bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is It Worth Using Gamification on Software Testing Education? An Extended Experience Report in the Context of Undergraduate Students
Authors: Jesus Gabriela Martins de , Ferrari Fabiano Cutigi , Paschoal Leo Natan , Souza Simone Do Rocio Senger de , Porto Daniel De Paula , Durelli Vinicius Humberto Serapilha
Published: September 2020

Context: Testing is fundamental in the software development process. Nevertheless, testing education faces the key challenge of ensuring that undergraduate students acquire knowledge and skills they need for their future careers by matching what is taught in the classroom to industry standards. In this context, gamification can be used as an alternative educational approach. It uses game elements in real-world contexts in order to increase people's motivation and engagement in tasks that require external stimuli, especially in educational contexts.Objective: Reporting on results of an experimental study designed to assess the impact of gamification on software testing education, as well as reporting on the experience of building a supporting gamified platform. Method: We performed a systematic literature mapping aiming at characterizing how gamification has been explored in the software testing context. In addition, some of the problems faced by testing education were identified through an ad-hoc search. Then, we developed a gamified approach and a platform that have been used to run five 4-hour functional testing classes with undergraduate students from four Brazilian institutions of higher education.Results: Overall, students who learned with the traditional approach felt more motivated than those who learned with the gamified approach, whereas the performance of both groups were similar. On the other hand, feedback questionnaires indicated that the gamified class was more attractive (in terms of attention) and funny. Moreover, we observed that building a gamified platform is complex and challenging, particularly for the definition of the game mechanics and dynamics.Conclusion: Even though the results in terms of students' performance was neutral, and the motivation of students did not increase due to the introduction of gamification, the experience of having used this alternative approach is considered positive, as it provided a more enjoyable and funny environment, both from the researcher's and students' point of view. Furthermore,  with this experience we foresee we can do better in terms of gamified teaching in future work.
The Magnetometry—A Primary Tool in the Prospection of Underground Water
Authors: López Loera Héctor
Published: September 2020

One of the most important problems in arid and semi-arid zones in the Mexican Mesa Central is the one related to the exploration and exploitation of groundwater. It is found at depths over 200 m, and movement is primarily through fractures. This work presents a geophysical methodology, which shows the potential of combining natural and induced methods to locate confined aquifers in fault zones. The study begins by interpreting the aeromagnetic survey, mainly by searching alignments associated with low magnetic anomalies, which are correlated with faults zones, and/or fractures and/or geologic contacts where ferromagnetic minerals have undergone oxidation due to their association with recharged zones. These aeromagnetic alignments are confirmed on land by a ground magnetic survey. Based on these interpretations, electrical methods include sections and vertical electrical sounding are used to verify if the zones are correlated to the underground moisture. If both permeability and moisture are met together, then they considered as zones with a high probability of locating ground water in the Mexican Mesa Central.
Colour and the Argument from Illusion
Authors: Yetman Cameron ,   Ball State University
Published: September 2020

For A. J. Ayer, the occurrence of delusions confutes the notion that we perceive the world directly. He argues instead that perceptions are caused by immaterial “sense data” which somehow represent the properties of material things to us in our experiences. J. L. Austin systematically rejects Ayer’s claims, arguing that the occurrence of delusions does not preclude the possibility of direct perception, and that, indeed, our normal perception is direct. I challenge both philosophers’ ideas by examining how they deal with the phenomenon of colour.
The Fires of Change
Authors: Cooper Holly ,   Ball State University
Published: September 2020

In this paper, I explore a prominent question of Hericlitean scholarship: how is change possible? Karl Popper and G. S. Kirk tackle this same question. Kirk asserts that Heraclitus believed that change is present on a macrocosmic level and that all change is regulated by the cosmic principle logos. Popper, on the other hand, claims Heraclitus believed that change is microcosmic and rejected that all change is regulated by logos. I argue for a combination of aspects from each of their claims and conclude that change is present both microcosmically and macrocosmically and that all change is governed by logos.
ACRL Together Wherever: Programs from the virtual event
Authors: Of College and Research Libraries Association
Published: September 2020

ACRL Together Wherever, a week of virtual programming and networking opportunities for the academic and research library community, was held June 8-12, 2020. More than 2,769 individuals signed up for the virtual event, accounting for nearly 4,600 live webcast views. Recordings of all ACRL Together Wherever sessions are freely available on the ACRL YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/3gfT1ie. Ed. note: Thanks to the ACRL members who summarized programs to make this report possible.
C&RL Spotlight
Authors: Kasper Wendi
Published: September 2020

International issues have been much on my mind these days. From global maps of COVID spread (and which countries are on the leader board) to government guidance restricting visas for international students if their classes are online--it is inescapable. I will admit to feeling strangely isolated from it (and everything really since I am still working from home). I am very grateful and humbled and, admittedly, somewhat guilty about it–particularly when there are people in the United States and in so many other countries who can’t work or have lost their jobs.
Internet Reviews
Authors: Roberts Joni R. , Drost Carol A.
Published: September 2020

EngenderHealthGreater Good in ActionNational Alliance to End Homelessness
Variables related to self-leadership of Korean nursing students: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cho Myung Hee , Jung In Ja , Park Mi Kyung
Published: September 2020

Purpose: This study considers the variables related to self-leadership of Korean nursing students and verifies the results of precedent studies through meta-analysis.Methods: This study selected a total of 48 precedent studies regarding the investigation of the correlation between variables related to self-leadership of nursing students conducted between 2009 and 2019 and carried out a meta-analysis.Results: For the effect size of variables related to self-leadership of nursing students, individual characteristics had a medium effect size (ESr=.49) and the effect size was larger for meta-cognition (ESr=.65), emotional intelligence (ESr=.58), and self-efficacy (ESr=.54). The characteristics of nursing competency (ESr=.45) also had a medium effect size and the effect size was larger for professional self-concept (ESr=.60), social support (ESr=.58), and critical thinking (ESr=.56). This result shows that individual characteristics were highly correlated with self-leadership compared to the characteristics of nursing competency.Conclusion: This study is significant in that it verified the effect of variables related to self-leadership and presented the direction and preliminary data for a follow-up study. It is necessary to include variables considering individual characteristics in the development of an educational program for improving self-leadership in the future.
Influence of gender role conflict, resilience, and nursing organizational culture on nursing work performance among clinical nurses
Authors: Han Ji Eon , Park Nam Hee , Cho Jeonghyun
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing nursing work performance among clinical nurses in the hospital.Methods: This descriptive correlational study collected data from 122 clinical nurses who were working in three tertiary referral hospitals in Busan. The data were collected, using self-reported questionnaires, from September 2 to October 14, 2019. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 25.0 program.Results: Nursing work performance was significantly associated with resilience, innovation oriented culture, relationship oriented culture, and hierarchy oriented culture. The factors significantly influencing nursing work performance of the participants included relationship oriented culture (β=.27, p=.015), hierarchy oriented culture (β=.25, p=.003), resilience (β=.19, p=.035), and total clinical career (β=.18, p=.030), which explained 27.3% of nursing work performance (F=8.59, p<.001).Conclusion: The results indicate that there is a need to improve communication skills among multidisciplinary team members and to harmonize hierarchical and relational cultures in order to enhance nursing work performance. In addition, this study suggests developing interventions for enhancing the resilience of clinical nurses.
Factors influencing clinical nurses’ advocacy for people with disability
Authors: Jeon Ji Young , Choi Hyunkyung
Published: September 2020

Purpose: Clinical nurses are the ideal health care providers to advocate for vulnerable and underserved populations such as people with disability. This study aimed to understand factors influencing nursing advocacy for people with disability among clinical nurses.Methods: The subjects of this study were 186 clinical nurses who were working in three hospitals in B and D cities. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 with descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis.Results: Clinical experience and esthetical nursing competency have positive correlations with nursing advocacy, and optimism-human rights has a negative correlation with nursing advocacy. Factors influencing nursing advocacy for people with disability were identified as patient directivity (β=0.36, p=.001), optimism-human rights (β=-0.18, p=.008) and clinical experience (≥10) (β=0.14, p=.036). The final model consisting of these factors explained 19% of the variance of nursing advocacy (F=14.99, p=.001).Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate the importance of developing and implementing nursing interventions that can improve patient directivity and optimism-human rights toward people with disability among clinical nurses. These nursing advocacy interventions can be provided as part of continuing education as well as the nursing curriculum.
The effect of a loving-kindness and compassion meditation program on the empathy, emotion, and stress of nursing college students
Authors: Nam Jeong-Hui , Park Hyun-Sook
Published: September 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of a loving-kindness and compassion meditation program on the empathy, emotion, and stress of nursing college students.Methods: A pre-posttest experimental design with a non-equivalent control group was applied. The participants were 39 nursing college students (experimental group: 19, control group: 20). The loving-kindness and compassion meditation program for nursing college students took 8 weeks. Data was collected from February 2016 to March 2016, and was analyzed by Chi-square test and independent t-test using IBM SPSS/WIN 19.0.Results: The difference between the experiment group and control group was statistically significant in empathy, negative affect, and perceived stress.Conclusion: The results indicate that the loving-kindness and compassion meditation program was effective for empathy improvement and stress management of nursing college students.
Process Monitoring Dataset from the Additive Manufacturing Metrology
Testbed (AMMT): Overhang Part X4
Authors: Lane Brandon , Yeung Ho
Published: September 2020

This document provides details on the files available in the dataset “Overhang Part X4” pertaining to a three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing (AM) build performed on the Additive Manufacturing Metrology Testbed (AMMT) by Ho Yeung and Brandon Lane on June 28, 2019. The files include the input command files, materials data, in-situ process monitoring data, and metadata. This data is one of a set of “AMMT Process Monitoring Datasets”, as part of the Metrology for Real-Time Monitoring of Additive Manufacturing project at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Ex-situ part characterization data, including X-ray computed tomography (XCT) measurements, will be provided as it is made available. Readers should refer to the AMMT datasets web page for updates.
The influence of the external environment uncertainty factors and the technological characteristics of sausage manufacture on the sustainable development of the meat-processing industry in Russia
Authors: Solomennikov Aleksandr Emel'yanovich , Sigaev Sergei Igorevich
Published: September 2020

The purpose of the article is to analyze the influence of the external and internal factors on the sustainable development of the meat-processing industry in Russia, to establish their role, importance and the consequences of impact.  The authors describe such external environment uncertainty factors affecting the sustainable development of the meat-processing industry as the macroeconomic development - the crops cultivation as a food reserve for animal breeding, price fluctuation, including those for raw materials and food reserves for meat processing, meat market competition. Using the methods of logical, comparative and economic and statistical analysis, the authors study such an internal environment factor as the characteristics of sausage manufacture. The authors consider the formulation of the cooked sausage “Doktorskaya”, and analyze the food additives according to the state standards.  The authors conclude that the sustainable development of the meat-processing industry in Russia is based, on the one hand, on risk and uncertainty levelling which is possible under the condition of the appropriate taking account of the external environment factors and the effective evaluation criteria, and on the other hand - on the technological characteristics of sausage manufacture involving the improvement of the formulation and wide use of food additives.  
Nuclearity, the work of bodies and justice: the environmental rehabilitation of the Urgeiriça mines and local protest
Authors: Mendes José Manuel , Araújo Pedro
Published: September 2020

This article analyses the long cycle of nuclearity in Portugal on the basis of the closing-down process at the Urgeiriça mines and their subsequent environmental rehabilitation. The article addresses the action of the former workers in their claim that they are contaminated, just like the territory, and in their search for the same right to compensation. It shows how the presence and pain of the victims is not of sufficient dimension to alter the technical/political and administrative frameworks. It concludes that the state is managing to shut down the controversy, to a certain extent, and to assume normality in the governance of the territory on the basis of devices of technical and scientific normalisation regarding nuclearity.
Crime in the press: an analysis of the Correio da Manhã, 2000-2007
Authors: Rodrigues Pedro
Published: September 2020

Earlier studies suggest that the idea of an “accelerated rising tendency in crime” and the consequent feelings of insecurity do not reflect the objective levels of risk present in Portuguese society (Machado, 2004) and that mass media organizations play a role in the amplification of representations of a more violent society (Ferreira, 1998). In the light of these findings, this investigation sought to analyze the frequency with which different types of crime are reported in the Correio da Manhã, a Portuguese daily newspaper. The period from January 2000 to December 2007 was considered for a comparison with the official crime data registered by police authorities. In this comparison, a distortion was found in the number of crimes reported, where the newspaper preferred to report on violent criminal occurrences, independently of their real frequency.
Review: A Escola Pública Pode Fazer a Diferença [Maria de Lurdes Rodrigues, 2010, Coimbra, Almedina]
Authors: Duarte Alexandra
Published: September 2020

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Desigualdades globais
Authors: Costa António Firmino da
Published: September 2020

As desigualdades sociais voltaram a estar sob forte atenção pública e analítica. As perspetivas teóricas atuais das ciências sociais e a disponibilização de indicadores institucionais têm vindo a colocar em evidência o caráter global das desigualdades contemporâneas. O presente artigo examina vários aspetos das desigualdades globais. Partindo de algumas questões teóricas preliminares, aborda de seguida tópicos como as desigualdades de desenvolvimento humano, as relações entre desigualdades nacionais e globais, as novas classes globais, as desigualdades objetivas e subjetivas no mundo atual e, a concluir, a questão da justiça social e das políticas públicas à escala global.
The Mla pathway in Acinetobacter baumannii has no demonstrable role in anterograde lipid transport
Authors: Powers Matthew J , Simpson Brent W , Trent M Stephen
Published: September 2020

The asymmetric outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria functions as a selective permeability barrier to the environment. Perturbations to OM lipid asymmetry sensitize the cell to antibiotics. As such, mechanisms involved in lipid asymmetry are fundamental to our understanding of OM lipid homeostasis. One such mechanism, the Maintenance of lipid asymmetry (Mla) pathway has been proposed to extract mislocalized glycerophospholipids from the outer leaflet of the OM and return them to the inner membrane (IM). Work on this pathway inAcinetobacter baumanniisupport conflicting models for the directionality of the Mla system being retrograde (OM to IM) or anterograde (IM to OM). Here, we show conclusively thatA. baumannii mlamutants exhibit no defects in anterograde transport. Furthermore, we identify an allele of the GTPaseobgEthat is synthetically sick in the absence of Mla; providing another link between cell envelope homeostasis and stringent response.
Upregulation of TRPM3 in nociceptors innervating inflamed tissue
Authors: Mulier Marie , Van Ranst Nele , Corthout Nikky , Munck Sebastian , Vanden Berghe Pieter , Vriens Joris , Voets Thomas , Moilanen Lauri
Published: September 2020

Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of the heat-activated cation channel TRPM3 alleviates inflammatory heat hyperalgesia, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We induced unilateral inflammation of the hind paw in mice, and directly compared expression and function of TRPM3 and two other heat-activated TRP channels (TRPV1 and TRPA1) in sensory neurons innervating the ipsilateral and contralateral paw. We detected increased Trpm3 mRNA levels in dorsal root ganglion neurons innervating the inflamed paw, and augmented TRP channel-mediated calcium responses, both in the cell bodies and the intact peripheral endings of nociceptors. In particular, inflammation provoked a pronounced increase in nociceptors with functional co-expression of TRPM3, TRPV1 and TRPA1. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of TRPM3 dampened TRPV1- and TRPA1-mediated responses in nociceptors innervating the inflamed paw, but not in those innervating healthy tissue. These insights into the mechanisms underlying inflammatory heat hypersensitivity provide a rationale for developing TRPM3 antagonists to treat pathological pain.
Comparative masticatory myology in anteaters and its implications for interpreting morphological convergence in myrmecophagous placentals
Authors: Ferreira-Cardoso Sérgio , Fabre Pierre-Henri , de Thoisy Benoit , Delsuc Frédéric , Hautier Lionel
Published: September 2020

Background

Ecological adaptations of mammals are reflected in the morphological diversity of their feeding apparatus, which includes differences in tooth crown morphologies, variation in snout size, or changes in muscles of the feeding apparatus. The adaptability of their feeding apparatus allowed them to optimize resource exploitation in a wide range of habitats. The combination of computer-assisted X-ray microtomography (µ-CT) with contrast-enhancing staining protocols has bolstered the reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) models of muscles. This new approach allows for accurate descriptions of muscular anatomy, as well as the quick measurement of muscle volumes and fiber orientation. Ant- and termite-eating (myrmecophagy) represents a case of extreme feeding specialization, which is usually accompanied by tooth reduction or complete tooth loss, snout elongation, acquisition of a long vermiform tongue, and loss of the zygomatic arch. Many of these traits evolved independently in distantly-related mammalian lineages. Previous reports on South American anteaters (Vermilingua) have shown major changes in the masticatory, intermandibular, and lingual muscular apparatus. These changes have been related to a functional shift in the role of upper and lower jaws in the evolutionary context of their complete loss of teeth and masticatory ability.

Methods

We used an iodine staining solution (I2KI) to perform contrast-enhanced µ-CT scanning on heads of the pygmy (Cyclopes didactylus), collared (Tamandua tetradactyla) and giant (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) anteaters. We reconstructed the musculature of the feeding apparatus of the three extant anteater genera using 3D reconstructions complemented with classical dissections of the specimens. We performed a description of the musculature of the feeding apparatus in the two morphologically divergent vermilinguan families (Myrmecophagidae and Cyclopedidae) and compared it to the association of morphological features found in other myrmecophagous placentals.

Results

We found that pygmy anteaters (Cyclopes) present a relatively larger and architecturally complex temporal musculature than that of collared (Tamandua) and giant (Myrmecophaga) anteaters, but shows a reduced masseter musculature, including the loss of the deep masseter. The loss of this muscle concurs with the loss of the jugal bone in Cyclopedidae. We show that anteaters, pangolins, and aardvarks present distinct anatomies despite morphological and ecological convergences.
The initiation site for transcription of the TMV 30‐kDa protein messenger RNA
Authors: Watanabe Yuichiro , Meshi Tetsuo , Okada Yoshimi
Published: July 2002

The initiation site for transcripotion of the 30‐kDa protein mRNA of tobacco mosaic virus was mapped uniquely at residue 1558 from the 3'‐terminus on TMV RNA using the primer‐extension and the S1‐nuclease mapping method.
Isolation from the microsomal fraction of rat liver of a subfraction highly enriched in uncoated endocytic vesicles with high H+‐ATPase activity and a 50 kDa phosphoprotein
Authors: Flatmark Torgeir , Haavik Jan , Grønberg Martin , Kleiveland Liv Jorunn , Jacobsen Sissel Wahlstrøm , Berge Sissel Vik
Published: July 2002

A subcellular fraction, highly enriched in uncoated vesicles (UCV) with high H+‐ATPase (EC 3.6.1.34) activity, was isolated from the crude microsomal fraction of rat liver homogenates by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation. The UCV fraction, recovered at the interface of sucrose density 1.08 and 1.10 , was shown morphologically to be a mixture of small, smooth‐surfaced univesicular and a few multivesicular structures. A permeable anion (e.g. chloride) was required for internal acidification, indicating an electro‐neutral proton pump. Specific inhibitors of anion transport (pyridoxal 5'‐phosphate and 4‐acetamide‐4'‐isothiocyanostilbene‐2, 2'‐disulfonic acid) totally inhibit proton translocation. The proton pump activity was insensitive to oligomycin, but was completely inhibited by about 5 μM of the tridentate bathophenanthroline chelate of Fe(II). The activity was also inhibited 100% by low concentrations of the protonophore carbonyl cyanide p‐trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, the proton conduction inhibitor N,N'‐dicyclohexyl‐carbodiimide and the ionophore monensin. The UCV fraction contained 2 proteins of M
r 50000 (major) and 54000 (minor) which were phosphorylated by an endogenous cyclic nucleotide‐ and Ca2+‐independent protein kinase.
Electron transport driven phosphorylation catalyzed by proteoliposomes containing hydrogenase, fumarate reductase and ATP synthase
Authors: Graf Margret , Bokranz Martin , Böcher Reinhard , Friedl Peter , Kröger Achim
Published: July 2002

Liposomes containing the hydrogenase complex and the fumarate reductase complex isolated from Wolinella (formerly Vibrio) succinogenes, together with vitamin K1 catalyzed the electron transport from H2 to fumarate. With the fumarate reductase complex present in excess the activity of electron transport was close to that of the hydrogenase complex. Liposomes containing an ATP synthase in addition to the electron transport components catalyzed the phosphorylation of ADP driven by the electron transport.
Vasopressin rapidly stimulates phosphatidic acid‐phosphatidylinositol turnover in rat anterior pituitary cells
Authors: Raymond Vincent , Leung Peter C.K. , Veilleux Raymonde , Labrie Fernand
Published: July 2002

Vasopressin
Corticotropin releasing factor
Adrenocorticotropin
Corticotroph
Pituitary
Phospholipid
Studies on the phospholipid composition of pathogenic cell membranes of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Authors: Hwang Fen , Wen De-cheng , Wu Yu-wei , Li Yue-zhen , Dong Qing-hua , Wang Su-min
Published: July 2002

The membrane phospholipid and fatty acid compositions of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, a pathogen of porcine enzootic pneumoniae isolated in China, was studied by thin‐layer chromatography and gas chromatography. The results showed that membrane phospholipids consisted predominantly of diphosphatidylglycerol. The percentage of C16–C18 fatty acids comprised 79% of the total fatty acids, of which oleic acid as well as palmitic acid are the major fatty acids. Some differences were shown in fatty acid composition as compared with membranes of other species of Mycoplasma.
Amino acid sequence of proteinase K from the mold Tritirachium album Limber
Authors: Jany Klaus-Dieter , Lederer Georg , Mayer Barbara
Published: July 2002

The amino acid sequence of proteinase K (EC 3.4.21.14) from Tritirachium album Limber has been determined by analysis of fragments generated by cleavage with CNBr or BNPS‐skatole. The enzyme consists of a single peptide chain containing 277 amino acid residues, corresponding to M
r 28 930. Comparison of the sequence with those of the serine proteinases reveals a high degree of homology (about 35%) to the subtilisin‐related enzyme. But in contrast to the subtilisins, proteinase K contains 2 disulfide bonds and a free cysteine residue. This finding may indicate that proteinase K is a member of a new subfamily of the subtilisins.
Trypanosomatid hydrogen peroxidase metabolism
Authors: Penketh P.G. , Kennedy W.P.K. , Patton C.L. , Sartorelli A.C.
Published: July 2002

The rate of whole cell H2O2 metabolism in several salivarian and stercorarian trypanosomes and Leishmania species was measured. These cells metabolized H2O2 at rates between 2.3 and 48.2 nmol/108 cells per min depending upon the species employed. H2O2 metabolism was largely insensitive to NaN3, implying that typical catalase and peroxidase haemoproteins are not important in H2O2 metabolism. The metabolism of H2O2, however, was almost completely inhibited by N‐ethylmaleimide. In representative species, H2O2 metabolism was shown to occur through a trypanothione‐dependent mechanism.
The striatum and cerebral cortex express different muscarinic receptor mRNAs
Authors: Brann Mark R. , Buckley Noel J. , Bonner Tom I.
Published: July 2002

The existence of four distinct muscarinic acetylcholine receptor genes (m1 – m4) has recently been demonstrated. cDNAs for three of these receptors have been cloned from brain (m1, m3, m4) and one from heart (m2). To gain some understanding of the physiological role of the brain muscarinic receptors, we mapped the distribution of their mRNAs in rat brain by in situ hybridization. These mRNAs are barely detectable in the hindbrain and cerebellum. Within forebrain, each mRNA has a strikingly different pattern of distribution. The highest levels of m1 mRNA are in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus followed by the striatum. m3 mRNA is also prominent in the cerebral cortex, but has very low levels in the striatum. Conversely, the levels of m4 mRNA are highest in the striatum. Since the cognitive effects of muscarinic drugs have been localized to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and their psychomotor effects to the striatum, these data suggest that the muscarinic receptors which subserve these responses may be different gene products. Finally, we show that these muscarinic receptors can be distinguished pharmacologically, suggesting that it may be possible to develop drugs for the selective treatment of the psychomotor vs cognitive difficulties of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, respectively.
Generation of high specificity of effect through low‐specificity binding of proteins to DNA
Authors: Zuckerkandl Emile , Villet Ruxton
Published: July 2002

It is proposed that proteins can bind with relatively low‐affinity and specificity to multiple sites, defined as sequence motifs, on polynucleotide chains, and that such binding can collectively be turned into high‐affinity, high‐specificity binding through cooperative effects, especially when the sequence motifs recur periodically. The selection of individual nucleotides has in general been thought to be the condition of the existence and conservation of function in most of the noncoding sequences. This condition seems unnecessary. Calculations are presented as a step in the direction of giving credibility to a model of stable gene repression.
Measurement of the redox state of the ubiquinone pool in plant mitochondria
Authors: Moore Anthony L. , Dry Ian B. , Wiskich Joseph T.
Published: July 2002

We have investigated the dependence of the respiratory rate on the redox poise of the quinone pool in isolated turnip and pea leaf mitochondria. A linear relationship has been found between these two parameters during succinate oxidation under both state 3 and 4 conditions. When succinate is oxidised by the alternative oxidase the dependence of oxygen uptake on the steady‐state reduction level of quinone is markedly non‐linear. These results are discussed within the frame‐work of a homogeneous quinone pool.
Evidence for the participation of histidine residues located in the 56 kDa C‐terminal polypeptide domain of ADP‐ribosyl transferase in its catalytic activity
Authors: Bauer Pal I. , Buki Kaiman G. , Kun Ernest
Published: July 2002

Purified ADPRT protein was inactivated by the histidine specific reagent diethylpyrocarbonate, binding to two histidine residues, or by a relatively histidine selective photoinactivation method. Inactivation with up to 1.3 mM diethylpyrocarbonate was reversible by hydroxylamine. Enzymatic inactivation coincided with the loss of binding capacity of the enzyme protein to benzamide affinity matrix but not to DNA cellulose. Labelled diethylpyrocarbonate was identified exclusively in the 56 kDa carboxyl‐terminal polypeptide where 2 out of 13 histidine residues were modified by this reagent. It is proposed that histidine residues in the 56 kDa polypeptide may participate as initiator sites for polyADP‐ribosylation.
Phosphotyrosine as a specificity determinant for casein kinase‐2, a growth related Ser/Thr‐specific protein kinase
Authors: Meggio Flavio , Perich John W. , Reynolds Eric C. , Pinna Lorenzo A.
Published: July 2002

The motif Ser‐Ser‐Ser‐Glu‐Glu is readily phosphorylated by casein kinase‐2 (CK‐2), a growth‐related protein kinase whose consensus sequence is Ser(Thr)‐Xaa‐Xaa‐Glu(Asp) [(1990) Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1054, 267–283]. Here we show that phosphotyrosine can replace carboxylic acids as specificity determinant for CK‐2 phosphorylation, the phosphotyrosyl peptide Ser‐Ser‐Ser‐TyrP‐TyrP actually being a substrate more efficient than Ser‐Ser‐Ser‐Glu‐Glu itself both in terms of K
m (0.69 vs 2.43 mM) and V???. Prior dephosphorylation of phosphotyrosine entirely prevents the subsequent phosphorylation of serine by CK‐2. While Ser‐Ser‐Ser‐TyrP‐TyrP is better than Ser‐Ser‐Ser‐SerP‐SerP, which in turn is better than Ser‐Ser‐Ser‐Glu‐Glu, Ser‐Ser‐Ser‐ThrP‐ThrP is a less efficient substrate than Ser‐Ser‐Ser‐Glu‐Glu. Thus the order of efficiency of phosphoamino acids as specificity determinants for CK‐2 appears to be TyrP>SerP>ThrP.
Direct demonstration of enol‐oxaloacetate as an immediate product of malate oxidation by the mammalian succinate dehydrogenase
Authors: Panchenko M.V. , Vinogradov A.D.
Published: July 2002

Rapid malonate‐sensitive transitory formation of enol‐oxaloacetate followed by slow ketonization of the product was observed after addition of malate to the mammalian succinate‐ubiquinone reductase in the presence of electron acceptor. The initial rate of enol‐oxaloacetate production was equal to that of malate oxidation. Oxaloacetate keto—enol tautomerase had no effect on the initial rate of enol‐oxaloacetate production nor on the kinetics of malate oxidation; the enzyme drastically accelerated the ketonization of the product. The solubilized and partially purified membrane‐bound flavine adenine dinucleotide‐dependent malate dehydrogenase from Acetobacter xylinum catalyzed oxidation of L‐ and D‐malate without formation of enol‐oxaloacetate as an intermediate of the reaction.
Gα11 and Gαq guaninine nucleotide regulatory proteins differentially modulate the response to thyrotropin‐releasing hormone in Xenopus oocytes
Authors: Lipinsky Dafna , Gershengorn Marvin C. , Oron Yoram
Published: July 2002

Xenopus oocytes that express mouse thyrotropin‐releasing hormone receptors (TRH‐Rs) after injection if RNA transcribed from TRH‐R cDNA respond to THR by a depolarizing current. This response is transducer by activation of phosphoinositide‐specific phospholipase C and utilizes an as yet unidentified endogenous guanine nucleotide‐binding regulatory (G) protein(s). The α subunit of G11 and Gq have recently been shown to couple receptors to activation of phospholipase C. To determine whether there are functional differences between these proteins, we have co‐expressed the TRH‐R with either α11 or αq, α11 potentiated the response to TRH (by 61±16%), while αq inhibited the response (by 37±9%). The changes in amplitudes were accompanied by inverse changes in response latencies. These data show that α11 and αq differentially modulate signal transduction in Xenopus oocytes.
How do eukaryotic activator proteins stimulate the rate of transcription by RNA polymerase II?
Authors: Ham Jonathan , Steger Gertrud , Yaniv Moshe
Published: July 2002

A large number of activator proteins have now been identified in higher and lower eukaryotes, which bind to the regulatory regions or protein‐encoding genes and increase the rate at which they are transcribed by RNA polymerase II. The mechanism by which activators function is being intensively studied and some of the targets of transcriptional activation domains have now been identified. These studies have also revealed novel classes of regulatory factors, which were not anticipated by extrapolating from the principles obtained with prokaryotic promoters.
Molecular modelling of the structures of endothelin antagonists Identification of a possible structural determinant for ET‐A receptor binding
Authors: Satoh Takashi , Barlow David
Published: July 2002

Computer‐aided molecular modelling of the endothelin (ET‐A) receptor antagonists, BQ‐123 and BE‐18257B. shows that they have very similar 3D structures. Parts of their 3D structures are also shown to match closely with that reported for residues 6–8 in endothelin‐1. On the basis of these similarities (and with supporting evidence from literature data on endothelin structure—activity relationships) a structural determinant is proposed for ET‐A receptor binding, and novel designs of peptide are suggested for providing more potent and selective ET‐A receptor antagonists.
Early steps of the P‐glycoprotein expression in cell cultures studied with vital fluorochrome
Authors: Egudina S.V. , Stromskaya T.P. , Frolova E.A. , Stavrovskaya A.A.
Published: July 2002

This study shows that flow cytometry analysis of the rate of fluorochrome Rh123 efflux may be used for detection of cells at initial steps of P‐glycoprotein expression and of minor subpopulations of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) variants in human cell lines. This method also evaluates the fraction of low‐level MDR cells among peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. The alterations in Pgp function were revealed in rat hepatoma cells after short treatment with colchicine.
The nuclear‐encoded polypeptide Cfo‐II from spinach is a real, ninth subunit of chloroplast ATP synthase
Authors: Herrmann Reinhold G. , Steppuhn Johannes , Herrmann Gernot S. , Nelson Nathan
Published: July 2002

Proton‐translocating F‐ATP synthases from chloroplasts contain a nuclear‐coded subunit, CFo‐II, that lacks an equivalent in the corresponding E. coli complex. Three recombinant phages that code for the entire precursor of this subunit have been isolated from λ gt11 cDNA expression libraries made from polyadenylated spinach RNA using a two‐step strategy. The reading frame of 222 amino acid residues includes 147 residues for the mature protein (M
r 16.5 kDa) and a transit sequence of 75 residues (M
r 8.0 kDa). Secondary structure predictions indicate a bitopic protein, anchored by a single N‐terminal transmembrane segment and a C‐terminal hydrophilic region that probably reaches into CF1. CFo‐II precursor made in vitro can be imported into isolated, intact chloroplasts and assembled into ATP synthase. This protein is a real subunit of the plastid enzyme and a distinctive characteristic of ATP synthases involved in photosynthetic processes. Unique features are (i) that the gene for CFo‐II (atpG) appears to be a duplication of atpF encoding CFo‐I, the homologues of the genes for subunits b′ and b in photosynthetic bacteria, (ii) that it represents the first instance that one copy of the various duplicated loci found in plastid chromosomes has been phylogenetically translocated to the nucleus, and (iii) that it operates with a bipartite (import/thylakoid‐targeting) transit peptide but without an intermediate cleavage site for the stroma protease, suggestive of a way of membrane integration different from that of its plastome‐encoded counterpart CFo‐I. With these data, the first complete sequence for a chloroplast ATP synthase of a higher plant (spinach) is available.
ATP‐dependent transport of amphiphilic cations across the hepatocyte canalicular membrane mediated by mdr1 P‐glycoprotein
Authors: Müller Michael , Mayer Rosmarie , Hero Ulrike , Keppler Dietrich
Published: July 2002

The ATP‐dependent transport of the three 3H‐labeled, amphiphilic cations quinidine, N‐(n‐pentyl)‐quinidinium, and N‐(4',4'‐azo‐n‐pentyl) ‐21‐deoxyajmalinium was studied in rat canalicular plasma membrane vesicles. N‐Alkylation of quinidine with an n‐pentyl residue resulted in a permanently charged cationic substrate for ATP‐dependent transport which exhibited a 10‐fold higher transport rate relative to quinidine. The K
m value was 0.4 μM for N‐(n‐pentyl)‐quinidinium and 5 μM for quinidine. The permanently cationic and photolabile derivative of ajmaline, N‐(4',4'‐azo‐n‐pentyl)‐21‐deoxyajmalinium, was also an efficient substrate and served to label canalicular membrane proteins with molecular masses of 143 kDa and 108 kDa. ATP‐dependent transport of the permanently charged amphiphilic cations was inhibited by the P‐glycoprotein inhibitors and substrates quinidine, verapamil, and daunorubicin. The data demonstrate that N‐alkylation of quinidine and ajmaline results in most efficient substrates for mdr1 P‐glycoprotein‐mediated ATP‐dependent transport.
Characterization of a high‐affinity and specific binding site for Gas6
Authors: Nakano Toru , Kishino Junji , Arita Hitoshi
Published: July 2002

We have purified a novel growth‐potentiating factor and demonstrated that the factor is coded by the gas6 gene. Moreover, we have suggested the presence of a Gas6 receptor on rat vascular smooth muscle cells. In this study, we further analyzed the binding of Gas6 to its receptor. Tissue and cellular distribution of the binding activity of 125I‐labeled Gas6 showed that the binding site existed in many but a limited range of tissues and cell types. Further characterization of the binding of [121I]Gas6 using HOS cells demonstrated that the specific binding was dependent on the presence of Ca2+. Chemical cross‐linking of [125I]]Gas6 to HOS cells resulted in the formation of a high‐molecular‐mass complex, suggesting the presence of a high‐molecular‐weight receptor.
Kinetic differentiation between ligand‐induced and pre‐existent asymmetric models
Authors: Wang Zhi-Xin , Pan Xian-Ming
Published: July 2002

Negative cooperativity can be accounted for either by the pre‐existent asymmetry model or by the ligand‐induced sequential model. It is virtually impossible to deduce the mechanism of negatively cooperative interaction solely from the binding curves. Distinguishing between these two possible mechanisms for negative cooperativity usually requires experiments other than equilibrium binding. In the present communication, a kinetic method is proposed to distinguish between these two possible mechanisms for negative cooperativity. As an example of use of the new method, experimental data for the modification of creatine kinase by 5,5′‐dithiobis‐2‐nitrobenzoic acid were taken from literature and reanalyzed by using the present method. The result indicates that under conditions in which creatine kinase forms the postulated ‘transition state analogue’ complex, the two subunits in the enzyme molecule have different tertiary structures and behave as different types of subunit.
(s4dU)35: a novel, highly potent oligonucleotide inhibitor of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase
Authors: Tökés Szilvia , Aradi Janos
Published: July 2002

Oligodeoxycytidylates were converted to s4dUMP‐containing oligomers by treatment with liquid H2S. The inhibitory potency of the modified oligonucleotides on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase depended on the chain length and on the percentage of modification. The most potent reverse transcriptase inhibitor was (s4dU)35. The inhibitory pattern was competitive, when either poly(A)·(dT)16 or poly(C)·(dG)16 was used as template‐primer (variable substrate), suggesting that the free enzyme interacts with (s4dU)35. The K

i
values were 3.0 and 2.2 nM in the presence of poly(A)·(dT)16 and poly(C)·(dG)16, respectively.
Oxytocin induction of labor: a comparison of 20‐ and 60‐min dose increment levels
Authors: Goni S. , Sawhney H. , Gopalan S.
Published: July 2002

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and complications of oxytocin dose increments at 20‐ and 60‐min intervals for induction of labor in women with low parity. Methods: One hundred women of low parity requiring induction of labor were randomly allocated to 20‐ and 60‐min oxytocin dose increments, 50 patients in each group. The basal oxytocin dose was 1 milliunit/min and doubling of the oxytocin dose was done at intervals of 20 and 60 min. Results: The group with 60‐min increments had a decreased incidence of uterine hyperstimulation, cesarean section and operative vaginal delivery. The induction‐delivery interval was similar in both groups. Conclusion: The oxytocin infusion regimen with increments at 60‐min intervals is safer than and equally effective as 20‐min incremental intervals.
Exposure to perinatal morphine promotes developmental changes in rat striatum
Authors: Gorio Alfredo , Malosio Maria Luisa , Vergani Letizia , Di Giulio Anna Maria
Published: July 2002

This study shows that perinatal exposure to morphine promotes developmental changes (up to 8 months of life) in the striatum by up‐regulating concentrations of substance P and met‐enkephalin with changes of prometenkephalin A mRNA expression at the day of birth only. Dopamine metabolism (up to 60 days) is also increased as suggested by the reduced concentrations of dopamine and increased content of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. Tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA expression is selectively reduced only in the substantia nigra by perinatal morphine. Serotonin content is reduced only during the early postnatal days and is unaffected thereafter. Supplementation of naltrexone to morphine‐exposed rats prevents monoaminergic and neuropeptidergic changes in the striatum, which directly implicates opioid receptors in the developmental changes caused by morphine. The data suggest that perinatal morphine may inhibit met‐enkephalin release, causing accumulation of the peptide without corresponding changes in specific mRNA. Dopamine release may also be increased as indicated by a higher metabolism and consequent reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA expression in the substantia nigra.
Characterization of the nuclear transport of a novel leucine‐rich acidic nuclear protein‐like protein
Authors: Matsubae Masami , Kurihara Toshinao , Tachibana Taro , Imamoto Naoko , Yoneda Yoshihiro
Published: July 2002

We previously reported that the nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptides stimulate the in vitro phosphorylation of several proteins, including a 34 kDa protein. In this study, we show that this specific 34 kDa protein is a novel murine leucine‐rich acidic nuclear protein (LANP)‐like large protein (mLANP‐L). mLANP‐L was found to have a basic type NLS. The co‐injection of Q69LRan‐GTP or SV40 T‐antigen NLS peptides prevented the nuclear import of mLANP‐L. mLANP‐L NLS bound preferentially to Rch1 and NPI‐1, but not to the Qip1 subfamily of importin α. These findings suggest that mLANP‐L is transported into the nucleus by Rch1 and/or NPI‐1.
ATP‐dependent chromatin remodeling: going mobile
Authors: Peterson Craig L
Published: July 2002

Members of the ATP‐dependent class of chromatin remodeling enzymes are found in all eukaryotes where they play key roles in many DNA‐mediated processes. Each of these enzymes are multi‐subunit assembles that hydrolyze ∼1000 ATP/min. The energy of ATP hydrolysis is used to disrupt the chromatin structure which can be scored by enhanced factor binding, disruption of the DNase I cleavage pattern of mononucleosomes, formation of dinucleosomes, movements of histone octamers in cis and in trans, and by generation of nuclease hypersensitive sites. Here the biochemical properties of these enzymes are reviewed and the manner in which ATP‐driven nucleosome movements might account for many of these diverse activities is discussed.
Characterization of the active site thiol group of rhinovirus 2A proteinase
Authors: Sárkány Z. , Skern T. , Polgár L.
Published: July 2002

Picornains 2A are cysteine proteases of picornaviruses, a virus family containing several human and animal pathogens. The pH dependencies of the alkylations of picornain 2A of rhinovirus type 2 with iodoacetamide and iodoacetate show two reactive thiol forms, namely the free thiolate ion at high pH and an imidazole assisted thiol group at low pH. Kinetic deuterium isotope effects do not support general base catalysis by the imidazole group, but rather the existence of a catalytically competent thiolate–imidazolium ion‐pair. The nature of the ion‐pair differs from that of papain, the paradigm of cysteine proteases. The ion‐pair is confined to the same, unusually narrow pH range in which the enzyme exhibits catalytic activity.