cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular genetics of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Abstract Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous disease with an autosomal dominant Mendelian inheritance. Mutations in four different genes coding for sarcomeric proteins have been identified to cause the disease. In 1990, a mutation in the β-myosin heavy chain (βMHC) gene was identified to cause familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Soon after, more than 30 missense mutations and one deletion in the βMHC gene were identified to be responsible for FHC. This was followed by mutations in troponin T, α tropomyosin and cardiac myosin binding protein-C genes. In patients with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to βMHC mutations, the mutant βMHC mRNA and protein have been isolated from cardiac and skeletal muscle of these individuals. Functional studies have shown that the mutant βMHC protein has impaired actin-myosin interaction and expression of the mutant βMHC in feline cardiocytes disrupts the assembly of the sarcomere. Similarly, mutations in the other three genes lead to mutant proteins which interfere with the normal structure and function of the sarcomere, resulting in an identical phenotype of sarcomere disarray, the hallmark of FHC.
Iontophoretic delivery of an insulin-mimetic peroxovanadium compound

Abstract The element vanadium has been shown to have insulin mimetic properties which gives it potential for use in the management of diabetes. Oral administration of vanadium has resulted in toxic side effects. Recently, a series of more potent vanadium compounds (peroxovanadium) have been synthesized which should be less toxic. However, there is no evidence that these compounds are orally active. Therefore, the feasibility of transporting peroxovanadium by iontophoretically enhanced transdermal delivery has been studied using several different donor conditions. The molecule was successfully delivered cathodally. Flux was linearly related to donor concentration and current density. The use of CaCl 2 , instead of NaC1 as the donor salt significantly increased drug penetration. Transport increased with decreasing buffer concentration. Hairless mouse skin is a reasonable model for peroxovanadium flux across human skin, since penetration across the two membranes was within a factor of two. This work demonstrates that transdermal delivery of peroxovanadium compounds is feasible and that in vivo studies to test its efficacy in regulating blood glucose levels are warranted.
Single dose toxicity study of IRDye 800CW in Sprague-Dawley rats

Fluorophore-labeled contrast imaging agents are moving toward clinical use as aids in nodal staging and intraoperative resection of tumors. Near-infrared fluorophores with defined toxicity properties will be needed before these agents can be translated to the clinic. The near-infrared dye IRDye 800CW is frequently used in its N-hydroxysuccinamide (NHS) ester form for labeling these agents. Following conjugation or breakdown of a labeled ligand, excess NHS ester is converted to the carboxylate form. We report here the results of a preliminary toxicity study on IRDye 800CW carboxylate in preparation for its use as a labeling moiety for targeted contrast agents. Male and female Sprague Dawley rats were given a single intravenous or intradermal administration of IRDye 800CW carboxylate; indocyanine green was used as a comparative control. Following administration of varying doses of either the dyes or saline, animals were observed for up to fourteen days during which time, hematological, clinical chemistry, enzymological, and histological testing was performed on animal subgroups. Under the conditions tested, a single administration of IRDye 800CW carboxylate intravenously at dose levels of 1, 5 and 20 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg intradermally produced no pathological evidence of toxicity. A dose of 20 mg/kg was identified as the NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) following IV or ID routes of administration of IRDye 800CW.
Selective Class III Antiarrhythmic Properties of a Novel Agent, UK‐66,914, During Chronic Myocardial Infarction

Antiarrhythmic Properties of UK- 66,914. UK-66,914 is a potent Class III antiarrhythmic agent that has no effect on conduction velocity in normal tissue in vitro. The present study was performed to evaluate the influence of UK-66,914 on conduction velocity in vivo in canine hearts with a previous myocardial infarction. Detailed three-dimensional mapping of the heart in vivo was obtained using simultaneous recordings from 232 transmural sites. In dogs with a chronic anterior myocardial infarction, UK-66,914 (50 μg/kg) did not alter conduction velocity in regions exhibiting normal conduction (gt; 50 cm/sec) or regions with slowed conduction ( 30 cm/sec, 15-30 cm/sec, or < 15 cm/sec, whereas procainamide significantly decreased conduction velocity at all three levels. Evaluation of the hemodynamic profile of UK-66,914 revealed no negative ionotropic effects in conscious dogs even at doses twentyfold those required to elicit increases in the effective refractory period. Therefore, UK-66,914 is a potent and specific Class III antiarrhythmic agent, which does not alter conduction velocity in hearts with a previous myocardial infarction and exerts no negative inotropic effects.
Life History Study of Multiple Clones of Insecticide Resistant and Susceptible Greenbug Schizaphis graminum (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Comparative differences and similarities in prereproductive time (d), progeny production in a time equal to d (Md), and intrinsic rate of increase (rm) were established for one susceptible (S) and three resistant (R) strains of the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), reared on sorghum hybrids Dekalb G550E and Cargill 607E. The R strains showed three patterns of elevated esterase activity. Four R1 clones, four R2 clones, one R3 clone, and four S clones were evaluated. The interaction of sorghum hybrid and greenbug strain did not significantly influence any of the parameters measured. However, R1 greenbugs exhibited a significantly longer prereproductive period than the other strains. In addition, the R1 strain had a significantly slower intrinsic rate of increase than the R2 or S greenbug strains, but did not differ significantly from the R3 strain. These results suggest that R1 greenbugs may be less fit than the other strains studied.
Life history characteristics of tule perch (Hysterocarpus traski) populations in contrasting environments

The life history characteristics of tule perch were compared within and among populations in three drainages with substantially different environmental conditions. Within populations there were, in general, substantial increases in brood size, size of young, brood weight, and gonadal-somatic index (GSI) with age and with size of female. In at least one population there was a trade-off between the number and size of young produced. However, in a lake where individual growth was very slow, brood weight, GSI, and other life history characters showed decreasing trends with age. Among populations in isolated drainages, female length at first reproduction and longevity varied directly and mean brood size varied inversely with environmental predictability. Morphological and geological evidence and some comparative litter characteristics suggest that life history differences among populations in isolated drainages are in part genetic.
Agglomerate parameters and fractal dimension of soot using light scattering—effects on surface growth

Abstract Measured scattering, extinction coefficients, and dissymmetry ratios at 0.488 μm from a premixed propane-oxygen flame with a fuel equivalence ratio of φ0 = 1.8 are combined with the scattering and extinction model for agglomerates to determine each of the following: primary particle diameter, number density of primary particles, and the total number of agglomerates as a function of position in the flame. The inferred primary particle diameters vary in the range from 0.009 to 0.029 μm whereas the fractal dimension of the agglomerate was estimated to be 1.7. In addition, both the Mie and agglomerate analysis of scattering and extinction data yield effective diameters that differ only by 1.8% or less for this type of flame system. However, the growth rates determined from the Mie scattering and extinction analysis are found to be higher by 106% or more when compared with the growth rates inferred from the agglomerate analysis.
Redefinition of modulator as an inhibitor of glucocorticoid receptor activation.

Abstract With continued elution from a gel filtration column overloaded with [ 3 H]-triamcinolone acetonide labeled cytosol a decrease in the DNA-cellulose binding ability of rat hepatic glucocorticoid-receptor complexes was observed. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of selected fractions demonstrated a correlation between DNA-cellulose binding ability and the quantity of activated steroid-receptor complexes present. These results have led us to redefine modulator, a micromolecule and a putative translocation inhibitor, as an endogenous inhibitor of the activation process.
Tall fescue aluminum tolerance is affected by neotyphodium coenophialum endophyte

Abstract Roots of endophyte‐infected (E+) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) exude more phenolic‐like reductants than roots of endophyte‐free (E‐) plants when mineral stressed. Phenolic compounds are efficient chelators of aluminum (Al) and may influence Al tolerance in many plant species. The objective of our study was to determine if enhanced release of phenolic compounds by roots of E+ plants contributes to Al tolerance in tall fescue. Two cloned genotypes (DN2 and DN11) of tall fescue infected with their naturally occurring fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan‐Jones and Gams) Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin and their noninfected isolines were grown in nutrient solutions at 0 μM Al (Al‐) and at 640 μM Al (Al+) under controlled environment conditions. Root and shoot dry matter (DM) of endophyte‐infected tall fescue was greater in E+ than E‐ plants by 57% and 40%, respectively, when plants were grown without Al. Endophyte infection did not affect root and shoot DM of tall fescue grown with A...
The Body at War

A Body Worth Defending: Immunity, Biopolitics, and the Apotheosis of the Modern Body, by Ed Cohen, Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2009, 384 pp., US$89.95 (cloth), US$24.95 (paper). For scholars...
The Second Law of Probability Dynamics

L'A. etudie la question de l'augmentation de l'entropie dans un systeme thermodynamique, en reference a l'ouvrage de M. Barrett et E. Sober intitule «When and Why Does Entropy Increase?». Mesurant la probabilite de distribution d'energie dans un systeme physique, la seconde loi de thermodynamique souleve le probleme de l'asymetrie temporelle. L'entropie concerne le desordre ou l'incertitude liee a un ensemble n de causes dichotomiques provoquant un ensemble m d'effets dichotomiques
Effect of Cadmium Chloride on Physiological Color Changes of the Fiddler Crab, Uca pugilator

Abstract The effects of cadmium exposure on the color change system of the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator , were determined. Crabs were either immersed in 10 ppm cadmium chloride solutions or injected with 8.5 μg cadmium/g body weight. The crabs exposed to cadmium, either by injection or immersion, were less able to bring about dispersion of the pigment in their integumentary melanophores than were the unexposed crabs. Cadmium did not affect the melanophores directly. This decreased black pigment dispersion was apparently due to effects of cadmium on the neuroendocrine processes that control the melanophores. The neuroendocrine complex in the eyestalk is the source of a black pigment-dispersing hormone (BPDH). Eyestalks of crabs kept in clean water contained 3.27 times more BPDH than did the eyestalks of the cadmium-exposed crabs. Histological studies revealed that cadmium exposure results in depletion of the neurosecretory material in the eyestalks and brain. It is hypothesized that cadmium inhibits BPDH synthesis in neurosecretory (neuroendocrine) cells, resulting in decreased ability of exposed crabs to disperse their black pigment.
Metabolism goes viral.

Viral and cellular oncogenes converge in targeting critical protein interaction networks to reprogram the cellular DNA and protein replication machinery for pathological replication. In this issue, Thai et al. (2014) show that adenovirus E4ORF1 activates MYC glycolytic targets to induce a Warburg-like effect that converts glucose into nucleotides for viral replication.
Synthesis and properties of random and alternating fluorene/carbazole copolymers for use in blue light-emitting devices

Random and alternating fluorene/carbazole (F/Cz) copolymers with various carbazole contents (20−50 mol %) have been designed and synthesized for use as the hole-transporting as well as light-emitting layer in blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs). DSC analysis has indicated the complete suppression of the crystallizability of these polymers by the introduction of 3,6-carbazole linkages into the polymer backbone, which also results in changes in their optical properties. The absorption maximum has been blue-shifted with an increase in the carbazole content due to the interruption in the main chain conjugation. Meanwhile, the photoluminescent properties have been influenced by the sequence distribution of the fluorene segments as well as the carbazole content. The emission maxima and vibronic features of the alternating copolymers have changed with carbazole content, reflecting the differences in the electronic structures of the repeat units. However, in the case of the random copolymers, the emission spectra r...
Weakly Nonlinear and Numerical Analysis of Auto-Oscillatory Dynamics in a Solid Propellant Combustion Model

In solid combustion, a planar traveling flame wave may lose stability to oscillatory modes in certain parameter regimes. The loss of stability is commonly achieved through a Hopf bifurcation in which linearly unstable modes grow to fixed amplitudes. This situation has been well studied in models of strictly condensed combustion and has been observed experimentally. In this paper, we describe the onset and evolution of oscillatory modes arising in a free-interface model of solid propellant combustion. After a brief introduction, the structure and stability of small perturbations to a planar flame wave are then investigated. Multiple-scale expansions are utilized to describe changes in the amplitude and the phase of a single, weakly unstable mode, and the results are compared to numerical predictions. It is found the over much of the parameter space that the analytical and numerical solutions predict a supercritical Hopf bifurcation similar to those found in models of strictly condensed combustion.
Depression in Primary Care: Comorbid Disorders and Related Problems

Identifying and treating depression has been a major focus in primary care over the last decade. Unfortunately, treatments have not been as successful as originally hoped. The current study investigated factors that may contribute to poor outcomes in a sample of VA primary care patients. Results indicate that 15.5% of the patients in this investigation had significant symptoms of depression. The vast majority (89.6%) of these patients also had significant symptoms of at least one additional comorbid psychiatric condition. Furthermore, an association between depression and unhealthy behaviors (smoking, not exercising) was demonstrated. Finally, sexual dysfunction and chronic pain were more frequently observed in individuals with depressive symptoms. These findings illustrate that depression is only one of many problems for most primary care patients identified with depression. A multidisciplinary team in primary care is recommended to provide a coordinated approach to the treatment of depression and its associated problems.
Nursing staff adjustment as a function of psychiatric treatment modality

Abstract Job satisfaction and job-related attitudes of 59 former and current psychiatric nursing staff members of a university hospital were assessed using a 52 item questionnaire. Four psychiatric services were compared, one adult service using behavior therapy, one traditional adult psychiatric service, one adolescent and one child service, both using interpretive psychotherapy and drugs. In comparing the adult behavior therapy unit with the more traditional interpretive-milieu psychotherapy unit, it was found that the staff of the traditional therapeutic service felt that the service on which they worked was more mechanistic, was more likely to violate patients' rights, was more superficial and was more experimental in nature than did the comparable staff on the behavior therapy unit. Moreover, the staff members on the behavior therapy unit were less inclined to feel drugs were used excessively (7%) as compared with staff members on the traditional therapy unit (50%).
Comparative larval development of the shipworms Bankia gouldi and Teredo navalis

Larvae of Bankia gouldi (Bartsch) and Teredo navalis L. were reared in the laboratory at various temperatures and salinities. T. navalis spawned at lower temperatures than B. gouldi. T. navalis larvae were released at temperatures from 13° to 30°C; in B. gouldi, spawning occurred from 17.5° to 30°C. Both species released offspring at salinities of 20 and 30‰. Larvae of the two species can be distinguished morphometrically at the earliest pelagic veliger stage and in the pediveliger stage. Average dimensions of newly released T. navalis larvae are 88 x 75 μ (length x height), while the youngest B. gouldi veligers measure 61 x 50 μ. Pediveligers of T. navalis (205 x 239 μ) are smaller than those of B. gouldi (221 x 260 μ). At other stages of larval development the two species appear so similar that they cannot yet readily be distinguished. Under laboratory conditions of 25°C and 30 ‰, the free-swimming life of B. gouldi to the pediveliger stage was about 10 days longer than that of T. navalis (25 and 15 days, respectively). Incubated larval development of T. navalis was estimated to be 5 days at 25°C. Potential competition between larval stages of the two species, and modification of settling behavior by dissolved humic material (Gelbstoff), is discussed.
A specific intermolecular association between the regulatory domains of a tec family kinase

Interleukin-2 tyrosine kinase (Itk), is a T-cell specific tyrosine kinase of the Tec family. We have examined a novel intermolecular interaction between the SH3 and SH2 domains of Itk. In addition to the interaction between the isolated domains, we have found that the dual SH3/SH2 domain-containing fragment of Itk self-associates in a specific manner in solution. Tec family members contain the SH3, SH2 and catalytic domains common to many kinase families but are distinguished by a unique amino-terminal sequence, which contains a proline-rich stretch. Previous work has identified an intramolecular regulatory association between the proline-rich region and the adjacent SH3 domain of Itk. The intermolecular interaction between the SH3 and SH2 domains of Itk that we describe provides a possible mechanism for displacement of this intramolecular regulatory sequence, a step that may be required for full Tec kinase activation. Additionally, localization of the interacting surfaces on both the SH3 and SH2 domains by chemical shift mapping has provided information about the molecular details of this recognition event. The interaction involves the conserved aromatic binding pocket of the SH3 domain and a newly defined binding surface on the SH2 domain. The interacting residues on the SH2 domain do not conform to the consensus motif for an SH3 proline-rich ligand. Interestingly, we note a striking correlation between the SH2 residues that mediate this interaction and those residues that, when mutated in the Tec family member Btk, cause the hereditary immune disorder, X-linked agamaglobulinemia.
Physiological Changes in the Overwintering Females of Anopheles Freeborni (Diptera: Culicidae) in California

A greater proportion of Anopheles freeborni females reared under long-day condition took a blood meal and developed mature eggs than did those reared under the short-day condition. Blood feeding does not appear to be essential to overwintering females. There appears to be little or no differences between diapausing females which do and do not take blood meals. Diapausing sugar feeders developed slightly greater lipid content than the diapausing blood feeders, but no detectable differences were observed in the survival rate of the 2 populations.
Tribological behavior of unidirectional graphite-epoxy and carbon-PEEK composites

Abstract An infrared microscope system developed at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University was used to study the tribological behavior of unidirectional graphite-epoxy and carbon-PEEK (PEEK = poly(ether ether ketone)) composites in sliding contact with sapphire. Effects of fiber orientation and sliding velocity on friction, surface temperature and wear were examined. The surface temperatures measured were on the order of 100–160 °C even at relatively low rates of frictional heat generation (up to 14 W). Surface temperatures were found to increase with an increase in velocity, but levelled off as the glass transition temperatures of the matrix materials were reached. The coefficients of friction were generally found to decrease with an increase in sliding velocity and were significantly influenced by fiber orientation. The influence of sliding velocity on wear was quite different for the two polymer composite systems. With graphite-epoxy, wear was found to decrease with increasing velocity and later increase — resulting in minimum wear at an intermediate velocity. However, with carbon-PEEK, the effect was just the opposite, leading to a maximum in wear. From the scanning electron micrographs of the wear scars, we believe that wear is primarily due to a combination of adhesion and fatigue and that the difference in the wear behavior between the two composites is due to the difference in response of the respective matrices to fatigue loading. The relationship between surface temperature and wear is rather complex. An attempt is made here to explain this relationship through a proposed “two-velocity-regime” wear model. Estimation of the real area of contact was done using photomacro-video techniques. Comparison of experimental surface temperatures with temperatures predicted by Archard's and a new theory developed at VPI & SU was also made.
Radiation force on a relativistic plasma and the Eddington limit

Calculations of the radiation force due to Thomson scattering on a relativistic plasma are presented and discussed in relation to certain astronomical objects which operate within a few orders of magnitude of their Eddington luminosity. The radiation force on a hot isotropic plasma is shown to exceed that on a cold plasma by a factor depending on the electron Lorentz factor, which can be substantial in a relativistic plasma. In such a plasma, radiative bulk acceleration is found to occur through the anisotropic loss of internal energy during the Thomson scattering, resulting in an effect termed a Compton rocket. The Compton rocket is shown to be a relevant acceleration mechanism in situations where a relativistic electron plasma lies in the vicinity of a luminous source operating near the classical Eddington limit, including compact galactic X-ray sources and objects associated with active galactic nuclei (quasars, blazars, and Seyfert nuclei).
Cascade Overlap in hcp Zirconium: Defect Accumulation and Microstructure Evolution with Radiation using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the defect accumulation and microstructure evolution inhcp zirconium (Zr) – a material which is widely used as clad for nuclear fuel. Cascades are generated with a 3 keV primary knock-on atom (PKA) using an embedded atom method (EAM) potential with interactions modified for distances shorter than 0.1 A. With sequential cascade simulations we show the emergence of stacking faults both in the basal and prism planes, and a Shockley partial dislocation on the basal plane.
Some African fossil foot bones: A note on the interpolation of fossils into a matrix of extant species

Certain fossil foot bones (a terminal toe phalanx from Olduvai, specimens of tali from Spy, Skhūl, Olduvai, Kromdraai, Songhor and Rusinga) have been investigated by other workers using the multivariate statistical approach. The conclusions of their studies have, in the main, been based upon examination of early canonical variates alone. It is demonstrated here that if the full analyses (generalized distances) are taken into account, then almost exactly opposite conclusions obtain. The terminal toe phalanx from Olduvai is widely different from those of modern men; the Neandertal tali differ more from modern human bones than previously realized; the specimens from Olduvai, Kromdraai, Songhor and Rusinga are all completely dissimilar from both African ape and modern human tali.
Individual production, community characteristics and the provision of local public services

Abstract Socioeconomic variables reflect differences in individual production functions for such commodities as a personal safety or education where both private goods and community characteristics are inputs to this production. Government activities are demanded because of their direct impact on community characteristics and indirect contribution to production. Since each activity affects many characteristics, efficient provision depends upon the proper consideration of the ‘cross’ effects of community activities on characteristics. Because production functions may differ across demographic groups, efficient provision depends upon community demographics and heterogeneity in equilibrium may result. A method for indexing public services using community characteristics is suggested, allowing the isolation of movements in prices and quantities from expenditure data.
Basic Biological Sciences Effects of Chlorhexidine and Four Antimicrobial Compounds on Plaque, Gingivitis, and Staining in Beagle Dogs

Solutions containing 0.2% of a bis-biguanide, chlorhexidine (positive control), and four bis-amidinourea antimicrobial agents were tested in beagle dogs in a 12-week study. The five agents significantly reduced clinical plaque and gingivitis scores, and gingival fluid volumes in treated dogs, compared with water. All compounds reduced the stain area scores compared to water controls. Stain intensity scores were higher for chlorhexidine than for the four new antimicrobial agents and the water controls. There were no overt behavioral changes. Histological examination of oral tissues revealed no irritation.
Instability of difference models for hyperbolic initial boundary value problems

A th00 eory of instability is presented for finite difference models of linear hyperbolic partial differential equations in one space dimension with a boundary. According to this theory, instability is caused by spurious radiation of wave energy from the boundary at a numerical group velocity C ≥ 0. To make this point of view precise, we first develop a rigorous description of group velocity for difference schemes and of reflection of waves at boundaries. From these results we then obtain lower bounds for growth rates of unstable finite difference solution operators in l2 norms, which extend earlier results due to Osher and to Gustafsson, Kreiss, and Sundstrom. In particular we investigate l2-instability with respect to both initial and boundary data and show how they are affected by (a) finite versus infinite reflection coefficients and (b) wave radiation with C = 0 versus C > 0.
Spectral analysis based on compressive sensing in nanophotonic structures

A method of spectral sensing based on compressive sensing is shown to have the potential to achieve high resolution in a compact device size. The random bases used in compressive sensing are created by the optical response of a set of different nanophotonic structures, such as photonic crystal slabs. The complex interferences in these nanostructures offer diverse spectral features suitable for compressive sensing.
Treatment of vitiligo with the 308-nm excimer laser: A pilot study

Background: Present vitiligo therapies require many months of treatment and often result in disappointing outcomes. Common therapeutic options include phototherapy with psoralens plus ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation and broadband or narrowband UVB radiation phototherapy. Some of these modalities require regular phototherapy sessions several times a week for up to a year to achieve a therapeutic response. Targeted phototherapy with single-wavelength laser light is a treatment alternative that may prove to be a time-efficient and effective therapeutic option for the management of vitiligo. Methods: This intervention study was designed as a before and after trial with a single arm. Twenty-nine patches of vitiligo from 18 patients (6 males and 12 females) were treated at the start of the study. Vitiligo patches were treated by using a 308-nm xenon-chloride excimer laser. Lesions were treated 3 times a week for a maximum of 12 treatments. Treatment was withheld if sunburn was observed and held until resolution. All patients had untreated vitiligo patches that served as control sites. Results: Twenty-three vitiligo patches from 12 patients received at least 6 treatments and resulted in some repigmentation in 57% of the treated patches. Eleven vitiligo patches from 6 patients received all 12 treatments and resulted in some repigmentation in 82% of the treated patches. Untreated control patches remained unchanged. Conclusion: This degree of repigmentation in a period of 2 to 4 weeks is much higher than that achieved with any other present vitiligo therapy. The xenon-chloride excimer laser may represent a new treatment modality for the management of stable vitiligo. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;46:727-31.)
A virus-based nanoblock with tunable electrostatic properties

Five different "HIS tag" mutants of cowpea mosaic virus were made by genetically introducing six contiguous histidine residues at various locations on the virus capsid. The mutant particles showed differential affinity for binding nickel, and their electrostatic properties could be controlled as a function of the protonation state of the exposed histidine sequence. The specific addressability of the HIS tag was corroborated by the selective modification of the histidine sequence with nanogold cross-linked to the Ni-NTA moiety.
Testis and gonopodium development in Anableps Dowi (Pisces: Anablepidae) correlated with pituitary gonadotropic zone area.

Testicular development in the viviparous fish, Anableps dowi, is described from embryonic stages through sexual maturation and is correlated with development of the gonadotropic zone of the pituitary. Only isolated spermatogonia or cysts of early spermatogonia are found in embryos 1.8 to 4.4 cm in length and postnatal specimens 5.4 to 8.8 cm in length. Cysts with more advanced spermatogonia are seen in specimens from 7.9 to 10.8 cm in length. Spermatogenetic meioses are first observed in a 10.2 cm male. Specimens greater than 12.0 cm have mature spermatozoa (partial spermatozeugmata) within the main testicular ducts, indicating gonadal maturation. The morphological transformation of the anal fin into the intromittent gonopodium is also described, using both whole and cleared specimens. Even in the smallest postnatal male available (5.4 cm), the anal fin can be distinguished from that of an equivalent sized female. Anal fin changes proceed until the mature gonopodium is developed, when body lengths greater than 16 cm are reached. Testicular maturation, defined as the presence of partial spermatozeugmata in the main testicular ducts, precedes the completion of gonopodial development. Measurements of ventral gonadotropic zone area in pituitary mid-sagittal sections show a continuous increase from neonatal through sexually mature specimens. The results point to a role for testicular androgens in early testis development.
Open neighborhood locating-dominating in trees

For a graph G that models a facility or a multiprocessor network, detection devices can be placed at the vertices so as to identify the location of an intruder such as a thief or saboteur or a faulty processor. Open neighborhood locating-dominating sets are of interest when the intruder/fault at a vertex precludes its detection at that location. The parameter OLD(G) denotes the minimum cardinality of a vertex set S@?V(G) such that for each vertex v in V(G) its open neighborhood N(v) has a unique non-empty intersection with S. For a tree T"n of order n we have @?n/2@?+1@?OLD(T"n)@?n-1. We characterize the trees that achieve these extremal values.
The weak and the strong couplings and general covariance

Abstract General covariance implies that the physical continuum is characterized by its connection as well as by its local structure; and therefore by the symmetries of the connection as well as of the local Lorentz and gauge groups. The connection of the local Lorentz group is as usual associated with the gravitational field; the corresponding connection of the gauge group is associated with the universal weak and electromagnetic couplings. The strong couplings have the complete symmetry of the local gauge group. The weak couplings have the lesser symmetry of the connection, which in turn corresponds to a subgroup of the local gauge group. There are four weak, charged vector bosons, associated in pairs with the right and left-handed connections of the gauge group; the only neutral vector is the photon.
FMRI of brain activation in a genetic rat model of absence seizures.

Summary: Purpose: EEG-triggered functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to identify areas of brain activation during spontaneous spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) in an epileptic rat strain under awake conditions. Methods: Spontaneous absence seizures from 10 WAG/Rij rats were imaged by using T2*-weighted echo planar imaging at 4.7 Tesla. fMRI of the blood-oxygenation-level–dependent (BOLD) signal was triggered based on EEG recordings during imaging. Images obtained during spontaneous SWDs were compared with baseline images. Results: Significant positive BOLD signal changes were apparent in several areas of the cortex and several important nuclei of the thalamus. In addition, no negative BOLD signal was found in any brain area. Conclusions: We have shown that EEG-triggered BOLD fMRI can be used to detect cortical and thalamic activation related to the spontaneous SWDs that characterize absence seizures in awake WAG/Rij rats. These results draw an anatomic correlation between areas in which increased BOLD signal is found and those in which SWDs have been recorded. In addition, no negative BOLD signal was found to be associated with these spontaneous SWDs. We also demonstrated the technical feasibility of using EEG-triggered fMRI in a genetic rat model of absence seizure.
Fatigue performance characterization of a composite butt joint configuration

Abstract Fatigue performance characterization of a composite butt joint configuration was studied. The study focused on failure mode, damage evolution, and tensile stiffness degradation analyses. Effects of surface ply orientation, doubler thickness, joint attachment, and defect on the joint fatigue performance were evaluated. The bonded-bolted joints with two-row fasteners installed in each overlap section had an extremely high fatigue performance. For such a bonded-bolted joint configuration with thick doubler, a minor disbond defect improved, rather than reduced, the joint fatigue performance. This outcome was examined using the corresponding joint tensile stiffness degradation curves, and a dominant failure mechanism was identified based on damage characteristics. The study showed that the butt joint made using appropriate elements, such as a thick doubler with two-row fasteners installed in each bonded overlap section, could have very good fatigue performance regardless of the presence of a minor disbond defect.
Surface barriers on layer semiconductors: GaSe

Metallic surface barriers formed on the layer compound GaSe are studied by the photoresponse technique. The dependence of barrier potential vs. etectronegativity of the deposited metal is found to be linear with slope ≅ 0.6.
A Caspase-9 Variant Missing the Catalytic Site Is an Endogenous Inhibitor of Apoptosis

It is likely that endogenous inhibitors of the apical caspases such as caspase-9 exist to prevent undesirable activation of caspase cascades. A naturally occurring variant of caspase-9 named caspase-9S was cloned from human liver. Caspase-9S is missing most of the large subunit of caspase-9, including the catalytic site, but has the intact prodomain and small subunit. Caspase-9S did not show apoptotic activity in transfection analysis. Overexpression of caspase-9S inhibited apoptosis induced by caspase-9, indicating that caspase-9S is an endogenous dominant-negative of caspase-9. Moreover, caspase-9S inhibited apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, TNF factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), Bax, or Fas-associated death domain-containing protein (FADD) as well as the combination of Apaf-1 and caspase-9. In vitrobinding assays demonstrated that caspase-9S binds to Apaf-1 and blocks the binding of caspase-9 to Apaf-1. Coexpression of caspase-9 and caspase-9S mRNA was identified in various cell lines. Thus, caspase-9S acts as a dominant-negative inhibitor of caspase-9 activation, at least in part, by blocking Apaf-1-caspase-9 interaction.
Introduction of Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales) to New England, USA: Estimated Arrival Times and Current Distribution

Abstract The invasive Asiatic red alga Gracilaria vermiculophylla has recently spread rapidly around the globe. In the Northwest Atlantic, it was first collected in Virginia during 1998; in New England, it was first recorded from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island in 2007. Until now, the specific dates of its introduction and current distribution in New England have been poorly understood. We employed a combination of field collections, evaluations of historical herbarium specimens, and molecular investigations (including mt-CO1 gene sequencing) to document its present distribution and approximate dates of introduction within New England. We found G. vermiculophylla at 18 of 24 Northwest Atlantic sites growing with native Gracilaria populations. Presently, it is recorded from Stamford, CT to Greenland, NH, with no populations known from five Maine sites where the native G. tikvahiae grows. Molecular screening of historical specimens revealed that G. vermiculophylla was collected from five sites in Massachuset...
Certain select variables as predictors of goal achievement in speech therapy

Abstract A previous factor-analytic investigation indicated that 18 variables, structured within interpersonal and technical skill dimensions, contribute most significantly to supervisor's evaluations of student clinicians engaged in speech therapy. The present study was designed to extend that investigation by determining the relative contribution of the variables to the clinicians' accomplishment of the goals of the therapy session. Using the previously collected data, 17 of the resultant variables were regressed in stepwise fashion against the clinicians' accomplishment of the session's goals. The regression solution yielded a three-variable prediction system, which accounted for approximately two-thirds of the criterion variance. All three variables were related to clinicians' technical skills. The “schedule of reinforcement” variable was the single most valid predictor and accounted for half of the criterion variance. The other two technical skill variables were “implements carryover procedures in therapy” and “changes therapeutic procedure to meet client needs.” Implications for inclusion of these variables in interactive and microtherapy methodologies of clinical training are discussed.
Cellular evaluation of the toxicity of combustion derived particulate matter: influence of particle grinding and washing on cellular response

There is increasing interest in continual monitoring of air for the presence of inhalation health hazards, such as particulate matter, produced through combustion of fossil fuels. Currently there are no means to rapidly evaluate the relative toxicity of materials or to reliably predict potential health impact due to the complexity of the composition, size, and physical properties of particulate matter. This research evaluates the feasibility of utilizing cell cultures as the biological recognition element of an inhalation health monitoring system. The response of rat lung type II epithelial (RLE-6TN) cells to a variety of combustion derived particulates and their components has been evaluated. The focus of the current work is an evaluation of how particles are delivered to a cellular sensing array and to what degree does washing or grinding of the particles impacts the cellular response. There were significant differences in the response of these lung cells to PM's of varying sources. Mechanical grinding or washing was found to alter the toxicity of some of these particulates; however these effects were strongly dependent on the fuel source. Washing reduced toxicity of oil PM's, but had little effect on those from diesel or coal. Mechanical grinding could significantly increase the toxicity of coal PM's, but not for oil or diesel.
Suppression of aerial hyphae by staling products of Postia placenta

Isolate ME20 is a wild-type monokaryotic strain of the brown-rot fungus Postia placenta that does not cause significant weight losses in standard soilwood block decay tests. It also fails to form aerial hyphae in liquid and agar culture. This abnormal morphological feature may be caused by the same aberrant physiology that prevents the strain from efficiently degrading wood. Aerial hyphae formation was suppressed in MAD698, a standard floccose strain of P. placenta, when spent media from 14-day-old ME20 cultures made up 40% or more of the nutrient medium. Spent media from MAD698 cultures caused a similar effect but only at 80% and 100% concentrations. This suppression does not appear to be caused by nutrient deprivation or by the activity of extracellular autolytic enzymes. The suppressive factor has a molecular weight of <10 000 Da, is resistant to boiling, and thus probably non-enzymatic. The inhibition of aerial hyphae formation is probably due to unidentified, low molecular weight staling products.
Is There an Active Gene-Environment Correlation in Adolescent Drinking Behavior?

A scale based on alcohol-related behaviors and an item on shared friends from the National Merit Twin Study were used in an attempt to confirm the finding of Cleveland et al. (1995, J Genet Psychol 166:153-169) of gene-environment correlation in adolescents' drinking behavior, a correlation based on the differential selection of peers. Results from samples of 490 MZ and 336 same-sex DZ pairs were consistent in direction with the hypothesis, although quantitatively modest. This consistency appeared, however, to depend entirely on the female twins in the sample.
Analysis of spasmodic dysphonia by aerodynamic and laryngostroboscopic measurements

Summary Sequential assessment of laryngeal function using laryngostroboscopy and phonatory air flow assessment was carried out in 18 patients with spasmodic dysphonia (SD). Comparison was made between findings in patients before treatment (n = 18), after unilateral recurrent nerve block by lidocaine (n = 6), after bilateral injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) (n = 13), and prior to Botox reinjection (n = 3). Unilateral nerve block resulted in higher mean phonatory airflows than after bilateral Botox injections. Both unilateral nerve block and Botox injections increased fluctuant or alternating flow source (AC); however, unilateral nerve block resulted in more unmodulated airflow leakage. Phonation time on a single breath was longer than with Botox injection. Bilateral Botox injections resulted in better glottal closure, fewer instances of vocal fold level differences, and, better vocal fold vibrations with phase symmetry, as determined by laryngostroboscopy. Partial bilateral denervation using Botox resulted in laryngeal function, which appeared to be intermediate between that of tightly squeezed pretreatment status and a breathy voice with incomplete adduction after unilateral nerve block. Of all treatments assessed, bilateral partial denervation by Botox appeared to be the most physiologic in restoring normal vocal fold vibratory function and airflow.
The case for secular assimilation? The Latino experience in Richmond, Virginia

Studies of 20th-century ethnic immigrant groups to the United States profile religion as a key factor in their assimilation into U.S. culture. Religious institutions provided immigrants and families with a safe haven where they could hold on to their ethnic identity, even as they and their children were mainstreamed into the larger culture. Changes in immigration law since 1965 have complicated somewhat the relationship between religion and assimilation. The variety of religious forms now present in the United States and the diversity of immigrants create new options as they seek to adapt to U.S. life. We look at the absence of religion as one of those options. The nonreligious paths chosen by some Latinos in Richmond, Virginia have implications for the way they become part of the community, especially in comparison to those who remain members of their religion of origin or who convert to U.S. faiths.
Quantitative assessment of Tet-induced oxidation products of 5-methylcytosine in cellular and tissue DNA

Recent studies showed that Ten-eleven translocation (Tet) family dioxygenases can oxidize 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine (5-mdC) in DNA to yield the 5-hydroxymethyl, 5-formyl and 5-carboxyl derivatives of 2'-deoxycytidine (5-HmdC, 5-FodC and 5-CadC). 5-HmdC in DNA may be enzymatically deaminated to yield 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (5-HmdU). After their formation at CpG dinucleotide sites, these oxidized pyrimidine nucleosides, particularly 5-FodC, 5-CadC, and 5-HmdU, may be cleaved from DNA by thymine DNA glycosylase, and subsequent action of base-excision repair machinery restores unmethylated cytosine. These processes are proposed to be important in active DNA cytosine demethylation in mammals. Here we used a reversed-phase HPLC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS/MS) method, along with the use of stable isotope-labeled standards, for accurate measurements of 5-HmdC, 5-FodC, 5-CadC and 5-HmdU in genomic DNA of cultured human cells and multiple mammalian tissues. We found that overexpression of the catalytic domain of human Tet1 led to marked increases in the levels of 5-HmdC, 5-FodC and 5-CadC, but only a modest increase in 5-HmdU, in genomic DNA of HEK293T cells. Moreover, 5-HmdC is present at a level that is approximately 2-3 and 3-4 orders of magnitude greater than 5-FodC and 5-CadC, respectively, and 35-400 times greater than 5-HmdU in the mouse brain and skin, and human brain. The robust analytical method built a solid foundation for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of active cytosine demethylation, for measuring these 5-mdC derivatives and assessing their involvement in epigenetic regulation in other organisms and for examining whether these 5-mdC derivatives can be used as biomarkers for human diseases.