cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancement in cellulase production by Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30 due to citric acid

This report discusses enhancement in cellulase production by Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30. A combination of 75 mM citrate buffer and low operating pH values; e.g., 3.5, resulted in about 100% higher enzyme production in shake flasks. A similar extent of improvement was seen at lower citrate buffer concentrations such as 5 and 10 mM. It is suggested that the undissociated form of citric acid is responsible for this improvement; no such acid moiety has been previously reported to enhance cellulase production.
Cysteine-Scanning Mutagenesis of Helix II and Flanking Hydrophilic Domains in the Lactose Permease of Escherichia coli

Using a functional lactose permease mutant devoid of Cys residues (C-less permease), each amino acid residue in putative transmembrane helix II and flanking hydrophilic loops (from Leu34 to Lys74) was replaced individually with Cys. Of the 41 single-Cys mutants, 28 accumulate lactose to > 70% of the steady state observed with C-less permease, and an additional 10 mutants exhibit lower but significant levels of accumulation (25-60% of C-less). His35-->Cys permease exhibits very low activity (ca. 20% of C-less), while Gly64-->Cys or Asp68-->Cys permease is unable to accumulate lactose. However, His35 can be replaced with Arg without effect on transport activity [Padan, E., Sarkar, H.K., et al. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 6765-6768]. In addition, even though mutant Gly64-->Cys or Glu68-->Cys is inactive both in the C-less background and in the wild-type, neither Gly64 [Jung, K., Jung, H., et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 1030-1039] nor Glu68 [Jessen-Marshall, A.E., & Brooker, R.J. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 1400-1404] is essential for active lactose transport. Immunoloblot analysis reveals that all of the mutants except His35-->Cys permease are inserted into the membrane at concentrations comparable to that of C-less permease. The transport activity of the single-Cys mutants is altered by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) treatment in a highly specific manner. Most of the mutants are insensitive, but Cys replacements render the permease sensitive to NEM inactivation at positions that cluster in a manner indicating that they are on one face of an alpha-helix (Thr45-->Cys, Gly46-->Cys, Phe49-->Cys, Ser53-->Cys, Ser56-->Cys, Gln60-->Cys, and Ser67-->Cys). Interestingly, the same face contains positions where Cys substitution itself leads to low transport activity (Ile52-->Cys, Leu57-->Cys, Gln60-->Cys, and Gly64-->Cys). The results demonstrate that although no residue per se in this region of the permease is irreplaceable, the surface of one face of helix II is important for active lactose transport.
Arachidonic acid release from K(+)-evoked depolarization of brain synaptosomes.

Abstract Rat brain synaptosomes prelabeled with [ 14 C]arachidonate in their phospholipids were superfused with well oxygenated Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate solution containing 0.2% BSA and subsequently depolarized by elevating the K + concentration in the superfusion medium from 5 to 55 mM. The efflux of labeled arachidonate at steady state was 0.19% ( n = 12) of total radioactivity per min. In the presence of 2.5 mM Ca 2+ , high K + (55 mM) in the medium elicited an increase in arachidonate efflux which amounted to 121.4% ( n = 6) of control. Both Ca 2+ and BSA were required for the stimulated efflux of arachidonate during K + -depolarization. Under the same condition, K + -stimulation also evoked the release of [ 3 H]norepinephrine which was preloaded into the synaptosomes prior to superfusion. EGTA abolished the stimulated release of both arachidonate and norepinephrine during K + -depolarization. These results, together with the loss of labeled arachidonic acid from phospholipids (Majewska and Sun, 1982), indicate that deacylation of membrane lipids is involved in synaptic functions.
Data repositories: a home for microblog archives?

In April 2010, the popular microblogging service, Twitter, announced the donation of their archives to the Library of Congress. This event served to validate the value of microblogs as a source for scholarly research, yet access to the Twitter archives by the public continues to remain restricted. This study seeks to understand how the data repository community can be leveraged to support and maintain access to microblog data for long-term use. Through the examination of a sample Twitter aggregation, significant properties for preservation will be identified and applied to current standards and criteria set by data repositories for deposit. The analysis of data repository functions and the properties of the microblog aggregation provides further awareness into the preservation practices and policies of these social memory institutions while also illuminating recommendations for advancing these retention strategies and approaches.
Ecosembles: A Rapidly Deployable Image Classification System Using Feature-Views

Constructing an image classification system using strong, local invariant descriptors is both time consuming and tedious, requiring many experimentations and parameter tunings to obtain an adequately performing model. Furthermore training a system in a given domain and then migrating the model to a separate domain will likely yield poor performance. As the recent Boston Marathon attacks demonstrated, large, unstructured image databases from traffic cameras, security systems, law enforcement officials, and citizens can be quickly amassed for authorities to review, however, reviewing each and every image is a expensive undertaking, in terms of both time and human intervention. Inherently, reviewing crime scene images is a classification task. For example, authorities may want to know if a given image contains a suspect, a suspicious package, or if there are injured people in the photo. Given an emergency situation, these classifications will be needed as quickly and accurately as possible. In this work we present a rapidly deployable image classification system using "feature-views", which each view consists of a set of weak, global features. These weak global descriptors are computationally simple to extract, intuitive to understand, and require substantially less parameter tuning than their local invariant counterparts. We demonstrate that by combining weak features with ensemble methods we are able to outperform current state-of-the-art methods or achieve comparable accuracy with much less effort and domain knowledge. Finally we provide both theoretical and empirical justification for our ensemble framework that can be used to construct rapidly deployable image classification systems called "Ecosembles".
Cation-exchange, high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of hemoglobin A1c.

Abstract We describe a rapid, simple, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of hemoglobin A1c. with a bonded-phase cation-exchange column. About five measurements are obtained per hour on small quantities of whole blood. Sample preparation requires no centrifugation or washing of cells. The results correlate well (r = 0.918, n = 51) with a commercially available, disposable mini-column kit. The results are insensitive to small changes in pH and temperature. Variants arising from hemoglobinopathies display different chromatographic profiles.
Hiring and Training the Hard-Core Unemployed: A Problem in System Definition

Research on the hiring and training of the hardcore unemployed has focused on motivational orientations of the trainees, evaluations of existing programs, and case studies of successful programs. The level of analysis in these studies has been primarily on the trainee and his experience in the training organization. This paper examines the larger social system in which the trainee operates. The level of analysis is not on the individual but on characteristics of the social system which affect programs designed to provide jobs for the hard-core unemployed. The basic assumption in this study is that identifying the relevant social system is a necessary condition for successfully hiring and providing jobs for the hard-core unemployed. Recognition of the system's components and their interdependencies is a precondition for understanding and for proposing any modifications in the system.
Sex estimation in a modern American osteological sample using a discriminant function analysis from the calcaneus.

Abstract Reliable methods for sex estimation during the development of a biological profile are important to the forensic community in instances when the common skeletal elements used to assess sex are absent or damaged. Sex estimation from the calcaneus has potentially significant importance for the forensic community. Specifically, measurements of the calcaneus provide an additional reliable method for sex estimation via discriminant function analysis based on a North American forensic population. Research on a modern American sample was chosen in order to develop up-to-date population specific discriminant functions for sex estimation. The current study addresses this matter, building upon previous research and introduces a new measurement, posterior circumference that promises to advance the accuracy of use of this single, highly resistant bone in future instances of sex determination from partial skeletal remains. Data were collected from The William Bass Skeletal Collection, housed at The University of Tennessee. Sample size includes 320 adult individuals born between the years 1900 and 1985. The sample was comprised of 136 females and 184 males. Skeletons used for measurements were confined to those with fused diaphyses showing no signs of pathology or damage that may have altered measurements, and that also had accompanying records that included information on ancestry, age, and sex. Measurements collected and analyzed include maximum length, load-arm length, load-arm width, and posterior circumference. The sample was used to compute a discriminant function, based on all four variables, and was performed in SAS 9.1.3. The discriminant function obtained an overall cross-validated classification rate of 86.69%. Females were classified correctly in 88.64% of the cases and males were correctly classified in 84.75% of the cases. Due to the increasing heterogeneity of current populations further discussion on this topic will include the importance that the re-evaluation of past studies has on modern forensic populations. Due to secular and micro evolutionary changes among populations, the near future must include additional methods being updated, and new methods being examined, both which should cover a wide population spectrum.
The Effects of Alcohol and Expectancies on Risk Perception and Behavioral Skills Relevant to Safer Sex Among Heterosexual Young Adult Women

Objective: This study was undertaken to test the hypotheses that acute alcohol intoxication and alcohol-rated sex expectancies are negatively related to both risk perception (a motivational factor) and ability to negotiate safer sex (a behavioral skills factor) with a partner. Motivation and behavioral skills are determinants of safer sex according to the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model. Method: A total of 102 heterosexual females ages 21-30 years participated in two sessions. The first session involved the administration of various measures to confirm eligibility status, and random assignment to one of three beverage conditions: "water control:" "alcohol" (0.65 g alcohol/kg body weight) or "placebo:" The second session involved administration of the beverage and then completion of a risk perception measure and an audiovisual role-play measure of behavioral skills. Results: Regression analyses showed that alcohol expectancies and the perception of intoxication contributed independent ...
SU-E-J-121: A New 4D Radiotherapy Planning Strategy Using Synthesized Tumor-Motion-Compensated Computed Tomography.

Purpose: To validate a four‐dimensional radiotherapy (4DRT) planning based on a synthesized CTimage compensating for tumor motion, accounting for tumor rotation, deformation and distortion due to motion artifacts, and producing realistic normal tissue density in motion‐tracking beam eye view. Methods: 4D computed tomography (4DCT) images of six patients with peripheral lung lesions in mid or lower lobs (motion range: 0.5–3.5cm and size: 1.5±2.0 cm3) were used. A customized program was used for simulating the patient anatomy with a motion‐compensated tumor using 4DCT by aligning the tumor and averaging the 4DCT into a static 3.5DCT image. The gross tumor volume (GTV) was delineated semiautomatically using a threshold algorithm. Variation of GTV in each phase CT was assessed across all phases. 3DRT plans were generated using 3.5DCT and 4DCT and compared for validation. An integrated dose volume histogram (iDVH) from all phase plans and dose warping using deformable image registration (DIR) were used for evaluating 4D plans and comparing with 3.5D plans. Results: The range of tumor volume variation over the mean within a breathing cycle was 87%±46%. The 3.5DCT produced an ‘averaged’ GTV, more reliable than that from any phase CT. The results show that the 3.5D plan is equivalent to the 4D plan, except for low dose area, using the iDVH evaluation. On average, the percentage difference for the areas under the DVH and iDVH is 4.3%±2.7%, while 2/3 of the difference results from low dose region blow D20%. Using DIR‐based dose warping, PTV coverage varies due to DIR uncertainty for the small lesions. Conclusions: The 3.5D plan is equivalent to the 4D plan for peripheral lung lesions, yet requires much less clinical workload. The 3.5D plan accounts for tumor motion and tumor variation for a more reliable delineation, and for realistic normal tissue representation for motion tracking.
Cortical Activation in Conscious and Unconscious Experience

It has become generally accepted that a large, perhaps even a major part of our mental activities can take place without our being consciously aware of them. Though apparently unconscious, they are nevertheless a part of significant mental experience since there is evidence that such activities can participate in later mental and behavioral manifestations—cognitive, affective, or conative.
Early enhancement of passive potassium efflux from rat liver by thyroid hormone: relation to induction of Na,K-ATPase.

The effect of thyroid hormone treatment on the passive efflux of 42K+ from rat liver slices was studied to determine whether an increase in permeability might play a role in the known enhancement of active monovalent cation transport and Na3,K-ATPase activity induced by thyroid hormone. Initial studies showed that the sc injection of 50 μg T3/100 g BW on 3 alternate days resulted in an 82% increase in the 42K+ passive efflux rate constant in liver slices and a 23% increase in the Na,K-ATPase activity of liver homogenates. Subsequent investigation of the relative time courses of these two hormonal effects showed that after a single injection of T3 the rate constant for 42K+ efflux increased within 6 h and reached a plateau between 24 and 48 h. In contrast, Na,K-ATPase activity was not augmented until 24 h and continued to rise between 24 and 48 h. These results suggest that an early increase in cation permeability (with resultant cation leak) may account for the known stimulatory effect of thyroid hormone ...
An XML-based approach to knowledge base unification for computer-generated actors

A serious impediment to robust computer-generated actors (CGAs) is the cost of a knowledge acquisition for the CGA. There are a number of reasons for this difficulty; the chief challenge being the fact that currently each knowledge base is handcrafted for a CGA with little or no re-use of knowledge acquisition activity and the knowledge bases developed for other CGAs. Our research was undertaken to address the knowledge base development cost issue by devising an interoperable and open format for knowledge bases that can be used to represent a knowledge base in a reasoning system independent manner. While the format is reasoning system independent, there is one type of format for each type of reasoning system, the independence is found within each class of reasoning systems; such as fuzzy logic, Bayesian networks, rules, frames, and cased-based reasoning systems among others. In the paper, we will discuss our approach to developing the knowledge base format and our current specification for the format. The foundation for our approach to developing a knowledge base representation format that fosters re-use of the contents of knowledge bases is the eXtensible Markup Language (XML). Below, we review related work as well as provide a brief introduction to XML. We describe our requirements for the knowledge base representation and discuss our approach to developing the knowledge base format and our current specification for the format. We describe how we use the XML language to construct the unified knowledge base representation. The paper concludes with a short summary of the project and suggestions for future work.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of density and temperature on efficiency in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography

Abstract Mobile phase diffusion coefficients found in the literature were used to predict the effect of density on efficiency in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography for several solutes over a typical density programming range. The effect of temperature on efficiency was similarly predicted for naphthalene over a wide temperature range at constant density. Efficiency data for the normal hydrocarbons (C 10 , C 24 and C 36 ) at 50 and 100°C with constant capacity ratios were obtained. Linear velocity changes during density programming significantly affected the chromatographic efficiency. Results verified that efficiency was increased by using low densities and high temperatures at constant linear velocity. Based on these results, density programming at elevated temperatures, and simultaneous density—temperature programming modes were investigated.
Electron Transfer at Self-Assembled Monolayers Measured by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

New approaches have been developed for measuring the rates of electron transfer (ET) across self-assembled molecular monolayers by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The developed models can be used to independently measure the rates of ET mediated by monolayer-attached redox moieties and direct ET through the film as well as the rate of a bimolecular ET reaction between the attached and dissolved redox species. By using a high concentration of redox mediator in solution, very fast heterogeneous (108 s-1) and bimolecular (1011 mol-1 cm3 s-1) ET rate constants can be measured. The ET rate constants measured for ferrocene/alkanethiol on gold were in agreement with previously published data. The rates of bimolecular heterogeneous electron transfer between the monolayer-bound ferrocene and water-soluble redox species were measured. SECM was also used to measure the rate of ET through nonelectroactive alkanethiol molecules between substrate gold electrodes and a redox probe (Ru(NH3)63+) freely diffusi...
Arabidopsis E2Fa plays a bimodal role in regulating cell division and cell growth.

The onset of cell cycle in mammalian systems is primarily controlled by E2F-like transcription factors. Recent evidence shows that plant E2F homologs and their associated proteins likely play similar roles in higher plant development. We studied the function of plant E2F in gene regulation and morphogenesis using transgenic Arabidopsis plants over-expressing AtE2Fa. Examination of rosettes showed that AtE2Fa over-expression resulted in increased expression of both cell cycle promoters and cell cycle inhibitors. The positive factors up-regulated by AtE2Fa emcompassed genes for G1/S transition, DNA synthesis and mitosis, and the negative factors up-regulated by AtE2Fa included RB1, encoding the E2F binding protein, as well as KRP3and KRP5, encoding the plant CDK inhibitors. Moreover, AtE2Fa over-expression in rosettes led to elevated expression of ATPK19, the homolog of the highly conserved S6 kinase that is known to enhance cell growth. The transgenic plants exhibited narrower rosette leaves when compared to wild-type control. Consistent with elevated expression of cell cycle inhibitors and ATPK19, the mature rosette leaves displayed reduced cell number but increased cell size. These results demonstrate that AtE2Fa controls cell division and plant development by assuming a bimodal function in balancing the expression of both positive and negative regulators involved in cell division and growth.
Erratum to: An optimal gap theorem

Here we shall use the same notations of the original paper. The references to equations, lemmas, propositions, theorems are with respect to the paper unless stated otherwise. The argument provided for the proof of Proposition 3.1 is not complete. It overlooks the fact that the solution 2-form η(x, t) of the problem (3.1) may contain non-trivial (2,0) and (0,2) parts. Hence Proposition 3.1 needs a correction. We thank Gilles Carron for pointing out this oversight in the original proof of Proposition 3.1 and his comments. We also thank Luen-Fai Tam for helpful related discussions. We refer interested reader to [5] for an alternate proof of Theorem 1.2. Since the preservation of the positivity for solution 2-forms solving the problem (3.1) in the paper, without knowing that the 2-form being (1,1)-type, seems elusive (even for the (1,1) part projection of the 2-form solutions) we replace (3.1) with the following initial boundary value problem on (1,1)form η. Let Ω be a smooth bounded domain in M . For a given point p ∈ ∂Ω , let ν be the unit outward normal in a small neighborhood near p. We
Wheat responses to novel rice cultural practices and soil moisture conditions in the rice–wheat rotation of Nepal

Degraded soil physical conditions from puddled rice (Oryza sativa L.) have been associated with low wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields in the rice–wheat rotation. To assess wheat productivity responses to rice management alternatives at a site in Nepal, we compared the impact of six rice tillage (10 cm surface tillage – T1, 50 cm deep chisel – T2, deep chisel + moldboard plough – T3) and establishment method (soil puddling + transplanting – TPR, direct seeding – DSR) combinations over two seasons (Y1 ,Y 2). While significant soil physical differences were documented among the treatments during the rice season, we found little evidence that deep tillage or direct seeding for rice improves wheat performance. Rice cultural practices had no influence on the dynamics of soil water acquisition or inferred patterns of wheat root development. Although aboveground biomass production was similar, water acquisition, plant morphology, and yield were notably different between the first and second years. The Y1 crop had superior grain size (500-grain weight: 19.2 g versus 17.8 g) and tiller densities (382 m � 2 versus 320 m � 2 ), but grain productivity was 1.4 t ha � 1 lower (3.0 t ha � 1 versus 4.4 t ha � 1 ) than in Y2. Comparatively poor performance in Y1 was reflected in the harvest index (0.27 versus 0.41) and density of spike-bearing tillers (188 m � 2 versus 247 m � 2 ). As an apparent consequence of pre-emergence irrigation, wheat in Y2 had higher root activities at depth with 11% of total water uptake derived from soil regions below 54 cm under non-limiting moisture conditions. In contrast, the Y1 crop was first irrigated at 42 DAE and uptake below 54 cm accounted for only 3% of the total under similar non-limiting conditions. Deeper rooting and a second irrigation at the end of tillering growth phase enabled the crop in Y2 to sustain exponential development for 25 d during the floral initiation and spike growth stages, whereas the Y1 crop sustained exponential growth for only 14 d. This difference was reflected in greater canopy height (94 cm versus 80 cm) and maximum leaf area (3.1 versus 2.7) in Y2. For allocating limited water resources, these findings suggest irrigation at planting to facilitate deep rooting followed by a second application at the end of the tillering growth phase to minimize water stress during grain sink formation. Optimized water management rather than modified rice cultural practices appears to be the best route for maximizing resource capture and wheat productivity at this site. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
κ Receptor Activation Attenuates l-trans-Pyrrolidine-2,4-Dicarboxylic Acid-Evoked Glutamate Levels in the Striatum

The effects of local kappa receptor activation and blockade on extracellular striatal glutamate levels evoked by reverse microdialysis of L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (L-trans-PDC) were investigated. L-trans-PDC elevates extracellular glutamate levels in vivo by acting as a competitive substrate for plasma membrane excitatory amino acid transporters. The selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist U-69593 (1-100 nM) significantly attenuated L-trans-PDC-stimulated glutamate levels in a concentration-dependent manner. The selective kappa receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (1-100 nM) reversed the U-69593-induced decrease in L-trans-PDC-evoked glutamate levels also in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that the U-69593-induced reduction was mediated by kappa receptor activation. In addition, nor-binaltorphimine significantly elevated basal extracellular glutamate levels, implying that kappa receptors tonically regulate glutamate efflux in the striatum. Previous data from this laboratory have shown that L-trans-PDC-evoked extracellular glutamate levels are partially calcium-sensitive. The present study demonstrated that the inhibition of L-trans-PDC-evoked glutamate levels by reduced calcium perfusion was not altered by U-69593. Therefore, kappa receptors regulate the calcium-dependent component of L-trans-PDC-evoked extracellular glutamate levels in the striatum.
The immune epitope database: a historical retrospective of the first decade

Summary As the amount of biomedical information available in the literature continues to increase, databases that aggregate this information continue to grow in importance and scope. The population of databases can occur either through fully automated text mining approaches or through manual curation by human subject experts. We here report our experiences in populating the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases sponsored Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB, http://iedb.org), which was created in 2003, and as of 2012 captures the epitope information from approximately 99% of all papers published to date that describe immune epitopes (with the exception of cancer and HIV data). This was achieved using a hybrid model based on automated document categorization and extensive human expert involvement. This task required automated scanning of over 22 million PubMed abstracts followed by classification and curation of over 13 000 references, including over 7000 infectious disease-related manuscripts, over 1000 allergy-related manuscripts, roughly 4000 related to autoimmunity, and 1000 transplant/alloantigen-related manuscripts. The IEDB curation involves an unprecedented level of detail, capturing for each paper the actual experiments performed for each different epitope structure. Key to enabling this process was the extensive use of ontologies to ensure rigorous and consistent data representation as well as interoperability with other bioinformatics resources, including the Protein Data Bank, Chemical Entities of Biological Interest, and the NIAID Bioinformatics Resource Centers. A growing fraction of the IEDB data derives from direct submissions by research groups engaged in epitope discovery, and is being facilitated by the implementation of novel data submission tools. The present explosion of information contained in biological databases demands effective query and display capabilities to optimize the user experience. Accordingly, the development of original ways to query the database, on the basis of ontologically driven hierarchical trees, and display of epitope data in aggregate in a biologically intuitive yet rigorous fashion is now at the forefront of the IEDB efforts. We also highlight advances made in the realm of epitope analysis and predictive tools available in the IEDB.
Effect of stress on fasting‐induced ghrelin, orexin and galanin secretion in male rats fed different levels of their energy requirement

Objective: Ghrelin, orexin, and galanin are orexigenic factors in rodents and humans which participate in adaptive response to weight loss. On the other hand, weight loss and fasting is accompanied by increased levels of epinephrine (Ep) and cortisol (Cor). In this study, we investigated the effects of Ep and Cor on fasting-induced ghrelin, orexin, and galanin secretion in rats fed different levels of their energy requirements. Design: Forty five male Wistar rats (300-350 g, 15 per group) were fed a diet containing 100, 50, and 25% of their energy requirement for 10 days followed by 2 days of fasting. Animals were then anesthetized for carotid artery cannulation for injections and blood samplings. Methods: Rats received either 3 µg Ep/kg body weight (BW), 3 µg Cor/kg BW, or a combination of those two (0.1 mg in 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline). Blood samples were collected before, 30, 60, and 120 min after injection. Results: In normal and 50% food restricted groups, fasting ghrelin levels fell after Ep and combination of Ep and Cor injection (P ≤ 0.05), whereas, orexin were decreased by combination of Ep and Cor injection in rats fed 100% of their needs and Ep alone in rats fed 50%. Galanin just fell after combination of Ep and Cor injection in both starved (50%) and normal rats. In contrast, all groups whit 25% fed ad libitum did not response to any injections (P > 0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that Ep suppresses starvation-induced secretion of ghrelin, orexin, and galanin in normal (100%) and starved (50%) rats and their response to Ep might be affected by weight loss.
PMA-induced differentiation of a bone marrow progenitor cell line activates HIV-1 LTR-driven transcription.

Cells of the monocyte–macrophage lineage play an important role in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated disease. Infected myeloid precursor cells of the bone marrow are thought to be a viral reservoir that may repopulate the peripheral blood, central nervous system (CNS), and other organ systems throughout the course of disease. To model select aspects of HIV-1 infection of the bone marrow compartment in vitro, the erythro-myeloid precursor cell line, TF-1, was used. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was found to induce the TF-1 cell line to differentiate through the myeloid lineage and become activated, as demonstrated by cellular morphologic changes and surface expression of differentiation and activation markers. Herein we demonstrate that HIV-1 long terminal repeats (LTRs) from T-, M-, and dual-tropic molecular clones have similar basal LTR activity in TF-1 cells and that differentiation of these cells by PMA resulted in increased LTR activity. Examination of specific cis-acting ...
The association of depression and anxiety with medical symptom burden in patients with chronic medical illness.

Abstract Background Primary care patients with anxiety and depression often describe multiple physical symptoms, but no systematic review has studied the effect of anxiety and depressive comorbidity in patients with chronic medical illnesses. Methods MEDLINE databases were searched from 1966 through 2006 using the combined search terms diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), asthma, COPD, osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with depression, anxiety and symptoms. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies with >100 patients were included as were all randomized controlled trials that measure the impact of improving anxiety and depressive symptoms on medical symptom outcomes. Results Thirty-one studies involving 16,922 patients met our inclusion criteria. Patients with chronic medical illness and comorbid depression or anxiety compared to those with chronic medical illness alone reported significantly higher numbers of medical symptoms when controlling for severity of medical disorder. Across the four categories of common medical disorders examined (diabetes, pulmonary disease, heart disease, arthritis), somatic symptoms were at least as strongly associated with depression and anxiety as were objective physiologic measures. Two treatment studies also showed that improvement in depression outcome was associated with decreased somatic symptoms without improvement in physiologic measures. Conclusions Accurate diagnosis of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders in patients with chronic medical illness is essential in understanding the cause and in optimizing the management of somatic symptom burden.
Intercellular contacts between stromal cells in the normal human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle

Abstract Increasing differentiation in the human endometrium is associated with an apparent decrease in intercellular contacts between endometrial stromal cells.
Variability in the use of perfect have in Trinidadian English: A problem of categorial and semantic mismatch

Sociolinguistic situations that involve interplay between standard and nonstandard varieties have posed certain difficulties for the analysis of variation at the morphosyntactic level (Harris, 1984; Milroy, 1987). In particular, there is the problem of defining the scope and relevant contexts of morphosyntactic variables—a problem closely linked to that of identifying the semantic equivalence in terms of which the variable is defined (Cheshire, 1982; Romaine, 1984). This article addresses such issues by examining variation in the use of perfect have and its alternatives in the Trinidadian creole continuum. The alternatives to have include other Standard English (SE) forms (e.g., the past), as well as forms like perfective O, completive done, and others which function in the Trinidadian Creole (TC) system. The analysis is based on data from a sample of speakers from different social backgrounds. The variation described here is part of a wider pattern involving different strategies for expressing the various meanings associated with the perfect in SE, namely, the “continuative,” “experiential,” and “resulative” interpretations of have. TC employs different strategies for expressing these meanings. Perfective O is used (along with apporopriate adverbial specifications) to convey the experiential meaning; progressive -in, O copula, or O-marked statives convey the continuative sense; and completive done competes with prefective O to convey the resultative sense. All of these may vary with have. I discuss at length the procedures that are used to define the variable and the equivalents of have that are identified. A quantitative analysis reveals clear patterns of variation according to class, subcategory of perfect, and predicate type. The differences in the use of have are explained in terms of varying degrees of influences from vernacular norms among the social groups, as well as the availability of alternative choices to have within the pragmatic and grammatical environments. Finally, I indicate the implications of this investigation for the study of morphosyntactic variation in other divergent dialect situations. Specifically, the findings are relevant to situations, such as AAVE, which involve variation between standard and nonstandard strategies for expressing the meanings associated with the perfect and other morophosyntactic categories.
An easy, quantitative method for detection of endonuclease activity

Abstract An easy yet sensitive assay has been developed for the detection of endonuclease activities. The method involves the use of agarose gel electrophoresis to resolve intact homogeneous nucleic acid substrate from degradation products resulting from a small number of nucleolytic breaks. The assay is quantitative when a radioactively labeled nucleic acid is used as substrate, and it is as sensitive in the measurement of nuclease activity as is zone sedimentation in sucrose gradients. The assay can detect as few as 1.4 nicks, on the average, per substrate molecule. Its advantage over previous methods of analysis is the ease with which large numbers of samples can be handled while still retaining a high degree of sensitivity. The method is demonstrated with single-stranded DNA substrate, but it can be easily modified to detect endonuclease degradation of double-stranded DNA or degradation of RNA substrate.
Does Mutation Rate Depend on Itself

Recent evidence suggests that mutation rates are fitness-dependent, broadening our view of the impacts of mutation on the genetic health of populations.
Temporal relationships between acute cellular rejection features and increased mucosal fibrosis in the early posttransplant period of human small intestinal allografts.

Background Intestinal allograft biopsies limit histopathological analysis to the superficial layers of the bowel. These biopsies allow a reasonable assessment of the histological features of acute rejection, but characteristics of chronic injury in mucosal layers remain poorly defined because of the limitations posed by endoscopic sampling. Experimental work has inferred that intestinal mucosal fibrosis may be indicative of chronic rejection; however, a temporal, graded study of mucosal fibrosis has not been performed. Methods A total of 79 endoscopic intestinal allograft biopsies from 12 patients obtained at 3 to 120 days posttransplantation were evaluated. Fibrosis and individual parameters of acute cellular rejection were graded according to a semiquantitative scoring system and were evaluated for potential relationships with each other. Results We found that while acute rejection tends to occur early in the posttransplant period, fibrosis of the lamina propria increases at a later time, particularly in the third and fourth month. Several individual graded parameters of acute rejection had an association with fibrosis at the same time points. Conclusions Fibrous replacement of the lamina propria in human endoscopic allograft biopsies occurs with advancing time after transplantation. Acute rejection precedes and may have some eventual impact upon the amount of fibrosis present. A measurement of the connective tissue component of bowel transplant tissue may serve as a harbinger of long-term enteral allograft dysfunction.
B2B Sales Force Productivity: Applications of Revenue Management Strategies to Sales Management

Abstract Firms should be able to apply the time-based philosophy of revenue management to their sales forces. To do so requires a revision in the way most sales divisions traditionally have viewed salesperson time. Hence, a different type of proposed measure, revenue per available salesperson hour, is proposed to better integrate the value of the salesperson's time as a factor in sales potential and revenue calculation. This article seeks to (1) foster a positive perception of revenue management as a viable sales approach, (2) establish a framework for such a strategy, and (3) set a useful road map for facilitating execution.
Grafted Ta-calixarenes: tunable, selective catalysts for direct olefin epoxidation with aqueous hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract Supported Ta(V) oxide catalysts were prepared by grafting calixarene–Ta(V) and TaX 5 complexes on SiO 2 at coverages less than 0.25 Ta nm −2 . Thermogravimetric and elemental analyses and UV–visible spectroscopy indicate that catalysts consist of isolated, 1:1 Ta:ligand surface sites. Catalysts obtained by this one-pot procedure were studied in cyclohexene and cyclooctene epoxidation with H 2 O 2 . In sharp contrast with bare oxides, calixarene-containing catalysts had initial cyclohexene direct epoxidation turnover rates of 3.9 ± 0.1 × 10 −2 s −1 unaffected by surface density, demonstrating single-site character. Calixarene-containing catalysts were up to 3× more active than the corresponding TaCl 5 -based catalysts at high surface densities and were also up to 95% selective to direct (non-radical) cyclohexene epoxidation versus 5 -based catalysts or only ∼20% selectivity for grafted calixarene–Ti(IV) catalysts. Capping silanols with octanol reduced epoxide hydrolysis from >50% to 2 O 2 and demonstrate that a surface ligand on an otherwise traditionally prepared supported oxide can selectively direct oxidation down mechanistically distinct pathways.
Stereographic Visual Displays and the Three-Dimensional Communication of Findings in Marketing Research:

In their attempts to communicate with managers and other interested readers, marketing researchers frequently present complex findings in various sorts of visual displays. These diagrams, charts, maps, pictures, and other figures help elucidate the nature of the relationships and structural patterns involved. However, their ability to communicate is partially limited by their typical restriction to the two-dimensional plane of the printed page. As an aid to overcoming such problems, stereographic techniques permit the construction of three-dimensional representations whose vividness and depth provide greater clarity and enhance interpretability to strengthen the reader's grasp of key concepts. The author illustrates the stereographic approach to three-dimensional communication using general examples closely analogous to relevant applications in marketing research.
Indicator Bacteria Performance of Storm Water Control Measures in Wilmington, North Carolina

Indicator bacteria are a common source of impairment in surface waters in the United States. Urban storm water runoff has been identified as a contributor to elevated indicator bacteria concentrati...
Renal tubular acidosis and deafness: Report of a large family

The syndrome of distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) and sensorineural deafness has been reported in consanguineous families and is believed to be inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. All affected patients also have nephrocalcinosis. We report here a family with 6 of 12 children affected with this syndrome. The parents are unaffected and are not blood related. This is the largest family described to date with distal renal tubular acidosis and sensorineural deafness.
The NBS/NIST Peltier-effect microcalorimeter: a four-decade review

Abstract Radioactivity measurements made with the NBS/NIST Peltier-effect microcalorimeter since January 1954 are reviewed.
Role of PI 3-kinase and PIP3 in submandibular gland branching morphogenesis

The mouse submandibular gland (SMG) epithelium undergoes extensive morphogenetic branching during embryonic development as the first step in the establishment of its glandular structure. However, the specific signaling pathways required for SMG branching morphogenesis are not well understood. Using E13 mouse SMG organ cultures, we showed that inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), wortmannin and LY294002, substantially inhibited branching morphogenesis in SMG. Branching morphogenesis of epithelial rudiments denuded of mesenchyme was inhibited similarly, indicating that PI 3-kinase inhibitors act directly on the epithelium. Immunostaining and Western analysis demonstrated that the p85 isoform of PI 3-kinase is expressed in epithelium at levels higher than in the mesenchyme. A target of PI 3-kinase, Akt/protein kinase B (PKB), showed decreased phosphorylation at Ser473 by Western analysis in the presence of PI 3-kinase inhibitors. The major lipid product of PI 3-kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), was added exogenously to SMG via a membrane-transporting carrier in the presence of PI 3-kinase inhibitors and was found to stimulate cleft formation, the first step of branching morphogenesis. Together, these data indicate that PI 3-kinase plays a role in the regulation of epithelial branching morphogenesis in mouse SMG acting through a PIP3 pathway.
POINT: Operative risk of pneumonectomy—Influence of preoperative induction therapy

Background Prior data indicate increased perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients receiving induction chemoradiotherapy before pneumonectomy for lung cancer. Objective We reviewed a consecutive series of pneumonectomies to determine the impact of induction therapy on operative mortality. Results Over a 15-year period, 183 patients underwent pneumonectomy for lung cancer. Forty-six received combined preoperative radiochemotherapy (25.2%), and 137 patients underwent resection only. Indications for induction therapy were stage IIB disease in 1, IIIA in 35, IIIB in 8, and IV in 2 patients. Patients receiving induction therapy were younger (mean age 58.4 vs 61.9 years; P = .033), had less heart disease (6.5 vs 26.3%; P = .0035), higher preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (2.48 vs 2.13 L; P = .0018), a lower rate of endobronchial tumor (34.8 vs 67.2%; P = .0002), and underwent intrapericardial procedures more often (71.7 vs 43.1%; P = .0011). Hospital mortality was 4.3 % (2/46) after preoperative therapy and 6.6% (9/137) after resection only (P = .73); the difference in cardiopulmonary morbidity was not significant (51.1% vs 40.4%; P = .22). Induction did not predict hospital mortality after adjustment for a propensity score derived from nonoperative and operative variables correlated with neoadjuvant therapy. Conclusions A regimen of induction radiation and chemotherapy does not increase the operative mortality of pneumonectomy in carefully selected patients.
Psychological distress in patients with pancreatic cancer--an understudied group.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, unsuccessful in significantly improving 5-year survival. A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer may be associated with increased psychological distress, yet remarkably little is known about the degree of psychological distress experienced by these patients at the time of diagnosis and treatment. Method: In a cross-sectional study, 304 patients with pancreatic cancer and 7749 patients with other cancer diagnoses completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) or the Brief Symptom Inventory-Shortened Version (BSI-18) and the Problem Common Checklist (PCL) during outpatient registration. Sociodemographic characteristics were collected from patients' clinical files. Results: A higher percentage of pancreatic cancer patients reported elevated distress across each subscale of the BSI and BSI-18 when compared with those diagnosed with other cancer diagnoses as a group. The most notable difference was established on the depression subscale, with 28.8% of pancreatic patients reporting elevated depression compared with 18.5% of other cancer diagnoses. In pancreatic patients, a significant difference was also found in the percentage of males endorsing high depression levels when compared with females (34.0 vs 22.6%, p<0.05). Conclusions: Pancreatic cancer patients demonstrate elevated levels of psychological distress. This should alert providers to be vigilant in evaluating patients for distress and to provide appropriate referrals. The endorsement of fatigue and pain, along with the observed gender differences, suggest that early distress management interventions may need to include components targeted to these issues. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.