cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maternal exposure to a mitochondrial toxicant results in life-long alterations in DNA methylation and gene expression in the offspring

Mitochondrial-driven alterations of the epigenome have been reported but whether they are relevant at the organismal level remain unknown. The viable yellow agouti mouse (Avy) is a powerful epigenetic biosensor model that reports on the DNA methylation status of the Avy locus through the coat color of the animals. Here we show that maternal exposure to rotenone, a potent mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, changes the DNA methylation status of the Avy locus and broadly affects the liver DNA methylome of the offspring. These effects were accompanied by altered gene expression programs that persisted throughout life. Mitochondrial dysfunction was present in the mothers but not in the offspring until 12 months of age, when electron transport and antioxidant defenses were impaired. These results highlight a putative novel role for mitochondria in nuclear epigenetic remodeling during development, raising fundamental questions about the long-term impact of mitochondrial dysfunction to health and disease.
Gunning for security governance in a resource-rich African state? Interrogating militarisation in a democratic Nigeria

ABSTRACTThis article examines the socio-historical factors that underpin the political sociology of militarism in Nigeria. In spite of subscribing to a democratic constitution and several regional ...
Evidence of linked selection on the Z chromosome of hybridizing hummingbirds.

Levels of genetic differentiation vary widely along the genomes of recently diverged species. What processes cause this variation? Here, I analyze geographic population structure and genome-wide patterns of variation in the Rufous, Allen's, and Calliope Hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus/Selasphorus sasin/Selasphorus calliope) and assess evidence that linked selection on the Z chromosome drives patterns of genetic differentiation in a pair of hybridizing species. Demographic models, introgression tests, and genotype clustering analyses support a reticulate evolutionary history consistent with divergence during the late Pleistocene followed by gene flow across migrant Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds during the Holocene. Relative genetic differentiation ( Fst ) is elevated, and within-population diversity (π) is depressed on the Z chromosome in all interspecific comparisons. The ratio of Z to autosomal within-population diversity is much lower than that expected from population size effects alone, and Tajima's D is depressed on the Z chromosome in S. rufus and S. calliope. These results suggest that conserved structural features of the genome play a prominent role in shaping genetic differentiation through the early stages of speciation in northern Selasphorus hummingbirds, and that the Z chromosome is a likely site of genes underlying behavioral and morphological variation in the group.
Air-powered shopping carts in grocery stores: a pilot study.

Purpose: Motorized shopping carts found at grocery and retail stores provide mobility for those who have difficulty walking through the store or pushing a regular cart. The purpose of this study wa...
Serotonin 6 receptor blockade reduces repetitive behavior in the BTBR mouse model of autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by the expression of restricted repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and impairments in social recognition and communication. Previous studies have found that specific serotonin (5-HT) receptor modulation can attenuate repetitive behaviors expressed in specific mouse strains. The present study examined how 5-HT6 receptor blockade impacts the expression of repetitive behaviors in two different mouse strains that demonstrate elevated restricted, repetitive behavior and impairments in social behavior. BTBR T+ Itpr3tf /J (BTBR), C58/J (C58) and control C57BL/6J strains were behaviorally tested after acute treatment with the 5-HT6 receptor antagonist BGC 20-761 (BGC) or vehicle. BTBR mice express high levels of self-grooming behavior while C58 mice display high rates of repetitive jumping behavior. Similarly, the effect of 5-HT6 receptor blockade was also tested on social approach behaviors in both strains. BGC significantly reduced repetitive grooming in both female and male BTBR mice compared to vehicle-treated BTBR mice. BGC treatment did not attenuate social approach impairments in either female or male BTBR mice compared to vehicle-treated BTBR mice. Follow-up dose response studies were conducted on repetitive grooming and locomotor activity in BTBR mice. All doses reduced repetitive grooming in female and male BTBR mice. Acute treatment with BGC only reduced locomotor activity with the lower doses. In C58 mice, BGC treatment did not significantly attenuate flipping or general social approach behaviors. Instead, BGC significantly increased social sniff time in female C58 mice. While 5-HT6 receptor blockade did not attenuate the social impairments found in BTBR mice, this treatment did increase sniff time in female C58 mice. Although the lower doses of BGC deduced locomotion, the higher dose attenuated repetitive grooming in BTBR mice while sparing locomotor activity. Together these findings suggest the therapeutic effects of 5-HT6 receptor blockade are complex and may be specific to the types of repetitive behaviors expressed.
Association between Home Environment in Infancy and Child Movement Behaviors.

Introduction: An adequate balance of movement behaviors, including physical activity (PA), sleep, and screen time, is important for preventing excess weight gain in children. This study examined th...
Engineered Matrices Enable the Culture of Human Patient-Derived Intestinal Organoids.

Human intestinal organoids from primary human tissues have the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine and preclinical gastrointestinal disease models. A tunable, fully defined, designer matrix, termed hyaluronan elastin-like protein (HELP) is reported, which enables the formation, differentiation, and passaging of adult primary tissue-derived, epithelial-only intestinal organoids. HELP enables the encapsulation of dissociated patient-derived cells, which then undergo proliferation and formation of enteroids, spherical structures with polarized internal lumens. After 12 rounds of passaging, enteroid growth in HELP materials is found to be statistically similar to that in animal-derived matrices. HELP materials also support the differentiation of human enteroids into mature intestinal cell subtypes. HELP matrices allow stiffness, stress relaxation rate, and integrin-ligand concentration to be independently and quantitatively specified, enabling fundamental studies of organoid-matrix interactions and potential patient-specific optimization. Organoid formation in HELP materials is most robust in gels with stiffer moduli (G' ≈ 1 kPa), slower stress relaxation rate (t 1/2 ≈ 18 h), and higher integrin ligand concentration (0.5 × 10-3-1 × 10-3 m RGD peptide). This material provides a promising in vitro model for further understanding intestinal development and disease in humans and a reproducible, biodegradable, minimal matrix with no animal-derived products or synthetic polyethylene glycol for potential clinical translation.
Effects of Exogenous Silicon on Active Oxygen Scavenging Systems in Chlo-roplasts of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Seedlings under Salt Stress

With K2SiO4 (1.0 mmol/L) treatment,the effects of Si on the distribution of Na+, K+ tochloroplasts and antioxidant system of cucumberleaves under 50 mmol/L NaCl stress were studied.The results showed that there was a selective trans-port of K+ into the chloroplasts so that Na+ contentof chloroplasts was lower under Si treatment (Table1); H2O2 and MDA contents in chloroplasts weresignificantly decreased (Fig.1), and the activitiesof SOD, APX, GR and DHAR were increased si-multaneity (Fig.2), and AsA, GSH contents werealso increased in chloroplasts of salt-stressed cu-cumber by additional Si treatment (Fig.3). It maybe concluded that Si could decrease absorption ofNa+ and increase ability of active oxygen scaveng-ing in chloroplasts, therefore the injury of chloro-plast membrane under salinity stress in cucumberwas alleviated.
Stop Banging Your Head: Changing Self-Injurious Behavior Into Communication:

Self-injurious behavior is prevalent in early childhood impacting up to 53% of young children with disabilities. Once these behaviors are consistently present, they may become resistant to interven...
End-of-Life Hospice Use and Medicare Expenditures Among Patients Dying of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) coupled with rising health care costs contributes to high end-of-life expenditures. The current study aimed to characterize health care expenditures and hospice use among patients with HCC using a large, national database. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked database was used to identify patients with HCC. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with overall hospice use and end-of-life expenditures among individuals who died of HCC. Among 14,369 Medicare beneficiaries with HCC, 8069 (63.7 %) used hospice. Racial/ethnic minority patients were less likely to use hospice services during the last year of life than white patients (no hospice: n = 2034 [44.3 %] vs. hospice: n = 2513 [31.1 %]). Social vulnerability also had an impact on the likelihood of patients using hospice services; in particular, the probability of hospice use among patients declined as social vulnerability increased (P < 0.05). Hospice use was associated with an approximate $10,000 decrease in inpatient expenditures (hospice: US$7900 [IQR, US$0–26,600] vs. no hospice: US$18,000 [IQR $400-49,100]; P < 0.001) and $1300 decrease in outpatient expenditures (hospice: US$900 [IQR, US$0–4500] vs. non-hospice: US$2200 [IQR, US$200–7900; P < 0.001) compared with individuals who did not use hospice. Minority patients and individuals residing in high-vulnerability areas were less likely to use hospice. Patients who used hospice at the end of life had a reduction in inpatient and outpatient Medicare claims. Patients with HCC in need of hospice services should be ensured timely referral regardless of race/ethnicity or social vulnerability.
Valuing Evaluation: Why Should We Develop an Evaluation Culture?

Evaluation is an important element of any living system. By doing an evaluation, we can systematically review whether a program, service, or event is meeting the needs and goals of a particular individual or group. In Everyday Evaluation on the Run: The User Friendly Introductory Guide to Effective Evaluation, author Yoland Wadsworth introduces the rationale, concepts, procedures, and tools that are needed to reflect on our everyday activities and develop a culture of evaluation. Her approachable style and practical advice will appeal to many who are interested in learning how to improve the value they offer in their organizations.
p53 independent epigenetic-differentiation treatment in xenotransplant models of acute myeloid leukemia

Suppression of apoptosis by TP53 mutation contributes to resistance of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to conventional cytotoxic treatment. Using differentiation to induce irreversible cell cycle exit in AML cells could be a p53-independent treatment alternative, however, this possibility requires evaluation. In vitro and in vivo regimens of the cytosine analogue decitabine that deplete the chromatin modifying enzyme DNA methyl-transferase 1 (DNMT1) without phosphorylating p53 or inducing early apoptosis were determined. These decitabine regimens but not equimolar DNA-damaging cytarabine up regulated the key late differentiation factors CEBPx and p27/CDKN1B, induced cellular differentiation, and terminated AML cell-cycle, even in cytarabine-resistant p53- and p16/CDKN2A-null AML cells. Leukemia initiation by xeno-transplanted AML cells was abrogated but normal hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) engraftment was preserved. In vivo, the low toxicity allowed frequent drug administration to increase exposure, an important consideration for S-phase specific decitabine therapy. In xeno-transplant models of p53-null and relapsed/refractory AML, the non-cytotoxic regimen significantly extended survival compared to conventional cytotoxic cytarabine. Modifying in vivo dose and schedule to emphasize this pathway of decitabine action can bypass a mechanism of resistance to standard therapy.
Abstract 16427: Does Elevated Myeloperoxidase Retard the Protective Association of HDL-C With Coronary Calcium and Cardiovascular Disease Risk?

Background: Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a leukocyte derived enzyme, may be an inflammatory mediator of atherosclerosis. MPO may promote dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein (HDL). We examined whether increased MPO levels unfavorably alters the relation of HDL-C with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: We examined 2047 adults (54% male, mean age 59 yrs) without known CVD. MPO was measured by immunoassay. Coronary artery calcium (CAC), a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis, was measured by computed tomography. CAC scores were divided into low (≤100) and high (>100). Subjects were divided according to baseline median HDL-C (52mg/dl) and median log normalized MPO (5.5 pmol/L). Cox and logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, and risk factors, were performed examining HDL-C and log-MPO with 3.8-year incident CVD (myocardial infarction, cardiac death, stroke, or revascularization >90 days) and CAC>100, respectively. Results: Subjects with high log-MPO (≥ 5.5 pmol/L) were more likely (p...
Computation and Functional Studies Provide a Model for the Structure of the Zinc Transporter hZIP4

Members of the Zrt and Irt protein (ZIP) family are a central participant in transition metal homeostasis as they function to increase the cytosolic concentration of zinc and/or iron. However, the lack of a crystal structure hinders elucidation of the molecular mechanism of ZIP proteins. Here, we employed GREMLIN, a co-evolution-based contact prediction approach in conjunction with the Rosetta structure prediction program to construct a structural model of the human (h) ZIP4 transporter. The predicted contact data are best fit by modeling hZIP4 as a dimer. Mutagenesis of residues that comprise a central putative hZIP4 transmembrane transition metal coordination site in the structural model alter the kinetics and specificity of hZIP4. Comparison of the hZIP4 dimer model to all known membrane protein structures identifies the 12-transmembrane monomeric Piriformospora indica phosphate transporter (PiPT), a member of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS), as a likely structural homolog.
Yankee Warhorse: A Biography of Major General Peter Osterhaus

Review of: "Yankee Warhorse: A Biography of Major General Peter Osterhaus," by Mary Bobbitt Townsend, a part of the "Shades of Blue and Gray Series."
Epidermal growth factor suppresses induction by progestin of the adhesion protein desmoplakin in T47D breast cancer cells

Introduction Although the effects of progesterone on cell cycle progression are well known, its role in spreading and adhesion of breast cancer cells has not attracted much attention until recently. Indeed, by controlling cell adhesion proteins, progesterone may play a direct role in breast cancer invasion and metastasis. Progesterone has also been shown to modulate epidermal growth factor (EGF) effects in neoplasia, although EGF effects on progesterone pathways and targets are less well understood. In the present study we identify an effect of EGF on a progesterone target, namely desmoplakin.
Blunted cerebrovascular response to exogenous nitric oxide in POTS (1068.12)

Cognitive deficits are characteristic of postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Intact nitrergic nitric oxide (NO) is important to cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation, to neurovascular coupling, and to cognitive efficacy. POTS patients often experience defective (NO) mediated vasodilation caused by oxidative stress. We used combined transcranial Doppler ultrasound, to measure CBF velocity (CBFv), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), to measure cerebral oximetry while supine. We previously showed dilation of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in response to a bolus administration of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in healthy volunteers. We hypothesized a blunted MCA response to SNP in POTS. The SNP responses of 17 POTS patients were compared with 12 healthy controls (ages 14-28). CBFv in POTS and control were not different at baseline (75 ± 3 vs. 71 ±2 cm • s-1 P = 0.31) and decreased to a lesser degree with SNP in POTS (to 71 ± 3 vs 62 ± 2 cm • s-1; P = 0.02). The changes in total and oxygenated h...
Nitric Oxide Metabolism after Traumatic Brain Injury

Nitric oxide (NO) is a cell membrane-permeable free radical gas and is the smallest known biologically active molecule. NO can be produced by nearly all tissues of the body. NO is synthesized from the semi-essential amino acid, L-arginine, by the enzyme, nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Three isoforms of NOS exist: Endothelial (eNOS), neuronal (nNOS), and inducible (iNOS). Agents that selectively inhibit the individual isoforms of NOS, as well as transgenic mice that are deficient in each of the isoforms of NOS, have played important roles in understanding the normal functions of NO and the changes in NO metabolism that occur with neurological disorders like traumatic brain injury (TBI) [1].
Mask design for the space interferometry mission internal metrology

Heterodyne laser interferometers are used to measure the changes in optical path length of the arms of stellar interferometers. Numerical diffraction analysis is used to design masks, constrained by diffraction, crosstalk, and power loss requirements.
Raccoon Heartworm Causing a Leg Mass

A 29-year-old man from east texas presented with a 3-month history of a large, isolated, painful subcutaneous nodule on his lower right leg. An excisional biopsy showed zones of necrosis in the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous adipose tissue with a neutrophilic infiltrate. The dermis showed a mixed infiltrate with necrotic debris and a non-gravid adult female filarial nematode with a thick, multi-layered cuticle, paired uteri, and an intestine. The histologic features were diagnostic for dirofilaria tenuis, the raccoon heartworm. Dirofilaria tenuis causes heartworm infection in raccoons and infrequently causes human disease. When humans do contract dirofilariasis, the mode of transmission is via a bite from a mosquito infected with dirofilaria larvae. Humans are a dead end host and dirofilaria cannot reproduce in humans, but they do cause various lesions at the site of the mosquito bites. We report a very rare case of human dirofilaria tenuis infection manifesting as a subcutaneous nodule. Dirofilaria tenuis infections are very rare in the U.S., and usually occur in the Southeastern U.S.
Theory And Experiment On Optical Phase Modulator For Serrodyne Modulation

Theoretical and experimental performance of guided wave serrodyne phase modulators formed through indiffusion of Ti into LiNb03 substrates is discussed. Sideband suppres-sion limitations due to the phase modulator, its driving electronics, and the light source spectral characteristics are presented with experimentally demonstrated suppressions of greater than 51 dB showing good agreement with theory.
Abstract LB-228: YAP-dependent induction of amphiregulin identifies a non-cell-autonomous component of the Hippo pathway

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The Hippo signaling pathway was initially identified in Drosophila and components in this pathway are highly conserved in mammals. We and others have recently shown that the Hippo pathway regulates cellular proliferation and survival, thus exerting profound effects on normal cell fate and tumorigenesis. The pivotal effector of this pathway is YAP, a transcriptional co-activator amplified in mouse and human cancers, where it promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and malignant transformation. To date, studies of YAP target genes have focused on cell-autonomous mediators. Here, we show that YAP-expressing MCF10A breast epithelial cells secrete growth factors that enhance the proliferation of neighboring untransfected cells, implicating a non-cell autonomous mechanism. Using cytokine and growth factor array analysis, we identified the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand, amphiregulin (AREG), as a transcriptional target of YAP, whose induction contributes to YAP-mediated cell proliferation and migration. Knockdown of AREG or addition of an EGFR kinase inhibitor abrogates the proliferative effects of YAP expression. Suppression of the negative YAP regulators LATS1/2 is sufficient to induce AREG expression, consistent with a physiological regulation of AREG by the Hippo pathway. Furthermore, genetic interactions between the Drosophila YAP orthologue Yki and Egfr signaling components support the link between these two highly conserved signaling pathways. In conclusion, YAP-dependent secretion of AREG implicates activation of EGFR signaling as an important non-cell autonomous effector of the Hippo pathway, with relevance for the regulation of both physiological and malignant cell proliferation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-228.
Experimental reversal of acute coronary thrombotic occlusion and myocardial injury in animals utilizing streptokinase

Abstract Fresh autologous thrombus, 1.0 to 1.5 ml, was injected into the left anterior descending and/or left diagonal coronary arteries of 19 open-chest dogs to produce evolving acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Thrombotic obstruction was documented by coronary angiography. Multilead epicardial ECGs showed ST segment elevations of affected left ventricular (LV) areas within 2 minutes after thrombus injection, and LV segmental wall cyanosis with hypocontraction was observed within 10 minutes in the myocardial areas supplied by the thrombosed artery. Ten animals then received an initial dose of streptokinase (STK), 250,000 U (intravenous), followed by STK, 1000 to 3000 U/min (intracoronary), while nine control dogs untreated with STK received normal saline infusion. All but one STK-treated animal (all nine animals receiving intracoronary STK) had reestablishment of blood flow in the previously occluded vessels within 1 1 2 hours , disappearance of ventricular cyanosis, return of normal LV contractile function, and normalization of elevated ST segments within 1 hour after intracoronary STK thearpy. In contrast, in the non-STK-treated control group, all animals had continued coronary obstruction, progressive ST elevations, and worsening LV cyanosis and hypocontraction until death or for more than 3 hours post thrombus; three control animals died of ventricular fibrillation (VF) within 1 hour of thrombus occlusion, three more died of VF within 2 hours post thrombus, and only three survived beyond 2 hours post thrombus. Postmortem examination of non-STK-treated animals revealed extensive residual coronary thrombus. All intracoronary STK-treated animals evidenced absence of residual thrombus at postmortem examination. These data provide clinically relevant evidence that early intracoronary STK effects thrombolysis in AMI by reopening coronary vessels occluded by fresh thrombus, thereby protecting myocardium from further ischemia and necrosis, preserving LV function, and also reversing cardiac muscle injury.
Global Motion Assisted Low Complexity Video Encoding for UAV Applications

We design a video encoding scheme that is suited for applications such as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) video surveillance where the encoder complexity needs to be low. Our low complexity encoder predicts frames using the global motion information available in UAVs and thus achieves lower complexity and more than 40% BD-rate savings for fly-over videos compared to a complexity-constrained H.264 encoder with motion estimation restricted to 8 $\times$ 8 blocks and half pixel accuracy. We also incorporate a spectral entropy based bit allocation scheme into this encoder to achieve near constant quality within groups of pictures (GOPs) at the cost of small increases in delay and complexity, and a small drop in compression efficiency. Both these encoders with their corresponding low complexity “matched” decoders provide significant gains of more than 49% BD-rate savings over the Wyner-Ziv based DISCOVER codec which has a low complexity encoder and a high complexity decoder. Furthermore, for videos where the global motion is spatially consistent within 2 $\times$ 2 blocks, we show that the computational complexity of these proposed encoders can be significantly reduced with only about 1% BD-rate increase.
Simulations of Nanotribology with Realistic Probe Tip Models

We present the results of massively parallel molecular dynamics simulations aimed at understanding the nanotribological properties of alkylsilane self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on amorphous silica. In contrast to studies with opposing flat plates, as found in the bulk of the simulation literature, we use a model system with a realistic AFM tip (radius of curvature ranging from 3 to 30 nm) in contact with a SAM-coated silica substrate. We compare the differences in response between systems in which chains are fully physisorbed, fully chemisorbed, and systems with a mixture of the two. Our results demonstrate that the ubiquitous JKR and DMT models do not accurately describe the contact mechanics of these systems. In shear simulations, we find that the chain length has minimal effects on both the friction force and coefficient. The tip radius affects the friction force only (i.e., the coefficient is unchanged) by a constant shift in magnitude due to the increase in pull-off force with increasing radius. We also find that at extremely low loads, on the order of 10 nN, shearing from the tip causes damage to the physisorbed monolayers by removal of molecules.
Local atomic and electronic structures of epitaxial strained LaCoO 3 thin films

We have examined the atomic and electronic structures of perovskite lanthanum cobaltite (LaCoO${}_{3}$) thin films using Co $K$-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. Extended XAFS (EXAFS) demonstrates that a large difference between in-plane and out-of-plane Co-O bond lengths results from tetragonal distortion in highly strained films. The structural distortions are strongly coupled to the hybridization between atomic orbitals of the Co and O atoms, as shown by x-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES). Our results indicate that increased hybridization is not the cause of ferromagnetism in strained LaCoO${}_{3}$ films. Instead, we suggest that the strain-induced distortions of the oxygen octahedra increase the population of ${e}_{g}$ electrons and concurrently depopulate ${t}_{2g}$ electrons beyond a stabilization threshold for ferromagnetic order.
T-cell responses to myelin basic protein in normal and MBP-deficient mice

BALB/c mice are resistant to the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) after immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP). Previous studies of BALB/c mice suggest that MBP-specific T-cells can eventually be cloned from these mice, although they are either initially present in very low frequencies or are functionally anergic. To determine what role endogenous MBP expression plays in shaping the BALB/c T-cell repertoire, MBP-deficient BALB/c mice were constructed by breeding the shiverer (shi/shi) mutation onto the BALB/c background. These mice lack all conventional isoforms of MBP due to a deletion of MBP exons 3-7. Studies of the MBP-directed response of these mice suggest that endogenous MBP expression is directly responsible for EAE resistance in BALB/c mice, by quantitatively affecting expression of the T-cell repertoire. In contrast to wild-type BALB/c T-cells, uncloned T-cells from BALB/c shi/shi mice immunized with MBP proliferate in vitro to MBP and MBP peptides 59-76 and 89-101 and are able to induce severe EAE upon transfer to BALB/c recipients expressing MBP.
Comparison of interferon production in mice by bacterial endotoxin and statolon.

Abstract A comparison has been made of interferon production in mice injected intravenously with Escherichia coli endotoxin or statolon. Similar to previous findings with endotoxin, doses of cycloheximide which effectively blocked protein synthesis did not prevent the appearance of circulating interferon in mice injected with statolon. This finding indicates the existence of this interferon in a preformed state in the intact animal. Mice given two intravenous doses of either endotoxin or statolon, 48 hours apart, showed markedly diminished interferon response to the second injection of only the homologous stimulus. Pretreatment of mice with endotoxin failed to diminish significantly the response to statolon, and prior injection of statolon had no effect on the interferon titer produced with endotoxin. In addition, although endotoxin produced markedly enhanced levels of interferon in mice infected with attenuated tubercle bacilli (BCG), interferon production following different doses of statolon was not significantly different in infected and uninfected mice. These results are interpreted to mean that, although the interferons produced in mice by statolon and endotoxin are both present in a preformed state in the animal and both have similar molecular weights of 90,000, they are released from different cell populations or by different mechanisms.
A comparative analysis of zooplankton field collection and sample enumeration methods

Understanding differences in zooplankton abundance depends on comparing similar data. Scientists employ numerous methods to collect and count freshwater zooplankton, potentially leading to difficulties when comparing studies. As scant information concerning specific biases exists, we quantified how (1) net mesh size and (2) counting techniques influence zooplankton size and abundance estimates. We compared mesh sizes by collecting zooplankton with four vertically hauled nets differing only in mesh size. We examined mesh-size effects on filtration efficiency across a suspended sediment gradient by comparing the known (quantified with a flowmeter) and assumed (from site depth) sample volumes. Finally, eight samples were counted with each of four methods to compare estimates of zooplankton abundance among techniques that differ in the minimum number of individuals counted. We found that only 64-µm mesh nets effectively capture small-bodied zooplankton (small cladocerans, copepod nauplii, and rotifers, mean size = 0.13−0.30 mm) whereas all nets effectively collected larger-bodied zooplankton (mean size > 0.48 mm). All three > 100 µm-mesh nets were > 90% efficient, regardless of suspended solids abundance. In contrast, the 64-µm mesh net was at best 60% efficient; hence, actual volume sampled must be determined to avoid underestimation. We found counting-method-specific shortcomings, particularly for those in which few individuals were counted. We recommend, then, that a moderate number of individuals are counted for many finely resolved taxonomic categories or many individuals are counted for fewer, broader taxonomic categories. Consequently, to directly compare zooplankton densities between studies, scientists need a clear understanding of field collection and laboratory enumeration methods.
InGaN/GaN self-organized quantum dot lasers grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract Blue-and green-emitting quantum dots have been characterized and ridge waveguide lasers incorporating such quantum dots into the active region have been realized. The laser heteroscturctures were grown by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Injected carrier lifetimes in the quantum dots have also been measured by temperature dependent and time resolved photoluminescence. A threshold current density of 930 A/cm 2 in the blue-emitting lasers was measured under pulsed bias. A tunnel injection scheme to inject holes has been incorporated in the design of the green quantum dot lasers, and a threshold current density of 945 A/cm 2 in the green-emitting lasers has been measured under pulsed bias. Slope efficiencies of 0.41 W/A and 0.25 W/A have been measured, corresponding to differential quantum efficiencies of 13.9% and 11.3%, in the blue and green lasers, respectively.
Warping- and inversion-asymmetry-induced cyclotron-harmonic transitions in InSb

Selection rules are obtained for harmonics of the cyclotron resonance transition in InSb, such as $2{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}(\ensuremath{\Delta}n=2,\ensuremath{\Delta}{m}_{s}=0)$, $3{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}(\ensuremath{\Delta}n=3,\ensuremath{\Delta}{m}_{s}=0)$, etc., and spin-shifted harmonics such as $2{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}+{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{s}(\ensuremath{\Delta}n=2,\ensuremath{\Delta}{m}_{s}=\ensuremath{-}1)$, etc., where $\ensuremath{\Delta}n$ and $\ensuremath{\Delta}{m}_{s}$ are the changes in the Landau quantum number and the $z$ component of the spin angular momentum. These transitions are induced by warping and inversion-asymmetry effects. The complete $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}$ Hamiltonian is obtained to second order in $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ and to first order in the applied magnetic field $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{H}}$ for the coupled conduction band (${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{6}$), light- and heavy-hole valence bands (${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{8}$) and split-off valence band (${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{7}$). This Hamiltonian treats the interactions with higher bands as second-order perturbations, and includes terms proportional to three new parameters which arise from the spin-orbit splitting of these higher bands. A group-theoretical analysis is carried out for $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{H}}$ in the (1\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}10) plane including ${k}_{H}\ensuremath{\ne}0$, ${k}_{H}$ being the momentum component along the direction of the applied magnetic field. The selection rules for the intra-conduction-band transition $2{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}$, $2{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}+{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{s}$, and $3{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}$ are in agreement with experiment but with one important exception: that a strong $2{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}$ transition observed for $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{H}}\ensuremath{\parallel}[001]$ in the polarization $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{E}}\ensuremath{\perp}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{H}}$ is not predicted by the above group-theoretical analysis.
POLICE SUBCULTURE RECONSIDERED

Most comprehensive discussions of the police acknowledge the inability of legal and bureaucratic regulations to determine officer behavior. Attention is turned instead toward the informal norms developed within the police subculture. These discussions, however, tend to overstress the chasm between the formal and informal. They also provide inadequate tools for understanding differentiation, conflict, and change within police departments. I address these shortcomings here by mobilizing a particular conceptualization of the term “normative order”—as a set of rules and practices oriented around a central value. Six such orders are crucial to policing: law, bureaucratic control, adventure/machismo, safety, competence, and morality. I illustrate the importance of each by drawing upon ethnographic observations of the Los Angeles Police Department, and explain how my conceputalization offers a comprehensive yet flexible means to understand the social world of policing.
Maximum Likelihood Set for Estimating a Probability Mass Function

We propose a new method for estimating the probability mass function (pmf) of a discrete and finite random variable from a small sample. We focus on the observed counts—the number of times each value appears in the sample—and define the maximum likelihood set (MLS) as the set of pmfs that put more mass on the observed counts than on any other set of counts possible for the same sample size. We characterize the MLS in detail in this article. We show that the MLS is a diamond-shaped subset of the probability simplex [0,1]k bounded by at most k × (k–1) hyper-planes, where k is the number of possible values of the random variable. The MLS always contains the empirical distribution, as well as a family of Bayesian estimators based on a Dirichlet prior, particularly the well-known Laplace estimator. We propose to select from the MLS the pmf that is closest to a fixed pmf that encodes prior knowledge. When using Kullback-Leibler distance for this selection, the optimization problem comprises finding the minimum of a convex function over a domain defined by linear inequalities, for which standard numerical procedures are available. We apply this estimate to language modeling using Zipf's law to encode prior knowledge and show that this method permits obtaining state-of-the-art results while being conceptually simpler than most competing methods.
CONTACTLESS ELECTRODEPOSITION OF PALLADIUM CATALYSTS

Site-selective electrodeposition of catalytically active metals on electrically conducting support particles was achieved by polarization with an electric field in a nonconductive matrix in the presence of metal salt solutions. The transmission electron micrograph shows a graphite particle to which Pd and Au were applied sequentially to opposite ends by reversing the direction of the electric field.
PCTE interfaces: supporting tools in software-engineering environments

A description is given of a public tool interface, the ESPRIT Portable Common Tool Environment (PCTE). The aim of the project was to define an interface for the software developed in ESPRIT and to provide a prototype implementation. The PCTE project produced several versions of the prototype implementation and has been used as the basis for several other projects. The facilities of PCTE Version 1.5 are described. >
Food Safety and Regulation: Evaluation of an Online Multimedia Course.

: The effectiveness of, and student attitudes toward, an online Food Safety and Regulation course (WEB) were compared with lecture (LECTURE) and combined lecture/online (COMBINED) courses. All students took identical pre-tests, post-tests, and attitude assessments. No significant differences were detected in pre-test scores. Post-test results for WEB, LECTURE, and COMBINED groups were 65.9±3.02, 67.1±2.62, and 73.5±2.59 (mean±SEM), respectively. After controlling for the pretest, the COMBINED score was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the LECTURE and WEB scores. Some student attitude scores in the LECTURE and COMBINED groups were better than the WEB group. The results indicate that students perform as well in the Web-based course as the lecture-based course and that student performance is maximized by combining online and lecture methods.
Abstract 1440: Mechanisms of TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast/CAF differentiation in human prostate-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Reactive stroma in prostate cancer is typified by the co-evolution of myofibroblasts/CAFs. This reactive stroma is associated with most human carcinoma and is predictive of progression. TGF-β1 is a key factor in regulating reactive stroma biology. However, the origin of myofibroblasts and the mechanisms of how TGF-β1 recruits, activates and induces their differentiation are essentially unknown. We have identified mesenchymal stem cells from normal human prostate gland and evaluated their biology in a novel 3D co-culture system. Human prostate-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hpMSCs) were CD44+/CD90+, expressed other mesenchymal stem cell genes, and exhibited multipotent differentiation patterns. When co-cultured with LNCaP cells in Millicell-CM inserts or co-inoculated in nude mice, self-organizing organoids formed with a core of stromal cells and a peripheral mantel of LNCaP cells. To investigate the role of TGF-β1, the hpMSCs were co-cultured with LNCaP cells engineered to overexpress active TGF-β1. Significantly, LNCaP cells engineered to overexpress TGF-β1 induced hpMSC differentiation to prototypical reactive stroma myofibroblasts. Microarray analysis of stroma revealed 1617 gene probes with more than a 2 fold-change in the presence of TGF-β1, showing that expression of TGF-β1 in LNCaP cells drives differential gene expression in hpMSCs. Of those gene expression profiles, RUNX1 and ID1 were identified as key transcription factors in hpMSCs that mediate TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation. Knockdown of RUNX1 in hpMSCs significantly promoted differentiation to myofibroblasts. Conversely, overexpression of RUNX1 inhibited a myofibroblast gene expression signature. Together, these data implicate RUNX1 as a major regulator of the stem cell state of tissue-derived myofibroblast stem/progenitor cells and therefore a modulator of the co-evolution of reactive stroma. Furthermore, ID1 may function as a negative regulator of reactive stroma formation by promoting proliferation of transiently amplifying cells and inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation. Our data show that reactive stroma in prostate cancer initiates from activation and differentiation of CD44+/CD90+ endogenous hpMSCs through TGF-β1/RUNX1/ID1 pathway. Understanding these mechanisms is important for developing new strategies to target the microenvironment niche. Citation Format: Woosook Kim, David Barron, Rebeca San Martin, Steven Ressler, David Rowley. Mechanisms of TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast/CAF differentiation in human prostate-derived mesenchymal stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1440. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1440
A maximal background spectrum of gravitational radiation

A maximal spectrum of gravitational radiation from sources outside our galaxy is calculated. The sources are galaxies, quasars and events that occur in the early history of the universe. The major contribution is from galaxies whose effect extends over the frequency region 10−8≤ν≤10+4Hz, peaking at 10−1≤ν≤10 Hz, with a spectral flux of 10 erg cm−2, s−1. The main processes of gravitational radiation in the galaxies are stellar collapse into a black hole and dying binary systems. In the region 10−4≤ν≤104 Hz the background spectrum is well above the detection levels of currently proposed detectors. FromMinimal considerations of this spectrum it is determined that the density of gravitational radiation is ϱ≥10−39g cm−3. This background spectrum is sensitive to galactic evolution and especially sensitive to the upper mass limits and mass distribution of stars in galactic models. Therefore, the spectrum could provide information about galactic evolution complementary to that obtained by electromagnetic investigations.
Chemical potentials and related thermodynamic properties of molten Na-Cs and Na-Bi alloys

Reports detailed data on the chemical potential of Na in molten Na-Bi and Na-Cs alloys. The measurements employed an electrochemical cell with beta alumina as the electrolyte. The concentration range was from 0 to 50 at.% Na in Bi and from 20 to 30 at.% Na in Cs. The temperature range was from the liquidus to 600 degrees C in the Bi system and from the liquidus to 150 degrees C in the Cs alloy. The latter measurements were extended very close to the eutectic at -29 degrees C. The Na-Bi system exhibits strong deviations from ideality at all but the most dilute Na concentrations while the Na-Cs system is very close to ideal throughout the range studied.
Improvement of spectral resolution in the presence of periodic noise and microphonics for hyper-pure germanium detector gamma-ray spectrometry using a new digital filter

A new digital filter has been investigated for removing low-frequency periodic noise from the output signal of hyper-pure germanium detectors (HPGe). Sources of noise examined include microphonics and simulated low-frequency noise (via input sinusoidal wave forms). In this paper, three distinctly different detector/mechanical-cooler combinations were investigated. Removal of the periodic noise induced from “outside” environmental sources, such as ground loops, is investigated using an input sinusoidal wave generator. The LFR not only improved spectral resolution across all energies in two of three detector/mechanical cooler combinations, but also removed simulated periodic noise from 100 to 3 kHz.
The Proteins Elafin, Filaggrin, Keratin Intermediate Filaments, Loricrin, and Small Proline-rich Proteins 1 and 2 Are Isodipeptide Cross-linked Components of the Human Epidermal Cornified Cell Envelope

The cornified cell envelope (CE) is a 15-nm thick layer of insoluble protein deposited on the intracellular side of the cell membrane of terminally differentiated stratified squamous epithelia. The CE is thought to consist of a complex amalgam of proteins cross-linked by isodipeptide bonds formed by the action of transglutaminases, but little is known about how or in which order the several putative proteins are cross-linked together. In this paper, CEs purified from human foreskin epidermis were digested in two steps by proteinase K, which released as soluble peptides about 30% and then another 35% of CE protein mass, corresponding to approximately the outer third (cytoplasmic surface) and middle third, respectively. Following fractionation, 145 unique peptides containing two or more sequences cross-linked by isodipeptide bond(s) were sequenced. Based on these data, most (94% molar mass) of the outer third of CE structure consists of intra- and interchain cross-linked loricrin, admixed with SPR1 and SPR2 proteins as bridging cross-links between loricrin. Likewise, the middle third of CE structure consists largely of cross-linked loricrin and SPR proteins, but is mixed with the novel protein elafin which also forms cross-bridges between loricrin. In addition, cross-links involving loricrin and keratins 1, 2e, and 10 or filaggrin were recovered in both levels. The data establish for the first time that these several proteins are indeed cross-linked protein components of the CE structure. In addition, the data support a model for the intermediate to final stages of CE assembly: the proteins elafin, SPR1 and SPR2, and loricrin begin to be deposited on a preformed scaffold; later, elafin deposition decreases as loricrin and SPR accumulation continues to effect final assembly. The recovery of cross-links involving keratins further suggests that the subjacent cytoplasmic keratin intermediate filament-filaggrin network is anchored to the developing CE during these events.