cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic and non-genetic instability in tumor progression: link between the fitness landscape and the epigenetic landscape of cancer cells

Genetic instability is invoked in explaining the cell phenotype changes that take place during cancer progression. However, the coexistence of a vast diversity of distinct clones, most prominently visible in the form of non-clonal chromosomal aberrations, suggests that Darwinian selection of mutant cells is not operating at maximal efficacy. Conversely, non-genetic instability of cancer cells must also be considered. Such mutation-independent instability of cell states is most prosaically manifest in the phenotypic heterogeneity within clonal cell populations or in the reversible switching between immature “cancer stem cell-like” and more differentiated states. How are genetic and non-genetic instability related to each other? Here, we review basic theoretical foundations and offer a dynamical systems perspective in which cancer is the inevitable pathological manifestation of modes of malfunction that are immanent to the complex gene regulatory network of the genome. We explain in an accessible, qualitative, and permissively simplified manner the mathematical basis for the “epigenetic landscape” and how the latter relates to the better known “fitness landscape.” We show that these two classical metaphors have a formal basis. By combining these two landscape concepts, we unite development and somatic evolution as the drivers of the relentless increase in malignancy. Herein, the cancer cells are pushed toward cancer attractors in the evolutionarily unused regions of the epigenetic landscape that encode more and more “dedifferentiated” states as a consequence of both genetic (mutagenic) and non-genetic (regulatory) perturbations—including therapy. This would explain why for the cancer cell, the principle of “What does not kill me makes me stronger” is as much a driving force in tumor progression and development of drug resistance as the simple principle of “survival of the fittest.”
Boundary Regularity for Quasiminima

In [GG], Giaquinta & Giusti introduced the notion of quasiminima, a concept which is very useful in unifying the C 0,α-regularity theory of elliptic equations in divergence form. In particular, their treatment provides regularity results for minima of nondifferentiable variational integrals. They also show that weak solutions of nonlinear elliptic equations in divergence form, under natural and general structural conditions, are quasiminima as are solutions to a wide class of obstacle problems. Because of the great interplay between quasiminima and the Holder theory of partial differential equations, it is important to develop the subject fully. Indeed, significant progress has already been made. Recently, for example, Harnack inequalities have been established in [DBT] for sub and super-quasiminima which run parallel to the results obtained by Trudinger [T] for weak sub and supersolutions of quasilinear equations in divergence form. In particular, the results in [DBT] imply that quasiminima are Holder continuous, a result first established by Giaquinta & Giusti, [GG].
The effect of expansions in medicaid income eligibility on abortion

In this paper we examine the effect of expansions in Medicaid income eligibility on abortion, using individual-level data from South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The results suggest that for unmarried nonblack women with less than a high school degree, expansions of income eligibility lowered the probability of abortion by two to five percentage points. Most of the impact of the Medicaid expansions on abortion occurred in the first round of expansions from approximately 45% of the federal poverty level to 100%. For black unmarried women with less than a high school degree, we generally find no effect of expansions in Medicaid income eligibility on abortion.
Hierarchical metrics and the prime generation problem

The field of software metrication can be divided between those program measurement techniques that are largely textual (e.g. the metrics of Halstead and his followers) and those that are more structural, i.e. based on the hierarchical decomposition structure of the underlying flow graph. We are concerned with the latter, but only from the ‘control flow’ perspective. (Note that structural metrics may also focus on the ‘data flow’ model, especially when attempting to measure module cohesion and coupling, but these are not of concern here.) The decomposition is of two varieties; sequence and nesting, each extended recursively to the bottom-most level consisting of ‘prime flow graphs’, those that cannot be constructed from the sequence and nesting operations. These then play a role in the software metric theory not unlike that of prime numbers in arithmetic. We initiate a new method for generating the prime flow graphs, based more firmly on graph-theoretic techniques and classical enumeration theory than in previous work. The technique is rooted in a fundamental reformulation of the flow graph model itself, making use of the notation of a cubic graph. This approach offers new insights into the decompositional methodology and broad implications for the design of effective structural metrics based on that methodology. In particular, we are able to obtain wide-ranging software engineering applications, towards the comparison of individual hierarchical metrics, the generation and enumeration of the prime flow graphs, and the design of a test for flow graph primality.
The real exchange rate and intervention under the managed float: Dilemmas of a central banker

This paper has attempted to rationalize some recent widespread trends in the balance of payments of several countries. It has been argued that the exchange-market intervention techniques followed by certain countries especially in the presence of high capital mobility, may have contributed to the observed instability. Such a notion is not new. The innovation of the note is to demonstrate that even a gradulaist and anticipated popular intervention policy can be potentially destabilizing.
An odd measure of risk: use and misuse of the odds ratio.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine how often the odds ratio, as used in clinical research of obstetrics and gynecology, differs substantially from the risk ratio estimate and to assess whether the difference in these measures leads to misinterpretation of research results. METHODS: Articles from 1998 through 1999 in Obstetrics & Gynecology and the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology were searched for the term “odds ratio.” The key odds ratio in each article was identified, and, when possible, an estimated risk ratio was calculated. The odds ratios and the estimated risk ratios were compared quantitatively and graphically. RESULTS: Of 151 studies using odds ratios, 107 were suitable to estimate a risk ratio. The difference between the odds ratio and the estimated risk ratio was greater than 20% in 47 (44%) of these articles. An odds ratio appears to magnify an effect compared with a risk ratio. In 39 (26%) articles the odds ratio was interpreted as a risk ratio without explicit justification. CONCLUSION: The odds ratio is frequently used, and often misinterpreted, in the current literature of obstetrics and gynecology.
Endogenous synthesis of prebiotic organic molecules

The necessary condition for the synthesis of organic compounds on the primitive earth is the presence of reducing conditions. This means an atmosphere of CH4, CO, or CO2 + H2. The atmospheric nitrogen can be N2 with a trace of NH3, but NH4(+) is needed in the ocean at least for amino acid synthesis. Many attempts have been made to use CO2 + H2O atmospheres for prebiotic synthesis, but these give at best extremely low yields of organic compounds, except in the presence of H2. Even strong reducing agents such as FeS + H2S or the mineral assemblages of the submarine vents fail to give significant yields of organic compounds with CO2. There appears to be a high kinetic barrier to the non-biological reduction of CO2 at low temperatures using geological reducing agents. The most abundant source of energy for prebiotic synthesis is ultraviolet light followed by electric discharges, with electric discharges being more efficient, although it is not clear which was the important energy source. Photochemical process would also make significant contributions. In an atmosphere Of CO2, N2, and H2O with no H2, the production rates of HCN and H2CO would be very low, 0.001 or less than that of a relatively reducing atmosphere. The concentration of organic compounds under these non-reducing conditions would be so low that there is doubt whether the concentration mechanism would be adequate for further steps toward the origin of life. A number of workers have calculated the influx of comets and meteorites on the primitive earth as a source of organic compounds. We conclude that while some organic material was added to the earth from comets and meteorites the amount available from these sources at a given time was at best only a few percent of that from earth bases syntheses under reducing conditions.
Chronic recurrent right and left ventricular tachycardia: comparison of clinical, hemodynamic and angiographic findings.

Abstract Twenty-seven patients with chronic recurrent ventricular tachycardia were judged to have either left or right ventricular tachycardia on the basis of electrocardiographic QRS configuration during the tachycardia. Clinical, hemodynamic and angiographic evaluation was performed. The 15 patients who had left ventricular tachycardia were older (mean age 43 years) and predominantly male ( male/female ratio 10:5), and all (100 percent) had diagnosable organic heart disease. The 12 patients who had right ventricular tachycardia were younger (mean age 32 years) and mostly female ( male female ratio, 4:8), and only three (25 percent) had diagnosable organic heart disease. Patients with left ventricular tachycardia had lower cardiac output and a much greater prevalence of abnormal left ventricular and coronary angiograms than patients with right ventricular tachycardia. Patients with left ventricular tachycardia were followed up for an average of 38 months (one patient lost to follow-up); three deaths occurred. Patients with right ventricular tachycardia were followed up for 35 months (two patients lost to follow-up); none died. Grouping of patients with chronic recurrent ventricular tachycardia into those with left or right ventricular tachycardia appears to be useful. The latter condition appears to be less serious.
Do Newton’s rules of reasoning guarantee truth … must they?

Abstract Newton’s Principia introduces four rules of reasoning for natural philosophy. Although useful, there is a concern about whether Newton’s rules guarantee truth. After redirecting the discussion from truth to validity, I show that these rules are valid insofar as they fulfill Goodman’s criteria for inductive rules and Newton’s own methodological program of experimental philosophy; provided that cross-checks are used prior to applications of rule 4 and immediately after applications of rule 2 the following activities are pursued: (1) research addressing observations that systematically deviate from theoretical idealizations and (2) applications of theory that safeguard ongoing research from proceeding down a garden path.
On the design of Hydrologio Data Networks

This paper was prepared as an activity of the Network Design Committee of the Hydrology Section of the American Geophysical Union.
Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes by promoter methylation is important in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer

No Abstract AvailableCommentary to:Title: Aberrant Methylation of the 5' CpG Island of TSLC1 Is Common in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Is First Manifest in High-Grade PanINsAuthors: Marnix Jansen, Noriyoshi Fukushima, Christophe Rosty, Kim Walter, Renee Altink, Tjarda van Heek, Ralph Hruban, Johan G Offerhaus and Michael Goggins Page Numbers: 293-296
Zebra chip disease incidence on potato is influenced by timing of potato psyllid infestation, but not by the host plants on which they were reared.

Abstract The Zebra chip (ZC) syndrome is an emerging disease of potato and a major threat to the potato industry. The potato psyllid, Bactericerca cockerelli (Sulc) is believed to be a vector of the ZC pathogen, which is now thought to be Candidatus Liberibacter, a bacterium. To further understand the relationship between potato psyllid infestation and ZC disease expression, healthy potato plants at different growth stages (4, 6 and 10 weeks after germination) were exposed separately to potato psyllids that were separately reared on four solanaceous hosts plants (potato, tomato, eggplant or bell pepper) for more than 1 year. ZC symptoms, leaf rates and total nonstructural carbohydrate accumulation in leaves and tubers of healthy and psyllid-infested plants were monitored and recorded. Typical ZC symptoms were observed in leaves and tubers of all plants exposed to potato psyllids regardless of the host plant on which they were reared. This was also accompanied by significant reductions in net photosynthetic rate. Caged potato plants without exposure to potato psyllids (uninfested controls) did not show any ZC symptom in both foliage and in harvested tubers. Foliage damage and ZC expression were most severe in the potato plants that were exposed to potato psyllids 4 weeks after germination compared to plants infested at later growth stages. Tubers from potato psyllid-infested plants had significantly higher levels of reducing sugars (glucose) and lower levels of starch than those in healthy plants, indicating that potato psyllid infestation interfered with carbohydrate metabolism in either leaves or tubers, resulting in ZC expression.
A Convenient Synthesis of 1,7-Dibromo- and 1,7-Dichloropentacvclo[5.4.0.02,6.03,10.05,9]Undecane-8,11-diones

Abstract endo-Tricyclo[6.2.1.02,7]undeca-4,9-diene-3,6-dione reacts with X2-Sme2 (X [dbnd] Br, Cl) to afford the corresponding bis(α-haloenones) which then can be photocyclized to afford the title compounds in 62% and 30% overall yield, respectively.
Education and Contextual Tolerance Group-Relatedness and Consistency Reconsidered

Two recent studies (Lawrence and Jackman) have challenged the results and implications of the "classic" studies (Stouffer, Prothro and Grigg, McClosky) of education and tolerance. The results of these newer studies indicate that education is not so important in producing political tolerance as previously thought. The present study critically assesses the newer studies and retests/extends their conclusions. The present study supports the results and implications of the "classic" studies. Education is directly related to tolerance and to consistency between general democratic principles and specific applications. Further, education reduces the group-relatedness of tolerance. The "revisionist" view of the effects of education on tolerance is rejected.
Opportunities and Challenges in Mesoforming

In the last ten years, miniaturization technologies have revolutionized product design and have lead to many innovative applications in the automotive industry, healthcare, environmental monitoring, industrial processing, energy consumption, defense, etc. Here, the current state-of-the-art in mesoforming (forming of metals in the scale of 0.1 mm to several millimeters) is reviewed, followed by our preliminary investigation of one mesoforming example.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Corporate Crime as Trouble: Reporting on the Corporate Scandals of 2002

Bankruptcies at Enron and other corporations led to revelations of widespread wrongdoing: the Corporate Scandals of 2002. Congressional hearings into the scandals culminated in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002). There was extensive media coverage of these events. Using insights from Emerson and Messinger's (1977) Micro-Politics of Trouble perspective, we consider how three newspapers covered the scandals. We focus on how these scandals were defined, explained, and the remedies that were proposed for them. We consider what the Micro-Politics of Trouble perspective offers for an understanding of these scandals, corporate crime and deviance generally, and the media's role in reporting these issues.
A heuristic model to explain perceptions of unjust events

A heuristic model was proposed to explain the dimensions people use to evaluate an event as unjust. The model predicted that people will use three main dimensions to evaluate an event as unjust: (i) issues of entitlement (i.e., deservingness) (ii) interactional justice, and (iii) issues that question a person's image as a fair and worthy being. To test this model, subjects read accounts of severe and mild unjust events and grouped these events into piles based on their degree of similarity. These data were then analyzed via multidimensional scaling. Three dimensions emerged which provided encouraging support for the model: (i) procedural inadequacy vs. personal incompetence/greed, (ii) unequal status/norm violations vs. equal status/interpersonal violations, and (iii) characterological-based mistreatment vs. behavioral-other mistreatment. The implications of these findings for the phenomenology of injustice are discussed.
Hypnotic involuntariness and the automaticity of everyday life.

Abstract We present a new theory of hypnotic involuntariness based on an integration and extension of recent social and cognitive theories on the automaticity of mundane, intentional behavior. According to this model, experiences of volition and involuntariness — in and out of hypnosis — are constructions or interpretations made possible by the high degree of automaticity that is a characteristic of all complex behavior, including novel behavior. Suggested nonvolitional behaviors are intentional acts that are triggered automatically by situational cues (suggestions) and cue-related sensations. The triggering of both the behaviors and the sensations are enabled by the formation of a generalized response expectancy, which is a cognitive set to respond appropriately to suggestions. Response expectancies are functionally equivalent to implementation intentions taking the form, “emit response x when situation y is encountered.” The classification of a response set as either an expectancy or an intention and th...
Correcting temporal sampling error in radar-rainfall: Effect of advection parameters and rain storm characteristics on the correction accuracy

Summary This study offers a method to correct for the radar temporal sampling error when determining radar-rainfall accumulations. The authors evaluate the correction effect with respect to multiple factors associated with storm advection, rainfall characteristics, and different rainfall accumulation time scales. The advection method presented in this study uses linear interpolation of static rain storm locations observed at two intermittent radar sampling times to correct for the missed rainfall accumulations. The advection correction is applied to the high space (0.5 km) and time (5-min) resolution radar-rainfall products provided by the Iowa Flood Center. We use the ground reference data from a high quality and high density rain gauge network distributed over the Turkey River basin in Iowa to evaluate the advection corrected rain fields. We base our evaluation on six rain events and examine the correction performance/improvement with respect to the advection discretization, spatial grid aggregation, rainfall basin coverage, and conditional average rainfall intensity. The results show that the 1-min advection discretization is sufficient to represent the observed distribution of storm velocities for the presented cases. Grid aggregation that is motivated by the need to expedite the computation may induce errors in estimating advection vectors. The authors found that while the advection correction tends to enhance the QPE accuracy for intense rain storms over small or isolated areas, it has little impact on the improvement of light rain estimation.
Calcium signaling and secretory responses in agonist-stimulated pituitary gonadotrophs

In cultured pituitary gonadotrophs, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) caused dose-dependent and biphasic increases in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and LH release. Both extra- and intracellular calcium pools participate in GnRH-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i and LH secretion. The spike phase of the [Ca2+]i response represents the primary signal derived predominantly from the rapid mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. In contrast, the prolonged phase of the Ca2+ signal depends exclusively on Ca2+ entry from the extracellular pool. The influx of Ca2+ occurs partially through dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels. Both [Ca2+]i and LH responses to increasing concentrations of GnRH occur over very similar time scales, suggesting that increasing degrees of receptor occupancy are transduced into amplitude-modulated Ca2+ responses, which in turn activate exocytosis in a linear manner. However, several lines of evidence indicated the complexity over the relationship between Ca2+ signaling and LH exocytosis. In contrast to [Ca2+]i measurements in cell suspension, single cell Ca2+ measurements revealed the existence of a more complicated pattern of Ca2+ response to GnRH, with a biphasic response to high agonist doses and prominent oscillatory responses to lower GnRH concentrations, with a log-linear correlation between GnRH dose and the frequency of Ca2+ spiking. In addition, analysis of the magnitudes of the [Ca2+]i and LH responses of gonadotrophs to a wide range of GnRH concentrations in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+, and to K+ and phorbol ester stimulation, showed non-linearity between these parameters with amplification of [Ca2+]i-mediated exocytosis. Studies on cell depleted of protein kinase C under conditions that did not change the LH pool suggested the participation of protein kinase C in this amplification, especially during the plateau phase of the secretory response to GnRH.
Nuclear fuel cycle waste stream immobilization with cermets for improved thermal properties and waste consolidation

Abstract In the pursuit of methods to improve nuclear waste form thermal properties and combine potential nuclear fuel cycle wastes, a bronze alloy was combined with an alkali, alkaline earth metal bearing ceramic to form a cermet. The alloy was prepared from copper and tin (10 mass%) powders. Pre-sintered ceramic consisting of cesium, strontium, barium and rubidium alumino-silicates was mixed with unalloyed bronze precursor powders and cold pressed to 300 × 10 3 kPa, then sintered at 600 °C and 800 °C under hydrogen. Cermets were also prepared that incorporated molybdenum, which has a limited solubility in glass, under similar conditions. The cermet thermal conductivities were seven times that of the ceramic alone. These improved thermal properties can reduce thermal gradients within the waste forms thus lowering internal temperature gradients and thermal stresses, allowing for larger waste forms and higher waste loadings. These benefits can reduce the total number of waste packages necessary to immobilize a given amount of high level waste and immobilize troublesome elements.
NOAA atmospheric baseline observatories provide key data for researchers

[1] GREENLAND—Brian Vasel, an admitted “Poley” who has overwintered twice at the South Pole, is drawn to ice sheets. That's a good thing for him: Two of the six atmospheric baseline observatories that he oversees as field operations manager for the Global Monitoring Division of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) are located on ice sheets, one at the South Pole and the other at Summit Station, in central Greenland, atop 3.2 kilometers of ice. All of the NOAA atmospheric baseline observatories (ABOs)—including those at Barrow, Alaska; Trinidad Head, Calif.; Mauna Loa, Hawaii; and American Samoa—were strategically selected for their unique locations to conduct a variety of atmospheric and solar measurements. For instance, Summit Station is a high-latitude, high-altitude site that is in the free troposphere, and the site in American Samoa is in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, Vasel noted.
On the Spatial and Kinematic Distributions of Mg II Absorbing Gas in z ~ 0.7 Galaxies

We present HIRES/Keck spectra having resolution ~6 km s−1 of Mg II λ2796 absorption profiles that arise in the gas believed to be associated with 15 identified galaxies over the redshift range (0.5 ≤ z ≤ 0.9). These galaxies have measured redshifts consistent with those seen in absorption. Using nonparametric rank correlation tests, we searched for correlations of the absorption strengths, saturation, and line-of-sight kinematics with the galaxy redshifts, rest frame B and K luminosities, rest B − K colors, and impact parameters D. We found no correlations at the 2.5 σ level between the measured absorption properties and galaxy properties. Of primary significance is the fact that the QSO-galaxy impact parameter apparently does not provide the primary distinguishing factor by which absorption properties can be characterized. The absorption properties of Mg II selected galaxies exhibit a large scatter, which, we argue, is suggestive of a picture in which the gas in galaxies arises from a variety of ongoing dynamical events. Inferences from our study include the following: (1) The spatial distribution of absorbing gas in and around galaxies does not appear to follow a simple galactocentric functional dependence, since the gas distribution is probably highly structured. (2) A single systematic kinematic model apparently cannot describe the observed velocity spreads in the absorbing gas. It is more likely that galaxy/halo events giving rise to absorbing gas each exhibit their own systematic kinematics, so that a heterogeneous population of subgalaxy scale structures are giving rise to the observed cloud velocities. (3) The absorbing gas spatial distribution and overall kinematics may depend upon gas-producing events and mechanisms that are recent to the epoch at which the absorption is observed. In any given galaxy, these distributions likely change over a ~few Gyr timescale (few dynamical times of the absorbing clouds), which provides one source for the observed scatter in the absorption properties. Based upon these inferences, we note that any evolution in the absorption gas properties over the wider redshift range (0.4 ≤ z ≤ 2.2) should be directly quantifiable from a larger data set of high-resolution absorption profiles.
THE ROLE OF FIRE REFUGIA IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF PINUS SABINIANA (PINACEAE) IN THE SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA

ABSTRACT Although widespread throughout the interior foothills of central and northern California, Pinus sabiniana Dougl. has a disjunct distribution in the southern Sierra Nevada, where it is abundant in the Kern River and Tule River watersheds, but is absent from the Kaweah River watershed between 36° and 37°N. This gap in the pine's distribution has long intrigued botanists and ecologists and has elicited a number of hypotheses for this anomalous biogeographical pattern. Here we propose a new hypothesis that couples unique features of the southern Sierra Nevada topography with unique features of P. sabiniana's response to fire. This low elevation pine is widely distributed in grassland and chaparral, and where it occurs with the latter vegetation, it is extremely vulnerable to high intensity wildfires. Under these conditions, meta-populations persist over time in refugia in riparian areas and during fire-free intervals expand outwards re-colonizing shrubland dominated slopes. The lack of such refugia i...
Heparin-binding fragments of fibronectin are potent inhibitors of endothelial cell growth: structure-function correlations

Heparin-binding fragments derived from the amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions of human plasma fibronectin appear to be at least relatively specific potent inhibitors of the growth of bovine aortic endothelial cells in culture by as yet unknown mechanisms. In order to understand better the sites which subserve this activity, we have compared the relative potency of other major fragments of fibronectin, most of which have dissimilar properties and do not bind heparin. We have also proteolytically digested and chemically modified the most potent of these fragments, the amino-terminal 29-kDa fragment, in order to test whether structural alterations that affect heparin-binding also affect the inhibitory property. Not all chemical modifications that abolished heparin-binding also abolished endothelial cell growth. Neither an amino-terminal 20-kDa nor a carboxyl-terminal 8-kDa subfragment of the 29-kDa fragment bound heparin; however, both were as inhibitory as native 29-kDa fragment. Reduction of the disulfides of the 20-kDa and 8-kDa fragments did not abolish inhibitory activity. We therefore conclude that the activity is not strictly conformation-dependent and that although the inhibitory activity is distributed throughout the 29-kDa segment, it can be expressed by an 8-kDa carboxyl-terminal segment containing residues of the last Type I loop structure.
Dynamic significance of long-wave density gradients due to heat generation within the mantle

[1] We give a new solution of the Boussinesq equations of motion describing flow driven by internal heat generation within a plane horizontal layer of viscous but thermally non-conducting fluid. The solution models the central region of a long mantle convection cell, excluding the cold plate and slab, and gives the coupled velocity and temperature fields in terms of the heating rate and material properties. Interaction of the buoyantly-driven flow with internal heat generation creates a long-wave, horizontal density gradient. Scaled to the mantle, the predicted amplitude of that gradient appears too small to observe seismically with current methods, but the corresponding flow speeds are comparable with those observed. To assume that mantle flow is driven purely by currently observable density differences may therefore be to ignore a large part of the forcing.
Impact of AtNHX1, a vacuolar Na + /H + antiporter, upon gene expression during short- and long-term salt stress in Arabidopsis thaliana

Background AtNHX1, the most abundant vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter in Arabidopsis thaliana, mediates the transport of Na+ and K+ into the vacuole, influencing plant development and contributing to salt tolerance. In this report, microarray expression profiles of wild type plants, a T-DNA insertion knockout mutant of AtNHX1 (nhx1), and a 'rescued' line (NHX1::nhx1) were exposed to both short (12 h and 48 h) and long (one and two weeks) durations of a non-lethal salt stress to identify key gene transcripts associated with the salt response that are influenced by AtNHX1.
Winning the Troops for Vital Religion: Female Evangelical Missionaries to the British Army, 1857-1880:

This article recounts and analyzes the rise of a civilian-inspired socialization and missionary movement in the Victorian British army. Faced in 1860 with chronic alcohol abuse and resort to prosti...
FB elements are the common basis for the instability of the wDZL and wc Drosophila mutations

Abstract The DNA insertions that cause the highly unstable mutations w c and w DZL share extensive homology with the FB family of transposable elements. FB elements carry long, internally repetitious, inverted terminal repeats and thus differ in structure from other transposable elements. Our results suggest that FB elements may excise and cause chromosomal rearrangements at unusually high frequencies. The w c insertion is a single FB element. The w DZL insertion differs in that it contains two FB elements, one at each terminus. The w c and w DZL insertions contain 4.0 and 6.5 kilobase nonhomologous segments between their terminal repeats. In contrast to the middle repetitive FB elements, the central segment of the w DZL insertion is single-copy and present at a fixed location in the wild-type genome. It has apparently been transposed by the action of flanking FB elements, causing the w DZL mutation at its new location.
Incorporation of uridine into polysomes of mouse brain during extinction.

MICE injected with radioactive uridine in a double isotope labelling technique and then trained for 15 min to avoid a shock by jumping to a shelf incorporated about 50% more radioactivity into brain RNA1 and polysomes2 than untrained mice yoked to them. Quiet mice, yoked mice, and mice that were subjected to thirty electric shocks at random intervals for 15 min all incorporated less radioactive uridine into brain RNA and polysomes than did the trained mice1,2. This indicates that the lights, buzzers, shocks, handling and activity have little effect.
Effects of cutting sclerophyll brush on sprout development and Douglas-fir growth

Abstract In southwest Oregon, varying amount of brush were removed from a sclerophyll brush-field dominated by canyon live oak ( Quercus chrysolepis Liebm.), and greenleaf manzanita ( Arctostaphylos patula Green) with scattered Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) saplings. Brush removal was accomplished by slashing (cut by chainsaw) near ground level at three intensities: (1) total removal, (2) partial removal, and (3) an untreated control. Sclerophyll brush species responded within three weeks of slashing by vigorous sprouting, which was greatest in total brush removal areas where 861513 sprout stems ha −1 developed during the first year. Soil water potentials and predawn xylem pressure potentials of Douglas-fir were less negative in total removal areas than in partial removal and untreated control areas. Relative growth rates of Douglas-fir saplings temporarily increased in total and partial brush removal areas, but were not significantly different from the untreated control three years after treatment. Slashing of sclerophyll brush to release long-suppressed Douglas-fir as described in this study, is not recommended because of rapid brush recovery by sprouting.
Unique characteristics of human mesenchymal stromal/progenitor cells pre-activated in 3-dimensional cultures under different conditions.

Abstract Background aims Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are being used in clinical trials, but the best protocol to prepare the cells for administration to patients remains unclear. We previously demonstrated that MSCs could be pre-activated to express therapeutic factors by culturing the cells in 3 dimensions (3D). We compared the activation of MSCs in 3D in fetal bovine serum containing medium and in multiple xeno-free media formulations. Methods MSC aggregation and sphere formation was studied with the use of hanging drop cultures with medium containing fetal bovine serum or with various commercially available stem cell media with or without human serum albumin (HSA). Activation of MSCs was studied with the use of gene expression and protein secretion measurements and with functional studies with the use of macrophages and cancer cells. Results MSCs did not condense into tight spheroids and express a full complement of therapeutic genes in α-minimum essential medium or several commercial stem-cell media. However, we identified a chemically defined xeno-free media, which, when supplemented with HSA from blood or recombinant HSA, resulted in compact spheres with high cell viability, together with high expression of anti-inflammatory (prostaglandin E2, TSG-6 TNF-alpha induced gene/protein 6) and anti-cancer molecules (TRAIL TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, interleukin-24). Furthermore, spheres cultured in this medium showed potent anti-inflammatory effects in a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage system and suppressed the growth of prostate cancer cells by promoting cell-cycle arrest and cell death. Conclusions We demonstrated that cell activation in 3D depends critically on the culture medium. The conditions developed in the present study for 3D culture of MSCs should be useful in further research on MSCs and their potential therapeutic applications.
Internal inspection of reinforced concrete for nuclear structures using shear wave tomography

Abstract Reinforced concrete is important for nuclear related structures. Therefore, the integrity of structural members consisting of reinforced concrete is germane to the safe operation and longevity of these facilities. Many issues that reduce the likelihood of safe operation and longevity are not visible on the surface of reinforced concrete material. Therefore, an investigation of reinforced concrete material should include techniques which will allow peering into the concrete member and determining its internal state. The performance of nondestructive evaluations is pursuant to this goal. Some of the categories of nondestructive evaluations are electrochemical, magnetism, ground penetrating radar, and ultrasonic testing. A specific ultrasonic testing technique, namely ultrasonic shear wave tomography, is used to determine presence and extent of voids, honeycombs, cracks perpendicular to the surface, and/or delamination. This technique, and others similar to it, has been utilized in the nuclear industry to determine structural conditions.
Atmospheric pressure resistive barrier low temperature plasma treatment for food industry

An atmospheric pressure resistive barrier air plasma jet is designed to inactivate bacteria in food media such as chicken, egg, seafood, vegetables and fruits1,2. Resistive barrier plasma is designed to function at both DC and standard 50–60 Hz low frequency AC power input and the ambient air at 50% humidity level was used as the operating gas. The resistive barrier plasma is well characterized1. The nitric oxides (NO) were observed to be the predominant long lived reactive nitrogen species produced by the plasma. Three different bacteria including S. aureus, E. coli and N. meningitidis were tested in aqueous media and positive bacterial inactivation results were obtained with plasma treatment. Similarly, three different bacteria including S. aureus, E. coli and Pseudomonas were tested on dry solid surfaces and positive bacterial inactivation results were obtained in less than 180 seconds. Correspondingly, the frequent food poisoning bacteria Salmonella infected poultry and produce such as chicken, eggs, vegetables and fruits were tested using our atmospheric pressure resistive barrier air plasma jet and the results show significant outcomes in terms of bacterial inactivation. Plasma induced shifts in gene expression were analyzed using pilC gene expression as a representative gene and the results showed a reduction in the expression of the pilC gene compared to untreated samples suggesting that the observed protection against NO may be regulated by other genes.
Synthesis of aromatic polyethers by Scholl reaction. II. On the polymerizability of 4,4′‐bis(phenoxy)diphenyl sulfones and of 4,4′‐bis(phenythiol)diphenyl sulfone

4,4′-Bis(phenoxy)diphenyl sulfone (1), 4,4′-bis(phenylthio)diphenyl sulfone (2), and 1 substituted with various electron-donating groups in the phenoxy units were synthesized and polymerized under oxidative reaction conditions. The presence of methyl, tert-butyl, and methoxy groups as substituents on the phenoxy groups of 1 increases both the yield and the solubility of the resulting polymers. The structure-reactivity relationship of the monomers and of the growing species were discussed based on a radical-cation mechanism of polymerization. Monomers of high nucleophilicity and resonance stabilized radical-cation growing species are crucial to achieve polymers of high molecular weight. The structure of the polymers and in several cases of their chain ends were determined by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The mechanism of termination and the side reactions occuring during this polymerization process were discussed based on the structure of the resulting polymers.
Fast poisson and binomial algorithms for correlationinduction * *This research is partially supported by the Office of Naval Research contract N00014-7942-0832 through Purdue University$ef:

Traditionally, exactness, numerical stability and speed are the three main criteria for evaluating algorithms for random variate generation. However, it is sometimes required that the algorithms provide correlation between generated variates for the purpose of inducing dependence among the output of simulation runs. The inverse transformation, which produces optimal correlation induction, often performs poorly in terms of the first three criteria. Algorithms based on composition, rejection, and special properties which often excel in terms of the first three criteria, tend to scramble the use of random numbers, causing many attempts at common random numbers, antithetic variates and external control variates to fail. The concept of obtaining correlation via algorithms other than the inverse transformation is examined here. To demonstrate feasibility, previously developed algorithms for Poisson and binomial random variate generation are modified to obtain both positive and negative correlation between runs....
Lesion nematode suppression with the Butte potato and relationships to Verticillium wilt

Field studies conducted over a 5 yr period to compare the effect of continuous cropping of several potato clones (Butte, Russet Burbank, Targhee, A66107-51, and A68113-4) showed Butte to be highly resistant toPratylenchus neglectus while being highly susceptible toVerticillium dahliae. This was further evidenced during the 6th yr when Russet Burbank was cropped over all plot-locations. Populations ofP. neglectus were shown to be significantly less (0.05 P) in both soil and roots when Russet Burbank was grown over sites previously cropped with the Butte potato than over site-locations cropped by either Russet Burbank, Targhee, A66107–51, or A68113–4. Additional field and greenhouse studies corroborated the high degree of resistance of Butte toPratylenchus spp. In addition toP. neglectus resistance, a greenhouse investigation also showed resistance to P. penetrans. A field study designed to compare the effects of Butte with nematicides showed that Butte reducedP. neglectus populations in both soil and roots when compared with Russet Burbank. This degree of reduction was equivalent to the effects of either of two systemic nematicides (aldicarb and isofenphos) at 3.4 to 4.0 kg a.i./ha, respectively. Results demonstrate biological control with the Butte potato clone forP. neglectus suppression. Although populations ofP. neglectus were reduced by either nematicides or Butte, wilt severity was higher with Butte than Russet Burbank. Results showed wilt suppression andP. neglectus reduction with treatments of either nematicide, while having no significant effect on the colonization of potato stems byV. dahliae.
Estimating HIV Prevalence and Risk Behaviors of Transgender Persons in the United States: A Systematic Review

Transgender populations in the United States have been impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This systematic review estimates the prevalence of HIV infection and risk behaviors of transgender persons. Comprehensive searches of the US-based HIV behavioral prevention literature identified 29 studies focusing on male-to-female (MTF) transgender women; five of these studies also reported data on female-to-male (FTM) transgender men. Using meta-analytic approaches, prevalence rates were estimated by synthesizing weighted means. Meta-analytic findings indicated that 27.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.8–30.6%) of MTFs tested positive for HIV infection (four studies), while 11.8% (95% CI, 10.5–13.2%) of MTFs self-reported being HIV-seropositive (18 studies). Higher HIV infection rates were found among African-American MTFs regardless of assessment method (56.3% test result; 30.8% self-report). Large percentages of MTFs (range, 27–48%) reported engaging in risky behaviors (e.g., unprotected receptive anal intercourse, multiple casual partners, sex work). Prevalence rates of HIV and risk behaviors were low among FTMs. Contextual factors potentially related to increased HIV risk include mental health concerns, physical abuse, social isolation, economic marginalization, and unmet transgender-specific healthcare needs. Additional research is needed to explain the causes of HIV risk behavior of transgender persons. These findings should be considered when developing and adapting prevention interventions for transgender populations.
Applications of Geodesy to Geodynamics: 3. Tectonic Plate Movements and Crustal Deformations (Space Techniques)

The use of space techniques for determining tectonic motions can be divided conveniently into two parts. One involves measurements at separations of a few hundred kilometers or more where the accuracy achievable by space techniques appears higher than can be expected by reasonable improvements of present ground techniques. The goal of such measurements can be thought of as the establishment of a worldwide geodynamics monitoring network consisting of perhaps 200 points at which measurements are made by mobile stations plus a few points where fixed stations are operated. Fixed stations are useful for monitoring the earth's rotation as well as for serving as reference points for the mobile station measurements. In addition to determining plate tectonic motions and large-scale distortions within plates, some points at spacings of a few hundred kilometers around seismic zones would provide a control framework for measurements made within the zones and at nearby points by either ground techniques or other space techniques. The mobile station development work now appears to be far enough along so that plans are being made for establishing the first regular measurement program to determine roughly 100 points per year. The scientific benefits from such programs are expected to be large, even within the first few years.
Brief communication Simplification of the inter-layer coupling calculations for secondary interconnect structures

Abstract In high-speed digital and analogue engineering it is often of great importance to obtain a figure for the cross-coupling of signals in the secondary interconnect level, be it a printed circuit board, printed wiring board or otherwise. The cross-coupling or signal cross-talk arises (a) due to the coupling of adjacent signal lines on individual layers and (b) due to the coupling of lines on adjacent layers.
Teaching Ecological and Feminist Economics in the Principles Course

It can be difficult to incorporate ecological and feminist concerns into introductory courses, when one is also obliged to teach neoclassical analysis. In this essay we briefly describe how one might extend existing “multi-paradigmatic” approaches to feminist and ecological concerns, and then present an new alternative approach that may be more suitable for some students. This “broader questions and bigger toolbox” approach can be applied in both microeconomics and macroeconomics introductory classrooms.
Contaminated Identities: Mercury and Marginalization in Ghana's Artisanal Mining Sector

This article provides a counter-narrative to the dominant discourse of marginalization and criminalization of Ghana’s illegal gold miners (galamsey) by focusing on the contested mercury debate. We first examine the complex and multifaceted policy problem that underlies the current conflictual aspects in the small-scale mining sector, arguing that mercury use and contamination are key elements in the antigalamsey rhetoric. Second, we describe an interdisciplinary pilot study on human and environmental health that involved health personnel and illegal miners from two sites. Through participatory ranking and mapping activities, we explored participants’ understanding of mercury and other life hazards as well as causes and consequences of mercury contamination. We used chemical indicator strips to sample contaminated areas in collaboration with the miners. By drawing upon novel concepts from the environmental justice and ecohealth literature, we propose a political ecology of human and environmental health that advocates recognition of galamsey operators and their participation in learning opportunities as a first step out of the current impasse in the Ghanaian small-scale mining sector. � 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.