cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advances in stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and engineered cells: delivery vehicles for anti-glioma therapy

Introduction: A limitation of small molecule inhibitors, nanoparticles (NPs) and therapeutic adenoviruses is their incomplete distribution within the entirety of solid tumors such as malignant gliomas. Currently, cell-based carriers are making their way into the clinical setting as they offer the potential to selectively deliver many types of therapies to cancer cells.Areas covered: Here, we review the properties of stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells and engineered cells that possess the tumor-tropic behavior necessary to serve as cell carriers. We also report on the different types of therapeutic agents that have been delivered to tumors by these cell carriers, including: i) therapeutic genes; ii) oncolytic viruses; iii) NPs; and iv) antibodies. The current challenges and future promises of cell-based drug delivery are also discussed.Expert opinion: While the emergence of stem cell-mediated therapy has resulted in promising preclinical results and a human clinical trial utilizing this approach is...
Dynamics of the bifilar pendulum

Abstract The full nonlinear equations of motion of a bifilar pendulum are derived without the aid of simplifying assumptions about the geometry of the suspension or the inertia properties of the suspended body. Two examples of practical interest are discussed. The first involves cables of unequal length, and the second deals with effects of principal axes misalignment. The nonlinear equations serve also as the point of departure for a rational attack on a problem of tilting oscillations. Torsional motions of the kind employed for moment of inertia measurements are represented by an exact solution of the nonlinear equations of motion, and a linearization about this solution then permits the formulation of stability criteria in terms of Floquet theory. The physical significance of instabilities thus discovered is studied by reference to specific examples.
The Status of MUSIC: The Multiwavelength Sub/millimeter Inductance Camera

The Multiwavelength Sub/millimeter Inductance Camera (MUSIC) is a four-band photometric imaging camera operating from the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO). MUSIC is designed to utilize 2304 microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs), with 576 MKIDs for each observing band centered on 150, 230, 290, and 350 GHz. MUSIC’s field of view (FOV) is 14′ square, and the point-spread functions (PSFs) in the four observing bands have 45′′, 31′′, 25′′, and 22′′ full-widths at half maximum (FWHM). The camera was installed in April 2012 with 25% of its nominal detector count in each band, and has subsequently completed three short sets of engineering observations and one longer duration set of early science observations. Recent results from on-sky characterization of the instrument during these observing runs are presented, including achieved map- based sensitivities from deep integrations, along with results from lab-based measurements made during the same period. In addition, recent upgrades to MUSIC, which are expected to significantly improve the sensitivity of the camera, are described.
Automotive Active Safety Systems [Introduction to the special section]

Global passenger vehicle sales exceed 60 million units per year while continuing to experience strong growth, especially in emerging markets around the world. With the increasing number of vehicles on the road, safety has become a focal point of consumers, governments, and society. This special issue is focused on reviewing the history and background of automotive safety systems by presenting recent developments.
Equation of state of ammonia

Ammonia and water are critical components of extraterrestrial bodies, determining the density and physical properties of the Outer Planets, their moons, and of extrasolar planets. Ammonia is unusual in having a high heat capacity relative to other molecular species. Equations of state (EOS) are presented for ammonia and for mixtures of ammonia and water. Their properties are discussed in terms of chemical compositions that evolve as pressure and temperature are varied. The NH4OH hydrate of ammonia is known to exist as a separate molecular species at pressures above about 5 GPa, and an effort was made to include reaction between NH3 and H2O in the mixture EOS. The EOS are suitable for calculating structures of icy planets and exoplanets, and of impacts. mass-radius relations which bound the possible interpretations of composition and structure for extraterrestrial bodies of unknown composition, such as exoplanets.
Probing DNA Sequence Heterogeneity thorough Single-Molecule Studies of Supercoiling

DNA has sequence-dependent mechanical properties that play a critical role in many biological processes, including initiation of DNA replication, gene expression, and interactions of DNA-binding proteins with their targets. Recent single-molecule experiments, in which a single molecule of DNA is stretched and/or twisted, have quantified aspects of DNA's mechanical properties, such as its bend and twist moduli. However, these experiments generally treat DNA as a homogeneous molecule; thus, they are insensitive to the effects of DNA sequence heterogeneity. To sense sequence-dependent effects, we have built a novel instrument that combines fluorescent imaging with magnetic methods for manipulating DNA. With this instrument we have investigated the locations of plectonemic branches on a long supercoiled molecule: since plectonemes are highly bent structures, we hypothesize that they will preferentially appear at easily-bendable or intrinsically-bent locations. We present data on plectoneme localization within a twisted lambda DNA molecule, and interpret the data within the context of theoretical predictions of DNA's sequence-dependent mechanical properties.
Should art be integrated into cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders

Abstract Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the preferred treatment method for anxiety disorders, it is underutilized and has been critiqued for being too verbal or abstract. Due to the role of imagery in maintaining anxiety disorders, art may be a useful addition to CBT for anxiety disorders. Art was incorporated into a brief CBT model in two quantitative case studies: Case 1 for panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) and Case 2 for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The A-B, single-subject experimental design included a two-week baseline period and a seven-week intervention period in both cases. The participant with PDA recorded her symptoms of PDA and her level of general anxiety throughout the baseline and intervention periods using a panic diary, whereas the participant with GAD recorded her level of general anxiety. In Case 1 for PDA, the intervention resulted in statistically significant reductions in panic frequency and some features of panic anxiety and agoraphobia. In Case 2 for GAD, the decrease in general anxiety was marginally significant.
Interdependence of stress and interdiffusion during solid-state amorphization in Ni–Hf

The evolution of stress in a Ni–Hf diffusion couple during solid-state amorphization reaction has been monitored by substrate curvature measurements and x-ray diffraction. The latter technique allowed an independent determination of the contribution of changes in stress-free lattice parameter to the stress in the crystalline layers. The results indicate that the amorphous phase forms under a large tensile stress, which relaxes as the reaction progresses. This stress in the amorphous phase is consistent with the volume change associated with the reaction. Stresses in the crystalline, elemental phases are considerably smaller and not affected by the reaction. Low-temperature Ni ion irradiation increases the tensile stress in the diffusion couple. The large observed stress variations are not accompanied by variations in the effective interdiffusion coefficient.
Pathogenesis of hyperadrenergic orthostatic hypotension. Evidence of disordered venous innervation exclusively in the lower limbs.

The pathogenesis of hyperadrenergic orthostatic hypotension was studied in eight patients. Correction of the abnormal orthostatic changes by an inflated pressure suit (MAST) confirmed previous evidence of excessive gravitational pooling of blood in the leg veins. Intravenous L-norepinephrine infusion raised diastolic blood pressure in the same relationship to the infusion-induced increments in plasma norepinephrine concentrations as in normal subjects, indicating normal arteriolar responses. Contractile responses of the veins to infused L-norepinephrine were measured with a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT). The venous responses of hand veins in the patients fell within the 95% confidence limits of the responses of normal hand veins, as did the responses of foot veins in the seven normal subjects. However, foot veins of the patients with hyperadrenergic orthostatic hypotension, and both hand and foot veins of patients with "diffuse" autonomic failure, were supersensitive to norepinephrine, as reflected by a steeper slope of the regression of log (norepinephrine infusion rate) on percentage reduction in venous distensibility, and a significantly lower ED50 (i.e., norepinephrine infusion rate that induced 50% reduction in venous distensibility). The findings suggest anatomical or functional postganglionic denervation of lower limb veins causing excessive gravitational blood pooling with consequent orthostatic hypotension in these patients.
A school behavior modification program: Teacher attitudes a year later

Twelve school psychologists worked with twelve teachers in a suburban school district program to introduce behavior modification techniques in the classroom. Techniques to be used were not specified in advance and variations were related to the attitudes and style preferences of the individual psychologists and teachers and the behavior displayed by the children. Follow-up at the end of the program and again after one year had elapsed suggests that teachers who have been exposed to traditional psychological services for many years are capable and willing to apply behavioral techniques and are eager to expand their knowledge of such modification procedures.
Fischer indole synthesis in water: simple, efficient preparation of naltrindole, naltriben and analogs

Naltrindole, naltrindole analogs and the benzofuran congener naltriben have been prepared by Fischer syntheses using mildly acidic, purely aqueous conditions. The preparation of naltrindole and several analogs was accomplished under almost neutral conditions using just the hydrochloride salts of naltrexone and various electron-rich and electron-poor phenylhydrazines in boiling water. The products were obtained by simple filtration in good to excellent yields and with high purities in the majority of cases. The route is suited to gram-scale synthesis, does not require the use of organic solvents, minimizes the use of corrosive acids, and is simple, efficient and environmentally friendly. Naltriben was prepared efficiently from the hydrochloride salts of naltrexone and O-phenylhydroxylamine but more forcing conditions, 6.0 N HCl, were required. A limitation to the method is the failure of Fischer cyclization between naltrexone and nitro-substituted phenylhydrazines under aqueous conditions.
The crisis this time: comments on Dominic Boyer’s “on the ethics and practice of contemporary social theory”

What would contemporary anthropology be without a sense of crisis? If we follow Dominic Boyer's lead in this pregnant essay, we are led to infer that our current crisis is not only a crisis for anthropology, as many have come to expect, but also a crisis for the "Human Sciences" in general, and one that arises from a much broader transformation of 'social theory' in particular. He argues that the crisis of social theory has never been one "of pure epistemological revolution" but rather a gradual process of subspecialization and differential institutionalization, which, after WWII, amounts to an explosion of divergent social theories. We now confront "a plurality of specialized and specializing theoretical languages" that do not communicate effectively with one another, and in this sense, the crisis this time?the exhaustion of theory?stems not from a poverty of tools, but from an abundance of instruments that do not "recognize, let alone comprehend each other across the labyrinth of our cultures of expertise." As humanists and anthropological practitioners, then, we feel or notice the effects of this more generalized crisis in ways local to our discipline. Disciplinary crisis, and in this sense the crisis of theory, is largely a symptom of how social theory can no longer adequately respond to the multiplying specialized forms of knowledge which proliferate in our contemporary. Despite Boyer's exposition, I am led to wonder what this seemingly common? place, taken for granted sense of crisis obscures? In exploring this question, I am immediately reminded of a poignant precedent. In a different register, under different circumstances, and with a different crisis in mind, we find Asad, wryly observing in 1973:
Further studies on the ring canal system of the ovarian cystocytes of Drosophila melanogaster

An ultrastructural study was made of the ring canal system which connects the sister ovarian cystocytes that arise in the germaria of wild type Drosophila melanogaster females. It was discovered that during an oogonial mitosis both chromosomes and spindle are enclosed by a multilayered, perforated membrane system derived (at least in part) from the nuclear envelope. The cytokinesis of stem line oogonia takes place through the formation of a cleavage furrow. A second method of formation of plasma membrane is found in the case of cystocytes. It involves the production along the plane of division of a plaque of interconnected vesicles and tubules and later the coalescence of nearby tubules to form continuous sheets of membrane which segregate the cytoplasms of the sister cells. However, these remain connected by a canal which is enclosed by a ring-shaped rim that is completed prior to the plasma membrane to which the rim is subsequently attached. It is postulated that the rim represents a transformed midbody. As development proceeds the canal becomes wider, its rim becomes thicker, and the inner circumference of the rim becomes coated with a thick deposit having different cytochemical properties than the rim itself. Cystocyte divisions produce sister cells which differ in that one receives all previously formed canals; the other none. In the case of the last division (and perhaps in earlier ones as well) the sister cell receiving all previously formed canals also receives more cytoplasm than its sister. As the cells of the cluster grow, the canals remain close together. This finding suggests that when new plasma membrane is synthesized, it is added in areas remote from the canals. An investigation of the positioning in three dimensions of the fifteen canals of a newly formed, 16 cellcluster suggests that the spindles produced at one division are never parallel to those formed at the subsequent division. This continual shifting of the axes of the spindles at consecutive divisions presumably results in the branching chains of cells which characterize a cystocyte cluster. The possession of a unique pattern of cortical structures by two cystocytes is accompanied by the nuclear synthesis of synaptonemal complexes. The other fourteen cystocytes differentiate into nurse cells. In the most posterior portion of the germarium one of the two potential oocytes switches to the nurse cell developmental pathway. This “switched off” oocyte and the definitive oocyte grow at rates which differ greatly and are correlated to the amount of contact between their surfaces and certain follicle cells. As development proceeds centrioles accumulate in the oocyte, and most of these are thought to have been carried from the nurse cells into the oocyte in the nutrient stream.
An analytical SMASH procedure (ASP) for sensitivity-encoded MRI.

The simultaneous acquisition of spatial harmonics (SMASH) method of imaging with detector arrays can reduce the number of phase-encoding steps, and MRI scan time several-fold. The original approach utilized numerical gradient-descent fitting with the coil sensitivity profiles to create a set of composite spatial harmonics to replace the phase-encoding steps. Here, an analytical approach for generating the harmonics is presented. A transform is derived to project the harmonics onto a set of sensitivity profiles. A sequence of Fourier, Hilbert, and inverse Fourier transform is then applied to analytically eliminate spatially dependent phase errors from the different coils while fully preserving the spatial-encoding. By combining the transform and phase correction, the original numerical image reconstruction method can be replaced by an analytical SMASH procedure (ASP). The approach also allows simulation of SMASH imaging, revealing a criterion for the ratio of the detector sensitivity profile width to the detector spacing that produces optimal harmonic generation. When detector geometry is suboptimal, a group of quasi-harmonics arises, which can be corrected and restored to pure harmonics. The simulation also reveals high-order harmonic modulation effects, and a demodulation procedure is presented that enables application of ASP to a large numbers of detectors. The method is demonstrated on a phantom and humans using a standard 4-channel phased-array MRI system.
A profile analysis of propagating calcium waves.

Abstract The identity of the wave messenger mediating the propagation of intracellular Ca2+ waves in a variety of cells is currently controversial. There is disagreement as to whether the observed waves are mediated by the diffusion of Ca2+ or by the diffusion of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Resolution of this question will help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying intracellular Ca2+ waves and oscillations. It has been suggested that the diffusion coefficient of the wave messenger, D, may be evaluated by means of the profile equation, D = cλ, where c is the wave speed, and λ is the space constant of the wave front. We show that this equation is not, in general, correct. We derive a more comprehensive form of the profile equation, including the effect of buffering of the wave messenger, and show that the profile equation may be used to estimate the diffusion coefficient of the wave messenger only if the details of the reaction and buffering kinetics are known.
Public Opinion and the War in Vietnam

Foreign policy seems to command more public attention than domestic policy and yet—insofar as it has been, researched—public opinion on foreign policy seems to have less impact on governmental decisions than does opinion in most other issue areas. There are at least two reasons, one normative and one empirical, why public opinion can be regarded as pertinent to some foreign policy questions—especially those associated with “life and death.” Normatively, it is desirable for political leaders in a democracy to commit national resources in ways generally approved by the populace. Large scale military commtiments should, if at all possible, meet with the approval of public opinion. Empirically, if they do not, experience has shown there are circumstances in which public disapproval of the course of foreign policy may be registered in national elections. Specifically, our one recent experience with a situation of partial mobilization and a limited but large-scale and indefinite commitment to military action in Korea did in time produce a distribution of opinion that suggested the war was very unpopular. And though its precise impact on the 1952 presidential election is difficult to assess there is little doubt that the Korean issue contributed significantly to the Eisenhower landslide.Among the questions raised by the Korean experience is whether the American public will easily tolerate the prosecution of long drawn-out wars of partial mobilization. Therefore, it is not surprising that another such war, in Vietnam, has stimulated a concern with public opinion.
HAND2 synergistically enhances transcription of dopamine-β-hydroxylase in the presence of Phox2a

Abstract Noradrenergic neuronal identity and differentiation are controlled by cascades of transcription factors acting downstream of BMP4, including the basic helix–loop–helix DNA binding protein HAND2 and the homeodomain factor Phox2a. Dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) is the penultimate enzyme required for synthesis of norepinephrine and is thus a noradrenergic cell type-specific marker. We have examined the interaction of HAND2 and Phox2a at the DBH promoter. Using transient transfection of P19 or NT-2 cells, HAND2 is shown to synergistically enhance Phox2a-driven transcriptional activity at the DBH promoter, an effect that is enhanced by cAMP. While mutation of the Phox2a homeodomain binding sites HD1, HD2, and HD3 results in the loss of HAND2/Phox2a transactivation of DBH, it is the interaction of HAND2/Phox2a at the CRE/AP1-HD1/2 domains in the DBH enhancer that are required for synergistic activation by HAND2. We find that HAND2 functions as a transcriptional activator without directly binding to E-box sequences in the DBH promoter, suggesting that HAND2-mediated DBH activity occurs by protein–protein interactions with other transcriptional regulators. Although we were unable to detect interaction of HAND2 and Phox2a in IP/Western blots, HAND2 synergistic activation of DBH is blocked by E1A, suggesting that HAND2 interacts with CBP (cAMP response element binding protein) in this transcriptional complex. In the presence of the putative HAND2 dimerization partner, E12, synergistic activation of DBH transcription is titrated away, suggesting that HAND2 does not functionally dimerize with E12 in the DBH transcription complex. Our data suggest that HAND2 regulates cell type-specific expression of norepinephrine in concert with Phox2a by a novel mechanism.
Nine Easy Steps to Avoiding Software Copyright Infringement.

"Principal investigated for allowing violations of federal copyright laws." Such a headline in your local paper should get your attention, because it can happen unless administrators take steps to ensure they are not infringing on copyright laws.
Working with difficult group members

Abstract Every group contains one or more members who are difficult to handle for many reasons. The most challenging cases such as the entitled, manipulative, or character-disordered clients are described. Suggestions are provided for working with difficult group members, either as isolated cases or as homogenous populations.
ASSESSING DISCONTINUOUS DATA USING ENSEMBLE EMPIRICAL MODE DECOMPOSITION

This investigation presents an improved ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) algorithm that can be applied to discontinuous data. The quality of the algorithm is assessed by creating artificial data gaps in continuous data, then comparing the extracted intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) from both data sets. The results show that errors increase as the gap length increases. In addition, errors in the high-frequency IMFs are less than the low-frequency IMFs. The majority of the errors in the high-frequency IMFs are due to end-effect errors associated with under-defined interpolation functions near the gap endpoints. A method that utilizes a mirroring technique is presented to reduce the errors in the discontinuous decomposition. The improved algorithm provides a more locally accurate decomposition of the data amidst data gaps. Overall, this simple but powerful algorithm expands EEMD's ability to locally extract periodic components from discontinuous data.
Business ethics cases and decision models: A call for relevancy in the classroom

Classroom cases and decision making models used in the teaching of business ethics may be inconsistent with the actual needs of practicing manager students. Three summary cases written by practicing manager students are included in this paper as well as evidence that concerns a focus more on interpersonal dilemmas rather than top management decisions. As well, the relevancy of philosophical perspectives of ethical decision models is questioned. More practical, hands-on models for ethical decisions are provided. Finally, conclusions of relevancy for the field are drawn.
Analysis of microsecond- and submicrosecond-scale electric field pulses produced by cloud and ground lightning discharges

Abstract We examined microsecond- and submicrosecond-scale pulses in electric field records of cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning discharges acquired in summer 2006, in Gainesville, Florida. A total of 12 cloud and 12 ground flashes were analyzed in detail, with the electric field record length being 96 or 200 ms and sampling interval being 4 or 10 ns. The majority of pulses in both cloud and ground discharges analyzed in this study were associated with the initial breakdown process and were relatively small in amplitude and duration. The typical durations were an order of magnitude smaller than tens of microseconds characteristic of “classical” preliminary breakdown pulses. We estimated that 26% of the pulses in the 12 cloud discharges and 22% of the pulses in the 12 cloud-to-ground discharges had total durations less that 1 µs.
Influence of dietary histidine on tissue histamine concentration, histidine decarboxylase and histamine methyltransferase activity in the rat.

Three-week-old male rats were fed for two weeks diets supplying inadequate, adequate, or excess amounts of histidine. After the 2-week feeding of the experimental diets, the rats were killed. Brain, gastrocnemius muscle, kidney and stomach were removed and analyzed for histamine and free-histidine as well as for the degradative enzyme, HMT, and the histamine-synthesizing enzyme HDC. The following results were obtained: As the level of dietary histidine increased, (1) tissue concentrations of free-histidine and of histamine increased in all the tissues analyzed. (2) The increase of histamine was greatest in brain and stomach (5- and 4-fold, respectively), but less in kidney and muscle (2-fold). (3) HDC activity was not detected in muscle, but doubled from the lowest to the highest histidine intake in brain and increased almost 6-fold between the lowest and the highest histidine levels in stomach. (4) Kidney HDC decreased from the lowest to the two higher levels of dietary histidine. (5) HMT activity increased nominally in brain and not significantly in kidney; none was detected in either muscle or stomach. (6) Brain and kidney, tissues with considerable HMT activity, had almost no histamine. The increases in tissue histamine concentrations observed in the tissues analyzed generally reflected the changes and magnitudes of enzyme activities for HMT and HDC. The results in the rat differ in important ways from those previously observed in chickens as follows: (1) Histamine concentrations as a function of dietary histidine decreased in the chick. (2) Both HDC and HMT activities were present in chick muscle tissue. (3) HDC activity in chick stomach decreased sharply as a function of dietary histidine.
Noise and readout performance of a multiple-readout CCD controller

As astonomical CCD image sensors have incorporated more pixels the total readout time of the arrays has increased to the point where it can significatly reduce overall available observing time. The incorporation of multiple readout circuits on CCDs and multiple readout capability in their associated controllers allow several pixels to be read out simultaneously, reducing the overall readout time of the array. A controller is used to operate a single CCD containing four readout circuits that operate simultaneously, giving a factor of three reduction in readout time, and a small increase in readout noise. Another tactic for reducing readout time is described, that is easily implemented with programmable CCD controllers that reads out only selected regions of interest and discards the uninteresting portions of the image, giving a considerable decrease in readout time and no readout noise penalty.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Regulation of principal cell pH by Na/H exchange in rabbit cortical collecting tubule

Changes in intracellular pH (pH i ) were measured using the pH indicator, BCECF, in principal cells from split opened cortical collecting tubules (CCTs) derived from rabbits maintained on a normal diet. This monolayer preparation has the advantage of allowing us to visualize the morphological differences in the two major cell types in this nephron segment under transmitted light. The visual identification of the cell types was verified using emission measurements taken from single principal and intercalated cells in the opened tubule which had been exposed to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled peanut lectin. We confirmed the existence of an amiloride-sensitive Na/H exchange process activated during intracellular acidosis in principal cells. In addition, the exchanger was active under basal conditions and over a wide range of pH i . Because the exchanger was active under basal conditions we tested the hypothesis that changes in intracellular Na (Na i ) would alter pH i in a predictable way. Maneuvers designed to alter Na i were without significant effects within a 10-min time frame. Specifically, addition of 100 μm ouabain to increase Na i or exposure of the tubules to 10−5 m amiloride to decrease luminal Na entry and reduce Na i did not have an effect on pH i . In some experiments we did observe however, after a 30-min exposure to ouabain, a small decrease in pH i . These results suggest that Na/H exchange is a major regulator of pH i in principal cells. However, regulation of Na transport by changes in pH i in principal cells of rabbit CCT via the activity of a Na/H exchanger do not seem to contribute to the feedback control of Na transport.
Mental health training and the hospice community: a national survey.

Abstract This article summarizes a national survey of the hospice community. Respondents provided detailed information in the following areas: (a) What formal mental health training is provided for staff members? (b) Who conducts this training? (c) What areas are covered and where would more training be useful? (d) How is the training conducted—what formats and teaching materials are used? and (e) How much training do staff members receive? The results of the survey indicate that the hospice community is making a concerted effort to meet the mental health training needs of its paid staff members and volunteers. However, more than half of the hospices surveyed expressed a need for further training in 26 of the 33 issues and skills covered in the questionnaire, and many reported a need for a more systematic and comprehensive mental health curriculum. The findings point to several areas of particularly great need and provide a basis for the development of future mental health training in the hospice community.
Building an Understanding of the Role of Media Literacy for Latino/a High School Students

Popular media is a social phenomenon, especially for young audiences. This qualitative study examined how eleven Latino/a high school students and a Latino teacher understood the impact of media messages in an animated children's film. Findings suggest participants identified negative cultural messages embedded throughout the film regarding Latino/a as well as lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer/intersex/ally (LGBTQIA) populations. Authors discuss implications and recommendations for educators and school leaders to consider when presenting media. These suggestions include integrating media literacy to engage students in understanding the construction of popular media and to critically reflect on the impact of such messages.
A Study of the Conformation of HIV Nef Bound to Lipid Membranes by Neutron Reflectivity

Nef is one of six HIV-1 accessory proteins and directly contributes to AIDS progression. Nef associates with membranes and may require a transition from a solution conformation to a membrane-associated conformation. It has been hypothesized that a transition from a “closed” conformational form to an “open” form enables interaction of Nef with cellular proteins. Despite its obvious disease importance, there is little or no direct information about the conformation of membrane-bound Nef. In this work we used neutron reflection to reveal details of the conformation of membrane-bound Nef. Nef was bound through an N-terminal His tag to Langmuir monolayers of DPPC mixed with a synthetic metal-chelating lipid. Several methods were found to achieve a dense monomolecular layer of membrane-bound Nef, despite its tendency to form oligomers at high concentration. At the conditions of this initial study (65% DSIDA 35 mol% DPPC, 20 mM Tris, 20 C, pH 8.2), for the large majority of the bound population the core domain of membrane-bound Nef lies within a few A of the lipid headgroups. The N-terminal arm is directly against the lipid headgroups with a small portion inserted. The results also indicate that the disordered loop extends from the core domain into the solution. The data also suggest that for a very small fraction of the bound population the N-terminal arm extends normal to the membrane and the core domain is displaced ∼50 A from the membrane. Some ramifications of these results for the activity of Nef are discussed.
Ecology of Black Pineleaf Scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae)

The ecology of black pineleaf scale which occurs on several species of pine and Douglas fir causing defoliation, discoloration of foliage, and reduced growth is reviewed. All known outbreaks of this scale have been caused by reduction in the population of Prosphaltella parasitoid that normally keeps the scale populations at very low densities. Abnormal mortality of Prosphaltella has been found to be caused either by the presence of sorptive dusts or by drift of insecticides. High population densities of scale have been found mainly in areas of high dust fall resulting from industrial sources and roadways. No known causal relationships have been found to exist between atmospheric fluorides and the black pineleaf scale population density. Environmental improvement to conserve the Prosphaltella parasitoids appears to be the most effective control measure.
Distribution and characterization of diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) in peripheral tissues of rat

We studied the expression and distribution of the polypeptide diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) in rat peripheral organs by immunocytochemistry, radioimmunoassay, Northern blot analysis and binding assay. Variable amounts of the DBI peptide and DBI mRNA were found in all the tissues examined (liver, duodenum, testis, kidney, adrenal gland, heart, ovary, lung, skeletal muscle and spleen), with the highest level of expression in liver (220 pmol of DBI/mg protein) and the lowest in spleen (11 pmol of DBI/mg protein). A good correlation between DBI-like immunoreactivity (DBI-LI) and mRNA content was found in all tissues except the heart. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed discrete localization of DBI-LI in cell types with specialized functions: for example, the highest DBI-LI content was found in steroid-producing cells (glomerulosa and fasciculata cells of adrenal cortex, Leydig cells of testis); lower DBI-LI immunostaining was found in epithelial cells specialized for water and electrolyte transport (intestinal mucosa, distal convoluted tubules of kidney). Hepatic cells contained moderate immunoreactivity however the total content of DBI in liver is relatively high and is due to the diffuse presence of DBI in every hepatocyte. Cells with high expression of DBI have been shown to contain a high density of mitochondrial benzodiazepine (BZ) binding sites. This observation led us to perform a competitive binding assay between DBI and [3H]PK11195 (a ligand for the mitochondrial BZ binding sites) on mitochondrial membranes of adrenal cortical cells. In this experiment, DBI yielded an apparent competitive inhibition of the binding of PK11195 to the BZ binding sites. Our data support a possible role for DBI as endogenous regulator of intracellular metabolic functions, such as steroidogenesis, via the mitochondrial BZ receptors.
Energy sources, public policy, and public preferences: Analysis of US national and site-specific data

To understand public preferences for energy sources, 2701 US residents were surveyed; 2101 of the respondents lived within 50 miles of a major nuclear facility. Over 90% wanted greater reliance on solar and wind, and over 70% wanted more reliance upon hydroelectric sources. Less than one-third wanted more use of oil and coal. Nuclear and natural gas sources were closer to an even split. Notably, those who lived near nuclear facilities favored the same sources, although a larger proportion of these respondents favored increasing use of nuclear power than in the national sample. These results are consistent with other United States surveys. The study found striking differences in preferences by age, ethnicity/race and other demographic characteristics that need in-depth investigation in order to help decision-makers and everyone else better understand public preferences about energy policy choices.
Preparation and Initial Characterization of the Compound I, II, and III States of Iron Methylchlorin-Reconstituted Horseradish Peroxidase and Myoglobin: Models for Key Intermediates in Iron Chlorin Enzymes

To better understand the spectral properties of high valent and oxyferrous states in naturally occurring iron chlorin-containing proteins, we have prepared the oxoferryl compound I derivative of iron methylchlorin-reconstituted horseradish peroxidase (MeChl-HRP) and the compound II and oxyferrous compound III states of iron MeChl-reconstituted myoglobin. Initial spectral characterization has been carried out with UV-visible absorption and magnetic circular dichroism. In addition, the peroxidase activity of iron MeChl-HRP in pyrogallol oxidation has been found to be 40% of the rate for native HRP. Previous studies of oxoferryl chlorins have employed tetraphenylchlorins in organic solvents at low temperatures; stable oxyferrous chlorins have not been previously examined. The present study describes the compound I, II, and III states of histidine-ligated iron chlorins in a protein environment for the first time.
Kinetic mechanism of human inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase type II: random addition of substrates and ordered release of products

IMP dehydrogenase (IMPDH) catalyzes the oxidation of IMP to XMP with the concomitant reduction of NAD to NADH. This reaction is the rate-limiting step of guanine nucleotide biosynthesis. IMPDH is a target of immunosuppressive, antiviral, anticancer, and antiparasitic chemotherapy. We have determined a minimal kinetic mechanism for human IMPDH type II using NAD analogs, isotope effects, hydride exchange, and presteady state kinetics. The values of kcat for the NAD analogs are similar despite a great variation in the structure and reactivity of the compounds. This observation suggests that a common step is rate-limiting, i.e., either hydrolysis of the E-XMP* intermediate or release of XMP. No Vm isotope effect is observed when 2-2H-IMP is the substrate, which indicates that hydride transfer is fast. This conclusion is confirmed by the observation of a burst of NADH production under presteady state conditions. These observations further suggest that either E-XMP* hydrolysis or XMP release is rate-limiting. V/Km deuterium isotope effects are observed for both substrates (1.9 for IMP and 2.5 for NAD), which indicates that substrate association is random. This result contradicts previous conclusions based on product inhibition studies. No NADH consumption is observed in the presence of XMP and IMPDH, which indicates that the overall reaction is irreversible. NADH consumption is observed in the presence of thio-NAD, IMP, and enzyme. These observations indicate that NADH traps the E-XMP* intermediate and demonstrates that hydride transfer is reversible. At infinite NADH, all of E-XMP* is trapped by NADH, as indicated by the equivalence of the rates of consumption of thio-NAD and NADH. Therefore the release of products is ordered, with NADH release preceding hydrolysis of E-XMP*.
Stempellia lunata sp. n. (Microsporida: Nosematidae) in larvae of the mosquito Culex pilosus collected in Florida.

The morphology and the developmental stages of a new species of Stempellia (Nosematidae) in Culex pilosus (Culicidae) are described. The diagnostic characters are compared with those of Stempellia magna, the only other described member of the genus Stempellia in mosquitoes. The host-parasite relationships of Stempellia lunata sp. n. and S. magna are discussed.
Interaction of CF3I with Pt(111)

Abstract The interaction of CF3I with Pt(111) has been studied using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and work function change (Δo). CF3I adsorbs molecularly at 85 K. Upon heating, all of the multilayer and part of the monolayer desorb at 100 and 168 K, respectively. The rest of the monolayer dissociates in two competitive channels. The first leads to CF3 and atomic I and the second to CF2 and halogens, with some evidence for IF. In the second, CF2 radicals desorb promptly as they are formed (~ 150 K). When H(a) is present, reaction-limited HF desorption occurs at 220 K, a product attributed to decomposition of IF. In the presence of H(a), some CF(d3 is hydrogenated to form CF3H which desorbs at 174 K. The remainder is stabilized; most desorbs as radicals at 623 K, but a small amount dissociates to produce CF2, which desorbs with peaks at 750 and 850 K.
Time-resolved areal-density measurements with proton spectroscopy in spherical implosions.

The temporal history of the target areal-density near peak compression of direct-drive spherical target implosions has been inferred with 14.7-MeV deuterium-helium-3 ${\mathrm{D}}^{\mathrm{3}}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{e}$ proton spectroscopy of the 60-beam, 30-kJ UV OMEGA laser system. The target areal-density grows by a factor of $\ensuremath{\sim}8$ during the time of neutron-production ($\ensuremath{\sim}400\text{ }\mathrm{p}\mathrm{s}$) before reaching $123\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}16\text{ }\mathrm{m}\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{2}}$ at peak compression in the implosion of a 950-$\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$-diam, $20\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$-thick plastic CH capsule filled with 4 atm of ${\mathrm{D}}^{\mathrm{3}}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{e}$ fuel.
Mixed H 2/H ∞ control via state feedback for nonlinear systems

This paper studies a mixed H 2/H ∞ control problem with internal stability by means of memoryless state feedback, for smooth nonlinear control systems. The problem consists of combining the performance requirements of quadratic optimal controllers with the robustness properties of H∞ controllers. It is shown that under appropriate assumptions, the problem is solvable if a pair of cross-coupled Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs equations allows smooth solutions. Our approach to the mixed H 2/H ∞ nonlinear control problem is drawn from the concepts of non-zero sum differential game, LaSalle's Invariance Principle and completion of squares. Analogous results are also developed for discrete-time nonlinear systems, by using the Taylor expansion argument. Finally, all the results obtained in affine systems are generalized to non-affine nonlinear systems.
Mxi1 and mxi1-0 antagonize N-myc function and independently mediate apoptosis in neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the third most common malignancy of childhood, and outcomes for children with advanced disease remain poor; amplification of the MYCN gene portends a particularly poor prognosis. Mxi1 antagonizes N-Myc by competing for binding to Max and E-boxes. Unlike N-Myc, Mxi1 mediates transcriptional repression and suppresses cell proliferation. Mxi1 and Mxi1-0 (an alternatively transcribed Mxi1 isoform) share identical Max and DNA binding domains but differ in amino-terminal sequences. Because of the conservation of these critical binding domains, we hypothesized that Mxi1-0 antagonizes N-Myc activity similar to Mxi1. SHEP NB cells and SHEP cells stably transfected with MYCN (SHEP/MYCN) were transiently transfected with vectors containing full-length Mxi1, full-length Mxi1-0, or the common Mxi domain encoded by exons 2 to 6 (ex2-6). After incubation in low serum, parental SHEP/MYCN cell numbers were reduced compared with SHEP cells. Activated caspase-3 staining and DNA fragmentation ELISA confirmed that SHEP/MYCN cells undergo apoptosis in low serum, while SHEP/MYCN cells transfected with Mxi1 or Mxi1-0 do not. However, SHEP/MYCN cells transfected with Mxi1 or Mxi1-0 and grown in normal serum showed proliferation rates similar to SHEP cells. Mxi ex2-6 did not affect cell number in low or normal serum, suggesting that amino terminal domains of Mxi1 and Mxi1-0 are critical for antagonism. In the absence of N-Myc, Mxi1 and Mxi1-0 induce apoptosis independently through the caspase-8–dependent extrinsic pathway, while N-Myc activates the caspase-9–dependent intrinsic pathway. Together, these data indicate that Mxi1 and Mxi1-0 antagonize N-Myc but also independently impact NB cell survival.
Syndrome of Nocturnal Frequency Alleviated by Testosterone Propionate1

In women, disturbances of micturition may occur without evidence of cardio-vascular-renal disease, anatomic defects in the urinary tract or genito-urinary infection. It is admitted that psychogenie factors frequently play an important role in functional bladder disorders, but what has not been readily appreciated is that nocturia, urgency, and incontinence may have a hormonal basis. We wish to draw attention to a syndrome of nocturnal frequency in women who may or may not have disturbances of micturition during the day. The routine urinary findings are usually negative or of little significance. Stigmata of endocrine imbalance such as menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, fibromyomata may be present in the premenopausal group and vasomotor disturbances or atrophic vaginitis in the menopausal group. In March, 1941, we reported (1) before the Southeastern Surgical Congress on the palliative therapy of fibromyomata uteri by administration of chemically pure androgenic substances.
Fluconazole for the prevention of fungal infections: get ready, get set, caution.

Despite the promising data presented by Manzoni et al1 in this month's Pediatrics Electronic Pages , there remains, in my opinion, insufficient evidence to recommend the routine use of fluconazole as a means of prophylaxis against systemic fungal infections in low birth weight infants. I wish the facts dictated otherwise. The search for means of preventing nosocomial infection has been at the forefront of the minds of clinicians since the emergence of the neonatal perinatal medicine discipline. Unfortunately, the history of this subspecialty is punctuated by the unanticipated disasters that followed well-meaning attempts to prevent infections in preterm infants. For example, in an effort to prevent nosocomial infections in preterm infants by administering a combination of penicillin and sulfonamides, Silverman2 observed that more infants died as a result of kernicterus. He noted, “We cannot always make our patients better, but we can always make them worse!”2 Other efforts to prevent infection have included the use of chloramphenicol (which produced the gray-infant syndrome), tetracyclines (which permanently stained teeth … Address correspondence to Avroy A. Fanaroff, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Room 784, Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, 11100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106-6003. E-mail: aaf2{at}case.edu