cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-Affinity Fatty Acid-Binding Activity in Epidermis and Cultured Keratinocytes Is Attributable to High-Molecular-Weight and Not Low-Molecular-Weight Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins

Abstract Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are abundant low-molecular-weight cytosolic proteins in tissues involved in fatty acid (FA) metabolism. Because epidermis is also an active lipogenic tissue, we examined cytosols from murine and porcine epidermis and cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts for FABPs. High-affinity FA-binding activity was present in both epidermis and differentiated keratinocytes, whereas no high-affinity FA-binding activity was found in cultured human fibroblasts or undifferentiated keratinocytes. By column chromatography, a single binding peak was identified in the high (90–100 kDa)-molecular-weight range and no binding activity was evident in the low (14–15 kDa)-molecular-weight range, where conventional FABPs elute. Moreover, rabbit anti-rat heart FABP, anti-rat intestine FABP, and anti-rat liver FABP antisera did not identify proteins in the 14–15-kDa range in murine epidermal cytosol by Western immunoblots, whereas the anti-rat heart antibody recognized a protein of approximately 32 kDa. Isoelectric focusing of differentiated keratinocyte cytosol demonstrated a single FA-binding peak having a pI of ≈ 4.0. Analysis of this binding peak by SDS-PAGE revealed peptides of approximately 66 and 38 kDa. These findings suggest the possibility that the FA-binding protein in keratinocyte cytosol normally exists as a heterodimer. Western immunoblots of both differentiated keratinocyte cytosol and keratinocyte-conditional media stained with a rabbit anti-human serum albumin antibody identified a protein of approximately 67 kDa, but the electrofocused fraction did not react with this antibody. Thus, epidermis and differentiated keratinocytes possess high-affinity cytosolic FA-binding activity that cannot be ascribed either to conventional low-molecular-weight FABPs or to albumin.
Glutamate Dehydrogenase 1 Signals through Antioxidant Glutathione Peroxidase 1 to Regulate Redox Homeostasis and Tumor Growth

How mitochondrial glutaminolysis contributes to redox homeostasis in cancer cells remains unclear. Here we report that the mitochondrial enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase 1 (GDH1) is commonly upregulated in human cancers. GDH1 is important for redox homeostasis in cancer cells by controlling the intracellular levels of its product alpha-ketoglutarate and subsequent metabolite fumarate. Mechanistically, fumarate binds to and activates a reactive oxygen species scavenging enzyme glutathione peroxidase 1. Targeting GDH1 by shRNA or a small molecule inhibitor R162 resulted in imbalanced redox homeostasis, leading to attenuated cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth.
Psychosocial telephone intervention for dementia caregivers: A randomized, controlled trial

Abstract Background Identifying effective and accessible interventions for dementia caregivers is critical as dementia prevalence increases. Objective Examine the effects of a telephone-based intervention on caregiver well-being. Design Randomized, controlled trial. Setting Academic medical center. Participants Two hundred and fifty distressed, family, dementia caregivers. Intervention Caregivers randomized to receive 16 telephone contacts over 6 months of either the Family Intervention: Telephone Tracking—Caregiver (FITT-C) or Telephone Support (TS). Outcome Primary outcome variables were family caregivers' depressive symptoms, burden, and reactions to care recipients' behavior problems at 6 months. Results The FITT-C intervention resulted in significantly improved caregiver depressive symptoms ( P = .003; 27% net improvement) and less severe reactions to care-recipient depressive behaviors ( P = .009; 29% net improvement) compared with the control condition (TS). Conclusion An entirely telephone-based intervention improves caregivers' depressive symptoms and reactions to behavior problems in the care recipient and is comparable with reported results of face-to-face interventions.
Corneal pain evoked by thermal stimulation

Abstract The thermal sensitivity of the eyelid and cornea was compared using an automated apparatus to produce stimulus pulses of known magnitude and duration over the range 33–45°C. Subjects reported only temperature sensation when the skin of the upper eyelid was tested; however, corneal stimulation in the same subjects was always perceived as nociceptive. The possibility that other ocular tissues may be involved in the pain responses was shown to be unlikely by direct experimentation or by calculation of heat flow in those tissues. Cornea and eyelid thresholds were compared in relationship to the structural and physical properties of these tissues. It was found that the nerve endings of the corneal epithelium are less sensitive to temperature change when compared to the thermal receptors of the eyelid. It is concluded that the cornea is useful for the experimental study of pain.
Evaluation of the wheezy infant

Background The infant with persistent or recurrent wheezing during the first 2 years of life poses a diagnostic dilemma, which can be a source of anxiety to both physicians and parents. A suggested diagnostic approach to the causes of infantile wheezing is outlined. Objectives 1. To review the physiologic considerations of the infant's airways that predispose to wheezing. 2. To discuss the key physical findings, family history, and risk factors associated with wheezing in infants. 3. To develop a rational approach to the differential diagnosis and management of infantile wheezing. Data Sources The MEDLINE database as well as our clinical experience pertaining to infantile wheezing. Conclusions This review discusses the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of the wheezing infant. We suggest that infant pulmonary function testing may be used as one diagnostic aid in the workup of the wheezing infant.
Teaching listening through evaluation and criticism

(1953). Teaching listening through evaluation and criticism. The Speech Teacher: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 178-180.
A new miniature electrical aerosol spectrometer (MEAS): Experimental characterization

Design and theory of a new compact ultrafine particle sizing instrument, called the miniature electrical-mobility aerosol spectrometer (MEAS), was recently introduced [Ranjan, M., & Dhaniyala, S. (2007). A new miniature electrical spectrometer: Theory and design. Journal of Aerosol Science, 39, 950–963]. In the MEAS, electrostatic precipitation technique is used for both generation of sheath flow and classification of particles based on their electrical mobility. An electrometer-array, connected to the collection electrodes in the classifier section, is used to measure the number of particles collected in the different mobility channels, and these data are inverted using MEAS transfer functions to obtain particle number size distributions. Design of a prototype MEAS and the experimental approach to validate the performance of the individual components of the instrument are presented. Particle size distributions obtained from MEAS measurements compare well with those obtained using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS; TSI 3936), validating theoretical calculations of instrument transfer functions. The operational limits of MEAS are determined from the calculation of error in the inverted size distribution as a function of total particle concentration. This analysis suggests that the designed MEAS can be used for applications such as personal and ambient monitoring under conditions of moderate to high particle concentrations.
Unresectable Colorectal Cancer Synchronous Metastases: How to Manage the Primary Tumor

In patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer, a significant proportion of patients will present with disseminated disease. In the presence of a symptomatic primary tumor, resection may be required to alleviate the symptoms of obstruction, bleeding, or perforation. Historically, resection of the primary asymptomatic tumor was advocated because a large portion of patients eventually developed symptoms or complications related to their primary tumors. Resection was followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with 5FU and survival was modest. However, with the improved response rates to the newer cytotoxic systemic therapies the role of prophylactic resection of the primary tumor in unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer has been questioned. Newer data suggest that routine palliative resection of the synchronous primary lesion should not be performed in the absence of symptoms. Several questions remain and ongoing prospective randomized trials will likely address many of the limitations of currently available literature.
Growth and carcass characteristics of Angus and American Wagyu steers.

Ten purebred Angus and ten crossbred (3/4-7/8) American Wagyu steers were fed a corn and barley-based diet for 552 days and slaughtered. All USDA and Japanese yield and quality grade factors were evaluated and the amount of extractable lipid and moisture in totally trimmed muscle was determined. Angus steers gained 0·9 kg/head/day and American Wagyus gained 0·7 kg/head/day. This difference in growth rate resulted in Angus steers having a heavier final weight (P 0·05). Average ribeye area and kidney, pelvic and heart fat were similar for the two breeds. The calculated USDA yield grade for both breeds exceeded 6. Average USDA marbling score was nearly a degree of marbling higher for American Wagyu than for Angus, but variation within breed groups was high. Average USDA quality grade was well into USDA Prime for all carcasses and did not differ by breed (P > 0·05). Japanese yield grade factors were similar for both breeds except for cold left side weight and the yield estimation which includes an adjustment factor that favors American Wagyu. American Wagyu steers merited a higher Japanese marbling score than did Angus (P 0·05). These data clearly show that some American Wagyu steers have the genetic ability to deposit as much marbling as Japanese Black cattle raised in Japan.
A continuum model with microstructures for wave propagation in ultra-thin films

Abstract Ultrasonic waves are powerful and popular methods for measuring mechanical properties of solids even at nanoscales. The extraction of material constants from the measured wave data requires the use of a model that can accurately describe the wave motion in the solid. The objective of this paper is to develop a continuum theory with microstructures that can capture the effect of the microstructure or nanostructure in ultra-thin films when waves of short wavelengths are used. This continuum theory is developed from assumed displacement fields for microstructures. Local kinematic variables are introduced to express these local displacements and are subjected to internal continuity conditions. The accuracy of the present theory is verified by comparing the results with those of the lattice model for the thin film. Specifically, dispersion curves for surface wave propagation and wave propagation in a thin film supported by an elastic homogeneous substrate are studied. The inadequacy of the conventional continuum theory is discussed.
Green's function solution to heat transfer of a transparent gas through a tube

A heat transfer analysis of a transparent gas flowing through a circular tube of finite thickness is presented. This study includes the effects of wall conduction, internal radiative exchange, and convective heat transfer. The natural mathematical formulation produces a nonlinear, integrodifferential equation governing the wall temperature and an ordinary differential equation describing the gas temperature. This investigation proposes to convert the original system of equations into an equivalent system of integral equations. The Green's function method permits the conversion of an integrodifferential equation into a pure integral equation. The proposed integral formulation and subsequent computational procedure are shown to be stable and accurate.
Calculated structures and heats of formation of some predicted C, N, O, F molecules

Twelve molecules containing only C, N, O, and F, which are of interest in the context of energetic materials, were found to have true local energy minima at the HF/6-31G* computational level. Both HF/6-31G* and MP2/6-31G* geometries are presented. A density functional procedure was used to find gas phase heats of formation. These are strongly positive for most of the molecules. The nitroso group significantly increases δH o f.25‡C compared to the nitro analogue.
Failures of GCH and the level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness

We force and obtain three models in which level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness holds and in which, below the least supercompact cardinal, GCH fails unboundedly often. In two of these models, GCH fails on a set having measure 1 with respect to certain canonical measures. There are no restrictions in all of our models on the structure of the class of supercompact cardinals. (© 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fecal transplantation therapy for Clostridium difficile-associated pouchitis.

Dear Editor: Pouchitis is the most common long-term complication in patients who undergo total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) or colitis-associated neoplasia. Acute or chronic pouchitis can result from Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Treatment for C . difficile -associated pouchitis can be challenging. We report the first reported case in which the patient with chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis associated with CDI, which was successfully treated by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
Microanalysis of active reading behavior to inform design of interactive desktop workspaces

Hybrid paper-digital desktop workspaces have long been of interest in HCI, yet their design remains challenging. One continuing challenge is to support fluid interaction with both paper and digital media, while taking advantage of established practices with each. Today researchers are exploiting depth cameras and computer vision to capture activity on and above the desktop and enable direct interaction with digitally projected and physical media. One important prerequisite to augmenting desktop activity is understanding human behavior in particular contexts and tasks. Here we study active reading on the desktop. To better understand active reading practices and identify patterns that might serve as signatures for different types of related activity, we conducted a microanalysis of single users reading on and above the desktop workspace. We describe the relationship between multimodal body-based contextual cues and the interactions they signify in a physical desktop workspace. Detailed analysis of coordinated interactions with paper documents provides an empirical basis for designing digitally augmented desktop workspaces. We conclude with prototype design interactions for hybrid paper-digital desktop workspaces.
Nonideal Solution Limitations to the Use of Quadrature in Some Differential Phase Equilibrium Computations

This paper demonstrates that the use of quadrature to designate pseudocomponents of continuous systems in solid−fluid phase equilibrium computations can lead to results that would be inconsistent with what one would expect from actual (more continuous) descriptions. Differential distillation (liquid + vapor) and differential crystallization (liquid + solid) computations are performed using two compositional representations: (1) a 94-component integer mixture of n-paraffinic species and (2) a 12-component quadrature representation of the same n-paraffinic mixture. Results for the differential distillation process do not vary significantly between the two representations; however, corresponding results for the differential crystallization process are dramatically different. Computations suggest that strong nonideality in a mixture phase can render its pseudocomponent description inadequate, leading to unrealistic results when that phase equilibrates with another.
A 2014 Mbin/s deeply pipelined CABAC decoder for HEVC

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is the latest video standard that specifies video resolutions up to 8K Ultra-HD (UHD) at 120 fps to support the next decade of video applications. This results in high throughput requirements for the Context Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) entropy decoder, which was already a well-known bottleneck in H.264/AVC. Several modifications were made to the HEVC CABAC to address the throughput challenges. This work leverages these improvements in the design of a high throughput HEVC CABAC decoder. The proposed design uses a deeply pipelined architecture to achieve a high clock rate. Additional techniques such as state prefetch logic, latched-based context memory, and separate finite state machines are applied to minimize stall cycles, while multi-bypass bins decoding is used to further increase the throughput. The design is synthesized in a IBM 45nm SOI process, and achieves throughputs up to 2014 and 2748 Mbin/s under common and worst-case test conditions, respectively, at 1.9 GHz operating frequency. The results show that the design is sufficient to decode video bitstreams in real-time at Level 6.2, or at Level 6.0 for applications requiring sub-frame latency.
Trophoblast apoptosis from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction is associated with enhanced p53 expression.

Abstract Objective: We tested the hypothesis that apoptotic trophoblasts from pregnancies associated with fetal growth restriction caused by preeclampsia or cigarette use exhibit enhanced expression of the proapoptotic proteins p53 and Bax and diminished expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Study Design: Placentas were obtained from women with uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 4) or from women with pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction associated with preeclampsia, cigarette use, or both (n = 7). Placental sections were examined by means of hematoxylin and eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, as well as by detection of cytokeratin 18 cleavage products indicative of apoptosis. The expression of p53 was examined by means of Western immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Bak, and Bcl-X L was analyzed by immunoblotting. Results: More apoptosis was found in the trophoblast layer of villi from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction than in the trophoblast layer of villi from control pregnancies. The enhanced apoptosis correlated with up-regulation of p53, primarily in cytotrophoblast nuclei. There was no difference between the two groups in expression of the proteins from the Bcl-2 family. Conclusions: The expression of p53, but not members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins is up-regulated in human placental villi from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction. We speculate that conditions predisposing to placental hypoxia lead to p53-mediated apoptosis in trophoblasts and thereby contribute to placental dysfunction. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:1056-61.)
MILTON IN THE CLASSROOM: SOME EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES: Teaching Milton to Undergraduates

As a teacher of Milton to both undergraduate and graduate students, I was surprised by Professor Gallagher's recent article1 in response to the MLA seminar on teaching Milton-surprised not by the argument or its assumptions but rather by the nature of the problem itself. I find that it is a problem to teach Milton to undergraduates. It is not because they are unsympathetic to Milton's ideas or beliefs or because they find them to be irrelevant, but more obviously because of the difficulties posed by a poetry and a prose as sophisticated and complicated as Milton's. My students range from the evangelical to the incredulous (you mean someone really believed in a fall?); however, they do not seem to find Milton any more irrelevant than they find Camus or Hemingway. I found Professor Gallagher's response thoughtful and provocative, but it did not address the problems that I encounter.
Constrained Euler system for Navier-Stokes turbulence.

We propose a model system based on the Euler equations with integral constraints to describe high-Reynolds-number Navier-Stokes turbulence. This system is Galilean invariant. It is demonstrated computationally that the system, under appropriate constraints, evolves to a quasiequilibrium state which reproduces accurately both low- and high-order statistical measures of turbulence observed in laboratory experiments and direct numerical simulations. A large-eddy simulation model based on the constrained Euler system is formulated and computationally validated. The theoretical interest of the proposed system in the context of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics is briefly discussed.
Nanophase structure in Nb rich - Nb3Al alloy by mechanical alloying

Abstract Mechanical alloying (MA) of elemental powders was used to produce nanometer size crystals in the Nb-15.4 at. % Al alloy. A nanosize solid solution was reached when the steady state regime in the MA process was attained. The solid solution formation was explained by the enhanced diffusion due to dislocation and grain boundary multiplication by mechanical alloying. The study of solid state reactions using DTA and X-ray diffraction indicated that Nb3Al compound forms in the milled powders by heating up to 1145–1150 K. The activation energies for Nb3Al compound formation were 372.8 kJ/mole and 340.3 kJ/mole after milling for 4 and 8 h, respectively. Densities of 7.57−7.6 g/cm3 were achieved by plasma activated sintering of milled powders at 1470 K for 4 minutes in 0.5 torr vacuum under 30 MPa pressure. Nb3Al compound was formed during this short consolidation process.
Evaluation of right ventricular volume and ejection fraction in children by two-dimensional echocardiography.

We estimated right ventricular volume and ejection by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and compared the measurements with those obtained by right ventricular cineangiography (ANGIO) in 20 children whose ages ranged from 1 month to 10 years and who had a variety of congenital defects. The two echocardiographic planes used for calculating volume were the apical four-chamber (A4C) and parasternal short-axis (SA) planes. End diastolic volume (EDV) and end systolic volume (ESV) were calculated from these planes by single-plane area-length methods. The EDV and ESV were uniformly underestimated, but the estimate of ejection fraction (EF) was satisfactory. For EF,r=0.83 from the apical four-chamber view andr=0.78 from the short-axis view. The axes of the two echocardiographic planes passed through different segments of the right ventricle (RV) and we found that the value given by adding the volumes obtained from the two single-plane segments correlated quite well with the value obtained by angiography: for EDV, 2DE=0.62 ANGIO+7.0,r=0.81, standard error of the estimate (s.e.e.)=15.4 ml; for ESV, 2DE=0.82 ANGIO+1.4,r=0.85, s.e.e.=6.5 ml; and for EF, 2DE=0.66 ANGIO+17.8,r=0.82, s.e.e=7.4 ml. Two-dimensional echocardiography can be used to evaluate right ventricular EF derived from volume measurements or from each of the echocardiographic planes of which, in our series, the apical four-chamber EF provided the better correlation.
Effect of aging on the oxidative phosphorylation pathway

The proposed study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aging on control of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway. Flux control coefficients for adenine nucleotide translocase and cytochrome c oxidase were determined using the procedure of Groen et al. [J. Biol. Chem., 257 (1982) 137-144]. Hepatic mitochondrial fractions from Fischer 344 rats were isolated from control (average age 6.5 months), and aged (average age 27.3 months) groups. No aging-related changes in the extent of control of respiration by the oxidase were obtained, however, differences were observed for the translocase. For the control group of animals, the greatest regulation occurred at 80-85% maximal respiratory rates, and declined at higher rates. For the aged group, a similar flux control coefficient was obtained at 80-85% respiration, but was maintained as respiration increased to maximal rates. It is proposed that changes in the flux control coefficients at maximal respiratory rates are associated with an aging-related decrease in translocase activity. Evaluation of translocase content revealed no significant differences between the two groups supporting the concept that the decreased activity was not due to decreased content. During the course of these experiments, it also became apparent that there was a significant aging-related decrease in the rate of succinate oxidation providing an adequate supply of ADP was present. No significant changes in respiratory rates, or RCR, were evident at suboptimal concentrations of ADP as reported previously from this laboratory [Vorbeck, M.L. et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 214 (1982) 67-79]. Since similar decreases in respiration were obtained upon addition of an uncoupler, the aging-related changes in respiration are attributed to differences at the level of the electron transport system, including its associated reactions. The aging-related differences in respiratory rates, and extent of control of respiration, were both observed under conditions of maximal stimulation of respiration. This suggests an inability of mitochondria from aged animals to respond to the increased demands of oxidation. Basic to these differences may be the lipid-membrane associated changes seen during aging.
Finite Disjunctive Programming Characterizations for General Mixed-Integer Linear Programs

In this paper, we give a finite disjunctive programming procedure to obtain the convex hull of general mixed-integer linear programs (MILP) with bounded integer variables. We propose a finitely convergent convex hull tree algorithm that constructs a linear program that has the same optimal solution as the associated MILP. In addition, we combine the standard notion of sequential cutting planes with ideas underlying the convex hull tree algorithm to help guide the choice of disjunctions to use within a cutting plane method. This algorithm, which we refer to as the cutting plane tree algorithm, is shown to converge to an integral optimal solution in finitely many iterations. Finally, we illustrate the proposed algorithm on three well-known examples in the literature that require an infinite number of elementary or split disjunctions in a rudimentary cutting plane algorithm.
Nerve cells in the extracranial portion of the hypoglossal nerve in human fetuses.

The hypoglossal nerve with its communicating branches between the hypoglossal canal and its terminal rami was removed in toto from 11 human fetuses varying from 63 to 342 mm C.R. length. Serial sections were stained with luxol fast blue or impregnated with silver nitrate or protargol according to Bodian's method. The total number of nerve cells varied from 10 to 82 on the right side and from 6 to 60 on the left. Morphologically these cells resembled the cells in the inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve and they were always observed within the communicating rami between this ganglion and the hypoglossal nerve. The possibility of migration of these cells from the inferior ganglion of the vagus to the hypoglossal nerve and their relationship to the proprioceptive innervation of the tongue are discussed.
Designing ordered nucleic acid self-assembly processes.

A major goal of self-assembly research is the synthesis of biomolecular structures with diverse, intricate features across multiple length scales. Designing self-assembly processes becomes more difficult as the number of species or target structure size increases. Just as the ordered assembly of a machine or device makes complex manufacturing possible, ordered (or ‘algorithmic’) biomolecular self-assembly processes could enable the self-assembly of more complex structures. We discuss the design of ordered assembly processes with particular attention to DNA and RNA. The assembly of complexes can be ordered using selective, multivalent interactions or active components that change shape after assembly. The self-assembly of spatial gradients driven by reaction-diffusion can also be ordered. We conclude by considering topics for future research.
Screening for estrogenicity and anti-estrogenicity: a critical evaluation of an MVLN cell-based transactivation assay

Concerns have been raised whether natural and man-made chemicals might have the potential to adversely interfere with the endocrine system of humans and wildlife. This issue initiated intense research over the past years with a focus on interactions with the estrogen receptor (ER) as for several natural and anthropogenic compounds an estrogenic potential could be demonstrated. Transactivation assays have contributed much to the characterization of compounds with estrogen-like activity. However, their response to non-estrogenic compounds with ability to interact with various cellular targets has not been investigated in detail yet. We addressed this issue by incubation of MVLN cells with compounds of different estrogenic potential, anti-estrogens, various steroids, solvents, detergents, and compounds known to interfere with specific cellular targets. MVLN cells constitutively express the ER and are stably transfected with the luciferase (LUC) reporter gene and the corresponding hormone responsive element derived from the 5'flanking region of the Xenopus Vitellogenin A2 gene. Experiments were conducted both in the absence and presence of a strongly stimulating concentration of estradiol. Cytotoxicity was assessed in parallel, and ER-alpha binding was studied in a cell free system. Estrogenic compounds induced expression of the LUC gene in the basal cellular assay. In general, when added to estradiol-stimulated MVLN cells, these compounds did not further increase LUC gene expression, however, resveratrol, genistein, and daidzein increased LUC gene expression far beyond the level achievable by estradiol. This phenomenon of super-induction was also obtained for desoxycholic acid and colchicine, compounds showing no detectable affinity for the ER. Anti-estrogens reduced LUC gene expression in MVLN cells both in the absence and presence of estradiol. In the absence of demonstrable ER binding, dexamethasone and some detergents decreased LUC gene expression in the basal and estradiol-stimulated system beyond the extent that could be expected from the observed cytotoxicity. Similar results were observed for cycloheximide, quabain, and other effectors of cell function. Our findings suggest that certain compounds seem to mimic anti-estrogen-like activity without true affinity for the ER, at least in MVLN cells. Accordingly, results obtained in transactivation assays should be confirmed by further studies using other methodologies before any conclusion regarding an (anti)-estrogenic potential is drawn.
Dynamic light scattering from polymers

Applications of both polarized and depolarized dynamic light scattering to the study of polymers are described. Polarized light scattering is used to study translational diffusion, diffusion virial coefficients, rotational motion of long rod-shaped polymers, long-wavelength intramolecular motions, dynamics of pseudogels and gels and density fluctuations in bulk polymers. Depolarized scattering is used to study rotational diffusion of rigid macromolecules, local and long-wavelength intramolecular motions, dynamics in semi-dilute solutions, rotational motions of small molecules in glassy polymers and optical anisotrophy fluctuations of bulk polymers.
The effect of burning wood on saving electricity

Abstract By applying PRISM to a conservation data base from a Northwestern state in the U.S., the impact of wood usage on scorekeeping estimates of saved energy as well as on conservation behavior is explored. The model performance for houses reporting high wood usage is, on average, almost as high as it is for non-wood-burning houses. The more erratic electricity consumption and the somewhat less well determined model parameter estimates for the wooduser samples show up primarily as an increase in outliers. The reliability of Normalized Annual Consumption (NAC) as a conservation index is thus not strongly affected by wood usage. An interesting result is that the energy savings are much higher for woodusers than for non-woodusers. To explain this, the effect of various indicators of wood use on energy savings is examined. The results suggest that respondent-estimated wood usage may be better understood as an indicator of a propensity to conserve rather than as an accurate reflection of the magnitude of a switch to a replacement fuel for electricity. With good scorekeeping tools, this suggestive hypothesis can be tested on other data sets.
Degradation of ZnSe/ZnTe multiquantum well contacts to p-ZnSe

The work presented in this paper studied the degradation of ZnTe/ZnSe multiquantum well contacts to p-ZnSe under high current loading (1000 to 1500 A/cm2). During degradation, localized heating (up to 200°C > the bulk substrate and heat sink) was observed to occur at the point were electrical power was supplied. Auger data from degraded samples indicated that due to the localized heating, Zn and Te from the ZnTe layers and Zn from the ZnSe layer diffused through the Au metallization to the samples surface. In addition, thermal stress from the localized heating generated micro-cracks in the ZnSe which acted as high diffusivity paths for impurities. Rectangular defects were also found to form in the degraded region. These defects were oriented to the micro-cracks and had similar geometries as dislocation patches (dark line defects) which have been reported to form in the quantum well region of degraded ZnSe based laser devices. The similarities between the rectangular defects and dark line defects suggest the formation of similar dislocation patches in the quantum well region of the multiquantum well contacts.
Effect of upper-profile soil water potential on soybean root and shoot relationships.

Effects of water distribution in the soil profile on the dry matter yields of roots and shoots of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and depth distribution of the root mass were studied in plants (cv. ‘Forrest’) grown in 90-cm deep containers (two 45-cm sections) for 50 days in the greenhouse. Containers were filled with equal weights of Dubbs silt loam surface soil which was uniformly wet at planting. Soil in the bottom section of each container was maintained at −0.1 to −0.2 bar SWP1 (soil water potential). Soil inthe top section was maintained at −0.1 to −0.2 bar (SWP1), −0.3 to −0.5 bar (SWP2), or −0.5 to −0.7 bar (SWP3) once each level was reached. After 50 days, roots and shoots were harvested. Dry weight of roots in the upper section did not differ significantly among treatments, but was significantly greater in the lower section of the SWP3 treatment. Shoot dry weight from the SWP1 treatment was significantly greater. Shoot-root weight ratio declined significantly with each decrease in SWP level of the top section, and this decline resulted from decreased shoot weights in combination with increased root weights. The amount of water added to maintain the uniform SWP level in the bottom section of all containers increased significantly as SWP level decreased in the top. Yields of dry matter per unit of water added to the soil were nearly identical for all treatments and indicated that the increased yield from the wettest soil treatment (SWP1) was only in proportion to the extra water added.
La piel del horror, el horror en la piel. Poder, violencia y trauma en el cuerpo (post)humano en La piel que habito

El presente articulo explora como La piel que habito refleja y responde a algunas de las vicisitudes y catastrofes que son parte de nuestras experiencias individuales e historia colectiva mediante una reflexion sobre como los traumas subjetivos y compartidos se inscriben en la superficie del cuerpo e irrumpen a traves de ella. Dicha lectura anima a los espectadores a reflexionar sobre como los fragmentos de la memoria y de la historia perduran y se actualizan en el presente. Desde esta perspectiva, podemos asociar el desarrollo cientifico de la biogenetica y la biotecnologia con una “herida sintetica” que se inflige en el cuerpo humano por parte del poder cientifico y politico, lo cual nos obliga a reconsiderar nuestra existencia corporal humana. Asi pues, La piel que habito podria interpretarse como una ansiedad sobre el papel traumatico que la biogenetica, la cual es inherente al poder soberano, desempena cada vez mas en nuestras vidas. Propongo que el encarcelamiento de Vicente /Vera y la mutilacion y ...
Synthesis of DNA from Vaccinia Messenger RNA Templates

POLYADENYLIC acid sequences have been demonstrated in most messenger RNA molecules isolated from eukaryotic cells and animal viruses1–7. These sequences, ranging in size from 50 to 200 nucleotides, have been shown to occur on the 3-prime end of mRNA molecules of vaccinia virus and of HeLa cells (ref. 2 and unpublished results of W. Maloy and R. Perry and R. S. Sheldon, J. Kates and R. Perry). Aside from its intrinsic interest, the discovery of poly A sequences attached to messenger RNAs helps the study of gene expression in higher cells. For example, the ability of poly A containing mRNAs to bind quantitatively to immobilized poly U or poly dT is the basis of an extremely powerful method for the purification of most of the mRNA present in the polyribosomal fraction of cells2,6. Another potentially important application of the poly A sequence in mRNA, which will be the subject of this report, is its ability greatly to facilitate the synthesis of DNA copies of mRNA molecules using the RNA dependent DNA polymerase purified from oncornaviruses such as avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) and Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)8–10. The simple principle involved depends on the fact that the reverse transcriptase enzyme functions very efficiently when an RNA template such as poly A is coupled with a small complementary DNA primer such as oligo dT11–13. The DNA product of this reaction is found covalently attached to the 3-prime end of the primer oligomer (David Baltimore, personal communication). We report here the success of the latter experimental approach in the efficient production of DNA complements of vaccinia virus messenger RNAs. Vaccinia virus mRNA was chosen purely as a model system in view of the fact that it can readily be synthesized in vitro in large quantities using the endogenous viral transcriptase15,16 and because about 90% of the RNA contains 3-prime poly A sequences.
Effect of Acute Propanil Exposure on the Immune Response of C57BI/6 Mice

Propanil is a herbicide that is used extensively in rice farming to kill weeds without damaging the rice plant. The immunotoxic effects of acute exposure to propanil were determined in adult C57Bl/6 female mice exposed intraperitoneally to propanil at doses of 0, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg body wt. One week following exposure, the immune competency of the animals was assessed. Contact hypersensitivity response (CHR), blastogenic response to T- and B-cell-specific mitogens, and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) were significantly depressed only in propanil-treated animals at 400 mg/kg. However, the number of splenic antibody-producing cells was also significantly depressed in a dose-dependent manner at the lower doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. In addition, a significant reduction in the thymus weight and an increase in absolute and relative spleen weight were also measured in animals treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg. The increase in spleen weight also showed a concomitant rise in spleen cellularity. These data indicate that propanil has a dose-dependent immunotoxic effect on the adult mouse that affects primarily the humoral response.
Regional analysis of the effect of paved roads on sodium and chloride in lakes.

Abstract Salinization of surface water from sodium chloride (road salt) applied to paved roads is a widely recognized environmental concern in the northern hemisphere, yet practical information to improve winter road management to reduce the environmental impacts of this deicer is lacking. The purpose of our study was to provide such information by developing baseline concentrations for sodium and chloride for lakes in watersheds without paved roads, and then determining the relationship between these ions and density, type, and proximity of paved roads to shoreline. We used average summer (June–September) sodium and chloride data for 138 lakes combined in a watershed based analysis of paved road networks in the Adirondack Park of New York, U.S.A. The watersheds used in our study represented a broad range in paved road density and type, 56 of which had no paved roads. Median lake sodium and chloride concentrations in these 56 watersheds averaged 0.55 and 0.24 mg/L, respectively. In contrast, the median sodium and chloride concentrations for the 82 lakes in watersheds with paved roads were 3.60 and 7.22 mg/L, respectively. Paved road density (lane-km/km 2 ) was positively correlated with sodium and chloride concentrations, but only state roads were significantly correlated with sodium and chloride while local roads were not. State road density alone explained 84 percent of the variation in both ions. We also successfully modeled the relationship between road proximity to shoreline and sodium and chloride concentrations in lakes, which allowed us to identify sections of road that contributed more to explaining the variation in sodium and chloride in lakes. This model and our approach could be used as part of larger efforts to identify environmentally sensitive areas where alternative winter road management treatments should be applied.
Human immunodeficiency virus rev protein recognizes a target sequence in rev-responsive element RNA within the context of RNA secondary structure.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev protein modulates the distribution of viral mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm by interaction with a highly structured viral RNA sequence, the Rev-responsive element (RRE). To identify the minimal functional elements of RRE, we evaluated mutant RREs for Rev binding in vitro and Rev response in vivo in the context of a Gag expression plasmid. The critical functional elements fold into a structure composed of a stem-loop A, formed by the ends of the RRE, joined to a branched stem-loop B/B1/B2, between bases 49 and 113. The 5' 132 nucleotides of RRE, RREDDE, which possessed a similar structure, bound Rev efficiently but were nonfunctional in vivo, implying separate binding and functional domains within the RRE. Excision of stem-loop A reduced Rev binding significantly and abolished the in vivo Rev response. The B2 branch could be removed without severe impairment of binding, but deletions in the B1 branch significantly reduced binding and function. However, deletion of 12 nucleotides, including the 5' strand of stem B, abolished both binding and function, while excision of the 3' strand of stem B only reduced them. Maintenance of the native RRE secondary structure alone was not sufficient for Rev recognition. Many mutations that altered the primary structure of the critical region while preserving the original RNA conformation were Rev responsive. However, mutations that changed a 5'..CACUAUGGG..3' sequence in the B stem, without affecting the overall structure abolished both in vitro Rev binding and the in vivo Rev response.
Output filter design for a grid-interconnected three-phase inverter

Traditionally, LC filter is used for an inverter power supply. A grid-interconnected inverter, however, has some unique requirements that an LC filter may not be sufficient. This paper comprehensively discusses the design considerations of the output filter for the grid-interconnected inverter. Different passive damping filter solutions are compared and the optimized design guidelines are also proposed. Simulation results are provided to validate the design.
Correlates of variation in deer antler stiffness: age, mineral content, intra-antler location, habitat, and phylogeny☆

To test correlations between the stiffness of deer antler and aspects of cervid ecology, we measured the stiffness (in bending) of antler from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and compared our results to previous measurements from antlers of other cervid species. Stiffness of antler specimens did not correlate significantly with mineral content or the location within the antler from which specimens were taken in O. virginianus. However, antler stiffness in white-tailed deer decreased significantly between two- and three-year-old bucks, matching the time in O. virginianus life history when males shift from sparring with mostly larger individuals to sparring with mostly smaller individuals. Stiffer antlers may enable younger, smaller bucks to have a more effective lever through which their smaller muscular forces can be transmitted during sparring with older, larger bucks. The stiffnesses we measured for white-tailed deer antler are similar to values measured previously from other members of the odocoileine lineage, which are lower than those previously measured from the antlers of deer living in tropical habitats. However, confidence limits for maximum likelihood reconstructions of the ancestral stiffness of deer antler span the range of high stiffnesses found among tropical deer; furthermore, parsimony-based reconstructions of ancestral antler stiffness are equivocal. Thus, the high antler stiffnesses of tropical deer may reflect the retention of an ancestral condition, rather than adaptation to year-round antler use.
Acute altitude exposure (3800 meters) and metabolic capacity in the middle gluteal muscle of equids

Summary Even relatively short exposure to high altitude canproduce changes in the metabolic capacity of muscle. This study examined the changes in citrate synthase (CS). β-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase (HOAD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and total protein (TP) activity of skeletal muscle in equids after acute high altitude exposure (3800 m). The middle gluteal muscles of trained equids (one Quarter Horse, one Shetland pony, and four Arabians) were sampled before altitude exposure (225 m) and after nine days of sub-maximal exercise at altitude (3800 m). Muscle biopsies were take from a location 10 cm dorsocaudal to the tuber coxae at an angle of 45°. The insertion site was standardized to a depth of 8 cm. Tissue homogenates were assayed for TP and maximal activity of CS, HOAD, and LDH. All samples were run in duplicates and comparisons performed using a paired Student's t-test (significance set at P
Berlin At War. By Roger Moorhouse. (New York, NY: Basic Books, 2010. Pp. xviii, 432. $29.95.)

This book examines the impact of World War II on Berliners, providing a much‐needed and valuable addition to studies on war and the home front. A carefully researched study of the Berlin populace, ...
Perceptual organization and the judgment of brightness

The perceived brightness of a gray patch depends on the surrounding context. For example, a medium-gray patch appears darker when placed on a bright background and brighter when placed on a dark background. Models to explain these effects are usually based on simple low-level mechanisms. A new set of brightness illusions cannot be explained by such models. In these illusions, the brightness percept is strongly influenced by the perceptual organization of the stimuli. Simple modifications of the stimuli that should have little effect on low-level mechanisms greatly alter the strength of the illusion. These effects may be ascribed to more complex mechanisms occurring later in the visual system.
Spectroscopic properties of trivalent praseodymium in barium yttrium fluoride

Abstract We have conducted a spectroscopic investigation of Pr 3+ in barium yttrium fluoride (BaY 2 O 8 ). Two doping concentrations were used: BaY 2 F 8 :Pr 3+ (0.3%) and BaY 2 F 8 :Pr 3+ (1%). The measurements included absorption, luminescence under continuous and pulsed excitations, and thermal effects on some sharp lines. The experimental results were used to characterize this system.