cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification of mitochondrial creatine kinase: two interconvertible forms of the active enzyme.

Abstract The purification of creatine kinase from beef heart mitochondria is described. The purified enzyme appears as a single band after electrophoresis on SDS gels. Electrophoresis on cellulose acetate followed by staining for creatine kinase activity shows two forms of the enzyme. The slower migrating (m-1) form upon concentration is converted to the more rapidly migrating form (m-2). The reverse conversion occurs if the m-2 is incubated with β-mercaptoethanol. These results are consistent with a reversible oxidation of protein sulfhydryl group (s).
Contextual variation in automatic evaluative bias to racially-ambiguous faces☆

Three studies examined the implicit evaluative associations activated by racially-ambiguous Black-White faces. In the context of both Black and White faces, Study 1 revealed a graded pattern of bias against racially-ambiguous faces that was weaker than the bias to Black faces but stronger than that to White faces. Study 2 showed that significant bias was present when racially-ambiguous faces appeared in the context of only White faces, but not in the context of only Black faces. Study 3 demonstrated that context produces perceptual contrast effects on racial-prototypicality judgments. Racially-ambiguous faces were perceived as more prototypically Black in a White-only than mixed-race context, and less prototypically Black in a Black-only context. Conversely, they were seen as more prototypically White in a Black-only than mixed context, and less prototypically White in a White-only context. The studies suggest that both race-related featural properties within a face (i.e., racial ambiguity) and external contextual factors affect automatic evaluative associations.
Intracellular localization of iron, calcium, molybdenum and tungsten in Azotobacter vinelandii.

Abstract The data reported here show that iron occurs predominantly in the membrane of Azotobacter vinelandii , while molybdenum and its antagonist tungsten are intracellular constituents. Although the evidence for the localization of calcium by these methods is not unequivocal, it appears that this metal may be found largely in cell wall material.
Instream community assessment of aquaculture effluents

Abstract The regionally concentrated commercial catfish industry has attracted attention to its possible contributions to basin contaminant loading. This study was included in a screening process to establish baseline bioassessment information for commercial aquaculture of the southeast United States. One valuable aspect of the typical drainage system in this industry's landscape is the assimilative capacity and transformation of contaminants associated with ditches. Two extensive commercial fish farm drainage systems in northeast Arkansas and affected receiving streams were examined for their response to potential nutrient related contamination. The research utilized modified Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBPs), as applied nationwide, in characterization and identification of potential water resource impairments. Additional biological impairment testing of related pond discharges and affected receiving streams was also conducted to further characterize potential effluent impacts. There was no observed significant toxicity (P
Induction of serum colony-stimulating activity (CSA) following dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) exposure: effects on macrophage differentiation.

Abstract Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) exposure in vivo affects hematopoiesis at the level of CFU-GM precursor cells. This effect on hematopoiesis has been shown to be an indirect consequence of DMN exposure; therefore, we examined serum from animals exposed to DMN in vivo for the presence of hematopoietic growth factor activity. Serum obtained from animals exposed to DMN in vivo supported colony formation in normal bone marrow stem cells whereas serum obtained from untreated or vehicle-exposed animals failed to support colony formation. Differential staining of the cells which arose following the in vitro culture of normal bone marrow cells with serum from DMN-exposed animals demonstrated the presence of cells of the monocytic and granulocytic lineages. Pre-treatment of serum from DMN-exposed animals with anti-CSF-1 antibodies prior to in vitro culture had no affect on either cell number, cell phenotype or colony-stimulating activity, suggesting the presence of GM-CSF. Administration of serum from DMN-exposed animals to naive recipient animals resulted in increased percentages of both blood-borne monocytes and neutrophils, mimicking the profile observed in DMN-exposed animals. Studies using oligonucleotide-directed PCR demonstrated the presence of GM-CSF transcripts in the livers obtained following DMN exposure. These results demonstrate the presence of a serum-borne activity(ies) following DMN exposure, most likely GM-CSF, which is capable not only of enhancing macrophage and granulocyte hematopoiesis but also of increasing the numbers of these two cell types in the blood.
When Teenagers Work: The Psychological and Social Costs of Adolescent Employment

When Teenagers Work: The Psychological and Social Costs of Adolescent Employment Ellen Greenberger & Laurence Steinberg. (Basic Books Inc.: New York, 1986 Hardcover. $17.95)
Distribution and partial characterization of FMRFamide-like peptides in the stomatogastric nervous systems of the rock crab, Cancer borealis, and the spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus.

The distribution of FMRFamide-like peptides was studied in the complete Stomatogastric nervous system [the paired commissural ganglia, single oesophageal ganglion, and the single Stomatogastric ganglion (STG)] of two decapod crustacean species, the spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus and the rock crab Cancer borealis, by using immunocytochemical techniques. Antiserum 231 from the O'Donohue laboratory and antiserum 671C (described here) gave essentially the same staining patterns. In the commissural ganglia of both species there were ten to 20 stained neurons and dense neuropilar staining. The oesophageal ganglion of the crab had four stained neurons. Lucifer Yellow backfills followed by immunostaining showed that the two larger stained neurons of the oesophageal ganglion sent processes into the inferior ventricular nerve. The two smaller neurons sent processes into the inferior oesophageal nerves. The oesophageal ganglion of the lobster had two stained neurons that sent processes into the inferior ventricular nerve as well. None of the somata of the STG stained in either species, but in both species stained fibers were seen in the Stomatogastric nerve that entered the STGs and ramified profusely throughout the neuropil. In some preparations of the crab, a stained fiber was visible in the dorsal ventricular nerve. The amounts of the FMRFamide-like peptides found in all regions of the nervous system of P. interruptus and C. borealis were determined by radioimmune assay (RIA). Column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography suggest that, in both species, much if not all of the RIA-assayable material is accountable for by peptides that are larger and more hydrophobia than FMRFamide.
Accuracy of CT angiography for the diagnosis of vascular abnormalities causing intraparenchymal hemorrhage in young patients.

The objective of this study is to measure the accuracy of multidetector CT angiography (MD CTA) in the detection of vascular abnormalities in patients ≤40 years with spontaneous intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) presenting to the emergency department. After institutional review board approval, a retrospective study was performed of 43 consecutive patients ≤40 years, who presented to our emergency department with IPH and that were evaluated with MD CTA. MD CTA images were reviewed by a neuroradiologist to determine IPH location, presence of a vascular abnormality, and associated extraparenchymal hemorrhage. Diagnostic accuracy was measured comparing it to the available reference standards, which included conventional catheter angiogram (CCA), surgical macroscopic findings, and pathology results. Medical records were reviewed for risk factors and correlation with final diagnosis. MD CTA demonstrated an accuracy of 97.7%, with a sensitivity of 96.4% (95% CI 0.79–0.99) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI 0.74–0.99) for the detection of vascular abnormalities in young patients with IPH. Additionally, MD CTA had a PPV of 100%, and the NPV 93.8% in this population. Of the 43 patients included in the study, 28 patients (65%) had a causative vascular etiology for the IPH. Among the 28 patients with vascular etiologies for the IPH, 11 had an AVM (39.2%), nine a ruptured aneurysm (32.14%), seven dural venous sinus thrombosis (25%), and one had vasculitis (3.57%). MD CTA is highly accurate in the detection of vascular abnormalities in the setting of IPH, which as a group represents the most frequent etiology of IPH among patients age ≤40 years. MD CTA performed in the Emergency Department provides accurate, rapid and critical presurgical and premedical treatment information in young patients with IPH.
Situated Support for Learning: Storm's Weekend with Rachael

Although much attention has been paid to the content of support for learning, less attention has been given to its context. This article introduces the notion of "situated support," and argues that the identity of the source of support and the connectedness of that support to other elements of the learning environment are of primary importance. MOOSE Crossing is a text-based virtual reality environment designed to be a constructionist learning environment for children 8 to 13 years of age. A microanalysis is presented of the situated nature of support for learning on MOOSE Crossing over the course of 1 weekend where a 12-year-old girl learned to write simple computer programs.
Comparing scheduling rules for flexible flow lines

Abstract This paper explores scheduling flexible flow lines with sequence-dependent setup times. Three major types of heuristics are explored. Insertion heuristics (based on insertion heuristics for the traveling salesman problem) attempt to simultaneously equalize workload on all processors at a stage, and minimize total or single-stage flowtimes. Johnson's algorithm for two-stage flow shops and its heuristic extensions to m-machine flow shops are modified for parallel processors and the flexible flow-line environment. A set of naive greedy heuristics is investigated for comparison purposes. The performance of the heuristics is compared on a set of test problems. Results indicate the range of conditions under which each method performs well.
Physics of novel III-nitride gain media for visible and ultraviolet lasers

The limitations and novel designs of InGaN and AlGaN quantum wells for visible and ultraviolet lasers are investigated. Specific designs with large optical gain are compared for visible and ultraviolet lasers.
Multi-Phase Glass-Ceramics as a Waste Form for Combined Fission Products: Alkalis, Alkaline Earths, Lanthanides, and Transition Metals

In this study, multi-phase borosilicate-based glass-ceramics were investigated as an alternative waste form for immobilizing non-fissionable products from used nuclear fuel. Currently, borosilicate glass is the waste form selected for immobilization of this waste stream, however, the low thermal stability and solubility of MoO3 in borosilicate glass translates into a maximum waste loading in the range 15–20 mass%. Glass-ceramics provide the opportunity to target chemically durable crystalline phases, e.g., powellite, oxyapatite, celsian, and pollucite that will incorporate MoO3 as well as other waste components such as lanthanides, alkalis, and alkaline earths at levels twice the solubility limits of a single-phase glass. In addition a glass-ceramic could provide higher thermal stability, depending upon the properties of the crystalline and amorphous phases. Here, glass-ceramics were synthesized at waste loadings of 42, 45, and 50 mass% with the following glass additives: B2O3, Al2O3, CaO, and SiO2 by slow-cooling from a glass melt. Glass-ceramics were characterized in terms of phase assemblage, morphology, and thermal stability. Only two of the targeted phases, powellite and oxyapatite, were observed, along with lanthanide-borosilicate and cerianite. Results of this initial investigation show promise of glass-ceramics as a potential waste form to replace single-phase borosilicate glass.
Cell Damage Associated with Changing the Medium of Mesencephalic Cultures in Serum-Free Medium Is Mediated via N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors

: Dopaminergic neurons from embryonic rat mesencephalon were grown in simple serum-free media. The cells develop over a period of several weeks in vitro, particularly between day 14 and day 23. Removing the culture medium and replacing it with fresh medium during this interval caused severe damage to the cultures; this damage is mediated by excitatory amino acids acting through glutamate receptors. Damage could be completely prevented by antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype of glutamate receptor. As expected, medium that contains glutamate (i.e., Ham's F-12 medium) caused damage; however, medium that contains no glutamate or aspartate (i.e., Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium) also caused severe damage, and most of the damage was dependent on the presence of glutamine in the medium. The presence of the antibiotics penicillin and streptomycin greatly enhanced damage caused by medium change.
SystemwideModeler: A fast-time simulation of the NAS

The National Airspace System (NAS) is a complex network of air transportation resources that serves tens of thousands of flights every day. The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is intended to improve the performance of the NAS. To evaluate the aggregate and network effects of growing demand and NextGen improvements, analysts often use fast-time simulation models of NAS operations. Developed by the MITRE Corporation, systemwideModeler simulates the progress and interactions of flights as they use hundreds of airports and airspace sectors. Capacity-constrained resources such as airports or en route sectors anticipate congestion and react by constraining when and how flights use them. Constraints are respected via delay absorption, rerouting, airframe reassignment, and cancellations. Resource models can be summoned as needed to best represent the scenario of interest. This paper describes the use and design of systemwideModeler, explains how key component models work to represent airport congestion management, en route congestion management, and fleet management, and identifies ongoing research activities.
Clinical training and competency guidelines for using robotic devices

With the increasing popularity of robotic devices in rehabilitation centers worldwide (e.g. Lokomat®, ZeroG®, ReoGo, InMotion 2.0, and Biodex System 4), there is a need for guidelines to ensure proper training and evaluation of therapists on the safe and effective use of these devices. Here, we present training tools and guidelines that were based on the recommendations of several device manufacturers and a user-group made up of clinicians and therapists. The training tools consist of a detailed user manual, clinical manual, hand-on training, video training and web based training tools. We also present procedures for evaluating user competency after they have completed detailed training. We believe that the comprehensive training and competency evaluation guidelines presented here will help ensure that rehabilitation robotic devices are used properly. This in turn will lead to more effective interventions and reduce the likelihood of injury.
Equity, Connection, and Engagement in the School Context to Promote Positive Youth Development

Connection to school and school engagement are important in promoting positive youth development, but little is known about their relationship to school characteristics, particularly school equity. School equity, the extent to which there is fair treatment for all students, is critical for ensuring the success for all students. Hierarchical linear models conducted on data from 19,833 adolescents at 52 high schools indicated that greater school equity was associated with improved student connection to school and school engagement. Cross-level interactions were observed between equity and the concentration of minority students in the school, as well as for equity and student mobility. Results suggest that improving school equity may be an important contextual target for promoting positive youth development in schools.
Characteristics of thunderstorm-generated low altitude wind shear: a survey based on nationwide terminal Doppler weather radar testbed measurements

The characteristics of microbursts and gust fronts, two forms of aviation-hazardous low altitude wind shear, are presented. Data were collected with a prototype terminal Doppler weather radar and a network of surface weather stations in Memphis, Huntsville, Denver, Kansas City, and Orlando. Regional differences and features that could be exploited in detection systems such as the associated reflectivity, surface wind shear, and temperature change are emphasized. >
Maintaining Food Sufficiency: Coping Strategies Identified by Limited-Resource Individuals versus Nutrition Educators

Abstract Objective : This study's purposes were to identify food acquisition and management coping strategies used by limited-resource individuals to maintain food sufficiency, compare strategies named by the target audience to those previously identified by nutrition educators, and examine these strategies to advance grounded theory. Design : Eleven focus groups, conducted with 62 limited-resource individuals, elucidated coping strategies that they or others they knew used to acquire or manage food to maintain food sufficiency. The results were compared with practices as previously identified by nutrition educators who regularly worked with this audience. Subjects/Settings : Subjects aged 19 to 67 from throughout New Jersey were recruited by Food Stamp agencies, low-income outreach programs, soup kitchens, welfare offices, Head Start centers, shelters, and food pantries. Results : Of the 95 coping strategies identified, 83% were known from nutrition educators previously. Ten new practices (eg, selling blood) had not previously been identified by educators. Four of 10 practices were not found in the literature (eg, repeated participation in research studies). Six practices previously reported by nutrition educators were not mentioned by the study population. Implications : Educators who work with limited-resource individuals are a good resource for research with this audience. Study findings may be important considerations for nutrition program planning and policy making.
Reduced Glutathione Concentration in Relation to the Age and Weight of New Hampshire and White Leghorn Embryos

ABSTRACT THE initial report of results obtained in a program of research on biochemical genetics in poultry (Stutts et al., 1956) presented evidence that the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) within the erythrocytes of mature chickens is largely genetically controlled. The apparent high heritability of differences in glutathione metabolism in one tissue, blood, directed our attention to the question of variability in glutathione metabolism by the whole organism. Adding to the significance of a possible heritable variation in the organismic metabolism of glutathione is the commonly accepted view that glutathione is associated with cell proliferation and, hence, increasing size (Hammet, 1930; Gregory and Goss, 1933a, b, c). The total glutathione concentration of Barred Plymouth Rock embryos was observed to be slightly but consistently higher than concentrations found in White Leghorn embryos (Gregory et al., 1935Gregory et al., 1936). Later Gregory and associates (1937) found the same difference between two to fourteen-day-old chicks of . . .
Innovation in Preferred Stock: Current Developments and Implications for Financial Reporting

In this paper we investigate a significant innovation in preferred stock securities issued over the 1993–1996 period. We document trends in preferred stock use which indicate that the introduction of a preferred stock variant, trust preferred securities (TPS), is changing the landscape of corporate balance sheets with an increasing number of companies reporting securities in the “mezzanine” section of the balance sheet (between equity and debt). Referred to by many as the “Holy Grail” of financial instruments, TPS are treated as debt for tax purposes, but not for financial reporting or debt‐rating purposes. Since their introduction in late 1993, they have quickly become the primary variant of new preferred stock issues, representing the majority of all new issues of preferred stock. We (1) document this trend in preferred stock issues, (2) discuss the resulting financial reporting effects of this new security, (3) identify the motivations for this trend and (4) evaluate a new FASB proposal that addresses ...
Welcome innovation in erythrocyte sedimentation testing.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test is a laboratory test that serves as a “sickness index” in conjunction with the patient’s clinical history and physical examination findings. Therefore, it has been a popular procedure for many years, since it is useful to have this information available to the physician within minutes after seeing the patient to decide on appropriate steps for care of the patient. A Swedish physician, Fahraeus, first conceived of the ESR test in 1921. 1 Since then, a variety of methods have been developed that have improved the procedure. In recent years, a great number of technical innovations have made the testing less hazardous and more easily performed by laboratory personnel. 2 A cursory glance at the College of American Pathologists’ (CAP) ESR survey summary reports reveals many different sedimentation tubes. In some cases, the laboratories use whole blood, and others dilute the specimen. With this proliferation of methods, there is increased variation in the reported results and an inherent difficulty in interpretation of these results. 3 There was an evident need for a reliable reference method against which the newly developed equipment and instruments could be evaluated. The International Committee for Standards in Haematology 4 and the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) 5 recommend comparison methods and procedures to improve the precision and accuracy and lower the biohazards associated with this test. The use of disposable sedimentation rate tubes of acceptable internal diameter is one such recommendation. Also specimens with hematocrit values more than 35% (0.35) are known to yield less precise results, and, therefore, only specimens with hematocrit values less than 35% (0.35) are acceptable for comparative purposes. Likewise, sedimentation tubes with internal diameters of less than 2.55 mm can produce variable results. Therefore, the recommended referral methods incorporate this information into their criteria. These standardization groups have published recommendations for a hierarchy of methods against which new methods could be compared. 4,5  The reference method uses a 200-mm, open-ended Westergren pipette with an internal diameter of 2.55 mm or more filled with undiluted blood having a packed cell volume (hematocrit) of 35% (0.35) or less that has been collected in EDTA anticoagulant.  The standardized method uses a 200-mm, open-ended
Toxoplasma gondii Triggers Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88-Dependent IL-12 and Chemokine Ligand 2 (Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1) Responses Using Distinct Parasite Molecules and Host Receptors

Toll-like receptors (TLR) that signal through the common adaptor molecule myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) are essential in proinflammatory cytokine responses to many microbial pathogens. In this study we report that Toxoplasma gondii triggers neutrophil IL-12 and chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2; monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) production in strict dependence upon functional MyD88. Nevertheless, the responses are distinct. Although we identify TLR2 as the receptor triggering CCL2 production, parasite-induced IL-12 release did not involve this TLR. The production of both IL-12 and CCL2 was increased after neutrophil activation with IFN-γ. However, the synergistic effect of IFN-γ on IL-12, but not CCL2, was dependent upon Stat1 signal transduction. Although IL-10 was a potent down-regulator of Toxoplasma -triggered neutrophil IL-12 release, the cytokine had no effect on parasite-induced CCL2 production. Soluble tachyzoite Ag fractionation demonstrated that CCL2- and IL-12 inducing activities are biochemically distinct. Importantly, Toxoplasma cyclophilin-18, a molecule previously shown to induce dendritic cell IL-12, was not involved in neutrophil IL-12 production. Our results show for the first time that T. gondii possesses multiple molecules triggering distinct MyD88-dependent signaling cascades, that these pathways are independently regulated, and that they lead to distinct profiles of cytokine production.
The Role of Mentoring Support and Self-Management Strategies on Reported Career Outcomes.

This study examined the contribution of self-management strategies to job outcomes for employees involved in mentoring relationships. Participants (n = 158) reported their use of three types of self-management strategies, the level of support functions provided by their mentors, and their job satisfaction and perceived career success. Results showed that individuals who used self-set career goals reported greater job satisfaction and perceived career success; those who engaged in positive cognitions also had higher job satisfaction; and those who used behavioral self-management strategies reported greater perceived career success. Mentoring and self-management strategies each contributed uniquely to satisfaction and perceived career satisfaction. After controlling for amount of instrumental support provided by the mentors, positive cognitions remained predictive of perceived career success, and participation in self-set career goals were related to higher levels of job satisfaction. Moderator analysis showed that the self-management strategies appeared to be useful in the absence of certain types of mentor support.
Regulation of Vascular Calcification by Osteoclast Regulatory Factors RANKL and Osteoprotegerin

Vascular calcification often occurs with advancing age, atherosclerosis, various metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease, or in rare genetic diseases, leading to serious clinical consequences. Such mineralization can occur at various sites (cardiac valves, arterial intima or media, capillaries), involve localized or diffuse widespread calcification, and result from numerous causes that provoke active inflammatory and osteogenic processes or disordered mineral homeostasis. Although valuable research has defined many key factors and cell types involved, surprising new insights continue to arise that deepen our understanding and suggest novel research directions or strategies for clinical intervention in calcific vasculopathies. One emerging area in vascular biology involves the RANKL/RANK/OPG system, molecules of the tumor necrosis factor-related family recently discovered to be critical regulators of immune and skeletal biology. Evidence is accumulating that such signals may be expressed, regulated, and function in vascular physiology and pathology in unique ways to promote endothelial cell survival, angiogenesis, monocyte or endothelial cell recruitment, and smooth muscle cell osteogenesis and calcification. Concerted research efforts are greatly needed to understand these potential roles, clarify whether RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor B ligand) promotes and osteoprotegerin (OPG) protects against vascular calcification, define how OPG genetic polymorphisms relate to cardiovascular disease, and learn whether elevated serum OPG levels reflect endothelial dysfunction in patients. Overall, the RANKL/RANK/OPG system may mediate important and complex links between the vascular, skeletal, and immune systems. Thus, these molecules may play a central role in regulating the development of vascular calcification coincident with declines in skeletal mineralization with age, osteoporosis, or disease. (Circ Res. 2004;95:1046-1057.)
Accelerating standards and measurements for the smart grid

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has efforts underway to accelerate the international development of interoperability standards to support the future modernized “Smart Grid” electric grid or energy delivery network characterized by a two-way flow of electricity and information, capable of monitoring and responding to changes in everything from power plants to customer preferences to individual appliances. Through a high-visibility, rapid, and open process that brought together the Smart Grid community, including utilities, equipment suppliers, network providers, IT application developers and integrators, government and consumers of electricity, NIST has developed and published its Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 1.0 [1], to create the basis for prioritizing, coordinating and accelerating the development of standards in private-sector standards setting organizations, including international standards development organizations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the IEEE.
Exercise alters the regulation of myocardial Na+/H+ exchanger-1 activity

The myocardial Na+/H+ exchanger-1 (NHE1) plays a major role in regulation of intracellular pH, and its upregulation has been implicated in increased ischemia-reperfusion injury and other pathologie...
The Future of Worker Representation – Edited by Geraldine Healy, Edmund Heery, Phil Taylor and William Brown

Books reviewed: The Future of Worker Representation edited by Geraldine Healy, Edmund Heery, Phil Taylor and William Brown. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2004, xvi + 325 pp., ISBN 1 4039 17590, £55.00.
Helper T-Cell Epitopes Encoded by the Babesia bigemina rap-1 Gene Family in the Constant and Variant Domains Are Conserved among Parasite Strains

Among important candidates for babesial vaccines are apical complex proteins, including rhoptry-associated protein 1 (RAP-1) fromBabesia bovis and B. bigemina, which have been shown to induce partial immunity. Four variant B. bigemina rap-1 transcripts identified in a clone of the Mexico strain have highly conserved sequence in the central region but vary in sequence at the amino and carboxy termini (NT and CT) of the predicted proteins, resulting in different combinations of NT and CT domains in the individual gene products. Cattle were immunized with native protein consisting of the RAP-α1 variant, which contains NT-1 and CT-1 domains, and T-cell responses were characterized. We previously reported the identification of two T helper (Th) cell epitopes inB. bigemina RAP-1α1 protein (I. Hotzel, W. C. Brown, T. F. McElwain, S. D. Rodriguez, and G. H. Palmer, Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 81:89–99, 1996). One epitope mapped to the constant domain of RAP-1 (amino acids [aa] 144 to 187), and one mapped to the CT-1 variable domain (aa 386 to 480). Th1-like clones responding to these epitopes proliferated differentially to different strains of B. bigemina, raising the possibilities that the T-cell epitopes may vary antigenically and that CT-1 may be differentially expressed with respect to the other RAP-1 CT domains in the different strains. In this report, we definitively map the T-cell epitope identified in the constant domain of RAP-1 to aa 159 to 187 (FVVSLLKKNVVRDPESNDVENFASQYFYM) and show that the predicted amino acid sequence is completely conserved among seven strains. The T-cell epitope in the CT-1 domain was mapped to aa 436 to 465 (VNSEKVDADDAGNAETQQLPDAENEVRADD), which is also completely conserved among eight strains of B. bigemina. We further show that the RAP-1α1-immunized cattle were protected against homologousB. bigemina challenge, thus suggesting an association between protective immunity and the helper T-cell response against the two epitopes. The immunogenic and highly conserved nature of these T-cell epitopes and their ability to stimulate functionally relevant Th cells that express gamma interferon support their inclusion in a vaccine.
A New Function for Phospholipase C-γ1: Coupling to the Adaptor Protein GRB2

Abstract Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced autophosphorylation of the EGF receptor results in high-affinity binding of the adaptor protein GRB2, which serves as a convergence point for multiple signaling pathways. Present studies demonstrate that EGF induces the co-immunoprecipitation of phospholipase C (PLC)-γ1 with the adaptor protein GRB2 and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Sos, but not with the adaptor protein SHC, in WB cells. Inhibition of PLC-γ1 tyrosine phosphorylation by phenylarsine oxide reduces the co-immunoprecipitation of PLC-γ1 with GRB2. Furthermore, angiotensin II, a G protein-coupled receptor agonist, also induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-γ1 and its co-immunoprecipitation with GRB2 in WB cells. Interestingly, angiotensin II stimulation also causes tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor, suggesting that angiotensin II-induced PLC-γ1 tyrosine phosphorylation in WB cells may be via EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activation. In addition, there is some level of association between PLC-γ1 and GRB2 that is independent of the tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-γ1 in bothin vivoandin vitrostudies.In vitrostudies further demonstrate that the Tyr771and Tyr783region of PLC-γ1 and the SH2 domain of GRB2 are potentially involved in the tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent association between PLC-γ1 and GRB2. The association of PLC-γ1 with GRB2 and Sos suggests that PLC-γ1 may be directly involved in the Ras signaling pathway and that GRB2 may be involved in the translocation of PLC-γ1 from cytosol to the plasma membrane as a necessary step for its effect on inositol lipid hydrolysis.
Clinical Surveillance of an Active Fixation, Bipolar, Polyurethane Insulated Pacing Lead, Part I: The Atrial Lead

Since 1989, 168 Telectronics model 330-801 active fixation, polyurethane insulated atrial leads (Accufix) have been implanted at the Mayo Clinic. There were four (2.4%) acute lead related complications, (i.e., perforation, microdislodgment, and pericarditis). Over a median follow-up time of 7.6 months (up to 2.7 years), there were 14 (8.3%) chronic complications, including 1 instance (0.6%) of definite lead failure. Most of these complications were early (within the first month) and transient. Four patients (2.4%) required reoperation for chronic complications. During follow-up, 23% of the examined patients had high pacing thresholds, most at about 3 months after implantation, necessitating high-output programming. The exact mechanism and natural history of this phenomenon should be further investigated.
The sample complexity of worst-case identification of FIR linear systems

Abstract We consider the problem of identification of linear systems in the presence of measurement noise which is unknown but bounded in magnitude by some δ > 0. We focus on the case of linear systems with a finite impulse response. It is known that the optimal identification error is related (within a factor of 2) to the diameter of a so-called uncertainty set and that the latter diameter is upper-bounded by 2δ, if a sufficiently long identification experiment is performed. We establish that, for any K ⩾ 1, the minimal length of an identification experiment that is guaranteed to lead to a diameter bounded by 2Kδ behaves like 2 Nf( 1 K ) , when N is large, where N is the length of the impulse response and ⨍ is a positive function known in closed form. While the framework is entirely deterministic, our results are proved using probabilistic tools.
The relation of P300 latency to reaction time as a function of expectancy.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the relation of P300 latency to reaction time as a function of expectancy. The amplitude of the P300 component of the event-related potential (ERP) is inversely related to the subjective probability, or “expectancy,” for a task-relevant event. The assertion that P300 reflects the timing of stimulus evaluation has sometimes been interpreted as implying that P300 latency is positively correlated with reaction time (RT). The finding that, under certain conditions, P300 and RT is dissociated need not, however, cast doubt on the validity of P300 latency as a measure of processing time. Data showing dissociation may be reconciled by noting that the subject's response is only one of many possible consequences of stimulus presentation, rather than the end point of information processing activities invoked by a stimulus. It is thus plausible to expect P300 latency to be determined by one subset of the processes invoked by a stimulus and RT to be determined by another. Since stimuli may initiate multiple, parallel processes, the relative timing of P300 and RT would then depend on the degree of overlap between the processes of stimulus evaluation and response selection.
Commentaries and Notes to Fragments, Articles, and Other Letters

Most of the following translations are based on manuscripts from the Pypin Archives (no. 250) or from the Shakhovskoi Archives (no. 334), both of which are housed in the Manuscript Division of the Institute of Russian Literature (Pushkin House), Academy of Sciences, Leningrad. Other manuscripts come from the Manuscript Division of the Lenin Library, Moscow, the Section of the Central Archives of the Government at Leningrad; the Military and Historical Archives, and the Historical Museum of Moscow; the originals of the letters to Ivan Gagarin are at the Bibliotheque Slave, Centre des Etudes Russes at Meudon, France. The latest scholarly edition of these is by Raymond T. McNally, Francois Rouleau, and Richard Tempest entitled Pierre Tchaadaev, Oeuvres inedites ou rares. Centre d’Etudes Russes, France, 1990.
An Examination of the Relative Legibility of Text on One Line Vacuum Florescent and Liquid Crystal Displays

The purpose of the present study was to compare the legibility of text scrolled across a 40 character reflective twisted nematic field effect liquid crystal display and a 40 character vacuum fluorescent display. In addition to display type, the effect of the following factors on legibility were also examined: 1) the amount of light, 2) scrolling rate, and 3) type of scrolling (word vs. character). The range of angle adjustment or tilt selected by the operators was also recorded. The results indicated that there were no significant performance differences between the displays although reduced room lighting did have a significant negative impact on operators error rates for both types of displays. The angle settings selected by the operators also differed between the displays, with the LCD exhibiting a greater range of adjustment than the vacuum fluorescent display.
Evaluation of Young’s Modulus of Tethered 1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine Membranes Using Atomic Force Spectroscopy

Unilamellar vesicles composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) with varying 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-poly(ethylene glycol)-2000-N-[3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate] (DSPE-PEG-PDP) concentration between 0 mol % and 24 mol % were assembled on atomically flat template-stripped gold (TS Au) surfaces. Force spectroscopy, using an atomic force microscope (AFM), of the resulting tethered lipid bilayer membranes (tLBMs) in buffer provided information regarding mechanical response as a function of tethering molecule, DSPE-PEG-PDP, concentration. Young’s modulus was determined by fitting the force–indentation curve with a recently modified Sneddon model that corrects for contributions from the substrate underneath. At low concentrations, Young’s modulus is lower than that of a supported POPC LBM, i.e., directly sitting on a solid substrate. The decrease in modulus is attributed to increased membrane fluidity as coupling between the tLBM and solid substrate is reduced...
Variation among free-living spotted hyenas in three personality traits

Inter-individual differences in behaviour, termed ‘animal personality’, are often consistent over time and across contexts and can be significantly related to fitness. However, most studies of animal personality are conducted in the laboratory or involve experimental protocols. Here, we used longitudinal scan and all-occurrence data collected under naturalistic conditions over 21 years to study boldness, aggressiveness, and sociability in a wild population of spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). We found significant variation among individual hyenas in all three traits; however, whereas both sexes exhibited consistent inter-individual differences in aggressiveness and sociability, males were less consistent than females in their boldness. Heritability and maternal effects were small but significant for both boldness and sociability. A large proportion of the variation in aggressiveness could be attributed to genetic and maternal effects, supporting previous research linking hormone exposure in utero to aggressive behaviour later in life. All three traits were correlated with at least one measure of fitness. Particularly aggressive females were more successful in raising their offspring to reproductive maturity than less aggressive females. Interestingly, the reproductive benefits of sociability depended on social rank; for low-ranking hyenas, gaining feeding tolerance via sociability may significantly enhance reproductive success. Both boldness and sociability were linked to survival, but these traits affected longevity in different ways; highly social hyenas lived longer than those that were less social, but selection on boldness was stabilizing, favoring hyenas with intermediate boldness values that balance the benefits of risky behaviour against risks of injury and death.
Dangerous universal donors; II. Further observations on in vivo and in vitro behavior of isoantibodies of immune type present in group O blood.

1. A severe hemolytic reaction was observed in an "A-intermediate" recipient following transfusion of group O blood containing A antibodies in high titer. Hemoglobinemia persisted for at least thirty hours, during which time the patient became markedly anemic. Azotemia, hyperbilirubinemia, spherocytosis and increased osmotic and mechanical fragilities of the patient’s erythrocytes were observed for nine days. 2. The recipient was rendered temporarily incompatible with prospective A1 donors as a result of incomplete absorption of the anti-A agglutinins in the transfused group O blood. 3. The A antibodies in the serum of the dangerous universal donor were shown to have the following peculiarities : (a) When normal AB serum was used as a diluent for the group O serum and as a medium for cell suspensions, the titer against A1 cells was higher than that obtained with saline as a diluent and suspension medium. (b) After "neutralization" with soluble A and B factors, the group O serum agglutinated neither A nor B cells in "saline systems," but in "serum systems" the treated O serum still agglutinated A1 cells in very high titer and A-intermediate cells in low titer. (c) A1 cells, but not A-intermediate or A2 cells, gave positive reactions with anti-human-globulin rabbit serum (indirect Coombs test) after exposure to the neutralized O serum. (d) The group O serum hemolyzed, and fixed complement with, all types of A cells but not B cells. These peculiarities suggested that the group O donor had developed A antibodies of immune type and predominantly of A1 specificity, but the stimulus for production of these antibodies could not be ascertained. 4. It is emphasized that the type of antibody (i.e., natural or immune), as well as the titer, must be taken into account in any attempt to assess the dangers inherent in the use of universal donors, and that "conditioning" of group O blood by addition of soluble A and B factors in conventional quantities may not effectively neutralize immune A1 and B antibodies if such be present. It is pointed out, however, that further observations are needed to show whether or not neutralization of "saline" agglutinins and hemolysins by A and B factors may render dangerous bloods relatively safe despite the persistence of incomplete antibodies. 5. Possible mechanisms of prolonged erythrocyte destruction in this case are discussed.
Depletion of Undecaprenyl Pyrophosphate Phosphatases Disrupts Cell Envelope Biogenesis in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT The integrity of the bacterial cell envelope is essential to sustain life by countering the high turgor pressure of the cell and providing a barrier against chemical insults. In Bacillus subtilis, synthesis of both peptidoglycan and wall teichoic acids requires a common C 55 lipid carrier, undecaprenyl-pyrophosphate (UPP), to ferry precursors across the cytoplasmic membrane. The synthesis and recycling of UPP requires a phosphatase to generate the monophosphate form Und-P, which is the substrate for peptidoglycan and wall teichoic acid synthases. Using an optimized clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) system with catalytically inactive (“dead”) CRISPR-associated protein 9 (dCas9)-based transcriptional repression system (CRISPR interference [CRISPRi]), we demonstrate that B. subtilis requires either of two UPP phosphatases, UppP or BcrC, for viability. We show that a third predicted lipid phosphatase (YodM), with homology to diacylglycerol pyrophosphatases, can also support growth when overexpressed. Depletion of UPP phosphatase activity leads to morphological defects consistent with a failure of cell envelope synthesis and strongly activates the σ M -dependent cell envelope stress response, including bcrC , which encodes one of the two UPP phosphatases. These results highlight the utility of an optimized CRISPRi system for the investigation of synthetic lethal gene pairs, clarify the nature of the B. subtilis UPP-Pase enzymes, and provide further evidence linking the σ M regulon to cell envelope homeostasis pathways. IMPORTANCE The emergence of antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens is of critical concern and motivates efforts to develop new therapeutics and increase the utility of those already in use. The lipid II cycle is one of the most frequently targeted processes for antibiotics and has been intensively studied. Despite these efforts, some steps have remained poorly defined, partly due to genetic redundancy. CRISPRi provides a powerful tool to investigate the functions of essential genes and sets of genes. Here, we used an optimized CRISPRi system to demonstrate functional redundancy of two UPP phosphatases that are required for the conversion of the initially synthesized UPP lipid carrier to Und-P, the substrate for the synthesis of the initial lipid-linked precursors in peptidoglycan and wall teichoic acid synthesis.
Electrowetting-based on-chip sample processing for integrated microfluidics

In this work, results and data are reported on key aspects of sample processing protocols performed on-chip in a digital microfluidic lab-on-a-chip. We report the results of experiments on aspects of sample processing, including on-chip preconcentration and dilution, on-chip sample injection or dispensing, and sample mixing. It is shown that high speed transport and mixing of analytes and reagents can be performed using biological solutions without system contamination.