cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Involvement of two Sp1 elements in basal endothelial prostaglandin H synthase-1 promoter activity.

Prostaglandin H synthase-1 (PGHS-1) is a constitutively expressed key enzyme in the biosynthesis of physiologically important prostanoids. The promoter of the human PGHS-1 gene lacks a TATA box, has a very GC-rich region, and contains multiple transcription start sites. To identify the elements involved in the constitutive expression of the PGHS-1 gene, we constructed a 2075-base pair fragment (−2095 to −21 relative to the translation start codon) and a series of 5′-deletion mutants into a promoterless luciferase expression vector, which was transfected in HUVEC. Two important regions were identified. DNase I footprinting identified a protected segment, which contains an Sp1 binding site proximal to the transcription start sites. Band shift assays confirmed specific binding of Sp1 to this segment. Band shift assays further revealed specific binding of Sp1 to a distal region containing a canonical Sp1 site. Mutation of either Sp1 binding site significantly reduced the promoter activity. When both sites were mutated, the activity was reduced to 29% of that of the wild type. Mutation of Sp1 sites did not abrogate promoter activity stimulated by phorbol ester. These results indicate that binding of Sp1 or its related proteins to two widely separated Sp1 sites on the promoter region activates the basal PGHS-1 gene transcription.
Relative expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in placental cytotrophoblasts and choriocarcinoma cell lines

The role of transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α)-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) interactions in regulating benign and malignant trophoblast proliferation were examined. Benign cytotrophoblast (CT) demonstrated mitogenic stimulation in response to TGF-α; BeWo and JAr choriocarcinoma cell lines failed to respond. EGFR levels in BeWo and JAr were determined by enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) to be at least 10-fold higher than those in benign CT. EGFR isolated from BeWo and JAr also demonstrated functional tyrosine kinase activity. Using a combination of immunoperoxidase (IP) and ELISA techniques, choriocarcinoma cells were found to produce significant quantities of TGF-α that were comparable with those reported previously by this laboratory for benign CT, and were felt to be stimulating their own proliferation in an autocrine fashion. EGFR blocking and TGF-α neutralizing antibodies inhibited JAr proliferation whereas an EGF neutralizing antibody did not. The data presented here and in our previous report indicate that a TGF-α-EGFR autocrine loop may regulate normal and malignant CT proliferation. Choriocarcinoma cells may be proliferating at a maximal rate due, in part, to EGFR overexpression and are therefore unable to respond further to exogenous growth factor. Thus, EGFR overexpression may contribute to the uncontrolled proliferation of choriocarcinoma cells in general.
ABSORPTION OF PEPSIN BY CRYSTALLINE PROTEINS

Crystalline proteins, such as edestin or melon globulin, remove pepsin from solution. The pepsin protein is taken up as such and the quantity of protein taken up by the foreign protein is just equivalent to the peptic activity found in the complex. The formation of the complex depends on the pH and is at a maximum at pH 4.0. An insoluble complex is formed and precipitates when pepsin and edestin solutions are mixed and the maximum precipitation is also at pH 4.0. The composition of the precipitate varies with the relative quantity of pepsin and edestin. It contains a maximum quantity of pepsin when the ratio of pepsin to edestin is about 2 to 1. This complex may consist of 75 per cent pepsin and have three-quarters of the activity of crystalline pepsin itself. The pepsin may be extracted from the complex by washing with cold N/4 sulfuric acid. If the complex is dissolved in acid solution at about pH 2.0 the foreign protein is rapidly digested and the pepsin protein is left and may be isolated. The pepsin protein may be identified by its tyrosine plus tryptophane content, basic nitrogen content, crystalline form and specific activity.
Direct comparison of evaporative light-scattering and condensation nucleation light-scattering detection for liquid chromatography

Abstract The analytical characteristics of a commercial evaporative light-scattering detection (ELSD) system were compared to those of condensation nucleation light-scattering detection (CNLSD) for the measurement of polyethylene glycol and polyethyl oxide samples with molecular masses ranging from 1000 to 45 000. Results for CNLSD with both an in-house constructed detector and a commercial condensation particle counter (CPC) were included in the study. Using a flow injection mode, limits of detection (LODs) for CNLSD were improved by up to a factor of over 1000 compared to ELSD. LODs with CNLSD for size-exclusion chromatography with an aqueous mobile phase were on average 130 times better with both the in-house detector and CPC, with average LODs of 15 ng/ml. While response for ELSD is typically nonlinear, the linear range for response of CNLSD was at least three orders of magnitude when the CPC was used for CNLSD, and for the in-house constructed detector when diffusion screens were employed. The polyethylene glycols tested in this study provided similar response on a mass basis with CNLSD, but 40% and 70% lower response was observed for a dextran and a polyacrylic acid, respectively.
Making the grade with models of persistent activity.

Persistent neural activity that outlasts an initial stimulus is thought to provide a mechanism for the transient storage of memory. In this issue of Neuron, Fransen et al. identify important principles for a cell-autonomous mechanism of graded persistent firing using an elegant combination of experimental and computational approaches.
Visualization of membrane bound cations by a fluorescent technique

Abstract Chlorotetracycline binds to divalent diamagnetic cations in aqueous solution with enhanced fluorescence. The fluorescence of the chelate is polarity dependent, being higher in nonaqueous solvents. If biological membranes or detergent micelles which bind cations are suspended in an aqueous phase, the fluorescence of the chlorotetracycline chelate shows enhanced fluorescence over the aqueous complex indicating migration of the divalent cation and chlorotetracycline into the nonaqueous membrane region. The fluorescence of chlorotetracycline bound to mitochondria varies as a function of the respiratory state of the mitochondria.
A route for direct retinal input to the preoptic hypothalamus: Dendritic projections into the optic chiasm

With the use of Golgi, horseradish peroxidase, and electron microscopic techniques, neurons within a broad region of the preoptic hypothalamus of the mouse were shown to have dendrites that projected well into the depths of the optic chiasm. Further experimental and ultrastructural investigation demonstrated synapses between these dendrites and retinal axonal boutons within the chiasm. All synapses located in the chiasm were classified as Gray's type I. The possible function of these dendritic projections is discussed.
Neonatal haemochromatosis associated with gastroschisis

We describe, to our knowledge, the first case of progressive neonatal liver failure due to neonatal haemochromatosis (NH) occurring in an infant with a gastroschisis and review the literature regarding these two conditions. A 1,665 g male infant with antenatally diagnosed gastroschisis was born with a severe coagulopathy, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycaemia and jaundice. He developed progressive liver failure, complicated by necrotising enterocolitis. Serum ferritin was elevated at 1,459 μg/L. He died on day 40 and a limited post-mortem examination confirmed significant hepatic siderosis with fibrosis and cholestasis, and siderosis of the pancreas. Although no genetic aetiology for gastroschisis has been identified, an occasional inherited tendency has been observed. There is also evidence to support an autosomal recessive inheritance in NH.
Inhibition of Sickle β-Chain (βS)-dependent Polymerization by Nonhuman α-Chains: A SUPERINHIBITORY MOUSE-HORSE CHIMERIC α-CHAIN *

Horse alpha-chain inhibits sickle beta-chain-dependent polymerization; however, its inhibitory potential is not as high as that of mouse alpha-chain. Horse alpha-(1-30) and alpha-(31-141) segments make, respectively, minor and major contributions to the inhibitory potential of horse alpha-chain. The sum of the inhibitory potential of the two segments does not account for the inhibitory potential of the full-length horse alpha-chain. Although the polymerization inhibitory potential of horse alpha-chain is lower than mouse alpha-chain, the inhibitory potential of horse alpha-(31-141) is comparable to that of mouse alpha-(31-141). When mouse alpha-(1-30) is stitched to horse alpha-(31-141), the product is a chimeric alpha-chain with an inhibitory potential greater than mouse alpha-chain. In contrast, the stitching of horse alpha-(1-30) with mouse alpha-(31-141) had no additional inhibitory potential. Molecular modeling studies of HbS containing the mouse-horse chimeric alpha-chain indicate altered side-chain interactions at the alpha1beta1 interface when compared with HbS. In addition, the AB/GH corner perturbations facilitate a different stereochemistry for the interaction of the epsilon-amino group of Lys-16(alpha) with the beta-carboxyl group of Asp-116(alpha), resulting in a decrease in the accessibility of the side chain of Lys-16(alpha) to the solvent. Based on molecular modeling, we speculate that these perturbations by themselves, or in synergy with the altered conformational aspects of the alpha1beta1 interactions, represent the molecular basis of the superinhibitory potential of the mouse-horse chimeric alpha-chains.
The Improved Yield of Transesophageal Echocardiography Over Transthoracic Echocardiography in Patients with Neurological Events is Largely Due to the Detection of Aortic Protruding Atheromas

It is important to determine what, if any, the added contribution of transesophageal echocardiography is to the evaluation of patients with unexplained strokes and transient ischemic attacks. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 283 consecutive patients over an 8-month period. The reason for referral in 63 of these patients was unexplained stroke or transient ischemic attack. These 63 studies were evaluated for the presence of lesions that could be etiologic in these patients, including protruding aortic atheromas, spontaneous echo contrast, atrial septal aneurysms, and atrial clots. The transesophageal and transthoracic techniques were compared. The main finding was that there were 23 abnormal findings that might have been responsible for stroke or transient ischemic attacks seen on transesophageal echocardiography, which were not visualized on transthoracic echocardiography. Transthoracic echocardiography was false negative in 19 (30%) of 63 patients. None of the protruding aortic arch atheromas seen on transesophageal echocardiography were diagnosed with transthoracic echocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography is indicated in the evaluation of patients with unexplained strokes and transient ischemic attacks, and the added yield of this technique is largely due to the finding of protruding aortic arch atheromas.
Decreased food intake following overfeeding involves leptin-dependent and leptin-independent mechanisms

Abstract After a period of forced overfeeding, many individuals actively compensate for this weight gain by reducing food intake and maintaining this state of hypophagia well into the post-overfeeding period. Our central goal is to define the mechanism underlying this adaptive reduction in food intake. When male Long Evans rats were implanted with indwelling gastric cannula and overfed a liquid low-fat (10% fat) diet for 17 days, overfed rats exhibited increased weight gain ( P P P P fa/fa ) rats, overfeeding produced a significant decrease in food intake during active overfeeding. However, food intake returned to near baseline levels within one day post-overfeeding. Contrastingly, food intake remained suppressed in lean controls for 6 days post-overfeeding. Thus intact leptin signaling is not required for the decrease in food intake that occurs during overfeeding, but the ability to maintain this hypophagia is substantially impaired in the absence of leptin signaling. In addition, this post-overfeeding leptin effect appears to occur despite the fact that leptin levels normalize relatively rapidly post-overfeeding.
Microtomography and Pore-Scale Modeling of Two-Phase Fluid Distribution

Synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography (micro CT) at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) line 8.3.2 at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory produces three-dimensional micron-scale-resolution digital images of the pore space of the reservoir rock along with the spacial distribution of the fluids. Pore-scale visualization of carbon dioxide flooding experiments performed at a reservoir pressure demonstrates that the injected gas fills some pores and pore clusters, and entirely bypasses the others. Using 3D digital images of the pore space as input data, the method of maximal inscribed spheres (MIS) predicts two-phase fluid distribution in capillary equilibrium. Verification against the tomography images shows a good agreement between the computed fluid distribution in the pores and the experimental data. The model-predicted capillary pressure curves and tomography-based porosimetry distributions compared favorably with the mercury injection data. Thus, micro CT in combination with modeling based on the MIS is a viable approach to study the pore-scale mechanisms of CO2 injection into an aquifer, as well as more general multi-phase flows.
Shading-based surface editing

We present a system for free-form surface modeling that allows a user to modify a shape by changing its rendered, shaded image using stroke-based drawing tools. User input is translated into a set of tangent and positional constraints on the surface. A new shape, whose rendered image closely approximates user input, is computed using an efficient and stable surface optimization procedure. We demonstrate how several types of free-form surface edits which may be difficult to cast in terms of standard deformation approaches can be easily performed using our system.
Is a naturalized ethics possible

I offer an account of the evolution of ethical life, using it to elaborate a meta-ethical perspective and a normative stance. In light of these discussions, I attempt to answer my title question.
The relationship between accelerating voltage and electron detection modes to linewidth measurement in an SEM

The basic premise underlying the use of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) for linewidth metrology in semiconductor research and production applications is that the video image acquired, displayed, analyzed, and ultimately measured accurately reflects the structure of interest. However, it has been clearly demonstrated that image distortions can be caused by the detected secondary electrons not originating at the point of impact of the primary electron beam and by the type and location of the secondary electron detector. These effects and their contributions to the actual image or linewidth measurement have not been fully evaluated. Effects due to uncertainties in the actual location of electron origination do not affect pitch (line center-to-center or similar-edge-location-to-similar-edge-location spacing) measurements as long as the lines have the same edge geometries and similar profiles of their images in the SEM. However, in linewidth measurement applications, the effects of edge location uncertainty are additive and thus give twice the edge detection error to the measured width. The basic intent of this work is to demonstrate the magnitude of the errors introduced by beam/specimen interactions and the mode of signal detection at a variety of beam acceleration voltages and to discuss their relationship to precise and accurate metrology.
IMF Conditionality, Threat Perception, and Political Repression: A Cross-National Analysis

This article investigates the impact of International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionality on political repression. Conditionality refers to the conditions that borrowing countries must implement bef...
Encephalomyocarditis viral protein 2A localizes to nucleoli and inhibits cap-dependent mRNA translation.

Abstract Panels of monoclonal antibodies were raised against viral non-structural proteins of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and used to probe infected cells in laser confocal microscopy experiments and Western analyses. Surprisingly, all Mengovirus and EMCV-infected cells showed strong targeting of protein 2A, 3BVPg, 3Cpro, and 3Dpol signals to cellular nuclei, in particular to nucleoli, from the earliest times of infection. Viral capsid proteins (1AB, 1C, and 1D) and other non-structural proteins (2B, 2C, and 3A) did not target nuclei and remained cytoplasmic throughout the infection. The cardioviral 2A protein (subject of this article) has a novel 143 amino acid sequence, terminating in a 19 amino acid COOH-terminal processing cassette (PCC) that participates in autocatalytic, co-translational primary cleavage of the viral polyprotein. The remainder of the 2A protein shares only limited similarity with other viral or cellular sequences, except for a short motif (KRvRPFRLP) near PCC resembling the nuclear localization signals (NLS) common to many yeast ribosomal proteins. Deletions within the EMCV 2A protein that impinge on this region have been reported to diminish the ability of virus to inhibit cap-dependent translation of cellular mRNAs [Svitkin et al, J. Virol. 72 (1998) 5811]. We have now observed that these same deletions prevented nuclear localization. Cellular expression of 2A protein from RNA transcripts or cDNAs confirmed that it does not require other viral proteins or activities for nuclear transport; even when expressed as a single protein, 2A protein effectively shuts off translation from capped reporter mRNAs. Within infected, transfected, or DNA vector-transformed cells, the 2A protein was always found in close association with the nucleolar ribosomal chaperone protein B23, which may help the traffic 2A into nucleoli like a surrogate ribosomal protein, by virtue of the putative nucleolar localization signal (NoLS). The data are consistent with a novel mechanism for virus-induced host protein shut off in cardioviruses, whereby 2A helps to upregulate the synthesis of new and modified ribosomes that have an inherent preference for internal ribosomal entry site (IRES)-dependent viral genome translation over cap-dependent host mRNA translation.
Immunoassay Techniques in Environmental Analyses

In the 1980s, several Program Offices of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) investigated the use of immunoassay methods for environmental applications with limited success. Most of the problems were with method ruggedness, i.e. they worked well in clean spiked matrices, but not very well on real world samples. The situation changed significantly in January of 1992, when the Office of Solid Waste (OSW) received its first rugged immunoassay method (for pentachlorophenol (PCP)) that worked on field samples. Several more followed, and through the early and mid-1990s, the USEPA initiated use of immunoassay methodology in its hazardous waste program. The first group of methods incorporated into the OSW's methods compendium, Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, or SW-846, between 1993 and 1995 were a group of 10 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based screening methods for various environmental analyte classes. These methods were officially ‘approved’ by the USEPA in July, 1997. We provided a great deal of training on these methods to raise the comfort level of the environmental community for their use. This chapter addresses several major topics including an overview of the USEPA's major Regulatory Programs; how analytical methods are used in Regulatory Programs; general guidelines for the development of screening methods; specific validation criteria for immunoassay methods; the current status of the USEPA immunoassay method development program; current and potential environmental applications for immunoassay technology; barriers to implementation of immunoassay methods and the steps being taken to overcome them; and future directions and new developments in immunoassay technology for regulatory programs. The overall future of the technology for environmental monitoring and analysis looks very bright. It offers a cost effective way to generate reliable information upon which to base sound environmental decisions.
Relative Clauses in Spectroscopic Articles in the Physical Review, Beginnings and 1980: Some Changes in Patterns of Modification and a Connection to a Possible Shift in Style

This study examines the numbers of relative clauses and the percentages of subordinate clauses they comprise in two sets of research reports from the Physical Review, one from the earliest years (1893-1901) and one from 1980. It finds only a slight decrease in percentages of relative clauses from the first set of articles to the second, but it also finds some striking differences in patterns of what the relative clauses modify, particularly in references to experimental instruments and materials, experimental results or products, and equations. This study also shows evidence of a stylistic shift between the two sets of articles, from what Halliday (1987a) calls the dynamic style (that reflects processes, happenings, and actions) to the synoptic style (that reflects structures, categories, and hierarchies). It speculates that this shift would have been motivated by later physicists' wish to use tenseless expressions and to communicate effectively in an increasingly built-up web of information.
Change in perceived risk associated with marijuana use in the United States from 2002 to 2012.

AbstractContext. The role of a dynamic legal, medical, and social setting in affecting the perceived risk associated with smoking marijuana has not been well studied. We sought to determine whether there has been a change in the perceived risk associated with marijuana use over time. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2002–2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Respondents were asked to classify the risk of smoking marijuana. Regression analysis and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. Results. A total of 614579 respondents were identified. Between 2002 and 2012, the percent of respondents who characterized regular marijuana use as being associated with “great risk” decreased from 51.3% to 40.3%, while the percent of respondents who characterized it as being associated with “no risk” increased from 5.7% to 11.7%. The percent of respondents who characterized occasional use as “great risk” decreased from 38.2% to 30.7%, while the percent of respondents who chara...
The effects of viscosity on coalescence-induced coalescence

Abstract The effects of variable matrix-phase viscosity on the rate of coarsening of relatively inviscid diluent droplets in a viscous polymer matrix are examined. Emulsions of low viscosity diphenyl ether (DPE) droplets in a viscous matrix mixture of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and DPE are formed by thermal quenching of a homogeneous phase below the binodal. The droplets coarsen via the mechanism of coalescence-induced coalescence (CIC), where two coalescing droplets create a flow that drives other droplets to coalesce, thus creating a cascade process. Previous work on CIC indicate that the growth exponent of the average droplet size depends on the volume fraction of the diluent phase, but does not depend on the viscosity of the matrix phase or the DPE–iPP interfacial tension. Different iPP molecular weights in the experiments cause a variation in the viscosity, but practically no change in the interfacial tension nor in the phase behavior of the system. The growth exponent is found to not vary with the viscosity of the matrix phase, supporting the CIC theory.
Properties and composition of concentrates and syrup obtained by microfiltration of saccharified corn starch hydrolysate

Abstract Flow properties, clarity and composition of concentrates (retentates) and clarified syrup (permeates) obtained by membrane microfiltration of saccharified corn starch hydrolysate were determined. Clarified syrup (permeate) had low color and no suspended solids at all volume concentration ratios (VCRs) up to 100 X. The color and suspended solids in the concentrate increased linearly with increase in volume concentration ratio. Viscosity of the concentrates increased at higher VCR, but the viscosity of permeates remained essentially unchanged. The densities of all retentates and permeates were not significantly different from each other. Dextrose content of retentates and permeates at all VCRs did not change significantly during the microfiltration, averaging 28·90±1·01% w/w. Total solids, nitrogen, fat and ash content of the retentates increased with increase in VCR. In contrast, total solids, nitrogen, fat and ash of the permeates remained the same for all VCRs, averaging 29·44, 0·011, 0·07 and 0·042% respectively.
Low-Latency Error Control of H.264 Using SP-Frames and Streaming Agent Over Wireless Networks

A key challenge to low-latency wireless video streaming, where persistent retransmission is impractical, is error control. While SP-frame adaptation of H.264 has potential to mitigate error propagation, streaming server is often either situated too far to react in a timely fashion to client feedbacks, or too computationally constrained to perform the necessarily complex adaptation simultaneously for multiple clients in different sessions. In this paper, we present an innovative error control mechanism using SP-frames of H.264 and performed by a network intermediary for video streaming to a wireless client. Using an intermediary means it is more responsive to client feedbacks due to its close proximity, and it can offload computation complexity from the streaming server. Simulation shows that about 2 dB improvement in PSNR is achievable for video streaming with low latency requirements over traditional schemes using I and P-frames only.
Our minds are made up--don't confuse us with the facts: commentary on policies concerning children with sexual behavior problems and juvenile sex offenders.

This commentary examines four common policy-relevant perceptions of teen and preteen sex offenders—high risk, “specialness,” homogeneity, and intransigence. Each perception is contrasted with long-standing as well as more current scientific facts. It is argued that public policies for these youth have been fundamentally driven by misperceptions, resulting in a set of well-intentioned but ultimately flawed policies and practices that are unlikely to deliver either child protection or juvenile justice benefits. These include federal and state policies pertaining to public registration and notification, community management, institutional placement, treatment approaches, and treatment standards. The research evidence about these juveniles is considerably more positive than current policies or clinical practices might suggest, and reflects a sharp disconnect between popular policy-relevant perceptions and the facts as we know them about these diverse cases.
Penalty has no Impact on Crime:: A Game-Theoretic Analysis

Existing approaches consider crime as either the consequence of antecedent social conditions or the outcome of a rational calculation by a predator who chooses crime as a utility-maximizing career....
The Evolution of Health Care IT: Are Current U.S. Privacy Policies Ready for the Clouds?

The U.S. healthcare industry has been given anew mandate to expand the use of health information technology to provide better care and to help reduce costs. Equally, cloud computing is poised to become the fifth utility delivering economies of scale and cost benefits that are difficult for businesses to ignore. The utilization of cloud services for the storage and exchange of personal health information is growing with the use of electronic health records and health information exchanges. Yet policies and regulatory mandates are still lagging and the potential for the loss of personal information is expanding exponentially. HIPAA/HITECH currently only provides a baseline of protection for personal health information while various IT security frameworks help to standardize the protection and security of personal information as well as the security of cloud services. As the technology matures further and the healthcare industry embraces data and privacy governance programs, the chance for a successful health IT transformation with the use of the cloud significantly increase.
Angiotensin 1-9 and 1-7 Release in Human Heart: Role of Cathepsin A

Human heart tissue enzymes cleave angiotensin (Ang) I to release Ang 1-9, Ang II, or Ang 1-7. In atrial homogenate preparations, cathepsin A (deamidase) is responsible for 65% of the liberated Ang 1-9. Ang 1-7 was released (88% to 100%) by a metallopeptidase, as established with peptidase inhibitors. Ang II was liberated to about equal degrees by ACE and chymase-type enzymes. Cathepsin A's presence in heart tissue was also proven because it deamidated enkephalinamide substrate by immunoprecipitation of cathepsin A with antiserum to human recombinant enzyme and by immunohistochemistry. In immunohistochemistry, cathepsin A was detected in myocytes of atrial tissue. The products of Ang I cleavage, Ang 1-9 and Ang 1-7, potentiated the effect of an ACE-resistant bradykinin analog and enhanced kinin effect on the B(2) receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected to express human ACE and B(2) (CHO/AB), and in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. Ang 1-9 and 1-7 augmented arachidonic acid and nitric oxide (NO) release by kinin. Direct assay of NO liberation by bradykinin from endothelial cells was potentiated at 10 nmol/L concentration, 2.4-fold (Ang 1-9) and 2.1-fold (Ang 1-7); in higher concentrations, Ang 1-9 was significantly more active than Ang 1-7. Both peptides had traces of activity in the absence of bradykinin. Ang 1-9 and Ang 1-7 potentiated bradykinin action on the B(2) receptor by raising arachidonic acid and NO release at much lower concentrations than their 50% inhibition concentrations (IC(50)s) with ACE. They probably induce conformational changes in the ACE/B(2) receptor complex via interaction with ACE.
Uniqueness of integer solution of linear equations

We consider the system of m linear equations in n integer variables Ax = d and give sufficient conditions for the uniqueness of its integer solution x ∈ {−1, 1}n by reformulating the problem as a linear program. Necessary and sufficient uniqueness characterizations of ordinary linear programming solutions are utilized to obtain sufficient uniqueness conditions such as the intersection of the kernel of A and the dual cone of a diagonal matrix of ±1’s is the origin in Rn. This generalizes the well known condition that ker(A) = 0 for the uniqueness of a non-integer solution x of Ax = d. A zero maximum of a single linear program ensures the uniqueness of a given integer solution of a linear equation.
A Sociological Study of Graffiti in Seville, Spain

In Seville, Spain graffiti is so prevalent that it creates the background of the city. The artists are rarely seen due to the heavy fines imposed by local government. The illegality of graffiti leaves the artists to live within a deviant subculture of their own. This study analyzes graffiti found in Seville, as well as data from nine qualitative interviews with artists from Spain. Commonalties of this subculture as well as differences from American artists were found and discussed.
Where are the best (corporate) law professors teaching

Are the best law professors teaching at the best law schools in the United States? And how can the best law schools around the world be evaluated in terms of the scholarship their professors produce?This Essay contributes to addressing these questions by examining empirically a specific issue: whether the top-ranking law schools employ the most productive, authoritative and influential scholars of corporate law. In considering this matter, I will also discuss if it is possible, and if so how, to compare law faculties of different countries. This undertaking is generally considered too problematic because of the obvious apples-and-oranges problems raised by comparing legal scholarship and education from different national and cultural contexts.In Part I I explain the data and the methodology. Part II considers the correlations between the ranking of 25 law schools in the U.S. and different measures of productivity, visibility and relevance of their corporate law professors such as number of publications, H-index, SSRN downloads, and Impact Factor of the journals they have published in, discussing critically the meaning of these and other bibliometric measures. Part III extends the analysis to law faculties in other countries, also exploring possible new approaches to compare the performances of legal researchers operating in different jurisdictions.
Reoperative surgery for fecal incontinence

Abstract Recent studies showed that in the United States approximately 19% females—aged ≥45 years—have had at least 1 episode of FI, with severe impact on quality of life. Complex integration and synergy among sphincter muscles, the pelvic floor, rectal compliance, and sensory function need to co-exist in order to maintain effective continence. When the function of any of these "compartments" is damaged bowel control becomes suboptimal and may worsen with time. The overall success rate of surgery for FI varies between 30% and 80% and progressively worsens with patient age. The aim of this article is to review and discuss the surgical strategies available for patients who no longer benefit from their initial surgical treatment for FI, and who require a redo intervention in order to overcome an immediate complication or a loss of effect.
Will the Real Left Bundle Branch Block Please Stand Up

In 1925, Dr. Carl J. Wiggers demonstrated that pacing from the canine left ventricle (LV) improved acute hemodynamics [(1)][1]. The advent of pacing catheters delivered by the coronary sinus allowed practical use and exploration of LV or biventricular (BiV) pacing for improving heart failure (HF)
Arthrography of the wrist. Assessment of the integrity of the ligaments in young asymptomatic adults

Fifty-two asymptomatic adults who were between twenty and thirty-five years old had arthrography of the wrist with use of a single injection into the radiocarpal joint. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the integrity of the triangular fibrocartilage, the scapholunate ligament, and the lunotriquetral ligament. Contrast medium was injected under fluoroscopic guidance, and posteroanterior and lateral radiographs of the wrist were made after the subjects had performed exercises of the wrist. No patient who had a history of trauma to the wrist, pain in the wrist, or inflammatory arthritis was included in the study. All of the subjects had an examination of both upper extremities that included measurement of the active motion of the wrist with a goniometer, strength-testing with a Jamar dynamometer, ballottement and testing for impingement, and palpation for tenderness. Plain radiographs were evaluated, and the ulnar variance was recorded. The arthrograms revealed an abnormal communication of the contrast medium in fourteen wrists (27 per cent), and four of the fourteen had multiple areas of communication. The abnormal communication was through the triangular fibrocartilage alone in six wrists, the scapholunate ligament alone in two wrists, the lunotriquetral ligament alone in two wrists, and in more than one of these areas in four wrists. A positive arthrogram was associated with a greater positive ulnar variance. All of the subjects had symmetrical motion of the wrists and grip strength, and none of them had tenderness in the wrist. There were no complications related to the arthrography. Perforation of a ligament in the wrist is common in young asymptomatic adults.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Characterization of Two Human Skeletal Calsequestrin Mutants Implicated in Malignant Hyperthermia and Vaculolar Aggreagtes Myopathy

Calsequestrin 1 (Casq1) is the principal Ca2+ storage protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle. Its inheritable D244G mutation causes a myopathy with vacuolar aggregates and muscle weakness (Rossi et al 2014), while its M87T “variant” (Kraeva et al 2013) is weakly associated with malignant hyperthermia (MH). We characterized the consequences of these mutations with studies of the human proteins in vitro. In the WT, studied by equilibrium dialysis, Ca2+ binding features a second stage of high capacity, which occurs at high [Ca2+]. For both mutants, but especially D244G, this stage was smaller in capacity and required higher [Ca2+]. Turbidity measurements showed that D244G aggregates abruptly and abnormally as [Ca2+] increases, while M87T aggregates very weakly. This property fully explains the protein inclusions that characterize the disease phenotype of D244G and suggests that polymerization of M87G is defective. Crystals of D244G grown in low Ca2+ concentrations lack two Ca2+ ions normally present in WT. This weakens the hydrophobic core of homology Domain II in the folded molecule. D244G crystallized in high Ca2+ concentrations regains its missing ions and Domain II order, but shows a dimeric interaction not present in WT. The crystals of M87T show a major shift of the α-helix bearing the mutated residue. If a similar shift occurred in vivo, it would significantly weaken the back-to-back interface essential for tetramerization-the second stage of polymerization. D244G exhibited the more severe structural and biophysical property changes, which matches the higher pathophysiological impact of this mutation. Supported by NIH grant GM111254 to ER and CHK.
Frequency-Domain Reverse-Time Migration With a Sparse-Frequency Sampling

The frequency sampling of frequency-domain reverse-time migration is defined by the Nyquist-Shannon theorem. An integration (summation) of the images over all frequencies during imaging condition corresponds to zero-lag cross-correlation in the time domain. We propose a method to interpolate images between sparse-frequency samples in order to achieve frequency-domain two-way migration with reduced cost in wave modeling. Using a high-frequency asymptotic expression of the image, we show numerically that this assumption applies to a wide range of frequencies that contribute to the significant part of the final image. The image interpolation is then carried out by fitting the asymptotic coefficients at sparsefrequency samples in the least-squares sense. We employ a regularized nonstationary autoregression to determine the traveltime and amplitude terms. The choice of sparse-frequency samples can be made according to the frequency spectrum of the source wavelet and/or data. Several synthetic examples demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach.
Microsleep responses in the rat

Short latency sleep responses were found to occur with greater efficiency under conditions of sleep deprivation than non-sleep deprivation. Following a period of sleep deprivation the efficiency of these microsleep responses increased as a function of trials within experimental sessions and across sessions.
Abstract PL03-01: Smoking cessation: An imperative for cancer patients and survivors

Tobacco use — smoked or smokeless — is now recognized as having serious adverse effects on cancer treatment, outcome and quality of life, in addition to its causal role in cancer etiology. Further, nicotine itself has been shown to interfere with the anti-apoptotic effects of some chemotherapeutic agents. Two major thrusts are imperative for research and clinical efforts: To further document the adverse effects of tobacco use through systematic efforts in all clinical trials, by incorporating assessments at every patient visit; and To incorporate tobacco cessation treatment as a routine, mandatory aspect of patient care. Efforts to achieve these goals will be described, as well as an overview of current tobacco cessation programs targeted to oncology patients. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):PL03-01.
Properties of rat liver plasma membrane adenylate cyclase after chromatography on O-diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and agarose-hexane-GTP: Sensitivity of partially purified and purified enzyme to Lubrol-PX, 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate, and glucagon☆

Abstract Partially purified rat liver plasma membranes were enriched to yield a more glucagon-sensitive membrane fraction which was solubilized with Lubrol-PX. The supernate obtained after centrifugation at 165,000g was subjected to O-diethylaminoethyl anion exchange chromatography. An adenylate cyclase fraction was eluted and purified further by chromatography on agarose-hexane-GTP. The enzyme adsorbed to the affinity resin and was eluted with 0.5 m Tris-HCl. The protein isolated by chromatography on the affinity resin was homogenous by conventional acrylamide gel electrophoresis; one band was observed in sodium dodecyl sulfate. The purified enzyme was free of nucleotide phosphohydrolases found in the parent solubilized membrane preparation. The anion exchange product was not sensitive to glucagon; Lubrol-PX and 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] decreased the activity of this fraction. In the presence of detergent or guanyl nucleotide, glucagon, at 10−6 m , increased enzyme activity by 30 and 21%, respectively, to a statistically significant degree, but not above basal levels. Adenylate cyclase was also purified by subjecting the 165,000g supernate directly to agarose-hexane-GTP; agarose-hexane-ATP or agarose-hexane was not effective. The affinity-derived material was associated with 85 nmol of Lubrol-PX/mg of protein. When calculated on the basis of a molecular weight of 150,000 for detergent-free protein after gel filtration on Bio-Gel A-0.5 m , there was 13 mol of detergent/mol of the enzyme obtained by chromatography on the affinity resin. The direct affinity product was insensitive to glucagon and Gpp(NH)p; enzyme activity varied as a function of Lubrol concentration.
Gradenigo syndrome: A rare complication of otitis media

Gradenigo syndrome (petrous apicitis or petrositis) is a rare complication of otitis media that if left unrecognized and subsequently untreated will result in severe neurologic sequelae. Gradenigo syndrome is clinically represented by the triad of otitis media, ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy and dysasthesia within the V1 and V2 divisions of the trigeminal nerve branches. We describe a 4 year-old patient who presented with headache, facial pain, diplopia and a recent history of upper respiratory tract symptomatology. Examination revealed an abducens palsy with subsequent magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating inflammation in the left petrous apex and along the tracts of the 6th, 7th, and 8th cranial nerves. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics along with myringotomy and had complete resolution of his symptoms.
Pre-prostatectomy excretory urography: does it merit the expense?

AbstractTo evaluate the necessity of an excretory urogram before prostatectomy the records of 557 patients admitted to 3 community hospitals in 1977 and 1978 for urinary obstruction were reviewed. Of the entire series 27 per cent revealed urographic abnormalities and 72 significant lesions of the upper urinary tract were noted. An operation other than prostatectomy was necessary in 14 cases. Abnormalities involving the bladder were detected in 29 cases. We conclude that excretory urography remains a sound principle of proper urologic care.
Lyl1 and Scl Dosage Is Critical for Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function and Survival

The Stem Cell Leukemia gene ( Scl) and the Lymphoblastic Leukemia gene 1 ( Lyl1) genes encode two related basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factors that are involved in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia via chromosomal translocations or aberrant expression due to other genetic or epigenetic abnormalities. Previous studies have shown that Scl is necessary for embryonic hematopoiesis and erythropoiesis, but dispensable for adult hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function. Lyl1 on the other hand is important for adult HSC function and B-cell development. In order to elucidate in more detail the functions of Lyl1 and Scl in adult HSCs, we generated double knock-out mice and studied the function of their HSCs. Double knock-out mice demonstrate a striking genetic interaction between the two genes, with a clear dose-dependence for the presence of Scl or Lyl1 alleles for HSC function. Specifically, we carried out competitive fetal liver transplantation assays using mice with different combinations of Lyl1 and Scl alleles and analyzed their potential to repopulate the bone marrow of recipient mice. Peripheral blood chimerism of recipient mice shows that HSC function is lost with progressive loss of Lyl1 or Scl dosage, suggesting an overlap of function of the two genes in the HSCs (Figure) We have further investigated the function of Lyl1 and Scl in adult hematopoiesis by generating Lyl1 / Scl -conditional double knock-out mice and studied adult HSC function measured by bone marrow repopulation assays. Donor engraftment dramatically decreased after deletion of the floxed Scl allele, demonstrating rapid loss of adult HSC function. Furthermore, Scl deletion in a Lyl1 −/− background causes hematopoietic progenitors to rapidly undergo apoptosis in a cell-intrinsic fashion. These results demonstrate that at least one allele of either Lyl1 or Scl must be present for adult HSC survival, and show that their functions partly overlap in HSCs, suggesting that Lyl1 and Scl are crucial regulators of adult, as well as embryonic, hematopoiesis. ![Figure][1] Figure [1]: pending:yes
Advances in Processing of ZnO

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the advances in processing of zinc oxide (ZnO). Major advances have been made by many research groups around the world recently in demonstrating p -type ZnO, fabricating improved Ohmic contacts, developing high resolution dry etch pattern transfer processes and implant isolation processes and in realizing room temperature ferromagnetism in ZnO. This chapter emphasizes on ZnO for UV light-emitters and transparent electronics. ZnO can be grown at relatively low temperatures on cheap substrates such as glass and it has a larger exciton binding energy than gallium nitride (GaN). In addition, the advances in growth of ZnO nanorods and nanowires have suggested that these may have applications to bio-detectio, because of their large surface areas. Further, the chapter reveals that the incorporation of percent levels of transition metal impurities such as Mn leads to ferromagnetism in ZnO with practical Curie temperatures. This suggests that ZnO may be an ideal host as a spintronic material.
Autonomic dysfunction in pediatric patients with headache: migraine versus tension-type headache

Purpose To examine symptoms indicating central nervous system (CNS) autonomic dysfunction in pediatric patients with migraine and tension-type headache. Methods A retrospective chart review assessed six symptoms (i.e. constipation, insomnia, dizziness, blurry vision, abnormal blood pressure, and cold and clammy palms and soles) indicating central nervous system (CNS) autonomic dysfunction in 231 patients, ages 5-18 years, diagnosed with migraine, tension-type headache (TTH), or Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS). Results Higher frequencies of "insomnia," "dizziness," and "cold and clammy palms and soles" were found for both migraine and TTH patients compared to the IS control group (P Conclusions The need for prospective research investigating autonomic dysfunction in pediatric headache patients is discussed.