cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cadmium opens GluK2 kainate receptors with cysteine substitutions at the M3 helix bundle crossing

Kainate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that have two major roles in the central nervous system: they mediate a postsynaptic component of excitatory neurotransmission at some glutamatergic synapses and modulate transmitter release at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Accumulating evidence implicates kainate receptors in a variety of neuropathologies, including epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, developmental delay, and cognitive impairment. Here, to gain a deeper understanding of the conformational changes associated with agonist binding and channel opening, we generate a series of Cys substitutions in the GluK2 kainate receptor subunit, focusing on the M3 helices that line the ion pore and form the bundle-crossing gate at the extracellular mouth of the channel. Exposure to 50 µM Cd produces direct activation of homomeric mutant channels bearing Cys substitutions in (A657C), or adjacent to (L659C), the conserved SYTANLAAF motif. Activation by Cd is occluded by modification with 2-aminoethyl MTS (MTSEA), indicating that Cd binds directly and specifically to the substituted cysteines. Cd potency for the A657C mutation (EC50 = 10 µM) suggests that binding involves at least two coordinating residues, whereas weaker Cd potency for L659C (EC50 = 2 mM) implies that activation does not require tight coordination by multiple side chains for this substitution. Experiments with heteromeric and chimeric channels indicate that activation by Cd requires Cys substitution at only two of the four subunits within a tetrameric receptor and that activation is similar for substitution within subunits in either the A/C or B/D conformations. We develop simple kinetic models for the A657C substitution that reproduce several features of Cd activation as well as the low-affinity inhibition observed at higher Cd concentrations (5-20 mM). Together, these results demonstrate rapid and reversible channel activation, independent of agonist site occupancy, upon Cd binding to Cys side chains at two specific locations along the GluK2 inner helix.
Connections: Building Partnerships with Museums to Promote Intergenerational Service Learning and Alzheimer's Care.

This article reflects upon the development of Connections, a service-learning collaboration between a Research I university and an urban art museum that trains students to work with patient groups from the community using Visual Thinking Strategies. This method of art exploration helps people with Alzheimer’s disease express memories and relieve anxiety. In describing the collaboration, instructional design, and ongoing research, this reflection seeks to encourage educators to partner with museums for intergenerational service-learning experiences.
Myonectin deletion promotes adipose fat storage and reduces liver steatosis

We recently described myonectin (also known as erythroferrone) as a novel skeletal muscle-derived myokine with metabolic functions. Here, we use a genetic mouse model to determine myonectin's requirement for metabolic homeostasis. Female myonectin-deficient mice had larger gonadal fat pads and developed mild insulin resistance when fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and had reduced food intake during refeeding after an unfed period but were otherwise indistinguishable from wild-type littermates. Male mice lacking myonectin, however, had reduced physical activity when fed ad libitum and in the postprandial state but not during the unfed period. When stressed with an HFD, myonectin-knockout male mice had significantly elevated VLDL-triglyceride (TG) and strikingly impaired lipid clearance from circulation following an oral lipid load. Fat distribution between adipose and liver was also altered in myonectin-deficient male mice fed an HFD. Greater fat storage resulted in significantly enlarged adipocytes and was associated with increased postprandial lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissue. Parallel to this was a striking reduction in liver steatosis due to significantly reduced TG accumulation. Liver metabolite profiling revealed additional significant changes in bile acids and 1-carbon metabolism pathways. Combined, our data affirm the physiologic importance of myonectin in regulating local and systemic lipid metabolism.-Little, H. C., Rodriguez, S., Lei, X., Tan, S. Y., Stewart, A. N., Sahagun, A., Sarver, D. C., Wong, G. W. Myonectin deletion promotes adipose fat storage and reduces liver steatosis.
Triphenylene-Bridged Trinuclear Complexes of Cu: Models for Spin Interactions in Two-Dimensional Electrically Conductive Metal–Organic Frameworks

Reaction of 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP) and 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaaminotriphenylene (HATP) with [Cu(Me3tacn)]2+ (Me3tacn = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) produces trigonal tr...
Extracellular HSP90α Versus Intracellular HSP90β in Wound Healing and Cancer

Of ~7000 gene products generated by an average cell, 2–3% of them are accounted for by the Hsp90 family of proteins. Mammals have two members of Hsp90, Hsp90α and Hsp90β, with which they respond to environmental stress, especially during tissue ischemia. Hsp90β fulfills the role of an important intracellular chaperone, whereas Hsp90α is dispensable inside the cell. Instead, Hsp90α gets secreted and the extracellular Hsp90α protects surrounding cells from hypoxia-induced cell death and promotes cell migration, during wound healing. The cell surface receptor, LRP-1, binds and mediates extracellular Hsp90α signaling by activating Akt kinases independently of Hsp90α’s intrinsic ATPase. Topical application of recombinant Hsp90α promotes healing of acute, diabetic and burn wounds. Tumors take advantage of these protective functions of both intracellular and extracellular Hsp90 family proteins to cope with the constant paucity of oxygen and nutrients within the tumor microenvironment. Unlike intracellular Hsp90β which is equally critical to the survival of both tumor and normal cells, secreted Hsp90α is non-essential for maintaining physiological homeostasis. In contrast, tumor cells constitutively secrete Hsp90α and use secreted Hsp90α to prevent tumor cell death under hypoxic conditions and to promote tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Monoclonal antibodies that selectively target tumor-secreted Hsp90α may prove more effective and less toxic than those that target the ATPase of the intracellular Hsp90β.
Mapping Queer Space(s) of Praxis and Pedagogy

In this re-view of Mapping Queer Space(s) of Praxis and Pedagogy, I eschew standards of book reviewing and instead aim to provide a pedagogical model for reading the text in question. By writing in a "scattered" format inspired by one of the text's chapters, I both show and tell the reader the effect the text has had on me. Rather than focusing on summary and evaluation, then, I write primarily about the different uses of "queer" in different chapters as a way of introducing the reader to queer studies and exemplifying a genuine response to the experience of reading the book.
Leveraging Stakeholders to Cover Budgetary Shortfalls in U.S. National Parks: Lessons from the 2018/2019 Government Shutdown and Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is a remarkable desert ecosystem made iconic by the famed Joshua trees that dot the landscape. In 1994, a majority of Joshua Tree’s holdings were designated as “wilderness” (a legal status in the U.S.). Subsequently, Joshua Tree was buffeted by deleterious anthropogenic forces and suffered from severe budgetary constraints. In 2018/2019, a U.S. Government shutdown forced the Joshua Tree staff into furlough, while the park remained open to visitors. The response of local volunteers, who took responsibility for educating visitors about park policies and ecosystem conservation in the midst of the shutdown, shows the extent to which networks of local and community volunteers can be mobilized to mitigate at least some of the effects of budgetary constraints that affect the wilderness and national park lands.
Student performance in accounting courses: Do bonus points motivate performance?

Achievement in accounting classes is important. However, research has shown that anxiety is one of the major hindrances to academic performance in accounting classes. An accounting anxiety rating s...
Sensory processing in autism spectrum disorder: Insights from the periphery?

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of complex, heterogeneous, and pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by diverse manifestations including impairment in social abilities, decreased or disordered verbal communications, and restricted or repetitive behaviors.1 Abnormalities in sensory perception and processing have long been recognized in up to 90% of individuals diagnosed with ASD.2 These observations have been ascribed to alterations in central sensory processing, especially in the multimodal integration of sensory information.3 However, given the pervasiveness of ASD, the possibility of peripheral sensory nervous system (PNSs) dysfunction should be considered as well. Evidence of enteric nervous system as well as auditory changes4,5 has raised this intriguing possibility.
Changing Environments Require Changing Competencies

The global pandemic is highlighting how work and life is changing.Changes in health, social, work, and life routines are altering skills and behaviors needed by engineers and managers. Competency models provide a job and career growth opportunities for both organizations and people and need to be updated into dynamic tools that provide direction for both people and the organizations they work in. This notebook builds from the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) listing of engineering competencies to provide new findings on seventeen competencies used by civil engineers to address 2019 business challenges. Future discussions include:Field competencies and Digital competencies, Continuous versus Adaptable Competencies, and Sustainable development and responsible leadership competencies.
The tail of chlorophyll: Fates for phytol.

Understanding the pathways involved in chlorophyll breakdown provides a molecular map to the color changes observed in plant life on a global scale each fall. Surprisingly, little is known about the fate of phytol, chlorophyll's 20-carbon branched-chain tail, during this process. A recent study from Gutbrod et al. provides evidence using physiological, genetic, and exquisitely sensitive analytical approaches that phytenal is an intermediate in plant phytol catabolism. These insights and techniques open the door to further investigation of this complicated metabolic system, with implications for plant health and agriculture.
What Is Normal

In this chapter, I think through the normal and the pathological. Theorizing by Georges Canguilhem (b. 1904, d. 1995), a French philosopher and historian of science, is indispensable. I draw attention to aspects of his biography that informed his understanding of bodies as biocultural, specifically his medical training and intellectual commitment to the history of science. Canguilhem’s ideas echo though go uncited in debates about the osteological paradox. He extends discussions about deviance and socially stigmatized diseases to which bioarchaeologists are especially drawn. Treponemal diseases are the ones I discuss here. The physician turned philosopher also provides a frame for fleshing out embodied experiences of disability, as does his contemporary Maurice Merleau-Ponty. Finally, Canguilhem innervated theorizing about heteronorms and bodies, which his student Michel Foucault would extend in important ways. As an example, I discuss females’ reproductive functions. In keeping with the biomedical bodyscape, bioarchaeologists have characterized the reproductive female body in terms of pathology and disability. In contrast, they have represented atlatl elbow—degenerative changes to the radio-humeral joint first described by J. Lawrence Angel in 1966—as paleopathology that signals males’ abilities. Both phenomena demonstrate how contemporary heteronormative beliefs inform bioarchaeological investigations of past socio-sexual lives.
Two-Stage Treatment of a Large Premaxillary Defect.

ABSTRACT Bilateral cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients commonly require surgical management to treat maxillary hypoplasia following the primary repair. Rarer is the CLP patient who also presents with a missing premaxillary segment. Here the authors present the case of a 19-year-old female with a history of bilateral CLP who demonstrated significant maxillary hypoplasia in addition to a large premaxillary defect. To correct this deformity, LeFort I advancement with fibular reconstruction of the maxilla and dental implant placement was performed as a single surgical procedure. The authors discuss the advantages of undergoing this single-staged operation. By utilizing virtual surgical planning (VSP) and incorporating a multidisciplinary team within the operating room, the patient was able to successfully undergo maxillary reconstruction and dental implant placement in a single operation.
Physical therapists should play a greater role in managing patients with opioid use and opioid misuse.

The U.S. opioid crisis necessitates that health care providers of all types work collaboratively to manage patients taking prescription opioid medications and manage those who may be misusing presc...
ELECTRIC ENERGY LOSSES IN SHIP'S POWER CABLE SYSTEMS

The article describes the reasons for electrical energy losses during the process of energy transmission from the power source to receivers in ship's network. The results of analytic calculations show that there are new possibilities of energy transmission cost savings resulting from diversification of cable diameters.
Influence of the Vitamin D3 Analog EB 1089 on Senescence and Cell Death Pathways in the Response of Breast Tumor Cells to Ionizing Radiation

INFLUENCE OF THE VITAMIN D3 ANALOG EB 1089 ON SENESCENCE AND CELL DEATH PATHWAYS IN THE RESPONSE OF BREAST TUMOR CELLS TO
An Introduction to Mill's Utilitarian Ethics: Sanctions and Moral Motivation

I n Chapter 3 of Utilitarianism , Mill is addressing the question of what motives there are to be moral. He points out that the question arises whenever a person is called upon to adopt a standard. Customary morality, which education and opinion have consecrated, presents itself as being in itself obligatory, and when one is asked to believe that morality derives its obligation from a more general principle around which custom has not thrown the same halo, the assertion is a paradox. The specific rules, such as not to rob or murder, betray or deceive, seem to be more obligatory than simply a matter of promoting the general happiness, which is proposed as their foundation. So the question, “What motives are there to follow the utilitarian morality?” will arise until the influences that form moral character have taken the same hold of the principle of utilitarianism as they have taken of some of the rules of morality that could be derived from that principle – until the feeling of unity with our fellow creatures has become as deeply rooted in our character as the horror of crime is in an ordinarily well-brought-up young person. In the meantime, until such a happy moment arrives, the difficulty is not peculiar to the doctrine of utility, but is inherent in every attempt to analyze morality and to reduce it to principles.
Transcription factors and inflammatory disease.

Inflammation is a central feature of many lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, fibrosing alveolitis and adult or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The specific characteristics of the inflammatory response and the site of inflammation differ between these diseases, but all involve the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells and chances in the structural cells of the lung. These diseases are characterized by an increased expression of many proteins involved in the complex inflammatory cascade. These inflammatory proteins include cytokines, enzymes that produce inflammatory mediators, receptors and adhesion molecules. The increased expression of most of these proteins is the result of increased gene transcription; many of the genes are not expressed in normal cells but are induced in certain cell types in these inflammatory diseases. Changes in gene transcription are regulated by transcription factors, which are proteins that bind to DNA. This suggests that transcription factors may play a key role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases, because they regulate the increased gene expression that may underlie the acute and chronic inflammatory mechanisms that characterize these diseases. Corticosteroids are the most effective therapy in the long-term control of asthma and appear to reduce inflammation in asthmatic airways largely by inhibiting the transcription factors that regulate abnormal gene expression. Corticosteroids may also have a beneficial effect in other inflammatory lung diseases, although this is less marked than in asthma, indicating that different genes and transcription factors are involved.
Effects of shell shape, size, and sculpture in burrowing and anchoring abilities in the freshwater mussel Potamilus alatus (Unionidae)

Because of the sedentary lifestyle of freshwater mussels, studies examining their movement capabilities are scarce. However, the ability to burrow into the substrate and the ability to remain stationary are likely crucial components of their behavioural repertoire. The performance of these different tasks is likely to be affected by the presence of the shell ornamentation characteristic of many mussel species. Previous studies have suggested that shell ornamentation results in a trade-off between burrowing ability and remaining stationary when an extrinsic force attempts to dislodge it from the substrate once buried. We examined the effect of morphology and shell ornamentation on burrowing performance and anchoring ability by artificially creating shell ornamentation on a relatively smooth-shelled species (Potamilus alatus). Burrowing behaviours and performance and the force required to dislodge mussels (anchoring ability) were quantified with and without ornamentation. Interestingly, we found that the artificial shell ornamentation had no significant effect on burrowing behaviours and performance or dislodgement force. Burrowing and dislodgement, however, were both highly influenced by shell size and shape. All of the available information suggests that shell size, shape, and sculpture influence burrowing and anchoring in complex ways that needs further examination. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 111, 136–144.
The Empirical Argument Against Virtue

The virtues are under fire. Several decades’ worth of social psychological findings establish a correlation between human behavior and the situation moral agents inhabit, from which a cadre of moral philosophers concludes that most moral agents lack the virtues. Mark Alfano and Christian Miller introduce novel versions of this argument, but they are subject to a fatal dilemma. Alfano and Miller wrongly assume that their requirements for virtue apply universally to moral agents, who vary radically in their psychological, physiological, and personal situations; I call this the ‘content problem.’ More troubling, however, the content problem leads to what I call the ‘structural problem:’ Alfano and Miller each structure their argument against the virtues as a modus tollens argument and, owing to the breadth of the content problem, each must constrain their argument with a ceteris paribus clause. But the ceteris paribus clause precludes each argument’s validity. More important, however, the resulting conception of virtue implicitly endorsed by Alfano and Miller holds that virtues are idealized models; but since idealized models do not even purport accurately to describe (much of) the world, neither novel version of EAV gains any empirical traction against the virtues. The upshot is an old story whose moral has yet, within the empirical study of the virtues, adequately to be internalized: it is imperative that the empirical observation of character traits proceed via longitudinal studies.
Iranian Women, Iranian Cinema: Negotiating with Ideology and Tradition

This is the published version, made available with the permission of the publisher. Copyright 2015, University of Nebraska, Omaha.
ECONOMICS OF AQUACULTURE AND INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES—AN OVERVIEW

Aquaculture production and invasive species are intricately linked. Invasives enter waterways threatening production, increasing costs, and diminishing grower returns. Live plants and animals introduced for economic production escape their confines and establish in the wild. This paper provides an overview of the dominant issues illustrated with cases from around the world.
SU‐E‐T‐437: Interfractional Dosimetric Verification of Lung Patients Treated by Passive Double Scattering Proton Radiotherapy

Purpose:Protonradiotherapy, with the ability to confine the dose at desired depth, can potentially benefit lungtumor patients by significantly sparing the healthy lungtissue. However, the superior protondose distribution could be affected by tumor shrinkage due to the quick response and by motion especially related to the respiration. Thus the treatment should be frequently verified and be adjusted accordingly if necessary to achieve the initial treatment goal.Material and Methods: A cohort of 20 patients were selected from lung patients treated with passive protonradiotherapy. All those patients were evaluated via 4D‐CT scans and found to have tumor motion less than 1 cm. The internal target volumes (ITV) were derived based on the full inspiration and expiration phases. The average of the 4D‐CT scan, full inspiration and expiration phases were used for the initial treatment planning. The planning objective was 95% of the prescription dose to at least 95% volume of the ITV. Bi‐weekly verification 4D‐CT scans were performed to assess the robustness of the initial treatment plan and no replanning was required for target dose variations less then 3%. Results: Compared with the initial treatment plan, the standard deviations of target coverage on inspiration, expiration, and average verification CT scans are within 3% for all the patients, with the maximum difference up to 7%. No statistically significant differences were found among the initial and verification plans (p>0.1). The percentage deviations of OAR sparing were highly variable, e.g., up to 40% for mean lungdose, 100% for mean heart dose, 50% for max cord dose, particularly for OARs receiving small amount of doses. However, the absolute dose deviations are all with OAR's tolerance. Conclusion: Overall, the passive double scattering proton modality allows for robust protontreatment planning and delivery to treat the lungtumors with limited motion.
An Efficient, Modular Approach for the Synthesis of (+)-Strictifolione and a Related Natural Product

An efficient, library amenable, "pot economical" total synthesis of (+)-strictifolione and the related natural product, (6R)-6[(E,4R,6R)-4,6-dihydroxy-10-phenyl-1-decenyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-2-pyrone, are reported. This modular approach takes advantage of two consecutive phosphate tether-mediated, one-pot, sequential protocols, followed by a final cross metathesis to deliver both antifungal natural products in a three-pot process from the respective enantiomeric (R,R)- and (S,S)-trienes with minimal purification. A salient feature of this route is that additional protecting groups are not required as a result of the orthogonal protecting- and leaving-group properties innate to phosphate triesters.
In Search of the Private, Public, and Counterpublic: Modernity, Postmodernity, and Postsocialism

The aim of this article is to once again analyze the development of the private and public spheres in the three latest stages in the evolution of human society—modernity, postmodernity, and postsocialism—with a focus on the last. The evolutionary nature of social development makes necessary a retrospective analysis, for it would be almost impossible to sketch the contemporary shape of the private, public, and counterpublic in postsocialism without analyzing them in the modern and postmodern world. Indeed, those shapes have served as models and inspiration for Eastern Europeans dreaming for and demanding changes for half a century. Building on Michael Warner's structural intersubjectivist definition of publics and counterpublics—the self-defining and the defining of others as members of them—as the best way of determining the places where counterpublics in postsocialism can be found, and also analyzing their relationship with the rising private sphere and the initially receding but later returning ubiquito...
Characterization of a USDA Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) Core Collection for Reproductive Mode and DNA Content by Flow Cytometry

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is an important turf and forage grass species with a facultative apomictic breeding behavior. In this study, mature seed and leaf tissue from 38 accessions of a USDA core collection of Kentucky bluegrass were analyzed with flow cytometry to characterize the reproductive mode and DNA content for each accession. Major reproductive pathways for each accession were determined based upon the presence and the position of the peaks observed and the known methods of reproduction for Kentucky bluegrass. While the majority of the accessions exhibited facultative apomictic reproductive behavior with a combination of reduced, zygotic and unreduced, parthenogenic embryo production, obligate sexual or obligate apomictic accessions were also found to be present in this core collection. In addition, reduced, parthenogenic and unreduced zygotic embryos were also detected in several accessions. Flow cytometric analysis of somatic tissue revealed a large range of DNA variation within this core collection. We also examined the sensitivity of flow cytometry in analyzing bulked samples containing a large number of plants with varied DNA content and determined that flow cytometry can effectively detect a plant having a different DNA content within a 15-plant bulk sample. Overall the combination of mature seed and somatic tissue analysis generated important information for the Kentucky bluegrass core collection and can be an effective and affordable tool to characterize even greater numbers of Kentucky bluegrass accessions.
Histochemical study of the heart of the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

We have investigated the presence of cells containing monoamines, substance P, and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in the heart and in the pericardial wall of a urodele amphibian, the axolotl. Fibers containing substance P-like immunoreactivity were present in the heart but not in the pericardial wall. Also present in the heart were small branched cells, which stained metachromatically with toluidine blue. Similar cells were found in the peritoneum and were tentatively identified as mast cells. NSE-immunoreactive fibers were found both in the heart and in the pericardial wall. Small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells of the pericardial wall contained a high concentration of norepinephrine but no other monoamines, substance P, or NSE. Comparison with data available for the mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus, a closely related amphibian species, suggests that the innervation of the heart in the axolotl is substantially different. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Case report 593

A 38-year-old woman presented with an expansile lesion of the sternum. Plain film tomograms and computed tomography showed an expansile lesion of the sternum. Bone scanning revealed increased uptake in the sternum. The neoplasm was surgically excised and proved to be a hemangioma (Fig. 4a) and 4b). The rarity of this neoplasm in the sternum was stressed. An extensive search of the literature failed to reveal a single previous report of a sternal hemangioma. A differential list of other primary benign and malignant sternal tumors was presented.
Extremal problems on detectable colorings of trees

Let G be a connected graph of order 3 or more and let c:E(G)->{1,2,...,k} be a coloring of the edges of G (where adjacent edges may be colored the same). For each vertex v of G, the color code of v is the k-tuple c(v)=(a"1,a"2,...,a"k), where a"i is the number of edges incident with v that are colored i (1==3, let D"T(n) be the maximum detection number among all trees of order n and d"T(n) the minimum detection number among all trees of order n. The numbers D"T(n) and d"T(n) are determined for all integers n>=3. Furthermore, it is shown that for integers k>=2 and n>=3, there exists a tree T of order n having det(T)=k if and only if d"T(n)=
Nucleic Acids Research annual Web Server Issue in 2009

The 2009 Web Server Issue of Nucleic Acids Research is the seventh in a series of annual special issues dedicated to web-based software resources for analysis and visualization of molecular biology data. It is freely available online under NAR's open access policy. The present issue reports on 112 web servers.
Long distance intimacy: class, gender and intergenerational relations between mothers and children in Filipino transnational families

In this article I address transnational intergenerational relations between Filipino migrant mothers and their young adult children and examine how families achieve intimacy across great distances. I do this by identifying and examining the transnational communication methods Filipino migrant families use to develop intimacy, in other words familiarity, across borders. In my analysis, I address how political economy and gender shape the dynamics of transnational communication. By showing how economic conditions and gender shape transnational family com- munication, I provide a socially thick lens through which to understand the formation of transnational intimacy and emphasize how larger systems of inequality shape the lives of the children left behind by the global migration of women. Migration engenders changes in a family. This is particularly so in the Philippines where a great number of mothers and fathers emigrate to sustain their families economically. There are no reliable government statistics on the number of mothers and fathers leaving their children behind in the Philippines, but non-governmental organizations estimate there are approximately nine million of these children growing up physically apart from a migrant father, migrant mother or both migrant parents (Kakammpi 2004). 1 This figure represents approximately 27 per cent of the overall youth population. The formation of transnational households poses challenges to the achievement of intimate familial relations between migrant parents and the children they leave behind in the Philippines. In this article, I address transnational inter- generational relations between Filipino migrant mothers and their young adult children and examine how families achieve intimacy across great distances. I do this by identifying and examining the acts of transnational communication that Filipino migrant families use to develop intimacy, in other word familiarity, across borders. By transnational communication, I refer to the flow of ideas, information, goods, money and emotions. Contemporary transnational households have a different temporal and spatial experience from the binational families of the past. New technologies 'heighten the immediacy and frequency of migrants' contact with their sending communities and
Insulin and Exercise Decrease Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Activity by Different Mechanisms in Rat Skeletal Muscle

Glycogen synthase activity is increased in response to insulin and exercise in skeletal muscle. Part of the mechanism by which insulin stimulates glycogen synthesis may involve phosphorylation and activation of Akt, serine phosphorylation and deactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), leading to dephosphorylation and activation of glycogen synthase. To study Akt and GSK-3 regulation in muscle, time course experiments on the effects of insulin injection and treadmill running exercise were performed in hindlimb skeletal muscle from male rats. Both insulin and exercise increased glycogen synthase activity (%I-form) by 2–3-fold over basal. Insulin stimulation significantly increased Akt phosphorylation and activity, whereas exercise had no effect. The time course of the insulin-stimulated increase in Akt was closely matched by GSK-3α Ser21 phosphorylation and a 40–60% decrease in GSK-3α and GSK-3β activity. Exercise also deactivated GSK-3α and β activity by 40–60%. However, in contrast to the effects of insulin, there was no change in Ser21 phosphorylation in response to exercise. Tyrosine dephosphorylation of GSK-3, another putative mechanism for GSK-3 deactivation, did not occur with insulin or exercise. These data suggest the following: 1) GSK-3 is constitutively active and tyrosine phosphorylated under basal conditions in skeletal muscle, 2) both exercise and insulin are effective regulators of GSK-3 activity in vivo, 3) the insulin-induced deactivation of GSK-3 occurs in response to increased Akt activity and GSK-3 serine phosphorylation, and 4) there is an Akt-independent mechanism for deactivation of GSK-3 in skeletal muscle.
Metabolism of Methocarbamol (Robaxin) in the Isolated Perfused Rat Liver and Identification of Glueuronides

1. Permethylation and g.I.e.-mass spectrometric analysis of bile from an isolated rat liver perfusion to which methocarbamol was added showed seven components not present in control bile: methocarbamol, glueuronides of methocarbamol and desmethyl-methocarbarnol, and four glueuronides of hydroxylated methocarbamol metabolites.2. An intersting rearrangement of a methyl group has been found in the mass spectrum of 3-(2-methoxyphenyloxy)-1,2-dimethoxypropane, the permethylation product from methocarbamol.
Reconfigurable-Pitch Photonic MEMS Devices

This paper will investigate a novel agile-pitch diffraction grating array design and phenomenology, for micro-shutter Photonic MEMS technologies, to enable adaptive coded aperture imaging and non-imaging systems. The use of Photonic MEMS for creating adaptive coded apertures, for surveillance systems, has been gaining momentum since 2007 1,2 . The use of the agile-pitch diffraction grating has also been used previously to perform beam-dispersion which is a critical step in imaging processing 3 . Through the investigation of new diffraction grating approaches, we hope to show a reconfigurable capability for agile beam steering for adaptive coded apertures surveillance imaging and non-imaging systems. This paper discusses challenges and opportunities that may arise from in-house fabrication of agile-pitch diffraction grating array micro-shutter designs which may prevent and/or improve structural uniformity, reproducibility, & reliability. This paper will also discuss characterization of the micro-shutters to include mechanical, electrical and optical properties. The “open and shut” speeds of the micro-shutter device will also be assessed from a scaling perspective to determine usability.
Principal ideal theorem for Noetherian P. I. rings

The principal ideal theorem is one of the basic results in the theory of commutative Noetherian rings. A. W. Chattess [l] and P. F. Smith [6] have obtained an analogue of it for those noncommutative Noetherian rings in which the localization at an arbitrary prime ideal can be performed in the usual way. The object of this note is to prove an analogue of the principal ideal theorem for prime Noetherian rings satisfying some polynomial identity. A very neat proof of the principal ideal theorem for commutative Noetherian rings is given by Kaplansky [4, p. 1041. Th e o b vious obstacle in adopting it to the noncommutative situation is that the proof uses the usual localization at a prime ideal whereas no sufficiently nice localization is available at an arbitrary prime ideal in a prime Noetherian ring satisfying a polynomial identity. A closer examination of Kaplansky’s proof reveals that it really hinges on the additivity of the notion of length derived from the JordanHolder theorem; localization is used only to produce a situation in which the Jordan-Holder theorem becomes applicable. We have established in [3] a version of the Jordan-Holder theorem which is applicable to an arbitrary finitely generated module over an FBN-ring (see definition below). It leads to a notion of length which has enough additivity (Theorem 1). Using this notion of length in place of the usual one, we have been able to recast Kaplansky’s proof in such a way that it works for prime Noetherian rings satisfying some polynomial identity.
Historians’ procedures for handling plagiarism

Like the physical and life sciences, the social sciences are subject to fraud and ethical misconduct. The historical profession has focused its efforts to combat misconduct in the area of plagiarism. The procedures of the American Historical Association—the profession's most inclusive organization—are described, and possibilities for further action are suggested.
National Children's Study: Update in 2010

The National Children's Study will examine the effects of the environment and genetics on the growth, development, and health of children across the United States; it will follow participants from before birth until age 21 years. The goal of the study is to improve the health and well-being of children and contribute to understanding the roles various factors play in health and disease. Findings from the study will be made available as the research progresses, making potential benefits known to the public as soon as possible. A robust pilot study, or Vanguard Study, is underway to generate data for designing the subsequent Main Study. The goals of the Vanguard Study are feasibility, acceptability, and cost, and the goals of the Main Study will be exposure-response relationships and biological, environmental, and genetic interactions. The initial Vanguard Study experience among 7 study centers was successful in many ways, including delineating the topics to explore for the next phase of the Vanguard Study. Three different recruitment strategies are under evaluation to determine what approach to use for the Main Study. The organization of National Children's Study operations is currently based on a new decentralized business model. Mt Sinai J Med 78:119–125, 2011. © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Site-Specific Suppression of Cell-Mediated Immunity By Cyclosporine

In this study, it was demonstrated that site-specific suppression of T-cell-mediated immune responsiveness could indeed be achieved by topical application of cyclosporine. Evidence for site-specific immune suppression was obtained from a dual skin allograft model in rats. These animals were given an initial 10-d systemic treatment of CsA. Subsequently, one allograft was treated with topical CsA and the other was treated with the vehicle alone. Anti-inflammatory efficacy and prolonged skin allograft survival were observed both grossly and histopathologically in the presence of topically administered CsA, while contralateral vehicle-treated control grafts underwent vigorous rejection. Systemic lymphocyte DNA synthesis following Con-A and PHA stimulation was normal to elevated. Therefore, systemic T-cell-mediated immunity appeared unaffected or possibly activated even with concomitant topical GsA treatment. CsA levels were low systemically, and showed relative site-specificity in terms of tissue concentration. In conclusion, this study indicates that topical CsA is capable of locally suppressing a strong T-cell-mediated immune response after an initial short-term systemic dose of GsA. Furthermore, certain putative autoimmune and inflammatory diseases of the skin, such as psoriasis and eczematous dermatitis, which may share common mechanisms of action compared to skin allograft rejection should likewise benefit from topical CsA treatment.
Asymptotically Nonparametric Inference: An Alternative Approach to Linear Models

As an alternative to the standard analysis of variance, procedures are developed for linear models with several observations per cell which are asymptotically distribution-free and whose asymptotic efficiency relative to the standard procedures is the same as that of the Wilcoxon test relative to Student’s t-test. Specific procedures discussed are (i) tests of linear hypotheses, (ii) confidence intervals for any contrast, (iii) simultaneous intervals for all contrasts.
Quantum Optics And Nonlinear Interactions In Optical Fibers

A stabilized laser emits a light beam in a coherent state: a light field with properties very similar to a classical field, but with quantum zero-point fluctuations (vacuum noise) of the field superposed. The nonlinear refractive index of optical fibers can be used to alter the quantum statistics of the light to produce a beam with non-classical properties: a squeezed state. Upon detection, squeezed states exhibit a noise level which is phase-dependent and which can be well below the coherent state level ("shot-noise limit"). The nonlinear refractive index also provides a means for experimental demonstration of the related concept of "quantum non-demolition detection": The measurement of a quantum observable without adding uncertainty to that variable.
A comparison of borderline with depressed and schizophrenic patients on a new diagnostic interview

Abstract Recent advances in the scientific study of borderline disorders have produced reliable diagnostic criteria and an objective interview assessment method. To prove validity, however, the diagnostic criteria must discriminate the borderline syndrome from closely related disorders. In an effort to identify such distinguishing features, we have compared criteria—defined borderline patients with schizophrenic and depressed controls using Gunderson's Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines. In contrast to controls, borderline patients were characterized by patterns of impulsive, self destructive behavior, angry and depressive mood states, brief psychotic episodes, and unstable interpersonal relationships. These findings provide a data base for future tests of concurrent and construct validity of the diagnostic criteria for borderline disorders.
Improving the Accuracy of Recent Survey Forecasts of the T-bill Rate

This study concentrates on the Survey of Professional Forecasters (SPF) to demonstrate a way to improve the consensus forecasts of interest rates. It promotes the notion that, in improving the survey forecast accuracy of a variable, one should investigate the usefulness of the predictive information contained in the survey forecasts of other theoretically relevant variables. This idea has been applied to the SPF forecasts of the 3-month Treasury-bill rate, which are shown to be one-sided for 2001.1-2003.4. We improve the accuracy of these forecasts by exploiting the predictive information contained in the SPF forecasts of inflation and output growth. We thus recommend that the possible improvement should be investigated before such interest rate forecasts are utilized for decision-making.
The role of splenic irradiation in treating HIV-associated immune thrombocytopenia

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate our experience in treating patients with HIV-associated thrombocytopenia using splenic irradiation. Methods and Materials: From 1993 to 1998, 10 patients with HIV-related immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) were treated in our department with low-dose splenic irradiation. All patients had either failed more conventional treatment modalities or possessed some contraindication to them. Results: Nine of 10 patients had at least a small, transient rise in their platelet counts, but only two received a substantial therapeutic benefit. Of these two, one died shortly after completing his course of radiation therapy while the other maintained near normal platelet counts up to approximately 312 years following treatment. There were no treatment-related morbidities and one patient was treated twice. Conclusion: While most patients with HIV-associated ITP may initially respond favorably to splenic irradiation with small rises in platelet count, few responses are likely to be sustained or provide clinically significant outcomes. Our results support those previously reported by others treating this same condition. What remains to be investigated is whether there are any prognostic indicators to help identify those patients most likely to respond to this treatment, thus enabling us to reserve splenic irradiation for those who might derive a substantial benefit from it.
Mitochondrial ultrastructure study with the new cytochrome c binding agent 4,4'-diamino-2,2'-bipyridyl ferrous chelate.

The interaction of 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridyl ferrous chelate (DABP-Fe(II)) with mitochondria can be shown at the site of cytochrome c by spectroscopic study and oxygen electrode experiments. This reaction may have also contributed to the appearance of morphological change found in both rat liver and heart mitochondria. The present observation, however, has not ruled out the possible fixation effect superimposed on the chemical interaction. The localization of cytochrome c by this new electron dense probe in mitochondria, however, should offer a useful approach to the ultrastructural study of the role of this enzyme directly with the electron microscope.
Phosphorylation of estrogen receptor alpha, serine residue 305 enhances activity

Upon ligand binding the estrogen receptor alters its conformation, dimerizes, binds to estrogen response elements (EREs), recruits cofactors and initiates the formation of a transcriptional complex. In addition to estradiol binding, hormone receptor activity is modulated by phosphorylation at several key residues. Previous studies have shown that p21-activated kinase-1 (Pak1) and cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinase (PKA) can phosphorylate ERalpha at serine residue 305. However, the effects of serine 305 phosphorylation on ERalpha activity have not been fully characterized. To study these effects, ERalpha S305E and S305A mutants were created to mimic constitutively phosphorylated or un-phosphorylated states, respectively. Using yeast two-hybrid assays we showed that dimerization of ERalpha S305E was still ligand dependent. However, the capability of dimerization in the presence of estradiol was significantly higher in S305E compared to wild-type ERalpha. Transactivation assays demonstrated that phospho-mimetic ERalpha S305E is active in the absence of ligand. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis shows a change of in vivo DNA binding in which S305E mutant binds to ERalpha DNA target sequences and exhibits increased residency in the absence of ligand. We also observed increased cell growth in cells stably transfected with S305E ERalpha. Thus, we suggest that phosphorylation of S305 does not trigger ERalpha dimerization but increases binding to target gene promoters, which can lead to increased cell growth in the absence of estradiol. This implies a shift from hormone-induced activation of ERalpha to activation through phosphorylation, which could confer resistance to hormone based therapies for breast cancer.
Serial Assessment Of Efficacy And Satisfaction Profiles Following Penile Prosthesis Surgery

ABSTRACTPurpose: Penile implants are associated with a high level of patient satisfaction. Studies to date have failed to use instruments that accurately record patient satisfaction data. We used 2 validated instruments to assess the chronology of efficacy and satisfaction profiles in men undergoing penile prosthetic surgery.Materials and Methods: Men who elected penile implant surgery were administered the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire preoperatively, and 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively as well as the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Comparison was done of preoperative and postoperative values for the overall IIEF, IIEF erectile function domain, IIEF satisfaction domain and EDITS. All surgeries were primary and in all patients an inflatable implant device was placed.Results: A total of 96 men with a mean age of 56 years were enrolled in the study. All 12-month scores were statistically sig...