cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyp26b1 restrains murine heart valve growth during development

Endothelial cells (ECs) are critical to proper heart valve development, directly contributing to the mesenchyme of the cardiac cushions, which progressively transform into mature valves. To date, investigators have lacked useful markers of valve ECs to fully evaluate their contributions during valve morphogenesis. As a result, it has been unclear whether the well-characterized regional differentiation of valves correlates with any endothelial domains in the heart. Furthermore, it has been difficult to ascertain whether endothelial heterogeneity in the heart influences underlying mesenchymal zones in an angiocrine manner. To identify regionally expressed EC genes in the heart valves, we screened publicly available databases and assembled a toolkit of endothelial-enriched genes. We identified Cyp26b1 as one of many endothelial enriched genes found to be expressed in the endocardium of the developing cushions and valves. Here, we show that Cyp26b1 is required for normal heart valve development. Genetic ablation of Cyp26b1 in mouse embryos leads to abnormally thickened aortic valve leaflets, which is due in part to increased endothelial and mesenchymal cell proliferation in the remodeling valves. In addition, Cyp26b1 mutant hearts display ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in a portion of null embryos. We show that loss of Cyp26b1 results in upregulation of retinoic acid (RA) target genes, supporting the observation that Cyp26b1 has RA-dependent roles. Together, this work identifies a novel role for Cyp26b1 in heart valve morphogenesis. Understanding the spatiotemporal expression dynamics of cardiac EC genes will likely prove useful to the investigation of both normal as well as dysfunctional heart valve development. HIGHLIGHTS{middle dot} A mouse heart valve gene expression atlas can be generated with publicly available online tools, such as Genepaint and other gene expression databases. {middle dot} Endothelium of developing mouse heart valves is regionally heterogeneous. {middle dot} Cyp26b1 is expressed in the endocardial/endothelial lining of developing heart valves. {middle dot} Loss of Cyp26b1 leads to significant enlargement of aortic valves and to ventricular septal defects. {middle dot} Cyp26b1 represses cell proliferation in valve mesenchyme. {middle dot} Retinoic acid targets are upregulated in Cyp26b1-/- heart valves, indicating dysregulation of RA metabolism.
“I used to be one of them”: reflections on researching DACA students as a DACA beneficiary

This article examines my experiences as a Latina DACA-benefited researcher conducting qualitative research with Latinx DACA-benefited college students. Drawing from an interview study across two st...
Mixed Initiative Balance of Human-Swarm Teaming in Surveillance via Reinforcement learning

Human-machine teaming (HMT) operates in a context defined by the mission. Varying from the complexity and disturbance in the cooperation between humans and machines, a single machine has difficulty handling work with humans in the scales of efficiency and workload. Swarm of machines provides a more feasible solution in such a mission. Human-swarm teaming (HST) extends the concept of HMT in the mission, such as persistent surveillance, search-and-rescue, warfare. Bringing the concept of HST faces several scientific challenges. For example, the strategies of allocation on the high-level decision making. Here, human usually plays the supervisory or decision making role. Performance of such fixed structure of HST in actual mission operation could be affected by the supervisor’s status from many aspects, which could be considered in three general parts: workload, situational awareness, and trust towards the robot swarm teammate and mission performance. Besides, the complexity of a single human operator in accessing multiple machine agents increases the work burdens. An interface between swarm teammates and human operators to simplify the interaction process is desired in the HST.In this paper, instead of purely considering the workload of human teammates, we propose the computational model of human swarm interaction (HSI) in the simulated map surveillance mission. UAV swarm and human supervisor are both assigned in searching a predefined area of interest (AOI). The workload allocation of map monitoring is adjusted based on the status of the human worker and swarm teammate. Workload, situation awareness ability, trust are formulated as independent models, which affect each other. A communication-aware UAV swarm persistent surveillance algorithm is assigned in the swarm autonomy portion. With the different surveillance task loads, the swarm agent’s thrust parameter adjusts the autonomy level to fit the human operator’s needs. Reinforcement learning is applied in seeking the relative balance of workload in both human and swarm sides. Metrics such as mission accomplishment rate, human supervisor performance, mission performance of UAV swarm are evaluated in the end. The simulation results show that the algorithm could learn the human-machine trust interaction to seek the workload balance to reach better mission execution performance. This work inspires us to leverage a more comprehensive HST model in more practical HMT application scenarios.
ESTIMATING AND EXPLORING SOURCES OF TEMPORAL DEVIATIONS FROM FLIGHT PLANS

We analyzed readily available Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data on daily average flight times between major US airports. By subtracting out expected flight times and organizing the resulti...
Emerging Options and Opportunities in Civilian Aeronautics

This paper addresses the major problems/issues with civilian aeronautics going forward, the contextual ongoing technology revolutions, the several emerging civilian aeronautical "Big Ideas" and associated enabling technological approaches. The ongoing IT Revolution is increasingly providing, as 5 senses virtual presence/reality becomes available, along with Nano/Molecular Manufacturing, virtual alternatives to Physical transportation for both people and goods. Paper examines the potential options available to aeronautics to maintain and perhaps grow "market share" in the context of this evolving competition. Many of these concepts are not new, but the emerging technology landscape is enhancing their viability and marketability. The concepts vary from the "interesting" to the truly revolutionary and all require considerable research. Paper considers the speed range from personal/general aviation to supersonic transports and technologies from energetics to fabrication.
Chapter 21. Agents that Affect Prolactin Secretion

Publisher Summary This chapter covers substances that inhibit prolactin release and substances that stimulate prolactin release. The chapter focuses on the recent work on substances that have been shown to affect prolactin secretion. It is no surprise that many agents exist and are able to alter the release of prolactin. The first class of compounds found to inhibit prolactin secretion is catecholamines. Specifically, dopamine has been proposed by a multitude of authors as the physiological prolactin inhibiting factor (PIF) of the hypothalamus. Dopamine is released by the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons into the hypophyseal portal circulation that carries it to the adenohypophysis, where it inhibits the release of prolactin. One group of dopamine agonists that shows a remarkably strong inhibitory effect on prolactin release both in vivo and on pituitary tissue in vitro is the ergolines; cryptine and lergotrile. Both the compounds are potent inhibitors of prolactin release, and have been reported to inhibit prolactin release in many different animal species and in man. The role of serotonergic pathways in controlling the prolactin release has been extensively studied. Administration of serotonin (5HT), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP), and synthetic 5HT agonists is stimulatory to prolactin secretion in rats, monkeys, and man. However, research into the function of the serotonergic pathway using 5HT antagonists, such as methylsergide, cyproheptadine, and metergoline has led to controversial results because of the poor specificity of those agents.
Using context to improve cascaded pedestrian detection

The design of a fast and accurate pedestrian detector is considered. A system combining a fast cascaded pedestrian detector and a pedestrian validator is proposed. The detector first scans the image of interest and proposes a set of candidate bounding boxes. The pedestrian validator then decides if each proposed bounding box is consistent with a true pedestrian, based on scene context. Experiments show that the resulting system is faster and more accurate than current approaches to pedestrian detection.
Life Table Data, Combining

This article discusses methods of combining data from several life tables to form an overall life table. Combining life tables entails building a statistical model using the data from the various tables. The simplest statistical model is to assume that the probabilities of decrement for each age are the same across all tables. In this case, combining entails simple addition. When this assumption is untenable, a more complex statistical model must be built. This article illustrates how to combine life table data using a specific family of statistical models. Other candidate models for this step are mentioned at the end. Keywords: combining data; multiple life tables; log-linear models
Object Relations Theory and Pharmacopsychotherapy of Anxiety Disorders

As the use of combined psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy becomes more prevalent, psychiatrists are beginning to delineate how particular psychotherapy approaches deal with combined treatments. This...
A position paper on data sovereignty: the importance of geolocating data in the cloud

In this paper we define the problem and scope of data sovereignty - the coupling of stored data authenticity and geographical location in the cloud. Establishing sovereignty is an especially important concern amid legal and policy constraints when data and resources are virtualized and widely distributed. We identify the key challenges that need to be solved to achieve an effective and un-cheatable solution as well as propose an initial technique for data sovereignty.
Undesired Reactions During Synthesis

It might be nigh impossible to reduce peptide synthesis to a mere routine, because the intended transformations, such as blocking, activation, coupling and removal of protecting groups, are accompanied by numerous undesired reactions. Therefore, instead of a single product often a mixture of peptides is obtained and the target compound must be secured through purification, which may require several steps and sometimes tedious, time consuming operations. Consequently, the final yield on homogeneous material can be rather disappointing. Thus, it is absolutely necessary to recognize and to understand such undesired reactions, to anticipate and, when possible, to prevent them. Here we can discuss only those side reactions which are repeatedly encountered and reported. An important problem, racemization during synthesis, will be treated in a separate chapter.
Constitutional Restraints on the Regulations of Scientific Speech and Scientific Research Commentary on ''Democracy, Individual Rights and the Regulation of Science''

The question of what constitutional constraints should apply to government efforts to regulate scientific speech is frequently contrasted to the question of what constitutional constraints should apply to government efforts to regulate scientific research. This comment argues that neither question is well formulated for constitutional analysis, which should instead turn on the relationship to constitutional values of specific acts of scientific speech and research.
Use Of An Advising Team

The Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University uses selected faculty members on an Advising Team, and provides access to them through walk-in advising hours. Compared to our previous approach of assigning students to all faculty members, the benefits of this system for the students are more efficient and effective advising. Students have access to advising at more times, and are more likely to get correct answers quickly. The benefits for the faculty are that the faculty members on the Team enjoy advising and can have their performance expectations tailored to include advising, while those faculty members who are not interested in advising do not have to participate. This system acknowledges the differing interests, performance requirements (e.g., research), and abilities of faculty members. Other colleges and universities may find this approach beneficial for their students and faculty.
Modest induction of phase 2 enzyme activity in the F-344 rat prostate.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men and is thought to arise as a result of endogenous oxidative stress in the face of compromised carcinogen defenses. We tested whether carcinogen defense (phase 2) enzymes could be induced in the prostate tissues of rats after oral feeding of candidate phase 2 enzyme inducing compounds. Male F344 rats were gavage fed sulforaphane, β-naphthoflavone, curcumin, dimethyl fumarate or vehicle control over five days, and on the sixth day, prostate, liver, kidney and bladder tissues were harvested. Cytosolic enzyme activities of nicotinamide quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), total glutathione transferase (using DCNB) and mu-class glutathione transferase (using CDNB) were determined in the treated and control animals and compared. In prostatic tissues, sulforaphane produced modest but significant increases in the enzymatic activities of NQO1, total GST and GST-mu compared to control animals. β-naphthoflavone significantly increased NQO1 and GST-mu activities and curcumin increased total GST and GST-mu enzymatic activities. Dimethyl fumarate did not significantly increase prostatic phase 2 enzyme activity. Compared to control animals, sulforaphane also significantly induced NQO1 or total GST enzyme activity in the liver, kidney and, most significantly, in the bladder tissues. All compounds were well tolerated over the course of the gavage feedings. Orally administered compounds will induce modestly phase 2 enzyme activity in the prostate although the significance of this degree of induction is unknown. The 4 different compounds also altered phase 2 enzyme activity to different degrees in different tissue types. Orally administered sulforaphane potently induces phase 2 enzymes in bladder tissues and should be investigated as a bladder cancer preventive agent.
Measured performance and micro-fabrication of racetrack power inductors

This paper presents micro-fabrication results and electrical performance measurements for chip-scale racetrack power inductors. Magnetic components with sputtered Co-Zr-O magnetic cores are demonstrated in a multi-megahertz dc-dc converter for solid-state lighting applications. The dc-dc converter achieves an 89% conversion efficiency at 5 MHz with an inductor power density of 1 W/mm2 of substrate area. Small-signal measurements of the inductors are compared with modeled predictions to validate the design optimization approach. Fabricated components achieved inductance values of 1.2 μH and peak quality factors of 15.1 at 8.3 MHz.
Field Testing of Biological Spectral Weighting Functions for Induction of UV‐absorbing Compounds in Higher Plants

Action spectra are typically used as biological spectral weighting functions (BSWF) in biological research on the stratospheric ozone depletion issue. Despite their critical role in determining the amount of UV supplied in experiments, there has been only limited testing of different functions under realistic field conditions. Here, we calculate effective radiation according to five published BSWF and evaluate the appropriateness of these BSWF in representing the induction of UV-absorbing compounds. Experiments were carried out in the field using both ultraviolet-B radiation (280-320 nm) supplementation and selective filtering of solar UV radiation. For the four species tested, BSWF that extend into the ultraviolet-A radiation (320-400 nm) (UV-A) with moderate effectiveness best represented the observed results. When compared with the commonly used generalized plant response, these BSWF suggest that simulations of ozone depletion will require more radiation than in the past experiments. However, they imply lower radiation supplements than a new plant growth BSWF that has a greater emphasis on UV-A wavelengths.
Statistical and Mathematical Approach for Distribution Function Model for Low Probability of Failures

In probabilistic design it is common practice to use statistical models such as normal, lognormal, and Weibull to describe random design factors. However these distribution function models deviate in the lower tail, i.e. percentiles below 1%. The deviation is nonconservative in that since it predicts life longer than observed.A Statistical Distribution Function called Adaptive Distribution Function Model similar to Abelkis model was developed. It is compatible with the collected data, and it produces conservative designs at low tail ends. It is also relatively easy to use.Copyright © 1991 by ASME
Low-Temperature Magnetic Transitions in Dilute Au-Based Alloys with Cr, Mn, and Fe

A study has been made of the low-temperature magnetic behavior of gold-based solid solutions containing transition metals in dilute concentration. Of particular interest are Au-Cr, Au-Mn, and Au-Fe, for which solid solutions of higher concentration have been found by other workers to undergo antiferromagnetic (Cr) and ferromagnetic (Mn and Fe) transitions. The present results show that for alloys of about 1 at.% there occur low-temperature magnetic transitions which are similar for all three solutes. The main features of the transitions, as in dilute Cu-Mn alloys, are a susceptibility maximum and, below the temperature of the maximum, a saturable remanent magnetic moment which increases with decreasing temperature in a characteristic manner. The temperature of the maximum increases nearly in proportion to concentration and also depends on the identity of the solute, being about 12, 4, and 8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K/at.%, respectively, for Cr, Mn, and Fe. In the case of Au-V and Au-Co alloys susceptibility maxima and remanent magnetization were absent.
The stability of angiotensinamide in the presence of urea.

Inkubation von 1-l-Asparaginyl-5-l-valyl-angiotensin II (Angiotensinamid) mit Harnstoff vermindert die spasmolytische Aktivitat des Polypeptides weder am Meerschweinchenileum noch am Uterus der Ratte. Eine durch Wasserstoffbruckenbindungen stabilisierte raumliche Konfiguration des Polypeptids ist daher anscheinend nicht Voraussetzung fur biologische Aktivitat.
Coal-water slurry: A status report

Abstract During the years of oil shortage and rapidly increasing oil prices, the need to decrease dependence on oil-fired utility boilers became an urgent concern. The alternatives were to: 1. (1) build new coal-fired stations; 2. (2) modify oil-fired boilers to fire pulverized coal; 3. (3) modify oil-fired boilers to fire coal slurry; 4. (4) modify boilers to fire deeply cleaned, finely pulverized coal; or 5. (5) fire coal-derived liquids. Of these alternatives, the use of the coal-water slurry (CWS) promised a combination of advantages: near-term readiness, low-fuel costs compared to oil, moderate conversion costs, and low technical/economic risks. The development work sponsored and peformed since 1979 with coal-water slurries (70 wt % coal, 29 wt % water, 1 wt % additives) has confirmed these expectations. Fuel quality guidelines and test standards have been established, production of CWS in 40,000–150,000 ton/yr pilot plants has been demonstrated, utility-scale burner systems (100 MBtu/hr) have been demonstrated, and the effects and costs of modifying typical utility boilers have been predicted. Limited field handling, storage, and use tests were completed successfully. The remaining hurdles to commercial acceptance, such as the establishment of slurry quality control procedures and confirmation of predicted boiler performance as well as conversion economics, can best be resolved by conducting a test in a utility boiler.
A simple and effective method for controllable synthesis of silver and silver oxide nanocrystals

Silver (Ag) and silver oxide (Ag2O) colloidal nanocrystals are easily interconvertable and important for many similar applications; however, they have not been synthesized using the same method. Here we report a simple and effective method for synthesizing well-dispersed, hydrophilic, and colloidal Ag, Ag2O, and Ag–Ag2O mixed nanocrystals, which are 10–50 nm in diameter, sphere-like, and passivated with the same stabilizer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The method is denoted as alternating voltage induced electrochemical synthesis (AVIES). It involves only a transformer, two pieces of identical Ag wires, a stirring plate, and a PVP-containing electrolyte solution. The control of Ag and/or Ag2O nanocrystals is achieved by tuning the electrolyte identity, the stirring rate, and the applied voltage. Toward exploring practical applications of heterogeneous catalysis and antibacterial therapy, we have employed the synthesized NCs to catalyze the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and fabricated Ag NCs-loaded electrospun carbon fibers, respectively. Moreover, the revealed crystal-formation mechanism is surprising and interesting: the intermediate states for producing Ag nanocrystals are Ag2O nano-islands formed in situ on the electrode, and not the Ag+ ions in solution formed in situ through electrochemical etching.
LEED study of Na on W(112)

Abstract The structures of Na overlayer on W (112) surfaces have been studied with LEED and work function measurements. It was found that in the 0 to 0.5 monolayer range the Na atoms formed a p(2 × 1) structure. Addition of Na beyond 0.5 monolayer forced the 2 × 1 array out of registry with the W substrate and the columns of Na on neighboring troughs of W(112) became randomly shifted with respect to each other. This gives the effect of one-dimensional diffraction with the positions of the diffraction lines changing continuously with changing Na coverage, similar to that observed by Gerlach and Rhodin 1 ). Above 0.8 monolayer of Na coverage a second layer formed. The second layer atoms are believed to reside along troughs formed by the first layer with the Na-Na spacing along the trough equal to the atomic diameter of Na. The second layer is diperiodic but not in registry with the substrate. Heating of a Na-covered W(112) surface to 500 °K removed the second layer and caused the columns of the first layer Na to shift relative to each other to form a diperiodic array. Continued heating then gradually removed some Na and changed the surface back to a well ordered p(2 × 1). Further heating converted the surface to clean W (112).
Optimal investment to reduce the decay rate of an income stream: The case of soil conservation

Abstract Some natural resource investments are unique from a capital theory point of view because they do not create a new income stream, but rather alter the rate of change of an existing stream of income or social benefit. The marginal conditions for such investments are explored and possible incentive methods are examined for the case of soil conservation expenditures.
Initial- and final-state alignment and orientation effects in Ca energy pooling

An experimental investigation is performed to determine the initial- and final-state alignment effects in the energy-pooling process $\mathrm{Ca}(4s4p{}^{3}{P}_{1})+\mathrm{Ca}(4s4p{}^{3}{P}_{1})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Ca}(4s4p{}^{1}{P}_{1})+\mathrm{Ca}{(4s}^{2}).$ This paper represents a type of four-vector correlation experiment, where two aligned atoms collide and the alignment of the final excited state is observed. The initial $\mathrm{Ca}(4s4p{}^{3}{P}_{1})$ state polarization is controlled with polarized lasers and magnetic fields, and the final-state alignment is partially resolved by observing the polarization of the fluorescence from the $\mathrm{Ca}(4s4p{}^{1}{P}_{1})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Ca}{(4s}^{2})$ emission. The mathematics are developed in this paper to provide a full quantitative description of the four-vector alignment cross sections observed here. Relative values that describe 18 of the 39 total independent parameters are obtained, thus defining the results of this collision process at an unprecedented level of detail. The final-state Ca polarization is found to be only weakly dependent on the initial-state alignment, with final-state fluorescence predominately polarized along the relative velocity vector of the collision.
United States Business Cycles from 1971 through 2010: A Post Keynesian Explanation

Curiously and in spite of its name, very few business cycle theories actually treat it as a cycle. Mainstream economists, for example, model all macroeconomic fluctuations as a function of exogenous forces. In their view, the economy remains at full employment indefinitely unless impacted by some external event. Post Keynesian economists disagree strongly with this characterization, arguing instead that business-cycle fluctuations are endogenously generated. The goal of this paper is to compare the explanatory power of four business cycle models - three mainstream and one Post Keynesian - for the U.S. economy since 1971. While the test employed is a simple one, the results are very clear: no model's performance comes even close to that of the one based on Keynes's seventy-year old analysis.
Catalytically Active μ-Oxodiiron(IV) Oxidants from Iron(III) and Dioxygen

The reaction between an FeIII complex and O2 to afford a stable catalytically active diiron(IV)-μ-oxo compound is described. Phosphonium salts of orange five-coordinated FeIII−TAML complexes with an axial aqua ligand ([PPh4]1−H2O, tetraamidato macrocyclic FeIII species derived from 3,3,6,6,9,9-hexamethyl-3,4,8,9-tetrahydro-1H-1,4,8,11-benzotetraazacyclotridecine-2,5,7,10(6H,11H)-tetraone) react rapidly with O2 in CH2Cl2 or other weakly coordinating solvents to produce black μ-oxo-bridged diiron(IV) complexes, 2, in high yields. Complexes 2 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography (2 cases), microanalytical data, mass spectrometry, UV/Vis, Mossbauer, and 1H NMR spectroscopies. Mossbauer data show that the diamagnetic Fe−O−Fe unit contains antiferromagnetically coupled S = 1 FeIV sites; diamagnetic 1H NMR spectra are observed. The oxidation of PPh3 to OPPh3 by 2 was confirmed by UV/Vis and GC−MS. Labeling experiments with 18O2 and H218O established that the bridging oxygen atom of 2 derives from O2....
Molecular dynamics study of the effect of pressure on the terahertz-region infrared spectrum of crystalline pentaerythritol tetranitrate

Abstract Terahertz infrared absorption spectra of crystalline pentaerythritol tetranitrate were obtained using classical molecular dynamics simulations for temperature T = 298 K and hydrostatic pressures P = 0, 1, 2, and 3 GPa. Two approaches were used to calculate the spectra; one based on combined normal-mode analysis and mode-relaxation calculations and the other on Fourier analysis of the dipole–dipole time autocorrelation function. The two methods yield similar, though not identical, positions and relative spectral amplitudes for all pressures studied. The predicted spectra exhibit an overall blue shift with increasing pressure, accompanied by a decrease in the integral absorption.
Polarization Echoes Based on Scatter De-correlation in Polarization Maintaining Fiber

High-resolution optical frequency domain reflectometry is used to observe fading of the polarization beat signature of PM fiber. Through dispersion management, a beat echo is observed at a later point in a fiber under test.
INNOVATIONS IN PALLADIUM MEMBRANE RESEARCH

This review highlights various aspects of current palladium membrane research and serves as a comprehensive bibliography covering palladium membrane preparation methods and applications. There are many promising uses for palladium membranes, although widespread use of the available technologies is constrained primarily by the high cost of palladium, lack of durability due to hydrogen embrittlement, and susceptibility to fouling. Various researchers in the field are tackling these problems and fabricating thinner palladium alloy composite membranes that better withstand contaminantion and thermal cycling. What has been accomplished to address these issues and the directions presently being explored are discussed.
LMBRD1: the gene for the cblF defect of vitamin B12 metabolism

To date, only very few genetic disorders due to defects in lysosomal membrane transport are known. This paper reviews the identification of the underlying molecular defect causing an intriguing inborn error of vitamin B12 metabolism, namely, defective lysosomal release of vitamin B12 (cblF defect). Using microcell-mediated chromosome transfer of wild-type human chromosomes into immortalized fibroblasts from a cblF patient and genome-wide homozygosity mapping in 12 unrelated cblF patients, we identified LMBRD1 as a positional candidate gene on chromosome 6q13. Five different frameshift mutations leading to loss of function of both LMBRD1 alleles were detected in the affected patients. Transfection of the LMBRD1 wild-type construct into fibroblasts derived from cblF patients restored cobalamin coenzyme synthesis and function. LMBRD1 encodes a novel lysosomal membrane protein with significant homology to lipocalin membrane receptors. These studies give further insight into the intracellular transport of vitamins, challenge the views on lipocalin receptors, and add to our understanding of lysosomal diseases.
The NF-κB-inducing kinase induces PC12 cell differentiation and prevents apoptosis

NF-κB has been implicated in the survival and differentiation of PC12 cells. In this study, we examined the effect of the NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) on these processes. When inducibly expressed in PC12 cells, a kinase-proficient but not -deficient form of NIK promoted neurite process formation and mediated anti-apoptotic signaling. As expected, NIK expression led to IκB kinase activation and induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB. However, NIK-induced neurite outgrowth was only partially blocked by concomitant expression of a nondegradable form of IκBα that completely blocks NF-κB induction. In search of additional signaling pathways activated by NIK, we now demonstrate that NIK activates MEK1 phosphorylation and induces the Erk1/Erk2 MAPK pathway. Treatment of PC12 cells with PD98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, potently blocked neurite process formation; however, a dominantly interfering mutant of the upstream Shc adapter failed to alter this response. These findings reveal a new function for NIK as a MEK1-dependent activator of the MAPK pathway and implicate both the IκB kinase and MAPK signaling cascades in NIK-induced differentiation of PC12 cells.
Clonidine blocks stress-induced craving in cocaine users

Rationale Reactivity to stressors and environmental cues, a putative cause of relapse in addiction, may be a useful target for relapse-prevention medication. In rodents, alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as clonidine block stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking, but not drug cue-induced reinstatement.
Multiple-choice testing as a desirable difficulty in the classroom

Abstract We examined whether the power of tests as learning events, frequently demonstrated in the laboratory, would also occur in a large undergraduate course. Our goals were to determine: if learning of information tested on multiple-choice quizzes administered across the course would be enhanced compared to non-tested control information; and what the effects of quizzing would be for the learning of information conceptually related to the tested information but not itself tested on the quizzes. Given that retrieval practice can have positive ( testing effect ) and negative consequences ( retrieval-induced forgetting ), our concern was that the learning and later retention of non-tested conceptually related information might be impaired by the multiple-choice quizzes. Importantly, learning benefits were found for both types of information on the final exam, indicating that quizzing within a course can enhance not only the learning of specifically tested information, but the learning of non-tested conceptually related information as well.
Theory of insulator charging

Abstract Data are presented which suggest that the contact electrostatic charging of insulators occurs to neutralize an electric field created in the interface during the contact event, sometimes called the high density limit of the surface state theory. Such a theory accounts for almost all available metal-insulator and insulator-insulator electrostatic contact charging experiments.
Mercury capture on coal combustion fly ash

Abstract A study was performed at the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) to test the hypotheses that (1) different carbon types contained in coal combustion fly ash have variable sorption capabilities relative to mercury and (2) the inorganic fraction of coal combustion fly ash may sorb mercury through mechanisms distinct from sorption by carbon in the ash. The purpose of this study was to conduct laboratory experiments to better understand the phenomenon of mercury sorption on coal combustion fly ash. Tests were conducted on the laboratory scale using samples generated from both commercial-scale utility boilers and pilot-scale combustion equipment at the EERC. Selected samples represented ash from various coal sources, of varying loss-on-ignition (LOI) content, and exhibiting different combinations of carbon types. Results indicate a direct correlation between carbon content and mercury partitioning among individual ash samples. The direct relationship between carbon content and mercury-sorbing capacity of the bulk ash samples demonstrated in the loading experiments is not reflected by the low- and high-carbon fraction data. The mercury-sorbing capacity of the inorganic fraction is extremely low with respect to carbon present in the ash. There are likely to be significant differences between the mercury-sorbing capacities of these various carbon forms. The mercury-sorbing capacity of ash studied in this research was highly temperature dependent. Additional work is needed on experimental design to evaluate the loading of high-carbon ash samples with particular attention to the phenomenon of sorptive capacity regeneration, which should be further investigated.
Regenerating vagal afferents reinnervate gastrointestinal tract smooth muscle of the rat.

Peripheral projections of the vagus are known to regenerate after subdiaphragmatic vagotomy, but neither the question of whether the regenerating axons are motor or sensory nor the issue of whether the fibers reinnervate their original targets have been addressed. To determine whether vagal afferents regenerate and whether they differentiate into normal terminal specializations in the reinnervated target organ, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent complete subdiaphragmatic vagotomies and were injected 18 weeks later with 3 μl of 4% wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) in the left nodose ganglion. To provide a comparison group, an unoperated group (controls) was injected with WGA-HRP in the left nodose ganglion. The esophagus, the entire stomach, the first 8 cm of the duodenum, and the hilus of the liver were prepared as wholemounts and processed with tetramethyl benzidine. Vagal afferents were found to have regenerated and reinnervated the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and liver. Bundles (two or more axons), individual vagal axons, and terminals in the stomach were counted and mapped with a sampling grid. At 18 weeks postvagotomy, the reinnervated stomach and duodenum contained normal terminals as well as aberrant endings and growth cone profiles. The ingrowing axons reestablished ipsilateral and contralateral projections in the same proportions seen in controls, although the overall density of the different regenerating elements had reached only 7–39% of control values. These findings demonstrate that the gastrointestinal tract and liver can undergo dramatic afferent reinnervation after vagotomy. The presence of differentiated endings at 18 weeks suggests that some afferent function(s) may be restored, and the expression of growth cones suggests that additional regeneration may be ongoing. J. Comp. Neurol. 421:325–346, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On the Overlapping Grid Method for Elliptic Boundary Value Problems

Composite overlapping grid methods were studied by Volkov [ Proceedings of the Steklov Institute of Mathematics, 96 (1968), pp. 145--185] and Starius [ Numer. Math., 28 (1977), pp. 243--258] more than 20 years ago. More recently several authors have used such methods for a variety of problems (not necessarily elliptic BVPs). This work is motivated by the recent work of Chesshire and Henshaw [ J. Comp. Phys., 90 (1990), pp. 1--64], who developed general software and have carried out extensive computational studies. This report is limited to the case where the finite difference operators are of positive type. However, within that class of problems we present a general theory.
Response of a Viscoelastic Annulus to a Step Transverse Load

The problem of finding the response of a viscoelastic annulus in plane strain to step, transverse loads is solved. It is solved by employing Valanis’ method which assumes constant Poisson’s ratio. The resulting displacements are used to calculate the work done by the applied transverse load for various thicknesses of the annuli. A simple spring-dashpot model is then fitted to the work versus time curves so as to provide the logarithmic decrement for design.
Risk factors: The obesity paradox-an artifact of small sample size?

Intentional weight loss is associated with many benefits, including reduced mortality and cardiometabolic and inflammatory risk, as well as improved quality of life. Unintentional weight loss, however, is often a harbinger of future ill-health. Separating these types of weight loss in clinical trials is sometimes difficult and in small trials can produce the 'obesity paradox'.
Use of Calculated Cation-π Binding Energies to Predict Relative Strengths of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists

Agonists and antagonists of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) are used to treat nicotine addiction, neuromuscular disorders, and neurological diseases. In designing small molecule therapeutics with the nAChR as a target, it is useful to identify chemical parameters that correlate with ability to activate the receptor. Previous studies have shown that cation-π interactions at the transmitter binding sites of the nAChR are important for receptor activation by strong agonists such as acetylcholine. We hypothesized that a calculated estimate of cation-π binding ability could be used to predict the efficiency for channel opening (i.e., the gating efficiency) associated with activation of the acetylcholine receptor by a series of structurally related organic cations. We demonstrate that the calculated cation-π energy is strongly correlated with gating efficiency but only weakly correlated with closed-state binding affinity. Our results suggest that cation-π interactions contribute significantly to th...
Profiling of Secreted Proteins from Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines by Surface‐Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionization Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry

Abstract Surface‐enhanced laser desorption ionization (SELDI) time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) was used to profile six human ovarian cancer cell lines. Non‐confluent cell cultures were exchanged into serum free medium and allowed to grow for either 24 or 48 hours, at which time the medium was collected and analyzed using a Ciphergen SELDI‐TOF MS and a QSTAR Pulsar QqTOF mass spectrometer fitted with a SELDI source. The spectra showed the presence of several low molecular weight species, as well as differences and similarities in the proteins detected in the media of the six ovarian tumor cell lines. The same species were detected at 24 and 48 hours and reproducible changes in their relative abundances were observed.
Open Societies and Closed Minds

Karl Popper’s equation of the closed society with tribalism is reviewed and modified. The German origins of the anthropological concept of culture and its related ideas of the folk culture and cultural relativism are explored. The vicissitudes of the idea of The Folk and its swing from Right to Left are related to contemporary neo-primitivism. The open society and high culture are defended.
Globalization and welfare spending across 21 transitional economies

This article explores the impact of globalization on welfare spending in transitional states. Based on World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) cross-country data sets 1990–2005, I test two...
Photopolymerized cross-linked polyacrylamide gels for on-chip protein sizing.

A new method for on-chip sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS−PAGE) of proteins is reported. Miniaturization of SDS−PAGE has attracted significant attention because it offers rapid analysis times, excellent resolution, high throughput, and the potential for integration and automation, as compared to conventional counterparts. The presented on-chip SDS−PAGE technique employed photolithographically patterned, cross-linked gels fabricated in situ in <20 min. The effects of sieving gel composition on the migration properties of fluorescently labeled protein standards (ranging in molecular weight from 14.2 to 66 kDa) were quantified, as was the ability of the gels to function as a sieving matrix for biologically relevant species. Ferguson analysis was employed to calculate retardation coefficients and free solution mobilities. In conjunction with fluorescence imaging, the on-chip SDS−PAGE separation mechanism was evaluated in terms of separation performance indexes, as well as limitin...
Pyrolysis–molecular weight chromatography–vapor‐phase infrared spectrophotometry: An on‐line system for analysis of polymers. IV. Influence of cis/trans ratio on the thermal degradation of 1,4‐polybutadienes

Abstract : The influence of the cis/trans ratio of 1,4-polybutadienes on the volatile products formed during temperature programmed thermal degradation to 15 percent weight loss has been investigated using a mass chromatograph (a chromatograph which directly provides mass numbers of resolved components of a mixture) and an 'on the fly' vapor phase infrared spectrophotometer. In order of amounts, major volatile products were 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene (dimer), 1,3-butadiene (monomer), cyclopentene and 1,3-cyclohexadiene. With increasing trans content the relative quantities of 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene decreased strongly, cyclopentene increased strongly, 1,3-butadiene decreased moderately and 1,3-cyclohexadiene increased moderately. For a high trans polybutadiene, increasing the heating rate produced relatively more monomer and dimer but less cyclopentene. Mass chromatograms from 1,4-polybutadienes which had been heated to 15 percent weight loss in their prehistory were similar to those obtained from 1,2-poly-butadiene indicating that 1,4-polybutadiene undergoes isomerization prior to degradation. Mechanisms for the fromation of the main volatile products of decomposition are discussed. (Author)
Highlights of the 2003 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics annual meeting: clinical implications.

In its fifteenth year, the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Annual Meeting is one of the largest gatherings in interventional cardiology. This year's session provided live case demonstrations of novel techniques and therapies, results of several clinical studies, and an excellent
Working toward effective policy processes in Panama Canal Watershed National Parks.

Summary In the Panama Canal Watershed, the formulation and implementation of national park management policies has yet to realize all of the conservation, recreation, and educational goals set for the parks. We identify two underlying conditions that contribute to this breakdown in the policy process. First, national park management policies are based on the traditional United States national park model rather than on a model tailored to the unique ecological and social context of the Canal Watershed. Second, the structure and dynamics of participating institutions do not support effective decision making processes. This paper utilizes the policy science framework to provide a detailed analysis of these obstacles to effective park management and gives recommendations for improving the objectives for, decision processes concerning, and participant cooperation in national parks in the Canal Watershed. We recommend that participants initiate a prototype management program in one of the national parks in the ...
Identification and characterization of PshB, the dicluster ferredoxin that harbors the terminal electron acceptors FA and FB in Heliobacterium modesticaldum

The Type I homodimeric photosynthetic reaction center found in anaerobic gram-positive bacteria of the genus Heliobacteriaceae incorporates FA- and FB-like iron-sulfur clusters similar to those found in Photosystem I as terminal electron acceptors. We recently isolated the PshB protein that harbors the iron-sulfur clusters from the reaction centers of Heliobacterium modesticaldum. Here, we report the cloning of a candidate gene and the properties of its product. Genuine PshB was dissociated from the reaction center with 1 M NaCl and purified using an affinity strategy. After acquiring its N-terminal amino acid sequence, an fd2-like gene encoding a 5.5-kDa dicluster ferredoxin was identified as a candidate for PshB. The Fd2-like apoprotein was expressed in Escherichia coli with a His tag, and the Fe/S clusters were inserted using inorganic reagents. The optical absorbance and EPR spectra of the Fd2-like holoprotein were similar to those of genuine PshB. The Fd2-like holoprotein was coeluted with P798-FX cores on both G-75 gel filtration and Ni affinity columns. Consistent with binding, the EPR resonances at g = 2.067, 1.933, and 1.890 from [FA/FB]- were restored after illumination at 15 K, and the long-lived, room-temperature charge recombination kinetics between P798+ and [FA/FB]- reappeared on a laser flash. These characteristics indicate that the long-sought gene and polypeptide harboring the FA- and FB-like clusters in heliobacteria have been identified. The amino acid sequence of PshB indicates an entirely different mode of binding with the reaction center core than PsaC, its counterpart in Photosystem I.
The problem is outside: staff and client behavior as a function of external events.

Data collected in the process of studying the development and functioning of a prerelease program for adjudicated adult offenders provided the opportunity to test the hypothesis that the actions of a parent organization influence the “within” program behaviors of clients and rehabilitation staff. It is demonstrated that changes in the parent organization's behavior toward the program were accompanied by changes in (a) the staff's perceptions of clients, (b) the staffs actions toward clients, (c) client attitudes, and (d) client behaviors. Discussion focuses on the need to view rehabilitative programs as continually influenced by external and extrinisic factors.