cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cryopreservation of Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973

The rapidly growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 is an ideal candidate for genetic modification. A cryopreservation protocol suitable for this strain was developed by optimizing three main parameters: cryoprotectant type and concentration, cell growth phase, and freezing procedure. Cells harvested in stationary phase were more viable after cryopreservation compared to log phase and > 80% viability could be obtained by any one of the three freezing procedures tested by using 1% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a cryoprotectant. Application of the optimized protocol with a freezing procedure which controlled the rate of cooling to − 1 °C min−1 demonstrated that the presence of genetic modifications resulted in reduced cell viability after cryopreservation. Cryopreservation of knockout mutant strains indicated that the deletion of either the glucose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase (glgC) gene or the acyl-ACP synthetase (aas) gene reduced viability by 30 or 50%, respectively. Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 could be cryopreserved up to 6 months and recovered either in liquid or solid media with no significant reduction in viability.
Novel techniques using negative pressure wound therapy for the management of wounds with enterocutaneous fistulas in a long-term acute care facility

Patient status and wound condition are important factors to consider when developing an appropriate wound management plan. Comorbid conditions such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and peripheral vascular disease affect wound healing, as do complications, such as fistulas and infections. This article describes 3 novel techniques, using negative pressure wound therapy with reticulated open-cell foam for managing patients with wounds containing an enterocutaneous fistula.
Tumor Classification and Staging Systems in Orthopaedic Spine Surgery

The treatment of patients with oncological disease of the spine presents a clinical challenge to physicians across a number of specialties. Given the complex anatomy of the spine, the critical role of spine physiology in everyday life, the variety of treatment options available, and the involvement of multiple care teams, approaching these patients through effective classification and staging systems is of the utmost importance. An understanding of these systems, the level of evidence to support their utilization, and their overall strengths and weaknesses is critical. The goal of this chapter is to provide an overview of the most widely recognized systems and their potential value in everyday practice.
Modeling the spread of Covid-19 under active management

Abstract Classical approaches to modeling the spread of epidemics are based on two assumptions: the exponential growth of the total number of infections and the saturation due to the herd immunity. With Covid-19, the growth is essentially power-type, especially during the middle stages, and the saturation is currently mostly due to the protective measures. Focusing on these features and the role of epidemic management, we obtain differential equations for the total number of detected cases of Covid-19, which describe the actual curves in many countries almost with the accuracy of physics laws. The two-phase solution we propose worked very well almost for the whole periods of the spread practically in all countries we analyzed that reached the saturation during the first waves. Bessel functions play the key role in our approach. Due to a very small number of parameters, namely, the initial transmission rate and the intensity of the hard and soft measures, we obtain a convincing explanation of the surprising uniformity of the curves of the total numbers of detected infections in many different areas. This theory can serve as a tool for forecasting the epidemic spread and evaluating the efficiency of the protective measures, which is very much needed for epidemics. As its practical application, the computer programs aimed at providing projections for late stages of Covid-19 proved to be remarkably stable in many countries, including Western Europe, the USA and some in Asia.
Establishment of a non-integrate iPS cell line (SDQLCHi023-A) from a patient with Xq25 microduplication syndrome carrying a 1.3 Mb hemizygote duplication at chrXq25.

Abstract Xq25 microduplication syndrome is a recognized syndrome presenting intellectual disability and distinctive facial appearance. We generated an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of an 8-year-old boy with Xq25 Microduplication Syndrome carrying a 1.3 Mb hemizygote duplication at chrXq25. The iPSCs expressed pluripotency markers, free of genomically integrated episomal plasmids, with normal karyotype and three layers’ differentiation potential in vitro.
Mathematics and Politics: Strategy, Voting, Power and Proof. By Alan D. Taylor

(1997). Mathematics and Politics: Strategy, Voting, Power and Proof. By Alan D. Taylor. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 104, No. 1, pp. 82-85.
What undergraduates want in campus sexual assault prevention programming: Findings from a formative research study.

OBJECTIVE Campus sexual assault (SA) prevention programs are widely implemented, despite few having strong empirical support. To inform the development and refinement of prevention programs, we collected pilot qualitative data to capture undergraduates' perspectives regarding desirable program characteristics. PARTICIPANTS Undergraduates completed an audio-taped interview (n = 19) or a focus group (n = 16) in June - November 2016. METHODS We double-coded transcripts for a priori and emerging themes using NVivo 11. A third coder resolved disagreements; we assessed intercoder reliability using Cohen's Kappa. RESULTS Participants preferred SA prevention programming to be delivered in-person to small, coed groups of unfamiliar students. Students preferred programming with peer-facilitated, candid conversation about SA outcomes and prevention strategies. Participants also preferred for the tone of these training sessions to match the serious subject matter. CONCLUSIONS Students' perceptions of desirable program characteristics differ somewhat from current evidence-based programs in several ways, highlighting important future directions for SA prevention research.
Corruption, Contention, and Reform: The Power of Deep Democratization

Michael Johnston argues that corruption will persist, and even be the rule rather than the exception, until those with a stake in ending it can act in ways that cannot be ignored. This is the key principle of 'deep democratization', enabling citizens to defend their interests by political means. The author analyses four syndromes of corruption in light of this principle: official moguls in Egypt and Tunisia, oligarchs and clans in the Philippines, elite cartels in Argentina, and influence markets in France, Australia and the US. Johnston argues that different kinds of corruption require distinctive responses, each bearing specific risks. Focusing on recent events, including the global economic crisis and the Arab Spring, he shows that we can assess vulnerabilities to corruption and the effects of reforms, and use this information to identify new practices. His book offers a fundamental reappraisal of ways to check abuses of wealth and power.
Boundary Between Bacterial Mesophilism and Thermophilism.

Bausum, Howard T. (Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.), and Thomas S. Matney. Boundary between bacterial mesophilism and thermophilism. J. Bacteriol. 90:50–53. 1965.—The temperature boundary between bacterial mesophilism and thermophilism has been identified as 44 to 52 C. Facultative thermophiles growing in the mesophilic range require a brief period of adaptation at intermediate temperatures before gaining the capacity to initiate growth at thermophilic temperatures. Obligate mesophiles cannot grow in the thermophilic temperature range, but obligate thermophiles may show limited growth at temperatures as low as 41 C.
The Single Stone-Monolith Substrate as a Catalytic Unit for Auto Emission Control

The application of single stone-monolith catalytic substrates to automobile emission control (oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide) is discussed, with particular emphasis on physical and chemical properties, affecting catalyst performance and durability. A monolithic substrate coated with a thin layer of active alumina spread uniformly over the geometric surface permits an active metal such as platinum to be nearly monotomically dispersed, thus serving to optimize catalytic efficiency. Laboratory tests indicate that nearly complete conversion of CO and hydrocarbons occurs in time intervals of as little as 10 to 50 milliseconds with monolithic converters. Problems that remain in monolith development include cracking from stresses, internal melting as a result of uncontrolled exotherms, and difficulties arising in the mounting between the monolith and steel container.
Invertebrate Models of Alzheimer's Disease

A majority of the genes linked to human disease belong to evolutionarily conserved pathways found in simpler organisms, such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. The genes and pathways of these simple organisms can be genetically and pharmacologically manipulated to better understand the function of their orthologs in vivo, and how these genes are involved in the pathogenesis of different diseases. Often these manipulations can be performed much more rapidly in flies and worms than in mammals, and can generate high quality in vivo data that is translatable to mammalian systems. Other qualities also make these organisms particularly well suited to the study of human disease. For example, developing in vivo disease models can help illuminate the basic mechanisms underlying disease, as in vitro studies do not always provide the natural physiological complexity associated with many diseases. Invertebrate models are relatively inexpensive, easy to work with, have short lifespans, and often have very well characterized and stereotypical development and behavior. This is particularly true for the two invertebrate model organisms that this review will focus on: Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. In this review, we will first describe an overview of modeling Alzheimer's disease in flies and worms, and will then highlight some of the more recent advances that these "simple" animals have contributed to our understanding of Alzheimer's disease in recent years.
The mechanism of autooxidation of myoglobin.

Time courses for the autooxidation of native and mutant sperm whale and pig myoglobins were measured at 37 degrees C in the presence of catalase and superoxide dismutase. In sperm whale myoglobin, His64(E7) was replaced with Gln, Gly, Ala, Val, Thr, Leu, and Phe; Val68(E11) was replaced with Ala, Ile, Leu, and Phe; Leu29(B10) was replaced with Ala, Val, and Phe. In pig myoglobin, His64(E7) was replaced with Val; Val68(E11) was replaced with Thr and Ser; Thr67(E10) was replaced with Ala, Val, Glu, and Arg; Lys45(CD3) was replaced with Ser, Glu, His, and Arg. The observed pseudo-first order rate constants varied over 4 orders of magnitude, from 58 h-1 (H64A) to 0.055 h-1 (native) to 0.005 h-1 (L29F) at 37 degrees C, pH 7, in air. The dependences of the observed autooxidation rate constant on oxygen concentration and pH were measured for native and selected mutant myoglobins. In the native proteins and in most mutants still possessing the distal histidine, autooxidation occurs through a combination of two mechanisms. At high [O2], direct dissociation of the neutral superoxide radical (HO2) from oxymyoglobin dominates, and this process is accelerated by decreasing pH. At low [O2], autooxidation occurs by a bimolecular reaction between molecular oxygen and deoxymyoglobin containing a weakly coordinated water molecule. The neutral side chain of the distal histidine (His64) inhibits autooxidation by hydrogen bonding to bound oxygen, preventing both HO2 dissociation and the oxidative bimolecular reaction with deoxymyoglobin. Replacement of His64 by amino acids incapable of hydrogen bonding to the bound ligand markedly increases the rate of autooxidation and causes the superoxide mechanism to predominate. Increasing the polarity of the distal pocket by substitution of Val68 with Ser and Thr accelerates autooxidation, presumably by facilitating protonation of the Fe(II).O2 complex. Increasing the net anionic charge at the protein surface in the vicinity of the heme group also enhances the rate of autooxidation. Decreasing the volume of the distal pocket by replacing small amino acids with larger aliphatic or aromatic residues at positions 68 (E11) and 29 (B10) inhibits autooxidation markedly by decreasing the accessibility of the iron atom to solvent water molecules.
Extending Electronic Resource Licenses to a Newly Established Overseas Medical School Branch

Abstract Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) was established in 2001. This case study describes the establishment and maintenance of access to licensed electronic resources from the libraries of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City (WCMC-NY) and its parent institution, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York to the new and primarily digital WCMC-Q Distributed eLibrary (DeLib) in Doha, Qatar. Challenges in extending access included defining relationships in a way that vendors could understand, creating networks and support mechanisms on both sides, and communicating across logistical and cultural differences. Through collaboration and coordination, these separately funded libraries acquire and maintain access to electronic resources at a shared cost. doi:10.1300/J383v04n01_04
Abnormal repetitive behaviours: shared phenomenology and pathophysiology

Background Self-injurious behaviour (SIB) is a devastating problem observed in individuals with various neurodevelopmental disorders, including specific genetic syndromes as well as idiopathic intellectual and developmental disability. Although an increased prevalence of SIB has been documented in specific genetic mutations, little is known about the neurobiological basis of SIB. This makes vulnerability assessment and pharmacological treatment incredibly challenging. Method Here we review evidence that SIB and other repetitive, invariant behaviours, such as stereotypy, compulsions and tics, share many phenotypic similarities, are often co-morbidly expressed and have common inducing conditions. This argues for shared or overlapping pathophysiology. As much more is known about the neurobiology of these related disorders, this should make the neurobiology of SIB a more tractable problem. Results Stereotypy, compulsions and tics are diagnostic for disorders that have received focused neurobiological investigation (autism, obsessive compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome, respectively). In addition, animal models of these repetitive behaviours have been well characterised. Collectively, these studies have found that cortical basal ganglia circuitry dysfunction mediates repetitive behaviour. Moreover, these studies provide more detailed information and potentially testable hypotheses about specific aspects of the circuitry that may be operative in SIB. Conclusions We can use available information from clinical and animal models to make more precise hypotheses regarding the particular pathophysiology driving SIB. The results of testing such hypotheses should generate pharmacological strategies that may prove efficacious in reducing SIB.
Ovulatory plasma amine (epinephrine and norepinephrine) surge in the woman.

Abstract Two normally cycling women were studied through one complete menstrual cycle with daily oral basal body temperature recordings and daily 24 hour urine collections. Blood was drawn in the basal state beginning with one patient on Day 9 and with the other patient on Day 12 of the menstrual cycle. Blood determinations were for follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine. Urinary determinations were for creatinine, epinephrine, and norepineprine. Results indicate that a gradual rise in urinary norepinephrine occurs following ovulation which is greater than the preovulatory excertion. Urinary epinephrine does not significantly vary during the stages of the menstrual cycle. One patient showed a significant plasma amine surge on the same day as the LH surge. The other patient showed a plasma amine surge on the day of the LH peak and also on the 2 preceding days. These observations of a plasma amine surge in the woman that coincide with or precede the LH surge have not been previously reported. They indicate an increased sympathetic response around the time of ovulation and are most likely associated with a central phenomenon.
An open platform for managing short programming exercises

In this paper, we describe CloudCoder, an open platform for creating, assigning, and sharing short programming exercises for a variety of languages (currently C/C++, Java, Python and Ruby). Like other similar systems, CloudCoder is web-based, letting students write code directly in a web browser, click the "submit" button, and receive immediate feedback. Unlike other systems, which tend to be closed, or commercial, or both, CloudCoder is a completely open platform. The code for the system is open-source, and exercises written for CloudCoder may be shared to a central repository under permissive licenses such as Creative Commons BY-SA. Finally, CloudCoder collects detailed data that faculty can use for educational research. We also report on successful pilot studies of CloudCoder at several institutions, and outline research questions we hope to address in future work.
Structural and stratigraphic development of the Newark extensional basin, eastern North America: evidence for the growth of the basin and its bounding structures

The Newark basin is a half graben, bounded on its northwestern margin by a system of mostly normal-slip faults, many of which are reactivated Paleozoic thrust faults and were active at least sporadically during the deposition of the entire basin fill. As a result of along-strike variations in displacement on the border-fault system, subsidence increased from the lateral edges toward the center of the basin and from the hinged margin toward the border-fault system. Some intrabasinal faults also formed during the deposition of units currently preserved in their hanging walls. Along-strike variations in the density of intrabasinal faults probably reflect changes in the dip angle of the border-fault system; variations in the amount of extension accommodated on these intrabasinal faults resulted in the formation of a transfer fault. Along-strike variations in fault displacement probably produced the transverse folds in the hanging walls immediately adjacent to border faults and major intrabasinal normal faults; some folds formed syndepositionally. Progressively younger strata onlap "basement" rocks along the hinged margin of the basin, and younger splays of the border-fault system propagated into the footwall; the basin therefore grew deeper, wider, and longer through time.
Preferential transmission of genetic risk variants of candidate loci at 6p21 from asymptomatic grandparents to mothers of children with neonatal lupus.

Objective Neonatal lupus (NL) occurs in fetuses exposed to maternal anti-SSA/Ro and/or anti-SSB/La antibodies, although the mothers themselves may not manifest any clinical disease. A focus on transmission of risk factors for NL from maternal grandparents to mothers of children with NL may yield dividends toward understanding the aggregation of autoantibodies and genetic factors in affected families. This study was perforned to determine the role of maternal grandparents in the development of the autoimmune phenotype of mothers of children with NL. Methods Fifty-one mothers of children with cardiac and/or cutaneous NL, 48 maternal grandmothers, and 35 maternal grandfathers in the Research Registry for Neonatal Lupus were interrogated for clinical symptoms by questionnaire and underwent laboratory assessments, including determination of anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibody status (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and genotype at rs1800629 (TNFα) and rs7775397 (C6orf10) (allelic discrimination). The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) was computed to test for nonrandom transmission from maternal grandparents to mothers of children with NL. Results The common phenotypic feature in mothers of children with NL was the autoantibody and not the clinical profile; 7 had lupus, 14 had Sjogren's syndrome, 7 had both, and 23 were asymptomatic. Mothers of children with NL were significantly enriched for the risk alleles at both TNFα and C6orf10. The grandparents of children with NL carried minimal burden for autoimmune disease or abnormal antibody production and were not enriched in the genetic risk factors. However, the TDT analysis showed significant excess transmission of the risk alleles at both TNFα (odds ratio [OR] 6.67, P = 3.93 × 10−4) and C6orf10 (OR 35.0, P = 3.74 × 10−5) to mothers of children with NL. Conclusion Mothers of children with NL are enriched for the TNFα and C6orf10 risk alleles, which are preferentially inherited from the asymptomatic maternal grandparents. These findings support the hypothesis that the development of NL and genetic etiology are multigenerational.
Exposure to men influences the occurrence of ovulation in women.

It has been demonstrated that exposure to men has the capacity to shorten the menstrual cycle in women. In the present study, the impact of the variables of sleeping arrangements and sexual activity were examined on both menstrual cycle length and the occurrence of ovulation as determined by basal body temperature charts. It was found that women who spent at least two or more nights with men during a forty day period exhibited a significantly higher rate of ovulation (p<0.05) than those spending no or one nights. Cycle length was not affected by sleeping arrangements. Furthermore, frequency of sexual intercourse was unrelated to either cycle length or likelihood of ovulation. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unknown but it is conjectured that it is pheromonal in nature.
Detecting periodic unstable points in noisy chaotic and limit cycle attractors with applications to biology.

Recently, biological preparations which are thought to be chaotic have been controlled using algorithms based on the detection and manipulation of periodic unstable points. The dynamics of these systems are, however, contaminated with noise; thus detection becomes a statistical process. Here we show that low dimensional chaos can be reliably detected with large noise contamination and distinguished from noisy limit cycles. We also examine a purely chaotic high dimensional system.
Family and community supports provided for low‐income children in the Syracuse Prekindergarten Program: A follow‐up study

Seventeen years after they participated in the Syracuse Pre‐kindergarten Program, the school and life experiences of former three‐ and four‐year old poor children were examined in a qualitative research study. Ten school‐achieving and ten school non‐achieving students and their mothers were interviewed in‐depth. Important data emerged concerning influences from family and community which shaped the lives of the students from pre‐kindergarten through adulthood. Topics reported are concerned with role models, structure of the family, the role of the mother including child rearing practices, the influence of the older siblings, and other family supports including the church. Verbatim interview data defy stereotypes of poor families projected on news media.
Experimental and analytical tools for studying the human microbiome

The human microbiome substantially affects many aspects of human physiology, including metabolism, drug interactions and numerous diseases. This realization, coupled with ever-improving nucleotide sequencing technology, has precipitated the collection of diverse data sets that profile the microbiome. In the past 2 years, studies have begun to include sufficient numbers of subjects to provide the power to associate these microbiome features with clinical states using advanced algorithms, increasing the use of microbiome studies both individually and collectively. Here we discuss tools and strategies for microbiome studies, from primer selection to bioinformatics analysis.
COMPARISON OF LINEAR AND SWITCHING DRIVE AMPLIFIERS FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATORS

The power requirements imposed on the amplifier by piezoelectric actuators is discussed. We consider a two-degree-of-freedom mechanical system driven by a piezoelectric stack for the purpose of analyzing power flow and power dissipation of four amplifiers. Two of the amplifiers are benchtop linear amplifiers. The other two amplifiers are based on switching topologies. The power consumption of all four of these amplifiers is measured and compared. It is shown that the linear amplifiers consume significantly more power than the switching amplifiers. These measurements confirm well-known analyses of these two amplifier topologies.
The high-temperature oxidation characteristics of alloys from the Nb-W-Cr system with C additions

The oxidation behavior of two alloys from the Nb-W-Cr system containing carbon has been studied. Selection of specific alloy compositions was based on the ternary isothermal sections of Nb-W-Cr at 1,000°C and 1,500°C. Oxidation experiments were conducted for 24 hours in air over a range of temperatures from 700°C to 1,400°C. Mass gain per unit area as a function of the temperature was used to determine the alloy’s oxidation resistance and the oxidation products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The results have been compared with a previous study of the oxidation resistance of the alloys in the monolithic form. Beneficial effects have been observed when carbon is added to Nb-20W-5Cr alloy; however, the oxidation resistance of the alloy with higher chromium content was not improved by the addition of the modifier. The nature of oxides obtained from alloys with and without carbon additions has been observed to be similar based on the XRD results.
Cloud components of the Intertropical Convergence Zone

[1] This study explores the roles of different synoptic-scale cloud systems in the making of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data are used to represent both the mean ITCZ and cloud systems. An OLR threshold of 205 W m−2 is used to distinguish daily mean deep convective clouds from nondeep clouds. Zonally moving synoptic-scale cloud systems are identified through a cloud-tracking method. Mean OLR of the ITCZ is decomposed into five components: westward and eastward moving synoptic-scale deep convective clouds, random (nonpropagating) deep convective clouds, nondeep clouds, and clear-sky backgrounds. Hypothetical ITCZs, each composed of one of the cloud components and the clear-sky background, are constructed and compared. The largest synoptic-scale cloud constituents of the ITCZ are nondeep clouds and deep clouds with no persistent tendency of zonal propagation. Each of the two comprises about 40–45% of total cloud signals in the ITCZ. A weak ITCZ could exist solely because of westward propagating, synoptic-scale, deep-convective clouds. In reality, these westward propagating clouds contribute 25–40% of deep convective clouds and 10–20% of total clouds in the ITCZ. Contributions from eastward propagating synoptic-scale clouds are much smaller (8% of the deep convective clouds and less than 5% of total clouds in the ITCZ). An ITCZ without any zonally propagating synoptic-scale deep convective clouds would be diffused in latitude. The cloud compositions in the ITCZ and other tropical convective zones are compared. Their discrepancies indicate fundamental characteristics in large-scale environments for the cloud components in different regions.
Corneal Wick Electrode for Recording Bright Flash Electroretinograms and Early Receptor Potentials

• We developed a corneal wick electrode that is free of photovoltaic artifact when used with a bright flash strobe and is convenient for routine clinical application. The corneal wick electrode is employed for bright flash electroretinogram (ERG) recordings and for research measurements of the early receptor potential. The wick electrode gives accurate, stable, reproducible recordings with an amplitude comparable to that obtained with standard contact lens electrodes.
The sulphonylurea receptor SUR1 regulates ATP-sensitive mouse Kir6.2 K+ channels linked to the green fluorescent protein in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293)

1. Using a chimeric protein comprising the green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to the C-terminus of the K+ channel protein mouse Kir6.2 (Kir6.2-C-GFP), the interactions between the sulphonylurea receptor SUR1 and Kir6.2 were investigated in transfected human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293) by combined imaging and patch clamp techniques. 2. HEK 293 cells transfected with mouse Kir6.2-C-GFP and wild-type Kir6.2 exhibited functional K+ channels independently of SUR1. These channels were inhibited by ATP (IC50 = 150 microM), but were not responsive to stimulation by ADP or inhibition by sulphonylureas. Typically 15 +/- 7 active channels were found in an excised patch. 3. The distribution of Kir6.2-C-GFP protein was investigated by imaging of GFP fluorescence. There was a lamellar pattern of fluorescence labelling inside the cytoplasm (presumably associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus) and intense punctate labelling near the cell membrane, but little fluorescence was associated with the plasma membrane. 4. In contrast, cells co-transfected with Kir6.2-C-GFP and SUR1 exhibited intense uniform plasma membrane labelling, and the lamellar and punctate labelling seen without SUR1 was no longer prominent. 5. In cells co-transfected with Kir6.2-C-GFP and SUR1, strong membrane labelling was associated with very high channel activity, with 484 +/- 311 active channels per excised patch. These K+ channels were sensitive to inhibition by ATP (IC50 = 17 microM), stimulated by ADP and inhibited by sulphonylureas. 6. We conclude that co-expression of SUR1 and Kir6.2 generates channels with the properties of native KATP channels. In addition, SUR1 promotes uniform insertion of Kir6.2-C-GFP into the plasma membrane and a 35-fold increase in channel activity, suggesting that SUR1 facilitates protein trafficking of Kir6.2 into the plasma membrane.
A three-dimensional ultrasonic system for posture measurement.

A time-efficient, cost-effective, and accurate system has been developed for measuring static three-dimensional joint coordinates in the laboratory. This system uses a personal computer interface to determine the distance between transmitters positioned at body joints and receivers positioned near the subject by measuring the travel time of ultrasound. Distance data are then converted to spatial coordinates and joint angles. The system can determine the location of 14 joints at one time. An experiment using three distances and five orientations between a transmitter and a receiver was performed to investigate the significance of measurement errors for the new system. The results showed that the standard deviation of the distance measurement was about 0·2 cm for single orientation conditions and was about 1 cm for all conditions tested. A second experiment using 11 transmitters and four receivers was performed to investigate the significance of measurement errors when determining three-dimensional coordina...
Macular pigment in henle fiber membranes:A model for Haidinger's brushes

The dichroic properties of lutein, presumed to be the macular pigment, are demonstrated and the structure of Henle fiber membranes is discussed. A consequence of the pigment molecules being incorporated into the bilipid components of these membranes is shown to be the production of Haidinger's brushes. Spectra of lutein in association with phospholipid model membranes at different temperatures are presented and these support the theory that such incorporation occurs. Additional experiments test an alternative model for Haidinger's brushes and show it to be inconsistent with the spectroscopic properties of lutein.
Correlation of sensory, instrumental and chemical attributes of beef as influenced by meat structure and oxygen exclusion

Correlation of elements contributing to meat flavor quality (MFQ) were examined. Muscle structure influences generation of micro temperature environments that lead to formation of flavor-zones. Generation of such zones was also attributed to a structurally-dependent barrier to oxygen. MFQ was examined in the presence and absence of oxygen. Vacuum storage completely retarded flavor deterioration as marked by chemical markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid volatiles. Vacuum storage incompletely affected changes in sensory attributes; it partially retarded development of painty, cardboard, bitter and sour flavors and limited loss of desirable flavors such as cooked beef/brothy and browned/caramel. Bivariate plots of factor solutions resulting from multivariate principal components analysis proved a suitable method to graphically present statistical correlations between experimental treatments and sensory, chemical, and instrumental attributes.
Sorting out the trash: the spatial nature of eukaryotic protein quality control

Failure to maintain protein homeostasis is associated with aggregation and cell death, and underies a growing list of pathologies including neurodegenerative diseases, aging, and cancer. Misfolded proteins can be toxic and interfere with normal cellular functions, particularly during proteotoxic stress. Accordingly, molecular chaperones, the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy together promote refolding or clearance of misfolded proteins. Here we discuss emerging evidence that the pathways of protein quality control (PQC) are intimately linked to cell architecture, and sequester proteins into spatially and functionally distinct PQC compartments. This sequestration serves a number of functions, including enhancing the efficiency of quality control; clearing the cellular milieu of potentially toxic species and facilitating asymmetric inheritance of damaged proteins to promote rejuvenation of daughter cells.
Leptin Differentially Regulates NPY and POMC Neurons Projecting to the Lateral Hypothalamic Area

Recent studies have reinforced the view that the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) regulates food intake and body weight. We identified leptin-sensitive neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (Arc) that innervate the LHA using retrograde tracing with leptin administration. We found that retrogradely labeled cells in the Arc contained neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA or proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA. Following leptin administration, NPY cells in the Arc did not express Fos but expressed suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) mRNA. In contrast, leptin induced both Fos and SOCS-3 expression in POMC neurons, many of which also innervated the LHA. These findings suggest that leptin directly and differentially engages NPY and POMC neurons that project to the LHA, linking circulating leptin and neurons that regulate feeding behavior and body weight homeostasis.
Base tilt of B-form poly[d(G)]-poly[d(C)] and the B- and Z-conformations of poly[d(GC)]-poly[d(GC)] in solution.

We have measured the CD, isotropic absorption, and linear dichroism (LD) in the vacuum-uv spectral region for the B-conformations of poly[d(G)]-poly[d(C)] and poly[d(GC)]-poly[d(GC)], and for the Z-conformation of poly[d(GC)]-poly[d(GC)] formed in 70% trifluoroethanol. The reduced dichroism (LD divided by isotropic absorption) for all conformations varied with wavelength, indicating that the bases are not perpendicular to the helix axis. Since the directions of the transition dipoles are known, the inclinations and axes of inclination of each base can be determined from the wavelength dependence of the reduced dichroism spectra. The results indicate that the base normals of the (G + C) polymers in the B- and Z-conformations are tilted at angles greater than 19° with respect to the helix axis. The guanine and cytosine bases have different inclinations, and the tilt axes are not parallel. Therefore, the bases for all the (G + C) polymer conformations studied are buckled and propeller twisted.
Hemosiderin V: The occurrence of heme and lipids in hemosiderin☆☆☆

Abstract Hemosiderin was prepared from hemosiderotic human tissue by methods formerly developed for horse spleen. The chemical characteristics of the hemosiderin prepared from either human liver or human spleen resemble those of horse spleen hemosiderin. Only N-acetylneuraminic is present as the sialic acid component of the carbohydrate complex of human hemosiderin. In hemosiderin of both species, the porphyrin present has been identified as protoheme IX; it is apparently formed from the breakdown of discarded red blood cells in the phagocytes of liver and spleen. The data available do not warrant the conclusion that protoporphyrin IX is present in hemosiderin. Chloroform-methanol extracts of iron-free aposiderin of both species yield a variety of lipids, e.g., phospholipids, cerebrosides, ganglioside, and cholesterol. The qualitative distribution of these lipids resembles that of the red cell and it is suggested that these lipids are derived from the stroma of broken-down red cells. From the data presented the conclusion is drawn that the chemical characteristics of human and horse hemosiderin are similar and that the preparations are not artifacts but represent an entity, the pigment hemosiderin.
Reply to Comment on “a generalized fast multipole approach for Hartree-Fock and density functional computations”

Abstract We point out the algorithmic differences between our generalized fast multipole approach (KAN) and the approach of White et al. (CFMM), for computing the Coulomb term in Hartree-Fock and density functional theory calculations. Our Reply provides a more balanced comparison between KAN and CFMM than that given by White et al. in the preceding Comment.
Sampling taxa, estimating phylogeny and inferring macroevolution: an example from Devonian terebratulide brachiopods

This study explores the implications of different decisions about taxon sampling in studies of phylogeny and macroevolution – how would phylogenetic results differ as decisions about inclusion of taxa differed? The focus is on investigating phylogenetic relationships among families of Devonian terebratulides, and include all 71 named genera in our analyses. Subsets of taxa were experimented with the most complete morphologically from fossil specimens; those that occur earliest in the stratigraphic record; those that include only the name-bearing genera from each family. Including only the most completely known genera produces a result essentially similar to one including all genera, even those for which less than half the characters can be coded. Including only the stratigraphically earliest genera produces a result at odds with the other analyses. Including only name-bearers, representing 13% of all genera, produces a result generally similar to the analysis including all taxa. None of the results of these phylogenetic experiments involving subsets of genera corresponds strongly with the recently revised classification in the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, but general similarities can be discerned. The lack of strong correspondence between classification and several different experimental phylogenetic hypotheses could be ascribed to their different overall goals, and highlights the potential dangers of ascribing evolutionary significance to simple counts of taxa, particularly families, as warned by Alwyn Williams 50 years ago.
The types of data needed for assessing the environmental and human health impacts of coal

Coal is one of the most important sources of energy. Its worldwide use will continue to expand during the next several decades, particularly in rapidly developing countries such as China and India. Unfortunately, coal use may bring with it environmental and human health costs. Many of the environmental and health problems attributed to coal combustion are due to mobilization of potentially toxic elements. Some of these problems could be minimized or even avoided if comprehensive databases containing appropriate coal quality information were available to decision makers so that informed decisions could be made regarding coal use. Among the coal quality parameters that should be included in these databases are: C, H, N, O, pyritic sulfur, organic sulfur, major, minor, and trace element concentrations, modes of occurrence of environmentally sensitive elements, cleanability, mineralogy, organic chemistry, petrography, and leachability.
Current primary open-angle glaucoma treatments and future directions

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness with no known cure. Management of the disease focuses on lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) with current classes of drugs like prostaglandin analogs, beta-blockers, alpha-agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. These treatments have not helped all patients. Some patients continue to experience deterioration in the optic nerve even though their IOPs are within the normal range. New views have surfaced about other pathophysiological processes (such as oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction, and retinal cell apoptosis) being involved in POAG progression, and adjunctive treatments with drugs like memantine, bis(7)-tacrine, nimodipine, and mirtogenol are advocated. This review examines the current and proposed treatments for POAG. Some of the proposed drugs (bis(7)-tacrine, nimodipine, vitamin E, and others) have shown good promise, mostly as monotherapy in various clinical trials. It is recommended that both the current and proposed drugs be put through further robust trials in concurrent administration and evaluated.
Are we asking the right question about postacute settings of care

This issue of Archives includes an article by Mallinson et al that compares the outcomes of patients with hip fracture who received rehabilitation services in 3 different postacute settings: skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, or home health. Except in 1 instance, Mallinson found no setting-specific effects and noted that the issue of defining an optimum postacute rehabilitation program is complex and requires more investigation. Mallinson's findings are interesting in their own right but raise a more fundamental issue. This commentary observes that rehabilitation patients typically use multiple postacute settings, not just 1 setting of care, for the same episode of care. This commentary asks whether we should be examining episode outcomes and not just setting-specific outcomes, especially in the face of bundled payment and value-based payment reforms in the Affordable Care Act.
The Skin: Continual Source Of Biologic Problems And Discoveries

In much the same way as the survival of many species depends upon their abundant production of such genetic materials as pollens and spermatozoa, so does scientific progress depend upon a continual, lavish production of basic scientific works. In stimulating, assembling, and disseminating various scientific studies related to the skin, the Montagna Symposia on the Biology of Skin have ensured progress not only in the understanding and management of skin diseases but in the discovery of widely applicable facts and laws. For the skin was, is, and probably always will be one of the richest sources of basic biologic information. No scientific discovery is wasted, no accurate clinical observation useless. No one can foresee when or how some seemingly irrelevant discovery in pure science or some seemingly insignificant clinical observation will yield fruits of incalculable practicable value. We cite here a few examples of some of the best results from apparently unrelated research and isolated clinical findings. In dermatologic research, the circular rhythm from patient with cutaneous disease to laboratory and from laboratory back to patient creates a centrifugal force that often spins off valuable discoveries.
Enhanced statistical damage identification using frequency-shift information with tunable piezoelectric transducer circuitry

The frequency-shift-based damage detection method entertains advantages such as global detection capability and easy implementation, but also suffers from drawbacks that include low detection accuracy and sensitivity and the difficulty in identifying damage using a small number of measurable frequencies. Moreover, the damage detection/identification performance is inevitably affected by the uncertainty/variations in the baseline model. In this research, we investigate an enhanced statistical damage identification method using the tunable piezoelectric transducer circuitry. The tunable piezoelectric transducer circuitry can lead to much enriched information on frequency shift (before and after damage occurrence). The circuitry elements, meanwhile, can be directly and accurately measured and thus can be considered uncertainty-free. A statistical damage identification algorithm is formulated which can identify both the mean and variance of the elemental property change. Our analysis indicates that the integration of the tunable piezoelectric transducer circuitry can significantly enhance the robustness of the frequency-shift-based damage identification approach under uncertainty and noise.
Biomechanics of Overhand Throwing with Implications for Injuries

Proper throwing mechanics may enable an athlete to achieve maximum performance with minimum chance of injury. While quantifiable differences do exist in proper mechanics for various sports, certain similarities are found in all overhand throws. One essential property is the utilisation of a kinetic chain to generate and transfer energy from the larger body parts to the smaller, more injury-prone upper extremity. This kinetic chain in throwing includes the following sequence of motions: stride, pelvis rotation, upper torso rotation, elbow extension, shoulder internal rotation and wrist flexion. As each joint rotates forward, the subsequent joint completes its rotation back into a cocked position, allowing the connecting segments and musculature to be stretched and eccentrically loaded. Most notable is the external rotation of the shoulder, which reaches a maximum value of approximately 180 degrees. This biomechanical measurement is a combination of true glenohumeral rotation, trunk hyperextension and scapulothoracic motion. Near the time of maximum shoulder external rotation (ERmax), shoulder and elbow musculature eccentrically contract to produce shoulder internal rotation torque and elbow varus torque. Both the shoulder and the elbow are susceptible to injury at this position. At ball release, significant energy and momentum have been transferred to the ball and throwing arm. After ball release, a kinetic chain is used to decelerate the rapidly moving arm with the entire body. Shoulder and elbow muscles produce large compressive forces to resist joint distraction. Both joints are susceptible to injury during arm deceleration.