cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opsins with mutations at the site of chromophore attachment constitutively activate transducin but are not phosphorylated by rhodopsin kinase

Abstract More than 70 mutations in the gene encoding the visual pigment rhodopsin have been identified in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Most of these mutations are thought to interfere with proper folding of the membrane protein. However, families with a severe phenotype of retinitis pigmentosa have been identified and shown to carry a mutation at the site of chromophore attachment, Lys-296. This mutation disrupts the inactive conformation of opsin and results in a constitutively active protein that can activate the rod-specific GTP-binding protein, transducin, in the absence of light and in the absence of the chromophore 11-cis-retinal. It has been suggested that this mutant opsin molecule may cause rod degeneration by depletion of the components used to inactivate rhodopsin, such as rhodopsin kinase. In this work we test this idea by determining whether two constitutively active opsin mutants are phosphorylated by rhodopsin kinase. We found that opsin mutants where Lys-296 is replaced either by Glu (K296E) or by Gly (K296G) are not substrates of rhodopsin kinase in the absence of chromophore. However, when K296G is regenerated with a Schiff base complex of 11-cis-retinal and n-propylamine and exposed to illumination, phosphorylation of opsin occurs. These experiments suggest that in the rod photoreceptors of patients with retinitis pigmentosa carrying a mutation at Lys-296, there is persistent activation of the GTP-binding protein-mediated cascade. This may result in a situation that mimics long-term exposure to continuous illumination and results in the degeneration of photoreceptors.
Primate antisaccade. II. Supplementary eye field neuronal activity predicts correct performance.

Neuronal activities were recorded in the supplementary eye field (SEF) of 3 macaque monkeys trained to perform antisaccades pseudorandomly interleaved with prosaccades, as instructed by the shape o...
Evolution of Oxygen-Vacancy Ordered Crystal Structures in the Perovskite Series SrnFenO3n−1 (n=2, 4, 8, and ∞), and the Relationship to Electronic and Magnetic Properties

Abstract Over the oxygen composition range 2.5≤x≤3.0, the SrFeOx system exists as four distinct compounds with the nominal composition SrnFenO3n−1 (n=2, 4, 8, and ∞). The end member SrFeO3 (n=∞) possesses a simple cubic perovskite crystal structure, whereas the oxygen-deficient (n=2, 4, and 8) members each adopt a different vacancy-ordered perovskite crystal structure. Using time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction, we show that previously proposed structures for the Sr4Fe4O11 (n=4) and Sr8Fe8O23 (n=8) compounds are incorrect. We determine the correct crystal structures for Sr4Fe4O11 (orthorhombic, space group Cmmm, a=10.974(1) A, b=7.702(1) A, and c=5.473(1) A) and Sr8Fe8O23 (tetragonal, space group I4/mmm, a=10.929(1) A and c=7.698(1) A) through comparisons of the goodness of fit for Rietveld refinements of candidate models and bond-length distributions for each model. Using the correct crystal structures, we are able to assign valence states to the Fe crystallographic sites and to achieve consistency with published Mossbauer results for the same compounds.
Cognitive radio-based urban wireless broadband in unused TV bands

This paper describes an approach for providing wireless broadband access in urban areas by deploying the cognitive radio technology operating in geographically unused TV bands. It is shown, through system simulations performed for real-life urban settings, that a wireless network equivalent to that of cellular operators' next generation mobile broadband (based, e.g., on HSPA or LTE) can be rolled out without any investment in new spectrum and at significantly lower infrastructure costs.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine potentiates lung inflammation in a mouse model of allergic asthma

Nitric oxide (NO), formed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), is an important mediator of lung inflammation in allergic asthma. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a competitive endogenous inhibitor of NOS, is metabolized by the enzyme dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). Elevated ADMA has been shown to affect lung function in mice, and by inhibiting NOS it alters NO and reactive oxygen species production in mouse lung epithelial cells. However, the effects of altered ADMA levels during lung inflammation have not been explored. A model of allergen-induced airway inflammation was utilized in combination with the modulation of endogenous circulating ADMA levels in mice. Airway inflammation was assessed by quantifying inflammatory cell infiltrates in lung lavage and by histology. Lung DDAH expression was assessed by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Nitrite levels were determined in lung lavage fluid as a measure of NO production. iNOS expression was determined by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and quantitative PCR. NF-κB binding activity was assessed by a transcription factor binding assay. Allergen-induced lung inflammation was potentiated in mice with elevated circulating ADMA and was reduced in mice overexpressing DDAH. Elevated ADMA reduced nitrite levels in lung lavage fluid in both allergen-challenged and control animals. ADMA increased iNOS expression in airway epithelial cells in vivo following allergen challenge and in vitro in stimulated mouse lung epithelial cells. ADMA also increased NF-κB binding activity in airway epithelial cells in vitro. These data support that ADMA may play a role in inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma through modulation of iNOS expression in lung epithelial cells.
The pathway to grandparenting stress: trauma, relational conflict, and emotional well-being

Objectives: This paper examines the mediating effect of child–grandparent conflict on the relationship between child trauma exposure and grandparenting stress.Methods: Data was collected from a sample of custodial grandparents who participated in kinship care or relative caregiving programs (n = 251). Grandparenting stress was measured with Parenting Stress Scale (Berry & Jones, 1995) modified for grandparents. A series of regression models and structural equation models (SEM) were used to test the relationship between the number of different types of child trauma exposures and grandparenting stress, and to examine the mediating effect of child–grandparent conflicts on the relationship.Results: Almost three-fourths (72%) of children had experienced at least one type of traumatic exposure. The SEM model shows that child's trauma exposure indirectly affected grandparenting stress, mediated by child–grandparenting conflicts though no direct path between the child's trauma exposure variable and grandparenting...
Identification of Radicals and Determination of Their Yields in the Radiolytic Oxidation of Glycine. Time-resolved ESR Methodology

Both aminomethyl (•CH2NH2) and H2N−•CH−CO2- radicals were identified by time-resolved ESR spectroscopy in the oxidation of glycine anions by •OH. Previous ESR measurements had detected only the H2N−•CH−CO2- radical in these systems. The rise times of the ESR lines for these two different radicals are consistent with both of the radicals being formed in the initial reaction of •OH with the glycine anions. The yields of these two C-centered radicals relative to the total yield of •OH are approximately 29% for aminomethyl radicals and 53% for H2N−•CH−CO2- radicals. The yield of aminomethyl radicals from methlyamine was 53%. No ESR lines attributable to aminyl radicals could be directly detected in solutions of glycine (HN•−CH2−CO2-) at high pH or low pH, or in solutions of methylamine (HN•−CH3). However, clear evidence for the presence of the aminyl radicals was obtained in spin-trapping experiments using the aci-anion form of nitromethane with both methylamine and glycine. The rapid appearance of aminomethy...
Brain 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase in mice after exposure to aggression and defeat.

Abstract Mice of the C57BL/6J strain were exposed to trained fighters twice/day for 0 (unfought controls), 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 days. Twenty min after the last fight, the mice were killed and the hypothalamus, amygdala and frontal cortical areas were removed, weighed and analyzed for activity of 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase. It was found that exposure to repeated aggression increased significantly the enzyme activity of the frontal cortex and decreased the enzyme activity in the amygdala. The hypothalamus exhibited an overall decline but with some fluctuations. It is believed that the changes in this enzyme reflect the heightened neural activity associated with stress and, also, may reflect differential demand and synthesis of serotonin as well as changes in bound and free forms of this biogenic amine.
Using VPS (VoxMap Pointshell) as the Basis for Interaction in a Virtual Assembly Environment

Realistic part interaction is an important component of an effective virtual assembly application. Both collision detection and part interaction modeling are needed to simulate part-topart and hand-to-part interactions. This paper presents a comparison of several common collision detection algorithms and examines the VoxMap Pointshell (VPS) method as it is used in an application to evaluate proposed assembly methods. Results from several performance tests on VPS are presented. VPS was found to provide realistic collisions and physicallybased modeling interaction with excellent performance. This paper concludes by presenting how VPS has been implemented to handle multiple dynamic part collisions and two-handed assembly using the 5DT dataglove in a projection screen virtual environment.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Quantitative 3D Model of Light Transmittance Through Translucent Rocks Applied to the Hypolithic Microbial Community

In extreme desert environments, photosynthetic microorganisms often live on the buried undersides of translucent rocks. Computing the light level reaching these locations requires 3D modeling of a finite rock. We report on Monte Carlo calculations of skylight and sunlight transmission through a partially buried flat cylindrical rock using one billion photons per simulation. Transmitted light level drops inversely with increasing rock opacity, as expected for purely scattering media. For a half-buried rock with an extinction coefficient of 0.1 cm−1 (opacity of 0.2), transmission at the bottom is 64 % for sunlight at a solar zenith angle of 60° and 82 % for skylight. Transmitted light level increases slowly with increasing scattering asymmetry factor of the rock independent of illumination or depth buried. Transmitted sunlight at zenith through a thick half-buried rock (opacity of 0.6) is six times brighter at the bottom than the subsurface sides. Skylight transmits equally to the subsurface sides and bottom. When the sun is not straight overhead, the sunward side of the rock is brighter than the underside of the rock. Compared to the sunlight transmitted to the bottom, transmitted sunlight inclined at 60° is 24 times brighter at the subsurface side towards the sun and 14 times brighter at the subsurface side 70° away from the sun. Transmitted sunlight emitted from zenith and skylight is uniformly bright at the bottom regardless of how deeply the rock is buried. Sunlight not at zenith transmits preferentially to the sunward bottom edge depending on the depth the rock is buried.
A BANNER YEAR FOR ORGANIZED DENTISTRY

The first sign of a major shift came in January, when we saw that a seven-year pattern of erosion in the Association's membership market share had been essentially stopped. This turnaround is particularly remarkable when you look at what's happening with other organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. Joining professional organizations isn't exactly the fashion these days. Women and minority dentists. What makes the ADA's membership advances even more remarkable is that we're seeing gains precisely where they have been hardest to
What's new in cardiac surgery.

M I horacic surgical education mong the many changes in thoracic surgical education s the implementation of the Accreditation Council for raduate Medical Education (ACGME) “Outcomes roject.” This is an effort by the ACGME to incorporate ix core competencies into medical education. These six eneral core competencies include: patient care, medical nowledge, professionalism, systems-based practice, ractice-based learning and improvement, and interperonal and communication skills. All graduate medical ducation programs must now include education and valuation of these competencies within a given resiency program. Higgins and colleagues reported their xperience using a 360-degree evaluation of residents in he six competency areas. Critics of this tool cite the fact hat the evaluations are not provided by an individual’s eer group l and might not represent an accurate impresion of the resident’s performance. Higgins adminisered a 360-degree evaluation of the residents in his prorams before and after resident exposure to educational enues in the six competencies. Data from the 360egree evaluation indicated that resident performance ncreased in all six areas, and Higgins suggested that this 60-degree tool might be used in resident evaluation. One of the more difficult operations for academic ardiac surgeons to teach residents is a mitral valve proedure, so many residents complete their surgical trainng having experienced only a limited number of valve perations. Baskett and colleagues reported the experince in their academic medical center of residents doing itral valve operations. Between 1998 and 2003, 165 itral valve operations, which included 86 replacements
UVA photolysis using the protein-bound sensitizers present in human lens.

—This research was undertaken to demonstrate that the protein-bound chromophores in aged human lens can act as sensitizers for protein damage by UVA light. The water-insoluble (WI) proteins from pooled human and bovine lenses were solubilized by sonication in water and illuminated with UV light similar in output to that transmitted by the cornea. Analysis of the irradiated proteins showed a linear decrease in sulfiydryl groups with a 30% loss after 2 h. No loss was seen when native a-crystallin was irradiated under the same conditions. A 25% loss of histidine residues was also observed with the human lens WI fraction, and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels indicated considerable protein cross-linking. Similar photodamage was seen with a WI fraction from old bovine lenses. While the data show the presence of UVA sensitizers, some histidine destruction and protein cross-linking were also obtained with a-crystallin and with lysozyme, which argue that part of the histidine loss in the human WISS was likely due to tryptophan acting as a sensitizer. A preparation of human WI proteins was irradiated with a total of 200 J/cm2 of absorbed light at 10 nm intervals from 290 to 400 nm. Photodamage of cysteine SH groups (35%) and methionine (28Y0) was maximum at 330 nm and diminished linearly at longer wavelengths. The major loss of tryptophan (80%) occurred at 290 nm, but destruction was observed throughout the UVA range. Tyrosine was 35% destroyed at 290 nm but decreased sharply to only 50 at 330 nm. A constant loss of histidine (20%) was seen at all wavelengths from 290 to 360 nm, with some loss (7–8%) even at 400 nm. These action spectra show that the human lens WI fraction contains a collection of protein-bound UVA sensitizers that can cause protein photodamage similar to that seen in cataractous lenses.
The distance demersal zooplankton migrate above the benthos: implications for predation

The distance demersal zooplankton (mobile, benthic organisms which periodically emerge from the benthos and move up into the water column) swim vertically above the bottom at night was measured quantitatively on a subtidal sand flat in the Gulf of California during July, 1979. Three patterns of migration were observed: (1) small-bodied animals, including copepods, ostracods and the amphipod Metaceradocus occidentalis, remained within 30 cm of the bottom except at full moon when a significantly higher proportion of these animals swam up at least 1 m into the water column, (2) syllid polychaetes swam up at least 2 m into the water column irregardless of the phase of the moon, and (3) large-bodied forms (animals >2 mm) swam throughout the water column but in gradually decreasing abundances nearer the surface. Since nocturnally foraging planktivorous fishes feed primarily on the large-bodied, readily visible animals, we had predicted that these large forms would remain near the relative safety of the benthos. However, the movement of the larger demersal zooplankton higher into the water column than the smaller, less visible forms, suggests that factors other than predation, possibly dispersal, may be major selective pressures governing the distance demersal zooplankton swim above the benthos.
Genetic Feedback and Human Population Regulation

Human population growth has been identified as a primary cause of ecologically destructive phenomena and, if left unchecked, will threaten the survivability of the human species. It has been demonstrated that genetic feedback is the mechanism by which species achieve ecological balance. The present analysis shows the applica- bility of this mechanism to human population regulation. In this model, the traits of behavior and culture are explained as following a four step process, similar to, and nested within genetic evolution. As species extinction is part and parcel of evolution, and environmental circumstances are changing rapidly, the population regulatory change that would take place on the genetic level of integration would be human extinction. However, the change on the cultural level, requiring a revision of the social contingency from "food production must be increased to feed a growing population" to "food production increases cause population increases," would lead to human sustainability.
Subarray technology for large scanning arrays

Large scanning arrays are often organized as arrays of subarrays for limited-field-of-view or time delayed applications. This paper describes new technologies to implement these subarray architectures. (6 pages)
Self-Care Guide for the Heart Failure Patient

You have been diagnosed with heart failure, but you are not alone. There are now more than 5 million Americans living with heart failure. Fortunately, with advances in treatment, you may live longer and enjoy a good quality of life. Heart failure is a serious medical condition that occurs when the heart does not pump enough blood to the rest of the body. It may be caused by many factors, such as heart attacks, infections, high blood pressure, toxins (like alcohol or drugs), or inherited conditions—to name a few. Successful treatment of heart failure requires careful attention to your medications and lifestyle. You, as the patient, are the most important member of the entire care team. Actively taking care of yourself is crucial to the success of your treatment. Creating a heart failure self-care routine is an important undertaking, one that requires a good understanding of the illness and …
Lack of effect on brain stem and cerebral cortex Na+, K+-ATPase during heart block produced by chronic digoxin treatment.

Abstract The autonomic nervous system has been shown to play an important role in digitalis toxicity. In order to determine whether the central nervous system could be digitalis' site of action, the effect of chronic treatment with toxic doses of digitalis on brain Na+, K+-ATPase was studied in the dog. After four weeks of digoxin treatment, Na+,K+-ATPase activity of the brainstem of cerebral cortex was unaffected at the time when digitalis toxicity (heart block) was apparent. ATP-dependent (3H)-ouabain binding to these tissues was also unaffected indicating that a significant occupancy of brain Na+,K+-ATPase by digoxin did not occur during chronic drug treatment. In contrast, cardiac Na+,K+-ATPase was markedly inhibited with the concomitant binding of digoxin to the enzyme. Since Na+,K+-ATPase is the most digitalis sensitive system identified to date, it appears that digoxin does not affect neuronal function directly.
Employee leasing. The antebellum 1800s and the twenty-first century: A historical perspective of the contingent labour force

Management strategies have evolved over the centuries in response to economic and social needs of individuals and organizations. The maintenance of a flexible labour force was a management practice employed by industrialists more than a century ago. The use of employee leasing in the United States dates back to the industrial revolution that occurred during the nineteenth century. Industrialists leased bondsmen to supplement their labour force. This practice, known as ‘hiring-out’, permitted employers to obtain labour without making heavy investments in human resources. The motivations for maintaining a contingent labour force today are essentially unchanged from a century ago. This paper addresses the nineteenth-century use of a contingent labour force by the large Southern firm of Andrew Brown and Company in the period prior to the US Civil War.
Molecular refinement of karyotype: beyond the cytogenetic band.

Purpose: Illustrate the use of molecular methodologies to delineate subtle, de novo, chromosome aberrations and determine the presence, or absence, of known genes, allowing improved predictions of long-term phenotypic effect. Method: High-resolution chromosome analysis followed by FISH and microsatellite analysis to determine the extent and parental origin of the abnormalities. Results: Four de novo deletions involving chromosomes 5q, 10q, and 16p were delineated molecularly. Specific genes were shown to be, or not to be, involved in each aberration, refining karyotype-genotype correlation. Conclusion: Molecular characterization of subtle chromosomal aberrations can provide information to assist in predicting clinical outcome in cases involving genes known to have an effect due to haploinsufficiency or aberrant gene dosage.
π-cyclopentadienyl compounds of uranium-IV and thorium-IV

Abstract Uranium tetrachloride is allowed to react with sodium cyclopentadienide in tetrahydrofuran solution. On heating the dried product at 245° in vacuum, dark-red crystals of (π-C 5 H 5 ) 3 UCl are obtained. Some chemical and physical properties of the compound are described. A molecular orbital view of the metal-to-ring bonding by W. Moffitt is given. Evidence for the existence of π-cyclopentadienyl derivatives of thorium is presented.
A DEVELOPMENTAL STUDY OF THE DELBOEUF ILLUSION.

Six-, 9-, and 12-yr.-old boys and girls were compared in terms of the strengths of positive and negative Delboeuf illusions elicited by standards which Piaget demonstrated produced maximal illusion effects in various age groups. Results obtained with the positive illusion, although not statistically significant, give some support to the contention that the illusion decreases with age. However, the negative illusion increased with age and the results indicate that the interaction of age with sex is significant in the operation of this illusion.
Emplacement of a passive-margin evaporitic allochthon in the Betic Cordillera of Spain

The Triassic section of the External domain of the Betic Cordillera is rootless and thus allochthonous. The frontal accretionary wedge of the Guadalquivir allochthon consists dominantly of Triassic evaporites and red beds forming a melange with Upper Cretaceous–Paleogene deep-water sedimentary rocks. Throughout the unit, Jurassic rocks are absent. It is here proposed that the widespread Triassic evaporites of the Guadalquivir allochthon were originally emplaced as gravitational allochthonous masses in a passive-margin setting much like the widespread allochthonous salt of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf of Mexico. Thus, on the Betic passive margin, allochthonous evaporites were first emplaced during the Late Cretaceous–Paleogene. Later, during Neogene time, these evaporites were overthrusted as an accretionary wedge to form the Guadalquivir allochthon. A schematic reconstructed position of the Guadalquivir allochthon places the original passive-margin allochthon in its continental-slope setting.
Neutropenia in primary immunodeficiency.

Purpose of review Neutropenia is a feature of several primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs). Because of the diverse pathophysiologies of the PIDDs and the rarity of each disorder, data are often lacking, leading to the necessity of empiric treatment. Recent developments in the understanding of neutropenia in several of the PIDDs make a review of the data timely.
A Branching Random Walk Model for Diffusion–Reaction–Convection

Abstract A discrete stochastic model is introduced for populations which are diffusing, interacting, and drifting on an integer lattice in a finite-dimensional space. The model is used to construct a Markov process whose countable state space is a set of location maps, assigning individuals to their positions. The expected population sizes and population densities satisfy partial difference approximations to the non-linear partial differential equations of diffusion–reaction–convection. Constructive convergence estimates give convergence results for the random process and its ensemble average.
Assignment of the human type I IMP dehydrogenase gene (IMPDH1) to chromosome 7q31.3-q32).

Two phage {lambda} clones that contain 5{prime} portion of the human type I inosine 5{prime}-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH, EC 1.1.1.205) gene were isolated. Both polymerase chain reaction analysis of a panel of human-mouse and human-hamster cell somatic hybrids using primers specific for the type I IMPDH gene and fluorescence in situ hybridization with metaphase human chromosome using type I IMPDH genomic DNA as probes indicate that the type I IMPDH gene (symbol IMPDH1) is located on chromosome 7. Sequential GTG-banding was performed to assign the band location of the type I IMPDH gene to chromosome 7q31.3-q32. 16 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.
Callus formation and plantlet regeneration from protoplasts derived from suspension cultures of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Protoplasts were isolated from anther-derived suspension cultures of commercial wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chris). The protoplasts were released enzymatically and isolated by centrifugation on a sucrose cushion. The isolated protoplasts were initially cultured in a liquid medium in the dark. Numerous microcalli were produced under these conditions, some of which differentiated into globular embryos. Upon transfer to a solid medium and exposure to 16h/8h light/dark cycle, the protocalli proliferated and many of the somatic embryos matured. Complete plantlets were obtained and maintained in sterile culture.
Is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) the Appropriate Doctoral Degree for Nurses

Yes, the DNP is the appropriate degree not only for nurses in advanced practice, but also for clinical teaching positions at the basic and advanced practice levels, clinical leadership positions such as nursing administration in healthcare systems, and information technology management and nurse ent
New enhancements to the SOCKS communication network security protocol: Schemes and performance evaluation

In this paper we propose two new enhancements to the SOCKS protocol in the areas of IP multicasting and UDP tunneling. Most network firewalls deployed at the entrance to a private network block multicast traffic. This is because of potential security threats inherent with IP multicast. Multicasting is the backbone of many Internet technologies like voice and video conferencing, real time gaming, multimedia streaming, and online stock quotes, among others. There is a need to be able to safely and securely allow multicast streams to enter into and leave a protected enterprise network. Securing multicast streams is challenging. It poses many architectural issues. The SOCKS protocol is typically implemented in a network firewall as an application-layer gateway. Our first enhancement in the area of IP multicast to the SOCKS protocol is to enable the application of security and access control policies and safely allow multicast traffic to enter into the boundaries of a protected enterprise network. The second enhancement we propose is to allow the establishment of a tunnel between two protected networks that have SOCKS based firewalls to transport UDP datagrams.
High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Normal and Atherosclerotic Human Coronary Arteries Ex Vivo: Discrimination of Plaque Tissue Components

Abstract Background Noninvasive detection of plaque lipid and calcium in human atherosclerosis may have clinical utility, because the presence of each may be associated with increased risk of plaque disruption. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to detect both plaque lipid and calcium. However, no previous studies have: 1) used an MR coil with sufficient resolution to image the components of human coronary arteries, 2) evaluated the utility of a combination of different MR contrast weightings in discriminating plaque components in human coronary arteries, or 3) used sensitive and specific histological stains for lipid and calcium to determine their MR image characteristics in human atherosclerosis. Methods Using a custom-made surface coil on a whole-body, 1.5T MRI scanner, high resolution MR images were obtained from 22 nonatherosclerotic and atherosclerotic human coronary artery segments and then compared with histological sections stained for neutral lipid, calcium, and fibrous and cellular components. Results With a multicontrast protocol using T1-, proton density-, and T2-weighted images, statistically significant differences were found among MR image contrast values for regions identified by histological stains as containing lipid only, calcium only, mixed lipid and calcium, or fibrous tissue. All four of these histologically defined region types could be differentiated from one another by a multicontrast MRI protocol. Of the 22 segments, 10 (45%) contained areas with combined plaque lipid and calcium; calcium would not have been recognized histologically in these regions without the use of a specific calcium stain. Conclusions These results demonstrate that multicontrast MRI can produce remarkably high-resolution images and can discriminate between clinically relevant components of the atherosclerotic vessel wall.
Permeability of Intact and Dechorionated Eggs of theAnophelesMosquito to Water Vapor and Liquid Water: A Comparison withDrosophila

Abstract As an initial step in the development of cryopreservation methods for Anopheles gambiae embryos, we determined the permeability of intact and dechorionated A. gambiae embryos to water and ethylene glycol and compared those permeabilities with those of Drosophila melanogaster embryos. Most studies were conducted on embryos allowed to develop for 8 h at 26°C or 15 h at 17°C. Intact A. gambiae embryos are some 50 times more permeable to water vapor than are D. melanogaster embryos; e.g., when air dried, half of 15 h/17°C A. gambiae embryos become severely dehydrated in 3.5–4.0 min, whereas comparably aged D. melanogaster embryos require ∼4 h or more. Comparable differences between the two species exist with respect to the loss of liquid water under an osmotic driving force. After 90 min in 0.75 M sucrose in 0.26 osmolal D-20 Drosophila medium, 25–40% of intact A. gambiae embryos underwent extensive shrinkage, whereas D. melanogaster embryos showed no shrinkage. The chorion of both species can be removed by a 2.5-min exposure to 50% household bleach (Clorox). Dechorionation increases the rate of water loss two- to sixfold during air drying in both species and during exposure to hyperosmotic sucrose in A. gambiae. Dechorionated D. melanogaster embryos, however, show no shrinkage in hyperosmotic sucrose even after 6 h. The water permeability of dechorionated A. gambiae embryos thus remains many-fold higher than that of dechorionated D. melanogaster embryos. Although moderately permeable to water, neither intact nor dechorionated A. gambiae embryos are permeable to ethylene glycol, as evidenced by the failure of dehydrated embryos to reexpand in 120–180 min in that solution.
Vincent van Gogh: A pathographic analysis

The life and artistic legacy of Vincent van Gogh has generated great interest among physicians from different areas of specialization in proposing a retrospective differential diagnosis. The aim of the present study is to present a systematic pathographic analysis of the artist and to suggest a diagnosis consistent with the extant evidence. To this end, the available evidence is classified into five types: type I evidence (clinical opinion of an attending physician), type II evidence (description of symptoms in correspondence), type III evidence (historical accounts from first-hand sources or direct observation), type IV evidence (interpretation of the artist’s work) and type V evidence (family medical history). Three basic prerequisites for a successful analysis are: (1) consideration of type II, III and V evidence as carrying the greatest pathographic weight, (2) consideration of the course of symptoms over time as a key element in the analysis, and (3) consideration of a single diagnostic hypothesis as the most probable explanation. After reviewing the available evidence in the light of these criteria, the author supports the diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) as the most likely cause of van Gogh’s ailment.
BCL11B is up-regulated by EWS/FLI and contributes to the transformed phenotype in Ewing sarcoma.

The EWS/FLI translocation product is the causative oncogene in Ewing sarcoma and acts as an aberrant transcription factor. EWS/FLI dysregulates gene expression during tumorigenesis by abnormally activating or repressing genes. The expression levels of thousands of genes are affected in Ewing sarcoma, however, it is unknown which of these genes contribute to the transformed phenotype. Here we characterize BCL11B as an up-regulated EWS/FLI target that is necessary for the maintenance of transformation in patient derived Ewing sarcoma cells lines. BCL11B, a zinc finger transcription factor, acts as a transcriptional repressor in Ewing’s sarcoma and contributes to the EWS/FLI repressed gene signature. BCL11B repressive activity is mediated by the NuRD co-repressor complex. We further demonstrate that re-expression of SPRY1, a repressed target of BCL11B, limits the transformation capacity of Ewing sarcoma cells. These data define a new pathway downstream of EWS/FLI required for oncogenic maintenance in Ewing sarcoma.
Effective Fungicide Treatment for Controlling Chalkbrood Disease (Ascomycetes: Ascosphaeraceae) of the Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in the Field

Field trials of two fungicides, Captan and Thiabendazole, were conducted to determine their influence on chalkbrood disease of the alfalfa leafcutting bee ( Megachile rotundata [F.L]). Captan effectively controlled the disease when applied triweekly; similar applications of Thiabendazole were ineffective in controlling this disease. Some disruption in nesting behavior was observed, but total cell production in all treatments was similar. No interactions were evident between mortalities of immature stages from any cause other than chalkbrood. Chalkbrood disease appears to be density dependent and shelter size may be a factor in disease control.
MicroRNAs and noncoding RNAs in hematological malignancies: molecular, clinical and therapeutic implications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of 19-24 nucleotide noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) with posttranscriptional regulatory functions. Increasing evidences from the literature show that miRNAs play a pivotal role in human tumorigenesis. Many studies have addressed the role of miRNAs in normal hematopoiesis, giving an interpretative key to the aberrancies of expression observed in human hematological malignancies. Moreover, the recent demonstration that other ncRNAs, the ultraconserved genes (UCGs) or transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs), are involved in human cancerogenesis, suggests that the wider family of ncRNAs (including both miRNAs and UCGs) could contribute to the development of the malignant phenotype. Here we review the main studies investigating the role of miRNAs and UCRs in both normal hemopoiesis and hematological malignancies, and identify the molecular, clinical and therapeutic implications of these recent findings.
Atomic control of conductivity versus ferromagnetism in wide-gap oxides via selective doping: V, Nb, Ta in anatase TiO2.

We identify two general types of electronic behaviors for transition-metal impurities that introduce excess electrons in oxides. (i) The dopants introduce resonant states inside the host conduction band and produce free electrons; (ii) the dopants introduce a deep gap state that carries a magnetic moment. By combining electronic structure calculations, thermodynamic simulations, and percolation theory, we quantify these behaviors for the case of column V-B dopants in anatase ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}$. Showing behavior (i), Nb and Ta dopants can convert the insulator ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}$ into a transparent conductor. Showing behavior (ii), V dopants could convert nonmagnetic ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}$ into a ferromagnet. Whether a dopant shows behavior (i) or (ii) is encoded in its atomic $d$ orbital energy.
Renormalization group invariance of Exact Results in Supersymmetric Gauge Theories

We clarify the notion of Wilsonian renormalization group (RG) invariance in supersymmetric gauge theories, which states that low-energy physics can be kept fixed when one changes the ultraviolet cutoff, provided appropriate changes are made to the bare coupling constants in the Lagrangian. We first pose a puzzle on how a quantum modified constraint [such as $\mathrm{Pf}{(Q}^{i}{Q}^{j})={\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{2(N+1)}$ in $\mathrm{SP}(N)$ theories with $N+1$ flavors] can be RG invariant, since the bare fields ${Q}^{i}$ receive wave function renormalization when one changes the ultraviolet cutoff, while we naively regard the scale \ensuremath{\Lambda} as RG invariant. The resolution is that \ensuremath{\Lambda} is not RG invariant if one sticks to canonical normalization for the bare fields as is conventionally done in field theory. We derive a formula for how \ensuremath{\Lambda} must be changed when one changes the ultraviolet cutoff. We then compare our formula to known exact results and show that their consistency requires the change in \ensuremath{\Lambda} we have found. Finally, we apply our result to models of supersymmetry breaking due to quantum modified constraints. The RG invariance helps us to determine the effective potential along the classical flat directions found in these theories. In particular, the inverted hierarchy mechanism does not occur in the original version of these models.
Doctor of Professional Counseling: The Next Step.

Professional doctorates have been established in the allied health professions by clinicians seeking the highest levels of independent practice. Allied health professional doctorates include nursin...
Application of Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm to Electric Power Line Overhaul Plan

Electric power line overhaul plan is an important issue on power system and engineering practice. As particle swarm optimization is to be a new intelligent algorithm. It is gradually applied into power system these years. This paper provides a relative mathematical model to solve the problems in power line overhaul. Particle swarm optimization algorithm has advantages of less parameters setting and highly optimizing speed. Take these advantages; we make an optimal order of electric power line overhaul. It is proved that the application of particle swarm optimization algorithm to electric power line overhaul plan is feasible.
Pharmacological disposition in mice of o2:2′-anhydro-i-β-d-arabinosylcytosine 3′-phosphate, a potential antileukemic agent

Abstract The observation that the cytidine analog, O 2 :2'-anhydro-l-β- D -arabinosylcytosine 3'-phosphate (anhydro-ara-CMP), yields 1-β- D -arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) as a degradation product in vitro , prompted us to investigate the metabolism of [ 14 C]-anhydro-ara-CMP in mice. This study includes measurements of excretory rates and appearance of labeled material in the blood stream, distribution of activity in tissue at specified times, and metabolic assay of degradation products within certain mitotically active tissues. Analysis of both urine and faeces indicates that approximately 40 per cent of the labeled material remains within the animals after 24 hr. Measurement of [ 14 C] activity in the blood gave a peak absorption time at 1 hr after intraperitoneal injections. Reasonable levels of activity in the blood were present even after 72 hr. The metabolic assay of liver and spleen tissue taken at 1 hr showed anhydro-ara-C as the major metabolite, with a significant amount of ara-C and its di- and triphosphates also being formed. Cytidine phosphates were also detected. Single doses of 2000 mg/kg and daily doses of 1000 mg/kg for 5 days caused no fatalities among the test animals.
LACTOFERRIN IS A MARKER FOR PROLACTIN RESPONSE IN MOUSE MAMMARY EXPLANTS

We recorded a bioassay for prolactin using densitometric analysis on polyacrylamide gels of caseins produced by mammary explants in vitro. A protein which also increased in the presence of increasing amounts of prolactin in the medium has now been identified. Its migration in several electrophoretic systems is the same as that of a whey protein of mouse milk, lactoferrin. It is an iron-binding glycoprotein with a molecular weight by SDS gel electrophoresis equal to mouse, human and bovine lactoferrin. It gives a precipitin reaction in an immunodiffusion system with monospecific antiserum raised in rabbits against mouse lactoferrin.
Epicardial adipose tissue volume and coronary artery calcium to predict myocardial ischemia on positron emission tomography-computed tomography studies.

Background There appears to be an association of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) with coronary artery disease (CAD) and its risk factors. EAT is assumed to influence CAD development by altering vasomotor tone and via toxic paracrine effects. The relationship of EAT to myocardial perfusion has not been studied.
Improving Marketing Students' Reading Comprehension With the SQ3R Method

For courses in a marketing curriculum to be effective where traditional textbook-based teaching methods are used, students must have sufficient ability to comprehend assigned reading materials. In addition, marketing graduates will have to read proficiently to meet the expectations of employers and to satisfy their own need to be highly competent self-directed learners. Self-regulated reading training is put forth as a partial remedy, and implementation of the most popular of these methods—SQ3R—is explained.
Antibiotic use and childhood body mass index trajectory

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for children. Use of antibiotics early in life has been linked to weight gain but there are no large-scale, population-based, longitudinal studies of the full age range among mainly healthy children. We used electronic health record data on 163 820 children aged 3–18 years and mixed effects linear regression to model associations of antibiotic orders with growth curve trajectories of annual body mass index (BMI) controlling for confounders. Models evaluated three kinds of antibiotic associations—reversible (time-varying indicator for an order in year before each BMI), persistent (time-varying cumulative orders up to BMIj) and progressive (cumulative orders up to prior BMI (BMIj-1))—and whether these varied by age. Among 142 824 children under care in the prior year, a reversible association was observed and this short-term BMI gain was modified by age (P<0.001); effect size peaked in mid-teen years. A persistent association was observed and this association was stronger with increasing age (P<0.001). The addition of the progressive association among children with at least three BMIs (n=79 752) revealed that higher cumulative orders were associated with progressive weight gain; this did not vary by age. Among children with an antibiotic order in the prior year and at least seven lifetime orders, antibiotics (all classes combined) were associated with an average weight gain of approximately 1.4 kg at age 15 years. When antibiotic classes were evaluated separately, the largest weight gain at 15 years was associated with macrolide use. We found evidence of reversible, persistent and progressive effects of antibiotic use on BMI trajectories, with different effects by age, among mainly healthy children. The results suggest that antibiotic use may influence weight gain throughout childhood and not just during the earliest years as has been the primary focus of most prior studies.
Masculinity and Fatherhood Reexamined An Ethnographic Account of the Contradictions of Manhood in a Rural Jamaican Town

This article examines contradictory perspectives on fatherhood in an agricultural community in Jamaica. In recent years, scholars of the Caribbean family have focused on fatherhood as part of a general island-wide concern over the development of positive male images. To date, studies of rural Jamaica have focused on female-headed households, generating some fairly stereotypical profiles of Caribbean men as irresponsible fathers and unfaithful, abusive partners, on the margins of family life. The article revisits this image, reflecting on gender roles and relationships through an ethnographic case study of one particular father. Richard, a hatter with three children, lives in a common-law marriage. At the time of research, he was at the center of community controversy which challenged his responsibility as a father. A study of the controversy reveals that fatherhood is contested terrain where an emerging cultural disposition toward nurturing fathers competes with conventional notions of the aloof disciplin...
Erosion and sediment delivery following removal of forest roads

Erosion control treatments were applied to abandoned logging roads in California, with the goal of reducing road-related sediment input to streams and restoring natural hydrologic patterns on the landscape. Treatment of stream crossings involved excavating culverts and associated road fill and reshaping streambanks. A variety of techniques were applied to road benches, which included decompacting the road surface, placing unstable road fill in more stable locations, and reestablishing natural surface drainage patterns. Following treatment and a 12-year recurrence-interval storm, some road reaches and excavated stream crossings showed evidence of mass movement failures, gullying, bank erosion and channel incision. Post-treatment erosion from excavated stream crossings was related to two variables: a surrogate for stream power (drainage area channel gradient) and the volume of fill excavated from the channel. Post-treatment erosion on road reaches was related to four explanatory variables: method of treatment, hillslope position (upper, mid-slope or lower), date of treatment, and an interaction term (hillslope position method of treatment). Sediment delivery from treated roads in upper, middle and lower hillslope positions was 10, 135 and 550 m 3 of sediment per kilometre of treated roads, respectively. In contrast, inventories of almost 500 km of forest roads in adjacent catchments indicate that untreated roads produced 1500 to 4700 m 3 of sediment per kilometre of road length. Erosion from 300 km of treated roads contributed less than 2 per cent of the total sediment load of Redwood Creek during the period 1978 to 1998. Although road removal treatments do not completely eliminate erosion associated with forest roads, they do substantially reduce sediment yields from abandoned logging roads. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.