cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation and fractionation of ciliary membranes from Tetrahymena.

Publisher Summary As cilia and flagella are principally insoluble cytoskeletal structures (the axoneme) surrounded by a membrane, so it is possible study membrane protein composition either by isolating intact membrane vesicles or by extracting the cilia with nonionic detergent, which solubilizes most of the membrane and leaves the axoneme intact. Solubilization of the membrane proteins with nonionic detergent produces a greater quantity of membrane protein and results in the release of a greater percentage of membranes from the axoneme, but these fractions might also contain all of the soluble proteins associated with the ciliary matrix. After examination of a variety of ciliary isolation procedures and have found that most of these methods result in the partial disruption of the ciliary membrane. After washing, most of the readily soluble matrix components are probably lost, so detergent-solubilized material comprises primarily membrane-associated protein (and lipid).Additional fractionation of the detergent-solubilized proteins into hydrophobic, integral membrane protein and more hydrophilic fractions can be accomplished using the nonionic detergent Triton X-114. When combined with labeling of the ciliary surface proteins with biotin, this method provides a simple and rapid method to identify membrane proteins. The methods described in this chapter are isolation of cilia, isolation of membrane vesicles, and detergent extraction of cilia. Fractionations of the membrane proteins into hydrophobic and more hydrophilic fractions can be accomplished with Triton X-114.Higher-molecular-weight polypeptides exposed to the membrane surface generally appear in the Triton X-114 aqueous phase. All of these detergent extraction methods fail to damage the axonemes, which remain intact and most of which contain microtubule capping structures. To isolate membrane-free axonemes, it is best to suspend the cilia in a relatively large volume of detergent, as it results in less mechanical damage to the cilia during resuspension.
Mechanism Games With Multiple Principals and Three or More Agents

We consider a class of mechanism games in which there are multiple principals and three or more agents. For a mechanism game in this class, a sort of folk theorem holds: there is a threshold value for each of the principals such that an allocation is achieved at a pure-strategy sequential equilibrium of the game if and only if (i) it is incentive compatible and (ii) it attains an expected utility for each principal that is greater than or equal to the threshold value for the principal.
Social Justice Neuroscience

Economic and social rights assure that all citizens are able to meet their basic needs and these rights are conceived as universal and egalitarian. However, currently and historically, there exists an inequitable and unfair division of burdens and rewards based on social group membership. Major barriers that contribute to racial disparities within our society include prejudice and discrimination. In this talk, I will focus on factors that give rise to these disparities, highlighting both on neuroscience and psychology. I will close with a discussion of promising intervention techniques that diminish race bias and how they may be applied to legal and economic contexts.
Immunohistochemical localization of neuronal nicotinic receptors in the rodent central nervous system

The distribution of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChR) in the rat and mouse central nervous system has been mapped in detail using monoclonal antibodies to receptors purified from chicken and rat brain. Initial studies in the chicken brain indicate that different neuronal AChRs are contained in axonal projections to the optic lobe in the midbrain from neurons in the lateral spiriform nucleus and from retinal ganglion cells. Monoclonal antibodies to the chicken and rat brain AChRs also label apparently identical regions in all major subdivisions of the central nervous system of rats and mice, and this pattern is very similar to previous reports of 3H-nicotine binding, but quite different from that of alpha-bungarotoxin binding. In several instances, the immunohistochemical evidence has strongly indicated that neuronal AChR undergoes axonal transport. The clearest example of this has been in the visual system, where labeling was observed in the retina, the optic nerve and tract, and in all of the major terminal fields of the optic nerve except the ventral suprachiasmatic nucleus. This was confirmed in unilateral enucleation experiments in the rat, where labeling was greatly reduced in the contralateral optic tract, ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, pretectal nuclei receiving direct visual input, superficial layers of the superior colliculus, and medical terminal nucleus, and was significantly reduced in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. Clear neuronal labeling was also observed in dorsal root ganglion cells and in cranial nerve nuclei containing motoneurons that innervate branchial arch-derived muscles, although the possibility that neuronal AChR undergoes axonal transport in the latter cells was not tested experimentally.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Assessment of renal function by inulin clearance: comparison with creatinine clearance as determined by enzymatic methods.

We compared creatinine clearances determined by enzymatic (Kodak Ektachem 700 single-slide, Boehringer Mannheim creatinine PAP) and nonenzymatic (Jaffe, HPLC) methods with glomerular filtration rate measured by inulin clearance in patients with varying degrees of renal function. The Kodak enzymatic assay gave values for creatinine 2 to 3 mg/L higher than the other methods. This resulted in significantly lower creatinine clearances than inulin clearances and creatinine clearances determined by the other methods. However, correlations between all methods for serum and urinary creatinine values and clearances were good. To avoid between assay (enzymatic vs nonenzymatic) discrepancies, manufacturers should agree to an acceptable standard of calibration under the usual conditions used with patients.
A Persistent Headache

As Internet access becomes more ubiquitous in terms of the number and types of devices, security and privacy feels increasingly problematic. Here, a few avenues are considered that could yield solutions.
Complications of Abdominal Sacrocolpopexy

With the aging of our population, pelvic organ prolapse is an increasingly common condition that negatively affects patient quality of life. Vaginal vault prolapse has been reported to occur in as many as 18.2% of all women with prolapse [1], and many would suggest that vaginal vault prolapse is a component of most high-grade anterior compartment descensus. Several repairs exist that reconstitute support to the vaginal vault, and certainly there is no single procedure that is optimal for all patients. Abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASC) offers an effective and durable repair for vaginal vault prolapse [2]. It maximizes functional vaginal length and approximates the normal vaginal axis [3]. ASC should be considered especially in patients with failed prior vaginal repairs, isolated high-grade apical prolapse, and in younger patients with apical prolapse who would like to maintain sexual function [4]. The procedure may be performed open, laparoscopically, or robotically. In our experience, the key components of the operation though the open or robotic approach include utilization of a permanent, type I macroporous mesh, secure suture fixation of the graft to the sacral promontory and vaginal cuff (Fig. 6.1), complete enterocele reduction and culdoplasty, and the addition of concomitant anti-incontinence procedures as indicated [4]. We affix the vaginal portion of the graft with multiple sutures to distribute the tension evenly over the vaginal apex (Fig. 6.2), and avoid excessive tension between the apex and sacrum (Fig. 6.3). We routinely close the peritoneum over the mesh arm. In this chapter we will address the recognition and management of complications potentially associated with this method of the repair, as well as outline complications that have arisen from other variations.
Self-noise suppression schemes in blind image steganography

Blind or oblivious data hiding, can be considered as a signaling method where the origin of the signal constellation is not known. The origin however, can be estimated, by means of self-noise suppression techniques. In this paper, we propose such a technique, and present both theoretical and numerical evaluations of its performance in an additive noise scenario. The problem of optimal choice of the parameters of the proposed technique is also explored, and solutions are presented. Though the cover object is assumed to be an image for purposes of illustration, the proposed method is equally applicable for other types of multimedia data, like video, speech or music.
Plakoglobin Suppresses Epithelial Proliferation and Hair Growth in Vivo

Plakoglobin regulates cell adhesion by providing a modulatable connection between both classical and desmosomal cadherins and their respective cytoskeletal linker proteins. Both plakoglobin and the related protein beta-catenin are posttranscriptionally upregulated in response to Wnt-1 in cultured cells. Upregulation of beta-catenin has been implicated in potentiating hyperproliferation and tumor formation. To investigate the role of plakoglobin in these functions we expressed a full-length (PG) and an NH(2)-terminally truncated form of plakoglobin (DeltaN80PG) in mouse epidermis and hair follicles, tissues which undergo continuous and easily observed postnatal renewal and remodeling. Expression of these constructs results in stunted hair growth, a phenotype that has also been observed in transgenic mice expressing Wnt3 and Dvl2 (Millar et al. 1999). Hair follicles from PG and DeltaN80PG mice show premature termination of the growth phase (anagen) of the hair cycle, an event that is regulated in part by FGF5 (Hebert et al. 1994). The proliferative rate of the epidermal cells was reduced and apoptotic changes, which are associated with entry into the regressive phase of the hair follicle cycle (catagen), occurred earlier than usual.
An optimal batch size for a production system operating under a just-in-time delivery system

Abstract The model determines an economic manufacturing quantity and recommends a raw material ordering policy to deliver a fixed amount of finished products at a regular interval within the production cycle time. In this paper, we estimate the batch size from the lower bound concept of the JIT delivery amount. An efficient algorithm is developed to compute the optimal or near optimal batch sizes for both manufacturing and raw material ordering policies. Results and computational complexity of the problem are also discussed.
Intrinsic value and the permanent record: the preservation conundrum

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the lack of attention to the preservation of intrinsic value in original artifacts by archivists and librarians with implications for the preservation of the permanent historical record.Design/methodology/approach – Through a selective review of the recent literature about intrinsic value, the current situation is evaluated.Findings – The paper finds that, in order to ensure the preservation of intrinsic value in both paper and digital documents, archivists and librarians must act immediately before substantial portions of the historical record suffer further permanent and irretrievable loss.Originality/value – The issues involved in determining the presence of intrinsic value are examined. Recommendations are given for preserving the permanent historical record.
Antischizophrenic drugs: chronic treatment elevates dopamine receptor binding in brain

Chronic treatment of rats with the neuroleptic drugs haloperidol, fluphenazine, and reserpine elicits a 20 to 25% increase in striatal dopamine receptor binding assayed with [3H]haloperidol. This increase in receptor sites may account for behavioral supersensitivity to dopamine receptor stimulants in such animals and for tardive dyskinesia in patients treated with these drugs.
Automatic Linewidth Control System

A system used to provide linewidth control in a IC manufacturing facility is described. It combines the use of interferometry, real time endpoint detection, and automation to tighten linewidth distributions by adjusting development times. The use of Fourier Transforms provide consistent endpoint detection for a variety of part, process, and substrate types. The system increases throughput and reduces rework by eliminating the need for trial wafers. It also provides a means for process monitoring as well as a tool for troubleshooting, and process development. The paper describes the Automatic Linewidth Control System: its operation, algorithms for endpoint detection and its performance.
On Choosing the Appropriate Measure of Association When Analyzing Rating Scale Data

This paper reviewed the current state of the literature on the appropriateness of various correlation measures when data are ordinal. Emphasis was on the use of these measures as input to multivariate analysis. Based on the review, four correlation indexes were further studied via a simulation design. The simulation results indicated that the polychoric correlation outperformed product-moment, Spearman’s rho and Kendall’s tau-b measures on the basis of bias and squared error criteria. The present study suggests that the chapter investigating pairwise correlations may be closed and attention may now be directed towards non-normal data and actual multivariate analysis with correlation matrices.
An analysis of the January effect of united states, Taiwan and South Korean stock returns

By using the ARCH approach of testing the time-varying risk premium, this paper examines the presence of the January effect in the Taiwanese and South Korean stock markets. Implications on the Tax-Loss-Selling hypothesis and the Liquidity Constraint hypothesis are also discussed.
Control Input Separation Methods for Reduced-Order Model-Based Feedback Flow Control

First-principle-based models of the dynamics of flow systems are often of limited use for model-based control design, not only because of their nonlinear and infinite-dimensional nature, but also because the control input is generally specified as a boundary condition. Proper orthogonal decomposition and Galerkin projection are among the most effective and commonly used methods to obtain reduced-order models of flow dynamics. However, the final form of these models may not account for the presence of a forcing or control input. From a control design perspective, it is desirable to obtain a reduced-order model in which the control input appears explicitly in the dynamic equations. In this paper, two methods for control input separation are introduced and comparatively evaluated in experimentally based reduced-order modeling of cavity flow, both in their ability to reconstruct the forced flowfield and to provide models suitable for feedback control design. The proposed methods, namely, 1) actuated proper orthogonal decomposition expansion and 2) L 2 optimization, extend the baseline flow model through the use of innovation vectors, which capture the deviation of the actuated flow from the baseline space. The new methods address some of the issues associated with the subdomain separation technique employed in our previous works. Linear-quadratic regulator controllers, built using models obtained from the new methods, have been tested on a cavity flow experiment. Although the new models perform satisfactorily and comparably to our previous models in terms of suppression of cavity tones, they offer a substantial advantage in terms of the required input power to achieve a similar or better performance.
Gender and Emotion in Comparative Perspective

In her article "Gender and Emotion in Comparative Perspective" Raili Marling argues that although the study of affect is anything but new, literary studies can benefit from the creative tension between affect and (feminist) politics. Building on the work of Sara Ahmed and Lauren Berlant, Marling engages with the debates within affect theory and then fleshes out the idea of literature as a gendered intimate public sphere and investigates the political effects of emotions as cultural practices. The resulting � largely Anglophone � theoretical apparatus is then tested in a cross-cultural context by discussing Elo Viiding's negotiation of "happiness duty" and the attendant (political) tensions including those related to gender.
Neurotransmitter activity in the brain: Focus on the opiate receptor

AbstractUnderstanding the molecular basis of synaptic transmission requires a biochemical approach to the receptors upon which neurotransmitters act. Binding studies with radioactive neurotransmitters or related drugs have afforded considerable advances with the opiate receptor being one of the best characterized. The opiate receptor interacts with normally occurring morphine-like pentapeptides in the brain, enkephalins. The detailed localization of opiate receptor and enkephalins throughout the brain helps to clarify mechanisms of pain perception and emotional regulation.
Performance Analysis of an Indirect Fired Air Turbine Cogeneration System

A thermodynamic study of an indirect fired air turbine cogeneration system for the production of electricity and process steam has been made. Performance data showing the effect of compressor compression ratio and turbine inlet temperature on fuel utilization efficiency (first law efficiency), electrical to thermal energy ratio (power to heat ratio) and second law efficiency (exergetic efficiency) have been generated. Although fuel utilization efficiency and electrical to thermal energy ratio data do provide some useful information, it is the second law efficiency that provides the optimal design conditions. The performance data contained in this study should be useful to the decision-makers in the selection of optimal parameters at the system design stage of an indirect fired air turbine cogeneration system.Copyright © 1985 by ASME
Fluorescence interference contrast based approach to study real time interaction of melittin with plasma membranes

Melittin is an anti-bacterial and hemolytic toxic peptide found in bee venom. Cell lysis behavior of peptides has been widely investigated, but the exact interaction mechanism of lytic peptides with lipid membranes and its constituents has not been understood completely. In this paper we study the melittin interaction with lipid plasma membranes in real time using non-invasive and non-contact fluorescence interference contrast microscopy (FLIC). Particularly the interaction of melittin with plasma membranes was studied in a controlled molecular environment, where these plasma membrane were composed of saturated lipid, 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPhPC) and unsaturated lipid, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(DOPC) with and without cholesterol. We found out that melittin starts to form nanometer size pores in the plasma membranes shortly after interacting with membranes. But the addition of cholesterol in plasma membrane slows down the pore formation process. Our results show that inclusion of cholesterol to the plasma membranes make them more resilient towards pore formation and lysis of membrane.
Prospective Risk Stratification in Renal Transplant Candidates for Cardiac Death

In previous studies to predict future cardiac death of patients undergoing evaluation for renal transplantation, noninvasive or invasive testing of all, or nearly all, patients has been used. In an attempt to decrease the cost of cardiac risk assessment, we prospectively used a two-tiered cardiac risk assessment algorithm on 189 consecutive patients referred for renal transplant evaluation. First, failure, or abnormal electrocardiogram (excluding left ventrpatients were stratified by clinical characteristics of age ≥50 years, history of angina, insulin- dependent diabetes, congestive hearticular hypertrophy). Patients having none of these risk factors (n = 94) were considered at low risk for cardiac events and underwent no further cardiac evaluation. Patients with one or more of the cardiac risk factors (n = 95) were considered to be in a high-risk group and were required to undergo further evaluation with thallium myocardial scintigraphy. Follow-up of patients was for 46 ± 16 months. Cardiac mortality was significantly higher in the clinical high-risk group compared with the clinical low-risk group (17% v 1 %, respectively; P v 5%, respectively; P P
Immune complex formation and in situ B-cell clonal expansion in human cerebral cavernous malformations

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) represent clusters of dilated vascular channels, predisposing to hemorrhagic stroke and seizures. They are associated with defective blood brain barrier, hemorrhages of different ages and a robust inflammatory cell infiltrate. We report for the first time evidence of co-localized IgG and complement membrane attack complexes in CCM lesions. CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells are aggregated with CD20(+) B-cells. And IgG repertoire analyses demonstrate in situ B-cell clonal expansion and antigen-driven affinity maturation in CCMs. These results suggest an organ-intrinsic adaptive immune response in CCMs that should be further characterized as a potential therapeutic target.
Extraction and Production of Keratin-Based Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications

Keratin, a natural biomaterial found within the hair, nails, and epidermis of humans, has shown promise of being a useful material for tissue engineering scaffolds and drug delivery systems, due in part to its favorable biological qualities. The scaffolds generated by electrospinning are useful in proliferating cells, and can even biodegrade over time, reducing the impact on the body and not invoking any adverse tissue response. This research details the extraction process of keratin from human hair, and using electrospinning to weave the keratin into nanofibrous polymers. Using a synthetic polymer solution, for example, polycaprolactone (PCL) in trifluoroethanol (TFE), keratin was easily mixed and successfully electrospun into nanofibers. The fiber formation characteristics and nanofiber morphology was studied under a scanning electron microscope (SEM).Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Guanyl nucleotides modulate binding to steroid receptors in neuronal membranes.

Abstract The recently characterized corticosteroid receptor on amphibian neuronal membranes appears to mediate rapid, stress-induced changes in male reproductive behaviors. Because the transduction mechanisms associated with this receptor are unknown, we performed radioligand binding studies to determine whether this steroid receptor is negatively modulated by guanyl nucleotides. The binding of [3H]corticosterone to neuronal membranes was inhibited by nonhydrolyzable guanyl nucleotides in both equilibrium saturation binding and titration studies. The addition of guanyl nucleotide plus unlabeled corticosterone induced a rapid phase of [3H]corticosterone dissociation from membranes that was not induced by addition of unlabeled ligand alone. Furthermore, the equilibrium binding of [3H]corticosterone and the sensitivity of the receptor to modulation by guanyl nucleotides were both enhanced by Mg2+. These results are consistent with the formation of a ternary complex of steroid, receptor, and guanine nucleotide-binding protein that is subject to regulation by guanyl nucleotides. Therefore, rapid signal transduction through corticosteroid receptors on neuronal membranes appears to be mediated by guanine nucleotide-binding proteins.
Impact of learning and fatigue factors on single machine scheduling with penalties for tardy jobs

Abstract We consider a single machine scheduling problem in which the machine experiences the effects of learning of fatigue as it continues to work and the jobs have due dates and are subject to penalties if they are not completed on time. Because of the effects of learning or fatigue, the performance rate of the machine varies over time. As a result, the processing time of a job depends on its work content as well as the total work content of the jobs completed prior to its loading. In this paper, we prove that even when the machine works at a variable rate, the pair-wise interchange of jobs minimizes the maximum tardiness and a simple modification to the well-known Moore-Hodgson's algorithm yields the minimum number of tardy jobs. Further, we formulate the problem of minimizing the total penalty for tardy jobs as a 0–1 knapsack problem with nested constraints, and solve it by using dynamic programming recursion as well as the maximum-weighted network path algorithm. Then we combine these two techniques and solve the 0–1 knapsack problem, by inducing a nested constraint structure and constructing a network with fewer nodes.
Re-Conceptualizing Emotion and Motivation to Learn in Classroom Contexts.

To better inform and improve classroom teaching and learning, now more than ever before, educational researchers need to effectively and efficiently describe essential components of positive learning environments. In this article, we discuss how our research findings about motivation in classrooms have led to a closer examination of emotions. We describe how motivation theories such as Academic Risk Taking, Flow Theory, and Goal Theory have helped us better understand emotions in our classroom research. Our findings suggest that engaging students in learning requires consistently positive emotional experiences, which contribute to a classroom climate that forms the foundation for teacher-student relationships and interactions necessary for motivation to learn. We conclude that we need to integrate emotion, motivation, and cognition theoretically and methodologically to move our research forward. New theories and methods, even new forms of intellectual discourse, are required. Therefore, we end this article by beginning a discussion of new directions for conceptualizing and researching classrooms in ways that will involve examining the emotions of students and teachers.
User-guided simplification

While many effective automatic surface simplification algorithms have been developed, they often produce poor approximations when a model is simplified to a very low level of detail. Furthermore, previous algorithms are not sensitive to semantic or high-level meanings of models. In this paper, we present a user-guided approach for mesh simpli cation that aims to overcome such limitations. Our proposed method allows users to selectively control the relative importance of different surface regions and preserve various features through the imposition of geometric constraints. Using our system, users can produce perceptually improved approximations with very little effort.
Effect of a rust infection on photophosphorylation by isolated chloroplasts

Abstract The effect of rust infection on photophosphorylation was determined with chloroplasts isolated from Vicia faba leaves. From the period of extensive haustorial penetration (2 days after inoculation) to the onset of uredospore differentiation (7 days after inoculation), noncyclic photophosphorylation with NADP or ferricyanide as acceptor was inhibited, whereas cyclic photophosphorylation catalyzed by either ferredoxin or phenazine methosulfate was less affected. Evidence is presented that the suppression of ATP formation in noncyclic photophosphorylation induced by the parasite was mainly due to an inhibition of electron transport from water to NADP or ferricyanide.
Non-denaturing assay for the determination of the potency of recombinant bovine somatotropin by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography

Abstract A non-denaturing high-performance size-exclusion chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of the potency of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) in bulk materials. A Spherogel TSK 3000 PW column containing a polymer base packing material with very hydrophilic bonded surface was used in this method. Ammonium hydrogencarbonate buffer pH 9.0, was used as the mobile phase. This method was shown to be non-denaturing by rat mass-gain assay and radioreceptor assay. The optimization for the separation and determination of rbST has been investigated. The method was validated for the determination of rbST in bulk materials. In addition, rbST soluble aggregates formed in the production process due to protein association, used to be found in bulk materials. The behavior of rbST soluble aggregates in ammonium hydrogencarbonate solutions have been studied. The bio-inactive aggregates can be separated by the method developed in this study. The high—low chromatographic technique has been used to estimate rbST soluble aggregates in bulk materials.
Incarcerated Fathers Returning Home to Children and Families: Introduction to the Special Issue and a Primer on Doing Research with Men in Prison

Men are returning to family life following prison experience in record numbers. The accelerated rates of incarceration in the U.S. are contributing to strained federal and state budgets and disrupted family life in communities across the nation. It has been proposed that successful reentry into family life may positively influence rearrest rates. However, there is only sparse research about the familial aspects of the prison, reentry, and rearrest cycle. This study is a report of a pilot study that examines a methodological attempt to obtain data from men in prison about to be released and their partners. The results show that collecting data from the men was much easier than from their partners/spouses. Additionally, it was found that men's ideas about their relationships with their spouses and children may be unrealistic, ambiguous, and unclear. Suggestions are made about future research and research methods with this unique group. Language: en
Amphiphilic Block Copolymers Enhance Cellular Uptake and Nuclear Entry of Polyplex-Delivered DNA

This work for the first time demonstrates that synthetic polymers enhance uptake and nuclear import of plasmid DNA (pDNA) through the activation of cellular trafficking machinery. Nonionic block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide), Pluronics, are widely used as excipients in pharmaceutics. We previously demonstrated that Pluronics increase the phosphorylation of IkappaB and subsequent NFkappaB nuclear localization as well as upregulate numerous NFkappaB-related genes. In this study, we show that Pluronics enhance gene transfer by pDNA/polycation complexes ("polyplexes") in a promoter-dependent fashion. Addition of Pluronic P123 or P85 to polyethyleneimine-based polyplexes had little effect on polyplex particle size but significantly enhanced pDNA cellular uptake, nuclear translocation, and gene expression in several cell lines. When added to polyplex-transfected cells after transfection, Pluronics enhanced nuclear import of pDNA containing NFkappaB binding sites, but have no effect on import of pDNA without these sites. Altogether, our studies suggest that Pluronics rapidly activate NFkappaB, which binds cytosolic pDNA that possesses promoters containing NFkappaB binding sites and consequently increase nuclear import of pDNA through NFkappaB nuclear translocation.
An Intergeneric Hybrid of a Native Minnow, the Golden Shiner, and an Exotic Minnow, the Rudd

Abstract The hybrid golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas × rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus is the first known nonsalmonid, intergeneric hybrid of an exotic species and a North American native species. The cross is also the first valid record of a viable hybrid involving the native golden shiner. Meristic and mensural characters of 30 artificially produced hybrids of male golden shiners and female rudds were analyzed. Forty-seven percent of the meristic traits exhibited character states intermediate between those of parents. Twenty-seven percent of the meristic characters were supernumerary, suggesting developmental instability of the hybrid genome. Mensural hybrid characters were significantly skewed to the golden shiner phenotype. The skewed mensural inheritance and other skewed patterns of morphological inheritance also suggest problems in canalization of the hybrid phenome or atypical patterns of dominance. All hybrids were identifiable by intermediate squamation of the cultrate abdomen: the keel was...
Intrathecal magnesium prolongs fentanyl analgesia: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

UNLABELLED Magnesium is a noncompetitive, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist that does not effectively cross the blood-brain barrier when given IV. Intrathecal magnesium potentiates opioid antinociception in rats, and the safety of intrathecal magnesium has been demonstrated in animals. This is the first prospective human study evaluating whether intrathecal magnesium could prolong spinal opioid analgesia. Fifty-two patients requesting analgesia for labor were randomized to receive either intrathecal fentanyl 25 micro g plus saline or fentanyl 25 micro g plus magnesium sulfate 50 mg as part of a combined spinal-epidural technique. The duration of analgesia of the intrathecal drug combination was defined by the time of patient request for additional analgesia. There was significant prolongation in the median duration of analgesia (75 min) in the magnesium plus fentanyl group compared with the fentanyl alone group (60 min). There was no associated increase in adverse events in the group that received intrathecal magnesium. Larger doses of intrathecal magnesium were not studied in this group of patients because of the limitations on cephalad spread when hyperbaric solutions are injected in the sitting position. Our data indicate that intrathecal magnesium prolongs spinal opioid analgesia in humans and suggest that the availability of an intrathecal N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist could be of clinical importance for pain management. IMPLICATIONS Magnesium occurs naturally in the spinal cord and blocks the NMDA glutamate channel. In animal studies, intrathecal magnesium sulfate improves spinal morphine analgesia. For patients receiving spinal analgesia for labor, the addition of magnesium sulfate to the opioid fentanyl prolonged analgesia with no increase of side effects.
An evaluation of energy transport models for silicon device simulation

Abstract The reduction in feature size of silicon devices has resulted in operating conditions characterized by extremely large internal electric fields and field gradients. The rapid spatial variation of the electric field precludes a point-wise (or local) dependence of average carrier energy on the electric field. Because traditional drift-diffusion transport models and field-dependent hot-carrier models force a one-to-one correspondence between the local electric field and carrier energy, they fail to provide sufficient accuracy for contemporary device design. Impact ionization in submicron MOSFETs, for example, is poorly described by field-dependent ionization coefficients since impact ionization is an energy-dependent process. Energy transport models, which can account for the nonlocal energy-field relationship in submicron devices, have become especially attractive for design oriented silicon device simulation. The severe constraints that hot (high energy) carriers impose on current submicron MOSFET technology have motivated the development and application of energy transport models, such as the hydrodynamic model. In this work, the hydrodynamic model and a simple, efficient energy transport model are compared with a Monte Carlo model in order to evaluate their performance under submicron device conditions, and to better assess how they may be improved. The results indicate that energy transport models can predict peak average energy quite well, even under severely nonuniform electric field conditions. The hydrodynamic and simple energy transported models examined here, however, cannot accurately model carrier cooling associated with an abrupt decrease in the electric field. Discrepancies in cooling are shown to strongly influence drift velocity, and the implications of this for submicron device analysis are discussed.
PHILOPATRY AND AFFILIATION AMONG RED COLOBUS

Temminck's red colobus (Procolobus badius temminckii) living in the Abuko Nature Reserve, The Gambia, have more prominent female-female bonds and less prominent male-male bonds than has been described in most other female-transfer, male-resident groups. This may be due to a number of factors such as female peer-group transfer, the small number of groups available to a transferee, the lack of sexual dimorphism, and the presence and importance of females in initiating and defending the social integrity of the social unit. It is clear from this that the presence of female-transfer, male-residence patterns is not always enough to automatically predict strong male-male bonds. Other factors must also be considered.
On Lp -Theory of stochastic partialdifferential equations of divergence form with continuous coefficients

We develop an Lp -theory of stochastic PDEs of divergence form. Under natural assumptions on the coefficients and the data, we show that the solutions belong to some modified stochastic Sobolev spaces. As a consequence of this result and certain embedding theorem, we also show that the solutions are Holder continuous in space and time a.s. for sufficiently large p
X-ray Structural Analysis of Plasmodium falciparum Enoyl Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase as a Pathway toward the Optimization of Triclosan Antimalarial Efficacy.

Abstract The x-ray crystal structures of five triclosan analogs, in addition to that of the isoniazid-NAD adduct, are described in relation to their integral role in the design of potent inhibitors of the malarial enzyme Plasmodium falciparum enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (PfENR). Many of the novel 5-substituted analogs exhibit low micromolar potency against in vitro cultures of drug-resistant and drug-sensitive strains of the P. falciparum parasite and inhibit purified PfENR enzyme with IC50 values of <200 nm. This study has significantly expanded the knowledge base with regard to the structure-activity relationship of triclosan while affording gains against cultured parasites and purified PfENR enzyme. In contrast to a recent report in the literature, these results demonstrate the ability to improve the in vitro potency of triclosan significantly by replacing the suboptimal 5-chloro group with larger hydrophobic moieties. The biological and x-ray crystallographic data thus demonstrate the flexibility of the active site and point to future rounds of optimization to improve compound potency against purified enzyme and intracellular Plasmodium parasites.
Complement-Dependent Binding of C-Reactive Protein Complexes to Human Erythrocyte CR1

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase serum protein that binds to phosphocholine (PC) on phospholipids and polysaccharides and to protein components of chromatin and small nuclear ribonucleoproteins. Complexes between CRP and ligands activate complement and bind to receptors on phagocytic cells. Although complement is required for CRP-mediated clearance or phagocytosis of ligand-coated erythrocytes, the participation of complement and complement receptors in clearance of soluble CRP complexes has not been examined. We have used PC-conjugated BSA to prepare complexes containing either IgG antibody or CRP. We found similar complement-mediated binding of both types of complexes to human erythrocyte complement receptors (CR1, CD35). We also found that serum deficient in C4A or C4B supported binding of CRP and IgG complexes to erythrocytes. These findings indicate that complexes between CRP and soluble ligands may be cleared by the erythrocyte CR1 pathway described for soluble immune complexes.
“You Think You Know Me, But You Have No Idea” Dynamics in African American Families Following a Son’s or Daughter’s Disclosure as LGBT

This article describes a qualitative project, utilizing grounded theory, to explore the experiences of African American families when one member discloses their identity as lesbian, gay, or bisexua...
Mechanical characteristics of a Zn–22% Al alloy processed to very high strains by ECAP

Abstract A Zn–22% Al eutectoid alloy was processed by equal-channel angular pressing for various numbers of passes up to a maximum of 24. Observations show the as-pressed grain size remains constant between 4 and 24 passes and the stress–strain behavior at room temperature is essentially independent of the number of imposed passes when using strain rates of 1.0 × 10 −3 and 1.0 × 10 −2 s −1 . The results provide no evidence for a critical imposed strain marking the onset of higher ductilities.
Initial wear in nanometer-scale contacts on polystyrene

Abstract The initial wear in nanometer-scale contacts between Si 3 N 4 tips with 20 nm nominal radius and polystyrene surfaces was studied in air using a scanning force microscope. Polystyrene films had molecular weights (MW) 24 k and 210 k and were cast from toluene solution and dried in vacuum. Film thicknesses were greater than 0.5 μm to avoid film-substrate interfacial effects. The starting surfaces were smooth (roughness of ≤ 0.8 nm root mean square over 4 μm × 4 μm areas) except for a few small pits ( 3 N 4 tip under applied loads of 10–210 nN at speeds in the range 80–320 μm s −1 . The abraded area develops characteristic parallel ridges oriented perpendicular to the scan direction. For 24 k MW polystyrene, the roughness of the abraded areas increases with the number of abrasion cycles and, at constant load, the ridge spacing is proportional to scan speed. 210 k MW polystyrene is more resistant to wear and has smaller ridge spacing than 24 k MW polystyrene. Some samples were also heated at about 25 K above the glass transition temperature. After cooling, heated samples of both molecular weights show enhanced resistance to wear. The qualitative features of the observed wear correlate with the MW dependence of the tensile, flexure, and impact strengths of polystyrene.
The behavior of HeLa-S3 cells under the influence of supranormal temperatures.

HeLa cells exposed to environmental temperatures higher than the usual 37°C undergo marked morphological and biochemical changes which are reversible after return to normal temperatures. Exposures to 41°C had little effect, but at 42 to 43°C changes were evident by 30 minutes and pronounced at 1–2 hours. At 44–45°C degenerative changes and cell death were frequent. At 42–43°C cell response was characterized by partial loss of the granular component of the nucleolus with retention of its fibrils. Synthesis of the 45 S ribosome precursor RNA was partially inhibited at 43°C as was the conversion to ribosome RNA of precursor molecules formed at 37° and then metabolized at 43°. The number of perichromatin granules was markedly increased in the nuclei of heated cells and threadlike structures of the approximate diameter and density of the peri-chromatin granules appeared. Mitochondria and Golgi apparatus remained essentially unchanged morphologically but the polysome arrangement of the ribosomes was completely lost and they were distributed as monosomes after heating. Cell recovery from exposure to 2 hours at 43°C was complete within 24 hours, the only alteration remaining being an increase in the number of lysosomes.
Major-power intervention and war initiation by the weak

Weak states often instigate war against the strong, sometimes repeatedly so. I explain this phenomenon by recourse to the nature of the contestants’ foreign alignments. Pivotal patronage, balanced patronage, competitive patronage and one-sided patronage are offered as ideal types, and five rivalry cases are introduced to highlight the variations in the willingness and opportunity for war initiation by the weaker side and the intensity and duration of the subsequent conflict (should it occur). Whether the pertinent international system is unipolar, bipolar or multipolar distinguishes the alignment types, which in turn point to the concerns for relative gain and credible commitment that motivate the weaker side's decisions.
Weather and Climate Responses to Solar Variations

Looking to the sun for help in answering earthly questions must be one of the oldest professions. Ancient Chinese and Greek astrologers (or would-be astronomers at the same time) used to relate unusual solar events to the stability of states, the chances of winning a war, or an individual's health. Nowadays the solar events have been associated with the rise and fall of the Dow-Jones indices, the antiwar demonstrations in the early 1970's, and even the length of women's skirts. All these may sound like no more than fancy, but we have to recognize that, after all, the sun is the energy source of all earthly activities, so its abnormality must result in something abnormal on the earth. Because the solar radiation arrives first at the top of our atmosphere, it is entirely logical to ask whether solar variations are related to terrestrial weather and climate changes.
Determination of the Regional Function of the Heart

Unlike many other engineering designs, the heart, a pressure vessel, shows variations within its chambers and surface in terms of mechanical function. This necessitates a whole field technique with high spatial resolution. Computer aided speckle interferometry (CASI), a nondestructive examination technique, is herein developed for this purpose. A speckle pattern was created on the surface of isolated rabbit hearts. Images of the beating hearts werc acquired with a charge-couple device (CCD) camera for one second at a rate of 50 frames per second. CASI was used to determine the 2-D displacement vectors over regions of approximately 4 × 6 mm. Regional area stroke work (the integral of the left ventricular pressure with respect to area), the first invariant of the 2-D strain tensor, and the principle strains were used to determine the regional function. After occluding the blood supply to a region of the heart, significant changes were detected in all the previously mentioned parameters. Commonly used techniques cannot determine 2-D strain and lack the high spatial resolution of CASI. Determination of the 2-D strain can provide useful data on the functionality of the heart.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Recent changes in the diurnal cycle of precipitation over the United States

Hourly precipitation data from 1963 to 1993 of the contiguous United States were analyzed for secular trends in the diurnal cycle of precipitation. During the period the winter daytime and nighttime precipitation frequencies and the diurnal amplitude of precipitation frequency increased by ∼30–47% over the Southwest, while the winter precipitation frequencies and the diurnal amplitude of precipitation intensity decreased by similar amounts over the Northwest. During this period, summer afternoon precipitation frequency increased by ∼30–60% in the Southwest and decreased by ∼15–30% in the Southeast.