cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social responding to mirrors in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): Effects of changing mirror location.

Two rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with a lifetime of continuous exposure to mirrors showed a dramatic and reliable reinstatement of social behavior directed toward the mirror when it was simply moved to a new location. These data are discussed in the context of repeated failures to find self-recognition in monkeys and several recent claims that a cessation of social behavior directed toward mirrors can be used as evidence for the beginning of self-recognition in nonhuman primates.
Pari Khan Khanum: a masterful Safavid princess

THE ROYAL HAREM IS PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD INSTiTUtions of the Perso-Islamic social order. The myths surrounding the harem originated primarily in the West, fomented to a great extent by European travelers over a period of several centuries. As is well known, the Islamic empires, at their zenith (beginning around A.D. 1500), attracted numerous European merchants and traders, as well as assorted adventurers, emissaries, and missionaries. Many of them took up residence in these countries, some for a short time, some for many years. They toured cities, saw the countryside and became acquainted with the local people. In several instances, some made their way into the royal courts. Many of these travelers kept extensive notes about their journeys and left careful sketches of the various aspects of the society with which they came in contact. Often, upon their return home, many made their narratives available at court and sometimes to the public. There are numerous references to the royal harems that some of the European visitors encountered. While these visitors (most of them men) could observe city women on the streets (in their covers and costumes, or even, in the case of village women, without head cover), they were prohibited from making contact with women of the royal household. This prohibition-with its mystery and hint of forbidden pleasures-merely served to intrigue the traveler. The typical traveler's portrayal of the harem was based largely on hearsay-gossip and embroidered stories from the natives-in addition to the accounts of other travelers or, in some cases, even his own sometimes wild imagination. Gradually the image grew. To the Western traveler, the harem became a pleasure palace kept solely for the king where beautiful women, scantily clad and heavily perfumed, languished as they awaited the call of their master. This image remained intact for centuries, partly because it conformed to earlier notions, the main one being that women in Islamic societies were relegated to a subservient status vis-a-vis men. Although scholarly research on the role of women in Islamic societies remains slim, recent scholarship has modified many earlier tenets. For example,
THE MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING INVENTORY: A MEASURE FOR EVALUATING SOCIAL WORK STUDENT AND PRACTITIONER SELF-PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR MULTICULTURAL COMPETENCIES

The standards of the National Association of Social Workers (2001) for culturally competent practice and the Council on Social Work Education's (2001) accreditation standards require monitoring and evaluation of the multicultural competencies of students and professional social workers. The absence of assessment instruments impedes feedback about compliance and the effectiveness of multicultural practice. Results of the present study support the use of 2 self-report subscales of the Multicultural Competence Inventory (MCI) for evaluating worker self-perceptions of competency. The MCI will also help provide empirical feed-back about students' views of their own progress, particularly within programs emphasizing social justice and diversity.
Constant protein turnover in mammalian cells during logarithmic growth.

As a result of independent investigations both Eagle, Piez, Fleischman and Gyama (1959) and Jordan, Miller and Peters (1959) reported-constant protein turnover in both resting and growing mammalian cell cultures. In a later publication King, Bensch and Hill (1960) reported no turnover of cell protein when L cells are maintained in logarithmic growth. King et al. based their contra-dictory conclusions on the finding that after labeling with Lleucine Cl4 the protein-bound radioactivity of L cells remained constant for the experimental period of 4 days. It seemed apparent to the present authors that the work of King et al. might have -suffered from two errors in experimental design. First, in the isolation procedure, rinses with unlabeled carrier amino acid were not employed to reduce adsorption effects. Second, because of the very high cell concentrations employed, in the order of one million cells per ml., the pool of unlabeled leucine in the culture nutrient may have been inadequate to trap any labeled amino acids released. Repetition of the experiment of King et al., using adequate carrier technique, yielded no significantly different findings and need not be reported in detail here. When, however, the relative size of the unlabeled amino acid pool was increased approximately two hundred fold by doubling the leucine concentration of
Inducing a sign inversion in one state of a two-state superposition using ultrafast pulse shaping

An ultrafast pulse shaping scheme is presented that transiently modifies a two-state superposition on the E {sup 1}{sigma}{sub g}{sup +} curve of the lithium dimer. At short time delays, the wave-function amplitude of one of the states is forced to undergo a sign change, while the sign of the second state is programmed to remain static, analogous to the operation of a quantum-computational Z gate. This is observed as a {pi} phase shift in the time-dependent wave-packet signal for pump-probe delays <1.5 ps, relative to longer time delays, greater than 2.5 ps. This shift in sign is accomplished by taking advantage of the separability of the resonant and nonresonant light field effects in the creation of the excited-state wave function. The results show that, for a single state, the resonant and nonresonant light field effects can either be added or subtracted to create the total time evolution of the excited-state wave-function coefficient. If the nonresonant contributions are subtracted from the resonant ones at a time delay when the nonresonant term dominates, then for a short time the excited-state coefficient will have a sign opposite to that at long time, where the resonant term dominates. A desired phase function is derivedmore » to produce the opposition in sign of resonant versus nonresonant contributions, and the experimental transient Z-gate matrix elements are quantified.« less
Numerical Calculation of Bubble Growth in Nucleate Boiling From Inception Through Departure

The relative contributions of the fundamental mechanisms accounting for theenhanced heat transfer in nucleate boiling are difficult to quantifyanalytically or experimentally. A comprehansive model was developed thatpermits some accurate insights into this problem. An essential feature involvedthe numerical mapping of the complicated geometry to a plane where the bubbleand wall boundaries lie along constant coordinate lines. The results show thatmicrolayer evaporation accounts for 87 percent of the enhanced wall heattransfer during saturated boiling of water at 1 atm and 8.5 K wall superheat.In contrast, enhanced convective effects were essentially nonexistent duringgrowth and minimal following depature. The analysis predicts an extremelynonuniform thermal boundary layer around the bubble, and shows that the wallthermal boundary layer regenerates almost immediately following departure.
Association between maternal symptoms of sleep disordered breathing and fetal telomere length.

Study Objectives: Our investigation aims to assess the impact of symptoms of maternal sleep disordered breathing, specifically sleep apnea risk and daytime sleepiness, on fetal leukocyte telomere length. Participants and Setting: Pregnant women were recruited upon hospital delivery admission. Interventions: Sleep exposure outcomes were measured using the Berlin Questionnaire to quantify sleep apnea and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to measure daytime sleepiness. Participants were classified as “High Risk” or “Low Risk” for sleep apnea based on responses to the Berlin, while “Normal” or “Abnormal” daytime sleepiness was determined based on responses to the Epworth. Design: Neonatal umbilical cord blood samples (N = 67) were collected and genomic DNA was isolated from cord blood leukocytes using Quantitative PCR. A ratio of relative telomere length was derived by telomere repeat copy number and single copy gene copy number (T/S ratio) and used to compare telomere lengths. Bootstrap and ANOVA statistical procedures were employed. Measurements and Results: On the Berlin, 68.7% of participants were classified as Low Risk while 31.3% were classified as High Risk for sleep apnea. According to the Epworth scale, 80.6% were determined to have Normal daytime sleepiness, and 19.4% were found to have Abnormal daytime sleepiness. The T/S ratio among pregnant women at High Risk for sleep apnea was significantly shorter than for those at Low Risk (P value < 0.05), and the T/S ratio among habitual snorers was significantly shorter than among non-habitual snorers (P value < 0.05). Although those with Normal Sleepiness had a longer T/S ratio than those with Abnormal Sleepiness, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results provide the first evidence demonstrating shortened telomere length among fetuses exposed to maternal symptoms of sleep disordered breathing during pregnancy, and suggest sleep disordered breathing as a possible mechanism of accelerated chromosomal aging.
Exergy of partially coherent thermal radiation

Abstract Exergy of electromagnetic radiation has been studied by a number of researchers for well over four decades in order to estimate the maximum conversion efficiencies of thermal radiation. As these researchers primarily dealt with solar and blackbody radiation, which have a low degree of coherence, they did not consider the partial coherence properties of thermal radiation. With the recent development of surface structures, which can emit radiation with high degree of coherence, the importance of considering the partial coherent properties in exergy calculation has become a necessity as the coherence properties directly influence the entropy of the wave field. Here in this paper we derive an expression for the exergy of quasi-monochromatic radiation using statistical thermodynamics and show that it is identical with the expressions derived using classical thermodynamics. We also present a method to calculate the entropy, thereby the exergy of partially coherent radiation using statistical thermodynamics and a method called matrix treatment of wave field.
Substrate Profile and Metal-ion Selectivity of Human Divalent Metal-ion Transporter-1

Divalent metal-ion transporter-1 (DMT1) is a H+-coupled metal-ion transporter that plays essential roles in iron homeostasis. DMT1 exhibits reactivity (based on evoked currents) with a broad range of metal ions; however, direct measurement of transport is lacking for many of its potential substrates. We performed a comprehensive substrate-profile analysis for human DMT1 expressed in RNA-injected Xenopus oocytes by using radiotracer assays and the continuous measurement of transport by fluorescence with the metal-sensitive PhenGreen SK fluorophore. We provide validation for the use of PhenGreen SK fluorescence quenching as a reporter of cellular metal-ion uptake. We determined metal-ion selectivity under fixed conditions using the voltage clamp. Radiotracer and continuous measurement of transport by fluorescence assays revealed that DMT1 mediates the transport of several metal ions that were ranked in selectivity by using the ratio Imax/K0.5 (determined from evoked currents at −70 mV): Cd2+ > Fe2+ > Co2+, Mn2+ ≫ Zn2+, Ni2+, VO2+. DMT1 expression did not stimulate the transport of Cr2+, Cr3+, Cu+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Ga3+, Hg2+, or VO+. 55Fe2+ transport was competitively inhibited by Co2+ and Mn2+. Zn2+ only weakly inhibited 55Fe2+ transport. Our data reveal that DMT1 selects Fe2+ over its other physiological substrates and provides a basis for predicting the contribution of DMT1 to intestinal, nasal, and pulmonary absorption of metal ions and their cellular uptake in other tissues. Whereas DMT1 is a likely route of entry for the toxic heavy metal cadmium, and may serve the metabolism of cobalt, manganese, and vanadium, we predict that DMT1 should contribute little if at all to the absorption or uptake of zinc. The conclusion in previous reports that copper is a substrate of DMT1 is not supported.
A possible error during assays for the enzymic phosphorylation of proteins and nucleic acids

Abstract The formation of an insoluble complex between Mg++, sodium fluoride and ATP was studied. The precipitation of ATP was dependent on the time of incubation and on the concentration of ATP, Mg++ and sodium fluoride. The requirement for sodium fluoride was not replaced by sodium or potassium chloride but the requirement for Mg++ was replaced by La+++ and Sn++. Precipitation was stimulated by cAMP but was inhibited at high ionic strength and by EDTA, dATP, ADP and sodium pyrophosphate. The complex was slightly soluble in acid and completely soluble in alkali. Formation of this complex could result in errors in in vitro assays for enzymic phosphorylation of proteins and nucleic acids by acid precipitation.
Feedback and sensitivity in an electrical circuit: an analog for climate models

Earth’s climate sensitivity is often interpreted in terms of feedbacks that can alter the sensitivity from that of a no-feedback Stefan-Boltzmann radiator, with the feedback concept and algebra introduced by analogy to the use of this concept in the electronics literature. This analogy is quite valuable in interpreting the sensitivity of the climate system, but usage of this algebra and terminology in the climate literature is often inconsistent, with resultant potential for confusion and loss of physical insight. Here a simple and readily understood electrical resistance circuit is examined in terms of feedback theory to introduce and define the terminology that is used to quantify feedbacks. This formalism is applied to the feedbacks in an energy-balance model of Earth’s climate and used to interpret the magnitude of feedback in the climate system that corresponds to present estimates of Earth’s climate sensitivity.
Mating Response Behavior of Sterile Pink Bollworms (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Compared with Natives

A timing pheromone trap was invented to capture male pink bollworm adults Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) for specific time intervals as they entered a commercial pheromone trap. The device was used to compare the window of male pheromone response of two different strains of released sterile pink bollworm populations with responses of native adult males. In all trials in cotton fields in Phoenix, AZ, and in Palo Verde, CA, the released sterile male adults entered commercial pheromone traps during the same time interval as native adult males. Native and sterile females were comparable in attracting and successfully mating with natives when confined in field stations. Thus, the quality of behavioral responses (male-pheromone response window) of laboratory-reared male pink bollworms was comparable to native adults infesting cotton fields in Arizona and California.
High resolution algorithms for multidimensional population balance equations

Population balance equations have been used to model a wide range of processes including polymerization, crystallization, cloud formation, and cell dynamics. Rather than developing new algorithms specific to population balance equations, it is proposed to adapt the high-resolution finite volume methods developed for compressible gas dynamics, which have been applied to aerodynamics, astrophysics, detonation waves, and related fields where shock waves occur. High-resolution algorithms are presented for simulating multidimensional population balance equations with nucleation and size-dependent growth rates. For sharp distributions, these high-resolution algorithms can achieve improved numerical accuracy with orders-of-magnitude lower computational cost than other finite difference and finite volume algorithms. The algorithms are implemented in the ParticleSolver software package, which is applied to batch and continuous processes with one and multiple internal coordinates. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 2738 –2749, 2004
Effect of PPARγ inhibition during pregnancy on posterior cerebral artery function and structure.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a ligand-activated transcription factor, has protective roles in the cerebral circulation, and, is highly activated during pregnancy. Thus, we hypothesized that PPARγ is involved in the adaptation of cerebral vasculature to pregnancy. Nonpregnant (NP) and late-pregnant (LP) rats were treated with a specific PPARγ inhibitor GW9662 (10 mg/kg/day, in food) or vehicle for 10 days and vascular function and structural remodeling were determined in isolated and pressurized posterior cerebral arteries (PCA). Expression of PPARγ and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) in cerebral (pial) vessels was determined by real-time RT-PCR. PPARγ inhibition decreased blood pressure and increased blood glucose in NP rats, but not in LP rats. PPARγ inhibition reduced dilation to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside in PCA from NP (p<0.05 vs. LP-GW), but not LP rats. PPARγ inhibition tended to increase basal tone and myogenic activity in PCA from NP rats, but not LP rats. Structurally, PPARγ inhibition increased wall-thickness in PCA from both NP and LP rats (p<0.05), but increased distensibility only in PCA from NP rats. Pregnancy decreased expression of PPARγ and AT1R (p<0.05) in cerebral arteries that was not affected by GW9662 treatment. These results suggest that PPARγ inhibition had significant effects on the function and structure of PCA in the NP state, but appeared to have less influence during pregnancy. Down-regulation of PPARγ and AT1R in cerebral arteries may be responsible for the lack of effect of PPARγ in cerebral vasculature and may be part of the vascular adaptation to pregnancy.
Drug Safety Proposals And The Intrusion Of Federal Regulation Into Patient Freedom And Medical Practice

Life-cycle management of drug safety issues requires vigilant postmarket monitoring. Increasingly, however, this concept also includes direct management of how drugs are used, to minimize risks and...
POLARITY EFFECT ON DICHLOROBENZENE SORPTION BY HEXADECYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM-EXCHANGED CLAYS

Sorptive properties of organoclays may be greatly influenced by the physicochemical properties of organic sorbates. Hexadecyltrimethylammonium(HDTMA) clays were prepared using a high-charge smectite (HDTMA-SAz-1), a low-charge smectite (HDTMA-SWy-2), and an illite (HDTMA-ILL). The resultant organoclays were used to sorb aqueous phase 1,2-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB), 1,3-dichloro-benzene (m-DCB), and 1,4-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB). Sorptive characteristics of these compounds were determined by their molecular polarities (o-DCB > m-DCB > p-DCB) and the HDTMA-clay interlayer distance. HDTMA-ILL was used for comparison to HDTMA-SAz-1 and HDTMA-SWy-2. All dichloro-benzene isomers were directly intercalated in the interlayers of HDTMA-SAz-1, causing interlayer expansion. o-DCB and m-DCB were not intercalated in the interlayers of HDTMA-SWy-2 at low concentrations, but intercalation occurred at higher concentrations, which caused interlayer expansion. The concentration needed to produce interlayer expansion depended on the solute molecular polarity, hence a higher concentration of m-DCB than o-DCB was required. p-DCB was sorbed primarily by the HDTMA phase on the external surfaces of HDTMA-SWy-2. In the presence of chlorobenzene (CB), p-DCB sorption by HDTMA-SWy-2 is greatly enhanced, owing to the interlayer expansion by CB and a cosolvent effect. Sorption of o-DCB resulted from both direct solvation-type interactions with HDTMA and partitioning into HDTMA. Such sorption results in double-sigmoid isotherms. m-DCB weakly solvates the HDTMA and partitions into the HDTMA, displaying either a double-sigmoid or a type-Hi isotherm depending on clay type. p-DCB lacks ability to solvate HDTMA and partitions into HDTMA as its sole mechanism, producing type-III isotherms. HDTMA-clays are potentially effective for treating dichloro-benzene-contaminated wastewater.
Therapy for Pediatric Brain Tumors and the Risk of Growth Hormone Deficiency

REFERENCES 1. Breuer B, Fleishman SB, Cruciani RA, et al: Medical oncologists’ attitudes and practice in cancer pain management: A national survey. J Clin Oncol 29:4769-4775, 2011 2. von Gunten CF: Arrogance ignorance paradox. J Palliat Med 8:898-899, 2005 3. Cleeland CS, Gonin R, Hatfield AK, et al: Pain and its treatment in outpatients with metastatic cancer. N Engl J Med 330:592-596, 1994 4. Cleeland CS, Portenoy RK, Rue M, et al: Does an oral analgesic protocol improve pain control for patients with cancer? An intergroup study coordinated by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Ann Oncol 16:972-980, 2005 5. Buss MK, Lessen DS, Sullivan AM, et al: A study of oncology fellows’ training in end-of-life care. J Support Oncol 5:237-242, 2007
Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults

ABSTRACT Although depression is second only to dementia in prevalence among older adults (Kessler, McGonagle, Zhao et al., 1994), it is unclear how factors such as age, gender, and level of cognitive functioning may be related to an individual's feelings of depression. This study addressed the association between symptoms of depression and cognitive functioning among 50 community-dwelling older adults (Mean age = 71.1), as well as investigating the relationship between gender and types of depressive symptoms reported. Finally, the effects of memory and attention training were measured. Significant correlations were found between both the Beck Depression Inventory and the Geriatric Depression Scale and one measure of attention, Trail Making Part B (r = A34, p < .01; r = .358, p < .05, respectively). Symptoms of depression accounted for 18% of the variance on this measure (p < .01), and symptoms related to motivational problems explained more of this variance (Beta = .38, p < .05) than did those related to ...
Insertional inactivation of genes responsible for the D-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid in Streptococcus gordonii DL1 (Challis) affects intrageneric coaggregations.

Most human oral viridans streptococci participate in intrageneric coaggregations, the cell-to-cell adherence among genetically distinct streptococci. Two genes relevant to these intrageneric coaggregations were identified by transposon Tn916 mutagenesis of Streptococcus gordonii DL1 (Challis). A 626-bp sequence flanking the left end of the transposon was homologous to dltA and dltB of Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 (formerly called Lactobacillus casei). A 60-kb probe based on this flanking sequence was used to identify the homologous DNA in a fosmid library of S. gordonii DL1. This DNA encoded d-alanine-d-alanyl carrier protein ligase that was expressed in Escherichia coli from the fosmid clone. The cloned streptococcal dltA was disrupted by inserting an ermAM cassette, and then it was linearized and transformed into S. gordonii DL1 for allelic replacement. Erythromycin-resistant transformants containing a single insertion in dltA exhibited a loss of d-alanyl esters in lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and a loss of intrageneric coaggregation. This phenotype was correlated with the loss of a 100-kDa surface protein reported previously to be involved in mediating intrageneric coaggregation (C. J. Whittaker, D. L. Clemans, and P. E. Kolenbrander, Infect. Immun. 64:4137–4142, 1996). The mutants retained the parental ability to participate in intergeneric coaggregation with human oral actinomyces, indicating the specificity of the mutation in altering intrageneric coaggregations. The mutants were altered morphologically and exhibited aberrant cell septa in a variety of pleomorphs. The natural DNA transformation frequency was reduced 10-fold in these mutants. Southern analysis of chromosomal DNAs from various streptococcal species with the dltA probe revealed the presence of this gene in most viridans streptococci. Thus, it is hypothesized that d-alanyl LTA may provide binding sites for the putative 100-kDa adhesin and scaffolding for the proper presentation of this adhesin to mediate intrageneric coaggregation.
The crystal structure of α-D-glucosamine hydrochloride and hydrobromide

The crystal structures of α-D-glucosamine hydrochloride and hydrobromide have been redetermined and refined from the original experimental data. The pyranose ring of the sugar molecule has the expected normal Sachse trans configuration with the lower energy conformation 1 a 2 e 3 e 4 e 5 e . The most interesting feature of these new results is now the inter-ionic hydrogen-bonding, which is dominated by the co-ordination about the NH 3 + groups and the anions.
Patient vital signs monitoring using Wireless Body Area Networks

Today hospitals are equipped with many electronic transmitting devices, which results in electromagnetic interference that may impair wireless transmissions between medical devices. On the other hand, reliable and continuous collection via wireless communications of patient vital signs such as blood pressure and flow, core temperature, ECG, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration is crucial for making real-time triage decisions. Hence, a novel wireless communication solution that seamlessly supports patient mobility and that prioritizes vital signs transmission using Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) is developed, implemented in TinyOS, and tested on Shimmer biomedical wireless sensor motes.
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 is essential for cisplatin-induced heat hyperalgesia in mice

Background Cisplatin is primarily used for treatment of ovarian and testicular cancer. Oxaliplatin is the only effective treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. Both are known to cause dose related, cumulative toxic effects on the peripheral nervous system and thirty to forty percent of cancer patients receiving these agents experience painful peripheral neuropathy. The mechanisms underlying painful platinum-induced neuropathy remain poorly understood. Previous studies have demonstrated important roles for TRPV1, TRPM8, and TRPA1 in inflammation and nerve injury induced pain.
An epidermal growth factor (EGF) -dependent interaction between GIT1 and sorting nexin 6 promotes degradation of the EGF receptor.

G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) kinase-2 interacting protein 1 (GIT1) is a multifunctional scaffolding protein that regulates epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways. We demonstrate that GIT1 interacts with sorting nexin 6 (SNX6), a member of the SNX family that increases EGFR trafficking between endosomes and lysosomes, thereby enhancing EGFR degradation. The GIT1-SNX6 interaction is increased 3-fold after treatment with EGF for 60 min. The second coiled-coil domain (CC2; aa 424–474) of GIT1 mediates binding to SNX6. Subcellular fractionation and confocal microscopy data indicate that GIT1 and SNX6 interact in endosomes. Knockdown of GIT1 expression by small interfering RNA decreased the rate of EGF-induced EGFR degradation. Expression of exogenous GIT1 or SNX6 alone did not alter EGFR degradation; however, coexpression of GIT1 and SNX6 decreased EGFR levels both basally and in response to EGF. In contrast, expression of GIT1(CC2 deleted) and SNX6 did not reduce EGFR levels, demonstrating that the interaction between GIT1 and SNX6 was required to regulate EGFR trafficking. Phosphorylation of the EGFR substrate phospholipase C-γ was decreased by coexpression of GIT1 and SNX6. These data demonstrate an endosomal, EGF-regulated interaction between SNX6 and GIT1 that enhances degradation of the EGFR, and thereby alters EGFR signaling. Our findings suggest a new role for GIT1 in tyrosine kinase receptor trafficking.—Cavet, M. E., Pang, J., Yin, G., Berk, B. C. An epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent interaction between GIT1 and sorting nexin 6 promotes degradation of the EGF receptor.
Radiation-induced crosslinking and grafting of two polyphosphazene elastomers

The radiation-induced crosslinking and grafting of two aryloxy-substituted elastomeric polyphosphazenes have been carried out by both gamma and electron beam irradiation. The classic Charlesby–Pinner [1] plus a simpler approach were used to determine the G(X) values for the crosslinked elastomeric polymers. The apparent G(X) value for the same polymer depended on whether the gamma-ray or the E-beam results were used. The presence of 8.5% repeat units with allylic groups in the side chain increased the G(X) value by an order of magnitude when the irradiation was performed under vacuum with the gamma source. The extent of acrylic acid grafting was also higher for the polymer containing the allylic group. Nearly all the grafted polyphosphazene films were insoluble in THF, a good solvent for the ungrafted samples.
Constitutive role for IRE1α-XBP1 signaling pathway in the insulin-mediated hepatic lipogenic program

The role of the IRE1α-X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) pathway in the insulin-mediated hepatic lipogenic program and associated mechanisms were investigated in this study. We observed that phosphorylation of IRE1α (an upstream activator of XBP1) and splicing (activation) of XBP1 were elevated in the liver of the C57BL/6 mice with insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia induced by high-fat diet. Treatment of nonobese diabetic mice with insulin activated hepatic XBP1. In cultured primary mouse hepatocytes, prolonged exposure to insulin induced IRE1α phosphorylation and XBP1 splicing significantly in the presence of insulin resistance. Overexpression of the activated XBP1 elevated the promoter activities of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c and fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes. Knockdown of either the IRE1α or XBP1 gene by small interfering RNA prevented the insulin-stimulated promoter activities of both SREBP-1 and FAS genes. In investigating the associated mechanisms, we found a direct interaction between XBP1 and SREBP-1 promoter detected by the chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, the XBP1-mediated stimulation of the FAS promoter was eliminated by knocking down the SREBP-1c gene (Srebf1). Finally, we observed that insulin activation of the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway was prevented by inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin-dependent protein synthesis. In conclusion, our results show that the IRE1α-XBP1-mediated unfolded protein response pathway is an integrated part of the insulin-induced hepatic lipogenic program and functions at an increased basal level in the presence of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Besides, the insulin-mediated protein synthesis is tightly connected with the insulin-mediated lipogenic program.
Dietary Nucleotides: Cellular Immune, Intestinal and Hepatic System Effects

Investigations with animals demonstrate that dietary nucleotides influence immune function. Restriction of dietary nucleotides in mice decreases several indices of cell-mediated immunity as well as resistance to challenge with Staphylococcus aureus or Candida albicans. Spleen cells of mice maintained on nucleotide-free diet produce less interleukin-2 and have lower natural killer cell cytotoxicity and macrophage activation than those of animals fed nucleotide-supplemented diets. In vivo lymphoproliferative response, macrophage phagocytic activity and expression of interleukin-2 receptor and lyt1 surface marker are also lower in animals fed nucleotide-free diets. At 2 mo of age, infants fed breast milk or nucleotide-supplemented infant formula exhibit increased natural killer cell activity compared with infants fed unsupplemented formula. Dietary nucleotide restriction in animals may also result in hepatic lipid accumulation and decreased mucosal height and gut wall thickness. Adenosine monophosphate, a mediator of hepatic and small bowel blood flow, may play a unique role among the nucleotides studied. In conclusion, de novo synthesis and salvage of nucleotides is a metabolically costly process. An exogenous source of nucleotides from the diet may optimize the function of rapidly dividing tissues, particularly when growth is rapid and the diet is low in nucleotides.
Lattice Parameters and Thermal Expansion of Important Semiconductors and Their Substrates

Thermal expansion and lattice parameters are useful thermophysical properties of materials. A knowledge of their temperature dependence is essential for optimizing device design and crystal growth conditions while minimizing the residual stress in epitaxial films and electronic devices. Currently first principles theory can predict lattice parameters to 0.01%. Information required for device design and thin film crystal growth requires improvements two to three orders of magnitude better than this. Available experimental results from our work and the literature will be reviewed in terms of a high temperature predictive model. Tables of thermal expansion and lattice parameters for AlN, GaN, 6H-SiC, β-SiC, MgO, Al2O3, ZnO and GaAs are provided.
A STERN SLAMMING ANALYSIS USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL CFD SIMULATION

A stern slamming analysis based on three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is presented with an application to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier with twin skegs. This study includes; seakeeping analysis, statistical analysis for relative motions and velocities, three-dimensional slamming simulation by a CFD software, and structural assessment for plates and stiffeners. The stern areas are divided into panels in which relative velocity/motion and pressure coefficients are to be calculated. Seakeeping calculations are carried out in full load and ballast loading conditions at ship speeds of 0 and 5 knots. A series of equivalent 20-year return sea states in a wave scatter diagram are selected for environmental conditions. Extreme velocities are then evaluated from the loading conditions and the speeds considered with reference to the probability of slamming occurrence. Slamming simulations are carried out in a three-dimensional domain with a CFD software to calculate pressure coefficients. Two-phase flow with water and air is to be adopted in conjunction with free surface capturing method. Viscous laminar flow is assumed in simulation. Slamming design pressure is calculated by the pressure coefficients and the extreme velocities. Based on computed design pressure, an ultimate strength analysis is performed for the determination of required plate thickness. Also, required stiffener dimensions are determined by analytic formulas. As mentioned above, this approach has been applied to an LNG carrier with twin skegs. In the application, two-phase flow with water and air was adopted in conjunction with the volume-of-fluid method for free surface capturing. Mixed hexahedral and tetrahedral grids were employed. The computational case was determined from simulations of global ship motion. Maximum slamming pressure was found near the end of a skeg. Large pressure also can be observed in the stern overhang area. Generally slamming pressure decreases away from the stern.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Biased Judgment in Censored Environments

Some environments constrain the information that managers and decision makers can observe. We examine judgment in censored environments where a constraint, the censorship point, systematically distorts the observed sample. Random instances beyond the censorship point are observed at the censorship point, whereas uncensored instances are observed at their true value. Many important managerial decisions occur in censored environments, such as inventory, risk taking, and employee evaluation decisions. In this research, we demonstrate a censorship bias---individuals tend to rely too heavily on the observed censored sample, biasing their belief about the underlying population. We further show that the censorship bias is exacerbated for higher degrees of censorship, higher variance in the population, and higher variability in the censorship points. In four studies, we find evidence of the censorship bias across the domains of demand estimation and sequential risk taking. The bias causes individuals to make costly decisions and behave in an overly risk-averse manner. This paper was accepted by Teck Ho, judgment and decision making.
Identification of the ethylene precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), in pollen

Whitehead, C.S., Fujino, D.W. and Reid, M.S., 19~3. Identification of the ethylene precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC), in pollen. Scientia Hortic., 21: 291--297. Within 15 min after application of pollen to the stigma of carnation flowers (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cultivar 'White Sire'), ethylene (C2H4) production by the gynoecium had increased substantially. Pollen germination did not start until 1 h after pollination. Analysis of materials removed from pollen by a brief rinse with an aqueous solvent showed the presence of high concentrations of the C~ H 4 precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane1-carboxylic acid (ACC). This compound, which was found to be present in pollen from a number of flower species and which increased in concentration as the anthers developed, may be an important mediator of the early response of flowers to pollination.
Studies on bovine hepatic fructose 1,6-diphosphatase. Substrate inhibition and the kinetic mechanism.

Abstract The kinetics of purified bovine hepatic fructose 1,6-diphosphatase have been examined at physiological pH. The enzyme is inhibited by high concentrations of both its substrate, fructose 1,6-diphosphate (Fru-1,6-P2), and its cofactor magnesium. Magnesium inhibits at noninhibitory Fru-1,6-P2 concentrations, but at inhibitory substrate concentrations, magnesium activates rather than inhibits. Magnesium inhibition is competitive with Fru-1,6-P2 and the Ki (or Kss) for magnesium inhibition is the same as the Kdiss for (MgFru-1,6-P2)-1, indicating that magnesium inhibits by forming a chelate with the free substrate. This suggests that (MgFru-1,6-P2)-1 is not a substrate and the true substrate may be free Fru-1,6-P2. Inhibition by high concentrations of Fru-1,6-P2 is hyperbolic, and noncompetitive with respect to magnesium. The double reciprocal plot of v versus Mg2+ concentration is intersecting, indicating a sequential mechanism for Mg2+ and Fru-1,6-P2 binding. The mechanism is not equilibrium ordered; that is, in the sequential mechanism, either magnesium or substrate can bind to the enzyme first. The evidence for the existence of an allosteric site for substrate inhibition, as well as its possible physiological significance are discussed.
Stability for Intersecting Families in PGL(2,q)

We consider the action of the $2$-dimensional projective general linear group $PGL(2,q)$ on the projective line $PG(1,q)$. A subset $S$ of $PGL(2,q)$ is said to be an intersecting family if for every $g_1,g_2 \in S$, there exists $\alpha \in PG(1,q)$ such that $\alpha^{g_1}= \alpha^{g_2}$. It was proved by Meagher and Spiga that the intersecting families of maximum size in $PGL(2,q)$ are precisely the cosets of point stabilizers. We prove that if an intersecting family $S \subset PGL(2,q)$ has size close to the maximum then it must be "close" in structure to a coset of a point stabilizer. This phenomenon is known as stability. We use this stability result proved here to show that if the size of $S$ is close enough to the maximum then $S$ must be contained in a coset of a point stabilizer.
Taxonomic status of the Guadalupe Darter, Percina apristis (Teleostei: Percidae)

Percina sciera apristis (Hubbs & Hubbs) was described as a subspecies based on the hypothesis that the population in the Guadalupe River system was morphologically distinct from other populations and that populations geographically closest to the Guadalupe River were intergrades between P. s. sciera and P. s. apristis. Our data confirm the decision to recognize the population in the Guadalupe River as taxonomically distinct; however, western Gulf populations closest to the Guadalupe River do not show a consistent pattern of intermediacy in meristic variables. The Guadalupe population has extreme numbers of preopercular serrae, pored lateral-line scales, modified scales, caudal-peduncle scales, and anal rays. The most extreme trait is the number of preopercular serrae; 95% of individuals from the Guadalupe, but only 6% from other western Gulf drainages, have 0–3 serrae. Sixty-eight percent of Guadalupe individuals, but only 4% from elsewhere, have no serrae. These extreme values demonstrate that the Guadalupe population is genetically isolated and diagnosable as Percina apristis (Hubbs & Hubbs), the Guadalupe Darter.
Neighborhood × Serotonin Transporter Linked Polymorphic Region (5-HTTLPR) interactions for substance use from ages 10 to 24 years using a harmonized data set of African American children.

This study investigated the influences of neighborhood factors (residential stability and neighborhood disadvantage) and variants of the serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotype on the development of substance use among African American children aged 10–24 years. To accomplish this, a harmonized data set of five longitudinal studies was created via pooling overlapping age cohorts to establish a database with 2,689 children and 12,474 data points to span ages 10–24 years. A description of steps used in the development of the harmonized data set is provided, including how issues such as the measurement equivalence of constructs were addressed. A sequence of multilevel models was specified to evaluate Gene × Environment effects on growth of substance use across time. Findings indicated that residential instability was associated with higher levels and a steeper gradient of growth in substance use across time. The inclusion of the 5-HTTLPR genotype provided greater precision to the relationships in that higher residential instability, in conjunction with the risk variant of 5-HTTLPR (i.e., the short allele), was associated with the highest level and steepest gradient of growth in substance use across ages 10–24 years. The findings demonstrated how the creation of a harmonized data set increased statistical power to test Gene × Environment interactions for an under studied sample.
Drug Development Against the Major Diarrhea-Causing Parasites of the Small Intestine, Cryptosporidium and Giardia

Diarrheal diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, particularly among young children. A limited number of infectious agents account for most of these illnesses, raising the hope that advances in the treatment and prevention of these infections can have global health impact. The two most important parasitic causes of diarrheal disease are Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Both parasites infect predominantly the small intestine and colonize the lumen and epithelial surface, but do not invade deeper mucosal layers. This review discusses the therapeutic challenges, current treatment options, and drug development efforts against cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis. The goals of drug development against Cryptosporidium and Giardia are different. For Cryptosporidium, only one moderately effective drug (nitazoxanide) is available, so novel classes of more effective drugs are a high priority. Furthermore, new genetic technology to identify potential drug targets and better assays for functional evaluation of these targets throughout the parasite life cycle are needed for advancing anticryptosporidial drug design. By comparison, for Giardia, several classes of drugs with good efficacy exist, but dosing regimens are suboptimal and emerging resistance begins to threaten clinical utility. Consequently, improvements in potency and dosing, and the ability to overcome existing and prevent new forms of drug resistance are priorities in antigiardial drug development. Current work on new drugs against both infections has revealed promising strategies and new drug leads. However, the primary challenge for further drug development is the underlying economics, as both parasitic infections are considered Neglected Diseases with low funding priority and limited commercial interest. If a new urgency in medical progress against these infections can be raised at national funding agencies or philanthropic organizations, meaningful and timely progress is possible in treating and possibly preventing cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis.
Interactions Between Cowpea Weevil (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) Populations and Vigna (Leguminosae) Species

The cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers, and wild Vigna species (progenitors of cowpea) have interacted for thousands of generations in Africa. Consequently, cowpea weevil virulence to Vigna species and the resistance within Vigna species to cowpea weevil populations may vary significantly. Given the current interest in using wild Vigna species as sources of cowpea weevil resistance, it is essential to determine the importance of the variation in cowpea weevil and Vigna interactions. To examine cowpea weevil and Vigna interactions, 3 experiments were conducted using 6 cowpea weevil populations and multiple accessions of 4 cowpea weevil-resistant Vigna species. In general, we found significant variation among cowpea weevil populations for virulence to resistant cowpea landrace TVu 2027. Unexpectedly, we found that TVu 2027 was susceptible to a cowpea weevil population from an unknown location in Nigeria. In addition, we found significant variation among accessions within each of the 3 wild Vigna species for resistance to cowpea weevil populations. Considering the potential for low durability of resistance (when using Vigna species as sources of cowpea weevil resistance), coupled with the difficulty of moving cowpea weevil resistance genes from wild Vigna species to domesticated cowpea, it may be more productive to focus on developing a transformation system for cowpea, and search for cowpea weevil resistance genes outside the genus Vigna and outside other genera having species that serve as host plants for the cowpea weevil.
Enabling Higher Precision Freeform Surfaces though Developments in Magnetorheological Finishing (MRF) and Subaperture Stitching Interferometry (SSI)

The subaperture and conformal nature of the MRF polishing tool and SSI optical wavefront position both technologies to extend their benefits to high-precision freeform surfaces. Capabilities both existing and under development will be discussed
Nuclear receptors, transcriptional regulation, and oncogenesis.

The role of steroid hormones in hormonally dependent neoplasia has been well documented (1). In this Minireview, I will discuss the structure and function of members of the steroid/thyroid (nuclear) receptor superfamily, the mechanism by which they regulate gene transcription, and their potential role in oncogenesis. I will not extensively discuss mutant nuclear receptors that have been found to be associated with various tumors (2) or the regulation of protooncogene expression by nuclear receptor/hormone complexes (3), as these subjects have been recently reviewed elsewhere. Rather, I will concentrate on some recent results that have been obtained using molecular approaches with cloned receptor genes. These studies point to some potentially novel and complex mechanisms whereby steroid/thyroid hormones and their receptors may regulate gene expression and carcinogenesis. Some of what is discussed here will be of a speculative nature, and it is hoped that this will point toward future research approaches th...