cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parents' Beliefs, Depressive Symptoms, and Emotion Regulation Uniquely Relate to Parental Responses to Adolescent Positive Affect.

Parents' socialization of positive affect is relevant during adolescence, given that parents play a key role in the development of youth emotional competency. The current study hypothesized that parent characteristics (emotion regulation, belief that positive emotions are costly, and depressive symptoms) would be uniquely related to both dampening and enhancing responses to youth positive affect. Parents (n = 373) of adolescents (youth ages 10-17 years) were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Parents reported on their own regulation of both positive and negative emotions, depressive symptoms, beliefs about youth emotions, and responses to adolescent expressions of positive affect. The final structural regression model partially supported the hypothesis with respect to parental dampening responses. Depressive symptoms, over-controlled emotion regulation, and beliefs about positive emotions each uniquely related to dampening. Only the coping emotion regulation strategies factor was uniquely associated with parents' enhancing responses. These findings support existing theories of parental emotion socialization, though the final model in this sample provides more insight into parental dampening than parental enhancing responses to positive affect. The finding that emotion regulation strategies (over-controlled and coping) were differentially related to parental responses to youth positive affect suggests a connection between parents' regulation of their own emotions and responses to their offspring's emotion expressions.
The Tuvalu Syndrome. Can Geoengineering Solve Climate’s Collective Action Problem?

Geoengineering research has historically been inhibited by fears that the perceived availability of a technological fix for climate change, such as the deployment of space-based reflectors, may undermine greenhouse gas abatement efforts. I develop a game theoretic model to show that the credible threat of unilateral geoengineering may instead strengthen global abatement and lead to a self-enforcing climate treaty with full participation. A "rogue nation" may wish to unilaterally geoengineer if it faces extreme climate damages (as with Tuvalu), or if there are minimal local side effects from geoengineering, such as hydrological cycle disruption or stratospheric ozone depletion. However, the costly global side effects of geoengineering may make it individually rational for other countries to reduce emissions to the level where this rogue nation no longer wishes to unilaterally geoengineer. My results suggest a need to model the impacts of a “selfish geoengineer” intent only on maximizing net domestic benefits, as well as a “benevolent geoengineer” out to restore global mean temperature and minimize global side effects.
Indirect evidence that anoxia exposure and cold acclimation alter transarcolemmal Ca2+ flux in the cardiac pacemaker, right atrium and ventricle of the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta).

Abstract We indirectly assessed if altered transarcolemmal Ca2+ flux accompanies the decreased cardiac activity displayed by Trachemys scripta with anoxia exposure and cold acclimation. Turtles were first acclimated to 21 °C or 5 °C and held under normoxic (21N; 5N) or anoxic conditions (21A; 5A). We then compared the response of intrinsic heart rate (fH) and maximal developed force of spontaneously contracting right atria (Fmax,RA), and maximal developed force of isometrically-contracting ventricular strips (Fmax,V), to Ni2+ (0.1–10 mM), which respectively blocks T-type Ca2+ channels, L-type Ca2+ channels and the Na+-Ca2+-exchanger at the low, intermediate and high concentrations employed. Dose-response curves were established in simulated in vivo normoxic (Sim Norm) or simulated in vivo anoxic extracellular conditions (Sim Anx; 21A and 5A preparations). Ni2+ decreased intrinsic fH, Fmax,RA and Fmax,V of 21N tissues in a concentration-dependent manner, but the responses were blunted in 21A tissues in Sim Norm. Similarly, dose-response curves for Fmax,RA and Fmax,V of 5N tissues were right-shifted, whereas anoxia exposure at 5 °C did not further alter the responses. The influence of Sim Anx was acclimation temperature-, cardiac chamber- and contractile parameter-dependent. Combined, the findings suggest that: (1) reduced transarcolemmal Ca2+ flux in the cardiac pacemaker is a potential mechanism underlying the slowed intrinsic fH of anoxic turtles at 21 °C, but not 5 °C, (2) a downregulation of transarcolemmal Ca2+ flux may aid cardiac anoxia survival at 21 °C and prime the turtle myocardium for winter anoxia and (3) confirm that altered extracellular conditions with anoxia exposure can modify turtle cardiac transarcolemmal Ca2+ flux.
Delivery Systems for Corporate Training in the Future

This chapter is about delivery systems for corporate training in the future. First, we will describe electronic networks and human resources development. The next section is about the changing face of human resource development. Subsequently, we answer the question why to use hypertext for electronic seminars and cases. Next we will describe seminars and case studies in a hypertext environment. Finally, we will give some future directions.
Evaluation of Evolutionary and Genetic Optimizers: No Free Lunch.

The recent “no free lunch” theorems of Wolpert and Macready indicate the need to reassess empirical methods for evaluation of evolutionary and genetic optimizers. Their main theorem states, loosely, that the average performance of all optimizers is identical if the distribution of functions is average. The present work generalizes the result to an uncountable set of distributions. The focus is upon the conservation of information as an optimizer evaluates points. It is shown that the information an optimizer gains about unobserved values is ultimately due to its prior information of value distributions. Inasmuch as information about one distribution is misinformation about another, there is no generally superior function optimizer. Empirical studies are best regarded as attempts to infer the prior information optimizers have about distributions–i.e., to determine which tools are good for which tasks.
Continental Approaches in Bioethics

Bioethics influences public policy, scientific research, and clinical practice. Thinkers in Continental traditions have increasingly contributed scholarship to this field, and their approaches allow new insights and alternative normative guidance. In this essay, examples of the following Continental approaches in bioethics are presented and considered: phenomenology and existentialism; deconstruction; Foucauldian methodologies; and biopolitical analyses. Also highlighted are Continental feminisms and the philosophy of disability. Continental approaches are importantly diverse, but those I focus upon here reveal embedded models of individualized autonomy in medical discourses and encourage awareness of medicine's normalizing edges, thereby drawing attention to lacunae in traditional bioethical frameworks.
Theories of adolescence

CHAPTER 1: The Philosophical and Historical Roots of Theories AdolescenceCHAPTER 2: The Psychoanalytic Theory of Adolescent DevelopmentCHAPTER 3: Erik Erikson's Theory of Identity DevelopmentCHAPTER 4: Theoretical Expansion and Empirical Support for Erickson's TheoryCHAPTER 5: Harry Stack Sullivan's Interpersonal Theory of Adolescent DevelopmentCHAPTER 6: Margaret Mead: Cultural Anthropology and AdolescenceCHAPTER 7: Kurt Lewin: Field Theory of AdolescenceCHAPTER 8: Jean Piaget's Cognitive Theory of AdolescenceCHAPTER 9: Lawrence Kohlberg's Cognitive-developmental Approach to Adolescent MoralityCHAPTER 10: A Feminist Perspective: Carol Gilligan's's theory of Sex Differences in Adolescent DevelopmentCHAPTER 11: Robert Selman's Theory of Interpersonal UnderstandingCHAPTER 12: Jane Loevinger: Ego Development in AdolescenceCHAPTER 13: James Fowler's Theory of Faith development with Emphasis on AdolescenceCHAPTER 14: The Contributions of Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory's Contribution to an Understanding of AdolescenceCHAPTER 15: Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Perspective of Human DevelopmentCHAPTER 16: Richard M. Lerner's Developmental ContextualistCHAPTER 17: An Anthropological Perspective of Adolescence
Characterization of IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T-cell clones: II. Cell-surface phenotypes, histochemical and ultrastructural properties

Abstract This report examines the histochemical staining patterns, ultrastructure, and cell-surface phenotypes of six antigen-specific T-cell clones. Histochemical analyses indicated that all cell lines expressed alpha-napthyl butyrate esterase characteristic of the monocytic isoenzyme, intense napthol AS-D chloroacetate reactivity characteristic of granulocytes, and were negative for leucoperoxidase, alkaline phosphatase, and Sudan black. Only one clone stained weakly for acid phosphatase. The esterase staining patterns became evident in newly established cell lines after growth for only 1 week in interleukin 2-conditioned medium. Ultrastructurally, the outstanding feature was numerous membrane-bound granules containing a complex-appearing globular material. The cell-surface phenotypes of the lines as determined by protein A-sheep red blood cell resetting and indirect immunofluorescence was Ly-5 + , T200 + , Qa-5 − , MAC-1 − , and Lyt-1 + ,2,3 − for the helper line and Lyt-1 − 2,3 + for the five cytotoxic lines. By quantitative absorption analyses, low levels of Lyt-1 antigens were detected on all examined cytotoxic lines. The results strengthen the view that long-term T-cell lines can retain normal T-cell characteristics while also expressing markers that are either absent or in undetectable levels on uncultured T lymphocytes. The presence of the esterases may be associated with an expanded functional role in the T-cell lines.
Metabolism of Metribuzin in Tomato Cell Cultures by a Glucosyltransferase

Plant cell cultures have been used to study the metabolism of herbicides for a number of years (1,2,3) in an effort to replace whole plants with more convenient and controlled systems. Isolation of metabolites from cultures has proven to be more convenient than with intact plants and cell cultures produce many of the same metabolites that are formed by intact plants (2,3).
Market Opening and Stock Market Behavior: Taiwan's Experience

This paper studies the impact of market opening on stock market behavior. Taiwan opened its stock market in January 1, 1991. Using stock market data from Taiwan for both before and after the opening event, we found that while there is no significant changes in the stock mean returns, volatility is significantly reduced three months after Taiwan opened its stock market. As a result, the market efficiency, as measured by the Sharpe ratio, significantly increases three months after the opening event.
Integer spin particles necessarily produce half-integer angular momentum in a simple complex and periodic Hamiltonian

Exact wave functions are is derived from an azimuthally periodic a self-consistent quantum Hamiltonian in 2+1 dimensions using both the Klein-Gordon and the Schroedinger equations. It isWe shown that, curiously, for both relativistic and non-relativistic equations, integer spin wave equations necessarily produce half-integer angular momentum in this potential. We find additionally that the higher energy, relativistic, solutions require an asymptotically free potential, while the lower energy, Schroedinger, solutions can exist in a potential that grows linearly with r. These are purely mathematical results, however we speculate on possible physical interpretations.
Phase transfer of oleic acid stabilized rod-shaped anatase TiO2 nanocrystals

Abstract Three methods were evaluated for phase transfer of oleic acid stabilized TiO2 nanorods from non-polar phase to an aqueous phase. Three alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (C6, C8, C12) surfactants were tested and compared with an amphiphilic polymer as interdigitation agents. Ligand substitutions with catechol derivatives with polar functional groups para to the –enediol were evaluated as well. The molecular surfactants were ineffective compared to the amphiphilic polymer in the interdigitation phase transfer approach. Ligand substitution with catechols proceeded efficiently with phase transfer. The ligand substitution reactions were accompanied by gas evolution, which was found to result from decarboxylation of oleic acid in alkaline aqueous conditions.
Young adult e-cigarette users’ reasons for liking and not liking e-cigarettes: A qualitative study

Objective: To gain an in-depth understanding of what young adult electronic- or e-cigarette users like or dislike about e-cigarettes. We aimed to determine the reasons that may encourage young adul...
Self-Care Behaviors of African Americans Living with Heart Failure

African Americans have a higher risk of developing heart failure (HF) than persons from other ethnic groups. Once diagnosed, they have lower rates of HF self-care and poorer health outcomes. Promoting engagement in HF self-care is amenable to change and represents an important way to improve the health of African Americans with HF. This study used a community-based participatory action research methodology called photovoice to explore the practice of HF self-care among low-income, urban, community dwelling African Americans. Using the photovoice methodology, themes emerged regarding self-care management and self-care maintenance.
Effects of ageing and long-term subcultivation on collagen lattice contraction and intra-lattice proliferation in three rat cell types.

Abstract Many cells can contract a hydrated collagen lattice when seeded within one, re-organizing the collagen fibrils into a compact structure by tractional f during cell movement and translocation. The effects of ageing on this tractional-motility property of cells was examined for three cell types from adul rats: skin fibroblasts, aortic smooth muscle cells, and dedifferentiated chondrocytes. All cell types at low population doubling levels (PDL dedifferentiated chondrocytes > skin fibroblasts). There was no significant differ contraction ability of cell isolates of the same type obtained from 4-month and 24–30-month animals. Cells that had been subcultivated extensively (P retained contractional ability. The cell types proliferated within lattices to varying extents, and there was no correlation between a cell type's exte a lattice and its proliferation in monolayer culture. That lattice contraction ability is preserved intact with ageing in three cell types suggests tha forces exerted by cells on a collagen matrix in vitro may have a significant role in adult life in vivo .
Sampling theorems for higher order elliptic boundary value problems

Theorems analogous to Shannon's provide solutions of regular interior elliptic boundary value problems, of order at least two, from samples of mixed type boundary data. Equivalent problems are obtained by transmuting the partial differential operators or by varying the domains. Function theoretic applications follow.
Understanding electrical transport and the large power factor enhancements in co-nanostructured PbTe

We previously reported the synthesis of nanostructured composite PbTe with excess Pb and Sb metal inclusions. The electrical conductivity shows an unusual temperature dependence that depends on the inclusion Pb/Sb ratio, resulting in marked enhancements in power factor and ZT at 700 K. Additional investigation of the transport and structure of these materials is reported here. Measurements of the scattering parameter reveals there is little change in electron scattering with respect to pure PbTe. High resolution electron microscopy was used to determine additional information about the nature of the precipitate phases present in the samples. High temperature transmission electron microscopy reveals that the precipitates begin to dissolve at high temperatures and completely disappear at T > 619K. A qualitative explanation of the unusual transport behavior of these materials is presented.
Productive confusions: learning from simulations of pandemic virus outbreaks in Second Life

Users of immersive virtual reality environments have reported a wide variety of side and after effects including the confusion of characteristics of the real and virtual worlds. Perhaps this side effect of confusing the virtual and real can be turned around to explore the possibilities for immersion with minimal technological support in virtual world group training simulations. This paper will describe observations from my time working as an artist/researcher with the UCSD School of Medicine (SoM) and Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) to develop trainings for nurses, doctors and Hospital Incident Command staff that simulate pandemic virus outbreaks. By examining moments of slippage between realities, both into and out of the virtual environment, moments of the confusion of boundaries between real and virtual, we can better understand methods for creating immersion. I will use the mixing of realities as a transversal line of inquiry, borrowing from virtual reality studies, game studies, and anthropological studies to better understand the mechanisms of immersion in virtual worlds. Focusing on drills conducted in Second Life, I will examine moments of training to learn the software interface, moments within the drill and interviews after the drill.
Learning associated with participation in journal‐based continuing medical education

INTRODUCTION Medical journal reading is a standard method of increasing awareness among physicians of evidence-based approaches to medical care. Theories of physician learning and practice change have suggested that journal reading may be more influential at some stages of behavioral change than at others, but it is not clear how journal reading may influence the learning process that can lead to behavioral change. METHODS A random sample of 170 continuing medical education (CME) participants who had read three journal articles and completed a CME evaluation form received a CME credit certificate with a brief survey appended. The survey asked participants to report their stage of learning on each article topic before and after reading the three articles. RESULTS Of the 170 CME participants, 138 (81.2%) responded to the survey. Most (106 of 138; 76.8%) reported a progression in stage of learning on the topic of at least one of the three articles read for CME credit. More than one-fourth of the respondents (37 of 138; 26.8%) made a commitment to change practice related to the topic of one or more articles. CME participants were more likely (relative risk 1.14; 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.22) to report a progression in stage of learning if they had recorded a commitment to change practice related to the same article topic on the CME evaluation form. DISCUSSION Journal-based CME activities may be educational at all stages of the learning process, and journal-based learning episodes may result in commitments to change practice.
Fluorescence quenching metrology of graphene

We investigate the application of fluorescence quenching microscopy (FQM) for visual characterization of graphene quality, number of layers and uniformity over its landscape. The method relies on the fact that pristine, modified and multi-layer graphene regions quench fluorescence with different rates. Steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy are used to comparatively characterize the photophysical behavior of pristine graphene relative to unquenched dye on bare substrate. The results demonstrate that with premeditated choice of Fluorescence dye, the interaction between fluorophores and graphene provides valuable tools for identifying the chemical structure and thickness of graphene. Fluorescence quenching metrology can be implemented as the basis for a microscopy based metrology for 2D materials.
Investigating spatial understanding in multi-component displays

This poster describes an experiment designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a seven screen tiled display. Results show that there are no statistically significant differences in performance on a simple spatial task across display technology. This work can assist researchers of panoramic display systems in evaluating the optimal spatial placement of screen hardware and limits for bezel separation.
Diagnosing customer comparisons of competitors' marketing mix strategies

Abstract Day (1990) perceives the essence of competitive advantage assessment to be side-by-side customer comparisons of the business against the best of its target competitors-those similar in served market and competitive stance. We offer a theoretical framework and an empirical examination of the impact of direct customer comparisons of competitors' marketing mix strategies on preferences toward, and choices among, these competitors as suppliers. The results for a national (U.S.) sample of industrial customers of conveyor belt systems support our central hypothesis: overall preference for the marketing mix offering of a given supplier is influenced positively by the distinctiveness of one or more elements in that supplier's marketing mix relative to its competitors. Distinctiveness is defined as the degree to which the customer perceives a supplier's product design quality, price, after-sale-service, and other marketing mix elements to be unique and valuable.
Food Transmission within the Cryptotermes brevis Colony (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)

Transmission of food within artificial “colonies” of Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) nymphs was studied, using radioactive cobalt as a tracer. Four different colony densities (25, 50, 100, and 200 termites) and 4 different intervals of exposure to a single radioactive donor (12, 24, 48, and 96 hours) were tested. As expected, the larger the colony and the longer the exposure interval, the more nymphs became radioactive. In the 25-member colony showing the fastest transmission rate, colony saturation reached virtually 100% in 96 hours, while the highest percentage reached by a 200-member colony for the same interval was 50%. The average amount of radioactivity per termite decreased significantly with increase in density, but appeared not to be appreciably affected by time. Pellet production by individuals declined significantly with time, but was not significantly affected by density.
Challenges in Remote Attestation of Low-End Embedded Devices

Embedded computing devices increasingly permeate many aspects of modern life: from medical to automotive, from building and factory automation to weapons, from avionics to home entertainment. Despite their specialized nature as well as limited resources and connectivity, these devices are becoming an increasingly popular and attractive target for remote malware infestation attacks, exemplified by Stuxnet [1]. Many mitigation techniques have been proposed, varying in terms of generality and underlying assumptions. One common theme is the need for Remote Attestation, a distinct security service that allows a trusted party (verifier) to check the internal state of a remote untrusted embedded device (prover). Purely software-based techniques, while efficient, offer dubious security guarantees. Most hardware-based techniques are too costly for low-end embedded devices.This talk focuses on three important challenges in designing Remote Attestation techniques for low-end embedded devices. First, what is the minimal set of hardware and software features for a low-end embedded device to attain provably secure remote attestation, under the strongest possible and realistic adversary model? Second, what mechanisms and features are needed to protect the remote attestation process from unauthorized invocation, i.e., how to assure that an embedded device is not being misused? Third, how to design efficient remote attestation for a multitude of potentially heterogeneous embedded devices, e.g., within a vehicle, a household, or an aircraft? Some of this research [2-4] was conducted in collaboration with K. Eldefrawy, A. Francillon, D. Perito and K. Rasmussen.
A framework for replacement analysis

Abstract Replacement analysis involves an area of engineering economics with many special models and many detailed rules. In this paper a unified framework for replacement analysis is presented. The framework consists of a four-step method appropriate for engineering economics decisions and a classification of some traditional and current replacement models and analysis techniques. Methods are derived for analyzing finite-horizon models and infinite-horizon models with and without technological change. The models and analysis are compared with the models and analysis of Terborgh and Oakford.
Exploring knowledge, attitudes and practices of RNs regarding the spread of nosocomial infections

Background: Nosocomial infections (NIs) are new localized or systemic infections that develop in patients receiving medical care in a hospital or other healthcare facilities. The infections are not incubating or present during a patient’s admission into the healthcare facility and are identified at least forty-eight to seventy-two hours following the patient’s admission. Episodes of NIs are recognized in hospitalized patients world-wide and are prevalent in all age groups. They are caused by pathogens present on surfaces or equipment and are often transmitted by indirect and direct contact. Some of the pathogens are resistant to antimicrobial agents. The burdens of NIs include prolonged duration of hospitalization for patients resulting in increased costs of healthcare and deaths. Implementation of safe patient care activities is the role of healthcare workers such as physicians, dental health care workers and nurses. Therefore these healthcareworkers should be familiar with practices to prevent the occurrence and spread of NIs. It has been documented in the literature that at the time of their graduation from their professional education, healthcare professionals have sufficient knowledge topracticepatient safety and infectioncontrol guidelines.However, the evidence suggests otherwise sincehealthcareworkers including nurses are implicated in the transmission of nosocomial infections. With nurses having the most contacts with patients; understanding of their knowledge, attitudes and practice patternswith regard to the spread ofNIsmayprovide one approach by which this health care issue would be addressed. Methods & Materials: This exploratory, cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted using on-line survey responses from 352 registered nurses. Data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential non-parametric statistics. Results: The participants demonstrated high levels of knowledge, adherence to recommended guidelines of infection control practices, and positive attitudes. These results, in addition to the observed significant associations between organizational support and registered nurses’ knowledge, attitudes and practices, lend support to the recent CDC data on reduced incidence of NIs. Conclusion: Findings in this study suggest that nursing education, concerted efforts of infection control, state mandates and organizational support play pivotal roles toward reducing the spread of NIs.
Reducing barriers to mental health and social services for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans: outcomes of an integrated primary care clinic.

BACKGROUND Despite high rates of post-deployment psychosocial problems in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, mental health and social services are under-utilized.
Colocalization of galanin and prolactin within secretory granules of anterior pituitary cells in estrogen-treated Fischer 344 rats.

Galanin is localized within specific cell types of the rat anterior pituitary gland (AP). Immunocytochemical studies at the light microscope level have shown that lactotrophs, somatotrophs, and thyrotrophs contain galanin in the intact female rat, whereas lactotrophs in the male AP do not. We recently reported that galanin and PRL release from estrogentreated male and female pituitary cells in culture are coregulated by dopamine, TRH, and somatostatin. This suggested that galanin is stored within secretory granules, conceivably with PRL. Using postembedding immunocytochemistry at the ultrastructural level, the objectives of this study were to: 1) determine the subcellular location of galanin in the AP; 2) elucidate if galanin and PRL are colocalized within the same secretory granules; and 3) compare the cellular localization of galanin in the male and female AP. Male and ovariectomized female (OVEX) Fischer 344 rats were implanted with estradiol-containing or empty Silastic capsules for 2 weeks. Postembed...
Mapping of the chick heme oxygenase-1 proximal promoter for responsiveness to metalloporphyrins.

Abstract Heme oxygenase (HO) catalyzes the rate-controlling step of physiologic heme catabolism, namely, the oxidation of the α-methene bridge of the macrocycle with formation of CO, Fe, and biliverdin. HO-1, the first isoform of HO to be identified, is highly inducible by a large number of physical and chemical factors. Many of these factors cause oxidative or other stresses to cells. In this work, we have studied the regulation of the chick HO-1 gene, using selected promoter–reporter constructs of the gene transiently or stably transfected into primary cultures of chick embryo liver cells or into the LMH line of chicken hepatoma cells. By use of deletional and mutational analyses, DNase protection, and electromobility shift DNA-binding assays, we identified a heretofore undefined regulatory region in the 5′-UTR of the chick HO-1 gene which confers up-regulation of reporter gene (luciferase) expression in the presence of heme and other selected metalloporphyrins. This new metalloporphyrin-responsive element (MPRE) was localized to a 200-bp region 3.8 to 3.6 kb upstream of the transcription starting point of the chick HO-1 gene. It responded particularly to heme and cobalt protoporphyrin with maximal inductions at 10–15 μM concentrations and 15–18 h of exposure. In contrast, sodium arsenite, a prototypical stress-type inducer of HO-1, led to down-regulation of the reporter gene down stream of MPRE. DNase analysis identified an 18-mer oligonucleotide that was required for the metalloporphyrin response (5′- −3711 TATTGCAGCTGTGTGGGG-3′). Mutations at any of four sites within this oligonucleotide abrogated the metalloporphyrin-dependent up-regulation of reporter gene expression. Nuclear protein extracts of cells treated with heme or cobalt protoporphyrin showed specific enhanced binding to this 18-mer. We conclude that the chick HO-1 promoter region contains a unique sequence that subserves up-regulation of the gene by metalloporphyrins and propose the name “metalloporphyrin-responsive element” for this sequence.
Shouldn’t Everyone Have an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator?

Benjamin Franklin was the first to suggest that electricity be used to revive a person from death, although the first actual case was reported in 1774 when a 3-year-old trauma victim was revived with electric shocks to her chest delivered from an early capacitor called a Leyden jar.1 More than 200 years later, the concept of terminating life-threatening arrhythmias with electric therapy has evolved greatly owing in part to the seminal work of Mirowski et al2 and the development of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).2 Although few would dispute the efficacy with which these devices recognize and terminate life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, questions persist. In this issue of Circulation , Packer and colleagues3 provide an important substudy of the Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT) and in doing so allow further insight into the both the marvels and limitations of ICD therapy. Article see p 2170 SCD-HeFT stands as the largest of the groundbreaking clinical studies that have firmly established the place of ICDs in the armamentarium of heart failure treatment. The trial randomized 2521 subjects with an ejection fraction ≤35% caused by either ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III heart failure to receive conventional therapy alone, conventional therapy plus amiodarone, or conventional therapy with a shock-only single-chamber ICD. The study demonstrated a 23% reduction in all-cause mortality in patients randomized to receive an ICD with no benefit from amiodarone compared with conventional therapy.4 What was not provided in the initial report is how the ICD reduced mortality, but Packer and colleagues have …
Crystal Structure of the Gephyrin-related Molybdenum Cofactor Biosynthesis Protein MogA from Escherichia coli

Molybdenum cofactor (Moco) biosynthesis is an evolutionarily conserved pathway in archaea, eubacteria, and eukaryotes, including humans. Genetic deficiencies of enzymes involved in this biosynthetic pathway trigger an autosomal recessive disease with severe neurological symptoms, which usually leads to death in early childhood. The MogA protein exhibits affinity for molybdopterin, the organic component of Moco, and has been proposed to act as a molybdochelatase incorporating molybdenum into Moco. MogA is related to the protein gephyrin, which, in addition to its role in Moco biosynthesis, is also responsible for anchoring glycinergic receptors to the cytoskeleton at inhibitory synapses. The high resolution crystal structure of the Escherichia coli MogA protein has been determined, and it reveals a trimeric arrangement in which each monomer contains a central, mostly parallel β-sheet surrounded by α-helices on either side. Based on structural and biochemical data, a putative active site was identified, including two residues that are essential for the catalytic mechanism.
Effects of Charge Ratios and Cationic Polymer Nature on Polyelectrolyte Complex Deposition onto Cellulose

Sequential addition of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), which is highly cationic, followed by anionic carboxymethylcellulose, has been found to promote inter-fiber bonding during the manufacture of paper, with potential benefits to the recycling of fibers. The present results help to confirm a hypothesis that observed strength gains, in cases where the amount of the first additive exceeded the adsorption capacity of the fibers, were due to the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes in the solution phase, followed by their deposition onto fiber surfaces. Complex formation and retention of complexes on fiber surfaces occurred efficiently over a wide range of polymer charge ratios, cationic polymer attributes, and other conditions, regardless of whether the fibers had been pretreated to reverse their net charge.
Wide-frequency dielectric susceptibility measurements in glycerol

Data are presented on the dielectric relaxation in supercooled liquid glycerol. These data span over 14 decades in frequency from 10 −4 Hz to 2×10 10 Hz. It is found that the peak in the imaginary part of the dielectric susceptibility has a temperature dependence that can be fit with a Vogel-Fulcher form: v = v 0 exp[− A /( T − T 0 )]. The shape of the response function in the high frequency tail cannot be fit with a stretched-exponential form. However the data can be scaled onto a single master curve which has previously been shown to fit a number of other glass-forming liquids.
Comparison of Interfacial Tyrosine, Tryptophan and Phenylalanine Residues as Determinants of Orientation and Dynamics of Transmembrane Peptides

Aromatic amino acids often flank the transmembrane alpha helices of integral membrane proteins. By favoring locations within the membrane-water interface of the lipid bilayer, the aromatic residues Trp, Tyr, and Phe may serve as anchors to help stabilize a transmembrane orientation. In this work, we compare the influence of interfacial Trp, Tyr or Phe residues upon the properties of helical transmembrane peptides. For such comparisons, it is critical to start with no more than one interfacial aromatic residue near each end of a transmembrane helix, for example that of GWALP23 (acetyl-GGALW5(LA)6LW19LAGA-[ethanol]amide; see J. Biol. Chem. 285, 31723). To this end, we have employed 2H-labeled alanines and solid-state NMR spectroscopy to investigate the consequences of replacing W5 in GWALP23 with Tyr or Phe residues at the same or proximate locations. We find that GWALP23 peptides having Y5, F5, or W5 exhibit essentially the same average tilt in bilayer membranes of DLPC, DMPC, and DOPC. When double Tyr anchors are present, in Y4,5GWALP23, the NMR observables are more subject to dynamic averaging and at the same time less responsive to the bilayer thickness than when a single Tyr or Phe residue occupies position 4 or 5. Interestingly, Y4GWALP23 and Y5GWALP23 show similar low levels of dynamic averaging and have a difference of about 30°-40° in the preferred helix azimuthal rotation angle in each lipid. Decreased dynamics are observed when ring hydrogen bonding is removed as in the case of F4,5GWALP23. We conclude that, in the absence of other functional groups, interfacial aromatic residues determine the preferred orientations and dynamics of membrane-spanning peptides.
Micromilling development and applications for microfabrication

Abstract In conventional machining, milling is the most versatile of the cutting processes. Micromechanical milling has also been shown to be a very versatile and repid method for the removal of material and the creation of microstructures. These microstructures range form direct fabrication of molds in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to direct fabrication of x-ray lithography masks using a machinable carrier and one of several metallic absorbers, or various combinations of absorbers to better suit the machining environment. The micromilling tools are commercially available in diameters larger than 50 micrometers and custom-fabricated tools 22 micrometers in diameter are made at the Institute for Micromanufacturing (IfM). The custom-fabricated tools are made using the focused ion beam process and the resulting microstructures are machined on a very high precision, custom-built milling machine. The focused ion beam process has also been used to fabricate very small probe tips for biomedical use and microscalpels with extremely sharp cutting edges. These devices are currently under study and development for research applications.
Basal extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens during amphetamine withdrawal : a no net flux microdialysis study

Abstract The basal extracellular concentration of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens was quantified using the ‘no net flux’ microdialysis method, in rats undergoing withdrawal from d -amphetamine. Rats were initially pretreated with saline, or an escalating dose amphetamine regimen known to produce a robust withdrawal syndrome, and extracellular dopamine was quantified 3 or 28 days after the last pretreatment injection. There was no effect of amphetamine pretreatment on the basal extracellular concentration of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, or on the ‘in vivo recovery’ of dopamine, estimated by ‘no net flux’ microdialysis. It is suggested that amphetamine withdrawal is not necessarily accompanied by changes in the basal extracellular concentration of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.
Hazardous digits: Telephone keypads and Russian numbers in Tbilisi, Georgia

Abstract Why do many Georgian speakers in Tbilisi prefer a non-native language (Russian) for providing telephone numbers to their interlocutors? One of the most common explanations is that the addressee is at risk of miskeying a number if it is given in Georgian, a vigesimal system, rather than Russian, a decimal system. Rationales emphasizing the hazards of Georgian numbers in favor of the “ease” of Russian numbers provide an entrypoint to discuss the social construction of linguistic difference with respect to technological artifacts. This article investigates historical and sociotechnical dimensions contributing to ease of communication as the primary rationale for Russian language preference. The number keypad on the telephone has afforded a normative preference for Russian linguistic code.
Integrated water resources management: balancing views and improving practice

Integrated water resources management is a conceptual framework that is meant to describe the complexity of water decisions and the importance of balancing stakeholder viewpoints. Implementation is difficult because of institutional barriers and because of definitional confusion over the precise meaning of IWRM. Improved governance is required to overcome institutional barriers. Specific and unambiguous language may reduce confusion, but it may oversimplify the complexity. The present paper offers a brief definition of integrated water resources management and a list of seven elements for integration. Brief examples are then given from different countries in order to illustrate each of these elements. Coordination across geographic areas is recognized as a special challenge of integration and emerging efforts toward integration in some countries will bear close scrutiny to measure their success. Regardless of the ultimate success in promoting the concept of integrated water resources management, it commun...
ICoVax 2013: The 3rd ISV Pre-conference Computational Vaccinology Workshop

Following last year's computational vaccinology workshop in Shanghai, China, the third ISV Pre-conference Computational Vaccinology Workshop (ICoVax 2013) was held in Barcelona, Spain. ICoVax 2013 provided an international platform for the attendees to showcase their research and discuss problems and solutions in the development and application of computational vaccinology and vaccine informatics tools. The first of the three full-length papers presented at ICoVax discussed the discovery of viral "camouflage" through cross-conservation of T-cell epitopes using a tool called JanusMatrix. This important paper reports that viruses may camouflage their presence in the human body by incorporating sequences in their proteins that are highly cross-conserved at the T-cell receptor surface with human genome proteins, a discovery that has wide ranging implications for the development of vaccines against viruses that use the camouflage method. The other papers described a database for storing experimentally verified data on DNA vaccines and compared therapeutic targets of western drugs to Chinese herbal medicines for cardiovascular diseases. The short poster presentations covered various uses of informatics tools for processing the DNA and microRNA of pathogens to improve vaccine coverage, efficacy and development. A live (on-line) demonstration of the vaccine design toolkit, iVax, presented by Frances Terry of EpiVax, illustrated how computational vaccinology could be used in the design of next generation vaccines.
Regulation of Arachidonic Acid Release and Prostaglandin E2Production in Thymic Epithelial Cells by ATPγS and Transforming Growth Factor-α

Abstract The arachidonic acid metabolites produced by thymic epithelial cells play a pivotal role in thymocyte development. We have discovered that ATP and TGF-α regulate the arachidonic acid metabolism in TEA3A1 rat thymic epithelial cells by activating phospholipase A 2 enzymatic activity. Our present study demonstrates that ATP and its nonhydrolyzable analog ATPγS stimulate both prostaglandin E 2 production and Ca 2+ influx in TEA3A1 cells. The stimulation of prostaglandin E 2 production and Ca 2+ influx by ATP is inhibited by pertussis toxin treatment, indicating that ATP mediates its effect by binding to a G-protein-coupled purinergic receptor. Treatment of cells with ATPγS and transforming growth factor-α results in a synergistic activation of phospholipase A 2 and stimulation of prostaglandin E 2 production. Results from experiments using an inhibitor of receptor-mediated Ca 2+ influx indicate that the synergistic stimulation of prostaglandin E 2 production by ATPγS and transforming growth factor-α requires ATPγS-mediated Ca 2+ influx. The inhibitor of tyrosine kinase genistein also blocked both ATPγS- and ATPγS plus transforming growth factor-α-mediated stimulation of prostaglandin E 2 production, indicating that the activation of phospholipase A 2 may involve a protein tyrosine phosphorylation step.
Ectopic expression of bacterial amylopullulanase enhances bioethanol production from maize grain

Heterologous expression of amylopullulanase in maize seeds leads to partial starch degradation into fermentable sugars, which enhances direct bioethanol production from maize grain. Utilization of maize in bioethanol industry in the United States reached ±13.3 billion gallons in 2012, most of which was derived from maize grain. Starch hydrolysis for bioethanol industry requires the addition of thermostable alpha amylase and amyloglucosidase (AMG) enzymes to break down the α-1,4 and α-1,6 glucosidic bonds of starch that limits the cost effectiveness of the process on an industrial scale due to its high cost. Transgenic plants expressing a thermostable starch-degrading enzyme can overcome this problem by omitting the addition of exogenous enzymes during the starch hydrolysis process. In this study, we generated transgenic maize plants expressing an amylopullulanase (APU) enzyme from the bacterium Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus. A truncated version of the dual functional APU (TrAPU) that possesses both alpha amylase and pullulanase activities was produced in maize endosperm tissue using a seed-specific promoter of 27-kD gamma zein. A number of analyses were performed at 85 °C, a temperature typically used for starch processing. Firstly, enzymatic assay and thin layer chromatography analysis showed direct starch hydrolysis into glucose. In addition, scanning electron microscopy illustrated porous and broken granules, suggesting starch autohydrolysis. Finally, bioethanol assay demonstrated that a 40.2 ± 2.63 % (14.7 ± 0.90 g ethanol per 100 g seed) maize starch to ethanol conversion was achieved from the TrAPU seeds. Conversion efficiency was improved to reach 90.5 % (33.1 ± 0.66 g ethanol per 100 g seed) when commercial amyloglucosidase was added after direct hydrolysis of TrAPU maize seeds. Our results provide evidence that enzymes for starch hydrolysis can be produced in maize seeds to enhance bioethanol production.
Traumatic brain injury complicated by environmental hyperthermia

Temperature variations after traumatic brain injury are common and devastating. This has been shown most clearly with hypothermia, but the complications associated with hyperthermia in the setting of traumatic brain injury can be just as problematic. We present the case of a soldier with traumatic brain injury exposed to environmental temperatures of 115-120 degrees F with a core temperature of over 108 degrees F. The complications of his conditions are discussed as well as potential treatments for the deadly combination of traumatic brain injury and environmental hyperthermia.
Pulmonary artery originating anteriorly from the left ventricle.

Three specimens are presented showing the origin of the pulmonary artery anteriorly from the left ventricle, and the aorta arising completely from the right ventricle. Both semilunar valves had muscular infundibulum and no fibrous continuity with any atrioventricular valve. The great vessels were side by side in the frontal plane and overlapped in the lateral plane. The malformation is defined as “partial distortion of the great vessels in orthoposition” and is functionally analogous to transposition of the great vessels. The reasons why a distinction between the two entities is necessary are discussed.
Use of primate folliculogenesis models in understandinghuman reproductive biology and applicability to toxicology

Abstract The nonhuman primate reproductive system provides an excellent model for studying basic physiological processes applicable to humans. This article reviews hormonal observations and experimental manipulations useful in the evaluation of ovarian events in various stages of the reproductive life. As the need arises, primate reproductive toxicological studies may clarify questions relevant to human risk evaluations. Evaluation of reproductive toxicological observations may reveal biological parameters defining premature reproductive failure.