cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cells that overproduce protein kinase C are more susceptible to transformation by an activated H-ras oncogene.

The authors recently developed rat fibroblast cell lines that stably overproduce high levels of the {beta}/sub 1/ form of protein kinase C (PKC). These cells display several disorders in growth control and form small microscopic colonies in agar. In the present study, they demonstrate that one of these cell lines, R6-PKC3, is extremely susceptible to transformation by an activated human bladder cancer c-H-ras oncogene (T24). Compared with control cell line R6-C1, T24-transfected R6-PKC3 cells yielded a 10-fold increase in the formation of large colonies in agar. Cell lines established from these colonies displayed a highly transformed morphology, expressed the T24-encoded p21 ras protein, continued to express high levels of PKC, and were highly tumorigenic in nude mice. These results provide genetic evidence that PKC mediates some of the effects of the c-H-ras oncogene on cell transformation. Data are also presented suggesting that optimum synergistic effects between c-H-ras and PKC require critical levels of their respective activities. These findings may be relevant to the process of multistage carcinogenesis in tissues containing cells with an activated c-H-ras oncogene.
Imprecise Probability and Chance

Understanding probabilities as something other than point values (e.g., as intervals) has often been motivated by the need to find more realistic models for degree of belief, and in particular the idea that degree of belief should have an objective basis in “statistical knowledge of the world.” I offer here another motivation growing out of efforts to understand how chance evolves as a function of time. If the world is “chancy” in that there are non-trivial, objective, physical probabilities at the macro-level, then the chance of an event e that happens at a given time is $$<1$$ until it happens. But whether the chance of e goes to one continuously or not is left open. Discontinuities in such chance trajectories can have surprising and troubling consequences for probabilistic analyses of causation and accounts of how events occur in time. This, coupled with the compelling evidence for quantum discontinuities in chance’s evolution, gives rise to a “(dis)continuity bind” with respect to chance probability trajectories. I argue that a viable option for circumventing the (dis)continuity bind is to understand the probabilities “imprecisely,” that is, as intervals rather than point values. I then develop and motivate an alternative kind of continuity appropriate for interval-valued chance probability trajectories.
Evaluating the Mental Health Training Needs of Community-based Organizations Serving Refugees

This exploratory study examines the mental health knowledge and training needs of refugee-serving community based organizations in a Midwestern state. A survey was administered to 31 staff members at 27 community based organizations (CBOs) to assess the ability of staff to recognize and screen for mental health symptoms that may interfere with successful resettlement. Of the 31 respondents 93.5% (n=29) see refugees with mental health issues and 48.4% (n=15) assess refugees for mental health symptoms – primarily through informal assessment. Mainstream organizations were more likely than ethnic organizations to have received training related to the mental health needs of refugees. Results indicate that while refugee led CBOs recognize mental health symptoms of refugees they may be less likely to assess mental health symptoms and refer for treatment. Policy recommendations for improving CBO services to refugees are offered.
Ontogenetic changes and intraspecific resource partitioning in the tahoe sucker, Catostomus tahoensis

Intraspecific resource partitioning among three size classes of tahoe sucker was investigated in a small subalpine lake in California. Distribution of fish was determined by underwater observation, and stomach content analysis provided information on dietary patterns. Juvenile fish were restricted to shallow or weedy areas of the lake, while adult sucker occupied a variety of habitats and exhibited a diel migration from deep water by day to near shore at night. All size classes displayed some schooling during the day, but fed solitarily in the littoral benthic regions at night. Ontogenetic changes in food habits were a result of adult fish foraging in a greater number of habitats and feeding on different prey types than juveniles. Temporal partitioning appeared to be less important than either trophic or habitat partitioning.
Structures of eukaryotic ribonucleotide reductase I define gemcitabine diphosphate binding and subunit assembly

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalyzes the conversion of nucleoside diphosphates to deoxynucleoside diphosphates. Crucial for rapidly dividing cells, RNR is a target for cancer therapy. In eukaryotes, RNR comprises a heterooligomer of α2 and β2 subunits. Rnr1, the α subunit, contains regulatory and catalytic sites; Rnr2, the β subunit (in yeast, a heterodimer of Rnr2 and Rnr4), houses the diferric-tyrosyl radical crucial for catalysis. Here, we present three x-ray structures of eukaryotic Rnr1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: one bound to gemcitabine diphosphate (GemdP), the active metabolite of the mechanism-based chemotherapeutic agent gemcitabine; one with an Rnr2-derived peptide, and one with an Rnr4-derived peptide. Our structures reveal that GemdP binds differently from its analogue, cytidine diphosphate; because of unusual interactions of the geminal fluorines, the ribose and base of GemdP shift substantially, and loop 2, which mediates substrate specificity, adopts different conformations when binding to GemdP and cytidine diphosphate. The Rnr2 and Rnr4 peptides, which block RNR assembly, bind differently from each other but have unique modes of binding not seen in prokaryotic RNR. The Rnr2 peptide adopts a conformation similar to that previously reported from an NMR study for a mouse Rnr2-based peptide. In yeast, the Rnr2 peptide binds at subsites consisting of residues that are highly conserved among yeast, mouse, and human Rnr1s, suggesting that the mode of Rnr1–Rnr2 binding is conserved among eukaryotes. These structures provide new insights into subunit assembly and a framework for structure-based drug design targeting RNR.
The Increasing Necessity for Market-Based Pharmaceutical Prices

In most markets, research and development are driven by expected prices, and those prices are determined mainly by consumer willingness to pay for the potential benefits of new products. In the pharmaceutical market, however, the dominant role of government and tax-induced insurance has tended to create a wedge between expected prices and consumer willingness to pay to cure or prevent disease. This distorts investment decisions, tending to cause underinvestment. Recent developments have expanded this gap. The greatly enhanced efficiency of pharmaceutical research has permitted the development of products that provide long term prevention and quality-of-life improvements. While some of these new products can delay or obviate chronic conditions of old age, they do not necessarily reduce healthcare costs (at least not in the short or medium run). Most of the massive benefits of the new research streams are therefore pure consumer benefits, with little benefit for the acute care activities that are the core functions of European and American healthcare delivery or payment systems.
The Cdk5/p35 Kinases Modulate Leptin-Induced STAT3 Signaling

Cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 5 is ubiquitously expressed in the brain and plays an essential role in central nervous system development and synaptic plasticity. The p35 kinase is a neuronal specific activator of Cdk5. Here, we show for the first time that Cdk5 activation modulates leptin signaling. P35 and its metabolite p25 were colocalized with the leptin receptor ObR in selective neurons in the hypothalamus. Overexpression of p35 alone was sufficient to induce the transcriptional activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in a cellular model. In retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y neuronal cells where ObRb was induced, leptin increased the expression of Cdk5, p35, and p25 kinases. The time course of induction coincided with that of phosphorylated (p)-STAT3. When Cdk5 activity was inhibited, either by roscovitine or overexpression of dominant negative Cdk5, there was a reduction of pSTAT3 activation. The results show that the activation of Cdk5 by p35 sustained leptin-induced pSTAT3 at 3-6 h. Thus, p35 is a novel modulator of leptin-induced STAT3 signaling.
Filial responsibility, perceived fairness, and psychological functioning of Latino youth from immigrant families.

The contributions of filial responsibility to psychological functioning were examined longitudinally among Latino young adolescents from immigrant families. Participants included 199 7th and 8th Grade Latino boys and girls (M age 13.8) who were either immigrants (79%) or children of immigrants (21%). The term, filial responsibility, refers to children’s family caregiving efforts (e.g., household chores, caring for siblings). Perceived fairness, which refers to perceptions of equity, reciprocity, and acknowledgment, was examined as an important corollary describing the familial context in which youths’ responsibilities are enacted. Over the course of this 1-year longitudinal study, a significant decline was observed in mean levels of caregiving, whereas a significant increase was observed in perceived fairness. Consistent with a conceptualization of filial responsibility as contributing to psychological development in positive and, in some contexts, negative ways, caregiving activities predicted increases in cooperative behavior and interpersonal self-efficacy, whereas perceived fairness predicted declines in psychological distress. Implications for practitioners and policymakers working with this population are discussed.
Click This!: A Study on Optimizing Toolbar Placement in Computer Graphical User Interfaces

Toolbars in computer graphical user interfaces are usually placed at the top of the program window. Yet our study showed that people typically responded fastest when toolbars are placed on the left or right side, despite the four sides being of equal distance from the center of the screen. Furthermore, responses were slowest when toolbars were placed at the bottom. We also found that participants performed significantly slower when presented with multiple toolbars and when toolbar position was unpredictable.
Surface stress and the chemical equilibrium of small crystals—I. the case of the isotropic surface

Abstract The equilibria of small solid solution crystals with isotropic surfaces in contact with vapor or fluid solutions is considered when the surface stress differs numerically from the surface free energy. The interstitial components of the solid are shown to have a constant chemical potential throughout the system, while the chemical potentials of the substitutional components are not constant unless the magnitude of the surface stress equals the surface free energy. Six examples are given to illustrate various equilibria. Only the surface stress acts on the interstitial component, while the substitutional components are affected by the surface free energy and in most circumstances by the surface stress as well.
Additive Schwarz‐type preconditioners for fourth‐order elliptic problems using Hermite cubic splines

In this note, we construct the additive Schwarz-type preconditioner for fourth-order elliptic problems with nested subspaces from Hermite cubic splines. We prove that after the preconditioning, the system is well conditioned. The numerical evidence strongly supports our theoretical result. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2006
Regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) by hypoxia: causes and consequences

Integration of cellular and extracellular signals maintains tissue homeostasis under conditions of normal proliferation and stress. A central player in regulating responses to stress is the serine/threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In many cancers, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling is enhanced, even under conditions where such signaling should be suppressed. This article reviews some of the details that are emerging on how low oxygen (hypoxia) regulates mTORC1 signaling, and the consequences for dysregulation in pediatric solid tumors.
On the Finite Difference-Based Lattice Boltzmann Method in Curvilinear Coordinates

The lattice Boltzmann method is a microscopic-based approach for solving the fluid flow problems at the macroscopic scales. The presently popular method uses regularly spaced lattices and cannot handle curved boundaries with desirable flexibility. To circumvent such difficulties, a finite difference-based lattice Boltzmann method (FDLBM) in curvilinear coordinates is explored using body-fitted coordinates with non-uniform grids. Several test cases, including the impulsively started cylindrical Couette flow, steady state cylindrical Couette flow, steady flow over flat plates, and steady flow over a circular cylinder, are used to examine various issues related to the FDLBM. The effect of boundary conditions for the distribution functions on the solution, the merits between second-order central difference and upwind schemes for advection terms, and the effect of the Reynolds number are investigated. Favorable results are obtained using FDLBM in curvilinear coordinates, indicating that the method is potentially capable of solving finite Reynolds number flow problems in complex geometries.
Detection of non-Einsteinian Gravitational Waves using a Pulsar Timing Array

In the next decade gravitational waves may be detected using a pulsar timing array. In an effort to develop optimal detection strategies for stochastic backgrounds of gravitational waves in general metric theories of gravity, we investigate the overlap reduction functions for these theories and discuss their characteristics. We show that sensitivity increases for non-transverse gravitational waves and discuss the physical origin of this effect. We calculate the overlap reduction functions for the current NANOGrav Pulsar Timing Array (PTA) and show that the sensitivity to the vector and longitudinal modes can increase dramatically for pulsar pairs with small angular separations.
Cocaine-induced changes in perfusion pressure and bile flow in perfused rat livers.

Abstract Cocaine produces hepatotoxicity. To study the acute effect of cocaine on the liver, we used the isolated, single-pass perfused rat liver. When perfusion pressure was measured in a constant flow system, a 15-min infusion of cocaine (1.47mM) increased perfusion pressure (136 ± 15%), decreased bile flow (61 ± 5%), and decreased oxygen uptake (82 ± 5%). The vasoconstriction was concentration-dependent and reversible. The pressure increase elicited by cocaine was not inhibited by the alpha-receptor antagonists phentolamine, prazosin, or yohimbine. These antagonists did inhibit phenylephrine-induced increases in perfusion pressure. Neither serotonin at concentrations up to 1 mM nor lidocaine or procaine in concentrations equimolar to cocaine increased the perfusion pressure. Indomethacin (5 μM), SKF-525A, and chloramphenicol also failed to block vasoconstriction induced by cocaine. High concentrations of cocaine were cholestatic, while concentrations lower then 0.6 mM were choleretic. These results indicate that cocaine-induced vasoconstriction in the liver is not mediated by alpha-receptor activation or prostaglandins and does not require metabolic activation of cocaine. The acute effects of cocaine in the perfused liver are vascular (vasoconstriction) and functional (alteration in bile formation).
Homo-cysteinyl peptide inhibitors of the L1 metallo-β-lactamase, and SAR as determined by combinatorial library synthesis

Homo-cysteinyl peptides were found to be more active than cysteinyl peptides toward L1 metallo-beta-lactamase as reversible competitive inhibitors. A combinatorial library of more than 90 homo-cysteinyl peptides was synthesized and screened for their inhibitory activity toward the L1 enzyme. A systematic structure-activity relationship analysis has revealed the preferred interaction groups for L1 conserved binding sites of beta-lactam substrates. The most active compound 95b, had a K(i) of 2.1 nM.
Retention of fast and slow learners following overlearning of a gross motor skill.

45 university Ss practiced balancing on a stabilometer to a performance criterion (Day 1) and then were designated as fast, medium, and slow learners based on the number of trials needed to attain it. Each S received an additional number of trials the following day (Day 2) equal to the number needed to reach the criterion (100% overlearning). Absolute and relative retention scores were calculated following a retention interval of 1 wk. No significant difference was found between the fast and slow learners on absolute recall, although the results favored the fast learners. The fast learners showed significant reminiscence between Day 1 and Day 2 and following the 1-wk. retention interval. It was concluded that the “equal amount learned” method did not discriminate against the fast learner and that speed of learning may be an important factor in determining whether or not reminiscence occurs following the attainment of a performance criterion.
A subjective study to evaluate video quality assessment algorithms

Automatic methods to evaluate the perceptual quality of a digital video sequence have widespread applications wherever the end-user is a human. Several objective video quality assessment (VQA) algorithms exist, whose performance is typically evaluated using the results of a subjective study performed by the video quality experts group (VQEG) in 2000. There is a great need for a free, publicly available subjective study of video quality that embodies state-of-the-art in video processing technology and that is effective in challenging and benchmarking objective VQA algorithms. In this paper, we present a study and a resulting database, known as the LIVE Video Quality Database, where 150 distorted video sequences obtained from 10 different source video content were subjectively evaluated by 38 human observers. Our study includes videos that have been compressed by MPEG-2 and H.264, as well as videos obtained by simulated transmission of H.264 compressed streams through error prone IP and wireless networks. The subjective evaluation was performed using a single stimulus paradigm with hidden reference removal, where the observers were asked to provide their opinion of video quality on a continuous scale. We also present the performance of several freely available objective, full reference (FR) VQA algorithms on the LIVE Video Quality Database. The recent MOtion-based Video Integrity Evaluation (MOVIE) index emerges as the leading objective VQA algorithm in our study, while the performance of the Video Quality Metric (VQM) and the Multi-Scale Structural SIMilarity (MS-SSIM) index is noteworthy. The LIVE Video Quality Database is freely available for download1 and we hope that our study provides researchers with a valuable tool to benchmark and improve the performance of objective VQA algorithms.
Importance of multiple purging methods in the classification of eating disorder subtypes.

Objective: To examine two assumptions implicit in the subtyping of eating disorders: (1) purging behaviors are interchangeable, and (2) a primary distinction exists between the presence vs. absence of any means of purging. Method: Data from a longitudinal study of health and eating patterns were used to compare women who reported self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, or their combination. Further comparisons were made among women who used multiple purging methods (MP), a single purging method (SP), and randomly selected controls who never purged. Results: Vomiting and laxative abuse were associated with similar levels of eating pathology whereas their combination was associated with greater eating pathology. MP women reported significantly greater eating pathology compared to SP women who reported significantly greater eating pathology compared to controls. Differences were maintained at 10-year follow-up. Conclusion: Purging behaviors may be interchangeable but the use of multiple purging methods is associated with greater severity over time. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006; 39:648–654
Modelling the mechanical behavior of cellular materials

Abstract Materials with a cellular structure are widespread; they include natural materials such as wood and cork as well as man-made honeycombs and foams. Their cellular structure gives rise to unique properties which can be exploited in engineering design. The selection of a specific honeycomb or foam for a particular engineering application is guided by models which describe their mechanical behavior in terms of the cell geometry and the mechanisms of deformation and failure. In this review, models for the mechanical behavior of cellular materials are first described and then used to select the optimum foam for two engineering applications, the design of packaging and of light-weight structural sandwich panels.
COMPENSATORY NEURAL ACTIVITY DISTINGUISHES DIFFERENT PATTERNS OF NORMAL COGNITIVE AGING

Most cognitive neuroscientific research exploring the nature of age-associated compensatory mechanisms has compared old adults (high vs. average performers) to young adults (not split by performance), leaving ambiguous whether findings are truly age-related or reflect differences between high and average performers throughout the life span. Here, we examined differences in neural activity (as measured by ERPs) that were generated by high vs. average performing old, middle-age, and young adults while processing novel and target events to investigate the following three questions: (1) Are differences between cognitively high and average performing subjects in the allocation of processing resources (as indexed by P3 amplitude) specific to old subjects, or found throughout the adult life span? (2) Are differences between cognitively high and average performing subjects in speed of processing (as indexed by target P3 latency) of similar magnitude throughout the adult life span? (3) Where along the information processing stream does the compensatory neural activity attributed to cognitively high performing old subjects begin to take place? Our results suggest that high performing old adults successfully manage the task by a compensatory neural mechanism associated with the modulation of controlled processing and the allocation of more resources, whereas high performing younger subjects execute the task more efficiently with fewer resources. Differences between cognitively high and average performers in processing speed increase with age. Middle-age seems to be a critical stage in which substantial differences in neural activity between high and average performers emerge. These findings provide strong evidence for different patterns of age-related changes in the processing of salient environmental stimuli, with cognitive status serving as a key mediating variable.
Neuroanatomy of the penile portion of the human dorsal nerve of the penis.

Objective To determine the distribution of the dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP), the principal somatosensory nerve innervating the phallus, along the penile shaft and within the glans penis. Materials and methods The DNP was dissected in human autopsy specimens, using low magnification, following the course of the nerve from the symphysis pubis into the glans penis. Results The shaft and glans were innervated by separate populations of axons. The lateral and ventral portions of the penile shaft were innervated by branches arcading from the dorsal midline radiating toward the ventral surface. These branches were very variable and some were seen to penetrate the corpus spongiosum. The axons innervating the glans were constant in a dorsal, midline location along most of the penile shaft, and once within the glans, there was abundant branching. Undulations in the nerves were noted along the penile shaft. Conclusions The lateral arcading branches of the DNP provide a sensory pathway on the ventral and lateral penile shaft, and the termination of the fibres at the corpus spongiosum is consistent with pudendal innervation of the penile urethra. The distinct pattern of innervation of the glans emphasizes the role of the glans as a sensory structure. These findings may aid in planning penile surgical procedures.
Theoretical study of the influence of the halide ligands on the metalmetal quadruple bond in the M2X4(PH3)4 (M = Mo, W; X = Br, Cl, I) series of complexes

Abstract The relationship between the metalmetal bond length and the nature of the halide ligands in complexes of the type M 2 X 4 (PH 3 ) 4 (M = Mo, W; X = Br, Cl, I) is investigated using the Fenske—Hall semi-empirical molecular orbital method. The relative positions of the molecular orbitals follow the pattern predicted by electronic spectral data, with the 1 (delta → delta * ), HOMO—LUMO transition and the higher-energy LMCT transition both red-shifting as the halide ligand charges from chlorine to bromine to iodine. This pattern is present for both the molybdenum and the tungsten complexes. Although halide ligand contributions to the metalmetal valence molecular orbitals are significant and are a strong function of ligand identity, this does not seem to influence the metalmetal bond length. This would suggest that changes in the bond order brought about by changes in the identity of the halide ligands are not large enough to cause a significant variation in the metalmetal bond length.
Sexuality, Masculinity, and Infertility in Egypt: Potent Troubles in Marital and Medical Encounters

Africa is a continent with high rates of infertility, including a so-called infertility belt around its center (Ericksen and Brunette 1996; Larsen 1994). Although much of this infertility has been attributed to infectious scarring of female reproductive tracts (World Health Organization 1987), “male factors” remain an under-appreciated but a significant cause of infertility in Africa and elsewhere (Irvine 1998), contributing to more than half of all cases of infertility globally. Among the male factors leading to infertility is sexual dysfunction, including problems of impotence, ejaculation, and intromission (vaginal penetration), whereby sperm are unable to enter the female reproductive tract. Indeed, problems of sexual potency and male infertility are conventionally conflated in the popular discourses of many societies, as both are associated with losses of “virility” and “manhood” (Webb and Daniluk 1999).
Algebraic Signal Processing Theory: An Overview

We give an overview of the algebraic signal processing theory, a recently proposed generalization of linear signal processing (SP). Algebraic SP (ASP) is built axiomatically on top of the concept of a signal model, which is a triple (A, M, Phi), where A is a chosen algebra of filters, M an associated A-module of signals, and Phi generalizes the idea of a z-transform. ASP encompasses standard time SP (continuous and discrete, infinite and finite duration), but goes beyond it, for example, by defining meaningful notions of space SP in one and higher dimensions, separable and non-separable. ASP identifies many known transforms as Fourier transforms for a suitably chosen signal model and provides the means to derive and explain existing and novel transform algorithms. As one example, the discrete cosine transform is in ASP the Fourier transform for the finite space model and possesses general radix Cooley-Tukey type algorithms derived by the theory
Tumor-associated B7-H1 promotes T-cell apoptosis: a potential mechanism of immune evasion

B7-H1, a recently described member of the B7 family of costimulatory molecules, is thought to be involved in the regulation of cellular and humoral immune responses through the PD-1 receptor on activated T and B cells. We report here that, except for cells of the macrophage lineage, normal human tissues do not express B7-H1. In contrast, B7-H1 is abundant in human carcinomas of lung, ovary and colon and in melanomas. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma upregulates B7-H1 on the surface of tumor cell lines. Cancer cell-associated B7-H1 increases apoptosis of antigen-specific human T-cell clones in vitro, and the apoptotic effect of B7-H1 is mediated largely by one or more receptors other than PD-1. In addition, expression of B7-H1 on mouse P815 tumor increases apoptosis of activated tumor-reactive T cells and promotes the growth of highly immunogenic B7-1(+) tumors in vivo. These findings have implications for the design of T cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
New techniques for electropolishing Nb, Ta, Zr, and Ti for transmission electron microscopy

This work describes new electrolytes for Nb and Ta based on solutions of ammonium fluoride (NH/sub 4/F) in methanol and electrolytes for Zr and Ti consisting of concentrated solutions of magnesium perchlorate (Mg(ClO/sub 4/)/sub 2/) in methanol. 10 refs.
An Internally Heated Shape Memory Polymer Dry Adhesive

A conductive epoxy-based shape memory polymer (SMP) is demonstrated using carbon black (CB) as a dopant for the purpose of creating an SMP dry adhesive system which can internally generate the heat required for activation. The electrical and mechanical properties of the CB/SMP blends for varying dopant concentrations are characterized. A composite adhesive is created to minimize surface contact resistance to conductive tape acting as electrodes, while maintaining bulk resistivity required for heat generation due to current flow. The final adhesive can function on flat or curved surfaces. As a demonstration, a 25 mm wide by 45 mm long dry adhesive strip is shown to heat evenly from an applied voltage, and can easily hold a mass in excess of 6 kg when bonded to a spherical concave glass surface using light pressure at 75 °C.
Some suggested additions to the semantic cognition model

Rogers & McClelland (R&M) present a powerful account of semantic (conceptual) learning. Their model admirably handles many characteristics of early concept formation, but it also needs to address attentional biases, and distinguish direct input from error-driven learning, and fast versus slow learning. Not distinguishing implicit and explicit knowledge means that the authors also cannot explain why some coherently varying information becomes accessible and other information does not.
Mothering, Work, and Gender in Urban Asante Ideology and Practice

Conventional Asante gender roles in Ghana emphasize biological motherhood for women, but Asante assume mothers' loyalties and schedule conflicts will interfere with equally female gendered expectations within marriage, not with fulltime paid work. Asante express their maternal devotion most by working tirelessly to meet their children's financial needs, not by staying home with them. In this paper I analyze urban Asante ideals and practices about gender and parenting, drawing on life histories and fieldwork with Kumasi traders since 1978. Market trading is ideal "nursing-mother work" because it generates the steady income needed to raise children successfully to adulthood, not because it is compatible with childcare. Marriage depends directly on women's intimate domestic work, creating structural tension with motherhood. Concepts about motherly fathers, manly women, and fools of both genders show how the distribution of income and capital defines gender and kin role performance. Asante have accommodated historical changes in gender expectations about work, parenthood, and marriage within their general positive emphasis on negotiability and renegotiability of relationship content. [gender, work, Asante, traders, parenting]
The Simple Analytics of Sudden Stops

Currency crises in emerging and developing countries have often been characterized by “sudden stops” of capital flows. A variety of mechanisms have been adduced to explain the emergence of this phenomenon. This paper integrates these mechanisms into a simple and transparent analytical model in which currency mismatches, large current account deficits, and large stocks of short-term debt interact with low reserve stocks to generate dual equilibria. In this context, the “panic” equilibrium is characterized by a currency crisis, a sudden stop, and an output collapse. The potential for various policies to avoid this outcome is explored, as are the implications of the analysis for reserve accumulation.
Resources for Gay and Bisexual Students in a Catholic College

This article demonstrates how Catholic teachings on homosexuality are moderated by the Benedictine values of respect and hospitality at St. John's University. The author details efforts to incorporate gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) topics in the curriculum and support for GLBT students in residential life and student development. The author includes resources available at other Catholic and secular colleges available to GLBT students. Comments by gay students offer their perspective on their treatment by the college administration and their peers. The author offers recommendations to increase support for and retention of GLBT students, faculty, and staff.
A di-arginine ER retention signal regulates trafficking of HCN1 channels from the early secretory pathway to the plasma membrane

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 1 (HCN1) channels carry Ih, which contributes to neuronal excitability and signal transmission in the nervous system. Controlling the trafficking of HCN1 is an important aspect of its regulation, yet the details of this process are poorly understood. Here, we investigated how the C-terminus of HCN1 regulates trafficking by testing for its ability to redirect the localization of a non-targeted reporter in transgenic Xenopus laevis photoreceptors. We found that HCN1 contains an ER localization signal and through a series of deletion constructs, identified the responsible di-arginine ER retention signal. This signal is located in the intrinsically disordered region of the C-terminus of HCN1. To test the function of the ER retention signal in intact channels, we expressed wild type and mutant HCN1 in HEK293 cells and found this signal negatively regulates surface expression of HCN1. In summary, we report a new mode of regulating HCN1 trafficking: through the use of a di-arginine ER retention signal that monitors processing of the channel in the early secretory pathway.
Resistance to diuretics: emphasis on a pharmacological perspective.

Resistance to diuretics occurs frequently in clinical settings. Most attention to this phenomenon has been directed toward the pathophysiology of the disease state, with little focus on the pharmacology of the diuretics themselves. This review summarises the pathogenesis and emphasises the pharmacological determinants of response to diuretics, including absorption, delivery to the kidney, and response to amounts of diuretic reaching the site of action. In normal subjects, overall response to organic acid diuretics such as frusemide (furosemide) is determined by the total amount of drug delivered into the urine (reflecting amounts of drug reaching the intraluminal site of action), the time course of delivery, and the relationship between amounts of drug reaching the urine and response (the dynamics of response). The conditions of azotaemia, inhibition of synthesis of prostaglandins, and the oedematous disorders of congestive heart failure, cirrhotic liver disease and nephrotic syndrome are examined in the above context. In azotaemic subjects, delivery of organic acid diuretics to their intraluminal site of action is inhibited by accumulated endogenous organic acids which compete for transport into the nephron at the organic acid secretory site of the proximal tubule. Whether the dynamics of response are changed has not been investigated. During inhibition of synthesis of prostaglandins, and in the oedematous disorders, there appear to be no changes in handling of frusemide; i.e. bioavailability, total drug delivered into the urine and the time course of delivery are comparable with that in normal subjects unless concomitant renal dysfunction exists. Resistance in these conditions is therefore due to a change in the dynamics of response.
Eigenproblems from finite element analysis of fluid-structure interactions

We present two methods for calculating resonant frequencies and mode shapes for fluid-structure vibration problems. We model the fluid-structure interaction problem using the ?-U-P0 finite element technique. This eigenproblem is more complicated than for ordinary structural analyses, as the formulation produces a quadratic eigenproblem (similar to those for gyroscopic systems). We derive properties for this quadratic eigenproblem from an equivalent linear problem. From these properties we develop eigenvalue solution techniques based on the determinant search and subspace iteration procedures.
Screening, prevention, counseling, and treatment for the complications of type II diabetes mellitus: Putting evidence into practice

Purpose To summarize current knowledge of interventions that should improve the care of patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Interventions lie within the realms of prevention, screening, and treatment, all of which are focused on office practice.
Inflammation Triggers Emergency Granulopoiesis through a Density-Dependent Feedback Mechanism

Normally, neutrophil pools are maintained by homeostatic mechanisms that require the transcription factor C/EBPα. Inflammation, however, induces neutrophilia through a distinct pathway of “emergency” granulopoiesis that is dependent on C/EBPβ. Here, we show in mice that alum triggers emergency granulopoiesis through the IL-1RI-dependent induction of G-CSF. G-CSF/G-CSF-R neutralization impairs proliferative responses of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) to alum, but also abrogates the acute mobilization of BM neutrophils, raising the possibility that HSPC responses to inflammation are an indirect result of the exhaustion of BM neutrophil stores. The induction of neutropenia, via depletion with Gr-1 mAb or myeloid-specific ablation of Mcl-1, elicits G-CSF via an IL-1RI-independent pathway, stimulating granulopoietic responses indistinguishable from those induced by adjuvant. Notably, C/EBPβ, thought to be necessary for enhanced generative capacity of BM, is dispensable for increased proliferation of HSPC to alum or neutropenia, but plays a role in terminal neutrophil differentiation during granulopoietic recovery. We conclude that alum elicits a transient increase in G-CSF production via IL-1RI for the mobilization of BM neutrophils, but density-dependent feedback sustains G-CSF for accelerated granulopoiesis.
Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Fluorine-Containing D3 Dopamine Receptor Ligands

A series of fluorine-containing N-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine and N-(2-fluoroethoxy)piperazine analogues were synthesized, and their affinities for human dopamine D(2), D(3), and D(4) receptors were determined. Radioligand binding studies identified five compounds, 18a, 20a, 20c, 20e, and 21e, which bind with high affinity at D(3) (K(i) = 0.17-5 nM) and moderate to high selectivity for D(3) vs D(2) receptors (ranging from ∼25- to 163-fold). These compounds were also evaluated for intrinsic activity at D(2) and D(3) receptors using a forskolin-dependent adenylyl cyclase assay. This panel of compounds exhibits varying receptor subtype binding selectivity and intrinsic activity at D(2) vs D(3) receptors. These compounds may be useful for behavioral pharmacology studies on the role of D(2)-like dopamine receptors in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. Furthermore, compound 20e, which has the highest binding affinity and selectivity for the D(3) receptor (K(i) = 0.17 nM for D(3), 163-fold selectivity for D(3) vs D(2) receptors), represents a candidate fluorine-18 radiotracer for in vivo PET imaging studies on the regulation of D(3) receptor expression.
Crystal structure of Ni3TeO6

Abstract Trinickel tellurate crystallizes in polar space group R3 with a trimolecular hexagonal unit cell, a = 5.10, c = 13.76 A . The crystal structure is closely related to corundum with octahedrally coordinated Ni and Te substituting for Al in a new ordering arrangement.
Feasibility of bit patterned media for HAMR at 5 Tb/in2

We have investigated the feasibility of BPM for HAMR via Finite Difference Time Domain and atomistic simulation and we have substantiated the feasibility of 5 Tb/in2 with two filling factors 25% and 56% even when the maximum on-track bit temperature is below the Curie temperature. The success of this underheated switching is attributed to sufficiently low anisotropy instead of reduction of Curie temperature. The temperature gradient in the cross-track direction is almost doubled if the optical head width is reduced by half, indicating the possibility of higher areal densities. Moreover, contrary to continuous media, we also found that the power absorption peaks at the bottom of the bit patterned FePt when the media is illuminated from above, which is probably due to stronger coupling there between FePt and the surrounding materials.
Ultrastructure studies of the extracellular filaments in the ventral nerve of Panulirus argus.

Abstract The ventral nerve cord of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus was examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Tannic acid mordant stain was used to enhance extracellular filaments. The ventral nerve cord is surrounded by an unusual perineurial sheath composed primarily of interwoven extracellular filaments. Gap junctions were found associated with the glial cells making up the perineurium. The axo-glial wrappings also contained extracellular filaments associated in bundles rather than uniformly around the axons. The extracellular filaments of the perineurium and axo-glial wrappings appeared to be morphologically identical with diameters ranging from 10–15 nm.
Estimation of Plasma Insulin Using Nonlinear Filtering

The glucose-insulin dynamics as captured by the standard (Bergman) model are both nonlinear and time-varying. To develop an insulin estimator (or filter), the authors use an aggregate model expansion of the nonlinear dynamics while treating the time-varying component of the model as an exogenous input. The aggregate model allows for the design of a particular nonlinear filter (or observer) that uses a weighted summation of constant feedback gains and admits a straightforward implementation. Furthermore, the aggregate modeling approach enables the stability analysis of the estimation error equation through linear matrix inequalities. The aggregate model insulin filter is compared with an existing insulin filter through numerical simulation.
Follicle regulatory protein noncompetitively inhibits microsomal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity

A heat- and trypsin-labile follicular fluid protein (FRP) extracted from both human and porcine follicular fluid has been shown to modulate ovarian steroidogenesis. To further investigate the effects of FRP, its effect on the kinetics of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (3 beta-HSD) was evaluated in cell-free microsomal preparations from human placenta. Test fractions of follicular fluid protein were preincubated with placental microsomes followed by the addition of various substrate concentrations (pregnenolone + NAD). Subsequent progesterone formation was interpreted as the velocity of the reaction. The 50% inhibitory dose (ID50) of FRP for 3 beta-HSD for the three substrate concentrations was 300 micrograms/ml. Although a clear decrease in 3 beta-HSD activity typically occurred after pre-incubation with 730 micrograms/ml of FRP, a paradoxical augmentation in 3 beta-HSD activity was present with the lower concentrations of FRP (10-30 micrograms/ml) and the more concentrated microsomal preparations. Double reciprocal plots of these reactions demonstrated a Km for 3 beta-HSD of 1.8-2.1 X 10(-6) M. Analysis of all reactions was found to be consistent with a noncompetitive mode of enzyme inhibition with an apparent Ki of 120 ng/ml or approximately 10(-8) M assuming a mol. wt of 16,000 Daltons for FRP. This derived Ki for FRP is within the biological concentration of FRP in follicular fluid.
Estimation of heat conduction losses in laser cutting

Numerical models of laser cutting are essential for an improved understanding of the process. In order for the models to closely represent real physics the heat lost by conduction during cutting has to be incorporated into them. This paper outlines the details of a mathematical model that is used to estimate heat conduction losses in laser cutting by employing integral methods to solve the three-dimensional, heat-conduction equation. Simple, yet accurate, correlations are presented for the conduction heat loss rate, as well as for characteristic thicknesses of the heat affected zone (HAZ). These variables are functions only of Peclet number (Pe), which may be thought of as a dimensionless cutting speed. The correlations are then used to predict (i) the cutting speed in laser cutting, and (ii) the temperature field in the HAZ. The predictions show an excellent match with experimental results. Cutting speed is predicted using an energy balance at the cutting front. An implicit, nonlinear equation for Pe as a function of Stefan number (Ste) and dimensionless heat of combustion results. Ste gives the ratio of sensible heat to latent heat in the workpiece. Detailed analysis of beam absorptivity, coupled with the dimensionless cutting speed result suggests that the dimensional cutting speed, uo, may be correlated as a unique function of the ratio of incoming laser power to workpiece thickness, Qlas/d. This is corroborated by measured cutting rates over a wide range of sample thicknesses and two beam power settings.
Durability of Pavement Concretes Made with Recycled Concrete Aggregates

There is a growing trend to replace the traditional ingredients of concrete pavement mixtures with more sustainable materials from a perspective of both the cost of raw materials and the carbon dioxide footprint. The availability of quality natural aggregates, which make up about 70% to 80% of concrete (by volume), is becoming more limited because of environmental restrictions on quarrying operations and longer hauling distances. The other major concern is disposal of old concrete pavements, which unless used as fill or base material for construction of new roadways, will have to be placed in the landfills. In this study, recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) obtained from crushing old concrete pavement were used as coarse aggregates at 0%, 30%, 50%, and 100% replacement levels (by mass) for natural virgin aggregates (NVA). Concrete mixtures were designed and produced to meet the concrete pavement requirements for air content, slump, and flexural strength stipulated by the Indiana Department of Transportatio...
Mechanistic analysis of microfiltration membrane fouling by buckminsterfullerene (C60) nanoparticles

Manufactured nanoparticles, like buckminsterfullerene (C60), are characterized by unique surface chemistries and physical properties. As such they are expected to interact with, and subsequently foul, membrane surfaces in unconventional manners. C60 nanoparticles were found to result in severe and rapid flux decline for a representative microfiltration (MF) membrane. The magnitude of flux loss that was observed was a function of the feed solution chemistry (pH, ionic strength) and generally followed expectations based on charge, van der Waals, and acid-base interactions. Permeate flux loss was determined to be a function of inter-particle interactions (aggregation state, cake packing density) and less a function of membrane-particle interactions in agreement with earlier studies. Cake filtration was found to best describe the flux loss resulting from C60 nanoparticle fouling of the MF membrane; however, under unfavorable deposition conditions the nanoparticles, C60 and a fluorescent nanospheres, were capable of passing through and depositing within the MF membrane structure. Therefore, standard pore blocking was also occurring at least during the initial stages of membrane fouling.