cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epitope mapping of anti-rhodopsin antibodies from patients with normal pressure glaucoma.

PURPOSE. The presence of anti-rhodopsin antibodies in patients with normal pressure glaucoma (NPG) has been previously demonstrated with western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To learn more about the characteristics, origin, and possible significance of these antibodies, the epitopic specificity of the anti-rhodopsin antibodies was examined in four NPG patients. METHODS. Antibodies in patient sera were assayed by western blot analysis against purified bovine rhodopsin. Peptides derived from particular segments of the rhodopsin sequence were tested for activity in competing for rhodopsin-antibody binding. RESULTS. Of a series of nine peptides that constitute most of the hydrophilic regions of rhodopsin, only one, consisting of the C-terminal 25 amino acids, prevented binding of the patient antibodies to rhodopsin. Higher resolution mapping using a set of dodecamers of overlapping sequences from the C-terminal region demonstrated that antibody binding is completely dependent on the last two amino acids. Removing the C-terminal alanine alone, or amidating the C terminus carboxyl group, also eliminated antibody binding. CONCLUSIONS. Because four of four patient antibodies examined exhibited the identical epitopic specificity, it is likely that a common mechanism underlies their generation. This may indicate that molecular mimicry has occurred, because several pathogens contain similar C-terminal sequences. Although they may serve as diagnostic markers, and provide evidence that there is an autoimmune component in some patients with glaucoma, the role, if any, that these antibodies play in the pathogenesis of the disease remains unknown.
Chemo-Mechanics of Implantation

The Darwinian revolution established phylogeny as a principal perspective in biology. During the same period, supremacy of the experimental method in physiology was advocated by Claude Bernard. From union of those prominent ideas derive the sciences of comparative physiology, comparative physiology of reproduction among them. Within that science and in the next generation of subsciences, such as comparative physiology of implantation, the Bernardian genes for experimentation have been dominant, and, as if by orthogenesis, have generated unassimilated accumulations of spottily consistent information; whereas the genes for theoretical synthesis have been recessive and have generated no comprehension with broad Darwinian sweep. That failure of comparative physiology to attain the ancestral perspective achieved over a century ago by comparative anatomy deserves question of its causes. Attention is required too by species differences having been used too rarely for systematic and revealing comparisons and too often as excuses for isolation and misunderstanding between veterinarians and clinicians and even colleagues in research.
The importance of comorbidities in ischemic stroke: Impact of hypertension on the cerebral circulation

Comorbidities are a hallmark of stroke that both increase the incidence of stroke and worsen outcome. Hypertension is prevalent in the stroke population and the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke. Hypertensive disorders promote stroke through increased shear stress, endothelial dysfunction, and large artery stiffness that transmits pulsatile flow to the cerebral microcirculation. Hypertension also promotes cerebral small vessel disease through several mechanisms, including hypoperfusion, diminished autoregulatory capacity and localized increase in blood-brain barrier permeability. Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, also increases the risk of stroke 4-5-fold compared to normal pregnancy that predisposes women to early-onset cognitive impairment. In this review, we highlight how comorbidities and concomitant disorders are not only risk factors for ischemic stroke, but alter the response to acute ischemia. We focus on hypertension as a comorbidity and its effects on the cerebral circulation that alters the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke and should be considered in guiding future therapeutic strategies.
Self-efficacy and social support for psychological well-being of family caregivers of care recipients with dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease

The study identified factors associated with depressive symptoms in family caregivers of persons with dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer’s disease, or Parkinson’s disease dementia. An Internet-ba...
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (1927)

Crowe provides an analysis centered on the idea of a Gestalt shift of the twelve Holmes stories anthologized in The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes. Included are some very good Holmes stories such as “The Adventure of the Illustrious Client,” “The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire,” “The Problem of Thor Bridge,” and “The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane.”
Preprocessing and cut generation techniques for multi-objective binary programming

Abstract We present the theoretical foundations for a number of preprocessing and cut generation techniques for multi-objective binary programs. The techniques are based on a characterization of conditions under which the objective functions of a multi-objective binary program guarantee the existence of an ideal point in criterion space, i.e., the existence of a feasible solution that simultaneously minimizes all objectives. Even though few multi-objective binary programs of interest have objective functions satisfying these conditions, the conditions are likely to be satisfied for a subset of the objective functions and/or be satisfied when the objective functions are restricted to a subset of the variables. We show that recognizing whether or not this occurs is NP-hard, but can be done in pseudo-polynomial time. The preprocessing and cut generation techniques can be incorporated in any decision or criterion space search algorithm for multi-objective binary programs. Preliminary computational tests demonstrate their potential in practice.
Integration of a Mandatory Palliative Care Education Into Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Training in a Comprehensive Cancer Center: A Survey of Hematology Oncology Fellows.

PURPOSE:The primary aim of this study was to determine the attitudes and beliefs of hematology and medical oncology (HMO) fellows regarding palliative care (PC) after they completed a 4-week mandat...
The Effects of News Coverage of Epidemics on Public Support for and Compliance with the CDC- An Experimental Study.

Content analysis identified three dominant themes used by the news media to cover epidemics: the scientific, the pandemic, and the social. This study uses a randomized experimental design to test t...
Bromocriptine improves glucose tolerance independent of circadian timing, prolactin, or the melanocortin-4 receptor

Bromocriptine, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist originally used for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia, is largely successful in reducing hyperglycemia and improving glucose tolerance in type 2 diab...
Human Colon Mucosal Biofilms and Murine Host Communicate via Altered mRNA and microRNA Expression during Cancer.

ABSTRACT Disrupted interactions between host and intestinal bacteria are implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. However, activities derived from these bacteria and their interplay with the host are unclear. Here, we examine this interplay by performing mouse and microbiota RNA sequencing on colon tissues and 16S and small RNA sequencing on stools from germfree (GF) and gnotobiotic ApcMinΔ850/+;Il10−/− mice associated with microbes from biofilm-positive human CRC tumor (BF+T) and biofilm-negative healthy (BF-bx) tissues. The bacteria in BF+T mice differentially expressed (DE) >2,900 genes, including genes related to bacterial secretion, virulence, and biofilms but affected only 62 host genes. Small RNA sequencing of stools from these cohorts revealed eight significant DE host microRNAs (miRNAs) based on biofilm status and several miRNAs that correlated with bacterial taxon abundances. Additionally, computational predictions suggest that some miRNAs preferentially target bacterial genes while others primarily target mouse genes. 16S rRNA sequencing of mice that were reassociated with mucosa-associated communities from the initial association revealed a set of 13 bacterial genera associated with cancer that were maintained regardless of whether the reassociation inoculums were initially obtained from murine proximal or distal colon tissues. Our findings suggest that complex interactions within bacterial communities affect host-derived miRNA, bacterial composition, and CRC development. IMPORTANCE Bacteria and bacterial biofilms have been implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC), but it is still unclear what genes these microbial communities express and how they influence the host. MicroRNAs regulate host gene expression and have been explored as potential biomarkers for CRC. An emerging area of research is the ability of microRNAs to impact growth and gene expression of members of the intestinal microbiota. This study examined the bacteria and bacterial transcriptome associated with microbes derived from biofilm-positive human cancers that promoted tumorigenesis in a murine model of CRC. The murine response to different microbial communities (derived from CRC patients or healthy people) was evaluated through RNA and microRNA sequencing. We identified a complex interplay between biofilm-associated bacteria and the host during CRC in mice. These findings may lead to the development of new biomarkers and therapeutics for identifying and treating biofilm-associated CRCs.
A link between zinc uptake, bile salts, and a capsule required for virulence of a mastitis-associated extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strain

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are major causes of urinary and bloodstream infections. ExPEC reservoirs are not completely understood. Some mastitis-associated E. coli (MAEC) strains carry genes associated with ExPEC virulence, including metal scavenging, immune avoidance, and host attachment functions. In this study, we investigated the role of the high-affinity zinc uptake (znuABC) system in the MAEC strain M12. Elimination of znuABC moderately decreased fitness during mouse mammary gland infections. The {Delta}znuABC mutant strain exhibited an unexpected growth delay in the presence of bile salts, which was alleviated by the addition of excess zinc. We isolated {Delta}znuABC mutant suppressor mutants with improved growth of in bile salts, several of which no longer produced the K96 capsule made by strain M12. Addition of bile salts also reduced capsule production by strain M12 and ExPEC strain CP9, suggesting that capsule synthesis may be detrimental when bile salts are present. To better understand the role of the capsule, we compared the virulence of mastitis strain M12 with its unencapsulated {Delta}kpsCS mutant in two models of ExPEC disease. The wild type strain successfully colonized mouse bladders and kidneys and was highly virulent in intraperitoneal infections. Conversely, the {Delta}kpsCS mutant was unable to colonize kidneys and was unable to cause sepsis. These results demonstrate that some MAEC may be capable of causing human ExPEC illness. Virulence of strain M12 in these infections is dependent on its capsule. However, capsule may interfere with zinc homeostasis in the presence of bile salts while in the digestive tract.
Biological role of arrestin-1 oligomerization

Members of the arrestin superfamily have great propensity of self-association, but the physiological significance of this phenomenon is unclear. To determine the biological role of visual arrestin-1 oligomerization in rod photoreceptors, we expressed mutant arrestin-1 with severely impaired self-association in mouse rods and analyzed mice of both sexes. We show that the oligomerization-deficient mutant is capable of quenching rhodopsin signaling normally, as judged by electroretinography and single-cell recording. Like wild type, mutant arrestin-1 is largely excluded from the outer segments in the dark, proving that the normal intracellular localization is not due the size exclusion of arrestin-1 oligomers. In contrast to wild type, supraphysiological expression of the mutant causes shortening of the outer segments and photoreceptor death. Thus, oligomerization reduces the cytotoxicity of arrestin-1 monomer, ensuring long-term photoreceptor survival.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Visual arrestin-1 forms dimers and tetramers. The biological role of its oligomerization is unclear. To test the role of arrestin-1 self-association, we expressed oligomerization-deficient mutant in arrestin-1 knock-out mice. The mutant quenches light-induced rhodopsin signaling like wild type, demonstrating that in vivo monomeric arrestin-1 is necessary and sufficient for this function. In rods, arrestin-1 moves from the inner segments and cell bodies in the dark to the outer segments in the light. Nonoligomerizing mutant undergoes the same translocation, demonstrating that the size of the oligomers is not the reason for arrestin-1 exclusion from the outer segments in the dark. High expression of oligomerization-deficient arrestin-1 resulted in rod death. Thus, oligomerization reduces the cytotoxicity of high levels of arrestin-1 monomer.
Long-Term m5C Methylome Dynamics Parallel Phenotypic Adaptation in the Cyanobacterium Trichodesmium.

A major challenge in modern biology is understanding how the effects of short-term biological responses influence long-term evolutionary adaptation, defined as a genetically determined increase in fitness to novel environments. This is particularly important in globally important microbes experiencing rapid global change, due to their influence on food webs, biogeochemical cycles, and climate. Epigenetic modifications like methylation have been demonstrated to influence short-term plastic responses, which ultimately impact long-term adaptive responses to environmental change. However, there remains a paucity of empirical research examining long-term methylation dynamics during environmental adaptation in nonmodel, ecologically important microbes. Here, we show the first empirical evidence in a marine prokaryote for long-term m5C methylome modifications correlated with phenotypic adaptation to CO2, using a 7-year evolution experiment (1,000+ generations) with the biogeochemically important marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium. We identify m5C methylated sites that rapidly changed in response to high (750 µatm) CO2 exposure and were maintained for at least 4.5 years of CO2 selection. After 7 years of CO2 selection, however, m5C methylation levels that initially responded to high-CO2 returned to ancestral, ambient CO2 levels. Concurrently, high-CO2 adapted growth and N2 fixation rates remained significantly higher than those of ambient CO2 adapted cell lines irrespective of CO2 concentration, a trend consistent with genetic assimilation theory. These data demonstrate the maintenance of CO2-responsive m5C methylation for 4.5 years alongside phenotypic adaptation before returning to ancestral methylation levels. These observations in a globally distributed marine prokaryote provide critical evolutionary insights into biogeochemically important traits under global change.
Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Abdominal Pain.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is caused by compression of the transverse duodenum at the angle between the aorta and the SMA that may lead to postprandial or constant epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting anorexia and weight loss. The diagnosis is often missed given nonspecific symptoms and low reported prevalence. The authors present a case of a 29-year-old female who presented with seven months of epigastric pain and significant weight loss. The patient was diagnosed with SMA syndrome with the aid of upper endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal barium study and computed tomography imaging.
Sex Disparity in Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplant Access by Cause of Kidney Disease.

Background and objectives Women with kidney failure have lower access to kidney transplantation compared with men, but the magnitude of this disparity may not be uniform across all kidney diseases. We hypothesized that the attributed cause of kidney failure may modify the magnitude of the disparities in transplant access by sex. Design, setting, participants, & measurements We performed a retrospective cohort study of adults who developed kidney failure between 2005 and 2017 according to the United States Renal Data System. We used adjusted Cox models to examine the association between sex and either access to waitlist registration or deceased-donor kidney transplantation, and tested for interaction between sex and the attributed cause of kidney failure using adjusted models. Results Among a total of 1,478,037 patients, 271,111 were registered on the waitlist and 89,574 underwent deceased-donor transplantation. The rate of waitlisting was 6.5 per 100 person-years in women and 8.3 per 100 person-years for men. In adjusted analysis, women had lower access to the waitlist (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 0.90) and to deceased-donor transplantation after waitlisting (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.94 to 0.98). However, there was an interaction between sex and attributed cause of kidney disease in adjusted models (P Conclusions The disparity in transplant access by sex is not consistent across all causes of kidney failure. Lower deceased-donor transplantation rates in women compared with men are especially notable among patients with kidney failure attributed to diabetes.
Regulation of Mitochondrial Gene Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the regulation of mitochondrial gene expression in yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ), and tries to explain how these gene expression is regulated. The chapter comprises the newer information on nuclearly encoded factors that affect mitochondrial transcription; mRNA processing, stability, and translation; and posttranslational modification and assembly. Transcription of yeast mitochondrial operons appears to be somewhat more complicated than transcription of phage genes but less complex than E. coli transcription. The 9-bp mitochondrial promoter is positioned immediately upstream of the start of transcription, which is reminiscent of the spacing of the polymerase recognition sequence in T3 and T7 phage genes. Though the mitochondrial enzyme contains two subunits, the catalytic subunit RP041 has considerable sequence similarity to the single subunit T-odd polymerases. With the exception of one transcript, that for a second tRNAthr, mitochondrial transcription units are multigenic. In some cases the initial transcripts contain multiple tRNAs, in other cases combinations of mRNAs and tRNAs or rRNAs and tRNAs. The RNAs involved in mitochondrial translation are all encoded on the mitochondrial genome, including the large and small ribosomal RNAs and the tRNAs.
Diastereoselectivity in the transglycosidation of methyl 2-deoxy-3,4,6-tri-O-methyl-2(N-methylacetamido)-d-glucopyranoside, -galactopyranoside, and -mannopyranoside with racemic 2-butanol under reductive-cleavage conditions

Abstract The fully methylated derivatives of methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β- d -glucopyranoside, methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β- d -galactopyranoside, and methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α- d -mannopyranoside were subjected to reductive-cleavage conditions in the presence of various promoters, and the rates of formation of the respective oxazolinium ions were established by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. When oxazolinium ion formation was complete, racemic 2-butanol was added to each reaction, and the time-course for transglycosidation to form the respective 2-butyl glycosides was established by gas-liquid chromatography. These studies established the minimum times required for conversion of these acetamido sugars to their respective oxazolinium ions under various reductive-cleavage conditions and the minimum times required for their transglycosidation with 2-butanol. In separate experiments, oxazolinium ions having the gluco, galacto , and manno configuration were formed in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as the promoter, then reacted with racemic 2-butanol either in the presence or absence of a proton acceptor (2,6-di- tert -butylpyridine), and the time-course for formation of the individual diastereomeric glycosides was established by gas-liquid chromatography. For all three oxazolinium ions, diastereoselectivity was observed in their conversion to the respective diastereomeric ( R )- and ( S )-2-butyl glycosides. When the transglycosidations were conducted in the absence of a proton acceptor, the kinetically preferred diastereomers were, in all three cases, present in the lowest proportion at equilibrium, whereas when the transglycosidations were conducted in the presence of a proton acceptor, the ratios of the diastereomers were constant throughout the reaction and the kinetically preferred diastereomers predominated. These experiments have established the ratios of the diastereomeric 2-butyl glycosides to be expected when the reductive-cleavage method is employed for the analysis of acetamido sugar-containing polysaccharides.
From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Neurons: Promises and Pitfalls

Pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons represent a potentially limitless supply of human neurons to model diseases, replace diseased or dysfunctional tissue and to identify novel therapeutics to treat disease. Despite the incredible potential that human stem cell-derived neurons represent, genetic, cellular and developmental obstacles represent substantial roadblocks to realizing this potential. Current schemes used to generate neurons from pluripotent stem cells rely on incomplete knowledge of human brain development, and often generate heterogeneous and immature neuronal populations. Recent technological advances in synthetic biology, genome engineering and single cell analysis have provided new tools for biologists to advance both our understanding and use of stem cell-derived neurons. These advances should help overcome the pitfalls of pluripotent stem cells to generate homogeneous, mature neuronal subtypes relevant to disease and to realise the therapeutic promise of human stem cell-derived neurons. Key Concepts The ability to generate pluripotent stem cells from adult somatic cells now gives researchers unprecedented access to human neurons for disease modelling, cell replacement therapy and high throughput screening. Our incomplete understanding of human brain development is an obstacle to deriving human neurons in vitro that mimic their in vivo counterparts. Current differentiation schemes allow researchers to derive motor neurons, excitatory and inhibitory neurons of the human cortex and other neuronal subtypes. Subtle differences in the derivation or differentiation of pluripotent stem cells can have profound functional consequences for neurons derived from them. Genome editing techniques are poised to allow researchers to generate even more useful cellular tools by engineering mutations and reporters into pluripotent stem cells. Keywords: pluripotent stem cell; neuronal differentiation; neural induction; disease models; genome editing; CRISPR; Cas9
Psychology Theory in Management Accounting Research

Abstract This chapter provides an introduction to psychology theories that have proven useful in management accounting research. Each theory is presented and discussed in the context of selected management accounting research that has used the theory. Because it is impossible to present a complete description and analysis of each theory, this chapter includes references to the psychology literature to guide researchers who want to learn more about any particular theory. This chapter concludes by summarizing what has been learned from psychology theory-based research on management accounting practices and identifying common themes in this literature.
Optimization Scheme for Stability and Performance Robustness of Uncertain Systems with Structured Uncertainty

It is known that a system subject to structured uncertainty satisfies robust stability if each component of its subsystems is by its own stable for all perturbations less than a maximum bound. It is on the other hand said to have satisfied robust performance if all the functions mapping all subsystem inputs to the corresponding outputs have bounded norms. Here we introduce an optimization scheme that targets robust stability and robust performance for linear time-invariant systems with structured uncertainty in the system and the control (input) matrices. The scheme is formulated such that the eigenvalue spectrums can be clustered in the complex plane within regions satisfying critical constraints defined by Abdul-Wahab and Zohdy [1]. It follows the Riccati equation approach [2] and [3], but with a new structure of the Matrix Riccati Equation (MRE) that leads to a stabilizing controller. The scheme optimizes few parameters formulated from the critical constraints, the stability robust index [3], and the norm of the functions that map system inputs to system outputs [4].
Widespread distribution of lysozyme g in egg white of birds.

The g type of lysozyme, originally found in goose egg white, has now been detected immunologically in the egg white of species representing nine different orders of birds. By contrast, the type of lysozyme found in chicken egg white, lysozyme c, whose sequence and structure are so well known, has thus far been demonstrated to be present in egg white of only two orders of birds.
Selenium and asthma : a complex relationship

Descriptive studies in humans investigating the relationship between selenium (Se) status and asthma have presented inconsistent results. The concept of low Se status as a potential risk factor for increased prevalence or severity of asthma is based on the role that Se, through its incorporation into selenoproteins, plays as a potent antioxidant capable of augmenting the oxidative stress that accompanies asthma. However, Se intake also exerts a significant influence over immune responses. Thus, the dual effects of Se status on controlling oxidative stress in the lungs and regulating T helper 2 responses that drive allergic asthma, as well as which selenoproteins are key to regulating these processes, must be considered when attempting to decipher the relationship between this essential nutrient and complex allergic diseases such as asthma.
The Theoretical Foundations of Cultural Studies in Education

There is one certainty upon which most theorists and researchers in cultural studies can agree: that there is no means of defining exactly what is cultural studies. Some of cultural studies best-known practitioners, including Lawrence Grossberg, Stuart Hall, and Angela McRobbie, have insisted that to lock cultural studies into an academic field or to classify it according to a single theory would undermine its most prominent characteristic, which is its interdisciplinary nature. Similar to the “crisis” in 1980s anthropology that coincided with the “writing culture” school of ethnography, cultural studies has introduced to theory and research new ways of thinking about the philosophical foundations of the social sciences and the politics of academic work, but has remained a mysterious and fringe discipline in the philosophy, sociology, and history of education.
Long-term results of radical cystectomy and role of adjuvant chemotherapy for small cell carcinoma of the bladder

Objective To review our experience with radical cystectomy for small cell carcinoma of the bladder, to compare outcomes with a cohort of patients with urothelial carcinoma, and to determine the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy and pathology re-review in this setting. Methods Among 2427 patients who underwent radical cystectomy, 68 patients had small cell carcinoma of the bladder. Patients with small cell carcinoma of the bladder were compared with an unmatched cohort of 1146 patients with urothelial carcinoma, and were then matched (1:2) based on TNM stage. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and Cox models were used to evaluate association of clinicopathological features with outcome. Results Among the 68 small cell carcinoma of the bladder patients, 37 (54%) were found to have small cell carcinoma of the bladder only after pathology re-review. Patients with small cell carcinoma of the bladder had a higher rate of advanced (pT3/4) tumor stage (84% vs 46%; P < 0.0001) and pN+ disease (37% vs 20%; P = 0.001) compared with patients with urothelial carcinoma. When matched for stage and lymph node status, no significant difference in 5-year cancer-specific survival was observed between the two groups (27% vs 29%; P = 0.64). Among small cell carcinoma of the bladder patients, those receiving adjuvant chemotherapy had improved 5-year overall survival compared with patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy (43% vs 20%; P = 0.03), and a trend toward superior cancer-specific survival (40% vs 23%; P = 0.07). Conclusions Small cell carcinoma of the bladder is often an unrecognized pathological entity, which is associated with a higher rate of locally advanced and N+ disease. However, although when matched for pathological features, survival outcomes appear similar to urothelial carcinoma. Small cell carcinoma of the bladder patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy had improved overall survival and cancer-specific survival, and these results require further investigation.
Effects of alcohol on heart rate

Abstract Heart rate fluctuations in rats were observed over a period of 9–12 weeks under control conditions and as a result of the administration of an 11.88 per cent solution of ethyl alcohol found previously to produce behavioral effects. Increases in mean heart rate found to accompany alcohol in some animals are discussed in relation to the general variability of heart rate under control conditions.
Calculation of the proton transfer between water molecules

Abstract An ab initio calculation has been made for the reaction 2H 2 O a H 3 + + OH − . The hydrogen transfer pathway of minimal energy occurs with a change of oxygen-oxygen distance from 5.615715 au in the water case to 4.225715 au in the acid-base case.
The influence of substrate geometry on the emission properties of a liquid metal ion source

The effect of needle radius, cone angle and shaft diameter on the threshold voltage and angular intensity — total current relationships for a Ga liquid-metal ion source (LMIS) was investigated. The variation of threshold voltage with needle geometry could be described in terms of the Taylor theory of liquid cone formation by electrostatic fields. The beam energy spread was mainly a function of total source current and was not a sensitive function of emitter geometry. Source angular intensity at a constant total current increased linearly with threshold voltage when the latter was altered due to source geometry.
Household store brand proneness: A framework

Abstract Store brands play an important role in retail grocery strategy. Yet, little recent research has examined factors thought to influence the selection of store brands. This paper augments prior research by building an integrated framework within which to view private brand proneness. Factors found to influence store brand proneness included familiarity with store brands, the extent to which consumers rely on extrinsic cues such as price and packaging to judge product quality, intolerance for ambiguity, perceived quality variation between national and store brand products, perceived risk, perceived value for money, income and family size. The results suggest that consumers' negative perceptions of store brands are driven primarily by the poor quality image of these products. Implications for marketing strategy are presented.
Does Reduced Creatine Synthesis Protect against Statin Myopathy

Statins, widely used to lower cholesterol levels, cause myopathy in some patients. Mangravite et al. (2013) show that a single nucleotide polymorphism decreasing expression of glycine amidinotransferase (GATM), the enzyme regulating creatine biosynthesis, is associated with reduced statin myopathy. Whether reduced creatine production protects against statin myopathy remains to be determined.
β-Glucosidase activity in porcine epidermis

One of the final steps in epidermal differentiation is the conversion of glucosylceramides to ceramides, which presumably is mediated by a beta-glucosidase activity. In the present manuscript, it is demonstrated that pig epidermis contains beta-glucosidase activity which is 3.3-times greater than alpha-glucosidase and 5-times greater than beta-galactosidase. This beta-glucosidase was found to be maximally active between pH 3.0 and essentially inactive at pH 9.0. In a standard assay, a disk of epidermis (8 mg dry weight) was submerged in 1 ml of 50 mM acetate buffer (pH 4.7) containing 150 mM NaCl and 15 mM p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside at room temperature. Reaction was stopped by addition of 4 ml of 100 mM (pH 9.0) borate buffer and the supernatant was transferred to a separate tube. The nitrophenylate anion was then measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 405 nm. Under these conditions, product formation was linear for at least 90 min and an apparent Km of 244 microM was estimated for the synthetic substrate. When the amount of epidermis in the assay was varied, the formation of product per unit of time remained proportional to the amount of epidermis. The level of beta-glucosidase activity was enhanced slightly by the inclusion of sodium taurocholate.
Maximum flows and parametric shortest paths in planar graphs

We observe that the classical maximum flow problem in any directed planar graph G can be reformulated as a parametric shortest path problem in the oriented dual graph G*. This reformulation immediately suggests an algorithm to compute maximum flows, which runs in O(n log n) time. As we continuously increase the parameter, each change in the shortest path tree can be effected in O(log n) time using standard dynamic tree data structures, and the special structure of the parametrization implies that each directed edge enters the evolving shortest path tree at most once. The resulting maximum-flow algorithm is identical to the recent algorithm of Borradaile and Klein [J. ACM 2009], but our new formulation allows a simpler presentation and analysis. On the other hand, we demonstrate that for a similarly structured parametric shortest path problem on the torus, the shortest path tree can change Ω(n2) times in the worst case, suggesting that a different method may be required to efficiently compute maximum flows in higher-genus graphs.
Noncovalent binding of the halogens to aromatic donors. Discrete structures of labile Br2 complexes with benzene and toluene

Precise molecular structures resulting from the noncovalent interaction of Br2 with benzene (and toluene) reveal the unusual localized bonding to specific (one or two) carbon centers in prereactive complexes leading directly to the transition states for electrophilic aromatic brominations.
LIGHT, TEMPERATURE AND PHOTOPERIOD AS FACTORS CONTROLLING REPRODUCTION IN ULOTHRIX ZONATA (ULVOPHYCEAE)1

In many lakes in the northern United States and Canada the filamentous green alga Ulothrix zonata (Weber and Mohr) Kutz grows abundantly in early spring in shallow waters. Asexual reproduction occurs by formation of quadriflagellate zoospores which disrupt, the integrity of the cells upon release causing the filament to disintegrate. Study of the effects of 100 different combinations of irradiance, temperature and photoperiod revealed that zoospore formation is favored by high temperatures near 20°C, high light levels of 520 μE·m−2·s−1 and photoperiods of either short day (8:16 h light-dark) or long day cycles (16:8 h light-dark). Zoospore formation is minimal under conditions of low temperature (5°C), low irradiance (32.5 μE·m−2·s−1) and neutral day-lengths (12:12 h light-dark). These observations explain the decline in U. zonata biomass when water temperatures rise above 10° C. The combined effect of rising water temperatures and increasing daylengths causes progressively more filaments to switch from vegetable growth to zoospore production resulting in an increasing loss of biomass.
Tokamak response to relativistic electron beam heating

Abstract A tokamak transport model is used to predict the response to a relativistic electron beam (REB) heating pulse. The REB energy containment time increases with deposited beam energy caused by reduced thermal and particle transport.
A reevaluation of computed proton affinities for the common α-amino acids

The proton affinities of the 20 common amino acids have been computed at the G3MP2 level using structures derived from broad conformational searches at a variety of levels including G3MP2. In some cases, the conformational surveys identified more stable species than had been used in previous studies of proton affinities, though the differences in energy are sometimes rather small. The present values are likely the most reliable measure of amino acid proton affinities in the gas phase. An analysis of differences between these values and those obtained experimentally via the kinetic method indicates that the extraction of proton affinities from kinetic method data can potentially lead to large errors linked to the estimation of relative protonation entropies.
Geophone array formation and semblance evaluation

The performance of a variety of areal geophone arrays was evaluated using seismic data recorded on a dense receiver grid in a walkaway survey conducted in the Permian Basin of west Texas. Surface waves, trapped waves, and scattered energy have long been recognized as a significant noise problem in this area. Arrays were formed by extracting sets of traces from the main data set and stacking them to produce individual traces of a receiver gather. We calculated semblance of each receiver gather to evaluate array performance. High values of semblance indicate that an array effectively removes surface waves while preserving reflections. Differences in data quality associated with variations in geophone-array design are often subtle and difficult to discern through simple inspection of field records. By calculating frequency-dependent semblance, we were able to detect and quantify differences in array performance.
Limit of Cross Sections at Infinite Energy

At infinite energy, we predict: (1) ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tot}}$ approaches infinity; (2) the ratio of the real part to the imaginary part of the forward elastic amplitude approaches zero; (3) $\frac{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{el}}}{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tot}}}$ approaches \textonehalf{}; (4) the width of diffraction peak approaches zero; its product with ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tot}}$ is a constant. We give theoretical evidence based on massive quantum electrodynamics as well as experimental evidence in support of these predictions, and a physical picture for high-energy scattering.
The LIML estimator has finite moments

Abstract The Limited Information Maximum Likelihood estimator of the vector of coefficients of a structural equation in a simultaneous equation model is the vector that defines the linear combination maximizing the effect variance relative to the error variance. If this “eigenvector” solution is normalized by setting a designated coefficient equal to 1, the second-order moment of the estimator may be unbounded. However, the second-order moment is finite if the normalization sets the sample error variance of the linear combination equal to 1.
Role of Protein Synthesis in the Inhibitory Action of Adrenal Steroid Hormones on Amino Acid Transport by Muscle

Adrenal steroid hormones added in vitro inhibit the accumulation of amino acids by isolated rat diaphragm, but inhibition appears only some hours after the presumed interaction of the hormone with the tissue. Since it is known that the administration of corticosteroids to rats impairs protein synthesis in muscle, experiments were performed to explore the possibility that the delay in their effect on amino acid uptake might be due to the inhibition of protein synthesis. Preincubation of intact diaphragms of adrenalectomized rats with corticosterone (10-5M) for 2-3 hr did suppress the subsequent incorporation of L-methionine-14C into total diaphragm protein, although preincubation for 1 hr had no effect. This time course of inhibition was similar to that observed when AIB accumulation was measured. Preincubation of diaphragms with puromycin (0.37 HIM) or actinomycin D (5 μg/ml) inhibited the subsequent accumulation of AIB by the cells, and the time course of inhibition was comparable to that produced by cor...
Facies architecture and grounding-line fan processes of morainal banks during the deglaciation of Coastal Maine

Submarine jet processes are inferred from glaciomarine facies exposed in gravel pits in southwestern coastal Maine. The geometry and distribution of fan facies depend on (1) the proximity to the grounding line and stream effluxes, (2) the angle of jet trajectory from glacier conduits, and (3) sediment remobilization processes. Syndepositional glaciotectonic deformation further augments morainal bank formation through pushing and squeezing of fan sediments at the grounding line. Complex process-sediment interactions along the temperate tidewater margin of the Laurentide ice sheet are recorded in the facies architecture of sedimentary sequences in morainal banks. Morainal bank accumulation was governed by rapid fluvial deposition, and outwash jet dynamics that controlled the spatial distribution of sedimentary facies. Near the grounding line, meltwater dynamics change rapidly where sediment-laden fresh water is discharged at or near the sea floor. Turbulent mixing with ambient sea water and discharge fluctuations cause rapid changes in flow competence, accompanied by the dumping of bed-load gravel and sand at the apices of grounding-line fans in the morainal banks. Jet trajectory relative to the morainal-bank slope determines whether a jet will make contact with the morainal bank. Gravel and sand remain in bed-load traction as long as the jet is in contact with the morainal bank. Bed-load dumping and settling of the coarse suspended load occurs where buoyant forces in the jet overcome momentum forces or where the jet is deflected by the morainal bank. Below these buoyant jets, backflow eddies can produce currents that drive ripple migration toward the grounding line. Abrupt facies changes record fluctuations in jet discharge and trajectory and sediment redistribution by sediment gravity flows initiated near the grounding line.
Three Types of Catfish Offal Meals for Channel Catfish Fingerlings

Abstract The use of three different types of catfish offal meals by fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) was investigated. These included: an experimentally produced formic acid catfish offal silage; a commercially produced catfish offal meal prepared by the conventional rendering process; and a commercially produced catfish offal protein hydrolysate. There was no significant difference in growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, or feed efficiency of fish fed either the catfish offal meal produced by rendering or menhaden fish meal. Fish fed either the formic acid catfish offal silage or the catfish offal protein hydrolysate had a significantly lower growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and feed efficiency than fish fed menhaden fish meal. The decreased performance of the catfish offal protein hydrolysate could be attributed to a marginal or slightly deficient presence of certain amino acids. It is unclear what factors in the formic acid catfish offal silage may have inhibited its use; the re...
Titanium Nanoparticles Stabilized by Ti-C Covalent Bonds

Using diazonium derivatives as the precursors for particle protection, stable titanium nanocrystals were prepared by virtue of the strong Ti−C covalent bonds. The lattice fringes revealed in HRTEM studies unambiguously confirmed the metallic nature of the particle cores. This notion was further supported by spectroscopic and solid-state conductivity measurements.
Ranolazine: Clinical Applications and Therapeutic Basis

Ranolazine is currently approved for use in chronic angina. The basis for this use is likely related to inhibition of late sodium channels with resultant beneficial downstream effects. Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated an improvement in exercise capacity and reduction in angina episodes with ranolazine. This therapeutic benefit occurs without the hemodynamic effects seen with the conventional antianginal agents. The inhibition of late sodium channels as well as other ion currents has a central role in the potential use of ranolazine in ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Despite its QTc-prolonging action, albeit minimal, clinical data have not shown a predisposition to torsades de pointes, and the medication has shown a reasonable safety profile even in those with structural heart disease. In this article we present the experimental and clinical data that support its current therapeutic role, and provide insight into potential future clinical applications.
On computing a best discrete L 1 approximation using the method of vanishing Jacobians

Abstract The work of Edgeworth in the 1880's gave the first systematic methods for solving the linear discrete L 1 approximation. Wagner in 1959 showed that the linear discrete L 1 approximation problem could be formulated as a linear programming problem. Recent improvements in linear programming based methods have been concerned with modifying the simplex method to accelerate the calculation of the optimal solution. This paper shows how the method of vanishing Jacobians which has been used to optimize quadratic programming problems can also be used to solve the special linear programming problem associated with computing the linear discrete L 1 approximation.
Herbaceous Cover and Biomass of Carex planostachys in Juniperus ashei Woodlands of Central Texas

Abstract In the understory of many Juniperus woodlands, herbaceous cover and biomass are reduced or eliminated compared to interstitial grasslands. However, there are some exceptions. Carex planostachys (cedar sedge) is a widespread herbaceous species associated with J. ashei and occurs in the understory of these woodlands in central Texas. The purpose of this paper was to compare cover and biomass of herbaceous vegetation along a gradient from below the canopy of J. ashei into an associated intercanopy patch or grassland. Levels of light are reduced below the canopy, whereas litter and moisture in the soil are higher. Cover and biomass of C. planostachys were higher below the J. ashei canopy and canopy edge. Total cover and biomass of grasses were higher in the intercanopy at elevated levels of light, reduced litter, and lower soil moisture. Spatial distribution of C. planostachys below the canopy suggests that this species is tolerant of shade and may require a woodland canopy for growth and development.
Treating learned helplessness in the elderly dementia patient: Preliminary inquiry

Learned helplessness is the psychological state that results when an individual who is unable to exercise reasonable mastery in one situation incorrectly assumes that he or she is then unable to exercise reasonable control in other situations as well. This may complicate the delivery of health interventions since the individual with learned helplessness may assume that no care provider or treatment intervention can be of assistance. Elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are not immune to this stance of learned helplessness. This paper presents one possible psychosocial rehabilitation approach, the Project SMART (Stress Management and Relaxation Training) program, to the problem of learned helplessness. Based on the skills of adaptive stress-resistant problem solvers, Project SMART can be adapted to the needs of the elderly demented. The clinical and research implications are discussed.