cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pain-related increases in spinal cord membrane-bound protein kinase C following peripheral nerve injury

Neuropathic pain following nerve injury is thought to involve central nervous system Ca2+-mediated neuronal plastic changes. This study provides evidence that induction and/or maintenance of post-injury neuropathic pain behaviors in the rat is associated with increases in membrane-bound protein kinase C (PKC), a Ca2+-dependent process known to mediate central nervous system neuronal plasticity. In addition, spinal cord administration of GM1 ganglioside, an intracellular inhibitor of PKC translocation/activation, reverses both increased levels of membrane-bound PKC and pain-related behaviors. Thus, persistent post-injury neuropathic pain may be mediated by the initiation of excitatory neuropathological processes resulting from an increase in membrane-bound PKC.
A Process Analysis of Bank Credit Expansion

Purpose of the study, 599.— I. Similarity between Phillips' analysis and one version of the multiplier, 600.— The Keynesian analysis, 600.— Integration of Phillips' analysis with the analysis of income circulation implied in the concept of the multiplier: five sequences, 601.— The identity of savings and investment and the concept of the instantaneous multiplier, 609.— Varying the assumptions, 610.— One bank, 612.— Constant addition to bank reserves, 612.— Lundberg's model sequences, 614.— II. Suggestions for systematizing banking theory: definitions, axioms and syllogisms to be kept in mind, 615; secular increases of voluntary deposit holdings and the volume of banks' loans and investments, 620; commercial banks and the marginal propensity to spend, 622; liquidity and shiftability of bank assets, 622.
Statistical analysis of the maximum concentration of an air pollutant: Effects of autocorrelation and non-stationarity

Abstract A procedure for using air quality data to estimate the mean value of the maximum concentration in a year-long sequence of lognormally distributed air pollutant concentrations has been described by Larsen. This procedure and analogous procedures for non-lognormal concentrations implicitly assume that air pollutant concentrations are independently and identically distributed. However, these concentrations often are highly correlated, and they exhibit systematic variations in response to seasonal and other factors. Thus, air pollutant concentrations are, in general, not independently and identically distributed but, rather, are generated by non-stationary, autocorrelated stochastic processes. In this paper it is shown that autocorrelation does not significantly affect the validity of the Larsen procedure. However, application of procedures, such as Larsen's, that assume stationarity to a non-stationary sequence of concentrations (i.e. a sequence that exhibits systematic seasonal or other variations) can produce seriously erroneous results. Two methods for using air quality data to estimate the distributional properties of maxima of non-stationary sequences of concentrations are illustrated. One method involves identifying a non-stationary stochastic process that explains the data and computing the probability distributions of maxima of sequences generated by this stochastic process. The other involves applying the Larsen procedure to a suitably selected subsequence of the data.
Binding of ovine 125-I-prolactin to cultured anterior pituitary tumour cells and normal cells.

THE first report of specific, high affinity and low capacity binding of radioiodinated ovine prolactin to homogenate particles from lactating mouse mammary glands, liver and several other organs of rats and mice1 was followed by a radioreceptor assay for prolactin using purified mammary fractions2. Other reports of prolactin binding have been with reference to a variety of crude or partially purified membrane fractions3–7 or tissue slices8–10. These can be assumed to describe various degrees of submaximal binding response because of proteolysis, denaturation or structural factors that restrict free access of the hormone to capable binding sites. We now report specific, high affinity, low capacity binding of radioiodinated prolactin to cultured rat anterior pituitary cells, from two sources—those derived from oestradiol-induced anterior pituitary tumours, and normal anterior pituitary glands. Both cells lines were shown by radioimmunoassay to secrete prolactin. In addition to the possible significance of these findings with respect to pituitary control mechanisms they indicate the recommendation of the development of radioreceptor assays based on cultured cell lines as a source for specific binding sites. The technology seems to be available to develop a standardised assay of great convenience and versatility, which models better the conditions for hormone action in vivo; the regulatory hormone ‘sees’ only the outside of an intact cell in a favourable environment for specific interaction.
Empirical observation of the energy dependence of various particle cross sections

The energy dependence of total cross sections and total elastic cross sections has been examined for protons, antiprotons, kaons, pions and photons. This dependence is very well expressed in terms of the c.m. velocity β = 2 P∗/√s. Some comments are made on the relationship to Regge theory.
Thermodynamic entropy fluxes reflect ecosystem characteristics and succession

Abstract Ecosystems are open systems that constantly exchange energy and entropy with their surroundings, giving rise to continuous evolution in ecosystem’s internal structures and functions. For an ecosystem to evolve towards more developed stages and to sustain its functions, I hypothesize that (1) an ecosystem’s net thermodynamic entropy budget must be negative (i.e., exporting entropy) and (2) the rate of entropy production should increase with succession towards a possible maximum (i.e., maximum entropy production or MEP) before a decline may occur. To test these hypotheses, energy flux data collected from Ameriflux and Canada Flux using eddy tower covariance method at seven sites (including three groups of forested vs. deforested ecosystems) were compared by converting energy into entropy fluxes. Based on energy budgets and corresponding absolute temperatures for each energy components, net entropy production rate for each ecosystem (Δ S e ) was calculated every half-an-hour for multiple years (2004–2009, which varied among the sites). All the ecosystems examined clearly displayed predominantly negative Δ S e , indicating higher entropy outputs than inputs. The ratio of entropy outputs to inputs (SR) ranged from 1.23 to 1.53 (averaged 1.35 ± 0.10) based on averaged daily fluxes across all the ecosystems, with higher SRs at midday (1.46–2.23, averaged 1.80 ± 0.24) and lower SRs at midnight (1.09–1.22, averaged 1.13 ± 0.04). Ecosystems having higher entropy production rates also generally produced a higher SR, indicating a more efficient energy dissipation. The overall mean Δ S e ranged from −0.258 W/m 2 K in the deforested site in Saskatchewan, Canada to −0.609 W/m 2 K in the forested ecosystem in Flagstaff, Arizona. The deforested sites had, on average, 27% and 18% lower Δ S e in Saskatchewan and Flagstaff, respectively, than their respective forested sites. Two forested sites at the Duke Forests, North Carolina had higher | Δ S e | than the grass field. However, the forest site at a later stage of succession had slightly lower | Δ S e | than the planted forest. This may suggest a gray area in defining how an ecosystem evolves towards the state of MEP and the definition of climax. There is also a possibility of retrogression after a forest reaching a possible climax. This study shows that the MEP hypothesis may predict the re-forestation of disturbed sites, but the hypothesis needs to be further tested for succession once a forest cover has been re-established.
Advances in the molecular genetics of corneal dystrophies

Abstract PURPOSE: To improve our understanding of the role of specific genes on corneal transparency through a review of linkage to specific chromosomal loci and the identification of the mutant genes dealing with the corneal dystrophies. METHOD: Relevant recent literature on the corneal dystrophies is reviewed. RESULTS: Molecular genetic studies of the corneal dystrophies suggest that genes on at least 10 human chromosomes are involved in the maintenance of corneal transparency (chromosomes 1, 5, 9, 10, 12, 16, 17, 20, 21, and X). Within the 10 chromosomes to which corneal dystrophies have been mapped, specific genetic mutations in seven genes (GSN, BIGH3, KRT3, KRT12, MSS1, GLA, and ARSC1) have been identified in 15 corneal dystrophies. Some corneal dystrophies that are considered distinct clinicopathologic entities are actually caused by different mutations in the same gene. For example, lattice dystrophy types I and IIIA, granular corneal dystrophy types I, II (Avellino dystrophy), and III (Reis-Bucklers dystrophy), and Thiel-Behnke corneal dystrophy are the result of mutations in BIGH3. Mutations in three genes (GSN, BIGH3, MSS1) are associated with amyloid deposition in the cornea. A gene for keratoconus has been mapped to chromosome 21, which is noteworthy because of the established association of keratoconus in Down syndrome (trisomy 21). CONCLUSION: Recent genetic studies on the corneal dystrophies provide insight into some of these disorders at a basic molecular level. Some corneal dystrophies that were previously believed to be distinct clinicopathologic entities are closely related at the molecular level with the different phenotypes resulting from distinct mutations in the same gene. This new knowledge is leading to a revised classification of the corneal dystrophies and to the development of animal models of corneal dystrophies. The latter will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disorders and hence to novel therapeutic approaches to those dystrophies that cause significant visual impairment. Research of this nature is only in its infancy.
Self-diffusion in beta uranium

The self-diffusion coefficient of uranium decreases by a factor of one hundred and fifty when the crystal structure changes from the b.c.c. gamma phase to the complex tetragonal of the beta phase. Even at temperatures high in the beta phase, the plots of log C vs, X2 are curved, indicating that self-diffusion in beta uranium does not take place by isotropic volume diffusion alone.
Amelioration of an age-related deficit in exploratory behavior by preexposure to the test environment.

Aged (28-month-old) C57BL/6N Nia mice spent significantly less time exploring a novel stimulus than 4- or 8-month-old mice. The lower level of exploratory behavior in 28-month-old mice was independent of age differences in locomotor activity and the detection of a novel stimulus. Prior exposure to the test apparatus, without the novel stimulus present, produced a significant enhancement of the exploratory behavior in 28-month-old mice and attenuated age differences in exploratory behavior. It is suggested that the reduced exploratory behavior of 28-month-old mice is due to their greater reactivity to the novel stimulus.
A comparison of the preventive health care provided by women's health centers and general internal medicine practices.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate women’s health centers as alternatives to traditional internal medicine practices. DESIGN: Cross-sectional mailed survey. SETTING: A women’s health center and an internal medicine practice at each of three university-affiliated teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: There were 3,035 female patients randomly selected to receive a mailed survey after their office visits. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The survey asked for patient characteristics, patient satisfaction, and rates of gender-specific preventive health services. The survey response rate was 64% (1,942/3,035). Patients at women’s health centers were younger, more educated, had higher physical functioning but lower mental health functioning, and more of them were single and employed. Patient satisfaction was similar at the two types of practices, although patients at women’s health centers were more satisfied with certain aspects of the patient-provider interaction. After adjusting for measured differences in patient characteristics and site, patients at women’s health centers were more likely to receive discussions on hormone replacement therapy (odds ratio [OR] 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 2.2) and dietary calcium (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1, 1.6). They were also more likely to receive their gender-specific preventive health services from their primary care provider: breast examination (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.5, 2.6), Pap smear (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.9, 3.1), hormone replacement therapy discussion (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.5, 3.3), and dietary calcium discussion (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.7, 3.9). These findings remained when the analyses were limited to patients of female providers only. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, patients at women’s health centers were more likely to receive gender-specific health prevention counseling than patients at internal medicine practices. Moreover, patients were more likely to receive their gender-specific preventive health services from their primary care providers.
Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in children: a longitudinal assessment

Recent data suggest that the histologic finding of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is increasing among children. There are, however, limited longitudinal pediatric data on prevalence, demographics, and steroid responsiveness in FSGS. We identified 201 consecutive nephrotic children diagnosed between 1977 and 2002 with 2 years follow-up; 51% had undergone renal biopsy due to steroid sequelae or resistance; 48 children with FSGS were diagnosed. Compared with non-FSGS children, FSGS children were older at diagnosis (6.9 years vs 4.4 years, P<0.02), more likely girls (54% vs 28%, P<0.02), Black or Hispanic (42% vs 16%, P<0.001), and the FSGS was more likely to be steroid resistant (73% vs 10%, P<0.001). To assess for longitudinal differences, we grouped children by presentation: pre-1985, between 1985 and 1995, and post-1995. There was no difference in proportion of children biopsied or diagnosed with FSGS during each interval. Among FSGS children, there was no difference in racial or gender composition in each period, but there was a difference in age at diagnosis (2.6 vs 5.7 vs 8.5 years; P=0.01), also observed in the non-FSGS children (2.2 vs 3.9 vs 4.9 years; P=0.02). In contradistinction to non-FSGS children, there was a marked increase in steroid resistance with FSGS (43% vs 62% vs 86%; P=0.03).
Analytic sheath resolution in high density plasma source simulations

Summary form only given, as follows. Capacitive coupling involves the physics of external RF voltages coupling to the plasma through an oscillating sheath. For high density plasmas, the sheath dimension is much smaller than the scale lengths of density and field variation in the bulk of the plasma. To avoid costly numerical resolution of the sheath, we use analytic models to determine sheath voltage drops and power deposition due to Ohmic and stochastic heating at the sheaths. We use Metze's sheath model (1966) because it provides an ODE for the sheath voltage drop which can be directly incorporated into the numerical solution of Poisson equation. The model has been tested in the particle code PDPI by comparing simulations that resolve the sheath with simulations that use the analytic sheath. The analytic model reproduces the sheath drop fairly well. Alternatively, one can use Godyak and Sternberg's model (1990) for high frequency RF excitations. We use Lieberman's model (1988) to calculate Ohmic heating due to the substrate RF current and stochastic heating due to electrons bouncing of the oscillating substrate sheath. For a 13.56 MHz, 4 eV, 10 mTorr argon discharge 6 cm long with 8 inch substrate, P/sub stoc/=0.045(V/sub dc//T/sub c/) W and P/sub ohm/=0.078(V/sub dc//T/sub c/)/sup 1/2/ W, where V/sub dc/ is the time-average sheath voltage. These scalings indicate that stochastic and Ohmic heating at the substrate is typically only a few percent of the power coupled inductively.
Exploring predecisional behavior: An alternative approach to decision research

Abstract A trend in the study of decision behavior is the increased emphasis being placed on understanding the psychological processes underlying observed judgments or choices. Unfortunately, the input-output analyses that have been used by most decision researchers do not appear fully adequate to develop and test process models of decision behavior. It is argued that data collection methods are needed that will yield data on predecisional behavior in order to identify what information a decision maker has and how it is being processed. Two such process tracing methods, verbal protocol analysis and the analysis of information acquisition behavior, which should be especially valuable in decision research are illustrated and discussed. The process tracing approach appears to be a valuable complement to more traditional model fitting approaches to the study of decision behavior. The value of a multimethod approach is also illustrated and discussed.
Clinical significance of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in cardiovascular disease

Large-scale prospective cohort studies consistently demonstrate a strong, independent relationship between high-sensitivity (hs) C-reactive protein (CRP) and incident cardiovascular events, with a magnitude of effect similar to, or larger than, that of blood pressure and lipid levels. As a biomarker of inflammation, hsCRP levels also predict incident Type 2 diabetes and modify the risk associated with the metabolic syndrome. Recent work further demonstrates that the addition of hsCRP to information provided by traditional risk factors improves risk classification, particularly for individuals otherwise considered to be at intermediate risk. Although there remains no direct evidence that lowering hsCRP lowers vascular risk, optimal clinical outcomes have been observed in statin trials among patients who not only reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol below 1.8 mmol/l (70 mg/dl), but who also reduced hsCRP below 2 mg/l. In addition to statins, CRP levels are lowered by diet, exercise and smoking cessation, all of which are known to lower vascular event rates. Whether or not CRP represents a causal agent in atherosclerosis is controversial and an area in need of further research. However, this controversy does not diminish the clinical utility of hsCRP as a biomarker of risk that, if appropriately used in clinical practice, can substantially improve clinical care.
Influence of austenite stability on predicted cyclic stress-strain response of metastable austenitic steels

Abstract A modeling approach that captures the plastic strain amplitude dependence of strain induced martensite fraction evolution during low cycle fatigue (LCF) loading of metastable austenitic steels has been developed. The model is based on a modified version of the Olson-Cohen kinetic equation that retains connection to the underlying mechanisms of the transformation by relating cyclic austenite stability to monotonic stability. The kinetic model is then input into an evolving composite mechanical model that relies on a simple rule of mixtures formulation to predict cyclic stress-strain behavior, including increases in stress amplitude due to martensitic transformation. Predictions from the modeling approach compare well to fatigue data in the literature for AISI 304 stainless steel.
Processing and Stability of Inducibly Expressed rpsO mRNA Derivatives in Bacillus subtilis

The Bacillus subtilis rpsO gene specifies a small (388-nucleotide), monocistronic mRNA that encodes ribosomal protein S15. We showed earlier that rpsO mRNA decay intermediates accumulated to a high level in a strain lacking polynucleotide phosphorylase. Here, we used inducibly expressed derivatives of rpsO, encoding smaller RNAs that had the complex 5′ region deleted, to study aspects of mRNA processing in B. subtilis. An IPTG (isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside)-inducible rpsO transcript that contained lac sequences at the 5′ end, called lac-rpsO RNA, was shown to undergo processing to result in an RNA that was 24 nucleotides shorter than full length. Such processing was dependent on the presence of an accessible 5′ terminus; a lac-rpsO RNA that contained a strong stem-loop at the 5′ end was not processed and was extremely stable. Interestingly, this stability depended also on ribosome binding to a nearby Shine-Dalgarno sequence but was independent of downstream translation. Either RNase J1 or RNase J2 was capable of processing lac-rpsO RNA, demonstrating for the first time a particular in vivo processing event that could be catalyzed by both enzymes. Decay intermediates were detected in the pnpA strain only for a lac-rpsO RNA that was untranslated. Analysis of processing of an untranslated lac-rpsO RNA in the pnpA strain shortly after induction of transcription suggested that endonuclease cleavage at 3′-proximal sites was an early step in turnover of mRNA.
Networks of Polarized Actin Filaments in the Axon Initial Segment Provide a Mechanism for Sorting Axonal and Dendritic Proteins

Trafficking of proteins specifically to the axonal or somatodendritic membrane allows neurons to establish and maintain polarized compartments with distinct morphology and function. Diverse evidence suggests that an actin-dependent vesicle filter within the axon initial segment (AIS) plays a critical role in polarized trafficking; however, no distinctive actin-based structures capable of comprising such a filter have been found within the AIS. Here, using correlative light and scanning electron microscopy, we visualized networks of actin filaments several microns wide within the AIS of cortical neurons in culture. Individual filaments within these patches are predominantly oriented with their plus ends facing toward the cell body, consistent with models of filter selectivity. Vesicles carrying dendritic proteins are much more likely to stop in regions occupied by the actin patches than in other regions, indicating that the patches likely prevent movement of dendritic proteins to the axon and thereby act as a vesicle filter.
Simultaneous TDM/FDM digital optical transmission with polarization-diversity heterodyne detection

A rapidly-tunable optical transmitter and a rapidly-tunable heterodyne receiver are used to demonstrate simultaneous time-division-multiplexed and frequency-division-multiplexed (TDM/FDM) digital communication at 1.244 Gbps over a single optical fiber with a channel switching time under 62.5 nsec and a channel dwell time of 1.953 /spl mu/sec. An IF bandwidth spanning 6-18 GHz is used with post-detection filtering. >
Presumed Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia in a Blue-Crowned Conure (Aratinga acuticaudata)

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia occurs infrequently in poultry and is undocumented in parrots. In this study, we describe a blue-crowned conure (Aratinga acuticaudata) with a strongly regenerative anemia, a predominance of round, small erythrocytes (presumed spherocytes), leukopenia followed by leukocytosis, elevated plasma protein, biliverdinuria, and polyuria. Radiography and ultrasonography demonstrated a markedly enlarged spleen. After immunosuppressive treatment with prednisolone, the anemia, abnormal erythrocyte morphology, and biliverdinuria resolved but returned promptly after discontinuation of the therapy. We propose that this conure suffered from an immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.
Checking In or Checking Out? Investigating the Parent Involvement Reactive Hypothesis

ABSTRACT There are many conflicting findings regarding the relationship between parent involvement and student performance. Some findings support a positive relationship between involvement and achievement, whereas others support a negative relationship. The most common explanation for the negative findings, in which parent involvement is associated with lower levels of academic achievement, has been termed the reactive hypothesis (e.g., Catsambis, 1998; Epstein, 1988). The reactive hypothesis claims that any negative correlation or relationship between parent involvement and academic achievement stems from a reactive parent involvement strategy whereby a student having academic or behavioral difficulties at school leads to greater levels of parent involvement (i.e., checking in). Using the National Longitudinal Education Study, the author used a 3-panel, cross-lagged regression model to empirically investigate this claim. The analysis reveals little to no empirical support for the reactive hypothesis. In...
CBWL with fast returning: A channel assignment and use strategy for cellular communication systems

Channel Borrowing Without Locking allows real-time borrowing of channels from adjacent cells without the need for channel locking in co-channel cells. CBWL provides enhanced traffic performance in homogeneous environments and also can be used to relieve spatially localized traffic overloads. It can be applied in the cellular systems without additional costly infrastructure. CBWL permits simple channel control management and easy implementation. This paper describes "fast channel returning", an enhancement of the CBWL scheme. With fast channel returning, a borrowed channel is returned as soon as a regular channel becomes available. CBWL with fast returning reduces unnecessary channel borrowing and improves the performance of CBWL. Systems are modeled by multi-dimensional birth-death processes. An efficient method that uses macro-states, decomposition, combinatorial analysis and convolution algorithm is devised to find blocking probabilities. The results, which are also validated by simulation, indicate that channel fast returning can enhance system performance of CBWL scheme.
Synthesis, X-ray crystallographic, and reactivity studies of rhenium(V) alkyne complexes

Abstract [ReOMe 2 (bipy)(CH 3 CN)][PF 6 ], prepared in situ, reacted with alkynes (ethyne, propyne, 2-butyne, 3-hexyne, phenylacetylene, and diphenylacetylene) to give the cationic alkyne complexes trans -[ReOMe 2 (bipy)(alkyne)][PF 6 ] ( trans -MeReMe). 1 H-NMR studies indicated that a cis isomer was formed initially. Kinetics studies showed that the isomerizations were first order in the alkyne complex. The observed rate constants depended on the steric bulk of the alkyne with bulkier alkynes producing smaller k obs values. An Eyring plot for the isomerization of [ReOMe 2 (bipy)(2-butyne)][PF 6 ] yielded Δ H ‡ =21(1) kcal mol −1 and Δ S ‡ =6(3) eu. The isomerization mechanism was proposed to involve the rearrangement of a five-coordinate intermediate formed by dissociation of a ReN bond. Treatment of [ReOMe 2 (bipy)(CH 3 CN)][PF 6 ] with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate afforded the metallacycle [ Re{C[C(O)OMe]C(Me)C(O )(OMe)}(O)Me(bipy)][PF 6 ] via insertion of the alkyne into a ReCH 3 bond. Trans -[ReOMe 2 (RCCH)(bipy)][PF 6 ] reacted with PMe 3 or PPh 3 to form the ylide complexes cis -[ReOMe 2 (bipy){C(R)CH(PR′ 3 )}][PF 6 ] (R=H, R′=Me or Ph; R=Ph, R′=Me). In each case, a trans isomer ( trans -MeReMe) of the ylide complex was formed initially, which isomerized to the cis isomer. Spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic studies suggest that the ylide complexes can be described as organometallic analogs of resonance-stabilized phosphonium ylides. The structures of trans -[ReOMe 2 (bipy)(PhCCPh)][PF 6 ], [ Re{C[C(O)OMe]C(Me)C(O )(OMe)}(O)Me(bipy)][PF 6 ], cis -[ReOMe 2 (bipy){C(H)CH(PPh 3 )}][PF 6 ] and cis -[ReOMe 2 (bipy){C(Ph)CH(PMe 3 )}][PF 6 ] were determined by X-ray crystallography.
Strategies for Driving Mesh Adaptation in CFD (Invited)

This paper examines different approaches for driving mesh adaptation and provides theoretical developments for understanding the relationship between discretization error, the numerical scheme, and the mesh. Discrete and continuous equations governing the transport of discretization error are developed and it is shown that the truncation error acts as the local source for these equations. Examination of the truncation error in generalized coordinates provides insight into the role of mesh quality (mesh stretching for the 1D case) in the discretization error. Numerical results are presented for 1D steady-state Burgers equation at Reynolds numbers of 32 and 128. Four different approaches for driving mesh adaption are implemented for this case: solution gradients, solution curvature, discretization error, and truncation error. The truncation-error based adaption is shown to provide superior results for both cases. Finally, two approaches for estimating the truncation error are also discussed which would allow truncation error-based adaption to be implemented for complex numerical methods.
Metabolic signals that lead to control of CBB gene expression in Rhodobacter capsulatus

Various mutant strains were used to examine the regulation and metabolic control of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) reductive pentose phosphate pathway in Rhodobacter capsulatus. Previously, a ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO)-deficient strain (strain SBI/II) was found to show enhanced levels of cbb(I) and cbb(II) promoter activities during photoheterotrophic growth in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide. With this strain as the starting point, additional mutations were made in genes encoding phosphoribulokinase and transketolase and in the gene encoding the LysR-type transcriptional activator, CbbR(II). These strains revealed that a product generated by phosphoribulokinase was involved in control of CbbR-mediated cbb gene expression in SBI/II. Additionally, heterologous expression experiments indicated that Rhodobacter sphaeroides CbbR responded to the same metabolic signal in R. capsulatus SBI/II and mutant strain backgrounds.
Solution structure of an Old World-like neurotoxin from the venom of the New World scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing.

We have determined the solution structure of an a.-toxin, CsE-V, isolated fromthe venom of the New World scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing (CsE). This toxin causes spontaneous rhythmic contractions in muscle. Unlike other New World toxins from CsE, this protein exhibits amino acid insertions and deletions at locations similar to Old World toxins and may thus represent a transition protein between the New World and Old World scorpion α-toxins. Sequence-specific assignments were made using 600 MHz 1H two-dimensional NMR data. NOESY, PH-COSY and amide-exchange data were used to deduce constraints for molecular modeling calculations. Distance geometry and dynamical simulated annealing calculations were performed to generate a family of 70 structures free of constraint violations. With respect to this family of structures, the energy-minimized average structure had root-mean-square deviations of 0.74 and 1.32 A for backbone and all atoms, respectively (excluding the C-terminal dipeptide, which is disordered). As with other scorpion toxins, the secondary structure of CsE-V consists of an α-helix, a three-strand anti-parallel β-sheet, four β-turns, and a hydrophobic patch that includes tyrosine residues in herringbone configuration. Unlike the CsE-v3 and -v1 proteins from C. sculpturatus, all of the proline residues were found to be in the trans configuration. The α-helix is slightly longer in CsE-V The overall structure is more similar to the Old World α-toxin AaH-II from Androctonus australis Hector (r.m.s.d 1.59 A for backbone atoms of matching residues) than to the New World α-toxin CsE-v3 (r.m.s.d. 1.91 A). These structural data on CsE-V add further to our knowledge of the conformational repertoire exhibited by these sodium channel-binding neurotoxins.
Role of angiotensin converting enzyme genotype in sodium sensitivity in older hypertensives

Abstract Background Individuals differ in their blood pressure (BP) response to changes in dietary sodium (Na+) intake. It is possible that differences in BP responses to dietary Na+ are influenced by genes. Methods: A total of 35 older (62.9 ± 1.2 years) hypertensive subjects had their mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) determined after 8 days of low (20 mmol/day) and high (200 mmol/day) Na+ intake. The insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene was genotyped with standard polymerase chain reaction methods. Results Of the 35 subjects, 24 were classified as sodium-sensitive (≥5 mm Hg increase in MABP in response to the increase in dietary Na+) and 11 were classified as sodium-resistant ( Conclusions Based on these data in older hypertensive individuals, we conclude that the ACE gene ID and DD genotypes are associated with an increase in BP during a high Na+ diet, which is consistent with the phenotypic characteristic of sodium sensitivity.
Limb Autotomy as an Investigatory Tool: Host Molt-Stage Affects the Success Rate of Infective Larvae of a Rhizocephalan Barnacle

D. M. Skinner was the first biologist to systematically investigate the effect of multiple limb autotomy on ecdysis in decapod crustaceans. She proposed the existence of (1) limb autotomy factor anecdysis (LAFan) which initiates precocious molting, and (2) limb autotomy factor proecdysis (LAFpro) which postpones proecdysis. Mean time to ecdysis did not differ significantly among groups of small juvenile Callinectes sapidus with zero, two, four, and six limbs removed. Variance was significantly less for the group missing six limbs; i.e., autotomy of six limbs synchronized the molt-cycle. These patterns were consistent with the hypotheses that LAFan exerts an additive effect, i.e. , more anecdysial crabs enter proecdysis as more limbs are autotomized and that a delay of proecdysis occurs above a threshold (>4) of autotomized limbs. Multiple limb autotomy provides investigators with easy access to crabs in metecdysial molt-stages which is useful in studying interactions between rhizocephalan barnacles and their hosts. While 71% of metecdysial C. sapidus exposed to infective larvae of the sacculinid rhizocephalan, Loxothylacus texanus , developed the external stage of the parasite, no similarlysized anecdysial crab was parasitized, suggesting that these crabs are not susceptible to infection during anecdysis. Size of C. sapidus at infection was inversely proportional to the number of ecdyses between infection and emergence of the parasite, but not correlated to final host size. These data suggest that there is a minimum threshold for host size; smaller hosts undergo more ecdyses before attaining the threshold. Rhizocephalans are being considered as biological control agents and there is a need to understand how they find and infect hosts. Because limb autotomy is such a useful research tool, D. M. Skinner's contributions to our understanding of how limb autotomy influences the crustacean molt cycle will continue to pay significant dividends in crustacean biology.
Regulation and Effects of Modulation of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Expression in Primordial Germ Cells During Development

Telomere length maintenance in the germ line from generation to generation is essential for the perpetuation of eukaryotic organisms. This task is performed by a specialized reverse transcriptase called telomerase. While this critical function of telomerase has been well established, the mechanisms that regulate telomerase in the germ line are still poorly understood. We now show, using a Pou5f1-GFP transgenic mouse model, that telomerase suppression in quiescent male primordial germ cells (PGCs) is accompanied by a decrease in expression of murine telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). To further assess the role of TERT in quiescent PGCs, we developed a chicken Actb gene promoter/cytomegalovirus enhancer (CAG)-Tert transgenic mouse strain that constitutively expresses murine TERT. Telomerase activity was detected in quiescent PGCs from CAG-Tert transgenic embryos, demonstrating that re-activation of TERT expression is sufficient to restore telomerase activity in these cells and implying that TERT expression is an important mechanism of telomerase regulation in PGCs. Fluorescence-activated cell-sorting (FACS) analysis of PGC frequency and cell cycle status revealed no effect of either overexpression or deficiency of TERT in CAG-Tert transgenic mice or Tert knock-out mice respectively. These results demonstrate that TERT per se does not affect proliferation or development of PGCs, in contrast with recent studies that suggest that TERT has a telomere-independent effect in certain stem cells. It is possible that the direct effect of TERT on cell behavior may be dependent on cell type.
The Noncustodial Parent and Medical Treatment

Despite the frequency of divorce, there are no comprehensive guidelines for the relative rights of custodial and noncustodial parents. Since there are no definite rules for the parties to follow, divorced parents receive conflicting advice and are more likely to engage in bitter misunderstandings. This paper creates a framework for defining whether the noncustodial parent has a right to authorize emergency medical care, routine medical care, serious nonemergency medical care, psychiatric evaluation, and psychiatric treatment. The author suggests that the noncustodial parent should be able to authorize routine medical treatment, but not routine psychiatric treatment.
Source for ultrafast continuum infrared and terahertz radiation

A compact and stable method for generating high-intensity linearly polarized continuum mid-IR and terahertz light using ultrafast femtosecond (fs) laser pulses is demonstrated. Continuous light generation from 3300 cm(-1) (100 THz, 3 microm) in a sub-100 fs laser pulse is facilitated by nonlinear mixing of the fundamental, second harmonic, and third harmonic of an ultrafast amplified laser source through filamentation in air. Including the third harmonic in the mixing scheme leads to a tenfold increase in the generated IR power. The compact optical configuration utilizing a delay plate in a collinear geometry serves to simplify alignment and increase stability, making it a practical source for transient IR spectroscopy.
Critical pulmonary stenosis

Critical pulmonary stenosis causes cyanosis and can be potentially lethal in the neonate. Initial treatment includes general resuscitation and infusion of prostaglandin E1 to dilate the ductus. The diagnosis is usually made echocardiographically, but a right ventriculogram in the outflow tract may be necessary in some patients with only a tiny valve opening. Preformed catheters may aid in the passage of an appropriate guidewire. Valvuloplasty should be performed with a balloon approximately 1.2 times the annulus diameter. Most patients remain mildly to moderately cyanotic immediately after the procedure. With right ventricular (RV) growth and improved RV compliance, the cyanosis eventually resolves. Some patients may require prolonged prostaglandin infusion, a surgical shunt, or other mechanical means of maintaining systemic-to-pulmonary artery flow. Intermediate--to long-term results are excellent. However, only 5%-10% of patients may require surgical relief of residual valve or subvalvular stenosis. Very long-term follow-up raises concern about the significance of induced pulmonary insufficiency. Up to 30% of patients may require repeat balloon valvuloplasty.
Increasing Competency In Health Science Education: Introspection

Before health science can play its expected role, health science education needs to be looked at critically and revamped. This area of education needs immediate attention for positive and effective change. This paper is based on observations, deliberations, and supportive findings across the US system of science education. However, with globalization, a lot of it is applicable to other countries. Health science education has been categorized into three categories: Health Science Education in School; in College; And, Beyond College. The paper raises more questions that we need to find workable answers to. It does not, in anyway, claim to provide the best solution, the only answer, or the end to all discussion and development for improvement.
Raising the Black Consciousness: How Black Television Elites Have Responded to the Black Lives Matter Movement

The purpose of this research paper is to explore how current Black television executives have responded to the Black Lives Matter Movement. Usage of specific language and topics aimed to raise the Black consciousness, as it calls out for Black political activism. Media portrayals of police brutality against African Americans have become commonplace in today’s society. While some have taken to the streets in efforts of protest, others have used available outlets to express an outcry of anger. Under the theory of agenda building, Berkowitz (1992), this research will discuss how prime time television shows such as Scandal, Being Mary Jane, and Empire have targeted Black viewership in their aims of expressing the grievances of the Black Lives Matter Movement.
The Blaine Amendment of 1876: Harbinger of Secularism

The Blaine Amendment of 1876 was a Congressional effort to add a sixteenth amendment to the Constitution. The leading feature and central aspiration of the proposal was to prohibit the states from giving financial aid to schools run by sects. Passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives, the Blaine Amendment narrowly failed to secure the necessary two-thirds vote in the Senate. This paper examines the Blaine Amendment as a political phenomenon; that is, as a Republican attempt to exploit anti-Catholic prejudice in a presidential election year. It also looks at the Blaine Amendment constitutionally; that is, for the light it sheds upon the Reconstruction-era debate over church and state as well as upon the relationship between the First Amendment Religion Clauses (the language of which the Blaine initiative incorporated), and the recently ratified Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause. Finally and at the greatest length, this paper looks at the Blaine Amendment more broadly; that is, as a telling episode in the continuing American story about the government's proper role in shaping children's character as maturing citizens of the American polity.
Binding Properties of Zearalenone Mycotoxins to Hepatic Estrogen Receptors

This study investigates binding characteristics of three derivatives of the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone by components of liver cytosol. Studies show that cytosol from male and female rats contain similar amounts of specific estrogen receptors which sediment in the 8-9 S region of 5-20% sucrose gradients. In addition, male liver cytosol contains a second class of "nonreceptor" estrogen-binding sites sedimenting in the 4-5 S region of sucrose gradients. Sedimentation analyses show that each of the mycotoxin derivatives (P-1496, P-1502, and P-1560) behave in an analogous manner to the synthetic estrogen, diethylstilbestrol, in that they compete effectively for 8 S receptor sites, whereas they bind poorly to 4 S nonreceptor sites. The binding affinities of the derivatives for receptor sites were determined from competition studies at 4° by using partially purified receptors and a range of concentrations of the competing ligands. During a short (90-min) incubation period, the relative binding affinities of P-1496, P-1502, and P-1560 for receptor sites were 30, 17, and 12%, respectively, of that exhibited by 17β-estradiol. The relative binding affinity of 17β-estradiol and P-1496 did not change as a function of time at 4°. However, the relative binding affinities of P-1502 and P-1560 decreased to 6.8 and 4.2%, respectively, during an extended incubation period at 4°. The binding affinity of each derivative was similar towards partially purified liver and uterine receptors during the extended incubation period. Dissociation rate constants of 17β-estradiol, P-1496, and P-1560 were obtained indirectly by measuring the rate of exchange of the unlabeled ligand with [3H]estradiol at 25°. The dissociation rate constants were 3.0 x 10-3 min-1, 5.6 x 10-3 min-1, and 0.14 min-1 for 17β-estradiol, P-1496, and P-1560, respectively. These studies show that the mycotoxin derivatives have the potential for modulating liver function through interaction with specific estrogen receptors. The true estrogen potential of the derivatives may depend upon the formation of a stable slowly dissociating ligand-receptor complex.
Apolipoprotein E −/− Mice Lacking Hemopexin Develop Increased Atherosclerosis via Mechanisms That Include Oxidative Stress and Altered Macrophage Function

Objective— We previously reported that hemopexin (Hx), a heme scavenger, is significantly increased and associated with proinflammatory high-density lipoprotein under atherogenic conditions. Although it is established that Hx together with macrophages plays a role in mitigating oxidative damage, the role of Hx in the development of atherosclerosis is unknown. Approach and Results— We used Hx and apoE double-knockout mice (HxE −/− ) to determine the role of Hx in the development of atherosclerosis. HxE −/− mice had significantly more free heme, reactive oxygen species, and proinflammatory high-density lipoprotein in their circulation, when compared with control apoE −/− mice. Atherosclerotic plaque area (apoE −/− =9.72±2.5×10 4 μm 2 and HxE −/− =27.23±3.6×10 4 μm 2 ) and macrophage infiltration (apoE −/− =38.8±5.8×10 3 μm 2 and HxE −/− =103.4±17.8×10 3 μm 2 ) in the aortic sinus were significantly higher in the HxE −/− mice. Atherosclerotic lesions in the aortas were significantly higher in the HxE −/− mice compared with apoE −/− mice. Analysis of polarization revealed that macrophages from HxE −/− mice were more M1-like. Ex vivo studies demonstrated that HxE −/− macrophage cholesterol efflux capacity was significantly reduced when compared with apoE −/− mice. Injection of human Hx into HxE −/− mice reduced circulating heme levels and human Hx pretreatment of naive bone marrow cells ex vivo resulted in a shift from M1- to M2-like macrophages. Conclusions— We conclude that Hx plays a novel protective role in alleviating heme-induced oxidative stress, improving inflammatory properties of high-density lipoprotein, macrophage phenotype and function, and inhibiting the development of atherosclerosis in apoE −/− mice.
Study on Ampelsis grossedentata to Lower Plasma Lipids Level

Objective: To study the effect of Ampelsis grossedentata on lowering plasma lipids level. Methods: The hyperlipemia rats were fed with Ampelsis grossedentata on three different dosages respectively everyday. After 30d, the levels of TC,TG and HDL-C were assayed.100 patients with primary hyperlipidemia were randomly allocated into two groups, one treated group and the other control group. Patients in the treated group were given 9g/d of Ampelsis grossedentata. After 45d, the level of TC,TG and HDL-C were assayed. Results: the TC and TG level of rats could be lowered, the HDL-C level of rats could be increased. Whereas the effective rate of the patients treated group on reducing levels of TC, TG and plasma lipids were respectively 42%, 72% and 28%.Conclusion: In the study, Ampelsis grossedentata could lower the plasma lipids level.
He Named Me Malala: connecting the historical, the local, and the global

ABSTRACTMy essay highlights how this (otherwise excellent) documentary film He Named Me Malala suffers from a historical amnesia in failing to connect the historical, local, and global/Western factors that have set the political-social context within which occurred the Malala incident in 2012. This is because the documentary – exposing the voice of a Pakistani female activist as a postcolonial/global agent – does not look into the historical-colonial, Cold War, or the post-Cold War dynamics that have set the ‘context’ within which the theme of the documentary unfolded. My essay addresses these issues of historical amnesia, arguing that to better comprehend the Malala incident (and broadly the issue of gender violence in Pakistan’s socio-cultural context) it remains imperative to connect how factors of power, politics, and vested interests have intersected at historical, local, and global levels to explain the 2012 Malala incident.