cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multifactorial Origins of Heart and Gut Defects in nipbl-Deficient Zebrafish, a Model of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is the founding member of a class of multi-organ system birth defect syndromes termed cohesinopathies, named for the chromatin-associated protein complex cohesin, which mediates sister chromatid cohesion. Most cases of CdLS are caused by haploinsufficiency for Nipped-B-like (Nipbl), a highly conserved protein that facilitates cohesin loading. Consistent with recent evidence implicating cohesin and Nipbl in transcriptional regulation, both CdLS cell lines and tissues of Nipbl-deficient mice show changes in the expression of hundreds of genes. Nearly all such changes are modest, however—usually less than 1.5-fold—raising the intriguing possibility that, in CdLS, severe developmental defects result from the collective action of many otherwise innocuous perturbations. As a step toward testing this hypothesis, we developed a model of nipbl-deficiency in zebrafish, an organism in which we can quantitatively investigate the combinatorial effects of gene expression changes. After characterizing the structure and embryonic expression of the two zebrafish nipbl genes, we showed that morpholino knockdown of these genes produces a spectrum of specific heart and gut/visceral organ defects with similarities to those in CdLS. Analysis of nipbl morphants further revealed that, as early as gastrulation, expression of genes involved in endodermal differentiation (sox32, sox17, foxa2, and gata5) and left-right patterning (spaw, lefty2, and dnah9) is altered. Experimental manipulation of the levels of several such genes—using RNA injection or morpholino knockdown—implicated both additive and synergistic interactions in causing observed developmental defects. These findings support the view that birth defects in CdLS arise from collective effects of quantitative changes in gene expression. Interestingly, both the phenotypes and gene expression changes in nipbl morphants differed from those in mutants or morphants for genes encoding cohesin subunits, suggesting that the transcriptional functions of Nipbl cannot be ascribed simply to its role in cohesin loading.
Chromosomal Proteins in the Dinoflagellate Alga Gyrodinium cohnii

Chromatin has been prepared from nuclei isolated from the dinoflagellate alga Gyrodinium cohnii. This chromatin contains RNA, acid-insoluble proteins, and acid-soluble proteins; the respective ratios to amount of DNA are about 0.09, 0.48, 0.08 (by weight). Not only is the amount of acid-soluble protein associated with the DNA much less than it is in the typical eukaryote, but polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in urea at pH 3.2 produces a banding pattern different from that of typical histones. There is one predominant band that migrates about as fast as does histone IV from corn. These findings are of interest, because the nuclear organization in the dinoflagellates appears to be intermediate between the prokaryotes and the eukaryotes.
Motivation and the Will to Power Ethnopsychology and the Return of Thomas Hobbes

Like the concept "structure" a generation ago, "power" now figures prominently in the anthropological understanding of human action. This essay attempts to locate the concept of power in the cultural history of Anglo-Saxon political discourse. Discussion focuses on a specific domain of inquiry—"ethnopsychology"— and on one of the texts recognized as exemplary of that domain, Lutz's Unnatural Emotions. In a field largely concerned with matters of cognitive process, of knowledge structures and patterns of inference, the concept of "power" is used to supply motivational force; motivation is the will to power. This is intelligible, however, only against the implicit background of Anglo-Saxon political theory, best represented historically in the work of Thomas Hobbes. It is argued that the circumstances of "post-modernity" make the return of Hobbesianism inevitable and that it is this tradition that ethnopsychology unwittingly reproduces in the quest to understand cognition, emotion, and agency.
A Numerical Analysis Model for Interpretation of Flow Cytometric Studies of Ex Vivo Phagocytosis

The study of ex vivo phagocytosis via flow cytometry requires that one distinguish experimentally between uptake and adsorption of fluorescently labeled targets by phagocytes. Removal of the latter quantity from the analysis is the most common means of analyzing such data. Because the probability of phagocytosis is a function of the probability of adsorption, and because partially quenched fluorescence after uptake often overlaps with that of negative controls, this approach is suboptimal at best. Here, we describe a numerical analysis model which overcomes these limitations. We posit that the random adsorption of targets to macrophages, and subsequent phagocytosis, is a function of three parameters: the ratio of targets to macrophages (m), the mean fluorescence intensity imparted to the phagocyte by the internalized target (alpha), and the probability of phagocytosis per adsorbed target (p). The potential values of these parameters define a parameter space and their values at any point in parameter space can be used to predict the fraction of adsorption(+) and [adsorption(−), phagocytosis(+)] cells that might be observed experimentally. By systematically evaluating the points in parameter space for the latter two values and comparing them to experimental data, the model arrives at sets of parameter values that optimally predict such data. Using activated THP-1 cells as macrophages and platelets as targets, we validate the model by demonstrating that it can distinguish between the effects of experimental changes in m, alpha, and p. Finally, we use the model to demonstrate that platelets from a congenitally thrombocytopenic WAS patient show an increased probability of ex vivo phagocytosis. This finding correlates with other evidence that rapid in vivo platelet consumption contributes significantly to the thrombocytopenia of WAS. Our numerical analysis method represents a useful and innovative approach to multivariate analysis.
The origins of Michael Conrad's research programs (1964–1979)

This paper summarizes Michael Conrad's academic and professional career from the time he began his Ph.D. studies in 1964 to his appointment at Wayne State University in 1979. It describes the origins of several of his major research interests and presents a personal evaluation of how this early work continues to be of fundamental importance.
Hatchling snapping turtles overwintering in natural nests are inoculated by ice in frozen soil

Abstract 1. 1.Hatchling snapping turtles ( Chelydra serpentina ) that were placed on platforms of dry styrofoam survived for 7 h without freezing at temperatures below −4°C. 2. 2.Turtles that were confined to artificial nests in frozen soil were unable to withstand exposure to temperatures much lower than −2°C. 3. 3.Animals that were held in dry surroundings and then cooled to −2°C froze rapidly when they were brought into contact with crystals of ice. 4. 4.These observations indicate that turtles which die from cold exposure when they are forced to overwinter in nests in the field probably succumb to inoculative freezing caused by contact with ice in the soil and not to spontaneous nucleation caused by body fluids reaching their limit of supercooling.
The 1.20 Å Resolution Crystal Structure of the Aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica Complexed with Tris: A Tale of Buffer Inhibition

The aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica (AAP) is a bridged bimetallic enzyme that removes the N-terminal amino acid from a peptide chain. To fully understand the metal roles in the reaction pathway of AAP we have solved the 1.20 A resolution crystal structure of native AAP (PDB ID = 1LOK). The high-quality electron density maps showed a single Tris molecule chelated to the active site Zn(2+), alternate side chain conformations for some side chains, a sodium ion that mediates a crystal contact, a surface thiocyanate ion, and several potential hydrogen atoms. In addition, the high precision of the atomic positions has led to insight into the protonation states of some of the active site amino acid side chains.
Mapping genomic markers to closest feature using the R package Map2NCBI

The purpose of this technical note is to illustrate the use of functions available in the Map2NCBI R package using applied examples. The purpose of Map2NCBI is to allow users to find genomic feature information for a particular species and identify the feature that is in closest proximity to markers of interest by the user. Although the package allows flexibility in how the functions are utilized, the package was developed as a two part process, where (1) “GetGeneList” function is utilized, which downloads the species genome build and filter the data as specified by the user, and (2) “MapMarkers” is utilized, which maps markers based on the information provided to the closest feature using the list produced in Step 1. Two examples were utilized to (1) demonstrate the system time use of both functions in Map2NCBI and (2) to illustrate how the functions can be applied to a previous study to identify genes of interest using markers (e.g., associated markers). The system.time function available in R was utilized to time both functions available. Markers were from the BovineSNP50 version 1 assay (n=34,566) and were randomly assigned to different quantities of markers per file in order to identify the linear relationship between the number of markers and time elapsed when running the “MapMarkers” function. In addition, genes and markers previously identified in a separate study were utilized in this note to identify markers and genes of interest using the Map2NCBI package. The “GetGeneList” function was relatively efficient and was primarily dependent on the internet connection for speed. The “MapMarkers” function had a quadratic relationship with the number of markers in the file compared to the time elapsed, where including all markers available took over an hour. This function does have the advantage that it only needs to be conducted once for a given set of markers and the output can be saved for future use. In the second example, the functions provided 32 markers located in close proximity to 36 genes of interest and identified 60 unique genes based on 67 markers shown to be associated in a previous study of cannon bone length. These functions and the process involved are relatively quick and provide the user flexibility in using the information for association results or systematic approaches in understanding complex traits.
Reaction of Sodium with Ionic Conductors Containing P‐O Bonds at Elevated Temperatures

Sodium phosphate and a series of compounds containing Na, Zr, Si, P, and O were found to react with sodium at 380°C. The reaction products formed phosphine on hydrolysis. On the basis of these reactions and some thermodynamic calculations, it is not likely that any materials containing P-O bonds will be stable to sodium at the temperatures required for the Na-S battery or Na heat engine operation.
Re-examining participatory research in dropout prevention planning in urban communities

This paper explores the concept of what a community-based participatory dropout prevention planning process might entail. Specifically, it looks at a year-long research project that brought together formerly incarcerated school non-completers, researchers, and local policy-makers (stakeholders) to address low high-school completion rates in the community. Using our own project as a case study, we reflect on the challenges and promises that emerged when the knowledge of adults in urban communities, who themselves often did not complete school, become central to dropout prevention idea generation, strategy development, and decision-making processes. We re-examine the ‘participatory’ process using participatory action research principles as an analytical lens focusing on three central concepts: control, collaboration, and commitment.
Transcriptional regulation of the Papilio polyxenes CYP6B1 gene

Abstract Detoxification of host plant defensive compounds by larval Lepidoptera is mediated by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) such as CYP6B1, which is expressed in Papilio polyxenes (black swallowtail) larvae in response to xanthotoxin, a linear furanocoumarin. Baculovirus-mediated expression of two cloned CYP6B1 cDNAs in lepidopteran cell lines has demonstrated that CYP6B1 isozymes primarily metabolize the linear furanocoumarins, xanthotoxin and bergapten, and not angular furanocoumarins. To characterize the regulatory features of the CYP6B1 transcription unit, we have isolated the first full-length CYP6B1v3 genomic DNA clone from P. polyxenes. The open reading frame of this gene is interrupted by a single intron and is virtually identical to the previously characterized CYP6B1 cDNAs. Primer extension and ribonuclease protection analyses have localized the transcription initiation site to a point 28 nucleotides upstream from the AUG initiation codon. RNase protection analyses on RNA from larvae induced by linear and angular furanocoumarins indicate that transcription of the CYP6B1 gene is induced in insects significantly in response to xanthotoxin and only slightly in response to bergapten. Angular furanocoumarins, such as angelicin, which are not appreciably metabolized by the CYP6B1 gene product, do not significantly induce transcription of this gene. We conclude that this P450 gene is transcriptionally regulated in vivo by at least one of the substrates which the encoded protein metabolizes. Transient expression of CAT fusion constructs in transfected Sf9 lepidopteran cells demonstrates that nucleotides -1 to -838 upstream from the CYP6B1v3 transcription initiation site retain basal and xanthotoxin-inducible transcriptional activities in this heterologous cell line. These data clearly indicate that P. polyxenes has adapted to the presence of furanocoumarins in its host plants by evolving P450 isozymes and regulatory cascades which respond to specific toxins.
The Effects of Progressively Thinning High-Preference Item Delivery on Responding in Employees

The use of mixed-preference reinforcer delivery (i.e., the random delivery of a set of items with varying degrees of preference for each individual) with employees has been found to produce moderate levels of responding in an analog setting; however, mixed reinforcer delivery may not conform to the recommendations made by some popular writers in organizational behavior management. The current investigation used a progressively thinning high-preference stimulus delivery procedure to investigate the use of mixed reinforcer delivery with 5 employees. Results indicated that most participants did not reliably complete work when the percent chance of earning a high-preference item dropped below 100%. These results do not support the use of varied reinforcers in applied settings.
The metamathematics of scattered linear orderings

Pursuing the proof-theoretic program of Friedman and Simpson, we begin the study of the metamathematics of countable linear orderings by proving two main results. Over the weak base system consisting of arithmetic comprehension, II11-CA0 is equivalent to Hausdorff's theorem concerning the canonical decomposition of countable linear orderings into a sum over a dense or singleton set of scattered linear orderings. Over the same base system, ATR0 is equivalent to a version of the Continuum Hypothesis for linear orderings, which states that every countable linear ordering either has countably many or continuum many Dedekind cuts.
Burst firing of rat septal neurons induced by 1S,3R-ACPD requires influx of extracellular calcium

We have demonstrated that burst firing in rat dorsolateral septal nucleus neurons is a specific response following activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors. Now we report that the burst firing induced by 1S,3R-ACPD (1S,3R-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid), a selective agonist, is blocked by inorganic calcium channel blockers. Our data suggest that influx of external calcium is required for this metabotropic glutamate response. Intracellular second messenger pathways coupled to the metabotropic glutamate receptor may be more complex than releasing calcium from IP3-sensitive internal stores as is currently hypothesized.
RESONANT ION-DIP INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY OF TERNARY BENZENE-(WATER)N(METHANOL)M HYDROGEN-BONDED CLUSTERS

Resonant two-photon ionization, IR−UV hole-burning, and resonant ion-dip infrared (RIDIR) spectroscopies have been employed along with density functional theory (DFT) calculations to assign and characterize the hydrogen-bonded topologies and structures of eight benzene−(H2O)n(CH3OH)m, cluster isomers (hereafter shortened to BWnMm) with n + m ≤ 4. The O−H stretch infrared fundamentals are used to determine the H-bonding topology of the clusters. However, in several cases, the O−H stretch spectrum leaves an ambiguity regarding the position of the methanols within the structure. In these cases, the methyl CH stretch region serves as a secondary probe capable of distinguishing among the various possibilities. For n + m = 2, a single BWM isomer is observed with OH stretch fundamentals at 3508, 3606, and 3718 cm-1. A comparison of the methyl CH stretch transitions of BWM and BM2 reveals that the methanol in BWM accepts a H-bond from water and forms a π H-bond with benzene. The n + m = 3 results show the subtle ...
REFLES: An individual microcomputer system for fact retrieval

The paper describes the development and system design of REFLES, a microcomputer‐based system for in‐house data files, in both its prototype and next‐stage versions. Specifics of hardware selection and configuration are outlined, as are details of file and record structures. Program functions are discussed, and samples are presented. The REFLES prototype is described in its test form, followed by presentation of the working environment, problems, and evaluation of the current version. Finally, the future of REFLES, or a REFLES‐like system, is outlined, both in respect to actual and proposed versions, as well as from a speculative viewpoint.
Long tail correlations between hydrophobic solutes in a model solvent

Recently, a one-dimensional model with nearest-neighbour square-well interactions has been studied, in which parameters were chosen to mimic some of the thermodynamic properties of solutions of non-polar solutes in water. Here we investigate the properties of the pair distribution functions, comparing correlations between solvent molecules with those between solute molecules in the limit of infinite dilution. Under some appropriate thermodynamic conditions, both contain the same underlying–exponentially monotonic–decay, with a decay length that is characteristically long-tailed. But while this length is barely of interest for the pure solvent by virtue of the minuteness of the correlations at such long distances, and is almost undetectable for all practical purposes, it appears dramatically in the case of solute–solute correlations, becoming visible when one can access large length separations. The implications of this unexpected feature are discussed, also in relation to the mean force between solute mol...
DO ETHNICITY AND LEVEL OF ACCULTURATION PREDICT SEAT-BELT USE IN ADOLESCENTS?† 26

Objective: To examine whether ethnicity and level of acculturation are risk factors for not using seat-belts in adolescents.
ELECTROMAGNETIC OBSERVATIONS OF CAROTID BLOOD FLOW CHANGES IN THE CONSCIOUS RAT IN RESPONSE TO SENSORY STIMULI.

Electromagnetic Observations of Carotid Blood Flow Changes in the Conscious Rat in Response to Sensory Stimuli
Mechanistic Study on Electron Capture Dissociation of the Oligosaccharide-Mg2+ Complex

Electron capture dissociation (ECD) has shown great potential in structural characterization of glycans. However, our current understanding of the glycan ECD process is inadequate for accurate interpretation of the complex glycan ECD spectra. Here, we present the first comprehensive theoretical investigation on the ECD fragmentation behavior of metal-adducted glycans, using the cellobiose-Mg2+ complex as the model system. Molecular dynamics simulation was carried out to determine the typical glycan-Mg2+ binding patterns and the lowest-energy conformer identified was used as the initial geometry for density functional theory-based theoretical modeling. It was found that the electron is preferentially captured by Mg2+ and the resultant Mg+• can abstract a hydroxyl group from the glycan moiety to form a carbon radical. Subsequent radical migration and α-cleavage(s) result in the formation of a variety of product ions. The proposed hydroxyl abstraction mechanism correlates well with the major features in the ECD spectrum of the Mg2+-adducted cellohexaose. The mechanism presented here also predicts the presence of secondary, radical-induced fragmentation pathways. These secondary fragment ions could be misinterpreted, leading to erroneous structural determination. The present study highlights an urgent need for continuing investigation of the glycan ECD mechanism, which is imperative for successful development of bioinformatics tools that can take advantage of the rich structural information provided by ECD of metal-adducted glycans.
986-82 The Feasibility of Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in the Emergency Department with Remote Echocardiographic Interpretation

Determining if chest pain presenting to the emergency department is myocardial ischemia requiting admission is an important diagnostic and financial question. To assess the feasibility of performing stress testing in the emergency department, a dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) protocol was established. 10 patients with no cardiac history and resolved serious chest pain symptoms requiring admission were enrolled. Patients were screened for myocardial infarction by having a normal creatine kinase or MB fraction, physical exam, and electrocardiogram (ECG). A resting echocardiogram (echo) was performed in the standard 4 views and digitized into cine-loop format. The echo was transmitted over standard telephone lines to a cardiologist using a laptop computer for interpretation. After the ECG and resting echo were confirmed normal by the cardiologist, DSE was administered by the emergency department physician, nurse, and echo technician. Upon completion, peak dobutamine infusion images were transmitted. After interpretation, a preliminary echo report was faxed from the laptop to the emergency department. Results show the following mean values: age 49.2, resting heart rate 76, peak HR 150, peak/maximum HR 83%, peak dobutamine dose 47.5 μg/kg/min. 1 patient each had chest pain, ECG changes, supraventricular tachycardia, or mild hypotension with peak dobutamine infusion. No persistent abnormalities remained shortly after infusion discontinuation. Stress echo images remained normal in all but one patient; stress induced mild basal inferior hypokinesis and chest pain led to a cardiac catheterization which was normal. There was 100% agreement between laptop and later videotape interpretation. Time from request of DSE until fax report was 3.3 hours. 12 hour creatine kinase remained normal in all. Mean length of stay was 1.1 days. In conclusion, 1) it is feasible to perform timely DSE in the emergency department. 2) It appears possible to screen patients for myocardial infarction in the emergency department with the resting echocardiogram. 3) Further study is required to determine if emergency personnel can routinely perform DSE with remote cardiology consultation and if DSE can be accurately interpreted from a remote location using a laptop computer.
Violent Victimization of Youth Versus Adults in the National Crime Victimization Survey

To understand the characteristics of juvenile victimization, explicit comparisons between the victimization of juveniles and adults need to be made. In this article, rates of violent victimizations of youth aged 12 to 17 years and adults were compared, using the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), an annual survey of 50,000 American households administered by the U.S. Bureau of the Census on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice. Analyses with 1994 data revealed that juveniles were substantially more likely than adults to be victims of violent crimes and suffer from a crime-related injury. Large disparities between juveniles and adults were present for males and females, Whites and Blacks, and persons from different types of localities. Moreover, juvenile victims were more likely than adult victims to know their offenders. Some characteristics of the NCVS may result in an underestimation of the disproportionate youth victimizations.
Advantage ISP: Terms of Service as Media Law

All users must access the internet through ISPs on the basis of contracts known as `terms of service' or `acceptable use policies' that are becoming de facto law for internet communications. This article examines contracts fr om over two dozen ISPs. Findings include a knowledge differ ential between users and ISPs regarding rules and their applications. User s have liability irrespective of intention, while ISPs do not. User s must license content to ISPs. And ISP agreements disregard constitutional standar ds regarding freedom of expr ession and privacy. Public forum analysis provides a legal foundation for seeking ter ms of service more protective of constitutionally-based civil liberties and intellectual property rights.
Synthesis, characterization, and cure of allyl and propargyl functionalized indene as a thermoset composite matrix resin

Two highly functionalized resins were synthesized by the phase transfer reaction of indene with propargyl bromide or allyl chloride in the presence of strong base. The resins consisted of a mixture of tri- and tetrafunctional indenes with 60–80% of the product being tetrafunctional. The allylated (AL) and propargylated (PL) indene resins were thermally cured without added catalysts. Both resins exhibited a broad, highly exothermic cure with a peak energy at 320°C for AL resin and 282°C for PL resin. Thermal degradation of cured AL resin was found to begin at approximately 400°C with a carbon yield of 20% of its initial weight at 1000°C. Carbon yields for cured PL resin were excellent, with 68% retention of weight at 1000°C. Unidirectional, carbon fiber composites were fabricated from the substituted indene resins. AL–carbon fiber composites gave modulus values of 126 GPa and strength values of 967 MPa, while PL–carbon fiber composites gave modulus values of 116 GPa and strength values of 935 MPa in three-point bending tests. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68: 475–482, 1998
On the origin of ion selectivity in the Cys-loop receptor family.

Agonist binding to Cys-loop receptors promotes a large transmembrane ion flux of several million cations or anions per second. To investigate structural bases for the rapid and charge-selective flux, we used all atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, X-ray crystallography, and single channel recording. MD simulations of the muscle nicotinic receptor, imbedded in a lipid bilayer with an applied transmembrane potential, reveal single cation translocation events during transient periods of channel hydration. During the simulation trajectory, cations paused for prolonged periods near several rings of anionic residues projecting from the lumen of the extracellular domain of the receptor, but subsequently the cation moved rapidly through the hydrophobic transmembrane region as the constituent alpha-helices exhibited back and forth rocking motions. Cocrystallization of acetylcholine binding protein with sulfate ions revealed coordination of five sulfates with residues from one of these charged rings; in cation-selective Cys-loop receptors this ring contains negatively charged residues, whereas in anion-selective receptors it contains positively charged residues. In the muscle nicotinic receptor, charge reversal of residues of this ring decreases unitary conductance by up to 80%. Thus in Cys-loop receptors, a series of charged rings along the ion translocation pathway concentrates hydrated ions relative to bulk solution, giving rise to charge selectivity, and then subtle motions of the hydrophobic transmembrane, coupled with transient periods of water filling, enable rapid ion flux.
Whipple's disease, familial Mediterranean fever, and adult-onset Still's disease.

Whipple's disease is a multisystem disorder thought to be caused by infection by rod-shaped bacilli. Early diagnosis remains difficult, because initial clinical features are nonspecific. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic scanning were used to demonstrate distinctive lymphadenopathy in Whipple's disease. Magnetic resonance imaging showed central nervous system lesions that were reversible with antibiotic therapy. Familial Mediterranean fever, or recurrent polyserositis, is an autosomal recessive disorder common among patients of Mediterranean heritage. Erysipelas-like skin lesions are commonly described. Other skin lesions, including Schonlein-Henoch purpura, nonspecific purpura, diffuse erythema, and angioneurotic edema are now reported. Renal complications, thought previously to be due primarily to amyloid, are also caused by immunoglobulin deposition resulting in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. Adult-onset Still's disease is a systemic illness characterized by quotidian fever and a fleeting, salmon-colored rash. The long-term evolutions of juvenile-onset and adult-onset Still's disease were compared and found to be similar, except for the occurrence of amyloidosis in the latter group of patients. Prognosis of patients with articular features was worse than that of patients with extra-articular features. A multicenter survey of Japanese patients found few significant differences between Japanese and non-Japanese cases. Less well-recognized features of adult-onset Still's disease, including neurologic complications, uveitis, and peritonitis, are reported.
Expression and transcriptional regulation of amino acid transporters in plants

Recent studies have shown that there are more than 50 amino acid transporter genes in the Arabidopsis genome. This abundance of amino acid transporters implies that they play a multitude of fundamental roles in plant growth and development. Current research on the expression and regulation (i.e., tissue-specific expression and regulation of expression in response to nutrient and environmental changes) of these genes has provided useful information about the functional significance of plant amino acid transport systems.
Critical significance of attics and basements in the energy balance of Twin Rivers townhouses

Abstract Approximately 35% of winter energy loss in Twin Rivers townhouses is associated with the attic, despite the presence of 9 cm of fiberglass insulation. Unexpected heat transfer mechanisms bypass the attic insulation and strongly couple attic, basement and house. As a result, a three-zone model is required for static heat load calculations and the prediction of retrofit savings. Magnitudes of the unexpected heat transfer rates can be inferred from attic and basement temperatures and knowledge of furnace inefficiencies. The model predicts the benefits to be gained by various retrofit strategies. Effectiveness of retrofits may be considerably enhanced by blocking heat transfer bypass paths to the attic.
Saving Sinking Ships: Implications from a Theory of Marital Dissolution

Critics of marriage, family and divorce counseling have repeatedly noted that technique is infrequently, if ever, underpinned by theory. A recently developed theory of marital dissolution that utilizes a systems perspective is briefly presented. The theory was derived from almost 1,300 propositions in the extant literature, and is readily understandable to layman, practitioner, and academician. Implications contained within the theory for those concerned with saving floundering marital relationships are indicated.
Atmospheric Turbidity in the Polar Regions.

Abstract Analysis is presented of 800 measurements of atmospheric monochromatic aerosol optical depth made poleward of ∼65° latitude. The atmosphere of the southern polar region appears to be uncontaminated but is charged with a background aerosol having a mean size of 0.1 μm radius, an almost constant mixing ratio throughout the troposphere, a sea level optical depth (λ = 500 nm) of ∼0.025 and an inferred columnar mass loading of 4-15 × 10−7 g cm−2. At around the time of spring equinox the northern polar region (all longitudes) is invaded with Arctic Haze, an aerosol showing a strong anthropogenic chemical fingerprint. The optical depth anomaly introduced by this man-caused haze is τ0 ≈ 0.110 and the associated columnar mass loading is ∼1.5 × 10−6 g cm−2. Turbidity measured seven decades ago at the solar observatory at Uppsala (60°N), suggests that Arctic optical depth has been rising at a rate of dτ/dt ≈ 0.01 ± 0.005 per decade.
Staring and Participants' Sex: Physiological and Subjective Reactions

A 2X2X2 ANOVA design laboratory experiment was conducted with 123 college students in which male and female confederates stared or did not look at male and female subjects. Using changes in the number of skin conductance deflections as the measure of arousal, stare subjects were more aroused in the presence of an opposite-sex confederate. There was no sex X stare condition interaction. Stare subjects rated themselves more angry, unfriendly, unpleasant and embarrassed, while stare condition confederates were rated as more tense, angry, embarrassed, passive and less intelligent.
Orientation affects the sensitivity of Acartia tonsa to fluid mechanical signals

Nearly all organisms show directional bias in sensitivity to environmental signals. In this study, the behavioral sensitivity of a common estuarine copepod, Acartia tonsa, varies significantly with respect to their orientation to a well-characterized fluid mechanical signal. Maximum sensitivity occurs at an angle of 25°–30° and lowest sensitivity occurs at angles of 60°–90° relative to the source. These results support the hypothesis that copepods are not uniformly sensitive to fluid signals and show directional bias in mechanosensitivity. The data also show that large copepods initiate their escape reaction further from the source than small copepods. There is, however, an uncharacteristically large increase in sensitivity at the transition between the nauplii and C1 stage despite being similar in size. This suggests that the mechanosensory system of the naupliar stages is less sensitive to fluid signals and helps to explain the higher predation rates experienced by nauplii.
Ultrastructural and histochemical observations on electroejaculated spermatophores of the palaemonid shrimp, Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

Abstract Spermatophores obtained by electroejaculation from mature males of Macrobrachium rosenbergii were studied by light microscopy and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Upon electrical stimulation, single Spermatophores were usually extruded simultaneously from each gonopore and frequently became firmly adherent to one another forming a compound spermatophore. Individual Spermatophores were pod-shaped. 0.5–1 cm long, 2–3 μm in diameter and consisted of a lateral sperm mass, a medial mucus mass, and a noncellular capsule. The capsule was a single-layered PAS-reactive structure composed of fine, intertwining fibrils and almost completely surrounded the sperm and mucus masses. On its outer surface were large. AB-reactive globules of flocculent material partially surrounded by fingerlike extensions of a canaliculated reticulum composed of fine, intertwinning fibrils. The canaliculated reticulum may permit fluid imbibition by the spermatophore. Forming a central band within the capsule were many small membrane-less AB/PAS-reactive granules. The lateral sperm masses consisted of unistellatc spermatozoa embedded in an AB/PAS-reaetive matrix composed of globules of flocculent. AB-rcactive material and a highly plastic canaliculated and thread-filled reticulum. The reticulum itself consisted of fine, intertwining fibrils. The threads within the interstices of the reticulum were long, curving structures, 30–36 nm in diameter. The function(s) of the canaliculated and thread-filled reticulum within the sperm mass is not known at this time. The medial mucus mass was similar in fine structure and histochemical reactivity to the sperm mass, except that spermatozoa were lacking. It is apparent that the spermatophore of M. rosenbergii consists of relatively few complexly arranged structural and macromolecular components designed to transport and protect the spermatozoa.
Spatial Distribution of Cells in Mitotic and DNA-Synthetic Phases of the Cell Cycle in Hamster Cheek Pouch Epithelium

The spatial distributions of dividing and DNA-synthesizing cells in sections of cheek pouch epithelium of Chinese hamsters were subjected to four statistical tests for randomness. The results were consistent with, and provided statistical support for, the observation that localized regions of high mitotic and labeling indices occur in this tissue, separated by broad zones of low activity.
Regression analysis of compartmental models

Herein we study the problem of assessing, on the basis of noisy and incomplete observations, how much information there is in the data for model identification in compartmental systems. The underlying concept is that of an "information distance" between competing models, and estimation of this distance on the basis of the given data is discussed. Useful reduction of the dimensionality of the corresponding least squares problem is accomplished by regarding the decay rate constants as primary parameters of interest and the other parameters of the model as nuisance parameters. Estimation of the decay rate function is also discussed.
Influence of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts on glucose conversion to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in an aqueous system

Abstract The aqueous phase acid-catalyzed reaction of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was performed with the addition of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts. Previous studies investigated this reaction in a biphasic system using salts to enhance the partitioning of HMF and suppress undesired products thereby increasing the overall selectivity. The results of this study suggest the presence of alkaline earth salt/glucose interactions that affect glucose conversion and HMF yield. While sulfate salts tended to lead to higher activity than chloride salts, the further addition of HCl led to decreased conversion through a competitive anion effect.
Global solution of a linearized inverse problem for the wave equation

(1997). Global solution of a linearized inverse problem for the wave equation. Communications in Partial Differential Equations: Vol. 22, No. 5-6, pp. 127-149.
Geometric optimization of two bonded wedges involving stress singularities

Abstract Joints between dissimilar materials can cause stress singularities. Such joints are exemplified by the case of two bonded wedges. The stress singularity can be avoided by reshaping the wedges. An analytical theory for the critical wedge angles of the bonded wedges is developed. The shape is optimized by the geometric strain method, an optimality criterion method. Numerical examples are presented for different materials with/without special conditions on the wedge angles. Optimum wedge shapes are obtained and optimum corner angles are compared with analytical wedge-angle solutions from contact mechanics. Both analytical and numerical approaches are useful tools for reshaping the bonded wedges to avoid a stress singularity.
Binding of isoxazole and pyrazole derivatives of curcumin with the activator binding domain of novel protein kinase C

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases is an attractive drug target because of its involvement in the regulation of various cellular functions, including cell growth, differentiation, metabolism, and apoptosis. The endogenous PKC activator diacylglycerol contains two long carbon chains, which are attached to the glycerol moiety via ester linkage. Natural product curcumin (1), the active constituent of Curcuma L., contains two carbonyl and two hydroxyl groups. It modulates PKC activity and binds to the activator binding site (Majhi et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem.2010, 18, 1591). To investigate the role of the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of curcumin in PKC binding and to develop curcumin derivatives as effective PKC modulators, we synthesized several isoxazole and pyrazole derivatives of curcumin (2-6), characterized their absorption and fluorescence properties, and studied their interaction with the activator-binding second cysteine-rich C1B subdomain of PKCδ, PKCe and PKCθ. The EC(50)s of the curcumin derivatives for protein fluorescence quenching varied in the range of 3-25 μM. All the derivatives showed higher binding with the PKCθC1B compared with PKCδC1B and PKCeC1B. Fluorescence emission maxima of 2-5 were blue shifted in the presence of the C1B domains, confirming their binding to the protein. Molecular docking revealed that hydroxyl, carbonyl and pyrazole ring of curcumin (1), pyrazole (2), and isoxazole (4) derivatives form hydrogen bonds with the protein residues. The present result shows that isoxazole and pyrazole derivatives bind to the activator binding site of novel PKCs and both carbonyl and hydroxy groups of curcumin play roles in the binding process, depending on the nature of curcumin derivative and the PKC isotype used.
Results of laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients at high risk for nodal metastases from prostate cancer.

Background: Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy (LPLND) can be performed safely and with minimal morbidity in the staging of prostate cancer. Its utility in evaluating patients at high risk for metastatic disease before primarily nonsurgical treatment modalities was evaluated.
Acute lung response to amosite asbestos: a morphological study.

Abstract The acute morphological response to amosite asbestos in the guinea pig was studied by light microscopy and by transmission, scanning, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. Fiber identification was carried out by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Animals were studied at postinjection intervals of 2, 4, and 12 hr and 1–7 days. Three groups of test animals were studied for each time interval. These consisted of a vascularly perfused parenchymal group and a free cell lavaged group. The information obtained was compared with saline-injected and normal control animals. The acute tissue response was characterized by intraalveolar, not interstitial, events. The early phagocytic response was shared between polymorphs and macrophages, while in the longer intervals, the macrophages were the phagocytic cell type. Packaging differences within the two types of phagocytes were seen. Endothelial stability was noted, while some edematous type I pneumocytes were observed. Fibrotic involvement was limited to some intraalveolar fibrin deposits. It is suggested that the term “free asbestos fibers” refers to an extracellular event, while intracellular fibers are coated with either a membranous sheath, a siderosome, or a classical ferruginous coating.
Collagenolytic activity in gingivae of man.

RECENT investigations by Gross et al.1–6 indicate that substantial quantities of collagen are lost from the tail fin of tadpoles during metamorphosis. They have also noted that the back skin, gill and gut, but not muscle, notochord, kidney, gonads, heart, liver and spleen from tadpoles are able to lyse collagen gels when cultured in vitro. This collagenolytic activity can be accounted for at least in part by an enzyme active against native collagen which is produced by these tissues1–6. Collagenolytic activity has also been reported in the uterus and healing wounds1.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of the Liver and Kidney

The clinical use of noncardiac contrast-enhanced ultrasound scan (CEUS) has been steadily gaining momentum. CEUS is a reliable and safe technique with a diverse array of applications. This article reviews the current and potential future clinical applications of CEUS. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating focal lesions with the liver and kidney. Contrast agent composition and mechanism are also briefly reviewed.
The fracture strength of amalgam overlying base materials

Conclusions reached within the constraints of this study showed the following: 1. Fracture strength of Class II amalgam restorations decreased as the thickness of the bases increased. 2. Fracture strengths of amalgam restorations based with different thicknesses of zinc phosphate cement underline with 0.5 mm Dycal were not different from each other. 3. The strength of the restorations varied with the type of base. Zinc phosphate cement is equal to no base and superior to zinc phosphate cement plus Dycal, which is equal to Dycal. Dycal is superior to Cavitec, which is the same as Cavitec plus Dycal. 4. The base materials did not fracture. The amalgam restorations were stronger over a base with a higher modulus of elasticity, indicating that modulus of elasticity of a base is more important than compressive strength in supporting an amalgam restoration. 5. There is no advantage (no improvement in resistance to fracture of the amalgam restoration) to be gained from placing zinc phosphate cement over Dycal. 6. When a calcium hydroxide liner is not needed, the cements with a higher modulus of elasticity, such as zinc phosphate cement and reinforced ZOE, will provide for stronger amalgam restorations than Cavitec and unreinforced ZOE.
A conceptual view of temporal databases

A brief look is given to current theories of exploring the temporal dimensions of databases. This is followed by a discussion of possible problems with these approaches. The idea presented is practical from a storage standpoint. Every time a change is made to the database, only the modified atomic elements are stored, rather than the entire database snapshot. The major problem with this approach is the difficulty with temporal inquiries since each elemental item history will have to be searched to arrive at the appropriate snapshot for the inquired time. >
A contingency model of union commitment and participation: Meta-analysis of the antecedents of militant and nonmilitant activities

Correlation estimates from a meta-analysis of 108 studies including 126 independent samples and nearly 70 000 participants were used to test multiple path models of the antecedents of militant and nonmilitant union participation. Variables moderating the relationship between union commitment and participation were examined. The magnitude of the relationship between commitment and militant participation was moderated by status-based group membership (i.e., white collar versus blue collar), supporting a contingency model of union participation. Results updated and further developed an integrative model of union participation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.