cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal acclimation in American alligators: Effects of temperature regime on growth rate, mitochondrial function, and membrane composition

We investigated the ability of juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) to acclimate to temperature with respect to growth rate. We hypothesized that alligators would acclimate to cold temperature by increasing the metabolic capacity of skeletal muscles and the heart. Additionally, we hypothesized that lipid membranes in the thigh muscle and liver would respond to low temperature, either to maintain fluidity (via increased unsaturation) or to maintain enzyme reaction rates (via increased docosahexaenoic acid). Alligators were assigned to one of 3 temperature regimes beginning at 9 mo of age: constant warm (30°C), constant cold (20°C), and daily cycling for 12h at each temperature. Growth rate over the following 7 mo was highest in the cycling group, which we suggest occurred via high digestive function or feeding activity during warm periods and energy-saving during cold periods. The warm group also grew faster than the cold group. Heart and liver masses were proportional to body mass, while kidney was proportionately larger in the cold group compared to the warm animals. Whole-animal metabolic rate was higher in the warm and cycling groups compared to the cold group - even when controlling for body mass - when assayed at 30°C, but not at 20°C. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity in permeabilized fibers of thigh muscle and heart did not differ among treatments. Membrane fatty acid composition of the brain was largely unaffected by temperature treatment, but adjustments were made in the phospholipid headgroup composition that are consistent with homeoviscous adaptation. Thigh muscle cell membranes had elevated polyunsaturated fatty acids in the cold group relative to the cycling group, but this was not the case for thigh muscle mitochondrial membranes. Liver mitochondria from cold alligators had elevated docosahexaenoic acid, which might be important for maintenance of reaction rates of membrane-bound enzymes.
Preparation and Properties of Highly Purified Cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-Cytochrome P-450 Reductase from Pulmonary Microsomes of Untreated Rabbits

Rabbit lung microsomal cytochrome P-450 has been purified to a specific content of 14.9 nmoles/mg of protein by n-octylamino-Sepharose 4B, hydroxylapatite, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was purified from the same microsomal preparation to a specific activity of 47,700 nmoles of cytochrome c reduced per minute per milligram of protein, using n-octylamino-Sepharose 4B and 29,59-ADP-agarose affinity chromatography. Both proteins were apparently homogeneous as judged from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, and the respective yields of the two proteins were greater than 20% and 40%. A less highly purified and apparently distinct cytochrome P-450 fraction was also separated in lower yield in the course of purification, suggesting the presence of multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 in the lung. The major lung cytochrome P-450 fraction, when combined with lung NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and phospholipid, was active in demethylating benzphetamine; activity was also demonstrated toward the substrates benzo[a]pyrene, 7-ethoxycoumarin, cyclohexane, dimethylnitrosamine, N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene, N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene, 4-ipomeanol, 2-(N-ethylcarbamoylhydroxymethyl)furan, and diethyl p-nitrophenylphosphorothionate (parathion). The NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductases prepared from lung and liver microsomes appeared nearly identical as judged by their apparent subunit molecular weights, isoelectric focusing patterns, activities toward cytochrome c, and abilities to support benzphetamine demethylation with lung and liver cytochromes P-450. The major lung microsomal cytochrome P-450 has the same apparent subunit molecular weight (49,000) as the major form of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450LM-2) induced by phenobarbital (and differs from the other cytochromes P-450 of the liver in this regard) and reacts strongly with antibody prepared to this hepatic enzyme [but not antibody prepared to β-naphthoflavone-induced liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450LM-4)] in Ouchterlony double-diffusion analyses. These hepatic and pulmonary cytochromes are, however, distinguished by their apparent isoelectric points and specificities toward certain substrates.
A Highly Expressed High-Molecular-Weight S-Layer Complex of Pelosinus sp. Strain UFO1 Binds Uranium.

Author(s): Thorgersen, Michael P; Lancaster, W Andrew; Rajeev, Lara; Ge, Xiaoxuan; Vaccaro, Brian J; Poole, Farris L; Arkin, Adam P; Mukhopadhyay, Aindrila; Adams, Michael WW | Abstract: Cell suspensions of Pelosinus sp. strain UFO1 were previously shown, using spectroscopic analysis, to sequester uranium as U(IV) complexed with carboxyl and phosphoryl group ligands on proteins. The goal of our present study was to characterize the proteins involved in uranium binding. Virtually all of the uranium in UFO1 cells was associated with a heterodimeric protein, which was termed the uranium-binding complex (UBC). The UBC was composed of two S-layer domain proteins encoded by UFO1_4202 and UFO1_4203. Samples of UBC purified from the membrane fraction contained 3.3 U atoms/heterodimer, but significant amounts of phosphate were not detected. The UBC had an estimated molecular mass by gel filtration chromatography of 15 MDa, and it was proposed to contain 150 heterodimers (UFO1_4203 and UFO1_4202) and about 500 uranium atoms. The UBC was also the dominant extracellular protein, but when purified from the growth medium, it contained only 0.3 U atoms/heterodimer. The two genes encoding the UBC were among the most highly expressed genes within the UFO1 genome, and their expressions were unchanged by the presence or absence of uranium. Therefore, the UBC appears to be constitutively expressed and is the first line of defense against uranium, including by secretion into the extracellular medium. Although S-layer proteins were previously shown to bind U(VI), here we showed that U(IV) binds to S-layer proteins, we identified the proteins involved, and we quantitated the amount of uranium bound.ImportanceWidespread uranium contamination from industrial sources poses hazards to human health and to the environment. Herein, we identified a highly abundant uranium-binding complex (UBC) from Pelosinus sp. strain UFO1. The complex makes up the primary protein component of the S-layer of strain UFO1 and binds 3.3 atoms of U(IV) per heterodimer. While other bacteria have been shown to bind U(VI) on their S-layer, we demonstrate here an example of U(IV) bound by an S-layer complex. The UBC provides a potential tool for the microbiological sequestration of uranium for the cleaning of contaminated environments.
Historical Crosscurrents and Conceptual Syntheses

Otto Selz’s thinking, writing style, personal dispositions, and fate at the hands of the Nazis attenuated his ideas. His concepts aim to redeem Kant’s vision: the schema is not merely a retrospective organization of information. It is also a prospective template for knowledge. To fulfill Selz’s vision is to reconstruct his concepts and perspectives on Kant and psychology’s nexus with the psychologist as thinker. A reconstructive history of ideas cuts across time and space. This reconstruction focuses Kant’s ideas of the schema and the role of analogy. It addresses Selz’s contemporaries’ ideas, and advances to present reductive views. To go beyond to concepts that navigate between thought and representation, I compare Selz’s ideas to Peirce’s. Re-schematized, the schema emerges as thinking prospectively by utilizing analogies and abstractions.
Dendritic Protein Phosphatase Complexes

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights some of the mechanisms controlling Ser/Thr-specific protein phosphatase activity in neuronal dendrites. Three mammalian genes encode four distinct, but highly homologous, PP1 catalytic subunits (PP1α, PP1β (also called PP1δ), PP1γ1, and PP1γ2). One major mechanism for controlling their activity is association with targeting and/or inhibitor proteins. Calcineurin associates with various proteins that are important in targeting and inhibiting the enzyme. One important targeting protein is AKAP79/150, which binds to calcineurin and PKA, and target calcineurin close to NMDA- and AMPA-type glutamate receptors via its interaction with the MAGUK proteins. Another important calcineurin binding protein is the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), a transcription factor that is important in cytokine expression, neuronal signaling, and pathological conditions. Calcineurin can dephosphorylate NFAT, leading to its translocation to the nucleus, where it can stimulate transcription of several genes. DARPP-32 is a substrate of calcineurin. Activation of NMDA receptors leads to increased Ca2+, which activates calcineurin to dephosphorylate DARPP-32, thereby linking NMDA receptor activation with calcineurin and PP1 activity. Calcineurin modulates the activity and trafficking of AMPA-type glutamate receptors. Calcineurin overexpression blocks formation of an intermediate form of LTP (I-LTP), while I-LTP enhances in hippocampal slices expressing an inducible inhibitor of calcineurin. Effects of calcineurin overexpression on I-LTP appear to be mediated by PP1, since pretreatment with the PP1/PP2A inhibitor, calyculin A, reverses the calcineurin-mediated blockade of I-LTP. Calcineurin also modulates the properties of the acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) ASIC1a and ASIC2a, members of the DEG/ENaC protein family. ASICs are linked to LTP induction and learning and memory deficits.
A Systematic Evaluation of Environmental Discrimination with Sustainability Initiatives in India

In the past fifty-years, India has undeniably become one of the world’s economic and industrial superpowers, dominating the geopolticial climate of South Asia. India’s road to industrialization has been accompanied by extreme environmental devastation which is encapsulated by population growth, pollution, and loss of biodiversity; additionally, many of these factors have had crippling effects on certain areas of India’s environment. To combat these problems, certain groups within the government and nation, such as the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, have been implementing sustainable solutions to combat the adverse effects of man-made environmental degradation. Oftentimes however, the implementation of these conservation tactics is done at a state-wide or national level in what is masked as “soft-authoritarianism” and fail to consider the interests and accessibility of programs for all peoples; especially communities which are labeled as minority, indigenous, slum, or lower caste (Dalit) leading to the rise of environmental prejudices. Although India has come a long way in the past decade regarding action against environmental problems through new sustainable solutions, it has failed to consider the accessibility of these programs to all peoples and the alleviation of environmental discrimination. This paper considers the convoluted nature of the past and aims to propose solutions that will a) allow India to continue its commitment to a sustainable future and b) combat socio-political issues of environmental biases, which adhere to the paradigm of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM).
What Language Does Your Internal Working Model of Attachment Speak

Nonnative English speakers are a growing population in the United States and United Kingdom, yet nothing is known about how second-language interviewing affects the assessment (or classification) of internal working models (IWM) of attachment. We suggest that these assessments may be subject to deleterious effects when conducted in an individual’s second language, because they (and the IWM structure itself) are linguistically bound, emotionally laden, and complicated by cultural loading. In this review, research regarding how the language of assessment broadly affects language production, interview content, emotional expression, and interviewee behavior is reviewed. We close with areas for future research and a table of existing attachment assessments by language in an effort to spur cross-cultural and bilingual research in this area. This review can therefore serve as a resource for clinicians wishing to assess attachment with linguistically diverse clients and researchers wishing to address the basic qu...
From Gene to Behavior: L-Type Calcium Channel Mechanisms Underlying Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

The L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, encoded by the CACNA1C and CACNA1D genes, respectively, are important regulators of calcium influx into cells and are critical for normal brain development and plasticity. In humans, CACNA1C has emerged as one of the most widely reproduced and prominent candidate risk genes for a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Separately, CACNA1D has been found to be associated with BD and autism spectrum disorder, as well as cocaine dependence, a comorbid feature associated with psychiatric disorders. Despite growing evidence of a significant link between CACNA1C and CACNA1D and psychiatric disorders, our understanding of the biological mechanisms by which these LTCCs mediate neuropsychiatric-associated endophenotypes, many of which are shared across the different disorders, remains rudimentary. Clinical studies with LTCC blockers testing their efficacy to alleviate symptoms associated with BD, SCZ, and drug dependence have provided mixed results, underscoring the importance of further exploring the neurobiological consequences of dysregulated Cav1.2 and Cav1.3. Here, we provide a review of clinical studies that have evaluated LTCC blockers for BD, SCZ, and drug dependence-associated symptoms, as well as rodent studies that have identified Cav1.2- and Cav1.3-specific molecular and cellular cascades that underlie mood (anxiety, depression), social behavior, cognition, and addiction.
Nursing Specialty Certification and Patient Outcomes: What We Know in Acute Care Hospitals and Future Directions

Abstract Purpose To discuss the current research evidence about the relationship of nursing specialty certification and patient outcomes in acute care hospitals, interpret research findings within Needleman's Expanded Conceptual Model for Credentialing Research, provide future direction for research using Needleman's model, and discuss how Needleman's model applies to vascular access certification. Review of Literature Studies have found relationships between higher rates of nursing specialty certification and lower rates of total patient falls, pressure injuries, selected hospital-acquired infections, failure to rescue, and death. Inconsistent or contradictory evidence exists for the association of specialty certified nurses and lower total patient fall rates, selected hospital-acquired infection rates, and hospital-acquired pressure injuries. In addition, many of the significant associations supporting a relationship between specialty certified nurses and better patient outcomes are weak and may not be clinically meaningful. Many completed studies were not guided by a conceptual framework or model. Conclusions Needleman's Expanded Conceptual Model for Credentialing Research provides a mechanism for driving theory-based research about the association of specialty certification and patient outcomes by providing specific intervening variables: invisible architecture, work organization, and performance. Specific aspects of the model can be studied using large datasets such as the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators.
LASER: A Deep Learning Approach for Speculative Execution and Replication of Deadline-Critical Jobs in Cloud

Meeting desired application deadlines is crucial as the nature of cloud applications is becoming increasingly mission-critical and deadline-sensitive. Empirical studies on large-scale clusters reveal that a few slow tasks, known as stragglers, could significantly stretch job execution times. A number of strategies are proposed to mitigate stragglers by launching speculative or clone (task) attempts. These strategies often rely on a model-based approach to optimize key operating parameters and are prone to inaccuracy/incompleteness in the underlying models. In this paper, we present LASER, a deep learning approach for speculative execution and replication of deadline-critical jobs. Machine learning has been successfully used to solve a large variety of classification and prediction problems. In particular, the deep neural network (DNN), consisting of multiple hidden layers of units between input and output layers, can provide more accurate regression (prediction) than traditional machine learning algorithms. We compare LASER with SRQuant, a speculative- resume strategy that is based on quantitative analysis. Both these scheduling algorithms aim to improve Probability of Completion before Deadlines (PoCD), i.e., the probability that MapReduce jobs meet their desired deadlines, and reduce the cost of speculative execution, measured by the total (virtual) machine time. We evaluate and compare the two strategies through testbed experiments. The results show that our two strategies outperform Hadoop without speculation (Hadoop-NS) and Hadoop with speculation (Hadoop-S) by up to 89% in PoCD and 13% in cost.
Uromodulin p.Cys147Trp mutation drives kidney disease by activating ER stress and apoptosis

Uromodulin-associated kidney disease (UAKD) is caused by mutations in the uromodulin (UMOD) gene that result in a misfolded form of UMOD protein, which is normally secreted by nephrons. In UAKD patients, mutant UMOD is poorly secreted and accumulates in the ER of distal kidney epithelium, but its role in disease progression is largely unknown. Here, we modeled UMOD accumulation in mice by expressing the murine equivalent of the human UMOD p.Cys148Trp point mutation (UmodC147W/+ mice). Like affected humans, these UmodC147W/+ mice developed spontaneous and progressive kidney disease with organ failure over 24 weeks. Analysis of diseased kidneys and purified UMOD-producing cells revealed early activation of the PKR-like ER kinase/activating transcription factor 4 (PERK/ATF4) ER stress pathway, innate immune mediators, and increased apoptotic signaling, including caspase-3 activation. Unexpectedly, we also detected autophagy deficiency. Human cells expressing UMOD p.Cys147Trp recapitulated the findings in UmodC147W/+ mice, and autophagy activation with mTOR inhibitors stimulated the intracellular removal of aggregated mutant UMOD. Human cells producing mutant UMOD were susceptible to TNF-α- and TRAIL-mediated apoptosis due to increased expression of the ER stress mediator tribbles-3. Blocking TNF-α in vivo with the soluble recombinant fusion protein TNFR:Fc slowed disease progression in UmodC147W/+ mice by reducing active caspase-3, thereby preventing tubule cell death and loss of epithelial function. These findings reveal a targetable mechanism for disease processes involved in UAKD.
The Personalized System of Instruction: A Flexible and Effective Approach to Mastery Learning

Publisher Summary The Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) seems to be a viable model for the development of many different types of courses in various disciplines, but it is not necessarily the best option for every instructor or every course. It provides students with easy access to their course records using a web-based course management system, such as Blackboard or WebCT. The inherent flexibility of PSI is one of its primary strengths as a general model for course development, but it can also create problems. The mastery requirement of PSI appears to be one of the most significant factors in determining student achievement. A related point is that the setting of mastery criteria for units requires the specification of instructional objectives, another characteristic of PSI that must endure. Each unit or module of instruction should consist of the presentation of the course material, assessment, and feedback. Assessments should be consistent with the unit objectives and as comprehensive of the unit material as possible. To provide for the mastery requirement, parallel versions of the assessment instrument for each unit may need to be developed.
Combining blinatumomab with targeted therapy for BCR-ABL mutant relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) carries a poor prognosis in adults with a 5-year survival of only 25–40% [1]. With current induction chemotherapy approaches, about 90% of adult patients will ach...
Geographic Variation in Gender Disparities in the US Radiologist Workforce.

Abstract Purpose To assess geographic variation in gender disparities in the US radiologist workforce. Methods Gender, location, and practice affiliation of all radiologists and gender of all nonradiologists were identified for all providers listed in the Medicare Physician Compare database. Variation in female representation among radiologists was summarized at state, county, and individual practice levels, and associations with a variety of county-level population characteristics were explored. Results Nationally, 23.1% (7,501 of 32,429) of all radiologists were women versus 46.6% (481,831 of 1,034,909) of Medicare-participating nonradiologists. At the state level, female representation among radiologists was overall highest in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions (Washington DC, 39.3%; Massachusetts, 34.3%; Maryland, 31.5%) and lowest in the West and Midwest (Wyoming, 9.0%; Montana, 10.7%; Idaho, 11.7%). At the county level, female representation varied from 0.0% to 100.0%, with weak positive correlations with county-level population (r = +0.39), median household income (r = +0.25), college education (r = +0.23), English nonproficiency (r = +0.21), mammography screening rates (r = +0.12), Democratic voting in the 2016 presidential election (r = +0.28), and weak negative correlation with county-level rural population percentage (r = −0.32). Among practices with ≥10 members, female representation varied greatly (0.0% to 100.0%). Female representation was higher among academic (32.3%) than nonacademic (20.6%) radiologists, and in states with higher female-to-male relative earnings (r = +0.556). Conclusion Compared with nonradiologists, women are underrepresented in the national radiologist workforce. This underrepresentation is highly variable at state, county, and practice levels and is partially explained by a variety of demographic, socioeconomic, and political factors. These insights could help inform and drive initiatives to reduce gender disparities and more actively engage women in the specialty.
Methamphetamine-associated dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis

Methamphetamine and HIV impair thyroid function, but few studies have investigated their combined effects on thyroid dysregulation. This study examined the associations of methamphetamine use alone and in combination with HIV on thyroid function among men in South Florida. Measures of thyroid function in methamphetamine-using, HIV-infected (METH+HIV+; n = 127) and HIV-negative (METH+HIV−; n = 46) men who have sex with men (MSM) were compared to non-methamphetamine-using, HIV-negative men (METH−HIV−; n = 136). Thyroid function was dysregulated in methamphetamine-using MSM, irrespective of HIV status. Both meth-using groups had greater odds of abnormal thyroid stimulating hormone levels and significantly higher mean free triiodothyronine (T3) levels. Elevated free T3 was associated with greater depressive symptoms. Overall, outcomes have important implications for assessment of thyroid function in methamphetamine users, particularly among those presenting with depression.
Dynamic but Structural Equation Modeling of Repeated Measures Data

The term “dynamic” is broadly defined as a pattern of change. Many scientists have searched for dynamics by calculating df/dt: the ratio of changes or differences d in a function f relative to changes in time t.This simple dynamic equation was used in the 16th and 17th century motion experiments of Galileo, in the 17th and 18th century gravitation experiments of Newton, and in the 19th century experiments of many physicists and chemists (see Morris, 1985). I also use this dynamic equation, but here I examine multivariate psychological change data using the 20th century developments of latent variable structural equation modeling.
Selective Solubilisation in Reversed Micelles

The equilibrium distribution of polar solutes between a reversed micellar organic solution and an excess bulk water phase can provide detailed microscopic information on the solubilisation phenomenon. This information can be used to investigate specific ion effects in electrical double layers and to probe interfacial interactions in structured surfactant layers. A phenomenological electrostatic model indicates that charge, hydrated size, and polarisability are simultaneously responsible for the selective solubilisation of cations in anionic reversed micelles. Interfacial solubilisation of amino acids is driven by the hydrophobic effect and mediated by the presence of hydrogen-bonding groups on the amino acid side chains and by the possibility of solute-interface hydrogen-bonding. A significant electrolyte effect is attributed to a squeezing out of the amino acids from the interface as a result of increasing curvature as the micelles become smaller, and interfacial thermodynamic calculations indicate that the interfacial bending moment may play a significant role in this regard. An analysis of the solubilisation of charged amino acids indicates that the electrostatic potential close to the micelle wall is close to estimates provided by the classical Poisson-Boltzmann algorithm.
Minimum Effort Approximation of the Pareto Space of Convex Bi-Criteria Problems

One of the major issues facing design practitioners using multiple-criteria optimization problems is how to decide on the trade-off between the various objectives. Since the Pareto set of those problems gives the ability to visualize the trade-off in the objective space, based on the Pareto set, a decision maker could conceivably make trade-off decisions without repeatedly solving the problem.
RESTful API for iPTMnet: An Integrated Resource for Protein Post-translational Modification Network Discovery

iPTMnet is an integrated bioinformatics resource for post translational modification network discovery and analysis that integrates text mining results from eFIP and RLIMS-P, curated databases and ontologies. In its present form, the data in iPTMnet is accessible only through the website. To facilitate the integration of iPTMnet into existing bioinformatics pipelines, we have built a RESTful API to query and retrieve the data from iPTMnet programmatically. In addition, we have also built Python and R packages that make the API accessible for biologists.
Gemcitabine and metabolite pharmacokinetics in advanced NSCLC patients after bronchial artery infusion and intravenous infusion.

We investigated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of gemcitabine administered via bronchial artery infusion (BAI) and IV infusion in advanced NSCLC patients. Patients were eligible if they had received at least two prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens. Gemcitabine was administered via BAI as 600 mg/m2 on day one of cycle one, followed by IV as 1000 mg/m2 on day eight of cycle one, and IV on days one and eight of all subsequent cycles. Pharmacokinetics for gemcitabine and dFdU metabolite in plasma, and dFdCTP active metabolite in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were evaluated. Intensive pharmacokinetic sampling was performed after BAI and IV infusions during cycle one. Three male patients (age range 59–68 years) were evaluated. All patients responded with stable disease or better. One PR was observed after cycle three, and the remaining had SD. Cmax (mean ± SD) following BAI for gemcitabine, dFdCTP, and dFdU were 7.71 ± 0.13, 66.5 ± 40.6, and 38 ± 6.27 µM and following IV infusion, 17 ± 2.36, 50.8 ± 3.61, and 83.2 ± 12.3 µM, respectively. The AUCinf (mean ± SD) following BAI for gemcitabine, dFdCTP, and dFdU were 6.89 ± 1.2, 791.1 ± 551.2, and 829.9 ± 217.8 µM h and following IV infusion, 12.5 ± 3.13, 584 ± 86.6, and 1394.64 ± 682.2 µM h, respectively. The AUC and Cmax of dFdCTP after BAI were higher than IV. The median OS was 6.27 months. No grade 3 or 4 toxicity was observed. The most common side effects were all grade ≤ 2 involving nausea, vomiting, rigor, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Systemic exposure to dFdCTP was higher after BAI than IV in two out of three patients.
Protein kinases in mitotic phosphorylation of budding yeast CENP-A

Centromere identity is specified epigenetically by specialized nucleosomes containing the evolutionarily conserved centromeric histone H3 variant (Cse4 in budding yeast, CENP-A in humans) which is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. However, the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of Cse4 have not been clearly defined. We have identified two kinases, Cdc5 (Plk1 in humans) and Ipl1 (Aurora B kinase in humans) that phosphorylate Cse4 to prevent chromosomal instability (CIN). Cdc5 associates with Cse4 in mitosis and Cdc5-mediated phosphorylation of Cse4 is coincident with the centromeric enrichment of Cdc5 during metaphase. Defects in Cdc5-mediated Cse4 phosphorylation causes CIN, whereas constitutive association of Cdc5 with Cse4 results in lethality. Cse4 is also a substrate for Ipl1 and phospho-mimetic cse4 mutants suppress growth defects of ipl1 and Ipl1 kinetochore substrate mutants, namely dam1 spc34 and ndc80. Ipl1-mediated phosphorylation of Cse4 regulates kinetochore–microtubule interactions and chromosome biorientation. We propose that collaboration of Cdc5- and Ipl1-mediated phosphorylation of Cse4 modulates kinetochore structure and function, and chromosome biorientation. These findings demonstrate how phosphorylation of Cse4 regulates the integrity of the kinetochore, and acts as an epigenetic marker for mitotic control.
Concentrated disadvantage, racial disparities, and juvenile institutionalization within the context of attribution theory

Prior literature has noted that disparities happen within the juvenile court process across a variety of contexts. However, research exploring this theme often neglects to use attribution theory to...
Assessment of Basic Ankle Arthroscopy Skills in Orthopedic Trainees.

Background:There is increasing emphasis on assessing resident competency, but little has been published on how to best evaluate trainee competency for ankle arthroscopy. The purpose of this study w...
Descriptive Analyses of Relations among Bidirectional Naming, Arbitrary, and Nonarbitrary Relations

Bidirectional naming (BiN) as a verbal developmental cusp and derived relational responding as a phenomenon have been used to explain the accelerated rate in word learning that occurs within the second to third year of life; however, there has been limited research on how these repertoires may be related. In the first of two descriptive studies, we evaluated the relation between degrees of BiN and scores on tests of derived relational responding. Study I involved 31 preschool students with and without diagnoses with whom we tested the presence and strength of relations among BiN and other arbitrary and nonarbitrary relations that were mutually and combinatorially entailed. Data from the first study showed a strong significant correlation between participants’ degrees of BiN and their scores on tests of derived relations. In the second study we collected additional data on BiN and derived relations in order to compare the mean differences between the establishment of arbitrary auditory–visual and visual–visual relations for 18 preschool students selected from the participants within the first study. This subgroup consisted of six students who demonstrated BiN, six students who demonstrated unidirectional naming (listener only; UniN) and six students who demonstrated no UniN or BiN. There were significant differences for both auditory–visual and visual–visual derived relations based on the students’ degrees of BiN. The results of both studies have implications for the intersection between the verbal developmental cusp of BiN (a derived relation itself) and other derived relational responding.
Wicked problems as moral crossroads: choosing the path for human flourishing

When Deanna asked me to lead the Communication Education (CE) forum, she pitched the idea for a section dealing with emerging exigencies for education and society, titling it, “The Wicked Problems ...
3-D global hybrid simulations of magnetospheric response to foreshock processes

It has been suggested that ion foreshock waves originating in the solar wind upstream of the quasi-parallel (Q-||) shock can impact the planetary magnetosphere leading to standing shear Alfven waves, i.e., the field line resonances (FLRs). In this paper, we carry out simulations of interaction between the solar wind and terrestrial magnetosphere under radial interplanetary magnetic field conditions by using a 3-D global hybrid model, and show the properties of self-consistently generated field line resonances through direct mode conversion in magnetospheric response to the foreshock disturbances for the first time. The simulation results show that the foreshock disturbances from the Q-|| shock can excite magnetospheric ultralow-frequency waves, among which the toroidal Alfven waves are examined. It is found that the foreshock wave spectrum covers a wide frequency range and matches the band of FLR harmonics after excluding the Doppler shift effects. The fundamental harmonic of field line resonances dominates and has the strongest wave power, and the higher the harmonic order, the weaker the corresponding wave power. The nodes and anti-nodes of the odd and even harmonics in the equatorial plane are also presented. In addition, as the local Alfven speed increases earthward, the corresponding frequency of each harmonic increases. The field-aligned current in the cusp region indicative of the possibly observable aurora is found to be a result of magnetopause perturbation which is caused by the foreshock disturbances, and a global view substantiating this scenario is given. Finally, it is found that when the solar wind Mach number decreases, the strength of both field line resonance and field-aligned current decreases accordingly.
The impact of the security factor on Iraqi foreign policy since 2003

The issue of security is one of the very influential factors in the policy of any country, whether at the internal or external levels. Since 2003, Iraq has suffered from various security threats, perhaps the most prominent of which are terrorism, border security, societal tensions and economic deterioration, which provoked reactions that took the form of popular protests, and have affected These threats directly affect the nature of Iraq's regional and international relations. At the regional level, the security dimension was present in Iraq’s policy towards Turkey, especially since the Turkish military interventions in northern Iraq to pursue the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have provoked recurring political crises between Iraq and Turkey, and the security factor in turn affected Iraq’s policy towards Iran, and the security reality and the importance of Iraq The strategy turns it into an arena of intersection of wills, competition for regional interests, and consolidation of influence in the Middle East, especially between Turkey and Iran.The security factor, in turn, directly affected Iraq's foreign policy, especially towards influential international powers, led by the United States. Security cooperation between Iraq and the United States was framed by a joint security agreement.
Balance Recoverability and Control of Bipedal Walkers with Foot Slip.

Low-friction foot/ground contacts present a particular challenge for stable bipedal walkers. The slippage of the stance foot introduces complexity in robot dynamics and the general locomotion stability results cannot be applied directly. We relax the commonly used assumption of non-slip contact between the walker foot and the ground and examine bipedal dynamics under foot slip. Using a two-mass linear inverted pendulum model, we introduce the concept of balance recoverability and use it to quantify the balanced or fall-prone walking gaits. Balance recoverability also serves as the basis for the design of the balance recovery controller. We design the within- or multi-step recovery controller to assist the walker to avoid fall. The controller performance is validated through simulation results and robustness is demonstrated in the presence of measurement noises as well as variations of foot/ground friction conditions. In addition, the proposed methods and models are used to analyze the data from human walking experiments. The multiple subject experiments validate and illustrate the balance recoverability concept and analyses.
Mass spectrometry screening reveals widespread diversity in trichome specialized metabolites of tomato chromosomal substitution lines

Summary Glandular secreting trichomes of cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and close relatives produce a variety of structurally diverse volatile and non-volatile specialized (‘secondary’) metabolites, including terpenes, flavonoids and acyl sugars. A genetic screen is described here to profile leaf trichome and surface metabolite extracts of nearly isogenic chromosomal substitution lines covering the tomato genome. These lines contain specific regions of the Solanum pennellii LA0716 genome in an otherwise ‘wild-type’ M82 tomato genetic background. Regions that have an impact on the total amount of extractable mono- and sesquiterpenes (IL2-2) or only sesquiterpenes (IL10-3) or specifically influence accumulation of the monoterpene α-thujene (IL1-3 and IL1-4) were identified using GC-MS. A rapid LC-TOF-MS method was developed and used to identify changes in non-volatile metabolites through non-targeted analysis. Metabolite profiles generated using this approach led to the discovery of introgression lines producing different acyl chain substitutions on acyl sugar metabolites (IL1-3/1-4 and IL8-1/8-1-1), as well as two regions that influence the quantity of acyl sugars (IL5-3 and IL11-3). Chromosomal region 1-1/1-1-3 was found to influence the types of glycoalkaloids that are detected in leaf surface extracts. These results show that direct chemical screening is a powerful way to characterize genetic diversity in trichome specialized metabolism.
EFFECT OF SUBLETHAL CONCENTRATIONS OF PENICILLIN ON THE VIRULENCE AND ANTIGENIC COMPOSITION OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI.

Abstract Michael, J. Gabriel (House of the Good Samaritan, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Boston, Mass.), Benedict F. Massell, and Robert E. Perkins. Effect of sublethal concentrations of penicillin on the virulence and antigenic composition of group A streptococci. J. Bacteriol. 85:1280–1287. 1963.—Virulent strains of group A streptococci were grown in sublethal concentrations of penicillin and tested for possible changes in colonial morphology, virulence, and antigenic composition. After overnight growth in broth containing penicillin, there was a marked reduction in precipitable group A and M protein content of the bacteria. Upon transfer to broth without antibiotic, the streptococci regained their ability to produce these substances. After multiple transfers in broth containing non-bactericidal levels of penicillin, variants developed which lacked group and type substances and which were also relatively resistant to penicillin. These variants were avirulent for mice and susceptible to the bactericidal action of normal human blood. Two of three strains tested, when grown on blood agar, failed to produce beta hemolysis. The mutants produced by multiple transfers in broth containing small amounts of penicillin, when passed through mice, regained all of their original properties.
Summary — Second Week

It is certainly an honor to be asked to summarize an international meeting like the Schladming Universitatswochen, especially when it is the tenth anniversary. A special aspect of the Schladming meetings — as has become abundantly clear after ten consecutive events — is the didactic value of the lectures as our director and organizer, Professor Urban, emphasizes at all times. This emphasis results in a rather broad sweep of topics which range from an experimental talk all the way to the very mathematical subject of current algebraic quantum field theory. It also obliges the lecturers to be clear and informative, a matter which may force the speaker to play down his own contribution if it is too specialized and narrow.
Evidence for lateral gene transfer between Archaea and Bacteria from genome sequence of Thermotoga maritima

The 1,860,725-base-pair genome of Thermotoga maritima MSB8 contains 1,877 predicted coding regions, 1,014 (54%) of which have functional assignments and 863 (46%) of which are of unknown function. Genome analysis reveals numerous pathways involved in degradation of sugars and plant polysaccharides, and 108 genes that have orthologues only in the genomes of other thermophilic Eubacteria and Archaea. Of the Eubacteria sequenced to date, T. maritima has the highest percentage (24%) of genes that are most similar to archaeal genes. Eighty-one archaeal-like genes are clustered in 15 regions of the T. maritima genome that range in size from 4 to 20 kilobases. Conservation of gene order between T. maritima and Archaea in many of the clustered regions suggests that lateral gene transfer may have occurred between thermophilic Eubacteria and Archaea.
Leveraging Syntactic Information for Text Normalization

Syntactic information provided by a broad-coverage parser aids text normalization. This paper introduces a text normalizer for text-to-speech (TTS) and language modeling that makes use of syntactic information to improve output quality. This normalizer takes in raw text and outputs text that has abbreviations, numerals, and symbols spelled out as words. Part-of-speech ambiguous abbreviations, ambiguous abbreviations in coordinated structures, and quantified measure abbreviations in text input can be correctly rewritten when syntactic information provided by the parser is considered.
A Markovian Approach to Modeling the Optimal Lifetime of Multi-hop Wireless Sensor Networks

A Markov Decision Process (MDP) framework is presented for modeling the lifetime of Multi-hop Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The model applies to both non-cooperative and cooperative (CT) networks. To our knowledge, this is the first work to model the lifetime of multi-hop networks that jointly considers the dynamics of MAC layer link admission, routing layer queuing and energy evolution. We propose a new algorithm that exploits the Stochastic Shortest Path (SSP) structure and Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to efficiently solve the problem. Numerical results on the optimal lifetime of non-CT and CT networks are presented to validate the model.
The Structure of Vitamin B$_{12}$. VII. The X-ray Analysis of the Vitamin B$_{12}$ Coenzyme

The three-dimensional molecular structure of coenzyme B 12 (59-deoxyadenosylcobalamin) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystals, as grown from an acetone-water solution and photographed wet, are orthorhombic (space group P 2 1 2 1 2 1 ) with a = 27·93, b = 21·73 and c = 15·34 A. Four coenzyme molecules (C 72 H 100 O 17 N 18 PCo) and about 68 water molecules make up the unit cell. 3068 Bragg reflexions, extending to a spacing of 0·9 A, were measured with the crystals in contact with their mother liquor. The intensities were estimated visually from Weissenberg films taken with Cu Kα radiation. The cobalt atoms were easily located from the Patterson synthesis. The structure was solved in three steps, using first cobalt alone, then cobalt and 53 light atoms, and in the third approximation, 106 atoms, which included nearly the full asymmetric unit, except for water and hydrogen. Refinement of the atomic coordinates was accomplished initially by calculation of difference syntheses and finally by differential synthesis. The atomic positions have standard deviations of about 0·04 A. The conformation of the molecule is very similar to cyanocobalamin. The principal differences are in the orientation of the acetamide and propionamide side chains. Factors which influence the conformation of the corrin nucleus are analysed by comparing several corrinoids of known structure. Features of the molecule which have been examined in detail include the pucker in the pyrroline rings, the bend in the corrin macrocycle, the conformation of the nucleotide and nucleoside moieties and the orientation of the deoxyadenosine moiety with respect to the corrin nucleus. The packing of the molecules and the hydrogen bonding is discussed and compared with that found in the wet and dry vitamin B 12 crystals. Each coenzyme molecule participates in 18 direct intermolecular hydrogen bonds.
Modeling the effect of degradative pathway associated with Nodes of Ranvier on axonal transport drug delivery

Abstract The goal of this paper is to develop a mechanistic model of axonal transport drug delivery. The model accounts for the dynamics of transport of pharmaceutical agent complexes (\PACs) by dynein motors along microtubules (MTs) from the axon periphery toward the neuron soma, PAC accumulation in the axon, and PAC transport out of the axon via a degradative pathway that is associated with Nodes of Ranvier. The model assumes two populations of PACs: (1) PACs that are in retrograde transit propelled by dynein motors and (2) PACs accumulated at Nodes of Ranvier. The obtained governing equations describing the dynamics of these two PAC populations are transformed into dimensionless form and solved analytically utilizing Laplace transform. The obtained results reveal that for certain values of kinetic constants involved in the model the concentration of accumulated PACs can be independent of the position in the axon. To explain the obtained result this case is analyzed separately. Physical significance of computational results is discussed.
GnRH-immunoreactive fiber changes with unilateral amygdala-kindled seizures

Purpose: To assess whether unilateral amygdala seizures are associated with a change in the number and lateral distribution of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-staining fibers in the ventromedial hypothalamus of female rats. Methods: The study compared three groups of female rats: (1) amygdala seizures induced by focal injection of kainic acid (KA); (2) saline injected controls; and (3) naive controls. The animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks in the diestrus phase. GnRH fibers were counted in the ventromedial hypothalamus and compared among groups. Results: GnRH fiber counts were significantly lower in KA than saline and naive animals ipsilaterally but not contralaterally. Conclusions: This finding may support a potential mechanism by which (1) temporolimbic epilepsy may promote the development of reproductive endocrine disorders and (2) the laterality of the epilepsy may influence the particular nature of the reproductive endocrine disorder.