cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid and Adaptable Measurement of Protein Thermal Stability by Differential Scanning Fluorimetry: Updating a Common Biochemical Laboratory Experiment

Measurement of protein denaturation and protein folding is a common laboratory technique used in undergraduate biochemistry laboratories. Differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) provides a rapid, sensitive, and general method for measuring protein thermal stability in an undergraduate biochemistry laboratory. In this method, the thermal denaturation of multiple different proteins is determined in parallel using a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machine and a hydrophobic dye that differentially binds to proteins in non-native conformations. The utility of this methodology is illustrated by the measurement of differential protein stability in microplate volumes, in triplicate, with small protein samples. These characteristics make DSF measurement of protein stability adaptable to use with noncommercial protein samples. The methodology is also expandable to quantitating protein stability under a wide variety of solution conditions. The rapid setup and analysis of DSF experiments not ...
Hepatic effects of long-term methotrexate use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Hepatic effects of long-term methotrexate use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Increased synthesis of membrane macromolecules is an early response of retinal neurons to trimethyltin intoxication.

We studied the synthesis and axonal transport of proteins and glycoproteins in the visual system of adult Long-Evans rats that had received 4 weekly doses of trimethyltin hydroxide (TMT, 4 mg/kg b. wt.) by gastric intubation. One week following the last dose, an in vitro assay was used to study the rate of incorporation of radioactive precursors into various macromolecules of isolated retinas. Retinas from TMT-treated rats showed increased apparent rates of synthesis, relative to retinas from control rats, for proteins [( 35S]methionine precursor) and glycoproteins [( 3H]fucose precursor). Gel electrophoretic analysis of newly synthesized proteins indicated that the increased synthesis was a generalized effect, i.e. it was not restricted to a select subset of proteins. The axonal transport of these macromolecules by retinal ganglion cells to axons (optic tract) and nerve endings (superior colliculus) was examined in vivo following intraocular precursor injection. The amount of material transported, relative to that synthesized in the retina, was not appreciably altered in TMT-treated rats, indicating that TMT did not selectively impair axonal transport. The biochemical changes were accompanied by minimal ultrastructural alterations and little neuronal necrosis in the retina. We suggest that TMT induces increased synthesis of membrane macromolecules in retinal neurons; this may reflect an early reactive (compensatory) response rather than a regressive (degenerative) response of retinal neurons to TMT. Our data do not support the hypothesis that TMT induces a functional impairment of neuronal endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi apparatus.
Implantation, development of the fetal membranes, and placentation in the captive black mastiff bat, Molossus ater.

Uterine events during pregnancy were examined histologically in laboratorybred black mastiff bats (Molossus ater) as part of an effort to develop this species as a model for studies of the factors controlling trophoblastic growth. Embryos entered the uterus at the morula stage and in most cases shed their zonae pellucidae reasonably intact, apparently as blastocyst expansion occurred. Implantation was superficial and observed to occur only in the right uterine horn. During implantation the trophoblast was brought into apposition to the endometrium by both blastocyst expansion and closure of the uterine lumen. A decidual reaction was evident at an early stage of uterine epithelial displacement and spread rapidly through the endometrium. Initial trophoblastic proliferation occurred along the uterine lumen and into the glands, while its invasion of the endometrial stroma was delayed. Although one or several primordial cavities have been observed to develop within the epiblast during implantation, these subsequently opened to a trophoepiblastic cavity, and the definitive amnion was formed by folding. A choriovitelline placenta was present briefly at the somite stage, but disappeared as the exocoelom enlarged and the yolk sac collapsed. The latter persisted through pregnancy, however, as a glandular-appearing body. As the yolk sac retracted from the chorion, it was replaced by allantoic mesoderm, creating a diffuse labyrinthine endotheliodichorial placenta. This was prominent during mid-gestation, but was supplanted by the discoidal hemochorial placenta as the major site of feto-maternal exchange during late pregnancy.
Healing of experimental rat tongue ulcers using isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate

Abstract In a study of the effect of isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate on the healing of experimental ulcers in the rat tongue, it was found that the cyanoacrylate-treated ulcers showed a less inflammatory response than the untreated control ulcers, with less edema, for up to two days while the film was adherent and that cyanoacrylate prevented scab formation. Beyond that stage, the sequence of events was comparable on the treated and untreated sides, and healing was well established by the fifth postoperative day.
Sylvester's eliminant and stability criteria for gyroscopic systems

Abstract The classical criterion of Routh-Hurwitz is not applicable for stability analyses ofundampedvibrating systems. Two new criteria suitable for the linear stability analyses of such systems are presented, one for flutter and the other for divergence. Like the classical criterion, the procedures developed here are based on the characteristic polynomial of a given system. The flutter criterion requires a computation of the discriminant of the characteristic polynomial. Sylvester’s dialytic method of elimination is used to compute the required discriminant. The stability criteria presented here may be used not only to obtain flutter and divergence boundaries, but also to identify various instability zones in a parameter space. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the new criteria, applications are made to two problems: the vibration of rotating shafts and of rotating rings. Closed form solutions for stability boundaries are obtained without solving the eigenvalue problems associated with the systems, but from a simpler procedure which utilizes the methods presented in this paper.
Lack of dialyzable insulin antagonist in uremia

Abstract Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed on eight uremic patients before and after repeated hemodialyses. Serum was obtained before each test for use in an in vitro rat hemidiaphragm assay specifically designed to measure insulin antagonism. With this modification, the activity of insulin added to the pre- and post-dialysis sera of the same patient can be compared on the tissues from one rat, thus eliminating variation between animals. Although glucose tolerance improved in every patient (p
Brunswikian Resources for Event-Perception Research:

Recent psychological research aimed at determining whether dynamic event perception is direct or mediated by cue-based inference convincingly demonstrates evidence of both modes of perception or ap...
Analyzing building-height restrictions: predicted impacts and welfare costs

Abstract This paper analyzes the impacts and the welfare costs of building-height restrictions. The theoretical analysis demonstrates that a height restriction causes a city to expand spatially, a consequence of lower densities near the center. The analysis also establishes that the consumer welfare cost generated by the height restriction can be measured by the increase in commuting cost for the household living at the edge of the city. Simulation results for a stylized urban area show that this welfare cost is approximately 2% of household income. Illustrative calculations for Bangalore, India, where a height restriction is in force, suggest a similar welfare cost, which lies in the 1.5–4.5% range.
The Equivalence Concept in Criminal Justice Systems

Criminal justice procedures admit process flow diagram representations, which in effect induce equivalences on the data available in public records. Interrogations of the data in the context of such diagrams induce further equivalences. A task for the engineer in the study of criminal justice systems is to develop data display capabilities that reconcile the requirements of these two forms of equivalences. The work reported herein describes all these concepts in detail and illustrates them for jurisdiction in St. Joseph and Marion Counties, State of Indiana.
Sulfhydryl reducing agents promote neutrophil adherence without increasing surface expression of CD11bCD18 (Mac-1, Mol)

The disulfide reducing agents dithioerythreitol and dithiothreitol, but not oxidized dithiothreitol, induced polymorphonuclear neutrophils to adhere to endothelial cells or to plastic. Adherence was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies 60.1 and 60.3, which are directed to functional epitopes on the CD11b and CD18 polypeptides of the neutrophil membrane adhesion complex (Mac-1, Mo1). The increased adherence induced by the sulfhydryl reducing agents was not accompanied by increased expression of CD11b/CD18. These studies demonstrate that a qualitative alteration in CD11b/CD18 is sufficient to promote neutrophil adherence.
Control and Freedom: Power and Paranoia in the Age of Fiber Optics (Chun, W.H.K.; 2008) [Book Review]

The Internet-pornography relationship explored in this text has significant implications for theories of power, gender, and race.
Mapping nitrate in the global ocean using remotely sensed sea surface temperature

[1] Nitrogen is the most broadly limiting factor for marine phytoplankton on ecological timescales. Nitrate, as the most oxidized inorganic species, plays a significant role in nitrogen availability based on nutrient flux to the euphotic zone from deeper waters, and is a major determinant of new production. Increased new production relates to higher trophic level abundance and to carbon dioxide drawdown from the atmosphere. The present work is the first stage in the development of a technique to generate a scaled index of nitrate availability in the surface waters of the global ocean using satellite-derived temperature data. The technique currently involves a fixed matrix of nitrate depletion temperatures (NDT) and remotely-sensed sea surface temperature (SST) from the monthly-averaged AVHRR Pathfinder series. The magnitude of the difference between these two temperatures at a given location indicates the degree of nitrate presence or absence. Graded monthly nitrate presence/absence maps over a 10-year period were created based on the size of the difference between these two temperatures. A 10-year average of these differences exhibits major nitrate distribution features similar to those observed in maps based on National Oceanic Data Center archived measurements. In contrast, monthly nitrate maps provide a unique and dynamic representation of nitrate availability in the global ocean. This nutrient monitoring capability based on remotely sensed data can contribute to the estimation of new production in the global ocean, improving management of various world fisheries and improving estimation of the atmospheric draw down of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.
Application of some growth regulators to medicinal plants

The in-vivo action of plant growth hormones on medicinal plants has been investigated only sporadically in regard to growth and yield of pharmaceutically important compounds. The economic significance of attempts of manipulating the development of drug plants and of their productivity of secondary products invites a review of the literature and of current research efforts. The proliferation of the literature about the action of plant growth hormones and the present state of flux of its knowledge necessitated focussing attention on pertinent interrelationships concerning over-all plant growth and the synthesis of primary products and of subsequent secondary compounds. The relevant enzymatic reactions will serve as the principal guide for this survey. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) has been reported to stimulate the respiratory uptake of oxygen by Avena coleoptiles (1, 2) with a simultaneous increase of their Qo2, which were further advanced by malonate, sodium fluoride, and iodoacetate. This would indicate that the IAA-induced stimulation operates via the glyoxalate cycle instead of the total Krebs cycle. This respiratory stimulation is also indicated by experiments with shoots and mitochondria of peas (3). The ratio P/O of oxidative phosphorylation was markedly increased by IAA, where P > O, though pea stem mitochondria exhibited also increased phosphorylation with an unchanged P/O (4). The increased rate of oxidative phosphorylation would indicate a concomitant incorporation of Pi into ATP and an elevated ATP ratio (3). In contrast, experiments with beet root tissue (5) indicated a reduction of respiration and of the
Surface-plasmon wave at the planar interface of a metal film and a structurally chiral medium

The solution of a boundary-value problem formulated for a modified Kretschmann configuration shows that a surface-plasmon wave can be excited at the planar interface of a sufficiently thin metal film and a nondissipative structurally chiral medium, provided the exciting plane wave is p-polarized. An estimate of the wavenumber of the surface-plasmon wave also emerges thereby.
Understanding the Consumer Experience: An Exploratory Study of Luxury Hotels

This study explores the consumer experience by examining empirical data collected via a series of in-depth, semistructured interviews with luxury hotel guests. The study findings indicate that hotel guest experiences constitute both physical environment and human interaction dimensions. The research findings suggest that luxury hotel experiences are affected by trip-related factors and personal characteristics of consumers, which impact perceived experience dimensions. The research findings provide specific implications for hotel executives looking for ways to differentiate themselves from their competitors through using experience marketing strategies. In particular, the proposed framework in this study can help practicing managers understand how different factors play a role in consumer experiences. This article contributes to the overall understanding of consumer experience by illuminating the experience perceptions of consumers within the luxury hotel segment.
Circulatory benefits of diastolic counterpulsation in an ischemic heart failure model after aortomyoplasty.

Abstract Objective: Aortomyoplasty is an experimental surgical procedure in which the latissimus dorsi muscle is wrapped around the thoracic aorta and stimulated to contract during diastole, providing diastolic counterpulsation. We hypothesized that aortomyoplasty could improve cardiac function in a chronic ischemic heart failure model, similar to the improvement seen with the intra-aortic balloon pump. Methods: Six dogs (25-30 kg) successfully underwent aortomyoplasty followed by serial coronary microembolization. Ejection fraction decreased from 63.5% to 36.5%. Two weeks after the final microembolization, the muscle was conditioned for 4 months to achieve fatigue resistance. One year after aortomyoplasty, hemodynamic studies during 1 hour of aortomyoplasty and 1 hour of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation determined mean diastolic aortic pressure, peak left ventricular pressure, and endocardial viability ratio for assisted and unassisted beats. Cardiac output, stroke volume, and parameters of cardiac function were also measured. Results: Endocardial viability ratio increased by 23.8% ± 7.9% ( P =.001) with aortomyoplasty counterpulsation and by 22.7% ± 12.9% ( P =.021) with the intra-aortic balloon pump. Both aortomyoplasty and the intra-aortic balloon pump significantly increased mean diastolic aortic pressure and reduced peak left ventricular pressure. Improvements in cardiac function with aortomyoplasty and the intra-aortic balloon pump were similar. Cardiac output increased from 2.61 ± 0.88 to 3.07 ± 1.06 L/min ( P =.006), and index of afterload decreased from 5.4 ± 1.4 to 4.8 ± 1.4 mm Hg/mL ( P =.02) during 1 hour of aortomyoplasty counterpulsation. Conclusion: One year after the procedure, aortomyoplasty counterpulsation provided diastolic augmentation and improved cardiac performance similar to the improvement provided by the intra-aortic balloon pump in a chronic ischemic heart failure model. Aortomyoplasty has the potential to benefit patients with ischemic heart disease refractory to current therapies. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;123:1067-73
Use of a Lowry-type spatial allocation model in an urban transportation energy study

Abstract This paper describes the structure of a Lowry-type spatial allocation model and the results of using the model to evaluate several different hypothetical urban forms with respect to the level of transportation energy consumed in urban passenger travel. The Lowry-type model was used together with simple models of trip generation, mode choice and trip assignment to produce realistic land-use patterns and characteristic travel behavior in each city. Interzonal trip matrices were computed for each of five trip purposes (work, two types of shopping or service, non-home based and social) and, following the assignment of trips to the network, energy models for automobile as well as transit were utilized to assess the transportation energy consumed over all trip purposes in each of several different urban spatial structures.
Neuropsychological differences between male familial and nonfamilial alcoholics and nonalcoholics

The hypothesis was tested that neuropsychological differences exist between males who have an alcoholic parent, sister, or brother (FH+) versus those who do not (FH-). Neuropsychological tests measuring verbal, learning/memory, abstracting/problem solving, and perceptual-motor performance were given to four groups of middle-aged subjects: alcoholic FH+ (n= 41); alcoholic FH- (n= 27); nonalcoholic FH+ (n= 19); and nonalcoholic FH- (n= 43). FH+ subjects performed significantly poorer than FH- subjects on the abstracting/ problem solving and perceptual-motor tasks, and approached significance on the verbal and teaming/memory measures. Alcoholics performed more poorly than nonalcoholics on abstracting/problem solving and learning/memory tasks. There were no groups by family history significant interactions. From these results we suggest (1) a performance deficit in abstracting/problem solving and possibly learning/memory may antedate the alcoholic stage in FH+ individuals; (2) alcoholism and positive famiry history of alcoholism have independent, additive deleterious effects on cognitive-perceptual functioning; and (3) future neuropsychological studies of alcoholism should consider the frequency of FH+ and FH- individuals in both alcoholic and control groups.
The side effects of silver sulfadiazine.

Silver sulfadiazine cream has an enviable safety record in burn treatment. However, it side effects, exemplified by allergic reactions to its sulfadiazine moiety, silver staining of the treated burn wound, hyperosmolality, methemoglobinemia, and hemolysis due to a congential lack of glucose-6-phospate dehydrogenase, may be missed or misinterpreted. Early post burn leukopenia, once thought to be a side effect of the use of silver sulfadiazine in burn wound therapy, is no longer regarded as such since it has been found to occur with the use of other burn topical agents. Its presence is no longer an indication to discontinue silver sulfadiazine burn wound therapy. Because these side effects are uncommon, any one physi- cian or burn facility usually has limited experience in diagnosing and treating them.
Scratch testing of advanced composite surfaces

The friction and wear characteristics for AS4/3501-6 composites were tested via single scratch tests by a Vickers diamond indenter. Variables for the tests were the orientation of the surface ply fibers with respect to the scratch direction and the normal load applied to the indenter. The scratch velocity was held constant at 0.89 mm/s. The orientation of the fibers in the surface ply had little effect on the coefficient of friction. The normal load also had little effect on the value of the friction coefficient, but at higher loads, the data showed less scatter than at lower loads. The wear profiles for the scratches were shown to be very random, both from scratch to scratch, and within each furrow.
Axon guidance in cultured wing discs and disc fragments of Drosophila

Abstract The sensory neurons of the Drosophila wing differentiate during the initial stages of metamorphosis, appearing in the imaginal wing disc as it everts and flattens. These identifiable neurons arise in a stereotyped sequence, and lay down a specific pattern of axon bundles which travel proximally to the CNS. In several locations, the early arising “pioneer” neurons send axons in the direction of more proximal pioneer neurons, later joining with these to form continuous peripheral nerves. It is possible that distal neurons can contact more proximal neurons by random filopodial search, and use this information to guide axonal outgrowth. To test this “guidepost” hypothesis, everting wing discs were raised in vitro to allow surgical manipulation. Neural outgrowth was largely normal in vitro , though growth of the wing was stunted. If such discs were cut into proximodistal fragments before or at the time of initial axonogenesis, neural outgrowth remained normal: distal axons still grew in the direction of the now missing proximal neurons. Thus, proximal neurons are not necessary for the correct guidance of distal neurons in the developing wing.
Effect of depletion of spinal cord norepinephrine on morphine-induced antinociception.

Abstract We studied whether antinociception produced by injection of morphine into the nucleus reticularis paragigantocellularis (NRPG) or by superfusion onto the spinal cord involved norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons that descend from brainstem into the spinal cord. Spinal cord NE concentrations were depleted with the neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine, and antinociception was measured following morphine injection into NRPG or onto spinal cord. Depletion of cord NE by approximately 90% did not attenuate the antinociceptive effect of either 2 or 10 μg of morphine injected intrathecally. In contrast, the depletion did significantly attenuate the antinociceptive effect of 2.5 μg morphine injected bilaterally into the NRPG. These results suggest that NE-containing neurons descending from brainstem nuclei into the spinal cord are not important in the analgesia produced by injecting morphine directly onto the spinal cord but may be involved with analgesia produced by morphine injection into the NRPG.
Reliability and standardization in the assessment of self-reported headache pain

The efficacy of a treatment intervention for head pain is typically evaluated by self-reported data. Self-monitoring schedules used to collect these data vary extensively across studies. The present article reviews conceptual and methodological problems with these self-report inventories. In addition, the most promising procedure was implemented in a study designed to measure the reliability of self-reported headache pain levels. One-hundred twenty-four college students self-monitored headache pain over an 8-week period. Three objective procedures were used to detect inaccurate recording. Subjects were also asked, in a post-experimental questionnaire, to subjectively rate the degree to which they complied with the experimenters' instructions regarding the self-monitoring procedures. Forty percent of the subjects were found to be noncompliant based on the detection techniques. However, responses to the postexperimental questionnaire indicated this to be a conservative estimation of noncompliance. There was no consistent difference between the postexperimental questionnaire for the subjects detected and those not detected. Results are discussed with relation to the need for researchers to adopt a standard methodology for (1) measuring self-reported headache pain and (2) reporting reliability data.
Molecular determinants of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein binding to high density lipoproteins

Abstract The plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of neutral lipids between lipoproteins and is associated with high density lipoproteins (HDL). To understand the mechanism of interaction of CETP with HDL, we studied the binding of pure recombinant CETP to 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC)/apoA- I discoidal particles. Separating bound from free CETP using native gradient gel electrophoresis, complexes of CETP with 10-nm hydrodynamic diameter discoidal particles migrated with a diameter of 12-16 nm, compared with approximately 7.5 nm for CETP. At lower ratios of CETP to discs, CETP bound to discs without displacement of apoA-I. CETP alone was unable to generate discoidal complexes. Cross-linking and fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments indicated that CETP bound to discs as monomers. Cross-linking of CETP to apoA-I in discs suggested proximity of apoA-I and CETP. By negative-stain electron microscopy, discoidal complexes containing CETP and CETP monoclonal antibody showed localization of antibody molecules to the disc edge, suggesting that CETP was bound to the disc edge. The binding of CETP to discs of different composition or size was studied. Discs (10-nm Stokes diameter) prepared with either apoA-I or apoA-II had a similar Kd (120 nM). Inclusion of 1 mol % cholesteryl oleate, 5 mol % cholesterol, or 6 mol % phosphatidylinositol increased the binding affinity of CETP 3-10 times (20-30 nM). In comparison, plasma HDL3 had a Kd of approximately 450 nM. For POPC/apoA-I discs, 10-nm discs bound CETP with much higher affinity than smaller 7.8-nm discs (Kd = 1-2 microM). 7.7-nm hydrodynamic diameter POPC/apoA-I spherical particles containing either triolein or cholesteryl oleate in their core bound CETP with higher affinity (Kd = 50-100 nM) than 7.8-nm POPC/apoA-I discs. Thus, CETP appears to bind to the perimeter of discoidal particles, possibly in a process in which flexible segments in apoA-I or apoA-II accommodate CETP at the disc edge. The binding of CETP to HDL is markedly influenced by overall particle size and shape and by lipid composition, and the increased binding affinity for cholesterol- and cholesteryl ester-containing discs suggests a higher affinity of CETP for nascent than mature HDL.
Template capabilities and size distribution of echinoid RNA during early development

Abstract 1. 1. The relative template capabilities of RNA prepared from Lytechinus pictus unfertilized eggs, first cleavage material, blastulae and gastrulae have been established via their ability to stimulate protein synthesis in a cell-free amino acid incorporating system which was calibrated and monitored by RNA possessing a known message potential. Under the defined conditions employed, the comparative template titers of unfertilized eggs, first cleavage material, blastulae and gastrulae proved to be 4.3, 4.1, 3.7 and 4.6%, respectively. It is concluded that the transitions in translational functions which attend early echinoid embryogenesis are not contingent upon concomitant changes in the titer of existing genetic messages. 2. 2. The size distribution of the translatable RNA's native to Lytechinus pictus unfertilized eggs and gastrulae has been assessed by means of sucrose density-gradient fractionation. Although two transitions in size heterogeneity were noted, the template-sedimentation profiles of unfertilized egg and gastrula RNA exhibited a marked correspondence. Consequently, the bulk of any programs for protein synthesis transcribed between fertilization and gastrulation would appear to be primarily repetttive in size to those pre-existing in the unfertilized egg.
Problems, prospects, and an alternative approach in simulation modeling

Early work (1950's) in simulation and first attempts at modeling of health care facilities utilization are described. Lessons learned from this work are given together with perceived limitations of available technology, the development of the Conversational Modelling Language and its implications for OR in general and simulation in particular are described.
Super-Kac-Moody Algebras and Supersymmetric 2d-Free Fermions*

Explicit representations of super-Kac-Moody algebra are constructed in terms of 2d-free fermions which form a non-linear representation of supersymmetry with the fermions grouped with the generators of the algebra into superfields. It is shown how the most general construction of this type corresponds to homogeneous spacesG/H and how supersymmetry alone is responsible for that structure.
Sustainable structural engineering strategies for tall buildings

Sustainable structural engineering strategies for tall buildings are presented with an emphasis on stiffness-based material-saving design methodologies. The design methodologies are applied to the systems with diagonals such as braced tubes and more recently developed diagrid structures. Guidelines for determination of bending and shear deformations for optimal design, which uses the least amount of structural material to meet the stiffness requirements, are presented. The impact of different geometric configurations of the structural members on the material-saving economic design is also discussed, and recommendations for optimal geometries are made. The design strategies discussed here will contribute to constructing built environments using the minimum amount of resources. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The mechanical properties of styrene‐butadiene‐styrene (SBS) triblock copolymer blends with polystyrene (PS) and styrene‐butadiene copolymer (SBR)

Measurements were made of linear viscoelastic properties and nonlinear stress-strain properties of phase-separated styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymers and their blends with several homopolymer polystyrenes (PS) and one random copolymer (SBR). Torsion pendulum testing yielded shear moduli G′, G″, and Rheovibron experiments produced tensile moduli E′, E″, over a 220°K range of temperature, both at low frequencies. For pure copolymers and their PS blends, G′ and E′ correlated quite well with the total PS content, but G″ and E″ were more sensitive to how the additive was distributed. Results suggest that a PS additive whose molecular weight (M) is less than that of the copolymer PS-block (Ms) causes expansion of both the interphase and the homogeneous PS-rich phase, while an additive with M > Ms mixes less well with these phases (probably forming separate domains of pure PS) and is less effective in enhancing the linear moduli. The blending with SBB produced reduction in G′ but a broad midrange peak in G″, suggesting that SBR was localized almost entirely within an expanded interphase. Tensile stress-strain data were obtained with an Material Testing System at room temperature. For PS blends, properties did not correlate well with the total PS content, the blends being always weaker than the SBS of the same overall composition. The amount of set also increased with PS content in the blends. Cyclic tests to increasing strain showed progressive structural alterations (as for the host SBS), with blend behavior resembling host properties more closely with each new cycle. When SBR was the additive, amounts as small as 1 percent reduced the curves by 15 percent. The yield stress was eliminated entirely with an addition of 10 percent SBR, but for all cases the set was the same. Results are discussed in terms of interphase force barriers to chain flow.
Regulation of cholesterol movement to mitochondrial cytochrome P450scc in steroid hormone synthesis

Transfer of cholesterol to cytochrome P450scc is generally the rate-limiting step in steroid synthesis. Depending on the steroidogenic cell, cholesterol is supplied from low or high density lipoproteins (LDL or HDL) or de novo synthesis. ACTH and gonadotropins stimulate this cholesterol transfer prior to activation of gene transcription, both through increasing the availability of cytosolic free cholesterol and through enhanced cholesterol transfer between the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. Cytosolic free cholesterol from LDL or HDL is primarily increased through enhanced cholesterol ester hydrolysis and suppressed esterification, but increased de novo synthesis can be significant. Elements of the cytoskeleton, probably in conjunction with sterol carrier protein(2) (SCP(2)), mediate cholesterol transfer to the mitochondrial outer membranes. Several factors contribute to the transfer of cholesterol between mitochondrial membranes; steroidogenesis activator peptide acts synergistically with GTP and is supplemented by SCP(2). 5-Hydroperoxyeicosatrienoic acid, endozepine (at peripheral benzodiazepine receptors), and rapid changes in outer membrane phospholipid content may also contribute stimulatory effects at this step. It is suggested that hormonal activation, through these factors, alters membrane structure around mitochondrial intermembrane contact sites, which also function to transfer ADP, phospholipids, and proteins to the inner mitochondria. Cholesterol transfer may occur following a labile fusion of inner and outer membranes, stimulated through involvement of cardiolipin and phosphatidylethanolamine in hexagonal phase membrane domains. Ligand binding to benzodiazepine receptors and the mitochondrial uptake of 37 kDa phosphoproteins that uniquely characterize steroidogenic mitochondria could possibly facilitate these changes. ACTH activation of rat adrenals increases the susceptibility of mitochondrial outer membranes to digitonin solubilization, suggesting increased cholesterol availability. Proteins associated with contact sites were not solubilized, indicating that this part of the outer membrane is resistant to this treatment. Two pools of reactive cholesterol within adrenal mitochondria have been distinguished by different isocitrate- and succinate-supported metabolism. These pools appear to be differentially affected in vitro by the above stimulatory factors.
Successfully managing manufacturing supplier integration and procurement issues: case studies in recessionary environments

Issues of supplier integration and more intensive supplier involvement in the new product development (NPD) are needed to be encouraged to allow for more collaboration between supply chain partners. The complexities associated improving the manufacturer and distributor/reseller relationships are immense, especially in light of global competition and recessionary environments. Relatively large manufacturing companies, located in Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan area, were selected for study. The basic SCM organisation of these two companies, both similarities and differences, including their general company background information and supply chain analysis were discussed. On the surface, there are significant differences among how management at the manufacturing facilities operates their supply chains, some choosing to focus more on quality assurance, others more on customer service. Managerial implications of such philosophical approaches to SCM were included.
dATP Causes Specific Release of Cytochrome C from Mitochondria

The induction of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition (MPT) has recently been associated with the release of apoptogenic cytochrome c, which could come about in a swelling-dependent or swelling-independent manner. We observed that canonical inducers of MPT (Ca2+, t-butyl hydroperoxide, atractyloside) induce a swelling-dependent release of cytochrome c, and that osmotic support of mitochondria with PEG-1000 abolishes mitochondrial swelling, protein release, and cytochrome c release by these inducers. By contrast, it was observed that dATP is a potent inducer that caused release of cytochrome c in a swelling independent manner, i.e. even in the presence of osmotic support by PEG-1000; in addition this release of cytochrome c is inhibitable by cyclosporin A. The dATP-dependent and swelling-independent release of cytochrome c from mitochondria is not inhibitable by the protease inhibitor z-VAD, suggesting that it is not mediated by upstream caspases. This is the first report to our knowledge that a chemical compound may directly cause release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and could explain the toxicity of dATP in the context of the genetic immunodeficiency diseases Adenosine Deaminase deficiency and Purine Nucleotide Phosphorylase deficiency.
Warfarin and the Vitamin K-Dependent γ-Carboxylation System

Abstract Insight into the molecular basis for genetic warfarin resistance has recently been accomplished by the identification of an 18-kDa protein of the endoplasmic reticulum that is targeted by the drug. When expressed in eukaryotic and insect cells, the protein reduces vitamin K 1 2,3-epoxide in a warfarin-sensitive reaction. This finding strongly suggests that the protein is part of the vitamin K cycle, which is essential for the production of vitamin K-dependent proteins. Identification of the 18-kDa protein has aided the understanding of the vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxylation system at the molecular level.
Entorhinal Stellate Cells Show Preferred Spike Phase-Locking to Theta Inputs That Is Enhanced by Correlations in Synaptic Activity

In active networks, excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs generate membrane voltage fluctuations that drive spike activity in a probabilistic manner. Despite this, some cells in vivo show a strong propensity to precisely lock to the local field potential and maintain a specific spike-phase relationship relative to other cells. In recordings from rat medial entorhinal cortical stellate cells, we measured spike phase-locking in response to sinusoidal "test" inputs in the presence of different forms of background membrane voltage fluctuations, generated via dynamic clamp. We find that stellate cells show strong and robust spike phase-locking to theta (4-12 Hz) inputs. This response occurs under a wide variety of background membrane voltage fluctuation conditions that include a substantial increase in overall membrane conductance. Furthermore, the IH current present in stellate cells is critical to the enhanced spike phase-locking response at theta. Finally, we show that correlations between inhibitory and excitatory conductance fluctuations, which can arise through feedback and feedforward inhibition, can substantially enhance the spike phase-locking response. The enhancement in locking is a result of a selective reduction in the size of low-frequency membrane voltage fluctuations due to cancellation of inhibitory and excitatory current fluctuations with correlations. Hence, our results demonstrate that stellate cells have a strong preference for spike phase-locking to theta band inputs and that the absolute magnitude of locking to theta can be modulated by the properties of background membrane voltage fluctuations.
Sparse cluster analysis of large-scale discrete variables with application to single nucleotide polymorphism data

Current extremely large scale genetic data presents significant challenges for cluster analysis. Most existing clustering methods are typically built on Euclidean distance and geared toward analyzing continuous response. They work well for clustering, e.g., microarray gene expression data, but often perform poorly for clustering, e.g., large scale single nucleotide polymorphism data. In this paper, we study the penalized latent class model for clustering extremely large scale discrete data. The penalized latent class model takes into account the discrete nature of the response using appropriate generalized linear models and adopts the lasso penalized likelihood approach for simultaneous model estimation and selection of important covariates. We develop very efficient numerical algorithms for model estimation based on the iterative coordinate descent approach and further develop the Expectation-Maximization algorithm to incorporate and model missing values. We use simulation studies and applications to the international HapMap single nucleotide polymorphism data to illustrate the competitive performance of the penalized latent class model.
Effect of subsurface heterogeneity on free-product recovery from unconfined aquifers

Abstract Free-product record system designs for light-hydrocarbon-contaminated sites were investigated to evaluate the effects of subsurface heterogeneity using a vertically integrated three-phase flow model. The input stochastic variable of the areal flow analysis was the log-intrinsic permeability and it was generated using the Turning Band method. The results of a series of hypothetical field-scale simulations showed that subsurface heterogeneity has a substantial effect on free-product recovery predictions. As the heterogeneity increased, the recoverable oil volume decreased and the residual trapped oil volume increased. As the subsurface anisotropy increased, these effects together with free- and total-oil contaminated areas were further enhanced. The use of multiple-stage water pumping was found to be insignificant compared to steady uniform pumping due to reduced recovery efficiency and increased residual oil volume. This observation was opposite to that produced under homogeneous scenarios. The effect of subsurface heterogeneity was enhanced at relatively low water pumping rates. The difference in results produced by homogeneous and heterogeneous simulations was substantial, indicating greater attention should be paid in modeling free-product recovery systems with appropriate subsurface heterogeneity.
The N Termini of Focal Adhesion Kinase Family Members Regulate Substrate Phosphorylation, Localization, and Cell Morphology

The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and cell adhesion kinase β (CAKβ, PYK2, CADTK, RAFTK) are highly homologous FAK family members, yet clearly have unique roles in the cell. Comparative analyses of FAK and CAKβ have revealed intriguing differences in their activities. These differences were investigated further through the characterization of a set of FAK/CAKβ chimeric kinases. CAKβ exhibited greater catalytic activity than FAK in vitro, providing a molecular basis for differential substrate phosphorylation by FAK and CAKβ in vivo. Furthermore, the N terminus may regulate catalytic activity since chimeras containing the FAK N terminus and CAKβ catalytic domain exhibited a striking high level of catalytic activity and substrate phosphorylation. Unexpectedly, a modulatory role for the N termini in subcellular localization was also revealed. Chimeras containing the FAK N terminus and CAKβ C terminus localized to focal adhesions, whereas chimeras containing the N and C termini of CAKβ did not. Finally, prominent changes in cell morphology were induced upon expression of chimeras containing the CAKβ N terminus, which were not associated with apoptotic cell death, cell cycle progression delay, or changes in Rho activity. These results demonstrate novel regulatory roles for the N terminus of FAK family kinases.
Synthesis and biologic evaluation of a radioiodinated quinazolinone derivative for enzyme-mediated insolubilization therapy.

We have developed a new strategy that aims to concentrate therapeutic radionuclides within solid tumors. This approach, which we have named EMIT (enzyme-mediated insolubilization therapy), is a method for enzyme-dependent, site-specific, in vivo precipitation of a radioactive molecule (from a water-soluble precursor) within the extracellular space of solid tumors. The prodrug, ammonium 2-(2‘-phosphoryloxyphenyl)-6-iodo-4-(3H)-quinazolinone, labeled with iodine-125 (125IPD) and its authentic compound labeled with iodine-127 (IPD) have been synthesized, purified, and characterized. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-mediated conversion of these water-soluble nonfluorescent prodrugs to the water-insoluble fluorescent species, iodine-125-labeled 2-(2‘-hydroxyphenyl)-6-iodo-4-(3H)-quinazolinone (125ID) and its iodine-127-labeled derivative (ID), has been demonstrated in vitro. Biodistribution studies in mice indicate that both 125IPD and 125ID are minimally retained by most tissues and organs. In addition, followi...
Post-Fordist Technology and the Changing Patterns of Women's Employment in the Third World

Literate but unskilled—and largely female—labor has thus far fuelled the tremendous increase in manufactured exports of garments and microelectronic products from the Third World to the industriall...
RoboCar: software, hardware, and mechanical design issues for the University of Colorado autonomous rover vehicle

An overview of the hardware, software, and mechanical design concepts implemented on the University of Colorado's RoboCar are examined. The general design model and philosophy are reviewed, the actual physical implementation is discussed and suggestions for improving performance are provided.
(+)-Morphine attenuates the (-)-morphine-produced conditioned place preference and the mu-opioid receptor-mediated dopamine increase in the posterior nucleus accumbens of the rat.

Abstract An unbiased conditioned place preference paradigm and the microdialysis technique was used to evaluate the effect of (+)-morphine pretreatment on the conditioned place preference produced by (−)-morphine and the increased release of the dopamine produced by µ-opioid ligand endomorphin-1, respectively, in the posterior nucleus accumbens shell of the male CD rat. (−)-Morphine (2.5–10 µg) microinjected into the posterior nucleus accumbens shell dose-dependently produced the conditioned place preference. Pretreatment with (+)-morphine (0.1–10 pg) given into the posterior accumbens shell for 45 min dose-dependently attenuated the conditioned place preference produced by (−)-morphine (5 µg) given into the same posterior accumbens shell. However, higher doses of (+)-morphine (0.1 and 1 ng) were less effective in attenuating the (−)-morphine-produced conditioned place preference. Thus, like given systemically, (+)-morphine given into the posterior nucleus accumbens shell also induces a U-shaped dose–response curve for attenuating the (−)-morphine-produced conditioned place preference. Microinjection of µ-opioid agonist endomorphin-1 (1–10 µg) given into the ventral tegmental area dose-dependently increased the release of the extracellular dopamine in the posterior nucleus accumbens shell in the urethane-anesthetized rats. The increased dopamine caused by endomorphin-1 (10 µg) was completed blocked by the (+)-morphine (10 pg) pretreatment given into ventral tegmental area. It is concluded that (+)-morphine attenuates the (−)-morphine-produced conditioned place preference and the µ-opioid receptor-mediated increase of extracellular dopamine in the posterior nucleus accumbens shell of the rat.