bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Geodynamics and Evolutionary Trends of a Headland Bay Beach System in the Semi-Arid Coast of Chile
Authors: Soto María-Victoria , Cabello Misael , Arriagada-González Joselyn
Published: January 2021

The Chilean coast is controlled by the tectonics and structure, generating an irregular coastal landscape, with bays, marine terraces, sandy and gravel beaches, sand dune fields and Andean slopes, forming some mega cliffs that are attacked by waves. The Chilean coastline is shaped by headland bay beaches, with a dynamic coast modeled by south-western winds and south–north longshore current. We analyzed the case of the Coquimbo mega headland bay beach, which consists of four headland bay beaches. A methodological study was carried out on the morphometric parameters of the shoreline and the types of beaches dominated by waves along with geomorphological analysis of the coastal zone. We observed a mass transfer process from south to north. The northern sections of the bays are the places with the densest sand dune fields. This concentration of dunes occurs in each bay individually and in the mega bay as well. The sedimentary supply comes from Andean catchments to the shoreline and is transported and reworked by the longshore current to the northern area, where a huge sand field dune has developed, 120 km away from the mouth of Limarí River, the most southern catchment in the study area. In the mega bay, the current trend is a continuous sedimentary supply, despite the semi-arid conditions and the extreme drought that has affected the area since 2011. The study area is also a popular destination in Chile for beach tourism and is a place of interest for the mining industry.
Heat Transfer Studies on Solidification of Casting Process
Authors: Anna Gowsalya L. , E. Afshan Mahboob
Published: January 2021

This chapter deals with the heat transfer characteristics between the cast and the mold. Generally the heat transfer behavior between the cast and the sand mold is used and all the three modes of heat transfer are studied. The heat transfer characteristics from the cast is at a faster rate for a die mold than for the sand mold. Since the sand mold is used for most of the industrial applications for the complex shapes of metal the heat transfer and the shrinkage behavior in solidification has to be understood perfectly. In this chapter, since the heat transfer mechanism and the shrinkage behavior of the metal in the sand mold is interrelated, hence were predominantly discussed.
Epigenetic Events in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Rattanapan Yanisa , Chareonsirisuthigul Takol
Published: January 2021

Epigenetic aberrations are now well established in the development and progression of ovarian cancer, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA dysregulation, and their progressive accumulation is correlated with the progression of the stage grade of disease. Epigenetic aberrations are relatively stable, linked to various subtypes of the disease, and present in circulating serum, representing promising diagnostic, prognostic, and pharmacodynamic biomarkers. Unlike DNA mutations and deletions, aberrant gene-repressive epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation inhibitors or histone-modifying enzymes, are theoretically reversible by epigenetic therapies. While no action against solid tumors, including ovarian cancer, has been shown in epigenetic monotherapies, preclinical studies indicate that they may be successful when used in conjunction with one another or with conventional chemotherapy, and combinatorial epigenetic therapy regiments are being investigated in cancer clinical trials. Improved interventions against this debilitating malignancy will provide a greater understanding of epigenetics’ role in ovarian cancer.
Christianity and Science: Toward a New Episteme of Charity
Authors: Gruenwald Oskar ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

Ecumenical dialogue and reconciliation among Christians, the dictates of academic freedom, and the very integrity of science and faith call for a new conceptual framework, episteme or paradigm for understanding the phenomenon of man, including the proper relationship between science and faith. Both science and Scripture suggest a more humane, charitable, and open-ended approach to science and religion. Freedom of inquiry and Christian charity constitute the essential prerequisites for a new episteme reflected by the imperative for a Second Reformation in the religious sphere, coupled with the prospects for a post-Kantian Second Copemican Revolution in the scientific sphere.
The Subjective Theory of Economic Value
Authors: Nash Ronald ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

More than a century has passed since economists came to realize that economic value is subjective. This discovery in the 1870s produced a revolution almost as important as the one resulting from the 1776 publication of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations. The failure to recognize or understand the subjectivist revolution is at the root of many twentieth-century economic errors. Many Christians are handicapped in their approach to this important discovery. They believe that since they are required to believe that moral values are objective, that is, independent of human preference and desire, they must resist any effort to make economic value subjective. The purpose of this essay is to show that such thinking is mistaken. Christians and others have nothing to fear from the subjectivist revolution in economics. In fact, understanding and accepting this discovery is an essential step toward economic literacy.
Toward a Normative Economic Metaparadigm
Authors: Zinam Oleg ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

This essay proposes the formulation of a metaparadigm encompassing three major aspects of economic science: positive, normative, and applied. Such a metaparadigm represents a broader conceptual framework within which existing paradigms can be placed as special cases for comparative evaluation. The historical development of religions and their influence on economies and economics are legitimate areas of inquiry for positive economics. Yet the Mecca of the religion-based schools of economics is within a normative metaparadigm. Though Christian economics has not attained thus far the status of positive economics, the means to attain this objective are studied within the applied aspect of the proposed metaparadigm.
Farming and Ecology in the 21st Century
Authors: Anderson Clifton ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

Pollution and erosion are serious problems in agricultural areas. Government sponsored environmental clean-up efforts which involve farmers are voluntary and are likely to remain so. Since clean-up costs are high, privatization and other alternatives to tax-supported environmental programs may attract increased attention. American farm policy needs to be restructured on the basis of sound environmental principles. Modern systems of farming, which require large inputs of fossil fuels and chemicals, need to be modified in order to promote ecological balance. New technologies, including biotechnology, may be developed to conserve natural resources and minimize pollution. The stewardship ethic suggests farmers' responsibilities as caretakers of God's Creation, while Albert Schweitzer advocated reverence for all life-forms. The scientific search for ecological balance will continue, despite its high costs and uncertain results.
The “Bane of the Bassinet”? Graphic Novels as Informational Texts
Authors: Holmes Soline , Schwarzenbach Alicia
Published: January 2021

Originally, the authors were accepted to present this topic at the 2020 ALA Annual Conference as an Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Hot Topic. As the conference was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, information from the presentation was adapted for this article.
Survival of the Fittest: The Evolution of the Children’s Survival Novel
Authors: Dewan Pauline
Published: January 2021

Survival novels provide a host of attractions for children. On a continuum of danger, they are the high-risk counterparts of adventure narratives.Characters in survival novels face not just adversity and risk, but also potential death. The fast pace and high drama of these narratives have always made them popular choices for children.
Librarians as Media Advocates: Public Library Website Advice for Parents
Authors: Cragg Nicholas , Agosto Denise E. , Abbas June , Hernandez Anna
Published: January 2021

With the proliferation of technology and technological resources, there has been much debate about screen time and how the use of electronic media might affect children. Parents are often left without clear ideas of how best to guide their children’s use of these tools.
President's Address: On the Anniversary of the March on Washington
Authors: McCurtis Kirby
Published: January 2021

I am writing this on a significant anniversary in American history, and I would be remiss in not acknowledging it. Fifty-seven years ago, hundreds of thousands of people came together to march on Washington for jobs and freedom. Attendees heard from a number of civil rights activists including Myrlie Evers, Mahalia Jackson, John Lewis, A. Phillip Randolph, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; this is when the latter gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Application of Visual Project Management to build a pro-sustainability design tool
Authors: Babinski Júnior Valdecir , Rosa Lucas da , Maciel Dulce Maria Holanda , Silveira Icléia
Published: January 2021

The article aims to present the application of Visual Project Management in the construction of a pro-sustainability project tool with an emphasis on the mitigation of solid textile waste. This is the Zero Waste Tool for Apparel Design (ZWTAD). The construction of the tool took place in two stages: (I) initially, based on the use of the visual panel of the Orientation Guide for Project Development; and (II), then, under the application of the structural elements (premises, requirements and usability principles) of Visual Project Management. Therefore, methodologically, this article can be understood as applied, descriptive, bibliographic and qualitative research. It is inferred that the development of the ZWTAD can constitute a case of Visual Project Management, however, for now, it is still an incomplete visual model.
Equilateral Spherical Drawings of Planar Cayley Graphs
Authors: Kang Ming-Hsuan , Lin Wu-Hsiung
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we study equilateral spherical drawings of planar Cayley graphs.
We focus on the case when the underlying group is generated by two rotations.
In this case, the set of equilateral drawings can be parameterized by spherical ellipses on the unit sphere.
Besides, we give an explicit formula to describe the shortest equilateral spherical drawing and the longest spherical equilateral drawing.
Furthermore, we studied the drawing of Schreier coset graphs arising from these equilateral drawings.
Actualización de la comunicación gráfica del ECAT-BCN
Authors: Jimeno Calvo Albert
Published: January 2021

El instituto de FP Lluïsa Cura, ahora conocido como ECAT-BCN, es un centro educativo con más de 100 años de historia, que ha implantado con escaso criterio la identidad corporativa realizada hace cinco años por una profesora tristemente desaparecida. El objetivo de este proyecto es actualizar y normalizar los elementos de comunicación gráfica de la escuela.
Selected Topics on Enablers for Next-Generation Information Systems Development: Editorial Introduction to Issue 25 of CSIMQ
Authors: Buchmann Robert
Published: January 2021

The 25th issue of CSIMQ presents four articles that investigate novel enablers for information systems development. Three of the selected articles focus on conceptual modeling methods, whereas the fourth one investigates the readiness of SMEs for Industry 4.0 adoption. Model-driven engineering was both tailored (on method level) and applied in two of the papers, taking a Design Science approach to develop proofs-of-concept for the notion of “technology-specific modeling”, a particular flavor of domain-specific modeling – more precisely, technology-specific modeling languages reflect the specificity of a technological ecosystem or pattern (e. g. REST APIs, MVC Web development frameworks). The third paper's contribution may also be seen as a modeling method, although it is not framed as such – it focuses on a design viewpoint and its theoretical applicability in business scenarios. This method proposes a chemistry-inspired technique for optimizing enterprise collaboration patterns based on their KPI effects. Finally, the last paper takes a systematic literature review approach to investigate Industry 4.0 adoption at SME level through the lens of a modified version of the IMPULS assessment model.
A Modeling Method for Model-Driven API Management
Authors: Chiș Andrei
Published: January 2021

This article reports on the Design Science engineering cycle for implementing a modeling method to support model-driven, process-centric API management. The BPMN standard was hereby enriched on semantic, syntactic and tool levels in order to provide a viable solution for integrating API requests with diagrammatic business process models in order to facilitate the documentation or testing of REST API calls directly in a modeling environment. The method can be implemented by stakeholders that need to map and manage their API ecosystem, thus gaining more API management agility and improving their software engineering productivity. By assimilating API ecosystem conceptualization in the modeling environment, the proposal differs from both RPA (which typically employs non-BPMN process diagramming e.g., in UIPath) and BPM Systems (which typically isolate all API-related semantics outside the process modeling language to keep the diagrammatic representation standard-compliant).
The Periodic Table of Industries: Detection of Collaboration Opportunities Based on an Imitation of the Mendeleev Periodic Table of Elements
Authors: Koura Ibrahim , Benaben Frederick , Gou Juanqiong , Fertier Audrey
Published: January 2021

The concept of collaborative networks has been encountered very often lately as the answer when trying to adapt and improve enterprises in these highly competitive business environments, therefore the urge for constantly addressing this topic. A lot of work-related to collaborative networks has been done so far, from defining network types to leveling partnerships and proposing models for partnership developments. But the lack of tackling a very important obstacle, which is the difficulty of detecting and anticipating collaboration opportunities between enterprises, inspired this research. In this article, a new theoretical opportunity detection approach is proposed based on enterprise characterization concept, KPI classification as well as collaboration types. This detection approach is a table of industrial classifications that imitates the Mendeleev periodic table from the concept point of view. A fictional example from an industrial context is shown to explain the usage of this approach accompanied by discussion about future work and limitations.
Zur Interaktion von materiellem und idiomatischem Bild in deutschen Printwerbungen
Authors: Schmale Günter
Published: January 2021

Print advertising very frequently refers to idioms containing verbal expressions of images conveying a figurative meaning. “Material” idiom's (photos, drawings, cartoons, etc.) in print adverts, in one way or another, depict the idioms’ literal meaning. Advertising plays on numerous forms of interaction between the idiomatic and material image (representation of literal meaning, implicit relation between visual element and verbal idiom, etc.). Following preliminary considerations on figurativeness and metaphoricity, 14 German print adverts are analysed with a focus on the role of the material image. Based on these analyses, reflections on the interpretability of the relation between idiomatic and material image by native speakers and foreign language learners are discussed.
A retrospective analysis of the peer review of more than 75,000 Marie Curie proposals between 2007 and 2018
Authors: Pina David G , Buljan Ivan , Hren Darko , Marušić Ana
Published: January 2021

Most funding agencies rely on peer review to evaluate grant applications and proposals, but research into the use of this process by funding agencies has been limited. Here we explore if two changes to the organization of peer review for proposals submitted to various funding actions by the European Union has an influence on the outcome of the peer review process. Based on an analysis of more than 75,000 applications to three actions of the Marie Curie programme over a period of 12 years, we find that the changes – a reduction in the number of evaluation criteria used by reviewers and a move from in-person to virtual meetings – had little impact on the outcome of the peer review process. Our results indicate that other factors, such as the type of grant or area of research, have a larger impact on the outcome.
The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Oryctes rhinoceros (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) based on long-read nanopore sequencing
Authors: Filipović Igor , Hereward James P. , Rašić Gordana , Devine Gregor J. , Furlong Michael J. , Etebari Kayvan
Published: January 2021

Background

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB, Oryctes rhinoceros) is a severe and invasive pest of coconut and other palms throughout Asia and the Pacific. The biocontrol agent, Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus (OrNV), has successfully suppressed O. rhinoceros populations for decades but new CRB invasions started appearing after 2007. A single-SNP variant within the mitochondrial cox1 gene is used to distinguish the recently-invading CRB-G lineage from other haplotypes, but the lack of mitogenome sequence for this species hinders further development of a molecular toolset for biosecurity and management programmes against CRB. Here we report the complete circular sequence and annotation for CRB mitogenome, generated to support such efforts.

Methods

Sequencing data were generated using long-read Nanopore technology from genomic DNA isolated from a CRB-G female. The mitogenome was assembled with Flye v.2.5, using the short-read Illumina sequences to remove homopolymers with Pilon, and annotated with MITOS. Independently-generated transcriptome data were used to assess the O. rhinoceros mitogenome annotation and transcription. The aligned sequences of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) (with degenerate third codon position) from O. rhinoceros, 13 other Scarabaeidae taxa and two outgroup taxa were used for the phylogenetic reconstruction with the Maximum likelihood (ML) approach in IQ-TREE and Bayesian (BI) approach in MrBayes.

Results

The complete circular mitogenome of O. rhinoceros is 20,898 bp in length, with a gene content canonical for insects (13 PCGs, two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes), as well as one structural variation (rearrangement of trnQ and trnI) and a long control region (6,204 bp). Transcription was detected across all 37 genes, and interestingly, within three domains in the control region. ML and BI phylogenies had the same topology, correctly grouping O. rhinoceros with one other Dynastinae taxon, and recovering the previously reported relationship among lineages in the Scarabaeidae. In silico PCR-RFLP analysis recovered the correct fragment set that is diagnostic for the CRB-G haplogroup. These results validate the high-quality of the O. rhinoceros mitogenome sequence and annotation.
Exploring the relationship ofHomalosilphaandMimosilpha(Blattodea, Blattidae, Blattinae) from a morphological and molecular perspective, including a description of four new species
Authors: Liao Shuran , Wang Yishu , Jin Duting , Chen Rong , Wang Zongqing , Che Yanli
Published: January 2021

This study utilized six genes (12S,16S,18S,28S,COIIandH3) from a total of 40 samples to construct maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic trees in order to infer the relationships between the morphologically similar generaHomalosilphaStål, 1874 andMimosilphaBey-Bienko, 1957. The phylogenetic analysis showed the two genera have a close relationship and were recovered as sister groups based on ML and BI analyses. Four new species are described among these samples, i.e.,Homalosilpha obtusangulasp. nov.,Homalosilpha rectasp. nov.,Homalosilpha albasp. nov. andHomalosilpha clavellatasp. nov. based on morphological andCOIdata. A key to the worldwideHomalosilphais provided.
Economic contribution and attitude towards alien freshwater ornamental fishes of pet store owners in Klang Valley, Malaysia
Authors: Saba Abdulwakil Olawale , Ismail Ahmad , Zulkifli Syaizwan Zahmir , Shohaimi Shamarina , Azmai Mohammad Noor Amal
Published: January 2021

Malaysia is one of the top ten countries in the world that produce freshwater ornamental fishes. This industry can offer better livelihood opportunities to many poor households. However, most of the produced ornamental fishes are alien to Malaysia. In this study, we explore the contribution of alien freshwater fishes to the income of ornamental fish store owners and their attitude towards alien freshwater fishes within Klang Valley, Malaysia. Using a structured questionnaire, we surveyed 70 pet stores out of which 54 (81.42%) store owners responded. Most of the pet store owners were male (72%), Chinese (83%), and the highest educational level was at the secondary level (79%). Most of the pet store owners reported a monthly income of RM 2001–RM 5000 (78%) and were married (73%). Using Chi-square (χ2) test, significant relationships (p< 0.05) existed between the attitude of store owners towards alien ornamental fish species versus educational level (χ2= 16.424,p= 0.007) and contribution of alien ornamental fishes to the pet store owners’ income (χ2= 27.266,p= 0.003). Fish sales as the main income source also related significantly with the impact of fish selling business on income level (χ2= 10.448,p= 0.007). This study showed that the ornamental fish sales contributed over half of the income (51–100%) from the businesses of store owners. Almost half of the respondents (42%) reported that alien ornamental fish was the highest contributor to their income from the ornamental fish sale. While the mismanagement of alien ornamental fishes could give various negative ecological impacts, the socio-economic benefits of these fishes cannot be denied.
Ballroom dancers exhibit a dispositional need for arousal and elevated cerebral cortical activity during preferred melodic recall
Authors: Jin Xinhong , Lu Yingzhi , Hatfield Bradley D. , Wang Xiaoyu , Wang Biye , Zhou Chenglin
Published: January 2021

Background

Although the association of human temperament and preference has been studied previously, few investigations have examined cerebral cortical activation to assess brain dynamics associated with the motivation to engage in performance. The present study adopted a personality and cognitive neuroscience approach to investigate if participation in ballroom dancing is associated with sensation-seeking temperament and elevated cerebral cortical arousal during freely chosen musical recall.

Methods

Preferred tempo, indicated by tapping speed during melodic recall, and a measure of fundamental disposition or temperament were assessed in 70 ballroom dancers and 71 nondancers. All participants completed a trait personality inventory (i.e., the Chen Huichang 60 Temperaments Inventory) to determine four primary types: choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic and melancholic. Participants separately recalled their favorite musical piece and tapped to it with their index finger for 40 beats using a computer keyboard. A subset of 59 participants (29 ballroom dancers and 30 nondancers) also repeated the same tapping task while electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was recorded.

Results

The results revealed that the dancers were more extraverted, indicative of a heightened need for arousal, exhibited a preference for faster musical tempo, and exhibited elevated EEG beta power during the musical recall task relative to nondancers. Paradoxically, dancers also showed elevated introversion (i.e., melancholic score) relative to nondancers, which can be resolved by consideration of interactional personality theory if one assumes reasonably that dance performance environment is perceived in a stimulating manner.

Conclusion

The results are generally consistent with arousal theory, and suggest that ballroom dancers seek elevated stimulation and, thereby, choose to engage with active and energetic rhythmic auditory stimulation, thus providing the nervous system with the requisite stimulation for desired arousal. These results also suggest an underlying predisposition for engagement in ballroom dance and support the gravitational hypothesis, which propose that personality traits and perception lead to the motivation to engage in specific forms of human performance.
Digital Cell Sorter (DCS): a cell type identification, anomaly detection, and Hopfield landscapes toolkit for single-cell transcriptomics
Authors: Domanskyi Sergii , Hakansson Alex , Bertus Thomas J. , Paternostro Giovanni , Piermarocchi Carlo
Published: January 2021

Motivation

Analysis of singe cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) typically consists of different steps including quality control, batch correction, clustering, cell identification and characterization, and visualization. The amount of scRNA-seq data is growing extremely fast, and novel algorithmic approaches improving these steps are key to extract more biological information. Here, we introduce: (i) two methods for automatic cell type identification (i.e., without expert curator) based on a voting algorithm and a Hopfield classifier, (ii) a method for cell anomaly quantification based on isolation forest, and (iii) a tool for the visualization of cell phenotypic landscapes based on Hopfield energy-like functions. These new approaches are integrated in a software platform that includes many other state-of-the-art methodologies and provides a self-contained toolkit for scRNA-seq analysis.

Results

We present a suite of software elements for the analysis of scRNA-seq data. This Python-based open source software, Digital Cell Sorter (DCS), consists in an extensive toolkit of methods for scRNA-seq analysis. We illustrate the capability of the software using data from large datasets of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), as well as plasma cells of bone marrow samples from healthy donors and multiple myeloma patients. We test the novel algorithms by evaluating their ability to deconvolve cell mixtures and detect small numbers of anomalous cells in PBMC data.

Availability

The DCS toolkit is available for download and installation through the Python Package Index (PyPI). The software can be deployed using the Python import function following installation. Source code is also available for download on Zenodo: DOI 10.5281/zenodo.2533377.

Supplementary information

Supplemental Materials are available at PeerJ online.
Clinical Profile and One Year Outcome of Atrial Fibrillation- A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Satheesan Praveen , Felix Veena , Koshy Alummoottil George
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice and imposes a great burden on health care resources. There is limited data regarding the impact of AF in our population. Aim: To estimate the mortality and Major adverse Cardiovascular events {(MACE)- Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), Stroke, Cardiac death} in AF patients in a tertiary care centre in South India. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study included all patients >18 years with newly diagnosed or previously documented evidence of AF in Electrocardiography (ECG). Transient reversible causes and critically ill patients were excluded. Total of 346 patients were recruited and prospectively, followed-up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months for development of MACE, anticoagulation status, Prothrombin Time (PT), International Normalised Ratio (INR) and major bleeding events. Baseline data including clinical parameters, comorbidities and appropriate investigations such as ECG and Echocardiogram (ECHO) parameters were collected with a structured questionnaire and analysed at one year using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Average age was 60.5 years (SD 11.5 years) and majority (74.6%) were between 50-75 years. Females were more (59.5% vs 40.5%). Most common AF risk factor was Hypertension (44.5%) followed by Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) in 27.2% of AF patients. AF was classified as permanent in 42.2%, persistent in 23.1% and paroxysmal in 34.7%. Valvular AF was present in 26.6% and non-valvular AF in 73.4%. At one year, 17 patients were lost to follow-up. CHA2DS2VASc score of ≥2 was present in 65.1%. During one year follow-up the MACE rate was 26.7% (ischemic stroke in 9.4%, ACS in 2.7% and cardiac mortality in 14.6 %). Mean time in Therapeutic Range (TTR) was 28.12%. TTR >60% (good control) was present in only 9.2%. Conclusion: AF continues to be a significant arrhythmia causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Non-valvular AF was thrice as common as valvular AF. Though 3/4th of the patients were on oral anticoagulants, <10% had their INR under good control which contributed to the higher events. To improve the outcomes in AF patients, treatment of risk factors and optimal anticoagulation plays a crucial role.
Localisation dans la chaine peptidique de la β lactoglobuline bovine de la substitution Glu/Gln differenciant les variants genetiques B et D
Authors: Brignon Ghislaine , Dumas B.Ribadeau
Published: July 2002

It is definitively shown that the D variant of bovine β‐lactoglobulin D differs from the B variant in having a substitution Gln → Glu which involves residue 45 in the complete sequence recently published by Braunitzer et al. [4].
Do hydrophobic sequences cleaved from cellular polypeptides induce membrane fusion reactions in vivo?
Authors: Lucy Jack A.
Published: July 2002

The concept that a direct interaction between Ca2+ and phospholipids is a major factor in membrane fusion reactions is questioned. Attention is drawn to a number of findings on associations between fusion and the proteolysis of membrane proteins. It is proposed that hydrophobic polypeptides, which are functionally comparable to the fusogenic proteins of certain viruses but which are produced in cells by the endogenous proteolysis of membrane and cellular proteins, may induce membrane fusion reactions in vivo.
Lipid peroxidation and fluidity of plasma membranes from rat liver and Morris hepatoma 3924A
Authors: Galeotti T. , Borrello S. , Palombini G. , Masotti L. , Ferrari M.B. , Cavatorta P. , Arcioni A. , Stremmenos C. , Zannoni C.
Published: July 2002

Plasma membranes isolated from the fast‐growing, maximal‐deviation, Morris hepatoma 3924A exhibit remarkable changes in lipid composition, lipid peroxidation and to some extent in the physical state with respect to rat liver plasmalemmas. A correlation appears to exit between the lower phospholipid: protein ratio, higher cholesterol: phospholipid ratio, lower rate of lipid peroxidation and decrease in fluidity in tumor plasma membranes.
The Hydra head activator in human blood circulation
Authors: Roberge Michel , Escher Emanuel , Schaller H.Chica , Bodenmüller Heinz
Published: July 2002

Hydra head activator
Radioimmunoassay
Human plasma
HPLC
Neuropeptide
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme
15N‐NMR studies of nitrogen assimilation and amino acid biosynthesis in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum graniforme
Authors: Martin Francis
Published: July 2002

15N‐NMR spectroscopy was used to follow nitrogen assimilation and amino acid biosynthesis in the intact mycelium and extracts of the symbiotic fungus Cenococcum graniforme. The primary incorporation of 15NH4
+ appears to proceed via the glutamine synthetase activity. Glutamine, γ‐aminobutyrate, alanine and arginine were the main labelled nitrogenous pools. The quenching of arginine in intact mycelium suggest that the amino acid is associated with a cellular component which restricts its rotational freedom.
Inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate microinjection triggers activation, but not meiotic maturation in amphibian and starfish oocytes
Authors: Picard A. , Giraud F. , Le Bouffant F. , Sladeczek F. , Le Peuch C. , Dorée M.
Published: July 2002

Inositol 3,4,5‐triphosphate (InsP3) brought about cortical granule exocytosis and elevation of a fertilization membrane, due to a rapid increase of free calcium in cytoplasm, when injected into oocytes of the amphibian Xenopus laevis arrested at second meiotic metaphase. The same result was observed when injection was performed into oocytes of the starfish Marthasterias glacialis arrested either at the first meiotic prophase or after completion of meiosis. Although meiotic maturation was induced in both animals by specific hormones which have been previously shown to release Ca2+ within cytoplasm, InsP3 microinjection into prophasearrested oocytes did not release them from prophase block.
Measurement by radioimmunoassay of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein from brown adipose tissue of obese (ob/ob) mice and Zucker (fa/fa) rats at different ages
Authors: Ashwell Margaret , Holt Susan , Jennings Graham , Stirling Dorothy M. , Trayhurn Paul , York David A.
Published: July 2002

The concentration of the ‘uncoupling protein’ in brown adipose tissue mitochondria has been measured in lean and obese (ob/ob) mice and Zucker (fa/fa) rats at different ages using a specific radioimmunoassay. During the suckling period the concentration of the protein was similar in normal and mutant animals of both types, despite the decrease in mitochondrial GDP binding observed in the obese. The concentration of uncoupling protein was, however, decreased in adult ob/ob mice and adult Zucker rats compared with their respective lean siblings, in parallel with the decrease in GDP binding. It is concluded that there is a ‘masked’, or inactive, form of uncoupling protein in young ob/ob mice and fa/fa rats.
Measurement of the sodium membrane potential by NMR
Authors: Cowan Barrett E. , Sze Daniel Y. , Mai Michael T. , Jardetzky Oleg
Published: July 2002

Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we have developed a method of noninvasively determining the transmembrane sodium potential in erythrocytes by measuring intracellular and extracellular sodium concentrations. The experimental values correlated well with values obtained from standard flame photometric methods.
A 48 kDa protein arrests cGMP phosphodiesterase activation in retinal rod disk membranes
Authors: Zuckerman Ralph , Cheasty James E.
Published: July 2002

Photolyzed rhodopsin (R∗) catalyzes GTP‐binding to α‐transducins (Tα); Tα‐GTPs then activate cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE). PDE activation is arrested by ATP in two ways: (i) initial velocity is suppressed, and (ii) PDE velocity rapidly returns to preactivation levels (turnoff). Arrestin (a 48 kDa protein) markedly enhances turnoff while not affecting initial velocity. Arrestin in the presence of ATP achieves rapid turnoff by directly inhibiting activated PDE, as indicated by its ability to inhibit the direct activation of PDE by Tα‐GMP‐PNP (guanylyl‐imidodiphosphate). Double reciprocal plots reveal a competition between arrestins and activated transducins for sites on PDE. Blocking R∗ phosphorylation blocks initial velocity suppression but does not disturb rapid turnoff. Our data suggest a 2‐fold mechanism for PDE deactivation: (i) formation of Tα.GTPs is suppressed by R∗ phosphorylation, while (ii) activation of PDE by Tα·GTPs is competitively inhibited by arrestins when ATP is present.
Polarized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopy of the M412 intermediate in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle
Authors: Nabedryk E. , Breton J.
Published: July 2002

The possibility that light‐induced protein conformational changes accompany the formation of the M412 species in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle is investigated by polarized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy on oriented films of purple membrane. From the light‐induced FTIR dichroism changes, it is estimated that: (i) the C = O stretching vibration at 1762 cm−1, which has been assigned to a protonated Asp carboxyl group in M412 [(1985) Biochemistry 24, 400–407], is oriented at (θ = 35 ± 5° from the normal to the membrane plane; (ii) the limit for the change in the average tilt angle of the α‐helices after photoconversion is less than 2°. The latter observation excludes the large variations in the protein conformation during the M412 formation proposed by Draheim and Cassim [(1985) Biophys. J. 47, 497–507].
Brefeldin A arrests the intracellular transport of a precursor of complement C3 before its conversion site in rat hepatocytes
Authors: Oda Kimimitsu , Hirose Shinichi , Takami Noboru , Misumi Yoshio , Takatsuki Akira , Ikehara Yukio
Published: July 2002

The effects of brefeldin A on intracellular transport and posttranslational modification of complement C3 (C3) were studied in primary culture of rat hepatocytes. In the control culture C3 was synthesized as a pre‐cursor (pro‐C3), which was processed to the mature form with α‐ and β‐subunits before its discharge into the medium. In the presence of brefeldin A the secretion of C3 was strongly blocked, resulting in accumulation of pro‐C3. However, after a prolonged interval the mature form of C3 was finally secreted. The results indicate that brefeldin A impedes translocation of pro‐C3 to the Golgi complex where pro‐C3 is converted to the mature form, but not its proteolytic processing, in contrast to the effects of monensin and weakly basic amines.
Localization of the cellular‐fibronectin‐specific epitope recognized by the monoclonal antibody IST‐9 using fusion proteins expressed in E. coli
Authors: Carnemolla Barbara , Borsi Laura , Zardi Luciano , Owens Raymond J. , Baralle Francisco E.
Published: July 2002

Here we report on a monoclonal antibody (IST‐9) which distinguishes between human cellular and plasma fibronectin. Using β‐galactosidase‐fibronectin fusion proteins expressed in E. coli we have demonstrated that this monoclonal antibody is specific for a fibronectin segment (ED) which can be included or omitted from the molecule depending on the pattern of splicing of the mRNA precursors. Furthermore, using the same fusion proteins we have been able to localize precisely the epitopes of two other monoclonal antibodies (IST‐1 and IST‐2), specific for the heparin‐binding domain 5 of fibronectin.
Prosomes, small cytoplasmic RNP particles, contain glycoproteins
Authors: Tomek Wolfgang , Adam Günter , Schmid Hans-Peter
Published: July 2002

Prosomes, ubiquitous small ribonucleoprotein complexes, were isolated from the cytoplasm of erythropoietic mouse cells induced by Friend leucemia virus. We present evidence that some of the prosomal proteins are glycosylated. Specific reactions with the biotinylated lectins concanavalin agglutinin (Con A), Solanum tuberosum agglutinin (STA) and Limulus polyphemus agglutinin (LPA) indicate that the carbohydrate moieties contain N‐acetylneuraminic acid, N‐acetylglucosamine and mannosyl‐ or glucosyl‐residues. Glycosylation of prosomal proteins could explain the resistance of prosomes to proteinase K digestion.
Effects on electrophoretic mobility and antibacterial spectrum of removal of two residues from synthetic sarcotoxin IA and addition of the same residues to cecropin B
Authors: Li Zong-qu , Merrifield R.B. , Boman I.Anita , Boman Hans G.
Published: July 2002

Cecropin B and cecropin IA (sarcotoxin IA) are 35‐ and 39‐residue antibacterial peptides from a silk moth and a meat fly, respectively. Using solid phase synthesis we have made these peptides as well as two 37‐residue analogs, one containing a deletion of leucine and lysine (residues 2a and 2b) as compared to cecropin IA, the other containing an insertion of leusine and lysine at the corresponding place in cecropin B. This addition and removal of a lysine residue did not cause the expected change in electrophoretic mobility. When tested for antibacterial spectra, the insertion analog was found to be as active as the parent compound while the deletion analog had lost most of its antibacterial capacity. In addition it was shown that the C‐terminal amide contributes to the broad spectrum properties of the cecropins.
Immunoquantitation of 80 kDa diacylglycerol kinase in pig and human lymphocytes and several other cells
Authors: Yamada Keiko , Sakane Fumio , Kanoh Hideo
Published: July 2002

80 kDa diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) was immunoquantitated in cell homogenates and subcellular fractions. It was extremely abundant in the cytosol of various lymphocytes and comprised, in the highest case, more than 0.2% of the total soluble protein in T cell‐enriched pig splenocytes. The lymphocyte membrane contained less than 10% of the total cellular DGK protein. The content of 80 kDa DGK in the human T cell leukemic cell line, Jurkat (360 ng/mg homogenate protein), was similar to those in pig and human peripheral blood lymphocytes. In contrast, the enzyme level was very low in the human promyeloblastic cell line, HL‐60 (< 10 ng/mg homogenate protein), and was undetectable in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These findings indicate that the content of 80 kDa DGK is markedly variable depending on the type of cells, even though all these cells are known to accumulate phosphatidate rapidly upon cell stimulation.
Deletion analysis of yeast plasma membrane H+ ‐ATPase and identification of a regulatory domain at the carboxyl‐terminus
Authors: Portillo Francisco , de Larrinoa Inigo F. , Serrano Ramon
Published: July 2002

The function of the amino‐ and carboxyl‐terminal domains of the yeast plasma membrane H+‐ATPase have been investigated by constructing deletions in vitro and selectively expressing the mutant enzymes in vivo. The first 27 amino acids are dispensable but deletion of a further 33 amino acids greatly decreases the appearance of the enzyme in the plasma membrane. Membrane localization is also prevented by carboxyl‐terminal deletions which include the last hydrophobic stretch, but the last 46 amino acids of the ATPase are not required. Removal of the last 11 amino acids produces an enzyme in glucose‐starved cells with the kinetic parameters of the wild‐type ATPase activated by glucose fermentation. This region seems to constitute a regulatory domain.
Metabolism of peripheral lymphocytes, interleukin‐2‐activated lymphocytes and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes from 31 NMR studies
Authors: Kaplan Ofer , Aebersold Paul , Cohen Jack S.
Published: July 2002

31P NMR spectra of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were found to be significantly different from those of normal peripheral lymphocytes. The greatest difference was in the phosphodiester (PDE) region, mainly in the glycerophosphocholine (GPC) signal. Short‐term activation of peripheral lymphocytes with interieukin‐2 induced a small increase in ATP levels. In all lymphocytes the phosphomonoester (PME) region is dominated by phosphoethanolamine (PE), while there is an unusual absence of phosphocholine (PC). Perfusion of these cells with high concentrations of choline caused only a minimal increase in PC, indicating that choline kinase is not the rate limiting step of lecithin synthesis in lymphocytes.
Low temperature cultivation of Escherichia coli carrying a rice lipoxygenase L‐2 cDNA produces a soluble and active enzyme at a high level
Authors: Shirano Yumiko , Shibata Daisuke
Published: July 2002

Using at T7 RNA polymerase promoter system, rice lipoxygenase L‐2 cDNA was expressed in E. coli as a fusion protein with 18 amino acid residues at the amino terminal end of the original enzyme. Incubation at 37°C for 3 h in the presence of the inducer resulted in the production of inactive lipoxygenase. However, when induction was carried out at 15°C for 16 h, active lipoxygenase. amounting to 3% of the total soluble protein, was produced. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Mono‐Q column chromatography to homogeneity at a yield of 80%. Expression of this protein should permit future site‐directed mutagenesis of the gene and crystallization of the enzyme.
Reactions of iron(II) nucleotide complexes with hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Rush J.D. , Maskos Z. , Koppenol W.H.
Published: July 2002

The rate constants for the reactions of hydrogen peroxide with ferrous complexes of ATP, ADP, UTP, citrate and pyrophosphate were measured at pH 7.2. These ligands are potential chelators of iron(II) in the low‐molecular weight iron pool that may catalyze oxidative degradation of tissues. The second‐order rate constants range from 5.5 × 103 M−1s−1 (UTP) to 1 × 105 M−1s−1 (pyrophosphate) at pH 7.2. The kinetic dependences of the ATP reaction are consistent with a mechanism involving a ‘ferryl’ (FeIV) transient which decays to the hydroxyl radical and ferric ATP.
Clostripain: Characterization of the active site
Authors: Kembhavi Ashu A. , Buttle David J. , Rauber Peter , Barrett Alan J.
Published: July 2002

In view of the probability that clostripain (EC 3,4,22.8) is fundamentally different in structure from other known cysteine endopeptidases. It was of interest to examine the characteristics of the active site Z‐Pho‐Lys‐CH2S(CH3)2 irreversibly and rapidly inactivated clostripain, and leupeptin was found to be the most potent reversible inhibitor yet reported for the enzyme. Clostripain was inhibited weakly by some protein inhibitors of serine endopeptidases, and required Ca+ for stability and activity. Mg2+ and Sr2+ were ineffective. Rapid inactivation by diethylpyrocarbonate, reversed by hydroxylamine, indicated that histidine is essential for catalytic activity. Clostripain was more rapidly inactivated by iodoacetamide than by iodoacetate, with unique pH‐dependences or reaction.
NPC 15437 interacts with the C1 domain of protein kinase C An analysis using mutant PKC constructs
Authors: Sullivan James P. , Connor Jane R. , Tiffany Carol , Shearer Barry G. , Burch Ronald M.
Published: July 2002

We recently demonstrated that 2,6,diamino‐N‐([I‐(oxotridecyl)‐2‐piperidinyl]methyl)‐hexanamide (NPC 15437) is a selective inhibitor of PKC interacting at the regulatory domain of the enzyme. To further investigate the interaction of NPC 15437 with PKC we expressed a series of cDNAs encoding mutant PKC molecules in COS7 cells. NPC 15437 had no effect on the protein kinase activity of mutants lacking the N‐terminal region of the C1 domain. Further, NPC 15437 was a competitive inhibitor of the activation of PKCα by phorbol ester and attenuated the binding of phorbol ester to the enzyme in intact cells. The present study demonstrates that mutant enzyme constructs can be used to localize the site of interaction of NPC 15437 with PKC to residues 12–42, which encodes the pseudosubstrate binding domain and part of the first cysteine‐rich repeat sequence.
Identification of cleavage sites involved in proteolytic processing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa preproelastase
Authors: Kessler Efrat , Safrin Mary , Peretz Moshe , Burstein Yigal
Published: July 2002

The extracellular elastase (33 kDa) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa is synthesized as a 53.6 kDa preproenzyme containing a long, N‐terminal propeptide. The free propeptide and the elastase precursor generated upon propeptide removal were isolated from P. aeruginosa cells and subjected to N‐terminal amino acid sequence analysis. The results identified Ala−174 and Ala+1 as the amino terminal residues of the propeptide and the elastase precursor, respectively, indicating that: (1) the signal peptide consists of 23 amino acid residues and its molecular weight is 2.4 kDa, (2) the propeptide contains 174 amino acid residues and is of 18.1 kDa molecular weight, and (3) no additional N‐terminal proteolytic cleavage is required for elastase maturation.