cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RNA-seq reveals novel transcriptome of genes and their isoforms in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells treated with thrombin.

The dysregulation of vascular endothelial cells by thrombin has been implicated in the development of a number of pathologic disorders such as inflammatory conditions, cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease. However, transcriptional regulation of vascular endothelial cells by thrombin is not completely understood. In the present study, Illumina RNA-seq was used to profile the transcriptome in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L) treated with thrombin for 6 h to gain insight into thrombin's direct effects on the endothelial function. Out of 100 million total reads from a paired end sequencing assay, 91–94% of the reads were aligned to over 16,000 genes in the reference human genome. Thrombin upregulated 150 known genes and 480 known isoforms, and downregulated 2,190 known genes and 3,574 known isoforms by at least 2 fold. Of note, thrombin upregulated 1,775 previously unknown isoforms and downregulated 12,202 previously unknown isoforms by at least 2 fold. Many genes displayed isoform specific differential expression levels and different usage of transcriptional start sites after the thrombin treatment. The cross comparisons between our RNA-seq data and those of DNA microarray analysis of either 6 h thrombin treated HUVEC or 5 h TNFα treated HMVEC have provided a significant overlapping list of differentially expressed genes, supporting the robust utility of our dataset. Further in-depth follow-up analysis of the transcriptional regulation reported in this study may shed light on molecular pathogenic mechanisms underlying thrombin mediated endothelial dysfunction in various diseases and provide new leads of potential therapeutic targets.
Development of circulatory-renal limitations to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors identifies patients with severe heart failure and early mortality ☆

Abstract Objectives This study examined the hypothesis that patients who develop angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor intolerance attributable to circulatory-renal limitations (CRLimit) have more severe underlying disease and worse outcome. Background Although the renin-angiotensin system contributes to the progression of heart failure (HF), it also supports the failing circulation. Patients with the most severe disease may not tolerate inhibition of this system. Methods Consecutive inpatient admissions to the cardiomyopathy service of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital between 2000 and 2002 were reviewed retrospectively for initial profiles, discharge medications, and documented reasons for discontinuation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Outcomes of death and transplantation were determined. Results Of the 259 patients, 86 were not on an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor at discharge. Circulatory-renal limitations of symptomatic hypotension, progressive renal dysfunction, or hyperkalemia were documented in 60 patients (23%); other adverse effects, including cough, in 24 patients; and absent reasons in 2 patients. Compared with patients on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, patients with CRLimit were older (60 vs. 55 years; p = 0.006), with longer history of HF (5 vs. 2 years; p = 0.009), lower systolic blood pressure (104 vs. 110 mm Hg; p = 0.05), lower sodium (135 vs. 138 mEql/l; p = 0.002), and higher initial creatinine (2.5 vs. 1.2 mg/dl; p = 0.0001). Mortality was 57% in patients with CRLimit and 22% in the patients on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors during a median 8.5-month follow-up (p = 0.0001). Conclusions Development of CRLimit to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor intolerance identifies patients with severe disease who are likely to die during the next year. New treatment strategies should be targeted to this population.
Nanoparticle formulations of histone deacetylase inhibitors for effective chemoradiotherapy in solid tumors

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) represent a class of promising agents that can improve radiotherapy in cancer treatment. However, the full therapeutic potential of HDACIs as radiosensitizers has been restricted by limited efficacy in solid malignancies. In this study, we report the development of nanoparticle (NP) formulations of HDACIs that overcome these limitations, illustrating their utility to improve the therapeutic ratio of the clinically established first generation HDACI vorinostat and a novel second generation HDACI quisinostat. We demonstrate that NP HDACIs are potent radiosensitizers in vitro and are more effective as radiosensitizers than small molecule HDACIs in vivo using mouse xenograft models of colorectal and prostate carcinomas. We found that NP HDACIs enhance the response of tumor cells to radiation through the prolongation of γ-H2AX foci. Our work illustrates an effective method for improving cancer radiotherapy treatment.
(Re)bordering the civic imaginary: Rhetoric, Hybridity, and Citizenship in La Gran Marcha

Though the drive to limit US citizenship often takes shape through the symbolic and material exclusion of “aliens,” immigrants also engage in rhetorical struggles over the limits of the US civic imaginary. This essay examines one such challenge to the bordering logics of US citizenship—La Gran Marcha, one of the largest immigration protests of 2006. Rather than see the protest as wholly “alien,” as it was conceived of by anti-immigrant forces, or as purely “American,” as an attempt for mere recognition, La Gran Marcha can best be understood as performing a hybrid US citizenship. This hybrid rhetoric problematizes contemporary understandings of citizenship and elucidates immigrants' agency within US democracy.
Ramsay-Curve Item Response Theory for the Three-Parameter Logistic Item Response Model.

In Ramsay-curve item response theory (RC-IRT), the latent variable distribution is estimated simultaneously with the item parameters of a unidimensional item response model using marginal maximum likelihood estimation. This study evaluates RC-IRT for the three-parameter logistic (3PL) model with comparisons to the normal model and to the empirical histogram method (EHM) implemented in BILOG-MG. Results support the validity and utility of RC-IRT for the 3PL model. RC-IRT and the EHM both performed better than the normal model for nonnormal latent distributions and appeared to have complementary strengths. Item parameter estimates tended to be more accurate with the EHM, especially for shorter tests; however, recovery of the latent distribution was better, and scores were less biased, with RC-IRT. Differences between RC-IRT and the EHM diminished as the sample size and especially the test length increased. Practical recommendations for estimating the latent distribution with the 3PL model are provided.
Limits to the development of tourism

The growth of tourism in our society is not a recent phenomenon that came about with the inception of the travel agent. The fact is, that tourism can be traced as far back as to at least Ancient Greece, when, in 776 B.C. visitors from Europe and the Middle East gathered at Mt. Olympus to take part in the very first Olympic Games (Young). Since that time tourism has developed into what today is an industry of major social and economie significance, and its effects range from local to international scales.
Screening children with neurofibromatosis type 1 for autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is reported to be increased in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), but it's unknown if ASD screening tools are sensitive and specific for NF1. This study compared the rate at which children with NF1 screen-positive for two ASD screening tools [Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and Childhood Autism Spectrum Test (CAST)] to the screen-positive rate of the general population. A retrospective cross-sectional observational design to investigate the association between children with NF1 and at risk status for ASD was used. Medical records of children between 16 months and 11 years of age seen in an NF Clinic were reviewed for an ASD screening questionnaire. There were no statistically significant differences in the screen-positive rate for ASD in NF1 compared to published controls, but mean CAST scores were higher in NF1.
Developing and assessing college student teamwork skills

This chapter describes research on team member contributions to overall team effectiveness, and various applications of this research to developing and assessing teamwork by students on team and group projects and assignments.
Requirements for CD1d Recognition by Human Invariant Vα24+ CD4−CD8− T Cells

A subset of human CD4−CD8− T cells that expresses an invariant Vα24-JαQ T cell receptor (TCR)-α chain, paired predominantly with Vβ11, has been identified. A series of these Vα24 Vβ11 clones were shown to have TCR-β CDR3 diversity and express the natural killer (NK) locus–encoded C-type lectins NKR-P1A, CD94, and CD69. However, in contrast to NK cells, they did not express killer inhibitory receptors, CD16, CD56, or CD57. All invariant Vα24+ clones recognized the MHC class I–like CD16 molecule and discriminated between CD1d and other closely related human CD1 proteins, indicating that recognition was TCR-mediated. Recognition was not dependent upon an endosomal targeting motif in the cytoplasmic tail of CD1d. Upon activation by anti-CD3 or CD1d, the clones produced both Th1 and Th2 cytokines. These results demonstrate that human invariant Vα24+ CD4−CD8− T cells, and presumably the homologous murine NK1+ T cell population, are CD1d reactive and functionally distinct from NK cells. The conservation of this cell population and of the CD1d ligand across species indicates an important immunological function.
Estradiol suppresses vascular monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression during early atherogenesis.

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to determine whether estrogen down-regulates vascular monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression during the development of atherosclerosis in vivo and to identify the cellular localization of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression under baseline conditions and in response to atherogenic stimuli. Study Design: Female, homozygous low-density lipoprotein-receptor-deficient mice (n = 68) in a C57BL/6 background underwent ovariectomy, were implanted subcutaneously with 17β-estradiol or placebo pellets, and were changed to a high cholesterol (1.25%) diet. Thereafter, four mice from each group were killed weekly for 8 weeks, and their aortae were frozen for immunohistochemical analysis. The lipid deposition was identified by Sudan black B staining. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression was detected with a rabbit anti-mice monocyte chemotactic protein-1 antibody, and semiquantitative analysis was performed. Results: Consistent with previous reports, estradiol resulted in diminished vascular lipid deposition (22% ± 7% vs 15% ± 6% at 8 weeks of gestation, P P Conclusion: Our findings suggest that one of the mechanisms by which estrogen down-regulates atherogenesis is by the suppression of vascular monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression, which leads to decreased macrophage recruitment to the arterial wall early in the process. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1544-9.)
STABLE CARBON ISOTOPE RATIOS OF FATTY ACIDS IN SEAGRASS AND REDHEAD DUCKS

Abstract Fatty acids were extracted from roots and rhizomes of the seagrass, Halodule wrightii, and from subcutaneous fat tissues of eight redhead ducks (Aythya americana) collected either in Texas or South Dakota. Stable carbon isotope ratios ( δ 13 C ) of individual fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS). In cases where individual fatty acids were not completely resolved by the chromatographic column, argentation chromatography was used as a pre-separation technique to separate saturated fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids. The majority of fatty acids extracted from roots and rhizomes of H. wrightii and from subcutaneous fat of redhead ducks had δ 13 C values that clustered about the δ 13 C value measured for the total fatty acid fraction of the parent tissue. Normal and anteiso isomers of the saturated 17:0 fatty acid had the most negative δ 13 C values in the organisms studied. Texas redhead ducks which likely had consumed a diet comprised primarily of roots and rhizomes of H. wrightii for at least 1 month had δ 13 C values of fatty acids that were more positive than those of the identical fatty acids in the seagrass. This discrepancy in δ 13 C indicates that fatty acids in ducks are synthesized from molecules with more positive δ 13 C values, such as carbohydrates and/or proteins, rather than by direct incorporation of fatty acids from the diet, or else there are isotopic fractionations associated with the biosynthesis and catabolism of these compounds.
Musculoskeletal radiology: then and now.

Musculoskeletal radiologists, owing to recent advances in imaging technologies and techniques, are playing an increasingly important role in documenting, diagnosing, and treating an increasing variety of bone and soft-tissue lesions. However, improved visualization of anatomic aberrations—“seeing better”—must be paired with “knowing more,” on the basis of complete familiarity with all aspects of the biology, physiology, pathophysiology, and static anatomy of the musculoskeletal system. Only with foreknowledge of the latter can the musculoskeletal radiologist fully maximize the benefits of the former.
Children's knowledge of the separation of variables concept

Abstract Children 8, 10, and 13 years of age were either given prior experience constructing seriations or matrices with two-dimensional stimuli, or no prior experience. Knowledge of the separation of variables concept was then assessed by examining children's use of controlled tests of a problem variable's effect (probe questions), and recognition of the inadequacy of confounded variable tests (negative counter-suggestion questions). Although many children either passed both questions or failed both questions, a significant number of children correctly used controlled variable tests, and yet failed to recognize the inadequacy of a confounded test. These results suggest that although a preliminary form of the separation of variables concept is characterized by use of controlled variable tests, subsequent refinement of the concept includes recognition of the inadequacy of confounded tests. Relative to seriation, prior experience constructing matrices facilitated recognition of a confounded test's inadequacy. Constructing matrices may have focused attention on the simultaneous variation of problem elements on multiple dimensions and thus facilitated recognition of the necessary role of both variation of stimuli on test dimensions and equality of stimuli on nontest dimensions, e.g., a controlled test.
Six Eyes Of Man

AbstractThe human visual system generates many dimensions of orthogonality and utilizes the out-put of eight orthogonal systems to generate hypersensitivity, color and depth. Each systemcan be regarded as a sense in itself and the outputs of all or any can be placed in apposi-tion to give a multiply populated class of conjoint information. Each system has two kindsof independence: (1) each acts alone in the acquisition, utilization and rendition of thatarray of information for which its own mechanisms are suigeneris; (2) each has an indepen-dence manifested only as a consequence of having its informational output placed in apposi-tion to the output of one or many of the other systems. * ** One of the most impressive aspects of the human visual system is its competence forgenerating many dimensions of orthogonality and its powerful use of a variety of kinds ofapposition of the output of these orthogonal systems. Here I wish to outline the interplayof all of these systems with each other to generate hypersensitivity, color and depth.Each of the systems has two kinds of independence: Each in its own right, outside ofjoint domains with the others, acts independently in the acquisition, utilization andrendition of that array of information for which its own mechanisms are suigeneris whileeach has, also, an independence manifested only as a consequence of having its information-al output placed in apposition to the output of one or many of the other systems. For thissecond kind of information, no system is independently revelatory nor does it contain thesecond kind of information until it is joined in apposition with one or more of the othersystems. (One of the most delightful adventures on this intellectual front is Bela Julesz'scomputerized reduction to zero of the pertinent information of the first kind, thus creat-ing a unique class of systems in which the only information is the conjoint information,information of the second kind.)Systems of inner independence require independent channels for relating the individualto the environment in which his species has evolved. Some of these channels are calledsenses and others which I shall describe have not yet been named. There is the sense ofsound, using waves in the air for transmission to the ear as receptor; the sense of smell,using fantastically small numbers of molecules with the nose as receptor; and the sense ofsight, using three bands of electromagnetic radiation with the retina as the external recep-
Photonic transitions can induce non-reciprocity and effective gauge field for photons

We show that the phase of a dynamic refractive index modulation induces a gauge transformation of the photon wavefunction. This effect can be used to induce non-reciprocity, and to achieve an effective gauge field for photons.
Airborne cloud condensation nuclei measurements during the 2006 Texas Air Quality Study

[1] Airborne measurements of aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) were conducted aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration WP-3D platform during the 2006 Texas Air Quality Study/Gulf of Mexico Atmospheric Composition and Climate Study (TexAQS/GoMACCS). The measurements were conducted in regions influenced by industrial and urban sources. Observations show significant local variability of CCN activity (CCN/CN from 0.1 to 0.5 at s = 0.43%), while variability is less significant across regional scales (∼100 km × 100 km; CCN/CN is ∼0.1 at s = 0.43%). CCN activity can increase with increasing plume age and oxygenated organic fraction. CCN measurements are compared to predictions for a number of mixing state and composition assumptions. Mixing state assumptions that assumed internally mixed aerosol predict CCN concentrations well. Assuming organics are as hygroscopic as ammonium sulfate consistently overpredicted CCN concentrations. On average, the water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) fraction is 60 ± 14% of the organic aerosol. We show that CCN closure can be significantly improved by incorporating knowledge of the WSOC fraction with a prescribed organic hygroscopicity parameter (κ = 0.16 or effective κ ∼ 0.3). This implies that the hygroscopicity of organic mass is primarily a function of the WSOC fraction. The overall aerosol hygroscopicity parameter varies between 0.08 and 0.88. Furthermore, droplet activation kinetics are variable and 60% of particles are smaller than the size characteristic of rapid droplet growth.
Scaling up: linking field data and remote sensing with a hierarchical model

Ecologists often seek to understand patterns and processes across multiple spatial and temporal scales ranging from centimeters to hundreds of meters and from seconds to years. Hierarchical statistical models offer a framework for sampling design and analysis that can be used to incorporate the information collected at finer scales while allowing comparison at coarser scales. In this study we use a Hierarchical Bayesian model to assess the relationship between measurements collected on the ground at centimeter scales nested within 2 × 3 m quadrats, which are in turn nested within much larger (0.1-12 ha) plots. We compare these measurements with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from radiometrically and geometrically corrected 30-m resolution LANDSAT ETM+ data to assess the NDVI-Biomass relationship in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Our novel modeling approach allows the data observed at submeter scales to be incorporated directly into the model and thus all the data (and variability) collected at finer scales are represented in the estimates of biomass at the LANDSAT scale. The model reveals that there is a strong correlation between NDVI and biomass, which supports the use of NDVI in spatiotemporal analysis of vegetation dynamics in Mediterranean shrubland ecosystems. The methods developed here can be easily generalized to other ecosystems and ecophysiological parameters.
High-pressure melting temperatures of uranium: Laser-heating experiments and theoretical calculations.

The melting temperatures of uranium have been measured to 45 GPa with an inert Ar pressure medium in a diamond-anvil cell using a spatially resolved laser-heating system. The temperature was measured within 1.4 \ensuremath{\mu}m at the center of laser-heating spot using reflecting optics, and the melting was visually observed as the material flows forming a microchannel and/or by a shape change in the edge of the sample. Theoretically, the melting curve has also been calculated to 100 GPa via \ensuremath{\gamma}(bcc) solid and liquid free energies derived from generalized pseudopotential theory. The calculated melting temperatures agree well with the experimental measurements. It is also found that the theoretical melting curve obeys a Lindemann scaling law for solid densities up to about 25.5 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$, corresponding to 100 GPa in pressure.
Fertilizer market development: a comparative analysis of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zambia

Abstract This article synthesizes case studies from Kenya, Zambia, and Ethiopia to assess how differences in the implementation of fertilizer marketing policies have affected the costs and risks borne by marketing actors, the investment response by private traders, and fertilizer consumption. Financial cost accounting techniques indicate that domestic marketing costs account for 50% or more of farm-gate prices. The sum of importer, wholesaler and retailer profit margins generally account for less than 10%. There are opportunities to reduce domestic marketing costs through the following: reducing port fees, coordinating the timing of fertilizer clearance from the port with up-country transport, reducing transport costs through port, rail, and road improvements, reducing high fuel taxes, and reducing the uncertainty associated with government input distribution programs that impose additional marketing costs on traders. Estimated reductions in the farm-gate price of fertilizer from implementing the full range of options identified in each country range from 11 to 18%. Price reductions of this magnitude, if passed along to farmers, would increase farmers’ effective demand for fertilizer. Investments in selected publically provided goods, often considered outside the scope of fertilizer marketing policy per se, strongly affect the costs of fertilizer, farmers’ willingness to pay for it, and hence the performance of markets.
Qualification of a Jacketed Vessel Using Finite Element Analysis

The main objective of this paper is to improve a jacketed vessel. The jacketed vessel is usually chosen to heat the contents of the vessel. The chamber or annulus contains fluid under pressure to heat the inner vessel contents. The initial over-all dimensions of the vessel are based on the capacity of the stored liquid. The design was in accordance with the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Div 1. The jacketed vessel bottom head and jacket bottom head are being improved to withstand internal and external design pressures. Bottom head of the jacket can be reinforced in one of the three ways, namely: (1) rings which are radial (these rings also create flow for the fluid); (2) attachment of the rings to the bottom jacket head with stays, since rings cannot be physically welded to the bottom jacket; or (3) there is a possibility, the new bottom head and jacketed head combination can be cast, but that would not be economically feasible. This leads to the following six configurations considered in this paper and they are: (1) internal pressure of 50 psi, (2) external pressure + vacuum pressure of 65 psi, (3) reinforcement with 5 rings with external pressure of 65 psi, (4) rings welded with the bottom jacket head with external pressure of 65 psi, (5) welded with stays on ring location (stay diameter of 1 inch) with external pressure of 65 psi, and (6) welded with stays on ring location (stay diameter of 1.5 inch) with external pressure of 65 psi. The pattern of stays chosen for this analysis is one of uniform distribution on ring locations, which are radially situated. The design dimensions based on Code sizing are used to recalculate the stresses for the jacket vessel. The dimensional jacketed vessel is modeled using STAAD III Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software. The design is found to be safe for the specific configuration considered herein with stays.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
American Drama: The Bastard Art

In this book, Susan Harris Smith looks at the many often conflicting cultural and academic reasons for the neglect and dismissal of American drama as a legitimate literary form. Covering a wide range of topics such as theatrical performance, the rise of nationalist feeling, the creation of academic disciplines, and the development of sociology, Smith's study is a contentious and revisionist historical inquiry into the troubled cultural and canonical status of American drama, both as a literary genre and as a mirror of American society.
Gender Differences in Students' and Parents' Evaluative Criteria When Selecting a College

ABSTRACT Evaluation of gender differences between students and between parents based on the perceived financial, social, psychological, physical, and functional risks associated with college selection. Nineteen criteria associated with these risks were evaluated for significant gender differences as well as for their level of importance by gender in the selection process. Student gender differences were financial aid, security, academics, friendly atmosphere and religious atmosphere. Parent gender differences were financial aid and degrees offered. Within both groups, females possessed a higher mean. The most important criterion for female students and parents was academics; for male students it was tuition.
Single-spin measurement in the solid state: A reader for a spin qubit

We describe a paradigm for measuring a single electron spin in the solid state. This technique can be used to ``read'' a single electron spin relatively noninvasively in either a spintronic quantum gate or a spintronic quantum memory. The spin reader can be self-assembled by simple electrochemical techniques and can be integrated with a quantum gate.
Retinal temperature increase during transpupillary thermotherapy: effects of pigmentation, subretinal blood, and choroidal blood flow.

PURPOSE. To study the risk of adverse events in transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for age-related macular degeneration by measuring how laser-induced retinal temperature increase is affected experimentally by subretinal blood, choroidal blood flow, and chorioretinal pigmentation. METHODS. An ultrafine thermocouple technique was developed to measure retinal temperature increase during TTT in albino and pigmented rabbit eyes. TTT was performed with 60-second, 0.78-mm spot size, 810-nm infrared diode laser exposures with power settings ranging from 50 to 950 mW. Intraretinal and subretinal temperature increases were measured in pigmented and albino rabbits, with or without subretinal blood and choroidal blood flow. RESULTS. Threshold power settings for visible lesions in albino and pigmented rabbits were 950 and 90 mW, respectively, corresponding to retinal temperature increases of 11.8°C and 5.28°C, respectively. Power settings required to produce threshold lesions in albino rabbits caused retinal temperature increases in pigmented rabbits that were five times higher than in the albino rabbits. Temperature increases in albino rabbits were 1.5 times higher with subretinal blood than without it. Choroidal blood flow generally did not affect measured retinal temperature increases. CONCLUSIONS. The results confirm prior theoretical recommendations that clinicians should consider decreasing TTT power settings in darkly pigmented eyes and proceed with caution in those with subretinal hemorrhage or pigment clumping. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004;45:3678 ‐3682) DOI:10.1167/ iovs.04-0436
Visualization of a missing link in retrovirus capsid assembly

For a retrovirus such as HIV to be infectious, a properly formed capsid is needed; however, unusually among viruses, retrovirus capsids are highly variable in structure. According to the fullerene conjecture, they are composed of hexamers and pentamers of capsid protein (CA), with the shape of a capsid varying according to how the twelve pentamers are distributed and its size depending on the number of hexamers. Hexamers have been studied in planar and tubular arrays, but the predicted pentamers have not been observed. Here we report cryo-electron microscopic analyses of two in-vitro-assembled capsids of Rous sarcoma virus. Both are icosahedrally symmetric: one is composed of 12 pentamers, and the other of 12 pentamers and 20 hexamers. Fitting of atomic models of the two CA domains into the reconstructions shows three distinct inter-subunit interactions. These observations substantiate the fullerene conjecture, show how pentamers are accommodated at vertices, support the inference that nucleation is a crucial morphologic determinant, and imply that electrostatic interactions govern the differential assembly of pentamers and hexamers. Retrovirus capsids are polymorphic, consisting of variable hexamer and pentamer aggregates with structures thought to resemble fullerenes. A cryo-electon microscopy/molecular modelling study of capsids assembled from the full-length Rous sarcoma virus capsid protein now confirms the existence of fullerene-like capsid architecture. Two different forms were observed, one composed of 12 pentamers and the other of 12 pentamers and 20 hexamers. Retrovirus capsids are polymorphic, consisting of variable hexamer and pentamer aggregates that are thought to reflect fullerenes. This paper reports the cryo-electron microscopy analysis of RSV capsid protein visualizing pentamers, and confirms that retrovirus capsid has a fullerene-based architecture.
ABSORPTION AND FLUORESCENCE OF WATER-SOLUBLE PIGMENTS PRODUCED BY FOUR SPECIES OF PSEUDOMONAS.

Pigments produced by four species of Pseudomonas during growth in three media were examined for visible and ultraviolet absorption. Ultraviolet fluorescence excitation and emission spectra were obtained. In all pigments, an absorption maximum occurs at 405 mμ. Ultraviolet excitation of fluorescence occurs primarily at 400 to 410 mμ, with smaller maxima at 460 mμ, or 525 mμ, depending on pH, bacterial species, or medium. Emission maxima, after excitation at 410 mμ, occur at 390 mμ, and 455 to 475 mμ. The differences in fluorescence spectra may be used for taxonomic classification of the Pseudomonas.
Comparative biology of test species.

This paper assesses the capacity of animal models to predict human response to carcinogenic agents with consideration for the heterogeneity of humans. It is widely accepted that human susceptibility to toxic substances, including carcinogens, is highly variable. Conventional rodent models are usually highly inbred and valued for their ability to display characteristic homogeneity. Current practice assumes that the homogeneity of response to toxic agents, including carcinogens, in the rodent model will be representative of humans. The issue then becomes, To which of the broad spectrum of human responses are specific animal models likely to be related? This paper examines the extent of human heterogeneity over a broad range of biochemical characteristics (e.g., aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity, epoxide hydrase activity, beta-glucuronidase activity, debrisoquine hydroxylation, DNA-adduct formation) with emphasis on those biochemical characteristics that affect responses to carcinogens. Examples are presented to compare the heterogeneity of selected animal models for these biochemical characteristics as they relate to the spectrum of human responses noted above. The paper presents a theoretical perspective for determining to which part of the human population response spectrum common animal models are most likely to be extrapolated.
Towards gene therapy of sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a significant health problem in the United States, in part of Europe and in many developing countries. Progress has been made in the management of the disease but a cure is still elusive except in the rare cases where bone marrow transplant is a practical option. Hopes for a complete universal cure rest mostly on two gene therapy approaches: correcting the mutation that causes the disease, or adding a corrective gene to the genome of the patient. The former approach is extremely attractive but is in its early stages of development. One of the most important remaining obstacles for the latter approach is the control of expression of a transgene integrated at ectopic chromosomal sites. Animal models for SCD should help in the development of the gene therapy methods discussed above, as well as the pharmacological approaches that aim at ameliorating or eliminating the symptoms of SCD.
Microsatellite primers for the Atlantic coastal killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, with applicability to related Fundulus species

The mummichog ( Fundulus heteroclitus ), a common Atlantic coastal killifish, is a model vertebrate species for the study of molecular genetic variation in natural populations and of environmental toxicology. We report the development of a set of 20 microsatellite loci in this species. Average expected heterozygosity across all loci was 0.84 (range: 0.60–0.97), revealing a high level of variability at most loci. A survey of seven additional Fundulus species yielded one or two robust amplification products in over half (63%) of the species–primer combinations tested. Therefore, many of these loci will also prove useful in studies of other members of the genus Fundulus .
On the relative response and absolute gain toward the zenith of HF field-expedient antennas--Measured with an ionospheric sounder

A technique for using a pulse-type ionospheric sounder to measure the relative response of HF antennas toward the zenith is described, and some ionospheric limitations on the technique are discussed. Example measurements are given for selected field-expedient antennas (e.g., dipoles, slant wires, and whips) in forested and cleared areas, and the short-path skywave gain over an isotropic radiator is estimated. A \lambda/2 horizontal dipole elevated to about \lambda/8 above ground had the greatest gain toward the zenith of the simple antennas tested.
Should Congress Listen to Economists

Economists prescribe well-known remedies for those situations where private behavior does not maximize allocational efficiency. Legislatures, however, rarely enact microeconomic policies without substantially altering economists' solutions. Those who defend elected officials' alterations offer three categories of justification--windfall losses of income negate efficiency improvements; indirect redistribution, though inefficient, serves progressive goals without generally repudiating market incomes; command-and-control regulation produces valuable symbolic outputs. Only the first line of argument has merit. Policy prescriptions often are insensitive to the wealth losses they create and can be improved through congressional attention to distributional issues. For the most part, however, no normative goal is well served when Congress ignores economic efficiency in the design of policies.
Effects of surgically implanted acoustic transmitters >2% of body mass on the swimming performance, survival and growth of juvenile sockeye and Chinook salmon

The influence of surgical implantation of an acoustic transmitter on the swimming performance, growth and survival of juvenile sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka and Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha was examined. The transmitter had a mass of 0·7 g in air while sockeye salmon had a mass of 7·0-16·0 g and Chinook salmon had a mass of 6·7-23·1 g (a transmitter burden of 4·5-10·3% for sockeye salmon and 3·1-10·7% for Chinook salmon). Mean critical swimming speeds (U crit ) for Chinook salmon ranged from 47·5 to 51·2 cm s -1 [4·34-4·69 body lengths (fork length, L F ) s -1 ] and did not differ among tagged, untagged and sham-tagged groups. Tagged sockeye salmon, however, did have lower U crit than control or sham fish. The mean C crit for tagged sockeye salmon was 46·1 cm s -1 (4·1 L F s -1 ), which was c. 5% less than the mean U crit for control and sham fish (both groups were 48·6 cm s -1 or 4·3 L F s -1 ). A laboratory evaluation determined that there was no difference in L F or mass among treatments (control, sham or tag) either at the start or at the end of the test period, suggesting that implantation did not negatively influence the growth of either species. None of the sockeye salmon held under laboratory conditions died from the influence of surgical implantation of transmitters. In contrast, this study found that the 21 day survival differed between tagged and control groups of Chinook salmon, although this result may have been confounded by the poor health of Chinook salmon treatment groups.
Preparing nuclei from cells in monolayer cultures suitable for counting and for following synchronized cells through the cell cycle

A procedure is described for preparing nuclei from cells in monolayer culture so that they may be counted using an electronic particle counter. It takes only 10 to 15 min, and consists of swelling the cells in hypotonic buffer and then lysing them with the quaternary ammonium salt, ethylhexadecyldimethylammonium bromide. The cells are completely lysed, yielding a suspension of clean single nuclei which is stable, free of debris, and easily counted. The method was developed for a cell line of epithelial origin (MCF-7), which is often difficult to trypsinize to single cells. It works equally well at all cell densities up to and beyond confluence, and has been used with a variety of cells in culture, including 3T3 cells, bovine macrophages, rat mammary epithelial cells, mouse mammary tumor cell lines, and human fibroblasts. The size of the nuclei produced by this procedure is related to their DNA content, and the method is thus suitable for following cultures of synchronized cells through the cell cycle, and for performing differential counts of cells with substantial differences in DNA content.
The Morality of Results and the Morality of Means

In this chapter we finish constructing a Boolean model of the reflexive subject by combining the concepts introduced in Chapters II-V.
Association of radiotherapy with preferential depletion of luminal epithelial cells in a BRCA1 mutation carrier

Radiation therapy (RT) after breast conservation therapy has recently been linked with significant reduction in risk of ipsilateral breast cancer among BRCA1 mutation carriers. However, the exact mechanism by which RT reduces incidence of BRCA1-associated cancer remains unclear. Here we studied fresh breast tissue from a BRCA1 mutation carrier who was initially treated with a lumpectomy and RT for a unilateral cancer and two years later chose a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy while remaining cancer-free. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated a strikingly lower luminal cell population in the irradiated breast as compared to the non-irradiated breast, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the irradiated breast tissue exhibited very low progenitor cell activity in vitro. Given the emerging evidence that BRCA1 tumors originate from luminal progenitor cells, our observations suggest that preferential and long-lasting elimination of luminal ductal epithelium may partly underlie the mechanism of RT-associated reduction in recurrence of BRCA1-associated cancer.
Rapid and robust generation of functional oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from epiblast stem cells

Reported is the robust directed differentiation of mouse epiblast stem cells to oligodendrocyte precursor cells, which then differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes in vitro and in vivo. The system should prove useful for basic research and for drug screens. Myelin-related disorders such as multiple sclerosis and leukodystrophies, for which restoration of oligodendrocyte function would be an effective treatment, are poised to benefit greatly from stem cell biology. Progress in myelin repair has been constrained by difficulties in generating pure populations of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in sufficient quantities. Pluripotent stem cells theoretically provide an unlimited source of OPCs, but current differentiation strategies are poorly reproducible and generate heterogenous populations of cells. Here we provide a platform for the directed differentiation of pluripotent mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) through defined developmental transitions into a pure population of highly expandable OPCs in 10 d. These OPCs robustly differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that mouse pluripotent stem cells provide a pure population of myelinogenic oligodendrocytes and offer a tractable platform for defining the molecular regulation of oligodendrocyte development and drug screening.
Pharmacoepidemiology of insulin initiation in diabetes care

See related research paper by Perez and colleagues, page [1310][1] Many people with diabetes eventually require insulin therapy to maintain glycemic control because of progressive β-cell dysfunction. However, health care providers and patients are often reluctant to initiate insulin therapy. Some
Development strategies for durable hardware language descriptions of analog and mixed signal circuits

VHDL-AMS, or VHSIC hardware description language - analog and mixed signal extensions is being supported in a variety of design automation tools for circuit design. Although there are a number of published examples on the use of VHDL-AMS for modeling of mixed signal circuits, it is still not clear what are examples of "best practice" methods. This paper discusses research efforts to identify analog macros, or descriptions that can be reused by other designers that are possibly targeting different fabrication processes.
Immune Response and Disease Resistance of Calves Fed Chromium Nicotinic Acid Complex or Chromium Chloride

Twenty-one Holstein bull calves (< 7 d of age at the initiation of the experiment) fed a milk replacer diet were used to assess the effects of supplemental Cr on immune response. Treatments consisted of milk replacer without supplemental Cr (control) or milk replacer with 0.4 ppm of supplemental Cr from CrCl3 or a Cr-nicotinic acid complex. On d 64, increases in skinfold thickness after an intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin were measured to evaluate cell-mediated immune response. Calves supplemented with Cr-nicotinic acid complex had a greater response than did controls at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after injection. Calves supplemented with CrCl3 had a greater response than did controls at 24 and 48 h after injection. In vitro blastogenic responses of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin or pokeweed mitogen and antibody response to porcine red blood cells were not affected by treatment. Following a disease challenge with an intranasal dose of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis on d 75, body temperature tended to be lower for calves supplemented with Cr-nicotinic acid complex than for control calves. Calves supplemented with either Cr source had lower serum cortisol concentrations at 5 d after challenge. Chromium supplementation enhanced cell-mediated immune function.
The Durham Community Land Trustees

This study examined the possible impact of the Durham Community Land Trustees (DCLT) on home-owner-occupied rates and median rent in Durham since 1990. Establishing causality in community-based interventions is difficult due to the pragmatic barriers. However, by matching the DCLT census tract to other tracts and comparing them to Durham, the DCLT census tract changes were better isolated. This study used the Neighborhood Change Database to explore the neighborhood characteristics of the DCLT and similar neighborhoods and to test for differences in key housing variables. The results enhance knowledge of CLTs and ways they might contribute to community change.
A Simplified Method of Making Flexible Blue LEDs on a Plastic Substrate

A much-simplified method of making flexible GaN blue light-emitting diode (LED) array on a plastic substrate was demonstrated. A sticky elastomeric stamp was first brought into contact with prefabricated GaN LED array on a sapphire substrate. Laser liftoff was applied by shining laser light through the sapphire substrate. The released LED array sitting on the stamp was transferred to a polyethylene terephthalate substrate that was coated with an adhesive layer to finish the fabrication process. Careful investigation of the built-in stress in the GaN LED layer using Raman spectroscopy revealed that the maximum stress that allows for intact GaN LED layer release and transfer was 0.7 GPa. The method drastically simplifies the cumbersome conventional GaN layer transferring method while preserving the original layout of the GaN LED array. Due to its simple and practical characteristics, the method is expected to greatly facilitate the development of versatile transferrable GaN LED applications on various substrates at a much-reduced cost.
Ferry replacement protocols in sparse MANET message ferrying systems

The message ferrying (MF) scheme has been proposed as a strategy for providing connectivity in sparse partitioned ad hoc networks. A set of nodes, called ferries, are responsible for carrying messages for all nodes in the network. A ferry periodically moves around the deployed area along a pre-determined route and relays messages between mobile nodes which otherwise cannot communicate with each other directly. The MF scheme relies on the ferry to provide connectivity and is vulnerable to a single point of failure. Also, mobile nodes might take turns to be a ferry since they normally have limited resources. Therefore, ferry replacement is important for robustness in MF deployment. We propose two ferry replacement protocols: in the designation scheme, the ferry designates its successor; in the distributed election approach, nodes collaborate and elect one node among themselves as the ferry replacement. We evaluate the performance of these two replacement protocols through comprehensive simulation.
Perceptual Expectation Evokes Category-Selective Cortical Activity

Selective visual attention directed to a location (even in the absence of a stimulus) increases activity in the corresponding regions of visual cortex and enhances the speed and accuracy of target perception. We further explored top-down influences on perceptual representations by manipulating observers’ expectations about the category of an upcoming target. Observers viewed a display in which an object (either a face or a house) gradually emerged from a state of phase-scrambled noise; a cue established expectation about the object category. Observers were faster to categorize faces (gender discrimination) or houses (structural discrimination) when the category of the partially scrambled object matched their expectation. Functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that this expectation was associated with anticipatory increases in category-specific visual cortical activity, even in the absence of object- or category-specific visual information. Expecting a face evoked increased activity in face-selective cortical regions in the fusiform gyrus and superior temporal sulcus. Conversely, expecting a house increased activity in parahippocampal gyrus. These results suggest that visual anticipation facilitates subsequent perception by recruiting, in advance, the same cortical mechanisms as those involved in perception.