cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alcohol and other drug use among adolescent detainees

This paper seeks to describe alcohol and other drug use among a sample of 2280 male and female adolescent detainees at two state juvenile justice facilities. Substance use was explored by age of initiation, race/ethnicity, gender, delinquent behaviours, and recidivism. Results indicated that alcohol and marijuana were the substances of choice, followed by powder cocaine and ecstasy and other designer drugs. Alcohol use also preceded marijuana use for both males and females. Males engaged in more alcohol and other drug use than females, and they engaged in marijuana use at a younger age. White adolescents reported more alcohol use than adolescents in all other racial/ethnic categories, while there were no differences in marijuana use. White adolescents, however, were younger when they began using marijuana. Finally, adolescents who engaged in alcohol and other drug use reported more delinquent activities and were more likely to have been detained previously. The results of this study are discussed in the c...
Metformin inhibits the TCA cycle and fatty acid synthesis in MIAPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells

M.J. Cantoria , L.G. Boros , E.J. Meuillet . Dept. of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA 2 SiDMAP, LLC, Los Angeles, CA, USA Harbor-UCLA Research and Education Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, Torrance, CA, USA Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, USA Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy that is very difficult to diagnose and treat. Systemic treatment of pancreatic cancer, either with a single agent or a combination of agents, has shown only modest benefits. Epidemiological studies have reported a lower incidence of pancreatic cancer in diabetics treated with the biguanide metformin but the mechanism bywhich it exerts its putative anti-cancer effects has yet to be elucidated. Using 1,2-13C glucose labeling we show for the first time that metformin (100mM) exerts metabolic control on the pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC-3 (WT KRAS) and MIAPaCa-2 (G12C-KRAS). Compared to control MIAPaCa-2 cells, metformin inhibits tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle turnover in cells grown in media supplemented with 1mM cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS), as indicated by decreased CO2 production in the MIAPaCa-2-CHS-metformin group (8.70+0.82 vs 5.31+0.82, p1⁄40.01). Compared to their cell line-specific controls, metformin increases extracellular lactate labeling in CHS-BxPC-3 (8.79+0.78 vs 11.11+0.45, p1⁄40.02) and CHS-MIAPaCa-2 (10.75+0.65 vs 17.79+1.31 vs, p1⁄40.004) cells, providing evidence that metformin prevents pyruvate from entering the TCA cycle. Metformin also inhibits succinate formation and the activities of pyruvate dehydrogenase and pyruvate carboxylase as measured by glutamate labeling. Metformin decreases new fatty acid synthesis in CHStreated BxPC-3 (3.86+0.42 vs 8.17+0.78, p1⁄40.002) and MIAPaCa-2 (11.30+0.81 vs 15.30+0.96, p1⁄40.006) compared to the groups that were not metformin-treated. Understanding the mechanism behind the phenotypic differences in metformin's control of metabolic fluxes in these two cell lines will help support the application of metformin as a potential anticancer drug and potentially discover novel drug targets for pancreatic cancer.
The prebiotic synthesis of acrolein

Acrolein is a central intermediate in the prebiotic synthesis of several amino acids, pentaerythritol, as well as various postulated alternative genetic materials. Acrolein is highly reactive so that its steady-state concentration could not have been very high. The ease of synthesis of acrolein from the aqueous aldol condensation of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde was therefore of interest. It is shown here that acrolein is produced in a low, but significant, steady-state concentration from very dilute solutions of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde under neutral to basic conditions. Acrolein is produced under conditions that are too dilute for the oligomerization of formaldehyde to produce carbohydrates. The implications of these findings for prebiotic chemical evolution are discussed.
A data-driven approach to establishing microstructure–property relationships in porous transport layers of polymer electrolyte fuel cells

The diffusion media (DM) has been shown to be a vital component for performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). The DM has a dual-layer structure composed of a macro-substrate referred to as the gas diffusion layer (GDL) coated with a micro-porous layer (MPL). Efficient prediction of the effective transport properties of the DM from its internal structure is essential to optimizing the multifunctional characteristics of this critical component. In this work, a unique data-driven approach to establishing structure–property correlations is introduced and applied to the case of gas diffusion in the GDL and MPL. This new approach provides an automated process to produce unbiased estimators to microstructural variance, in contrast to many process-related (hence biased) parameters employed by prominent correlations in the field. The present approach starts with a rigorous quantification of microstructure in the form of n-point statistics. It is followed by the identification of the key aspects of the internal structure through the use of principle component analysis. A data-driven correlation is established when the principal components are related to effective diffusivity by multivariate linear regression. This data-driven approach is compared to the conventional correlations and shown to achieve a very high accuracy for capturing the diffusive transport in the tested PEFC components.
Initiation of cationic polymerization by tetramethylene zwitterions from tetracyanocyclobutanes

The initiating ability of tetramethylene zwitterions formed from cyclobutane adducts of donor olefins with TCNE was investigated. Polar solvents increased the ability of vinyl ether-TCNE cyclobutane adducts to initiate the cationic polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole. The concept of charge separation in the tetramethylene zwitterions was also investigated.
Interferon-α induces dendritic cell differentiation of CML mononuclear cells in vitro and in vivo

The ability of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) to induce dendritic cell (DC) differentiation in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was evaluated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CML patients cultured with IFN-alpha and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) developed a dendritic morphology. Fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated that the DCs harbored the bcr/abl translocation. The DCs prepared with IFN-alpha/GM-CSF expressed significantly higher levels of class I and II HLA than those grown in interleukin-4 (IL-4) and GM-CSF. The DCs prepared from newly diagnosed CML patients using IFN-alpha/GM-CSF expressed immunoregulatory proteins at levels comparable to normal DCs. In contrast, DCs cultured from CML patients who did not achieve a cytogenetic response to IFN-alpha expressed significantly lower levels of class I HLA, CD40, CD54, CD80 and CD86 than normal DCs. The expression of CD86 by CML DCs was enhanced when they were cultured with IFN-alpha/IL-4/GM-CSF, or when IFN-alpha/GM-CSF-treated cells were induced to mature by CD40 ligand. The DCs from IFN-alpha failures were less stimulatory than normal DCs in the allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction. CML patients who had a cytogenetic response to IFN-alpha initially had low numbers of bone marrow DCs that increased significantly with treatment, while nonresponders had more prevalent DCs at baseline that showed no consistent change with treatment. Therefore, IFN-alpha can induce DC differentiation from CML progenitor cells both in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic activity of IFN-alpha in CML may be due to its ability to stimulate the generation of DCs that can present CML-specific antigens. Resistance to IFN-alpha may result when DC differentiation becomes impaired.
The Role of Brain Imaging in SCI-Related Pain

Background: The role of brain imaging in the management of spinal cord injury (SCI)-related pain is still untapped but holds great promise. Objective: To provide a multidisciplinary framework for the use of various imaging techniques in SCI pain research and to describe changes in relevant brain structures implicated in the experience of pain. Method: A review of medical literature associated with acute and chronic pain, chronic SCI-related pain, relevant brain structures involved in the processing of pain, and various imaging techniques was performed using the PubMed database. Results: The present article provides a brief overview of the topic and is organized in the following manner: (1) introduction to chronic pain in SCI; (2) processing of pain; (3) common methods used for imaging of the brain in pain studies; (4) mechanisms of neuropathic pain; (5) role of specific brain areas based on research findings; (6) usefulness of imaging techniques in longitudinal studies and in clinical trials; and (7) conc...
Accurate in vitro splicing of human β-globin RNA

Human beta-globin RNA transcribed from an exogenous DNA template is spliced in vitro by concentrated whole cell extracts from HeLa cells. Using the primer extension technique, we have shown that the small intervening sequence is spliced accurately and that the sequence of the product across the splice junction is identical to that of beta-globin mRNA prepared from human reticulocytes. The efficiency of the splicing reaction is low. The RNA transcript containing both introns and terminated upstream from the polyadenylation site is spliced most efficiently. The transcript which is terminated downstream from the polyadenylation site is not spliced at all. Thalassemic beta-globin RNA which carries an extra splice site in the small intron is also spliced, albeit with a low yield.
Elliptical Dichroism of High Harmonics Emitted from Aligned Molecules

By analyzing the polarization of harmonics emitted by aligned molecules driven by elliptically-polarized driving laser fields, we observe a structure-dependent dichroism. This suggests that electron dynamics within the molecule influence high harmonic generation.
Christian Higher Education: Global Challenges, Local Practices

For the great majority of this journal's readers, the most common images of Christian higher education are those coming from North America. They imagine, perhaps, the leafy campus of a Protestant l...
Localization of products of endogenous proteolysis in lysosomes of perfused rat liver.

Summary The subcellular distribution of endogenous proteolysis was determined in perfused rat liver prelabeled with L-[1-14C]leucine; most of the activity was found in the mitochondrial-lysosome (M + L) fraction. Further separation by isopycnic centrifugation of the M + L fraction from unincubated homogenates revealed a peak of trichloracetic acid soluble radioactivity which overlaid the lysosomal marker enzyme peak and was separate from mitochondria. When lysosomal density was decreased by giving Triton WR-1339 in vivo , both the enzyme and radioactivity peaks moved to the lighter gradient fractions. Since unlabeled M + L material failed to take up radioactivity from labeled supernatants, the results indicate that the lysosome is a site of endogenous proteolysis.
Immunoisolation of caveolae with high affinity antibody binding to the oligomeric caveolin cage. Toward understanding the basis of purification.

Defining the molecular composition of caveolae is essential in establishing their molecular architecture and functions. Here, we identify a high affinity monoclonal antibody that is specific for caveolin-1α and rapidly binds caveolin oligomerized around intact caveolae. We use this antibody (i) to develop a new simplified method for rapidly isolating caveolae from cell and tissue homogenates without using the silica-coating technology and (ii) to analyze various caveolae isolation techniques to understand how they work and why they yield different compositions. Caveolae are immunoisolated from rat lung plasma membrane fractions subjected to mechanical disruption. Sonication of plasma membranes, isolated with or without silica coating, releases caveolae along with other similarly buoyant microdomains and, therefore, requires immunoisolations to purify caveolae. Shearing of silica-coated plasma membranes provides a homogeneous population of caveolae whose constituents (i) remain unchanged after immunoisolation, (ii) all fractionate bound to the immunobeads, and (iii) appear equivalent to caveolae immunoisolated after sonication. The caveolae immunoisolated from different low density fractions are quite similar in molecular composition. They contain a subset of key signaling molecules (i.e. G protein and endothelial nitric oxide synthase) and are markedly depleted in glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins, β-actin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme. All caveolae isolated from the cell surface of lung microvascular endothelium in vivo appear to be coated with caveolin-1α. Caveolin-1β and -2 can also exist in these same caveolae. The isolation and analytical procedures as well as the time-dependent dissociation of signaling molecules from caveolae contribute to key compositional differences reported in the literature for caveolae. This new, rapid, magnetic immunoisolation procedure provides a consistent preparation for use in the molecular analysis of caveolae.
Variational approach to the conformation of flexible polymers in solution

Approximate solutions to the self‐consistent reference interaction‐site model (RISM) integral equation theory of polymer liquids are employed to study the conformational properties of flexible polymers as a function of density and chain length. The nonlinear nature of the expression describing the medium‐induced potential between two sites along the polymer chain necessitates the use of approximate methods to determine the intrachain pair‐correlation function consistent with the interchain packing. In the limiting case where the polymer segment hard‐core diameter approaches zero and the number of interaction sites comprising the chain goes to infinity, with the segment volume fraction held fixed, the intrachain pair correlation function is determined through a Feynman variational procedure for the effective free energy of a single chain in solution. The screening of the excluded volume interactions and the corresponding reduction of the polymer dimensions as a function of both polymer density and chain length is systematically studied with the results being in good agreement with scaling predictions. In addition, the variational method is successfully extended to chains having finite hard‐core diameters, with the predictions of the theory comparing favorably with existing theories for polymer solutions based on field theoretic approaches.
Measurement of the Lamb-shift in hydrogen-like oxygen

Abstract Preliminary results have been obtained for the Lamb-shift in hydrogen-like oxygen by the anisotropy method. For these measurements, 32 MeV O5+ ions were obtained from the KSU EN tandem accelerator. The beam was excited by passage through a thin ( 2s 1 2 state. This beam was passed through a small prequenching magnetic field into a quenching chamber which has two proportional counter detectors viewing about 2 cm of the beam. One detector views parallel to a Stark mixing field and the other perpendicular to it. The Stark mixing field is obtained from the motional electric field as the beam ions pass through an applied magnetic field. The mean results from 35 separate determinations to date are: the anisotropy ratio R = 0.07246±0.00048, and the Lamb-shift S = 2192±15 GHz, in agreement with theory.
Arcanobacterium haemolyticum pharyngitis and peritonsillar abscess

Abstract A. haemolyticum may easily evade detection in routine bacterial culture as a result of its slow growth, coryneform appearance on the Grant stain, and minimal hemolytic activity on conventional media such as sheep blood agar. Increased detection of A. haemolyticum in patients with pharyngitis can be accomplished if human blood agar plates are used instead of sheep blood agar and the plates are incubated for at least 48 h (1). Misidentification of A. haemolyticum as a streptococcus based on hemolysis or a Cornyebacterium spp. based on the Gram strain could conceivably result; however, a careful examination of the Gram strain (slightly curved gram-positive rods) combined with a negative catalase reaction should aid in the identification of this unique organism. Technologies should not dismiss catalase-negative, beta-hemolytic diptheroid-like organisms too quickly. Correlation of the Gram strain, combined with isolation of coryneforms in significant numbers, should prompt further identification tests to rule out A. haemolyticum . Technologists can make a presumptive identification of A. haemolyticum on the basis of isolation of slightly curved, catalase-negative, coryneform rods that are beta-hemolytic and DNase-positive. The API Quadferm test is useful to screen isolates for DNase production and provide preliminary carbohydrate fermentation results. Banck and Nyman report that one-third of their patients had recurrent tonsillitis (3). In consideration of the penicillin tolerance displayed by this organism (10), this fact is not surprising. Rash development in patients given penicillin may be interpreted as allergy to the drug, and in the absence of knowledge of the clinical presentation of A. haemolyticum disease, some patients may be misdiagnosed as having scarlet fever, diphtheria, toxic shock syndrome, viral exanthem, or RMSF (3), as was the case with our first patient. Considering these facts and the frequency with which penicillins are prescribed for pharyngitis or tonsillitis, the importance of accurate identification of A. haemolyticum and consultation with the physician to ensure appropriate therapy becomes very clear. The interested reader is referred to an excellent review article by Clarridge for additional information on A. haemolyticum (1).
Electrical and Differential Scanning Calorimetry Studies of Poly(Ethylene Oxide) Complexed with Alkaline Earth Thiocyanates.

Audio-frequency dielectric relaxation measurements and differential scanning calorimetry studies have been performed on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) complexed with calcium and barium thiocyanate. The measurements were performed over the temperature range 5.5-300 K. The relaxation spectrum for the complexed material consists of two peaks. The activation enthalpy for the peak corresponding to the γ relaxation of pure PEO depends upon the size of the dopant cation. The activation enthalpy for the second peak is independent of the nature of the dopant cation and is very similar to that observed for the αc relaxation observed in pure PEO. Furthermore, the room-temperature electrical conductivity of the complexed materials is much smaller than that for pure PEO and hence very much less than for PEO-complexed with alkali-metal salts. However, above Tg the conductivity rises rapidly and is larger for the barium-thiocyanate-complexed PEO than for the calcium-complexed material. Finally, the DSC studies show that one effect of the ions is to shift the glass transition to higher temperatures.
Surface and Orientation Dependence on Performance of Trigated Silicon Nanowire pMOSFETs

Impact of surface and transport, orientation on hole transport in p-type silicon nanowire MOSFET has been studied using atomistic 10-band sp3s*-SO tight-binding valence band model along with semi classical ballistic top-of-the-barrier approach for tri-gated devices. (100) and (110) surface orientations for and transport orientations were studied. Study of channel current and charge show that, due to heavy hole mass anisotropy, different confinement surfaces impact device performance differently. Keywords-component; nanowire, p-mos, top-of-the-barrier, tight binding, holes, valence-bands, transistor, injection-velocity, anisotropy
Clinical benefits of low serum digoxin concentrations in heart failure.

Abstract Objectives We sought to determine whether there was a relationship between serum digoxin concentration (SDC), including SDCs typically regarded as low, and clinical efficacy related to digoxin in patients with symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. Background Digitalis glycosides have been used for 200 years in the treatment of heart failure (HF), but the SDC required for optimal clinical efficacy and acceptable toxicity remains controversial. Methods This relationship was investigated by utilizing data from two randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, digoxin-withdrawal trials: the Prospective Randomized study Of Ventricular failure and Efficacy of Digoxin (PROVED) and the Randomized Assessment of Digoxin on Inhibitors of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (RADIANCE). Major end points were worsening HF, change in left ventricular ejection fraction and treadmill time after randomization. The primary analysis investigated the relationship between SDC at randomization and these end points. A secondary categorical analysis compared these end points in patients who discontinued digoxin versus patients who continued digoxin and had low (0.5 to 0.9 ng/ml), moderate (0.9 to 1.2 ng/ml) or high (>1.2 ng/ml) SDCs at randomization. Results Multiple regression analysis failed to find a relationship between randomization SDC, considered as a continuous variable, and any study end point (all p > 0.236). Multivariable Cox analysis found that the risk of worsening HF was significantly less (all p Conclusions The beneficial effects of digoxin on common clinical end points in patients with HF were similar, regardless of SDC.
Photonic-Plasmonic Scattering Resonances in Deterministic Aperiodic Structures

In this paper, we combine experimental dark-field scattering spectroscopy and accurate electrodynamics calculations to investigate the scattering properties of two-dimensional plasmonic lattices based on the concept of aperiodic order. In particular, by discussing visible light scattering from periodic, Fibonacci, Thue-Morse and Rudin-Shapiro lattices fabricated by electron-beam lithography on transparent quartz substrates, we demonstrate that deterministic aperiodic Au nanoparticle arrays give rise to broad plasmonic resonances spanning the entire visible spectrum. In addition, we show that far-field diffractive coupling is responsible for the formation of characteristic photonic-plasmonic scattering modes in aperiodic arrays of metal nanoparticles. Accurate scattering simulations based on the generalized Mie theory approach support our experimental results. The possibility of engineering complex metal nanoparticle arrays with distinctive plasmonic resonances extending across the entire visible spectrum can have a significant impact on the design and fabrication of novel nanodevices based on broadband plasmonic enhancement.
A Holographic System for Use in the Ocean

This article presents an extension of the simultaneous receiver-transmitter scanned holographic system which recently has been described in the literature.8 Such a system shows promise in probing large, uncontrolled media such as the ocean, and could therefore become a new technological tool for underwater exploration. This paper reports a computer study simulating the operation of such a system.
A precise and minimally invasive approach to optogenetics in the awake primate

Optogenetics has proven to be a powerful tool for understanding the function of specific cell types and circuits within the central nervous system and establishing a causal link between their activity and behavior. Its application in non-human primates has been slow to develop. One challenge has been the damage caused by transdural delivery of viruses and light to the brain. Here, we report optogenetic activation of neuronal responses in the alert and behaving monkey after replacement of the native dura with a transparent artificial dura. This approach enables the use of fine glass micropipettes to inject virus with minimal damage and transdural illumination, obviating the damage that would otherwise occur as a result of lowering optical fibers into the brain. It also permits visualization of the underlying cortical micro-vasculature, which has proven to be helpful in targeting electrodes and laser illumination to the virus location. This approach promises to greatly assist in the dissection of cortical circuits underlying visual perception and behavior.
An essential farnesylated kinesin in Trypanosoma brucei.

Kinesins are a family of motor proteins conserved throughout eukaryotes. In our present study we characterize a novel kinesin, KinesinCaaX, orthologs of which are only found in the kinetoplastids and not other eukaryotes. KinesinCaaX has the CVIM amino acids at the C-terminus, and CVIM was previously shown to be an ideal signal for protein farnesylation in T. brucei. In this study we show KinesinCaaX is farnesylated using radiolabeling studies and that farnesylation is dependent on the CVIM motif. Using RNA interference, we show KinesinCaaX is essential for T. brucei proliferation. Additionally RNAi KinesinCaaX depleted T. brucei are 4 fold more sensitive to the protein farneysltransferase (PFT) inhibitor LN-59, suggesting that KinesinCaaX is a target of PFT inhibitors' action to block proliferation of T. brucei. Using tetracycline-induced exogenous tagged KinesinCaaX and KinesinCVIMdeletion (non-farnesylated Kinesin) expression lines in T. brucei, we demonstrate KinesinCaaX is farnesylated in T. brucei cells and this farnesylation has functional effects. In cells expressing a CaaX-deleted version of Kinesin, the localization is more diffuse which suggests correct localization depends on farnesylation. Through our investigation of cell cycle, nucleus and kinetoplast quantitation and immunofluorescence assays an important role is suggested for KinesinCaaX in the separation of nuclei and kinetoplasts during and after they have been replicated. Taken together, our work suggests KinesinCaaX is a target of PFT inhibition of T. brucei cell proliferation and KinesinCaaX functions through both the motor and farnesyl groups.
Summary of Recent Work on Reduction Techniques Applied to Electromechanical Modeling

This manuscript summarizes progress made toward automated low-order, physics-based modeling techniques for electromechanical devices. These techniques begin with reliable high-order models and extract mathematically a reduced model that preserves the most important dynamic characteristics. Linear and nonlinear model order reduction techniques are set forth. Examples for several aspects of electromechanics such as eddy currents, 3-D effects, saturation, hysteresis, laminated stacks, and relative motion are explored.
Neuronal migration defects in the Loa dynein mutant mouse

Background Cytoplasmic dynein and its regulatory proteins have been implicated in neuronal and non-neuronal cell migration. A genetic model for analyzing the role of cytoplasmic dynein specifically in these processes has, however, been lacking. The Loa (Legs at odd angles) mouse with a mutation in the dynein heavy chain has been the focus of an increasing number of studies for its role in neuron degeneration. Despite the location of this mutation in the tail domain of the dynein heavy chain, we previously found a striking effect on coordination between the two dynein motor domains, resulting in a defect in dynein run length in vitro and in vivo.
Mouse urine collection using clear plastic wrap.

Qualitative urinalysis using Multistix reagent strips for the detection of urinary pH, protein, glucose, bilirubin, blood, ketone, urobilinogen and creatinine can be carried out with a few drops of mouse urine. The use of metabolic cages is not practical for such qualitative studies particularly when several animals are involved. Here we describe two different methods for collecting pure mouse urine. The single animal method (SAM) involves allowing a single mouse to urinate on Glad® cling wrap outside of the animal cage. The multiple animal method (MAM)involves partitioning seven mice into seven different make-shift compartments laid out on top of the cling wrap and allowing them to urinate. The voided urine, in each case, is then aspirated into micro-centrifuge tubes using a Pipetman. Without coercion pure urine was obtained as early as 12 s. Volumes in the range of 10–250 μl were obtained. Modifications of the SAM could prove useful for rat or mouse urine collection under conditions of microgravity.
Studies of laminin and type IV collagen in blisters of porphyria cutanea tarda and drug-induced pseudoporphyria

Blisters from five patients with porphyria cutanea tarda and two patients with drug-induced pseudoporphyria were examined by direct immunofluorescence and by immunofluorescence mapping with antibodies against laminin and type IV collagen to determine the level of subepidermal separation. Primary screening by direct immunofluorescence revealed the characteristic immune deposits in the vessel walls of the upper dermal plexus in all cases and at the dermoepidermal junction in five of seven cases. Type IV collagen and laminin were reactive in six and five cases, respectively, and appeared in the floor of the bulla. The findings were identical in porphyria and pseudoporphyria. In one case in which the bullous pemphigoid antigen could be detected, it appeared in the epidermal roof of the bulla. These findings indicate that the split in porphyria and pseudoporphyria occurs in the lamina lucida. We propose that a multistep mechanism involved in the induction of blisters may be similar in porphyria and pseudoporphyria.
INTRINSIC REGULATION OF HEMOGLOBIN EXPRESSION BY VARIABLE SUBUNIT INTERFACE STRENGTHS

The expression of the six types of human Hb subunits over time is currently considered to be regulated mainly by transcription factors that bind to upstream control regions of the gene (the ‘extrinsic’ component of regulation). Here, we describe how subunit pairing and further assembly to tetramers in the liganded state is influenced by the affinity of subunits for one another (the ‘intrinsic’ component of regulation). The adult Hb dimers have the strongest subunit interfaces and the embryonic Hbs the weakest, with fetal Hbs being of intermediate strength, corresponding to the temporal order of their expression. These variable subunit binding strengths and the attenuating effects of acetylation contribute to the differences with which these Hb types form functional O2-binding tetramers consistent with gene switching.
A New Development Technology? South Asian Biometrics and the Promise of State Security and Economic Opportunity

This paper examines the intra- and inter-state usage of biometrics as a “new” technology of development and neoliberal security in South Asia. We view developmental use of biometrics as a tool for integrating the vast majority of poor and marginalized people as visible and calculable economic subjects. We examine the ways in which biometrics translates people into data for the purposes of state, security, and economic legibility. In this paper, we explore biometrics at the intersection of geopolitics, biopolitics, and development to highlight the promise and pitfalls of “technological progress” as a new development strategy.
Quantization of the solvent effect on the adsorption of poly-γ-benzyl-l-glutamate

Abstract The isothermal adsorption of poly-γ-benzyl- l -glutamate (PBLG) onto alkali-halide (100) surfaces has been studied, with special consideration given to the role of solvent. The solvent effect was empirically quantized using a two-dimensional (polar/nonpolar) solubility parameter. The nonpolar component (δd) has been correlated with PBLG solubility. The polar component (δa) was correlated with the state of aggregation of PBLG in solution, as well as with the adsorption behavior of PBLG onto alkali-halides. PBLG having a molecular weight ≅300,000 was found to be soluble in solvents and solvent mixtures having δd in the range of 8.0–9.3 (cal/cm 3 ) 1 2 and simultaneously having δa in the range of 1.0–8.7 (cal/cm 3 ) 1 2 . Pure solvents with low δa values (e.g., δa ≅ 1.0) allow the formation of liquid crystalline phases of PBLG, while PBLG is completely unaggregated in solvents with δa ≥ 5.2. The amount of adsorption of PBLG onto alkalihalides decreases with increasing δa of the solvent.
Dynamic programming generation of curves on brain surfaces

Dynamic programming algorithms are presented for automated generation of length minimizing geodesics and curves of extremal curvature on the neocortex of the macaque and the visible human. Probabilistic models of curve variation are constructed in terms of the variability in speed, curvature, and torsion in the Frenet representation.
The ins and outs of organic farming.

Goklany stated that 20 % lower crop yields in organic farming would require 25 % more land use to produce the same amount of crop biomass, offsetting some of the advantages of organic agriculture with respect to biological diversity, inputs, and soil erosion, and that the experimental yields are not typical. Furthermore, he indicates that organic farming might not be sufficient to feed the world.
Computer-aided analysis of infrared, circular dichroism and absorption spectra.

Marquardt and Powell optimization methods without constraints on the optimized spectral parameters were employed for decomposition of complex i.r., c.d. and absorption spectra into component bands. The procedure resolved experimental spectra into eight component bands and it can be easily adjusted for a larger set of component bands. The CPU time required for achievement of satisfactory convergence of parameters for eight component bands is rather large even when using mainframe computers and therefore division of spectra into a few non-overlapped parts is advisable. The program also can be used for calculation of absorption, c.d. and difference spectra from formatted raw spectral data.
Electroglottograph as an additional source of information in isolated word recognition

Traditionally, speech recognition systems use only the acoustic speech signal (speech). However, the source of the signal and the way speech is produced and whether this information can aid in speech recognition needs to be investigated. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of using the electroglottograph (EGG) as an additional source of information along with speech in an isolated word recognition system. The vocabulary consisted of 64 words, ranging from mono-syllabic words to words with four syllables. Two fully connected artificial neural networks were designed. One network (speech network) used only speech as its source of information. The other network (speech+EGG network) used EGG along with the acoustic speech signal as its source of information. The speech network had a peak recognition rate of 94.37%. The speech+EGG network had a peak recognition rate of 99.37%. Hence, the information provided by the EGG improved the performance of the speech recognition system by 5%.
Several new classes of measures of fuzziness

The authors introduce two new general classes of measures of fuzziness, called the additive and multiplicative classes. Usually three axioms are required for fuzziness measures. The classes not only satisfy these three basic axioms, but also two other desirable axioms. The multiplicative class is based on nonnegative, monotone increasing concave functions. The additive class requires only nonnegative concave functions. Constructing a measure of fuzziness under each of these classes is simple, as the required functional form does not have restrictions. It is demonstrated that several existing measures of fuzziness are special cases of these new classes. >
Effects of Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide on the Growth and Linear Furanocoumarin Content of Celery

The effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide on the growth and development of celery (Apium graveolens) were examined to determine if anticipated global increases in CO2 will affect the nutritional quality and secondary chemistry of celery. The size (fresh and dry mass), nitrogen and carbon composition, and concentrations of linear furanocoumarins of celery grown under ambient (363 μL L-1) and elevated (718 μL L-1) carbon dioxide were analyzed. Growth under elevated CO2 resulted in larger petioles, reduced nitrogen content, and higher C:N ratios in both leaves and petioles. However, CO2 treatment did not affect plant water content or carbon content. Moreover, in contrast to the carbon−nutrient balance hypothesis, the increased C:N ratios of plants grown under elevated CO2 were not associated with increased concentrations of potentially harmful linear furanocoumarins. Levels of linear furanocoumarins in the petioles of plants from each treatment did not exceed concentrations reported to cause acute o...
An ITS-Based Phylogenetic Analysis of the Perennial, Endemic Apiaceae Subfamily Apioideae of Western North America

Abstract Phylogenetic analyses of 159 DNA sequences from the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region were conducted to evaluate the monophyly of the herbaceous, perennial genera of Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae endemic to North America (north of Mexico) and to determine the relationships of those elements that currently comprise Cymopterus within the group. The results of a previous phylogenetic study were equivocal in suggesting monophyly for these perennial, endemic taxa and revealed Cymopterus to be polyphyletic, with its species closely linked with those of Aletes, Lomatium, Musineon, Oreoxis, Orogenia, Podistera, Pseudocymopterus, Pteryxia, and Tauschia. Herein, we expand sampling to include comprehensive representation of Aletes, Cymopterus, Musineon, Oreoxis, Orogenia, Podistera, Pseudocymopterus, and Pteryxia, and greater representation of Lomatium and Tauschia. We also include all members of two genera not examined previously, Glehnia and Oreonana, as well as additional outgroup genera fro...
DISSECT: An experiment in infusing computational thinking in a sixth grade classroom

This paper summarizes the successes and challenges encountered during the incorporation of the New Mexico State University DISSECT (DIScovering SciEnce through Computational Thinking) Fellowship program into a 6th grade classroom. Graduate student fellows work with experienced K-12 teachers to create and deploy interactive computational thinking (CT) modules in middle and high school classrooms that promote active learning through the use of technology and cutting edge scientific research. One of the main objectives of the DISSECT program is to facilitate the professional development of graduate students in computing-rich fields, such as engineering, computer science, and biology, through leadership development, public speaking experience, and an enhanced vision of how CT is vital to in all scientific disciplines. The alliances formed between K-12 teachers and their fellows provide an opportunity for teachers to attain knowledge of CT principles and equips them with the ability to develop and continue their own future lesson plans integrating CT. This paper thoroughly describes specific modules that integrate CT concepts into the traditional 6th grade science curriculum, the statistical results of assessments gauging the development of CT skills and knowledge during the course of one academic year, and suggestions for improvements and incorporation into other curricula.
Abstract 159: Role of Melanocortin 3/4 Receptor (MC3/4R) in a Model of Postmenopausal Hypertension.

The mechanisms responsible for hypertension in postmenopausal women have not been completely elucidated. We have shown previously that MAP in old female SHR is mediated in part by sympathetic activation. In male SHR leptin causes sympathetic activation via the melanocortin 3 / 4 receptor (MC3/4R) activation, and MC3/4R blockade reduces their blood pressure. The hypothesis of the present study was that MC3/4R also contributes to hypertension in old female SHR. Female SHR (aged 18 mos, n=6) received MC3/4 receptor antagonist SHU-9119 (1 nmol/h via minipump) or saline vehicle (n=5 controls). After two weeks recovery, MAP and heart rate (HR) were measured for 5 days during baseline period, and then rats received SHU 9119 or saline icv, and MAP and HR were recorded for 7 days. MC3/4R antagonism produced an increase in food intake (17.1±2 gr, n=5, vs 26.6±1 gr, n=6, p
Comic Voyages: Rancière and Aristophanes

This paper brings the work of Jacques Ranciere into conversation with the ancient Athenian playwright Aristophanes. I draw on Ranciere’s discussion of distance and emancipation to orient a consideration of the democratic possibilities of Aristophanic comedy in general and the play Peace in particular.
The Extinction Predicament and Shifting Baselines - Conservation as a Politics of Memory

Drawing on the most recent data from the IUCN Red List and Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, this paper explores how various factors such as habitat loss, over-consumption and climate change continue to create an extinction debt that will unfold in the decades and centuries to come. Though largely unpredictable, many scientific experts agree that future life will take the form of weedy, relic and ghost species, with weedy species proliferating and relic and ghost species struggling against likely evolutionary foreclosure. The presence of weedy species gives the appearance that biodiversity is strong and the persistence of relic and ghost species creates the illusion that threats to survival are overblown. One under looked aspect of this dilemma is that each stage of the extinction crisis produces shifting baselines of a "new normal" that shapes and constrains political attitudes about what is to be conserved and why. The paper argues that the biodiversity crisis is exacerbated in peculiar ways due to this lack of remembrance about what constitutes stable and robust ecological communities. To balance political short-sightedness and the rapid pace of ecological change, biodiversity advocates should critically engage in a long politics of memory that challenges complacent adaptation to weaker conceptions of species health and environmental well being.
SELF-REWARD AND EXTERNAL REWARD: METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND CONTINGENCY INSTRUCTIONS

Stk?nmary.-In light of inconsistent procedures and results found in past smdies comparing self-reward and external reward, the present study examined the dimensions of self-reward as a self-controlling response and the role of contingency instructions in external reward. Four groups of 10 subjects each who had indicated interest in increasing their reading speed repeatedly practiced a I-min, speed reading exercise. Subjects in the self-reward group engaged in low probability behaviors which involved persistence and goal-oriented behaviors; and the reward used freely available stimuli which were self-selected, self-managed, and self-administered. The externally rewarded and contingencyinformed group increased reading speed more than all other treatments. The self-rewarded group was marginally greater than an externally rcwarded and contingency uninformed group and a performance feedback control group. No difference was found between the control group and the externally rewarded and contingency-uninformed group. While a major research trend has compared the effectiveness of self-reward with externally imposed reward strategies, the results of these studies have been inconclusive. Several studies have found the efficiency of self-reward to be greater than external reward, but opposing results have shown external reward to be superior to self-reward, and the most common finding is that self-reward and external reward are relatively equally efficient, and more effective than no reward (Thoresen & Mahoney, 1974). One possible source of confusion in the literature becomes apparent when comparing the methodological procedures used in different laboratory studies. Since there is no single accepted definition of self-control (Goldfried & Merbaum, 1973; Thoresen & Mahoney, 1974) and since self-control seems multifaceted, many studes have focused on only one or a few of its aspects. Of primary importance are considerations which would render the control of rewards and target behaviors to self or external influences. Thus a reward can be externally or self-applied, chosen, and managed, e.g., rate, scheduling, and frequency of reward. The target behavior may be a behavior of low or high probabiliry; its change may be a goal of the subject or the experimenter; it may or may not involve deprivation, abstinence, or persistence; and it may be followed by accurate or bogus performance feedback. The reward may be nonredeemable versus redeemable br tangible. And, the reward may or- may not be freely available to the subject. Examination of the above issues shows that the various methodological
Importance of Particle Size and Distribution in Achieving High-Activity, High-Stability Oxygen Reduction Catalysts

Strongly interacting catalyst supports can influence the nucleation, growth, dispersion, and shape of supported nanoparticles that impact catalytic activity and stability. However, there is little understanding of the limitations of support interactions, and the ability to quantitatively relate particle growth and loading to activity and stability is lacking. Here, we report a statistical framework to quantify the growth of a binary distribution of Pt nanoparticles on tin-doped indium oxide and predict mass and specific activity for the oxygen reduction reaction in acid media with increased Pt loading. Our results reveal that the growth mechanism for Pt on the oxide is directly related to its exceptional electrochemical activity and provide new insight into the relationship between nanoparticle size distribution and activity trends. We also show that catalyst degradation mechanisms can be controlled or altogether eliminated through strong metal–support interactions. The results of this work provide insigh...