cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional regulation and gene arrangement of Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii and Salmonella typhimurium biotin operons

Abstract The bio operons of Citrobacter freundii and Escherichia coli K-12 (strain C600) were isolated by screening A banks for complementation of E. coli bio mutants. These were compared with the previously isolated bio operon of Salmonella typhimurium and previous data on E. coli K-12. The restriction maps of the operon are very different in the three species, but no difference in gene order was found. Operator-promoter DNA, identified by repressible titration and by biotin-repressible transcription in E. coli , was sequenced and compared to the published E. coli K-12 sequence. In the segment previously identified as operator/ bioB promoter, C. freundii and S. typhimurium DNA are identical and differ from E. coli only by 2 bp. The DNA to the right of this segment (indicated by previous data to be the bioA promoter of E. coli ) has diverged in all three species, and only E. coli has a sequence resembling a consensus promoter.
Synaptic organization of serotonin-like immunoreactive amacrine cells in the larval tiger salamander retina.

Abstract Immunoelectron microscopy was used to investigate the ultrastructural features and synaptic relationships of serotonin-like immunoreactive amacrine cells in the larval tiger salamander retina. Serotonin-positive somas exhibited an evenly distributed peroxidase reaction product throughout their cytoplasm. Their nuclei were unstained and possessed indented nuclear membranes. Serotonin-immuno-reactive processes were generally stained throughout with the exception of their mitochondria, whose morphology was often disrupted by the staining reaction. They were further characterized by an occasional dense-cored vesicle/s in addition to a generally homogeneous population of small, round, clear synaptic vesicles. Serotonin-immunoreactive amacrine cell processes formed conventional synapses that were characterized by symmetrical synaptic membrane densities. A total of 222 synaptic arrangements were observed that involved the immunostained processes of serotonin-amacrine cells. As presynaptic elements, they primarily contacted amacrine cells processes (37.8%). They also provided substantial synaptic input to processes that lacked synaptic vesicles (16.2%) and whose origin was unidentified. Serotonin-processes provided a far fewer number of synaptic contacts onto the processes of bipolar cells (1.4%) and the somas of cells in the amacrine cell layer (0.5%). As postsynaptic elements, they received synaptic inputs from amacrine cells (27.9%) and bipolar cells (16.2%). With the exception of their synapses onto bipolar cells and the somas of cells in the amacrine cell layer, each of the synaptic relationships of serotonin-amacrine cells was observed in each of sublayers 1–5 of the inner plexiform layer.
Distribution of alkaline earth ions in β″-alumina: a computer simulation study

Abstract The distribution of alkaline earth ions (R=Ca, Sr, Ba) in β″-alumina has been studied using static lattice computer simulations. It is found that the conduction plane becomes narrowed and the c -axis of the structure shortened with the substitution of Na by Ca, due to a significant displacement of the bridging oxygen, O(5), towards the Ca ion. Such a disordering of O(5) is much less significant in Sr or Ba β″-alumina. Whilst the seven-coordinated Beevers-Ross (BR) site is the preferred position for Ba, Ca shows a tendency to sit close to the eight-coordinated mid-oxygen (mO) site, which is in agreement with previous X-ray diffraction studies. Sr, on the other hand, shows a behavior intermediate between Ca and Ba, i.e. it shows a preference for the mO site but can also stay in the BR site, depending on the configuration of the surrounding Na vacancies. Symmetric defect configurations with respect to the BR site result in the occupation of the BR site by all the R ions, whereas asymmetric configurations lead to a mO site occupation by Ca or Sr. Short range ordering of alkaline earths in the conduction plane was also observed from the trend that two R ions prefer to stay apart. The calculated results show that the site preference of R in the β″-alumina structure largely depends on alkaline earth ionic radius, which is in good agreement with the physical property measurements.
Overexpression of human transforming growth factor-β1 using a recombinant CHO cell expression system

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is secreted by most cells as a high molecular weight latent complex, which consists of latent TGF-beta1 disulfide bonded to latent TGF-beta1-binding protein (LTBP). Current recombinant expression systems yield less than 1-2 mg of the mature TGF-beta1 per liter of cell culture medium. In an effort to produce large quantities of the recombinant cytokine for structural studies, we have constructed a mammalian expression system based on a modified pcDNA3.1(+) vector with a glutamine synthetase gene inserted for gene amplification. The leader peptide of TGF-beta1 was replaced with that of rat serum albumin, and an eight-histidine tag was inserted immediately after the leader sequence to facilitate protein purification. In addition, Cys 33 of TGF-beta1, which forms a disulfide bond with LTBP, was replaced by a serine residue. The resulting expression construct produced a stable clone expressing 30 mg of mature TGF-beta1 per liter of spent medium. Purified TGF-beta1 bound with high affinity to its type II receptor with a solution dissociation constant of approximately 70 nM, and was fully active in both a Mv1Lu cell growth inhibition assay and in a PAI-1 luciferase reporter assay. Owing to similarities in the synthesis, secretion, and structure of TGF-beta family members, this recombinant expression system may also be applied to the overexpression of other TGF-beta isomers and even to members of the TGF-beta superfamily to facilitate their preparation.
A single-program-multiple-data computational model for EPEX/FORTRAN

Abstract We present a single-program-multiple-data computational model which we have implemented in the EPEX system to run in parallel mode FORTRAN scientific application programs. The computational model assumes a shared memory organization and is based on the scheme that all processes executing a program in parallel remain in existence for the entire execution; however, the tasks to be executed by each process are determined dynamically during execution by the use of appropriate synchronizing constructs that are imbedded in the program. We have demonstrated the applicability of the model in the parallelization of several applications. We discuss parallelization features of these applications and performance issues such as overhead, speedup, efficiency.
The use of atomic beam and optical methods in the study of fundamental symmetries

We review the status of experimental tests of time reversal invariance in nuclear beta decay and discuss narrow resonance NMR techniques which are suitable for precise measurements of nuclear magnetic moments and searches for nuclear electric dipole moments.
Role of acid phosphatase in the breakdown of yolk platelets in developing amphibian embryos

Yolk platelets in differentiating embryonic amphibian cells degrade by a membranous "unraveling" or "delamination" process. Acid phosphatase activity was demonstrated at the peripheries of those platelets which were in the process of degrading and thus this lytic enzyme appears to be involved in the breakdown process. We believe that this relationship provides a means by which early cells obtain the nutrients necessary for early differentiation.
The internet: a virtually untapped tool for research

Internet methodologies are often overlooked in research. This review presents evidence that using the Internet to recruit participants and collect data is not only feasible, but may also be less expensive and time-consuming than traditional data collection methods. Additionally, Internet data collection can yield a more representative participant sample than more traditional data collection methods, while retaining equivalent, if not better, psychometric properties. Different areas of research that could benefit from the use of the Internet-based methods are explored. Overall benefits of Internet-based data collection, and practical limitations and how to overcome them, are discussed.
Cloning and characterization of the human gene for the α-subunit of Gi2, a GTP-binding signal transduction protein

We isolated and characterized human genomic clones encompassing the gene for the α-subunit of Gi2, a GTP-binding signal transduction protein abundantly expressed in myeloid cells. The gene is divided into 9 exons and spans 23.5 kb. Exons 2, 6 and 7 encode putative guanine nucleotide-binding domains that are highly conserved among GTP-binding proteins. A polyadenylation signal located within exon 9 predicts an MRNA size (∼ 2.3 kb) several hundred bases longer than that of published cDNAs, and consistent with the size seen on RNA blot hybridization. Primer extension and S1 nuclease analysis determined a major and several minor transcriptional start sites. The first exon and 5′ flanking region are highly G+ C rich, contain several GC boxes (SP1 transcription factor binding sites), a CAAT box, and lack a TATA box. The presumptive promoter region is thus similar to that of ras and other widely expressed genes.
Medulloblastoma: a critical approach to the management on the basis of 12 years of experience

Medulloblastoma constituted 28% of brain neoplasms among children referred to the Santobono Children's Hospital of Naples from 1973 through October 1984. The authors summarize their experience with 68 cases of medulloblastoma, which were managed with a multimodal institutional protocol involving surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The evolution of modern management is discussed, and particular attention is directed to the factors affecting the prognosis.
Choline exposure reduces potentiation of N-methyl-d-aspartate toxicity by corticosterone in the developing hippocampus

Abstract Exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids (GCs) may adversely affect neuronal viability, particularly in the developing hippocampus, via increased function or sensitivity of N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors. Conversely, choline supplementation in the developing brain may reduce the severity of subsequent insult. The present studies aimed to examine the extent to which short-term exposure to high concentrations of corticosterone would produce neuronal injury mediated by NMDA receptor activity. These studies also assessed the ability of choline to prevent this form of injury via interactions with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressing the α7 subunit. Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures derived from neonatal rat were pre-treated for 72 h with corticosterone (100 nM) alone or with choline (0.1–10 mM), prior to a brief (1 h) NMDA exposure (5 μM). NMDA exposure produced significant cellular damage, reflected as increased fluorescence of the non-vital marker propidium iodide, in the CA1 region. While exposure to corticosterone alone did not produce damage, pre-treatment of cultures with corticosterone markedly exacerbated NMDA-induced toxicity. Pre-treatment with choline (≥1 mM) alone or in combination with corticosterone markedly reduced subsequent NMDA toxicity, effects blocked by co-exposure to methyllycaconitine (100 nM), an antagonist active at nAChRs expressing the α7 subunit. These data suggest that even short-term exposure to high concentrations of GCs may adversely affect neuronal viability and that choline supplementation protects the brain from NMDA receptor-mediated damage, including that associated with hypercortisolemia.
Pravastatin-Induced Hepatotoxicity in a Patient With Fatty Liver Disease: A Case Presentation With Literature Review:

Purpose. To report a case of biopsy-confirmed pravastatin-induced liver injury in a patient with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Second, to review the data regarding hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) use in patients with NAFLD and monitoring that may be required for statin therapy. Literature Search. A PubMed search and review of the reference lists of the articles included in the case report was performed to find human studies from 1965 to the present on statin therapy in patients with NAFLD. To the authors' knowledge, there are no other case reports that parallel the one presented here. Case Report. A 71-year-old female with NAFLD, challenged multiple times on different lipid lowering agents, with a history of elevated liver enzymes post statin therapy, developed drug-induced hepatocellular damage following pravastatin therapy. Discussion. Symptomatic liver injury with statin therapy is rare even in patients with NAFLD. To the authors' knowledge, there a...
A data-based framework for fault detection and diagnostics of non-linear systems with partial state measurement

A novel framework based on the use of dynamic neural networks for data-based process monitoring, fault detection and diagnostics of non-linear systems with partial state measurement is presented in this paper. The proposed framework considers the presence of three kinds of states in a generic system model: states that can easily be measured in real time and in-situ, states that are difficult to measure online but can be measured offline to generate training data, and states that cannot be measured at all. The motivation for such a categorization of state variables comes from a wide class of problems in the manufacturing and chemical industries, wherein certain states are not measurable without expensive equipments or offline analysis while some other states may not be accessible at all. The framework makes use of a recurrent neural network for modeling the hidden dynamics of the system from available measurements and uses this model along with a non-linear observer to augment the information provided by the measured variables. The performance of the proposed method is verified on a synthetic problem as well as a benchmark simulation problem.
Association between high sensitivity C-reactive protein and metabolic syndrome in subjects completing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-10.

Abstract Aims Metabolic syndrome and elevated high-sensitivity (hs) C-reactive protein (CRP) have been associated with an increase in risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and diabetes but the relationship between the two is unclear. The purpose of this study is to identify any association between metabolic syndrome and hs-CRP concentrations. Methods Subjects 20 years or older completing the 2009–10 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Metabolic syndrome was defined as having at least 3 of the following: hypertension, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or high waist circumference. Elevated hs-CRP was defined as >3 mg/L. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to assess the relationship between hs-CRP and metabolic syndrome while controlling for potential confounders. Results A total of 5728 subjects met the inclusion criteria, of which 69% were 20–55 years old, and 52% were female. Overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 34% and hs-CRP concentrations were elevated in 32% of subjects. Number of metabolic syndrome conditions was significantly associated with increasing odds of elevated hs-CRP concentrations. Subjects with one, two, three, four, or five metabolic syndrome conditions had 2.4, 3.3, 5.1, 10.7 and 11.1 times greater odds of elevated hs-CRP as compared to subjects with no metabolic syndrome conditions ( p Conclusions Presence of metabolic syndrome was common in subjects from NHANES 2009–10 and a significant “dose-related” association was confirmed between number of metabolic syndrome conditions and increasing odds of elevated hs-CRP concentration.
Effect of chronic administration of nicotine on acetylcholinesterase activity in the hypothalamus and medulla oblongata of the rat brain. An ultrastructural study.

Abstract Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was found to be mainly localized in the perinuclear space and in the cisteranae of the rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum in the neurons of the posterior hypothalamic nucleus and the hypoglossal nucleus of the rat brain. Enzyme activity was also noted in the neuroglial cells. Chronic administration of nicotine (1 mg/kg, subcutaneously 5 times a day for 8–16 weeks) decreased the AChE activity in the perinuclear space and in the rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum of the neurons of the hypoglossal nucleus. Since experiments were performed 12 h after the last injection of nicotine when no or very little nicotine was left in the brain, it is concluded that administration of nicotine exerts a sustained decrease in AChE in the neurons of the hypoglossal nucleus of the medulla oblongata of the rat brain.
Discrete system dominance index for model reduction

This paper will use a saccadic eye movement model to present a discrete system state-space model reduction method using an eigenspace dominance index. Also a relationship between the discrete-time dominance indices and similar continuous-time dominance indices will be established for a continuous system that is discretized by a zero-order hold. Numerical advantages to using the discrete-time system when the continuous-time system contains small near zero eigenvalues are discussed.
Interaction of Estrogen Receptor α with 3-Methyladenine DNA Glycosylase Modulates Transcription and DNA Repair

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) interacts with basal transcription factors, coregulatory proteins, and chromatin modifiers to initiate transcription of the target genes. We have identified a novel interaction between ERα and the DNA repair protein 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase (MPG) thereby providing a functional link between gene expression and DNA repair. Interestingly, the ERα-MPG interaction was enhanced by the presence of estrogen response element (ERE)-containing DNA. In vitro pull-down assays indicated that the interaction of ERα with MPG was direct and occurred through the DNA- and ligand-binding domains and the hinge region of the receptor. More importantly, endogenously expressed ERα and MPG from MCF-7 cells coimmunoprecipitated with ERα- and MPG-specific antibodies. The ERα-MPG interaction had functional consequences on the activities of both proteins. ERα increased MPG acetylation, stabilized the binding of MPG with hypoxanthine-containing oligos, and enhanced MPG-catalyzed removal of hypoxanthine from DNA. In turn, MPG dramatically stabilized the interaction of ERα with ERE-containing oligos, decreased p300-mediated acetylation of the receptor, and reduced transcription of simple and complex ERE-containing reporter plasmids in a dose-dependent manner. Our studies suggest that recruitment of MPG to ERE-containing genes influences transcription and plays a role in maintaining integrity of the genome by recruiting DNA repair proteins to actively transcribing DNA.
A disagreement about within-group agreement: Disentangling issues of consistency versus consensus.

James, Demaree, and Wolf (1984) developed an indes, r WG , for assessing within-group agreement appropriate when only a single target is rated. The assessment of interperceiver agreement in such situations is of particular relevance to the composition model for climate. Schmidt and Hunter (1989) have criticized the conceptual foundation of r WG because it is not consistent with the classical model of reliability. They proposed an alternative approach, the use of the rating standard deviation (SD X ), the standard error of the rating mean (SE M ), and the associated confidence intervals for SE M to index interrater agreement. This comment argues that the critique of r WG dit not clearly distinguish the concepts of interrater consensus (i.e., agreement) and interrater consistency (i.e., reliability)
Effects of Cryptosporidium parvum infection on lymphocyte phenotype and reactivity in calves

Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite now recognized as a significant cause of neonatal diarrhea in calves, and infection is also widespread in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised humans. No effective treatment or preventive measures against C. parvum infection are available, owing largely to the lack of understanding of immunologic mechanisms of resistance to and recovery from this parasite. In the present study, we compared phenotypes of lymphocytes from peripheral blood, spleen, mesenteric, and prescapular lymph nodes of calves infected or not infected with C. parvum. We also compared reactivity of these lymphocytes to mitogens and C. parvum antigen in vitro. There were more non-T, non-B (null) lymphocytes in all tissues of infected compared with control calves. The percent of CD8+ lymphocytes was significantly increased in spleens of infected compared with control calves, and there were markedly less CD4+ than CD8+ cells in spleens of both groups (i.e. low CD4/CD8 ratios). Splenic lymphocytes showed significantly decreased in vitro proliferation to pokeweed mitogen and C. parvum antigen stimulation compared with lymphocytes from other tissues. These findings suggest that null lymphocytes and CD8+ lymphocytes may be important in the expression and regulation of bovine immune responses to C. parvum in vivo.
Regulation of space use in a solitary felid: population density or prey availability?

Home range size in birds and mammals appears to be influenced by a number of factors including food availability, body mass and population density. However, few studies have convincingly shown population density to influence the extent of space use in a population of free-ranging carnivores without a corresponding increase in food availability. We investigated the relative effects of food availability, body weight and increased density on the size of adult bobcat, Lynx rufus, home ranges and core areas in Mississippi, U.S.A. during 1989–1997. We observed an increase in population density and a decrease in annual mean home range and core area sizes for males and females during this 9-year study. Population density explained 64% and 56% of the variation in home range size for males and females, respectively, whereas food availability and body weight failed to explain the observed reduction in bobcat home range size. Population density was also the most important variable explaining variation in core areas for both sexes, although food availability also appeared to contribute to variation, especially for females. We suggest that population density should be considered along with energy acquisition and metabolic factors such as food availability and body size when investigating variability in home range and core area sizes of mammals.
Passivity limitations on absorption properties of low-scattering objects

We analyze the constraints governing absorption and scattering of arbitrary sensors or receiving antennas. Our findings bring forward interesting physical limitations on the amount of accessible absorption in a low-scattering sensor and suggest practical ways to achieve efficient designs for noninvasive sensors, based on the application needs. A subwavelength dipole antenna is studied as a numerical demonstration of our theory in the subwavelength limit.
Characterization of wild-type and mutant vaccinia virus M2L proteins’ abilities to localize to the endoplasmic reticulum and to inhibit NF-κB activation during infection

Proinflammatory molecules are important for attracting immune effector cells to localized areas of viral infection. One such cellular mechanism facilitating this response is the NF-κB transcription factor. While wild-type vaccinia virus expresses multiple products to inhibit NF-κB during infection, the attenuated deletion mutant MVA lacks this ability. However, introduction of the wild-type M2L ORF into the MVA genome will re-establish the parental phenotype. As the M2L protein is unique to poxviruses, we characterized it to elucidate its mechanism to quell an inflammatory response. It was discovered that the M2L protein possesses motifs characteristic of ER-localized proteins: an N-terminal signal peptide sequence, C-terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention and retrieval sequences, and N-linked glycosylation sites. Indeed, the M2L protein was demonstrated to be N-linked glycosylated and expressed early during infection. Furthermore, confocal microscopic analysis revealed that the M2L protein co-localized with cellular ER proteins. Organelle location also affects M2L protein function: the elimination of the N-terminal leader sequence from the M2L protein compromised both its ER location and its ability to inhibit virus-induced NF-κB activation. There is only partial ER localization when a second mutant M2L protein lacking potential endoplasmic reticulum retention signal is expressed. However, this C-terminal deleted mutant protein is compromised in its ability to inhibit NF-κB activation. Determination of the ER location of the M2L proteins provides important insights for its function in future investigations.
On disenthralling ourselves from the enchantment of psychology

Pastors who assume that the insights of psychology have superseded those of the Scriptures, the great philosophers, or classic literary works are shortchanging themselves and their parishioners. These insights may be true and useful on many occasions, but they do not represent the full truth about the human condition. Examples from the novels of Jane Austen illustrate the larger truth of ill that human choices may be willed for the sake of human good or ill and that the human community provides the context for understanding and evaluating those choices.
The fertility capability soil classification system: Interpretation, applicability and modification

Abstract This paper summarizes the first five years of testing and evaluation of the Fertility Capability Soil Classification System (FCC) and presents an improved version, examples of interpretation and its applicability. FCC is a technical system for grouping soils according to the kinds of problems they present for agronomic management of their chemical and physical properties. It emphasizes quantifiable topsoil parameters as well as subsoil properties directly relevant to plant growth. FCC-classes indicate the main fertility-related soil constraints, which can be interpreted in relation to specific farming systems or land utilization types. Since its publication in 1975, the FCC has been tested, evaluated and put to use in various countries. As a result, the definitions of several modifiers have been changed and additional modifiers have been introduced. Soil maps can be interpreted and redrawn as FCC-units when the necessary data are available. Portions of the FAO/Unesco (1971, 1974, 1977) Soil Maps of the World have been converted to FCC-units with minor difficulties. The system is directly applicable to FAO's (1976) Land Evaluation Guidelines.
AN EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE AND COGNITIVE COMPLEXITY IN ACADEMIC DEANS' ADMINISTRATIVE BEHAVIOR

This study investigates Braxton and Hargens’ (1996, Variations among academic disciplines: Analytical frameworks and research. Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research. Vol. XI, pp. 1–45) assertion of the profound and extensive effects of academic discipline as it might pertain to administrative work. Academic deans in research and doctoral institutions nationwide were surveyed to investigate the relationship between academic discipline and cognitive complexity in their administrative behavior. A bivariate regression showed that being from an applied field was a significant predictor while the influence of consensus was not significant. Discipline effects waned when other predictors were added, suggesting that when other factors are considered, the extent to which one is exposed to their particular disciplinary paradigms becomes more important than mere affiliation with a discipline. Split sample analyses demonstrated variable influence structures. Findings indicate that the effects of discipline cannot be discounted in framing studies of administrators’ perceptions of their leadership context and the behavior which necessarily flows from those perceptions.
Quantitative evaluation of radiochromic film response for two‐dimensional dosimetry

Radiochromic film (RCF) is attractive as a thin, high resolution, 2D planar dosimeter. We have studied the uniformity, linearity, and reproducibility of a commercially supplied RCF system (model MD-55). Forty 12 cm long strips of RCF were exposed to uniform doses of 6 MV x rays. Optical density (OD) distributions were measured by a helium-neon scanning laser (633 nm) 2D densitometer and also with a manual densitometer. All film strips showed 8%–15% variations in OD values independent of densitometry technique which are evidently due to nonuniform dispersal of the sensor medium. A double exposure technique was developed to solve this problem. The film is first exposed to a uniform beam, which defines a pixel-by-pixel nonuniformity correction matrix. The film is then exposed to the unknown dose distribution, rescanned, and the net OD at each pixel corrected for nonuniformity. The double exposure technique reduces OD/unit dose variation to a 2%–5% random fluctuation. RCF response was found to deviate significantly from linearity at low doses (40% change in net OD/Gy from 1 to 30 Gy); a finding not previously reported. To study the tradeoff between statistical noise and spatial resolution, OD was averaged over blocks of adjacent 50 μm pixels (ranging from 1×1 to 10×10 pixels). Reproducibility, defined as the standard deviation of repeated single-pixel measurements on separate film pieces, was 2% at 30 Gy for a resolution of 0.25 mm. With careful correction for nonlinearity and nonuniformity, RCF is a promising quantitative 2D dosimeter for radiation oncology applications.
An Alternative Domain Near the ATP Binding Pocket of Drosophila Myosin Affects Muscle Fiber Kinetics

We examined the importance of alternative versions of a region near the ATP binding site of Drosophila myosin heavy chain for muscle mechanical properties. Previously, we exchanged two versions of this region (encoded by alternative exon 7s) between the indirect flight muscle myosin isoform (IFI) and an embryonic myosin isoform (EMB) and found, surprisingly, that in vitro solution actin-activated ATPase rates were increased (higher Vmax) by both exon exchanges. Here we examined the effect of increased ATPase rate on indirect flight muscle (IFM) fiber mechanics and Drosophila locomotion. IFM expressing EMB with the exon 7a domain replaced by the IFM specific exon 7d domain (EMB-7d) exhibited 3.2-fold greater maximum oscillatory power (Pmax) and 1.5-fold greater optimal frequency of power generation (fmax) versus fibers expressing EMB. In contrast, IFM expressing IFI with the exon 7d region replaced by the EMB exon 7a region (IFI-7a), showed no change in Pmax, fmax, step response, or isometric muscle properties compared to native IFI fibers. A slight decrement in IFI-7a flight ability was observed, suggesting a negative influence of the increased ATPase rate on Drosophila locomotion, perhaps due to energy supply constraints. Our results show that exon 7 plays a substantial role in establishing fiber speed and flight performance, and that the limiting step that sets ATPase rate in Drosophila myosin has little to no direct influence in setting fmax for fast muscle fiber types.
Sound propagation in a semi-infinite liquid overlying a homogeneous viscoelastic halfspace

Approximate results are obtained for the acoustic response due to a steady-state point source in a semi-infinite liquid overlying a viscoelastic halfspace. The study is intended for application to the acoustic classification of sediments on the continental shelf. The response in the acoustic field is formulated as a Green's function expressed in an integral form. The integral is evaluated approximately for two cases corresponding to two types of experiment: one for nearbottom testing, and the other for oblique-incidence testing in the radiation zone. Evaluation of the integral yields various expressions, each representing the leading term in an asymptotic expansion. The terms are interpreted physically as reflected, lateral (refracted) and surface waves. The types of response for both cases are discussed and compared with previous results.
Legitimation and delegitimation in early modern Europe: The case of England

In the year 1640, the government of England was monarchical; and the King that reigned, Charles, the first of that name, holding sovereignty, by right of a descent continued above six hundred years, and from a much longer descent King of Scotland, and from the time of his ancestor Henry II, King of Ireland …
A Kantian evaluation of Taylorism in the workplace

A Kantian evaluation of Taylorism in the workplace requires a consideration of four problems; (1) the conditions of agency, (2) the relation of Taylorism to these conditions, (3) an explanation of the method given by the Typic for applying the Categorical Imperative, and (4) the actual application of the Categorical Imperative to Taylorism. An agent who views himself as a performer is distinguished from an agent who is a mere observer of his own actions, and it is argued that Taylorism in effect attempts to remove the purposiveness of action from the workmen and to reduce them to the state of being mere observers of their own actions. Then it is argued that in order for one to attempt to think of a maxim as a universal law, one must posit a universal and necessary connection between the circumstances and the performances and then another such connection between the action and the purpose to be achieved. A model is constructed using heat-seeking machines, and it is argued that a principle analogous to Taylorism could not hold as a universal law for such machines. Thus, Taylorism is not an acceptable solution to the problem of coordinating the activities of self-directed agents within the workplace.
Autonomous neurobiological pathways to late-life major depressive disorder: Clinical and pathophysiological implications

The objective of our study was to elucidate distinct paths to depression in a model that incorporates age, measures of medical comorbidity, neuroanatomical compromise, and cognitive status in a sample of patients with late-life major depressive disorder (MDD) and nondepressed controls. Our study was cross-sectional in nature and utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) estimates of brain and high-intensity lesion volumes together with clinical indices of cerebrovascular and nonvascular medical comorbidity. Neuroanatomic and clinical measures were incorporated into a structural covariance model in order to test pathways to MDD. Our data indicate that there are two paths to MDD; one path is represented by vascular and nonvascular medical comorbidity that contribute to high-intensity lesions that lead to depression. Smaller brain volumes represent a distinct path to the mood disorder. Age influences depression by increasing atrophy and overall medical comorbidity but has no direct impact on MDD. These findings demonstrate that there are distinct biological substrates to the neuroanatomical changes captured on MRI. These observations further suggest that neurobiological mechanisms acting in parallel may compromise brain structure/function, thereby predisposing individuals to clinical brain disorders such as depression.
Unusual thermal conductivity behavior of serpentine graphene nanoribbons under tensile strain

Abstract Thermal conductivity of graphene nanoribbons usually decreases quickly with the increase of tensile strain due to the softened phonon modes and increased lattice anharmonicities. In this work, we present a new design of graphene nanoribbon structures—serpentine graphene nanoribbons (SGNRs) and demonstrate that thermal conductivity of SGNRs increases with the increase of tensile strain through nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations. This increase can be held till to as large as 54.7% stretchability of SGNRs. The unusual response of thermal conductivity results from the competition between the elongation of heat transfer path and stress distribution in nanoribbon structures under tension and is closely related with the maximum stretchability of serpentine structures. Both mechanical stress distribution and phonon spectrum of SGNRs are examined to understand the underlying thermal transport mechanism, and show good agreement with simulation findings.
Associative retrieval of holographic digital data

Summary form only given. One of the strengths of optical signal processing is the ability to rapidly perform two dimensional correlation of images. A template image is first presented on a spatial light modulator (SLM), Fourier transformed by a lens, and recorded as a hologram. Then, the input image to be compared is used to reconstruct the reference beam of the hologram, which is Fourier transformed by a second lens onto a detector camera. Matches between the input image and the template result in a bright output peak.
Rectally administered misoprostol for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage unresponsive to oxytocin and ergometrine: a descriptive study.

Abstract Objective: To investigate whether rectally administered misoprostol is an effective treatment for postpartum hemorrhage unresponsive to conventional first-line management. Methods: We studied 14 women with postpartum hemorrhage unresponsive to oxytocin and ergometrine (n = 10) or, when ergometrine was contraindicated, oxytocin alone (n = 4). While awaiting carboprost, misoprostol 1000 μg (five tablets) was administered rectally. Results: In all 14 women, the hemorrhage was controlled, and sustained uterine contraction produced within three minutes of administration of misoprostol. Conclusion: Misoprostol appears to be absorbed effectively from rectal as well as oral and vaginal mucosa. Rectally administered misoprostol appears to be an effective treatment for postpartum hemorrhage unresponsive to oxytocin and ergometrine; therefore, it might be an alternative to parenteral prostaglandins or at least minimize the number of women requiring this invasive treatment. Given that it is an inexpensive and stable drug, misoprostol has considerable potential to reduce maternal mortality from postpartum hemorrhage in developing countries.
A compressive sensing based approach for through-wall tracking of moving targets

The through-wall tracking of moving targets is addressed in this paper using the compressive sensing (CS) approach. The wall transmission coefficients are integrated to take into account the wall effects. Multiple targets are resolved in the directions of arrival (DoA)-range-Doppler space with far fewer measurements.
GConnect: a connectivity index for massive disk-resident graphs

The problem of connectivity is an extremely important one in the context of massive graphs. In many large communication networks, social networks and other graphs, it is desirable to determine the minimum-cut between any pair of nodes. The problem is well solved in the classical literature, since it is related to the maximum-flow problem, which is efficiently solvable. However, large graphs may often be disk resident, and such graphs cannot be efficiently processed for connectivity queries. This is because the minimum-cut problem is typically solved with the use of a variety of combinatorial and flow-based techniques which require random access to the underlying edges in the graph.In this paper, we propose to develop a connectivity index for massive-disk resident graphs. We will use an edge-sampling based approach to create compressed representations of the underlying graphs. Since these compressed representations can be held in main memory, they can be used to derive efficient approximations for the minimum-cut problem. These compressed representations are then organized into a disk-resident index structure. We present experimental results which show that the resulting approach provides between two and three orders of magnitude more efficient query processing than a disk-resident approach at the expense of a small amount of accuracy.
The chemistry of legume storage proteins

Evidence is summarized that provides a structural description of the glycinin subunits from soybeans and the structural genes that produce them. Each subunit consists of an acidic polypeptide component that is linked to a basic one by a single disulphide bond. The subunits are initially produced as a precursor that consists of amino acids for the signal sequence, followed by the sequence for first the acidic and then the basic polypeptide. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence for a subunit gene with the complete prim ary structure of that subunit permits identification of a num ber of post-transcriptional and post-translational events that occur during expression of the gene.
Felbamate in the treatment of acquired epileptic aphasia

A previously healthy six year old boy developed severe receptive and expressive aphasia, multifocal epileptiform discharges, and refractory clinical seizures consistent with acquired epileptic aphasia. The patient experienced complete seizure control and almost complete return of language skills following the addition of felbamate. This is the first case of successful treatment of acquired epileptic aphasia using felbamate.
Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Signaling and Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors in Cardioprotection

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is an important intracellular second messenger that mediates multiple tissue and cellular responses. The cGMP pathway is a key element in the pathophysiology of the heart and its modulation by drugs such as phosphodiesterase (PDE)-5 inhibitors and guanylate cyclase activators may represent a promising therapeutic approach for acute myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in patients. In addition, PDE-5 inhibitors may prove to be innovative therapeutic agents for enhancing the chemosensitivity of doxorubicin while providing concurrent cardiac benefit.
Calculation of TIR canopy hot spot and implications for Earth radiation budget

Using a 3D model for thermal infrared exitance and the Lowtran 7 atmospheric radiative transfer model, the authors compute the variation in brightness temperature with view direction and, in particular, the canopy thermal hot spot. They then perform a sensitivity analysis of surface energy balance components for a nominal case using a simple SVAT model given the uncertainty in canopy temperature arising from the thermal hot spot effect. Canopy thermal hot spot variations of two degrees C lead to differences of plus or minus 24% in the midday available energy.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LODGEPOLE PINE WOUND RESPONSES TO A FUNGAL SYMBIONT OF THE MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE, DENDROCTONUS PONDEROSAE (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)

The acetone-soluble fraction of phloem tissue samples from 78 lodgepole pines was examined prior to and following artificial inoculation with Europhium clavigerum, a fungus transmitted by the mountain pine beetle. All trees showed quantitative increases in the concentration of extractives within 3 days after treatment. Further increases continued for at least 7 days. By this time qualitative changes in the chemical composition of the host tissue had also occurred.Trees were defined as resistant or susceptible depending on whether they survived beetle attack under natural conditions. The composition of the acetone-soluble extracts was similar for the constitutive tissue of resistant and susceptible trees, but the total quantity of acetone extractives of reaction tissue was higher in resistant trees.The ability of trees to respond to fungal inoculation is diminished by mass attack. Trees responded more extensively to inoculation prior to, than during, aggregation under field conditions. An experiment was conducted to simulate this relationship under controlled conditions by examining the effect of multiple fungal inoculations on the production of monoterpenes during the wound response. Individual trees showed a weaker quantitative response on stem sections administered high inoculation densities than on stem sections administered only a single inoculation. Those trees which responded most extensively to a single invasion by the pathogen were more responsive at all inoculum densities.
Constructing confidence intervals for a quantile using batching and sectioning when applying latin hypercube sampling

Quantiles are often used in risk evaluation of complex systems. In some situations, as in regulations regarding safety analyses of nuclear power plants, a confidence interval is required for the quantile of the simulation's output variable. In our current paper, we develop methods to construct confidence intervals for quantiles when applying Latin hypercube sampling, a variance reduction technique that extends stratification for sampling in higher dimensions. Our approaches employ the batching and sectioning methods when applying replicated Latin hypercube sampling, with a single Latin hypercube sample in each batch, and samples across batches are independent. We have established the asymptotic validity of the confidence intervals developed in this paper. Moreover, we have proven that quantile estimators from a single Latin hypercube sample and replicated Latin hypercube samples satisfy weak Bahadur representations. An advantage of sectioning over batching is that the sectioning confidence interval typically has better coverage, which we observe in numerical experiments.
Functional, dynamic, and anatomic MR urography: feasibility and preliminary findings.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The authors assessed the feasibility of using magnetic resonance (MR) urography to acquire functional, dynamic, and anatomic information in human subjects with normal and hydronephrotic kidneys. Materials and Methods In subjects known to have or suspected of having hydronephrosis, split renal filtration fractions were measured with a customized magnetization-prepared, inversion-prepared gradient-recalled echo sequence to determine the T1 of flowing blood in the inferior vena cava and aorta before and after contrast medium administration and in the renal veins and arteries after contrast medium administration. Multiple timed sets of coronal fast spoiled gradient-echo 70° flip-angle images were acquired before and after contrast medium administration to derive MR renograms from changes in the signal intensity of the cortex and medulla. Precontrast T2-weighted images were obtained with a three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-echo maximum intensity projection pulse sequence, and postcontrast T1 maximum intensity projection images were also obtained to depict the renal anatomy. Results Split filtration fraction differentiated normal from hydronephrotic kidneys. MR renograms depicted vascular, tubular, and ductal phases and differentiated between normal and hydronephrotic kidneys (P Conclusion The preliminary findings show promise for the use of MR urography in the comprehensive assessment of renal function, dynamics, and anatomy.