cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract B59: A novel mechanism in tumor development and progression

Cancer is a progressive disease that can culminate in acquisition of metastatic potential by tumor cells and directly contributes to patient mortality. An understanding of the involved genetic elements and their cellular networks offer an exceptional opportunity for defining potentially relevant and effective targets for improving cancer therapy. IQGAP1 is a widely conserved effector of CDC42 GTPase and has emerged as a potential oncogene associated with diverse human cancers, however, its role in tumor development and progression remains unclear. Here we discuss a novel mechanism by which IQGAP1 generates neoplastic lesions and promotes progression to metastasis. Our work shows that IQGAP1 binds mTOR and regulates cell homeostasis. Expression of the N-terminal domain, which binds mTOR, enhances insulin secretion, enlarges the cell size and arrests cytokinesis whereas expression of the C-terminal domain that binds and activates CDC42GTPase, accelerates the cell cycle and decreases the cell size. Expression of full-length or the C-terminal domain also increases serine phosphorylation of IQGAP1 and generates transformed phenotypes that are sensitive to rapamycin and PI3K-Akt1 inhibitors. These findings suggested that IQGAP1 serves as a phosphorylation-sensitive conformational switch to modulate cell proliferation. Indeed, treatment with EGF increases IQGAP1 phosphorylation and the phosphomimetic, but not the phosphodefective, mutant generates transformed phenotypes and promotes cell invasion. In response to EGF, IQGAP1 attenuates mTORC1 signaling and activates Akt1, which may provide an in vivo mechanism by which it generates neoplastic transformation and progression to metastasis. Thus our work has uncovered a novel pathway CDC42-IQGAP1 -mTORC1 -Akt1 in tumor development and progression that may yield new approaches for cancer detection and treatment. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B59.
Salaries in Public Education: the Impact of Geographic Cost-of-Living Differentials

Salaries in public education are the largest single expenditure of state and local governments. In the absence of absolute standards for evaluating policy, both politicians and interest groups are likely to turn to relative performance measures. These judgments often involve comparisons of expenditure levels among states. In this article we estimate cost-of-living differentials among states and show that the state rankings of salaries in public education change substantially when salaries are adjusted for differences in purchasing power. When interstate expenditure comparisons are employed in the setting of policy goals, it is important to be cognizant of the large variations among states in the cost of living.
Isolated femoral endarterectomy: impact of SFA TASC classification on recurrence of symptoms and need for additional intervention.

Objectives Atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the femoral artery is associated with symptoms ranging from claudication to tissue loss. This study examined the clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of isolated femoral endarterectomy (FEA) as well as the predictors of symptom recurrence and need for further intervention. Methods Patients who underwent an isolated FEA between January 2001 and June 2008 were reviewed. Concurrent superficial femoral artery (SFA) disease was classified into Trans Atlantic Inter-Societal Consensus (TASC) II categories based upon angiographic findings. Hemodynamic success (HS) was defined as a postoperative ankle-brachial index (ABI) increase of ≥0.15. Clinical improvement was classified by Rutherford criteria. Multivariate analysis was used to identify predictors of clinical failure and need for additional intervention (AI). Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to determine the likelihood of both over time. Results Ninety-five patients (105 limbs) with a mean age of 68.3 ± 10.2 years were reviewed. Indications were severe claudication in 68 (64.8%) limbs and critical limb ischemia (CLI) in 37 (35.2%). Mean preprocedural ABI was 0.57 ± 0.25. The SFA-popliteal segment was classified as: normal in 34% of limbs, TASC A 23%, B 19%, C 9%, and D in 15%. One fatal myocardial infarction accounted for a procedural mortality of 0.95%. Morbidity was 6.7% (four hematomas and three wound infections) and mean hospital stay was 2.5 ± 3.1 days. Patency was 100% with a mean follow-up of 11 months (1-72). Complete resolution of symptoms was noted in 73.4% with some clinical improvement noted in 91% of limbs. HS was achieved in 85.1% with a mean ABI increase of 0.27 ± 0.20, and this correlated with ≥2 runoff vessels (odds ratio [OR] 0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.96; P = .045). Kaplan-Meier estimates revealed that 83.8% of patients with marked initial clinical improvement remained symptom free at 2 years, whereas only 28.6% in the group with mild and moderate initial response maintained their clinical status. Freedom from AI at 2 years was 61.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed that TASC C and D lesions (OR 9.3 [2.43-35.63] P = .001) and diabetes (OR 3.64 [1.01-13.15] P = .048) were predictive of recurrent symptoms while extensive endarterectomy and ≥2 vessel tibial runoff decreased the need for AI. Conclusion FEA can achieve excellent immediate clinical and hemodynamic outcome in patients with claudication and CLI; however, patients with diabetes and femoropopliteal TASC C and D lesions are likely to experience recurrent symptoms. Long-term symptomatic improvement is associated with the degree of immediate clinical success as well as the status of the run-off vessels. Limited FEA and poor tibial runoff are associated with the need for AI.
Absolute rate coefficients and branching percentages for the reactions of POxCly- + N (4S3/2) and POxCly- + O (3P) at 298 K in a selected-ion flow tube instrument

The absolute rate coefficients and product ion branching percentages at 298 K for the reactions of several PO x Cl y - species with atomic nitrogen (N ( 4 S 3/2 )) and atomic oxygen (O ( 3 P)) have been determined in a selected-ion flow tube (SIFT) instrument. PO x Cl y - ions are generated by electron impact on POCl 3 in a highpressure source. O atoms are generated by quantitative titration of N atoms with NO, where N atoms are produced by microwave discharge on N 2 . The experimental procedure allows for the determination of rate coefficients for the reaction of the reactant ion with N ( 4 S 3/2 ) and O ( 3 P) as well as with N 2 and NO. None of the ions react with N 2 or NO, giving an upper limit to the rate coefficient of 85% of the products. PO 2 - is a minor product (≤4%) from POCl 2 - + O. Only PO 2 Cl - reacts with both N and O, directly giving PO 2 - and PO 3 - as major products. In addition, calculations of the structures and energies for PO 2 N, PO 2 N - , and NCl have been performed at the G3 level of theory to obtain estimates for the energetics of the PO 2 Cl - reactions. PO 2 - , PO 3 - , and PO 2 Cl 2 - are all unreactive with both N and O. Comparisons of the reactivity of PO x Cl y - ions with O atoms are made to previous reactivity studies of these ions. In particular, routes that yield the very stable PO 2 - and PO 3 - ions are discussed.
“It’s ARAP” for Type II Diabetes

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been able to identify associations between genetic differences in human disease. However, the reasons why a particular genetic mutation leads to disease are often not readily apparent. In a study by Kulzer and colleagues, not only is a specific genetic variant nominated as causal for type II diabetes discovered, but the underlying mechanism is investigated, implicating the gene ARAP1 . The authors homed in on the 11q13.4 region of association, which was previously identified in a large case control meta-analysis of human type II diabetes. This region encompasses five genes: PDE2A , ARAP1 , STARD10 , ATG16L2 , and FCHSD2 . Such gene-rich regions are common in GWAS-significant loci, complicating interpretation. In addition to the association to type II diabetes, the genetic variation is also robustly associated with other traits, such as fasting proinsulin and 32,33 proinsulin, suggesting that pancreatic cells might be involved in the mechanism of risk for type II diabetes. To assess the biological consequences driving the association with type II diabetes, the authors performed allelic expression imbalance—a method used to identify genetic variation that changes expression level of a given transcript. Of the genes evaluated, only ARAP1 showed substantial allelic expression imbalance, which is consistent with the model that the risk of developing type II diabetes is associated with changing ARAP1 expression in the population. No meaningful evidence was observed for STARD10 , PDE2A , or FCHSD2 , but this does not conclusively rule out the possibility of further biological consequences of those genes in the risk of developing type II diabetes. The authors went one step further by evaluating the transcription factor–binding sites in the region that might regulate the expression of ARAP1 . They showed that PAX6 binds to the allele with lower expression (in the allelic expression imbalance assay), suggesting that PAX6 suppresses the transcription of ARAP1 , potentially when in complex with PAX4 . This study is an example of how careful experimentation following up significant loci revealed in GWASs can point to biological mechanisms of action and eventually wrap up our understanding of human disease. J. R. Kulzer et al. , A common functional regulatory variant at a type 2 diabetes locus upregulates ARAP1 expression in the pancreatic beta cell. Am. J. Hum. Genet. , published online 16 January 2014 (10.1016/j.ajhg.2013.12.011). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.cell.com/AJHG/abstract/S0002-9297(13)00581-8
Power aware parallel computing on asymmetric multiprocessor

Power optimization of multi-threaded parallel applications is necessary to achieve good performance on multi-core processors while saving power. Certain threads wait for other threads due to synchronization. These threads are critical in full program performance. Identifying these threads can reveal power optimization opportunities for software and hardware designers. In this paper, we propose a metric to determine critical threads. Our proposed method combines Instructions Per Cycle (IPC) of a thread and sum of IPCs of all co-running threads within a time quanta. We present a low power hardware based technique to calculate scores in order to determine critical threads. We use our score metric to create stacks that break total execution time into each thread's score components which makes it visually easier to determine optimization opportunities. Asymmetric multiprocessors have been proposed to scale the frequency by exploiting the stacks to achieve power optimization without losing much performance. To validate our proposed method, we used gem5 simulator to design an asymmetric multi-core processor and performed different multi-threaded parallel applications from the SPLASH2 benchmark. By applying asymmetric frequency scaling directed by our proposed metric, we achieved 28.13% savings in average power consumption with a maximum of 7.1% performance loss.
Phase separation and mechanical responses of polyurethane nanocomposites

Abstract Nanocomposites of a diamine-cured polyurethane with nanofillers of different kinds, sizes, and surfaces were studied. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, tensile tests, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis were employed in the experiments. Experimental results suggest that mechanical properties are strongly correlated to polymer phase separation, which depends on the nature of the interface between the polymer and the nanoparticles. Two stages of phase separation were observed: the first stage involves the self-assembly of the hard segments into small hard phases of about 10 nm in width; the second stage involves the assembly of the 10 nm wide hard phases into larger domains of about 40–100 nm in width. In the case of polyurethane/ZnO nanocomposites with 5 wt% (less than 1 vol%) 33 nm ZnO nanoparticles, the covalent bonds that were formed between the polymer and ZnO surface hydroxyl groups constrain both stages of phase separation in polyurethane, resulting in approximately 40% decrease in the Young's modulus, 80% decrease in the strain at fracture, and 11 °C increase in the glass transition temperature of the soft segments. In the case of polyurethane/Al2O3 nanocomposites with 5 wt% 15 nm Al2O3 nanoparticles, hydrogen bonds between the particles and the polymer mainly constrain the second step of the phase separation, resulting in about 30% decrease in the Young's modulus and 12 °C increase in the glass transition temperature, but only a moderate decrease in the strain at fracture. The most striking results come from polyurethane/clay composites, where only van der Waals type interactions exist between polyurethane and the organically modified clay (Cloisite 20A). With the addition of 5 wt% surface modified clay (Cloisite 20A), both the Young's modulus and the strain at fracture decrease more than 80%, but the glass transition temperature increases by about 13 °C. Adding 10 wt% Cloisite 20A into polyurethane almost totally disrupts the phase separation, resulting in a very soft composite that resembles a “viscous liquid” rather than a solid.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation--a complication of 1,3-bis(2-chlorethyl)-nitrosourea therapy.

Abstract A case of disseminated intravascular coagulation is reported. This was thought to be a complication of chemotherapy with 1,3-bis(2-chlorethyl)-nitrosourea for a malignant astrocytoma of the brain. This is the first report of this condition due to this chemotherapeutic agent.
Angular-dependent x-ray-photoelectron peak intensities from single-crystal gold

Detailed measurements of the angular distributions of x-ray-photoelectron intensities from a gold single crystal are reported. The energy-integrated $4d$-,$4f$-, and valence-peak intensities exhibit essentially identical angular distributions consistent with the near equality of their corresponding photoelectron de Broglie wavelengths. A $4f$ intensity contour plot over the full $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ solid angle is found to agree very well with the qualitative predictions of Kikuchi-band theory. The relationship of such effects to angular-dependent changes in valence-spectrum fine structure observed previously is also discussed.
Molecular genetic analysis of midgut serine proteases in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

Digestion of blood meal proteins by midgut proteases provides anautogenous mosquitoes with the nutrients required to complete the gonotrophic cycle. Inhibition of protein digestion in the midgut of blood feeding mosquitoes could therefore provide a strategy for population control. Based on recent reports indicating that the mechanism and regulation of protein digestion in blood fed female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is more complex than previously thought, we used a robust RNAi knockdown method to investigate the role of four highly expressed midgut serine proteases in blood meal metabolism. We show by Western blotting that the early phase trypsin protein (AaET) is maximally expressed at 3 h post-blood meal (PBM), and that AaET is not required for the protein expression of three late phase serine proteases, AaLT (late trypsin), AaSPVI (5G1), and AaSPVII. Using the trypsin substrate analog BApNA to analyze in vitro enzyme activity in midgut extracts from single mosquitoes, we found that knockdown of AaSPVI expression caused a 77.6% decrease in late phase trypsin-like activity, whereas, knockdown of AaLT and AaSPVII expression had no significant effect on BApNA activity. In contrast, injection of AaLT, AaSPVI, and AaSPVII dsRNA inhibited degradation of endogenous serum albumin protein using an in vivo protease assay, as well as, significantly decreased egg production in both the first and second gonotrophic cycles (P < 0.001). These results demonstrate that AaLT, AaSPVI, and AaSPVII all contribute to blood protein digestion and oocyte maturation, even though AaSPVI is the only abundant midgut late phase serine protease that appears to function as a classic trypsin enzyme.
Feasibility of rocket propellant production on Mars

In situ production of rocket propellant to reduce landed mass requirements for Mars return missions has been investigated. The analysis has shown that a system which utilizes atmospheric carbon dioxide and soil moisture to produce liquid methane-oxygen propellant requires a landed mass which is less than half the mass of the ascent vehicle it produces.
Space lidar mission concepts for climate studies

Clouds and aerosols affect the magnitude of radiative fluxes at the Earth's surface and within the atmosphere through the scattering and absorption of incoming solar and outgoing thermal radiation. Through these mechanisms they have important influences ont he climate and remote sensing from space is required to assess their effects on a global scale. Current capabilities to observe clouds and aerosols using passive satellite sensors are limited, however. The lidar in-space technology experiment, flown on the space shuttle in September 1994, demonstrated the application of space lidar to the study of clouds and aerosols. Lidar technology has now matured to a point where satellite lidars with on- orbit lifetimes of several years are feasible. Space lidar will provide vertically resolved measurements of the distribution of clouds and aerosols as well as optical and microphysical properties, allowing improved characterization of the role of aerosol and cloud in global climate. This paper will discuss the application of cloud/aerosol satellite lidars to the climate problem.
Recurrent Selection to Alter Grain Methionine Concentration and Improve Nutritional Value of Maize

Methionine is an essential amino acid that is limiting in maize- (Zea mays L.) based diets. The objective of this work was to determine whether we could alter grain methionine concentration in random-mated maize populations by mass selection for methionine concentration using a microbial assay. In one study, we developed two populations by selecting for high or low methionine concentration (HM or LM, respectively) for three generations starting from the randommated population BS11. Grain from these populations was used to formulate diets for a feeding trial in which 15 rats were fed HM grain and 15 rats were fed LM grain. Rats on the HM diet had a 0.018 higher feed effi ciency (g gain/g feed) than rats on the LM diet. In a second study, we performed three cycles of selection for high or low methionine concentration starting with two random-mated populations, BS11 and BS31. We evaluated each cycle of selection in a fi eld trial with two replications in each of two years. Methionine concentration was signifi cantly correlated with the cycle of selection, changing on average 0.004 g methionine/100 g grain per cycle. Kernel mass, %N, oil, protein, starch, tryptophan, and lysine concentration did not exhibit signifi cant correlations with cycle of selection. We conclude that recurrent selection for grain methionine concentration using a microbial assay is an effective method to alter methionine content.
Solid phase microextraction application in gas chromatography/olfactometry dilution analysis.

Gas chromatography/olfactometry (GC/O) based on dilution analysis (e.g., CharmAnalysis or aroma extraction dilution analysis) gives an indication of what compounds are most important (most potent) to the aroma of foods. The application of solid phase microextraction to the preparation of samples for GC/O dilution analysis was shown to be feasible by varying the fiber thickness and length to achieve various absorbant volumes.
Induction of apoptosis in intestine following ethanol intoxication and burn injury

Disruption of intestinal barrier integrity and the subsequent translocation of bacteria or their products are often implicated in lethal sepsis and multiple organ failure following major trauma and in ICU patients. We evaluated the effect of ethanol intoxication and burn injury on intestinal cell apoptosis. Male rats (|250 g) were gavaged with ethanol to achieve a blood ethanol level of |100 mg/dL prior to |12.5% total body surface area burn or sham injury. One day after injury, rats were sacrificed and small intestinal specimens were collected. The samples were sonicated and centrifuged. The clear supernatant was analyzed for phospho-p38 and various apoptotic markers using western blot and specific antibodies. We found that ethanol intoxication combined with burn injury resulted in a significant up-regulation of phospho-p38 in comparison to sham animals irrespective of ethanol treatment. Our results indicated a significant increase in proapoptotic proteins Bad and Bax in the homogenates prepared from rats receiving a combined insult of ethanol and burn injury compared to either ethanol or burn injury alone. The level of cleaved caspase 3 was also significantly up-regulated following ethanol and burn injury compared to the sham animals irrespective of ethanol intoxication. Anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 was significantly down regulated while the level of Bcl-2 remained unchanged after ethanol and burn injury compared to sham animals. Increase in intestinal apoptosis following ethanol and burn injury was further confirmed by measuring the cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragments by cell death detection ELISA. These findings indicate that ethanol combined with burn injury causes an increase in apoptosis in the intestine. Such an increase in apoptosis may impair the intestinal epithelial barrier and thus enhance the possibility of translocation of intestinal bacteria and their products following ethanol and burn injury. (Supported by R01AA015731 & R21AA015979 and the Dr. Ralph and Marian C. Falk Medical Research Trust).
Team Composition, Cognition, and Effectiveness: Examining Mental Model Similarity and Accuracy

Wayne State UniversityThis study examined the relationships between team cognitive ability and personalitycomposition in relation to the similarity (MM-similarity) and accuracy (MM-accuracy)of team task-focused mental models. The relationships between MM-accuracy andMM-similarity with multiple indicators of team effectiveness were also examined.Sixty-seven three-person teams performed a simulated search and capture task. Resultsindicate that the team mean-level of cognitive ability was positively related to bothMM-accuracy and MM-similarity, and the team mean-level of team agreeableness waspositively related to MM-similarity. In turn, MM-accuracy was positively related toperceived coordination processes and goal accomplishment, but not team viability. Incontrast, MM-similarity was positively related to team viability, but not goal accom-plishment or perceived coordination processes. Implications of the Þndings for under-standing factors that facilitate the emergence of task-focused mental models in teamswith a limited life span or during the early stages of team development are discussed,along with the implications of team mental models for team success.Keywords: shared cognition, team composition, team mental models
RasGRP Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors in cancer

RasGRP proteins are activators of Ras and other related small GTPases by the virtue of functioning as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). In vertebrates, four RasGRP family members have been described. RasGRP-1 through -4 share many structural domains but there are also subtle differences between each of the different family members. Whereas SOS RasGEFs are ubiquitously expressed, RasGRP proteins are expressed in distinct patterns, such as in different cells of the hematopoietic system and in the brain. Most studies have concentrated on the role of RasGRP proteins in the development and function of immune cell types because of the predominant RasGRP expression profiles in these cells and the immune phenotypes of mice deficient for Rasgrp genes. However, more recent studies demonstrate that RasGRPs also play an important role in tumorigenesis. Examples are skin- and hematological-cancers but also solid malignancies such as melanoma or prostate cancer. These novel studies bring up many new and unanswered questions related to the molecular mechanism of RasGRP-driven oncogenesis, such as new receptor systems that RasGRP appears to respond to as well as regulatory mechanism for RasGRP expression that appear to be perturbed in these cancers. Here we will review some of the known aspects of RasGRP biology in lymphocytes and will discuss the exciting new notion that RasGRP Ras exchange factors play a role in oncogenesis downstream of various growth factor receptors.
Hemolysis of Erythrocytes by Antibacterial Preservatives II: Quaternary Ammonium Salts

The hemolytic activity of various alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides on rabbit blood was determined. Hemolytic activity increased with increasing alkyl chain length from C 8 to C 18 . With the exception of the tetradecyl homolog, hemolytic activity of quaternary ammonium salts having the same alkyl group increased with chlorine substitution on the benzyl group. Correlations with reported microbiological activities and critical micelle concentrations have been made.
WANDS: tools for designing and testing distributed documents

Designing documents that will be viewed from remote locations via a network requires an understanding of traditional document and interaction design issues, plus an understanding of how network delays will impact document delivery. Unfortunately, being aware of networking issues is not always sufficient since designers usually have no way of viewing their documents as if those documents were being delivered to a remote site. This paper describes a set of tools that allow designers to view documents stored locally while experiencing response time delays as if the documents were delivered from a different location on the network. By using measured network latencies to drive an instrumented World-Wide Web server, we allow designers to view the documents they create from the perspective of someone sitting down the hall, across the country, or across an ocean.
Synthesis and structures of new tetrairidium carbonyl clusters containing phenylgermanium ligands

Abstract The reaction of Ir4(CO)11(PPh3) with GePh3H in the presence of Me3NO at room temperature has yielded a new complex Ir4(CO)10(PPh3)(GePh3)(μ-H), 1 in 54% yield by decarbonylation and oxidative addition of the GeH bond of the GePh3H to the cluster. The structure of 1 consists of a tetrahedral Ir4 cluster with a terminal GePh3 ligand and a bridging hydrido ligand. Compound 1 was converted to the GePh2-bridged complex Ir4(CO)10(PPh3)(μ-GePh2), 2 in 95% yield when heated to 40 °C, by the cleavage of a phenyl ring from the GePh3 ligand and the elimination of a molecule of benzene. The reaction of 2 with GePh3H at 65 °C yielded the new tetrahedral Ir4 complex Ir4(CO)7(PPh3)(GePh2)(GePh3)(μ3-η2-GePhC6H4)(μ-H)2, 3 which contains an ortho-metallated bridging μ3-η2-GePh(C6H4) ligand, a terminal GePh3 ligand, a bridging GePh2 ligand and two bridging hydrido ligands. Compound 3 was converted to the complex Ir4(CO)7(PPh3)(GePh2)2(μ3-η2-GePhC6H4)(μ-H), 5 cleavage of a phenyl ring from the GePh3 ligand and the elimination of a molecule of benzene. The structure of 5 consists of a tetrahedral Ir4 cluster with an ortho-metallated bridging μ3-η2-GePh(C6H4) group, two bridging GePh2 ligands and one bridging hydrido ligand. The reaction of 2 with GePh2H2 at 40 °C yielded the tetrairidium complex Ir4(CO)6(PPh3)(GePh2)3(GePh2H)(μ-H)3, 6 with three bridging GePh2 ligands, a terminal GePh2H ligand and three bridging hydrido ligands. All new compounds were fully characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, and mass spectrometry.
Biochar increases vineyard productivity without affecting grape quality: Results from a four years field experiment in Tuscany

Abstract Biochar application to agricultural soils has proved to substantially modify the plant–soil–water relationship and lead mostly to a quantitative increase in agricultural production through physical, chemical and biological mechanisms. Nevertheless, the impact of biochar on qualitative traits of agricultural production needs to be further assessed. The effect of biochar application on vine yield and grape quality parameters is here investigated in a non-irrigated vineyard in Tuscany (central Italy). Results from four harvest-years showed a higher productivity, up to 66%, of treated plots with respect to their controls, while no significant differences were observed in grape quality parameters. The observed increase in productivity was inversely correlated with rainfall in the vegetative period, confirming the key role of biochar in regulating plant water availability. These findings support the feasibility of a biochar-based strategy as an effective adaptation measure to reduce the impact of water stress periods with no negative effects on grape quality.
Gonadectomy and sex modulate spontaneous activity of substantia nigra pars reticulata neurons without modifying GABA/benzodiazepine responsiveness

Gonadal steroid hormones or their derivatives can alter the GABA receptor complex and GABA-mediated responses. This study examines the influences of the in vivo gonadal steroid milieu on neuronal responses to GABA and benzodiazepine agonists in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) of rats. Spontaneous activity and microiontophoretic sensitivity to GABA of single SNr neurons were analyzed in chloral hydrate anesthetized intact male, intact female, orchidectomized male, and ovariectomized female rats using extracellular electrophysiological techniques. Benzodiazepine responses in each hormone group were assessed as 1) the ability of the iontophoretically applied midazolam to enhance GABA sensitivity and 2) the ability of systemically administered diazepam to decrease SNr firing rate. The results indicate that neither sex nor castration modified GABA sensitivity or benzodiazepine responsiveness in the SNr. However, a heightened level of basal SNr activity was observed in males compared to orchidectomized, intact female, or ovariectomized rats. Elevated SNr activity was also observed in males compared with other hormone groups following iontophoretic application of the GABA antagonist SR95531, suggesting that this augmentation in firing rate may be independent of nigral GABAergic control. Regulation of in vivo spontaneous SNr activity may be associated with gonad-related influences on the nigrostriatal system, but appears unrelated to intrinsic alterations in GABA/benzodiazepine responses in this area.
FGF21 is an Akt-regulated myokine

Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) functions as a metabolic regulator. The FGF21 transcript is reported to be abundantly expressed in liver, but little is known about the regulation of FGF21 expression in other tissues. In this study, we show that levels of FGF21 protein expression were similar in skeletal muscle and liver from fasted mice. FGF21 transcript and protein expression were upregulated in gastrocnemius muscle of skeletal muscle-specific Akt1 transgenic mice. Serum concentration of FGF21 was also increased by Akt1 transgene activation. In cultured skeletal muscle cells, FGF21 expression and secretion was regulated by insulin, Akt transduction and LY294002. These data indicate that skeletal muscle is a source of FGF21 and that its expression is regulated by a phosphatidylinosistol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/Akt1 signaling pathway-dependent mechanism.
Kinase regulation in inflammatory response

The transcription factor NF-κB is a pivotal regulator of innate immune responses, whose activity is rapidly induced by proinflammatory stimuli, most notably the tumour-necrosis factor TNFα and interleukin-1, viruses, and components of bacterial cell walls1. In addition, NF-κB protects cells from the induction of programmed cell death by pro-apoptotic stimuli such as TNFα (refs 2, 3). Another important anti-apoptotic signal-transducing protein is the protein kinase Akt (also known as protein kinase B), whose activity is strongly stimulated by growth factors4. Ozes et al.5 have suggested that Akt is involved in the TNFα-mediated activation of NF-κB5, implying that some of the anti-apoptotic activity of Akt may be mediated through NF-κB. However, we have failed to detect any involvement of Akt in the signalling pathway through which TNFα leads to NF-κB activation.
Elimination of hydrogen fluoride from fluorinated succinic acids. III: Kinetics of dehydrofluorination of erythro- and threo-α-bromo-α'-fluorosuccinic acids

Abstract Treatment of erythro - and threo -α-bromo-α′-fluorosuccinic acids with aqueous alkali results in the elimination of hydrogen fluoride in preference to hydrogen bromide and gives almost exclusively bromofumaric acid. The elimination of hydrogen fluoride from the two above-mentioned acids is faster by 1–2 orders of magnitude than the elimination of hydrogen fluoride from any fluorinated succinic acids. Kinetic data based on 1 H NMR measurements are presented and possible mechanisms and stereochemistry involved are discussed.
Intracellular localization of bacterial lipopolysaccharide using the avidin biotin complex method at the electron microscopic level.

The intracellular localization in 3T6 fibroblasts of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using the rapid avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase technique at the electron microscopic level was studied. The role of bacterial endotoxin in the etiology of periodontal disease has been well documented previously. The purpose of the present study was to localize LPS within the cell, thereby determining which organelles concentrate the material and relate this to the cytologic pathophysiology. An increased concentration of LPS was found in the cell nuclei and, specifically, in association with nuclear chromatin and nucleoli. The concentration of LPS in the nucleus was directly related to the time of incubation, with some product appearing in that site within 2 minutes. There was no specific localization of endotoxin in mitochondria, lysosomes, Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum or ribosomes. These results imply that bacterial endotoxin may have a direct effect on nuclear components of fibroblasts. The relationship of the...
Sputtered amorphous carbon nitride films

The recent announcement of the synthesis of C3N4 has increased interest in this unique material. Carbon nitride may have several useful applications as wear and corrosion resistant coatings, electrical insulators, and optical coatings. We have produced amorphous carbon nitride coatings containing up to 40% nitrogen using planar magnetron RF sputtering with and without an ion beam in a nitrogen atmosphere. Both wavelength dispersive x-ray spectrometry (WDX) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicate this composition. Coatings up to 2 μm thick were produced on alumina, silicon, SiO2, and glass substrates using a graphite target. Films with transparency greater than 95% in the visible wavelengths and harder than silicon have been produced. The properties of these films are correlated with composition, fabrication, conditions, and subsequent heat treatments. A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the morphology of the films. XPS studies confirm the stability of a carbon nitrogen phase up to 600 °C. Compositional variations were determined with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling, and the Raman spectra are compared with those of carbon and carbon nitride films prepared by other methods.
Effect of Hydrodynamic and Magnetic Stabilization on Fluidized-Bed Adsorption

Direct fermentation broth processing using fluidized beds is extremely advantageous due to the low operating pressure drop of the device and the ability of the bed to process suspended-solids-containing solutions. Unfortunately, the solid particles in fluidized beds typically show a great deal of mixing compared to those in packed beds. This mixing may lead to early breakthrough and inefficient use of adsorptive capacity. Stabilization reduces the solids mixing and improves the performance and efficiency of a fluidized bed. A comparison of packed, fluidized, and stabilized beds reveals that, while normal fluidized beds do contain a significant amount of mixing, the breakthrough behavior of the bed is not drastically different than that of a packed bed. Magnetic stabilization of the bed usually leads to an increase in adsorption efficiency but is dependent on field strength and orientation. Permanently magnetized beds were also investigated and produced breakthrough efficiencies similar to those of packed beds.
Snow cover conditions in the northern Hemisphere during the winter of 1981

During the winter of 1981 the mean snow covered area in the Northern Hemisphere was less than any other year in the 15-year record (1966-1981) except 1970. For North America, the mean snow cover area was the lowest on record, and for Eurasia the mean snow cover area was the second lowest since records began in 1966. It has been observed that the average winter snow cover in both North America and Eurasia for both 1980 and 1981 decreased from that of the previous year, the first time this has been observed in the 15-year period of record. Assessment of any long term climatic trends must wait extension of the snow cover data base.
Medical Marijuana Policy and the Virtues of Federalism

We analyze the policy issue of medical marijuana to illustrate how key virtues of federalism can be used to make a threshold determination as to whether a particular public policy should be subject to federal regulation or reserved for states. When the substantive merits of the policy issue are currently debated and unresolved, and that issue area has traditionally been regulated by states, we employ a three-prong test for determining as a threshold matter whether the federal government should assert preemptive jurisdiction over the policy. That test has is roots in well-established theories of federalism that comprise what we refer to as the “classic virtues of federalism.” Based on our analysis, medical marijuana is a policy that should be left to the states. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Anion exchange selectivity coefficients from the continuous foam fractionation of a quaternary ammonium surfactant

Abstract An experimental study is presented of the continuous-flow, foam fractionation of ClO3−, BrO3−, NO2−, and SCN−, each vs Br−, with a quaternary ammonium surfactant at concentrations of 10−4 → 10−3 M. Anion exchange selectivity coefficients are established from the steady-state and equilibrium data, with the surfactant adsorbed in the surface “phase” modelled as a soluble ion exchanger. The coefficients are 15·1, 5·85, 2·21, 1·56, 0·95 and 0·73, respectively for SCN−, I−, ClO3−, NO3−, BrO3−, and NO2− vs Br−. For each anion pair, the coefficient is rather independent of the fraction of the exchanger occupied by the preferred ion and of ionic strength. An increase in surfactant chain length decreases the selectivity coefficients for NO3−/Br−. The selectivity sequence is discussed in terms of the relative hydration of the anions.
Toward kinder, gentler uses for testosterone

In his not-so-little sketch of the big picture of changing Western masculinities, Bob Connell underscores the double-edged character of the title, "Unraveling masculinities," of the conference that led to this special issue. "Unraveling masculinities" is at once an apt and utopian moniker for the endeavor we convened to scrutinize. It concisely signals our feminist premise that masculinities have histories, and thus they are always unraveling. It is utopian in hinting at our feminist desire to unravel permanently what Connell has termed "hegemonic masculinities" For we wish to expose, and thereby to undermine, the power sources, discourses and practices that render these gender regimes oppressive (and deadly). This is a utopian aspiration, because new hegemonic masculinities are always being refigured and reconstituted, perhaps more quickly than the older ones unravel. Taking up the welcome invitation to engage in reflexivity about our collective intellectual enterprise, I find myself worrying about the sort of gender regime our well-intentioned efforts will advance. Connell correctly points out that something like the "Unraveling Masculinities" conference was unthinkable twenty-five years ago. Indeed most academic conferences then served (as they do still) as occasions for the enactment and performance of one brand of hegemonic masculinity, rather than as opportunities to excavate or contest it. They enact what Connell calls domination via "expertise,' Although we hope to subvert this, there is always the danger that form will overwhelm substance, (or, as my poststructuralist friends might put it, that our discursive conventions will mock intentionality.) Certainly, during the past quarter century, feminists cannot have failed to observe how the tribal customs, dialects, and social rituals of the academic conference allow even women and anti-sexist men to perform and buttress a form of hegemonic masculinity.
Quantitative control of end products in the melanocyte lineage of the ascidian embryo.

Abstract Terminal amounts of tyrosinase (EC 1.10.3.1) activity and melanin pigment in the giant melanocytes of cleavage-arrestedCiona intestinalis (L.) embryos are regulated independently of cell size and number of nuclei in the cells. Embryos were cleavage-arrested in cytochalasin B at a time before the last two divisions of the melanocyte lineage took place. The resulting two giant melanocytes, one from each of the two bilateral melanocyte lineages, developed tyrosinase and melanin. The cells were about three times larger in volume than the normal larval melanocytes and each contained four nuclei instead of just one. Quantitative measurements of melanin synthesized and tyrosinase activity in embryos with the giant melanocytes revealed amounts identical to those found in normal embryos. This specification of exact quantities differs markedly from the situation in mammalian melanocytes where cell volume and gene dosage influence the extent of melanotic differentiation. Quantitative control of differentiation in ascidian melanocytes appears to be mediated by a cytoplasmic determinant segregated through the melanocyte lineage and inherited by one daughter at each division of the lineages.
A unified elasto-viscoplasticity model for clays, part II: Verification

Abstract The elasto-viscoplasticity model presented in Part I is now examined in detail in this paper. The physical meaning of model parameters as well as appropriate procedures for their determinations are described herein. Based on this procedure, the model constants were determined for three groups of soils. Numerical simulations demonstrated the model's capability to capture the time-dependent behaviors, including creep (both drained and undrained), undrained stress relaxation, and drained tests with various effective stress paths. Quantitatively, the rate effect is shown to be captured by the model.
2.0 Å structure of prostaglandin H2 synthase-1 reconstituted with a manganese porphyrin cofactor

Prostaglandin H2 synthase (EC 1.14.99.1) is a clinically important drug target that catalyzes two key steps in the biosynthesis of the eicosanoid hormones. The enzyme contains spatially distinct cyclooxygenase and peroxidase active sites, both of which require a heme cofactor. Substitution of ferric heme by MnIII protoporphyrin IX greatly diminishes the peroxidase activity, but has little effect on the cyclooxygenase activity. Here, the 2.0 A resolution crystal structure of the MnIII form of ovine prostaglandin H2 synthase-1 is described (R = 21.8%, Rfree = 23.7%). Substitution of MnIII for FeIII causes no structural perturbations in the protein. However, the out-of-plane displacement of the manganese ion with respect to the porphyrin is greater than that of the iron by approximately 0.2 A. This perturbation may help to explain the altered catalytic properties of the manganese enzyme.
Gene Expression Changes in the Septum: Possible Implications for MicroRNAs in Sculpting the Maternal Brain

The transition from the non-maternal to the maternal state is characterized by a variety of CNS alterations that support the care of offspring. The septum (including lateral and medial portions) is a brain region previously linked to various emotional and motivational processes, including maternal care. In this study, we used microarrays (PLIER algorithm) to examine gene expression changes in the septum of postpartum mice and employed gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to identify possible regulators of altered gene expression. Genes of interest identified as differentially regulated with microarray analysis were validated with quantitative real-time PCR. We found that fatty acid binding protein 7 (Fabp7) and galanin (Gal) were downregulated, whereas insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (Igfbp3) was upregulated in postpartum mice compared to virgin females. These genes were previously found to be differentially regulated in other brain regions during lactation. We also identified altered expression of novel genes not previously linked to maternal behavior, but that could play a role in postpartum processes, including glutamate-ammonia ligase (Glul) and somatostatin receptor 1 (Sstr1) (both upregulated in postpartum). Genes implicated in metabolism, cell differentiation, or proliferation also exhibited altered expression. Unexpectedly, enrichment analysis revealed a high number of microRNAs, transcription factors, or conserved binding sites (177 with corrected P-value <0.05) that were significantly linked to maternal upregulated genes, while none were linked to downregulated genes. MicroRNAs have been linked to placenta and mammary gland development, but this is the first indication they may also play a key role in sculpting the maternal brain. Together, this study provides new insights into genes (along with possible mechanisms for their regulation) that are involved in septum-mediated adaptations during the postpartum period.
'Inverse' deuterium isotope effect in radiationless electronic transitions, singlet → triplet intersystem crossing in anthracene

Abstract It is shown that the rate of the singlet → triplet intersystem crossing in anthracene is enhanced, rather than retarded, by deuteration of the molecule. The 'inverse' deuterium isotope effect on the intersystem crossing is interpreted to arise from the participation of a higher triplet state(s) in the radiationless transition. The lack of significant deuteration effect in fluorescence of aromatic hydrocarbons is attributed largely to the small energy gaps between the lowest excited singlet and triplet (including the lowest) states.
Orbital periods of recurrent novae

The class of recurrent novae (RN) with thermonuclear runaways contains only three systems (T Pyx, U Sco, and V394 CrA), for which no orbital periods are known. This paper presents a series of photometric observations where the orbital periods for all three systems are discovered. T Pyx is found to have sinusoidal modulation with an amplitude of 0.08 mag and a period of 2.3783 h (with a possible alias of 2.6403 h). U Sco is found to be an eclipsing system with an eclipse amplitude of roughly 1.5 mag and an orbital period of 1.2344 days. V394 CrA is found to have sinusoidal modulation with an amplitude of 0.5 mag and a period of 0.7577 days. Thus two out of three RN with thermonuclear runaways (or five out of six for all RN) have evolved companions.