cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inadvertent transvaginal administration of sodium phosphate enemas in 2 alpaca crias.

Objective – To describe the clinical presentation and resultant metabolic disturbances following retroperitoneal administration of hyperphosphate enemas in alpaca crias. Case or Series Summary – Two crias presented to the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital after inadvertent transvaginal retroperitoneal hyperphosphate enema administration. The first cria developed an acute onset of neurologic signs, severe hypernatremia, and died soon after presentation. The second cria developed severe hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and acidemia. The metabolic derangements normalized within 24 hours of intensive treatment with calcium supplementation and IV crystalloid fluid diuresis. The cria was discharged after 1 week in the hospital. New or Unique Information Provided – This report provides a description of electrolyte disturbances secondary to inadvertent transvaginal retroperitoneal administration of hyperphosphate enemas in 2 crias and attendant clinical signs of these disturbances. Management of hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia in 1 cria via aggressive fluid therapy with calcium supplementation led to a rapid and sustained normalization of phosphorus, calcium, and acid-base balance.
Grid Architecture for Interactive Applications

This paper presents the architecture of the CrossGrid, i.e. the general overview of software components and their dependencies. The components are applications, tools that support application development and new Grid services that are being elaborated within the Project. Dependencies on external components, such as DataGrid and Globus software are presented as well.
Creatine Metabolism in Skeletal Muscle: I. CREATINE MOVEMENT ACROSS MUSCLE MEMBRANES

Abstract In studies in vitro, creatine-1-14C entered the extensor digitorum longus of young rats by a saturable process which had an apparent Vmax of 0.6 mmole per liter of intracellular water per hour and an apparent Km of 5 x 10-4 M. Creatine entry by nonsaturable processes was negligible at physiologic external creatine concentrations. Anaerobiosis, 1 x 10-3 M 2,4-dinitrophenol, and cooling each reduced the intracellular accumulation of creatine-14C. The apparent Q10o for entry was 2.7. Loss of creatine from the muscle accelerated rapidly during incubation at 37° and exceeded the rate of creatine entry, but no connection between entry and loss was apparent. The large creatine loss in vitro was considered to be an artifact because it accelerated so rapidly during incubation and because it is inconsistent with observations from earlier experiments in vivo which indicate that much of the creatine in skeletal muscle is trapped there. A special mechanism for entry, the saturable process, and intracellular trapping of creatine provide a plausible explanation for the high creatine content of skeletal muscle.
Delinquent Returns and Credit-Elect Overpayments: A Procedural Tangle

This article considers the application of the statute of limitations on refund claims to a situation in which the taxpayer elected to credit a claimed overpayment estimated tax liability for the following year. The article focuses primarily on the district court decisions in Harrigill v. United States. In Harrigill, the court misapplied the statute of limitations of Internal Revenue Code section 6511, Lederman claims, apparently testing the timeliness of the taxpayer's 1995 return/claim with respect to her 1994 return/claim. The court appeared to believe that its finding that a large remittance made by the taxpayer with an extension of time to file her 1994 return constituted a deposit was critical to the outcome of the case. Lederman argues, however, on the facts of the case, whether that remittance was a payment or a deposit was irrelevant. Instead, critical to the analysis of the facts in Harrigill is the application of section 6513, a statute that the court did not address.
Smart Government in Indiana: The Impossible Dream?

What would a "smart government" look like? Political philosophers have spent entire careers trying to answer that question, which obviously implicates wide-ranging cultural and political values far beyond the purview of this paper. For purposes of the following discussion, however, the term "smart government" is intended to be far more limited; "smart government" in this case means a governing structure that is intended to meet the following criteria. Specifically, in this context, smart local governments are those that 1) encourage citizen participation; 2) are reasonably transparent and accountable; and 3) get good "bang for the buck" - i.e., are able to provide services economically and efficiently.
Review of Mike Gene’s Book: The Design Matrix: A Consilience of Clues

Is there a middle way between the design inference and natural causation? Between teleology and non-teleological evolution? Mike Gene's "The Design Matrix" gives an affirmative answer to these questions. Take design seriously, and new scientific insights and testable hypotheses become available - so says Mike Gene. Follow the Rabbit (Gene's proxy for the teleological agent), and we shall discover things beyond the reductionism offered by the Duck (Gene's proxy for the blind watchmaker). You can find this book at Amazon: The Design Matrix: A Consilience of Clues .
Cadmium: Organometallic Chemistry

As a large, soft, heavy element, the chemistry of cadmium is marked by relatively weak bonding to carbon and other more electronegative atoms. Organocadmium compounds thus demonstrate diverse reaction chemistry. Furthermore, the large size and low valency of cadmium leads to interesting aggregated compounds. The reactivity and structural importance of organocadmium compounds and applications in solid-state chemistry is offset by their high toxicity. Keywords: alkyl; aryl; alkoxide; amide; thiolate; synthesis
The fraying modern map: Failed states and contraband capitalism

Inter‐relationships between markets and states are re‐making the world political map but in some instances these interactions have created zones of political conflict where the world political map is fraying and coming undone. In certain ‘wild zones’ of the world, state failure and illegal exchange are the prevalent processes conditioning civil and nationalist wars. This paper considers the general relationships between turbo‐globalisation, contraband capitalism, and failed states. Using the case of Russia and Chechnya, it seeks to illustrate and describe the illegal and illicit forms of governance that are fraying the ‘modern map’ and contributing to the complexity of the story of ‘nationalism in a globalising world.’
Lamin A tail modification by SUMO1 is disrupted by familial partial lipodystrophy–causing mutations

Lamin filaments are major components of the nucleoskeleton that bind LINC complexes and many nuclear membrane proteins. The tail domain of lamin A directly binds 21 known partners, including actin, emerin, and SREBP1, but how these interactions are regulated is unknown. We report small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 (SUMO1) as a major new posttranslational modification of the lamin A tail. Two SUMO1 modification sites were identified based on in vitro SUMOylation assays and studies of Cos-7 cells. One site (K420) matches the SUMO1 target consensus; the other (K486) does not. On the basis of the position of K486 on the lamin A Ig-fold, we hypothesize the SUMO1 E2 enzyme recognizes a folded structure–dependent motif that includes residues genetically linked to familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD). Supporting this model, SUMO1-modification of the lamin A tail is reduced by two FPLD-causing mutations, G465D and K486N, and by single mutations in acidic residues E460 and D461. These results suggest a novel mode of functional control over lamin A in cells.
Random mutagenesis reveals a region important for gating of the yeast K+ channel Ykc1

YKC1 (TOK1, DUK1, YORK) encodes the outwardly rectifying K+ channel of the yeast plasma membrane. Non-targeted mutations of YKC1 were isolated by their ability to completely block proliferation when expressed in yeast. All such mutations examined occurred near the cytoplasmic ends of the transmembrane segments following either of the duplicated P loops, which we termed the 'post-P loop' (PP) regions. These PP mutations specifically caused marked defects in the 'C1' states, a set of interrelated closed states that Ykc1 enters and exits at rates of tens to hundreds of milliseconds. These results indicate that the Ykc1 PP region plays a role in determining closed state conformations and that non-targeted mutagenesis and microbial selection can be a valuable tool for probing structure-function relationships of ion channels.
Chronic haloperidol treatment attenuates receptor-mediated phosphoinositide turnover in rat brain slices.

Abstract The long-term effects of haloperidol on phosphoinositide turnover in rat brain slices were investigated. Continuous treatment with haloperidol decanoate (21 mg/kg I.M. biweekly for 6 weeks) significantly attenuated carbachol- and norepinephrine (NE)-induced inositol phosphate accumulation in rat frontal cortex and hippocampus. In the striatum, the haloperidol treatment also significantly decreased carbachol-stimulated inositol phosphate level but did not significantly affect NE-sensitive phosphoinositide turnover. These effects were not observed in rats treated with a single dose of haloperidol (1.5 mg/kg). Basal levels of inositol phosphate in these 3 brain regions did not change following continuous or single haloperidol doses.
Patterns of medical illness and injuries in emotionally disturbed patients brought to an emergency department in police custody

Emotionally disturbed persons brought to the emergency department (ED) are at risk of surgical and medical illness. The patterns of medical and surgical illness for emotionally disturbed patients brought in police custody to a major urban ED were recorded.
Phylogenetic relationships within the Cantharellaceae inferred from sequence analysis of the nuclear large subunit rDNA

DNA was extracted from dried specimens of nine taxa of the Cantharellaceae. Approximately 325 bases near the 5′ end of the nuclear 28S ribosomal gene were sequenced, and the sequences were compared. Sequence analyses demonstrated that Cantharellus and Craterellus should be treated as distinct genera. The phylogeny generated using parsimony suggests that Cantharellus tubaeformis and Pseudocraterellus sinuosus should be considered species of Craterellus. As a result of this study, we recognize the first placement of these two species in Craterellus by Fries and Quelet. A reassessment of the morphological characters used to separate Cantharellus and Craterellus is indicated.
Effect of phosphate and uncouplers on substrate transport and oxidation by isolated corn mitochondria.

A study was made to determine conditions under which malate oxidation rates in corn ( Zea mays L.) mitochondria are limited by transport processes. In the absence of added ADP, inorganic phosphate increased malate oxidation rates by processes inhibited by mersalyl and oligomycin, but phosphate did not stimulate uncoupled respiration. However, the uncoupled oxidation rates were inhibited by butylmalonate and mersalyl. When uncoupler was added prior to substrate, subsequent O 2 uptake rates were reduced when malate and succinate, but not exogenous NADH, were used. Uncoupler and butylmalonate also inhibited swelling in malate solutions and malate accumulation by these mitochondria, which were found to have a high endogenous phosphate content. Addition of uncoupler after malate or succinate produced an initial rapid oxidation which declined as the mitochondria lost solute and contracted. This decline was not affected by addition of ADP or AMP, and was not observed when exogenous NADH was substrate. Increasing K + permeability with valinomycin increased the P-trifluoromethoxy (carboxylcyanide)phenyl hydrazone inhibition. Kinetic studies showed the slow rate of malate oxidation in the presence of uncoupler to be characterized by a high K m and a low V max , probably reflecting a diffusion-limited process. The results indicate that rapid malate and succinate oxidation require the operation of both the phosphate and dicarboxylate transporters, which in turn depend on maintenance of a proton motive force across the inner membrane. In addition, phosphate can stimulate acceptorless malate oxidation by reaction with the coupling mechanism, and in uncoupled mitochondria which are depleted of substrate there is a slow rate of oxidation which appears to be limited by diffusive entry.
The docking technique for lateral ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction: surgical technique and clinical outcomes

Hypothesis Lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) reconstruction is a commonly used surgical approach for the treatment of posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI). We hypothesized that favorable clinical results could be obtained using the docking technique. Materials and methods Between 1996 and 2009, the docking technique was used for surgical reconstruction of the LUCL in 8 patients with purely ligamentous posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow. The clinical results of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results At a mean follow-up of 7.1 years (range, 5.2-9.4 years), 6 patients (75%) demonstrated complete resolution of lateral elbow instability, and 2 (25%) reported occasional instability with activities of daily living. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 87.5 (range, 75-100). Subjective assessment revealed that all patients were satisfied with their clinical outcome. Conclusion LUCL reconstruction using the docking technique facilitates simple graft tensioning and excellent graft fixation. Clinical results are comparable with previously reported studies with a low complication rate.
In Situ Reflection–Absorption Infrared Spectroscopy at the Liquid–Solid Interface: Decomposition of Organic Molecules on Polycrystalline Platinum Substrates

The room-temperature adsorption and surface chemistry of several categories of organic molecules used as reactants or solvents in liquid-phase catalysis, of carboxylic acids, esters, aldehydes, acetone, alcohols and ethers in particular, were characterized in situ on polycrystalline Pt in the presence of the liquid phase by reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). For carboxylic acids and esters it was found that the propensity for decomposition and CO formation follows a formic acid ≫ methyl formate, ethyl formate > acetic acid, propionic acid, acrylic acid, ethyl acetate sequence. For aldehydes and acetone, the observed trend is formaldehyde ≫ acetaldehyde > acrolein, crotonaldehyde > propionaldehyde, acetone. Virtually no adsorbed CO was detected when Pt surfaces were exposed to liquid solutions of either alcohols or ethers. The observed trends could be correlated with the corresponding molecular structures. They are discussed in the context of previous results obtained from studies under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) and under electro-oxidation conditions.
The Role of the Estrogen Receptor in Uterine Epithelial Proliferation and Cytodifferentiation in Neonatal Mice

We have examined the relationship between localization of estrogen receptor (ER) and selected cell responses induced by estrogen in the neonatal CD-I mouse uterus. The following simultaneous staining techniques were used to determine whether only uterine epithelial cells with ER are capable of showing proliferative and secretory activities after estrogen treatment: 1) ER localization and [3H]thymidine incorporation using immunohistochemistry and autoradiography; and 2) immunohistochemical double staining of ER and an estrogeninduced secretory protein lactoferrin (LF). Uterine tissues from two strains (CD-I and BALB/c) mice on day 4 of age showed detectable ER by immunostaining in both epithelial and stromal cells. Day 4 CD-I mice received a single injection of diethylstilbestrol (DES; 20 μg/kg BW). The percentage of ER-immunostained uterine epithelial cells and the intensity of the staining rapidly increased from 6–36 h, indicating that estrogen stimulates the expression and detectability of ER during the...
Item Analysis of the Primary Measures of Music Audiation in Elderly Care Home Residents

This study described the responses of 180 elderly care home residents on the Tonal and Rhythm subtests of the Primary Measures of Music Audiation test (Gordon, 1979). Separate analyses on each subtest yielded a mean score, a standard deviation, two reliability coefficients and their corresponding standard errors, a frequency distribution, and item difficulty and item discrimination indexes with individual item response distributions. Tonal item errors seemed due to subjects' inabilities to discriminate small interval changes in melodies, while rhythm item errors seemed due to subjects' inabilities to discriminate changes in duration or changes in complex rhythm patterns. Any generalizations or implications are primarily confined to female, Caucasian, elderly care home residents because of the restricted population sample used in the study. Even so, implications are that institutionalized elderly persons may have difficulty learning or performing music which requires discrimination of small interval changes, duration changes, or complex rhythm patterns. Music with marked changes in pitch or duration and with simple rhythm patterns should facilitate successful musical experiences.
Application of laser printing to mammalian cells

Abstract A laser-based transfer technique, termed matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation direct write (MAPLE DW), has been modified to rapidly and accurately deposit mammalian cells in a non-contact manner. While this technology was originally developed for deposition of inorganic materials, it has shown the ability to transfer of a wide range of biological materials. Two types of mammalian cells, human osteosarcoma and rat cardiac cells were deposited into a biopolymer matrix via MAPLE DW. Current results show that it is possible to deposit cells in a stepwise manner and build cellular ‘stacks’ 50–100 μm tall. Furthermore, the technique is now capable of depositing cells with near single cell resolution. Post-transfer results of live/dead viability/cytotoxicity assays show that the cells are unaffected by the process with near 100% viability. The ability to build cellular structures in three dimensions and deposit small numbers of cells accurately has potential application to tissue engineering.
N,N'-Bis(subst1tuted)-4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 derivatives having pi-donor-group-sidearms: correlation of thermodynamics and solid state structures

Abstract Solution thermodynamic data and solid state structure information are used to show that a series of N , N '- bis (substituted)-4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 (BiBLE) derivatives which lack oxygen or nitrogen donor groups in the sidearms do not utilize the sidearms for binding but show considerable variation in their binding constants.
An example-based mapping method for text categorization and retrieval

A unified model for text categorization and text retrieval is introduced. We use a training set of manually categorized documents to learn word-category associations, and use these associations to predict the categories of arbitrary documents. Similarly, we use a training set of queries and their related documents to obtain empirical associations between query words and indexing terms of documents, and use these associations to predict the related documents of arbitrary queries. A Linear Least Squares Fit (LLSF) technique is employed to estimate the likelihood of these associations. Document collections from the MEDLINE database and Mayo patient records are used for studies on the effectiveness of our approach, and on how much the effectiveness depends on the choices of training data, indexing language, word-weighting scheme, and morphological canonicalization. Alternative methods are also tested on these data collections for comparison. It is evident that the LLSF approach uses the relevance information effectively within human decisions of categorization and retrieval, and achieves a semantic mapping of free texts to their representations in an indexing language. Such a semantic mapping lead to a significant improvement in categorization and retrieval, compared to alternative approaches.
Neurologic signs and symptoms in a cohort of homosexual men followed for 4.5 years

Article abstract—We traced the development of neurologic impairment in 207 homosexual men (123 human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]-positive and 84 HIV-negative controls) over 4.5 years of follow-up. We applied generalized estimating equations to logistic regression analyses with repeated measures to examine the differences between HIV-positive and HIV-negative subjects with respect to the likelihood of developing six neurologic outcomes derived from a factor analysis, significant neurologic impairment (modified Kurtzke disability score of ≥3), or significant neuropsycholog-ical impairment. We found that, over time, HIV-positive subjects were more likely to develop clinically significant ex-trapyramidal signs and frontal release signs than HIV-negative subjects. Controlling for age or education, as CD4 count declined, the odds of developing significant extrapyramidal signs, abnormalities in alternating movements, frontal release signs, and a Kurtzke score ≥3 increased. HIV-positive subjects were almost five times as likely (odds ratio [OR], 4.6; 95% CI, 1.6 to 13.4) as HIV-negative subjects to stay the same or worsen neurologically on the next visit, and those with CD4 ≥200 were 4.8 times as likely (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 2.2 to 10.7) to maintain or worsen neurologically relative to those with higher CD4 counts. We conclude that neurologic impairment becomes increasingly apparent over time in HIV-infected men, especially in those with low CD4 counts.
Photochemical modification of 10 kDa polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes for reduction of biofouling

Poly(ether sulfone) 10 kDa ultrafiltration membranes were modified by photolysis using ultraviolet light and graft polymerization of hydrophilic monomers onto the membrane surface to create more hydrophilic and lower fouling membrane surfaces. The modified membrane surfaces were characterized by FTIR/ATR and captive bubble contact angle measurements to determine chemical and hydrophilicity changes during modification. The modified membranes were compared with an unmodified poly(ether sulfone) (control) membrane as well as a commercial regenerated cellulose and a low protein adsorbing poly(ether sulfone) membrane using a newly developed standardized filtration protocol with 1 wt% bovine serum albumin. The best performing modified membrane was with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone and showed a 25% increase in hydrophilicity, a 49% decrease in bovine serum albumin fouling, and a 4% increase in bovine serum albumin retention compared to the unmodified poly(ether sulfone) membrane. While the regenerated cellulose membrane had the lowest fouling and the low protein adsorbing membrane had the highest flux of all tested membranes, the N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone-modified membranes had the best combination of low fouling and high flux.
Development and results of PVMe on the IBM 9076 SP1

Abstract We present PVMe, IBM′s AIX implementation of the widely used PVM message passing programming model. The focus is on the version for the IBM 9076 SP1. The PVMe design is thoroughly described along with the results obtained running some significant applications on this platform. A summary of the experiences of using PVM as the base for the implementation of other communication libraries (namely, PARMACS) concludes the work.
MO-A-M100F-01: Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) in Radiation Oncology: Will It Help You?

Initiated in 2005, Integrating the Healthcare Environment for Radiation Oncology (IHE‐RO) is a multi‐society, multi‐vendor effort to improve the safety, reliability, and integration of computer and information systems within the radiation oncology arena. IHE‐RO works to accomplish this by coordinating the use of standards such as DICOM and HL7 to effectively exchange information between diverse computer systems involved in the process of planning and delivery of radiation therapytreatments. It attempts to remove ambiguity where it exists in these standards by defining consensus profiles to solve real‐world situations. Each IHE domain (radiology, cardiology, radiation oncology, …) identifies areas where improvements need to be made in the sharing / exchange of information between disparate systems. An IHE Planning Committee then defines a real‐world use case illustrating this process and a trial Integration Profile for improving it. This profile is then discussed by the Technical Committee, which defines the specific standards and methods for exchanging information that will be used to satisfy the needs of the profile and use case. Finally, the Integration Profile and detailed implementation specifics are published in the domain's Technical Frameworks documentation. Once published, those vendors participating in the IHE process develop / refine products to meet the Integration Profile's requirements. Testing occurs via test tools developed for the profiles and then demonstrated in a formal Connectathon, held under the auspices of the society sponsoring the domain. Companies that successfully demonstrate their compliance with the profile are then included in a public demonstration, held at the society's annual meeting. The complete process from profile initiation to public demonstration typically takes 20–24 months. In this session, the progress of the IHE‐RO effort will be reviewed. The profile selected for demonstration at the ASTRO 2007 Annual Meeting will be discussed. The proposed profiles for 2008 will be compared, and the rationale for those selected for inclusion in the 2008 demonstration will be given. Profiles developed within other IHE domains, such as Information Technology Infrastructure, will also be discussed. Educational Objectives: 1. To describe the structure and purpose of the IHE effort, including a brief history of IHE and the formation of the IHE‐RO effort. 2. To review the development process of the 2007 IHE‐RO profile; how it was developed, its benefits, and its limitations. 3. To discuss the profiles currently under consideration for future IHE‐RO efforts, particularly the 2008 public demonstration. 4. To describe efforts in other IHE domains that may influence the development of information systems in radiation oncology.
Advances in complex multiparameter flow cytometry technology: Applications in stem cell research†‡

Flow cytometry and cell sorting are critical tools in stem cell research. Recent advances in flow cytometric hardware, reagents, and software have synergized to permit the stem cell biologist to more fully identify and isolate rare cells based on their immunofluorescent and light scatter characteristics. Some of these improvements include physically smaller air-cooled lasers, new designs in optics, new fluorescent conjugate-excitation pairs, and improved software to visualize data, all which combine to open up new horizons in the study of stem cells, by enhancing the resolution and specificity of inquiry. In this review, these recent improvements in technology will be outlined and important cell surface and functional antigenic markers useful for the study of stem cells described. © 2009 Clinical Cytometry Society
Congenital hepatic arteriovenous malformation: an unusual cause of neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension

Congenital hepatic arteriovenous malformations are rare anomalies, which typically present in infancy with congestive heart failure, anemia, and hepatomegaly. Morbidity and mortality is high if the condition is not recognized and treated promptly. Hepatic arteriovenous malformation associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn has been reported in two cases in the literature. We report a neonate who was referred for management of persistent pulmonary hypertension and was subsequently diagnosed with a large hepatic arteriovenous malformation. He underwent coil embolization following which pulmonary hypertension resolved.
Site-directed estrogen receptor antibodies stabilize 4-hydroxytamoxifen ligand, but not estradiol, and indicate ligand-specific differences in the recognition of estrogen response element DNA in vitro

Conformational differences between type I antiestrogen-liganded estrogen receptor and estradiol (E2)-liganded estrogen receptor (ER) are thought to be responsible for differentiating agonist versus antagonist ER activity at individual genes. To examine the impact of ER ligand on estrogen-response element (ERE) binding kinetics and receptor conformation, we quantitated the effect of site-directed, ER-specific antibodies raised against synthetic peptides corresponding to the DNA-binding domain of human ER on ER-ERE binding in vitro. Although 4-hydroxytamoxifen-liganded-ER (4-OHT-ER) and E2-ER bind a consensus ERE with equal high affinity, the stoichiometry of 4-OHT-ER-ERE binding at saturation is approximately 50% lower than that of E2-ER binding to all ERE sequences tested. In contrast, the ERE binding stoichiometry of tamoxifen aziridine-liganded ER (TAz-ER) is identical to that of E2-ER: one receptor dimer bound per ERE. The difference in binding stoichiometry is caused by dissociation of one molecule of 4-OHT from the ER as the dimeric receptor binds DNA. Addition of low concentrations of ER-specific polyclonal antibodies AT3A or AT3B prevented 4-OHT ligand dissociation, yielding an increase in specific 4-OHT-ER-ERE binding to a level equal to that of E2-ER- or TAz-ER-ERE binding. However, higher amounts of AT3A or AT3B inhibited specific ERE binding of both 4-OHT- and E2-ER. We conclude that differences in ER conformation when liganded with 4-OHT versus E2 are revealed by these antibodies and that such differences in receptor conformation may influence subsequent interaction of the receptor with other proteins necessary for transactivation.
Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Fifth Edition - winner of a 2013 Highly Commended BMA Medical Book Award for Internal Medicine - covers the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of the GI Tract while linking the clinical disease or disorder, bridging the gap between clinical and laboratory medicine. The gastrointestinal system is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of various foods and liquids needed to sustain life. Other diseases and disorders treated by clinicians in this area include: food allergies, constipation, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, gallstones, gastritis, GERD, hemorrhoids, IBS, lactose intolerance, pancreatic, appendicitis, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, peptic ulcer, stomach ulcer, viral hepatitis, colorectal cancer and liver transplants. The new edition is a highly referenced and useful resource for gastroenterologists, physiologists, internists, professional researchers, and instructors teaching courses for clinical and research students. *2013 Highly Commended BMA Medical Book Award for Internal Medicine* Discusses the multiple processes governing gastrointestinal function* Each section edited by preeminent scientist in the field* Updated, four-color illustrations
Measuring regional variation in sex preference in China: a cautionary note.

Abstract This paper critically examines the issue of measuring regional variation in sex preference in China. It demonstrates that the conclusion of previous research ( Fred Arnold and Zhaoxiang Liu, 1986 Population and Development Review 12, 221–246) on this subject is largely an artifact that is due to floor and ceiling effects as well as sampling variability. This paper proposes alternative measures that are combined with statistical models. After correcting for floor and ceiling effects and considering sampling variability, it is shown that while sex preference undoubtedly exists in China, the degree of sex preference does not vary by region. Differentials are evident, however, by educational attainment and urban status.
Freedom of expression. Focus on "Endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response regulate cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator expression".

expression in heterologous cell systems is a mainstay of modern biomedical research, where it is used to study the cell biology and function of both wild-type and mutant proteins. Although recombinant proteins are generally expressed in naive cells, it is becoming increasingly important to express
Heterogeneous Residential Water and Energy Linkages and Implications for Conservation and Management

AbstractThis paper develops an integrated approach to model heterogeneous household water and energy use and their linkages. The approach considers variations in behavioral and technological water and energy use factors that affect U.S. indoor residential water and energy use for toilets, showers, faucets, clothes washers, and dishwashers. The study uses a recent, large, national, disaggregated household water use data set collected from 11 cities, as well as national energy data on water heater efficiency and setpoint/intake temperatures. First, probability distributions of water and energy use factors are identified and correlated. Then, Monte Carlo simulations are used to calculate probability distributions for estimated household water and energy use. Finally, linear regressions are used to find the relative effects of water and energy factors on household energy use. Results show that water and energy distributions among households are skewed, with the largest 12% of the users consuming 21% and 24% o...
The products and kinetics of hydrolysis of cyanopyridinium ions

Abstract The hydrolysis of 1-methyl-2-cyano, 4-cyano-, and 3-cyanopyridinium ions by aqueous base has been studied. The kinetics of the reaction of the 2- and 4-cyano derivatives were measured by polarographic analysis of cyanide ion formation, and the rate of reaction of the 3-cyano ion was followed spectroscopically at 3500 A. The 2- and 4-cyano ions yielded the corresponding pyridones and carbamidopyridinium ions, while the 3-cyano ion formed 3-carbamidopyridinium ion and 4-cyano-5-methyl-amino-2, 4-pentadienal. The ratios of the products varied in each case with pH. The ratio of carbamidopyridinium ion formation rates for the three isomers was 50:5·7:1 (2-:4-:3-) with a second-order rate constant for the 3-isomer of 0·28 1 mol−1sec−1. The rate ratio for attack on the pyridinium ring was > 1100:43:1 (2-:4-:3-) with a rate constant for the 2-isomer of ∼76 1 mol−1 sec−1 at 25°.
Kinesthetic aided spacecraft rendenvous: an application of object-resolved telerobotics

A concept referred to as object-resolved telerobotics (ORT) is introduced in this paper in which the human interface to the master is a hand-held proxy for the object to be manipulated. Twist or wrench application to the master by the operator becomes a twist or wrench command to the object. The advantages of ORT are: (1) projected improvement in operator performance resulting from direct command of the object, (2) reduced amount of information that must be transmitted to and from the remote site and (3) opportunity to apply novel forms of shared control and kinesthetic feedback and to use simpler force reflecting masters. The concept has broad application in human supervision of any semi-autonomous system. In this paper, its use is demonstrated in producing cross-axis kinesthetic feedback to an astronaut or ground controller to accomplish spacecraft (s/c) rendezvous, a task that normally is performed with only visual feedback. In cross-axis kinesthetic feedback, the s/c attitude and lateral misalignment are kinesthetically sensed by the operator as a reduction in the programmed velocity in the nominal approach direction. The influence which misalignment has on the programmed velocity is increased as the closing distance is decreased to safely `funnel' the s/c into docking position. The master required to accomplish this has mixed unilateral/bilateral functionality that is demonstrated using a laboratory prototype in conjunction with a computer simulation of s/c rendezvous.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Citrate is an endogenous inhibitor of snake venom enzymes by metal-ion chelation.

Citrate levels in selected snake venoms were determined by an enzymatic assay coupled to NADP+ reduction. Citrate concentrations in different viper venoms (n = 5) varied from 95 to 150 mM, in crotalids (n = 3) from 63 to 142 mM, and in elapids (n = 4) from 17 to 163 mM. In Bothrops asper venom Ca2+-ion concentrations varied from 2.5 to 3.6 mM, suggesting that the high relative citrate levels may serve to chelate endogenous divalent metal cations, thereby inactivating divalent cation requiring enzymes. Control experiments with B. asper phospholipase A2 MIII in the presence of 2.5 mM Ca2+, showed that the enzyme is completely inhibited by 20 mM citrate. Crotalus adamanteus 5′-nucleotidase and phosphodiesterase are also inhibited 100 and 75%, respectively, by 100 mM citrate. By forming complexes with divalent metal ions, citrate markedly reduces the activities of selected enzymes in snake venoms. Secretion of high concentrations of citrate may represent an important mechanism by which snakes protect themselves against the toxic effects of their own venoms.
Purification and some properties of yeast citrate synthase

Abstract Citrate synthase from yeast has been purified to apparent homogeneity. The reaction catalyzed by this enzyme followed normal kinetics with respect to both oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA. The K m values for the two substrates were 1 to 4 μ m and 2 to 6 μ m , respectively. ATP (5 m m ) increased the K m for acetyl-CoA to about 100 μ m . Both ATP and pyrophosphate competitively inhibited the reaction with respect to acetyl-CoA. These properties are consistent with the suggestion that modulation by ATP of the catalytic properties of citrate synthase is a factor in regulation of the rate of oxidation of acetyl-CoA in the citrate cycle.
252Cf-plasma desorption mass spectrometry using polymer surfaces

Abstract The adsorption of molecules onto a specially designed polymer surface is a new sample preparation technique for 252Cf-plasma desorption mass spectrometry (252Cf-PDMS) where an analyte is adsorbed from a solution onto the surface of a thin film that has been modified to have a particular attraction for the analyte. The adsorbed layer is directly analyzed by 252Cf-PDMS. Mass spectra of pepsin (mol. wt. 35 000) adsorbed onto nitrocellulose and highly-charged heparin fragments adsorbed onto an immobilized cationic surfactant film are some of the recent applications to difficult analytical problems.
Z 3 generalization of the Kitaev's spin-1/2 model

We generalize the Kitaev's spin-1/2 model on the honeycomb by introducing a two-dimensional ${Z}_{3}$ clock model on the triangular lattice with three-body interaction. We discuss various properties of this model and show that the low energy theory of the ${Z}_{3}$ generalized Kitaev model (GKM) is described by a single ${Z}_{3}$ parafermion per lattice site coupled to a ${Z}_{3}$ gauge field. We also introduce a slave-fermion approach for this GKM, treat the resulting fermionic Hamiltonian at the mean-field level, solve the mean-field parameters self-consistently, and obtain the low energy effective Chern-Simons (CS) gauge theory. The resulting CS gauge theory is identical to that of a $(221)$ fractional quantum Hall state. We then go beyond the mean-field approximation and demonstrate that fluctuations generate a uniform interlayer pairing for the dual $(221)$ bilayer state. We argue that this perturbed system can undergo a phase transition to the Fibonacci phase by tuning the interlayer pairing strength.
A regulatory locus for mouse beta-glucuronidase induction, Gur, controls messenger RNA activity

A regulatory locus in a higher organism has been shown to control a specific messenger RNA activity. The Gur locus in mice regulates the production of kidney beta-glucuronidase messenger RNA activity after induction of the beta-glucuronidase structural gene, Gus, by testosterone. beta-Glucuronidase messenger RNA was assayed by its ability to direct the synthesis of catalytically active murine beta-glucuronidase in Xenopus oocytes.
Prism representation: a 3D ray-tracing algorithm for radiotherapy applications

Computing the intersection of a line with a volume, or 'ray tracing' as it is commonly known, is an integral component of three-dimensional radiotherapy dose calculation algorithms. Examples of ray tracing include the intersection of a ray from the radiation source with the patient, with heterogeneous volumes within the patient and with beam-modifying devices, such as a wedge or compensator. Ray tracing is also of primary importance in the field of three-dimensional computer graphics. Through the process of ray tracing, various display features, such as hidden surfaces, shadows, reflection and refraction, can be rendered simply and with startling realism. Advances have recently been made in three-dimensional ray-tracing methods in computer graphics. Due to the similarity of ray tracing in three-dimensional computer graphics and radiotherapy, these new techniques have an immediate application to the ray-tracing problems in three-dimensional radiotherapy dose calculations. The purpose of this paper is to present these advances and illustrate their use in radiation therapy.
Role of dynamic vegetation in regional climate predictions over western Africa

This study examines the role of vegetation dynamics in regional predictions of future climate change in western Africa using a dynamic vegetation model asynchronously coupled to a regional climate model. Two experiments, one for present day and one for future, are conducted with the linked regional climate-vegetation model, and the third with the regional climate model standing alone that predicts future climate based on present-day vegetation. These simulations are so designed in order to tease out the impact of structural vegetation feedback on simulated climate and hydrological processes. According to future predictions by the regional climate-vegetation model, increase in LAI is widespread, with significant shift in vegetation type. Over the Guinean Coast in 2084–2093, evergreen tree coverage decreases by 49% compared to 1984–1993, while drought deciduous tree coverage increases by 56%. Over the Sahel region in the same period, grass cover increases by 31%. Such vegetation changes are accompanied by a decrease of JJA rainfall by 2% over the Guinean Coast and an increase by 23% over the Sahel. This rather small decrease or large increase of precipitation is largely attributable to the role of vegetation feedback. Without the feedback effect from vegetation, the regional climate model would have predicted a 5% decrease of JJA rainfall in both the Guinean Coast and the Sahel as a result of the radiative and physiological effects of higher atmospheric CO2 concentration. These results demonstrate that climate- and CO2-induced changes in vegetation structure modify hydrological processes and climate at magnitudes comparable to or even higher than the radiative and physiological effects, thus evincing the importance of including vegetation feedback in future climate predictions.
Personality characteristics, environmental factors and glycemic control in adolescents with diabetes.

Metabolic control in adolescents with diabetes is difficult to achieve and seems to depend in part on personality and the family environment. We tried to identify relevant characteristics in this study. We administered the Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale, a Self-Competence scale, a Locus of Control Scale, and a structured interview, to 40 adolescent diabetics and 39 healthy controls, and the Rotter Locus of Control Scale to mothers. There were indications of more depressive thoughts and feelings (P=0.036) and slightly more anxiety (P=0.065) in the diabetics than in the controls. The diabetics who put in more effort at school had better metabolic control. Also, the diabetics who worried about their illness (P=0.021) and the ones who belonged to lower social class (P=0.011) had poorer metabolic control than others. The diabetics did not differ in locus of control and self-competence from controls. Locus of control, self-competence and anxiety were not correlated to HbA1c values.
Levels of categorization in visual recognition studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract Background: Recent functional neuroimaging results implicate part of the ventral temporal lobe of the brain in face recognition, and have, together with neurophysiological findings, been used as evidence for a face-specific neural module in the brain. Experimental designs, however, have often failed to distinguish between the class of the object used as the stimulus (face or non-face) and the level of categorization at which the stimulus is recognized (the ‘basic' level, such as ‘bird', at which familiar objects are first recognized, or more subordinate levels – ‘sparrow', for example – which require additional perceptual processing). We have used echo-planar functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare brain activation for the matching of non-face objects with subordinate-level and basic-level descriptors. Results: The additional visual processing required to verify the subordinate level of a picture over its basic level was associated with activation of the fusiform and inferior temporal gyri (FIT) as well as the temporal poles. These areas correspond closely to those previously implicated in the processing of facial images. Conclusions: Our results indicate that areas of the ventral visual pathway that have been associated with face recognition are sensitive to manipulations of the categorization level of non-face objects. This idea offers an alternative to the dominant view that FIT may be organized according to conceptual categories, and our results establish the importance of manipulating task requirements when evaluating a ‘neural module' hypothesis.
An archaeal gene upstream of grpE different from eubacterial counterparts.

In some eubacteria with a dnaK locus in which grpE is close upstream of dnaK, grpE is preceded by an open reading frame (orf) believed to be a heat-shock gene. We also found an orf, orf16, upstream of grpE in the archaeon Methanosarcina mazei S-6, but this gene differs from the eubacterial counterpart: it is shorter, does not respond to a temperature upshift as heat-shock genes do, and the deduced protein Orf16, does not resemble the proteins coded by the eubacterial equivalents. orf16 is expressed monocistronically, with a transcription initiation site 24 bases upstream of the translation start codon, 22 bases downstream of a putative promoter identical to the consensus promoter for genes in methanogens. This initiation site is used by heat-shocked and non-heat-shocked cells in the two morphologic stages of M. mazei S-6 tested, i.e., packets and single cells. Three transcription termination sites were identified, one of which is detectable only in non-heat-shocked cells. Data from comparative analyses of the Orf16 deduced amino acid sequence and those of other known proteins, as well as the apparent biochemical characteristics of Orf16, suggest that the latter is a membrane molecule.