cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Single Transmembrane Domains of ErbB Receptors Self-associate in Cell Membranes *

Members of the epidermal growth factor receptor, or ErbB, family of receptor tyrosine kinases have a single transmembrane (TM) α-helix that is usually assumed to play a passive role in ligand-induced dimerization and activation of the receptor. However, recent studies with the epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB1) and the erythropoietin receptor have indicated that interactions between TM α-helices do contribute to stabilization of ligand-independent and/or ligand-induced receptor dimers. In addition, not all of the expected ErbB receptor ligand-induced dimerization events can be recapitulated using isolated extracellular domains, suggesting that other regions of the receptor, such as the TM domain, may contribute to dimerization in vivo. Using an approach for analyzing TM domain interactions in Escherichia colicell membranes, named TOXCAT, we find that the TM domains of ErbB receptors self-associate strongly in the absence of their extracellular domains, with the rank order ErbB4-TM > ErbB1-TM ≈ ErbB2-TM > ErbB3-TM. A limited mutational analysis suggests that dimerization of these TM domains involves one or more GXXXG motifs, which occur frequently in the TM domains of receptor tyrosine kinases and are critical for stabilizing the glycophorin A TM domain dimer. We also analyzed the effect of the valine to glutamic acid mutation in ErbB2 that constitutively activates this receptor. Contrary to our expectations, this mutation reduced rather than increased ErbB2-TM dimerization. Our findings suggest a role for TM domain interactions in ErbB receptor function, possibly in stabilizing inactive ligand-independent receptor dimers that have been observed by several groups.
Fetuin: immunochemistry and quantitative estimation in serum.

Abstract Immune serum was prepared in rabbits by injection of purified fetuin. Since the antiserum was found to be immunochemically homogeneous and was shown to be directed against fetuin, it was used to estimate quantitatively fetuin in fetal and adult bovine sera. The ratio of fetuin to total serum proteins was found to be 0.4–0.5 and did not vary significantly during development of the fetus. Fetuin was found in adult sera but at markedly lower levels. Cross reactions of fetuin antiserum with fetal and adult goat and sheep sera have been found. By various criteria, these heterologous antigens appeared to be quite similar, but not identical, to the protein derived from fetal calf serum. No cross reactions were observed with the sera of several other species tested. Fetuin from which the terminal sialic acid residues were removed reacted to a greater extent than the original antigen with fetuin antibody in the quantitative complement fixation assay. Glycopeptides derived from fetuin by proteolytic digestion did not react with fetuin antiserum, nor did they inhibit to any significant extent complement fixation of native fetuin with its homologous antibody.
Thrombin-like enzyme from the venom of crotalus adamanteus (Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake)☆

Abstract The thrombin-like enzyme (crotalase) from the venom of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake has been purified to homogeneity and characterized (F.S. Markland and P.S. Damus, J. Biol. Chem. 246 , 6460, 1971). In the present report we describe the action of crotalase on fibrinogen. In contrast to thrombin, crotalase cleaves only the A peptides from human fibrinogen. Furthermore, crotalase slowly degrades the β (B) chains producing smaller fragments as evidenced by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the washed clot components. This activity and at least one other difference in specificity distinguish crotalase from ancrod, the thrombin-like enzyme from Malayan pit viper venom. The mechanism by which crotalase produces a hypocoagulable state is discussed.
Drug-induced orthostatic hypotension.

Drug-induced orthostatic hypotension is an important clinical problem. When symptomatic, it is poorly tolerated by the patient, and can be a cause for discontinuing treatment. It may have more serious consequences if it leads to syncope, falls and injury, or to sustained loss of perfusion of vital organs resulting in heart attack or stroke.
Neuropsychiatric manifestations of alkali metal deficiency and excess

The alkali metals from the Group IA of the periodic table (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium and francium) are reviewed. The neuropsychiatric aspects of alkali metal deficiencies and excesses (intoxications) are described. Emphasis was placed on lithium due to its clinical uses. The signs and symptoms of these conditions are characterized by features of an organic brain syndrome with delirium and encephalopathy prevailing. There are no clinically distinctive features that could be reliably used for diagnoses. Sodium and potassium are two essential alkali metals in man. Lithium is used as therapeutic agent in bipolar affective disorders. Rubidium has been investigated for its antidepressant effect in a group of psychiatric disorders. Cesium is under laboratory investigation for its role in carcinogenesis and in depressive illness. Very little is known of francium due to its great instability for experimental study.
Glycine 176 Affects Catalytic Properties and Stability of the Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC6301 Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase

A previously described system for biological selection of randomly mutagenized ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) employing the phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus (Smith, S. A., and Tabita, F. R. (2003) J. Mol. Biol. 331, 557–569) was used to select a catalytically altered form of a cyanobacterial (Synechococcus sp. strain PCC6301) enzyme. This mutant Rubisco, in which conserved glycine 176 was replaced with an aspartate residue, was not able to support CO2-dependent growth of the host strain. Site-directed mutant proteins were also constructed, e.g. asparagine and alanine residues replaced the native glycine with the result that these mutant proteins either greatly reduced the ability of R. capsulatus to support growth or had little effect, respectively. Growth phenotypes were consistent with the Rubisco activity levels associated with these proteins, and this was also borne out with purified recombinant proteins. Despite being catalytically challenged, the G176D and G176N mutant proteins were found to exhibit a more favorable interaction with CO2 than the wild type protein but exhibited a reduced affinity for the substrate ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate. The G176A enzyme differed little from the wild type protein in these properties. None of the mutants had CO2/O2 specificities that differed markedly from the wild type. Further studies taken from the known structure of the Synechococcus Rubisco indicated that substitutions at Gly-176 affected associations between large subunits. Supporting experimental data included an unusual protein concentration-dependent effect on in vitro activity, differences in thermal stability relative to the wild type protein, and aberrant migration on nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels. From these results, it is apparent that residues not directly located within the active site but near large subunit interfaces can affect key kinetic properties of Rubisco. These results suggest that further bioselection protocols (using these proteins as starting material) might yield novel mutant forms of Rubisco that relate to key functional properties.
Hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as bone pain

Hepatocellular carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy in the western world, and its presentation as symptomatic skeletal metastasis is rare. The following describes a patient whose initial complaint was arm pain that was subsequently found to be due to metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. A review of the literature describing skeletal involvement by hepatocellular carcinoma is included.
Effects of buthionine sulfoximine and diethyl maleate on glutathione turnover in the channel catfish

Despite the growing use of fish in toxicological studies, little is known regarding glutathione (GSH) metabolism and turnover in these aquatic species. Therefore, we examined GSH metabolism in the liver and gills of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), a commonly employed aquatic toxicological model. Treatment of channel catfish with L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO, 400 or 1000 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis, did not deplete hepatic GSH in channel catfish. In addition, hepatic GSH concentrations did not fluctuate in catfish starved for 3 days, indicating relatively slow turnover of hepatic GSH. However, hepatic GSH concentrations were reduced significantly (P less than 0.05) after 7 days of starvation. Administration of the thiol alkylating agent diethyl maleate (DEM, 0.6 mL/kg, i.p.) resulted in depletion of 85% of hepatic GSH at 6 hr post-DEM, with complete GSH recovery observed at 24 hr post-DEM. Co-administration of BSO and DEM (1000 mg/kg, 0.6 mL/kg, respectively) substantially depleted gill GSH and eliminated detectable liver GSH. Following BSO/DEM, GSH recovery in hepatic mitochondria occurred more rapidly than did liver cytosolic GSH. gamma-Glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS) activities were comparable in the 10,000 g supernatants of catfish liver and gills (204 +/- 21 and 268 +/- 20 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively) whereas gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activity was not detected in the 600 g post-nuclear fraction of either liver or gills. In conclusion, i.p. administration of DEM was an effective means for achieving short-term hepatic GSH depletion in channel catfish, whereas co-administration of BSO and DEM elicited prolonged and extensive hepatic GSH depletion in this species. Like rodents, channel catfish maintained physiologically distinct hepatic mitochondrial and cytosolic GSH pools, and also regulated hepatic GSH levels by in situ hepatic GSH biosynthesis. However, unlike rodents, there was no evidence for a labile hepatic cytosolic GSH pool in channel catfish. These similarities and differences need to be considered when designing toxicological studies involving the GSH pathway in channel catfish and possibly other fish species.
Millimeter wave bioeffects at 94 GHz on skeletal muscle contraction

Many reports on the use of millimeter waves in clinical applications involve non-thermal bioeffects produced by frequencies as high as 77.7 GHz. In addition, there is the well-known thermal effect of intense skin heating used in non-lethal weapon systems operating at 94 GHz. We investigated the possibility of non-thermal bioeffects at 94GHz on skeletal muscle contraction. Using a custom-designed exposure system we measured contraction of flexor digitorum brevis, a fast-twitch muscle obtained from mouse toe, during millimeter wave exposures. Electric field magnitudes in excess of 2.6 kV/m were observed to cause a reproducible decrease in force production in the absence of measurable changes in temperature.
Inspiratory stridor after tracheal intubation with a MicroCuff® tracheal tube in three young infants.

ncuffed tracheal tubes (TTs) have been the stan-dard for tracheal intubation in infants and children for decades until the recent introduction of the Microc uff (Kim-berley-clark, Roswell, GA) cuffed TT. e vidence suggests that the incidence of perioperative airway events after use of these new TTs is small,
The effect of cyclic deformation on positron lifetimes in copper and aluminum

Abstract Positron lifetimes in annealed and cyclically deformed aluminum and copper were measured by the delayed coincidence method. The deformation increased the lifetime of the primary component by 26% in Al and by 46% in Cu. It is proposed that trapping of positrons in dislocation cores can account for the observations.
Effects of atrial fibrillation upon the circulation in patients with mitral stenosis.

Abstract Atrial fibrillation is known to occur in approximately 40 per cent of the cases of mitral stenosis. 1,2 Uncontrolled atrial fibrillation often causes disabling cardiac symptoms, which may disappear when the ventricular rate is slowed by the administration of digitalis. However, even adequately controlled atrial fibrillation is considered a highly undesirable complication of mitral stenosis, primarily because it enhances the formation of mural thrombi, providing a threat of embolic phenomena. Furthermore, it is generally believed that controlled atrial fibrillation may affect adversely circulatory dynamics by exaggerating the circulatory embarrassment that may be caused by stenosis of the mitral orifice. It was noted 2–4 that patients with atrial fibrillation have, on the average, lower cardiac output, higher pulmonary vascular resistance, and higher left atrial and pulmonary arterial pressures than do patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm. However, it has not been hitherto ascertained whether these differences reflect merely the well-known fact that atrial fibrillation is apt to appear in more advanced cases of mitral stenosis and in patients of more advanced age, or whether such differences are genuinely related to the effects of the arrhythmia per se. The purpose of this investigation was to examine hemodynamic differences between patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm and those in atrial fibrillation, attempting to eliminate all factors that affect the circulation except for the presence or the absence of atrial fibrillation.
Line shape of Brillouin light spectrum in 3HeHe II system

Abstract The line width of the Brillouin light spectrum of 3 HeHe II systam due to first sound, second and central diffusion peaks are calculated.
High strain rate superplasticity in friction stir processed ultrafine grained Mg–Al–Zn alloys

Abstract Friction stir processing of a rolled AZ31 alloy and a high pressure die cast AZ91 alloy produced ultrafine grained materials with average grain size of 0.8 μm and 0.5 μm, respectively. Tensile testing was done in the temperature range of 210–360 °C and strain rate range of 1×10 −4 –3×10 −2 s −1 . Higher amounts of β-precipitates in AZ91 thermally stabilized the microstructure up to 330 °C. Friction processed ultrafine grain AZ91 exhibited high strain rate superplasticity at all tested temperatures. The best elongation of 1251% was achieved at a strain rate of 1×10 −2 s −1 and temperature of 330 °C. The kinetic analysis of the superplastic data revealed a large variation in the kinetic parameter due to difficulty in using proper grain size values because of concurrent grain growth.
Near-IR Multiplex Bandpass Spectrometer Utilizing Polymer Filters

A simple near-infrared spectrometer is described that utilizes ordinary polymer sheets as near-IR spectral filters. Examples of filter materials include polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and organic solutions immobilized in a PVC matrix. The polymers were prepared by using solvent-molding techniques as well as with a thermoforming process. Each filter substance passes multiple bands of near-IR radiation. The performance of the spectrometer is demonstrated in selected quantitative and qualitative near-IR analytical applications. The applicability of the designed multiplex bandpass spectrometer in determining trace levels of water in methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and propylene glycol is examined. Additionally, the utility of the spectrometer in the determination of glucose concentration in aqueous solutions is studied.
Blues and the Ethnographic Truth

Because art is invention, "truth" is generally held to be a false standard by which to evaluate a writer's work. This should be the case whether the issue is Alice Walker's representation of black men or Spike Lee's treatment of black women. Yet . . . this is precisely the leap of faith that critics of African American literature continue to make. Texts are transparent documents that must tell the truth as I know it. Failure to tell my truth not only invalidates the text, it also discredits, de-authorizes, and on occasion deracializes the writer. Truth, however, like beauty, is in eye and perhaps the experience of the beholder.
Electoral Influence and Economic Policy Political Origins of Financial Aid to Small Business in Japan

The debate surrounding the role of bureaucrats and politicians in Japan's economic policymaking process has largely been advanced through the presentation and discussion of case studies. Some cases have shown that economic policy is dominated by Japan's bureaucracy, whereas others have shown that electoral politics has been the primary determining factor. To be sure, both the bureaucracy and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have been influential, and sorting out when and in what economic policy areas each has its influence remains a puzzle. This article addresses this issue by developing and testing a model of electoral influence that specifies the conditions under which one would expect electoral considerations to take precedence over more institutionalized (bureaucratic) procedures in the economic policy-making process. The model is informed by the idea that some economic policy areas are more important to Japan's previously ruling LDP than others, and what these are depends on the characteristics of ...
The effect of variations in lipid composition of high-density lipoprotein on its interaction with receptors on human fibroblasts

To test whether the altered lipid composition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles influences their ability to interact with the HDL receptor on cultured fibroblasts, HDL3 isolated from normal and diabetic donors with different degrees of hypertriglyceridemia was subjected to binding competition, cholesterol efflux, and net cholesterol transport assays. When HDL3 particles from different subjects were incubated with cholesterol-loaded fibroblasts, the initial rates of cholesterol efflux from cells to HDL3 particles appeared to be an exclusive function of the relative ability of HDL3 to interact with the HDL receptor. Variation in lipid composition of HDL3 particles did not appear to have any significant influence on either the receptor-binding or the efflux-promoting abilities of HDL3. When the movement of cholesterol between cells and HDL3 particles was allowed to approach equilibrium, the lipid composition of HDL3 became an important factor in determining the net amount of cholesterol removed from cells, with cholesterol-deficient triacylglycerol-rich HDL3 particles having the best capacity to promote net transport of cholesterol from cells. These results suggest that the ability of HDL to bind to its cell-surface receptor, rather than variations in the lipid composition of the HDL particle, is the major determinant of cholesterol efflux from cells to HDL particles. However, the lipid composition of HDL as well as its receptor-binding activity determine the net amount of cholesterol transported from cells over long-term incubation.
Band-gap engineering in Cu(In,Ga) Se2 thin films grown from (In,Ga)2Se3 precursors

Abstract A three-stage process starting with the deposition of (In,Ga) 2 Se 3 precursor films has been successful in the fabrication of graded band-gap Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 thin films. In this work we examine (1) the reaction of Cu + Se with (In,Ga) 2 Se 3 , which leads to a spontaneous grading in the Ga content as a function of depth through the film, and (2) modification of the Ga content in the surface region of the film through a final deposition of In + Ga + Se. We show how band-gap grading can be enhanced by the formation of non-uniform precursors, how counterdiffusion limits the degree of grading possible in the surface region, and how the Cu x Se secondary phase acts to homogenize the film composition.
Effect of reaming bone grafting on treating femoral shaft aseptic nonunion after plating

Rigid intramdullary nailing with cancellous bone grafting provided by intramedullary reaming was prospectively used to treat femoral shaft aseptic nonunions after plating. Indications for this technique were a femoral shaft nonunion with an inserted plate, no previous infection sign in the treatment course, less than 1.5 cm shortening, and no segmental bony defects. After the plate was removed, a flexible guidewire was inserted antegradely. The local wound was closed, and intramedullary reaming was done as widely as possible until some resistance to it occurred. Finally, a rigid intramedullary nail was inserted. Twenty-four consecutive patients were treated with this regimen, and 21 were followed-up for at least 1 year (range 1–5 years). All 21 nonunions healed with a union rate of 100% (21/21). The time to union was 4.5 ± 1.0 months. There were no significant complications. We conclude that for indicated cases, reaming bone grafting is a very effective technique and avoided donor site morbidity. Therefore, whenever possible, this technique could be considered first.
Hydrocarbon production forecast for committed assets in the shallow water Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico

In 2007, the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico averaged daily production of 1.3 million barrels of oil and 7.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The majority of oil is produced from deepwater fields in water depth greater than 1000 ft, while most gas production is extracted from the shelf. The Outer Continental Shelf is a mature province with over 3800 fixed structures and 6500 producing wells connected into an integrated pipeline network more than 30,000 miles in length. The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology to forecast oil and gas production in the shallow water Gulf of Mexico. Structures are categorized according to age and production characteristics, and forecast procedures for each asset class are described and illustrated. The methodology is implemented using the inventory of committed assets circa December 2006. The expected amount of hydrocarbon production arising from the inventory of committed assets under stable reservoir and investment conditions is estimated to be 1056 MMbbl oil and 13.3 Tcf gas valued between $85 and 150 billion. The results of generalized regression models are presented with a discussion of the limitations of analysis.
Self-Esteem and Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Women and Men

Abstract Influences on food choices are multifactorial, and limited research has been reported on the role of social-psychological variables. Earlier studies have linked self-esteem with a variety of health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to extend the research to examine the relationship of self-esteem to dietary behaviors, specifically the intake of fruits and vegetables and their key nutrients. Subjects were 155 married couples in a stratified random sample of households in one mid-western state. Husbands and wives were interviewed separately in their own homes. Independent variables were age, education, income, body mass index, and self-esteem.The dependent variables were number of servings and variety of vegetables and fruits per week and energy-adjusted intakes of fiber, folate, and vitamins A and C. Self-esteem was measured by the Rosenberg questionnaire, while dietary intake was assessed by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Women reported significantly more servings of fruits per week, greater variety in both fruit and vegetable choices, and higher energy-adjusted nutrient intakes than did their husbands. Women met Food Guide Pyramid (FGP) recommendations for fruit intake and approached the recommendation for vegetable servings. Men fell short of FGP recommendations for both fruit and vegetables. After adjustment for age, education, income, and body mass index, self-esteem was a significant predictor of vitamin C and folate intake among women and folate intake among men. No other dietary variables were associated with self-esteem, although for men there was a trend for increased weekly servings of vegetables and increased variety in vegetable choices with higher self-esteem. One implication for practice is that age and education appear to be far stronger factors contributing to fruit and vegetable intake than is self-esteem. Additional research is needed to clarify the strength of self-esteem as a factor in specific food choices, especially among subpopulations.
Fusion-neutron production during protium beam injection into protium—deuterium plasmas

The small deuterium content of natural hydrogen (1.5 × 10 −4 ) is shown to be capable of influencing neutron diagnostic measurements of neutral—beam—injected magnetically confined fusion plasmas.
Vocal Fold Nodules in School Age Children: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as a Potential Risk Factor

Summary Objective To evaluate the presence of symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in a population of school age children affected by vocal fold nodules. Methods Parents and teachers of 18 children with vocal fold nodules (10 males, eight females; aged between 6 and 12 years) and 20 matched controls without dysphonia and/or vocal fold diseases (11 males, nine females; aged between 6 and 12 years) completed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) rating scale for parents (SDAG [Scala per i Disturbi di Attenzione/Iperattivita per Genitori]) and teachers (SDAI [Scala per i Disturbi di Attenzione/Iperattivita per Insegnanti) rating scales containing in two subscales items that specifically evaluate the symptoms of ADHD according to the DSM-IV. All children were subjected to videolaryngoscopy. Results The group with vocal fold nodules scored significantly higher than the controls; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant for both the subscales of both questionnaires (SDAG and SDAI) ( P Conclusions ADHD is a possible risk factor for the development of vocal fold nodules in childhood. SDAG and SDAI rating scales may supplement the diagnostic assessment of children with vocal fold nodules.
Sheathless capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry using 10 μm I.D. capillaries: Analyses of tryptic digests of cytochrome c

The analyses of tryptic digest of proteins present a difficult challenge to the analytical chemist due to the wide range of molecular masses and hydrophobicities of the peptides produced. In this study, we demonstrate the separation of tryptic digests of bovine, Candida krusei and equine cytochrome c using a new electrospray ionization (ESI) interface for CE-MS that does not require additional sheath make-up fluid or mechanical assistance to aid the ESI process. The utility of this new CE-ESI-MS interface is demonstrated using a 10 μm I.D. CE capillary where the injected sample amounts are in the 30 femtomole (of protein) region. The CE electroosmotic flow rates when aminopropylamine treated capillaries are utilized are in the 10 nl/min region for a relatively conductive buffer system (0.01 M ammonium acetate-acetic acid buffer system, pH 4.4 and a 300 V/cm field strength).
Private and public sector managers: An empirical investigation of job characteristics and organizational climate.

Recherche empirique comparant les caracteristiques des emplois et le climat d'entreprise dans les secteurs publics et prives. Les impressions et le degre de satisfaction de 240 directeurs d'entreprises israeliens, venant de firmes publiques et privees, ont ete compares
Suggestions for the nomenclature of human alleles: relevance to ecogenetics, pharmacogenetics and molecular epidemiology.

The current number of 9422 symbols for human gene names (http://www.gene.ucl.ac.uk/nomenclature/) is expected to increase 7- to 15-fold over the next 2 years. In and around each gene, a tremendous degree of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) heterogeneity is now realized to exist. This review is intended to be visionary, to point out some of the enormously complex nomenclature issues that we face, and to offer some reasonable solutions to these issues. For example, I believe that a 'gene' should be defined as that region from the furthest 5'-ward enhancer to at least 150 bases downstream of the last exon. Just as established rules are critically important for the systematic naming of all new genes, standardized nomenclature rules for the naming of allelic variants are also desperately needed. The evolving consensus for naming the alleles of all human genes (ideally based on evolutionarily diverging haplotype patterns) is described herein. Because of the anticipated explosion in finding new genes and allelic variants due to high-throughput resequencing and DNA-chip technologies, this excess of new knowledge will undoubtedly overwhelm their publication by scientific journals alone. I suggest that the best approach to this staggering 'information overload' is to place the data on appropriate web sites--with numerous links between sites, and frequent updates of all information--so that colleagues in all fields of medical and genetic research can remain knowledgeable. Examples of successful web sites to date include those for the cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes and human CYP alleles, UDP glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes and human alleles, human N-acetylaminotransferase (NAT2, NAT1) alleles, and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) genes and human alleles. Many more web sites will be necessary. For each site, the webmaster will need to be responsible, accurate, energetic, highly organized, and keen to keep the site current. I believe that interactive discussions on these sites should be encouraged, and advisory committees must be willing to check frequently to ensure that all new information is accurate. Lastly, for the field of molecular epidemiology, the importance of correlating an informative genotype with an unequivocal phenotype is emphasized, and the emerging realization that racial and ethnic groups are highly admixed is summarized and updated.
Sediment Trap Experiment on the Galápagos Spreading Center, Equatorial Pacific

Two sediment traps were deployed for 234 days in 2670 meters of water at 0 degrees 36'N, 86 degrees 6'W. A comparison of the fluxes of ten elements into the traps and into the surface sediment indicates that the refractory elements iron, aluminum, and barium are accumulating in the sediments at rates very similar to those measured in the traps. In contrast, at least 80 percent of the opal, 50 percent of the carbonate, and 90 percent of the organic carbon is consumed at the sediment-water interface.
Exposure to ionizing radiation reveals global dose- and time-dependent changes in the urinary metabolome of rat

The potential for exposures to ionizing radiation (IR) has increased in recent years. Although advances have been made, understanding the global metabolic response as a function of both dose and exposure time is challenging considering the complexity of the responses. Herein we report our findings on the dose- and time-dependency of the urinary response to IR in the male rat using radiation metabolomics. Urine samples were collected from adult male rats, exposed to 0.5–10 Gy γ-radiation, both before from 6 to 72 h following exposures. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and deconvoluted mass chromatographic data were initially analyzed by principal component analysis. However, the breadth and complexity of the data necessitated the development of a novel approach to summarizing biofluid constituents after exposure, called Visual Analysis of Metabolomics Package (VAMP). VAMP revealed clear urine metabolite profile differences to as little as 0.5 Gy after 6 h exposure. Via VAMP, it was discovered that the response to radiation exposure found in rat urine is characterized by an overall net down-regulation of ion excretion with only a modest number of ions excreted in excess over pre-exposure levels. Our results show both similarities and differences with the published mouse urine response and a dose- and time-dependent net decrease in urine ion excretion associated with radiation exposure. These findings mark an important step in the development of minimally invasive radiation biodosimetry. VAMP should have general applicability in metabolomics to visualize overall differences and trends in many sample sets.
Simultaneous monitoring of O2, CO2, and pH using a 200-micrometer optical imaging fiber

A multi-analyte sensor has been prepared that allows O2, CO2 and pH to be monitored simultaneously with rapid response to all three analytes. The sensor is fabricated to photodepositing analyte-sensitive polymer matrices on the distal surface of an imaging fiber. The array shows sensitivity to pH in the range 5.0 - 8.0, CO2 from 0 - 15% and O2 from 0 - 100%.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mechanisms of differential expression of the CYP2A13 7520C and 7520G alleles in human lung: allelic expression analysis for CYP2A13 heterogeneous nuclear RNA, and evidence for the involvement of multiple cis-regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms.

ObjectiveTo identify the mechanisms underlying the decreased allelic expression of a common CYP2A13 allele (7520C>G) in the human lung; CYP2A13 is expressed selectively in the respiratory tract, and is highly efficient in the metabolic activation of several chemical carcinogens.MethodsThe 7520C/G al
Improving weighted least-squares estimates in heteroscedastic linear regression when the variance is a function of the mean response

In this paper we consider a heteroscedastic linear regression model in which heteroscedasticity is modeled as a smooth function of the linear response. We first construct estimates that are asymptotically equivalent to the weighted least-squares estimate. Then we use the information about the regression parameter contained in the heteroscedasticity to construct estimates that improve upon these estimates under additional assumptions.
Separating the effects of tree size and meristem maturation on shoot development of grafted scions of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.)

In order to separate the effects of size and meristem maturation on age-related changes in shoot growth behaviour, a reciprocal grafting experiment was conducted involving juvenile (J), mid-age (MA) and old-growth (OG) red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) trees as both scion donors and rootstock. The effects of rootstock and scion age on vegetative growth, foliar morphology and reproductive development were assessed over 7 years after grafting. Vegetative growth potential declines with meristem maturation, but the high growth potential of J meristems on J rootstock cannot be expressed when J scions are grafted on MA and OG rootstock. Branch density decreases with meristem maturation. The tendency for high J branch density is expressed across all rootstock ages, but is minimally expressed on MA rootstock where elongation of terminal shoots is significantly greater than on OG rootstock. Both needle width and leaf mass area increase with meristem maturation and increasing tree size. Reproductive competence is mainly a function of meristem maturity, and rootstock had little effect on strobilus development, although the more fecund rootstocks did promote some flowering on J scions. Developmental decline in height growth does not appear to be a function of decreased meristem vigour, but reduced terminal long shoot elongation and decreased apical control in OG trees will reduce height growth.
Nonrandom X Chromosome Inactivation Is Influenced by Multiple Regions on the Murine X Chromosome

During the development of female mammals, one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated, serving as a dosage-compensation mechanism to equalize the expression of X-linked genes in females and males. While the choice of which X chromosome to inactivate is normally random, X chromosome inactivation can be skewed in F1 hybrid mice, as determined by alleles at the X chromosome controlling element (Xce), a locus defined genetically by Cattanach over 40 years ago. Four Xce alleles have been defined in inbred mice in order of the tendency of the X chromosome to remain active: Xcea < Xceb < Xcec < Xced. While the identity of the Xce locus remains unknown, previous efforts to map sequences responsible for the Xce effect in hybrid mice have localized the Xce to candidate regions that overlap the X chromosome inactivation center (Xic), which includes the Xist and Tsix genes. Here, we have intercrossed 129S1/SvImJ, which carries the Xcea allele, and Mus musculus castaneus EiJ, which carries the Xcec allele, to generate recombinant lines with single or double recombinant breakpoints near or within the Xce candidate region. In female progeny of 129S1/SvImJ females mated to recombinant males, we have measured the X chromosome inactivation ratio using allele-specific expression assays of genes on the X chromosome. We have identified regions, both proximal and distal to Xist/Tsix, that contribute to the choice of which X chromosome to inactivate, indicating that multiple elements on the X chromosome contribute to the Xce.
Deep‐focus earthquakes from a geologist's point of view

Thanks to the recent work of the seismologists, it is evident that the time is ripe for further major advances along what Father Macelwane has termed “the geologico-seismological frontier” [see 1 of “References” at end of paper], and it therefore seems appropriate that students of structural geology should so far as possible actively contribute toward current and future collaborative study — both as to how the Earth's crustal, subcrustal, and nuclear portions are constituted, and as to the nature of the dynamic processes which characterize and control the recurrent crustal and subcrustal deformative movements. To the writer. It appears that the most immediate and important direction in which geologists can assist in seismological-geological research lies along the line of cooperative study of deep-focus earthquakes, the discovery of which by the seismologists has opened an exceedingly interesting new chapter in earth science. The writer's endeavor, consequently, will be both to mention certain time, space, and dynamic relationships which may multiply and qualify the multiple working of hypotheses now being used in the study of the origin and tectonic significance of deep-focus earthquakes, and to mention certain matters of current experience which may suggest how and why deep-focus earthquakes occur. Because much more information obviously must be had before anyone can demonstrate that he has the correct answers as to how and why earth deformation takes place, a large proportion of the paragraphs to follow will consist merely of summary statements of personal opinion, the details and derivation of which will be given only as and if the views expressed prove to be sufficiently interesting to bring forth inquiry or discussion.
Gangs, Neighborhoods, and Public Policy

This article uses research from three recent Milwaukee studies to show that deindustrialization has altered some characteristics of youth gangs. Gang members tend to stay involved with the gang as adults, and many have turned to the illegal drug economy for survival. Poor African-Americans in neighborhoods where gangs persist have both similarities and differences to Wilson's underclass concept. What characterizes these neighborhoods is not the absence of working people but the absence of effective social institutions. Public policy ought to stress jobs and investment in underclass neighborhoods, evaluation of programs, family preservation, and community control of social institutions.
Regiospecific opening of 1,2-expoxides with acetone cyanohydrin under mildly basic conditions

Abstract Acetone cyanohydrin with stoichiometic triethylamine opens epoxides regiospecifically to give β-hydroxy nitriles. As expected, addition of cyanide occurs at the least substituted carbon.
In vivo quantification of formulated and chemically modified small interfering RNA by heating-in-Triton quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (HIT qRT-PCR)

While increasing numbers of small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics enter into clinical trials, the quantification of siRNA from clinical samples for pharmacokinetic studies remains a challenge. This challenge is even more acute for the quantification of chemically modified and formulated siRNAs such as those typically required for systemic delivery. Here, we describe a novel method, heating-in-Triton quantitative reverse transcription PCR (HIT qRT-PCR) that improves upon the stem-loop RT-PCR technique for the detection of formulated and chemically modified siRNAs from plasma and tissue. The broad dynamic range of this assay spans five orders of magnitude and can detect as little as 70 pg duplex in 1 g of liver or in 1 ml of plasma. We have used this assay to quantify intravenously administrated siRNA in rodents and have reliably correlated target reduction with tissue drug concentrations. We were able to detect siRNA in rat liver for at least 10 days post injection and determined that for a modified factor VII (FVII) siRNA, on average, approximately 500 siRNA molecules per cell are required to achieve a 50% target reduction. HIT qRT-PCR is a novel approach that simplifies the in vivo quantification of siRNA and provides a highly sensitive and reproducible tool to measure the silencing efficiency of chemically modified and formulated siRNAs.
Impact of different types of knowledge on two preservice teachers' ability to learn and deliver the Sport Education model

Background: Teachers' and pupils' responses to the Sport Education (SE) model have been very positive. Pupils clearly enjoy SE and the model created lasting changes in teachers' beliefs and perspectives on teaching. While much research has been done on the impact of SE on teachers and students, there has been relatively little research on how both inservice and preservice teachers (PTs) learn to use the model. Purpose: To discover the relative importance of different knowledge types in PTs' teaching of SE and the ways in which they acquired and developed this knowledge. Participants and setting: Participants were two PTs who each taught SE seasons to middle school pupils (grades six to eight) during their culminating student teaching internship. The SE seasons were ultimate Frisbee, tennis, flag football, and basketball. Research design: This is a qualitative study that uses Shulman's set of seven knowledge types as its theoretical framework. Data collection: During the seven-week internship, 14 non-parti...
The Association between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Alcohol Use during Pregnancy in a Representative Sample of Adult Women.

BACKGROUND: The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult alcohol consumption is well-established, but little is known about the association with alcohol use during pregnancy. METHODS: Using data from the 2010 Nevada Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we assessed the relationship between ACEs and alcohol use during pregnancy in a representative sample of 1,987 adult women. An established ACEs scale was used to assess a range of childhood physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and household dysfunction (range, 0-8). Weighted logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between ACE scores and alcohol use during pregnancy after controlling for drinking before pregnancy and other covariates. RESULTS: Six percent of participants reported drinking alcohol during pregnancy. After controlling for race/ethnicity, age, employment status, smoking status, and prepregnancy alcohol use, increasing ACEs were positively associated with higher odds of alcohol use during pregnancy (1 ACE: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.92; 95% CI, 1.08-7.87), (2-3 ACEs: AOR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.46-8.48), and (≥4 ACEs: AOR, 4.79; 95% CI, 2.14-10.72). Prepregnancy drinking was also strongly associated with alcohol use during pregnancy (AOR, 11.95; 95% CI, 5.02-28.43). CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence of a dose-response relationship between ACEs and alcohol use during pregnancy that remained even after controlling for prepregnancy drinking and other covariates. Screening women of childbearing age as well as pregnant women for ACEs may be an effective way to identify and address many of the emotional, behavioral, and physical sequelae of childhood adversity. Language: en
The illiterate editor: metadata-driven revert detection in Wikipedia

As the community depends more heavily on Wikipedia as a source of reliable information, the ability to quickly detect and remove detrimental information becomes increasingly important. The longer incorrect or malicious information lingers in a source perceived as reputable, the more likely that information will be accepted as correct and the greater the loss to source reputation. We present The Illiterate Editor (IllEdit), a content-agnostic, metadata-driven classification approach to Wikipedia revert detection. Our primary contribution is in building a metadata-based feature set for detecting edit quality, which is then fed into a Support Vector Machine for edit classification. By analyzing edit histories, the IllEdit system builds a profile of user behavior, estimates expertise and spheres of knowledge, and determines whether or not a given edit is likely to be eventually reverted. The success of the system in revert detection (0.844 F-measure) as well as its disjoint feature set as compared to existing, content-analyzing vandalism detection systems, shows promise in the synergistic usage of IllEdit for increasing the reliability of community information.
A test of symbolic interactionist predictions about emotions in imagined situations.

From the perspective of symbolic interactionism, inner experiences-including emotions-are shaped culturally as individuals formulate events in words, and individual experiences are shaped socially as others contribute to the verbal formulation of one’s experiences. Understanding cultural shaping and social negotiation of emotions requires understanding how emotion attributions arise from linguistic framings of events, and Affect Control Theory (ACT) offers a model of emotions that addresses this issue. We report tests of ACT predictions of emotions in 128 events against self-reported emotions of respondents imagining themselves in such situations. ACT predictions are found to correlate with self-reported emotions. Thus, empirical results validate ACT’S postulate that emotions emerge from the personal impression that is generated in an event, along with the difference between that impression and the person‘s identity. In the conclusion, we discuss how the ACT formulation can enlighten
Criticality metrics for distributed plan and schedule management

We address the problem of coordinating the plans and schedules for a team of agents in an uncertain and dynamic environment. Bounded rationality, bounded communication, subjectivity and distribution make it extremely challenging to find effective strategies. The Criticality-Sensitive Coordination (CSC) system uses multiple policy modification managers making predictable policy changes based on criticality metrics derived from simple computations on a graph-representation of the reward function with nearest neighbor communication. In the context of the DARPA Coordinators program, under an extensive and independent evaluation, the CSC system significantly outperformed competing approaches based on Temporal Networks and Markov Decision Processes.
Predictors of the long-term course of comorbid PTSD: A naturalistic prospective study

AbstractObjectives. The study examined the long-term course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by analyzing rates of recurrence and the predictive value of comorbid psychiatric disorders and psychosocial functioning. Methods. This study is based on diagnostic assessments administered at intake and subsequent follow-up interviews over a period of 15 years in a sample of 90 anxiety-disordered patients with comorbid PTSD who participated in the Harvard Brown Anxiety Research project (HARP). Kaplan–Meier life table analysis revealed a 0.20 probability of full remission during the 15 years of follow-up. Results. Latent growth model (LGM) analysis revealed that the number of trauma exposures was a predictor of a worse course of PTSD but only during some intervals of the 15-year follow-up. Subjects with full social phobia were more likely to experience worsening of PTSD over time in comparison with subjects with less severe social phobia. Role functioning in the areas of household and employment was a signi...