bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Big Data Analytics is transforming the finance industry
Authors: Sazu Mesbaul , Jahan Sakila
Published: December 2022

The data revolution happening throughout the world has brought transformation in the financial services sector. This vast information has opened doors to understanding the needs of the customers, finding insights, and lowering risks. In addition, it helps the financial services industry to take actions to improve clients' satisfaction at a faster rate than it was previously possible. Financial firms can develop new insights using BD because they can now collect a large volume of data about their customers, their spending pattern, and provide services that are beneficial, convenient, and quick for the customers. They can expand the use of those insights not only for their consumers but also for their internal process optimization, benefiting everyone in the process. While the impact of BDA on financial service companies is ubiquitous, not so many studies have been published to understand which aspects of the financial services industry could greatly benefit from the rise of technology and BDA. Few published studies address the challenges faced by banks in this technology era if they do not have BD tools implemented. This research covers data from banks from January 2019 to January 2022 to address that gap of a several banks from America and Europe that faced declining customer satisfaction. It uncovers the best methods used by financial firms globally to implement BDA to improve the services. This paper will also look at how BDA has been successfully used in the banking industry, regarding the following elements: consumer behavior, channels use, consumer spending pattern and profile creation, product cross-selling based upon user-profiling, analysis of feedback and sentiment, management of secure transactions, and fraud etc. This study helps find out and makes contributions on how the financial services industry, such as banks, could leverage BDA and provide superior services. Further research could be conducted across other players in the finance industry to learn about how they are impacted by the BDA.
Oral candidiasis
Authors: Ravić-Nikolić Ana
Published: December 2022

Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection of the oral cavity, most often caused by Candida albicans. It is common in infants and the elderly. It is mostly asymptomatic in healthy adults. Predisposing factors that contribute to the occurrence of oral candidiasis can be local and systemic, and the clinical course can be acute and chronic. Application of local therapy is sufficient in the majority of cases, but in resistant cases systemic anti-fungal therapy must be commenced, especially in persons with a compromised immune response. Prevention of oral candidiasis is very important - it implies education of the general population about their habits, such as alcohol consumption and smoking, regularly brushing teeth with toothpaste and using antiseptics for rinsing the oral cavity, maintaining the hygiene of dental prostheses, and regular visits to the dentist. In cases where the changes persist despite all the treatment measures taken, it is necessary to rule out malignancies of the oral cavity and conditions of severe acquired immunodeficiency.
D-dimer: Role in the hemostasis system and its application in specific clinical settings
Authors: Kovač Mirjana
Published: December 2022

D-dimer is a soluble fibrin degradation product, which is formed by the breakdown of cross-linked fibrin monomers, previously created under thrombin activity, formed as a result of hemostatic activation. The degradation of cross-linked fibrin occurs as part of the activation of the fibrinolysis system, whose task is to remove the created coagulum and ensure the patency of the blood vessel. This process takes place under the influence of the most important fibrinolytic enzyme, plasmin. D-dimer can, therefore be considered a biomarker of coagulation activation and fibrinolysis, and is routinely used to rule out venous thromboembolism (VTE). D-dimer is increasingly used to assess the risk of VTE recurrence and to help define the optimal duration of anticoagulant therapy in the treatment of patients with VTE, to diagnose disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), to screen medical patients at increased risk of VTE. In particular, the use of D-dimer, which is sometimes unjustifiably high, should be emphasized, as part of the monitoring and treatment of patients with COVID-19 infection. This review article aims to: (1) define the origin and role of D-dimer in the hemostatic system, (2) the method of performing the analysis, the selection of adequate tests and interpretation in accordance with the consideration of possible preanalytical variables that affect the measurement of D-dimer; (3) consideration of its application in specific clinical settings or diseases.
Generalized fixed point theorems on metric spaces
Authors: Chandra Naveen , Joshi Bharti , Joshi Mahesh
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we establish some fixed point theorems for single valued and multi-valued mappings on a complete metric space. Suzuki's and some other fixed point theorems are generalized by taking a more general contractive condition for single valued mappings. It is also proved that our result characterizes the completeness of the metric space. Further, taking generalized contractive condition, a fixed point theorem is also established for multi-valued mappings.
Existence of beam-equation solutions with strong damping and p(x)-biharmonic operator
Authors: Ferreira Jorge , Panni Willian , Pışkin Erhan , Shahrouzi Mohammad
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we consider a nonlinear beam equation with a strong damping and the p(x)-biharmonic operator. The exponent p(·) of nonlinearity is a given function satisfying some condition to be specified. Using Faedo-Galerkin method, the local and global existence of weak solutions is established with mild assumptions on the variable exponent p(·). This work improves and extends many other results in the literature.
The church as an icon of the future Kingdom of God
Authors: Midić Ignatije
Published: December 2022

The basic subject of Christian ecclesiology is eschatology. The central theme, the focus of the biblical text, is directed towards the anticipation of the future Kingdom of God. Bearing in mind the eschatological foundation and setting of Christian ontology, based on the theological opus of the Holy Father, we will speak, first of all, about the creation of the world, created with the aim of being the Kingdom of God. The course of eschatological ontology will direct research towards the question of overcoming death, which inevitably leads to the question of the identity of the Church, as a space of overcoming death and personal communion with the coming Emperor. The rootedness of the Eucharist, therefore, of the Church itself, in the eschatological reality will open the perspective that the Eucharist is an icon of the Kingdom of God, with a direct reference to the question of iconicity, explicitly placed in the relationship prototype - icon. A correct understanding of the Church's eschatological position, within the framework of iconic reality, will give rise to the question of the relationship between the creation of the world and the Kingdom of God, with a focus on the Holy Father's hermeneutic key, which is reflected in the phrase "cosmic Liturgy"
Ontological status gnome in the theological opus of saint Maximus the Confessor
Authors: Stevanović Nebojša
Published: December 2022

The question of the gnome in the theological opus of saint Maximus the Confessor represents a hermeneutic code for a proper understanding of diothelite christology, as well as maximian's anthropology and soteriology. Reexamining the meaning and place of the gnome in the theological thought of this saint can help in better understanding the importance of the reality of the will in the framework of christological discussions of the seventh century. The focus of the research is reflected in the consideration of the ontological status of the gnome in the Disputation with Pyrrhus, where saint Maximus provides an authentic interpretation of the will, placing it in a direct relationship with christology, soteriology, and, finally, eschatology. On those grounds, the direction of the research is directed towards the reception of the term gnome to saint Maximus, in order to point out the new meanings he provides. Such a perspective brings the gnome into connection with the concept of proeresis, which is directed to the same reality, the reality of the will. Observing the similarities and differences between these two concepts leads to the central moment of maximian's diotelism, to the relationship between the natural will and the gnome, whereby the research is directed towards the eschatological perspective of the gnome, where the final answer to the ontological status of the gnome in the theological opus of Saint Maximus will be given.
Spatial and temporal changes in plant water supply obtained by NDVI in Tinja and Kozlica watersheds
Authors: Boitumelo Mohlala , Stričević Ruzica , Gregorić Enika , Zivotić Ljubomir
Published: December 2022

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is an indicator of vegetation health and land cover changes, based on the reflectance of certain ranges in the electromagnetic spectrum. Land use, seasons and climate changes affect spatial variations in NDVI values. This study focuses on the basins of the rivers Tinja and Kozlica, located on the Eastern parts of the Maljen Mountain, and characterized by the dominant presence of grassy vegetation. Spatial and temporal changes in plant water supply are monitored using 10-meter Sentinel-2 imagery, and further processed on a monthly basis in QGIS for 2020-2021. For better elaboration of NDVI values basins of these two rivers were delineated into 305 sub-basins, on which further analysis was performed. NDVI data during both years range from < 0.1 - > 0.6. NDVI values change during different seasons, which is consistent with the increase and decrease of water stress during the studied period, which refers to changes in weather conditions during the growing season. In the summer months, the highest values exceed 0.6, and in some cases even 0.8. NDVI values in October and November decrease to 0.3 and 0.5, while in winter months NDVI values are <0.1. NDVI values are higher, and less variable, in sub-basins with woody, partially coniferous vegetation. This study contributes to increasing knowledge about the potential application of remote sensing as well as highresolution Sentinel-2 imagery for monitoring plant water supply because the assessment of drought impact on plant production requires the current monitoring of plant water regime. GIS tools enable the delineation of sub-catchments, which helps to better monitor the spatial variation of NDVI within natural landscape entities. NDVI and other indices are easy to calculate, and therefore, Sentinel-2 can play an important role in future drought early warning systemsand in determining conditions of the vegetation cover.
Moda e design de vestuário como objetos de pesquisa: o caso de artigos publicados no periódico Educação Gráfica
Authors: Soares Junior Glauber , Menezes Marizilda dos Santos
Published: December 2022

O presente artigo foi desenvolvido com objetivo de identificar as pesquisas cujas temáticas contemplem a área de moda e design de vestuário pela ótica do design, utilizando como objeto de estudo o periódico Educação Gráfica. No que diz respeito à metodologia, a pesquisa se classifica enquanto de natureza quanti-qualitativa, do tipo descritiva, sendo desenvolvida por uma análise sistemática da bibliografia. Em relação aos procedimentos técnicos, realizou-se uma análise de conteúdo por meio das redes temáticas, com auxílio do software IRaMuTeQ®. Enquanto resultados, evidencia-se que do total de 53 edições e 820 artigos publicados ao longo dos 25 anos de existência do periódico, 49 trabalhos contemplam temáticas variadas da moda e design de vestuário, correspondendo a 5,97% do escopo da revista. Os artigos encontrados nas temáticas supramencionadas foram agrupados e subdivididos em 5 categorias, sendo estas: 1) pesquisa, ensino e metodologia; 2) ergonomia e antropometria; 3) comunicação e linguagem visual; 4) projeto, tecnologia e gestão; e 5) arte, artesanato, design e moda contemporânea. Importante salientar que artigos com temática relacionada ao design de superfície encontram-se distribuídos nas diferentes categorias.
The Comparison of the US and EU Agricultural Antitrust Exemptions
Authors:   Faculty of Law, University of Miskolc, Csirszki Martin Milán
Published: December 2022

The article aims to compare the sectoral antitrust exemption for agriculture that exists in the United States (US) and the European Union (EU). The roots for the privileged position of agriculture under antitrust laws date back to 1914. Section 6 of the Clayton Act was the first US law which exempted certain cooperatives. In 1922, the protection was extended to a broader range of agricultural entities by the Capper-Volstead Act. These two acts have since then determined the scope and extent of the US exemption but have evolved through judiciary interpretation. The EU has had a similar exemption for agriculture since the beginnings of European integration. After presenting briefly the likely explanations for the privileged treatment of this sector under antitrust, the article aims to analyse the regulations in force in order to explore their similarities and differences. The analysis also seeks to answer the question of whether the ‘accusation’ that EU competition law – in contrast with the US antitrust regime – is not purely based on efficiency considerations can also be extended to the agricultural sector’s privileged treatment. In the end, the rules in force of the two jurisdictions are compared and conclusions drawn.
The use of peer physical examination in undergraduate health professions education: Exploring the perceptions of students and educators in a multicultural, multiracial institution
Authors: Adefuye A , Hattingh M , Labuschagne M , Busari J
Published: December 2022

Background. Teaching clinical skills is core content of the medical and allied health curricula of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FoHS) at the University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa. A major pedagogical tool used for this purpose across the faculty is peer physical examination (PPE). Objective. To investigate the lived experience and perceptions of students and educators on the use of PPE in undergraduate health professions education at a multicultural and multiracial institution. Suggestions on guidelines for a PPE policy for the FoHS at the UFS were also obtained from the participants. Methods. This research was designed as a qualitative study that used focus group interviews involving 26 participants (19 students and 7 educators) to obtain verbal statements that described their experience and perceptions of the use of PPE in undergraduate health professions education. Results. Participants reported that PPE was useful to create a safe learning environment and to prepare students for the clinical aspects of their training. Enhancing students’ empathy, competency and clinical confidence were among the advantages attributed to using PPE; it also encouraged peer- assisted learning. Some of the disadvantages ascribed to PPE were that it made it difficult to maintain classroom discipline, and that it could promote memorisation over understanding. Finally, participants suggested that a guideline for PPE policy should address matters of consent, confidentiality, participation and gender, cultural, religious and racial considerations. Conclusions. The findings of this study reveal that PPE is an acceptable and useful learning strategy for the majority of students and educators. Issues relating to consent, confidentiality and cultural, religious and racial considerations are some of the potential problems associated with the use of PPE at the UFS. We believe that the suggestions given by the participants of this study will inform the establishment of a PPE policy for the FoHS of the UFS.
GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF DOLOMITE DEPOSIT NIKOLIN POTOK NEAR BUGOJNO
Authors: Forčaković Dževad , Dervišević Rejhana
Published: December 2022

This paper presents the results of detailed geological investigations of the Middle Triassic dolomite deposit of Nikolin Potok, which is located west of Bugojno. Based on the established borders of surface distribution and research results, geological reserves of about 4.6 million m3 have been determined in the wider area of the deposit. The dolomite reserves that have been established so far in this area are at a low level of geological exploration. For this reason, the level of research should be significantly increased, because the calculated and confirmed reserves are very modest compared to the potential possibilities. The paper contains a description of the geological characteristics of the area and the qualitativequantitative characteristics of dolomite. The results of the conducted research point that the general geological and technical-exploitation factors are favorable and indicate profitable exploitation of the deposit in the coming period as well. Taking into account the significant raw material potential, and the possibility of expanding the existing raw material base, this area has a special significance for the perspective development of dolomite exploitation and its use in the production of technical-building stone.
The Individualized Education Program: Do Teachers and Parents Collaborate?
Authors: Dor Asnat
Published: December 2022

BackgroundIn an Individual Educational Program (IEP), the objectives of children with special needs are defined, to help educators pinpoint these children’s educational goals. Noting the importance of teacher-parent collaboration, the current research was designed to
deepen our understanding regarding the way teachers experience working with parents in planning the IEP. Method: Semi-structured interviews (18 teachers) using a three-question research protocol, later thematically analyzed. Findings: teachers value parents’ input, however acknowledge
difficulties relating to parents’ potential under- or over-Involvement. DiscussionDifficulties mentioned by teachers, possibly explain the obstacles they experience in their collaboration with parents during the IEP planning and implementation.
Target polarization effect on energy loss of O5+ ions near Bohr velocity in low density hydrogen plasma
Authors: Wang Guo-Dong , Cheng Rui , Wang Zhao , Zhou Ze-Xian , Luo Xia-Hui , Shi Lu-Lin , Chen Yan-Hong , Lei Yu , Wang Yu-Yu , Yang Jie ,   Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,   Advanced Energy Science and Techology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou 516000, China
Published: December 2022

Energy loss of ions near the Bohr velocity in plasma is one of the important topics in intense heavy ion beam driven high energy density physics and inertial confinement fusion. Based on the ions-plasma interaction experimental platform at HIRFL, this work shows the new experimental energy loss results of 1.07 MeV (~66.9 keV/u) O5+ ions penetrating through a low-density partially ionized hydrogen plasma target (radio frequency plasma). The decrease of energy loss with free electron density increasing is found, which is very different from our previous result. The new experimental results are discussed by considering the theoretical models which involves the charge screening of projectiles in the partially ionized plasma and the target polarization effect-Barkas correction term. For the charge screening , the comparison between the momentum transfer under the Coulomb potential and that under the Debye potential is given, but due to the low ionization degree, the plasma screening effect seems not to be the main reason for the decrease of energy loss. For the target polarization effect , in the Bohr velocity regime, the Barkas correction term can play a key role in the ion-atom collisions. Modeling the Barkas correction term based on the proposed classical energy loss formula, the experimental data of ions in the gas target can be well fitted by the calculated values. In the partially ionized plasma, the frequent thermal electron collisions can give rise to the atomic excitation of plasma target, correspondingly the Barkas correction term changes: it decreases with the fraction of excited atoms increasing. As a result, the energy loss decreases in our experiment. In the stopping of highly charged ions in a partially ionized low-density plasma, the collisions between ions and free electrons can produce an enhanced energy loss according to previous studies. However, the target polarization effect, especially the atomic excitations, can significantly reduce the energy loss, which is observed in our experiment. Therefore, the interaction between ions and partially ionized plasma should be further studied, and the Barkas correction can be a very important term.
Population codes enable learning from few examples by shaping inductive bias
Authors: Bordelon Blake , Pehlevan Cengiz
Published: December 2022

Learning from a limited number of experiences requires suitable inductive biases. To identify how inductive biases are implemented in and shaped by neural codes, we analyze sample-efficient learning of arbitrary stimulus-response maps from arbitrary neural codes with biologically-plausible readouts. We develop an analytical theory that predicts the generalization error of the readout as a function of the number of observed examples. Our theory illustrates in a mathematically precise way how the structure of population codes shapes inductive bias, and how a match between the code and the task is crucial for sample-efficient learning. It elucidates a bias to explain observed data with simple stimulus-response maps. Using recordings from the mouse primary visual cortex, we demonstrate the existence of an efficiency bias towards low-frequency orientation discrimination tasks for grating stimuli and low spatial frequency reconstruction tasks for natural images. We reproduce the discrimination bias in a simple model of primary visual cortex, and further show how invariances in the code to certain stimulus variations alter learning performance. We extend our methods to time-dependent neural codes and predict the sample efficiency of readouts from recurrent networks. We observe that many different codes can support the same inductive bias. By analyzing recordings from the mouse primary visual cortex, we demonstrate that biological codes have lower total activity than other codes with identical bias. Finally, we discuss implications of our theory in the context of recent developments in neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Overall, our study provides a concrete method for elucidating inductive biases of the brain and promotes sample-efficient learning as a general normative coding principle.
A timer gene network is spatially regulated by the terminal system in the Drosophila embryo
Authors: Clark Erik , Battistara Margherita , Benton Matthew A
Published: December 2022

In insect embryos, anteroposterior patterning is coordinated by the sequential expression of the ‘timer’ genes caudal, Dichaete, and odd-paired, whose expression dynamics correlate with the mode of segmentation. In Drosophila, the timer genes are expressed broadly across much of the blastoderm, which segments simultaneously, but their expression is delayed in a small ‘tail’ region, just anterior to the hindgut, which segments during germband extension. Specification of the tail and the hindgut depends on the terminal gap gene tailless, but beyond this the regulation of the timer genes is poorly understood. We used a combination of multiplexed imaging, mutant analysis, and gene network modelling to resolve the regulation of the timer genes, identifying 11 new regulatory interactions and clarifying the mechanism of posterior terminal patterning. We propose that a dynamic Tailless expression gradient modulates the intrinsic dynamics of a timer gene cross-regulatory module, delineating the tail region and delaying its developmental maturation.
Uma revisão sistemática da produção científica sobre os indicadores de desempenho na forma de artefatos da contabilidade gerencial no Século XXI
Authors: Schmidt Jefferson Leandro , Da Silva Alvaro Antônio , Soutes Dione Olesczuk , Martins Vinicius Abilio
Published: December 2022

Na busca de competitividade de mercado, a organização precisa estar objetivada a qualificar suas práticas para acompanhar o seu desempenho. Indiferente do porte da empresa, a avaliação de desempenho necessita de um processo contínuo. Para isto, é necessário o desenvolvimento de indicadores para a avaliação do desempenho. Neste sentido, esta pesquisa objetivou analisar como são utilizados os indicadores de desempenho na forma de artefatos da contabilidade gerencial pelas empresas no século XXI. De abordagem qualitativa, para esta pesquisa sistemática utilizamos da base SCOPUS para elencar artigos científicos publicados entre os anos 2001 a 2021, vinculado a área de estudos de negócios, gestão e contabilidade, publicados no Brasil. Os dados foram analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo de Bardin (2006). Esse caminho metodológico nos possibilitou evidenciar que a utilização de indicadores subsidiam a tomada de decisão, na execução do controle e na elaboração de informações gerenciais de modo a nortear os gestores no cumprimento das diferentes funções organizacionais. Além disso, os resultados apotam que os indicadores de desempenho são utilizados pelas empresas no século XXI como um sistema de medição de desempenho que está ligado aos objetivos, estratégias e metas da organização. Contudo, os resultados destacam a importância de conhecimentos tácitos e técnicos dos gestores acerca dos indicadores para que a tomada de decisão seja acertiva e determinante da ascensão da organização.
A REVIEW ON FOLKLORE USES AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF LANTANA CAMARA L.
Authors: NS Ramya , Bharati Sriwidya , P Subrahmanya
Published: December 2022

Lantana camara L., a flowering plant belonging to the family Verbenaceae, has arrived in India as an ornamental plant. Now, it has escaped from the garden and turned over the entire ecosystem. Lantana camara not only spreads fast but does not allow other plants in its vicinity to grow and leads to the migration of those plants, so eradicating Lantana has been practised in several areas of India, but its management is complicated because this is a tough plant that grows quickly and aggressively. Despite its reputation as a troublesome weed, the plant has great potential to cure several diseases like wounds, ulcers, etc. This paper reviews the medicinal uses and various pharmacological properties of Lantana camara L.
Impact of Habitat on the Development of Coprophagous and Xylophagous Coleopteran Insects in the Park of Bamimgui-Bangoran (Central African Republic)
Authors: Aba-Toumnou Lucie , Wango Solange Patricia , Mebourou Emmanuel Kamba , Temala Michaël Ngaraboume , Mbiko-Tanza Jean , Bombai Seth Christ Molemba , Sengue-Mogniabougnade Vanessa Gloria Rolande , Bolevane-Ouatinam Serge Florent
Published: December 2022

Coprophagous and Xylophagous Coleopterans are equally impacted by the fragmentation of ecosystems and are recognized for their character as indicators of certain ecosystem functions, such as the recycling of organic matter and pollination. Thus, as part of the program to restore degraded ecosystems in protected areas and others sectors of the Bamingui-Bangoran Prefecture in the Central African Republic (CAR), an inventory of insect species according to their ecological profile is needed. Insects were collected over 8 hectares corresponding to 6 different habitats in the Bamingui-Bangoran park. Sixty different traps were installed in each habitat with 100 meters of distance between the traps. The measured parameters are the number of individuals collected per week. As results, 8 coleopteran families (4 Coprophagous families and 4 Xylophagous families) were identified. The Coprophagous and Xylophagous Coleopterans were much abounded in grassy savannahs with much mixing trees with Imperata cylindrica and in grassy and shrubby savannas with many flowering plants (Melliferous) and less abounded in grassy and shrubby savannahs domined by Imperata cylindrica. However, repartitions of individuals fit uniform distribution in all coleopteran families belonging to Xylophagous group whereas in Coprophagous, uniform distribution fit was established only for one family.
Isolation and structural characterization of enkephalins in the brain of the Rhynchobdellid leech Theromyzon tessulatum
Authors: Salzet Michel , Bulet Philippe , Verger-Bocquet Martine , Malecha Jean
Published: July 2002

This paper reports the purification of four peptides related to enkephalins from the brain of the leech Theromyzon tessulatum. After reverse‐phase HPLC purification, the sequence of the enkephalins (YGGFM, YGGFL, FM, FL) was established by a combination of automated Edman degradation, electrospray mass spectrometry measurement, and co‐elution experiments in reverse‐phase HPLC with synthetic peptides. ELISA titrations performed on each purified peptide indicated that the major amount was borne by the leucine‐enkephalin. The ratio of leucine‐enkephalin and methionine‐enkephalin of 2:1 is in line with previous immunocytochemical data obtained on T. tessulatum brains. The presence of enkephalins in T. tessulatum, an animal belonging to the oldest group of coelomate metazoans (the Annelida) establishes the very ancient phylogenetic origin of opioids and their conservation in the course of evolution.
Na+,K+‐ATPase expression during the early phase of liver growth after partial hepatectomy
Authors: Martínez-Mas Joan Vicenç , Peinado-Onsurbe Julia , Ruiz-Montasell Bonaventura , Felipe Antonio , Casado F.Javier , Pastor-Anglada Marçal
Published: July 2002

Na+,K+‐ATPase expression has been studied in the early phase of liver growth after partial hepatectomy to ascertain whether its increased activity is due to stable effects, involving de novo synthesis and insertion of pumps into the plasma membrane. Na+,K+‐ATPase activity progressively increases after partial hepatectomy, reaching a three‐fold induction above basal values 12 h after surgery. mRNA amounts of both α
1 and β
1 subunits are rapidly increased up to two‐fold for α
1 and nearly three‐fold for β
1, at 9 and 12 h post‐hepatectomy, respectively. This correlates with increased abundance of both subunit proteins. The results prove that the increase of Na+,K+‐ATPase activity correlates with higher expression of both subunit proteins and mRNAs, although the characteristics of the induction suggest that some translational and post‐translational events may be equally involved in the increased activity of the pump.
Mycobacterial glycopeptidolipid interactions with membranes: a monolayer study
Authors: Vergne Isabelle , Prats Michel , Tocanne Jean-François , Laneelle Gilbert
Published: July 2002

Mycobacterial glycopeptidolipid (GPL) interactions with membranes were analysed with monolayer experiment, using GPLs bearing 3, 1, or 0 carbohydrate residues (GPL3, GPL1, GPL0). Compression isotherms and surface potential determinations suggested that the glycopeptidic moiety of GPL3 permanently dipped in water, while those of GPL1 and GPL0 can lay in the interface. Insertion of GPL molecules into a preformed phospholipid monolayer was observed using GPL3 or GPL1 dispersions, but not from GPL0. It is postulated that the activity of GPL0 is low due to its failure to become inserted into membranes, as is that of GPL3 owing to its insertion only by its acyl chain. GPL1 is likely to disturb membranes by inserting its glycopeptidic moiety into the interface.
Requirement of the Fas ligand‐expressing luteal immune cells for regression of corpus luteum
Authors: Kuranaga Erina , Kanuka Hirotaka , Furuhata Yasufumi , Yonezawa Tomohiro , Suzuki Masatoshi , Nishihara Masugi , Takahashi Michio
Published: July 2002

Apoptosis in corpus luteum (CL) is induced by prolactin (PRL) in female rats. PRL‐induced apoptosis in CL is mediated by the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system. The CL consists of steroidogenic and non‐steroidogenic cells, including immunocytes. Fas mRNA was detected only in the luteal steroidogenic cells, and FasL mRNA was expressed only by the non‐steroidogenic CD3‐positive luteal immunocytes. Removing the luteal immune cells from the luteal cells inhibited PRL‐induced luteal cell apoptosis effectively. Thus, FasL‐expressing non‐steroidogenic luteal immunocytes are required for PRL‐induced luteal cell apoptosis and heterogeneous induction of apoptosis by Fas/FasL in CL.
α‐Lactalbumin: structure and function
Authors: Permyakov Eugene A. , Berliner Lawrence J.
Published: July 2002

Small milk protein α‐lactalbumin (α‐LA), a component of lactose synthase, is a simple model Ca2+ binding protein, which does not belong to the EF‐hand proteins, and a classical example of molten globule state. It has a strong Ca2+ binding site, which binds Mg2+, Mn2+, Na+, and K+, and several distinct Zn2+ binding sites. The binding of cations to the Ca2+ site increases protein stability against action of heat and various denaturing agents, while the binding of Zn2+ to the Ca2+‐loaded protein decreases its stability. Functioning of α‐LA requires its interactions with membranes, proteins, peptides and low molecular weight substrates and products. It was shown that these interactions are modulated by the binding of metal cations. Recently it was found that some folding variants of α‐LA demonstrate bactericidal activity and some of them cause apoptosis of tumor cells.
Enzymatic Computing
Authors: Zauner Klaus‐Peter , Conrad Michael
Published: July 2002

The conformational dynamics of enzymes is a computational resource that fuses milieu signals in a nonlinear fashion. Response surface methodology can be used to elicit computational functionality from enzyme dynamics. We constructed a tabletop prototype to implement enzymatic signal processing in a device context and employed it in conjunction with malate dehydrogenase to perform the linearly inseparable exclusive‐or operation. This shows that proteins can execute signal processing operations that are more complex than those performed by individual threshold elements. We view the experiments reported, though restricted to the two‐variable case, as a stepping stone to computational networks that utilize the precise reproducibility of proteins, and the concomitant reproducibility of their nonlinear dynamics, to implement complex pattern transformations.
A Computational Study of Feedback Effects on Signal Dynamics in a Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Pathway Model
Authors: Asthagiri Anand R. , Lauffenburger Douglas A.
Published: July 2002

Exploiting signaling pathways for the purpose of controlling cell function entails identifying and manipulating the information content of intracellular signals. As in the case of the ubiquitously expressed, eukaryotic mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, this information content partly resides in the signals' dynamical properties. Here, we utilize a mathematical model to examine mechanisms that govern MAPK pathway dynamics, particularly the role of putative negative feedback mechanisms in generating complete signal adaptation, a term referring to the reset of a signal to prestimulation levels. In addition to yielding adaptation of its direct target, feedback mechanisms implemented in our model also indirectly assist in the adaptation of signaling components downstream of the target under certain conditions. In fact, model predictions identify conditions yielding ultra‐desensitization of signals in which complete adaptation of target and downstream signals culminates even while stimulus recognition (i.e., receptor‐ligand binding) continues to increase. Moreover, the rate at which signal decays can follow first‐order kinetics with respect to signal intensity, so that signal adaptation is achieved in the same amount of time regardless of signal intensity or ligand dose. All of these features are consistent with experimental findings recently obtained for the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines (Asthagiri et al.,J. Biol. Chem.1999,274, 27119−27127). Our model further predicts that although downstream effects are independent of whether an enzyme or adaptor protein is targeted by negative feedback, adaptor‐targeted feedback can “back‐propagate” effects upstream of the target, specifically resulting in increased steady‐state upstream signal. Consequently, where these upstream components serve as nodes within a signaling network, feedback can transfer signaling through these nodes into alternate pathways, thereby promoting the sort of signaling cross‐talk that is becoming more widely appreciated.
Ovary starch reserves and flower development in apricot (Prunus armeniaca)
Authors: Rodrigo Javier , Hormaza J. Ignacio , Herrero María
Published: July 2002

In histerant species where flowering takes place prior to leaf emergence, a flower lifespan occurs in the absence of new photoassimilates and at the expense of pre‐stored reserves either in the plant as a whole or in the flower itself. In the present study, the role that the photoassimilates stored in the flowers might play in flower development from anthesis to fertilization in Prunus armeniaca L. (apricot), a histerant species, was explored. Starch content in individual flowers was measured with the help of an image analysis system. Starch content decreased from its highest value at anthesis and disappeared from the ovary 9 days later. This decrease was inversely related to an increase in ovary size and in cell number in the pericarp, suggesting an intraflower, self‐supported development. This process is conserved in both pollinated and nonpollinated flowers and therefore seems to be inherent to the flower at anthesis. The onset of fruiting is preceded by the establishment of large differences among ovaries; while some experience continuous growth, others stop growing and eventually drop. Interestingly, large differences in starch content are found among flowers at anthesis. These results are discussed in terms of the possible implications of pre‐stored starch in the flower supporting initial flower development.
Repression of Smad2 and Smad3 transactivating activity by association with a novel splice variant of CCAAT-binding factor C subunit
Authors: CHEN Feifei , OGAWA Kenji , LIU Xubao , STRINGFIELD Teresa M. , CHEN Yan
Published: July 2002

Activation by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/activin receptors leads to phosphorylation of Smad2 (Sma- and Mad-related protein 2) and Smad3, which function as transcription factors to regulate gene expression. Using the MH2 domain (Mad homologue domain of Smad proteins 2) of Smad3 in a yeast two-hybrid screening, we isolated a novel splice variant of CAATT-binding factor subunit C (CBF-C), designated CBF-Cb, that associated with Smad3. CBF-C is one of the subunits that form a heterotrimeric CBF complex capable of binding and activating the CAATT motif found in the promoters of many eukaryotic genes. CBF-Cb is 62 amino acids shorter than the wild-type CBF-C in the N-terminal region. In addition, CBF-Cb is expressed ubiquitously in various mouse tissues. By an immunoprecipitation assay, we detected an in vivo association of CBF-Cb with Smad2 and Smad3, independent of signalling by activated TGF-β type I receptors. In transient transfection experiments, overexpression of CBF-Cb was able to repress the transactivating activity of Smad2 and Smad3, mediated either by direct binding to the Smad-responsive element or through their association with the Smad-interacting transcription factor FAST-2 (forkhead activin signal transducer-2). The Smad-mediated transcriptional response after TGF-β receptor activation was also inhibited by overexpression of unspliced CBF-C. In addition, the repressive activity of CBF-Cb on Smad2- and Smad3-mediated transcriptional regulation was abrogated by co-expression of the general transcription activator p300. The association of CBF-Cb with Smad2 was competitively inhibited by overexpression of p300. These data indicate a novel mechanism for modulation of the transcriptional activity of Smad proteins, whereby the interaction of CBF-Cb, as well as canonical CBF-C, with the MH2 domain of Smads may prevent the association of Smads with transcriptional co-activators.
Increased actin polymerization reduces the inhibition of serum response factor activity by Yin Yang 1
Authors: ELLIS Peter D. , MARTIN Karen M. , RICKMAN Colin , METCALFE James C. , KEMP Paul R.
Published: July 2002

Recent evidence has implicated CC(A/TrichG)GG (CArG) boxes, binding sites for serum response factor (SRF), in the regulation of expression of a number of genes in response to changes in the actin cytoskeleton. In many cases, the activity of SRF at CArG boxes is modulated by transcription factors binding to overlapping (e.g. Yin Yang 1, YY1) or adjacent (e.g. ets) binding sites. However, the mechanisms by which SRF activity is regulated by the cytoskeleton have not been determined. To investigate these mechanisms, we screened for cells that did or did not increase the activity of a fragment of the promoter for a smooth-muscle (SM)-specific gene SM22α, in response to changes in actin cytoskeletal polymerization induced by LIM kinase. These experiments showed that vascular SM cells (VSMCs) and C2C12 cells increased the activity of promoters containing at least one of the SM22α CArG boxes (CArG near) in response to LIM kinase, whereas P19 cells did not. Bandshift assays using a probe to CArG near showed that P19 cells lacked detectable YY1 DNA binding to the CArG box in contrast with the other two cell types. Expression of YY1 in P19 cells inhibited SM22α promoter activity and conferred responsiveness to LIM kinase. Mutation of the CArG box to inhibit YY1 or SRF binding indicated that both factors were required for the LIM kinase response in VSMCs and C2C12 cells. The data indicate that changes in the actin cytoskeletal organization modify SRF activity at CArG boxes by modulating YY1-dependent inhibition.
Role of synaptotagmin in Ca2+-triggered exocytosis
Authors: TUCKER Ward C. , CHAPMAN Edwin R.
Published: July 2002

The Ca2+-binding synaptic-vesicle protein synaptotagmin I has attracted considerable interest as a potential Ca2+ sensor that regulates exocytosis from neurons and neuroendocrine cells. Recent studies have shed new light on the structure, biochemical/biophysical properties and function of synaptotagmin, and the emerging view is that it plays an important role in both exocytosis and endocytosis. At least a dozen additional isoforms exist, some of which are expressed outside of the nervous system, suggesting that synaptotagmins might regulate membrane traffic in a variety of cell types. Here we provide an overview of the members of this gene family, with particular emphasis on the question of whether and how synaptotagmin I functions during the final stages of membrane fusion: does it regulate the Ca2+-triggered opening and dilation of fusion pores?
What criteria reliably distinguish melanoma from benign melanocytic lesions?
Authors: Okun M R , Edelstein L M , Kasznica J
Published: July 2002

The differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions is fraught with difficulty and a common source of litigation either if a lesion misreported as ‘benign’ recurs locally or re‐presents with nodal metastases or if an atypical naevus is called ‘malignant’ leading to a cosmetically unsatisfactory wider resection, unwarranted anxiety about prognosis and adverse life insurance prospects. Several authors have claimed that there are valid morphological criteria which, alone or in combination, enable reliable distinction between benign and malignant melanocytic lesions. Others question these criteria and, doubting the extent to which unequivocal diagnoses can be rendered in all cases, believe that the diagnosis is purely subjective and that most diagnostic errors are non‐negligent. To address these issues, expert opinions were commissioned from three sets of authors.

Okun, Edelstein & Kasznica emphasize that a significant minority of melanocytic lesions are so borderline morphologically that diagnostic uncertainty is allowable and that such uncertainty can be handled responsibly. Kirkham, in favouring the methodical use of criteria, concedes that they are ‘largely opinion‐based rather than evidence‐based, but do go beyond mere subjective pattern analysis’. In agreement with Okun and his colleagues, Slater emphasises that no single feature is reliable by itself and that all aspects, including clinical details, should be interpreted together; he has no hesitation in reporting the diagnosis as ‘uncertain’ in doubtful cases.

In the absence of a specific marker pathognomonic of melanocytic malignancy, the diagnosis will continue to rely on the judicious application of morphological criteria with a small proportion of elusive cases in which diagnostic uncertainty should not be concealed.
Long‐term demographic balance in the Broadstone stream insect community
Authors: Speirs D. C. , Gurney W. S. C. , Hildrew A. G. , Winterbottom J. H.
Published: July 2002

1. Population models based on Lotka–Volterra‐type differential equations with logistic prey were made for a simple stream community including two stonefly prey Leuctra nigra Olivier and Nemurella pictetii Klàpalek, and two predators, the caddisfly Plectrocnemia conspersa (Curtis) and the alderfly Sialis fuliginosa Pictet. In order to assess the importance of predation in this system, we constructed both an explicit four‐species model and a simplified model with two functional groups which was more amenable to analytical treatment.

2. The models were parameterized using new data on adult emergence and recruitment combined with previously published data on larval densities and prey uptake. The models were falsified if parameterizations led either to negative prey carrying capacities or to unstable dynamics.

3. Both the functional group and four‐species models predict asymptotically stable interactions, with feasible carrying capacities. The models are consistent in predicting that the observed prey are in excess of 70% of their carrying capacities. The four‐species model indicates that predation impact is not evenly shared between the two prey, with L. nigra being depressed further from its carrying capacity than N. pictetii.

4. Sensitivity analysis shows that the results of the full four‐species model remain very robust to realistic levels of stochastic variation in the input data.

5. The four‐species model is used to predict the outcome of an ongoing large‐scale field experiment involving the transfer of all S. fuliginosa eggs from one stretch of the stream to another. Although the equilibrial prey populations are barely affected by the manipulation, the model predicts marked transient prey‐release and prey‐depression of L. nigra in the predator addition and removal areas, respectively.
Models of rock varnish formation constrained by high resolution transmission electron microscopy
Authors: KRINSLEY D.
Published: July 2002

Nanometre‐scale transmission electron microscope imagery of manganiferous rock varnishes from Death Valley, California, Peru, Antarctica, and Hawaii confirms prior infrared mineralogy studies. The building blocks of rock varnish are clay minerals that are cemented to the rock by oxyhydroxides of manganese and iron. Rock varnish is layered on the scale of nanometres, with the basic structure defined by the subparallel alignment of detrital clay minerals. Although only a few examples of bacteria were found, possible cell‐wall encrustations are ubiquitous and aligned with the clay minerals. Mn–Fe oxides appear to be mobilized from bacterial casts and then reprecipitate on clay minerals that weather into monolayers. These observations have implications for varnish dating and palaeoenvironmental techniques: K–Ar and uranium‐series dating of rock‐varnish oxides can only yield minimum ages; however, this small spatial scale of mobilization would not alter the signal from micron‐scale microchemical laminations.