cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perturbation to Cholesterol at the Neuromuscular Junction Confers Botulinum Neurotoxin A Sensitivity to Neonatal Mice.

Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) cleaves SNAP25 at the motor nerve terminals and inhibits stimulus evoked acetylcholine release. This causes skeletal muscle paralysis. However, younger neonatal mice ( P7) mice. However, neonatal mice younger than 7 days-age remained unaffected by BoNT/A injection. Also, BoNT/A inhibited stimulus evoked acetylcholine release and stimulus-evoked twitch tension of diaphragm nerve muscle preparations (NMPs) of adult mouse and >P7 neonates but not that of P7. However, cholesterol depletion using methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) sensitized <P7 neonates to BoNT/A and facilitated BoNT/A uptake into NMPs obtained from <P7 neonates. Further, MβCD (10 mM; 30 min pretreatment) increased the interaction between synaptic vesicle protein 2 and BoNT/A. Also, cholesterol depletion increased the miniature endplate current in adult NMPs. Interestingly, cholesterol replenishment, invitro, delayed the onset of inhibitory effect of BoNT/A. Collectively, our data suggest that cholesterol rich lipid microdomains are involved in BoNT/A uptake mechanisms during development. Our data demonstrate that cholesterol depletion sensitized neonatal mice (<P7) to BoNT/A while replenishing cholesterol delayed the onset of inhibitory actin of BoNT/A. This suggests that membrane cholesterol modulates neurotoxin sensitivity at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ).
Population genetic structure of Bromus tectorum in the mountains of western North America.

Premise of the study Invasive species are often initially restricted to a narrow range and may then expand through any of multiple mechanisms including phenotypic plasticity, in situ evolution, or selection on traits preadapted for new habitats. Our study used population genetics to explore possible processes by which the highly selfing invasive annual grass Bromus tectorum has expanded into montane environments. Methods We used 69 single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers to genotype ca. 20 individuals from each of 38 montane cheatgrass populations from throughout the Intermountain West and to identify characteristic SNP haplotypes and examine their distribution. Key results Five invariant SNP haplotypes were dominant in montane cheatgrass populations, making up 59% of genotyped individuals, with each haplotype present in 12 to 21 populations. Four of these were absent or present at low frequency in low elevation populations, while the fifth was also sometimes dominant at low elevation. Sixteen haplotypes made up 78% of all genotyped individuals. These haplotypes were distributed across several haplogroups within the clade that also includes most sagebrush steppe lineages. Conclusions The wide geographic distribution of several common haplotypes almost completely restricted to montane habitats suggests that dominant lineages in montane populations may possess adaptive syndromes that are preserved through reduced outcrossing rates or negative selection on outcrossed progeny. However, conclusive evidence of such local adaptation requires reciprocal seeding experiments and further characterization of adaptive traits and breeding system characteristics. Other lineages have likely risen to dominance in montane populations through selectively neutral processes.
Enantiomer surface chemistry: conglomerate versus racemate formation on surfaces.

Research on surface chirality is motivated by the need to develop functional chiral surfaces for enantiospecific applications. While molecular chirality in 3D has been the subject of study for almost two centuries, many aspects of 2D chiral surface chemistry have yet to be addressed. In 3D, racemic mixtures of chiral molecules tend to aggregate into racemate (molecularly heterochiral) crystals much more frequently than conglomerate (molecularly homochiral) crystals. Whether chiral adsorbates on surfaces preferentially aggregate into heterochiral rather than homochiral domains (2D crystals or clusters) is not known. In this review, we have made the first attempt to answer the following question based on available data: in 2D racemic mixtures adsorbed on surfaces, is there a clear preference for homochiral or heterochiral aggregation? The current hypothesis is that homochiral packing is preferred on surfaces; in contrast to 3D where heterochiral packing is more common. In this review, we present a simple hierarchical scheme to categorize the chirality of adsorbate–surface systems. We then review the body of work using scanning tunneling microscopy predominantly to study aggregation of racemic adsorbates. Our analysis of the existing literature suggests that there is no clear evidence of any preference for either homochiral or heterochiral aggregation at the molecular level by chiral and prochiral adsorbates on surfaces.
Agreement between self-reported and objectively measured sleep duration among white, black, Hispanic, and Chinese adults in the United States: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Study Objectives To identify systematic biases across groups in objectively and subjectively measured sleep duration.
Preschoolers sometimes seek help from socially engaged informants over competent ones

Abstract The current studies examine whether children can selectively seek help from more competent others to solve simple problems. Across two experiments, 4- and 5-year-old children watched two adults demonstrate using a toy: one adult appeared competent but was socially unengaged, while the other appeared incompetent but was socially engaged. Children were then able to seek help from the adults while working with their own problem-solving toys. In Experiment 1, children appeared to seek help indiscriminately between the two adults. In Experiment 2, which had a more salient competence cue, children showed a statistically significant preference for questioning the socially engaged informant. For both experiments, children were able to remember post-test which adult demonstrated which characteristic, though they did not make strong inferences regarding future behaviors. This research demonstrates that preschool-aged children sometimes prefer to seek help from socially engaged sources, even if those sources may not be competent.
Visage: A Face Interpretation Engine for Smartphone Applications

Smartphones represent powerful mobile computing devices enabling a wide variety of new applications and opportunities for human interaction, sensing and communications. Because smartphones come with front-facing cameras, it is now possible for users to interact and drive applications based on their facial responses to enable participatory and opportunistic face-aware applications. This paper presents the design, implementation and evaluation of a robust, real-time face interpretation engine for smartphones, called Visage, that enables a new class of face-aware applications for smartphones. Visage fuses data streams from the phone’s front-facing camera and built-in motion sensors to infer, in an energy-efficient manner, the user’s 3D head poses (i.e., the pitch, roll and yaw of user’s heads with respect to the phone) and facial expressions (e.g., happy, sad, angry, etc.). Visage supports a set of novel sensing, tracking, and machine learning algorithms on the phone, which are specifically designed to deal with challenges presented by user mobility, varying phone contexts, and resource limitations. Results demonstrate that Visage is effective in different real-world scenarios. Furthermore, we developed two distinct proof-of-concept applications, Streetview+ and Mood Profiler driven by Visage.
Cancer Stem Cells: Hepatocellular Carcinoma

It has been hypothesized that cancer stem cells result from the initiation of normal tissue stem cells by mutagens. These cells give rise to a population of growth and differentiation dysregulated transient amplifying cells that represent the bulk of the tumor. Fifty years of research has provided a relatively large knowledge base on adult liver stem cells termed “oval cells” in rodents and hepatic progenitor cells in humans. Despite this fact, information regarding liver cancer stem cells remains scarce. Abundant circumstantial evidence suggests that bipotential liver progenitor cells may act as targets for carcinogens, giving rise to liver cancer. Evidence is also beginning to indicate that these mutated progenitor cells, or their derivatives, may act as cancer stem cells. These cells maintain themselves through self-renewal and give rise to the transient amplifying cells that comprise a majority of the liver tumor volume. Putative liver cancer stem cells likely escape chemotherapeutic treatment, both by limiting time in the cell cycle, and by up-regulating membrane transporters. It is also likely that the ability to establish metastasis is limited to the liver cancer stem cell population. Because regrowth of tumors following unsuccessful cytoreductive therapy is mediated by tumor stem cells, careful consideration must be paid to this cell population when developing future liver cancer therapies. Several potential markers for the identification of liver cancer stem cells are currently under investigation. CD133 and CD90 show particular promise as discriminators of human liver cancer stem cells. These markers are being used to help unravel the mystery of tumor reoccurrence following treatment of the original tumor by surgery and cytoreductive drug/radio therapy, and may someday lead to a true cure for this ominous form of cancer. The following chapter presents evidence for both the stem cell origin of liver tumors, and the presence of altered stem cells within the tumors themselves.
User-Centered Design In and Beyond the Classroom: Toward an Accountable Practice

Abstract The authors, an instructor and students, describe our practice of user-centered design on three levels: in the design and structure of an advanced undergraduate course in which we all participated, in student projects designed during the course, and in our reflections on the course presented here. We argue that principles of user-centered design can and should be more than course concepts and assignments; they can be core practices of the course that hold both students and teachers accountable for the impacts of their rhetorical choices. We offer a model for other teacher-scholars looking to involve students in the design of their courses and in writing together about their work.
The Centrality of S-Adenosylhomocysteinase in the Regulation of the Biological Utilization of S-Adenosylmethionine

S-Adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), first isolated as one of the products of transmethylation reactions from S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) (Cantoni & Scarano, 1954) has been shown to be a competitive inhibitor of all methyltransferases. This was first shown by Gibson et al. (1961) for phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase and later extended to other methyltransferases (Borchardt, 1977). Of special interest is the fact that AdoHcy is a competitive inhibitor of most of the reactions in which AdoMet participates, both those where it serves as a methyl or an alkyl donor, and those where it functions as an allosteric effector.
Association of thymidylate synthase (TYMS) polymorphism with adverse events (AEs) of 5-FU/capecitabine (CAP) in pts with GI cancers.

e14561Background: TYMS catalyzes methylation of dUMP to dTMP. As the sole de novo source of thymidylate in the cell it is an important target for 5-FU/CAP. Overexpression of TYMS has been linked to...
Advances in electro-copolymerization of NIR emitting and electronically conducting block copolymers

Block copolymers comprising benzothiadiazole were successfully electro-copolymerized leading to (BTD-T2)n(BTD-F2)m, where n and m were varied in a perfectly controllable, well-defined manner. The polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, AC-impedance, SEM–EDAX and XPS analyses. They exhibit absorbance and emission in the near infrared (NIR) region. Results support an efficient strategy towards the creation of even more complex materials with innumerable possible applications in optoelectronic.
Synthesizing Inference Enterprises from Redacted Data

Government agencies as well as private companies may need to share private information with third-party organizations for various reasons. There exists a legitimate concern about disclosing information of individuals, sensitive details of agencies and organizations, and other private information. Consequently, information shared with external parties may be redacted to hide confidential information about individuals and companies while providing essential data required by third parties to perform their duties. The redacted data is usually delivered in the form of a set of data summaries such as frequency tables, means, variances, and correlations.
Modified Release Solid Oral Dosage Forms

This chapter presents an extensive overview of the concepts of delayed-release, sustained-release, and pulsatile-release for drug delivery. Formulation approaches and delivery technologies are discussed in detail, along with the required performance testing for modified-release dosage forms. Abuse-deterrent technologies are also introduced.
Focused Ultrasound Strategies for Brain Tumor Therapy.

Background A key challenge in the medical treatment of brain tumors is the limited penetration of most chemotherapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the tumor and the infiltrative margin around the tumor. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a promising tool to enhance the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents into brain tumors. Objective To review the mechanism of FUS, preclinical evidence, and clinical studies that used low-frequency FUS for a BBB opening in gliomas. Methods Literature review. Results The potential of externally delivered low-intensity ultrasound for a temporally and spatially precise and predictable disruption of the BBB has been investigated for over a decade, yielding extensive preclinical literature demonstrating that FUS can disrupt the BBB in a spatially targeted and temporally reversible manner. Studies in animal models documented that FUS enhanced the delivery of numerous chemotherapeutic and investigational agents across the BBB and into brain tumors, including temozolomide, bevacizumab, 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, doxorubicin, viral vectors, and cells. Chemotherapeutic interventions combined with FUS slowed tumor progression and improved animal survival. Recent advances of MRgFUS systems allow precise, temporally and spatially controllable, and safe transcranial delivery of ultrasound energy. Initial clinical evidence in glioma patients has shown the efficacy of MRgFUS in disrupting the BBB, as demonstrated by an enhanced gadolinium penetration. Conclusion Thus far, a temporary disruption of the BBB followed by the administration of chemotherapy has been both feasible and safe. Further studies are needed to determine the actual drug delivery, including the drug distribution at a tissue-level scale, as well as effects on tumor growth and patient prognosis.
Theoretical mathematics, polarized light microscopy and computational models in healthy and pathological bone

Abstract The needs of everyday life, such as counting and measuring, are roots of theoretical mathematics. I believe these roots are why mathematical ideas ground research so amazingly well within many scientific fields. Initially trained as a theoretical mathematician and having collaborated with non-mathematicians in the field of bone research, I address the advantages and challenges of collaborations across fields of research among investigators trained in different disciplines. I report on the mathematical ideas that have guided my research on the mechanics of bone tissue. I explain how the mathematical ideas of local vs. global properties influence my research. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) is a tool that I use consistently, in association with other microscopy techniques, to investigate bone in its healthy state and in the presence of bone disease, in humans and in animal models. I review the results that I and investigators around the world have obtained with PLM. Applied to thin bone sections, PLM yields extinct (black) and bright (white) signals that are interpreted in terms of the orientation of collagen type I, by means of other microscopy techniques. Collagen type I is an elementary component of bone tissue. Its orientation is important for the mechanical function of bone. Images obtained by PLM at a specific bone site yield big data sets regarding collagen orientation. Multiple data sets in respect of multiple sites are often needed for research because the bone tissue differs by location in response to the distinct forces acting on it. Mathematics, defined by philosophers as the theory of patterns, offers the backdrop for pattern identification in the big data sets regarding collagen orientation. I also discuss the computational aspect of the research, pursuant to which the patterns identified are incorporated in simulations of mechanical behaviors of bone. These mathematical ideas serve to understand the role of collagen orientation in bone fracture risk.
The Path to U.S. Neurosurgical Residency for Foreign Medical Graduates: Trends from a Decade 2007-2017.

Objective The increasing competitiveness of the neurosurgical residency match has made it progressively difficult for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) to match in neurosurgery. We compared FMG to U.S. medical graduate (USMG) match rates in neurosurgery and identified factors associated with match outcomes for FMGs in neurosurgery. Methods Retrospective review of American Association of Neurological Surgeons membership data and Association of American Medical Colleges Charting the Outcomes match reports (2007–2017). Results Across 1857 neurosurgical residents (USMG: 91.1%, FMG: 8.9%), average FMG match rates were 24% (range, 15%–35%) versus 83% (range, 75%–94%; P Conclusions Although FMGs have lower match rates into U.S. neurosurgery residencies than USMGs, several demographic, professional, and academic factors could increase the chances of successful FMG neurosurgical match.
Necessity in the Time of Corona

Like clockwork, Argentina is once again faced with restructuring its sovereign debt. A quick resolution to the latest episode in this saga is in everyone’s favor, but a certain pandemic gripping the globe has complicated things. Now is not the time to restructure: creditors are at their most tight-fisted, and accurate economic projections are nearly impossible. The necessity doctrine provides a potential avenue for Argentina to defer debt payments and postpone its restructuring until it weathers the COVID-19 crisis.
Let Me Tell You a Story

I've spent my time caring for the Life-sources of Land, Air, and Waters – the LAW of Life. It began by being touched by the Sea and the story of my mariner grandfather. It went on to raids to fight...
Social Media Posts About Racism Leads to Evaluative Backlash for Black Job Applicants

Black Americans post about race and race-related issues on social media more than any other racial group. In this study, we investigated whether Black Americans who post about racism on social netw...
Overnight radiology resident discrepancies at a large pediatric hospital: categorization by year of training, program, imaging modality, and report type:

BackgroundOvernight radiology resident discrepancies have been described in multiple studies; however, study of resident discrepancies specific to pediatric radiology is limited.PurposeTo examine r...
In vivo evaluation of a microtubule PET ligand, [11C]MPC-6827, in mice following chronic alcohol consumption.

BACKGROUND Excessive alcohol consumption is a global health burden and requires a better understanding of its neurobiology. A lower density of brain microtubules is found in alcohol-related human brain disease postmortem and in rodent models of chronic alcohol consumption. Here, we report in vivo imaging studies of microtubules in brain using our recently reported Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracer, [11C]MPC-6827, in chronic alcohol-consuming adult male C57BL/6 J mice and control mice. METHODS In vivo PET imaging studies of [11C]MPC-6827 (3.7 ± 0.8 MBq) were performed in two groups of adult male mice: (1) water-consuming control mice (n = 4) and (2) mice that consumed 20% alcohol (w/v) for 4 months using the intermittent 2-bottle choice procedure that has been shown to lead to signs of alcohol dependence. Dynamic 63 min PET images were acquired using a microPET Inveon system (Siemens, Germany). PET images were reconstructed using the 3D-OSEM algorithm and analyzed using VivoQuant version 4 (Invicro, MA). Tracer uptake in ROIs that included whole brain, prefrontal cortex (PFC), liver and heart was measured and plotted as %ID/g over time (0-63 min) to generate time-activity curves (TACs). RESULTS In general, a trend for lower binding of [11C]MPC-6827 in the whole brain and PFC of mice in the chronic alcohol group was found compared with control group. No group difference in radiotracer binding was found in the peripheral organs such as liver and heart. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study indicates a trend of loss of microtubule binding in whole brain and prefrontal cortex of chronic alcohol administered mice brain compared to control mice, but no loss in heart or liver. These results indicate the potential of [11C]MPC-6827 as a PET ligand for further in vivo imaging investigations of AUD in human.
Astrophysics and Cosmology in General Relativity

In the context of the theory of general relativity, the universe as a whole — the subject of cosmology — is not a collection of individual, separable ‘things’, interacting with each other at distances over vast domains of space. Rather, the universe is a continuous whole, with an infinite number of distinguishable manifestations (modes).
Effects of TSST on immune biomarkers separated by distinct genotypes

Multiple studies report immune imbalances occurring with stress but there are significant individual differences. We explored whether Single Nucleotides Polymorphisms (SNPs) of stress hormone receptors could be used to categorize individual changes in immune biomarkers after laboratory stress (TSST) exposure. 32 normal volunteers completed TSST. Blood was collected before (baseline), immediately, 1, 2, 6 and 24 h after task completion. Immune profiles (IFNg, IL-4, Treg) were determined by flow cytometry. Stress hormone and cytokine receptor SNPs (Glucocorticoid Receptor -Bcl1, B2 Adrenergic R receptor -Gly16Arg and IL4 Receptor-Ile50Val) were determined by real-time PCR. Log2 transformation were applied to the outcomes of immune-biomarkers. Stress response of individuals with wild type (WT) alleles were compared to individuals with the Non-WT (NWT) alleles for each receptor. Geometric mean (GM) ratios (GMR) are derived from WT/NWT differences at each time point.For Ile50Val, GM of NWT IFNg was 1.58 times higher than WT 2 h post intervention (PI). For Bcl1 GM of NWT Treg was 1.98 times higher than WT at 24 h PI. For Gly16Arg, NWT GM IL4 was 0.66 times lower than WT at 1 h PI. These data suggest that genotypic (SNP) differences may have utility as biomarkers to differentiate different immune profiles after an acute laboratory stressor.
Characteristics and Purification of PRR1, an RNA Phage Specific for the Broad Host Range Pseudomonas R1822 Drug Resistance Plasmid

Abstract A new drug resistance plasmid-dependent RNA containing phage resembling coliphage f2 in its particle size and density is described. The phage, PRR1, will only productively infect some R+ hosts containing the Pseudomonas drug resistance plasmid R1822. The membrane filter-salt elution patterns, RNase sensitivity, inactivation in low ionic strength solutions, and host range serve to distinguish PRR1 from coliphage f2 and two other Pseudomonas RNA phages, 7s and PP7.
Staphylococcal enterotoxin C: solid-phase radioimmunoassay.

A solid-phase radioimmunoassay test employing 125I-labeled enterotoxin C and polystyrene tubes coated with specific antibody was used for the detection and quantitation of enterotoxin C in condensed milk, cheddar cheese, custard, and ham salad. The assay was sensitive to 1 to 10 ng of toxin per g of food; nonspecific inhibitions were 16% or less.
Job stress and work‐related musculoskeletal symptoms among intensive care unit nurses: a comparison between job demand‐control and effort‐reward imbalance models

Background The aims of this study were to compare job demand-control (JDC) and effort-reward imbalance (ERI) models in examining the association of job stress with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and to evaluate the utility of a combined model. Methods This study analyzed cross-sectional survey data obtained from a nationwide random sample of 304 intensive-care unit (ICU) nurses. Demographic and job factors were controlled in the analyses using logistic regression. Results Both JDC and ERI variables had strong and statistically significant associations with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Effort-reward imbalance had stronger associations than job strain or iso-strain with musculoskeletal symptoms. Effort-reward imbalance alone showed similar or stronger associations with muscusloskeletal symptoms compared to combined variables of the JDC and ERI models. Conclusions The ERI model appears to capture the magnitude of the musculoskeletal health risk among nurses associated with job stress at least as well and possibly better than the JDC model. Our findings suggest that combining the two models provides little gain compared to using effort-reward imbalance only. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:214–221, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diagnosing network states through intelligent probing

The methodology of probing is useful in fault localization, in periodic auditing of functionality of network elements, and in measuring the overall quality of network performance. Probes resulting in binary responses have been proposed in the literature to diagnose the up or down status of network nodes. A sharp upper bound is obtained for the probability that the most probable explanation (MPE) of the network states computed on the basis of probe results does not coincide with the true network state. This upper bound supplements a lower bound available in the literature. In considering the diagnosis of a set of priority nodes, two indices are introduced to assess the reliability of the probe results in the leaky noisy-AND model. These indices are useful in deciding whether or not the result of a binary probe should be followed up, by individual testing of the priority nodes. Some problems for future research are outlined.
Design Guidelines for Post-2000 Constellations

Designing a constellation of satellites to synergistically perform an overall mission in the post-2000 timeframe of highly regulated and commercially competitive environment requires a blending of both technical and financial design factors. This paper presents a process by which constellation selection can be accomplished. The process is tied to the project Business Plan, spectrum regulations, and the overall delivery system performance requirements. The dominant constellation design requirements faced by the constellation designer are identified and discussed. These requirements include service area coverage, spectrum sharing attributes, the ability to provide capacity augmentation, satellite failure mitigation, service link maintenance, and altitude considerations. A section specifically dealing with post-2000 guidelines for constellation design is also included and covers deployment options for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) systems, polar and inclined orbit characteristics, and the role of satellite diversity in tomorrow’s constellations.
FEAR OF CRIME IN URBAN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS: Implications of Between‐ and Within‐Neighborhood Sources for Current Models

Current work on fear of crime centers largely around three dominant theoretical models: indirect victimization, community concern, and incivilities. Previous work (Taylor and Hale 1986) confirms th...
A National Survey Assessing the Current Workforce of Transplant Pharmacists Across Accredited U.S. Solid Organ Transplant Programs

Integration of pharmacists into multidisciplinary transplant patient care has advanced in recent years, with limited data available to evaluate the current status of the profession. This was a national survey developed as an AST Pharmacy COP initiative. Responses were solicited from pharmacists practicing at U.S. transplant programs based on UNOS listing; 176 participants from 113 centers (41%) responded, with 79% practicing ≤10 years. There is a median of 1.4 pharmacist full-time equivalents (FTEs) (range 0.1-7.1) for every 100 transplants. The predominant activities performed by pharmacists during the transplant phase include medication review (95%), lab review (92%), allergy review (88%), medication therapy management (92%), bedside rounds (87%), medication education (79%), documentation (71%), and coordinating discharge medications (58%). Similar activities were reported during the other phases, but participation was less common. The involvement of dedicated transplant pharmacists within multidisciplinary care has become standard at a large number of centers, although expansion is still needed to ensure core pharmaceutical care components are provided to all transplant recipients across all centers. These results inform on the typical responsibilities of pharmacists practicing within the field of transplantation and illustrate that the level of pharmacist involvement significantly varies across transplant centers and the phases of transplantation.
Children of the children of the 1960s: an introduction.

The aims of the Family Styles Project, set up to study the effects on child development of the counter-cultural life styles that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, are reviewed. Background data on the project are presented as an introduction to papers dealing with child-rearing practices, maternal employment, and interpersonal conflict in alternative families.
Progesterone induces bright orange throat coloration in female Petrosaurus mearnsi

Female Petrosaurus mearnsi develop orange throat coloration when gravid. This coloration was induced in the nonbreeding season (late fall) by exogenous progesterone delivered by subcutaneous implantation in Silastic capsules or intramuscular injection. Color change was first apparent after five days of administration. The time course of brightening was similar for the two methods. Color change was first apparent after five days, and was detectable in most females receiving implants after six days. For both routes of administration, maximum brightening usually occurred within three days of the time that brightening was first detected. Following removal of implants or termination of daily injections, the throat coloration of most females had begun to fade within 25 to 30 days. However, two injected females did not fade at all after sixty days and none faded completely to pretreatment coloration. This suggests that endogenous steroid production by early winter is insufficient to induce brightening, but it might maintain some degree of artificially induced brightening. Because progesterone has also been shown to induce orange female coloration in a distantly related phrynosomatid species and two species of crotaphytids, we hypothesize that induction of bright female secondary sexual coloration by progesterone may be a widespread trait in iguanian lizards.
P19 Embryonal Carcinoma Cells: A Model System for Studying Neural Tube Induction of Skeletal Myogenesis

A model experimental system for investigating myogenic induction signals has been devised with mouse P19 embryonal carcinoma cells. When cocultured with pieces of chick neural tube, aggregated P19 cells are induced to become skeletal muscle. The most potent inducing activity is localized to the dorsal neural tube. Less activity was found in the ventral neural tube, notochord, ectoderm, and lateral plate mesoderm, and none was detected in the neural retina. These results suggest that P19 cells may be a useful model system for investigating the mechanisms underlying induction of somite myogenesis.
Subtle Psychosocial Sequelae of Genetic Test Results

Research using standard psychological measures has not revealed a dramatic psychological reaction to receipt of predictive genetic test results. Qualitative research, however, indicates that there are subtle psychosocial sequelae of receiving such results that should be considered by individuals and their clinicians prior to testing. Among these more subtle, but burdensome sequelae of testing are (i) changed social relationships (including relationships with clinicians), (ii) the impact of test results on important life decisions (e.g., career and reproductive choices), and (iii) altered self-concept among those tested. This review examines these more subtle sequelae, as well as the inadequacy of existing quantitative measures for assessing their impact, and discusses the relevance of such sequelae for decision-making about predictive genetic testing.
Leadership and the project-management body of knowledge

Abstract The paper presents some preliminary thoughts about leadership and the project-management body of knowledge, and how that body of knowledge provides insight into the role of leadership in the management of projects, and other forms of teams used in contemporary manufacturing organizations. A summary review of leadership is offered, including insight into how the opportunities for leadership in the use of teams has expanded to the point where all members of the teams can become leaders. The limited description of leaders and leadership in the project-management body of knowledge is noted with the suggestion that a more expansive discussion of leadership is needed for the body of knowledge, particularly as it continues to provide guidance in the management of crossfunctional and crossorganizational initiatives.
Agent learning in supplier selection models

We use agent-based modeling to study the performance of a supplier selection model, originally proposed by Croson and Jacobides [Small Numbers Outsourcing: Efficient Procurement Mechanisms in a Repeated Agency Model, Working Paper #99- 05-04 Department of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (1999)], which displays a complicated reward and punishment profile under incomplete information. We document the dynamics and convergence to equilibrium of the interactions of a single buyer with a heterogeneous group of sellers, which results in both separation of sellers capable of producing high-quality goods from those incapable of doing so, and continuing incentives for high-quality-capable sellers to produce at the maximum quality possible. We model two methods of determining exploration reference points--an "auction-style" model focusing on probability of success and a "newsvendor-style" model focusing on profitability. Our simulation shows that (1) the tournament structure suffices to reach convergence at high-quality levels whenever the number of suppliers exceeds three, (2) punishment length and number of suppliers are substitutes, and (3) shorter punishments improve learning speed of convergence. Moreover, we show that it is strictly better for the buyer to transact with relatively few suppliers--a conclusion generated endogenously inside the model as a tradeoff between exploration and exploitation, rather than through assumptions that explicitly penalize supplier proliferation.
Evolution of Corrective Surgery for Ebstein's Anomaly

Experience with eight cases admitted to the University of Minnesota Medical Center for surgical treatment of Ebstein's anomaly is presented. Correction by excision of the malformed and malpositioned tricuspid valve with prosthetic valve replacement is advocated as the procedure of choice. Some patients probably need a temporary avenue for right-to-left shunting at the atrial level until the atrialized right ventricle can achieve competence. None of the three patients with significant arrhythmias preoperatively has experienced this difficulty to date, after valve replacement.
An improved gas-kinetic BGK finite-volume method for three-dimensional transonic flow

During the past decade gas-kinetic methods based on the BGK simplification of the Boltzmann equation have been employed to compute fluid flow in a finite-difference or finite-volume context. Among the most successful formulations is the finite-volume scheme proposed by Xu [K. Xu, A gas-kinetic BGK scheme for the Navier-Stokes equations and its connection with artificial dissipation and Godunov method, J. Comput. Phys. 171 (48) (2001) 289-335]. In this paper we build on this theoretical framework mainly with the aim to improve the efficiency and convergence of the scheme, and extend the range of application to three-dimensional complex geometries using general unstructured meshes. To that end we propose a modified BGK finite-volume scheme, which significantly reduces the computational cost, and improves the behavior on stretched unstructured meshes. Furthermore, a modified data reconstruction procedure is presented to remove the known problem that the Chapman-Enskog expansion of the BGK equation fixes the Prandtl number at unity. The new Prandtl number correction operates at the level of the partial differential equations and is also significantly cheaper for general formulations than previously published methods. We address the issue of convergence acceleration by applying multigrid techniques to the kinetic discretization. The proposed modifications and convergence acceleration help make large-scale computations feasible at a cost competitive with conventional discretization techniques, while still exploiting the advantages of the gas-kinetic discretization, such as computing full viscous fluxes for finite volume schemes on a simple two-point stencil.
The Latin Americans: Spirit And Ethos

Building on his previous work, The Public Man, the author identifies a pervasive attitude towards life that is common to all the Catholic countries of the Western Hemisphere. He focuses on various constants in its civil life and argues that Latin America is a dualistic society.
Comparison of organ doses for patients undergoing balloon brachytherapy of the breast with HDR 192Ir or electronic sources using monte carlo simulations in a heterogeneous human phantom.

Purpose: Accelerated partial breast irradiation via interstitial balloon brachytherapy is a fast and effective treatment method for certain early stage breast cancers. The radiation can be delivered using a conventional high-dose rate (HDR) {sup 192}Ir gamma-emitting source or a novel electronic brachytherapy (eBx) source which uses lower energy x rays that do not penetrate as far within the patient. A previous study [A. Dickler, M. C. Kirk, N. Seif, K. Griem, K. Dowlatshahi, D. Francescatti, and R. A. Abrams, ''A dosimetric comparison of MammoSite high-dose-rate brachytherapy and Xoft Axxent electronic brachytherapy,'' Brachytherapy 6, 164-168 (2007)] showed that the target dose is similar for HDR {sup 192}Ir and eBx. This study compares these sources based on the dose received by healthy organs and tissues away from the treatment site. Methods: A virtual patient with left breast cancer was represented by a whole-body, tissue-heterogeneous female voxel phantom. Monte Carlo methods were used to calculate the dose to healthy organs in a virtual patient undergoing balloon brachytherapy of the left breast with HDR {sup 192}Ir or eBx sources. The dose-volume histograms for a few organs which received large doses were also calculated. Additional simulations were performed with all tissues in the phantom definedmore » as water to study the effect of tissue inhomogeneities. Results: For both HDR {sup 192}Ir and eBx, the largest mean organ doses were received by the ribs, thymus gland, left lung, heart, and sternum which were close to the brachytherapy source in the left breast. eBx yielded mean healthy organ doses that were more than a factor of {approx}1.4 smaller than for HDR {sup 192}Ir for all organs considered, except for the three closest ribs. Excluding these ribs, the average and median dose-reduction factors were {approx}28 and {approx}11, respectively. The volume distribution of doses in nearby soft tissue organs that were outside the PTV were also improved with eBx. However, the maximum dose to the closest rib with the eBx source was 5.4 times greater than that of the HDR {sup 192}Ir source. The ratio of tissue-to-water maximum rib dose for the eBx source was {approx}5. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that eBx may offer lower toxicity to most healthy tissues, except nearby bone. TG-43 methods have a tendency to underestimate dose to bone, especially the ribs. Clinical studies evaluating the negative health effects caused by irradiating healthy organs are needed so that physicians can better understand when HDR {sup 192}Ir or eBx might best benefit a patient.« less
FOXP3 and NFAT: Partners in Tolerance

Regulatory T cells suppress autoimmune responses to self-antigens. Recent studies, including one in this issue of Cell (Wu et al., 2006), suggest that the ability of T cells to choose between launching a productive immune response, functional inactivation, or developing into regulatory T cells depends upon the interplay of the key transcriptional regulators FOXP3 and NFAT.
CONGENIC STRAINS PROVIDE EVIDENCE THAT A MAPPED LOCUS ON CHROMOSOME 15 INFLUENCES EXCITOTOXIC CELL DEATH

Inbred strains of mice differ in their susceptibility to excitotoxin-induced cell death, but the genetic basis of individual variation is unknown. Prior studies with crosses of the FVB/NJ (seizure-induced cell death susceptible) mouse and the seizure-induced cell death resistant mouse, C57BL/6J, showed the presence of three quantitative trait loci (QTLs), named seizure-induced cell death 1 (Sicd1) to Sicd3. To better localize and characterize the Sicd2 locus, two reciprocal congenic mouse strains were created. While the B6.FVB-Sicd2 congenic mouse was without effect on modifying susceptibility to seizure-induced excitotoxic cell death, the FVB.B6-Sicd2 congenic mouse, in which the chromosome (Chr) 15 region of C57BL/6J was introgressed into FVB/NJ, showed reduced seizure-induced excitotoxic cell death following kainate administration. Phenotypic comparison between FVB and the congenic FVB.B6-Sicd2 strain confirmed that the Sicd2 interval harbors gene(s) conferring strong protection against seizure-induced excitotoxic cell death. Interval-specific congenic lines (ISCLs) that encompass Sicd2 on Chr 15 were generated and were used to fine-map this QTL. Resultant progeny were treated with kainate and examined for the extent of seizure-induced cell death in order to deduce the Sicd2 genotypes of the recombinants through linkage analysis. All of the ISCLs exhibited reduced cell death associated with the C57BL/6J phenotype; however, ISCL-2 showed the most dramatic reduction in seizure-induced cell death in both area CA3 and in the dentate hilus. These findings confirm the existence of polymorphic loci within the reduced critical region of Sicd2 that regulate the severity of seizure-induced cell death.
High-precision astrometry of crowded fields by interferometry

The Orbiting Stellar Interferometer (OSI) is a space based interferometer capable of making astrometric measurements with 2 - 5 uas accuracy. Typical astrometric observations have one target star within the instrument's instantaneous field of view. The presence of other stars within this field will introduce systematic errors in the measurement. In this paper we present a method of accurately determining the position of multiple stars in the field of view. This method is an extension of the conventional synthesis imaging techniques that will be used for OSI. Astrometric measurements in these crowded field will be extremely useful in studying the dynamics of globular clusters and to make measurements in the direction of the center of the galaxy.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Admissibility of the best invariant estimator of a distribution function under the kolmogorov-smirnov loss

For the invariant decision problem of estimating a continuous distribution function with Kolmogorov-Smirnov Loss and a sample of size n. a relatively simple necessary and sufficient condition that the best invariant estimatord 0, is admissible is given. That isd 0 is admissible iff it is admissible within , where is the class of all invariant estimators under the group of monotone transformations with n– 1 arbitrary but fixed points . As an application, it is proved that the best invariant estimator is admissible for n = 1 and 2.
A model for dose rate and duration of exposure effects in radiation carcinogenesis

Multistage models have been used to describe various features of the incidence of cancer including the shape of the age-incidence curve; the influence of age at, duration of, and time since exposure; and the synergistic effect of exposure to multiple carcinogens. However, the models require from five to seven distinct transformations that must occur in a particular sequence. The lack of experimental support for so many events suggests a simpler model involving only two mutational events with a proliferative advantage for intermediate-stage cells. Neither model easily explains the paradoxical phenomenon that protraction of low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation leads to lower risks per unit of total exposure, whereas the reverse occurs for high-LET radiation. In this paper, a three-stage model is considered that consists of two mutations at homologous sites, either or both of which might be induced by radiation, followed by activation of the transformed oncogene, which is not induced by radiation. Single-stranded lesions are potentially repairable, whereas double-stranded lesions may increase the proliferation rate. For low-LET radiation, these two mutations are more likely to occur as the result of independent transversals of a cell by separate quanta of radiation, whereas for high-LET radiation, they are more likely to occur simultaneously as the result of a single particle. The predictions of the model are illustrated for various patterns of exposure and choices of model parameters. Various tests of the proposed model are discussed.
Compressive Strength of Axially Loaded Composite Cylinders

Tests were performed to measure the failure loads of axially compressed glass-fiber-reinforced and graphite-fiber-reinforced composite cylinders. The data were compared with the results of a previous model, which was based on a three-dimensional stress analysis and the Tsai-Wu quadratic first-ply failure criterion. This model predicted the failure loads for glass-fiber-reinforced composites with good accuracy, but less accu rately for failure loads of graphite-epoxy composites.
Late Cenozoic denudation and uplift rates in the Santa Lucia Mountains, California

Apatite (U-Th)/He ages from a vertical transect through the Santa Lucia Mountains, central California Coast Ranges, are used to reconstruct the history of exhumation and of bedrock and surface uplift in this region since ca. 6 Ma. We find a direct correlation between (U-Th)/He ages and elevation, which we interpret to correspond to denudation rates of ;0.35 mm/yr between 6 and 2 Ma. The onset of bedrock uplift and exhumation ca. 6 Ma followed a change in plate motion ca. 8 Ma. After 2 Ma, denudation rates increased substantially (;0.9 mm/yr). This is a rare instance in which long-term average bedrock (;0.85 mm/yr) and surface (;0.20 mm/yr) uplift can be calculated from denudation rates and stratigraphic data. The post‐2 Ma denudation rate is about one order of magnitude higher than independently determined river erosion rates in the area. We suggest that this discrepancy indicates that exhumation of the steep western slopes of this segment of the Coast Ranges has been dominated by mass wasting via landslides, rather than fluvial erosion, at least since ca. 2 Ma. We also show that the bedrock uplift is predominantly tectonic, not isostatic.