cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoemission and inverse-photoemission studies of Ba 1 − x K x BiO 3 − y

Etude des etats electroniques occupes et inoccupes de Ba 1-x K x BiO 3-y par photoemission et photoemission inverse. En general, il y a un bon accord entre la theorie et l'experience; excepte le fait que le centroide du pic multiple calcule de BiO est ∼ 1 et trop proche de E F (comme pour les supraconducteurs a haute Tc). Les resultats des niveaux de coeur indiquent des environnements chimiques singuliers pour O, Ba et K et Bi. Tous les spectres de niveaux de coeur presentent des pics d'energie perdue deplaces de Ni et vers les fortes energies de liaison
Affine and deformable registration based on polynomial expansion

This paper presents a registration framework based on the polynomial expansion transform. The idea of polynomial expansion is that the image is locally approximated by polynomials at each pixel. Starting with observations of how the coefficients of ideal linear and quadratic polynomials change under translation and affine transformation, algorithms are developed to estimate translation and compute affine and deformable registration between a fixed and a moving image, from the polynomial expansion coefficients. All algorithms can be used for signals of any dimensionality. The algorithms are evaluated on medical data.
Lamina-specific expression of adhesion molecules in developing chick optic tectum.

The optic tectum is the major synaptic target of retinal axons in birds. In the chick, retinal ganglion cell axons enter the optic tectum through a superficial lamina (the stratum opticum), extended branches into deeper laminae, and arborize in specific “retinorecipient” laminae, where they form synapses. Studies using an organotypic culture system have provided evidence that the tectum bears a series of distinct, lamina-specific, cell surface-associated cues that direct these axonal behaviors (Yamagata and Sanes, 1995). Here, we have used a panel of antibodies to 30 membrane and matrix components to ask whether known adhesive molecules are distributed in lamina-specific patterns. Among many spatiotemporal pattern of expression documented, three were particularly noteworthy: (1) The cell adhesion molecules NgCAM/L1 and TAG-1/axonin-1 were concentrated in the stratum opticum. (2) SC1/JC7/DM- GRASP/BEN, N-cadherin, neuropilin, polysialylated N-CAM, and glycoconjugates recognized by the lectin VVA-B4 were concentrated in retinorecipient laminae. (3) Neurofascin, tenascin-C/cytotactin, and a matrix molecule defined by the “Sigma” antibody were present at highest levels in areas that border the retinorecipient laminae. Some members of each group (NgCAM/L1, TAG-1/axonin, SC1/JC7, polysialic acid, VVA-B4- receptors, and neurofascin) appeared on schedule and in lamina- restricted patterns in tecta from embryos that had been enucleated before retinal axons left the eye. Thus, molecules in these three categories could provide signals to retinal axons that promote extension through the stratum opticum, induce arborization or synaptogenesis in retinorecipient laminae, and prevent sprouting into adjoining laminae. Interestingly, N-cadherin accumulated in retinorecipient laminae only following the onset of synapse formation, and failed to accumulate in enucleated tecta. Immunoelectron microscopy of normal tecta demonstrated the presence of N-cadherin in the synaptic cleft, suggesting a role for this molecule in synaptic maintenance.
Prevalence and severity of pruritus in cutaneous T cell lymphoma

Background The most common types of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) are mycosis fungoides (MF) and its leukemic variant, Sezary syndrome (SS). One of the hallmarks of MF and SS is pruritus that rarely responds to treatment. Little is known about the prevalence and severity of pruritus in MF and SS. Objectives A retrospective analysis was performed to assess the prevalence and severity of pruritus in MF and SS. Methods This study compared self-reported pruritus in early-stage (stage Ia–IIa) and late-stage (stage IIb–IVb) disease, and in MF and SS, in patients presenting at our CTCL clinic between January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2010. Results Of the 551 eligible patients, 486 reported baseline pruritus values. Overall, 373 patients had early-stage disease, 113 had late-stage disease, and 72 had SS. The prevalence of pruritus was 66% in all patients, 62% in patients with early-stage disease, 83% in those with late-stage disease, 61% in those with MF, and 94% in those with SS. Mean pruritus values out of 10 were: 4.2 [standard error of the mean (SEM) = 0.18] in all patients; 3.4 (SEM = 0.19) in patients with early-stage disease; 6.6 (SEM = 0.36) in those with late-stage disease; 3.6 (SEM = 0.18) in MF patients, and 7.7 (SEM = 0.37) in SS patients. Differences between early- and late-stage disease, and MF and SS, were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions Pruritus affects a large proportion of patients with CTCL and is significantly more severe in late- than in early-stage disease and in SS than in MF. Little information exists on the full range of the symptom burden on the patient. This aspect of patient care requires further exploration.
Calcium, nucleotide, and actin affect the interaction of mammalian Myo1c with its light chain calmodulin.

To investigate the interaction of mammalian class I myosin, Myo1c, with its light chain calmodulin, we expressed (with calmodulin) truncation mutants consisting of the Myo1c motor domain followed by 0−4 presumed calmodulin-binding (IQ) domains (Myo1c0IQ−Myo1c4IQ). The amount of calmodulin associating with the Myo1c heavy chain increased with increasing number of IQ domains from Myo1c0IQ to Myo1c3IQ. No calmodulin beyond that associated with Myo1c3IQ was found with Myo1c4IQ despite its availability, showing that Myo1c binds three molecules of calmodulin with no evidence of a fourth IQ domain. Unlike Myo1c0IQ, the basal ATPase activity of Myo1c1IQ was >10-fold higher in Ca2+ vs EGTA ± exogenous calmodulin, showing that regulation is by Ca2+ binding to calmodulin on the first IQ domain. The Km and Vmax of the actin-activated Mg2+-ATPase activity were largely independent of the number of IQ domains present and moderately affected by Ca2+. In binding assays, some calmodulin pelleted with Myo1c heavy chain when...
Leveraging the Wisdom of Crowds in a Data-Rich Utopia

Brian A. Nosek and Yoav Bar-Anan (this issue) suggest that psychologists should embrace digital communication in order to create a system that accomplishes a number of worthy goals. Their proposed ...
Democracy and Transparency

Are democracies more transparent than other types of political regimes? The answer to this question is often assumed to be yes. The contestability of elections and transparency of policy-making are however, analytically distinct concepts. We investigate theoretically the willingness of policy-makers to provide credible announcements of policy-relevant variables, and show that the availability (or absence) of that data is correlated with regime type, even after controlling for level of development, participation in IMF programs, country-specific effects, and the effects of time. Democracies are indeed more transparent.
Erratum to: Linear Elastic Solutions for Slotted Plates

Corrections 1–3: In three equation lines before the numbers: (2.10), (3.11), and (4.5), the end of the equations . . . ,0 ≤ψ ≤E(m1) should read instead . . . ,0 ≤ψ ≤K(m1), that is, E(m1) should be replaced by K(m1). Corrections 4–5: In the paragraph before equation line (2.10) φ =E(m)/2 should read instead φ =K(m)/2, that is, E(m) should be replaced by K(m). Similarly, in the paragraph before line (3.11) φ =E(m)/2 should read instead φ =K(m)/2.
Reexamining the Familial Association Between Asthma and ADHD in Girls

The objective of this study is to further evaluate the association between asthma and ADHD, addressing issues of familiality in female probands. A case control study of referred ADHD proband girls, controls, and relatives are used. Participants include 140 ADHD proband girls and 122 non-ADHD comparisons, with 417 and 369 first-degree biological relatives, respectively. Relatives are stratified into four groups according to proband ADHD and asthma status. The authors compare rates of asthma and ADHD in relatives. ADHD does not increase the risk for asthma in probands. Patterns of familial aggregation are mostly consistent with independent transmission of ADHD and asthma in families of girl probands. The results extend to female probands' previously reported findings that asthma and ADHD are independently transmitted in families. These findings further support the conclusion that ADHD symptoms should not be dismissed as part of asthma symptomatology or a consequence of its treatment.
Linoleic and Linolenic Acid Concentrations of Milk of Women in Puerto Rico

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To learn more about the fatty acid composition of human milk. Human milk represents the pattern of nutrients most suitable to meet the physiological requirements of infants. Knowledge of the composition of human milk is essential both to understand the needs of infants and to develop the best formula to be used as a substitute for human milk. About 50% of the energy in mature human milk comes from fat. Fat is also a source of essential fatty acids needed for the structural development of brain and other tissues. The total amount of fat in human milk is relatively constant, but the fatty acid composition varies depending on maternal diet. The purpose of the study was to determine the linoleic and linolenic acid content of milk produced by women in Puerto Rico. Mean age of mothers was 28.4 years; mean prepregnancy weight was 140.8 lbs. Mothers were asked to collect the first milk of the morning, before bating or nursing the infant. Instructions were given orally at time of recruitment, written in Spanish and again orally when called to remind them to collect the milk. Samples were collected in sterile vials on days 6 and 21 after parturition, stored frozen and analyzed in duplicate using high performance liquid chromatography. The mean ratios of linoleic to linolenic acids were 15.0 and 14.5 for days 6 and 21, respectively. Ranges for both fatty acids were broad for both days. Means values for linolenic were 375.5 nmol/ml for day 6 and 611.1 nmol/ml for day 21; mean values for linoleic acid were 5595 nmol/ml and 8698 nmol/ml, respectively. These results provide essential information on the composition of human milk.
Variability in Moral Disengagement and Its Relation to Offending in a Sample of Serious Youthful Offenders

Bandura's theory of moral disengagement (MD) refers to the freeing of oneself from moral or ethical standards to engage in wrongdoing. Little is known about heterogeneity in MD among serious adolescent offenders, how MD changes over time in the transition from adolescence to early adulthood, and how such heterogeneity corresponds to offending. We used data from the Pathways to Desistance study, a longitudinal study of a sample of serious youthful offenders followed for 7 years, to examine trajectories of MD as well as the relationship of these trajectories to offending. Furthermore, we assessed whether MD varied by demographic and individual characteristics. RESULTS indicated the presence of three trajectories: low, moderate, and high patterns. Females and Whites were more likely to be in the low-MD trajectory, whereas Hispanics were more likely to be in the high-MD trajectory. Respondents in the moderate or high-MD trajectories had more re-arrests at the 7-year follow-up relative to those in the low-MD trajectory, net of controls. Keywords: Juvenile justice Language: en
Reduced Compliance in Patellar Tendons From a Mouse Model of Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophies are degenerative diseases that affect primarily skeletal muscles. Most studies of muscular dystrophy focus on muscles, but tendons are an important part of the musculotendon complex that transmits forces from muscles to bones. As the disease progresses, tendon shortening occurs, and some patients require tendon release or cord lengthening surgery to increase tendon length [1]. Despite the prevalence of these surgeries, very little is known about the mechanical properties of tendons in muscular dystrophy patients, or how they change as the tendon remodels or compensate in response to muscle degeneration.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
General Type-2 Fuzzy C-Means Algorithm for Uncertain Fuzzy Clustering

Pattern recognition in real-world data is subject to various sources of uncertainty that should be appropriately managed. The focus of this paper is the management of uncertainty associated with parameters of fuzzy clustering algorithms. Type-2 fuzzy sets (T2 FSs) have received increased research interest over the past decade, primarily due to their potential to model various uncertainties. However, because of the computational intensity of the processing of general T2 fuzzy sets (GT2 FSs), only their constrained version, i.e., the interval T2 (IT2) FSs, were typically used. Fortunately, the recently introduced concepts of α-planes and zSlices allow for efficient representation and computation with GT2 FSs. Following this recent development, this paper presents a novel approach for uncertain fuzzy clustering using the general type-2 fuzzy C-means (GT2 FCM) algorithm. The proposed method builds on top of the previously published IT2 FCM algorithm, which is extended via the α- planes representation theorem. The fuzzifier parameter of the FCM algorithm can be expressed using linguistic terms such as “small” or “high,” which are modeled as T1 FSs. This linguistic fuzzifier value is then used to construct the GT2 FCM cluster membership functions. The linguistic uncertainty is transformed into uncertain fuzzy positions of the extracted clusters. The GT2 FCM algorithm was found to balance the performance of T1 FCM algorithms in various uncertain pattern recognition tasks and to provide increased robustness in situations where noisy or insufficient training data are present.
Injection efficiency from a side-excited thin-film fluorescent cladding of a circular waveguide

Experiments were conducted to verify a theoretical model on the injection efficiency of sources in the cladding of an optical fiber. The theoretical results predicted an increase in the injection efficiency for higher differences in refractive indices between the core and cladding. The experimental apparatus used consisted of a glass rod 50 cm long, coated at one end with a thin film of a fluorescent substance. The fluorescent substance was excited with side illumination, perpendicular to the rod axis, using a 476-nm argon-ion laser. Part of the excited fluorescence was injected into the core and guided to a detector. The signal was measured for several different cladding refractive indices. The cladding consisted of sugar dissolved in water, and the refractive index was changed by varying the sugar concentration in the solution. The results indicate that the power injected into the rod, due to evanescent wave injection, increases with the difference in refractive index, which is in qualitative agreement with theory.
A histological analysis of liver injury in freezing storage.

As part of a more extensive study on the use of high subzero freezing for cryopreservation of mammalian livers we have tried to single out the effects of freezing and thawing on tissue damage. We compared the morphology of livers after freezing and thawing with what we considered an optimal high subzero cryopreservation protocol with the morphology of livers preserved under the same thermal conditions and in the same solution in a supercooled state, without freezing. The results show that while hepatocytes survive high subzero cryopreservation, detachment of endothelial cells occurs in every freezing experiment. On the other hand, the endothelial cells in livers that are not frozen are intact. This suggests that endothelial cell damage is caused by freezing and may be an important factor in high subzero freezing cryopreservation of the liver.
Treatment of inflation in engineering economic analysis

Recent increases in inflation rates make it essential that inflation be properly treated in engineering economic analysis. This paper develops a systematic and internally consistent approach to the treatment of inflation in such analyses. The problems of inconsistent treatment of inflation are discussed and several examples are given.
A comparison of amino acid sequences in the β-chains of adult bovine hemoglobins A and B

Abstract The sequences of amino acids in the β-chains of adult bovine hemoglobins A and B have been partially determined and compared. Three differences in sequence are apparent at residues 15, 18, and 119 of the 145-residue chains. There is no evidence of other variation, although this has not been determined with certainty. In an earlier investigation, it was concluded that the α-chains of the two hemoglobins are probably identical in sequence. The multiple differences between these two chains are in contrast to the single difference between most human hemoglobin variants. The relationship between the two bovine hemoglobins is reminiscent of that between human hemoglobins A and A2 or CHarlem, as well as between sheep hemoglobins A and B. The implications of these relationships are discussed.
Evidence for and implications of sedimentary diapirism and mud volcanism in the southern Utopia highland–lowland boundary plain, Mars

Abstract Several types of spatially associated landforms in the southern Utopia Planitia highland–lowland boundary (HLB) plain appear to have resulted from localized geologic activity, including (1) fractured rises, (2) elliptical mounds, (3) pitted cones with emanating lobate materials, and (4) isolated and coalesced cavi (depressions). Stratigraphic analysis indicates these features are Hesperian or younger and may be associated with resurfacing that preferentially destroyed smaller ( 8 km diameter) impact craters. Based on landform geomorphologies and spatial distributions, the documented features do not appear to be specifically related to igneous or periglacial processes or the back-wasting and erosion of the HLB scarp. We propose that these features are genetically related to and formed by sedimentary (mud) diapirs that ascended from zones of regionally confined, poorly consolidated, and mechanically weak material. We note morphologic similarities between the mounds and pitted cones of the southern Utopia boundary plain and terrestrial mud volcanoes in the Absheron Peninsula, Azerbaijan. These analogs provide a context for understanding the geological environments and processes that supported mud diapir-related modification of the HLB. In southern Utopia, mud diapirs near the Elysium volcanic edifice may have resulted in laccolith-like intrusions that produced the fractured rises, while in the central boundary plain mud diapirs could have extruded to form pitted cones, mounds, and lobate flows, perhaps related to compressional stresses that account for wrinkle ridges. The removal of material a few kilometers deep by diapiric processes may have resulted in subsidence and deformation of surface materials to form widespread cavi. Collectively, these inferences suggest that sedimentary diapirism and mud volcanism as well as related surface deformations could have been the dominant Hesperian mechanisms that altered the regional boundary plain. We discuss a model in which detritus would have accumulated thickly in the annular spaces between impact-generated structural rings of Utopia basin. We envision that these materials, and perhaps buried ejecta of Utopia basin, contained volatile-rich, low-density material that could provide the source material for the postulated sedimentary diapirs. Thick, water-rich, low-density sediments buried elsewhere along the HLB and within the lowland plains may account for similar landforms and resurfacing histories.
Flourishing among Japanese Immigrants: A Positive Approach to Understanding Psychosocial Adaptation

Immigration can be an opportunity-maximizing and resource-creating process for immigrants. This cross-sectional survey study examined flourishing, the optimal state of psychosocial adaptation, in relation to social capital and acculturation, among a sample of 380 Japanese immigrants who lived in Texas. The study revealed that well-acculturated Japanese immigrants who enjoy U.S. culture and traditions as well as have more online and face-to-face contacts were more likely to have higher levels of flourishing. The findings have practical implications for social work practice in terms of the use of immigrants' social capital to enhance their acculturation process and enable them to flourish.
Excretion rate of 65Zn: is it a useful tool for estimating metabolism of fish in the field?

Abstract Several experiments were conducted with pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides (L.). and black sea bass, Centropristis striata (L.), to determine the practicality of using the rate of loss of 65Zn to estimate the metabolic rate of fish under natural conditions. No significant correlations were found between this and oxygen consumption, feeding rate, fish size, or temperature. Restricting fish movement had no consistent effect on zinc loss nor did elevated levels of inorganic zinc in the diet. Because of the lack of positive results, we concluded that the rate of loss of 65Zn is not a practical method for estimating field metabolism of fish.
Repetitive contact imaging

Repetitive contact imaging uses a flexible whisker attached to a two axis robot to measure the shape of contacted objects. Assuming small deformations and rotations, the pitch axis decouples from yaw. The yaw axis, under PD control, sweeps periodically back and forth across the object while the pitch axis, under repetitive learning (RL) control, maintains a uniform contact force using load cell and encoder feedback. Once the RL controller converges, the 3D contact points can be determined using an elastica algorithm. The RL controller is proven stable based on a distributed parameter beam model and experimentally shown to provide stable performance with improved moment regulation when compared to PD control.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
RNA synthesis during development of the male gametophyte of Tradescantia.

Abstract The types of RNA synthesized by the growing pollen tube of Tradescantia paludosa have been studied. As characterized by sucrose density gradient and base analyses of the RNA synthesized, it is concluded that no ribosomal RNA is made during growth of the pollen tube. The ribosomes necessary for germination and growth of the pollen tube are already present in the mature pollen grain. The pollen tube synthesizes RNA that is polydisperse in size, sedimenting between 2 and 30 S with a peak at about 8 S. This RNA is low in the bases guanosine and cytosine and high in adenosine and uridine. A fraction of the material that labels with uridine- 3 H is not RNA. This material sediments with peaks at 16–18 S and 4–6 S. It is found free in the cytoplasm, its synthesis is insensitive to actinomycin D, and it appears to be a large polysaccharide with an attached uridine molecule. The periods in the development of the pollen grain when ribosomal RNA synthesis occurs have been determined. During the last 48 hours of pollen maturation, no ribosomal RNA is synthesized. Most of the ribosomal RNA is synthesized earlier than 96 hours from the time the pollen is released from the anther. The smaller species of RNA, 4 S-transfer and 5 S-ribosomal RNA, seem to follow the same pattern of synthesis as the 16 S and 25 S ribosomal RNA.
The DNA sequences required for apolipoprotein B expression in the heart are distinct from those required for expression in the intestine.

Abstract We recently reported that the apolipoprotein B ( apo-B ) gene is expressed in the heart and that the heart secretes apo-B-containing lipoproteins. We have also recently demonstrated that the tissue-specific expression of the apo-B gene is complex, with apo-B gene expression in the intestine being dependent on an enhancer element located very far from the structural gene (between 54 and 62 kb 5′ to exon 1). In this study, we investigated whether these distant DNA sequences control or affect the expression of the apo-B gene in the heart. To address this issue, we analysed heart apo-B gene expression in heart tissue from a series of human apo-B transgenic mice generated from human genomic DNA constructs that ranged in size from 70 to 207 kb. All of these constructs contained the coding portion of the apo-B gene, but each contained different amounts of flanking sequences (5–120 kb 5′ to the gene and 1.5–35 kb 3′ to the gene). Each construct conferred human apo-B gene expression in the heart, including those containing as little as 5 kb of 5′-flanking sequences or as little as 1.5 kb of 3′-flanking sequences. These data support the idea that apo-B gene expression in the heart, unlike that in the intestine, is not affected by a distant enhancer element.
Convolution of Riemannian manifolds and its applications

It is well-known that warped products play some important roles in differential geometry as well as in physics. In this article we extend the notion of warped product to the notion of convolution of Riemannian manifolds. We study the basic properties of convolutions of Riemannian manifolds. We also apply the notion of convolution to establish and characterise the Euclidean version of Segre embedding.
Radiation-mediated proteolysis of CDT1 by CUL4–ROC1 and CSN complexes constitutes a new checkpoint

Radiation-mediated proteolysis of CDT1 by CUL4–ROC1 and CSN complexes constitutes a new checkpoint
The Influence of Technology Readiness on the Evaluation of Self-Service Technology Attributes and Resulting Attitude Toward Technology Usage

Retailers are increasingly utilizing self-service technology (SST) in the delivery of services to their consumers. This study confirms prior findings that the SST attributes of perceived usefulness, ease of use, reliability, and fun all have a direct influence on consumers' attitude toward using SST to complete retail transactions. This study also expands earlier research by investigating the impact technology readiness (TR) has on consumers' perceived reliability and perceived fun of using SST. Implications are provided to help retailers manage consumers' perceptions and expectations related to using SST to complete retail transactions, as well as strategies to enhance consumer technology competence.
AGM-1470 inhibits the growth of human glioblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

ABSTRACTGLIOBLASTOMA IS THE most malignant primary brain tumor. Inhibition of angiogenesis is one potential strategy for treating this fatal hypervascular tumor. AGM-1470 (also called TNP-470), a novel, potent, fungus-derived inhibitor of angiogenesis, was tested on the growth of human glioblastoma
Parietal pleurectomy for malignant pleural effusion

Background: Malignant pleural effusions are seen frequently in clinical practice and are most commonly caused by breast cancer and lung cancer. Standard treatment usually consists of complete drainage of the pleural space via a chest tube and instillation of a pleural irritant to obtain pleural symphysis. In a majority of instances, such treatment effectively controls the pleural space; however, standard treatment fails in some cases.
Effect of dry beet pulp on milk yield and milk composition in Chilean Holstein cows

The objective was to analyze the effect of feeding dry molassed beet pulp (DMBP) on milk yield and milk composition in Holstein cows located in central Chile. Cows with similar days in milk, parity number, and management were randomly allocated in a control (n = 71) and a treatment (n = 74) group. The control group was fed the conventional diet of the farm, which is representative of diets commonly used in similar dairies in that geographic area. The treatment group received an isocaloric and isonitrogenous diet considering DMBP as a differential ingredient. Milk yield was recorded during a 45-day period and milk components were determined on day 0, 15, 22, and 35 of the study. The effect of the interaction between treatment and time on milk yield was highly significant with a difference of 3.4 kg/day in favor of the treatment group. No significant differences were detected for milk components between the two groups.
Text Concept Relation Acquisition based on Ontology Similarity

Ontologylearning has become a research hotspot in computer field at present with focuson concept and relation acquisition. The acquisition results of traditionalstatistic-based method are not highly accurate because it ignores the effectsof conceptual semantic and characteristics and others factors on conceptualrelation. To resolve above problems, this paper puts forward to a comprehensiveontology similarity integrates semantic similarity with characteristic attributesimilarity, takes uses of association rule to mine concept-to-conceptrelations, and applies comprehensive ontology similarity into relationacquisition. The experiment shows that this method can effectively improve theaccuracy of concept relation acquisition.
Helix insertion into bilayers and the evolution of membrane proteins

Polytopic α-helical membrane proteins cannot spontaneously insert into lipid bilayers without assistance from polytopic α-helical membrane proteins that already reside in the membrane. This raises the question of how these proteins evolved. Our current knowledge of the insertion of α-helices into natural and model membranes is reviewed with the goal of gaining insight into the evolution of membrane proteins. Topics include: translocon-dependent membrane protein insertion, antibiotic peptides and proteins, in vitro insertion of membrane proteins, chaperone-mediated insertion of transmembrane helices, and C-terminal tail-anchored (TA) proteins. Analysis of the E. coli genome reveals several predicted C-terminal TA proteins that may be descendents of proteins involved in pre-cellular membrane protein insertion. Mechanisms of pre-translocon polytopic α-helical membrane protein insertion are discussed.
Lactobacilli and Tartrazine as Causative Agents of Red‐Color Spoilage in Cucumber Pickle Products

The cucumber pickling industry has sporadically experienced spoilage outbreaks in pickled cucumber products characterized by development of red color on the surface of the fruits. Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus paracasei were isolated from 2 outbreaks of this spoilage that occurred about 15 y apart during the last 3 decades. Both organisms were shown to produce this spoilage when inoculated into pickled cucumbers while concomitantly degrading the azo dye tartrazine (FD&C yellow nr 5). This food dye is used as a yellow coloring in the brine cover solutions of commercial pickled cucumber products. The red color does not occur in the absence of tartrazine, nor when turmeric is used as a yellow coloring in the pickles. Addition of sodium benzoate to the brine cover solutions of a pickled cucumber product, more specifically hamburger dill pickles, prevented growth of these lactic acid bacteria and the development of the red spoilage.
A Lagrangian stochastic diffusion method for inhomogeneous turbulence

Abstract A Lagrangian stochastic method of solving the diffusion equation for inhomogeneous turbulence is presented in this paper. This numerical method uses (1) a first-order approximation for the spatial variation of the eddy diffusivity and (2) the first three particle position moments to define a skewed, non-Gaussian particle position probability density function. Two cases of the variation of the eddy diffusivity near a boundary are considered. In the first case, the eddy diffusivity varies linearly with height and is zero at the boundary. The method handles this case efficiently and accurately by using the first few terms of the series representation of the analytic solution to construct components of the non-Gaussian position probability density function that are important near the boundary. In the second case, the eddy diffusivity is constant near the boundary, and the well-known solution for this case – a Gaussian function reflected at the boundary – is used. Comparison of numerical simulation results to analytic solutions of the diffusion equation show that this method is accurate. For cases where the eddy diffusivity varies linearly with height to zero at the boundary, we demonstrate that this method can be significantly more efficient than the commonly used method that assumes a Gaussian particle position probability density function.
French Colonization in North Africa.

In the contest of the western powers of Europe to colonize the New World, France, owing to a mistaken policy, failed completely and saw her flag and sovereignty practically driven back from this hemisphere. The early attempts of Admiral de Coligny to colonize the Huguenots first in Brazil and then in Florida, were, owing to the indifference and even opposition of the French crown, abortive. And in the later effort of the French crown to colonize in Canada and Louisiana, the attempt to bring over the remains of feudalism as opposed to the strong individualism that characterized the English settlers, reinforced by the Hollanders in New Netherlands, the Swedes and the Germans in Pennsylvania, and the Huguenots in Virginia and the Carolinas, doomed the French settlers, in the valley of the Saint Lawrence and at the mouth of the Mississippi, to defeat in their effort to extend their language and supremacy over the continent of North America.
Clay swelling and formation permeability reductions induced by a nonionic surfactant

A major concern with the use of surfactant flushing to mobilize nonaqueous phase liquids in aquifers is specific mineral−surfactant interactions that may effect significant permeability changes in ...
Substrate specificity of human endonuclease III (hNTH1). Effect of human APE1 on hNTH1 activity.

Abstract Base excision repair of oxidized pyrimidines in human DNA is initiated by the DNAN-glycosylase/apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) lyase, human NTH1 (hNTH1), the homolog of Escherichia coliendonuclease III (Nth). In contrast to Nth, the DNAN-glycosylase activity of hNTH1 is 7-fold greater than its AP lyase activity when the DNA substrate contains a thymine glycol (Tg) opposite adenine (Tg:A) (Marenstein, D. R., Ocampo, M. T. A., Chan, M. K., Altamirano, A., Basu, A. K., Boorstein, R. J., Cunningham, R. P., and Teebor, G. W. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 21242–21249). When Tg is opposite guanine (Tg:G), the two activities are of the same specific activity as the AP lyase activity of hNTH1 against Tg:A (Ocampo, M. T. A., Chaung, W., Marenstein, D. R., Chan, M. K., Altamirano, A., Basu, A. K., Boorstein, R. J., Cunningham, R. P., and Teebor, G. W. (2002) Mol. Cell. Biol. 22, 6111–6121). We demonstrate here that hNTH1 was inhibited by the product of its DNA N-glycosylase activity directed against Tg:G, the AP:G site. In contrast, hNTH1 was not as inhibited by the AP:A site arising from release of Tg from Tg:A. Addition of human APE1 (AP endonuclease-1) increased dissociation of hNTH1 from the DNA N-glycosylase-generated AP:A site, resulting in abrogation of AP lyase activity and an increase in turnover of the DNA N-glycosylase activity of hNTH1. Addition of APE1 did not abrogate hNTH1 AP lyase activity against Tg:G. The stimulatory protein YB-1 (Marenstein et al.), added to APE1, resulted in an additive increase in both activities of hNTH1 regardless of base pairing. Tg:A is formed by oxidative attack on thymine opposite adenine. Tg:G is formed by oxidative attack on 5-methylcytosine opposite guanine (Zuo, S., Boorstein, R. J., and Teebor, G. W. (1995) Nucleic Acids Res. 23, 3239–3243). It is possible that the in vitro substrate selectivity of mammalian NTH1 and the concomitant selective stimulation of activity by APE1 are indicative of selective repair of oxidative damage in different regions of the genome.
Transferability issues of soybean research: a regional example

Abstract Agricultural research monies are becoming increasingly scarce and therefore subject to additional scrutiny. To analyze the impact of transferring site-specific research recommendations to a larger region (roughly 2.4 million hectares of farm land in Eastern Arkansas), a set of soybean production parameters are varied in a biophysical simulation model using two representative soils and three climatic profiles. Mathematical programming was used to obtain site-specific, profit-maximizing production practices. Transfer of these optimal production practices to other environments resulted in operating losses up to $13.62 and $5.34 per hectare across soil and climatic region, respectively. This translated to annual estimated losses of $0.183–$3.877 million for the study region. Given the study specifications, guidelines for spatial replication of soybean research are (i) to provide recommendations using the poorer of the two soils and (ii) to give higher research priority to research replication across soils than climatic region.
Cosolvent Influences on Organic Solute Retardation Factors

Prediction of chemical movement in ground water can be complex. Solute transport calculations need to reflect appropriate mathematical treatment of sorption and retardation by aquifer materials. The presence of cosolvents further complicates solute transport prediction. Results from a series of experiments both simple (small tubes) and complex (soil columns) suggest adequate predictability of solute sorption and attenuation in the presence of cosolvents. The results indicate that simple (small tube) short-term tests under a variety of sorbent concentrations can be used to predict soil column solute transport if appropriate physical properties are accounted for (soil type, organic load, bulk density). The final results indicate that low levels of cosolvents showed significant reproducible sorption/ attenuation reductions but probably are ultimately not important to overall solute fate.
Abstract 529: Giα proteins are a differential mediator of activation of RTK signaling in normal and breast cancer cells.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC In classic view, inhibitory heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunits 1, 2, and 3 (Gi1α, Gi2α and Gi3α) couple to Giα protein-coupled receptors (GiPCR) and then transduce signals from GiPCRs to downstream pathways in hormone and chemo-attractant signaling. Recent genetic evidence demonstrates that Giα proteins are crucial to embryo development and growth as well as tumorigenesis. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the implication of Giα proteins in this physiological and pathological process is largely unknown. Here we report that Giα proteins differentially regulate receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs)-mediated activation of growth factor signaling. Gi1α and Gi3α double deficient (Gi1/3 DKO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), in which Gi2α expression is also lower than that in wild type cells, exhibited a clear defect in ERK1/2 activation by EGF, HB-EGF, insulin and IGF-I, but not aFGF, bFGF or high dose of serum (FBS). Further, Gi1/3 DKO MEFs were largely defective in Akt-mTORC1 activation by aFGF, bFGF, EGF, HB-EGF, serum, but not IGF-1 and insulin. The defect in Akt or ERK1/2 activation in Giα deficient MEFs was rescued upon reintroduction of Gi1α and Gi3α proteins. Interestingly, Giα deficiency impaired activation of Akt-mTROC1 and ERK1/2 by PDGF at a low, but not a high dose. Using a RNA interference strategy, we showed that knockdown of Giα proteins in either wt MEFs or triple negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231-D3H2-LN) led to a defect in Akt-mTROC1 and ERK1/2 activation, which is similar to that in Giα deficient cells in response to EGF, bFGF or IGF-1. Additional experimental analysis revealed that Giα proteins formed a complex with RTKs, Gab1, FRS2 and Shp2 in breast cancer cells in response to EGF, bFGF, or IGF-1. Gi1/3 DKO MEFs showed a defect in EGF- and IGF-1-induced interaction of Gab1 with SHP2, which is required for ERK1/2 activation by EGF and IGF-1, and a defect in bFGF-induced interaction of Grb2 with Gab1, which is required for Akt-mTORC1 activation by aFGF and bFGF. Finally, knockdown of Giα proteins impaired in vitro growth and invasion of breast cancer cells in response to bFGF, EGF, and IGF-1. Thus, Giα proteins are a differential mediator of RTK signaling in normal and breast cancer cells. Citation Format: Zhanwei Wang, Rica Dela-Cruz, meisheng Jiang, Wen-Ming Chu. Giα proteins are a differential mediator of activation of RTK signaling in normal and breast cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 529. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-529
Porous layer solid phase microextraction using silica bonded phases

In this paper, solid phase microextraction (SPME) using porous layer-coated fibers is reported. Bonded silica particles (5 μm diameter), which are typically used for reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, were fixed onto the surface of metal wires using high-temperature adhesives. The adsorption and desorption properties of the new porous layer SPME fibers were investigated using aromatic hydrocarbon test compounds, and the results were compared with those of commercially available polymer-coated fused silica fibers. It was found that the desorption time using the porous layer fibers was less than 10 s, which provides high chromatographic efficiency without cryogenic trapping. The total mass of toluene adsorbed from a 0.1 ppm aqueous solution on a fiber with a 30 μm C-8 porous layer was 8 times larger than that obtained using a fiber with a 100 μm thick polydimethylsiloxane coating. It was also found that the selectivity of the porous layer in SPME greatly depends on the properties of the ...
Pacemaker lead placement via a small cephalic vein

The development of implantable defibrillators with single lead systems has necessitated the need for larger transvenous electrodes. This article describes a modified Seldinger technique that can be used when the cephalic vein is too small to allow passage of these larger leads. When successful, the procedure eliminates the need for direct needle cannulation of the subclavian vein and the accompanying risk of pneumothorax.
A Mouse Model for the Molecular Characterization of Brca1-Associated Ovarian Carcinoma

Little is known about the mechanisms that underlie Brca1-associated ovarian tumorigenesis, mainly due to the lack of an appropriate experimental model. We developed genetically defined primary mouse ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cell lines in which the loss of functional Brca1 and p53 recapitulates the events that are thought to occur in early ovarian cancer development in patients with Brca1 mutations. This system allows for the introduction of additional oncogenes that are thought to cooperate with the loss of Brca1 and p53 to induce tumorigenesis. We showed that Myc is sufficient to induce transformation of ovarian cells that are deficient for both Brca1 and p53 but not sufficient for the transformation of cells that are deficient for either Brca1 or p53. The transformed Brca1-deficient OSE cells display an increased number of centrosomes, acquire complex chromosome aberrations, and lack Rad51 nuclear foci in the presence of DNA-damaging agents, such as mitomycin C and cisplatin. Immunocompetent mice injected with transformed OSE cells develop tumors that resemble human metastatic serous ovarian carcinoma, the most common type of ovarian cancer in women. Consistent with the reported platinum chemosensitivity in patients with Brca1-associated ovarian cancer, the Brca1-deficient OSE cells have increased sensitivity to the DNA-damaging agent cisplatin, whereas sensitivity to the microtubule poison paclitaxel is similar between Brca1 wild-type and Brca1-deficient cells. The Brca1 wild-type and Brca1-deficient mouse ovarian tumors and cell lines provide a new experimental system for the evaluation of therapies that target the Brca1 pathway. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(18): 8949-53)
Calcium efflux and neurotransmitter release from rat hippocampal synaptosomes exposed to lead

Abstract The results of several studies, employing various tissue preparations, have demonstrated that in vitro Pb exposure has similar effects on the release of several different transmitter substances. Pb has been observed to attenuate depolarization-evoked release and increase spontaneous (depolarization-independent) release. The current study confirms that Pb in vitro increases the spontaneous release of [ 3 H]acetylcholine (ACh) from superfused synaptosomes prepared from rat hippocampus. Additionally, hippocampal synaptosomes, preloaded with 45 Ca, were superfused under conditions similar to those used in the [ 3 H]ACh-release studies. Exposure to 1–30 μ m Pb produced a concentration-dependent increase in the efflux of 45 Ca that was quantitatively and temporally related to the Pb-induced release of [ 3 H]ACh from the hippocampal synaptosomes. Depolarization-evoked [ 3 H]ACh release with high potassium did not produce a corresponding increase in 45 Ca efflux. It is concluded that the Pb-induced increase in spontaneous transmitter release is apparently due to either an increase in intraneuronal ionized calcium or the stimulation by Pb of Ca-activated molecules mediating transmitter release.
Neurologic manifestations of hematologic disorders.

The subject of hematologic disease is vast, including disorders of cellular component excesses, deficiencies or destruction, and dysfunction. Many of these disorders may lead to neurologic complication. Some of these neurologic conditions are very specific to the hematologic disorder (such as the subacute combined deficiency seen in vitamin B 12 deficiency anemia) while others are common to several conditions (hyperviscosity syndrome seen with macroglobulinemia and leukemias). This article reviews some of the more common hematologic diseases and their accompanying neurologic conditions.
Antibodies to cell surface proteins redirect intracellular trafficking pathways

Antibody-mediated intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents has been considered for treatment of a variety of diseases. These approaches involve targeting cell-surface receptor proteins expressed by tumors or viral proteins expressed on infected cells. We examined the intracellular trafficking of a viral cell-surface-expressed protein, rabies G, with or without binding a specific antibody, ARG1. We found that antibody binding shifts the native intracellular trafficking pathway of rabies G in an Fc-independent manner. Kinetic studies indicate that the ARG1/rabies G complex progressively co-localized with clathrin, early endosomes, late endosomes, and lysosomes after addition to cells. This pathway was different from that taken by rabies G without addition of antibody, which localized with recycling endosomes. Findings were recapitulated using a cellular receptor with a well-defined endogenous recycling pathway. We conclude that antibody binding to cell-surface proteins induces redirection of intracellular trafficking of unbound or ligand bound receptors to a specific degradation pathway. These findings have broad implications for future developments of antibody-based therapeutics.
Ethnic differences and predictors of colonoscopy, prostate-specific antigen, and mammography screening participation in the multiethnic cohort

Purpose Given the relation between screening and improved cancer outcomes and the persistence of ethnic disparities in cancer mortality, we explored ethnic differences in colonoscopy, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and mammography screening in the Multiethnic Cohort Study.
Poststeroid panniculitis: a case report.

: Firm. red. subcutaneous plaques developed on the cheeks of a 19-month-old girl during a one-month period of rapid sieroid withdrawal. The clinical features were most consistent with poststeroid panniculitis. This rare complication of steroid therapy should be differentiated from other causes of red cheeks in children.