cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DEVELOPMENTALLY REGULATED ALTERNATIVE SPLICING GENERATES A COMPLEX ARRAY OF DROSOPHILA PARA SODIUM CHANNEL ISOFORMS

The para locus encodes the predominant class of sodium channels expressed in Drosophila neurons. Previous sequence analysis of para cDNAs indicated the occurrence of alternative splicing at several sites within the open reading frame. Here we report a detailed analysis of this alternative splicing and its regulation during development. We have used a combination of RNA-PCR and sequence analysis to examine a 1.7 kilobase region of the para mRNA that encompasses the previously reported sites of alternative splicing. Five sites of alternative splicing were identified; 48 different splice variants could be generated by the differential exon usage observed. The number of splice forms and their relative frequency in vivo were characterized in RNA samples of both embryos and adults. The range of splice types was found to be much more diverse in adults than in embryos; of a total of 19 different combinations of alternative exons, 11 splice types were found in embryos and 18 in adults. Usage of some individual alternative exons changed during development; a newly identified exon, which is found in one of two forms either 24 or 30 base pairs long, was present in about 85% of para transcripts from embryos but only 7% of those in adults. These data suggest that a wide variety of subtly distinct Na channel isoforms are present in Drosophila, and that these may provide a range of voltage-gated sodium channel functions. Although multiple sodium channel genes have already been described in both Drosophila and mammalian systems, this study provides a clear indication that sodium channel variability may be much greater than previously thought.
Ionic mechanisms of neuronal excitation by inhibitory GABAA receptors

Gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors are the principal mediators of synaptic inhibition, and yet when intensely activated, dendritic GABAA receptors excite rather than inhibit neurons. The membrane depolarization mediated by GABAA receptors is a result of the differential, activity-dependent collapse of the opposing concentration gradients of chloride and bicarbonate, the anions that permeate the GABAA ionophore. Because this depolarization diminishes the voltage-dependent block of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor by magnesium, the activity-dependent depolarization mediated by GABA is sufficient to account for frequency modulation of synaptic NMDA receptor activation. Anionic gradient shifts may represent a mechanism whereby the rate and coherence of synaptic activity determine whether dendritic GABAA receptor activation is excitatory or inhibitory.
Anatomical, Metabolic and Genetic Aspects of Age-related Hearing Loss in Mice: Aspectos anatómicos, metabólicos y genéticos de la hipoacusia relacionada con la edad en ratones

Because of their short lifespan and genetic homogeneity, mice can provide valuable insights into the biological basis of age-related hearing loss. In C57BL/6 mice, hair cell loss begins around 1–2 months of age and progresses rapidly along a base-to-apex gradient, whereas CBA mice show relatively little hair cell loss until late in life. This anatomical difference is reflected in dehydrogenase histochemistry, an indirect measure of aerobic energy metabolism. A small, but significant, decrease in hair cell dehydrogenase staining occurred in CBA mice between 1.5 and 18 months of age. Significantly, dehydrogenase levels in 1.5-month C57 mice were substantially lower than in CBA mice of any age. Thus, deficits in aerobic energy metabolism presage degeneration of the hair cells. The superoxide radical, O2−, a normal byproduct of cellular metabolism, is potentially toxic and can cause cellular damage if it is not inactivated by superoxide dismutases. Cytosolic copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD 1) is highly ...
Discrimination towards disabled people seeking employment

This research was undertaken to determine whether or not disabled persons are at a disadvantage when seeking employment. An experimental design--mailing unsolicited job applications to employers--in a natural social setting allowed a study of employer's behaviour under naturalistic conditions. A randomized comparative study was conducted on a representative sample of 2228 branches of French companies, stratified as a function of their size. Four different profiles of applications were constituted by crossing two independent variables: the presence or absence of mention of a physical deficiency (paraplegia, with a wheelchair) in the job application, and high or low level of qualification. Using random sampling, the investigators sent each company an application for a job using one of these four profiles. Two experimental groups of companies were constituted (each of which received an application with either high or low qualification and mention of disability) with two control groups (applications with high/low qualification, without mention of disability). It was found that highly qualified able-bodied applicants were 1.78 times more likely to receive a favorable response than their disabled counterparts, and modestly qualified able-bodied applicants were 3.2 times more likely to receive a positive response. As well, discrimination became more marked as company size increased. In comparison with laboratory experiments, the results of this research permit a more objective assessment of discriminatory behaviour by companies confronted by disabled job applicants, and show a significant amount of discrimination towards individuals with a physical disability.
The second messenger cascade in olfactory receptor neurons

The molecular cloning of components involved in the cAMP second messenger cascade has allowed their biochemical characterization and revealed properties that are important for their role in sensory transduction. Recent evidence suggests inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate functions as an additional second messenger in olfactory signalling. The interaction of these two pathways may contribute to the sensitivity of the olfactory system.
Stress modeling at Long Valley, California: borehole stability near a magma chamber

The inversion of surface deformation data at Long Valley, California for magma chamber geometry is not unique. An analytical solution in the form of an integral equation was developed to study if the stress variation with depth below the point of maximum uplift on the resurgent dome could constrain the shape and size of various ellipsoidal magma chambers, all of which explain the basic surface deformations. The integral solution accounts for the magma chamber pressurization interacting with a lithostatic stress field. The sensitivity of the results to the far-field boundary condition was tested by considering both zero lateral strain and a linearly increasing horizontal stress. A wide range of spherical sizes was examined because inversion of the formation data generally limit eccentricities of ellipsoids to a small range (ϵ < 0.2), whereas size is largely unconstrained. The center of inflation is well constrained to be at 9.5 km depth. The stress at the surface is highly compressive for a 5-km radius spherical chamber, and is nearly zero for a 1-km radius chamber, when both are centered at 9.5-km depth and produce approximately the same surface deformation. The near-surface compressive stress for a large chamber greatly exceeds tectonic or lithostatic stresses. The compressive stress decreases with depth for the 5-km chamber, whereas it increases approximately lithostatically for the 1-km chamber. The stress field becomes tensile, or nearly tensile, as the top of the chamber is approached in all cases. The magnitude of the tensile stress is much higher for the 1-km case. Dike injection is inferred to be much more likely for a smaller chamber. The effect of ellipsoid shape is not as significant as size for the small eccentricities allowed by the Long Valley surface deformations. The surface compressive stress due to an oblate source is about 60 MPa larger than for a prolate source when the tops of the chambers are at the same depth. Part of this difference is due to the larger size of the oblate chamber. If the chamber volumes are held constant by allowing the depths to their tops to vary, then the difference between the prolate and the oblate cases is reduced to 15 MPa. In the absence of other stresses, breakouts may occur at 1-km depth for a 5-km radius spherical source, if the cohesive strength of the rock is less than 25 MPa. Borehole stability decreases when tectonic and other stresses are included.
Synaptotagmin’s Role in Neurotransmitter Release Likely Involves Ca2+-induced Conformational Transition

Neuronal exocytosis is mediated by a Ca2+-triggered membrane fusion event that joins synaptic vesicles and presynaptic membrane. In this event, synaptotagmin I plays a key role as a Ca2+ sensor protein that binds to and bends the presynaptic membrane with its C2B domain, and thereby initiates membrane fusion. We report free energy calculations according to which C2B-induced membrane bending is preceded by a Ca2+- and membrane-dependent conformational transition. In this transition C2B attaches to the membrane, moves its C-terminal helix from the orientation seen in the available (but membrane-free) crystal/NMR structures as pointing away from the membrane (helix-up), to an orientation pointing toward the membrane (helix-down). In the C2B helix-down state, lipid tails in the proximal membrane bilayer leaflet interact with the moved helix and become disordered, whereas tails in the distal leaflet, to keep in contact with the proximal leaflet, become stretched and ordered. The difference in lipid tail packing between the two leaflets results in an imbalance of pressure across the membrane, and thereby causes membrane bending. The lipid-disordering monitored in the simulations is well suited to facilitate Ca2+-triggered membrane fusion.
High-resolution seismic-reflection investigation of the northern Gulf of Mexico gas-hydrate-stability zone

We recorded high-resolution seismic-reflection data in the northern Gulf of Mexico to study gas and gas-hydrate distribution and their relation to seafloor slides. Gas hydrate is widely reported near the seafloor, but is described at only one deep drill site. Our data show high-reflectivity zones (HRZs) near faults, diapirs, and gas vents and interbedded within sedimentary sections at shallow depth (<1 km). The HRZs lie below the gas-hydrate-stability zone (GHSZ) as well as within the zone (less common), and they coincide with zones of shallow water-flows. Bottom simulating reflections are rare in the Gulf, and not documented in our data. We infer HRZs result largely from free gas in sandy beds, with gas hydrate within the GHSZ. Our estimates for the base BHSZ correlate reasonably with the top of HRZs in some thick well-layered basin sections, but poorly where shallow sediments are thin and strongly deformed. The equivocal correlation results from large natural variability of parameters that are used to calculate the base of the GHSZ. The HRZs may, however, be potential indicators of nearby gas hydrate. The HRZs also lie at the base of at least two large seafloor slides (e.g. up to 250 km2) that may be actively moving along decollement faults that sole within the GHSZ or close to the estimated base of the GHSZ. We suspect that water/gas flow along these and other faults such as ‘chimney’ features provide gas to permit crystallization of gas hydrate in the GHSZ. Such flows weaken sediment that slide down salt-oversteepened slopes when triggered by earthquakes.
Conversion of laparoscopic colon resection does not affect survival in colon cancer.

Laparoscopic and open resections of colon cancer are considered oncologically equivalent treatment methods. Conversion of laparoscopic procedures, however, was associated with decreased survival in colon cancer patients in the only prior study examining this question. We conducted this study to evaluate the effect of conversion on survival. A series of consecutive patients treated with laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer (n = 174) in the period 1998–2003 was evaluated retrospectively. Median follow-up was 51 months with a minimum of 3 years. There was no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality between laparoscopically completed and converted groups (22/143, 15.4% versus 8/31, 25.8%; OR 1.9, p = 0.164). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis did not show any survival difference between the two groups (p = 0.266). The results of our study suggest there is no survival difference in patients requiring conversion of laparoscopic resection indicated for colorectal cancer. Further examination of this question is warranted to determine whether laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer should be offered to all patients, including those at high risk for conversion.
Trapezoidal lattice paths and multivariate analogues

In 1996, Garsia and Haiman introduced a bivariate analogue of the Catalan numbers that counts multiplicities of the sign character in a certain doubly graded S"n-module. Haglund conjectured a combinatorial interpretation for this sequence by defining two statistics on the set of lattice paths staying inside the triangle bounded by x=0, y=x, and y=n. This conjecture was eventually proved by Garsia and Haglund. Later, the present author introduced similar statistics for lattice paths staying inside other triangles, whose generating function is conjectured to give the higher q,t-Catalan sequences of Garsia and Haiman. This article generalizes these combinatorial statistics to lattice paths within certain trapezoidal regions. We introduce a five-variable generating function for these paths and prove formulas, bijections, and recursions involving this generating function. An open question is to find representation-theoretical interpretations for these statistics analogous to those previously conjectured for the paths staying inside triangular regions.
Isoflavone characterization and antioxidant activity of ohio soybeans.

Seventeen Ohio soybeans were screened for isoflavone content and antioxidant activity. Isoflavone content was determined by C18 reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector. Antioxidant activities of soybean extracts were measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and photochemiluminescence (PCL) methods. The highest and lowest total isoflavone contents were 11.75 and 4.20 μmol/g soy, respectively, while the average was 7.12 μmol/g soy. Antioxidant activities of soybean extracts ranged from 7.51 to 12.18 μmol butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) equivalent/g soy using the DPPH method. Lipid and water soluble antioxidant activities of soybean extracts ranged from 2.40 to 4.44 μmol Trolox equivalent/g soy and from 174.24 to 430.86 μmol ascorbic acid equivalent/g soy, respectively, using the PCL method. Keywords: Soybean cultivars; isoflavones; antioxidant activities
Comparison of sample pre-treatments for laser desorption ionization and secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging of Miscanthus × giganteus.

Efforts to further the potential of the large perennial grass Miscanthusxgiganteus as a biofuel feedstock would be aided by the ability to image the chemical species present during the fuel production process. Toward this end, two mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) approaches have been investigated here-laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). As a first step, cross sections of Miscanthus were subjected to a variety of sample preparation methods to optimize conditions for MSI. For LDI-MS, a thin metal coating (2 nm thick Au) provided high quality signals of saccharide-related ions. The traditional matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization matrix, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, also showed high efficiency for the desorption of saccharide-related ions. In contrast, with alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid matrix, these ions were nearly absent in the mass spectra. Direct laser ablation of untreated Miscanthus sections was also performed. High resolution images, where the fine structure of the vascular bundle could be clearly visualized, were obtained using SIMS. Although coating the sections with a nanometer thick Au layer can greatly enhance the quality of SIMS images, the coating had limited effect on secondary ion signal enhancement. Using the optimized mass spectrometry approaches described here, information on the spatial distribution of several saccharides was obtained.
Continuous femoral nerve block using 0.125% bupivacaine does not prevent early ambulation after total knee arthroplasty.

Background Continuous femoral nerve block has been shown to decrease opioid use, improve postoperative pain scores, and decrease length of stay. However, several studies have raised the concern that continuous femoral nerve block may delay patient ambulation and increase the risk of falls during the postoperative period.
Optimizing Albunex in the left ventricle: An analysis of the technical parameters of four ultrasound systems in canines and humans

Albunex, an intravascular ultrasound contrast agent, has been used clinically to enhance echocardiographic images. The purpose of this study if (1) to determine whether varying the settings on commercially available ultrasound machines has an effect on left ventricular opacification after intravenously administered Albunex and if there is an effect on left ventricular opacification and (2) to determine the ideal settings for each ultrasound scanner. Six canine hearts were imaged with 1 ml injections of intravenously administered Albunex while varying the transducer frequency, preprocessing curves, postprocessing curves, and dynamic range on a variety of ultrasound units. Subsequently 50 human subjects underwent imaging with the various machines while the dynamic range and transducer frequencies were altered. All subjects received two or three intravenous injections of 10 ml Albunex. The opacification of the left ventricular cavitary images in both parts of the study were interpreted visually on a scale of 0 to 4 (0 = none, 1 = trace, 2 = moderate, 3 = dense, and 4 = ideal) by four observers. The maximum compression and transducer frequency of 3.5 MHz showed significant improvement of left ventricular opacification in both canines and humans. These studies have shown that (1) varying the ultrasound unit's parameters affects the quality of left ventricular imaging when Albunex is used to enhance the image, and (2) higher compression and a transducer frequency of 3.5 MHz tend to enhance Albunex images of canine and human hearts.
Implementation of optimized electromagnetic induction coils

Electromagnetic induction (EMI) systems often employ separate transmit and receive coils that are placed in close proximity to one another. This placement is desirable for packaging reasons, but it makes achieving minimal mutual coupling between the two coils difficult. An iterative-convex optimization procedure that allows coils to be designed for both minimum mutual coupling and maximum on-axis sensitivity is demonstrated, and then this procedure is used to create a pair of double-sided, non-uniformly wound spiral coils, which improve upon previous coils by making the transmit coil resistance uniform. The effects of capacitive loading within the coils are explored, and results showing that the coils perform as expected at low frequency are presented.
Differences between CTP and ATP as substrates for the (Na + K)-ATPase.

Abstract CTP was a poorer substrate than ATP when substituted in the (Na + K)-ATPase reaction assay, not only in terms of K m but also of V . CDP was a poorer inhibitor than ADP, so product inhibition cannot account for CTP being a poorer substrate. In the Na-ATPase reaction, which the enzyme also catalyzes, substituting CTP for ATP resulted in greater activity, arguing against CTP being less effective than ATP in forming the enzyme-phosphate intermediate common to both reactions. Ligands that favor the E 2 conformational state of the enzyme, K + , Mg 2+ , and Mn 2 + , inhibited the (Na + K)-CTPase reaction more than the (Na + K)-ATPase. Conversely, Triton X-100, which favors the E 1 conformational state of the enzyme, K + , Mg 2+ , and Mn 2+ , inhibited the (Na + K)-CTPase ATPase reaction but stimulated the (Na + K)-CTPase. Although the (Na + K)-ATPase reaction sequence probably involves cyclical interconversion between E 1 and E 2 conformational states (and is thus inhibitable by ligands favoring either state), the K-phosphatase reaction catalyzed by the enzyme apparently functions entirely in the E 2 state. This reaction is better stimulated by CTP plus Na + than by ATP plus Na + ; moreover, CTP lessens inhibition by Triton X-100, and ATP lessens inhibition by inorganic phosphate (which reacts with the E 2 state). These observations indicate that CTP is a poorer substrate than ATP because it is less effective in promoting conversion of E 2 to E 1 , essential for the (Na + K)-dependent reaction mechanism. However, contrary to this rationale, dimethyl sulfoxide stimulated the (Na + K)-CTPase reaction although by other criteria, including inhibition of the (Na + K)-ATPase, the reagent appears to favor the E 2 over the E 1 conformational state.
Distributions: The Evolution of a Mathematical Theory

Abstract The theory of distributions, or generalized functions, evolved from various concepts of generalized solutions of partial differential equations and generalized differentiation. Some of the principal steps in this evolution are described in this paper.
Role of C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the AT2 receptor in ligand binding and signaling

A stop codon at position 322 was introduced to gen- erate a truncated, C-terminal-deleted AT2 receptor. Expression studies in Xenopus oocytes showed that C-terminal-deleted AT2 had reduced a⁄nity to ( 125 I)angiotensin II (Kd = 1.7 nM) and enhanced binding of the AT2-speci¢c peptidic ligand ( 125 I)CGP42112A (Kd = 0.097 nM). AT2 activation by angioten- sin II resulted in reduction of cGMP levels in oocytes and this reduction was further enhanced by C-terminal deletion, implying that the C-terminus may have a negative eiect on the AT2- mediated cGMP reduction. Moreover, interaction of the AT2 with the ATP-binding domain of the human ErbB3 receptor in yeast two-hybrid assay was abolished by C-terminal deletion. In summary, the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of AT2 modulates its ligand binding and signaling properties. 3 2002 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Structural Studies of the Isomorphous MCl2(PMe3)4 (M = Mo, W) Complexes

The structure of WCl2(PMe3)4 has been determined in order to allow for a comparison with its molybdenum analogue. The complexes are isomorphous, and exhibit trans-pseudooctahedral coordination, with crystallographically imposed $$\overline{4}2m$$ (D2d) symmetry. A significant distortion occurs involving the PMe3 ligands, through which one opposing pair tilts upward toward one axial chloride ligand, while the other pair tilts in an opposite manner, by 9.33°. The complex crystallizes in the tetragonal space group $$I\overline{4}2m$$ , with a = b = 9.4987(4) A, c = 12.1058(5) A, V = 1092.25(8) A3, D calc = 1.700 at 150(1) K. For a better comparison, the structure of the molybdenum complex was redetermined, at a low temperature. Its space group is also $$I\overline{4}2m$$ with a = b = 9.5193(3) A, c = 12.1083(5) A, V = 1097.22 A3, D calc = 1.426 at 150(1) K. In accord with the larger cell volume, the molybdenum complex possesses slightly longer M–Cl and M–P bonds.
Assisted morphogenesis: glial control of dendrite shapes

Neurons display a myriad of dendritic architectures, reflecting their diverse roles in information processing and transduction in the nervous system. Recent findings suggest that neuronal signals may not account for all aspects of dendrite morphogenesis. Observations from C. elegans and other organisms suggest that glial cells can affect dendrite length and guidance, as well as localization and shapes of dendritic receptive structures, such as dendritic spines and sensory cilia. Thus, besides direct roles in controlling neuronal activity, glia contribute to neuron function by ensuring that neurons attain their proper shapes.
Attributed graph models: modeling network structure with correlated attributes

Online social networks have become ubiquitous to today's society and the study of data from these networks has improved our understanding of the processes by which relationships form. Research in statistical relational learning focuses on methods to exploit correlations among the attributes of linked nodes to predict user characteristics with greater accuracy. Concurrently, research on generative graph models has primarily focused on modeling network structure without attributes, producing several models that are able to replicate structural characteristics of networks such as power law degree distributions or community structure. However, there has been little work on how to generate networks with real-world structural properties and correlated attributes. In this work, we present the Attributed Graph Model (AGM) framework to jointly model network structure and vertex attributes. Our framework learns the attribute correlations in the observed network and exploits a generative graph model, such as the Kronecker Product Graph Model (KPGM) and Chung Lu Graph Model (CL), to compute structural edge probabilities. AGM then combines the attribute correlations with the structural probabilities to sample networks conditioned on attribute values, while keeping the expected edge probabilities and degrees of the input graph model. We outline an efficient method for estimating the parameters of AGM, as well as a sampling method based on Accept-Reject sampling to generate edges with correlated attributes. We demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of our AGM framework on two large real-world networks, showing that AGM scales to networks with hundreds of thousands of vertices, as well as having high attribute correlation.
Phonon anomalies and the magnetic transition in pure and Cr-doped V2O

We have studied the lattice dynamics, the magnetic ordering and excitations, and the crystallographic distortions associated with the metal-insulator transitions in pure and Cr-doped vanadium sesquioxide using neutron-scattering techniques. In the paramagnetic metallic phase of pure ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ and in the higher-temperature paramagnetic metallic phase of 1.5-at. %-Cr-doped ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ we see an anomalous splitting of the transversely polarized acoustic phonon mode, propagating along the hexagonal [hh0] direction near the center of the Brillouin zone. Upon lowering the temperature, a substantial softening of a large portion of the transverse acoustic branch in the [00l] direction is observed in Cr-doped samples in the paramagnetic insulating phase as the transition to the antiferromagnetic insulating phase is approached. The loss of antiferromagnetic order with increasing temperature in 3-at. %-Cr-doped and 6-at. %-Cr-doped samples appears to be nearly continuous. The temperature dependence of the spin-wave energy gap in the 3-at. %-Cr-doped sample appears to approach zero continuously up to the N\'eel temperature. The monoclinic distortion of the trigonal phase at this transition is much reduced in the 6-at. %-Cr-doped sample compared to pure ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. These and other results are described in detail, and discussed in connection with the recent theoretical work on metal-insulator transitions.
Reverse Flotation of Magnesite by Dodecyl Phosphate from Dolomite in the Presence of Sodium Silicate

Abstract Magnesite and dolomite are two salt‐type minerals. They show similar flotation behavior due to the same crystal structure, similar chemical composition, and high solubility. It is difficult to achieve effective flotation of magnesite from dolomite in a single stage. The present study was performed to develop a new and better flotation scheme for magnesite from dolomite. The flotation tests show that there exists a significant difference in flotability between magnesite and dolomite when dodecyl phosphate synthesized with dodecanol, phosphorus oxychloride, and other chemicals is used as collector. Modifiers are necessary to improve flotation selectivity. It was found that sodium silicate selectively depressed magnesite at a pH of 4.5 to 7.5. The flotation mechanism was investigated by characterizing surface electrical properties and measuring the adsorption density of the reagents on magnesite and dolomite.
Understanding Biology Through Bioinformatics

During the journey from the discovery of DNA to be the source of genetic information and elucidation of double-helical nature of DNA molecule to the assembly of human genome sequence and there after, bioinformatics has become an integral part of modern biology. Bioinformatics relies substantially on significant contributions made by scientists in various fields, including but not limited to, linguistics, biology, mathematics, computer science, and statistics. There is an ever increasing amount of data to elucidate toxic mechanisms and/or adverse effects of xenobiotics in the field of toxicogenomics. Annotation in combination with various bioinformatics analytical tools can play a crucial role in the understanding of genes and proteins, and can potentially help draw meaningful conclusions from various data sources. This article attempts to present a simple overview of bioinformatics, and an effort is made to discuss annotation.
Research in perinatal thermoregulation: recent advances

Abstract 1. 1.|During the past decade, postnatal development of febrile responsiveness was investigated by the reaction to different pyrogenic agents in neonates of various species under diverse conditions. 2. 2.|Fever is rarely high and often absent in infected neonates. Since both the principal affector, viz, endogenous pyrogen (EP), and effector, viz, autonomic thermoregulatory ability, were shown to be present and competent from birth, it was concluded that the reduced fever response in early postnatal life is due to an insensitivity to EP of the hypothalamic febrigenic mechanisms. 3. 3.|Pursuant to reports suggesting that brain arginine vasopressin may function as an endogenous antipyretic, neurons containing this material were found to occur more abundantly in the limbic systems of new-born than of older guinea pigs. 4. 4.|Despite their refractoriness to autonomic fevers, neonates nevertheless can develop fevers by behaviourally selecting a high temperature in a thermal gradient.
Metal-metal multiple bonds in early/late heterobimetallics support unusual trigonal monopyramidal geometries at both Zr and Co.

Reduction of Zr/Co heterobimetallic complexes ICo(MesNPiPr2)3ZrCl (1) and ICo(iPrNPiPr2)3ZrCl (2) with excess Na/Hg under N2, followed by subsequent benzene extraction to remove coordinated Na halide salts, leads to neutral two-electron reduced, dinitrogen-bound complexes (THF)Zr(MesNPiPr2)3Co−N2 (4) and Zr(iPrNPiPr2)3Co−N2 (5). Upon halide loss, a THF solvent molecule coordinates to the axial site of the Zr center in 4, while this axial site remains unoccupied in 5. X-ray crystallography reveals short Co−Zr distances in 4 and 5, indicative of metal−metal multiple bonding, and an unprecedented trigonal monopyramidal geometry about the Zr center in 5. Reduction of 4 under an Ar atmosphere (in the absence of N2) results in another unusual structure type: an unoccupied axial Co coordination site and a trigonal monopyramidal Co center in (THF)Zr(MesNPiPr2)3Co (6). X-ray crystallography reveals that, in the absence of coordinated N2, the Co−Zr bond can attain full triple bond character with a Co−Zr distance of...
Applications of ionic models to the high-temperature superconductor La2CuO4

Abstract The electronic structures of superconducting oxides such as La 2 CuO 4 include significant ionic contributions. Application of ionic models to these materials complements band structure studies; ionic models provide useful reference models for studying the high- T c superconductors. In order to make this comparison useful, it is important to use a non-empirical model that does not involve fitting to experiment. We have applied the Potential Induced Breathing (PIB) Model, a non-empirical model which has shown success in predicting properties of insulating oxides, to La 2 CuO 4 . The PIB overlapping ion change density is compared to a self-consistent LAPW charge density. The out-of-plane oxygen and lanthanum ions are quite ionic, but the in-plane oxygen and copper show significant distortions, primarily displaying movement of charge out of the overlap region. Static minimum energy structures were calculated in tetragonal and orthorhombic symmetries using the PIB model. The ionic model predicts the observed tetragonal to orthorhombic distortion. PIB predicts a lower symmetry ground state. Phonon dispersion curves were calculated for both the tetragonal and orthorhombic structures. Unstable phonon branches are found for both structures using the ionic model. In the tetragonal structure these unstable branches are related to the X-point rotation of the in-plane oxygens, the octahedral tilting associated with the phase transition to the orthorhombic structure, and sliding of the O(Z) and La atoms in the x−y plane throughout the Brillouin zone.
On the use of quasi-velocities in impulsive motion

Abstract The differential variational principle of Jourdain (JVP) is extended to cover the dynamics of impulsive motion, formulated in terms of quasi-velocities, instead of time rates of change of true or Lagrangian generalized coordinates. This enlarges the scope of the JVP, because the extension of its range to encompass the use of quasi-velocities (which includes true velocities as a special case), enables the analyst to solve a wider range of problems. It should be pointed out that the mathematical foundation of the JVP, which is based on the assumption that the variation of the position vectors as well as the time is zero (in true Lagrangian as well as quasi-coordinates), is ideally suited to the physics of impulsive motion, where finite changes in the velocity are accompanied by negligible changes in configuration and time.
The Salt Absorption Isotherm

It is shown that the absorption isotherm of rubidium by excised barley roots can be explained either by two uptake mechanisms following Michaelis-Menten kinetics or by two mechanisms, one actively transporting salts into the tissue (the pump), the other one being more passive in nature (the leak), operating in either direction, depending on external and internal substrate concentration. Kinetic data are thus consistent with more than one transport model. It was further demonstrated for the pair K-Na, that a competitor not only reduces salt uptake but can also reverse the direction of net flux. This observation cannot be explained by classical enzyme kinetics, it is, however, consistent with the pump and leak system. Just as Michaelis-Menten kinetics, the pump and leak system can explain ion competition, in addition it offers a possible explanation of the Viets' effect and it can explain the time curve of absorption.
A Practical Synthesis of (±)-α-Isosparteine from a Tetraoxobispidine Core†

The title alkaloid was synthesized in racemic form from 3,7-diallyl-2,4,6,8-tetraoxo-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (7) by a regioselective diallylation reaction followed by double ring-closing olefin metathesis and exhaustive reduction. Tetraoxobispidine 7 was itself prepared in three simple operations from dimethyl malonate. The entire sequence to α-isosparteine was conducted on a multigram scale and proceeded without recourse to chromatography.
The carboxy-terminal calcium binding sites of calmodulin control calmodulin's switch from an activator to an inhibitor of RYR1.

Calcium and calmodulin both regulate the skeletal muscle calcium release channel, also known as the ryanodine receptor, RYR1. Ca2+-free calmodulin (apocalmodulin) activates and Ca2+-calmodulin inhi...
Statistical methods for automated generation of service engagement staffing plans

In order to successfully deliver a labor-based professional service, the right people with the right skills must be available to deliver the service when it is needed. Meeting this objective requires a systematic, repeatable approach for determining the staffing requirements that enable informed staffing management decisions. We present a methodology developed for the Global Business Services (GBS) organization of IBM to enable automated generation of staffing plans involving specific job roles, skill sets, and employee experience levels. The staffing plan generation is based on key characteristics of the expected project as well as selection of a project type from a project taxonomy that maps to staffing requirements. The taxonomy is developed using statistical clustering techniques applied to labor records from a large number of historical GBS projects. We describe the steps necessary to process the labor records so that they are in a form suitable for analysis, as well as the clustering methods used for analysis, and the algorithm developed to dynamically generate a staffing plan based on a selected group. We also present results of applying the clustering and staffing plan generation methodologies to a variety of GBS projects.
A Quantitative Genetic Model for Analyzing Species Differences in Outcrossing Species

Summary. A genetic model based on a two-level intra- and interspecific mating design is proposed to estimate the genetic architecture of species differences and heterosis for outcrossing species. The underlying genetic analyses make use of classical quantitative genetic theories and recent results from molecular genetic studies. Gene effects across different quantitative trait loci (QTL) can be approximated by a geometric series. Under natural selection, gene effects are often associated with allele frequencies in a particular way, which can be approximated by the gamma distribution. By incorporating these approximations into family structural analyses in the mating design, we are able to estimate a number of genetic parameters that contribute to quantitative genetic variation based on a nonlinear optimization approach. These parameters include the number of QTL, their gene effects, and their allele frequencies in the parental populations. We perform simulation studies and illustrate an example to demonstrate the statistical property and procedure of the method.
Organizing the cell cortex: the role of ERM proteins

Specialized membrane domains are an important feature of almost all cells. In particular, they are essential to tissues that have a highly organized cell cortex, such as the intestinal brush border epithelium. The ERM proteins (ezrin, radixin and moesin) have a crucial role in organizing membrane domains through their ability to interact with transmembrane proteins and the cytoskeleton. In doing so, they can provide structural links to strengthen the cell cortex and regulate the activities of signal transduction pathways. Recent studies examining the structure and in vivo functions of ERMs have greatly advanced our understanding of the importance of membrane-cytoskeleton interactions.
Intention to Leave a Job: The Role of Individual Factors, Job Tension, and Supervisory Support

This study examined the role of individual and organizational factors on intention to leave the job using a sample of 176 Maryland-chapter NASW social workers. Using hierarchical regression analysis, it was determined that lower income, higher job tension, and lower supervisory support are related to higher intention to leave. Gender moderates the relation between supervisory support and intention to leave: for women there is a smaller difference in intention to leave for low and high supervisory support, whereas for men low supervisory support leads to much higher intention to leave than high supervisory support. Implications for research and practice are provided.
Onset of coccidioidomycosis in mouse lung after intravenous injection.

Intravenous injection of mice with a massive dose ofCoccidioides immitis fungal elements caused a moderate inflammatory response after 6 hours. It was composed of small focal collections of lymphocytes and neutrophils surrounding the rounded fungal elements in the mouse lungs. No further change was noted at 24 hours. Spherules with endospores varying in diameter from 15 to 40μ were seen at 48 and 54 hours. Neutrophils persisted throughout this time and increased only minimally; the lymphocytic response was more marked at these later observations.
Statistical Evidence of Discrimination

Abstract Generally speaking, laws against discrimination prohibit treating similarly situated persons differently. Legal analysis or social policy supplies the criteria for ascertaining which persons are similarly situated. Statistical evidence has been used in cases, among others, alleging discrimination in criminal prosecutions, educational opportunities, jury selection, and employment practices. The United States Supreme Court has been ambivalent about the need for significance testing in such cases, and it has yet to consider carefully the use of formal inferential methods. Various techniques for conveying information to a court about the inferential value of sample statistics are illustrated in the context of two jury-selection discrimination cases. The role of statistical evidence in certain employment discrimination cases is also considered. It is suggested that the classical method of hypothesis testing used by the Supreme Court is not appropriate to testing whether a given defendant discriminated...
Ionium-Thorium Chronology in Deep-Sea Sediments of the Pacific

The ratio of ionium to thorium varies exponentially with depths in deepsea sediments of the Pacific Ocean and gives rates of accumulation of the order of millimeters per thousand of years. Surface values of the ratio were not constant over the eastern Pacific Ocean. This observation may result from differences in thorium isotope concentrations in near bottom waters which furnish these isotopes to the sediments.
Interpolation in the limit of increasingly flat radial basis functions

Abstract Many types of radial basis functions, such as multiquadrics, contain a free parameter. In the limit where the basis functions become increasingly flat, the linear system to solve becomes highly ill-conditioned, and the expansion coefficients diverge. Nevertheless, we find in this study that limiting interpolants often exist and take the form of polynomials. In the 1-D case, we prove that with simple conditions on the basis function, the interpolants converge to the Lagrange interpolating polynomial. Hence, differentiation of this limit is equivalent to the standard finite difference method. We also summarize some preliminary observations regarding the limit in 2-D.
Functional Organization of Mammalian Hexokinases: Characterization of Chimeric Hexokinases Constructed from the N- and C-Terminal Domains of the Rat Type I and Type II Isozymes

Abstract Chimeric hexokinases consisting of either the N-terminal half of Type I hexokinase fused with the C-terminal half of the Type II isozyme (NICII) or the inverse pair (NIICI), along with the parental isozymes, were expressed in COS-1 cells. The thermal stability of the chimeras was intermediate between that of the highly labile Type II isozyme and the relatively stable Type I hexokinase. In their Kms for substrates, Glc and ATP, the chimeric enzymes were similar to the parental isozyme from which the C-terminal half was derived. Although the Type I and Type II isozymes were similar in their sensitivity to inhibition (competitive vs ATP) by the Glc-6-P analogs, 1,5-anhydroglucitol 6-phosphate (AnGlc-6-P), and Glc-1,6-bisphosphate, the chimeric enzymes differed markedly, with the NIICI chimera being much more sensitive and the NICII chimera much less sensitive than either parental form to these inhibitors. In contrast, the response of the chimeras to Pi, either as an antagonist of inhibition by AnGlc-6-P or, at higher concentrations, as an inhibitor, was correlated with the origin of the N-terminal domain. The results are consistent with the view that catalytic function is associated with the C-terminal domain of the Type I isozyme, with regulatory function-inhibition by Glc-6-P and its analogs and antagonism of this inhibition by Pi-being mediated by the N-terminal domain.
Adsorption physics of metallic surfaces partially covered by metallic particles. I atom and ion desorption energies

Abstract The desorption energies of atoms and ions for metallic surfaces partially covered by monatomic metallic particles are theoretically calculated. The calculation is based on the assumptions that the adsorbed particles consist of a single species held onto the surface by bonds that are partially ionic and partially covalent. The theoretical results are compared with available experimental data and very good agreement between theory and experiment is established. A unique feature of the derived formulas is that they do not involve any adjustable constants.
Successive Normalization of Rectangular Arrays: Rates of Convergence

In this note we illustrate with examples and heuristic mathematics, figures that are given throughout the earlier paper by the same authors [1]. Thus, we deal with successive iterations applied to rectangular arrays of numbers, where to avoid technical difficulties an array has at least three rows and at least three columns. Without loss, an iteration begins with operations on columns: first subtract the mean of each column; then divide by its standard deviation. The iteration continues with the same two operations done successively for rows. These four operations applied in sequence completes one iteration. One then iterates again, and again, and again,.... In [1] it was argued that if arrays are made up of real numbers, then the set for which convergence of these successive iterations fails has Lebesgue measure 0. The limiting array has row and column means 0, row and column standard deviations 1. Moreover, many graphics given in [1] suggest that but for a set of entries of any array with Lebesgue measure 0, convergence is very rapid, eventually exponentially fast in the number of iterations. Here mathematical reason for this is suggested. More importantly, the rapidity of convergence is illustrated by numerical examples.