cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of profilins with membrane lipids

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the analysis of the binding of several isoforms of profilin with phospholipids. Human platelet profilin binds to clusters of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) and in doing so inhibits the hydrolysis of the PIP 2 , by a soluble phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC). So profilin might participate in the regulation of both actin polymerization and the phosphoinositide (PI) signaling pathway. The chapter discusses binding of profilin to phospholipids, how profilin inhibits soluble phospholipase C, interaction of profilin with actin, and what profilin actually does in a cell. The binding of profilin isoforms to various phospholipids is specific for both the protein and the phospholipid. Human platelet profilin binds to PIP 2 and PIP, with dissociation constant, in the range of 1μ M . Acanthamoeba profilin II binds to PIP, with a similar affinity and stoichiometry. The acidic isoform of Acantharnoeba profilin, profilin I, only binds weakly to PIP 2 , with a dissociation constant greater than 50 to 100 μ M . This remarkable difference between profilin I and profilin II provides evidence for the specificity of binding, because these two profilins have similar amino acid sequences. Platelet profilin is the strongest inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase C, followed by Acanthamoeba profilin II and Acanthamoeba profilin I that is a weak inhibitor of the enzyme. These observations have been confirmed, with purified brain PLC-γ, a soluble phospholipase C. Biochemical experiments, combined with the knowledge about the concentrations of profilin and PIP 2 in cells, suggest that the profilins can influence the PI signaling pathway by binding to PIP, the substrate for PIC, which gives rise to the second messengers IP and diacylglycerol (DAG). Thus, profilin is a candidate for the mysterious inhibitor of PLC in the resting cells.
Drug trafficking among African-American early adolescents: prevalence, consequences, and associated behaviors and beliefs.

Objective/Methodology. Drug trafficking by minority youths in low-income, urban areas has received considerable publicity from the mass media in the past half-decade. However, there has been correspondingly little exposition of this problem in the medical literature. This review was undertaken to provide an overview of the epidemiology and consequences of drug trafficking among urban youths and to describe factors associated with drug trafficking. Results. Existing data indicate that approximately 10% of male, urban, African-American early adolescents report having engaged in drug trafficking, with a higher percent of youths reporting having been asked to sell drugs and/or indicating that they expect to become involved in drug trafficking. Rates increase with advancing age. Reported rates of drug trafficking are comparable with rates of tobacco and alcohol use among early adolescents and are substantially higher than use rates of illegal drugs. Drug trafficking is associated with increased mortality, accounting for one third to one half of homicide-related deaths in some studies. The practice is also associated with other health-risk behaviors, including nonfatal violence, substance use, and incarceration. Perceived social pressures by family members and/or peers to engage in drug trafficking and the belief that a youth9s wage-earning potential is limited to drug trafficking are highly correlated with involvement in this activity. Conclusions. Drug trafficking is a prevalent risk behavior among adolescents that has several negative health consequences.
Diverse Early Childhood Education Policies and Practices: Voices and Images from Five Countries in Asia

List of Figures Acknowledgements Preface with Chapter Overviews Chapter 1: Introduction: Expanding the Discourse of Early Childhood Education and Teacher Education Chapter 2: Country Contexts and Recent ECE Policies Chapter 3: "Play-based" and "Child-centered" Pedagogy Chapter 4: Teaching Character, Citizenship and Cultural Values Chapter 5: Curriculum and Local Funds of Knowledge Chapter 6: Partnering for Teaching and Learning Chapter 7: Current Themes in Teacher Education Chapter 8: Reflections and Recommendations References
Ultrabroadband THz conductivity of non-equilibrium Dirac fermions in graphene

We employ ultrabroadband THz pulses to expose the high-frequency transport of non-equilibrium Dirac fermions in graphene. Tuning the Fermi level reveals a transient response characteristic of high-energy photo-excited carriers with strongly enhanced interactions.
Oncolytic virotherapy for targeting ovarian cancer using fully folate receptor targeted recombinant measles virus

4019 We have shown that the MV-Edm, a vaccine strain of measles virus, is potently oncolytic for many types of tumor cells but causes minimal damage on normal cells. Phase I clinical trial in ovarian cancer using recombinant measles virus which express soluble CEA for non-invasive monitoring of viral gene expression is on-going in our institution. We are continuing to improve the efficacy and specificity of oncolytic measles virotherapy for ovarian cancer. Folate receptor alpha (FR alpha) is overexpressed in 90% of ovarian cancer but is absent in most adult somatic tissues, making FR alpha an attractive tumor selective target for ovarian cancer. To generate a fully retargeted virus, measles H interaction with viral receptors CD46 and SLAM was eliminated by alanine substitution at residues 481 and 533 of measles H protein. To target virus entry and cell fusion exclusively to FR alpha ovarian cancer cells, we cloned MOv18, a scFv against FR alpha, onto measles H and rescued MV-MOv18, the fully FR alpha retargeted measles virus. MV-MOv18 specifically infected and caused extensive fusion in FR alpha expressing cells. In contrast to parental MV-GFP, MV-MOv18 showed only background infection in normal cells. Specificity of MV-MOv18 for FR alpha tumors was also demonstrated in vivo . Intraperitoneal administration of MV-GFP to measles susceptible CD46 transgenic mice resulted in the virus being trapped by peritoneal macrophages, but not MV-MOv18. These results showed that MV-MOv18 is promising oncolytic virus for ovarian cancer virotherapy.
Defaults and Returns on High Yield Bonds: Analysis through 1994

Nineteen-ninety-four was a relatively lackluster year for the high yield market with relatively low defaults combined with slightly negative total returns. When viewed in comparative terms with other fixed income securities markets, however, high yield debt performed quite well. Compared to long term U.S. Government securities, the average yield spread on high yield debt dropped to the lowest year-end level (3.44%) since 1984. This report documents the high yield debt market s risk and return performance in 1994 by presenting default and mortality statistics and provides a matrix of average returns and other performance statistics over the relevant periods of the market s evolution. Our analysis covers the period 1971-1994 for defaults and 1978-1994 for returns.
The early life of Luis de Velasco, the younger: The future viceroy as boy and Young Man

This investigation focuses on the early life of Luis de Velasco, the younger. Many historical works propose that Velasco traveled to New Spain when he was a boy along with his father entourage. This research work proves that, on the contrary, he lived in Spain, England and the Netherlands before arriving at New Spain. He was member of a group of young noblemen who escorted Prince Philip before his ascent to Spain’s throne. Once in Mexico, Velasco the younger took his own role within the colonial society. In this article, his personal friends, his political relations after the marriages of his sister and uncle, the social group around the viceroy palace and his own matrimonial selection, are analyzed. Likewise, the article ends with an analysis of Velasco’s role in the conspiracy of Martin Cortes.
On The Prediction of CO Outgassing from Comets Hale-Bopp and Wirtanen

The gas flux from a volatile icy-dust mixture is computed using a comet nucleus thermal model in order to study the evolution of CO outgassing during several apparitions from long-period Comet Hale-Bopp and short-period Comet Wirtanen. The comet model assumes a spherical, porous body containing a dust component, one major ice component (H2O), and one minor ice component of higher volatility (CO). The initial chemical composition is assumed to be homogeneous. The following processes are taken into account: heat and gas diffusion inside the rotating nucleus; release of outward diffusing gas from the comet nucleus; chemical differentiation by sublimation of volatile ices in the surface layers and recondensation of gas in deeper, cooler layers. A 2-D time dependent solution is obtained through the dependence of the boundary conditions on the local solar illumination as the nucleus rotates. The model for Comet Hale-Bopp was compared with observational measurements (Biver et al., 1999). The best agreement was obtained for a model with amorphous water ice and CO, assuming that a part of the latter is trapped by the water ice, another part is condensed as an independent ice phase. The model confirms that sublimation of CO ice at large heliocentric distance produces a gradual increase in the comet’s activity as it approaches the Sun. Crystallization of amorphous water ice begins at 7 AU from the Sun, but no outbursts were found. Seasonal effects and thermal inertia of the nucleus material lead to larger CO outgassing rates as the comet recedes from the Sun. In the second part of this work the model was run with the orbital parameters of Comet Wirtanen. Unlike Comet Hale-Bopp, the predicted CO outgassing from Comet Wirtanen is almost constant throughout its orbit. Such behavior can be explained by a thermally evolved and chemically differentiated comet nucleus.
Feeding preferences and responses to prey in insular neonatal Florida cottonmouth snakes

Cottonmouth snakes residing on certain Gulf coastal islands of Florida feed largely by scavenging fish that are dropped or regurgitated by colonial nesting birds. Because of the relative isolation of these snakes and their long association with bird rookeries, it is of interest to inquire whether snakes exhibit any dietary preference, or whether consumption of fish remains strictly opportunistic. Here we examine whether there are differences in prey acceptance between insular and mainland naive, neonatal cottonmouths, and whether insular snakes develop preferences for particular prey items. We report that both insular and mainland snakes accept a range of similar prey items including fish, mice and lizards. We also report that naive insular neonates tend to accept fish earlier following birth than they accept mammalian prey. When naive neonates are fed only a single specific prey item, fish or mammal, during the first year of life, individuals preferentially follow odors that are associated with the sole dietary prey to which they have been conditioned. However, following conditioning on either prey category (fish or mice) these snakes also eat the non-conditioned prey (mice or fish, respectively) when presented with the opportunity. Our results suggest that young cottonmouths might adjust foraging strategy to match prey availability, while retaining flexibility in feeding behavior based in inherent dietary breadth. Thus, the insular population can occupy a broad trophic niche while fine-tuning foraging behaviors to match the local conditions.
Integration of the variable infiltration capacity model soil hydrology scheme into the community land model

[1] Enhancements to the soil hydrology scheme in the NCAR Community Land Model version 3 (CLM3) are described, which are intended to improve the ability of CLM to represent land surface hydrologic processes. Specifically, the CLM3 soil hydrology scheme has been replaced with the scheme used in the Variable Infiltration Capacity model (VIC). While the modified model incorporates VIC soil hydrology, the original model structure in CLM3 is unchanged in most other respects, such as the representation of vegetation and its controls on surface energy exchanges. The modified version of CLM3 makes direct use of VIC soil parameters that have been developed for off-line regional, continental, and global simulations. The performance of the new model and CLM3 are evaluated through a comparison with observations at three flux tower sites: ABRACOS, a pasture clearing in the Brazilian rain forest, HAPEX-MOBILHY, a midlatitude agricultural site in France, and Valdai, a midlatitude grassland in Russia, as well as two large river basins (Arkansas-Red and Colorado in the United States). Overall, the results show that the merged model better reproduces observed soil hydrological variability, in particular, the seasonal evolution and amplitude of soil moisture, as compared to CLM3. The river basin simulations show that in the merged model, total runoff is generally less than in CLM3 and better agrees with observations. Owing to the interaction of runoff and soil moisture, the simulation of total evapotranspiration (or latent heat) is also improved in the merged model.
Declining acceptability of a food plant for the polyphagous grasshopper Schistocerca americana: the role of food aversion learning

Successive contacts with a food that was initially acceptable to the acridid Schistocerca americana (Drury) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) were monitored. It was found that acceptability, as measured by meal length, declined with experience until the food, spinach, was completely rejected. Reduced acceptability of spinach was maintained even after feeding for three meals on a fully acceptable and suitable food, a period of 2–3 h. Experiments with spinach-filled capsules placed in the gut suggested that the decline in acceptability was not due to direct feedback from the gut or haemolymph on the sensory or feeding control systems. Food aversion learning is indicated as the mechanism underlying the decline in acceptability.
Diffraction as tunneling

A new approximation to the short-wavelength scattering amplitude from an impenetrable sphere is presented. It is uniform in the scattering angle and it is more accurate than previously known approximations (including Fock's theory of diffraction) by up to several orders of magnitude. It remains valid in the transition to long-wavelength scattering. It leads to a new physical picture of diffraction, as tunneling through an inertial barrier.
Spatial variation of the marginal utility of income and unequal treatment of equals

In one of the most famous contributions to the “new” urban economics literature, Mirrlees [6] showed that a utilitarian planner, able to control the distribution of income (or endowments) across households, the consumption of land (or housing), and the distribution of population over space, would treat households with identical tastes unequally in the sense that utility levels would vary among them at the planner’s optimum. Similar results were obtained by Dixit [2], who showed that even more inequality-averse social welfare functions than the utilitarian one would result in unequal treatment. He concluded that only the Rawlsian maximin welfare function would produce the equal treatment outcome.2 This result has generated considerable attention (see, e.g., Mills and Mackinnon [5]) because of its apparently paradoxical nature. The purpose of this note is to present a new way of thinking about, and making plausible, the unequal-treatment result.3 To develop the intuition, recall that in monocentric city models where equals are treated equally, that is, where households have equal endowments, a market equilibrium with free mobility is characterized by equal utilities for all (assuming identical preferences). As is well known, in the absence of congestion or other market failures, this market equilibrium is Pareto-efficient, producing the maximum feasible common level of utility. Imagine now a Mirrlees planner, coming across such an equal-utility equilibrium. Under what conditions would the planner not want to disturb the market equilibrium? Clearly, a necessary condition for equal treatment to be utilitarian-optimal is that the marginal utility of income be the same for all households in the market equilibrium. Otherwise, freezing the allocation of resources in every other respect, social
Dietary red clover (Trifolium pratense) induces oviduct growth and decreases ovary and testes growth in Japanese quail chicks

To determine whether drought-stress alters phytoestrogens in red clover and whether red clover in the diet influences sexual development in Japanese quail, we fed chicks diets containing irrigated or non-irrigated clover. Irrigation altered phytoestrogenic activity of red clover (determined using an in vitro bioassay), with extracts of irrigated clover diet containing more estrogenic activity than extracts of non-irrigated clover diet. Chick growth was negatively correlated with the amount of irrigated or non-irrigated clover in the diet. Dietary red clover also depressed both absolute and relative gonad weights; however, relative oviduct weight was increased by the irrigated diet. Diets did not affect serum vitellogenin. These results reveal a negative influence of drought-stress on phytoestrogenic potency of clover, and that red clover in the diet can inhibit avian growth and development independent of irrigation state. Thus, phytoestrogens may affect reproductive development in wild birds, and environmental stressors may influence levels of phytoestrogens in the field.
The Influence of Gender on the Use and Effectiveness of Managerial Accounts

This study empirically examined a model of the relationships between managerial accounts (explanations), gender of manager, gender of employee, and evaluation of the manager. Results indicated that female managers seemed to use mitigating accounts (that minimize rats to employees' self-esteem) more than male managers, but there were no gender differences in the use of aggravating accounts (that increase heats to employees' self-esteem). Gender of employee also influenced the type of account; female employees reported more mitigating accounts and male employees more aggravating accounts. In addition, male who provided aggravating accounts were evaluated more favorably than female managers using such accounts; there was no difference, however, in evaluations of male and female managers providing mitigating accounts.
The “I” and the “ME” of criminology and criminal justice students: Symbolic interaction in an educational setting

This study examines the self-concept of criminology and criminal justice students, vis-`a-vis the perceptions held of them by non-criminology and criminal justice students, using a framework of symbolic interactionism. The data in this study were obtained from a sample of both criminology and criminal justice students and non-criminology and criminal justice students attending a large state university in north Texas. The findings reveal a lack of consensus among perception patterns held by criminology and criminal justice students and non-criminology and criminal justice students. Implications regarding the future of criminology and criminal justice education follow.
Pragmatic deficits and social impairment in children with ADHD

Background: Impaired social functioning has been well documented in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Existing treatments for ADHD are effective for managing core symptoms, but have limited effectiveness at improving social skills, suggesting that social deficits in ADHD may not be directly related to core symptoms of the disorder. Language problems are also common in ADHD, with accumulating evidence of pragmatic language difficulties. Pragmatic deficits are associated with social impairment in several neurodevelopmental disorders. This study systematically examined pragmatic language functioning in children with ADHD and whether social impairment in ADHD is mediated by pragmatic deficits. Method: Sixty-three children (28 ADHD; 35 typically developing), ages 7–11 years, underwent a comprehensive assessment of pragmatic language, including parent ratings, standardized tests, and a narrative task. Parents also rated children’s social skills on the Social Skills Improvement System. Results: Children with ADHD had poorer pragmatic language skills relative to peers across all measures, even after controlling for general language abilities. Furthermore, pragmatic abilities as measured by parent ratings, mediated the relation between ADHD and social skills. Conclusions: Pragmatic language skills are impaired in many children with ADHD and may partially account for high rates of social impairment. Implications for treatment and possible prevention of social problems in children with ADHD are discussed. Keywords: Attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, pragmatic language, social skills.
Bayesian Method to Detect Outliers for Ordinal Data

Ordinal data, such as student's grades or customer satisfaction surveys, are widely used in daily life. We can fit a probit or logistic regression model to the ordinal data using software such as SAS and get the estimates of regression parameters. However, it is hard to define residuals and detect outliers due to the fact that the estimated probabilities of an observation falling in every category form a vector instead of a scalar. With the help of latent variable and latent residuals, a Bayesian perspective of detecting outliers is explored and several methods were proposed in this article. Several figures are also given.
Pathology and clinical presentation of friction injuries: case series and literature review.

Background Effective wound management is dependent, in part, on identification and correction of causative factors. Trunk wounds can be caused by pressure, shear, moisture, friction, or some combination of these factors. Wounds caused by moisture and/or friction are frequently mislabeled as pressure ulcers. Case series This article presents a series of 45 patients who developed skin injuries on the medial buttocks and/or posterior thighs that the author believes were caused primarily by friction damage to the skin. The lesions were not located over palpable bony prominences and are therefore unlikely to be pressure ulcers. They were not located in skin folds and are unlikely to represent intertriginous dermatitis. Clinical data related to these 45 patients are presented, as are the location and characteristics of the lesions. These characteristics are discussed in relation to current literature regarding the pathology and clinical presentation of wounds caused by pressure, moisture, and friction. Conclusion It is critical for wound clinicians and staff nurses to accurately identify the etiology of any wound. Wounds located on fleshy prominences exposed to repetitive friction should be labeled as friction injuries.
TARPs and the AMPA Receptor Trafficking Paradox

AMPA receptors (AMPARs) conduct fast, excitatory currents that depolarize neurons and trigger action potentials. AMPARs took on new importance when it was shown that AMPAR transport can increase or decrease the number of AMPARs at synapses and give rise to synapse plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). This review considers how transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins (TARPs), a novel family of AMPAR auxiliary subunits, have changed our view of AMPAR transport and raised some perplexing questions.
Effects of activity, hemorrhage, and dehydration on plasma catecholamine levels in the marine toad (Bufo marinus).

Abstract Resting plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were 13.1 and 2.1 nmol liter −1 for the marine toad ( Bufo marinus ). Plasma catecholamine levels increased during enforced activity by five- to sixfold. Marine toads are remarkably tolerant of graded hemorrhagic loss of blood (over 10% mass loss). Plasma catecholamine levels did not increase at moderate blood loss, but increased substantially when cardiovascular variables (blood pressure, blood flow) were compromised and peripheral resistance was increased. Plasma catecholamine levels did not increase with dehydrational mass loss until a 15–20% loss of mass. The increase in plasma catecholamine concentration was correlated with an increase in vivo vascular resistance. Vascular resistance measured in vitro was unaltered at physiological catecholamine concentrations, although systemic resistance increased at pharmacological concentrations. The lack of effects of adrenalectomy on plasma catecholamine levels suggests that nerve terminal release, rather than adrenal secretion, may be the primary source of circulating catecholamines. We therefore suggest that circulating catecholamine levels are not an important endocrinological mechanism for defense of activity blood pressure, at least until it is compromised to the resting value.
Referral Hiring and Gender Segregation in the Workplace

Segregation by type of work or discrimination are two common explanations for gender segregation in the workplace. A third, gender segregation due to referral hiring through segregated social networks, is less well explored. In this paper, I use an agent-based model of referral hiring to demonstrate that it could create high levels of gender segregation near those observed in data. But the model cannot account for all of the segregation observed.
Induction of T-lymphocyte differentiation by thymic epithelial cell monolayers☆

Abstract Thymic epithelial (TE) cell monolayers were established from single cell suspensions of human thymus, and their induction of T-lymphocyte differentiation was studied. After exposure to TE cell monolayers, human bone marrow lymphoid cells showed a marked increase (97%) in the number of T lymphocytes. Supernatants from TE cell cultures were also effective, and the response was similar to but greater than that obtained by incubation with thymosin. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal adults did not show an increase in T lymphocytes following exposure to TE cells. However, T lymphocytes in peripheral blood from seven of eight immunodeficient patients with T-lymphocyte defects increased strikingly after contact with TE monolayers. In four of these patients, supernatants from TE cell monolayers and thymosin also induced T-lymphocyte maturation; in three, direct contact with the TE monolayer was required. The method used for establishing TE cell monolayers permits the growth of TE cell cultures devoid of thymocytes. These TE monolayers may then be used not only to study T-lymphocyte differentiation in vitro , but also to assess T-lymphocyte precursors in immunodeficient patients. Supernatants from TE cell monolayers or the cultured TE cells themselves may have value in the treatment of immunodeficiency syndromes.
Reduction of losses in low-frequency (2 MHz) surface-wave delay line by outgassing

Surface waves are attenuated by a fluid or gas surrounding the surface of propagation, an effect caused by frictional losses determined by the fluid or gas viscosity and by the emission of compression waves into the environment. The paper reports a large reversible reduction in attenuation of surface waves at frequencies as low as 2 MHz by outgassing treatments of some materials, suggesting that at such frequencies vacuum encapsulation is a desirable procedure. Outgassing experiments were performed on a delay line constructed from high-density p.z.t.-8 (lead-zirconate-titanate). The delay line configuration was a slab waxed onto a metal base with coaxial connectors mounted near and connected by gold-wire leads to the interdigital finger sets. Output signal enhancements by as much as 8 dB were achieved after overnight evacuation at 10 to the -2 torr at room temperature.
Transglutaminase activity in aging articular chondrocytes and articular cartilage vesicles

Objective. Transglutaminases (TGases) (E.G. 2.3.2.13) catalyze a posttranslational modification of proteins and are associated with biomineralization in growth plate cartilage. Type II TGase participates in the activation of latent transforming growth factor β (TGFs), a crucial factor for both normal cartilage mineralization and the pathologic mineralization that results in calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal formation in aging articular cartilage. To explore a possible association between TGase levels and CPPD crystal formation in mature articular cartilage, TGase activity in articular chondrocytes from old and young pigs and in the articular cartilage vesicle (ACV) fraction of porcine articular cartilage was examined. In addition, the effects of TGase inhibitors on the production of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), a process necessary for CPPD crystallogenesis, were determined. Methods. TGase activity was measured with a radiometric assay in cultured articular chondrocytes from the knee joints of old (3–5 years old) and young (2–6 weeks old) pigs and in the ACVs. PPi levels were measured in chondrocyte-conditioned media in the presence of TGase inhibitors or control compounds. Results. Levels of TGase activity in the cytosolic fraction of old chondrocytes were 7-fold higher than those in identically cultured young chondrocytes. The mean ± SD activity level in the membrane fraction of lysed chondrocytes was 6.0 ± 0.6 units/mg protein in old articular chondrocytes and was undetectable in young chondrocytes. In ACVs, the mean ± SD TGase activity level was 1.23 ± 0.1 units/mg protein. Type II TGase protein was present in chondrocyte cytosol and in ACVs. TGase activity was increased by TGFs to 120% of control values (P < 0.01), and decreased by insulin-like growth factor 1 to 80% of control values (P < 0.01). TGase inhibitors blocked media accumulation of PPi, an essential precursor of CPPD crystal formation, and a sensitive marker of TGFs effect. Conclusion. These data suggest a potential link between TGase activity and processes of pathologic biomineralization that result in CPPD crystal formation in aging articular cartilage.
How wide can a wide cross be

Wide crosses in wheat are reviewed in relation to various factors that facilitate wide crossing to show that wide crosses can be as wide as one can make them. Included in this review is a particular reference to wheat-wheatgrass (Agropyron complex) crosses and an update on wide crosses of wheat with various genera of Agropyron complex. Hybrid seed set is too variable to predict whether a wide hybrid, where no seed was obtained in one attempt, will not be possible. High crossability genes seem to facilitate not only fertilization but also seed development, enabling embryo rescue. Variability for crossability occurs not only in wheat but also in alien species. Contrary to conventional thinking, several wide hybrids with wheat can be produced when species with lower chromosome numbers are used as female parents. Pre-and post-fertilization barriers to wide crosses do not appear to be equally strong, and can be overcome by the development and application of various technologies. Considering these aspects of wide hybridization, and based on recent successes in producing previously unsuccessful and very wide hybrids, it is concluded that how wide cross between plant species can be made is an open question and that many new and wider hybrids can be produced in future.
Identification of QTLs and Environmental Interactions Associated with Agronomic Traits on Chromosome 3A of Wheat

Genetic analyses of complex traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are facilitated by the availability of unique genetic tools such as chromosome substitution lines and recombinant inbred chromosome lines (RICLs) which allow the effects of genes on single chromosomes to be studied individually. Chromosome 3A of ‘Wichita’ is known to contain alleles at quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence variation in grain yield and agronomic performance traits relative to alleles of ‘Cheyenne’. To determine the number, location, and environmental interactions of genes related to agronomic performance on chromosome 3A, QTL and QTL × environment analyses of 98 RICLs-3A were conducted in seven locations across Nebraska from 1999 through 2001. QTLs were detected for seven of eight agronomic traits measured and generally localized to three regions of chromosome 3A. QTL × environment interactions were detected for some QTLs and these interactions were caused by changes in magnitude and crossover interactions. Major QTLs for kernels per square meter and grain yield were associated within a 5-centimorgan (cM) interval and appeared to represent a single QTL with pleiotropic effects. This particular QTL displayed environmental interactions caused by changes in magnitude, wherein the positive effect of the Wichita QTL allele was larger in higher yielding environments.
Positron emission tomography predicts survival in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Objectives Recent studies suggest that standard uptake value on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan can predict mediastinal lymph node status in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Because mediastinal nodal metastasis is known to be associated with poor prognosis, we hypothesized that standard uptake value on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography might independently predict survival. Methods Patients with pathologically proven mesothelioma underwent fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scanning. Patients fasted and received a minimum of 10 mCi of F18-fluorodeoxyglucose. Whole-body emission studies were acquired, followed by whole-body transmission scans with iterative reconstruction. On the basis of the maximal chi-square method, a standard uptake value of 10 was chosen to classify patients as low versus high standard uptake value. Survival probabilities for both standard uptake value groups were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox proportional hazards model assessed the joint influence of standard uptake value, histology, and stage on survival. Results From 1998 to 2005, 137 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma underwent positron emission tomography scans. The median follow-up for all surviving patients was 24 months. Median survivals were 9 and 21 months for the high and low standard uptake value groups, respectively ( P = .02). In a multivariable analysis, high standard uptake value tumors were associated with a 1.9 times greater risk of death than low standard uptake value tumors ( P P P = .05). Conclusions Standard uptake value greater than 10, mixed histology, and stages III and IV are poor risk factors in malignant pleural mesothelioma. These findings suggest that fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography can be used to stratify patients for treatment and clinical trials.
Observation of Large Changes in the Band Gap Absorption Energy of Small CdSe Nanoparticles Induced by the Adsorption of a Strong Hole Acceptor

When butylamine in relatively high concentrations (0.1−0.25 M) is added to a colloidal solution of CdSe nanoparticles (NPs) that are approximately 1.6 nm in diameter, the band gap absorption changes from a broad, relatively weak absorption centered at 445 nm to a narrow, relatively strong absorption centered at 414 nm. The effect of concentration on the observed spectrum shows an isobestic point, suggesting an equilibrium between two species. The possible mechanisms for such a transformation are discussed.
Cholecysto-cholestasis: a cause of cholecystographic error.

Ten normal persons underwent a study to compare the effects of a fat-free diet and a conventional pre-examination diet on the visualization of the normal gallbladder. Iopanoic acid was the contrast medium employed. The results support the concept that cholecysto-cholestasis is a cause of cholecystographic error.
FACTORS UNDERLYING EMOTIONALITY PRODUCED BY INFANTILE STIMULATION AND SEPTAL LESION

Emotionality in the rats was produced either by septal lesion or by placing the animals under different infantile living conditions. A factor analysis of the data shows that the emotionalities produced by the two treatments are different. Since four independent factors underlie emotionality, emotionality appears to be multi-dimensional; different indices used to measure emotionality do not assess the same dimensions.
Elucidating the higher stability of vanadium(V) cations in mixed acid based redox flow battery electrolytes

Abstract The vanadium(V) cation structures in mixed acid based electrolyte solution were analyzed by density functional theory (DFT) based computational modeling and 51V and 35Cl nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The vanadium(V) cation exists as di-nuclear [V2O3Cl2·6H2O]2+ compound at higher vanadium concentrations (≥1.75 M). In particular, at high temperatures (>295 K) this di-nuclear compound undergoes ligand exchange process with nearby solvent chlorine molecule and forms chlorine bonded [V2O3Cl·6H2O]2+ compound. This chlorine bonded [V2O3Cl2·6H2O]2+ compound might be resistant to the de-protonation reaction which is the initial step in the precipitation reaction in vanadium based electrolyte solutions. The combined theoretical and experimental approach reveals that formation of chlorine bonded [V2O3Cl2·6H2O]2+ compound might be central to the observed higher thermal stability of mixed acid based vanadium(V) electrolyte solutions.
The Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic Roles of Protein-disulfide Isomerase in Apolipoprotein B Secretion

Secretion of apolipoprotein B (apoB) from mammalian cells requires the presence of functional microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP). We previously reported that co-expressing the human intestinal form of apoB, B48, with both subunits of human MTP in oleate-treated Sf21 cells led to a dramatic induction of B48 secretion. Deletion mutagenesis studies showed that the cysteine-enriched amino terminus of apoB was necessary for the MTP responsiveness (Gretch, D. G., Sturley, S. L., Wang, L., Dunning, A., Grunwald, K. A. A., Wetterau, J. R., Yao, Z., Talmud, P., and Attie, A. D. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 8682–8691). We therefore hypothesized that the small subunit of MTP, protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI), plays a role in apoB secretion by facilitating correct disulfide bond formation. To determine whether the enzymatic activities of PDI are important for MTP-stimulated apoB secretion, the wild type PDI subunit was replaced with an active site mutant, mPDI (Cys36 → Ser/Cys380 → Ser), lacking both disulfide shuffling and redox activities. MTP containing mPDI was fully functional in promoting apoB and triglyceride secretion. Therefore, the shufflase and redox activities of PDI are not necessary for the function of MTP. Since PDI exists in large molar excess over the other subunit of MTP, the role of free PDI (independent of the MTP complex) was investigated. PDI or mPDI was co-expressed with B48 and B17, a fragment encompassing the amino-terminal 17% of apoB. Mutant PDI significantly and specifically reduced the accumulation of the B17 and B48 both intracellularly and in the culture medium. The reduction was partially eliminated by the protease inhibitorN-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal, consistent with rapid co- or post-translational degradation of apoB in the presence of mPDI. Treating the cells with oleate reversed the effect of mPDI on B48 secretion in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on B17. In conclusion: 1) the role of PDI in the MTP complex involves functions other than its known enzymatic activities; 2) one or both of the enzymatic activities of free PDI is/are important for the MTP-independent steps of apoB secretion; 3) oleate can affect apoB secretion at high physiological concentrations and compensate for the insufficiency of PDI activities.
Further studies on deoxyribonucleic acid metabolism in mammalian cell cultures.

Abstract 1. 1. Cultured mammalian cells which are in DNA synthesis incorporate 3H-thymidine into their chromosomal complement in less than 1 2 minute after addition of the tracer to the medium. 2. 2. Although DNA synthetic rate in the culture as a whole is constant, the synthesis of DNA in the cell apparently does not occur at a linear rate during all of the 6 hour synthetic period. 3. 3. Exclusive nucleolar labeling by 3H-thymidine was not observed, but occasional clustering of label around the nucleolus suggests some function in DNA metabolism. 4. 4. DNA synthesis probably is occurring simultaneously in all the chromosomes of the HeLa cell during most of the 6 hour synthesis period, but the onset and termination of synthesis may vary among the chromosomes.
Fertile Spaces: The Productivity of Urban Space in Northern Europe

Spatial theory—the study of the relationship between material and discursive spatial practices—has great potential for recasting our understanding of urban life in Europe during the late medieval and early modern period, a formative moment in the history of Western urbanity. Urban space—and spaces— acquired powerful, effective valences in this age, producing new social possibilities and new historical actors while simulataneously eliminating others. Examining spatial practices through the lens of legal space, ritual space, and textual space not only exposes the assumptions about early modern urbanity that underlay existing historiography on city space in the period but also points toward the spatial histories that have not yet been written on markets, gender, and the public.
Optical coherence tomography of the rat cavernous nerves

Improvements in identification, imaging, and visualization of the cavernous nerves during radical prostatectomy, which are responsible for erectile function, may improve nerve preservation and postoperative potency. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is capable of real-time, high-resolution, cross-sectional, in vivo tissue imaging. The rat prostate serves as an excellent model for studying the use of OCT for imaging the cavernous nerves, as the rat cavernous nerve is a large, visible, and distinct bundle allowing for easy identification with OCT in addition to histologic confirmation. Imaging was performed with the Niris OCT system and a handheld 8 Fr probe, capable of acquiring real-time images with 11-mm axial and 25-mm lateral resolution in tissue. Open surgical exposure of the prostate was performed on a total of 6 male rats, and OCT images of the prostate, cavernous nerve, pelvic plexus ganglion, seminal vesicle, blood vessels, and periprostatic fat were acquired. Cavernous nerve electrical stimulation with simultaneous intracorporeal pressure measurements was performed to confirm proper identification of the cavernous nerves. The prostate and cavernous nerves were also processed for histologic analysis and further confirmation. Cross-sectional and longitudinal OCT images of the cavernous nerves were acquired and compared with histologic sections. The cavernous nerve and ganglion could be differentiated from the surrounding prostate gland, seminal vesicle, blood vessels, bladder, and fatty tissue. We report preliminary results of OCT images of the rat cavernous nerves with histologic correlation and erectile stimulation measurements, thus providing interpretation of prostate structures as they appear in OCT images.
The Zero-Potential Contour on a Homogeneous Conducting Cylinder

The zero-potential contour produced on the wall of a homogeneous conducting circular cylinder by a current dipole is investigated for both centric and eccentric dipoles located midway between the end-caps of the cylinder. Properties and characteristics of the zero-potential contour are discussed. The perpendicular-plane construction, employed in conjunction with the null-contour on the human subject to determine the orientation of a centric heart dipole, is clarified conceptually and the errors involved in this construction are determined quantitatively. It is shown that the heart dipole angle is obtainable from the perpendicular-plane construction if the latter result is multiplied by a correction factor of approximately 1.6, for dipoles tilted at angles from 0° to 45° with respect to the cylinder axis. The application of this result to electrocardiography is restricted by the assumptions that the human torso may be represented by a homogeneous conducting circular cylinder, and that the heart may be represented by a dipole located on the cylinder axis midway between the end-caps of the cylinder.
Spatial frequency, orientation and color: interocular effects of adaptation on the perceived duration of gratings.

Abstract Previous studies reported that a grating presented for 50 msec may have a subjective duration of several hundred milliseconds. Furthermore, this subjective persistence could be reduced by adaptation to a grating of similar spatial frequency, orientation and color. Interestingly, spatially contingent adaptation demonstrated interocular transfer while color-contingency only was shown monocularly. The present study demonstrates that visual persistence decrements simultaneously specific to color, orientation and spatial frequency can be produced interocularly. This was done by a form of dichoptic adaptation consisting of a colored grating presented to the eye not tested and a blank field of the same color to the tested eye. However, an achromatic blank field did not facilitate interocular transfer when presented dichoptically with the colored grating. The results are in accord with recent findings suggesting that interocular transfer of the McCollough effect can be produced by similar techniques.
Integration: Behavior therapy and other schools of thought

The ontogeny of behavior therapy from the perspective of a school of thought is traced, leading to evidence suggesting the timeliness of integration. Illustrative arguments in support and in refutation of integration, broadly defined, are considered, as is the current status of integrative efforts within behavioral assessment, therapy, and theory. The articles in the mini-series are introduced, and it is suggested that they be read with an eye for potential research directives. The true merits of integration must be based on the outcomes of casting a larger research net.
The effects of dietary methionine and glycine on lead toxicity in choline-deficient chicks

A 2×2×2 factorial experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary methionine, glycine, and lead (Pb) in cholinedeficient chicks. The variables were: adequate or deficient methionine; adequate or excess glycine; and 0 or 1000 ppm lead (as Pb acetate 3H2O). Methionine stimulated growth when added to the methionine-deficient diets, but the response was greater when supplemental glycine was present. Addition of glycine to the glycine-adequate diets stimulated growth in the presence of adequate but not deficient methionine. The patterns of response to methionine were the same at both 0 and 1000 ppm dietary Pb. Added Pb depressed growth with all diets, but the depression was greater in methionine-deficient than in methionine-adequate diets. Hepatic nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations were increased by both supplemental methionine and lead, and the effects were additive. Glycine levels did not significantly alter NPSH and GSH concentrations. Both methionine and glycine lowered Pb concentrations in kidney, and the effects were additive. The results are consistent with previous observations that added methionine ameliorates Pb-induced growth depression with choline-adequate diets, however, this effect is not as pronounced with choline-deficient diets. The results suggest (1) that glycine is limiting for growth in choline-deficient, methionine-adequate diets, and (2) that methionine and glycine may enhance Pb detoxification by different mechanisms.
A powering unit for an OpenGL lighting engine

The OpenGL geometry pipeline lighting stage requires raising a number in the range [0, 1] to a power between [1, 128] to compute specular reflections and spotlights. The result need only be accurate to a number of bits related to the color depth of the output device. This paper describes a hardware implementation of such a powering unit based on a logarithm lookup table, a multiplier, and an inverse log table. The log lookup table is partitioned into subintervals to reduce table size. A synthesized design uses 84 k gates to achieve 10-bit accuracy with a latency of 9.62 ns in a 180 nm process. Although the system is tailored for the OpenGL application, the same principles can be applied to the design of other powering units.