cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solidification/stabilization of arsenic salts: Effects of long cure times

Abstract Leachability of As III and As V from various solidification-stabilization ( S S ) binders has been studied over a period of four years. Type I portland cement (OPC), both alone and mixed with a number of additives, results in toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leachabilities of ≤ 3 mg l −1 for arsenite and ≤ 2 mg l −1 for arsenate. There is no appreciable change in leachability after 3 years of cure, compared with 28 days of cure. The combination of OPC and Class F fly ash as a binder results in substantially degraded performance, as measured by TCLP leachability. Furthermore, the OPC-FA-As mixtures show increasing leachability with time. These solidified products have been studied using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), derivative thermal gravimetry (DTG) and solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MAS-NMR). The As V salt, NaCaAsO 4 · 7.5H 2 O, is identifiable by XRD in many of these samples, particularly when sodium arsenate is the model As waste, but even when sodium arsenite is the original form of As. The OPC-FA mixtures show substantial respeciation during long curing times. There is evidence for formation of stratlingite from XRD, and there is substantial conversion of octahedrally coordinated aluminum, which is the predominant form at 28 days, to tetrahedrally coordinated aluminum at longer cure times, as shown by NMR. These matrix changes are correlated with increased leachability, although direct cause and effect cannot be established. These results emphasize the importance of long-term testing to identify specific combinations of S S binders and wastes that are prone to undergo respeciation, and consequent leachability changes, after long cure times.
Loss of sarcolemma nNOS in sarcoglycan-deficient muscle

nNOS, anchored to the sarcolemma through its interactions with the dystrophin–glycoprotein complex, is dramatically reduced in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice and Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. Recent evidence suggests that loss of nNOS in dystrophin-deficient muscle may contribute significantly to the progression of muscle pathology through a variety of mechanisms. To investigate whether nNOS plays a role in other forms of muscular dystrophy, we analyzed protein expression of nNOS in several sarcoglycan-deficient animal models of muscular dystrophy as well as patients with primary mutations in the sarcoglycan genes. Primary mutations in α-, β-, δ-, and γ-sarcoglycan result in autosomal recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophy (AR-LGMD). We report that loss of the sarcoglycan–sarcospan complex in muscle causes a dramatic reduction in the levels of nNOS expression at the membrane, even in the presence of normal dystrophin and syntrophin expression. Furthermore, we show that expression of three out of ...
Coupling of the distal hydrogen bond network to the exogenous ligand in substrate-bound, resting state human heme oxygenase.

Mammalian heme oxygenase (HO) possesses catalytically implicated distal ordered water molecules within an extended H-bond network, with one of the ordered water molecules (#1) providing a bridge between the iron-coordinated ligand and the catalytically critical Asp140, that, in turn, serves as an acceptor for the Tyr58 OH H-bond. The degree of H-bonding by the ligated water molecule and the coupling of this water molecule to the H-bond network are of current interest and are herein investigated by 1H NMR. Two-dimensional NMR allowed sufficient assignments to provide both the H-bond strength and hyperfine shifts, the latter of which were used to quantify the magnetic anisotropy in both the ferric high-spin aquo and low-spin hydroxo complexes. The anisotropy in the aquo complex indicates that the H-bond donation to water #1 is marginally stronger than in a bacterial HO, while the anisotropy for the hydroxo complex reveals a conventional (dxz, dyz)1 ground state indicative of only moderate to weak H-bond acc...
Pt-CeO2 Contact and Its Effect on CO Hydrogenation Selectivity

Abstract The CO 2 /CH 4 ratio during methanation on Pt was found to be very sensitive to the proximity of Pt and CeO 2 . On 0.6 wt% Pt/Al 2 O 3 , the CO 2 /CH 4 ratio was ≍ 0.09 suggesting that most of the O from the CO ends up as H 2 O in the product stream. In contrast, on 0.6 wt% Pt/CeO 2 the CO 2 /CH 4 ratio ranged from 0.8-1.0. The selectivity to CO 2 was not a result of the sequential water-gas shift reaction nor was it caused by a surface reduction of CeO 2 by CO. The highest selectivity to CO 2 is observed on catalysts with the smallest Pt particle sizes, providing further evidence that Pt-CeO 2 contact influences the selectivity toward CO 2 formation. In this study, we have also investigated whether the CO 2 /CH 4 ratio could be used as a probe of Pt-CeO 2 contact in Pt/CeO 2 -Al 2 O 3 catalysts.
Identification of an allosteric modulator of the serotonin transporter with novel mechanism of action

Serotonin transporters (SERTs) play an essential role in the termination and regulation of serotonin signaling in the brain. SERT is also the target of antidepressants and psychostimulants. Molecules with novel activities and modes of interaction with regard to SERT function are of great scientific and clinical interest. We explored structural regions outside the putative serotonin translocation pathway to identify potential binding sites for allosteric transporter modulators (ATMs). Mutational studies revealed a pocket of amino acids outside the orthosteric substrate binding sites located in the interface between extracellular loops 1 and 3 that when mutated affect transporter function. Using the structure of the bacterial transporter homolog leucine transporter as a template, we developed a structural model of SERT. We performed molecular dynamics simulations to further characterize the allosteric pocket that was identified by site-directed mutagenesis studies and employed this pocket in a virtual screen for small-molecule modulators of SERT function. In functional transport assays, we found that one of the identified molecules, ATM7, increased the reuptake of serotonin, possibly by facilitating the interaction of serotonin with transport-ready conformations of SERT when concentrations of serotonin were low and rate limiting. In addition, ATM7 potentiates 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy")-induced reversed transport by SERT. Taking advantage of a conformationally sensitive residue in transmembrane domain 6, we demonstrate that ATM7 mechanistically stabilizes an outward-facing conformation of SERT. Taken together these observations demonstrate that ATM7 acts through a novel mechanism that involves allosteric modulation of SERT function.
Rapid and sensitive method for the microassay of nitrosobenzene plus phenylhydroxylamine in blood

Abstract An assay method has been developed for the determination of the combined concentration of nitrosobenzene plus phenylhydroxylamine (as nitrosobenzene) in small volumes of blood. The initial step in the procedure consisted of the simultaneous oxidation of phenylhydroxylamine to nitrosobenzene and of ferrous hemoglobin to methemoglobin by ferricyanide. Nitrosobenzene in the ferricyanide-treated blood samples was then extracted into ethyl acetate, and separated and quantitated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The sensitivity limit for nitrosobenzene in blood was in the pmol/ml concentration range, less than 100 μl of blood was required for assay, and the procedure was convenient for routine multisample use. In comparison with previous assays, this method was more sensitive, had a lower coefficient of variation, and required 25–40 fold smaller blood sample volumes. The method was combined with the orbital sinus bleeding technique in order to follow the nitrosobenzene time course in vivo using small serial blood samples from rats treated with intraperitoneal injections of phenylhydroxylamine or aniline.
Titanium in muscovite, biotite, and hornblende: Modeling, thermometry, and rutile activities of metapelites and amphibolites

Reactions involving the VI Ti IV Al- VI Al IV Si exchange in muscovite, biotite, and hornblende were calibrated thermodynamically using a set of experimental and natural data in rutile-plus quartz/coesite-bearing assemblages. The specific respective reactions are (R1) K ( Al 2 ) ( AlSi 3 ) O 10 ( OH ) 2 + TiO 2 = K ( AlTi ) ( Al 2 Si 2 ) O 10 ( OH ) 2 + SiO 2 (R2) K ( □ MgAl ) Si 4 O 10 ( OH ) 2 + TiO 2 = K ( □ MgTi ) AlSi 3 O 10 ( OH ) 2 + SiO 2 (R3) Ca 2 Mg 3 Al 2 Al 2 Si 6 O 22 ( OH ) 2 + 2 TiO 2 = Ca 2 Mg 3 Ti 2 Al 4 Si 4 O 22 ( OH ) 2 + 2 SiO 2 . Ideal mixing on octahedral or octahedral plus tetrahedral sites and a non-ideal van Laar solution model yield the best regression results for thermodynamic fit parameters, with R 2 values of 0.98–1.00. Isopleths of the equilibrium constant ( K eq ) show minimal pressure dependencies of K id ) is excellent (ca. ±0.1 to 0.3, 2σ), but the absolute value of the combined term Δ S + K id is quite small (absolute values from 0 to 4), so calibration residuals propagate to temperature errors >±50–100 °C, 1σ. Whereas the consistency of a mica or hornblende composition with a known T can be evaluated precisely, Ti chemistry in these reactions is sensitive to composition and does not resolve T (or P ) well. The activity of TiO 2 in rutile [ a (rt)] was also evaluated using both the garnet-rutile-ilmenite-plagioclase-quartz (GRIPS) equilibrium and our new calibrations in rutile-absent, ilmenite-bearing rocks whose peak P-T conditions are otherwise known. Metapelites have average a (rt) of 0.9 (GRIPS) and 0.8 (R1), whereas amphibolites have a (rt) of 0.95 (GRIPS and R3). A value for a (rt) of 0.80 ± 0.20 (metapelites) and 0.95 +0.05/−0.25 (amphibolites) is recommended for trace-element thermomobarometers in ilmenite-bearing, rutile-absent rocks. The dependence of Ti contents of minerals on a (rt) and the reequilibration of Ti during metamorphic reactions both deserve further exploration, and may affect application of trace-element thermobarometers.
Letter to the Editor: TROSY-driven NMR backbone assignments of the 381-residue nucleotide-binding domain of the Thermus Thermophilus DnaK molecular chaperone

Highly homologous Hsp70 (70 kDa Heat shock protein) chaperones occur in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Under normal conditions Hsp70 assist in the folding and re-folding of proteins, and membrane translocation of proteins. Under stress conditions cells express Hsp70 proteins at elevated levels. The chaperone activity depends on the binding of exposed hydrophobic sequences of unfolded proteins in a hydrophobic pocket in the 25 kDa C-terminal domain. The affinity for substrate increases several orders when ATP, bound by the 44 kDa N-terminal nucleotidebinding domain (NBD), is hydrolyzed. In vivo this interdomain allosteric regulation of substrate binding is supplemented by multiple co-chaperone proteins. There is no high resolution structural data available for any complete Hsp70. Examination of crystal structures of the NBD of a mammalian Hsp70 in the ATP, ADP and AMP-PNP forms have failed to reveal significant changes, leaving the basis of the allosteric mechanism in question (Flaherty et al., 1994). Here we report the NMR backbone resonance assignment of a 44 kDa monomeric Hsp70 NBD from the DnaK protein of the thermophilic bacteriumThermus thermophilus (Tth). No high resolution structure of any portion of Tth DnaK is available to date. However, Tth DnaK is homologous to the well-studied E. coli DnaK and bovine Hsc70 (Klostermeier et al., 1999). The backbone 1HN, 15Nα, 13Cα, 13Cβ, and 13CO assignments provide, amongst others, the basis for NMR studies of the mechanism of allostery in the NBD (Revington et al., 2004). Methods and experiments
Coordinate and noncoordinate regulation of synaptic vesicle protein genes during embryonic development

Because the formation of a mature nerve terminal requires the accumulation of large quantities of synaptic vesicles, the expression of synaptic vesicle proteins would be expected to correlate with synaptogenesis. However, previous studies have provided conflicting evidence on this point. We have examined the developmental pattern of expression of mRNA and protein for three RNAs derived from two genes coding for synaptic vesicle membrane proteins. For these experiments, we cloned a chick p65 (synaptotagmin) cDNA using a reduced stringency screen with a rat p65 cDNA probe. We examined p65 expression in chick forebrain in conjunction with that of synaptophysin II. RNase protection assays for p65 and the two isoforms of synaptophysin II (Bixby, 1992) show essentially coordinate increases of these three mRNAs in embryonic forebrain during the peak period of synaptogenesis (E17 to E20). However, each of the three mRNAs has a distinct temporal pattern of expression during the early stages of embryogenesis. In the ciliary ganglion, upregulation of synaptophysin II mRNA correlates very well with synaptogenesis. Our results suggest that the regulation of expression of vesicle membrane protein mRNA can serve as a marker for synaptogenesis, despite temporal differences in early expression patterns. In contrast to mRNA expression, assays for vesicle protein expression show a relatively steady rise in both p65 and synaptophysin II throughout the embryonic period, without a sharp increase corresponding to that seen in message levels. These results suggest that the expression both of the p65 and of the synaptophysin II proteins is post-transcriptionally regulated.
On Hilbertian ideals

Abhyankar defined the index of a monomial in a matrix of indeterminates X to be the maximal size of any minor of X whose principal diagonal divides the given monomial. Using this concept, he characterized a free basis for general type of determinantal ideals formed by the minors coming from a saturated subset of X. In this paper, to a monomial in X of index p we associate a combinatorial object called a superskeleton of latitude p, which can loosely be described as a p-tuple of “almost nonintersecting paths” in a rectangular lattice of points. Using this map, we prove that the ideal generated by the p by p minors of a saturated set in X is hilbertian, i.e., the Hilbert polynomial of this ideal coincides with its Hilbert function for all nonnegative integers.
Test of a Dynamic Footrest on Leg Swelling in Sedentary Computer Workers

Sixteen college students (8 male, 8 female) sat with their lower legs exposed and typed text under two conditions: feet on a static footrest and feet on an identical dynamic footrest that passively moved the feet. Under both conditions, changes in calf volume, ankle circumference, calfskin temperature, postural adjustments of the lower limbs and typing performance were measured. Results suggest that the dynamic footrest improved lower leg circulation. Calfskin surface temperature was significantly higher with the dynamic footrest. There was an interaction of calf circumference change with condition, order and time-of-day. There was a marginally significant overall calf circumference change with the footrest. There was significantly less voluntary movement with the dynamic footrest. There was no significant effect of the dynamic footrest on ankle circumference or typing performance.
Genotoxic effects of fluoride: A controversial issue

Fluoride is an element which is widely distributed in our environment. Its cariostatic efficacy has been well documented, and numerous studies indicate that at a concentration of 1 ppm in water, fluoride is beneficial for caries prevention and does not appear to exacerbate any diseases. Currently, more than half the American population is consuming naturally or artificially fluoridated water and efforts are being made to increase this proportion significantly. In addition, the multiple use of fluoride for dental caries prevention is clearly increasing. It is a common practice to use fluoride in a variety of delivery systems, including dentifrices, mouthrinses, pediatric supplements, and professional or self-applied topical solutions or gels as well as dental restorative materials. These dental products may contain fluoride in concentrations as high as 12,300 ppm. Increasing exposure of the population to fluoride has raised questions about the safety of this measure and has established the need for objective reappraisal. In particular, interest has developed regarding the genotoxic effects of fluoride. Unfortunately, there is, at present, only a limited amount of information available concerning the potential genotoxic effects of fluoride, and the results that have been published are contradictory and often very confusing. A review of the literature clearly indicates the importance of, and necessity for, clarifying the conflicts and controversies regarding this important issue.
Analysis of Gender Differences in Knowledge of Stroke Warning Signs

Background The impact of gender on knowledge of stroke warning signs and preparedness is poorly understood, and gender-specific factors associated with poor knowledge of stroke warning signs have not been identified. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 132,604 participants in the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, a national telephone survey. Adults aged 18 years or older who lived in one of 19 states that administered an optional stroke module asking them to correctly identify stroke symptoms and the correct action to take were included. The primary outcome was a low score (≤4 of 7) on the Stroke Symptoms Knowledge Scale (SSKS). Logistic regression was performed for the overall sample and then stratified by gender, with adjustments made for age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, income, and whether respondents had a primary doctor (PMD). Data were weighted as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Results In all, 51.7% of the weighted sample was women. Less women than men had low scores on the SSKS (21% versus 25%, P Conclusions Female gender is associated with better knowledge of stroke warning signs, but a gender-specific approach identified Hispanic women, young women, and black participants as subgroups at risk for having poor knowledge, suggesting the need for targeted stroke education to increase stroke preparedness in these groups.
Nextgen operations in a simulated NY area airspace

A human-in-the-loop simulation conducted in the Airspace Operations Laboratory (AOL) at NASA Ames Research Center explored the feasibility of a Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) solution to address airspace and airport capacity limitations in and around the New York metropolitan area. A week-long study explored the feasibility of a new Optimal Profile Descent (OPD) arrival into the airspace as well as a novel application of a Terminal Area Precision Scheduling and Spacing (TAPSS) enhancement to the Traffic Management Advisor (TMA) arrival scheduling tool to coordinate high volume arrival traffic to intersecting runways. In the simulation, four en route sector controllers and four terminal radar approach control (TRACON) controllers managed traffic inbound to Newark International Airport's primary runway, 22L, and its intersecting overflow runway, 11. TAPSS was used to generate independent arrival schedules for each runway and a traffic management coordinator participant adjusted the arrival schedule for each runway 11 aircraft to follow one of the 22L aircraft. TAPSS also provided controller-managed spacing tools (slot markers with speed advisories and timelines) to assist the TRACON controllers in managing the arrivals that were descending on OPDs. Results showed that the tools significantly decreased the occurrence of runway violations (potential go-arounds) when compared with a Baseline condition with no tools. Further, the combined use of the tools with the new OPDs produced a peak arrival rate of over 65 aircraft per hour using instrument flight rules (IFR), exceeding the current maximum arrival rate at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) of 52 per hour under visual flight rules (VFR). Although the participants rated the workload as relatively low and acceptable both with and without the tools, they rated the tools as reducing their workload further. Safety and coordination were rated by most participants as acceptable in both conditions, although the TRACON Runway Coordinator (TRC) rated neither as acceptable in the Baseline condition. Regarding the role of the TRC, the two TRACON controllers handling the 11 arrivals indicated that the TRC was very much needed in the Baseline condition without tools, but not needed in the condition with tools. This indicates that the tools were providing much of the sequencing and spacing information that the TRC had supplied in the Baseline condition.
The Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition Targets Actin to Promote Robustness during Morphogenesis

Robustness is a property built into biological systems to ensure stereotypical outcomes despite fluctuating inputs from gene dosage, biochemical noise, and the environment. During development, robustness safeguards embryos against structural and functional defects. Yet, our understanding of how robustness is achieved in embryos is limited. While much attention has been paid to the role of gene and signaling networks in promoting robust cell fate determination, little has been done to rigorously assay how mechanical processes like morphogenesis are designed to buffer against variable conditions. Here we show that the cell shape changes that drive morphogenesis can be made robust by mechanisms targeting the actin cytoskeleton. We identified two novel members of the Vinculin/α-Catenin Superfamily that work together to promote robustness during Drosophila cellularization, the dramatic tissue-building event that generates the primary epithelium of the embryo. We find that zygotically-expressed Serendipity-α (Sry-α) and maternally-loaded Spitting Image (Spt) share a redundant, actin-regulating activity during cellularization. Spt alone is sufficient for cellularization at an optimal temperature, but both Spt plus Sry-α are required at high temperature and when actin assembly is compromised by genetic perturbation. Our results offer a clear example of how the maternal and zygotic genomes interact to promote the robustness of early developmental events. Specifically, the Spt and Sry-α collaboration is informative when it comes to genes that show both a maternal and zygotic requirement during a given morphogenetic process. For the cellularization of Drosophilids, Sry-α and its expression profile may represent a genetic adaptive trait with the sole purpose of making this extreme event more reliable. Since all morphogenesis depends on cytoskeletal remodeling, both in embryos and adults, we suggest that robustness-promoting mechanisms aimed at actin could be effective at all life stages.
Protein Kinase C-ζ and Phosphoinositide-dependent Protein Kinase-1 Are Required for Insulin-induced Activation of ERK in Rat Adipocytes

The mechanisms used by insulin to activate the multifunctional intracellular effectors, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), are only partly understood and appear to vary in different cell types. Presently, in rat adipocytes, we found that insulin-induced activation of ERK was blocked (a) by chemical inhibitors of both phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase C (PKC)-zeta, and, moreover, (b) by transient expression of both dominant-negative Deltap85 PI3K subunit and kinase-inactive PKC-zeta. Further, insulin effects on ERK were inhibited by kinase-inactive 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK-1), and by mutation of Thr-410 in the activation loop of PKC-zeta, which is the target of PDK-1 and is essential for PI3K/PDK-1-dependent activation of PKC-zeta. In addition to requirements for PI3K, PDK-1, and PKC-zeta, we found that a tyrosine kinase (presumably the insulin receptor), the SH2 domain of GRB2, SOS, RAS, RAF, and MEK1 were required for insulin effects on ERK in the rat adipocyte. Our findings therefore suggested that PDK-1 and PKC-zeta serve as a downstream effectors of PI3K, and act in conjunction with GRB2, SOS, RAS, and RAF, to activate MEK and ERK during insulin action in rat adipocytes.
Earliest fossil evidence for protective pigmentation in an actinopterygian fish

The oldest known occurrence of an actinopterygian fish with preserved cryptic and disruptive pigmentation is a single specimen from a Permocarboniferous site in southeastern Kansas, U.S.A. It is a juvenile assignable to the Elonichthys species complex within the paraphyletic lower actinopterygian group “Palaeoniscoidea”;. The preserved pattern consists of dark dorsal mottlings and two lateral stripes that run the length of the body. These markings provide the earliest evidence in primitive fossil actinopterygians for (respectively) countershading and the use of disruptive markings to break up the body outline, two of the most common protective coloration strategies in Recent fishes. Anti‐predator protective markings therefore evolved in actinopterygians by at least the latter part of the Paleozoic (nearly 300 million years ago).
Comments on "A cone-beam filtered backprojection reconstruction algorithm for cardiac single photon emission computed tomography" by G. T. Gullberg and G. L. Zeng

In the above-titled work by G. T. Gullberg and G. L. Zeng (ibid., vol.11, no.1, p.91-101, 1992), a fan-beam reconstruction formula of a noncircular scanning locus was derived and extended for half-scan cone-beam reconstruction. However, the reconstruction formula is not exact mathematically unless a necessary condition is satisfied. In this correspondence, the commenters derive this necessary condition and provide a geometrical explanation of the condition. >
Theoretical Investigation of the Origins of Catalysis of a Retro-Diels−Alder Reaction by Antibody 10F11

The antibody 10F11 catalyzes a retro-Diels−Alder reaction that forms HNO. Deductions about the mechanism of catalysis were made by Reymond, Baumann et al. from X-ray crystal structures and from kinetic measurements for mutated antibodies. We report a study of these reactions with quantum mechanical methods and a study of the substrate and transition state binding to the active site of the antibody 10F11 using density functional theory and empirical docking methods. We have quantitated the likely contributions to catalysis of three residues identified as possible causes of catalysis: Trp H104, Phe H101, and Ser H100. Trp H104 can make a significant contribution to catalysis through dispersive interactions (π-stacking aromatic−aromatic stabilization). On its own, Phe H101 makes only a small contribution to catalysis. When both aromatic residues are present, they act cooperatively and can make greater contributions to catalysis than expected for each residue alone. Ser H100 and the backbone NH of Phe H101 a...
Material and electrochemical studies of platinum nanoparticle-coated carbon nanotubes for biosensing

In this work, we present our study on platinum nanoparticle-coated carbon nanotubes for amperometric glucose biosensing. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the nanomaterial. To investigate its potential biosensing application, platinum and carbon nanomaterial-based electrodes were fabricated and characterized electrochemically. Our experimental results indicated that this nanomaterial possessed a high electrochemical activity and the fabricated nanomaterial-based amperometric sensor exhibited a high sensitivity and a good selectivity towards glucose.
The incorporation of β-turn prosthetic units into merrifield solid phase peptide synthesis

Abstract The incorporation of designed conformationally restricted nonpeptide β-turn prosthetic units onto the amino terminus of peptides is discussed. The synthesis of the peptides, including the incorporation of the β-turn mimetic was accomplished using Merrifield solid phase automated peptide synthesis.
Treatment of carcinoma of the human breast with testosterone propionate; a report of five cases.

THE relationship of sex hormones and neoplasms has been the stimulus for a great deal of investigation in recent years. Loeb and his associates (8, 9) using mice as experimental animals, demonstrated a definite relationship between estrogenic hormone and mammary carcinoma. By means of castration they were able to decrease the incidence of spontaneous carcinoma of the breast in mice. Lacassagne (6) in 1936 and Suntzeff, et al. (12) in 1936 lowered the tumor age and increased the tumor incidence of breast carcinoma in various strains of mice by using estrogenic substance. Clinically, withdrawal of estrogen by surgical or roentgen castration as an adjunct in the treatment of carcinoma of the human breast is an old and acceptable procedure (2). Following Lacassagne's (7) pioneer work in the use of testosterone propionate in mammary carcinoma of mice, Nathanson and Andervont (11) using the androgen in larger doses, decreased the incidence of mammary tumors in a high tumor strain of mice. Ulrich (13) applied th...
Chloroplast membrane conformational changes measured by chemical modification.

Abstract The chemical modification reagents iodoacetic acid (primarily sulfhydryl group directed) and acetic anhydride (primarily amino group directed) were used to monitor chloroplast thylakoid membrane conformational changes. The incorporation of [3H]-iodoacetate and [3H]acetic anhydride showed the following pattern: (i) There was an increased level of binding of iodoacetate in the light compared to the dark or light plus 2,4-dichlorophenyl-1,1-dimethyl urea (DCMU) conditions. A 30 to 50% increase, from about 1.0 to 1.3–1.5 nmol/mg of Chl in iodoacetate incorporation, was found; 30–50% less acetic anhydride was bound in the light than in the dark or light plus DCMU state, typical values being near 15 nmol of acetic anhydride bound/mg of Chl in the dark and 10 nmol/mg of Chl in the light, (ii) The incorporation pattern for both reagents indicated that Photosystem II-dependent proton release is required to elicit the differential binding. Evidence for this is: (a) Cyclic electron flow and proton accumulation, mediated by phenazine methosulfate in the presence of a Photosystem II inhibitor (DCMU), did not induce either the extra binding of iodoacetate or the decrease in binding of acetic anhydride; (b) in chloroplasts made deficient in water oxidation by NH2OH treatment, electron flow from I−, an alternate Photosystem II electron donor, to methyl viologen did not induce the differential binding, whereas with the proton-donating donor, diphenyl carbazide, Photosystem II electron flow did elicit the differential binding, (iii) Uncouplers of phosphorylation (nigericin plus valinomycin) had no affect on the differential binding of either reagent, consistent with the hypothesis that it is not simply a transmembrane proton gradient that potentiates the conformational change, but rather an intramembrane reaction between protons released by Photosystem II and certain membrane components. The lack of uncoupler effect also suggests that the conformational change does not involve the coupling factor complex, at least not in the same sense as for the coupling factor conformational changes detected by tritium exchange (I. J. Ryrie and A. T. Jagendorf, 1971, J. Biol. Chem.246, 582–588) or N-ethyl maleimide binding (R. E. McCarty et al., 1972, J. Biol. Chem.247, 3048–3051). (iv) The decrease in acetic anhydride binding in the light was independent of the structural state of the chloroplast. Stacked and unstacked (by low salt) grana membranes showed similar light-dependent decreases in acetic anhydride binding. The results with these modification reagents support earlier conclusions about a Photosystem II-linked conformational change based on work with diazonium benzenesulfonic acid ( R. Giaquinta et al., 1975 , Biochemistry14, 4392–4396).
Yes-associated protein (YAP) modulates oncogenic features and radiation sensitivity in endometrial cancer.

Background Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a transcriptional co-activator and regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis. We investigated the clinical and biological significance of YAP in endometrial cancer (EMCA). Methods YAP expression in 150 primary tumor tissues from patients with EMCA was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and its association with clinicopathological data was assessed. The biological functions of YAP were determined in EMCA cell lines through knockdown/overexpression of YAP. The role of YAP in modulating radiation sensitivity was also investigated in EMCA cells. Results Increased nuclear YAP expression was significantly associated with higher grade, stage, lympho-vascular space invasion, postoperative recurrence/metastasis and overall survival in estrogen mediated EMCA, called type 1 cancer (p = 0.019, = 0.028, = 0.0008, = 0.046 and = 0.015, respectively). In multivariate analysis, nuclear YAP expression was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in type 1 EMCA. YAP knockdown by siRNA resulted in a significant decrease in cell proliferation (p<0.05), anchorage-dependent growth (p = 0.015) and migration/invasion (p<0.05), and a significant increase in the number of cells in G0/G1 phase (p = 0.002). Conversely, YAP overexpression promoted cell proliferation. Clonogenic assay demonstrated enhanced radiosensitivity by approximately 36% in YAP inhibited cells. Conclusions Since YAP functions as a transcriptional co-activator, its differential localization in the nucleus of cancer cells and subsequent impact on cell proliferation could have important consequences with respect to its role as an oncogene in EMCA. Nuclear YAP expression could be useful as a prognostic indicator or therapeutic target and predict radiation sensitivity in patients with EMCA.
Inheritance of allozymes from seed tissues of the hexaploid gymnosperm, Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl. (Coast redwood)

Inheritance of allozymes from seed tissues of the hexaploid gymnosperm, Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl. (Coast redwood)
Approaches to teaching & learning information retrieval

Summary The explosion of the web has made search an integral part of our daily lives. We search for almost any conceivable topic. Web search engines have made search easily approachable to almost everyone. Yet, for information professionals it is more important than ever before to know “how search works” in order to be more effective in their work. Search Engines or Information Retrieval systems often appear to searchers as “black boxes.” There is some sort of magic that happens between typing some keywords in a query box and getting back results. This approach contributes to the development of inadequate conceptual models of search. The panel brings LIS and CS educators involved in teaching “information retrieval” to discuss experiential learning approaches to teaching IR. Efthimiadis (UW) will be presenting the IR-Toolbox, an interactive system developed for teaching IR processes to Information School students. Ray Larson (UCB) will be discussing his approach of using open source IR engines to create a mini-TREC competition environment in class. Jamie Callan (CMU) will be talking about the Lemur Toolkit system and its use in teaching undergraduate and graduate students. Following the panel presentation of the experiential teaching methods, an interactive session with the audience will follow. The discussion session will focus on the audience's needs and experiences while learning or teaching information retrieval.
Humoral immune responses are maintained with age in a long-lived ectotherm, the red-eared slider turtle.

Aging is typically associated with a decrease in immune function. However, aging does not affect each branch of the immune system equally. Because of these varying effects of age on immune responses, aging could affect taxa differently based on how the particular taxon employs its resources towards different components of immune defense. An example of this is found in the humoral immune system. Specific responses tend to decrease with age while non-specific, natural antibody responses increase with age. Compared with mammals, reptiles of all ages have a slower and less robust humoral immune system. Therefore, they may invest more in non-specific responses and thus avoid the negative consequences of age on the immune system. We examined how the humoral immune system of reptiles is affected by aging and investigated the roles of non-specific, natural antibody responses and specific responses by examining several characteristics of antibodies against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the red-eared slider turtle. We found very little evidence of immunosenescence in the humoral immune system of the red-eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta , which supports the idea that non-specific, natural antibody responses are an important line of defense in reptiles. Overall, this demonstrates that a taxon’s immune strategy can influence how the immune system is affected by age.
On the Theory of Dispersion

I. The measured absorption is the difference between absorption and forced emission. This has to be taken into account in the interpretation of measurements in the infrared and the absorption of hot gases, particularly in the sun. II. According to Maxwell's theory, ${n}^{2}=\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\mu}$. The influence of the magnetic susceptibility on the dispersion is discussed for a gas. The paramagnetic part depends on the frequency formally in the same way as the electric part, but is determined by the magnetic absorption lines. The diamagnetic part is practically independent of the frequency up to x-ray frequencies.
Self-organizing Desynchronization and TDMA on Wireless Sensor Networks

Desynchronization is a recently introduced primitive for sensor networks: it implies that nodes perfectly interleave periodic events to occur in a round-robin schedule. This primitive can be used to evenly distribute sampling burden in a group of nodes, schedule sleep cycles, or organize a collision-free TDMA schedule for transmitting wireless messages. Here we present a summary of Desync , a biologically-inspired self-maintaining algorithm for desynchronization in a single-hop network. We also describe Desync -TDMA, a self-adjusting TDMA protocol that addresses two weaknesses of traditional TDMA: it does not require a global clock and it automatically adjusts to the number of participating nodes, so that bandwidth is always fully utilized.
Effect of amiloride on sodium transport in the proximal, distal, and entire human colon in vivo.

In vitrostudies under short-circuited conditions suggest that amiloride, a diuretic agent which is thought to block apical membrane sodium entry, has significant effects on sodium absorption by the human colon. To evaluate this in vivo,we studied the effect of amiloride applied in concentrations of 10−5and 10−4M on sodium transport and potential difference (PD) in human colon during steadystate perfusion. Net sodium absorption was reduced 25% by amiloride and chloride absorption by 15%; potassium and bicarbonate secretion rates were enhanced. In other studies the colon was divided into a proximal and distal test segment by endoscopic introduction of a collection channel to the descending colonsigmoid junction. Comparison of tritiated water absorption by the two segments indicated that the distal segment comprised approximately 20% of the total colon surface area. However, the distal test segment only accounted for 5–7% of total sodium, chloride, or water absorption; in contrast, 17–20% of total potassium or bicarbonate secretion occurred there. In the proximal test segment, amiloride reduced net sodium absorption by almost one third from 21.0 to 14.4 mmollhr (P<0.02) but had no significant effect on PD. In the distal test segment, amiloride produced a 25% reduction in mean sodium absorption from 1.2 to 0.9 mmollhr, but this reduction was not statistically significant;however, potential difference was significantly reduced by 33% (P<0.02). These results suggest that most sodium absorption in normal human colon in vivois mediated by transport processes which are insensitive to these doses of amiloride. An effect of amiloride on potential difference was only evident in the distal colon, suggesting differences in the transport processes or in the permeability properties of the proximal and distal colon in vivo.
Sense of Belonging Among High School Students Representing 4 Ethnic Groups

The authors investigated the dimensions and mechanisms of belonging relevant to motivation and achievement among high school students representing 4 ethnic groups. Using survey data from 9th to 12th grade students (N = 5,494) attending 7 ethnically-diverse high schools, structural equation modeling was employed to explore, independently for each ethnic group, the relationships between students’ perceptions of their belonging (encompassing relationships with teachers and peers, extracurricular involvement, and perceived ethnic-based discrimination), motivation (efficacy beliefs and valuing school activities), and academic success. All 4 measures of belonging were significant for European-American and Latino students. However, friendship nominations were not significant for all groups, suggesting potential variability in perspectives across ethnic groups. The strength of the structural model postulating belonging as a mediator, including statistically significant indirect paths, supported the hypothesis that the belonging construct accounted for much of the relationship between student motivation and success across groups.
Nucleosome Core Particles Containing a Poly(dA.dT) Sequence Element Exhibit a Locally Distorted DNA Structure.

Poly(dA·dT) DNA sequence elements are thought to promote transcription by either excluding nucleosomes or by altering their structural or dynamic properties. Here, the stability and structure of a defined nucleosome core particle containing a 16 base-pair poly(dA·dT) element (A16 NCP) was investigated. The A16 NCP requires a significantly higher temperature for histone octamer sliding in vitro compared to comparable nucleosomes that do not contain a poly(dA·dT) element. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer showed that the interactions between the nucleosomal DNA ends and the histone octamer were destabilized in A16 NCP. The crystal structure of A16 NCP was determined to a resolution of 3.2 A. The overall structure was maintained except for local deviations in DNA conformation. These results are consistent with previous in vivo and in vitro observations that poly(dA·dT) elements cause only modest changes in DNA accessibility and modest increases in steady-state transcription levels.
A Relative Stability Study on the Dynamics of the Turning Mechanism

Le processus de tournage du metal, qui est intrinsequement stable, montre des niveaux de stabilite variables. On presente ici un critere caracteristique permettant la mesure de ces niveaux de stabilite
Routine use of external weights during a low‐impact aerobic dance conditioning program: Training benefit

The effect of adding external weights to the body of participants in a 10‐week low‐impact aerobic dance program (3 days/week, 50 minutes/session, 60 to 90% of maximum heart rate [HRmax]) on aerobic power and body composition was studied in 20 college women. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a regular low‐impact aerobic dance group (NWT) or to a low‐impact aerobic dance group (WT) whose participants also carried added weights (1.5 lb/ankle; 3.0 lb/hand) during training. Pre‐ and post‐training aerobic power and body composition measurements were made on 17 subjects who completed the program. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant overall reduction in body fat percentage (‐2.9%) and fat weight, and an increase in maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max; 3.2 mL‐kg‐1 min‐1; 0.2 L‐min‐1), maximum minute ventilation VEmax; 10.1 L‐min‐1) and fat‐free weight following training (p ≤ 0.05). However, there was no group mean difference between any of the same variables in the WT and NWT groups. In additio...
Interleukin-17 and lung host defense against Klebsiella pneumoniae infection.

Bacterial pneumonia remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in immune-compromised patients. Cytokines and chemokines are critical molecules expressed in response to invading pathogens and are necessary for normal lung bacterial host defenses. Here we show that interleukin (IL)-17, a novel cytokine produced largely by CD4 + T cells, is produced in a compartmentalized fashion in the lung after challenge with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Moreover, overexpression of IL-17 in the pulmonary compartment using a recombinant adenovirus encoding murine IL-17 (AdIL-17) resulted in the local induction of tumor necrosis factor- α , IL-1 β , macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF); augmented polymorphonuclear leukocyte recruitment; and enhanced bacterial clearance and survival after challenge with K. pneumoniae. However, simultaneous treatment with AdIL-17 provided no survival benefit after intranasal K. pneumoniae challenge. These data show tha...
Deformation Lamellae Parallel to (10¯13) and (0001) in Quartz of the Coeur d'Alene District, Idaho

Deformation lamellae oriented parallel to the (10¯13) and (0001) crystallographic planes in quartz have been considered to be deformation structures unique to shock metamorphism induced by meteorite impact. Rocks of the Belt Supergroup of the Coeur d9Alene district, Idaho, contain quartz with deformation lamellae parallel to both (10¯13) and (0001). All available evidence indicates a geotectonic rather than an astrotectonic origin for the deformation lamellae of the district. Therefore, the uniqueness of these orientations to astrotectonic deformation is doubtful.
Prescription et gestions des PCA de stupéfiants : un outil pour ne plus se tromper et gagner du temps ☆

Resume Les structures hospitalieres qui prennent en charge des patients cancereux sont confrontees tot ou tard a la prescription et a la gestion des patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Ces techniques permettent en algologie de proceder a des titrations tres precises, graduelles et d’offrir un soulagement tres rapide en situation d’urgence, d’instabilite ou d’intolerance. La prescription de ces PCA requiert une attention indispensable de la part des medecins prescripteurs pour eviter les erreurs d’equivalence, de dosage, de debit et de concentration. L’outil presente est le fruit du travail concerte des services d’oncologie medicale de l’institut Bergonie, centre de lutte contre le cancer du sud-ouest, qui ont mis au point un systeme tres simple effectuant le calcul de tous les parametres necessaires a de telles prescriptions. Sont concernees les seringues electriques de morphine et d’oxycodone, les PCA de morphine et d’oxycodone et les seringues electriques de ketamine. En quelques mois, cet outil a permis la generalisation des prescriptions de PCA de stupefiants, devenant ainsi une technique de routine.
Cost Analysis With Censored Data

Economic evaluation of medical interventions has become an accepted, and often required, adjunct to the standard effectiveness and safety assessment in clinical research. However, the statistical analysis can be challenging due to censored cost data, as commonly obtained in medical studies. Over the past decade, important statistical issues that arise from censored cost data have been identified and a number of advances made to tackle them. In this article, we will describe these issues, including induced dependent censoring and limited identifiability with the cost distribution, and review recent statistical developments. Available methods address either time-restricted medical cost or lifetime medical cost jointly with survival time. Their applicability and limitation in various practical situations will be discussed.