cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amplitude-modulated tone encoding behavior of cochlear nucleus neurons: modeling study.

Abstract A recent study of amplitude-modulated (AM) tone encoding behavior of dorsal and posteroventral cochlear nucleus (DCN and PVCN) neurons by Kim et al. [Hear. Res. 45, 95–113, 1990] observed that certain neurons (e.g., pause/build type-III neurons and chop-S neurons) tended to exhibit band-pass modulation transfer functions (MTFs) and intrinsic oscillations (IOs) whereas certain other neurons (e.g., chop-T neurons) tended to exhibit low-pass MTFs and no IOs. The goal of the present study develop models of these response characteristics in an attempt to understand the underlying neuronal mechanisms. We hypothesized that chopper neurons corresponded to stellate cells and pause/build neurons corresponded to fusiform cells. We also hypothesized that, with right input combination, appropriate models of a single stellate and fusiform cell could account for band-pass and low-pass MTFs as well as the associated IOs. The neuron models developed by Arle and Kim [Biol. Cybern. 64, 273–283, 1991] for the stellate and fusiform models were used in this study. The models are modified versions of MacGregor type neuron model incorporating cell-specific nonlinear voltage-dependent conductances. The AM tone excitation via the auditory nerve fibers was represented by a current at the soma of the neuron model, which consisted of dc, ac and aero-mean Gaussian noise. The dc, ac and noise represent a high-frequency carrier beyond the neuron's phase-locking limit, an envelope, and randomness of the system, respectively. With systematic variation of dc, ac and noise amplitudes, we observed the following: the band-pass MTF behaviors of pause/build and chop-S neurons were reproduced by the fusiform cell model and the stellate cell model with a strong dc/noise ratio, respectively. The low-pass MTF behavior of a chop-T neuron was reproduced by the stellate cell model with a weak dc/noise ratio. It was observed that the stellate cell model was more susceptible to the noise, in the sense that an increase in noise tended to abolish the IO and change the MTF of the model from band-pass to low-pass more readily in the stellate cell model than in the fusiform cell model. Kim et al. (1990) observed a close correlation between the IO frequency and the best envelope frequency (BEF). In the models, a similar correlation was observed between the two measures for both the stellate and fusiform cell models. The present results support the hypothesis that intrinsic cellular mechanisms of fusiform and stellate cells similar to those postulated in these cell models underlie the observed MTF behavior of CN neurons in response to AM tone stimuli.
The emergence of clathrin-independent pinocytic pathways

Abstract Receptor-mediated endocytosis via clathrin-coated vesicles is by far the best characterized example of pinocytosis. It has been suggested that clathrin-coated vesicles mediate all pinocytosis in mammalian cells. This is still a matter of debate, however, and recent results provide strong evidence for ‘clathrin-independent’ pinocytic pathways. The selective regulation of these alternate endocytic pathways and the identification of receptors targeted to them provide new tools for the functional and mechanistic characterization of clathrin-independent pinocytosis.
Lower Extremity Muscle Activation in Patients With or Without Chronic Ankle Instability During Walking

Context: Ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, and many individuals with ankle sprains develop chronic ankle instability (CAI). Individuals with CAI exhibit propriocepti...
Synthesis and characterization of poly(silyl urethane)s derived from glycol‐modified silanes

Hybrid composites are a class of material that have gained substantial recognition due to their highly sought-after properties of both organics and inorganics. A novel method for incorporating inorganic content into urethane materials is through the use of organically modified silicate cross-linkers. Glycol-modified silanes, in particular, allow for the facile preparation of highly cross-linked urethane materials with a wide range of bulk and surface characteristics including glass transition temperature (−40.4–85.6°C), storage modulus (0.7–1.62 GPa), and surface energy (19.0–62.4 dynes cm−1). Importantly, control of the overall polymer properties remains achievable via the structural control of macrodiols and isocyanates. Additionally, incorporation of silicate cross-linkers into urethane systems provides these materials with a hydrolyzable character, which may be controlled by altering the bulk polymer composition, cross-link density, and surface energy. The unique nature of these systems also allows for the preparation of highly cross-linked urethanes in the absence of any heavy metal catalysts and depending on the composition, with the use of little to no solvent. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
A Response‐Additive Model for Analyzing Mixtures of Two Chemicals in the Salmonella Reversion Assay

A statistical model is proposed for analyzing the mutagenic responses produced by mixtures of two chemicals in the Salmonella reversion assay. This model is based on the simplex-lattice design for mixtures with the total concentration fixed. The dose-response relationship is expressed as a function of both the proportions of the two chemicals and the total concentration of the chemicals in the mixture. If the joint action of two chemicals can be predicted by response-additivity, then the response of the mixture at the total concentration T can be represented by the weighted average of the responses produced by the individual chemicals at the same concentration T with the weights for individual responses being equal to the proportions of the chemicals in the mixture. Two non-additive models, synergism and antagonism, are discussed. An example is illustrated by analyzing the joint mutagenic effects of 1-nitrobenzo(a)pyrene (1-NBP), and 3-NBP in the Salmonella reversion assay.
The Left-Right Coordinator: The Role of Vg1 in Organizing Left-Right Axis Formation

Abstract The asymmetries of internal organs are consistently oriented along the left-right axis in all vertebrates, and perturbations of left-right orientation lead to significant congenital disease. We propose a model in which a "left-right coordinator" interacts with the Spemann organizer to coordinate the evolutionarily conserved three-dimensional asymmetries in the embryo. The Vg1 cell-signaling pathway plays a central role in left-right coordinator function. Antagonists of Vg1 alter left-right development; antagonists of other members of the TGFβ family do not. Cell-lineage directed expression of Vg1 protein can fully invert the left-right axis (situs inversus), can randomize left-right asymmetries, or can "rescue" a perturbed left-right axis in conjoined twins to normal orientation (situs solitus), indicating that Vg1 can mimic left-right coordinator activity. These are the first molecular manipulations in any vertebrate by which the left-right axis can be reliably controlled.
Phospholipids inDrosophila heads: Effects of visual mutants and phototransduction manipulations

A procedure was developed to label phospholipids inDrosophila heads by feeding radioactive phosphate (32Pi). High-performance thin-layer chromatography showed label incorporation into various phospholipids. After 24 h of feeding, major phospholipids labeled were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), 47%; phosphatidylcholine (PC), 24%; and phosphatidylinositol (PI), 12%.Drosophila heads have virtually no sphingomyelin as compared with mammalian tissues. Notable label was in ethanolamine plasmalogen, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylinositol. Less than 1% of the total label was in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Other lipids labeled included phosphatidylserine, phosphatidic acid and some unidentified lipids. A time course (3–36 h) study revealed a gradual decrease in proportion of labeled PI, an increase in proportion of labeled PC and no obvious change in labeled PE. There were no significant differences in phospholipid labeling comparing theno receptorpotential (norpA) visual mutant and wild type under lightvs. dark conditions. However, overall32P labeling was higher in the wild type fed in the light as compared to the dark and tonorpA either in light or dark. This suggests that functional vision facilitates incorporation of label. Differences in phospholipid labeling were observed between young and aged flies, particularly in lysophospholipids and poly-PI, implicating phospholipase A2 function in recycling. Manipulations such as theouterrhabdomeresabsent andeyesabsent mutants and carotenoid deprivation failed to yield notable differences in phospholipid labeling pattern, suggesting that phospholipids important to vision may constitute only a minor portion of the total labeled pool in the head.
Future Directions In Fire Support Weapons

Fire support weapons (Artillery) have been one of the most important elements of 20th Century warfare. It is the purpose of this paper to provide, in summary fashion, a definition of the fire support role, some of the targets which these systems must face, the current and prospective family of missiles which are/maybe assigned to this role and the areas of need where technology may enhance future system capability. In the context of the extended battlefield where the "central battle" may extend from the forward line of own troops (FLOT) to 50 KM or more beyond the FLOT, the importance of an effective indirect fire capability is greater than ever before. As the US continues to face an apparently insurmountable Soviet preponderance in every component of conventional combat power, it appears that advanced technology is the only conceivable force equalizer. To achieve the needed capability in the fire support area, we must realize the full potential from our acquisition, targeting and weapon systems. Integrated optics and millimeter and microwave integrated circuits offer potential to enhance fire support system capability in many areas. Several are pointed in this discussion.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A novel risk-adjusted nomogram for rectal cancer surgery outcomes

Importance The circumferential resection margin is the primary determinant of local recurrence and a major factor in survival in rectal cancer. Neither chemotherapy nor chemoradiation compensates for a margin positive for cancer. Objective To identify treatment-related factors associated with hospital margin-positive resection and to develop a tool that could be used by individual hospitals to assess their outcomes based on their unique mix of patient and tumor characteristics. Design Retrospective review of the National Cancer Data Base, 1998-2007. Settings Community and academic/research hospitals. Participants Individuals with histologically confirmed localized rectal/rectosigmoid adenocarcinoma. Exposure All individuals underwent radical resection for rectal cancer with or without neoadjuvant therapy. Main Outcomes and Measures Rate of margin positivity determined and adjusted for patient- and tumor-related factors to calculate expected margin positivity per hospital. An observed to expected ratio was calculated based on patient- and tumor-related factors to identify treatment-associated variation. Results The overall margin-positive resection rate was 5.2%. Patients with margins positive for cancer were more likely to be older, male, and African American; not have private insurance; and have their cancer diagnosed later in the study period. Associated tumor-related factors include rectal location, higher American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, signet/mucinous histology, and poor/undifferentiated grade. Among hospitals that were significantly low outliers, 47% were comprehensive community hospitals, and 43.9% were academic/research hospitals; of those that were significantly high outliers, 52.3% were comprehensive community hospitals, and 17.8% were academic/research hospitals. High-volume centers made up 80% of significantly low outlier hospitals and 17% of significantly high outlier hospitals. The rates of chemotherapy and radiation were similar, but low outlier hospitals gave more neoadjuvant radiation (26.3% vs 17%). Conclusions and Relevance After adjustment for patient- and tumor-related factors, we identified both low and high outlier hospitals for margin positivity at resection, as well as potentially modifiable risk factors. The nomogram created in this model allows for the evaluation of observed and expected event rates for individual hospitals, providing a hospital self-assessment tool for identifying targets for improvement.
Alternaria yaliinficiens sp. nov. on Ya Li Pear Fruit: From Interception to Identification.

ABSTRACT In 2001, numerous Ya Li pear fruit from China with a disease apparently caused by an Alternaria sp. were intercepted at U.S. ports, raising concern because the disease was unknown in the United States. To identify the etiologic agent of the disease, single-spore cultures were established from intercepted fruit and were characterized by pathogenicity to wounded fruit, morphology, and sporulation pattern on three agar media, random amplified polymorphic DNA fragment pattern analysis, and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These data indicated that the disease likely was caused by more than one species of Alternaria, and that none of the isolates from intercepted Ya Li fruit was A. alternata or A. gaisen. A species-specific PCR assay for A. gaisen demonstrated that no isolate from Ya Li was A. gaisen. A PCR assay for the AMT gene demonstrated that no isolate from Ya Li was A. ‘mali’. Because of these data and the absence of a description to accommodate at least one of the taxa involve...
United states congress relations according to liberal and conservative newspapers

The media have always played an important role in society: it acts as catalyst of information for most people. With the advent of the 24-hour news channels, people became accustomed to having access to the information the media outlets provide anytime, anywhere. In this paper, we analyse the social network of politicians in the United States from the point of view of two newspapers believed to have different political views: conservative and liberal. The idea is to reveal the relationships between US Congress members and Senators according to social network extracted from the newspapers. The newspapers we have chosen are from the same state (New York) to minimize differences in the network due to location. We selected the New York Times (NYT) which is believed to a liberal newspaper and the New York Post (NYP) which is believed to be a conservative newspaper. Our results indicate a significant difference between the social networks formed which means that the public is exposed to a different view of the US politicians depending the media they choose ro read. The social network also confirms that the NYT focuses more on people from the Democratic party while the NYP focuses on Republicans. We believe this is the first kind of work that uses Network Science to establish bias in news media.
What Outcomes Matter to Patients

OBJECTIVE: This study estimates the relative value to patients of physical, mental, and social health when making treatment decisions. Despite recommendations to use patient preferences to guide treatment decisions, little is known about how patients value different dimensions of their health status. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data from quasi-experimental, prospective study. SETTING: Forty-six primary care clinics in managed care organizations in California, Texas, Minnesota, Maryland, and Colorado. PATIENTS: Consecutive adult outpatients (n=16,689) visiting primary care providers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short Form (SF-12) health-related quality of life and patient preferences for their current health status, as assessed by standard gamble and time trade-off utility methods, were measured. Only 5% of the variance in standard gamble and time trade-off was explained by the SF-12. Within the SF-12, physical health contributes substantially to patient preferences (35%–55% of the relative variance explained); however, patients also place a high value on their mental health (29%–42%) and on social health (16%–23%). The contribution of mental health to preferences is stronger in patients with chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Patient preferences, which should be driving treatment decisions, are related to mental and social health nearly as much as they are to physical health. Thus, medical practice should strive to balance concerns for all three health domains in making treatment decisions, and health care resources should target medical treatments that improve mental and social health outcomes.
Synthesis of nucleoside mono-, di-, and triphosphoramidates from solid-phase cyclosaligenyl phosphitylating reagents.

Chloromethyl polystyrene resin was reacted with 5-hydroxysalicylaldehyde in the presence of potassium carbonate to afford polymer-bound 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Subsequent reduction with borane solution produced polymer-bound 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. The reaction of immobilized 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol with appropriate phosphitylating reagents yielded solid-phase cycloSaligenyl mono-, di-, and triphosphitylating reagents, which were reacted with unprotected nucleosides, followed by iodine oxidation, deprotection of cyanoethoxy groups, and the basic cleavage, respectively, to afford 5′-O-nucleoside mono-, di-, and triphosphoramidates in 52−73% overall yield.
Bi‐penta‐bi‐decaradial symmetry: A review of evolutionary and developmental trends in holothuroidea (echinodermata)

Holothuroidea, comprising the sea cucumbers, is the least studied class of extant echinoderms, yet this group possesses a wealth of features of potential interest to developmental and evolutionary biologists. Holothuroids include the most morphologically derived echinoderms, including pelagic species and spheroid, plated taxa with mouth and anus adjacent at the end of a long, flexible stalk. To begin investigating this diversity of body form, we first estimated evolution- ary relationships in the class Holothuroidea based on maximum parsimony analyses of 1,075 nt of the nuclear small subunit rDNA (for six species in four orders) and on 52 informative morphologi- cal characters (for the 25 extant families). Both the morphological and molecular evidence sug- gests almost an inversion of the prevailing higher level classification. Character-state optimizations indicated that pronounced adult bilateral symmetry evolved three times. In one group even a regain of secondary radial symmetry is found. Respiratory trees, structures unique to holothuroids, are a relatively late innovation, are ectodermally derived, and are bilaterally symmetric, support- ing the possibility that the secondary gain of bilateral symmetry in holothuroids is ectodermally derived analogous to, say, the derivation of vertebrate limb dorso-ventral axis. The test of imbri- cating plates found in 10% of living holothuroids is apparently not homologous with that of other heavily armored echinoderms, evolving much later and at least twice. Indirectly developing lar- vae, auriculariae, occur in two evolutionarily disparate clades and unlike echinoids comprise a minority of clades. We suggest that this implies the parallel convergent evolution of this larval type or, more speculatively, some form of retention of developmental constraints. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 285:93-103, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Characteristics of Alaskan earthquake-records at distance of 40° to 70°

The records of Alaskan earthquakes are often confused and difficult to interpret. Many shocks are complex and others are deeper than normal but not deep enough to show distinctly the phases peculiar to deep-focus quakes. Locations of epicenters are usually only reasonably good. Alaska and the Aleutians have been mapped seismically by SIEBERG and the whole region has been discussed by GUTENBERG and by HECK.
Total tool requirements in multi-level machining systems

Abstract A multi-level machining system is defined as a manufacturing order, consisting of at least one product with a bill of materials (BOM) greater than one level. It is shown that tool requirements at any level can be computed by utilizing the powers of the BOM matrix and a tool data matrix. An algorithm is then presented for reducing these requirements without affecting an end product's completion time. Finally an efficient search technique (EST) is developed which provides good solutions to the problem of optimizing the increased (decreased) tool requirements resulting from a decrease (increase) in an end product's completion time. It is also shown that in the absence of cross-level interactions with respect to tool-time tradeoffs the EST solutions are optimal.
Noradrenergic β-Receptor Antagonism within the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala or Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Attenuates the Negative/Anxiogenic Effects of Cocaine

Cocaine has been shown to produce both initial rewarding and delayed anxiogenic effects. Although the neurobiology of cocaine's rewarding effects has been well studied, the mechanisms underlying its anxiogenic effects remain unclear. We used two behavioral assays to study these opposing actions of cocaine: a runway self-administration test and a modified place conditioning test. In the runway, the positive and negative effects of cocaine are reflected in the frequency of approach-avoidance conflict that animals develop about entering a goal box associated with cocaine delivery. In the place conditioning test, animals develop preferences for environments paired with the immediate/rewarding effects of cocaine, but avoid environments paired with the drug's delayed/anxiogenic actions. In the present study, these two behavioral assays were used to examine the role of norepinephrine (NE) transmission within the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), each of which has been implicated in drug-withdrawal-induced anxiety and stress-induced response reinstatement. Rats experienced 15 single daily cocaine-reinforced (1.0 mg/kg, i.v.) runway trials 10 min after intracranial injection of the β1 and β2 NE receptor antagonists betaxolol and ICI 118551 or vehicle into the CeA or BNST. NE antagonism of either region dose dependently reduced approach-avoidance conflict behavior compared with that observed in vehicle-treated controls. In addition, NE antagonism selectively interfered with the expression of conditioned place aversions while leaving intact cocaine-induced place preferences. These data suggest a role for NE signaling within the BNST and the CeA in the anxiogenic actions of cocaine.
Role of Nucleic Acid and Enzymes in Peptide Chain Synthesis

RECENTLY, there has been much discussion of possible mechanisms whereby the order of the nucleotide sequence in a polynucleotide chain might determine the order of the amino-acid sequence in a peptide chain. The polynucleotide molecule is assumed to be the template or pattern for the peptide chain. In a mechanism proposed by one of us1, enzymes were assumed to play an important part in attaching the amino-acids to the polynucleotide chain; as many enzymes would be required for this purpose as there are nucleotide combinations corresponding to amino-acids. In a system where a nucleotide triad is assumed to correspond to a given amino-acid, there must be as many enzymes as there are triads, and it can be shown that more than one triad would have to correspond to a given amino-acid in order to permit the occurrence of a reasonably large number of possible neighbours on either side of a given amino-acid in a peptide chain (unless it is postulated that there is to be no overlapping of the triads).
Inducing the sexual forms and hatching the eggs of pea aphids.

In temperate climates, pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) produce a single sexual generation each year in response to declining photoperiod and temperature. Mating occurs in the fall and the eggs have an obligatory winter diapause. Genetic recombination during the sexual phase is thought to be an important source of genetic variability within cyclically parthenogenetic aphid populations. Methods for reliably producing sexual forms and hatching the eggs of aphids are therefore central not only to the study of evolutionary change in aphid populations, but also for a general understanding of the origin of agriculturally important variation in destructiveness within pest species. Here, sexual forms of six pea aphid clones were induced in the laboratory and eggs were successfully hatched by creating conditions that closely mimicked those found in field situations. A declining photoperiod was produced by controlling artificial lighting using a timer with variable cycle length. Using these conditions, sexual forms were successfully produced for all six clones tested, which were then mated in all combinations. Eggs were exposed to a daily cycle of freezing and thawing in an incubator under a short-day photoperiod. Egg hatch averaged 60%, but was as high as 89% for some crosses. These methods will permit testing of evolutionary hypotheses and execution of detailed genetic studies of sources of variability within pea aphid populations. They are thus important tools for both evolutionary and agricultural studies.
Use of thrombolytic therapy to treat heparin-refractory pulmonary embolism in a menstruating patient.

A 26-year-old woman developed an acute pulmonary embolism at the beginning of her menstrual cycle and was admitted to the hospital. When she failed initial standard treatment with heparin, the only other therapeutic option was a thrombolytic agent such as recombinant tissue plasma activator (rt-PA). Use of these agents, however, carries a large risk of major bleeding complications and brings concern of increased menstrual blood flow and duration. A literature search of the use of thrombolytic agents in menstruating patients found only limited reports. Our patient responded well to rt-PA therapy. Her hemoglobin levels remained stable, and she experienced no bleeding complications. Careful monitoring and caution are recommended when administering thrombolytic agents to menstruating patients.
Task- and time-dependent modulation of Ia presynaptic inhibition during fatiguing contractions performed by humans

Presynaptic modulation of Ia afferents converging onto the motor neuron pool of the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) was compared during contractions (20% of maximal force) sustained to failure as subjects controlled either the angular position of the wrist while supporting an inertial load (position task) or exerted an equivalent force against a rigid restraint (force task). Test Hoffmann (H) reflexes were evoked in the ECR by stimulating the radial nerve above the elbow. Conditioned H reflexes were obtained by stimulating either the median nerve above the elbow or at the wrist (palmar branch) to assess presynaptic inhibition of homonymous (D1 inhibition) and heteronymous Ia afferents (heteronymous Ia facilitation), respectively. The position task was briefer than the force task (P = 0.001), although the maximal voluntary force and electromyograph for ECR declined similarly at failure for both tasks. Changes in the amplitude of the conditioned H reflex were positively correlated between the two conditioning methods (P = 0.02) and differed between the two tasks (P < 0.05). The amplitude of the conditioned H reflex during the position task first increased (129 ± 20.5% of the initial value, P < 0.001) before returning to its initial value (P = 0.22), whereas it increased progressively during the force task to reach 122 ± 17.4% of the initial value at failure (P < 0.001). Moreover, changes in conditioned H reflexes were associated with the time to task failure and force fluctuations. The results suggest a task- and time-dependent modulation of presynaptic inhibition of Ia afferents during fatiguing contractions.
A logic programming framework for planning and simulation

Abstract A common theme underlying various models that explain information technology adoption is the inclusion of perceptions of an innovation as key independent variables. Although a fairly significant body of research that empirically tests these models is now in existence, some questions with regard to both the antecedents as well as the consequents of perceptions remain unanswered. This paper reports the results of a field study examining adoption of an information technology innovation represented by an expert systems application. Two research objectives that have both theoretical and practical relevance motivated and guided the study. One, the study challenges an assumption which is implicit in technology acceptance models: that of the non-existence of moderating influences on the relationship between perceptions and adoption decisions. Specifically, the study examines the effects of an important moderating influence – personal innovativeness – on this relationship. Two, the study seeks to shed further light on the determinants of perceptions by examining the relative efficacy of mass media and interpersonal communication channels in facilitating perception development. Theoretical and practical implications that follow from the results are discussed.
Inhibitory analogs of ubiquinol act anti-cooperatively on the Yeast cytochrome bc1 complex. Evidence for an alternating, half-of-the-sites mechanism of ubiquinol oxidation.

The cytochrome bc1complex is a dimeric enzyme that links electron transfer from ubiquinol to cytochrome c by a protonmotive Q cycle mechanism in which ubiquinol is oxidized at one center in the enzyme, referred to as center P, and ubiquinone is re-reduced at a second center, referred to as center N. To understand better the mechanism of ubiquinol oxidation, we have examined the interaction of several inhibitory analogs of ubiquinol with the yeast cytochrome bc1complex. Stigmatellin and methoxyacrylate stilbene, two inhibitors that block ubiquinol oxidation at center P, inhibit the yeast enzyme with a stoichiometry of 0.5 perbc1 complex, indicating that one molecule of inhibitor is sufficient to fully inhibit the dimeric enzyme. This stoichiometry was obtained when the inhibitors were titrated in cytochrome c reductase assays and in reactions of quinol with enzyme in which the inhibitors block pre-steady state reduction of cytochrome b. As an independent measure of inhibitor binding, we titrated the red shift in the optical spectrum of ferrocytochrome b with methoxyacrylate stilbene and thus confirmed the results of the inhibition of activity titrations. The titration curves also indicate that the binding is anti-cooperative, in that a second molecule of inhibitor binds with much lower affinity to a dimer in which an inhibitor molecule is already bound. Because these inhibitors bind to the ubiquinol oxidation site in thebc1 complex, we propose that the yeast cytochrome bc1 complex oxidizes ubiquinol by an alternating, half-of-the-sites mechanism.
Microstructural evolution and creep properties of precipitation-strengthened Al–0.06Sc–0.02Gd and Al–0.06Sc–0.02Yb (at.%) alloys

Abstract The aging behavior at 300 °C of Al–0.06Sc–0.02Gd and Al–0.06Sc–0.02Yb (at.%) alloys is studied by local-electrode atom-probe tomography, transmission electron microscopy and microhardness measurements. The ternary alloys exhibit high number densities of coherent L12 precipitates ( N v ≅ 10 22 m - 3 ) at aging times up to 1536 h (64 days). In the Al–0.06Sc–0.02Gd alloy, the Al3(Sc1−xGdx) precipitates are always Sc-rich, displaying a small Gd concentration (x
More about plasma renin and cardiovascular mortality

This editorial refers to ‘Association of plasma renin with 10-year cardiovascular mortality, sudden cardiac death, and death due to heart failure’, by A. Tomaschitz et al. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehr150. Renin, the renal pressor substance, was discovered and described by Tigerstedt and Bergman in classic experiments published in 1898. It was not, however, until 1934 that Goldblatt identified the relevance of renin by showing that renal secretion of renin caused sustained renovascular hypertension in dogs. Others subsequently demonstrated that renin itself is not the pressor element, but rather is the rate-limiting component of the newly defined renin–angiotensin–aldosterone control system (RAAS).1 This RAAS has since become recognized as a key regulator of blood pressure control and a participating factor in its pathological consequences. In the past half century, the role of the RAAS in the pathophysiology of hypertension and as a basis for antihypertensive drug development was established.2,3 Plasma renin has also been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients ( Figure 1 ).4,5 Tomaschitz et al. have now extended that finding to patients in whom plasma renin was measured while taking antihypertensive drugs.6 Figure 1 Adapted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd: American Journal of Hypertension , Michael H. Alderman, Wee Lock Ooi, Hillel Cohen, Shantha Madhavan, Jean E. Sealey, John H. Laragh, Plasma renin activity: a risk factor for myocardial infarction in hypertensive patients, copyright (1997). Tomaschitz et al. measured the plasma renin concentration (PRC) using a sensitive automated immunoreactive chemiluminscence method that is comparable with the more traditional enzyme kinetic radioimmunoassay renin activity (PRA) assay. An exception is …
Anatomy and function of dopamine receptors: understanding the pathophysiology of fluctuations in Parkinson's disease

The principal dopamine (DA) receptors mediating the antiparkinson effects of levodopa are D1 and D2, which are anatomically and functionally segregated. We hypothesize that DA receptor-mediated effects are critical for the development of treatment-related fluctuations in Parkinson's disease (PD). We suggest that two sequential processes occur to permit the emergence of the so-called short duration response and dyskinesias: (1) functional uncoupling of D1 and D2 receptor-mediated effects with shift to the left of the dose-response curve; and, (2) sensitization of the D1-mediated striatal output due to repetitive, primarily D1 receptor stimulation by DA. These mechanisms result in excessive, pathological inhibition of basal ganglia output neurons in the GPi producing dyskinesias and the short duration response.
Dynamic modeling of a variable force solenoid and a clutch for hydraulic control in vehicle transmission system

A control oriented solenoid and clutch model for a passenger car automatic transmission is presented. The model captures the essential dynamics of the variable force solenoid and clutch circuit, which operates on a given pressure range commanded by transmission shifting signal. Based on the hardware design parameters and experimental measurements, a nonlinear low frequency model is developed using SIMULINK/sup MT/. The model simulates the key phenomena of the component, such as pressure filling and stroking of the clutch during engagement. Comparing to the first principal models described in other publications, the simple structure and closed form of this model provides a computational test bench for control analysis. The model is validated against the data obtained from a FORD modified CD4E transaxle and the comparison shows a good agreement. The nonlinearity and the time delay presented in the model suggests that a controller other than conventional PID should be considered when designing the control strategy.
Role of Identity and Image in Organizational Leadership Perceptions in the Face of Strategic Change: An Empirical Account

The need of strategic thinking and acting becomes the imperative for higher education institutions under the conditions of change, specifically in the context of Pakistan. The role of identity and image in organizational leadership perceptions becomes the focus of this research, specifically when the models developed in advanced countries need to be refined and extended in developing countries before implementing in the delicate context of academia. Using Gioia and Thomas’s (2000) questionnaire and collecting responses on 7-point likert scale on 60 variable across 104 universities in Pakistan, this paper executed AMOS, analyzed their model using confirmatory factor analysis, and highlights the role of image and identity in developing organizational leadership perceptions, on theoretical and empirical grounds, in the face of strategic change in academia. This study not only confirms the insights of Gioia and Thomas (1996) model but also highlights their concepts conceptually as well as empirically. In this way extends their insights in the context of Pakistan and provides fresh insights discussing the role of image, identity, desired future image, and their inter-relationship on one hand and suggests means to accomplish change by adopting fluid identity on other hand in both conceptual and empirical terms. This study found that present image, desired future image, and present identity are key in making organizational leadership perception, specifically in academic institutions in Pakistan.
Long-lasting potentiation of hippocampal synaptic transmission by direct cortical input is mediated via endocannabinoids.

Key points • Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons receive dual sensory inputs from the cortex directly through the perforant path (PP) and indirectly through the Schaffer collaterals (SC). • Direct cortical inputs to CA1 pyramidal neurons through the PP are important for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. • In this study, we show that long-lasting potentiation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission at SC synapses by pairing of PP–SC inputs was suppressed by pharmacological and genetic inhibition of CB1 receptors. • Inhibition of the enzyme synthesizing the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) prevented the pairing-induced potentiation, while inhibition of the enzyme hydrolysing 2-AG facilitated the potentiation. • Our results indicate that 2-AG functions as a signalling mediator tuning synaptic efficacy at the proximal synapses of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons while direct and indirect cortical inputs to the same neurons are spatiotemporally primed, suggesting that endocannabinoids are involved in the information processing and storage in the hippocampus.
An improved water-depth correction algorithm for seagrass mapping using hyperspectral data

Remote detection of seagrass has been limited because of numerous factors including the influence of the water column, which interferes with reflected signals from the seafloor. In a previously published study, a water-depth correction algorithm was developed to improve the detection of underwater vegetation spectral signals. The algorithm successfully corrected laboratory-measured submerged vegetation spectra for water effects, but the water absorption coefficients, derived from the data collected over a white surface, tended to underestimate the actual water absorption when applied to hyperspectral image data. The experimental conditions were modified to reduce the errors associated with the effects of enhanced multi-path scattering, to improve the algorithm using the new empirical data and to apply the algorithm to an airborne hyperspectral image data obtained over Halodule wrightii seagrass beds at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, USA. The water absorption and scattering fac...
AN EOSINOPHIL LEUKOCYTE CHEMOTACTIC FACTOR OF ANAPHYLAXIS

The capacity of actively or passively sensitized guinea pig lung to react with antigen to release a factor specifically chemotactic for eosinophil leukocytes (ECF-A) has been demonstrated. The release of ECF-A was also accompanied by the elaboration of both histamine and SRS-A and the appearance of all these mediators exhibited a similar response in terms of the time course of passve sensitization, the effect of antigen dose, the time course of release, divalent cation dependence and enhancement by the presence of succinate or maleate. Decomplementation by the administration of purified cobra venom factor had no effect on the antigen-induced release of ECF-A from actively or passively sensitized lung fragments. When fragments of guinea pig lung were passively sensitized with fractions of guinea pig 7S IgG, only the IgG1-containing fractions prepared tissue for the antigen-induced release of ECF-A. Histamine, SRS-A, bradykinin, serotonin, and the prostaglandins PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2α were not eosinophilotactic per se; neither was ECF-A detected following the incubation of these agents with sensitized lung in the absence of antigen. Both eosinophilotactic activity and SRS-A survived extraction in 80% ethanol and evaporation to dryness. SRS-A, however, withstood boiling in alkaline solution for 20 min, whereas ECF-A activity was abolished by this procedure. SRS-A and ECF-A could also be separated by gel filtration. ECF-A activity was completely recovered following its passage through a column of Sephadex G-25 and had an estimated molecular weight of between 500 and 1000. On the basis of size and a formation mechanism independent of the complement system, ECF-A is distinguishable from a previously described complement-dependent eosinophilotactic factor (ECF-C). Thus, ECF-A represents a hitherto undescribed agent which selectively attracts eosinophil leukocytes.
Alcohol consumption, atherosclerotic progression, and prognosis among patients with coronary artery bypass grafts.

Background Although moderate drinking has been associated with lower mortality among patients after myocardial infarction, its relationship with prognosis and graft obstruction among patients with coronary artery bypass grafts is unknown. Methods We studied 1351 patients enrolled in the Post-CABG trial, who had undergone coronary bypass surgery 1 to 11 years before entry. Participants were randomly assigned to lovastatin in low or high doses and to low-dose warfarin or placebo in a factorial design. Participants underwent coronary angiography at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 4.3 years and were followed up for a composite end point of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, bypass surgery, or angioplasty. We categorized reported weekly alcohol intake as abstention ( Results During follow-up, 238 participants sustained a clinical event. Moderate drinking was associated with a trend toward both fewer clinical events (hazard ratio 0.7, 95% CI 0.4-1.1) and less angiographic progression (odds ratio 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.1), although neither of these effects were statistically significant. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol appeared to account for one third of the trend toward lower risk among moderate drinkers. Conclusion We did not demonstrate statistically significant differences in prognosis according to alcohol intake in this study, although there were inverse trends between moderate drinking and both morbidity and graft progression of a magnitude similar to studies in other populations. Larger studies of alcohol intake among patients with coronary artery bypass grafts are needed.
Sortase-deficient lactobacilli: effect on immunomodulation and gut retention.

Surface proteins of probiotic microbes, including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus gasseri, are believed to promote retention in the gut and mediate host–bacterial communications. Sortase, an enzyme that covalently couples a subset of extracellular proteins containing an LPXTG motif to the cell surface, is of particular interest in characterizing bacterial adherence and communication with the mucosal immune system. A sortase gene, srtA, was identified in L. acidophilus NCFM (LBA1244) and L. gasseri ATCC 33323 (LGAS_0825). Additionally, eight and six intact sortase-dependent proteins were predicted in L. acidophilus and L. gasseri, respectively. Due to the role of sortase in coupling these proteins to the cell wall, ΔsrtA deletion mutants of L. acidophilus and L. gasseri were created using the upp-based counterselective gene replacement system. Inactivation of sortase did not cause significant alteration in growth or survival in simulated gastrointestinal juices. Meanwhile, both ΔsrtA mutants showed decreased adhesion to porcine mucin in vitro. Murine dendritic cells exposed to the ΔsrtA mutant of L. acidophilus or L. gasseri induced lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-12, respectively, compared with the parent strains. In vivo co-colonization of the L. acidophilus ΔsrtA mutant and its parent strain in germ-free 129S6/SvEv mice resulted in a significant one-log reduction of the ΔsrtA mutant population. Additionally, a similar reduction of the ΔsrtA mutant was observed in the caecum. This study shows for the first time that sortase-dependent proteins contribute to gut retention of probiotic microbes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Bernheim's Syndrome: Report of a Case

In the controversial Bernheim's syndrome, right ventricular failure can be produced by hypertrophy and dilatation of the left ventricle with encroachment of the intraventricular septum into the cavity of the right ventricle, forming a barrier to the flow of blood into the right ventricle. A case is reported in which this syndrome was diagnosed during life and confirmed at autopsy. Hearts of similar weight with left ventricular hypertrophy were sectioned in the same plane for comparative purposes.
Effects of Bradykinin, Eledoisin, and Physalaemin on Cardiovascular Dynamics

Recently, many investigators have studied the cardiovascular effects of the synthetic vasoactive peptides, bradykinin (2–6,12–15, 17, 20–22, 24, 27, 33, 40–44), eledoisin (3, 6, 10, 18, 23, 24, 26, 28–32, 40), and physalaemin (7, 19, 37). It has been well established that, with few exceptions (31, 46), the peptides exert directly a vasodilator action in many species of animals (1, 4–6, 11, 12, 25, 39, 41, 44, 46, 47). Consequently, the peptides appear to cause a variety of hemodynamic changes in the heart and circulation. The present studies were undertaken to investigate the precise effects of synthetic bradykinin, eledoisin and physalaemin on the cardiovascular dynamics and also to elucidate the underlying hemodynamic mechanisms responsible for the effects of these peptides in anesthetized dogs.
An integrated neuro configuration management approach for hybrid mobile communication networks

Hybrid mobile communication is a mixed mode network version of wired and wireless components. Hybrid networks occur in many situations such as a military warfare theatre and extended range commercial cellular networks. This paper proposes an integrated configuration management approach for hybrid communication networks. The issues addressed and resolved by the proposed approach are: (i) an automated configuration management system using a clustering technique, self organizing map (SOM) implemented by neural networks; (ii) a novel network self-healing survivability approach to handle the network failure scenario; (iii) network performance integration in the design and reconfiguration of hybrid networks.
Pharmacotherapy Overview of Seizure Management in the Adult Emergency Department

Seizures are a common cause of emergency department visits, and approximately 28% of epilepsy patients present to an emergency department annually for treatment. This article will provide an overvi...
4-Bromo-2H-1,3-oxazine-2,6(3H)-dione

The title compound, C4H2BrNO3, is one of a series of three substituted oxauracils prepared as precursors in the preparation of 1-aza-1,3-butadienes. Although each structure has identical potential for N—H⋯O inter­molecular hydrogen bonds, each forms a distinctive inter­molecular network. In the title compound, there are two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit, with a non-crystallographic twofold screw-like relationship between them. The two indpendent mol­ecules are linked by an inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond. In the crystal structure, this hydrogen-bonded pair is linked to translationally related mol­ecules through further inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming one-dimensional chains along [100]. The crystal structure also has short Br⋯O=C inter­molecular contacts with distances of 2.843 (4) and 2.852 (4) A.