in the realms of Aragon, including the royal family and the clergy, was the Hilkhol Melakhim, XIV, also called "Shophetim." Eiximenis further attempts to negate four major claims of the Rabbi Moises; however, these opinions do not come directly from Maimonides' works but rather from commentaries on his opus and Latin polemic works. The influence of Maimonides is also present in the urgency to rebuke and censor the "Shophetim" and sections of the Mishneh Torah which Eiximenis found oflensive to Christians.
Optimization on Mistuning Blades Arrangement of Vibration Absorption Based on Genetic Particle Swarm Algorithm in Aero-Engine

In practical aero-engine bladed disk structure of blade mistuning is inevitable, and seriously affects the vibration characteristics of bladed disk system also on the whole aero-engine performance and life. Through the analysis, the blades arrangement order of a set of mistuned blade can greatly influence the vibration of bladed disk system, on this foundation; put forward a kind of new localization level of vibration parameters method for the characterization of mistuned system vibration localization degree. Furthermore, genetic particle swarm algorithm is used to optimize the blade arrangement sequence. The research shows that the selection of appropriate blade arrangement sequence can effectively reduce the bladed disk system forced vibration amplitude and the localization level of forced vibration.
The 3′-untranslated region of rat lysyl oxidase cDNA

The cloning of the 3'-untranslated region of rat lysyl oxidase cDNA was completed. cDNA clones were generated by reverse transcriptase PCR from neonatal rat aorta smooth muscle cell RNA, and sequenced. Several polyadenylated clones were obtained, providing 2.1 kb of new sequence. Clones were polyadenylated at three different positions. The cDNA clones were verified by PCR-cloning and sequencing of genomic DNA, and by Northern blotting studies. Evidence is presented that the polyadenylation patterns of rat lysyl oxidase mRNAs are similar, but not identical to mouse or human transcripts. Interestingly, the nonconsensus polyadenylations in rat did not occur at the same positions as was found in mouse lysyl oxidase cDNAs. Multiple transcription initiation sites were found by primer extension mapping. Thus, the complex pattern of rat lysyl oxidase mRNAs on Northern blots is principally due to differential use of polyadenylation signals, and to the occurrence of multiple transcription initiation sites. All clones lacked a previously reported 258 bp segment nearly identical to a conserved segment of the 3'-untranslated region of elastin cDNA. We conclude that the elastin-like sequence previously reported in rat lysyl oxidase cDNA is not a species-specific sequence, and most probably resulted from spurious ligation reactions during construction of the cDNA library.
Relationships between need achievement, sensation seeking and cognitive performance

Abstract The purpose of the study was threefold. The first objective was to investigate the relationships between basic traits of need achievement (n Ach) and sensation seeking (SS). The second purpose was to examine how situational factors affect subjects' scores on the Work and Family Orientation Questionnaire (WOFO) Need Achievement and Sensation Seeking V Scales. The final goal was to compare how the measures of n Ach and SS relate to performances on cognitive tasks. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (achievement, relaxed, and neutral) in which they received different instructions. Subjects then filled out the WOFO and SS V questionnaires. They were then given a block design test and creativity test. The former measures convergent thinking and the latter divergent thinking. Most SS and n Ach Scales were significantly correlated. n Ach also significantly correlated with both cognitive tasks scores. SS was found to correlate with creativity but not convergent thinking. Instructions affected only n Ach and convergent thinking scores. The major findings are interpreted as support for Eysenck's theory that traits combine to form types of personality.
Evolution of color vision

Charles Darwin and Ramon y Cajal were fascinated by the complexity and apparent perfection of eyes throughout the animal kingdom. Considering the vast repertoire in their design, they proposed that, during evolution, eyes have appeared more than 40 times independently in different phyla (Salvini-Plawen and Mayr 1977). Recent data from molecular genetics offer an opposite view of this evolutionary problem since the “master regulatory gene” for eye development, Pax-6, is highly conserved in all these species (Halder et al. 1995a,b; Gehring and Ikeo 1999). Thus, although the compound eye of Diptera and the camera-like vertebrate eye present many apparent differences in their design, they seem to have evolved from a common and simple ancestral photoreceptive module (Zuker 1994; Halder et al. 1995b; Desplan 1997; Sheng et al. 1997; Gehring and Ikeo 1999).
The force of myth on popular narratives: the case of melodramatic serials.

Melodramatic serials such as American soap operas and Latin American telenovelas work with the narrative logic of myth and can be endowed with the cultural and performative power of myth. The properties of melodramatic serials, historicity, collectivity, syntagmatic flexibility, and paradigmatic parsimony, are in important ways common to mythical narratives. The textual affinity between melodramatic serials and mythical narratives suggests that melodramatic serials might function as myth, that is, as a pedagogical and enculturating discourse. Important implications for the practice of education-development and entertainment are derived. It is suggested that the opposition between entertainment and education might be ideological and logical but not performative. Entertainment and education continuously overlap into a general activity of social enculturation that does not recognize the formal boundaries of ideological discourses.
Calling writers' bluffs: The social production of writing ability in university placement-testing

Abstract This article examines the implications for testing of a profoundly social model of writing elaborated over the last 15 years by critical composition scholars. Students' development is seen as a process of socialization into the ways of speaking and thinking considered appropriate within academic or professional communities. Such socialization is fraught with conflict in that the values underlying these ways of speaking may differ radically from those that students bring to the situation. Yet, to develop as writers, students must engage these dominant ways of speaking. In this light, testing becomes a kind of “border checkpoint” in the “contact zone” (Pratt, 1987), where students' identities are defined and contested in this textual encounter between writers and readers. Using this theoretical frame, the article examines one aspect of elaboration in student writing as a product of this encounter. Results of a study of a stratified random sample of student placement tests reveal several patterns in the elaboration of “old” and “new” information that deviate sharply from what would be expected in a “cooperative exchange of information between equals.” (Grice, 1967/1975). Yet, these patterns correlate significantly with readers' evaluations of texts. Analysis of these patterns shows them to be two strategies for managing discursive conflict in this situation.
Throughfall exclusion and leaf litter addition drive higher rates of soil nitrous oxide emissions from a lowland wet tropical forest

Tropical forests are a significant global source of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Predicted environmental changes for this biome highlight the need to understand how simultaneous changes in precipitation and labile carbon (C) availability may affect soil N2O production. We conducted a small-scale throughfall and leaf litter manipulation in a lowland tropical forest in southwestern Costa Rica to test how potential changes in both water and litter derived labile C inputs to soils may alter N2O emissions. Experimentally reducing throughfall in this wet tropical forest significantly increased soil emissions of N2O, and our data suggest that at least part of this response was driven by an increase in the concentration of dissolved organic carbon [DOC] inputs delivered from litter to soil under the drier conditions. Furthermore, [DOC] was significantly correlated with N2O emissions across both throughfall and litterfall manipulation plots, despite the fact that native NO3 pools in this site were generally small. Our results highlight the importance of understanding not only the potential direct effects of changing precipitation on soil biogeochemistry, but also the indirect effects resulting from interactions between the hydrologic, C and N cycles. Finally, over all sampling events we observed lower mean N2O emissions (o1ngN2O-Ncm � 2 h � 1 ) than reported for many other lowland tropical forests, perhaps reflecting a more general pattern of increasing relative N constraints to biological activity as one moves from drier to wetter portions of the lowland tropical forest biome.
Cis-acting sequences may contribute to size variation in the surface glycoprotein of bovine immunodeficiency virus.

Genetic recombination is an important mechanism of retrovirus variation and diversity. Size variation in the surface (SU) glycoprotein, characterized by duplication and insertion, has been observed during in vivo infection with several lentiviruses, including bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV), equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1. These duplication/insertion events are thought to occur through a mechanism of template switching/strand transfer during reverse transcription. Studies of RNA recombination in a number of virus systems indicate that cis-acting sequences can modulate the frequency of template switching/strand transfer. The size variable region of EIAV and BIV SU glycoproteins was examined and an AU-rich region and regions of nucleotide sequence identity that may facilitate template switching/strand transfer were identified. An in vitro strand transfer assay using donor and acceptor templates derived from the size variable region in BIV env detected both precise and imprecise strand transfer products, in addition to full-length products. Sequence analysis of clones obtained from imprecise strand transfer products showed that 87·5% had crossover sites within 10 nt of the crossover site observed in vivo. Mutations in the donor template which altered either the AU-rich region or nucleotide sequence identity dramatically decreased the frequency of imprecise strand transfer. Together, these results suggest that cis-acting elements can modulate non-homologous recombination events during reverse transcription and may contribute to the genetic and biological diversity of lentiviruses in vivo.
In-situ Hydraulic Properties of Unbound Aggregate Layers Measured Using Gas Permeameter Test (GPT) Device

Unbound aggregate layers are widely used in pavement base/subbase applications for both conventional flexible and rigid pavements. Hydraulic properties, i.e., hydraulic conductivity and moisture-suction characteristics, of these layers dictate their effectiveness in providing adequate drainage, which is essential for the long-term pavement performance. Ideally, determining in-situ hydraulic conductivity of an unbound aggregate layer would be the most desirable for reliable mechanistic based pavement design and construction practices. This paper presents findings from a recent field study undertaken at the University of Illinois utilizing an innovative Gas Permeameter Test (GPT) device to measure in-situ hydraulic properties of unsurfaced pavement test sections. The test pavements were constructed using both crushed and uncrushed granular layers on a weak subgrade of controlled strength to study effects of various unbound aggregate material properties (or qualities) on subgrade rutting performance. The repeatability of GPT measurements was quite satisfactory and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) values obtained were closely linked to field measured moisture and density properties. The GPT-measured Ksat values were statistically correlated to fines contents in the aggregate matrix, void ratios, and imaging based quantifiable aggregate shape properties (flat and elongated ratio and angularity index). The different unbound aggregate Ksat values estimated from grain-size distributions using empirical Hazen’s and Chapuis’ models were also compared quite favorably with the in-situ GPT measurements to verify their applicability and potential for predicting field permeability properties of pavement base/subbase materials.
Chemical ionization mass spectra of L‐methionine and L‐methionine analogs

L-Methionine, L-methionine sulfone, L-methionine-SR-sulfoxide, L-methionine-SR-sulfoximine, DL-ethionine-SR-sulfoximine, DL-prothionine-SR-sulfoximine, DL-buthionine-SR-sulfoximine, α-methyl-DL-methionine-SR-sulfoximine, α-ethyl-DL-methionine-SR-sulfoximine and β-methyl-DL-methionine-SR-sulfoximine were subjected to chemical ionization mass spectral analysis using isobutane as reactant. The resulting fragmentation patterns are discussed in relation to differences in structural and chemical properties. It was found that the sulfoximines exhibit chemical ionization mass spectra that are unique among amino acids.
Overlapping Institutions in Trade Policy

This article examines the effect of overlapping institutions in trade policy, where the World Trade Organization, preferential trade agreements, and other economic negotiation venues give states many options for negotiating rules and settling disputes. This article argues that overlapping institutions influence trade politics at three stages: selection of venue, negotiation of liberalization commitments, and enforcement of compliance. First, lobby groups and governments on both sides of a trade negotiation try to choose the set of rules that will favor their preferred outcome. WTO rules that restrict use of coercive tactics outside of the WTO generate a selection process that filters the most difficult trade issues into WTO trade rounds or dispute adjudication while easier issues are settled in bilateral and regional fora. This selection dynamic creates a challenge at the negotiation stage by disaggregating interest group pressure for liberalization commitments. The narrowing of interest group lobbying for the multilateral process may impede negotiation of liberalization agreements that could only gain political support through a broad coalition of exporter mobilization. At the enforcement stage international regime complexity creates the potential for contradictory legal rulings that undermine compliance, but also adds greater penalties for noncompliance if reputation effects operate across agreements.
Stability of initial fixation of the tibial component in cementless total knee arthroplasty

This study measured the vertical displacement of three kinds of cementless tibial components [Porous Coated Anatomical (PCA), Tricon, and Whiteside], under eccentric loading up to 2,225 N. Displacement between the tibial tray and the proximal tibia was measured with linear variable differential transformers at the anterior and posterior side when anteriorly or posteriorly loaded, and at the medial and lateral side when medially or laterally loaded. The general pattern of motion was sinking at the loaded side and lift-off at the opposite side and lift-off at the opposite side. Lift-off opposite the loaded side was fairly small for all components at all measurement sites. Among the three components, the Whiteside showed the smallest displacements. The Tricon (when anteriorly or posteriorly loaded), and the PCA (when medially or laterally loaded) showed sinking at the loaded side. Anterior screw fixation of the PCA was not effective in preventing anterior lift-off. The tilting motion of the tibial components obseved in this study implies instability of the initial fixation, which could possibly compromise bony ingrowth. Furthermore, this tilting could cause uneven distribution of load, and potentially result in fracture of the underlying bone.
Nutritional Implications of Xerostomia and Rampant Caries Caused by Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: a Case Study

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine, fenfluramine, and dexfenfluramine, are frequently used to treat obesity, depression, and bulimia. A common side effect of these medications is xerostomia, or dry mouth. A case study demonstrating the impact of drug-induced xerostomia on oral health and subsequent nutrition implications is presented. Rampant caries can result from a combination of xerostomia and inappropriate dietary and oral hygiene habits. Preventive dietary and dental guidelines are presented to assist nutrition and dental professionals in treating and counseling patients with xerostomia.