cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining the sequence specificity of DNA-binding proteins by selecting binding sites from random-sequence oligonucleotides: analysis of yeast GCN4 protein.

We describe a new method for accurately defining the sequence recognition properties of DNA-binding proteins by selecting high-affinity binding sites from random-sequence DNA. The yeast transcriptional activator protein GCN4 was coupled to a Sepharose column, and binding sites were isolated by passing short, random-sequence oligonucleotides over the column and eluting them with increasing salt concentrations. Of 43 specifically bound oligonucleotides, 40 contained the symmetric sequence TGA(C/G)TCA, whereas the other 3 contained sequences matching six of these seven bases. The extreme preference for this 7-base-pair sequence suggests that each position directly contacts GCN4. The three nucleotide positions on each side of this core heptanucleotide also showed sequence preferences, indicating their effect on GCN4 binding. Interestingly, deviations in the core and a stronger sequence preference in the flanking region were found on one side of the central C . G base pair. Although GCN4 binds as a dimer, this asymmetry supports a model in which interactions on each side of the binding site are not equivalent. The random selection method should prove generally useful for defining the specificities of other DNA-binding proteins and for identifying putative target sequences from genomic DNA.
Evaluating teacher education outcomes: a study of the Stanford Teacher Education Programme

This paper considers a set of research and assessment strategies used to evaluate programme outcomes in the Stanford Teacher Education Programme (STEP) during a period of programme redesign over 10 years. These strategies include surveys and interviews of students’ perceptions of programme elements and their own preparedness, observations of their practice during and after teacher education, evaluations of their practice on a structured portfolio of practice (the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT)) and analyses of the effects of a sample of graduates of STEP and other programmes on student outcomes, including value‐added measures. While the studies were able to ascertain that the students of STEP graduates had strong value‐added learning gains, the paper concludes that the use of student learning data alone as a measure of teacher effectiveness does not help guide decisions related to programme improvement, and a range of approaches is required. In addition it suggests that there will b...
Height, health, and development

Adult height is determined by genetic potential and by net nutrition, the balance between food intake and the demands on it, including the demands of disease, most importantly during early childhood. Historians have made effective use of recorded heights to indicate living standards, in both health and income, for periods where there are few other data. Understanding the determinants of height is also important for understanding health; taller people earn more on average, do better on cognitive tests, and live longer. This paper investigates the environmental determinants of height across 43 developing countries. Unlike in rich countries, where adult height is well predicted by mortality in infancy, there is no consistent relationship across and within countries between adult height on the one hand and childhood mortality or living conditions on the other. In particular, adult African women are taller than is warranted by their low incomes and high childhood mortality, not to mention their mothers' educational level and reported nutrition. High childhood mortality in Africa is associated with taller adults, which suggests that mortality selection dominates scarring, the opposite of what is found in the rest of the world. The relationship between population heights and income is inconsistent and unreliable, as is the relationship between income and health more generally.
Farmer perspectives of Farm to Institution in Michigan: 2012 survey results of vegetable farmers

Local food purchasing programs at institutions such as K-12 schools, colleges and hospitals offer benefits including supporting farms and local economies, encouraging more healthful eating habits of patrons and fostering closer connections between farmers and consumers. Increasing in number and expanding in breadth, Farm to Institution (FTI) markets are promising outlets that may fulfill social and economic motivations for farmers. However, significant challenges and barriers have kept many from participating; farmers interested in this market will incur transaction costs, with high negotiation costs in particular due to product differentiation (in this case, by provenance) and less established markets and terms. Researchers have just begun to study farmers’ perspectives on FTI and, to date, have primarily done so through convenience sampling. By utilizing a representative farmer sample, this study provides a major contribution to FTI research. This survey study was designed to better understand Michigan vegetable farmers’ interest and willingness to participate in institutional markets and to identify perceived barriers and opportunities. Michigan is an ideal location for this research as it boasts one of the most diverse sets of agricultural crops in the US, has an economy highly reliant on the food and agriculture industry and has thriving FTI activity with extensive, ongoing outreach, education and research. Results of this survey study showed that half (50%) of the respondents (n = 311) reported interest in selling to at least one institution type (of K-12 schools, colleges and hospitals), but only a small percentage (7%) had yet sold produce to institutions. The most frequently reported motivators to sell to institutions were supplying healthy foods to customers (77%), fair, steady prices (77%) and supplying local food to consumers (76%), indicating that farmers’ motivations are largely based in social values. Smaller scale farmers (less than 25 acres) were significantly less likely to rate economic factors and help in meeting logistical challenges as important, which suggests that they see more potential social value in FTI markets while larger farmers will seek to minimize their transaction costs related to this market. This research can inform the development of scale-appropriate farmer education to foster this market opportunity and its contribution to regional food system development. As demand for local food increases, it is critical to further examine the viability of FTI markets and continue to understand the opportunities and challenges to farmers of different types and scales to participate.
Analysis of current source induction motor drive fed from photovoltaic energy source

The transient and steady-state analysis of an induction motor fed from a photovoltaic energy source through a current-source inverter is presented. It is shown that the steady-state and dynamic behaviors of the motor differ considerably from the case in which it is fed from a perfect current source. In particular, the steady-state capability of the motor is limited by the chopping ratio of the DC-DC converter and the switching frequency of the current-source inverter. Analysis of the small signal perturbation equations of the system shows that the system is lightly damped for operating voltages of the array that are less than that of the array voltage corresponding to array maximum output power. For some values of array voltage, it has a nonminimum phase characteristic due to the nonlinear relationship between the array voltage and current. This nonminimum phase characteristic adds an inherent difficulty to the design of a robust closed-loop feedback controller for the motor drive system. >
UNIFIED INTERVAL ESTIMATION FOR RANDOM COEFFICIENT AUTOREGRESSIVE MODELS

The consistency of the quasi-maximum likelihood estimator for random coefficient autoregressive models requires that the coefficient be a non-degenerate random variable. In this article, we propose empirical likelihood methods based on weighted-score equations to construct a confidence interval for the coefficient. We do not need to distinguish whether the coefficient is random or deterministic and whether the process is stationary or non-stationary, and we present two classes of equations depending on whether a constant trend is included in the model. A simulation study confirms the good finite-sample behaviour of our resulting empirical likelihood-based confidence intervals. We also apply our methods to study US macroeconomic data.
cDNA cloning of an abundant human lacrimal gland mRNA encoding a novel tear protein.

An abundant 1.05 kb human lacrimal gland mRNA has been characterized by cDNA cloning. It encodes a predicted 180 residue, 20546 Da secreted protein, with a charge of +11 at pH 7 and 24.5% proline, designated as Basic Proline-rich Lacrimal Protein (BPLP). Southern blot analysis is consistent with a single BPLP gene. BPLP lacks any distinct repetitive structure, and is unrelated to the salivary proline-rich protein super-family. The pre-proprotein shows modest overall similarity to a superfamily comprising human PRPb, the mouse MSG proteins, and rat VCS-αl, VCS-β1 and submandibular apomucin. BPLP also contains a domain with similarity to the Zp2 protein domain found in several otherwise unrelated proteins. Northern blot analysis indicated that the BPLP gene is also expressed at modest levels in the human submandibular gland, and in situ hybridization demonstrated expression of BPLP in the secretory end-pieces of the human lacrimal gland. The BPLP cDNA clone defines a new human tear protein, and should provi...
Restoring tropical moist forest in northwestern Costa Rica

Central American tropical moist forest has suffered extensive removal to provide timber and/or agricultural products. As agricultural land is abandoned, there has been a growing interest in promoting recovery to a forest composition resembling that which was present previously. On an abandoned pasture at Lodge Los Inocentes, a private wildlife reserve and eco–tourist hotel in northwestern Costa Rica, we planted figs (Ficus spp.) of local origin which we hypothesize will serve as recruitment foci enhancing the return of tropical moist forest species. We report on the first three years of Phase I: establishing fig seedlings in the abandoned pasture.
Research in Action Settings: A Sketch of Emerging Perspectives.

Referring specifically to early education programs this paper outlines the principal features of two broad paradigms of action research. The first, emphasizing summative evaluation through quantitative group comparisons of intelligence and achievement scores, characterized earlier action research efforts. The second, stressing formative evaluation, process-oriented observational methods, and qualitative information, has emerged more recently. The perspectives comprising this paradigm are discussed in the light of parallel developments in psychology, together with implications for international researchers, funding agencies, and policy-makers.
Asymptomatic nonpathological persistent elevation of pancreatic enzymes: an inherited disorder?

Abstract Gullo describes benign elevation of pancreatic enzymes, in the absence of pancreatic pathology, in members of some families. Twenty-five apparently healthy subjects were noted to have persistently elevated amylase, pancreatic isoamylase, and lipase. From 23 families, 102 members were screened for the presence of hyperenzymemia, in an attempt to delineate a familial tendency. Pancreatic disease and other potential causes of enzyme elevations were excluded by history, physical examination, a panel of laboratory tests, and abdominal sonography. Seven families (30%) had at least one additional member, who was otherwise healthy, with increased pancreatic enzyme levels. The age of the subjects ranged from 3 to 84 yr. Five of the 19 (eight women and 11 men) with elevated enzymes were children Possible laboratory error in reporting elevated enzyme levels was excluded by repeating the test after 1 month. Even though family members had serum pancreatic enzymes measured only twice, a month apart, the probands had known elevations of pancreatic enzymes for longer durations, ranging from 10 months to 17 yr. Urine amylase level was estimated in 12 of the 19 and was increased in all.
Culture-Dependent Assimilation and Differentiation of the Self Preferences for Consumption Symbols in the United States and China

In two studies, we investigate how differences in self-construal patterns affect preferences for consumption symbols through the process of self-expression. The results of Study 1 demonstrate that individuals with a dominant independent self-construal hold attitudes that allow them to express that they are distinct from others. In contrast, individuals with a dominant interdependent self-construal are more likely to hold attitudes that demonstrate points of similarity with their peers. Study 2 provides additional evidence for the mechanism presumed to underlie the results by identifying differential schematic processes as the driver of expressed preferences. We find that differential levels of recall for similar and distinct items exist across culturally-encouraged selves, documenting higher recall for schema-inconsistent information. We discuss the results and encourage future research that expands the framework to group decisions and social preferences.
Vascular segmental permeabilities at high peak inflation pressure in isolated rat lungs.

The response of segmental filtration coefficients (K f) to high peak inflation pressure (PIP) injury was determined in isolated perfused rat lungs. Total (K f,t), arterial (K f,a), and venous (K f,...
Invisible Anxiety: Would the Rise of China Really Be a Security Threat to the United States?

This paper investigates diverse public opinion on the rise of the People's Republic of China through a survey conducted in the tri-state region of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. In the midst of a global financial crisis, China's financial support to the US economy, as well as its recent modernization of the People's Liberation Army, echoed a serious public anxiety over a potential military and economic security threat to the United States. Will the rise of China create a military as well as an economic security threat to the United States? Is there anticipation that the continuing rapid economic growth in China will overtake the US economy within three decades? Will its successful economic growth lead China to democratization? Introducing scholarly debates on these research questions, the research in this paper examines important empirical research results on the issue.
Foreign Investors, Foreign Directors and Corporate Diversification: An Empirical Examination of Large Manufacturing Companies in India

This study is among the first to systematically evaluate the role of foreign ownership (volume of ownership and board representation) on self-interested strategizing behavior of organizational managers. Building on agency theory, strategic management and organization theory literatures, it argues that the volume of foreign ownership is unlikely to have any bearing on the extent of unrelated diversification that managers pursue. However, the level of foreign representation on the board of directors is likely to dampen such strategies. Results from the empirical examination set in India provide support for this line of reasoning. Contributions, implications and future extensions are explored.
Phylogenesis of the Bainbridge reflex

The effects of volume loading were examined on measurements of left ventricular (LV) pressure and heart rate in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. These data were compared to those collected in conscious dogs and subhuman primates (baboons). In man acute volume loading increased LV end-diastolic pressure by 14 mmHg, but did not increase LV systolic pressure significantly. Similar increases in LV end-diastolic pressure were observed in conscious dogs and baboons. LV systolic pressure also did not rise in baboons, but did increase (+32 mmHg) with volume loading in dogs. In man volume loading increased heart rate by 15 beats/min, significantly less (P less than 0.01) than observed in baboons (+37 beats/min), and which in turn was significantly less than that observed in dogs (+88 beats/min). Thus, the Bainbridge reflex, i.e., the tachycardia that occurs with volume loading, appears to exist in primates including man. However, the extent of utilization of this reflex decreases significantly from nonprimate mammals (dogs) to subhuman primates (baboons) to man.
Hydrogen evolution catalyzed by a cobalt complex containing an asymmetric Schiff-base ligand

A cobalt(III) complex containing an asymmetric Schiff-base ligand has been found to be active for proton reduction. Catalysis occurs at −1.2 V vs. Fc+/Fc (0.56 V vs. NHE), resulting in an overpotential of 350 mV. Additionally, the complex is active with a turnover frequency of 420 s−1. An enhancement in activity is observed upon addition of water.
Protein-protein interaction between the murine toxin of Pasteurella pestis and bovine heart mitochondrial structural protein.

Abstract The solubility of the homogeneous, nonenzymatic structural protein isolated and purified from bovine heart mitochondria when incubated with the murine toxin of Pasteurella pestis at pH 11.0 increases as the concentration of the toxin is increased. This indicates that a protein-protein interaction occurs between the monomeric units of the structural protein and the toxin. This interaction results in the decline of the toxicity of the toxin. The extent to which the toxicity is diminished depends upon the ratio of structural protein to toxin in the incubation mixture. Double diffusion gel precipitation reactions with plague murine toxin incubated with structural protein revealed that the decrease in the toxicity of the toxin is correlated with the disappearance of the bands exhibited by both toxin A and toxin B, the two protein species comprising plague murine toxin. No interaction is observed between the toxin and polymeric structural protein. There is, however, an indication of a slight decrease in the toxicity of the toxin. Under the latter conditions, the band for toxin A is not visible in double diffusion gel precipitation reactions whereas the band for toxin B remains intact. Bovine serum albumin does not interact with plague murine toxin nor does it affect its toxicity. These results suggest that the interaction between plague murine toxin and monomeric structural protein involves binding of the two proteins. The relationship that this protein-protein interaction may have to the known inhibitory effect of the toxin on the electron transport system is discussed.
National Differences In Investors Responses To Corruption: An International Comparison

This paper looks into the differences in responses to corruption by foreign investors. Statistical analysis highlights such differences for 17 major investing countries. Those differences appear to be related to home countries own level of corruption, their size and experience in foreign investing.
Mediterranean and Oriental Fruit Flies: Survival in Commercial Fruit Cocktail13

When fresh fruit cocktail (made with diced papaya, Carica papaya L.; diced pineapple, Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.; 50% sugar sirup; and lime juice) was placed in scaled polyethylene bags and artificially infested with about a million eggs and larvae of the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel, and the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), only 4 oriental fruit flies survived storage for 1-24 hours at air temperatures that ranged from 22° to. Also, none survived of a million similar insects in fruit cocktail after 1 and 4 days of storage at ca. 1.7°C. Moreover, in tests of fruit cocktail made with unpceled papayas infested with oriental fruit flies, none of about 114,000 insects survived storage for 4 days at 1.7°C or for: l days at 22-28°C. When peeled fruits were used in fruit cocktail, 1 day of storage at 1.7°C or at 22-28°C killed all the 113,000 fruit flies. Thus, careful selection of fruits, removal of generous amounts of peel and pedicel ends, use of diced pineapple, minimizing of air pockets in the polyethylene bags, and storage of the fruit cocktail in the sealed bags for 1-3 days at 1.7°C before shipment would make survival of any tephritids unlikely.
Some Pharmacological Characteristics of Bacitracin II. Absorption and Excretion of Bacitracin in the Dog.

SummaryThe absorption and excretion of bacitracin have been studied in the dog. Only small fractions of the oral dose were recovered in the stool. Since none was found in the blood or urine after oral administration and little was found in the feces, it appears that the antibiotic was largely destroyed in the gastro-intestinal tract. Following parenteral administration of large single doses, significant concentrations of the drug persisted in the blood stream for as long as 7 or 8 hours. Other than slight and transient central effects produced by excessively rapid intravenous injection, the animals showed no apparent signs of toxicity in spite of the fact that doses as high as 6,000 units per kg body weight were administered. The recovery of the drug in the urine appeared, in general, to increase in direct ratio to the dose administered, but the recoveries were widely variable. Significant concentrations of bacitracin persisted in the urine for more than 7 hours after administration of a single dose of th...
Thermodynamics and Hysteresis of Oxide Formation and Removal on Platinum (111) Surfaces

Oxygen adsorption on Pt(111) has many implications for a wide range of technologies including PEM fuel cells. Using DFT, we have calculated the stable phases for oxygen on Pt(111) surfaces up to one monolayer of oxygen coverage. Our predicted stable phases are consistent with electrochemical measurements and are in agreement with Temkin/Frumkin isotherm conditions. We predict a new phase at one monolayer that suggests a simple mechanism for oxygen place-exchange to subsurface positions. Analysis of the phase diagram provides a possible explanation for the hysteresis observed in Pt cyclic voltammograms in aqueous environments.
Non-Gaussian noise statistics in undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Measurements of coplanar conductance fluctuations in undoped a-Si:H are described. Statistical tests show that the 1/f noise is non-Gaussian and has a power-law frequency dependent second spectrum, as observed in n-type a-Si:H. By careful consideration of the thermal history of the sample, the noise statistics are found to be different above and below the equilibration temperature, which has been associated with hydrogen diffusion. These results suggest that the non-Gaussian noise in a-Si:H is influenced by the motion of bonded hydrogen and is not significantly dependent upon doping.
UAV Flight Control Using Flow Control Actuators

The use of active flow control devices that affect the flow field over the wing and tail planes sufficiently to create moments and forces that can be used for controlling the aircraft has attracted interest over the last decade. Using flow control actuators to control aircraft attitude have several potential benefits as compared to conventional control surfaces. These benefits are in reduced structural weight, lower power consumption, higher reliability and potentially faster response times. This paper presents preliminary flight test results and lessons learned concerning the use of flow control actuators for both open and closed loop control of the DragonEye UAV.
Maximum cosmic redshift of quasars at Z > 3

On a calcule le deplacement vers le rouge cosmologique maximum Z max au-dessous duquel les quasars se sont d'abort formes dans les noyaux des galaxies. Dans l'hypothese ou la densite de masse de l'univers est dominee par les neutrinos massifs ∼10 eV de densite Ων∼1 (cosmologie Einstein- de Sitter), on trouve que les galaxies se sont d'abord formees a Z f ∼10, tandis que les quasars lumineux (∼10 48 erg s −1 ) se sont d'abord formes dans les galaxies cD a Z≥Z max ∼5
How accurate is the random settling method for quantitative diatom analysis? A test using Lycopodium spore tables

The primary means by which diatom absolute abundances are determined is known as the random settling technique. Previous research has demonstrated that this technique produces randomly distributed slides and reproducible results which are unbiased towards a specific size fraction of particles. However, results on the accuracy of the method have never been published. Determining the accuracy of the random settling method is the purpose of this study. In order to determine accuracy, two diatom samples were used. Five slides were prepared for each sample using the random settling technique. Prior to settling, two tablets containing a previously determined amount of Lycopodium spores were added to each diatom subsample. Because the true absolute abundance of diatoms within the sediment was unknown, diatom results had to be compared with results for a previously determined quantity of spores. In addition, five slides, each made using four Lycopodium tablets, were prepared by random settling, in order to study changes in accuracy and variability with increasing amounts of particles. It was determined that Lycopodium absolute abundances derived using the random settling technique were consistently underestimated with respect to true absolute abundances by anywhere from 20% to 28%. The largest amount of variability observed in diatom absolute abundance results for five slides was ?12%. If the average estimated diatom absolute abundance falls below the "true" diatom absolute abundance within the sediment by 28%, as can be the case for Lycopodium spores, then diatom absolute abundances can be underestimated by between 16% and 40% after a count totaling 400 valves.
ARE MASCULINE TRAIT-FACTORS IN WOMEN A HELP OR A HINDRANCE IN DEALING WITH FEAR OF SUCCESS?

The motive to avoid success is identified ( 6 ) as "the fear that success in competitive situations will lead to negative consequences." Horner maintained that this is particularly true for women who are ambitious and achievement-oriented and who must deal with their accomplishments in light of sociery's potenrial osrracism of their competitive, unfeminine behavior. Hornet's ideas suggest that fear of success. is more pronounced for non-traditional women who desire to compete and achieve than it is for sex-rolecongruent women. Some studies (2, 7 ) have supported Horner's thesis that nontraditionally oriented, sex-reversed females experience greater fear of success. Other researchers (4, 8 ) report that sex-reversed females exhibit significantly less fear of success. Still others ( 3 ) found no relationship, Since results seem conflicting; this important relationship needs to be explored. The Bem Sex-role Inventory (1 ) assessed 101 females' endorsement of masculine and feminine characteristics in themselves and the Fear of Success Scale ( 5 ) evaluated how strongly they were governed by che motive to avoid success. Means, SDs, and ranges for masculine Bem scores were 97.19, 12.47, and 59 to 125, for feminine Bem scores 102.04, 11.08, and 72 to 123, and for fear of success scores 7.68, 4.36, and 0 to 21 (4 = .14). Multiple regression techniques were used to predict level of fear of success from sex-role orientation scores. A significant relationship ( p < ,001) obtained between masculinity and fear of success, high masculinity being associated with low fear of success. Femininity was nonsignificant. Apparently, females who recognize masculine characteristics as an integral part of their personality feel more comfortable than their sex-rolecongruent counterparts in achievement-oriented situations. Possession of masculine traits allows women to feel less pressured by societal norms to conform to a feminine, noncompetitive posrure. They view the active pursuit of success-related goals as acceptable behavior and are less prone to experience feat of success.
A REVIEW OF LAMINAR SINGLE-PHASE FLOW IN MICROCHANNELS

Microfluidics plays a major role in the development of many innovative research activities aimed at the development of miniaturized devices and systems, and new applications related to microscale handling of fluids. As the field of microfluidics continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the mechanisms and fundamental differences involved in microscale fluid flow. This paper presents a summary of the experimental research efforts in the area of microscale single-phase internal fluid flow and discusses issues associated with investigating microscale flows. While the currently available experimental data indicate the presence of microscale phenomena, they do not unequivocally identify the effects. There is a clear need for additional experimental investigations.
Studies on effective compositions of Pine cone VI. Antitumor activity of fractions from pine cone and pine nut shell of Pinus koraiensis Sieb et Zucc and P.tabulaeformis Carr.

Objective:To study the anti-tumor activity of fractions from pine cone and pine nut shell.Methods:The anti-tumor activity of the extract from pine cone and pine nut shell was measured by injecting tumor cells into mice.Results:CK-C of the poly saccharine fractions obtained by NaOH extraction from Pinus Koraiensis Sieb et Zucc showed the most potent anti-tumor activity by 60 mg/kg.d×7 for S180,and the inhibitory rate of tumor was 48.9%;and CK-DEF was highest for U14,and the inhibitory rate of tumor was 36.0% and 40.4%;and CK-DEF was better than Cylophamide for Hep A.Conclusion:The activity of fractions from pine cone and pine nut shell showed obvious anti-tumor action.
Language learning, socioeconomic status, and child-directed speech

Young children's language experiences and language outcomes are highly variable. Research in recent decades has focused on understanding the extent to which family socioeconomic status (SES) relates to parents' language input to their children and, subsequently, children's language learning. Here, we first review research demonstrating differences in the quantity and quality of language that children hear across low-, mid-, and high-SES groups, but also-and perhaps more importantly-research showing that differences in input and learning also exist within SES groups. Second, in order to better understand the defining features of 'high-quality' input, we highlight findings from laboratory studies examining specific characteristics of the sounds, words, sentences, and social contexts of child-directed speech (CDS) that influence children's learning. Finally, after narrowing in on these particular features of CDS, we broaden our discussion by considering family and community factors that may constrain parents' ability to participate in high-quality interactions with their young children. A unification of research on SES and CDS will facilitate a more complete understanding of the specific means by which input shapes learning, as well as generate ideas for crafting policies and programs designed to promote children's language outcomes. WIREs Cogn Sci 2016, 7:264-275. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1393 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Effects of tiazofurin on guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins in HL-60 cells

Guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) are regulatory molecules that couple membrane receptors to effector systems such as adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C. The alpha subunits of G proteins bind to guanosine 5′-diphosphate (GDP) in the unstimulated state and guanosine 5′ triphosphate (GTP) in the active state. Tiazofurin (2-beta- D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide), a specific inhibitor of inosine monophosphate (IMP) dehydrogenase, decreases guanylate synthesis from IMP in HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells and depletes intracellular guanine nucleotide pools. This study demonstrates that treatment of HL- 60 cells with tiazofurin is associated with a fourfold increase in membrane binding sites for the nonhydrolyzable analogue GDP beta S. This increase in binding sites was associated with a 3.2-fold decrease in GDP beta S binding affinity. Similar findings were obtained with GTP gamma S. These effects of tiazofurin treatment on guanine nucleotide binding were also associated with decreased adenosine diphosphate- ribosylation of specific G protein substrates by cholera and pertussis toxin. The results further demonstrate that tiazofurin treatment results in inhibition of G protein-mediated transmembrane signaling mechanisms. In this regard, stimulation of adenylate cyclase by prostaglandin E2 was inhibited by over 50% in tiazofurin-treated cells. Furthermore, tiazofurin treatment resulted in inhibition of N- formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine-induced stimulation of phospholipase C. Taken together, these results indicate that tiazofurin acts at least in part by inhibiting the ability of G proteins to function as transducers of intracellular signals.
MUC1-C induces DNA methyltransferase 1 and represses tumor suppressor genes in acute myeloid leukemia.

// Ashujit Tagde 1 , Hasan Rajabi 1 , Dina Stroopinsky 2 , Reddy Gali 3 , Maroof Alam 1 , Audrey Bouillez 1 , Surender Kharbanda 1 , Richard Stone 1 , David Avigan 2 and Donald Kufe 1 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 2 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 3 Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Correspondence to: David Avigan, email: // Donald Kufe, email: // Keywords : MUC1-C, DNMT1, DNA methylation, decitabine, CDH1 Received : April 25, 2016 Accepted : May 22, 2016 Published : June 01, 2016 Abstract Aberrant DNA methylation is a hallmark of acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, the regulation of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), which is responsible for maintenance of DNA methylation patterns, has largely remained elusive. MUC1-C is a transmembrane oncoprotein that is aberrantly expressed in AML stem-like cells. The present studies demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C with silencing or a pharmacologic inhibitor GO-203 suppresses DNMT1 expression. In addition, MUC1 expression positively correlates with that of DNMT1 in primary AML cells, particularly the CD34+/CD38- population. The mechanistic basis for this relationship is supported by the demonstration that MUC1-C activates the NF-κB p65 pathway, promotes occupancy of the MUC1-C/NF-κB complex on the DNMT1 promoter and drives DNMT1 transcription. We also show that targeting MUC1-C substantially reduces gene promoter-specific DNA methylation, and derepresses expression of tumor suppressor genes, including CDH1 , PTEN and BRCA1 . In support of these results, we demonstrate that combining GO-203 with the DNMT1 inhibitor decitabine is highly effective in reducing DNMT1 levels and decreasing AML cell survival. These findings indicate that (i) MUC1-C is an attractive target for the epigentic reprogramming of AML cells, and (ii) targeting MUC1-C in combination with decitabine is a potentially effective clinical approach for the treatment of AML.
Tissue mast cells in human bone marrow.

1. Tissue mast cells were found in 7 of 2800 human bone marrows studied. 2. Tissue mast cells represented 1.0 per cent or more of the marrow cells in 3 of the cases, and each of the 3 exhibited some degree of marrow depression, as evidenced by anemia, leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia. 3. The morphology and histochemistry of tissue mast cells in human bone marrow are described. 4. A relationship between tissue mast cells and marrow cellular depression is suggested based upon a possible inhibitory action of heparin upon local cell growth.
Democracy without Security

Instability in Central and Eastern Europe, especially southeastern Europe, has been the casus belli of two world wars as well as other smaller wars — the fate of Yugoslavia providing the most striking present example. Yet no security guarantee of either a unilateral or a collective nature exists for these countries in the post-Cold. War period, beyond those of the UN Charter. There may be agreement on paper that the security of Western Europe is ‘inseparably linked’ to that of other European countries, but in practical terms deeds do not match words. If historical comparisons are at all appropriate, the West seems to be seeking a new brand of containment. But this time it is not incipient communism that is the menace; it is the turmoil of Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe that has to be contained.
Growing Out of Stress: The Role of Cell- and Organ-Scale Growth Control in Plant Water-Stress Responses

Water is the most limiting resource on land for plant growth, and its uptake by plants is affected by many abiotic stresses, such as salinity, cold, heat, and drought. While much research has focused on exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular signaling events governing water-stress responses, it is also important to consider the role organismal structure plays as a context for such responses. The regulation of growth in plants occurs at two spatial scales: the cell and the organ. In this review, we focus on how the regulation of growth at these different spatial scales enables plants to acclimate to water-deficit stress. The cell wall is discussed with respect to how the physical properties of this structure affect water loss and how regulatory mechanisms that affect wall extensibility maintain growth under water deficit. At a higher spatial scale, the architecture of the root system represents a highly dynamic physical network that facilitates access of the plant to a heterogeneous distribution of water in soil. We discuss the role differential growth plays in shaping the structure of this system and the physiological implications of such changes.
The Design, Usability, and Feasibility of a Family-Focused Diabetes Self-Care Support mHealth Intervention for Diverse, Low-Income Adults with Type 2 Diabetes.

Family members’ helpful and harmful actions affect adherence to self-care and glycemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and low socioeconomic status. Few family interventions for adults with T2D address harmful actions or use text messages to reach family members. Through user-centered design and iterative usability/feasibility testing, we developed a mHealth intervention for disadvantaged adults with T2D called FAMS. FAMS delivers phone coaching to set self-care goals and improve patient participant’s (PP) ability to identify and address family actions that support/impede self-care. PPs receive text message support and can choose to invite a support person (SP) to receive text messages. We recruited 19 adults with T2D from three Federally Qualified Health Centers to use FAMS for two weeks and complete a feedback interview. Coach-reported data captured coaching success, technical data captured user engagement, and PP/SP interviews captured the FAMS experience. PPs were predominantly African American, 83% had incomes <$35,000, and 26% were married. Most SPs () were spouses/partners or adult children. PPs reported FAMS increased self-care and both PPs and SPs reported FAMS improved support for and communication about diabetes. FAMS is usable and feasible and appears to help patients manage self-care support, although some PPs may not have a SP.
Cytotrophoblast, Not Syncytiotrophoblast, Dominates Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation in Human Term Placenta

The syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) at the maternal-fetal interface has been presumed to be the primary driver of placental metabolism, and the underlying progenitor cytotrophoblast cells (CTB) an insignificant contributor to placental metabolic activity. However, we now show that the metabolic rate of CTB is much greater than the SCT. The oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rate, a measure of glycolysis, are both greater in CTB than in SCT in vitro (CTB: 96 ± 16 vs SCT: 46 ± 14 pmol O2 × min−1 × 100 ng DNA−1, p < 0.001) and (CTB: 43 ± 6.7 vs SCT 1.4 ± 1.0 ∆mpH × min−1 × 100 ng DNA−1, p < 0.0001). Mitochondrial activity, as determined by using the mitochondrial activity-dependent dye Mitotracker CM-H2TMRosa, is higher in CTB than in SCT in culture and living explants. These data cast doubt on the previous supposition that the metabolic rate of the placenta is dominated by the SCT contribution. Moreover, differentiation into SCT leads to metabolic suppression. The normal suppression of metabolic activity during CTB differentiation to SCT is prevented with a p38 MAPK signaling inhibitor and epidermal growth factor co-treatment. We conclude that the undifferentiated CTB, in contrast to the SCT, is highly metabolically active, has a high level of fuel flexibility, and contributes substantially to global metabolism in the late gestation human placenta.
Pesticides in blood.

Since the introduction of DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] during World War II for the control of malaria, many synthetic organic compounds have been found to be effective pesticides. The commonly used ones, the organochlorine compounds, are not readily degraded under normal conditions. Although extremely small concentrations of these compounds are required for pesticidal control, the effect on public health of their gradual increase in our environment is under close scrutiny. There is considerable interest in evaluating the usefulness of the concentration of these materials in blood to determine the severity of recent exposures and also to estimate the total body burden in the general population.
In Pursuit of Solving a Global Health Problem: Prototype Medical Device for Autotransfusing Life-Threatening Postpartum Hemorrhage in Resource-Limited Settings

The purpose of the review is to provide an overview of innovative technologies being developed to prevent and treat postpartum hemorrhage in resource-limited settings and to discuss a promising new device designed specifically to address the lack of safe blood supplies in many areas of the world. There are several new technologies being used or tested to address the significant global health problem of postpartum hemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. None of these new technologies have addressed the persistent lack of safe blood supplies in low resource settings which is an essential pillar of comprehensive emergency obstetric care. With this aim in mind, a prototype obstetrical medical device was designed with the capability to autotransfuse women suffering life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage in low resource settings. Postpartum hemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal morbidity worldwide and efforts are needed, more than ever, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of improving maternal mortality especially in resource-limited settings. Despite many effective new technologies such as the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment, improvised uterine balloon tamponade devices, and new drugs such as tranexamic acid, none has addressed the lack of safe blood supplies that are critical to treating PPH. A prototype medical device has been developed, and preliminary testing for functionality and filter function has been successful and shows great promise. Further testing is still needed and is ongoing in preparation for human clinical trials.
Response by Simpson et al to Letter Regarding Article, "Adrenergic Receptors in Individual Ventricular Myocytes: the Beta-1 and Alpha-1B Are in All Cells, the Alpha-1A Is in a Subpopulation, and the Beta-2 and Beta-3 Are Mostly Absent".

Recently, we used several assays of expression and function to quantify adrenergic receptors (ARs) in isolated, individual adult mouse ventricular myocytes. We found that the β1 and α1B were present on all cells. The α1A was expressed and functional in a 60% subset, with 20% having high receptor levels, and the β2 and β3 were mostly absent on myocytes, but abundant on nonmyocytes.1 Balligand and Michel raise concerns that we could have missed β3-ARs on myocytes with our assays, instead proposing an important role for the β3-AR in cardiac myocytes (in the letter by Balligand and Michel). We thank our colleagues for calling attention to our article. However, we disagree with their concerns. First, Balligand and Michel note that our mRNA arrays and RT-qPCR might not have detected the C-terminal b isoform of the mouse β3-AR.2 On the contrary, the β3-mRNA probes in our arrays, which detected only 4 of 50 cells positive for the β3 (Figure 6 in the study by Myagmar et al1), targeted the exon common to both the a and b isoforms. Our RT-qPCR, which used intron-spanning primers, focused on the a isoform because the β3 b isoform is an extremely tiny fraction of a low total β3-mRNA in mouse heart,2 and its presence or absence would not alter the conclusions. Our RT-qPCR found no β3 in ventricular myocytes but abundant β3 in nonmyocytes, including endothelial cells (Online Figure V in the study by Myagmar et al1). Second, Balligand and Michel raise concerns that our radioligand …
Living with the Enemy: German Occupation, Collaboration and Justice in the Western Pyrenees, 1940–1948

In post-liberation France, the French courts judged the cases of more than one hundred thousand people accused of aiding and abetting the enemy during the Second World War. In this fascinating book, Sandra Ott uncovers the hidden history of collaboration in the Pyrenean borderlands of the Basques and the Bearnais in southwestern France through nine stories of human folly, uncertainty, ambiguity, ambivalence, desire, vengeance, duplicity, greed, self-interest, opportunism and betrayal. Covering both the occupation and liberation periods, she reveals how the book's characters became involved with the occupiers for a variety of reasons, ranging from a desire to settle scores and to gain access to power, money and material rewards, to love, friendship, fear and desperation. These wartime lives and subsequent postwar reckonings provide us with a new lens through which to understand human behavior under the difficult conditions of occupation, and the subsequent search for retribution and justice.
The Effects of Large-Scale Hog Production on Local Labor Markets

Although the negative externalities of large-scale hog production have been well studied, econometric estimates of its potentially positive labor markets effects are lacking. We use the geographic shifts in large-scale hog production between 1992 and 2007 to estimate such production's effects on local farm and nonfarm labor markets. We find that every additional 1000 head at large-scale facilities in a county generates 0.57 additional large-scale hog operation jobs, 0.04 fewer small-scale hog operation jobs, 0.16 fewer nonhog-related agricultural jobs, and 0.59 additional nonfarm jobs, for a total of 0.96 jobs. Our total estimate is lower than previous ones based on input-output modeling.
Predictors of contralateral-bilateral nodal disease in oropharyngeal cancer: A National Cancer Data Base Study.

BACKGROUND Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) frequently presents with cervical metastasis. Roles of human papillomavirus (HPV) status, among other factors, on laterality are elusive. METHODS The National Cancer Database was reviewed for oropharyngeal SCC diagnosed from 2010-2014. Predictors of clinically evident contralateral or bilateral nodal disease were identified. RESULTS A total of 15 517 patients with oropharyngeal SCC met criteria. The majority was HPV-positive. Histologically poorly differentiated tumors were more frequent in the HPV-positive group (55.7% vs 37.6%; P < .001). By incidence, there was no statistical difference in contralateral or bilateral nodal disease between HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients (14.2% vs 14.5%, respectively; P = .769). On multivariable analysis, notable predictors of contralateral or bilateral nodal disease included HPV-positivity (odds ratio [OR] 1.26; 99% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.44), base of tongue (BOT) location (OR 2.15; 99% CI 1.88-2.45), poorly differentiated tumor (OR 1.72; 99% CI 1.20-2.46), and T4 classification (OR 6.65; 99% CI 5.34-8.28). CONCLUSION Patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal SCC have increased likelihood of contralateral or bilateral nodal disease. Tumor grade, tumor location, and tumor size are also independent predictors.