cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partial characterization of the CCAAT box in the promoter of the hIGFBP-1 gene: interaction with negatively acting transcription factors in decidualized human endometrial stromal cells

The CCAAT cis-element and its adjacent DNA sequence (-82 to -52 bp) in the human insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 gene (IGFBP-1) promoter are active in both decidualized human endometrial stromal cells and HepG2 cells. In HepG2 cells, CCAAT activity is mediated by interacting with hepatocyte nuclear factor, HNF-1. In endometrial cells, this region is protected by the nuclear extracts of endometrial decidual cells, however, the transactivator which interacts with the region has not been identified. This study was carried out to characterize and identify the stromal/decidual nuclear proteins that interact with the IGFBP-1 CCAAT motif. Gel shift analysis showed that the CCAAT motif (-82 to -52 bp) formed three specific complexes (CI, CII, and CIII) by extracts from human endometrial decidual or stromal cells. The intensity of CIII formed by the nuclear extracts of decidual cells was less compared to that formed by stromal cells whereas CI/CII was found to be opposite. To evaluate the transcription factors that bind to this region, a number of known CCAAT binding proteins were tested. Among them, the CCAAT binding proteins NF-Y (alpha2(1) collagen promoter CCAAT binding protein) and CBF (hsp70 promoter CCAAT binding protein), were characterized by the gel shift assay. The NF-Y consensus binding sequence (the alpha2(1) collagen promoter) and NF-YA,B antibody abolished or shifted CIII. Although the CBF consensus binding sequence (the hsp70 promoter) eliminated all three complexes, the antibody to CBF had no effect on all three complexes. The nuclear extracts of the endometrial stromal/decidual cells did not form a band corresponding to the HNF-1/CCAAT complex. These results indicate that the CCAAT motif binds to NF-Y and the CI/CII binding protein (remains to be identified) but not HNF-1 in endometrium. Systematic mutation in the CCAAT motif showed that NF-Y(CIII binding protein) bound to the 12 bp sequence GGCGCTGCCAAT(-79 to -68 bp) and the CI/CII binding protein bound to 9 bp, TGCCAATCA(-74 to -66 bp). These findings indicate that the CCAAT motif is a composite element. The CCAAT mediated function was analyzed in decidualized endometrial stromal cells. Mutations in the CCAAT motif increased the promoter activity. The maximum activity was found in mutants which abolished the NF-Y complex. The CCAAT core sequence mutants in which both CIII and CI/CII were abolished, also increased the promoter activity. Results indicated that NF-Y and the CI/CII binding protein, yet to be identified, interact with the composite CCAAT element in the IGFBP-1 promoter to repress the promoter activity in endometrial decidual cells.
Viscous properties of teleost aqueous humor.

1. 1. The viscosity of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) aqueous humor was found to be 37·44 centistokes measured at 20°C. 2. 2. The viscosity of teleost aqueous humor is about ten times greater than that of canine aqueous humor. 3. 3. Treatment of samples of teleost aqueous humor with hyaluronidase for 30 min and u.v. light for 1 hr caused respective 89 and 84 per cent decreases in the viscosity below that of controls.
Florida’s residual votes, voting technology, and the 2000 election

Abstract This essay examines the county-level pattern of Florida’s residual votes in the 2000 presidential election, focusing on voting problems in optical scan ballot counties. Differing methods for counting optical scan ballots had a considerable impact on county-level residual vote rates. Differences in residual vote rates were also associated with race and poverty
On scalability of proximity-aware peer-to-peer streaming

P2P (peer-to-peer) technology has proved itself an efficient and cost-effective solution to support large-scale multimedia streaming. Different from traditional P2P applications, the quality of P2P streaming is strictly determined by performance metrics such as streaming delay. To meet these requirements, previous studies resorted to intuitions and heuristics to construct peer selection solutions incorporating topology and proximity concerns. However, the impact of proximity-aware methodology and delay tolerance of peers on the scalability of P2P system remains an unanswered question. In this paper, we study this problem via an analytical approach. To address the challenge of incorporating Internet topology into P2P streaming analysis, we construct a H-sphere network model which maps the network topology from the space of discrete graph to the continuous geometric domain, meanwhile capturing the power-law property of Internet. Based on this model, we analyze a series of peer selection methods by evaluating their performance via key scalability metrics. Our analytical observations are further verified via simulation on Internet topologies.
Matthew xxviii 16-20 and the Design of the First Gospel:

It is the thesis of this article that the con cluding pericope (xxviii 16-20) has controlled the entire design of the Gospel of Matthew. In this final commissioning the two main themes are "authority" and "teaching." These two themes are found consistently emphasized in each section of the Gospel so as to support the thesis and pre pare the reader for the concluding paragraph. This analysis suggests that the author was moti vated to produce a work in keeping with the com mand of the risen Lord.
Stimulation of GABAergic neuron differentiation by NT-4/5 in cultures of rat cerebral cortex

Abstract Primary cultures of fetal rat cortical cells were used to investigate trophic effects of neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5) on GABAergic neurons. Chronic administration of NT-4/5 resulted in a significant increase in high-affinity GABA uptake and in a stronger immunohistochemical staining pattern and bigger cell size of neurons visualized by GABA immunohistochemistry. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) exerted similar actions. These effects were observed in cultures prepared from rat fetuses from embryonic day (ED) 15 and ED18. The total number of cells was marginally increased in ED15 but not ED18 cultures. NT-4/5 did not elevate uptake of excitatory amino acids. Administration of NT-4/5 and BDNF resulted in higher levels of the calcium binding protein, calbindin, in these cultures. Our findings suggest that subpopulations of cortical GABAergic and calbindin-expressing neurons respond to NT-4/5 during development.
A “terribly inefficient” production: Unsettling methodologies with children through Deleuzian notions of time

After Rhedding Jones' Deleuzian approach to writing and her dedication to rethinking methodologies through affirming complexity and multiplicity, this paper explores what it might mean for researchers in the field of early childhood to work in ways that unsettle our taken-for- granted notions of time. The author brings forth examples from her own research enactments with young children which were deemed "terribly inefficient" by her university colleagues, which were judged through what Deleuze would call the artificial metrics of equal and substitutable exchange. In exploring how research practices might resist these metrics of generality in favor of the production and synthesis of multiple times, possibilities about what research might become are posited.
Child, caregiver, and family characteristics associated with emergency department use by children who remain at home after a child protective services investigation.

OBJECTIVES: To examine emergency department (ED) use among children involved with child protective services (CPS) in the US but who remain at home, and to determine if ED use is related to child, caregiver and family characteristics as well as receipt of CPS services. METHOD: We analyzed data on 4,001 children in the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being. Multivariate models compared rates of ED use for whether the family received CPS services or did not receive CPS services as well as child characteristics, caregiver characteristics and caregiver/family psychological variables. RESULTS: ED use among children who remained at home receiving CPS services was similar to that of children who did not receive CPS services (35.6% and 37.4%, respectively). In multivariate modeling, children with families who received CPS services, children 6 years or older, and children without a chronic health problem were less likely to use the ED. Children who remained at home in families identified with numerous stressors and, therefore, likely at high risk for future abuse and neglect were 1.73 times (95% CI, 1.14-2.63) more likely to have repeat ED use than children in low risk families. CONCLUSION: Children who remain at home after a CPS evaluation are at high risk for ED use. Future research should focus on the health problems that precipitate an ED visit as well as the relationship between primary care and ED use. Language: en
Deep-Sea Drilling Project—Future Program: ABSTRACT

The Deep-Sea Drilling Project is now engaged in a 30-month program extension which will take the drilling vessel Glomar Challenger to the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Drilling sites have been selected by advisory panels established by JOIDES (Joint Oceanographic Institution Deep Earth Sampling). During the first 18 months of operation the program directed its effort to testing the hypotheses of sea-floor spreading End_Page 845------------------------------ and continental drift, sampling old sediments, and recovering a complete sedimentary section for paleontologic reference. Drilling on the mid-ocean ridge system in relatively young (Tertiary) sediments was extremely successful. Every site drilled with the intention of testing sea-floor spreading has substantiated the hypothesis. Almost complete Cenozoic sedimentary sections have been recovered in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Attempts to recover the oldest sediments in the oceans have been thwarted by the inability to penetrate chert layers that appear to be ubiquitous in the deep basins. Drilling throughout the first 18-month program was undertaken without the ability to withdraw the drill string and reenter the same hole. The capability to reenter the hole is anticipated ear y in the program extension and will be instrumental in the success of the proposed future drilling program. The emphasis of the new program has shifted from the mid-ocean ridge system to the deep basins where the oldest sediments may be sampled and to the continental margin to investigate the interaction of the mobile sea floor and the continental masses. End_of_Article - Last_Page 846------------
Capacity Optimization in Heterogeneous Home Area Networks With Application to Smart Grid

This paper considers the problem of optimizing the downlink capacity in a heterogeneous home area network (HAN) with a beamforming technique at the smart meter for smart grid applications. We model the communication scenario between the smart meter and in-home appliances as a heterogeneous multiuser network. The optimal power-allocation algorithm is developed under the constraints that 1) each user satisfies individual signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) requirement for successful heterogeneous communication, 2) the sum of transmit power allocated to each user is equal to the permissible total transmit power at the smart meter, and 3) the allocated transmit power to each user is feasible. The optimization problem is mathematically shown to be convex, and the optimal power allocation is thus derived. By employing the theorem that the sum of independent exponentially distributed random variables follows Erlang distribution, the probability distribution function (pdf) of the smallest allocated transmit power is mathematically obtained from the properties of downlink indoor Saleh–Valenzuela (S–V) channels. It is analytically shown that the allocated transmit power has a lower limit, which is determined by the SINR threshold and the total number of active users in the HAN. Furthermore, numerical results verify the capacity performance improvements of the proposed optimal power-allocation scheme. It is also shown that beamforming technique contributes to the optimal power-allocation scheme.
Alpha2-adrenoceptor status in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Ten patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and 13 normal control subjects received intravenous infusions of 2 X 10(-6) g/kg of clonidine and normal saline on separate days. Responses to the drug relating to plasma growth hormone (GH), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), heart rate, blood pressure, and several symptoms were determined. Additionally, platelet alpha 2-adrenoreceptor binding was measured in most of the subjects. GH, MHPG, blood pressure, and heart rate responses to clonidine did not differ between groups. As expected, patients reported more symptoms than normal subjects, and clonidine was sedating for both groups. Patients did not differ from normal subjects in the symptom response to clonidine. The maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) for tritiated clonidine was significantly greater in OCD patients than in normals. This pattern of alpha 2-adrenoreceptor status is different than the patterns in major depression and panic anxiety.
Performance of a Permanent-Magnet Cylindrical Hall-Effect Thruster

The performance of a low-power cylindrical Hall thruster, which more readily lends itself to miniaturization and low-power operation than a conventional (annular) Hall thruster, was measured using a planar plasma probe and a thrust stand. The field in the cylindrical thruster was produced using permanent magnets, promising a power reduction over previous cylindrical thruster iterations that employed electromagnets to generate the required magnetic field topology. Two sets of ring-shaped permanent magnets are used, and two different field configurations can be produced by reorienting the poles of one magnet relative to the other. A plasma probe measuring ion flux in the plume is used to estimate the current utilization for the two magnetic topologies. The measurements indicate that electron transport is impeded much more effectively in one configuration, implying higher thrust efficiency. Thruster performance measurements on this configuration were obtained over a power range of 70-350 W and with the cathode orifice located at three different axial positions relative to the thruster exit plane. The thrust levels over this power range were 1.25-6.5 mN, with anode efficiencies and specific impulses spanning 4-21% and 400-1950 s, respectively. The anode efficiency of the permanent-magnet thruster compares favorable with the efficiency of the electromagnet thruster when the power consumed by the electromagnets is taken into account.
Unmanned aerial systems: Consideration of the use of force for law enforcement applications

Abstract The contemplation of opening United States airspace to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has raised no shortage of questions about their appropriate use. Many have raised concerns about their interaction with other aircraft and safety or that they may be used to conduct covert and potentially persistent surveillance on members of the public. UAV use in warfighting has demonstrated drones' technical capability for tactical use. The use of armed UAVs in United States territory has, in spite of this, received minimal consideration and a general government response that this would not be allowed to occur. This paper suggests that the use of armed UAVs by civilian authorities is appropriate and even desirable in certain circumstances. It considers rules of use for armed UAVs in the context of law enforcement and also discusses the additional considerations applicable to the use of autonomously controlled UAVs.
The Decision to Enter Medicine: Motivations, Social Support, and Discouragements for Women

Responses from 93% of the women medical students enrolled in two southern medical schools in 1975–1976 indicated that wanting to serve others, desire for independence in one's work, and interest in science were strong motivations for entering medicine. These motivations also characterized men. Women, more often than men, cited the challenge of a medical career, and they showed more interest in high occupational prestige than have women medical school applicants in the past. Women reported less social support for an early decision than did their male peers. Dissatisfaction with a previous occupation frequently influenced women's choice of medicine. Although women were more likely than men to cite sources of encouragement for their decision, they were also more likely than men to have been discouraged from entering medicine.
Mitigating primary user emulation attacks in cognitive radio networks using advanced encryption standard

This paper considers primary user emulation attacks (PUEA) in cognitive radio networks operating in the white spaces of the digital TV (DTV) band. We propose a reliable AES-encrypted DTV scheme, in which an AES-encrypted reference signal is generated at the TV transmitter and used as the sync bytes of each DTV data frame. By allowing a shared secret between the transmitter and the receiver, the reference signal can be regenerated at the receiver and be used to achieve accurate identification of authorized primary users. We analyze the effectiveness of the proposed approach through both theoretical derivation and simulation examples. It is shown that with the AES-encrypted DTV scheme, the primary user can be detected with high accuracy and low false alarm rate under primary user emulation attacks. It should be emphasized that the proposed scheme requires no changes in hardware or system structure except of a plug-in AES chip. Potentially, it can be applied to today's DTV system directly to mitigate primary user emulation attacks, and achieve efficient spectrum sharing.
Water-assisted proton delivery and removal in bio-inspired hydrogen production catalysts

Electrocatalysts for H2 production are envisioned to play an important role in renewable energy utilization systems. Nickel-based catalysts featuring pendant amines functioning as proton relays in the second coordination sphere of the metal center have led to catalysts achieving turnover frequencies as high as 107 s−1 for H2 production. The fastest rates are observed when water is present in solution, with rates up to 103 times faster than those found in dry solvent. The focus of this paper is to provide mechanistic insight into the unexpected enhancement due to water. Addition of H2 to [Ni(PCy2NR′2)2]2+ was previously shown to give three isomers of a Ni(0) product with two protonated amines, where the N–H can be endo or exo to the Ni. By investigating the deprotonation of these two N-protonated Ni(0) intermediates resulting from the addition of H2 to [Ni(PCy2NR′2)2]2+, we observe by NMR spectroscopy studies an enhancement in the rate of deprotonation for protons positioned on the pendant amine next to the metal (endo) vs. protons that are positioned away from the metal (exo). Computational studies suggest that for smaller bases, the desolvation energy of the exogenous base is the primary contribution limiting the rate of endo deprotonation, while steric accessibility and facile proton movement also contribute. For more bulky bases, steric accessibility can play the dominant role. The significant reduction in these barriers observed in the presence of water has important implications for disfavoring less productive catalytic pathways and increasing catalytic rates.
Cascading effects of a highly specialized beech-aphid-fungus interaction on forest regeneration.

Specialist herbivores are thought to often enhance or maintain plant diversity within ecosystems, because they prevent their host species from becoming competitively dominant. In contrast, specialist herbivores are not generally expected to have negative impacts on non-hosts. However, we describe a cascade of indirect interactions whereby a specialist sooty mold (Scorias spongiosa) colonizes the honeydew from a specialist beech aphid (Grylloprociphilus imbricator), ultimately decreasing the survival of seedlings beneath American beech trees (Fagus grandifolia). A common garden experiment indicated that this mortality resulted from moldy honeydew impairing leaf function rather than from chemical or microbial changes to the soil. In addition, aphids consistently and repeatedly colonized the same large beech trees, suggesting that seedling-depauperate islands may form beneath these trees. Thus this highly specialized three-way beech-aphid–fungus interaction has the potential to negatively impact local forest regeneration via a cascade of indirect effects.
Semiclassical and quantal eigenenergies in the wake potential

Abstract We obtain a large number of eigenenergies for bound states of an electron in the wake potential of a fast highly charged ion traversing a solid. The set of semiclassical eigenenergies pertains to eigenstates localized in the regular part of the classical phase space where KAM tori exist. By comparing with a full quantal calculation using diagonalization of large Hamiltonian matrices we can directly associate individual quantum states with the classically regular and chaotic portions of the phase space.
Development of a combined NMR paramagnetic ion‐induced line‐broadening/dynamic light scattering method for permeability measurements across lipid bilayer membranes

□ A combined method using NMR line-broadening for permeant lifetime determination and dynamic light scattering for vesicle size determination has been developed for the measurement of permeability coefficients of ionizable permeants across phospholipid:cholesterol large unilamellar vesicles. The method has been validated by examining its reproducibility and the influence of various factors that might affect the permeability measurements. The vesicle hydrodynamic diameter was varied between 0.1 and 0.2 μm by extruding multilamellar vesicles through polycarbonate membranes with different pore sizes (0.03-0.2 μm). For these large unilamellar vesicles, the normalized size distributions analyzed by the CONTIN method had standard deviations < 0.36, which led to errors in permeability coefficients < 10% as predicted from a theoretical model developed here. The permeability coefficient for acetic acid is independent of its concentration, vesicle hydrodynamic diameter, the concentration of Pr3 †, and ionic strength over the ranges 0.01-0.2 M, 0.1-0.2 μm, 0.004-0.04 M, and 0.03-0.3, respectively. Membrane/water and decane/water partition coefficient measurements of acetic acid indicate that the effects of permeant binding onto the bilayer membrane and self-association are negligible within the permeant concentration range 0.01-0.2 M. The addition of Pr3 † ions induces vesicle fusion with rates increasing with temperature and decreasing with cholesterol concentration in the membranes. While the intravesicular resonance intensity for acetic acid decreases continuously with time due to vesicle fusion under certain conditions, the corresponding line width and chemical shift remain constant over the same period, highlighting an important advantage of this NMR method over those based on detecting net flux in response to a concentration gradient as there is no means in the latter experiments of discerning vesicle leakiness from passive diffusion rates. The effective chemical nature of a dimristoylphosphatidylcholin:cholesterol bilayer barrier microenvironment was explored by comparing the transport of two permeants, D-(-)-mandelic acid and phenylacetic acid, to their relative bulk solvent/water partition coefficients using three reference solvents (n-decane, 1,9-decadiene, and isoamyl alcohol). Using the NMR line-broadening method, the permeability coefficients for these two permeants were determined to be (2.9 ± 0.4) x 10- 4 cm/s and (3.9 ± 0.7) x 10− 2 cm/s, respectively, at 294 K and Xchol = 0.3. The incremental free energy of transport for the additional OH group in o-(-)-mandelic acid, ∆∆G° = + 2.9 kcal/mol, resembles most closely that for the transfer of this group from water to 1,9-decadiene, suggesting that the barrier domain resides in the acyl chain region and is slightly more polar/polarizable than a saturated hydrocarbon, possibly due to the presence of a double bond in cholesterol and/or the proximity of the barrier domain to the hydrophilic interface.
Control of apoptosis by IP(3) and ryanodine receptor driven calcium signals.

Intracellular calcium signals mediated by IP3and ryanodine receptors (IP3R/RyR) play a central role in cell survival, but emerging evidence suggests that IP3R/RyR are also important in apoptotic cell death. Switch from the life program to the death program may involve coincident detection of proapoptotic stimuli and calcium signals or changes in the spatiotemporal pattern of the calcium signal or changes at the level of effectors activated by the calcium signal (e.g. calpain, calcineurin). The fate of the cell is often determined in the mitochondria, where calcium spikes may support cell survival through stimulation of ATP production or initiate apoptosis v ia opening of the permeability transition pore and release of apoptotic factors such as cytochrome c. The functional importance of these mitochondrial calcium signalling pathways has been underscored by the elucidation of a highly effective, local Ca2+coupling between IP3R/RyR and mitochondrial Ca2+uptake sites. This article will focus on the IP3R/RyR-dependent pathways to apoptosis, particularly on the mitochondrial phase of the death cascade.
Insertion Error in LPRT Temperature Measurements

Accurate measurement of surface temperature distribution is of great concern in the semiconductor industries, particularly in rapid thermal processing (RTP). The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors 2004 (ITRS) has established requirements of uncertainties of plusmn1.5 degC at temperature of 1000 degC, with temperature calibration traceable to ITS-90 (International Temperature Scale-1990). Light-pipe radiation thermometers (LPRTs) are becoming increasingly important as an industrial tool for temperature measurement, especially in the semiconductor industry. However, there are several radiation issues associate with LPRTs, and without fully understanding them, achieving further accuracy could be hobbled. In this paper, we concentrate on the insertion error in the LPRTs temperature measurement. The "drawdown effect" and "shadow effect" are investigated. The "drawdown effect" is caused by the physical mass of the light-pipe probe acting as a heat sink for the measured object and the "shadow effect" is caused by distortion of radiosity due to the presence of the light-pipe probe. Monte Carlo simulation was conducted and compared to the experiment results
Effect of heparin on platelet aggregation

The effect of heparin on platelet aggregation was systematically examined on platelets in plasma (PRP), as well as on gel-filtered, washed, and formaldehyde-fixed platelets. Results indicate that, although heparin causes a mild potentiation of platelet aggregation in the PRP systems, a significant inhibitory activity is observed when heparin is added to isolated platelets. This inhibitory activity appears to be specific and not related to the impurities in the heparin preparations, as heparinase, as well as protamine, effectively neutralizes the heparin-mediated inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation. Although heparin-mediated inhibitory activity can be demonstrated in the presence of a number of different agonists (ADP, arachidonic acid, thrombin, Ionophore A23187, epinephrine, and ristocetin), the most pronounced inhibition is seen in the presence of ristocetin. Further studies show that heparin enhances thromboxane generation in isolated platelets. Platelets pretreated with heparin, however, fail to respond to preformed thromboxane. These findings suggest that, in addition to the potentiation of thromboxane production in platelets, heparin may also attribute some change(s) to the platelet(s)/platelet membrane, which interferes with their ability to respond to the agonists of platelet aggregation. This antiaggregatory activity of heparin was found to be inhibited by a factor(s) present in plasma but not in serum.
Crystal structure of the motor domain of the kinesin-related motor ncd

MICROTUBULE-BASED ATPases of the kinesin superfamily1,2 provide the motile force for many animated features of living cells. Kinesin motors differ in their direction of movement along microtubules. Kinesin3 and ncd4,5, a kinesin-related motor involved in formation and maintenance of mitotic and meiotic spindles, move in opposite directions along microtubules, even though their motor domains are 40% identical in amino-acid sequence. Here we report the crystal structure of the MgADP complex of the Drosophila ncd motor domain determined to 2.5 A by X-ray crystallography, and compare it to the kinesin structure. The ncd and kinesin motor domains are remarkably similar in structure, and the locations of conserved surface amino acids suggest these motors share a common microtubule-binding site. Moreover, structural and functional comparisons of ncd, kinesin, myosin and G proteins indicate that these NTPases may have a similar strategy of changing conformation between NTP and NDP states. We propose a general model for converting a common γ-phosphate-sensing mechanism into opposite polarities of movement for kinesin and ncd.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Regulates the Beta Cell Transcription Factor, PDX-1, in Insulinoma Cells

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) enhances insulin biosynthesis and secretion as well as transcription of the insulin, GLUT2 and glucokinase genes. The latter are also regulated by the PDX-1 homeoprotein. We investigated the possibility that GLP-1 may be having its long-term pleiotropic effects through a hitherto unknown regulation of PDX-1. We found that PDX-1 mRNA level was significantly increased (p<0.01) after 2 hours and insulin mRNA level was subsequently increased (p<0.01) after 3 hours of treatment with GLP-1 (10 nM) in RIN 1046-38 insulinoma cells. Under these experimental conditions, there was also a 1.6-fold increase in the expression of PDX-1 protein in whole cell and nuclear extracts. Overexpression of PDX-1 in these cells confirmed the finding of the wild type cells such that GLP-1 induced a 2-fold increase in whole cell extracts and a 3-fold increase in nuclear extracts of PDX-1 protein levels. The results of electrophoretic mobility shift experiments showed that PDX-1 protein binding to the Al element of the rat insulin II promoter was also increased 2 h post treatment with GLP-1. In summary, we have uncovered a previously unknown aspect to the regulation of PDX-1 in beta cells. This has important implications in the physiology of adult beta cells and the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus with GLP-1 or its analogs.
C-reactive protein and other inflammatory risk markers in acute coronary syndromes

Markers of myocyte necrosis such as cardiac troponin or creatine kinase-myocardial band are invaluable tools for risk stratification among patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Nonetheless, many patients without any evidence of myocyte necrosis may be at high risk for recurrent ischemic events. In consideration of the important role that inflammatory processes play in determining plaque stability, recent work has focused on whether plasma markers of inflammation may help improve risk stratification. Of these markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) has been the most widely studied, and there is now robust evidence that CRP is a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk among apparently healthy individuals, patients undergoing elective revascularization procedures, and patients presenting with ACS. Moreover, even among patients with troponin-negative ACS, elevated levels of CRP are predictive of future risk. Other, more upstream markers of the inflammatory cascade, such as interleukin (IL)-6, have also been found to be predictive of recurrent vascular instability. A recent report from the second FRagmin during InStability in Coronary artery disease trial investigators suggests that elevated levels of an inflammatory marker such as IL-6 may indicate which patients may benefit most from an early invasive strategy. Other inflammatory markers currently under investigation include lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2), myeloperoxidase, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A. Of all these novel markers, CRP appears to meet most of the criteria required for potential clinical application. Furthermore, the benefits of lifestyle modification and drug therapy with aspirin or statins may be most marked among those with elevated CRP levels.
Substrate routes to the buried active site may vary among cytochromes P450: mutagenesis of the F-G region in P450 2B1.

Until recently, all known structures of bacterial cytochromes P450 suggested that substrate access to the buried active site occurred via the F−G region, a surface loop distal to the heme cavity. However, the structure of P450 51 indicates a large opening from the protein surface along the I helix N-terminus, at right angles to the F−G channel. The single available microsomal P450 structure (2C5) does not obviously favor one potential access route over the other. To determine whether the F−G region forms part of the substrate access channel in the microsomal cytochrome P450 2B1, 11 residues between positions 208 and 230 were substituted with smaller and larger side chains in a highly expressed truncated form of the enzyme. Steady-state kinetic parameters were determined with the substrates testosterone, 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (7-EFC), and 7-benzyoxyresorufin (7-BR). The largest changes, 2−6-fold increases in kcat with testosterone and 7-EFC, were observed for L209A, which also exhibits an alte...
Microtopography enhances nitrogen cycling and removal in created mitigation wetlands

Natural wetlands often have a heterogeneous soil surface topography, or microtopography (MT), that creates microsites of variable hydrology, vegetation, and soil biogeochemistry. Created mitigation wetlands are designed to mimic natural wetlands in structure and function, and recent mitigation projects have incorporated MT as one way to attain this goal. Microtopography may influence nitrogen (N) cycling in wetlands by providing adjacent areas of aerobic and anaerobic conditions and by increasing carbon storage, which together facilitate N cycling and removal. This study investigated three created wetlands in the Virginia Piedmont that incorporated disking-induced MT during construction. One site had paired disked and undisked plots, allowing an evaluation of the effects of this design feature on N flux rates. Microtopography was measured using conventional survey equipment along a 1-m circular transect and was described using two indices: tortuosity (T), describing soil surface roughness and relief, and limiting elevation difference (LD), describing soil surface relief. Ammonification, nitrification, and net N mineralization were determined with in situ incubation of modified ion-exchange resin cores and denitrification potential was determined using denitrification enzyme assay (DEA). Results demonstrated that disked plots had significantly greater LD than undisked plots one year after construction. Autogenic sources of MT (e.g. tussock-forming vegetation) in concert with variable hydrology and sedimentation maintained and in some cases enhanced MT in study wetlands. Tortuosity and LD values remained the same in one wetland when compared over a two-year period, suggesting a dynamic equilibrium of MT-forming and -eroding processes at play. Microtopography values also increased when comparing the original induced MT of a one-year old wetland with MT of older created wetlands (five and eight years old) with disking-induced MT, indicating that MT can increase by natural processes over time. When examined along a hydrologic gradient, LD increased with proximity to an overflow point as a result of differential sediment deposition and erosion during flood events. Nitrification increased with T and denitrification potential increased with LD, indicating that microtopographic heterogeneity enhances coupled N fluxes. The resulting N flux patterns may be explained by the increase in oxygen availability elicited by greater T (enhancing nitrification) and by the adjacent zones of aerobic and anaerobic conditions elicited by greater LD (enhancing coupled nitrification and denitrification potential). Findings of this study support the incorporation of MT into the design and regulatory evaluation of created wetlands in order to enhance N cycling and removal.
Obesity corrupts myelopoiesis.

Ongoing monocyte infiltration and subsequent macrophage seeding of adipose tissue is thought to be a key feature of obesity pathophysiology. Nagareddy et al. (2014) show that adipose cells locally activate IL-1β in macrophages in part through the alarmin S100A8/A9, which stimulates bone marrow myelopoiesis to perpetuate nonresolving inflammation.
Differential photoelectron holography

Atoms near a selected surface atomic site can be imaged in three dimensions by photoelectron holography. The experiment involves acquiring hundreds or thousands of angle-resolved photoemission spectra from a core level of the selected atomic site over a wide range of photon energy and for a large number of emission directions. For good image quality, the precision of the intensity measurement must be better than ~1% over the entire data set, but this is difficult to achieve. Two methods based on differential measurements that allow intensity self-normalization are presented here as a solution. One method is based on measurements of intensity branching ratios between spin–orbit-split core level peaks, and the other is based on measurements of logarithmic derivatives of the intensity function. These methods are illustrated by two examples, As-terminated Si(1 1 1) and Bi-terminated Si(1 1 1). The As/Si(1 1 1) results are in excellent agreement with the accepted structure of the system, thus verifying the efficacy of the methods. The Bi/Si(1 1 1) results resolve a long-standing controversy regarding the correct structure of this system.
“Making sense” about diabetes: Dakota narratives of illness

Diabetes, as it has increasingly affected Dakota (Sioux) in a North Dakota community, is deliberated upon by patients in commentaries that range beyond the more familiar biomedical "boundaries" of a given health condition. These commentaries--or "narrative reconstructions"--following Williams and Wood's (1986) considerations of patients "making sense" of illness and the disruption it may cause, touch upon larger concerns of Dakota regarding culture history and identity. While individuals' interpretations regarding etiology, illness experience, and efficacy of treatments vary, diabetes emerges as a symbol that conveys meaning at many levels. That diabetes treatment may impinge on customary foodways makes imagery of diabetes perhaps more salient. Health workers, trained within the "culture of biomedicine" (Hagey 1984), may learn to recognize key elements in such narratives for cooperative efforts in diabetes education and treatment.
Assay Conditions Effect on β-Galactosidase Activity from Kluyveromyces lactis

β-galactosidase, derived from Kluyveromyces lactis was assayed for activity using lactose, buffered at pH 6.5 with 0.02M potassium phosphate, and reconstituted nonfat dry milk (NFDM) substrates. Variations in buffer strength, potassium ion concentration and water quality were evaluated. Assay under similar conditions using NFDM and buffered lactose resulted in 4.3 and 6.6 units of activity, respectively. Increasing buffer strength to 0.1M potassium phosphate resulted in a 20% decrease in lactase activity units. Addition of potassium ions, as 0.5M KC1, in the enzyme preparation resulted in an increase in observed activity using both assay systems with a greater impact (160% increase) using NFDM vs buffered lactose (120% increase) as the substrate.
A mathematical model of Churchmanian inquiring systems with special reference to Popper's measures for ‘The Severity of Tests’

Through the use of Bayesian probability theory and Communication theory, a formal mathematical model of a Churchmanian Dialectical Inquirer is developed. The Dialectical Inquirer is based on Professor C. West Churchman's novel interpretation and application of Hegelian dialectics to decision theory. The result is not only the empirical application of dialectical inquiry but also its empirical (i.e., scientific) investigation. The Dialectical Inquirer is seen as especially suited to problems in strategic policy formation and in decision theory. Finally, specific application of the inquirer is made to Popper's notions for ‘The Test of Severity’ of a scientific theory.
Diet and Ethanol Modulate Immune Responses in Young C57BL/6 Mice

Chronic ethanol (ETOH) ingestion adversely affects the immunocompetence of alcohol abusers. ETOH directly impairs host defense mechanisms and indirectly modulates immunocompetence by interfering with the nutritional status of the alcoholic. It is not clear from the current literature, however, to what extent ETOH, nutritional status, or the combination of the two factors modulates immune mechanisms in chronic alcoholics. To date, most animal studies investigating the immunotoxicity of ETOH have neglected the dietary factors, which may have masked additional immunotoxic effects of ETOH. To examine these dietary factors, we fed mice three liquid ETOH diets with different dietary sufficiencies for 7 weeks and investigated various immune responses. Spleen cell number and secretions of immunoreactive interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor were totally independent of the diet, being affected only by ETOH. Body, spleen, and thymus weights, interferon-gamma secretion, and natural killer cell and phagocytic activities were modulated by ETOH as well as by diet. Natural killer cell and phagocytic activities were also directly affected by the nutritional quality of the diet. These results suggest that animal diets used in experimental studies of ETOH-induced immunomodulation must be planned and controlled carefully in order to single out the direct effects that ETOH has on the host defense system.
Pediatric assessment tool—a self-Instructional guide

This self-instructional guide is designed for the nurse who works primarily in an adult patient setting but occasionally cares for a pediatric client. Although proficient in nursing skills, this nurse might experience anxiety when assigned a pediatric client. It is hoped that having this information will replace anxiety with confidence. (J Radiol Nurs 2004;23:78-83.)
Effect of Counter Ion Placement on Conductivity in Single-Ion Conducting Block Copolymer Electrolytes

Single-ion conducting block copolymer electrolytes were prepared in which counter ions were tethered to the polymer backbone to achieve a lithium transference number of unity. Through tailored anionic synthesis, the influence of counter ion placement on conductivity was investigated. Incorporating the anions outside the ion-conducting @poly~ethylene oxide!-based# block, such as in poly~lauryl methacrylate!-block-poly~lithium methacrylate!-block-poly@(oxyethylene) 9 methacrylate#, known as PLMA-bPLiMA-b-POEM, and P~LMA-r-LiMA!-b-POEM, caused lithium ions to dissociate from the carboxylate counter ions upon microphase separation of the POEM and PLMA blocks, yielding conductivities of 10 25 S/cm at 70°C. In contrast, incorporating anions into the conducting block, as in PLMA-b-P~LiMA-r-OEM!, rendered the majority of lithium ions immobile, resulting in conductivities one to two orders of magnitude lower over the range of temperatures studied for equivalent stoichiometries. Converting the carboxylate anion to one that effectively delocalized charge through complexation with the Lewis acid BF3 raised the conductivity of the latter system to values comparable to those of the other electrolyte architectures. Ion dissociation could thus be equivalently achieved by using a low charge density counter ion (COOBF3 2 ) or by spatially isolating the counter ion from the ion-conducting domains by microphase separation.
Generic rigidity percolation: The pebble game.

The percolation of rigidity in 2D central-force networks with no special symmetries (generic networks) has been studied using a new combinatorial algorithm. We count the exact number of floppy modes, uniquely decompose the network into rigid clusters, and determine all overconstrained regions. With this information we have found that, for the generic triangular lattice with random bond dilution, the transition from rigid to floppy occurs at ${p}_{\mathrm{cen}}=0.6602\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0003$ and the critical exponents include $\ensuremath{\nu}=1.21\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06$ and $\ensuremath{\beta}=0.18\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$.
Conformation of pardaxin, the toxin of the flatfish Pardachirus marmoratus

Pardaxin is the toxic component isolated from the secretion of the Red Sea flatfish Pardachirus marmoratus. Pardaxin has attracted considerable attention recently because of its use as shark repellent. Conformational information regarding the peptide backbone, disulfide bonds, and tyrosine chromophores was obtained using Raman and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Analysis of the Raman spectra indicates that the toxin consists of 39% α-helix, 23% β-structure, and 39% random coil. The occurrence of a band at 510–512 cm−1 indicates the conformational geometry of the disulfide C-C-S-S-C-C linkages to be gauche-gauche-gauche. From the lack of a peak in the 2500–2700 cm−1 region we concluded that all half-cystines are involved in disulfide linkages. The far-ultraviolet CD spectrum of pardaxin showed positive 196 and negative 208 and 222 nm bands. The best fit secondary structure based on the CD ellipticities was found to be: 23% α-helix, 21% β-structure, and 56% random coil. Under highly acidic and alkaline conditions the far-ultraviolet pardaxin spectra showed extensive, reversible loss of its helical structure. Due to certain biological characteristics of pardaxin the possible influence of salt on pardaxin's conformation was examined. No evidence of conformation perturbation was detected in either the CD or Raman spectra of pardaxin.
Establishing pharmacy operations in a new hospital while transferring existing operations to new ownership

Purpose The process of moving pharmacy services and personnel from an existing hospital to a new hospital while maintaining patient care and operations at both facilities is described. Summary The project management structure for the new hospital is described, including the establishment of a departmental coordination team (DCT) for the pharmacy. The purpose of the pharmacy DCT was to plan and coordinate new hospital move-in and pharmacy operations as well as the transition of the existing hospital to new ownership. The use of action item lists and project scorecards kept the project on schedule and on budget. The pharmacy DCT’s action item list, which sorted items into four categories (facilities, equipment, operations, and staffing), was reviewed and updated at the weekly meeting of pharmacy leadership and served as the principal guiding document for the pharmacy DCT. Planning and implementation are described for the areas of operations and workflow, staffing, information technology, materials management, accreditation and licensure, and orientation and training. On the transition day, patients under care by physicians employed by the governing organization were transferred to the new facility while patients under care by community physicians remained at the existing facility under new ownership and new administration. Integral to the successful transition were early planning, the provision of adequate training for all employees, and collaboration among organizations, departments, and individuals. Conclusion A well-coordinated plan resulted in the successful establishment of pharmacy practice in a new hospital and the transition of an operational pharmacy practice and facility to new ownership while maintaining quality patient care.