cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Parallel Coiled-Coil Tetramer with Offset Helices

Specific helix-helix interactions are fundamental in assembling the native state of proteins and in protein-protein interfaces. Coiled coils afford a unique model system for elucidating principles of molecular recognition between alpha helices. The coiled-coil fold is specified by a characteristic seven amino acid repeat containing hydrophobic residues at the first (a) and fourth (d) positions. Nonpolar side chains spaced three and four residues apart are referred to as the 3-4 hydrophobic repeat. The presence of apolar amino acids at the e or g positions (corresponding to a 3-3-1 hydrophobic repeat) can provide new possibilities for close-packing of alpha-helices that includes examples such as the lac repressor tetramerization domain. Here we demonstrate that an unprecedented coiled-coil interface results from replacement of three charged residues at the e positions in the dimeric GCN4 leucine zipper by nonpolar valine side chains. Equilibrium circular dichroism and analytical ultracentrifugation studies indicate that the valine-containing mutant forms a discrete alpha-helical tetramer with a significantly higher stability than the parent leucine-zipper molecule. The 1.35 A resolution crystal structure of the tetramer reveals a parallel four-stranded coiled coil with a three-residue interhelical offset. The local packing geometry of the three hydrophobic positions in the tetramer conformation is completely different from that seen in classical tetrameric structures yet bears resemblance to that in three-stranded coiled coils. These studies demonstrate that distinct van der Waals interactions beyond the a and d side chains can generate a diverse set of helix-helix interfaces and three-dimensional supercoil structures.
Shock tube investigation of methane-oxygen ignition sensitized by NO2

The kinetics of CH4-O2-Ar ignition sensitized by NO2 has been investigated behind reflected waves in a shock tube. Induction times (τ) were measured. NO2 absorption and NO, CH4, and OH emission were monitored during the induction period. Nitrogen dioxide (0 to 5 mole%) was added to a baseline 0.5 stoichiometric mixture and concentrations of all reactants systematically varied. Observed induction times were correlated by the empirical expression r= 3.48 × 10−14exp (15,780/T)[CH4]0.37 [O2]−0.53 [NO2]−1.0 [Ar]−0.47 in mole, cm, K, and sec units over the temperature range 1310 to 1790°K and pressure range 1.8 to 3.6 atm. Observed NO2 decay rates during induction were independent of O2 concentration, were very much faster than NO2 dissociation, and suggest a rapid chain reaction involving NO2 and CH4 as the sensitizing mechanism. Overall observations and computer modeling support the initiation steps CH4+ NO2 = CH3+ HNO2 HNO2 +M = OH + NO + M followed by the fast linear chain CH4+ OH = CH3+ H2O CH3+ NO2 = CH3O+ NO CH3O+ M = CH2O + H + M H +NO2 = OH + NO as the primary NO2 sensitization mechanism. A rate coefficient was derived for the hydrogen abstraction reaction: CH4 + NO2 = CH3 + HNO2. Computer modeling of induction times correctly predicted the majority of observations but failed to predict the inhibiting role of argon. Previous experimental and mechanistic investigations are discussed.
Analysis of robot work characteristics

The abilities and limitations of today's industrial robots are reviewed and compared to similar human parameters. The robot abilities were determined from a survey of 282 current robot models. This discussion is held within the general framework of a skills analysis approach to robot task performance.
Lack of Interventional Studies in Renal Transplant Candidates with Elevated Cardiovascular Risk

Advances in transplant medicine have developed through the utilization of highly specialized multidisciplinary groups delivering appropriate post-transplant care in order to extend graft survival. However, few guidelines exist for the treatment of wait-listed patients and there is a lack of prospective trials of clinical interventions in this population. In fact, most transplant centers limit their pretransplant medical care to an initial assessment and a discussion by a specialized committee, followed by annual visits for testing. The medical needs of transplant candidates are rarely studied and the main research focus of the transplant community has been assessing the benefits of transplant and identifying potential risk factors following transplant in this population.
Blood oxygenation in tubular oxygenators with wavy walls

Abstract The effects of a wavy wall upon the blood oxygenation in a tubular membrane oxygenator are studied by assuming that whole blood behaves like a homogeneous Newtonian fluid and that the wavelength of the membrane surface is much longer than the mean radius of the tube. It is found that the wall irregularity has a strong effect on local oxygenation concentration distribution but has little effect on the saturation length. Therefore, the secondary flows induced by the cell-plasma and cell-cell interaction or possible motion of the wall induced by the pump is more likely the primary mechanism for a vast increase in the efficiency of oxygenators using plane wavy channels reported by Kolobow, etc.
A Comparison of Folk High Schools in Denmark, and East and West Germany

Adult education in Eastern Europe is experiencing limited funding and at the same time stiff competition from other agencies and institutions. The status of the Volkschochschule, or folk high school, is of particular importance. Private trade and commercial schools, as well as universities, are searching for new clients and offering both general and specialized courses for adults. Low literate youth and adults who lack job skills are in need of education. For example, immigrant laborers are demanding citizenship and better economic packages, including educational benefits for their children. Yet, reductions in local and national funding are forcing schools to operate below adequate levels. Given the diminishing resources, who is going to serve the adult population, including older adults, those who experience disabilities, and those who lack job related skills? This article, based on a series of interviews in Denmark, East Germany, and West Germany, looks at some of the social, political, and economic problems, especially as they relate to the folk high schools in these countries.
BizWatts: A modular socio-technical energy management system for empowering commercial building occupants to conserve energy

Abstract Commercial buildings represent a significant portion of energy consumption and environmental emissions worldwide. To help mitigate the environmental impact of building operations, building energy management systems and behavior-based campaigns designed to reduce energy consumption are becoming increasingly popular. In this paper, we describe the development of a modular socio-technical energy management system, BizWatts, which combines the two approaches by providing real-time, appliance-level power management and socially contextualized energy consumption feedback. We describe in detail the physical and virtual architecture of the system, which simultaneously engages building occupants and facility managers, as well as the main principles behind the interface design and component functionalities. A discussion about how the data collection capabilities of the system enable insightful commercial building energy efficiency studies and quantitative network analysis is also included. We conclude by commenting on the validation of the system, identifying current system limitations and introducing new research avenues that the development and deployment of BizWatts enables.
A derivation of the exact pi-electron hamiltonian

Abstract The exact pi-electron hamiltonian is derived from the full many-electron Schrodinger equation. The derivation employs techniques which also enable the development of open shell generalized perturbation theory. The parameters occurring in the pi-hamiltonian are therefore amenable to calculation using the approximate theories and methods of Sinanoǧlu, Nesbet, Kelly, etc. To a good approximation, the pi-hamiltonian is found to be generally consistent with its customarily assumed form.
Phosphorylation of thylakoid proteins and synthetic peptide analogs

Spinach thylakoids contain at least 8 proteins (8.3–58 kDa) whose phosphorylation is strongly inhibited by the plastoquinone antagonist 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone (DBMIB). Reduction of DBMIB with ascorbate completely or partially relieves inhibition for all proteins other than the 27 kDa light-harvesting complex (LHC) II and a synthetic dodecapeptide (MRKSATTKKAVC). The peptide, an analog of the phosphorylation site of pea 27 kDa LHC II, is phosphorylated with the same site specificity, kinetics, redox control and sensitivity to DBMIB/ascorbate as the protein itself. The data indicate that synthetic peptides can be used to study the number, substrate specificity and redox regulation of thylakoid protein kinases.
Subcellular distribution and partial characterization of gingival mitochondrial and soluble malate dehydrogenases.

Partial purification and characterization by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of human and rodent malate dehyrogenase revealed the presence of two distinct isoenzymes, one associated with the mitochondrial fraction (M-MDH) and one with the soluble fraction (S-MDH). Electrophoretic mobilities of the isoenzymes obtained from human and rodent gingiva wre similar. Malate dehyrogenase distribution patterns of the subcellular fractions suggest that the S-MDH isoenzyme may be more active than the M-MDH isoenzyme in rodent gingiva. Malate dehydrogenase distribution patterns in mild to moderately inflamed human gingiva were similar to those seen in dilantin hyperplastic gingiva. S-MDH and M-MDH isoenzyme distribution patterns could not be fully evaluated because of the high activity of the M-MDH isoenzyme seen in the soluble fraction. However, the subcellular distribution patterns and electrophoretic mobility in human gingiva showed trends similar to those seen in rodent gingiva. Malate dehydrogenase specific activities in total homogenates of human inflamed and dilantin hyperplastic gingiva were similar.
Revitalization of Inner-City Neighborhoods An Ecological Approach

Recent investigations of inner-city areas have indicated that a number of neighborhoods and commercial areas are attracting affluent middle-class migrants and businesses. The phenomenon has been called "gentrification" and "neighborhood revitalization." This process is regarded as an example of the human ecological concept of invasion-succession. That concept, it is argued, has been employed too narrowly in the study of urban change, and the current alterations in land use patterns open up the possibilities of broadening its application. The concept is reassessed in light of recent research and is examined as a particularly good foundation for research on changing land use patterns.
The occurrence of estrone and estriol intrichostrongylus colubriformis (nematoda)

Mammalian sex steroids and cholesterol wre isolated from the lipid extract of the zooparasitic nematodeTrichostrongylus colubriformis. In addition to the previously identified sex steroids progesterone and testosterone, estrone and estriol were detected and isolated from the mixture. The steroids were analyzed by thin-layer gas-liquid and high-performance liquid chromatography, and their structures confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy.
Isolation of thioesterase and acyl carrier protein activities liberated by elastase digestion of pigeon liver fatty acid synthetase

Abstract Proteolysis of pigeon liver fatty acid synthetase with elastase cleaves the thioesterase component and an acyl carrier protein-containing peptide from the multienzyme complex. These proteins are then separated in one step by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-75 column. Each of the eluted proteins is homogeneous, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of each has been estimated to be 36,000 and 12,000 daltons, respectively.
Is moral phenomenology unified

In this short paper, I argue that the phenomenology of moral judgment is not unified across different areas of morality (involving harm, hierarchy, reciprocity, and impurity) or even across different relations to harm. Common responses, such as that moral obligations are experienced as felt demands based on a sense of what is fitting, are either too narrow to cover all moral obligations or too broad to capture anything important and peculiar to morality. The disunity of moral phenomenology is, nonetheless, compatible with some uses of moral phenomenology for moral epistemology and with the objectivity and justifiability of parts of morality.
Effect of surface treatment for carbon nanotubes on morphological and rheological properties of poly(ethylene oxide) nanocomposites

Poly(ethylene oxide) nanocomposites filled with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes are prepared and characterized using rheological and morphological measurements. This study investigates how the surface treatment of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) affects the CNT dispersion state. It is found that the nanocomposites have a higher effective volume fraction than the real volume fraction of the CNTs. The dispersion state of the CNTs is identified by using field emission scanning electron spectroscope and transmission electron microscope. The rheological findings indicate that there exists a percolated network structure of the CNTs in the nanocomposites, which was confirmed by electrical conductivity measurements as well as morphological observation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:1350–1357, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
A REVISION OF THE GENUS SYMPHOROMYIA FRAUENFELD (DIPTERA: RHAGIONIDAE): I. INTRODUCTION. SUBGENERA AND SPECIES-GROUPS. REVIEW OF BIOLOGY

The Holarctic genus Symphoromyia, the biting snipe flies, is discussed and a taxonomic history of the group is reviewed. Five subgenera including Symphoromyia s. str., Paraphoromyia Becker, and three new subgenera, Axinicera, Pogonaria and Ochleromyia, are established and a key for their separation and recognition of included species-groups is presented. Each subgenus and its associated species-groups are discussed and compared with respect to distribution, morphology, and evolutionary trends. Known aspects of biology for the genus are presented to include: (1) a generalized life cycle; (2) immatures; (3) natural enemies; (4) female biting activity; (5) male swarm behavior.
Self-assembly of fluorocarbon-coated FePt nanoparticles for controlling structure and wettability of surfaces

Controlled self-assembly of fluorinated FePt nanoparticles from different solvent mixtures has been used to create superhydrophobic surfaces with varying topology and stickiness towards water. The ability to tune surface stickiness provides a means for fluid handling, as demonstrated by surface-to-surface transfer of water droplets.
The relationship between gasoline price and patterns of motorcycle fatalities and injuries

Objective Economic factors such as rising gasoline prices may contribute to the crash trends by shaping individuals’ choices of transportation modalities. This study examines the relationship of gasoline prices with fatal and non-fatal motorcycle injuries. Methods Data on fatal and non-fatal motorcycle injuries come from California9s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System for 2002–2011. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) regressions were used to estimate the impact of inflation-adjusted gasoline price per gallon on trends of motorcycle injuries. Results Motorcycle fatalities and severe and minor injuries in California were highly correlated with increasing gasoline prices from 2002 to 2011 (r=0.76, 0.88 and 0.85, respectively). In 2008, the number of fatalities and injuries reached 13 457—a 34% increase since 2002, a time period in which inflation-adjusted gasoline prices increased about $0.30 per gallon every year. The majority of motorcycle riders involved in crashes were male (92.5%), middle-aged (46.2%) and non-Hispanic white (67.9%). Using ARIMA modelling, we estimated that rising gasoline prices resulted in an additional 800 fatalities and 10 290 injuries from 2002 to 2011 in California. Conclusions Our findings suggest that increasing gasoline prices led to more motorcycle riders on the roads and, consequently, more injuries. Aside from mandatory helmet laws and their enforcement, other strategies may include raising risk awareness of motorcyclists and investment in public transportation as an alternative transportation modality to motorcycling. In addition, universally mandated training courses and strict licensing tests of riding skills should be emphasised to help reduce the motorcycle fatal and non-fatal injuries.
Set‐backs in Replacing Phalaris arundinacea Monotypes with Sedge Meadow Vegetation

Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) invades wetlands, forms monotypes, and resists control efforts, suggesting that strong feedbacks sustain its dominance, as in the alternative states model. In nine field experiments, we tested the hypothesis that applying a graminicide (sethoxydim) for three years would progressively reduce Phalaris abundance, and that seeding sedge meadow species (except grasses) would reestablish native plant dominance. The graminicide prevented Phalaris from flowering, reduced its height by 50% and reduced its cover, often to less than 40%. However, only two of the nine sites showed progressive declines over the three-year experiment. The first setback was that Phalaris recovered annually in nearly all treatment plots. A second setback was that seeding did not reestablish sedge meadow. In five sites, unseeded plots had similar numbers of native species as those seeded with either forbs, forbs and graminoids, or graminoids. In four formerly agricultural sites, however, non-native weeds increased in species richness and cover (a third setback). In only one site did the graminicide’s effect on Phalaris allow native species to increase in number and cover. But short-term gains were not long-lasting. In year four, three sites that developed high native-species cover were again strongly dominated by Phalaris (a fourth setback). The feedbacks that sustain this invader include resistance to the graminicide aboveground and rapid and robust regrowth from rhizomes and seeds belowground. The weak effect of this graminicide was a surprise; hence, we recommend stronger management actions to control Phalaris.
Mill's Higher Pleasures and the Choice of Character *

J. S. Mill's distinction between higher and lower pleasures is often thought to conflict with his commitment to psychological and ethical hedonism: if the superiority of higher pleasures is quantitative, then the higher/lower distinction is superfluous and Mill contradicts himself; if the superiority of higher pleasures is not quantitative, then Mill's hedonism is compromised.
Mood and memory

This article describes experiments in which happy or sad moods were induced in subjects by hyp- notic suggestion to investigate the influence of emo- tions on memory and thinking. One result was that subjects exhibited mood-state-dependent memory in recall of word lists, personal experiences recorded in a daily diary, and childhood experiences; people recalled a greater percentage of those experiences that were affectively congruent with the mood they were in dur- ing recall. Second, emotion powerfully influenced such cognitive processes as free associations, imaginative fantasies, social perceptions, and snap judgments about others' personalities (e.g., angry subjects generated an- gry associates, told hostile stories, and were prone to find fault with others). Third, when the feeling-tone of a narrative agreed with the reader's emotion, the salience and memorability of events in that narrative were increased. Thus, sad readers attended more to sad material, identified with a sad character from a story, and recalled more about that character. An associative network theory is proposed to account for these several results. In this theory, an emotion serves as a memory unit that can enter into associations with coincident events. Activation of this emotion unit aids retrieval of events associated with it; it also primes emotional themata for use in free association, fantasies, and per- ceptual categorization.
Reconstructing trust management

We present a trust management kernel that clearly separates authorization and structured distributed naming. Given an access request and supporting credentials, the kernel determines whether the request is authorized. We prove soundness and completeness of the authorization system without names and prove that naming is orthogonal to authorization in a precise sense. The orthogonality theorem gives us simple soundness and completeness proofs for the entire kernel. The kernel is formally verified in PVS, allowing for the automatic generation of a verified implementation of a reference monitor. By separating naming and authorization primitives, we arrive at a compositional model and avoid concepts such as “speaks-for” that have led to anomalies in logical characterizations of other trust management systems. Supported in part by DARPA contract N66001-00-C-8015 and ONR grant N00014-01-1-0795. Supported in part by DARPA contract N66001-00-C-8015 and ONR grant N00014-01-1-0837.
Modified method of characteristics for solving population balance equations

SUMMARY This paper presents a new numerical method for solving the population balance equation using the modied method of characteristics. Aggregation and break-up are neglected but the density function variations in the three-dimensional space and its dependence on the externalelds are accounted for. The method is an interpretation of the Lagrangian approach. Based on a pre-specied grid, it follows the particles backward in time as opposed to forward in the case of traditional method of characteristics. Unlike the direct marching method, the inverse marching method uses axed grid thus, making it compatible with other numerical schemes (e.g. �nite-volume, �nite elements) that may be used to solve other coupled equations such as the mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations. The numerical solutions are compared with the exact analytical solutions for simple one-dimensionalow cases. Very good agreement between the numerical and the theoretical solutions has been obtained conrming the validity of the numerical procedure and the associated computer program. Copyright ? 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient system for combined route traversal and collision avoidance

Here we consider the problem of a robot that must follow a previously designated path outdoors. While the nominal path, a series of closely spaced via points, is provided with an assurance that it will lead to the destination, we can't be guaranteed that it will be obstacle free. We present an efficient system capable of both following the path as well as being perceptive and agile enough to avoid obstacles in its way. We present a system that detects obstacles using laser ranging, as well as a layered system that continuously tracks the path, avoiding obstacles and replanning the route when necessary. The distinction of this system is that compared to the state of the art, it is minimal in sensing and computation while achieving high speeds. In this paper, we present an algorithm that is based on models of obstacle avoidance by humans and show variations of the model to deal with practical considerations. We show how the parameters of this model are automatically learned from observation of human operation and discuss limitations of the model. We then show how these models can be extended by adding online route planning and a formulation that allows for operation at varying speeds. We present experimental results from an autonomous vehicle that has operated several hundred kilometers to validate the methodology.
Production of adaptive array troughs by dispersion synthesis

An adaptive technique is presented that produces array pattern troughs in response to discrete interference sources. The technique applies a transform to the sample covariance matrix that synthesises dispersion, thus making the interferers appear to cover a greater angular extent.
Transitory Control of a Pitching Airfoil using Pulse Combustion Actuation

The transitory response of the flow over a stalled, 2-D airfoil to pulsed jet actuation is investigated experimentally. Actuation is provided by momentary [O(1msec)] pulsed jets that are generated by combustion-based actuators integrated in a span-wise array in the center section of the airfoil. The flow field in the cross stream plane above the airfoil and in its wake is mapped using highspeed PIV measurements that are obtained phase-locked to the actuation and allow for continuous tracking of vorticity concentrations. A single actuation pulse leads to a strong transitory increase in the circulation about the entire airfoil that is manifested by a partial collapse of the separated flow domain which is accompanied by the shedding of a large-scale clockwise vortex and attachment and accumulation of the surface vorticity layer behind it. The attached vorticity layer ultimately begins to separate at t/Tconv = 2.1 and the airfoil becomes fully stalled again within ten convective time scales. It is shown that repetition of actuation pulses on the convective time scale can increase the stream-wise extent of the attached flow domain and the trapped vorticity leads to a substantial increase in the peak transitory circulation before the flow separates again when the actuation is terminated. Pulsed actuation "bursts" that are repeated at low duty cycle are used to extend the duration of flow attachment.
Privacy Issues Concerning Direct Relationship Marketing in Health Care

Health care products and services are ideally suited for consumer relationship marketing. Considering privacy issues as an integral part of consumer marketing is essential in building long-term rel...
On performance limits of MIMO-OFDM systems over block-fading channels

We investigate the effect of system parameters on performance limits of space-time-frequency coded OFDM systems over block-fading channels. For this purpose, we obtain a sphere packing lower bound on average word error probability of space-time-frequency codes. This bound not only determines the merit of codes in the sense of error performance, but it also provides a tool to explore the performance limits of system in terms of parameters such as number of antennas, coherence time, coherence bandwidth, delay constraint, system bandwidth, and number of channel taps. It is also shown how these parameters affect the mean and the variance of instantaneous channel capacity, the outage probability, and the maximum achievable diversity of the system.
Bidirectional NDVI and atmospherically resistant BRDF inversion for vegetation canopy

The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) has been widely applied in optical remote sensing. However, it has been demonstrated that NDVI is still partially affected by atmospheric path scattering and bidirectional (illumination and viewing geometry) effects. In this paper we present the benefit of using a bidirectional NDVI, and we discuss the problems in using the maximum NDVI composite method. Based on the assumption that a clear day has a larger NDVI value and a cloudy day has a smaller NDVI value (smaller reflectance in the near-infrared band and larger reflectance in red band due to atmospheric path scattering), the ratio of squared observed NDVI values and calculated NDVI values is used as a weight in our inversion method. The calculated NDVI values are derived from previously inverted bidirectional reflectance distribution functions (BRDFs). The inversion process will loop until all weights converge. Our research on the early Terra/MODIS data using a semiempirical kernel-driven BRDF model (the RossThick-LiTransit model) shows that this new method can improve inversion results whenever some cloudy pixels are not filtered out. As cloud detection and subpixel cloudiness are always a problem, this technique should still be very useful in improving the quality of BRDF inversion.
The effect of diabetes mellitus on chronic rhinosinusitis and sinus surgery outcome.

Objective Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are known to be liable to infection. However, the association between diabetes and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has not been well studied. We sought to determine the effects of DM on CRS culture results and quality of life (QOL) after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).
A survey of cross-layer design for VANETs

Recently, vehicular communication systems have attracted much attention, fueled largely by the growing interest in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). These systems are aimed at addressing critical issues like passenger safety and traffic congestion, by integrating information and communication technologies into transportation infrastructure and vehicles. They are built on top of self organizing networks, known as a Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANET), composed of mobile vehicles connected by wireless links. While the solutions based on the traditional layered communication system architectures such as OSI model are readily applicable, they often fail to address the fundamental problems in ad hoc networks, such as dynamic changes in the network topology. Furthermore, many ITS applications impose stringent QoS requirements, which are not met by existing ad hoc networking solutions. The paradigm of cross-layer design has been introduced as an alternative to pure layered design to develop communication protocols. Cross-layer design allows information to be exchanged and shared across layer boundaries in order to enable efficient and robust protocols. There has been several research efforts that validated the importance of cross-layer design in vehicular networks. In this article, a survey of recent work on cross-layer communication solutions for VANETs is presented. Major approaches to cross-layer protocol design is introduced, followed by an overview of corresponding cross-layer protocols. Finally, open research problems in developing efficient cross-layer protocols for next generation transportation systems are discussed.
Dexamethasone-Mediated Activation of Fibronectin Matrix Assembly Reduces Dispersal of Primary Human Glioblastoma Cells.

Despite resection and adjuvant therapy, the 5-year survival for patients with Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is less than 10%. This poor outcome is largely attributed to rapid tumor growth and early dispersal of cells, factors that contribute to a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. An understanding of the cellular and molecular machinery that drive growth and dispersal is essential if we are to impact long-term survival. Our previous studies utilizing a series of immortalized GBM cell lines established a functional causation between activation of fibronectin matrix assembly (FNMA), increased tumor cohesion, and decreased dispersal. Activation of FNMA was accomplished by treatment with Dexamethasone (Dex), a drug routinely used to treat brain tumor related edema. Here, we utilize a broad range of qualitative and quantitative assays and the use of a human GBM tissue microarray and freshly-isolated primary human GBM cells grown both as conventional 2D cultures and as 3D spheroids to explore the role of Dex and FNMA in modulating various parameters that can significantly influence tumor cell dispersal. We show that the expression and processing of fibronectin in a human GBM tissue-microarray is variable, with 90% of tumors displaying some abnormality or lack in capacity to secrete fibronectin or assemble it into a matrix. We also show that low-passage primary GBM cells vary in their capacity for FNMA and that Dex treatment reactivates this process. Activation of FNMA effectively “glues” cells together and prevents cells from detaching from the primary mass. Dex treatment also significantly increases the strength of cell-ECM adhesion and decreases motility. The combination of increased cohesion and decreased motility discourages in vitro and ex vivo dispersal. By increasing cell-cell cohesion, Dex also decreases growth rate of 3D spheroids. These effects could all be reversed by an inhibitor of FNMA and by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, RU-486. Our results describe a new role for Dex as a suppressor of GBM dispersal and growth.
Antitumor Activity of a Polypyridyl Chelating Ligand: In Vitro and In Vivo Inhibition of Glioma

Glioblastoma multiforme is an extremely aggressive and invasive form of central nervous system tumor commonly treated with the chemotherapeutic drug Temozolomide. Unfortunately, even with treatment, the median survival time is less than 12 months. 2,9-Di-sec-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline (SBP), a phenanthroline-based ligand originally developed to deliver gold-based anticancer drugs, has recently been shown to have significant antitumor activity in its own right. SBP is hypothesized to initiate tumor cell death via interaction with non-DNA targets, and considering most glioblastoma drugs kill tumors through DNA damage processes, SBP was tested as a potential novel drug candidate against glial-based tumors. In vitro studies demonstrated that SBP significantly inhibited the growth of rodent GL-26 and C6 glioma cells, as well as human U-87, and SW1088 glioblastomas/astrocytomas. Furthermore, using a syngeneic glioma model in mice, in vivo administration of SBP significantly reduced tumor volume and increased survival time. There was no significant toxicity toward nontumorigenic primary murine and human astrocytes in vitro, and limited toxicity was observed in ex vivo tissues obtained from noncancerous mice. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining and recovery assays suggest that SBP induces apoptosis in gliomas. This exploratory study suggests SBP is effective in slowing the growth of tumorigenic cells in the brain while exhibiting limited toxicity to normal cells and tissues and should therefore be further investigated for its potential in glioblastoma treatment.
A Markov Chain Analysis of Structural Changes in the Texas High Plains Cotton Ginning Industry

Markov chain analysis of changes in the number and size of cotton gin firms in West Texas was conducted assuming stationary and non-stationary transition probabilities. Projections of industry structure were made to 1999 with stationary probability assumptions and six sets of assumed conditions for labor and energy costs and technological change in the non-stationary transition model. Results indicate a continued decline in number of firms, but labor, energy, and technology conditions alter the configuration of the structural changes.
The class Somasteroidea (Echinodermata, Asterozoa): morphology and occurrence

The class Somasteroidea Spencer, 1951, is basal within the subphylum Asterozoa. Members are most readily recognized by presence of series of rod-like so-called virgal ossicles extending laterally from each ambulacral ossicle. Five somasteroid genera are recognized and assigned to two families. Four genera are Gondwanan, three of these (Chinianaster, Thoralaster, Villebrunaster) from the Lower Ordovician Tremadocian of France and one (Archegonaster) from the Middle Ordovician upper Darriwilian of the Czech Republic. The fifth genus, Ophioxenikos, is Laurentian from the Floian of Nevada. Catervaparmaster, previously assigned to the Somasteroidea, is left in open nomenclature; absence of virgal-series ossicles favors a lineage apart from the principal asterozoan clades. Asterozoan fossils are readily separated from fossils of other echinoderm groups. The subphylum therefore is thought to be monophyletic, its ancestry unknown. Skeletonized representatives of the four major asterozoan clades first occur through a relatively narrow Early Ordovician stratigraphic interval. Robust skeletons therefore are thought to have evolved after a time of unknown duration including only lineages that were no more than weakly calcified. The French occurrences are from a relatively deep distal shelf setting on soft substrates whereas the Nevada occurrence was in a shallower, active setting. Differences document early ecologic diversification.
Closed Population Honeybee Breeding 3. the Distribution of Sex Alleles with Gyne Supersedure

SummaryFormulae are derived for determining the effective size of closed (finite) breeding populations (Ne) of honeybees. It is shown that, for a given number of reproductive males and females, Ne is larger if each queen mother is replaced by her own daughter in each generation. Computer simulations show that the number of sex alleles and the proportion of viable brood produced within closed populations remain at an acceptably high level longer with gyne supersedure.
Neighborhood Characteristics and Expectations of Racially Discriminatory Experiences Among African American Adolescents.

This study examined how youth's neighborhood characteristics informed their expectations of racial discrimination concurrently and longitudinally. Secondary analyses were conducted on data from Waves 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Maryland Adolescent Development in Context Study, which permitted the examination of neighborhood influences among a socioeconomically diverse sample of African American parents and adolescents (n = 863; Mage = 12.29). Youth exposed to more neighborhood disadvantage in seventh grade reported more negative concurrent neighborhood perceptions, which, in turn, predicted greater expectations of racial discrimination in eighth grade; youth's expectations remained stable into adulthood. Thus, support was found for the mediating role of youth's subjective neighborhood perceptions in the longitudinal relation between neighborhood structure and expectations of racial discrimination.
Are Target Shareholders Systematically Exploited in Management Buyouts and Freezeouts

We provide evidence that managers and controlling shareholders time MBOs and freezeout transactions to take advantage of industry-wide undervaluation. Portfolios of industry peers of MBO and freezeout targets show significant alphas of around 1% per month over the first twelve months following the transaction. These returns are not explained by a battery of risk-factors, including a takeover-risk factor. In contrast, abnormal returns are not observed following arms-length third-party acquisitions. Investors appear to be unaware of the industry-wide undervaluation when the MBO or freezeout bid is announced. Target shareholders receive bid premiums comparable to those of arms-length third-party acquisitions, and industry peers of MBO and freezeout targets have insignificant returns around the announcement.
A study on Marketing Challenges and Opportunities of Women Entrepreneurs through Self Help Groups in Chennai City

Women entrepreneurs are the prospect key of Economic amplification or a revelation for both developing and under developing countries. Presently entrepreneurship has a major contribution to global economic growth. The male flock are trying a lot for the entrepreneurship and providing nearer to passable financial contribution for the country. However, still the women entrepreneur’s skill and talent is glass ceiled, as well as dominated by the cultural and Geographical behavior by the society. Thus, the study aims to examine the marketing challenges and opportunities of women entrepreneurs through SHG’s in Chennai. The reason is to selecting Chennai city as a Sample because, the convenience of the researcher for data collection process. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. Liker’s four point scale and Convenient Sampling method were used in this study for selecting the samples and the sample size for the study was fifty. With a view of analyzing the data, percentage analysis and Pearson’s chi-square test were used. A master table was prepared for entering the responses of each respondent and small cross tables were made from the master table for analysis. Hence the study concludes that women entrepreneurs in Chennai city are not facing many challenges, but having fine opportunities all are not utilize for their dynamic marketplace. Research findings from the paper will be valuable to aware the challenges faced as well as encountered by women entrepreneurs. Opportunity is provided to play in the open ground to prove their hidden talents, but unaware about the support show cased before they are highlighted to awake them.
Opportunities to Learn for Students With Extensive Support Needs: A Context of Research-Supported Practices for All in General Education Classes:

Collectively, different sets of research lead to one conclusion—that most students with extensive support needs (ESN) are not being given appropriate, accessible, and meaningful opportunities to learn (OTL); when they are provided such OTL, however, students with ESN are learning. The purpose of this article is to (a) provide a general foundation for what constitutes OTL in general education literature, (b) define OTL in a way that is more complete when considering educational opportunities for students with ESN, (c) provide an overview of the current state of OTL for students with ESN, and (d) discuss additional elements that improve OTL for students with ESN. Given the proposed construct of OTL, we argue that students with ESN are not consistently or regularly provided appropriate and accessible OTL standards-aligned content. This article identifies elements that are necessary for providing consistent and effective OTL for students with ESN, facilitating their progress toward grade-level standards-align...
Environmentally-driven evolution of simulated cluster galaxies

Abstract Fewer spirals are seen in galaxy clusters than in the field. We use a detailed cluster simulation to disentangle the possible causes of cluster galaxy evolution. We follow a large number of galaxies over time, and track each galaxy’s gas and stellar mass changes to discover which mechanism(s) dominate the evolution of cluster galaxies. We find that galaxies with gas in the inner Mpc are most likely to undergo only gas loss, indicative of interactions with the ICM. In fact, in our simulation galaxy–ICM interactions are important out to the virial radius of the cluster.
Interpreting fiduciary law

Although there are exceptions, fiduciary theory has paid limited attention to interpretive methodology. Yet methodology matters, and the distinctive features of fiduciary law offer insights for interpreting private law more generally. Private law theorists commonly assess interpretive theories against a range of criteria, including: fit, coherence, morality, and transparency. I will suggest that fiduciary law has important implications for two of these criteria in particular: the coherence criterion and the morality criterion.
Exploratory Behavior in Prairie Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Viridis) and Water Moccasins (Agkistrodon Piscivorus)

Six prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) and six water moccasins (Agkistrodon piscivorus) were observed for 10 min. under each of four conditions: (a) home cage after brief handling, (b) a cage formerly occupied by a hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus; harmless to both rattlesnakes and moccasins), (c) a cage formerly occupied by a kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus; a predator of both rattlesnakes and moccasins), and (d) a clean open field. The latter three conditions were novel environments for the subjects. The dependent variable was the number of tongue flicks emitted per min. Tongue-flick rates were greatest in the open field and hognose snake cage and lowest in the home cage, indicating that more tongue flicking occurs in the harmless novel environments than can be explained solely on the basis of handling. This difference provides an operational definition of exploratory behavior. The kingsnake cage generated a rate of tongue flicking which was higher than that seen in the home cage but lower than the rates seen in the open field and hognose snake cage, indicating that odors of this predator inhibit exploration by potential prey. The inhibitory effect was stronger in water moccasins than in rattlesnakes.
Physiological mechanisms of prosociality.

Psychophysiological perspectives can provide unique insights into the nature and motivations of children's prosociality and inform our understanding of individual differences. Here, I review current research on prosociality involving some of the most common physiological measures in developmental psychology, including cortisol, various sympathetic nervous system measures, and high-frequency heart rate variability. The literature has been quite mixed, in part because the link between physiology and prosociality is context-dependent and person-dependent. However, recent advances are refining our understanding of the basic physiological mechanisms of prosociality. Resting physiology that contributes to a balance of regulation and vigilance prepares children to effectively cope with future social challenges, like noticing and attending to the needs of others. Experiencing some arousal is an important aspect of empathy-related responding, but physiological patterns of both heightened and hypoarousal can undermine prosociality. Physiological flexibility in response to others’ needs may support emotional and behavioral flexibility important for prosociality.
Designing Randomized DNA Sequences Free of Restriction Enzyme Recognition Sites

DNA libraries containing random "barcodes" complicate synthetic biology workflows that utilize restriction enzymes since restriction sites can appear inside some barcodes. By removing bases at particular sites in the barcodes, it is possible to create semi-random pools of barcodes that do not contain any restriction sites. The challenge is to remove as few bases as possible to maximize the number of sequences in the pool while ensuring all sequences are free of restriction sites. The authors present CutFree, a computational approach to create pools of random DNA barcodes that lack a pre-defined set of restriction sites. The resulting pools can be inexpensively produced en masse with standard DNA synthesis techniques. CutFree is experimentally validated by blocking digestion of pools of barcodes designed to frequently contain restriction sites. Using CutFree, a pool of 1.3 billion barcodes that are free from recognition sites for 182 commercially available restriction enzymes is designed. CutFree is available as a software package and an online tool (http://jensenlab.net/tools).
‘I think it’s very much placed on us’: Black queer men laboring to forge community at a predominantly White and (hetero)cisnormative research institution

AbstractThe sociopolitical conditions in which Black queer college men exist in often marginalize them from fully participating in and engaging with the entire campus community. Some researchers suggest that Black queer men (BQM) create counterspaces on-campus to contend with their marginalization as racial, gender, and sexual minorities. This study explores the collegiate experiences of BQM who forged community and strong interpersonal relationships through a peer-support group. Using intersectionality and queer theoretical frameworks, this study interrogates heteronormativity, cisnormativity, and racism that BQM experiences within postsecondary settings.
Gender and Public Spending: A Conceptual Model of Employment, an Empirical Application, and Paths for Future Work

With a focus on the role of public spending, this paper provides a comprehensive model of employment incorporating direct and indirect employment effects with both supply and demand-side determinan...