cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a High Affinity Phytochelatin Synthase from The Cd-Utilizing Marine Diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana.

Phytochelatin synthase (PC synthase) is the enzyme that catalyzes the production of phytochelatins, peptides of the structure (γ-Glu-Cys)n -Gly, where n = 2-11, from the sulfhydryl-containing tripeptide glutathione, in response to elevated metal exposure. Biochemical utilization of Cd in the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissfloggi, as well as unusually high ratios of PC to Cd in some Thalassiosira species including T. pseudonana Hasle et Heimdal, motivated the characterization of T. pseudonana PC synthase 1 (TpPCS1). This enzyme is the product of one of three genes in the T. pseudonana genome predicted to encode for a PC synthase based on its homology to canonical PC synthases previously examined. TpPCS1 was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. TpPCS1 exhibits several characteristics that set it distinctly apart from the well-studied PC synthase, Arabidopsis thaliana PCS1 (AtPCS1). It is extremely sensitive to oxidation, which suppresses activity, and it is readily inhibited by the addition of Cd in the absence of thiolate ligands. TpPCS1 also has significantly greater affinity for one of its key substrates, the bis-glutathionato-Cd complex. TpPCS1 kinetics is best described by a ternary complex model, as opposed to the ping-pong model used to describe AtPCS1 kinetics. The findings indicate that although the function of TpPCS1 is synonymous to that of AtPCS1, its divergent biochemistry suggests adaptation of this enzyme to the distinct trace metal chemistry of the marine environment and the unique physiological needs of T. pseudonana.
Kalman filtering in pairwise Markov trees

An important problem in multiresolution analysis of signals or images consists in estimating hidden random variables x={x"s}"s"@?"S from observed ones y={y"s}"s"@?"S. This is done classically in the context of hidden Markov trees (HMT). HMT have been extended recently to the more general context of pairwise Markov trees (PMT). In this note, we propose an adaptive filtering algorithm which is an extension to PMT of the Kalman filter (KF).
Anoxia in mice: reduced glucose in brain with normal or elevated glucose in plasma and increased survival after glucose treatment.

Anoxia in Mice: Reduced Glucose in Brain with Normal or Elevated Glucose in Plasma and Increased Survival after Glucose Treatment
Scattering of electromagnetic waves by a disordered two-dimensional array of spheres

We present a formalism for the calculation of the scattering of electromagnetic waves by a substitutionally disordered two-dimensional array of spherical particles. The formalism, which constitutes an extension of the coherent-potential approximation scheme to electromagnetic waves is valid for any frequency of the incident wave and for any size and/or concentration of the particles. We demonstrate the applicability of our formalism by applying it to the evaluation of the absorbance of disordered arrays of plasma spheres.
Techniques of optical caustics photography

Abstract The method of caustics has been used for many years for studying deformations around crack tips in metals and other materials, but a systematic and easy-to-understand description of the principles and practice of photographing high quality caustics images has not been made available to potential practitioners of the method. This paper describes how sharp, high contrast caustic images can be obtained using simple equipment and procedures based on well-known principles of geometrical optics. The critical parameters are the light source diameter, which must be small, and its distance from the reflecting surface, which must be large; and high resolution, short depth of field and high initial magnification of the photographic system. Monochromatic filters or laser light sources can improve caustic images if the lens used is not highly corrected for chromatic errors. If collimated (parallel) light is desired to avoid making corrections for the divergence of the illumination, long focal length collimator lenses are necessary to minimize the light source diameter contribution to the caustic ring thickness.
A stressed stream ecosystem : macroinvertebrate community integrity and microbial trophic response

A year-long study of a second-order stream in Southwestern Virginia was carried out from 1979–80. One of the objectives of the study was to evaluate the effects of sewage and electroplating plant effluent stress on the trophic response of aquatic invertebrate assemblages and microbial communities in the stream. Quantitative benthic samples were collected periodically at three reference stations and four stressed stations below the outfalls. Invertebrates were counted, identified taxonomically, and classified into functional groups based on their feeding strategies. Ash-free dry weights were obtained for each functional group by date and station, and the number and density of different taxa were calculated as well. Reference stations had diverse invertebrate assemblages; scrapers were well represented and all functional groups were present in reasonably equivalent proportions. Stressed stations were dominated by collector gatherers and filterers to the virtual exclusion of scrapers. The trophic status of the microbial community was determined by suspending artificial substrates in the stream for 1-week periods. The community that colonized the substrates was assayed for ATP and chlorophyll a, and an autotrophy index (AI) was calculated using these values. The autotrophic component of the microbial community was greatest at the reference stations, and the community became primarily heterotrophic below the outfalls. The AI correlated well with the proportion of scrapers. Aquatic invertebrate assemblages and microbial communities responded to stress by changing their trophic structure to fit best the available energy sources. Where heterotrophic microbes dominated, gathering and filtering invertebrates utilized the abundant organic matter. In areas where a mainly autotrophic microbial community existed, scrapers, gatherers, and filterers were all present in balanced proportions.
Two forms of disordered eating in obesity: binge eating and night eating.

OBJECTIVE: Binge eating disorder (BED) and the night eating syndrome (NES) have been linked to obesity. This review summarizes their characteristics, implications of their diagnoses and treatment outcomes. METHOD: Selective review of the literature on BED and NES. RESULTS: BED was proposed as a distinctive disorder on the basis of two large multisite studies in the early 1990s. It is associated with more severe and earlier onset of obesity, earlier onset of dieting and greater psychopathology. It shows large placebo responses and reduction of bingeing in patients on waiting-list controls. Traditional weight reduction programs reduce bingeing at least as well as psychological treatments designed for this purpose. NES is a stress-related eating, sleeping and mood disorder that is associated with disordered neuroendocrine function. It follows a characteristic circadian pattern and has responded to an agent that enhances serotonin function. CONCLUSIONS: BED responds well to weight reduction programs. It is proposed that this diagnosis be used as a marker for psychological problems that deserve treatment in their own right. NES is an eating, sleep, and mood disorder with distinctive behavioral and neuroendocrine characteristics. Studies of treatment for NES are in their infancy but selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) show promise.
Extraocular extension of unrecognized choroidal melanoma simulating a primary optic nerve tumor: report of two cases.

Abstract Background Orbital extraocular extension of choroidal melanoma is well known and is usually detected in eyes with medium and large tumors, but it is very rare with small melanomas. It is particularly unusual for choroidal melanomas of any size to invade the optic nerve or its meninges. Design Two case reports. Participants Two patients with small, relatively inconspicuous juxtapapillary pigmented choroidal lesions were referred with the diagnosis of primary optic nerve tumor. Both demonstrated a large nodular tumor in the meninges of the optic nerve, immediately posterior to the globe. Methods Retrospective review of clinical records and histopathology. Results In both cases, orbital magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a hyperintense enhancing nodular mass near the anterior portion of the optic nerve, prompting optic nerve biopsy in one case. Subsequent fundus examination disclosed a small juxtapapillary pigmented choroidal lesion measuring 1.0 mm or less in thickness. These observations suggested that the optic nerve tumor might be nodular extraocular extension of a small choroidal melanoma. Modified enucleation was performed in both cases, and histopathologic examination revealed a nodule of malignant melanoma within the meninges that compressed the optic nerve and extended extraocularly from a small, relatively inapparent juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma. In both cases, the extraocular component was large and symptomatic, whereas the intraocular component was inconspicuous. Conclusions Small juxtapapillary choroidal melanomas can exhibit prominent extension into the orbit. All patients with orbital tumors should have careful ophthalmoscopy.
Faster greedy algorithms for Multiple Degenerate Primer Selection

To achieve increased throughput, amplification of multiple DNA sequences is often performed using a single Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) called Multiplex PCR (MP-PCR). Successful MP-PCR requires efficient methods for selecting sets of synthetic oligonucleotides called primers that collectively amplify all DNA loci of interest. Since the potential for forming primer-dimer pairs and unintended amplification products increases with the number of primers, a common optimization objective is to minimize the number of primers required to amplify all targets. Significant reductions in the number of required primers can be achieved by using primers with degenerate bases, or degenerate primers. The problem of selecting the minimum number of degenerate primers that amplify a given set of loci, referred to as the Multiple Degenerate Primer Selection Problem (MDPSP) has received much attention from researchers in the past few years. Since several variants of the problem have been proved to be NP-Complete, research has focused on heuristic algorithms that perform well on real biological data. In this paper, we present two new greedy algorithms for MDPSP, analyze their time and space complexities and compare their performance on random and real biological data with that of two previously reported algorithms. Our results show that the execution time and memory requirement of proposed algorithms is less than of existing algorithms, thus enabling the processing of larger input sets. Also, the new algorithms eliminate the dependency of the previous algorithms on an empirical input parameter that affects the runtime and quality of output. The software is downloadable at http://www.engr.uconn.edu/ldrsub02005/software.html.
Global MHD test particle simulations of solar energetic electron trapping in the Earth's radiation belts

Abstract Test-particle trajectories are computed in fields from a global MHD magnetospheric model simulation of the 29 October 2003 Storm Commencement to investigate trapping and transport of solar energetic electrons (SEEs) in the magnetosphere during severe storms. SEEs are found to provide a source population for a newly formed belt of > 10 MeV electrons in the Earth's inner zone radiation belts, which was observed following the 29 October 2003 storm. Energy and pitch angle distributions of the new belt are compared with results previously obtained [Kress, B.T., Hudson, M.K., Looper, M.D., Albert, J., Lyon, J.G., Goodrich, C.C., 2007. Global MHD test particle simulations of > 10 MeV radiation belt electrons during storm sudden commencement. Journal of Geophysical Research 112, A09215, doi:10.1029/2006JA012218], where outer belt electrons were used as a source for the new belt.
p53 may play an orchestrating role in apoptotic cell death after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Secondary brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is poorly understood. As a result, there are few treatment options. Consequently, SAH is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. In an effort to combat these problems, the role of apoptosis was examined in the whole brain after SAH. In particular, the role of p53 and the three major apoptotic cascades were studied, the caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cascades and the mitochondrial pathway. METHODS: In this study, 195 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, including sham, nontreatment, and treatment (Pifithrin-α; BIOMOL, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA) groups. The monofilament puncture model was used to induce SAH and the animals were subsequently sacrificed at 24 and 72 hours. Western blot analysis, histology, physiological parameters, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling, and immunohistological techniques were used to demonstrate the role of p53 and the apoptotic cascades in the rat brain after SAH. In addition, outcome was determined based on mortality rates and neurological outcome scores. RESULTS: We found that p53 and associated apoptotic proteins were up-regulated after SAH and that downstream mediators of apoptosis were negatively influenced by the inhibition of p53 by Pifithrin-α. Furthermore, we found that apoptotic inhibition resulted in less cell death and an overall favorable outcome in the treated animals. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that apoptosis may be an important cause of cell death in the brain after SAH and that p53 may play an orchestrating role regarding apoptosis in SAH.
Immune markers in hematologic malignancies

Abstract The precise delineation of biologic traits that distinguish normal hematopoietic cells from their malignant counterparts is of fundamental importance in understanding all aspects of hematologic malignancies. An increasingly sophisticated technologic battery has been utilized to dissect out these differences — primarily utilization of monoclonal antibodies, by immunoperoxidase, immunoalkaline phosphatase and flow cytometric techniques. An even more basic understanding of normal and malignant hematopoietic cells has begun to evolve as molecular biology begins to unravel gene misprogramming by Southern and Northern blot analysis and the polymerase chain reaction. These techniques not only help distinguish a normal cell from a malignant one, but characterize the malignant clone as B-lymphoid, T-lymphoid or myeloid and allow further subcategorization within these broad lineages. These distinctions are vital to the entire spectrum of basic and clinical research involving hematologic malignancies and are assuming an increasingly important role in their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Interleukin-1 immunoreactive innervation of the human hypothalamus

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a cytokine that mediates the acute phase reaction. Many of the actions of IL-1 involve direct effects on the central nervous system. However, IL-1 has not previously been identified as an intrinsic component within the brain, except in glial cells. An antiserum directed against human IL-1 beta was used to stain the human brain immunohistochemically for IL-1 beta-like immunoreactive neural elements. IL-1 beta-immunoreactive fibers were found innervating the key endocrine and autonomic cell groups that control the central components of the acute phase reaction. These results indicate that IL-1 may be an intrinsic neuromodulator in central nervous system pathways that mediate various metabolic functions of the acute phase reaction, including the body temperature changes that produce the febrile response.
13.1: Low Voltage and High Transmittance PolymerStabilized BluePhase Liquid Crystal Displays

In this paper, a low voltage <10V and high transmittance ∼85.6% polymerstabilized bluephase liquid crystal display BP LCD is proposed. The periodic corrugated electrodes generate a strong horizontal field and more importantly this field is uniformly distributed across the entire LC layer. This new approach enables BPLC to be addressed by aSi TFTs.
Effect of induction and reperfusion with warm substrate-enriched cardioplegia on ventricular function.

Abstract Background . This study tested the hypothesis that induction and reperfusion with warm substrate-enriched (IRWSE) blood cardioplegia improves postoperative left ventricular (LV) function in patients undergoing elective coronary bypass surgery (CABG). Methods . After giving informed consent, 67 patients scheduled for CABG surgery were randomized to either IRWSE + cold blood (CB) or CB alone. IRWSE cardioplegia consisted of 37°C substrate-enriched (glutamate, aspartate, hyperkalemic) anterograde and retrograde blood cardioplegic solution followed by non-substrate-enriched cardioplegic solution given at 4°C to 8°C. LV function was measured with ventriculograms, volume conductance catheters, echocardiography, and multiple gated (image) acquisition. Results . The end-systolic pressure-volume relationship was improved postbypass in the IRWSE + CB group (CB, 1.5 ± 0.74 mm Hg/mL vs IRWSE + CB, 2.1 ± 1.2 mm Hg/mL; p = 0.042). The postoperative ejection fraction (EF%) was better preserved in the CB group (CB, 65 ± 11.53% vs IRWSE + CB, 58.62 ± 11.75%; p Conclusions . Our results demonstrate a transient improvement in LV systolic function in the immediate postbypass period in CABG patients in the IRWSE + CB group. The intraoperative benefits of the IRWSE + CB technique did not persist in the postoperative period.
Wartime faith-based reactions among traumatized Kosovar and Bosnian refugees in the United States

In William James' view, one function of prayer is a faith-based, conscious approach to a higher power when in distress. Accordingly, this study investigates the use of private prayer among Muslim war refugees from Kosovo and Bosnia (N = 138). Results show that these refugees were highly traumatized and most counted on private prayer for coping with their wartime difficulties. Four major types of prayer familiar to Americans were employed by roughly two-thirds to 86% of this sample. As expected, most types of prayer were associated with both wartime traumatic distress and greater religiousness. Also, 77% used prayer so that their enemies would “pay for what they have done.” However, this type of prayer was predicted only by higher levels of education and not by religiousness or traumatization. The need for examining the general and specific social contexts of prayer, such as war and terror, and prayer itself, perceived as a common human experience, are discussed. A structural equation model indicated that ...
The Emergence of Performance Measurement as a Complement to Evaluation Among U.S. Foundations

American philanthropic foundations began to foster evaluation as a force for accountability and transparency in the 1980s, followed by a focus on effective grant-making practices by the end of the 1990s. Yet few foundations implemented internal processes to measure their own performance, or invested in evaluating their grant-making programs. The turn of this century saw the rise of venture philanthropy, as grants became investments and achieving impact became the stated goal. Associated catchwords include strategic grant making, focused grant making, logic models, theories of change, and metrics. Although there is a sense of momentum and commitment to charting impact among some of the largest foundations, the approaches they use are diverse and the language is idiosyncratic. Few foundations support capacity building at levels that allow nonprofits to monitor performance or evaluate results, and there seems to be little recognition that these are complementary and that both are required in high-performing foundations and nonprofits. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
General local‐equilibrium chromatographic theory for eluents containing adsorbing buffers

An efficient, general strategy was developed for numerically solving the system of equations that describe a pH gradient under local-equilibrium conditions when the elution buffer contains arbitrary numbers of both adsorbed and unadsorbed buffering species (weak electrolytes) and for a weak- or strong-base ion-exchange column packing. Since the method involves the solution of algebraic equations, instead of partial differential equations, it can be used to rapidly determine the effluent pH profile given the adsorption equilibrium constants for the buffering species. It can also be used iteratively to determine the adsorption equilibrium constants for the buffering species from an experimentally determined effluent pH profile as well as to determine the composition of the elution buffer required to achieve a desired shape for the pH gradient given the adsorption equilibrium constants for the buffering species. The calculation method is verified experimentally and used to illustrate the behavior of chromatographic methods which employ retained pH and ionic strength gradients.
Interscalene perineural ropivacaine infusion:a comparison of two dosing regimens for postoperative analgesia.

Background and Objectives: A continuous interscalene nerve block with a perineural infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% at 8 mL/h has been shown to provide potent analgesia following moderately painful shoulder surgery. However, this high basal rate limits infusion duration for ambulatory patients who must carry the local anesthetic reservoir. We undertook this investigation to determine if the basal rate of an interscalene perineural ropivacaine infusion could be decreased by 50% with a concurrent 200% increase in patient-controlled bolus dose without compromising infusion benefits in ambulatory patients undergoing moderately painful orthopedic shoulder surgery. Methods: Preoperatively, patients (n = 24) received an interscalene perineural catheter and nerve block. Intraoperatively, patients received a standardized general anesthetic. Postoperatively, patients were discharged home with a portable infusion pump delivering ropivacaine 0.2% (500 mL reservoir) with a basal rate of 8 mL/h and a 2 mL patient-controlled bolus available each hour (“8/2” group, n = 12) or a 4 mL/h basal rate and 6 mL bolus dose (“4/6” group, n = 12), delivered in a randomized, double-blinded manner. Results: Patients in the 4/6 group had higher baseline pain scores only on postoperative day (POD) 2 (P = .011). However, these patients also experienced an increase in breakthrough pain incidence (5.8 boluses/d v 3.2, P = .035) and intensity (“worst” pain = 8/10 v 4/10, P Conclusions: Following moderately painful ambulatory shoulder surgery, decreasing an interscalene perineural ropivacaine 0.2% basal rate from 8 to 4 mL/h provides similar baseline analgesia and lengthens infusion duration, but compromises other infusion benefits.
First Report from the American College of Surgeons -- Bariatric Surgery Center Network: Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy has Morbidity and Effectiveness Positioned Between the Band and the Bypass

Objective:To assess the safety and effectiveness of the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as compared to the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB), the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and the open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (ORYGB) for the treatment of obesity and obesity-relat
PromoLign: A database for upstream region analysis and SNPs†

The study of transcriptional regulation at the genomic level has been hindered by the lack of functional annotation in the putative regulatory regions. Phylogenetic footprinting, in which cross-species sequence alignment among orthologous genes is applied to locate conserved sequence blocks, is an effective strategy to attack this problem. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in transcription factor (TF) binding sites contribute to the heterogeneity of TF binding sites and might disrupt or enhance their regulatory activity. The correlation of SNPs with the TF sites will not only help in functional evaluation of SNPs, but will also help in the study of transcription regulation by focusing attention on specific TF sites. PromoLign (http://polly.wustl.edu/promolign/main.html) is an online database application that presents SNPs and TF binding profiles in the context of human-mouse orthologous sequence alignment with a hyperlinked graphical interface. PromoLign could be applied to a variety of SNPs and transcription related studies, including association genetics, population genetics, and pharmacogenetics. Hum Mutat 23:534–539, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Changes in hepatic differentiation following treatment of rat fetuses with 5-azacytidine.

Abstract Rat fetuses of 20 days gestational age were treated in utero with 5-azacytidine. Within 14 to 18 h after treatment several significant changes in the fetal livers were observed, including a dramatic maturation of hepatocyte morphology with little alteration in hematopoietic elements. Assessment of mRNA levels by hybridization to cloned cDNAs, together with other measures of gene expression, established that the change in hepatocyte morphology was associated with strong activation of expression of genes normally activated later in development, including those coding for the liver enzymes tyrosine aminotransferase and phospho enol carboxykinase and a gene of unknown specificity that is regulated in liver much like the aminotransferase. Rates of transcription of two of these genes, measured in isolated nuclei, were significantly increased after 5-azacytidine treatment. Expression of α-fetoprotein, normally declining during the perinatal period of development, was reactivated following treatment with the drug, while albumin expression was somewhat enhanced. For the most part the changes observed reflect temporal advancement of events normally programmed to occur later in differentiation of the liver. These changes appear to be the consequence of multiple effects of 5-azacytidine, including enhanced gene transcription and stabilization of gene products.
A Forward Genetic Screen Reveals that Calcium-dependent Protein Kinase 3 Regulates Egress in Toxoplasma

Egress from the host cell is a crucial and highly regulated step in the biology of the obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Active egress depends on calcium fluxes and appears to be a crucial step in escaping the attack from the immune system and, potentially, in enabling the parasites to shuttle into appropriate cells for entry into the brain of the host. Previous genetic screens have yielded mutants defective in both ionophore-induced egress and ionophore-induced death. Using whole genome sequencing of one mutant and subsequent analysis of all mutants from these screens, we find that, remarkably, four independent mutants harbor a mis-sense mutation in the same gene, TgCDPK3, encoding a calcium-dependent protein kinase. All four mutations are predicted to alter key regions of TgCDPK3 and this is confirmed by biochemical studies of recombinant forms of each. By complementation we confirm a crucial role for TgCDPK3 in the rapid induction of parasite egress and we establish that TgCDPK3 is critical for formation of latent stages in the brains of mice. Genetic knockout of TgCDPK3 confirms a crucial role for this kinase in parasite egress and a non-essential role for it in the lytic cycle.
Transcriptional regulation by abscisic acid in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds involves autoregulation of the transcription factor HvABI5

The barley bZIP transcription factor HvABI5 mediates abscisic acid (ABA)-upregulated gene expression in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds. HvABI5 specifically recognizes cis-elements of the ABA response complexes present in the promoters of the ABA-induced genes HVA1 and HVA22. HvABI5 together with another transcription factor, HvVP1, are required for the transactivation of these promoters, and this transactivation process is insensitive to the negative regulator abi1–1. The expression of HvABI5 itself appeared to be induced by ABA and can be suppressed by abi1-1. Gain- and loss-of-function studies in barley aleurone cells show that HvABI5 expression is positively regulated by a feed-forward circuit that involves HvABI5 itself and HvVP1. Mutation of the Ser residue in HvABI5, which has been shown to be phosphorylated in an ABA-dependent manner in the rice orthologue of HvABI5, reduces the transactivation activity of the factor by 50%. Although levels of HvABI5 and its transcript are enhanced by ABA treatment, the nuclear localization of HvABI5 is not affected by ABA. A model based on these observations is presented to explain the ABA upregulation of gene expression.
Population frequencies of the A1 allele at the dopamine D2 receptor locus

The reported association of a polymorphic allele at the dopamine D2 receptor locus (DRD2) and alcoholism has recently been the focus of considerable interest and controversy. Evidence both for and against an association of the A1 allele of the TaqI A system have been reported. One of the inconsistencies in these studies is the frequency of the A1 allele in the controls. We undertook this study to determine the frequencies of the DRD2 A1 allele in different populations. The frequency of the DRD2 A1 allele was studied in 381 unrelated people from 16 different populations. On a global scale the frequency of the A1 allele was found to be dramatically different among the populations studied, from as low as 0.09 to as high as 0.75. Because of these significant differences an association study with this polymorphism must carefully control for ethnic origin of subjects and the results must be evaluated with caution.
The frog gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I) gene has a mammalian-like expression pattern and conserved domains in GnRH-associated peptide, but brain onset is delayed until metamorphosis.

Recent evidence indicates a localized origin in the olfactory placode for the mammalian forebrain neurons that express GnRH. To identify the cellular and molecular signals that induce the GnRH phenotype, we cloned and characterized a cDNA encoding the GnRH prohormone, the precursor for both GnRH-I and GnRH-associated peptide in the frog, Xenopus laevis, an embryonic model accessible to experimental manipulation. The 396-base cDNA represented a single mRNA species encoding an 89-amino acid prepro-GnRH that, unlike a recently cloned fish GnRH gene, was identical to both the mammalian GnRH decapeptide as well as multiple domains within GnRH-associated peptide. Serial section in situ hybridization histochemistry and immunocytochemistry in adult frog localized a forebrain system comprising 250-350 cell bodies whose overall neuroanatomy, including fiber projections, was very similar to that described for mammals. However, neither Northern nor in situ hybridization detected GnRH expression in midbrain, arguing t...
Parvalbumin neuron circuits and microglia in three dopamine-poor cortical regions remain sensitive to amphetamine exposure in the absence of hyperthermia, seizure and stroke.

The dopamine-releasing and depleting substance amphetamine (AMPH) can make cortical neurons susceptible to damage, and the prevention of hyperthermia, seizures and stroke is thought to block these effects. Here we report a 2-day AMPH treatment paradigm which affected only interneurons in three cortical regions with average or below-average dopamine input. AMPH (six escalating doses/day ranging from 5 to 30 mg/kg for 2 days) was given at 17-18 degrees C ambient temperature (T) to adult male rats. During the 2-day AMPH treatment, peak body T stayed below 38.9 degrees C in 40% of the AMPH treated rats. In 60% of the rats, deliberate cooling suppressed (<39.5 degrees C) or minimized (<40.0 degrees C) hyperthermia. Escalation of stereotypes to seizure-like behaviors was rare and post-mortem morphological signs of stroke were absent. Neurons labeled with the anionic, neurodegeneration-marker dye Fluoro-Jade (F-J) were seen 1 day after dosing, peaked 3 days later, but were barely detectable 14 days after dosing. Only nonpyramidal neurons in layer IV of the somatosensory barrel cortex and in layer II of the piriform cortex and posterolateral cortical amygdaloid nucleus were labeled with Fluoro-Jade. Isolectin B-labeled activated microglia were only detected in their neighborhood. F-J labeled neurons were extremely rare in cortical regions rich in dopamine (e.g. cingulate cortex), and were absent in cortical regions with no dopamine (e.g. visual cortex). Parvalbumin was seen in some Fluoro-Jade-labeled neurons and parvalbumin immunostaining in local axon plexuses intensified. This AMPH paradigm affected fewer cortical regions, and caused smaller reduction in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity than previous 1-day AMPH regimens generating seizures or severe (above 40 degrees C) hyperthermia. Correlation between peak or mean body T and the extent of neurodegeneration or microgliosis was below statistical significance. Astrogliosis (elevated levels of the astroglia-marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)) was detected in many brain regions. In the striatum and midbrain, F-J labeled neurons and activated microglia were absent, but astrogliosis, decreased TH immunolabel, and swollen TH fibers were detected. In sum, after this AMPH treatment, cortical pyramidal neurons were spared, but astrogliosis was brain-wide and some interneurons and microglia in three cortical regions with average or below-average dopamine input remained sensitive to AMPH exposure.
Early detection of fatty liver disease in mice via quantitative ultrasound

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is estimated to have a 25–30% incidence among obese individuals and can lead to inflammation (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH) and fibrosis. While conventional ultrasound and other imaging techniques can diagnose advanced stages of fatty liver and hepatic cirrhosis (one NASH outcome), even though pathology is the gold standard, existing techniques are not currently able to detect early stages of NAFLD. The objective is to develop a method for early detection of NAFLD in humans by first examining the model-free quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters of livers in diet-controlled mice. Two studies were conducted, each with 25 male C57BL/6J mice; 20 fed an atherogenic (Ath) diet and 5 fed a control diet. In Study 1 (a non-QUS study), 10 mice each were fed the Ath diet for 4 and 8 weeks, respectively; there was significant liver steatosis and inflammation of the Ath-diet-fed mice. Therefore, Study 2 was conducted with reduced feeding times to moderate the Ath diet's liver effect for which 10 mice each were on the Ath diet for 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. For Study 2, liver lipids compared somewhat favorably to pathologist steatosis grades. QUS model-free parameters were functionally related to liver lipids. These preliminary findings suggest that early detection of NAFLD is feasible with QUS.
The cube coefficient subspace architecture for nonlinear digital predistortion

In this paper, we present the cube coefficient subspace (CCS) architecture for linearizing power amplifiers (PAs), which divides the overparametrized Volterra kernel into small, computationally efficient subkernels spanning only the portions of the full multidimensional coefficient space with the greatest impact on linearization. Using measured results from a Q-band solid state PA, we demonstrate that the CCS predistorter architecture achieves better linearization performance than state-of-the-art memory polynomials and generalized memory polynomials.
A Markov Chain Monte Carlo Approach for Joint Inference of Population Structure and Inbreeding Rates From Multilocus Genotype Data

Nonrandom mating induces correlations in allelic states within and among loci that can be exploited to understand the genetic structure of natural populations (Wright 1965). For many species, it is of considerable interest to quantify the contribution of two forms of nonrandom mating to patterns of standing genetic variation: inbreeding (mating among relatives) and population substructure (limited dispersal of gametes). Here, we extend the popular Bayesian clustering approach STRUCTURE (Pritchard et al. 2000) for simultaneous inference of inbreeding or selfing rates and population-of-origin classification using multilocus genetic markers. This is accomplished by eliminating the assumption of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium within clusters and, instead, calculating expected genotype frequencies on the basis of inbreeding or selfing rates. We demonstrate the need for such an extension by showing that selfing leads to spurious signals of population substructure using the standard STRUCTURE algorithm with a bias toward spurious signals of admixture. We gauge the performance of our method using extensive coalescent simulations and demonstrate that our approach can correct for this bias. We also apply our approach to understanding the population structure of the wild relative of domesticated rice, Oryza rufipogon, an important partially selfing grass species. Using a sample of n = 16 individuals sequenced at 111 random loci, we find strong evidence for existence of two subpopulations, which correlates well with geographic location of sampling, and estimate selfing rates for both groups that are consistent with estimates from experimental data (s ≈ 0.48–0.70).
Wetting and Mechanical Performance of Zirconia Brazed with Silver/Copper Oxide and Silver/Vanadium Oxide Alloys†

The wetting behavior and mechanical strength of silver/copper oxide and silver/vanadium oxide braze alloys were investigated for both magnesia-stabilized and yttria-stabilized (Mg-PSZ and Y-TZP) transformation toughened zirconia substrates. The temperatures investigated were 1000–1100 °C, with oxide additions of 1–10 wt% V2O5 or CuO, and hold times of 0.9–3.6 ks. Increasing either the isothermal hold temperature or time had a distinctly negative effect on the joint strength. The maximum strengths for both braze alloys were obtained for 5 wt% oxide additions at 1050 °C with a hold time of 0.9 ks. The Mg-PSZ/Ag-CuO system exhibited a average fracture strength of 255 MPa (45% of the reported monolithic strength), and the Y-TZP/Ag-CuO system had an average fracture strength of 540 MPa (35% of the reported monolithic strength). The fracture strengths were lower for the Ag-V2O5 braze alloys, with fracture strengths of approximately 180 MPa (30% of the monolithic strength) for Mg-PSZ versus approximately 160 MPa (10% of the monolithic strength) for Y-TZP. The fracture always occurred at the braze–ceramic interface. No interfacial products were observed in low magnification SEM analysis for the brazing alloys containing V2O5 additions, while there were interfacial products present for brazes prepared with CuO additions in the braze alloy.
Geology and Geochronology of the Spirit Mountain Batholith, Southern Nevada: Implications for Timescales and Physical Processes of Batholith Construction

Abstract The Spirit Mountain batholith (SMB) is a ∼ 250 km 2 composite silicic intrusion located within the Colorado River Extensional Corridor in southernmost Nevada. Westward tilting of 40–50° has exposed a cross-section from the roof through deep levels of the batholith. Piecemeal construction is indicated by zircon geochronology, field relations, and elemental geochemistry. Zircon U/Pb data (SHRIMP) demonstrates a ∼ 2 million year (17.4–15.3 Ma) history for the SMB. Individual samples contain zircons with ages that span the lifetime of the batholith, suggesting recycling of extant zircon into new magma pulses. Field relations reveal several distinct intrusive episodes and suggest a common injection geometry of stacked horizontal sheets. The largest unit of the SMB is a gradational section (from roof downward) of high-silica leucogranite through coarse granite into foliated quartz monzonite. Solidification of this unit spans most of the history of the batholith. The 25 km × 2 km leucogranite was emplaced incrementally as subhorizontal sheets over most or all of the history of this section, suggesting repeated fractional crystallization and melt segregation events. The quartz monzonite and coarse granite are interpreted to be cumulate residuum of this fractionation. Age data from throughout this gradational unit show multiple zircon populations within individual samples. Subsequent distinct intrusions that cut this large unit, which include minor populations of zircons that record the ages of earlier events in construction of the batholith, preserve a sheeted, sill-on-sill geometry. We envision the SMB to have been a patchwork of melt-rich, melt-poor, and entirely solid zones throughout its active life. Preservation of intrusion geometries and contacts depended on the consistency of the host rock. Zircons recycled into new pulses of magma document remobilization of previously emplaced crystal mush, suggesting the mechanisms by which evidence for initial construction of the batholith became blurred.
The type I iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase messenger ribonucleic acid is localized to the S3 segment of the rat kidney proximal tubule.

A complementary DNA clone encoding the type I iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase (5'DI), which converts T4 to T3, has been isolated recently. The 5'DI messenger RNA (mRNA) is most abundant in kidney and liver. To gain insight into the function of 5'DI in the kidney, Northern blot analysis was used to localize the expression of this mRNA. Our results show that 5'DI mRNA was expressed in the cortex and outer medulla, but not inner medulla and papilla, indicating that there are regional differences in its expression. Using in situ hybridization, we demonstrate that the 5'DI hybridization signal is localized predominantly over tubules in the outer stripe of the outer medulla and in medullary rays, suggesting localization to proximal tubules. To identify which tubular cells express 5'DI mRNA, we compared the profile of 5'DI message from in situ hybridization with the immunostaining of adjacent sections with proximal tubular S1, S2, and S3 segment-specific antibodies. Most of the 5'DI antisense complementary RNA hybri...
Infrastructure of the "New Age": Telecommunications Planning

Infrastructure building, maintenance, and financing are familiar issues to planners, but only recently has the relationship between economic development and the quality and quantity of infrastructure received much attention. Largely absentfrom this emerging economic development/infrastructure literature, however, is discussion of the importance of telecommunications infrastructure. As the U.S. economy moves away from traditional manufacturing and toward a reliance on knowledge-intense, high-tech servicefirms, access to this infrastructure will be an increasingly criticalfactor in the location of both commercial and residential development. To attract and retain the communications-dependent firms and industries that are driving the information economy, state and local planners must actively provide access to the telecommunications services that these businesses and their skilled laborforces will demand. Clearly, communities must begin to planfor and provide telecommunications infrastructure to promote econ...
Seeing I to I: A Pathway to Interpersonal Connectedness

The authors introduce the construct of I-sharing--the belief that one shares an identical subjective experience with another person--and the role it plays in liking. In Studies 1-3, participants indicated their liking for an objectively similar and an objectively dissimilar person, one of whom I-shared with them and the other of whom did not. Participants preferred the objectively similar person but only when that person I-shared with them. Studies 4 and 5 highlight the role that feelings of existential isolation and the need for closeness play in people's attraction to I-sharers. In Study 4, people with high needs for interpersonal closeness responded to I-sharers and non-I-sharers with great intensity. In Study 5, priming participants with feelings of existential isolation increased their liking for I-sharers over objectively similar others. The results highlight the importance of shared subjective experience and have implications for interpersonal and intergroup processes.
Polarization state characterization of ultrashort laser pulses by self-referenced tomographic reconstruction

We demonstrate a self-referenced method for characterizing of the polarization state of an ultrashort laser pulse field. It can be used with any existing measurement technique that measures intensity and phase of a single polarization.
Pilot-aided chip-interleaved DS-CDMA transmission over time-varying channels

Time-varying multipath fading associated with the wireless link limits the capacity of a wireless system. In order to adapt to this adverse radio environment efficiently, we investigate the use of a pilot-aided fade-resistant transmission scheme for the uplink of a chip-interleaved code-division multiple-access (CDMA) system. We analyze the tradeoff between the number of diversity branches and the channel estimation error. We derive the optimum ratio of pilot signal energy to information signal energy. Our numerical study indicates that the proposed system is capable of outperforming the conventional CDMA system depending on the transmitter energy and channel condition.
Hexahedral H(div) and H(curl) finite elements

We study the approximation properties of some finite element subspaces of H(div;Ω) and H(curl;Ω) defined on hexahedral meshes in three dimensions. This work extends results previously obtained for quadrilateral H(div;Ω) finite elements and for quadrilateral scalar finite element spaces. The finite element spaces we consider are constructed starting from a given finite dimensional space of vector fields on the reference cube, which is then transformed to a space of vector fields on a hexahedron using the appropriate transform (e.g., the Piola transform) associated to a trilinear isomorphism of the cube onto the hexahedron. After determining what vector fields are needed on the reference element to insure O(h) approximation in L 2 (Ω) and in H(div;Ω) and H(curl;Ω) on the physical element, we study the properties of the resulting finite element spaces.
QoS-based optimal buffering for short message transfer in GPRS/UMTS networks

The newly introduced multimedia messaging service (MMS), which can be used over the general packet radio service (GPRS)/Universal Mobile Telecommunication (UMTS) short message service (SMS) network demands on an efficient mechanism for handling the message traffic. In this paper, we consider the system's quality of service (QoS) requirements to the new and forwarded messages and design an optimal buffering scheme for short message transfer in GPRS/UMTS networks, such that the requirements are met. An analytic model is developed that employs one-dimensional continuous-time Markov chain. Based on the model, a search algorithm is designed to find the optimal parameters of the system.
Rapid climate change and the rate of adaptation: insight from experimental quantitative genetics

Evolution proceeds unceasingly in all biological populations. It is clear that climate-driven evolution has molded plants in deep time and within extant populations. However, it is less certain whether adaptive evolution can proceed sufficiently rapidly to maintain the fitness and demographic stability of populations subjected to exceptionally rapid contemporary climate change. Here, we consider this question, drawing on current evidence on the rate of plant range shifts and the potential for an adaptive evolutionary response. We emphasize advances in understanding based on theoretical studies that model interacting evolutionary processes, and we provide an overview of quantitative genetic approaches that can parameterize these models to provide more meaningful predictions of the dynamic interplay between genetics, demography and evolution. We outline further research that can clarify both the adaptive potential of plant populations as climate continues to change and the role played by ongoing adaptation in their persistence.