cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High levels of human apolipoprotein A-I in transgenic mice result in increased plasma levels of small high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles comparable to human HDL3.

Abstract Five lines of transgenic mice, which had integrated the human apolipoprotein (apo) A-I gene and various amounts of flanking sequences, were established. Normally, apoA-I is expressed mainly in liver and intestine, but all of the transgenic lines only expressed apoA-I mRNA in liver, strongly suggesting that 256 base pairs of 5'-flanking sequence was sufficient for liver apoA-I gene expression but that 5.5 kilobase pairs was not sufficient for intestinal expression. Mean plasma levels of human apoA-I varied in different lines from approximately 0.1 to 200% of normal mouse levels. This was not dependent on the amount of flanking sequence. Lipoprotein levels were studied in detail in one of the lines with a significantly increased apoA-I pool size. In one study, the total plasma apoA-I level (mouse plus human) was 381 +/- 43 mg/dl in six animals from this line, compared to 153 +/- 17 mg/dl in matched controls. Total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were increased 60% in transgenic animals, compared to controls (total cholesterol: 125 +/- 12 versus 78 +/- 13 mg/dl, p = 0.0001; HDL-C 90 +/- 7 versus 55 +/- 11 mg/dl, p = 0.0001). The molar ratio of HDL-C/apoA-I was significantly lower in transgenic animals, 17 +/- 1 versus 25 +/- 2 (p = 0.0001), suggesting the increase was in smaller HDL particles. This was confirmed by native gradient gel electrophoresis. This was not due to aberrant metabolism of human apoA-I in the mouse, since human apoA-I was distributed throughout the HDL particle size range and was catabolized at the same rate as mouse apoA-I. In another study of 23 transgenic mice, HDL-C and human apoA-I levels were highly correlated (r = 0.87, p less than 0.001). The slope of the correlation line also indicated the additional HDL particles were in the smaller size range. We conclude that human apoA-I can be incorporated into mouse HDL, and excessive amounts increase HDL-C levels primarily by increasing smaller HDL particles, comparable to human HDL3 (HDL-C/apoA-I molar ratio = 18).
Evolution and Constraints on Variation: Variant Specification and Range of Assessment

There is still a great deal of debate over what counts as a constraint and about how to assess experimentally the relative importance of constraints and selection in evolutionary history. I will argue that the notion of a constraint on variation, and thus the selection-constraint distinction, depends on two specifications: (1) what counts as a variant—constraints limit or bias the production of what? and (2) range of assessment—over what range of times or conditions is the variation assessed? Specifications 1 and 2 help us to understand empirical work on the relative importance of constraint and selection in evolution.
β-Catenin is essential for patterning the maternally specified animal-vegetal axis in the sea urchin embryo

In sea urchin embryos, the animal-vegetal axis is specified during oogenesis. After fertilization, this axis is patterned to produce five distinct territories by the 60-cell stage. Territorial specification is thought to occur by a signal transduction cascade that is initiated by the large micromeres located at the vegetal pole. The molecular mechanisms that mediate the specification events along the animal–vegetal axis in sea urchin embryos are largely unknown. Nuclear β-catenin is seen in vegetal cells of the early embryo, suggesting that this protein plays a role in specifying vegetal cell fates. Here, we test this hypothesis and show that β-catenin is necessary for vegetal plate specification and is also sufficient for endoderm formation. In addition, we show that β-catenin has pronounced effects on animal blastomeres and is critical for specification of aboral ectoderm and for ectoderm patterning, presumably via a noncell-autonomous mechanism. These results support a model in which a Wnt-like signal released by vegetal cells patterns the early embryo along the animal–vegetal axis. Our results also reveal similarities between the sea urchin animal–vegetal axis and the vertebrate dorsal–ventral axis, suggesting that these axes share a common evolutionary origin.
Hepatitis‐Associated Markers in the American Red Cross Volunteer Blood Donor Population

. The present study was undertaken to determine whether there were any differences in the distribution of hepatitis B virus-(HBV) associated serologic markers among hepatitis B surface antigen-(HBsAg) positive first-time and repeat blood donors. The markers examined in samples from 412 newly identified HBsAg-positive donors (254 first-time and 158 repeat) included HBsAg titer and subtype, HBeAgIanti-HBe, and anti-HBc. Repeat donors were more frequently HBeAg-positive (25.9%) than were first-time donors (17.7%). Anti-HBc and anti-HBe were observed more often among first-time (99.6 and 76%) than repeat (91.8 and 60.8%) donors. No differences were found in the mean HBsAg titer nor in the subtype distribution in the two populations. The frequency of HBeAg positivity and the mean HBsAg titer in blood were significantly lower among first-time donors aged 30 or older as compared to those younger than 30. Such age-related tendencies did not occur among the repeat donors. The profiles of HBV markers suggest that the HBsAg-positive first-time donor group consists predominantly of long-term HBsAg carriers who may have acquired HBV at an early age, while the HBsAg-positive repeat donors have newly acquired infections.
Ion Signatures in Supernova Spectra

A systematic survey of ions that could be responsible for features in the optical spectra of supernovae is carried out. Six different compositions that could be encountered in supernovae are considered. For each composition, the LTE optical depth of one of the strongest optical lines of each ion is plotted against temperature. For each ion that can realistically be considered as a candidate for producing identifiable features in supernova spectra, a sample synthetic spectrum is displayed. The optical depth plots and the synthetic spectra can provide guidance for studies of line identifications in the optical spectra of all types of supernovae during their photospheric phases.
Classifying bivalve larvae using shell pigments identified by Raman spectroscopy

Because bivalve larvae are difficult to identify using morphology alone, the use of Raman spectra to distinguish species could aid classification of larvae collected from the field. Raman spectra from shells of bivalve larvae exhibit bands that correspond to polyene pigments. This study determined if the types of shell pigments observed in different species could be unique enough to differentiate larvae using chemotaxonomic methods and cluster analysis. We collected Raman spectra at three wavelengths from 25 samples of bivalve larvae representing 16 species and four taxonomic orders. Grouping spectra within general categories based on order/family relationships successfully classified larvae with cross-validation accuracies ≥92 % for at least one wavelength or for all wavelengths combined. Classifications to species were more difficult, but cross-validation accuracies above 86 % were observed for 7 out of 14 species when tested using species groups within orders/families at 785 nm. The accuracy of the approach likely depends on the composition of species in a sample and the species of interest. For example, high classification accuracies (85–98 %) for distinguishing spectra from Crassostrea virginica larvae were achieved with a set of bivalve larvae occurring in the Choptank River in the Chesapeake Bay, USA, whereas as lower accuracies (70–92 %) were found for a set of C. virginica larvae endemic to the Northeast, USA. In certain systems, use of Raman spectra appears to be a promising method for assessing the presence of certain bivalves in field samples and for validating high-throughput image analysis systems for larval bivalve studies.
A Coupling of Structural and Kinetic Models Reveals the Stepping Mechanics of Dynein

Using coarse-grained structural model for two-headed dynein and a hybrid of molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, we explore the mechanical properties of dynein stepping, including: a structurally biased search for binding sites, step-size distribution, mechanical modulation of transition rates, and the dependence of these features on the orientation and flexibility of the motor's interaction with the microtubule. By simulating the processive motion of dynein, we demonstrate the consistency of our structural model and earlier kinetic studies (JCP 130, 025101) with experimental observations.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Chronically implanted intrafascicular recording electrodes

A newly designed intrafascicular electrode for chronic neural recording was studied by implanting 12 electrodes in the radial nerves of 6 cats for 6 months. Action potentials were monitored at specified intervals throughout the experiment. The number and size of the signals recorded suggest that this type of electrode provides information that is appropriate for feedback control in functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems. Histology of the nerve revealed that the implants are biocompatible and that little damage is caused by the presence of the electrode.
Nostalgia for Early Experience as a Determinant of Consumer Preferences

Studies of music, motion pictures, movie stars, and fashion products have shown that styles popular during a consumer's youth can influence the consumer's lifelong preferences. The authors present an integrative model of this phenomenon and propose that these nostalgic effects are not limited to products that relate to the arts and entertainment or are primarily aesthetic. As an illustrative example, the authors investigate the effects of early experience on consumer preferences for automobile styles. Consistent with expectations, they find that men do but women do not show evidence of nostalgic attachment to the styles experienced in their youth—that is, their preferences peaked for products that were popular when they were young. Also, as expected, individual differences in the psychographic variable of nostalgia proneness play a role in moderating these effects. These findings expand the understanding of the generality, the boundaries, and the managerial relevance of the age-related peak-preference phenomenon. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nicotine upregulates the expression of P2Y12 on vascular cells and megakaryoblasts.

P2Y12 is the major platelet receptor that mediates ADP-induced aggregation. P2Y12 is also expressed by vascular cells. The factors that regulate P2Y12 expression have not been determined. Since nicotine (NIC) has effects on platelet activation and vascular function, and because nicotinic and purinerigic receptors may interact, we determined whether nicotine altered P2Y12 expression. Four cell lines (human coronary artery endothelial cells, HCAEC; human umbilical vein endothelial cells, HUVEC; human aortic smooth muscle cells, HASMC; and human megakaryoblastic cells, MEG-01) were cultured in the absence or presence of nicotine. Immunoblotting for P2Y12, P2Y2, and actin was performed. Nicotine, at concentrations of 0.1–1.0 μM, induced P2Y12 (but not P2Y2) expression in all the four cell lines. HASMC exhibited the greatest induction with a sixfold mean increase in P2Y12 expression in response to 0.25 μM nicotine. The induction was inhibited by nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists. Healthy smokers were observed to have higher P2Y12 expression in platelet lysates compared to non-smokers. Nicotine induces the expression of P2Y12 in vascular cells and megakaryoblasts, and is mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Smokers exhibit higher platelet P2Y12, possibly mediated via nicotine. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the effects of cigarette smoking on platelet activation and the vessel wall. Condensed Abstract The factors that regulate the expression of P2Y12, the platelet ADP receptor, have not been determined. Four cell lines (human coronary artery endothelial cells, HCAEC; human umbilical vein endothelial cells, HUVEC; human aortic smooth muscle cells, HASMC; and human megakaryoblastic cells, MEG-01) were cultured in the absence or presence of nicotine. Nicotine, at concentrations of 0.1–1.0 μM, induced P2Y12 expression in all the four cell lines. HASMC exhibited the greatest induction with a sixfold mean increase in P2Y12 expression in response to 0.25 μM nicotine. The induction was inhibited by nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists. Healthy smokers were observed to have higher P2Y12 expression in platelet lysates compared to non-smokers. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the effects of cigarette smoking on platelet activation and the vessel wall.
Assessing a place in cultural planning: A framework for American local governments

In the last 30 years, numerous studies have sought to define cultural planning. A common theme that emerges is the emphasis on the need to create a planning process for “placemaking” purposes. However, the definition of what a place is remains vague. Using administrative boundaries, this study draws a framework that formulates an operational definition of place that helps to connect spaces to empirical data about their cultural resources and residents. The focus on administrative boundaries is particularly relevant to understand American cities whose territories have a tangled morphology. Using Geographical Information System, this framework is then applied to assess the current situation in Madison, Wisconsin. The results suggest that the use of this framework could help policy makers to assess the texture of their territory in its administrative, cultural and social dimensions.
Protection and Real Incomes Once Again

The basic modern connection between protection and internal income distribution is the proposition that a tariff unambiguously increases the real value of income imputed to the relatively scarce factor and unambiguously lowers that imputed to the relatively abundant factor. This proposition is based upon the Stolper-Samuelson [1941] theorem relating changes in factor rewards to changes in commodity prices. In addition, the Heckscher-Ohlin theorem should hold, and the Metzler [1949] paradox should not. Both of these latter qualifications relate to the identification of the favored factor and not to the contention that one factor unambiguously gains and the other unambiguously loses. In order to advance the argument from factor rewards to factor incomes, it is also necessary, as Bhagwati [1959] has pointed out, to account for the disposal of tariff revenues. This paper discusses a necessary qualification that follows from the proper treatment of tariff revenues. As the qualification is stronger than the one that rules out the Metzler paradox, it replaces the latter. Since the reward of the favored factor rises relative to both commodity prices, the real income imputed to that factor necessarily increases regardless of the factor's share in the tariff revenue, provided that the tariff causes such revenues to increase. But a decline in tariff revenue potentially introduces ambiguity. Similarly, the real income imputed to the less favored factor necessarily falls whenever a tariff increase lowers tariff revenues, but is affected ambiguously when revenues rise. Definitive results therefore require explicit consideration of tariff revenues. But how should the revenues be treated? Contemporary tariff theory generally assumes that such revenues are spent like other income, except when explicitly concerned with issues that demand some other treatment. Such a "neutral" assumption is clearly called for if one wishes to focus on the implications of a tariff qua price distortion, the purported goal of the analysis. I shall analogously assume that the disposal of tariff revenue is neutral in the sense that it does not alter the relative shares of capital and labor in national income. Any other treatment would necessarily confound the pricedistortion effect of a tariff with an active redistributional policy. For
Cooled mirror for a double undulator beamline

The design of a contact-cooled horizontally reflecting high-heat-load mirror for use as the first optical element on an Advanced Photon Source (APS) beamline is described. The radiation source consists of a set of two collinear undulators producing an x-ray beam with up to 340 W/mm2 peak normal heat flux at the mirror located 30 m from the source. The beam incident angle is 2.6 mrad (0.15°). The mirror is 500 mm long and 75 mm wide. Specifications for this mirror are an rms tangential slope error ≤ 2 μrad and an rms roughness ≤ 2 a. The mirror substrate is single crystal silicon. To selectively reflect photons with cut-off energies in the 7 to 33 keV range, the central part of the mirror may be coated with strips of Rh, Pt, and Be. Thermal and structural analyses of the mirror (steady state and transient) are reported. Two contact-cooling options considered are back and side cooling. The slope error of side cooling is smaller than that for back cooling. The influence of the mirror thickness and the cooling zone are analyzed. Other options to reduce the slope error are discussed.
Capillary evaporation on micromembrane-enhanced microchannel wicks with atomic layer deposited silica

Due to the difficulty in depositing conformal coatings on high aspect ratio surfaces, capillary evaporation on superhydrophilic porous structures have not been well studied. In this work, superhydrophilic hybrid wick was fabricated by coating micromembrane-enhanced microchannels with 20 nm-thick silica (SiO2) using the atomic layer deposited (ALD) technique. Rapid ALD SiO2 coatings improve thin film evaporation of water on hybrid wicks by up to 56%. An appreciable enhancement of critical heat flux was not obtained in this study because of a compromise between the increased capillary pressure and viscous drag resulting from superhydrophilic ALD SiO2 coatings.
Comparison of luteal estradiol patch and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist suppression protocol before gonadotropin stimulation versus microdose gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol for patients with a history of poor in vitro fertilization outcomes.

Objective To compare IVF outcomes in poor-responder patients undergoing stimulation after luteal phase E 2 patch/GnRH antagonist (LPG) protocol versus microdose GnRH agonist protocol. Design Retrospective analysis. Setting University-based IVF center. Patient(s) Forty-five women undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF using the LPG protocol were compared with 76 women stimulated with the microdose GnRH agonist protocol from May 2005 to April 2006. Main Outcome Measure(s) Cancellation rate, number of oocytes retrieved, and clinical pregnancy rates. Result(s) The mean number of oocytes (9.1 ± 4.1 vs. 8.9 ± 4.3) and mature oocytes (6.7 ± 3.5 vs. 6.8 ± 3.1) retrieved were similar, as were the fertilization rates (70.0% ± 24.2% vs. 69.9% ± 21.5%) and the number of embryos transferred (2.5 ± 1.1 vs. 2.7 ± 1.3). The cancellation rate was not significantly different between the groups (13/45, 28.9% vs. 23/76, 30.3%). Likewise, there were no significant differences among the implantation rate (15.0% vs. 12.5%), clinical pregnancy rate (43.3% vs. 45.1%), and ongoing pregnancy rate per transfer (33.3% vs. 26.0%) between both groups. Conclusion(s) This study demonstrates that the use of an E 2 patch and a GnRH antagonist during the preceding luteal phase in patients with a history of failed cycles can provide similar IVF outcomes when compared with the microdose GnRH agonist protocol.
Rosetta mission: When the dust has settled

The Rosetta orbiter following Comet 67P has captured not only the public imagination but also actual dust grains from the comet's nucleus, revealing their composition, morphology and strength.
Hypolipidemic activity of the surfactants aminimides, and their effects on lipid metabolism of rodents.

A series of short chain fatty acid derivatives of aminimides were shown to possess hypolipidemic activity in rats and mice. Most of the agents tested lowered both serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels by at least 30% in mice and were effective in hyperlipidemic induced mice. 1,1-Dimethyl-1-(2-hydroxypropyl)-amine mersitimide lowered serum cholesterol levels 41% and serum triglyceride levels 56% at 20 mg/kg/day I.P. after 16 days. The same agent was active orally when administered to rats with a 38% reduction in serum cholesterol and a 52% reduction in serum triglycerides after 14 days. The agents inhibited liver acetyl CoA synthetase, ATP dependent citrate lyase and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activities in vitro and in vivo. Reduction of cholesterol, triglycerides, neutral lipids and phospholipid levels were noted in the livers of mice treated for 16 days. In rat studies, cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid levels were reduced in liver, small intestine and the feces after two weeks' dosing. The cholesterol content was reduced in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions but elevated in the high density lipoproteins (HDL). Triglyceride levels were lowered in the VLDL, and neutral lipid levels were reduced in the chylomicron and VLDL fractions.
TU‐E‐ValB‐01: Helical Tomotherapy Targeting Total Bone Marrow ‐ Initial Clinical Experience at the University of Minnesota

Purpose: We report here the successful use of Tomotherapy at delivering intensity modulated radiotherapy to the bone and bone marrow spaces along the entire axis of a patient and describe a dosimetric analysis of the total marrow irradiation (TMI) treatment. This is part of a dose escalation trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of TMI when given prior to an alkylator‐intensive conditioning regimen for the treatment of high risk or relapsed solid tumors.Method and Materials: A patient enrolled in a dose escalation study trial received 600 cGy in 3 fractions. Two independent CTimage sets (upper and lower part of the body) were obtained. A helical tomotherapy treatment plan was created from this CTimage sets. The quality assurance was evaluated with the use of (a) ion chamber and (b) extended dose range film. The isorad‐p cylindrical diodes were used for in‐vivodosimetry.Results: The patient showed neutrophil engraftment on day 11 and platelet engraftment by day 58. He is currently well at 120 days post transplant with no evidence of disease. The patient developed nausea and vomiting after the first fraction of Tomotherapy TMI. Other than above there were no adverse effects of TMI. The planned radiation conformed to all bone marrow sites. Average doses to lungs,kidneys,heart, and eyes were 50–70% of the prescribed dose for TMI treatments. The dose delivery verifications (pretreatment and in vivodose measurement) were within ±3–5% of the expected dose calculated from the treatment planning station. Conclusions: We show that helical tomotherapy targeting the bone marrow of the whole body is clinically feasible. The clinical implementation of intensity modulated radiation to conform the radiation dose to all active bone marrow of the whole body opened up the possibility of a dose escalation study for high risk patients.
Influence Of Wavelength On The Performance Of Collective Thomson Scattering For Alpha-Particle Diagnostics

The 10 gm CO2 laser, submillimeter-wave FELs, and millimeter-wave gyrotrons are all being proposed for collective Thomson scattering alpha-particle diagnostics. We will assess the relative advantages and disadvantages with wavelength scaling in the 5 mm to 10 μm range for this diagnostic.
News from Japan - Development of high-heat-resistant hybrid electric vehicle/electric vehicle cables

In recent years, from the view of environmental conservation awareness, conventional automobiles with internal combustion engines using gasoline as a fuel are losing public support. A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) with an electric motor and an internal combustion engine and an electric vehicle (EV) with an electric motor only are gaining in popularity. Nowadays, the voltage fed to an electric motor in an HEV or EV is typically 600 V, and therefore the cables used in these vehicles must have high dielectric breakdown voltages. The cable insulation must also have good thermal durability. This is especially the case for an HEV, in which the electric motor and the internal com combustion engine must fit into a very small and narrow space. This spatial limitation also requires the cable to be flexible.
Age in Correlations between Accuplacer's Reading Comprehension Subtest and GPA

S~I~~O~~.-ACCUPL ACER, a battery of educational tests used for collegiatelevel class placement, is used by hundreds of thousands of students entering institutions of higher education each year. In a previous study Cole and Lutkus (1997) reported a significant relationship between Reading Comprehension scores from ACCUPLACER and age, and so recommended that an exploration of the effect of age on the predictive validity of Reading Comprehension scores be conducted. Thls scudy examined such a relationship on data from two midwestern community collcgcs The results indicated that predictive validity was significantly related to one's age cohort. These results held for each college and the over-all sample.
Destination, selection and turnover among Chinese migrants to Philippine cities in the nineteenth century

An investigation of large numbers of individual Chinese immigrants in nineteenth-century Philippine cities reveals that the flow of migrants was strongly biased by river basin and rural marketing system of origin in China and by emergent regional economy (sugar versus non-sugar) in the Philippines. The revealed patterns tend to confirm Skinner's formulations on the nature of functional regions in pre-modern China. Most of the immigrants were males, and many were sojourners who planned to return to China both periodically and on retirement. This characteristic led to the maintenance of highly localized chains of migration over long periods of time and also to high rates of turnover within local Chinese communities in the Philippines. Turnover was highest among recent arrivals and lowest among business license holders and longer-term local residents in general.
Fuel buildup and potential fire behavior after stand-replacing fires, logging fire-killed trees and herbicide shrub removal in Sierra Nevada forests

Abstract Typically, after large stand-replacing fires in mid-elevation Sierra Nevada forests, dense shrub fields occupy sites formerly occupied by mature conifers, until eventually conifers overtop and shade out shrubs. Attempting to reduce fuel loads and expedite forest regeneration in these areas, the USDA Forest Service often disrupts this cycle by the logging of fire-killed trees, replanting of conifers and killing of shrubs. We measured the effects of these treatments on live and dead fuel loads and alien species and modeled potential fire behavior and fire effects on regenerating forests. Sampling occurred in untreated, logged and herbicide-treated stands throughout the Sierra Nevada in four large fire areas 4–21 years after stand-replacing fires. Logging fire-killed trees significantly increased total available dead fuel loads in the short term but did not affect shrub cover, grass and forb cover, alien species cover or alien species richness. Despite the greater available dead fuel loads, fire behavior was not modeled to be different between logged and untreated stands, due to abundant shrub fuels in both logged and untreated stands. In contrast, the herbicide treatment directed at shrubs resulted in extremely low shrub cover, significantly greater alien species richness and significantly greater alien grass and forb cover. Grass and forb cover was strongly correlated with solar radiation on the ground, which may be the primary reason that grass and forb cover was higher in herbicide treated stands with low shrub and tree cover. Repeat burning exacerbated the alien grass problem in some stands. Although modeled surface fire flame lengths and rates of spread were found to be greater in stands dominated by shrubs, compared to low shrub cover conifer plantations, surface fire would still be intense enough to kill most trees, given their small size and low crown heights in the first two decades after planting.
Frequent testing and personalized systems of instruction

Abstract This research compared course achievement in elementary statistics under Keller-plan Personalized Systems of Instruction and under other lecture methods of instruction incorporating only some of the basic components of Keller-plan teaching methods. The addition of content unitization and learning objectives to a lecture/midterm method resulted in course achievement below that found with Keller-plan methods. However, the addition of frequent testing (12 tests in a 14-week semester), content unitization, and learning objectives to a lecture method resulted in achievement at the same high level as achievement of students in a Keller-plan course. Both findings were replicated in two independent semesters. These results suggested that the achievement found in Keller-plan courses may be due to the frequent testing aspects of the mastery learning component of such methods and not to the personalization with proctors or allowance for individual rates present in Keller-plan methods.
Polarized Raman spectra of ktioaso4 and isomorphic nonlinear‐optical crystals

Potassium titanyl orthoarsenate KTiOAsO 4 (KTA) was studied by polarized Raman spectroscopy at room temperature. Group assignments were made by comparison with Raman spectra obtained from the well known isomorphs KTiOPO 4 (KTP) and RbTiOPO 4 . The Raman features associated with vibrations of Ti−O bonds provide most of the scattered intensity. Splittings arising from occupation of two distinct sites by each of the AsO 4 and TiO 6 groups are observed. Additional evidence for a smaller distortion of the TiO 6 group in KTA than in KTP is also present in the Raman spectra
Secure Diffusion for Wireless Sensor Networks

Data dissemination is an indispensible protocol component for the emerging large-scale sensor networks. In this paper, we propose a secure data dissemination protocol that enhances directed diffusion to operate in the presence of compromised sensors. Our proposed solution, secure diffusion, utilizes a novel security primitive called location-binding keys, and exploits the available end-to-end feedback loop in directed diffusion. In secure diffusion, sensor nodes use pairwise neighbor keys to establish secure gradients, and the sink uses location-binding keys to authenticate the received sensing data. By differentiating authentic data from fabricated ones, the sink can selectively reinforce data paths and assist intermediate nodes in local reinforcement decisions to combat compromised nodes. Our security analysis shows that, in the presence of compromised nodes, secure diffusion can ensure both high-quality delivery of authentic data and local containment of malicious traffic.
Effect of ACTH-(4-10) on equilibrium compensation after unilateral labyrinthectomy in the squirrel monkey.

Abstract Daily injection of ACTH-(4–10) was given to squirrel monkeys for a 28 day period to modify the characteristics of the post-unilateral labyrinthectomy symptoms along the course of the equilibrium compensation. When compared to the results of the control group, the ACTH-(4–10) injection groups (daily dose 250 μg/kg or 500 μg/kg) showed a significant improvement of acquisition and maintenance of compensation both in the spinal locomotor balance function and the oculomotor balance function.
Determining Effects of Non-synonymous SNPs on Protein-Protein Interactions using Supervised and Semi-supervised Learning

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are among the most common types of genetic variation in complex genetic disorders. A growing number of studies link the functional role of SNPs with the networks and pathways mediated by the disease-associated genes. For example, many non-synonymous missense SNPs (nsSNPs) have been found near or inside the protein-protein interaction (PPI) interfaces. Determining whether such nsSNP will disrupt or preserve a PPI is a challenging task to address, both experimentally and computationally. Here, we present this task as three related classification problems, and develop a new computational method, called the SNP-IN tool (non-synonymous SNP INteraction effect predictor). Our method predicts the effects of nsSNPs on PPIs, given the interaction's structure. It leverages supervised and semi-supervised feature-based classifiers, including our new Random Forest self-learning protocol. The classifiers are trained based on a dataset of comprehensive mutagenesis studies for 151 PPI complexes, with experimentally determined binding affinities of the mutant and wild-type interactions. Three classification problems were considered: (1) a 2-class problem (strengthening/weakening PPI mutations), (2) another 2-class problem (mutations that disrupt/preserve a PPI), and (3) a 3-class classification (detrimental/neutral/beneficial mutation effects). In total, 11 different supervised and semi-supervised classifiers were trained and assessed resulting in a promising performance, with the weighted f-measure ranging from 0.87 for Problem 1 to 0.70 for the most challenging Problem 3. By integrating prediction results of the 2-class classifiers into the 3-class classifier, we further improved its performance for Problem 3. To demonstrate the utility of SNP-IN tool, it was applied to study the nsSNP-induced rewiring of two disease-centered networks. The accurate and balanced performance of SNP-IN tool makes it readily available to study the rewiring of large-scale protein-protein interaction networks, and can be useful for functional annotation of disease-associated SNPs. SNIP-IN tool is freely accessible as a web-server at http://korkinlab.org/snpintool/.
Specific alterations in the biological activities of C-20'-modified vinblastine congeners.

Abstract Both the anti-tumor and toxic activities of the vinca alkaloid dimers, vinblastine (VBL) and vincristine (VCR), may reside at the level of their known cellular target, the microtubule system. The contributions made by each of the various actions of these alkaloids on this system are unknown. We have used new, complete synthetic methodologies to create a series of eight C-20' alkyl congeners of VBL and have examined these compounds for their abilities to (1) inhibit microtubule assembly, (2) disassemble preformed microtubules, and (3) induce spiral aggregate formation, using purified brain microtubule protein. By combining turbidimetric and electron microscopic techniques, we discovered that each of the various effects of VBL on the microtubule system in vitro was amenable to alteration by specific modification at this single molecular site. In addition, we report two new aberrations of VBL action—the induction of spirals by a concentration of congener below 1 μM and the formation of “opened” microtubules polymerized in the presence of congener. The relationship between anti-microtubule action in vitro and the cellular activities of growth inhibition and mitotic arrest by the congeners was examined in leukemic and colon cancer cell lines. In general, we found that both cellular perturbations were correlated to the ability of the congeners to inhibit microtubule polymerization rather than to the actions of spiral formation or microtubule disassembly. These results are a breakthrough in the structure/function relationship of the vinca alkaloid dimers and should provide the means to determine the role of specific anti-microtubule activities to the complex biological actions of these natural product drugs.
Antitumor potential of low-dose chemotherapy manifested in combination with immunotherapy of Viva-Natural, a dietary seaweed extract, on Lewis lung carcinoma

Abstract Beneficial antitumor effects of low-dose chemotherapy (Adriamycin®, BCNU, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, 6-thioguanine or vincristine) combined with an immunotherapy with a partially purified polysaccharide of Viva-Natural, an edible seaweed extract, have been demonstrated against intraperitoneally implanted Lewis lung carcinoma in syngeneic mice. Adriamycin®, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil and vincristine at low doses, that were not effective when given alone, manifested antitumor activity when combined with the polysaccharide fraction of Viva-Natural. Other three drugs (BCNU, methotrexate and 6-thioguanine) at the non-effective low doses exhibited no further antitumor activity when combined with Viva-Natural. Cytotoxic activation of peritoneal macrophages in mice has been induced by single administration of the polysaccharide fraction of Viva-Natural, but the combined regimen of low dose drugs plus viva-Natural was no more effective than Viva-Natural alone. Therefore, the mechanism of action of the beneficial combination is not clear yet.
Exploring the Psychological Foundations of Democratic Group Deliberation: Personality Factors, Confirming Interaction, and Democratic Decision Making

This report investigated relationships among group members' personalities, coming interaction, and democratic decision making. Using the Big Five personality measure and a self-report measure of confirming interaction, it was hypothesized that consuming interaction would be reported more often in groups whose members are relatively extraverted, agreeable, conscientious, non-neurotic, and open to experience. Of these personality factors, one had a clear association: Groups with higher mean levels of agreeableness reported higher levels of confirming interaction. In addition, perceived confirming interaction was hypothesized to be positively correlated. with members' perceptions of democratic decision making. This hypothesis was also supported.
i-AGENTS: Modeling Organizational Problem Solving in Multi-Agent Teams

Organizations involving human and computer agents are constrained by a variety of factors including: task properties and arrangements; level of technology; knowledge held by, and distributed among, the agents; information and administrative structures; and organizational norms and policies. An important challenge to the scientific community is to develop, validate and apply theories and models to help managers re-engineer their organizations for higher levels of performance. Our research on organizational problem solving aims to develop a computational model of organizations to study interrelationships between agents' knowledge, task requirements, and organization structures and policies. This paper reports the first step of our research toward a computational organizational model-the i-AGENTS framework, a prototype computer system for modeling organizations of intelligent agents. i-AGENTS is composed of a number of high-level concepts: tasks, agents, organization and communication. A task is described in detail by task action, task object and task constraints; an agent is modeled to consist of cognitive attributes and expertise; role-based organizational structure is adopted for describing organizations. From an organization perspective, i-AGENTS extends traditional information processing models of organization Galbraith 1977 by explicitly addressing the role of agents' knowledge of both the problem domain and the organization in problem solving. When viewed from an engineering perspective, our research is the first step toward an organizational problem-solving model that merges organization theory and distributed artificial intelligence and can be used to simulate and analyze organizational behavior of teams in engineering domains at a very specific level of detail.
Complete three dimensional gap photonic crystals in the near infrared and visible wavelengths for sensing applications

We describe various three dimensional photonic crystals fabricated from two methods - step-and-repeat projection lithography and multi level electron beam direct write - with bandgap in the optical frequency for potential sensor application. The tungsten woodpile lattice fabricated with step-and-repeat photolithography exhibits a thermal emission peak centered at ~ 2μm wavelength with less than 30% peak emission for wavelengths > 4 μm. The tungsten photonic crystal has also been investigated for application as a damage sensor in structures under mechanical stress. Using a multilevel electron beam direct write, we have fabricated prototype woodpile lattices of nano crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, gold and titanium oxide. The 4 layer silicon woodpile PC exhibits a stop band centered at 1.5 μm as measured by micro reflectance and transmission spectroscopy. We have also introduced line and point defects in the 5 th layer of a 9 layer amorphous silicon lattice, in order to explore them as sensor structures. We also fabricated a 4 layer Au woodpile lattice which shows broad high reflectivity at longer wavelengths with a sharp roll off near 1.5 μm.
Jews Against Prejudice: American Jews and the Fight for Civil Liberties

America's dark history of anti-Semitism, racism, and ethnic bigotry-and many of the efforts to combat such prejudice-has received growing attention in recent years. Yet one of the most important stories in America's struggle to overcome ethnic and religious hatred has gone largely untold. From the Depression to the late 1960s Jewish organizations-working as the leaders in a broadly based social and political movement-waged a determined campaign to eliminate all forms of discrimination and prejudice from American society. Stuart Svonkin delves into the archival records of America's three major Jewish defense groups-the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, and the American Jewish Congress-to offer the first comprehensive account of organized Jewish political activism against bigotry and for human rights. Jews Against Prejudice chronicles American Jewry's political ascendance, from the era before World War II, when Jewish defense groups first organized to fight mass anti-Semitism, to their emergence as the leaders of a liberal movement determined to address the nation's most pressing political and social problems. Svonkin explores the impact that these Jewish groups had in the fight against racial and ethnic stereotypes. Beginning in World War II Jewish social scientists and other intellectuals began a concentrated effort to investigate the social and psychological bases of prejudicial attitudes, outlooks, and behavior. By the end of the war these social scientists became convinced that all forms of prejudice, including anti-Semitism, shared the same social and psychological causes, which, if discovered, could be successfully treated and eliminated. For over twenty years Jewish intellectuals and activists worked hand in hand to formulate practical programs to combat prejudice. They pioneered tactics-including educational programs in the schools, appeals for tolerance broadcast through the mass media, and legal challenges in the courts-that remain among the principal weapons of today's civil rights activists. Svonkin shows how ideology and the shifting models of prejudice greatly influenced the means that each Jewish group used in its fight against bigotry and racism. He considers the far-reaching effects of anticommunism in the 1950s and early 1960s, when Jewish political groups moved to support liberal anticommunism as well as to oppose the demagoguery of such figures as Senator Joseph McCarthy and the leaders of the John Birch Society. Exploring the tensions between American and Jewish identities, Svonkin argues that the revelations of the Eichmann Trial, the growing concern over Israel's security, and the persistence of anti-Semitism all shaped Jewish activism- driving the shift from the universalistic liberalism of the 1940s and 1950s to the cultural assertion and political neoconservatism of the late 1960s.
South Africa: the challenge of social development

Following South Africa's transition from apartheid to majority rule, the country's new government declared its intention to implement a macro-development approach, known as the Reconstruction and Development Programme, which would promote economic growth and, at the same time, raise the standards of living of the country's impoverished majority. This programme was accompanied by the publication of a White Paper on developmental social welfare. Both give expression to social development ideas which had previously been popular in international circles and which were being resurrected by the 1995 United Nations World Summit. This article discusses South Africa's engagement with social development and examines the challenges facing its attempts to implement this approach. The lessons learned from South Africa's experience of formulating and implementing social development policies and programmes can inform similar efforts elsewhere
Spatial ecology of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica

A cornerstone of spatial ecology is the quantification of the patchy nature of animal and plant populations in space. By using spatial covariance, total covariance, and quantile variance, we found that patchiness of Japanese beetle grub populations varied more between years than between fairways at a central New York golf course. We also observed that populations tended to shrink and swell around patches with perennially low density, that locations with perennially low grub density were associated with high soil organic matter content, and that locations with frequently high grub density were associated with intense adult beetle activity in the vicinity.
A Survey of Teaching Artists in Dance and Theater: Implications for Preparation, Curriculum, and Professional Degree Programs

This study investigates teaching artists whose work is rooted in dance and theater. Although the term remains both ambiguous and debated, teaching artists provide a good deal of arts education delivery in P–12 and afterschool programs throughout the United States. Based on survey data from a range of teaching artists across the nation (N = 133), this study presents emergent trends including: (1) lack of preparation, (2) workplace issues and challenges, and (3) mixed attitudes regarding teaching artist professionalization and credentialing. We conclude with several recommendations for postsecondary curriculum development in dance and theater degree programs.
THE CONTROL OF MEMBRANE IONIC CURRENTS BY THE MEMBRANE POTENTIAL OF MUSCLE

Comparisons between electrotronic potentials and certain predicted curves allow the identification of the membrane potential at which the sodium and potassium currents are switched on in frog sartorius. The activation potentials (the membrane potentials at which the ionic currents are great enough to be resolved by the method) are functions of the resting potential and time but not of ionic concentration. In the normal fiber, the activation potential for sodium lies nearer the resting potential and depolarizations set off sodium currents and action potentials. Below a resting potential of 55 to 60 mv. sodium activation is lost and conduction is impossible. A tenfold increase of calcium concentration lowers (moves further from the resting potential) the sodium activation potential by 20 to 25 mv. whereas the potassium activation potential is lowered by only 15 mv. Certain consequences of this are seen in the behavior of the muscle cell when it is stimulated with long duration shock.