cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interview with Chrisila Maida

Chrisila Maida attended The New School and is now working as a book designer. She was inspired to create a dust jacket for Wide Sargasso Sea and when she shared her work with the editors of this volume we wanted to include it in our coverage of the ongoing influence of Rhys’s novel on writers, critics, and artists alike. In this interview, Elaine Savory talks to Maida about her artwork and how it interprets Wide Sargasso Sea. Her beautiful image now graces the cover of this volume.
Phase transformation and leaching performance of Na_2O-doping calcium aluminate compounds

Calcium aluminate clinkers doped with Na2 O were synthesized using analytically pure reagents Ca CO3,Al2O3, and Na2CO3 at 1350℃ for 1 h. XRD, SEM and EDS were used to study the phase transformation of calcium aluminates and the leaching performance of clinkers from Ca O-Al2O3 system doped with Na2 O. The results show that the main phases of clinkers from Ca O-Al2O3 system are Ca O·Al2O3 and 12 Ca O·7Al2O3, while those of clinkers from Ca O-Al2O3 system doped with Na2 O are Ca O·Al2O3, 12 Ca O·7Al2O3, Na2O·Al2O3 and Na4Ca3(Al O2)10, when the molar ratio of Ca O to Al2O3 is 1.0. Some of the Na2 O forms compounds containing Na2 O, the rest is doped in 12 Ca O·7Al2O3, meanwhile nearly none of Na2 O is doped in Ca O·Al2O3. With the increasing of the Na2 O content in clinkers, the amounts of 12 Ca O·7Al2O3 and Na4Ca3(Al O2)10 increase while the amount of Ca O·Al2O3 decreases, and the crystallinity of 12 Ca O·7Al2O3 and Na4Ca3(Al O2)10 decrease while that of Ca O·Al2O3 increases. Due to the doping of Na2 O, the leaching performance of alumina in the clinkers using the sodium carbonate solution is improved and the space groups of Ca CO3 in the leached residues are changed from R-3CH and P63/MMC to only R-3CH.
Evaluation of point-of-care International Normalized Ratio in sickle cell disease.

Background Point-of-care (POC) International Normalized Ratio (INR) measurement provides efficient monitoring of warfarin therapy; however, its reliability may be affected in patients with anemia, such as those with sickle cell disease (SCD). Objectives To evaluate the correlation of POC-INR to clinical laboratory INR (CL-INR) in SCD and use of a correction factor. Patient/Methods In this retrospective study, the accuracy of POC-INR compared to CL-INR was evaluated in a cohort of patients with SCD and in a non-SCD Black cohort. Results Despite the difference in anemia, the SCD cohort showed a similar percentage of in-range POC-INR values as observed in the non-SCD cohort (37% vs 42%). The SCD cohort was randomly divided to form discovery and validation cohorts. In the discovery cohort, 86% of POC-INRs were in range when the POC-INRs were ˂4.0, but only 24% were in range if POC-INRs were ≥4.0. A linear regression of CL-INR versus POC-INR for POC-INR values ≥4.0 yielded a coefficient of 0.72 (95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.75); Multiplying POC-INR by this correction factor, rounded to 0.7 for ease of use in clinical practice, improved the proportion of in-range POC-INR values ≥4.0 from 24% to 100% in the SCD discovery cohort and from 19% to 95% in the SCD validation cohort. Similar findings applied to analyses of the non-SCD cohort. Conclusions POC-INR and CL-INR in patients with SCD are similar when POC-INR is <4.0, and the accuracy of POC-INR values ≥4.0 can be improved by applying an institution-specific correction factor.
Non-Coding RNA and Frizzled Receptors in Cancer

Frizzled receptors have been long recognized for their role in Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a pathway known for its tumorigenic effects. More recent studies of frizzled receptors include efforts to understand non-coding RNA (ncRNA) regulation of these receptors in cancer. It has become increasingly clear that ncRNA molecules are important for regulating the expression of both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive proteins. The three most commonly described ncRNA molecules are microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Here, we review ncRNA molecules that directly or indirectly affect frizzled protein expression and downstream signaling. Exploring these interactions highlights the potential of incorporating ncRNA molecules into cancer prevention and therapy strategies that target frizzled receptors. Previous investigations of frizzled receptors and ncRNA have established strong promise for a role in cancer progression, but additional studies are needed to provide the substantial pre-clinical evidence required to translate findings to clinical applications.
Child abuse, disruptive behavior disorders, depression, and salivary cortisol levels among institutionalized and community‐residing boys in Mongolia

INTRODUCTION: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity is related to childhood disruptive behavior disorders and to exposure to abuse and neglect. This study explores the relationship of diurnal salivary cortisol levels with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and caregiver attitudes toward physical punishment among boys in Mongolia. METHODS: Salivary cortisol was collected in the home or institution 4 times daily for 4 days from 46 boys, aged 4-10 years, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Caregivers rated child disruptive behavior symptoms, attitudes toward physical punishment, and community violence exposures. Mixed effects models were used to estimate the association of psychopathology and caregiver attitudes with salivary cortisol levels. RESULTS: Boys meeting criteria for ODD displayed consistently lower diurnal salivary cortisol levels compared to boys without ODD diagnoses. Controlling for ODD diagnosis, boys with depression showed higher cortisol levels throughout the day. No other diagnosis was associated with cortisol levels. Psychiatric diagnosis accounted for 17% of between individual variations in cortisol levels unexplained by the covariates. In a separate model, caregivers' beliefs regarding physical punishment accounted for 11% of between individual differences: boys with caregivers who stated physical punishment was necessary for discipline displayed hypocortisolism. Institutionalization did not associate with cortisol levels. DISCUSSION: Salivary cortisol data from a non-Western naturalistic setting support an association of reduced basal HPA activity with disruptive behavior disorders and caregiver attitudes toward discipline. These findings suggest HPA functioning may be a reflection of or mediate disruptive behavior disorders in children across ethnic and cultural settings. Language: en
FPGA implementable architecture for geometric global positioning

We design and implement an efficient architecture for geometric computation of the global position of an airborne video camera from images of known landmarks. A robust Hough transform-like method facilitated by a class of CORDIC-structured computations is implemented. It empowers aerial surveillance systems to navigate effectively when the GPS and inertial navigation sensors are out of order or GPS functionality is disrupted by jamming etc. Our architecture exploits parallelism, data correlation and uses pipelining with minimal double precision division for superior performance.
Solving impurity/degradation problems: Case studies

Publisher Summary The chapter presents case studies related to solving impurity/degradation problems. The chapter presents guidance for isolating and identifying process-related impurities and degradation products from pharmaceutical drug candidates using actual case studies. Impurity and degradant structure elucidation is a collaborative effort involving the analytical chemist, process chemist and/or formulator, as well as the degradation, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experts. The process described in this chapter uses a designed approach for the impurity and/or degradant identification, which focuses on efficiency so that the success of data collection is maximized and project time lines are met. There are a number of activities other than collecting experimental data, even though the experiments are central to the process. Some of these key activities include collecting project background information prior to pursuing experimental work, asking the right questions, and meeting with project analysts and structure elucidation experts. The activities associated with the overall process are captured in the process flowchart presented. One of the most important aspects of the project that determines approach is where the pharmaceutical drug candidate is in the drug development time line. NMR spectroscopy is used as a complementary technique to liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The chapter presents several case studies related to scaled-up oxidative degradation and isolation using solid-phase extraction and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), scaled-up oxidative degradation, preparative HPLC, and characterization by LC/MS and NMR, scaled-up light degradation and LC/MS and NMR characterization, and others.
Bayle on the (Ir)rationality of Religious Belief

Bayle's conception of reason is notoriously difficult to unravel, as are its consequences for the rationality of religious belief. The secondary literature has generally coalesced around two interpretations of Bayle's conception of reason. The “superskeptical” interpretation holds that reason is the source of its own undoing, not to be trusted; religious belief turns out to be irrational on this conception of reason, but this is hardly cause for alarm. The jusqu'au bout (to the very end) interpretation holds that reason is to be followed wherever it leads, and if one follows closely, reason requires the rejection of religious belief. On both models, religious belief turns out to be irrational. In this piece, I summarize and examine these two interpretations, and using Jose Maia Neto's exposition of Bayle as an Academic skeptic, I propose a third that I call “common sense” skepticism. On this reading, reason does indeed use logic to form and sort beliefs – including some religious beliefs – but only holds to those beliefs fallibilistically. There may be a category of religious beliefs, however, that can only be recommended by faith; these would be religious beliefs that lack rational evidence, or exhibit rational contradictions. On this view, while some religious beliefs may turn out to be rational, there will likely be a set of core religious beliefs that come out to be irrational. I end by highlighting a suggestion by Bayle that reason itself may recommend revelation as a guide to belief, conferring a kind of intermediate rationality even on apparently irrational religious beliefs.
Isometric biomass partitioning pattern in forest ecosystems: evidence from temporal observations during stand development

Summary 1. Knowledge of biomass partitioning is essential for estimating spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of root biomass in terrestrial ecosystems. The isometric hypothesis predicts that aboveground biomass scales isometrically with belowground biomass across both individual plants and community types (i.e. the slope of the log–log relationship between above- and belowground biomass is not significantly different from 1.0), and that the isometric pattern is independent of variation in environmental conditions. However, current evidence primarily comes from observations over space. It is still unknown whether biomass partitioning patterns occurring over time are similar to those observed over space. 2. In this study, we explored biomass partitioning patterns in forest ecosystems over space and time by synthesizing biomass measurements made in 112 stands extracted from 16 age sequences around the world. We characterized biomass partitioning patterns in forest ecosystems using both root: shoot ratio and the relationship between above- and belowground biomass. Data across various individual studies were organized to reflect biomass partitioning patterns over space, while data within each individual study were used to illustrate biomass allocation patterns over time. 3. Our results showed that root:shoot ratio did not exhibit any significant trend with stand age over space. Similarly, root:shoot ratio remained relatively constant over time in 10 out of 16 age sequences. 4. Reduced major axis analysis indicated that the slope of the log–log relationship between above- and belowground biomass did not reveal a significant difference from 1.0 over space, supporting the isometric hypothesis. Likewise, the slope was not statistically different from 1.0 in 10 out of 16 age sequences, nor did it show any significant change with climatic factors and stand age. Thus, the isometric hypothesis also most probably holds true during forest stand development. 5. Synthesis. Our results demonstrate that biomass partitioning patterns occurring over time are consistent with those observed over space, suggesting that belowground biomass dynamics in forest ecosystems may be reliably estimated from aboveground biomass using biomass partitioning patterns generated over space.
hsp70-Protein complexes : complex stability and conformation of bound substrate protein

The presence of bound substrate protein increases the thermostability of hsp70 molecular chaperones (heat shock proteins of molecular mass 70 kDa). Complexes between hsp70 and unfolded substrate proteins were isolated by size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography. The isolated complexes were observed to dissociate at a significant rate even in the absence of ATP. The presence of ADP caused a substantial increase in the stability of the complex. Both ADP and inorganic phosphate were found to inhibit the ATP-induced dissociation of complex. ADP was also observed to increase both the rate of complex formation and its stability as a function of temperature, suggesting an important regulatory role for nucleotides during heat shock. Circular dichroism and fluorescence studies of the complex between DnaK and a thermally unstable mutant of staphylococcal nuclease indicate that the bound substrate protein is significantly unfolded. A model for hsp70 cycle of complex formation and dissociation, which accounts for the regulatory role of nucleotides, is proposed.
Mutational analysis of the preferential binding of human topoisomerase I to supercoiled DNA

Human topoisomerase I binds DNA in a topology-dependent fashion with a strong preference for supercoiled DNAs of either sign over relaxed circular DNA. One hypothesis to account for this preference is that a second DNA-binding site exists on the enzyme that mediates an association with the nodes present in supercoiled DNA. The failure of the enzyme to dimerize, even in the presence of DNA, appears to rule out the hypothesis that two binding sites are generated by dimerization of the protein. A series of mutant protein constructs was generated to test the hypotheses that the homeodomain-like core subdomain II (residues 233-319) provides a second DNA-binding site, or that the linker or basic residues in core subdomain III are involved in the preferential binding to supercoiled DNAs. When putative DNA contact points within core subdomain II were altered or the domain was removed altogether, there was no effect on the ability of the enzyme to recognize supercoiled DNA, as measured by both a gel shift assay and a competition binding assay. However, the preference for supercoils was noticeably reduced for a form of the enzyme lacking the coiled-coil linker region or when pairs of lysines were changed to glutamic acids in core subdomain III. The results obtained implicate the linker and solvent-exposed basic residues in core subdomain III in the preferential binding of human topoisomerase I to supercoiled DNA.
Cambio climático: interpretando el pasado para entender el presente

Understanding the factors that affect the climate and the causes of the recent climatic changes is a necessary step to evaluate how much is due to natural variability of the climatic system and how much is due to human activity. This paper explains briefly the parts that form the climate system, their interactions, the ways in which scientists approach climate changes that have occurred in the past and how they evaluate and interpret the actual climate variability. Also, we show the evidence of an accelerated climate change during the 20th century and the position of the scientific community towards this evidence is discussed.
Proliferative Responses of Rabbit Lymphocytes to Pasteurella multocida Decrease with Prolonged Immunization

Peripheral blood and splenic lymphocytes from rabbits immunized with Pasteurella multocida by various schedules were stimulated to undergo blast transformation in vitro in response to this antigen. Repeated immunizations suppressed this response.
Effect of antimicrobials as ingredients of pork bologna for Listeria monocytogenes control during storage at 4 or 10°C

Sodium or potassium lactate and sodium diacetate are currently included as ingredients in meat products for control of Listeria monocytogenes contamination during storage. This study compared the antilisterial activity of sodium lactate (SL), sodium diacetate (SD) and glucono-delta-lactone (GDL) used as single or combined ingredients at various levels in pork bologna stored under refrigeration (4 °C) or at a mildly abusive temperature (10 °C). Moreover, treatments were evaluated for their influence on the microflora of the product. Inoculated (3–4 log cfu/cm2; 10-strain composite of L. monocytogenes) bologna slices were vacuum-packaged, and stored at 4 °C or at 10 °C. Absence of the above antimicrobials from the formulation allowed increases of L. monocytogenes to 8.3 log cfu/cm2 in 10–20 days and 8.8 log cfu/cm2 in 8–12 days at 4 and 10 °C, respectively. Modelling of L. monocytogenes growth as a function of time, indicated that the treatment that resulted in the lowest maximum specific growth rate (μmax)(μmax) was the combination of 1.8% SL with 0.25% SD (0.009 and 0.084 day−1 at 4 and 10 °C, respectively), followed by the combination of 1.8% SL with 0.125% SD and 0.125% GDL (0.039 and 0.210 day−1 at 4 and 10 °C, respectively); the μmaxμmax of control treatments was 0.609 day−1 at 4 °C and 1.34 day−1 at 10 °C. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were the most prominent spoilage organisms isolated from the product. The combination of 1.8% SL with 0.25% SD seemed to be the treatment that controlled growth of LAB more effectively at 4 °C, while at 10 °C their growth was inhibited more effectively by 0.125% GDL. These findings indicated that meat processors need to select the most effective combination and concentration of these preservatives to achieve safety as well as the shelf-life necessary for these products.
Pheromone-trapping of Carpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in stone fruit orchards near Gosford, New South Wales: Fauna, seasonality and effect of insecticides

Traps baited with synthetic aggregation pheromones of Carpophilus hemipterus (L.), Carpophilus mutilatus Erichson and Carpophilus davidsoni Dobson and fermenting bread dough were used to identify the fauna and monitor the seasonal abundance of Carpophilus spp. in insecticide treated peach and nectarine orchards in the Gosford area of coastal New South Wales. In four orchards 67 178 beetles were trapped during 1994–1995, with C. davidsoni (82%) and Carpophilus gaveni (Dobson) (12.2%) dominating catches. Five species (C. hemipterus, C. mutilatus, Carpophilus marginellus Motschulsky, Carpophilus humeralis (F.) and an unidentified species) each accounted for 0.2–3.2% of trapped beetles. Carpophilus davidsoni was most abundant during late September–early October but numbers declined rapidly during October, usually before insecticides were applied. Spring populations of Carpophilus spp. were very large in 1994–1995 (1843–2588 per trap per week). However, despite a preharvest population decline of approximately 95% and 2–11 applications of insecticide, 14–545 beetles per trap per week (above the arbitrary fruit damage threshold of 10 beetles per trap per week) were recorded during the harvest period and fruit damage occurred at three of the four orchards. Lower preharvest populations in 1995–1996 (< 600 per trap per week) and up to six applications of insecticide resulted in < 10 beetles per trap per week during most of the harvest period and minimal or no fruit damage. The implications of these results for the integrated management of Carpophilus spp. in coastal and inland areas of southeastern Australia are discussed.
Common Membrane Trafficking Defects of Disease‐Associated Dynamin 2 Mutations

Dynamin (Dyn) is a multidomain and multifunctional GTPase best known for its essential role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). Dyn2 mutations have been linked to two human diseases, centronuclear myopathy (CNM) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. Paradoxically, although Dyn2 is ubiquitously expressed and essential for embryonic development, the disease-associated Dyn2 mutants are autosomal dominant, but result in slowly progressing and tissue-specific diseases. Thus, although the cellular defects that cause disease remain unclear, they are expected to be mild. To gain new insight into potential pathogenic mechanisms, we utilized mouse Dyn2 conditional knockout cells combined with retroviral-mediated reconstitution to mimic both heterozygous and homozygous states and characterized cellular phenotypes using quantitative assays for several membrane trafficking events. Surprisingly, none of the four mutants studied exhibited a defect in CME, but all were impaired in their ability to support p75/neurotrophin receptor export from the Golgi, the raft-dependent endocytosis of cholera toxin and the clathrin-independent endocytosis of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). While it will be important to study these mutants in disease-relevant muscle and neuronal cells, given the importance of neurotrophic factors and lipid rafts in muscle physiology, we speculate that these common cellular defects might contribute to the tissue-specific diseases caused by a ubiquitously expressed protein.
Chemical and physical aspects of cleaning of organic-fouled reverse osmosis membranes

The role of chemical and physical interactions in cleaning of organic-fouled reverse osmosis (RO) membranes is systematically investigated. Fouling and cleaning experiments were performed with organic foulants (alginate and natural organic matter) that simulate effluent organic matter (EfOM) and selected cleaning agents using a laboratory-scale crossflow test unit. Following accelerated organic fouling runs with divalent calcium ions, cleaning experiments were performed at various chemical and physical conditions. The results showed that a metal chelating agent (EDTA) and an anionic surfactant (SDS) were able to clean the fouled RO membrane effectively by optimizing chemical (dose and pH) and physical (time, crossflow velocity, and temperature) conditions during cleaning. The permeate flux was, however, poorly recovered when cleaning was performed with NaOH (pH 11). Interfacial force measurements (by AFM) further confirmed the cleaning results, demonstrating the influence of cleaning agents on reducing the foulant–foulant adhesion force. The results showed that the adhesion force caused by calcium-induced foulant–foulant interaction was reduced significantly with EDTA and SDS cleaning, while substantial adhesion force still remained following NaOH cleaning. It is proposed that an efficient cleaning agent and favorable cleaning conditions could be selected by considering two important mechanisms: chemical reaction between cleaning agents and foulants in the fouling layer, and mass transfer of chemical agents (from the bulk phase to the fouling layer) and foulants (from the fouling layer to the bulk phase).
Broad wavelength tunability of grating‐coupled external cavity midinfrared semiconductor lasers

Midinfrared InAs‐based and GaSb‐based semiconductor lasers with wavelengths from 3.3 to 4 μm have been used in a grating‐tuned external cavity configuration. At 80 K, a tuning range up to ∼8% of the center wavelength has been obtained. Power of 0.2 W peak, 20 mW average has been demonstrated for multimode operation with ∼1–2 nm linewidth.
Possible factors controlling the effectiveness of bioenhanced dissolution of non-aqueous phase tetrachloroethene

Tetrachloroethene (PCE) is a widespread subsurface contaminant. When PCE exists in the form of non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL), it becomes a long term threat to groundwater quality. It has been recognized that treating the resulting plumes from PCE source zones alone is not effective because the long life of NAPL source zones may dictate the overall remediation time. Recent studies have shown the possibility of using microbial reductive dehalogenation to shorten the life of NAPL source zones by accelerating the dissolution process. To better understand the underlying mechanisms and the possible controlling factors of this technology, we used a novel two-dimensional numerical model to fully resolve the evolution of biomass profiles and the distributions of compounds within source zones. It was found that dehalogenation kinetics, electron donor (ED) levels, NAPL configurations, and ED competition among microorganisms all affect the extent of bio-enhanced dissolution. The simulation results point out the need to better characterize dehalogenation kinetics at high concentrations of PCE and its metabolic products.
Eine neue Packung für die Vakuumrektifikation

Die neue Packung ist aus Drahtgewebe gefertigt und besteht aus einer regelmasigen Anordnung freier Stomungskanale, die zur Kolonnenachse geneigt sind. Die Packung ist wegen des kleinen Druckverlustes und der grosen Belastbarkeit fur Vakuumrektifikation besonders geeignet. Die Trennstufenzahl von 6 bis 12 pro Meter erlaubt eine Verwendung auch bei schwierigen Trennproblemen. In einer Testkolonne wurden sechs verschiedene Gemische im Druckbereich von 2 bis 720 Torr untersucht. Die Ergebnisse werden mitgeteilt und diskutiert.
Decisions and Dilemmas: Using Writing to Learn Activities to Increase Ecological Literacy.

Researchers tested whether writing increases ecological literacy in undergraduate elementary education students. The authors asked students to write 3 guided essays addressing the cognitive, affective, and behavioral domains in response to news articles on hypoxia. Of the 22 students, 64% improved their ecological literacy from the 1st essay to the 3rd essay. The authors conclude that writing can be an effective learning tool for increasing ecological literacy. They also posit that ecological literacy is a continuum and not a discrete state. Authentic learners who can recognize dilemmas and potential decisions (and their ecological consequences) are on one end of this continuum.
Kinetics of dispersion polymerization of styrene in ethanol. 2. Model validation

Predictions of monomer conversion, polymerization rate, and evolution of particle size distribution during seeded batch and continuous dispersion polymerization obtained from simulation are compared to experimental results. An understanding of the kinetic mechanisms governing the relative prevalence of solution and microbulk polymerization has been gained. Estimates of parameters in the radical transport rate coefficient models compare favorably with values reported in the literature.
Long-Term Patient Outcomes After Laparoscopic Anti-Reflux Procedures

Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery with or without large hiatal hernia has been shown to have good short-term outcomes. However, limited data are available on long-term outcomes of greater than 5 years. The aim of this study is to review functional and symptomatic outcomes of anit-reflux surgery in a large tertiary referral medical center. Two hundred ninety-seven patients who underwent anti-reflux surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center between 2002 and 2013 were included in this study. Patient data including pre- and post-operative studies and symptom questionnaires were prospectively collected and the database was used to analyze postoperative outcomes. A total of 297 Nissen fundoplications, 35 redo fundoplications and 22 Toupet procedures were performed. Mean BMI was 30.0 ± 6.2. The median follow-up was 70 (6–135) months. There were three reoperations (0.9 %) for recurrent symptoms. Mesh was used in 210 cases where hiatal hernia was larger than 2 cm. Median preoperative DeMeester score was 50.8 ± 46. There was a statistically significant improvement in composite heartburn score (83 % (CI 78.2, 87.7); p 5 cm repaired with mesh). Of those with recurrence, over 84 % were asymptomatic at follow-up. This study shows that patients had excellent symptom control and low rates of complications and reoperations in long-term follow-up. We found that typical gastro intestinal symptoms responded better compared with atypical symptoms in spite of clear evidence of reflux on preoperative studies. Hiatal hernia was very commonly seen in our patient population and long-term radiographic follow-up suggest that asymptomatic recurrence may be high but rarely requires any surgical intervention. Anti-reflux surgery with correction of hiatal hernia if present is safe and effective in long-term follow-up.
Estradiol regulation of uterine nucleolar estradiol binding sites.

Abstract Rat uterine nuclei contain two types of estrogen binding sites (I and II). Type I is the classical high-affinity, low-capacity binding component, while Type II has lower affinity and higher capacity. Investigation of the presence and number of estrogen-binding proteins in isolated uterine nucleoli, and the possible role of the estrogen-binding protein(s) in the stimulation of nucleolar RNA synthesis was undertaken. Isolated uterine nucleoli contain a large number of lower-affinity binding sites (Type II) but are devoid of a significant number of high-affinity binding protein(s) (Type I). Following in vivo treatment with estradiol the number of detectable Type II estradiol-binding sites in isolated uterine nucleoli increased with time of estrogen treatment, peaking between 16 and 24 h after hormone administration and gradually decreasing to control levels between 48 and 72 h. The estrogen-activated binding activity but not the basal activity is sensitive to dithiothreitol and insentive to β-mercaptoethanol during in vitro assay, suggesting that important disulfide bonds may be involved in the estrogen-induced nucleolar binding sites. The in vivo activation of nucleolar estradiol-binding sites exhibits steroid specificity. Data indicate that a strong correlation exists between activation of uterine nucleolar transcriptional and estradiol-binding activities.
Olfaction in a hemimetabolous insect: Antennal-specific protein in adult Lygus lineolaris (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Abstract Antennal sensilla, electrophysiological responses to an insect and a plant odorant, and polypeptide profiles were investigated in fifth instar nymphs and adults of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris . Sensilla with surface pits characteristic of porous olfactory sensilla develop on the second and third antennal segments during the final molt from fifth instar nymph to adult. Concurrent with development of these sensilla in the adult, neural responses to a component of green odor (1-hexanol) and an insect-produced volatile [( E )-2-hexenyl butyrate] increase dramatically. Antennal extirpation experiments indicated that sensilla responsive to these odorants are housed principally on the second and third antennal segments. A protein with a molecular weight of 17,000 present in the soluble fraction of adult antennae was absent in nymphs. Localization of this protein to the antenna, the coincidence of its expression with development of olfactory sensilla and its molecular weight were characteristic of odorant-binding proteins in moths. However, antisera raised against pheromone-binding protein of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar , did not react with the Lygus protein. The N-terminal sequence for our antennal-specific protein was determined, and showed no significant homology with other known insect protein sequences. This lack of homology with other insect proteins including odorant binding proteins indicates that if it is an odorant binding protein as we suspect, it is either widely divergent or independently derived. This is the first report of an antennal-specific protein in a hemimetabolous insect and the only report of such a protein in an insect other than moths or Drosophila melanogaster .
Three-dimensional computed tomography imaging of left atrial anatomy for atrial fibrillation ablation.

Computed tomographic angiography can visualize detailsof left atrial structure relevant for atrial fibrillation (AF) abla-tion. In this example from a patient with a history of paroxys-mal AF referred for pre-ablation assessment of pulmonaryveins, three-dimensional images define pulmonary vein loca-tions and demonstrate an additional small pulmonary veinnear the right lower pulmonary vein (Fig. 1). Endocardial im-ages provide anatomic detail of the spatial relationships be-tween the ostia of the pulmonary veins (Fig. 2). These imagessupplement and enhance the understanding of two-dimension-al images, providing a more comprehensive analysis of atrialstructure for left atrial ablation procedures. Reference
Game theory and the tennessee valley authority

The problem of fair allocation of joint costs was considered by the TVA in the 1930's, in relation to apportioning costs of dam systems among participatory uses. Methods proposed to solve this problem foreshadowed various game theory solution concepts including the core, a special case of the nucleolus, and the imputation which minimizes the maximum propensity to disrupt. A method equivalent to the latter, but with a different rationale, is now in standard use among water resource engineers.
AN UNEXPECTED EFFECT OF RECORDING FREQUENCY IN REACTIVE SELF-MONITORING

Two young competitive swimmers self-monitored their swimming using three different frequencies of recording. Contrary to the findings of previous studies, in which greater reactivity was associated with more frequent recording, swimming appeared to increase (compared to an instructions-only baseline) only with the least frequent of the recording schedules. The results highlight the importance of matching recording procedures to the performance of interest. DESCRIPTORS: self-monitoring, children, swimming
Non-operator landowner interest in agroforestry practices in two Missouri watersheds

Land tenure has long been considered a critical factor in determining the adoption and long-term maintenance of agroforestry practices. Empirical evidence from non-US settings has consistently shown that secure land tenure is positively associated with agroforestry adoption. In the US, over 40% of private agricultural land is farmed by someone other than the owner. Given the importance of land tenure in agroforestry decisions in other countries and the magnitude of non-operator landownership in the US, there has been surprisingly little focus on land tenure in the temperate agroforestry literature. Using data from a 1999 survey in Missouri, this study explores factors associated with non-operator landowner interest in agroforestry. Results suggest that differences in farming orientation are linked to interest in agroforestry. Closer ties to farming, stronger financial motivations for landownership, and higher proportion of land planted to row crops were negatively related to interest in agroforestry among non-operator landowners. Environmental or recreational motivations for landownership and contacts with natural resource professionals were positively associated with interest in agroforestry. These results, consistent with earlier qualitative research suggesting that farm operators who have a strong “conventional farming identity” were less interested in agroforestry, point to a divide between landowners for whom environmental and recreational values play an important role in ownership motivation and those for whom financial considerations take precedence. The findings imply that agroforestry development programs in the US should take non-operator landowners and their farming and ownership orientations into account when designing research and outreach efforts.
Effect of flame support layer geometry and materials on the radiant efficiency of gas radiant burners

Parallel rods / tubes flame support layers were used to study variations in geometry and materials on radiant burner performance. An increased density of rods increased the efficiency, as more surface area was provided to extract the heat of combustion. This effect was attenuated far fraction closed areas above 0·33 because of increased interference of direct base-to-load radiation. Thinner rods (with fraction closed area constant), having a lower thermal conduction resistance, fostered higher efficiency. Greater distances between the base and rods decreased efficiency due to air entrainment. This functioned to cool the base, increasing the range of combustion intensities where a portion of combustion lifted from the burner base. Isolation of radiating materials from conducting to the burner housing resulted in a ∼ 5% upward shift in efficiency. Low to high efficiency was measured for alumina, mullite, and oxidized stainless steel rods, respectively; this was related directly to the emittances of the mate...
Studies on the structural proteins of the human lens.

In the aging and cataractous human lens, soluble protein decreases and insoluble protein increases in concentration. This change is more marked in the cataractous than in the aging normal lens. Of the soluble lens proteins, γ-crystallin decreases and α-crystallin increases in both aging and cataract formation, and this change is more pronounced in the cataract. In the human, as in bovine lenses, α-crystallin and albuminoid appear to be more closely related than any of the other fractions. Senile normal lenses and senile cataracts resemble each other as seen in their amino acid analyses, E11 values and sulfhydryl content. In the human lens, albuminoid appears to derive from α-crystalling mostly (as in bovine lens), not from γ-erystallin as in the rat and dogfish.
MR imaging and differentiation of cerebral fat embolism syndrome from diffuse axonal injury: application of diffusion tensor imaging.

Introduction Cerebral fat embolism syndrome (CFES) mimics diffuse axonal injury (DAI) on MRI with vasogenic edema, cytotoxic edema, and micro-hemorrhages, making specific diagnosis a challenge. The objective of our study is to determine and compare the diagnostic utility of the conventional MRI and DTI in differentiating cerebral fat embolism syndrome from diffuse axonal injury.
Exercise: a risk for sudden death in patients with coronary heart disease.

Although sudden arrhythmic death is usually unrelated to exertion, there is more than anecdotal evidence that strenuous exercise in patients with coronary heart disease carries an additional risk for sudden death. When cardiac arrest has been observed after exercise stress testing or within seconds after collapse associated with exertion, ventricular fibrillation has usually been present and has responded to the prompt application of a defibrillatory shock. Exertion-related cardiac arrest is typically a "primary" arrhythmic event notdue to acute myocardial infarction. As estimated here, the additional risk of exercise for cardiac arrest may be more than 100fold during or after a few minutes of vigorous exertion.
Cellular origins of β-cell regeneration: a legacy view of historical controversies

Beta cell regeneration represents a major goal of therapy for diabetes. Unraveling the origin of beta cells during pancreatic regeneration could help restore a functional beta cell mass in diabetes patients. This scientific question has represented a longstanding interest still intensively investigated today. This review focuses on pioneering observations and subsequent theories made hundred years ago and describes how technical innovation helped resolve some, but not all, of the controversies generated by these early investigators. At the end of the nineteenth century, complete pancreatectomy demonstrated the crucial physiological role of the pancreas and its link to diabetes. Pancreatic injury models, including pancreatectomy and ductal ligation, allowed investigators to describe islet function and to assess the regenerative capacity of the pancreas. Three main theories were proposed to explain the origins of newly formed islets: 1) transdifferentiation of acinar cells into islets, 2) islet neogenesis, a process reminiscent of islet formation during embryonic development, and 3) replication of preexisting islet cells. Despite considerable technical innovation in the last fifty years, the origin of new adult beta cells remains highly controversial and the same three theories are still debated today.
Consequences of Charge Independence for Nuclear Reactions Involving Photons

Some effects of the charge independence of nuclear forces on the emission and absorption of photons by light nuclei are investigated. It is found that the selection rules governing the change of isotopic spin T in such transitions are of practical importance in nuclei with T_z=0, particularly the rule that E1 transitions without change of isotopic spin are forbidden. Two examples of forbidden E1-emission (in N^(14) and O^(16)) are discussed, and detailed experimental reinvestigation is suggested in conection with each of them. The main consequence for photonuclear reactions of the aforementioned selection rule is that for each T_z=0 nucleus there is a threshold for (allowed) E1 absorption, corresponding to the first level with J=1−, T=1. For (γ, α)- and (γ, d)-reactions, where no isotopic spin can be carried off by the particle, E1 absorption can become effective only when there is enough energy to leave the residual nucleus in a T=1 state. The roles of E2 and M1 absorption, with and without change of isotopic spin, are discussed, and appropriate sum rules are derived. The rules governing (γ, α) processes are applied particularly to reactions in C^(12) and O^(16), where considerable experimental evidence is available and appears to support the theoretical conclusions.
New Structures from the Dehydrogenation of Model Compounds related to Lignin

MANY natural products are now known to originate through coupling of free radicals formed by the oxidative dehydrogenation of phenols1,2. That this applies to plant lignins is now widely accepted. Much of our present knowledge of the chemical structure of lignin was developed over the past 20 years by the outstanding work of Freudenberg3 and his associates, who showed that coniferyl alcohol and other p-hydroxycinnamyl alcohols are the principal precursors. They have identified more than forty compounds produced initially in the reaction, coupling having taken place through the phenolic oxygen, the position ortho to it in the aromatic ring or C-β of the side chain.
Does Microfinance Matter? The Impact of its Efficiency in Emerging Markets

This study examines relationships among microfinance efficiency, entrepreneurial opportunity, and economic competitiveness in twenty-four emerging markets. An empirical framework and set of hypothe...
Relationship of neuropsychological status to everyday functioning in healthy and chronically Ill persons

Three hundred and three patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and concomitant neuropsychological impairment plus 99 healthy control subjects matched on the basis of socio-demographic variables were administered an expanded version of the Halstead-Reitan Battery and a battery of instruments measuring the quality of everyday-life functioning. The results indicated that neuropsychological measures can be used to predict everyday-life functioning in impaired persons, but few significant relationships were observed in the normals. Neuropsychological status was more consistently related to activities of daily living and basic social role performance than to emotional status. Complex, multifunctional neuropsychological tasks were found to be the best overall predictors of life functioning, whereas more specific tasks served as better predictors of specific dimensions of life functioning.
Annual production by a stream brook charr population and by its principal invertebrate food

Annual production by the brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) population in Valley Creek, Minnesota, over the five-year period 1968–1972, was closely correlated to production by its main invertebrate food, Gammarus pseudolimnaeus, which had been reduced by siltation. Annual production was 163–191 kg ha−1 (wet weight) in 1968–1969, respectively, and then dropped to a mininum of 79 kg ha−1 in 1971, the year most seriously affected by decreased invertebrate production and siltation; year-class strength, standing stock, and total year-class (cohort) production followed approximately the same pattern. Total year-class production was highest for the 1968–1969 year classes at 211–178 kg ha−1, respectively, and lowest for the 1971 year class at 76 kg ha−1. Annual P/B ratios ranged from 1.0 to 1.9; cohort P/B ratios, for the 1968–1972 year classes, ranged from 5.6 to 7.2.
Detection of the CCP Radical (X 2 Π r ) in IRC +10216: A New Interstellar Phosphorus-containing Species

The CCP radical (X2Πr) has been detected in the circumstellar gas of IRC +10216, the fifth phosphorus-bearing molecule identified in interstellar space. This identification was made on the basis of new laboratory millimeter/submillimeter direct absorption measurements, conducted in the range 120-413 GHz. Four rotational transitions of this species were observed using the Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO) 12 m telescope on Kitt Peak at 2 and 3 mm in wavelength. Each transition consists of lambda-doublets, which are well-separated in frequency in IRC +10216; five of these eight possible lines of CCP were clearly detected, while the remaining three were contaminated by stronger emission from other species. The column density derived for CCP was Ntot= 1.2 × 1012 cm−2 and Trot = 21 K. Modeling of the line profiles suggests that CCP arises from an extended shell with a maximum radius of ~40''. The abundance of this radical, relative to H2, is f ~ 1 × 10−9—roughly comparable to that of PN and CP in this source. CCP may be produced from radical-radical reactions of CP, or ion-molecule chemistry involving P+ and HCCH. The identification of CCP is additional evidence that phosphorus chemistry is active in carbon-rich circumstellar gas.
Assignment of a locus for mouse lung tumor susceptibility to proximal Chromosome 19

Previous studies have hypothesized that at least three genetic loci contribute to differences in pulmonary adenoma susceptibility between mouse strains A/J and C57BL/6J. One gene that may confer susceptibility to lung tumorigenesis is the Kras protooncogene. To identify other relevant loci involved in this polygenic trait, we determined tumor multiplicity in 56 randomly chosen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-treated (A/J×C57BL/6J) N1×C57BL/6 backcross (AB6N2) progeny and correlated it with genotypes at 77 microsatellite markers spanning the genome. A correlation of lung tumor multiplicity phenotypes with genotypes of microsatellite markers on distal Chromosome (Chr) 6 in the Kras region (Pas1) was confirmed, and a new region on Chr 19 (designated Pas3) was identified that also contributes to susceptibility. Linkage analysis on Chr 19 with 270 AB6N2 mice localized the region flanked by D19Mit42 and D19Mit19 that is most closely associated with lung tumor susceptibility. The Pas3 locus may be an enhancer of the susceptibility locus on Chr 6.
Comparison of the reflectance characteristics of polytetrafluoroethylene and barium sulfate paints

Preliminary results are presented of the directional reflectance measurements taken on two tetrafluorethylene (TFE) paints formulated with silicone binders. Both paints are found to be more Lambertian than barium sulfate paint and pressed powder, although the pigment to binder ratios for barium sulfate and TFE paints are about 133 and 3.3 to 1, respectively. The TFE paints exhibit total visible reflectances above 90 percent and offer surfaces that are not significantly affected by water.