cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Presenilin 1 Negatively Regulates β-Catenin/T Cell Factor/Lymphoid Enhancer Factor-1 Signaling Independently of β-Amyloid Precursor Protein and Notch Processing

In addition to its documented role in the proteolytic processing of Notch-1 and the β-amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1 (PS1) associates with β-catenin. In this study, we show that this interaction plays a critical role in regulating β-catenin/T Cell Factor/Lymphoid Enhancer Factor-1 (LEF) signaling. PS1 deficiency results in accumulation of cytosolic β-catenin, leading to a β-catenin/LEF-dependent increase in cyclin D1 transcription and accelerated entry into the S phase of the cell cycle. Conversely, PS1 specifically represses LEF-dependent transcription in a dose-dependent manner. The hyperproliferative response can be reversed by reintroducing PS1 expression or overexpressing axin, but not a PS1 mutant that does not bind β-catenin (PS1Δcat) or by two different familial Alzheimer's disease mutants. In contrast, PS1Δcat restores Notch-1 proteolytic cleavage and Aβ generation in PS1-deficient cells, indicating that PS1 function in modulating β-catenin levels can be separated from its roles in facilitating γ-secretase cleavage of β-amyloid precursor protein and in Notch-1 signaling. Finally, we show an altered response to Wnt signaling and impaired ubiquitination of β-catenin in the absence of PS1, a phenotype that may account for the increased stability in PS1-deficient cells. Thus, PS1 adds to the molecules that are known to regulate the rapid turnover of β-catenin.
Global estimates of water‐vapor‐weighted mean temperature of the atmosphere for GPS applications

[1] Water-vapor-weighted atmospheric mean temperature, Tm, is a key parameter in the retrieval of atmospheric precipitable water (PW) from ground-based Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements of zenith path delay (ZPD), as the accuracy of the GPS-derived PW is proportional to the accuracy of Tm. We compare and analyze global estimates of Tm from three different data sets from 1997 to 2002: the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) 40-year reanalysis (ERA-40), the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis, and the newly released Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA) data set. Temperature and humidity profiles from both the ERA-40 and NCEP/NCAR reanalyses produce reasonable Tm estimates compared with those from the IGRA soundings. The ERA-40, however, is a better option for global Tm estimation because of its better performance and its higher spatial resolution. Tm is found to increase from below 255 K in polar regions to 295–300 K in the tropics, with small longitudinal variations. Tm has an annual range of ∼2–4 K in the tropics and 20–35 K over much of Eurasia and northern North America. The day-to-day Tm variations are 1–3 K over most low latitudes and 4–7 K (2–4 K) in winter (summer) Northern Hemispheric land areas. Diurnal variations of Tm are generally small, with mean-to-peak amplitudes less than 0.5 K over most oceans and 0.5–1.5 K over most land areas and a local time of maximum around 16–20 LST. The commonly used Tm-Ts relationship from Bevis et al. (1992) is evaluated using the ERA-40 data. Tm derived from this relationship (referred to as Tmb) has a cold bias in the tropics and subtropics (−1 ∼ −6 K, largest in marine stratiform cloud regions) and a warm bias in the middle and high latitudes (2–5 K, largest over mountain regions). The random error in Tmb is much smaller than the bias. A serious problem in Tmb is its erroneous large diurnal cycle owing to diurnally invariant Tm-Ts relationship and large Ts diurnal variations, which could result in a spurious diurnal cycle in GPS-derived PW and cause 1–2% day-night biases in GPS-based PW.
Environmental, Economic and Social Aspects of Sustainable Agriculture in American Land Grant Universities

ABSTRACT Agricultural sustainability is challenging ‘conventional’ or ‘mainstream’ agriculture as the dominant organizing paradigm for teaching research, and outreach in American land grant universities. However, not all faculty members subscribe to the tenets of sustainable agriculture. This paper examines how a sample of faculty members from all land grant universities in the U.S. view sustainable agriculture. Results show that, in the minds of agricultural academics, agricultural sustainability is closely aligned with enhancing environmental quality. It is less closely tied, for them, to increasing profitability for farmers or with improving the quality of life in rural areas. Results vary by academic discipline and by personal background characteristics.
Portents and Prospects: Graduate Study and the Profession

1Note: There is nothing new in this statement. The data, except for one item from the Chronicle of Higher Education, are from various issues of PS, especially Thomas Mann's periodic reports on features of the profession, and from Mann's most recent APSA report on placement. The ratio of entrants to completers of political science Ph.D. programs is from a report by Peter Sackman in the Winter, 1973 PS. William J. Siffin Indiana University
The sexual interaction of women with secondary orgasmic dysfunction and their partners.

This paper reports the sexual interaction of 48 couples in which the women had secondary orgasmic dysfunction and the men reported no difficulties in sexual functioning. The results were contrasted with a sample of 63 “sexually satisfied” couples. On the Sexual Interaction Inventory, male and female members of the dysfunctional couples reported greater dissatisfaction with the frequency and range of specific sexual activities engaged in than their counterparts in the normative sample. Males in the dysfunctional group rated their sexual pleasure slightly higher than the norm, whereas the dysfunctional females' ratings were below average on this dimension. Within the dysfunctional group, males reported low self-acceptance and mate acceptance, while the females were less accepting of themselves but more accepting of their mates' responsivity. The female members of the dysfunctional couples had an average knowledge of their partners' sexual preferences, whereas the males were less accurate than the normative group in their perceptions of their partners' sexual preferences. As expected, the dysfunctional group reported greater overall disharmony and dissatisfaction in their sexual interaction. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.
The Mystery of Diabetes and Atherosclerosis: Time for a New Plot

Most patients with diabetes die from macrovascular complications. Little is known about the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease, but recent advances in molecular genetics and oxidation chemistry provide clues to the mystery of diabetes and atherosclerosis. Genetic variants of well-known proteins such as lipoprotein lipase and apolipoprotein E are common. These proteins are suitable candidates for mediating diabetic vascular risk because their variants can produce hypertriglyceridemia, a risk factor for atherosclerosis in diabetes. However, mutations could have different effects on lipoprotein flux across arteries depending on whether expression is dominant in the vascular space or the vascular wall. Lipoproteins retained in the arterial wall are subject to oxidative modification, which could be dependent on glycoxidation, the enzyme myeloperoxidase, or reactive nitrogen species derived from nitric oxide. Accelerated vascular disease in diabetes is likely the result of complex interactions between metabolic derangements such as hyperglycemia, mutations in genes controlling lipid metabolism, and antioxidant defense mechanisms.
Changing The Hearts and Minds of Policy Makers: An Exploratory Study Associated With The West Virginia Walks Campaign

Abstract Purpose To pilot test whether West Virginia Walks changed local policy makers' awareness of walking-related issues. Design A quasi-experimental design with preintervention and postintervention mail surveys. Setting Morgantown, WV (intervention community), and Huntington, WV (comparison community). Subjects One hundred thirty-three and 134 public officials in Morgantown and 120 and 116 public officials in Huntington at baseline and at follow-up, respectively. Intervention An 8-week mass media social ecological campaign designed to encourage moderate-intensity walking among insufficiently active persons aged 40 to 65 years. Measures Policy makers listed three problems they believed needed to be addressed in their community. They then rated the severity of several problems that many communities face using a Likert scale, with 1 representing “not a problem” and 5 representing “an extremely important problem.” Analysis Independent sample t-tests were used to examine differences in mean responses at ba...
Effect of CI-930 [3-(2H)-pyridazinone-4,5-dihydro-6-[4-(1H-imidazolyl) phenyl]-5-methyl-monohydrochloride] and rolipram on human coronary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine how selective inhibitors of certain cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) families, namely CI-930 (PDE3 inhibitor; 3-(2H)-pyridazinone-4,5-dihydro-6-[4-(1H-imidazolyl) phenyl]-5-methyl monohydro chloride) and rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor), may affect human coronary artery smooth muscle cell (HCASMC) proliferation. CI-930- and rolipram-inhibitable PDEs accounted for most of the cyclic AMP hydrolyzing activity in HCASMC. Twenty micromolar CI-930 and 20 μM rolipram used individually attenuated proliferation of HCASMC from some, but not all donors, as measured by flow cytometry. The simultaneous addition of 10 μM CI-930 plus 10 μM rolipram caused greater attenuation. This attenuation represented a reduction of the number of cells entering the S phase of the cell cycle and not merely a delay in cell cycle traverse. No statistically significant elevation of cyclic AMP was detected following the addition of either PDE inhibitor individually, but the combination produced significant elevations. It is concluded that CI-930- and rolipram-inhibitable PDE isozymes are expressed in HCASMC and that selective inhibitors of these isozymes can attenuate HCASMC proliferation. The data suggest that selective PDE inhibitors may prevent restenosis in patients following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty because of their effect on HCASMC proliferation, and they may also be useful in retarding the progression of atherosclerosis in individuals at risk. PDE3 and PDE4 inhibitors in combination are more effective than the inhibitors used individually.
Sympathetic vasomotor tone is associated with depressive symptoms in young females: a potential link between depression and cardiovascular disease.

background Although increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity is commonly associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), a biomarker linking these two entities remains elusive. We therefore evaluated the relationship between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular modulation by heart rate variability (HRV), brachial blood pressure (BP), ambulatory BP (ABP), and low frequency component of systolic BP variability (LFSBP), a surrogate of sympathetic vasomotor tone. We hypothesized that LFSBP would be the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms compared with HRV and BP measurements. methods Eighty young healthy female subjects (20.51 ± 2.82 y ears) were evaluated for depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Data collection was conducted after a 10-minute resting period. Beat-to-beat BPs were recorded for 5-minute at baseline (BASE) followed by a 3-minute cold pressor test (CPT). ABP was obtained for 24 hours. results Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that LFSBP at BASE was a stronger predictor of CES-D variance than BP and HRV indices, with LFSBP uniquely accounting for 8.1% of variance in CES-D scores during laboratory beat-by-beat BP assessments and 44.7% in ABP assessments. Individuals with acute depression scores (n = 12; CES-D ≥ 16) had significantly higher (P < 0.001) mean LFSBP values (6.66 ± 2.54 mm Hg 2 ) than the remaining sample (3.32 ± 2.2 mm Hg 2 ), whereas no other significant differences were detected in any of the other cardiovascular variables. Cardiovascular responses to CPT did not predict CES-D scores. conclusions These findings suggest that LFSBP could be a biomarker of neurovascular functioning with potential clinical implications for understanding the interaction between MDD and CVD.
The Future of Fungal Serology

The incidence of invasive fungal infections continues to grow. Early and rapid diagnosis is essential to prevent morbidity and mortality. The number of assays available for the detection of fungal antigens in human body fluids are increasing in number and becoming part of the basic diagnostic workup for many fungal infections. Detection of specific antibody has been an important component in the diagnosis of fungal infections. Complement fixation and immunodiffusion continue to be the gold standard for antibody detection but are complex to perform, require extensive expertise, and are mostly performed in reference labs. Newer assays are being developed to reduce turn-around time, but have not been fully evaluated. A challenge for improving serologic assays is to move from crude antigens and polyclonal antibodies to purified and/or recombinant antigens and monoclonal antibodies, while retaining good sensitivity and specificity. Recent developments using lateral flow methodology have provided novel point-of-care antigen assays requiring little technical expertise. Such innovative techniques will help to keep the future of fungal serology bright.
Implementation of an aortic screening program in clinical practice: Implications for the Screen for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently (SAAAVE) Act

Objective Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) significantly reduces aneurysm-related death. In January 2007, the Federal government enacted Medicare coverage guideline to screen persons at risk for the presence of an AAA, the Screen for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently (SAAAVE) Act. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and costs of a large scale screening effort for identifying AAAs in patients in clinical practice. Methods A regional veterans affairs mandate for screening for AAA was implemented in February 2007. Data were extracted through the Northern California Veterans Affairs (VA) Service Network to identify veteran males 65-75 years of age who ever smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetime. An AAA was defined as an aortic diameter 3.0 cm or greater. A Decision Support Systems software (LumiData, Minneapolis, Minn) package tracked true costs of conducting a large AAA screening protocol in the Northern California VA Health Care System. Results A total of 2918 patients (average age, 71 ± 6 years) were screened for AAA over a 1-year period from February 2007 to February 2008. An AAA was diagnosed in 5.1% (148/2918) of patients. Two hundred ninety patients out of the 2918 (9.9%) were inappropriately screened. The aneurysm distribution was as follows: 83% (123/148) of the aneurysms were 3.0-4.4 cm, 13% (19/148) were 4.5-5.5 cm, and 4.1% (6/148) were greater than 5.5 cm. Incidental findings of isolated iliac artery aneurysms were found in 0.1% (3/2918) of patients. The cost of AAA screening per patient is $53. Conclusion The results of a large AAA screening effort in clinical practice reflect the results reported in the major clinical trials at a reasonable cost. The identification of large iliac artery aneurysms in the screening has not been previously reported.
Benzene and ethylene chemisorbed on transition metals; The measurement of energy level shifts which accompany chemisorption

Abstract Ultraviolet photoemission spectra for ethylene chemisorbed on Ag(110) and benzene on Ag(110) and Ru(001) indicate adsorption with minimal molecular distortions. A survey of the photoemission data for ethylene and benzene similarly adsorbed on transition metals indicate that the relaxation shift in the binding energy of molecular Orbitals not contributing to the chemisorption bond is essentially independent of the metal when obtained using the value of the work function when the surface is saturated with adsorbate. This observation is in agreement with a theoretical analysis where final state image charge screening is the dominant relaxation mechanism. These observations support the choice of the work function of the surface saturated with adsorbate as the approximation of the adsorption site potential.
Kant, Individual Responsibility, and Climate Change

In ‘Climate Change and Individual Duties’, Christian Baatz draws on two important features of Kant's moral philosophy: his principle that ‘ought implies can’, and his distinction between perfect an...
Geometric differences allow differential enzymatic inactivation of PCR product and genomic targets

The value of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is markedly limited by the ease of carry-over contamination. We predicted that the location of the target sequence which spans the linear center of the molecule in PCR products, but not in genomic molecules, would allow digestion by certain exonucleases (Exo). This would eliminate amplifiable targets specifically from PCR products and do so without the need to control either the size of the genomic molecules or the extent of the digestion reaction. Testing with T7 Exo and model targets in phage lambda DNA yielded results consistent with those predicted. By heat inactivating the Exo, complete reaction mixtures could be decontaminated and then amplified in an automatic thermal cycler without reopening the reaction tubes and risking recontamination.
Formation of a Liquid-Crystalline Interpenetrating Poly(ionic liquid) Network Hydrogel

Preparation of a liquid-crystalline ionic-liquid (IL)-based interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) is described. The IPN is prepared sequentially by first photopolymerizing a self-assembled aqueous mixture of an IL monomer (1-(10-(acryloyloxy)decyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride) that possesses an acryloyl moiety at the terminus of a C10 alkyl chain of the IL cation. In the second step, an acrylate counteranion is introduced and then photopolymerized to yield a durable self-supporting network polymer. Thermal analysis indicates the formation of a homogeneous (well-blended constituent polymers) IPN. The IPN adopts a lamellar structure possessing some residual in-plane tetragonal perforations, as evidenced by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The IPN can absorb large quantities of water, swelling to nearly 60 times its original volume, but retains mechanical integrity making it a durable hydrogel.
Mammalian Recombinant Coagulation Proteins: Structure and Function

Abstract Recombinant DNA technology has permitted the production of synthetic proteins which are potentially free of human infectious agents. Despite production in foreign cells, these proteins are structurally and functionally comparable to the native proteins. Recombinant clotting factors VIII, IX, VIIa, and von Willebrand factor have the same primary sequence as their plasma counterparts. The secondary and tertiary structures are similar, Post-translational modifications, including proteolytic processing, disulfide bonding, addition and processing of N- and O-linked glycans, γ-carboxylation of glutamic acid residues, β-hydroxylation of aspartic acid residues, sulfation of tyrosine residues, and phosphorylation of serine residues, are similar but not always identical, In some instances. these differences may cause significant functional differences. For example, reduced tyrosine sulfation and serine phosphorylation of recombinant factor IX have been correlated with reduced recovery following intravenous infusion. The specific clotting activity of the recombinant factors, an indication of their coagulant function, is equivalent to that of the plasma factors. Finally, these proteins have been used clinically and shown to correct clinical deficiencies of these proteins in a manner that is similar to replacement with plasma factors. All in all, the promise of recombinant DNA technology for coagulation and other disorders remains bright.
Rhodopsin Recognition by Mutant Gsα Containing C-terminal Residues of Transducin

The C-terminal regions of the heterotrimeric G protein alpha-subunits play key roles in selective activation of G proteins by their cognate receptors. In this study, mutant G(s)alpha proteins with substitutions by C-terminal residues of transducin (G(t)alpha) were analyzed for their interaction with light-activated rhodopsin (R*) to delineate the critical determinants of the G(t)alpha/R* coupling. In contrast to G(s)alpha, a chimeric G(s)alpha/G(t)alpha protein containing only 11 C-terminal residues from transducin was capable of binding to and being potently activated by R*. Our results suggest that Cys(347) and Gly(348) are absolutely essential, whereas Asp(346) is more modestly involved in the G(t) activation by R*. In addition, the analysis of the intrinsic nucleotide exchange in mutant G(s)alpha indicated an interaction between the C terminus and the switch II region in G(t)alpha.GDP. Mutant G(s)alpha containing the G(t)alpha C terminus and substitutions of Asn(239) and Asp(240) (switch II) by the corresponding G(t)alpha residues, Glu(212) and Gly(213), displayed significant reductions in spontaneous guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)-binding rates to the levels approaching those in G(t)alpha. Communication between the C terminus and switch II of G(t)alpha does not appear essential for the activational coupling between G(t) and R*, but may represent one of the mechanisms by which Galpha subunits control intrinsic nucleotide exchange.
Trafficking of axonal K+ channels: potential role of Hsc70.

Voltage-gated potassium ion channels in axons underlie the repolarization phase of the membrane action potential and help to set the resting potential. In addition to being present in the axolemma, they are also found in axoplasm in small vesicles, 30–50 nm in diameter, which may serve as a reserve pool of K+ channel protein (Clay and Kuzirian [2000] J Neurobiol 45:172–184). We have developed a novel technique for extracting these vesicles from axoplasm, which relies on the ability of Texas red to bind to them, thereby reducing their buoyancy so that they are amenable to pelleting by ultracentrifugation (Clay and Kuzirian [2000] J Neurobiol 45:172–184). The mechanism underlying this process may be binding of Texas red to Hsc70, which is primarily a cytosolic protein. However, a small portion of it is located on the surface of vesicles. Kinesin is also on the vesicle surface. This protein is membrane bound in our in vitro vesicle preparation when solutions that do not contain MgATP are added to extruded axoplasm. The addition of MgATP to the solution appears to release a significant amount of kinesin from the vesicles, possibly by the Hsc70-MgATP catalysis mechanism recently proposed by Tsai et al. Published 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Virtual airway simulation to improve dexterity among novices performing fibreoptic intubation

We developed a virtual reality software application (iLarynx) using built-in accelerometer properties of the iPhone(®) or iPad(®) (Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA, USA) that mimics hand movements for the performance of fibreoptic skills. Twenty novice medical students were randomly assigned to virtual airway training with the iLarynx software or no additional training. Eight out of the 10 subjects in the standard training group had at least one failed (> 120 s) attempt compared with two out of the 10 participants in the iLarynx group (p = 0.01). There were a total of 24 failed attempts in the standard training group and four in the iLarynx group (p < 0.005). Cusum analysis demonstrated continued group improvement in the iLarynx, but not in the standard training group. Virtual airway simulation using freely available software on a smartphone/tablet device improves dexterity among novices performing upper airway endoscopy.
A pyramid vector quantizer

The geometric properties of a memoryless Laplacian source are presented and used to establish a source coding theorem. Motivated by this geometric structure, a pyramid vector quantizer (PVQ) is developed for arbitrary vector dimension. The PVQ is based on the cubic lattice points that lie on the surface of an L -dimensional pyramid and has simple encoding and decoding algorithms. A product code version of the PVQ is developed and generalized to apply to a variety of sources. Analytical expressions are derived for the PVQ mean square error (mse), and simulation results are presented for PVQ encoding of several memoryless sources. For large rate and dimension, PVQ encoding of memoryless Laplacian, gamma, and Gaussian sources provides rose improvements of 5.64, 8.40 , and 2.39 dB, respectively, over the corresponding optimum scalar quantizer. Although suboptimum in a rate-distortion sense, because the PVQ can encode large-dimensional vectors, it offers significant reduction in rose distortion compared with the optimum Lloyd-Max scalar quantizer, and provides an attractive alternative to currently available vector quantizers.
Flip-flop is the rate-limiting step for transport of free fatty acids across lipid vesicle membranes.

The mechanism of transport of free fatty acids (FFA) across lipid bilayer membranes remains a subject of debate. The debate is whether the rate-limiting step for transport is flip-flop across the membrane or dissociation into the aqueous phase. Recently, a new method for assessing dissociation was described in which fluorescein phosphatidylethanolamine (FPE) introduced into the outer leaflet of lipid vesicles was used to monitor FFA dissociation. Transport of FFA into vesicles containing both FPE in the outer leaflet and pyranine trapped in the inside aqueous phase revealed identical rate constants for quenching of FPE and pyranine fluorescence. Because no difference was observed in the time for FFA binding to the outer surface and flip-flop across the bilayer, it was concluded that dissociation was slower than flip-flop. Here, we used FPE and BSA to assess dissociation of oleate from lipid vesicles. In separate pyranine- or ADIFAB-containing vesicles, we assessed flip-flop. We found that the FPE and BSA ...
Still Needed Data for Successful Deep CO2 Sequestration

Abstract Despite chemical knowledge about CO 2 that extends back centuries, some data bases are still evolving that are needed to predict even the sub-critical CO 2 behavior down the geothermal gradient's P - and T -values which will be encountered in sequestration utilizing deep mines and wells. These needed data include IR-spectral interpretations of CO 2 molecular structure as P and T change; the unraveling of the Joule Thomson coefficient (heating or cooling?) that changes algebraic polarity around 10 6 Pa; more exact equations of state (EOS) that correlate to potential CO 2 polarity changes in molecular structure; newer EOS than those that have currently been derived by templating directly measured data; and focus is needed on the EOS-derived properties, like fugacity. Also, natural analogues like (1) the carbonate stability in metamorphic silicate-carbonation facies and (2) Lake Nyos aqueous geochemistry with concern about the potential redox-equilibria-predicted presence of CO (and graphite), as well as CO 2 .
Maltreated Children's Memory: Accuracy, Suggestibility, and Psychopathology.

Memory, suggestibility, stress arousal, and trauma-related psychopathology were examined in 328 3- to 16-year-olds involved in forensic investigations of abuse and neglect. Children's memory and suggestibility were assessed for a medical examination and venipuncture. Being older and scoring higher in cognitive functioning were related to fewer inaccuracies. In addition, cortisol level and trauma symptoms in children who reported more dissociative tendencies were associated with increased memory error, whereas cortisol level and trauma symptoms were not associated with increased error for children who reported fewer dissociative tendencies. Sexual and/or physical abuse predicted greater accuracy. The study contributes important new information to scientific understanding of maltreatment, psychopathology, and eyewitness memory in children.
Some free boundary value problems in elasticity with electroelastic applications

Free boundary value problems in elasticity, applying plane linear theory to electroelasticity
Discrimination between heavy water and deionized water using gustation vs. olfaction in humans

This research was conducted to determine whether human subjects could discriminate between D2O and deionized water through tasting the stimuli and in addition to determine whether they could do so through using smell alone. In the first study, the subjects were given 20 trials, 10 trials during which the substances were tasted and an additional 10 trials during which they were smelled. On each trial, the subject was presented with three test tubes, two containing the same substance and one containing the other substance, and the subject’s task was to identify the test tube with the different substance. The results showed that the subjects could discriminate between D2O and deionized water when they tasted the substances, but when they used smell, they performed more poorly than was expected by chance. Replication of the results with the smell condition was attempted, and the subjects did not discriminate differently from that expected by chance. The results of the two studies were interpreted as showing that humans can discriminate between D2O and deionized water and that the receptor used for the discrimination was gustatory rather than olfactory.
Comparison of whole-genome amplifications for microsatellite genotyping of Rotylenchulus reniformis

Currently, a large number of microsatellites are available for Rotylenchulus reniformis (reniform nematode); however, two barriers exist for genotyping samples from different geographical areas. The limited amount of nucleic acids obtained from single nematodes which would require their multiplication to obtain enough DNA for testing; and the strictly regulated transport of live samples and multiplication in greenhouse for being a plant pathogen. Whole-genome amplification (WGA) of samples consisting of one and five dead gravid females with their associated egg masses was successfully performed on disrupted tissue using three commercial kits. DNA yield after WGA ranged from 0.5 to 8 µg and was used to test 96 microsatellite markers we previously developed for the reniform nematode. The results were compared to those of fingerprinting the original population (MSRR03). Out of 96 markers tested, 71 had amplicons in MSRR03. Using WGA of single gravid females with their associated egg masses, 86-93% of the alleles found on MSRR03 were detected, and 87-88% of the alleles found on MSRR03 when using WGA of samples composed of five gravid females with their associated egg masses as template. Our results indicate that reniform nematode samples as small as a single gravid female with her associated egg mass can be used in WGA and direct testing with microsatellites, giving consistent results when compared to the original population.
Endothelial cell migration on fibronectin is regulated by syntaxin 6-mediated α5β1 integrin recycling

The α5β1 integrin heterodimer regulates many processes that contribute to embryonic development and angiogenesis, in both physiological and pathological contexts. As one of the major adhesion complexes on endothelial cells, it plays a vital role in adhesion and migration along the extracellular matrix. We recently showed that angiogenesis is modulated by syntaxin 6, a Golgi- and endosome-localized t-SNARE, and that it does so by regulating the post-Golgi trafficking of VEGFR2. Here we show that syntaxin 6 is also required for α5β1 integrin-mediated adhesion of endothelial cells to, and migration along, fibronectin. We demonstrate that syntaxin 6 and α5β1 integrin colocalize in EEA1-containing early endosomes, and that functional inhibition of syntaxin 6 leads to misrouting of β1 integrin to the degradation pathway (late endosomes and lysosomes) rather transport along recycling pathway from early endosomes; an increase in the pool of ubiquitinylated α5 integrin and its lysosome-dependent degradation; reduced cell spreading on fibronectin; decreased Rac1 activation; and altered Rac1 localization. Collectively, our data show that functional syntaxin 6 is required for the regulation of α5β1-mediated endothelial cell movement on fibronectin. These syntaxin 6-regulated membrane trafficking events control outside-in signaling via haptotactic and chemotactic mechanisms.
Child maltreatment and recidivism among adolescent detainees

Many studies have examined predictors of recidivism among adolescent detainees. A recent meta-analysis of these predictors indicated that child maltreatment is associated with recidivism. This study expanded on prior work on this topic by using a well-validated self-report instrument to assess abuse and neglect experiences. Results revealed that emotional neglect predicted recidivism during a 6-month follow-up period. Implications and limitations of the findings as well as suggestions for future research are discussed.
Linear low density polyethylenes and their blends: Part 3. Extensional flow of LLDPE's

The uniaxial extensional flow at 150°C of 11 linear low density polyethylenes (LLDPE) and one low density polyethylene was measured in a Rheometrics Extensional Rheometer. The presence of silicone oil did not affect the results. However, large effects of the molding time were observed. For specimens molded for 14 min, strain hardening was not observed for any gas-phase polymerized LLDPE. As the molding time was increased to 40 min, the strain hardening was quite apparent, the elongational viscosity nearly doubled, the equilibrium plateau vanished, and the maximum strain at break Increased by about 20 percent. Explanation for the molding time effects can be found in the concept of low entanglement density in the virgin gas-phase resins. The entanglement increases with time at temperatures above the melting point. The specimens molded for longer time show strain hardening.
Human Cytochrome P450 17A1 Conformational Selection MODULATION BY LIGAND AND CYTOCHROME b5

Crystallographic studies of different membrane cytochrome P450 enzymes have provided examples of distinct structural conformations, suggesting protein flexibility. It has been speculated that conformational selection is an integral component of substrate recognition and access, but direct evidence of such substate interconversion has thus far remained elusive. In the current study, solution NMR revealed multiple and exchanging backbone conformations for certain structural features of the human steroidogenic cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1). This bifunctional enzyme is responsible for pregnenolone C17 hydroxylation, followed by a 17,20-lyase reaction to produce dehydroepiandrosterone, the key intermediate in human synthesis of androgen and estrogen sex steroids. The distribution of CYP17A1 conformational states was influenced by temperature, binding of these two substrates, and binding of the soluble domain of cytochrome b5 (b5). Notably, titration of b5 to CYP17A1·pregnenolone induced a set of conformational states closely resembling those of CYP17A1·17α-hydroxypregnenolone without b5, providing structural evidence consistent with the reported ability of b5 to selectively enhance 17,20-lyase activity. Solution NMR thus revealed a set of conformations likely to modulate human steroidogenesis by CYP17A1, demonstrating that this approach has the potential to make similar contributions to understanding the functions of other membrane P450 enzymes involved in drug metabolism and disease states.
Identification of superior discriminations during ROC studies

One way to increase the efficiency of large-scale observer performance studies that utilize receiver-operator- characteristic (ROC) analysis would be to identify a group of observers whose ROC results consistently reflect a strong sensitivity to imaging mode differences. We reviewed the data of four large ROC studies performed by our group. The primary index used to classify observers was defined as the absolute difference between readers' Azs for two modes divided by the standard deviation, appropriately corrected for correlation. Using this index, observers were ranked as to their ability to detect differences between modes. We performed four different analyses on data that included 119,550 observations in four studies and 14 different modes performed by 20 readers. With the exception of one data set, there was no correlation between the level of performance of observers, as measured by Az, and their ability to discriminate between modes. Analyses designed to identify observers who were consistent in their rankings as to their ability to discriminated between modes was also unsuccessful in showing differences. This study suggests that without the use of special procedures or training, it is not likely that most research facilities will be able to select a group of highly experienced observers who consistently detect small differences among modes.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
EFFECT OF ENRICHMENT PROCEDURES ON THE STABILITY OF THE VIRULENCE PLASMID AND VIRULENCE‐ASSOCIATED CHARACTERISTICS IN YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA1

This report presents information on the effects of five current enrichment procedures including trypticase soy broth, phosphate buffered saline, peptone enriched phosphate buffered saline, phosphate buffered saline with sorbitol and bile salts and MacConkey broth on the stability of virulence plasmid in Yersinia enterocolitica. Virulence assays using crytal violet binding, low calcium response, Congo red uptake, hydrophobicity by latex particle agglutination, and autoagglutination as well as plasmid DNA analysis showed that Y. enterocolitica did not lose the virulence plasmid during isolation at 28C and the cells remained virulent. Moreover, postenrichment treatment with alkali to reduce competing microflora, when used in conjunction with these five enrichment techniques, did not cause the loss of the virulence plasmid, thus providing a way to selectively isolate this pathogen.
Effect of Apatite Crystals on the Activity of Amelogenin Degrading Enzymes In Vitro

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of apatite crystals on the activity of amelogenin degrading enzymes in vitro. Current experimental data, together with previous reports support the view that among the different proteinases present in the enamel extracellular matrix, serine proteinase(s) are responsible for the massive degradation of amelogenins during the maturation stage. For our in-vitro experiments we used the recombinant amelogenin M179 as substrate and a “65%-satd. (NH4)2SO4” fraction of enamel proteins as well as chymotrypsin as sources for serine-proteinase activity. We report preliminary experiments of amelogenin proteolysis in the presence of apatite crystals resulting in a different proteolysis pattern when compared to amelogenin proteolysis without apatite crystals. Quantitative analysis of the HPLC peaks corresponding to the proteolysis products indicates that the presence of apatite crystals in the proteolysis solution inhibits the ability of the serine-proteinas...
A TSSP+1 decomposition strategy for the vehicle routing problem

Abstract The basic, capacity-constrained vehicle routing problem (VRP) is to determine a set of capacity-feasible vehicle routes with minimum total travel cost so that all customers are visited by exactly one vehicle. In this paper, we introduce a new decomposition strategy for the VRP which separates the decisions of a dispatcher from those of the individual drivers. The dispatcher is responsible for assigning a reward value to each of the customer cities so that each customer will be visited by exactly one vehicle. Based on the assigned reward values together with the given travel costs, each vehicle driver is responsible for choosing which customers to visit and determining an individual feasible route. The driver's problem is modeled as a Traveling Salesman Subset-tour Problem with one additional constraint (TSSP + 1). The TSSP + 1 decomposition is based on aagrangian relaxation and is capable of producing valid lower bounds for the VRP. The best bound attainable is shown to be at least as good as the bound obtained by solving the linear programming relaxation of the classic set partitioning formulation of the VRP. To tet the practical value of the decomposition, we present a decomposition-based heuristic and examine its performance on a collection of problems from the literature.
Colonic Hyperplasia and Hyperproliferation Induced by a Nutritional Stress Diet With Four Components of Western-Style Diet

We studied the effects of specific nutritional modifications on colonic epithelial cell proliferation in mice and rats. The nutritional stress diet developed for this study was based on the AIN (American Institute of Nutrition)-76A semisynthetic diet, modified to contain four suggested risk factors of the human Western-style diet: increased fat and phosphate and decreased calcium and vitamin D content. We fed diets to mice and rats for 12 weeks beginning at 3 weeks of age. Hyperplasia developed in both sigmoid and ascending colon of mice and rats with lengthening of colonic crypts. Hyperproliferation developed in the sigmoid colon of mice and rats, and in the ascending colon of rats, with increased [3H]thymidine-labeling of epithelial cells. Thus, in colonic mucosa, the nutritional stress diet, which included risk factors of a Western-style diet, induced changes that occur in carcinogen-induced rodent models and in humans who are at increased risk for colonic neoplasia.
When Positive Processes Hurt Relationships

Based on a robust literature indicating that happy couples tend to think and behave more positively in their relationships than less happy couples do, most interventions designed to treat and prevent marital distress tend to encourage couples to engage in more-positive cognitive and behavioral processes and avoid more-negative ones. Consistent with the limited effectiveness of such interventions, however, findings from four independent longitudinal studies of newlyweds indicate that positive processes may not only fail to help distressed couples, they may hurt them. Specifically, although more-positive expectations, more-positive attributions, less-negative behavior, and more forgiveness most effectively maintained satisfaction among spouses facing infrequent and minor problems, less-positive expectations, less-positive attributions, more-negative behavior, and less forgiveness most effectively maintained satisfaction among spouses facing more-frequent and more-severe problems, partly because those proces...
A future full of light

Thirty years ago an experimental hair-thin glass thread changed the way we communicate, learn, work, and live. It has rapidly transformed today's society and our expectations for the future. The story is not over. Today, the dynamic worldwide communications revolution continues. Where will it end? Researchers have proven that optical fiber can carry 5 Tb of information each second. And over the next ten years fiber-optic technology is expected to increase communications power a million fold, It has been shown that as long as scientists and engineers worldwide continue to invent the technology to send information at a lower cost per bit to one another, creative people will find a reason to send proportionally more bits.
Interactions and chaperone function of αA‐crystallin with T5P γC‐crystallin mutant

T5P γC-crystallin mutation is associated with Coppock-like cataract, one of the autosomal dominant congenital cataracts. It is not known why the abundant α-crystallin cannot prevent the mutation-related aggregation. Our previous studies indicate that the mutation changes conformation and reduces solubility and stability, but it is not known whether it is these events or the loss of interaction with other crystallins that causes the cataract. It is also not known whether the α-crystallin can protect T5P mutant as effectively from heat-induced aggregation as the wild-type (WT) γC-crystallin. To investigate the mechanism of interactions and chaperone function between αA- and γC-crystallin, human αA-crystallin and W9F mutant as well as WT γC-crystallin and T5P mutant were cloned. Interactions between αA- and γC-crystallin were studied with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and chaperone activity was assessed by the suppression of heat-induced aggregation of substrate proteins. Conformational changes of substrate proteins were studied by spectroscopic measurements. The results indicate that the T5P mutant showed a slightly greater FRET than WT γC-crystallin with αA-crystallin, and αA-crystallin could effectively prevent both WT and T5P γC-crystallin from heat-induced aggregation. Spectroscopic measurements show that both αA-crystallin and γC-crystallin underwent only slight conformational change after chaperone binding. Together with previous results obtained with a two-hybrid system assay of interactions between αA- and γC-crystallin, the present FRET and chaperone results indicate that loss of interactions of T5P mutant with other crystallins may play a larger role than the protection afforded by chaperone-like activity in Coppock-like cataract.
The Effects of Automated Hypnosis and Hand Warming on Migraine: A Pilot Study

Abstract This investigation describes the effectiveness of automated hypnosis to facilitate relaxation and hand warming in the treatment of migraine headache without biofeedback equipment. Results indicate that all subjects experienced considerable relief and diminution of headache. The probable role of antecedent events in eliciting vasoconstriction was also noted.
Ein offener Ansatz zur App-Integration im Fahrzeug

Mit dem Aufkommen der Smartphones und deren Software stehen der Fahrzeugindustrie derzeit umfangreiche Herausforderungen bevor. Die auch Consumer Electronic genannten Endgeraete muessen automobilgerecht und damit sicher sowie fuer den Fahrer moeglichst ablenkungsfrei integriert werden. Um diese Ziele zu erreichen, stellt Ford einen integrierten Ansatz vor; das Feature AppLink besteht aus einer flexiblen Kombination von Technologien, die dem Fahrer erlauben, waehrend der Fahrt vernetzt zu bleiben und sicher zu interagieren. AppLink erweitert die Bedienoberflaeche der Apps in das automobile Umfeld und erlaubt es den Apps, Fahrzeugdaten zu erhalten. Die App selbst muss keine aufwendigen neuen Benutzeroberflaechen erstellen und das Fahrzeug uebernimmt die Interaktion mit dem Fahrer per Spracherkennung. Mit der Vision, dass moeglichst viele Automobilhersteller dazu beitragen, einheitliche Schnittstellen zu schaffen, wurde der Quellcode von AppLink im Portal "developer.ford.com" veroeffentlicht.
Extended gloss overlaps as a measure of semantic relatedness

This paper presents a new measure of semantic relatedness between concepts that is based on the number of shared words (overlaps) in their definitions (glosses). This measure is unique in that it extends the glosses of the concepts under consideration to include the glosses of other concepts to which they are related according to a given concept hierarchy. We show that this new measure reasonably correlates to human judgments. We introduce a new method of word sense disambiguation based on extended gloss overlaps, and demonstrate that it fares well on the SENSEVAL-2 lexical sample data.