cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convergent and Divergent Development among M Cell Lineages in Mouse Mucosal Epithelium

M cells are specialized epithelial cells mediating immune surveillance of the mucosal lumen by transepithelial delivery of Ags to underlying dendritic cells (DC). At least three M cell phenotypes are known in the airways and intestine, but their developmental relationships are unclear. We used reporter transgenic mouse strains to follow the constitutive development of M cell subsets and their acute induction by cholera toxin (CT). M cells overlying intestinal Peyer’s patches (PPs), isolated lymphoid follicles, and nasal-associated lymphoid tissue are induced by distinct settings, yet show convergent phenotypes, such as expression of a peptidoglycan recognition protein-S (PGRP-S) transgene reporter. By contrast, though PP, isolated lymphoid follicle, and villous M cells are all derived from intestinal crypt stem cells, their phenotypes were clearly distinct; for example, PP M cells frequently appeared to form M cell-DC functional units, whereas villous M cells did not consistently engage underlying DC. B lymphocytes are critical to M cell function by forming a basolateral pocket and possible signaling through CD137; however, initial commitment to all M cell lineages is B lymphocyte and CD137 independent. CT causes induction of new M cells in the airway and intestine without cell division, suggesting transdifferentiation from mature epithelial cells. In contrast with intestinal PP M cells, CT-induced nasal-associated lymphoid tissue M cells appear to be generated from ciliated Foxj1+PGRP-S+ cells, indicative of a possible precommitted progenitor. In summary, constitutive and inducible differentiation of M cells is toward strictly defined context-dependent phenotypes, suggesting specialized roles in surveillance of mucosal Ags.
A Group-Testing Procedure in the Presence of Test Error

Abstract A group test is a single test on a group of items which indicates either that the group is free of defectives or that there is at least one defective present. Sobel and Groll [2] have given a test procedure which is based on a set of recursive equations, called the R 1 procedure, for finding all the defectives in a finite population. This procedure is extended to the case where there is a known positive probability of the test yielding an erroneous result when the test group contains one or more defectives.
BILIRUBIN-PHOTOSENSITIZED LYSIS OF RESEALED ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANES*

— The ability of bilirubin to photosensitize biomembrane damage has been tested, using resealed human erythrocyte ghosts as a model system. Continuous irradiation of bilirubin-charged ghosts with broad-band blue light resulted in membrane lysis, as evidenced by the release of trapped markers such as Na+ or glucose-6-phosphate. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of membrane proteins revealed a progressive and relatively rapid loss of spectrin (bands 1 and 2) and band 4.1 during irradiation, accompanied by the appearance of cross-linked polypeptides. The antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene protected ghosts against lysis, but not against protein cross-linking, suggesting that lipid peroxidation is the crucial membrane disrupting event.
Josephson arrays in an incommensurate magnetic field

We study the irrationally frustrated two-dimensional XY model, which is a model for Josephson-junction arrays in an incommensurate magnetic field, and provide evidence that there is no phase transition at finite temperatures. We use the Hubbard-Stratanovich transform to construct the Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson Hamiltonian, characterized by an infinite number of order parameters, which may be expressed in the form of a continuous function of z (0\ensuremath{\le}1), the ${q}_{2}$ component of the critical mode. It is suggested that the fluctuations may be expressed in terms of an infinite number of coupled XY models. The renormalization-group idea then allows us to obtain the effective Hamiltonian in the form of a bond-diluted XY model, which in turn leads to the conclusion that there is no phase transition at finite temperatures. Also indicated is the existence of an upper bound for the transition temperature of a system with a sufficiently small rational frustration.
Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy in Immunosuppressed Transplant Recipients

Purpose: Surgical treatment of transplant recipients in whom prostate cancer subsequently develops has been reported only sporadically in the literature. We reviewed our experience with radical retropubic prostatectomy in patients with solid organ transplants.Materials and Methods: Using our prostatectomy registry we identified 17 patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between 1988 and 2005 following organ transplantation. Clinicopathological features and outcome data were reviewed.Results: Kidney, liver and heart transplants were performed before radical retropubic prostatectomy in 9, 7 and 3 patients, respectively. Median age at transplant and time of radical retropubic prostatectomy was 51 (range 37 to 65) and 59 years (range 45 to 70), respectively. Median prostate specific antigen was 5.8 (range 2.6 to 12.9) and all patients had clinically localized disease. Ten patients had a pathological Gleason score of 6 while the remaining had Gleason scores 7 or greater. No patient had positive...
Metrology for the optoelectronics industry

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides measurement technology, standards, and traceability for much of the optoelectronics industry. This paper covers its support for two major industry segments, the laser industry and the optical communication industry.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Increases in ethylene and carbon dioxide production by Tulipa gesneriana L. ‘Prominence’ after completion of the cold-requirement

Abstract Bulbs of Tulipa gesneriana L. ‘Prominence’ were either specially pre-cooled at 5 ± 0.5°C or held at 17 ± 0.5°C in a flow-through system equipped for atmospheric sampling. Bulbs at 17°C had low CO2 and C2H4 production rates until January when they began to increase. An initial peak of C2H4 production occurred during the 2nd week of pre-cooling, followed by a major increase after 12 weeks. In addition, bulbs were specially pre-cooled for periods of 2–16 weeks (2-week increments). The bulbs were then transferred to 17 ± 0.5°C, where initial periods of special pre-cooling of greater than 12 weeks resulted in a dramatic increase in respiration rate over bulbs cooled for less than 12 weeks. These increases in C2H4 and CO2 liberation appeared to be related to completion of the bulb cold-requirement. However, no surge of shoot elongation occurred after 12 weeks of pre-cooling and transfer to 17°C.
Abstract LB-63: Cell ground state dictates cancer susceptibility across organs

Cancers are distributed unevenly across the body, suggesting that cell context dictates susceptibility to transformation. To test this hypothesis, we mapped cellular susceptibility to tumor initiation across all organs in adult mice. Ten combinations of potent oncogenic mutations, including activating mutations of Kras, Notch1, Ctnnb1 and deletions of tumor suppressors Tp53,Pten and Cdkn2a, were targeted by conditional recombination into Prom1+ (CD133+) cells in the organs of >800 Prom1-Cre/+ mice. Life time clinical surveillance, necropsy and gene expression profiling of over 250 animals, across all genotypes, identified extensive tumor formation that was biased to certain organs including small intestine, stomach, liver, skin, prostate and uterus. Extensive histology and cross-species genomics confirmed these tumors recapitulated >250 tissue-matched human cancers. Detailed mapping of the number and proliferative activity of Prom1+ cells in organs demonstrated that these variables did not dictate cancer incidence. Rather, parallel, life-long linage tracing of Prom1+ populations showed that the capacity of these cells to repair and regenerate their host organ is directly correlated with their tumorigenic capacity. Only Prom1+ cells capable of long-term tissue renewal generated cancers; quiescent and differentiated Prom1+ cells rarely formed tumors regardless of targeted oncogenic mutation. The repair/regeneration capacity of Prom1+ populations also dictated developmental and damage-response patterns of tumorigenesis. Normally quiescent and tumor-resistant Prom1+ cells in the adult liver became highly regenerative upon liver damage, dramatically increasing their tumorigenic capacity. Conversely, Prom1+ cells are highly proliferative in the neonatal liver - driving the development of this organ - and were highly susceptible to transformation without inducing liver damage. Remarkably, neonatal Prom1+ cells formed hepatoblastoma, the pediatric form of liver cancer. Our large-scale, comprehensive mapping of tumor susceptibility shows that cell ground-state, and specifically the capacity to repair and regenerate organs, is a common determinant of cancer susceptibility across all major organs. Citation Format: Liqin Zhu, Helen Poppleton, Geoffrey Neale, Arzu Onar-Thomas, Stanley Pounds, Armita Bahrami, Sarah Utley, Kasper S. Wang, Dolores H. Lopez-Terrada, David W. Ellison, Richard J. Gilbertson. Cell ground state dictates cancer susceptibility across organs. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-63. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-63
A segmentation model of consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the complaint-resolution process

Consumer satisfaction with the complaint-resolution process can be a critical factor in customer retention. The objectives are addressed in this study. First, the dimensions thought to influence consumer satisfaction/ dissatisfaction (S/D) with the complaint-resolution process are identified. Secondly, reliable and valid measures of consumer S/D with the complaint-resolution process are developed.Finally,the dimensions are used as independent variables in a series of multiple regression models designed to predict overall satisfaction with the complaint resolution process for several segments of consumers. Results suggest that consumer S/D with the complaint-resolution process has four critical dimensions.The two consumer-input dimensions are consumer time and effort expended in an attempt to resole the problem.The two outcome dimensions are compensation received and attitudes of the retailer's representative.Multiple regression results also suggest that certain customer demographics should be examined whe...
Sums of powers of binomial coefficients

An asymptotic series for sums of powers of binomial coefficients is derived, the general term being defined and usable with a computer symbolic language. Sums of squares of coefficients in the symmetric case are shown to have a link with classical moment problems, but this property breaks down for cubes and higher powers. Problems of remainders for the asymptotic series are mentioned. Using the reflection formula for I'(.), a continuous form for a binomial function is set up, and this becomes oscillatory outstde the usual range. A new contmued fraction emerges for the logarithm of an adjusted sum of binomial squares. The note is a contribution to the problem of the interpretation of asymptotic series and processes for their convergence acceleration.
Genetics and Pulmonary Hypertension

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a serious pulmonary vascular disease occurring mostly in adult women. Although its occurrence in families was reported within a few years after the original clinical report, PPH was formerly believed rarely to have a genetic basis. Recent progress has not only clarified a basic molecular mechanism for PPH in families, but has also identified mutations of the same gene in many sporadic PPH patients, suggesting that its basis is commonly genetic. Extensive investigations in many centers are now in progress to provide a complete dissection of all the pathogenetic mechanisms of PPH.
Ergodic theorems and the basis of science

New results in ergodic theory show that averages of repeated measurements will typically diverge with probability one if there are random errors in the measurement of time. Since mean-square convergence of the averages is not so susceptible to these anomalies, we are led again to compare the mean and pointwise ergodic theorems and to reconsider efforts to determine properties of a stochastic process from the study of a generic sample path. There are also implications for models of time and the interaction between observer and observable.
Fetal oxytocin and its extended forms at term with nd without labor

Abstract Objective: We examined the concentrations of oxytocin and extended forms of oxytocin in umbilical plasma with and without labor. Study design: Umbilical venous and arterial blood were sampled in 27 term fetuses delivered vaginally and 13 delivered abdominally before labor. Extended forms and oxytocin were measure by radioimmunoassay and compared by analysis of variance or t test. Results: Concentrations of extended forms were higher than oxytocin concentrations (24.7 ± 3.1 6.1 ± 1.2 pg/ml, p p p = 0.01). Ratios of extended forms over oxytocin decreased with labor. Conclusion: In umbilical plasma extended forms of oxytocin are more abundant than oxytocin. Extended forms originate in the uterus and decrease markedly with labor.
Instructional design, cognition, and technology: Applications to the teaching of scientific concepts

The effective educational use of information technologies depends crucially on good instructional design based on an adequate understanding of cognitive processes. To teach flexible intellectual performance, such design must ensure that the knowledge acquired by students be explicit, coherent, reliably interpretable, and testable. For example, the ability to use scientific or mathematical concepts requires both explicit general interpretation procedures and knowledge about various special cases. Detailed observations indicate that good scientists have these kinds of knowledge, but that students exhibit many mistakes traceable to knowledge that is fragmented and unin-terpretable. Instructional guidelines, based on such cognitive considerations, were tested in an experiment where students were taught an explicit procedure specifying the concept “acceleration,” and then diagnosed and corrected mistakes committed by themselves or others. Such teaching greatly improved students' concept interpretations and blocked previous misconceptions. Computers can provide powerful tools for research on instructional design and for implementing more effective teaching.
On the construction of weighted time-optimal B-trees

B-trees have been popular data structures since their definition. Their success is due to the fact that a B-tree containingn keys is “balanced” with a height ofO(logn). However, for a given set of elements and their access frequencies, one can construct many B-trees (possibly with different heights). The average access costs of these trees may vary significantly. An algorithm to construct a weighted time-optimal B-tree is presented. A weighted time-optimal B-tree is one in which the weighted access cost is minimized. A dynamic programming algorithm is used to construct a weighted time-optimal B-tree givenn elements and their weights. The algorithm runs in timeO(mn3 logn) and has a storage requirement ofO(mn2 logn) wherem is the order of the B-tree andn is the number of keys.
The history of intuition and its role in the composing process

Often the public forms an idea of inspiration that is almost a religious notion. Alas! I do not believe that inspiration falls from heaven. I think it rather the result of a profound indolence and of our incapacity to put to work certain forces in ourselves. These unknown forces work deep within us with the aid of the elements of daily life-its scenes and passions, and ... when the work that makes itself in us and in spite of us demands to be born, we can believe that that work comes to us from beyond and is offered us by the gods.
Czochralski and modified Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of pure, Cd2+ and Nd3+ doped benzil single crystals

Pure, Cd 2+ and Nd 3+ -doped benzil C 6 H 5 COCOC 6 H 5 have been grown from melt using the Czochralski and modified Bridgman-Stockbarger methods. Angle-tuned second harmonic generation of pure benzil from Nd:YAG laser radiation of λ = 1.06 μm with a conversion efficiency η = I 2w /I w = 0.4% has been demonstrated. We have used a Nd:YAG pulse laser to measure the radiation damage threshold as 15.9 MW/cm2 ( c -axis) and 23.9 MW/cm2 ( a -axis) under the conditions that laser pulse width is 10 ns. Under the same conditions, the conversion efficiency of Nd 3+ and Cd 2+ -doped benzil, η= I 2w /I w = 1.1%, has been demonstrated. The radiation threshold is higher than for pure benzil crystals.
Uncovering Preservice Teachers' Beliefs About Diversity Through Reflective Writing

This article reports findings from a mixed-method investigation of a cohort of teacher candidates who were placed in an urban and culturally diverse practicum site at an elementary school. Fifteen ...
Possible Form of Vacuum Deformation by Heavy Particles

The possibility is discussed that the lowest-energy state for certain quantum numbers involves a Higgs field polarized into a skyrmion-type configuration. In some models a new type of vacuum instability arises. Phenomenological consequences are indicated schematically.
A Distributed Algorithm for Shortest Paths

Assuming that there is one processor at each vertex and all of these processors are synchronized, we can have a distributed algorithm for finding all the shortest paths in time O( d · p2) where d is the maximum of the degrees of vertices and p is the number of vertices.
STUDIES ON CHLORELLA VULGARIS. IV. INFLUENCE OF THE MOLECULAR PROPORTIONS OF KNO3, KH2PO4, AND MgSO4 IN THE NUTRIENT SOLUTION ON THE GROWTH OF CHLORELLA

EASE OF manipulation and reproducibility of results have contributed much to the growing popularity of Chlorella as a test organism in plant physiology. As the number of investigators studying this unicellular green alga has grown, the number of formulae for stock solutions in which to culture it has, as might be expected, also increased. One of the simplest culture solutions for Chlorella is that which has been successfully employed by Trelease and his students (Craig and Trelease, 1937; Pratt and Trelease, 1938; Pratt, 1938 et seq.). This medium contains predominantly KNO3,
Effect of ethanol on hepatocarcinogenesis initiated in rats with 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene in the absence of liver injuries.

In this study special care was taken to discriminate between the direct effect of ethanol on hepatocarcinogenesis and secondary effects such as choline deficiency or fatty liver. Rats were divided into 2 groups, D and N. Group D was initiated using 3′-Me-DAB, while the control group N was not initiated. Groups N and D were divided into 4 sub-groups. Each subgroup was given, in the drinking water, one of the following ethanol solutions: 0, 5, 10 or 15% for 45 weeks. Liver tumors were induced only in D groups. Evidence obtained indicates that: (a) in the N group, ethanol did not cause any apparent disorders in histology and lipid metabolism, and (b) in the D group no significant differences were observed in the incidence of HCCs and other liver lesions. Ethanol thus does not appear to enhance hepatocarcinogenesis, at least in the absence of liver injury.
VHDL implementation of an image processor

This paper describes the design of a flexible, pipelined general image processor (GIP) using VHDL to model the top level design and functional blocks consisting of histogram [1,2,3,4,5,6], modification, convolution, halftone, error diffusion, and threshold. GIP was simulated to have a processing speed of 70 Mpixels/second. A four pixel wide image data path is used so a clock of 17.5 MHz can be used. Mentor Graphics tool suites were used to perform the simulation and synthesis of the design. The total number of gates in 1.2 (mu) CMOSN gate array was estimated to be 236 K gates, less than 1 million transistors.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Improvement of human tumor cloning assay by suspension of fibroblasts into the bottom layer of agarose.

Twenty-nine human tumors were cultured on a soft agarose cloning assay under three conditions: (1) standard (control); (2) standard with varying numbers of mitomycin C-treated 3T3 Swiss mouse embryonic fibroblasts suspended into the bottom layer of agarose; and (3) standard with varying concentrations of conditioned medium derived from those same fibroblasts. Suspension of 1 × 105 fibroblasts into the bottom layer of agarose was found to significantly increase the number of colonies formed over control specimens, as did cultures with 30% conditioned medium. In addition, compared with control, both of these techniques increased the number of specimens which would allow optimal in vitro chemotherapy sensitivity testing. Specifically, growth of at least 30 colonies per plate increased from 7% of specimens treated under control conditions to 36% and 52% of specimens treated with 30% conditioned medium and I × 105 fibroblast-supplemented agar, respectively. This data indicate that 3T3 Swiss mouse fibroblasts improve cloning efficiency when suspended in the bottom layer of agarose or when used to produce conditioned medium. As a consequence, these techniques may permit a better opportunity to define the role of the cloning assay for cancer chemotherapy. Cancer 57:2357–2362, 1986.
Electrochemical Detection of Single-Stranded DNA Using Polymer-Modified Electrodes

Glassy carbon electrodes modified by reductive electropolymerization of a thin film of poly[Ru(vbpy)32+] or poly[Ru(vbpy)32+/vba] (vbpy = 4-vinyl-4‘-methyl-2,2‘-bipyridine and vba = p-vinylbenzoic acid) were prepared. The Ru(III/II) couples for the polymer films were reversible in nonaqueous solution but were irreversible in aqueous media. The films modified with poly[Ru(vbpy)32+] catalyzed the oxidation of aqueous guanosine 5‘-monophosphate (GMP) and poly[G], producing a current enhancement in the Ru(III/II) couple for the polymer film. The catalysis was due both to electrostatic condensation of GMP and poly[G] to the Ru-modified surface and to more facile electron transfer to the Ru(III) centers in the polymer compared to the bare electrode. The presence of GMP in solution decreased the extent of decomposition of Ru(III). When single-stranded DNA containing multiple guanines was attached to the electrode modified with the poly[Ru(vbpy)32+/vba] copolymer, enhancement of 8−13 μA for the Ru(III/II) couple ...
Warfarin therapy and systolic hypertension in men with atrial fibrillation.

Background Warfarin decreases the activity of matrix Gla-protein and causes extensive arterial calcification leading to increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) in rats. We performed post hoc analyses of the Stroke Prevention in Non-Rheumatic Atrial Fibrillation (SPINAF) trial, aiming to analyze the effects of warfarin on SBP and PP. Methods The SPINAF trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing warfarin and placebo in 525 subjects with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. After exclusions for inadequate follow-up, 284 subjects with average treatment lasting 23.7 months were available for analysis (144 given placebo and 140 warfarin). Results Baseline SBP, diastolic bloood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and PP were 132 ± 18, 81 ± 9, 98 ± 11, and 50 ± 16 mm Hg in the warfarin group, and 133 ± 21, 80 ± 13, 97 ± 14, and 54 ± 15 mm Hg in the placebo groups (all P values, NS). There was no statistically significant difference between the placebo and warfarin groups in any of the BP parameters at any time point. However, stratified analyses showed a significant increase in PP in warfarin-treated subjects with a history of hypertension (4.9 ± 13.1 mm Hg v 0.2 ± 11.9 mm Hg in the placebo group, P = 0.022), and those with baseline SBP ≥140 mm Hg (4.8 ± 18.9 mm Hg v −3.4 ± 11.2 mm Hg in the placebo group, P = .038). A similar trend was noted in diabetic subjects but it was not statistically significant. Conclusions Based on the study results, treatment with warfarin does not result in increased BP in men with atrial fibrillation. However, it is possible that subjects at higher baseline cardiovascular risk may be more susceptible to the chronic effects of warfarin on arterial hemodynamics.
Toll-like receptors and innate immunity

Toll-like receptors have a crucial role in the detection of microbial infection in mammals and insects. In mammals, these receptors have evolved to recognize conserved products unique to microbial metabolism. This specificity allows the Toll proteins to detect the presence of infection and to induce activation of inflammatory and antimicrobial innate immune responses. Recognition of microbial products by Toll-like receptors expressed on dendritic cells triggers functional maturation of dendritic cells and leads to initiation of antigen-specific adaptive immune responses.
Validation of a venous thromboembolism risk assessment model in gynecologic oncology

Abstract Objectives Gynecologic oncology patients undergoing surgery are at an increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). We attempted to validate a VTE risk assessment model in gynecologic oncology patients. Methods All gynecologic oncology patients who underwent a laparotomy for the diagnosis or suspicion of gynecologic malignancy from 2004 to 2010 were included. Demographic, surgicopathologic, and complication data were collected. VTE was based on the symptomatic diagnosis. Data for the Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) was used to score and stratify patients on their risk for VTE. Results 1123 gynecologic oncology patients were included within this study. Ovarian cancer was the most common diagnosis (39%) with a median age of 56.1. All patients received SCDs with 40% receiving double prophylaxis. The overall incidence of VTE was 3.3%, with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) n=17 and pulmonary embolism (PE) n=20. Complication rates were similar in each group. Based on the Caprini scoring model 92% of patients scored in the "Highest Risk" category. The Caprini RAM accurately predicted all 37 VTEs, all of which scored in the "Highest Risk" category. The percentage of patients that received double prophylaxis increased with time from 12% in 2004 to 63% in 2010. Importantly, 25 of the 37 VTEs (68%) did not receive double prophylaxis. Conclusions The use of the Caprini RAM accurately predicted patients at the highest risk of experiencing VTE. Considering accurate identification of patients allows proper administration of double prophylaxis, we recommend the use of this scoring model preoperatively in patients undergoing surgery for gynecologic malignancies.
What Do You Mean That “Strong” Doesn't Mean “Powerful”?

The words used in the chemistry classroom often add to problems that students have in understanding complex concepts. This is particularly true when terms with specific scientific meanings are also used in colloquial speech with different meanings. This report discusses the results of student interviews that examine student comprehension of the term strong used in chemical and colloquial contexts. The most common student misconceptions associate the chemical meaning of strong with “concentration”, “charge”, or “powerful”.
Aesthetic Preference and Picture Asymmetries

Abstract Previous research has shown that when right-handed subjects prefer one orientation of a picture over its mirror image, the more interesting or important content is on the right. Location of content, however, is only one of a number of possible asymmetric aspects of picture composition. To determine whether the relationship between aesthetic preference and cerebral asymmetry is affected by the interaction of different aspects of asymmetric information in a slide, the present study examined both asymmetry of content and asymmetry of motion. The results indicated that asymmetry of both content and motion combined to influence orientation preferences of right- but not left-handers. Thus, at least two asymmetric components of picture composition interact with brain organization to influence aesthetic judgements.
Effect of “Prospermin” on Immature and Mature Hypophy-sectomized and Normal Male Rats.

SummaryHypophysectomized immature male rats responded to treatment with Prospermin by exhibiting testis enlargement and sperm formation. This extract did not increase testis weights in the unoperated immature animal. Restoration and maintenance of sperm-atogenesis was successfully accomplished in the hypophysectomized mature rat. A marked seminal vesicle weight increase was observed in nearly all of the treated animals.
The pancreatic homeodomain transcription factor IDX1/IPF1 is expressed in neural cells during brain development.

Expression of the homeodomain transcription factor IDX1/IPF1 has been shown to be restricted to cells in the developing foregut that form the pancreatic primordium. In the adult, IDX1/IPF1 is expressed in the duodenum and pancreatic islets. The IDX1/IPF1 gene is required for pancreatic development, and in the human, heterozygous mutations have been linked to diabetes mellitus. In the present communication, we report that IDX1/IPF1 is expressed in discrete cells of the rat central nervous system during embryonic development. Using RT-PCR, IDX1/IPF1 mRNA was detected in neural precursor RC2.E10 cells, as well as in both forebrain and hindbrain of developing rats at embryonic day 15 (E15). The presence of IDX1/IPF1 protein was confirmed by Western immunoblotting. Immunohistochemical analyses of sagittal sections of E15 rats demonstrated the presence of scattered IDX1/IPF1-immunopositive cells in the forebrain. Finally, electrophoretic mobility shift assays using nuclear extracts from neural cells revealed th...
Animal models to study the pathogenesis of enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens infections

Rabbits, mice, rats, non-human primates, sheep and cattle have been used to study the effect of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE). CPE produces mostly necrosis of the small intestinal epithelium along with fluid accumulation in rabbits and mice. In the latter, CPE can bind to internal organs such as the liver, which induces lethal potassium levels in blood.
Applied physics: Strong magnets by self-assembly.

Newly developed nanomaterials are proving useful in many fields, but materials that make strong permanent magnets are difficult to devise. Progress has been made using a self-assembled mixture of nanoparticles.
From Frankenstein to the pacemaker

This article provides an overview of the development, collections, exhibits, and programs of Bakken Museum, the world's only museum devoted to the history and science of electricity in life.
The Vilnius Declaration

The advent of the Horizon 2020 research-funding program offers social sciences and humanities scholars (SSH) in the European Union (EU) an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate with science and engineering to address profound societal challenges while advancing knowledge. How they respond to this opportunity will matter greatly for scholarship, for science, and for society. More than Euros and European scholarship are at stake: in the United States, the SSH have suffered a debilitating decline in fortune and public esteem. Strong and integrated European SSH research, conducted in collaboration with engineering and sciences, will invigorate our fields in a way that may cross the Atlantic and spark their resurgence in the United States. Scholars in Science and Technology Studies (STS) have a catalytic and formative role to play in Horizon 2020 because they are experienced in the design, conduct, and analysis of collaborations that extend from SSH across the sciences and engineering, and then outward to engage policy makers, practitioners, and members of the public. Let me describe the Horizon program and the Vilnius Declaration and then outline some ways STS can contribute. Over the next seven years, Horizon 2020 will invest about €70B to support research and innovation, with €28B earmarked for seven major societal challenges (in brief: food safety and security, health and well-being, energy,
TonEBP/NFAT5 Stimulates Transcription of HSP70 in Response to Hypertonicity

ABSTRACT While hyperosmolality of the kidney medulla is essential for urinary concentration, it imposes a great deal of stress. Cells in the renal medulla adapt to the stress of hypertonicity (hyperosmotic salt) by accumulating organic osmolytes. Tonicity-responsive enhancer (TonE) binding protein (TonEBP) (or NFAT5) stimulates transcription of transporters and a synthetic enzyme for the cellular accumulation of organic osmolytes. We found that dominant-negative TonEBP reduced expression of HSP70 as well as the transporters and enzyme. Near the major histocompatibility complex class III locus, there are three HSP70 genes named HSP70-1, HSP70-2, and HSC70t. While HSP70-1 and HSP70-2 were heat inducible, only HSP70-2 was induced by hypertonicity. In the 5′ flanking region of the HSP70-2 gene, there are three sites for TonEBP binding. In cells transfected with a reporter plasmid containing this region, expression of luciferase was markedly stimulated in response to hypertonicity. Coexpression of the dominant-negative TonEBP reduced the luciferase expression. Mutating all three sites in the reporter plasmid led to a complete loss of induction by hypertonicity. Thus, TonEBP rather than heat shock factor stimulates transcription of the HSP70-2 gene in response to hypertonicity. We conclude that TonEBP is a master regulator of the renal medulla for cellular protection against high osmolality via organic osmolytes and molecular chaperones.
Even birds follow Pareto's 80–20 rule

Vilfredo Pareto noted in 1906 that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population – and that the ratio seemed to apply to many countries, many time periods, and many economies. But is it more than a useful rule of thumb? Pareto also observed that 20% of the pea pods in his garden contained 80% of the peas. His ratio seems to pop up everywhere. Fred J. Rispoli, Suhua Zeng, Tim Green and Jennifer Higbie try telling it to the birds.
Effects of knowledge of the ITI on time estimates.

Exp. I investigated the effect of knowledge (K) of a 10-sec. ITI on estimates of four different durations (8, 12, 20, and 32 sec.). The main effect of K was significant (p < .005). Exp. II examined the effect of K over trials using a single interval (27 sec.). The main effect of K was significant (p < .005), but the K × trials interaction was not significant. The effect of K was immediate, and in both experiments, facilitated time estimation.
Properties of Li-doped, polycrystalline, melt-textured, BiSrCaCuO tapes prepared by powder-in-tube processing

Abstract The effects of Li on Ag-sheathed Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+x tapes have been studied by considering Li substitutions for Sr and Cu and Li additions to stoichiometric Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+x . The materials were prepared by the powder-in-tube method. As the Li substitution reduces the melting temperature by as much as 160 K, careful control of the processing conditions is required to obtain superconductivity in Li-doped samples. Here we report on the effects upon J c ( B , T ) and upon T c . J c ( B ) at 4.2 K and 20 K are reported. Due to a lack of phase purity, Li reduced the overall J c of the tapes. At 20 K, however, the Li-doped material is much less dependent upon B , indicating that Li substitution may provide enhanced pinning at high field.
Biliary intestinal fistula

Because biliary intestinal fistulas have no specific ~yrnptoms or physical signs, they are often overlooked mtil related complications occur. These complications it~clude gallstone iteus, obstruction of the common bile duct, cholangitis, hemorrhage from the fistula, :,nd obstruction of the small intestine or colon as a ~csult of extrinsic inflammation. The management of i~atients with biliary intestinal fistulas is therefore ~sually complex and often controversial. Whether or ,aot the fistula should be repaired during operations for gallstone ileus and what procedure to perform in cases in which a fistula is the result of peptic ulcer :~re examples of the problems in management. This p~per is a review and discussion of the etiology, associated complications, and management of twentytwo patients with biliary intestinal fistulas. Clinical Material
Implementing access control to people location information

Ubiquitous computing uses a variety of information for which access needs to be controlled. For instance, a person's current location is asensitive piece of information, which only authorized entities should be able to learn. Several challenges arise in the specification and implementation of policies controlling access to location information. For example, there can be multiple sources of location information, the sources can be within different administrative domains, different administrative domains might allow different entities to specify policies, and policies need to be flexible. Weaddress these issues in our design of an access control mechanism for a people location system. Our design encodes policies as digital certificates. We present an example implementation based on SPKI/SDSI certificates. Using measurements, we quantify the influence of access control on query processing time. We also discuss trade-offs between RSA-based and DSA-based signature schemes for digital certificates.
Complementary and alternative medicine for pediatric otitis media.

Abstract Objective To review the literature involving complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for pediatric otitis media. Multiple modalities are discussed, including prevention involving breastfeeding, nutrition, and vaccination; symptomatic treatment involving homeopathy, natural health products, and probiotics; manual manipulations involving osteopathy and chiropractics; and traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. The information presented will assist physicians in advising patients on their decision-making during the early stages of otitis media when antibiotics and surgery are not yet indicated. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted through January 2012 in PubMed using MESH term “otitis media” in conjunction with “complementary therapies,” “homeopathy,” “manipulation, osteopathic,” “manipulation, chiropractic,” “acupuncture therapy,” “probiotics,” “naturopathy,” and “xylitol.” Theses searches yielded 163 unique results. Abstracts and titles were evaluated for relevance. Case reports, case series, randomized controlled trials, and basic science research were included. Publications not relevant to the discussion of alternative medicine in otitis media were excluded. Bibliographies were checked for further publications. Thirty-six unique publications were reviewed. Results Of all therapies in complementary and alternative medicine, only xylitol has been studied in well-designed, randomized, blinded trials; it is likely effective, but compliance limits its applicability. Conclusions Management of acute otitis media begins with watchful waiting. Herbal eardrops may help relieve symptoms. Homeopathic treatments may help decrease pain and lead to faster resolution. Prevention should be emphasized with elimination of risk factors, such as second hand smoke and bottle-feeding, as well as maintaining nutrition and vaccinations. Vitamin supplementation may be helpful. Probiotics and xylitol may be beneficial as well. Traditional Chinese/Japanese therapies show promising results but remain speculative until further research is conducted. Severe cases of otitis media with complications or those that fail to improve with observation or CAM (after 48–72 h) should be treated with antibiotics and, in some cases, surgical intervention. It is best to consult a physician when making treatment decisions for full guidance on the risks and benefits of any treatment option.
The Science of Style: In Fashion, Colors Should Match Only Moderately

Fashion is an essential part of human experience and an industry worth over $1.7 trillion. Important choices such as hiring or dating someone are often based on the clothing people wear, and yet we understand almost nothing about the objective features that make an outfit fashionable. In this study, we provide an empirical approach to this key aesthetic domain, examining the link between color coordination and fashionableness. Studies reveal a robust quadratic effect, such that that maximum fashionableness is attained when outfits are neither too coordinated nor too different. In other words, fashionable outfits are those that are moderately matched, not those that are ultra-matched (“matchy-matchy”) or zero-matched (“clashing”). This balance of extremes supports a broader hypothesis regarding aesthetic preferences–the Goldilocks principle–that seeks to balance simplicity and complexity.
HERPES ENCEPHALITIS IN CEBUS MONKEYS.

Herpes virus which ordinarily produces in Cebus olivaceus monkeys an acutely fatal encephalitis closely resembling in time, symptoms and pathology the acute, herpetic disease of rabbits may—in more resistant individual monkeys—lead to a more prolonged malady which, while unquestionably produced with herpes virus, simulates with considerable accuracy the human disease of acute encephalitis, in symptoms, in course and in pathological changes.
The accuracy of liquid-liquid phase transition temperatures determined from semiautomated light scattering measurements

The synthetic-method determination of liquid-liquid coexistence curves using semiautomated light scattering instrumentation and stirred samples is based on identifying the coexistence curve transition temperatures (Tcx) from sudden changes in turbidity associated with droplet formation. Here we use a thorough set of such measurements to evaluate the accuracy of several different analysis methods reported in the literature for assigning Tcx. More than 20 samples each of weakly opalescent isobutyric acid+water and strongly opalescent aniline+hexane were tested with our instrumentation. Transmitted light and scattering intensities at 2°, 24°, and 90° were collected simultaneously as a function of temperature for each stirred sample, and the data were compared with visual observations and light scattering theory. We find that assigning Tcx to the onset of decreased transmitted light or increased 2° scattering has a potential accuracy of 0.01 K or better for many samples. However, the turbidity due to critical...
A microgel system for disc electrophoresis

Abstract Disc electrophoresis has provided a suitable method for separating macromolecules ( Davis, 1964 ; Ornstein, 1964 ). Numerous authors (2,5–10, 12) have presented scaled-down versions which were not directly comparable to the standard separations. In the present study, we attempted to modify the scaled-down procedure by a minimum number of departures from the standard procedure to produce separations which would be directly comparable to the standard separations. We have used the character of the separation of the slow haptoglobins of human serum relative to albumin and transferrin to gauge the performance of our scaled-down procedure. This paper presents a microtechnique which permits the analysis and resolution of serum proteins typical of the standard procedure but with an approximately 20 times reduction in the size of the required protein samples.
Effect of shock waveform on relationship between upper limit of vulnerability and defibrillation threshold.

INTRODUCTION The upper limit of vulnerability (ULV) correlates with the defibrillation threshold (DFT). The ULV can be determined with a single episode of ventricular fibrillation and is more reproducible than the single-point DFT. The critical-point hypothesis of defibrillation predicts that the relation between the ULV and the DFT is independent of shock waveform. The principal goal of this study was to test this prediction. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 45 patients at implants of pectoral cardioverter defibrillators. In the monophasic-biphasic group (n = 15), DFT and ULV were determined for monophasic and biphasic pulses from a 120-microF capacitor. In the 60- to 110-microF group (n = 30), DFT and ULV were compared for a clinically used 110-microF waveform and a novel 60-microF waveform with 70% phase 1 tilt and 7-msec phase 2 duration. In the monophasic-biphasic group, all measures of ULV and DFT were greater for monophasic than biphasic waveforms (P < 0.0001). In the 60- to 110-microF group, the current and voltage at the ULV and DFT were higher for the 60-microF waveform (P < 0.0001), but stored energy was lower (ULV 17%, P < 0.0001; DFT 19%, P = 0.03). There was a close correlation between ULV and DFT for both the monophasic-biphasic group (monophasic r2 = 0.75, P < 0.001; biphasic r2 = 0.82, P < 0.001) and the 60- to 110-microF group (60 microF r2 = 0.81 P < 0.001; 110 microF r2 = 0.75, P < 0.001). The ratio of ULV to DFT was not significantly different for monophasic versus biphasic pulses (1.17 +/- 0.12 vs 1.14 +/- 0.19, P = 0.19) or 60-microF versus 110-microF pulses (1.15 +/- 0.16 vs 1.11 +/- 0.14, P = 0.82). The slopes of the ULV versus DFT regression lines also were not significantly different (monophasic vs biphasic pulses, P = 0.46; 60-microF vs 110-microF pulses, P = 0.99). The sample sizes required to detect the observed differences between experimental conditions (P < 0.05) were 4 for ULV versus 6 for DFT in the monophasic-biphasic group (95% power) and 11 for ULV versus 31 for DFT in the 60- to 110-microF group (75% power). CONCLUSION The relation between ULV and DFT is independent of shock waveform. Fewer patients are required to detect a moderate difference in efficacy of defibrillation waveforms by ULV than by DFT. A small-capacitor biphasic waveform with a long second phase defibrillates with lower stored energy than a clinically used waveform.
Mapping lateral variations in upper mantle attenuation by stacking P and PP spectra

[1] We study the lateral variations in P wave attenuation in the upper mantle at frequencies between 0.16 and 0.86 Hz by analyzing the spectra from >18,000 P and >14,000 PP arrivals. We select seismograms from shallow earthquakes at epicentral distances of 40°–80° for P waves and 80°–160° for PP waves. Each spectrum is the product of source, receiver, and propagation response functions as well as local source- and receiver-side effects. We correct each spectrum for average source and attenuation models. Since there are multiple receivers for each source and multiple sources for each receiver, we can approximate the source- and receiver-side terms by stacking the appropriate P log spectra. The resulting source-specific response functions include any remaining source spectrum and near-source Q structure; the receiver stacks include the site response and near-receiver Q structure. We correct the PP log spectra for the appropriate source- and receiver-side stacks. Since attenuation in the lower mantle is small, the residual log spectrum approximates attenuation in the upper mantle near the PP bounce point and is used to estimate δ. We constrain the anomalies to the top 220 km of the mantle, as suggested by previous Q studies, and translate the δ measurements to variations in 1000/Qα. The patterns of more and less attenuating regions generally correlate with previously published shear attenuation models and surface tectonics. Continents are usually less attenuating than the global average, whereas oceanic regions tend to be more attenuating. There are interesting exceptions to this tectonic pattern, such as an attenuating region beneath southern Africa.